Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of long tonnage composite insulators on UHVDC V-type strings

In UHVDC transmission projects, long tonnage composite insulators with mechanical strength of 300kN and above will be widely used for V-type strings. Research on operating mechanical characteristics of long tonnage composite insulators is the basis for properly insulator selecting. In this paper, finite element model of overhead transmission line as well as mechanical model for V-type composite insulator verified by load test was constructed. In view of the application of composite insulator FXBZ-800/550 on UHVDC V-type strings, the dynamic tensile and compressive loads under the dynamic operating conditions such as ice shedding, wind swaying and conductor galloping were studied through numeric simulation, so were the influences of ice thickness, wind velocity and galloping amplitude to the insulator loads, and furthermore, the amplification ratio of dynamic peak loads relative to their corresponding static loads was obtained. This research results can provide theoretical references for developing long tonnage composite insulator dynamic load reliability test and selecting its safe coefficient.
The neurobiological basis of cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease

The recent formalization of clinical criteria for Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD) codifies many studies on this topic, including those assessing biological correlates. These studies show that the emergence of PDD occurs on the background of severe dopamine deficits with, the main pathological drivers of cognitive decline being a synergistic effect between alpha‐synuclein and Alzheimer's disease pathology. The presence of these pathologies correlates with a marked loss of limbic and cortically projecting dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, and acetylcholine neurons, although the exact timing of these relationships remains to be determined. Genetic factors, such as triplications in the α‐synuclein gene, lead to a clear increased risk of PDD, whereas others, such as parkin mutations, are associated with a reduced risk of PDD. The very recent formalization of clinical criteria for PD with mild cognitive impairment (PD‐MCI) allows only speculation on its biological and genetic bases. Critical assessment of animal models shows that chronic low‐dose MPTP treatment in primates recapitulates PD‐MCI over time, enhancing the current biological concept of PD‐MCI as having enhanced dopamine deficiency in frontostriatal pathways as well as involvement of other neurotransmitter systems. Data from other animal models support multiple transmitter involvement in cognitive impairment in PD. Whereas dopamine dysfunction has been highlighted because of its obvious role in PD, the role of the other neurotransmitter systems, neurodegenerative pathologies, and genetic factors in PD‐MCI remains to be fully elucidated. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A taxonomy of political processes in systems development

Significant resources invested in information system development (ISD) are wasted due to political manoeuvres. Prior research on ISD politics has contributed mainly through theoretical development and case studies. This has enhanced understanding of relevant concepts, political tactics and conditions facilitating politics. However, there is limited understanding of the different processes through which politics unfold. This paper uses 89 ISD projects to develop a taxonomy of political processes in ISD. The taxonomy includes three distinct processes: Tug of War, wherein multiple parties strive to gain project control; Obstacle Race, which involves efforts to resist and pursue the project; and Empire Building, wherein the project is used as an instrument to enhance political or resource bases. The taxonomy is explained using the non‐proponents' view of the project and the balance of power between system's proponents and non‐proponents. We also discuss the emergent taxonomy's implications for how politics can be managed and studied.
Image processing workflow middleware to archive high performance and usability

We develop Lavatube as an image processing workflow middleware for efficient research and development. Lavatube is an object-oriented framework optimized for constructing a computer vision system, particularly a video and image processing system. Lavatube enables a description of a processing extension by combining various functional components. Since the data flow is easy to describe by graphconnecting icons on a GUI, a system can be created intuitively. For efficient and clearcut system construction, Lavatube provides functions for the dynamic generation of parameter setting dialog boxes and for perpetuation by XML. Lavatube can also be used cloud computing to process large amounts of data. Some actual image processing cases as examples are also introduced.
Valores de referencia de normalidad para la prueba del nivel de disconfort para la sensación de intensidad: resultados preliminares

The Level of Discomfort for the Sensation of Intensity (LDL - Loudness Disconfort Level) is an audiological test used for the selection of the saturation level of hearing aids, and more recently also indicated for the auditory evaluation of people with tinnitus and hearing hypersensitivity. We believe that it is necessary to investigate and determine normal reference values ​​for LDL in individuals without hearing loss, since auditory hypersensitivity can occur in individuals with normal hearing thresholds. The levels of discomfort for the frequencies 0.5 to 8 KHz in the two ears were investigated in a test and retest situation in 51 individuals between 18 and 25 years of age and with normal hearing. The median for all frequencies ranged between 92.5 and 100 dBNA, with no differences between the ears. This test showed high inter-subject variability and high consistency between test and retest. We conclude that LDL can be a good instrument to evaluate the evolution of patients with auditory hypersensitivity.
The Stimulation of Glycolysis by Hypoxia in Activated Monocytes Is Mediated by AMP-activated Protein Kinase and Inducible 6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase*

The activation of monocytes involves a stimulation of glycolysis, release of potent inflammatory mediators, and alterations in gene expression. All of these processes are known to be further increased under hypoxic conditions. The activated monocytes express inducible 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase (iPFK-2), which synthesizes fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, a stimulator of glycolysis. During ischemia, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activates the homologous heart 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase isoform by phosphorylating its Ser-466. Here, we studied the involvement of AMPK and iPFK-2 in the stimulation of glycolysis in activated monocytes under hypoxia. iPFK-2 was phosphorylated on the homologous serine (Ser-461) and activated by AMPKin vitro. The activation of human monocytes by lipopolysaccharide induced iPFK-2 expression and increased fructose 2,6-bisphosphate content and glycolysis. The incubation of activated monocytes with oligomycin, an inhibitor of oxidative phosphorylation, or under hypoxic conditions activated AMPK and further increased iPFK-2 activity, fructose 2,6-bisphosphate content, and glycolysis. In cultured human embryonic kidney 293 cells, the expression of a dominant-negative AMPK prevented both the activation and phosphorylation of co-transfected iPFK-2 by oligomycin. It is concluded that the stimulation of glycolysis by hypoxia in activated monocytes requires the phosphorylation and activation of iPFK-2 by AMPK.
A quasi-PTAS for the Two-Dimensional Geometric Knapsack Problem

We consider the two-dimensional geometric knapsack problem defined as follows. Given a collection of rectangular axis-parallel items with weights, we want to find a maximum weight subset of the items that can be packed into a rectangular knapsack, i.e., which can be assigned positions within the knapsack such that the items are pairwise non-overlapping. The goal is to compute the optimal collection of items together with a feasible packing. The problem arises naturally in several applications, and various special cases of the problem have been studied. For the general case the best known result is a (2 + e)-approximation algorithm, while the only hardness result is NP-hardness. Our main result is a (1 + e)-approximation algorithm that runs in quasi-polynomial time, provided that the input data consists of (quasi-)polynomially bounded integers. We achieve this result in the setting with and without allowing rotation of the items. Our key technical contribution is to show the existence of a partition for the knapsack into a small number of rectangular boxes. Intuitively, this partition describes the segmentation of the knapsack in some near-optimal solution into large items, areas containing items that are high and thin, and areas containing items that are small and wide. Handling the interaction between these three types of items is a core bottleneck in the design of approximation algorithms for the problem and our partition allows to control this at only marginal cost. In particular, it is so powerful that we do not even need to round the sizes of the items, which is a canonical step in algorithms for geometric knapsack, geometric bin-packing, etc. Finally, we present new algorithms for two-dimensional knapsack and two-dimensional bin-packing under (1 + e)-resource augmentation with a substantially better running time dependence on e (although at the expense of requiring quasi-polynomial time). The objective value of our computed solutions is as good as the optimum without additional resources. Here we exploit a recent result showing the existence of certain low-complexity low weight separators for sets of non-overlapping rectangles.
Wideband LNA for a multistandard wireless receiver in 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS

A differential wideband LNA for a multistandard receiver has been designed and implemented in 0.18/spl mu/m CMOS. The circuit topology is a two-stage amplifier with active feedback. The input stage is a common-source stage with a common-drain stage in the feedback loop for impedance matching. Bandwidth enhancement with inductive shunt-peaking is used for maximizing the bandwidth. Measurements on the fabricated device show a power gain of 13.1 dB and a 3-dB bandwidth of nearly 7 GHz together with an IIP3 and a 1-dB compression point of -4.7 dBm and -15.2 dBm respectively. The measured noise figures are 3.3 dB at 1 GHz and 5.5 dB at 6 GHz. Reported LNAs with similar performance are usually implemented with bipolar transistors or MESFETs.
Investigation of turbulence effect on the free space optical link for ground-to-train communications

There is a growing demand for high mobility and ultrafast internet/data services which drives the motivation for free space optical (FSO) communications for high speed trains. Here we present an FSO link for the ground-to-train communications, which consists of optical transceivers positioned alongside the track and on the roof of the train. When the train moves at a high speed, the airwave induced turbulence degrades the FSO link performance. In this paper the effect of turbulence is experimentally investigated and compared with the case of no turbulence.
Estudio y modelización en régimen permanente de cargas no lineales para el análisis armónico de redes eléctricas

El analisis armonico de redes electricas se utiliza para el estudio de los efectos de las cargas no lineales sobre las magnitudes y formas de onda de las tensiones y corrientes electricas. Dado el constante incremento de las cargas no lineales respecto a las lineales, este estudio tiene cada vez mayor importancia. En el caso de redes electricas lineales el metodo de estudio mayormente utilizado es el flujo de cargas, por tanto es logico utilizar tambien un flujo de cargas para el caso no lineal; entonces es necesaria una modelizacion de las cargas no lineales para su incorporacion en el estudio. Despues del analisis bibliografico se observa que la mayoria de los autores utilizan metodos sin interaccion armonica, es decir, no tienen en cuenta la influencia que ejercen sobre la forma de onda de la corriente los armonicos de tension del punto de conexion de la carga. En este trabajo se presenta un ejemplo de los errores numericos y de forma de onda que se introducen al no tener en cuenta la interaccion armonica. Otros autores utilizan metodos con interaccion armonica pero modelizando una unica carga no lineal: el rectificador trifasico con filtro inductivo alimentado con un sistema simetrico de tensiones; pero hay otras cargas no lineales de importancia en las instalaciones electricas que, aunque son de menor potencia unitaria, el numero de unidades en una misma instalacion es considerable dando lugar a una potencia total importante. En esta tesis se presenta un metodo sistematizado para la obtencion de modelos de cargas no lineales y los modelos obtenidos para ocho cargas, tanto para los casos de simetria de semionda y simetria trifasica como para el caso general. Todos los modelos han sido exhaustivamente ensayados con alimentacion a tension constante con resultados satisfactorios. Para una facil implementacion en un programa de flujo de cargas se ha determinado el sistema de ecuaciones a resolver para cada carga y se han hallado las expresiones algebraicas de las constantes internas de cada modelo y de los desarrollos armonicos de las intensidades. Se incluye tambien el metodo de obtencion de la primera aproximacion para el metodo de Newton o de h-Newton que debera resolver el sistema. Se incluyen los resultados de una muestra significativa de los numerosos casos ensayados con el metodo de flujo de cargas y en simulaciones a tension constante. Se han comparado muchos resultados con los que se obtienen con metodos en el dominio del tiempo (PSPICE) y en algunos casos reales.
Changes in Frequency and Pathogens Causing Acute Otitis Media in 1995–2003

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine whether a change in the frequency or distribution of the causative pathogens in persistent acute otitis media (AOM) and AOM treatment failure (AOMTF) occurred after publication of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention AOM treatment guidelines advocating high dose amoxicillin in 1998 and the universal use of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in 2000. Methods: This was a 9-year prospective study in a suburban, community-based private practice. To identify bacterial isolate(s), 551 children with AOM who had not responded after 1 or 2 empiric antimicrobial treatment courses (termed persistent AOM) and those who were failures after 48 h on treatment (AOMTF) underwent tympanocentesis. Three periods were compared: (1) 1995–1997 when all enrolled received standard dose amoxicillin (40–50 mg/kg/day divided 3 times daily) as the initial empiric treatment; (2) 1998–2000 when all received high dose amoxicillin (80–100 mg/kg/day divided twice daily); and (3) 2001–2003 when high dose amoxicillin and pneumococcal conjugate vaccinations were used. Results: Persistent AOM or AOMTF for which tympanocentesis was performed occurred in 195 (16.2%) of 1207, 204 (16.1%) of 1278 and 152 (12.3%) of 1232 AOM visits for 1995–1997, 1998–2000 and 2001–2003, respectively; the 24% decline in 2001–2003 in persistent AOM and AOMTF was significant (P = 0.007). Middle ear aspirates grew Streptococcus pneumoniae (48, 44 and 31%) and Haemophilus influenzae (38, 43 and 57%) for time periods 1, 2 and 3, respectively. There was a significant decline in S. pneumoniae (P = 0.017) and increase in H. influenzae (P = 0.012) isolations and of H. influenzae that were &bgr;-lactamase-producing (P = 0.04) among middle ear fluid isolates. Also there was a trend for an increased proportion of S. pneumoniae in 2001–2003 that were penicillin-susceptible (P = 0.17). Conclusions: In our experience, persistent AOM and AOMTF has decreased in frequency since the introduction of high dose amoxicillin therapy and pneumococcal conjugate vaccination. It appears that H. influenzae has become the predominant pathogen of persistent AOM and AOMTF since universal immunization with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Fewer S. pneumoniae AOM isolates are penicillin-resistant and more H. influenzae are &bgr;-lactamase-producing.
The cost-effectiveness of a nonpharmacologic intervention for individuals with dementia and family caregivers: the tailored activity program.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate cost-effectiveness of the Tailored Activity Program (TAP) for individuals with dementia and family caregivers. DESIGN Cost-effectiveness study of a two-group randomized controlled trial involving 60 patients-caregiver dyads randomized to intervention or wait-list control. SETTING Participants' homes in Philadelphia region. PARTICIPANTS Caregivers were aged ≥ 21 years, lived with patients, and provided ≥ 4 hours of daily care. Patients had moderate dementia and behavioral symptoms INTERVENTION Eight sessions of occupational therapy over 4 months to identify patients' preserved capabilities, previous roles, habits and interests, develop customized activities, and train families in their use. MEASUREMENTS Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) expressed as the cost to bring about one additional unit of benefit measured by caregiver hours per day "doing things" and hours per day "being on duty. " Decision tree and Monte Carlo analyses tested robustness of the economic models. RESULTS Total average intervention cost was $941.63 per day. Intervention caregivers saved one extra hour per day "doing things" at a cost of $2.37/day and one extra hour per day "being on duty" at a cost of $1.10/day. Monte Carlo showed that TAP was cost-effective 79.2% of the time for "doing things" and 79.6% of the time for "being on duty. " Varying the cost assumptions did not change cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that investment in TAP is cost-effective and afforded families an important, limited and highly valued resource, needed time off from caregiving. This nonpharmacologic approach should be considered part of the clinical management of dementia.
Raw Oyster Shells as Carrier for Nitrifying Biofilm in Aerated Biofilter

Oyster shells wastes resulting from the mariculture presents an imperative disposal problem in the coastal region. In this study, the nitrification efficiency on an aerated biofilter with raw oyster shells (ROS) as the sole buffer agent and the biomass carrier was evaluated. The capability of alkalinity supplied by ROS was found to be about 1050 mg/L, enabling a loading ammonia concentration up to 147 mg/L being removed. A substantial NH4+-N removal of 65% could be achieved even at the loading concentration as high as 240 mg•L-1. About 100% nitrification was maintained as the influent NH4+-N concentration kept below 120 mg/L. The nitrification kinetics of biofilm with ROS fit well to Monod kinetics equation. The saturation constant Km was 625 mg/L for the nitrifier with ROS, about one order of magnitude higher than that for compared plastic ball (PLB) carrier system.
Offshore Southern California lithospheric velocity structure from noise cross‐correlation functions

A new shear wave velocity model offshore Southern California is presented that images plate boundary deformation including both thickening and thinning of the crustal and mantle lithosphere at the westernmost edge of the North American continent. The Asthenospheric and Lithospheric Broadband Architecture from the California Offshore Region Experiment (ALBACORE) ocean bottom seismometer array, together with 65 stations of the onshore Southern California Seismic Network, is used to measure ambient noise correlation functions and Rayleigh wave dispersion curves which are inverted for 3‐D shear wave velocities. The resulting velocity model defines the transition from continental lithosphere to oceanic, illuminating the complex history and deformation in the region. A transition to the present‐day strike‐slip regime between the Pacific and North American Plates resulted in broad deformation and capture of the now >200 km wide continental shelf. Our velocity model suggests the persistence of the uppermost mantle volcanic processes associated with East Pacific Rise spreading adjacent to the Patton Escarpment, which marks the former subduction of Farallon Plate underneath North America. The most prominent of these seismic structures is a low‐velocity anomaly underlying the San Juan Seamount, suggesting ponding of magma at the base of the crust, resulting in thickening and ongoing adjustment of the lithosphere due to the localized loading. The velocity model also provides a robust framework for future earthquake location determinations and ground‐shaking simulations for risk estimates.
The vagus nerve and nicotinic receptors modulate experimental pancreatitis severity in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The nervous system, through the vagus nerve, controls inflammation by decreasing the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha from endotoxin stimulated macrophages. This anti-inflammatory effect is mediated by an interaction of acetylcholine, the principal neurotransmitter of the vagus nerve, with macrophage cholinergic nicotinic receptors expressing the alpha7 subunit. METHODS To determine the role of this "nicotinic anti-inflammatory pathway" in experimental pancreatitis, we induced pancreatitis in mice by 12 hourly intraperitoneal injections of cerulein. Pancreatitis was preceded by unilateral left cervical vagotomy or pretreatment with the nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine or by pretreatment with the selective alpha7 nicotinic receptor agonist 3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene) anabaseine (GTS-21). RESULTS Vagotomy or pretreatment with mecamylamine resulted in an enhanced severity of pancreatitis, as reflected by histology, edema, plasma hydrolases, and interleukin-6 levels. Furthermore, the number of neutrophils migrated to the pancreas was increased in these mice, as shown by myeloperoxidase content and intrapancreatic staining of neutrophils. Conversely, GTS-21 pretreatment strongly decreased the severity of pancreatitis. Pancreatitis-associated pulmonary inflammation was independent of the integrity of the vagus nerve and nicotinic receptors. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first evidence for a therapeutic potential of the vagus nerve and the "nicotinic anti-inflammatory pathway" in attenuating inflammation and injury during experimental pancreatitis.
Remittances and inequality: a question of migration stage and geographic scale.

The impact of migrant remittances on the place of migrant origin is examined using data from a 1988 household study undertaken in central Zacatecas state, Mexico. The focus is on whether remittances tend to increase or to decrease income inequalities. "Interfamilial inequalities are found first to decrease and then to increase as a place's migration experience deepens. Throughout this experience, however, rural incomes improve relative to urban ones, since remittances are targeted to the predominantly rural areas of origin. "