Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal power flow tool for mixed high-voltage alternating current and high-voltage direct current systems for grid integration of large wind power plants

This study presents a tool for solving optimal power flows (OPFs) in hybrid high-voltage direct current (HVDC) and high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) systems for grid integration of large wind power plants, located either offshore or onshore. The OPF departs from the assumption that the power being produced from the wind power plants is known, as well as the demand from the AC grid. To model the interaction between the DC and AC grids, the active power conservation is expressed between the AC side and DC side of each converter, taking into consideration converter losses (modelled as a second-order polynomial). The tool developed determines the voltages and the active and reactive power in each bus and branch that ensure the selected objective function. All the electrical variables are limited. Moreover, the currents flowing in each DC and AC branch are also limited. The maximum AC voltage that can be applied by the converters is also limited. To develop the tool, both HVDC and HVAC grids need to be represented appropriately through its impedances and admittances. The tool has been implemented through MATLAB® optimisation toolbox and through a more specific optimisation software GAMS®, leading to the same results for the study case presented.
Simple Formulae for Control of Industrial Time Delay Systems

CONTROL OF TIME DELAY INTEGRATING SYSTEMS IS A CHALLENGING AND ON-GOING RESEARCH. IN THIS PAPER A NEW STRUCTURE FOR CONTROL OF STABLE AND INTEGRATING TIME DELAY SYSTEMS IS PRESENTED. THE CONTROL DESIGN PROCESS IS AS SIMPLE AS SELECTION OF SOME CONSTANT GAINS, FOR WHICH SIMPLE FORMULAE ARE INTRODUCED. THE DESIGN METHODS ARE DERIVED ANALYTICALLY, WHILE NO FRACTIONAL APPROXIMATION FOR THE TIME DELAY TERM OF THE PLANT TRANSFER FUNCTION IS USED. SIMULATION, AS WELL AS, EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES REVEAL THE EXCEPTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROPOSED METHODS IN ACHIEVING A ROBUST AND WELL-PERFORMING TRACKING, EVEN WHEN THE PLANT PURE TIME DELAY IS VERY LARGE.
Outcome Measures for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Juvenile Justice Programs

Within the ‘what works’ literature, recidivism is typically embraced as the sole or primary outcome measure of success for offender intervention programs. Often, no account is taken of other important measures for evaluating program success. As such, our understanding of what works is based largely on programs that have demonstrated effectiveness with respect to reduced recidivism rates. Focusing specifically on tertiary prevention approaches for juvenile offenders, this article argues that there are significant limitations in using rates of recidivism as the primary outcome measure of program success. Firstly, this article explores the importance generally of incorporating a comprehensive evaluative framework into program design. Secondly, the limitations of relying upon recidivism as the sole or primary outcome measure in program evaluation are outlined. Thirdly, this article briefly describes the Risk-Needs-Responsivity (RNR) model and the Good Lives Model (GLM) as examples of models that can be used to inform the selection of appropriate outcome measures for program evaluation. This article then offers three examples of recent outcome evaluation studies which sought to determine the effectiveness of post-sentencing tertiary intervention programs for juvenile offenders using a broad range of indicators of success. Finally, the article suggests alternative outcome measures that might be usefully incorporated in future program design, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of existing programs.
Is duration of breastfeeding in infancy associated with serum uric acid levels and markers of low-grade inflammation in children

Sir, It is with great interest that we read the paper by Wasilewska et al. (1). They document the positive associations between hyperuricemia and markers of systemic inflammation (MCP-1 and hs-CRP) in normotensive children and reinforce previous papers on the relationship between uricaemia and systemic inflammation in humans. Further, the serum MCP-1 correlated inversely with age and hs-CRP correlated positively with both uricaemia and body mass index z-score. We would appreciate the opportunity to point out a different factor, which affects the value of uricaemia and low-grade inflammation markers in children, that is, breastfeeding. It is already well known that longer exclusive breastfeeding in infancy is associated with lower serum fibrinogen and CRP levels in later life, independently of potential confounders (2). On the other hand, xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) is a rate-limiting enzyme in purine metabolism and produces uric acid as the end product in humans. Interestingly, XOR is also essential for lactation and crucial for the unique process of milk fat droplet enveloping and secretion from the lactating mammary gland, which provides an example of gene sharing, the use of a gene and its encoded protein for more than one function (3). Moreover, among dehydrated infants, secondary to undetected lactation failure, evidence shows that greater weight loss is associated with a reddish stain in the diaper along with infants’ higher serum uric acid concentrations (4). To try to complete the picture, we present data on uricaemia from successfully and from not successfully exclusively breastfed infants (5). We have set a cut-off for low uricaemia at <3 mg ⁄ dL and for high uricaemia at ‡3 mg ⁄ dL to compare children in the lowest quartile of uric acid with those in the second, third and top quartiles. Thirty-five patients qualified for low uricaemia and 118 patients for high uricaemia. By postnatal day 30, babies with subsequent high uricaemia were twice as likely to have ceased exclusive breastfeeding than those with subsequent low uricaemia (OR: 2.77 [95% CI 1.06–7.20]).
Isolation of oral epithelial progenitors using

OBJECTIVE: Although oral mucosal epithelial stem cells are thought to reside in the basal layer, such cells have not yet been isolated. We isolated a population of rabbit oral epithelial progenitor cells containing putative stem cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Epithelial cells harvested from rabbit buccal mucosa were allowed to adhere to dishes coated with collagen IV for periods ranging from 10 min to 16 h. The properties of individual cell populations were evaluated using BrdU, Ki-67, integrin β 1, integrin α 6 and keratin 13 using colony forming efficiency. RESULTS: Cells that adhered to collagen IV coated dishes within 10 min were enriched about 6-fold in terms of BrdU incorporation, Ki-67, Integrin α 6, and Integrin β 1 were strongly expressed. Interestingly, Keratin 13 was faintly expressed. The CFE of rapidly adherent cells among oral epithelial cells was significant compared with other cell populations at 20, 60, 120 min and 16 h. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that rabbit oral epithelial cells could be isolated by depending on adhesiveness to collagen IV, especially when segregated according to progenitor cell properties. Putative progenitor cells with stem cell properties were most effec-tively harvested within 10 min. Our separation procedure should be a useful tool with which to isolate epithelial stem cells for regenerative medicine.
CO and C 3 H 8 sensitivity behavior of zinc antimonate prepared by a microwave-assisted solution method

ZnSb2O6 has been synthesized by a microwave-assisted solution method in order to test its possible application as a gas sensor. Zinc nitrate, antimony trichloride, and ethylenediamine were used as precursors and deionized water as solvent. Microwave radiation, with a power of ∼350 W, was applied for solvent evaporation. The thermal decomposition of the precursors leads to the formation of ZnSb2O6 at 600°C. This oxide crystallized in a tetragonal structure with cell parameters a = 4.66 A, c = 9.26 A and space group P42/mnm. Microwires and microrods formed by nanocrystals were observed by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM, resp.). Pellets of the oxide were tested as gas sensors in flowing atmospheres of carbon monoxide (CO) and propane (C3H8). Sensitivity increased with the gas concentration (0-300 ppm) and working temperatures (ambient, 150 and 250°C) increase. The results indicate high sensitivity of ZnSb2O6 in both gases at different concentrations and operating temperatures.
The G 8 and G 20 as Global Steering Committees for Energy : Opportunities and Constraints

This article looks at the opportunities and constraints for the G8 and G20 to act as steering committees in global energy governance. It starts from the premise that, intrinsically, informal consultation mechanisms among major powers have a large potential to act as coordinating bodies for global energy. After assessing the G8’s recent energy work, the article finds that the G8 has made notable strides on the energy front, particularly in areas of low controversy such as energy efficiency, but that its scope of action is limited by internal divisions, a lack of legitimacy, the absence of several key players and the lack of mechanisms for successful implementation of collective action. While some of these problems are addressed by the recent shift to the G20, the G20’s ability to act as a global energy governor remains limited. Nevertheless, by sketching the G20’s recent actions to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, we show that the G20 does have a large potential to make progress in addressing specific energy dossiers. The article concludes by making some concrete policy recommendations for G20 leaders to make full use of this forum’s potential.
Documento de Trabajo Working Paper N ° 234 N ° 234 MUST ORIGINAL SIN CAUSE MACROECONOMIC DAMNATION ?

Original sin, coupled with other financial imperfections, causes macroeconomic penance of two kinds: adverse shocks have larger and more persistent effects and monetary policy becomes less effective as a shock absorber. But macroeconomic damnation is not inevitable: in some cases, suitable changes in money and exchange rates can still partially stabilize output, investment and consumption. __________________ We are grateful to Barry Eichengreen, Ricardo Hausmann, Carmen Reinhart and seminar participants at the Inter-American Development Bank and Harvard University for comments, and to the National Science Foundation and the Harvard Center for International Development for generous financial support. E-mail: lcespede@bcentral.cl.
An Auto-Associative Residual Processing and K-means Clustering Approach for Anemometer Health Assessment

This paper presents a health assessment methodology, as well as specific residual processing and figure of merit algorithms for anemometers in two different configurations. The methodology and algorithms are applied to data sets provided by the Prognostics and Health Management Society 2011 Data Challenge. The two configurations consist of the “paired” data set in which two anemometers are positioned at the same height, and the “shear” data set which includes an array of anemometers at different heights. Various wind speed statistics, wind direction, and ambienttemperature information are provided, in which the objective is to classify the anemometer health status during a set of samples from a 5 day period. The proposed health assessment methodology consists of a set of data processing steps that include: data filtering and pre-processing, a residual or difference calculation, and a k-means clustering based figure of merit calculation. The residual processing for the paired data set was performed using a straightforward difference calculation, while the shear data set utilized an additional set of algorithm processing steps to calculate a weighted residual value for each anemometer. The residual processing algorithm for the shear data set used a set of auto-associative neural network models to learn the underlying correlation relationship between the anemometer sensors and to calculate a weighted residual value for each of the anemometer wind speed measurements. A figure of merit value based on the mean value of the smaller of the two clusters for the wind speed residual is used to determine the health status of each anemometer. Overall, the proposed methodology and algorithms show promise, in that the results from this approach resulted in the top score for the PHM 2011 Data Challenge Competition. Using different clustering algorithms or density estimation methods for the figure of merit calculation is being considered for future work.
Effect of Fluoxetine on Motor Improvement in Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Double Blind Clinical Trial Study

Background: Ischemic stroke is one of the most frequent reasons of adult disability. Newly, few trials have represented that fluoxetine might meliorate functional recovery after stroke. Objectives: Our purpose of this study was the evaluation of effectiveness of fluoxetine in rehabilitation of patients after stroke. Methods: In this double-blind trial study, patients who admitted for stroke, participated in a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial study with fluoxetine (20 mg once per day, orally), and placebo. They were examined for alterations in a depressive mood, evaluated by the Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS) and changes in motor impairment, assessed by the Barthel index (BI). assessments of patients were done in days 0, 45 and 90 with BI and HDRS scales according to their functional treatment response. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS-16 software. Results: One hundred seventy two patients were randomly assigned to fluoxetine (n = 86) or placebo (n = 86), and 150 were included in the analysis (75 in the fluoxetine group and 75 in the placebo group). BI improvement at day 90 was significantly greater in fluoxetine group (3.09 ± 1.57 points, P < 0.001) than in the placebo group (1.70 ± 1.33, P < 0.001). Based on improvement in both HDRS and BI scores we separated patients into two poor and good prognosis groups. A good prognosis group comprised 55 patients (73.3%) treated with fluoxetine and 17 patients (22.7%) treated with placebo. Conclusions: Early prescription of fluoxetine has significant effect on motor improvement after ischemic stroke.
Seasonal phytoplankton nutrient limitation patterns as revealed by bioassays over Baltic Sea gradients of salinity and eutrophication

The in situ P versus N limitation of northern Baltic Sea phytoplankton was studied over 3 seasonal cycles at 6 locations, encompassing the large-scale salinity and eutrophy gradients of the Baltic Sea. Limitation patterns were inferred from 170 time-series (3 d) experiments with a replicated factorial experimental design, analyzed using a novel model selection-based classification. Seven limitation classes describe exclusive and primary limitation by N, P, combined N and P, or none. Response parameters were chlorophyll a (chl a) and primary productivity. Although chl a responses reported more N-limited, and 14 C responses more P-limited cases, the responses of both parameters were highly similar. Distinct seasonal patterns of in situ P versus N limitation were evident, repro- ducible, and dissimilar even in closely related environments. The most pristine low-saline areas were dominantly P-limited, while more eutrophied areas showed predominant N limitation even at compa- rable salinities. The typical Baltic Sea surface salinity regions (5 to 6 PSU) were clearly N-limited either for summer months (e.g. the mildly eutrophied Bothnian Sea), or throughout the growth sea- son (e.g. the eutrophied Gulf of Finland), although terrestrial loading ratios for the Baltic Sea exceed the Redfield ratio several-fold. The commonly vigorous N2-fixing cyanobacterial blooms in the south- ern basins do not alleviate the basic N-limitation pattern, and do not appear in the summertime N- limited Bothnian Sea. Management strategies should include toning down the N-limited spring bloom in eutrophied areas, which fuels summertime P release from sediments, in turn favoring cyanobacteria. Terrestrial nutrient loading does not reach offshore areas without significant modifi- cation and loss, emphasizing the role of coastal zones in global nutrient cycles and stoichiometry.
Towards a sounder fire ecology

This forum brings together fire ecologists from outside the current wildfire controversy in the US to give their views on three central topics related to ecosystems in which wildfires are an important process. First, how do fire behavior and ecological effects vary between ecosystems? Second, why does this variation require an understanding that goes beyond simple correlations between various fire and ecosystem variables to more careful causal models? Third, how can human values and goals be reconciled with fire disturbance processes in an ecologically sound manner?
Effect of osmotic stress on in vitro translational capacity of polysomes and on the composition of polysome-associated proteins in germinating seeds of pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Plant growth throughout the world is often limited by unfavourable environmental conditions. This paper reports results of a study on long- and short-term osmotic stress (−0.5 MPa) followed by a recovery on in vitro translational capacity of polysomes and on the composition of polysome-associated proteins in germinating pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds. Here we show that, under osmotic stress, cytoskeleton-bound polysomes were charaterized by the highest translation activity, which may be indicative of an important role that this population of polysomes plays in the synthesis of the so-called “stress proteins”. We also find out that in response to osmotic stress, new proteins (22.01, 96.47 and 105.3 kDa), absent in the unstressed sample, associated with the total pool of polysomes, whereas the protein of 22.95 kDa, which was present in the embryonic tissue of seeds germinating under unstressed conditions, disappeared. These changes may have affected both the stability and the translational capacity of polysomes.
Weak ductile shear zone beneath a major strike‐slip fault: Inferences from earthquake cycle model constrained by geodetic observations of the western North Anatolian Fault Zone

GPS data before and after the 1999 İzmit/Düzce earthquakes on the North Anatolian Fault Zone (Turkey) reveal a preseismic strain localization within about 25 km of the fault and a rapid postseismic transient. Using 3‐D finite element calculations of the earthquake cycle in an idealized model of the crust, comprising elastic above Maxwell viscoelastic layers, we show that spatially varying viscosity in the crust can explain these observations. Depth‐dependent viscosity without lateral variations can reproduce some of the observations but cannot explain the proximity to the fault of maximum postseismic velocities. A localized weak zone beneath the faulted elastic lid satisfactorily explains the observations if the weak zone extends down to midcrustal depths, and the ratio of relaxation time to earthquake repeat time ranges from ~0.005 to ~0.01 (for weak‐zone widths of ~24 and 40 km, respectively) in the weakened domain and greater than ~1.0 elsewhere, corresponding to viscosities of ~1018 ± 0.3 Pa s and greater than ~1020 Pa s. Models with sharp weak‐zone boundaries fit the data better than those with a smooth viscosity increase away from the fault, implying that the weak zone may be bounded by a relatively abrupt change in material properties. Such a change might result from lithological contrast, grain size reduction, fabric development, or water content, in addition to any effects from shear heating. Our models also imply that viscosities inferred from postseismic studies primarily reflect the rheology of the weak zone and should not be used to infer the mechanical properties of normal crust.
NEW OCCURRENCES OF FOSSILIZED FEATHERS: SYSTEMATICS, TAPHONOMY, AND PALEOECOLOGY OF THE SANTANA FORMATION OF THE ARARIPE BASIN (CRETACEOUS), NE, BRAZIL

Feathers are the most complex and diversified integuments in vertebrates. Their complexity are provided by the different forms and functions, and they occur both in nonavian and avian-dinosaurs. Despite their rareness, feathers are found throughout the world, and the Santana Formation (comprised by Crato and Romualdo formations) of the Araripe Basin is responsible for the majority of these records in Brazil. Most occurrences is consisted by isolated feathers, where downy-feathers is the recurrent morphotype, two coelurosaurs and one enantiornithe bird. The sedimentary deposition of this unit is consisted by a lacustrine (Crato Fm) and lagoonal (Romualdo Fm) environments, where reducing conditions prevailed, precluding the activity of bottom dwelling organisms that favored the exquisite preservation. Despite the arid and hot conditions during the Cretaceous, life teemed in the adjacency of both paleolakes, however, feathered non-avian dinosaurs were not found yet in the Crato Member. By the great diversity of life that existed in the paleolake surroundings, is possible to recognize, through the fossil record, that a complex and diversified trophic chain was well established during the time period of sedimentation of this unit. When the remains reached the bottom of the paleolakes, the subsequent isolation from the environment allowed their preservation. In this work, three fossilized feathers, consisted of two downy and one contour feather, extracted from the laminated limestone of the Crato Member of the Santana Formation, were described and identified according to morphological and evolutionary models. We also used the terminology commonly applied to extant organisms. Relying on the fossil record of this unit and the adjacencies formations and basins (by autochthonous condition), taxonomic inferences can be made when the lowest hierarchy level is considered, and hence, is possible to propose the plausible taxa that could bear these elements. Taphonomic and paleoecological aspects, such as the preservation of these structures, and the presence of dinosaurs, were also reviewed, as well as the future perspectives about the study of these elements. Despite the virtual low significance, the pragmatical study of fossilized feathers, can help with the understanding of the evolution and paleobiology of dinosaurs, especially on the South Hemisphere.