Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Large-Scale Distribution Planning—Part I: Simultaneous Network and Transformer Optimization

This paper is the first of two and presents a planning methodology for low-voltage distribution networks. Combined optimization of transformers and associated networks is performed, considering the street layout which connects the different consumers. In this first part, micro-optimization, the planning zone is divided into small zones, mini-zones, which are optimized independently. A repetitive procedure is used in order to locate transformers using clustering techniques. Optimum capacity, customers to be satisfied, the optimum network to be used and losses associated to this network are determined for each location. The methodology is applied over an area of 12.9 km2 with nearly 20 215 consumers. In the second paper, two macro-optimization methodologies are discussed based on the planning results for each mini-zone, one based on the Voronoi polygons in order to improve load grouping into mini-zones and the other based on the combination of neighboring networks into a single transformer by means of a Tabu search. Finally, the methodology is applied to a zone with a surface of 2118 km2 and approximately 1300 000 customers.
Assessment and Treatment of Adult Acute Responses to Traumatic Stress Following Mass Traumatic Events

ABSTRACT Assessment and treatment of acute responses to traumatic stress has received much attention since September 11, 2001. This article elucidates principles of early intervention with adults in the immediate (within 48 hours) and early recovery phase (within the first week). The principles have been drawn from research on risk and recover factors, stress and traumatic stress theory, and expert consensus recommendations. The debriefing model is discussed, and principle interventions of psychological first aid, pharmacology, and mass trauma systems are described. This article concludes with brief guidelines for longer-term interventions and recommendations for future research.
Use of protein electrophoresis in the diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea

Abstract The diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhoea on clinical grounds alone can be difficult. We describe how the use of noninvasive electrophoretic analysis of nasal secretions for tau protein (asialotransferrin) helped in the management of cases where the existence of a CSF leak was in doubt. Patients were thus saved unnecessary invasive investigations or surgery. A modification of the method of analysis, which improves diagnostic accuracy, is described.
Juxtacrine Activation of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Receptor by Membrane-anchored Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor Protects Epithelial Cells from Anoikis While Maintaining an Epithelial Phenotype*

Loss of cell-matrix adhesion is often associated with acute epithelial injury, suggesting that “anoikis” may be an important contributor to cell death. Resistance against anoikis is a key characteristic of transformed cells. When nontransformed epithelia are injured, activation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) by paracrine/autocrine release of soluble ligands can induce a prosurvival program, but there is generally evidence for concomitant dedifferentiation. The EGFR ligand, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), is synthesized as a membrane-anchored precursor that can activate the EGFR via juxtacrine signaling or can be released and act as a soluble growth factor. In Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, expression of membrane-anchored HB-EGF increases cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion. Therefore, these studies were designed to test the effects of juxtacrine HB-EGF signaling upon cell survival and epithelial integrity when cells are denied proper cell-matrix interactions. Cells expressing a noncleavable mutated form of membrane-anchored HB-EGF demonstrated increased survival from anoikis, formed larger cell aggregates, and maintained epithelial characteristics even following prolonged detachment from the substratum. Physical association between membrane-anchored HB-EGF and EGFR was observed. Signaling studies indicated synergistic effects of EGFR activation and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling to regulate apoptotic and survival pathways. In contrast, although administration of exogenous EGF partially suppressed anoikis in wild type cells, it also led to an increased expression of mesenchymal markers, suggesting dedifferentiation. Taken together, we propose a novel role for membrane-anchored HB-EGF in the cytoprotection of epithelial cells.
Cooperative dimerization of a stably folded protein directed by a flexible RNA in the assembly of the HIV Rev dimer–RRE stem II complex

The binding of the HIV‐1 Rev protein as an oligomer to a viral RNA element, the Rev‐response element (RRE), mediates nuclear export of genomic RNA. Assembly of the Rev–RRE ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex is nucleated by the binding of the first Rev molecule to stem IIB of the RRE. This is followed by stepwise addition of a total of ~six Rev molecules along the RRE through a combination of RNA–protein and protein–protein interactions. RRE stem II, which forms a three‐way junction consisting of stems IIA, IIB and IIC, has been shown to bind to two Rev molecules in a cooperative manner, with the second Rev molecule binding to the junction region of stem II. The results of base substitutions at the stem II junction, and characterization of stem II junction variants selected from a randomized library showed that an “open” flexible structure is preferred for binding of the second Rev molecule, and that binding of the second Rev molecule to the junction region is not sequence‐specific. Alanine substitutions of a number of Rev amino acid residues implicated to be important for Rev folding in previous structural studies were found to result in a dramatic decrease in the binding of the second Rev molecule. These results support the model that proper folding of Rev is critical in ensuring that the flexible RRE is able to correctly position Rev molecules for specific RNP assembly, and suggests that targeting Rev folding may be effective in the inhibition of Rev function. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cerebral Venous Steal: Blood Flow Diversion with Increased Tissue Pressure

PURPOSE Flow in areas with increased tissue pressure is described by a Starling resistor and is determined by the inflow pressure (Pi), the external pressure (Pe), and the outflow or venous pressure (Pv). Flow is in Zone 1 at Pe >Pi >Pv, Zone 2 at Pi >Pe >Pv, and Zone 3 at Pi >Pv >Pe. A focal tissue pressure increase after stroke or trauma may lead to a transition from Zone 1 or 2 in the center to Zone 3 in the periphery. We hypothesize that the coexistence of different zones may lead to steal-like blood flow diversion in the perifocal area. CONCEPT We used a lumped-parameter model of two parallel Starling resistors with a common inflow. The first resistor, with higher Pe, represented the area with increased tissue pressure. The second resistor, with Pe′ = 0, represented the surrounding area. We evaluated the effects of venous pressure on the flow distribution between the two Starling resistors. RATIONALE The model demonstrated blood flow diversion toward the second Starling resistor with low external pressure. High inflow resistance facilitates this “steal. ” Flow diversion is caused by effective outflow pressure differences for the Starling resistors (Pe for the first and Pv for the second). The venous pressure increase equilibrates the effective backpressure and decreases flow diversion. When the venous pressure equals the external tissue pressure, blood flow diversion (cerebral venous steal) is abolished. Although increased venous pressure causes global flow reduction, it may restore flow to more than 50% of baseline values in areas of increased tissue pressure. DISCUSSION Cerebral venous steal is a potential cause of secondary brain injury in areas of increased tissue pressure. It can be eliminated with increased venous pressure. Increased venous pressure may recruit the collapsed vascular network and correct perifocal perfusion maldistribution. This resembles how positive end expiratory pressure recruits collapsed airways and decreases the ventilation/perfusion mismatch.
he absence of microbiota delays the inflammatory response to ryptococcus gattii arliete

The inflammatory response plays a crucial role in infectious diseases, and the intestinal microbiota is linked to maturation of the immune system. However, the association between microbiota and the response against fungal infections has not been elucidated. Our aim was to evaluate the influence of microbiota on Cryptococcus gattii infection. Germ-free (GF), conventional (CV), conventionalized (CVN—mice that received feces from conventional animals), and LPS-stimulated mice were infected with C. gattii. GF mice were more susceptible to infection, showing lower survival, higher fungal burden in the lungs and brain, increased behavioral changes, reduced levels of IFN, IL-1 and IL-17, and lower NF Bp65 phosphorylation compared to CV mice. Low expression of inflammatory cytokines was associated with smaller yeast cells and polysaccharide capsules (the main virulence factor of C. gattii) in the lungs, and less tissue damage. Furthermore, macrophages from GF mice showed reduced ability to engulf, produce ROS, and kill C. gattii. Restoration of microbiota (CVN mice) or LPS administration made GF mice more responsive to infection, which was associated with increased survival and higher levels of inflammatory mediators. This study is the first to demonstrate the influence of microbiota in the host response against
Assessing the Costs of Adverse Selection

This article develops and discusses a framework for estimating losses due to adverse selection in insurance. It is shown that expected losses depend only on means, variances and covariances of insurance factors and rates of uptake of insurance. Percentage loadings required to avoid losses are displayed. Application is made to Huntingdon disease where individuals either have the genetic marker or otherwise. Correlated information, such as family history, is also incorporated and it is seen how such information limits losses and decreases required loadings.
Compact penta-band antenna for portable and embedded devices

The paper presents the design of a compact penta-band antenna for portable and embedded devices. The bands covered include GSM-900/1800/1900, UMTS-2100 and 2.4GHz WLAN. A folded planar inverted-F antenna with a relocated shorting-stub and a secondary arm introduced on the bottom layer of the substrate provides resonances at the 900, 1800 and 2400MHz bands. The inclusion of a narrow slot in the ground plane offers an additional resonance at 2300MHz, resulting in more than 800MHz bandwidth centered at 2100MHz. The final design is confirmed by measurement showing the 6dB return loss from 890–960 and 1650–2550MHz with better than 10dB return loss at the centers of the GSM-900/1800 and 2.4GHz WLAN bands.
Reducing Vascular Calcification by Anti-IL-1β Monoclonal Antibody in a Mouse Model of Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Background: Given the link between cholesterol and activation of inflammation via interleukin 1β (IL-1β), we tested the effects of IL-1β inhibition on atherosclerotic calcification in mice. Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia develop extensive aortic calcification and calcific aortic stenosis. Although statins delay this process, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol lowering alone is not enough to avert it. Data suggest that vascular inflammation initiated by hypercholesterolemia is followed by unchecked mineralization at sites of atherosclerotic plaques. The LDL-receptor (LDLR)-deficient (Ldlr−/−) and LDLR-attenuated Pcsk9(Tg) mice are available animal models for pharmacological testing. Methods: A mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) against IL-1β or placebo was administered subcutaneously in Ldlr−/− and Pcsk9(Tg) models fed a Western diet. Drug level, anthropometric, lipid, and glucose profiles were determined. Expressions of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), serum amyloid A1, and cytokine were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Aortic calcification was determined by microcomputerized tomography (micro-CT) and X-ray densitometry, and aortic flow velocity was assessed by ultrasound. Results: Circulating levels of IL-1β in Ldlr−/− mice were significantly greater (2-fold) than observed in Pcsk9(Tg) mice. Placebo- and mAb-treated mice did not differ in their growth, lipid, glucose profiles, and other cytokines. Calcifications were significantly diminished in mAb-treatment Ldlr−/− mice (a reduction of ∼75% by X-ray and ∼90% by micro-CT) and reduced insignificantly in mAb-treatment Pcsk9(Tg) mice, whereas aortic flow velocity was unchanged in both models. Conclusions: Herein, we demonstrate that aortic calcifications can be inhibited by an IL-1β mAb in LDLR-deficient mice. These results have a translational component to prevent vascular calcification in human and represent new evidence to rationalize targeting inflammation in cardiovascular disease.
Distribution of parvalbumin‐immunoreactive cells and fibers in the monkey temporal lobe: The amygdaloid complex

The calcium‐binding protein parvalbumin was immunohistochemically localized in the monkey amygdaloid complex. Parvalbumin‐immunoreactive neuronal cell bodies, fibers, and terminals were observed in several amygdaloid nuclei and cortical areas. Three types of aspiny neurons, ranging from small spherical cells (Type 1) to large multipolar cells (Type 2) and fusiform cells (Type 3) were observed in most amygdaloid regions, though the proportions of the cell types were different in each region. The density of parvalbumin‐immunoreactive fibers and terminals tended to parallel the density of labeled cell bodies. The highest densities of parvalbumin profiles were observed in the nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract, the periamygdaloid cortex (PAC2), the magnocellular division of the basal nucleus, the ventrolateral portion of the lateral nucleus, and the accessory basal nucleus. The regions containing the lowest densities of parvalbumin‐positive profiles were the medial nucleus, anterior cortical nucleus, central nucleus, and the paralaminar nucleus. In regions with fiber and terminal labeling, pericellular networks of fibers, reminiscent of basket cell terminations, were commonly observed to surround unstained neuronal cell bodies and proximal dendrites. In the magnocellular division of the basal nucleus, and to a lesser extent in the lateral nucleus, parvalbuminlabeled “cartridges” of axo‐axonic terminals were observed on the initial segments of unlabeled cells. Parvalbumin‐positive varicosities were also commonly observed in close apposition to the soma and dendrites of parvalbumin‐immunoreactive cells. Given the close correspondence between the distribution of parvalbumin‐positive neurons and a subset of GABAergic neurons in many brain regions, these data provide a first indication of the organization of the inhibitory circuitry of the primate amygdaloid complex. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Responses from parabrachial gustatory neurons in behaving rats.

1. The responses of a total of 70 single neurons were recorded from the parabrachial nuclei (PBN) in awake rats. In 59 neurons, sapid stimuli (0.5 ml) elicited significant taste responses. Of these 59 neurons, 10 also had significant responses to water. The mean spontaneous rate of the taste neurons was 13.4 +/- 6.9 (SD) spikes/s. Of the remaining 11 neurons, 9 responded significantly only to water; 2 had no significant responses to the standard fluid stimuli. 2. Based on the magnitude of their response to our four standard stimuli, the taste neurons were classified as follows: 42 NaCl-best, 14 sucrose-best, 2 citric acid-best, and 1 QHCl-best. Of these, 25 responded only to one of four sapid stimuli; 20 of these specific cells responded only to NaCl. All the remaining 34 neurons responded to two or more of the four sapid stimuli, with NaCl and sucrose responsiveness dominant. For the 59 taste neurons, the mean entropy for the absolute value of the responses was 0.68; for the excitatory activity alone, it was 0.58. 3. The mean responses to NaCl and sucrose concentration series increased monotonically. Except at the lowest concentration, responses to citric acid also increased monotonically, but with a lower slope. Mean responses to QHCl, however, remained stable or even decreased with increasing concentration. Thus the power functions for the NaCl and sucrose intensity-response series were higher than those of citric acid and QHCl. 4. A hierarchical cluster analysis of 59 parabrachial neurons suggested four different categories: NaCl-best, sucrose-best, citric acid-best, and QHCl-best. These categories were less evident in the two-dimensional space produced by multidimensional analysis, because the positions of NaCl- and sucrose-best neurons formed a continuum in which neural response profiles change successively from sucrose-specific to NaCl-specific. 5. The results were consistent with previous anatomic and neurophysiological data suggesting convergence in the medulla of sensory input from receptors in the nasoincisor ducts (NID) and on the anterior tongue (AT). Taste buds in the NID respond preferentially to sucrose, whereas those on the AT respond more to NaCl. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Tridimensional Yagi Antenna

This work presents the concept and development of the so called Tridimensional Yagi Antenna, which is a novel type of Yagi antenna operating in P band. It was idealized from two other types of Yagi antennas: Quasi-Yagi and Yagi-Uda. The resultant antenna is based on a microstrip balun, as in Quasi-Yagi, and its driver and directors are made from metal tubes, as in Yagi-Uda, both integrated to a reflecting plane. The key point of this new antenna model is its asymmetric and reconfigurable radiation pattern and therefore the possibility of a high rejection between bands in a plane. This feature was accomplished with the new concept of progressive rotation of directors around driver. We present a design methodology to adjust return loss and radiation pattern characteristics. The final prototype presents 9.4 dB gain at 450 MHz and 47% bandwidth centered at 425 MHz.
Body mass index, waist circumference, and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: implications for routine clinical practice.

BACKGROUND Current guidelines for assessing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) recommend using the patient's body-mass index (BMI) as a primary measure. Waist circumference measurement is recommended for overweight or obese patients only (BMI > or = 25). METHODS We studied the interaction between BMI and waist circumference with respect to the risk of developing type 2 DM in a cohort of 9753 men and 15491 women, aged 35 to 65, who participated in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Potsdam. The statistical analysis was performed with multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS During a mean follow-up interval of 8 years, type 2 DM was newly diagnosed in 583 men and 425 women. A statistically significant interaction was found between BMI and waist circumference with respect to the risk of type 2 DM (p<0.0001). The positive association between waist circumference and diabetes risk was stronger in persons with lower BMI. The relative risk (RR) of developing type 2 DM among persons of low or normal weight (BMI < 25) who had a large waist circumference was at least as high as that among overweight persons (BMI 25-29.9) with a small waist circumference: for the first case, the RR was 3.62 [1.67-7.83] in men and 2.74 [1.52-4.94] in women; for the second case, the RR was 2.26 [1.51-3.37] in men and 1.40 [0.61-3.19] in women (The figures in square brackets are 95% confidence intervals). These relative risks were calculated in comparison to the risk among persons of low or normal weight (BMI < 25) with a small waist circumference. CONCLUSION These findings imply that the waist circumference is an important additional piece of information for assessing the risk of type 2 DM, particularly among persons of low or normal weight.
Quality of Life and Loneliness in Stroke Survivors Living in Appalachia

ABSTRACT Background and Purpose: Negative outcomes of stroke are associated with poorer quality of life (QoL) and impact stroke recovery. The purpose of this study was to characterize QoL and loneliness in a sample of rural Appalachian stroke survivors within 1 year of stroke. Methods: Using mail survey methodology, survey data were collected from 121 ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke survivors living in West Virginia using 13 subscales from the Neuro-QOL survey and the three-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Statistical Package for Social Sciences v. 20 was used to conduct descriptive, comparative, and predictive analyses. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess explanatory value of loneliness for QoL domains while controlling for comorbidities. Results: Participants who were discharged to a nursing home had poorer QoL when compared with those who were discharged to home. Stroke survivors who continued to smoke were less satisfied with social roles and reported higher mean loneliness and depression scores. History of psychological problems negatively correlated with all QoL domains and loneliness scores. Loneliness predicted poorer QoL even when controlling for age, gender, and significant comorbidities. Conclusion: Nurses need to assess for loneliness, include loneliness in care planning, and implement smoking cessation and cognitive behavioral interventions. Interventions that target loneliness for stroke survivors could potentially diminish psychological sequelae after stroke and enhance QoL.
Horseshoe crabs: biomedical importance and its potential use in developing health-care products

Horseshoe crabs have been a model for many biomedical science studies. Medicinal value of horseshoe crabs comes from its blue blood, eye and exoskeleton (chitin). Ability of blood to clot in the presence of bacteria, rendering the bacteria harmless has created its biomedical importance. Blood cells (amebocytes) carry Factor C, which binds lipopolysaccharide (LPS), undergoes a structural reorganization, then auto-proteolytically activates itself to initiate the clotting pathway that eventually results in a proteolytic modification of the zymogen, coagulogen, which then self-polymerizes into the insoluble fibrils of the extracellular blood clot. Blood-clotting ability of the horseshoe crab makes it very valuable in testing for injectable medicines, vaccines and sterile medical equipment. Secondly, the nerve pathways in the eyes of horseshoe crabs have led to many discoveries in human eye research. Furthermore, the outer shell of a horseshoe crab is made primarily of chitin and being used as a coating for suture material and burn dressings, rapidly increases the wound healing, cutting the time by half.