Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trading Energy Yield for Frequency Regulation: Optimal Control of Kinetic Energy in Wind Farms

The burden on conventional units to regulate the system frequency increases if they are replaced due to wind farms. This paper explores up to which time scales the rotating kinetic energy in wind turbines can smooth frequency variations and assist with the regulation task. To this end, a comparison is made between a standard wind turbine controller and optimal control of wind turbines, respectively derived from causal time-domain simulations and an optimization algorithm that allows predicting. The latter algorithm is used to give a benchmark for the smoothing potential, shown by plotting the Pareto efficiency of the normalized standard deviation of frequency variability versus a normalized measure of the energy yield. Results indicate that smoothing comes with an energy loss that is determined by the energy content of power imbalances. It is shown that a wind share of 20%, within the instantaneous generation mix, can absorb frequency variations on timescales up to 100 sec while the energy loss is limited to only 2%. A higher share of wind power aggravates frequency variability. Nevertheless, in such circumstances the potential of rotating kinetic energy in wind farms increases.
Promoting Gender Equality in Education in Vietnamese High Schools

This research study examines the issue of gender equality in high schools in Vietnam through the lenses of Vietnamese educators and Vietnamese students and compares the situation in that country with measures taken in England to promote gender equality in education. The sample consisted of staff and students in Vietnam and staff in England. In order to achieve the required in-depth analysis of the social experience of students and educators the research approach employed was qualitative and the main research tools were semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed by the combination of grounded theory and narrative analysis. The main findings of the research were threefold: firstly, dichotomies exist between what Vietnamese educators espouse and what they enact in terms of gender equality, thus revealing a critical disjunction between policy and practice; secondly, embedded gender stereotypes of both educators and students exist in Vietnamese high schools which place women at a disadvantageous position; thirdly, the curriculum operant in Vietnamese high schools is problematic in that it fails to challenge gender stereotypes and reinforces traditional views of girls and women. In addition, the comparative element in the research reveals many similar beliefs about the theories of gender and education in Vietnam and England such as the acknowledgement of the role of education in promoting gender equality and a commitment by both government agencies and schools to guarantee gender equality between boys and girls. Nonetheless, many interesting differences between the two countries emerged in dealing with gender issues attributable to the different culture norms in the two nations. Recommendations include the suggestions that the Vietnamese government should undertake more significant steps to target gender inequalities by issuing further legislation regarding gender equality in both education and in the wider society in order to close the gap between policy and practice. The researcher also offers the recommendation to improve the training of Vietnamese school leaders and teachers in terms of gender equality, especially in relation to the learning activities provided in schools. In addition, the researcher suggests amending the Vietnamese curriculum in order that it should become more gender neutral. Finally, the researcher suggests that Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programmes in Vietnam should be developed further in order to give greater emphasis to gender issues in the curriculum and to encourage practical classroom strategies to address such issues in the educational environment.
Fenomena Reaksi Berlebihan atau Overreaction pada transaksi saham di Asia Tenggara

Tujuan utama dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengidentifikasi fenomena reaksi berlebihan atau fenomena overreaction yang ditandai dengan pembalikan harga. Penelitian kami mengikutsertkan faktor market timing untuk mengamati apakah respon dari investor berbeda sehubungan dengan siklus ekonomi. Penelitian ini mengasumsikan bahwa kecenderungan overreaction akan terjadi selama kondisi ekonomi buruk atau situasi bearish. Data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini meliputi Negara-negara Asia Tenggara seperti Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand dan Filipina yang mana keempat Negara tersebut pernah mengalami krisis moneter pada tahun 1997. Penelitian ini menggunakan dua portofolio yang diseleksi dengan menggunakan Cumulative Abnormal Return (CAR). Portfolio yang mengalami peningkatan ekstrim dengan nilai CAR tertinggi disebut Winner dan sebaliknya disebut Loser. Kedua portofolio ini akan dievaluasi pergerakannya selama masa pengujian. Kesimpulan penelitian ini adalah seluruh portofolio Winner dan Loser di setiap bursa saham di tiap negara berbeda secara signifikan baik dalam kondisi Bearish maupun Bullish. Hal ini mengartikan bahwa respon investor yang berlebihan mendorong pergerakan harga yang signifikan turun atau naik.
The Drosophila Dosage Compensation Complex Binds to Polytene Chromosomes Independently of Developmental Changes in Transcription

In Drosophila, the dosage compensation complex (DCC) mediates upregulation of transcription from the single male X chromosome. Despite coating the polytene male X, the DCC pattern looks discontinuous and probably reflects DCC dynamic associations with genes active at a given moment of development in a salivary gland. To test this hypothesis, we compared binding patterns of the DCC and of the elongating form of RNA polymerase II (PolIIo). We found that, unlike PolIIo, the DCC demonstrates a stable banded pattern throughout larval development and escapes binding to a subset of transcriptionally active areas, including developmental puffs. Moreover, these proteins are not completely colocalized at the electron microscopy level. These data combined imply that simple recognition of PolII machinery or of general features of active chromatin is either insufficient or not involved in DCC recruitment to its targets. We propose that DCC-mediated site-specific upregulation of transcription is not the fate of all active X-linked genes in males. Additionally, we found that DCC subunit MLE associates dynamically with developmental and heat-shock-induced puffs and, surprisingly, with those developing within DCC-devoid regions of the male X, thus resembling the PolIIo pattern. These data imply that, independently of other MSL proteins, the RNA-helicase MLE might participate in general transcriptional regulation or RNA processing.
Identification, Phylogeny, and Evolution of Retroviral Elements Based on Their Envelope Genes

ABSTRACT Phylogenetic analyses of retroviral elements, including endogenous retroviruses, have relied essentially on the retroviralpol gene expressing the highly conserved reverse transcriptase. This enzyme is essential for the life cycle of all retroid elements, but other genes are also endowed with conserved essential functions. Among them, the transmembrane (TM) subunit of the envelope gene is involved in virus entry through membrane fusion. It has also been reported to contain a domain, named the immunosuppressive domain, that has immunosuppressive properties most probably essential for virus spread within the host. This domain is conserved among a large series of retroviral elements, and we have therefore attempted to generate phylogenetic links between retroviral elements identified from databases following tentative alignments of the immunosuppressive domain and adjacent sequences. This allowed us to unravel a conserved organization among TM domains, also found in the Ebola and Marburg filoviruses, and to identify a large number of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) from sequence databases. The latter elements are part of previously identified families of HERVs, and some of them define new families. A general phylogenetic analysis based on the TM proteins of retroelements, and including those with no clearly identified immunosuppressive domain, could then be derived and compared with pol-based phylogenetic trees, providing a comprehensive survey of retroelements and definitive evidence for recombination events in the generation of both the endogenous and the present-day infectious retroviruses.
Long-Term Hypoxia Alters Calcium Regulation in Near-Term Ovine Myometrium1

Abstract Previous studies showed that long-term hypoxia (LTH) during pregnancy alters myometrial contractility. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that LTH during pregnancy suppresses myometrial contractility in sheep by affecting the calcium signaling cascade. Pregnant sheep were maintained at high altitude (3820 m) from Day 30 to Day 139 of gestation, when the animals were killed for collection of myometrial tissue. Tissue was also collected from age-matched, normoxic controls. Circular and longitudinal layers were separated, and strips from each layer were mounted in a muscle bath. After pretreatment with 10−8 M oxytocin, the strips were exposed to increasing half- or quarter-log doses of nifedipine (L-type calcium-channel blocker), ruthenium red, ryanodine (blockers of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-insensitive calcium stores), or 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-N,N-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC; phospholipase C inhibitor). Area under the contraction curve was analyzed, and pD2 (log of concentration yielding 50% of maximum response) values and maximum relaxation responses were calculated. The maximum relaxation response to nifedipine was increased in both longitudinal (P < 0.01) and circular (P < 0.05) myometrial layers from LTH compared to control tissue, whereas no difference was observed in response to ruthenium red or ryanodine. The maximum relaxation response to NCDC was lower in the LTH circular layer (P < 0.05). Together, these data are indicative of an increase in the dependence of ovine uterine smooth muscle on extracellular calcium influx through the L-type, voltage-gated calcium channels following LTH. This appears to occur not through an increase in L-type calcium channels but, rather, through a possible decline in importance of the oxytocin-induced, phospholipase C-mediated pathway, resulting in a greater proportion of extracellular calcium contributing to contraction. Layer-dependent differences also exist between the circular and longitudinal myometrium in response to phospholipase C inhibition.
Interventions for treating trichomoniasis in women.

BACKGROUND Around 120 million women worldwide suffer from Trichomonas vaginalis vaginitis every year. The infection is sexually transmitted and is believed to facilitate HIV transmission. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of various treatment strategies for trichomoniasis in women. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE. Trials were also identified from reference lists of reviews, through pharmaceutical companies, and by informal discovery. Only published data were used in this review. Date of the most recent search: November, 2002. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised or quasi-randomised trials of different treatment strategies in women with trichomoniasis. Different antitrichomonal drugs or doses were eligible, as were comparisons of treatment with no treatment or placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Trial quality was assessed and data extracted by two reviewers independently using standard criteria. MAIN RESULTS Fifty-four trials were included. Nitroimidazole drugs seem to be effective in achieving parasitological cure in short term follow up. Partner treatment can be effective in decreasing longer term reinfection rates. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Parasitological cure can be achieved by single oral dose of nitroimidazole. Further research should focus on developing effective partner treatment strategies to prevent reinfections and reduce trichomoniasis prevalence.
Molecular level properties of the free water surface and different organic liquid/water interfaces, as seen from ITIM analysis of computer simulation results

Molecular dynamics simulations of the interface of water with four different apolar phases, namely water vapour, liquid carbon tetrachloride, liquid dichloromethane (DCM) and liquid dichloroethane (DCE) are performed on the canonical ensemble at 298 K. The resulting configurations are analysed using the novel method of identification of the truly interfacial molecules (ITIM). Properties of the first three molecular layers of the liquid phases (e.g. width, spacing, roughness, extent of the in-layer hydrogen bonding network) as well as of the molecules constituting these layers (e.g., dynamics, orientation) are investigated in detail. In the analyses, particular attention is paid to the effect of the polarity of the non-aqueous phase and to the length scale of the effect of the vicinity of the interface on the various properties of the molecules. The obtained results show that increasing polarity of the non-aqueous phase leads to the narrowing of the interface, in spite of the fact that, at the same time, the truly interfacial layer of water gets somewhat broader. The influence of the nearby interface is found to extend only to the first molecular layer in many respects. This result is attributed to the larger space available for the truly interfacial than for the non-interfacial molecules (as the shapes of the two liquid surfaces are largely independent of each other, resulting in the presence of voids between the two phases), and to the fact that the hydrogen bonding interaction of the truly interfacial water molecules with other waters is hindered in the direction of the interface.
Party crashers? How Belgian citizens view democratic innovations within and beyond political parties.

In most Western democracies, the system of representation is undergoing growing discontent and disaffection. As major links between the polity and the society, political parties directly suffer from these phenomena, not least through electoral volatility and declining membership. Remedies have been put forward to cure the democratic malaise, among which prominently figures the implementation of more inclusive candidate selection methods. Although many studies rely on the assumption that voters favour more open candidate selection methods, their precise opinion regarding who should be in charge is empirically rarely examined. Based on the PartiRep 2014 Voter Survey, this paper explores the opinion of Belgian voters regarding who should be entitled to choose candidates. The effects of three kinds of factors are examined: citizens’ satisfaction and views on democracy, citizens’ involvement in party activities, and citizens’ ideological placement. The results suggest that those citizens who are the most dissatisfied with the current system, promote more participative modes of democracy, and are more left-leaning are more likely to promote selection by ordinary voters. By contrast, citizens who have been involved in party activities are more reluctant to empower non-members. As such, this research allows for a refining of long-standing assertions regarding what citizens want in terms of (intra-party) democracy.
NF‐κB p50 and p52 Expression Is Not Required for RANK‐Expressing Osteoclast Progenitor Formation but Is Essential for RANK‐ and Cytokine‐Mediated Osteoclastogenesis

Expression of RANKL by stromal cells and of RANK and both NF‐κB p50 and p52 by osteoclast precursors is essential for osteoclast formation. To examine further the role of RANKL, RANK, and NF‐κB signaling in this process, we used NF‐κB p50−/−;p52−/− double knockout (dKO) and wild‐type (WT) mice. Osteoclasts formed in cocultures of WT osteoblasts with splenocytes from WT mice but not from dKO mice, a finding unchanged by addition of RANKL and macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF). NF‐κB dKO splenocytes formed more colony‐forming unit granulocyte macrophage (CFU‐GM) colonies than WT cells, but no osteoclasts were formed from dKO CFU‐GM colonies. RANKL increased the number of CFU‐GM colonies twofold in WT cultures but not in dKO cultures. Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of splenocytes from NF‐κB dKO mice revealed a two‐to threefold increase in the percentage of CD11b (Mac‐1) and RANK double‐positive cells compared with WT controls. Treatment of NF‐κB dKO splenocytes with interleukin (IL)‐1, TNF‐α, M‐CSF, GM‐CSF, and IL‐6 plus soluble IL‐6 receptor did not rescue the osteoclast defect. No increase in apoptosis was observed in cells of the osteoclast lineage in NF‐κB dKO or p50−/−;p52+/− (3/4KO) mice. Thus, NF‐κB p50 and p52 expression is not required for formation of RANK‐expressing osteoclast progenitors but is essential for RANK‐expressing osteoclast precursors to differentiate into TRAP+ osteoclasts in response to RANKL and other osteoclastogenic cytokines.
CD200R1 regulates the severity of arthritis but has minimal impact on the adaptive immune response

CD200R1 is a member of the immunoglobulin supergene family that is thought to play an inhibitory role in immunity. Previous studies have established the anti‐arthritic effect of CD200Fc, an agonist of CD200R1. However, the physiological role played by CD200R1 in arthritis remains to be established. The aims of this study are to assess the contribution of endogenous CD200R1 in regulating the severity of arthritis and to determine its role in shaping the immune response to type II collagen within the context of collagen‐induced arthritis, an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis was induced in DBA/1 mice by immunization with type II collagen and the kinetics of expression of CD200R1 and CD200 were monitored by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Next, a comparison was made between CD200R1−/− and wild‐type mice in terms of the progression of collagen‐induced arthritis, as well as the B and T cell responses to type II collagen. The expression of both CD200R1 and CD200 was increased after immunization and reached maximal levels at the height of the inflammatory response. In addition, the severity of arthritis was increased significantly in CD200R1−/− mice compared to wild‐type mice. However, little or no differences were observed between CD200R1−/− and wild‐type mice in terms of the T or B cell responses to type II collagen. It was concluded that the CD200R1/CD200 pathway is up‐regulated in arthritis and plays a significant physiological role in regulating the severity of disease. In contrast, CD200R1 plays a minimal role in shaping the immune response to collagen in this model.
Design and test of an internal permanent magnet generator for small wind turbine applications

In the paper the design of an IPMSG for small wind turbines is presented. Based on classical construction of induction motor (IM), the internal permanent magnet generator (IPMG) was projected. Parameterization and sweep analysis of the rotor geometry was done in the finite element analysis (FEA) software, to obtain the maximum back electromotive force (BEMF). Based on this analysis, one case was chosen and manufactured. Simulations and experimental results are compared and discussed.
Effects of chronic crude oil exposure on early developmental stages of the Northern krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica)

ABSTRACT Rising oil and gas activities in northern high latitudes have led to an increased risk of petroleum pollution in these ecosystems. Further, seasonal high UV radiation at high latitudes may elevate photo-enhanced toxicity of petroleum pollution to marine organisms. Zooplanktons are a key ecological component of northern ecosystems; therefore, it is important to assess their sensitivity to potential pollutants of oil and gas activity. As ontogenetic development may be particularly sensitive, the aim of this study was to examine the impact of chronic exposure to oil water dispersion (OWD) on development and feeding of early life stages of the Northern krill, Meganyctiphanes norvegica. In a range of experiments, embryonic, nonfeeding, and feeding larval stages were exposed to concentrations of between 0.01 and 0.1 mg/L of oil or photo-modified oil for 19 and 21 d. No significant effects on egg respiration, hatching success, development, length and larval survival were observed from these treatments. Similarly, evolution of fatty acid composition patterns during ontogenetic development was unaffected. The results indicates a high degree of resilience of these early developmental stages to such types and concentrations of pollutants. However, feeding and motility in later calyptopis-stage larvae were significantly impaired at exposure of 0.1 mg/L oil. Data indicate that feeding larval stage of krill was more sensitive to OWD than early nonfeeding life stages. This might be attributed to the narcotic effects of oil pollutants, their direct ingestion, or accumulated adverse effects over early development.
The Actin Polymerization Regulator WAVE2 Is Required for Early Bone Marrow Repopulation by Hematopoietic Stem Cells

The Rho GTPase family members play essential roles in hematopoiesis. Of these, Rac1 is thought to be required for the appropriate spatial localization of hematopoietic stem and/or progenitor cells (HSPCs) within the bone marrow (BM), whereas Rac2 likely plays a role in BM retention of HSPCs. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying Rac‐mediated functions in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), we studied Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome protein family verprolin‐homologous proteins (WAVEs), the specific effectors downstream of the Rac GTPases in actin polymerization. We here showed that CD34−/lowc‐Kit+Sca‐1+lineage− HSCs (CD34−KSL HSCs) express WAVE2 but neither WAVE1 nor WAVE3. Because WAVE2 knockout mice are embryonic‐lethal, we utilized HSCs in which the expression of WAVE2 was reduced by small interfering RNA. We found that knockdown (KD) of WAVE2 in HSCs affected neither in vitro colony formation nor cell proliferation but did impair in vivo long‐term reconstitution. Interestingly, WAVE2 KD HSCs exhibited unaltered homing but showed poor BM repopulation detected as early as day 5 after transplantation. The mechanistic studies on WAVE2 KD HSCs revealed modest but significant impairment in both cobblestone‐like area‐forming on stromal layers and actin polymerization upon integrin ligation by fibronectin. These results suggested that WAVE2‐mediated actin polymerization, potentially downstream of Rac1, plays an important role in intramarrow mobilization and proliferation of HSCs, which are believed to be crucial steps for long‐term marrow reconstitution after transplantation. Stem Cells 2009;27:1120–1129
Detection of secondary phases in co-evaporated Cu2ZnSnSe4 thin films by Raman spectroscopy

We prepared CZTSe thin films by the co-evaporation method. In order to investigate the presence of various kinds of secondary phases, we also prepared reference ZnSe, SnSe, CuSnSe, and CuSe thin films in the same way. The depth dependence of the secondary phases was investigated by preparing samples that are sputtered to various depths. We used Raman spectroscopy measurement with several lasers to detect secondary phases. CZTSe films were compared with the reference films, and only ZnSe and MoSe2 phases were detected. The relative amount of ZnSe varied with the depth from the sample surface. The ZnSe Raman peak seems to originate from the top and the bottom of the sample since the signal decreased initially and then increased as deeper parts of the film were probed. Intensity of CZTSe peak did not change much until the bottom part of the sample was reached and the MoSe2 peak appeared.