Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electricity market and its risk management in Nigeria

This paper is on the development of adequate mathematical model of electricity price via Fourier series. Fourier series is the representation of a function �����as an infinite series in sine and cosine terms. Our choice of Fourier series model for electricity price is as result of its volatility, fluctuation trends of hydro flow and poor market designs and we use actively- traded natural gas to hedge against electricity price in Nigeria. The natural gas prices are volatile but do not have a clear seasonal pattern, thus eliminating natural gas price volatility through hedging substantially reduce the electricity price, this development of logical mathematical frame work in the form of hedging tools assures an investor of his or her safety in the power sector.
Composition and Seasonal Variation of the Essential Oil from Abies Sachalinensis from Hokkaido, Japan

The composition of the steam-distilled essential oil from the leaves of Abies sachalinensis (F. Schmidt) Mast. cultivated in Hokkaido (Japan) was studied by GC-MS. The seasonal variation in the main volatile constituents was also investigated. Analysis of the essential oil resulted in the identification of 21 compounds with monoterpenes comprising 99.9% of the total. α-Pinene was the most abundant compound, followed by camphene, bornyl acetate, limonene, β-pinene and β-phellandrene. The sesquiterpene content was low, and was mainly represented by β-caryophyllene, α-caryophyllene, and γ-selinene. The essential oil from the leaves, collected at eight different collection periods over more than 5 years, showed significant differences in composition. α-Pinene was the predominant constituent during the collection periods, with a few exceptions. The α-pinene content of the oil was abundant in April-June, and decreased in November-December. Levels of bornyl acetate showed the greatest increase in December, when the temperature was very low. The enantiomeric distribution of α-pinene was suggested to relate to seasonal transformation. (+)-α-Pinene showed a tendency to increase when total precipitation, average temperature, and total duration of sunshine were high.
Clinical improvement of β‐thal‐HbS anemia by iron deficiency

1. Matsuda J, Saitoh N, Gohchi K, Gotoh M, Tsukamoto M: Anti-annexin V antibody in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with lupus anticoagulant and/or anticardiolipin antibody. Am J Hematol 47:56-58, 1994. 2. Matsuda J , Gotoh M, Saitoh N, Gohchi K, Tsukamoto M, Yamamoto T Antiannexin antibody in the sera of patients with habitual fetal loss or preeclampsia. Thromb Res 75:105-106, 1994. 3. Nakamura N, Azuma C, Akamizu T, Sugawa H, Matsuda F, Mitsuda N, Honjo T, Mori T, Yamaji K Heterogeneity and diversity of IgM and IgG lupus anticoagulants in an individual with systemic lupus erythematosus. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 203:1789-1794, 1994. 4. Nakamura N, Shidara Y, Kawaguchi N, Azuma C, Mitsuda N, Onishi S, Yamaji K, Wada Y Lupus anticoagulant autoantibody induces apoptosis in umbilical vein endothelial cells: Involvement of annexin V. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 205:1488-1493, 1994. 5 . Roubey RAS: Autoantibodies to phospholipid-binding plasma proteins: A new view of lupus anticoagulants and other “antiphospholipid” autoantibodies. Blood 84:2854-2867, 1994. Anti-Annexin V Antibodies in Plasma and Serum Samples From Patients With Lupus Anticoagulant
An Automated Test Case Generation Approach by Genetic Simulated Annealing Algorithm

A new automatic test data generation approach is presented based on length_N coverage criterion through genetic simulated annealing algorithm. The method mainly works on test data generation where the problem of test data generation is reduced to one of minimizing a function. Firstly, a new test coverage criterion called length_N is proposed to aim at the feasible of path coverage criteria. To enhance the generated efficiency, we make some improvements on genetic simulated annealing algorithm and use the results to generate test data. Lastly, experiment results show the method has a better effect.
Rhinal–hippocampal theta coherence during declarative memory formation: interaction with gamma synchronization?

The hippocampus and the rhinal cortex, two substructures of the medial temporal lobe, together play a crucial role in human declarative memory formation. To investigate in detail the mechanism connecting these two structures transiently during memory formation we recorded depth EEG in epilepsy patients from within the hippocampus and the rhinal cortex. During this recording, patients performed a single‐trial word list‐learning paradigm with a free recall memory test following a distraction task. Rhinal–hippocampal EEG coherence and spectral power at both locations in the time interval up to 2 s after onset of word presentation were analysed in the frequency range 1–19 Hz. Successful as opposed to unsuccessful memory formation was associated with a general rhinal–hippocampal coherence enhancement, but without alterations in spectral power. Coherence increases in the theta range were correlated with the previously reported memory‐related changes in rhinal–hippocampal gamma phase synchronization. This correlation may suggest an interaction of the two mechanisms during declarative memory formation. While theta coherence might be associated with slowly modulated coupling related to an encoding state, rhinal–hippocampal gamma synchronization may be more closely related to actual memory processes by enabling fast coupling and decoupling of the two structures.
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy in early childhood.

OBJECTIVE To determine the occurrence and the clinical and genetic variability of early-onset facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). DESIGN Patients were derived from a large series of patients who participated in a genetic study of FSHD in the Netherlands. PATIENTS A group of 96 patients of 17 families with autosomal dominant FSHD, nine sporadic cases of FSHD, and 35 children at risk for having the FSHD gene was searched for the presence of early-onset cases. Criteria for early-onset FSHD were (1) signs or symptoms of facial weakness before the age of 5 years and (2) signs or symptoms of shoulder girdle weakness before the age of 10 years. RESULTS Six early-onset cases (four familial, two sporadic) were identified. Four of five cases showed an abnormal DNA fragment with the probe p13E-11, which has been shown to detect DNA rearrangements in FSHD patients. The clinical symptoms in these early-onset cases showed great variability with respect to rate of progression of muscle weakness, the association of hearing loss and retinopathy, and the expression of the disorder in parents and siblings. CONCLUSIONS Infantile FSHD has been suggested to be a separate form of the disease, often accompanied by sensorineural hearing loss and retinal telangiectasia. Our findings, as well as the fact that both hearing loss and retinal vasculopathy have been recently shown to be part of FSHD, suggest that early-onset FSHD is not a separate entity, but part of a wide clinical spectrum of FSHD.
On the Dialectics of Strategic Alliances

Using Van de Ven and Poole's (1995) extensive assessment of process theories as an intellectual scaffold, we review theoretical contributions to our understanding of alliance dynamics and process. It appears that of four generic theoretical engines, only three-life cycle, teleology, and evolution-are reasonably well covered in this literature. Process studies informed by a dialectical theory, however, appear to be markedly absent. We explore the characteristics and contributions of a dialectical lens in understanding interorganizational collaborations by invoking a longitudinal case study of a biotechnology-based alliance. The case illustrates the coevolutionary interchange of design and emergence, cooperation and competition, trust and vigilance, expansion and contraction, and control and autonomy. It also emphasizes the importance of treating alliances as heterogeneous phenomena, of alliance performance as subject to social construction, and of unintended consequences as a change agent. The emerging ontological, epistemological, and methodological implications of a dialectical perspective comprise a novel extension to the existing literature.
Evidence of specific characteristics and osteogenic potentiality in bone cells from tibia

Human bone cells used for in vitro studies are mainly derived from bone marrow (BM) or trabecular bone (TB). There are no specific markers or procedures for isolation and growth of these cells. To validate the potentiality of these cells, we isolated human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and osteoblasts (OBs) from the tibial plateau of the same subject, grown in two different media (α‐MEM and DMEM/F12) and analyzed for cell growth, proliferation, phenotype and osteogenic potential. We found that OBs grew well in both media tested, but MSCs were able to grow only in α‐MEM medium. OBs in DMEM/F12 showed reduced proliferation capability and expressed a low level of alkaline phosphatase (AP), RUNX‐2, osteocalcin (OC), bone sialoprotein (BSP), collagen type I (Col.I) compared with OBs in α‐MEM but high level of collagen type XV (Col.XV). Compared with MSCs in α‐MEM, OBs have an increased ability to proliferate and express more OC and BSP at molecular level but less AP, RUNX‐2 and Col.I than MSCs. Time‐course experiments to analyze the osteogenic potential of these cells showed that OBs were more efficient than MSCs. However, these cells obtained from tibial plateau showed a different trend of AP, OC and Col.I osteogenic markers compared to control MSCs from the iliac crest. This study shows that bone‐adherent OBs grown in α‐MEM medium are more efficient for osteogenic differentiation than BM MSCs and contribute to defining their phenotypic and functional characteristics, so providing a rationale for their use in bone tissue engineering or therapeutic purposes. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 2675–2682, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Natural killer cell suppression of Friend virus-induced preleukemic hemopoietic stem cells

To determine whether hemopoietic cells infected with Friend polycythemia-inducing spleen focus-forming virus (SFFVp) are conserved or suppressed via natural surveillance in leukemia-resistant adult mice, we engrafted C57BL/6 recipients with isologous transgenic (donor origin marker) or natural killer (NK) cell-deficient B6 beige marrow cells exposed to SFFVp in vitro. Both groups of primary recipients were viremic and nonleukemic. Spleen cells from primary SFFVp-infected chimeras were engrafted into irradiated leukemia-susceptible secondary recipients to reveal dormant leukemia and grew as tumors of donor origin in 8 of 38 (21%) and 33 of 47 (70%) instances, respectively. Treatment of marrow donors and recipients with anti-asialo GM1 serum resulted in the depression of NK cell activity and the rapid development of dormant leukemia. We conclude that NK cells are an effective surveillance mechanism able to suppress SFFVp-induced preleukemic stem cells.
Fundamental performance of a 6 wheeled off-road vehicle "HELIOS-V"

We present the development of the "HELIOS" series off-road vehicles and powered wheelchairs that are able to ascend and descend stairs. In this paper, we describe a 6-wheeled vehicle "HELIOS-V", which is equipped with 4 low-pressure tires on the outside and 2 high-pressure tires on the inside. This vehicle has two continuously variable transmissions to change velocity and direction of locomotion. We intend to use low-pressure tires for ascending and descending obstacles such as stairs because of their ability to produce high grip forces on the edges of obstacles. In this paper, we describe the design of the "HELIOS-V", characteristics of the continuously variable transmission, reduction of the driving resistance using the low and high pressure tires and the difficulties while ascending and descending stairs.
Oxytocin Control of Maternal Behavior Regulation by Sex Steroids and Offspring Stimuli a

The evolution of maternal behavior (MB) revolutionized reproduction. Sustained maternal protection and nurturing of offspring until they were able to fend for themselves allowed a much higher rate of survival. Mothering also permitted a much longer period of brain development and was therefore an essential prerequisite for the evolution of higher intelligence. Species that mother their offspring have dominated every ecological niche in which they dwell. The ever increasingly complex social behavior that has been a major feature of mammalian evolution has probably been built on brain systems that originally evolved to generate MB. The remarkable success of MB as a reproductive behavioral strategy has depended on evolution of mechanisms to assure that maternal responses towards offspring (1) are exhibited only by females that are lactating (i.e., can feed offspring), (2) are not exhibited by females that are not lactating, and (3) are sustained for the prolonged period necessary for offspring to mature despite rapid postpartum dissipation of the hormonal conditions that were necessary for the initial activation of MB. This chapter focuses on the now overwhelming evidence that the neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is centrally involved in activating MB at the appropriate time as well as on new evidence that OT may play a less essential but significant role in sustaining MB during lactation.
AUTOANTIBODIES AND MYASTHENIA GRAVIS, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MUSCLE RIBONUCLEOPROTEIN *

The serum of some patients with myasthenia gravis contains globulins which react with skeletal muscle and other tissues, as demonstrated by immunologic techniques. '. '' The role of these globulins in the pathogenesis of the disease or the defect in neuromuscular transmission is not known. In the present study the serologic reactions in patients with myasthenia gravis have been investigated, with particular reference to binding of serum globulin to the cytoplasm and nuclei of skeletal muscle, thymus and other cells. The factors affecting this binding, and the effect of these globulins on neuromuscular transmission have been investigated. Observations have been carried out on the relation of these globulins to a ribonucleoprotein, previously isolated from skeletal muscle, which has special affinity for acetylcholine and d-tubocurarine. ". ' '
Blind separation for mixtures of sub-Gaussian and super-Gaussian sources

We propose a new intelligent blind source separation algorithm for the mixture of sub-Gaussian and super-Gaussian sources. The algorithm consists of an update equation of the separating matrix and an adjustment equation of nonlinear functions. The weighted sum of two nonlinear functions is adapted to obtain the proper nonlinear function for each source. To verify the validity of the proposed algorithm, we compare the result with that of algorithms with one fixed nonlinear function, and that of the extant methods.
COMPARISON OF GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE AND EFFECTIVE RENAL PLASMA FLOW DETERMINATIONS OBTAINED BY A SINGLE INJECTION TECHNIQUE AND BY MEANS OF A STANDARD CLEARANCE TECHNIQUE IN CHILDREN

In children 28 values for glomerular filtration rate and 25 values for effective renal plasma flow were simultaneously obtained by means of the inulin‐ and PAH‐clearance and by means of a single injection method with 51Cr‐EDTA and 123I‐OIH. These were compared in an appropriate statistical model. The results show good agreement of the two methods. The single injection method can therefore be of value in childhood when only values for GFR and effective renal plasma flow are asked or especially if inappropriate urinary collection is expected or bladder catheterisation is contraindicated. It has no place in studies concerned with renal physiology or pathophysiology.
On bullshit and bullying: taking seriously those we educate

School bullying continues to plague students around the globe. Bullying research to date has largely employed empirical methodologies, including both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Using a philosophical lens, this paper seeks to better understand the intentionality of bullying by considering the satisfaction derived in the tears of another. Specifically, current bullying research takes seriously the notion that bullying is primarily a problem between a bully and a victim (i.e. that the bully does not like the victim). In this paper I suggest that the bully is bullshitting us and her/his project is far bigger than the victim s/he targets. In the final analysis bullying prevention, as well as education itself, requires us to take seriously not only the activities of students, but the desires (i.e. the ‘I likes’) that help us understand when we are being bullshitted and when we are not.
Effect of atrazine on hemopoietic system.

For a long time some pesticides (chlordane, lindane, DDT) have been associated with bone marrow aplasia. Little is known on the toxic activity of the herbicides s-triazines on hemopoiesis. We studied the effect of one of these compounds (atrazine) on mouse hemopoietic progenitors (CFU-S and GM-CFC) and on peripheral blood (leukocytes and reticulocytes) after a single i.p. injection of 58.65 mg/kg. The peripheral blood leukocyte level was not modified; on the contrary, reticulocytes dropped severely but recovered promptly. Hemopoietic progenitors were severely hit but they recovered and reached normal levels in a few days. Our results demonstrate a hemotoxic effect of atrazine. However, more data are needed, especially in experiments with chronic exposure.
Factitious feculent urine in an adolescent boy.

PATIENTS who pretend to be sick and willingly undergo intrusive procedures, including surgery, have been seen at every medical center. The motives for this bizarre behavior often remain obscure, even when the patient is studied thoroughly. Reviews of chronic factitious illness or Munchausen's syndrome emphasize the heterogeneity of the underlying psychiatric conditions, but also indicate a marked preponderance of patients with personality disorders, and with histories of early childhood trauma and deprivation.1,2In a study of factitious illness, Spiro identified three clinical types: sociopathic, hysterical, and schizophrenic.2Major factitious illness is rare in childhood and adolescence, although malingering with factitious fever3and other simulated symtoms can occur. We report the case of an adolescent boy who for nearly a year succeeded in simulating an enterovesicular fistula by contaminating his urine with feces and foodstuff, at times by retrograde injection of foreign substances into his bladder. The case
Lower bound on the dimension of a quantum system given measured data

We imagine an experiment on an unknown quantum mechanical system in which the system is prepared in various ways and a range of measurements are performed. For each measurement M and preparation rho the experimenter can determine, given enough time, the probability of a given outcome a: p(a|M,rho). How large does the Hilbert space of the quantum system have to be in order to allow us to find density matrices and measurement operators that will reproduce the given probability distribution? In this paper, we prove a simple lower bound for the dimension of the Hilbert space. The main insight is to relate this problem to the construction of quantum random access codes, for which interesting bounds on the Hilbert space dimension already exist. We discuss several applications of our result to hidden-variable or ontological models, to Bell inequalities, and to properties of the smooth min-entropy.
Characterization of the no-load operation of quasi-Halbach PM excited T-LSMs

The paper is aimed at a dual analytical characterization of the no-load operation of tabular-linear synchronous machines (T-LSMs) equipped by quasi-Halbach magnetized PMs in the mover. To start with, an approach to establish a 2D model based on the air gap flux density formulation is developed. Then, a second approach based on the magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) modelling of T-LSMs is proposed with the derivation of a numerical procedure dedicated to its resolution. Both analytical models are applied to the prediction of the no-load features: the phase flux linkages, the back-EMFs, and the cogging force. A comparison of the obtained results with those computed by 2D finite element analysis (FEA) highlights the validity of the proposed analytical models.
A genetic approach to motion planning of redundant mobile manipulator systems considering safety and configuration

This paper presents a genetic algorithm approach to multi-criteria motion planning of a mobile manipulator system considering position and configuration optimisation. Travelling distance and path safety are considered in planning the motion of the mobile system. A wave front expansion algorithm is used to build the numerical potential fields for both the goal and obstacles by representing the workspace as a grid. The unsafeness of a grid point is defined as the numerical potential produced by obstacles. For multi-criteria position and configuration optimisation, obstacle avoidance, least torque norm, manipulability and torque distribution are considered. The emphasis is put on using genetic algorithms to search for global optimum and solve the minimax problem for torque distribution. Various simulation results from two examples show that the proposed genetic algorithm approach performs better than conventional methods.
Random dissection to select for protein split sites and its application in protein fragment complementation

To identify protein split sites quickly, a selection procedure by using chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) as reporter was introduced to search for folded protein fragments from libraries generated by random digestion and reassembly of the target gene, which yielded an abundant amount of DNA fragments with controllable lengths. Experimental results of tryptophan synthase alpha subunit (TSα) and TEM‐1 β‐lactamase agreed well with what the literature has reported. The solubility of these fragments correlated roughly with the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the CAT fusions. The application of this dissection protocol to protein fragment complementation assay (PCA) was evaluated using aminoglycoside‐3′‐phosphotransferase I (APH(3′)‐I) as a model protein. Three nearly bisectional sites and a number of possible split points were identified, and guided by this result, four novel pairs of fragments were tested for complementation. Three out of four pairs partially restored the APH activity with the help of leucine zippers, and a truncated but active APH(3′)‐I (Δ1–25) was also found. Finally, the weakly active APH(3′)‐I‐(1–253)NZ/CZ (254–271) containing a short 18 residue tag was further improved by error‐prone PCR, and a best mutant was obtained showing a fourfold improvement after just one round of evolution. These results demonstrate that protein random dissection based on the CAT selection can provide an efficient search for protein breakage points and guide the design of fragments for protein complementation assay. Furthermore, more active fragment pairs can be achieved with the classical directed evolution approach.