Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic Risk Assessment of MV Insulator Flashover Under Combined AC and Lightning-Induced Overvoltages

The effect of lightning-induced overvoltages is more profound in overhead distribution lines due to their limited height and low insulation level. Consequently, there is a high risk of line insulation flashover when exposed to lightning-induced overvoltages. This paper presents a probabilistic method to assess the risk of insulator flashover in medium-voltage overhead lines due to lightning-induced overvoltages. In order to accomplish this, a modified Gaussian cumulative distribution function has been used to predict the probability of single-phase, two-phase, and three-phase flashover of insulators under combined ac- and lightning-induced overvoltages. The validity of the modified probabilistic model is confirmed through experiments carried out in the high-voltage laboratory. Next, Monte Carlo simulations were performed on the simplified Rusck's model to generate the distribution of peak lightning-induced overvoltages. Finally, the risk of insulator flashover is calculated based on the distributions of lightning-induced overvoltages and insulator flashover voltages. The proposed procedure could be considered beneficial to select the optimum insulation level required against lightning-induced overvoltages by distinguishing between single-phase and multiphase flashover faults.
Partial neuromuscular blockade in humans enhances muscle blood flow during exercise independently of muscle oxygen uptake and acetylcholine receptor blockade.

This study examined the role of acetylcholine for skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise by use of the competitive neuromuscular blocking agent cisatracurium in combination with the acetylcholine receptor blocker glycopyrrone. Nine healthy male subjects performed a 10-min bout of one-legged knee-extensor exercise (18 W) during control conditions and with cisatracurium blockade, as well as with cisatracurium blockade with prior glycopyrrone infusion. Thigh blood flow and vascular conductance in control and with cisatracurium infusion were similar at rest and during passive movement of the leg, but higher (P < 0.05) during exercise with cisatracurium than in control (3.83 +/- 0.42 vs. 2.78 +/- 0.21 l/min and 26.9 +/- 3.4 vs. 21.8 +/- 2.0 ml.min(-1). mmHg(-1) at the end of exercise). Thigh oxygen uptake was similar in control and with cisatracurium infusion both at rest and during exercise, being 354 +/- 33 and 406 +/- 34 ml/min, at the end of exercise. Combined infusion of cisatracurium and glycopyrrone caused a similar increase in blood flow as cisatracurium infusion alone. The current results demonstrate that neuromuscular blockade leads to enhanced thigh blood flow and vascular conductance during exercise, events that are not associated with either acetylcholine or an increased oxygen demand. The results do not support an essential role for acetylcholine, released form the neuromuscular junction, in exercise hyperemia or for the enhanced blood flow during neuromuscular blockade. The enhanced exercise hyperemia during partial neuromuscular blockade may be related to a greater recruitment of fast-twitch muscle fibers.
IC-package co-design by computational thermographics

The full-chip thermal response with different packages is studied in the paper. To enhance the accuracy of the thermal analysis, authentic package models are established to be the package-transfer matrix. Steady-state temperature profiles are utilized to obtain the package-transfer matrix. In addition, a thermal test chip with many discrete hotspots is implemented for a variety of package types to extract the package-transfer matrix. In this paper, we propose a thermal simulation methodology to precisely obtain temperature profiles of chips with packages by using authentic thermal images. The experimental results show that we can use the default package model CBGA in Hotspot to transfer to any other package in the package-transfer matrix quickly and precisely.
Testicular toxicity of molinate in the rat: metabolic activation via sulfoxidation.

Molinate is a thiocarbamate herbicide widely used in rice culture. Studies conducted for regulatory purposes have indicated that molinate exposure causes male reproductive damage in rats. The present study describes the testicular lesion after administration of single doses of molinate. The hypothesis that a metabolite of molinate is responsible for testicular toxicity was also investigated. Testicular damage was evaluated histopathologically in Sprague-Dawley rats 48 h and 1, 2, and 3 weeks after administration of molinate (100-400 mg/kg i.p.). No testicular damage was seen at any time point at the 100 mg/kg dose level. Damage was first seen 1 week after 200 mg/kg and 48 h after 400 mg/kg. The lesion was characterized by Sertoli cell vacuolation, failed spermiation, and phagocytosis of spermatids particularly evident at Stages X and XI. With increasing time, damage progressed until disorganization of the seminiferous epithelium was extensive, multinucleated giant cells were numerous, and neither spermatozoa nor late step spermatids were present. At 3 weeks after administration of the two higher-dose levels, germ cells in the seminiferous tubules were almost completely absent. Administration of the sulfoxide metabolite of molinate (200 mg/kg i.p.) caused testicular damage similar in severity to that seen at the 400 mg/kg dose level for the parent compound, indicating that it was more potent as a testicular toxicant. In vitro metabolism studies using liver and testis microsomes found that the major metabolite in both preparations was molinate sulfoxide. Testis microsomes produced only slightly less sulfoxide when compared with liver microsomes. Molinate was also metabolized via ring hydroxylation to form small amounts of hydroxymolinate. The amount of hydroxymolinate was substantially less in testis microsomes. Overall, these data indicate that sulfoxidation of molinate plays a role in molinat-induced testicular toxicity. Moreover, molinate is metabolized readily by both liver and testis microsomal enzymes, suggesting that the molinate toxic metabolite could be formed in the testis in close proximity to its site of action.
Factors Affecting Dental Implant Stability Measured Using the Ostell Mentor Device: A Systematic Review

Objectives:The aim of this study was to review the literature on factors that may affect dental implant stability as measured with the Ostell mentor device. Materials and Methods:A systematic search of the literature was performed in Pubmed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases using dental implants, stability, and resonance frequency analysis as key words. Results:The most relevant randomized controlled trials and clinical trials (n = 39) were selected from among 264 articles. Conclusions:Many factors can affect dental implant stability as measured with the Ostell mentor device. This may be a useful instrument for deciding the timing of implant loading, but additional research is required to establish the reliability and predictability of resonance frequency analysis for the future osseointegration of dental implants, which remains controversial.
Bridging the Gap between Graph Edit Distance and Kernel Machines

In graph-based structural pattern recognition, the idea is to transform patterns into graphs and perform the analysis and recognition of patterns in the graph domain - commonly referred to as graph matching. A large number of methods for graph matching have been proposed. Graph edit distance, for instance, defines the dissimilarity of two graphs by the amount of distortion that is needed to transform one graph into the other and is considered one of the most flexible methods for error-tolerant graph matching.This book focuses on graph kernel functions that are highly tolerant towards structural errors. The basic idea is to incorporate concepts from graph edit distance into kernel functions, thus combining the flexibility of edit distance-based graph matching with the power of kernel machines for pattern recognition. The authors introduce a collection of novel graph kernels related to edit distance, including diffusion kernels, convolution kernels, and random walk kernels. From an experimental evaluation of a semi-artificial line drawing data set and four real-world data sets consisting of pictures, microscopic images, fingerprints, and molecules, the authors demonstrate that some of the kernel functions in conjunction with support vector machines significantly outperform traditional edit distance-based nearest-neighbor classifiers, both in terms of classification accuracy and running time.
Impact of Trade Liberalization and SAFTA on Pakistan’s Economy by Using CGE Model

The aim of this paper is to quantify and analyze the relative impact of South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) over the global economic welfare. This research analyzes the potential economic costs and benefits of Pak-India trade in exporting various consumer goods. The first scenario is when normal trading relation with India will be restored; it means that both countries will give the MFN (Most Favored Nations) status to each other. In the second scenario, the SAFTA will be operative and there will be free trade between India and Pakistan and both countries will remove all tariffs and custom duties from each others’ imports. The Global trade analysis GTAP model is used to analyze the possible impact of SAFTA on Pakistan in a multi country, multi sector applied General equilibrium frame work. After employing the simplified static analysis framework, the analysis based on simulations reveals that current demand for Pakistani dates and other consumer items like leather and cotton-made garments will expand after the FTA and consumer surplus will increase. The drop in the domestic prices of dates will increase the production of many downstream industries, which will have pleasant multiplier effects on the economy of Pakistan. The government may reduce MFN tariffs on industrial dates before implementing the FTA. A key rule of multilateral trade system is that the reduction in trade barriers should be applied on a most-favored nation basis (MFN) to all WTO members. The only exception to the MFN principle built into the GATT legal framework is the provision for reciprocal free trade within customs unions and free trade areas (GATT article XXIV). The objectives of the present study are to analyze and quantify the potential economic cost and benefits of the prospective trade between India and Pakistan to consumers, producers and government of the two countries. The export of Dried dates, leather and cotton-made garments may be conducted by two scenarios, i.e. when normal trading relations between Pakistan and India will be restored and when there will be a free trade between Pakistan and India in the presence of South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). Following the analytical framework discussed by PO managerial (20001), we employ the simplified static analysis by using CGE model for policy implication, which reveals that Pakistan will gain benefit from Pak-India trade on SAFTA. Results based on this research reveal that on SAFTA, grounds, here will be net export benefits in Pakistan’s economy.
Development and Characterization of an Atmospheric-Pressure Microwave Plasma Torch

The presented microwave plasma torch finds application in many areas of treatment and conversion of different gases as well as in surface treatment. The torch is based on an axially symmetric resonator. Microwaves of 2.45 GHz are fed into the cavity, resulting in a sufficient high electric field for ignition and maintaining stable plasma operation. The characterization of the plasma is performed by optical-emission spectroscopy, which revealed a rotational temperature of about 3600 K in the center of the plasma.
User-Steered Image Segmentation Paradigms: Live Wire and Live Lane

Abstract In multidimensional image analysis, there are, and will continue to be, situations wherein automatic image segmentation methods fail, calling for considerable user assistance in the process. The main goals of segmentation research for such situations ought to be (i) to provideeffective controlto the user on the segmentation processwhileit is being executed, and (ii) to minimize the total user's time required in the process. With these goals in mind, we present in this paper two paradigms, referred to aslive wireandlive lane, for practical image segmentation in large applications. For both approaches, we think of the pixel vertices and oriented edges as forming a graph, assign a set of features to each oriented edge to characterize its ``boundariness,'' and transform feature values to costs. We provide training facilities and automatic optimal feature and transform selection methods so that these assignments can be made with consistent effectiveness in any application. In live wire, the user first selects an initial point on the boundary. For any subsequent point indicated by the cursor, an optimal path from the initial point to the current point is found and displayed in real time. The user thus has a live wire on hand which is moved by moving the cursor. If the cursor goes close to the boundary, the live wire snaps onto the boundary. At this point, if the live wire describes the boundary appropriately, the user deposits the cursor which now becomes the new starting point and the process continues. A few points (live-wire segments) are usually adequate to segment the whole 2D boundary. In live lane, the user selects only the initial point. Subsequent points are selected automatically as the cursor is moved within a lane surrounding the boundary whose width changes as a function of the speed and acceleration of cursor motion. Live-wire segments are generated and displayed in real time between successive points. The users get the feeling that the curve snaps onto the boundary as and while they roughly mark in the vicinity of the boundary. We describe formal evaluation studies to compare the utility of the new methods with that of manual tracing based on speed and repeatability of tracing and on data taken from a large ongoing application. The studies indicate that the new methods are statistically significantly more repeatable and 1.5–2.5 times faster than manual tracing.
Structure of the EF-hand domain of polycystin-2 suggests a mechanism for Ca2+-dependent regulation of polycystin-2 channel activity

The C-terminal cytoplasmic tail of polycystin-2 (PC2/TRPP2), a Ca2+-permeable channel, is frequently mutated or truncated in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. We have previously shown that this tail consists of three functional regions: an EF-hand domain (PC2-EF, 720–797), a flexible linker (798–827), and an oligomeric coiled coil domain (828–895). We found that PC2-EF binds Ca2+ at a single site and undergoes Ca2+-dependent conformational changes, suggesting it is an essential element of Ca2+-sensitive regulation of PC2 activity. Here we describe the NMR structure and dynamics of Ca2+-bound PC2-EF. Human PC2-EF contains a divergent non-Ca2+-binding helix-loop-helix (HLH) motif packed against a canonical Ca2+-binding EF-hand motif. This HLH motif may have evolved from a canonical EF-hand found in invertebrate PC2 homologs. Temperature-dependent steady-state NOE experiments and NMR R1 and R2 relaxation rates correlate with increased molecular motion in the EF-hand, possibly due to exchange between apo and Ca2+-bound states, consistent with a role for PC2-EF as a Ca2+-sensitive regulator. Structure-based sequence conservation analysis reveals a conserved hydrophobic surface in the same region, which may mediate Ca2+-dependent protein interactions. We propose that Ca2+-sensing by PC2-EF is responsible for the cooperative nature of PC2 channel activation and inhibition. Based on our results, we present a mechanism of regulation of the Ca2+ dependence of PC2 channel activity by PC2-EF.
Examining the stability of DSM-IV and empirically derived eating disorder classification: implications for DSM-5.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this investigation was to derive an empirical classification of eating disorder symptoms in a heterogeneous eating disorder sample using latent class analysis (LCA) and to examine the longitudinal stability of these latent classes (LCs) and the stability of DSM-IV eating disorder (ED) diagnoses. METHOD A total of 429 females with ED symptoms were assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination every 6 months for 2 years. LCA was used to derive empirical classification at baseline. Latent transition analysis (LTA) was used to examine the longitudinal stability of LCs, and Markov modeling procedures were used to examine DSM-IV ED diagnoses over all the time points. RESULTS LCA yielded a 3-class solution: binge eating and purging, binge eating only, and low body mass index. LTA indicated that these LCs showed greater stability over 2 years than DSM-IV diagnoses with the probability of remaining in the same class ranging from 0.69 to 0.91 for LCs and from 0.40 to 0.75 for DSM-IV diagnoses. Transition patterns also revealed more stability for LCs with only 21% changing classes compared with 63% of the DSM-IV diagnostic categories. CONCLUSION Empirically derived classes of ED symptoms showed greater longitudinal stability than DSM-IV diagnoses over a 2-year time period, suggesting that modifying the criteria to be consistent with empirically based classification (e.g., reducing frequency requirements of binge eating and purging) may reduce ED diagnostic crossover in DSM-5.
Deciphering the Pathogenesis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant disorder of the blood system. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) supply and maintain this system by differentiating via intermediates into lineage-restricted progenitors that strongly proliferate to keep up with the high turn-over of mature blood cells. In AML, the mechanisms controlling differentiation and proliferation of myeloid cells are disturbed leading to the accumulation of undifferentiated cells that interfere with the production of normal blood cells. Mutations of the transcription factor C/EBPα have been observed in 10 percent in AML with normal cytogenetics. In addition, internal tandem duplications (ITD) of FLT3 are frequently observed alterations in AML and coincide with mutations of C/EBPα. The effects of FLT3-ITD cooperation with C/EBPα mutations in AML are not fully understood. To address this, knockin mouse strains harboring different Cebpa mutations and Flt3-ITD were used to generate an AML mouse model. This model demonstrated a block at the transition from pGMP to GMP due to disrupted C/EBPα function. The cooperative effect of FLT3-ITD is composed of enhancing the generation of leukemia-initiating GMPs and activation of STAT5 targets. In in vitro studies it was demonstrated that FLT3-ITD reduces the cytokine-requirements for cell growth and that leukemic cells harboring FLT3-ITD are more sensitive to inhibition of the FLT3 pathway in vitro. To address the impact of FLT3-ITD gene dosage and loss of Flt3 wild type allele in vivo the Flt3-ITD knockin mouse was crossed to the Flt3 receptor knockout mouse. These studies demonstrated that the myeloproliferative phenotype was FLT3-ITD dosage-dependent and independent of FL. In summary, the data presented provide deeper insights into oncogene cooperation and FLT3-ITD dosage in AML.
MeshCloud: Integrated cloudlet and wireless mesh network for real-time applications

From last decade, the tremendous growth of cloud computing and advancement in wireless communication technology has increased the usage of portable devices and facilitated mobile users to take advantage of mobile cloud services. Conversely, the high communication costs and inferior performance of mobile Internet over wide-area cellular network access obstruct the mobile devices' capabilities in resource provisioning, on-demand applications and quality of service sensitivity during communication. In this paper, we proposed and deployed a network architecture that integrates localized and distributed mini-clouds (enhanced cloudlets) with low-cost and fast-deployable wireless mesh networks. We implemented a testbed, which is empowered with a real-life private cloudlet and an emulated wireless mesh network. The empirical results demonstrated that the proposed architecture is promising towards providing a localized, cost-effective wireless cloud access to users on the move.
Optimization of cell permeabilization for multiparametric flow cytometric analysis with lectin staining.

BACKGROUND This study was undertaken in mice to develop a reproducible procedure of cell permeabilization, allowing intracellular protein staining by immunofluorescence (i.e., Bcl-2) without losing surface labeling especially for lectins (i.e., B220 and peanut agglutinin [PNA]). This article reports results obtained with different permeabilization protocols. METHODS Lymphoid cells were extracted and prepared from Peyer's patches and spleen. After surface labeling using anti-B220-Cy-chrome and PNA-biotin/streptavidin-phycoerythrin, we comparatively tested three permeabilization protocols: saponin 0.3%, methanol 70%, and the commercial kit Dako Intrastain. Final Bcl-2 staining was performed and cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS With 0.3% saponin as the permeabilization reagent, a significant loss of lectin labeling was observed when comparing mono PNA and triple (i.e. , B220-PNA-Bcl-2) staining (74.8% and 22.5% positive cells, respectively). Quality of PNA staining was conserved with Intrastain when comparing multiparametric versus monoparametric stainings (82. 4% of positive cells versus 78.3%, respectively). Intrastain preserved scatter characteristics (69.9% of total cells in the lymphocyte gate with Intrastain versus 13.7% with saponin 0.3% and 20.9% with methanol 70%). This protocol has been used for a preliminary multiparametric analysis in order to quantify Bcl-2 expression in PNA/B220-positive cells. CONCLUSION This protocol may be useful to assess simultaneously lectin cell surface labeling and intracellular target staining.
[Adolescents' physical quality of life: associations with physical activity and sex].

OBJECTIVE Analysing associations between adolescents' physical activity level (PAL), alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI) and sociodemographic variables and their physical quality of life (QoL). METHODS The sample consisted of 608 adolescents aged 14 to 20 who were fulltime students in public and private high schools in the municipality of Lapa, PR, southern Brazil. The variables analysed were the adolescents' physical QoL, PAL, alcohol consumption, BMI and sociodemographic variables. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and binary logistical regression were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS The physical QoL of the adolescents studied here exhibited satisfactory results (74.4 mean score). Less active individuals had 1.7 times greater risk of obtaining poor physical domain scores than their active counterparts; girls were 2.8 times more likely to have a poor physical domain score compared to boys. CONCLUSIONS The adolescent population subsets most at risk of scoring badly on the physical domain were those having low PAL and being female.