Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A simplified new procedure for identification of appliances in smart meter applications

Renewable energy sources are slowly but surely supplementing conventional sources of energy. These energy sources create a large number of micro-grids which become a part of the main grid. Smart meters are essential components in smart micro-grids and smart grids. Together they form a complex system which has become today an attractive area of research world-wide in view of enormous benefits of reliability and safety of power supply economically. Several studies in smart meter applications have shown that in residential buildings, energy consumption can be reduced up to 15% with better management. For this, a non-intrusive appliance load monitoring (NIALM) technique has been advocated which enables appliance identification to help better energy management. The identification is done using load signatures with appropriate algorithm. Several features of load signatures ranging from voltage and current profiles (steady states and transients) to a plethora of features such as active power (P) and reactive power (Q), power factor (pf), harmonic components (h), magnitudes of h (mh), current waveform (CW), eigen values, switching transient waveform, instantaneous admittance waveform, etc have been used in NIALM. The algorithms used vary from a `single algorithm' to `multiple algorithms', the latter used in `Committee Decision Mechanism' (CDM) in which majority of `votes' (i.e., agreement), `cast' by each of the algorithms, decides the final result of appliances identified. This scenario presents a serious difficulty with regard to choice of features and algorithms, besides the possibility of increasing the hardware and software costs of smart meters. The motivation for the study in this paper is provided by this scenario. The basic objective of this paper is to investigate the possibility of including only a limited number of features as load signature of appliances, and the use of only a single algorithm to effectively implement NIALM without any ambiguity. Results of our study so far indicate that generally only four features of P, Q, h and mh are sufficient for detection of appliances in operation; however, in some cases (~>10%), the additional feature, CW, may be needed for final identification. The experiments conducted so far yielded unambiguous identification of appliances and the results are encouraging enough for possible use in practice for residential loads only.
Lapped multiple bases algorithms for still image compression without blocking effect

We describe a system for still image compression that uses several transform sets in a multiple bases realization algorithm. Our algorithms reduce the number of encoded transform coefficients 20% beyond DCT-only compression. We extend these algorithms to use several newly developed lapped orthogonal transform (LOT) bases, resulting in useful algorithms for low bit rate (high compression) operation without blocking effect.
Engineering the shape and structure of materials by fractal cut

Significance Most materials can be stretched to a small degree, depending on their elastic limits and failure properties. For most materials the maximum elastic dilatation is very small, implying that the macroscopic shapes to which an elastic body can be deformed is severely limited. The present work addresses the simple modification of any material via hierarchical cut patterns to allow for extremely large strains and shape changes and a large range of macroscopic shapes. This is an important step in the development of shape-programmable materials. We provide the mathematical foundation, simulation results, and experimental demonstrations of the concept of fractal cut. This approach effectively broadens the design space for engineered materials for applications ranging from flexible/stretchable devices and photonic materials to bioscaffolds. In this paper we discuss the transformation of a sheet of material into a wide range of desired shapes and patterns by introducing a set of simple cuts in a multilevel hierarchy with different motifs. Each choice of hierarchical cut motif and cut level allows the material to expand into a unique structure with a unique set of properties. We can reverse-engineer the desired expanded geometries to find the requisite cut pattern to produce it without changing the physical properties of the initial material. The concept was experimentally realized and applied to create an electrode that expands to >800% the original area with only very minor stretching of the underlying material. The generality of our approach greatly expands the design space for materials so that they can be tuned for diverse applications.
Search for novel targets of the PII signal transduction protein in Bacteria identifies the BCCP component of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase as a PII binding partner

The PII family comprises a group of widely distributed signal transduction proteins. The archetypal function of PII is to regulate nitrogen metabolism in bacteria. As PII can sense a range of metabolic signals, it has been suggested that the number of metabolic pathways regulated by PII may be much greater than described in the literature. In order to provide experimental evidence for this hypothesis a PII protein affinity column was used to identify PII targets in Azospirillum brasilense. One of the PII partners identified was the biotin carboxyl carrier protein (BCCP), a component of the acetyl‐CoA carboxylase which catalyses the committed step in fatty acid biosynthesis. As BCCP had been previously identified as a PII target in Arabidopsis thaliana we hypothesized that the PII–BCCP interaction would be conserved throughout Bacteria. In vitro experiments using purified proteins confirmed that the PII–BCCP interaction is conserved in Escherichia coli. The BCCP–PII interaction required MgATP and was dissociated by increasing 2‐oxoglutarate. The interaction was modestly affected by the post‐translational uridylylation status of PII; however, it was completely dependent on the post‐translational biotinylation of BCCP.
Risk Factors for Tuberculosis in Foreign-Born People (FBP) in Italy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

In Italy, TB notifications in foreign-born people (FBP) are steadily increasing. To investigate this issue we did a meta-analysis on risk factors for FBP people. A systematic search was performed in PubMed and EMBASE from Jan-1980 to Jan-2013. We analysed HIV status, previous TB-treatment, intravenous drug use and alcohol abuse, and multidrug resistant TB. Odd ratio was used as a measure of effect. One and two-stages approaches were used. In the main analysis we used a 2-stages approach to include studies with only aggregate estimates. Among 1996 references, 18 fulfilled inclusion criteria. In TB-affected FBP people positive HIV-status was about 3 times higher than among Italians, after 1996 when combined antiretroviral therapy for HIV was introduced (OR: 2.91; 95%CI: 1.37; 6.17). No association was found between FBP and intravenous drug users in adults; after 1-stage meta-analysis foreign born people from highly endemic countries had a 4 times higher risk to be multidrug resistant TB than Italian people. Finally, TB-affected FBP were less likely than Italians to be alcoholics (OR: 0.10 95%CI: 0.01; 0.84) or of having received previous TB-treatment (OR: 0.55; 95%CI: 0.43; 0.71). An association of multidrug resistant TB with immigrant status as well as an association of Tuberculosis with HIV-positive status in foreign-born people are major findings of this analysis. Drugs and alcohol abuse do not appear to be risk factors for TB in FBP, however they cannot be discharged since may depend on cultural traditions and their role may change in the future along with the migratory waves. An effective control of TB risk factors among migrants is crucial to obtain the goal of TB eradication.
Quantum dot-based immunofluorescent imaging of Ki67 and identification of prognostic value in HER2-positive (non-luminal) breast cancer

Background The immunohistochemical assessment of Ki67 antigen (Ki67) is the most widely practiced measurement of breast cancer cell proliferation; however, it has some disadvantages and thus the prognostic value of Ki67 in breast cancer remains controversial. Our previous studies confirmed the advantages of quantum dots-based nanotechnology for quantitative analysis of biomarkers compared with conventional immunohistochemistry (IHC). This study was designed to assess Ki67 by quantum dot-immunohistochemistry (QD-IHC) and investigate the prognostic value of the Ki67 score in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive (non-luminal) breast cancer. Methods Ki67 expression in 108 HER2-positive (non-luminal) breast cancer specimens was detected by IHC and QD-IHC. Two observers assessed the Ki67 score independently and comparisons between the two methods were made. The prognostic value of the Ki67 score for five-year disease-free survival was estimated. Results The same antigen localization, high correlation of staining rates (r=0.993), and high agreement of measurements (κ=0.874) of Ki67 expression (cutoff: 30%) in breast cancer were found by QD-IHC and conventional IHC. The QD-IHC had a better interobserver agreement for the Ki67 score than conventional IHC (t=−7.280, P<0.01). High Ki67 expression (cutoff: 30%) was associated with shorter disease-free survival (log-rank test; IHC, P=0.026; QD-IHC, P=0.001), especially in the lymph node-negative subgroups (log-rank test; IHC, P=0.017; QD-IHC, P=0.002). Conclusion QD-IHC imaging of Ki67 was an easier and more accurate method for detecting and assessing Ki67. The Ki67 score was an independent prognosticator in the HER2-positive (non-luminal) breast cancer patients.
Compassionate Acts and Everyday Emotional Well-Being Among Newlyweds

Compassion is deeply prized in Western marriages yet its benefits for emotional well-being have been investigated empirically only rarely. This research examined the association between compassionate acts and everyday emotional well-being in 175 newlywed couples. Following prior research and theory, we defined compassionate acts as caregiving that is freely given, focused on understanding and genuine acceptance of the other’s needs and wishes, and expressed through openness, warmth, and a willingness to put a partner’s goals ahead of one’s own. We adopted an explicitly dyadic perspective so that we could consider how compassionate acts as well as their recognition influence the affective state of both donors and recipients. Our findings, which controlled for the general affective tone of marital interaction, revealed that compassionate acts are beneficial for both donors and recipients, and that the effects on the donor are stronger than the effects on the recipient. Moreover, we found that whereas recipients’ benefits depend on their noticing the donors’ actions, donors benefit regardless of whether the recipients explicitly notice the compassionate acts. The pattern of results for husbands and wives was very similar. These results suggest that in terms of emotional well-being, for donors, acting compassionately may be its own reward.
Rapid Methods for the Bacteriological Analyses of Raw Frozen Breaded Shrimp.

The raw frozen breaded shrimp industry is uniquely susceptible to bacteriological problems since there is no point in the processing which reduces the bacterial numbers appreciably. In addition, the time required to complete the processing of raw materials is less than 48 hours. The bac­ terial tests used to assess the quality of the finished product require up to 96 hours. Thus, such official tech­ niques are of little use since the product may be past the retail outlet and in the hands of the consumer upon comple­ tion. Rapid bacteriological procedures for the determination of aerobic plate count (APC), coliforms, E. coli, and coagulase-positive staphylococci were developed and compared to official methods on an interlaboratory basis. Eighteen replicates of identical samples of frozen breaded shrimp were analyzed by official methods and the rapid methods developed by the investigators. Each sample was sent to the LSU laboratory by one of 10 processors, homogenized, and identi­ cal homogenates sent to the 16 analytical laboratories. The analytical laboratories sent the data resulting from the coded samples back to the LSU investigators. All labora­ tories performed APC, coliform, E. coli, and coagulasepositive staphylococci analyses using both the official and
Dynamic frequency and voltage control for a multiple clock domain microarchitecture

We describe the design, analysis, and performance of an on-line algorithm to dynamically control the frequency/voltage of a Multiple Clock Domain (MCD) microarchitecture. The MCD microarchitecture allows the frequency/voltage of microprocessor regions to be adjusted independently and dynamically, allowing energy savings when the frequency of some regions can be reduced without significantly impacting performance. Our algorithm achieves on average a 19.0% reduction in Energy Per Instruction (EPI), a 3.2% increase in Cycles Per Instruction (CPI), a 16.7% improvement in Energy-Delay Product, and a Power Savings to Performance Degradation ratio of 4.6. Traditional frequency/voltage scaling techniques which apply reductions globally to a fully synchronous processor achieve a Power Savings to Performance Degradation ratio of only 2-3. Our Energy-Delay Product improvement is 85.5% of what has been achieved using an off-line algorithm. These results were achieved using a broad range of applications from the MediaBench, Olden, and Spec2000 benchmark suites using an algorithm we show to require minimal hardware resources.
De novo deletion (14)(q11.2q13) including PAX9: clinical and molecular findings

A 3 year old boy with a de novo deletion (14)(q11.2q13) of paternal origin encompassing the region from D14S264 to D14S70 is described. The patient presented with severe psychomotor retardation, bilateral cleft lip/palate, bilateral colobomas of the optic nerves and retinas, agenesis of the corpus callosum, pes calcaneovarus, reduced oesophageal peristalsis, and swallowing difficulties. This is the first reported case of PAX9 hemizygosity in humans. Haploinsufficiency of the PAX9 gene might be expected to cause some of the developmental defects and the dysphagia. Another haploinsufficiency candidate gene, the bZIP transcription factor gene NRL, which is specifically expressed in neuronal cells and the eye during embryogenesis, was excluded from the deletion interval.
Artificial Neural Networks in the Outcome Prediction of Adjustable Gastric Banding in Obese Women

Background Obesity is unanimously regarded as a global epidemic and a major contributing factor to the development of many common illnesses. Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (LAGB) is one of the most popular surgical approaches worldwide. Yet, substantial variability in the results and significant rate of failure can be expected, and it is still debated which categories of patients are better suited to this type of bariatric procedure. The aim of this study was to build a statistical model based on both psychological and physical data to predict weight loss in obese patients treated by LAGB, and to provide a valuable instrument for the selection of patients that may benefit from this procedure. Methodology/Principal Findings The study population consisted of 172 obese women, with a mean±SD presurgical and postsurgical Body Mass Index (BMI) of 42.5±5.1 and 32.4±4.8 kg/m2, respectively. Subjects were administered the comprehensive test of psychopathology Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Main goal of the study was to use presurgical data to predict individual therapeutical outcome in terms of Excess Weight Loss (EWL) after 2 years. Multiple linear regression analysis using the MMPI-2 scores, BMI and age was performed to determine the variables that best predicted the EWL. Based on the selected variables including age, and 3 psychometric scales, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) were employed to improve the goodness of prediction. Linear and non linear models were compared in their classification and prediction tasks: non linear model resulted to be better at data fitting (36% vs. 10% variance explained, respectively) and provided more reliable parameters for accuracy and mis-classification rates (70% and 30% vs. 66% and 34%, respectively). Conclusions/Significance ANN models can be successfully applied for prediction of weight loss in obese women treated by LAGB. This approach may constitute a valuable tool for selection of the best candidates for surgery, taking advantage of an integrated multidisciplinary approach.
Enhanced Radiofrequency Ablation With Magnetically Directed Metallic Nanoparticles

Background—Remote heating of metal located near a radiofrequency ablation source has been previously demonstrated. Therefore, ablation of cardiac tissue treated with metallic nanoparticles may improve local radiofrequency heating and lead to larger ablation lesions. We sought to evaluate the effect of magnetic nanoparticles on tissue sensitivity to radiofrequency energy. Methods and Results—Ablation was performed using an ablation catheter positioned with 10 g of force over prepared ex vivo specimens. Tissue temperatures were measured and lesion volumes were acquired. An in vivo porcine thigh model was used to study systemically delivered magnetically guided iron oxide (FeO) nanoparticles during radiofrequency application. Magnetic resonance imaging and histological staining of ablated tissue were subsequently performed as a part of ablation lesion analysis. Ablation of ex vivo myocardial tissue treated with metallic nanoparticles resulted in significantly larger lesions with greater impedance changes and evidence of increased thermal conductivity within the tissue. Magnet-guided localization of FeO nanoparticles within porcine thigh preps was demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging and iron staining. Irrigated ablation in the regions with greater FeO, after FeO infusion and magnetic guidance, created larger lesions without a greater incidence of steam pops. Conclusions—Metal nanoparticle infiltration resulted in significantly larger ablation lesions with altered electric and thermal conductivity. In vivo magnetic guidance of FeO nanoparticles allowed for facilitated radiofrequency ablation without direct infiltration into the targeted tissue. Further research is needed to assess the clinical applicability of this ablation strategy using metallic nanoparticles for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
Use of Cardioselective ß-Blockers in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Blinded Trials

Objective: To assess the effect of cardioselective b-blockers on pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: The Embase and MEDLINE™ databases and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched comprehensively to identify all relevant clinical trials in humans published between January 1966 and May 2011. Randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trials that studied the effects of cardioselective ß-blockers on the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and the responsiveness of the FEV1 to ß-agonist administration in patients with COPD were included in the analysis. Results: Five studies were identified: four of these assessed both cardioselective and nonselective ß-blockers; one assessed only cardioselective ß-blockers. The FEV1 was shown to decrease by 0.14 l with nonselective ß-blockers and by 0.03 l with cardioselective ß-blockers. The responsive -ness of the FEV1 to ß-agonist administration decreased significantly by 13.42% after nonselective ß-blockers, but did not change significantly after cardioselective -blocker administration. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that the use of β-blockers, especially cardioselective β-blockers, should not be contraindicated in patients with COPD.
Nonlinear analysis of a cross-coupled quadrature harmonic oscillator

The dynamic equations governing the cross-coupled quadrature harmonic oscillator are derived assuming quasi-sinusoidal operation. This allows for an investigation of the previously reported tradeoff between close-to-carrier phase noise and quadrature precision. The results explain how nonlinearity in the coupling transconductances, in conjunction with a finite amplitude relaxation time and de-tuning of the individual oscillators, cause close-to-carrier AM-to-PM noise conversion. A discussion is presented of how the theoretic results translate into design rules for quadrature oscillator ICs. SPECTRE RF simulations verify the developed theory.
Threshold behavior of the maximum likelihood estimator of frequency

We present accurate simplifications of the Rife and Boorstyn (1974) performance equations for the maximum likelihood estimator of frequency. The simplicity of the result allows quick calculation of the onset of threshold as a function of sample size and signal to noise ratio (SNR). The accuracy of the new expression is demonstrated via simulation. >
Correlation analysis between post-pancreatoduodenectomy pancreatic fistula and pancreatic histology.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between the occurrence of pancreatic fistula after pancreatojejunal anastomosis in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary malignancy and the histological fibrosis and inflammation found in pancreatic tissue and the caliber of the main pancreatic duct. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study with patients that were treated with surgical resection. The rate of pancreatic fistulae was recorded. Histology classification was performed according to fibrosis and pancreatic inflammation. RESULTS We identified 77 patients, mean age was 57.6 years; 62.4% were male. As for the type of operation performed, 66.3% were gastroduodenopancreatectomies and 33.7% pancreatoduodenectomies with pylorus preservation. Regarding the number of fistulas diagnosed, it was found that 23.4% patients displayed this postoperative complication and in 66.7% the cause was cancer of the papilla. As for intraoperative macroscopic findings, we identified the classification of pancreatic texture, seen as normal in 85.8%, and the caliber of the main pancreatic duct, finding an average of 4.9 mm. There was a significant relationship between the hardened pancreatic stump and the absence of fistula. In patients with normal or soft tissue, the rate of fistula was 25.4%. Regarding ductal diameter, we identified a higher number of pancreatic anastomotic dehiscences in the absence of ductal dilation (p <0.05). We noticed that patients with an average ductal diameter of 5.4 mm (76.7%) did not show this complication. CONCLUSION The presence of fibrosis and ductal dilation usually coexist and is related to a lower percentage of pancreatic fistulae.
Superoxide production by neutrophils in children with malignant tumors treated with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

BACKGROUND Human recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), widely used to combat chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, stimulates both in vivo and in vitro intra- and extra-cellular O2- production in human polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). PATIENTS AND METHODS Twelve patients with solid tumors or acute lymphoblastic leukemia were treated during induced aplasia with rhG-CSF (5 micrograms/kg/day). Intra- and extracellular O2- production by PMNs isolated from these patients after 5 days of rhG-CSF therapy was assessed following both fMLP and PMA stimulation. RESULTS All patients showed a rise in PMN count; administration of rhG-CSF enhanced intra- and extracellular O2- release after fMLP but not after PMA stimulation. CONCLUSIONS rhG-CSF potentiates in vivo O2- production by PMNs stimulated with receptor-mediated agonists via G-protein (e.g. fMLP), but not by those stimulated with agonists that bypass receptors via protein kinase C (e.g. PMA).