Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Batch Reinforcement Learning for Smart Home Energy Management

Smart grids enhance power grids by integrating electronic equipment, communication systems and computational tools. In a smart grid, consumers can insert energy into the power grid. We propose a new energy management system (called RLbEMS) that autonomously defines a policy for selling or storing energy surplus in smart homes. This policy is achieved through Batch Reinforcement Learning with historical data about energy prices, energy generation, consumer demand and characteristics of storage systems. In practical problems, RLbEMS has learned good energy selling policies quickly and effectively. We obtained maximum gains of 20.78% and 10.64%, when compared to a Naive-greedy policy, for smart homes located in Brazil and in the USA, respectively. Another important result achieved by RLbEMS was the reduction of about 30% of peak demand, a central desideratum for smart grids.
Prenatal maternal stress and child developmental outcome: implications for health care provision?

even if different from observed motivation, is important in itself because these perceptions influence the adults’ interactions with the child and even the child’s behavior. Clinicians should collaborate with parents and emphasize instruction and consultation with parents as well as direct intervention with children. Clinicians could demonstrate and instruct parents in the ‘one-step ahead’ approach, in which adults provide assistance that matches the child’s skills in order to encourage mastery attempts and help the child attain the next level of performance. If parents showed clear, consistent, and contingent behavior to their children’s actions, it would help their child learn that they can have an effect on the environment.
ALDH1A3, the Major Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Isoform in Human Cholangiocarcinoma Cells, Affects Prognosis and Gemcitabine Resistance in Cholangiocarcinoma Patients

Purpose: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a fatal primary liver cancer resulting from diagnosis at an advanced stage. Understanding the mechanisms of drug resistance and metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma may improve the disease prognosis. Enhanced aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity is suggested to be associated with increased drug resistance and the metastasis. This study aims to investigate the roles of the ALDH isoforms in cholangiocarcinoma. Experimental Design: Aldefluor assays, RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis were used to identify the major ALDH isoforms contributing to Aldefluor activity in human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. We manipulated isoform expression in HuCCT1 cells to elucidate the role of ALDH1A3 in the malignant progression of these cells. Finally, we used immunohistochemical staining to evaluate the clinical significance of ALDH1A3 in 77 hepatectomized cholangiocarcinoma patients and an additional 31 patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma who received gemcitabine-based therapy. Results: ALDHhigh cholangiocarcinoma cells not only migrated faster but were more resistant to gemcitabine. Among the 19 ALDH isoforms studied, ALDH1A3 was found to be the main contributor to Aldefluor activity. In addition, we also found that knockdown of ALDH1A3 expression in HuCCT1 cells markedly reduced not only their sensitivity to gemcitabine, which might be attributed to a decreased expression of ribonucleotide reductase M1, but also their migration. Most importantly, this enzyme was also identified as an independent poor prognostic factor for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, as well as a prognostic biomarker of gemcitabine-treated patients. Conclusions: ALDH1A3 plays an important role in enhancing malignant behavior of cholangiocarcinoma and serves as a new therapeutic target. Clin Cancer Res; 22(16); 4225–35. ©2016 AACR.
Blockade of Kv1.5 by paroxetine, an antidepressant drug

Paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), has been reported to have an effect on several ion channels including human ether-a-go-go-related gene in a SSRI-independent manner. These results suggest that paroxetine may cause side effects on cardiac system. In this study, we investigated the effect of paroxetine on Kv1.5, which is one of cardiac ion channels. The action of paroxetine on the cloned neuronal rat Kv1.5 channels stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells was investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Paroxetine reduced Kv1.5 whole-cell currents in a reversible concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 value and a Hill coefficient of 4.11 µM and 0.98, respectively. Paroxetine accelerated the decay rate of inactivation of Kv1.5 currents without modifying the kinetics of current activation. The inhibition increased steeply between -30 and 0 mV, which corresponded with the voltage range for channel opening. In the voltage range positive to 0 mV, inhibition displayed a weak voltage dependence, consistent with an electrical distance δ of 0.32. The binding (k+1) and unbinding (k-1) rate constants for paroxetine-induced block of Kv1.5 were 4.9 µM-1s-1 and 16.1 s-1, respectively. The theoretical KD value derived by k-1/k+1 yielded 3.3 µM. Paroxetine slowed the deactivation time course, resulting in a tail crossover phenomenon when the tail currents, recorded in the presence and absence of paroxetine, were superimposed. Inhibition of Kv1.5 by paroxetine was use-dependent. The present results suggest that paroxetine acts on Kv1.5 currents as an open-channel blocker.
Effect of muscle mass on V(O(2)) kinetics at the onset of work.

The dependence of O(2) uptake (V(O(2))) kinetics on the muscle mass recruited under conditions when fiber and muscle recruitment patterns are similar following the onset of exercise has not been determined. We developed a motorized cycle ergometer that facilitated one-leg (1L) cycling in which the electromyographic (EMG) profile of the active muscles was not discernibly altered from that during two-leg (2L) cycling. Six subjects performed 1L and 2L exercise transitions from unloaded cycling to moderate [VT) exercise. The 1L condition yielded kinetics that was unchanged from the 2L condition [the phase 2 time constants (tau(1), in s) for 0.05; for >VT: 1L = 26.8 +/- 12.0; 2L = 27.8 +/- 16.1, P > 0.05]. The overall V(O(2)) kinetics (mean response time) was not significantly different for the two exercise conditions. However, the gain of the fast component (the amplitude/work rate) during the 1L exercise was significantly higher than that for the 2L exercise for both moderate and heavy work rates. The slow-component responses evident for heavy exercise were temporally and quantitatively unaffected by the 1L condition. These data demonstrate that, when leg muscle recruitment patterns are unchanged as assessed by EMG analysis, on-transient V(O(2)) kinetics for both moderate and heavy exercise are not dependent on the muscle mass recruited.
BROADBAND E-H SHAPED MICROSTRIP PATCH ANTENNA FOR WIRELESS SYSTEMS

A broadband inverted E-H shaped microstrip patch antenna is proposed and experimentally investigated. The antenna employs novel E-H shaped patch with L-probe feed technique. Prototype of the proposed antenna has been fabricated and measured for electromagnetic analysis including the impedance bandwidth, radiation pattern, and antenna gain. The designed antenna has a dimension of 80mm by 50mm, leading to broad bandwidths covering 1.76GHz to 2.38GHz. Stable radiation patterns across the operating bandwidth are observed. In addition, a parametric study is conducted to facilitate the design and optimization process.
Incidence of Hospital-Treated Traumatic Brain Injury in the Oslo Population

Background: The aim of this prospective, population-based study is to present the incidence of hospital-treated traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Oslo, Norway, and to describe the severity of brain injuries and outcome of the patients’ acute medical care. Methods: Data were obtained from hospital admission registers and medical records from May 2005 to May 2006. The initial severity of TBI was measured by the Glasgow Coma Scale. The region is urban with a population of 534,129. Results: The 445 patients identified represent an annual incidence of 83.3/100,000. The median age was 29 years. The male:female ratio was 1.8:1.0. The highest incidence of TBI hospitalizations was found in the elderly males and the youngest children. The most common causes of TBI were falls (51%) and transport accidents (29.7%). Intracranial lesions were found more often in the elderly. The case fatality rate was 2.0/100 hospitalized patients and was highest in the elderly. Conclusions: The incidence of hospital-treated TBI in this study is considerably lower than that found in previous studies from Norway and Scandinavia. Despite the apparent decline in TBI hospitalization rates, our findings should also draw attention to the need for more effective preventive programmes related to falls. Studies that assess long-term consequences of TBI in elderly patients are also needed.
Prognostic Factors of Melanoma Patients with Satellite or In-Transit Metastasis at the Time of Stage III Diagnosis

Background Prognosis of patients with loco-regional skin metastases has not been analyzed in detail and the presence or absence of concurrent lymph node metastasis represents the only established prognostic factor thus far. Most studies were limited to patients already presenting with skin lesions at the time of initial diagnosis. We aimed to analyze the impact of a broad penal of prognostic factors in patients with skin metastases at the time of first metastatic spread, including patients with synchronous lesions already present at the time of initial diagnosis, stage I/II patients with loco-regional recurrence and patients initially presenting with skin metastasis but unknown primary melanoma. Patients and Methods We investigated disease-specific survival of 380 patients treated at our department between 1996 and 2010 using Kaplan Meier survival probabilities and Cox-proportional hazard analysis. Results Five-year survival probability was 60.1% for patients with skin metastases only and 36.3% for those with synchronous nodal metastases. The number of involved nodes and a tumor thickness of at least 3 mm had independent negative impact on prognosis. A strong relationship was identified between the risk of death and the number of involved nodes. Neither ulceration nor the timing of the first occurrence of metastases as either in stage I/II patients, at the time of excision of the primary melanoma or initially in patients with unknown primary tumor, had additional effects on survival. Conclusion Lymph node involvement was confirmed as the most important prognostic factor for melanoma patients with loco-regional skin metastasis including those with unknown primary tumor and stage I/II patients with skin recurrence. Consideration of the tumor thickness and of the number of involved lymph nodes instead of the exclusive differentiation into presence vs. absence of nodal disease may allow a more accurate prediction of prognosis for patients with satellite or in-transit metastases.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of vortioxetine 10 mg and 20 mg in adults with major depressive disorder.

CONTEXT Vortioxetine (Lu AA21004) is an antidepressant with a mechanism of action thought to be related to a combination of 2 pharmacologic actions: direct modulation of several receptors and inhibition of the serotonin transporter. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of vortioxetine 10 and 20 mg once daily in outpatients with major depressive disorder. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This 8-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted from July 2010 to January 2012 among adults with a primary diagnosis of recurrent major depressive disorder (DSM-IV-TR). INTERVENTION Eligible subjects were randomized in 1:1:1 ratio to 1 of 3 treatment arms: vortioxetine 10 mg, vortioxetine 20 mg, or placebo once daily for 8 weeks. Subjects who completed the 8-week trial entered a 2-week blinded discontinuation period to assess potential discontinuation symptoms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The primary endpoint was the least squares mean change in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score from baseline. Key secondary outcomes were analyzed in the following prespecified sequential order: MADRS response (≥ 50% decrease from baseline in total score), Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement score, change from baseline in MADRS total score in subjects with baseline Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale score ≥ 20, MADRS remission (total score ≤ 10), and change from baseline in Sheehan Disability Scale total score (all at week 8). RESULTS A total of 462 subjects were randomized to placebo (n = 157), vortioxetine 10 mg (n = 155), and vortioxetine 20 mg (n = 150). Mean (SE) reductions from baseline in MADRS total score (week 8) were -10.77 (± 0.807), -12.96 (± 0.832), and -14.41 (± 0.845) for the placebo, vortioxetine 10 mg (P = .058 vs placebo), and vortioxetine 20 mg (P = .002 vs placebo) groups. MADRS response/remission was achieved in 28.4%/14.2%, 33.8%/21.4%, and 39.2%/22.3% of subjects, respectively, in the 3 groups. Only MADRS response for vortioxetine 20 mg significantly separated from placebo (P = .044). Treatment was well tolerated, with the most frequently reported adverse events consisting of nausea, headache, diarrhea, and dizziness. CONCLUSIONS Vortioxetine 20 mg significantly reduced MADRS total score at 8 weeks in this study population. Overall, vortioxetine was well tolerated in this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01163266.
A rare case of oral multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder characterized by high proliferation of Langerhans dendritic cells. LCH is a solitary or multifocal disease that primarily involves bone tissue and often affects children and young men. A 29 years-old Caucasian man was referred to the Oral Surgery Unit of George Eastman Hospital - Umberto I teaching hospital, with third degree mobility of teeth belonging to second, third and fourth quadrant. Panoramic radiograph showed multiple radiolucent areas with well demarcated borders on the right and left site of the mandible and on the left site of the maxilla. Extractions of compromised teeth and biopsy of the osteolytic tissue were performed. The final diagnosis of multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity was made. The patient was sent to the Hematology department of Umberto I Teaching Hospital of “Sapienza” – University of Rome for the proper treatment. The present case of rare multisystem LCH involving oral hard and soft tissues shows the strong importance of better investigate, with appropriate additional exams, initial shifty symptoms that could lead to a misdiagnosis. Key words:Differential diagnosis, microscopic diagnosis, Langerhans cell histiocytosis.
Results of the Ontario Survey on the Prevalence and Control of Hypertension

Background: Available information on the prevalence and management of hypertension in the Canadian population dates back to 1986–1992 and probably does not reflect the current status of this major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We sought to evaluate the current prevalence and management of hypertension among adults in the province of Ontario. Methods: Potential respondents from randomly selected dwellings within target neighbourhoods in 16 municipalities were contacted at their homes to request participation in the study. For potential respondents who agreed to participate, blood pressure was measured with an automated device. Estimation weights were used to obtain representative estimates of population parameters. Responses were weighted to the total adult population in Ontario of 7 996 653. Results: From 6436 eligible dwellings, contact was made with 4559 potential participants, of whom 2992 agreed to participate. Blood pressure measurements were obtained for 2551 of these respondents (age 20–79 years). Hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or more, diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or more, or treatment with an antihypertensive medication, was identified in 21.3% of the population overall (23.8% of men and 19.0% of women). Prevalence increased with age, from 3.4% among participants 20–39 years of age to 51.6% among those 60–79 years of age. Hypertension was more common among black people and people of South Asian background than among white people; hypertension was also associated with higher body mass index. Among participants with hypertension, 65.7% were undergoing treatment with control of hypertension, 14.7% were undergoing treatment but the hypertension was not controlled, and 19.5% were not receiving any treatment (including 13.7% who were unaware of their hypertension). The extent of control of hypertension did not differ significantly by age, sex, ethnic background or comorbidities. Interpretation: In Ontario, the overall prevalence of hypertension is high in the older population but appears not to have increased in recent decades. Hypertension management has improved markedly among all age groups and for both sexes.
Non-intrusive Iris Image Capturing System Using Light Stripe Projection and Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera

This paper proposes non-intrusive iris image capturing system, which consists of pan-tilt-zoom camera and light stripe projection. Light stripe projection provides the position of user. After panning according to user's position, AdaBoost-based face detection finds tilt angle. With user's position and tilt angle, zoom and focus position are initialized. User's position replaces 2D face search with ID face search. Exact zoom and focus position enable fast control and narrow search range. Consequently, experimental results show that proposed system can capture iris image within acceptable time.
A review of the epidemiology and treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma

Merkel cell carcinoma is a very rare and aggressive neoplasm. Due to its rarity, therapeutic guidelines are not well established, especially for regionally advanced disease. Articles in English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish from the last 20 years were identified in MEDLINE and reviewed. The key word “Merkel” was used for the search, relevant articles were selected, and their references were examined. The most important articles related to epidemiology, genesis and treatment were reviewed. The incidence of Merkel cell carcinoma is increasing due to the advancing age of the population, higher rates of sun exposure and an increasing number of immunocompromised individuals. With regard to etiology, the recently described Merkel Cell polyomavirus is thought to play a role. Either local or regional surgical intervention remains the standard of care, but adjuvant radiotherapy or radiotherapy as a primary treatment have been discussed as reasonable therapeutic options. An update on this rare neoplasia is essential because of its increasing incidence and changing treatment options.
Low-Dose Therapy With the Long-Acting Erythropoietin Analogue Darbepoetin Alpha Persistently Activates Endothelial Akt and Attenuates Progressive Organ Failure

Background—The hematopoietic cytokine erythropoietin has cytoprotective effects in endothelial cells in vitro that are mediated through direct activation of the pro-survival Akt tyrosine kinase signaling pathway. We tested the hypothesis that low-dose therapy with the long-acting recombinant human erythropoietin analogue darbepoetin alpha protects vascular endothelium in vivo in a classic remnant kidney rat model characterized by severe endothelial damage, progressive vascular sclerosis, and ischemia-induced tissue fibrosis. Methods and Results—Using a parallel group study design, we randomly assigned animals after 5/6 nephrectomy to treatment with either saline (n=36) or 0.1 μg/kg body wt darbepoetin (n=24) subcutaneously once weekly. We monitored hematocrit, blood pressure, and serum creatinine regularly and obtained renal tissue 6 weeks after nephrectomy for morphological and immunohistochemical analysis. Darbepoetin-treated animals had significantly improved survival compared with saline-treated controls (63% versus 33%; P<0.05), although hematocrit levels were similar in both groups. Darbepoetin treatment ameliorated endothelial damage; attenuated the composite tissue injury score (saline 1.9±0.4; darbepoetin 0.4±0.2; P<0.001), which included vascular sclerosis, glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial damage; and preserved renal function. We found persistent activation of the pro-survival Akt signaling pathway in endothelial and epithelial glomerular cells in darbepoetin-treated animals, accompanied by a significant reduction of apoptotic cell death in renal tissue. Conclusions—Low-dose darbepoetin treatment confers vascular and tissue protection that is associated with persistent stimulation of the pro-survival Akt signaling pathway. The use of recombinant human erythropoietin or analogues may have utility in preventing ischemia-related progressive vascular injury and organ failure.
On the transplantability of lymphoid tumors, embryonal nephromas and carcinomas of chickens.

In previous publications (7, 8) a report has been made of 14 sarcomas and 7 fibromas naturally occurring in chickens and of the successful transplantation of 5 of the sarcomas for an indefinite number of generations. Transplantation of the other sarcomas either failed or was successful for a few passages only. As indicative of causes for these differences our data and those of other workers revealed that the age of the bird bearing the tumor may exert an influence, in the sense that opt imum conditions for indefinite transplantability seem to be present in tumors developing in chickens of from about 5 to 12 months of age. Exceptions to this were found and no final conclusions were drawn pending results of other studies. In the present publication we report the results obtained in attempting transplantation of 12 lymphoid tumors, 10 embryonal nephromas, and 2 epithelial tumors.
Arc-Flash Hazard Calculations in LV and MV DC Systems—Part I: Short-Circuit Calculations

The IEEE 1584 Guide does not address arc-flash hazard in dc systems. The interest in this subject is evidenced by current publications. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2012 methodology has added a small description of the calculations of arc-flash hazard in dc systems. However, there are serious inaccuracies in the application of the methodology that is advocated in the NFPA. A review of the current literature indicates that there is no comprehensive document on the subject and that some of the assumptions made in the current literature are not accurate, e.g., with respect to the short-circuit current profiles and protective devices in dc systems, which are very fundamental to the accurate calculations of arc-flash hazard in dc systems. This paper is presented in two parts. This part provides equations with practical examples of short-circuit calculations in dc systems. The second part provides the analysis of arc-flash hazard. Accurate calculations of the short-circuit currents and ascertaining their profiles is the first step in the arc-flash hazard analysis.
“Ethnic Clashes” and Winning Elections: The Case of Kenya’s Electoral Despotism

ResumeEn 1991, sous la pression de protestataires internes et de donateurs, le Kenya a parti unique a adopte le multipartisme. La liberalisation politique a precipite les “affrontements ethniques” qui allaient eventuellement conduire a la mort de milliers de personnes et au deplacement de centaines de milliers d’autres. Cet article declare que ces “affrontements ethniques” constituaient un aspect d’une contre-strategie a la politique de liberalisation, mise en place par des membres influents du gouvernement du President Daniel arap Moi. Utilisant l’exemple de la circonscription electorale de Narok North, l’article montre comment les “affrontements ethniques” pourraient faire partie d’une strategie efficace pour maintenir le controle du parti dominant dans un contexte multipartite.