Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive weighted fuzzy clustering algorithm for load profiling of smart grid customers

With the rapid development of the smart grid, a large volume of smart meter data are collected in the form of time series, which is called load profiles. This paper investigates the load profile clustering of smart grid customers, which is significant for many applications. An adaptive weighted fuzzy clustering algorithm is proposed to cluster load profiles, where Principle Component Analysis (PCA) is used to reduce the data dimension, and then weighted Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) is adopted to cluster the big data. The optimal number of clusters is determined adaptively by integrating a clustering validity function into the clustering algorithm. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm could achieve considerable improvement both in time complexity and clustering accuracy through comparing four clustering validity indexes.
Analysis of Wi-Fi-based and Perceptual Congestion

Conventional works for congestion estimates focus on estimating quantitative congestion (e.g., actual number of people, mobile devices, and crowd density). Meanwhile, we focus on perceptual congestion rather than quantitative congestion toward providing perceptual congestion information. We analyze the relationship between quantitative and perceptual congestion. For this analysis, we construct a system for estimating and visualizing congestion and collecting user reports about congestion. We use the number of mobile devices as quantitative congestion measurements obtained from Wi-Fi packet sensors, and user-report-based congestion as a perceptual congestion measurement collected via our Web service. Base on the obtained quantitative and perceptual congestion, we investigate the relationship between these values.
Tackling Health Disparities for People Who Are Homeless? Start with Social Determinants

Background: Homelessness is associated with enormous health inequalities, including shorter life expectancy, higher morbidity and greater usage of acute hospital services. Viewed through the lens of social determinants, homelessness is a key driver of poor health, but homelessness itself results from accumulated adverse social and economic conditions. Indeed, in people who are homeless, the social determinants of homelessness and health inequities are often intertwined, and long term homelessness further exacerbates poor health. Aggregated health service data can mask this, and case histories thus provide important insights. Methods: This paper presents three case histories of homeless patients seen at an inner city public hospital in Perth, Western Australia. The case histories draw on several data sources: hospital data, information collected from rough sleepers and clinical observations. Estimates of the cost to the health system of the observed hospital usage by the three patients are included. Findings: The case histories illustrate the interplay of social determinants of health in homelessness that help explain the high level of hospital usage by rough sleepers. The cumulative healthcare costs for the three individuals over a 33 months period were substantial. Hospital attendance plummeted even in the short term when housing needs were addressed. Conclusions: Treating homelessness as a combined health and social issue is critical to improving the abysmal health outcomes of people experiencing homelessness. In addition, the enormous economic costs of hospital care for people who are homeless can be reduced when housing and other social determinants are taken into account.
Destroying the Linear No-threshold Basis for Radiation Regulation

This article suggests five classes of effort that scientists can undertake to destroy the linear no-threshold hypothesis as the basis of radiation regulation in the United States. These are (1) pressure on regulators such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, (2) presidential messages, (3) Congressional pressure, (4) educate physicians about low-dose radiation, and (5) work with journalists and media people.
Penetration of vancomycin into mediastinal and cardiac tissues in humans

Vancomycin penetration into heart tissues (valves, myocardium, auricles, and pericardium) and mediastinal tissues (fat and sternal bone) was evaluated after two regimens of vancomycin administration. Ten patients were given 15 mg of vancomycin per kg of body weight before anesthesia. Ten other patients received the same dose and then a second 7.5-mg/kg dose at the time of initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass. Similar and satisfactory vancomycin tissue penetrations were observed in both groups. However, for some patients in the two groups, vancomycin levels in tissue were less than the MICs for potential pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis).
Frequency of delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions following antibody screening and immediate‐spin crossmatching

In view of the continuing controversy regarding the use of immediate‐ spin crossmatch procedures in preparing blood for transfusion to patients in whom unexpected clinically significant antibodies have not been found by antibody screening by the indirect antiglobulin test (IAT), a review of 8 years' experience with such a policy was conducted. In that period, 54,725 units of packed red cells or whole blood were transfused to 10,146 patients. Four clinically overt delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions and 18 clinically silent delayed serologic transfusion reactions were found. In 3 of the 22 patients, the offending antibody(ies) were detectable in the pretransfusion serum by an enzyme IAT, but none was detectable by routine saline IAT against either a three‐cell screening panel or the transfused cells. Thus, the incorporation of saline indirect antiglobulin crossmatch would not have prevented the delayed reactions. It can be concluded that the use of a saline indirect antiglobulin crossmatch offers no significant advantage over the current policy of using only immediate‐spin crossmatch for those patients whose pretransfusion serum gives negative results in a three‐cell screen using a saline IAT.
Continuous palliative sedation: not only a response to physical suffering.

BACKGROUND Palliative sedation is a medical intervention aimed at relieving symptoms that can no longer be controlled by conventional treatment. Ample knowledge is available regarding the nature of such symptoms, but there is no in-depth information regarding how health care workers decide about palliative sedation. OBJECTIVE The study objective was to investigate considerations concerning the indications for continuous palliative sedation (CPS) and issues that influence these considerations. DESIGN The study consisted of qualitative interviews regarding patients who had recently received CPS. SETTING/SUBJECTS The study involved physicians and nurses working in general practice, nursing homes, and hospitals. MEASUREMENT Analyses by a multidisciplinary research team used the constant comparative method. RESULTS Together with physical symptoms, psychological and existential suffering may combine to produce a refractory state for which other treatment options than CPS were not available or considered inappropriate. A limited life expectancy was by many considered crucial (e.g., to avoid hastening death) and by some less important (e.g., because the patient's suffering was considered to be key). Issues influencing the decision to use CPS related to patient preferences (e.g., dignity, not wanting to experience further suffering) or family issues (impact of suffering on family, family requesting CPS). CONCLUSIONS The indication for CPS typically originates from physical symptoms and nonphysical problems producing a refractory state in which a patient suffers unbearably. In such states, preferences of patients and families and the life expectancy criterion are weighed against the severity of refractory symptoms. Therefore the use of CPS is not only a response to the physical suffering of patients in the dying phase.
Value of repeat resection for survival in pulmonary metastases from soft tissue sarcoma.

BACKGROUND Pulmonary metastasectomy in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) can lead to long-term survival. The aim of our study was to report on prognostic factors and the value of repeat resection in recurrent disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventy-eight pulmonary metastasectomies were performed on 42 STS patients from 1990 to 2005. Overall survival time and 3-year survival rate were evaluated. Subgroup analysis was performed on age, primary tumor stage, histological type and grade, occurrence and recurrence pattern, systemic treatment and number of resections. RESULTS The 3-year actuarial survival rate was 31%. Primary tumor grade and repeat resections were shown to be independent prognostic factors for survival. CONCLUSION Patients with repeat resections due to recurrent metastasis show a significantly better prognosis than those with only one resection. Thus, lacking randomised controlled data of the natural course of patients with unresected lung metastases to compare these results, metastasectomy in STS patients is also recommended in recurrent disease.
Crystal structure of a cobalt-activated diphtheria toxin repressor-DNA complex reveals a metal-binding SH3-like domain.

The diphtheria toxin repressor (DtxR) is the prototype of a family of iron-dependent regulator (IdeR) proteins, which are activated by divalent iron and bind DNA to prevent the transcription of downstream genes. In Corynebacterium diphtheriae, DtxR regulates not only the expression of diphtheria toxin encoded by a corynebacteriophage, but also of components of the siderophore-mediated iron-transport system. Here we report the crystal structure of wild-type DtxR, a 226 residue three-domain dimeric protein, activated by cobalt and bound to a 21 bp DNA duplex based on the consensus operator sequence. Two DtxR dimers surround the DNA duplex which is distorted compared to canonical B -DNA. The SH3-like third domain interacts with the metal at site 1 via the side-chains of Glu170 and Gln173, revealing for the first time a metal-binding function for this class of domains. The SH3-like domain is also in contact with the DNA-binding first domain and with the second, or dimerization, domain. The DNA-binding helices in the first domain are shifted by 3 to 5 A when compared to the apo-repressor, and fit into the major groove of the duplex bound. These shifts are due to a hinge-binding motion of the DNA-binding domain with respect to the dimerization domains of DtxR. The third domain might play a role in regulating this hinge motion.
Standardization and quality controls for the methylated DNA immunoprecipitation technique

MeDIP (Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation) is a relatively recent technique aimed to enrich the methylated fraction of DNA with an antibody directed against 5-methyl-cytosine. MeDIP processed samples are suitable for investigation of the methylation status of specific genomic loci and for performing genome-wide screening when hybridized to DNA methylation microarrays or analyzed by deep sequencing. Here, we describe a standardization protocol and quality controls to assess the specificity, reproducibility and efficiency of the MeDIP procedure. These may have utility when comparing results between samples and experiments within laboratories and between laboratories.
Shunt fluid examination: risks and benefits in the evaluation of shunt malfunction and infection.

A combined retrospective and prospective study was designed to assess the efficacy of shunt fluid examination in the evaluation of shunt malfunction and/or infection, and to ascertain the complication rate associated with this procedure. Ninety-one patients with shunts for the treatment of hydrocephalus underwent a total of 209 diagnostic shunt "taps. " Of 72 instances of mechanical obstruction documented at surgery, 70 were correctly identified by abnormal shunt fluid dynamics, either an opening cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure in excess of the expected valve pressure or absent flow of fluid. The organisms responsible for 12 of 13 shunt-related infections were correctly isolated on initial and all subsequent shunt fluid cultures obtained prior to the institution of appropriate antibiotics. With one infection, a bacterial pathogen was not identified until the third tap. In all instances in which lumbar or ventricular CSF, blood, or wound cultures disclosed an organism, shunt fluid cultures also identified the agent. In addition, these procedures were less reliable. No complications occurred during or immediately following any of the shunt taps. Long-term consequences were assessed in 53 patients with an average follow-up period of 26 months. Some shunt systems subsequently required revision and two infections were documented. The uniformly long interval between the shunt fluid examination and these complications makes it unlikely that the taps contributed to the development of malfunction or infection. Shunt fluid examination appears to be a simple, benign, and yet accurate means of diagnosing shunt malfunction and/or shunt-related infection.
Computed tomography based measurement of the dimensions of foramen ovale and rotundum in trigeminal neuralgia.

OBJECTIVES To compare sizes of the foramen ovale and rotundum in trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patients and healthy individuals on CT images. METHODS Twenty-one TN patients and 24 healthy volunteers were included in this retrospectively designed study, carried out at the Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey, between May 2004 and August 2009. The dimension of the foramen ovale on the cross-sectional images, and the foramen rotundum on coronal sections on CT images were examined. RESULTS The mean sizes of the foramen rotundum on the right and left sides were 3.04 x 3.2 mm and 2.8 x 2.9 mm in TN patients, and 2.4 x 3.2 mm and 2.5 x 3.1 mm in controls. The mean sizes of the foramen ovale on the right and left sides were 4.8 x 6.04 mm and 4.9 x 5.5 mm in TN patients, and 3.7 x 8.2 mm and 4.1 x 7.6 mm in controls. The dimensions of left and right foramens were not significantly different in both TN patients and controls (p > 0.05). Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was not found between the foraminal dimensions of the TN patients and controls (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION This study revealed that the sizes of foramen ovale and rotundum are highly symmetrical in both groups, suggesting that sizes of the foramina are not associated with the occurrence of TN.
Imaging of calcineurin activated by long‐term depression‐inducing synaptic inputs in living neurons of rat visual cortex

Long‐term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission is induced by low‐frequency stimulation (LFS) of afferents lasting for a long time, typically for 10–15 min, in neocortical and hippocampal slices. It is suggested that calcineurin, Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein phosphatase, plays a role in the induction of LTD, based on the results that pharmacological or genetic manipulation of calcineurin activity interfered in its induction. However, questions as to why it takes so long to induce LTD and in which compartment of neurons calcineurin is activated remain unanswered. With a fluorescent indicator for calcineurin activity, we visualized the spatiotemporal pattern of its activation in living neurons in layer II/III of visual cortical slices of rats during the LFS of layer IV that induced LTD of synaptic responses. During LFS, the fluorescence intensity gradually increased with a latency of a few minutes in dendrites and soma of neurons, and remained increased during the whole observation period (10–25 min) after LFS. The onset latency of the increase in the soma was slower than that in the distal dendritic region. The LFS‐induced rise in fluorescence was not observed in neurons which were loaded with inhibitors of calcineurin, indicating that the intensity of fluorescence reflects calcineurin activity. Control stimulation at 0.05 Hz and θ‐burst stimulation did not significantly change the intensity of fluorescence. Only LFS‐type inputs effectively activate calcineurin in postsynaptic neurons in an augmenting manner, and such a time‐consuming activation of calcineurin may be a reason why long‐lasting LFS is necessary for the induction of LTD.
Cumulative baby take-home rate among women with PCOS treated by IVF

Objective. This study was designed to evaluate cumulative live birth rates after an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) programme in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women. Subjects and Methods. IVF outcomes of 66 women with PCOS diagnosed via Rotterdam criteria, who failed to conceive after ovulation induction, were compared with 106 women with tubal factor infertility. One hundred and twenty-five cycles were analysed in the PCOS group and 225 cycles in the control group (1–4 cycles per woman). Results of frozen-thawed cycles, occurrence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and drop-outs were also included. Results. Despite a lower pregnancy rate among women with PCOS versus controls, the cumulative baby take-home rate did not differ between the groups (48.5% and 44.3%). The first cycle was the most successful cycle for living birth rate in PCOS group. One-third of PCOS women, who did not continue after unsuccessful treatment, had more miscarriage but not more OHSS compared to those who continued. Conclusions. Although the baby take-home rate was similar among women with PCOS, and controls, the outcomes of consecutive cycles were not equal. Cumulative data give more realistic information than pooled cycles.
The Mel1a melatonin receptor gene is expressed in human suprachiasmatic nuclei

THE pineal hormone melatonin influences circadian rhythmicity in many vertebrate species. The circadian effects of melatonin in humans have led to its use to treat jet lag and circadian-based sleep disorders. Melatonin is thought to influence circadian rhythmicity by acting in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). The recent cloning of two melatonin receptor subtypes with high affinity for melatonin allows molecular analysis of melatonin receptors in human SCN. We report that Mel1a receptor mRNA is detectable in neonatal human SCN by in situ hybridization. Mel1b and melatonin-related receptor mRNAs were not detected. The presence of Mel1a receptor mRNA in human SCN supports the hypothesis that the Mel1a receptor is responsible for the circadian effects of melatonin in humans.
DEK Depletion Negatively Regulates Rho/ROCK/MLC Pathway in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

The human DEK proto-oncogene is a nuclear protein with suspected roles in human carcinogenesis. DEK appears to function in several nuclear processes, including transcriptional regulation and modulation of chromatin structure. To investigate the clinicopathological significance of DEK in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we analyzed DEK immunohistochemistry in 112 NSCLC cases. The results showed that DEK was overexpressed mainly in the nuclear compartment of tumor cells. In squamous cell carcinoma, DEK-positive expression occurred in 47.9% (23/48) of cases, and in lung adenocarcinoma, DEK-positive expression occurred in 67.2% (43/64) of cases and correlated with differentiation, p-TNM stage, and nodal status. Moreover, in lung adenocarcinoma, DEK expression was significantly higher compared with DEK expression in squamous cell carcinoma. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with low DEK expression had higher overall survival compared with patients with high DEK expression. Depleting DEK expression inhibited cellular proliferation and migration. Furthermore, in DEK-depleted NSCLC cells, we found that RhoA expression was markedly reduced; in conjunction, active RhoA-GTP levels and the downstream effector phosphorylated MLC2 were also reduced. Taken together, DEK depletion inhibited cellular migration in lung cancer cell lines possibly through inactivation of the RhoA/ROCK/MLC signal transduction pathway.
A text message based weight management intervention for overweight adults.

BACKGROUND Weight management interventions can be extended using mobile telephone technology to deliver support in real-time, real-world settings. The present study aimed to determine whether text messaging helped patients maintain or lose weight following a weight-loss programme. METHODS In this controlled study, overweight and obese [body mass index (BMI) >30 kg m(-2) or >28 kg m(-2) with co-morbidities] adults who completed a weight-loss programme participated in an additional 12-week text message intervention [Lifestyle, Eating and Activity Programme (LEAP) Beep]. Patients were allocated goals for steps, fruit, vegetable and breakfast consumption. Patients regularly 'texted' their progress and received tailored practitioner feedback. Pre/post-intervention body weight, waist circumference (WC), BMI, quality of life (QOL), anxiety and depression measurements were compared retrospectively with a control group offered weight checks only. RESULTS Compared to control (n = 17), the intervention group's (n = 17) body weight, WC and BMI reduced significantly (-1.6 versus 0.7 kg, P = 0.006; -2.2 versus 1.5 cm, P = 0.0005; -0.6 versus 0.7 kg m(-2) , P = 0.03, respectively). QOL and depression scores also improved (-6.8 versus 1 point, P = 0.134; -0.2 versus 0.2 points, P = 0.228). No difference was observed in anxiety scores between the groups. Intervention versus control group follow-up attendance improved significantly (4.4 versus 1.7 attendances, P = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS LEAP Beep promoted losses in weight, WC and BMI, and improved QOL parameters and follow-up attendance. Text messaging is a cheap, portable, convenient and innovative medium facilitating goal setting, self-monitoring and information exchange. Further improvements to automation at the same time as maintaining individual support are necessary to ease practitioner burden. Text messaging offers cost-efficient dietetic input, opening up possibilities for practitioner-to-patient support and yields positive weight outcomes following initial weight loss.
Association of ATP1B1, RGS5 and SELE polymorphisms with hypertension and blood pressure in African–Americans

Objective Although an increasing number of hypertension-associated genetic variants is being reported, replication of these findings in independent studies has been challenging. Several genes in a human chromosome 1q linkage region have been reported to be associated with hypertension. We examined polymorphisms in three of these genes (ATP1B1, RGS5 and SELE) in relation to hypertension and blood pressure in a cohort of African–Americans. Methods We genotyped 87 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the ATP1B1, RGS5 and SELE genes in a well characterized cohort of 968 African–Americans and performed a case–control study to identify susceptibility alleles for hypertension and blood pressure regulation. Single SNP and haplotype association testing was done under an additive genetic model with adjustment for age, sex, BMI and ancestry-by-genotype (principal components). Results A total of 12 SNPs showed nominal association with hypertension and/or blood pressure. The strongest signal for hypertension was for rs2815272 in the RGS5 gene (P = 9.3 × 10−3). For SBP, rs3917420 in the SELE gene (P = 9.0 × 10−4) and rs4657251 in the RGS5 gene (P = 9.7 × 10−3) were the top hits. Effect size for each of these variants was approximately 2–3 mmHg. A five-SNP haplotype in the SELE gene also showed significant association with SBP after correction for multiple testing (P < 0.01). Conclusion These findings provide additional support for the genetic role of ATP1B1, RGS5 and SELE in hypertension and blood pressure regulation.