Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Smart Meters in Enabling Real-Time Energy Services for Households: The Italian Case

The Smart Meter (SM) is an essential tool for successful balancing the demand-offer energy curve. It allows the linking of the consumption and production measurements with the time information and the customer’s identity, enabling the substitution of flat-price billing with smarter solutions, such as Time-of-Use or Real-Time Pricing. In addition to sending data to the energy operators for billing and monitoring purposes, Smart Meters must be able to send the same data to customer devices in near-real-time conditions, enabling new services such as instant energy awareness and home automation. In this article, we review the ongoing situation in Europe regarding real-time services for the final customers. Then, we review the architectural and technological options that have been considered for the roll-out phase of the Italian second generation of Smart Meters. Finally, we identify a collection of use cases, along with their functional and performance requirements, and discuss what architectures and communications technologies can meet these requirements.
Incidence and risk factors for venous thromboembolism following surgical treatment of fractures below the hip: a meta‐analysis

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication after surgical treatment of fractures, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Identifying the risk factors for VTE is important for preventive strategies to reduce the incidence of VTE. Therefore, we conducted a meta‐analysis to evaluate the incidence of VTE and the risk factors influencing the development of VTE in patients who underwent surgery for fractures below the hip. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SinoMed (Chinese BioMedical Literature Service System, China) and CNKI (National Knowledge Infrastructure, China) databases were systematically searched to identify cohort or case–control studies that investigated the incidence and risk factors for VTE following surgical treatment of fractures below the hip. VTE risk ratios (RRs) were pooled by use of a fixed‐effect model or a random‐effect model, depending on the heterogeneity among the included studies. Heterogeneity between the studies was assessed by I2 statistics. Twenty‐three studies with a total of 191 294 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in this meta‐analysis. Our results demonstrated that age (≥60 years) (RR = 1·85, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1·34, 2·55; P = 0·000), previous VTE(RR = 5·25, 95% CI: 2·77, 9·96; P = 0·000), heart failure (RR = 1·74, 95% CI: 1·34, 2·27; P = 0·000), current smoking status (RR = 1·23, 95% CI: 1·07, 1·41; P = 0·004), hypertension (RR = 1·62, 95% CI: 1·27, 2·06; P = 0·000), hyperlipidaemia (RR = 2·16, 95% CI: 1·79, 2·62; P = 0·000), diabetes mellitus (RR = 1·46, 95% CI: 1·27, 1·68; P = 0·000), obesity (RR = 1·58, 95% CI: 1·35,·1·85; P = 0·000), multiple fractures (RR = 2·14, 95% CI: 1·00, 4·60; P = 0·050), varicose veins (RR = 3·07, 95% CI: 1·12, 8·47; P = 0·030), prolonged operation time (weighted mean differences (WMD) = 1·22, 95% CI: 0·63, 1·81; P = 0·000) and prolonged bed rest time (WMD = 3·12, 95% CI: 2·96, 3·29; P = 0·000) were associated with an increased risk of developing VTE. The other variables, including age (<60 years), previous smoking, immobility, pregnancy, cancer, open fractures and combination with trauma were not identified as significant risk factors for VTE. Almost all the risk factors mentioned above are in line with the known risk factors for VTE following surgery for fractures below the hip. Thus, surgeons should pay close attention to patients with these medical conditions in order to reduce the incidence of VTE following surgical treatment of fractures below the hip.
Can online course-based assessment methods be fair and equitable? Relationships between students' preferences and performance within online and offline assessments

To address concerns raised regarding the use of online course-based summative assessment methods, a quasi-experimental design was implemented in which students who completed a summative assessment either online or offline were compared on performance scores when using their self-reported preferred or non-preferred modes. Performance scores were found not to differ depending on whether the assessment was completed in the preferred or non-preferred mode. These findings provide preliminary support for the validity of online assessment methods. Future studies could help determine the extent to which this finding generalizes beyond the assessment procedures and type of sample used here. Suggestions for follow-up studies are offered, including exploring the validity of more complex computer-related online assessment tasks and investigating the impact of using preferred and non-preferred modes upon the quality of the student experience. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
European guideline for the management of syphilis

Syphilis is classi® ed as acquired or congenital. Acquired syphilis is divided into early and late syphilis. Early syphilis: primary, secondary and early latent (Centers for Disease Control [CDC]: acquired 51 year previously1; World Health Organization [WHO]: acquired 52 years previously2). Late syphilis: late latent (CDC: acquired 51 year previously1; WHO: acquired 52 years previously2), tertiary, including gummatous, cardiovascular and neurosyphilis (the latter two are also sometimes classi® ed as quartenary syphilis). Congenital syphilis is divided into early (® rst 2 years of life) and late (apparent later in life), which includes the stigmata of congenital syphilis.
Sexual decision-making and negotiation in the midst of AIDS: youth in KwaZulu-Natal South Africa.

The most recent national survey conducted in South Africa identified an 18.2% prevalence of HIV infection in KwaZulu/Natal province 26% higher than the level of infection during the preceding year. With half of KwaZulu/Natals population aged 19 years or younger 2.6 million people are of an age where they have recently begun or will soon begin sexual activity exacerbating the situation with regard to HIV. 24 Black African men aged 18-26 of mean age 24 who had been involved in sexual relationships with adolescent girls which had resulted in pregnancy and subsequent parenthood within the previous 3 years and 39 Black African primigravida women aged 15-19 of mean age 18 attending antenatal clinics were interviewed in a study of sexual negotiation and decision-making among Black South African youth in the context of AIDS. All study participants were unmarried. Communication between partners was poor and young women seemed powerless to enforce their preferences in sexual situations. AIDS was not a significant factor in any aspect of sexual decision-making. Sociocultural factors and the state of the HIV pandemic in South Africa are discussed in relation to the study findings.
Small airway disease: A different phenotype of early stage COPD associated with biomass smoke exposure

Chronic exposure to biomass smoke (BS) can significantly compromise pulmonary function and lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To determine whether BS exposure induces a unique phenotype of COPD from an early stage, with different physiopathological features compared with COPD associated with smoking (cigarette‐smoke (CS) COPD), we assessed the physiopathology of early COPD associated with BS exposure (BS COPD) by incorporating spirometry, high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) imaging, bronchoscopy and pathological examinations.
Shyness and Timidity in Young Adults Who Were Born at Extremely Low Birth Weight

OBJECTIVE. Recent studies have noted personality differences among adult survivors of very preterm birth, including higher neuroticism and cautiousness and lower extraversion. We attempted to replicate and extend these recent studies by examining personality characteristics across multiple components of personality that traditionally define personality structure in a birth cohort of young adults born at extremely low birth weight (501–1000 g), the smallest and most at-risk infants. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS. We assessed 71 (76% of the original birth cohort) extremely low birth weight and 83 (74% of the original cohort) term normal birth weight young adults by using well-validated personality measures, indexing 4 traditional components of personality: temperament (Cheek and Buss shyness and sociability and Eysenck neuroticism and extraversion), motivation (Carver and White behavioral inhibition and behavioral activation), cognitive and affective (Coopersmith self-esteem and University of California, Los Angeles, loneliness), and socialization (Eysenck psychoticism and lie). All of the participants were right-handed and free of neurosensory and psychiatric impairments. RESULTS. Extremely low birth weight adults reported significantly higher shyness, behavioral inhibition, and socialization (a measure of prosocial behavior defined by risk aversion and adherence to societal mores) and lower sociability and emotional well-being than their normal birth weight counterparts, replicating and extending the findings of previous studies. CONCLUSIONS. Young adults who were born at extremely low birth weight and without major impairments are more cautious, shy, and risk aversive and less extraverted than their normal birth weight counterparts, possibly placing them at risk for future psychiatric and emotional problems.
Contextualize Your Listening: The Playlist as Recommendation Engine

It is not hyperbole to note that a revolution has occurred in the way that we as a society distribute data and information. This revolution has come about through the confluence of Web-related technologies and the approaching universal adoption of internet connectivity. Add to this mix the normalised use of lossy compression in digital music and the increase in digital music download and streaming services; the result is an environment where nearly anyone can listen to nearly any piece of music nearly anywhere. This is in many respects the pinnacle in music access and availability. Yet, a listener is now faced with a dilemma of choice. Without being familiar with the ever-expanding millions of songs available, how does a listener know what to listen to? If a near-complete collection of recorded music is available what does one listen to next? While the world of music distribution underwent a revolution, the ubiquitous access and availability it created brought new problems in recommendation and discovery. In this thesis, a solution to these problems of recommendation and discovery is presented. We begin with an introduction to the core concepts around the playlist (i.e. sequential ordering of musical works). Next, we examine the history of the playlist as a recommendation technique, starting from before the invention of audio recording and moving through to modern automatic methods. This leads to an awareness that the creation of suitable playlists requires a high degree of knowledge of the relation between songs in a collection (e.g. song similarity). To better inform our base of knowledge of the relationships between songs we explore the use of social network analysis in combination with content-based music information retrieval. In an effort to show the promise of this more complex relational space, a fully automatic interactive radio system is proposed, using audio-content and social network data as a backbone. The implementation of the system is detailed. The creation of this system presents another problem in the area of evaluation. To that end, a novel distance metric between playlists is specified and tested. We then conclude with a discussion of what has been shown and what future work remains.
Thromboelastography‐Based Transfusion Algorithm Reduces Blood Product Use after Elective CABG: A Prospective Randomized Study

Abstract Objective: Bleeding and allogeneic transfusion remain constant problems in cardiac surgical procedures. In this study, we aimed to test the role of a routine thromboelastography (TEG)‐based algorithm on bleeding and transfusions in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: Patients (n = 224) undergoing elective CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass were prospectively randomized into two groups according to transfusion strategy: in group 1 (clinician‐directed transfusion, n = 110) need for blood transfusion was based on clinician's discretion and standard coagulation tests and in group 2 (TEG algorithm group, n = 114) kaolin‐activated (k) TEG‐based algorithm‐guided perioperative transfusion management. Transfusion, blood loss, and outcome data were recorded. Results: There were no differences in consumption of packed cell units, blood loss, re‐exploration for bleeding, and early clinical outcome between the groups. Patients in the TEG group had significantly lower median units of fresh frozen plasma and platelets compared with the other group (p = 0.001). The median number of total allogeneic units transfused (packed cells and blood products) was significantly reduced in the TEG group compared with the other group (median 2, range 1–3 units vs. median 3, range 2–4 units, respectively, p = 0.001). The need for tranexamic acid was significantly diminished in the TEG group compared with the other group (10.3% vs. 19%, respectively, p = 0.007). Conclusion: Our results show that routine use of a kTEG‐guided algorithm reduces the consumption of blood products in patients undergoing elective CABG. Adopting such an algorithm into routine management of these patients may help to improve clinical outcome and reduce the potential risks of transfusion‐related complications and total costs after CABG.
Fertility Cycle Patterns in Motives for Sexual Behavior

Three studies examined the relationship between fertility, as indexed by day in cycle or salivary estradiol levels, and reported motives for sexual intercourse. Data from university and community samples in both cross-sectional and repeated-measures designs showed that sex-for-intimacy motives are endorsed significantly less by women who are relatively more fertile or show higher salivary estrogen levels. Sex for enhancement, self-affirmation, and partner approval also declined, although the data were less consistent. The remaining motives (coping and power) showed no consistent patterns across fertility status. Results suggest that sexual motives are rooted partly in woman's biology and are discussed in terms of plausible evolutionary mechanisms that might promote female “choosiness” at midcycle.
Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells, C-Reactive Protein and Severity of Coronary Stenosis in Chinese Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

We sought to investigate whether numbers and activity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) correlate with severity of coronary stenosis as well as cardiovascular risk factors in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Number of circulating EPCs was analyzed in 104 consecutive patients with proven or clinically suspected CAD. Adhesive and migratory activity was also determined. The number of EPCs was lower in patients with a single diseased coronary artery (Group II, n=35, p<0.05 vs. Group I) or multiple diseased arteries (Group III, n=25, p<0.01 vs. Group I, p<0.05 vs. Group II) compared to those with normal coronary arteries (Group I, n=44). The number of EPCs was also related with angiographic Gensini score (r=−0.355, p=0.006). In addition, concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) were elevated in patients with CAD, and positively correlated with Gensini score (r=0.476, p=0.001). As for the risk factors, the number of EPCs was also inversely correlated with age (p=0.001), high sensitivity-CRP (p=0.012), hypertension (p=0.042) and family history of CAD (p=0.043). Most importantly, the migratory capacity of EPCs was compromised in patients with CAD, and inversely correlated with the angiographic Gensini score (r=−0.315, p=0.021). EPCs isolated from patients with CAD also showed an impaired adhesive activity (p<0.05). In conclusion, in patients with stable CAD, reduction in the number and impairment in the function of circulating EPCs were correlated with the severity of coronary stenosis. CRP may play an important role in reducing the number of EPCs and accelerating atherosclerosis. Given the important role of EPCs in neovascularization of ischemic tissue, a decrease in the number and activity of EPCs may contribute to the impaired vascularization in patients with CAD.
Occurrence and molecular analysis of extended-spectrum {beta}-lactamase-producing Proteus mirabilis in Hong Kong, 1999-2002.

OBJECTIVES A study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence and characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) among blood isolates of Proteus mirabilis collected over a 4 year period in Hong Kong. METHODS Production of ESBLs among 99 consecutive and non-duplicate isolates was evaluated by the double-disc synergy test. The ESBLs were characterized by isoelectric focusing and PCR sequencing using specific primers. The epidemiological relationship of the isolates was studied by the Dienes test and PFGE. RESULTS ESBLs were identified in 13 isolates, from none in 1999-2000 and up to 18.5% (5/27) in 2001 and 25.8% (8/31) in 2002. The ESBL-producing isolates were more resistant to ceftriaxone than to ceftazidime, and were more likely than non-ESBL-producers to have resistance to ciprofloxacin (76.9% versus 14%) and gentamicin (38.5% versus 9.3%). The ESBL content included CTX-M-13 (n=8), CTX-M-14 (n=3), SHV-5 (n=2), TEM-11 (n=1), and an unidentified ESBL with a pI of 7.5. The Dienes test revealed that the genetic background in the 99 isolates was highly heterogeneous, with 54 distinct types among 92 isolates and seven were non-typeable. Among the 13 ESBL-producing isolates, five different backgrounds, including one cluster (Dienes-pulsotype A) with nine isolates, were identified by both Dienes test and PFGE, thus suggesting both clonal and multi-clonal spread of the CTX-M enzymes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate the emergence of CTX-M enzymes among P. mirabilis in Hong Kong. More ESBL screening of this species is required to improve their recognition.
Stat5a Serine Phosphorylation

The activity of transcription factors of the Stat family is controlled by phosphorylation of a conserved, carboxyl-terminal tyrosine residue. Tyrosine phosphorylation is essential for Stat dimerization, nuclear translocation, DNA binding, and transcriptional activation. Phosphorylation of Stats on specific serine residues has also been described. We have previously shown that in HC11 mammary epithelial cells Stat5a is phosphorylated on Tyr694 in a prolactin-sensitive manner, whereas serine phosphorylation is constitutive (Wartmann, M., Cella, N., Hofer, P., Groner, B., Xiuwen, L., Hennighausen, L., and Hynes, N. E. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 31863–31868). By using mass spectrometry and site-directed mutagenesis, we have now identified Ser779, located in a unique Stat5a SP motif, as the site of serine phosphorylation. By using phospho-Ser779-specific antiserum, we have determined that Ser779 is constitutively phosphorylated in mammary glands taken from different developmental stages. Stat5a isolated from spleen, heart, brain, and lung was also found to be phosphorylated on Ser779. Ser725 in Stat5a has also been identified as a phosphorylation site (Yamashita, H., Xu, J., Erwin, R. A., Farrar, W. L., Kirken, R. A., and Rui, H. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 30218–30224). Here we show that mutagenesis of Ser725, Ser779, or a combination of Ser725/779 to an Ala had no effect on prolactin-induced transcriptional activation of a β-casein reporter construct. However, following prolactin induction the Ser725 mutant displayed sustained DNA binding activity compared with that of wild type Stat5a. The results suggest that Ser725 phosphorylation has an impact on signal duration.
Small-Pitch Flip-Chip-Bonded VCSEL Arrays Enabling Transmitter Redundancy and Monitoring in 2-D 10-Gbit/s Space-Parallel Fiber Transmission

We demonstrate novel pixel architectures in 2-D vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays offering additional functionality without sacrificing efficient fabrication, compactness, and low module cost. Very high flip chip VCSEL packing densities enable both a built-in 3-per-channel VCSEL redundancy as well as simple intracell VCSEL monitoring. Each pixel has three individually addressable oxide-confined and substrate- removed 850-nm-wavelength VCSELs directly flip bonded to the mesas that are extremely close-spaced to permit equal butt coupling to 50-mum-core-diameter multimode fibers (MMFs) without the need for external coupling optics. Built-in radial VCSEL-to- fiber launch offsets as small as 7.8 mum were reached, leading to offset coupling penalties of only 0.4 dB. Quasi-error-free transmission of 10 Gbit/s signals is achieved over 500-m-long MMFs even under offset launch conditions. New opportunities for a range of further applications offered by high-density VCSEL arrays are discussed.
A TEST OF THE GLACIAL REFUGIUM HYPOTHESIS USING PATTERNS OF MITOCHONDRIAL AND NUCLEAR DNA SEQUENCE VARIATION IN ROCK PTARMIGAN (LAGOPUS MUTUS)

The glacial refugium hypothesis (GRH) proposes that glaciers promoted differentiation and generation of intraspecific diversity by isolating populations in ice‐free refugia. We tested three predictions of this hypothesis for the evolutionary divergence of rock ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) during the Wisconsin glaciation of the late Pleistocene. To do this, we examined subspecies distributions, population genetic structure, and phylogenetic relationships in 26 populations across North America and the Bering Sea region. First, we analyzed sequence variation in the mitochondrial control region, in a nuclear intron (Gapdh), and in an internal transcribed spacer (ITS1). Control region sequences of 154 rock ptarmigan revealed strong population and phylogeographic structure. Variation in intron sequences of 114 rock ptarmigan also revealed significant population structure compatible with results for the control region. Rock ptarmigan were invariant for ITS1. Second, we show that five known Nearctic refugia and an Icelandic refugium are concordant with the current distribution of morphologically distinct subspecies; five of these six refugia are geographically concordant with the distribution of closely related control region haplotypes. Third, our estimates of the time since phylogenetic lineages diverged predated the last glacial maximum for all but two lineages. In addition, all lines of evidence suggest that two unknown refugia in the Bering Sea region supported rock ptarmigan during the Wisconsin glaciation. Overall, our results are most consistent with the hypothesis that isolated populations of rock ptarmigan diverged in multiple refugia during the Wisconsin and that geographic variation reflects patterns of recolonization of the Nearctic after the ice receded. The GRH may therefore offer the most plausible explanation for similar biogeographic patterns in a variety of Nearctic vertebrates.
Modeling the Impact of Cell Type and Substrate Stiffness on Cell Traction

We propose a mathematical model to suggest a unified explanation behind the observation that some cell types tend to spread more efficiently on stiff substrates and are able to adapt their internal stiffness to the external stiffness. Our model also offers an explanation regarding the dependence of cell spreading on cell type. We show that our model for stiffness adaptation is in good agreement with experimental data. We also apply our model to calculate the energy of traction on bulk substrates as well as thin coatings, thereby extracting estimates of critical coating thickness as a function of cell type and coating bulk modulus.