Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Multi-Step Short-Term Wind Power Prediction Framework Based on Chaotic Time Series Analysis and Singular Spectrum Analysis

Decomposition methods are widely applied as a prestage of wind power prediction (WPP) to reduce the prediction errors caused by the nonstationarity and nonlinearity of wind power time series (TS); however, they cannot address the issues posed by the chaotic behavior of wind power TS. This paper, therefore, proposes a novel decomposition approach to take the chaotic nature of wind power TS into account and to improve WPP accuracy. In this decomposition approach, as a primary step, the wind power TS is separated into several components with different time-frequency characteristics (scales) by means of ensemble empirical mode decomposition. Chaotic TS analysis is then applied to determine which components are chaotic, and then singular spectrum analysis (SSA) is applied thereto. This multi-scale SSA (MSSSA) can maintain the general trend of chaotic components, which become smoother by eliminating extremely rapid changes with low amplitudes, and thus several steps ahead WPP with higher accuracy can be realized. Following the proposed decomposition, a novel short-term WPP method comprised of localized direct and iterative prediction is proposed to perform multi-step prediction for the chaotic and nonchaotic components of MSSSA, respectively. The proposed framework is finally validated using historical data related to overall wind power generation for Alberta (Canada), the Sotavento wind farm (Spain), and Centennial wind farm in Saskatchewan (Canada).
Inter‐relations between the calcium set‐points of Parfitt and Brown in primary hyperparathyroidism: a sequential citrate and calcium clamp study

Abstract. The objective of the present study was to compare the calcium set‐points of E. M. Brown and A. M. Parfitt obtained by sequential citrate and calcium clamp in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and healthy controls. Twenty‐six patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were investigated and compared to 22 healthy volunteers. All participants were investigated by sequential calcium lowering and raising comprising the following four phases: Phase (1) blood ionized calcium lowering of about 0·20 mmol l‐1; phase (2) steady‐state (relative) hypocalcaemia of blood ionized calcium 0·20 mmol l‐1 below baseline; phase (3) blood ionized calcium is raised to about 0·20 mmol l‐1 above baseline; and phase (4) (relative) hypercalcaemia of blood ionized calcium 0·20 mmol l‐1 above baseline. Serum parathyroid hormone (1–84) was measured by an immunoradiometric assay. Blood ionized calcium was measured by a calcium selective electrode. We found the calcium set‐points of Parfitt to be 1·42 mmol l‐1 (SD 0·12, n= 52) vs. 1·25 mmol l‐1 (SD 0·04, n= 44) in patients and controls, respectively (P < 0·001). The calcium set‐points of Brown were 1·32 mmol l‐1 (SD 0·10, n= 26) vs. 1·13 mmol l‐1 (SD 0·04, n= 22), respectively (P < 0·001). By comparing the calcium set‐points of Parfitt and Brown, a strikingly good correlation was observed, in patients (r= 0·91, P < 0·001) and in controls (r= 0·85, P < 0·001). We demonstrate in this paper in vivo that Brown's and Parfitt's calcium set‐points are raised in primary hyperparathyroidism and return to normal following parathyroidectomy. The values for Brown's and Parfitt's calcium set‐points are significantly different, but strikingly well correlated, supporting the view that Brown and Parfitt describe two different points on the same sigmoidal curve, corresponding to 50% and about 85% inhibition of PTH maximum, respectively. The mathematical form of the sigmoidal curve between blood ionized calcium and parathyroid hormone is very similar in primary hyperparathyroidism and normal humans.
First Report of a Single Exon Deletion in TCOF1 Causing Treacher Collins Syndrome

Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is a rare craniofacial disorder characterized by facial anomalies and ear defects. TCS is caused by mutations in the TCOF1 gene and follows autosomal dominant inheritance. Recently, mutations in the POLR1D and POLR1C genes have also been identified to cause TCS. However, in a subset of patients no causative mutation could be found yet. Inter- and intrafamilial phenotypic variability is high as is the variety of mainly family-specific mutations identified throughout TCOF1. No obvious correlation between pheno- and genotype could be observed. The majority of described point mutations, small insertions and deletions comprising only a few nucleotides within TCOF1 lead to a premature termination codon. We investigated a cohort of 112 patients with a tentative clinical diagnosis of TCS by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to search for larger deletions not detectable with other methods used. All patients were selected after negative screening for mutations in TCOF1, POLR1D and POLR1C. In 1 patient with an unequivocal clinical diagnosis of TCS, we identified a 3.367 kb deletion. This deletion abolishes exon 3 and is the first described single exon deletion within TCOF1. On RNA level we observed loss of this exon which supposedly leads to haploinsufficiency of TREACLE, the nucleolar phosphoprotein encoded by TCOF1.
Vascular Damage, Thromboinflammation, Plasmablast Activation, T-Cell Dysregulation and Pathological Histiocytic Response in Pulmonary Draining Lymph Nodes of COVID-19

Although initial immunophenotypical studies on peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage samples have provided a glimpse into the immunopathology of COVID-19, analyses of pulmonary draining lymph nodes are currently scarce. 22 lethal COVID-19 cases and 28 controls were enrolled in this study. Pulmonary draining lymph nodes (mediastinal, tracheal, peribronchial) were collected at autopsy. Control lymph nodes were selected from a range of histomorphological sequelae [unremarkable histology, infectious mononucleosis, follicular hyperplasia, non-SARS related HLH, extrafollicular plasmablast activation, non-SARS related diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), pneumonia]. Samples were mounted on a tissue microarray and underwent immunohistochemical staining for a selection of immunological markers and in-situ hybridization for Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and SARS-CoV-2. Gene expression profiling was performed using the HTG EdgeSeq Immune Response Panel. Characteristic patterns of a dysregulated immune response were detected in COVID-19: 1. An accumulation of extrafollicular plasmablasts with a relative paucity or depletion of germinal centers. 2. Evidence of T-cell dysregulation demonstrated by immunohistochemical paucity of FOXP3+, Tbet+ and LEF1+ positive T-cells and a downregulation of key genes responsible for T-cell crosstalk, maturation and migration as well as a reactivation of herpes viruses in 6 COVID-19 lymph nodes (EBV, HSV). 3. Macrophage activation by a M2-polarized, CD163+ phenotype and increased incidence of hemophagocytic activity. 4. Microvascular dysfunction, evidenced by an upregulation of hemostatic (CD36, PROCR, VWF) and proangiogenic (FLT1, TEK) genes and an increase of fibrin microthrombi and CD105+ microvessels. Taken together, these findings imply widespread dysregulation of both innate and adoptive pathways with concordant microvascular dysfunction in severe COVID-19.
Implantable neuro-monito-stimulation system dedicated to enhance the bladder functions

This paper concerns the design and implementation of a new implantable Neuro-Monito-Stimulation System (NMSS) for the urinary tract rehabilitation in paraplegics. In addition to selective stimulation for voluntary micturition and permanent stimulation for reduction of the detrusor overactivity, the NMSS includes telemetry capabilities of electrodes-tissues contact. Resistance up to 10 kOmega could be measured with good linearity and sent wirelessly to an external controller at 1 kbps data transmission rate. With an embedded rechargeable battery, the implant lifetime is significantly extended up to 1000 cycles of 250 hours with nominal operating conditions. The NMSS design is described with the main system solutions and the preliminary experimental results.
The effect of physician advice on exercise behavior.

BACKGROUND Although sedentariness, a prevalent lifestyle, is recognized as a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease and other conditions, little is known about the effectiveness of prevention strategies in the primary care setting. This study examines the impact of brief, exercise advice-giving by family physicians. METHODS During a 2-month baseline period, patients visiting their family physician and who were age 18 or older were queried about their exercise habits and attitudes and whether their physician had discussed exercise. During the following 2-month experimental phase, the same data were gathered, and half the physicians were trained to give brief exercise advice. All patients were followed for 1 month. Changes in exercise duration and frequency were the primary outcome measures. RESULTS During baseline, a sizable portion of patients were given exercise advice. This was true also of control group patients during the experimental phase, although trained physicians gave advice almost twice as often. A comparison of the patients receiving advice with those not receiving advice revealed significant increases in exercise duration, but not frequency. Patient attitudes were responsive to exercise advice. CONCLUSION Members of primary care, adult patient population will increase their duration of physical activity in response to physician advice to exercise.
Mechanistic insights from structural studies of β-catenin and its binding partners

β-catenin is both a crucial regulator of cell adhesion and the central effector of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. It functions as a protein organizer by interacting with numerous partners at the membrane, in the cytosol, and in the nucleus. Recent structural and biochemical studies have revealed how β-catenin engages in critical protein-protein interactions by using its armadillo repeat region and its N- and C-terminal domains. The groove in the armadillo repeat region is a particularly interesting feature of β-catenin, since it serves as a common binding site for several β-catenin-binding partners, with steric hindrance limiting which partners can be bound at a specific time. These studies provide important insights into β-catenin-mediated mechanisms of cell adhesion and Wnt signaling and suggest potential approaches for the design of therapeutic agents to treat diseases caused by misregulated β-catenin expression.
“Protecting” or “Policing”

A recent surge of research universities and human subjects research funding in the Arab world raises concerns about applied research ethics and oversight. In-depth interviews conducted with 52 researchers in Lebanon and Qatar about their research conduct and the problems they face while conducting it indicate that although researchers admit to the added value of institutional review board (IRB) functions, the researchers have several complaints, such as rigid and contextually insensitive requirements, delays, and inadequate resources at IRBs, and a lack of outreach and effective communication with researchers. The study discusses these challenges pointing to the need for socioculturally adaptive regulations and forms and strengthening outreach and communication between IRBs and their users to improve ethical practices. Implications for future research are also presented.
Creating Awareness for Primary Immunodeficiencies in Japan

Primary immunodeficiency (PID) is primarily characterized by susceptibility to infectious diseases. In addition, patients with some type of PID are prone to develop autoimmune, autoinflammatory, or malignant diseases. Therefore, the term, inborn errors of immunity (IEI), has been more used rather than PID. In recent years, the number of diseases which belong to PID has been increasing. There were approximately 110 diseases in the report of International Union of Immunological Societies in 1999. Since then, the number increased to 430 diseases in the latest IUIS report in 2019. We conducted PID nationwide survey in Japan for 3 times in the last 15 years. These studies were focused on incidence and complications of PID, the clinical course of viral infection, and methods to prevent infectious diseases in PID patients. For the awareness of PID, it is essential to know the general and fundamental information of PID patients. Needless to say, we need it to offer appropriate medical services for PID patients. Moreover, chances to provide answers to the questionnaires and seeing the results of the analysis should contribute to the awareness of PID among doctors. In this review, I am going to summarize the results of 3 nationwide survey in Japan, and pick up interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) deficiency as an example for creating awareness for its appropriate management.
Infections Acquired by Adults Who Receive Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Risk Factors and Outcome

Objectives. To analyze infectious complications that occur in patients who receive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), associated risk factors, and consequences on patient outcome. Design. Retrospective observational survey from 2005 through 2011. Participants and Setting. Patients who required ECMO in an Australian referral center. Methods. Cases of bloodstream infection (BSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (YAP) that occurred in patients who received ECMO were analyzed. Results. A total of 146 ECMO procedures were performed for more than 48 hours in 139 patients, and 36 patients had a total of 46 infections (30.1 infectious episodes per 1,000 days of ECMO). They included 24 cases of BSI, 6 of them secondary to VAP; 23 cases of VAP; and 5 cases of CAUTI. The most frequent pathogens were Enterobacteriaceae (found in 16 of 46 cases), and Candida was the most common cause of BSI (in 9 of 24 cases). The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score before ECMO initiation and the number of days of support were independenuy associated with a risk of BSI, with odds ratios of 1.23 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.47; P = .019) and 1.08(95% CI, 1.03-1.19]; P = .006), respectively. Infected patients did not have a significantly higher mortality compared with uninfected patients (41.7% vs 32%; P = .315), but intensive care unit length of stay (16 days [interquartile range, 8-26 days] vs 11 days [IQR, 4-19 days]; P = .012) and hospital length of stay (33.5 days [interquartile range, 15.5-55.5] vs 24 days [interquartile range, 9-42 days]; P = .029) were longer. Conclusion. The probability of infection increased with the duration of support and the severity of illness before initiation of ECMO. Infections affected length of stay but did not have an impact on mortality.
Automated high‐level disinfection of nonchanneled flexible endoscopes: Duty cycles and endoscope repair

Guidelines issued by the Association of Operating Room Nurses and the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology recommend high‐level disinfection (HLD) for semicritical instruments, such as flexible endoscopes. We aim to examine the durability of endoscopes to continued use and automated HLD. We report the number of duty cycles a flexible endoscope can withstand before repairs should be anticipated.
Human renal cell carcinoma expresses distinct binding sites for growth hormone-releasing hormone.

Antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) inhibit the proliferation of various human cancers in vitro and in vivo by mechanisms that include apparent direct effects through specific binding sites expressed on tumors and that differ from pituitary human GHRH (hGHRH) receptors. In this study, GHRH antagonist JV-1-38 (20 microgram/day per animal s.c.) inhibited the growth of orthotopic CAKI-1 human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by 83% and inhibited the development of metastases to lung and lymph nodes. Using ligand competition assays with (125)I-labeled GHRH antagonist JV-1-42, we demonstrated the presence of specific high-affinity (K(d) = 0.25 +/- 0.03 nM) binding sites for GHRH with a maximal binding capacity (B(max)) of 70.2 +/- 4.1 fmol/mg of membrane protein in CAKI-1 tumors. These receptors bind GHRH antagonists preferentially and display a lower affinity for hGHRH. The binding of (125)I-JV-1-42 is not inhibited by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-related peptides sharing structural homology with hGHRH. The receptors for GHRH antagonists on CAKI-1 tumors are distinct from binding sites detected with (125)I-VIP (K(d) = 0.89 +/- 0.14 nM; B(max) = 183.5 +/- 2.6 fmol/mg of protein) and also have different characteristics from GHRH receptors on rat pituitary as documented by the insignificant binding of [His(1),(125)I-Tyr(10), Nle(27)]hGHRH(1-32)NH(2). Reverse transcription-PCR revealed the expression of splice variants of hGHRH receptor in CAKI-1 RCC. Biodistribution studies demonstrate an in vivo uptake of (125)I-JV-1-42 by the RCC tumor tissue. The presence of specific receptor proteins that bind GHRH antagonists in CAKI-1 RCC supports the view that distinct binding sites that mediate the inhibitory effect of GHRH antagonists are present on various human cancers.
Using technology to promote self-efficacy for healthy eating in adolescents.

PURPOSE To test the effects of a classroom and World Wide Web (WWW) educational intervention on self-efficacy (SE) for healthy eating (HE) and to examine the relationship of the theoretical concepts in a hypothesized model of eating behavior in adolescents. DESIGN A quasiexperimental pretest, posttest design was used in a random sample of students in two junior high schools. METHODS The intervention consisted of a combination of 5 hours of Web-based instruction and 10 hours of classroom curriculum, compared to nutrition education embedded in the standard school curriculum during a 1-month period. Participants completed six questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t tests, and Pearson's r correlation coefficient. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS The intervention group had significantly higher scores for SE for fruits and vegetables, SE for lower fat, usual food choices, and dietary knowledge of fat compared to the control group. No difference was found between groups in food consumption. Self-efficacy was significantly associated with dietary knowledge of lower fat, usual food choices, and was inversely associated with lower-fat consumption in the hypothesized model of eating behavior. The intervention was tailored to the social and developmental preferences of adolescents and effectively increased SE for HE. The mediating role of SE in the hypothesized model of adolescent eating behavior warrants further investigation.
Role of dietary magnesium in cardiovascular disease prevention, insulin sensitivity and diabetes

Purpose of review This review summarizes the evidence for benefits of magnesium on metabolic abnormalities, inflammatory parameters, and cardiovascular risk factors and related-potential mechanisms. Controversy due to contrasting results in the literature is also discussed. Recent findings Increased dietary magnesium intake confers protection against the incidence of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. It ameliorates insulin resistance, serum lipid profiles, and lowers inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and platelet aggregability. Magnesium acts as a mild calcium antagonist on vascular smooth muscle tone, and on postreceptor insulin signaling; it is critically involved in energy metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, glucose utilization, ATPase functions, release of neurotransmitters, and endothelial cell function and secretion. Prospective studies, however, have found only a modest effect for dietary magnesium on incident pathologies. Furthermore, magnesium supplementation on glucose metabolism, blood lipid levels, and ischemic heart disease has given inconsistent results. Summary There is strong biological plausibility for the direct impact of magnesium intake on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors, but in-vivo magnesium deficiency might play only a modest role. Reverse causality, the strong association between magnesium and other beneficial nutrients, or the possibility that people who choose magnesium-rich foods are more health-conscious may be confounding factors.
Ability of hematologic and serum biochemical variables to differentiate gram-negative and gram-positive mastitis in dairy cows.

Medical records of 142 dairy cows with clinical mastitis were examined to determine whether hematologic or serum biochemical results could be used to distinguish between mastitis episodes caused by gram-negative bacteria (n = 78) from those caused by gram-positive bacteria (n = 64). Signalment, historic information, hematologic and serum biochemical results, milk culture results, and outcome (discharged from hospital or died) were obtained from the medical records. Cows with gram-negative mastitis had significantly (P < .01) lower blood leukocyte, segmented neutrophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte counts and had higher blood hemoglobin concentrations and hematocrits than did cows with gram-positive mastitis. Serum urea nitrogen was the only serum biochemical result associated with pathogen type, and it was higher in cows with gram-negative mastitis than in those with gram-positive mastitis. Mortality rate (25% overall) did not differ between groups. Logistic regression indicated that routine hematologic analysis (segmented neutrophil count, monocyte count, and hemoglobin concentration) was an accurate predictor of gram-negative mastitis, with a sensitivity of . 93, a specificity of . 89, and an overall accuracy of 91%. The values for sensitivity and specificity were higher than those previously reported for clinical tests differentiating mastitis episodes caused by gram-negative bacteria from those caused by gram-positive bacteria. Our results indicate that routine hematologic analysis is useful for predicting pathogen type in dairy cows with clinical mastitis, thereby facilitating treatment decisions.
New Approach to Realize Fractional Power in $z$-Domain at Low Frequency

In this brief, modifications of the Schneider operator and the Al-Alaoui-Schneider-Kaneshige-Groutage rule have been explored for the improved performance of the fractional-order differentiator (FOD) in the low-frequency range. The FOD models are obtained using continued-fraction expansion (CFE), and it is observed that the magnitude responses obtained using the CFE outperform the results of the discretizations of FODs based on existing first-order and higher order s-to-z transformations in the low-frequency range. The phase responses of the FOD models show a linear response over a part of the low-frequency ranges that can be used for various applications. MATLAB simulation results have been presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed work. These models can be used for hardware realizations of fractional-order systems.