Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modeling of photovoltaic array using random forests technique

This paper presents a novel technique for modeling of photovoltaic (PV) array using random forests (RFs). Metrological variables such as solar radiation and ambient temperature as well as actual output current of a 3 kWp PV grid-connected system installed at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia have been utilized. These data are used to train and validate the proposed RFs model. Three statistical error values, namely, root mean square error (RMSE), mean bias error (MBE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), are used to evaluate the developed model. The results show that the proposed RFs model accurately predicts the output current of the PV system. The RMSE, MAPE, and MBE values of the RFs model are 2.7482%, 8.7151%, and -2.5772%, respectively.
MidA is a putative methyltransferase that is required for mitochondrial complex I function

Dictyostelium and human MidA are homologous proteins that belong to a family of proteins of unknown function called DUF185. Using yeast two-hybrid screening and pull-down experiments, we showed that both proteins interact with the mitochondrial complex I subunit NDUFS2. Consistent with this, Dictyostelium cells lacking MidA showed a specific defect in complex I activity, and knockdown of human MidA in HEK293T cells resulted in reduced levels of assembled complex I. These results indicate a role for MidA in complex I assembly or stability. A structural bioinformatics analysis suggested the presence of a methyltransferase domain; this was further supported by site-directed mutagenesis of specific residues from the putative catalytic site. Interestingly, this complex I deficiency in a Dictyostelium midA− mutant causes a complex phenotypic outcome, which includes phototaxis and thermotaxis defects. We found that these aspects of the phenotype are mediated by a chronic activation of AMPK, revealing a possible role of AMPK signaling in complex I cytopathology.
The role of HLA class II genes in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: molecular analysis of 180 Caucasian, multiplex families.

We report here our analysis of HLA class II alleles in 180 Caucasian nuclear families with at least two children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). DRB1, DQA1, DQB1, and DPB1 genotypes were determined with PCR/sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe typing methods. The data allowed unambiguous determination of four-locus haplotypes in all but three of the families. Consistent with other studies, our data indicate an increase in DR3/DR4, DR3/DR3, and DR4/DR4 genotypes in patients compared to controls. In addition, we found an increase in DR1/DR4, DR1/DR3, and DR4/DR8 genotypes. While the frequency of DQB1*0302 on DR4 haplotypes is dramatically increased in DR3/DR4 patients, DR4 haplotypes in DR1/DR4 patients exhibit frequencies of DQB1*0302 and DQB1*0301 more closely resembling those in control populations. The protective effect of DR2 is evident in this data set and is limited to the common DRB1*1501-DQB1*0602 haplotype. Most DR2+ patients carry the less common DR2 haplotype DRB1*1601-DQB1*0502, which is not decreased in patients relative to controls. DPB1 also appears to play a role in disease susceptibility. DPB1*0301 is increased in patients (P < .001) and may contribute to the disease risk of a number of different DR-DQ haplotypes. DPB1*0101, found almost exclusively on DR3 haplotypes in patients, is slightly increased, and maternal transmissions of DRB1*0301-DPB1*0101 haplotypes to affected children occur twice as frequently as do paternal transmissions. Transmissions of DR3 haplotypes carrying other DPB1 alleles occur at approximately equal maternal and paternal frequencies. The complex, multigenic nature of HLA class II-associated IDDM susceptibility is evident from these data.
The renal v‐ATPase a4 subunit is expressed in specific subtypes of human gliomas

Vacuolar H+‐ATPases (v‐ATPases) are multimeric proton pumps which acidify various intra‐cellular organelles and may participate in pHe and pHi regulation in cancer cell lines. The ATP6V0A4 gene encodes the a4 subunit which is expressed in kidney and epididymis. Because we found a4 mRNA highly expressed in C6Bu1 glioma cell line, we measured it in 205 glioma biopsies and 11 brain biopsies from epileptic patients. a4 was absent in epileptic brain biopsies, but was expressed by 34% (11/32) of grade III oligodendrogliomas, independently of the chromosome 1p19q codeletion. a4 expression in grade III oligodendrogliomas and oligoastrocytomas without the 1p19q codeletion tended to be associated with a shorter overall survival of patients. We also observed a4 expression in biopsies of pilocytic astrocytomas (68%; 19/28) and gangliogliomas (37%; 6/16). In pilocytic astrocytomas a4 expression was associated with a tandem duplication of the 7q34 chromosome region, distant 0.5 Mb to the ATP6V0A4 gene locus. In conclusion, a4 expression identifies subtypes of oligodendrogliomas, pilocytic astrocytomas and gangliogliomas and may contribute to refine characterization of these tumors. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Explicit submodeling and digital image correlation based life-prediction of leadfree electronics under shock-impact

Relative damage-index based on the leadfree interconnect transient strain history from digital image correlation, explicit finite-elements, cohesive-zone elements, and component's survivability envelope has been developed for life-prediction of two-leadfree electronic alloy systems. Life prediction of pristine and thermally-aged assemblies, have been investigated. Solder alloy system studied include Sn1Ag0.5Cu, and 96.5Sn3. 5Ag. Transient strains during the shock-impact have been measured using digital image correlation in conjunction with high-speed cameras operating at 50,000 fps. Both the board strains and the package strains have been measured in a variety of drop orientations including JEDEC horizontal drop orientation, vertical drop orientation and intermediate drop orientations. In addition the effect of sequential stresses of thermal aging and shock-impact on the failure mechanisms has also been studied. The thermal aging condition used for the study includes 125°C for 100hrs. The presented methodology addresses the need for life prediction of new lead-free alloy-systems under shock and vibration, which is largely beyond the state of art. Three failure modes have been predicted including interfacial failure at the copper-solder interface, solder-PCB interface, and the solder joint failure. Explicit non-linear finite element models with cohesive-zone elements have been developed and correlated with experimental results. Velocity data from digital image correlation has been used to drive the attachment degrees of freedom of the submodel and extract transient interconnect strain histories. Explicit finite-element sub-modeling has been correlated with the full-field strain in various locations, orientations, on both the package and the board-side. The survivability of the leadfree interconnections under sequential loading (thermal aging and shock-impact) from simulation has been compared with pristine circuit assemblies subjected to shock-impact. Sequential loading changes the failure modes and decreases the drop reliability as compared to the room temperature experimental results. Damage index based survivability envelope is intended for component integration to ensure reliability in harsh environments.
Small RNAs Correspond to Centromere Heterochromatic Repeats

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are two types of ∼22–nucleotide (nt) noncoding RNAs that play important roles as regulators of gene expression in eukaryotes ([1][1]). siRNAs derive from the successive cleavage of long double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). They direct the
Preservation of Honey Bee Semen

Fertilized eggs have been obtained from queen honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) inseminated with sperm that had been stored in vitro at above-freezing temperatures for up to 68 days. The effects of various experimental storage treatments on semen are described. Semen shipped by ordinary mail has been successfully used for artificial insemination.
Adjuncts to Medical Management of Sinusitis

The basic principles of sinusitis therapy are to treat any Infection present, facilitate drainage, and promote drainage both during and after treatment to prevent recurrence. Adjunctive measures promoting ciliary function and drainage through the sinus ostia include the following nonpharmacologic measures: Steam, astringents, inhalations, saline, and hot, dry air. Pharmacologic measures include decongestants, topical corticosteroids for chronic sinusitis, mucoevacuants, and analgesics. Antihistamines are indicated for acute sinusitis only when a patient with concomitant allergies is symptomatic during the allergy season or after infection has been ruled out as the primary cause of sinusitis. Sinusitis may be associated with asthma, and some patients do not respond optimally to asthma therapy until their sinusitis is diagnosed and treated.
Ultra-Broadband Super Light Absorber Based on Multi-Sized Tapered Hyperbolic Metamaterial Waveguide Arrays

We propose an ultra-broadband super light absorber by integrating different-sized tapered hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM) waveguides, each of which has a different and wide absorption band due to broadband slow-light response, into a unit cell. We numerically demonstrate that such an absorber is superior to a single-sized HMM absorber in terms of absorption bandwidth, while maintaining a comparable absorption efficiency. A three different-sized HMM absorber presents the capability of working with an ultra-wide frequency band ranging from 1 to 30 THz, which is much larger than previously proposed absorbers working in the same spectral region. Such a design shows great promise for a broad range of applications such as thermal emitters, photovoltaics, optical-chemical energy harvesting, and stealth technology, where ultra-wideband absorption is in very high demand.
Pest management programmes in vineyards using male mating disruption.

Israeli vine growers have been reluctant to adopt the mating disruption technique for control of the European vine moth, Lobesia botrana Den. & Schiff. Since the chemically controlled honeydew moth, Cryptoblabes gnidiella Mill. , coexists with the European vine moth, growers have maintained that the use of mating disruption would fail to bring about a significant reduction in pesticide use. In this study, the efficacy of mating disruption techniques against C. gnidiella was tested, as well as the effect of these methods on pesticide use and damage to clusters when the method was employed against both of the pests in wine grapes. Comparisons were made between plots treated with (1) L. botrana mating disruption pheromone, (2) L. botrana and C. gnidiella mating disruption pheromones and (3) control plots. A significant difference in the number of clusters infested with the developmental stages of the moths was seen between pheromone-treated plots and controls, while no such difference was observed between plots treated with one versus two pheromones. A similar pattern was observed in the number of insecticide applications; the greatest number of applications was used in control plots, followed by plots treated with L. botrana mating disruption pheromone and by plots treated with pheromones against both pests, in which no pesticides were applied.
The functional properties of starches, physico-chemical and sensory properties of salad cream from cassava and potatoes

The Physicochemical, sensory properties and viscosity of salad cream stabilizes with cassava and potato starches were investigated, with commercial salad cream used as control. Cassava and potato starches were processed using standard methods. The functional properties of cassava and potato starches showed that dispersibility were 84-86%, swelling power were 6.20-8.19% and solubility were 13-14% with no significant difference (p>0.05) between the starches. Although water and oil absorption capacities were 19.7-27.7% and 9.20-11.30% respectively. Water and oil absorption capacities showed a significant difference (p 0.05). Sensory analysis result showed that color were 3.36-4.24, taste were 2.54-3.88 and spreadability were 3.52-4.36 with the three parameters showing a significant difference (p 0.05) and were 3.44-3.76, 3.56-3.96 and 3.80- 3.88 respectively. The viscosity result of the salad cream samples showed that potato based salad cream had the highest viscosity at varying speeds of 6, 12, 30 and 60rpm followed by the control and cassava based salad cream. All salad cream samples exhibited a non Newtonian behaviour.
A Survey of Quality Indicator Use in the Clinical Laboratory

OBJECTIVE: A survey of clinical laboratories was conducted to capture information about quality indicators in use within the state of Arizona. This information was then used to determine which quality indicators are applicable across the spectrum of clinical laboratories making them suitable for benchmarking laboratory performance. The objectives of this study were also to heighten awareness of benchmarking practices for clinical laboratory managers and laboratory quality assurance personnel, to develop objective methods of quality monitoring for performance improvement, and to encourage collaboration between laboratories and accreditation agencies. METHODS: A review of the current literature was conducted to assess the status of benchmarking within the clinical laboratory. Data were also obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) about all licensed clinical laboratories in Arizona. A mail survey was then created and conducted to investigate the use of clinical laboratory quality indicators in Arizona. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A paper survey was mailed to a representative sample of clinical laboratory managers included in the CMS licensed laboratories listing for the state of Arizona. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The selected sample was surveyed by mail and validation testing of the survey was conducted using the t-test. The compiled survey data is also presented in the form of histograms. RESULTS: Applying the t-test to the sample vs. population data proved that the sample was not a very good representation of the population and a better selection method should be used in future studies. Of the 319 of 3198 clinical laboratories randomly selected to receive the survey, 21 (6.58% of the sample or 0.66% of the population) responded with completed surveys. The information received from the respondents revealed a relationship between test volume and the number of indicators being monitored by clinical laboratories, the preference of indicators being monitored by those laboratories, the size of the laboratories where the majority of benchmarking is occurring, and a link between accrediting agencies and benchmarking activities. CONCLUSION: The survey proved that quality indicators are used for quality improvement purposes within the clinical laboratory; although it also showed that the industry still does not have a standardized approach to the use of quality indicators for benchmarking performance against other laboratories. ABBREVIATIONS: CAP = College of American Pathologists; CDC = US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CLIA = Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act of 1988; CMS = Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; JCAHO = Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; NQF = National Quality Forum; PPM = provider performed microscopy; TAT = turnaround time.
Contrast Enhancement for Hypoechoic Lesions

We propose a novel method for contrast enhancement in hypoechoic lesions. Our approach is based on the concept of distance on image manifolds to obtain a credibility function which captures the delineation of the lesion; if the lesion is sharply defined, the credibility function will also give a sharp response, whereas it varies smoothly at locations where no reliable information about the lesion's perimeter exists due to shortcomings of image acquisition, or because the lesion's border itself is only vaguely defined. The credibility function is used to either increase contrast of the lesion with respect to the adjacent tissue or to stain the lesion by a color overlay
Determination of Incidence of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBL) Producing Gram Negative Bacilli at a Tertiary Care Hospital Serving a Rural Population

Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms pose unique challenge to clinical microbiologists, clinicians, infection control professionals and scientists. ESBLs are enzymes produced by some bacteria or germs that can make them resistant to certain antibiotics. ESBLs are enzymes capable of hydrolyzing penicillin, broad- spectrum cephalosporins and monobactams that are generally derived from TEM and SHV- type enzymes. ESBLs are often located on plasmid that are transferable from strain to strain and between bacterial species.The present study was undertaken to determine the incidence, detect ESBL producers and study the antibiotic resistance pattern of gram negative bacilli (GNB) in clinical isolates of different specimens in a tertiary care hospital of rural West Bengal so that more effective treatment protocols can be planned. In this hospital based prospective study, 855 samples collected over a two month period were analyzed phenotypically according to CLSI specifications for GNB isolates which produced ESBL. 126 isolates proved to be GNB out of which 19 were ESBL producers by CLSI confirmatory tests. The majority, were Escherichia coli followed by Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas spp and others. Approximately 13% of the isolates were ESBL producers which is a lower figure than the other hospitals of this country and some other parts of the world. Intervention with proper antibiotic use and awareness will help in preventing higher resistance in the hospital isolates.
Maize Origins, Domestication, and Selection

Wild on a Mexican hillside grows teosinte, its meager ear containing only two entwined rows of small, well-armored kernels. This unassuming grass might easily have been overlooked, were it not for the hand of nature that beckoned with abundant variation, a gift not lost on early agriculturists. Within the last 10,000 years, early Native Americans were able to transform teosinte into a plant whose ear, brimming with row upon row of exposed kernels, feeds the world over. It was a transformation so striking and so complex that some would not believe it possible, leading to years of competing theory and intense debate. But as Darwin himself recognized, when human desires collide with the diversity of nature, the result can be great indeed. Although controversy still lingers over the origin of maize, the molecular revolution of the last decade has provided compelling evidence in support of teosinte as the progenitor of modern maize. This chapter reviews that evidence in light of several different domestication hypotheses. We also discuss the rich genetic diversity at the source of such a remarkable morphological conversion and examine how human selection has affected this diversity, both at individual loci and for an entire metabolic pathway.
A method for the detection of long pseudo-random code DSSS signals based on the processing of delay-multiply (I) - the estimation of the pseudo-random code period and the chip width

Aiming at the problems of the detection of long pseudo-random code DSSS (direct sequence spread spectral) Signals and the estimation of the pseudo-random code period and the chip width, the paper proposes a method based on the processing of delay-multiply with the signals. The method does processing of delay-multiply on the received signals at first, then calculates the autocorrelation and gets correlation peaks, which can reflect the characteristics of the long pseudo-random code DSSS signals, in the autocorrelation domain; In the detection of the long pseudo-random code DSSS signals we can realize the detection and achieve the estimation of the pseudo-random code period and the chip width by checking the correlation peaks. The computer simulations show that the proposed method has good performance.
The effects of extended work under sleep deprivation conditions on team-based performance

Teamwork is becoming increasingly common in today's workplaces; however, little research has examined how well teams perform under sleep deprivation conditions. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of extended work under sleep deprivation conditions on team performance. A total of 24 participants were sleep deprived for 30 h and completed 16 h of sustained operations during the last portion of the sleep deprivation period. The participants completed the Wombat, a complex task including vigilance and cognitive components, with a partner in four 24-min testing sessions during the sustained operations period. The results indicated that team performance increased during the work period while, within each testing session, team performance on vigilance tasks remained stable and overall performance decreased. The current results suggest that performance on two-person teams results in improved performance but does not fully counteract the decreases in performance within each work period. Performance in two-person teams increased across an extended work shift under sleep deprivation conditions. However, vigilance performance remained stable while overall performance decreased when examining performance in 8-min segments. These results suggest that averaging team-based performance over a longer testing period may mask the negative effects of sleep deprivation. Statement of Relevance: Performance in two-person teams increased across an extended work shift under sleep deprivation conditions. However, vigilance performance remained stable while overall performance decreased when examining performance in 8-min segments. These results suggest that averaging team-based performance over a longer testing period may mask the negative effects of sleep deprivation.
Use of Next Generation Weather Radar Data and Basin Disaggregation to Improve Continuous Hydrograph Simulations

Currently, the river forecasting system deployed in each of 13 River Forecast Centers of the National Weather Service primarily uses lumped parameter models to generate hydrologic simulations. With the deployment of the weather surveillance radar 1988 Doppler radars, more and more precipitation data with high spatial and temporal resolution have become available for hydrologic modeling. Hydrologists inside and outside the National Weather Service are now investigating how to effectively use these data to enhance river-forecasting capabilities. In this paper, six years of continuously simulated hydrographs from an eight-subbasin model are compared to those from a single-basin ~or lumped! model, both applied to the Blue River basin ~1,232 km 2 ! in Oklahoma. The Sacramento soil moisture accounting model is used to generate runoff in all cases. Synthetic unit hydrographs for each subbasin convey the water to the outlet of the basin without explicit flow routing. Subdividing the basin into eight subbasins captures spatially variable rainfall reflected in the next generation weather radar products and produces improved results without greatly increasing the computational and data requirements. Strategies for calibrating the hydrologic model parameters for multiple subbasins are explored.