Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Satellite-to-irradiance modeling - a new version of the SUNY model

This article presents and validates the latest version of the SUNY satellite model. In the future this new model will be deployed operationally as part of SolarAnywhere. The new version includes an improved treatment of clear sky, the ingestion of now-casting numerical weather predictions, and a more effective treatment of the model's dynamic range to better represent extreme (clear and overcast) conditions. This new version results in substantial performance improvement across a diversity of climates.
Optogenetics – shining light on neurosurgical conditions

Optogenetics is a novel technique of delivering genes that encode proteins capable of conveying light sensitivity to neurons, heralding exciting new possibilities for laboratory-based neuroscience research. This fast-developing field is of particular interest because of the potential application for individualised diagnostic and therapeutic clinical approaches. The authors describe what optogenetics is and how it works, explain its significance to neurosurgery and illustrate its relevance by giving examples of recent translational and future clinical applications.
An improved clustering validity index for determining the number of malware clusters

Nowadays, along with the development of the malware writing techniques, the diversity and amount of malware variants are constantly increasing and proliferation of these malware has posed major threats to the network computer users. However, variants of malware families always share typical characteristics which reflect their origin and purpose. Therefore, categorizing malware to different families is one of the computer security topics that are of great interest. A fundamental and difficult problem for malware clustering is the determination of the “true” number of malware families on real data collection. To address this issue, in this paper, resting on the analysis of the extracted instruction of malware samples, we propose an improved clustering validity index VNFS for determining the number of malware clusters based on hierarchical clustering algorithm for malware categorization. VNFS is defined based on the concepts of the compactness within each cluster and distances of the clusters representatives. By using a novel function proposed in this paper for total separation between clusters, VNFS can deal with different density and irregular data sets more robustly. A comprehensive experimental study on real daily collections of PE malware samples is performed to compare various clustering validation measure methods, such as RS-RMSSTD, PST2, VFS and VXB. Promising experimental results demonstrate that our proposed clustering validity index VNFS always leads to better cluster number than other clustering validity indices for hierarchical clustering and the number of malware clusters it recommends is almost the same as the virus analysts suggest.
Oral etoposide for refractory or recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE To study the response rate (RR), toxicity, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) of the patients with recurrent or refractory epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), who had oral etoposide at dosage of 75 mg/day. MATERIAL AND METHOD Patients with recurrent or refractory EOC who were treated with oral etoposide between January 1998 and December 2007 were identified from the Archive of the Gynecologic Oncology Unit of the institution. Clinical and pathological data were reviewed. RESULTS During the present study period, 38 patients receiving oral etoposide were identified. Median age was 51 years (range, 33-72 years). Seven patients could not tolerate chemotherapy side effects during the first cycle, leaving 31 patients evaluable for response. The overall RR was 25.8% (8/31 patients), 19.4% complete (6/31) and 6.4% partial responses (2/31). Stable diseases were demonstrated in 19.4% (6/31) while progressive diseases were found in 54.8% (17/31). The median PFS was 4.8 months (range, 3.3-6.4 months) with 2-year PFS of 16.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-31.4%) while median OS was 12.0 months (range, 0.75-25.5 months) and 2-year OS was 36.4% (95% CI, 17.4-55.3%). The main toxicity was gastrointestinal side effect. CONCLUSION Oral etoposide at a daily dosage of 75 mg is an active agent for refractory or recurrent EOC. Gastrointestinal symptom is the most common side effect. This oral chemotherapeutic agent has some advantages over other drugs in terms of convenience for administration and fewer visits.
Notch1 Overexpression Associates With Poor Prognosis in Human Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the expression of Notch1 in human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) tissues and its relationship to clinicopathologic characteristics as well as their prognostic value in LSCC. Methods: Samples from 106 patients with LSCC were analyzed for Notch1 expression by immunohistochemical staining. The relationship between Notch1 expression and clinicopathologic parameters was subsequently analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis of patient survival were examined using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model, respectively. Results: We found that Notch1 had positive expression in 71 of 106 cases of LSCC (66.98%), which was obviously higher than laryngeal normal tissues (P < .01) and significantly correlated with the clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, and histological grade (all Ps < .05). Univariate analysis revealed that Notch1 expression tended to show an unfavorable influence on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) (both Ps < .01). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that Notch1 was an independent prognostic factor for patients with LSCC (P < .05). Conclusion: These results reveal that Notch1 expression is a potential prognostic factor for malignant progression, metastasis, and survival of LSCC patients. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that high expression of Notch1 was associated with unfavorable OS and DFS in LSCC patients.
Bismuth-Based First-Line Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Eradication in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Background/Aim: The primary aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a bismuth-based quadruple regimen as first-line therapy for Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. The secondary aim was to study the effect of HP eradication on dyspeptic symptoms in DM patients. Method: Eighty-nine consecutive type 2 DM and 48 non-diabetic age- and sex-matched patients were enrolled in this study. Diabetic patients were randomized to receive either pantoprazole (40 mg b.i.d.), clarithromycin (500 mg b.i.d.), and amoxicillin (1 g b.i.d., PCA-DM group) for 14 days, or pantoprazole (40 mg b.i.d.), bismuth citrate (400 mg b.i.d.), tetracycline (500 mg q.i.d.), and metronidazole (500 mg b.i.d., PBTM-DM group) for 14 days as the eradication regimen. All non-diabetic patients were treated by quadruple therapy (PBTM-non-DM group) for 14 days. We used the validated Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire (LDQ) to assess dyspeptic symptoms at baseline and 6 weeks after the end of treatment. Results: The HP eradication rates with intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses were 51% (for both) in the PCA-DM group; 81 and 85% in the PBTM-DM group, and 85 and 87% in the PBTM-non-DM group. The eradication rates are not different between the PBTM-DM and PBTM-non-DM groups (p > 0.05). The eradication rate was significantly lower in the PCA-DM group with both ITT and PP analysis than in the PBTM-DM and PBTM-non-DM groups (p < 0.05). LDQ score was 4.53 ± 7.7 in DM patients with successful eradication and 14.68 ± 5.9 in DM patients without successful eradication (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The bismuth-based quadruple eradication regimen as first-line therapy is safe, tolerable and achieves a high cure rate in patients with DM, and successful eradication may be beneficial on dyspeptic symptoms.
A New Method for Real-Time Monitoring of High-Voltage Transmission Line Conductor Sag

The amount of power flowing through a high-voltage transmission line is proportional to its voltage and the current flowing through it. To increase power flow without modifying the line to allow increased voltage, the current must be increased. There is a limit to this, however, since increasing the current causes the conductor temperature to increase and hence the conductors to elongate and sag. In this paper, a method to simply and inexpensively measure the amount of conductor sag and, by simple calculation, the average conductor core temperature is described and the results of a field test are summarized. The method involves attaching two ends of a grounded wire of high electrical resistance to an appropriate location on each of two transmission line towers and measuring the current induced on the wire by the nearby transmission line conductors. Information from this measurement is a critical input to any method for dynamically rating transmission lines.
Clinical relevance of genetic polymorphisms in the human CYP2C9 gene

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C9 hydroxylates about 16% of drugs in current clinical use. Of special interest are those with a narrow therapeutic index, such as S‐warfarin, tolbutamide and phenytoin, where impairment in CYP2C9 metabolic activity might cause difficulties in dose adjustment as well as toxicity. Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the CYP2C9 gene have increasingly been recognized as determinants of the metabolic phenotype that underlies interindividual and ethnic differences. Apart from the wild‐type protein CYP2C9*1 at least five allelic variants produce allozymes with reduced or deficient metabolic activity. Among white populations only CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 variants are of significance, with allelic frequencies of 0·08–0·14 and 0·04–0·16, respectively. In contrast, in Africans (African‐Americans and Ethiopians) and Asians both variants are much less frequent (0·005–0·04), and CYP2C9*2 has not yet been detected in Asians. CYP2C9*4 has been exclusively identified in Japanese patients, and CYP2C9*5 and *6 were only found among African‐Americans with a low allelic frequency of 0·017 and 0·006, respectively. Furthermore in Japanese a CYP2C9 promotor variant of four linked SNPs was correlated with reduced intrinsic clearance of phenytoin in vitro. Subjects who are carriers of one or more variant alleles may be at risk for adverse drug reactions/toxicities when prescribed drugs extensively metabolized by CYP2C9.
Mixed T cell receptor dimers harbor potentially harmful neoreactivity

Adoptive transfer of T cell receptor (TCR)-transduced T cells may be an attractive strategy to target both hematological malignancies and solid tumors. By introducing a TCR, large numbers of T cells with defined antigen (Ag) specificity can be obtained. However, by introduction of a TCR, mixed TCR dimers can be formed. Besides the decrease in TCR expression of the introduced and endogenous TCR, these mixed TCR dimers could harbor potentially harmful specificities. In this study, we demonstrate that introduction of TCRs resulted in formation of neoreactive mixed TCR dimers, composed of the introduced TCR chains pairing with either the endogenous TCR α or β chain. Neoreactivities observed were HLA class I or class II restricted. Most neoreactive mixed TCR dimers were allo-HLA reactive; however, neoreactive mixed TCR dimers with autoreactive activity were also observed. We demonstrate that inclusion of an extra disulfide bond between the constant domains of the introduced TCR markedly reduced neoreactivity, whereas enhanced effectiveness of the introduced TCR was observed. In conclusion, TCR transfer results in the formation of neoreactive mixed TCR dimers with the potential to generate off-target effects, underlining the importance of searching for techniques to facilitate preferential pairing.
Design and Analysis of CMOS T/R Switches With the Impedance Transformation Technique

We present a 1.9-GHz high-power-handling complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) transmit/ receive (T/R) switch with the impedance transformation technique (ITT). The losses of the T/R switch, including matching networks, are analyzed, and the design method for the selection of an optimal switch operating impedance (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R_{\mathrm {SW}})$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is presented. The proposed T/R switch is implemented in a standard 0.18-<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> CMOS process. Experimental data show that the proposed design achieves more than 2 W of power-handling capability.
The effect of a full shift system on doctors.

PURPOSE This paper aims to investigate the implications and impact from the implementation of European Working Time Directive (EWTD) compliant working patterns (the introduction of shifts) on doctors. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH A qualitative, case study based research method was used. Data collection involved: the application of semi-structured, open-ended interviewing to elicit information based upon categories defined from the literature survey; follow-up conversations with many interviewees; participant observation; thematic coding and analysis of the results. FINDINGS Shifts are here to stay. All doctors interviewed acknowledged that, but there was a general feeling of minimal flexibility in the system. A recurrent theme when asked how things could be improved was to split-up the week of night shifts into two shorter periods. Some doctors, particularly those working full-time with small children, already split their weekends in order to spend time with their family. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS The methodology applied was appropriate, generating ample data to facilitate discussion and from which to draw specific conclusions. A perceived limitation is the single case approach; however Remenyi argues this can be enough to add to the body of knowledge. Practical implications - The research generated suggestions for how shifts could be scheduled to make them more palatable for those who work them. Specific recommendations for future research are made. ORIGINALITY/VALUE The research questions of the paper draw out the personal implications for doctors of their employers' adherence to the implementation of EWTD.
Promoting optimal monitoring of child growth in Canada: using the new WHO growth charts.

Use of Body Mass Index for MonItorIng growth and oBesIty Anyone with a basic education understands that for any object or creature that is in proportion, volume and mass increase with the cube of the length. Presumably, the concept of body mass index (BMI) was invented by someone (perhaps a physician) with a more limited basic knowledge than this, before it was made popular by Ancel Keys in 1972. Because BMI uses the square of the height rather than the cube, anyone who is tall but normally proportioned will tend to have a high BMI and anyone who is short (including children) will tend to have a low BMI, even if they are relatively obese. The variability of BMI only becomes worse when plotted against age, as height becomes another variable. So why does the Canadian Paediatric Society support the use of such a ridiculous measurement? BMI should not even be used in adults! Weight for height curves, or the Ponderal Index (mass divided by the cube of the length), are far more appropriate indicators for leanness or obesity.
Here Comes Trouble: Prestimulus Brain Activity Predicts Enhanced Perception of Threat

Abstract Research on the perceptual prioritization of threatening stimuli has focused primarily on the physical characteristics and evolutionary salience of these stimuli. However, perceptual decision‐making is strongly influenced by prestimulus factors such as goals, expectations, and prior knowledge. Using both event‐related potentials and functional magnetic resonance imaging, we test the hypothesis that prior threat‐related information and related increases in prestimulus brain activity play a key role in subsequent threat‐related perceptual decision‐making. After viewing threatening and neutral cues, participants detected perceptually degraded threatening and neutral faces presented at individually predetermined perceptual thresholds in a perceptual decision‐making task. Compared with neutral cues, threat cues resulted in (1) improved perceptual sensitivity and faster detection of target stimuli; (2) increased late positive potential (LPP) and superior temporal sulcus (STS) activity, both of which are measures of emotional face processing; and (3) increased amygdala activity for subsequently presented threatening versus and neutral faces. Importantly, threat cue‐related LPP and STS activity predicted subsequent improvement in the speed and precision of perceptual decisions specifically for threatening faces. Present findings establish the importance of top‐down factors and prestimulus neural processing in understanding how the perceptual system prioritizes threatening information.
Co-translational Assembly of the D1 Protein into Photosystem II*

Assembly of multi-subunit membrane protein complexes is poorly understood. In this study, we present direct evidence that the D1 protein, a multiple membrane spanning protein, assembles co-translationally into the large membrane-bound complex, photosystem II. During pulse-chase studies in intact chloroplasts, incorporation of the D1 protein occurred without transient accumulation of free labeled protein in the thylakoid membrane, and photosystem II subcomplexes contained nascent D1 intermediates of 17, 22, and 25 kDa. These N-terminal D1 intermediates could be co-immunoprecipitated with antiserum directed against the D2 protein, suggesting co-translational assembly of the D1 protein into PS II complexes. Further evidence for a co-translational assembly of the D1 protein into photosystem II was obtained by analyzing ribosome nascent chain complexes liberated from the thylakoid membrane after a short pulse labeling. Radiolabeled D1 intermediates could be immunoprecipitated under nondenaturing conditions with antisera raised against the D1 and D2 protein as well as CP47. However, when the ribosome pellets were solubilized with SDS, the interaction of these intermediates with CP47 was completely lost, but strong interaction of a 25-kDa D1 intermediate with the D2 protein still remained. Taken together, our results indicate that during the repair of photosystem II, the assembly of the newly synthesized D1 protein into photosystem II occurs co-translationally involving direct interaction of the nascent D1 chains with the D2 protein.
Biochemical Basis for Depressed Serum Retinol Levels in Transthyretin-deficient Mice*

Transthyretin (TTR) acts physiologically in the transport of retinol in the circulation. We previously reported the generation and partial characterization of TTR-deficient (TTR−) mice. TTR− mice have very low circulating levels of retinol and its specific transport protein, retinol-binding protein (RBP). We have examined the biochemical basis for the low plasma retinol-RBP levels. Cultured primary hepatocytes isolated from wild type (WT) and TTR− mice accumulated RBP in their media to an identical degree, suggesting that RBP was being secreted from the hepatocytes at the same rate. In vivoexperiments support this conclusion. For the first 11 h after complete nephrectomy, the levels retinol and RBP rose in the circulations of WT and TTR− mice at nearly identical rates. However, human retinol-RBP injected intravenously was more rapidly cleared from the circulation (t 1 2 = 0.5 h for TTR− versus t 1 2 >6 h for WT) and accumulated faster in the kidneys of TTR− compared with WT mice. The rate of infiltration of the retinol-RBP complex from the circulation to tissue interstitial fluids was identical in both strains. Taken together, these data indicate that low circulating retinol-RBP levels in TTR− mice arise from increased renal filtration of the retinol-RBP complex.
Detecting and adapting to drifting concepts

The importance of incremental learning in changing environments has been acknowledged in recent years. In this paper we present an ensemble learning method for supervised learning with drifting concepts. The method employs hypothesis test as mechanism for detecting concept drift and learns a base classifier for each new training data chunk. Former classifiers deemed as usable by the hypothesis test mechanism and the new classifiers are integrated to form the final classifiers ensemble for prediction. The main focus of the work is to identify the usability of base classifiers that representing the same or similar concept with the current one, make full use of the older valid information together with the newer examples to improve classification accuracy, and avoid the interference of classifiers representing conflictive concepts with the current one. Experiments with simulated concept drift scenarios compared the proposed method with other approaches. The results showed that the method could consistently recognize different types of drift, adapt quickly to these changes to maintain its performance level, and utilize the former knowledge to improve its performance for recurring context.
Characteristic MR lesion pattern and correlation of T1 and T2 lesion volume with neurologic and neuropsychological findings in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an arteriopathy related to a genetic defect of the notch 3 gene on chromosome 19. The purpose of this study was to evaluate lesion distribution and volume using MR imaging and to correlate the lesion volume with the neurologic and neuropsychological findings. METHODS Twenty members of two families (14 with CADASIL as determined by linkage analysis, six healthy) were studied with MR imaging. Two observers evaluated the MR findings semiquantitatively and quantitatively. MR results were then correlated with neurologic and neuropsychological findings. RESULTS A typical pattern of lesion distribution in patients with CADASIL was found: the frontal lobe was the site with the highest lesion load, followed by the temporal lobe and the insula. The total lesion volume on T1-weighted MR images correlated significantly with the degree of disability and the degree of impairment in neuropsychological functions (including attention, memory, and conceptual and visuospatial functions). CONCLUSION In CADASIL patients, a common pattern of cerebral lesion distribution is found. The total T1 lesion volume is an important parameter to correlate with disability, as it may prove to be helpful in predicting the natural history of the disease.
Mid-Infrared InAs Photodetector Grown on GaAs Substrate Through Cation Exchange

We report a mid-infrared InAs p-i-n photodetector grown on GaAs using an abrupt method through cation exchange at the InAs/GaAs interface, which has resulted in an extremely thin buffer layer. The InAs p-i-n photodetector has a photoresponsivity of 0.327 A/W at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda =2.71\,\,\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, which was comparable with the mid-infrared photodetector grown using a compositionally linear-graded process. This result showed that the abrupt method can be used to achieve mid-infrared photodetection on GaAs without the need of a compositionally graded buffer layer.