Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A simple and accurate model for predicting mismatch effects in Photovoltaic Arrays

In this paper, an accurate and computationally light technique for analyzing the performance of Photovoltaic (PV) arrays is introduced. The proposed approach can be used to quickly assess the achievable Maximum Power Point (MPP) of a PV array. A method for optimally allocating a set of available modules, used to create PV arrays with a given length, is proposed, that allows to maximize the achievable power output of the obtained PV arrays.
Visuospatial attention disturbance in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Aim The cognitive deficits present in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are not yet well characterized. Attention, considered to be the brain mechanism responsible for the selection of sensory stimuli, could be disturbed in DMD, contributing, at least partially, to the observed global cognitive deficit. The aim of this study was to investigate attentional function in individuals with DMD.
Perceptual dithering for octave subband image coding q

Octave subband coding has been used as an efficient image coding approach for various well-known standards such as MPEG-4 and JPEG-2000. Although the sub-images in the octave subband representation have low statistical correlation, the visual similarity among the sub-images indicates that there exists some unexploited perceptual redundancy between sibling bands in addition to the parent–child redundancy. In this paper, we show that the original image can be perceptually dithered to form a visually equivalent image with increased interband correlation that can be used to achieve more compression. To remove the redundancy among the sibling subbands of an image, we provide a novel perceptual dithering approach that is based on entropy reduction technique with perceptual model. The theoretical basis for the entropy reduction is proven by a theorem for Gaussian distributed signals. The use of our dithering technique is demonstrated for an MPEG-4 compliant encoder with improved coding efficiency using MPEG-4 Visual Texture Coding (VTC) based on zerotree entropy coding. Our results show that there exists a perceptual interband redundancy even though the original interband correlation is small. For a perceptually transparent image quality, our approach can achieve bit savings over MPEG-4 VTC by 11–30% while maintaining compatibility with the MPEG-4 standards. 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. This work was supported by the National Science Council, Taiwan, ROC under the Contract NSC 91-2218-E009-014. * Corresponding author. Fax: +886-3-5724176. E-mail addresses: cmliu@csie.nctue. du.tw, eldon@intervideo.com. tw (C.-M. Liu). 1 Tihao Chiang is currently an Associate Professor and Chung-Neng Wang is a research fellow of the Department and Institute of Electronics Engineering, NCTU, Taiwan. 2 Chi-Min Liu is currently a Professor of the Department and Institute of Computer Science and Information Engineering, NCTU, Taiwan. 1047-3203/$ see front matter 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jvcir. 2003.07. 003 164 C. -N. Wang et al. / J. Vis. Commun. Image R. 15 (2004) 163–184
Tuning Simple Light Absorber of Fabry-Perot-Like Resonator

We present a plasmonic absorber of Fabry-Perot-like resonator and demonstrate the tuning capability of its spectral response. The conventional resonator comprises two spaced layers of gold to act as a confinement for the light and resonant structure. The cavity thickness can be used efficiently as a tuning parameter for the absorber frequency response. The unloaded absorber shows high absorption greater than 90% of the incident power for oblique incident angles for both p- and s-polarized rays from 260–490[nm] (blue to ultraviolet). When the cavity is loaded with a dielectric layer, the absorbed power reduces by half or more at the same range. The device shows the potential to be used as an optical filter or switch, and its main advantage is simplicity in design, and fabrication. The device is analyzed using transmission line model (TLM), Transfer Matrix Method (TMM), and numerically verified by a commercial Full Wave Simulator COMSOL Multiphysics(FWS).
Topic and meta-descriptor extraction for text description

We present a dynamic summarization method that combines text segmentation and topical and rhetorical text description to rapidly skim through texts. The speed reading is made thanks to presentation to the user of relevant expressions from the text, labelled with topical and argumentative specification. In particular, we describe a method to automatically acquire meta-descriptive lexicon from a scientific corpus without specific knowledge resources requirement.
Molecular characterization of a trafficking organelle: Dissecting the axonal paths of calsyntenin‐1 transport vesicles

Kinesin motors play crucial roles in the delivery of membranous cargo to its destination and thus for the establishment and maintenance of cellular polarization. Recently, calsyntenin‐1 was identified as a cargo‐docking protein for Kinesin‐1‐mediated axonal transport of tubulovesicular organelles along axons of central nervous system neurons. To further define the function of calsyntenin‐1, we immunoisolated calsyntenin‐1 organelles from murine brain homogenates and determined their proteome by MS. We found that calsyntenin‐1 organelles are endowed with components of the endosomal trafficking machinery and contained the β‐amyloid precursor protein (APP). Detailed biochemical analyses of calsyntenin‐1 immunoisolates in conjunction with immunocytochemical colocalization studies with cultured hippocampal neurons, using endosomal marker proteins for distinct subcompartments of the endosomal pathways, indicated that neuronal axons contain at least two distinct, nonoverlapping calsyntenin‐1‐containing transport packages: one characterized as early‐endosomal, APP positive, the other as recycling‐endosomal, APP negative. We postulate that calsyntenin‐1 acts as a general mediator of anterograde axonal transportation of endosomal vesicles. In this role, calsyntenin‐1 may actively contribute to axonal growth and pathfinding in the developing as well as to the maintenance of neuronal polarity in the adult nervous system; further, it may actively contribute to the stabilization of APP during its anterograde axonal trajectory.
Bayesian inference of a binomial proportion using one-sample misclassified binary data

Misclassified binary data result from using a fallible classifier for classifying units into two categories. If an infallible classifier is also available, a random subsample of this misclassified data can be further classified using the infallible classifier. For such data, the existing methods for exact confidence interval are too conservative, and the existing Bayesian credible interval suffers from computational difficulty. We derive a closed-form Bayesian algorithm which draws a posterior sample of the proportion parameter from the exact marginal posterior distribution. Our simulations show that our Bayesian algorithm is easy to implement and has nominal coverage.
A survey of IT use by small and medium-sized construction companies in a city in Brazil

The potential contribution of information technology to improving the competitiveness of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the State of Parana has been recognized. However, fulfilling this potential has been problematic. In this context, this paper sets out to measure the capacity of Brazilian civil construction companies in the town of Ponta Grossa – Parana to use IT. The methodological approach consists of a quantitative research study comprising a review of the literature and case studies. The theoretical foundation is based on concepts of competitive strategy, the management of knowledge, competitiveness, the alignment of IT and the value chain. Information on the companies studied was gathered which demonstrates how the factors mentioned in the literature all over the world are understood by the companies studied as being inhibiting. The results indicate what factors inhibit adopting IT and describe the practical experience of the civil construction industry in planning and control. Moreover, it was observed that, in general, the SMEs surveyed have a reasonable perception of the importance of IT for their organizations. The results presented illustrate the concepts presented in the review, as well as the influence of what has been learned as to how innovation has been developing and as to the role of IT. The study concludes by pointing the way forward as to the possibilities for further research on the issues tackled in this paper.
Clinical Trials Registries: A Reform That is Past Due

Several high-profile episodes have recently thrust drug safety and the pharmaceutical industry's practices into the spotlight. Merck's recall of the drug Vioxx, for instance, was a major news event. GlaxoSmithKline's suppression of data linking suicidal behavior among children to Paxil also galvanized tremendous public attention. What differentiates these events from the usual evolving process of scientific knowledge, and marks them with an aura of “scandal,” are questions about the propriety of corporate behavior. Who knew what, and when did they know it? Concerns are growing about the potential for industry sponsors to suppress negative results from clinical trials research. Scientists, medical journal editors, legislators, and the public have called for greater transparency in the conduct of clinical trials and the drug approval process.
Dynamics analysis of heart rate during Magneto-Therapy session

In this paper we determined and analyzed the Heart Rate (HR), based on the Electrocardiographic signals (ECG) recorded before, during and after magneto therapy sessions. The purpose of our study is to determine some possible changes in the biological signals in the case of people exposure to magnetic fields. Thus, we determined and analyzed Heart Rate dynamics, both in time-domain and in frequency domain comparing the obtained results before, during and after the Magneto Therapy procedures.
Multiple Sclerosis and Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common human demyelinating disease of the CNS. The etiology of MS is poorly understood, however, it is widely believed as a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease that ultimately targets the CNS [1,2]. Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the animal model for MS. Although it is an animal model for MS, when we look at the history of EAE, we find that its discovery was not associated with MS. In the early 1930s, while Rivers et al. [3] were wondering about encephalomyelitis in humans upon rabies vaccination, he found encephalomyelitis in animals after repeated injections of dehydrated spinal cords from rabbits infected with rabies. Since then it is being used as a model to study the disease process of encephalomyelitis.
Bacteriophage SPO1 structure and morphogenesis. III. SPO1 proteins and synthesis

The virion proteins of SPO1 have been determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis methods on purified phage components and on phage lysates. The phage head contains 16 proteins, and the connector or neck structure has an additional 3 proteins not found in the head. The proximal part of the tail, composed of sheath, tube and connecting components, contains six proteins. The distal baseplate is the most complex structure, with 28 proteins identifiable on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels. The maximum number of proteins found in phage subassemblies is 53, which would account for nearly half the coding capacity of the SPO1 genome.
Some claustro‐cortical connections in the cat and baboon as studied by retrograde horseradish persocidase transport

1. The mammalian Claustrun (Cl) is a convergent multisensory structure of unknown function, and disputed ontogenetic origin. Its cortical projections, hitherto unknown, have been studied in cat and baboon by means of the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) technique. HRP was injected into the gyrus proreus (frontal eye field) of cats, and separately into the frontal eye fields, visual areas, and motor‐premotor areas of the baboon cortex.
Feedforward current control of boost single-phase PFC converters

This paper presents the theory and application of feedforward current control for boost single-phase PFC converters. The proposed feedforward signal involves the instantaneous line voltage and the derivative of the reference current. The new control method is compared to existing feedback and feedforward control methods and showed to significantly reduce input current harmonic distortion. Implementation of the method using analog devices and the associated issues such as sensitivity to parameter variation and uncertainty are presented. Analysis results are complemented by numerical simulation and experimental results from a prototype converter.
Tissue Factor in the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis

TF antigen and activity are found in abundance in human atherosclerotic plaques, particularly in the lipid-rich core. TF is also readily induced in the arterial wall by balloon injury and accumulates in the resulting neointima. In chronic atherosclerosis, the macrophage is likely to be the major source of TF within the plaque. TF accumulates as an early event associated with the migration of monocytes to the vessel wall in response to chemoattractants, such as MCP-1, and their differentiation into macrophages. As SMC become activated in the developing plaque, they provide a second source of TF. Macrophages and SMC accumulate lipid and become foam cells, ultimately degenerating into a necrotic core rich in TF. Spontaneous plaque rupture or acute interventions expose active TF in the core to circulating blood, triggering thrombosis. In acute arterial injury, SMC appear to be the chief source of TF. In normal vessels, the induction of TF in the medial SMC is not sufficient to generate fibrin, presumably because the TF is not readily accessible on the luminal surface. In contrast, endothelial denudation of previously injured arteries may expose intimal TF to circulating blood, resulting in rapid fibrin deposition. In advanced human atherosclerosis, it is likely that even in areas that do not contain "unstable" or "stable" plaques, the vessel wall is not normal and more closely resembles that of a previously injured artery possessing an active intima. Interventions, such as balloon angioplasty, coronary atherectomy, or stent placement may expose intimal TF, leading to fibrin deposition. As the initiator of coagulation, TF is a potential target for inhibiting the thrombotic complications of atherosclerosis. TFPI (reviewed in 52) is currently under clinical investigation as an anticoagulant and its effects on intimal hyperplasia in animal models are being studied. Direct factor Xa inhibitors, such as tick anticoagulant peptide (TAP) and leech anticoagulant peptide (ATS), are also under investigation (53-54). Finally, the recent crystallization of TF (55) and the TF:VIIa (56) should provide important new insights into the design of molecules for directly inhibiting TF.
Fluorescence of DNA Duplexes: From Model Helices to Natural DNA

Recent fluorescence studies of DNA duplexes with a simple repetitive base sequence have revealed important collective effects which are very sensitive to conformational disorder. In contrast to the monomeric chromophores, whose fluorescence lifetimes are shorter than 1 ps, the fluorescence decays of duplexes span several decades of time. The occurrence of excitation energy transfer, evidenced by the decay of the fluorescence anisotropy on the femtosecond time scale, is a common feature of all of the examined systems. It is explained by the existence of Franck−Condon exciton states, in line with the UV absorption spectra. Understanding the nature of the long-lived excited states, whose emission dominates the steady-state fluorescence spectrum of natural DNA, will be one of the challenges for the years to come.
A Subset of Mixed Lineage Leukemia Proteins Has Plant Homeodomain (PHD)-mediated E3 Ligase Activity*

Background: MLL1 contains four PHD fingers that are deleted in leukemogenic MLL1 fusion proteins. Results: The second PHD finger of MLL1 exhibits E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, and this activity is conserved in MLL4. Conclusion: PHD2 ligase activity potentially regulates MLL1 levels and activity. Significance: This study reveals a novel activity of MLL PHD fingers that may have important roles in gene regulation and carcinogenesis. The mixed lineage leukemia protein MLL1 contains four highly conserved plant homeodomain (PHD) fingers, which are invariably deleted in oncogenic MLL1 fusion proteins in human leukemia. Here we show that the second PHD finger (PHD2) of MLL1 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase in the presence of the E2-conjugating enzyme CDC34. This activity is conserved in the second PHD finger of MLL4, the closest homolog to MLL1 but not in MLL2 or MLL3. Mutation of PHD2 leads to MLL1 stabilization, as well as increased transactivation ability and MLL1 recruitment to the target gene loci, suggesting that PHD2 negatively regulates MLL1 activity.
Behavioral Characteristics in Delusional Pregnancy: A Matched Control Group Study

Objective: False pregnancy or delusional pregnancy, is the condition of believing one is pregnant despite factual evidence to the contrary. This is the first study to utilize a standardized mental disorder assessment tool, The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) to evaluate a group of women with delusional pregnancy compared to a group of controls. Method: Eleven-women with delusional pregnancy (DP) were compared to a control group matched for age, race and DSM-IV psychiatric diagnosis. All patients were receiving care in a state psychiatric hospital setting. Results: Compared to matched controls, women with DP had significantly higher levels of hostility (p < .05), higher rates of prescribed polypharmacy (p < .05) and a trend toward higher antipsychotic medication dosages (t = 1.48, df = 20, p = .08). These findings may be suggestive of greater resistance to treatment in women with DP. Conclusions: Biologic and psychotherapeutic treatment interventions for women with DP may need to address factors of hostility and treatment resistance. Preliminary treatment issues include selection of specific categories of psychotropic agents, as well as psychotherapies that are cognitive and lead to modification of belief paradigm.
Formation Mechanism of Extended Defects in AlN Grown on SiC{0001} and Their Reduction by Initial Growth Control

AlN, which is a direct transition semiconductor with a wide band gap (6.0 eV), has attracted attention as a material for deep-ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as well as a underlying template of GaN-based high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs). However, existence of high-density extended defects in the AlN heteroepitaxial layers is obstructing realization of superior-performance devices. Improvement of crystalline quality of the AlN layers is a key issue. For high-quality AlN growth, SiC is one of the most suitable substrates because of the small lattice mismatch between AlN and SiC (∆a ∼0.9%). In AlN growth on SiC, there are two critical issues, i. e. , polytype (2H/4H or 6H) and valency (III-V/IV-IV) mismatch. The polytype mismatch generates planar defects, called stacking mismatch boundaries (SMBs), and the valency mismatch enhances a three-dimensional (3D) growth mode, generating a high threading dislocation density (TDD) (∼ 10 cm−2). The author had attempt to overcome these problems by controlling SiC-surface structures and initial AlN growth, and achieved high-quality AlN growth (TDD: 4× 10 cm−2) without SMBs. In this thesis, high-quality heteroepitaxial growth of AlN on SiC {0001} by molecularbeam epitaxy (MBE) is presented. In addition, extended defects and optical properties of the AlN layers are characterized. The major results obtained in this study are as follows. Due to the polytype difference, 2H-AlN layers on 4Hor 6H-SiC {0001} with 1-bilayerhigh steps have SMBs. By controlling the step height of SiC to one-unit cell, the SMB can be eliminated. In Chapter 3, control of surface structures and chemical compositions of SiC {0001} is discussed. The author controls the step heights of SiC {0001} vicinal substrates by H2-gas etching. Through optimization of gas-etching conditions and off-directions of the substrates, the 6-bilayer-high steps are obtained in the 30 % area of 2-inch 6H-SiC (0001) wafers, while the 3-bilayer-high steps are uniformly formed in the whole area of them. In a similar manner, 6H-SiC (0001̄) with 3-bilayer-high steps and 4H-SiC {0001} with 2-bilayer-high steps are obtained. In addition, the author confirms that an ex-situ HF-chemical cleaning and in-situ Ga deposition-and-desorption process sufficiently remove residual oxygen on 4Hand 6H-SiC {0001} surfaces. In Chapter 4, crystalline quality of AlN layers on SiC {0001} is improved especially by focusing on initial growth. First, growth conditions of Al-polar AlN on SiC (0001) with controlled step heights are optimized, realizing a layer-by-layer growth mode from 10 to 30 sec after starting AlN growth. In the AlN growth on 6H-SiC (0001) with 3or 6-bilayer-high steps, the SMBs are not observed, but a high density of TDs (2 × 10 cm−2) in the AlN
Analytic Model of S/D Series Resistance in Trigate FinFETs With Polygonal Epitaxy

In this paper, a simple but accurate model is presented to analyze source/drain (S/D) series resistance in trigate fin field-effect transistors, particularly on triangular or pentagonal rather than rectangular epitaxy. The model includes the contribution of spreading, sheet, and contact resistances. Although the spreading and sheet resistances are evaluated modifying standard models, the contact resistance is newly modeled using equivalent models of lossy transmission lines and transformations of 3-D to 2-D geometry. Compared with series resistance extracted from 3-D numerical simulations, the model shows excellent agreement, even when the S/D geometry, silicide contact resistivity, and S/D doping concentration are varied. We find that the series resistance is influenced more by contact surface area than by carrier path from the S/D extension to the silicide contact. To meet the series resistance targeted in the semiconductor roadmap, both materials and geometry will need to be optimized, i.e., lowering the silicide contact resistivity and keeping high doping concentration as well as maximizing the contact surface area, respectively.
Children's growth: a health indicator and a diagnostic tool.

UNLABELLED The publication of Werner and Bodin in Acta Paediatrica should inspire countries to use the growth of children as an indicator of health. The development of databases that cover all measurements of all children that have contact with healthcare and medical care will provide new knowledge in this area. Such databases will give us the opportunity to explore health in different areas of the country and to evaluate community projects in order to prevent obesity. CONCLUSION Growth charts that are used to identify sick children or children that have other causes for growth disturbances must reflect how a healthy child should grow. If such prescriptive growth charts are computerized together with regional databases, they will provide necessary growth data for descriptive health surveys.