Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Climate Impact of Renewable Energy Targets by Bottom-Up Modeling

Power sector, as the biggest contributor to the total CO2 emission of China, is faced with tremendous pressure and challenge. The transformation of the whole sector based on the technological innovation and/or introduction appears to be indispensable, which is already recognized by domestic government. Many a measure are taken into practice, such as updating the renewable energies development targets, the differential electricity price, as well as the compulsory quota of renewable electricity generation with the establishment of fossil-fired units. This study shows the changes to the energy mix by these activities and the relative mitigation effects, as well as mitigation costs, applying a linear bottom-up optimization programming model (BOMCES). Regarding the task, two scenarios are set up: business-as-usual scenario and renewable targets scenario. Based on the comparison of these scenarios, detailed but significant conclusions for policy decision are drawn up.
Nonlinear disturbance observer-based control for multi-input multi-output nonlinear systems subject to mismatching condition

For a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear system, the existing disturbance observer-based control (DOBC) only provides solutions to those whose disturbance relative degree (DRD) is higher than or equal to its input relative degree. By designing a novel disturbance compensation gain matrix, a generalised nonlinear DOBC method is proposed in this article to solve the disturbance attenuation problem of the MIMO nonlinear system with arbitrary DRD. It is shown that the disturbances are able to be removed from the output channels by the proposed method with appropriately chosen control parameters. The property of nominal performance recovery, which is the major merit of the DOBCs, is retained with the proposed method. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method are demonstrated by simulation studies of both the numerical and application examples.
High Mortality Rates for Very Low Birth Weight Infants in Developing Countries Despite Training

OBJECTIVE: The goal was to determine the effect of training in newborn care and resuscitation on 7-day (early) neonatal mortality rates for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The study was designed to test the hypothesis that these training programs would reduce neonatal mortality rates for VLBW infants. METHODS: Local instructors trained birth attendants from 96 rural communities in 6 developing countries in protocol and data collection, the World Health Organization Essential Newborn Care (ENC) course, and a modified version of the American Academy of Pediatrics Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), by using a train-the-trainer model. To test the impact of ENC training, data on infants of 500 to 1499 g were collected by using a before/after, active baseline, controlled study design. A cluster-randomized, controlled trial design was used to test the impact of the NRP. RESULTS: A total of 1096 VLBW (500–1499 g) infants were enrolled, and 98.5% of live-born infants were monitored to 7 days. All-cause, 7-day neonatal mortality, stillbirth, and perinatal mortality rates were not affected by ENC or NRP training. CONCLUSIONS: Neither ENC nor NRP training of birth attendants decreased 7-day neonatal, stillbirth, or perinatal mortality rates for VLBW infants born at home or at first-level facilities. Encouragement of delivery in a facility where a higher level of care is available may be preferable when delivery of a VLBW infant is expected.
Overspecification in action-oriented discourse: task importance affects the production of overspecifications and overspecifications increase identification efficiency in perception

This paper discusses the effect of overspecified reference as a communicative strategy in action-oriented discourse. In a perception and a production experiment, based on identical instructive environments, participants were asked to identify an object after reading a minimally specified or overspecified expression, or to produce a referential expression in a low-importance or a high-importance context. Overspecification shows to be a pervasive instructive production strategy, which mostly affects the addressee’s identification task in a positive way.
Finding minimum type error sources

Automatic type inference is a popular feature of functional programming languages. If a program cannot be typed, the compiler typically reports a single program location in its error message. This location is the point where the type inference failed, but not necessarily the actual source of the error. Other potential error sources are not even considered. Hence, the compiler often misses the true error source, which increases debugging time for the programmer. In this paper, we present a general framework for automatic localization of type errors. Our algorithm finds all minimum error sources, where the exact definition of minimum is given in terms of a compiler-specific ranking criterion. Compilers can use minimum error sources to produce more meaningful error reports, and for automatic error correction. Our approach works by reducing the search for minimum error sources to an optimization problem that we formulate in terms of weighted maximum satisfiability modulo theories (MaxSMT). The reduction to weighted MaxSMT allows us to build on SMT solvers to support rich type systems and at the same time abstract from the concrete criterion that is used for ranking the error sources. We have implemented an instance of our framework targeted at Hindley-Milner type systems and evaluated it on existing OCaml benchmarks for type error localization. Our evaluation shows that our approach has the potential to significantly improve the quality of type error reports produced by state of the art compilers.
AN ENERGY-AUTONOMOUS WIRELESS TEMPERATURE MONITORING SYSTEM POWERED BY PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTING

Within his publication we demonstrate an energy-autonomous wireless temperature monitoring system that is powered by piezoelectric energy harvesting. An air compressor pump has been chosen as a representative target system. Two different types of piezoelectric generators, cantilever beam with a maximum power output of 37 µW and an impact-type membrane generator with a power output of 120 µW, were employed to harvest energy from vibrations at the host's case and impacts in the host's machine pedestal, respectively. A low-power wireless temperature sensor module was developed and fitted together with a specially designed energy management circuit. The realized wireless sensor system is capable of monitoring and transmitting temperature data with a sampling rate of 1 Hz. Its development has revealed a wealth of design hints for energy harvesting and power management.
Task conditions and short-term memory search: two-phase model of STM search

: Short-term memory (STM) search, as investigated within the Sternberg paradigm, is usually described as exhaustive rather than self-terminated, although the debate concerning these issues is still hot. We report three experiments employing a modified Sternberg paradigm and show that whether STM search is exhaustive or self-terminated depends on task conditions. Specifically, STM search self-terminates as soon as a positive match is found, whereas exhaustive search occurs when the STM content does not contain a searched item. Additionally, we show that task conditions influence whether familiarity- or recollection-based strategies dominate STM search performance. Namely, when speeding up the tempo of stimuli presentation increases the task demands, people use familiarity-based retrieval more often, which results in faster but less accurate recognition judgments. We conclude that STM search processes flexibly adapt to current task conditions and finally propose two-phase model of STM search.
Polyploids require Bik1 for kinetochore–microtubule attachment

The attachment of kinetochores to spindle microtubules (MTs) is essential for maintaining constant ploidy in eukaryotic cells. Here, biochemical and imaging data is presented demonstrating that the budding yeast CLIP-170 orthologue Bik1is a component of the kinetochore-MT binding interface. Strikingly, Bik1 is not required for viability in haploid cells, but becomes essential in polyploids. The ploidy-specific requirement for BIK1 enabled us to characterize BIK1 without eliminating nonhomologous genes, providing a new approach to circumventing the overlapping function that is a common feature of the cytoskeleton. In polyploid cells, Bik1 is required before anaphase to maintain kinetochore separation and therefore contributes to the force that opposes the elastic recoil of attached sister chromatids. The role of Bik1 in kinetochore separation appears to be independent of the role of Bik1 in regulating MT dynamics. The finding that a protein involved in kinetochore–MT attachment is required for the viability of polyploids has potential implications for cancer therapeutics.
Aflibercept in the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema: A Review and Consensus Paper

Purpose To reach a consensus, among experts, on the role of aflibercept in diabetic macular edema (DME) through literature review. Methods Two round tables, involving 12 Italian experts, were organized: in the first one, 6 pharmacologic and clinical questions were selected and analyzed by a systematic literature review, using a population, intervention, control, and outcomes framework; in the second one, the nominal group technique was used to discuss relevant evidence related to each question. The consensus was assessed using the 5-point Delphi score. Results Agreement on statements was reached on 6/6 questions. The final statements were as follows: 1) High levels of both vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor play an important role in the pathogenesis of DME. 2) The aflibercept pharmacologic profile is notably different from that of other anti-VEGF. 3) Aflibercept significantly improves functional and anatomical outcomes, and rapidly improves best-corrected visual acuity up to its peak; these results remain stable over time. 4) Diabetic macular edema aflibercept treatment requires a 5-monthly injection loading phase. Alternatively, a personalized pro re nata (PRN) regimen based on monthly monitoring and strict retreatment criteria can be used. 5) As an alternative to the bimonthly fixed regimen, in the maintenance phase the treatment schedule may be a PRN regimen with strict retreatment criteria or a treat and extend regimen. 6) No concerns on aflibercept ocular and systemic safety emerged from the literature. Conclusions Consensus was reached among experts on how to best treat patients with DME with aflibercept.
Faces of a Changing Climate: Semi-Quantitative Multi-Mycotoxin Analysis of Grain Grown in Exceptional Climatic Conditions in Norway

Recent climatological research predicts a significantly wetter climate in Southern Norway as a result of global warming. Thus, the country has already experienced unusually wet summer seasons in the last three years (2010–2012). The aim of this pilot study was to apply an existing multi-analyte LC-MS/MS method for the semi-quantitative determination of 320 fungal and bacterial metabolites in Norwegian cereal grain samples from the 2011 growing season. Such knowledge could provide important information for future survey and research programmes in Norway. The method includes all regulated and well-known mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, trichothecenes, ochratoxin A, fumonisins and zearalenone. In addition, a wide range of less studied compounds are included in the method, e.g., Alternaria toxins, ergot alkaloids and other metabolites produced by fungal species within Fusarium, Penicillium and Aspergillus. Altogether, 46 metabolites, all of fungal origin, were detected in the 76 barley, oats and wheat samples. The analyses confirmed the high prevalence and relatively high concentrations of type-A and -B trichothecenes (e.g., deoxynivalenol up to 7230 µg/kg, HT-2 toxin up to 333 µg/kg). Zearalenone was also among the major mycotoxins detected (maximum concentration 1670 µg/kg). Notably, several other Fusarium metabolites such as culmorin, 2-amino-14,16-dimethyloctadecan-3-ol and avenacein Y were co-occurring. Furthermore, the most prevalent Alternaria toxin was alternariol with a maximum concentration of 449 µg/kg. A number of Penicillium and Aspergillus metabolites were also detected in the samples, e.g., sterigmatocystin in concentrations up to 20 µg/kg.
A design for a class of fuzzy control systems with state observer

This paper addresses the fuzzy control problem using the Lyapunov synthesis approach. In order to deal with the case that the system state is unavailable, state observer is proposed. Consequently, the whole system behavior can be attributed to a kind of the standard singularly perturbed form. At the same time, to deal with the gap, if any, between the real state and its estimated value from the state observer, we view it as a part of system disturbance, and propose a unique way to deal with the disturbance, i.e., adopt a switching function with an alterable coefficient, which is tuned by adaptive law based on the tracking error between the output of the considered system and the desired value.
Cerebral White Matter Involvement in Children with Mitochondrial Encephalopathies

In childhood mitochondrial encephalopathies the common MRI features are bilateral symmetric abnormalities in basal nuclei and brainstem. The presence of diffuse white matter abnormality has been described only in a few cases. Among a series of 110 children with mitochondrial encephalopathies, 8 patients with MR imaging consistent with a leukoencephalopathy were retrospectively evaluated. Diagnosis was based on the recognition of the biochemical defect in muscle homogenate. H-MR spectroscopic imaging was performed in six of them. Biochemical analysis demonstrated a defect of respiratory chain complexes in six patients: complex I in two cases, complex II in two, complex IV in one, multiple complexes defect in one. Pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency was demonstrated in two patients. MRI showed severe involvement of the brain white matter without significant basal nuclei or brainstem abnormalities. Two patients developed large cystic areas since onset; in two others progressive vacuolisation of affected white matter was seen later in the course of the disease. One patient with pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency also presented with a diffuse cortical polymicrogyria. H-MR spectroscopic imaging showed a decrease of N-acetylaspartate, choline and creatine with lactate accumulation in five patients, and was normal in one. These findings suggest that mitochondrial disorders should be included in the differential diagnosis of white matter disorders.
Humans and Machines Together: Improving Characterization of Large Scale Online Discussions through Dynamic Interrelated Post and Thread Categorization (DIPTiC)

This paper presents a thread characterization method that compares categorization results for thread starters and replies made by a previously-developed natural language model, using human judgment to resolve discrepancies. In an example application using the complete discussion forum data from a MOOC on medical statistics, the method increased the estimation of classification accuracy from . 81 to . 88 with the addition of a minimal number of human hours.
Managing emotions through eating

Emotional eating plays a significant role in the aetiology of eating disorders and obesity, and has been observed in healthy, non-restrained individuals. Despite this, research that examines emotional eating has mainly focused on females, obese populations and individuals who have a formal diagnosis of an eating disorder, the studies of which have been mainly involved surveys, experimental, observational or quantitative methods. Research has also found significant gender differences in emotional eating, yet there has been limited investigation into emotional eating in men. This research attempted to understand the process of emotional eating in men using constructivist grounded theory. The purpose of this study was to understand the way in which men use food in response to emotions and the impact it has on their psychological well-being. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen male participants aged between 23-61 years of age. All participants were fluent in English, half of the participants were from the UK, 4 were from Europe, and the remaining three were from Mexico, Egypt and Malaysia. Four main categories were developed from the data: Negotiating Masculinity, Emotional Eating Serving a Function, Seeking Control and Stuck in the Cycle. One core category encompassed all of the categories: Navigating Emotions and Masculinity through Eating. The categories were complex and linked to one another, demonstrating the cyclical nature of emotional eating. An emergent theory was developed and mapped onto a conceptualisation that attempts to explain the process of emotional eating in men, demonstrating the way masculinity affects the way that these men cope with their emotions through eating. The findings of this study provide an insight for Counselling Psychologists and other mental health practitioners working with men who struggle with managing their emotions and turn to food in attempt to cope.
EARLY EFFECTS OF STREPTOMYCIN ON BACILLUS MEGATERIUM

Hancock, R. (Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.). Early effects of streptomycin on Bacillus megaterium. J. Bacteriol. 88:633–639. 1964. —The sequence of some early effects of streptomycin on Bacillus megaterium was investigated. An increase in the rate of efflux of cellular K ions preceded loss of viability, but efflux of Mg ions remained normal. Loss of viability was closely coincident with reduction in rate of protein synthesis. Nucleic acid synthesis continued after protein synthesis ceased in low-phosphate medium, but ceased simultaneously with protein synthesis in normal minimal medium. Later, after viability had begun to decrease, the respiration rate began to fall and the cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content decreased slowly. No leakage of ultraviolet-absorbing materials into the medium occurred, although uracil was slowly released from nucleic acid after killing had begun. It is concluded that in this organism, as previously observed with Escherichia coli, the actions of streptomycin which led to an increased rate of efflux of K and specific inhibition of protein synthesis are the only ones early enough to be of significance in its bactericidal action, the other effects being later secondary changes.
Optimal Broadcast Scheduling in Packet Radio Networks Using Mean Field Annealing

We present an efficient broadcast scheduling algorithm based on mean field annealing (MFA) neural networks. Packet radio (PR) is a technology that applies the packet switching technique to the broadcast radio environment. In a PR network, a single high-speed wideband channel is shared by all PR stations. When a time-division multi-access protocol is used, the access to the channel by the stations' transmissions must be properly scheduled in both the time and space domains in order to avoid collisions or interferences. It is proven that such a scheduling problem is NP-complete. Therefore, an efficient polynomial algorithm rarely exists, and a mean field annealing-based algorithm is proposed to schedule the stations' transmissions in a frame consisting of certain number of time slots. Numerical examples and comparisons with some existing scheduling algorithms have shown that the proposed scheme can find near-optimal solutions with reasonable computational complexity. Both time delay and channel utilization are calculated based on the found schedules.
Wheeze, asthma diagnosis and medication use: a national adult survey in a developing country

Background: As relatively little is known about adult wheeze and asthma in developing countries, this study aimed to determine the predictors of wheeze, asthma diagnosis, and current treatment in a national survey of South African adults. Methods: A stratified national probability sample of households was drawn and all adults (>14 years) in the selected households were interviewed. Outcomes of interest were recent wheeze, asthma diagnosis, and current use of asthma medication. Predictors of interest were sex, age, household asset index, education, racial group, urban residence, medical insurance, domestic exposure to smoky fuels, occupational exposure, smoking, body mass index, and past tuberculosis. Results: A total of 5671 men and 8155 women were studied. Although recent wheeze was reported by 14.4% of men and 17.6% of women and asthma diagnosis by 3.7% of men and 3.8% of women, women were less likely than men to be on current treatment (OR 0.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5 to 0.8). A history of tuberculosis was an independent predictor of both recent wheeze (OR 3.4; 95% CI 2.5 to 4.7) and asthma diagnosis (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.5 to 3.2), as was occupational exposure (wheeze: OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.5 to 2.0; asthma diagnosis: OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.4 to 2.4). Smoking was associated with wheeze but not asthma diagnosis. Obesity showed an association with wheeze only in younger women. Both wheeze and asthma diagnosis were more prevalent in those with less education but had no association with the asset index. Independently, having medical insurance was associated with a higher prevalence of diagnosis. Conclusions: Some of the findings may be to due to reporting bias and heterogeneity of the categories wheeze and asthma diagnosis, which may overlap with post tuberculous airways obstruction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to smoking and occupational exposures. The results underline the importance of controlling tuberculosis and occupational exposures as well as smoking in reducing chronic respiratory morbidity. Validation of the asthma questionnaire in this setting and research into the pathophysiology of post tuberculous airways obstruction are also needed.
Network Technologies

NET 261 | BASIC COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS (FORMERLY TDC 261) | 4 quarter hours (Undergraduate) (Formerly TDC 361) Introduction to voice, data, and multi-media network communications fundamentals. Wired, Wireless, and Optical applications in Local, Metropolitan, Wide Area Networks are explored. The overview explains how technical, regulatory, competitive, standardization and cultural factors impact modern network applications. Approved for Scientific Inquiry credit. PREREQUISITE(S): NONE.
The Blind NasoTracheal Aspiration Method Is Not a Useful Tool for Pathogen Detection of Pneumonia in Children

Background Acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) is a major cause of hospitalization for children in China, while the etiological diagnosis of ALRI remains a challenge. This study was performed to evaluate the utility of the blind Nasotracheal aspiration (NTA) in the pathogen detection in ALRI through an evaluation of the test's specificity. Methodology/Principal Findings A hospital-based study of children ≤3 years was carried out from March 2006 through March 2007 in Suzhou University Affiliated Children's Hospital, including 379 cases with ALRI from the respiratory wards, and 394 controls receiving elective surgery. Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) and NTA specimens were taken on admission. S. pneumoniae was isolated from 10.3% of NTA samples from ALRI children, H. influenzae from 15.3%, and M. catarrhalis from 4.7%. The false positive rate—the strains from NTA in control group children—was 8.4% (95% CI: 5.8%–11.4%) for S. pneumoniae, 27.2% (95% CI: 22.7–31.5%) for H. influenzae, and 22.1% (95% CI: 18.0%–26.2%) for M. catarrhalis. The agreement between NPS and NTA in the control group was over 70%. Conclusion/Significance The blind NTA test is not a useful test for etiologic diagnosis of ALRI.