Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identify optimal HAP series scores for unresectable HCC patients undergoing TACE plus sorafenib: A Chinese multicenter observational study

Background Hepatoma arterial-embolization prognostic (HAP) series scores have been proposed for prognostic prediction in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, their prognostic value in TACE plus sorafenib (TACE-S) remains unknown. Here, we aim to evaluate their prognostic performance in such conditions and identify the best model for this combination therapy. Methods Between January 2012 and December 2018, consecutive patients with uHCC receiving TACE-S were recruited from 15 tertiary hospitals in China. Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the prognostic values of baseline factors and every scoring system. Their prognostic performance and discriminatory performance were evaluated and confirmed in subgroup analyses. Results A total of 404 patients were enrolled. In the whole cohort, the median follow-up period was 44.2 (interquartile range (IQR), 33.2–60.7) months, the median overall survival (OS) time was 13.2 months, and 336 (83.2%) patients died at the end of the follow-up period. According to multivariate analyses, HAP series scores were independent prognostic indicators of OS. In addition, the C-index, Akaike information criterion (AIC) values, and time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) indicated that modified HAP (mHAP)-III had the best predictive performance. Furthermore, the results remained consistent in most subsets of patients. Conclusion HAP series scores exhibited good predictive ability in uHCC patients accepting TACE-S, and the mHAP-III score was found to be superior to the other HAP series scores in predicting OS. Future prospective high-quality studies should be conducted to confirm our results and help with treatment decision-making.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Base Station Assisted Licensed Shared Access

A major issue in deploying aerial base stations is the strain it places on the already scarce spectrum and the associated required re-design of the radio resource allocations. To solve this problem, we propose a Licensed Shared Access- (LSA-) based aerial-terrestrial system. The proposed scheme is an integration of unmanned aerial vehicle base station (UAV-BS), as a licensee system, utilising the radio spectrum allocated to other wireless systems- the incumbent system, with the ground base-station operating at the traditional frequency band for cellular systems. However, a major challenge in using LSA for D-BSs is the spectrum unavailability while the incumbent system is active. In conventional terrestrial networks, this leads to service unavailability in a wide geographical area. To tackle this, we define a dynamic UAV-BS positioning scheme that takes into account the presence or otherwise of the incumbent on the spectrum (incumbent Busy and, Idle mode) while taking into consideration the spatial capacity demand in the licensee network. In the busy incumbent mode, the problem of the UAV-BS positioning is tantamount to a goal programming problem with the first level priority goal of fulfilling the incumbent’s interference threshold constraint. Simulation result show that in addition to, the proposed (LSA-) based aerial-terrestrial scheme, solving the challenge posed by scarcity of spectrum in aerial base station deployment, a significant improvement in the system efficiency is obtained. It is seen that the proposed dynamic UAV-BS positioning scheme achieved the desired capacity requirement of the licensee network, while ensuring the interference threshold is not exceeded, at a relatively smaller distance of 1000 m to the boundary of the incumbent’s system transmission coverage as opposed to a larger distance of about 19 Km.
Design of a microwave time reversal mirror for imaging applications

This paper presents a design of microstrip transmitting and receiving antennas to be used for time reversal ultra-wideband imaging applications. The transmitter and receiver arrays are together known as a time reversal mirror (TRM). Based on the properties of time reversal and its imaging applications, an antipodal Vivaldi antenna and a monopole antenna are proposed for the transmitter and receiver designs, respectively. Simulation and measurement results demonstrate the efficiency of the antennas for a time reversal mirror. The overall system is demonstrated for source and target imaging applications.
Does it Pay to Have CIOs on the Board? Creating Value by Appointing C-Level IT Executives to the Board of Directors

In an increasingly digital world, C-level information technology experts (CITEs) such as CIOs and CTOs are playing an increasingly indispensable role in leading IT initiatives. Despite this, recent research shows a lack of oversight by the board of directors over the IT function due to the “IT confidence gap” of directors with no IT expertise. This has resulted in the emergence of a recent trend of appointing CITEs to the board of directors. However, there is little research on whether such appointments result in value creation for the appointing firms. We use perspectives from agency and resource dependence theories to examine two value impacts of CITE director appointments to address this question. We suggest that CITE director appointments create signaling value by enhancing the firm’s ability to signal their intention to institute more effective oversight of the IT function and subsequently accumulate value in the form of share price reaction to appointment announcements. Correspondingly, CITE directors’ human and relational capital application also creates substantive value in the form of firm financial performance over a longer duration. Using an event study and hierarchical linear modeling, our analysis of 334 CITE director appointments largely supports our contention that the human and relational capital of CITE directors and their appointment in firms facing IT-related contextual conditions results in both a positive share price reaction and better firm financial performance over the long term. We conclude that appointing CITE directors with the appropriate capital under certain contextual conditions leads to firm value creation.
Computation of reactive power in the framework of the new Spanish grid code using test fields of wind turbines submitted to voltage dips

This paper is focused on the computation of the reactive power generated by wind turbines when they are submitted to a voltage dip in the framework of the new Grid Codes. Taking advantage of the voltage dips field tests carried out to the Gamesa G80 wind turbines, several definitions of reactive power are calculated and the results obtained for a representative three-phase voltage dip test are presented.
A STABILIZING SAMPLED-DATA '¡ STEP RECEDING HORIZON CONTROL WITH APPLICATION TO A HIV/AIDS

In this paper we propose an '-step sampled-data receding hori- zon control method for the stabilization of an equilibrium of non- linear systems based on their approximate discrete-time model. This version of the method is motivated by recently developed models of the interaction of the HIV virus and the immune sys- tem of the human body. In this model the drug dose is considered as control input, and the uninfected steady state is to be stabi- lized. Highly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy (HAART) is used. Simulation results are discussed.
SGLT2-inhibitors are Effective and Safe in the Elderly: the SOLD Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) may have important benefits for the elderly with type 2 diabetes (T2D), however some safety concerns still limit their use in patients over 70 years of age. The SOLD study (SGLT2i in Older Diabetic patients) is a multicenter study, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of SGLT2i in the older diabetic patients in a real-life setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed a population of 739 adults (mean age 75.4±3.9 years, M/F 420/319) with T2D, which started a SGLT2i-based treatment after the age of 70, with at least one year of follow-up. Data were collected at baseline, at 6 and 12 months of follow-up. RESULTS SGLT2i (37.5% Empagliflozin, 35.7% Dapagliflozin, 26.1% Canagliflozin, 0.7% Ertugliflozin) were an add-on therapy to Metformin in 88.6%, to basal insulin in 36.1% and to other antidiabetic drugs in 29.6% of cases. 565 subjects completed the follow up, while 174 (23.5%) discontinued treatment due to adverse events which were SGLT2i related. A statistically significant reduction of glycated hemoglobin (baseline vs 12 months: 7.8±1.1 vs 7.1±0.8%, p<0.001) and body mass index values (baseline vs 12 months: 29.2±4.7 vs 28.1±4.5kg/m2, p<0.001) were evident during follow-up. Overall, estimated glomerular filtration rate remained stable over time, with significant reduction of urinary albumin excretion. In the subgroup of patients which were ≥80 years, a significant improvement in glycated hemoglobin values without renal function alterations was evident. Overall discontinuation rate during the follow-up period was different across age groups, being urinary tract infections and worsening of renal function the most common cause. CONCLUSION SGLT2i are well-tolerated and safe in the elderly and appear as an effective therapeutic option, though some caution is also suggested, especially in more fragile subjects.
High-Performance Atomic Layer Deposited Al2O3 Insulator Based Metal-Insulator-Metal Diode

The fabrication of metal–insulator– metal (MIM) diode using an ultrathin Al2O3 insulator layer, deposited using atomic layer deposition (ALD) is presented. The Al2O3 insulating layer was found to be highly uniform throughout the diode junction, effectively overcoming the main fabrication challenge in MIM diodes. The diodes exhibit strong non-linear current–voltage curves, have a typical zero-bias curvature coefficient of 5.4 V−1 and a zero-bias resistance of approximately 118 kΩ, a value considerably smaller than other MIM diode topologies and that allows more current to be rectified. Other results including current ratio and yield of the diode also competes favorably with the state-of-the-art MIM diodes such as the recently produced metal-octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS)-metal structure.
Effects of tetracycline, sulfonamide, fluoroquinolone, and lincosamide load in pig slurry on lettuce: Agricultural and human health implications.

The application of pig slurry as fertilizer in agriculture provides nutrients, but it can also contain veterinary medicines, including antibiotic residues (ABs), which can have an ecotoxicological impact on agroecosystems. Furthermore, uptake, translocation, and accumulation of ABs in crops can mobilize them throughout the food chain. This greenhouse study aims to assess AB uptake from soil fertilized with pig slurry and its phenotypical effects on Lactuca sativa L. The plants were cropped in loamy clay soil dosed at 140 kg total N/ha and containing antibiotics (lincomycin, sulfadiazine, oxytetracycline, and enrofloxacin) at different concentration levels (0, 0.05, 0.5, 5, 50, and 500 mg/kg fw). Whereas sulfadiazine (11.8 ng/g fw) was detected in lettuce leaves at the intermediate doses (0.5 mg/kg), lincomycin and its transformation products (hydroxy/sulfate) were only detected at the 50 mg/kg fw dose. In addition, increased AB doses in the pig slurry resulted in decreased lettuce fresh weight and lipid and carbohydrate content and became lethal to lettuce at the highest AB concentrations (500 mg/kg fw). Nevertheless, even at higher doses, the AB content in lettuce following pig-slurry fertilization did not pose any direct significant human health risk (total hazard quotient<0.01). However, the promotion of antimicrobial resistance in humans due to the intake of these vegetables cannot be ruled out.
Investing in Deflation, Inflation, and Stagflation Regimes

Abstract We examine asset class and factor premiums across inflationary regimes. As periods of deflation, high inflation, and especially stagflation are relatively uncommon in recent history, we use a deep sample starting in 1875. Moderate inflation scenarios provide the highest returns across asset class and factor premiums. During deflationary periods, nominal returns are low, but real returns are attractive. By contrast, real equity and bond returns are negative during a high inflation regime and especially so during times of stagflation. During these “bad times,” factor premiums are positive, which helps to offset part of the real capital losses.
INVERSOR QUASI-Z-SOURCE FOTOVOLTAICO CONECTADO À REDE COM FILTRO LCL UTILIZANDO UMA ESTRUTURA MRAC-SM CASCATA COM MODELO REDUZIDO PARA APLICAÇÕES EM REDES FRACAS

– This paper presents the use of a cascade structure of adaptive output-feedback controllers by reference model (MRAC) using reduced order reference models for a quasi-Z-Source inverter, connected to the electrical grid through an LCL ﬁlter. The implementation of the adaptive structure through reduced model references allows a simpler control structure to be implemented, with signiﬁcantly simpliﬁed mathematical equation and less computational effort. To reduce the order of the model references, plant dynamics present at higher frequencies are not modeled and are disregarded for the choice of models, enabling the implementation of this structure without compromising the system’s stability and performance. Online results in Hardware In-the-Loop implemented in a DSP TMS320F28335 are presented, comparing the proposed structure with an MRAC-SM controller by state feedback without simpliﬁcation of models. It is shown that the adaptive structure developed behaves robustly in relation to the uncertainties in the system, presents low tracking error and reduced computational effort when compared to the adaptive structure without reducing the reference model.
Effect Of Amlodipine In Amelioration Of Global Cerebral I/R Injury In Rat

Background: Cerebral ischemiaâ€“reperfusion injury (IRI) is a complex process resulting in cellular damage and death. Ischemia and reperfusion in the brain, as in other organs, induces an inflammatory response which may exacerbate initial levels of tissue injury.Objectives: This study was undertaken to investigate the possible neuroprotective activity of amlodipine in amelioration of global cerebral I/R injury in rat model.Materials and Methods: Adult sprague-dawley rats were randomized in to 4 groups as follow: group I, sham group, rats underwent the same anesthesia and surgical procedure as the control group with out bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) ; group 2 control group (induced-untreated), rats underwent 30 min of global cerebral ischemia via ( bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) followed by 1 hour of reperfusion ; group 3, Control â€“ Vehicle, as control group but rats received daily for 10 days before the surgery the vehicle of amlodipine drug normal saline intraperitoneally (IP),the dose of vehicle was (0.9% Nacl) ,(1 ml/kg/day) ; group 4, amlodipine treated group, as control goup ,but rats received daily amlodipine intraperitoneally (IP), the dose of amlodipine was (10 mg/kg /day) for 10 days before the surgery . Results: Compared with the sham group, levels of cerebral ICAM-1, increased significantly (p<0.05), amlodipine, significantly oppose the increase in cerebral level of ICAM-1 (P < 0.05). Histological analysis revealed that amlodipine markedly reduced (P < 0.05) the severity of brain injury in the rats underwent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) . Conclusions: The results of the present study revealed that pretreatment with amlodipine may ameliorate the global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by anti-inflammatory effect.
Mathematical modeling, dynamic response analysis, and control of PMSG‐based wind turbines operating with an alternative control structure in power control mode

Summary This paper deals with the detailed mathematical modeling, in-depth stability analysis, and control of PMSG-based wind turbine (WT), when PMSG works with an alternative control structure. In the alternative control structure, machine-side converter (MSC) is used for control of the dc-link voltage and grid-side converter (GSC) for control of the output power. In this way, full linearized dynamics of the dc-link model is achieved by using the equivalent current based model of the MSC and GSC. Based on the system detailed linearized representation, it is shown that the dc-link dynamics is non-minimum phase with a right half plane (RHP) zero, where the RHP zero depends on operating point and changes under wind speed variation. Hence, due to stability issue, careful considerations are considered for selection of the dc-link controller parameters, and necessary conditions are proposed to guarantee the closed-loop system stability at all operating conditions. Then, the dc-link control system is modified by introducing an auxiliary compensation block which virtually adds a positive damping resistor in parallel with the dc-link capacitor. Next design considerations for selection of the auxiliary compensation term are proposed, and finally response of the system is examined by the several time domain simulations.
Aircraft Engine Bleed Valve Prognostics Using Multiclass Gated Recurrent Unit

Prognostics and health management is an engineering discipline that aims to support system operation while ensuring maximum safety and performance. Prognostics is a key step of this framework, focusing on developing effective maintenance policies based on predictive methods. Traditionally, prognostics models forecast the degradation process using regression techniques that approximate a mapping function from input to continuous remaining useful life estimates. These models are typically of high complexity and low interpretability. Classification approaches are an alternative solution to these types of models. We propose a predictive classification model that translates the input into discrete output variables instead of mapping the input to a single remaining useful life estimate. Each discrete output variable corresponds to a range of remaining useful life values. In other words, each output class variable represents the likelihood or risk of failure within a specific time range. We apply this model to a real-world case study involving the unscheduled and scheduled removals of a set of engine bleed valves from a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. The model can reach an area under the (micro-average) receiver operating characteristic curve of 72%. Our results suggest that the proposed multiclass gated recurrent unit network can provide valuable information about the different fault stages (corresponding to intervals of residual lives) of the studied valves.
Environmental insurance and ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems – analysis of the willingness to implement systemic solutions relevant to insurance

The first purpose of the research was to assess the dependence between the organisational decision-makers willingness to implement systemic solutions relevant to insurance (RSSs) and the attributes (systemic, awareness-related and organisational) of an organisation managed in accordance with ISO 14001. Another purpose was to identify the motivators that drive entities to implement additional system elements.Earlier studies suggest that the structures of currently implemented ISO 14001 EMSs should be modified in order to increase their utility for the process of insurance provision. The research problem was solved based on data obtained through an online survey among organisations implementing and certified ISO 14001 EMSs in Poland. Depending on the type of variables, the independence chi-square test, U-Mann-Whitney test, and the test of Spearman’s rank correlation, among others, were used for analysis. The results of the study may help build integrated environmental risk management tools. They indicate the legitimacy of using non-insurance motivators (e.g. reduction of environmental fees) to achieve the desired EMS structure in the organisation from the insurers' point of view. At the same time, they emphasise the need to build environmental risk awareness (including, among other things, the risk of liability for environmental damage and its severity) to achieve the above.
Discovery of vimseltinib (DCC-3014), a highly selective CSF1R switch-control kinase inhibitor, in clinical development for the treatment of Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor (TGCT).

Based on knowledge of kinase switch-control inhibition and using a combination of structure-based drug design and standard medicinal chemistry principles, we identified a novel series of dihydropyrimidone-based CSF1R kinase inhibitors displaying exquisite selectivity for CSF1R versus a large panel of kinases and non-kinase protein targets. Starting with lead compound 3, an SAR optimization campaign led to the discovery of vimseltinib (DCC-3014; compound 20) currently undergoing clinical evaluation for the treatment of Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor (TGCT), a locally aggressive benign tumor associated with substantial morbidity. 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Role of Biologics in the Management of Asthma

The treatment of asthma has entered a new frontier with the discovery of drugs that target the inflammatory pathways thought to be at the root of the disease. It is estimated that up to 10% of patients with asthma have the severe form and have persistent symptoms even on maximal doses of conventional therapy. Consideration for biological therapy (i.e., drugs that are manufactured by biological processes mostly with the use of recombinant DNA technology) targeted at the underlying mechanism, is essential for successful management of their disease. With the development of biologics, a hope for control of their asthma is on the horizon for these patients. Unfortunately, most of these medications have far reaching effects beyond the beneficial ones on the disease only and thus, side effects are common. Many pathways are still incompletely understood and plausible anti-inflammatory mechanisms have not always translated into effective treatment. As a result, there are a few options available to us today. The discovery of distinct asthma phenotypes and their underlying molecular signature means that patients can no longer be considered to be a homogenous group. With the availability of new resources to tackle the difficult-to-treat asthma patient, the responsibility of identifying these phenotypes comes to the physician. With that goal in mind, this review of biological therapies targeted towards asthma will identify those agents that have been approved and are available, and also briefly touch upon those that are in the early stages of development.