LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Characterization and optimization of mid-frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposited carbon films using response surface methodology

Abstract Thin carbon films have been deposited by decomposition of methane in a methane-argon plasma created by a pulsed mid-frequency (450 kHz) symmetrical discharge at relatively high pressures of 0.5–1 Torr. Different combinations of pressure, deposition temperature, gas composition and plasma power were used as process parameters. The films have subsequently been characterized with respect to properties that are of interest in the deposition of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films, such as wear resistance, optical band gap and film thickness. Response surface methodology has been employed to obtain a model for the dependence of these film properties on the deposition parameters and to find an optimum parameter region for depositing films with required properties.
An Effective Way to Improve YouTube-8M Classification Accuracy in Google Cloud Platform

Large-scale datasets have played a significant role in progress of neural network and deep learning areas. YouTube-8M is such a benchmark dataset for general multilabel video classification. It was created from over 7 million YouTube videos (450,000 hours of video) and includes video labels from a vocabulary of 4716 classes (3.4 labels/video on average). It also comes with pre-extracted audio & visual features from every second of video (3.2 billion feature vectors in total). Google cloud recently released the datasets and organized ‘Google Cloud & YouTube-8M Video Understanding Challenge’ on Kaggle. Competitors are challenged to develop classification algorithms that assign video-level labels using the new and improved Youtube-8M V2 dataset. Inspired by the competition, we started exploration of audio understanding and classification using deep learning algorithms and ensemble methods. We built several baseline predictions according to the benchmark paper [4] and public github tensorflow code. Furthermore, we improved global prediction accuracy (GAP) from base level 77% to 80.7% through approaches of ensemble.
Effect of corrosion on ductility of reinforcing bars

An experimental investigation into the effect of corrosion on the ductility of steel reinforcement is reported. Both accelerated and simulated corrosion tests were conducted on bare bars and on bars embedded in concrete. The mechanism and degree of the reduction of ductility of reinforcement due to corrosion were examined. The influence of bar type and diameter on ductility of corroded reinforcement is discussed. The experimental results indicate that, since local attack penetration results in a significant variation of residual cross-section along its length, corrosion significantly reduces ductility of reinforcement. Although the strength ratio, elastic modulus and hardening strain only vary with bar type rather than corrosion level, the elongation, ultimate strain and ductile area of corroded reinforcement reduce much more significantly than do those of their yield and ultimate strengths. There is concern regarding bar ductility since about 10% corrosion may possibly decrease the ultimate strain of reinforcement below the minimum requirement specified in CEB Model Code 90 for class S reinforcement. Even though the elongation, ultimate strength and ductile area parameter of corroded small diameter and/or plain bars reduce more than those of large diameter and/or ribbed ones, such differences are not significant and can be neglected. Finally, a set of simple empirical equations is proposed to assess the ductility of corroded reinforcement in practice.
Comparative Effectiveness of Cancer Control and Survival after Robot-Assisted versus Open Radical Prostatectomy.

PURPOSE
Robot-assisted surgery has been rapidly adopted in the U.S. for prostate cancer. Its adoption has been driven by market forces and patient preference, and debate continues regarding whether it offers improved outcomes to justify the higher cost relative to open surgery. We examined the comparative effectiveness of robot-assisted vs open radical prostatectomy in cancer control and survival in a nationally representative population.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
This population based observational cohort study of patients with prostate cancer undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and open radical prostatectomy during 2003 to 2012 used data captured in the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results)-Medicare linked database. Propensity score matching and time to event analysis were used to compare all cause mortality, prostate cancer specific mortality and use of additional treatment after surgery.


RESULTS
A total of 6,430 robot-assisted radical prostatectomies and 9,161 open radical prostatectomies performed during 2003 to 2012 were identified. The use of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy increased from 13.6% in 2003 to 2004 to 72.6% in 2011 to 2012. After a median followup of 6.5 years (IQR 5.2-7.9) robot-assisted radical prostatectomy was associated with an equivalent risk of all cause mortality (HR 0.85, 0.72-1.01) and similar cancer specific mortality (HR 0.85, 0.50-1.43) vs open radical prostatectomy. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy was also associated with less use of additional treatment (HR 0.78, 0.70-0.86).


CONCLUSIONS
Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy has comparable intermediate cancer control as evidenced by less use of additional postoperative cancer therapies and equivalent cancer specific and overall survival. Longer term followup is needed to assess for differences in prostate cancer specific survival, which was similar during intermediate followup. Our findings have significant quality and cost implications, and provide reassurance regarding the adoption of more expensive technology in the absence of randomized controlled trials.
Recent philosophies of automatic generation control strategies in power systems

An attempt is made in This work to present critical literature review and an up-to-date and exhaustive bibliography on the AGC of power systems. Various control aspects concerning the AGC problem have been highlighted. AGC schemes based on parameters, such as linear and nonlinear power system models, classical and optimal control, and centralized, decentralized, and multilevel control, are discussed. AGC strategies based on digital, self-tuning control, adaptive, VSS systems, and intelligent/soft computing control have been included. Finally, the investigations on AGC systems incorporating BES/SMES, wind turbines, FACTS devices, and PV systems have also been discussed.
On the hardness of approximating minimum vertex cover By

We prove the Minimum Vertex Cover problem to be NP-hard to approximate to within a factor of 1.3606, extending on previous PCP and hardness of approximation technique. To that end, one needs to develop a new proof framework, and to borrow and extend ideas from several fields.
Fast shadows and lighting effects using texture mapping

Generating images of texture mapped geometry requires projecting surfaces onto a two-dimensional screen. If this projection involves perspective, then a division must be performed at each pixel of the projected surface in order to correctly calculate texture map coordinates. We show how a simple extension to perspective-comect texture mapping can be used to create various lighting effects, These include arbitrary projection of two-dimensional images onto geometry, realistic spotlights, and generation of shadows using shadow maps[ 10]. These effects are obtained in real time using hardware that performs correct texture mapping. CR
Digital Rights Management Using a Master Control Device

This paper focuses on the problem of preventing the illegal copying of digital content whilst allowing content mobility within a single user domain. This paper proposes a novel solution for binding a domain to a single owner. Domain owners are authenticated using two-factor authentication, which involves “something the domain owner has”, i.e. a Master Control device that controls and manages consumers domains, and binds devices joining a domain to itself, and “something the domain owner is or knows”, i.e. a biometric or password/PIN authentication mechanism that is implemented by the Master Control device. These measures establish a one-to-many relationship between the Master Control device and domain devices, and a one-to-one relationship between domain owners and their Master Control Devices, ensuring that a single consumer owns each domain. This stops illicit content proliferation. Finally, the pros and cons of two possible approaches to user authentication, i.e. the use of a password/PIN and biometric authentication mechanisms, and possible countermeasures to the identified vulnerabili-
Changing case Order to Optimise patterns of Performance in mammography Screening (CO-OPS): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND
X-ray mammography remains the predominant test for screening for breast cancer, with the aim of reducing breast cancer mortality. In the English NHS Breast Screening Programme each woman's mammograms are examined separately by two expert readers. The two readers read each batch in the same order and each indicates if there should be recall for further tests. This is a highly skilled, pressurised, repetitive and frequently intellectually unchallenging activity where readers examine one or more batches of 30-50 women's mammograms in each session. A vigilance decrement or performance decrease over time has been observed in similar repetitive visual tasks such as radar operation.


METHODS/DESIGN
The CO-OPS study is a pragmatic, multi-centre, two-arm, double blind cluster randomised controlled trial of a computer software intervention designed to reduce the effects of a vigilance decrement in breast cancer screening. The unit of randomisation is the batch. Intervention batches will be examined in the opposite order by the two readers (one forwards, one backwards). Control batches will be read in the same order as one another, as is current standard practice. The hypothesis is that cancer detection rates will be higher in the intervention group because each readers' peak performance will occur when examining different women's mammograms. The trial will take place in 44 English breast screening centres for 1 year and 4 months. The primary outcome is cancer detection rate, which will be extracted from computer records after 1 year of the trial. The secondary outcomes include rate of disagreement between readers (a more statistically powerful surrogate for cancer detection rate), recall rate, positive predictive value, and interval cancer rate (cancers found between screening rounds which will be measured three years after the end of the trial).


DISCUSSION
This is the first trial of an intervention to ameliorate a vigilance decrement in breast cancer screening.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
ISRCTN46603370 (submitted: 24 October 2012, date of registration: 26 March 2013).
Anatomy of the ankle ligaments: a pictorial essay

Understanding the anatomy of the ankle ligaments is important for correct diagnosis and treatment. Ankle ligament injury is the most frequent cause of acute ankle pain. Chronic ankle pain often finds its cause in laxity of one of the ankle ligaments. In this pictorial essay, the ligaments around the ankle are grouped, depending on their anatomic orientation, and each of the ankle ligaments is discussed in detail.
Age and ethnicity differences in short-term heart-rate variability.

OBJECTIVE
Hypertension is more frequent and more severe in older individuals and in African Americans. Differences in autonomic nervous system activity might contribute to these differences. Autonomic effects on the heart can be studied noninvasively through analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). We examined the effects of age and ethnicity on HRV.


METHODS
We studied 135 subjects (57 African Americans and 78 Caucasian Americans), aged 23 to 54 years. Using their surface electrocardiogram (ECG) data, we calculated the HRV indices with spectral analyses. High frequency (HF) power was used to index parasympathetic activity, whereas the ratio of low to high frequency power (LF/HF) was used to index sympathovagal balance.


RESULTS
Three HRV indices (HF, LF power, and LF/HF) were significantly related to age in Caucasian Americans but not in African Americans. The effect of age, ethnicity, and the age-by-ethnicity interaction on HF and LF power was significant, even after controlling for gender, body mass index, and blood pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
Young African Americans manifested a pattern of HRV response similarly to older Caucasian Americans. These results suggest that young African American individuals might show signs of premature aging in their autonomic nervous system.
Gene Expression Profiling to Study Racial Differences after Heart Transplantation

BACKGROUND
The basis for increased mortality after heart transplantation in African Americans and other non-Caucasian racial groups is poorly defined. We hypothesized that increased risk of adverse events is driven by biologic factors. To test this hypothesis in the Invasive Monitoring Attenuation through Gene Expression (IMAGE) study, we determined whether the event rate of the primary outcome of acute rejection, graft dysfunction, death, or retransplantation varied by race as a function of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) levels and gene expression profile (GEP) scores.


METHODS
We determined the event rate of the primary outcome, comparing racial groups, stratified by time after transplant. Logistic regression was used to compute the relative risk across racial groups, and linear modeling was used to measure the dependence of CNI levels and GEP score on race.


RESULTS
In 580 patients monitored for a median of 19 months, the incidence of the primary end point was 18.3% in African Americans, 22.2% in other non-Caucasians, and 8.5% in Caucasians (p < 0.001). There were small but significant correlations of race and tacrolimus trough levels to the GEP score. Tacrolimus levels were similar among the races. Of patients receiving tacrolimus, other non-Caucasians had higher GEP scores than the other racial groups. African American recipients demonstrated a unique decrease in expression of the FLT3 gene in response to higher tacrolimus levels.


CONCLUSIONS
African Americans and other non-Caucasian heart transplant recipients were 2.5-times to 3-times more likely than Caucasians to experience outcome events in the Invasive Monitoring Attenuation through Gene Expression study. The increased risk of adverse outcomes may be partly due to the biology of the alloimmune response, which is less effectively inhibited at similar tacrolimus levels in minority racial groups.
Vehicle routing problem with time-windows for perishable food delivery

This study has extended a vehicle routing problem, with time-windows (VRPTW), by considering the randomness of the perishable food delivery process, and constructing a SVRPTW model, to obtain optimal delivery routes, loads, fleet dispatching and departure times for delivering perishable food from a distribution center. Our objective was to minimize not only the fixed costs for dispatching vehicles, but also the transportation, inventory, energy and penalty costs for violating time-windows. We also discussed time-dependent travel and time-varying temperatures, during the day, modifying the objective functions as well as the constraints in the above mathematical programming models. Algorithms were developed to solve the proposed models; results indicated that inventory and energy costs can significantly influence total delivery costs. It was found that our proposed models yielded better results than the traditional VRPTW models. 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Increased risk of osteoarthritis after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a 14-year follow-up study of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND
The reported prevalence of radiological osteoarthritis (OA) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction varies from 10% to 90%. Purpose/


HYPOTHESIS
To report the prevalence of OA after ACL reconstruction and to compare the OA prevalence between quadrupled semitendinosus tendon (ST) and bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) grafts. The hypothesis was that there would be no difference in OA prevalence between the graft types. The secondary aim was to study whether patient characteristics and additional injuries were associated with long-term outcomes.


STUDY DESIGN
Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.


METHODS
Radiological examination results, Tegner activity levels, and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) values were determined in 135 (82%) of 164 patients at a mean of 14 years after ACL reconstruction randomized to an ST or a BPTB graft. Osteoarthritis was defined according to a consensus by at least 2 of 3 radiologists of Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥2. Using regression analysis, graft type, sex, age, overweight, time between injury and reconstruction, additional meniscus injury, and a number of other variables were assessed as risk factors for OA 14 years after ACL reconstruction.


RESULTS
Osteoarthritis of the medial compartment was most frequent, with 57% of OA cases in the ACL-reconstructed knee and 18% of OA cases in the contralateral knee (P < .001). There was no difference between the graft types: 49% of OA of the medial compartment for BPTB grafts and 65% for ST grafts (P = .073). The KOOS results were lower for patients with OA in all subscales, indicating that OA was symptomatic. No difference in the KOOS between the graft types was found. Meniscus resection was a strong risk factor for OA of the medial compartment (odds ratio, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.4-9.3) in the multivariable logistic regression analysis.


CONCLUSION
A 3-fold increased prevalence of OA was found after an ACL injury treated with reconstruction compared with the contralateral healthy knee. No differences in the prevalence of OA between the BPTB and quadrupled ST reconstructions were found. An initial meniscus resection was a strong risk factor for OA; the time between injury and reconstruction was not.
Capturing the Signature of Severe Weather Events in Australia Using GPS Measurements

Rapid developments in satellite positioning, navigation, and timing have revolutionized surveying and mapping practice and significantly influenced the way people live and society operates. The advent of new generation global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) has heralded an exciting future for not only the GNSS community, but also many other areas that are critical to our society at large. With the rapid advances in space-based technologies and new dedicated space missions, the availability of large scale and dense contemporary GNSS networks such as regional continuously operating reference station (CORS) networks and the developments of new algorithms and methodologies, the ability of using space geodetic techniques to remotely sense the atmosphere (i.e., the troposphere and ionosphere) has dramatically improved. Real time GNSS-derived atmospheric variables with a high spatio-temporal resolution have become an important new source of measurements for meteorology, particularly for extreme weather events since water vapour (WV), as the most abundant element of greenhouse gas and accounting for ~70% of global warming, is under-sampled in current meteorological and climate observing systems. This study investigates the emerging area of GNSS technology for near real-time monitoring and forecasting of severe weather and climate change research. This includes both ground-based global positioning system (GPS)-derived precipitable water vapour (PWV) estimation and four-dimensional (4-D) tomographic modeling for wet refractivity fields. Two severe weather case studies were used to investigate the signature of GPS-derived PWV and wet refractivity derived from the 4-D GPS tomographic model under the influence of severe mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). GPS observations from the Victorian state-wide CORS network, i.e., GPSnet, in Australia were used. Results showed strong spatial and temporal correlations between the variations in the ground-based GPS-derived PWV and the passage of the severe MCS. This indicates that the GPS method can complement conventional meteorological observations for the studying, monitoring, and potentially predicting of severe weather events. The advantage of using the ground-based GPS technique is that it can provide continuous observations for the storm passage with high temporal and spatial resolution. Results from these two case studies also suggest that GPS-derived PWV can resolve the synoptic signature of the dynamics and offer precursors to severe weather, and the tomographic technique has the potential to depict the three-dimensional (3-D) signature of wet refractivity for the convective and stratiform processes evident in MCS events. This research reveals the potential of using GNSS-derived PWV to strengthen numerical weather prediction (NWP) models and forecasts, and the potential for GNSS-derived PWV and wet refractivity fields to enhance early detection and sensing of severe weather.
Decision Support for Watershed Management Using Evolutionary Algorithms

An integrative computational methodology is developed for the management of nonpoint source pollution from watersheds. The associated decision support system is based on an interface between evolutionary algorithms (EAs) and a comprehensive watershed simulation model, and is capable of identifying optimal or near-optimal land use patterns to satisfy objectives. Specifically, a genetic algorithm (GA) is linked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for single objective evaluations, and a Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm has been integrated with SWAT for multiobjective optimization. The model can be operated at a small spatial scale, such as a farm field, or on a larger watershed scale. A secondary model that also uses a GA is developed for calibration of the simulation model. Sensitivity analysis and parameterization are carried out in a preliminary step to identify model parameters that need to be calibrated. Application to a demonstration watershed located in Southern Illinois reveals the capability of the model in achieving its intended goals. However, the model is found to be computationally demanding as a direct consequence of repeated SWAT simulations during the search for favorable solutions. An artificial neural network (ANN) has been developed to mimic SWAT outputs and ultimately replace it during the search process. Replacement of SWAT by the ANN results in an 84% reduction in computational time required to identify final land use patterns. The ANN model is trained using a hybrid of evolutionary programming (EP) and the back propagation (BP) algorithms. The hybrid algorithm was found to be more effective and efficient than either EP or BP alone. Overall, this study demonstrates the powerful and multifaceted role that EAs and artificial intelligence techniques could play in solving the complex and realistic problems of environmental and water resources systems. CE Database subject headings: Algorithms; Neural networks; Watershed management; Pollution control; Calibration; Computation.