Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimating Summer Nutrient Concentrations in Northeastern Lakes from SPARROW Load Predictions and Modeled Lake Depth and Volume

Global nutrient cycles have been altered by the use of fossil fuels and fertilizers resulting in increases in nutrient loads to aquatic systems. In the United States, excess nutrients have been repeatedly reported as the primary cause of lake water quality impairments. Setting nutrient criteria that are protective of a lakes ecological condition is one common solution; however, the data required to do this are not always easily available. A useful solution for this is to combine available field data (i.e., The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) National Lake Assessment (NLA)) with average annual nutrient load models (i.e., USGS SPARROW model) to estimate summer concentrations across a large number of lakes. In this paper we use this combined approach and compare the observed total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TN) concentrations in Northeastern lakes from the 2007 National Lake Assessment to those predicted by the Northeast SPARROW model. We successfully adjusted the SPARROW predictions to the NLA observations with the use of Vollenweider equations, simple input-output models that predict nutrient concentrations in lakes based on nutrient loads and hydraulic residence time. This allows us to better predict summer concentrations of TN and TP in Northeastern lakes and ponds. On average we improved our predicted concentrations of TN and TP with Vollenweider models by 18.7% for nitrogen and 19.0% for phosphorus. These improved predictions are being used in other studies to model ecosystem services (e.g., aesthetics) and dis-services (e.g. cyanobacterial blooms) for ~18,000 lakes in the Northeastern United States.
Carbon Storage and Sequestration of Urban Street Trees in Beijing, China

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from cities have significantly increased over the past several decades along with rapid urbanization. To what extent anthropogenic CO2 emissions generated from cities can be offset through conserving or increasing carbon (C) stored within urban areas themselves is a significant scientific question. The role of urban street trees in offsetting anthropogenic CO2 emissions still remains uncertain. Here, using data from field surveys, tree growth measurements and governmental statistical yearbooks, we estimated the C storage and C sequestration capacity of street trees in Beijing. Results showed that the C density and C sequestration rate in Beijing’s urban street trees were about 1/3 ~1/2 of the corresponding magnitudes of non-urban forests in China. However, the total C sequestration of street trees in Beijing’s urban districts was 3.1±1.8 Gg C yr-1 (1 Gg = 109 g) in 2014, equivalent to only about 0.2% of its annual CO2-equivalent emissions from total energy consumption, indicating a rather limited role in offsetting overall anthropogenic CO2 emissions.
Biochemical characterization of a soluble form of the 53‐kDa monocyte surface antigen

Two monoclonal antibodies, MEM‐15 and MEM‐18, were prepared which recognize a monocyte 53‐kDa antigen. A soluble form of this antigen was found in most normal sera and in urine of some nephrotic patients. Milligram amounts of this glycoprotein were isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography from urine and used for quantitative amino acid and carbohydrate analysis and N‐terminal amino acid sequencing. The reactivity of the isolated antigen with several previously described monoclonal antibodies indicates that it is the antigen previously called MY‐4 or MY‐23. A significant homology exists between the sequenced N‐terminal portion of the antigen and sequences found in the kinase‐related transforming protein src and in the precursor of epidermal growth factor.
Decreased nitric oxide in the exhaled air of patients with systemic sclerosis with pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) may be complicated by pulmonary hypertension (PHT), which can occur both in the setting of fibrosing alveolitis or as lone pulmonary vascular disease. Nitric oxide (NO) is a powerful vasodilator and is produced by various cells in the respiratory tract including pulmonary vascular endothelial cells and can be measured in expired air. A study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that exhaled NO levels would be decreased in patients with SSc with PHT and to assess the utility of this measurement in discriminating between patients with and without PHT, regardless of concurrent fibrosing alveolitis. METHODS: Exhaled NO was measured with a chemiluminescence analyser in 23 patients with SSc (six with PHT, 17 subjects without) and in 67 normal individuals. Doppler echocardiography was used to assess pulmonary artery pressure in subjects with SSc, and lung function tests were performed at the same visit as NO measurements. Thin section CT scans were analysed for the presence of abnormality consistent with fibrosing alveolitis. RESULTS: Patients with SSc with PHT had a greater reduction in arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) and carbon monoxide gas transfer (TLCO) than patients with SSc without PHT. Exhaled NO was significantly higher in patients with SSc without PHT than in normal individuals, and was significantly decreased in patients with SSc with PHT (mean (SD) 20 (6) ppb) compared with 149 (19) ppb in those with SSc without PHT (mean difference 129 (95% CI 112 to 146) ppb) and 80 (7) ppb in normal individuals (mean difference 60 (95% CI 54 to 66) ppb). CONCLUSION: Exhaled NO is decreased in patients with SSc with PHT compared with both normal individuals and patients with SSc without PHT.
Microinjection of gelsolin into living cells

Gelsolins are actin-binding proteins that cap, nucleate, and sever actin filaments. Microinjection of cytoplasmic or plasma gelsolin into living fibroblasts and macrophages did not affect the shape, actin distribution, deformability, or ruffling activity of the cells. Gelsolin requires calcium for activity, but the NH2-terminal half is active without calcium. Microinjection of this proteolytic fragment had marked effects: the cells rounded up, stopped ruffling, became soft, and stress fibers disappeared. These changes are similar to those seen with cytochalasin, which also caps barbed ends of actin filaments. Attempts to raise the cytoplasmic calcium concentration and thereby activate the injected gelsolin were unsuccessful, but the increases in calcium concentration were minimal or transient and may not have been sufficient. Our interpretation of these results is that at the low calcium concentrations normally found in cells, gelsolin does not express the activities observed in vitro at higher calcium concentrations. We presume that gelsolin may be active at certain times or places if the calcium concentration is elevated to a sufficient level, but we cannot exclude the existence of another molecule that inhibits gelsolin. Microinjection of a 1:1 gelsolin/actin complex had no effect on the cells. This complex is stable in the absence of calcium and has capping activity but no severing and less nucleation activity as compared with either gelsolin in calcium or the NH2- terminal fragment. The NH2-terminal fragment-actin complex also has capping and nucleating activity but no severing activity. On microinjection it had the same effects as the fragment alone. The basis for the difference between the two complexes is unknown. The native molecular weight of rabbit plasma gelsolin is 82,500, and the extinction coefficient at 280 nm is 1.68 cm2/mg. A new simple procedure for purification of plasma gelsolin is described.
LTE HetNet Trial - Range Expansion Including Micro/Pico Indoor Coverage Survey

Adding low power nodes is one option to meet the increased mobile broadband traffic demands. In the resulting heterogeneous network (HetNet) with different node power levels, range expansion is a key feature to improve uplink as well as to increase the coverage of micro/pico nodes. In this paper measurement results from a trial with Release 8 terminals and system verify that range expansion can improve uplink bit rate at a limited cost in downlink bit rate. Also, the macro versus micro/pico indoor coverage is assessed by scanning three office buildings. Coverage using a 2x1 W pico node is assessed to 75 percent of the coverage with a 2x5 W micro node. Range expansion can increase the indoor coverage with 1.5 to 4 percentages per dB.
Pharmacologic Blockade of FAK Autophosphorylation Decreases Human Glioblastoma Tumor Growth and Synergizes with Temozolomide

Malignant gliomas are characterized by aggressive tumor growth with a mean survival of 15 to 18 months and frequently developed resistance to temozolomide. Therefore, strategies that sensitize glioma cells to temozolomide have a high translational impact. We have studied focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a tyrosine kinase and emerging therapeutic target that is known to be highly expressed and activated in glioma. In this report, we tested the FAK autophosphorylation inhibitor, Y15, in DBTRG and U87 glioblastoma cells. Y15 significantly decreased viability and clonogenicity in a dose-dependent manner, increased detachment in a dose- and time-dependent manner, caused apoptosis, and inhibited cell invasion in both cell lines. In addition, Y15 treatment decreased autophosphorylation of FAK in a dose-dependent manner and changed cell morphology by causing cell rounding in DBTRG and U87 cells. Administration of Y15 significantly decreased subcutaneous DBTRG tumor growth with decreased Y397-FAK autophosphorylation, activated caspase-3 and PARP. Y15 was administered in an orthotopic glioma model, leading to an increase in mouse survival. The combination of Y15 with temozolomide was more effective than either agent alone in decreasing viability and activating caspase-8 in DBTRG and U87 cells in vitro. In addition, the combination of Y15 and temozolomide synergistically blocked U87 brain tumor growth in vivo. Thus, pharmacologic blockade of FAK autophosphorylation with the oral administration of a small-molecule inhibitor Y15 has a potential to be an effective therapy approach for glioblastoma either alone or in combination with chemotherapy agents such as temozolomide. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(2); 162–72. ©2012 AACR.
Feasibility of laparoscopic cytoreduction in patients with localized recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer

Objective To assess the feasibility of laparoscopic cytoreduction in patients with localized recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) by comparing its outcomes to those of laparotomy. Methods We performed retrospective analysis in 79 EOC patients who had a localized single recurrent site, as demonstrated by computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging, or positron emission tomography/CT scan; had no ascites; were disease-free for 12 or more months prior; and who had undergone secondary cytoreduction (laparoscopy in 31 patients, laparotomy in 48 patients) at Samsung Medical Center between 2002 and 2013. By reviewing the electronic medical records, we investigated the patients’ baseline characteristics, surgical characteristics, and surgical outcomes. Results There were no statistically significant differences between laparoscopy and laparotomy patients in terms of age, body mass index, cancer antigen 125 level, tumor type, initial stage, grade, recurrence site, type of procedures used in the secondary cytoreduction, adjuvant chemotherapy, and disease-free interval from the previous treatment. With regards to surgical outcomes, reduced operating time, shorter hospital stay, and less estimated blood loss were achieved in the laparoscopy group. Complete debulking was achieved in all cases in the laparoscopy group. Conclusion The laparoscopic approach is feasible without compromising morbidity and survival in selected groups of patients with recurrent EOC. The laparoscopic approach can be a possible treatment option for recurrent EOC.
Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization Approach for Cost-Based Feature Selection in Classification

Feature selection is an important data-preprocessing technique in classification problems such as bioinformatics and signal processing. Generally, there are some situations where a user is interested in not only maximizing the classification performance but also minimizing the cost that may be associated with features. This kind of problem is called cost-based feature selection. However, most existing feature selection approaches treat this task as a single-objective optimization problem. This paper presents the first study of multi-objective particle swarm optimization (PSO) for cost-based feature selection problems. The task of this paper is to generate a Pareto front of nondominated solutions, that is, feature subsets, to meet different requirements of decision-makers in real-world applications. In order to enhance the search capability of the proposed algorithm, a probability-based encoding technology and an effective hybrid operator, together with the ideas of the crowding distance, the external archive, and the Pareto domination relationship, are applied to PSO. The proposed PSO-based multi-objective feature selection algorithm is compared with several multi-objective feature selection algorithms on five benchmark datasets. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can automatically evolve a set of nondominated solutions, and it is a highly competitive feature selection method for solving cost-based feature selection problems.
Observations related to pathogenesis of dengue hemorrhagic fever. V. Examination of agspecific sequential infection rates using a mathematical model.

Experimental studies of dengue infections in humans suggest that immunity to homologous virus challenge is probably of lifelong duration. ' Individuals infected with one type of dengue virus and then exposed to a second serotype within 3-6 months may develop modified disease or no disease at all. ' Studies of dengue infection in Bangkok have suggested that infection with one type of dengue virus sensitizes an individual so that subsequent infection with another type elicits a hypersensitivity reaction producing the dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) syndrome.2 Since at least four types of dengue viruses are simultaneously endemic in Bangkok, it is theoretically possible that hypersensitivity reactions could occur during the second, third or fourth heterologous infection. The limits of the interval between sensitizing and eliciting infections are unknown, but the evidence of short duration heterologous protection cited above plus the seasonal periodicity of dengue transmission in the tropics suggests that most DHF may result from heterologous infections occurring at an interval of one year or more.8" It is the purpose of this paper to utilize the above observations in a study of mathematical models which permit prediction of age specific secondary or tertiary infection rates in populations exposed to three or four different dengue viruses. Results from models have been compared with available epidemiologic data, particularly age specific hemorrhagic fever hospitalization rates, to evaluate hypotheses concerning the number of infections and the interval between infections required to produce DHF.
A Feature Relevance Study for Guitar Tone Classification

A series of experiments on the automatic classification of classical guitar sounds with support vector machines has been carried out to investigate the relevance of the features and to minimise the feature set for successful classification. Features used for classification were the time series of the partial tone amplitudes, and of the MFCCs, and the energy distribution of the nontonal percussive sound that is produced in the attack phase of the tone. Furthermore the influence of sound parameters as timbre, player, fret position and string number on the recognition rate is investigated. Finally, several nonlinear kernels are compared in their classification performance. It turns out, that a selection of 505 features out of the full feature set of 1155 elements does only reduce the recognition rate of a linear SVM from 82% to 78%. With the use of a polynomial instead of a linear kernel the recognition rate with the reduced feature set can even be increased to 84%.
Economic comparison between Hospital at Home and traditional hospitalization using a simulation-based approach

Purpose – Hospital at Home (HAH) is a concept slowly expanding over time. At first this type of organization was used to accomplish low‐technical tasks. The main objective was to increase bed availability in hospitals for new patients. Nowadays, HAH structures are able to undertake more technical complex care such as (but not limited to) end‐of‐life care, chemotherapy and rehabilitation. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new methodology to make an unbiased economic comparison between HAH structures and traditional hospitalization.Design/methodology/approach – This article accomplishes two main objectives: in the first part the authors propose a comprehensive literature review dealing with the comparison between traditional hospital and home care structures from an economic standpoint, showing that results are highly dependent on initial conditions of the study (patient health state, territory settings, bio‐medical parameters); in the second part the authors propose an unbiased economic comparison .
Studying the Effect of Size of Bagasse and Nanoclay Particles on Mechanical Properties and Morphology of Bagasse Flour/Recycled Polyethylene Composites

The effect of the size of bagasse and nanoclay on mechanical properties and morphology of bagasse flour/recycled polyethylene nanocomposite was studied. The content of bagasse flour was considered to be constant at 40%, with the size of the remaining flour on sieves of mesh 40, 70, and 100, and the accompanying nanoclay content being 0, 2, and 4 wt%, respectively. It was found that tensile strength, flexural strength, and tensile and flexural modulus were increased by decreasing the size of the particles to mesh 70. Notched impact strength was also increased by reduction of the flour dimensions. Increasing the nanoclay content up to 2 wt% led to enhanced tensile and flexural strengths as well as tensile and flexural moduli of the composite material. These properties were hurt by the addition of 4 wt% nanoclay. On the other hand, increasing the nanoclay content up to 4 wt% is expected to decrease notched impact strength of the composites. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data indicated that the order of intercalation was higher at 2 wt% nanoclay in comparison with the samples containing 4 wt% nanoclay, and the d-spacing of layers decreased with increasing of nanoclay particles content.
GPU join processing revisited

Until recently, the use of graphics processing units (GPUs) for query processing was limited by the amount of memory on the graphics card, a few gigabytes at best. Moreover, input tables had to be copied to GPU memory before they could be processed, and after computation was completed, query results had to be copied back to CPU memory. The newest generation of Nvidia GPUs and development tools introduces a common memory address space, which now allows the GPU to access CPU memory directly, lifting size limitations and obviating data copy operations. We confirm that this new technology can sustain 98% of its nominal rate of 6.3 GB/sec in practice, and exploit it to process database hash joins at the same rate, i.e., the join is processed "on the fly" as the GPU reads the input tables from CPU memory at PCI-E speeds. Compared to the fastest published results for in-memory joins on the CPU, this represents more than half an order of magnitude speed-up. All of our results include the cost of result materialization (often omitted in earlier work), and we investigate the implications of changing join predicate selectivity and table size.
Contract Bridge Bidding by Learning

Contract bridge is an example of an incomplete information game for which computers typically do not perform better than expert human bridge players. In particular, the typical bidding decisions of human bridge players are difficult to mimic with a computer program, and thus automatic bridge bidding remains to be a challenging research problem. Currently, the possibility of automatic bidding without mimicking human players has not been fully studied. In this work, we take an initiative to study such a possibility for the specific problem of bidding without competition. We propose a novel learning framework to let a computer program learn its own bidding decisions. The framework transforms the bidding problem into a learning problem, and then solves the problem with a carefully designed model that consists of cost-sensitive classifiers and upper-confidence-bound algorithms. We validate the proposed model and find that it performs competitively to the champion computer bridge program that mimics human bidding decisions.
ICFHR2014 Competition on Handwritten Text Recognition on Transcriptorium Datasets (HTRtS)

A contest on Handwritten Text Recognition organised in the context of the ICFHR 2014 conference is described. Two tracks with increased freedom on the use of training data were proposed and three research groups participated in these two tracks. The handwritten images for this contest were drawn from an English data set which is currently being considered in the Tran scriptorium project. The goal of this project is to develop innovative, efficient and cost-effective solutions for the transcription of historical handwritten document images, focusing on four languages: English, Spanish, German and Dutch. For the English language, the so-called "Bentham collection" is being considered in Tran scriptorium. It encompasses a large set of manuscripts written by the renowned English philosopher and reformer Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832). A small subset of this collection has been chosen for the present HTR competition. The selected subset has been written by several hands (Bentham himself and his secretaries) and entails significant variabilities and difficulties regarding the quality of text images and writing styles. Training and test data were provided in the form of carefully segmented line images, along with the corresponding transcripts. The three participants achieved very good results, with transcription word error rates ranging from 15.0% down to 8.6%.
Genetic Diversity, Recombination, and Divergence in Animal Associated Penicillium dipodomyis

Penicillium dipodomyis is thought to be an exclusively asexual fungus associated with Kangaroo Rats, Dipodomys species, and is unique among Penicillium species in growing at 37°C but producing no known toxins. Lack of recombination within P. dipodomyis would result in limited adaptive flexibility but possibly enhance local adaptation and host selection via maintenance of favourable genotypes. Here, analysis of DNA sequence data from five protein-coding genes shows that recombination occurs within P. dipodomyis on a small spatial scale. Furthermore, detection of mating-type alleles supports outcrossing and a sexual cycle in P. dipodomyis. P. dipodomyis was a weaker competitor in in vitro assays with other Penicillium species found in association with Kanagaroo rats. Bayesian species level analysis suggests that the P. dipodomyis lineage diverged from closely related species also found in cheek pouches of Kangaroo Rats and their stored seeds about 11 million years ago, a similar divergence time as Dipodomys from its sister rodent taxa.