Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phase III study of maintenance gemcitabine (G) and best supportive care (BSC) versus BSC, following standard combination therapy with gemcitabine-carboplatin (G-Cb) for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

7506 Background: The use of single agent cytotoxic or targeted agent as maintenance following combination therapyrepresents a useful strategy to improve patient outcomes in advanced stage NSCLC. An earlier study with gemcitabine as maintenance therapy demonstrated improved time to progression (TTP) compared to BSC (6.6 mos. vs 5.0 mos., p < 0.001) (Brodowicz et al, Lung Cancer, 2006; 52:155-163). Based on this, we conducted a randomized phase III study to compare G + BSC versus BSC as maintenance therapy for patients with advanced NSCLC. Methods: Patients with stage IIIB (wet)/IV NSCLC were initially treated with gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2 on day 1 and 8) and carboplatin (AUC = 5 mg/mL.min on d 1) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. Subsequently, patients with CR/PR or SD were randomized 1:1 to receive maintenance G (1,000 mg/m2 on d 1 and 8), every 3 weeks with BSC or BSC alone until disease progression. The primary endpoint was the comparison of overall survivalbetween the two arms and the secondary endpoint was .
An adaptive control chart for the process location based on ranked set sampling

Abstract Several studies confirm the greater efficiency of estimators based on ranked set sampling (RSS) when compared to the corresponding ones obtained via simple random sampling (SRS). Recently, ranked set sampling has been considered in statistical process control. In this work, we propose the construction of adaptive control charts based on ranked set sampling. The adaptive strategy uses variable sample sizes and multiple dependent state sampling. Through an extensive simulation study, we verified that the proposed control charts have better performance (lower average number of samples until an out-of-control signal) when compared to the non-adaptive framework via RSS and adaptive via SRS. An illustration with simulated data complements this study.
Concentration of Picloram in the Soil Profile

Soil residue levels were studied to a depth of 2.4 m for a period of 2 years after application of 1.12 kg/ha of 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram). Thirty days after application 93 ppb were recovered in the top 15 cm of soil. Residues were less than 5 ppb at depths of 46 to 122 cm. Six months after application, residues were between 5 and 10 ppb down to 183 cm and less than 5 ppb between 198 and 244 cm. Residues to depths of 244 cm were less than 5 ppb 1 year after treatment. Residue levels to similar depths were studied in two soil types for a period of 1 year after application of conventional and polymerized picloram sprays and granules (3.4 kg/ha of picloram). Conventional sprays resulted in significantly higher soil residues for the sampling period than polymerized sprays. Residues from polymer granules were likewise significantly greater than from polymer sprays. Conventional and polymer formulations were identical with respect to movement through the soil.
Optical characterization of marine phytoplankton assemblages within surface waters of the western Arctic Ocean

An extensive data set of measurements within the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas is used to characterize the optical properties of seawater associated with different phytoplankton communities. Hierarchical cluster analysis of diagnostic pigment concentrations partitioned stations into four distinct surface phytoplankton communities based on taxonomic composition and average cell size. Concurrent optical measurements of spectral absorption and backscattering coefficients and remote‐sensing reflectance were used to characterize the magnitudes and spectral shapes of seawater optical properties associated with each phytoplankton assemblage. The results demonstrate measurable differences among communities in the average spectral shapes of the phytoplankton absorption coefficient. Similar or smaller differences were also observed in the spectral shapes of nonphytoplankton absorption coefficients and the particulate backscattering coefficient. Phytoplankton on average, however, contributed only 25% or less to the total absorption coefficient of seawater. Our analyses indicate that the interplay between the magnitudes and relative contributions of all optically significant constituents generally dampens any influence of varying phytoplankton absorption spectral shapes on the total absorption coefficient, yet there is still a marked discrimination observed in the spectral shape of the ratio of the total backscattering to total absorption coefficient and remote‐sensing reflectance among the phytoplankton assemblages. These spectral variations arise mainly from differences in the bio‐optical environment in which specific communities were found, as opposed to differences in the spectral shapes of phytoplankton optical properties per se. These results suggest potential approaches for the development of algorithms to assess phytoplankton community composition from measurements of seawater optical properties in western Arctic waters.
Integrating deep learning with correlation-based multimedia semantic concept detection

OF THE DISSERTATION INTEGRATING DEEP LEARNING WITH CORRELATION-BASED MULTIMEDIA SEMANTIC CONCEPT DETECTION by Hsin-Yu Ha Florida International University, 2015 Miami, Florida Professor Shu-Ching Chen, Major Professor The rapid advances in technologies make the explosive growth of multimedia data possible and available to the public. Multimedia data can be defined as data collection, which is composed of various data types and different representations. Due to the fact that multimedia data carries knowledgeable information, it has been widely adopted to different genera, like surveillance event detection, medical abnormality detection, and many others. To fulfill various requirements for different applications, it is important to effectively classify multimedia data into semantic concepts across multiple domains. In this dissertation, a correlation-based multimedia semantic concept detection framework is seamlessly integrated with the deep learning technique. The framework aims to explore implicit and explicit correlations among features and concepts while adopting different Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architectures accordingly. First, the Feature Correlation Maximum Spanning Tree (FC-MST) is proposed to remove the redundant and irrelevant features based on the correlations between the features and positive concepts. FC-MST identifies the effective features and decides the initial layer’s dimension in CNNs. Second, the Negative-based Sampling method is proposed to alleviate the data imbalance issue by keeping only the representative negative instances in the training process. To adjust different sizes of training data, the number of iterations for the CNN
A current-controlled latch sense amplifier and a static power-saving input buffer for low-power architecture

Two new power-saving schemes for high-performance VLSIs with a large-scale memory and many interface signals are described. One is a current-controlled latch sense amplifier that reduces the power dissipation by stopping sense current automatically. This sense amplifier reduces power without degrading access time compared with the conventional current-mirror sense amplifier. The other is a static power-saving input buffer (SPSIB) that reduces DC current in interface circuits receiving TTL high input level. The effectiveness of these new circuits is demonstrated with a 512-kb high-speed SRAM. >
Gap Effects in a Rheometrical Flow of a Hydrophobically Associating Polymer Solution: Apparent Slip or Material Instability?

Abstract In this paper, we study gap effects and apparent slip phenomena in a torsional flow of a moderately concentrated hydrophobically modified associative polymer solution.Slip is investigated by varying the gap between concentric parallel disks, and the plate surface roughness.The onset of apparent slip is shown to occur when the associative network is destroyed, and the slip velocity to increase with increased shear stresses in the strong shear-thinning region of the flow curve.The apparent slip phenomenon is shown to be due to the associative character of the polymer solution; it has been attributed to the existence of clusters of associating polymers (microgels),which behave like soft particles in a low viscous dispersing medium once the associative network is destroyed.Apparent slip can be eliminated by using measuring plates with roughness of about 100µm, that is of the order of the characteristic size of the microgels.
Phylogeny and conservation of African violets (Saintpaulia: Gesneriaceae): New findings based on nuclear ribosomal 5S non-transcribed spacer sequences

The phylogeny, biogeography, and conservation prioritization of African violet taxa (Saintpaulia: Gesneriaceae) in East Africa was investigated using parsimony analysis of nucleotide sequences from the 5S nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) non-transcribed spacer (5S-NTS). Although in substantial agreement with a previous phylogenetic analysis of nrDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences, the present study of the faster evolving 5S-NTS locus identified two new, major lineages, the Nguru Mountains and Usambara Mountains/lowland clades. The genetic diversity within the basal-most Saintpaulia clade, present in the Nguru, Uluguru, and Ukaguru Mountains, was underscored by addition of an Uluguru Mountains collection of Saintpaulia pusilla. Previous studies based on ITS included only a single individual of Saintpaulia goetzeana, here represented by two disjunct populations. These accessions were genetically divergent and separated from Saintpaulia pusilla by long branches. However, no support could be found for an earlier suggestion that the Uluguru Mountains represent the ancestral area for the genus. Indeed, the Nguru Mountains hold two to three of the four major Saintpaulia clades identified, and our conclusion is that this region should be given the highest priority for conservation of African violet genetic and morphological diversity. An additional prioritization suggestion derives from the finding that Saintpaulia taxa from Kenyan lowlands form a discrete subclade within the poorly-resolved Usambaras/lowland clade, providing at least one clearly recognizable, geographically distinct, and reproductively isolated lineage of what may have recently constituted only metapopulational variation.
Integrating Model-Driven and Data-Driven Methods for Power System Frequency Stability Assessment and Control

With increase of practical power system complexity, power system online stability assessment and control is more and more important. Application of the traditional model-driven methods is always limited by contradiction between accuracy and efficiency, while data-driven methods demonstrate strong abilities for the online decision-making support with advancement of various data mining techniques. Instead of direct application of data-driven methods in the power system, this paper first discusses feasible integration approaches for the model-driven and data-driven methods based on the existing achievements, and then, proposes to integrate both methods for the power system online frequency stability assessment and control. The integrated method consists of frequency dynamics prediction and load shedding procedure. In frequency dynamics prediction procedure, integration of system frequency response (SFR) model and the extreme learning machine (ELM)-based learning model is applied, where basic physical causality is kept in the SFR model and ELM is used to fit and correct error of the SFR. The ELM also plays a part in load shedding prediction model construction by digging out mapping relationship from samples. Finally, the proposed prediction and control scheme for the frequency stability is verified by simulations on WSCC 9-bus, New England 39-bus, and NPCC 140-bus system. Results show that the reliability, time efficiency, and accuracy are enhanced with the proposed method.
Analisis Data Pengimejan Resonans Magnet Kefungsian: Pra Pemprosesan Ruang Menggunakan Kaedah Pemetaan Statistik Berparameter

Baseline functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study has been carried out on 2 healthy male subjects (left and right handed), aged 22 and 25 years old, respectively. The fMRI scans were Performed using a 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system at the Department of Radiology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital. The study used the movement of the right- and left-hand fingers to stimulate neuronal activity in the cerebral cortices. A five-cycle active-rest paradigm was used with each cycle consisted of 1 active block and 1 rest block which individually consisted of 10 series of measurements. The fMRI images were analysed using MatLab and statistical parametric mapping 2 (SPM2) software packages. A rigid body registration using 6-parameter affine transformation was performed on all T2*-weighted functional images. The results showed that the subject's movement was minimum in either translational (< 1 mm) or rotational (< 1 o ) direction. All images were normalized via a nonlinear warping using a 12-parameter affine transformation and were found to match a template that already conform to a standard anatomical space. However, the shape, resolution and contrast of the functional images were slightly altered as compared to the originals. Image smoothing using an isotropic 6 mm Gaussian kernel rendered the image data parametric with a considerable loss in resolution and contrast. Structural segmentation performed on T1-weighted images classified brain tissues into grey matter, white matter and cerebrospinal fluid. The spatial preprocessing of the functional and structural images rendered the data parametric with Gaussian type of distribution, ready to be analysed using the general linear model and Gaussian random field theory.
Systematics of the Common Garter Snake, Thamnophis Sirtalis.

Character variation was examined in the snake Thamnophis sirta lis. Initially, 187 characters were examined on five populations (OTUs). Only 12% of the characters failed to show geographic variation by ANOVA. A reduced data set o f 72 characters remained after eliminating those that were invariant and correlated. The reduced data set was analyzed for interpopulation variation between 37 OTUs of T. sirtalis. Numbers of significantly differentiated characters between OTUs, determined by ANOVA, were used to generate a UPGMA tree. The tree placed Texas and Chihuahuan populations as sister groups to a ll other OTUs, and grouped OTUs from west of the Continental Divide, southeastern Coastal Plain, Maritim e Provinces, and central Great Plains. A M ANOVA produced four components that explained 47% of the model variance. The second component was the best resolved, and separated most of the OTUs by a line running from Ontario to the southwestern Great Plains. A cladistic (parsimony) analysis was performed after ordering all characters and coding them from 0-4. Two most parsimonious trees were generated (C .I.= 02.07), using Thamnophis degans and T. eques as outgroups. The Texas panhandle OTU was the sister taxon to all other OTUs, and the division discerned by the second component was also resolved by the parsimony analysis. Association of OTUs w ith classic subspecies o f T. sirtalis was not supported. Natural history parameters were correlated with the eastern and western clades. Snakes in the eastern clade fed primarily on earthworms, while western snakes fed prim arily on amphibians; used crypsis vs. flight as a means of capture avoidance; produced large litters of small neonates vs. smaller litters of large neonates. A hypothetical scenario for the history of T. sirta lis suggests the following: 1) T. sirta lis originated in Texas or Mexico; 2) populations reaching the Great Plains evolved red lateral markings, possibly for predator avoidance; 3) populations in forests retained a plesiomorphic color pattern until they invaded woodlands of the southeastern Coastal Plain, where a spotted morph evolved; 4) snakes west of the Continental Divide resulted from a single invasion.
Morphological and Patogenic Characterization of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

White mold is a disease with a wide distribution worldwide. Temperatures between 18-23 °C and high humidity conditions favor the occurrence of the pathogen. For the control of the disease it is fundamental to understand the morphology and pathogenicity of the fungus. The objective of this study was to characterize the morphological and pathogenic characteristics of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolates from the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Sclerodes were disinfested, placed in the center of plates containing culture medium and incubated under controlled conditions. The evaluations were performed daily, during a period of 30 days, from the incubation of sclerotia. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four plaques per isolate, each plate one replicate. The characteristics evaluated for the mycelium characterization were: time required for the fungus to occupy the plate; density of the formed mycelium; coloration of the colonies and mycelial growth rate. Scleroderma assessments were based on training or not; time for formation of the first sclerodium; total amount formed per plate; Format; distribution in the colony and weight. The isolates were pathogenically characterized by the methodology of inoculation of the detached leaf. All data were submitted to analysis of variance and the means were compared by the Skott-Knott test, at 1% probability. The evaluated populations presented wide variability for the studied characteristics. It was not possible to verify the existence of common groups that could be related to the origin of the isolates, due to the high genetic diversity. The isolates showed different levels of aggressiveness, the two being more aggressive LF02 and LF06.
Sensory characteristics of Maillard reaction products from chicken protein hydrolysates with different degrees of hydrolysis

ABSTRACT The sensory characteristics of Maillard reaction products from chicken protein hydrolysates (MRP-CPHs) at different degrees of hydrolysis (DH) were evaluated using descriptive sensory analysis. Five characteristics (boiled chicken flavor, umami, mouthfulness, continuity and overall acceptance) of the MRP-CPHs were evaluated. In addition, the changes in free amino acid contents and molecular weight distribution of chicken protein hydrolysates (CPHs) were also determined. The results showed that the sensory attributes were affected by DH of the CPHs, there was a distinct difference among the MRP-CPHs of almost all sensory attributes. The Maillard reaction product with a hydrolysis time of 3 h showed the strongest in the mouthfulness, boiled chicken flavor, and overall acceptance. These results indicated that the CPHs with a DH range from 15.80% to 18.64% (hydrolysis time range from 3 to 6 h) might be a desirable precursor for the production of chicken flavor in the food industry.
Combined effects of water status and iron deficiency chlorosis on grape composition in non-irrigated vineyards

: Although water deficit and iron deficiency chlorosis are common environmental stresses in the Mediterranean area, few data are reported in the literature on their effects on vineyards, when acting simultaneously. The main objective of this research was to study the combined effects of iron deficiency and water status on vigor, yield and fruit composition in rainfed vineyards. Moreover, the investigation aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using foliar chlorophyll content (Chl) and predawn leaf water potential (LWP), measured at veraison, to assess potential quality of grapes in the framework of precision viticulture. For this, 24 non-irrigated ‘Tempranillo’ vineyard subzones were monitored in Ribera del Duero (North-Central Spain) during three consecutive seasons (2011-2013). The analysis of variance and principal component analysis showed that malic acid concentrations of the must were impacted only by Chl, whereas total soluble solids and total acidity were mainly modified by LWP. Both water and iron status reduced yield and berry weight and had additive effects on extractable anthocyanin content in grapes, total polyphenol index and color density of the must. In all seasons, the ratio Chl/LWP had a better predicting value for quality parameters of these grapes than leaf area index, Chl or LWP individually. The present work demonstrates the potential interest of physiological indexes combining water status and foliar chlorosis as indicators of grape phenolic potential in rainfed vineyards affected by iron deficiency.
Effect of 2,4-D on Ametryne Toxicity

Nontoxic concentrations of 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] increased the toxicity of ametryne [2-(ethylamino)-4-(isopropylamino)-6-(methylthio)-s-triazine], when applied to the roots of waterhyacinth [Eichornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms], when applied to the roots or foliage of corn (Zea mays L.), and to a lesser extent, when applied to the roots of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ]. Nontoxic concentrations of 2,4-D frequently also increased the absorption of ametryne, water, and radioactive calcium by all three species. Mixtures containing toxic concentrations of 2,4-D with ametryne were not synergistic and sometimes the mixtures were less toxic than ametryne alone. Toxic concentrations of 2,4-D also decreased plant dry weight and the absorption of ametryne, water, and calcium. Low concentrations of ametryne increased the absorption of water and sometimes calcium while high concentrations decreased dry weight and the absorption of water and calcium.
Characterization of nitrogen metabolism and photosynthesis in a stay-green rice cultivar

A field experiment was carried out in the years 2008–2011 in China to assess the nitrogen metabolism enzyme activities and photosynthetic characteristics in stable-yielding stay-green rice (Oryza sativa L.) cv. Shennong196. The results showed that higher levels of nitrogen content, nitrate reductase activity, and glutamine synthetase activity occurred in leaves of cv. Shennong196 compared with cv. Toyonishiki (control). Leaf color of cv. Shennong196 was positively correlated with nitrogen levels and nitrogen metabolism enzyme activities (P < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde contents were 18.53 unit/g fresh weight and 3.32 nmol/g, respectively, which were lower in flag leaves of cv. Shennong196 than cv. Toyonishiki. Cv. Shennong196 had a higher level of net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, and transpiration rate in flag leaves of diurnal variation of photosynthesis at the ripening stage. The high net photosynthetic rate in cv. Shennong196 was positively correlated with the stomatal density of flag leaves (P < 0.01). Considering the yield-increasing potential and to prevent premature senescence of crop, these traits of cv. Shennong196 are useful for improved rice cultivar.
MicroRNAs: Micromanagers for the pathology of age related macular degeneration

Inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis and neovascularization are risky parameters which influence different phases in the pathogenesis of age related macular degeneration (AMD). Beside other mediators, this multitiered and complex event of retinal worsening has been exposed to be orchestrated by small non coding RNA fragments that bind to specific mRNAs and modulate their post transcriptional regulation and gene expression in retina. Several microRNAs (miRNAs) have been revealed which are expressed in retina and influence its functionality. These miRNA fragments play significant role in the development and maintenance of photoreceptors hence, dysregulation of them may augment severe retinal etiopathology. This comprehensive review summarizes the role and relevance of several known miRNAs along with their potential utilities as therapeutic targets in AMD pathogenesis.