Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of pemetrexed-based continuous maintenance therapy on survival of locally advanced and metastatic lung adenocarcinoma.

Background Patients may receive delayed maintenance therapy (stopping interval over 21 days) due to multi factors in the real-life setting. This retrospective study aims to collect data of pemetrexed-based continuous maintenance therapy, evaluate the impact of prolonged interval periods on clinical outcomes. Methods A total of 168 previously untreated stage IIIB or IV lung adenocarcinoma patients received induction chemotherapy with pemetrexed-platinum (PP) with or without antiangiogenesis inhibitors (bevacizumab or rh-endostatin) every 3 weeks for 4-6 cycles. Among them, 112 patients who did not show progression after induction chemotherapy completion were enrolled. Results Seventy of the 112 patients received continuous maintenance therapy with pemetrexed with or without antiangiogenesis inhibitors until disease progression; 42 patients did not receive continuous maintenance therapy. Multivariate analysis revealed that only lack of maintenance therapy was independently associated with shorter progression-free survival (PFS) [HR, 4.516 (2.332-8.744), P<0.001]. Brain metastases [HR, 4.263 (1.499-12.127), P=0.007] and lack of maintenance therapy [HR, 4.304 (1.566-11.825), P=0.005] were independent adverse prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). In the maintenance group, most patients delayed continuous maintenance treatment and the median interval between each maintenance therapy cycle was 40 days (range, 21-77 days). The median number of maintenance therapy cycles was 4 (range, 1-26). The best objective response rate (ORR) was higher in the maintenance group than in the non-maintenance group (48.6% and 33.3%). During a median follow-up of 14.6 months, patients in the maintenance group achieved significantly longer PFS (11.5 vs. 6.8 months, P<0.001) and OS (40.1 vs. 18.0 months, P=0.001) compared with those in the non-maintenance group. Conclusions Extending maintenance intervals is feasible and continuous maintenance therapy could offer survival benefit in patients who did not show progression after first-line induction treatment for lung adenocarcinoma.
Effect of Secondary Air Inlet Ports Arrangement on N.G. Flame Combustion Characteristics

The aim of the present work is to investigate theoretically the secondary air ports arrangement on the NG flame combustion characteristics. The normal secondary air was introduced into the combustion chamber through its first half length. Nine different port arrangements are discussed. There are three levels (vertical heights) groups. They are four, eigh t and sixteen levels so that first level of each group starts at 100 mm that equals 10% of the combustor len gth. Each group level has four, eight and sixteen ports. Therefore the number of total ports per level is varied from 16 (four levels with fo ur ports) to 256 (16 levels with sixteen ports) ports. A theoretical model was used to study the different arrangements. The model consists of a vertical combustor with an air swirler, primary air line, and secondary air and fuel lines. The air swirler number and the primary air to fuel rat io are kept constant for all running conditions and they are 0.87 and 50, respec tively. A three dimensional model was used to simulate the turbulent reacting flow using computational fluid dynamics package (Fluent 6.3). For validation, the comparison between the measured and calculated axial temperature distribution was made and shows a good agreement. A remarkab le effect of using the secondary air on temperature maps was found. For any value of SPAR > 0.0, the flame became wider in diameter and longer in length. The flame length increased by about 58, 100 and 125 % when the SPAR increased from 0 to 90% for the ports arrangement of 4x4, 8x8 and 16x16 level groups, respectively.
Optimization of Angular Distortion on Weld Joints Using Taguchi Approach

Welding process is joining method which is extensively utilized in shipbuilding and automotive industry. Distortion is a classic problem encountered during the welding process which always occurs in welding processes. Distortion on weld joint involves many parameters that influence such as properties of materials and welding parameters. The objective of this work is to investigate effect of various processes of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) on angular distortion in low carbon steel weld joints. To obtain optimum parameters of angular distortion, the effect various welding parameter is analysed using Taguchi Method. In this work, the effect of groove type, welding current and root opening are investigated for determining angular distortion. Taguchi method with L9 orthogonal array is utilized to analysed contribution for each parameter. ANOVA results revealed that the welding current the significant contribution parameter, on the other hand root opening shows minimum contribution to determine angular distortion value. Optimum parameter is obtained with groove type, welding current and root opening is X, 75A and 3 mm, respectively. Welding current parameter is considered the most significant contribution to determine for angular distortion effect due to has the highest contribution (50.04 %) than the other parameters groove type and root opening, with contribution value 21.76 %, 2.38%, respectively. Moreover, hardness test result on weld joint shows that X type groove has maximum hardness number than the other groove type.
CLEP_A_207230 695..705

Trude Eid Robsahm 1 Steinar Tretli Peter Abusdal Torjesen Ronnie Babigumira Gary G Schwartz 1The Cancer Registry of Norway, Institute of Population-based Cancer Research, Oslo, Norway; 2The Hormone Laboratory, Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital Health Authority, Oslo, Norway; 3Department of Population Health, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, USA Purpose: Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels have been inversely associated with cancer death, but the nature of this relationship is unclear. We investigated this association using repeated measurements of serum 25-OHD. Patients and methods: Pre-diagnostic serum samples were collected in population health surveys in Norway (1973–2004). Participants who subsequently developed cancer (1984– 2004) provided a second serum sample at the time of cancer diagnosis. Samples were stored in the Janus Serum Bank. Repeated samples existed from 202 breast cancers, 193 lung cancers, 124 lymphomas, and 37 colon cancers. Serum 25-OHD was measured via competitive radioimmunoassay. Cox regression models assessed associations between 25-OHD and cancer-specific death (case fatality) through 2012, given as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The median time between pre-diagnostic and diagnostic samples was 14.4 years. The median 25-OHD levels were 63.3 and 62.5 nmol/L, respectively. During follow-up, 313 cancer deaths occurred. Compared to low pre-diagnostic 25-OHD levels (<46 nmol/L), higher levels (≥46 nmol/L) had significantly lower HRs (39–54%) of case fatality. This result was also seen for the diagnostic samples. Donors who had both samples at high (≥62 nmol/L) levels had 59% lower HR of case fatality, compared to those for whom both samples were at low levels (<46 nmol/L). Furthermore, versus a decline in serum 25-OHD (median −22.4 nmol/L) from pre-diagnostic to diagnostic samples, a rise (median 22.3 nmol/L) was associated with lower case fatality (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.43−0.75). Conclusion: Our findings suggest a causal relationship between vitamin D and cancer case fatality.
Myoelectrical manifestations of localized muscular fatigue in humans.

: Fatigue may be described as the decline in the ability of an individual to maintain a level of performance. However, the issue of fatigue in man is complex due to the various physiological and psychological phenomena which contribute to it. This article is limited to a discussion appertaining to that fatigue associated with changes in the physiological processes, and specifically that which is caused by sustained or repeated muscle contractions. It has long been known that during muscle contractions the frequency spectrum of the myoelectric signal undergoes a shift. Recently, several analyses and investigations have been reported on the applicability of this phenomenon for supplying objective or noninvasive measurements of localized muscle fatigue. The essence and results of pertinent publications are discussed with emphasis on the relationship between the spectral shift of the myoelectric signal, conduction velocity of muscle fibers, pH of the interstitial fluid and blood flow within a muscle.
moderate to severe decline of the hemoglobin levels associated with progression of chronic kidney disease ckd to end stage renal disease esrd

Objective: To analyze the association of hemoglobin levels with the progress of patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Methods: 1477 cases of patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) were included and collected baseline demographic characteristics, complications, laboratory data, event and time of development to ESRD. COX proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the association of hemoglobin levels with the progress of patients with CKD to ESRD. Results: The COX proportional hazards model showed that moderate and severe anemia were independent influence factors for progression to ESRD (P<0.05). The mild anemia was not significantly associated with progression to ESRD in patients with CKD. (P=0.752). Conclusion:Patients with moderate to severe anemia are influence factor of patients with CKD to progress to ESRD.
USE OF RICE BRAN OIL AS NATURAL ANTIOXIDANT IN WHITE SOFT CHEESE MANUFACTURINE

This study was carried out to determine the antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds of rice bran oil, also to evaluate the effect of added rice bran oil on the oxidative stability, microbial and sensory properties of soft cheese (Domiati). Rice bran oil was used in cheese manufacture at ratio of 0.1 and 0.2% (W/W) compared with cheese with 200 ppm of butylated hydroxyl anisol (BHA). Cheese treatments were stored at room temperature for four months and analyzed for chemical, microbiological, oxidative stability indices and sensory properties when fresh and then after 1, 2, 3 and 4 months of storage. Results showed that rice bran oil contains a high content of phenolic compounds and gave high antioxidant activity. Cheeses containing 0.2% of rice bran oil showed the highest oxidative stability (lowest in the peroxide, acid and Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values), recommended better sensory properties and the lowest microbial count than the other treatments. Generally, cheese samples containing natural antioxidant (rice bran oil) showed lower peroxide, acid and TBA values compared with cheese containing BHA and control cheese along the storage period. From the results of this research it could be seen that addition of rice bran oil at a rate of 0.2% in manufacture of white soft cheese as a natural antioxidant to improve the oxidative stability, bacteriological and sensory quality of the resultant cheese during storage.
Evaluation of stream sediment contamination by potentially toxic elements around mining and farming areas (SE Nigeria)

In this work, the concentrations of the potentially toxic elements in stream sediments in SE Nigeria were assessed for pollution monitoring in mining, quarrying, and farming areas. The levels of iron, molybdenum, vanadium, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, cobalt, manganese, chromium, barium, and beryllium were determined. The concentrations of the elements were in the order of Fe > Ba > Mn > Cr > Zn > Pb > Cu > Co > Ni > As > Mo. There were significant positive correlations at P EiR (Pb)> EiR (Cu) > EiR (Co) > EiR (Cr) > EiR (V) > EiR (Ni) > EiR (Zn). Ba, Pb, and As should be monitored further to determine their source and recommend possible remedial measures. The result of this work could be used to improve water management efficiency and serve as a benchmark of vulnerability assessment of the studied area. This could also be useful for future impact assessment and adequate planning of mining and farming areas. In addition, the result obtained could assist the scientists to make appropriate environmental management strategies to reduce the influence of metal contamination triggered from the mining sites and farming areas both in Nigeria and globally.
The Roles of E-Tailer Quality as Antecedent of E-Satisfaction and Its Impact on Customer Attitudinal Loyalty Creation

This paper aims at examining the effect of e-Tailer quality on customers’ e-satisfaction, which in turn impacts the creation of customers’ attitudinal loyalty. The study uses an empirical survey with the active participation of 283 respondents. Using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis, this study indicates that e-Tailer quality has a positive correlation and significant effect on the formation of customers’ e-satisfaction. Furthermore, e-satisfaction is positively correlated and has a substantial impact on the formation of attitude-based customer loyalty. Interestingly, e-Tailer quality does not have a fully significant effect on the formation of attitudinal loyalty. Only platform quality dimensions have a considerable impact on the formation of attitudinal loyalty. Third-party e-Marketplace companies are alleged to have a significant influence on the creation of consumer-based loyalty in the realm of C2C business in Indonesia.
THE PURDUE UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL STATEMENT OF THESIS APPROVAL

Ashok Bhatija, Khushal M.S., Purdue University, December 2019. Particles in a Linearly Stratified Fluid. Major Professors: Arezoo Ardekani, Matthieu Mercier. The settling of spherical and cylindrical particles in a linearly stratified fluid is investigated using experiments. The double-tank method is used to generate a linear stratification with a red colored dye homogeneously mixed in the heavy water tank. As a result of feeding the stratification using dyed heavy water, the concentration of dye varies with depth in the experiment tank. A powerful back-light and a digital camera are used to record the events. Assuming the concentration of dye is directly proportional to density of fluid, Beer-Lambert’s law is used to generate a calibration between intensity of the light measured by the camera and density of the fluid. Using this calibration, density is evaluated in all the images captured. In the parameter space of this study, the spheres have three different wake patterns. The area of fluid disturbed by a suspension of spheres increases with Re and Fr. As a result, the amount of energy available for the mixing and the irreversible change of total potential energy in the system increases with Re, Fr and number of particles. Cylinders drag volumes of light fluid to larger depths in their wake than spheres and shed the light fluid in the form of vortices. This results in lower volumes of fluid perturbed by the cylinders. However, as the light fluid is dragged to larger depths, the amount of energy generated for mixing and the change in total potential energy of the system is higher. Spheres are thus more efficient in disturbing volumes of fluid but cylinders are more efficient in causing irreversible changes to the state of the system.
Estimating Atterberg Limits of Fine‐Grained Soils by Visible–Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy

Core Ideas Two methods each to measure each Atterberg limit (SL, PL, and LL) were evaluated. A Vis‐NIRS technique successfully estimated Atterberg limits for fine‐grained soils. The Atterberg limits correlated with typical clay signatures in the Vis‐NIR spectrum Vis‐NIRS model performance was independent of the method used to generate the reference data.
Functional Approximations of Impulse Responses: New Insights into the Asymmetric Effects of Monetary Policy∗

Is expansionary monetary policy akin to pushing on a string? To study the asymmetric effects of monetary shocks, this paper develops a new, simple approach that consists in approximating impulse responses with basis functions in order to directly estimate the impulse responses from the data. Regardless of whether we identify monetary shocks from (i) a timing restriction, (ii) sign restrictions, or (iii) a narrative approach, the effects of monetary policy are highly asymmetric: A contractionary shock has a strong adverse effect on unemployment, but an expansionary shock has little effect. JEL classifications: C14, C32, C51, E32, E52 ∗First draft: March 2014. We would like to thank Luca Benati, Francesco Bianchi, Christian Brownlees, Fabio Canova, Tim Cogley, Davide Debortoli, Wouter den Haan, Jordi Gali, Yuriy Gorodnichenko, Eleonora Granziera, Oscar Jorda, Thomas Lubik, Jim Nason, Kris Nimark, Mikkel Plagborg-Moller, Giorgio Primiceri, Ricardo Reis, Jean-Paul Renne, Barbara Rossi, Mark Watson, Yanos Zylberberg and seminar participants at the Barcelona GSE Summer Forum 2014, the 2014 NBER/Chicago Fed DSGE Workshop, William and Mary college, EUI Workshop on Time-Varying Coefficient Models, Oxford, Bank of England, NYU Alumni Conference, SED Annual Meeting (Warsaw), Universitaet Bern, Econometric Society World Congress (Montreal), the Federal Reserve Board, the 2015 SciencesPo conference on Empirical Monetary Economics and the San Francisco Fed for helpful comments. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond or San Francisco or of the Federal Reserve System. Any errors are our own.
Industrie 4 . 0 in a Global Context Strategies for Cooperating with International Partners

The transformation of the economy being brought about by Industrie 4.0 means that, in the future, business processes such as supply, manufacturing, maintenance, delivery and customer service will all be connected via the Internet. The resulting highly flexible value networks will require new forms of cooperation between companies, both nationally and globally. There is still considerable uncertainty regarding the areas in which German businesses should engage in this kind of cooperation – despite the potential synergies and competitive advantages there is also concern about the possible loss of know-how and value-added. This study analyses the opportunities and challenges of international cooperation in the field of Industrie 4.0. It is based on more than 150 interviews and discussions with experts from Germany, China, Japan, South Korea, the UK and the US. The latter five countries are set to become important future suppliers of Industrie 4.0 solutions and are therefore potentially attractive cooperation partners for Germany.
Robust Person Re-Identification by Modelling Feature Uncertainty

We aim to learn deep person re-identification (ReID) models that are robust against noisy training data. Two types of noise are prevalent in practice: (1) label noise caused by human annotator errors and (2) data outliers caused by person detector errors or occlusion. Both types of noise pose serious problems for training ReID models, yet have been largely ignored so far. In this paper, we propose a novel deep network termed DistributionNet for robust ReID. Instead of representing each person image as a feature vector, DistributionNet models it as a Gaussian distribution with its variance representing the uncertainty of the extracted features. A carefully designed loss is formulated in DistributionNet to unevenly allocate uncertainty across training samples. Consequently, noisy samples are assigned large variance/uncertainty, which effectively alleviates their negative impacts on model fitting. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our model is more effective than alternative noise-robust deep models. The source code is available at: https://github.com/TianyuanYu/DistributionNet
A Successive Difference Feature for Detecting Emotional Valence from Speech

Many features have been proposed for detecting emotions from speech. Their detection performance is inﬂuenced by the change in contextual parameters such as background noise, speaker variability, expressions, demographics and so on. In this paper, we use a recent, time-domain feature extraction technique for detecting emotional-valence. We report the performance of the time-domain features on data in three different contexts: the Fearless-Steps challenge data for Sentiment Detection with spontaneous emotions, an Indian-demography corpus with induced emotions, and the Berlin database of acted emotions (EmoDB). Data is pre-processed according to the environment they are captured in, but the feature extraction that follows is identical. With these features, a RandomForest Clas-siﬁer yields an accuracy of 71% on the development set of the challenge data, and 74% on the evaluation set, a signiﬁcant improvement on the published baseline result of 49%. The same features provide an accuracy of 75% on the Indian-demography corpus and 100% accuracy in classifying happy, sad and neutral emotions from EmoDB, again with RandomForest Classiﬁer. These results are better than those obtained with other prevalent techniques such as Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) with spectrograms, and the RandomForest classiﬁer with the widely accepted features, OpenSMILE and Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefﬁcients (MFCCs).
Variation in performance and genetics of Dutch western flower thrips populations

Invasion of pests may lead to rapid local adaptation and the development of biotypes specialized to different hosts. In this study we investigated western flower thrips (WFT) Frankliniella occidentalis, an invasive pest in Europe. Variation in performance and genetics of thrips from different commercially grown glass house crops within the Dutch Westland and a lab culture kept on chrysanthemum were compared. Genetic barcoding was applied for identification of potential WFT cryptic species in the Netherlands and revealed that all WFT populations belonged to the “glasshouse” strain reported from California. Our study did not indicate the existence of different WFT cryptic species in the Netherlands. Feeding and reproduction parameters in leaf disc and whole plant bioassays were scored. We detected significant differences in thrips feeding and reproduction among host-plants and thrips populations. Host plants differed in average thrips feeding while different thrips populations had similar feeding patterns across host plants. In contrast, the pattern of reproductive success across plant species depended strongly on the origin of the thrips population. The thrips lab culture on chrysanthemum obtained the highest levels of reproduction on the host on which this lab culture was maintained. Differences among the other thrips populations were relatively small. AFLPs were used to study genetic differences between WFT populations. AFLP analyses confirmed that the lab population was also genetically the most different from the other populations. Together the AFLP analyses and the interaction between host-plant and thrips origin in thrips reproduction demonstrate the evolution of a lab biotype specialized to a particular host. This finding has potential relevance for future crop control and breeding programs.