Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feasibility study of zoledronic acid plus cisplatin-docetaxel as first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer with bone metastases.

BACKGROUND This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of combined zoledronic acid, cisplatin and docetaxel in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with bone metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS Cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) and docetaxel 60 mg/m(2) with zoledronic acid 4 mg were given intravenously on day 1 every 3-4 weeks. The primary endpoint was feasibility of concomitant administration of zoledronic acid and cisplatin. RESULTS Thirty-five chemonaïve patients were enrolled. The median number of treatment cycles was four, and two or more cycles were administered in 29 (83%) patients without severe toxicity. No grade 3 or 4 renal toxicity was observed. The objective response rate was 29% and the 1-year survival rate was 37%. The pain score improved in 77% of the patients after six weeks. CONCLUSION The combination of zoledronic acid, cisplatin and docetaxel is well-tolerated with acceptable renal toxicity, and has modest activity as a first-line treatment of NSCLC patients with bone metastases.
Patient-oriented randomisation: A new trial design applied in the Neuroleptic Strategy Study

Background: The ‘gold standard’ for clinical studies is a randomised controlled trial usually comparing specific treatments. If the scientific study expands to strategy comparison with each strategy including various treatments, the research problems are increasingly complicated. The strategy debate in the psychiatric community is the starting point for the development of our new design. It is widely accepted that second-generation antipsychotics are the therapy of choice in the treatment of schizophrenia. However, their general superiority over first-generation antipsychotics could not be demonstrated in recent randomised controlled trials. Furthermore, we are becoming increasingly aware that the experimental conditions of randomised controlled trials, as in the European First Episode Schizophrenia Trial and Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness Phase 1 studies, may be inappropriate for psychiatric treatments. The high heterogeneity in the patient population produces discrepancies between daily clinical perception and randomised controlled trials results. The patient-oriented approach in the Cost Utility of the Latest Antipsychotic drugs in Schizophrenia Study reflects everyday clinical practice. The results, however, are highly dependent on the physicians’ preferences. The goal of the design described here is to take an intermediate path between randomised controlled trials and clinical studies such as Cost Utility of the Latest Antipsychotic Drugs in Schizophrenia Study, combining the advantages of both study types. Methods: The idea is to randomise two treatment pairs each consisting of one first-generation antipsychotic and one second-generation antipsychotic in a first step and subsequently, to involve the investigators in deciding for a pair most appropriate to the patients’ needs and then to randomise the allocation to one drug (first-generation antipsychotic or second-generation antipsychotic) of that chosen pair. This idea was first implemented in the clinical trial, the Neuroleptic Strategy Study, with a randomised design comparing efficacy and safety of two different strategies: either to use first-generation antipsychotics (haloperidol and flupentixol) or second-generation antipsychotics (olanzapine, aripiprazole and quetiapine) in patients suffering from schizophrenia. Results: In the course of the Neuroleptic Strategy Study, feasibility of this design was demonstrated. All aspects of the new design were implemented: randomisation process, documentation of responses from investigators as well as patients and drug logistic experience. In implementing the design, furthermore, we could investigate its theoretical properties. The physicians’ preferences for specific drugs used for the respective patients were analysed. Conclusion: The idea of patient-oriented randomisation can be generalised. In light of the heterogeneity and complexity of patient–drug interaction, this design should prove particularly useful.
A simple parameterization of the L-band microwave emission from rough agricultural soils

A simple model for simulating the L-band microwave emission from bare soils is developed. The model is calibrated on a large set of measurements obtained during a three-month period over seven plots covering a wide range of surface roughness (representing the total range which can be expected on agricultural fields), soil moisture, and temperature conditions. The approach is based on the parameterization of an effective roughness parameter as a function of surface characteristics: surface roughness (standard deviation of height and correlation length) and the surface soil moisture. The parameterizations that are developed are independent of incidence angle and polarization and are valid over a large range in surface roughness conditions, representative of most of typical agricultural bare fields, from very smooth (rolled field after sowing) to very rough surfaces (deeply plowed soil). This approach will enable the use of microwave radiometric observations for soil moisture retrieval over agricultural areas.
Research on Price Fluctuation in the International Grain Market of Fish Feedstuff and Local Price of Milkfish in Ta iwan

The purpose of this research is to explore the infl uence of price fluctuation in the international gra in market on fish feedstuff and on the local price of milkfis h by constructing the DCC-GARCH model through an em pirical research method based on setting the price of soybe an flour and the local price of milkfish as the mai n variants. As shown in the statistical result, it is found that tprice fluctuation in the international grain mar ket exerts a positive direct and indirect passing effect on the raw material price of feedstuff and the local price of milkfish, while a bi-directional passing effect occurs betwee n the price of milkfish and the price of soybean fl our. As for the price fluctuation, there is both a short- and long- term impact between the price of milkfish and soybe an flour. Their earlier price will result in a marked influen ce on their current price in which a bi-directional passing effect will take place as well.
Research and Implementation of an Anomaly Detection Model Based on Clustering Analysis

IDS (Intrusion Detection system) is an active and driving defense technology. This paper mainly focuses on intrusion detection based on data mining. The aim is to improve the detection rate and decrease the false alarm rate, and the main research method is clustering analysis. The algorithm and model of ID are proposed and corresponding simulation experiments are presented. Firstly, a method to reduce the noise and isolated points on the data set was advanced. By dividing and merging clusters and using the density radius of super sphere, an algorithm to calculate the number of the Cluster Centroid was given. By the more accurate method of finding k clustering center, an anomaly detection model was presented to get better detection effect. This paper used KDD CUP 1999 data set to test the performance of the model. The results show the system has a higher detection rate and a lower false alarm rate, it achieves expectant aim.
Twisted K-theory of Lie groups

I determine the twisted K-theory of all compact simply connected simple Lie groups. The computation reduces via the Freed-Hopkins-Teleman theorem [1] to the CFT prescription, and thus explains why it gives the correct result. Finally I analyze the exceptions noted by Bouwknegt et al. [2].
Preprocessing of Intractable Problems

Some computationally hard problems, e.g., deduction in logical knowledge bases- are such that part of an instance is known well before the rest of it, and remains the same for several subsequent instances of the problem. In these cases, it is useful to preprocess off-line this known part so as to simplify the remaining on-line problem. In this paper we investigate such a technique in the context of intractable, i.e., NP-hard, problems. Recent results in the literature show that not all NP-hard problems behave in the same way: for some of them preprocessing yields polynomial-time on-line simplified problems (we call them compilable), while for other ones their compilability implies some consequences that are considered unlikely. Our primary goal is to provide a sound methodology that can be used to either prove or disprove that a problem is compilable. To this end, we define new models of computation, complexity classes, and reductions. We find complete problems for such classes, "completeness" meaning they are "the less likely to be compilable. " We also investigate preprocessing that does not yield polynomial-time on-line algorithms, but generically "decreases" complexity. This leads us to define "hierarchies of compilability," that are the analog of the polynomial hierarchy. A detailed comparison of our framework to the idea of "parameterized tractability" shows the differences between the two approaches.
Discovering general partial orders in event streams

Frequent episode discovery is a popular framework for pattern discovery in event streams. An episode is a partially ordered set of nodes with each node associated with an event type. Efficient (and separate) algorithms exist for episode discovery when the associated partial order is total (serial episode) and trivial (parallel episode). In this paper, we propose efficient algorithms for discovering frequent episodes with general partial orders. These algorithms can be easily specialized to discover serial or parallel episodes. Also, the algorithms are flexible enough to be specialized for mining in the space of certain interesting subclasses of partial orders. We point out that there is an inherent combinatorial explosion in frequent partial order mining and most importantly, frequency alone is not a sufficient measure of interestingness. We propose a new interestingness measure for general partial order episodes and a discovery method based on this measure, for filtering out uninteresting partial orders. Simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithms.
Core human mitochondrial transcription apparatus is a regulated two-component system in vitro

The core human mitochondrial transcription apparatus is currently regarded as an obligate three-component system comprising the bacteriophage T7-related mitochondrial RNA polymerase, the rRNA methyltransferase-related transcription factor, h-mtTFB2, and the high mobility group box transcription/DNA-packaging factor, h-mtTFA/TFAM. Using a faithful recombinant human mitochondrial transcription system from Escherichia coli, we demonstrate that specific initiation from the mtDNA promoters, LSP and HSP1, only requires mitochondrial RNA polymerase and h-mtTFB2 in vitro. When h-mtTFA is added to these basal components, LSP exhibits a much lower threshold for activation and a larger amplitude response than HSP1. In addition, when LSP and HSP1 are together on the same transcription template, h-mtTFA-independent transcription from HSP1 and h-mtTFA-dependent transcription from both promoters is enhanced and a higher concentration of h-mtTFA is required to stimulate HSP1. Promoter competition experiments revealed that, in addition to LSP competing transcription components away from HSP1, additional cis-acting signals are involved in these aspects of promoter regulation. Based on these results, we speculate that the human mitochondrial transcription system may have evolved to differentially regulate transcription initiation and transcription-primed mtDNA replication in response to the amount of h-mtTFA associated with nucleoids, which could begin to explain the heterogeneity of nucleoid structure and activity in vivo. Furthermore, this study sheds new light on the evolution of mitochondrial transcription components by showing that the human system is a regulated two-component system in vitro, and thus more akin to that of budding yeast than thought previously.
Atrazine levels in the Jaboticabal water stream (São Paulo State, Brazil) and its toxicological effects on the pacu fish Piaractus mesopotamicus / Razine atrazina u vodotoku Jaboticabal (São Paulo, Brazil) i njihovi toksikološki učinci na ribu Piaractus mesopotamicus

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the environmental concentration of atrazine (ATZ) in five streams located in the north of São Paulo state (Brazil) and evaluate its toxicological impact on young specimens of the pacu fish Piaractus mesopotamicus. Samples of water were collected on three occasions between 2010 and 2011, corresponding to periods signifying the beginning, middle, and end of rain season. ATZ levels were estimated by a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) triple quadrupole. Later, the quotient of environmental risk (QR) was determined based on the medium lethal concentration (LC50 48 h), non-observable effect concentration (NOEC), and the estimated environmental concentration (EEC) of ATZ detected in the environment. Histological changes in gills and liver were also studied, along with the brain activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The highest concentration of ATZ measured was 10.4 μg L-1. The ATZ LC50 (48 h) for young P. mesopotamicus was 24.46 mg L-1 and the QR was classified as “safe”. Although the QR indicated that ATZ could be safe for the tested species, it caused many histological alterations in the liver and gills of the exposed specimens, and an increase in the AChE levels. Predmet ovoga istraživanja bio je odrediti okolišne koncentracije atrazina u pet vodotoka na sjeveru brazilske savezne države São Paulo te ocijeniti njihove toksikološke učinke na ribu Piaractus mesopotamicus. Uzorci vode prikupljeni su u tri navrata između 2010. i 2011. godine, i to na početku, usred i pri kraju kišne sezone. Razine atrazina mjerene su trostrukim kvadrupolom s vezanim sustavom tekućinska kromatografija visoke djelotvornosti-spektrometrija mase (HPLCMS/ MS). Potom je izračunat kvocijent okolišnog rizika (QR) na temelju srednje smrtonosne koncentracije (LC50 48 h), maksimalne koncentracije bez učinka (NOEC) te procijenjene okolišne koncentracije (EEC) atrazina pronađenog u okolišu. Nadalje, istražene su histološke promjene u škrgama i jetri te izmjerena aktivnost enzima acetilkolinesteraze (AChE) u mozgu. Najviša izmjerena razina atrazina bila je 10.4 μg L-1. LC50 (48 h) atrazina za mlade jedinke P. mesopotamicus bio je 24.46 mg L-1, a QR je klasificiran kao „siguran“. Premda QR upućuje na to da bi se atrazin mogao okarakterizirati sigurnim za ispitanu vrstu, uzrokovao je ne samo brojne histološke promjene u jetri i škrgama izloženih jedinki, nego i porast razina AChE u mozgu.
Discovery of pattern meaning from delayed rewards by reinforcement learning with a recurrent neural network

In this paper, by the combination of reinforcement learning and a recurrent neural network, the authors try to provide an explanation for the question: why humans can discover the meaning of patterns and acquire appropriate behaviors based on it. Using a system with a real movable camera, it is demonstrated in a simple task in which the system discovers pattern meaning from delayed rewards by reinforcement learning with a recurrent neural network. When the system moves its camera to the direction of an arrow presented on a display, it can get a reward. One kind of arrow is chosen randomly among four kinds at each episode, and the input of the network is 1,560 visual signals from the camera. After learning, the system could move its camera to the arrow direction. It was found that some hidden neurons represented the arrow direction not depending on the presented arrow pattern and kept it after the arrow disappeared from the image, even though no arrow was seen when it was rewarded and no one told the system that the arrow direction is important to get the reward. Generalization to some new arrow patterns and associative memory function also can be seen to some extent.
Ceramics with Special Porous Structures Fabricated by Freeze‐Gelcasting: Using tert‐Butyl Alcohol as a Template

By a novel freeze-gelcasting technique, ceramic bodies with unidirectional ordered and gradient porous structures were fabricated, using tert-butyl alcohol (TBA)/acrylamide (AM)/alumina (Al2O3) slurries. TBA, which can freeze below 25 °C and volatilize rapidly above 30 °C, was used as a template for forming pores. The porous structures could be controlled by the temperature conditions, resulting in special unidirectional and gradient porous structures over a long range of several millimeters. At the same time, gelation of AM was successfully introduced in this process, and played an important role in strengthening the green bodies (with compression strength over 10 MPa). Sintered Al2O3 with a high porosity showed high compression mechanical properties, which contributed to the high density of ceramic walls. This technique combines the two processes of cold freezing and thermal gelation in one procedure, and is considered to be potentially useful in many applications.
Monitoring maternal, newborn, and child health interventions using lot quality assurance sampling in Sokoto State of northern Nigeria

Background Maternal mortality ratio and infant mortality rate are as high as 1,576 per 100,000 live births and 78 per 1,000 live births, respectively, in Nigeria's northwestern region, where Sokoto State is located. Using applicable monitoring indicators for tracking progress in the UN/WHO framework on continuum of maternal, newborn, and child health care, this study evaluated the progress of Sokoto toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5 by December 2015. The changes in outcomes in 2012–2013 associated with maternal and child health interventions were assessed. Design We used baseline and follow-up lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) data obtained in 2012 and 2013, respectively. In each of the surveys, data were obtained from 437 households sampled from 19 LQAS locations in each of the 23 local government areas (LGAs). The composite state-level coverage estimates of the respective indicators were aggregated from estimated LGA coverage estimates. Results None of the nine indicators associated with the continuum of maternal, neonatal, and child care satisfied the recommended 90% coverage target for achieving MDGs 4 and 5. Similarly, the average state coverage estimates were lower than national coverage estimates. Marginal improvements in coverage were obtained in the demand for family planning satisfied, antenatal care visits, postnatal care for mothers, and exclusive breast-feeding. Antibiotic treatment for acute pneumonia increased significantly by 12.8 percentage points. The majority of the LGAs were classifiable as low-performing, high-priority areas for intensified program intervention. Conclusions Despite the limited time left in the countdown to December 2015, Sokoto State, Nigeria, is not on track to achieving the MDG 90% coverage of indicators tied to the continuum of maternal and child care, to reduce maternal and childhood mortality by a third by 2015. Targeted health system investments at the primary care level remain a priority, for intensive program scale-up to accelerate impact.
The effect of parental history of myopia on children's eye size and growth: results of a longitudinal study.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of parental myopia on eye size and growth in Chinese children. METHODS A school-based, cross-sectional survey was performed in Chinese children 5 to 16 years of age. A longitudinal cohort study was conducted 1 year later. The effects of parental myopia, parental education level, and near work performed by the child on the refractive error and ocular biometry of the child were assessed. RESULTS There were 7560 children enrolled in the initial study (response rate: 76.3%). One year later, 4468 children (response rate: 75.9%) in the original cohort (with the exception of those who had completed primary schooling) were evaluated, to determine eye growth. Although children with a stronger parental history of myopia tended to be less hyperopic before the onset of myopia (spherical equivalent refraction [SER] = 0.43 D, 0.67 D, and 0.68 D in children with two, one, and no myopic parents respectively; P = 0.007), the axial lengths did not follow the same pattern (axial length [AL] = 23.11, 23.07, and 23.15 mm; P = 0.429). Eye growth and myopic shift in refraction occurred more rapidly among children with a stronger parental history of myopia (annual AL growth/myopia progression = 0.37 mm/-0.22 D, 0.26 mm/-0.07 D, and 0.20 mm/-0.02 D in children with two, one, and no myopic parents, respectively; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Ocular biometric data in Chinese children suggest that parental history of myopia influences the growth rate of the eye, rather than its size before the onset of myopia, as previously reported in Caucasian children. Further longitudinal studies involving children of different ethnicities are warranted.
From Sintered Iron to High Performance PM Steels

Since low alloyed sintered steels were introduced in the market of the structural parts, we have followed the evolution of a material with poor mechanical properties and any uniformity (in the sense of reproducibility) to materials that today are produced with high reliability and performance. The working efficiency could be equivalent in many cases with the best wrought steel, and maintaining a good margin in terms of cost and competitively. In this paper a complete review of the topic is accomplished, from the early times when the first parts were made by plain iron or iron-carbon, going through the different alloying systems: Fe-Cu, Fe-P, Fe-Cu-Ni-Mo, and more recently Fe-Cr-Mo and Fe-Mn. The development in processing routes has been considered too. The main milestones in the field of new alloying systems have been: 1) the introduction of Cu in 60-70’s, 2) the new complex systems with Cu-Ni-Mo in the 80’s and 3) the introduction of alloying elements with high oxygen affinity (in the late 90’s). Regarding the milestones in processing could be considered: 1) the development of new mixing procedures, 2) the warm compaction and high velocity compaction, 3) the improvements in sintering control and high temperature sintering. Several decades of research and innovation, acting on the processing system (mixing, pressing, sintering, post-sintering operations,…) and on the alloying system (from the earliest times with plain iron to complex systems used today), has allowed us to have a highly competitive materials, in terms of performance, and processes in terms of cost. The future is still open to new developments.