Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A risk‐based measure of time‐varying prognostic discrimination for survival models

Prognostic survival models are commonly evaluated in terms of both their calibration and their discrimination. Comparing observed and predicted survival curves can assess calibration, while discrimination is typically summarized through comparison of the properties of cases or subjects who experience an event, and the properties of controls represented by event‐free individuals. For binary data, discrimination is characterized either by using the relative ranks of cases and controls and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, or by summarizing the magnitude of risk placed on cases and controls through calculation of the discrimination slope (DS). In this article, we propose a risk‐based measure of time‐varying discrimination that generalizes the discrimination slope to allow use with incident events and hazard models. We refer to the new measure as the hazard discrimination summary (HDS) since it compares the relative risk among incident cases to their associated dynamic risk set controls. We introduce both a model‐based estimation procedure that adopts the Cox model, and an alternative approach that locally relaxes the proportional hazards assumption. We illustrate the proposed methods using both a benchmark survival data set, and an oncology study where primary interest is in the time‐varying performance of candidate biomarkers.
Novel capacitor voltage balancing algorithm for modular multilevel converter

In this paper is presented a novel capacitor voltage balancing algorithm for Modular Multilevel Converter. The problem in the Modular Multilevel Converter is that the DC-BUS voltage doesn't distribute equally between the capacitors producing voltages unbalances. These voltages unbalances are produced by multiple factors such asymmetries, modulation or by circulating current and influence the correctly operation of the power converter. If these voltages unbalances are not controlled, the DC-BUS voltage ripple increases. In addition, the converter may destabilize up to the point of failure so it should turn off.
A HD‐ZIP III gene, PtrHB4, is required for interfascicular cambium development in Populus

Summary Wood production is dependent on the activity of the vascular cambium, which develops from the fascicular and interfascicular cambia. However, little is known about the mechanisms controlling how the vascular cambium is developed in woody species. Here, we show that PtrHB4, belonging to the Populus HD‐ZIP III family, plays a critical role in the process of vascular cambium development. PtrHB4 was specifically expressed in shoot tip and stem vascular tissue at an early developmental stage. Repression of PtrHB4 caused defects in the development of the secondary vascular system due to failures in interfascicular cambium formation. By contrast, overexpression of PtrHB4 induced cambium activity and xylem differentiation during secondary vascular development. Transcriptional analysis of PtrHB4 repressed plants indicated that auxin response and cell proliferation were affected in the formation of the interfascicular cambium. Taken together, these results suggest that PtrHB4 is required for interfascicular cambium formation to develop the vascular cambium in woody species.
Microstructure, mechanical properties, and flame retardancy of nanoclay‐incorporated polyurethane flexible foam composites

The present work seeks to investigate microstructure, mechanical properties, and flame retardancy of polyurethane/nanoclay flexible foam composites. In this regard, we prepared various nanocomposites with and without nanoclay and observed the resulting morphologies to correlate them with the other corresponding characteristics. The results provided support for the fact that tensile strength and compression set will increase with nanoclay content, while elongation at break and tear strength decrease to some extent. Flame‐retardancy test results showed that the introduction of nanoclay into the polyurethane flexible foam causes an almost optimal trend in the flame retardancy over clay content. The microcellular‐properties correlations were established on account of changes in microcell architecture. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL. , 22:415–422, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Distributed Joint Attack Detection and Secure State Estimation

The joint task of detecting attacks and securely monitoring the state of a cyber-physical system is addressed over a cluster-based network wherein multiple fusion nodes collect data from sensors and cooperate in a neighborwise fashion in order to accomplish the task. The attack detection–state estimation problem is formulated in the context of random set theory by representing joint information on the attack presence/absence, on the system state, and on the attack signal in terms of a hybrid Bernoulli random set (HBRS) density. Then, combining previous results on HBRS recursive Bayesian filtering with novel results on Kullback–Leibler averaging of HBRSs, a novel distributed HBRS filter is developed and its effectiveness is tested on a case study concerning wide-area monitoring of a power network.
Temperature dependence of effective stress in severely deformed ultralow-carbon steel

Abstract The effects of severe plastic deformation on the thermal activation of dislocation gliding in ultralow-carbon steel at low temperatures were investigated. This was done by measuring the temperature dependences of the effective stress, activation volume and activation energy. It was found that the values of all these parameters were lower than those for coarse-grained specimens at low temperatures. In coarse-grained materials, the activation energy should increase with a decrease in the effective stress. This phenomenon, which seemed counterintuitive initially, could be physically interpreted on the basis of the fluctuation in the athermal stress.
Characteristic component profiling and identification of different Uncaria species based on high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection tandem ion trap and time of flight mass spectrometry coupled with rDNA ITS sequence.

Uncaria is a multi-source herb and its species identification has become a bottleneck in quality control. To study the identification method of different Uncaria species herbs through HPLC-MS coupled with rDNA Internal Transcribed Spacer (rDNA ITS) sequence, both plant morphological traits and molecular identification were used to determine the species of every collected Uncaria herb. The genetic analysis of different Uncaria species was performed using their rDNA ITS sequence as a molecular marker. Meanwhile, the phylogenetic relationships of 22 samples from six Uncaria species were divided and classified clearly. By optimizing the chromatographic conditions, a practical HPLC method to differentiate various varieties of Uncaria herbs was set up based on a set of characteristic components across each species. A high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector tandem ion trap and time of flight mass spectrometry technique combined with reference substances was utilized to derive 21 characteristic compounds containing six groups of six Uncaria species in China. Thus, this study provides a feasible method to solve the current problem of confusion in Uncaria species, and makes a significant step forward in the appropriate clinical use, in-depth research and further utilization of different Uncaria species.
Predictors of Deterioration in Sagittal Balance Following Long Fusion Arthrodesis to L5 in Patients with Adult Scoliosis

Background The aim of this study was to identify the predictors of deterioration in sagittal balance in patients with adult scoliosis following long fusion arthrodesis to L5. Material/Methods A retrospective clinical study included 63 patients with adult scoliosis who underwent long fusion arthrodesis to L5, between February 2005 and May 2015. Radiological imaging values included the angle of lumbar lordosis (LL), and the angle of pelvic incidence (PI). The patients were divided into two cohorts, according to the threshold of average loss of sagittal vertical axis (SVA): a cohort with stable sagittal balance (SSB) and a cohort with deteriorated sagittal balance (DSB). Multivariate logistic regression analysis and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to identify the predictors of clinical outcome. Results There were significant differences between the SSB and DSB cohorts in age (p<0.001), preoperative SVA (p<0.001), last follow-up SVA (p<0.001), preoperative LL (p=0.001), last follow-up LL (p<0.001), subsequent L5–S1 disc degeneration (p<0.001) and PI (p=0.028). Patient age >61.5 years (OR=1.251, 95% CI, 1.055–1.484) (P=0.010), preoperative SVA >3.54 cm (OR=1.844, 95% CI, 1.249–2.732) (P=0.002) and preoperative LL <19.0 degrees (OR=0.922, 95% CI, 0.869–0.979) (P=0.008) were identified as predictors of deterioration in sagittal balance. Conclusions Deterioration in sagittal balance following long fusion arthrodesis to L5 in patients with adult scoliosis was associated with subsequent L5–S1 disc degeneration and loss of LL, age >61.5 years, preoperative SVA >3.54 cm, and preoperative LL <19.0 degrees.
Engineering the Morphology of Carbon Materials: 2D Porous Carbon Nanosheets for High‐Performance Supercapacitors

Compared with traditional porous carbon materials, two-dimensional (2D) porous carbon materials with a high aspect ratio and a continuous hierarchical porous structure are promising candidates for the construction of supercapacitor electrode materials. Herein, well-defined, graphene-based conjugated microporous polymer sheets (G-CMPs) were prepared in a graphene-inspired synthetic strategy. Thereby, 4-iodophenyl-substituted graphene (RGO-I) templates not only effectively hinder the aggregation between the adjacent graphene layers but also provide an efficient template for the growth of porous CMPs onto the graphene surface. Moreover, our G-CMPs could be converted into 2D porous carbon nanosheets by pyrolysis. The synergism of high aspect ratio and high specific surface area, the presence of graphene-based conduction paths and hierarchical pore systems ensure a high ion-accessible surface area of the corresponding supercapacitor electrodes thus allowing accelerated electron and ion diffusion/transport and leading to high specific capacitance as well as good rate capability and cycling stability.
In vivo skin characterization by confocal Raman microspectroscopy

markdownabstract__Abstract__ Various areas of skin research depend on detailed knowledge of the molecular composition of skin and molecular structure of skin constituents. On a microscopic scale the skin is a highly heterogeneous tissue. Molecular composition and structure vary tremendously, depending on depth and location on the body, and may be affected by skin disorders and environmental factors such as sun exposure, seasonal variation, and cosmetic or medical treatments can influence the molecular properties of the skin. For many aspects of skin research or skin characterization, noninvasive methods are particularly welcome. This is partly because they cause less discomfort for the patient or volunteer, as the skin is not damaged, but more importantly because noninvasive methods enable investigation of the skin in its natural state, without affecting its integrity, morphology or molecular composition. Only noninvasive measurements can be performed repeatedly on the same skin area, and can thus be used to monitor skin changes. The aim of the work presented in this thesis was to develop confocal Raman microspectroscopy as a noninvasive technique for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the molecular composition of the human skin in vivo.
Accelerating Convolutional Neural Networks Using Low Precision Arithmetic

e recent trend in convolutional neural networks (CNN)[2] is to have deeper multilayered structures. While this improves the accuracy of the model, the amount of computation and the amount of data involved in learning and inference increases. In order to solve this problem, several techniques have been proposed to reduce the amount of data and the amount of computation by lowering the numerical precision of computation and data by utilizing the CNN’s resistance to noise. However, there is a lack of discussion on the relationship between parameter compression and speedup within each layer of the CNN. In this research, we propose a method to speed up the inference by using half precision oating point SIMD instructions, by applying low precision to the learned model, in addition to reducing the data of the CNN model, and speeding up data access for layers that are computation-bound. We examined the inuence of CNN recognition accuracy, the speedup for each layer, and its reason, when we apply our method.
CtBP impedes JNK- and Upd/STAT-driven cell fate misspecifications in regenerating Drosophila imaginal discs

Regeneration following tissue damage often necessitates a mechanism for cellular re-programming, so that surviving cells can give rise to all cell types originally found in the damaged tissue. This process, if unchecked, can also generate cell types that are inappropriate for a given location. We conducted a screen for genes that negatively regulate the frequency of notum-to-wing transformations following genetic ablation and regeneration of the wing pouch, from which we identified mutations in the transcriptional co-repressor C-terminal Binding Protein (CtBP). When CtBP function is reduced, ablation of the pouch can activate the JNK/AP-1 and JAK/STAT pathways in the notum to destabilize cell fates. Ectopic expression of Wingless and Dilp8 precede the formation of the ectopic pouch, which is subsequently generated by recruitment of both anterior and posterior cells near the compartment boundary. Thus, CtBP stabilizes cell fates following damage by opposing the destabilizing effects of the JNK/AP-1 and JAK/STAT pathways.
Black rice extract protected HepG2 cells from oxidative stress-induced cell death via ERK1/2 and Akt activation

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of black rice extract (BRE) on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-induced oxidative injury in HepG2 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS Methanolic extract from black rice was evaluated for the protective effect on TBHP-induced oxidative injury in HepG2 cells. Several biomarkers that modulate cell survival and death including reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspase-3 activity, and related cellular kinases were determined. RESULTS TBHP induced cell death and apoptosis by a rapid increase in ROS generation and caspase-3 activity. Moreover, TBHP-induced oxidative stress resulted in a transient ERK1/2 activation and a sustained increase of JNK1/2 activation. While, BRE pretreatment protects the cells against oxidative stress by reducing cell death, caspase-3 activity, and ROS generation and also by preventing ERKs deactivation and the prolonged JNKs activation. Moreover, pretreatment of BRE increased the activation of ERKs and Akt which are pro-survival signal proteins. However, this effect was blunted in the presence of ERKs and Akt inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that activation of ERKs and Akt pathway might be involved in the cytoprotective effect of BRE against oxidative stress. Our findings provide new insights into the cytoprotective effects and its possible mechanism of black rice against oxidative stress.
Alterations in Leg Extensor Muscle-Tendon Unit Biomechanical Properties With Ageing and Mechanical Loading

Tendons transfer forces produced by muscle to the skeletal system and can therefore have a large influence on movement effectiveness and safety. Tendons are mechanosensitive, meaning that they adapt their material, morphological and hence their mechanical properties in response to mechanical loading. Therefore, unloading due to immobilization or inactivity could lead to changes in tendon mechanical properties. Additionally, ageing may influence tendon biomechanical properties directly, as a result of biological changes in the tendon, and indirectly, due to reduced muscle strength and physical activity. This review aimed to examine age-related differences in human leg extensor (triceps surae and quadriceps femoris) muscle-tendon unit biomechanical properties. Additionally, this review aimed to assess if, and to what extent mechanical loading interventions could counteract these changes in older adults. There appear to be consistent reductions in human triceps surae and quadriceps femoris muscle strength, accompanied by similar reductions in tendon stiffness and elastic modulus with ageing, whereas the effect on tendon cross sectional area is unclear. Therefore, the observed age-related changes in tendon stiffness are predominantly due to changes in tendon material rather than size with age. However, human tendons appear to retain their mechanosensitivity with age, as intervention studies report alterations in tendon biomechanical properties in older adults of similar magnitudes to younger adults over 12–14 weeks of training. Interventions should implement tendon strains corresponding to high mechanical loads (i.e., 80–90% MVC) with repetitive loading for up to 3–4 months to successfully counteract age-related changes in leg extensor muscle-tendon unit biomechanical properties.
An Empirical Study on README contents for JavaScript Packages

Contemporary software projects often utilize a README.md to share crucial information such as installation and usage examples related to their software. Furthermore, these files serve as an important source of updated and useful documentation for developers and prospective users of the software. Nonetheless, both novice and seasoned developers are sometimes unsure of what is required for a good README file. To understand the contents of a README, we investigate the contents of 43,900 JavaScript packages. Results show that these packages contain common content themes (i.e., usage, install and license). Furthermore, we find that application-specific packages more frequently included content themes such as options, while library-based packages more frequently included other specific content themes (i.e., install and license).
Cancer Management and Research Dovepress the Impact of Mindfulness-based Interventions on Symptom Burden, Positive Psychological Outcomes, and Biomarkers in Cancer Patients

Research on the use of mindfulness-based stress reduction and related mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in cancer care has proliferated over the past decade. MBIs have aimed to facilitate physical and emotional adjustment to life with cancer through the cultivation and practice of mindfulness (ie, purposeful, nonjudgmental, moment-to-moment awareness). This descriptive review highlights three categories of outcomes that have been evaluated in MBI research with cancer patients – namely, symptom reduction, positive psychological growth, and biological outcomes. We also examine the clinical relevance of each targeted outcome, while describing recently published original studies to highlight novel applications of MBIs tailored to individuals with cancer. Accumulating evidence suggests that participation in a MBI contributes to reductions in psychological distress, sleep disturbance, and fatigue, and promotes personal growth in areas such as quality of life and spirituality. MBIs may also influence markers of immune function, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis regulation, and autonomic nervous system activity, though it remains unclear whether these biological changes translate to clinically important health benefits. We conclude by discussing methodological limitations of the extant literature, and implications of matching MBIs to the needs and preferences of cancer patients. Overall, the growing popularity of MBIs in cancer care must be balanced against scientific evidence for their impact on specific clinical outcomes.
Adolescent epigenetic profiles and environmental exposures from early life through peri-adolescence

Abstract Epigenetic perturbations induced by environmental exposures at susceptible lifestages contribute to disease development. Even so, the influence of early life and ongoing exposures on the adolescent epigenome is rarely examined. We examined the association of exposure biomarkers for lead (Pb), bisphenol A (BPA), and nine phthalates metabolites with blood leukocyte DNA methylation at LINE-1 repetitive elements and environmentally responsive genes ( IGF2 , H19 , and HSD11B2 ) in peri-adolescents. Participants ( n = 247) from the Early Life Exposures in Mexico to Environmental Toxicants (ELEMENT) birth cohorts were followed-up once between the ages of 8 and 14 years, and concurrent exposures were measured in biospecimen collected at that time (blood Pb, urinary BPA, and phthalate metabolites). Prenatal and childhood exposures to Pb were previously approximated using maternal and child samples. BPA and phthalate metabolites were measured in third trimester maternal urine samples. Significant associations ( P < 0.05) were observed between DNA methylation and exposure biomarkers that were gene and biomarker specific. For example, Pb was only associated with LINE-1 hypomethylation during pregnancy ( P = 0.04), while early childhood Pb was instead associated with H19 hypermethylation ( P = 0.04). Concurrent urinary mono (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) was associated with HSD11B2 hypermethylation ( P = 0.005). Sex-specific associations, particularly among males, were also observed. In addition to single exposure models, principal component analysis was employed to examine exposure mixtures. This method largely corroborated the findings of the single exposure models. This study along with others in the field suggests that environment-epigenetic relationships vary by chemical, exposure timing, and sex.
6D physical interaction with a fully actuated aerial robot

This paper presents the design, control, and experimental validation of a novel fully-actuated aerial robot for physically interactive tasks, named Tilt-Hex. We show how the Tilt-Hex, a tilted-propeller hexarotor is able to control the full pose (position and orientation independently) using a geometric control, and to exert a full-wrench (force and torque independently) with a rigidly attached end-effector using an admittance control paradigm. An outer loop control governs the desired admittance behavior and an inner loop based on geometric control ensures pose tracking. The interaction forces are estimated by a momentum based observer. Control and observation are made possible by a precise control and measurement of the speed of each propeller. An extensive experimental campaign shows that the Tilt-Hex is able to outperform the classical underactuated multi-rotors in terms of stability, accuracy and dexterity and represent one of the best choice at date for tasks requiring aerial physical interaction.
The Growth Hormone Receptor: Mechanism of Receptor Activation, Cell Signaling, and Physiological Aspects

The growth hormone receptor (GHR), although most well known for regulating growth, has many other important biological functions including regulating metabolism and controlling physiological processes related to the hepatobiliary, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, and reproductive systems. In addition, growth hormone signaling is an important regulator of aging and plays a significant role in cancer development. Growth hormone activates the Janus kinase (JAK)–signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway, and recent studies have provided a new understanding of the mechanism of JAK2 activation by growth hormone binding to its receptor. JAK2 activation is required for growth hormone-mediated activation of STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5, and the negative regulation of JAK–STAT signaling comprises an important step in the control of this signaling pathway. The GHR also activates the Src family kinase signaling pathway independent of JAK2. This review covers the molecular mechanisms of GHR activation and signal transduction as well as the physiological consequences of growth hormone signaling.