Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical efficacy, radiographic progression, and safety through 156 weeks of therapy with subcutaneous golimumab in combination with methotrexate in Japanese patients with active rheumatoid arthritis despite prior methotrexate therapy: final results of the randomized GO-FORTH trial

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of golimumab + methotrexate (MTX) in Japanese patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Japanese patients with active RA despite MTX were randomized to placebo + MTX (Group 1, n = 88), golimumab 50 mg + MTX (Group 2, n = 86), or golimumab 100 mg + MTX (Group 3, n = 87). Patients with <20% improvement in swollen/tender joint counts entered early escape at week 16. At week 24, all remaining placebo patients crossed over to golimumab 50 mg. Efficacy assessments included ACR20, DAS28-ESR, and HAQ-DI. Radiographic progression was assessed with the van der Heijde-modified Sharp (vdH-S) score. Results: ACR20 response rates in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 were 67.9, 86.1, and 82.4%, respectively, at week 52 and were maintained through week 104 (87.1, 94.0, and 88.7%) and week 156 (97.1, 94.1, and 89.5%). Proportions of patients with good/moderate DAS28-ESR response or clinically meaningful improvement in HAQ-DI were also maintained through week 156. The majority of patients did not experience radiographic progression through week 156. Among 257 golimumab-treated patients, 251 (97.7%) had ≥1 AE; 54 (21.0%) had ≥1 serious AE through week 156. Infections were the most common type of AE. Conclusions: Response to golimumab + MTX was maintained over 3 years in Japanese patients with active RA despite MTX. Safety results were consistent with the known safety profile of golimumab.
The nature of the prompt X-ray and radio emission from SN2002ap

We report on the combined X-ray and radio observations of the type Ic SN 2002ap, using XMM-Newton ToO observation of M74 and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). We account for the presence of a nearby source in the pre-supernova Chandra field of view in our measurements of the X-ray flux (0.3 - 10 KeV) 5.2 days after the explosion. The X-ray spectrum is well fitted by a power law spectrum with photon index $\alpha= 2.6$. Our results suggest that the prompt X-ray emission originates from inverse Compton scattering of photospheric thermal emission by energetic electrons. Radio observations with the GMRT at 610 MHz (8 days after the explosion) and 1420 MHz (70 days after the explosion) are combined with the high frequency VLA observations of SN 2002ap reported earlier, and the early radiospheric properties of SN 2002ap are compared with similar data from two other supernovae. Finally, the GMRT radio map reveals four other X-ray sources in the field of view of M74 with radio counterparts.
Towards Ex Ante Prediction of User Performance: A Novel NeuroIS Methodology Based on Real-Time Measurement of Mental Effort

We propose a methodology of an ex ante prediction of users' performance based on analyzing the pupillary diameter variability captured by ordinary eye-tracking systems. Based on a realistic large-scale experimental evaluation of our methodology we show promising results that pave the way for a dynamic real-time adaption of IT to the user's mental effort and the expected user performance. Our non-invasive contact-free methodology can be applied cost-efficiently both in research and practical environments, without disturbing the participant/user.
Artificial bandwidth extension of speech signals using MMSE estimation based on a hidden Markov model

We present an algorithm to derive 7 kHz wideband speech from narrowband "telephone speech". A statistical approach is used that is based on a hidden Markov model (HMM) of the speech production process. A new method for the estimation of the wideband spectral envelope is proposed, using nonlinear state-specific techniques to minimize a mean square error criterion. In contrast to common memoryless estimation methods, additional information from adjacent signal frames can be exploited by utilizing the HMM. A consistent advantage of the new estimation rule is obtained compared to previously published HMM-based hard or soft classification methods.
Robust adaptive beamformer with a large controlled mainlobe

Many advanced adaptive beamformers are robust against arbitrary array steering vector (ASV) mismatches within a presumed uncertainty set. Adaptive array tolerating significant steering direction error usually requires a large size of ASV uncertainty set. In such case, however, the output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratios (SINRs) of robust methods degrade quickly with the increasing size of the uncertainty set. In this paper, we propose a new compact ASV uncertainty set which is modelled explicitly by the uncertainty on steering direction and the other arbitrary ASV errors. A robust adaptive beamformer is derived based on this new ASV uncertainty set. To eliminate the non-convex constraint on array magnitude response, we force the real part of array response to exceed unity regarding the ASVs within the uncertainty set. Furthermore, using the worst-case optimization technique, the resultant beamformer is formulated as a quadratic optimization problem with semi-infinite second-order cone (SOC) constraints. Numerical studies show that a large robust response region is easy to achieve and the resultant beamformer achieves high performance on SINR enhancement.
Comparative Quality of Laparoscopic and Open Cholecystectomy in the Elderly Using Propensity Score Matching Analysis

The safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients ≥65 years of age requires further investigation of postoperative outcomes before it becomes more widely accepted as a safe technique. The advantages of using LC versus open cholecystectomy (OC) in elderly patients were analyzed using propensity score matching. The demographics, cholecystitis severity, comorbidities, complications, and admission and discharge Barthel Index (BI) scores of patients with benign gallbladder diseases were analyzed. Outcomes were analyzed by age, length of stay (LOS), total charges (TCs), BI improvement, and postoperative complications. OC, which was indicated in severe disease cases, increased hospital resource use and caused more complications than LC, but did not improve BI. Advanced age and OC resulted in greater LOS and TCs and was the best indicator of BI deterioration. Whenever possible, surgeons should use LC in elderly patients to minimize postoperative complications and allow them to regain a good quality of life.
Simultaneous detection of separation and transition in surface shear layers

Flush-mounted hot-film gages have proved effective in detecting boundary-layer transition and in measuring skin friction but with limited success in detecting laminar separation and reattachment. The development of multielement micro hot-film sensors, and the recent discovery of the phase reversal phenomena associated with low-frequency dynamic shear stress signals across regions of laminar separation and turbulent reattachment, have made it possible to simultaneously and unambiguously detect these surface shear layer characteristics. Experiments were conducted on different airfoils at speeds ranging from low subsonic to transonic speeds to establish the technique for incompressible and compressible flow applications. The multielement dynamic shear stress sensor technique was successfully used to detect laminar separation, turbulent reattachment, as well as, shock induced laminar and turbulent separation.
Security in a Client/Server Environment

During the many years in which I have been involved in building client/server systems, I have often been asked if there is any real difference between the security of client/server systems and that of traditional, mainframe-based systems. The simple though seldom heard answer is yes—adoption of such a new architectural paradigm has a direct impact on security. It does not significantly affect existing security objectives; in most cases, security objectives remain constant. However, a new systems architecture does require that existing security methods and tools be either changed or replaced with new security techniques and tools. In short, what has to be done remains constant; how it is done changes depending on the new systems architecture. This column addresses a number of the unique security issues that are raised by adoption of client/server technologies.
Robust Subspace System Identification via Weighted Nuclear Norm Optimization

Subspace identification is a classical and very well studied problem in system identification. The problem was recently posed as a convex optimization problem via the nuclear norm relaxation. Inspired by robust PCA, we extend this framework to handle outliers. The proposed framework takes the form of a convex optimization problem with an objective that trades off fit, rank and sparsity. As in robust PCA, it can be problematic to find a suitable regularization parameter. We show how the space in which a suitable parameter should be sought can be limited to a bounded open set of the two dimensional parameter space. In practice, this is very useful since it restricts the parameter space that is needed to be surveyed.
Fighting Spam with the NeighborhoodWatch DHT

In this paper, we present DHTBL, an anti-spam blacklist built upon a novel secure distributed hash table (DHT). We show how DHTBL can be used to replace existing DNS-based blacklists (DNSBLs) of IP addresses of mail relays that forward spam. Implementing a blacklist on a DHT improves resilience to DoS attacks and secures message delivery, when compared to DNSBLs. However, due to the sensitive nature of the blacklist, storing the data in a peer-to-peer DHT would invite attackers to infiltrate the system. Typical DHTs can withstand fail-stop failures, but malicious nodes may provide incorrect routing information, refuse to return published items, or simply ignore certain queries. The neighborhoodwatch DHT is resilient to malicious nodes and maintains the O(logiV) bounds on routing table size and expected lookup time. NeighborhoodWatch depends on two assumptions in order to make these guarantees: (1) the existence of an on-line trusted authority that periodically contacts and issues signed certificates to each node, and (2) for every sequence of k + 1 consecutive nodes in the ID space, at least one is alive and non-malicious. We show how NeighborhoodWatch maintains many of its security properties even when the second assumption is violated. Honest nodes in NeighborhoodWatch can detect malicious behavior and expel the responsible nodes from the DHT.
EM shielding effectiveness of Pd-CNT-Cu nanocomposite buckypaper

We report the synthesis of a nanocomposite consisting of Pd doped multiwall carbon nanotubes decorated with Cu nanoparticles, as a lightweight and flexible microwave absorbing material, using an electroless technique. The synthesised nanocomposite was extensively characterized by employing X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, FESEM, and HRTEM and their results were correlated with the high electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding observed in the present study. The optimum dielectric properties coupled with good electrical conductivity of this nanocomposite contribute to designing this absorption-based microwave shield, which exhibited a good EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of ∼35 dB at a thickness of 200 μm, resulting in a high specific EMI SE of ∼108 dB cm3 g−1 in the Ku-band.
Is writing style predictive of scientific fraud?

The problem of detecting scientific fraud using machine learning was recently introduced, with initial, positive results from a model taking into account various general indicators. The results seem to suggest that writing style is predictive of scientific fraud. We revisit these initial experiments, and show that the leave-one-out testing procedure they used likely leads to a slight over-estimate of the predictability, but also that simple models can outperform their proposed model by some margin. We go on to explore more abstract linguistic features, such as linguistic complexity and discourse structure, only to obtain negative results. Upon analyzing our models, we do see some interesting patterns, though: Scientific fraud, for examples, contains less comparison, as well as different types of hedging and ways of presenting logical reasoning.
Upper cervical injuries – A rational approach to guide surgical management

Abstract Context The complex anatomy and the importance of ligaments in providing stability at the upper cervical spine region (O–C1–C2) require the use of many imaging modalities to evaluate upper cervical injuries (UCI). While separate classifications have been developed for distinct injuries, a more practical treatment algorithm can be derived from the injury pattern in UCI. Objective To propose a practical treatment algorithm to guide treatment based on injuries characteristic of UCI. Methods A literature review was performed on the Pubmed database using the following keywords: (1) “occipital condyle injury”; (2) “craniocervical dislocation or atlanto-occipital dislocation or craniocervical dislocation”; (3) “atlas fractures”; and (4) “axis fractures”. Just articles containing the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of specific UCI were included. The data obtained were analyzed by the authors, dividing the UCI into two groups: Group 1 – patients with clear ligamentous injury and Group 2 – patients with fractures without ligament disruption. Results Injuries with ligamentous disruption, suggesting surgical treatment, include: atlanto-occipital dislocation, mid-substance transverse ligament injury, and C1–2 and C2–3 ligamentous injuries. In contrast, condyle, atlas, and axis fractures without significant displacement/misalignment can be initially treated using external orthoses. Odontoid fractures with risk factors for non-union are an exception in Group 2 once they are better treated surgically. Patients with neurological deficits may have more unstable injuries. Conclusions Ascertaining the status of relevant ligamentous structures, fracture patterns and alignment are important in determining surgical compared with non-surgical treatment for patients with UCI.
Reconstruction of Generalized Depth-3 Arithmetic Circuits with Bounded Top Fan-in

In this paper we give reconstruction algorithms for depth-3 arithmetic circuits with $k$ multiplication gates (also known as $\Sigma\Pi\Sigma(k)$ circuits), where $k=O(1)$. Namely, we give an algorithm that when given a black box holding a $\Sigma\Pi\Sigma(k)$ circuit $C$ over a field $\F$ as input, makes queries to the black box (possibly over a polynomial sized extension field of $\F$) and outputs a circuit $C'$ computing the same polynomial as $C$. In particular we obtain the following results. 1) When $C$ is a multilinear $\Sigma\Pi\Sigma(k)$ circuit (i.e. each of its multiplication gates computes a multilinear polynomial) then our algorithm runs in polynomial time (when $k$ is a constant) and outputs a multilinear $\Sigma\Pi\Sigma(k)$ circuits computing the same polynomial. 2) In the general case, our algorithm runs in quasi-polynomial time and outputs a generalized depth-3 circuit (as defined in \cite{KarninShpilka08}) with $k$ multiplication gates. For example, the polynomials computed by generalized depth-3 circuits can be computed by quasi-polynomial sized depth-3 circuits. In fact, our algorithm works in the slightly more general case where the black box holds a generalized depth-3 circuits. Prior to this work there were reconstruction algorithms for several different models of bounded depth circuits: the well studied class of depth-2 arithmetic circuits (that compute sparse polynomials) and its close by model of depth-3 set-multilinear circuits. For the class of depth-3 circuits only the case of $k=2$ (i.e. $\Sigma\Pi\Sigma(2)$ circuits) was known. Our proof technique combines ideas from [Shpilka09] and [KarninShpilka08] with some new ideas. Our most notable new ideas are: We prove the existence of a unique canonical representation of depth-3 circuits. This enables us to work with a specific representation in mind. Another technical contribution is an isolation lemma for depth-3 circuits that enables us to reconstruct a single multiplication gate of the circuit.
A 0.7dB insertion loss CMOS&#8211;SOI antenna switch with more than 50dB isolation over the 2.5 to 5GHz band

Taking full advantage of the high resistivity substrate and underlying oxide of SOI technology, a high performance CMOS SPDT T/R switch has been designed and fabricated in a partially depleted, 0. 25µm SOI process. The targeted Bluetooth class II specifications have been fully fitted. The switch over the high resistivity substrate exhibits a 0.7dB insertion loss and a 50dB isolation at 2.4GHz; at 5GHz insertion loss and isolation are 1dB and 47dB respectively. The measured ICP1dBis +12dBm.
RISK IDENTIFICATION PRACTICES UNDER PFI ENVIRONMENT

In an investigation that focused on best practice risk management, literature was reviewed on that subject and on ‘Private Finance Initiative’ (PFI) schemes. As a sequel a comprehensive instrument was developed for the investigation. A qualitative methodology was adopted in the conduct of the investigation where a grounded theory like approach was adopted. Forty-eight interviews with major PFI participants, based in England and Scotland, are discussed. These pertain to: Independent consultants (solicitors, actuary professionals, cost and management consultants); Public sector clients (Government departments/agencies, Local Authorities, etc); and, Private sector participants (financial firms, construction companies and service operators). The ‘AtlasTi’ software was utilized in analysing the data generated. Analysis showed the main risk identification techniques employed by the PFI participants to include the use of experience, checklists, site visits, brainstorming, workshops, case studies and intuition. A compatibility evaluation revealed that, all sectors rely primarily on experience for identifying their PFI project risks. The level of usage of the other main risk identification techniques seems to vary with the participants.
Combined Feedback–Feedforward Control of Wind Turbines Using State-Constrained Model Predictive Control

An application of model predictive control (MPC) to the wind turbine collective pitch and torque control problem in full-load operation is presented. The applied controller is able to include upstream wind speed information, e.g., from light detection and ranging measurements. Furthermore, a method is presented to include constraints on the turbine states in the problem formulation, such as on rotor speed, even in the presence of unmeasured disturbances. In a simulation study, the effects of both preview control and state constraints are evaluated for three different scenarios: normal operation, gusts, and grid-loss load cases. It is found that preview control provides significant benefits in normal operation and under gust conditions. It is further found that including state constraints in the MPC formulation can be used to avoid unnecessary shutdowns due to the violation of the overspeed limit or to control the turbine effectively when the turbine needs to run at a reduced level of generator torque.
Comparing Error Minimized Extreme Learning Machines and Support Vector Sequential Feedforward Neural Networks for Classification Problems

Recently, error minimized extreme learning machines (EM-ELMs) have been proposed as a simple and efficient approach to build single-hidden-layer feedforward networks (SLFNs) sequentially. They add random hidden nodes one by one (or group by group) and update the output weights incrementally to minimize the sum-of-squares error in the training set. Other very similar methods that also construct SLFNs sequentially had been reported earlier with the main difference that their hidden-layer weights are a subset of the data instead of being random. By analogy with the concept of support vectors original of support vector machines (SVMs), these approaches can be referred to as support vector sequential feedforward neural networks (SV-SFNNs). An experimental study on ten benchmark classification data sets, comparing EM-ELMs and SV-SFNNs, was carried out under the same conditions for the two models. Although both models have the same (efficient) computational cost, a statistically significant improvement in generalization performance of SV-SFNNs vs. EM-ELMs was found in six out of the ten benchmark problems.
Dioxin Sensitivity-Related Two Critical Amino Acids of Arylhydrocarbon Receptor May Not Correlate with the Taxonomy or Phylogeny in Avian Species

ABSTRACT There are two arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) isoforms in birds, AhR1 and AhR2. The varying sensitivity of AhR is reported to be related to two critical amino acids at positions 325 and 381 in the AhR1 ligand-binding domain. In this study, seven avian species whose in vivo dioxin sensitivity was known, and 13 species with no data regarding their in vivo dioxin sensitivity were examined. The two critical amino acids in the ligand-binding domain were investigated in avian species, and the results were compared with the taxonomy or phylogenetic trees for the bird AhR proteins. We found that the two critical amino acids did not correlate with the taxonomy or phylogeny of these proteins, suggesting that dioxin sensitivity was independent of taxonomy.
Exploring the Role of Conversational Cues in Guided Task Support with Virtual Assistants

Voice-based conversational assistants are growing in popularity on ubiquitous mobile and stationary devices. Cortana, as well as Google Home, Amazon Echo, and others, can provide support for various tasks from managing reminders to booking a hotel. However, with few exceptions, user input is limited to explicit queries or commands. In this work, we explore the role of implicit conversational cues in guided task completion scenarios. In a Wizard of Oz study, we found that, for the task of cooking a recipe, nearly one-quarter of all user-assistant exchanges were initiated from implicit conversational cues rather than from plain questions. Given that these implicit cues occur in such high frequency, we conclude by presenting a set of design implications for the design of guided task experiences in contemporary conversational assistants.
The AtProT Family. Compatible Solute Transporters with Similar Substrate Specificity But Differential Expression Patterns1

Proline transporters (ProTs) mediate transport of the compatible solutes Pro, glycine betaine, and the stress-induced compound γ-aminobutyric acid. A new member of this gene family, AtProT3, was isolated from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), and its properties were compared to AtProT1 and AtProT2. Transient expression of fusions of AtProT and the green fluorescent protein in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) protoplasts revealed that all three AtProTs were localized at the plasma membrane. Expression in a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) mutant demonstrated that the affinity of all three AtProTs was highest for glycine betaine (Km = 0.1–0.3 mm), lower for Pro (Km = 0.4–1 mm), and lowest for γ-aminobutyric acid (Km = 4–5 mm). Relative quantification of the mRNA level using real-time PCR and analyses of transgenic plants expressing the β-glucuronidase (uidA) gene under control of individual AtProT promoters showed that the expression pattern of AtProTs are complementary. AtProT1 expression was found in the phloem or phloem parenchyma cells throughout the whole plant, indicative of a role in long-distance transport of compatible solutes. β-Glucuronidase activity under the control of the AtProT2 promoter was restricted to the epidermis and the cortex cells in roots, whereas in leaves, staining could be demonstrated only after wounding. In contrast, AtProT3 expression was restricted to the above-ground parts of the plant and could be localized to the epidermal cells in leaves. These results showed that, although intracellular localization, substrate specificity, and affinity are very similar, the transporters fulfill different roles in planta.