Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Speciation of iron in river water using a specific catalytic determination and size fractionation.

A comprehensive speciation scheme was proposed for the speciation of iron in river water (0.45 microm filtrate). The speciation was based on the catalytic determination of reactive iron as Fe3+ and Fe(III)Li/(3 -in)+, where i = 1 or 2 for a unidentate and i = 1 for a bidentate ligand, Ln-. The scheme incudes size fractionation and acid decomposition of the sample and determination of the coexisting species. The proposed scheme was applied to natural and artificial samples and acidified preparations of these. Resulting fractionation patterns of reactive and unreactive iron and of coexisting humic acid were useful for the characterization of iron species in the natural samples. The reactive iron in the molecular weight (Mr) > or = 10(4) fraction was associated with humic iron aggregates and estimated as iron complexed with them. The unreactive iron in this fraction dissociated in 0.1 M HCI and was estimated as iron in the aggregates of iron(III) hydroxide (s) and humic iron. From the fractionation results of the artificial sample, the reactive and unreactive iron in the Mr < 10(3) fraction may be formed by complexing simple anions like F- and C2O4(2-) at their naturally-occurring concentration levels. The fractionation results also suggested that humic acid and Si contributed to the formation of reactive and unreactive iron in the Mr > or = 10(4) fraction.
Improving Open Source Face Detection by Combining an Adapted Cascade Classification Pipeline and Active Learning

Computer vision has almost solved the issue of in the wild face detection, using complex techniques like convolutional neural networks. On the contrary many open source computer vision frameworks like OpenCV have not yet made the switch to these complex techniques and tend to depend on well established algorithms for face detection, like the cascade classification pipeline suggested by Viola and Jones. The accuracy of these basic face detectors on public datasets like FDDB stays rather low, mainly due to the high number of false positive detections. We propose several adaptations to the current existing face detection model training pipeline of OpenCV. We improve the training sample generation and annotation procedure, and apply an active learning strategy. These boost the accuracy of in the wild face detection on the FDDB dataset drastically, closing the gap towards the accuracy gained by CNN-based face detectors. The proposed changes allow us to provide an improved face detection model to OpenCV, achieving a remarkably high precision at an acceptable recall, two critical requirements for further processing pipelines like person identification, etc.
Integration of active power filters in a harmonic load flow algorithm for optimizing location and strategy

This paper presents a new simple method for integrating the contribution of active power filters (APFs) in a harmonic power flow algorithm for distribution networks. A control strategy for the APFs inspired in the perfect harmonic cancellation (PHC) is proposed and evaluated. This proposed strategy is compared to other one inspired in droop control. Different locations of APFs are tested, evidencing the usefulness of the algorithm for analyzing and optimizing this parameter. The proposed strategy outperforms that based in droop control in terms of power quality and reduction of power losses, in the circumstances studied in this paper.
Understanding User Behavior of Asking Location-Based Questions on Microblogs

ABSTRACT With the prevalence of mobile social network services, people can post location-based questions on their social networks to satisfy their needs anytime anywhere. In this article, the authors study location-based questions that people post on microblogs, which is a popular form of social network service. The authors collected posts with geo-tags from Sina Weibo and conducted the study based on about a thousand location-based questions. Their results reveal unique characteristics of location-based questions by analyzing what people ask, how they ask, why they ask, and the context when asking. Location-based questions are closely related to people’s offline activities. Spatial restriction, subjectivity, interactivity, and propagation are the main characteristics that people value for choosing social networks to ask location-based questions. People also apply different phrasing skills to different types of questions. The questions people ask in different contexts also have different focuses. Based on their findings, the authors discuss practical design implications for social networks, location-based Q&A systems, and other applications with location-based features.
Exchange magnon-polaritons in microwave cavities

We formulate a scattering theory to study magnetic films in microwave cavities beyond the independent-spin and rotating-wave approximations of the Tavis-Cummings model. We demonstrate that strong coupling can be realized not only for the ferromagnetic resonance mode, but also for spin-wave resonances; the coupling strengths are mode dependent and decrease with increasing mode index. The strong-coupling regime can also be accessed electrically by spin pumping into a metal contact.
A Neural Network-Based Classification for Sea Ice Types on X-Band SAR Images

We examine the performance of an automated sea ice classification algorithm based on TerraSAR-X ScanSAR data. In the first step of our process chain, gray-level co-occurrence matrix(GLCM)-based texture features are extracted from the image. In the second step, these data are fed into an artificial neural network to classify each pixel. Performance of our implementation is examined by utilizing a time series of ScanSAR images in the Western Barents Sea, acquired in spring 2013. The network is trained on the initial image of the time series and then applied to subsequent images. We obtain a reasonable classification accuracy of at least 70% depending on the choice of our ice-type regime, when the incidence angle range of the training data matches that of the classified image. Computational cost of our approach is sufficiently moderate to consider this classification procedure a promising step toward operational, near-realtime ice charting.
Human DXYS156 of pentanucleotide repeat (TAAAA)n: chromosomal localization by somatic hybrid mapping and sequencing analysis

Pentanucleotide repeats and short tandem repeat polymorphisms may be used as genetic markers in disease mapping (Chen et al., 1993; UMDP, 1995). The human marker DXYS156, which contained a pentanucleotide repeat (TAAAA)n and showed 75% homology to a LINE element, was assigned to chromosomes X and Y and had seven alleles in unrelated CEPH individuals (Chen et al., 1994). Here we report that PCR amplification of DNA from a somatic cell panel gave signals from some autosomal hybrids. We cloned PCR products from each chromosome that gave a positive signal and determined the sequence to confirm the (TAAAA)n structure and also located the sequence in a YAC panel from the Xq21.3 region of homology.
Cells on the Move: A Dialogue Between Polarization and Motility

Throughout evolution, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have developed a variety of biochemical mechanisms to define the direction and proximity of extracellular stimuli. This process is essential for the cell to reply properly to the environmental cues that determine cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Chemotaxis is the cellular response to chemical attractants that direct cell migration, a process that plays a central role in many physiological situations, such as host immune responses, angiogenesis, wound healing, embryogenesis, and neuronal patterning, among others. In addition, cell migration takes part in pathological states, including inflammation and tumor metastasis. Indeed, tumor progression to invasion and metastasis depends on the active motility of the invading cancer cells and the endothelial cell bed during tumor neovascularization. Cell migration switches “off” and “on” based on quantitative differences in molecular components such as adhesion receptors, cytoskeletal linking proteins, and extracellular matrix ligands, and by regulating the affinity of membrane‐bound chemoattractant receptors. A clear understanding of how cells sense chemoattractants is, therefore, of pivotal importance in the biology of the normal cell as well as in prevention of malignant cell invasion. Here we offer a perspective on cell migration that emphasizes the relationship between cell polarization and cell movement and the importance of the equilibrium between the signals that drive each process for the control of tumor cell invasion.
The contribution of health services to the American economy.

Good health is one of man's most precious assets. The desire to live, to be well, to maintain full command over one's faculties and to see one's loved ones free from disease, disability or premature death are among the most strongly rooted of all human desires. That is particularly true of Americans who, on the whole, eschew the fatalism or preoccupation with the hereafter that is characteristic of some other cultures.
Constructing Distributed Representations Using Additive Clustering Wheeler Ruml

If the promise of computational modeling is to be fully reali zed in higherlevel cognitive domains such as language processing, princ i led methods must be developed to construct the semantic representation s used in such models. In this paper, we propose the use of an established fo rmalism from mathematical psychology, additive clustering, as a means of automatically constructing binary representations for object s using only pairwise similarity data. However, existing methods for the uns upervised learning of additive clustering models do not scale well to l arge problems. We present a new algorithm for additive clustering, ba sed on a novel heuristic technique for combinatorial optimization . The algorithm is simpler than previous formulations and makes fewer indep endence assumptions. Extensive empirical tests on both human and synt hetic data suggest that it is more effective than previous methods and t hat it also scales better to larger problems. By making additive cluste ring practical, we take a significant step toward scaling connectionist mode ls b yond hand-coded examples.
Flaws, Fallacies and Facts: Reviewing the Early History of the Lipid and Diet/Heart Hypotheses

The lipid hypothesis of coronary heart disease proposes that a high total cholesterol level has a causative role in coronary heart disease (CHD), specifically in the development of atherosclerosis. It forms the basis for formulating target levels of serum cholesterol and hence the widespread use of statins for lowering cholesterol. An extension of the lipid hypothesis is the diet/heart hypothesis of coronary heart disease. This theory combines two ideas—that saturated fat raises cholesterol levels, and that a reduced saturated fat intake will lower cholesterol levels, thereby inhibiting the development of atherosclerosis and manifestations of CHD. Those who make diet recommendations or prescribe medication to reduce cholesterol may be unaware of the underpinning science. The original research behind these recommendations has given us “healthy heart” guidelines and preventive measures we assume to be true. While the lipid and diet/heart hypotheses are often presented as fact, they remain inadequately proven theories that have little agreement from experts. Historical perspectives can help us understand the basis of current-day beliefs. In the lipid hypothesis case, research from the 1950s and 60s was instrumental in its formation. This early work should not be considered irrelevant, outdated or obsolete because current recommendations from national heart associations in many countries continue to be shaped by these studies. This paper examines evidence used to formulate the lipid hypothesis and, subsequently, the diet/ heart hypothesis. By critically evaluating steps in the formation of the theory, inconsistencies, mistakes and alternate explanations become apparent and cast doubt on its validity.
Bounds Testing Approach to Cointegration: An Examination of Foreign Direct Investment Trade and Growth Relationships

This study examines the long-run impact of foreign direct investment and trade on economic growth in Ghana. Using an augmented aggregate production function (APF) growth model, we apply the bounds testing (ARDL) approach to cointegration which is more appropriate for estimation in small sample studies. The data span for the study is from 1970 to 2002. We found cointegration relations between growth and its determinants in the APF model. The results indicated the impact of FDI on growth to be negative which is consistent with other past studies. Trade however was found to have significant positive impact on growth.
Design and implementation of distributed object-oriented infrastructures for networked home appliances on commodity operating systems

We describe our ongoing work to build object-oriented distributed middleware for networked home appliances, which are executed on commodity operating systems. The current prototype has adopted HAVi (Home Audio/Video Interoperability) as distributed middleware for home appliances. We have implemented HAVi in Java, and have adopted Linux as an operating system. Since Java and Linux are running on a variety of platforms, our software can be ported to a target system without modification. Therefore, it becomes easy to develop a new application on a standard PC platform. The paper describes the design issues and the implementation of our system. We have actually implemented several programs that emulate home appliances such as a digital television. We also present some experiences with the current prototype.
Spin-Hall effect MRAM based cache memory: A feasibility study

One of the key objectives of STT-MRAM research has been on minimizing switching current while maintaining the required nonvolatility. To address this challenge, non-traditional MRAMs based on novel switching mechanisms have been proposed. In particular, spin-Hall effect (SHE) which utilizes large spin currents generated in the direction transverse to the charge current have been recently drawing attention [1]. Despite early promises such as lower switching current by means of efficient spin generation (i.e. Ispin/Icharge>100%) and longer device lifetime owing to the decoupled read and write paths, there is still a lack of a comprehensive study for benchmarking SHE-MRAM against other memory technologies. In this work, we explore the trade-off points across different levels of design abstraction (i.e. device, circuit, and architecture) to evaluate the feasibility of SHE-MRAM for large on-die cache memory.
Statistics and the detection of scientific misconduct

The paper by Bolland et al.1 in this issue had a longer “gestation” than usual at Neurology®; it was received on December 4, 2015. We usually review on a tight timeline and publish important work quickly. But this manuscript has a different focus as it presents a statistical analysis that demonstrates probable scientific misconduct (fraud) on a large scale. It is also unique in that its analysis uses complicated methods that may be beyond what most readers are willing to tackle. However, the bottom line is simple: there are statistical methods that, when properly applied, can detect fraudulent behavior by investigators. Clinical trial data can thereby be validated or called into question. In this instance, analysis of a collection of studies by a large research group suggested that at least some of the studies were likely to be fraudulent.
Phase I Trial of ISIS 104838, a 2′-Methoxyethyl Modified Antisense Oligonucleotide Targeting Tumor Necrosis Factor-α

ISIS 104838 is a 20-mer phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that binds tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA. It carries a 2′-methoxyethyl modification on the five 3′ and 5′ nucleotide sugars, with 10 central unmodified deoxynucleotides. ISIS 104838 was identified from a 264 ASO screen in phorbol myristate acetate-activated keratinocytes, and the dose response was assessed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated monocytes. Healthy males received multiple intravenous (i.v.) ISIS 104838 infusions in a placebo-controlled dose escalation trial (0.1–6 mg/kg). Additional volunteers received single or multiple subcutaneous (s.c.) injections. ISIS 104838 suppressed TNF-α protein by 85% in stimulated keratinocytes. The IC50 for TNF-α mRNA inhibition in stimulated monocytes was <1 μM. For i.v. ,C max occurred at the end of infusion. The effective plasma half-life was 15 to 45 min at 0.1 to 0.5 mg/kg and 1 to 1.8 h for higher doses. The apparent terminal plasma elimination half-life approximated 25 days. Obese subjects had higher plasma levels following equivalent mg/kg doses. For s.c. injections,C max occurred at 2 to 4 h and was lower than with equivalent i.v. dosing. Plasma bioavailability compared with i.v. was 82% following a 200 mg/ml s.c. injection. Transient activated partial thromboplastin time prolongation occurred after i.v. infusions and minimally after s.c. injections. Two subjects experienced rash, one a reversible platelet decrease, and mild injection site tenderness was noted. TNF-α production by peripheral blood leukocytes, induced ex vivo by LPS, was decreased by ISIS 104838 (p < 0.01). ISIS 104838, a second-generation antisense oligonucleotide, was generally well tolerated intravenously and subcutaneously. The pharmacokinetics support an infrequent dosing interval. Inhibition of TNF-α production ex vivo was demonstrated.
Effect of topically applied T4 endonuclease V in liposomes on skin cancer in xeroderma pigmentosum: a randomised study. Xeroderma Pigmentosum Study Group.

BACKGROUND In patients with xeroderma pigmentosum the frequency of all forms of skin cancer is higher than in the general population, owing to a genetic defect in DNA repair. The bacterial DNA repair enzyme, T4 endonuclease V, delivered intracellularly, increases the rate of repair of sunlight-induced DNA damage in human cells. We tested the ability of this enzyme in a liposomal delivery vehicle applied topically (T4N5 liposome lotion) to lower the rate of new skin cancers in patients with xeroderma pigmentosum. METHODS 30 patients were enrolled in this prospective, multicentre, double-blind study. Patients were randomly assigned T4N5 liposome lotion or a placebo liposome lotion, to be applied daily for 1 year. At 3-monthly visits, new actinic keratoses and basal-cell carcinomas were identified and removed. Analyses were by intention to treat. FINDINGS 20 patients were assigned T4N5 liposome lotion and ten placebo lotion; one placebo-group patient withdrew before treatment and one withdrew with progressive disease at 9 months. The annualised rate of new actinic keratoses was 8.2 among the patients assigned T4N5 liposome lotion and 25.9 among those assigned placebo (difference 17.7 [95% CI 11.8-26.5]; p=0.004 by Poisson modelling). For basal-cell carcinoma, the annualised rates of new lesions were 3.8 in the treatment group and 5.4 in the placebo group (difference 1.6 [0.38-2.82]). No significant adverse effects were found among any of the patients. INTERPRETATION DNA damage has an important role in the development of skin cancer and precancerous skin lesions. The topical application of DNA repair enzymes to sun-damaged skin of patients with xeroderma pigmentosum lowered the rate of development of two forms of these lesions during a year of treatment.
Cutting Edge: Mast Cells Critically Augment Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell Activity

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are primarily recognized for their immunosuppressive properties in malignant disease. However, their interaction with other innate immune cells and their regulation of immune responses, such as in parasitic infection, necessitate further characterization. We used our previously published mouse model of MDSC accumulation to examine the immunoregulatory role of MDSCs in B16 melanoma metastasis and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection. In this study, we demonstrate that the activity of MDSCs is dependent on the immune stimuli and subset induced. Monocytic MDSCs predictably suppressed antitumor immune responses but granulocytic MDSCs surprisingly enhanced the clearance of N. brasiliensis infection. Intriguingly, both results were dependent on MDSC interaction with mast cells (MCs), as demonstrated by adoptive-transfer studies in MC-deficient (KitWsh/Wsh) mice. These findings were further supported by ex vivo cocultures of MCs and MDSCs, indicating a synergistic increase in cytokine production. Thus, MCs can enhance both immunosuppressive and immunosupportive functions of MDSCs.
Phylogeography of Japanese Population of Phelotrupes auratus (Coleoptera, Geotrupidae) Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA Sequences

A partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene (745 bp) was determined for 57 specimens of a geotrupid beetle (Phelotrupes auratus) from throughout the Japanese archipelago. Of the 57 beetles examined, 42 haplotypes were identified. Phylogenetic trees inferred using maximum parsimony, neighbor joining, and Bayesian inference methods were highly congruent. Reconstructed phylogenetic relationships indicated that P. auratus from the Japanese archipelago was separated into two distinct lineages: Group A, which consisted of 35 haplotypes from Honshu, Shikoku, and Hokkaido Islands, and Group B, which consisted of seven haplotypes from Kyushu and Yakushima Islands. In addition, two sublineages were also recognized within Group A: Subgroup A-1, which consisted of 11 haplotypes from eastern Honshu and Hokkaido, and Subgroup A-2, which consisted of 10 haplotypes from western Honshu and Shikoku. Average genetic distances within Group A were positively correlated to geographic distance between sampling localities. Phylogenetic relationships among haplotypes did not correspond to subspecies classification.
Arabic QA4MRE at CLEF 2012: Arabic Question Answering for Machine Reading Evaluation

� Abstract. This paper presents the work carried out at ANLP Research Group for the CLEF-QA4MRE 2012 competition. This year, the Arabic language was introduced for the first time on QA4MRE lab at CLEF whose intention was to ask questions which require a deep knowledge of individual short texts and in which systems were required to choose one answer from multiple answer choices, by analyzing the corresponding test document in conjunction with background collections. In our participation, we have proposed an approach which can answer questions with multiple answer choices from short Arabic texts. This approach is constituted essentially of shallow information retrieval methods. The evaluation results of the running submitted has given the following scores: accuracy calculated overall all questions is 0.19 (i.e., 31 correct questions answered correctly among 160), while overall c@1 measure is also 0.19. The overall results obtained are not enough satisfactory comparing to the top works realized last year in QA4MRE lab. But as a first step at the roadmap of the evolution of the QA to Machine Reading (MR) systems in Arabic language and with the lack of researches investigated in the MR and deep knowledge reasoning in Arabic language, it is an encouraging step. Our proposed approach with its shallow criterion has succeeded to obtain the goal fixed at the beginning which is: select answers to questions from short texts without required enough external knowledge and complex inference.