Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cycloxygenase-2 Inhibition Augments the Efficacy of a Cancer Vaccine

Tumor-derived cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and its product, prostaglandin E2, exert strong immunoinhibitory effects that block dendritic cell function and CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell proliferation and function. We have shown previously that the addition of an oral COX-2 inhibitor to immunogene therapy using IFN-β markedly augmented therapeutic efficacy in murine tumor models. In this study, we hypothesized that COX-2 inhibition might also augment an antitumor vaccination strategy. Mice bearing tumors derived from TC1 cells, a tumor line that expresses the human papillomavirus (HPV) E7 protein, were thus vaccinated with an adenoviral vector expressing HPV E7 protein (Ad.E7). This vaccine approach effectively generated E7-specific CD8+ cells and slowed the growth of small tumors but had little effect on large tumors. However, feeding mice with the COX-2 inhibitor, rofecoxib, restored the effectiveness of the vaccine against large tumors and prolonged survival. This effect was accompanied by a larger percentage of E7-specific CD8+ cells in the regional draining lymph nodes and a markedly increased number of tumor-infiltrating E7-specific CD8+ cells (as determined by flow cytometry) and total CD8+ T cells (as determined by immunohistochemical staining). Increased immunocyte trafficking was likely mediated by the generation of a Th1-type tumor microenvironment because COX-2 inhibition increased expression levels of mRNA for IFN-γ, interleukin-12, IP-10, and MIG while lowering the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor within tumors. This study shows that the effectiveness of a cancer vaccine can be significantly improved by adding COX-2 inhibition.
Performance Gaps between Online and Face-to-Face Courses: Differences across Types of Students and Academic Subject Areas

Using a dataset containing nearly 500,000 courses taken by over 40,000 community and technical college students in Washington State, this study examines the performance gap between online and face-to-face courses and how the size of that gap differs across student subgroups and academic subject areas. While all types of students in the study suffered decrements in performance in online courses, those with the strongest declines were males, younger students, Black students, and students with lower grade point averages. Online performance gaps were also wider in some academic subject areas than others. After controlling for individual and peer effects, the social sciences and the applied professions (e.g., business, law, and nursing) showed the strongest online performance gaps.
Psychiatric disorders in extremely preterm children: longitudinal finding at age 11 years in the EPICure study.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence and risk factors for psychiatric disorders in extremely preterm children. METHOD All babies born <26 weeks gestation in the United Kingdom and Ireland from March through December 1995 were recruited to the EPICure Study. Of 307 survivors at 11 years of age, 219 (71%) were assessed alongside 153 term-born classmates. Parents completed a structured psychiatric interview about their child, and teachers completed a corresponding questionnaire from which DSM-IV diagnoses were assigned for 219 (100%) extremely preterm children and 152 (99%) classmates. An IQ test and a physical evaluation were also administered. Longitudinal data were available for extremely preterm children. RESULTS Extremely preterm children were more than three times more likely to have a psychiatric disorder than classmates (23% vs. 9%; odds ratio [OR] = 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.7, 6.2). Risk was significantly increased for: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; 11.5% vs. 2.9%; OR = 4.3; CI = 1.5 to 13.0), with increased risk for ADHD inattentive subtype (OR = 10.5; CI = 1.4 to 81.1) but not ADHD combined subtype (OR = 2.1; CI = 0.5 to 7.9); emotional disorders (9.0% vs. 2.1%; OR = 4.6; CI = 1.3 to 15.9), with increased risk for anxiety disorders (OR = 3.5; CI = 1.0 to 12.4); and autism spectrum disorders (8.0% vs. 0%; p = .000). Psychiatric disorders were significantly associated with cognitive impairment (OR = 3.5; CI = 1.8 to 6.4). Parent-reported behavioral problems at 2.5 and 6 years were independent predictors of psychiatric disorders at 11 years. CONCLUSIONS Extremely preterm children are at increased risk for ADHD, emotional disorders, and autism spectrum disorders at 11 years of age. The mechanism of association with psychiatric disorder may include both cognitive impairment and early traumatic experiences that have an impact on both child and parent. Early screening for cognitive and behavioral problems may identify those at greatest risk.
Classification of SD-OCT images using a Deep learning approach

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is one of the many eye diseases that is commonly found in diabetic patients. If it is left untreated it may cause vision loss. This paper focuses on classification of abnormal and normal OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) image volumes using a pre-trained CNN (Convolutional Neural Network). Using VGG16 (Visual Geometry Group), features are extracted at different layers of the network, e.g. before fully connected layer and after each fully connected layer. On the basis of these features classification was performed using different classifiers and results are higher than recently published work on the same dataset with an accuracy of 87.5%, with sensitivity and specificity being 93.5% and 81% respectively.
Optimal PMU placement for power system dynamic state estimation by using empirical observability Gramian

In this paper, the empirical observability Gramian calculated around the operating region of a power system is used to quantify the degree of observability of the system states under specific phasor measurement unit (PMU) placement. An optimal PMU placement method for power system dynamic state estimation is further formulated as an optimization problem which maximizes the determinant of the empirical observability Gramian and is efficiently solved by the NOMAD solver, which implements the Mesh Adaptive Direct Search (MADS) algorithm. The implementation, validation, and also the robustness to load fluctuations and contingencies of the proposed method are carefully discussed. The proposed method is tested on WSCC 3-machine 9-bus system and NPCC 48-machine 140-bus system by performing dynamic state estimation with square-root unscented Kalman filter. The simulation results show that the determined optimal PMU placements by the proposed method can guarantee good observability of the system states, which further leads to smaller estimation errors and larger number of convergent states for dynamic state estimation compared with random PMU placements. Under optimal PMU placements an obvious observability transition can be observed. The proposed method is also validated to be very robust to both load fluctuations and contingencies.
Suspended 1D metal oxide nanostructure-based gas sensor

························································································································· i DEDICATION ···················································································································· iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ··································································································· iv LIST OF FIGURES ············································································································ vi LIST OF TABLES ············································································································ xiv 1. Chapter 1. Monolithic suspended glassy carbon nanostructure ······························· 1 1.1 Background ········································································································ 2 1.2 Fabrication & Experimental ············································································ 9 1.3 Results & discussion ························································································ 11 2. Chapter 2. Suspended Pd/glassy carbon nanowire ·················································· 22 2.1 Background ······································································································ 23 2.2 Fabrication & Experimental ·········································································· 26 2.3 Results & discussion ························································································ 29 3. Chapter 3. Suspended ZnO NWs/glassy carbon nanowire ······································ 37 3.1 Background ······································································································ 38 3.2 Fabrication & Experimental ·········································································· 44 3.3 Results & discussion ························································································ 47 4. Chapter 4. Suspended 1D metal oxide nanostructure integrated the nano-heater ········································································································································ 63 4.1 Background ······································································································ 64 4.2 Fabrication & Experimental ·········································································· 71 4.3 Results & discussion ························································································ 75
Activation of Group Attachment, Perceived Group Diversity & Conflict Attribution

The main goal of this thesis is to apply attachment theory as a predictor of individual-level experiences in organizational work groups. Individuals with different group attachment styles (e.g., secure, preoccupied, dismissive avoidant, and fearful avoidant) were studied with respect to activation of the group attachment system, as well as their task and relationship conflict attributions in groups that were (or were perceived to be) homogeneous and heterogeneous. The participants of Study 1 were 129 students at the John Molson School of Business. The participants of Study 2 were 87 employees at an international Hi-Technology firm. Results indicate that the perceived and/or actual presence of diversity is correlated with the activation of the group attachment system in work groups. Activation of the attachment system is known to inhibit the exploration of, and learning about, other group members’ thoughts and emotions (Rom & Mikulincer, 2003). Findings also indicate that group attachment anxiety and avoidance are positively correlated to reported attributions of relationship and task conflict, and that people with different attachment styles report attributing different amounts of task and relationship conflict. Finally, when comparing individuals’ reported experiences in groups that are perceived to be homogeneous to those that are (or are perceived to be) heterogeneous, differences in task and relationship conflict attributions seem to depend on group attachment styles. An important practical implication of this research is that activation of the attachment system by group diversity may be a significant liability in jobs where exploration and learning are required for group performance and outcomes. Further, it could be that inhibiting the activation of the group attachment system may reduce the negative effects of diversity and conflict attributions in groups. In applying my findings to the workplace, they are consistent with the notion that if managers can maintain employees’ group attachment systems in a deactivated state, then they may be able to better harness the value in work group diversity.
A Framework for Dynamic Stability Analysis of Power Systems With Volatile Wind Power

We propose a framework employing stochastic differential equations to facilitate the long-term stability analysis of power grids with intermittent wind power generations. This framework takes into account the discrete dynamics, which play a critical role in the long-term stability analysis, incorporates the model of wind speed with different probability distributions, and also develops an approximation methodology [by a deterministic hybrid model (DHM)] for the stochastic hybrid model (SHM) to reduce the computational burden brought about by the uncertainty of wind power. The theoretical and numerical studies show that a DHM can provide an accurate trajectory approximation and stability assessments for the SHM under mild conditions. In addition, we discuss the critical cases that the DHM fails and discover that these cases are caused by a violation of the proposed sufficient conditions. Such discussion complements the proposed framework and methodology and also reaffirms the importance of the SHM when the system operates close to its stability limit.
ADAPTIVE FRAME FEATURES BASED VIDEO FOOTAGE RETRIEVAL SYSTEM

Due to high dimensionality of video data, video mining becomes tedious task for any search engine. It requires lot of computation on account of multiple and nested loops and that too at high speed. This makes the computational task very expensive in terms of programming performance like speed of operation and code size etc. However, if the video sequences are stored based on contents like color, texture, or events, then the video mining may be speed up to a great extent. In the presented work, the color based and identical things (or repetitive things) in continuous frames based, video mining is proposed for speedy search at fair accuracy. In the proposed work, recorded video is scanned based on query contents like color (fire) by decomposing the video into frames. A video sequence is a collection of no. of 2-d images played over a time dimension. The 2-d frame are analysed for color based features contents and integrated with period of time so that complete video is scanned for the presence of color in the video sequence. The same concept may be applied for other features like shape, motion artifact. The video frames are decomposed into frames using time based images frames extractions. The time interval may be decided based on gravity of the feature like color in case of fire and motion.
Can Calibration Be Used to Adjust for “Nonignorable” Nonresponse?

Calibration can be used to adjust for unit nonresponse when the model variables on which the response/nonresponse mechanism depends do not coincide with the benchmark variables in the calibration equation. As a result, model-variable values need only known for the respondents. This allows the treatment of what is usually considered nonignorable nonresponse. Although one can invoke either quasirandomization or prediction-model-based theory to justify the calibration, both frameworks rely on unverifiable model assumptions, and both require large samples to produce nearly unbiased estimators even when those assumptions hold. We will explore these issues theoretically and with an empirical study.
Mining Consumer Opinions on the Web - Organizational Learning from Online Consumer-to-Consumer Interactions

Consumer-opinion websites are becoming important sources of marketing intelligence for companies, enabling them to turn consumer opinions into opportunities for enhancing customer satisfaction. Grounded in media richness theory, this paper examines a sample of consumer-opinion websites to identify mechanisms that render the information disseminated on these websites more suitable for data mining activities. The results indicate that feedback mechanisms, member profiles, active hyperlinks, and spellcheckers are means of raising data quality. However, a key challenge for mining consumer opinions remains the identification and elimination of emotional content such as humor.
Collagens from the skin of arabesque greenling (Pleurogrammus azonus) solubilized with the aid of acetic acid and pepsin from albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) stomach.

BACKGROUND Due to the low extraction efficiency of collagen from fish skin by the typical acid solubilization process, pepsin has been widely used to aid further extraction of collagen from the residue. The aim of this study was to characterize collagen from the skin of arabesque greenling extracted with the aid of albacore tuna pepsin, in comparison with collagen obtained from the acid solubilization process. RESULTS Acid-solubilized collagen (ASC) from the skin of arabesque greenling was extracted with acetic acid. Pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) was further extracted from the skin residue with the aid of pepsin from albacore tuna. The yields of ASC and PSC were 303 and 140 g kg(-1) (dry weight), respectively. Both collagens contained alpha- and beta-chains as their major components and were characterized as type I collagen. Both collagens contained glycine as a major amino acid and had imino acid content of 157-159 residues per 1000 residues. The degradation induced by lysyl endopeptidase and V8-protease was more pronounced in PSC compared with ASC. Maximal transition temperatures of both collagens were in the range of 15.4-15.7 degrees C. Fourier transform infrared spectra revealed some differences in molecular order between ASC and PSC. Nevertheless, the triple-helical structure of PSC was still predominant. Based on zeta-potential, pI of ASC and PSC was estimated to be 6.31 and 6.38, respectively. CONCLUSION Isolation of collagens from the skin of arabesque greenling could be achieved by acid or albacore tuna pepsin solubilization. However, there was a slight difference in properties between ASC and PSC.
Abstractions and sensor design in partial-information, reactive controller synthesis

Automated synthesis of reactive control protocols from temporal logic specifications has recently attracted considerable attention in various applications, for example, robotic motion planning, network management, etc. An implicit and often unrealistic assumption in this past work is the availability of complete and precise sensing information during the execution of the controllers. In this paper, we use an abstraction procedure for systems with partial observation and propose a formalism to investigate the effects of limitations in sensing. The abstraction procedure enables the existing synthesis methods with partial observation to be applicable and efficient for systems with infinite (or finite but large number of) states. This formalism enables us to systematically discover necessary sensing modalities for rendering the underlying synthesis problems realizable. We use counterexamples, which witness unrealizability potentially due to the limitations in sensing and the coarseness of the abstraction, and interpolation-based techniques to refine the model and the sensing modalities, i.e., to identify new sensors to be included, for the control objective. We demonstrate the method on robot motion planning examples.
The Chuvash People of Kazakhstan: Dynamics of Quantity and Reasons of Migration

The relevance of the studied problem is caused by a steady tendency of reduction of Chuvash population on the territory of Kazakhstan. The purpose of this article consists in consideration of dynamics of Chuvash population on the territory of Kazakhstan in XX-XXI centuries. The leading approach to research of this problem is the complex analysis of the available sources and literature, as well as collecting and analysis of field material. The analysis of dynamics of Chuvash population on the territory of Kazakhstan where being in considerable isolation from the historical homeland, the Chuvash people keep ethnic consciousness and spiritual traditions of the people. Materials of the article can be useful to ethnographers, sociologists, culturologists, political scientists and other scientists, public representatives in their analytical work. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015. v6n6s5p275
Learning belief regression trees from evidential data

Regression trees are extended to be learnt from data with epistemic uncertainty. Modelling uncertainty with belief functions, the attribute selection strategy based on error interval is discussed and a complete tree construction procedure is proposed. As a general approach, error intervals weighted by mass functions are calculated for making the best splitting choice. Including classical regression trees as a special case, belief regression trees can deal with various kinds of uncertain data such as imprecise, uncertain and noisy ones.
Complications of Childhood Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome: Implications for Pediatric Screening

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by hamartomatous gastrointestinal polyps and mucocutaneous pigmentation. Polyps are found predominantly in the small bowel but also in the stomach and colon. The primary concern to the pediatrician is the development of small bowel intussusception and obstruction, and the object of pediatric surveillance of affected individuals is the prevention or amelioration of these complications. In affected kindreds, an early diagnosis is nearly always possible because perioral and mucosal pigmentation is found in 95% of affected individuals (1). On the other hand, genetic markers have been less useful in the clinical context. Although a defective gene (2) has been identified in some cases (LKB1, also called STK11, which is located on chromosome 19q13.3), not all affected individuals have been found to have a mutation in this gene. Boardman et al. (3) found mutations in only 6 of 33 cases, and significant variation in the severity of clinical manifestations has been reported in those cases with an identifiable genotype (4). Various protocols to assess the presence of small bowel polyps have been reported. These may soon require modification with the advent of newer techniques, such as wireless capsule endoscopy, which may allow better visualization of the small bowel. Reviewing the published data concerning the natural history of PJS and its complications in childhood reveals a striking lack of information on the most basic descriptive data, such as the frequency of obstructive complications or the age at which such complications could be expected. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Social Media Information diffusion and Economic Outcomes: Twitter Retweets and Box Office Revenue

This study explores the relationship between social media information diffusion and economic outcomes. Specifically, we examine characteristics of Twitter information diffusion surrounding US box office and their relationship with each movie’s first-weekend gross revenue. We built the social media network structure based on retweets mentioning each movie and extract three metrics of Twitter information diffusion: volume, speed, and reach. A total of 185,029 retweets originated from over six million tweets for seventy-eight movies released between January and September 2014 are downloaded. We find all three measures of information diffusion relevant in explaining gross revenue while only volume and reach are relevant when movie profile followers are used as a control in our OLS robust regression models. This study has two important contributions. First, it provides intuitions to practitioners in improving their social media marketing strategies. Second, it presents new insights to researchers in understanding the different characteristics of information diffusion in relation to performance outcomes.