LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Significant variability in response to inhaled corticosteroids for persistent asthma.

BACKGROUND
A clinical model is needed to compare inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) with respect to efficacy.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this investigation was to compare the relative beneficial and systemic effects in a dose-response relationship for 2 ICSs.


METHODS
A 24-week, parallel, open-label, multicenter trial examined the benefit-risk ratio of 2 ICSs in persistent asthma. Benefit was assessed by improvements in FEV(1) and PC(20); risk was assessed by overnight plasma cortisol suppression. Thirty subjects were randomized to either beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 168, 672, and 1344 microg/day (n = 15) or fluticasone propionate (FP) 88, 352, and 704 microg/day (n = 15), both administered by means of a metered dose inhaler (MDI) with chlorofluorocarbon propellant via a spacer, in 3 consecutive 6-week intervals; this was followed by 3 weeks of FP dry powder inhaler (DPI) 2000 microg/day.


RESULTS
Maximum FEV(1) response occurred with the low dose for FP-MDI and the medium dose for BDP-MDI and was not further increased by treatment with FP-DPI. Near-maximum methacholine PC(20) improvement occurred with the low dose for FP-MDI and the medium dose for BDP-MDI. Both BDP-MDI and FP-MDI caused dose-dependent cortisol suppression. Responsiveness to ICS treatment was found to vary markedly among subjects. Good (>15%) FEV(1) response, in contrast to poor (<5%) response, was found to be associated with high exhaled nitric oxide (median, 17.6 vs 11.1 ppb), high bronchodilator reversibility (25.2% vs 8.8%), and a low FEV(1)/forced vital capacity ratio (0.63 vs 0.73) before treatment. Excellent (>3 doubling dilutions) improvement in PC(20), in contrast to poor (<1 doubling dilution) improvement, was found to be associated with high sputum eosinophil levels (3.4% vs 0.1%) and older age at onset of asthma (age, 20-29 years vs <10 years).


CONCLUSIONS
Near-maximal FEV(1) and PC(20) effects occurred with low-medium dose for both ICSs in the subjects studied. High-dose ICS therapy did not significantly increase the efficacy measures that were evaluated, but it did increase the systemic effect measure, overnight cortisol secretion. Significant intersubject variability in response occurred with both ICSs. It is possible that higher doses of ICSs are necessary to manage more severe patients or to achieve goals of therapy not evaluated in this study, such as prevention of asthma exacerbations.
Charitable Giving as a Gift Exchange – Evidence from a Field Experiment (new title: Gift-Exchange in the Field)

Charitable Giving as a Gift Exchange: Evidence from a Field Experiment This study reports data from a field experiment that was conducted to investigate the relevance of gift-exchange for charitable giving. Roughly 10,000 solicitation letters were sent to potential donors in the experiment. One third of the letters contained no gift, one third contained a small gift and one third contained a large gift. Whether a potential donor received a letter with or without a gift was randomly determined. We observe strong and systematic effects from including gifts. Compared to the no gift condition, the relative frequency of donations increased by 17 percent if a small gift was included and by 75 percent for a large gift. Consequently, including gifts was highly profitable for the charitable organization. The contribution of this paper is twofold: first, it shows that gift-exchange is important for charitable giving, in addition to the warm-glow motive. Second, the paper confirms the economic relevance of reciprocity by using field data. This extends the current body of research on reciprocity, which is almost exclusively confined to laboratory studies. JEL Classification: C93, D63, H41
Power assisted liposuction to obtain adipose-derived stem cells: impact on viability and differentiation to adipocytes in comparison to manual aspiration.

BACKGROUND
Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) play a key role in tissue engineering approaches and are probably of major importance in the context of autologous fat transfer. A number of different tools for harvesting ASCs-containing fat tissue have been established. Such devices should be easy to handle, time saving, low priced, safe and provide a high amount of viable ASCs in the aspirate. Power-assisted liposuction (PAL) has not yet been described in the literature as a tool for fat harvesting for lipotransfer. Aim of this study was to investigate ASCs' viability in fat tissue harvested using PAL versus manual aspiration (MA).


METHODS
Fat tissue was obtained from 9 donors undergoing abdominoplasty. Samples were divided into two sections. Out of each section fat was harvested using either PAL or MA. Number of isolated ASCs was defined, proliferation rate was determined and cell viability was assessed by flow cytometry. The ability of isolated ASCs to differentiate into mature adipocytes was analyzed by gene marker expression.


RESULTS
The number of viable ASCs and the proliferation rates did not significantly differ between PAL and MA but cells harvested using PAL showed significantly higher expression levels of differentiation markers adiponectin, GLUT4 and PPARg.


CONCLUSION
Our results show that PAL is a feasible method for harvesting fat tissue containing viable ASCs. Quantity and quality of PAL-harvested ASC is similar or even better, respectively, compared to ASCs harvested by MA.
GPU algorithms for radiosity and subsurface scattering

We capitalize on recent advances in modern programmable graphics hardware, originally designed to support advanced local illumination models for shading, to instead perform two different kinds of global illumination models for light transport. We first use the new floating-point texture map formats to find matrix radiosity solutions for light transport in a diffuse environment, and use this example to investigate the differences between GPU and CPU performance on matrix operations. We then examine multiple-scattering subsurface light transport, which can be modeled to resemble a single radiosity gathering step. We use a multiresolution meshed atlas to organize a hierarchy of precomputed subsurface links, and devise a three-pass GPU algorithm to render in real time the subsurface-scattered illumination of an object, with dynamic lighting and viewing.
Reduction in cardiac mortality with bivalirudin in patients with and without major bleeding: The HORIZONS-AMI trial (Harmonizing Outcomes with Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction).

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to determine whether, in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), the reduction in cardiac mortality in those taking bivalirudin compared with unfractionated heparin plus a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (UFH+GPI) can be fully attributed to reduced bleeding.


BACKGROUND
The association between hemorrhagic complications and mortality may explain the survival benefit with bivalirudin.


METHODS
A total of 3,602 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI were randomized to bivalirudin versus UFH+GPI. Three-year cardiac mortality was analyzed in patients with and without major bleeding.


RESULTS
When compared with UFH+GPI, bivalirudin resulted in lower 3-year rates of major bleeding (6.9% vs. 10.5%, hazard ratio [HR]: 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.51 to 0.80], p < 0.0001) and cardiac mortality (2.9% vs. 5.1%, HR: 0.56 [95% CI: 0.40 to 0.80], p = 0.001). Three-year cardiac mortality was reduced in bivalirudin-treated patients with major bleeding (20 fewer deaths with bivalirudin; 5.8% vs. 14.6%, p = 0.025) and without major bleeding (18 fewer deaths with bivalirudin; 2.6% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.048). In a fully-adjusted multivariable model accounting for major bleeding and other adverse events, bivalirudin was still associated with a 43% reduction in 3-year cardiac mortality (adjusted HR: 0.57 [95% CI: 0.39 to 0.83], p = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Bivalirudin reduces cardiac mortality in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI, an effect that can only partly be attributed to prevention of bleeding. Further studies are required to identify the nonhematologic benefits of bivalirudin. (Harmonizing Outcomes With Revascularization and Stents in Acute Myocardial Infarction; NCT00433966).
Accounting history research and its diffusion in an international context

_____________________________________________________________________ Drawing on extensive evidence gathered from all accounting history papers published in major research journals during the 1990s, it is argued that extant patterns of dissemination of accounting history research in international contexts are less than efficient, which in turn results in a glaring neglect of the 'majority' in 'international' journals in the English language. My understanding of the term majority refers to the subjects who conduct research (i.e., men and women affiliated to non-Anglo-Saxon institutions), the research settings (i.e., non-Anglo-Saxon environments), and the observation periods (i.e., those different from 1850-1940). At best, some of historiographies have a superficial visibility in the international arena, whereas most of them are fully neglected. I shall argue that accounting history research would gain in strength if other scholars, settings, and periods of study were added to those regularly reflected in 'international' journals. I contend that such broadening of the discipline represents the most important challenge for accounting historians in the years to come. Business Department. Carlos III University. C/ Madrid 126 (28903) Getafe, SPAIN. E-mail: scarmona@eco.uc3m.es * This address is dedicated to the memory of Ángel Sáez Torrecilla. I would like to express my gratitude to the School of Accountancy and Information Management and the Department of Management of Arizona State University for their research support during 2001-2002. Jennica Force and Ganesh Raghuraman helped me with the design and management of the databases. I appreciate the encouragement and advice of Isabel Gutiérrez and Esteban Hernández Esteve during this project. This address is part of a project funded by the CICYT grants # 01-0657 and PR-2001-093. Please, do not quote without written permission.
Parametric Optimization of Drilling Machining Process using Taguchi Design and ANOVA Approach

In this paper the drilling of mild steel with the help of CNC drilling machine operation with Tool use high speed steel by applying Taguchi methodology has been reported. The Taguchi method is applied to formulate the experimental layout to ascertain the Element of impact each optimum process parameters for CNC drilling machining with drilling operation of mild steel. A L9 array, taguchi method and analysis of variance (ANOVA) are used to formulate the procedure tried on the change of parameter layout. The available material study in focuses optimization of CNC Drilling machine process parameters to provide good surface finish as well as high material removal rate (MRR).The surface finishing and material removal rate have been identified us quality attribute and are assumed to be directly related to productivity. The selection of optimal machining parameters i.e., spindle speed, depth of cut and feed rate) for drilling machine operations was investigated in order to minimize the surface roughness and to maximize the material removal rate.
A Counting of the minimal realizations of the posets of dimension two

The posets of dimension 2 are those posets whose minimal realizations have two elements, that is, which may be obtained as the intersection of two of their linear extensions. Gallai's decomposition of a poset allows for a simple formula to count the number of the distinct minimal realizations of the posets of dimension 2. As an easy consequence, the characterization of M. El-Zahar and of N.W. Sauer of the posets of dimension 2, with an unique minimal realization, is obtained. Mathematics Subject Classi cations (1991):
Relationship of TQM and Business Performance with Mediators of SPC, Lean Production and TPM

In today s highly competitive market, the demand for quality is the single most critical factor for companies to survive in the ever-expanding global marketplace. The concept of Total Quality Management (TQM) has been developed as a result of intense global competition. Most of the previous works show that TQM has significant relationship with business performance. However, the examining of moderators is less given in previous work, which mediators are known generally as general tools and techniques without specific focus on types of improvement. The purpose of this paper is to propose relationship between TQM practices and business performance with mediators of Statistical Process Control (SPC), Lean Production (LP) and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) based on extensive review of the literature. Study on TQM, Lean Production, TPM and SPC generally investigate the practices and business performance in isolation. The main contribution of this paper is to identify the relationships among TQM, TPM, SPC and Lean Production practices as a conceptual model. This proposed conceptual model will help the academicians and industry players to have better understanding on the relationship between the practices and step by step implementation to improve business performance. The structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques are used to examine the relationships of the practices. © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of JIBES University
The making of the modern world : visions from the West and East

Acknowledgements Note of References, Conventions and Measures Abbreviated Titles PART ONE: F.W. MAITLAND: THE NATURE AND ORIGINS OF THE MODERN WORLD Preface to a Study of F.W.Maitland F.W.Maitland and the Marking of the Modern World The Legacy of Sir Henry Maine Life, Work and Methods Power and Property Social Relations The Divergence of Legal Systems Fellowship and Trust Maitland and Durkheim Maitland Assessed PART TWO: YUKICHI FUKUZAWA: THE NATURE AND EFFECTS OF THE MODERN WORLD Preface to a Study of Yukichi Fukuzawa Yukichi Fukuzawa and the Making of the Modern World Early Experience and Character Travels and Comparisons The Making of a New Japan The Essence of the Modern World Liberty, Equality and Human Relations How the Modern World Was Made Bibliography Index
Applications of ANNs in Stock Market Prediction : A Survey

This paper surveys recent literature in the domain of machine learning techniques and artificial intelligence used to predict stock market movements. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) are identified to be the dominant machine learning technique in stock market prediction area. Keywords— Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs); Stock Market; Prediction
Real-World and Rapid Face Recognition Toward Pose and Expression Variations via Feature Library Matrix

In this paper, a novel method for face recognition under pose and expression variations is proposed from only a single image in the gallery. A 3D probabilistic facial expression recognition generic elastic model is proposed to reconstruct a 3D model from real-world human face using only a single 2D frontal image with/without facial expressions. Then, a feature library matrix (FLM) is generated for each subject in the gallery from all face poses by rotating the 3D reconstructed models and extracting features in the rotated face pose. Therefore, each FLM is subsequently rendered for each subject in the gallery based on triplet angles of face poses. In addition, before matching the FLM, an initial estimate of triplet angles is obtained from the face pose in probe images using an automatic head pose estimation approach. Then, an array of the FLM is selected for each subject based on the estimated triplet angles. Finally, the selected arrays from FLMs are compared with extracted features from the probe image by iterative scoring classification using the support vector machine. Convincing results are acquired to handle pose and expression changes on the Bosphorus, Face Recognition Technology (FERET), Carnegie Mellon University-Pose, Illumination, and Expression (CMU-PIE), and Labeled Faces in the Wild (LFW) face databases compared with several state-of-the-art methods in pose-invariant face recognition. The proposed method not only demonstrates an excellent performance by obtaining high accuracy on all four databases but also outperforms other approaches realistically.
Effects of an exercise programme on self-esteem, self-concept and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of an exercise trial on self-esteem, self-concept and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia and to evaluate whether improvements in psychological distress were related to changes in physical functioning. Twenty-eight women with a primary diagnosis of fibromyalgia were randomized to a usual care control group or to a 12-week supervised training programme consisting of 3 weekly sessions of aerobic, strengthening and flexibility exercises. Outcomes were physical functioning (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), lower-body strength and flexibility) and psychological functioning (SF-36, Rosenberg self-esteem scale and Erdmann self-concept scale). Outcomes were measured at study entry and at the end of the intervention. Compared to the control group, statistically significant improvements in self-esteem, self-concept, FIQ, physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, vitality, role emotional, social functioning, mental health, isometric strength, muscular endurance and flexibility were evident in the exercise group at the end of treatment. Self-esteem and self-concept scores were correlated positively with role emotional, mental health and the mental component summary of SF-36 and were negatively correlated to FIQ scores. No significant correlation existed between self-esteem or self-concept and isometric strength, muscular endurance or flexibility. Our results highlight the need for a broader array of physical and mental outcomes and the importance of examining patient’s perceptions in future research therapies.
In what way and why is the water supply and waste water sector in Stockholm adapting to future and present effects of climate change

In what way and why is the water supply and waste water sector in Stockholm adapting to future and present effects of climate change?
Counting Votes with Formal Methods

This abstract provides some background information about the electronic voting experiment that is planned in the Netherlands for the European Elections of 2004, and about our own involvement in the infrastructure for this experiment. The talk will elaborate further about the computer security issues involved, especially with respect to the use of formal methods for vote counting software.
The Case for Holistic Data Integration

Current data integration approaches are mostly limited to few data sources, partly due to the use of binary match approaches between pairs of sources. We thus advocate for the development of more holistic, clustering-based data integration approaches that scale to many data sources. We outline different use cases and provide an overview of initial approaches for holistic schema/ontology integration and entity clustering. The discussion also considers open data repositories and socalled knowledge graphs.
Simultaneous quantification of 28 synthetic cathinones and metabolites in urine by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry.

Synthetic cathinones are novel stimulants derived from cathinone, with amphetamines or cocaine-like effects, often labeled "not for human consumption" and considered "legal highs". Emergence of these new designer drugs complicate interpretation of forensic and clinical cases, with introduction of many new analogs designed to circumvent legislation and vary effects and potencies. We developed a method for the simultaneous quantification of 28 synthetic cathinones, including four metabolites, in urine by liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). These cathinones include cathinone, methcathinone, and synthetic cathinones position-3'-substituted, N-alkyl-substituted, ring-substituted, methylenedioxy-substituted, and pyrrolidinyl-substituted. One mL phosphate buffer pH 6 and 25 μL IStd solution were combined with 0.25 mL urine, and subjected to solid phase cation exchange extraction (SOLA SCX). The chromatographic reverse-phase separation was achieved with a gradient mobile phase of 0.1 % formic acid in water and in acetonitrile in 20 min. We employed a Q Exactive high resolution mass spectrometer, with compounds identified and quantified by target-MSMS experiments. The assay was linear from 0.5-1 to 100 μg/L, with limits of detection of 0.25-1 μg/L. Imprecision (n = 20) was <15.9 % and accuracy (n = 20) 85.2-118.1 %. Extraction efficiency was 78.9-116.7 % (CV 1.4-16.7 %, n = 5), process efficiency 57.7-104.9 %, and matrix effects from -29.5 % to 1.5 % (CV 1.9-13.1 %, n = 10). Most synthetic cathinones were stable at 4 °C for 72 h (n = 27) and after 3 freeze-thaw cycles (n = 26), but many (n = 19) were not stable at room temperature for 24 h (losses up to -67.6 %). The method was applied to authentic urine specimens from synthetic cathinone users. This method provides a comprehensive confirmation method for 28 synthetic cathinones in urine, with good selectivity and specificity.
Generic Packet Tunneling in IPv6 Specification

Generic Packet Tunneling in IPv6 Specification Status of this Memo This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited. Abstract This document defines the model and generic mechanisms for IPv6 encapsulation of Internet packets, such as IPv6 and IPv4. The model and mechanisms can be applied to other protocol packets as well, such as AppleTalk, IPX, CLNP, or others.
Prospective, randomized comparison of mechanical and electronic radial endoscopic ultrasound systems: assessment of performance parameters and image quality.

OBJECTIVE
Implementation of electronic image technology in endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) should improve image quality, but systematic data are scarce. The purpose of this study was to compare the image quality and performance of an electronic and a mechanical radial echoendoscope.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
Eighty consecutive patients (42 M, mean age 56 years) in a tertiary referral center, without gross pathology (advanced tumors excluded), were prospectively randomized to EUS with the mechanical or electronic echoendoscope. Images from five standardized positions (pancreatobiliary and upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract) were taken by two examiners of differing experience. Time to acquire images was noted. Penetration depth was also measured. Image quality variables (overall quality, contrast, and structure discrimination) were assessed blindly on the basis of randomly shuffled images during three independent evaluations by the same experienced examiner (mean values were taken), using a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 1 (excellent) to 10 (inadequate).


RESULTS
Time needed to achieve visualization of the distal common bile duct (CBD) was significantly shorter with the electronic scope (49.7+/-8.6 versus 97.4+/-8.5 s; p<0.001). Image quality with the electronic scope was rated significantly better for all variables assessed, whereas EUS penetration depth was similar in both groups. There were no differences in examiner experience.


CONCLUSIONS
Electronic EUS provided better quality images according to the examiner's subjective assessment. An objective advantage was faster identification of the distal CBD.