LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Plasma concentrations of generic lopinavir/ritonavir in HIV type-1-infected individuals.

BACKGROUND
Generic drugs can contribute to access to treatment for HIV-infected patients. However quality and safety remains an issue of concern. Therefore, we evaluated minimal plasma concentrations and short-term safety of a generic lopinavir/ritonavir 200/50 mg tablet formulation.


METHODS
In a single-centre prospective pilot study, patients receiving protease-inhibitor-based antiretroviral treatment were switched to a generic lopinavir/ritonavir tablet at the standard dose (400/100 mg twice daily). Minimum drug concentrations (C(min)) of lopinavir and ritonavir were performed before switching (in 16 patients who were on Kaletra((R)) soft-gel capsules) and after 4 weeks (in all patients). Plasma levels of lopinavir and ritonavir were determined by a validated HPLC method. Either the Wilcoxon signed-rank or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the groups.


RESULTS
A total of 37 patients (18 females) were included in the study. Two stopped their study medications prematurely because of intolerance. The median (interquartile range) lopinavir C(min) was 7.2 mg/l (5.8-8.3) and no patients had subtherapeutic levels <1.0 mg/l. No significant difference of lopinavir C(min) levels was found between Kaletra((R)), and the generic product (P=0.224). By contrast, the C(min) of generic ritonavir was higher (P=0.012). Food did not affect the drug levels. Mild gastrointestinal complaints were reported in 12 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The generic lopinavir/ritonavir tablet showed C(min) plasma concentrations similar to what is described for the branded product, with good stability, independent of food intake. These data support the efforts in scaling up access to generic second-line treatment in middle- and low-income countries.
Genome sequence of a 45,000-year-old modern human from western Siberia

We present the high-quality genome sequence of a ∼45,000-year-old modern human male from Siberia. This individual derives from a population that lived before—or simultaneously with—the separation of the populations in western and eastern Eurasia and carries a similar amount of Neanderthal ancestry as present-day Eurasians. However, the genomic segments of Neanderthal ancestry are substantially longer than those observed in present-day individuals, indicating that Neanderthal gene flow into the ancestors of this individual occurred 7,000–13,000 years before he lived. We estimate an autosomal mutation rate of 0.4 × 10−9 to 0.6 × 10−9 per site per year, a Y chromosomal mutation rate of 0.7 × 10−9 to 0.9 × 10−9 per site per year based on the additional substitutions that have occurred in present-day non-Africans compared to this genome, and a mitochondrial mutation rate of 1.8 × 10−8 to 3.2 × 10−8 per site per year based on the age of the bone.
Nephele/PACTs: a programming model and execution framework for web-scale analytical processing

We present a parallel data processor centered around a programming model of so called Parallelization Contracts (PACTs) and the scalable parallel execution engine Nephele [18]. The PACT programming model is a generalization of the well-known map/reduce programming model, extending it with further second-order functions, as well as with Output Contracts that give guarantees about the behavior of a function. We describe methods to transform a PACT program into a data flow for Nephele, which executes its sequential building blocks in parallel and deals with communication, synchronization and fault tolerance. Our definition of PACTs allows to apply several types of optimizations on the data flow during the transformation.
 The system as a whole is designed to be as generic as (and compatible to) map/reduce systems, while overcoming several of their major weaknesses: 1) The functions map and reduce alone are not sufficient to express many data processing tasks both naturally and efficiently. 2) Map/reduce ties a program to a single fixed execution strategy, which is robust but highly suboptimal for many tasks. 3) Map/reduce makes no assumptions about the behavior of the functions. Hence, it offers only very limited optimization opportunities. With a set of examples and experiments, we illustrate how our system is able to naturally represent and efficiently execute several tasks that do not fit the map/reduce model well.
Syzygium cumini ameliorates insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction via modulation of PPAR, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and TNF-α in type 2 diabetic rats.

Syzygium cumini (SC) is well known for its anti-diabetic potential, but the mechanism underlying its amelioration of type 2 diabetes is still elusive. Therefore, for the first time, we investigated whether SC aqueous seed extract (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg) exerts any beneficial effects on insulin resistance (IR), serum lipid profile, antioxidant status, and/or pancreatic β-cell damage in high-fat diet / streptozotocin-induced (HFD-STZ) diabetic rats. Wistar albino rats were fed with HFD (55% of calories as fat) during the experiment to induce IR and on the 10th day were injected with STZ (40 mg/kg, i.p.) to develop type 2 diabetes. Subsequently, after confirmation of hyperglycemia on the 14th day (fasting glucose level > 13.89 mM), diabetic rats were treated with SC for the next 21 days. Diabetic rats showed increased serum glucose, insulin, IR, TNF-α, dyslipidemia, and pancreatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances with a concomitant decrease in β-cell function and pancreatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase antioxidant enzyme activities. Microscopic examination of their pancreas revealed pathological changes in islets and β-cells. These alterations reverted to near-normal levels after treatment with SC at 400 mg/kg. Moreover, hepatic tissue demonstrated increased PPARγ and PPARα protein expressions. Thus, our study demonstrated the beneficial effect of SC seed extract on IR and β-cell dysfunction in HFD-STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rats.
Daughters and Left-Wing Voting

What determines human beings' political preferences? Using nationally representative longitudinal data, we show that having daughters makes people more likely to vote for left-wing political parties. Having sons leads people to favor right-wing parties. The paper checks that our result is not an artifact of family stopping rules, discusses the predictions from a simple economic model, and tests for possible reverse causality.
Argatroban anticoagulation in patients with acute ischemic stroke (ARGIS-1): a randomized, placebo-controlled safety study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Direct thrombin inhibitors, including argatroban, represent an anticoagulant class distinct from heparins. We investigated the safety of 2 levels of argatroban anticoagulation in acute ischemic stroke.


METHODS
This multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study included 171 patients with acute (< or =12 hours from onset) stroke and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of 5 to 22. Patients received continuous intravenous argatroban (100 microg/kg bolus) at 3 microg/kg per minute (n=59) or 1 microg/kg per minute (n=58), respectively, adjusted to target activated partial thromboplastin times (aPTTs) 2.25x and 1.75x baseline or placebo (n=54) for 5 days. The primary outcome was symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) at 30 days.


RESULTS
Baseline characteristics including neurologic deficits (median NIHSS score 9) were comparable between groups. Argatroban at mean doses of 2.7 and 1.2 microg/kg per minute increased aPTTs significantly (P<0.001), with mean aPTTs at or near target values throughout infusion. Symptomatic ICH was not significantly different between groups (high-dose argatroban, 5.1%; low-dose argatroban, 3.4%; placebo, 0%; P> or =0.18), with 3 events during argatroban infusion and 2 events > or =7 days after stopping infusion. No significant between-group differences occurred in asymptomatic ICH (7 events), major systemic hemorrhage (no event), or 90-day mortality (13.4% overall).


CONCLUSIONS
In this first North American randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of direct thrombin inhibition in acute ischemic stroke, argatroban at each dose evaluated significantly prolonged aPTTs without increasing ICH or major bleeding. These results suggest that argatroban provides safe anticoagulation in acute ischemic stroke, warranting future studies powered to evaluate its efficacy and more precisely estimate event rates.
Determination of sun protection factor ( SPF ) of sunscreens by ultraviolet spectrophotometry

The aim of this research was to determine the sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreens emulsions containing chemical and physical sunscreens by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. Ten different commercially available samples of sunscreen emulsions of various manufactures were evaluated. The SPF labeled values were in the range of 8 to 30. The SPF values of the 30% of the analyzed samples are in close agreement with the labeled SPF, 30% presented SPF values above the labeled amount and 40% presented SPF values under the labeled amount. The proposed spectrophotometric method is simple and rapid for the in vitro determination of SPF values of sunscreens emulsions. *Correspondence:
Convolutional Neural Networks for Text Categorization: Shallow Word-level vs. Deep Character-level

This paper reports the performances of shallow word-level convolutional neural networks (CNN), our earlier work (2015) [3, 4], on the eight datasets with relatively large training data that were used for testing the very deep characterlevel CNN in Conneau et al. (2016) [1]. Our findings are as follows. The shallow word-level CNNs achieve better error rates than the error rates reported in [1] though the results should be interpreted with some consideration due to the unique pre-processing of [1]. The shallow word-level CNN uses more parameters and therefore requires more storage than the deep character-level CNN; however, the shallow word-level CNN computes much faster.
Business Strategy Design Patterns The Porter Patterns

1 Abstract This paper describes five widely-applicable business strategy patterns. The initiate patterns where inspired Michael Porter's work on competitive strategy (1980). By applying the pattern form we are able to explore the strategies and consequences in a fresh light. The patterns form part of a larger endeavour to apply pattern thinking to the business domain. This endeavour seeks to map the business domain in patterns, this involves develop patterns, possibly based on existing literature, and mapping existing patterns into a coherent model of the business domain. If you find the paper interesting you might be interested in some more patterns that are currently (May 2005) in development. These describe in more detail how these strategies can be implemented: This paper is one of the most downloaded pieces on my website. I'd be interested to know more about who is downloading the paper, what use your making of it and any comments you have on it-allan@allankelly.net. Cost Leadership Build an organization that can produce your chosen product more cheaply than anyone else. You can then choose to undercut the opposition (and sell more) or sell at the same price (and make more profit per unit.) Differentiated Product Build a product that fulfils the same functions as your competitors but is clearly different, e.g. it is better quality, novel design, or carries a brand name. Customer will be prepared to pay more for your product than the competition. Market Focus You can't compete directly on cost or differentiation with the market leader; so, focus on a niche in the market. The niche will be smaller than the overall market (so sales will be lower) but the customer requirements will be different, serve these customers requirements better then the mass market and they will buy from you again and again. Sweet Spot Customers don't always want the best or the cheapest, so, produce a product that combines elements of differentiation with reasonable cost so you offer superior value. However, be careful, customer tastes
Sumer and Sumerians

Introduction 1. The rediscovery of the ancient Near East: the physical environment 2. History, chronology and social organisation 3. Patterns of settlement and agriculture 4. Town planning and temple architecture 5. Public buildings and private housing 6. Life, death and the meaning of the universe 7. Manufacturing industry and trade 8. Writing and the arts 9. Conclusions: the development of Sumerian society References Index.
Which Are the Cells of Origin in Merkel Cell Carcinoma?

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a highly aggressive skin tumour with increasing incidence, is associated with the newly discovered Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Studies on MCC and MCPyV as well as other risk factors have significantly increased our knowledge of MCC pathogenesis, but the cells of origin, which could be important targets in future therapies, are still unknown. Merkel cells (MCs), the neuroendocrine cells of the skin, were believed to be at the origin of MCC due to their phenotypic similarities. However, for several reasons, for example, heterogeneous differentiation of MCCs and postmitotic character of MCs, it is not very likely that MCC develops from differentiated MCs. Skin stem cells, probably from the epidermal lineage, are more likely to be cells of origin in MCC. Future studies will have to address these questions more directly in order to identify the physiological cells which are transformed to MCC cells.
Modeling epidemics with differential equations

The well known SIR models have been around for many years. Under some suitable assumptions, the models provide information about when does the epidemic occur and when it doesn’t. The models can incorporate the birth, death, and immunization and analyze the outcome mathematically. In this project we studied several SIR models including birth, death and immunization. We also studied the bifurcation analysis associated with the disease free and epidemic equilibrium.
Control of citrus postharvest green mold and sour rot by potassium sorbate combined with heat and fungicides

Potassium sorbate (KS), a common food preservative, was evaluated to control postharvest decay of citrus fruit. Significant advantages of KS ver the commonly used sodium bicarbonate, which similarly improved fungicide performance, are the relatively low salt concentration of KS, the bsence of sodium, and its lower pH, so disposal of used KS solutions would raise fewer regulatory issues. The influence of KS concentration and H (pH 4–9) on the germination of spores of Penicillium digitatum was determined alone or in combination with four postharvest citrus fungicides, mazalil (IMZ), thiabendazole (TBZ), pyrimethanil, and fludioxonil. The EC95 concentrations of KS to inhibit spore germination were lowest from H 4–6. To control green mold on inoculated fruit, KS was compatible with these fungicides and consistently improved their performance. KS lone or fungicide–KS solutions were more effective when heated. The combination of KS and sodium bicarbonate was only moderately better than ither alone. Green mold caused by an isolate of P. digitatum resistant to IMZ and TBZ was effectively controlled when KS was added to a heated MZ or TBZ solutions. Heat, but not KS, increased residues of all of the fungicides in oranges. Sour rot, caused by Geotrichum citri-aurantii, was educed from 94.5% among control lemons, to 49.1 and 47.2%, respectively, by 30 s immersion in KS or sodium bicarbonate at 1% (wt/vol) at 5 ◦C, and to 37.0 and 15.7%, respectively, when these solutions were at 50 ◦C. ublished by Elsevier B.V.
Prevalence and clinical significance of solitary pulmonary sub-segmental microembolism.

BACKGROUND
Solitary pulmonary microembolism is rarely discussed as a distinct diagnostic entity. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of embolism limited to subsegmental branches in a group of patients discharged from hospital on anticoagulants with a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism based on ventilation-perfusion imaging followed by selective angiography.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
Of 29 consecutive patients with classic signs of pulmonary embolism at angiography, we identified a subgroup of 5 patients with sub-segmental embolism, which was solitary in all cases.


RESULTS
Clinical presentation included chest pain (2/5), shortness of breath (2/5, or hypoxemia (1/5). Chest X-rays were normal (2/5), or showed pulmonary oedema (1/5) or atelectasis with (1/5), or without (1/5) pleural effusion. VQ imaging patterns included small subsegmental mismatch (1/5), one segment mismatch (1/5), single (1/5) or triple (2/5) match. The site and size of the microemboli found at angiography were incompatible with the location and severity of symptoms in 4/5 (80%) patients, and with location and extent of Chest X-ray findings and with VQ patterns in all patients. VQ abnormalities were either either disproportionably larger or were non congruent with the vascular territory compromised by the subsegmental embolus.


CONCLUSIONS
Sub-segmental pulmonary micro-emboli were always solitary, and not uncommon, comprising 17% of all patients with pulmonary embolism. The location and size of the emboli were inconsistent with clinical, Chest X-ray and scintigraphic findings, suggesting that isolated microemboli are a serendipitous finding, of no clinical significance.
Forced saving, redistribution and non linear social security scheme

This paper studies the design of a nonlinear social security scheme in a society where individuals differ in two respects: productivity and degree of myopia. Myopic individuals may not save “enough” for their retirement because their “myopic self” emerges when labor supply and savings decisions are made. The social welfare function is paternalistic: the rate of time preference of the far-sighted (which corresponds to the “true” preferences of the myopics) is used for both types. We show that the paternalistic solution does not necessarily imply forced savings for the myopics. This is because paternalistic considerations are mitigated or even outweighed by incentive effects. Our numerical results suggest that as the number of myopic individuals increases, there is less redistribution and more forced saving. Furthermore, as the number of myopic increases, the desirability of social security (measured by the difference between social welfare with and without social security) increases. JEL Code: D91.
Digital Image Processing

In this paper we give a tutorial overview of the field of digital image processing. Following a brief discussion of some basic concepts in this area, image processing algorithms are presented with emphasis on fundamental techniques which are broadly applicable to a number of applications. In addition to several real-world examples of such techniques, we also discuss the applicability of digital image processing to one particular field, that of medical radiography.
Determination of workpiece flow stress and friction at the chip-tool contact for high-speed cutting

This paper presents a methodology to determine simultaneously (a) the flow stress at high deformation rates and temperatures that are encountered in the cutting zone, and (b) the friction at the chip–tool interface. This information is necessary to simulate high-speed machining using FEM based programs. A flow stress model based on process dependent parameters such as strain, strain-rate and temperature was used together with a friction model based on shear flow stress of the workpiece at the chip–tool interface. High-speed cutting experiments and process simulations were utilized to determine the unknown parameters in flow stress and friction models. This technique was applied to obtain flow stress for P20 mold steel at hardness of 30 HRC and friction data when using uncoated carbide tooling at high-speed cutting conditions. The average strain, strain-rates and temperatures were computed both in primary (shear plane) and secondary (chip–tool contact) deformation zones. The friction conditions in sticking and sliding regions at the chip– tool interface are estimated using Zorev’s stress distribution model. The shear flow stress ( kchip) was also determined using computed average strain, strain-rate, and temperatures in secondary deformation zone, while the friction coefficient ( m) was estimated by minimizing the difference between predicted and measured thrust forces. By matching the measured values of the cutting forces with the predicted results from FEM simulations, an expression for workpiece flow stress and the unknown friction parameters at the chip– tool contact were determined.  1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Models of brain function in neuroimaging.

Inferences about brain function, using neuroimaging data, rest on models of how the data were caused. These models can be quite diverse, ranging from conceptual models of functional anatomy to nonlinear mathematical models of hemodynamics. However, they all have to be internally consistent because they model the same thing. This consistency encompasses many levels of description and places constraints on the statistical models, adopted for data analysis, and the experimental designs they embody. The aim of this review is to introduce the key models used in imaging neuroscience and how they relate to each other. We start with anatomical models of functional brain architectures, which motivate some of the fundaments of neuroimaging. We then turn to basic statistical models (e.g., the general linear model) used for making classical and Bayesian inferences about where neuronal responses are expressed. By incorporating biophysical constraints, these basic models can be finessed and, in a dynamic setting, rendered causal. This allows us to infer how interactions among brain regions are mediated.