LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
In situ temperature response of photosynthesis of 42 tree and liana species in the canopy of two Panamanian lowland tropical forests with contrasting rainfall regimes.

Tropical forests contribute significantly to the global carbon cycle, but little is known about the temperature response of photosynthetic carbon uptake in tropical species, and how this varies within and across forests. We determined in situ photosynthetic temperature-response curves for upper canopy leaves of 42 tree and liana species from two tropical forests in Panama with contrasting rainfall regimes. On the basis of seedling studies, we hypothesized that species with high photosynthetic capacity - light-demanding, fast-growing species - would have a higher temperature optimum of photosynthesis (TOpt ) than species with low photosynthetic capacity - shade-tolerant, slow-growing species - and that, therefore, TOpt would scale with the position of a species on the slow-fast continuum of plant functional traits. TOpt was remarkably similar across species, regardless of their photosynthetic capacity and other plant functional traits. Community-average TOpt was almost identical to mean maximum daytime temperature, which was higher in the dry forest. Photosynthesis above TOpt appeared to be more strongly limited by stomatal conductance in the dry forest than in the wet forest. The observation that all species in a community shared similar TOpt values suggests that photosynthetic performance is optimized under current temperature regimes. These results should facilitate the scaling up of photosynthesis in relation to temperature from leaf to stand level in species-rich tropical forests.
Combining analytical frameworks to assess livelihood vulnerability to climate change and analyse adaptation options☆

Experts working on behalf of international development organisations need better tools to assist land managers in developing countries maintain their livelihoods, as climate change puts pressure on the ecosystem services that they depend upon. However, current understanding of livelihood vulnerability to climate change is based on a fractured and disparate set of theories and methods. This review therefore combines theoretical insights from sustainable livelihoods analysis with other analytical frameworks (including the ecosystem services framework, diffusion theory, social learning, adaptive management and transitions management) to assess the vulnerability of rural livelihoods to climate change. This integrated analytical framework helps diagnose vulnerability to climate change, whilst identifying and comparing adaptation options that could reduce vulnerability, following four broad steps: i) determine likely level of exposure to climate change, and how climate change might interact with existing stresses and other future drivers of change; ii) determine the sensitivity of stocks of capital assets and flows of ecosystem services to climate change; iii) identify factors influencing decisions to develop and/or adopt different adaptation strategies, based on innovation or the use/substitution of existing assets; and iv) identify and evaluate potential trade-offs between adaptation options. The paper concludes by identifying interdisciplinary research needs for assessing the vulnerability of livelihoods to climate change.
Intimate partner violence perpetration, standard and gendered STI/HIV risk behaviour, and STI/HIV diagnosis among a clinic-based sample of men

BACKGROUND
The estimated one in three women worldwide victimized by intimate partner violence (IPV) consistently demonstrate elevated STI/HIV prevalence, with their abusive male partners' risky sexual behaviours and subsequent infection increasingly implicated. To date, little empirical data exist to characterise the nature of men's sexual risk as it relates to both their violence perpetration, and STI/HIV infection.


METHODS
Data from a cross-sectional survey of men ages 18-35 recruited from three community-based health clinics in an urban metropolitan area of the northeastern US (n = 1585) were analysed to estimate the prevalence of IPV perpetration and associations of such violent behaviour with both standard (eg, anal sex, injection drug use) and gendered (eg, coercive condom practices, sexual infidelity, transactional sex with a female partner) forms of sexual-risk behaviour, and self-reported STI/HIV diagnosis.


RESULTS
Approximately one-third of participants (32.7%) reported perpetrating physical or sexual violence against a female intimate partner in their lifetime; one in eight (12.4%) participants self-reported a history of STI/HIV diagnosis. Men's IPV perpetration was associated with both standard and gendered STI/HIV risk behaviours, and to STI/HIV diagnosis (OR 4.85, 95% CI 3.54 to 6.66). The association of men's IPV perpetration with STI/HIV diagnosis was partially attenuated (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.55, 95% CI 1.77 to 3.67) in the multivariate model, and a subset of gendered sexual-risk behaviours were found to be independently associated with STI/HIV diagnosis-for example, coercive condom practices (AOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.69), sexual infidelity (AOR 2.46, 95% CI 1.65 to 3.68), and transactional sex with a female partner (AOR 2.03, 95% CI 1.36 to 3.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Men's perpetration of physical and sexual violence against intimate partners is common among this population. Abusive men are at increased risk for STI/HIV, with gendered forms of sexual-risk behaviour partially responsible for this association. Thus, such men likely pose an elevated infection risk to their female partners. Findings indicate the need for interwoven sexual health promotion and violence prevention efforts targeted to men; critical to such efforts may be reduction in gendered sexual-risk behaviours and modification of norms of masculinity that likely promote both sexual risk and violence.
Childhood conduct disorder trajectories, prior risk factors and cannabis use at age 16: birth cohort study

AIMS
To investigate the prevalence of cannabis use and problem use in boys and girls at age 16 years, and to investigate the role of adversity in early life and of conduct disorder between the ages of 4 and 13 years as risk factors for these outcomes.


DESIGN
Birth cohort study.


SETTING
England.


PARTICIPANTS
A total of 4159 (2393 girls) participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort providing information on cannabis use at age 16.


MEASUREMENTS
Cannabis use and problem cannabis use at age 16 were assessed by postal questionnaire. Material adversity, maternal substance use, maternal mental health and child conduct disorder were all assessed by maternal report.


FINDINGS
Cannabis use was more common among girls than boys (21.4% versus 18.3%, P = 0.005). Problem cannabis use was more common in boys than girls (3.6% versus 2.8%, P = 0.007). Early-onset persistent conduct problems were associated strongly with problem cannabis use [odds ratio (OR) = 6.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.06-10.28]. Residence in subsidized housing (OR = 3.10, 95% CI = 1.95, 4.92); maternal cannabis use (OR 8.84, 95% CI 5.64-13.9) and any maternal smoking in the postnatal period (OR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.90-3.81) all predicted problem cannabis use. Attributable risks for adolescent problem cannabis use associated with the above factors were 25, 13, 17 and 24%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal smoking and cannabis use, early material disadvantage and early-onset persistent conduct problems are important risk factors for adolescent problem cannabis use. This may have implications for prevention.
Association Analysis of Urotensin II Gene (UTS2) and Flanking Regions with Biochemical Parameters Related to Insulin Resistance

BACKGROUND
Urotensin II (UII) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide, which signals through a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) known as GPR14 or urotensin receptor (UTR). UII exerts a broad spectrum of actions in several systems such as vascular cell, heart muscle or pancreas, where it inhibits insulin release.


OBJECTIVE
Given the reported role of UII in insulin secretion, we have performed a genetic association analysis of the UTS2 gene and flanking regions with biochemical parameters related to insulin resistance (fasting glucose, glucose 2 hours after a glucose overload, fasting insulin and insulin resistance estimated as HOMA).


RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
We have identified several polymorphisms associated with the analysed clinical traits, not only at the UTS2 gene, but also in thePER3 gene, located upstream from UTS2. Our results are compatible with a role for UII in glucose homeostasis and diabetes although we cannot rule out the possibility that PER3 gene may underlie the reported associations.
Suppressive effects of conversion from mycophenolate mofetil to everolimus for the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy in maintenance of heart transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND
Whether converting to everolimus (EVL) from mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) during the maintenance period after heart transplantation (HTx) reduces cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) progression remains unclear. We sought to determine the effect of converting from MMF with standard-dose calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) to EVL with low-dose CNIs on CAV progression.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 63 HTx recipients who survived at least at 1 year after HTx. Twenty-four recipients were converted from MMF to EVL (EVL group, 2.2 ± 2.3 years after HTx), while 39 recipients were maintained on MMF (MMF group, 2.4 ± 2.2 years after HTx). The EVL group underwent three-dimensional intravascular ultrasound (3D-IVUS) analysis before and 1 year after conversion to EVL, and these data were compared with data from 2 consecutive IVUS in the MMF group.


RESULTS
IVUS indices in the EVL group at 1 year after conversion did not show increased CAV development, whereas a significant increase in %plaque volume (p=0.006) and decrease in lumen volume (p<0.001) were observed in the MMF group. EVL conversion was significantly associated with smaller increases in %plaque volume (p=0.004) and smaller decreases in lumen volume (p=0.017). IVUS indices in the late EVL conversion group (≥ 2 years) also did not exhibit increased CAV development, while those in the MMF group did.


CONCLUSIONS
Conversion to EVL from MMF in maintenance periods after HTx may decrease the rate of CAV progression based on IVUS indices.
Soft Computing Techniques for System Identification using Matlab / Simulink

The adaptive fuzzy and fuzzy neural models are being widely used for identification of dynamic systems. This paper describes different fuzzy logic and neural fuzzy models. The robustness of models has further been checked by Simulink implementation of the models with application to the problem of system identification. The approach is to identify the system by minimizing the cost function using parameters update.
The determinants of capital structure: Evidence from China

This paper employs a new database containing the market and accounting data (from 1994 to 2003) from more than 1200 Chinese-listed companies to document their capital structure characteristics. As in other countries, leverage in Chinese firms increases with firm size and fixed assets, and decreases with profitability, non-debt tax shields, growth opportunity, managerial shareholdings and correlates with industries. We also find that state ownership or institutional ownership has no significant impact on capital structure and Chinese companies consider tax effect in long-term debt financing. Different from those in other countries, Chinese firms tend to have much lower long-term debt. D 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. JEL classification: G32
A cost-effectiveness analysis of the intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry multicentre randomised controlled trial (the FOREMOST trial).

OBJECTIVE
To report an economic analysis of the Australian intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry (FPO) multicentre randomised controlled trial (the FOREMOST trial), which examined whether adding FPO to conventional cardiotocographic (CTG) monitoring (intervention group) was cost-effective in reducing operative delivery rates for non-reassuring fetal status compared with the use of CTG alone (control group).


DESIGN
Cost-effectiveness analysis of the FOREMOST trial.


SETTING
Four Australian maternity hospitals, each with more than 4000 births/year.


POPULATION
Women in labour at > or =36 weeks of gestation, with a non-reassuring CTG.


METHODS
Costs were for treatment-related expenses, incorporating diagnosis-related grouping costs and direct costs (including fetal monitoring). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and cost-effectiveness plane were calculated, and sensitivity analysis was conducted. The primary outcome was that of the clinical trial: operative delivery for non-reassuring fetal status avoided in the intervention group relative to that in the control group.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The ICER.


RESULTS
The ICER demonstrated a saving of $A813 for each operative birth for non-reassuring fetal status averted by the addition of FPO to CTG monitoring compared with the use of CTG monitoring alone.


CONCLUSION
The addition of FPO to CTG monitoring represented a less costly and more effective use of resources to reduce operative delivery rates for non-reassuring fetal status than the use of conventional CTG monitoring alone.
Will social media make or break the acceptance in new technology?

Problem: Parallels have been drawn between the rise of the internet in 1990s and the present rise of bitcoin (cryptocurrency) and underlying blockchain technology. This resulted in a widespread of media coverage due to extreme price fluctuations and increased supply and demand. Garcia et al. (2014) argues that this is driven by several social aspects including word-of-mouth communication on social media, indicating that this aspect of social media effects individual attitude formation and intention towards cryptocurrency. However, this combination of social media of antecedent of consumer acceptance is limited explored, especially in the context of technology acceptance. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to create further understanding in the Technology Acceptance Model with the additional construct: social influence, first suggested by Malhotra et al. (1999). Hereby, the additional construct of social media influence was added to advance the indirect effects of social media influence on attitude formation and behavioural intention towards cryptocurrency, through the processes of social influence (internalization; identification; compliance) by Kelman. Method: This study carries out a quantitative study where survey-research was used that included a total sample of 250 cases. This sample consists of individuals between 18-37 years old, where social media usage is part of the life. As a result of the data collection, analysis was conducted using multiple regression techniques. Conclusion: Analysis of the findings established theoretical validation of the appliance of the Technology Acceptance Model on digital innovation, like cryptocurrency. By adding the construct of social media, further understanding is created in the behaviour of millennials towards cryptocurrency. The evidence suggests that there are clear indirect effects of social media on attitude formation and intention towards engaging in cryptocurrency through the processes of social influence. This study should be seen as preliminary, where future research could be built upon. More specifically, in terms of consumer acceptance of cryptocurrency and the extent of influence by social media.
First-trimester or second-trimester screening, or both, for Down's syndrome.

BACKGROUND
It is uncertain how best to screen pregnant women for the presence of fetal Down's syndrome: to perform first-trimester screening, to perform second-trimester screening, or to use strategies incorporating measurements in both trimesters.


METHODS
Women with singleton pregnancies underwent first-trimester combined screening (measurement of nuchal translucency, pregnancy-associated plasma protein A [PAPP-A], and the free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin at 10 weeks 3 days through 13 weeks 6 days of gestation) and second-trimester quadruple screening (measurement of alpha-fetoprotein, total human chorionic gonadotropin, unconjugated estriol, and inhibin A at 15 through 18 weeks of gestation). We compared the results of stepwise sequential screening (risk results provided after each test), fully integrated screening (single risk result provided), and serum integrated screening (identical to fully integrated screening, but without nuchal translucency).


RESULTS
First-trimester screening was performed in 38,167 patients; 117 had a fetus with Down's syndrome. At a 5 percent false positive rate, the rates of detection of Down's syndrome were as follows: with first-trimester combined screening, 87 percent, 85 percent, and 82 percent for measurements performed at 11, 12, and 13 weeks, respectively; with second-trimester quadruple screening, 81 percent; with stepwise sequential screening, 95 percent; with serum integrated screening, 88 percent; and with fully integrated screening with first-trimester measurements performed at 11 weeks, 96 percent. Paired comparisons found significant differences between the tests, except for the comparison between serum integrated screening and combined screening.


CONCLUSIONS
First-trimester combined screening at 11 weeks of gestation is better than second-trimester quadruple screening but at 13 weeks has results similar to second-trimester quadruple screening. Both stepwise sequential screening and fully integrated screening have high rates of detection of Down's syndrome, with low false positive rates.
Relationship between periodontal findings and Behçet's disease: a controlled study.

BACKGROUND
Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic, relapsing, systemic vasculitis of unknown aetiology. The involvement of oral mucosal surfaces represents the onset feature of the disease in the majority of patients.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the periodontal status of BD patients and then compare with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients and healthy controls. We also determined the relationship between the periodontal condition and the clinical severity of the disease in BD patients.


METHODS
Eighty-six patients with BD, 63 patients with RAS and 82 healthy subjects were included in the study. The periodontal status of all subjects was evaluated according to the community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN). BD patients were also assessed for clinical severity score (CSS) as described previously.


RESULTS
The mean CPITN were observed to be higher in BD patients (1.79 +/- 0.96) compared with RAS patients (1.22 +/- 0.87) and healthy controls (1.18 +/- 0.98) (p<0.001). There was a positive association between CSS and CPITN (p=0.017) in BD patients.


CONCLUSION
Our results showed that periodondal status is worse in BD patients and associated with disease severity. We can speculate that periodontitis may induce a systemic inflammatory process that may contribute to the development and/or progression of BD.
A PV Micro-inverter With PV Current Decoupling Strategy

The objective of this paper is to propose a novel photovoltaic (PV) micro-inverter with PV current decoupling (PVCD) strategy to achieve maximum power point tracking (MPPT) performance without using large electrolytic capacitors. Conventionally, the grid-connected PV micro-inverter needs a large PV-side electrolytic capacitor to suppress the double-line frequency voltage ripple, which is caused by the injected ac grid power, to achieve the desired MPPT performance. However, the short lifetime electrolytic capacitor will reduce the PV micro-inverter's reliability dramatically. Therefore, different active power decoupling circuits (APDCs) have been proposed in published papers to reduce the required input capacitance so that the long lifetime film capacitor can be used to replace the electrolytic capacitor. Unlike the conventional APDC with charging and discharging modes operation, a novel PVCD strategy, which is based on the concept of current decoupling instead of power decoupling, is proposed to simplify the control mechanism of the PV micro-inverter. Furthermore, to accomplish the proposed current decoupling concept, a novel circuit topology for the PV micro-inverter is also proposed. With the proposed PVCD strategy, the current decoupling tank (CDT) inside the proposed PV micro-inverter can buffer the current difference between the constant current from the PV panel and the rectified sinusoidal current of the ac grid current. Therefore, the input capacitance on the PV-side can be reduced dramatically and the long lifetime film capacitor can be used to replace the electrolytic capacitor. The reliability of the PV micro-inverter with good MPPT performance can be increased. In this paper, the operation principle and the component design of the proposed PV micro-inverter with PVCD strategy will be presented. Simulation results and experimental results of a prototype 240 W PV micro-inverter is shown to verify the performance of the PV micro-inverter with PVCD strategy.
Quantifier Elimination for Real Algebra — the Quadratic Case and Beyond

 We present a new, “elementary” quantifier elimination method for various special cases of the general quantifier elimination problem for the first-order theory of real numbers. These include the elimination of one existential quantifier ∃x in front of quantifier-free formulas restricted by a non-trivial quadratic equation in x (the case considered also in [7]), and more generally in front of arbitrary quantifier-free formulas involving only polynomials that are quadratic in x. The method generalizes the linear quantifier elimination method by virtual substitution of test terms in [9]. It yields a quantifier elimination method for an arbitrary number of quantifiers in certain formulas involving only linear and quadratic occurrences of the quantified variables. Moreover, for existential formulas ϕ of this kind it yields sample answers to the query represented by ϕ. The method is implemented in REDUCE as part of the REDLOG package (see [4, 5]). Experiments show that the method is applicable to a range of benchmark examples, where it runs in most cases significantly faster than the QEPCAD package of Collins and Hong. An extension of the method to higher degree polynomials using Thom’s lemma is sketched.