LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
The Development of the Turtle Carapace " ( 1989 ) , by Ann

Ann Campbell Burke examines the development and evolution [5] of vertebrates, in particular, turtles [6]. Her Harvard University [7] experiments, described in "Development of the Turtle Carapace [4]: Implications for the Evolution of a Novel Bauplan," were published in 1989. Burke used molecular techniques to investigate the developmental mechanisms responsible for the formation of the turtle shell. Burke's work with turtle embryos has provided empirical evidence for the hypothesis that the evolutionary origins of turtle morphology [8] depend on changes in the embryonic and developmental mechanisms underpinning shell production.
A stabilized multigrid solver for hyperelastic image registration

Correspondence Lars Ruthotto, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Emory University, 400 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. Email: lruthotto@emory.edu Summary Image registration is a central problem in a variety of areas involving imaging techniques and is known to be challenging and ill-posed. Regularization functionals based on hyperelasticity provide a powerful mechanism for limiting the ill-posedness. A key feature of hyperelastic image registration approaches is their ability to model large deformations while guaranteeing their invertibility, which is crucial in many applications. To ensure that numerical solutions satisfy this requirement, we discretize the variational problem using piecewise linear finite elements, and then solve the discrete optimization problem using the Gauss–Newton method. In this work, we focus on computational challenges arising in approximately solving the Hessian system. We show that the Hessian is a discretization of a strongly coupled system of partial differential equations whose coefficients can be severely inhomogeneous. Motivated by a local Fourier analysis, we stabilize the system by thresholding the coefficients. We propose a Galerkin-multigrid scheme with a collective pointwise smoother. We demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed scheme, first on a two-dimensional problem of a moderate size and then on a large-scale real-world application with almost 9 million degrees of freedom.
Object tracking using SIFT features and mean shift

 Proposed method – Object tracking using mean shift/SIFT strategy • Using SIFT feature − Corresponding region of interests across frame • Using mean shift − Conducting similarity search by color histogram • Using expectation-maximization algorithm − Optimizing probability function for better similarity search
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials of mHealth interventions against non-communicable diseases in developing countries

BACKGROUND
The reasons of deaths in developing countries are shifting from communicable diseases towards non-communicable diseases (NCDs). At the same time the number of health care interventions using mobile phones (mHealth interventions) is growing rapidly. We review studies assessing the health-related impacts of mHealth on NCDs in low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs).


METHODS
A systematic literature search of three major databases was performed in order to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mHealth interventions. Identified studies were reviewed concerning key characteristics of the trial and the intervention; and the relationship between intervention characteristics and outcomes was qualitatively assessed.


RESULTS
The search algorithms retrieved 994 titles. 8 RCTs were included in the review, including a total of 4375 participants. Trials took place mostly in urban areas, tested different interventions (ranging from health promotion over appointment reminders and medication adjustments to clinical decision support systems), and included patients with different diseases (diabetes, asthma, hypertension). Except for one study all showed rather positive effects of mHealth interventions on reported outcome measures. Furthermore, our results suggest that particular types of mHealth interventions that were found to have positive effects on patients with communicable diseases and for improving maternal care are likely to be effective also for NCDs.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite rather positive results of included RCTs, a firm conclusion about the effectiveness of mHealth interventions against NCDs is not yet possible because of the limited number of studies, the heterogeneity of evaluated mHealth interventions and the wide variety of reported outcome measures. More research is needed to better understand the specific effects of different types of mHealth interventions on different types of patients with NCDs in LaMICs.
WCP-Nets: A Weighted Extension to CP-Nets for Web Service Selection

User preference often plays a key role in personalized applications such as web service selection. CP-nets is a compact and intuitive formalism for representing and reasoning with conditional preferences. However, the original CP-nets does not support fine-grained preferences, which results in the inability to compare certain preference combinations (service patterns). In this paper, we propose a weighted extension to CPnets called WCP-nets by allowing users to specify the relative importance (weights) between attribute values and between attributes. Both linear and nonlinear methods are proposed to adjust the attribute weights when conflicts between users’ explicit preferences and their actual behaviors of service selection occur. Experimental results based on two real datasets show that our method can effectively enhance the expressiveness of user preference and select more accurate services than other counterparts.
Endurance training effect on individuals with postpoliomyelitis.

OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of an endurance training program on the exercise capacity and muscle structure and function in individuals with postpolio syndrome.


DESIGN
Preexercise and postexercise testing was performed with muscle strength evaluations using isokinetic testing as well as hand-held Myometer. Muscle fatigue was determined by use of isokinetic testing, and endurance was determined by exercise testing. Enzymatic evaluation was performed with muscle biopsies taken at the same site; preexercise and postexercise muscle cross-sectional area was measured by computed tomography. Disability and psychosocial evaluation was performed by a Functional Status Questionnaire.


SETTING
A university.


SUBJECTS
Seventeen postpolio subjects ranging in age from 39 to 49 years volunteered for a 6-month combined endurance and strength training program. They had a history of acute poliomyelitis at least 25 years earlier and were able to walk with or without aid.


INTERVENTION
Twelve of the subjects (mean age 42 years) completed the program, attending an average of 29 sessions, which were offered for 60 minutes twice a week.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Strength, endurance, enzymatic activity, and cross-sectional area were measured 3 months before the beginning of training, just before training, and at the completion of the exercise program.


RESULTS
Knee extension was reduced to an average of 60% of control values and did not change with training. Strength measured with a hand-held Myometer increased significantly for elbow flexion, wrist extension, and hip abduction. Exercise test on a bicycle-ergometer showed significant reduction (6beats/min) in heart rate at 70W and increase (12beats/min) in maximal heart rate with training. The training program could be performed without major complications and resulted in an increase in muscle strength in some muscle groups and in work performance with respect to heart rate at submaximal work load.
Correlation between toe flexor strength and ankle dorsiflexion ROM during the
countermovement jump

[Purpose] This study assessed the relationships between peak toe flexor muscle strength, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, and countermovement jump height. [Subjects and Methods] Eighteen healthy volunteers participated in the study. Each participant completed tests for peak toe flexor muscle strength, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, and countermovement jump height. [Results] The results showed (1) a moderate correlation between ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and countermovement jump height and (2) a high correlation between peak first toe flexor muscle strength and countermovement jump height. Peak first toe flexor muscle strength and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion are the main contributors to countermovement jump performance. [Conclusion] These findings indicate that the measurement of peak first toe flexor muscle strength and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion may be useful in clinical practice for improving jump performance in athletes training for sports such as volleyball and basketball.
Physiological response to moderate exercise workloads in a pulmonary rehabilitation program in patients with varying degrees of airflow obstruction.

STUDY OBJECTIVES
To investigate whether a 12-week pulmonary rehabilitation program that includes moderately intensive exercise training performed twice weekly can induce a training effect in patients with a wide variation of airflow limitation.


PARTICIPANTS
Sixty patients with COPD (38 men) with a mean +/- SD FEV(1) % predicted of 55.1 +/- 19.8 (range, 0.51 to 2.99). All patients performed identical incremental symptom-limited cycle ergometer testing before and after a 12-week study period.


MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS
After 12 weeks, the patients demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the peak values for work rate (WR; 77 +/- 30 vs 91 +/- 36 W) and oxygen uptake (1.14 +/- 0.45 vs 1.20 +/- 0.52 L/min). Furthermore, at a given WR during incremental symptom-limited cycle ergometer testing, there were significant (p < 0.05) reductions in minute ventilation (42.4 +/- 16.1 vs 37.0 +/- 13. 6 L/min), carbon dioxide output (1.13 +/- 0.49 vs 1.03 +/- 0.42 L/min), ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (37.6 +/- 8.1 vs 36.0 +/- 6.3), and heart rate (135 +/- 15 vs 128 +/- 16 beats/min). None of the observed physiologic changes correlated with FEV(1) % predicted.


CONCLUSIONS
A pulmonary rehabilitation program performed twice weekly with moderate exercise workloads can lead to a physiologic training response irrespective of the degree of airflow limitation.
Measuring the surgical 'learning curve': methods, variables and competency.

OBJECTIVES
To describe how learning curves are measured and what procedural variables are used to establish a 'learning curve' (LC). To assess whether LCs are a valuable measure of competency.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
A review of the surgical literature pertaining to LCs was conducted using the Medline and OVID databases.


RESULTS
Variables should be fully defined and when possible, patient-specific variables should be used. Trainee's prior experience and level of supervision should be quantified; the case mix and complexity should ideally be constant. Logistic regression may be used to control for confounding variables. Ideally, a learning plateau should reach a predefined/expert-derived competency level, which should be fully defined. When the group splitting method is used, smaller cohorts should be used in order to narrow the range of the LC. Simulation technology and competence-based objective assessments may be used in training and assessment in LC studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Measuring the surgical LC has potential benefits for patient safety and surgical education. However, standardisation in the methods and variables used to measure LCs is required. Confounding variables, such as participant's prior experience, case mix, difficulty of procedures and level of supervision, should be controlled. Competency and expert performance should be fully defined.
Derivative expansion of the renormalization group in O(N) scalar field theory

We apply a derivative expansion to the Legendre effective action flow equations of O(N) symmetric scalar field theory, making no other approximation. We calculate the critical exponents η, ν, and ω at the both the leading and second order of the expansion, associated to the three dimensional Wilson-Fisher fixed points, at various values of N . In addition, we show how the derivative expansion reproduces exactly known results, at special values N = ∞,−2,−4, · · ·.
Association Between Palliative Care and Patient and Caregiver Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance
The use of palliative care programs and the number of trials assessing their effectiveness have increased.


Objective
To determine the association of palliative care with quality of life (QOL), symptom burden, survival, and other outcomes for people with life-limiting illness and for their caregivers.


Data Sources
MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL to July 2016.


Study Selection
Randomized clinical trials of palliative care interventions in adults with life-limiting illness.


Data Extraction and Synthesis
Two reviewers independently extracted data. Narrative synthesis was conducted for all trials. Quality of life, symptom burden, and survival were analyzed using random-effects meta-analysis, with estimates of QOL translated to units of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-palliative care scale (FACIT-Pal) instrument (range, 0-184 [worst-best]; minimal clinically important difference [MCID], 9 points); and symptom burden translated to the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) (range, 0-90 [best-worst]; MCID, 5.7 points).


Main Outcomes and Measures
Quality of life, symptom burden, survival, mood, advance care planning, site of death, health care satisfaction, resource utilization, and health care expenditures.


Results
Forty-three RCTs provided data on 12 731 patients (mean age, 67 years) and 2479 caregivers. Thirty-five trials used usual care as the control, and 14 took place in the ambulatory setting. In the meta-analysis, palliative care was associated with statistically and clinically significant improvements in patient QOL at the 1- to 3-month follow-up (standardized mean difference, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.08 to 0.83; FACIT-Pal mean difference, 11.36] and symptom burden at the 1- to 3-month follow-up (standardized mean difference, -0.66; 95% CI, -1.25 to -0.07; ESAS mean difference, -10.30). When analyses were limited to trials at low risk of bias (n = 5), the association between palliative care and QOL was attenuated but remained statistically significant (standardized mean difference, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.34; FACIT-Pal mean difference, 4.94), whereas the association with symptom burden was not statistically significant (standardized mean difference, -0.21; 95% CI, -0.42 to 0.00; ESAS mean difference, -3.28). There was no association between palliative care and survival (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.69 to 1.17). Palliative care was associated consistently with improvements in advance care planning, patient and caregiver satisfaction, and lower health care utilization. Evidence of associations with other outcomes was mixed.


Conclusions and Relevance
In this meta-analysis, palliative care interventions were associated with improvements in patient QOL and symptom burden. Findings for caregiver outcomes were inconsistent. However, many associations were no longer significant when limited to trials at low risk of bias, and there was no significant association between palliative care and survival.
Robust longitudinal spin-Seebeck effect in Bi-YIG thin films

In recent years, the coupling of magnetic insulators (bismuth-doped yttrium iron garnet, Bi-YIG) with platinum has garnered significant interest in spintronics research due to applicability as spin-current-driven thermoelectric coatings. These coatings bridge the gap between spintronics technologies and thermoelectric materials, providing a novel means of transforming waste heat into electricity. However, there remain questions regarding the origins of the spin-Seebeck effect (SSE) as well as claims that observed effects are a manifestation of magnetic proximity effects, which would induce magnetic behavior in platinum. Herewith we provide support that the voltages observed in the Bi-YIG/Pt films are purely SSE voltages. We reaffirm claims that magnon transport theory provides an ample basis for explaining SSE behavior. Finally, we illustrate the advantages of pulsed-laser deposition, as these Bi-YIG films possess large SSE voltages (even in absence of an external magnetic field), as much as twice those of films fabricated via solution-based methods.
Chapter 2 Soil Liquefaction in Earthquakes 2.1. Definition of Soil Liquefaction

Soil liquefaction and related ground failures are commonly associated with large earthquakes. In common usage, liquefaction refers to the loss of strength in saturated, cohesionless soils due to the build-up of pore water pressures during dynamic loading. A more precise definition of soil liquefaction is given by Sladen et al. (1985): "Liquefaction is a phenomenon wherein a mass of soil loses a large percentage of its shear resistance, when subjected to monotonic, cyclic, or shock loading, and flows in a manner resembling a liquid until the shear stresses acting on the mass are as low as the reduced shear resistance." In a more general manner, soil liquefaction has been defined as the transformation "from a solid state to a liquefied state as a consequence of increased pore pressure and reduced effective stress" ("Definition of terms..." 1978). Some ground failures attributed to soil liquefaction are more correctly ascribed to "cyclic mobility" which results in limited soil deformations without liquid-like flow. The proper, concise definition for soil liquefaction has been the subject of a continuing debate within the geotechnical profession. While investigators have argued that liquefaction and cyclic mobility should be carefully distinguished (Castro and Poulos 1977), "liquefaction" is commonly used to describe all failure mechanisms resulting from the build-up of pore pressures during undrained cyclic shear of saturated soils.
Validity and responsiveness of the Michigan Hand Questionnaire in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a multicenter, international study.

OBJECTIVE
Millions of patients experience the disabling hand manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), yet few hand-specific instruments are validated in this population. Our objective was to assess the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ) in patients with RA.


METHODS
At enrollment and at 6 months, 128 RA patients with severe subluxation of the metacarpophalangeal joints completed the MHQ, a 37-item questionnaire with 6 domains: function, activities of daily living (ADL), pain, work, aesthetics, and satisfaction. Reliability was measured using Spearman's correlation coefficients between time periods. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was measured by correlating MHQ responses with the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 (AIMS2). Responsiveness was measured by calculating standardized response means (SRMs) between time periods.


RESULTS
The MHQ demonstrated good test-retest reliability (r = 0.66, P < 0.001). Cronbach's alpha scores were high for ADL (α = 0.90), function (α = 0.87), aesthetics (α = 0.79), and satisfaction (α = 0.89), indicating redundancy. The MHQ correlated well with AIMS2 responses. Function (r = -0.63), ADL (r = -0.77), work (r = -0.64), pain (r = 0.59), and summary score (r = -0.74) were correlated with the physical domain. Affect was correlated with ADL (r = -0.47), work (r = -0.47), pain (r = 0.48), and summary score (r = -0.53). Responsiveness was excellent among arthroplasty patients in function (SRM 1.42), ADL (SRM 0.89), aesthetics (SRM 1.23), satisfaction (SRM 1.76), and summary score (SRM 1.61).


CONCLUSION
The MHQ is easily administered, reliable, and valid to measure rheumatoid hand function, and can be used to measure outcomes in rheumatic hand disease.
Product concepts for land mobile satellite communication terminals in Ku-/Ka-band

The details of two product concepts and the hardware realization aspects for low profile Ku-/Ka-band land mobile terminals for high data rate satellite communications are described. Beside the competitive low cost approach, the non-obstructive design and lower weight are key issues for many applications to achieve a broad customer acceptance. The introduction of a proprietary planar antenna technology opens the possibility to meet these requirements.
The origin of multiple superconducting gaps in MgB2

Magnesium diboride, MgB2, has the highest transition temperature (Tc = 39 K) of the known metallic superconductors. Whether the anomalously high Tc can be described within the conventional BCS (Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer) framework has been debated. The key to understanding superconductivity lies with the ‘superconducting energy gap’ associated with the formation of the superconducting pairs. Recently, the existence of two kinds of superconducting gaps in MgB2 has been suggested by several experiments; this is in contrast to both conventional and high-Tc superconductors. A clear demonstration of two gaps has not yet been made because the previous experiments lacked the ability to resolve the momentum of the superconducting electrons. Here we report direct experimental evidence for the two-band superconductivity in MgB2, by separately observing the superconducting gaps of the σ and π bands (as well as a surface band). The gaps have distinctly different sizes, which unambiguously establishes MgB2 as a two-gap superconductor.
Spinal epidural abscess in two calves.

OBJECTIVE
To report clinical signs, diagnostic and surgical or necropsy findings, and outcome in 2 calves with spinal epidural abscess (SEA).


STUDY DESIGN
Clinical report.


ANIMALS
Calves (n=2).


METHODS
Calves had neurologic examination, analysis and antimicrobial culture of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), vertebral column radiographs, myelography, and in 1 calf, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A definitive diagnosis of SEA was confirmed by necropsy in 1 calf and during surgery and histologic examination of vertebral canal tissue in 1 calf.


RESULTS
Clinical signs were difficulty in rising, ataxia, fever, apparent spinal pain, hypoesthesia, and paresis/plegia which appeared 15 days before admission. Calf 1 had pelvic limb weakness and difficulty standing and calf 2 had severe ataxia involving both thoracic and pelvic limbs. Extradural spinal cord compression was identified by myelography. SEA suspected in calf 1 with discospondylitis was confirmed at necropsy whereas calf 2 had MRI identification of the lesion and was successfully decompressed by laminectomy and SEA excision. Both calves had peripheral neutrophilia and calf 2 had neutrophilic pleocytosis in CSF. Bacteria were not isolated from CSF, from the surgical site or during necropsy. Calf 2 improved neurologically and had a good long-term outcome.


CONCLUSION
Good outcome in a calf with SEA was obtained after adequate surgical decompression and antibiotic administration.


CLINICAL RELEVANCE
SEA should be included in the list of possible causes of fever, apparent spinal pain, and signs of myelopathy in calves.