LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
From Single-Phase to Compositional Flow: Applicability of Mixed Finite Elements

Abstract. In this paper we discuss the formulation of the governing equations that describe flow of fluids in porous media. Various types of fluid flow, ranging from single-phase flow to compositional flow, are considered. It is shown that all the differential equations governing these types of flow can be effectively rewritten in a fractional flow formulation; i.e., in terms of a global pressure and saturation (or saturations), and that mixed finite element methods can be accurately exploited to solve the pressure equation. Numerical results are presented to see the performance of the mixed methods for the flow equations in three space dimensions.
Efficacy and safety of adding pioglitazone or sitagliptin to patients with type 2 diabetes insufficiently controlled with metformin and a sulfonylurea.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of add-on pioglitazone versus sitagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on metformin and a sulfonylurea (SU).


METHODS
This 24-week, randomized, open-label study compared pioglitazone (30 mg daily, n = 59) and sitagliptin (100 mg daily, n = 60) in patients with inadequate glycemic control (glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1c] ≥7.0% to <11.0%) while receiving a stable dose of metformin (≥1,500 mg daily) and an SU (≥half-maximal dose).


RESULTS
The mean changes in HbA1c from baseline was -0.94 ± 0.12% with pioglitazone and -0.71 ± 0.12% with sitagliptin, for a between-groups difference of -0.23 ± 0.16% (P = .16). The mean change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were -35.7 ± 4.0 mg/dL with pioglitazone and -22.8 ± 4.0 mg/dL with sitagliptin, for a between-groups difference of -12.9 ± 5.7 mg/dL (P = .02). Pioglitazone was associated with a significant decrease in high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), but sitagliptin did not. The mean weight gain was higher in the pioglitazone group, with a between-group difference of 1.6 kg (P<.01). Overall adverse events (AEs) were similar in both groups. However, the incidence of edema was higher with pioglitazone, and the incidence of gastrointestinal AEs was higher with sitagliptin.


CONCLUSION
Pioglitazone and sitagliptin achieved similar improvements in overall glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin and an SU. However there were some differences in terms of FPG, hs-CRP, lipids, body-weight change, and AEs.
Relationships between fundamental movement skills and objectively measured physical activity in preschool children.

Gender differences in cross-sectional relationships between fundamental movement skill (FMS) subdomains (locomotor skills, object-control skills) and physical activity were examined in preschool children. Forty-six 3- to 5-year-olds (25 boys) had their FMS video assessed (Test of Gross Motor Development II) and their physical activity objectively monitored (Actigraph 7164 accelerometers). Among boys, object-control skills were associated with physical activity and explained 16.9% (p = .024) and 13.7% (p = .049) of the variance in percent of time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity, respectively, after controlling for age, SES and z-BMI. Locomotor skills were inversely associated with physical activity among girls, and explained 19.2% (p = .023) of the variance in percent of time in MVPA after controlling for confounders. Gender and FMS subdomain may influence the relationship between FMS and physical activity in preschool children.
Differential effects of cocaine and cocaine alcohol on neurocognitive performance.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the dose-related effects of cocaine with or without alcohol use on the CNS by measuring performance on neurobehavioral tests.


BACKGROUND
Chronic use of cocaine is associated with persistent decrements in cognitive function that are most pronounced in heavy users. Specific neurobehavioral deficits in areas such as executive function and impulsivity would make it difficult for the cocaine abuser to discontinue using drugs. Because alcohol is often used in conjunction with cocaine, the CNS effects of alcohol when taken with cocaine deserve further investigation.


METHOD
The authors evaluated the dose-related effects of cocaine and alcohol use on performance in a variety of neuropsychological tests after 1 to 3 days of abstinence and again after 4 weeks of abstinence. Fifty-six chronic cocaine abusers who had used cocaine during the past 24 to 48 hours volunteered to perform a battery of neuropsychological tests on two separate occasions during a period of enforced abstinence. In addition to using cocaine, most of the volunteers consumed alcohol. Approximately half of the participants consumed more than 10 alcohol-containing drinks per week.


RESULTS
After controlling for the effects of age, sex, and intelligence on performance, the authors found dose-related associations between neurobehavioral performance and cocaine dose and alcohol dose. When the influences of cocaine and alcohol on neurobehavioral performance were taken separately, cocaine and alcohol each selectively affected performance on different neurobehavioral tests after 1 to 3 days of abstinence, with these effects persisting after 4 weeks of abstinence.


CONCLUSION
The concomitant use of cocaine and alcohol may have additive negative effects on the brain as compared to the use of only one of these two substances.
Gender differences in full-time self-employment

This analysis reveals interesting gender differences in full-time self-employment. Women who choose full-time self-employment have personal characteristics that are less highly valued in the marketplace than women who work full-time in wage-and-salary employment. The reverse is true for men. It is unclear whether the gender gap in self-employment income is the result of different supply decisions made by women, or greater constraints and/or discriminatory elements faced by women. There is some suggestion that women may place a higher value on nonwage aspects of self-employment than men do. © 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.
A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical investigation comparing PCM cervical disc arthroplasty with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. 2-year results from the US FDA IDE clinical trial.

STUDY DESIGN
Prospective, multicenter, randomized Food and Drug Administration approved investigational device exemption clinical trial.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the PCM Cervical Disc compared with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in the treatment of patients with degenerative spondylosis and neurological symptoms at 1 level between C3-C4 and C7-T1.


SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA
Cervical disc arthroplasty in the treatment of symptomatic cervical spondylosis has been studied in other series. The PCM Cervical Disc is a nonconstrained motion-sparing alternative to ACDF.


METHODS
Patients 18 to 65 years of age with single-level symptomatic cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy and/or myelopathy unresponsive to nonoperative treatment were enrolled, including patients with prior nonadjacent or adjacent single-level fusions. The per-protocol patient sample at 2 years included 342 patients (189 PCM, 153 ACDF). Longitudinal outcomes were comparatively evaluated.


RESULTS
At 2 years postoperatively, clinical measures-neck and arm pain visual analogue scale, Neck Disability Index (NDI), SF-36, and neurological status-were significantly improved from preoperative baselines in both groups. Mean NDI score at 2 years was significantly lower in PCM group (P = 0.029). There were no statistical differences between groups in rates of surgery-related serious adverse events (5.6% PCM, 7.4% ACDF) or secondary surgical procedures (5.2% PCM, 5.4% ACDF). Patients with PCM reported lower dysphagia scores (8.8/100 vs. 12.1/100; P = 0.045) and higher patient satisfaction (82.8/100 vs. 81.4/100). Overall success, a composite endpoint including minimum 20% NDI improvement, no major complications, no neurological worsening, no secondary surgical procedures, and meeting radiographical criteria of motion for PCM and fusion for ACDF, was significantly greater in the PCM group (75.1% vs. 64.9%; P = 0.020).


CONCLUSION
The treatment of symptomatic single-level cervical spondylosis with PCM achieves clinical outcomes that are at least equivalent to ACDF while maintaining motion. At 2 years, patients with PCM had lower NDI scores, statistically lower rate of prolonged dysphagia, greater patient satisfaction, and superior overall success.
Matrix metalloproteinases in cancer: their value as diagnostic and prognostic markers and therapeutic targets

Biomarkers are used as tools in cancer diagnostics and in treatment stratification. In most cancers, there are increased levels of one or several members of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). This is a family of proteolytic enzymes that are involved in many phases of cancer progression, including angiogenesis, invasiveness, and metastasis. It has therefore been expected that MMPs could serve as both diagnostic and prognostic markers in cancer patients, but despite a huge number of studies, it has been difficult to establish MMPs as cancer biomarkers. In the present paper, we assess some of the challenges associated with MMP research as well as putative reasons for the conflicting data on the value of these enzymes as diagnostic and prognostic markers in cancer patients. We also review the prognostic value of a number of MMPs in patients with lung, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers. The review also discusses MMPs as potential target molecules for therapeutic agents and new strategies for development of such drugs.
High Pulsed Power Sources for Broadband Radiation

This paper explains the design and production of two autonomous ultrawideband (UWB) radiation sources. These sources consist of a high-gain broadband antenna that is driven by one of two subnanosecond pulsed power sources. Each source is made up of a Marx generator and a pulse-forming device based on the use of a gaseous spark gap. The first source combines a four-stage 200-kV/34-J Marx generator with a coaxial pulse-forming line. Its main characteristics are an output voltage of 100 kV, a 250-ps rise time, a subnanosecond pulse duration, and a repetition rate of about 40 Hz. The second pulsed source is a ten-stage subnanosecond Marx generator that delivers pulses in the 250-kV/1.5-J range, with a 300-ps rise time and a subnanosecond pulse duration at a pulse repetition rate of 350 Hz. Probes were produced based on capacitive line dividers to measure both the temporal characteristics and the high-voltage (HV) amplitude of the pulses delivered by the pulsed power sources. The antenna, combined with these two pulsed sources, is a traveling-wave antenna called the Valentine antenna. Some mechanical modifications were made to the antenna to improve its dielectric strength. First, a 3-D model of the antenna was created on time-domain electromagnetic software to study the influence of these modifications on its main radiating characteristics. Its high gain and its capability to radiate short pulses without dispersion allow us to achieve a high measured figure of merit (the maximum value of far-field peak-to-peak electric field strength multiplied by the distance). A new method called the Instantaneous Electromagnetic Field Measurement by Signature of a Neutral Object (MICHELSON) method is used to measure the very intense electromagnetic fields that are radiated. The incident field is diffracted by a special small-dimension target. The diffracted field is measured by a conventional low-power UWB antenna. The target that is used has small dimensions, and no cables are used in the field region; thus, the electromagnetic interference that is generated and undergone by the measurement device is considerably limited. The figure of merit that is measured is 436 kV.
The Economic Effects of Competition Policy: Cross-Country Evidence Using Four New Indicators

This paper introduces a number of indicators on various aspects of competition laws and competition agencies in order to make competition policies comparable. It contains an indicator concerned with the objectives and the instruments of competition laws, a second indicator evaluating to what degree an economic – as opposed to a legal – approach to competition policy has been chosen. Based on the assumption that it is not the content of the law alone but also the structures erected in order to implement the law, it further presents an indicator reflecting the formal independence of competition agencies and a fourth one reflecting their factual independence. These four indicators are used to estimate the effects of competition policies on economic growth. It turns out that all four variables contribute to explaining differences in total factor productivity. Yet, their impact is not particularly robust to the inclusion of indicators for the general quality of institutions.
MASTER EQUATION APPROACH TO PROTEIN FOLDING AND KINETIC TRAPS

Marek Cieplak, Malte Henkel, Jan Karbowski, and Jayanth R. Banavar 1 Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland 2 Laboratoire de Physique des Matériaux, Université Henri Poincaré Nancy I, F-54506 Vandœuvre, France 3 Center for Polymer Studies, Department of Physics, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA 4 Department of Physics and Center for Materials Physics, 104 Davey Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
RFID based Student Attendance System

Attendance plays a vital role in evaluating a student. The traditional method of taking
Predictors of quality of life among individuals who have a lower limb amputation.

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify factors that predict an individual's subjective quality of life (QoL) after having a lower limb amputation.


DESIGN
Cross-sectional descriptive study design.


SUBJECTS
A total of 415 unilateral, above knee (27.0%) and below knee (73.0%) amputees with an average age of 61.9 years (SD = 15.7) who had lost their limb related to vascular (53.0%) or non-vascular (47.0%) etiology.


METHODS
Medical chart review, questionnaires (Frenchay Activities Index, Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, the Center for Epidemiology Studies - Depression scale, Prosthetic Evaluation Questionnaire mobility subscale, and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale) and a QoL Visual Analogue Scale were assessed using multiple linear regression analysis.


RESULTS
The analysis revealed seven significant factors (depression, perceived prosthetic mobility, social support, comorbidity, prosthesis problems, age and social activity participation) as predictors of subjects' perceived QoL. Depression explained 30% of the variation, while the full model explained 42% of the variation.


CONCLUSION
Several modifiable characteristics influence QoL after lower limb amputation including depression and participation in daily living. This finding suggests the importance of addressing individuals' affective status to regain or maintain QoL.
Some extensions of the Meir-Keeler theorem

Meir and Keeler formulated their fixed point theorem for contractive mappings with purely metric condition. This idea was extended by numerous mathematicians. In this paper, we present a simple method of proving such theorems and give new results.
A history of the identification of the characteristic eating disturbances of Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and Anorexia Nervosa

During the last 25 years, the careful examination of the eating behavior of individuals with eating disorders has provided critical insights into the nature of these disorders. Crucially, studies investigating components of different eating behaviors have documented that Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) are characterized by objective disturbances in eating patterns that are significantly different than behaviors exhibited by individuals who do not have these eating disorders. The detailed description of the disturbances in eating behavior has helped to identify diagnostic criteria associated with each disorder, and has led to important hypotheses about the underlying pathophysiology. These advances in understanding have provided, and continue to provide, a foundation for translational research and for the development of novel treatment interventions. This review is based on a presentation given by B. Timothy Walsh, M.D. at the 40th anniversary symposium of the Columbia University Appetite talks outlining the evolution of the discovery of the characteristic eating disturbances seen with each disorder.
Wayang Outpost : A web-based multimedia intelligent tutoring system for high stakes math achievement tests

Context. The theme of the 2003 annual meeting is "accountability for educational quality". The emphasis on accountability reflects the increasing need for educators, students and politicians to demonstrate the effectiveness of educational systems. As part of the growing emphasis on accountability, high stakes achievement tests have become increasingly important and a student's performance on such tests can have a significant impact on his or her access to future educational opportunities. At the same time, concern is growing that the use of high stakes achievement tests, such as the SATMath exam and others (e.g., the Massachusetts MCAS exam) simply exacerbates existing group differences, and puts female students and those from traditionally underrepresented minority groups at a disadvantage (Willingham & Cole, 1997). New approaches are required to help all students perform to the best of their ability on high stakes tests.
Major requirements for building Smart Homes in Smart Cities based on Internet of Things technologies

The recent boom in the Internet of Things (IoT) will turn Smart Cities and Smart Homes (SH) from hype to reality. SH is the major building block for Smart Cities and have long been a dream for decades, hobbyists in the late 1970smade Home Automation (HA) possible when personal computers started invading home spaces. While SH can share most of the IoT technologies, there are unique characteristics that make SH special. From the result of a recent research survey on SH and IoT technologies, this paper defines the major requirements for building SH. Seven unique requirement recommendations are defined and classified according to the specific quality of the SH building blocks. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Expression of Tas1 Taste Receptors in Mammalian Spermatozoa:
Functional Role of Tas1r1 in Regulating Basal Ca2+ and cAMP
Concentrations in Spermatozoa

BACKGROUND
During their transit through the female genital tract, sperm have to recognize and discriminate numerous chemical compounds. However, our current knowledge of the molecular identity of appropriate chemosensory receptor proteins in sperm is still rudimentary. Considering that members of the Tas1r family of taste receptors are able to discriminate between a broad diversity of hydrophilic chemosensory substances, the expression of taste receptors in mammalian spermatozoa was examined.


METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
The present manuscript documents that Tas1r1 and Tas1r3, which form the functional receptor for monosodium glutamate (umami) in taste buds on the tongue, are expressed in murine and human spermatozoa, where their localization is restricted to distinct segments of the flagellum and the acrosomal cap of the sperm head. Employing a Tas1r1-deficient mCherry reporter mouse strain, we found that Tas1r1 gene deletion resulted in spermatogenic abnormalities. In addition, a significant increase in spontaneous acrosomal reaction was observed in Tas1r1 null mutant sperm whereas acrosomal secretion triggered by isolated zona pellucida or the Ca²⁺ ionophore A23187 was not different from wild-type spermatozoa. Remarkably, cytosolic Ca²⁺ levels in freshly isolated Tas1r1-deficient sperm were significantly higher compared to wild-type cells. Moreover, a significantly higher basal cAMP concentration was detected in freshly isolated Tas1r1-deficient epididymal spermatozoa, whereas upon inhibition of phosphodiesterase or sperm capacitation, the amount of cAMP was not different between both genotypes.


CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
Since Ca²⁺ and cAMP control fundamental processes during the sequential process of fertilization, we propose that the identified taste receptors and coupled signaling cascades keep sperm in a chronically quiescent state until they arrive in the vicinity of the egg - either by constitutive receptor activity and/or by tonic receptor activation by gradients of diverse chemical compounds in different compartments of the female reproductive tract.
Long Term Streptomycin Toxicity in the Treatment of Buruli Ulcer: Follow-up of Participants in the BURULICO Drug Trial

BACKGROUND
Buruli Ulcer (BU) is a tropical infectious skin disease that is currently treated with 8 weeks of intramuscular streptomycin and oral rifampicin. As prolonged streptomycin administration can cause both oto- and nephrotoxicity, we evaluated its long term toxicity by following-up former BU patients that had received either 4 or 8 weeks of streptomycin in addition to other drugs between 2006 and 2008, in the context of a randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Former patients were retrieved in 2012, and oto- and nephrotoxicity were determined by audiometry and serum creatinine levels. Data were compared with baseline and week 8 measurements during the drug trial.


RESULTS
Of the total of 151 former patients, 127 (84%) were retrieved. Ototoxicity was present in 29% of adults and 25% of children. Adults in the 8 week streptomycin group had significantly higher hearing thresholds in all frequencies at long term follow-up, and these differences were most prominent in the high frequencies. In children, no differences between the two treatment arms were found. Nephrotoxicity that had been detected in 14% of adults and in 13% of children during treatment, was present in only 2.4% of patients at long term follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Prolonged streptomycin administration in the adult study subjects caused significant persistent hearing loss, especially in the high frequency range. Nephrotoxicity was also present in both adults and children but appeared to be transient. Streptomycin should be given with caution especially in patients aged 16 or older, and in individuals with concurrent risks for renal dysfunction or hearing loss.
Augmented Reality-based factory planning - an application tailored to industrial needs

Over the past years, a variety of augmented reality (AR)-based applications were created, to support industrial processes. Although these first demonstrator applications or prototypes cover all parts of the industrial product process (design, planning and production, service and maintenance), only a few of them actually turned into established and applied solutions. In the automotive industry, one successful field for AR-based applications is factory design and planning, metaio and Volkswagen Group Research have concerted their research work to continuously enhance a first prototype in order to create a serviceable and accepted software tool, which is tailored to the needs of AR-based factory planning processes. This paper presents the developing process of this application, the requirements analysis and the realization as a complete system. A concrete example in industry describes the usage of the system for factory planning and an outlook on future work in this area closes the document.