LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Programming of Obesity and Comorbidities in the Progeny: Lessons from a Model of Diet-Induced Obese Parents

AIM
To determine the impact of paternal obesity, maternal obesity or the combination of two obese parents on markers of adult offspring metabolism, with a focus on body mass (BM), lipid and carbohydrate, components of lipogenesis and beta-oxidation in the liver, sex dimorphism in the offspring that received a SC diet during the postnatal period.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Male and female C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet (HF; 49% lipids) or standard chow (SC; 17% lipids) for 8 weeks before mating until lactation. The offspring were labeled according to sex, maternal diet (first letters), paternal diet (second letters), and received a SCdiet until 12-weeks of age when they were sacrificed. BM, eating behavior, glucose tolerance, plasma analysis, gene and protein expression of the components of lipogenesis and beta-oxidation in the liver of offspring were evaluated.


RESULTS
HF diet-fed mothers and fathers were overweight, hyperglycemic and glucose intolerant and had a deteriorating lipid profile. The adult male and female offspring of HF-mothers were overweight, with an increased adiposity index, hyperphagic, had an impaired glucose metabolism, increased total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels, increased lipogenesis concomitant with decreased beta-oxidation resulting in liver steatosis. The male and female offspring of HF-father had impaired glucose metabolism, exacerbated lipogenesis without influencing beta-oxidation and enhanced hepatic steatosis. These findings are independent of BM. Male and female offspring of a mother and father that received a HF diet demonstrated these effects most prominently in adult life.


CONCLUSION
Paternal obesity leads to alterations in glucose metabolism, increase in components of lipogenesis and liver steatosis. In contrast, maternal obesity leads to overweight and changes in the metabolic profile and liver resulting from activation of hepatic lipogenesis with impaired beta-oxidation. When both parents are obese, the effects observed in the male and female offspring are exacerbated.
Motives for private transfers over the life cycle: An analytical framework and evidence for Peru

This paper tests for the motives for private income transfers. We consider two motives: altruism and exchange. The question of private-transfer motives is important because such motivation can influence the effects of public income transfers on the distribution of income. Using a household survey for Peru, we find that transfer amounts received increase with recipient pre-transfer income, which contradicts a key prediction of the strong form of the altruism hypothesis but is consistent with exchange. We also find that capital market imperfections are likely to be an important cause of private transfers, and that social security benefits "crowd out" the incidence of private transfers.
Selection, implementation and use of ERP systems for supply chain performance management

Abstract Purpose – The paper aims to explore how supply chain performance management (PM) is affected by the decisions made in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system lifecycle phases. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected in a multiple case study of four manufacturing companies. Findings – Four PM activities and three ERP system lifecycle phases were described and analyzed. Eight propositions were generated from theory and the case analyses. Detailed demand specifications could have improved target setting and reporting possibilities, PM education and training seem to be important in both the implementation and the use phase and supply chain PM is highly affected in the use phase. Research limitations/implications – The paper is explorative. A required next step would be to test the generated propositions on a larger population. Practical implications – Propositions of what supply chain PM issues manufacturing companies should consider in the ERP system selection, implementation and use phases are presented. The results indicate that a lot of supply chain PM improvements can be realized within the use phase of an existing ERP system. Originality/value – No previous paper has focused upon how to consider supply chain PM when implementing ERP systems. This is needed because previous studies have identified ERP systems as obstacles for supply chain PM.
Digitally Signed Document Sanitizing Scheme with Disclosure Condition Control

A digital signature does not allow any alteration of the document to which it is attached. Appropriate alteration of some signed documents, however, should be allowed because there are security requirements other than that for the integrity of the document. In the disclosure of official information, for example, sensitive information such as personal information or national secrets is masked when an official document is sanitized so that its nonsensitive information can be disclosed when it is demanded by a citizen. If this disclosure is done digitally by using the current digital signature schemes, the citizen cannot verify the disclosed information correctly because the information has been altered to prevent the leakage of sensitive information. That is, with current digital signature schemes, the confidentiality of official information is incompatible with the integrity of that information. This is called the digital document sanitizing problem, and some solutions such as digital document sanitizing schemes and content extraction signatures have been proposed. In this paper, we point out that the conventional digital signature schemes are vulnerable to additional sanitizing attack and show how this vulnerability can be eliminated by using a new digitally signed document sanitizing scheme with disclosure condition control. key words: digital signature, disclosure of official information, privacy issue
Impaired endothelial function in female adolescents with type 1 diabetes measured by peripheral artery tonometry

The reactive hyperemia peripheral artery tonometry (RH-PAT) is a newly developed method for non-invasive endothelial function assessment. The goal of this study is to determine whether a significant difference in RH-PAT score is present between adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in comparison with controls. Thirty-four adolescents with T1D and 25 control subjects (age 12–20 years) underwent RH-PAT endothelial function testing after an overnight fast. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), fasting lipid profile, Tanner stage, and glucose level were determined in each child. Adolescents with T1D had significantly lower RH-PAT scores compared to healthy controls, and this difference remained significant when overweight cases were not considered (p < 0.05). This difference was also observed in the female subgroup (p = 0.005). The interindividual variability in RH-PAT observations in T1D cases was not explained by BMI standard deviation score (SDS), BP SDS, age, duration of T1D, hemoglobin A1c, triglycerides, and pubertal stage, respectively. The RH-PAT technique is used as a non-invasive test to assess for early vascular changes in high-risk patient groups. Endothelial dysfunction, measured by RH-PAT, was present in diabetic adolescent, especially in the female subgroup. Although additional longitudinal studies are required, early detection of this reversible process may have therapeutic and prognostic implications.
Does the Finger-to-Nose Test measure upper limb coordination in chronic stroke?

We aimed to kinematically validate that the time to perform the Finger-to-Nose Test (FNT) assesses coordination by determining its construct, convergent and discriminant validity. Experimental, criterion standard study. Both clinical and experimental evaluations were done at a research facility in a rehabilitation hospital. Forty individuals (20 individuals with chronic stroke and 20 healthy, age- and gender-matched individuals) participated.. Both groups performed two blocks of 10 to-and-fro pointing movements (non-dominant/affected arm) between a sagittal target and the nose (ReachIn, ReachOut) at a self-paced speed. Time to perform the test was the main outcome. Kinematics (Optotrak, 100Hz) and clinical impairment/activity levels were evaluated. Spatiotemporal coordination was assessed with slope (IJC) and cross-correlation (LAG) between elbow and shoulder movements. Compared to controls, individuals with stroke (Fugl-Meyer Assessment, FMA-UE: 51.9 ± 13.2; Box & Blocks, BBT: 72.1 ± 26.9%) made more curved endpoint trajectories using less shoulder horizontal-abduction. For construct validity, shoulder range (β = 0.127), LAG (β = 0.855) and IJC (β = −0.191) explained 82% of FNT-time variance for ReachIn and LAG (β = 0.971) explained 94% for ReachOut in patients with stroke. In contrast, only LAG explained 62% (β = 0.790) and 79% (β = 0.889) of variance for ReachIn and ReachOut respectively in controls. For convergent validity, FNT-time correlated with FMA-UE (r = −0.67, p < 0.01), FMA-Arm (r = −0.60, p = 0.005), biceps spasticity (r = 0.39, p < 0.05) and BBT (r = −0.56, p < 0.01). A cut-off time of 10.6 s discriminated between mild and moderate-to-severe impairment (discriminant validity). Each additional second represented 42% odds increase of greater impairment. For this version of the FNT, the time to perform the test showed construct, convergent and discriminant validity to measure UL coordination in stroke.
The fairyland of Second Life: Virtual social worlds and how to use them

Roughly 15 years ago, in 1992, United States author Neal Stephenson published a novel titled Snow Crash. In this book Stephenson tells the story of a protagonist named Hiroaki Protagonist, who physically lives in Los Angeles during the early 21 century but who mentally spends most of his time in a three-dimensional virtual world called the Metaverse. He, as well as other people, access this Metaverse using personal computer terminals that project pictures of a virtual urban environment situated on a virtual artificial planet onto goggles. Within the Metaverse, everyone appears in the form of personalized avatars; that is, pieces of software that are the audiovisual bodies that people use to represent themselves and communicate with other people in the Metaverse. These avatars, which may Business Horizons (2009) 52, 563—572
Meander-line polarizer for omnidirectional antenna

Meander-line polarizer for a half-wave vibrator is presented. Researched antenna was simulated and prototype was manufactured. The comparison of the theoretical and experimental data for investigated antenna (axial ratio) was produced. Influence of polarizer on half-wave vibrator matching characteristics was researched.
Evaluation of antinociceptive activity of hydromethanol extract of Cyperus rotundus in mice

BACKGROUND
Cyperus rotundus Linn. (Cyperaceae) is used to treat inflammation, pain, fever, wounds, boils and blisters in folk medicine. This study evaluated the antinociceptive effect of the hydromethanol extract of whole plant of C. rotundus (HMCR).


METHODS
The antinociceptive activity of HMCR was investigated in thermal-induced (hot plate and tail immersion) and chemical-induced (formalin) nociception models in mice at three different doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg; p.o.). Morphine sulphate (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg, i.p.) were used as reference analgesic agents.


RESULTS
In the hot-plate and tail-immersion tests HMCR significantly increased the latency period to the thermal stimuli at all the tested doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) (p < 0.05). The significant increase in latency is clear from the observations at 60 and 90 min. In formalin-induced paw licking test oral administration of HMCR at 100 and 200 mg/kg doses decreased the licking of paw in early phase. All the tested doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly decreased the licking of paw in late phase of the test (p < 0.001). The dose 200 mg/kg was most effective showing maximum percentage of inhibition of licking in both early (61.60%) and late phase (87.41%).


CONCLUSION
These results indicate the antinociceptive effect of C. rotundus and suggest that this effect is mediated by both peripheral and central mechanisms. These results support the traditional use of this plant in different painful conditions.
The efficacy of surgical decompression before 24 hours versus 24 to 72 hours in patients with spinal cord injury from T1 to L1 – with specific consideration on ethics: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND
There is no clear evidence that early decompression following spinal cord injury (SCI) improves neurologic outcome. Such information must be obtained from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). To date no large scale RCT has been performed evaluating the timing of surgical decompression in the setting of thoracolumbar spinal cord injury. A concern for many is the ethical dilemma that a delay in surgery may adversely effect neurologic recovery although this has never been conclusively proven. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of early (before 24 hours) verse late (24-72 hours) surgical decompression in terms of neurological improvement in the setting of traumatic thoracolumbar spinal cord injury in a randomized format by independent, trained and blinded examiners.


METHODS
In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, 328 selected spinal cord injury patients with traumatic thoracolumbar spinal cord injury are to be randomly assigned to: 1) early surgery (before 24 hours); or 2) late surgery (24-72 hours). A rapid response team and set up is prepared to assist the early treatment for the early decompressive group. Supportive care, i.e. pressure support, immobilization, will be provided on admission to the late decompression group. Patients will be followed for at least 12 months posttrauma.


DISCUSSION
This study will hopefully assist in contributing to the question of the efficacy of the timing of surgery in traumatic thoracolumbar SCI.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
RCT registration number: ISRCTN61263382.
On the fundamental capacity and lifetime limits of energy-constrained wireless sensor networks

Energy constraints on sensor nodes pose significant challenges towards extending operational lifetimes and sustainable capacities of wireless sensor networks. We seek to answer two fundamental questions with respect to energy-constrained sensor networks. First, what is the operational lifetime of a particular wireless sensor network under the control of optimal power management schemes? With an adequate definition of operational lifetimes, our asymptotic analysis shows that, with fixed node densities, operational lifetime of sensor networks decreases in the order of 1/n as the number of initially deployed nodes n grows. Second, what is the impact of constrained energy levels on the maximum sustainable throughput in sensor networks? Even with renewable energy sources on each of the sensors (e.g., solar energy sources), our analysis concludes that the maximum sustainable throughput in energy-constrained sensor networks scales worse than the capacity based on interference among concurrent transmissions as long as the physical network size grows with n in the order greater than log n. In this case, when the number of nodes is sufficiently high, the energy-constrained network capacity dominates.
Influence of short-term endurance exercise training on heart rate variability.

PURPOSE
To examine the influence of 2 wk (eight sessions) of endurance training on cardiac autonomic modulation, as measured by heart rate variability (HRV).


METHODS
Twenty-four males (mean age: 23.1 yr) were randomized to an exercise (EX; N = 12) or control group (CT; N = 12). EX trained for eight sessions (4x wk-1, 40 min, 80-85% HRreserve) on a cycle ergometer. ECG tracings were collected during 5 min of paced breathing (12 breaths x min-1 (PB)), 5 min of spontaneous breathing (SB1), 5 min of 70 degrees head-up tilt (TILT), and a second 5-min period of spontaneous breathing (SB2). Data were collected before (test 1), during (tests 2-4), and 48 h after (test 5) the 2-wk period. HRV was reported as the standard deviation of RR intervals, and as natural logarithm of the normalized units (NU) of high- and low-frequency power (lnHF and lnLF).


RESULTS
EX exhibited a significant increase in peak oxygen consumption (8%). During PB and TILT conditions, ANOVA revealed a group x time interaction such that EX exhibited lower lnLFNU and lnLF/lnHF during test 5 compared with test 1.


CONCLUSION
These data suggest that eight endurance exercise-training sessions performed over 2 wk enhance the relative vagal modulation of the heart during PB and TILT, but not during SB.
A new SRAM cell design using CNTFETs

As CMOS devices scales to the nano ranges, increased short channel effects and process variations considerably affect device and circuit designs. Novel devices are been proposed to address these problems. As a promising new transistor, the carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNTFET) avoids most of the fundamental limitations of the traditional CMOS devices. In this paper, the MOSFET-like CNTFET is reviewed and shown as a promising device for high-performance and low-power memory designs. A 6T SRAM cell based on CNTFET is designed and simulated to show the improvements in stability, performance, and sensitivity on process variations compared to the CMOS 6T SRAM design.
The Effects of Multinational Production on Wages and Working Conditions in Developing Countries

AbstractThe following sections are included:IntroductionPolitical Economy IssuesThe Anti-Sweatshop Campaign in the United StatesComparison of the FLA and WRCThe Living WageThe Right of Association and Collective BargainingThe ACIT and SASL InitiativesSocial Accountability of Multinational FirmsThe Role of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO)Conceptual ConsiderationsMotivations for FDIEffects of International Capital FlowsEffects of Technology FlowsFragmentationImperfect CompetitionPayment of Above-Market WagesEffects on Wages and Working Conditions: What are the Facts?Foreign Ownership and WagesForeign Direct Investment and Labor RightsConclusionsStudy QuestionsReferencesSuggested Further Reading
Sea-level rise modeling handbook: Resource guide for coastal land managers, engineers, and scientists

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Development and validation of a clinical score for prognosis stratification in patients requiring antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa: a prospective open cohort study

BACKGROUND
Mortality rates among patients initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa continue high. Also HIV treatment services from the region are affronting the challenges of been attending more patients than never. In this scenario, there are no integrated scoring systems capable of an adequate risk identification/ prognostic stratification among patients requiring ART; in order of optimize actual programmes outcomes. Several independent risk factors at baseline are associated with a poor prognosis after ART initiation. These include: male sex, low body mass index, anemia, low CD4 count and stage-4 WHO disease. The aim of this research was evaluate prospectively a new scoring system composed by these factors.


METHODS
An open cohort study was conducted in 1769 patients from May 2008 to December 2010 at two HIV clinics of Zimbabwe. A new clinical model (MASIB score) was applied at ART initiation and patients were followed for 4 months. After that, validation characteristics of the score were examined.


RESULTS
Patients selected in this cohort exhibited similar baseline characteristics that the patients selected in previous cohorts from the region. Overall performance for mortality prediction of MASIB score was accurate, as reflected by the Brier score test result 0.084 (95%CI: 0.080-0.088). Calibration was adequate taking in consideration a p>0.05 in the Hosmer Lemeshow test and discrimination was also good (Area Under Curve: 0.915, 95%CI: 0,901- 0,928).


CONCLUSION
The new model developed exhibited adequate validation characteristics supporting the clinical use. Further evaluations of this model in others scenarios from the sub-Saharan region are needed.
Modeling and control of a gird connected PV generation system

This paper presents the analysis, modelling and control model of the electric part of a grid connected photovoltaic generation system. The model contains a detailed representation of the main components of the system that are the solar array, and the grid side multilevel neutral point clamped (NPC) voltage source inverter (VSI). In order to extract the maximum amount of from the photovoltaic generator, we propose an intelligent control method for the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of a photovoltaic system under variable temperature and insulation conditions. This method uses a fuzzy logic controller. As part of our work, we will focus on voltage inverter at three levels to NPC structure. The latter can increase the voltage supplied to the load (network) through their topology. Thus, they can generate more voltage sinusoidal possible and improve the total harmonic distortion through the high voltage levels provided by the structure of this new converter. The grid interface inverter transfers the energy drawn from the PV module into the grid by keeping common dc voltage constant. The PQ control approach (Direct Power Control) has been presented for the multilevel inverter. The simulation results under Matlab/Simulink show the control performance and dynamic behaviour of grid connected photovoltaic system.
A 76- to 81-GHz transceiver chipset for long-range and short-range automotive radar

This paper presents a 76- to 81-GHz transceiver chipset implemented in SiGe BiCMOS technology for both long-range and short-range radar applications. A four-channel receiver achieves 11-12 dB noise figure, 16-dB conversion gain, and -2 dBm input compression point. A single-channel transmitter with integrated subharmonic VCO achieves +17 dBm output power and -97 dBc/Hz phase noise at 1-MHz offset referenced to the 77-GHz carrier. The chipset includes built-in-self-test features allowing measurement of RF power, gain, and phase. Total power consumption is 0.79 W for the four-channel receiver and 1.16 W for the transmitter.
Gross-Hopkins duality

We give a new and simpler proof of a result of Hopkins and Gross relating Brown-Comenetz duality to Spanier-Whitehead duality in the K(n)-local stable homotopy category.