LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Complementary conservation strategies for the genus Coffea: A case study of Mascarene Coffea species

No single conservation technique can adequately conserve the full range of genetic diversity of a target species or genepool. To optimize the efficiency of germplasm conservation, a range of conservation techniques needs to be applied simultaneously. In this paper we review the progress made in the application of both in situ and ex situ complementary conservation strategies and techniques to the conservation of the genus Coffea and identify areas where more research work is required. Traditionally, Coffea species have been conserved ex situ as living plants in field genebanks due to their intermediate seed storage behaviour. However, progress made in the field of biotechnology in recent years have made it possible to envisage the use of in vitro, slow growth and cryopreservation for medium- and long-term conservation of Coffea germplasm, respectively. In situ conservation is also an important option for long-term conservation, but there are no genetic reserves specifically set up for conserving Coffea. Protected areas and managed reserves offer the best opportunities for conserving Coffea. A case study for Mascarene Coffea in Mauritius is presented and a strategy for their conservation is discussed.
Large Scale On-Chip Networks : An Accurate Multi-FPGA Emulation Platform

Interconnect validation is an important early step toward global SoC (system-on-chip) validation. Fast performances evaluation and design space exploration for NoCs (networks-on-chip) are therefore becoming critical issues. A significant speed up of the global validation process for NoC-centric SoCs could be achieved by prototyping such systems on reconfigurable devices (FPGA). However, as SoC complexity increases with the technology scaling, existing general purpose prototyping platforms are far from being suited for large systems. In this paper we present a study for a scalable multi-FPGA platform, designed for NoCs emulation and debugging. This platform allows the integration of complete systems as well as a near cycle-accurate performance estimation.
Is there evidence that barrier membranes prevent bone resorption in autologous bone grafts during the healing period? A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION
Autologous bone is considered the "reference standard" for bone-grafting procedures. A barrier membrane covering an autologous bone graft (guided bone regeneration [GBR]) is expected to prevent graft resorption. Good clinical results have been reported for GBR, although potential complications and relatively high costs have been implicated as disadvantages. However, most studies on the subject have been uncontrolled.


PURPOSE
The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the available evidence that barrier membranes prevent bone resorption in autologous onlay bone grafts. The primary outcome measure was bone resorption.


RESULTS
The search yielded 182 articles. Two observers independently appraised 32 relevant studies methodologically, yielding 14 controlled studies. The articles included human and animal experiments with heterogenous objectives and outcome variables. Although most authors concluded that they had found evidence for the protective effect of barrier membrane on bone resorption in bone grafts, this systematic review reveals that the available evidence is too weak to support this. Most included studies were animal experiments; thus, extrapolation to the human situation is difficult. Most studies also had a small number of test sites, and sample size justification was generally not reported. Furthermore, ambiguity and lack of significance were found in many studies, along with additional limitations such as implantation site, nonsuitable designs, and varying outcome measures.


CONCLUSION
Based on a systematic review of the literature, further evidence is needed to determine whether barrier membranes prevent bone resorption in autologous onlay bone grafts.
Pharmacodynamic effects of cangrelor on platelet P2Y12 receptor-mediated signaling in prasugrel-treated patients.

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to assess the in vitro P2Y12 receptor inhibitory effects of cangrelor on platelets from patients on maintenance prasugrel therapy treated with 2 reloading dose regimens.


BACKGROUND
Despite its more potent and rapid antiplatelet effects compared with clopidogrel, recent studies have shown variability in prasugrel-mediated P2Y12 receptor inhibition, particularly in high-risk settings. Cangrelor is a potent intravenous P2Y12 receptor inhibitor.


METHODS
A total of 60 patients with coronary artery disease on maintenance prasugrel (10 mg/day) therapy were randomized to a 30- or 60-mg reload of prasugrel. The platelet reactivity index (PRI), as assessed by whole-blood vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, was measured with and without in vitro incubation of cangrelor (500 nM) at baseline, and at 1 and 4 h after reload.


RESULTS
In the absence of cangrelor, prasugrel reloading reduced PRI (p < 0.001 for both doses), although a 60-mg reload had greater platelet inhibition compared with a 30-mg reload at 4 h (p = 0.001). Cangrelor was associated with a reduction in PRI values during the overall study time course in patients reloaded with 30 mg (p = 0.001) and 60 mg (p < 0.001) of prasugrel. In patients reloaded with 30 mg prasugrel, cangrelor decreased PRI at each time point (baseline, p < 0.001; 1 h, p = 0.013; 4 h, p = 0.001). In patients reloaded with 60 mg prasugrel, cangrelor decreased PRI at baseline (p < 0.001) and 1 h (p = 0.002); levels of platelet reactivity comparable to those achieved with cangrelor were observed only at 4 h (p = 0.325). The intergroup comparisons with cangrelor were not significant at any time point.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients on maintenance prasugrel therapy exposed to a reloading dose (30 or 60 mg) of prasugrel, in vitro cangrelor is associated with further platelet P2Y12 receptor inhibitory effects.
An EORTC Phase II study of caspofungin as first-line therapy of invasive aspergillosis in haematological patients.

OBJECTIVES
Caspofungin was evaluated as first-line monotherapy of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in patients with haematological malignancies and undergoing autologous transplants.


METHODS
Adults with proven or probable IA, defined strictly according to EORTC-MSG criteria, were eligible. Those with possible IA were enrolled, but were not evaluable for efficacy unless upgraded to proven/probable disease within 7 days of registration based on investigations performed within 48 h after enrolment. Caspofungin dosage was 70 mg (day 1) followed by 50 mg/day. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with complete or partial response at the end of caspofungin therapy in the modified intention to treat (MITT) group; secondary endpoints were response and survival at day 84 and safety.


RESULTS
In the MITT group (n = 61), 75% of patients had cancer not in remission (relapsing or refractory), 85% were neutropenic at enrolment and 49% had a Karnofsky score of < or =50. At end of treatment, 1 and 19 patients had complete and partial response, respectively [success rate 33% (20/61)], 9 (15%) achieved stabilization and 31 (51%) had disease progression. One patient was not evaluable. The 6 and 12 week survival rates were 66% (40/61) and 53% (32/60), respectively. Baseline characteristics associated with survival at day 84 were an underlying disease in remission (not relapsing or refractory) and Karnofsky score. Recovery from neutropenia at the end of treatment was also significantly associated with survival. No serious drug-related adverse events or discontinuations due to drug-related adverse events were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Caspofungin provided an observed response rate compatible with the null hypothesis of a true response rate of < or =35%. Underlying disease-related factors had a major impact on results.
Ontological Engineering

Information systems and intelligent knowledge processing are playing an increasing role in business, science and technology. Recently, advanced information systems have evolved to facilitate the co-evolution of human and information networks within communities. These advanced information systems use various paradigms including artificial intelligence, knowledge management, and neural science as well as conventional information processing paradigms.
An efficient true-motion estimator using candidate vectors from a parametric motion model

Some efficient motion estimation algorithms select their output motion vector from a limited number of likely correct candidate, or prediction, vectors. In this paper, next to the known spatial and temporal prediction vectors, an additional and independent prediction is proposed. This candidate is generated with a parametric model describing the global motion in a previously estimated motion vector field. The proposal is elaborated as an addition to the three-dimensional (3-D) recursive search block-matching algorithm. The evaluation shows that a subpixel accurate, true-motion estimator results with a very low operations count.
Natural whisker-guided behavior by head-fixed mice in tactile virtual reality.

During many natural behaviors the relevant sensory stimuli and motor outputs are difficult to quantify. Furthermore, the high dimensionality of the space of possible stimuli and movements compounds the problem of experimental control. Head fixation facilitates stimulus control and movement tracking, and can be combined with techniques for recording and manipulating neural activity. However, head-fixed mouse behaviors are typically trained through extensive instrumental conditioning. Here we present a whisker-based, tactile virtual reality system for head-fixed mice running on a spherical treadmill. Head-fixed mice displayed natural movements, including running and rhythmic whisking at 16 Hz. Whisking was centered on a set point that changed in concert with running so that more protracted whisking was correlated with faster running. During turning, whiskers moved in an asymmetric manner, with more retracted whisker positions in the turn direction and protracted whisker movements on the other side. Under some conditions, whisker movements were phase-coupled to strides. We simulated a virtual reality tactile corridor, consisting of two moveable walls controlled in a closed-loop by running speed and direction. Mice used their whiskers to track the walls of the winding corridor without training. Whisker curvature changes, which cause forces in the sensory follicles at the base of the whiskers, were tightly coupled to distance from the walls. Our behavioral system allows for precise control of sensorimotor variables during natural tactile navigation.
Stress management intervention for primary prevention of hypertension: detailed results from Phase I of Trials of Hypertension Prevention (TOHP-I).

PURPOSE
Stress Management Intervention (SMI) was one of seven nonpharmacologic approaches evaluated in Phase I Trials of Hypertension Prevention (TOHP-I) for efficacy in lowering diastolic blood pressure (BP) in healthy men and women aged 30 to 54 years with diastolic BP 80-89 mm Hg.


METHODS
A total of 242 and 320 participants were randomized to SMI or an "assessment only" SMI Control, respectively, at four clinical centers. The SMI consisted of 37 contact hours in 21 group and two individual meetings over 18 months and included: training in four relaxation methods, techniques to reduce stress reactions, cognitive approaches, communication skills, time management, and anger management within a general problem-solving format. Standardized protocols detailed methods and timing for collecting BP, psychosocial measures, and urinary samples from both SMI and SMI Control participants.


RESULTS
In intention-to-treat analyses, although significant baseline to termination BP reductions were observed in both groups, net differences between the SMI and SMI Control groups' BP changes (mean (95% CI)) were not significant: -0.82 (-1.86, 0.22) for diastolic BP, and -0.47 (-1.96, 1.01) for systolic BP. Extensive adherence sub-group analyses found one effect: a significant 1.36 mm Hg (p = 0.01) reduction in diastolic BP relative to SMI Controls at the end of the trial for SMI participants who completed 61% or more of intervention sessions.


CONCLUSIONS
While the TOHP-I SMI was acceptable to participants as evident from high levels of session completion, the absence of demonstrated BP lowering efficacy in intention-to-treat analyses suggests that the TOHP-I SMI is an unlikely candidate for primary prevention of hypertension in a general population sample similar to study participants. The isolated finding of significant diastolic BP lowering in SMI participants with higher adherence provides very weak evidence of SMI BP lowering efficacy and may be a chance finding. Whether similar or other stress management interventions can produce significant BP lowering in populations selected for higher levels of BP, stress, or intervention adherence remains to be demonstrated.
Use of impervious surface in urban land-use classification

Impervious surface has been recognized as a key indicator in assessing urban environments. However, accurate impervious surface extraction is still a challenge. Effectiveness of impervious surface in urban land-use classification has not been well addressed. This paper explored extraction of impervious surface information from Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper data based on the integration of fraction images from linear spectral mixture analysis and land surface temperature. A new approach for urban land-use classification, based on the combined use of impervious surface and population density, was developed. Five urban land-use classes (i.e., low-, medium-, high-, and very-high-intensity residential areas, and commercial/industrial/transportation uses) were developed in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Results showed that the integration of fraction images and surface temperature provided substantially improved impervious surface image. Accuracy assessment indicated that the rootmean-square error and system error yielded 9.22% and 5.68%, respectively, for the impervious surface image. The overall classification accuracy of 83.78% for five urban land-use classes was obtained. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
A randomized, controlled trial of the effects of remote, intercessory prayer on outcomes in patients admitted to the coronary care unit.

CONTEXT
Intercessory prayer (praying for others) has been a common response to sickness for millennia, but it has received little scientific attention. The positive findings of a previous controlled trial of intercessory prayer have yet to be replicated.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether remote, intercessory prayer for hospitalized, cardiac patients will reduce overall adverse events and length of stay.


DESIGN
Randomized, controlled, double-blind, prospective, parallel-group trial.


SETTING
Private, university-associated hospital.


PATIENTS
Nine hundred ninety consecutive patients who were newly admitted to the coronary care unit (CCU).


INTERVENTION
At the time of admission, patients were randomized to receive remote, intercessory prayer (prayer group) or not (usual care group). The first names of patients in the prayer group were given to a team of outside intercessors who prayed for them daily for 4 weeks. Patients were unaware that they were being prayed for, and the intercessors did not know and never met the patients.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The medical course from CCU admission to hospital discharge was summarized in a CCU course score derived from blinded, retrospective chart review.


RESULTS
Compared with the usual care group (n = 524), the prayer group (n = 466) had lower mean +/- SEM weighted (6.35 +/- 0.26 vs 7.13 +/- 0.27; P=.04) and unweighted (2.7 +/- 0.1 vs 3.0 +/- 0.1; P=.04) CCU course scores. Lengths of CCU and hospital stays were not different.


CONCLUSIONS
Remote, intercessory prayer was associated with lower CCU course scores. This result suggests that prayer may be an effective adjunct to standard medical care.
Dreaming More Data: Class-dependent Distributions over Diffeomorphisms for Learned Data Augmentation

Data augmentation is a key element in training high-dimensional models. In this approach, one synthesizes new observations by applying pre-specified transformations to the original training data; e.g. new images are formed by rotating old ones. Current augmentation schemes, however, rely on manual specification of the applied transformations, making data augmentation an implicit form of feature engineering. With an eye towards true end-to-end learning, we suggest learning the applied transformations on a per-class basis. Particularly, we align image pairs within each class under the assumption that the spatial transformation between images belongs to a large class of diffeomorphisms. We then learn a class-specific probabilistic generative models of the transformations in a Riemannian submanifold of the Lie group of diffeomorphisms. We demonstrate significant performance improvements in training deep neural nets over manually-specified augmentation schemes. Our code and augmented datasets are available online. Appearing in Proceedings of the 19 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Statistics (AISTATS) 2016, Cadiz, Spain. JMLR: W&CP volume 41. Copyright 2016 by the authors.
The Effect of Ambiguity Aversion on Insurance and Self‐Protection

In this paper, we derive a set of simple conditions such that ambiguity aversion always raises the demand for self-insurance and the insurance coverage, but decreases the demand for self-protection. We also characterize the optimal insurance design under ambiguity aversion, and exhibit a case in which the straight deductible contract is optimal as in the expected utility model. ∗We thank the editor and two referees for useful comments. We also thank seminar participants at the University Technology Sydney, the University of Auckland and the World Risk and Insurance Economics Congress (25-29 July 2010 in Singapore). The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Research Council under the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) Grant Agreement no. 230589 and from the Chair “Risk markets and value creation” financed by SCOR at IDEI.
New complexity results about Nash equilibria

We provide a single reduction that demonstrates that in normal-form games: (1) it is NP-complete to determine whether Nash equilibria with certain natural properties exist (these results are similar to those obtained by Gilboa and Zemel [Gilboa, I., Zemel, E., 1989. Nash and correlated equilibria: Some complexity considerations. Games Econ. Behav. 1, 80–93]), (2) more significantly, the problems of maximizing certain properties of a Nash equilibrium are inapproximable (unless P =NP), and (3) it is #P-hard to count the Nash equilibria. We also show that determining whether a pure-strategy Bayes–Nash equilibrium exists in a Bayesian game is NP-complete, and that determining whether a pure-strategy Nash equilibrium exists in a Markov (stochastic) game is PSPACE-hard even if the game is unobserved (and that this remains NP-hard if the game has finite length). All of our hardness results hold even if there are only two players and the game is symmetric. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. JEL classification: C63; C70; C72; C73 ✩ This work appeared as an oral presentation at the Second World Congress of the Game Theory Society (GAMES-04), and a short, early version was also presented at the Eighteenth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI-03). The material in this paper is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grants IIS0234694, IIS-0427858, IIS-0234695, and IIS-0121678, as well as two Sloan Fellowships and an IBM PhD Fellowship. * Corresponding author at: Duke University, Department of Computer Science and Department of Economics, Box 90129, LRSC, Durham, NC 27708, USA. E-mail addresses: conitzer@cs.duke.edu (V. Conitzer), sandholm@cs.cmu.edu (T. Sandholm). 0899-8256/$ – see front matter © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.geb.2008.02.015 Author's personal copy 622 V. Conitzer, T. Sandholm / Games and Economic Behavior 63 (2008) 621–641
Does Peirce Reject Transcendental Philosophy?

Abstract The aim of this paper is to determine whether Charles S. Peirce's direct criticisms of the transcendental method in philosophy are effective. I will present two different views on transcendental arguments by introducing two ways of accounting for Kant's transcendental project. We will see that Peirce's criticisms are directed against a picture of transcendental philosophy which is in line with what I will call the justificatory account of Kant. Since this view is totally in contrast to what I will call the alternative account, Peirce's criticisms of the former cannot be considered a refutation of the latter. As far as Peirce's criticisms attack only justificatory accounts of transcendental philosophy, they are not in conflict with transcendental readings of his philosophy along the lines of the alternative account.
Forty-year experience with flow-diversion surgery for patients with congenital choledochal cysts with pancreaticobiliary maljunction at a single institution.

BACKGROUND
Congenital choledochal cyst with pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) is known as a high-risk factor for various complications such as cholangitis, pancreatitis, and carcinogenesis of the biliary system by mutual refluxes of bile and pancreatic juice. Furthermore, it is not rare to suffer from postoperative complications if the wrong operative procedure is chosen. Therefore, we sought to review the relationship between operative procedure for types I and IV-A (Todani's classification) congenital choledochal cyst with PBM, and long-term treatment outcome.


SUBJECTS AND METHODS
A retrospective review was carried out of 144 patients who underwent flow diversion surgery in our institution during the 40-year period from 1968 to 2008 and who did not have a coexisting malignant tumor at the time of surgery.


RESULTS
Of these 144 patients, 137 underwent complete cyst excision and 7 underwent pancreas head resection as flow diversion surgery. The follow-up periods ranged from 1 to 345 months and from 1 to 271 months (average, 100.2 and 94.1) in patients with type I and type IV-A cysts, respectively. Regarding surgical treatment outcome, postoperative progress was good in 130 (90.3%) of the 144 patients. Fourteen patients required hospitalization for long-term postoperative complications such as cholangitis, pancreatitis, intrahepatic calculi, pancreatic calculus, and carcinogenesis during postoperative follow-up. Of these, 2 patients who underwent surgery for type IV-A cysts died because of secondary biliary cirrhosis with liver failure and advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study shows that flow diversion surgery for congenital choledochal cysts with PBM significantly reduces the risk of subsequent development of malignancy in the biliary tract, and it is vital to choose the appropriate operative procedure to prevent occurrence of these postoperative complications.