LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Application of ex vivo 1H NMR metabonomics to the characterization and possible detection of renal cell carcinoma metastases

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most prevalent malignancy of the kidney. Its survival rates are very low since most of patients develop metastases beyond the kidney at the time of diagnosis. Early detection is currently by far the most promising approach to reduce RCC mortality. Metabolic alterations have been suggested to have a crucial role in cancer development. Metabonomics can present a holistic picture of the metabolites alterations and provide biomarkers that could revolutionize disease characterization and detection. Ex vivo 1H NMR spectra of tumors and the paired adjacent tissues obtained from living patients with RCC were recorded and analyzed using multivariate statistical techniques combined with quantitative statistical analyses. In the present study, we showed that the metabonomes of RCC, either with or without metastases, differ markedly from those of their adjacent tissues. Besides, the RCC patients with metastases can be distinctly differentiated from those without metastases. Metabolic perturbations arising from malignant transformations were also systematically characterized. Compared to the adjacent tissues, RCC tumors had elevated levels of lactate, glutamate, pyruvate, glutamine, and creatine, but decreased levels of acetate, malate, and amino acids including valine, alanine, and aspartate. Systemic changes in metabolite concentrations are most likely the result of cells switching to glycolysis to maintain energy homeostasis. The results suggest that metabonomics may also facilitate the discovery of novel cancer biomarkers and allows the stratification of tumors under different pathophysiological conditions, which might be a valuable future tool for RCC detection and possibly other cancers.
Pre-Operative Femoral Nerve Block for Hip Arthroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This open-access article is published and distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial No Derivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/), which permits the noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction of the article in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. You may not alter, transform, or build upon this article without the permission of the Author(s). For reprints and permission queries, please visit SAGE’s Web site at http://www.sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav. Pre-Operative Femoral Nerve Block for Hip Arthroscopy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Life-history differentiation of benthic and limnetic ecotypes in a polytypic population of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

Resource-use polymorphisms are associations between heritable phenotypic variation and habitat use within populations. These polymorphisms can offer insights into the mechanisms by which adaptation can occur despite gene flow, and into the importance of these mechanisms for the formation of new species. Resource-use polymorphisms are relatively common in northern freshwater fishes, including the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) complex. This complex exhibits parallel trophic variation at three nested levels: (1) species differences, (2) ecotypic variation across populations and (3) polytypy within populations. Of these levels, polytypic variation has been the least well characterized in the threespine stickleback, having been detected in only two populations (Benka Lake, Alaska; Cranby Lake, British Columbia). In each lake, individuals are specialized in body shape and trophic morphology along the benthic (bottom feeding) to limnetic (plankton feeding) axis. The morphotypes in each population differ in habitat use and diet. Here we demonstrate that in Benka Lake, Alaska, females of the two ecotypes also differ in reproductive allocation, with benthic females producing fewer, larger eggs. Our results offer the first evidence of reproductive life-history differences between morphotypes of stickleback within a single population. The difference in egg size between the morphotypes may reflect plasticity paralleling that in other aspects of the phenotype. We believe, however, it is more likely that the association between morphology and egg size is favoured by disruptive selection on fry size imposed by differences in water temperature between the habitats in which the morphotypes breed. Assortative mating in Benka Lake apparently has led to more pervasive phenotype divergence than previously suspected and possibly even to incipient sympatric
Discovering Conversational Dependencies between Messages in Dialogs

We investigate the task of inferring conversational dependencies between messages in one-on-one online chat, which has become one of the most popular forms of customer service. We propose a novel probabilistic classifier that leverages conversational, lexical and semantic information. The approach is evaluated empirically on a set of customer service chat logs from a Chinese e-commerce website. It outperforms heuristic baselines.
Successful reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infections: focus on nurse-directed catheter removal.

BACKGROUND
Despite using sterile technique for catheter insertion, closed drainage systems, and structured daily care plans, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) regularly occur in acute care hospitals. We believe that meaningful reduction in CAUTI rates can only be achieved by reducing urinary catheter use.


METHODS
We used an interventional study of a hospital-wide, multidisciplinary program to reduce urinary catheter use and CAUTIs on all patient care units in a 300-bed, community teaching hospital in Connecticut. Our primary focus was the implementation of a nurse-directed urinary catheter removal protocol. This protocol was linked to the physician's catheter insertion order. Three additional elements included physician documentation of catheter insertion criteria, a device-specific charting module added to physician electronic progress notes, and biweekly unit-specific feedback on catheter use rates and CAUTI rates in a multidisciplinary forum.


RESULTS
We achieved a 50% hospital-wide reduction in catheter use and a 70% reduction in CAUTIs over a 36-month period, although there was wide variation from unit to unit in catheter reduction efforts, ranging from 4% (maternity) to 74% (telemetry).


CONCLUSION
Urinary catheter use, and ultimately CAUTI rates, can be effectively reduced by the diligent application of relatively few evidence-based interventions. Aggressive implementation of the nurse-directed catheter removal protocol was associated with lower catheter use rates and reduced infection rates.
FOOD CHEMISTRY

The use of natural dye in food products that are based on emulsions presents advantages, and certain dyes are associated with functional properties. The present study focuses on the influence of various methods on the extraction and coloring efficiency of some natural dye extracted from red beetroot (beta vulgaris) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) Dyes were selected for emulsions depending on the solubility in the continuous phase. The stability of the water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions color has been studied. The perceived quality of oil-in-water and water-in-oil food or cosmetics emulsions is determined by a combination of 9 International Conference “Students for Students” 10-13 May 2012 8 physicochemical characteristics as stability and appearance. Venkatasubramanian Sivakumar and coauthors examined the influence of process parameters on extraction of natural dye. This article focuses on recent advances in our understanding of the influence of natural dye extraction efficiency on the appearance of food emulsions with extracted dye. The study highlights on the use of these colors for safe and attractive natural colored emulsions, and could create a good commercial impact, for example, in the cosmetic or food industry. Fig. 2. The absorption spectra for the chlorophyll used in the experiments References: (Times New Roman 11 p.,Italic Justify, Bottom of page) 1. A.P. Batista, A. Raymundo, I. Sousa, J. Empis, 2006. Rheological characterization of coloured oil-in water foods emulsions with lutein and phycocyanin added to the oil and aqueous phases. Food Hydrocoll., 20, 44-52. 2. D. J. McClements, 2002. Theoretical prediction of emulsion color, Advances in Colloids and Interface Science, 97, 63-89 3. 3 V. Sivakumar, L. Anna, J. Vijayeeswarri, G. Swaminathan, 2009. Ultrasound assisted enhancement in natural dye extraction from beetroot for industrial applications and natural dyeing of leather, Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 16, 782-789.
A comparative investigation on power noise suppression methods between two blocks in printed circuit boards

In this paper, a comparative investigation on power noise suppression between two blocks in printed circuit boards (PCBs) is presented. Eight noise isolation methods are discussed, including the reference case and seven most frequently used cases. Optimization and improvement for each method are discussed to achieve better performance. Through comparison, useful guidelines are drawn for real designs.
Bullying perpetration and subsequent sexual violence perpetration among middle school students.

PURPOSE
This study examines the association between bullying experiences and sexual violence (SV) perpetration among a sample of middle school students (n = 1391; males and females in grades 5-8) across five middle schools in a Midwestern state.


METHODS
We include waves 1 and 2 of a larger longitudinal study that aimed to track the overlap between bullying and SV victimization and/or perpetration across a 3-year period. Wave 1 data were collected in the spring of 2008, and wave 2 data were collected in the fall of 2008. Student participants completed a series of scales in a paper and pencil survey. After missing data imputation, a total sample of 1391 students was analyzed.


RESULTS
Using cutoff scores, 12% of males and 12% of females could be considered bully perpetrators. Thirty-two percent of the boys (22% of girls) reported making sexual comments to other students, 5% of boys (7% of girls) spread a sexual rumor, and 4% of boys (2% of girls) pulled at someone's clothing. Bullying perpetration and homophobic teasing were significant predictors of sexual harassment perpetration over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the overlap among bullying, homophobic teasing perpetration, and SV perpetration, future studies should address the link among these forms of aggression so that prevention programs can be enhanced to address gender-based bullying and sexual harassment.
Antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus synthesized using model Streptomyces sp. pigment by photo-irradiation method

Background: In the past few years, the rates of morbidity and mortality are increasing due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection so, studies in controlling this infection is gravely required. Silver nanoparticles antimicrobial activity were well known but rapid and green synthesis of silver nanoparticles having stupendous antimicrobial activity against MSRA is needed. Aim: Synthesis and evaluation of antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles against MRSA. Methods: ThepigmentproducedbyStreptomyces coelicolorwasused toreduceAgNO3 insolution to yield silver nanoparticles using photo-irradiation. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UVevisible spectroscopy; X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The synthesized silver nanoparticles were tested for antibacterial activity against MRSA, and the synergetic effects, of the combination of silver nanoparticles and antibiotics were evaluated. Results: We developed rapid synthesis for silver nanoparticles using S. coelicolor pigment by photo-irradiation within 20 min. The UVevisible spectroscopy result show maximum absorption between 400 and 450 nm a preliminary confirmation for nanoparticles synthesis. The XRD result confirms the crystalline nature of silver nanoparticles. The TEM image shows the particles are irregular having the size in a range of 28e50 nm. The FTIR result indicates the pigment as the probable reducing agent. The silver nanoparticles alone and in combination with antibiotics, exhibited antibacterial activity against MRSA. Conclusions: The rapid synthesis method developed in this study for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles has distinct advantages over traditional synthesis as the process is less time consuming. The kinetics of silver nanoparticles synthesis using S. coelicolor pigment with photo-irradiation indicates an appropriate way to develop green technology for the bulk synthesis. Furthermore, these biosynthesized silver nanoparticles, alone and in combination with antibiotics, exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against a MRSA which could be an alternate drug of choice. Copyright a 2013, JPR Solutions; Published by Reed Elsevier India Pvt. Ltd. All rights
Assessment of wind energy potential of two sites in North-East, Nigeria

The study is used to assess the wind energy potential of Maiduguri and Potiskum, two sites in North-East, Nigeria. 21 years (1987e2007) monthly mean wind data at 10 m height were assessed from the Nigeria Meteorological department and subjected to 2-parameter Weibull and other statistical analyzes. The result showed that average monthly mean wind speed variation for Potiskum ranged from 3.90 to 5.85 m/s, while for Maiduguri, it ranged from 4.35 to 6.33 m/s. Seasonally, data variation between the dry and wet seasons revealed that, the mean wind speed variation for Potiskum ranged from 4.46 (for dry) to 5.16 m/s (for wet), while for Maiduguri it ranged from 5.10 (dry) to 5.59 m/s (wet). The wind power density variation based on the Weibull analysis ranged from 102.54 to 300.15 W/m2 for Potiskum and it ranged from 114.77 to 360.04W/m2 for Maiduguri respectively. Moreover, Maiduguri was found to be the better of the sites in terms of monthly and seasonal variation of mean wind speed, but they both can be suitable for stand alone and medium scale wind power generation. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Effects of weather factors on dengue fever incidence and implications for interventions in Cambodia

BACKGROUND
Dengue viruses and their mosquito vectors are sensitive to their environment. Temperature, rainfall and humidity have well-defined roles in the transmission cycle. Therefore changes in these conditions may contribute to increasing incidence. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between weather factors and dengue incidence in three provinces in Cambodia, in order to strengthen the evidence basis of dengue control strategies in this high-burden country.


METHODS
We developed negative binomial models using monthly average maximum, minimum, mean temperatures and monthly cumulative rainfall over the period from January 1998 to December 2012. We adopted piecewise linear functions to estimate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) between dengue incidence and weather factors for simplicity in interpreting the coefficients. We estimated the values of parameters below cut-points defined in terms of the results of sensitivity tests over a 0-3 month lagged period.


RESULTS
Mean temperature was significantly associated with dengue incidence in all three provinces, but incidence did not correlate well with maximum temperature in Banteay Meanchey, nor with minimum temperature in Kampong Thom at a lag of three months in the negative binomial model. The monthly cumulative rainfall influence on the dengue incidence was significant in all three provinces, but not consistently over a 0-3 month lagged period. Rainfall significantly affected the dengue incidence at a lag of 0 to 3 months in Siem Reap, but it did not have an impact at a lag of 2 to 3 months in Banteay Meanchey, nor at a lag of 2 months in Kampong Thom.


CONCLUSIONS
The association between dengue incidence and weather factors also apparently varies by locality, suggesting that a prospective dengue early warning system would likely be best implemented at a local or regional scale, rather than nation-wide in Cambodia. Such spatial down-scaling would also enable dengue control measures to be better targeted, timed and implemented.
Placebo in sports nutrition: a proof-of-principle study involving caffeine supplementation.

We investigated the effects of supplement identification on exercise performance with caffeine supplementation. Forty-two trained cyclists (age 37 ± 8 years, body mass [BM] 74.3 ± 8.4 kg, height 1.76 ± 0.06 m, maximum oxygen uptake 50.0 ± 6.8 mL/kg/min) performed a ~30 min cycling time-trial 1 h following either 6 mg/kgBM caffeine (CAF) or placebo (PLA) supplementation and one control (CON) session without supplementation. Participants identified which supplement they believed they had ingested ("caffeine", "placebo", "don't know") pre- and post-exercise. Subsequently, participants were allocated to subgroups for analysis according to their identifications. Overall and subgroup analyses were performed using mixed-model and magnitude-based inference analyses. Caffeine improved performance vs PLA and CON (P ≤ 0.001). Correct pre- and post-exercise identification of caffeine in CAF improved exercise performance (+4.8 and +6.5%) vs CON, with slightly greater relative increases than the overall effect of caffeine (+4.1%). Performance was not different between PLA and CON within subgroups (all P > 0.05), although there was a tendency toward improved performance when participants believed they had ingested caffeine post-exercise (P = 0.06; 87% likely beneficial). Participants who correctly identified placebo in PLA showed possible harmful effects on performance compared to CON. Supplement identification appeared to influence exercise outcome and may be a source of bias in sports nutrition.
The efficacy of the 'mind map' study technique.

OBJECTIVES
To examine the effectiveness of using the 'mind map' study technique to improve factual recall from written information.


DESIGN
To obtain baseline data, subjects completed a short test based on a 600-word passage of text prior to being randomly allocated to form two groups: 'self-selected study technique' and 'mind map'. After a 30-minute interval the self-selected study technique group were exposed to the same passage of text previously seen and told to apply existing study techniques. Subjects in the mind map group were trained in the mind map technique and told to apply it to the passage of text. Recall was measured after an interfering task and a week later. Measures of motivation were taken.


SETTING
Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London.


SUBJECTS
50 second- and third-year medical students.


RESULTS
Recall of factual material improved for both the mind map and self-selected study technique groups at immediate test compared with baseline. However this improvement was only robust after a week for those in the mind map group. At 1 week, the factual knowledge in the mind map group was greater by 10% (adjusting for baseline) (95% CI -1% to 22%). However motivation for the technique used was lower in the mind map group; if motivation could have been made equal in the groups, the improvement with mind mapping would have been 15% (95% CI 3% to 27%).


CONCLUSION
Mind maps provide an effective study technique when applied to written material. However before mind maps are generally adopted as a study technique, consideration has to be given towards ways of improving motivation amongst users.
Hard drive failure prediction using non-parametric statistical methods

We present a case study of a difficult real-world pattern recognition problem: predicting hard drive failure using attributes monitored internally by individual drives. We compare the performance of support vector machines (SVMs), unsupervised clustering, and non-parametric statistical tests (rank-sum and reverse arrangements). Somewhat surprisingly, the rank-sum method outperformed the other methods, including SVMs. We also show the utility of using non-parametric tests for feature set selection. Keywords— failure prediction, hard drive reliability, ranksum, reverse arrangements, support vector machines,
The application/json Media Type for JavaScript Object Notation (JSON)

Status of This Memo This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of this memo is unlimited. Abstract JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) is a lightweight, text-based, language-independent data interchange format. It was derived from the ECMAScript Programming Language Standard. JSON defines a small set of formatting rules for the portable representation of structured data.
A Theory for Gender Differences in Variability

The variability hypothesis (VH), also known as the greater male variability hypothesis, asserts that “males are more likely than females to vary from the norm in both physical and mental traits” [17, p. 1447]. The origin of the hypothesis is often traced back to Johann Meckel in the early eighteenth century, and it was used by Charles Darwin to help explain extreme male secondary sex characteristics in many species. In the first edition of Man and Woman (London, 1894), Havelock Ellis devoted an entire chapter to the variability hypothesis, and “asserted that both retardation and genius are more frequent among males than females” [17, p. 1447]. It should be emphasized that the VH says nothing about differences in means between males and females, and even for some physical attributes where the average values are significantly different, such as height, the variance in human males has been found to be significantly greater than that in females (e.g., [3]). Not surprisingly, all ten of the ten tallest humans are male, but five of the shortest ten humans are also male (e.g., [19], [20]). Strenuous objections have been raised over the years about the implications of VH for certain attributes. At the end of the last millenium, psychologist Stefanie Shields reported “For some scientists, the idea that females would be unlikely to excel suggested that it was unnecessary to provide them with opportunities to do so” [17, p. 1448], and concluded, “Early feminist researchers were largely responsible for its eventual decline” [17, p. 1447]. Since then, however, there has been a resurgence of research on VH. Although some of these more recent studies found “inconsistent support for the greater male variability hypothesis” [5, p. 329], and that“greater male variability with respect to mathematics is not ubiquitous” [10, p. 8801], many more (e.g., [1], [2], [6], [7], [8], [9], [11], [12], [14], [18]) have found VH to be valid in different contexts. Arden and Plomin “found greater variance . . . [in intelligence] among boys at every age except age two” [1, p. 39], and Machin and Pekkarinen found greater male variance in both mathematics and reading among boys and girls in thirty-five of the forty countries that participated in the 2003 Programme for International Student Assessment [14]. Halpern et al found that “Males are more variable on most measures of quantitative and visuospatial ability, which necessarily results in more males at both highand low-ability extremes” [7, p. 1], and He et al reported that the results of their studies in mainland China “supported