LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Amino Acid-based Formula in Cow's Milk Allergy: Long-term Effects on Body Growth and Protein Metabolism.

OBJECTIVES
The long-term effects of amino acid-based formula (AAF) in the treatment of cow's milk allergy (CMA) are largely unexplored. The present study comparatively evaluates body growth and protein metabolism in CMA children treated with AAF or with extensively hydrolyzed whey formula (eHWF), and healthy controls.


METHODS
A 12-month multicenter randomized control trial was conducted in outpatients with CMA (age 5-12 m) randomized in 2 groups, treated with AAF (group 1) and eHWF (group 2), and compared with healthy controls (group 3) fed with follow-on (if age <12 months) or growing-up formula (if age >12 months). At enrolment (T0), after 3 (T3), 6 (T6), and 12 months (T12) a clinical evaluation was performed. At T0 and T3, in subjects with CMA serum levels of albumin, urea, total protein, retinol-binding protein, and insulin-like growth factor 1 were measured.


RESULTS
Twenty-one subjects in group 1 (61.9% boys, age 6.5 ± 1.5 months), 19 in group 2 (57.9% boys, age 7 ± 1.7 months) and 25 subjects in group 3 (48% boys, age 5.5 ± 0.5 months) completed the study. At T0, the weight z score was similar in group 1 (-0.74) and 2 (-0.76), with differences compared to group 3 (-0.17, P < 0.05). At T12, the weight z score value was similar between the 3 groups without significant differences. There were no significant changes in protein metabolism in children in groups 1 and 2.


CONCLUSION
Long-term treatment with AAF is safe and allows adequate body growth in children with CMA.
[The psychometric properties of the Turkish version of Myocardial Infarction Dimensional Assessment Scale (MIDAS)].

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the psychometric properties of the Myocardial Infarction Dimensional Assessment Scale (MIDAS).


METHODS
This is a methodological cultural adaptation study. The MIDAS consists of 35-items covering seven domains: physical activity, insecurity, emotional reaction, dependency, diet, concerns over medication, and side effects which are rated on a five-point Likert scale from 1: never to 5:always. The highest score of MIDAS is 100.Quality of life (QOL) decreases as the score of scale increases. Overall 185 myocardial infarction (MI) patients were enrolled in this study. Cronbach alpha was used for the reliability analysis. The criterion validity, structural validity, and sensitivity analysis approach was used for validity analysis. New York Heart Association (NYHA) and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Functional Classifications (CCSFC) for testing the criterion validity; SF-36 for construct validity testing of the Turkish version of the MIDAS were used.


RESULTS
The range of Cronbach alpha values is 0.79-0.90 for seven domains of the scale. No problematic items were observed for the entire scale. Medication related domains of the MIDAS showed considerable floor effects (35.7%-22.7%). Confirmatory Factor analysis indicators [Comparative Fit Index (CFI) =0.95 and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) =0.075] supported the construct validity of MIDAS. Convergent validity of the MIDAS was confirmed with correlation of SF-36 scale where appropriate. Criterion validity results was also satisfactory by comparing different stages of the NYHA and the CCSFC (p<0.05).


CONCLUSION
Overall results revealed that Turkish version of the MIDAS is a reliable and valid instrument.
Determination of pazopanib (GW-786034) in mouse plasma and brain tissue by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS).

A simple, rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS-MS) method has been developed and validated for the quantitative determination of pazopanib in mouse plasma and brain tissue homogenate. Single liquid-liquid extraction step with ethyl acetate was employed for analysis of pazopanib and the internal standard (IS); vandetanib. HPLC separation was performed on an XTerra(®) MS C18 column 50 mm × 4.6 mm, 5.0 μm. The mobile phase consisted of 70% acetonitrile and 30% water with 0.1% formic acid, pumped at a flow rate of 0.25 ml/min. Analysis time was 3.5 min per run and both the analyte and IS eluted within 1.8-2.0 min. Multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) mode was utilized to detect the compounds of interest. The mass spectrometer was operated in the positive ion mode for detection. The precursor to product ions (Q1→Q3) selected for pazopanib and internal standard during quantitative optimization were (m/z) 438.1→357.2 and 475.0→112.2 respectively. The calibration curves were linear over the range of 3.9-1000 ng/ml in both biological matrices. Lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) for mouse plasma and brain tissue was 3.9 ng/ml. The values for inter and intra day precision and accuracy were well within the ranges acceptable for analytical assessment (<15%). This method was applied to determine brain to plasma concentration ratio and relevant pharmacokinetic parameters of pazopanib after a single intravenous dose of 5 mg/kg in FVB wild type mice.
An Eecient Oo-line Electronic Cash System Based on the Representation Problem

We present a new o -line electronic cash system based on a problem, called the representation problem, of which little use has been made in literature thus far. Our system is the rst to be based entirely on discrete logarithms. Using the representation problem as a basic concept, some techniques are introduced that enable us to construct protocols for withdrawal and payment that do not use the cut and choose methodology of earlier systems. As a consequence, our cash system is much more e cient in both computation and communication complexity than previously proposed systems. Another important aspect of our system concerns its provability. Contrary to previously proposed systems, its correctness can be mathematically proven to a very great extent. Speci cally, if we make one plausible assumption concerning a single hash-function, the ability to break the system seems to imply that one can break the Di e-Hellman problem. Our system o ers a number of extensions that are hard to achieve in previously known systems. In our opinion the most interesting of these is that the entire cash system (including all the extensions) can be incorporated straightforwardly in a setting based on wallets with observers, which has the important advantage that doublespending can be prevented in the rst place, rather than detecting the identity of a double-spender after the fact. In particular, it can be incorporated even under the most stringent requirements conceivable about the privacy of the user, which seems to be impossible to do with previously proposed systems. Another bene t of our system is that framing attempts by a bank have negligible probability of success (independent of computing power) by a simple mechanism from within the system, which is something that previous solutions lack entirely. Furthermore, the basic cash system can be extended to checks, multi-show cash and divisibility, while retaining its computational e ciency. Although in this paper we only make use of the representation problem in groups of prime order, similar intractable problems hold in RSA-groups (with computational equivalence to factoring and computing RSAroots). We discuss how one can use these problems to construct an e cient cash system with security related to factoring or computation of RSA-roots, in an analogous way to the discrete log based system. Finally, we discuss a decision problem (the decision variant of the Di e-Hellman problem) that is strongly related to undeniable signatures, which to our knowledge has never been stated in literature and of which we do not know whether it is inBPP . A proof of its status would be of interest to discrete log based cryptography in general. Using the representation problem, we show in the appendix how to batch the con rmation protocol of undeniable signatures such that polynomially many undeniable signatures can be veri ed in four moves. AMS Subject Classi cation (1991): 94A60 CR Subject Classi cation (1991): D.4.6
User Acceptance of the E-Government Services in Malaysia: Structural Equation Modelling Approach

This paper identifies the factors that determine users’ acceptance of e-Government services and its causal relationships using a theoretical model based on the Technology Acceptance Model. Data relating to the constructs were collected from 200 respondents in Malaysia and subjected to Structural Equation Modeling analysis. The proposed model fits the data well. Results indicate that the important determinants of user acceptance of the e-Government services are perceived usefulness, ease of use, compatibility, interpersonal influence, external influence, self efficacy, facilitating conditions, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention to use e-Government services/system. Finally, implications and recommendations of these finding are discussed.
Variation in sweet corn kernel characteristics associated with stand establishment and eating quality

A better understanding of the relationships between kernel characteristics associated with eating quality and stand establishment could be helpful in selection of superior genotypes by the sweet corn industry. A set of sweet corn (Zea mays L.) inbred lines with different endosperm mutations (su1, su1 se1 and sh2) were evaluated for field emergence and seedling growth rate at two locations over two years. Kernel characteristics associated with eating quality (kernel moisture concentration, kernel tenderness, sugars, phytoglycogen and dimethyl sulfide (DMS) concentrations were determined for the same inbreds by laboratory analysis from ears harvested at 18 and 22 days after pollination (DAP). Amounts of sugars, phytoglycogen and starch were also measured in mature dry kernel samples of the same inbreds. Extensive genetic variability was found among endosperm mutations and among genetic backgrounds within the different endosperm groups for most of the characteristics under study. Most of the kernel attributes associated with eating quality were uncorrelated indicating that selection to improve specific eating quality characteristics can be conducted simultaneously. A negative correlation between field emergence and sugar concentrations in immature kernels suggests that in breeding programs designed to develop germplasm with improved germination and stand establishment, concurrent attention must be given to the fresh quality of the harvested product. This information is of value to breeders and commercial growers for selection of sh2 and su1 se1 lines with superior field emergence and eating quality.
Determinants of maize seed income and adoption of foundation seed production: evidence from Palpa District of Nepal

Maize is the second most important staple crop in terms of area and production in Nepal. The production and yield of maize are low in Nepal as compared to other similar agro-climatic regions. Seed is considered as a vital input in production. The yield of maize can be increased by using improved seeds and technologies. Farmers were generating good income being involved in foundation seed production as compared to certified seed. The maize seed sector in Nepal is handicapped by low domestic research and production capacity, which results in the poor supply of breeder and foundation seed for its multiplication. Hence, this study is aimed to investigate determinants of income from maize seed and adoption of foundation seed production in Palpa District of Nepal. Palpa District of Nepal was selected for the study because of its high contribution on maize seed production. The sample size was determined using the software Raosoft. A total of 182 samples were selected using simple random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, probit model, income regression model and the instrumental variable model were used to analyze data. The per hectare income from foundation seed production was higher than that from certified seed by NRs. 51,541. The study revealed that schooling year of household head, family type, active members, farm category, total income from maize seed production and training received had statistically significant effect on the adoption of foundation seed production. It was found that income increased by about 44% for the households producing foundation seed as compared to certified seed. This higher income is mainly driven by the higher yield as well as the higher price of the foundation seed. The study revealed that increase in area under maize seed by one hectare would increase the income by 242%. A result of the instrumental variable model showed that foundation seed production and extension services received do not affect significantly on maize seed income. This study identified that foundation seed production was profitable farm business in Palpa District of Nepal. However, very few farmers adopted such technology due to lack of proper training and extension services. Farmers should focus to increase area under foundation seed production to achieve higher returns.
Complexity of Adaptation in Real-World Case-Based Reasoning Systems

The essence of Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) as a problem solving paradigm is that solutions are generated by adapting the solutions of similar problems rather than solving the problem from first principles. In this paper we present a categorisation of problem solving tasks, arranged according to complexity. In addition we categorise CBR systems according to the complexity of the adaptation process involved. We describe three CBR systems; a system for property valuation, a system for software design and a system for modelling in engineering analysis. We discuss the manner in which the advantage of a CBR solution to these problems shifts as the task becomes more complex and the complexity of the adaptation process changes.
Cataract surgical coverage and self-reported barriers to cataract surgery in a rural Myanmar population.

PURPOSE
The aim of this study is to determine the cataract surgical coverage and investigate the barriers to cataract surgery as reported by those with cataract-induced visual impairment in rural Myanmar.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, population-based survey of inhabitants 40 years of age and over from villages in the Meiktila District (central Myanmar); 2481 eligible participants were identified and 2076 participated. Data recording included corrected visual acuity, dilated slit lamp examination and stereoscopic fundus examination. Lens opacity was graded using the Lens Opacities Classification System III. Participants with cataract-induced visual impairment (acuity < 6/18 in better eye) were also invited to respond to a verbal questionnaire about barriers to cataract surgery.


RESULTS
Cataract surgical coverage for visual acuity cut-offs of <6/18, <6/60 and <3/60 was 9.74%, 20.11% and 22.3%, respectively, for people and 4.18%, 9.39% and 13.47%, respectively, for eyes. Cataract surgical coverage was higher for men than women, but gender was not associated with refusal of services. Of the 239 who responded to the extra questionnaire, 216 were blind or had low vision owing to cataract. Three quarters refused referral for surgery: cost and fear of surgery were the most frequently reported barriers.


CONCLUSION
Cost plays a large role in the burden of cataract in this region. Implementation of educational programmes, reforms to local health service and subsidization of ophthalmic care may improve the uptake of cataract surgery.
Dietary intake, lung function and airway inflammation in Mexico City school children exposed to air pollutants

INTRODUCTION
Air pollutant exposure has been associated with an increase in inflammatory markers and a decline in lung function in asthmatic children. Several studies suggest that dietary intake of fruits and vegetables might modify the adverse effect of air pollutants.


METHODS
A total of 158 asthmatic children recruited at the Children's Hospital of Mexico and 50 non-asthmatic children were followed for 22 weeks. Pulmonary function was measured and nasal lavage collected and analyzed every 2 weeks. Dietary intake was evaluated using a 108-item food frequency questionnaire and a fruit and vegetable index (FVI) and a Mediterranean diet index (MDI) were constructed. The impact of these indices on lung function and interleukin-8 (IL-8) and their interaction with air pollutants were determined using mixed regression models with random intercept and random slope.


RESULTS
FVI was inversely related to IL-8 levels in nasal lavage (p < 0.02) with a significant inverse trend (test for trend p < 0.001), MDI was positively related to lung function (p < 0.05), and children in the highest category of MDI had a higher FEV1 (test for trend p < 0.12) and FVC (test for trend p < 0.06) than children in the lowest category. A significant interaction was observed between FVI and ozone for FEV1 and FVC as was with MDI and ozone for FVC. No effect of diet was observed among healthy children.


CONCLUSION
Our results suggest that fruit and vegetable intake and close adherence to the Mediterranean diet have a beneficial effect on inflammatory response and lung function in asthmatic children living in Mexico City.
Effect of code coverage on software reliability measurement

Summary & Conclusions—Existing software reliability-growth models often over-estimate the reliability of a given program. Empirical studies suggest that the over-estimations exist because the models do not account for the nature of the testing. Every testing technique has a limit to its ability to reveal faults in a given system. Thus, as testing continues in its region of saturation, no more faults are discovered and inaccurate reliability-growth phenomena are predicted from the models. This paper presents a technique intended to solve this Problem, using both time & code coverage measures for the prediction of software failures in operation. Coverage information collected during testing is used only to consider the effective portion of the test data. Execution time between test cases, which neither increases code coverage nor causes a failure, is reduced by a parameterized factor. Experiments were conducted to evaluate this technique, on a program created in a simulated environment with simulated faults, and on two industrial systems that contained tenths of ordinary faults. Two well-known reliability models, Goel-Okumoto and Musa-Okumoto, were applied to both the raw data and to the data adjusted using this technique. Results show that overestimation of reliability is properly corrected in the cases studied. This new approach has potential, not only to achieve more accurate applications of software reliability models, but to reveal effective ways of conducting software testing.
Growth factor-induced phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase/Akt phosphorylation in smooth muscle cells: induction of cell proliferation and inhibition of cell death.

OBJECTIVE
The signaling pathways mediating proliferation and apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are not well established. It has previously been shown that activation of the phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway or the ERK 1/2 pathway can mediate anti-apoptotic function in different cell types. This study determined the specific contribution of the PI3K/Akt and ERK pathway in the regulation of apoptosis and proliferation of VSMC.


METHODS AND RESULTS
Incubation of rat VSMC with FCS, insulin or IGF-1 time-dependently stimulated the phosphorylation of Akt, however FCS but not insulin or IGF-1 activated the MAP-kinase ERK 1/2. Moreover, insulin inhibited H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis via the Akt pathway as demonstrated by pharmacological inhibition of the PI3K or overexpression of a dominant negative Akt mutant. In contrast, FCS inhibited H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis via the Akt and also the ERK pathway. FCS, but not insulin or IGF-1 induced VSMC proliferation, suggesting that Akt activation is necessary but not sufficient for VSMC proliferation. FCS-induced proliferation of VSMC was only mediated via the Akt pathway and not the ERK pathway.


CONCLUSIONS
These results define a link between cell proliferation and programmed cell death in VSMC via the same signal transduction pathway, namely activation of the serine/threonine kinase Akt, which may have significant implication for the development of vascular diseases or remodeling.
Hybrid contract checking via symbolic simplification

Program errors are hard to detect or prove absent. Allowing programmers to write formal and precise specifications, especially in the form of contracts, is a popular approach to program verification and error discovery. We formalize and implement a hybrid (static and dynamic) contract checker for a subset of OCaml. The key technique is symbolic simplification, which makes integrating static and dynamic contract checking easy and effective. Our technique statically checks contract satisfaction or blames the function violating the contract. When a contract satisfaction is undecidable, it leaves residual code for dynamic contract checking.
Clinical Trial of Thermal Pulsation (LipiFlow) in Meibomian Gland Dysfunction With Preteatment Meibography

OBJECTIVES
Thermal pulsation (LipiFlow) has been advocated for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) treatment and was found useful. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thermal pulsation in Asian patients with different grades of meibomian gland loss.


METHODS
A hospital-based interventional study comparing thermal pulsation to warm compresses for MGD treatment. Fifty patients were recruited from the dry eye clinic of a Singapore tertiary eye hospital. The ocular surface and symptom were evaluated before treatment, and one and three months after treatment. Twenty-five patients underwent thermal pulsation (single session), whereas 25 patients underwent warm compresses (twice daily) for 3 months. Meibomian gland loss was graded using infrared meibography, whereas function was graded using the number of glands with liquid secretion.


RESULTS
The mean age (SD) of participants was 56.4 (11.4) years in the warm compress group and 55.6 (12.7) years in the thermal pulsation group. Seventy-six percent of the participants were female. Irritation symptom significantly improved over 3 months in both groups (P<0.01), whereas tear breakup time (TBUT) was modestly improved at 1 month in only the thermal pulsation group (P=0.048), without significant difference between both groups over the 3 months (P=0.88). There was also no significant difference in irritation symptom, TBUT, Schirmer test, and gland secretion variables between patients with different grades of gland loss or function at follow-ups.


CONCLUSIONS
A single session of thermal pulsation was similar in its efficacy and safety profile to 3 months of twice daily warm compresses in Asians. Treatment efficacy was not affected by pretreatment gland loss.
Viscosity Solutions of Fully Nonlinear Parabolic Path Dependent PDEs: Part II

In our previous paper [8], we have introduced a notion of viscosity solutions for fully nonlinear path-dependent PDEs, extending the semilinear case of [6], which satisfies a partial comparison result under standard Lipshitz-type assumptions. The main result of this paper provides a full wellposedness result under an additional assumption formulated on some partial differential equation defined locally by freezing the path. Namely, assuming further that such path-frozen standard PDEs satisfy the comparison principle and the Perron’s approach for existence, we prove that the nonlinear path-dependent PDE has a unique viscosity solution. Uniqueness is implied by a comparison result.