LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Formation of heartwood substances in the stemwood of Robinia pseudoacacia L. II. Distribution of nonstructural carbohydrates and wood extractives across the trunk

The distributions of reserve carbohydrates and of three dominant heartwood extractives were determined in the trunkwood of Robinia pseudoacacia L. The trees were cut at different times of the year (September, November, January, and April). With the exception of the tree felled in January, all trunks exhibited highest contents of nonstructural storage carbohydrates (glucose, fructose, sucrose, and starch) in the youngest, outermost sapwood zone. With increasing depth of the trunk, the levels of carbohydrates decreased. At the sapwood-heartwood transition zone, only trace amounts of nonstructural carbohydrates were present. The heartwood itself contained no storage material. The wood zones of different ages of the trees cut in September, November, and January exhibited glucose/fructose ratios of approximately 1. In April, however, there was a shift to glucose. In the youngest sapwood the amounts of soluble sugars were higher in the earlythan in the latewood. Older zones of the sapwood and the sap-wood-heartwood transition zone showed the opposite behaviour. Three main wood extractives of Robinia were characterized and quantified: the flavanonol dihydrorobinetin (DHR), the flavonol robinetin (ROB) and a hydroxycinnamic acid derivative (HCA). Only DHR was present — in very low amounts — in the younger sapwood of all trunks investigated. Higher amounts (>1 μmol/g dry weight) of this compound and the HCA were present in the sapwood-heartwood transition zone. DHR augmented within the heartwood up to a more or less constant level. HCA increased towards the heartwood and decreased again in the inner heartwood parts. ROB appeared in the innermost parts of the sapwood-heartwood transition zone and reached maximum values in older parts of the heart-wood. The results indicate that starch is hydrolyzed at the sapwood-heartwood boundary and thus represents a primary major source of hydroxycinnamic acid and flavonoid synthesis.
Game theory for cognitive radio networks: An overview

Cognitive radio technology, a revolutionary communication paradigm that can utilize the existing wireless spectrum resources more efficiently, has been receiving a growing attention in recent years. As network users need to adapt their operating parameters to the dynamic environment, who may pursue different goals, traditional spectrum sharing approaches based on a fully cooperative, static, and centralized network environment are no longer applicable. Instead, game theory has been recognized as an important tool in studying, modeling, and analyzing the cognitive interaction process. In this tutorial survey, we introduce the most fundamental concepts of game theory, and explain in detail how these concepts can be leveraged in designing spectrum sharing protocols, with an emphasis on state-of-the-art research contributions in cognitive radio networking. Research challenges and future directions in game theoretic modeling approaches are also outlined. This tutorial survey provides a comprehensive treatment of game theory with important applications in cognitive radio networks, and will aid the design of efficient, self-enforcing, and distributed spectrum sharing schemes in future wireless networks. 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Toward a proper model for informational development in developing countries (the Iranian experience)

This paper endeavors to articulate Informational Development (ID) concept as a new mode of development and then evaluates different approaches for this new mode of development, regarding the role of Information Technology (IT) in different aspects of the development such as economic growth and competitive advantage. In the last section, we propound a model for Informational Development in developing countries.
Microbial inactivation after high-pressure processing at 600 MPa in commercial meat products over its shelf life

The behaviour of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms was evaluated after high-pressure treatment (600 MPa 6 min, 31 8C) and during chilled storage at 4 8C for up to 120 days of commercial meat products. The objective was to determine if this pressure treatment is a valid process to reduce the safety risks associated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, and if it effectively avoids or delays the growth of spoilage microorganisms during the chilled storage time evaluated. The meat products covered by this study were cooked meat products (sliced cooked ham, pH 6.25, aw 0.978), dry cured meat products (sliced dry cured ham, pH 5.81, aw 0.890), and raw marinated meats (sliced marinated beef loin, pH 5.88, aw 0.985). HPP at 600 MPa for 6 min was an efficient method for avoiding the growth of yeasts and Enterobacteriaceae with a potential to produce off-flavours and for delaying the growth of lactic acid bacteria as spoilage microorganisms. HPP reduced the safety risks associated with Salmonella and L. monocytogenes in sliced marinated beef loin. D 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Local Skew Correction in Documents

In this paper we propose a technique for detecting and correcting the skew of text areas in a document. The documents we work with may contain several areas of text with different skew angles. First, a text localization procedure is applied based on connected components analysis. Specifically, the connected components of the document are extracted and filtered according to their size and geometric characteristics. Next, the candidate characters are grouped using a nearest neighbor approach to form words and then based on these words text lines of any skew are constructed. Then, the top-line and baseline for each text line are estimated using linear regression. Text lines in near locations, having similar skew angles, are grown to form text areas. For each text area a local skew angle is estimated and then these text areas are skew corrected independently to horizontal or vertical orientation. The technique has been extensively tested on a variety of document images and its accuracy and robustness is compared with other existing techniques.
A clinical and experimental overview of sirenomelia: insight into the mechanisms of congenital limb malformations

Sirenomelia, also known as sirenomelia sequence, is a severe malformation of the lower body characterized by fusion of the legs and a variable combination of visceral abnormalities. The causes of this malformation remain unknown, although the discovery that it can have a genetic basis in mice represents an important step towards the understanding of its pathogenesis. Sirenomelia occurs in mice lacking Cyp26a1, an enzyme that degrades retinoic acid (RA), and in mice that develop with reduced bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) signaling in the caudal embryonic region. The phenotypes of these mutant mice suggest that sirenomelia in humans is associated with an excess of RA signaling and a deficit in Bmp signaling in the caudal body. Clinical studies of sirenomelia have given rise to two main pathogenic hypotheses. The first hypothesis, based on the aberrant abdominal and umbilical vascular pattern of affected individuals, postulates a primary vascular defect that leaves the caudal part of the embryo hypoperfused. The second hypothesis, based on the overall malformation of the caudal body, postulates a primary defect in the generation of the mesoderm. This review gathers experimental and clinical information on sirenomelia together with the necessary background to understand how deviations from normal development of the caudal part of the embryo might lead to this multisystemic malformation.
Selecting automation for the clinical chemistry laboratory.

CONTEXT
Laboratory automation proposes to improve the quality and efficiency of laboratory operations, and may provide a solution to the quality demands and staff shortages faced by today's clinical laboratories. Several vendors offer automation systems in the United States, with both subtle and obvious differences. Arriving at a decision to automate, and the ensuing evaluation of available products, can be time-consuming and challenging. Although considerable discussion concerning the decision to automate has been published, relatively little attention has been paid to the process of evaluating and selecting automation systems.


OBJECTIVE
To outline a process for evaluating and selecting automation systems as a reference for laboratories contemplating laboratory automation.


DESIGN
Our Clinical Chemistry Laboratory staff recently evaluated all major laboratory automation systems in the United States, with their respective chemistry and immunochemistry analyzers. Our experience is described and organized according to the selection process, the important considerations in clinical chemistry automation, decisions and implementation, and we give conclusions pertaining to this experience.


RESULTS
Including the formation of a committee, workflow analysis, submitting a request for proposal, site visits, and making a final decision, the process of selecting chemistry automation took approximately 14 months. We outline important considerations in automation design, preanalytical processing, analyzer selection, postanalytical storage, and data management.


CONCLUSIONS
Selecting clinical chemistry laboratory automation is a complex, time-consuming process. Laboratories considering laboratory automation may benefit from the concise overview and narrative and tabular suggestions provided.
MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)

Journals and Blogs Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offer an online learning experience open to anyone who has access to the Internet. Courses are free for those not seeking credit or certification. According to Martin D. Snyder (Academe, Nov.Dec. 2012), “The goal was and is laudable: to offer free, world-class education to anyone and everyone with Internet access.” These courses, often with massive, even worldwide, enrollments, are characterized by active learning, mainly peer-to-peer interactions, social communities, individualized learning, and new forms of assessment. Courses are proliferating. For an overview of what’s available, see three of the more popular MOOC platforms, each associated with top universities: Coursera https://www.coursera.org/ [1] Udacity https://www.udacity.com/ [2] Edx https://www.edx.org/ [3]
Effectiveness of automated locomotor training in patients with acute incomplete spinal cord injury: A randomized controlled multicenter trial

BACKGROUND
A large proportion of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) regain ambulatory function. However, during the first 3 months most of the patients are not able to walk unsupported. To enable ambulatory training at such an early stage the body weight is partially relieved and the leg movements are assisted by two therapists. A more recent approach is the application of robotic based assistance which allows for longer training duration. From motor learning science and studies including patients with stroke, it is known that training effects depend on the duration of the training. Longer trainings result in a better walking function. The aim of the present study is to evaluate if prolonged robot assisted walking training leads to a better walking outcome in patients with incomplete SCI and whether such training is feasible or has undesirable effects.


METHODS/DESIGN
Patients from multiple sites with a subacute incomplete SCI and who are not able to walk independently will be randomized to either standard training (3-5 sessions per week, session duration maximum 25 minutes) or an intensive training (3-5 sessions per week, session duration minimum 50 minutes). After 8 weeks of training and 4 months later the walking ability, the occurrence of adverse events and the perceived rate of exertion as well as the patients' impression of change will be compared between groups.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT01147185.
Modelling the cost-effectiveness of combination therapy for early, rapidly progressing rheumatoid arthritis by simulating the reversible and irreversible effects of the disease

OBJECTIVE
To estimate the cost-effectiveness of adalimumab plus methotrexate (MTX) versus MTX monotherapy in early, aggressive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when explicitly modelling short-term (reversible) and long-term (irreversible, ie, joint damage) disease activity and physical function.


METHODS
A microsimulation model was developed to unify, in a single cost-effectiveness model, measures of reversible and irreversible disease activity and physical function based on data from the PREMIER trial. Short term, reversible disease activity was modelled using DAS28 variables, including swollen joint counts, tender joint counts, C reactive protein concentration and pain. The DAS28 variables were then used in a logistic regression to predict short-term American College of Rheumatology (ACR) responses, which informed treatment continuation and switches. Long term, irreversible, radiographically documented joint damage was modelled using modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS). The model then linked both short-term disease activity and mTSS to the Health Assessment Questionnaire score, which was used to calculate direct and indirect costs, and quality adjusted life-years (QALYs).


RESULTS
When both reversible and irreversible effects of therapy were included, combination therapy was estimated to produce 6-month 50% ACR responses in 75% of patients versus 54% in MTX monotherapy. Compared to MTX monotherapy, combination therapy resulted in 2.68 and 3.04 discounted life years and QALYs gained, respectively. Combination therapy also resulted in a net increase in direct costs of £106,207 for a resulting incremental cost/QALY gain of £32,425. When indirect costs were included in the analysis, the ICER (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio) decreased to £27,238. Disregarding irreversible effects increased the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio to £78,809 (when only direct costs were included).


CONCLUSIONS
Starting with adalimumab plus MTX combination therapy in early, aggressive RA is cost-effective when irreversible damage is adequately considered.
Plasmon 3D Electron Tomography and Local Electric-Field Enhancement of Engineered Plasmonic Nanoantennas

Plasmonic nanoantennas are pushing the limits of optical imaging resolution capabilities in near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM). Accordingly, these techniques are driving the basic understanding of photonic and optoelectronic nanoscale devices with applications in sensing, energy conversion, solid-state lighting, and information technology. Imaging the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) at the nanoscale is a key to understanding the optical responses of a given tip geometry in order to engineer better plasmonic nanoantennas for near-field experiments. In recent years the advancement of focused ion beam technology provides the ability to directly modify plasmonic structures with nanometer resolution. Also, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) is an established technique allowing imaging of LSPR. Specifically, the combination of these two techniques provides spectrally sensitive two-dimensional (2D) image information to better visualize and understand LSPR on the nanometer scale. This can be combined with electron tomography to provide the three-dimensional LSPR distribution. Here we demonstrate the fabrication of Au nanopyramids using helium ion microscopy, and analyze the LSPR in 3D reconstructions produced by total variation (TV)-norm minimization of a set of 2D STEM-EELS maps. Additionally, a boundary element simulation method was used to verify the experimentally observed nanopyramid LSPR modes. Finally, we show that the point-spread-functions (PSF) of LSPR mode hot spots in nanopyramids differ to local electricfield enhancement under optical excitation making direct comparison to NSOM experimental resolution difficult. However, the STEM-EELS results show how LSPR modes are influenced by the tip characteristics, which can inform the development of new nanoantenna designs.
Cocoa Consumption Alters the Global DNA Methylation of Peripheral Leukocytes in Humans with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: A Randomized Controlled Trial

UNLABELLED
DNA methylation regulates gene expression and can be modified by different bioactive compounds in foods, such as polyphenols. Cocoa is a rich source of polyphenols, but its role in DNA methylation is still unknown. The objective was to assess the effect of cocoa consumption on DNA methylation and to determine whether the enzymes involved in the DNA methylation process participate in the mechanisms by which cocoa exerts these effects in humans. The global DNA methylation levels in the peripheral blood were evaluated in 214 volunteers who were pre-hypertensive, stage-1 hypertensive or hypercholesterolemic. The volunteers were divided into two groups: 110 subjects who consumed cocoa (6 g/d) for two weeks and 104 control subjects. In addition, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from six subjects were treated with a cocoa extract to analyze the mRNA levels of the DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) genes. Cocoa consumption significantly reduced the DNA methylation levels (2.991±0.366 vs. 3.909±0.380, p<0.001). Additionally, we found an association between the cocoa effects on DNA methylation and three polymorphisms located in the MTHFR, MTRR, and DNMT3B genes. Furthermore, in PBMCs, the cocoa extract significantly lowered the mRNA levels of the DNMTs, MTHFR, and MTRR. Our study demonstrates for the first time that the consumption of cocoa decreases the global DNA methylation of peripheral leukocytes in humans with cardiovascular risk factors. In vitro experiments with PBMCs suggest that cocoa may exert this effect partially via the down-regulation of DNMTs, MTHFR and MTRR, which are key genes involved in this epigenetic process.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinicaltrials.govNCT00511420 and NCT00502047.
Free meson spectral functions on the lattice

Abstract We present results from an analytic calculation of thermal meson spectral functions in the infinite temperature (free field) limit. We compare spectral functions for various lattice fermion formulations used at present in studies of in-medium properties of hadrous based on the maximum entropy method (MEM). In particular, we will present a new calculation of spectral functions performed with extended quark sources.
Virologic and immunologic responses in treatment-naive patients to ritonavir-boosted atazanavir or efavirenz with a common backbone.

BACKGROUND
Atazanavir boosted with ritonavir (ATV/r) and efavirenz (EFV) are both recommended as first-line therapies for HIV-infected patients. We compared the 2 therapies for virologic efficacy and immune recovery.


METHODS
We included all treatment-naïve patients in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study starting therapy after May 2003 with either ATV/r or EFV and a backbone of tenofovir and either emtricitabine or lamivudine. We used Cox models to assess time to virologic failure and repeated measures models to assess the change in CD4 cell counts over time. All models were fit as marginal structural models using both point of treatment and censoring weights. Intent-to-treat and various as-treated analyses were carried out: In the latter, patients were censored at their last recorded measurement if they changed therapy or if they were no longer adherent to therapy.


RESULTS
Patients starting EFV (n = 1,097) and ATV/r (n = 384) were followed for a median of 35 and 37 months, respectively. During follow-up, 51% patients on EFV and 33% patients on ATV/r remained adherent and made no change to their first-line therapy. Although intent-to-treat analyses suggest virologic failure was more likely with ATV/r, there was no evidence for this disadvantage in patients who adhered to first-line therapy. Patients starting ATV/r had a greater increase in CD4 cell count during the first year of therapy, but this advantage disappeared after one year.


CONCLUSIONS
In this observational study, there was no good evidence of any intrinsic advantage for one therapy over the other, consistent with earlier clinical trials. Differences between therapies may arise in a clinical setting because of differences in adherence to therapy.
A Matlab Simulink model for the study of smart grid — Grid-integrated vehicles interactions

The market of electrical vehicles is in continuous expansion. When the number of the full electrical or hybrid vehicles will be significant, they could represent an interesting further resource of electrical storage in an intermittent renewable power sources scenario. The focus of this paper is to describe a MATLAB Simulink model well suited for the analysis of the behavior of a car park of electric vehicles used as energy storage in a smart grid environment.
Circuit design of a wide tuning range CMOS VCO with automatic amplitude control

A novel tuning mechanism to greatly widen the frequency tuning range of VCO is presented. A tuning range of over 50% has been achieved for a CMOS VCO with the adoption of this technique. Moreover, a constant amplitude control loop is also incorporated in this circuit, ensuring stable oscillation amplitude over the whole tuning range.
Representing Unique Stakeholder Perspectives in BPM Notations

Evidence shows that proposals for new modeling notations emerge and evolution of current ones are becoming more complex, often in an attempt to satisfy the many different modeling perspectives required by each stakeholder. This paper presents a method to identify the specific notation construct requirements, at multiple levels of abstraction, which satisfy the needs of a stakeholder when performing a specific task. Initially the focus is on two different stakeholders: software engineers (SE) and business analysts(BA), and one specific software engineering activity: requirements eliciting and analysis. The specific body of knowledge of the two stakeholders (Software Engineering Book of Knowledge (SWEBOK) for the SE, and Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) for the BA) are used to identify each stakeholder specific notation construct requirements, at multiple levels of abstraction, in order to propose a simplification of their notation and constructs set. This paper presents solution avenues to simplify business process modeling notations by identifying the specific constructs preferred by different stakeholders.
A Phase I Trial of Preoperative Partial Breast Radiotherapy: Patient Selection, Target Delineation, and Dose Delivery

PURPOSE
Diffusion of accelerated partial breast irradiation into clinical practice is limited by the need for specialized equipment and training. The accessible external beam technique yields unacceptable complication rates, likely from large postoperative target volumes. We designed a phase 1 trial evaluating preoperative radiation therapy to the intact tumor using widely available technology.


METHODS AND MATERIALS
Patients received 15, 18, or 21 Gy in a single fraction to the breast tumor plus margin. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used in conjunction with standard computed tomography (CT)-based planning to identify contrast enhancing tumor. Skin markers and an intratumor biopsy marker were used for verification during treatment.


RESULTS
MRI imaging was critical for target delineation because not all breast tumors were reliably identified on CT scan. Breast shape differences were consistently seen between CT and MRI but did not impede image registration or tumor identification. Target volumes were markedly smaller than historical postoperative volumes, and normal tissue constraints were easily met. A biopsy marker within the breast proved sufficient for setup localization.


CONCLUSIONS
This single fraction linear accelerator-based partial breast irradiation approach can be easily incorporated at most treatment centers. In vivo targeting may improve accuracy and can reduce the dose to normal tissues.