Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NOOSA, 2 YEARS LATER… A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF RECENT LITERATURE

Abstract Introduction: Since the second World Congress on the Abdominal Compartment Syndrome (WCACS) in Noosa 2 years ago, interest and publications on intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and ACS have increased exponentially. This paper aimed to critically review recent publications and put this new data into the context of already acquired knowledge concerning IAH/ACS. Methods: A Medline and PubMed search was performed from January 2005 up to now using “intra-abdominal pressure (IAP)”, “intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH)”, “abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS)” and “decompressive laparotomy” as search items. Results: Although consensus definitions of IAH/ACS have been formulated recently, data on awareness are still disconcerting. Several groups refined current IAP measurement techniques and tested new direct IAP measurement devices for use in selected subpopulations. A series of recent publications identified specific patient subpopulations in IAH/ACS, like patients with burns or severe acute pancreatitis, with their specific pathophysiology and therapy. Although many studies already assessed the effect of elevated IAP on regional and micro-circulatory organ perfusion, a number of new publications attempted to unravel the link between elevated IAP and more “downstream” organ function or histology. Finally, therapy for IAH/ACS still reveals more questions than it answers. Global resuscitation does not necessarily equate with organ resuscitation. In fact, fluid-resuscitation may even induce IAH/ACS. Conclusions: After publication of consensus guidelines on IAH/ACS, there is an urgent need for human intervention studies and, in parallel, clinically relevant animal models. Given moderately low incidence of ACS and the complex and interrelated pathologies of the critically ill patient with IAH/ACS, large animal models of pathology-induced IAH/ACS might create the opportunity to gain clinically relevant knowledge on the treatment of IAH/ACS.
Control of Low-Distortion 27-Level Cascade Inverter with Three H-Bridge Inverter Modules

This paper presents a digital control of 27-level cascade inverter for the applications of uninterruptible power supplies with high-power and/or high voltage. A conventional 27-level cascade multilevel inverter requires the combination of 13 H-bridge (single-phase full-bridge) inverter modules. A simple control of 27-level cascade inverter is proposed by using only 3 H-bridge inverter units with different dc voltage sources. The conducting angles of switches in the conventional cascade multilevel inverters are calculated by the use of Fourier series to minimize the harmonic distortion. The traditional method is complex and difficult to implement. With the proposed method, the switching angles are translated into switching reference voltages of inverter switches, control of various modulation values is also easy to implement with the proposed control. Analytical, simulated, and experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed system.
The effect of object speed and direction on the performance of 3D speckle tracking using a 3D swept-volume ultrasound probe

Three-dimensional (3D) soft tissue tracking using 3D ultrasound is of interest for monitoring organ motion during therapy. Previously we demonstrated feature tracking of respiration-induced liver motion in vivo using a 3D swept-volume ultrasound probe. The aim of this study was to investigate how object speed affects the accuracy of tracking ultrasonic speckle in the absence of any structural information, which mimics the situation in homogenous tissue for motion in the azimuthal and elevational directions. For object motion prograde and retrograde to the sweep direction of the transducer, the spatial sampling frequency increases or decreases with object speed, respectively. We examined the effect object motion direction of the transducer on tracking accuracy. We imaged a homogenous ultrasound speckle phantom whilst moving the probe with linear motion at a speed of 0–35 mm s−1. Tracking accuracy and precision were investigated as a function of speed, depth and direction of motion for fixed displacements of 2 and 4 mm. For the azimuthal direction, accuracy was better than 0.1 and 0.15 mm for displacements of 2 and 4 mm, respectively. For a 2 mm displacement in the elevational direction, accuracy was better than 0.5 mm for most speeds. For 4 mm elevational displacement with retrograde motion, accuracy and precision reduced with speed and tracking failure was observed at speeds of greater than 14 mm s−1. Tracking failure was attributed to speckle de-correlation as a result of decreasing spatial sampling frequency with increasing speed of retrograde motion. For prograde motion, tracking failure was not observed. For inter-volume displacements greater than 2 mm, only prograde motion should be tracked which will decrease temporal resolution by a factor of 2. Tracking errors of the order of 0.5 mm for prograde motion in the elevational direction indicates that using the swept probe technology speckle tracking accuracy is currently too poor to track homogenous tissue over a series of volume images as these errors will accumulate. Improvements could be made through increased spatial sampling in the elevational direction.
FDTD Simulation of Insulator Voltages at a Lightning-Struck Tower Considering Ground-Wire Corona

In this paper, a simplified model of corona discharge for the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) computations has been applied to the analysis of transient voltages across insulators of a transmission line struck by lightning. In the simulation, three 60-m towers, separated by 200 m, with one overhead ground wire and three-phase conductors are employed. The progression of corona streamers from the ground wire is represented as the radial expansion of cylindrical conducting region around the wire. On the basis of the computed results, the effect of corona discharge at the ground wire on transient insulator voltages is examined. The insulator voltages are reduced by corona discharge on the ground wire. The reduction of insulator-voltage peak due to the ground-wire corona is not very significant: the upper-, middle-, and lower-phase-voltage peaks are reduced by 15, 14, and 13% for a positive stroke with 50-kA-peak and 3-μs-risetime current, and those for the negative stroke with the same current waveform parameters are reduced by 10, 9, and 8%, respectively.
Big data-driven business model innovation by traditional industries in the Chinese economy

Purpose This study aims to construct mechanisms of big data-driven business model innovation from the market, strategic and economic perspectives and core logic of business model innovation. Design/methodology/approach The authors applied deductive reasoning and case analysis method on manufacturing firms in China to validate the mechanisms. Findings The authors have developed an integrated framework to deduce the elements of big data-driven business model innovation. The framework comprises three elements: perspectives, business model processes and big data-driven business model innovations. As we apply the framework on to three Chinese companies, it is evident that the mechanisms of business model innovation based on big data is a progressive and dynamic process. Research limitations/implications The case sample is relatively small, which is a typical trade-off in qualitative research. Practical implications A robust infrastructure that seamlessly integrates internet of things, front-end customer systems and back-end production systems is pivotal for companies. The management has to ensure its organization structure, climate and human resources are well prepared for the transformation. Social implications When provided with a convenient crowdsourcing platform to provide feedback and witness their suggestions being implemented, users are more likely to share insights about their use experience. Originality/value Extant studies of big data and business model innovation remain disparate. By adding a new dimension of intellectual and economic resource to the resource-based view, this paper posits an important link between big data and business model innovation. In addition, this study has contributed to the theoretical lens of value by contextualizing the value components of a business model and providing an integrated framework.
Limitations in Xylose-Fermenting Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Made Evident through Comprehensive Metabolite Profiling and Thermodynamic Analysis

ABSTRACT Little is known about how the general lack of efficiency with which recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains utilize xylose affects the yeast metabolome. Quantitative metabolomics was therefore performed for two xylose-fermenting S. cerevisiae strains, BP000 and BP10001, both engineered to produce xylose reductase (XR), NAD+-dependent xylitol dehydrogenase and xylulose kinase, and the corresponding wild-type strain CEN.PK 113-7D, which is not able to metabolize xylose. Contrary to BP000 expressing an NADPH-preferring XR, BP10001 expresses an NADH-preferring XR. An updated protocol of liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry that was validated by applying internal 13C-labeled metabolite standards was used to quantitatively determine intracellular pools of metabolites from the central carbon, energy, and redox metabolism and of eight amino acids. Metabolomic responses to different substrates, glucose (growth) or xylose (no growth), were analyzed for each strain. In BP000 and BP10001, flux through glycolysis was similarly reduced (∼27-fold) when xylose instead of glucose was metabolized. As a consequence, (i) most glycolytic metabolites were dramatically (≤120-fold) diluted and (ii) energy and anabolic reduction charges were affected due to decreased ATP/AMP ratios (3- to 4-fold) and reduced NADP+ levels (∼3-fold), respectively. Contrary to that in BP000, the catabolic reduction charge was not altered in BP10001. This was due mainly to different utilization of NADH by XRs in BP000 (44%) and BP10001 (97%). Thermodynamic analysis complemented by enzyme kinetic considerations suggested that activities of pentose phosphate pathway enzymes and the pool of fructose-6-phosphate are potential factors limiting xylose utilization. Coenzyme and ATP pools did not rate limit flux through xylose pathway enzymes.
Effect of Stakeholders-Oriented Behavior on the Performance of Sustainable Business

This study focuses on stakeholder-oriented behavior, throughout organizational culture and organizational behavior, and its effects on the performance of sustainable organizations managed according to Corporative Social Responsibility (CSR) criteria. The investigation demonstrates that the sustainability efforts of a wide range of stakeholders exert various effects on business performance. This investigation tests two integrated conceptual models: (a) Stakeholder Orientation Model estimates the relationships among organizational culture components and their effects on stakeholder-oriented organizational behavior. That is, it estimates the influence of values on norms and artifacts, and their effects on stakeholder-oriented organizational behavior; (b) Performance model estimates the association between stakeholder-oriented organizational behavior and financial and market performance, reputation, and commitment. Using Structural Equation Modelling, both models were estimated from primary data collected from large- and medium-sized multi-sector Colombian companies involved in business sustainability practices. The findings reveal that values are antecedents of norms, but neither values nor norms are predictors of artifacts. Furthermore, norms and artifacts exert direct effects on stakeholder-oriented organizational behavior. In turn, stakeholder-oriented organizational behaviors are predictors of both market performance and commitment. Nevertheless, stakeholder-oriented organizational behaviors are not direct antecedents of both financial performance and reputation.
Productivity, efficiency and technical change in world agriculture: a färe-primont index approach

This paper makes a comparative analysis of the total factor productivity (TFP) estimations on the agricultural sector between the traditional Malmquist index and the new Fare-Primont index (FPI) proposed by O´Donnell. Moreover, the study makes some direct comparisons with previous traditional literature. In addition, it makes use of an improved measure of the capital stock, which showed important effects on the estimates of the agricultural productivity. The new FPI yields some lower growth of agricultural productivity and the use of the improved measure of the capital stock shows a very important effect on TFP gains.
Remembering the Legacy of Dale E. Brashers and His Contributions to Health Communication

On July 5, 2010, Dale E. Brashers, head of the Departmentof Communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and key ﬁgure in the ﬁeld of health commu-nication, passed away in his university ofﬁce. He was 50years old.Theimpactofthislossisstillexpanding,ripplingthroughthe ﬁeld and the vast network of people who knew him ascolleague, mentor, or friend. For some, his death was noless painful than losing a parent, so special was this manto them. Equally severe is the loss to the ﬁeld of healthcommunication, in which Brashers was a central and highlyvisible ﬁgure. His scholarly contributions, applied clinicalwork, mentorship of junior health communication scholars,and leadership in our national and international professionalorganizations all helped advance our discipline, broaden-ing its reach and increasing its visibility among the healthsciences. Although Brashers held some interest in groupsand argumentation (Jacobs, Brashers, & Dawson, 1996;Meyers & Brashers, 1999; Meyers, Brashers, & Hanner,2000; Rintamaki & Brashers, 2010), he is best known forhis methodological research and theoretical advancement ofuncertainty management. For these reasons, the 100
Dominant Heterosexual Sexual Scripts in Emerging Adulthood: Conceptualization and Measurement

Sexual script research (Simon & Gagnon 1969, 1986) bourgeoned following Simon and Gagnon's groundbreaking work. Empirical measurement of sexual script adherence has been limited, however, as no measures exist that have undergone rigorous development and validation. We conducted three studies to examine current dominant sexual scripts of heterosexual adults and to develop a measure of endorsement of these scripts. In Study 1, we conducted three focus groups of men (n = 19) and four of women (n = 20) to discuss the current scripts governing sexual behavior. Results supported scripts for sex drive, physical and emotional sex, sexual performance, initiation and gatekeeping, and evaluation of sexual others. In Study 2, we used these qualitative findings to develop a measure of script endorsement, the Sexual Script Scale. Factor analysis of data from 721 participants revealed six interrelated factors demonstrating initial construct validity. In Study 3, confirmatory factor analysis of a separate sample of 289 participants supported the model from Study 2, and evidence of factorial invariance and test-retest reliability was obtained. This article presents the results of these studies, documenting the process of scale development from formative research through to confirmatory testing, and suggests future directions for the continued development of sexual scripting theory.
Desflurane Enhances Reactivity during the Use of the Laryngeal Mask Airway

Background:Desflurane and sevoflurane have markedly different pungencies. The tested hypothesis was that patients breathing equivalent concentrations of desflurane or sevoflurane through a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) would have similar responses. Methods:After institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained, 60 patients were enrolled and given intravenous midazolam (14 &mgr;g/kg) and fentanyl (1 &mgr;g/kg) 5 min before induction of anesthesia. The LMA was inserted at loss of consciousness after 2 mg/kg propofol. When spontaneous breathing returned, a randomly assigned volatile anesthetic was started at an inspired concentration of either 1.8% sevoflurane or 6% desflurane at a fresh gas flow of 6 l/min in air:oxygen (50:50). After 5 min, a controlled movement of the LMA took place. Three minutes later, the inspiratory anesthetic concentration was changed to either 3.6% sevoflurane or 12% desflurane for 3 min. A blinded observer recorded movements and airway events during the start of anesthetic, LMA movement, deepening of the anesthetic, and emergence before LMA removal. Results:There were no differences at anesthetic start and LMA movement. Desflurane titration to 12% increased heart rate, increased mean arterial blood pressure, and initiated frequent coughing (53% vs. 0% sevoflurane) and body movements (47% vs. 0% sevoflurane). During emergence, there was a twofold greater incidence of coughing and a fivefold increase in breath holding in the desflurane group. Conclusions:When airway responses to sevoflurane and desflurane were compared in elective surgical patients breathing through an LMA, there were significantly more adverse responses with desflurane at 12% concentrations and during emergence.
Characterization of treated porcelain surfaces via dynamic contact angle analysis.

Successful porcelain repair requires conditioning of porcelain surfaces. Conditioning is intended to facilitate wetting by repair materials and improve interfacial bonding. The objective of this investigation was to determine the effects of selected surface treatments upon the wettability of a representative feldspathic porcelain. Dynamic contact angle analysis and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the effects of such treatments. Standardized porcelain specimens were subjected to the following five treatment regimens: (1) control (no treatment); (2) airborne particle abrasion using 50 microns aluminum oxide; (3) etching with ammonium bifluoride gel; (4) etching with acidulated phosphate fluoride gel; and (5) etching with hydrofluoric acid gel. Following treatment, specimens were cleansed and dried. Advancing contact angles were quantified using dynamic contact angle analysis. Mean values and 95% confidence intervals were (in degrees): control, 63.8 +/- 2.7; ammonium bifluoride, 39.4 +/- 2.0; airborne particle abrading, 29.1 +/- 2.9; acidulated phosphate fluoride, 24.9 +/- 1.7; and hydrofluoric acid, 16.5 +/- 1.2. Significant differences were found between all treatment groups (P = .05). Subsequent scanning electron microscopy examination of treated surfaces indicated lesser contact angles were associated with surfaces displaying deeper and wider grooves. Apparently, the resultant increase in surface area produces increased wettability. It is inferred that an increase in surface area may correspond to enhanced resin-porcelain bonding.
From Uniplex to Multiplex Molecular Profiling in Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

AbstractNon–small cell lung carcinoma is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Understanding the molecular biology of survival and proliferation of cancer cells led to a new molecular classification of lung cancer and the development of targeted therapies with promising results. With the advances of image-guided biopsy techniques, tumor samples are becoming smaller, and the molecular testing techniques have to overcome the challenge of integrating the characterization of a panel of abnormalities including gene mutations, copy-number changes, and fusions in a reduced number of assays using only a small amount of genetic material. This article reviews the current knowledge about the most frequent actionable molecular abnormalities in non–small cell lung carcinoma, the new approaches of molecular analysis, and the implications of these findings in the context of clinical practice.
Comparison of gene expression profiles of lymphoma cell lines from transformed follicular lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma and de novo diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma

To determine the specific gene expression in B‐cell lymphoma subtypes, we compared expression profiles of cell lines from transformed follicular lymphoma (tFL), Epstein‐Barr virus‐negative (EBV(‐)) Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) and EBV(+)BL. Complementary DNAs were synthesized from these cell lines and hybridized with the Atlas Human 1.2 Array membrane. Hierarchical clustering analysis based upon the levels of 43 genes highlighted characteristic expression patterns of the 3 lymphoma subtypes. Genes expressed at higher levels in tFL than EBV(‐)BL and EBV(+)BL included calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase I (CAMK1) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase 10 (MAPK10). EBV(‐)BL was characterized by high‐level expression of amyloid β precursor protein (APP), heat shock 27 kD protein 1 (HSPB1) and mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 1 (MADH1). Gardner‐Rasheed feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (FGR) was the most significant gene to delineate EBV(+)BL. A subtype prediction algorithm using 34 genes correctly classified 22 (92%) of 24 lymphomas into FL/tFL, EBV(‐)BL or EBV(+)BL. By comparison with normal reference B‐cell materials, the expression patterns of the selected genes were characteristic of lymphomas. We extended the clustering analysis to cell lines from de novo diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The DLBCL cell lines were either separated from the former 3 lymphoma subtypes or segregated with EBV(+)BL, possibly reflecting variable genetic abnormalities. The associations of CAMK1 with tFL, APP and MADH1 with EBV(‐)BL, FGR with EBV(+)BL, and BCL2 with tFL and DLBCL were confirmed by real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase‐medizted polymerase chain reaction assays. This study has provided new molecular markers, expressions of which are closely associated with B‐cell lymphoma subtypes.
Denitrification in San Francisco Bay Intertidal Sediments

The acetylene block technique was employed to study denitrification in intertidal estuarine sediments. Addition of nitrate to sediment slurries stimulated denitrification. During the dry season, sediment-slurry denitrification rates displayed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and ambient NO3− + NO2− concentrations (≤26 μM) were below the apparent Km (50 μM) for nitrate. During the rainy season, when ambient NO3− + NO2− concentrations were higher (37 to 89 μM), an accurate estimate of the Km could not be obtained. Endogenous denitrification activity was confined to the upper 3 cm of the sediment column. However, the addition of nitrate to deeper sediments demonstrated immediate N2O production, and potential activity existed at all depths sampled (the deepest was 15 cm). Loss of N2O in the presence of C2H2 was sometimes observed during these short-term sediment incubations. Experiments with sediment slurries and washed cell suspensions of a marine pseudomonad confirmed that this N2O loss was caused by incomplete blockage of N2O reductase by C2H2 at low nitrate concentrations. Areal estimates of denitrification (in the absence of added nitrate) ranged from 0.8 to 1.2 μmol of N2 m−2 h−1 (for undisturbed sediments) to 17 to 280 μmol of N2 m−2 h−1 (for shaken sediment slurries).