Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stress and other environmental factors affecting fertility in men and women: overview.

To understand how environmental factors contribute to fertility or infertility in humans, it is first necessary to define environment. A view that will guide this review is that environment represents the "external milieu," analogous to the well-defined concept of "internal milieu" first introduced by Claude Bernard. Within this context, the environment provides both positive and adverse influences on reproductive health and development. Environmental factors can then be classified into categories such as physical, chemical, biological, behavioral, and socioeconomic. In many circumstances, multiple environmental factors may contribute to adversely modify human health. It has been suspected and in some cases demonstrated that stress can adversely affect reproductive function. Both animal and human data support this contention; however, the human data are clear in extreme situations (e.g., inmates of concentration camps) but less so under less drastic conditions. In recent years many advances have been made concerning the neurochemical mechanisms that mediate the effects of stress on reproductive functions and on the identification of "stress hormones" that may not only be involved in the stress response but also serve as biochemical markers to identify and correlate stress with different fertility parameters. Nutrition also plays an important role in infertility, and undernutrition or nutrition disorders are associated with stress in infertility. Environmental factors are often invoked as contributing to many cases of unexplained infertility. However, the direct causal relationship between those factors and the ensuing infertility of the couple are seldom well established and remain largely anecdotal. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Imaginary travellers: Identity conceptualisations of the audience among travel journalists

Travel journalists cannot know each traveller for whom they write, so they must imagine what a reader wants. The subsequent journalism influences how tourists travel and engage with a foreign country and its inhabitants. This article uses an independent/connected framework of tourist behaviour to identify how travel journalists imagine their readers’ interests. Through content analysis of texts in newspapers from Asia and the West, we find that the reader is more often imagined as independent and adventurous than connected and concerned with tourist sights. However, the latter were more common in Asia, which suggests that travel writers across the globe imagine readers differently. It suggests that in an increasingly globalised world, the post-colonial power dynamic that has been a stalwart of scholarly thought on travel writing may be outdated and could be more usefully replaced by one that considers the financial privilege of tourism, seen in texts from both hemispheres.
Managing Memory to Meet Multiclass Workload Response Time Goals

In this paper we propose and evaluate an approach to DBMS memory management that addresses multiclass workloads with per-class response time goals. It operates by monitoring perclass database reference frequencies as well as the state of the system relative to the goals of each class; the information that it gathers is used to help existing memory allocation and page replacement mechanisms avoid making decisions that may jcopardize performance goals.
Performance evaluation of power-aware routing algorithms in Personal Networks

Personal Networks (PN) is a concept in the area of modern communication networks in which devices belonging to a person cooperate to offer services to the person regardless of their geographical locations. A PN may consist of several ad-hoc sub-networks (or clusters) which are interconnected through infrastructure networks such as the Internet. Failure of personal devices due to battery shortage is one of the main threads for service availability in PNs. Power-aware routing (PAR) has been proposed as an effective scheme to prolong the lifetime of battery-operated nodes in wireless ad-hoc networks. This scheme, however, could be utilized in PNs as well, since a PN cluster can be modeled as a wireless ad-hoc network. Aiming at prolonging the lifetime of nodes in PNs, in this paper we propose a PAR algorithm for PNs and we evaluate and compare its performance with the performance of other PAR algorithms proposed so-far for wireless ad-hoc networks. We analyze the effect of node density, routing overhead, heterogeneity of PN nodes in terms of their power supplies, and communication pattern within PN clusters on the performance of the PAR algorithms. Taking into account various parameters, we show that in a PN environment, our proposed scheme can profoundly extend the lifetime of PN nodes compared to the other algorithms. We also show that there can be an optimal value for route refresh interval, as a parameter which affects the generated routing overhead, and the node density of PN clusters, in such a way that the network lifetime is maximized.
A 1.8V 2.5-5.2 GHz CMOS dual-input two-stage ring VCO

A 1.8V 2.5-to-5.2 GHz dual-input two-stage CMOS voltage-controlled ring oscillator (VCO) is presented. A novel delay cell used for the two-stage ring VCO is proposed to achieve low power dissipation and better phase noise performance. The delay cell adopts both inductive-peaking and shunt-shunt feedback circuit techniques to obtain high gain and wide. Implemented in a 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS technology using 1.8V supply voltage, the VCO has a wide operating frequency range from 2.5GHz to 5.2GHz with coarse-tune VCO gain of 4.75GHz/V and fine-tune VCO gain of 80MHz/V. At 3.6GHz, the phase noise of the VCO is -90.1dBc/Hz at 1MHz frequency offset with low power consumption of 17mW. Because of the two-stage ring topology, the VCO can provide quadrature outputs. The total chip area is 0.4mm /spl times/ 0.6mm.
A Method for Community Detection in Uncertain Networks

Social network analysis can be an important help for military and criminal intelligence analysis. In real world applications, there is seldom complete knowledge about the network of interest -- we only have partial and incomplete information about the nodes and networks present. Community detection in networks is an important area of current research in social network analysis with many applications. Finding community structures is however a challenging task and despite significant effort no satisfactory method has been found. Here we study the problem of community detection in noisy and uncertain networks with missing and false edges and propose methods for detecting community structures in them. The method is based on sampling from an ensemble of certain networks that are consistent with the available information about the uncertain networks.
A technique of camera calibration using single view

This paper proposes a technique of camera calibration to calibrate a camera. It is easy for the proposed technique to extract the camera parameters with only one image using an iteration method. In this paper, radial and tangential lens distortion is modeled. The proposed technique divides original parameters into block of parameters. Each block of parameters is computed by minimizing a nonlinear error function after the intermediate parameters are linearly computed on each iteration. The formal distorted images and the distorted images with shifted principal point have been used to test the proposed technique and the conventional method. As the result, we have obtained good results.
Upregulation of chemokine receptor gene expression in brains of Borna disease virus (BDV)-infected rats in the absence and presence of inflammation

Infection of adult rats with Borna disease virus (BDV) causes CD8 T cell-mediated meningoencephalitis. Previously, we described a complex pattern of chemokine gene expression in the central nervous system (CNS) of such rats. We now found that expression of chemokine receptor genes CXCR3, CCR5, CX3CR1, and CXCR4 was also upregulated, which is in agreement with the predominance in brains of adult infected rats of T cells and monocytes/macrophages that express these receptors. In contrast to these rats, neonatally infected rats (designated PTI-NB) develop a persistent CNS infection associated with neurodegenerative processes in the absence of inflammation. In brains of PTI-NB rats, sustained expression of chemokines also takes place. We therefore analyzed mRNA expression of selected chemokine receptor genes, as well as of the chemokine fractalkine in brains of PTI-NB rats. We observed a marked increase of CCR5 and CX3CR1 transcripts in brains of these rats. CX3CR1 expressing cells were predominantly microglia, and upregulation of CX3CR1 was mainly due to an increase in the number of CX3CR1 expressing microglia. Fractalkine gene expression was found to be reduced to similar extents in brains of adult and newborn infected rats. These findings might be of relevance with respect to the selective neuronal cell loss observed in brains of PTI-NB rats.
The Factorized Distribution Algorithm for additively decomposed functions

FDA (the Factorized Distribution Algorithm) is an evolutionary algorithm that combines mutation and recombination by using a distribution. First the distribution is estimated from a set of selected points. It is then used to generate new points for the next generation. In general a distribution defined for n binary variables has 2/sup n/ parameters. Therefore it is too expensive to compute. For additively decomposed discrete functions (ADFs) there exists an algorithm that factors the distribution into conditional and marginal distributions, each of which can he computed in polynomial time. The scaling of FDA is investigated theoretically and numerically. The scaling depends on the ADF structure and the specific assignment of function values. Difficult functions on a chain or a tree structure are optimized in about O(n/spl radic/n) function evaluations. More standard genetic algorithms are not able to optimize these functions. FDA is not restricted to exact factorizations. It also works for approximate factorizations.
Microfractured media with a scale and Mumford-Shah energies

We want to understand he concentration of damage in microfractured elastic media. Due to the different scallings of the volume and area (or area and length in two dimensions) the traditional method of homogenization using periodic arrays of cells seems to fail when applied to the Mumford-Shah functional and to periodically fractured domains. In the present paper we are departing from traditional homogenization. The main result implies the use of Mumford-Shah energies and leads to an explanation of the observed concentration of damage in microfractured elastic bodies.
A Dynamic Distributed Message Scheduling Method for CAN-Based Networked Control Systems

A dynamic distributed message scheduling method suitable for CAN (Controller Area Network) network was proposed in this paper, it can guarantee that, within given lifetime (LT), all messages in the CAN-based network can be transmitted to destination nodes successfully, and can fairly allocate network bandwidth resource to message streams. In this method, the identifier of message frame was reconfigured, and its binary value is related to the LT and the waiting time (WT) of message and so on. The longer the WT of message or the shorter its LT is, the higher priority level of the message is. The necessary condition of full scheduleability of messages is also analyzed in this paper, and some experiment results verify that the necessary condition is correctness and the scheduling method is valid.
Beneficial Effects on Arterial Stiffness and Pulse-Wave Reflection of Combined Enalapril and Candesartan in Chronic Kidney Disease - A Randomized Trial

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is highly prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Inhibition of the renin-angiotensinsystem (RAS) in hypertension causes differential effects on central and brachial blood pressure (BP), which has been translated into improved outcome. The objective was to examine if a more complete inhibition of RAS by combining an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and an angiotensin receptor antagonist (ARB) compared to monotherapy has an additive effect on central BP and pulse-wave velocity (PWV), which are known markers of CVD. Methods Sixty-seven CKD patients (mean GFR 30, range 13–59 ml/min/1.73 m2) participated in an open randomized study of 16 weeks of monotherapy with either enalapril or candesartan followed by 8 weeks of dual blockade aiming at a total dose of 16 mg candesartan and 20 mg enalapril o.d. Pulse-wave measurements were performed at week 0, 8, 16 and 24 by the SphygmoCor device. Results Significant additive BP independent reductions were found after dual blockade in aortic PWV (−0.3 m/s, P<0.05) and in augmentation index (−2%, P<0.01) compared to monotherapy. Furthermore pulse pressure amplification was improved (P<0.05) and central systolic BP reduced (−6 mmHg, P<0.01). Conclusions Dual blockade of the RAS resulted in an additive BP independent reduction in pulse-wave reflection and arterial stiffness compared to monotherapy in CKD patients. Trial Registration Clinical trial.gov NCT00235287
Title The Spatial Range of Public Goods Revealed Through Referendum Voting Permalink

Billions of dollars are now spent annually in the United States and Europe for spatially delineated environmental services such as agricultural landscape management and river restoration programs, yet little is known about the spatial distribution of the benefits from these policies. This paper develops a framework for recovering information on this question from the spatial pattern of votes cast for referenda on the provision of spatially delineated public goods. We specify a model linking voter support for environmental improvement to the distance at which such improvements are expected to occur. The empirical application is to a river restoration referendum in the Swiss canton of Bern. Our results indicate that the benefits from river restoration have a strong local component, sufficiently strong that voter approval would not occur if only canton-wide benefits were at stake. Surprisingly, support for river restoration is no greater, and in some specifications is actually lower, in locations where rivers are a prominent feature in the environment.
Preparation and physical characterization of calcium sulfate cement/silica-based mesoporous material composites for controlled release of BMP-2

As a commonly used implant material, calcium sulfate cement (CSC), has some shortcomings, including low compressive strength, weak osteoinduction capability, and rapid degradation. In this study, silica-based mesoporous materials such as SBA-15 were synthesized and combined with CSC to prepare CSC/SBA-15 composites. The properties of SBA-15 were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms. SBA-15 was blended into CSC at 0, 5, 10, and 20 wt%, referred to as CSC, CSC-5S (5% mass ratio), CSC-10S (10% mass ratio), and CSC-20S (20% mass ratio), respectively. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and compression tests were used to determine the structure and mechanical properties of the composites, respectively. The formation of hydroxyapatite on composite surfaces was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction after soaking in simulated body fluid. BMP-2 was loaded into the composites by vacuum freeze-drying, and its release characteristics were detected by Bradford protein assay. The in vitro degradation of the CSC/SBA-15 composite was investigated by measuring weight loss. The results showed that the orderly, nanostructured, mesoporous SBA-15 possessed regular pore size and structure. The compressive strength of CSC/SBA-15 increased with the increase in SBA-15 mass ratio, and CSC-20S demonstrated the maximum strength. Compared to CSC, hydroxyapatite that formed on the surfaces of CSC/SBA-15 was uniform and compact. The degradation rate of CSC/SBA-15 decreased with increasing mass ratio of SBA-15. The adsorption of BMP-2 increased and released at a relatively slow rate; the release rate of BMP-2 in CSC-20S was the slowest, and presented characteristics of low doses of release. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the physical properties of pure CSC incorporated with SBA-15 could be improved significantly, which made the CSC/SBA-15 composite more suitable for bone repair and bone-tissue engineering.
Parental Influences on Adolescent Problem Behavior

High school students (approximately 14-18 years old; N= 2,568) completed questionnaires in which they reported on their involvement in substance use and delinquency, and their perceptions of parental warmth, control, monitoring, and knowledge. Three alternative models were compared describing the nature of relations among these variables. Problem behavior was best predicted by a model that included indirect effects of warmth, control, and monitoring (all by way of parental knowledge), as well as direct effects of control and monitoring. Analyses are framed and findings are discussed with reference to recent work by Stattin and Kerr
A Bayesian approach for estimating calibration curves and unknown concentrations in immunoassays

MOTIVATION Immunoassays are primary diagnostic and research tools throughout the medical and life sciences. The common approach to the processing of immunoassay data involves estimation of the calibration curve followed by inversion of the calibration function to read off the concentration estimates. This approach, however, does not lend itself easily to acceptable estimation of confidence limits on the estimated concentrations. Such estimates must account for uncertainty in the calibration curve as well as uncertainty in the target measurement. Even point estimates can be problematic: because of the non-linearity of calibration curves and error heteroscedasticity, the neglect of components of measurement error can produce significant bias. METHODS We have developed a Bayesian approach for the estimation of concentrations from immunoassay data that treats the propagation of measurement error appropriately. The method uses Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) to approximate the posterior distribution of the target concentrations and numerically compute the relevant summary statistics. Software implementing the method is freely available for public use. RESULTS The new method was tested on both simulated and experimental datasets with different measurement error models. The method outperformed the common inverse method on samples with large measurement errors. Even in cases with extreme measurements where the common inverse method failed, our approach always generated reasonable estimates for the target concentrations. AVAILABILITY Project name: Baecs; Project home page: www.computationalimmunology. org/utilities/; Operating systems: Linux, MacOS X and Windows; Programming language: C++; License: Free for Academic Use.
Action Research in the Library: Method, Experiences, and a Significant Case

This article aims to promoting action research in library contexts by illustrating the method and its applications in library, and by presenting a meaningful case. Action research, devised in 1950s, was spread in information sciences since 1990s, with results that have been interesting in promoting change of involved people and organizations. The method is based on engaging a group coordinated by a researcher. Problem analysis is functional to realizing improvement interventions, in a recursive process of reflection, action, evaluation, and result sharing. The action research case at the University Milano Bicocca Library is meaningful under various aspects: increase of motivation and awareness in the working group that was responsible of improving the perception of library services; complementary use of quantitative and qualitative research methods in order to analyze users' service utilization and satisfaction; realization of many interventions, coherent with research results, aimed to enhance service usage and perceived quality; self-reflection and reflection on the organizational context, benchmarking with other libraries and assessment of the realized activities in the perspective of continuing improvement; internal sharing and external diffusion of the project to the advantage of librarians, users, and researchers.
Effect of Grid Connected P.V Power Plant on Electricity Market

This paper examines the key determinants that foster the adoption of photovoltaic (PV) power supply systems. The authors provide empirical evidence which suggest that 'government initiatives' and institutional 'finance' are important influencers of the decision to adopt PV power supply systems in developing countries. In order to diffuse PV technology it is also necessary to provide decision-makers with opportunities for direct and vicarious experience of PV systems through 'demonstration sites'. These factors have been ignored in earlier models of the innovation-decision process formulated by Rogers and the new innovation-decision framework proposed by Kaplan. Governments need to play a leadership role, and this coupled with the availability of Finance and Demonstration Sites will result in an increased interest leading to the adoption of PV technology in India. This research has led to the identification of variables such as the government initiatives, demonstration sites and finance, which are critical to the adoption of PV systems in developing countries like India. The research provided empirical evidence that is currently lacking in the area of adoption of PV technology in developing countries. About 72 million households in rural India do not have access to electricity and rely primarily on traditional bio fuels. This research investigates how rural electrification could be achieved in India using different energy sources and what the effects for climate change mitigation could be. We use the Regional Energy Model (REM) to develop scenarios for rural electrification for the period 2005-2030 and to assess the effects on greenhouse gas emissions, primary energy use and costs.
Synergistic Effect between Erlotinib and MEK Inhibitors in KRAS Wild-Type Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Purpose: The combination of erlotinib and gemcitabine has shown a small but statistically significant survival advantage when compared with gemcitabine alone in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. However, the overall survival rate with the erlotinib and gemcitabine combination is still low. In this study, we sought to identify gene targets that, when inhibited, would enhance the activity of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapies in pancreatic cancer cells. Experimental Design: A high-throughput RNA interference (RNAi) screen was carried out to identify candidate genes. Selected gene hits were further confirmed and mechanisms of action were further investigated using various assays. Results: Six gene hits from siRNA screening were confirmed to significantly sensitize BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells to erlotinib. One of the hits, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) 1, was selected for further mechanistic studies. Combination treatments of erlotinib and two MAP kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors, RDEA119 and AZD6244, showed significant synergistic effect for both combinations (RDEA119–erlotinib and AZD6244–erlotinib) compared with the corresponding single drug treatments in pancreatic cancer cell lines with wild-type KRAS (BxPC-3 and Hs 700T) but not in cell lines with mutant KRAS (MIA PaCa-2 and PANC-1). The enhanced antitumor activity of the combination treatment was further verified in the BxPC-3 and MIA PaCa-2 mouse xenograft model. Examination of the MAPK signaling pathway by Western blotting indicated effective inhibition of the EGFR signaling by the drug combination in KRAS wild-type cells but not in KRAS mutant cells. Conclusions: Overall, our results suggest that combination therapy of an EGFR and MEK inhibitors may have enhanced efficacy in patients with pancreatic cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 17(9); 2744–56. ©2011 AACR.