Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DISJUNCT EDDY COVARIANCE MEASUREMENTS OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND FLUXES USING PROTON TRANSFER REACTION MASS SPECTROMETRY

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted into the atmosphere from natural and anthropogenic sources, vegetation being the dominant source on a global scale. Some of these reactive compounds are deemed major contributors or inhibitors to aerosol particle formation and growth, thus making VOC measurements essential for current climate change research. This thesis discusses ecosystem scale VOC fluxes measured above a boreal Scots pine dominated forest in southern Finland. The flux measurements were performed using the micrometeorological disjunct eddy covariance (DEC) method combined with proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS), which is an online technique for measuring VOC concentrations. The measurement, calibration, and calculation procedures developed in this work proved to be well suited to long-term VOC concentration and flux measurements with PTR-MS. A new averaging approach based on running averaged covariance functions improved the determination of the lag time between wind and concentration measurements, which is a common challenge in DEC when measuring fluxes near the detection limit. The ecosystem scale emissions of methanol, acetaldehyde, and acetone were substantial. These three oxygenated VOCs made up about half of the total emissions, with the rest comprised of monoterpenes. Contrary to the traditional assumption that monoterpene emissions from Scots pine originate mainly as evaporation from specialized storage pools, the DEC measurements indicated a significant contribution from de novo biosynthesis to the ecosystem scale monoterpene emissions. This thesis offers practical guidelines for long-term DEC measurements with PTR-MS. In particular, the new averaging approach to the lag time determination seems useful in the automation of DEC flux calculations. Seasonal variation in the monoterpene biosynthesis and the detailed structure of a revised hybrid algorithm, describing both de novo and pool emissions, should be determined in further studies to improve biological realism in the modelling of monoterpene emissions from Scots pine forests. The increasing number of DEC measurements of oxygenated VOCs will probably enable better estimates of the role of these compounds in plant physiology and tropospheric chemistry.
Integration contours for the no-boundary wave function of the universe.

In the no-boundary proposal for the initial conditions of a closed cosmology, the wave function of the universe is the integral of exp(-action) over a contour of four-geometries and matter-field configurations on compact manifolds having only that boundary necessary to specify the arguments of the wave function. There is no satisfactory covariant Hamiltonian quantum mechanics of closed cosmologies from which the contour may be derived, as there would be for defining the ground states of asymptotically flat spacetimes. No compelling prescription, such as the conformal rotation for asymptotically flat spacetimes, has been advanced. In this paper it is argued that the contour of integration can be constrained by simple physical considerations: (1) the integral defining the wave function should converge; (2) the wave function should satisfy the constraints implementing diffeomorphism invariance; (3) classical spacetime when the universe is large should be a prediction; (4) the correct field theory in curved spacetime should be reproduced in this spacetime; (5) to the extent that wormholes make the cosmological constant dependent on initial conditions the wave function should predict its vanishing.
WT1 expression in normal and neoplastic cranial and peripheral nerves is independent of grade of malignancy.

OBJECTIVE Wilms' tumor protein (WT1) expression is usually absent in normal glial cells of the CNS but is highly upregulated in brain tumor cells and its expression correlates with tumor grade. However, knowledge on WT1 expression in tumors of the peripheral nerve system (PNS) is limited. As WT1 antibodies not only serve as biomarker for cancerous tissue but also are considered for cancer immunotherapy, knowledge of WT1 expression in tumorous and normal peripheral nerve tissue is important for therapeutical purposes. METHODS We analyze the immunohistochemical expression of WT1 in 101 samples consisting of 13 normal nerves, 10 neurofibromas, 69 schwannomas and 9 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). Tumor samples included 14 specimen from patients with a proven neurocutaneous disorder (neurofibromatosis type 1 and 2) and 3 cases of schwannomatosis. In 50 vestibular schwannomas tumor growth extension was correlated to WT1 expression. RESULTS WT1 expression is present in Schwann cells of the majority of normal human nerves (11/13). In peripheral nerve sheath tumors, cytoplasmic WT1 protein is expressed in the cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells in all tumors, including MPNST, neurofibromas and schwannomas. The WT1 expression is independent of tumor malignancy or tumor growth extension and is not associated with a neurocutaneous disorder. CONCLUSION WT1 expression in normal and neoplastic tissue differs in the peripheral and the central nervous system. These findings may point to a different functional role of WT1 in the PNS and the CNS.
Gender differences in the impact of perceived social support on the relation between disability and depressive symptoms

Gender Differences in the Impact of Perceived Social Support on the Relation Between Disability and Depressive Symptoms Merideth Smith Older adults with functional disabilities are at an increased risk for experiencing depressive symptoms. Studies using cross-sectional analyses have reported that social support mediates the relation between depressive symptoms and functional disability in older adults. Nonetheless, few studies have investigated this model over time. Additionally, the role of gender in this mediation relation has not been explored. This study used latent growth curve modeling to investigate the potential mediating role of perceived social support within the relationship between disability and depression and whether gender moderates that relation. Twins (n= 656) and co-twins (n= 678) from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging were analyzed separately to cross-validate the results through a nonindependent replication. Four waves of mailed questionnaires were examined, spanning sixteen years. The overall analysis yielded a poor model fit. Mediation and moderation analyses could not be performed due to inadequate model fit. Poor model fit was also evident in sample two. Post-hoc analyses in sample two, in which observations from the last time of measurement were excluded, suggest that perceived social support may have a direct effect on depressive symptoms rather than playing a mediating role, but replication of these results is needed.
CaPaMan2bis as Trunk module in CALUMA (CAssino Low-cost hUMAnoid robot)

In this paper, CaPaMan2bis (Cassino parallel manipulator version 2bis) has been analysed as trunk subsystem in CALUMA (Cassino low-cost humanoid) robot. Dynamic simulations have been developed for an operation of CaPaMan2bis as trunk module of CALUMA has been checked. Specifically, simulations for walking and grasping have been carried out to evaluate CALUMA performance. Simulations have given results that confirm the feasibility of the proposed design. The dynamic simulations have been also used for studying the movement characteristics of CaPaMan2bis parallel manipulator in a humanoid robot structure. Improvements have been illustrated for the trunk sub-system as suggested by simulation results
Least-Index Resolution of Degeneracy in Linear Complementarity Problems with Sufficient Matrices

Abstract : This study centers on the circling phenomenon associated with degeneracy in linear complementarity problems and presents an easily implemented technique for resolving it. With certain exceptions, the device is to use the least-index for selecting the variable to leave the basic set. The results of this report pertain only to linear complementarity problems involving P-matrices or positive semi-definite matrices. With this restriction, it is shown that inclusion of the least-index pivot selection rule insures finiteness for the principal pivoting method of Dantzig and Cottle, Lemke's algorithm, and Cottle's parametric principal pivoting method. It is shown that for circling to occur in the principal pivoting method, the matrix must have order at least four, and for Lemke's algorithm it must be at least three. Examples are given showing that these bounds are sharp. Finally, Murty's version of Bard's method is extended from P-matrices to the positive semi-definite case. (Author)
Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment Office Canadien de Coordination de l’Évaluation des Technologies de la Santé GUIDELINES FOR ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF PHARMACEUTICALS: CANADA

CCOHTA is a non-profit organization, funded by the federal, provincial and territorial governments. It was established to encourage the appropriate use of health technology by influencing decision-makers through the scientific evaluation of medical procedures, devices and drugs. Aussi disponible en français: Lignes directrices pour l'évaluation économique des produits pharmaceutiques: Canada. Pharmacoeconomics is the application of the methods of economic evaluation of health care programs to interventions involving pharmaceutical products. The techniques and these Guidelines are, on the whole, transferable to the evaluation of any health technology; and the Committee encourages the use of these Guidelines for other health care interventions. In contrast to the first edition, the focus of the second edition of these Guidelines is to provide assistance to the >doer' of the analysis or study, for the purposes of providing standardized and reliable information for the target audience-the >user'. To this end, changes to the Guidelines have focused on key areas where there have been significant developments in theory and/or methodology. At times, these developments have been considerable and/or controversial, in which case the Committee has tried to address all sides of the issue. Any expansion of a given topic should not be interpreted as implying a preference on the part of the Guidelines towards that methodology. Investigators should be assured that emphasis on evolving methodologies is purely for purposes of explanation and clarification. These Guidelines attempt to be as prescriptive and helpful as possible, and to provide opportunities for creativity and innovation. There is reference to a partner document, A Guidance Document for the Costing Process (CCOHTA, 1996), which provides more details on costing methodology. The second edition should be useful for directing study design, as well as providing a template for the final reports of evaluations. However, investigators should note that, first, each study is unique and considerable thought is required just to implement the Guidelines intelligently. Second, creativity can be exercised to justify particular deviations, or omissions, from the recommended set of methods. Third, there is unlimited scope in adding additional analyses to those suggested in the Guidelines. Finally, creative exploration in methodological research is required to investigate alternative pharmacoeconomic methods for use in updating the Guidelines themselves. To this end, it is suggested that users should be flexible in terms of taking into account deviations from the methodologies suggested herein, provided that these deviations are appropriately justified by the doers. The second edition of …
Test‐Based Exact Confidence Intervals for the Difference of Two Binomial Proportions

Summary. Confidence intervals are often provided to estimate a treatment difference. When the sample size is small, as is typical in early phases of clinical trials, confidence intervals based on large sample approximations may not be reliable. In this report, we propose test‐based methods of constructing exact confidence intervals for the difference in two binomial proportions. These exact confidence intervals are obtained from the unconditional distribution of two binomial responses, and they guarantee the level of coverage. We compare the performance of these confidence intervals to ones based on the observed difference alone. We show that a large improvement can be achieved by using the standardized Z test with a constrained maximum likelihood estimate of the variance.
DESENHO DE UMA PESQUISA: PASSOS DE UMA INVESTIGAÇÃO-ACÇÃO DESIGN OF A RESEARCH: STAGES OF AN ACTION RESEARCH

The decision to undertake empirical research geared towards curriculum change in Portugal, was underpinned by a desire to adopt a critical research model that would afford me insight into current educational practice and the attitudes of Portuguese teachers with reference to the theoretical guidelines within which I had positioned myself regarding multicultural reform. Chapter 2 argued that cultural pluralism, defined as the coexistence of different ethnic groups, is becoming recognised as a fact of Portuguese life and that the emerging intercultural education guidelines designed by the Ministry of Education (1993) represent a significant development in this regard. But Portuguese teachers need to include a prejudice reduction component in their art and patrimony curriculum. The major aim of this research, therefore, was to design, implement and evaluate a prejudice reduction curriculum. A decision was taken to make the content issues-based, in the sense that it would deal with questions of cultural bias, prejudice, discrimination and racism through the development of art and patrimony projects which reflect the cultural make-up of Portuguese society and the internationalist goals of Portuguese education (DGEBS, 1991).
Study on the Interrater Reliability of an OSPE (Objective Structured Practical Examination) – Subject to the Evaluation Mode in the Phantom Course of Operative Dentistry

Introduction: The aim of the study presented here was to evaluate the reliability of an OSPE end-of-semester exam in the phantom course for operative dentistry in Frankfurt am Main taking into consideration different modes of evaluation (examiner’s checklist versus instructor’s manual) and number of examiners (three versus four). Methods: In an historic, monocentric, comparative study, two different methods of evaluation were examined in a real end-of-semester setting held in OSPE form (Group I: exclusive use of an examiner’s checklist versus Group II: use of an examiner’s checklist including an instructor’s manual). For the analysis of interrater reliability, the generalisability theory was applied that contains a generalisation of the concept of internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha). Results: The results show that the exclusive use of the examiner’s checklist led to higher interrater reliability values than the in-depth instructor’s manual used in addition to the list. Conclusion: In summary it can be said that the examiner’s checklists used in the present study, without the instructor’s manual, resulted in the highest interrater reliability in combination with three evaluators within the context of the completed OSPE.
Rapid intestinal transit as a primary cause of severe chronic diarrhea in patients with amyloidosis

OBJECTIVE:The cause of severe diarrhea in patients with systemic amyloidosis is obscure. We therefore performed pathophysiological studies in three such patients in an effort to determine the mechanism of amyloid diarrhea.METHODS:Epithelial cell absorption rate of electrolytes was measured during steady state GI perfusion of a saline-mannitol solution. GI transit time of PEG and absorption of radiolabeled bile acid were measured simultaneously while subjects ingested three meals per day. To obtain a diarrhea control group for transit time and bile acid absorption, normal subjects were studied when they had diarrhea caused by ingestion of Milk of Magnesia (MOM). RESULTS:Diarrhea could not be explained by malabsorption of ingested nutrients, bacterial overgrowth, bile acid malabsorption, or epithelial cell malabsorption of electrolytes. However, 25% of polyethylene glycol (PEG) ingested with a standard meal was recovered in stool in 45 min, which is 10 times faster than in normal subjects with equally severe diarrhea caused by ingestion of MOM. All of the patients had autonomic neuropathy that remained unrecognized for 15–36 months after onset of chronic diarrhea; it seems likely that this was the cause of rapid transit.CONCLUSIONS:Severe chronic diarrhea in three patients with systemic amyloidosis was mediated by extremely rapid transit of chyme and digestive secretions through the intestine.
Local mu and delta opioid receptors regulate amphetamine-induced behavior and neuropeptide mRNA in the striatum.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role that mu and delta opioid receptor blockade has upon stimulant-induced behavior and neuropeptide gene expression in the striatum. Acute administration of amphetamine (2.5 mg/kg i.p.) caused an increase in behavioral activity and preprodynorphin, substance P, and preproenkephalin mRNA expression. Intrastriatal infusion of the mu opioid antagonist, H-D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH(2) (CTAP), or the delta opioid antagonist, H-Tyr-Tic[CH(2)NH]-Phe-Phe-OH (TIPPpsi), significantly decreased amphetamine-induced vertical activity. However, only CTAP reduced amphetamine-induced distance traveled. Quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry revealed that CTAP blocked amphetamine-induced preprodynorphin and substance P mRNA. However, preproenkephalin mRNA levels in the dorsal striatum were increased to the same extent by CTAP, amphetamine, or a combination of the two drugs. In contrast, TIPPpsi significantly decreased amphetamine-induced mRNA expression of all three neuropeptides. These data indicate that both mu and delta receptor subtypes differentially regulate amphetamine-induced behavior and neuropeptide gene expression in the rat striatum.
Fiber tracking using recursive stack data structure

In diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI), each voxel is assigned a tensor that describes local water diffusion. In this study, the eigenvectors of the diffusion tensor are analyzed based on stack linked list application. The aim of the study is to develop a reliable and rapid tractography algorithm. The analyzed image sample consists of 60 diffusion weighted human brain images and a null image namely the T2 image creating a set of intensity images of size 256×256×60×30. The eigenvectors of D is calculated in every pixel, apparent diffusion coefficient ADC is represented with respect to D. The idea of the proposed method is to accomplish the fiber pathway by starting from a single, selected node taking every node in other words all the information of the eigenvector of the whole brain into account. Via the proposed study, an elimination method for the main drawback in DTI literature namely the uncertainty regions are aimed.
College GPA as a Predictor of Teacher Competency: A New Look at an Old Question

AbstractThis study tests two hypotheses: (a) that the statistical relationship between academic success and success in student teaching is largely accounted for by those people in the lower grade point average categories; and (b) that four teacher competency ratings will be related to college grade point average in a pattern similar to that of global ratings of effectiveness. The study, which involved a sample of 170 University of Missouri secondary student teachers, resulted in the acceptance of both hypotheses with qualifications.
The Performance of the Four Anaerobic Blood Culture Bottles BacT/ALERT-FN, -FN Plus, BACTEC-Plus and -Lytic in Detection of Anaerobic Bacteria and Identification by Direct MALDI-TOF MS

Detection and identification of anaerobic bacteria in blood cultures (BC) is a well-recognized challenge in clinical microbiology. We studied 100 clinical anaerobic BC isolates to evaluate the performance of BacT/ALERT-FN, -FN Plus (BioMérieux), BACTEC-Plus and -Lytic (Becton Dickinson BioSciences) BC bottles in detection and time to detection (TTD) of anaerobic bacteria. BACTEC Lytic had higher detection rate (94/100, 94%) than BacT/ALERT FN Plus (80/100, 80%) (p<0.01) in the studied material. There was no significant difference in detection of anaerobic bacteria among the remaining bottle types. The 67 anaerobic bacteria that signalled positive in all four bottle types were analyzed to compare the time to detection (TTD) and isolates were directly identified by MALDI-TOF MS. There was a significant difference in TTD among the four bottle types (p<0.0001). The shortest median TTD was 18 h in BACTEC Lytic followed by BacT/ALERT FN (23.5 h), BACTEC Plus (27 h) and finally BacT/ALERT FN Plus (38 h) bottles. In contrast, MALDI-TOF MS performed similarly in all bottle types with accurate identification in 51/67 (76%) BacT/ALERT FN, 51/67 (76%) BacT/ALERT FN Plus, 53/67 (79%) BACTEC Plus and 50/67 (75%) BACTEC Lytic bottles. In conclusion, BACTEC Lytic bottles have significantly better detection rates and shorter TTD compared to the three other bottle types. The anaerobic BC bottles are equally suitable for direct MALDI-TOF MS for rapid and reliable identification of common anaerobic bacteria. Further clinical studies are warranted to investigate the performance of anaerobic BC bottles in detection of anaerobic bacteria and identification by direct MALDI-TOF MS.
Nonparametric Residue Analysis of Dynamic PET Data With Application to Cerebral FDG Studies in Normals

Kinetic analysis is used to extract metabolic information from dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) uptake data. The theory of indicator dilutions, developed in the seminal work of Meier and Zierler (1954), provides a probabilistic framework for representation of PET tracer uptake data in terms of a convolution between an arterial input function and a tissue residue. The residue is a scaled survival function associated with tracer residence in the tissue. Nonparametric inference for the residue, a deconvolution problem, provides a novel approach to kinetic analysis—critically one that is not reliant on specific compartmental modeling assumptions. A practical computational technique based on regularized cubic B-spline approximation of the residence time distribution is proposed. Nonparametric residue analysis allows formal statistical evaluation of specific parametric models to be considered. This analysis needs to properly account for the increased flexibility of the nonparametric estimator. The methodology is illustrated using data from a series of cerebral studies with PET and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in normal subjects. Comparisons are made between key functionals of the residue, tracer flux, flow, etc., resulting from a parametric (the standard two-compartment of Phelps et al. 1979) and a nonparametric analysis. Strong statistical evidence against the compartment model is found. Primarily these differences relate to the representation of the early temporal structure of the tracer residence—largely a function of the vascular supply network. There are convincing physiological arguments against the representations implied by the compartmental approach but this is the first time that a rigorous statistical confirmation using PET data has been reported. The compartmental analysis produces suspect values for flow but, notably, the impact on the metabolic flux, though statistically significant, is limited to deviations on the order of 3%–4%. The general advantage of the nonparametric residue analysis is the ability to provide a valid kinetic quantitation in the context of studies where there may be heterogeneity or other uncertainty about the accuracy of a compartmental model approximation of the tissue residue.