Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit mRNA concentrations in maternal serum in aneuploid pregnancies: a feasibility study.

The recent demonstration of detectable circulating fetal RNA in maternal plasma (1)(2) has led to the development of new, noninvasive prenatal diagnostic opportunities (3)(4). Unlike fetal DNA measurements in maternal plasma/serum, quantitative analysis of circulating fetal RNA has the advantage of being applicable to all pregnant women irrespective of fetal gender and genetic polymorphism status. In addition, the unexpected stability of circulating RNA has enhanced the practicality of this approach (2)(5)(6). Previously, we developed a real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay for measuring the concentration of human chorionic gonadotropin β-subunit (β hCG ) mRNA in plasma samples from healthy pregnant women (2). We conducted a case–control study to investigate whether abnormal concentrations of β hCG mRNA might be detectable in the serum of mothers carrying fetuses with trisomy 21 and trisomy 18. We sought informed consent from pregnant women who presented for aneuploidy screening at the King’s College Hospital London in the United Kingdom between January and August 2003. Ethics approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board. Among women who underwent chorionic villous sampling for fetal karyotyping as a result of clinical indications, 149 women consented to blood sampling for β hCG mRNA measurements. Maternal blood samples were collected into plain tubes immediately before chorionic villous sampling. The blood samples were centrifuged at 1600 g for 10 min at 4 °C. The serum was carefully transferred into plain polypropylene tubes, and 3.2 mL was immediately stored in 4 mL of Trizol and kept at −80 °C until RNA extraction. Serum RNA was extracted from 1.6 mL …
Edinburgh Research Explorer Trumped by context collapse

Harnessing social media such as Facebook is now considered critical for electoral success. Although Facebook is widely used by the electorate, few have ‘Liked’ the Facebook pages of the political candidates for whom they vote. To provide understanding of this discrepancy, the present paper offers the first investigation on the role of audience diversity on ‘Liking’ behavior, as well as its association with varying degrees of social anxiety that may arise from ‘Liking’ political candidates. A survey of potential voters who used Facebook preceding the 2016 Presidential Election was conducted (n=1027). Using the lens of Self-Presentation Theory, results found that for those who had not already ‘Liked’ Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, their intention to do so before the election was negatively associated with the diversity of their Facebook audience. This relationship was mediated by their expected degree of social anxiety from ‘Liking’ the candidate. A comparison of audience diversity of participants who had ‘Liked’ a candidate vs. those who had not ‘Liked’ a candidate also showed that increased audience diversity hinders ‘Liking’. This paper contributes to the knowledge of engagement with politicians through social media as well as the study of audience diversity more generally. Implications for managers are provided.
Ex vivo lung perfusion

Lung transplantation is an established life‐saving therapy for patients with end‐stage lung disease. Unfortunately, greater success in lung transplantation is hindered by a shortage of lung donors and the relatively poor early‐, mid‐, and long‐term outcomes associated with severe primary graft dysfunction. Ex vivo lung perfusion has emerged as a modern preservation technique that allows for a more accurate lung assessment and improvement in lung quality. This review outlines the: (i) rationale behind the method; (ii) techniques and protocols; (iii) Toronto ex vivo lung perfusion method; (iv) devices available; and (v) clinical experience worldwide. We also highlight the potential of ex vivo lung perfusion in leading a new era of lung preservation.
The Reciprocal Spillover Effect of Downward Line Extensions on a Luxury Parent Brand Evaluation in a Foreign Country: The Role of Branding Strategies, Authenticity and Fit

The phenomenon of “masstige brands” has led many luxury brands to launch downward extensions, which come with the risk of diluting the parent brand. The goal of this study is to test the extent to which downward line extensions may impact a French luxury parent brand’s evaluation by U.S. consumers through the role of branding strategies, extension authenticity, and fit. Based on an ANOVA design, our results show that different branding strategies, such as direct, sub-branded, and/or independent/standalone line extensions, have different impacts on the level of dilution of the luxury parent brand. Specifically, an independent/standalone brand scores better for a downward extension than for a horizontal extension. The findings also reveal that extension authenticity and fit play a key role in the process. Theoretical and managerial implications are provided.
A GENERALIZED APPROACH TO WHEAT YIELD FORECASTING USING EARTH OBSERVATIONS: DATA CONSIDERATIONS, APPLICATION, AND RELEVANCE.

Title of Document: A GENERALIZED APPROACH TO WHEAT YIELD FORECASTING USING EARTH OBSERVATIONS: DATA CONSIDERATIONS, APPLICATION, AND RELEVANCE. Inbal Becker-Reshef, Doctor of Philosophy, 2012 Directed By: Professors Eric Vermote and Christopher Justice, Department of Geographical Sciences Abstract In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the demand for timely, comprehensive global agricultural intelligence. The issue of food security has rapidly risen to the top of government agendas around the world as the recent lack of foodIn recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the demand for timely, comprehensive global agricultural intelligence. The issue of food security has rapidly risen to the top of government agendas around the world as the recent lack of food access led to unprecedented food prices, hunger, poverty, and civil conflict. Timely information on global crop production is indispensable for combating the growing stress on the world’s crop production, for stabilizing food prices, developing effective agricultural policies, and for coordinating responses to regional food shortages. Earth Observations (EO) data offer a practical means for generating such information as they provide global, timely, cost-effective, and synoptic information on crop condition and distribution. Their utility for crop production forecasting has long been recognized and demonstrated across a wide range of scales and geographic regions. Nevertheless it is widely acknowledged that EO data could be better utilized within the operational monitoring systems and thus there is a critical need for research focused on developing practical robust methods for agricultural monitoring. Within this context this dissertation focused on advancing EO-based methods for crop yield forecasting and on demonstrating the potential relevance for adopting EO-based crop forecasts for providing timely reliable agricultural intelligence. This thesis made contributions to this field by developing and testing a robust EO-based method for wheat production forecasting at state to national scales using available and easily accessible data. The model was developed in Kansas (KS) using coarse resolution normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time series data in conjunction with out-of-season wheat masks and was directly applied in Ukraine to assess its transferability. The model estimated yields within 7% in KS and 10% in Ukraine of final estimates 6 weeks prior to harvest. The relevance of adopting such methods to provide timely reliable information to crop commodity markets is demonstrated through a 2010 case study. A GENERALIZED APPROACH TO WHEAT YIELD FORECASTING USING EARTH OBSERVATIONS: DATA CONSIDERATIONS, APPLICATION AND RELEVANCE
Nonlinear saturation of vertically propagating Rossby waves

Linear quasi-geostrophic theory predicts an exponential amplitude increase with height for Rossby waves propagating vertically through a stratified atmosphere, as a result of wave activity density conservation. At the same time layer-wise conservation of potential enstrophy constrains wave amplitudes, given the limited amount of potential enstrophy available in the initial mean flow. A break down of linear theory is thus expected above a certain critical wave amplitude, raising the question of how the non-linear flow reacts to limit the vertical penetration of waves. Keeping in mind the potential importance for the dynamics of the winter stratosphere, where strong wave penetration and amplitude growth are often observed, the issue of wave saturation in a non-linear flow is examined in a generally abstract context, through a variety of simple model studies. We thus consider the cases of a topographically forced barotropic beta plane channel model, of vertical propagation through a three-dimensional beta plane channel model, and of a polar coordinate model with realistic basic state and geometry. In the barotropic model transient wave growth is forced through the use of bottom topography and the deviations of the non-linear flow evolution from the predictions of both a linear and a quasi-linear analytical solution are examined for strong topographic anomalies. The growth of the forced wave is found to decelerate the zonal mean flow which in turn reduces the topographic forcing. Wave-mean flow interactions are thus found to be sufficient in leading to saturation of the eddy amplitudes. Interestingly it is the formation of zonal mean easterlies, rather than the depletion of mean available potential enstrophy, that is found to be the crucial factor in the saturation dynamics. Similar results are obtained for the case of vertical propagation through a threedimensional beta plane channel. The vertical penetration of the forced wave is shown to cause a reduction of the zonal mean winds and mean potential vorticity gradients in the center of the channel, eventually leading to the formation of either a critical line or a refractive index turning surface. In both cases the penetration of the wave to high altitudes is prohibited, thus constraining wave amplitudes. While signs of non-linear behaviour are clear in synoptic maps of potential vorticity, wave-wave interactions are found to play a secondary role in the saturation process. The results of the three-dimensional beta plane channel model are then extended to a more realistic set-up, using a polar coordinate model with a basic state based on the observed winter stratosphere climatology. The basic conclusions of the idealized study are shown to remain unchanged. Thesis Supervisor: Richard S. Lindzen Title: Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Meteorology
Comparison Of Two Exercise Program on Student’s Eye Health with Prolonged Digital Engagement.

Background: Prolonged gadget use may lead to various eye health problems, termed as asthenopia. Continuous use of gadgets may lead Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) which is now a major problem affecting 70 percent of all people. Studies suggest that there might be a relation between eye exercises and improvement in asthenopic symptoms. Method: An experimental study with pre-test post-test design was performed on 60 subjects who were then divided into 3 groups with equal subjects as group A eye exercises; group B as combined eye and neck exercises, group C as control with no exercises. Intervention provided for 8 weeks and measured using CVS-Q before and after 8 weeks. Group A consisted of palming, blinking, sideways viewing, Front and sideways viewing, Rotational viewing, Up and down viewing, preliminary nose tip gazing, Near and distant viewing. Group B was provided neck active range of motion exercises, neck isometrics and core stabilisation exercises and eye exercises. Result: There was total
Applied Corporate Finance : A User's Manual Ed. 2

Convert theory into solutions Applied Corporate Finance, Second Edition converts the theory and models in corporate finance into tools that can be used to analyze, understand, and help any business. With this hands-on guide, you can find real solutions to real corporate finance problems, using real-time data. Offering a user perspective to corporate finance, this text poses three major questions that every business has to answer, and provides the tools and the analytical techniques needed to answer these questions. 1. Where do we invest our resources? (The Investment Decision) The first part of the book shows how to assess risk and develop a risk profile for a firm, and convert this risk profile into a hurdle rate. You'll also learn basic rules for estimating the returns on any investment. 2. How should we fund these investments? (The Financing Decision) Firms generally can use debt, equity, or some combination of the two to fund projects. This part of the book examines the relationship between this choice and the hurdle rate for analyzing projects, and shows how to use the financing decision to maximize firm value. You'll also find a framework for picking the right kind of security for any firm. 3. How much cash can and should we return to the owners? (The Dividend Decision) The third part of the book establishes a process for deciding how much cash should be taken out of the business and in what form (dividends or stock buybacks). The final chapter in the book ties the value of the firm to these three decisions, and provides insight into how firms can enhance value.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Improving speech synthesis with discourse relations

Speech playback (e.g., TV, radio, public address) becomes harder to understand in the presence of noise and reverberation. NELE (Near End Listening Enhancement) algorithms can improve intelligibility by modifying the signal before it is played back. Substantial intelligibility improvements have been achieved in the lab for both natural and synthetic speech. However, evidence is still scarce on how these algorithms work under conditions of realistic noise and reverberation. We present a realistic test platform, featuring two representative everyday scenarios in which speech playback may occur (in the presence of both noise and reverberation): a domestic space (living room) and a public space (cafeteria). The generated stimuli are evaluated by measuring keyword accuracy rates in a listening test with normal hearing subjects. We use the new platform to compare three state-of-the-art NELE algorithms, employing either noise-adaptive or non-adaptive strategies, and with or without compensation for rever-beration.
Effects of Vinpocetine on mitochondrial function and neuroprotection in primary cortical neurons

changes in MMP. Combination of Ro5-4864 and Vinpocetine treatment was found to be even more effective. In summary, the present results indicate that the neuroprotective action of vinpocetine in culture can not be explained by its effect on neuronal PBRs alone and that additional drug targets are involved.
A fault detection and diagnosis approach based on nonlinear parity equations and its application to leakages and blockages in the drying section of a board machine

This study aims at providing a fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) approach based on nonlinear parity equations identified from process data. Process knowledge is used to reduce the process nonlinearity from high to low-dimensional nonlinear functions representing common process devices, such as valves, and incorporating the monotonousness properties of the dependencies between the variables. The fault detection approach considers the obtained process model to be nonlinear parity equations, and fault diagnosis is carried out with the standard structured residual method. The applicability of the approach to complex flow networks controlled by valves is tested on the drying section of an industrial board machine, in which the key problems are leakages and blockages of valves and pipes in the steam-water network. Nonlinear model equations based on the mass balance of different parts of the network are identified and validated. Finally, fault detection and diagnosis algorithms are successfully implemented, tested, and reported.
The role of interpersonal style in aggression and its containment in a forensic mental health setting

Inpatient aggression on mental health wards is common and staff-patient interactions are frequently reported antecedents to aggression. However, relatively little is known about the precise relationship between aggression and these interactions, or their relationships with aggression and staff containment responses such as restraint and seclusion. This study aimed to determine the roles of anger and interpersonal style among mental health nurses and between nurses and patients in the occurrence of aggression and its containment. A correlational, pseudo-prospective study design was employed. n =85 inpatients and n= 65 nurses were recruited from adult, low- and medium- secure wards of a secure forensic mental health service. Participants completed validated self-report anger and transactional interpersonal style measures. Inpatient aggression and containment incident data for a 3-month follow-up period were extracted from clinical records. Dyadic nurse-patient relationships were anti-complementary. Patients’ self-reported anger and staff-rated hostile interpersonal style were significantly positively correlated; staff self-reported anger and patient-rated dominant interpersonal style were also positively correlated. Patient anger predicted aggression and their interpersonal style predicted being subject to containment in the form of restraint and seclusion. There were no statistically significant differences identified on measures between staff who were and were not involved in containment. More targeted intervention for patients’ anger may have a positive impact on interpersonal style and lead to the reduction of incidents. Staff education and skills training programmes should emphasise the importance of interpersonal styles which could help to promote and enhance positive interactions. and categorical agreement on aggression
Sound Velocity, Elasticity, and Related Properties of Marine Sediments, North Pacific. 3. Prediction of In Situ Properties

Abstract : A study of the acoustic and related properties of the sea floor in three major environments of the North Pacific: the continental terrace (shelf and slope), abyssal plain (turbidite), and abyssal hill (pelagic). Discussions cover the correction of laboratory to insitu values, and the prediction of in situ values. The methods developed are applicable to other areas and sediments.
Mission Profile based System-level Reliability Analysis of DC/DC Converters for a Backup Power Application

Reliability analysis is an important tool for assisting the design phase of a power electronic converter to fulfill its life-cycle specifications. Existing converter-level reliability analysis methods have two major limitations: 1) based on constant failure rate models and 2) lack of considerations of long-term operation conditions (i.e., mission profile). Although various studies have been presented on power electronic component-level lifetime prediction based on wear-out failure mechanisms and mission profile, it is still a challenge to apply the same method to the reliability analysis of converters with multiple components. Component lifetime prediction based on associated models provides only a Bx lifetime information (i.e., the time when X% items fail), but the time-dependent reliability curve is still not available. In this paper, a converter-level reliability analysis approach is proposed based on time-dependent failure rate models and longterm mission profiles. Two different methods to obtain the component-level time-to-failure are illustrated by a case study of dc/dc converters for a 5 kW fuel cell based backup power system. The reliability analysis of the converters with and without redundancy is also performed to assist the decision making in the design phase of the fuel cell power conditioning stage.
Adherence to Treatment in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis from Spain

Objective To evaluate adherence to treatment in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Spain and to identify potential predictors of adherence. Methods An observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study in outpatient clinics of Rheumatology Departments from 41 centers was conducted. A validated Spanish version of the compliance questionnaire in Rheumatology was used to measure adherence in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, representative of the Spanish population. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to detect predictors of adherence. Results A total of 859 patients were recruited. An adherence rate of 79% was established. No differences were detected in adherence in patients receiving biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs compared to conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, in patients receiving intravenous therapies compared to other routes of administration and in patients treated in specific day hospitals compared to polyvalent day hospitals. The number of drugs and cohabitation were independent predictors of adherence. Conclusion An inexpensive and useful method was used to measure adherence in Spanish population. The adherence rate in rheumatoid arthritis is still suboptimal. Simpler, more convenient dosing regimens may improve compliance. Increased knowledge of compliance in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and the identification of possible predictors of adherence will allow to develop effective intervention strategies.
Towards a taxonomy for video analysis on collaborative musical tabletops Conference Item

Copyright and Moral Rights for the articles on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. For more information on Open Research Online's data policy on reuse of materials please consult the policies page. This position paper summarises some themes encountered when analysing video data in the context of music performance with interactive tabletops. It presents methodological approaches and coding schemes used for a set of experiments on musical tabletops and collaboration. Finally, it outlines an initial taxonomy based on the outcomes of the projects introduced, which can be used for video annotation of collaborative music interaction.
Migración de Sistemas Heredados a Cloud Computing

A bstract. Cloud computing consiste en el aprovisionamiento dinamico de recursos fisicos y virtuales por parte de los proveedores, para optimizar al maximo la rentabilidad y la utilizacion de sus recursos. Los consumidores, contratan estos servicios, negociando los acuerdos de nivel de servicio. Algunos consumidores proyectan migrar las funcionalidades de sus sistemas heredados a los servicios de cloud computing, para minimizar la inversion en infraestructura propia y ademas adquirir nuevas soluciones informaticas que se adapten rapidamente a los cambios dinamicos del entorno. Por lo tanto, el aporte de este trabajo consiste en clasificar diferentes tipos de migracion de sistemas heredados a cloud computing, segun las caracteristicas de estas aplicaciones y los modelos de implementacion de cloud computing. Tambien se propone un flujo de trabajo para la migracion de funcionalidades, basado en la experiencia en proyectos de conversion de sistemas y las caracteristicas analizadas de los entornos de cloud computing. Finalmente, se evaluan algunos riesgos de seguridad en el proceso de migracion y se proponen algunas recomendaciones contra estos riesgos.