Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery: a comparison of measurements in the seated and supine positions.

BACKGROUND Measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) is used to assess endothelial function in humans and according to the guidelines, subjects must remain supine during the study. However, measurement of FMD while seated would be more comfortable and convenient for patients, so the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the patient's position on FMD results. METHODS AND RESULTS High-resolution ultrasonography, a linear array transducer (13 MHz) and an arm-holding device were used to measure arterial diameter in response to reactive hyperemia (FMD, cuff inflated to 50 mmHg above systolic blood pressure for 5 min) and in response to sublingual nitroglycerine (NTG, 75 microg) in 31 subjects, which included those with cardiovascular diseases. There was no significant difference between basal or peak hyperemic blood flow in the seated or supine position. Basal brachial artery diameter, FMD and vascular response to NTG were similar in both positions (basal diameter: 3.8+/-0.4 vs 3.9+/-0.4 mm, FMD: 7.3+/-4.3% vs 7.2+/-4.5%, NTG: 13.1+/-5.1% vs 12.8+/-5.6%). CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that measurement of FMD in the seated position is as useful as measuring it in the supine position for assessing endothelial function. This flexibility of position is better for patients and physicians, and should lead to more widespread measurement of FMD.
Feeding Coproducts of the Ethanol Industry to Beef Cattle

The ethanol industry in the U.S. produces substantial amounts of feed to domestic and international livestock markets. According to the latest data available, approximately 42 percent of distillers grains is fed to dairy cattle, 42 percent to beef cattle, 11 percent to swine and 5 percent to poultry. North Dakota produces more than 1.3 million tons of distillers grains and associated coproducts annually. E
The Enhancement of Relation Extraction in Discovering Business Ecosystems for a Technology Monitoring Service

因為科技快速的演進，我們已經面臨一個超競爭的環境，如果公司能快速且準確的掌握市場訊息，就可以取得競爭優勢，然而，在現今資訊爆炸的時代，我們不可能去閱讀所有的訊息，即使只是保持從幾個資訊來源得到最新的資訊也是非常耗費時間的，並且有可能會延遲與不斷變化的科技和商業環境的互動。 本論文提出一個科技觀測服務來監測商業生態系統的演化，藉由自動的從不同的資訊來源中擷取關係來建立商業生態系統；為了建立由公司、產品及科技所組成的商業生態系統，本研究加強關係擷取方法從多個不同的實體名稱(Name entity)類別來抓取之間互動的關係。 透過本系統所提供的服務，期望藉由商業生態系統及由文字探勘所萃取出的其他資訊，可以幫助公司預測未來的科技趨勢以及市場狀況，而為了減少公司監測的成本，本系統可以自動抓取公司有興趣的資訊和即時且有效率的抓取跟商業生態系統演化相關的訊息。
Computational Models to Determine Transport and Hydrolysis Rate Parameters of Contaminants in a Water Distribution System

Abstract : The anthrax attacks of September 18, 2001 refocused attention on methods of asymmetric warfare including introduction of contaminants into water distribution systems. To predict the outcome of such an event, previous chemical models of transport in water distribution systems assumed that any contaminant would move through the system via pure hydraulic transport, meaning that the contaminant would not interact with the pipe wall. Such models predict that flushing a system with uncontaminated water would clear away contaminants fairly rapidly. Previous field experience with actual contamination events (O'Brien, 2003) showed that flushing contaminants was quite slow and difficult in practice. For example, in 1980, a chlordane contamination event in Pittsburgh, PA required a flushing program of 8 months duration for 2000 affected customers. For military installations, such a long delay represents an intolerable risk to mission capability (Hock et al., 2005; Ginsberg and Hock, 2004). The research described uses computational chemistry to calculate, ab-initio, time constants associated with sorption, desorption, and hydrolysis using only selective verification by empirical methods. The computational methods used include: molecular dynamics using NAnoscale Molecular Dynamics (NAMD) to describe sorption and desorption, Turbomol and Cosmotherm to obtain correlations to molecular morphology that are less computationally expensive than NAMD, and density functional theory (DFT) combined with the polarizable continuum model (PCM) in Gaussian03 to predict reaction rates of hydrolysis.
Human Sperm Coating Antigen From Seminal Plasma Origin

Sperm surface glycoproteins may be involved in sperm‐zona pellucida recognition. Some of these coating proteins are of seminal plasma origin and their expression may change in the process of capacitation and acrosome reaction. Sperm specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) define the presence and role of sperm membrane associated proteins. We have isolated a monoclonal antibody (SEM‐12) specific for human sperm that shows, by indirect immunofluorescence, a discontinuous distribution of the antigen on the head and tail surfaces of non capacitated sperm. This antigen is also present in human seminal plasma as detected by ELISA. The antigen is detectable in sperm of goat, ram, and mouse. Two proteins in the range of 80–84 kDa have been isolated by affinity chromatography with SEM‐12 mAb. The same result is obtained by immunoprecipitation. This antibody inhibits sperm motility and acrosome reaction (spontaneous and A23187 ionophore induced).
CD20-negative diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting with anuria: a case report

CD20-negative diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a rare novel subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Herein, we report a case of CD20-negative DLBCL in a 54-year-old male who had suffered with anuria for 5 days. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) revealed lymphadenopathy, and biopsy of the right inguinal lymph node was performed. Lymph node sections revealed a 2 × 2 × 2-cm solid mass histopathologically suggestive of DLBCL. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis revealed the patient’s lymphoid cells were CD10(+), CD21(+), CD79a(+), CD99(+), LCA(+), Myc(+), P53(+), PAX5(+), ALK(-), BCL-2(-), BCL-6(-), CD3(-), CD20(-), Mum1(-), and TDT(-). Approximately 90% of his tested lymphoid cells reacted positively to Ki-67 antibody. A diagnosis of CD20-negative DLBCL (not otherwise specified) was made, and the patient was treated with seven courses of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and dexamethasone) and one course of EPOCH (etoposide, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone) chemotherapy. However, the treatment outcome was unsuccessful. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of CD20-negative DLBCL-induced acute renal failure presenting as anuria. Formulation of an optimized therapeutic strategy for this rare and aggressive disorder is urgently required.
Automatic Cinemagraphs

A video speaks much more than a single picture can. Unfortunately, more often than not, most videos are littered with distractions that were unintentionally captured with the subject of interest. A cinemagraph presents the best of both worlds, creating clips of seamlessly looping GIFs that isolate the dynamics of a single region of interest, free from any distractions, for dramatic effect [1]. I aim to create the seamlessly looping cinemagraphs with video stabilization, user isolation of regions and motion loop detection and will demonstrate the success of my method in a variety of results. Keywords—cinemagraph, video stabilization, gif
Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with calcitriol or calcium.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS Osteoporosis is a common problem whose management is controversial. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, we conducted a three-year prospective, multicenter, single-blind study in 622 women who had one or more vertebral compression fractures. The women were randomly assigned to receive treatment with calcitriol (0.25 micrograms twice a day) or supplemental calcium (1 g of elemental calcium daily) for three years. New vertebral fractures were detected by means of lateral roentgenography of the spine each year, and calcium absorption was measured in 392 of the women. RESULTS The women who received calcitriol had a significant reduction in the rate of new vertebral fractures during the second and third years of treatment, as compared with the women who received calcium (second year, 9.3 vs. 25.0 fractures per 100 patient-years; third year, 9.9 vs. 31.5 fractures per 100 patient-years; P less than 0.001). This effect was evident only in women who had had five or fewer vertebral fractures at base line (second year, 5.2 vs. 25.3 fractures per 100 patient-years; third year, 4.2 vs. 31.0 fractures per 100 patient-years; P less than 0.0001). The groups also differed significantly in the number of peripheral fractures; 11 such fractures occurred in 11 women in the calcitriol group, whereas 24 occurred in 22 women in the calcium group (P less than 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in the incidence of side effects requiring withdrawal of treatment (8.6 percent in the calcitriol group vs. 6.5 percent in the calcium group). CONCLUSIONS Continuous treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with calcitriol for three years is safe and significantly reduces the rate of new vertebral fractures in women with this disorder.
Linking sponsorship and cause related marketing

Sponsorship activities have become a mainstream component of the marketing mix. As such, there are attempts to make these activities more effective by leveraging them using advertising, sales promotions, or in an increasing number of cases, through cause related marketing (CRM). This paper explores the relationship between sponsorship and CRM and identifies the potential opportunities that arise from leveraging sponsorships using CRM. The paper also examines the limitations of CRM as a leveraging strategy, puts forward a typology for categorising CRM and identifies some future research issues related to CRM‐leveraging of sponsorship.
Context-Centric Design of Automotive Human-Machine Interfaces

Automotive human-machine interfaces are increasingly relying on situation awareness and context processing in order to improve the safety and user experience. This work suggests a context-centric approach to designing a human-machine interface, which places the focus on the context modelling and context usage. In the first step, a unified human-machine interaction strategy is defined. In the second step, the resulting requirements are analyzed and the appropriate solutions are implemented.
Increased serum prolactin in borderline personality disorder

Although there is an important interaction between serotonergic system, prolactin and suicidal behavior, and impulsivity, no investigation examined the prolactin values in borderline personality disorder in which suicidal behavior and impulsivity are core symptom dimensions. In this context, in the present investigation, we planned to measure serum prolactin levels in the patients with borderline personality disorder. The study comprised 15 patients with borderline personality disorder and 15 healthy controls. Prolactin values were measured in both patients and control subjects. The patients had abnormally higher mean value of prolactin compared to those of healthy controls (48.66 ± 36.48 mg/dl for patients vs. 15.20 ± 7.81 mg/dl for healthy controls). There was no correlation between prolactin values and any demographic variables for both the patients and control subjects. In conclusion, our present results suggest that prolactin values increased in the patients with borderline personality disorder and are required to be replicated by more comprehensive and detailed further studies to decipher the exact roles of prolactin increase.
Self-motion and Presence in the Perceptual Optimization of a Multisensory Virtual Reality Environment

Determining the perceptually optimal resolution of multisensory rendering might help to foster the development of cost-effective, highly immersive multi-modal displays for mediated environments (e.g. virtual and augmented reality). The required sensory depth of stimulation can be quantified using human centered methodologies where end user experiences serve as a basis for uni- and cross-modal optimization of the sensory inputs. In the psychophysical studies presented in this thesis, self-reported presence and illusory self-motion (vection) indicated salience of auditory and multisensory cues in design of perceptually optimized motion simulators. Contribution of auditory cues to illusory self-motion has been largely neglected until very recently and papers A and B present studies on purely auditory induced vection (AIV). Paper A shows that rotating auditory scenes synthesized using individualized Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs) are more instrumental for presence compared to generic binaural synthesis. Study on translational AIV in paper B shows that inconsistent auditory scene might significantly decrease self-motion responses. Paper C and D demonstrate that bi-sensory stimulations increase presence and self-motion ratings as expected. In paper C additional vibrotactile stimulation increased translational AIV and presence ratings, especially for the stimuli containing the auditory-tactile engine metaphor. Paper D extended paper A results for rotational AIV showing that spatial resolution of rotating auditory scenes can be greatly reduced when combined with visual input. This thesis shows that sound plays important role in the illusory self-motion perception and it should be carefully used in multi-modal motion simulators. The presented findings suggest that a minimum set of acoustic cues can be sufficient for eliciting a self-motion sensation, especially if other modalities are involved. However, perceptual consistency of the created auditory and multimodal scenes should be assured in the design of the next generation of motion simulators.
Towards the design of a biped jogging robot

Deals with the design and control of an anthropomorphic autonomous biped robot. The objective is to realize a dynamically stable, three-dimensional walking and jogging motion. The design, sensors and electronics of the robot are introduced. Particular emphasis has been devoted to achieving a high power-to-weight ratio. The corresponding methods for weight reduction are presented. The control scheme is discussed. It is based on the method of feedback linearization employing the equations of motion of the system.
In‐vitro analysis of Pitx3 in mesodiencephalic dopaminergic neuron maturation

The transcription factor Pitx3 is expressed exclusively by mesodiencephalic dopaminergic neurons; however, ablation of Pitx3 results in selective degeneration of primarily dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta, the neuronal population that is most vulnerable in Parkinson’s disease. Although the exact molecular mechanisms of the action of Pitx3 are unclear, roles in both terminal maturation and/or survival of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons have been suggested. To investigate the connection between Pitx3 and selective neurodegeneration, we generated embryonic stem cells from a Pitx3‐deficient mouse (aphakia) for in‐vitro differentiation to dopaminergic neurons. This ‘loss of function’in‐vitro system allowed us to examine characteristic features in dopaminergic neuron development and to assess the role that Pitx3 plays in the differentiation/maturation process. We found that aphakia embryonic stem cells generated 50% fewer tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive/microtubule‐associated protein (Map)2‐positive mature neurons compared with control cultures. The expression of dopamine transport regulators and vesicle release proteins was reduced and dopamine release was unregulated in the Pitx3‐deficient tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive neurons generated. Treatment of aphakia embryonic stem cell cultures with retinoic acid resulted in a significant increase in mesodiencephalic tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive neurons, providing further support for the role of Pitx3 in dopaminergic neuron specification through the retinoic acid pathway. Our study, using Pitx3‐deficient embryonic stem cells in an in‐vitro differentiation culture system, allowed us to assess the role of Pitx3 in the specification and final maturation of dopaminergic neurons.
Sexually dimorphic aging of dendritic morphology in CA1 of hippocampus

During aging, rats of both sexes experience a decline in performance on hippocampal‐dependent tasks. Investigations into the neuroanatomical correlates of this functional decline have been conducted almost exclusively in male subjects. In the present study, dendritic spine density in stratum radiatum and complexity of the entire apical dendritic tree were quantified using Golgi–Cox‐stained tissue in young (3–5 months) and aged (19–22 months) rats of both sexes. Because both cognitive decline and hippocampal morphology may be influenced by ovarian hormonal state, young adult females were examined during either proestrus or estrus, and aged females were examined in one of two reproductively senescent states: persistent estrus or persistent diestrus. A sex difference in dendritic branching of CA1 pyramidal cells was found among young adults. However, this difference disappeared during aging, due to a reduction in branching with age for males but not for females. Spine density was not influenced by age or sex, nor did ovarian hormone status influence either measure. These results are consistent with our previous findings in the rat medial prefrontal cortex and primary motor cortex and with the human literature, which indicate that age‐related atrophy of cognitive brain regions is more severe for males than females. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intellectual Capital Reporting: Academic Utopia or Corporate Reality in a Brave New World?

Intellectual capital creates company value but generally this value is not recognised in the financial statements of companies. This report moves forward the debate on how intellectual capital should be recognised and/or disclosed in the annual reports of companies by offering new evidence regarding the views of finance directors, human resources specialists and marketing specialists, all of whom have a particular interest in intellectual capital resources. The issues investigated include: the relative importance of intellectual capital components to the generation of company value; the level of internal management use compared to external disclosure of intellectual capital; the incentives and disincentives for disclosure; and the effectiveness of the annual report and other forms of corporate communication for the disclosure of intellectual capital. The generally high level of variation in responses shows that there is considerable diversity in the extent of company value attributable to intellectual capital and in disclosure incentives and disincentives and hence in disclosure content and the communication channels used. The authors conclude that it is this diversity which represents the most significant challenge to standard-setters as they consider how to address intellectual capital reporting.
Mechanical characterisation of porous glass reinforced hydroxyapatite ceramics: Bonelike®

In the present study, mechanical properties of porous glass reinforced hydroxyapatite bioceramics were assessed by microhardness, bending and compression tests and fracture toughness determination. Porous discs were produced by a dry method using wax spheres as pore formers. Green bodies were sintered and the final microstructure of the composites consists of hydroxyapatite, alpha and beta tricalcium phosphate (a and b-Ca3(PO4)2)due to the reaction between the glassy phase and the hydroxyapatite matrix. The results of the mechanical tests showed that the glassy phase yielded higher fracture toughness and bending strength when comparing with literature data for single hydroxyapatite. There is a compromise between mechanical properties and the porosity level for bioceramics: for example, according to Weibull statistics for composites with 65% porosity the maximum bending stress level is 0.2 MPa for 100% survival probability whereas this stress level increases to 2.5 MPa for composites with 40%. However, only the 65% porosity composite samples seem to have the complete adequate morphology for bone ingrowth.
Gender and Age Differences in Hourly and Daily Patterns of Sedentary Time in Older Adults Living in Retirement Communities

Background Total sedentary time varies across population groups with important health consequences. Patterns of sedentary time accumulation may vary and have differential health risks. The purpose of this study is to describe sedentary patterns of older adults living in retirement communities and illustrate gender and age differences in those patterns. Methods Baseline accelerometer data from 307 men and women (mean age = 84±6 years) who wore ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers for ≥ 4 days as part of a physical activity intervention were classified into bouts of sedentary time (<100 counts per minute). Linear mixed models were used to account for intra-person and site-level clustering. Daily and hourly summaries were examined in mutually non-exclusive bouts of sedentary time that were 1+, 5+, 10+, 20+, 30+, 40+, 50+, 60+, 90+ and 120+ minutes in duration. Variations by time of day, age and gender were explored. Results Men accumulated more sedentary time than women in 1+, 5+, 10+, 20+, 30+, 40+, 50+ and 60+ minute bouts; the largest gender-differences were observed in 10+ and 20+ minute bouts. Age was positively associated with sedentary time, but only in bouts of 10+, 20+, 30+, and 40+ minutes. Women had more daily 1+ minute sedentary bouts than men (71.8 vs. 65.2), indicating they break up sedentary time more often. For men and women, a greater proportion of time was spent being sedentary during later hours of the day than earlier. Gender differences in intra-day sedentary time were observed during morning hours with women accumulating less sedentary time overall and having more 1+ minute bouts. Conclusions Patterns identified using bouts of sedentary time revealed gender and age differences in the way in which sedentary time was accumulated by older adults in retirement communities. Awareness of these patterns can help interventionists better target sedentary time and may aid in the identification of health risks associated with sedentary behavior. Future studies should investigate the impact of patterns of sedentary time on healthy aging, disease, and mortality.
Circuits of Power in Creating de jure Standards: Shaping an International Information Systems Security Standard

This paper addresses the role of power and politics in setting standards. It examines the interaction of external contingencies, powerful agents, resources, meaning, and membership of relevant social and institutional groupings in generating successful political outcomes. To study these interactions, the paper adopts the circuits of power, a theoretical framework taken from the social sciences, and applies it to understanding the creation and development of the first standard in information security management. An informal group of UK security chiefs sparked off a process which led first to BS7799, the British standard, and later to ISO 17799, the international standard. The case study portrays how the institutionalization of this ad hoc development process results from the interactions of power among the stakeholders involved. The case study also shows how the different interests and objectives of the stakeholders were influenced by exogenous contingencies and institutional forces. The paper discusses theoretical and practical implications for the future development of such standards.