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{
"title": "Functional Analysis of a Wheat AGPase Plastidial Small Subunit with a Truncated Transit Peptide",
"abstract": "ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), the key enzyme in starch synthesis, consists of two small subunits and two large subunits with cytosolic and plastidial isoforms. In our previous study, a cDNA sequence encoding the plastidial small subunit (TaAGPS1b) of AGPase in grains of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was isolated and the protein subunit encoded by this gene was characterized as a truncated transit peptide (about 50% shorter than those of other plant AGPS1bs). In the present study, TaAGPS1b was fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) in rice protoplast cells, and confocal fluorescence microscopy observations revealed that like other AGPS1b containing the normal transit peptide, TaAGPS1b-GFP was localized in chloroplasts. TaAGPS1b was further overexpressed in a Chinese bread wheat cultivar, and the transgenic wheat lines exhibited a significant increase in endosperm AGPase activities, starch contents, and grain weights. These suggested that TaAGPS1b subunit was targeted into plastids by its truncated transit peptide and it could play an important role in starch synthesis in bread wheat grains.",
"corpus_id": 214487
} | {
"title": "Over-expression of AGPase genes enhances seed weight and starch content in transgenic maize",
"abstract": "Cereal crops accumulate starch in the seed endosperm as an energy reserve. ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) plays a key role in regulating starch biosynthesis in cereal seeds. The AGPase in the maize endosperm is a heterotetramer of two small subunits, encoded by Brittle2 (Bt2) gene, and two large subunits, encoded by the Shrunken2 (Sh2) gene. The two genes (Bt2, Sh2) from maize were introduced into two elite maize inbred lines, solely and in tandem, and under the control of endosperm-specific promoters for over-expression. PCR, Southern blotting, and real-time RT-PCR analysis indicated that the transgenes were integrated into the genome of transgenic plants and were over-expressed in their progeny. The over-expression of either gene enhanced AGPase activity, seed weight and starch content compared with the WT, but the amounts were lower than plants with over-expression of both Bt2 and Sh2. Developing seeds from co-expression transgenic maize plants had higher cytoplasmic AGPase activity: the 100-grain weight increased 15% over the wild type (WT), and the starch content increased to over 74% compared with the WT of 65%. These results indicate that over-expression of the genes in transgenic maize plants could improve kernel traits. This report provides a feasible approach for increasing starch content and seed weight in maize.",
"corpus_id": 25968395
} | {
"title": "Plant regeneration and variants from calli derived from immature embryos of diploid barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and H. vulgare L. x H. bulbosum L. crosses",
"abstract": "SummaryPlant regeneration from calli was carried out at two locations using several parental genotypes and environments. Selfed immature diploid (VV) barley (Hordeum vulgare) embryos and immature haploid (V) or hybrid (VB) embryos from crosses between H. vulgare and H. bulbosum were used as explants. ‘Golden Promise’, ‘Emir’ and ‘CB 7432’ were the best cultivars for plant regeneration, and 15°C tended to be more suitable for plant development than higher temperatures. A total of 844 regenerants were obtained, and over 200 fertile progenies were screened agronomically. Apart from the occurrence of polyploidy and albinism, three variants were identified. One showed maternal inheritance for yellow leaf striping while the other two were controlled by single recessive genes. One of these possessed increased resistance to scald (Rhynchosporium secalis) compared with the donor parent cv ‘Triumph’, and one resembled a chlorina mutant.",
"corpus_id": 9732709,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Is a PBL curriculum a better nutrient medium for student-generated learning issues than a PBL island?",
"abstract": "Problem based learning (PBL) is often introduced in curricula in form of short segments. In the literature the value of these PBL-islands is doubted. In order to gain more insight in this curricular approach, we compared student generated learning issues, from a 7-week PBL-island introduced in a traditional curriculum (PBL-I), with the gold standard of a PBL-based model-curriculum (PBL-B) existing in parallel at the same University (Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany). Both tracks use five identical PBL-cases. Thousand seven hundred and three student-generated learning issues of 252 tutorial groups (193 PBL-I and 59 PBL-B groups with six to seven students per group) were analysed in seven different categories. Results showed that overall there were no substantial differences between both curricula. PBL-B students generated more problem-related and less basic science clinical learning issues than PBL-I students, but in both groups learning issues were related to the same number of different subjects. Furthermore, students in the PBL-curriculum tend to generate little less but slightly better phrased issues. Taken together, we found no substantial evidence with respect to student-generated learning issues that could prove that students cannot work with the PBL-method, even if it is introduced later in the curriculum and last only for a short period of time.",
"corpus_id": 621674
} | {
"title": "The impact of student‐generated learning issues on individual study time and academic achievement",
"abstract": "The aim of this study was twofold. The first question concerns the way students make use of the learning issues they generate (as strict guidelines or as global guidelines) and whether this changes across years of training. The second question concerned the relationship between the way students make use of learning issues and the time spent on individual study and achievement on two tests of knowledge.",
"corpus_id": 5863685
} | {
"title": "Cognitive effects of an authentic computer-supported, problem-based learning environment",
"abstract": "The present study describes the redesign of a Problem Based Learning (PBL) course in a Business curriculumand the effects of this approach on students'cognitive learning outcomes. The goal of theresearch was to explore the extent to whichthis new approach would yield better cognitivelearning outcomes, when compared to a regularPBL setting. Three main aspects of the regularPBL course were redesigned. Firstly, theauthenticity of the case studies was optimized.Authentic problem descriptions and companyinformation were used for the acquisition,application, and assessment of knowledge.Ill-structured real-life information was used,from real companies. Secondly, control aspectsbetween students and tutors were modified.Students were given increased control overtheir tasks as they worked more independentlyfrom their tutors in small, self-steeringteams. Thirdly, the students' ways of socialcollaboration were adapted to resemble teamworkin business practice. Apart from one regularPBL tutorial meeting, students worked in verysmall teams. Student collaboration on problemsolving and information delivery was supportedthrough electronic communication tools.In order to measure the effects of the redesignon students' cognitive learning outcomes, aquasi-experimental comparative design was setup. Subjects were second-year students who wereenrolled in a marketing course at the Facultyof Economics and Business Administration. Theycompleted a case study at the end of thecourse. The scores on this knowledgeapplication test indicated that the redesignedPBL-format contributed significantly toimproved cognitive gains, compared to theregular PBL-setting.",
"corpus_id": 62633728,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy with the hypoxic sensitizer AK-2123 (sanazole) for reirradiation of brain metastases: a preliminary feasibility report.",
"abstract": "Reirradiation is a challenging field in the treatment of recurrent brain metastases. Because of the elevated risk of radiation toxicity due to previous irradiation, only a limited dose is prescribed. To enhance radiosensitivity, in the present analysis six patients received hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (hSRT) with daily oral administration of the hypoxic sensitizer AK-2123 (sanazole) for progressive brain metastases after previous radiotherapy. The patients received daily oral administration of 1.0 g/day sanazole up to 2 h before radiotherapy. Three partial and three stable responses were observed, with no sanazole-related toxicity, except for a case of mild nausea. Brain failure with subsequent death occurred in one patient. The other patients maintained good performance status until disease progression in other lesions. hSRT with a hypoxic radiation sensitizer appears to have the potential to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy.",
"corpus_id": 3059881
} | {
"title": "Multimodal evaluation of hypoxia in brain metastases of lung cancer and interest of hypoxia image-guided radiotherapy",
"abstract": "Lung cancer patients frequently develop brain metastases (BM). Despite aggressive treatment including neurosurgery and external-radiotherapy, overall survival remains poor. There is a pressing need to further characterize factors in the microenvironment of BM that may confer resistance to radiotherapy (RT), such as hypoxia. Here, hypoxia was first evaluated in 28 biopsies from patients with non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) BM, using CA-IX immunostaining. Hypoxia characterization (pimonidazole, CA-IX and HIF-1α) was also performed in different preclinical NSCLC BM models induced either by intracerebral injection of tumor cells (H2030-Br3M, H1915) into the cortex and striatum, or intracardial injection of tumor cells (H2030-Br3M). Additionally, [18F]-FMISO-PET and oxygen-saturation-mapping-MRI (SatO2-MRI) were carried out in the intracerebral BM models to further characterize tumor hypoxia and evaluate the potential of Hypoxia-image-guided-RT (HIGRT). The effect of RT on proliferation of BM ([18F]-FLT-PET), tumor volume and overall survival was determined. We showed that hypoxia is a major yet heterogeneous feature of BM from lung cancer both preclinically and clinically. HIGRT, based on hypoxia heterogeneity observed between cortical and striatal metastases in the intracerebrally induced models, showed significant potential for tumor control and animal survival. These results collectively highlight hypoxia as a hallmark of BM from lung cancer and the value of HIGRT in better controlling tumor growth.",
"corpus_id": 235230489
} | {
"title": "The acceptability of voluntary HIV antibody testing in the United States: a decade of lessons learned",
"abstract": "Objective: As the benefits of early diagnosis of HIV increase, US adults are more likely to be offered HIV counseling and testing in settings where they may not seek testing. Rates and determinants of counseling and testing acceptance in these settings are poorly understood. Design: We reviewed articles and abstracts published from 1985 to 1995 which addressed rates or determinants of counseling and testing acceptance in facilities that provide perinatal, family planning, gynecology sexually transmitted disease (STD) and drug treatment services, hospitals, and prisons. Data reflected testing experience of more than 240 000 adults. Results: Acceptance rates varied widely (3‐100%), even within settings of the same type. Acceptance was generally higher (> 50%) among persons at high risk for acquiring or transmitting the infection (e.g., STD patients, pregnant women at high risk) than among low‐risk persons. Factors associated with high acceptance rates included the client's perception of HIV risk, acknowledging risk behaviors; confidentiality protections; presenting counseling and testing as ‘routine’ rather than optional; and the provider's belief that counseling and testing will benefit the client. Factors associated with low acceptance rates included prior HIV testing, fears about coping with results, and explicit informed consent. Conclusions: To institute and evaluate counseling and testing programs for persons who do not specifically seek testing, multiple determinants of acceptance must be considered. Practices that protect confidentiality, endorse counseling directed to a client's unique circumstances, and highlight the medical and social benefits of testing are likely to promote acceptance. Acceptance of counseling and testing offered nonroutinely to the numerous Americans who have been previously tested or are at low risk is likely to be low.",
"corpus_id": 24089912,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Faint Scattering Around Pulsars: Probing the Interstellar Medium on Solar System Size Scales",
"abstract": "We have made high-resolution, high-sensitivity dynamic spectra of a sample of strong pulsars at 430 MHz with the Arecibo radio telescope. For four pulsars we find faint but sharply delineated features in the secondary spectra. These are examples of the previously observed \"crisscross\" or \"multiple drift slope\" phenomenon presumed to be due to multiple imaging of the pulsar by the interstellar medium (ISM). The unprecedented resolution and dynamic range of our observations allow a deeper level of analysis. Distances to the dominant scattering screen along the line of sight are determined and are shown to agree well with those inferred from other scintillation phenomena. Multiple imaging of the pulsar by the ISM is required. A compact central image surrounded by a faint scattering halo, roughly circularly symmetric, is consistent with the data. Scattering from filaments may also be consistent. The angular extent of the scattering material parallel to the direction of the pulsar velocity is ~5 mas, corresponding to a linear extent of ~2 AU. Further observations of these features should allow better discrimination between models and an identification of the scattering structures.",
"corpus_id": 6918482
} | {
"title": "Multiple Imaging of PSR B1133+16 by the Interstellar Medium",
"abstract": "Refraction of pulsar radiation by electron density irregularities in the interstellar medium sometimes produces multiple imaging of pulsars, which can lead to periodic oscillations of intensity in pulsar dynamic spectra records. Such events can be used as tools to resolve the emission regions in pulsar magnetospheres. Here we describe results from the recent observation of a double imaging event for PSR B1133+16, which place fairly tight constraints on the location of the emission regions. Our analysis constrains the location of the scattering object to the shell of the Local Bubble. The phase of the oscillations shows significant variations across the pulse. The minimum value for the transverse separation of the emitting regions at the two edges of the pulse is inferred to be 3 × 105 m. This translates to a minimum emission altitude of 2.6 × 106 m. The nonmonotonic variations of the fringe phase with pulse longitude are interpreted as variations of the altitude of the emission regions for the orthogonal polarization modes of this pulsar. This is in agreement with theories where propagation effects, such as refraction, are responsible for the orthogonal modes.",
"corpus_id": 51807604
} | {
"title": "Radio emission altitudes in pulsar magnetospheres",
"abstract": "A geometrical analysis of the pulse-profile widths at 0.43 and 1.42 GHz (Arecibo) as well as at 1.41 GHz (Effelsberg) is presented. We have measured the profile pulse widths at the lowest possible intensity level. An empirical relationship for the pulsar radio emission altitudes is proposed. We argue that for the millisecond pulsars the emission region lies close to the polar cap, as opposed to the long-period pulsars where the radiation originates few hundred km away from the surface of the neutron star.",
"corpus_id": 123316722,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Use of the angularis oris cutaneous flap for repair of a rostral mandibular skin defect in a cat.",
"abstract": "The angularis oris axial pattern flap is based on the blood supply of the angularis oris artery and vein. While the use of this flap for repair of canine facial wounds is well documented, this technique has not been reported in the cat. This case report presents the reconstruction of a large ventral chin and rostral lip wound with the use of this flap. Complete survival of this flap was observed in this patient.",
"corpus_id": 3716857
} | {
"title": "Locoregional Flap Reconstruction Following Oromaxillofacial Oncologic Surgery in Dogs and Cats: A Review and Decisional Algorithm",
"abstract": "Primary treatment of most oromaxillofacial tumors in dogs and cats is resective surgery. Management of malignant tumors may be very challenging as wide/radical free-margin surgical removal must be achieved while preserving vital functions. Removal of orofacial tumors may result in large defects exposing the oral cavity or creating a communication with the nasal, pharyngeal, or orbital cavities. Such defects require orofacial reconstruction in order to restore respiratory and manducatory functions. The veterinary surgeon must be familiar with reconstructive techniques in order to prevent the inability of closing the defect, which could lead to an insufficient resection. Small oral defects exposing the nasal cavity are best closed with local random mucosal flaps. Closure of large oral defects may be better achieved with a facial or major palatine-based axial-pattern flap. Small to moderate facial defects can be closed with local advancement or transposition skin flaps. Reconstruction of large facial defects often requires the use of locoregional axial pattern flaps such as the caudal auricular, the superficial temporal, or the facial (angularis oris) myocutaneous axial pattern flaps. Recent publications have shown that the facial (angularis oris) flap is a very versatile and reliable flap in orofacial reconstructive surgery. A surgical decision algorithm based on the size, nature, and location of the defect is proposed.",
"corpus_id": 234795458
} | {
"title": "Feline Oral Neoplasia: A Ten-Year Survey",
"abstract": "A retrospective histological study was conducted on 371 neoplasms of the oral cavity in cats. Oral neoplasia accounted for 10% of feline neoplasms identified during the survey period. Eighty-nine percent of the oral neoplasms were malignant. Twenty different oral neoplasms were found. The most common were squamous cell carcinoma (61.2%), fibrosarcoma (12.9%), and fibromatous epulis of periodontal ligament origin (7.8%).",
"corpus_id": 28384443,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Association of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase C677T genotype with type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without renal complications.",
"abstract": "Diabetes is gradually getting the status of a global epidemic, with India projected as the capital of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Nephropathy is an important complication of diabetes and a major cause of end-stage renal disease. Studies from different parts of the world have given controversial results regarding the association of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variation with T2DM and diabetic nephropathy (DN). This case-control study assessed the association of MTHFR C677T mutation in T2DM and DN cases. Genotyping of MTHFR was carried out for 236 T2DM cases with diabetes diagnosed for >8 years, having either normoalbuminuria (n=100) or established DN (n=136). One hundred age- and sex-matched healthy individuals with normal blood sugars and no family history of T2DM were selected as controls. This first report from India gives a highly significant odds ratio of 4.0423 (95% confidence interval=1.8753-8.7133), indicating that the MTHFR 677T allele confers a fourfold risk of developing DM in our population. The frequency of the T allele in both the DM and DN groups was similar (i.e., 0.16 and 0.11, respectively), showing no association with the initiation or progression of DN. Individuals with a family history of diabetes or with risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, and impaired glucose tolerance should be screened for MTHFR C677T mutation and may be prescribed folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 to assess if this helps in delaying the onset of diabetes.",
"corpus_id": 2472028
} | {
"title": "Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism associated with susceptibility to coronary heart disease in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients",
"abstract": "OBJECTIVE\nEpidemiological studies have identified hyperhomocyst(e)inemia as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. The C677T variant of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, one of the key enzymes catalyzing remethylation of homocysteine, might play a role in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). In this study, we examined the distribution of the MTHFR genotypes in the Chinese population and the association between the C677T variant and CHD in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients.\n\n\nMETHODS\nTwo hundred and twenty-eight unrelated patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (126 with coronary heart disease) and 114 healthy control subjects were recruited. The MTHFR genotype was analyzed by PCR followed by HinfI digestion. Plasma total homocysteine levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection.\n\n\nRESULTS\nIn 114 healthy control subjects, the frequency of the mutant T allele was 38.0%, comparable to that of a Hong Kong (Chinese) population. The genotype distribution did not differ between control subjects and type 2 diabetic patients (chi(2) = 3.67, P > 0.05). Genotypic analysis revealed that type 2 diabetic patients with CHD displayed a greater prevalence of T allele (45.2%) than type 2 diabetic patients without CHD (30.4%) (chi(2) = 8.72, P < 0.005). The odds ratio for CHD in type 2 diabetic patients in presence of T allele was 1.89 (CI 95%, 1.24-2.88). The MTHFR genotype were different between diabetic patients with and without CHD (chi(2) = 11.98, P < 0.005). Moreover, plasma homocysteine levels were markedly higher in individuals with TT genotype than those with CC or CT genotype or CC plus CT genotype.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nThe C677T mutation of MTHFR gene is common in the Chinese population. MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism associated with a predisposition to increased plasma homocysteine levels could constitute a useful predictive marker for CHD in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients.",
"corpus_id": 10040410
} | {
"title": "The Production of Lime Mud by Algae in South Florida",
"abstract": "We have made estimates of the annual production of fine aragonite mud ( 14 age determinations of subsurface samples. Considering only production within the areas of maximum mud accumulation , we calculated that since the areas were flooded by rising sea level 4000 to 10,000 years ago, the present rate of production by Penicillus sp. could account for all the fine aragonite mud in the inner Florida Reef Tract and one,third of the same material in northeastern Florida Bay. The production of aragonite mud by Penicillus sp. provides a base line for evaluating the production of other similar algae. In the reef tract and the southeastern and western margins of Florida Bay, two other related green algae together are more abundant than Penicillus sp, in northeastern Florida Bay, one alga is more abundant than Penicillus . Another source of fine lime mud is the biological and mechanical breakdown of resistant skeletons, mollusks, algae, corals, etc. This breakdown gives recognizable skeletal silt (15-62mu ), but appreciable finer particles (",
"corpus_id": 131691743,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "“Global Jinzai,” Japanese Higher Education, and the Path to Multiculturalism: Imperative, Imposter, or Immature?",
"abstract": "Japanese society has, at various times throughout its history, been led in different directions by state policy makers’ catch phrases. The final societal destination of these slogans has changed to suit the needs of the times, but their reoccurrence and importance can neither be denied nor overlooked. Phrases and slogans such as sonnō-jōi (Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians), fukoku kyōhei (Enrich the Country, Strengthen the Military), tōyō no dōtoku, seiyō no gakugei (Eastern Ethics, Western Science), wakon yōsai (Western Learning, Japanese Spirit), bunmei kaika (Civilization, Enlightenment) and dastua nyū ō (Leave Asia, Join the West) are all examples of “battle cries” behind which society was rallied in order to rid itself of some seemingly corrupting influence or to adopt systems in order to make a radical change in direction. More recently, while arguably less provocative in nature, catch phrases have continued to be employed to focus national attention on goals deemed important by the nation’s state-makers today. Here, words like kindaika (modernization), ōbeika (Westernization), kokusaika (internationalization), and gurōbaruka (globalization) have adorned official documents and the media reflecting the needs or goals of each respective period (Chapple, 2002).",
"corpus_id": 156198510
} | {
"title": "The politics of developing global human resources in Japan",
"abstract": "ABSTRACT Japan has made developing global human resources (gurobaru jinzai ikusei) a national priority. The government has invested billions of yen annually to double the number of Japanese students studying overseas, double the number of globally competitive Japanese universities, and improve Japanese students’ English test scores. A broad, conservative ‘globalist coalition’ supported these reforms, including the Liberal Democratic Party, Democratic Party Japan, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry, and big business. Education specialists – government vice ministers and business association committee chairmen – created ‘contrived consensus’ through a series of advisory council deliberations. All globalist coalition members benefitted from reforms to develop global human resources, especially big business. Political progressives, including teachers’ unions and university professors, were not included in the policy-making process and benefitted little from the reforms.",
"corpus_id": 151242247
} | {
"title": "Neo-Liberal Education Policies in Turkey and Transformation in Education.",
"abstract": "As it is in many countries in the world, in Turkey the effects of neoliberal ideology have rapidly increased since the 1980s, and social and economic structure has been transformed. Education, which is the basic dynamic of constructing social and economic structure and regeneration, stands in the center of neoliberalism. In this process, what determines education is global policies and market relations rather than public. Every practice, such as privatization of education, decreasing public expenses, enforcing “flexible” working, leaving employees without insurance and making the curriculum more conservative is a result of neoliberal policies. Descending all these actions to the level of simple evaluation prevents a detailed analysis of the reasons for these policies while also hindering the response to these policies. In this study, neoliberal education policies practiced in Turkey and transformation in education are described with a critical perspective.",
"corpus_id": 56015458,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Towards a conceptual decision support systems framework aimed at narrowing the tax gap in South Africa : a narrative case study",
"abstract": "..................................................................................................................... iv PART 1: RESEARCH SETTING ........................................................................... 1-1 Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Definition of Key Terms .................................................................................. 1-2 1.2 Publications From This Research ..................................................................... 1-3 1.3 Introduction and Background ........................................................................... 1-3 1.4 Problem Statement ........................................................................................... 1-5 1.5 Research Questions .......................................................................................... 1-6 1.6 Theoretical Framework .................................................................................... 1-7 1.7 Research Methodology................................................................................... 1-12 1.8 Research Execution ........................................................................................ 1-13 1.9 Assumptions and Limitations ......................................................................... 1-13 1.10 Expected Findings ........................................................................................ 1-15 1.11 Chapter Divisions......................................................................................... 1-15 1.12 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 1-18 Chapter 2: Research Design .................................................................................... 2-1 2.",
"corpus_id": 153235125
} | {
"title": "From DSS to DSP: a taxonomic retrospective",
"abstract": "Computers and their associated programs have touched us all. Computer programs that are application oriented, require data, and produce information outputs (like reports, charts, recommendations, and others) are called “information systems.” The three major kinds of information systems are transaction processing systems, management reporting systems, and decision support systems. Of these, the decision support system (DSS) is the most recent. The term was first introduced by Gorry and Scott Morton [7] approximately 25 years ago. According to them, a DSS is a system that supports managers in unstructured decision-making situations. This definition is very general, and does not explain the DSS structure. This is why we find it difficult to answer a simple question like “what is a DSS?” On the other hand, we can explicitly describe the other two information systems. For example, a transaction processing system is an application program whose main objective is to manage transaction data such as cash receipts, inventory data, orders, bills, invoices and so on. The management reporting system, on the other hand, stresses the importance of reports for the management. Why is the definition of a DSS so nebulous? Is there a fixed architecture for a DSS, or do DSSs favor varied architectures? Is DSS simply an user interface that acts as an umbrella to the underlying tools? Or is there a decision support process for which a DSS serves as an environment to manage this process? This paper attempts to clarify the DSS controversy by answering the above questions. Our discussion will reveal that in spite of a sustained interest in this area, research has been fragmented and dispersed over varied underlying domains like database management systems (DBMSs), artificial intelligence (AI), software engineering, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), and cognitive science.",
"corpus_id": 5338740
} | {
"title": "Decision support systems: An expert systems approach",
"abstract": "Abstract This paper provides a conceptual framework for designing decision support systems (DSS) using an expert systems approach. Currently there is a significant trend towards the use of knowledge-based systems techniques in DSS design, but a comprehensive framework is yet to be proposed. Our paper addresses this problem and presents such a framework. Efforts are currently underway to design, implement and test a system based on this framework.",
"corpus_id": 26750547,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Misorientation texture development during grain growth. Part I: Simulation and experiment",
"abstract": "Grain growth in two and three dimensions with anisotropic interfacial properties was simulated using the Monte Carlo method. The relative effects of grain boundary energy and mobility anisotropy on number- and area-weighted misorientation distribution functions (MDFs) were compared. Results indicate that energy anisotropy has a measurable effect on misorientation texture development, while mobility anisotropy does not. Qualitatively similar results are obtained in all simulations regardless of dimensionality or crystal symmetry. Microstructures with random orientation texture appear to evolve steady-state MDFs, while those with a preferred orientation do not. Experimentally measured number- and area-weighted MDFs in polycrystalline magnesia are shown to be comparable to those measured in our simulations.",
"corpus_id": 14021607
} | {
"title": "On abnormal subgrain growth and the origin of recrystallization nuclei",
"abstract": "Abnormal subgrain growth has been proposed as the nucleation mechanism for recrystallization. To test this hypothesis, Monte Carlo Potts model simulations of subgrain growth were performed on single-phase, strain-free subgrain structures with experimentally validated microstructure, texture, boundary character, and boundary properties. Results indicate that abnormal growth events emerge spontaneously during evolution in such systems, and abnormal subgrains behave as predicted by mean field theory. An analysis predicts the frequency of abnormal growth events as a function of local neighborhood and the boundary misorientation distribution. A recrystallization model is derived based on the abnormal subgrain growth analysis. Using data for aluminum subgrain structures, the model predicts reasonable recrystallized grain sizes as a function of von Mises strain. The extension of these results to abnormal grain growth is discussed.",
"corpus_id": 17788019
} | {
"title": "Boundary Mobility and Energy Anisotropy Effects on Microstructural Evolution During Grain Growth",
"abstract": "We have performed mesoscopic simulations of microstructural evolution during curvature driven grain growth in two-dimensions using anisotropic grain boundary properties obtained from atomistic simulations. Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to determine the energies and mobilities of grain boundaries as a function of boundary misorientation. The mesoscopic simulations were performed both with the Monte Carlo Potts model and the phase field model. The Monte Carlo Potts model and phase field model simulation predictions are in excellent agreement. While the atomistic simulations demonstrate strong anisotropies in both the boundary energy and mobility, both types of microstructural evolution simulations demonstrate that anisotropy in boundary mobility plays little role in the stochastic evolution of the microstructure (other than perhaps setting the overall rate of the evolution. On the other hand, anisotropy in the grain boundary energy strongly modifies both the topology of the polycrystalline microstructure the kinetic law that describes the temporal evolution of the mean grain size. The underlying reasons behind the strongly differing effects of the two types of anisotropy considered here can be understood based largely on geometric and topological arguments.",
"corpus_id": 134841214,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "The questionnaire on autonomic regulation: a useful concept for integrative medicine?",
"abstract": "The concept of autonomic regulation (aR) reflects the relevance of the function of different autonomic systems for health. aR can be captured by questionnaires. We differentiate between a trait or constitutional aR questionnaire version including 12 (short-version) or 18 items, respectively, with three subscales (orthostatic-circulatory, rest/activity and digestive regulation), and an 18-item state aR questionnaire on the preceding week with four subscales (rest/activity, orthostatic-circulatory, thermo- and digestive regulation). The validated questionnaires show satisfying to good reliability and robust validity with clear construct validity. In this article, we summarized the actually available literature on aR and the use of aR questionnaires in clinical and observational studies. We described the relationship of high aR with health and in case of low aR or loss of regulation with disease and functional disorder in the three (four) different subscales and functional systems, such as rest/activity, orthostatic-circulatory or digestive regulation (thermoregulation) with the consecutive therapeutic need. Finally, we gave perspectives of its further application in clinical research.",
"corpus_id": 2331958
} | {
"title": "Multimodal Therapy Concept and Aerobic Training in Breast Cancer Patients With Chronic Cancer-Related Fatigue",
"abstract": "Hypothese: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and sleep disorders are some of the most wearing and common symptoms in disease-free breast cancer patients (BC). Aerobic training (AT) is the treatment with the best available evidence, even though it seems to be insufficient with regards to improvements in cognitive fatigue. We introduced a new multimodal therapy concept (MM) consisting of psycho-, sleep-education and new approaches based on anthroposophic medicine such as eurythmy and painting therapy. Study design: This pilot study will test the implementation of MM and yield first results of the MM and AE in our centres. Methods: 31 out of 34 patients suffering from BC and CRF were fully assessed in a ten-week intervention study. 21 patients chose MM and 10 decided on AT. CRF was measured with the help of the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS-D), and the global quality of sleep was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). We also captured autonomic regulation (aR) and patients’ satisfaction with questionnaires. Statistical analysis was done with SAS 9.1.3 for windows. Results: The new MM therapy can be implemented with high satisfaction among patients. Significant improvements were found in the MM group with regards to CFS-D, global quality of sleep, sleep efficiency (PSQI), aR and rest/activity regulation compared to baseline (all p<0.05). In the AT group aR orthostatic-circulatory and rest/activity regulation improved significantly (p<0.05), too. However, no improvement in cognitive fatigue was seen in either group. Conclusion: The multimodal therapy concept was feasible and improved cancer fatigue, sleep quality, autonomic and rest-/activity regulation in breast cancer patients. It may therefore constitute a valuable treatment option in addition to aerobic training for BC patients with CRF. A further study with larger sample size needs to be carried out to assess the efficacy of combined multimodal-aerobic therapy.",
"corpus_id": 11460097
} | {
"title": "Women in School Administration",
"abstract": "Women have the same career ambitions as men, but they do not have the same opportunities.",
"corpus_id": 143511230,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "Aberrant Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II (CaMKII) Activity Is Associated with Abnormal Dendritic Spine Morphology in the ATRX Mutant Mouse Brain",
"abstract": "In humans, mutations in the gene encoding ATRX, a chromatin remodeling protein of the sucrose-nonfermenting 2 family, cause several mental retardation disorders, including α-thalassemia X-linked mental retardation syndrome. We generated ATRX mutant mice lacking exon 2 (ATRXΔE2 mice), a mutation that mimics exon 2 mutations seen in human patients and associated with milder forms of retardation. ATRXΔE2 mice exhibited abnormal dendritic spine formation in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Consistent with other mouse models of mental retardation, ATRXΔE2 mice exhibited longer and thinner dendritic spines compared with wild-type mice without changes in spine number. Interestingly, aberrant increased calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) activity was observed in the mPFC of ATRXΔE2 mice. Increased CaMKII autophosphorylation and activity were associated with increased phosphorylation of the Rac1-guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) T-cell lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (Tiam1) and kalirin-7, known substrates of CaMKII. We confirmed increased phosphorylation of p21-activated kinases (PAKs) in mPFC extracts. Furthermore, reduced protein expression and activity of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) was evident in the mPFC of ATRXΔE2 mice. In cultured cortical neurons, PP1 inhibition by okadaic acid increased CaMKII-dependent Tiam1 and kalirin-7 phosphorylation. Together, our data strongly suggest that aberrant CaMKII activation likely mediates abnormal spine formation in the mPFC. Such morphological changes plus elevated Rac1-GEF/PAK signaling seen in ATRXΔE2 mice may contribute to mental retardation syndromes seen in human patients.",
"corpus_id": 459776
} | {
"title": "XLID CUL4B mutants are defective in promoting TSC2 degradation and positively regulating mTOR signaling in neocortical neurons.",
"abstract": "Truncating or missense mutation of cullin 4B (CUL4B) is one of the most prevalent causes underlying X-linked intellectual disability (XLID). CUL4B-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase promotes ubiquitination and degradation of various proteins. Consistent with previous studies, overexpression of wild-type CUL4B in 293 cells enhanced ubiquitylation and degradation of TSC2 or cyclin E. The present study shows that XLID mutant (R388X), (R572C) or (V745A) CULB failed to promote ubiquitination and degradation of TSC2 or cyclin E. Adenoviruses-mediated expression of wild-type CUL4B decreased protein level of TSC2 or cyclin E in cultured neocortical neurons of frontal lobe. Furthermore, shRNA-mediated CUL4B knockdown caused an upregulation of TSC2 or cyclin E. XLID mutant (R388X), (R572C) or (V745A) CUL4B did not downregulate protein expression of TSC2 or cyclin E in neocortical neurons. By promoting TSC2 degradation, CUL4B could positively regulate mTOR activity in neocortical neurons of frontal cortex. Consistent with this hypothesis, CUL4B knockdown-induced upregulation of TSC2 in neocortical neurons resulted in a decreased protein level of active phospho-mTOR(Ser2448) and a reduced expression of active phospho-p70S6K(Thr389) and phospho-4E-BP1(Thr37/46), two main substrates of mTOR-mediated phosphorylation. Wild-type CUL4B also increased protein level of active phospho-mTOR(Ser2448), phospho-p70S6K(Thr389) or phospho-4E-BP1(Thr37/46). XLID CUL4B mutants did not affect protein level of active phospho-mTOR(Ser2448), phospho-p70S6K(Thr389) or phospho-4E-BP1(Thr37/46). Our results suggest that XLID CUL4B mutants are defective in promoting TSC2 degradation and positively regulating mTOR signaling in neocortical neurons.",
"corpus_id": 1501743
} | {
"title": "Hemolysis during and after 21 days of head‐down‐tilt bed rest",
"abstract": "Hemoconcentration is observed in bed rest studies, descent from altitude, and exposure to microgravity. Hemoconcentration triggers erythrocyte losses to subsequently normalize erythrocyte concentration. The mechanisms of erythrocyte loss may involve enhanced hemolysis, but has never been measured directly in bed rest studies. Steady‐state hemolysis was evaluated by measuring two heme degradation products, endogenous carbon monoxide concentration [CO] and urobilinogen in feces, in 10 healthy men, before, during, and after two campaigns of 21 days of 6° head‐down‐tilt (HDT) bed rest. The subjects were hemoconcentrated at 10 and 21 days of bed rest: mean concentrations of hemoglobin (15.0 ± 0.2 g/L and 14.6 ± 0.1 g/L, respectively) and erythrocytes (5.18 ± 0.06E6/μL and 5.02 ± 0.06E6/μL, respectively) were increased compared to baseline (all Ps < 0.05). In contrast, mean hemoglobin mass (743 ± 19 g) and number of erythrocytes (2.56 ± 0.07E13) were decreased at 21 days of bed rest (both Ps < 0.05). Indicators of hemolysis mean [CO] (1660 ± 49 ppb and 1624 ± 48 ppb, respectively) and fecal urobilinogen concentration (180 ± 23 mg/day and 199 ± 22 mg/day, respectively) were unchanged at 10 and 21 days of bed rest compared to baseline (both Ps > 0.05). A significant decrease in [CO] (−505 ppb) was measured at day 28 after bed rest. HDT bed rest caused hemoconcentration in parallel with lower hemoglobin mass. Circulating indicators of hemolysis remained unchanged throughout bed rest supporting that enhanced hemolysis did not contribute significantly to erythrocyte loss during the hemoconcentration of bed rest. At day 28 after bed rest, decreased hemolysis accompanied the recovery of erythrocytes, a novel finding.",
"corpus_id": 31111250,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "The effect of birthplace on heat tolerance and mortality in Milan, Italy, 1980–1989",
"abstract": "The temperature–mortality relationship follows a well-known J-V shaped pattern with mortality excesses recorded at cold and hot temperatures, and minimum at some optimal value, referred as Minimum Mortality Temperature (MMT). As the MMT, which is used to measure the population heat-tolerance, is higher for people living in warmer places, it has been argued that populations will adapt to temperature changes. We tested this notion by taking advantage of a huge migratory flow that occurred in Italy during the 1950s, when a large number of unemployed people moved from the southern to the industrializing north-western regions. We have analyzed mortality–temperature relationships in Milan residents, split by groups identified by area of birth. In order to obtain estimates of the temperature-related risks, log-linear models have been used to fit daily death count data as a function of different explanatory variables. Results suggest that mortality risks differ by birthplace, regardless of the place of residence, namely heat tolerance in adult life could be modulated by outdoor temperature experienced early in life. This indicates that no complete adaptation might occur with rising external environmental temperatures.",
"corpus_id": 1608542
} | {
"title": "Methods to produce hyperthermia-induced brain dysfunction.",
"abstract": "The recent increase in the frequency and intensity of killer heat waves across the globe has aroused worldwide medical attention to exploring therapeutic strategies to attenuate heat-related morbidity and/or mortality. Death due to heat-related illnesses often exceeds >50% of heat victims. Those who survive are crippled with lifetime disabilities and exhibit profound cognitive, sensory, and motor dysfunction akin to premature neurodegeneration. Although more than 50% of the world populations are exposed to summer heat waves; our understanding of detailed underlying mechanisms and the suitable therapeutic strategies have still not been worked out. One of the basic reasons behind this is the lack of a reliable experimental model to simulate clinical hyperthermia. This chapter describes a suitable animal model to induce hyperthermia in rats (or mice) comparable to the clinical situation. The model appears to be useful for studying the effects of heat-related illnesses on changes in various organs and systems, including the central nervous system (CNS). Since hyperthermia is often associated with profound brain dysfunction, additional methods to examine some crucial parameters of brain injury, e.g., blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown and brain edema formation, are also described.",
"corpus_id": 2393715
} | {
"title": "Death certification from the point of view of the epidemiologist.",
"abstract": "This paper is based on a talk given to the Epidemiology Section of the Royal Society of Medicine in 1990. It looks at the practice in England and Wales of doctors coroners and pathologists in certification of death and assignment of cause of death. It also highlights some of the problems of coding and interpreting underlying cause of death when several diseases are mentioned at death registration. (EXCERPT)",
"corpus_id": 74571470,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Personalization: a taxonomy",
"abstract": "Personalization is here defined as a process of changing a system to increase its personal relevance. This may have a work or social motivation. A taxonomy of motivations is developed and illustrated by application to mobile phones and e-commerce Web pages.",
"corpus_id": 1814091
} | {
"title": "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life",
"abstract": "hen an individual enters the presence of oth ers, they commonly seek to acquire information about him or to bring into play information about him already possessed. They will be interested in his general socio-economic status, his concep tion of self, his attitude toward them, his compe tence, his trustworthiness, etc. Although some of this information seems to be sought almost as an end in itself, there are usually quite practical reasons for acquiring it. Information about the individual helps to define the situation, enabling others to know in advance what he will expect of them and what they may expect of him. Informed in these ways, the others will know how best to act in order to call forth a desired response from him. For those present, many sources of information become accessible and many carriers (or “signvehicles”) become available for conveying this information. If unacquainted with the individual, observers can glean clues from his conduct and appearance which allow them to apply their previ ous experience with individuals roughly similar to the one before them or, more important, to apply untested stereotypes to him. They can also assume from past experience that only individuals of a par ticular kind are likely to be found in a given social setting. They can rely on what the individual says about himself or on documentary evidence he provides as to who and what he is. If they know, or know of, the individual by virtue of experience prior to the interaction, they can rely on assumptions as to the persistence and generality of psychological traits as a means of predicting his present and future behavior. However, during the period in which the indi vidual is in the immediate presence of the others, few events may occur which directly provide the others with the conclusive information they will need if they are to direct wisely their own activity . Many crucial facts lie beyond the time and place of interaction or lie concealed within it. For example, the “true” or “real” attitudes, beliefs, and emotions of the individual can be ascertained only indirectly , through his avowals or through what appears to be involuntary expressive behavior. Similarly , if the individual offers the others a product or service, they will often find that during the interaction there will be no time and place immediately available for eating the pudding that the proof can be found in. They will be forced to accept some events as con ventional or natural signs of something not directly available to the senses. In Ichheiser ’s terms, 1 the individual will have to act so that he intentionally or unintentionally expresses himself, and the others will in turn have to be impressed in some way by him.…",
"corpus_id": 27526144
} | {
"title": "Amalthaea--information filtering and discovery using a multiagent evolving system",
"abstract": "Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program in Media Arts & Sciences, 1997.",
"corpus_id": 40205985,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "The phase III candidate: can we improve the science of selection?",
"abstract": "Oncologists making treatment recommendations for their patients and practicing evidence-based medicine rely heavily on the highest level of data from random assignment trials. Such evidence is clearly needed in advanced bladder cancer, a disease that results in more than 40,000 deaths per year in the United States and Europe. Bladder cancer is sensitive to combination chemotherapy, such as the regimen of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC), which has been studied and referenced in more than 700 publications during the last 20 years. Despite this plethora of publications, standards of care for advanced bladder cancer are derived from just several randomized trials, underscoring their importance to the field.",
"corpus_id": 422294
} | {
"title": "Review: Use of nomograms for predictions of outcome in patients with advanced bladder cancer",
"abstract": "Introduction: Accurate estimates of risk are essential for physicians if they are to recommend a specific management to patients with bladder cancer. In this review, we discuss the criteria for the evaluation of nomograms and review current available nomograms for advanced bladder cancer. Methods: A retrospective review of the Pubmed database between 2002 and 2008 was performed using the keywords `nomogram' and `bladder'. We limited the articles to advanced bladder cancer. We recorded input variables, prediction form, number of patients used to develop the prediction tools, the outcome being predicted, prediction tool-specific features, predictive accuracy, and whether validation was performed. Results: We discuss the characteristics needed to evaluate nomograms such as predictive accuracy, calibration, generalizability, level of complexity, effect of competing risks, conditional probabilities, and head-to-head comparison with other prediction methods. The predictive accuracies of the pre-cystectomy tools (n = 2) range from ~65—75% and that of the post-cystectomy tools (n = 5) range from ~75—80%. While some of these nomograms are well-calibrated and outperform AJCC staging, none has been externally validated. To date, four studies demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in predictive accuracy of nomograms by including biomarkers. Conclusions: Nomograms provide accurate individualized estimates of outcomes. They currently represent the most accurate and discriminatory decision-making aids tools for predicting outcomes in patients with bladder cancer. Use of current nomograms could improve current selection of patients for standard therapy and investigational trial design by ensuring homogeneous groups. The addition of biological markers to the currently available nomograms using clinical and pathologic data holds the promise of improving prediction and refining management of patients with bladder cancer.",
"corpus_id": 6385161
} | {
"title": "Biofilm Formation on Dental Restorative and Implant Materials",
"abstract": "Biomaterials for the restoration of oral function are prone to biofilm formation, affecting oral health. Oral bacteria adhere to hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces, but due to fluctuating shear, little biofilm accumulates on hydrophobic surfaces in vivo. More biofilm accumulates on rough than on smooth surfaces. Oral biofilms mostly consist of multiple bacterial strains, but Candida species are found on acrylic dentures. Biofilms on gold and amalgam in vivo are thick and fully covering, but barely viable. Biofilms on ceramics are thin and highly viable. Biofilms on composites and glass-ionomer cements cause surface deterioration, which enhances biofilm formation again. Residual monomer release from composites influences biofilm growth in vitro, but effects in vivo are less pronounced, probably due to the large volume of saliva into which compounds are released and its continuous refreshment. Similarly, conflicting results have been reported on effects of fluoride release from glass-ionomer cements. Finally, biomaterial-associated infection of implants and devices elsewhere in the body is compared with oral biofilm formation. Biomaterial modifications to discourage biofilm formation on implants and devices are critically discussed for possible applications in dentistry. It is concluded that, for dental applications, antimicrobial coatings killing bacteria upon contact are more promising than antimicrobial-releasing coatings.",
"corpus_id": 26069228,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Investigating the Global Dispersal of Chickens in Prehistory Using Ancient Mitochondrial DNA Signatures",
"abstract": "Data from morphology, linguistics, history, and archaeology have all been used to trace the dispersal of chickens from Asian domestication centers to their current global distribution. Each provides a unique perspective which can aid in the reconstruction of prehistory. This study expands on previous investigations by adding a temporal component from ancient DNA and, in some cases, direct dating of bones of individual chickens from a variety of sites in Europe, the Pacific, and the Americas. The results from the ancient DNA analyses of forty-eight archaeologically derived chicken bones provide support for archaeological hypotheses about the prehistoric human transport of chickens. Haplogroup E mtDNA signatures have been amplified from directly dated samples originating in Europe at 1000 B.P. and in the Pacific at 3000 B.P. indicating multiple prehistoric dispersals from a single Asian centre. These two dispersal pathways converged in the Americas where chickens were introduced both by Polynesians and later by Europeans. The results of this study also highlight the inappropriate application of the small stretch of D-loop, traditionally amplified for use in phylogenetic studies, to understanding discrete episodes of chicken translocation in the past. The results of this study lead to the proposal of four hypotheses which will require further scrutiny and rigorous future testing.",
"corpus_id": 12344
} | {
"title": "Rethinking Polynesians origins: A West-Polynesia Triple-I Model",
"abstract": "Abstract The last twenty years has seen an apparent consensus that the immediate origins of Polynesian language, culture and biology lie solely with the Lapita peoples and cultures that settled Samoa and Tonga by 2700 years ago. We suggest that there is increasing evidence that does not sit well with this generally accepted view of Polynesian origins and thus we put forward an alternative model for consideration. Building on Green's suggestion of over 20 years ago, we propose that some of the ideas in his Triple-I model (Green 1991a) might also be usefully applied to conceptualizing the processes involved in Polynesian origins. Specifically, we suggest that in addition to Lapita origins, there were significant later elements introduced to Polynesia that were fundamental to the development of Polynesian culture and biology prior to the settlement of East Polynesia. Current data suggest that some of these elements are shared with Micronesia and may be ultimately derived from post-Lapita population movements, perhaps from Island Southeast Asia through the low islands of the Carolines, Kiribati and Tuvalu to West Polynesia. Keywords: Lapita, biology, archaeology, migrations, commensal, Polynesians ********** Any discussion of Polynesian origins is complicated--even the very framing of the question is fraught with problems. Polynesia is roughly defined geographically as the islands encompassed within the triangle formed by Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island, linguistically by the islands where Polynesian languages are spoken (or were spoken at European contact), and culturally and biologically by an ever-changing list of characteristics. Despite these difficulties, Green (1987; 1991b) suggested that Polynesia was the one region in the Pacific that did constitute a valid biological, linguistic and cultural group. The linkage of linguistic, biological and archaeological evidence in understanding the Pacific past has been questioned on theoretical grounds (Donohue and Denham 2010; Smith 2002; Terrell 1989; Terrell, et al. 1997), a fundamental challenge to the \"phylogenetic model\" (Kirch and Green 1987, 2001). It is not our intention to enter that debate. Our thoughts are predicated on the idea that biology, archaeology, language, and other aspects of culture are not necessarily transported and maintained through time as bundled units. As a corollary to this, we accept the notion that the relationships between these various domains do not change in predictable or uniform ways. An expectation of these ideas is that the human past on each island is likely to be complex (and necessarily difficult to interpret). Within this context we review some aspects of the archaeology and human/commensal biology of the region and suggest the possibility that models incorporating more than one population movement into Polynesia may offer a better fit for some of these data. We postulate post-Lapita population movements out of the western Pacific, possibly originating in Island Southeast Asia, adding complex influences into the development of Polynesian culture and biology. Early ideas on Polynesian origins When European explorers first came to Oceania they quickly noted similarities and differences in the human languages, cultures and phenotypes they observed in the region. In 1832, the French explorer and scientist Dumontd'Urville dealt with this diversity by using the existing terms Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia, in an explicitly socio-evolutionary framework in which \"races\" were seen as forming a unilineal and progressive sequence with northern Europeans as the most \"evolved\" (see discussions in Clark 2003; Tcherkezoff 2009). This biological and social-evolutionary perspective, while modified regularly, was the framework within which anthropology developed as a science. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, substantial scholarly research was devoted to understanding the origins and relationships of Oceanic populations, particularly the question of \"Polynesian origins\" (Howard 1967). …",
"corpus_id": 161806109
} | {
"title": "Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD): a review.",
"abstract": "Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) in Holstein cattle is an autosomal recessive congenital disease characterized by recurrent bacterial infections, delayed wound healing and stunted growth, and is also associated with persistent marked neutrophilia. The molecular basis of BLAD is a single point mutation (adenine to guanine) at position 383 of the CD18 gene, which caused an aspartic acid to glycine substitution at amino acid 128 (D128G) in the adhesion molecule CD18. Neutrophils from BLAD cattle have impaired expression of the beta2 integrin (CD11a,b,c/CD18) of the leukocyte adhesion molecule. Abnormalities in a wide spectrum of adherence dependent functions of leukocytes have been fully characterized. Cattle affected with BLAD have severe ulcers on oral mucous membranes, severe periodontitis, loss of teeth, chronic pneumonia and recurrent or chronic diarrhea. Affected cattle die at an early age due to the infectious complications. Holstein bulls, including carrier sires that had a mutant BLAD gene in heterozygote were controlled from dairy cattle for a decade. The control of BLAD in Holstein cattle by publishing the genotypes and avoiding the mating between BLAD carriers was found to be successful. This paper provides an overview of the genetic disease BLAD with reference to the disease in Holstein cattle.",
"corpus_id": 42208421,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Stem-cell therapy for erectile dysfunction.",
"abstract": "Stem cell-based therapies have been recently investigated in the field of organic erectile dysfunctions, such as those associated with diabetes or the treatment of prostate cancer. The overall aim is to repair the repair the underlying penile cellular damage. Here, we review the rationale behind the use of stem cells injection in post-radical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction (pRP-ED).Radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer induces complex neurologic and vascular injuries that cause one of the most difficult-to-treat forms of erectile dysfunction. Evidence from animal models replicating pRP-ED suggests that intracavernous injection of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) may represent the first curative approach. Several clinical trials are ongoing and two of them have been completed with encouraging results.",
"corpus_id": 1819330
} | {
"title": "Standard operating procedure for the preservation of erectile function outcomes after radical prostatectomy.",
"abstract": "INTRODUCTION\nProstate cancer is common, and, thus, more men are being treated surgically. Long-term functional outcomes are of significant importance to the patient and their partners. Erectile function (EF) preservation (rehabilitation) has gained significant traction worldwide, despite the absence of definitive evidence supporting its use.\n\n\nAIM\nTo review the effectiveness of specific pharmacological therapies and other erectogenic aids in the treatment of post-radical prostatectomy (RP) erectile dysfunction.\n\n\nMETHODS\nA systematic literature review of original peer-reviewed manuscripts and clinical trials reported in Medline.\n\n\nMAIN OUTCOME MEASURE\nThis review focused on the evaluation of interventions that aimed to improve EF recovery following RP.\n\n\nRESULTS\nAlthough well documented in animal models, studies supporting the rehabilitation with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in humans are scarce. Daily sildenafil has been used in trials (only one randomized placebo-controlled trial) with a significant improvement in erection recovery when compared to placebo or no rehabilitation but with a low return to baseline rates (27% vs. 4% placebo). Nightly vardenafil vs. on demand vs. placebo has been studied in the Recovery of Erections: INtervention with Vardenafil Early Nightly Therapy trial with no difference in erection recovery following RP. Intracavernosal injections, although widely used and attractive from a rehabilitation standpoint, does not yet have definitive supporting its role in rehabilitation. Vacuum erection devices use following RP has been reported, but there are no data to support its role as monotherapy. Intraurethral alprostadil was also studied vs. sildenafil in a multicenter, randomized, open-label trial, and no superiority was found.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nAt this time, we are unable to define what represents the optimal rehabilitation program in regard to strategies utilized, timing of intervention, or duration of treatment.",
"corpus_id": 25572175
} | {
"title": "Glycogen phosphorolysis can form a metabolic shuttle to support Ca2+ uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes in skeletal muscle.",
"abstract": "In the presence of glycogen, ADP, phosphoglucomutase and hexokinase, the glycogen phosphorylase b activity associated to sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes stimulates Ca2+ uptake by SR membrane fragments in the absence of added ATP. Phosphoglucomutase and hexokinase lead to the formation of glucose 6-phosphate which in turn is used as an ATP regenerating system by the Ca2+ pump. It is proposed that a raise of cytosolic AMP and ADP concentrations after muscle contraction can activate an alternative metabolic route which would be used to ensure the maintenance of a low cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and avoid unnecessary metabolic energy depletion in muscle cells.",
"corpus_id": 27497640,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Asymmetrical N4,N9-diacyl spermines: SAR studies of nonviral lipopolyamine vectors for efficient siRNA delivery with silencing of EGFP reporter gene.",
"abstract": "Our aim is to study the effects of varying the two acyl moieties in synthesized N(4),N(9)-diacyl spermines on siRNA formulations and their delivery efficiency in cell lines. Six novel asymmetrical lipopolyamines, [N(4)-cholesteryloxy-3-carbonyl-N(9)-oleoyl-, N(4)-decanoyl-N(9)-oleoyl-, N(4)-decanoyl-N(9)-stearoyl-, N(4)-lithocholoyl-N(9)-oleoyl-, N(4)-myristoleoyl-N(9)-myristoyl-, and N(4)-oleoyl-N(9)-stearoyl]-1,12-diamino-4,9-diazadodecane, were assessed for their abilities to bind to siRNA, studied using a RiboGreen intercalation assay, and to form nanoparticles. Their siRNA delivery efficiencies were quantified in FEK4 primary skin cells and in an immortalized cancer cell line (HtTA) using a fluorescein-tagged siRNA, and compared with formulations of N(4),N(9)-dioleoyl-1,12-diamino-4,9-diazadodecane and of a leading transfecting agent, TransIT-TKO. Transfection was measured in terms of siRNA delivery and silencing of EGFP reporter gene in HeLa cells. By incorporating two different acyl moieties, changing their length and oxidation level in a controlled manner, we show efficient fluorescein-tagged siRNA formulation, delivery, and knock-down of EGFP reporter gene. N(4)-Oleoyl-N(9)-stearoyl spermine and N(4)-myristoleoyl-N(9)-myristoyl spermine are effective siRNA delivery vectors typically resulting in 89% cell delivery and gene silencing to 34% in the presence of serum, comparable with the results obtained with TransIT-TKO; adding a second lipid chain is better than incorporating a steroid moiety.",
"corpus_id": 154450
} | {
"title": "Synthesis and Transfection Activity of New Cationic Phosphoramidate Lipids: High Efficiency of an Imidazolium Derivative",
"abstract": "In an effort to enhance the gene‐transfer efficiencies of cationic lipids and to decrease their toxicities, a series of new phosphoramidate lipids with chemical similarity to cell membrane phospholipids was synthesised. These lipids contained various cationic headgroups, such as arginine methyl ester, lysine methyl ester, homoarginine methyl ester, ethylenediamine, diaminopropane, guanidinium and imidazolium. Their transfection abilities, either alone or with the co‐lipid DOPE, were evaluated in HEK293–T7 cells. We found that imidazolium lipophosphoramidate 7 a/DOPE lipoplexes gave the most efficient transfection with low toxicity (15 %). The luciferase activity was 100 times higher than that obtained with DOTAP/DOPE lipoplexes. The size, ζ potential, pDNA–liposome interactions and cellular uptakes of the lipoplexes were determined. No definitive correlation between the ζ potential values and the transfection efficiencies could be established, but the uptake of lipoplexes by the cells was correlated with their final transfection efficiencies. Our results show that imidazolium phosphoramidate lipids constitute a potential new class of cationic lipids for gene transfer.",
"corpus_id": 9745114
} | {
"title": "Characterization of vectors for gene therapy formed by self-assembly of DNA with synthetic block co-polymers.",
"abstract": "Cationic polymers can self-assemble with DNA to form polyelectrolyte complexes capable of gene delivery, although biocompatibility of the complexes is generally limited. Here we have used A-B type cationic-hydrophilic block co-polymers to introduce a protective surface hydrophilic shielding following oriented self-assembly with DNA. Block co-polymers of poly(ethylene glycol)-poly-L-lysine (pEG-pLL) and poly-N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide-poly(trimethylammonioethyl methacrylate chloride) (pHPMA-pTMAEM) both show spontaneous formation of complexes with DNA. Surface charge measured by zeta potential is decreased compared with equivalent polycation-DNA complexes in each case. Atomic force microscopy shows that pHPMA-pTMAEM/DNA complexes are discrete spheres similar to those formed between DNA and simple polycations, whereas pEG-pLL/DNA complexes adopt an extended structure. Biological properties depend on the charge ratio of formation. At optimal charge ratio, pEG-pLL/DNA complexes show efficient transfection of 293 cells in vitro, while pHPMA-pTMAEM/DNA complexes are more inert. Both block co-polymer-DNA complexes show only limited cytotoxicity. Careful selection of block co-polymer structure can influence the physicochemical and biological properties of the complexes and should permit design of materials for specific applications, including targeted delivery of genes in vivo.",
"corpus_id": 404701,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "A 10-year content analysis to assess research theme areas in agricultural education: gap analysis of future research priorities in the discipline",
"abstract": "A 10–year Content Analysis to Assess Research Theme Areas in Agricultural Education: Gap Analysis of Future Research Priorities in the Discipline. (December 2007) Leslie Dawn Jenkins Edgar, B.S., Utah State University; M.S., Utah State University Co–Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. Tracy A. Rutherford Dr. Gary E. Briers The field of agricultural education relies on multiple research journals to disseminate findings. This study focused on a 10-year content analysis of research published in premier journals in agricultural education. The study ascertained primary research themes, types of research conducted, prolifically published authors, frequently cited authors, and frequently cited referenced works, and discussed how the formation and usage of research in agricultural education has changed from 1997 to 2006. The study sought assistance from agricultural educators to narrow the focus of the study and to ensure study content validity. A conceptual model, based on a thorough review of literature and a focus on the peer discipline areas of agricultural education, guided the study. The study utilized a field study and employed descriptive statistics. Premier agricultural education (AGED) journals were identified: the Journal of Agricultural Education (93%); Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education (67%); Journal of Extension (63%); North American Colleges and Teachers",
"corpus_id": 307354
} | {
"title": "Perceptions of Agricultural Leadership Academic Programs at 1862 Land-Grant Universities",
"abstract": "This study characterized perceptions of agricultural leadership programs in colleges of agriculture, food, life, human, or environmental sciences at 1862 land-grant institutions. Objectives included describing the need for programs, studying evolution within the discipline, discussing faculty recommendations for future development, and examining why programs are relevant. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which included open and axial coding. A total of 26 academic agricultural leadership programs were identified, and a telephone interview was completed by 19 agricultural leadership faculty members. Results of the study indicated agricultural leadership was historically founded under the umbrella of agricultural and extension education but also evolved from a need in industry. The discipline evolved because the academic subject matter was broadly appealing to students and, and its growth was also spurred by the popularity of community and rural leadership development programs. To improve agricultural leadership programs, faculty surveyed recommended collaborative efforts across the discipline to establish a unified vision and a national professional organization. Throughout the interviews, themes emerged related to the relevancy of agricultural leadership programs in higher education: (1) The agricultural leadership discipline creates leaders through developing “human capital,” and (2) graduates promote industry growth through their political, policy, and public influence. Future recommendations for research included identifying perceptions of agricultural leadership beyond the scope of 1862 land-grant institutions.",
"corpus_id": 157714369
} | {
"title": "Agriculture Students' Computer Skills and Electronic Exams",
"abstract": "The purpose of this study was to determine if a statistical relationship existed between academic achievement and exam delivery method for students enrolled in the AgEE 62-Computer Applications in Agriculture course during spring semester 1999. Significant, positive, moderate associations resulted between academic achievement and exam delivery method; agriculture students (n = 45) who took the quiz using the paper-and-pencil method scored significantly higher than did students who took the quiz in an electronic version only. A significant, moderate relationship existed between academic achievement and learning style for the quiz; field-independent students achieved significantly higher quiz scores than did field-dependent learners. Independent learners had significantly more computer enjoyment than did dependent learners. Field-independent learners had significantly lower levels of computer anxiety after the midterm than did field-dependent learners. AgEE 62 students agreed that taking computer skills exams electronically was not as easy as taking the exams in a more traditional paper-and-pencil fashion. Early identification of field-dependent learners allows the instructor, teaching assistants, and/or cooperative learning teams an opportunity to provide additional assistance for students who find learning computer skills an academic challenge. Theoretical Framework Computer usage in secondary and postAnxiety caused by computer malfunctions, destroyed data, lost files, and program errors have beleaguered most university students at some point during their academic careers. These anxious moments may be heightened during times of extreme pressure such as staying up all night to finish a term paper before a pre-determined deadline. It is fair to assume that such “computer anxious” times may be super-sensitized during moments when newly learned computer skills are tested without paper and pencil, under time constraints. The very nature of testing students’ computer skills in an authentic situation lends itself to evaluations of those skills in a paperless environment. Antecedents to implementing this novel evaluation method are questions about the relationships between students’ computer anxiety levels, attitudes toward computers, learning styles, and relevant demographic variables. Do relationships between these variables exist for agriculture students in a Computer Applications",
"corpus_id": 41428204,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Predicting solubility in multiple nonpolar drugs-cyclodextrin system.",
"abstract": "This study presents a model to predict the solubility of a nonpolar drug D(A) in the presence of other nonpolar drugs D(1) em leader D(n) in a complexing ligand L system such as hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPbetaCD). Using an equilibrium approach, the model describes the molecular interactions among these drug species and the ligand. The model indicates that the solubility of D(A) invariably decreases as a result of the presence of D(1) em leader D(n). Furthermore, the decrease in D(A) solubility is related to the sum of the products of the intrinsic solubilities of the other drugs and drug-ligand complexation constants. To test the model, three steroids (prednisolone, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, and progesterone) were used as model compounds in HPbetaCD solutions. The experimental data showed that the solubility of any particular drug decreased in the presence of other drugs. At all tested HPbetaCD concentrations, these experimental solubility data were in good agreement with the predicted solubility data. This result lends strong support to the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed model.",
"corpus_id": 112015
} | {
"title": "Current Perspectives of Solubilization: Potential for Improved Bioavailability",
"abstract": "This review focuses on the recent techniques of solubilization for the attainment of effective absorption and improved bioavailability. Solubilization may be affected due to cosolvent water interaction or altered crystal structure by cosolvent addition. Micellar solubilization could be affected by both ionic strength and pH. Addition of cosolvents to the surfactant solutions offers only a small advantage because of the decrease in the solublization capacity of the micelles. Polymorphism is known to influence dissolution and bioavailability of the drugs. Molecular modeling study of cyclodextrin inclusion complexations can predict the inclusion modes, stoichiometry of the complex, and the relative complexing efficiency of cyclodextrins with various drug molecules.",
"corpus_id": 22057674
} | {
"title": "Aptamer based strategy for cytosensing and evaluation of HER-3 on the surface of MCF-7 cells by using the signal amplification of nucleic acid-functionalized nanocrystals.",
"abstract": "The electrochemical detection of cell lines of MCF-7 (human breast cancer) has been reported, using magnetic beads for the separation tool and high-affinity DNA aptamers for signal recognition. The high specificity was obtained by using the magnetic beads and aptamers, and the good sensitivity was realized with the signal amplification of DNA capped CdS or PbS nanocrystals. The ASV (anodic stripping voltammetry) technology was employed for the detection of cadmic cation and lead ions, for electrochemical assay of the amount of the target cells and biomarkers on the membrane of target cells, respectively. This electrochemical method could respond to as low as 100 cells mL(-1) of cancer cells with a linear calibration range from 1.0×10(2) to 1.0×10(6) cells mL(-1), showing very high sensitivity. Moreover, the amounts of HER-3 which were overexpressed on MCF-7 cells were calculated correspond to be 3.56×10(4) anti-HER-3 antibody molecules. In addition, the assay was able to differentiate between different types of target and control cells based on the aptamers and magnetic beads used in the assay, indicating the wide applicability of the assay for early and accurate diagnose of cancers.",
"corpus_id": 22404106,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Modality and possibility in some intuitionistic modal logics",
"abstract": "«-> -1Λ/-1. However if we work on anintuitionistic nonmodal base logic, then some properties of the negation areweakened, the duality disappears, and it is commonly admitted that both equiv-alences cannot remain valid, because they lead to conclusions stronger thanwished (see [4]). Of course one could ignore one of the two modal operators,but we think this pointless, because the dual interpretation of one of them givesnatural birth to the other one.",
"corpus_id": 2477953
} | {
"title": "The proof theory and semantics of intuitionistic modal logic",
"abstract": "Possible world semantics underlies many of the applications of modal logic in computer science and philosophy. The standard theory arises from interpreting the semantic definitions in the ordinary meta-theory of informal classical mathematics. If, however, the same semantic definitions are interpreted in an intuitionistic meta-theory then the induced modal logics no longer satisfy certain intuitionistically invalid principles. This thesis investigates the intuitionistic modal logics that arise in this way. Natural deduction systems for various intuitionistic modal logics are presented. From one point of view, these systems are self-justifying in that a possible world interpretation of the modalities can be read off directly from the inference rules. A technical justification is given by the faithfulness of translations into intuitionistic first-order logic. It is also established that, in many cases, the natural deduction systems induce well-known intuitionistic modal logics, previously given by Hilbert-style axiomatizations. The main benefit of the natural deduction systems over axiomatizations is their susceptibility to proof-theoretic techniques. Strong normalization (and confluence) results are proved for all of the systems. Normalization is then used to establish the completeness of cut-free sequent calculi for all of the systems, and decidability for some of the systems. Lastly, techniques developed throughout the thesis are used to establish that those intuitionistic modal logics proved decidable also satisfy the finite model property. For the logics considered, decidability and the finite model property presented open problems.",
"corpus_id": 2309858
} | {
"title": "A sea ice concentration estimation algorithm utilizing radiometer and SAR data",
"abstract": "We have studied the possibility of combining the high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) segmentation and ice concentration estimated by radiometer brightness temperatures. Here we present an algorithm for mapping a radiometer-based concentration value for each SAR segment. The concentrations are estimated by a multi-layer perceptron (MLP) neural network which has the AMSR-2 (Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer 2) polarization ratios and gradient ratios of four radiometer channels as its inputs. The results have been compared numerically to the gridded Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) ice chart concentrations and high-resolution AMSR-2 ASI (ARTIST Sea Ice) algorithm concentrations provided by the University of Hamburg and also visually to the AMSR-2 bootstrap algorithm concentrations, which are given in much coarser resolution. The differences when compared to FMI daily ice charts were on average small. When compared to ASI ice concentrations, the differences were a bit larger, but still small on average. According to our comparisons, the largest differences typically occur near the ice edge and sea–land boundary. The main advantage of combining radiometer-based ice concentration estimation and SAR segmentation seems to be a more precise estimation of the boundaries of different ice concentration zones.",
"corpus_id": 326587,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "Association of a cytosine-adenine repeat polymorphism in the estrogen receptor β gene with occurrence and severity of rheumatoid arthritis",
"abstract": "We investigated the influence of the cytosine-adenine (CA) dinucleotide repeat polymorphism in intron 6 of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) gene on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) risk. One hundred and ninety-three RA patients and 77 control subjects with osteoarthritis (OA) were recruited. The CA repeat polymorphism was assayed by a dye-terminator cycle sequencing analysis. No statistically significant difference in the mean number of CA repeats between the RA and OA patients was observed (RA: 21.47, OA: 21.23, P = 0.324). The alleles were categorized according to the number of repeats: short (S, ≦21) and long (L, ≧22), in which the genotypes SS, SL, and LL were observed. No significant differences were observed for the allele and genotype distributions of this polymorphism in both patient groups. The RA patients were classified according to RA severity: mild (least erosive disease) and severe (more erosive and mutilating disease). Again, no significant difference in genotype frequency between these groups was observed, even after stratifying by sex. The present study indicates that additional studies are needed to clarify the roles of this polymorphism, estrogen, and ER in the development of autoimmune diseases.",
"corpus_id": 858471
} | {
"title": "Influence of sex, age, and menopausal state on the course of early rheumatoid arthritis.",
"abstract": "OBJECTIVE\nTo investigate the influences of the menopausal state, sex, and age on the course and outcome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).\n\n\nMETHODS\nA cohort of patients with early RA (209 female, 123 male) was studied. Sex, age, and menopausal state at baseline, and disease activity, radiographic joint destruction, and physical disability during 6 years of followup were assessed.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe Disease Activity Score (DAS) was significantly higher in female compared to male patients at any time point except at the time of inclusion. This was mainly due to postmenopausal patients. Radiographic joint destruction (RJD) was significantly worse in female patients compared to males at the time of inclusion. Postmenopausal patients had significantly higher RJD than premenopausal patients at the time of inclusion and 3 years thereafter. Older male patients showed worse RJD than younger male patients at all time points measured. Physical disability was significantly worse in female compared to male patients, as well as in postmenopausal compared to premenopausal patients, and older male compared to younger male patients. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that at 3 years higher age and female sex were the best predictors for a worse DAS. Higher age and the interaction term between menopausal state and age best predicted higher RJD. Higher age and the interaction term between menopausal state and age best predicted Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nHigher age at presentation of RA leads to a more severe disease course in terms of DAS, RJD, and HAQ. Although female sex has a deteriorating effect on the DAS, the menopausal state is responsible for the major part of the differences in outcome between men and women. Postmenopausal state in early RA influences future disability and damage, especially in older patients.",
"corpus_id": 30918948
} | {
"title": "Androgens and bone.",
"abstract": "Androgen receptors are present at low densities in osteoblasts. Androgens are also metabolized in bone. (Non)aromatizable androgens probably induce proliferation of osteoblasts and differentiation. A direct effect of androgens on osteoclasts has not been demonstrated. Androgens may however inhibit bone resorption indirectly, by an inhibition of the recruitment of osteoclast precursors from bone marrow, by decreased secretion of interleukin-6 and/or prostaglandin E2, and/or by an increased sensitivity of marrow cells or osteoblasts for bone resorption stimulating factors such as PTH. The recent demonstration of androgen receptors in bone marrow stromal and osteoclast-like cells opens new perspectives in this respect. During puberty, androgens stimulate bone growth both directly and indirectly. Observations in androgen-resistant animals clearly demonstrated that the sexual dimorphism of bone depends on the presence of a functional androgen receptor. Optimal peak bone mass seems related to an appropriately timed androgen secretion. In adults, androgens are also involved in maintenance of the male skeleton. Androgen replacement may prevent further bone loss in hypogonadal men, however, it seems difficult to fully correct bone mass in these men.",
"corpus_id": 2658853,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "The Pallister-Killian syndrome in a child with rare karyotype—a diagnostic problem",
"abstract": "The Pallister-Killian syndrome is a clinically recognizable syndrome, usually due to a tissue-specific mosaicism for a 12p isochromosome [i(12p)]. We report a rare case of Pallister-Killian syndrome with 12p mosaicism, tetrasomy/trisomy/disomy in fibroblasts and trisomy/disomy in lymphocytes. Marker chromosomes were investigated with conventional cytogenetic techniques and fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH). The karyotype was established as: mos47,XX,+12p/47,XX,+i(12p)/46,XX. The cytogenetic result of the extra mosaic 12p presented in lymphocytes suggested the diagnosis of trisomy 12p, although, in combination with clinical manifestations, the Pallister-Killian syndrome was considered and confirmed by the cytogenetic analysis of fibroblasts.",
"corpus_id": 1341095
} | {
"title": "Renatal diagnosis of mosaic tetrasomy 12p/trisomy 12p by fluorescent in situ hybridization in amniotic fluid cells: A case report of pallister–killian syndrome",
"abstract": "A prenatally detected case of a rare mosaic tetrasomy 12p/trisomy 12p is reported, presenting as the well‐known accessory isochromosome 12p and a supernumerary single 12p marker in 17/24 and 6/24 clones of cultured amniotic fluid cells, respectively. The chromosomal nature of both marker chromosomes was investigated in cultured amniotic fluid cells by fluorescent in situ hybridization with various probes: the 12‐centromeric probes pa12H8 and D12Z3, a whole chromosome 12 paint, and the chromosome 12p‐specific paint M28. DNA analysis revealed a maternal origin of the extra 12p material. After counselling, the parents requested termination of pregnancy. Inspection and autopsy of the fetus revealed many of the dysmorphisms and internal structural abnormalities of the Pallister–Killian syndrome.",
"corpus_id": 38466417
} | {
"title": "Health care insurance, financial concerns in accessing care, and delays to hospital presentation in acute myocardial infarction.",
"abstract": "CONTEXT\nLittle is known about how health insurance status affects decisions to seek care during emergency medical conditions such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI).\n\n\nOBJECTIVE\nTo examine the association between lack of health insurance and financial concerns about accessing care among those with health insurance, and the time from symptom onset to hospital presentation (prehospital delays) during AMI.\n\n\nDESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS\nMulticenter, prospective study using a registry of 3721 AMI patients enrolled between April 11, 2005, and December 31, 2008, at 24 US hospitals. Health insurance status was categorized as insured without financial concerns, insured but have financial concerns about accessing care, and uninsured. Insurance information was determined from medical records while financial concerns among those with health insurance were determined from structured interviews.\n\n\nMAIN OUTCOME MEASURE\nPrehospital delay times (< or = 2 hours, > 2-6 hours, or > 6 hours), adjusted for demographic, clinical, and social and psychological factors using hierarchical ordinal regression models.\n\n\nRESULTS\nOf 3721 patients, 2294 were insured without financial concerns (61.7%), 689 were insured but had financial concerns about accessing care (18.5%), and 738 were uninsured (19.8%). Uninsured and insured patients with financial concerns were more likely to delay seeking care during AMI and had prehospital delays of greater than 6 hours among 48.6% of uninsured patients and 44.6% of insured patients with financial concerns compared with only 39.3% of insured patients without financial concerns. Prehospital delays of less than 2 hours during AMI occurred among 36.6% of those insured without financial concerns compared with 33.5% of insured patients with financial concerns and 27.5% of uninsured patients (P < .001). After adjusting for potential confounders, prehospital delays were associated with insured patients with financial concerns (adjusted odds ratio, 1.21 [95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.41]; P = .01) and with uninsured patients (adjusted odds ratio, 1.38 [95% confidence interval, 1.17-1.63]; P < .001).\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nLack of health insurance and financial concerns about accessing care among those with health insurance were each associated with delays in seeking emergency care for AMI.",
"corpus_id": 205022956,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "FACTO: A Fact Lookup Engine Based on Web Tables",
"abstract": "Recently answers for fact lookup queries have appeared on major search engines. For example, for the query Barack Obama date of birth Google directly shows \"4 August 1961\" above its regular results. In this paper, we describe FACTO, an end-to-end system for answering fact lookup queries for web search. FACTO extracts structured data from tables on the web, aggregates and cleans such data and stores them in a database. Given a web search query, FACTO will decide if it asks for facts in this database, and provides the most confident answer when possible. FACTO achieves higher precision and comparable coverage comparing with the fact lookup engines by Google and Ask.com, although FACTO is developed by a very small team. We present the challenges and our solutions in developing every component of FACTO. Some solutions are based on existing technologies, and many others are novel approaches proposed by us.",
"corpus_id": 18984076
} | {
"title": "Profiling the Potential of Web Tables for Augmenting Cross-domain Knowledge Bases",
"abstract": "Cross-domain knowledge bases such as DBpedia, YAGO, or the Google Knowledge Graph have gained increasing attention over the last years and are starting to be deployed within various use cases. However, the content of such knowledge bases is far from being complete, far from always being correct, and suffers from deprecation (i.e. population numbers become outdated after some time). Hence, there are efforts to leverage various types of Web data to complement, update and extend such knowledge bases. A source of Web data that potentially provides a very wide coverage are millions of relational HTML tables that are found on the Web. The existing work on using data from Web tables to augment cross-domain knowledge bases reports only aggregated performance numbers. The actual content of the Web tables and the topical areas of the knowledge bases that can be complemented using the tables remain unclear. In this paper, we match a large, publicly available Web table corpus to the DBpedia knowledge base. Based on the matching results, we profile the potential of Web tables for augmenting different parts of cross-domain knowledge bases and report detailed statistics about classes, properties, and instances for which missing values can be filled using Web table data as evidence. In order to estimate the potential quality of the new values, we empirically examine the Local Closed World Assumption and use it to determine the maximal number of correct facts that an ideal data fusion strategy could generate. Using this as ground truth, we compare three data fusion strategies and conclude that knowledge-based trust outperforms PageRank- and voting-based fusion.",
"corpus_id": 45912809
} | {
"title": "SAIL: Sentiment Analysis using Semantic Similarity and Contrast Features",
"abstract": "This paper describes our submission to SemEval2014 Task 9: Sentiment Analysis in Twitter. Our model is primarily a lexicon based one, augmented by some preprocessing, including detection of MultiWord Expressions, negation propagation and hashtag expansion and by the use of pairwise semantic similarity at the tweet level. Feature extraction is repeated for sub-strings and contrasting sub-string features are used to better capture complex phenomena like sarcasm. The resulting supervised system, using a Naive Bayes model, achieved high performance in classifying entire tweets, ranking 7th on the main set and 2nd when applied to sarcastic tweets.",
"corpus_id": 7190921,
"score": -1
} |
{
"title": "Microstructural Parcellation of the Human Cerebral Cortex – From Brodmann's Post-Mortem Map to in vivo Mapping with High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging",
"abstract": "The year 2009 marked the 100th anniversary of the publication of the famous brain map of Korbinian Brodmann. Although a “classic” guide to microanatomical parcellation of the cerebral cortex, it is – from today's state-of-the-art neuroimaging perspective – problematic to use Brodmann's map as a structural guide to functional units in the cortex. In this article we discuss some of the reasons, especially the problematic compatibility of the “post-mortem world” of microstructural brain maps with the “in vivo world” of neuroimaging. We conclude with some prospects for the future of in vivo structural brain mapping: a new approach which has the enormous potential to make direct correlations between microstructure and function in living human brains: “in vivo Brodmann mapping” with high-field magnetic resonance imaging.",
"corpus_id": 3052808
} | {
"title": "Accurate cortical tissue classification on MRI by modeling cortical folding patterns",
"abstract": "Accurate tissue classification is a crucial prerequisite to MRI morphometry. Automated methods based on intensity histograms constructed from the entire volume are challenged by regional intensity variations due to local radiofrequency artifacts as well as disparities in tissue composition, laminar architecture and folding patterns. Current work proposes a novel anatomy‐driven method in which parcels conforming cortical folding were regionally extracted from the brain. Each parcel is subsequently classified using nonparametric mean shift clustering. Evaluation was carried out on manually labeled images from two datasets acquired at 3.0 Tesla (n = 15) and 1.5 Tesla (n = 20). In both datasets, we observed high tissue classification accuracy of the proposed method (Dice index >97.6% at 3.0 Tesla, and >89.2% at 1.5 Tesla). Moreover, our method consistently outperformed state‐of‐the‐art classification routines available in SPM8 and FSL‐FAST, as well as a recently proposed local classifier that partitions the brain into cubes. Contour‐based analyses localized more accurate white matter–gray matter (GM) interface classification of the proposed framework compared to the other algorithms, particularly in central and occipital cortices that generally display bright GM due to their highly degree of myelination. Excellent accuracy was maintained, even in the absence of correction for intensity inhomogeneity. The presented anatomy‐driven local classification algorithm may significantly improve cortical boundary definition, with possible benefits for morphometric inference and biomarker discovery. Hum Brain Mapp 36:3563–3574, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.",
"corpus_id": 582804
} | {
"title": "Activation of Thionophosphates by Liver Microsomes",
"abstract": "MANY organophosphorus insecticides are poor inhibitors of cholinesterase, but are converted to potent inhibitors (‘activated’) by certain mammalian and insect tissues. The activation by liver slices was first shown by Gardiner and Kilby1 for schradan (a phosphoroamidate), and by Diggle and Gage2 for parathion (a phosphorothionate). Davison3 showed that both these activations could be effected by the combined soluble and microsomal fraction of liver, if magnesium, nicotinamide and diphosphopyridine nucleotide were provided. I have shown that the soluble fraction could be replaced by reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide for activation of schradan4 and malathion5. In the present work, a slightly different technique was used for demonstrating activation of phosphorothionate by liver microsomes with reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide.",
"corpus_id": 4277607,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Malleus vibration mode changes with frequency",
"abstract": "The mode of vibration of the cat manubrium is investigated by measuring its vibration in response to sound stimulus at four locations between the umbo and the processus lateralis with a heterodyne interferometer. The determination of mode requires high precision in measurement because amplitude differences between the points are small (about 20% at low audio-frequencies). Changes in the frequency response with time have been reported in an earlier paper. The nature and magnitude of this time change is analysed in detail: over a period of 1 h the average change in amplitude is about 5% and in phase 5 degrees. The malleus vibration at some frequencies is purely translational, it is rotational at others and mixed at most frequencies. When the motion is rotational the position of the axis of rotation shifts with frequency, the shifts are so large that the axis can lie near the umbo so that amplitudes at the processus lateralis are larger than at the umbo. The classical concept of the malleus rotating around a fixed axis running from the anterior mallar to the posterior incudal ligament fits our measurements only at low frequencies.",
"corpus_id": 4722569
} | {
"title": "Interferometric measurement of the amplitude and phase of tympanic membrane vibrations in cat",
"abstract": "The amplitude and phase of the tympanic membrane and malleus vibrations were measured over a wide frequency range with a homodyne interferometer. When sound pressure was maintained constant near the tympanic membrane, the malleus frequency response followed the typical pattern up to 10 kHz as measured by previous investigators. At higher frequencies the response changes dramatically. Instead of decreasing with frequency, between 10 and 20 kHz the vibration amplitude oscillates around a value which is only about 20 dB lower than the low frequency plateau level. Measurements of malleus vibration at several points along its length indicate that its mode of vibration changes at high frequencies, and no longer consists of a simple rotational component. All points on the tympanic membrane vibrate in phase with the malleus up to a frequency of 1 kHz. Above 5 kHz discrete resonances are observed, and the response varies strongly with position on the tympanic membrane.",
"corpus_id": 34809238
} | {
"title": "Approaches To Quantum Gravity",
"abstract": "One of the main challenges in theoretical physics over the last five decades has been to reconcile quantum mechanics with general relativity into a theory of quantum gravity. However, such a theory has been proved to be hard to attain due to i) conceptual difficulties present in both the component theories (General Relativity (GR) and Quantum Theory); ii) lack of experimental evidence, since the regimes at which quantum gravity is expected to be applicable are far beyond the range of conceivable experiments. Despite these difficulties, various approaches for a theory of Quantum Gravity have been developed. \nIn this thesis we focus on two such approaches: Loop Quantum Gravity and the Topos theoretic approach. The choice fell on these approaches because, although they both reject the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum theory, their underpinning philosophical approach to formulating a quantum theory of gravity are radically different. In particular LQG is a rather conservative scheme, inheriting all the formalism of both GR and Quantum Theory, as it tries to bring to its logical extreme consequences the possibility of combining the two. On the other hand, the Topos approach involves the idea that a radical change of perspective is needed in order to solve the problem of quantum gravity, especially in regard to the fundamental concepts of `space' and `time'. Given the partial successes of both approaches, the hope is that it might be possible to find a common ground in which each approach can enrich the other.",
"corpus_id": 119281940,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "An Analysis Technique for Post-Wall Waveguides",
"abstract": "In the last decade, post-wall waveguides have emerged as an interesting building block for (antenna) feed networks because of their potential low losses, low costs, ease of manufacturing and integrability with existing printed circuit board techniques. In this paper we present a general formulation to analyze the characteristics of post-wall waveguides with metal or dielectric posts. This formulation is based on a field expansion technique, applied to infinite arrays of posts. The modal behavior of post-wall waveguides is analyzed by considering the behavior of the field expansion coefficients as function of frequency and we compare our results with Ansoft HFSS simulations and measurements.",
"corpus_id": 1147131
} | {
"title": "Design Consideration and Performance Analysis of Substrate Integrated Waveguide Components",
"abstract": "This paper presents a new design scheme and measurement results of circuit discontinuities on the basis of the recently proposed substrate integrated waveguide technology. Design considerations are discussed with respect to H-plane step, post resonator, 90° bend and 90° curvature, which are analyzed using an equivalent rectangular waveguide model. Results show a good agreement between design predictions and practical measurements. Loss properties of the discontinuities are also examined. It is demonstrated that the radiation loss of the new substrate integrated waveguide is smaller as compared to dielectric and conductor losses.",
"corpus_id": 31700439
} | {
"title": "Design and fabrication of silicon photonic crystal optical waveguides",
"abstract": "We have designed and fabricated waveguides that incorporate two-dimensional (2-D) photonic crystal geometry for lateral confinement of light, and total internal reflection for vertical confinement. Both square and triangular photonic crystal lattices were analyzed. A three-dimensional (3-D) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) analysis was used to find design parameters of the photonic crystal and to calculate dispersion relations for the guided modes in the waveguide structure. We have developed a new fabrication technique to define these waveguides into silicon-on-insulator material. The waveguides are suspended in air in order to improve confinement in the vertical direction and symmetry properties of the structure. High-resolution fabrication allowed us to include different types of bends and optical cavities within the waveguides.",
"corpus_id": 501255,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Review-Based Ranking of Wikipedia Articles",
"abstract": "Wikipedia, the largest encyclopedia on the Web, is often seen as the most successful example of crowdsourcing. The encyclopedic knowledge it accumulated over the years is so large that one often uses search engines, to find information in it. In contrast to regular Web pages, Wikipedia is fairly structured, and articles are usually accompanied with history pages, categories and talk pages. The meta-data available in these pages can be analyzed to gain a better understanding of the content and quality of the articles. We discuss how the rich meta-data available in wiki pages can be used to provide better search results in Wikipedia. Built on the studies on \"Wisdom of Crowds\" and the effectiveness of the knowledge collected by a large number of people, we investigate the effect of incorporating the extent of review of an article in the quality of rankings of the search results. The extent of review is measured by the number of distinct editors contributed to the articles and is extracted by processing Wikipedia's history pages. We compare different ranking algorithms that explore combinations of text-relevancy, PageRank, and extent of review. The results show that the review-based ranking algorithm which combines the extent of review and text-relevancy outperforms the rest; it is more accurate and less computationally expensive compared to PageRank-based rankings.",
"corpus_id": 1430114
} | {
"title": "Here or there: preference judgments for relevance",
"abstract": "Information retrieval systems have traditionally been evaluated over absolute judgments of relevance: each document is judged for relevance on its own, independent of other documents that may be on topic. We hypothesize that preference judgments of the form \"document A is more relevant than document B\" are easier for assessors to make than absolute judgments, and provide evidence for our hypothesis through a study with assessors. We then investigate methods to evaluate search engines using preference judgments. Furthermore, we show that by using inferences and clever selection of pairs to judge, we need not compare all pairs of documents in order to apply evaluation methods.",
"corpus_id": 11928696
} | {
"title": "On the Syllabic Similarities of Romance Languages",
"abstract": "In this paper we study the syllabic similarity between Romance languages via rank distance. The results confirm the linguistical theories, bringing a plus of quantification and rigor.",
"corpus_id": 29278553,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Can exchange seat prices predict financial market volatility",
"abstract": "There is considerable evidence that trading volume and volatility are positively related and that exchange seat prices are largely a function of trading volume. This article examines whether changes in seat prices at the Chicago Board of Trade (where stock index and interest rate futures account for the vast majority of trading volume) are useful in predicting changes in interest rate and stock market volatility. Exponential GARCH and transfer function models are used to demonstrate the power of changes in CBOT seat prices in predicting changes in interest rate and stock market volatility. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 28:1206–1221, 2008",
"corpus_id": 153322541
} | {
"title": "Futures Markets and the Fluctuations in Inflation, Monetary Growth, and Asset Returns",
"abstract": "Inflation and nominal interest rates have been volatile in recent years. Futures contracts in price indices would help in this environment by enhancing information about prices and by providing a convenient means for people to hedge against inflation. There is some evidence that the availability of these instruments would encourage investment and reduce the mean real rate of return on long-term bonds. Indexed bonds--which are now significant in Britain--serve a similar purpose. IN the absence of such bonds, there would be a market for price-index futures, although the volume of trading would probably be modest.(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)",
"corpus_id": 154192733
} | {
"title": "‘Wresting meaning from the market’: a reassessment of Ludwig Lachmann's entrepreneur",
"abstract": "We undertake a close textual study of the entire corpus of Ludwig Lachmann's publications from 1936 to 1991 and demonstrate that his theory of entrepreneurial behaviour is sufficiently distinctive to warrant ranking alongside the theories of Schumpeter and Kirzner. Lachmann's entrepreneurs are creatively constructive change-agents who discover, exploit and create gaps in capital structures. Entrepreneurs select and interpret specific market and institutional phenomena using pre-existent rules and mental ‘instruments’, extract meaning about capital-forming opportunities, and generate all subsequent capital combinations. Lachmannian entrepreneurs are problem-solvers and communicate problem ‘solutions’ by dissolving and reforming capital combinations. We examine 20th-century Lachmannian research that builds on these foundations – research that emphasizes the institutional and material embeddedness of entrepreneurial behaviour and that appreciates the capacity of Lachmann's approach to explain entrepreneurial success, imitation and failure in a dynamic endogenous process. To underscore the distinctiveness of the Lachmannian entrepreneur, we compare it with Schumpeterian and Kirznerian approaches.",
"corpus_id": 145519891,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Robustness of centrality measures under uncertainty: Examining the role of network topology",
"abstract": "This study investigates the topological form of a network and its impact on the uncertainty entrenched in descriptive measures computed from observed social network data, given ubiquitous data-error. We investigate what influence a network's topology, in conjunction with the type and amount of error, has on the ability of a measure, derived from observed data, to correctly approximate the same of the ground-truth network. By way of a controlled experiment, we reveal the differing effect that observation error has on measures of centrality and local clustering across several network topologies: uniform random, small-world, core-periphery, scale-free, and cellular. Beyond what is already known about the impact of data uncertainty, we found that the topology of a social network is, indeed, germane to the accuracy of these measures. In particular, our experiments show that the accuracy of identifying the prestigious, or key, actors in a network--according observed data--is considerably predisposed by the topology of the ground-truth network.",
"corpus_id": 6258117
} | {
"title": "On Network Theory",
"abstract": "Research on social networks has grown considerably in the last decade. However, there is a certain amount of confusion about network theory---for example, what it is, what is distinctive about it, and how to generate new theory. This paper attempts to remedy the situation by clarifying the fundamental concepts of the field (such as the network) and characterizing how network reasoning works. We start by considering the definition of network, noting some confusion caused by two different perspectives, which we refer to as realist and nominalist. We then analyze two well-known network theories, Granovetter's strength of weak ties theory [Granovetter, M. S. 1973. The strength of weak ties. Amer. J. Sociol.78(6) 1360--1380] and Burt's structural holes theory [Burt, R. S. 1992. Structural Holes: The Social Structure of Competition. Havard University Press, Cambridge, MA], to identify characteristic elements of network theorizing. We argue that both theories share an underlying theoretical model, which we label the network flow model, from which we derive additional implications. We also discuss network phenomena that do not appear to fit the flow model and discuss the possibility of a second fundamental model, which we call the bond model. We close with a discussion of the merits of model-based network theorizing for facilitating the generation of new theory, as well as a discussion of endogeneity in network theorizing.",
"corpus_id": 16621467
} | {
"title": "Conceptualizing Business Models for Competitive Advantage Research by Integrating the Resource and Market-Based Views",
"abstract": "Two opposing theories have been proposed to explain competitive advantage of firms. First, the market-based view (MBV) is focused on product or market positions and competition while second, the resource-based view (RBV) aims at explaining success by inwardly looking at unique resources and capabilities of a firm. Research has been struggling to distinguish impacts of these theories for illuminating performance. Business models are seen as an important concept to systemize the business and value creation logic of firms by defining different core components. Thus, this paper tries to assess associations between these components and MBV or RBV perspectives by applying content analysis. Two of the business model components were found to have strong links with the MBV while three of them showed indications of their roots lying in the resource-based perspective. These results are discussed and theorized in a final step by suggesting frameworks of the corresponding perspectives for further explaining competitive advantage.",
"corpus_id": 18296970,
"score": -1
} |
{
"title": "Iterative Fingerprint Enhancement with Matched Filtering and Quality Diffusion in Spatial-Frequency Domain",
"abstract": "The proposed fingerprint enhancement algorithm utilizes power spectrum in spatial-frequency domain. The input fingerprint is partitioned and assessed as high/low quality zone by using signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) approach. For high quality zone, signal spectrum with noise suppression is used to shape an enhanced filter in frequency domain. Then, this algorithm feed neighboring enhanced zone back in order to repair unreliable low quality region. The proposed algorithm out-performs Gabor and STFT approaches by fingerprint matching experiments on FVC2004 Db2 and Db3.",
"corpus_id": 3243735
} | {
"title": "Fingerprint enhancement by directional Fourier filtering",
"abstract": "A new method of enhancing fingerprint images is described, based upon nonstationary directional Fourier domain filtering. Fingerprints are first smoothed using a directional filter whose orientation is everywhere matched to the local ridge orientation. Thresholding then yields the enhanced image. Various simplifications lead to efficient implementation on general-purpose digital computers. Results of enhancement are presented for fingerprints of various pattern classifications. A comparison is made with the enhancement used within the automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) developed by the UK Home Office. Use of the proposed enhancement method leads to significant improvements in the speed and accuracy of the AFIS.",
"corpus_id": 130753745
} | {
"title": "An on-line trained adaptive neural controller",
"abstract": "This article presents a neural network approach for online industrial tracking control applications. In comparison to several existing neural control schemes, the proposed direct neural controller is characterized by the simplicity of its structure and its practical applicability for real-time implementation. In order to enhance the adaptive ability of the neural controller, a set of fuzzy rules is set up for selecting interim training targets. With minor qualitative knowledge about the plant, the scheme is designed for controlling the nonlinear behavior of the plant under conditions of disturbances and noise. Simulations of a ship course-keeping control under random wind forces and measurement noise have been investigated and comparison of performance has been made with a conventional PID controller. Results presented clearly demonstrate the feasibility and adaptive property of the proposed scheme. >",
"corpus_id": 110340282,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Oral and Maxillofacial Anatomy.",
"abstract": "This article deals with identification and descriptions of intraoral and extraoral anatomy of the dental and maxillofacial structures. The anatomic landmarks are highlighted and described based on their radiographic appearance and their clinical significance is provided. Cone beam CT-based images are described in detail using the multiplanar reconstructions. The skull views are depicted via line diagrams in addition to their normal radiographic appearance to make identification of anatomic structures easier for clinicians. The authors cover most of the anatomic structures commonly noted via radiographs and their descriptions. This article serves as a clinician's guide to oral and maxillofacial radiographic anatomy.",
"corpus_id": 3470505
} | {
"title": "Application Value of the CT Scan 3D Reconstruction Technique in Maxillofacial Fracture Patients",
"abstract": "Purpose The aim of the study was to explore the application value of computerized tomography (CT) scan 3D reconstruction technology in maxillofacial fracture patients. Methods A total of 80 maxillofacial fracture patients who underwent surgical treatment in Shijiazhuang People's Hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were enrolled. All of them received 128-slice spiral CT scans before surgery, and the images were subjected to multiplanar reconstruction (MRP) and volume reconstruction (VR). Results A total of 181 fractures were found in 80 patients with maxillofacial fractures. The detection rates of axial CT, MRP, and VR were 77.90% (141/181), 93.92% (170/181), and 97.79% (177/181), respectively. The detection rates of the four inspection methods were statistically different. Taking the findings of surgical anatomy as the gold standard, the sensitivity of MRP and VR for the diagnosis of maxillofacial fractures was 90.06% (163/170) and 95.56% (174/177), with no significant difference. Conclusion CT scan 3D reconstruction technology has a high application value in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of maxillofacial fracture patients.",
"corpus_id": 250365876
} | {
"title": "Routine Skeleton Radiography Using a Flat-Panel Detector: Image Quality and Clinical Acceptance at 50% Dose Reduction",
"abstract": "Völk M, Paetzel C, Angele P, et al. Routine skeleton radiography using a flat-panel detector: image quality and clinical acceptance at 50% dose reduction. Invest Radiol 2003;38:230–235. Rationale and Objectives.The purpose of this study was to evaluate image quality and clinical acceptance of a large-area, flat-panel X-ray detector for routine skeleton examinations at 50% dose reduction. Methods.A total of 153 examinations (307 images) of 100 consecutive patients were evaluated. The cesium iodide-amorphous silicon active-matrix imager had a panel size of 43 × 43 cm, a matrix of 3000 × 3000, and a pixel pitch of 143 &mgr;m. All images were obtained with a kilovoltage setting identical to conventional radiographies of speed class 400. The amperage values were reduced by 50% compared with standard dose. Images were presented to 3 radiologists, who subjectively rated image quality on a 4-point scale according to 5 criteria (bone cortex, bone trabecula, soft tissue, overall contrast, and overall impression). Three trauma surgeons rated the clinical acceptance on a 4-point scale. Clinical acceptance was defined as directly derived consequences or therapy based on the presented image quality. For both evaluations, 1 represented excellent, 2 represented good, 3 represented moderate, and 4 represented nondiagnostic image quality/clinical acceptance. Intermediate scores at 0.5 intervals were allowed. Results.The mean values for all 5 image quality criteria were rated good or excellent (≤2). A total of 4.2% (13 of 307) of the images were rated 2.5 to 3.5 concerning the overall impression. None of the imaging features was ranked more than 3.5 by any radiologist. The mean value of the clinical acceptance was between good and excellent (1.47). A total of 98.7% (151 of 153) of the examinations were rated ≤2.5; 1.3% (2 of 153) of examinations were of moderate clinical acceptance (≤3.5). None of the examinations was of nondiagnostic image quality or clinical acceptance (>3.5); therefore, no study had to be repeated. Conclusion.Routine skeleton images with 50% dose reduction yield good image quality and good clinical acceptance. In cases with abundant soft tissue, less dose reduction or standard dose is required.",
"corpus_id": 39580847,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Effects of metabolizable protein supply and amino acid supplementation on nitrogen utilization, milk production, and ammonia emissions from manure in dairy cows.",
"abstract": "Two experiments were conducted with the objective of investigating the effects of rumen-protected methionine (RPMet) supplementation of metabolizable protein (MP)-deficient or MP-adequate but Met-deficient diets on dairy cow performance. Experiment (Exp.) 1 utilized 36 Holstein dairy cows blocked in 12 blocks of 3 cows each. Cows within block were assigned to one of the following dietary treatments: (1) MP-adequate diet [AMP; positive MP balance according to the National Research Council (2001) dairy model]; (2) an MP-deficient diet supplemented with 100g of rumen-protected Lys (RPLys)/cow per day (DMPL); and (3) DMPL supplemented with 24 g of RPMet/cow per day (DMPLM). Experiment 2 utilized 120 Holstein cows assigned to 6 pens of 20 cows each. Pens (3 per treatment) were assigned to one of the following dietary treatments: (1) AMP diet supplemented with 76 g of RPLys/cow per day (AMPL); and (2) AMPL (74 g of RPLys/cow per day) supplemented with 24 g of RPMet/cow per day (AMPLM). Each experiment lasted for 10 wk (2-wk adaptation and 8-wk experimental periods) following a 2-wk covariate period (i.e., a total of 12 wk). In Exp. 1, the MP-deficient diets decreased apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility but had no statistical effect on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, or milk fat percentage and yield. Compared with AMP, DMPL decreased milk protein content; both DMPL and DMPLM diets decreased milk protein yield. Urinary N losses and milk urea-N concentration were decreased by the MP-deficient diets compared with AMP. The ammonia emitting potential of manure from the MP-deficient diets was decreased by about 37% compared with that of AMP manure. Plasma Lys and Met concentrations were not affected by treatment, but concentrations of His, Thr, and Val were lower for the MP-deficient diets compared with AMP. In Exp. 2, the AMPLM diet had lower milk yield than AMPL due to numerically lower DMI; no other effects were observed in Exp. 2. In conclusion, feeding MP-deficient diets supplemented with RPLys and RPMet did not statistically decrease milk yield in dairy cows in Exp. 1. However, without RPMet supplementation, milk protein content was decreased compared with the MP-adequate diet. Other amino acids, possibly His, may limit milk production in MP-deficient, corn or corn silage-based diets. A summary of 97 individual cow data from trials in which MP-deficient diets were fed suggested the National Research Council (2001) model under-predicts milk yield in cows fed MP-deficient diets (MP balance of -20 to -666 g/d) in a linear manner: milk yield under-prediction [National Research Council (2001) MP-allowable milk yield, kg/d - actual milk yield, kg/d] = 0.0991 (±0.0905) + 0.0230 (±0.0003) × MP balance, g/d (R(2)=0.99).",
"corpus_id": 3887202
} | {
"title": "Evaluation of rumen-protected methionine sources and period length on performance of lactating dairy cows within Latin squares.",
"abstract": "Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 16) were used in a replicated (n = 4) Latin square design with 2-wk periods to determine whether length of the experimental period chosen within Latin square designs would influence experimental outcomes for performance-related variables. Cows were fed a basal TMR formulated to supply Lys in excess of the predicted requirements and either no rumen-protected Met (RP-Met; control), or 6 (M6) or 12 (M12) g/d of RP-Met (Mepron), or 12 (S12) g/d of RP-Met (Smartamine M). Performance outcomes were evaluated separately using data collected at the end of each week of each period, and as overall means for each period. Milk yield was not affected by treatment in any period. Supplementation of RP-Met from all sources tended to increase milk fat percentage when evaluated using wk-1 data, but responses evaluated using wk-2 data only were not significant. Supplementation of M12 and S12 tended to increase milk fat percentage over the entire experimental period. Supplementation of M6 and M12 tended to increase milk true protein percentage when evaluated using wk-1 data only; however, responses to treatments during wk 2 were not significant. All supplemental RP-Met treatments either tended to increase (M6 and S12) or increased (M12) milk true protein content over the entire experimental period relative to the control treatment. Yields of fat and true protein were not affected by treatment. Carryover effects of treatment on production variables were largely not significant. Predictions of nutrient supply with 3 models used in dairy ration formulation and evaluation (CPM-Dairy, AminoCow, and 2001 NRC Dairy) indicated that energy, protein, and Met all were supplied in excess of requirements for all treatments. Overall, results suggest that interpretation of performance outcomes can vary depending on selection of the experimental period in Latin squares, and responses to increased Met supply based on ratio-based formulation may not be independent of the grams of Met supplied.",
"corpus_id": 5114463
} | {
"title": "Tellurium containing ferroelectrics: X-ray data, dielectric properties, phase transitions",
"abstract": "A number of the Te-containing perovskites compounds have been studied. It has been established that some of them are either ferro-, ferri or antiferroelectrics. The influence of the different factors on the Curie temperatures is analysed. A tentative conclusion about the principal role of the Te6+-sublattice vis-a-via the mechanism of the origin of the spontaneously polarized state is drawn.",
"corpus_id": 122122620,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "Human Resource Management: A Multiparadigmatic Analysis",
"abstract": "The decade has witnessed unprecedented interest in what has been seen as a radically new direction in the management of people in organisations: human resource management (HRM). HRM has, however, been bedevilled by controversy and ambiguity to the extent of being regarded as just another “flavour of the month” management rhetoric. There is little consensus about what HRM means and what it entails in practice. Conceptual clarity is sought by adopting a multiparadigmatic approach to analyse HRM, which is classified into “hard” and “soft” variants. The use of paradigmatic “frames” or “lenses” enriches our understanding of them, and should enhance our appreciation of the implications of different approaches in the management of employees.",
"corpus_id": 153643271
} | {
"title": "HRM: A Case of the Wolf in Sheep′s Clothing?",
"abstract": "Paradoxically, the emergence of Human Resource Management (HRM) represents both a challenge and an opportunity to the practice of personnel management. Conventional personnel management is being out‐moded to be superseded by an approach to employees which seemingly promises to put “people issues” at the centre of strategic decision making. The debate about HRM has been confused and confusing because it has failed to clearly identify the distinctive forms of management – as well as personnel – practice to which the term HRM has been applied. This confusion only serves to mask the important moral issues HRM poses for personnel practitioners.",
"corpus_id": 153821453
} | {
"title": "A New Approach of Grid Integrated Power System Stability and Analysis Through Fuzzy Inference PSO Algorithm for Handling of Islanding PDCS Mode Datasets",
"abstract": "A network with large number computing nodes during the operation is a big challenge and complex task for system safe and secure operation. Data acquisition from large network has been well defined from the many methods in present scenario of world science and technology. Fuzzy-based inference system is elaborately presented with variable weighted random parameter of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), cognitive, and social terms. The distance between personal dataset and global set data points positions, at two previous instants, is taken for modified PSO. Main content this paper is that of data handling and concentrated in elaborating the modeling to complete this task for Peculiar Disturbance Conditional State (PDCS), operating mode of network. From application point of view, grid network with non-conventional energy systems like distribution generators and micro-grids is considered to manage and handle data in practical environment. Information from data availability is defined zone to be classified as accurately and precisely. This paper presents fuzzy inference-modified PSO algorithm for essential analysis and identification and differentiation of data on user-required satisfy level. When a network is extended by means of new small-scale energy systems and operating with main grid network, the possibility of re-existence of global best with PSO data is also reconsidered for acquisition of optimization.",
"corpus_id": 69755347,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "Identifying crosstalk of mTOR signaling pathway of lobular breast carcinomas.",
"abstract": "BACKGROUND\nInvasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and its variants represent 5% to 15% of all invasive breast cancers diagnoses annually. AS a serine/threonine kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is often a downstream effector of PI3K/Akt (phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B) signaling pathway in breasts and many types of cancer cells. Therefore, agents that target mTOR in direct or indirect manner are being developed in anti-cancer therapy.\n\n\nAIM\nIn this study, our objective here was to explore more crosstalk pathway with mTOR signaling pathway.\n\n\nMATERIALS AND METHODS\nWe collected pathways data from published database, then based on bioinformatics methods we analyzed the significant pathways in the database, additionally, the crosstalk pathways were also analyzed which were defined as those pathways which have the overlapping genes with each other.\n\n\nRESULTS\nAs we expected, the results showed that Notch signaling pathway (hsa04330), Regulation of autophagy (hsa04140), and Adipocytokine signaling pathway (hsa04920) were linked to mTOR signaling pathway. All of them have been demonstrated participate in breast cancer progression.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nWe obtained some key pathways that crosstalked with mTOR signaling pathway, we hope our study could provide novel therapeutic approaches for breast cancer.",
"corpus_id": 1605372
} | {
"title": "Effect of Primary Letrozole Treatment on Tumor Expression of mTOR and HIF-1α and Relation to Clinical Response.",
"abstract": "INTRODUCTION\nRecently the combination of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor everolimus and the aromatase inhibitor exemestane has been shown to double the progression-free survival rate in advanced breast cancer. However, the effect of the interrelated pathways of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and mTOR signaling, both of which are associated with a more aggressive breast cancer phenotype and endocrine resistance, on response in the neoadjuvant setting is unknown. We, therefore, have investigated the influence of these pathways with the aim of better defining those patients most likely to benefit from an endocrine-based therapy associated with/without mTOR inhibitors.\n\n\nPATIENTS AND METHODS\nA total of 107 women with T2-4 N0-1 and estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer were randomly assigned to 6 months of primary letrozole (2.5 mg/daily) (LET) or LET plus oral \"metronomic\" cyclophosphamide (50mg/daily) (LET-CYC). Phospo-mTOR and HIF-1α were evaluated in tumor specimens collected before and after treatment using a tissue microarray format.\n\n\nRESULTS\nLET-based therapy induced a downregulation of phospho-mTOR and HIF-1α expression (P = .0001 and P < .004, respectively). The reduction of HIF-1α expression observed was positively correlated with phospho-mTOR reduction (P < .03); however, no treatment interaction between the two proteins was detected. HIF-1α expression was significantly modulated by the treatment (P < .004) with a reduction both in the LET arm (45%, n = 36/80) (P = .05) and LET-CYC arm (55%, n = 44/80) (P = .04). HIF-1α reduction showed a relationship with clinical response confined in LET arm only (P < .03).\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nIn this neoadjuvant population, LET was able to modulate the phospho-mTOR and HIF-1α pathways and may define a subpopulation of nonresponders who may be most likely to benefit from mTOR inhibitors.",
"corpus_id": 8385110
} | {
"title": "Application of induced pluripotent stem cells to primary immunodeficiency diseases.",
"abstract": "Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) are a heterogeneous group of rare immune disorders with genetic causes. Effective treatments using hematopoietic stem cells or pharmaceutical agents have been around for decades. However, for many patients, these treatment options are ineffective, partly because the rarity of these PIDs complicates the diagnosis and therapy. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer a potential solution to these problems. The proliferative capacity of iPSCs allows for the preparation of a large, stable supply of hematopoietic cells with the same genome as the patient, allowing for new human cell models that can trace cellular abnormalities during the pathogenesis and lead to new drug discovery. PID models using patient iPSCs have been instrumental in identifying deviations in the development or function of several types of immune cells, revealing new molecular targets for experimental therapies. These models are only in their early stages and for the most part have recapitulated results from existing models using animals or primary cells. However, iPSC-based models are being used to study complex diseases of other organs, including those with multigenic causes, suggesting that advances in differentiation processes will expand iPSC-based models to complex PIDs as well.",
"corpus_id": 58660109,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Information retrieval on the web",
"abstract": "In this paper we review studies of the growth of the Internet and technologies that are useful for information search and retrieval on the Web. We present data on the Internet from several different sources, e.g., current as well as projected number of users, hosts, and Web sites. Although numerical figures vary, overall trends cited by the sources are consistent and point to exponential growth in the past and in the coming decade. Hence it is not surprising that about 85% of Internet users surveyed claim using search engines and search services to find specific information. The same surveys show, however, that users are not satisfied with the performance of the current generation of search engines; the slow retrieval speed, communication delays, and poor quality of retrieved results (e.g., noise and broken links) are commonly cited problems. We discuss the development of new techniques targeted to resolve some of the problems associated with Web-based information retrieval and speculate on future trends.",
"corpus_id": 3710903
} | {
"title": "Special Issue of Machine Learning on Information Retrieval Introduction",
"abstract": null,
"corpus_id": 31642046
} | {
"title": "Position and Orientation Estimation through Millimeter Wave MIMO in 5G Systems",
"abstract": "Millimeter-wave (mm-wave) signals and large antenna arrays are considered enabling technologies for future 5G networks. While their benefits for achieving high-data rate communications are well-known, their potential advantages for accurate positioning are largely undiscovered. We derive the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) on position and rotation angle estimation uncertainty from mm-wave signals from a single transmitter, in the presence of scatterers. We also present a novel two-stage algorithm for position and rotation angle estimation that attains the CRB for average to high signal-to-noise ratio. The algorithm is based on multiple measurement vectors matching pursuit for coarse estimation, followed by a refinement stage based on the space-alternating generalized expectation maximization algorithm. We find that accurate position and rotation angle estimation is possible using signals from a single transmitter, in either line-of-sight, non-line-of-sight, or obstructed-line-of-sight conditions.",
"corpus_id": 3812096,
"score": -1
} |
{
"title": "Deep Learning Face Attributes in the Wild",
"abstract": "Predicting face attributes in the wild is challenging due to complex face variations. We propose a novel deep learning framework for attribute prediction in the wild. It cascades two CNNs, LNet and ANet, which are fine-tuned jointly with attribute tags, but pre-trained differently. LNet is pre-trained by massive general object categories for face localization, while ANet is pre-trained by massive face identities for attribute prediction. This framework not only outperforms the state-of-the-art with a large margin, but also reveals valuable facts on learning face representation. (1) It shows how the performances of face localization (LNet) and attribute prediction (ANet) can be improved by different pre-training strategies. (2) It reveals that although the filters of LNet are fine-tuned only with image-level attribute tags, their response maps over entire images have strong indication of face locations. This fact enables training LNet for face localization with only image-level annotations, but without face bounding boxes or landmarks, which are required by all attribute recognition works. (3) It also demonstrates that the high-level hidden neurons of ANet automatically discover semantic concepts after pre-training with massive face identities, and such concepts are significantly enriched after fine-tuning with attribute tags. Each attribute can be well explained with a sparse linear combination of these concepts.",
"corpus_id": 459456
} | {
"title": "Generating Photo-Realistic Training Data to Improve Face Recognition Accuracy",
"abstract": "In this paper we investigate the feasibility of using synthetic data to augment face datasets. In particular, we propose a novel generative adversarial network (GAN) that can disentangle identity-related attributes from non-identity-related attributes. This is done by training an embedding network that maps discrete identity labels to an identity latent space that follows a simple prior distribution, and training a GAN conditioned on samples from that distribution. Our proposed GAN allows us to augment face datasets by generating both synthetic images of subjects in the training set and synthetic images of new subjects not in the training set. By using recent advances in GAN training, we show that the synthetic images generated by our model are photo-realistic, and that training with augmented datasets can indeed increase the accuracy of face recognition models as compared with models trained with real images alone.",
"corpus_id": 53189344
} | {
"title": "Large scale ransomware detection by cognitive security",
"abstract": "Attacks of Ransomware [14] are increasing every day. This type of threads explodes the system vulnerabilities, especially those that have a base on Microsoft Windows. From May 2017 millions of computers around the world experienced this virus. For this reason, the necessity of creating different mechanisms which act proactively, it is the way to prevent high levels of its spreading. This proposed research will create a model for ransomware detection and prevention. It will analyze nonstructured data stored in Ecuadorian control and regulatory institution (EcuCERT) logs. Also, it will create a corpus to detect behavior patterns of the main vulnerabilities related to ransomware [26] [27], found in Microsoft Windows Systems [20] and using machine learning techniques. Methods for selecting important variables inside Logs will be used to decide which features best represent the data that makes up the threat. These variables will form the corpus, and they will be the input from automatic learning algorithms. Algorithms will model patterns which will serve to detect early the ransomware before they hijack the data. Finally, the researcher will report the detection of the thread.",
"corpus_id": 20758053,
"score": -1
} |
{
"title": "The Lollipop Graph is Determined by its Spectrum",
"abstract": "An even (resp. odd) lollipop is the coalescence of a cycle of even (resp. odd) length and a path with pendant vertex as distinguished vertex. It is known that the odd lollipop is determined by its spectrum and the question is asked by W. Haemers, X. Liu and Y. Zhang for the even lollipop. A private communication of Behruz Tayfeh-Rezaie pointed out that an even lollipop with a cycle of length at least $6$ is determined by its spectrum but the result for lollipops with a cycle of length $4$ is still unknown. We give an unified proof for lollipops with a cycle of length not equal to $4$, generalize it for lollipops with a cycle of length $4$ and therefore answer the question. Our proof is essentially based on a method of counting closed walks.",
"corpus_id": 1781766
} | {
"title": "Graph Zn and some graphs related to Zn are determined by their spectrum",
"abstract": "Abstract It is proved that graph Zn is determined by its adjacency spectrum as well as its Laplacian spectrum; Z n 1 + Z n 2 + ⋯ + Z n k is determined by its adjacency spectrum, where n1, n2, …, nk are integers at least 2; Wn is not determined by its adjacency spectrum but is determined by its Laplacian spectrum; kZn, Tn are determined by their Laplacian spectrum, respectively, where k is a positive integer.",
"corpus_id": 121875415
} | {
"title": "Variable tunneling barriers in FEBID based PtC metal-matrix nanocomposites as a transducing element for humidity sensing",
"abstract": "The development of simple gas sensing concepts is still of great interest for science and technology. The demands on an ideal device would be a single-step fabrication method providing a device which is sensitive, analyte-selective, quantitative, and reversible without special operating/reformation conditions such as high temperatures or special environments. In this study we demonstrate a new gas sensing concept based on a nanosized PtC metal-matrix system fabricated in a single step via focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID). The sensors react selectively on polar H2O molecules quantitatively and reversibly without any special reformation conditions after detection events, whereas non-polar species (O2, CO2, N2) produce no response. The key elements are isolated Pt nanograins (2–3 nm) which are embedded in a dielectric carbon matrix. The electrical transport in such materials is based on tunneling effects in the correlated variable range hopping regime, where the dielectric carbon matrix screens the electric field between the particles, which governs the final conductivity. The specific change of these dielectric properties by the physisorption of polar gas molecules (H2O) can change the tunneling probability and thus the overall conductivity, allowing their application as a simple and straightforward sensing concept.",
"corpus_id": 32596317,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "Computer method for the analysis of evoked motor unit potentials",
"abstract": "An on-line computer method is described for the isolation of single motor unit potentials, evoked by stimulation of the anterior tibial nerve at the ankle, from the compound action potential recorded from surface electrodes over the extensor digitorum brevis muscle. The latencies, durations, amplitudes, and areas of the potentials were measured in a group of control subjects and patients with myasthenia gravis. In myasthenic patients there is a significant reduction in the durations of motor unit potentials and a significant increase in latencies while their amplitudes and areas remain unchanged. The results are consistent with the presence of a `terminal neuropathy' in myasthenia gravis.",
"corpus_id": 2721952
} | {
"title": "The mean duration of motor unit action potentials in patients with myasthenia gravis.",
"abstract": "Abstract The mean duration of motor unit action potentials (AP m ) was measured in 40 patients with myasthenia gravis in different clinical conditions. Findings were obtained from the quadriceps and the deltoid muscles. In 16 patients a muscle biopsy specimen was taken from the contralateral quadriceps muscle. The findings warrant the following conclusions: 1. 1. The AP m is often shortened in patients with myasthenia gravis, in particular those with little muscle strength. 2. 2. The AP m is a parameter of low specificity, for important deviations from normal were observed in patients without organic neurological disease or neurological patients without peripheral motor neurone or muscle involvement. 3. 3. The shortening of the AP m does not seem to result from any anatomical change in the muscle. 4. 4. It is postulated that shortening of the AP m results from diminution of the single fibre potentials (Ekstedt et al. 1967, 1969), which simultaneously contribute to the motor unit action potential.",
"corpus_id": 27762358
} | {
"title": "Effect of Flagellin Pre-Exposure on the Inflammatory and Antifungal Response of Bronchial Epithelial Cells to Fungal Pathogens",
"abstract": "Bronchial epithelial cells (BEC) play a crucial role in innate immunity against inhaled fungi. Indeed, in response to microorganisms, BEC synthesize proinflammatory cytokines involved in the recruitment of neutrophils. We have recently shown that BEC exert antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus by inhibiting filament growth. In the present study, we first analyzed the inflammatory and antifungal responses of BEC infected by several fungal species such as Aspergillus spp., Scedosporium apiospermum and Candida albicans, which are frequently isolated from the sputum of people with chronic pulmonary diseases. The airways of these patients, such as people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), are mainly colonized by P. aeruginosa and secondary by fungal pathogens. We have previously demonstrated that BEC are capable of innate immune memory, allowing them to increase their inflammatory response against A. fumigatus following a previous contact with Pseudomonas aeruginosa flagellin. To identify the impact of bacteria exposure on BEC responses to other fungal infections, we extended the analysis of BEC innate immune memory to Aspergillus spp., Scedosporium apiospermum and Candida albicans infection. Our results show that BEC are able to recognize and respond to Aspergillus spp., S. apiospermum and C. albicans infection and that the modulation of BEC responses by pre-exposure to flagellin varies according to the fungal species encountered. Deepening our knowledge of the innate immune memory of BEC should open new therapeutic avenues to modulate the inflammatory response against polymicrobial infections observed in chronic pulmonary diseases such as CF.",
"corpus_id": 254351666,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "International comparisons of the quality of health care: what do they tell us?",
"abstract": "What are international comparisons of healthcare quality for? Why and when should we want to compare the performance of health systems across countries and what should we do with the results?\n\nInternational comparisons of quality, access, and cost in health care are all the rage. The publication of the World Health Organization’s World Health Report on health system performance in 2000,1 in which the health systems of 191 countries were ranked using an aggregate measure based on several dimensions—population health, health inequalities, responsiveness, distribution of responsiveness, and financial fairness—stimulated worldwide attention to the business of measuring and comparing health system performance and resulted in a storm of controversy. The WHO methodology was fiercely attacked and equally stoutly defended.2–4 The report aroused anger, especially among commentators from countries which had done badly such as the US. The US outspends almost every other country on health care and prides itself on the sophistication and enterprise of its health system, but was humiliatingly ranked 37th, bottom of all industrialised countries and below places such as Greece, Portugal, and Ireland. For healthcare providers in many countries like the UK who have been subjected to the publication of various hospital league tables, mortality comparisons and other performance measures over recent years, there was a certain “schadenfreude” to be had in watching the reactions of defensiveness, discomfort, and denial from …",
"corpus_id": 1358850
} | {
"title": "‘Don't try this at home’: health policy lessons for the NHS from the United States",
"abstract": "The US healthcare system is fragmented, chaotic and wasteful, and prevailing American social values and attitudes to health and healthcare are profoundly different from those found in the United Kingdom. Even so, there are many useful ideas and important lessons to be drawn from the US experience. The transfer of policy ideas and innovations needs, however, to take account of the differences in culture and context.",
"corpus_id": 154629141
} | {
"title": "Gifts to physicians from industry.",
"abstract": "To the Editor. —The Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs of the AMA 1 has taken an important step toward clarifying the relationship between the medical service industry and physicians. Unfortunately, it is neglecting an important area of concern. Many university faculty members and prominent practicing physicians serve as paid consultants to major pharmaceutical houses and travel around the country giving seminars and educational conferences that are frequently, although not always, thinly veiled promotions for particular products. In doing so, they exercise their rights as individuals to contract for services, but they also abrogate their responsibilities as faculty members to pursue an impartial view of medical research and therapy. When they become agents of industry, they should be barred from serving on any major university or hospital committees that might cause a conflict of interest, such as pharmacy and therapeutics committees and committees that set standards of care or practice",
"corpus_id": 27976218,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Competitive adsorption of dyes and heavy metals on zeolitic structures.",
"abstract": "The adsorption of Acid blue 25, basic blue 9, basic violet 3, Pb(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) ions has been studied in single and dye-metal binary solutions using two mineral materials: Clinoptilolite (CL) and ER (Erionite). These zeolites were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy; potentiometric titration and nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77 K to obtain their textural parameters. Results indicated that ER has an acidic character and a high specific surface (401 m(2) g(-1)) in contrast with the zeolite CL (21 m(2) g(-1)). Surprisingly, the removal of dyes was very similar for the two zeolites and they showed a considerable selectivity by the basic dyes in comparison with the acid dyes. In the case of heavy metals, ER was more effective in the adsorption process showing a selectivity of: Pb(2+) > Ni(2+) > Zn(2+) > Cd(2+). In the multicomponent adsorption experiments an antagonistic effect was observed in the removal of basic dyes and heavy metals. Particularly, the adsorbed amount of basic violet 3 decreased more significantly when the heavy metals are presents in contrast with the basic blue 9.",
"corpus_id": 5750213
} | {
"title": "Metal inhibition on the reactivity of manganese dioxide toward organic contaminant oxidation in relation to metal adsorption and ionic potential.",
"abstract": "Coexisting metal ions may significantly inhibit the oxidative reactivity of manganese oxides toward organic contaminants in metal-organic multi-pollutant waters. While the metal inhibition on the oxidation of organic contaminants by manganese oxides has previously been reported, the extent of the inhibition in relation to metal properties has not been established. Six alkali, alkaline, and transition metals, as well as two testing metals were evaluated for their abilities to inhibit the reactivity of birnessite. Regardless of the pathways of phenol and diuron oxidation (polymerization vs. breakdown), the extent of metal inhibition depended mainly on the metal itself and its concentration. The observed metal inhibition efficiency followed the order of Mn2+ > Co2+ > Cu2+ > Al3+ > Mg2+ > K+, consistent with metal adsorption on birnessite. The first-order organic oxidation rate constant (kobs) was linearly negatively correlated with metal adsorption (qe) on birnessite. These observations demonstrated that the metal inhibition efficiency was determined by metal adsorption on birnessite. The slopes of the kobs-qe varied among metals and followed the order of K+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Mn2+ > Cd2+ > Co2+ > Cu2+ > Al3+. These slopes defined intrinsic inhibitory abilities of metals. As metals were adsorbed hydrated on birnessite, the intrinsic inhibitory ability was significantly linearly correlated with ionic potentials of metals, leading to a single straight line. Metals with multiple d electrons in the outermost orbit with polarizing energy that promotes hydrolysis sat slightly below the line, and vice versa.",
"corpus_id": 5305738
} | {
"title": "A scale of metal ion binding strengths correlating with ionic charge, Pauling electronegativity, toxicity, and other physiological effects.",
"abstract": "Equilibrium constants for binding to plant plasma membranes have been reported for several metal ions, based upon adsorption studies and zeta-potential measurements. LogK values for the ions are these: Al(3+), 4.30; La(3+), 3.34; Cu(2+), 2.60; Ca(2+) and Mg(2+), 1.48; Na(+) and K(+), 0 M(-1). These values correlate well with logK values for ion binding to many organic and inorganic ligands. LogK values for metal ion binding to 12 ligands were normalized and averaged to produce a scale for the binding of 49 ions. The scale correlates well with the values presented above (R(2)=0.998) and with ion binding to cell walls and other biomass. The scale is closely related to the charge (Z) and Pauling electronegativity (PE) of 48 ions (all but Hg(2+)); R(2)=0.969 for the equation (Scale values)=-1.68+Z(1.22+0.444PE). Minimum rhizotoxicity of metal ions appears to be determined by binding strengths: log a(PM,M)=1.60-2.41exp[0.238(Scale values)] determines the value of ion activities at the plasma membrane surface (a(PM,M)) that will ensure inhibition of root elongation. Additional toxicity appears to be related to softness, accounting for the great toxicity of Ag(+), for example. These binding-strength values correlate with additional physiological effects and are suitable for the computation of cell-surface electrical potentials.",
"corpus_id": 31946129,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid: Two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, amino acid microsequencing and identification of major proteins",
"abstract": "Although bronchoalveolar lavage has been used as a research and clinical tools for more than two decades to investigate the cellular and soluble components of the lower respiratory tract, its exact protein composition has never been established. In this context, proteins of human bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF), obtained by washing the epithelial lining fluid of the lungs with phosphate‐buffered saline, were analyzed by two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE) under denaturing and reducing conditions. To characterize the widest amount of proteins, an analytical map of human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid proteins has been created from a pool of BALF from various patients. The resulting map comprises 211 silver‐stained spots in the range of pI 3.5—10 and molecular mass 5—100 kDa. We identified 182 spots by microsequence analysis and by matching with human blood plasma and the Macrophage Like Cell line reference 2‐DE maps available from the SWISS‐2DPAGE database. The human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was found to contain 61 different proteins or isoforms thereof. Most of the proteins had low molecular masses (< 35 kDa) and rather acidic isoelectric points (pI; 4 < pI < 7). The proteins in the lavage either are produced locally or originate from plasma. Two unknown proteins were identified and are currently under investigation.",
"corpus_id": 485171
} | {
"title": "The dynamics of ubiquitin pools within cultured human lung fibroblasts.",
"abstract": "The dynamics of ubiquitin pools within the cultured human lung fibroblast line IMR-90 were examined using solid phase immunochemical methods to quantitate free and conjugated polypeptide. Fetal calf serum was found to contain a nondialyzable factor that induced a transient accumulation of ubiquitin. During the induction, free and conjugated ubiquitin pools changed in concert so that the fraction conjugated remained constant. The induction of ubiquitin by the serum factor resulted from an enhanced rate of protein synthesis. Within experimental error no change in the first order rate constant for intracellular ubiquitin degradation was observed. Pulse-chase studies revealed ubiquitin to turn over with a half-life of 28-31 h in conditioned and freshly fed cultures. Withdrawal of serum from cultures led to a rapid decline in total ubiquitin during which the fractional level of conjugation remained constant. The accelerated ubiquitin turnover following removal of serum likely involves lysosomal autophagy since 10 mM NH4Cl led to an accumulation of the polypeptide. Since no similar effect of the lysosomotropic compound was observed in conditioned or freshly fed cultures, nonlysosomal processes are probably responsible for ubiquitin turnover under nutritional balance. The dynamics of these intracellular pools suggests that the ubiquitin ligation system is subject to regulatory constraints not previously suspected. The short half-life for ubiquitin is consistent with the apparent ability of cells to alter ubiquitin levels in response to external stimuli and stress.",
"corpus_id": 24186516
} | {
"title": "Elevated Adsorption of Lead and Arsenic over Silver Nanoparticles Deposited on Poly(amidoamine) Grafted Carbon Nanotubes",
"abstract": "An efficient adsorbent, CNTs–PAMAM–Ag, was prepared by grafting fourth-generation aromatic poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and successive deposition of Ag nanoparticles. The FT–IR, XRD, TEM and XPS results confirmed the successful grafting of PAMAM onto CNTs and deposition of Ag nanoparticles. The absorption efficiency of CNTs–PAMAM–Ag was evaluated by estimating the adsorption of two toxic contaminants in water, viz., Pb(II) and As(III). Using CNTs–PAMAM–Ag, about 99 and 76% of Pb(II) and As(III) adsorption, respectively, were attained within 15 min. The controlling mechanisms for Pb(II) and As(III) adsorption dynamics were revealed by applying pseudo-first and second-order kinetic models. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model followed the adsorption of Pb(II) and As(III). Therefore, the incidence of chemisorption through sharing or exchanging electrons between Pb(II) or As(III) ions and CNTs–PAMAM–Ag could be the rate-controlling step in the adsorption process. Further, the Weber–Morris intraparticle pore diffusion model was employed to find the reaction pathways and the rate-controlling step in the adsorption. It revealed that intraparticle diffusion was not a rate-controlling step in the adsorption of Pb(II) and As(III); instead, it was controlled by both intraparticle diffusion and the boundary layer effect. The adsorption equilibrium was evaluated using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models. The kinetic data of Pb(II) and As(III) adsorption was adequately fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model compared to the Freundlich and Temkin models.",
"corpus_id": 253279335,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "N-acetylcysteine amide (AD4) reduces cocaine-induced reinstatement",
"abstract": "RationaleChronic exposure to drugs of abuse changes glutamatergic transmission in human addicts and animal models. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a cysteine prodrug that indirectly activates cysteine-glutamate antiporters. In the extrasynaptic space, NAC restores basal glutamate levels during drug abstinence and normalizes increased glutamatergic tone in rats during reinstatement to drugs of abuse. In initial clinical trials, repeated NAC administration seems to be promising for reduced craving in cocaine addicts.ObjectiveIn this study, NAC-amide, called AD4 or NACA, was examined in intravenous cocaine self-administration and extinction/reinstatement procedures in rats. We investigated the behavioral effects of AD4 in the olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) rats, considered an animal model of depression. Finally, we tested rats injected with AD4 or NAC during 10-daily extinction training sessions to examine subsequent cocaine seeking.ResultsAD4 (25–75 mg kg−1) given acutely did not alter the rewarding effects of cocaine in OBX rats and sham-operated controls. However, at 6.25–50 mg kg−1, AD4 decreased dose-dependently cocaine seeking and relapse triggered by cocaine priming or drug-associated conditioned cues in both phenotypes. Furthermore, repeated treatment with AD4 (25 mg kg−1) or NAC (100 mg kg−1) during daily extinction trials reduced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior in sham-operated controls. In the OBX rats only, AD4 effectively blocked cocaine-seeking behavior.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that AD4 is effective at blocking cocaine-seeking behavior, highlighting its potential clinical use toward cocaine use disorder.",
"corpus_id": 1695003
} | {
"title": "Protective influences of N-acetylcysteine against alcohol abstinence-induced depression by regulating biochemical and GRIN2A, GRIN2B gene expression of NMDA receptor signaling pathway in rats",
"abstract": "ABSTRACT Evidences have indicated a high degree of comorbidity of alcoholism and depression. N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) has shown its clinical efficiency in the treatment of several psychiatric disorders and is identified as a multi‐target acting drug. The ability of NAC to prevent alcohol abstinence‐induced depression‐like effects and underlying mechanism(s) have not been adequately addressed. This study was aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of NAC in the alcohol abstinence‐induced depression developed following long‐term voluntary alcohol intake. For evaluation of the effects of NAC, Sprague–Dawley rats were enabled to voluntary drinking of 4.5%, 7.5% and 9% v/v alcohol for fifteen days. NAC (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (5 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally for three consecutive days during the alcohol abstinence period on the days 16, 17, 18. The behavioral studies were conducted employing forced swim test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST) on day 18 to determine the effects of N‐acetylcysteine and fluoxetine in the ethanol withdrawal induced‐depression. Blood alcohol concentration, alcohol biomarkers like SGPT, SGOT, ALP, GGT, and MCV were estimated by using commercially available kits. Serotonin concentrations were measured in the plasma, hippocampus and pre‐frontal cortex using the rat ELISA kit. The expression of GRIN1, GRIN2A, GRIN2B genes for the N‐methyl d‐aspartate receptors (NMDAR) subunits in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex were also examined by reverse‐transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed that alcohol abstinence group depicted increased immobility time in FST and TST. Further, NAC exerted significant protective effect at the doses 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, but 25 mg/kg showed insignificant protection against alcohol abstinence‐induced depression. The increased level of biochemical parameters following ethanol abstinence were also reversed by NAC at the dose of 100 mg/kg. The significant reversal effect of NAC on the serotonin level following alcohol abstinence was greater in the hippocampus as compared to the third‐day alcohol withdrawal group. The increased expression levels of GRIN2A and GRIN2B following ethanol abstinence were reversed with a higher dose of NAC (100 mg/kg) treatment. In conclusion, the results of the study reveal that NAC has remarkable protective effects in the alcohol abstinence‐induced depression by modulating alcohol markers, serotonin levels and GRIN2A, GRIN2B gene expression of NMDAR signaling pathway in rats. HighlightsN‐acetylcysteine protected against alcohol abstinence‐induced depression in rats.N‐acetylcysteine reversed alcohol markers and serotonin level during alcohol withdrawal in rats.N‐acetylcysteine attenuated upregulated GRIN2A, GRIN2B gene expression of NMDAR signaling pathway in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of rats.",
"corpus_id": 13975769
} | {
"title": "Arterial wall changes in cerebral vasospasm.",
"abstract": "A right-sided subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) was created in 12 monkeys. Only the right (clot-side) cerebral arteries developed angiographic vasospasm (VSP), which was maximal 7 days after SAH. Eight animals were killed at this time and the remainder at 14 days. At the time of killing the middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) were harvested, and four normal, left (non-clot-side) MCAs were vasoconstricted in vitro with prostaglandin F2 alpha. All MCAs were studied with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Right MCAs in maximal VSP 7 days from SAH were undistinguishable on scanning electron microscopy from normal arteries vasoconstricted in vitro: both groups demonstrated a mean 57% reduction in vessel caliber and a 5-fold increase in vessel wall thickness compared to normal, nonvasoconstricted left MCAs. On transmission electron microscopy, however, arteries in SAH-induced VSP showed degenerative changes in the tunica intima and media. These changes were still evident at 14 days, despite considerable resolution of VSP. These findings, as well as those from other pathological studies of animal and human cerebral arteries in VSP, suggest that the arterial narrowing and vessel wall thickening seen within several weeks of SAH is due primarily to medial contraction, but unlike simple vasoconstriction, is associated with degenerative ultrastructural changes in the endothelium and vascular smooth muscle cells which may denote a temporarily irreversible state.",
"corpus_id": 26491186,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Minimum-Perimeter Enclosing k-gon",
"abstract": null,
"corpus_id": 7842760
} | {
"title": "An efficient algorithm for decomposing a polygon into star-shaped pieces",
"abstract": "Abstract In this paper we show how a theorem in plane geometry can be converted into a O(n log n) algorithm for decomposing a polygon into star-shaped subsets. The computational efficiency of this new decomposition contrasts with the heavy computational burden of existing methods.",
"corpus_id": 7230110
} | {
"title": "A channel model for power line communication in the smart grid",
"abstract": "Although Power Line Communication (PLC) is not a new technology, its use to support communication with low rate on low voltage (LV) distribution networks is still the focus of ongoing research. In this paper, we propose a PLC channel modeling method based on the bottom-up approach for LV PLC in a narrow, low frequency band between 9 kHz and 490 kHz. We employ the model to derive the transfer function of a typical LV PLC network, which is comprised of two common cable types (copper cables and aluminum conductor steel reinforced). We then investigate the multipath effect of the LV PLC in the studied low frequency bandwidth using numerical computations. Our simulation results based on the proposed channel model show an acceptable performance between neighboring nodes, in terms of bit error rate versus signal to noise ratio, which enables communication required for smart grid applications. Furthermore, we show that data transmission beyond one-hop communication in LV PLC networks will have to rely on upper layer protocols.",
"corpus_id": 24600027,
"score": -1
} |
{
"title": "An automated and high-throughput Photomotor Response platform for chemical screens",
"abstract": "The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a well-established vertebrate model organism. Its embryos are used extensively in biology and medicine to perform chemical screens to identify drug candidates or to evaluate teratogenicity and embryotoxicity of substances. Behavioral readouts are increasingly used to assess the effects of compounds on the nervous system. Early stage zebrafish show characteristic behavioral features at stages between 30 and 42 hours post fertilization (hpf) when exposed to a short and bright light flash. This so-called Photomotor Response (PMR) is a reaction of the nervous system of the fish and can be used as a marker in screenings for neuroactive chemicals. To probe a broad and diverse chemical space, many different substances have to be tested and repeated observations are necessary to warrant statistical significance of the results. Although PMR-based chemical screens must use a large number of specimens, there is no sophisticated, automated high-throughput platform available which ensures minimal human intervention. Here we report a PMR platform that was developed by combining an improved automatic sample handling with a remotely controllable microscope setup and an image analysis pipeline. Using infrared illumination during automatic sample preparation, we were able to eliminate excess amounts of visible light that could potentially alter the response results. A remotely controlled microscope setup allows us to screen entire 96-well microtiter plates without human presence that could disturb the embryos. The development of custom video analysis software, including single egg detection, enables us to detect variance among treated specimens and extract easy to interpret numerical values representing the PMR motion. By testing several neuroactive compounds we validated the workflow that can be used to analyze more than one thousand zebrafish eggs on a single 96-well plate.",
"corpus_id": 2363530
} | {
"title": "Rapid behavior—based identification of neuroactive small molecules in the zebrafish",
"abstract": "Neuroactive small molecules are indispensable tools for treating mental illnesses and dissecting nervous system function. However, it has been difficult to discover novel neuroactive drugs. Here, we describe a high—throughput (HT) behavior—based approach to neuroactive small molecule discovery in the zebrafish. We use automated screening assays to evaluate thousands of chemical compounds and find that diverse classes of neuroactive molecules cause distinct patterns of behavior. These `behavioral barcodes' can be used to rapidly identify novel psychotropic chemicals and to predict their molecular targets. For example, we identify novel acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase inhibitors using phenotypic comparisons and computational techniques. By combining HT screening technologies with behavioral phenotyping in vivo, behavior—based chemical screens may accelerate the pace of neuroactive drug discovery and provide small—molecule tools for understanding vertebrate behavior.",
"corpus_id": 14708676
} | {
"title": "Targeted deletion or pharmacological inhibition of MMP-2 prevents cardiac rupture after myocardial infarction in mice.",
"abstract": "MMPs are implicated in LV remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (MI). To analyze the role of MMP-2, we generated MI by ligating the left coronary artery of MMP-2-KO and WT mice, the latter of which were administered orally an MMP-2-selective inhibitor or vehicle (TISAM). The survival rate was significantly higher in MMP-2-KO and TISAM-treated mice than in control WT mice. The main cause of mortality in control WT mice was cardiac rupture, which was not observed in MMP-2-KO or TISAM-treated mice. Control WT mice, but not MMP-2-KO or TISAM-treated mice, showed activation of the zymogen of MMP-2, strong gelatinolytic activity, and degradation of ECM components, including laminin and fibronectin, in the infarcted myocardium. Although infarcted cardiomyocytes in control WT mice were rapidly removed by macrophages, the removal was suppressed in MMP-2-KO and TISAM-treated mice. Macrophage migration was induced by the infarcted myocardial tissue from control WT mice and was inhibited by treatment of macrophages with laminin or fibronectin peptides prior to migration assay. These data suggest that inhibition of MMP-2 activity improves the survival rate after acute MI by preventing cardiac rupture and delays post-MI remodeling through a reduction in macrophage infiltration.",
"corpus_id": 2757184,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Long Term Stability and Relapse Following Mandibular Advancement and Mandibular Setback Surgeries: A Cephalometric Study",
"abstract": "Background: The aim was to evaluate the long-term hard and soft tissue changes following mandibular advancement and setback surgeries. Materials and Methods: A total of 16 subjects each were selected who underwent bilateral sagittal split osteotomy mandibular advancement and mandibular setback groups. Pre-surgical (T1), immediate post-surgical (T2) and long-term post-surgical (T3) cephalograms were compared for hard and soft tissue changes. After cephalometric measurements, the quantity of changes between T1-T2 and T1-T3 were determined for each patient. The mean difference between T1-T2 and T1-T3 was compared with assess the long-term changes and stability. Results: In mandibular advancement the mean difference between immediate post-surgical and long term post-surgical is 7%, which accounts for a relapse of 7%. In mandibular setback, the mean difference between immediate post-surgical and long-term post-surgical is 29%, which accounts for a relapse of 29%. Conclusion: Mandibular advancement remained stable over the long period when compared to mandibular setback.",
"corpus_id": 2476414
} | {
"title": "Risk factors related to aggressive condylar resorption after orthognathic surgery for females: retrospective study",
"abstract": "Objective: The aim of the present study was to identify the risk factors for aggressive condylar resorption (ACR) after orthognathic surgery. Methods: A total of 25 female patients with osteoarthritis (OA) scheduled for orthognathic surgery were divided into two groups: those who exhibited ACR (ACR (+), n = 8) and those who did not exhibit ACR (ACR (−), n = 17) after surgery. Clinical indices were used to determine the extent of mandibular advancement, the presence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD), and relevant medical treatment histories (including the use of oral contraceptive (OC) medication. TMJ dysfunction was clinically evaluated in terms of pain, the presence of sounds (clicks or crepitus), and disc displacement, joint effusion (JE), and synovial hyperplasia (SH); these were further investigated with the aid of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The cephalographic findings were compared with the normal profiles of Japanese subjects. Results: The mean (with SD) extent of mandibular advancement was 11.4 mm (2.4) in ACR (+) and 4.1 mm (1.8) in ACR (−). The TMD medical history of ACR (+) was much more extensive than that of ACR (−); all patients in ACR (+) had a history of OC use. More patients in ACR (+) than in ACR (−) had TMJ dysfunction and disc displacement, JE, and SH on MRI. Preoperative cephalograms showed that ACR (+) patients exhibited counterclockwise rotation of the mandible and retrognathism that was attributable to a small sella–nasion–B (SNB) angle, a wide mandibular plane angle, and a negative inclination of the ramus. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that the development of ACR after orthognathic surgery to treat mandibular retrognathism may be associated with coexisting TMJ pathologic abnormality.",
"corpus_id": 5591777
} | {
"title": "Analysis of relapse after mandibular advancement surgery.",
"abstract": "Seventeen cases of mandibular advancement surgery were evaluated for skeletal relapse; 12 included long-term evaluation. Inferior movement of the proximal segment with displacement of the condyle occurred at the time of surgery or in the immediate postoperative period. This movement was closely associated with subsequent skeletal relapse of the distal segment. This may represent a cause-and-effect relationship mediated through the soft tissue attachments of periosteum and muscle that are stretched at the time of surgery.",
"corpus_id": 76832306,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Normal Basis Multipliers of General Digit Width Applicable in ECC",
"abstract": "We present two architectures of digit-serial normal basis multiplier over GF(2m). The multipliers were derived from the multiplier of Agnew et al. Proposed multipliers are scalable by the digit width of general value in difference of the multiplier of Agnew et al. that may be scaled only by digit width that divides the degree m. This helps designers to trade area for speed e.g. in public-key cryptographic systems based on elliptic-curves, where m should be a prime number. Functionality of multipliers has been tested by simulation and implemented in Xilinx Virtex 4 FPGA",
"corpus_id": 576239
} | {
"title": "A High Performance Reconfigurable Elliptic Curve Processor for GF(2m)",
"abstract": "This work proposes a processor architecture for elliptic curves cryptosystems over fields GF(2m). This is a scalable architecture in terms of area and speed that exploits the abilities of reconfigurable hardware to deliver optimized circuitry for different elliptic curves and finite fields. The main features of this architecture are the use of an optimized bit-parallel squarer, a digit-serial multiplier, and two programmable processors. Through reconfiguration, the squarer and the multiplier architectures can be optimized for any field order or field polynomial. The multiplier performance can also be scaled according to system's needs. Our results show that implementations of this architecture executing the projective coordinates version of the Montgomery scalar multiplication algorithmcan compute elliptic curve scalar multiplications with arbitrary points in 0.21 msec in the field GF(2167). A result that is at least 19 times faster than documented hardware implementations and at least 37 times faster than documented software implementations.",
"corpus_id": 7518972
} | {
"title": "A Survey of Hardware Implementations of RSA",
"abstract": "Today, a dozen years after the discovery of the RSA encryption algorithm [12], there are many chips available for performing RSA encryption [l] [3] [4] [S] [S] [9] [13] [15]. The purpose of this paper is to briefly describe some of the different computational algorithms that have been used in the chip designs and to provide a list of all of the currently available chips. In this abstract, we will simply mention some of these computational algorithms and give references. The full paper will contain more details of these algorithms and will appear in a book on survey articles in Cryptology which is being edited by Gus Simmons and will be published by IEEE in 1990. Recall that the RSA encryption function consists of computing me mod N, where N = pq for primes p and q. All of the chips perform the exponentiation as a series of modular multiplications. The modular multiplications are computed either as a standard multiplication followed by a modular reduction, or, more commonly, the computation of the multiplication and the modular reduction is combined. Finally, the multiplications are implemented as a series of additions. For each of these arithmetic functions, we will mention some choices in how they can be implemented on a chip. By using redundant number systems to avoid carries the addition can be speeded up at a cost of more storage. Multiplication can be speeded up by the techniques of multiple bit scanning. See for instance [S]. There are several techniques that have been developed for implementing modular reduction. The quotient digits can be approximated using only the high order bits of the divisor and the current remainder[3]. D ivision can be avoided all together by several different methods. The reciprocal of the modulus can be stored, thus replacing division by multiplication. For well chosen values of i, the reduced values of 2’ mod N can be stored, so that modular reduction can be achieved through multiplication by these values. Peter Montgomery (101 h as a method for modular reduction without division which uses a nonstandard technique of identifying the residue classes. There are also techniques available to save on the number of multiplications needed to perform an exponentiation. Compared with the standard binary method of expo-",
"corpus_id": 249370189,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Curriculum Issues on Sustainable Development: Dynamics for Nigeria’s Education Policy",
"abstract": "The concerns for education sustainability have prompted debates, brainstorming, dialogues and legislations world over. The outcome of these endeavors has, in a way, favored the reduction of ‘unemployment and unemployables’ syndromes and engendered sustainability in the face of economic development forces. These syndromes have been linked to curriculum issues and educational pedagogic processes. The Nigerian education policy (NPE) stakeholders need to consider the upsurge of some other policy statements and intentions by other interest groups; which include the education strategic Plan for tertiary institution in Nigeria (ESP), ‘education for all’ (EFA), Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Vision 20:2020, and Decades on Education for Sustainable Development (DESD2005-2014). This study performed critical evaluation and appraisal of development issues as highlighted in the policy statements. The analysis showed that the status quo of education curriculum is yet to have an ideology of its own when compared to the index of educational sustainability globally. Further to this, some hindrances impinging on the policy-curriculum’s realization were identified.These were identified and discussed along with suggestions and legal proposals which may aid the Vocational and Technical Education (VTE)-Dieted Policy-curriculum implementation and development",
"corpus_id": 154368325
} | {
"title": "A Framework for Sustainable Education in Nigeria: Strategies of Re-integratingVocational Skills into Educational Curriculum",
"abstract": "The Curriculum of education in Nigeria and some other developing countries has been based partly on the theory and in another view as virtually on academic certification. Prior to this basis, the national policy on education originally had its cardinal objective to promote the acquisition of appropriate creative skills, abilities and competence both mental and physical as equipment for the individual to live in and contribute to the development of the society. Up till now, there seemed to be no established institutional Apparatus nor did it seem likely that a sustainable curriculum would appear in the nearest future. What is emergent now, is a dynamic pedagogy that can serve the society with required diets needed for early discoveries of potentials and acquisition of ‘employable’ skills from school. In this way the ‘unemployment and ‘unemployable’ issues will be resolved within the training periods and productive professional contributions to the society can be procured after school. This study devised that a ‘dynamic mechanism’ can be strategize within the existing curriculum for schools by pragmatic approach. The existing syllabus or curriculum can be redesigned, monitored, controlled and implemented with vocational genres, capable of engendering sustainable development across all fields of human endeavour, including all civic engagements in the society. This paper, therefore, examined and drew heavily on the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the existing fundamentals of the historic-Bauhaus curriculum which form the modus operandi of most architecture schools all over the world, including Nigeria context. The results were ‘the therapeutic approach of redesigning curriculum in content and form of vocationalism, yielded strengths from the synergy of the monitored and controlled programme and feasible implementation culture by concerned stakeholders. It also generated a reasonable style of independent life in knowledge and skill acquisition required for best professional practice and right attitude to community project participation.",
"corpus_id": 54689911
} | {
"title": "Nation-Building and Conflict in Modern Africa",
"abstract": "Nation-building has long been seen as an important focus of post-colonial African governments. However, up until now there has been no empirical analysis of the consequences of nation-building policies. Here we compile an original dataset measuring nine different types of nation-building policies. We first use logistic regressions to test the effect of nation-building policies on civil wars using two different datasets of civil wars, and find no evidence of a negative relationship between nation-building and civil war onset. Furthermore, a survival analysis exercise reveals a robust relationship between the proximity of nation-building policies and the onset of civil war.",
"corpus_id": 62784376,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Secretomic analysis of large cell lung cancer cell lines using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry.",
"abstract": "The secretome of cancer cells is a valuable source of biomarkers that can ultimately reach the serum or other body fluids. Cancer biomarkers can facilitate early diagnosis and monitoring of the disease, contribute to our understanding of tumor biology, and support the development of more efficient therapies. Recently, high-throughput proteomic analysis of the conditioned media of cancer cell lines has shown potential to identify novel biomarkers in cancer. We used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to identify the secretome of the large cell lung cancer cell lines QU-DB and Mehr-80, which they were established from a Canadian and a Persian patient, respectively. A total of 130 distinct protein species were identified. Of these, 124 were previously found in serum or other body fluids, the membrane compartment or conditioned media of other cancer cell lines. Some of the proteins that we identified, e.g. IL-6, triosephosphate isomerase, PGP9.5, α-enolase, Dickkopf-1, and peroxiredoxin-1 are known putative serum markers for lung cancer, whereas others might be candidate markers for further validation in lung cancer body fluids such as IL-25, stathmin, vimentin, peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase A, transgelin-2, and chloride intracellular channel protein 4.",
"corpus_id": 641563
} | {
"title": "Protein Expression in Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Database",
"abstract": "Objectives: The following database integrates results from published proteomics studies in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with a focus on squamous cell cancers (SCC) and adenocarcinomas (AC). Methods: Only studies on NSCLC were analyzed. Results from 12 studies were available, 5 studies on SCC, 4 on AC, 1 on AC and SCC, and 2 on NSCLC without further distinction. Human cancer tissues, paired normal tissues, paired cancer patient’s sera, normal sera or human tumor cell lines were analyzed. Three technologies were applied: two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), differential in-gel electrophoresis (DIGE) and serological proteome analysis (SERPA). Results: The total number of NSCLC patients was 306. Out of 261 differentially expressed proteins, 192 proteins (74%) were mentioned in a single study, 40 (15%) were mentioned by 2 different studies. 18 (7%) in 3 studies, 4 (2%) in 4 studies, 2 (1%) in 5 studies, and a single protein was listed in 6 studies. Conclusion: Overlapping of protein expression is low between SCC and AC. However, a few proteins appear to be upregulated in SCC and AC: triosephosphate isomerase, protein disulfide isomerase and phosphoglycerate mutase (phosphoglycerate kinase 1). These three proteins might be key players in human lung cancer.",
"corpus_id": 29506894
} | {
"title": "Supercritical angle fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.",
"abstract": "We explore the potential of a supercritical angle (SA) objective for fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). This novel microscope objective combines tight focusing by an aspheric lens with strong axial confinement of supercritical angle fluorescence collection by a parabolic mirror lens, resulting in a small detection volume. The tiny axial extent of the detection volume features an excellent surface sensitivity, as is demonstrated by diffusion measurements in model membranes with an excess of free dye in solution. All SA-FCS measurements are directly compared to standard confocal FCS, demonstrating a clear advantage of SA-FCS, especially for diffusion measurements in membranes. We present an extensive theoretical framework that allows for accurate and quantitative evaluation of the SA-FCS correlation curves.",
"corpus_id": 20628898,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "A comparative survey of artificial intelligence applications in finance: artificial neural networks, expert system and hybrid intelligent systems",
"abstract": "Nowadays, many current real financial applications have nonlinear and uncertain behaviors which change across the time. Therefore, the need to solve highly nonlinear, time variant problems has been growing rapidly. These problems along with other problems of traditional models caused growing interest in artificial intelligent techniques. In this paper, comparative research review of three famous artificial intelligence techniques, i.e., artificial neural networks, expert systems and hybrid intelligence systems, in financial market has been done. A financial market also has been categorized on three domains: credit evaluation, portfolio management and financial prediction and planning. For each technique, most famous and especially recent researches have been discussed in comparative aspect. Results show that accuracy of these artificial intelligent methods is superior to that of traditional statistical methods in dealing with financial problems, especially regarding nonlinear patterns. However, this outperformance is not absolute.",
"corpus_id": 4427913
} | {
"title": "Credit Scoring, Statistical Techniques and Evaluation Criteria: A Review of the Literature",
"abstract": "Credit scoring has been regarded as a core appraisal tool of different institutions during the last few decades and has been widely investigated in different areas, such as finance and accounting. Different scoring techniques are being used in areas of classification and prediction, where statistical techniques have conventionally been used. Both sophisticated and traditional techniques, as well as performance evaluation criteria, are investigated in the literature. The principal aim of this paper, in general, is to carry out a comprehensive review of 214 articles/books/theses that involve credit scoring applications in various areas but in particular primarily in finance and banking. This paper also aims to investigate how credit scoring has developed in importance and to identify the key determinants in the construction of a scoring model, by means of a widespread review of different statistical techniques and performance evaluation criteria. Our review of literature revealed that there is no overall best statistical technique used in building scoring models and the best technique for all circumstances does not yet exist. Also, the applications of the scoring methodologies have been widely extended to include different areas, and this subsequently can help decision makers, particularly in banking, to predict their clients' behaviour. Finally, this paper also suggests a number of directions for future research",
"corpus_id": 7089409
} | {
"title": "HDLTex: Hierarchical Deep Learning for Text Classification",
"abstract": "Increasingly large document collections require improved information processing methods for searching, retrieving, and organizing text. Central to these information processing methods is document classification, which has become an important application for supervised learning. Recently the performance of traditional supervised classifiers has degraded as the number of documents has increased. This is because along with growth in the number of documents has come an increase in the number of categories. This paper approaches this problem differently from current document classification methods that view the problem as multi-class classification. Instead we perform hierarchical classification using an approach we call Hierarchical Deep Learning for Text classification (HDLTex). HDLTex employs stacks of deep learning architectures to provide specialized understanding at each level of the document hierarchy.",
"corpus_id": 393535,
"score": -1
} |
{
"title": "Gut Microbiota Mediate Insecticide Resistance in the Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)",
"abstract": "The development of insecticide resistance in insect pests is a worldwide concern and elucidating the underlying mechanisms is critical for effective crop protection. Recent studies have indicated potential links between insect gut microbiota and insecticide resistance and these may apply to the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), a globally and economically important pest of cruciferous crops. We isolated Enterococcus sp. (Firmicutes), Enterobacter sp. (Proteobacteria), and Serratia sp. (Proteobacteria) from the guts of P. xylostella and analyzed the effects on, and underlying mechanisms of insecticide resistance. Enterococcus sp. enhanced resistance to the widely used insecticide, chlorpyrifos, in P. xylostella, while in contrast, Serratia sp. decreased resistance and Enterobacter sp. and all strains of heat-killed bacteria had no effect. Importantly, the direct degradation of chlorpyrifos in vitro was consistent among the three strains of bacteria. We found that Enterococcus sp., vitamin C, and acetylsalicylic acid enhanced insecticide resistance in P. xylostella and had similar effects on expression of P. xylostella antimicrobial peptides. Expression of cecropin was down-regulated by the two compounds, while gloverin was up-regulated. Bacteria that were not associated with insecticide resistance induced contrasting gene expression profiles to Enterococcus sp. and the compounds. Our studies confirmed that gut bacteria play an important role in P. xylostella insecticide resistance, but the main mechanism is not direct detoxification of insecticides by gut bacteria. We also suggest that the influence of gut bacteria on insecticide resistance may depend on effects on the immune system. Our work advances understanding of the evolution of insecticide resistance in this key pest and highlights directions for research into insecticide resistance in other insect pest species.",
"corpus_id": 2292078
} | {
"title": "Fitness costs of infection with Serratia symbiotica are associated with greater susceptibility to insecticides in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum.",
"abstract": "BACKGROUND\nAphids are agricultural pests that damage crops by direct feeding and by vectoring important plant viruses. Bacterial symbionts can influence aphid biology, e.g. by providing essential nutrients or facilitating adaptations to biotic and abiotic stress.\n\n\nRESULTS\nWe investigated the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris) and its commonly associated secondary bacterial symbiont Serratia symbiotica to study the effect of this symbiont on host fitness and susceptibility to the insecticides imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos methyl, methomyl, cyantraniliprole and spirotetramat. There is emerging evidence that members of the genus Serratia can degrade and/or detoxify diverse insecticides. Therefore, we hypothesized that S. symbiotica may promote resistance to these artificial stress agents in aphids. Our results showed that Serratia-infected aphids were more susceptible to most of the tested insecticides than non-infected aphids. This probably reflects the severe fitness costs associated with S. symbiotica, which negatively affects development, reproduction and body weight.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nOur study demonstrates that S. symbiotica plays an important role in the ability of aphid hosts to tolerate insecticides. These results provide insight into the potential changes in tolerance to insecticides in the field because there is a continuous and dynamic process of symbiont acquisition and loss that may directly affect host biology. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.",
"corpus_id": 3724883
} | {
"title": "Characterization of a novel Drosophila melanogaster galectin. Expression in developing immune, neural, and muscle tissues.",
"abstract": "We have cloned and characterized the first galectin to be identified in Drosophila melanogaster. The amino acid sequence of Drosophila galectin showed striking sequence similarity to invertebrate and vertebrate galectins and contained amino acids that are crucial for binding beta-galactoside sugars. Confirming its identity as a galectin family member, the Drosophila galectin bound beta-galactoside sugars. Structurally, the Drosophila galectin was a tandem repeat galectin containing two carbohydrate recognition domains connected by a unique peptide link. This divalent structure suggests that like mammalian galectins, Drosophila galectin may mediate cell-cell communication or facilitate cross-linking of receptors to trigger signal transduction events. The Drosophila galectin was very abundant in embryonic, larval, and adult Drosophila. During embryogenesis, Drosophila galectin had a unique and specific tissue distribution. Drosophila galectin expression was concentrated in somatic and visceral musculature and in the central nervous system. Similar to other insect lectins, Drosophila galectin may function in both embryogenesis and in host defense. Drosophila galectin was expressed by hemocytes, circulating phagocytic cells, suggesting a role for Drosophila galectin in the innate immune system.",
"corpus_id": 31727762,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "The radiology informed consent form: recommendations from the European Society of Cardiology position paper",
"abstract": "Every radiological and nuclear medicine examination confers a definite long-term risk of cancer, but most patients undergoing such examinations receive no or inaccurate information about radiation dose and corresponding risk related to the dose received. Informed consent is a procedure to support (not substitute) the physician/patient dialogue and relationship, facilitating a free, informed and aware expression of the patient’s will in the principle of patient autonomy. Physicians are responsible for providing patients with all the information on risks, benefits and alternatives useful to the patient to make the decision. In current radiological practice the information on the radiation dose and long-term cancer risks is difficult to find and not easy to understand. The form using plain language should spell-out the type of examination, the effective dose (mSv), the effective dose expressed in number of chest radiographs and the risk of cancer. The current practice clashes against the guidelines and the law.",
"corpus_id": 3094163
} | {
"title": "Informed consent and communication of risk from radiological and nuclear medicine examinations: how to escape from a communication inferno",
"abstract": "Radiological and nuclear medicine examinations confer a definite (albeit low) long term risk of cancer, but patients undergoing such examinations often receive no or inaccurate information about these risks. Picano argues that this disregard of patient autonomy is no longer acceptable and suggests a practicable way of communicating risk",
"corpus_id": 33745947
} | {
"title": "Receptor-mediated clearance of Aspergillus galactomannan.",
"abstract": "The fate of radiolabeled Aspergillus fumigatus galactomannan was studied after intravenous injection into rabbits and rats. At 1 hr, the liver contained 35% of the injected dose in rabbits and 30% in rats. Excretion of galactomannan into the urine, measured in rabbits, was another major catabolic route and accounted for 35% of the dose by 24 hr. Immunization of rabbits increased hepatic uptake and decreased urinary excretion. Hepatic uptake in unimmunized rats could be decreased by Saccharomyces cerevisiae mannan, alpha-methyl mannoside, and N-acetylglucosamine, known inhibitors of the macrophage mannose receptor. Autoradiography showed hepatic radiolabeled galactomannan to be concentrated in Kupffer cells, which express the mannosyl receptor for glycoproteins. Macrophage mannosyl receptors may constitute a general mechanism for clearing fungal mannans from the bloodstream.",
"corpus_id": 2484125,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Factors associated with use of psychotherapy",
"abstract": "AbstractContextPsychotherapies are recommended in manuals of good practice. There is however little epidemiological data assessing access to this type of treatment, and in particular the combined role of the offer and socio-demographic characteristics. The present research aims to contribute data on the profiles of a sample of individuals who underwent psychotherapy in France, and on the respective impact of various factors such as mental health status, socio-demographic characteristics, life events and the care offer, focusing on a specific population for whom the mode of financial cover for this type of care is governed by a complementary health insurance (MGEN).\nMethodsetween June 1999 and March 2000 a survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted on a sample of MGEN-insured individuals. Ten thousand individuals aged between 20 and 60 were selected randomly, received a questionnaire, and up to three recalls in case of non-response. The overall response rate was 66.5%. The questionnaire comprised 261 questions enabling data collection concerning the main socio-demographic, professional and mental health variables.ResultsIn this population aged from 20 to 60, lifetime prevalence of recourse to psychotherapy was 11.8%. The main factor associated with use of psychotherapy is the severity of the clinical condition (assessed in terms of comorbidity). Certain traumatic events experienced in childhood are also related. The effect of socio-demographic variables varies according to severity, although it was noted that being female, having high educational status, and being single were consistently related to wider use of psychotherapy. The analysis also evidenced the importance of the density of the care offer.ConclusionOur results suggest that the use of psychotherapy, within a well-informed population with high quality insurance cover, is related primarily to clinical condition rather than to socio-demographic status, especially in people with high levels of comorbidity, although the effect of educational status remains. However, this study only looked at mere use of psychotherapy, without determining the suitability of the treatment provided. It is indeed possible, and even probable, that variables such as educational status, income, or care offer may have a link with resorting to the right type of care, in terms of both relevance and adequate duration.",
"corpus_id": 113819
} | {
"title": "[A survey of private practice psychiatrist's training and activity in activity in Aquitaine, France, in 1993].",
"abstract": "UNLABELLED\nThis study was conducted to gather information regarding the current professional activities of French private practice psychiatrists.\n\n\nMETHOD\nA mail survey was carried out in an attempt to find more about the characteristics of the 380 private practice psychiatrists in Aquitaine (south west France) in 1993. Data are reported in terms of psychiatrist's characteristics (demographics, training and practice activities), patient characteristics and trends in treatment modalities.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThere was a good response rate (55%), and this enabled us to statistically analyze the data to determine profiles of activities. For the respondents in this survey, the median age is 45 years and 30.7% of respondents are women. The portion of responders reporting a qualification in Neuropsychiatry versus Psychiatry, is low (1/7). The patients seen in private practice are generally young females with anxiety and affective disorders. An important feature was the trend for psychotherapy training and practice. Psychoanalytically oriented and individual psychotherapy were predominant over other forms of psychotherapy. Half of the psychiatrists reported using pharmacotherapy in combination with psychotherapy. There are only little differences in the practice of young and female psychiatrists.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThe impact of psychodynamic theories on the training of French private practice psychiatrists is still very important. Interestingly, these same psychiatrists seem to use an eclectic approach to their practice of psychiatry; about half of the respondents report using pharmacological treatments in combination with psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy.",
"corpus_id": 25762413
} | {
"title": "The contextual threat of life events: the concept and its reliability",
"abstract": "Synopsis The reliability of Brown's contextual measure of threat is assessed and found to be highly satisfactory. Previously inexperienced raters achieve highly reliable ratings after only brief training. The implications for the concept of the threat of life events are discussed.",
"corpus_id": 183085,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Low fat intake is associated with pathological manifestations and poor recovery in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma",
"abstract": "BackgroundThis study aimed to clarify whether dietary deviation is associated with pathological manifestations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.MethodsDietary intake was estimated in 35 HCC cases before and after hospitalization by referencing digital camera images of each meal. Pathological conditions were evaluated in nitrogen balance, non-protein respiratory quotient (npRQ), neuropsychiatric testing and recovery speed from HCC treatment.ResultsOn admission, nitrogen balance and npRQ were negative and less than 0.85, respectively. Five patients were judged to have suffered from minimal hepatic encephalopathy that tended to be associated with a lowered value of npRQ (p = 0.082). The energy from fat intake showed a tendency of positive correlation with npRQ (p = 0.11), and the patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy took significantly fewer energy from fat (p = 0.024). The energy difference from fat between diets at home versus those in the hospital showed a significant positive correlation with npRQ change after admission (p = 0.014). The recovery speed from invasive treatments for HCC showed a significant negative correlation with npRQ alteration after admission (p = 0.0002, r = −0.73).ConclusionsThese results suggest the lower fat intake leads to deterioration of energy state in HCC patients, which associates with poor recovery from invasive treatments and various pathological manifestations.",
"corpus_id": 1204496
} | {
"title": "Case treated with triple therapy of lamivudine, interferon-β and prednisolone for acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B during pregnancy",
"abstract": "We herein report a case of a pregnant Chinese woman who suffered an acute exacerbation of hepatitis B. The patient's liver enzymes became elevated toward the end of the first trimester. She was treated with lamivudine, interferon (IFN)‐β and steroids early in the second trimester. After this treatment regimen was initiated, aminotransferase levels rapidly normalized within 4 weeks. IFN‐β and steroids were administrated for 2 weeks in the second trimester, while the administration of lamivudine continued until delivery. The spontaneous delivery of a female baby weighing 2984 g occurred at 37 weeks of gestation. A neonatal examination revealed no congenital anomalies, and fetal growth was found to be within normal reference ranges. The infant received simultaneous active and passive hepatitis B virus immunization within 12 h of delivery and completed the hepatitis B vaccine schedule at 2, 3 and 5 months of age. The infant was successfully prevented from contracting hepatitis B virus. This case suggests that combination therapy with lamivudine, IFN‐β and steroids may be safely used during the second trimester to treat acute exacerbations of hepatitis B.",
"corpus_id": 12402551
} | {
"title": "2-Methoxyestradiol-induced radiosensitization is independent of SOD but depends on inhibition of Akt and DNA-PKcs activities.",
"abstract": "BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE\n2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME) is described as an inhibitor of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity. However, it attenuates PI3K/Akt pathway and induces radiosensitization in human tumor cells as well. Since the activation of catalytic subunit of DNA-protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) is partially regulated by Akt activity, in the present study we investigated whether 2-ME-induced radiosensitization is dependent on inhibition of Akt and DNA-PKcs activities or on SOD targeting.\n\n\nMATERIALS AND METHODS\nThis study was performed using the lung carcinoma cell line A549. Ionizing radiation-induced SOD activity was analyzed by superoxide dismutase activity assay. Applying Western blotting, the pattern of radiation-induced SOD expression and activation of Akt as well as DNA-PKcs was analyzed. Colony formation assay and gammaH2AX foci assay were performed to measure radiosensitization and DNA-double strand break (DNA-DSB) repair. To downregulate SOD expression small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used.\n\n\nRESULTS\nIrradiation with 4Gy stimulated SOD enzyme activity as early as 1min after radiation exposure. Expression of Cu/Zn-SOD (SOD1) as well as Mn-SOD (SOD2) was increased by single doses of 1-4Gy within 24-36h. 2-ME blocked radiation-induced SOD enzyme activity but not protein expression and enhanced radiation sensitivity. Pretreatment with 2-ME blocked IR-induced Akt as well as DNA-PKcs phosphorylation and impaired the repair of DNA-DSB. SiRNA targeting of SOD1 and SOD2 affected neither DNA-PKcs phosphorylation nor post-irradiation survival while inhibition of Akt by specific inhibitor abrogated 2-ME-induced radiosensitization.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThese results may indicate that 2-ME-induced radiosensitization is independent of SOD inhibition but mainly depends on inhibition of Akt and DNA-PKcs activities.",
"corpus_id": 28805295,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "The short-term and long-term effect of a pregnancy on breast cancer risk: a prospective study of 802,457 parous Norwegian women.",
"abstract": "Time-related effects of a pregnancy on breast cancer risk were examined in a population-based prospective study of 802,457 parous Norwegian women aged 20-56 years. The mean follow-up time was 16.4 years. A total of 4787 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. We observed a short-term increase in risk of breast cancer after a full-term pregnancy, with a maximum 3-4 years after delivery, followed by a long-lasting decrease in risk. The maximum risk was about twice the risk for women whose last delivery was 20 or more years previously (incidence rate ratio = 1.99, 95% confidence interval = 1.70-2.33). Compared with nulliparous women, those with one or two children were at higher risk in the first decade after the last pregnancy, whereas those with three or more children were at lower risk in most categories of time since the last birth. The positive association between breast cancer risk and age at last birth was markedly reduced after adjustment for time since last birth. We conclude that there is a non-linear relationship between breast cancer incidence and time since last birth. Part of the relation with age at last birth may be attributed to the association with time since last birth.",
"corpus_id": 845991
} | {
"title": "Association between abortion and breast cancer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis based on prospective studies",
"abstract": "ObjectiveAlthough positive association between abortion and breast cancer was frequently reported from case–control studies, results from prospective studies were still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate this association based on prospective studies.MethodsPubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge and Embase were systematically searched for prospective studies on the association between abortion and breast cancer up to April 2014, supplemented by manual searches on the references. Two reviewers independently conducted the literature search, study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment of included studies. Random effects models were used to estimate the combined relative risks (RRs) and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs).ResultsFifteen prospective studies [14 focused on induced abortion (IA), and 12 focused on spontaneous abortion (SA)] were included in the final analysis. The combined RRs (95 % CIs) of breast cancer risk were 1.00 (0.94–1.05) [1.00 (0.92–1.08) for cumulative-incidence data and 1.00 (0.94–1.05) for incidence-rate data] for IA, and 1.02 (0.95–1.09) [1.06 (0.96–1.16) for cumulative-incidence data and 1.01 (0.92–1.09) for incidence-rate data] for SA, respectively. Non-significant associations of breast cancer with IA and SA were also found among nulliparous women, women with abortion before or after the first full-term pregnancy, women with one or ≥2 abortions, and women with first abortion after 30 years old.ConclusionThe current prospective evidences are not sufficient to support the positive association between abortion (including IA and SA) and breast cancer risk.",
"corpus_id": 1492061
} | {
"title": "Effect of anti‐embryo immunization on methylcholanthrene‐induced sarcoma growth in BALB/c mice",
"abstract": "The effect of immunization with embryonic tissues on challenge with two methylcholanthrene‐induced fibrosarcomas (MCA‐I and II) has been studied in BALB/c mice. No anti‐tumor protection was elicited by multiple intrastrain pregnancies and by immunizing with either X‐irradiated or mitomycin‐C‐blocked cells of syngeneic or allogeneic embryos obtained from primiparous females. Enhancement was found in anti‐embryo immunized males, but not females, and in multiparous females upon transplantation of MCA‐I sarcoma cells. Immunization with syngeneic embryonic cells in complete Freund's adjuvant, with embryomas or with syngeneic embryos kept in cell‐impermeable diffusion chambers, resulted in an enhancement of MCA‐II cells while allogeneic embryonal immunization was ineffective. The immunologic nature of the phenomenon was supported by experiments in which immunosuppression prevented the development of the enhancing response in mice injected with embryonic tissues. In neutralization experiments neither lymphocytes nor serum from anti‐embryo‐immune or multiparous mice caused any stimulatory or inhibitory effect on the admixed tumor cells.",
"corpus_id": 19494680,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Reimbursement realities of advanced nursing practice.",
"abstract": "Abstract Rising costs of health care require advanced practice nurses to be cost-effective and knowledgeable regarding reimbursement of their services within rapidly expanding managed care organizations. However, the rapid pace of change in reimbursement legislation, policies, and procedures makes this a daunting task.",
"corpus_id": 303698
} | {
"title": "Health care implications and space allocation of research published in nursing journals.",
"abstract": "PURPOSE\nTo examine how research is disseminated through nursing journals and to examine characteristics of published research.\n\n\nDESIGN\nA cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted with manuscripts from 78 nursing journals that publish research.\n\n\nMETHOD\nThe final issue for 1999 was examined. Pairs of independent raters content-analyzed all research manuscripts.\n\n\nDISCUSSION\nResearch studies comprised 241 (42.9%) of the manuscripts and 51.4% of the journal space. Many empirical studies omitted validity and reliability. Few manuscripts reported the date for completion of data collection, and fewer than one third contained the length of time from acceptance to publication.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nEnhanced instrumentation reporting, shorter time from data collection to publication, and an increase in journal space devoted to research might enable nurses to make more cutting-edge clinical decisions.",
"corpus_id": 10869549
} | {
"title": "Nurse case management in the 21st century",
"abstract": "The new practice environment nurses as advanced practitioners and primary care providers grass roots efforts - nurses involved in the political process nursing's response to health-care transformation - a nurse executive's view academia's involvement in health-care redesign key elements of nurse case management in curricula the education of nurses - nurse case manager's view the Denver Nursing Education Project - promoting the health of persons living with HIV/AIDS academic nursing centres and community-based nursing information systems case management in community nursing centres integrating systems across the continuum innovative delivery systems freedom, trust, caring theory of the nurse-client parnership working in partnership nurse case management in a rural community parish nursing nurse case management in long-term care case management as a response to quality, cost, and access imperatives risk identification - management versus avoidance issues of design and implementation from acute care, long-term care and community-based settings staff development for nurse case management marketing nurse case management in rural community hospitals differentiated practice within and beyond the hospital walls the influence of reimbursement on nurse case management practice - Carondelet's experience discovering and achieving client outcomes.",
"corpus_id": 68724167,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Modulation of brain and behavioural responses to cognitive visual stimuli with varying signal-to-noise ratios",
"abstract": "OBJECTIVE\nTo study behavioral and brain responses to variations in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of cognitive visual stimuli.\n\n\nMETHODS\nWe presented meaningful words visually, embedded in varying amounts of dynamic noise, and utilized magnetoencephalography (MEG) to measure responses to the words. A multidipole model of the evoked fields was constructed to quantify the strengths and latencies of the neuronal sources at each noise level. The recognition rates of the words were measured in separate behavioral sessions.\n\n\nRESULTS\nMEG revealed sequential activation of occipital and occipito-temporal areas (latencies 130-250 and 170-350 ms, respectively) followed by activity in superior temporal cortex (230-640 ms). The strengths and latencies of all identified sources followed functions similar to the SNR of the stimulus. The peak amplitudes and shortest latencies of all sources coincided with the maximum SNR of the stimulus. The occipito-temporal and temporal sources as well as the word recognition rate accurately followed the SNR of the stimulus whereas the early occipital source exhibited a more peaked dependence on the SNR.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nEvoked responses expectedly peaked at the maximum SNR of the stimulus. Interestingly, early visual responses showed sharper peaks than longer-latency sources as a function of the noise level. This can be understood as the higher-level processes analyzing the stimuli more holistically and thus being less sensitive to the salience of simple visual features. The similar noise-dependence of the longer-latency sources and the recognition rate provides new evidence for the relevance of these activations in the recognition of written words.\n\n\nSIGNIFICANCE\nThis study contributes to the understanding of brain activity evoked by degraded stimuli with cognitive content.",
"corpus_id": 2383745
} | {
"title": "Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Modality-Specific and Supramodal Word Processing",
"abstract": "The ability of written and spoken words to access the same semantic meaning provides a test case for the multimodal convergence of information from sensory to associative areas. Using anatomically constrained magnetoencephalography (aMEG), the present study investigated the stages of word comprehension in real time in the auditory and visual modalities, as subjects participated in a semantic judgment task. Activity spread from the primary sensory areas along the respective ventral processing streams and converged in anterior temporal and inferior prefrontal regions, primarily on the left at around 400 ms. Comparison of response patterns during repetition priming between the two modalities suggest that they are initiated by modality-specific memory systems, but that they are eventually elaborated mainly in supramodal areas.",
"corpus_id": 16714144
} | {
"title": "Planck 2013 results - VIII. HFI photometric calibration and mapmaking",
"abstract": "This paper describes the methods used to produce photometrically calibrated maps from the Planck High Frequency Instrument (HFI) cleaned, time-ordered information. HFI observes the sky over a broad range of frequencies, from 100 to 857 GHz. To obtain the best calibration accuracy over such a large range, two different photometric calibration schemes have to be used. The 545 and 857 GHz data are calibrated by comparing flux-density measurements of Uranus and Neptune with models of their atmospheric emission. The lower frequencies (below 353 GHz) are calibrated using the solar dipole. A component of this anisotropy is time-variable, owing to the orbital motion of the satellite in the solar system. Photometric calibration is thus tightly linked to mapmaking, which also addresses low-frequency noise removal. By comparing observations taken more than one year apart in the same configuration, we have identified apparent gain variations with time. These variations are induced by non-linearities in the read-out electronics chain. We have developed an effective correction to limit their effect on calibration. We present several methods to estimate the precision of the photometric calibration. We distinguish relative uncertainties (between detectors, or between frequencies) and absolute uncertainties. Absolute uncertainties lie in the range from 0.54% to 10% from 100 to 857 GHz. We describe the pipeline used to produce the maps from the HFI timelines, based on the photometric calibration parameters, and the scheme used to set the zero level of the maps a posteriori. We also discuss the cross-calibration between HFI and the SPIRE instrument on board Herschel. Finally we summarize the basic characteristics of the set of HFI maps included in the 2013 Planck data release.",
"corpus_id": 15580555,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "Evaluation of Differential Pressure Setpoint of Chilled Water Pumps in Clean Room HVAC Systems for Energy Savings in High-Tech Industries",
"abstract": "Variable-frequency speed control technologies are widely used in chilled water pumps in clean room heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in high-tech industries to reduce energy consumption. Pumps with variable frequency drivers work based on the reading from the differential pressure sensor placed between the chilled water supply and return lines before the secondary and tertiary pumps. The determination of the differential pressure setpoint must take pipeline topology and material, chilled water flow demand, heat loading, and system equipment aging into account so as to provide operating flexibility for energy conservation while ensuring the secure operation of the clean room. To enhance clean room energy efficiency, a new methodology is proposed in this paper for determining the proper chilled piping pressure setpoint for the pumps. The mathematic model of head loss required for generic secondary and tertiary chilled networks widely used in clean rooms is derived using the Hazen-Williams formula principle. The field testing results confirm the validity of the proposed approach through a practical clean room HVAC system for electronic semiconductor manufacturing, and the energy savings and investment benefits due to the use of the proper differential pressure setpoint are determined.",
"corpus_id": 1024641
} | {
"title": "Energy evaluation of optimal control strategies for central VWV chiller systems",
"abstract": "Under various conditions, the actual load of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is less than it is originally designed in most operation periods. To save energy and to optimize the controls for chilling systems, the performance of variable water volume (VWV) systems and characteristics of control systems are analyzed, and three strategies are presented and tested based on simulation in this paper. Energy evaluation for the three strategies shows that they can save energy to some extent, and there is potential remained. To minimize the energy consumption of chilling system, the setpoints of controls of supply chilled water temperature and supply head of secondary pump should be optimized simultaneously.",
"corpus_id": 54781622
} | {
"title": "Parameter Estimation and the Use of Catalog Data in Modeling Heat Exchangers and Coils",
"abstract": "This paper presents a technique for developing models that can accurately replicate equipment performance of heat exchangers and coils. The technique employs mechanistic relations with unspecified parameters as the basis for the model relations. Catalog information is then used to estimate the best value of the parameters. Only a few geometric specifications are required and only a small number of parameters need to be fit. The technique is robust and accurately replicates catalog information over the entire operating range. Major advantages are that the use of mechanistic relations allows extension to different heat transfer fluids, different temperature ranges, and different temperature levels. The performance of the models developed with this technique is compared to that using the models of the ASHRAE HVAC 2 Toolkit (Brandemuehl 1992) and the historical ASHRAE approach (Stoecker 1975). The technique is illustrated for the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of a specific set of chilled water cooling coils. Results for a number of different heat exchanger types from different manufacturers such as shell-in-tube heat exchangers, heating and cooling coils, and direct expansion coils are also reported.",
"corpus_id": 109504756,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Who Is Responsible for Work–Life Balance?",
"abstract": "The problem with the concept of work–life balance is that most of the onus of achieving such clarity and satisfaction is left to the employee. As a pediatric intensivist and mother of two, I am ruled by the demands and requirements imposed both by my employer and academic position and by my beautiful children. It is the culture around and perception of working mothers that needs to change – both at work and in life. This would finally allow women to find balance and promote their success in all aspects of their lives. \n \nIt seems every day there are new articles, blogs, and reports, you name it, which discuss work–life balance. Everyone has their “secrets” on how you too can achieve the perfect distribution of time, effort, and success between work and life. A quick Internet search will tell you to “Drop activities that sap your time and energy!”, “Rethink your errands!” (1), “Leave work at work!” (2), or, my favorite, “Rethink your idea of clean!” (3). Yes, a messy house is just the thing that will make me feel more balanced. Of course, there are small things each of us can do to prioritize the things that are important to us, but in order for us all, particularly working mothers, to find this elusive “balance” in our lives, it is our work environment and culture around work and life that needs to change. \n \nThere are many aspects of the general work environment in the United States that do not support the working mother. The sad state of maternity leave in this country is one of the clearest examples of how poorly we support women trying to balance work and family. The United States currently ranks 20th out of the 21 high income countries in terms of the length of protected maternity leave at only 12 weeks and, along with Oman, is one of the only two countries that does not provide paid maternity leave (4). Of course, there are exceptions in this country: Netflix recently announced it would offer unlimited paid maternity leave to its employees, but only those on its digital side, not the lower paid, more easy to replace line workers (5). Unfortunately, this minimalist approach to maternity leave and pregnancy does not stop with employee policies. One of my colleagues, a neonatologist, planned an all too brief maternity leave, but was asked 2 weeks in when she would be returning from “vacation.” Or what about the fact that our own ruling board, The American Board of Pediatrics, would not let me take the critical care board exam locally when I was 39 weeks pregnant? They insisted the pregnancy was not a disability and I would have to travel hundreds of miles away to take my exam endangering myself and my unborn daughter. \n \nThe return to work is not all that welcoming either. Exhausted, emotional and forced back to work too early, many women long to continue breastfeeding, but we find ourselves hidden in dirty bathrooms pumping in secrecy since pump rooms are not always made available for employees. Returning to work also requires finding an affordable, high quality, loving environment for the new little one who, if we were kangaroos, would not even have left the pouch yet. Finding this type of care, whether it be daycare or nanny care, is quite challenging. The cost of high quality child care is astronomical in this country and infant care is even more expensive and difficult to find. I am incredibly fortunate to have phenomenal care for my children on the campus which I work, but I could pay in-state tuition for three children here at UCLA for the same price I pay for daycare for two. \n \nIn addition to the logistical difficulty of coming back to work, most women face questions and opinions regarding their ability to commit to both work and family. In a study where fake resumes that differed only by the sex and parental status of the applicant were evaluated, women with children were seen as less competent than women without children, though men with children were seen as equally competent and more warm than men without children. These assessments led to less interest in hiring, promoting, and educating working mothers when compared to working fathers or employees without children (6). In a similar study using fake resumes in a “laboratory” setting as well as sending fake resumes to actual potential employers, mothers were rated as less competent and less committed than non-mothers, but fathers were actually seen as being more committed and were offered higher starting salaries than non-fathers (7). This aptly named phenomenon, the “Motherhood penalty” is supported by countless other studies and has been documented in many countries outside of the United States. Women face increasingly negative perceptions about their commitment and ability as they have more children, whereas men are seen in a more positive light as their family grows. \n \nMothers need to be supported better at work. The United States used to rank seventh in terms of the proportion of women in the workplace, but we have recently dropped to 20th, just behind Japan. The disappearance of women from the work force has the potential of reducing family standards of living and negatively affects the economy. In addition, there is mounting evidence that having a working mother has economic, educational, and social benefits for children of both sexes (8). A recent study by Kathleen McGinn from Harvard Business School showed that daughters of working mothers were more likely to be employed, had higher incomes, and were more likely to have supervisory positions than daughters of non-working mothers (9). \n \nAs a start, we need to have comprehensive policies to better support maternity leave and breastfeeding at work. Large employers should consider providing on-site daycare that is affordable and convenient. These efforts along with other initiatives to encourage work–life balance have been shown to benefit not only the employee, but the employer as well. Organizations with strong, well-established work policies demonstrate higher organizational performance, market performance, and profit-sales growth (10) and employees of such organizations have higher job satisfaction, are more likely to stay at their job and have greater pride in their organization (11). \n \nEmployer efforts would go a long way to change the perception of working mothers by recognizing the challenges of balancing work and family and having policies in place to support them. However, this likely would not be enough. Women (and men) who find themselves in leadership roles need to take advantage of their position to support other women, particularly working mothers. One study of a large law firm showed that female attorneys were more likely to be promoted and stay at the law firm if they had female partners as mentors and role models (12). Leaders should be mindful of how organizing meetings and committees may put more stress on working mothers by scheduling meetings, for example, at 7:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. I was once invited to join the “Women in Science” Committee in a discussion of the challenges of women in academic medicine, but the meeting was scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This forces working mothers to make difficult choices and to limit their involvement in committees or meetings that may be meaningful for their careers. It also forces them to make excuses as to why they cannot participate, which is often negatively perceived. As a working mother oncologist has quoted saying, “Women need to stop apologizing for wanting and needing to be with their kids in addition to fulfilling their careers and playing a role in society” (13).",
"corpus_id": 2085981
} | {
"title": "Employment Industry and Occupational Class in Relation to Serious Psychological Distress in the United States",
"abstract": "Occupational characteristics may influence serious psychological distress (SPD) and contribute to health inequities; yet, few studies have examined multiple employment industries and occupational classes in a large, racially diverse sample of the United States. Using data from the National Health Interview Survey, we investigated employment industry and occupational class in relation to SPD in the overall population and by race/ethnicity, gender, age, household income, and health status. We created eight employment industry categories: professional/administrative/management, agricultural/manufacturing/construction, retail trade, finance/information/real estate, educational services, health care/social assistance, accommodation/food services, and public administration/arts/other services. We also created three occupational class categories: professional/management, support services, and laborers. SPD was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and scores ≥13 indicated SPD. We adjusted for confounders and used Poisson regression to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Among the 245,038 participants, the mean age was 41.7 ± 0.1 years, 73% were Non-Hispanic (NH)-White, and 1.5% were categorized as having SPD. Compared to the professional/administrative/management industry, working in other industries (e.g., manufacturing/construction (PR = 0.82 [95% CI: 0.70–0.95]) and educational services (PR = 0.79 [95% CI: 0.66–0.94])) was associated with lower SPD. Working in support services and laborer versus professional/management positions were both associated with 19% higher prevalence of SPD (95% CI: 1.04–1.35; 95% CI: 1.04–1.38, respectively). Furthermore, working in a support services or laborer versus professional/management position was associated with higher SPD in most employment industries. Industry-specific workplace interventions to equitably improve mental health are warranted.",
"corpus_id": 250399944
} | {
"title": "The Organizational Demography of Racial Employment Segregation",
"abstract": "This article examines how workers respond to changes in the racial composition of their workplaces. An analysis of the job histories of new hires into multiple workgroups within a single firm reveals path dependence in the effects of group composition on turnover. Exit rates are inversely related to the level of same-race representation at the time of organizational entry, and increase when workers experience declines in representation. However, turnover rates do not decline in response to increases in representation. The challenge of workplace racial integration therefore lies not simply in eliminating discrimination in hiring, but also in managing the post-hire dynamics of changes in group composition. Implications of the asymmetric effects of compositional change for the literature on organizational demography are also discussed.",
"corpus_id": 16498104,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Type 2 Diabetes Self-management Among Spanish-Speaking Hispanic Immigrants",
"abstract": "Abstract\nThis article describes the quantitative findings of a mixed-methods study that examined the relationship among knowledge, self-efficacy, health promoting behaviors, and type 2 diabetes self-management among recent Spanish-speaking, limited English proficient immigrants to the US. This population is at risk for both a higher incidence of disease and increased barriers to successful disease management compared to the general US population. Distinguishing aspects of this study compared to the available literature are the comprehensive nature of the data collected, the theoretical component, and the analysis and modeling approach. Social cognitive theory provides the framework for the study design and analysis. An innovative community-based recruiting strategy was used, a broad range of physiological measures related to health were observed, and instruments related to knowledge, self-efficacy, and healthy lifestyle behaviors were administered orally in Spanish to 30 participants. A broad range of statistical analysis methods was applied to the data, including a set of three structural equation models. The study results are consistent with the importance of education, health knowledge, and healthy lifestyle practices for type 2 diabetes self-management. With the usual cautions associated with applying structural equation modeling to modest sample sizes, multiple elements of the posited theoretical model were consistent with the data collected. The results of the investigation of this under-studied population indicate that, on average, participants were not effectively managing their disease. The results suggest that clinical interventions focused on improving knowledge, nutrition, and physical activity, reducing stress, and leveraging the importance of interpersonal relations could be effective intervention strategies to improve self-management among this population.",
"corpus_id": 3440876
} | {
"title": "Health-promoting behaviors benefit the mental health of cirrhotic outpatients",
"abstract": "PurposeThe objectives of this study were to survey the frequency of engaging in a health-promoting lifestyle in patients with liver cirrhosis, and examine the mediating effects of a health-promoting lifestyle on relationships of symptoms and psychological distress with the quality of life (QOL).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted to recruit 148 cirrhotic outpatients from the gastroenterology outpatient department of one medical university hospital. All study participants completed self-administered questionnaires comprising a multidimensional symptoms scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, short-form Chinese health-promoting lifestyle profile, and the Taiwanese version of the Short-Form 36. Hierarchical linear regression and mediation models were used to evaluate the effect of a health-promoting lifestyle on the QOL.ResultsResults showed these cirrhotic outpatients reported low frequencies of health-promoting behaviors in their daily activities and had poor mental health but superior physical health. The hierarchical linear regression model found that depression, anxiety, and a health-promoting lifestyle were significant determinants of mental health. The mediation analysis further identified that a health-promoting lifestyle acted as a significant mediator which ameliorated the effects of depression and anxiety on the mental health aspect of the QOL.ConclusionsA health-promoting lifestyle can improve the mental health of the QOL. Healthcare professionals can develop effective health-promoting interventions to manage and improve the mental health of cirrhotic patients.",
"corpus_id": 3579574
} | {
"title": "Testing a belief-based intervention encouraging sun-safety among adolescents in a high risk area.",
"abstract": "OBJECTIVE\nTo provide a preliminary test of a theory of planned behavior (TPB) belief-based intervention to increase adolescents' sun-protective behaviors in a high risk area, Queensland, Australia.\n\n\nMETHODS\nIn the period of October-November, 2007 and May-June, 2008, 80 adolescents (14.53 ± 0.69 years) were recruited from two secondary schools (one government and one private) in Queensland after obtaining student, parental, and school informed consent. Adolescents were allocated to either a control or intervention condition based on the class they attended. The intervention comprised three, one hour in-school sessions facilitated by Cancer Council Queensland employees with sessions covering the belief basis of the TPB (i.e., behavioral, normative, and control [barrier and motivator] sun-safe beliefs). Participants completed questionnaires assessing sun-safety beliefs, intentions, and behavior pre- and post-intervention. Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis of Variance was used to test the effect of the intervention across time on these constructs.\n\n\nRESULTS\nStudents completing the intervention reported stronger sun-safe normative and motivator beliefs and intentions and the performance of more sun-safe behaviors across time than those in the control condition.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nStrengthening beliefs about the approval of others and motivators for sun protection may encourage sun-safe cognitions and actions among adolescents.",
"corpus_id": 25990430,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "COSA-ET finger: A coupled and self-adaptive underactuated robot finger with double springs and an empty-trip mechanism",
"abstract": "This paper introduces a novel underactuated robot finger, called COSA-ET finger, which can perform coupled and self-adaptive (COSA) hybrid grasping modes. The COSA-ET finger has two joints, mainly consists of an actuator, two phalanges, two shafts, an empty-trip (ET) transmission mechanism, a set of reverse transmission mechanism, two driving pulleys, two belts, a limiting pulley, a limiting block and two springs. A robot hand made of COSA-ET fingers can executes multiple grasping modes depending on the dimensions, shapes and positions of objects including coupled pinching, enveloping, and especially the coupled and self-adaptive (COSA) hybrid grasping. The empty-trip mechanism is the trigger of transition of grasping modes. Kinematics and statics analysis show the distribution of contact forces and the switch condition of COSA-ET finger. The COSA-ET hand has a wide range of applications.",
"corpus_id": 6162666
} | {
"title": "A highly-underactuated robotic hand with force and joint angle sensors",
"abstract": "This paper describes a novel underactuated robotic hand design. The hand is highly underactuated as it contains three fingers with three joints each controlled by a single motor. One of the fingers (“thumb”) can also be rotated about the base of the hand, yielding a total of two controllable degrees-of-freedom. A key component of the design is the addition of position and tactile sensors which provide precise angle feedback and binary force feedback. Our mechanical design can be analyzed theoretically to predict contact forces as well as hand position given a particular object shape",
"corpus_id": 13992367
} | {
"title": "DLR hand II: hard- and software architecture for information processing",
"abstract": "In the robotic community more and more hands have been developed. These newly designed manipulators greatly outperform their ancestors in terms of available sensor signals, applicable grasping force, mechanical stability, reliability, kinematic design and more. This development extends the possible range and complexity of applications of robotic grippers also to areas outside of well structured laboratories and simple tasks. It also calls for more flexible control structures to provide a framework for implementing and executing these newly arising tasks without having to start from scratch for each new task. During the last few years we developed a control system architecture for DLR hand II that proved to be useful for a great variety of different applications. This paper presents the basic ideas behind DLR hand II's hard- and software architecture adapted to new needs in data processing.",
"corpus_id": 17987782,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Larvicidal effects of Chinaberry (Melia azederach) powder on Anopheles arabiensis in Ethiopia",
"abstract": "BackgroundSynthetic insecticides are employed in the widely-used currently favored malaria control techniques involving indoor residual spraying and treated bednets. These methods have repeatedly proven to be highly effective at reducing malaria incidence and prevalence. However, rapidly emerging mosquito resistance to the chemicals and logistical problems in transporting supplies to remote locations threaten the long-term sustainability of these techniques. Chinaberry (Melia azederach) extracts have been shown to be effective growth-inhibiting larvicides against several insects. Because several active chemicals in the trees' seeds have insecticidal properties, the emergence of resistance is unlikely. Here, we investigate the feasibility of Chinaberry as a locally available, low-cost sustainable insecticide that can aid in controlling malaria. Chinaberry fruits were collected from Asendabo, Ethiopia. The seeds were removed from the fruits, dried and crushed into a powder. From developmental habitats in the same village, Anopheles arabiensis larvae were collected and placed into laboratory containers. Chinaberry seed powder was added to the larval containers at three treatment levels: 5 g m-2, 10 g m-2 and 20 g m-2, with 100 individual larvae in each treatment level and a control. The containers were monitored daily and larvae, pupae and adult mosquitoes were counted. This experimental procedure was replicated three times.ResultsChinaberry seed powder caused an inhibition of emergence of 93% at the 5 g m-2 treatment level, and 100% inhibition of emergence at the two higher treatment levels. The Chinaberry had a highly statistically significant larvicidal effect at all treatment levels (χ2 = 184, 184, and 155 for 5 g m-2, 10 g m-2 and 20 g m-2, respectively; p < 0.0001 in all cases). In addition, estimates suggest that sufficient Chinaberry seed exists in Asendabo to treat developmental habitat for the duration of the rainy season and support a field trial.ConclusionsChinaberry seed is a very potent growth-inhibiting larvicide against the major African malaria vector An. arabiensis. The seed could provide a sustainable additional malaria vector control tool that can be used where the tree is abundant and where An. arabiensis is a dominant vector. Based on these results, a future village-scale field trial using the technique is warranted.",
"corpus_id": 1642737
} | {
"title": "Poisoning in ostriches following ingestion of toxic plants - field observations",
"abstract": "Data from post-mortem and field studies were obtained that discussed poisoning in ostriches following ingestion of toxic plants. From the notes, all plants studied caused death in ostriches and there was systemic organ damage. Poisoning from Sarcostemma viminale (Melktou) resulted in beak patting, muscular tremors and head flopping, followed by collapse and violent kicking before death. Ingestion of Combretum oatesii (Red wings) seeds from plants in free grazing pastures resulted in vomiting, restlessness, eyelid flicking, collapse and kicking movements. Dichapetalum cymosum (Gifblaar) killed an ostrich after episodes of shaking legs, rapid respiration and bradycardia and hyperaemia of the lungs, liver and kidneys. Poisoning from Senecio sceleratus (Ragwort) caused skin haemorrhages and bleeding in tracheal mucous membranes, the pericardium, diaphragm and interperitoneal membrane. Consumption of drupes from Melia azedarach (Syringa berry) caused muscle tremors, kicking movements and respiratory distress. Lantana camara (Cherry pie) poisoning resulted in extremely inflamed eyes with copious yellow exudates extending down their beaks and onto their necks. Bentonite was administered by gavage at a dose of 5 g/kg. Poisoning in these cases is usually associated with the farmer allowing his/her birds to roam free-range in paddocks in which toxic plants are growing. Toxic plants should be removed from grass cut for hay.",
"corpus_id": 21436646
} | {
"title": "Development and Optimization of Surface and Volume Radiofrequency Coils Suitable for Fast-Field-Cycling Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FFC-MRI)",
"abstract": " \n \n \n \n \nObjective: To evaluate a modelling and design methodology employed in constructing and optimizing radiofrequency (RF) coils suitable for use with the whole-body fast-field-cycling Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FFC-MRI). It is also aimed at comparing the sensitivity and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the various types of surface RF coils constructed at the initial and final stages of this research. \nMethodology: An experimental study carried out at Biomedical MRI Laboratory at University of Aberdeen. Various designs of RF coil were constructed, optimized and tested with network/signal analyser for use with an experimental FFC - MRI scanner, operating at a detection magnetic field of 0.2 T (proton Larmor frequency of 8.5 MHz). The coils comprised circular loop (CL) RF – receive surface coil and a birdcage RF – transmit volume coil. The intrinsic parameters of the CL coils were measured using a search-coil field probe and a network/signal analyser. \nResults: The CL surface coil constructed with copper wire had resonant frequency of 8.46 MHz and Quality factor (Q – factor) of 47.1 while the resonant frequency of the one constructed with litz wire was 8.54 MHz and Q - factor of 85.4 MHz. The intrinsic parameter of the birdcage volume coil was 8.48 MHz and Q - factor of 102. \nConclusion: Bench testing of the coils showed promise as receiver and transmit coils for the FFC-MRI system \n \n \n \n \n ",
"corpus_id": 249118315,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "Novel compound heterozygous mutations in the MYO15A gene in autosomal recessive hearing loss identified by whole-exome sequencing",
"abstract": "BackgroundInherited genetic defects play an important role in congenital hearing loss, contributing to about 60% of deafness occurring in infants. Hereditary nonsyndromic hearing loss is highly heterogeneous, and most patients with a presumed genetic etiology lack a specific molecular diagnosis.MethodsBy whole exome sequencing, we identified responsible gene of family 4794 with autosomal recessively nonsyndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL). We also used DNA from 56 Chinese familial patients with ARNSHL (autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing loss) and 108 ethnicity-matched negative samples to perform extended variants analysis.ResultsWe identified MYO15A c.IVS25 + 3G > A and c.8375 T > C (p.V2792A) as the disease-causing mutations. Both mutations co-segregated with hearing loss in family 4794, but were absent in the 56 index patients and 108 ethnicity-matched controls.ConclusionsOur results demonstrated that the hearing loss of family 4794 was caused by novel compound heterozygous mutations in MYO15A.",
"corpus_id": 1382069
} | {
"title": "Identification of Pathogenic Genes of Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss in Uyghur Families Using Massively Parallel DNA Sequencing Technique",
"abstract": "We aim to identify the mutations of deafness genes using massively parallel DNA sequencing in the 12 Uyghur families. SNPscan method was used to screen against the 124 sites in the common deafness genes in probands. Subjects with SNPscan negativity were subject to massively parallel DNA sequencing for the sequencing of 97 genes known to be responsible for hearing loss. Eight families (66.7%) showed biallelic mutations in probands, including MYO15A mutation (6892C>T in J02 family, 9514C>T/7894G>T in J07 family, and 9514C>T in J16 family), MYO7A mutation (1258A>T in J03 family), TMC1 mutation (773G>A in J09 family and 1247T>G/1312G>A in J11 family), and PCDH15 mutation (4658delT in J08 and J13 families). Six novel types of mutation were identified including 6892C>T, 9514C>T/7894G>T, and 9514C>T in MYO15A gene, 1258A>T in MYO7A, 773G>A in TMC1, and 4658delT in PCDH15. The ratio of nonsense mutation and frameshift mutation was comparatively high. All these indicated that the mutation types reported in this study were rare. In conclusion, rare deafness genes were identified in the Uyghur families using massively parallel DNA sequencing, part of which were suggested to be related to the pathogenesis of the disease.",
"corpus_id": 5047273
} | {
"title": "Complete inactivation of DNMT1 leads to mitotic catastrophe in human cancer cells",
"abstract": "Studies have shown that DNA (cytosine-5-)-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is the principal enzyme responsible for maintaining CpG methylation and is required for embryonic development and survival of somatic cells in mice. The role of DNMT1 in human cancer cells, however, remains highly controversial. Using homologous recombination, here we have generated a DNMT1 conditional allele in the human colorectal carcinoma cell line HCT116 in which several exons encoding the catalytic domain are flanked by loxP sites. Cre recombinase–mediated disruption of this allele results in hemimethylation of ∼20% of CpG-CpG dyads in the genome, coupled with activation of the G2/M checkpoint, leading to arrest in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. Although cells gradually escape from this arrest, they show severe mitotic defects and undergo cell death either during mitosis or after arresting in a tetraploid G1 state. Our results thus show that DNMT1 is required for faithfully maintaining DNA methylation patterns in human cancer cells and is essential for their proliferation and survival.",
"corpus_id": 8421670,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Attractor Network Models of Cortical Associative Memory",
"abstract": "The theories of early brain scientists like Hebb and v. Hayek were in many ways analogous to modern attractor network models. In a series of simulations we have addressed the question whether or not a network of biological neurons could function as an attractor network. We found robust attractor dynamics displayed on a time-scale compatible with perceptual performance. The action at the cellular level of monoamine neuromodulators, like e.g. serotonin, could be modelled and effects on network behaviour were observed. The brain, however, is a highly complex multi-network structure and models have to take this into account before one can get a more complete understanding of the full range of its function.",
"corpus_id": 189857
} | {
"title": "Modelling Hebbian cell assemblies comprised of cortical neurons",
"abstract": "A highly simplified network model of cortical associative memory, based on Hebb's theory of cell assemblies, has been developed and simulated. The network comprises realistically modelled pyramidal-type cells and inhibitory fast-spiking interneurons and its connectivity is adopted from a trained recurrent artificial neural network. After-activity, pattern completion and competition between cell assemblies is readily produced. If, instead of pyramidal cells, motor neuron type cells are used, network behaviour changes drastically. For instance, spike synchronization can be observed but after-activity is hard to produce. The authors results support the biological feasibility of Hebb's cell assembly theory. The analogy between this theory and recurrent artificial neural network models is discussed.",
"corpus_id": 9437919
} | {
"title": "Lower Hybrid antennas for nuclear fusion experiments",
"abstract": "The nuclear fusion research goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion power for peaceful purposes. In order to achieve the conditions similar to those expected in an electricity-generating fusion power plant, plasmas with a temperature of several hundreds of millions of degrees must be generated and sustained for long periods. For this purpose, RF antennas delivering multi-megawatts of power to magnetized confined plasma are commonly used in experimental tokamaks. In the gigahertz range of frequencies, high power phased arrays known as “Lower Hybrid” (LH) antennas are used to extend the plasma duration. This paper reviews some of the technological aspects of the LH antennas used in the Tore Supra tokamak and presents the current design of a proposed 20 MW LH system for the international experiment ITER.",
"corpus_id": 20568084,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "Selection for biennial life histories in plants",
"abstract": "The applicability of traditional models of life-history evolution is restricted because models assume constant environments without density-dependence. In these models the geometric growth rate (λ) of a lineage is the natural choice for the fitness criterion. Because in growing populations λ is very sensitive to changes in generation time, biennials appear at a disadvantage when compared to species with annual reproduction. We propose an alternative fitness criterion for the situation in which recruitment is limited by both the availability of seeds and the (constant) rate at which ‘safe sites’ for establishment are created by small-scale disturbances. Under the assumptions of the model the evolutionarily stable strategy is to maximize expected seed production, irrespective of the length of the life cycle. For monocarpic plants, this implies that delay of flowering is favourable if the increased seed production compensates for the death of rosettes.",
"corpus_id": 2336329
} | {
"title": "Life history traits of the pseudometallophyte Thlaspi caerulescens in natural populations from Northern Europe.",
"abstract": "We examined recruitment, survival, life cycle and fecundity of two metallicolous (M, on metalliferous calamine soils) and two non-metallicolous (NM, on normal soils) populations of Thlaspi caerulescens in Belgium and Luxemburg. In each population, permanent plots were monitored over two reproductive seasons. In M populations, plots were located in two contrasting environments (grass versus grove) in order to test the influence of vegetation cover on life strategy. Our results show that the monocarpic life cycle is dominant in all populations of T. caerulescens. However the length of the pre-reproductive period varies from several months (winter annuals) to 1 year or more (perennials), and is partly related to plant origin (M versus NM). Most plants growing in metalliferous environments were annuals, whereas NM plants were mostly perennials. These differences in life cycle were related to differences in survival during summer, which was better in NM than in M populations. Within each M population, different survival conditions and life cycles were observed according to vegetation cover. Plants growing in grass areas were mostly annuals and had a low survival rate in summer whereas grove plants were mostly perennials and survived better in summer. Our results suggest the selection of stress avoiders (shortening of life cycle) in M populations of T. caerulescens but only for individuals growing in grass areas. Summer survival seems to play a key role in selection of life strategy in T. caerulescens.",
"corpus_id": 16540037
} | {
"title": "Foxo‐mediated Bim transcription is dispensable for the apoptosis of hematopoietic cells that is mediated by this BH3‐only protein",
"abstract": "The BH3‐only protein Bim is a critical initiator of apoptosis in hematopoietic cells. Bim is upregulated in response to growth factor withdrawal and in vitro studies have implicated the transcription factor Foxo3a as a critical inducer. To test the importance of this regulation in vivo, we generated mice with mutated Foxo‐binding sites within the Bim promoters (BimΔFoxo/ΔFoxo). Contrary to Bim‐deficient mice, BimΔFoxo/ΔFoxo mice had a normal hematopoietic system. Moreover, cytokine‐dependent haematopoietic cells from BimΔFoxo/ΔFoxo and wt mice died at similar rates. These results indicate that regulation of Bim by Foxo transcription factors is not critical for the killing of hematopoietic cells.",
"corpus_id": 32247406,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Expected worst-case partial match in random quadtries",
"abstract": "We consider random multivariate quadtries obtained from n points independently and uniformly distributed on the unit cube of Rd Let Nn(y) be the complexity of the standard partial match algorithm for fixed vector y, where y is a vector in Rs O < s < d. We study Nn=supy Nn(y), the worst-case time for partial match. Among other things, we show that partial match is very stable, in the sense that supy Nn(y)/infy Nn(y) → 1 in probability.",
"corpus_id": 1699206
} | {
"title": "Universal Asymptotics for Random Tries and PATRICIA Trees",
"abstract": "AbstractWe consider random tries and random patricia trees \nconstructed from n independent strings of \nsymbols drawn from any distribution on any discrete space. We show that\nmany parameters Zn of these random structures\nare universally stable in the sense that\nZn/E{Zn} tends to one probability. This occurs, for example, when Zn is the height, the size, the depth of the last node added, the number of nodes at a given depth (also called the profile), the search time\nfor a partial match, the stack size, or the number of nodes\nwith k children. These properties are valid without any\nconditions on the string distributions.",
"corpus_id": 15752481
} | {
"title": "Pengaruh Quality of Friendship dan Subjective Well Being terhadap Hardiness Santri Pondok Pesantren Modern Al Amanah Al Gontory",
"abstract": "Abstrak This study aims to prove the influence of the quality of friendship (stimulating friendship, help, intimacy, reliable alliances, self-validation, and emotional security) and subjective well-being (cognitive and affective aspects) on the characteristics of santri in the Islamic Boarding School of Al Amanah Al Gontory Pesantren. This research uses quantitative with multiple regression analysis method. The winning sample is 240 santri . The instrument collects data using a scale compiled by the author based on hardiness theory by Kobasa (1982), friendship quality theory by Mendelson and Aboud (2012), and subjective wellness theory by Diener, Lucas, and Oishi (2002). The results showed that there were significant differences in the quality of friendship and subjective well-being of santri of the Islamic Boarding School of Al Amanah Al Gontory Pesantren. Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membuktikan pengaruh quality of friendship ( stimulating companionship, help, intimacy, reliable alliance, self validation, dan emotional security ) dan subjective well being (aspek kognitif dan aspek afektif) terhadap hardiness santri Pondok Pesantren Al Amanah Al Gontory . Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan metode analisis regresi berganda. Sampel berjumlah 240 santri. Instrumen pengumpulan data menggunakan skala yang disusun sendiri oleh penulis berdasarkan teori hardiness oleh Kobasa (1982), teori quality of friendship oleh Mendelson dan Aboud (2012), dan teori subjective well being oleh Diener, Lucas dan Oishi (2002) . Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat pengaruh yang signifikan quality of friendship dan subjective well being terhadap hardiness santri Pondok Pesantren Al Amanah Al Gontory .",
"corpus_id": 202282189,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "Ipsilateral Input Modifies the Primary Somatosensory Cortex Response to Contralateral Skin Flutter",
"abstract": "We recorded the optical intrinsic signal response of squirrel monkey primary somatosensory cortex (SI) to 25 Hz vibrotactile (“flutter”) stimulation applied independently to the thenar eminence on each hand and also to bilateral (simultaneous) stimulation of both thenars. The following observations were obtained in every subject (n = 5). (1) Ipsilateral stimulation was accompanied by an increase in absorbance within the SI hand region substantially smaller than the absorbance increase evoked by contralateral stimulation. (2) The absorbance increase evoked by simultaneous bilateral stimulation was smaller (by ∼30%) than that evoked by contralateral stimulation. (3) The spatiointensive pattern of the SI response to bilateral flutter was distinctly different than the pattern that accompanied contralateral flutter stimulation: with contralateral flutter, the center of the responding region of SI underwent a large increase in absorbance, whereas absorbance decreased in the surrounding region; in contrast, during bilateral flutter, absorbance decreased (relative to that evoked by contralateral flutter) in the central region of SI but increased in the surround. The results raise the possibility that somatosensory perceptual experiences specific to bimanual tactile object exploration derive, at least in part, from the unique spatiointensive activity pattern evoked in SI when the stimulus makes contact with both hands. It is suggested that modulatory influences evoked by ipsilateral thenar flutter stimulation reach SI via a two-stage pathway involving interhemispheric (callosal) connections between information processing levels higher than SI and subsequently via intrahemispheric (corticocortical) projections to the SI hand region.",
"corpus_id": 2088496
} | {
"title": "Frequency-dependent response of SI RA-class neurons to vibrotactile stimulation of the receptive field.",
"abstract": "Three types of experiment were carried out on anesthetized monkeys and cats. In the first, spike discharge activity of rapidly adapting (RA) SI neurons was recorded extracellularly during the application of different frequencies of vibrotactile stimulation to the receptive field (RF). The second used the same stimulus conditions to study the response of RA-I (RA) cutaneous mechanoreceptive afferents. The third used optical intrinsic signal (OIS) imaging and extracellular neurophysiological recording methods together, in the same sessions, to evaluate the relationship between the SI optical and RA neuron spike train responses to low- vs high-frequency stimulation of the same skin site. RA afferent entrainment was high at all frequencies of stimulation. In contrast, SI RA neuron entrainment was much lower on average, and was strongly frequency-dependent, declining in near-linear fashion from 6 to 200 Hz. Even at 200 Hz, however, unambiguous frequency-following responses were present in the spike train activity of som",
"corpus_id": 13475879
} | {
"title": "Interactions between magainin 2 and Salmonella typhimurium outer membranes: effect of lipopolysaccharide structure.",
"abstract": "The role of the outer membrane and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the interaction between the small cationic antimicrobial peptide magainin 2 and the Gram-negative cell envelope was studied by FT-IR spectroscopy. Magainin 2 alters the thermotropic properties of the outer membrane-peptidoglycan complexes from wild-type Salmonella typhimurium and a series of LPS mutants which display differential susceptibility to the bactericidal activity of cationic antibiotics. These results are correlated with the LPS phosphorylation pattern and charge (characterized by high-resolution 31P NMR) and outer membrane lipid composition, and are compared to the bactericidal susceptibility. LPS mutants show a progressive loss of resistance to killing by magainin 2 as the length of the LPS polysaccharide moiety decreases. Disordering of the outer membrane lipid fatty acyl chains by magainin 2, however, depends primarily upon the magnitude of LPS charge rather than the length of the LPS polysaccharide, contradicting the proposal by Weiss et al. [Weiss, J., Beckerdite-Quagiata, S., & Elsbach, P. (1980) J. Clin. Invest. 65, 619-628] that the sugar side chain of LPS shields the negative charges of the outer membrane surface. While disruption of outer membrane structure most likely is not the primary factor leading to cell death, the susceptibility of Gram-negative cells to magainin 2 is associated with factors that facilitate the transport of the peptide across the outer membrane, such as the magnitude and location of LPS charge, the concentration of LPS in the outer membrane, outer membrane molecular architecture, and the presence or absence of the O-antigen side chain.",
"corpus_id": 9478895,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Sketch2Photo: internet image montage",
"abstract": "We present a system that composes a realistic picture from a simple freehand sketch annotated with text labels. The composed picture is generated by seamlessly stitching several photographs in agreement with the sketch and text labels; these are found by searching the Internet. Although online image search generates many inappropriate results, our system is able to automatically select suitable photographs to generate a high quality composition, using a filtering scheme to exclude undesirable images. We also provide a novel image blending algorithm to allow seamless image composition. Each blending result is given a numeric score, allowing us to find an optimal combination of discovered images. Experimental results show the method is very successful; we also evaluate our system using the results from two user studies.",
"corpus_id": 11816255
} | {
"title": "Seam carving for content-aware image resizing",
"abstract": "Effective resizing of images should not only use geometric constraints, but consider the image content as well. We present a simple image operator called seam carving that supports content-aware image resizing for both reduction and expansion. A seam is an optimal 8-connected path of pixels on a single image from top to bottom, or left to right, where optimality is defined by an image energy function. By repeatedly carving out or inserting seams in one direction we can change the aspect ratio of an image. By applying these operators in both directions we can retarget the image to a new size. The selection and order of seams protect the content of the image, as defined by the energy function. Seam carving can also be used for image content enhancement and object removal. We support various visual saliency measures for defining the energy of an image, and can also include user input to guide the process. By storing the order of seams in an image we create multi-size images, that are able to continuously change in real time to fit a given size.",
"corpus_id": 207163791
} | {
"title": "Pre-Translation for Neural Machine Translation",
"abstract": "Recently, the development of neural machine translation (NMT) has significantly improved the translation quality of automatic machine translation. While most sentences are more accurate and fluent than translations by statistical machine translation (SMT)-based systems, in some cases, the NMT system produces translations that have a completely different meaning. This is especially the case when rare words occur. ::: When using statistical machine translation, it has already been shown that significant gains can be achieved by simplifying the input in a preprocessing step. A commonly used example is the pre-reordering approach. ::: In this work, we used phrase-based machine translation to pre-translate the input into the target language. Then a neural machine translation system generates the final hypothesis using the pre-translation. Thereby, we use either only the output of the phrase-based machine translation (PBMT) system or a combination of the PBMT output and the source sentence. ::: We evaluate the technique on the English to German translation task. Using this approach we are able to outperform the PBMT system as well as the baseline neural MT system by up to 2 BLEU points. We analyzed the influence of the quality of the initial system on the final result.",
"corpus_id": 18017180,
"score": -1
} |
{
"title": "A schematic analysis of the Unified Medical Language System.",
"abstract": "The UMLS is a complex collection of medical terms and relationships derived from standard classifications. Appreciating the scope and layout of these relations from text descriptions of relational schema is difficult. The graphical technique of Logical Data Structure (LDS) representation was employed to illustrate the UMLS schema as a data abstraction, affording additional insights that might otherwise escape notice. An LDS representation of the Metathesaurus offers the following advantages: 1) the separation of a viewpoint from physical data structures enables a global outline of the contents; 2) the graphical map makes the interrelation of data visible; and 3) the logical entities explicitly reflect the decision-making which was implicit or ambiguous in the relational scheme.",
"corpus_id": 2034184
} | {
"title": "A randomized controlled trial of automated term composition",
"abstract": "OBJECTIVE\nTo compare the ability of an Automated Term Composition (ATC) algorithm with non-compositional mappings to provide coverage (exact mappings to a controlled vocabulary) for a randomly selected set of free text entries which were entered as headings to the Impression section of the clinical notes system at the Mayo Foundation. We also compare the results of four evaluators to determine the inter-observer variability and the variance between term sets, with respect to the accuracy of the mappings and the reliability of the failure analysis.\n\n\nMETHODS\nFrom a corpus of approximately 1,000,000 unique terms entered into the Impression/Report/Plan section of the clinical notes system in the calendar year 1997, we randomly selected 1,000 terms. We then further randomized these 1,000 terms into two groups of 500 (Sets A and B). We constructed two copies of the same term matching interface, one without ATC (alpha) and one with ATC (beta). We took four expert Indexers and assigned them to one of the following tasks. The first reviewer (R1) compared set A using the alpha program and then set B using the beta program (R1(Aalpha + Bbeta)). The second compared set A using the alpha program and then set B using the alpha program (R2(A + B) alpha). The third compared set B using the beta program and then set A using the beta program (R3(B + A) beta). The fourth compared set A using the beta program and then set B using the alpha program (R4(Abeta + Balpha)).\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe program with Automated Term Composition mapped 540 out of the 1,000 Concepts correctly (54.0%). The same program without ATC mapped only 276 out of the 1,000 Concepts correctly (27.6%). Therefore the program with ATC was significantly more effective at matching concepts in our problem lists than the same search engine without ATC (p < 0.0001; McNemar Method). These figures result from the comparison of the alpha program with the beta program by reviewers one and four. Failure analysis showed that with the alpha version 425 out of the 724 mismatches were because a base concept was missing from the retrieval set (58.7%) and 299 mismatches were from missing qualifiers or modifiers or both (41.3%). In the beta version of the program (with ATC) 340 out of the 460 mismatches were secondary to there being a missing base concept in the retrieval set (73.9%) and only 120 mismatches due to missing modifiers and or qualifiers (26.1%).\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nAutomated term composition provided significantly better coverage of a randomly chosen set of patient problems, diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic during the 1997 calendar year, when compared with the same information retrieval system without ATC. We believe that these results speak further to the excellent content coverage provided by the UMLS metathesaurus. These authors believe that increased structure, normalization of UMLS content and semantics, and better tools to make use of the currently available content such as automated term composition, are what is needed to leverage the production of commercially viable tools that provide access to controlled vocabularies for medicine.",
"corpus_id": 29557434
} | {
"title": "Biphasic actions of L‐DOPA on the release of endogenous noradrenaline and dopamine from rat hypothalamic slices",
"abstract": "1 Effects of L‐DOPA on the release of endogenous noradrenaline and dopamine from rat hypothalamic slices evoked by electrical field stimulation at 5 Hz were investigated in the absence and presence of p‐bromobenzyloxyamine (NSD‐1055), a DOPA‐decarboxylase inhibitor. 2 In the absence of NSD‐1055, L‐DOPA produced a facilitation of impulse‐evoked release of noradrenaline at 0.1 μM but not at 1 and 10 μM, and had no effect on the spontaneous release. On the other hand, L‐DOPA 0.1 to 10 μM dose‐dependently increased the spontaneous release of dopamine and the highest concentration only increased the evoked release and tissue content of dopamine. 3 In the presence of NSD‐1055 10 μM, the increase in the spontaneous release of dopamine was prevented and L‐DOPA produced biphasic regulatory effects on the evoked release of noradrenaline and dopamine, a facilitation at 0.1 μM and an inhibition at 1 μM. The facilitation was antagonized by (‐)‐propranolol 0.1 μM, but not by the (+)‐isomer, whereas the inhibition was antagonized by S‐sulpiride 1 nM, but not by the R‐isomer. 4 In conclusion, L‐DOPA appears to produce biphasic actions on the release of endogenous noradrenaline and dopamine from rat hypothalamic slices, not through its conversion to dopamine but through presynaptic regulatory mechanisms, an inhibition via dopamine receptors at a micromolar concentration and a facilitation via β‐adrenoceptors at the lower concentration.",
"corpus_id": 33866582,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "Policy burdens, accountability and soft budget constraint of Chinese HEIs",
"abstract": "Policy burdens of HEIs (higher education institutions) lead to the soft budget constraint (SBC) and the excessive loans of HEIs. Since information asymmetry and incentive are incompatible, policy burdens will result in the adverse selection of the president, and the excessive loans and low efficiency of HEIs. When HEIs are with policy burdens, the government’s restriction of the loan autonomy of HEIs is usually a hypo-optimizing institutional arrangement. The key to hardening budget constraint of HEIs is to free HEIs of policy burdens.摘要高校承担的政策性负担造成 了 高校软预算约束和超量贷款 。 在信息不对称和 激励不相容的情况下, 政策性负担将导致高校校长的逆向选择, 从而造成高校的超 量贷款和效率降低。 当高校承担政策性负担时, 政府限制高校的贷款自主权往往是 一种次优的制度安排。 硬化高校预算约束的关键在于剥离高校的政策性负担。",
"corpus_id": 154449551
} | {
"title": "Can State Ownership Facilitate Trade Credit Financing?",
"abstract": "This paper investigates the effect of state ownership on trade credit financing among Chinese firms. We find that besides market power, state ownership also has a significantly positive effect on the use of trade credit, and thus can serve as a substitute of market power to facilitate trade credit financing. Further analysis indicates that in areas with lower degree of financial market development, the positive effect of state ownership on the trade credit financing is stronger, while the positive effect of market power is weaker. Our study shows that under the background of China's transitional economy, state ownership not only has a positive effect on the access to formal financing from financial intermediaries, but also has an implicit guarantee effect on the access to trade credit financing.",
"corpus_id": 15889276
} | {
"title": "Anabolic steroid use: patterns of use and detection of doping.",
"abstract": "Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) were the first identified doping agents that have ergogenic effects and are being used to increase muscle mass and strength in adult males. Consequently, athletes are still using them to increase physical performance and bodybuilders are using them to improve size and cosmetic appearance. The prevalence of AAS use has risen dramatically over the last two decades and filtered into all aspects of society. Support for AAS users has increased, but not by the medical profession, who will not accept that AAS use dependency is a psychiatric condition. The adverse effects and potential dangers of AAS use have been well documented. AAS are used in sport by individuals who have acquired knowledge of the half-lives of specific drugs and the dosages and cycles required to avoid detection. Conversely, they are used by bodybuilders in extreme dosages with the intention of gaining muscle mass and size, with little or no regard for the consequences. Polypharmacy by self-prescription is prevalent in this sector. Most recently, AAS use has filtered through to 'recreational street drug' users and is the largest growth of drugs in this subdivision. They are taken to counteract the anorexic and cachectic effects of the illegal psychotropic street drugs. Screening procedures for AAS in World Anti-Doping Agency accredited laboratories are comprehensive and sensitive and are based mainly on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, although liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry is becoming increasingly more valuable. The use of carbon isotope mass spectrometry is also of increasing importance in the detection of natural androgen administration, particularly to detect testosterone administration. There is a degree of contentiousness in the scenario of AAS drug use, both within and outside sport. AAS and associated doping agents are not illegal per se. Possession is not an offence, despite contravening sporting regulations and moral codes. Until AAS are classified in the same capacity as street drugs in the UK, where possession becomes a criminal offence, they will continue to attract those who want to win at any cost. The knowledge acquired by such work can only assist in the education of individuals who use such doping agents, with a view to minimizing health risks and hopefully once again create a level playing field in sport.",
"corpus_id": 249884048,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Diabetes Translation Research: Where Are We and Where Do We Want To Be?",
"abstract": "We have previously described translation research as comprehensive applied research that strives to translate the available knowledge and make it useful in everyday clinical and public health practice (1). Translation research aims to assess implementation of standards of care, understand the barriers to their implementation, and intervene throughout all levels of health care delivery and public health to improve quality of care and health outcomes, including quality of life. Translation research may be viewed as an extension of effectiveness research, but in its evolution it has encompassed new dimensions (the Figure shows translation research in the context of other types of research and public health assessments). Translation research 1) is oriented toward understanding solutions to real-world health care delivery problems (as opposed to basic science, epidemiology, and public health surveillance, which aim to characterize the problem); 2) is interested in impact, generalizability, and transferability (for example, application of results to most people with the condition, issues concerning application to diverse settings and situations, and the extent of spread and equity in implementation); 3) focuses on assessing effectiveness and its influence on process and outcomes, and the sustainability of long-term implementation in real-world settings; and 4) emphasizes efficiency (that is, relative value under conditions of finite resources), equity, and facilitation of optimal health and health care for as many people as possible. Figure. Translation research in the context of other types of research and public health assessments. Diabetes is a chronic disease with complex causes, manifestations, complications, and management. The disease imposes huge public health and economic burdens despite the availability of numerous efficacious treatments, in part because these treatments are often suboptimally applied in practice (1-4). Recent evidence also provides efficacious interventions to prevent or delay diabetes in high-risk groups, but translating these interventions into practice brings additional challenges (5). All of these factors make diabetes a prototype of chronic diseases, which are the major cause of death, illness, and reduced quality of life in both industrialized and industrializing nations. Over the past decade, the content and implementation of translation research have evolved considerably (2, 6). The field continues to change and adapt to modern realities and challenges, and today the need for translation research is greater than ever before. We briefly review examples of interventions to reduce the burden of diabetes, review the progress in diabetes translation research, and identify the future challenges and opportunities for this field. Without question, the control of diabetes and other chronic diseases will be a high-priority public health issue in the 21st century. Gaps in Diabetes Care Two articles in this supplement describe the enormous health and economic burden posed by diabetes (7, 8). Fortunately, several efficacious strategies to prevent or delay diabetes complications have emerged during the past decade, including control of blood pressure, lipids, and glycemia; early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and foot disease; therapy with aspirin and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors; and influenza and pneumococcal vaccines (1, 2). Although many of these treatments are relatively cost-effective, their implementation remains suboptimal. According to national data, in the United States there is a considerable gap between recommended diabetes care and the care patients actually receive (4). In 19881995, for example, 18% of diabetic persons age 18 to 75 years had a hemoglobin A1c level greater than 9.5%, 34.3% were hypertensive (blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg), and 58% had a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of 3.35 mmol/L or greater ( 130 mg/dL). In addition, 63% had a dilated eye examination in the previous year, 54.8% had a foot examination; just 38% were self-monitoring their blood glucose levels; and only 46% and 27% had received influenza vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine, respectively. More recent data, however, indicate encouraging improvement, with increases in the use of eye examination (increased 7 percentage points), foot examination (6 percentage points), self-monitoring of blood glucose (15 percentage points), influenza vaccine (5 percentage points), and pneumococcal vaccine (15 percentage points) (9). Barriers The numerous barriers to care at the level of the provider, the patient, and the system help to explain the suboptimal diabetes care in the United States. At the provider level, forgetfulness and time constraints (10-12), a perception of patients as nonadherent (10, 13, 14), and inadequate knowledge (15, 16) may act as barriers. In addition, a study found that primary care providers perceived diabetes as requiring more resources and being more difficult to treat than hypertension (17). The disease is also often accompanied by many comorbid conditions, whose demands for treatment compete with care for diabetes (18). At the level of the patients, incomplete understanding of the gravity of diabetes, little motivation toward prevention (17, 19), insufficient time, and a lack of socioeconomic resources and support (15, 16, 20) are barriers. At the level of the health care system, the status of diabetes as a chronic disease constitutes a potential barrier in a system that is better designed for acute care (20-22). In addition, our current health care system often lacks information systems to identify patients, track their status, and prompt providers on ongoing preventive care needs. Use of reminders or other tools to overcome forgetfulness and time constraints help but have not been common in practice (23-25). Interventions The challenge of providing effective diabetes care has thus far defied a simple solution. Already, however, small, regional studies have tested numerous provider-, system-, or patient-level interventions to improve care in primary care and community settings. Providers Health care providers need to know how to incorporate the latest research into their clinical practice. In addition, they need to feel empowered by believing that they have a role in improving the quality of care they provide; they also must feel that the care they offer has the highest scientific validity. Interventions that include an educational component for providers have been moderately successful at improving adherence to process measures. Interventions to educate providers, however, have usually been part of more complex interventions that also focus on systems and organization of practices, including performance feedback, reminder systems, and consensus development (26-28). Clinical practice guidelines have been used in many settings (29, 30); most guidelines focus on stepped-intensification programs to improve glycemic control and on use of reminder checklists to improve adherence with screening and other processes of care. Unfortunately, guidelines alone have been only minimally effective in improving care (31), as have consensus recommendations disseminated through mass mechanisms (32). When included as part of a multifaceted strategy, however, clinical guidelines have been associated with more success (33, 34). Having providers take an active part in modifying and adapting national guidelines has also empowered providers to lead the translation of research into practice (26, 30). This type of consensus building for guidelines has been associated with improvements in glycemic control and adherence to such process measures as microalbuminuria and lipid levels. Finally, one study looked at the effect of combining provider educational meetings and materials with patient education (35). Hemoglobin A1c and blood pressure improved in the intervention group, but a similar study showed no benefit of combined provider and patient education (36). Systems System interventions using continuous quality improvement techniques focused on provider education and feedback and agreed-upon goals and guidelines have been used in managed and primary care settings (37-40). The use of guidelines to educate providers, combined with a performance feedback approach such as continuous quality improvement, has been successful (28, 41, 42). The use of nurses to provide diabetes care (typically provided by physicians) has improved glycemic control in some patient populations (43, 44). These nurses have used detailed protocols under the supervision of attending physicians. One study used a nurse-administered telephone intervention to educate patients, monitor health status, and facilitate access to physicians (45). The use of computerized reminder systems for providers alone or combined with a performance feedback program can improve outcomes for patients with diabetes (40, 46, 47). Patient tracking systems or other reminder systems to improve regular follow-up have also reduced no-show rates and improved rates of processes of care, such as retinal examination (44, 48, 49). Dedicating blocks of time to diabetic patients in a primary care practice has improved both outcomes and processes of care (41, 50, 51). These cluster visit models are an efficient way to focus other providers' care, such as that of nutritionists, podiatrists, and educators, during the diabetes clinic. Changing the medical record system can be an opportunity to improve the quality of care. An electronic medical record to enhance adherence to quality measures has been used in some settings. One study evaluated an electronic medical record system to facilitate communication between team members and consultants; the intervention group carried out more processes of care, including measurement of hemoglobin A1c and lipid levels (52). Use of an electronic medical record system to remind physicians to orde",
"corpus_id": 2618547
} | {
"title": "Addressing Noncommunicable Diseases in Primary Care: The Case of Type 2 Diabetes",
"abstract": "The rapid growth of noncommunicable diseases represents a formidable global health challenge. Here we use type 2 diabetes as a case study to illustrate the rise of noncommunicable diseases and call attention to the important role of primary care systems in addressing these diseases in low- and middle-income countries. Comprehensive screening for diabetes should be implemented through primary care systems to increase early detection of prediabetes and undiagnosed diabetes – a first step to diabetes prevention and management. In addition, primary care systems should strengthen and expand capacity to link patients to appropriate interventions based on their diabetes status and provide care coordination (e.g. leveraging task-shifting and technology), and integrate clinic and community resources for diabetes prevention and control. Additional strategies should include continuous quality improvement, health systems strengthening, workforce development, and affordable and sustainable financing. Together, these actions could elevate the role of primary care in addressing diabetes in low- and middle-income countries and help advance global progress towards reducing diabetes complications, and also preventing or delaying diabetes among those at risk.",
"corpus_id": 4927428
} | {
"title": "Diabetes in minorities: reflections on the medical dilemma and the healthcare crisis.",
"abstract": "In summary, diabetes in minorities is clearly on the increase. The complication rates are likewise increasing, contributing to the large burden of health care costs. This is a significant medical dilemma inasmuch as these high-risk populations are among the fastest-growing segments of our society. Fortunately, delay and prevention of complications are now possible, although greater programmatic interventions will be required. The absence of such interventions is a reflection of the dimensions of our health care crisis. What is more, we have such poor insight into the reasons for the higher risks and rates of disease and its complications. This means that a critical step toward resolution of this dilemma is more research.",
"corpus_id": 44560057,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Local Rule-Based Explanations of Black Box Decision Systems",
"abstract": "The recent years have witnessed the rise of accurate but obscure decision systems which hide the logic of their internal decision processes to the users. The lack of explanations for the decisions of black box systems is a key ethical issue, and a limitation to the adoption of machine learning components in socially sensitive and safety-critical contexts. %Therefore, we need explanations that reveals the reasons why a predictor takes a certain decision. In this paper we focus on the problem of black box outcome explanation, i.e., explaining the reasons of the decision taken on a specific instance. We propose LORE, an agnostic method able to provide interpretable and faithful explanations. LORE first leans a local interpretable predictor on a synthetic neighborhood generated by a genetic algorithm. Then it derives from the logic of the local interpretable predictor a meaningful explanation consisting of: a decision rule, which explains the reasons of the decision; and a set of counterfactual rules, suggesting the changes in the instance's features that lead to a different outcome. Wide experiments show that LORE outperforms existing methods and baselines both in the quality of explanations and in the accuracy in mimicking the black box.",
"corpus_id": 44063479
} | {
"title": "European Union regulations on algorithmic decision-making and a\"right to explanation\"",
"abstract": "We summarize the potential impact that the European Union’s new General Data Protection Regulation will have on the routine use of machine learning algorithms. Slated to take effect as law across the EU in 2018, it will restrict automated individual decision-making (that is, algorithms that make decisions based on user-level predictors) which “significantly affect” users. The law will also effectively create a “right to explanation,” whereby a user can ask for an explanation of an algorithmic decision that was made about them. We argue that while this law will pose large challenges for industry, it highlights opportunities for computer scientists to take the lead in designing algorithms and evaluation frameworks which avoid discrimination and enable explanation.",
"corpus_id": 7373959
} | {
"title": "Clustering analysis for malicious network traffic",
"abstract": "With the volume and variety of network attacks increasing, efficient approaches to detect and stop network attacks before they damage the system or steal data is paramount to users and network administrators. Although many different detection mechanisms have been proposed, exiting detection methods generally tend to successfully detect attacks only after the attacks have finished and caused damage to the system. As recent attacks employ polymorphism technology and complicated attack techniques, it has become even more difficult for these approaches to detect attacks in a timely manner. In this paper, we propose an efficient network attack detection algorithm called seed expanding (SE) that detects attacks before they damage the system. SE employs the Two-Seed-Expanding network traffic clustering scheme, which clusters attack traffic into different attack phases. First we pre-process the networks traffic, including constructing the network flow, changing continuous-valued attributes into nominal attributes by adopting the discretization method, and further turning into binary features. Then based on these features, SE computes a weight for each flow and iteratively selects seeds to expand until all flows are divided into clusters. To investigate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, we undertook extensive experimental analyses. The results of the experiment show that the pre-procession greatly improves clustering performance, and the Two-Seed-Expanding Algorithm is better than K-Means and other kinds of Seed-Expanding in attack-flow clustering. These cluster results can be further used in attack detection.",
"corpus_id": 2707433,
"score": -1
} |
{
"title": "Reviewing two multimedia presentation (quasi-) standards",
"abstract": "We compare the BERKOM globally accessible services project (GLASS) with the well-known World-Wide Web with respect to the ease of development, realization, and distribution of multimedia presentations. This comparison is based on the experiences we gained when implementing a gateway between GLASS and the World-Wide Web. Since both systems are shown to have obvious weaknesses, we conclude this paper with a presentation of a better way for multimedia document engineering and distribution. This concept is based on a well-accepted approach to function-shipping in the Internet: the Java language, permitting for example a smooth integration of GLASS' MHEG objects and WWW HTML pages within one common environment.",
"corpus_id": 769540
} | {
"title": "Issues in multimedia software development",
"abstract": "Multimedia has become a topic of high interest, and RD developing customized multimedia applications, tuned to the needs of a particular organization, remains much of a myth, not to speak of integrated enterprises in which full-size multimedia information and communication is used throughout. The MMSD workshop has been organized as an attempt to help filling the gap between the availability of multimedia solutions and their customized, integrated use in the field. This introductory article positions MMSD in the range of multimedia R&D domains, recalls the categories of contributions relevant to software development in general (\"solution space\"), describes particular characteristics of multimedia software (\"problem space\") together with corresponding sample research contributions, and positions the contributions to the workshop in these spaces.",
"corpus_id": 35017284
} | {
"title": "Implant marginal bone loss in maxillary sinus grafts.",
"abstract": "PURPOSE\nThe marginal bone loss (MBL) around implants placed in maxillary sinus grafts was evaluated.\n\n\nMATERIALS AND METHODS\nThe study consisted of 70 patients who had undergone 81 sinus-graft procedures (total 212 screw-type implants). Complete radiographic records were available for 160 implants, which were used to calculate MBL (follow-up 6 to 56.5 months). Habits (smoking, bruxism), surgical phase parameters (preoperative residual bone, grafting material, implant characteristics, and complications), and prosthetic parameters (crown-implant ratio, marginal fit, and opposite-arch restoration) were recorded for each patient and statistically analyzed regarding MBL.\n\n\nRESULTS\nCumulative survival and overall radiographic success rates were 95.5% and 83.7% for 4.5 years, respectively. Smoking, small implant surface area, and a delayed implantation approach were related to enhanced MBL, with mean MBL values of 0.24 mm/y (P < .011), 0.21 mm/y (P < .031), and 0.31 mm/y (P = .052), respectively. In residual bone of < or =4 mm, the relation to enhanced MBL was stronger (P < .018) for delayed implantation.\n\n\nDISCUSSION\nSurvival and radiographic success rates compare well with other reports. However, most studies modify success criteria regarding MBL. Smoking may be a primary risk factor regarding implant success. Implants with greater surface area values could compensate for problematic bone characteristics (e.g., in grafted maxillary sinuses). The effect of delayed implantation on MBL was surprising and may prompt simultaneous implantation whenever primary stability can be achieved.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nSmoking and implant surface area affected MBL in this patient population. Criteria for long-term implant success should be revised to a standard.",
"corpus_id": 24924749,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "Kava kava in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, simple phobia and specific social phobia",
"abstract": "A 37‐year‐old female outpatient with generalized anxiety disorder, a simple phobia and a specific social phobia was treated with phytotherapy (Kava kava). Within 4 weeks, symptoms had improved by 75% and by 6 months an almost total remission of symptoms was observed. The herbal medicine was well tolerated. Kava has considerable potential value in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.",
"corpus_id": 337388
} | {
"title": "Nutritional and herbal supplements for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders: systematic review",
"abstract": "BackgroundOver the past several decades, complementary and alternative medications have increasingly become a part of everyday treatment. With the rising cost of prescription medications and their production of unwanted side effects, patients are exploring herbal and other natural remedies for the management and treatment of psychological conditions. Psychological disorders are one of the most frequent conditions seen by clinicians, and often require a long-term regimen of prescription medications. Approximately 6.8 million Americans suffer from generalized anxiety disorder. Many also suffer from the spectrum of behavioural and physical side effects that often accompany its treatment. It is not surprising that there is universal interest in finding effective natural anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) treatments with a lower risk of adverse effects or withdrawal.MethodsAn electronic and manual search was performed through MEDLINE/PubMed and EBSCO. Articles were not discriminated by date of publication. Available clinical studies published in English that used human participants and examined the anxiolytic potential of dietary and herbal supplements were included. Data were extracted and compiled into tables that included the study design, sample population, intervention, control, length of treatment, outcomes, direction of evidence, and reported adverse events.ResultsA total of 24 studies that investigated five different CAM monotherapies and eight different combination treatments and involved 2619 participants met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. There were 21 randomized controlled trials and three open-label, uncontrolled observational studies. Most studies involved patients who had been diagnosed with either an anxiety disorder or depression (n = 1786). However, eight studies used healthy volunteers (n = 877) who had normal levels of anxiety, were undergoing surgery, tested at the upper limit of the normal range of a trait anxiety scale, had adverse premenstrual symptoms or were peri-menopausal, reported anxiety and insomnia, or had one month or more of elevated generalized anxiety. Heterogeneity and the small number of studies for each supplement or combination therapy prevented a formal meta-analysis. Of the randomized controlled trials reviewed, 71% (15 out of 21) showed a positive direction of evidence. Any reported side effects were mild to moderate.ConclusionsBased on the available evidence, it appears that nutritional and herbal supplementation is an effective method for treating anxiety and anxiety-related conditions without the risk of serious side effects. There is the possibility that any positive effects seen could be due to a placebo effect, which may have a significant psychological impact on participants with mental disorders. However, based on this systematic review, strong evidence exists for the use of herbal supplements containing extracts of passionflower or kava and combinations of L-lysine and L-arginine as treatments for anxiety symptoms and disorders. Magnesium-containing supplements and other herbal combinations may hold promise, but more research is needed before these products can be recommended to patients. St. John's wort monotherapy has insufficient evidence for use as an effective anxiolytic treatment.",
"corpus_id": 4650882
} | {
"title": "Generalized anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder: description and reconceptualization.",
"abstract": "One hundred eight patients complaining of anxiety were diagnosed using the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule and classified into the various anxiety disorder categories as well as major depression. Although patients with a primary diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder were more chronic than were panic disorder patients, most patients in each category met the DSM-III criteria for generalized anxiety disorder with the exception of simple phobic patients. On the basis of these data, it would seem that generalized anxiety disorder is a residual category within the anxiety disorders, since generalized anxiety disorder symptoms are almost always present. But if one distinguishes anticipatory anxiety, which is often part of panic or phobic disorders, from generalized anxiety, an independent anxiety disorder category emerges. This category is characterized by apprehensive expectation or chronic worry focused on multiple life situations.",
"corpus_id": 39412003,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Classical BRST charge for nonlinear algebras",
"abstract": "We study the construction of the classical nilpotent canonical BRST charge for the nonlinear gauge algebras where a commutator (in terms of Poisson brackets) of the constraints is a finite order polynomial of the constraints. Such a polynomial is characterized by the coefficients forming a set of higher order structure constraints. Assuming the set of constraints to be linearly independent, we find the restrictions on the structure constraints when the nilpotent BRST charge can be written in a simple and universal form. In the case of quadratically nonlinear algebras we find the expression for third order contribution in the ghost fields to the BRST charge without the use of any additional restrictions on the structure constants.",
"corpus_id": 6032342
} | {
"title": "Gauge invariant Lagrangian construction for massive bosonic mixed symmetry higher spin fields",
"abstract": "Abstract We develop the BRST approach to gauge invariant Lagrangian construction for the massive mixed symmetry integer higher spin fields described by the rank-two Young tableaux in arbitrary dimensional Minkowski space. The theory is formulated in terms of auxiliary Fock space. No off-shell constraints on the fields and the gauge parameters are imposed. The approach under consideration automatically leads to a gauge invariant Lagrangian for massive theory with all appropriate Stuckelberg fields. It is shown that all the restrictions defining an irreducible representation of the Poincare group arise from Lagrangian formulation as a consequence of the equations of motion and gauge transformations. As an example of the general procedure, we derive the gauge-invariant Lagrangian for massive rank-2 antisymmetric tensor field containing the complete set of auxiliary fields and gauge parameters.",
"corpus_id": 202315
} | {
"title": "An exact solution of 4D higher-spin gauge theory",
"abstract": "We give a one-parameter family of exact solutions to 4D higher-spin gauge theory invariant under a deformed higher-spin extension of SO(3,1) and parameterized by a zero-form invariant. All higher-spin gauge fields vanish, while the metric interpolates between two asymptotically AdS4 regions via two dS3-foliated domain walls and two H3-foliated Robertson–Walker spacetimes—one in the future and one in the past—with the scalar field playing the role of foliation parameter. All Weyl tensors vanish, including that of spin two. We furthermore discuss methods for constructing solutions, including deformation of solutions to pure AdS gravity, the gauge-function approach, the perturbative treatment of (pseudo-)singular initial data describing isometric or otherwise projected solutions, and zero-form invariants.",
"corpus_id": 16753072,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Presence of papillomavirus sequences in condylomatous lesions of the mamillae and in invasive carcinoma of the breast",
"abstract": "BackgroundViruses including Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), a human equivalent of murine mammary tumour virus (MMTV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) have been implicated in the aetiology of human breast cancer. We report the presence of HPV DNA sequences in areolar tissue and tumour tissue samples from female patients with breast carcinoma. The presence of virus in the areolar–nipple complex suggests to us a potential pathogenic mechanism.MethodsPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) was undertaken to amplify HPV types in areolar and tumour tissue from breast cancer cases. In situ hybridisation supported the PCR findings and localised the virus in nipple, areolar and tumour tissue.ResultsPapillomavirus DNA was present in 25 of 29 samples of breast carcinoma and in 20 of 29 samples from the corresponding mamilla. The most prevalent type in both carcinomas and nipples was HPV 11, followed by HPV 6. Other types detected were HPV 16, 23, 27 and 57 (nipples and carcinomas), HPV 20, 21, 32, 37, 38, 66 and GA3-1 (nipples only) and HPV 3, 15, 24, 87 and DL473 (carcinomas only). Multiple types were demonstrated in seven carcinomas and ten nipple samples.ConclusionsThe data demonstrate the occurrence of HPV in nipple and areolar tissues in patients with breast carcinoma. The authors postulate a retrograde ductular pattern of viral spread that may have pathogenic significance.",
"corpus_id": 1315908
} | {
"title": "Characterization of human papillomavirus type 6b DNA isolated from an invasive squamous carcinoma of the vulva.",
"abstract": "Human papillomavirus type 6 (HPV 6) DNA was detected in an episomal form in DNA extracted from an invasive squamous carcinoma of the vulva. The viral DNA, designated HPV6-T70, was molecularly cloned. Restriction analysis of the HPV6-T70 genome revealed an insertion of approximately 35 bp in the 5' portion of the upstream regulatory region relative to the prototype HPV 6b genome, cloned from a benign genital wart (E.-M. de Villiers, L. Gissmann, and H. zur Hausen, 1981, J. Virol. 40, 932-935). However, sequence analysis of the upstream regulatory region identified several alterations in the purine-thymidine-rich region spanning nucleotides 7292-7400. One insertion of 24 bp at position 7323 represented an exact tandem duplication of nucleotides 7300-7323. A second insertion of 58 bp at position 7350 had 84% positional identity to immediately adjacent HPV 6 sequences (nucleotides 7303-7356) and was also similar to the 74-bp insertion found at position 7348 in HPV-6vc, cloned from an invasive verrucous carcinoma of the vulva (R. F. Rando, D. E. Groff, J. G. Chirikjian, and W. D. Lancaster, 1986, J. Virol. 57, 353-356). A deletion of 49 bp (nucleotides 7351-7399) immediately followed the 58-bp insertion. The cloned HPV6-T70 DNA induced the morphological transformation of NIH 3T3 cells.",
"corpus_id": 21564157
} | {
"title": "Economic growth, natural resources, and ecological footprints: evidence from Pakistan",
"abstract": "The ecological footprint, a measure of human demand on earth’s ecosystems, represents the amount of biologically productive land and sea area that is necessary to supply the resources a human population consumes and to mitigate associated waste. This study estimates the impact of economic growth and natural resources on Pakistan’s ecological footprint using an autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) model for long-run estimation. The empirical findings indicate that natural resources have a positive effect on an ecological footprint that deteriorates environmental quality and that natural resources help to support the environmental Kuznets hypothesis (EKC). Bidirectional causality is found between natural resources and the ecological footprint, along with a long-run causality between biocapacity and the ecological footprint. The innovative findings have important implications for policy.",
"corpus_id": 54168579,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "Pathology associated with an aquareovirus in captive juvenile Atlantic halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus and an experimental treatment strategy for a concurrent bacterial infection.",
"abstract": "A large-scale mortality of larval and juvenile halibut Hippoglossus hippoglossus occurred at a semi-commercial halibut farm in Atlantic Canada. Investigation of the cause revealed aquareovirus particles in necrotic liver tissue of affected fish. Cytopathic effect on CHSE-214 cell lines occurred from all fish cultured for viruses, and the viral morphology of the particles in culture was consistent with that observed in necrotic host tissue. The virus was placed in the family of Reoviridae, genus Aquareovirus based on morphology and RT-PCR results. Multifocal hepatocellular necrosis was a consistent finding in all fish as well as acute necrosis of proximal renal tubules. Concurrent bacterial infections were present in some specimens. Fish experimentally treated with oxytetracycline or a combination of oxytetracycline and chloramine-T had a significantly lower mortality rate than untreated fish. Fish treated with chloramine-T alone had a significantly elevated mortality rate compared to controls. Despite supportive medical therapy, mortality levels in treated and untreated groups remained elevated, supporting the hypothesis that the primary pathogen was of viral origin. This is the first report of elevated mortalities in Atlantic halibut associated with an aquareovirus.",
"corpus_id": 6226021
} | {
"title": "Detection of aquareovirus in farmed Tasmanian atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)",
"abstract": "This thesis focused on the detection and identification of Tasmanian Atlantic salmon \naquareovirus (TSRV), which is one of the few viral agents of Atlantic salmon endemic in \nTasmania. Due to the low pathogenicity and ubiquitous nature of TSRV, there has been little \ninterest in the significance of this virus. However, more recently, TSRV infections appeared \nto be associated with diseased fish and concerns about the negative impact of infection with \nthis virus on aquaculture productivity have increased. Industry’s concerns regarding the \nsignificance of TSRV have resurfaced and recent research has indicated that under certain \nconditions TSRV could cause disease. Thus better management and control is being \nconsidered by industry and regulators. Validation of diagnostic methods has been a major \nfocus in this thesis. Intra-laboratory and inter-laboratory comparison of PCR and virus \nisolation on piscine cell lines were carried out to determine the most sensitive diagnostic \nmethod, using tissues of farmed Atlantic salmon from various aquaculture sites around \nTasmania. A total of 144 fish from 9 sites (12-33 fish per site) were sampled from two \nregions (Tamar River & South-east Tasmania) during late spring to early summer of 2009 \nand the data were analysed using different statistical approaches. This study demonstrated the \nqPCR assay to be highly sensitive (95.2%) and highly specific (95.2%) for the detection of \nTSRV. The prevalence of TSRV ranged from 6-22% in both regions. Following this, the use \nof swabs in preference to organs as the sample collection method was evaluated for \nindividual and pooled samples. The use of swabs was shown to be best for field surveillance \nand screening purposes when the only concern with the presence and absence of virus in the \npopulation. The incidence of TSRV infections was investigated by undertaking a field \ninvestigation at farm sites located in South-east Tasmania. Throughout this field \ninvestigation, the incidence of TSRV infections was low (6.15%). The findings do not \nexclude the role of TSRV in influencing the host’s susceptibility to other infections. Non \nspecific gross pathology and histopathological changes were observed in TSRV positive \nsalmon and similar observations were present in TSRV negative salmon. On the basis on \narchival cases liver pathology has been identified as the predominant pathology caused by \nTSRV. As a basis for a preliminary characterisation study, fourteen isolates of TSRV \noriginating from various locations in Tasmania, covering a 20-year period obtained from \nvarious host species, host tissues and isolated on different cell lines, were selected in an \nattempt to increase the probability of detecting virus variants. Typical and atypical variants of \nTSRV were identified based on genotypic and phenotypic characterisation of the different \nisolates. Electron microscopic examination demonstrated the existence of at least three \nvariants based on viral particle size. This study revealed preliminary evidence of vertical \ntransmission of TSRV from brood-stocks to eggs and horizontal transmission from farmed \nsalmon to wild fish. Finally, this characterisation study demonstrated the existence of at least \none variant TSRV isolate other than the more commonly isolated, typical TSRV in farmed \nTasmanian Atlantic salmon. The use of different detection/diagnostic methods in this thesis, \nhas improved the scope of the detection of TSRV.",
"corpus_id": 8185536
} | {
"title": "Passive transfer of protective immunity against ichthyophthiriasis from vaccinated mother to fry in tilapias, Oreochromis aureus",
"abstract": "Abstract Tilapias, Oreochromis aureus , were vaccinated twice with live tomites of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in physiological saline 1 month before spawning (test group). A control group was similarly treated but with physiological saline only. Fertilized eggs were collected from the mouths of both groups and incubated until the young reached the free-swimming stage. Free-swimming fry were also collected immediately after they were expelled from the mother's mouth in other fish of the two groups. The fry were exposed to infective tomites of I. multifiliis and thereafter returned to their holding tanks. All fry obtained from the controls without mouth-brooding died after tomite exposure. However, fry with mouth-brooding before tomite exposure showed 37.3% survival. On the other hand, fry obtained from vaccinated broodstock without mouth-brooding exhibited 78.4% survival which increased to 95.3% with mouth-brooding. The protective immunity is correlated with the titres of anti- I. multifiliis antibodies in the soluble extracts of fry tissues and the mother's plasma. The results clearly indicate that protective immunity against ichthyophthiriasis “ich” in tilapia fry can not only be derived directly from the mother via eggs but also be acquired indirectly from the mouth cavity during the brooding period. The results thus suggest that proper vaccination of mothers before spawning would effectively protect fry against a protozoan disease.",
"corpus_id": 85294141,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Elevated Serum Levels of Homocysteine as an Early Prognostic Factor of Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents",
"abstract": "Background and Goal. The aim was to examine the serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and their associations with the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene C677T polymorphism in patients with schizophrenia and mood disorders as well as controls. Materials and Methods. There were 198 patients: 82 with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, 22 with mood disorders, and 94 controls. The level of Hcy was determined by an isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography system. MTHFR C677T polymorphism was analysed using the restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction method. Results. The average level of Hcy was 11.94 ± 5.6 μmol/L for patients with schizophrenia, 11.65 ± 3.3 μmol/L for patients with affective disorders, versus 6.80 ± 2.93 μmol/L in a control. The highest level of Hcy has been observed in patients with episodic-recurrent course of schizophrenia (11.30 ± 7.74 μmol/L), paranoid schizophrenia continuous (12.76 ± 5.25 μmol/L), and in patients with affective disorders (11.65 ± 3.26 μmol/L). An association between the MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism and Hcy level was found by linear regression analysis (r = 1.41, P = 0.029). Conclusions. The data indicate a link between Hcy levels and schizophrenia and mood disorders. No associations between the level of Hcy in patients with schizophrenia and mood disorders and the MTHFR C677T polymorphism were found.",
"corpus_id": 139331
} | {
"title": "Homocysteine. Related Vitamins and Neuropsychiatric Disorders",
"abstract": "Acknowledgements Introduction.- What is homocysteine?.- The homocysteine metabolism The methylation cycle Common enzyme defects.- How can hyperhomocysteinaemia be neurotoxic? Vascular damage Other mechanisms.- Why do homocysteine levels increase? Lifestyle factors Age-related factors Hormonal changes Diseases Drugs.- Neuropsychiatric conditions associated with hyperhomocysteinaemia Stroke Cognitive impairment/dementia Depression Other neuropsychiatric disorders.-Impact of common enzyme defects on neuropsychiatric conditions Stroke Cognitive impairment/dementia Depression Other neuropsychiatric disorders Interactions with drug treatment.- When and how to check the homocysteine levels .- When can hyperhomocysteinaemia be suspected? Blood sampling Methionine loading.- How to interpret the test result and how to handle hyperhomocysteinaemia.- Reference ranges.- Abbreviations",
"corpus_id": 68842549
} | {
"title": "For better or for worse: the long-term effects of postwar mobilization on family formation",
"abstract": "ABSTRACT This article estimates the long-term legacies of female labour force mobilization on women’s family formation outcomes such as marriage, age at first marriage and divorce. We identify the long-term marriage effects of female labour force mobilization by exploring postwar mandatory employment in Germany. Using difference-in-differences analysis, we find that participation in postwar reconstruction efforts increased women’s probability of being currently married, ever married and marrying at younger ages. We also find that postwar employment had no differential effect on divorce rates of the affected cohorts of women. These results persist after accounting for the potential changes in the composition of the population, demand for female labour, war relief payments and postwar state-specific policies.",
"corpus_id": 55083923,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "The Expression Status of G Protein-Coupled Receptor GPR30 Is Associated with the Clinical Characteristics of Endometriosis",
"abstract": "Introduction. GPR30 is a seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled estrogen receptor that regulates endometrial cellular responses to estrogen. GPR30 is often highly expressed in cancer cells from aggressive tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression patterns of GPR30 in endometriosis during medical treatment. Patients. A total of 38 females, 28 patients with endometriosis and 10 patients with leiomyoma who underwent laparoscopic surgery were included this study. Intervention. Eutopic endometrial tissue sampling from women without endometriosis and ectopic endometrial tissue sampling from women with endometriosis. Main Outcome Measure. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of the mRNA expression in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissues with or without GnRH agonist treatment. The expression of GPR30 was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Results. There was an increased level of GPR30 mRNA in eutopic endometrium during the proliferative phase, whereas higher expression was observed in the ectopic endometrium during the secretory phase. Increased GPR30 mRNA was observed in ectopic endometrium in comparison to eutopic endometrium. GnRH agonist treatment before laparoscopic surgery decreased GPR30 mRNA in ectopic endometrium. The immunohistochemical analysis also revealed that GPR30 was strongly expressed in epithelial cells in ectopic endometrium, whereas GnRH agonist treatment decreased the GPR30 expression. Conclusion. High levels of GPR30 expression can play an important role in the progression of endometriosis.",
"corpus_id": 518592
} | {
"title": "International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. XCVII. G Protein–Coupled Estrogen Receptor and Its Pharmacologic Modulators",
"abstract": "Estrogens are critical mediators of multiple and diverse physiologic effects throughout the body in both sexes, including the reproductive, cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous, and immune systems. As such, alterations in estrogen function play important roles in many diseases and pathophysiological conditions (including cancer), exemplified by the lower prevalence of many diseases in premenopausal women. Estrogens mediate their effects through multiple cellular receptors, including the nuclear receptor family (ERα and ERβ) and the G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) family (GPR30/G protein–coupled estrogen receptor [GPER]). Although both receptor families can initiate rapid cell signaling and transcriptional regulation, the nuclear receptors are traditionally associated with regulating gene expression, whereas GPCRs are recognized as mediating rapid cellular signaling. Estrogen-activated pathways are not only the target of multiple therapeutic agents (e.g., tamoxifen, fulvestrant, raloxifene, and aromatase inhibitors) but are also affected by a plethora of phyto- and xeno-estrogens (e.g., genistein, coumestrol, bisphenol A, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane). Because of the existence of multiple estrogen receptors with overlapping ligand specificities, expression patterns, and signaling pathways, the roles of the individual receptors with respect to the diverse array of endogenous and exogenous ligands have been challenging to ascertain. The identification of GPER-selective ligands however has led to a much greater understanding of the roles of this receptor in normal physiology and disease as well as its interactions with the classic estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ and their signaling pathways. In this review, we describe the history and characterization of GPER over the past 15 years focusing on the pharmacology of steroidal and nonsteroidal compounds that have been employed to unravel the biology of this most recently recognized estrogen receptor.",
"corpus_id": 22178721
} | {
"title": "QUALITY COMPETITION, INDUSTRY EQUILIBRIUM, AND EFFICIENCY IN THE PRICE-CONSTRAINED AIRLINE MARKET. IN: AIR TRANSPORT",
"abstract": "This paper describes and attempts to quantify the relationships between slack capacity, passenger costs and overall service quality in the airline market. Optimal level and structure of airfares is suggested, and this estimated solution is contrasted with the market equilibrium now obtained under regulation. In the scheduled air transportation industry, an important component of quality is endogenous to the equilibrium, and a proxy measure of this quality characteristic can be estimated. The analysis presented here shows that ignoring the price-quality tradeoff can lead to significant divergences between the optimal and existing price-quality options. It is implied that a greater number of price-quality options is best, and additional techniques should be developed for price-quality differentiation within the regulatory environment. It is also clear from this analysis that the costs of regulated carriers are high because the price level is high, i.e, cost is price-determined rather than price-determining. Regulators do not need to be given explicit, direct control over capacity and quality because of the proclivity of carriers to compete intensively with scheduling rivals. Through the control of fares, the regulator has an efficient means of controlling total capacity and bringing about a more efficient level and structure of price-quality options.",
"corpus_id": 152399907,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "Aortic fibrosarcoma presenting as rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.",
"abstract": "A 48-year-old man was admitted to our emergency department with a sudden onset of severe abdominal pain. He reported a 2-week history of back pain, with complaints of amass on his left thigh, andwas amidst further evaluation by a local physician.On arrival, he was tachycardic with profound diaphoresis. Abdominal examination revealed tenderness elicited on palpitation and a large pulsatingmass in his left upper quadrant.His initial laboratory resultswereunremarkableother thana slight increase inwhitebloodcell count. Computed tomography imaging revealed an intraperitoneal hematoma and an extensively dilated infrarenal abdominal aorta with a maximal diameter of 84 mm (Cover). The aneurysmal wall was irregular but well defined and appeared to contain intramural thrombus that showed subtle late-phase enhancement (A). An urgent midline laparotomy was performed. The surface of the aneurysm was irregular but covered by retroperitoneal membrane. It showed little adhesion to the omentum and no adhesion to the intestines (B). The abdominal aortawas clampedproximally anddistally to the aneurysm, and the aneurysm was opened. Atherosclerotic findings inside were minimal, but therewas a defect of the intimal layer of the anteriorwall.The aneurysmwas resected, and the abdominal aorta was reconstructed with a woven polyester tube graft. Histopathologic analysis revealed massive proliferation of fibroblastic tumor cells invading the entire layer of the aorta anddestroying the intima. The adventitia remained patent, suggesting that the tumor originated from the aorta and was not a metastatic entity from adjacent organs. Furthermore, the tumor cells formed fascicles with vague herringbone pattern (C), consistently stained positive for vimentin, and showed Ki-67 labeling index of 50%. Taken together, these findings suggested that a high-grade adult fibrosarcoma (World Health Organization classification) arising from the aortic wall led to a ruptured pseudoaneurysm. Postoperativemagnetic resonance imaging revealedmultiplemetastasis to the vertebral bodies and adductor muscles, and the patient was promptly introduced to ifosfamide-based chemotherapy combinedwith radiotherapy. Primary aortic sarcomas are extremely rare, but may cause aortic rupture, dissection, or ischemia, and attention is required when diagnosing and treating aortic emergencies. Written consent was obtained from the patient for publication of the study.",
"corpus_id": 704221
} | {
"title": "Intimal angiosarcoma causing abdominal aortic rupture.",
"abstract": "Intimal angiosarcomas are rare and difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Complete surgical resection is essential, but long-term survival is unlikely. We report a patient who presented with a contained ruptured infrarenal aorta with clinical and radiologic findings suggestive of infectious aortitis. Surgical resection, regional debridement, and reconstruction were completed using a cadaveric arterial homograft. However, pathologic evaluation revealed a high-grade intimal sarcoma.",
"corpus_id": 29319260
} | {
"title": "Prostaglandin protects isolated guinea pig chief cells against ethanol injury via an increase in diacylglycerol.",
"abstract": "We studied cellular processes activated by prostaglandins (PG) that are involved in the protection of gastric chief cell injury estimated in terms of dye exclusion test, release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), or 51Cr from prelabeled chief cells. Pretreatment of chief cells with 3 x 10(-6) M PGE2 or PGE1 at 37 degrees C and pH 7.4 for 15 min maximally reduced not only ethanol- but also taurocholic acid-caused LDH release from chief cells. PGs equipotently stimulated increases in the accumulation of diacylglycerol and cyclic AMP without elevating intracellular Ca2+ concentrations in gastric chief cells. The rank order of the potency was equal to that of PGs to reduce the injury. Pretreatment of chief cells with synthetic 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG) or 12-o-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) reduced the injury of chief cells, while 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, an inactive phorbol ester, failed to reduce the injury and 1-(5-isouinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7) blocked the protective action of PGE2. On the other hand, forskolin and dbcAMP had no effect on ethanol-caused LDH release and diacylglycerol formation in chief cells. These results suggest that PGE2 and PGE1 possess the direct protective action against ethanol- or taurocholic acid-caused injury in chief cells, presumably through the activation of the diacylglycerol/protein kinase C signaling pathway.",
"corpus_id": 13200819,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Directly Decoupled Diffusion-Ordered NMR Spectroscopy for the Analysis of Compound Mixtures",
"abstract": "For the analysis of compound mixtures by NMR spectroscopy, it is important to assign the different peaks to the individual constituents. Diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) is often used for the separation of signals based on their self-diffusion coefficient. However, this method often fails in the case of signal overlap, which is a particular problem for 1H-detected DOSY spectra. Herein, an approach that allows the acquisition of homonuclear broadband-decoupled DOSY spectra without the introduction of an additional decoupling dimension, by instant decoupling during acquisition, is presented. It was demonstrated on a mixture of six alcohols, and the investigation of the binding of a dodecapeptide to membrane mimetics.",
"corpus_id": 11624438
} | {
"title": "NMR methods for the analysis of mixtures.",
"abstract": "NMR spectroscopy is a powerful approach for the analysis of mixtures. Its usefulness arises in large part from the vast landscape of methods, and corresponding pulse sequences, that have been and are being designed to tackle the specific properties of mixtures of small molecules. This feature article describes a selection of methods that aim to address the complexity, the low concentrations, and the changing nature that mixtures can display. These notably include pure-shift and diffusion NMR methods, hyperpolarisation methods, and fast 2D NMR methods such as ultrafast 2D NMR and non-uniform sampling. Examples or applications are also described, in fields such as reaction monitoring and metabolomics, to illustrate the relevance and limitations of different methods.",
"corpus_id": 254149299
} | {
"title": "Myelin structures formed by thermotropic smectic liquid crystals.",
"abstract": "We report on transient structures, formed by thermotropic smectic-A liquid crystals, resembling the myelin figures of lyotropic lamellar liquid crystals. The thermotropic myelin structures form during the solubilization of a smectic-A droplet in an aqueous phase containing a cationic surfactant at concentrations above the critical micelle concentration. Similar to the lyotropic myelin figures, the thermotropic myelins appear in an optical microscope as flexible tubelike structures growing at the smectic/aqueous interface. Polarizing microscopy and confocal fluorescence microscopy show that the smectic layers are parallel to the tube surface and form a cylindrically bent arrangement around a central line defect in the tube. We study the growth behavior of this new type of myelins and discuss similarities to and differences from the classical lyotropic myelin figures.",
"corpus_id": 33525042,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Haemoglobin messenger RNA in spleen of anaemic rabbits",
"abstract": "Haemoglobin meseenger RNA was isolated from spleen erythroïd cells of anaemic rabbits. The mRNA fraction looks quite homogeneous when analyzed by sucrose gradient centrifugation; it sediments in the 9S region. When added to an ascites cell free system, spleen 9S RNA stimulates the incorporation of radioactive leucine into protein. The synthesized product has been characterized and identified as α and β chains of rabbit globin.",
"corpus_id": 2102078
} | {
"title": "Study of messenger-like RNA extracted from HeLa cells polysomes. II. Identification of the types of RNA eluted from methylated albumin kieselguhr columns.",
"abstract": "Together with the elution pattern of pure messenger RNA molecules of various origin, the labelling kinetics of rapidly labelled heterogeneously sedimenting RNA (HSRNA) extracted from polysomes of HeLa cells have been studied by chromatogrphy on columns made of methylated bovine serum albumin adsorbed on kieselguhr. HSRNA is eluted within three peaks-IP, Q2P and TDP-following in that order the increase of NaC1 concentration in the eluting buffer. Besides peak TDP which results from an experimental artefact, our data suggest that the appearance of peaks IP and Q2P reflects the absence and presence respectively of polyadenylic acid stretches in these molecules. Within peak Q2P, the critical factor affecting the order of elution is the size of the polyadenylic acid stretch.",
"corpus_id": 8574801
} | {
"title": "Viperin Reveals Its True Function.",
"abstract": "Most cells respond to viral infections by activating innate immune pathways that lead to the induction of antiviral restriction factors. One such factor, viperin, was discovered almost two decades ago based on its induction during viral infection. Since then, viperin has been shown to possess activity against numerous viruses via multiple proposed mechanisms. Most recently, however, viperin was demonstrated to catalyze the conversion of cytidine triphosphate (CTP) to 3'-deoxy-3',4'-didehydro-CTP (ddhCTP), a previously unknown ribonucleotide. Incorporation of ddhCTP causes premature termination of RNA synthesis by the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of some viruses. To date, production of ddhCTP by viperin represents the only activity of viperin that links its enzymatic activity directly to an antiviral mechanism in human cells. This review examines the multiple antiviral mechanisms and biological functions attributed to viperin. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Virology, Volume 7 is September 29, 2020. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.",
"corpus_id": 220289265,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Development and assessment of fully automated and globally transitive geometric morphometric methods, with application to a biological comparative dataset with high interspecific variation",
"abstract": "Automated geometric morphometric methods are promising tools for shape analysis in comparative biology: they improve researchers’ abilities to quantify biological variation extensively (by permitting more specimens to be analyzed) and intensively (by characterizing shapes with greater fidelity). Although use of these methods has increased, automated methods have some notable limitations: pairwise correspondences are frequently inaccurate or lack transitivity (i.e., they are not defined with reference to the full sample). In this study, we reassess the accuracy of two previously published automated methods, cPDist [1] and auto3Dgm [2], and evaluate several modifications to these methods. We show that a substantial fraction of alignments and pairwise maps between specimens of highly dissimilar geometries were inaccurate in the study of Boyer et al. [1], despite a taxonomically sensitive variance structure of continuous Procrustes distances. We also show these inaccuracies can be remedied by utilizing a globally informed methodology within a collection of shapes, instead of only comparing shapes in a pairwise manner (c.f. [2]). Unfortunately, while global information generally enhances maps between dissimilar objects, it can degrade the quality of correspondences between similar objects due to the accumulation of numerical error. We explore a number of approaches to mitigate this degradation, quantify the performance of these approaches, and compare the generated pairwise maps (as well as the shape space characterized by these maps) to a “ground truth” obtained from landmarks manually collected by geometric morphometricians. Novel methods both improve the quality of the pairwise correspondences relative to cPDist, and achieve a taxonomic distinctiveness comparable to auto3Dgm.",
"corpus_id": 3773080
} | {
"title": "The Geometry of Synchronization Problems and Learning Group Actions",
"abstract": "We develop a geometric framework, based on the classical theory of fibre bundles, to characterize the cohomological nature of a large class of synchronization-type problems in the context of graph inference and combinatorial optimization. We identify each synchronization problem in topological group G on connected graph Γ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\Gamma $$\\end{document} with a flat principal G-bundle over Γ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\Gamma $$\\end{document}, thus establishing a classification result for synchronization problems using the representation variety of the fundamental group of Γ\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\Gamma $$\\end{document} into G. We then develop a twisted Hodge theory on flat vector bundles associated with these flat principal G-bundles, and provide a geometric realization of the graph connection Laplacian as the lowest-degree Hodge Laplacian in the twisted de Rham–Hodge cochain complex. Motivated by these geometric intuitions, we propose to study the problem of learning group actions—partitioning a collection of objects based on the local synchronizability of pairwise correspondence relations—and provide a heuristic synchronization-based algorithm for solving this type of problems. We demonstrate the efficacy of this algorithm on simulated and real datasets.",
"corpus_id": 254034071
} | {
"title": "Reproductive ecology of a deep-water scleractinian coral, Oculina varicosa, from the southeast Florida shelf",
"abstract": "Abstract The Ivory Tree Coral Oculina varicosa forms extensive reefs of azooxanthellate colonies at depths of 70–100 m along the edge of the Florida Hatteras slope. Healthy reefs support invertebrate and fish communities as diverse as those of tropical coral reefs, and are a critical spawning habitat for a number of commercial fisheries species. A 3-year study of reproduction and larval development revealed that O. varicosa is a gonochoristic broadcast spawning species, with small eggs (",
"corpus_id": 84229375,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Experimental investigation of BAW propagation in lithium tantalate oxide single crystals under the influence of uniaxial pressure",
"abstract": "The features of bulk acoustic wave (BAW) propagation in crystals of symmetry 3m under uniaxial pressure at room temperature were examined. Acoustic modes, cuts, and stresses directions which would be used to determine the third-order elastic constants (TOEC), have been defined. BAW phase velocities as well as their pressure dependences in basic and rotated cuts of LiTaO3 crystal have been investigated experimentally.",
"corpus_id": 7109973
} | {
"title": "Determination of Elastic and Piezoelectric Constants for Crystals in Class ( 3 rn )",
"abstract": "Determination of the elastic and piezoelectric onstants for crystals in class (3m) is complicated by' the large number of independent constants and the many possible ways in which they may be comhined. An experimental and analytical procedure has been developed to determine all the constants using primarily thickness-mode measurements made on small, plate-shaped samples of various crystallographic orientations, and results using this procedure have been obtained fur lithium tantalate and lithium hiebate, two receutly developed synthetic crystals. The resonant and antlresonant frequency constants for thickness modes have been calculated as functions nf a plate's rotation angle. Information in this form makes possible the selection nf plate orientations that might be useful as resonators and transdocers.",
"corpus_id": 53075003
} | {
"title": "In situ observation on the solidification of Sn-10Cu hyperperitectic alloy under direct current field by synchrotron microradiography",
"abstract": "Abstract The structural evolution of peritectic solidification under the direct current (DC) field action, mainly on the morphological evolution of primary phase e (Cu 3 Sn) and peritectic phase η (Cu 6 Sn 5 ), is in situ observed by high resolution X-ray real-time imaging with synchrotron radiation. The ultimate solidification microstructures after experiencing the imaging experiment are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). It is found that the η phase precipitates directly from parent liquid phase without experiencing corresponding peritectic reaction when the DC field of 20 A/cm 2 or 200 A/cm 2 is imposed during the solidification process of the Sn-10%Cu alloy. It means that the DC field has altered the phase transformation sequence and suppressed the nucleation of primary e phase. Meanwhile, the growing and dissolving behaviors of secondary dendrite arm for intermetallic compound Cu 6 Sn 5 under the DC field action are also in situ observed and discussed.",
"corpus_id": 136174714,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Propranolol oxidation by human liver microsomes--the use of cumene hydroperoxide to probe isoenzyme specificity and regio- and stereoselectivity.",
"abstract": "1. Three oxidations of the enantiomers of propranolol were studied in human liver microsomes under two reaction conditions. Previous in vitro studies had established that two of the livers were from poor metaboliser (PM) phenotypes for the debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase (cytochrome P-450IID6) and the remaining seven were from extensive metaboliser (EM) phenotypes. 2. In the presence of NADPH and oxygen 4- and 5-hydroxylation of propranolol occurred in microsomes from all nine livers, as did propranolol N-desisopropylation. R(+)-propranolol was oxidized preferentially along the three pathways, although enantioselectivity observed for N-desisopropylation may have arisen not only from stereoselectivity in formation rates, but also from stereoselectivity in subsequent microsomal metabolism, possibly by monoamine oxidase. The involvement of monoamine oxidase in the further microsomal metabolism of N-desisopropylpropranolol was indicated by inhibition of the metabolism of this compound when incubated with phenelzine. 3. Cumene hydroperoxide has been proposed to support only the activity of cytochrome P450IID6. This is consistent with the observations that a) propranolol 4- and 5-hydroxylation occurred in microsomes from the EM livers only and b) side-chain oxidation was not observed under these conditions in either PM or EM livers. 4. Using cumene hydroperoxide to support the reactions, the 4-hydroxylation of propranolol showed little enantioselectivity, whereas S(-)-propranolol was 5-hydroxylated about twice as fast as the R(+)-enantiomer. There were highly significant correlations between the rates of 4- and 5-hydroxylation of R(+)-propranolol (r = 0.96, P less than 0.001, n = 7 livers) and of S(-)-propranolol (r = 0.98, P less than 0.001). Both oxidations were described by single-site Michaelis-Menten kinetics. 5. The findings suggest that P450IID6 is involved in both the 4- and 5-hydroxylations of propranolol, but that these metabolites can also be formed by other P450 isoenzymes. It is confirmed that P450IID6 does not contribute to the N-desisopropylation of propranolol. Furthermore, the finding that mephenytoin did not inhibit the appearance of this metabolite is not consistent with the results of in vivo studies suggesting the involvement of the same enzyme in the side-chain oxidation of propranolol and the 4-hydroxylation of mephenytoin.",
"corpus_id": 1370128
} | {
"title": "The role of CYP2C19 in the metabolism of (+/-) bufuralol, the prototypic substrate of CYP2D6.",
"abstract": "Upon characterization of baculovirus-expressed cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2C19, it was observed that this enzyme metabolized (+/-) bufuralol to 1'hydroxybufuralol, a reaction previously understood to be selectively catalyzed by CYP2D6. The apparent K(m) for this reaction was 36 microM with recombinant CYP2C19, approximately 7-fold higher than for recombinant CYP2D6. The intrinsic clearance for this reaction was 37-fold higher with CYP2D6 than for CYP2C19. The involvement of human CYP1A2 in bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation was also confirmed using the recombinant enzyme. Using S-mephenytoin as an inhibitor, the K(i) for inhibition of recombinant CYP2C19-mediated bufuralol hydroxylation was 42 microM, which is the approximate K(m) for recombinant CYP2C19-mediated S-mephenytoin metabolism. The classic CYP2D6 inhibitors quinidine and quinine showed no inhibition of CYP2C19-catalyzed bufuralol metabolism at concentrations that abolished CYP2D6-mediated bufuralol metabolism. Ticlopidine, a potent inhibitor of CYP2C19 and CYP2D6, inhibited bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation by each of these enzymes equipotently. In human liver microsomes that are known to be deficient in CYP2D6 activity, it was shown that in the presence of quinidine, the K(m) shifted from 14 to 38 microM. This is consistent with the K(m) determination for recombinant CYP2C19 of 36 microM. In human liver microsomes that have high CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 activity, the K(m) shifted to 145 microM in the presence of S-mephenytoin and quinidine, consistent with the K(m) determined for CYP1A2. This data suggests that bufuralol, and possibly other CYP2D6 substrates, have the potential to be metabolized by CYP2C19.",
"corpus_id": 15135628
} | {
"title": "The historical biogeography of Scabiosa (Dipsacaceae): implications for Old World plant disjunctions",
"abstract": "Aim To reconstruct the temporal and biogeographical history of Old World disjunctions in Scabiosa (Dipsacaceae) and the timing of diversification in the Mediterranean Basin, in order to evaluate the importance of biogeographical and climatological history (particularly the onset of a mediterranean climate) in shaping Scabiosa distributions.",
"corpus_id": 13438725,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "First Steps Toward Camera Model Identification with Convolutional Neural Networks",
"abstract": "Detecting the camera model used to shoot a picture enables to solve a wide series of forensic problems, from copyright infringement to ownership attribution. For this reason, the forensic community has developed a set of camera model identification algorithms that exploit characteristic traces left on acquired images by the processing pipelines specific of each camera model. In this letter, we investigate a novel approach to solve camera model identification problem. Specifically, we propose a data-driven algorithm based on convolutional neural networks, which learns features characterizing each camera model directly from the acquired pictures. Results on a well-known dataset of 18 camera models show that: 1) the proposed method outperforms up-to-date state-of-the-art algorithms on classification of 64 × 64 color image patches; 2) features learned by the proposed network generalize to camera models never used for training.",
"corpus_id": 7390320
} | {
"title": "Bad teacher or unruly student: Can deep learning say something in Image Forensics analysis?",
"abstract": "The pervasive availability of the Internet, coupled with the development of increasingly powerful technologies, has led digital images to be the primary source of visual information in nowadays society. However, their reliability as a true representation of reality cannot be taken for granted, due to the affordable powerful graphics editing softwares that can easily alter the original content, leaving no visual trace of any modification on the image making them potentially dangerous. This motivates developing technological solutions able to detect media manipulations without a prior knowledge or extra information regarding the given image. At the same time, the huge amount of available data has also led to tremendous advances of data-hungry learning models, which have already demonstrated in last few years to be successful in image classification. In this work we propose a deep learning approach for tampered image classification. To our best knowledge, this the first attempt to use the deep learning paradigm in an image forensic scenario. In particular, we propose a new blind deep learning approach based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) able to learn invisible discriminative artifacts from manipulated images that can be exploited to automatically discriminate between forged and authentic images. The proposed approach not only detects forged images but it can be extended to localize the tampered regions within the image. This method outperforms the state-of-the-art in terms of accuracy on CASIA TIDE v2.0 dataset. The capability of automatically crafting discriminant features can lead to surprising results. For instance, detecting image compression filters used to create the dataset. This argument is also discussed within this paper.",
"corpus_id": 29561031
} | {
"title": "Infrastructuring: Towards an integral perspective on the design and use of information technology",
"abstract": "In this contribution we investigate how results from the ongoing discussion about ‘eInfrastructures’ can be used to improve the design of IT infrastructures in organizations. We first establish a perspective on organizational IT as ‘work infrastructure’ that focuses on the infrastructural nature of organizational Information Systems and describe challenges for designing within and for this type of infrastructure. Then we elaborate on possible use of concepts from the e-infrastructure discussion, in particular on the concept of ‘infrastructuring’ as it was developed by Star and Ruhleder (1996) and Star and Bowker (2002). Using their ‘salient characteristics of infrastructure’ we describe the methodological approach of ‘Infrastructuring’ to develop methodological and tool support for all stakeholders’ activities that contribute to the successful establishment of an information system usage (equivalent to a work infrastructure improvement). We illustrated our ideas by drawing on a case in which new work infrastructures were introduced into an organizational context and by mapping out existing and possible tool support for ‘infrastructuring’.",
"corpus_id": 15104600,
"score": -1
} |
{
"title": "A new model for learning in graph domains",
"abstract": "In several applications the information is naturally represented by graphs. Traditional approaches cope with graphical data structures using a preprocessing phase which transforms the graphs into a set of flat vectors. However, in this way, important topological information may be lost and the achieved results may heavily depend on the preprocessing stage. This paper presents a new neural model, called graph neural network (GNN), capable of directly processing graphs. GNNs extends recursive neural networks and can be applied on most of the practically useful kinds of graphs, including directed, undirected, labelled and cyclic graphs. A learning algorithm for GNNs is proposed and some experiments are discussed which assess the properties of the model.",
"corpus_id": 20480879
} | {
"title": "Deep Learning on Graphs: A Survey",
"abstract": "Deep learning has been shown to be successful in a number of domains, ranging from acoustics, images, to natural language processing. However, applying deep learning to the ubiquitous graph data is non-trivial because of the unique characteristics of graphs. Recently, substantial research efforts have been devoted to applying deep learning methods to graphs, resulting in beneficial advances in graph analysis techniques. In this survey, we comprehensively review the different types of deep learning methods on graphs. We divide the existing methods into five categories based on their model architectures and training strategies: graph recurrent neural networks, graph convolutional networks, graph autoencoders, graph reinforcement learning, and graph adversarial methods. We then provide a comprehensive overview of these methods in a systematic manner mainly by following their development history. We also analyze the differences and compositions of different methods. Finally, we briefly outline the applications in which they have been used and discuss potential future research directions.",
"corpus_id": 54559476
} | {
"title": "Computational Sustainability and Artificial Intelligence in the Developing World",
"abstract": "The developing regions of the world contain most of the human population and the planet's natural resources, and hence are particularly important to the study of sustainability. Despite some difficult problems in such places, a period of enormous technology-driven change has created new opportunities to address poor management of resources and improve human well-being.",
"corpus_id": 18640691,
"score": -1
} |
{
"title": "Regulation of Dlx3 gene expression in visceral arches by evolutionarily conserved enhancer elements",
"abstract": "The mammalian Distal-less (Dlx) clusters (Dlx1-2, Dlx5-6, and Dlx3-7) have a nested expression pattern in developing visceral (branchial) arches. Genetic regulatory mechanisms controlling Dlx spatial expression within the visceral arches have not yet been defined. Here we show that an enhancer in the Dlx3-7 cluster can regulate the visceral arch specific expression pattern of the Dlx3 gene. We have used a 79-kb transgene construct containing the entire Dlx3-7 bigene cluster with a LacZ reporter inserted in frame in the first exon of the Dlx3 gene. Visceral arch expression is absent when a 4-kb element located within the Dlx3-7 intergenic region is deleted. A 245-bp element (I37-2) whose DNA sequence is highly conserved between human and mouse located within the 4kb-deleted region can drive visceral arch expression when fused to a hsp68-lacZ reporter transgene construct. Reporter expression is detected in 9.5 and 10.5 days postcoitum transgenic embryos in a manner consistent with the endogenous Dlx3 expression pattern in the mesenchyme of the first and second visceral arches. Thus the I37-2 element is both necessary and sufficient for Dlx3 expression. The I37-2 element contains several putative binding sites for several transcription factors including Dlx and other homeodomain proteins within the evolutionarily conserved region. Significantly, the I37-2 element shows a sequence-match including a Dlx binding site to a cis-element in the Dlx5-6 intermediate region designated mI56i [Zerucha, T., Stuhmer, T., Hatch, G., Park, B. K., Long, Q., Yu, G., Gambarotta, A., Schultz, J. R., Rubenstein, J. L. & Ekker, M. (2000) J. Neurosci. 20, 709–721], despite distant phylogenetic relationship between these clusters. Our results provide evidence for a concerted role for DLX auto- and cross-regulation in the establishment of a nested expression pattern for Dlx3-7 and Dlx5-6 clusters within the visceral arches.",
"corpus_id": 1051829
} | {
"title": "Transcriptional activation by the homeodomain protein distal-less 3.",
"abstract": "PCR-based methods and mobility shift competition assays were used to determine the basic biochemical features of the homeodomain transcription factor Distal-less 3 (Dlx3), including an optimal DNA binding site, the binding constant and dissociation rates of this protein. Expression of Dlx3 protein in either HeLa cells or Xenopus embryos resulted in strong activation of a model target gene construct containing three tandem copies of the Dlx3 binding site upstream from the TATA element. In addition, deletion analysis revealed that transcriptional activation by Dlx3 depends on two subdomains located on either side of the homeobox: removal of either subdomain resulted in complete loss of Dlx3 function. These observations provide new insight regarding the function of Dlx3 in vertebrate development and tissue differentiation and also suggest a mechanism for the dominant inheritance pattern of a hereditary disease resulting from mutation of the DLX3 gene in human.",
"corpus_id": 12140516
} | {
"title": "Molecular mechanism of transcription inhibition by phage T7 gp2 protein.",
"abstract": "Escherichia coli T7 bacteriophage gp2 protein is a potent inhibitor of host RNA polymerase (RNAP). gp2 inhibits formation of open promoter complex by binding to the β' jaw, an RNAP domain that interacts with downstream promoter DNA. Here, we used an engineered promoter with an optimized sequence to obtain and characterize a specific promoter complex containing RNAP and gp2. In this complex, localized melting of promoter DNA is initiated but does not propagate to include the point of the transcription start. As a result, the complex is transcriptionally inactive. Using a highly sensitive RNAP beacon assay, we performed quantitative real-time measurements of specific binding of the RNAP-gp2 complex to promoter DNA and various promoter fragments. In this way, the effect of gp2 on RNAP interaction with promoters was dissected. As expected, gp2 greatly decreased RNAP affinity to downstream promoter duplex. However, gp2 also inhibited RNAP binding to promoter fragments that lacked downstream promoter DNA that interacts with the β' jaw. The inhibition was caused by gp2-mediated decrease of the RNAP binding affinity to template and non-template strand segments of the transcription bubble downstream of the -10 promoter element. The inhibition of RNAP interactions with single-stranded segments of the transcription bubble by gp2 is a novel effect, which may occur via allosteric mechanism that is set in motion by the gp2 binding to the β' jaw.",
"corpus_id": 35716932,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Surfactant protein D: not just for the lung anymore.",
"abstract": "in their article, Snyder et al. ([5][1]) provide compelling data that arterial smooth muscle cells of the vessel wall express surfactant protein D (SP-D) and that the expression of SP-D attenuates the release of IL-8 stimulated by LPS and TNF-α. Although most often associated with innate immune",
"corpus_id": 1533923
} | {
"title": "РОЛЬ ВОСПАЛИТЕЛЬНЫХ ФАКТОРОВ В РАЗВИТИИ СЕРДЕЧНО-СОСУДИСТОЙ ПАТОЛОГИИ ПРИ ХРОНИЧЕСКОЙ ОБСТРУКТИВНОЙ БОЛЕЗНИ ЛЕГКИХ",
"abstract": "Системная воспалительная реакция имеет исключительно важную роль при развитии сердечно-со-судистой патологи у больных ХОБЛ. Активация системы цитокинов у больных ХОБЛ является маркером прогрессирования заболевания с вовлечением в патогенез все новых и новых составляющих, включая ней-рогуморальную систему организма человека. Хроническое персистирующее системное воспаление играет важную роль в патогенезе атеросклероза. Таким образом, системное воспаление является общим патоге-нетическим звеном для ХОБЛ, атеросклероза, эндотелиальной дисфункции и ИБС и служит как маркером тяжести заболевания, так и предиктором его прогрессирования. Недавние исследования показывают, что увеличение сывороточной концентрации Sp-D связано с прогрессированием ХОБЛ и сердечно-сосудистой патологии, в связи с чем SP-D заслуживает самого внимательного изучения как возможный предиктор сер-дечно-сосудистой патологии.Ключевые слова",
"corpus_id": 176478536
} | {
"title": "A 60-GHz 1-V Supply Band-Tunable Power Amplifier in 65-nm CMOS",
"abstract": "This brief presents the design of a band-tunable 60-GHz CMOS power amplifier using 65-nm standard CMOS technology. To achieve high gain and PAE over the whole 7-GHz frequency band, this amplifier utilizes a differential band switching circuit to tune the center frequency to the channel in use, whereas high-Q transformer matching and deep-neutralized differential pairs are employed to achieve high gain and PAE in a narrow bandwidth. The amplifier achieves saturated output power of 12.3 dBm and peak PAE of 20.4% with a 1-V supply and a 63-mA current. The peak gain is 17.1 dB at 59 GHz and 16.2 dB at 53.5 GHz for the two different frequency bands, respectively.",
"corpus_id": 33197265,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "The Virtual Man Project’s CD-ROM “Voice Assessment: Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology & Medicine”, Vol.1",
"abstract": "ABSTRACT The CD-ROM “Voice Assessment: Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology & Medicine” was developed as a teaching tool for people interested in the production of the spoken or sung human voice. Its content comprises several subjects concerning the anatomy and physiology of spoken and sung voice. A careful assessment becomes necessary in order to ensure the effectiveness of teaching and learning educational materials, whether related to education or health, within the proposal of education mediated by technology. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the Virtual Man Project’s CD-ROM “Voice Assessment: Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology & Medicine”, as a self-learning material, in two different populations: Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology students and Lyrical Singing students. The participants were instructed to study the CD-ROM during 1 month and answer two questionnaires: one before and another one after studying the CD-ROM. The quantitative results were compared statistically by the Student’s t-test at a significance level of 5%. Results: Seventeen out of the 28 students who completed the study, were Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology students, while 11 were Lyrical Singing students (dropout rate of 44%). Comparison of the answers to the questionnaires before and after studying the CD-ROM showed a statistically significant increase of the scores for the questionnaire applied after studying the CD-ROM for both Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Lyrical Singing students, with p<0.001 and p<0.004, respectively. There was also a statistically significant difference in all topics of this questionnaire for both groups of students. Conclusion: The results concerning the evaluation of the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Lyrical Singing students’ knowledge before and after learning from the CD-ROM allowed concluding that the participants made significant improvement in their knowledge of the proposed contents after studying the CD-ROM. Based on this, it is assumed that this didactic material is an effective instrument for self-learning of this population.",
"corpus_id": 1024789
} | {
"title": "Teleducation about Cleft Lip and Palate: An Interdisciplinary Approach in the Promotion of Health",
"abstract": "Introduction The Young Doctor Project (YDP) uses Telehealth and Interactive Teleducation instruments to promote the integration of different areas of health and to build knowledge. This methodology can also foster public awareness on various issues related to health. In this context, the objective of this study was to emphasize cleft lip and palate (CLP), which is one of the most common birth defects in Brazil. Objective The study aimed to apply a model of education regarding CLP, based on the dynamics of the YDP, and to evaluate the participants' knowledge acquired after participating in the YDP. Methods The participants were 41 students, 13 to 15 years of age and at the eight- and ninth-grade levels in a private elementary school in Bauru (Brazil). To analyze the performance of the participants, a questionnaire was administered before and after the completion of the training program. The training program was structured in three steps using: (1) interactive teleducation classes, (2) a cybertutor, and (3) practical activities. Results There was a statistically significant difference between the pre- and postparticipation questionnaire results. The improved performance of participants is evidenced by the increase in the rate of correct answers on all issues. Conclusion The YDP on CLP was applied in the school setting following the three steps recommended by the project, and, after the implementation of the training program, there was a significant increase in participants' knowledge of CLP. The YDP on CLP proved an effective tool in promoting health education.",
"corpus_id": 10423348
} | {
"title": "The 2003 SARS outbreak: global challenges and innovative infection control measures.",
"abstract": "In early 2003, the global infection control community faced a great challenge, sudden acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The rapid spread of SARS, its capacity to infect health care workers, and its many unknown features in the early days of the outbreak meant that health care workers were unsure of the most effective methods of infection control to prevent disease transmission. These conditions made designing appropriate, effective and standard infection control responses difficult. Innovation was necessary. This article provides a brief overview of global challenges in infection control and SARS. The author reports field observations and describes five selected examples of highly innovative, SARS-related infection control practices observed in three affected countries during the height of the 2003 outbreak. These examples relate to risk assessment, patient segregation, strategies to limit access to clinical areas, health care worker protection, and efforts to promote public confidence. Many of these strategies could be considered for use in the post-2003 SARS era, especially in preparation for an influenza or Avian influenza pandemic.",
"corpus_id": 29615598,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Wireless energy harvesting for the Internet of Things",
"abstract": "The Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging computing concept that describes a structure in which everyday physical objects, each provided with unique identifiers, are connected to the Internet without requiring human interaction. Long-term and self-sustainable operation are key components for realization of such a complex network, and entail energy-aware devices that are potentially capable of harvesting their required energy from ambient sources. Among different energy harvesting methods, such as vibration, light, and thermal energy extraction, wireless energy harvesting (WEH) has proven to be one of the most promising solutions by virtue of its simplicity, ease of implementation, and availability. In this article, we present an overview of enabling technologies for efficient WEH, analyze the lifetime of WEH-enabled IoT devices, and briefly study the future trends in the design of efficient WEH systems and research challenges that lie ahead.",
"corpus_id": 799455
} | {
"title": "Asymptotically optimal scheduling for energy harvesting wireless sensor networks",
"abstract": "This paper considers a single-hop wireless sensor network where a fusion center (FC) collects data from M energy harvesting (EH) wireless sensor nodes. The harvested energy is stored losslessly in an infinite-capacity battery at each node. In each time slot, K nodes can be scheduled by the FC to send data over K orthogonal channels. The FC has no direct knowledge on the battery states of nodes, or the statistics of EH processes; it only has information of the outcomes of previous transmission attempts. The objective is to find a simple policy whereby maximum total throughput is achieved in this data backlogged system. A node can transmit data whenever being scheduled, provided it has sufficient energy for transmission. A simple policy, Uniforming Random Ordered Policy (UROP), is proposed for the problem. UROP is proved to be asymptotically optimal over infinite time horizon for general EH processes. Numerical results indicate that even with finite-capacity batteries, UROP achieves near-optimal throughput. We believe that UROP is applicable to a wider area than EH wireless sensor networks.",
"corpus_id": 3321838
} | {
"title": "Generating prior probabilities for classifiers of brain tumours using belief networks",
"abstract": "BackgroundNumerous methods for classifying brain tumours based on magnetic resonance spectra and imaging have been presented in the last 15 years. Generally, these methods use supervised machine learning to develop a classifier from a database of cases for which the diagnosis is already known. However, little has been published on developing classifiers based on mixed modalities, e.g. combining imaging information with spectroscopy. In this work a method of generating probabilities of tumour class from anatomical location is presented.MethodsThe method of \"belief networks\" is introduced as a means of generating probabilities that a tumour is any given type. The belief networks are constructed using a database of paediatric tumour cases consisting of data collected over five decades; the problems associated with using this data are discussed. To verify the usefulness of the networks, an application of the method is presented in which prior probabilities were generated and combined with a classification of tumours based solely on MRS data.ResultsBelief networks were constructed from a database of over 1300 cases. These can be used to generate a probability that a tumour is any given type. Networks are presented for astrocytoma grades I and II, astrocytoma grades III and IV, ependymoma, pineoblastoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET), germinoma, medulloblastoma, craniopharyngioma and a group representing rare tumours, \"other\". Using the network to generate prior probabilities for classification improves the accuracy when compared with generating prior probabilities based on class prevalence.ConclusionBayesian belief networks are a simple way of using discrete clinical information to generate probabilities usable in classification. The belief network method can be robust to incomplete datasets. Inclusion of a priori knowledge is an effective way of improving classification of brain tumours by non-invasive methods.",
"corpus_id": 11234250,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Review on Data Mining Methods for Tuberculosis Diagnosis",
"abstract": "Tuberculosis, which is the oldest human disease wit h the highest mortality rates among infectious diseases, continues to be the worl d's attention. Previous methods to diagnose tuberculosis are tuberculin test, Sputum-s mear microscopy and chest radiography. Unfortunately, these methods are time consuming and perform poorly. Furthermore, they require varied sensitivity, Mycob acterium tuberculosis bacilli alive, sputum which is difficult to obtain from chi ldren, trained personnel to avoid human error, and hence, high cost. Researchers keep developing accurate data mining methods for rapid Tuberculosis diagnosis to reduce the rate of growth of the world population of tuberculosis patients. This paper aims to provide state-of-the-art of data mining methods in diagnosing Tuberculosis u sing clinical symptoms as input parameters. First, it introduces tuberculosis and c urrent methods used for tuberculosis diagnosis. Then it discusses technique s for preprocessing data and data mining methods for tuberculosis diagnosis currently used. The result shows that the most frequently used variables are sweating at nigh t, more than 3 weeks of cough, fever, weight loss, age, and chest pain respectivel y. Support Vector Machine and Bayesian Network gave the highest accuracy compared to other methods.",
"corpus_id": 284877
} | {
"title": "Automated Tuberculosis Diagnosis Using Fluorescence Images from a Mobile Microscope",
"abstract": "In low-resource areas, the most common method of tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis is visual identification of rod-shaped TB bacilli in microscopic images of sputum smears. We present an algorithm for automated TB detection using images from digital microscopes such as CellScope [2], a novel, portable device capable of brightfield and fluorescence microscopy. Automated processing on such platforms could save lives by bringing healthcare to rural areas with limited access to laboratory-based diagnostics. Our algorithm applies morphological operations and template matching with a Gaussian kernel to identify candidate TB-objects. We characterize these objects using Hu moments, geometric and photometric features, and histograms of oriented gradients and then perform support vector machine classification. We test our algorithm on a large set of CellScope images (594 images corresponding to 290 patients) from sputum smears collected at clinics in Uganda. Our object-level classification performance is highly accurate, with Average Precision of 89.2%±2.1%. For slide-level classification, our algorithm performs at the level of human readers, demonstrating the potential for making a significant impact on global healthcare.",
"corpus_id": 6929852
} | {
"title": "MC3: A Multi-class Consensus Classification Framework",
"abstract": "In this paper, we propose MC3, an ensemble framework for multi-class classification. MC3 is built on “consensus learning”, a novel learning paradigm where each individual base classifier keeps on improving its classification by exploiting the outcomes obtained from other classifiers until a consensus is reached. Based on this idea, we propose two algorithms, MC3-R and MC3-S that make different trade-offs between quality and runtime. We conduct rigorous experiments comparing MC3-R and MC3-S with 12 baseline classifiers on 13 different datasets. Our algorithms perform as well or better than the best baseline classifier, achieving on average, a 5.56% performance improvement. Moreover, unlike existing baseline algorithms, our algorithms also improve the performance of individual base classifiers up to 10%. (The code is available at https://github.com/MC3-code.)",
"corpus_id": 35377035,
"score": -1
} |
{
"title": "Electric vehicle on-road dynamic charging system with wireless power transfer technology",
"abstract": "The recent development in simulation speed and capacity of magnetic field, and the power electronics, the field of wireless power transfer has been developed significantly. In the future transport area, electric vehicles are considered as replacement of oil-powered internal combustion engine driven vehicles, especially for the CO2 reduction and alternative energy perspective. However, electric vehicle requires several key issues resolved in view of the heavy weight, bulky volume, and limited driving distance. In this paper, the innovative on-road dynamic wireless charging technology for electric vehicle, called OLEV, is introduced. The electric vehicle charging technology can be classified as conductive or wireless, stationary or dynamic, and slow or fast. The fast charging in the range of 100 kW of power capacity and wireless dynamic charging concept are described. Also the design concept, system architecture and development process of optimizing the magnetic flux field for the higher power transfer efficiency are described in this paper. The dynamic charging technology is also compared with the stationary conductive charging for electric vehicles, in view of its development concept and status, and practical feasibility of the innovative technology.",
"corpus_id": 7562546
} | {
"title": "Coil Design and Efficiency Analysis for Dynamic Wireless Charging System for Electric Vehicles",
"abstract": "Wireless charging electric vehicles (EV) is the development trend of EV. However, the battery taken by EVs has the disadvantages of big volume, long time to recharge, and limited driving distance. In this paper, an innovative dynamic wireless charging system based on magnetic coupled resonant power transmission is presented. The transmitting coil of this charging system can selectively turn ON/OFF for charging vehicles while driving. The structures of the transmitting coil and receiving coil are researched and improved. In addition, the dispersed coupling structure named grouped periodic series spiral coupler is proposed, and its characteristics are described. A simulation of coupling coefficients at different D values is carried out. A prototype is built to experiment on the dynamic wireless charging process of EV. Meanwhile, the coil coupling and variation of transmission efficiency are analyzed. The comparison of the experiment indicated that the EV can obtain a stable charging process under 25 mm transmission distance using the improved receiving coil with R:H:D = 4:5:13. Moreover, the dynamic charging process is relatively stable without an obvious fluctuation while passing the interval between two transmitting coils, and the transmission efficiency is promoted by 50%.",
"corpus_id": 7846316
} | {
"title": "Fuzzy logic based supervision of DC link PI control in a DSTATCOM",
"abstract": "In a DSTATCOM, generally, the DC capacitor voltage is regulated using a PI controller when various control algorithms are used for load compensation. However, during load changes, there is considerable variation in DC capacitor voltage which might affect compensation. In this work, a fuzzy logic based supervisory method is proposed to improve transient performance of the DC link. The fuzzy logic based supervisor varies the proportional and integral gains of the PI controller during the transient period immediately after a load change. An improvement in the performance of the controller is obtained because of appropriate variation of PI gains using expert knowledge of system behaviour and higher sampling during the transient period. A 50% reduction in the error in DC link capacitor voltage during load change compared to a normal PI controller is obtained. The voltage waveform also has a faster settling time. The efficacy of the proposed strategy is proved using detailed simulation studies.",
"corpus_id": 698758,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "The Prediction of Swell Percent and Swell Pressure by Using Neural Networks",
"abstract": "Expansive soils exhibit significantly high volumetric deformations and so pose a serious threat to stability of the structures and foundations. Thus, determination of their swelling properties (i.e. swelling potential and swell pressure) becomes essential. However, measurement of the swelling properties is time-consuming and requires special and expensive equipment. With this in view, efforts were made to develop artificial neural network (ANN) and multiple regression analysis (MRA) models that can be employed for estimating swell percent and swell pressure. To achieve this, the results of free swell tests performed on statically compacted specimens of Kaolinite-Bentonite clay mixtures with varying soil properties were used. Two different ANN (ANN-1 and ANN-2) and MRA (MRA-1 and MRA-2) models have been developed: ANN-1 and MRA-1 models for predicting swell percent and ANN-2 and MRA-2 models for predicting swell pressure. The results obtained from ANN and MRA models were compared vis-a-vis those obtained from the experiments. The values predicted from the ANN models match the experimental values much better than those obtained from MRA models. Moreover, several performance indices such as determination coefficient (R2), variance account for (VAF), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE) were calculated to check the prediction capacity of the ANN and MRA models developed. The obtained indices make it clear that the constructed ANN models have shown higher prediction performance than MRA models. It has been demonstrated that the ANN models can be used satisfactorily to predict swell percent and swell pressure as a rapid inexpensive substitute for laboratory techniques.",
"corpus_id": 17230598
} | {
"title": "The use of neural networks for the prediction of the settlement of one-way footings on cohesionless soils based on standard penetration test",
"abstract": "In this study, artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to predict the settlement of one-way footings, without a need to perform any manual work such as using tables or charts. To achieve this, a computer programme was developed in the Matlab programming environment for calculating the settlement of one-way footings from five traditional settlement prediction methods. The footing geometry (length and width), the footing embedment depth, the bulk unit weight of the cohesionless soil, the footing applied pressure, and corrected standard penetration test varied during the settlement analyses, and the settlement value of each one-way footing was calculated for each traditional method by using the written programme. Then, an ANN model was developed for each method to predict the settlement by using the results of the analyses. The settlement values predicted from each ANN model developed were compared with the settlement values calculated from the traditional method. The predicted values were found to be quite close to the calculated values. Additionally, several performance indices such as determination coefficient, variance account for, mean absolute error, root mean square error, and scaled percent error were computed to check the prediction capacity of the ANN models developed. The constructed ANN models have shown high prediction performance based on the performance indices calculated. The results demonstrated that the ANN models developed can be used at the preliminary stage of designing one-way footing on cohesionless soils without a need to perform any manual work such as using tables or charts.",
"corpus_id": 8191441
} | {
"title": "DATA DIVISION FOR DEVELOPING NEURAL NETWORKS APPLIED TO GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING",
"abstract": "In recent years, artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been applied to many geotechnical engineering problems with some degree of success. In the majority of these applications, data division is carried out on an arbitrary basis. However, the way the data are divided can have a significant effect on model performance. In this paper, the issue of data division and its impact on ANN model performance is investigated for a case study of predicting the settlement of shallow foundations on granular soils. Four data division methods are investigated: (1) random data division; (2) data division to ensure statistical consistency of the subsets needed for ANN model development; (3) data division using self-organizing maps (SOMs); and (4) a new data division method using fuzzy clustering. The results indicate that the statistical properties of the data in the training, testing, and validation sets need to be taken into account to ensure that optimal model performance is achieved. It is also apparent from the results that the SOM and fuzzy clustering methods are suitable approaches for data division.",
"corpus_id": 110843720,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Potentiation of alpha7-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by select albumins.",
"abstract": "Nicotinic receptors containing alpha7 subunits are ligand-gated ion channels widely distributed in the nervous system; they influence a diverse array of events because of their high relative calcium permeability. We show here that nicotine-induced whole-cell responses generated by such receptors can be dramatically potentiated in a rapidly reversible manner by some but not all albumins. The potentiation involves increases both in potency and efficacy with no obvious differences in rise and fall times of the response. The potentiation is not reduced by removing absorbed components; it is abolished by proteolysis, suggesting that the albumin protein backbone is essential. The fact that some albumins are ineffective indicates that minor differences in amino acid sequence may be critical. Experiments with open channel blockers indicate that the potentiation involves increased responses from active receptors rather than recruitment of receptors from a previously silent pool. Single channel recordings reveal that the potentiation correlates with increased single channel opening probability, reflected in increased frequency of channel opening and increased mean channel open time. The potentiation can be exploited to overcome blockade by noncompetitive inhibitors such as beta-amyloid peptide. The results raise the possibility that endogenous compounds use the site to modulate receptor function in vivo, and suggest that the receptors may represent useful targets for therapeutic intervention in cases where they have been implicated in neuropathologies such as Alzheimer's disease.",
"corpus_id": 3218571
} | {
"title": "Septal innervation regulates the function of α7 nicotinic receptors in CA1 hippocampal interneurons",
"abstract": "The hippocampus receives substantial input from the medial septum/diagonal band of broca (MS/DB) via the fibria-fornix (FF). Projections from the MS/DB innervate hippocampal interneurons that express alpha7 nicotinic receptors and regulate excitation in principal cell populations. In the present report we used stereotaxic surgery, whole-cell patch clamping, and immunohistochemical techniques to evaluate the effects of FF and MS/DB lesions on alpha7 nicotinic receptors in stratum radiatum interneurons. Focal somatic application of ACh (1 mM) evoked methyllycaconitine (MLA)-sensitive currents that were markedly reduced following aspirative lesions of the FF. Reductions in current amplitudes were prevented or restored to levels not significantly different from controls following in vivo treatment with the alpha7-selective agonist GTS-21, and GTS-21 treatment did not change current amplitudes measured in tissue from unlesioned animals. MS/DB injections of the selective cholinergic neurotoxin 192 IgG-saporin did not affect alpha7 receptor currents, although MS/DB ChAT and hippocampal AChE immunolabeling were significantly reduced. In contrast, kainic acid lesions of the MS/DB, potentially more selective for GABAergic projection neurons, produced significant reductions in current amplitudes. These findings are the first to show functional changes in alpha7 receptors following hippocampal denervation and suggest that MS/DB hippocampal innervation regulates functional aspects of hippocampal alpha7 receptors. The results confirm hippocampal alpha7 nicotinic receptors as viable therapeutic targets in diseases that involve degradation of the septohippocampal pathway and may indicate that GABAergic MS/DB hippocampal input plays a more substantial role in the regulation of alpha7 nicotinic receptor function than MS/DB hippocampal cholinergic input.",
"corpus_id": 1060674
} | {
"title": "Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase‐Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) Stimulates Adenylyl Cyclase and Phospholipase C Activity in Rat Cerebellar Neuroblasts",
"abstract": "Abstract: The presence of receptors for the novel neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been recently demonstrated in the external granule cell layer of the cerebellum, a germinative matrix that generates the majority of cerebellar interneurons. In the present study, we have taken advantage of the possibility of obtaining a culture preparation that is greatly enriched in immature cerebellar granule cells to investigate the effect of PACAP on the adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C transduction pathways. The two molecular forms of PACAP, i.e., 27‐(PACAP27) and 38‐(PACAP38) amino‐acid forms of PACAP, induced a dose‐dependent stimulation of cyclic AMP production in granule cells. The potencies of PACAP27 and PACAP38 were similar (ED50 = 0.12 ± 0.01 and 0.23 ± 0.07 nM, respectively), whereas vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was ∼100 times less potent. PACAP27 and PACAP38 also induced a dose‐dependent stimulation of polyphosphoinositide breakdown (ED50 = 19.1 ± 6.3 and 13.4 ± 6.0 nM, respectively), whereas VIP had no effect on polyphosphoinositide metabolism. The effect of PACAP38 on inositol phosphate formation was significantly reduced by U‐73122 and by pertussis toxin, indicating that activation of PACAP receptors causes stimulation of a phospholipase C through a pertussis toxin‐sensitive G protein. In contrast, forskolin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP did not affect PACAP‐induced stimulation of inositol phosphates. Taken together, the present results demonstrate that PACAP stimulates independently the adenylyl cyclase and the phospholipase C transduction pathways in immature cerebellar granule cells. These data favor the concept that PACAP may play important roles in the control of proliferation and/or differentiation of cerebellar neuroblasts.",
"corpus_id": 25825679,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "The orphans of Eritrea: what are the choices?",
"abstract": "The authors examined the emotional well-being, adaptability, and emotional distress of 10-13 year-old Eritrean war orphans cared for in 3 different social environments and 1 group of home-reared children using 2 scales of the Behavioral Assessment System for Children and informal interviews with the children. Orphans reunified with extended families had greater adaptive skills than institutional orphans but as many signs and symptoms of emotional distress as orphanage children. Group-home orphans had fewer signs and symptoms of emotional distress and greater adaptive skills than either reunified or institutional orphans, and they had fewer symptoms of emotional distress than home-reared children. However, placing orphans in small group homes was far more expensive than reunifying them with extended families. The public policy implications of the findings for the protection of unaccompanied children in impoverished developing countries are discussed.",
"corpus_id": 966815
} | {
"title": "Children in Institutional Care: Delayed Development and Resilience.",
"abstract": "Children exposed to institutional care often suffer from \"structural neglect\" which may include minimum physical resources, unfavorable and unstable staffing patterns, and social-emotionally inadequate caregiver-child interactions. This chapter is devoted to the analysis of the ill effects of early institutional experiences on resident children's development. Delays in the important areas of physical, hormonal, cognitive, and emotional development are discussed. The evidence for and against the existence of a distinctive set of co-occurring developmental problems in institutionalized children is weighed and found to not yet convincingly demonstrate a \"post-institutional syndrome\". Finally, shared and non-shared features of the institutional environment and specific genetic, temperamental, and physical characteristics of the individual child are examined that might make a crucial difference in whether early institutional rearing leaves irreversible scars.",
"corpus_id": 10373097
} | {
"title": "Vertical transmission of the entomopathogenic soil fungus Scopulariopsis brevicaulis as a contaminant of eggs in the winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus, collected from calf moose (New Hampshire, USA)",
"abstract": "ABSTRACT Moose naturally acquire soil fungi on their fur that are entomopathogenic to the winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus. Presumed to provide a measure of on-host tick control, it is unknown whether these soil fungi impact subsequent off-host stages of the tick. Eggs and resultant larvae originating from engorged, adult female winter ticks collected from dead calf moose (Alces alces) were used to investigate the presence and extent of fungal infection. Approximately 40% of eggs and larvae were infected, almost exclusively by the fungus Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (teleomorph Microascus brevicaulis: Microascaceae, Ascomycota). Eggs analysed on the day of oviposition and day of hatching had high frequency (40%) of S. brevicaulis, whereas the frequency in eggs harvested in utero was minimal (7%); therefore, exposure occurs pre-oviposition in the female’s genital chamber, not by transovarial transmission. At hatching, larvae emerge containing S. brevicaulis indicating transstadial transmission. Artificial infection by topical application of eggs and larvae with a large inoculum of S. brevicaulis spores caused rapid dehydration, marked mortality; pathogenicity was confirmed by Koch’s postulates. The high hatching success (>90%) and multi-month survival of larvae imply that S. brevicaulis is maintained as a natural pathobiont in winter ticks.",
"corpus_id": 132753299,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "Measurement and Simulation of Microwave Noise Transient of InP/InGaAs DHBT with Polyimide Passivattion",
"abstract": "Measurement and simulation of microwave noise transient of InP/InGaAs DHBT with polyimide passivation is reported in this paper for the first time and is believed to contribute to the overall broadband shot noise. This work provides a better insight into the noise transient mechanism of InP HBTs due to polyimide passivation and can be used to improve the device and circuit reliability.",
"corpus_id": 2956297
} | {
"title": "Passivation of InP-based HBTs for high bit rate circuit applications",
"abstract": "We have studied different materials (silicon nitride, silicon oxide, polyimide) for passivating InP-based HBTs, and their influence on the device electrical performances. Polyimide was found to induce the least degradation after passivation. A double heterojunction InP/InGaAs HBT fabrication process, including polyimide passivation and planarization, has been assembled, allowing us to realize high bit-rate circuits, such as a 36 Gb/s 2:1 multiplexer.",
"corpus_id": 124084389
} | {
"title": "Hybrid control for the Pendubot",
"abstract": "A new hybrid controller has been applied for feedback stabilization of a Pendubot, whose dynamics show second order nonholonomic properties. Experimental results for different test cases show that the hybrid control outperforms the existing control algorithm. This successful implementation provides a novel alternative for the control of under-actuated mechanical systems. Many such systems are subject to second order non-integrable differential constraints.",
"corpus_id": 1011375,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Formulation of novel dry powder inhalation for fluticasone propionate and salmeterol xinafoate with capsule-based device",
"abstract": "Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a novel fluticasone propionate (FP) and salmeterol xinafoate (SX)-loaded dry powder inhaler (DPI) system, which was composed of powder formulation and performance. The air flow resistances were determined with various types of DPI device, showing that the modified RS01 device gave the specific resistance similar to the commercial DPI device. The particle properties of FP, SX, and inhalation grade lactose particles, such as particle size, size distribution, and fine content, were assessed. Subsequently, the aerodynamic behaviors of the DPI powder formulations were evaluated by the in vitro deposition of drugs in the DPI products using Andersen cascade impactor. Amongst the DPI powder formulations tested, the formulation composed of FP, SX, Respitose® SV003, Respitose® SV010, and Respitose® ML006 at the weight ratio of 0.5/0.145/19/19/2 gave depositions, emitted dose, fine particle dose, fine particle fraction, and mass median aerodynamic diameter of drugs similar to the commercial product, suggesting that they had similar aerodynamic behaviors. Furthermore, it gave excellent content uniformity. Thus, this DPI using the modified RS01 device would be recommended as a candidate for FP and SX-loaded pharmaceutical DPI products.",
"corpus_id": 2327667
} | {
"title": "Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, efficacy, and safety data from two randomized, double-blind studies in patients with asthma and an in vitro study comparing two dry-powder inhalers delivering a combination of salmeterol 50 microg and fluticasone propionate 250 microg: implications for establishing ",
"abstract": "BACKGROUND\nThe use of dry-powder inhalers (DPIs) to administer respiratory medicines is increasing, and new DPIs are likely to be developed because of expiring patents. However, there is considerable debate concerning the extent to which DPIs are interchangeable without altering disease control or the safety profile of the treatment.\n\n\nOBJECTIVE\nThis study was designed to compare the pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD), efficacy, and safety data for 2 DPIs delivering a combination of salmeterol 50 microg plus fluticasone propionate (FP) 250 microg (SFC 50/250) to investigate assumptions of bioequivalence.\n\n\nMETHODS\nThree studies compared SFC 50/250 delivery using a reservoir powder inhalation device (RPID) and a Diskus multiple-dose inhaler: an in vitro assessment of fine-particle-mass (FPM) profiles of the emitted doses; a PK/PD study of SFC 50/250 administered in two 14-day crossover treatment periods to 22 adults with moderate, persistent asthma to determine the equivalence of the RPID and Diskus inhaler in terms of drug delivery and systemic exposure; and a 12-week clinical efficacy and safety study of SFC 50/250 in 270 patients > or =12 years of age with moderate, persistent asthma to assess the equivalence of the RPID and Diskus inhaler based on peak expiratory flow (PEF) rates. FPM was summed from the quantity of active pharmaceutical ingredient deposited on stages 1 to 5 of a cascade impactor, representing an aerodynamic particle size range of 0.8 to 6.2 microm. Systemic exposure to SFC 50/250 was declared no greater with RPID than with the Diskus inhaler if the upper limit of the 90% CI for the ratio of FP AUC for the 2 devices was below the upper limit of the equivalence range (ie, <1.25). Adverse events, clinical laboratory test results, and vital signs were recorded throughout the 2 clinical studies.\n\n\nRESULTS\nIn vitro, mean FPM values for the RPID and Diskus inhaler, respectively, were 13.1 and 12.8 microg/dose for salmeterol (P = NS) and 66.8 and 66.2 microg/dose for FP (P = NS). The only notable differences were mean FP for particle sizes 2.3 to 3.2 microm (21.4 microg/dose for RPID, 25.6 microg/dose for Diskus) and for sizes 4.0 to 6.2 microm (17.3 microg/dose for RPID, 11.7 microg/dose for Diskus). In the PK/PD study, there were 22 patients (16 men and 6 women), most (86%) of whom were white. Mean (SD) age was 26.0 (5.0) years (range, 19-35 years), and mean (SD) weight was 67.3 (8.9) kg. The 2 inhalers did not meet the criteria for declaring bioequivalence: estimated ratios (RPID:Diskus) were 2.00 (90% CI, 1.56 to 2.55) for FP AUC up to the time point of next dosing and 1.92 (90% CI, 1.64 to 2.25) for salmeterol maximum observed plasma concentration at the end of the dosing interval (at steady state). Urine cortisol (0-24 hours) was significantly lower for the RPID than for the Diskus inhaler (ratio, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.57 to 0.96]; P = 0.026); no significant difference in plasma cortisol was noted between the 2 inhalers (ratio, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.7 to 1.04]). A small but statistically significant increase in maximum heart rate (5 beats/min) was noted in the RPID group (ratio, 1.05 [95% CI, 1.01 to 1.10]; P = 0.029). No notable differences in other PD end points were observed. Drug-related adverse events occurred in both groups (2 [dysphagia and tremor] in the RPID group and 3 [2 cases of dysphonia, 1 case of mucous-membrane irritation] in the Diskus group). There were 270 patients (136 females, 134 males) in the clinical efficacy and safety study, most (94%) of whom were white; mean (SD) age was 37.2 (17.0) years (range, 11-77 years) in the RPID group and 35.4 (17.2) years (range, 12-77 years) in the Diskus group. The RPID and the Diskus inhaler met the predefined equivalence criteria (+/-15 L/min) in terms of mean change in morning PEF from baseline: 3.9 L/min (95% CI, -3.1 to 11.0). The 2 SFC 50/250 inhalers were well tolerated; the most frequently reported adverse event was bronchitis, reported by 12% of the patients in the RPID group and 9% of those in the Diskus group. The only serious adverse event, which occurred in the RPID group and was related to bronchial infection, was considered unrelated to treatment.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nIn vitro particle size distribution data were potentially superimposable for the RPID and the Diskus inhaler. The 2 devices were considered to be clinically equivalent in terms of mean morning PEF but were not considered equivalent in terms of PK systemic exposure. The 2 SFC 50/250 inhalers were well tolerated and had comparable safety profiles; no serious adverse events were attributed to the study product.",
"corpus_id": 801317
} | {
"title": "The Effects of Carrier Size and Morphology on the Dispersion of Salbutamol Sulphate after Aerosolization at Different Flow Rates",
"abstract": "We have investigated the interdependence of various factors (particle size, surface smoothness, carrier particle shape, inhalation flow rate) on the deposition of a model drug (salbutamol sulphate) after aerosolization from a model inhaler device (Rotahaler).",
"corpus_id": 9438624,
"score": 2
} |
{
"title": "Allodynia in Migraine: Association With Comorbid Pain Conditions",
"abstract": "Background.— Cutaneous allodynia (CA) in migraine is a clinical manifestation of central nervous system sensitization. Several chronic pain syndromes and mood disorders are comorbid with migraine. In this study we examine the relationship of migraine‐associated CA with these comorbid conditions. We also evaluate the association of CA with factors such as demographic profiles, migraine characteristics, and smoking status that may have an influence on the relationships of CA to pain and mood.",
"corpus_id": 800278
} | {
"title": "Increased Risk of Restless Legs Syndrome in Patients With Migraine",
"abstract": "Abstract Previous studies suggest that an association between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and migraine exists. However, population-based data are unavailable in Asian cohorts. Our study thus aims to evaluate the association between migraine and RLS in a nationwide, population-based cohort in Taiwan and to examine the effects of age, sex, migraine subtype, and comorbidities on RLS development. Data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were used. Patients aged 20 years or older with newly diagnosed migraine from 2000 to 2008 were included; 23,641 patients with newly diagnosed migraine and 94,564 subjects without migraine were randomly selected and followed until RLS development, withdrawal from the National Health Insurance, or until the end of 2011. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to explore the risk of RLS in patients with migraine after adjustment for demographic characteristics and comorbidities. Both cohorts were followed for a mean of 7.38 years. After adjustment for covariates, the risk of RLS was 1.42-fold higher (95% confidence interval = 1.13–1.79) in the migraine cohort than in the nonmigraine cohort (7.19 versus 3.42 years per 10,000 person-years). The increased risk was more prominent in males in the migraine cohort (1.87-fold increased risk, 95% confidence interval 1.22–2.85). Neither comorbidity status nor migraine subtype influenced the RLS risk. This population-based study demonstrated that migraine is associated with an increased risk of RLS compared with those without migraine, particularly in male patients with migraine and regardless of the comorbidity status.",
"corpus_id": 785411
} | {
"title": "Strong dissipative behavior in quantum field theory",
"abstract": "We study the conditions under which an overdamped regime can be attained in the dynamic evolution of a quantum field configuration. Using a real-time formulation of finite temperature field theory, we compute the effective evolution equation of a scalar field configuration, quadratically interacting with a given set of other scalar fields. We then show that, in the overdamped regime, the dissipative kernel in the field equation of motion is closely related to the shear viscosity coefficient, as computed in scalar field theory at finite temperature. The effective dynamics is equivalent to a time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau description of the approach to equilibrium in phenomenological theories of phase transitions. Applications of our results, including a recently proposed inflationary scenario called {open_quotes}warm inflation,{close_quotes} are discussed. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}",
"corpus_id": 15392883,
"score": 0
} |
{
"title": "IAS Versus U.S. GAAP: Assessing the Quality of Financial Reporting in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States",
"abstract": "Abstract In this study, we investigate whether financial reporting, using International Accounting Standards (IAS) results in quality disclosures, given differences in institutional and market forces across legal jurisdictions. This study contributes to the global accounting debate by utilizing U.S.-based companies complying with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) as a benchmark for measuring the quality of IAS as applied by South Africa (S.A.) and United Kingdom (U.K.) companies. Although South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States are common law countries with strong investor protection, South Africa's institutional factors and market forces vary from that of the U.K. and the U.S. South Africa's financial market is less developed than that of the U.K. and the U.S. We compare the discretionary accruals of firms complying with U.S. GAAP to the discretionary accruals of U.K. and S.A. firms complying with IAS. This allows a comparison between companies (S.A. and U.K.) operating under different institutional factors and market forces that have adopted IAS versus U.S. companies that report under U.S. GAAP. Our sample, consisting of U.S., S.A., and U.K. listed firms, contains 3,166 firm-year observations relating to the period 1999–2001. The results of our study indicate that S.A firms utilizing IAS report absolute values of discretionary accruals that are significantly greater than absolute values of discretionary accruals of U.S. firms utilizing U.S. GAAP. In contrast, U.K. firms utilizing IAS report discretionary accruals that are significantly less than the discretionary accruals of companies in the United States reporting under U.S. GAAP. This study contributes to the literature by providing evidence of the quality of financial information prepared under IAS and its dependency on the institutional factors and market forces of a country.",
"corpus_id": 153796582
} | {
"title": "Comparability of Company Accounts Using IFRS and US GAAP: Empirical Evidence of European and US Financial Statements",
"abstract": "Purpose-The main objective of this study is to provide a judgment on the comparability of financial statements prepared under IFRS and US-GAAP. We developed two research questions for evaluating comparability within Europe (IFRS) and within the US (US GAAP) and for testing whether comparability is higher or lower when the US companies are included with the European countries.Design/Methodology/Approach-The T index framework was used to summarize the level of comparability for 13 accounting items using data from 250 companies.Findings-Empirical results are mixed. Of 13 accounting items considered, international comparability is significantly lower for 7 items and significantly higher for 4 items when the US companies are included. Furthermore, comparability amongst companies using IFRS is not consistently higher or lower than comparability amongst companies using US GAAP.Practical implications-Answers to the research questions may provide useful suggestions for IASB’s current policy direction towards global accounting standards convergence, and in particular for the IASB-FASB convergence project. The results also have implications for companies or countries considering shifting to IFRS or US GAAP.Research limitations/implications-Lack of comparability within countries, rather than between countries, suggests a need to focus on reducing options within standards rather than on differences between standards or countries.Originality value-Our empirical results show that in most cases lack of comparability may be driven by options within a standard rather than by explicit differences between standards.",
"corpus_id": 157813716
} | {
"title": "Environmental legislation and capitalization of corporate environmental expenditure: Evidence from China",
"abstract": "Although corporate environmental performance has received widespread attention and its economic consequences have been studied in the literature, little is known about the motivation of firms to choose different environmental strategies (corporate environmental expenditures). Constructing an indicator for the capitalization of corporate environmental expenditures, we explore corporate environmental strategies. This paper investigates the impact of environmental legislation on the capitalization of corporate environmental expenditures. By analyzing data on manual environmental expenditures of Chinese listed companies from 2011 to 2020, we find that implementing the new Environmental Protection Law (EPL) can enhance the capitalization of corporate environmental expenditures of high polluting firms. The effect is stronger for firms with higher external legitimacy pressures, such as those with greater public supervision and environmental enforcement. Firms with more internal resources are more likely to experience this effect, as evidenced by lower financing constraints and less managerial myopia. Further mechanistic studies suggest that implementing new EPL raises environmental media attention and perceived environmental risk among high polluting firms. This paper contributes to the environmental accounting literature by introducing a novel measure of corporate environmental strategy—the capitalization of corporate environmental expenditures. It investigates the effect of environmental regulation on the capitalization of corporate environmental expenditures to provide a reference for polluting firms’ corporate environmental strategy and the implementation of the EPL in China.",
"corpus_id": 253267888,
"score": 1
} |
{
"title": "Another FIR lattice structure",
"abstract": "A new two multiplier FIR lattice structure is derived by using the digital two‐pair concept, which produces two transfer functions Hi(z) and Hi′(z) having the complementary relationship Hi′(z)=z−iHi(–z−1), in contrast to the mirror image relationship, i.e. Hi′(z)=z−iHi(z−1) satisfied in the conventional FIR lattice structure. The new structure should be useful in crossover networks as well as in multirate signal processing. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.",
"corpus_id": 3891388
} | {
"title": "A New Canonic Lattice Realization of Arbitrary FIR Transfer Functions",
"abstract": "A new lattice structure is presented for realizing a pair of arbitrary FIR transfer functions of the same order, which is canonic in multipliers as well as delays. By a simple modification of the procedure, one can also obtain a canonic realization of a single FIR transfer function. The problem cases have been discussed, along with their solutions, and the limitations of the method have been pointed out. Examples have been worked out to illustrate the theory.",
"corpus_id": 220273510
} | {
"title": "Sustainable energy options for a low carbon demonstration city project in Shenzhen, China",
"abstract": "Urban areas are the key drivers of energy usage and the associated carbon emissions. Due to the rapid economic development and urbanization process, China has faced increasing pressure on energy supply and carbon emission issues. It is urgent for China to change from the current coal-based high carbon intensity power supply structure. In this context, China has planned to utilize an undeveloped area in Shenzhen to become a low-carbon development demonstration project. The purpose of this paper is to propose the best combination of technology for electricity generation, involving a mix of renewable energy resources, to satisfy electrical needs and, at the same time, minimize carbon emissions from power generation in the low carbon demonstration area. The optimal renewable energy system configuration was determined based on the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable model. The simulation results show that costs of energy for the three scenarios considered are $0.187/kW h, $0.128/kW h, and $0.150/kW h, respectively; annual carbon emissions for the three scenarios are 96 702 tons, 89 836 tons, and 78 065 tons, respectively. Given the economic advantage, scenario 2 is a suitable choice for the first phase of the international low carbon city (ILCC). With reinforced carbon emissions controls and a rising carbon allowance price, scenario 3 can be adopted in the second and third phase of the ILCC construction.",
"corpus_id": 108954848,
"score": 1
} |