bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stem Cell Donor Matching for Patients of Mixed Race
Authors: Bergstrom Ted C. , Garratt Rod , Sheehan-Connor Damien 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Much attention has been given to the plight of minorities and persons of mixed race in need of a bone marrow transplant. This has led to increased efforts to recruit minority and mixed-race donors. There is strong evidence that members of racial minorities are less likely to find a match than those of European descent. Because the relevant sample sizes are small, direct estimation of the distribution of immunity types for mixed-race populations have not been available. We show how to estimate the distribution of HLA types for persons of mixed race indirectly, using simple principles of probability and the combinatorics of diploid reproduction. We show that recruitment of mixed race donors is cost-effective, but not for the expected reasons. While recruitment of mixed-race donors increases the welfare of patients with the same racial background, the benefits to the targeted recipients do not exceed the costs. However, when account is taken of the likelihood that a mixed-race registrant will be the only available match for a patient classified as being of a single race, the recruitment of mixed race donors turns out to be highly cost-effective.
Numerical gradient-index design for coherent mode conversion
Authors: Lin Di , Leger James R. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
We present a numerical gradient-index (GRIN) design methodology for application in coherent mode conversion. Within the framework of geometric optics, a one-to-one correspondence between the field description and the ray description of the propagating beam is established using optical path lengths and the conservation of energy within a bundle of rays. A family of ray paths is chosen to transform the initial ray distribution into a target ray distribution. The specified ray paths are used to calculate the index profile of the GRIN structure required to effect the gradual transformation from the input beam to the desired output beam. We demonstrate our approach with a GRIN structure design that converts a Gaussian beam into a flat-top beam.
论“虚实象似”原理*—韵律和语法之间的扭曲对应
Authors: 沈, 家煊 
Published: August 2012

提要为了解释汉语的韵律结构和语法结构之间的对应关系，已有的研究提出两条原理，“轻重象似”和“松紧象似”。本文建议用“虚实象似”把上述两条原理统一起来，并且着重阐明这种象似是“扭曲对应”关系。这样做的好处是，使解释变得更加简单和充分，说明汉语和印欧语之间的异同，对构建一般语言理论也有重要意义。
从学习者偏误看汉语程度副词的教学
Authors: 刘, 振平 , 杨, 延宁 
Published: August 2012

提要本文从汉语学习者的真实偏误入手，探讨汉语程度副词的教学重点。文章检索汉语学习者中介语语料库，提取已有研究成果中的示例，搜集整理了以汉语作为第二语言学习过程中常用程度副词的偏误，并归纳了有关偏误的12个主要类型。通过偏误分析，找出了以汉语作为第二语言的学习者没有完全掌握的知识点，进而确定了需进一步加强教学的内容。
Analytical validation of the Roche 25-OH Vitamin D Total assay
Authors: Knudsen Cindy Soendersoe , Nexo Ebba , Højskov Carsten Schriver , Heickendorff Lene 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is considered a major health issue and therefore there is a need for reliable routine tests for measurement of the vitamin in blood samples. Here we present a validation of the recently released Roche 25-OH Vitamin D Total assay (Vitamin D Total).

Methods: We analyzed control materials (2 levels) and patient serum pools (3 levels) ranging from 34 to 123 nmol/L 84 times over a period of 21 days, and we analyzed five serum pools in 10 separate runs to verify the limit of quantification. We also analyzed 53 paired samples of serum and Li-heparin plasma. We evaluated the 25-OH Vitamin D Total assay in comparison to our in-house liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method [194 patient samples without 25-hydroxy vitamin D2 (25OHD2) and 23 patient samples containing 25OHD2].

Results: At concentrations of 34 and 56 nmol/L within-run CVs were 4.8% and 1.9% and total CVs were 8.3% and 6.1%. We verified that the limit of quantification was 22.5 nmol/L, as stated by the manufacturer. No significant difference was observed between serum and plasma samples (Li-heparin). Comparison with LC-MS/MS using 194 samples containing 25OHD3 only (no 25OHD2) showed Vitamin D Total nmol/L=1.07×(LC-MS/MS) nmol/L+4.7 nmol/L, whereas comparison of 25OHD2 using 23 patient samples showed Vitamin D Total nmol/L=0.55×(LC-MS/MS) nmol/L–2.38 nmol/L (Demings regression).

Conclusions: The Roche Vitamin D Total assay is judged suitable for measurement of 25OHD in serum and Li-heparin plasma. Results for 25OHD3 are comparable to those obtained by LC-MS/MS, while results for 25OHD2 are around half of those obtained by LC-MS/MS.
Neurophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a new biomarker in laboratory medicine
Authors: Makris Konstantinos , Rizos Demetrios , Kafkas Nikolaos , Haliassos Alexander 
Published: August 2012

AbstractNeutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a 25 kDa protein of the lipocalin superfamily. This protein is expressed and secreted by immune cells, hepatocytes, and renal tubular cells in various pathologic states. NGAL has recently generated great interest as an early biomarker of renal injury. However, like many other endogenous biomarkers it is not produced by just one cell type and it exists in more than one molecular form. As recent research has shown different pathological conditions may involved in the production of this molecule. This review summarizes the current knowledge about the biology of NGAL and examines the role of this molecule of acute renal injury as well as in other pathologic conditions like neoplasia, anemia, pregnancy, cardiovascular disease chronic kidney disease and in cardiorenal syndrome. Commercial and research immunoassays are used to measure NGAL in both plasma and urine but these assays are not standardized. The existence of different molecular forms of NGAL and their expression at various disease states further complicates the interpretation of the results. Pre analytical issues and biological variation are also not fully elucidated.
UrineCART, a machine learning method for establishment of review rules based on UF-1000i flow cytometry and dipstick or reflectance photometer
Authors: Yuan Cao , Ming Cheng , Chengjin Hu 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background: Automated systems have been broadly used in the counting of particles in urine, while manual microscopic analyses are still required for confirming components of urine sediments, especially pathologic casts and other unknown particles. Good review rules can reduce the number of manual urine microscopy examinations safely, thereby increasing productivity. Although several methods have been proposed, establishment of microscopic review rules for flow cytometer remains challenging.

Methods: A total of 3014 urine samples from outpatient and inpatient were examined using UF-1000i flow cytometry, Urisys-2400 dipstick and RS 2003 urine sediment workstation, respectively. Based on the results above, three supervised machine learning methods were employed to construct classifiers for screening urine samples.

Results: Here, we propose a novel method for construction of microscopic review rules, termed UrineCART, which was based on a classification and regression tree (CART) method. With a cut-off value of 0.0745 for UrineCART, we obtained a sensitivity of 92.0%, a specificity of 81.5% and a total review rate of 32.4% on an independent test set. Comparisons with the existing methods showed that UrineCART gave the acceptable sensitivity and lower total review rate.

Conclusions: An algorithm based on machine learning methods for review criteria can be achieved via systematic comparison of UF-1000i flow cytometry and microscopy. Using UrineCART, our microscopic review rate can be reduced to around 30%, while decreasing significant losses in urinalysis.
Adaptive Resonance Theory as a model of polysemy and vagueness in the cognitive lexicon
Authors: Dunbar, George 
Published: August 2012

AbstractCognitive linguistic analyses of the relationship between ambiguity and vagueness suggest that these categories are gradable. That is, whether a given distinction in lexical meaning amounts to ambiguity can vary across contexts. A computational model of the representation of lexical polysemy was applied to three nouns, and the verb paint. The model, based on a neuropsychologically inspired framework, Adaptive Resonance Theory, was applied to judgements and property ratings from 120 participants. Model results were compared to an independent usage-based analysis, and in the case of paint to an earlier cognitive linguistic analysis. Good correspondence was found, with the model reproducing specific features of those analyses, such as the extraction of similar schemata, as well as the key general feature of the gradability of ambiguity and vagueness. At the same time, the analysis revealed substantial interpersonal variability. Additional modelling demonstrated that the availability of specific aspects of conceptual knowledge could be contextually modified, leading to predicted changes in the pattern of ambiguity. Because Adaptive Resonance Theory uses elementary neural processing, previously used to successfully model cognitive phenomena, the gradability of ambiguity can be explained as a consequence of these general properties of memory and cognition.
Similarity in linguistic categorization: The importance of necessary properties
Authors: Kalyan, Siva 
Published: August 2012

AbstractUsage-based models of language propose that the acceptability of an element in a constructional slot is determined by its similarity to attested fillers of that slot (Bybee 2010, ch. 4). However, Ambridge and Goldberg (2008) find that the acceptability of a long-distance-dependency (LDD) question does not correlate with the judged similarity of the matrix verb to think and say, which are by far the most frequently attested fillers of this slot. They propose instead that the acceptability of LDD questions is determined by the degree of fit between the information-structure properties of the matrix verb and those specified by the construction—specifically, the degree to which the matrix verb foregrounds its complement clause. This paper explores the possibility of reconciling this explanation with one based on similarity by suggesting that in this case the relevant aspect of similarity is precisely the verb’s foregrounding of its complement. Evidence for this suggestion comes from psychological research showing that in a categorization task, the similarity of an item to the exemplars of a category is judged primarily with respect to the features common to all category members, as well as from the observation that virtually all attested matrix verbs in LDD questions strongly tend to foreground their complements.
Elliptic coordination
Authors: Langacker, Ronald W. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractProposals are made to expand and refine previous analyses of coordination in Cognitive Grammar. The account presupposes a number of general notions established independently: (i) flexible symbolic assemblies (rather than constituency) as the basis for describing grammar; (ii) a dynamic view of structure (as patterns of activity occurring in windows of attention on different time scales); (iii) a metaphor involving access, activation, and conceptual overlap (to complement the standard compositional metaphor); and (iv) various kinds of abstraction (including schematicity, the type/instance distinction, and the invocation of virtual entities). Coordination is characterized as the mental juxtaposition of entities conceived as being analogous. These notions are first employed to describe the conjoining of constituents, including clauses. Non-constituent coordination is analyzed in the context of other sorts of clausal “reduction”, including the accentual reduction of unfocused elements in English as well as ellipsis, where overlapping content is left unexpressed. A pivotal descriptive notion is the differential, i.e. the content appearing in one clausal window that does not appear in the prior window. The anti-differential consists of any previously active content that the differential conflicts with and suppresses. Non-constituent coordination is a special case of ellipsis where the differential and anti-differential function as conjuncts.
Dressians, tropical Grassmannians, and their rays
Authors: Herrmann Sven , Joswig Michael , Speyer David E 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
The Dressian Dr(k,n) parametrizes all tropical linear spaces, and it carries a natural fan
structure as a subfan of the secondary fan of the hypersimplex Δ(k,n). We explore the
combinatorics of the rays of Dr(k,n), that is, the most degenerate tropical planes, for arbitrary
k and n. This is related to a new rigidity concept for configurations of n - k points in the
tropical k - 1-torus. Additional conditions are given for k = 3. On the way, we compute the
entire fan Dr(3,8).
On the zeros of Epstein zeta functions
Authors: Lee Yoonbok 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
We investigate the zeros of Epstein zeta functions associated with
a positive definite quadratic form with rational coefficients.
Davenport and Heilbronn, and also Voronin, proved the
existence of zeros of Epstein zeta functions off the critical
line when the class number of the quadratic form is bigger than 1. These authors give lower bounds for the number of zeros in strips that are
of the same order as the more easily proved upper bounds.
In this paper, we improve their results by providing asymptotic formulas for the number of zeros.
Birth month of patients with malignant neoplasms: links to longevity?
Authors: Stoupel Eliyahu , Abramson Evgeny , Fenig Eyal 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Background: In 2001, the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences (USA) published a study on the relationship between month of birth and longevity. Subsequent studies revealed differences in month of birth among patients with acute myocardial infarction, a major killer in industrialized countries. The aim of the present study was to analyze month of birth in patients with malignant neoplasms, another major fatal disease.

Methods: The study sample consisted of 44,487 patients (22,584 male) diagnosed with a malignant neoplasm at Rabin Medical Center in 1994–2011. The number of patients born in each month of the year was calculated for the whole group and by gender. Student’s t-test was used to compare mean (standard deviation) monthly, quarterly and trimester values.

Results: There was a strong trend (p=0.06) for a higher mean number of births in the first trimester of the year than in the second and third trimesters. The difference was significant for male patients (p=0.03) but not female patients (p=0.13–0.15).

Conclusions: Patients born in the first trimester of the year are more affected by malignancies, particularly males. The overall monthly birth distribution of oncology patients is in line with the paradigm linking birth month with longevity.
Inverse limits of finite rank free groups
Authors: Conner Gregory R. , Kent Curtis 
Published: August 2012

Abstract.We will show that the inverse limit of finite rank free groups with surjective connecting homomorphism is isomorphic either to a finite rank free group or to a fixed universal group. In other words, any inverse system of finite rank free groups which is not equivalent to an eventually constant system has the universal group as its limit. This universal inverse limit is naturally isomorphic to the first shape group of the Hawaiian earring. We also give an example of a homomorphic image of the Hawaiian earring group which lies in the inverse limit of free groups but is neither a free group nor isomorphic to the Hawaiian earring group.
Identification of source terms in the Lotka–Volterra system
Authors: Gnanavel Soundararajan , Barani Balan Natesan , Balachandran Krishnan 
Published: August 2012

Abstract.
In this paper we study the inverse problem of determining three unknown source terms in the linearized Lotka–Volterra competition-diffusion system of three species with variable coefficients from measured output data in the form of Dirichlet and the final time overdetermination boundary conditions. We use Hasanov's approach based on quasi-solution method and adjoint problem solution for inverse source problems. Further we provide the Fréchet gradient of the cost functional through the solution of the adjoint problem and several necessary and sufficient results to prove the existence of a quasi-solution and also unicity of the considered inverse problem.
Role of automation in neonatal respiratory support
Authors: Claure Nelson , Bancalari Eduardo 
Published: August 2012

Abstract
Premature infants frequently present with respiratory instability, which is associated with fluctuations in ventilation and gas exchange. Adjustment of respiratory support to the infant’s needs is limited by staff availability and workload. Hence, automation is being explored as a way to improve the care of the premature infants. New modes of automatic respiratory support are being developed and becoming available for clinical use in preterm infants. These modes are expected to compensate for some of the limitations that presently exist in the conventional forms of respiratory support. Available evidence and preliminary findings are promising, but further investigation is needed to determine the effects of these modalities on the long-term outcome of preterm infants.
Mode of anaesthesia on fetal acid-base status at caesarean section
Authors: Shek Noel Wan Man , Lao Terence Tzu Hsi , Chan Karen Kar Loen 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Objective: To study fetal acid-base status and its implications under different modes of anaesthesia for caesarean sections.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted of 196 consecutive women with singleton non-anomalous fetuses who underwent either elective or emergency caesarean section after 36 completed weeks. Immediately after the baby was delivered, blood was drawn from the umbilical vein and one of the umbilical arteries and sent in ice for acid-base analysis. Maternal demographics, pre-existing medical conditions and antenatal complications were retrieved from antenatal records. Apgar scores and admissions to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) were noted.

Results: Six women were excluded from analysis because the umbilical venous blood was either not collected or clotted. Another two were excluded because of placental abruption. The number of subjects that received spinal, epidural and general anaesthesia were 134, 36 and 18, respectively. Apgar scores were higher in spinal anaesthesia and epidural anaesthesia group (P<0.01). General anaesthesia was associated with a higher incidence of fetal acidaemia, both in the umbilical artery and vein. Spinal anaesthesia was associated with the highest pH in umbilical venous blood. Base excess in umbilical venous samples was highest in the spinal anaesthesia group (P=0.006), although pH values were similar for the three groups. There was no difference in admissions to NICU.

Conclusions: This study provided evidence of the advantages of spinal anaesthesia over epidural and general anaesthesia. Our findings are in contrast with recent evidence in the literature.
Vaginal progesterone to prevent preterm birth in multiple pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wood Stephen , Ross Sue , Tang Selphee , Miller Leslie , Sauve Reg , Brant Rollin 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Aim: We sought to assess the effect of progesterone in increasing or decreasing duration of pregnancy for mothers with twins and triplets.

Methods: Women with multiple pregnancy were randomized at 16+0 to 20+6 weeks’ gestation to receive daily doses of either 90 mg progesterone vaginal gel or placebo until 35+6 weeks or delivery. Primary outcome was gestational age (GA) at delivery. Secondary outcomes included preterm birth, infant morbidity and mortality, and adverse events up to 28 days after delivery. A sample size of 40 per group was required to detect a 2-week difference in GA at delivery.

Results: Eighty-four women were randomized (42 to progesterone, 42 to placebo). Median GA at delivery was 36+3 and 36+2, respectively (difference, 1 day; 95% confidence interval, 4 to –1 days, P=0.585). There were no clinically or statistically significant differences between groups for risk of delivery before 35 or 37 weeks’ GA, rates of infant morbidity and mortality, treatment compliance, or adverse events.

Conclusions: Daily treatment with progesterone gel did not prolong multiple pregnancy compared with placebo. Effective prevention strategies are needed to reduce preterm deliveries among women with multiple gestations.
Development of integrative autonomic nervous system function: an investigation based on time correlation in fetal heart rate patterns
Authors: Wallwitz Ulrike , Schneider Uwe , Nowack Samuel , Feuker Janine , Bauer Stephan , Rudolph Anja , Hoyer Dirk 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Objective: To describe the development of the integrative capacity of the fetal autonomic nervous system (ANS) according to gestational age and emerging behavioral states, assuming that developing integrative ANS functions are reflected in increasing autocorrelation of fetal heart rate and fetal heart rate variability markers.

Methods: Magnetocardiograms of 114 healthy fetuses (21–40 weeks of gestation) were recorded. Level of fetal activity (quiet/active sleep) was estimated according to characteristic heart rate patterns. Autocorrelation functions of (i) fetal heart rate and (ii) time patterns of SDNN (standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals) and RMSSD (root mean square of successive differences in normal-to-normal intervals) were calculated and autocorrelation was determined over different time scales. Age and activity related changes were examined using linear regression and non-parametric tests.

Results: During pregnancy, autocorrelation increased in fetal heart rate signals and time patterns of SDNN and RMSSD. Short-time correlation (0–20 s) changed between 21 and 31 gestational weeks. Long-time correlation (75–300 s) accelerated later in pregnancy and did not increase in quiet heart rate patterns. Strong state-dependent changes were found with time patterns of SDNN.

Conclusions: Emerging integrative ANS functions are reflected in increasing autocorrelation of fetal heart rate fluctuations over increasing time scales. The period from 21 to 31 gestational weeks seems to be critical to ANS development. Increasing long-time correlation is specific to active sleep states.
Electrical pacemaker as a safe and feasible method for decreasing the uterine contractions of human preterm labor
Authors: Karsdon Jeffrey , El Daouk Manal , Huang William M. , Ashmead Graham G. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to test the safety and feasibility of a system designed to decrease the uterine contractions of human preterm labor using a weak electrical current.

Methods: Patients in preterm labor had an electrode catheter placed in the posterior vaginal fornix and attached to an electrical pacemaker. Contraction intervals were determined during the 60-min study, in which minutes 0–20 was the preintervention control period (C1); 21–40 was the electrical intervention (EI), with a 10-s burst of current administered just before each expected contraction; and 41–60 was the postintervention control (C2). Mean intervals were calculated and compared mixed-model ANOVA.

Results: Five patients were studied. No maternal or fetal vital sign irregularities were seen. All the babies had a normal neonatal intensive care unit stay for gestational age. The respective mean contraction intervals for C1, EI, and C2 and their within- and between-subject standard deviations were 4.64 (±0.81, ±2.45), 5.71 (±3.03, ±1.62), and 3.83 (±0.83, ±1.31) min. There was a significant difference between EI and C2 (P=0.0078) and no difference between C1 and C2 or between EI and C1 (P=0.1373).

Conclusions: EI appears to be a safe and feasible method for decreasing preterm contractions. To confirm and test effectiveness, longer interventions and additional cases are needed.