bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Building Performance Measures: A Human Factors Problem
Authors: Connelly Edward 
Published: January 2012

Performance assessments via institutionalized performance measures are a key part of the ongoing, global restructuring of corporate, industrial, government, and military ways of doing business. Corporations, recognizing that the “game” is played for keeps, are reorganizing to survive and prosper in the national and international environment. Often, this restructuring is not just adding new technology, although it typically takes advantage of new technology. Instead, this is a work environment change supporting effective work interactions. Led by the training and human resources personnel, employees learn to share goals, to communicate effectively and to help each other solve problems in order to function as an effective team. Results of these efforts are truly inspiring. Organizations such as Kodak, IBM, Ford, and others have turned things around, producing profitable units providing quality products and services, and having fun while doing it (Anfuso 1994). A key part of this turn-a-round is the common understanding of how performance is evaluated, a result achieved via instutionalized performance measures. A performance measure is a definition of how performance is to be assessed. The definition is always based on an individual's subjective preference of the worth of demonstrated performances or proposed activities. When the individual is an authority whose performance assessments significantly impact the performance of other individuals and the organization, then that individual's assessment concept demands attention. A performance measure, acceptable to that authority by virtue of it rating performances the same way the authority does, can systematize the assessment process by communicating what data are to be collected and how those data are to be processed to determine the performance rating. Extracting information from authorities for building performance measures does not require advances in computer technology or mathematics. Instead, it requires creating an environment in which the authority can interact with a facilitator to consider alternative workplace outcomes and can provide ratings of the desirability of each outcome. To demonstrate this interaction as a human factors problem, this paper describes the environments necessary to extract the definitions of good performance from authorities. These definitions are the basis for building the equivalent performance measures.
Ergonomic Provisions of the Shelter's Safety at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Zhuravlyov Gennady E. 
Published: January 2012

This paper outlines the main Human Factors/Ergonomic tasks to be solved to enhance the safety of the Shelter (Sarcophagus) of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plants's destroyed Unit #4 during current maintanance and forthcoming reconstruction as were observed during our visit to this site. The convential Human Factors problems are connected to personnel activities such as: traffic organization, radiation cartography, communications, monitoring of the personnel activity inside the Shelter, protective clothes, instruments, illumination, and ventilation. Macroergonomic problems include: uncertainty, risk to health, and high technical level of instruments and equipment used. Shelter workers have to assimilate many different professions and the scope of their training needs to be very large. Both situational and spatial uncertainties of the Shelter set special training problems. Three dimensional models and virtual reality tools are needed to help in solve these problems. Psychological training should also be conducted. The investigation was performed within the framework of cooperation between Russian an American ergonomists (Parsons et al. 1992).
Reducing Cannon Plug Connector Pin Selection Time and Errors Through Enhanced Data Presentation Methods
Authors: Kancler David E. , Quill Laurie L. , Revels Allen R. , Webb Robert R. , Masquelier Barbara L. 
Published: January 2012

This research investigated the effects of data presentation formats on technician performance when maintenance procedures are presented on a monocular, head-mounted display (HMD). The maintenance task was a continuity check performed by identifying, selecting, and testing pairs of cannon plug connector pins. Two formats were used to present task procedure information to the subject: a format that mimicked the standard technical procedure manual, including the textual and graphical characteristics; a format which provided the same information as the first, while adding visual cues to the graphical portion of the technical information. Two types of cannon plugs were used: ‘few-pin’ plugs (12 and 13 pins) and ‘many-pin’ plugs (55 and 79 pins). United States Air Force (USAF) avionics maintenance technicians stationed atBarksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana served as subjects. Dependent measures were: task completion time, task error rate, and subjective reports on the usability of the information presentation structure and the HMD. Results indicate that in general, technicians perform tasks more quickly and commit fewer errors when using enhanced graphical data presentation methods. Technicians indicated via post test questionnaire that such data formats, and HMDs in general, could be a useful tool in the performance of their maintenance duties.
Immersion and Battlefield Visualization: Frame of Reference Effects on Navigation Tasks and Cognitive Tunneling
Authors: Thomas Lisa C. , Wickens Christopher D. 
Published: January 2012

Army officers viewed a battle scenario in one of two computer-based display conditions. The Tethered condition was a 3-D exocentric display and the Immersed condition was a 3-D egocentric display, which allowed 360° panning, coupled with a small 2-D contour map of the entire battle area embedded in the top center of the screen. Tasks included providing verbal reports of new enemy units or changes to existing units, responding to a series of diagnostic questions, and giving confidence ratings for their selected answers. Results showed that Immersed officers were less accurate on questions that required panning as well as questions requiring a count of enemy units than Tethered condition officers. However, confidence ratings for both tasks did not differ between display conditions. These findings indicate that Immersed officers were “cognitively tunneled” into the initial forward field of view, relying too heavily on information in this view and not adequately panning the environment.
Predictors of and reasons for pacifier use in first-time mothers: an observational study
Authors: Mauch Chelsea E , Scott Jane A , Magarey Anthea M , Daniels Lynne A 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
The use of pacifiers is commonplace in Australia and has been shown to be negatively associated with breastfeeding duration. In order to influence behaviour related to the use of pacifiers it is important to understand the reasons for their use. The primary aim of this observational study was to investigate who (if anyone) advises first-time mothers to give a pacifier and the reasons for which they first give (or try to give) a pacifier to their infant. Additionally, this study investigated the predictors of pacifier use and the relationship between pacifier use and breastfeeding duration.

Methods
In total, 670 Australian first-time mothers recruited as part of the NOURISH trial completed a questionnaire regarding infant feeding and pacifier use.

Results
Pacifiers were introduced by 79% of mothers, of whom 28.7% were advised to use a pacifier by their mother/mother-in-law with a further 22.7% being advised by a midwife. The majority of mothers used a pacifier in order to soothe their infant (78.3%), to help put them to sleep (57.4%) and to keep them comforted and quiet (40.4%). Pacifiers given to infants before four weeks (adjHR 3.67; 95%CI 2.14-6.28) and used most days (adjHR 3.28; 95%CI 1.92-5.61) were significantly associated with shorter duration of breastfeeding.

Conclusions
This study identifies an opportunity for educating new mothers and their support network, particularly their infant's grandmothers, with regards to potential risks associated with the early and frequent use of a pacifier, and alternative methods for soothing their infant, in order to reduce the use of pacifiers and their potentially negative effect on breastfeeding duration.
Effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid on gene expression of the critical enzymes involved in homocysteine metabolism
Authors: Huang Tao , Wahlqvist Mark L , Li Duo 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Previous studies showed that plasma n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) was negatively associated with plasma homocysteine (Hcy).

Objective
We investigated the regulatory effect of n-3 PUFA on mRNA expression of the critical genes encoding the enzymes involved in Hcy metabolism.

Methods
HepG2 cells were treated with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) respectively for 48 h. The cells were collected and total RNA was isolated. The mRNA expression levels of the genes were determined by using Real Time-PCR.

Results
Compared with controls, the mRNA expression levels of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) were significantly increased in the DHA group (p < 0.05) and ALA group (p < 0.05); Significantly down-regulated mRNA expression of methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) was observed with the treatments compared with the controls; the level of MAT expression was significant lower in the DHA group than the ALA group (p < 0.05); Cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) expression was significantly increased in the DHA (p < 0.05) and EPA groups (p < 0.05) compared with control. No significant changes were shown in mRNA expression levels of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolases (SAHH), cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyltransferase (MTR).

Conclusions
Our results suggest that DHA up-regulates CSE and MTHFR mRNA expression and down-regulates MAT mRNA expression involved in Hcy metabolism.
Synthesis of highly transparent ultrananocrystalline diamond films from a low-pressure, low-temperature focused microwave plasma jet
Authors: Liao Wen-Hsiang , Wei Da-Hua , Lin Chii-Ruey 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
This paper describes a new low-temperature process underlying the synthesis of highly transparent ultrananocrystalline diamond [UNCD] films by low-pressure and unheated microwave plasma jet-enhanced chemical vapor deposition with Ar-1%CH4-10%H2 gas chemistry. The unique low-pressure/low-temperature [LPLT] plasma jet-enhanced growth even with added H2 and unheated substrates yields UNCD films similar to those prepared by plasma-enhanced growth without addition of H2 and heating procedure. This is due to the focused plasma jet which effectively compensated for the sluggish kinetics associated with LPLT growth. The effects of pressure on UNCD film synthesis from the microwave plasma jet were systematically investigated. The results indicated that the substrate temperature, grain size, surface roughness, and sp

3
carbon content in the films decreased with decreasing pressure. The reason is due to the great reduction of H
α emission to lower the etching of sp

2
carbon phase, resulting from the increase of mean free path with decreasing pressure. We have demonstrated that the transition from nanocrystalline (80 nm) to ultrananocrystalline (3 to 5 nm) diamond films grown via microwave Ar-1%CH4-10%H2 plasma jets could be controlled by changing the pressure from 100 to 30 Torr. The 250-nm-thick UNCD film was synthesized on glass substrates (glass transition temperature [T
g] 557°C) using the unique LPLT (30 Torr/460°C) microwave plasma jet, which produced UNCD films with a high sp

3
carbon content (95.65%) and offered high optical transmittance (approximately 86% at 700 nm).
Systemic administration of urocortin after intracerebral hemorrhage reduces neurological deficits and neuroinflammation in rats
Authors: Liew Hock-Kean , Pang Cheng-Yoong , Hsu Chih-Wei , Wang Mei-Jen , Li Ting-Yi , Peng Hsiao-Fen , Kuo Jon-Son , Wang Jia-Yi 
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Background
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remains a serious clinical problem lacking effective treatment. Urocortin (UCN), a novel anti-inflammatory neuropeptide, protects injured cardiomyocytes and dopaminergic neurons. Our preliminary studies indicate UCN alleviates ICH-induced brain injury when administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV). The present study examines the therapeutic effect of UCN on ICH-induced neurological deficits and neuroinflammation when administered by the more convenient intraperitoneal (i.p.) route.

Methods
ICH was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by intrastriatal infusion of bacterial collagenase VII-S or autologous blood. UCN (2.5 or 25 μg/kg) was administered i.p. at 60 minutes post-ICH. Penetration of i.p. administered fluorescently labeled UCN into the striatum was examined by fluorescence microscopy. Neurological deficits were evaluated by modified neurological severity score (mNSS). Brain edema was assessed using the dry/wet method. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption was assessed using the Evans blue assay. Hemorrhagic volume and lesion volume were assessed by Drabkin's method and morphometric assay, respectively. Pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) expression was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Microglial activation and neuronal loss were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

Results
Administration of UCN reduced neurological deficits from 1 to 7 days post-ICH. Surprisingly, although a higher dose (25 μg/kg, i.p.) also reduced the functional deficits associated with ICH, it is significantly less effective than the lower dose (2.5 μg/kg, i.p.). Beneficial results with the low dose of UCN included a reduction in neurological deficits from 1 to 7 days post-ICH, as well as a reduction in brain edema, BBB disruption, lesion volume, microglial activation and neuronal loss 3 days post-ICH, and suppression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production 1, 3 and 7 days post-ICH.

Conclusion
Systemic post-ICH treatment with UCN reduces striatal injury and neurological deficits, likely via suppression of microglial activation and inflammatory cytokine production. The low dose of UCN necessary and the clinically amenable peripheral route make UCN a potential candidate for development into a clinical treatment regimen.
Assessment of the range of the HIV-1 infectivity enhancing effect of individual human semen specimen and the range of inhibition by EGCG
Authors: Hartjen Philip , Frerk Sebastian , Hauber Ilona , Matzat Verena , Thomssen Adriana , Holstermann Barbara , Hohenberg Heinrich , Schulze Wolfgang , Schulze zur Wiesch Julian , van Lunzen Jan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractRecently, it has been shown that human ejaculate enhances human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infectivity. Enhancement of infectivity is conceived to be mediated by amyloid filaments from peptides that are proteolytically released from prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), termed Semen-derived Enhancer of Virus Infection (SEVI). The aim of this study was to test the range of HIV-1 infectivity enhancing properties of a large number of individual semen samples (n = 47) in a TZM-bl reporter cell HIV infection system. We find that semen overall increased infectivity to 156% of the control experiment without semen, albeit with great inter- and intraindividual variability (range -53%-363%). Using transmission electron microscopy, we provide evidence for SEVI fibrils in fresh human semen for the first time. Moreover, we confirm that the infectivity enhancing property can be inhibited by the major green tea ingredient epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) at non-toxic concentrations. The median inhibition of infection by treatment with 0.4 mM EGCG was 70.6% (p < 0.0001) in our cohort. Yet, there were substantial variations of inhibition and in a minority of samples, infectivity enhancement was not inhibited by EGCG treatment at all. Thus, topical application of EGCG may be a feasible additional measure to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV. However, the reasons for the variability in the efficacy of the abrogation of semen-mediated enhancement of HIV-1 infectivity and EGCG efficacy have to be elucidated before therapeutic trials can be conducted.
Enhancement of humoral immunity in mice by coupling pUCpGs10 and aluminium to the HCV recombinant immunogen
Authors: Zhan Na , Xiu Bing S , Wang Guo H , Chen Kun , Bai Guan Z , Song Xiao G , Zhu Cui X , Dai Zhen H , Yang Xi Q , Zhang He Q 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAimTo investigate the enhancement of humoral immunity when CpG ODN (cytidine phosphate guanosine oligodeoxynucleotides) and aluminium adjuvants are complexed with the HCV (Hepatitis C virus) recombinant immunogen in mice.MethodsAfter immunizing Balb/c mice with the recombination HCV antigen adjuvanted with pUCpGs10 and/or aluminium(antigen+CpG+alum, antigen+CpG, antigen+alum, antigen+PBS), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the specific serum antibody titers of IgG, to determine the neutralization response to various peptide genotypes, and to determine the concentration of IL-6 and IL-10 in supernatants of in vitro cultured splenic lymphocytes. Enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) was used to quantify the non-specific and specific splenic antibody-secreting cells (ASCs), and flow cytometry (FCM) determined the ratio of different splenic lymphocytes. The serum of rabbits immunized with the recombinant pBVGST/HVR1 antigen immunoprecipitated the HCV isolated from 12 patients' serum.ResultsThe sera antibody titers were 1:51200, 1:9051, 1:18102, 1:6400 respectively after the final immunization and demonstrated good neutralization responses to the six gene peptide containing 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a, 4a and 6a. The aluminum adjuvant increased the population of both specific ASCs (P < 0.01) and total ASCs(P < 0.05), with a proportional rise in concentrations of CD19+CD27+(P < 0.05), as well as levels of IL-6, IL-10 (P < 0.05) in splenic lymphocytes. The results clearly indicated a significantly higher number of CD19+CD38+splenic lymphocytes with the aluminum and pUCpGs10 adjuvant present compared to the control group(P < 0.05). Anti-HVR1 antibody in induced mice can cross-reactively capture HCV particles (10/12).Conclusions1. The aluminum adjuvant induces a potent Th2-biased immune response by increasing both the populations of specific and total ASCs and the ratio of CD19+CD27+cells. 2. The pUCpGs10 complexed with the aluminum adjuvant boosts the population of plasma cells and increase the efficiency of the immune response. 3. The two adjuvants have synergistic effects on humoral immunity. 4. The recombinant HVR1 protein has the possibility of generating broadly reactive anti-HVR1 antibody.
An in silicoanalysis of dynamic changes in microRNA expression profiles in stepwise development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Luo Zhaohui , Zhang Liyang , Li Zheng , Li Xiayu , Li Gang , Yu Haibo , Jiang Chen , Dai Yafei , Guo Xiaofang , Xiang Juanjuan , Li Guiyuan 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that participate in the spatiotemporal regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein synthesis. Recent studies have shown that some miRNAs are involved in the progression of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the aberrant miRNAs implicated in different clinical stages of NPC remain unknown and their functions have not been systematically studied.MethodsIn this study, miRNA microarray assay was performed on biopsies from different clinical stages of NPC. TargetScan was used to predict the target genes of the miRNAs. The target gene list was narrowed down by searching the data from the UniGene database to identify the nasopharyngeal-specific genes. The data reduction strategy was used to overlay with nasopharyngeal-specifically expressed miRNA target genes and complementary DNA (cDNA) expression data. The selected target genes were analyzed in the Gene Ontology (GO) biological process and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) biological pathway. The microRNA-Gene-Network was build based on the interactions of miRNAs and target genes. miRNA promoters were analyzed for the transcription factor (TF) binding sites. UCSC Genome database was used to construct the TF-miRNAs interaction networks.ResultsForty-eight miRNAs with significant change were obtained by Multi-Class Dif. The most enriched GO terms in the predicted target genes of miRNA were cell proliferation, cell migration and cell matrix adhesion. KEGG analysis showed that target genes were significantly involved in adherens junction, cell adhesion molecules, p53 signalling pathway et al. Comprehensive analysis of the coordinate expression of miRNAs and mRNAs reveals that miR-29a/c, miR-34b, miR-34c-3p, miR-34c-5p, miR-429, miR-203, miR-222, miR-1/206, miR-141, miR-18a/b, miR-544, miR-205 and miR-149 may play important roles on the development of NPC. We proposed an integrative strategy for identifying the miRNA-mRNA regulatory modules and TF-miRNA regulatory networks. TF including ETS2, MYB, Sp1, KLF6, NFE2, PCBP1 and TMEM54 exert regulatory functions on the miRNA expression.ConclusionsThis study provides perspective on the microRNA expression during the development of NPC. It revealed the global trends in miRNA interactome in NPC. It concluded that miRNAs might play important regulatory roles through the target genes and transcription factors in the stepwise development of NPC.
Flow Cytometric Immunophenotypic Assessment of T-Cell Clonality by Vβ Repertoire Analysis in Fine-Needle Aspirates and Cerebrospinal Fluid
Authors: Tembhare Prashant , Yuan Constance M. , Morris John C. , Janik John E. , Filie Armando C. , Stetler-Stevenson Maryalice 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
Flow cytometric T-cell receptor Vβ repertoire analysis (TCR-Vβ-R) is a sensitive method to detect T-cell clonality; however, its implementation in low-cellularity specimens has not been established. We developed a strategy to use TCR-Vβ-R in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and fine-needle aspirate (FNA) specimens. Initially, full TCR-Vβ-R was evaluated in diagnostic/screening specimens from 8 patients with T-cell neoplasia to determine tumor-specific TCR-Vβ protein expression. Subsequently, an abbreviated, patient-specific TCR-Vβ-R evaluation was performed in 17 paucicellular specimens from the patients (8 CSF, 9 FNA) for staging and monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD). A single cocktail containing 3 anti-Vβ antibodies (1 tumor-specific and 2 negative controls) in combination with other antibodies chosen to help gate on atypical T cells is highly sensitive and specific for detecting low-level neoplastic T-cell involvement in paucicellular specimens. This TCR-Vβ-R strategy is valuable in staging and evaluating MRD in patients with T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
REVIEWS
Authors: Fraser Rebecca J. , Keeble Arin G. , Heavens J. Edmund 
Published: January 2012

AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES, EDITED BY JEANETTE R. DAVIDSON (2010) Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 318 pp., ISBN: 9780748637157 (pbk), £18.99, ISBN: 9780748637140 (hbk), £65.00
AFTER THE FALL: AMERICAN LITERATURE SINCE 9/11, RICHARD GRAY (2011) London: Wiley-Blackwell,
224 pp., ISBN: 978-0-470-65792-8 (hbk), £25
REFORMING THE WORLD: THE CREATION OF AMERICA'S MORAL EMPIRE, IAN TYRRELL (2010) Princeton: Princeton University Press, pp. x, 322, ISBN: 9780691145211 (hbk), $35.00 / £24.95
Auto-Tuning of Multivariable PID Controllers Using Iterative Feedback Tuning
Authors: Sommer Steffen , Kienle Achim 
Published: January 2012

Abstract
A new auto-tuning approach for centralized MIMO PID controllers and unknown process models is presented. Classical multivariable PID controller tuning methods are combined with iterative feedback tuning (IFT) to develop an auto-tuning method with a bounded number of tuning parameters. The method is demonstrated and validated with a steam generator example. Very good simulation results are obtained.