julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Conventional and Combined Pump‐and‐Treat Systems Under Nonuniform Background Flow
2006-03-01

Abstract We investigate the performance of vertical hydraulic barriers in combination with extraction wells for the partial hydraulic isolation of contaminated aquifer areas. The potential advantage of such combinations compared to a conventional pump‐and‐treat system has already been demonstrated in a previous study. Here we extend the scope of the performance analysis to the impact of uncertainty in the regional flow direction as well as to highly heterogeneous aquifer transmissivity distributions. In addition, two new well‐barrier scenarios are proposed and analyzed. The hydraulic efficiency of the scenarios is rated based on the expected (mean) reduction of the pumping rate that is required to achieve downgradient contaminant capture. The uncertain spatial distribution of aquifer transmissivity is considered by means of unconditioned Monte Carlo simulations. The significance of uncertain background flow conditions is incorporated by computing minimized pumping rates for deviations of the regional flow direction up to 30° from a normative base case. The results give an answer on how pumping rates have to be changed for each barrier‐well combination in order to achieve robust systems. It is exposed that in comparison to installing exclusively wells, the barrier‐supported approach generally yields savings in the (average) pumping rate. The particular efficiency is shown to be highly dependent on the interaction of variance and integral scale of transmissivity distribution, well and barrier position, as well as direction of background flow.
Modified Dermoscopic Algorithm for the Differentiation between Melanocytic and Nonmelanocytic Skin Tumors
2006-03-01

Background: The use of dermoscopy (dermatoscopy, epiluminescence microscopy, surface microscopy) improves the clinical diagnostic accuracy of skin tumors by applying different algorithms or scores. The first step in the dermoscopic evaluation is the differentiation between melanocytic and nonmelanocytic skin tumors. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the established dermoscopic algorithm (EDA) and the modified dermoscopic algorithm (MDA) for melanocytic versus nonmelanocytic skin tumors. Methods: Two hundred forty-nine patients with melanocytic and nonmelanocytic skin lesions were included. Dermoscopic images of the tumors were taken with 10-fold magnification, followed by surgery and histopathology at the departments of Dermatology at the universities of Tuebingen, in Germany, and Naples, in Italy. Each lesion was classified using the EDA and MDA. In the MDA, accessory nipples and dermatofibromas were considered in particular. Results: With the EDA, 225 of 249 (90.4%) skin tumors were correctly classified in one of the six groups. With the MDA, 237 of 249 (95.2%) were correctly classified. Improvement was achieved in 12 (4.8%) better classified skin tumors. In both algorithms, no melanoma was classified as a nonmalignant melanocytic tumor. All melanomas were classified in the group of melanocytic tumors and one melanoma was classified in the group of basal cell carcinomas. Conclusion: Both dermoscopic algorithms for the differentiation between melanocytic and nonmelanocytic skin tumors were simple and effective when applied step by step. The MDA is an improvement on the EDA with the classification of accessory nipples and dermatofibromas.
Beta Cell Function, Insulin Resistance and Plasma Adiponectin Concentrations are Predictors for the Change of Postprandial Glucose in Non-diabetic Subjects at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
2006-03-01

Insulin resistance, impaired insulin secretion, and low adiponectin levels have been shown to be predictors for type 2 diabetes. However, it is not yet clear whether these associations (1) are independent of changes in body weight, or (2) are valid for changes in glucose tolerance in the prediabetic state. Sixty-two non-diabetics (50 with normal glucose tolerance) aged 41 +/- 11 years, BMI 30.5 +/- 5.3 kg/m2 (mean +/- SD) were studied twice with a standard oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT, mean follow-up time 3.0 +/- 1.8 years (mean +/- SD) [range 0.5-6.5 years]). Insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion were estimated from oGTT using validated indices. Two-hour blood glucose during oGTT deteriorated over time (baseline 2 h glucose 6.32 +/- 0.21 VS. follow-up 2 h glucose 7.14 +/- 0.22 mM, p < 0.001) while the percentage body fat did not change (32.7 +/- 1.2 VS. 32.6 +/- 1.2%, p = 0.46). Follow-up 2 h blood glucose was predicted by adiponectin (p = 0.01), baseline insulin sensitivity (p = 0.02) and baseline insulin secretion relative to insulin sensitivity (p = 0.03) independent of sex, age, baseline 2 h blood glucose or change in percentage body fat. Our results suggest that low adiponectin levels, insulin resistance and low beta cell function predict the continuous deterioration of glucose tolerance in early prediabetic states, independent of changes in adiposity. Therefore, the early influence of these parameters should be the subject of future prevention programs to prevent deterioration of glucose tolerance.
Pay Developments in Britain and Germany: Collective Bargaining, ‘Benchmarking’, and ‘Mimetic Wages’
2006-03-01

This article examines the impact of national industrial relations institutions on pay movements in Britain and Germany between 1980 and 2000. Pay increases are slightly higher in Britain, despite the breakdown of multi-employer bargaining and agreements in the UK and their persistence in Germany. Evidence shows that pay decisions in Britain are mainly determined by imitation and not by markets. The article suggests that a system of ‘pay benchmarking’ in Britain acts as a substitute for the German ‘sectoral agreement model’ and explains similarities in pay movements.
Optical properties of Au−Pt−Pd-based high noble dental alloys
2006-03-01

The effects of the addition of various alloying elements (In, Sn, Zn) of up to 4 mass % on the optical properties of Au-Pt-Pd-based high noble dental alloys were investigated by means of spectrophotometric colourimetry. Spectral reflectance data from the mirror-polished flat samples were collected at 10 nm intervals in the wavelengths ranging from 360 nm to 740 nm under the CIE standard illuminant D65 and the observer of 10 degrees. Three dimensional colour coordinates in the CIEL *a*b* andL *C*h colour spaces were also obtained to specify the alloy colour. The alloying addition of a small amount of Sn and/or In increased the reflectance in the long-wavelength range and decreased the reflectance in the shortwavelength range. As a result, the maximum slope of the spectral reflectance curve at the absorption edge near 520 nm apparently increased with the additions of Sn and/or In. This change in shape of the spectral reflectance curve caused the increased chromaticity indices,a*, b*, and chroma,C*. On the other hand, the hue angle was not greatly affected by the alloying elements, with the exception of the alloy containing 4 mass % Sn showing a slightly lower hue angle. It was evidenced that in the single-phase structured alloys the average number of valence electrons per atom,e/a, in an alloy is a controlling factor of the colour of Au−Pt−Pd-based high noble dental alloys. That is, by increasinge/a-value,a*-, b*-, C*- coordinates systematically increased, giving a slight gold tinge to the parent Au-Pt-Pd alloy within the limitation that the structure of an alloy is a single phase. The addition of Sn of 2 mass % or more produced a small amount of the second phase of possible intermetallic compounds between Sn and Pd or Pt. The coexistence of a small amount of the second phase of possible intermetallic compounds further increased a gold tinge. However, the inclusion of 4 mass % Sn to the parent Au-Pt-Pd alloy gave a very light tint of red to the alloy. Results of the present study are expected to be useful in controlling colour of Au-Pt-Pd-based high noble dental alloys.
THE EFFECTS OF DEFORMATION AND PAIRING CORRELATIONS ON NUCLEAR CHARGE FORM FACTOR
2006-03-01

A set of moderately deformed s–d shell nuclei is employed for testing the reliability of the nuclear ground state wave functions which are obtained in the context of a BCS approach and offer a simultaneous consideration of deformation and pairing correlations effects. In this method, the mean field is assumed to be an axially symmetric Woods-Saxon potential and the effective two-body interaction is a monopole pairing force. As quantities of main interest we have chosen the nuclear form factors, the occupancies of the active (surface) orbits and the Fermi sea depletion, which provide quite good tests for microscopic descriptions of nuclei within many body theories. For our comparisons with results emerging from other similar methods, an axially deformed harmonic oscillator field is also utilized.
Hydrodynamic simulations of the accretion disk in U Geminorum
2006-03-01

\\n Aims.We use a new numerical hydrodynamic technique to simulate the evolution of the disk in 2D until the outburst is fully developed.\\n\\tThe results are used to construct Doppler tomograms that closely agree with the time-resolved \\n\\tspectroscopic observations of U Geminorum during its 2000 March outburst when it showed two spiral arms.Methods.We use the Shakura-Sunyaev alpha viscosity prescription for the disk, where most of the angular momentum transport originates in internal \\n\\tstresses rather than in globally excited waves or shocks.\\n\\tOther effects, such as the Rossby-waves instability found in axisymmetric potentials, are often found discussed \\n\\tas a possible cause of angular momentum transport. These Rossby-waves also show a spiral pattern, but most of them may be damped out \\n\\tdue to the viscous hydrodynamic assumption. Our simulations reproduce the spiral feature that was found in the observational data, \\n\\twhich confirms the eligibility of the so-called α-disk model.\\n\\tRadiation transport in the vertical direction is taken into account by solving the energy equation, \\n\\twhile the calculations consider dissipative heating and radiative cooling with adequate opacity laws.Results.We found that the outburst of U Geminorum can be described within the “disk-instability-model”, as the viscous stress lets the disk \\n\\texpand out to regions where tidal disturbances induce a two armed spiral pattern. Initially these arms first become optically \\n thick and then they get hot.\\n\\tA heating wave propagates until the whole disk is optically thick. In this state the two-armed spiral pattern still exists, and its \\n\\tspatial location is strongly correlated with the location of the two stars. This is in excellent agreement with those observations showing two \\n\\ttransient spirals during outburst. \\n\\tA high resolution calculation of the region surrounding the hot spot is given in this paper. We examine\\n whether the physical conditions near the hot spot – or near the inner boundary layer – are suitable for inducing thermal instability.\\n
Interactions between rod and L-cone signals in deuteranopes: Gains and phases
2006-03-01

The dynamics of interactions between rod and L-cone driven signals were studied psychophysically in two deuteranopic observers. Flicker detection thresholds for different ratios of rod to L-cone modulation were measured at temporal frequencies between 1 and 15 Hz. A model, which assumes that rod and L-cone driven signals are vector added, can describe the threshold data adequately. We found that up to about 8–10 Hz temporal frequency, rod and L-cone signals interact additively, whereas at higher frequencies the interaction is subtractive. Rod and L-cone signal strengths depend similarly on temporal frequency and are maximal between 3 and 5 Hz. The phase difference between rod and L-cone signals increases linearly with temporal frequency, indicating that their responses have a delay difference of about 20 to 30 ms, consistent with involvement of the faster rod pathway. The data would suggest a nearly complete additivity of the rod and cone driven signals when using flashed stimuli. But, literature data showed only partial additivity of the two, suggesting that different postreceptoral mechanisms are involved in the two tasks.
Measuring anatomical acetabular cup orientation with a new X-ray technique
2006-03-01

Proper alignment of the acetabular cup component is one of the most important requisites for a successful long-term outcome in total hip replacement. However, measurement and indication of cup orientation in an anatomical pelvic reference system is very difficult. We propose a new C-arm-based X-ray technique for determining the values for inclination and anteversion of the acetabular cup component. The proposed method is validated by computer simulation and sources of error are evaluated. The method predicts an accuracy of better then 5° for determination of anteversion of the cup.
When attention meets working memory: Shifted visuo-spatial attention amplifies theta:gamma phase synchronisation in the posterior parietal cortex
2006-03-01

Introduction: When a visual target has to be detected one should hold a template of it in working memory (WM) in order to perform a memory match when a stimulus occurs. Here the question is addressed whether a shift of spatial attention amplifies this memory match, and how this is manifested in the human brain. It was shown that visual attention is associated with oscillatory brain activity at gamma frequency (around 40Hz) and that theta activity (around 5Hz) reflects WM processes. There is recent evidence that gamma and theta oscillations might be phase coupled during memory processes in animals as well as in the human EEG. Here we investigate whether a shift of spatial attention leads to increased phase synchronisation of theta and gamma activity.
Axonal Plasticity in the Developing Human Brain
2006-03-01

Objectives: Focal lesions to the developing human brain can induce massive (re-) organization of cortical representations, but whether trajectories of growing axons can be altered by such insults has not been shown yet.
Transport coefficients for solar and stellar dynamos
2006-03-01

The large-scale magnetic field of the Sun and solar-type stars is probably generated near the interface of the radiative core and the convection zone. One of the well-known difficulties of interface-type and other dynamo models is to explain the latitudinal distribution of magnetic fields as observed on the Sun. In this contribution new results of numerical MHD simulations of transport coefficients of magnetic fields in the rapid rotation regime, relevant for the base of the solar convection zone, are presented that may contribute to explaining the latitudinal distribution of magnetic fields observed on the Sun. A brief outlook on further numerical simulations of transport coefficients and their relevance for mean-field dynamo theory is given.
Vertriebene und “Umsiedlerpolitik.” Integrationskonflikte in der deutschen Nachkriegsgesellschaft und die Assimilationsstrategien in der SBZ/DDR 1945-1961
2006-03-01

Among forced population transfers in the twentieth century, the expulsion of the German population from East Central Europe at the end of World War II was remarkable. More than twelve million Germans were expelled from the eastern parts of the German Reich and some eastern European states. These refugees arrived in a defeated, occupied, destroyed, and divided country. Initially, the percentage of expelled persons in the Soviet Occupation Zone was much higher than in the western zones. With almost 4.5 million individuals, the expellees made up twenty-four percent of the total population in the Soviet Occupation Zone in 1949. By contrast, western Germany had eight million expellees, who comprised roughly sixteen percent of the total population.
Task-related high-frequency synchrony in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) during precision grip
2006-03-01

The STN is a pivotal element in the neuronal network exhibiting abnormal firing patterns in Parkinson's disease (PD). The STN has become the most effective target of therapeutic deep brain stimulation (DBS) in PD. In the present study, neuronal synchrony was studied by EEG coherence analysis in 6 PD patients during a precision grip task. The goal of the experiments was to assess if there are any task-related modulations of neuronal synchrony inside the STN and/or between STN, motor cortex and muscle. EEG was recorded from 12 scalp electrodes (FC1, C1, CP1, FC3, C3, CP3, FC2, C2, CP2, FC4, C4, CP4), and 4 subcortical channels. EMG was recorded from small hand muscles (first digital interosseus [FDI] and abductor pollicis brevis [APB] muscle). EEG coherence was computed between 2 bipolar channels inside the STN, and between STN and scalp electrodes [cortex], and between cortex and muscle [corticomuscular coherence]. The recording sessions took place preoperatively, 1 and 6–8 days after the operation. Data were acquired during rest and while performing a precision grip task in which a constant force of 2 N had to be maintained (pinch grip). Visual feedback was only provided between single recording trials, but not while EEG and EMG data were registered. Task-related coherence [TRCoh] was computed by subtracting coherence during rest from coherence during the motor task. The main result was a 47% increase of TRCoh between bipolar channels inside the STN. This task-related synchrony occurred specifically in a high frequency range from 60–100Hz. The results in lower frequency bands showed high inter-subject variability. The STN high-frequency synchrony at 60–100Hz was not present in the STN-cortex or cortex-muscle coherence data. We conclude that high-frequency synchrony occurs as a task-related neuronal firing pattern during voluntary motor behavior in the STN. Since this 60–100Hz synchrony was restricted to the local signals (ie, local field potentials) in the STN, this finding would be consistent with local motor signal processing in the STN. These data support the concept that synchrony of neuronal assemblies is implemented at high frequencies in local or regional circuits while long-range synchrony occurs at lower frequencies (e.g., beta- or alpha band, cf. Hummel & Gerloff, Cereb Cortex. 2005 May;15(5):670–8).
Remifentanil or sufentanil for coronary surgery
2006-03-02

Intraoperative use of high-dose remifentanil for coronary artery bypass grafting may be associated with improved recovery of pulmonary function and shorter postoperative hospital length of stay than sufentanil.
The Pea Nodule Environment Restores the Ability of a Rhizobium leguminosarum Lipopolysaccharide acpXL Mutant To Add 27-Hydroxyoctacosanoic Acid to Its Lipid A
2006-03-02

ABSTRACT Members of the Rhizobiaceae contain 27-hydroxyoctacosanoic acid (27OHC 28:0 ) in their lipid A. A Rhizobium leguminosarum 3841 acpXL mutant (named here Rlv22) lacking a functional specialized acyl carrier lacked 27OHC 28:0 in its lipid A, had altered growth and physiological properties (e.g., it was unable to grow in the presence of an elevated salt concentration [0.5% NaCl]), and formed irregularly shaped bacteroids, and the synchronous division of this mutant and the host plant-derived symbiosome membrane was disrupted. In spite of these defects, the mutant was able to persist within the root nodule cells and eventually form, albeit inefficiently, nitrogen-fixing bacteroids. This result suggested that while it is in a host root nodule, the mutant may have some mechanism by which it adapts to the loss of 27OHC 28:0 from its lipid A. In order to further define the function of this fatty acyl residue, it was necessary to examine the lipid A isolated from mutant bacteroids. In this report we show that addition of 27OHC 28:0 to the lipid A of Rlv22 lipopolysaccharides is partially restored in Rlv22 acpXL mutant bacteroids. We hypothesize that R. leguminosarum bv. viciae 3841 contains an alternate mechanism (e.g., another acp gene) for the synthesis of 27OHC 28:0 , which is activated when the bacteria are in the nodule environment, and that it is this alternative mechanism which functionally replaces acpXL and is responsible for the synthesis of 27OHC 28:0 -containing lipid A in the Rlv22 acpXL bacteroids.
A system for rapid prototyping of hearts with congenital malformations based on the medical imaging interaction toolkit (MITK)
2006-03-02

Precise knowledge of the individual cardiac anatomy is essential for diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease. Complex malformations of the heart can best be comprehended not from images but from anatomic specimens. Physical models can be created from data using rapid prototyping techniques, e.g., lasersintering or 3D-printing. We have developed a system for obtaining data that show the relevant cardiac anatomy from high-resolution CT/MR images and are suitable for rapid prototyping. The challenge is to preserve all relevant details unaltered in the produced models. The main anatomical structures of interest are the four heart cavities (atria, ventricles), the valves and the septum separating the cavities, and the great vessels. These can be shown either by reproducing the morphology itself or by producing a model of the blood-pool, thus creating a negative of the morphology. Algorithmically the key issue is segmentation. Practically, possibilities allowing the cardiologist or cardiac surgeon to interactively check and correct the segmentation are even more important due to the complex, irregular anatomy and imaging artefacts. The paper presents the algorithmic and interactive processing steps implemented in the system, which is based on the open-source Medical Imaging Interaction Toolkit (MITK, www.mitk.org). It is shown how the principles used in MITK enable to assemble the system from modules (functionalities) developed independently from each other. The system allows to produce models of the heart (and other anatomic structures) of individual patients as well as to reproduce unique specimens from pathology collections for teaching purposes.
Vascular endothelial cell–specific phosphotyrosine phosphatase (VE-PTP) activity is required for blood vessel development
2006-03-03

Abstract VE-PTP, a receptor-type phosphotyrosine phosphatase, associates with the tyrosine kinase receptor Tie-2 and VE-cadherin and enhances the adhesive function of the latter. Here, VE-PTP was found to be restricted to endothelial cells, with a preference for arterial endothelium. Mutant mice expressing a truncated, secreted form of VE-PTP lacking the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains and the most membrane-proximal extracellular fibronectin type III repeat, showed severe vascular malformations causing lethality at 10 days of gestation. Although blood vessels were initially formed, the intraembryonic vascular system soon deteriorated. Blood vessels in the yolk sac developed into dramatically enlarged cavities. In explant cultures of mutant allantoides, endothelial cells were found next to vessel structures growing as cell layers. No signs for enhanced endothelial apoptosis or proliferation were observed. Thus, the activity of VE-PTP is not required for the initial formation of blood vessels, yet it is essential for their maintenance and remodeling.