julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Cryorecanalization of an Obstructed Bronchial Stent in a 12-Year-Old Boy
2011-01-01

We report a 12-year-old boy who underwent stent implantation into the left main bronchus at the age of 9.5 years for palliation of severe bronchial stenosis. He had developed complete obstruction of the stent by granulation tissue resulting in respiratory deterioration and the requirement of mechanical ventilation. The stent obstruction was treated at the age of 11.5 years by cryorecanalization. In this technique, cooling of the tip of the cryoprobe is used to induce adherence of the obstructing tissue allowing the subsequent removal of tissue particles by retraction of the probe. Under general anesthesia, a miniaturized cryoprobe was advanced via the working channel of a flexible bronchoscope. Repeat maneuvers of freezing and retraction resulted in complete recanalization of the stent. Repeat bronchoscopies 4 and 12 weeks later revealed recurrent formation of some granulation tissue which was removed by repeat cryorecanalization. Seven months after the initial procedure there was a complete patency of the stent. According to our experience, cryorecanalization is a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of stent obstruction by granulation tissue. Due to the introduction of a miniaturized probe, this method is well applicable in children since it can be performed via the working channel of a flexible pediatric bronchoscope.
Effects of aldosterone and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism on cardiac ion channels in the view of upstream therapy of atrial fibrillation
2011-01-01

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in man. Over the past years, importance of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in AF pathophysiology has been recognized. Lately, the role of aldosterone in AF pathophysiology and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonism in "upstream" AF treatment is discussed with special regards concerning the effects on AF-induced structural remodeling. However, there is more and more evidence that MR antagonism also influences atrial electrophysiology and, respectively, AF-induced electrical remodeling, whereas the molecular mechanisms are almost unknown. The aim of this mini-review is to give an overview about the role of aldosterone in AF pathophysiology in principle and to summarize current available data concerning affection of cardiac ion channels by aldosterone and MR antagonism. Finally, as modulation of oxidative stress is discussed as one main therapy principle of "upstream" treatment of AF, potential mechanisms how modulation of oxidative stress by aldosterone and accordingly MR antagonism might alter atrial ion currents are delineated. Summarized, publications concerning potential mechanisms of aldosterone- and MR antagonism-modulated cardiac ion channels in various experimental settings are almost exclusively limited to the ventricular level and, partly, they are also contradictorily. Translation of these data to the atria is problematic because atrial and ventricular electrophysiology exhibit remarkable differences. It can be concluded that further research on the "atrial level" is needed in order to clarify the potential impact of the affection of atrial ion channels by aldosterone and accordingly MR antagonism in "upstream" therapy of AF.
Eliminating NULLs with Subsumption and Complementation.
2011-01-01

In a data integration process, an important step after schema matching and duplicate detection is data fusion. It is concerned with the combination or merging of different representations of one real-world object into a single, consistent representation. In order to solve potential data conflicts, many different conflict resolution strategies can be applied. In particular, some representations might contain missing values (NULL-values) where others provide a non-NULL-value. A common strategy to handle such NULL-values, is to replace them with the existing values from other representations. Thus, the conciseness of the representation is increased without losing information. Two examples for relational operators that implement such a strategy are minimum union and complement union and their unary building blocks subsumption and complementation. In this paper, we define and motivate the use of these operators in data integration, consider them as database primitives, and show how to perform optimization of query plans in presence of subsumption and complementation with rule-based plan transformations. 1 Data Fusion as Part of Data Integration Data integration can be seen as a three-step process consisting of schema matching, duplicate detection and data fusion. Schema matching is concerned with the resolution of schematic conflicts, for instance through schema matching and schema mapping techniques. Next, duplicate detection is concerned with resolving conflicts at object level, in particular detecting two (or more!) representations of same real-world objects, called duplicates. For instance, considering two data sources describing persons, schema matching determines that the concatenation of the attributes firstname and lastname in Source 1 is semantically equivalent to the attribute name in Source 2. Duplicate detection then recognizes that the entry John M. Smith in Source 1 represents the same person as the entry J. M. Smith in Source 2. This article focuses on the step that succeeds both schema matching and duplicate detection, namely data fusion. This final step combines different representations of the same real-world object (previously identified Copyright 2011 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or to reuse any copyrighted component of this work in other works must be obtained from the IEEE. Bulletin of the IEEE Computer Society Technical Committee on Data Engineering
Faster Response Times of Rare-Earth Oxycarbonate Based Co2 Sensors and Another Readout Strategy for Real-World Applications
2011-01-01

The contribution presents the results of investigations performed on the new class of CO2 chemoresistive materials based on rare earths oxy-carbonates. Firstly, the performance an alternative senso2r readout parameter, work function, is presented together with a comparison between the effect of the target gas, CO, and main interferent, water vapor. Afterwards, new synthesis routes, targeting the lowering of the sensitive materials costs are described together with sensing performance obtained in realistic application conditions.
Fusion-fission of superheavy compound nuclei produced in reactions with heavy ions beyond Ca
2011-01-01

Total Kinetic Energy - Mass distributions of fission-like fragments for the reactions of 22Ne, 26Mg, 36S, 48Ca, 58Fe and 64Ni ions with actinides leading to the formation of superheavy compound systems with Z=108-120 at energies near the Coulomb barrier have been measured. Fusion-fission cross sections were estimated from the analysis of mass and total kinetic energy distributions. It was found that the fusion probability drops by three orders of magnitude for the formation of the compound nucleus with Z=120 obtained in the reaction 64Ni+238U compared to the formation of the compound nucleus with Z=112 obtained in the reaction 48Ca+238U at the excitation energy of the compound nucleus of about 45 MeV. From our analysis it turns out that the reaction 64Ni+238U is not suitable for the synthesis of element Z=120.
Fusion prevents the redundant signals effect: Evidence from stereoscopically presented stimuli.
2011-01-01

In a simple reaction time (RT) experiment, visual stimuli were stereoscopically presented either to one eye (single stimulation) or to both eyes (redundant stimulation), with brightness matched for single and redundant stimulations. Redundant stimulation resulted in two separate percepts when noncorresponding retinal areas were stimulated, whereas it resulted in a single fused percept when corresponding areas were stimulated. With stimulation of noncorresponding areas, mean RT was shorter to redundant than to single stimulation, replicating the redundant signals effect (RSE) commonly found with visual stimuli. With stimulation of corresponding areas, however, no RSE was observed. This suggests that the RSE is driven by the number of percepts rather than by the number of stimulated receptors or sensory organs. These results are consistent with previous findings in the auditory modality and have implications for models of the RSE.
The Impact of the Trinity Reforms and the Heisei Mergers on Processes of Peripherisation in Japan’s Mountain Villages
2011-01-01

The Trinity Reforms and the Heisei Mergers impacted on the peripherisation of mountain villages in Japan. Through structured analysis of the effects of the two reforms, this article draws on theories from recent discourse on peripherisation in Germany and applies the framework to a Japanese context. The two reforms are treated as interrelated measures in line with the neoliberal reform agenda of the Koizumi administration. By examination of cause effect relations, the article assesses induced changes in terms of the four dimensions of peripherisation outmigration, disconnection, dependency, and negative perception. It concludes that the two regional policy reforms led to a further peripherisation of mountain villages in respect of all four facets, albeit to a varying extent and with different implications. Circumstances in many mountain villages can already be deemed critical due to the challenges of demographic change; these are exacerbated by the need to consolidate local finances and the effects of municipal amalgamation. Factors contributing to further peripherisation of mountain villages include a lower level of public service provision, infrastructure cutbacks, the loss of administrative independence, restrictions of policy options of local governments and the weakening of local identity. Paradoxically, the reforms originally aimed at devolution of power to local governments but could now lead to heightened importance of lobbying for funds from central government.
Conformational effects on potency of thioimidazoles and dihydrothiazolines
2011-01-01

We investigated the effect of steric restriction and hindrance on inhibitors directed against the biological activity of p38α MAP kinase. The structural reduction of the early lead compound SKF86002 into three structural classes of optimized SKF86002-like inhibitors produced a strong effect on inhibitory potency. This effect was investigated by conformational analysis and docking experiments.
Dynamical effects of defect photoluminescence from single SiO2 and Si nanoparticles
2011-01-01

We present results of photoluminescence (PL) studies of single SiO2 nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) and single Si nanocrystals (Si NCs). Single particle spectroscopy reveals almost identical PL spectra for both kinds of nanosized systems. The emission curves exhibit a zero-phonon line and one or two phonon bands, which can be assigned to longitudinal optical phonons in SiO2. Using cylindrical vector beams for imaging the fluorescence of single particles we show that they possess a linear excitation transition dipole moment (TDM). Furthermore, the single particle fluorescence patterns demonstrate upon continuous excitation dynamical effects such as blinking, bleaching, and flipping of the TDM. The latter is related to a redistribution of defect states caused by charge fluctuations in the surrounding of the embedded NP. Excitation fluorescence images visualize the intermediate state resulting from the TDM flipping.
The Planets around the post-Common Envelope Binary NN Serpentis
2011-01-01

We have detected 2 circumbinary planets around the close binary system NN Serpentis using the orbital time delay effect measured via the sharp eclipses of the white dwarf primary. The present pre‐cataclysmic binary was formed when the original ∼2 M⊙ primary expanded into a red giant, causing the secondary star to drop from its original orbit at a separation of about 1.4 A.U. down to its current separation at 0.0043 A.U. A quasi‐adiabatic evolution of the circumbinary planets' orbits during the common‐envelope phase would have placed them in unstable configurations, suggesting that they may have suffered significant orbital drag effects and were originally in much larger orbits. Alternatively, they may have been created as 2nd‐generation planets during the last million years from the substantial amount of material lost during the creation of the binary, making them the youngest planets known. Either solution shows how little we actually understand about planetary formation.
The Focal Surface of the JEM-EUSO Instrument
2011-01-01

The Extreme Universe Space Observatory on JEM/EF (JEM‐EUSO) is a space mission to study extremely high‐energy cosmic rays. The JEM‐EUSO instrument is a wide‐angle refractive telescope in the near‐ultraviolet wavelength region which will be mounted to the International Space Station. Its goal is to measure time‐resolved fluorescence images of extensive air showers in the atmosphere. In this paper we describe in detail the main features and technological aspects of the focal surface of the instrument. The JEM‐EUSO focal surface is a spherically curved surface, with an area of about 4.5m2. The focal surface detector is made of more than 5,000 multi‐anode photomultipliers (MAPMTs). Current baseline is Hamamatsu R11265‐03‐M64. The approach to the focal surface detector is highly modular. Photo‐Detector‐Modules (PDM) are the basic units that drive the mechanical structure and data acquisition. Each PDM consists of 9 Elementary Cells (ECs). The EC, which is the basic unit of the MAPMT support structure and of the front‐end electronics, contains 4 units of MAPMTs. In total, about 1,200 ECs or about 150 PDMs are arranged on the whole of the focal surface of JEM‐EUSO.
Processing German Vowel Quantity: Categorical Perception or Perceptual Magnet Effect?
2011-01-01

The German vowel system shows a complex structure based on the interaction between vowel duration and formant structures between short and long cognates. This leads to the question how vowel duration is processed. The perception of vowel duration in German native speakers was tested by an identification test, a goodness rating and an adaptive discrimination test. The test results show a sharp boundary between the short and the long category. Furthermore, the category border was characterized by bad goodness ratings in comparison to within-category stimuli and a maximum in discrimination performance regarding subtle durational differences. These results meet the criteria of both the perceptual magnet effect and categorical perception.
In Vivo Functional Imaging of the Olfactory Bulb at Single-Cell Resolution
2011-01-01

Functional properties of neuronal circuits can be best studied in vivo in the living mammalian brain. The use of optical methods, like two-photon calcium imaging, permits analyses of network function at single-cell resolution. This chapter provides a step-by-step description of this technique. Using mouse olfactory bulb as a model system, we compare the performance of genetically encoded calcium sensor TN-XXL and small-molecule calcium indicators; describe how to choose the right calcium indicator and how to load it into the cells of interest; discuss the use of cell type-specific markers and, finally, illustrate the application of this technique for high-resolution in vivo imaging of sensory-driven neuronal activity.
Heavy quarks, gluons and the confinement potential in Coulomb gauge
2011-01-01

We consider the heavy quark limit of Coulomb gauge QCD, with the truncation\\nof the Yang-Mills sector to include only (dressed) two-point functions. We find\\nthat the rainbow-ladder approximation to the gap and Bethe-Salpeter equations\\nis nonperturbatively exact and moreover, we provide a direct connection between\\nthe temporal gluon propagator and the quark confinement potential. Further, we\\nshow that only bound states of color singlet quark-antiquark (meson) and\\nquark-quark (SU(2) baryon) pairs are physically allowed.\\n
Retrograde Propagation Mechanisms of OAEs: Slow-Wave Interpretation of the Ren et al. Experiments
2011-01-01

Our study is a contribution to the long lasting debate of how the cochlea transmits distortions of its nonlinear amplification processes from their generation sites to the stapes. We provide evidence for a slow‐wave interpretation of the Ren et al. experiments by means of numerical simulations of a nonlinear hydrodynamic model, which is basically a slow‐wave cochlea model. We show that the simulations qualitatively reproduce their experiments. The analysis suggests that the measurement sites of negative phase slope of the basilar‐membrane (BM) vibrations at the cubic distortion product frequency were inside the generation sites or apical to the generation sites.
The ESAF Reconstruction Framework of UHECR Events for the JEM-EUSO Mission
2011-01-01

JEM-EUSO is a space based UV detector that will be mounted on the International Space Station (ISS) to monitor the earth's atmosphere searching for UHECR induced extended air showers (EAS). By evaluating the fluores- cence and Cherenkov signal on the focal surface of the instrument the arrival direction, energy and nature of the primary can be determined. Due to the instantaneous aperture of 10 5 km 2 sr JEM-EUSO will be able to measure several hundreds of events at energies higher than 5*10 19 eV. ESAF is a software for the simulation of space based UHECR detectors. It is configured to cover the specific aspects of the JEM-EUSO mission and to estimate its expected performance. ESAF can simulate every step of the generation and observation of an EAS - from the fluorescence track formation, the light transport in the atmosphere and through the instrument to the telemetry stage. The reconstruction chain covers the dis- crimination of the recorded track from background as well as the estimation of energy, arrival direction and Xmax for the determination of the UHECR species. In this paper we present strategies and algorithms implemented to estimate the spatial and energy resolution of JEM-EUSO as well as a selection of examples demonstrating the expected performance.
A Polymorphism Within the Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) Gene has No Effect on Non-Invasive Markers of Beta-Cell Area and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
2011-01-01

Chromosomal locus 6q23 is strongly linked to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and related features including insulin secretion in various ethnic populations. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) gene is an interesting T2DM candidate gene in this chromosome region. CTGF is a key mediator of progressive pancreatic fibrosis up-regulated in type 2 diabetes. In contrast, CTGF inactivation in mice compromises islet cell proliferation during embryogenesis. The aim of our study was to investigate an impact of CTGF genetic variation on pancreatic beta-cell function and T2DM pathogenesis. We studied the effect of a common CTGF polymorphism rs9493150 on the risk of the T2DM development in three independent German cohorts. Specifically, the association between CTGF polymorphism and non-invasive markers of beta-cell area derived from oral glucose tolerance test was studied in subjects without diabetes. Neither in the Metabolic Syndrome Berlin Potsdam (MESYBEPO) study ( n = 1026) (OR = 0.637, CI (0.387–1.050); p = 0.077) nor in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Potsdam (EPIC-Potsdam) ( n = 3049) cohort (RR = 0.77 CI (0.49–1.20), p = 0.249 for the recessive homozygote in general model), a significant association with increased diabetes risk was observed. The risk allele of rs9493150 had also no effect on markers of beta-cell area in the combined analysis of the MESYBEPO and Tübingen Family Study ( n = 1826). In conclusion, the polymorphism rs9493150 in the 5’-untranslated region of the CTGF gene has no association with T2DM risk and surrogate markers of beta-cell area.
Regular Languages in MAJ[>] with three variables.
2011-01-01

We consider first order logic over words and show FO + MOD[<] is contained in MAJ[<] with three variables. It is known that for the classes FO[<], FO + MOD[<], FO + GROUP[<] three variables suffice. In the case of MOD[<] even two variables are sufficient. As a consequence we know that if TC , NC then for every regular language describable in MAJ[<] three variables are sufficient.
Bioinformatics for Qualitative and Quantitative Proteomics
2011-01-01

Mass spectrometry is today a key analytical technique to elucidate the amount and content of proteins expressed in a certain cellular context. The degree of automation in proteomics has yet to reach that of genomic techniques, but even current technologies make a manual inspection of the data infeasible. This article addresses the key algorithmic problems bioinformaticians face when handling modern proteomic samples and shows common solutions to them. We provide examples on how algorithms can be combined to build relatively complex analysis pipelines, point out certain pitfalls and aspects worth considering and give a list of current state-of-the-art tools.
Effect of a Dihydropyridine-Type Calcium Channel Blocker on Vascular Remodelling after Experimental Balloon Angioplasty
2011-01-01

BW 9798 leads to significant changes in vessel wall geometry although the influence on vascular remodeling of this compound is unclear. It can be speculated that the compound affects the homeostasis of extracellular matrix, invasion of inflammatory cells into the vessel wall and the expression of cytokines. However, further investigation needs to clarify the role of BW 9798 on remodelling after BA.
Requirements and Expected Performances of the JEM-EUSO mission
2011-01-01

In this paper we describe the requirements and the expected performances of the Extreme Universe Space Observatory (EUSO) onboard the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) of the International Space Station. Designed as the first mission to explore the Ultra High Energy (UHE) Universe from space, JEM-EUSO will monitor, night-time, the earth's atmosphere to record the UV (300-400 nm) tracks generated by the Extensive Air Showers produced by UHE primaries propagating in the atmosphere. After briefing summarizing the main aspects of the JEM-EUSO Instrument and mission baseline, we will present in details our studies on the expected trigger rate, the estimated exposure, as well as on the expected angular, energy, and Xmax resolution. Eventually, the obtained results will be discussed in the context of the scientific requirements of the mission.
Investigating the effects of prestige on the diffusion of linguistic variants
2011-01-01

Language, arguably the cognitive capacity that distinguishes humans, is a dynamic complex adaptive system whose structure and evolution is influenced by a host of factors. This paper takes a population dynamics approach to investigate the diffusion of linguistic variants in populations, focusing on the effect of differential prestige of linguistic variants and of speakers. A novel method that combines computer simulation with mathematical modeling is applied to the specific aim of identifying factors that formally constitute selective pressures on variant diffusion. Of the factors studied, only the intrinsic prestige of variants is found to pose selective pressure, while speakers ’ prestige merely modulates variant spread.
Mumford–Shah–Euler Flow with Sphere Constraint and Applications to Color Image Inpainting
2011-01-01

Two fully discrete finite element–based algorithms to approximate the gradient flow of the Mumford–Shah–Euler functional for unit vector fields are proposed, analyzed, and compared. The first scheme uses a penalization strategy, and the second a Lagrange multiplier, to approximate and enforce the sphere constraint, respectively. Both schemes are applied to color image inpainting in the chromaticity and brightness color model and are also compared to inpainting with the standard Mumford–Shah functional, as well as channelwise red-green-blue inpainting.