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220668410 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2020-07-22T13:19:00.733Z | 2020-06-01T00:00:00.000Z | Deep neural networks with pre-train model BERT for aspect-level sentiments classification
With the rapid development of the Internet, the amount of text on the network has shown a rapid growth trend, and the demand for text classification technology is increasing day by day, especially for aspect-level sentiments classification. However, the traditional method mainly relies on time-consuming feature engineering, but due to its context-independent nature, it ignores the rich context information in the text, which greatly reduces the performance in Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks. Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT), a pre-trained language models, refreshed records on eleven NLP tasks and became a new baseline model for text classification. Although BERT has been widely used for other NLP tasks, it is rarely used on aspect-level sentiments classification. We use the BERT output containing rich contextual information as the input of the optimized DNN network, and use the DNN network for further classification to obtain better performance in aspect-level sentiment classification. We performed comparative experiments on three public datasets. Compared with other latest baseline models, our model has better performance in aspect-level sentiments classification. |
101045060 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-04-07T13:07:54.616Z | 2008-12-18T00:00:00.000Z | Li ion Migration in Li3PO4 Electrolytes: Effects of O Vacancies and N Substitutions
Motivated by recent developments in solid electrolytes based on lithium phosphorous oxynitride (LiPON) materials, we carried out computer simulations in order to develop an understanding of the detailed mechanisms of ionic transport. Starting with crystalline Li3PO4, we investigated some possible structures of isolated defects associated with extrinsic Li ion vacancies and interstitials. In particular, we identified a “PNP” structure which involves a bridging N between two phosphate groups, formed from the combination of an O vacancy and a N substitution, stabilizing a Li ion vacancy. We also studied the effects of N substituting for a tetrahedral O in a phosphate group which stabilizes a Li interstitial ion. In addition to studying the structures of these isolated defects as sources of extrinsic mobile Li ions, we also modeled their effects on the mobilities of the ions. |
127710 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-02-10T18:56:51.819Z | 2006-07-09T00:00:00.000Z | A Non-Linear Control Strategy for Instantaneous Power Factor Correction in 3-ø 4-Wire Electrical Systems under Asymmetrical and Non-Linear Loads
A non-linear control strategy in a rotating frame for an active filter based on a voltage source converter shunt topology in a three-phase four-wire electrical system is proposed. The converter in combination with the proposed control strategy guarantees balanced overall currents, unity displacement power factor, and reduced current harmonics in the common coupling point. These features are achieved regardless of the linear/non-linear and/or balanced/unbalanced nature of the load. The proposed control strategy is based on the input-output linearization method which is implemented on a dq0 rotating current reference generation method. Various experimental tests demonstrate the high performance of the proposed scheme |
251609510 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2022-08-17T15:07:21.144Z | 2022-08-15T00:00:00.000Z | Towards quantitative metabarcoding of eukaryotic plankton: an approach to improve 18S rRNA gene copy number bias
Plankton metabarcoding is increasingly implemented in marine ecosystem assessments and is more cost-efficient and less time-consuming than monitoring based on microscopy (morphological). 18S rRNA gene is the most widely used marker for groups’ and species’ detection and classification within marine eukaryotic microorganisms. These datasets have commonly relied on the acquisition of organismal abundances directly from the number of DNA sequences (i.e. reads). Besides the inherent technical biases in metabarcoding, the largely varying 18S rRNA gene copy numbers (GCN) among marine protists (ranging from tens to thousands) is one of the most important biological biases for species quantification. In this work, we present a gene copy number correction factor (CF) for four marine planktonic groups: Bacillariophyta, Dinoflagellata, Ciliophora miscellaneous and flagellated cells. On the basis of the theoretical assumption that ‘1 read’ is equivalent to ‘1 GCN’, we used the GCN median values per plankton group to calculate the corrected cell number and biomass relative abundances. The species-specific absolute GCN per cell were obtained from various studies published in the literature. We contributed to the development of a species-specific 18S rRNA GCN database proposed by previous authors. To assess the efficiency of the correction factor we compared the metabarcoding, morphological and corrected relative abundances (in cell number and biomass) of 15 surface water samples collected in the Belgian Coastal Zone. Results showed that the application of the correction factor over metabarcoding results enables us to significantly improve the estimates of cell abundances for Dinoflagellata, Ciliophora and flagellated cells, but not for Bacillariophyta. This is likely to due to large biovolume plasticity in diatoms not corresponding to genome size and gene copy numbers. C-biomass relative abundance estimations directly from amplicon reads were only improved for Dinoflagellata and Ciliophora. The method is still facing biases related to the low number of species GCN assessed. Nevertheless, the increase of species in the GCN database may lead to the refinement of the proposed correction factor. |
109707460 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-04-12T13:57:29.162Z | 2012-10-01T00:00:00.000Z | A New Method to Calculate Mixed-Layer Thickness Based on Sand Wave Movement
It is pointed out that the influence of the time step in the unsteady non-uniform sediment mathematical model must be considered when to calculate the mixed-layer thickness in this article. And then a new method to calculate the mixed-layer thickness is obtained based on the sand wave movement. This method can well reflect the effect of the time step on the mixed-layer thickness, and has a wide field of application in the numerical simulation of natural river sediment transport. |
24409560 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T05:33:48.069Z | 2006-08-22T00:00:00.000Z | [Expression of the genes FHIT, Bcl-2 and Bax in breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma and clinicopathological significance thereof].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of the genes fragile histidine triad (FHIT), Bcl-2, and Bax, biological markers of breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma in this carcinoma and clinicopathological significance thereof.
METHODS
The clinical data of 100 patients with breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma, all females, aged 435 (28 - 92), were collected. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of FHIT, Bcl-2 and Bax in the carcinoma tissues resected during operation.
RESULTS
The protein expression rates of FHIT, Bcl-2 and Bax in the tumor tissues were 73%, 50%, and 34% respectively. The disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) of the FHIT positive patients were 81.8 months and 123.6 months, both significantly longer than those of the FHIT-negative patients (27.7 months and 74 months, both P < 0.05). The DFS of the Bcl-2-positive patients was 83 months, significantly longer than that of the Bcl-2-negative patients (45 months, P < 0.05). The mean DFS of the Bcl-2-positive patients who received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was 54.8 months, significantly longer than that of the Bcl-2-negative patients who received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (41.6 months). The mean DFS and OS of the Bcl-2-negative patients receiving CAF regimen were 55 months and 58.8 months respectively, both longer than those of the Bcl-2-negative patients receiving other regimens (27 months and 36 months respectively). However, the expression of Bax failed to show correlation with the prognosis of breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma.
CONCLUSION
Expression of FHIT and expression of Bcl-2 are positively correlated to the DFS and OS of the breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Bax is not predictive to the prognosis of breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma. |
7784310 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-08-27T09:36:12.063Z | 2002-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | Methods for Measurement of Tibial Torsion
No conventional technique for routine assessment of tibial torsion, the twisting of tibia around the longitudinal axis, has yet gained acceptance. Clinical measurements give approximate values only. Methods employing tropometers and other mechanical devices have mainly been used for measurement in skeletal specimens and in patients, though on a limited scale. Certain roentgenographic methods are considere d complicated, whereas others re q u i re trigonometric Abdulla Ahmed Eyadah, Maria Kondeva Ivanova Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital, Kuwait calculations on the roentgenograms. With the development of the whole body computed tomography (CT) where distinct cross-sectional images can be obtained, reference points are easy to be determined, which make it possible to accurately measure this torsional deformity. Considering the demands for a v a i l a b i l i t y, simplicity, and precision, fluoro s c o p i c techniques have been developed. INTRODUCTION Va rus, valgus and other axial deformities are well known in osteoarthritis of the knee joint, but the coexistence of torsional deformity is a re c e n t addition to our knowledge. In clinical practice, adduction of the foot in a patient standing with the patella facing directly forward results from torsional deformity and is generally called internal tibial torsion. Torsional abnormalities are considered by some authors to be a possible cause or result of gonarthrosis. In the opinion of some authors, torsional deformities must be corrected at the same time as axial deformities [ 2 . The importance of understanding and evaluating rotational alignment of the lower extremity in connection with surgical planning of the arthritic knee has been emphasized. Consequently, it is important to the understanding of the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis of the knee, as well as for compound treatment of it, whether torsional deformity is present and to measure it. Torsional deformities of the tibia have been reported to be associated also with club foot, patello-femoral instability 11 , 1 2 , and Osgood–Schlatter’ s disease. Tibial torsion can be defined as a physiologic twist of the distal versus the proximal articular axis of the tibial bone in the transverse plane. The definition of tibial torsion put forward by Le D a m a n y 1 3 ] was based on studies in cadavers. Since then, various clinical, arthropometric and radiological methods have been used to determine tibial torsion. Depending on which points of re f e rence are chosen at the proximal and distal end of tibia, the re c o rded values for tibial torsion in the diff e rent studies will vary and are not directly comparable (Table 1). Mechanical Methods On necropsy specimens, tibial torsion may be m e a s u red using anthro p o m e t r y. The angle between a pin passed through the condylar axis of the head of the tibia and another one through the distal surface of the tibia is measured. This is the most accurate technique but the disadvantage is that this method cannot be used clinically. In 1909, Le Damany 1 3 ] reported that the mean lateral tibial torsion m e a s u red by anthropometry using Bro c a ’ s i n s t rument was 23.7 degrees. Other studies h a v e reported clinical values employing instru m e n t s similar to the anthro p o m e t e r. They used the patella or tibial tuberosity and the malleoli as re f e re n c e points. Difficulty in centering the instrument on the mobile patella or the tibial tubercle decreases the accuracy of these methods. There f o re, methods employing tropometers or other mechanical devices have been used mostly for measurements in specimens and in patients, though on a limited scale. CLINICAL METHODS A simple clinical method is to have the patient sit with the legs hanging over the edge of the |
46366410 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T06:19:00.558Z | 1993-04-01T00:00:00.000Z | Transforming growth factor-beta 1 stimulates chondrogenesis and inhibits osteogenesis in high density culture of periosteum-derived cells.
Chick periosteum-derived mesenchymal cells have been reported to exhibit both osteogenic and chondrogenic potentials in high cell density culture conditions. Using this culture system, the effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) on proliferation and differentiation of periosteal mesenchymal cells were studied. Supplementation with TGF beta 1 at doses of 0.3-1.0 ng/ml shortened the time course of chondrogenesis and increased the amount of cartilage formed in the lower part of the culture. On the other hand, the amount of bone formed in the upper part of the culture decreased with TGF beta treatment, whereas the time course of osteogenesis remained unaffected. |
25553210 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T02:35:07.773Z | 2002-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | [Study of reparative DNA synthesis in lymphocytes of persons occupationally exposed to radiation].
The UDS efficiency in lymphocytes of professionals chronically exposed to gamma/neutron radiation, as well as for a control cohort was estimated. A credible reduction of UV-induced UDS (KUV) index as compared to the control was demonstrated. This shows an invalid repair state of blood cells in professionals. As for the control cohort, the decreasing tendency of UDS index with age was found. The correlative analysis of UDS index dependence upon an absorbed dose (based on physical dosimetry data) revealed the trend towards repair index reduction along with a higher total absorbed doze, that is followed by UDS index coming onto a plateau. It was also demonstrated that after a sharp and/or accidental irradiation UDS index reduces as compared to permanent portioned irradiation. It was not observed the influence of smoking upon UDS efficiency in blood lymphocytes neither for control, nor for experimental group. The analysis of vitamin therapy of the both cohorts showed that such therapy raises UDS index of the control (i.e., non-professional) group. Besides, it was found out an additional positive effect of vitamin therapy, i.e. doze leveling in long-term perspective after irradiation. The most expressed KUV/doze correlation was characteristic for professionals, who do not take vitamins and do not smoke. This proves that in blood cells of professionals it is preserved a dependence of repair system invalidity upon the absorbed doze without similar external factors. |
278810 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2014-10-01T00:00:00.000Z | 2002-06-01T00:00:00.000Z | Fair Wages in a New Keynesian Model of the Business Cycle
We build a New Keynesian model of the business cycle with sticky prices and real wage rigidities motivated by efficiency wages of the gift exchange variety. Compared to a standard sticky price model, our Fair Wage model provides an explanation for structural unemployment and generates more plausible labor market dynamicsâânotably accounting for the low correlation between wages and employment. The fair wage induced real wage rigidity also significantly reduces the elasticity of marginal cost with respect to output. The smoother dynamics of real marginal cost increase both amplification and persistence of output responses to monetary shocks, thus remedying the well-known lack of internal propagation of standard sticky price models. We take these improvements as a strong endorsement of the addition of real wage rigidities to nominal price rigidities and conclude that the fair wage extension of this paper constitutes a promising platform for an enriched New Keynesian synthesis. (Copyright: Elsevier) |
32042510 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T02:03:17.419Z | 2010-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | [Two-cavity (sectional) nasal hydrotamponade after endonasal surgical interventions].
This paper is focused on the problem of achieving post-operative hemostasis in patients undergoing endonasal surgical intervention. Analysis of 156 tamponades of the nasal cavity with three types of silicone hydrotampons gives evidence that the use of two separate balloons within a single block of an original sectional hydrotampon allows for differential mechanical impact on anteromedial and posterior nasal cavities to avoid unnecessary compression of the mucous membrane. Results of manometric measurements suggest that a combination of mechanical arrest of post-operative hemorrhage and selective hyperthermia in the choanal compartment of the hydrotampon permits to reduce tampon pressure on the mucous membrane in anteromedial and posterior nasal cavities by 6.0-9.3% and 10.3-24.7% respectively. |
24265510 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T02:32:45.248Z | 2008-09-01T00:00:00.000Z | Intracranial Complications before and after Endoscopic Skull Base Reconstruction
Background Endoscopic skull base reconstruction (ESBR) has been widely accepted in the management of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. However, it is not the CSF leak itselfbut the potential for life-threatening intracranial complications (ICCs) that is of primary clinical concern. The risk of developing complications, such as meningitis, in a skull base defect is unknown. Many ESBR are multilayered soft tissue repairs, and long-term prevention of ICCs is not well described. Methods Retrospective chart review and telephone consultation was used to assess patients who had an ESBR from 2002 to 2008. The incidence of an ICCs (meningitis, cerebral abscess, and pneumocephalus) and associated risk factors were assessed before and after surgery. Results One hundred six patients underwent ESBR (mean age (∓SD), 47.7 ∓ 18.5 years; range, 2–78 years) with 95.3% long-term follow-up (mean, 19.9 ∓ 16.3 months). ICCs occurred in 21.7% of patients at presentation, in 2.8% of patients during the perioperative period (<2 weeks), and in one patient (0.9%) during the postoperative period. Risk factors for presenting with an ICC and meningitis were revision cases performed elsewhere (χ2 = 9.10; p = 0.007) and leaking encephaloceles (χ2 = 5.98; p = 0.014). Factors not associated with increased ICC were an active CSF leak at presentation (χ2 = 3.03; p = 0.082) and previous radiotherapy. Conclusion ESBR offers an excellent long-term option in preventing subsequent ICC with low perioperative complications. ESBR is robust with delayed (>2weeks) CSF leakage occurring in only 1.9% regardless of etiology. The presence of identifiable risk factors for ICC may guide the surgeon in determining the urgency of ESBR. |
110018560 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-04-13T13:06:31.266Z | 2013-08-01T00:00:00.000Z | Near-Minimum Time Visual Servoing of an Underactuated Robotic Manipulator
Rate of convergence to the desired pose to grasp an object using visual information may be important in some applications, such as a pick and place routine in assembly where the time between two stops of the conveyor is very short. The visually guided robot is required to move fast if vision is to bring the sought benefits to industrial setups. In this paper, the three most famous techniques to visual servoing, mainly the image-based, position-based and hybrid visual servoing are evaluated in terms of their speed of convergence to the grasping pose in a pick and place task of a momentarily motionless target. An alternative open-loop near-minimum time approach is also presented and tested on a 5DOF under-actuated robotic arm. The performance is compared and result shows significant reduction for its time of convergence, to the aforementioned techniques. |
241152610 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2021-09-27T21:03:35.190Z | 2021-08-02T00:00:00.000Z | Agent-Based Modeling for Archaeology
To fully understand not only the past, but also the trajectories, of human societies, we need a more dynamic view of human social systems. Agent-based modeling (ABM), which can create fine-scale models of behavior over time and space, may reveal important, general patterns of human activity. Agent-Based Modeling for Archaeology is the first ABM textbook designed for researchers studying the human past. Appropriate for scholars from archaeology, the digital humanities, and other social sciences, this book offers novices and more experienced ABM researchers a modular approach to learning ABM and using it effectively. Readers will find the necessary background, discussion of modeling techniques and traps, references, and algorithms to use ABM in their own work. They will also find engaging examples of how other scholars have applied ABM, ranging from the study of the intercontinental migration pathways of early hominins, to the weather–crop–population cycles of the American Southwest, to the trade networks of Ancient Rome. This textbook provides the foundations needed to simulate the complexity of past human societies, offering researchers a richer understanding of the past—and likely future—of our species. |
30994360 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T01:49:05.434Z | 1980-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | [Peritoneal fluid in female fertility and sterility (author's transl)].
The authors have analyzed samples of peritoneal liquid to determine how and in which measure the level of steroid hormones allows to distinguish between follicular rupture and ovulation, and follicular luteinization without rupture and lack of ovulation. Volume of peritoneal fluid is not influenced by endometriosis or by pelvic varicosities, but it increases during the luteal phase; peritoneal protein concentration is also at its highest during the luteal phase. Progestin and estradiol-17 beta are higher in peritoneal fluid than in serum; such high concentration is maintained for at least a week after ovulation. The concentration of such hormones is higher in women with ovulatory scars than in those with luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome. Such findings show that peritoneal liquid is a transudate of the hyperemic active ovary, and that the level of concentration of progestin and estradiol-17 beta can be used in the diagnosis of luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome.
|
165492360 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-05-27T13:21:48.471Z | 2016-10-01T00:00:00.000Z | Defensive Structures of Severynivka Hillfort (Excavations of 2009 and 2012-2013)
Abstract The article focuses on the research results of Severynivka hillfort fortifications. In 2009 a rampart and a moat on a cliff on the south floor-level side. In 2012-2013 there was made a rampart and escarp sections in the north-eastern part of the fortification. Separate stages of its construction are distinguished; the possible reconstruction of the defensive structures is suggested. |
38216910 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T04:14:40.272Z | 1991-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | [Merits, demerits and methods of preoperative biliary drainage for malignant obstructive jaundice].
One hundred twenty-four patients with malignant obstructive jaundice undergoing Whipple's procedure were divided into two groups. Group I, 72 patients with an average preoperative serum bilirubin level of 13.3 mg/dl underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy after the level dropped to 5.88 mg/dl by preoperative external biliary drainage (21 patients with PTCD and 51 with cholecystostomy). Group II, 52 patients with a mean bilirubin level of 7.18 mg/dl received Whipple' procedure without preoperative drainage. There was no significant difference in mortality and morbidity between the two groups. We believed that biliary drainage is essential to patients with severe jaundice, otherwise the mortality and morbidity would be much higher AS to method of biliary drainage, we recommend cholecystostomy in hands not skillful with PTCD. |
250895810 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2022-07-21T13:52:46.097Z | 2000-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | Spin-Exchange Collisions of the Ground State of Cs Atoms in a High Magnetic Field
Cs atoms were optically pumped with a Ti:sapphire laser in a magnetic field of 1.516 T. Steady absorption spectra and populations of Zeeman sublevels of the ground state of Cs in N2 gas at various pressures (5, 40, and 80 Torr) were obtained. The results show that in a high magnetic field, the combined electron-nuclear spin transition (flip-flop transition), which is mainly induced by the collision modification δa(J · I) of hyperfine interaction, is an important relaxation mechanism at high buffer-gas pressures. |
122494510 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-04-20T13:07:53.845Z | 1996-07-01T00:00:00.000Z | Point charges between two grounded conducting intersecting planes: a dynamical systems approach
The classical electrostatic problem of a point charge q between two semi-infinite conducting planes intersecting at a given angle is approached using methods from dynamical system theory. In this way the standard solution is recovered: the image method works if and only if with n a positive integer; the number of image charges is 2n-1 (n - 1 having the same charge of the physical one, n with opposite charge) and they must be disposed at the vertices of two regular polygons having n-sides inscribed inside the circle of radius equal to the distance between the physical charge and the intersection point of the two planes. Riassunto. In questo lavoro viene affrontato il problema elettrostatico classico relativo ad una carica puntiforme tra due semipiani conduttori intersecantesi con un certo angolo usando i metodo tipici della teoria dei sistemi dinamici. In questo modo si riottene la soluzione usuale, ovvero e possibile utilizzare il metodo delle cariche immagine se e solo se con n intero positivo. Il numero delle cariche immagine e 2n-1 (di cui n - 1 aventi lo stesso segno della carica fisica e n segno opposto) e devono essere disposte ai vertici di due poligoni regolari aventi n lati inscritti nel cerchio di raggio pari alla distanza tra la carica fisica ed il punto di intersezione tra i due piani. |
204754060 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-10-18T14:18:08.277Z | 2019-10-01T00:00:00.000Z | An algorithm for management of nasal caudal septal deformities
Introduction Caudal end septal deformities are common deformities. Trauma is a main cause of these deformities. there is lack of an algorithm for choosing the suitable technique for the type of deformity. The aim of this retrospective study was to put an algorithm for approaching different caudal end deformities. Patients and methods Retrospective review of 136 patients underwent surgical correction for caudal end deformities. Data collection included functional breathing outcomes and drawbacks of different techniques as postop caudal end sublaxation and firm nasal tip sensation. Results Patients were divided into 4 groups (according to the technique by which the caudal end of nasal septum was managed) as following: Group A: 90 patients who had undergone surgeries with swinging door or modified swinging door techniques with fixation to anterior nasal spine technique, Group B: 26 patients who had undergone surgery with tongue in groove technique, Group C: 10 patients who had undergone surgery with caudal end splinting using septal bone, Group D: 10 patients who had undergone surgery with septal extension graft with tongue in groove technique. Conclusion An algorithm was obtained to help in deciding a methodology for correcting the caudal end deformities according to preoperative patient data. |
211483110 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2020-02-26T06:57:13.461Z | 2019-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | A Hardware Accelerator for the Inference of a Convolutional Neural network
Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are becoming increasingly popular in deep learning applications, e.g. image classification, speech recognition, medicine, to name a few. However, the CNN inference is computationally intensive and demanding a large among of memory resources. In this work is proposed a CNN inference hardware accelerator, which was implemented in a co-processing scheme. The aim is to reduce the hardware resources and achieve the better possible throughput. The design was implemented in the Digilent Arty Z7-20 development board, which is based on System on Chip (SoC) Zynq-7000 of Xilinx. Our implementation achieved a of accuracy for the MNIST database using only 12-bits fixed-point format. The results show that the co-processing scheme operating at a conservative speed of 100 MHz can identify around 441 images per second, which is about 17% times faster than a 650 MHz - software implementation. It is difficult to compare our results against other implementations based on Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), because the others implementations are not exactly like ours. However, some comparisons, regarding the logical resources used and accuracy, suggest that our work could be better than previous works. |
34061960 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T02:32:04.092Z | 1998-10-24T00:00:00.000Z | Luminescent Mononuclear and Dinuclear Iridium(III) Cyclometalated Complexes Immobilized in a Polymeric Matrix as Solid-State Oxygen Sensors.
Oxygen quenching of the luminescence of mononuclear and dinuclear Ir(III) cyclometalated complexes immobilized in the pPEGMA matrixes has been studied. Linear Stern-Volmer plots, even when experiments at different emission wavelengths have been performed, were evidenced. Despite the different luminescence lifetimes of the chromophores in the absence of quencher, similar Stern-Volmer slopes have been calculated. This behavior was tentatively interpreted by taking into account the size and charge of the chromophores. Increased sizes and lower charges seem to enhance the sensitivity of the systems. Such findings could be of interest for the design of new solid-state luminescent oxygen sensors with improved performance. |
12727610 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T00:34:02.832Z | 2015-10-01T00:00:00.000Z | Abutment-to-fixture load transfer and peri-implant bone stress.
PURPOSE
To uncover design principles for the abutment-fixture complex that reduce the stress concentration on the bone.
METHODS
A 3-dimensional finite element model was used to vary shape, elasticity, and connectivity of the abutment-fixture complex. We compared peri-implant bone stress of these designs.
RESULTS
Peri-implant bone stress was increased when the abutment could slide frictionless along the rim of the fixture, allowing the abutment to "lean into" the fixture rim and transfer loads near the bone crest. Conversely, bone stress was reduced when no motion was allowed (or no contact was made at all) between the abutment and the fixture rim. Bone stress was also reduced when the fixture was stiffer and thus more resistant to deformation, or when the fixture was wider. |
26206960 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T00:39:45.651Z | 2005-06-16T00:00:00.000Z | Was Rodney Ledward a statistical outlier?:Ledward's managers knew for 10 years that he was a risk
EDITOR—Looking at statistics will not add anything if managers are aware of problems that place patients at risk but fail to act, as happened in the Ledward case.1 2 Jean Ritchie QC chaired the inquiry into Rodney Ledward and found that as early as 1986, 10 years before his suspension, senior management was aware of Ledward's “high complication rate … |
14139010 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-04-11T04:45:32.330Z | 1980-11-01T00:00:00.000Z | Cellular mechanisms for increased fetal hemoglobin production in culture. Evidence for continuous commitment to fetal hemoglobin production during burst formation.
Using microscopic immunodiffusion assays and microdensitometric analysis of pericellular immunoprecipitate, the percentage of nucleated erythrocytes containing fetal hemoglobin (FNRBC) and the mean picograms of fetal or adult hemoglobin per nucleated erythrocyte (picograms HbF/NRBC, picograms HbA/NRBC) were assayed in 14-d-old colonies (bursts) derived from peripheral blood erythroid progenitors. In the peripheral blood of 11 normal adults only 2.2+/-0.5% (mean+/-SE) erythrocytes contained HbF whereas pooled bursts from the same subjects revealed a 13-fold increase in the percentage of FNRBC (29.6+/-3.9%). In culture both the picograms HbF/NRBC (5.2+/-0.4) and the picograms HbA/NRBC (27.7+/-1.5) are increased approximately 20% above the mean in vivo levels in NRBC from normal bone marrow aspirates. Analysis of each of 58 bursts from one subject demonstrated that FNRBC are present in all bursts and range from 5.0 to 95.0% of the total NRBC per burst. The percent FNRBC in each burst was neither correlated with picograms HbF/NRBC per burst nor with picograms HbA/NRBC per burst. Individual subcolonies from one burst in each of two subjects demonstrated between 3 and 81% FNRBC. These findings indicate that first, the increase in HbF production in culture is primarily due to increased production of the number of cells containing HbF, not to increased picograms HbF/NRBC. Second, all 14-d bursts contain some FNRBC. Third, just as seen in vivo, the picograms HbF/cell and the number of cells that contain HbF are independently regulated in culture. Fourth, commitment to produce HbF in vitro continues after subcolony formation in 14-d-old bursts. Augmentation of HbF production in culture therefore closely resembles that seen in acute erythroid stimulation in vivo. |
21188510 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-02-20T12:24:48.595Z | 2008-03-31T00:00:00.000Z | Particle Density Retrieval in Random Media Using a Percolation Model and a Particle Swarm Optimizer
This letter is a first attempt to apply a percolation theory model to the estimation of the density of particles in complex layered two-dimensional media from electromagnetic measurements. A procedure based on an analytical closed-form description of the wave propagation process is presented. The problem is recast as an iterative optimization one and solved by means of a particle swarm optimizer. Numerical experiments show the validity of the proposed solution. |
53646310 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-11-08T03:43:49.365Z | 2018-05-01T00:00:00.000Z | Background Noise in Areas Covered by Marine Plants in the Ria Formosa Lagoon During the Summer
This paper analyses the ambient noise recorded at two sites in the Ria Formosa lagoon, South Portugal aiming at developing passive acoustic methods for monitoring marine ecosystems status. The distance between the two sites is only 125 m, but covered by different marine plants: the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa and the seaweed Caulerpa prolifera. Both sites are very shallow (∼1 m in low tide) and subject to large tidal forcing (peak to peak amplitude of the order of 3 m). Small motor boats and yachting have a significant contribution to the ambient noise of the area, over a broad spectrum. Using a simple non-linear filtering technique, their contribution was removed from the background noise. The results show that the variability of the noise in both sites is complex, but the overall characteristics did not change significantly among sites. The variability pattern of background noise in a low frequency band (<2 kHz) suggests its correlation with human activity. In the frequencies above 2 kHz, the variability patterns are similar to those observed in other littoral environments due to marine taxa, such as fish and crustaceans. The variability of the dissolved $O_{2}$ is also similar among sites, and no correlation with the variability of noise level was found. These preliminary results contribute to the development of acoustic passive methods to monitor the health of seagrass ecosystems. |
57286360 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-01-23T16:10:22.283Z | 2003-11-02T00:00:00.000Z | Effect of delay jitter on quality of control in EIA-852-based networks
The popularity of network-based control systems (NBCS) is continuously growing. One of the most intriguing aspects is the transportation of control network data over IP-based networks as standardized in EIA-852. To a large extent the actual quality of control (QoC) in such systems depends on the network timing such as delay and delay jitter. This work focuses on the effect of delay jitter at a fixed mean delay on the QoC. Two sources of delay jitter are identified in EIA- 852-based systems: (i) network traffic induced, and (ii) protocol induced. At the example of a simple control-loop it is investigated how the induced jitter affects the QoC using a time-discrete simulation model. Concepts to reduce the effect of jitter on QoC are presented and conclusions are drawn how the findings in the EIA-852 system can be extended to a generalized NBCS. |
25973410 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T04:34:11.087Z | 2011-04-01T00:00:00.000Z | Congenital aganglionic megacolon in Nigerian adults: two case reports and review of the literature.
Congenital aganglionic mega colon (Hirschsprung's disease) is a motor disorder in the gut, due to a defect in the craniocaudal migration of the neuroblast originating from the neural crest that occurs during the first twelve weeks of gestation, causing a functional intestinal obstruction, with its attendant complications, in infants. Despite modern pediatric practice, with emphasis on early diagnosis, Hirschsprung's disease is seen in adults in regions where perinatal care is limited. We report two cases of Nigerian adults with longstanding, recurrent constipation, getting relieved by laxatives and herbal enemata, and then presented to our Emergency Department with a history of progressive abdominal distention, colicky pain, occasional vomiting, and weight loss. Per rectal examination revealed a gripping sensation in the rectum, 10 cm from the anal verge, with rectal fecal load. Barium enema showed a grossly distended proximal large colon, with high fecal retention, with the transition zone at the middle one-third of the rectum. Due to difficulty in bowel preparation of these patients, emergency laparotomy was done. The first case had a diverting sigmoid colostomy and later had a low anterior resection. The second case had a one-stage procedure. Histology of both the cases showed aganglionosis of the stenotic segment and a normal distal rectum. Both patients had complete resolution of the symptoms, without complications, in a three-year follow-up. The related literatures were reviewed. Hirschsprung's disease should be considered in adults patient presenting with chronic constipation. Low anterior resection of the rectum would be a surgical option for the treatment of short and zonal segment of adult Hirschsprung's disease. |
203384060 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-09-17T02:59:11.323Z | 2019-09-01T00:00:00.000Z | Assessment of the dendrochronological potential of Licaria bahiana Kurz, an endemic laurel of lowland Atlantic forests in Brazil
The Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil has been considered to have the highest number of tree species per hectare in the world. Assessing the influence of climate on tropical tree species is a priority in the face of ongoing climate change, and for which dendrochronological studies have been important. We address the dendrochronological potential of Licaria bahiana Kurz (Lauraceae), an endemic species of the Atlantic forests. We studied growth ring anatomy of L. bahiana and applied dendrochronological methods to investigate how short-term variation in climate affect its radial growth. Distinct growth rings were observed in all individuals and demarcated by darker tangential fiber zones in latewood. Trees showed high climatic sensitivity (0.48) and growth synchrony (intercorrelation r = 0.69; rbar = 0.38). Radial growth was negatively influenced by high temperatures at the beginning of the current growing season (r = -0.46) and by excessive rainfall at the end of the current growing season (r = -0.29), which are periods that correspond to the phenological reproductive phases of the species. Climate anomalies during this period may alter the tradeoff between growth and reproduction, in favor of the latter. |
20936010 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T01:42:15.545Z | 1998-09-01T00:00:00.000Z | [Primary hepatosplenic (gamma delta) T-cell lymphoma: clinico-pathologic analysis of 3 cases].
The authors analyze three cases of hepatosplenic (gamma-delta) T-cell lymphoma which is a newly defined unit in the spectrum of primary splenic lymphomas. The first two were diagnosed in sequential biopsies of bone marrow, splenectomic material and the liver of female patients aged 38 and 67 years. In the clinical picture dominated symptoms of progressing splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, haemolytic anaemia and different manifestations of leuco- and thrombocytopenia with expulsion of tumour cells into the peripheral blood. The first patient died after complete remission with signs of heart failure, the second one is surviving for 11 months in partial remission. The third case, a 66-year-old male patient, died suddenly during a 16-day hospitalization on account of diagnosis of hepatopathy and anaemic syndrome, as a result of cardiorespiratory failure. The diagnosis was established only post mortem. In none of the patients signs of affected lymph nodes were present. The authors analyze problems of bioptic diagnosis of the mentioned lymphoma, in particular biopsy of bone marrow in the stage of its initial infiltration. The key to diagnosis is in addition to knowledge of clinical manifestations the typical morphology and intrasinusoid propagation of tumour cells and immunohistochemical evidence of their T-phenotype. The predominance of initial manifestations of haemolytic anaemia calls for differential diagnosis of haemolytic conditions and confirmation of their secondary character. |
39397010 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T04:32:10.257Z | 1993-10-01T00:00:00.000Z | Reconstruction of a medial canthus defect with a myocutaneous flap.
Defects in the inner canthal area are generally repaired by full-thickness skin grafts, V-Y advancement flap, or frontal flap. Each of these techniques may give some problems in restoring the functional or aesthetic features of that region, or both. To avoid these inconveniences, we performed the reconstruction of the medial canthal area after tumor excision by using a myocutaneous rotation flap from the upper lid joined to a rotation flap from the lower lid and cheek. No scar resulted inside the aesthetic unit and a fine result was achieved from both the functional and the aesthetic point of view. |
12874070 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T00:34:51.618Z | 1992-12-01T00:00:00.000Z | Beliefs and attitudes of clinical year students concerning medical specialties: an Ibadan medical school study.
In order to understand their attitudes to 10 medical specialties, a 40-item self-report questionnaire was administered to the first and final year clinical students of the University of Ibadan. One hundred and twenty-one first year and 150 final year students participated, constituting 81% response rates respectively, in the two classes. The findings indicate that many factors influence specialty choice, the principal ones being: expectation of material rewards; societal appreciation of specialty and specialists; response of specialty patients to treatment; and the role of specialty teachers. It seems that specialties viewed positively in these dimentions (such as surgery, paediatrics, internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynaecology) are more highly favoured than the others (such as radiology, pathology, psychiatry, anaesthesia and community medicine), which were viewed rather negatively in this regard. Generally speaking, opinion on specialties was similar, not only between the two classes, but also between this cohort and comparable groups in developed nations. In order to enhance the spread of specialty manpower development to meet the goal of health care for all, suggestions are made about how to improve the positive appreciation of the less favoured specialties among undergraduates. |
9363370 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T00:10:44.832Z | 2008-04-01T00:00:00.000Z | Judgement Safeguarding the Interests of Children and Pregnant Women Convicts in Indian Jails
Sir,
Recently,(1) the Supreme Court of India took cognizance of the plight of children living in jails because of the arrest of their mothers and delivered a landmark judgement greatly strengthening children's and pregnant women's rights. The Chief Justice, Mr. Y. K. Sabharwal, was moved by the plight of such children, who for none of their fault, but per force, have to stay in jail with their mothers.
The court took notice of the Constitutional provisions of India, Articles 21, 23, 39 (e), 39 (f), 21 A, 14, 42, 45, 47; existing laws concerning children; international laws and conventions; scientific reports of institutions and committees; affidavits of State governments and Union Territories. It was brought out that there were 6496 under-trial women with 1053 children and 1873 convicted women with 206 children. The Court noted situations of neglect and issued guidelines for adequate protection of children, pregnant women and childbirth in prison. The court declared food, clothing, medical care, shelter, education and recreation as child's rights and issued detailed guidelines in upholding the health of children and women in jails. The court directed that jail manual and relevant rules be amended within 3 months to comply with its directives and periodical inspections to ascertain compliance with its judgements in letter and spirit. The court directed the Union of India, State governments, Union territories and State legal services authorities to submit a compliance report stating the steps taken within 4 months. The court declared that the Constitution casts an obligation to the State to look after the welfare of children and provide for social, educational and cultural development of the child with its dignity intact and protected from any kind of exploitation.
The court also directed priority disposal of criminal trials of women prisoners whose children are in jail. The court stated that international laws and conventions are enforceable when they elucidate and effectuate fundamental rights, and can be read as part of domestic law if mutually consistent.
The judgement is indeed laudable with hopes of a better future for such children. In the modern era, there is no doubt that every child throughout the world is entitled to a healthy environment full of freedom and dignity. As our Supreme Court succinctly puts it, “every citizen is entitled to the finer graces of civilization” under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution(2) and it would be delightful to witness this concept extending to children in prison. |
154835620 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-05-16T13:05:37.707Z | 1999-09-01T00:00:00.000Z | The ODA Charter and changing objectives of Japan's aid policy in Sub-Saharan Africa
The end of the Cold War freed donors' aid policies from the co-ordinate system of East/West competition around the world. As a result, it was no longer necessary for the United States and its allies to continue providing aid on ideological grounds and/or geo-strategic needs. In the post-Cold War era, it became necessary for donor countries to evolve new rationales to convince their sceptical publics of the continued necessity for aid. One such new rationale was the imperative of promoting democracy and good governance as a way of guaranteeing international peace and security. This article examines the Japanese response to this development by identifying the factors that led to the inauguration of the ODA Charter. Thereafter, the content and intent of the Charter is examined and its application in Sub-Saharan Africa is analysed to highlight the changing objectives of Japanese aid policy in the continent. |
21720820 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-05-17T19:05:21.169Z | 2017-10-01T00:00:00.000Z | A contention window adaptation broadcast protocol in VANETs under differentiating transmission and virtual slot periods
Designing an efficient broadcast protocol is remarkably critical to disseminate safety information in Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETs). It is essential to take low network traffic into account when depicting VANETs broadcast communication with Markov chain, especially in sparse network. Besides, network performance becomes poor due to packets collision under heavy traffic situation while standard broadcast protocol is adopted in VANETs. To address the above problems, we consider the influence that the difference of transmission and virtual slot periods makes an impact on network performances, when Markov chain is introduced to describe network model. Then we define three kinds of network communication states aiming at adjusting Contention Window (CW). Finally, we introduce a CW adaptation broadcast protocol to improve packet delivery ratio and throughput. The performance of the proposed protocol is evaluated using NS3, and simulation results have shown that our proposed protocol is the most effective and have the best performance compared to the traditional one. |
22841120 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T04:52:26.660Z | 1999-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | Is it legal? Prescribing for the athlete.
BACKGROUND
The taking of performance enhancing drugs is an issue in many sports. To counteract this health endangering problem most sports have adopted the International Olympic Committee Medical Commission's classes of banned drugs.
OBJECTIVE
Practitioners may inadvertently prescribe banned drugs, resulting in a positive drug test and a penalty for the athlete. This paper reviews the current recommendations when prescribing for an athlete.
DISCUSSION
Medical practitioners will avert potentially disastrous situations for athletes by being aware of the drugs that are prohibited for sportspersons or by knowing how to rapidly access such information when prescribing for athletes. |
41193060 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T04:59:59.587Z | 2015-03-12T00:00:00.000Z | Immunohistochemical changes and atrophy after chronic ethanol intoxication in rat salivary glands.
Alcoholism in humans is a chronic and progressive disease, characterized by loss of ethanol consumption control. Previous studies have reported that prolonged exposure to ethanol was responsible for alterations in glandular tissues of human and rodents. However, the interrelationship between ethanol and the glandular system is still the subject of numerous investigations, including the possible resistance of the submandibular gland (SG). In the present study, we investigated whether chronic ethanol exposure during adolescence may affect the parotid gland (PG) and SG in female rats. Female rats (n=16) were treated with distilled water or ethanol (dose of 6.5 g/kg/day, 22.5% w/v) through gavage for 55 days. Glands were collected, weighed and submitted to histological processing. Morphometric analysis was assessed by parenchymal and stromal area measurements. Smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), cytokeratin-19 (CK19) and apoptotic caspase-3 (CAS) were measured using ImageJ® software. Chronic ethanol administration did not alter the body weight of rats after treatment, although it increased glandular weight (p<0.001), reduced the parenchyma area (p<0.001) and decreased CK19 and α-SMA immunostainning in the PG. Besides, ethanol induced CK19 and CAS overexpression, and the occurrence of duct-like structures in SG. These results suggest that ethanol induces histological and morphometric changes in salivary glands of female rats intoxicated with ethanol during adolescence. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying these alterations needs to be investigated but may be not related to the inflammatory process. |
149953510 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-05-12T14:23:40.838Z | 2018-05-04T00:00:00.000Z | Narrowing the meaning of ‘deprivation’ under the property clause? A critical analysis of the implications of the Constitutional Court’s Diamond Producers judgment for constitutional property protection
Abstract Section 25(1) of the Constitution provides that no one may be deprived of property except in terms of law of general application, which law may not permit arbitrary deprivation. Consequently, there must be a deprivation before a property holder will qualify for protection under this provision. The meaning of this concept has enjoyed some attention from the Constitutional Court thus far. To date, there seems to have been a tug of war between a broader and narrower meaning of this concept. The Court recently revisited this matter in the Diamond Producers case, where Khampepe J gave three reasons why no deprivation occurred. Although the outcome of the case is commendable (i.e. there being no arbitrary deprivation), the way in which the deprivation question was decided has the potential to complicate this step in future. This is because each of the three reasons the Court gave has the potential to constrict the deprivation definition. Such an understanding may have the unintended (and undesirable) consequence of excluding all but the most disproportionate property limitations from constitutional scrutiny. This could have negative systemic repercussions for the legal system, as property holders affected by non-excessive limitation will either (1) be excluded from constitutional protection altogether, or (2) have to rely on fundamental rights outside the property clause – which are not necessarily ideal for adjudicating constitutional property disputes – for protection. Both these consequences have the potential to undermine the positive features the Constitution envisions for the whole legal system, the most pertinent of which in the present instance is the prevention (instead of promotion, as may happen in future) of arbitrary deprivation of property. |
18831010 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2014-10-01T00:00:00.000Z | 2003-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | Intergenerational mobility in Europe : evidence from ECHP * 30 May 2003
In this paper I provide a new evidence on cross-country comparison of intergenerational mobility using the European Community Household Panel. Although this data-set produces estimation that suffer of many potential biases, such as life cycle bias due to the young age of children, if the distortions are similar across countries, then the results can be useful and produce a better understanding of the forces that shape different societies. Comparing 12 European countries, I found that Mediterranean countries together with Portugal and Ireland are more immobile both in earnings and education. I find no relation between the income elasticity and earnings returns to human capital of a country, but public expenditure in tertiary education seems to be negatively related to income elasticity and there seems to be a positive relationship between income elasticity and the strictness of the employment protection law. Educational mobility seems to be affected by the performance of the education system measured by the proportion of students fall below given benchmarks of educational achievement, it is not affected by the pupil teacher ratio in primary and secondary schools and by the percentage of students enrolled in private schools The author is grateful to Daniele Checchi, Marco Francesconi, Cheti Nicoletti, Elena Bardasi, Lorenzo Cappellari Claudio Lucifora, Stefania Damonte and seminar participants at the Institute for Social and Economic Research for their precious comments. This research was conducted while the author was visiting the Institute for Social and Economic Research (University of Essex) with a Marie Curie fellowship. |
25437960 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-05-03T21:07:15.321Z | 2017-11-01T00:00:00.000Z | Performance optimization of a soft and hard detector in cognitive radio environment using WARP
Cognitive Radio, Software Defined radio Spectrum Sensing represents three development areas which are changing the world of Wireless Communication. The objective of this paper is to implement a new Hard and Soft detector based spectrum sensing method in a real time transmission network and optimize it. In particular, the aim is to detect the signals in the air, and estimate the power spectral density of the sources emitting these signals through collaborations of the receiver nodes. To achieve this, a receiver network based cooperative wideband spectrum sensing scheme is implemented using real time Transmission and receiving system using MATLAB and WARP environment. Two different types of Hard and Soft detection techniques have been compared with a new Softened Hard Detection scheme to show that the new method increases efficiency. |
72806910 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-03-10T13:06:31.794Z | 2013-03-01T00:00:00.000Z | DGI-001 A Systematic Review of Perceptions of eHealth and Shared Care
Background The World Health Organization (WHO) defines eHealth as ‘the combined use of information and communications technologies for health’ [1]. eHealth strategies worldwide aim to promote quality, safety and efficiency by underpinning shared healthcare provision with technology. The Scottish eHealth Strategy incorporates an ePharmacy programme to support pharmacists’ increasing role in shared care [2]. It acknowledges organisational development and training for core and optional eHealth services as key. Purpose To explore and report methodologies, findings and gaps in research related to healthcare professionals’ perceptions of the adoption of eHealth technologies for shared care. Materials and Methods A systematic review was conducted using a meta-narrative approach [3]. Articles published post-2004 in English were included; articles on Internet searches for health information or email were excluded. Data were extracted, synthesised and summarised. Ethical approval was not required. Results Screening reduced the initial 327 papers identified to 12 which included three reviews, four qualitative, two mixed-methods and three quantitative studies. Data were collected using questionnaires (3), case study (1), group (2) and individual (6) interviews, observation (3) and extraction of data from records (1). Practice settings were remote rural or urban featuring primary care, secondary care or both. The focus was on electronic records (7), telemedicine (2) or general eHealth implementation (3) from the perspective of doctors, nurses, IT developers, policy makers and managers. One study included the views of a hospital pharmacist. Acceptance of eHealth technologies is reported but with cost effectiveness, resourcing and training questioned. Emerging themes are organisational, social and technical. Conclusions Strategists worldwide believe technology has the potential to promote quality, safety and efficiency in shared care where organisational, social and technical issues are addressed. However, evidence of hospital pharmacists’ views, their perceptions of eHealth and shared care, organisational development and training needs remain under-researched. References World Health Organization (2010). Atlas eHealth country profiles: based on the findings of the second global survey on eHealth. WHO: Geneva. Scottish Government (2008). eHealth Strategy 2008–2011. Available online at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08 /27103130/13 Greenhalgh, T. et al, (2005). Storylines of research in diffusion of innovation: a meta-narrative approach to systematic review. Social science & medicine, 61(2), pp. 417–430. No conflict of interest. |
214460460 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-12-12T10:16:44.616Z | 2019-12-04T00:00:00.000Z | PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MODEL OF STRESS-INDUCED CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS DEVELOPMENT RISK
Aim and Introduction: According to the Russian Center of Emergency and Radiation Medicine, cardiovascular disorders remain one of the most important for firefighters and rescuers: during a 20-year monitoring period the rate for IX class diseases has changed from 19.5% to 29% with a constant increase in days away from work among firefighters. Arterial hypertension is in the leading place among cardiovascular disorders. Therefore, the issue of the early diagnosis of these disorders remains relevant. The article deals with describing a psychophysiological model of stress-induced cardiovascular disorders risk development in various categories of professional expertise for fire-fighters. Materials and Methods: A comparative analysis of heart rate variability index, pulse wave velocity, rheoencephalography is conducted. 146 respondents were examined: 81 cadets of the 1st, 3rd and 5th years of study in 3 categories of professional expertise (average age 20 ± 1.64 years) and 65 males, aged from 20 to 50 years (average age 24.7 ± 5 years). The recording of HRV and PWV data was carried out using VNS-Micro and Poly-Spectrum-8 (Neurosoft LLC) digital systems. The results were processed with the standard methods of non-parametric statistics. Categories of professional expertise were determined by standard methods, according to the order of the Russian Emergencies Ministry. Results: Personnel of the 1st and 3rd categories of professional expertise are characterized by the optimal heart rate regulation; they are better adapted to the effects of professional extreme factors and have a good level of adaptive reserves of the body. Cadets of the 2nd category of professional expertise are more at risk of maladaptive cardiovascular disorders. A critical period for the formation of stress-related disorders is the work experience of 5 to 10 years. Conclusion: The described model of cardiovascular disorders development risk allows us to make suggestions for improving the system of medical and psychological support, as well as the professional selection system, for firefighters depending on the category of professional expertise. |
146987360 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-05-08T13:32:31.845Z | 2016-04-19T00:00:00.000Z | Choreographies of collaboration: social engagement in interactive documentaries
ABSTRACT This article analyzes new opportunities for using interactive non-linear documentary as social change interventions. Through a series of in-depth conversations with socially engaged Canadian directors, producers and distribution strategists, we discuss how they are reconfiguring their production and outreach in a rapidly shifting and increasingly collaborative media environment. We focus on three recent projects produced or co-produced by the National Film Board of Canada: Here at Home, Highrise and Fort McMoney. The projects address key social issues in Canada including housing, poverty, urbanization, oil production and the environment and are each quite distinct in form as well as strategies of collaboration and engagement. This in-depth analysis of three projects has permitted us to explore interesting tensions and innovations with regard to strategic partnerships and emerging social engagement practices. |
23451310 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T05:43:42.442Z | 1992-02-01T00:00:00.000Z | Contractions induced by phenylephrine and noradrenaline are differently affected by endothelium‐dependent relaxation in rat aorta
Abstract— In rings of rat aorta precontracted with phenylephrine (10 μm) or noradrenaline (10 μm), addition of carbachol (10 μm) produced an endothelium‐dependent relaxation. However, regardless of the concentration of agonist tested, both the intensity and duration of the relaxation were significantly less when noradrenaline, rather than phenylephrine, was used as the precontracting agent. The different responses observed do not appear to be related to destruction of endothelium‐derived relaxing factor by autoxidation of noradrenaline since neither EDTA (30 μm) nor superoxide dismutase (30 units mL−1) improved the relaxation to carbachol. In addition, in endothelium‐free rings, the noradrenaline (1 μm)‐induced contraction was less sensitive than the phenylephrine (1 μm)‐induced contraction to sodium nitroprusside (0·1 μm) or to 8‐Br‐cGMP (300 μm). With phenylephrine‐, but not noradrenaline‐, induced contraction, the relaxation triggered by carbachol was significantly reduced by pretreatment of the aortic rings with chloroethylclonidine (50 μm), which inactivates a subpopulation of α1‐adrenoceptors. Thus, the results confirm that both alkylation sensitive and resistant α1‐adrenoceptors exist in rat aorta and indicate that EDRF may discriminate between these two α1‐adrenoceptor subtypes which are differently affected by phenylephrine and noradrenaline. |
209974910 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2020-01-08T00:05:51.727Z | 2018-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | Numerical investigation of non-collinear guided wave mixing in the case of contact nonlinearity
This work investigates the feasibility of using guided waves to perform a non-collinear wave mixing in the presence of a closed crack. Based on the analogy with previous work on bulk shear waves, it is shown that the mixing of shear horizontal (SH) guided waves generate a symmetrical (S) mode propagating in a different direction and having a frequency equal to the sum of the frequencies of the incident waves. The conditions for this guided wave mixing are determined based on theoretical considerations related to phase velocity matching and demonstrated numerically using a Finite Element model. The results show that the interaction leads to the generation of a S mode at the sum frequency that is the strongest for a particular angle of interaction between the incident waves. The non-collinear mixing under imperfect phase velocity matching conditions is also investigated. |
5628720 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T03:26:03.264Z | 1996-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | [The CT of calcaneal fractures: 3-D reconstructions with electronic disarticulation].
PURPOSE
To evaluate the clinical value of 3-D-reformations with and without electronic disarticulation of calcaneal fractures compared to axial CT and sagittal reformations.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
25 patients with intra-articular calcaneal fractures underwent diagnostic CT-examinations. Axial slices, sagittal and 3-D-reformations with and without electronic disarticulation were performed. The sagittal and both types of 3-D-reformations were compared to the axial slices with regard to the diagnostic criteria: involvement of articular facets, number of fragments, and traumatic changes of the hindfoot.
RESULTS
The best proof of involvement of articular facets is found in axial slices and 3-D-reconstructions after disarticulation followed by sagittal reconstructions. Usually on 3-D-reconstructions without disarticulation articular facets cannot be identified because of overlapping bones. The number of fragments is clearly demonstrated by axial slices and sagittal reconstructions followed by 3-D-reconstructions after disarticulation. Traumatic changes of the hindfoot can be diagnosed in all four forms of visualisation.
CONCLUSION
The decisive diagnosis for treatment planning is made based on the axial slices supported by sagittal reformations. In unclarified cases 3-D-reformations after electronic disarticulation may provide further information. 3-D-reformations without disarticulation are useless. |
16443670 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2014-10-01T00:00:00.000Z | 2008-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | Motivational Value of Navigation Support Case of Annotated Code Examples Independent Study Report
A. WebEx Interface WebEx, a Web-based tool for interactive exploration of programming examples, was designed to overcome the problems listed above. A program example in WebEx appears to be just the same as it looked in a program editor (Figure 1). The only visible difference is the presence of green or white navigation bullets to the left of each line. A green bullet indicates the availability of explanations for this line of code. A white bullet marks that there are no explanations for that line. Clicking on a green bullet opens an explanations note for the selected line. In the spirit of good hypertext, the WebEx interface lets the user use his or her preferred browsing strategy. Some users may choose to browse the example line by line. Other students may concentrate on the most hard-to-understand lines and selectively read explanations for these lines. When exploring an example, such students can go straight to a troublesome line while ignoring other unnecessary explanations. |
57050720 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-01-23T12:15:25.745Z | 2000-07-22T00:00:00.000Z | Improving the efficacy of motion analysis as a clinical tool through artificial intelligence techniques
Technology supporting human motion analysis has advanced dramatically and yet its clinical application has not grown at the same pace. The issue of its clinical value is related to the length of time it takes to do an interpretation, the cost, and the quality of the interpretation. Techniques from artificial intelligence such as neural networks and knowledge-based systems can help overcome these limitations. Here, the authors give an overview of these techniques and describe current research efforts that apply these techniques in the field of human motion analysis. |
26216020 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T00:40:34.317Z | 2003-07-01T00:00:00.000Z | Endovascular Treatment of Ruptured Vertebral Artery Dissection in the Acute Stage
Ruptured vertebral artery (VA) dissection is one of the common causes of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in Asian countries [1]. Although surgery has been the standard treatment [2], endovascular occlusion has emerged as a promising therapeutic modality [3, 4]. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of endovascular treatment for ruptured VA dissection. Sixteen patients with ruptured VA dissection treated endovascularly were identified among 401 nontraumatic SAH patients admitted to our hospitals between January 1996 and December 2000. The clinical and angiographic characteristics of the 16 patients, including gender, age, SAH grade evaluated according to the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons scale [5] and location/extension of dissection, were retrospectively investigated and are summarized in table 1. The dissection sites were classified into 3 categories according to their anatomical relationship to the origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). Dissection was proximal to the PICA in 3, distal to the PICA in 11, and involved the PICA in 2 cases. Endovascular occlusion of the dissected VA were performed with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs; Boston Scientific, Fermont, Calif., USA) of appropriate length, diameter and shape. GDC embolization was feasible in 15 of the 16 cases, and balloon proximal occlusion of the ruptured VA was performed in the other case. In 1 of the 2 patients whose dissection sites involved the PICA origin (Patient 5), only the VA distal to the PICA origin was embolized for fear of occluding the prominent PICA (fig. 1). In all 11 patients whose dissection site was distal to the PICA origin, the VA, including the dissected part, was completely occluded with GDC (fig. 2). There were no accidents during the procedure, but 4 patients died perioperatively. Procedure-related complications included rebleed- |
28597350 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-06-16T20:20:17.177Z | 2016-12-01T00:00:00.000Z | Mortality in the United States, 2015.
KEY FINDINGS
Data from the National Vital Statistics System, Mortality •Life expectancy for the U.S. population in 2015 was 78.8 years, a decrease of 0.1 year from 2014. •The age-adjusted death rate increased 1.2% from 724.6 deaths per 100,000 standard population in 2014 to 733.1 in 2015. •The 10 leading causes of death in 2015 remained the same as in 2014. Age-adjusted death rates increased for eight leading causes and decreased for one. •The infant mortality rate of 589.5 infant deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015 was not significantly different from the 2014 rate. •The 10 leading causes of infant death in 2015 remained the same as in 2014, although two causes exchanged ranks. This report presents 2015 U.S. final mortality data on deaths and death rates by demographic and medical characteristics. These data provide information on mortality patterns among U.S. residents by variables such as sex, race and ethnicity, and cause of death. Life expectancy estimates, age-adjusted death rates by race and ethnicity and sex, 10 leading causes of death, and 10 leading causes of infant death were analyzed by comparing 2015 and 2014 final data (1). |
140593300 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-04-24T13:08:48.198Z | 2004-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | Chaco Canyon reburial programme
Abstract Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northwestern New Mexico contains a wealth of archaeological resources, including 150 large earth and masonry structures under active management and preservation. In response to loss of original fabric from exposure over the last 100 years and more, as well as from continuous cycles of maintenance and repair, an extensive and long-term reburial programme was embarked upon in the late 1980s. The overall context of the site and the decision to undertake reburial as a principal conservation strategy is described in Part I of this paper. Part II provides a summary of the results of partial reburial at Chetro Ked, one of the ‘great houses’ of the canyon, in which protection of original timber was the main objective. Most of the wood at Chetro Ked could be covered only by a shallow overburden of soil, necessitating a specialized reburial design and materials to exclude moisture. Recent evaluation of the efficacy of the wood reburial was undertaken. Problems and shortcomings that were identified have led to re-design of part of the reburial and more careful attention to quality control during the intervention, as well as to selection of more appropriate geosynthetic materials. Additional monitoring techniques have been developed to allow direct withdrawal of samples of wood for assessment of deterioration. |
244725250 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2021-11-30T16:17:47.191Z | 2021-11-27T00:00:00.000Z | Diabetes Mellitus Among Workers Exposed to Perfluorooctanoic acid
Background: One of the health problems that can be caused by Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is Diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the causal relationship between Perfluorooctanoic acid and DM is still unclear, so it is necessary to look for some evidence regarding this relationship. The search for evidence is also equipped with a seven-step assessment of occupational diseases therefore it can assist occupational health doctors who find patients with DM and have a history of exposure to glutaraldehyde. Methods: Literature search using Pubmed, Cochrane and JSTOR databases. The keywords used are “PFOA” OR “perfluoroalkyl substances” OR “perfluorooctanoic acid” AND “diabetes mellitus”. Article selection was performed using the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Selected articles will be critically reviewed based on etiological studies from the Oxford Center of Evidence-Based Medicine. Result: It was in 5 selected articles that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The main finding after a critical review was that PFOA may increase the risk of DM. Conclusion: There is a relationship between PFOA and the incidence of DM in health workers. To establish the diagnosis of occupational diseases in health workers who are exposed to PFOA, seven steps of diagnosis of occupational diseases are used. |
13287350 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-11-02T09:50:06.720Z | 2007-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | Defining and selecting objectives and performance metrics for oil spill response assessment: A process design integrating analysis and deliberation
This document lays out a framework by which defensible performance metrics for oil spill response can be developed in an analytic-deliberative process that includes a broad range of stakeholders and is informed by high quality scientific knowledge. Performance metrics can be used to: improve oil spill response planning, promote institutional learning post-response, support public communication during and after spills, etc. The framework takes as a starting point the existing “business as usual” approach to response planning and proposes specific activities that can be undertaken to integrate selection of performance metrics into contingency planning efforts. This paper builds on theories and empirical research on public participation in hazard management, typologies of performance metrics, and decision analysis. A core principle of this framework is that performance metrics for oil spill response must be tightly coupled to objectives for oil spill response. Objectives, performance metrics, and methods for measuring need to be selected so that they represent both best available science and appropriate democratic agreement. Using the best available science means that metrics should be measurable, meaningful, and are consistent with previous scientific work. It also means that the measures of metrics (and objectives) selected are justified with evidence, models, or theories. Using the appropriate democratic agreement means that the objectives, metrics, and measures selected adequately represent the interests at risk. It also means that the objectives, metrics, and measures chosen reflect a consensus among interested and affected parties. The integration of performance metrics into oil spill response planning will help ensure plans better reflect public concerns and values, promote learning, and improve spill managers’ communications with the public. |
17851300 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-02-14T05:06:04.716Z | 2011-09-01T00:00:00.000Z | A flexible turbine blade for passive blade pitch control in wind turbines
We present a flexible wind turbine blade that effectively pitches itself according to variable wind loading. In contrast to rigid turbine blades, where active controls are often required to pitch blades, the flexible or morphing blade adjusts its geometry passively, eliminating the need for costly electromechanical systems. We analyze the airfoil using a robust and accurate fluid-structure interaction routine, and introduce two morphing scenarios: one where rigid and flexible blade are identical when unloaded, and one where they are identical at the stall angle. We choose a single Reynolds number and a flexible airfoil material for a case study, and simulate over a range of attack angles, noting the lift and drag coefficients as well as the attack angle change through passive pitching of the flexible airfoil. It was found that the flexible airfoil can delay stall as well as significantly increase lift/drag ratios compared to the rigid blade. In addition, negligible increases in drag and large increases in lift were realized. This suggests that flexibility can be used as a design parameter for wind turbine blades, and would likely increase the operational range and/or part- or over-load efficiencies significantly. |
205294550 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T05:02:51.164Z | 2012-02-01T00:00:00.000Z | Inhibition of cell‐mediated immunity by the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat: Implications for therapy of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma
Several histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), including vorinostat, have been approved for the therapy of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Emerging data suggest that HDACi may exert immune suppressive effects which would be disadvantageous for therapy of CTCL. We describe a patient with Sezary syndrome who was monitored for drug-induced immunosuppression while undergoing treatment with vorinostat. Analysis of the patient's natural killer cell function before and after initiation of treatment confirmed inhibition of this important cell-mediated immune function. In addition, the in vitro effects of vorinostat on the immunity of healthy volunteers confirmed that this class of drug can profoundly suppress multiple arms of the cellular immune response. These findings raise concerns of increased susceptibility to infection in this high-risk population. |
30405600 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T01:39:00.765Z | 2016-06-30T00:00:00.000Z | Microfabricated Devices for Studying the Metabolism and Cytotoxicity of Drug Candidates.
During drug development, large libraries of new chemical entities (NCEs) are generated and undergo in vitro screens of metabolism and cytotoxicity. These screens are heavily relied upon to select lead compounds with the highest chance of success in pre-clinical studies and clinical trials, but suffer from limited in vivo predictive power despite using human liver-derived components. There is a need for new assays that utilize smaller reagent volumes to reduce the cost of these high-throughput screens; better mimic the liver environment; and ultimately account for toxicities in other major organ systems. Microfabricated devices, in their current state, integrate multiple reaction steps in a single device, decreasing the cost of a single metabolism or cytotoxicity screen by lowering the reagent consumption and increasing throughput. The incorporation of three-dimensional co-cultures in these devices promise increased accuracy of in vitro screens, because cellular phenotype and response of hepatocytes in these cultures are more representative of the liver. In this review, we focus on microfabricated devices developed over the past decade and highlight technologies that we believe have the potential of reaching shorter- and longer-term goals of reducing the cost of bringing new drugs to market and revolutionizing the discovery stage of the drug development pipeline. |
234591200 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2021-05-16T00:04:02.901Z | 2020-11-30T00:00:00.000Z | A comparative evaluation of the fluctuating asymmetry of the leaf blade Betula pendula Roth for different methods of plant material fixation
The influence of plant material fixation methods on the index of fluctuating asymmetry of Betula pendula Roth leaves is determined. The methods used were herbarization under pressure and leaves fixation in a solution of ethyl alcohol (45%). Biological material was collected in natural phytocenoses of the Pritalskaya zone of the Middle Urals and in technogenically formed territories, including soil contamination with heavy metals. The FA level of Betula pendula Roth leaf blades obtained on freshly harvested material increases in the gradient of toxic load and reflects a natural increase in soil contamination with heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, etc.). The smallest deviation from the actual FA values obtained on freshly harvested material is given by a method of herbarization of leaves. The correlation coefficients are 0,940,99. Plant material fixation in an alcohol solution leads to more than 10-fold deviation of FA values from the real ones. The correlation between the studied morphological parameters of fresh and alcoholic leaf blades is 0,170,70. The signs distance between the bases of the first and second veins of the second order from the base of the leaf and angle between the main vein and the second vein of the second order from the base of the leaf are more distorted. Correction coefficients are proposed that allow to level out the differences in the FA level between the results obtained on freshly collected material and recorded by different methods. For the herbarization method, regardless of where the plant material is collected, the correction factor to be entered for the FA values of the fixed leaf blades is () 0,0004. For the method of leaves fixation in an alcohol solution, the coefficient value is () 0,00075 for material collected in undisturbed communities, and (+) 0,0045 for technogenically disturbed communities. |
14598350 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-02-17T01:11:54.552Z | 2015-12-01T00:00:00.000Z | A real time sensor data monitoring system for wireless sensor network
In real world various activity monitoring applications have been implemented using Wireless Sensor Network. WSN provides a platform to utilize information from connected sensors. Sometimes a monitoring application requires actual time data storage and analysis for data received from the sensors. A real time monitoring application is required to sense and transmit data to main data center. Main data center has to perform analysis and give response for received data in real time. This paper demonstrates a generic real time Wireless Sensor Network based on ZigBee network to monitor various sensor output. Proposed system uses an open source FreeRTOS as an operating system for sensor node to monitor sensor data in actual time, also a graphical user interface has been provided to represent the received sensor data. |
19932950 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T06:20:17.196Z | 1990-04-01T00:00:00.000Z | [Tracheal compression by the brachiocephalic trunk in infants--surgical treatment of 30 cases].
This is a report on 30 cases of innominate artery compression of the trachea and its operative correction by an aorto-truncopexy. Tracheoscopy is the most important examination for arriving at the diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which offers representative pictures of many moments of expiration and inspiration, shows the anatomic relationship between the innominate artery, the aortic arch and the trachea, also demonstrating the extent of the tracheal compression. Surgical treatment is indicated if narrowing of the lumen of the trachea is greater than 70%. By fixing the aortic arch and the proximal innominate artery at the back of the sternum the trachea is relieved of its compression. In 30 children there was no unsuccessful operation, and none of them died. |
232373160 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2021-03-27T13:38:33.430Z | 2020-12-10T00:00:00.000Z | Patterns of retinal nerve fiber layer loss in patients with glaucoma identified by deep archetypal analysis
Glaucoma is a complex eye disorder characterized by an optic neuropathy usually leading to typical patterns of structural and functional loss. Current classification of glaucoma damage is predominantly subjective and qualitative. Determining precise glaucoma-induced patterns of structural and functional loss is clinically significant because different patterns of loss could differentially impact patient quality of life. Here, we develop and apply deep archetypal analysis (DAA) to over 2,500 samples of optical coherence tomography (OCT) images around the optic disc of about 278 eyes with glaucoma to discover patterns of structural loss. We show that deep DAA is an appropriate approach for discovering patterns on the convex hull that encloses data points in a high-dimensional space, and that this approach is resistant to outliers. We also present a novel visualization with potential utility in clinical applications for assessing structural damage in patients with glaucoma. Compared to classical archetypal matrix decomposition, DAA discovers outlier-resistant patterns. Unlike deep learning models, DAA generates interpretable outcomes with clinical relevance. Finally, 16 discovered patterns of RNFL loss are visualized and clinically validated by glaucoma experts. Such patterns may serve as basic elements to quantify high-dimensional RNFL data in different applications. |
209524260 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2020-01-02T14:02:44.533Z | 2019-12-31T00:00:00.000Z | A novel rhynchophylline analog, Y396, inhibits endothelial dysfunction induced by oxidative stress in diabetes through EGF receptor.
AIMS
Endothelial dysfunction appears in early diabetes mellitus partially because of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) abnormal activation and downstream oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to determine whether Y396, a synthesized analog of rhynchophylline, could protect against endothelial dysfunction in diabetes and the underlying molecular mechanism.
RESULTS
Y396 could directly target the EGF receptor and inhibit its phosphorylation induced by high glucose and EGF, downstream translocation to the nuclear of E2F1, and its transcriptional activity and expression of Nox4. Diabetes-induced endothelium malfunction was ameliorated by Y396 treatment through EGF receptor inhibition. Downstream oxidative stress was decreased by Y396 in the aortas of T1DM mice and primary rat aorta endothelial cells (RAECs). Y396 could also ameliorate tunicamycin-induced oxidative stress in the aorta and RAECs. In addition, we also again determined the protective effects of Y396 on HFD/STZ-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Innovations: This is the first study to demonstrate that Y396, a novel rhynchophylline analog, suppressed high-glucose-induced endothelial malfunction both in vivo and in vitro by inhibiting abnormal phosphorylation of EGFR. Our work uncovered EGF receptor as a novel therapeutic target, and Y396 as a potential therapy against diabetes-induced complication.
CONCLUSION
Y396 could directly bind with EGF receptor and inhibit its phosphorylation and downstream E2F1 transcriptional activity. It could also preserve tunicamycin-evoked endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. It could protect against diabetes-induced endothelium malfunction in vivo through EGF receptor inhibition and downstream oxidative stress. |
245060860 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2021-12-12T17:05:38.896Z | 2021-12-13T00:00:00.000Z | Public Health Genomics – Treading Two Parallel Tracks
Against the backdrop of a decrepit healthcare system, where health for all is still a ‘distant’ dream, exposing stark gaps and shortfall of crucial inputs at various levels in catering to the health needs and requirements of a large population has compelled a review of the existing system and innovative course corrections. It has invoked a functional vision based on two parallel tracks; one, to rejuvenate and efficiently manage existing healthcare infrastructure and associated healthcare professionals at the village, tehsil and district level; and, the other of providing the modern facilities of diagnosis, prognosis, and preventive investigations with requisite interventions across all sections of the society. For more precise interventions to advance health the proposed two-pronged approach would ensure and safeguard the health, and inter alia reduce morbidity and mortality. Precision medicine in public health is predicated on OMICS technologies along with big data, machine learning and artificial intelligence for disease risk predictions and management in future. The capital intensive character of such technologies does raise concerns about their affordability, demanding an inter-institutional effort to generate simple and cost-effective high-throughput technology and tools for the diagnosis of diseases. The necessity to adopt modern medical biology technologies including Genomics has been amply evident in the COVID-19 pandemic through variant characterization of SARS-CoV2, and anticipated variations in the human host for differential susceptibilities and outcome of the disease. |
7468860 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-06-23T08:28:16.635Z | 2014-01-30T00:00:00.000Z | Characterization of pea (Pisum sativum) seed protein fractions.
BACKGROUND
Legume seed proteins have to be chemically characterized in order to properly link their nutritional effects with their chemical structure.
RESULTS
Vicilin and albumin fractions devoid of cross-contamination, as assessed by mass peptide fingerprinting analysis, were obtained from defatted pea (Pisum sativum cv. Bilbo) meal. The extracted protein fractions contained 56.7-67.7 g non-starch polysaccharides kg⁻¹. The vicilin fraction was higher than legumins in arginine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and lysine. The most abundant amino acids in the albumin fraction were aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine and arginine, and the amounts of methionine were more than double than those in legumins and vicilins. The pea albumin fraction showed a clear enrichment of protease inhibitory activity when compared with the seed meal. In vitro digestibility values for pea proteins were 0.63 ± 0.04, 0.88 ± 0.04 and 0.41 ± 0.23 for legumins, vicilins and albumins respectively.
CONCLUSION
Vicilin and albumin fractions devoid of cross-contamination with other proteins were obtained from pea seed meal. The vicilin fraction also contained low amounts of soluble non-starch polysaccharides and was enriched in isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and lysine. In vitro digestibility values for pea proteins were similar or even numerically higher than those for control proteins. |
147274910 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-05-08T13:29:44.293Z | 2012-10-01T00:00:00.000Z | Eating out: Reconstituting the Philippines’ public kitchens
The article examines the erasure of any concept of the ‘public kitchen’ in the Philippines as demonstrative of statewide suppression of marginal identities that continues to facilitate the simplistic and uncomplicated entry of neocolonial modernity. As a yardstick of growth and progress under the US colonial government, the battle to modernize the Philippines extends far beyond the political and administrative terrains and into the reconfiguration of domestic space. In particular, the kitchen was to become an important site that demonstrated the efficiency and power of American science. Accorded with new functions emanating from a colonial ideology, the induction of cooking and eating as expressions of collective identity have considerable implications for the manner in which public and private spaces are imagined. |
5899220 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T03:29:23.372Z | 2001-12-01T00:00:00.000Z | Child psychiatric diagnoses in a population of Dutch schoolchildren aged 6 to 8 years.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence rates of child psychiatric diagnoses in a school-based population of children aged 6 to 8 years in the south of the province of Limburg (The Netherlands).
METHOD
In a two-stage design 1,317 children were screened with the Child Behavior Checklist. From 403 of these children, child psychiatric information was obtained with the Amsterdam Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents (ADIKA, DSM-III-R/IV). Data were generalized to the responder group (n = 1,317) and to the entire cohort (N = 2,290). For the latter procedure, a prediction model was used to generalize ADIKA results to the nonresponders (n = 973).
RESULTS
Estimates of the prevalence of different ADIKA diagnoses in the responder group were quite comparable with those for the entire cohort. Twenty-four percent of the entire cohort met criteria for a single disorder, and 21.0% met criteria for two or more disorders. However, in only 5.7% of the cases parents did report a need for help.
CONCLUSIONS
Where other studies generalize psychiatric diagnoses to the responder group only, this report adds new information by generalizing the prevalence to a school-based cohort of children aged 6 to 8 years. These prevalence estimates are of importance with regard to the demand for care for child psychopathology. |
95019920 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-04-05T03:34:27.737Z | 2012-05-11T00:00:00.000Z | Screening of the effect of biocidal agents released from poly (acrylic acid) matrices on mould growth
Abstract Recently, surface treatment concepts with slow release encapsulated activates have shown to provide a potential approach for the control of biological surface contamination. These new protection concepts respond to the current regulations and demands set for the sustainable development. In this study, screening of the efficacy of biocidal agents – benzoic acid and sodium benzoate – embedded in poly(acrylic acid) matrices was carried out. The efficacy of the polymer systems on mould growth was tested with the blue stain fungus Aureobasidium pullulans and with the mould fungi Trichoderma harzianum and Aspergillus niger. In addition, release of the active agents at different pH was determined in aqueous media. The release tests in aqueous media showed that the release of the active agents is more pronounced at pH higher than 4. The efficacy of the polymer systems according to the present arrangements was dependent on the fungi and the release rate of the active agents from the matrix. |
153760370 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-05-15T14:34:29.405Z | 2013-10-11T00:00:00.000Z | Integration of conservation agriculture in smallholder farming systems of southern Africa: identification of key entry points
A component-omission experiment based on the principle of conservation agriculture (CA) was established on smallholder farms for three seasons in Murehwa and Hwedza districts, Zimbabwe; Barue district in Mozambique; Balaka district and Chitedze Research Station in Malawi, and Monze district in Zambia to identify strategies for improving crop productivity and livelihoods for smallholder farmers. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effect of tillage, residue retention, fertiliser application and weed control on maize yield. In addition, the study analysed possible combinations of these factors that could provide a sustainable entry point for intensification through CA. Results showed that fertilisation had the strongest effect on crop yield in both tillage systems; adequate fertilisation is therefore key to success in CA. Retention of crop harvest residues increased yield in no-tillage systems; no-tillage without residues depressed yield by 50% when compared with yields of conventional tillage. A step-wise integration of CA into the smallholder farming systems is proposed as a possible strategy to avoid new constraints on smallholder farms. If resources are limiting, farmers may apply all principles on small areas to overcome the initial demand in resources (labour, fertiliser and residues), and once productivity is raised, they can expand. |
166705270 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2014-10-01T00:00:00.000Z | 2002-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | Managing Knowledge and the Problem of Commitment
Recent times have witnessed a growing awareness that for an organization to successfully manage it’s knowledge base requires it to possess the commitment and loyalty of it’s workers (Storey & Quintas 2001). This has resulted from an acknowledgement that; much organizational knowledge is highly tacit and personal in nature (Baumard 1999); behavioural ‘problems’ (such as a reluctance to share knowledge – Storey & Barnett 2000) represents one of the main challenges in many knowledge management initiatives; and a growing recognition that there has been too much of an IS/IT emphasis in many knowledge management initiatives (Ruggles 1998). One of the main findings from a number of recent surveys on organizational commitment was how limited levels of commitment appeared to be (Gallie et al 1998, Scase 2001). Further, increasing levels of commitment may not be a simple or straightforward task, as the literature on high commitment HRM practices shows how difficult it is to achieve (Storey & Quintas 2001). Finally, Scarbrough (1999), in one of the few papers to link knowledge sharing and the management of knowledge workers with the issue of organizational commitment suggests that the difficulties of motivating knowledge workers to share their knowledge may be related to fundamental conflicts in the employment relationship. These low levels of commitment therefore represents a potentially significant barrier for organizations attempting to involve their staff in knowledge management initiatives. This paper addresses this issue by examining the contemporary literarature on organizational commitment, and linking it to the literature on the management of knowledge workers, and knowledge management more generally. This represents an important issue to examine, as while commitment has been identified as a key issue in the management of knowledge, there has been little by way of detailed analysis of the issue in much of the knowledge management literature. The paper also considers how contemporary changes to the character of work organizations and the nature of employment may be affecting organizational commitment. This suggests that the problem for any knowledge management initiative of low levels of commitment may be compounded by the fact that changes in work and employment – with the use of downsizing and delayering, the growth of flexible forms of employment and virtual forms of organization – may be reducing employment security, and having an adverse effect on levels of organizational commitment. For example, research into the effects of downsizing shows that survivors appear to exhibit substantially lower levels of trust, loyalty and commitment towards their organization (McGovern et al 1998, Sahdev et al 1999, Worral et al 2000). Organizational commitment therefore appears to be somewhat fragile and brittle. While it is a difficult, uncertain and time consuming process to build commitment, once achieved it can very easily be shattered and lost. Thus, paradoxically, just when it is being argued that knowledge represents the main source of competitive advantage for organizations, it appears that the evolution in organizational forms and structures may be making the management of knowledge more difficult to achieve. In conclusion, the paper will contribute to the literature on knowledge management through making use of the extensive literature on organizational commitment to achieve an improved understanding of the difficulties and problems involved in motivating workers to share their knowledge. |
148699620 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-05-11T13:06:59.715Z | 2018-03-26T00:00:00.000Z | Managing heritage language development: Opportunities and challenges for Chinese, Italian and Pakistani Urdu-speaking families in the UK
Abstract Drawing on theories of family language policy and literacy environment, this inquiry explores and describes how family language policy is managed through literacy resources and literacy related activities in transnational families in the UK. A total of 66 families, each with at least one child between the age of 2 and 8, participated in this study. All children spoke English alongside their heritage/home language (HL), either Chinese, Italian, or Urdu. Data sources include: (a) a questionnaire about the children’s general background and the parents’ socio-economic and cultural capital and language practice in English and HL; (b) literacy resources and activities in both HL and English; (c) interview with parents. The results of this study show some interesting differences among Italian, Urdu and Chinese speakers, not only in their family language practices, but also in their attitudes towards mother tongue literacy and application of literacy practices in the home language. Although parental language management efforts were motivated by their aspirations to enrich their children’s language repertoires, the different degrees of variation in family language input indicate that sociocultural and socio-political realities present difficulties and constraints that prevent families from developing literacy in the home language. |
17627370 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2015-12-31T08:38:17.981Z | 2002-11-07T00:00:00.000Z | Adaptive asymmetric diamond search algorithm for block-based motion estimation
We present an adaptive asymmetric diamond search (AADS) for block based motion estimation. The proposed method exploits an adaptive search pattern based on the predicted motion vector. In addition, the accuracy of the prediction is improved by changing the initial search center position. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can reduce the number of search points by up to about 50% compared to the regular diamond search while keeping the picture quality similar to other fast search algorithms. |
17385320 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-04-20T03:54:23.874Z | 2014-09-01T00:00:00.000Z | The Association of the Vanin-1 N131S Variant with Blood Pressure Is Mediated by Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation and Loss of Function
High blood pressure (BP) is the most common cardiovascular risk factor worldwide and a major contributor to heart disease and stroke. We previously discovered a BP-associated missense SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism)–rs2272996–in the gene encoding vanin-1, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored membrane pantetheinase. In the present study, we first replicated the association of rs2272996 and BP traits with a total sample size of nearly 30,000 individuals from the Continental Origins and Genetic Epidemiology Network (COGENT) of African Americans (P = 0.01). This association was further validated using patient plasma samples; we observed that the N131S mutation is associated with significantly lower plasma vanin-1 protein levels. We observed that the N131S vanin-1 is subjected to rapid endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) as the underlying mechanism for its reduction. Using HEK293 cells stably expressing vanin-1 variants, we showed that N131S vanin-1 was degraded significantly faster than wild type (WT) vanin-1. Consequently, there were only minimal quantities of variant vanin-1 present on the plasma membrane and greatly reduced pantetheinase activity. Application of MG-132, a proteasome inhibitor, resulted in accumulation of ubiquitinated variant protein. A further experiment demonstrated that atenolol and diltiazem, two current drugs for treating hypertension, reduce the vanin-1 protein level. Our study provides strong biological evidence for the association of the identified SNP with BP and suggests that vanin-1 misfolding and degradation are the underlying molecular mechanism. |
14409970 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-02-24T23:37:52.349Z | 2012-12-01T00:00:00.000Z | Virtual technology on CPSE-Bio
Explosive growth of biomedical data in various platforms presents a major challenge for bioinformatics research. To analyze the ever-increasing amount of data, it requires unprecedented storage resources and computing power. To maximize the limited resources for big data, we propose a model on Bioinformatics Problem Solving Environment based on Cloud Computing (CPSE-Bio). The proposed technique combines the Hadoop with virtualization technology, allowing each core on multicore computers to be virtualized as a computing node in the Hadoop cluster to take advantage of a common feature of modern processor with multicores. Adding virtualization creates more effective computing nodes in the cluster than the one without, and analysis and experiments demonstrate that our model enhances the resource utilization and computing efficiency in CPSE-Bio. |
153120 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T03:04:01.072Z | 2015-04-03T00:00:00.000Z | Prevalence and Occupational Impact of Arthritis in Saskatchewan Farmers
ABSTRACT Agricultural workers have physically demanding occupations. In this study of Saskatchewan farmers, the authors examined (1) self-reported prevalence of physician-diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis; and (2) the impact of these chronic arthridities on engagement in physical tasks related to farming. This study was conducted through a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Saskatchewan Farm Injury Cohort Study in which 2,473 adult residents upon 1,216 farms participated. Collected survey data included demographic and health information; regional musculoskeletal symptoms for each participant assessed via the Standard Nordic Questionnaire; and engagement in various specific physical tasks or activities associated with mixed farming practices. Of the 2,473 respondents, 13% reported chronic arthritic diagnoses (10% osteoarthritis, 4% rheumatoid arthritis, with 1% from each category overlapping with both forms of arthritis). Participants reporting arthritis were more likely to also report disabling musculoskeletal symptoms involving their shoulders, elbows, hands, lower back, hips, knees, and ankles. Farmers with arthritis reported less participation in all physical farming activities studied, including various machinery operations, herd maintenance and veterinary activities, overhead work, shoveling/pitchfork work, and lifting/carrying. When adjusted for age, gender, and comorbidities, operation of combines and shoveling/pitchfork work continued to be significantly less engaged in by farmers with arthritis. The overall prevalence of arthritis was consistent with general population prevalence, although the category of rheumatoid arthritis was overrepresented. Farmers with arthritis were significantly less likely to participate in combine operation and shoveling/pitchfork chores compared with their counterparts without arthritis. |
8503620 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T00:05:42.042Z | 1995-12-01T00:00:00.000Z | Risk factors associated with the recall of respiratory diseases in the Ecuadorian children.
Risk factors associated with the recall of a recent episode of acute respiratory infection (ARI) were evaluated in 1,553 Ecuadorian preschool children enrolled into a cross-sectional health and nutrition survey. In a univariate analysis, ARI recall was significantly higher in children living in low altitude regions (Relative Risk, RR = 2.4), in younger children (RR = 1.6), in children from larger families (RR = 1.3), in children with diarrhoea recall (RR = 1.9), in children served with poor quality drinking water (RR = 1.3) and in anaemic children (RR = 1.2) than that in the appropriate control groups. After taking into account the confounding effect of altitude, no association was found between ARI recall and low height-for-age values. Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified living in low altitude regions, diarrhoea recall, and younger age as independent factors associated with a higher recall of ARI. In contrast to the recall of acute diarrhoea, no association between ARI recall and nutritional status was found. The impact of nutritional interventions in children from developing countries may be greater on enteric than on respiratory diseases. |
199575170 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-08-15T13:11:35.505Z | 2014-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | The Effect of Parental Migration on the Educational Attainment of Their Left-Behind Children in Rural China
Abstract About 60 million children under the age of 18 are left behind by their parents in rural China. This paper studies the effect of migrant parents on the educational attainment of their left-behind children in rural China. A theoretical model of optimal schooling in the context of parental migration is proposed. Then, reduced-form equations are estimated using probit model, instrumental variables probit model, and linear instrumental variables model. Results show that parental migration has a negative effect on children’s school enrollment. This negative effect is significant and sizable on the school enrollment of boys, but insignificant on the school enrollment of girls. The most important source of this robust negative effect on boys is the absence of fathers. Results suggest that left-behind mothers or relatives cannot fulfill fathers’ role successfully in disciplining boys and help with their educational needs. |
44844170 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T05:54:28.462Z | 1977-03-01T00:00:00.000Z | [Ascorbic acid levels in the bronchopneumonia of calves].
The level of ascorbic acid in the blood plasma of 59 calves was determined. The age of the calves ranged between two and three months and the samples of blood were collected in January. The first group of calves included 30 animals displaying no clinical symptoms of disease: the average ascorbic acid level was 0.50 +/- 0.18 mg per 100 ml. In the second group, consisting of 19 calves, the blood of the animals was collected three weeks after the termination of the acute stage of bronchopneumonia; the average value of ascorbic acid was 0.30 +/- 0.14 mg per 100 ml. The lowest average value of ascorbic acid was obtained in the calves at an acute stage of bronchopneumonia, reaching 0.18 +/- 0.11 mg per 100 ml. The differences of results between groups I and II and between groups I and III were found to be statistically significant. A conspicuous drop of ascorbic acid level was ascertained in calves suffering from bronchopneumonia-this problem needs deeper scrutiny, owing to the fact that bronchopneumonia is responsible for considerable economic losses in large-capacity calf houses. |
49354970 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-07-03T21:17:20.395Z | 2018-01-29T00:00:00.000Z | FastSKAT: Sequence kernel association tests for very large sets of markers
The sequence kernel association test (SKAT) is widely used to test for associations between a phenotype and a set of genetic variants that are usually rare. Evaluating tail probabilities or quantiles of the null distribution for SKAT requires computing the eigenvalues of a matrix related to the genotype covariance between markers. Extracting the full set of eigenvalues of this matrix (an n×n matrix, for n subjects) has computational complexity proportional to n3. As SKAT is often used when n>104 , this step becomes a major bottleneck in its use in practice. We therefore propose fastSKAT, a new computationally inexpensive but accurate approximations to the tail probabilities, in which the k largest eigenvalues of a weighted genotype covariance matrix or the largest singular values of a weighted genotype matrix are extracted, and a single term based on the Satterthwaite approximation is used for the remaining eigenvalues. While the method is not particularly sensitive to the choice of k, we also describe how to choose its value, and show how fastSKAT can automatically alert users to the rare cases where the choice may affect results. As well as providing faster implementation of SKAT, the new method also enables entirely new applications of SKAT that were not possible before; we give examples grouping variants by topologically associating domains, and comparing chromosome‐wide association by class of histone marker. |
12100370 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T00:28:22.588Z | 2015-12-01T00:00:00.000Z | Puerarin decreases bone loss and collagen destruction in rats with ligature-induced periodontitis.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Puerarin, the most abundant isoflavonoid in kudzu root, shows various bioactivities, including bone-sparing, anti-inflammatory and antiproteinase properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of puerarin in a rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Rat models of periodontitis were developed by bilaterally placing ligatures around the first mandibular molars. Puerarin was administrated daily by gavage at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, starting a day before the placement of ligatures. Rats were humanely killed 7 d after the induction of periodontitis. Micro-computed tomography and sirius red staining were used to evaluate alveolar bone loss and collagen destruction, respectively. Histomorphometrical analysis was used to assess the inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunohistochemistry and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase were used to detect receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand and osteoprotegerin expressions, and osteoclast activity in the gingiva and alveolar bone. The activation of nuclear factor-kappa B, production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β, glycosylation of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer, and production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in the gingiva were assessed by Western blot.
RESULTS
Puerarin at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced the alveolar bone loss compared with the vehicle group. Collagen destruction and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly less in the puerarin-treated group (200 mg/kg) compared with that of the vehicle group. Puerarin (200 mg/kg) also reduced the ratio of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand/osteoprotegerin and osteoclast activity. Western blot analysis showed that puerarin (200 mg/kg) inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B p65, which is associated with lower IL-1β and TNF-α production, and reduced the glycosylation of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer, which is associated with lower levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9.
CONCLUSIONS
Puerarin reduced the alveolar bone loss and collagen destruction in rats with ligature-induced periodontitis by inhibiting the production of RANKL, IL-1β, TNF-α, MMP-2 and MMP-9. Thus, puerarin can be considered a promising agent for adjunctive therapy of periodontitis. |
39799920 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-04-03T04:40:08.896Z | 1988-02-01T00:00:00.000Z | Effects of age and training status on heart rate recovery after peak exercise.
Previous studies have shown that the kinetics of heart rate (HR) recovery are delayed in older individuals after exercise. This study was designed to determine whether this observation held when the variables of physical fitness and work intensity were controlled. Twenty male subjects were categorized into four groups (n = 5) according to age and fitness level (peak O2 consumption ml. kg-1.min-1): young trained (YT) 24 +/- 2 yr, 63 +/- 3 ml.kg-1. min-1; old trained (OT) 51 +/- 2 yr, 57 +/- 3 ml.kg-1.min-1; young untrained (YU) 25 +/- 3 yr, 44 +/- 2 ml.kg-1.min-1; old untrained (OU) 57 +/- 4 yr, 36 +/- 4 ml.kg-1.min-1. Bicycle ergometry exercise was performed in incremental stages to a maximally tolerated level of exertion, and HR was monitored continuously postexercise. Regression analysis of the fast (15-120 s) and initial slow (120-240 s) phases of recovery showed no effect of age on HR recovery when comparing YT vs. OT and YU vs. OU. Trained subjects, irrespective of age, demonstrated a significantly faster HR recovery than untrained subjects which was particularly marked during fast-phase recovery (P less than 0.005). These results indicate that the slower HR recovery previously reported in older subjects may be due to a failure to control for variables that influence recovery HR. |
15289020 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2015-07-20T22:48:03.000Z | 2008-06-04T00:00:00.000Z | Towards integrated powertrain control: exploiting synergy between a diesel hybrid and aftertreatment system in a distribution truck
With the increasing demands on driveability, fuel efficiency and emissions, it becomes essential to optimize the overall performance of future powertrains. Therefore, a system approach is required. In this study, the Integrated Powertrain Control concept is presented, which exploits the synergy between engine, driveline and aftertreatment system. To illustrate the benefits of this concept, the combination of a diesel engine, hybrid driveline and DPF system is studied for a distribution truck. Focus is on minimizing the required energy and components for DPF regeneration. For electric DPF heating, electric heating for DOC light off, and idle-stop cases, the impact on fuel consumption and on DPF temperature are determined during DPF regeneration. It is shown that the operating envelop of the DPF can be extended, even to idle. |
4238920 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-03-26T18:04:09.057Z | 2018-02-15T00:00:00.000Z | Nonrigid Image Registration for Low-Altitude SUAV Images With Large Viewpoint Changes
Low-altitude aerial photography using small unmanned aerial vehicles (SUAVs) with large viewpoint changes causes nonrigid distortions and low overlap ratios. We present a nonrigid feature-based low-altitude SUAV image-registration method. The key idea of our method is to maintain a high matching ratio on inliers while taking advantage of outliers for varying the warping grids. Thus, accurate image transformation over the overlapping areas as well as a good approximation of the real transformation over the nonoverlapping areas can be obtained. Experiments on feature matching and image registration are performed using 42 pairs of SUAV images. Our method exhibited a favorable performance as compared with four state-of-the-art methods, even with up to 80% outliers. |
211680520 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2020-03-02T14:33:22.106Z | 2019-07-01T00:00:00.000Z | Radio Source Localization Using Received Signal Strength in a Multipath Environment
We consider the problem of localizing a radio emitter in a wireless network using RSS measured by a set of known network nodes in a multipath environment. While the RSS of a wireless signal can be conveniently accessed, using it to estimate location is nontrivial in the presence of multipath. We propose a HMM model within a Bayesian learning framework for processing RSS data in the localization process to deal with RSS fluctuations induced by multipath interference. To address the uncertainty of emitter dynamics, a semi-Markov model is also adopted to model the duration time of the emitter sojourn in a state. We compare the performance of the HMM methods, HsMM methods and RSS fingerprinting methods via a real experiment of a two-region emitter localization problem and Monte Carlo simulations using ray-tracing software. |
6402320 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2015-07-13T20:20:30.000Z | 2006-09-30T00:00:00.000Z | Multi-Level and Secured Agent-Based Intrusion Detection System
Since Intrusion Detection System (IDS) has become necessary security tool for detecting attacks on computer network and resources, it is therefore essential to improve on previous designs. In past, many mobile agent-based IDSs have been designed, but there still exists some drawbacks. Some of these drawbacks are low detection efficiency, high false alarm rate and agent security. A multi-level and secured IDS architecture that is based on mobile agent is presented on this work to correct these drawbacks. Implementing the new design using JAVA shows a better performance over previous designs. |
205274120 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-11-03T18:25:43.514Z | 2015-06-22T00:00:00.000Z | Swimming muscles power suction feeding in largemouth bass
Significance Over one-half of all vertebrate species are ray-finned fishes. Across this extraordinary diversity, the most common feeding mode is suction feeding: rapid expansion of the mouth to suck in water and food. Here, we find that the power required for suction expansion is generated primarily by the axial swimming muscles. Rather than being restricted to the low power capacity of the small cranial muscles, suction-feeding fishes have co-opted the massive swimming muscles for this powerful feeding behavior. Therefore, the evolution of axial muscles in ray-finned fishes should now be considered in the context of feeding as well as locomotion, changing our perspective on musculoskeletal form and function in over 30,000 species. Most aquatic vertebrates use suction to capture food, relying on rapid expansion of the mouth cavity to accelerate water and food into the mouth. In ray-finned fishes, mouth expansion is both fast and forceful, and therefore requires considerable power. However, the cranial muscles of these fishes are relatively small and may not be able to produce enough power for suction expansion. The axial swimming muscles of these fishes also attach to the feeding apparatus and have the potential to generate mouth expansion. Because of their large size, these axial muscles could contribute substantial power to suction feeding. To determine whether suction feeding is powered primarily by axial muscles, we measured the power required for suction expansion in largemouth bass and compared it to the power capacities of the axial and cranial muscles. Using X-ray reconstruction of moving morphology (XROMM), we generated 3D animations of the mouth skeleton and created a dynamic digital endocast to measure the rate of mouth volume expansion. This time-resolved expansion rate was combined with intraoral pressure recordings to calculate the instantaneous power required for suction feeding. Peak expansion powers for all but the weakest strikes far exceeded the maximum power capacity of the cranial muscles. The axial muscles did not merely contribute but were the primary source of suction expansion power and generated up to 95% of peak expansion power. The recruitment of axial muscle power may have been crucial for the evolution of high-power suction feeding in ray-finned fishes. |
226692070 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2020-10-13T13:05:57.637Z | 2020-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | Prevention of COVID 19 by aromatic and medicinal plants: A systematic review
A coronavirus (covid-19) epidemic which started in Wuhan (China) spread fastly on several continents, turning into a pandemic then into a health crisis, disrupting the global balance This viral infectious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 strain, induces as most frequent symptoms: respiratory discomfort and acute respiratory distress syndrome leading to death In the absence of medicines or vaccines against this virus, aromatic and medicinal plants constitute an alternative to relieve the severe respiratory infections associated with the COVID 19 pandemic Hence, this study aims to enumerate and describe some efficient aromatic and medicinal plants that can be used against this virus Required studies on acute and chronic respiratory infections and effective medicinal and aromatic plants were searched in the most famous scientific databases;by using specific, well-targeted keywords The search was limited to publications in English and French Covid 19 is mainly due to acute and chronic respiratory infections by the new coronavirus strain;which could be alleviated by using the alternative of medicinal and aromatic plants in the absence of treatment and vaccine to prevent this pandemic This study enabled to identify the effectiveness of some plants such as Quinquina, Eucalyptus, Thyme, Artemisia etc Moreover, several components of these plants have shown wonderful results in the fight against this virus According to published research, it can be said that medicinal and aromatic plants can be effective in reducing and preventing the risk of contamination as well as in treating some Covid 19 symptoms |
57430470 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-01-23T16:43:17.730Z | 2016-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | Topicalisation and Left-Dislocation in European Portuguese
Topicalisation (TOP) and clitic left-dislocation (CLLD) are syntactic strategies in which some constituent occurs sentence-initially rather than in canonical position further to the right. European Portuguese is exceptional among Romance languages, as both TOP and CLLD can be used to place verbal arguments in clause-initial position. The two forms are superficially similar, but most modern syntactic theories see them as fundamentally different structures. In this thesis, two separate though related empirical studies investigate TOP and CLLD in European Portuguese on formal and functional grounds. First, a prosodic study focuses on acoustic analysis of recordings of a native speaker reading selected texts from a small corpus. A clear difference is shown between realisations of CLLD and realisations of TOP. In CLLD, initial constituents are realised as separate intonation phrases (IPs) and are marked with a nuclear contour followed by a pause or silent interval. The same nuclear contour is found in all but two cases: it is the L*+H H% ‘continuation’ tone, as it is called in the Portuguese ToBI framework of Frota et al. (2015). In TOP, no such intonational boundary separates initial constituents from the rest of the clause. This finding supports the view that left-dislocated constituents are base-generated at CP while TOP is a movement within the clause (an adjunct to TP). The results argues against the view (in Cinque 1977, Kayne 1994, Vallduvi 1995, etc.) that Romance CLLD is a movement within the clause. The functional study is inspired by Ellen Prince’s discourse-functional studies of English TOP and left-dislocation (Prince 1984, 1998). An innovation is a feature analysis testing TOP and CLLD sentences in European Portuguese for the features [±new], [±set], [±contrast], [±topic], [±focus] in the larger discourse context. The clearest finding is that TOP and CLLD share one function, that of “[marking] the entity represented by the NP as being either already evoked in the discourse or else in a salient set relation to something already evoked in or inferable from the discourse” (Prince 1984: 217). A second finding is that CLLD (only) has a lexico-semantic role associated with certain intransitive psych verbs, namely to give more salience to human experiencers occurring in indirect object position. Finally, the study finds that TOP is more likely to be contrastive and not to have topic-related functions at discourse level, while CLLD shows the opposite tendency: it is more likely to be topic-marking in its relation to the extrasential discourse, and non-contrastive. The discourse-functional view taken in this study highlights a tendency for multiple topics to interact, alternate and co-exist within and across sentences, so that readings of topic strictly at sentence level may be divergent from and even incompatible with extra-sentential topic readings. It is necessary to distinguish two or possibly three levels of topic. (Less) |
206874670 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-08-31T12:13:12.296Z | 2009-04-23T00:00:00.000Z | Mucosal immune responses to HIV-1 in elite controllers: a potential correlate of immune control.
There exists a unique group of persons who are able to durably control HIV in the absence of therapy. The mechanisms of control in these persons remain poorly defined. In this study, we examined CD8(+) T-cell responses in blood and rectal mucosa from 17 "elite controllers" (viral load < 75 copies/mL), 11 "viremic controllers" (75-2000 copies/mL), 14 noncontrollers (> 10,000 copies/mL), and 10 antiretroviral-treated persons (< 75 copies/mL). Production of interferon-gamma, interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta, and CD107a by CD8(+) T cells in response to HIV-1 Gag stimulation was measured using flow cytometry. Our hypothesis was that "polyfunctional" T cells producing multiple antiviral factors would be most abundant in mucosal tissues of HIV controllers. Mucosal CD8(+) T-cell responses were significantly stronger and more complex in controllers than in antiretroviral-suppressed persons (P = .0004). The frequency of 4-function responses in rectal mucosa was higher in controllers than in noncontrollers and patients on therapy (P < .0001). Mucosal responses in controllers were frequently stronger and more complex than blood responses. These findings demonstrate that many controllers mount strong, complex HIV-specific T-cell responses in rectal mucosa. These responses may play an important role in mucosal immune surveillance, as suggested by their relative enrichment among persons who control HIV in the absence of therapy. |
25924170 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-10-08T21:52:16.840Z | 2008-03-07T00:00:00.000Z | A Third Phytoene Synthase Is Devoted to Abiotic Stress-Induced Abscisic Acid Formation in Rice and Defines Functional Diversification of Phytoene Synthase Genes1[W]
We here report on the characterization of a novel third phytoene synthase gene (PSY) in rice (Oryza sativa), OsPSY3, and on the differences among all three PSY genes with respect to the tissue-specific expression and regulation upon various environmental stimuli. The two already known PSYs are under phytochrome control and involved in carotenoid biosynthesis in photosynthetically active tissues and exhibit different expression patterns during chloroplast development. In contrast, OsPSY3 transcript levels are not affected by light and show almost no tissue-specific differences. Rather, OsPSY3 transcripts are up-regulated during increased abscisic acid (ABA) formation upon salt treatment and drought, especially in roots. The simultaneous induction of genes encoding 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenases (NCEDs), involved in the initial steps of ABA biosynthesis, indicate that decreased xanthophyll levels are compensated by the induction of the third PSY gene. Furthermore, OsPSY3 and the OsNCEDs investigated were also induced by the application of ABA, indicating positive feedback regulation. The regulatory differences are mirrored by cis-acting elements in the corresponding promoter regions, with light-responsive elements for OsPSY1 and OsPSY2 and an ABA-response element as well as a coupling element for OsPSY3. The investigation of the gene structures and 5′ untranslated regions revealed that OsPSY1 represents a descendant of an ancient PSY gene present in the common ancestor of monocots and dicots. Since the genomic structures of OsPSY2 and OsPSY3 are comparable, we conclude that they originated from the most recent common ancestor, OsPSY1. |
57142920 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2018-12-31T14:11:18.868Z | 2016-06-01T00:00:00.000Z | PTH-137 An Impact Analysis: Expansion of the Gastroenterology Reach in Service to Acute Medicine
Introduction The gastroenterology team at Watford General Hospital provides a daily reach in service to the acute medical department every weekday morning. The role of these reviews is to expedite specialist input to patients acutely admitted to the hospital with the aim of improving clinical outcomes and time to discharge. A proposal has been suggested to provide an evening service in addition with a gastroenterology reach in at 5 pm on weekdays to provide a second round of reviews to patients who may have been identified as needing specialist input since the morning round. In order to provide such a service resources (Consultant or Specialist Registrar time) will need to be diverted from other pressured clinical work such as clinics or endoscopy. The aim of this report is assess the potential utility of providing such a service so as to better inform future decisions on the topic. Methods On behalf of the gastroenterology department the author has collected data on patients flagged as requiring gastroenterological input on 7 consecutive weekdays from the 07/12/2015 to 15/12/2015. The notes were briefly reviewed and an assessment was made on the basis of this as to the likelihood of the patient being immediately discharged following specialist input. Results There were no referrals for gastroenterology review on 3 of the 7 evenings assessed. The range of case numbers referred on other days was between 1 and 3. It was not felt that any of the patients would have had a same day discharge if gastroenterological review was provided due to a variety of factors such as frailty, pending radiological or serological testing or ongoing poorly controlled symptoms. The breakdown of patient demographics and presentations are summarised in the table below.Abstract PTH-137 Table 1 Date Age and Gender Presentation or Diagnosis Likelihood of same day discharge 08/12/2015 56 Female Suprapubic pain and UTI No 08/12/2015 20 Male Cyclical vomiting syndrome No 11/12/2015 80 Female Anorexia and weight loss No 14/12/2015 57 Female Diarrhoea and vomiting No 15/12/2015 50 Female Abdominal pain No 15/12/2015 61 Male Decompensated Cirrhosis No 15/12/2015 87 Female Sepsis and deranged LFTs No Conclusion Overall in the authors opinion following analysis of the collected data an evening review is unlikely to result in a significant increase same day discharges. The likely time and resource commitment is probably unlikely to result in significant improvement in clinical outcomes given the already intense input the gastroenterology department has every weekday morning with the reach in services to the acute medical unit as well as the liaison the gastroenterology registrars provide for urgent cases in the afternoon and the provision of specialist opinion at local tertiary hospitals via telephone out of hours. Disclosure of Interest None Declared |
8957020 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2014-10-01T00:00:00.000Z | 2006-04-01T00:00:00.000Z | The Egalitarian Face of Islamic Orthodoxy: Support for Islamic Law and Economic Justice in Seven Muslim-Majority Nations
The authors test two theories linking religion and economic beliefs in predominantly Muslim nations using data from national surveys of Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. Moral Cosmology theory posits that because the religiously orthodox are theologically communitarian in viewing individuals as subsumed by a larger community of believers subject to timeless laws and God's greater plan, they are disposed toward economic communitarianism, whereby the state should provide for the poor, reduce inequality, and meet community needs via economic intervention. Modernists are theologically individualistic in seeing individuals as having to make moral decisions in a temporal context and as responsible for their own destinies. As such, modernists are inclined to economic individualism, whereby the poor are responsible for their fates, wider income differences promote individual initiative, and government should not interfere in the economy. An alternate hypothesis, based on Islamic scripture's discussion of economic matters, limits the effect of orthodoxy versus modernism to the one clear economic directive of Islam: the state's responsibility to care for the poor. The authors find that Islamic orthodoxy—measured as the desire to implement Islamic law (the shari'a)—is associated with the broad economic communitarianism expected by Moral Cosmology theory. |
19018070 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2016-03-22T00:56:01.885Z | 2014-01-01T00:00:00.000Z | Phone Tag : Laser Tag for Mobile Devices
Mobile games now represent the largest sector of the game market when measured by revenue [1]. Ubiquitous smartphones with their wide range of integrated peripherals present designers with opportunities to use the devices in novel ways. Our goal was to build an Android app that turns a smartphone into the equipment to play a game similar to “laser tag”. A two-player game has been implemented as a demonstration. Android based mobile devices were selected due to the availability of advanced displays, cameras, network hardware and the accessibility of the software development environment. Algorithm selection was driven primarily by performance considerations. A fluid user experience was achieved without noticeable latency in game play or player feedback. Our work demonstrates that novel combinations of mobile device technology, computer vision, image processing, graphics, networking and myriad other capabilities can be realized while maintaining good performance in an application intended for entertainment. Keywords—laser tag; game; marker detection; object detection; OpenCV; Android; WifiP2P |
44390470 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-08-03T00:27:43.526Z | 2008-03-28T00:00:00.000Z | Palynological analysis of five selected Onosma taxa
Pollen size and exine structure of the following five Onosma L. species from Slovakia and Italy were studied by light and scanning electron microscopy: Onosma echioides, O. tornensis, O. visianii, O. arenaria, and O. pseudoarenaria. Among the taxa studied, O. echioides has the smallest pollen grains in average (10.5–17.5 × 8.0–14.5 µm), and O. pseudoarenaria the largest grains in average (15.3–20.5 × 12.3–16.3 µm). Pollen grains of all 5 species are small sized, 3-syncolporate, subprolate, heteropolar, with ovate equatorial outlines and circular to rounded triangular polar outlines; the tectum is microechinate. A positive correlation is found between pollen size and chromosome number. The value of pollen characters for taxonomic purposes and the position of the taxa studied within the genus Onosma are discussed. |
221939520 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2020-09-27T13:05:31.477Z | 2020-09-22T00:00:00.000Z | Generalized Wrinkling and Laxity of the Skin: Challenge.
CASE PRESENTATION A 61-year-old white man presented with a 4-month history of generalized wrinkling and laxity of the skin, most prominent in the antecubital fossa bilaterally. He reported a history of HIV controlled with elvitegravir/cobicistat/ emtricitabine/tenofovir (Genvoya, Gilead Sciences, Foster City, CA) for over 1 year. He began taking furosemide, sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland), carvedilol, and tamsulosin 6 months before. He denied recent infection and any personal or family history of cancer, autoimmune, or connective tissue disorders. Physical examination revealed well demarcated, symmetric telangiectatic patches and macular erythema on the bilateral temples and upper cheeks, and excess skin laxity and atrophy demonstrating hyperelasticity on the bilateral antecubital fossa (Figs. 1A, B), axillae, flanks, and hips. Punch biopsy of the right antecubital fossa (Fig. 1A) and the unaffected right upper arm was performed for comparison. Histopathology demonstrated significantly reduced elastic fibers in the papillary and mid-deep dermis with some areas showing shortened, fragmented, or complete lack of fibers when compared with the control specimen (Fig. 2B). |
250151320 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2022-07-01T15:02:58.288Z | 2022-06-28T00:00:00.000Z | Book Review: Undoing Coups. The African Union and Post-coup Intervention in Madagascar by Antonia Witt
The recent wave of military coups from Sudan to Guinea, and from Mali to Burkina Faso might have come as a surprise to many observers given the longstanding commitment of African regional organizations to a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ against unconstitutional changes of government. Deposed incumbents did not return to their presidential office in any of these cases, and while putschists faced sanctions by regional bodies, it seemed very difficult for either the African Union or ECOWAS to re-establish constitutional order. Reading Antonia Witt’s excellent monograph might help to better grasp why and how regional organizations struggle to enforce their unconstitutional change of government (UCG) rules. In these recent coups and the ensuing negotiations two aspects are particularly striking, which also feature prominently among Witt’s key arguments: While African regional organizations might have developed an impressive set of legal norms about when an unconstitutional change of government occurs, it is less clear what would qualify as a return to constitutional rule, and how to assess the messy politics of transitional governments and electoral engineering in this regard. Second, what is considered legitimate in the eyes of regional authority holders (say 6 months or 4 years of transition, the actual degree of inclusiveness of electoral processes) is not fixed in some legal protocol but results from negotiations between domestic and regional actors, and ‘the international’ thus becomes a constitutive part of re-creating political order within African countries. One of the many achievements of the book is to put emphasis on the fact that the international, or better transnational ordering mainly involves different African actors and organizations, and is not another instance of US–China rivalry or Bretton Woods conditionality. And indeed, moving beyond the practices in other parts of the world, African regional organizations have appropriated themselves the right to set standards of legitimate domestic political order within member states, and to take decisions, which do affect access to power, in Côte d’Ivoire, Mali or Madagascar. The book which is based on Antonia Witt’s PhD thesis both advances an innovative theoretical argument about how we should study post-coup regional interventions and |
24148600 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2017-03-30T12:52:39.932Z | 2017-01-14T00:00:00.000Z | Discussion of the Green Technology Innovation in View of the Ecological Governance-The Case Study on the New Energy Vehicle Technology
The Green Technology Innovation (GTI) is an effective way to deal with the problems of ecological environment. Taking the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) technology as an example, it has been explored that the roles of the government, enterprises, the public, universities and research institutions in the green technology innovation by use of big data. The results have shown that enterprise innovation capacity was improved increasingly due to large market green demand and more scientific research institutions participated in the green technology innovation research field because the policy support was enlarged constantly in recent years. However, there still are some problems and weaknesses to overcome. In order to protect ecological environment, it's important to optimize supporting policies and innovative modes of enterprises. Encouraging the whole society to take part in the green technology innovation and forming green consumption consciousness are needed. |
252027550 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2022-09-03T15:19:32.541Z | 2022-09-01T00:00:00.000Z | Effects of supplementary pollen on the life history traits of predatory mite Euseius nicholsi across generations
Pollen as one of the most important supplementary food benefits the generalist predators in many aspects. However, little is known about the performance of generalist predators with type IV lifestyle when they are reared continuously on prey supplemented with pollen for many generations. In this study, the life history traits of the predatory mites Euseius nicholsi (Ehara et Lee) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were compared when two prey species, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Eotetranychus kanktus Ehara (Acari: Tetranychidae) were offered with the presence/absence of camellia pollen. The results showed that the mixed diet of prey and pollen significantly improved the fitness of predatory mites. Predatory mites with pollen as supplementary food developed 1 day faster than their counterparts fed only with prey. They survived much longer and produced almost twice as many eggs as their counterparts. Nevertheless, these benefits were only evident in the first few generations and faded away from Generation 5. This study advanced our understanding by indicating that the beneficial effects of supplementary pollen decreased along with generations and clarifying that T. urticae was a more nutritious prey to E. nicholsi. |
251641850 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2022-08-18T15:06:15.613Z | 2022-08-13T00:00:00.000Z | Assessment of Glucocorticoid Removal by UVA/Chlorination and Ozonation: Performance Comparison in Kinetics, Degradation Pathway, and Toxicity
Glucocorticoids (GCs) have drawn great concern due to widespread contamination in the environment and application in treating COVID-19. This work aimed to compare the performance of UVA/chlorination and ozonation on GC removal in terms of removal efficiency, degradation pathway, and toxicity change, with fluocinolone acetonide (FA), triamcinolone acetonide (TA), and clobetasol propionate (CP) as target compounds. The results showed that both UVA/chlorination and ozonation could degrade GCs. Compared with UVA/chlorination (removal efficiency of 89% for FA, 86% for TA, and 90% for CP at 7 h), ozonation (removal efficiency of 90% for FA, 96% for TA, and 98% for CP at 15 min) was more effective in GC removal. Photodegradation contributed most to GC removal during UVA/chlorination, while O3 molecules were the main functional species during ozonation. H-abstraction, dechlorination, carbon–carbon bond cleavage, and ester hydrolysis were proposed for both UVA/chlorination and ozonation based on the identification of intermediates. However, ozone tended to attack C=C double bonds, resulting in the cracked benzene ring of GCs, while chlorine was more likely to attack alcohol and ketone groups. Although most GCs were removed during ozonation and UVA/chlorination, their acute toxicities slightly declined. Compared with UVA/chlorination, ozonation was more effective in toxicity reduction. |
146304950 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2019-05-07T14:20:50.427Z | 1986-03-01T00:00:00.000Z | Language and Translation: Translating and Interpreting as a Profession
Interlingual and intercultural communication in the form of oral and written translation is as old as mankind. Only in the past 40 years has it achieved recognition as a profession on an international scale: the Fédéeration Internationale dee Traduoteurs (FIT), which today embraces 49 national associations, was founded in 1953; the Association Internationale des Interprètes de Conférence (AIIC) came into being in the same year. Many countries began to offer both academic training and degrees to future professionals in the field; the Institute for Translator and Interpreter Training at the University of Vienna, for instance, celebrated its 40th anniversary a few years ago (cf., Festschrift 1983). |
247932050 | s2ag/train | v2 | 2022-04-04T15:05:06.374Z | 2022-04-01T00:00:00.000Z | Adaptation of of March-SS algorithm to word-oriented memory built-in self-test and repair
The technology shrinkage and the increased demand for high storage memory devices in today’s system on-chips (SoCs) has been the challenges to the designers not only in the design cycle but also to the test engineers in testing these memory devices against the permanent faults, intermittent and soft errors. Around 90% of the chip area in today’s SoCs is being occupied by the embedded memories, and the cost for testing these memory devices contributes a major factor in the overall cost and the time to market. This paperproposes a strategy to develop a word-oriented March SS algorithm-basedmemory built-in self-test (MBIST), which is then applied for memory built-in self-test and repair (MBISTR) strategy. The implementation details for 1 KB of single-port static random-access memory (SRAM) depict that the modified March-SS algorithm based MBISTR-enabled SRAM facilitates self-test and self-repair of embedded memories with a marginal hardware overhead (<1%) in terms of look up tables and slice registers when compared to that of standard SRAM. |