LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Life-Cycle Analysis of Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Anaerobic Biodegradation of Municipal Solid Waste

Energy requirements and greenhouse gas GHG emissions for current landfilling of municipal solid waste MSW was compared to potential biodegradation of MSW in anaerobic digesters AD throughout the United States. A hybrid life-cycle analysis was completed to assess the potential for anaerobic biodegradation of MSW to methane, a valuable energy source. Conversion of MSW to methane in AD would generate a form of renewable energy, reduce GHG emissions, and save landfill space for nonbiodegradable materials. Based on laboratoryand pilot-scale studies conducted in the United States, full-scale data from facilities in Europe, and economic input-output life-cycle analysis, the annual 127 million t of MSW landfilled in the United States could be biologically converted to 5.9 billion m3 of methane. Net methane production would have an estimated value of $1.5 billion/year when converted to an equivalent amount of electricity at an assumed value of $0.1/kWh. The 15 billion kWh/year of renewable energy released through the biodegradation process is estimated to satisfy the annual consumption of 1.3 million United States households. The analysis also suggests that diversion of MSW from landfills to AD systems would result in GHG emissions reductions of 146 million t CO2e per year, due to decreased landfill activity and use of biogenic methane instead of fossil fuel for electricity production. This represents a reduction in total emissions of 1.9% compared to U.S. GHG emissions in 2006. Nationwide AD systems are projected to reduce cumulative energy consumption by nearly 15 million TJ and reduce GHG emissions by 7.2 billion t CO2e, over a 50-year period. Logistics and capital costs of developing a nationwide reactor-based system for MSW management are considerable. Development of appropriate national policy and incentives would be needed to stimulate such a transition from the current landfill-based system that currently exists. It is estimated that a carbon emissions credit on the order of $30 to $60/t CO2e would facilitate break-even economics for nationwide implementation of AD systems. Alternatively, renewable energy credits would enhance the value of electricity produced from AD biogas. Carbon emissions taxes on landfills would further improve the economics of AD systems. DOI: 10.1061/ ASCE EE.1943-7870.0000098 CE Database subject headings: Biological processes; Municipal wastes; Solid wastes; Renewable energy; Emissions; Life cycles.
A continuous measure of fingertip friction during precision grip

When humans manipulate an object, the minimal grip force (GF) required to avoid slipping depends on the frictional properties between the fingers and the object. As a consequence, fingertip skin friction plays a critical role during object manipulation. Here, the effects of the normal force and moisture content on the skin's static coefficient of friction (CF) for human fingertips were studied. Ten subjects were asked to pinch an object with a given normal force. Slippage of the object on the fingertips was generated for different ranges of normal force using a linear translation stage. The exerted forces and moisture of the fingertips were then measured, and the static coefficient of friction was calculated as the ratio between the tangential force and normal force at slippage. These results demonstrate that the effects of the normal force and moisture content on the CF exhibit a complex interaction. For a given moisture condition, the CF varies as a power function of the normal force; in contrast, for a given normal force, the CF is described by a "bell-shaped" function of moisture. A global expression of the CF as a function of the normal force and moisture content is derived, and a method is proposed for a continuous measure of the CF. This new method shall be of particular interest in investigating dexterous manipulation.
Pleiotropic effects of angiotensin II receptor blocker in hypertensive patients.

OBJECTIVES
We investigated the vascular effects of candesartan in hypertensive patients.


BACKGROUND
The renin-angiotensin system may contribute to atherogenesis through the promotion of endothelial dysfunction. The plausible mechanisms are that angiotensin II promotes superoxide anion generation, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and impaired fibrinolysis. The effects of candesartan on these conditions have not been clearly observed.


METHODS
We administered placebo or candesartan 16 mg daily during two months to 45 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in design.


RESULTS
Candesartan did not significantly change lipoprotein levels. However, compared with placebo, candesartan significantly reduced plasma levels of malondialdehyde from 1.50 +/- 0.07 to 1.29 +/- 0.09 microM (p = 0.009); improved the percent flow-mediated dilator response to hyperemia from 5.17 +/- 0.24 to 6.22 +/- 0.26% (p < 0.001); and, furthermore, reduced plasma levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) from 213 +/- 8 to 190 +/- 7 pg/ml (p = 0.003), tumor necrosis factor-alpha from 2.93 to 2.22 pg/ml (p = 0.026), and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 from 74 +/- 4 to 53 +/- 4 ng/ml (p < 0.001) but not C-reactive protein (CRP), matrix metalloproteinase protein, and fibrinogen. There were no significant correlations between these changes and reduction of systolic blood pressure (BP) (-0.247 < or = r < or = 0.195) and between these changes and reduction of diastolic BP (-0.262 < or = r < or = 0.197). There were no significant correlations between markers of inflammation and flow-mediated dilation percent or reduction of oxidant stress (-0.119 < or = r < or = 0.127). Furthermore, we observed no significant correlations between CRP and MCP-1 levels (r = -0.162).


CONCLUSIONS
Inhibition of the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor in hypertensive patients reverses endothelial dysfunction, measured as an improvement in flow-mediated dilation and fibrinolysis and reduction of oxidant stress and inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that AT1 receptor blocker therapy has antiatherogenic effects.
Cardiac pacing for severe childhood neurally mediated syncope with reflex anoxic seizures.

OBJECTIVE
To determine whether permanent cardiac pacing could prevent syncope and seizures in children with frequent severe neurally mediated syncope, and if so whether dual chamber pacing was superior to single chamber ventricular pacing.


METHODS
Dual chamber pacemakers were implanted into 12 children (eight male, four female) aged 2-14 years (median 2.8 years) with frequent episodes of reflex anoxic seizures and a recorded prolonged asystole during an attack. The pacemaker was programmed to sensing only (ODO), single chamber ventricular pacing with hysteresis (VVI), and dual chamber pacing with rate drop response (DDD) for four month periods, with each patient allocated to one of the six possible sequences of these modes, according to chronological order of pacemaker implantation. The parent and patient were blinded to the pacemaker mode and asked to record all episodes of syncope or presyncope ("near miss" events). The doctor analysing the results was blinded to the patient and pacemaker mode.


RESULTS
One patient was withdrawn from the study after the pacemaker was removed because of infection. In the remaining children, both dual chamber and single chamber pacing significantly reduced the number of syncopal episodes compared with sensing only (p = 0.0078 for both). VVI was as effective as DDD for preventing syncope, but DDD was superior to VVI in reducing near miss events (p = 0.016).


CONCLUSIONS
Permanent pacing is an effective treatment for children with severe neurally mediated syncope and reflex anoxic seizures. VVI is as effective as DDD in preventing syncope and seizures, but DDD is superior in preventing overall symptoms.
Efficacy of 800 nm Diode Laser to Treat Trichostasis Spinulosa in Asian Patients

Context
Trichostasis spinulosa (TS) is a common but underdiagnosed follicular disorder involving retention of successive telogen hair in the hair follicle. Laser hair removal is a newer treatment modality for TS with promising results.


Aims
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of 800 nm diode laser to treat TS in Asian patients.


Subjects and Methods
We treated 50 Indian subjects (Fitzpatrick skin phototype IV-V) with untreated trichostasis spinulosa on the nose with 800 nm diode laser at fluence ranging from 22 to 30 J/cm2 and pulse width of 30 ms. The patients were given two sittings at 8 week intervals. The evaluation was done by blinded assessment of photographs by independent dermatologists.


Results
Totally 45 (90%) patients had complete clearance of the lesions at the end of treatment. Five (10%) subjects needed one-third sitting for complete clearance. 45 patients had complete resolution and no recurrence even at 2 years follow-up visit. 5 patients had partial recurrence after 8-9 months and needed an extra laser session.


Conclusions
Laser hair reduction in patients with TS targets and removes the hair follicles which are responsible for the plugged appearance. Due to permanent ablation of the hair bulb and bulge, the recurrence which is often seen with other modalities of treatment for TS is not observed here.
Intensities, preferences, and electoral politics

Abstract In several papers on electoral behavior authors have come to the conclusion that the mid-point of the distribution of preferences on each issue is dominant political strategy. These papers also claim that under certain conditions and assumptions a median-like strategy maximizes a society's well-being. This paper presents an alternative model and set of assumptions which contradicts the conclusions about the power and importance of the median. The alternative model is then used to make some observations about electoral behavior and the performance of various political institutions.
Network performance evaluation of Internet Protocols IPv4 and IPv6 on operating systems

Over the last decade, many fundamental changes have occurred in data communications and network infrastructure that will be shaping the future of information technology for years to come. This global network infrastructure, the Internet, is now at the core of communications for worldwide economy and individuals. Internet Protocol (IP) v4 is the standard for the design and interconnection of networks today; however it has limitations that hinder its growth. IPv6 is the solution and it has two-fold advantage - it addresses inherent problems in the earlier version protocol, and it offers new opportunities that can enhance communication experiences of users beyond current scope. However, due to the increased overhead in IPv6 and its interaction with the operating system that hosts this communication protocol, there may be network performance issues. In this paper, six operating systems namely, Windows and Linux distributions are configured with the two versions of IP and empirically evaluated for performance difference. Performance related metrics like throughput, delay, jitter and CPU usage are measured on a test-bed implementation. The results show that network performance depends not only on IP version and traffic type, but also on the choice of the operating system.
To err is human. Building a safer health system

1 National Observatory on Health in the Italian Regions, Università Cattolica, Roma, Italy Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute-Sezione Igiene e Medicina Preventiva, Università di Genova Correspondence to: Cinzia Marano, National Observatory on Health in the Italian Regions, Istituto di Igiene, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo F. Vito,1, 00186 Roma, Italy. E-mail: c.marano@rm.unicatt.it
Nonlinear Imputation of PaO2/FIO2 From SpO2/FIO2 Among Mechanically Ventilated Patients in the ICU: A Prospective, Observational Study.

OBJECTIVES
In the contemporary ICU, mechanically ventilated patients may not have arterial blood gas measurements available at relevant timepoints. Severity criteria often depend on arterial blood gas results. Retrospective studies suggest that nonlinear imputation of PaO2/FIO2 from SpO2/FIO2 is accurate, but this has not been established prospectively among mechanically ventilated ICU patients. The objective was to validate the superiority of nonlinear imputation of PaO2/FIO2 among mechanically ventilated patients and understand what factors influence the accuracy of imputation.


DESIGN
Simultaneous SpO2, oximeter characteristics, receipt of vasopressors, and skin pigmentation were recorded at the time of a clinical arterial blood gas. Acute respiratory distress syndrome criteria were recorded. For each imputation method, we calculated both imputation error and the area under the curve for patients meeting criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 300) and moderate-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 150).


SETTING
Nine hospitals within the Prevention and Early Treatment of Acute Lung Injury network.


PATIENTS
We prospectively enrolled 703 mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the emergency departments or ICUs of participating study hospitals.


INTERVENTIONS
None.


MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
We studied 1,034 arterial blood gases from 703 patients; 650 arterial blood gases were associated with SpO2 less than or equal to 96%. Nonlinear imputation had consistently lower error than other techniques. Among all patients, nonlinear had a lower error (p < 0.001) and higher (p < 0.001) area under the curve (0.87; 95% CI, 0.85-0.90) for PaO2/FIO2 less than or equal to 300 than linear/log-linear (0.80; 95% CI, 0.76-0.83) imputation. All imputation methods better identified moderate-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 150); nonlinear imputation remained superior (p < 0.001). For PaO2/FIO2 less than or equal to 150, the sensitivity and specificity for nonlinear imputation were 0.87 (95% CI, 0.83-0.90) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.88-0.93), respectively. Skin pigmentation and receipt of vasopressors were not associated with imputation accuracy.


CONCLUSIONS
In mechanically ventilated patients, nonlinear imputation of PaO2/FIO2 from SpO2/FIO2 seems accurate, especially for moderate-severe hypoxemia. Linear and log-linear imputations cannot be recommended.
Proximal Femur Geometry To Detect and Distinguish Femoral Neck Fractures from Trochanteric Fractures in Postmenopausal Women

Some proximal femur geometry (PFG) parameters, measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), have been reported to discriminate subjects with hip fracture. Relatively few studies have tested their ability to discriminate femoral neck fractures from those of the trochanter. To this end we performed a cross-sectional study in a population of 547 menopausal women over 69 years of age with femoral neck fractures (n= 88), trochanteric fractures (n= 93) or controls (n= 366). Hip axis length (HAL), neck–shaft angle (NSA), femoral neck diameter (FND) and femoral shaft diameter (FSD) were measured by DXA, as well as the bone mineral density (BMD) of the nonfractured hip at the femoral neck, trochanter and Ward’s triangle. In fractured subjects, BMD was lower at each measurement site. HAL was longer and NSA wider in those with femoral neck fractures. With logistic regression the age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for a 1 standard deviation (SD) decrease in BMD was significantly associated at each measurement site with femoral neck fracture (femoral neck BMD: OR 1.9, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.4–2.5; trochanter BMD: OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.0; Ward’s triangle BMD: OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3–2.2) and trochanteric fracture (femoral neck BMD: OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.9–3.6; trochanter BMD: OR 3.0, 95% CI 2.2–4.1; Ward’s triangle BMD: OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4–2.3). Age-adjusted OR for 1 SD increases in NSA (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.7–2.8) and HAL (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.6) was significantly associated with the fracture risk only for femoral neck fracture. In the best predictive model the strongest predictors were site-matched BMD for both fracture types and NSA for neck fracture. Trochanteric BMD had the greatest area (0.78, standard error (SE) 0.02) under the receiver operating characteristic curve in trochanteric fractures, whereas for NSA (0.72, SE 0.03) this area was greatest in femoral neck fractures. These results confirm the association of BMD with proximal femur fracture and support the evidence that PFG plays a significant role only in neck fracture prediction, since NSA is the best predictive parameter among those tested.
The influences of electronic word-of-mouth message appeal and message source credibility on brand attitude

Purpose – Based on message source theory, the purpose of this paper is to use positive electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) settings to examine the influence of message source credibility on brand attitude (brand trust, brand affection, and purchase intention). The current study also uses the elaboration likelihood model to examine the moderating effect of product involvement on the relationships between message appeals (rational vs emotional) and brand attitude, as well as between message source credibility and brand attitude. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected via internet questionnaires. Based on the internet investigation and pretest, this study chose the stimuli for research products, virtual brands, eWOM, and message source credibility. Via a 2 (notebooks vs shampoo) *2 (appeal: rational vs emotional) experimental design, 211 effective samples were collected to verify the hypotheses of this study. Findings – The results, for both notebooks and shampoo, are: the positive eWOM message with higher message source credibility indicates a better brand attitude than the eWOM message with lower message source credibility, and this effect is not moderated by the degree of product involvement, indicating its robustness. Second, with a high degree of product involvement, the rational appeal indicates a better brand attitude than the emotional appeal; no significant difference is found when product involvement drops to a low level. Originality/value – Previous research investigating the moderating effect of involvement on the effects of message-appeal types and the message source credibility of eWOM is rare. The main contribution of this study is to fill this gap.
The use of weekly text messaging over 6 months was a feasible method for monitoring the clinical course of low back pain in patients seeking chiropractic care.

OBJECTIVE
This study critically evaluates a new method of collecting frequent data using mobile phones and text messages. Fluctuating conditions such as low back pain (LBP) need frequent monitoring to describe the clinical course in detail and to account for individual and subgroup variations.


STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING
In this multicentre prospective observational study, 262 subjects with nonspecific LBP were followed with weekly text messages for 6 months, with the question "How many days this previous week has your low back pain been bothersome?" The text replies were instantly recorded in a data file to be merged with baseline and follow up data (age, gender, pain intensity, duration, and self- rated health) collected through ordinary questionnaires. The response rate, user-friendliness, and compliance of this method were evaluated.


RESULTS
The mean response rate for the text messages throughout the study was 82.5% and was unaffected by season. The method was found to be user friendly. Dropout was not affected by age and gender, but compliance was possibly somewhat affected by outcome.


CONCLUSION
Weekly text messages are a useful method of data collection to examine the clinical course of LBP in the primary care sector.
Video analysis of human dynamics - a survey

Video analysis of human dynamics is an important area of research devoted to detecting people and understanding their dynamic physical behavior in a complex environment that can be used for biometric applications. This paper provides a detailed survey of the various studies in areas related to the tracking of people and body parts such as face, hands, fingers, legs, etc., and modeling behavior using motion analysis.
Epidemiology of muscle injuries in professional football (soccer).

BACKGROUND
Muscle injuries constitute a large percentage of all injuries in football.


PURPOSE
To investigate the incidence and nature of muscle injuries in male professional footballers.


STUDY DESIGN
Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.


METHODS
Fifty-one football teams, comprising 2299 players, were followed prospectively during the years 2001 to 2009. Team medical staff recorded individual player exposure and time-loss injuries. The first-team squads of 24 clubs selected by the Union of European Football Associations as belonging to the best European teams, 15 teams of the Swedish First League, and another 15 European teams playing their home matches on artificial turf pitches were included. A muscle injury was defined as "a traumatic distraction or overuse injury to the muscle leading to a player being unable to fully participate in training or match play."


RESULTS
In total, 2908 muscle injuries were registered. On average, a player sustained 0.6 muscle injuries per season. A squad of 25 players can thus expect about 15 muscle injuries per season. Muscle injuries constituted 31% of all injuries and caused 27% of the total injury absence. Ninety-two percent of all muscle injuries affected the 4 major muscle groups of the lower limbs: hamstrings (37%), adductors (23%), quadriceps (19%), and calf muscles (13%). Sixteen percent of the muscle injuries were reinjuries. These reinjuries caused significantly longer absences than did index injuries. The incidence of muscle injury increased with age. When separated into different muscle groups, however, an increased incidence with age was found only for calf muscle injuries and not for hamstring, quadriceps, or hip/groin strains.


CONCLUSION
Muscle injuries are a substantial problem for players and their clubs. They constitute almost one third of all time-loss injuries in men's professional football, and 92% of all injuries affect the 4 big muscle groups in the lower limbs.
Mental toughness and hardiness at different levels of rugby league

The increasingly business-like environment of professional sport has resulted in greater scrutiny andanalysis of players performance.The roles of physiological parameters in predicting success in theworld of professional and amateur sport are well established. However, to date, evidence is sparse concerning the role of personality traits in predicting such success. The present study examined the potency of measures of personality style and mental skills in predicting success in the criterion sport of professional rugby league. Mental toughness was assessed by questionnaire using the Psychological Performance Inventory. Hardiness was assessed by questionnaire using the Personal Views Survey III-R. Subjects in this study were 115 professional rugby league footballers representing the top three playing levels in the game in Great Britain (International, Super League, and Division One). Findings demonstrated that performers playing at the highest standard (International players) scored significantly higher in all three hardiness subscales (commitment, control and challenge) and in two of the seven mental toughness subscales (negative energy control and attention control). Results are discussed relative to previous findings, in particular, of the efficacy of high levels of hardiness. Practical implications focus on the advocacy of mental toughness and hardiness training to improve sports performance. 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
OXIDE CERAMICS IN METAL CUTTING APPLICATIONS

The chemical, mechanical, and thermal environment which exists at the cutting edge of an oxide tool in contact with a metal is summarized. Constitution and microstructure of the tool are related to its interactions with this dynamic environment. Performance tests, analyses, and scanning electron microscopic studies are presented, including examinations of wear mechanisms operative on tool surfaces.