LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
An environmental-economic framework to support multi-objective policy-making

There is a growing awareness in present-day society of the potential of sustainable farming systems to enhance wildlife and the landscape and to decrease environmental harm caused by farming practices. EU commitment to integrate environmental considerations into agricultural political agenda has resulted in the adoption of environmental cross-compliance and agri-environment support schemes. Sustainability can only be achieved through multi-objective policy tools. Furthermore, more insight is needed into the environmental-economic tradeoffs of farming systems to direct policy interventions towards sustainable development of rural areas. The main objective of the present research is to provide an environmental-economic framework for the design and evaluation of agricultural policy schemes aimed at the operationalisation of sustainability in agricultural areas. The research involved designing and applying (1) an environmental accounting information system (EAIS), and (2) an integrated ecological-economic model to evaluate sustainability of farming systems. First, the EAIS together with a set of economic indicators was applied to three case study farms representing organic, integrated and conventional farming systems. Results showed that organic farming systems have the potential to improve the efficiency of many environmental indicators in addition to being remunerative. Environmental performances of all farming systems analysed were consistently affected by pedo-climatic factors on a regional as well as on a site scale. Subsequently, the EAIS indicators were integrated with farm records from one of the case studies and were used as a data source for the construction of an integrated ecological-economic model. The model was first used to evaluate the impact of current (Agenda 2000) and previous (MacSharry reform) agro-environment regimes on sustainability of organic farming systems. Then, the model was used to analyse the impact of Agenda 2000 common market organisation and agri-environment schemes on conventional and organic farming systems. Results indicated that the level of sustainability achieved with organic farming was satisfactory under both the MacSharry reform and the Agenda 2000 regulations. Optimising the model under different policy scenarios confirmed that organic farming systems are environmentally more beneficial than conventional farming systems. Combining the model with sensitivity and scenario analyses enabled an evaluation of the opportunity costs incurred by farmers to supply environmental amenities. Finally, the use of such information to back policy decisions is discussed.
In vitro prediction of stop-codon suppression by intravenous gentamicin in patients with cystic fibrosis: a pilot study

BACKGROUND
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, which acts as a chloride channel activated by cyclic AMP (cAMP). The most frequent mutation found in 70% of CF patients is F508del, while premature stop mutations are found in about 10% of patients. In vitro aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g. gentamicin) suppress nonsense mutations located in CFTR permitting translation to continue to the natural termination codon. Pharmacologic suppression of stop mutations within the CFTR may be of benefit to a significant number of patients. Our pilot study was conducted to determine whether intravenous gentamicin suppresses stop codons in CF patients and whether it has clinical benefits.


METHODS
A dual gene reporter system was used to determine the gentamicin-induced readthrough level of the most frequent stop mutations within the CFTR in the French population. We investigated readthrough efficiency in response to 10 mg/kg once-daily intravenous gentamicin perfusions in patients with and without stop mutations. Respiratory function, sweat chloride concentration, nasal potential difference (NPD) and CFTR expression in nasal epithelial cells were measured at baseline and after 15 days of treatment.


RESULTS
After in vitro gentamicin incubation, the readthrough efficiency for the Y122X mutation was at least five times higher than that for G542X, R1162X, and W1282X. In six of the nine patients with the Y122X mutation, CFTR immunodetection showed protein at the membrane of the nasal epithelial cells and the CFTR-dependent Cl- secretion in NPD measurements increased significantly. Respiratory status also improved in these patients, irrespective of the gentamicin sensitivity of the bacteria present in the sputum. Mean sweat chloride concentration decreased significantly and normalised in two patients. Clinical status, NPD and sweat Cl- values did not change in the Y122X patients with no protein expression, in patients with the other stop mutations investigated in vitro and those without stop mutations.


CONCLUSION
Suppression of stop mutations in the CFTR gene with parenteral gentamicin can be predicted in vitro and is associated with clinical benefit and significant modification of the CFTR-mediated Cl- transport in nasal and sweat gland epithelium.
The application of the matrix calculus to belief functions

Abstract The mathematics of belief functions can be handled with the use of the matrix notation. This representation helps greatly the user thanks to its notational simplicity and its efficiency for proving theorems. We show how to use them for several problems related to belief functions and the transferable belief model.
DNA sequence compression - Based on the normalized maximum likelihood model

Genomic data provide challenging problems that have been studied in a number of fields such as statistics, signal processing, information theory, and computer science. This article shows that the methodologies and tools that have been recently developed in these fields for modeling signals and processes appear to be most promising for genomic research
Effect of Bio Field Treatment on the Physical and Thermal Characteristics of Silicon, Tin and Lead Powders

Electrical currents along with associated magnetic fields that are complex and dynamic are present inside the bodies on many different scales most likely due to dynamical processes such as heart and brain function, blood and lymph flow, ion transport across cell membranes, and other biologic processes [1]. Bio field is a cumulative effect exerted by these fields of human body on the surroundings. Typically, it may act directly on molecular structures, changing the conformation of molecules in functionally significant ways as well as may transfer bioinformation through energy signals interacting directly with the energy fields of life. At the balanced intersection of human and machine adaptation is found the optimally functioning brain-computer interface (BCI) [2]. Experiments are reported of BCI controlling a robotic quad copter in three-dimensional (3D) physical space using non invasive scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) in human subjects.
Nutrition, Diet and Cancer

Of late, flavonoids, a class of polyphenolic compounds ubiquitously present in the human diet have gained increasing attention in cancer prevention. Defining the anti-cancer mechanisms of quercetin, a major dietary flavonoid has R.V. Priyadarsini • S. Nagini ( ) Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India e-mail: s nagini@yahoo.com; snlabau@gmail.com S. Shankar and R.K. Srivastava (eds.), Nutrition, Diet and Cancer, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-2923-0 1, © Springer ScienceCBusiness Media B.V. 2012 1 2 R.V. Priyadarsini and S. Nagini been the topic of intense research over the last two decades. Evidences from experimental studies have shown that quercetin not only offers protection against chemically induced cancers but also suppresses the growth of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo by enhancing carcinogen detoxification and antioxidant defences, inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, inhibiting matrix invasion and angiogenesis, and modulating intracellular signalling circuits. Epidemiological studies across different populations have also indicated that quercetin intake is associated with reduced risk of various cancers. This review summarizes the preclinical and clinical data on the anti-cancer effects of quercetin, the key molecular mechanisms of action, its synergistic interactions, and adverse side effects to warrant further clinical evaluation of quercetin for cancer prevention and therapy.
Natural language processing: an introduction

OBJECTIVES
To provide an overview and tutorial of natural language processing (NLP) and modern NLP-system design.


TARGET AUDIENCE
This tutorial targets the medical informatics generalist who has limited acquaintance with the principles behind NLP and/or limited knowledge of the current state of the art.


SCOPE
We describe the historical evolution of NLP, and summarize common NLP sub-problems in this extensive field. We then provide a synopsis of selected highlights of medical NLP efforts. After providing a brief description of common machine-learning approaches that are being used for diverse NLP sub-problems, we discuss how modern NLP architectures are designed, with a summary of the Apache Foundation's Unstructured Information Management Architecture. We finally consider possible future directions for NLP, and reflect on the possible impact of IBM Watson on the medical field.
Identification of Toxoplasma gondii cAMP Dependent Protein Kinase and Its Role in the Tachyzoite Growth

BACKGROUND
cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) has been implicated in the asexual stage of the Toxoplasma gondii life cycle through assaying the effect of a PKA-specific inhibitor on its growth rate. Since inhibition of the host cell PKA cannot be ruled out, a more precise evaluation of the role of PKA, as well as characterization of the kinase itself, is necessary.


METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDING
The inhibitory effects of two PKA inhibitors, H89, an ATP-competitive chemical inhibitor, and PKI, a substrate-competitive mammalian natural peptide inhibitor, were estimated. In the in vitro kinase assay, the inhibitory effect of PKI on a recombinant T. gondii PKA catalytic subunit (TgPKA-C) was weaker compared to that on mammalian PKA-C. In a tachyzoite growth assay, PKI had little effect on the growth of tachyzoites, whereas H89 strongly inhibited it. Moreover, T. gondii PKA regulatory subunit (TgPKA-R)-overexpressing tachyzoites showed a significant growth defect.


CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
Our data suggest that PKA plays an important role in the growth of tachyzoites, and the inhibitory effect of substrate-competitive inhibitor PKI on T. gondii PKA was low compared to that of the ATP competitive inhibitor H89.
Feasibility, safety and efficacy of an early aerobic rehabilitation program for patients after minor ischemic stroke: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE
To examine the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of an early aerobic rehabilitation program for patients after minor ischemic stroke.


DESIGN
Randomized control trial.


METHODS
Twenty-eight patients, 1-3 weeks post minor ischemic stroke (modified Rankin scale; mRS ≤ 2), were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. Measures were taken at weeks 1 and 6. All participants were instructed in home practice to achieve strength and flexibility, and were asked to continue their normal community routine. Intervention group participants performed a supervised exercise training program twice a week for 6 weeks. Exercise capacity was evaluated by the 6-minute walk distance test (6MWD), and the modified Bruce treadmill test.


RESULTS
Eight subjects out of 14 participated in all 12 training sessions, one at less than 50% of the sessions, while five reached the highest stage of the program. No adverse events were noted during the intervention period. In the intention to treat analysis a significant improvement over time was seen for the functional parameters only. No interaction (group*time) was found. According to the per protocol analysis a significant interaction effect was found; only the intervention group participants showed a significant clinical change in the 6MWD test (412 ± 178 meters to 472 ± 196 meters, vs the control group 459 ± 116 meters to 484 ± 122 meters, p< 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
An early supervised aerobic training after minor ischemic stroke is feasible and well tolerated and, in a per-protocol analysis, was associated with improved walking endurance. Further studies with a larger sample size are needed to assess the effect of such a program on functional abilities, prevention of risk factors, and recurrent stroke.
Factoring polynominals over algebraic number fields

We present a polynomial-time algorithm for the factorization of univariate polynomials over algebraic number fields. Our algorithm is a direct generalization of the polynomial-time algorithm for the factorization of univariate polynomials over the rationals [7].
US Consumers’ Understanding of Nutrition Labels in 2013: The Importance of Health Literacy

INTRODUCTION
We examined US adults' understanding of a Nutrition Facts panel (NFP), which requires health literacy (ie, prose, document, and quantitative literacy skills), and the association between label understanding and dietary behavior.


METHODS
Data were from the Health Information National Trends Survey, a nationally representative survey of health information seeking among US adults (N = 3,185) conducted from September 6, 2013, through December 30, 2013. Participants viewed an ice cream nutrition label and answered 4 questions that tested their ability to apply basic arithmetic and understanding of percentages to interpret the label. Participants reported their intake of sugar-sweetened soda, fruits, and vegetables. Regression analyses tested associations among label understanding, demographic characteristics, and self-reported dietary behaviors.


RESULTS
Approximately 24% of people could not determine the calorie content of the full ice-cream container, 21% could not estimate the number of servings equal to 60 g of carbohydrates, 42% could not estimate the effect on daily calorie intake of foregoing 1 serving, and 41% could not calculate the percentage daily value of calories in a single serving. Higher scores for label understanding were associated with consuming more vegetables and less sugar-sweetened soda, although only the association with soda consumption remained significant after adjusting for demographic factors.


CONCLUSION
Many consumers have difficulty interpreting nutrition labels, and label understanding correlates with self-reported dietary behaviors. The 2016 revised NFP labels may address some deficits in consumer understanding by eliminating the need to perform certain calculations (eg, total calories per package). However, some tasks still require the ability to perform calculations (eg, percentage daily value of calories). Schools have a role in teaching skills, such as mathematics, needed for nutrition label understanding.
Phase II multicenter trial of Caphosol for the reduction of mucositis in patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE
We conducted a phase II multicenter study evaluating Caphosol in patients receiving head and neck radiation (H/N RT) +/- chemotherapy or biologic sensitizer.


MATERIALS/METHODS
The primary endpoint of the study tested the rate of functional mucositis (WHO grade > or equal to 2) with the hypothesis that <75% of patients would develop > or equal to 2 mucositis with Caphosol compared with a historical rate of >90%. New methods were applied with higher than historic rigor. 5 Institutions were included in this study: Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC), MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), Duke University Cancer Center (DUCC), University of Florida (UF) and Temple University Cancer Center (TUCC). Caphosol was taken by patients at least 4 times a day and up to 10 times per day commencing with day 1 of RT and for a total duration of 8 weeks after completion of RT. Detailed questionnaires were completed weekly by patients and a unique algorithm was used to generate the WHO grade of mucositis.


RESULTS
98 Patients were enrolled in the study. 59/98 (60%) patients were evaluable for the primary endpoint giving us 80% power. All evaluable patients experienced WHO grade > or equal to 2 mucositis and the trial failed to reject the null hypothesis. > or equal to 2 mucositis rates at weeks 2, 4, 6, 11 and 15 were as follows: 45%, 90%, 98%, 71%, 50%.


CONCLUSION
We were unable to demonstrate that Caphosol significantly reduced WHO grade 2 or higher mucositis below a 90% historic rate. We are not surprised with this finding given our rigorous methodology in grading.
Web-Based Educational Information System for Enhanced Learning, EISEL: Student Assessment

Executive Summary During the last decade, Information Technology (IT) has been the primary force driving the transformation of roles in the education industry. More specifically, the World Wide Web (WWW) and associated technologies provided a new playground with new rules and tools to conduct instruction and create novel approaches to learning. We have seen the application of IT in education in the form of CD-ROMs. With the evolution of the WWW we saw education marketed as long distance learning, web based learner centered environments, internet based learning environments, and self instructed learning. With all the different models used on the web, few have studied their acceptance and their effectiveness on learning. Many educational institutions today have embarked in the development of web based courses. However, they face enormous difficulty in achieving successful strategies including the delivery, effectiveness, and acceptance of the courses. This is mainly due to the fact that the problem of developing a successful web based course involves multiple inter-related dimensions ranging from technology related issues to pedagogical considerations.
Reconciling Climate Change and Trade Policy

There is growing clamor in industrial countries for additional border taxes on imports from countries with lower carbon prices. A key factor affecting the impact of these taxes is whether they are based on the carbon content of imports or the carbon content in domestic production. Our quantitative estimates suggest that the former action when applied to all merchandise imports would address competitiveness and environmental concerns in high income countries but with serious consequences for trading partners. For example, China’s manufacturing exports would decline by one-fifth and those of all lowand middle-income countries by 8 percent; the corresponding declines in real income would be 3.7 percent and 2.4 percent. In contrast, border tax adjustment based on the carbon content in domestic production, especially if applied to both imports and exports, would broadly address the competitiveness concerns of producers in high income countries without seriously damaging developing-country trade. Therefore, as part of a comprehensive agreement on climate change, new WTO rules could be negotiated that would prohibit the extreme form of action while possibly allowing trade actions based on domestic carbon content as a safety valve. JEL Codes: F13, F18, H23, Q56
Knowing Mathematics for Teaching Who Knows Mathematics Well Enough To Teach Third Grade, and How Can We Decide?

W ith the release of every new international mathematics assessment, concern about U.S. students' mathematics achievement has grown. Each mediocre showing by American students makes it plain that the teaching and learning of mathematics needs improvement. Thus, the country, once more, has begun to turn its worried attention to mathematics education. Unfortunately, past reform movements have consisted more of effort than effect. We are not likely to succeed this time, either, without accounting for the disappointing outcomes of past efforts and examining the factors that contribute to success in other countries. Consider what research and experience consistently reveal: Although the typical methods of improving U.S. instructional quality have been to develop curriculum , and—especially in the last decade—to articulate standards for what students should learn, little improvement is possible without direct attention to the practice of teaching. Strong standards and quality curriculum are important. But no curriculum teaches itself, and standards do not operate independently of professionals' use of them. To implement standards and curriculum effectively, school systems depend upon the work of skilled teachers who understand the subject matter. How well teachers know mathematics is central to their capacity to use instructional materials wisely, to assess students' progress, and to make sound judgments about presentation, emphasis, and sequencing. That the quality of mathematics teaching depends on teachers' knowledge of the content should not be a surprise. Equally unsurprising is that many U.S. teachers lack sound mathematical understanding and skill. This is to be expected because most teachers—like most other adults in this country—are graduates of the very system that we seek to improve. Their own opportunities to learn mathematics have been uneven, and often inadequate, just like those of their non-teaching peers. Studies over the past 15 years consistently reveal that the mathematical knowledge of many teachers is dismayingly thin. 1 Invisible in this research , however, is the fact that the mathematical knowledge of most adult Americans is as weak, and often weaker. We are simply failing to reach reasonable standards of mathematical proficiency with most of our students, and those students become the next generation of adults, some of them teachers. This is a big problem, and a challenge to our desire to improve. (geometric methods in group theory), teacher education, and mathematical knowledge for teaching. 1 For example, Liping Ma's 1999 book, Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics, broadened interest in the question of how teachers need …
Prospective and longitudinal long-term employment outcomes after resective epilepsy surgery

OBJECTIVE
To investigate long-term employment outcomes after resective epilepsy surgery in a national population-based cohort of adults.


METHODS
In the Swedish National Epilepsy Surgery Register, all adults who were operated with resective epilepsy surgery from 1995 to 2010 were identified. Two-year follow-up was available for 473/496, 5-year follow-up for 220/240, 10-year follow-up for 240/278, and 15-year follow-up for 85/109 patients.


RESULTS
There were no significant changes in employment outcome over time at group level, but for those with full-time employment at baseline, 79%, 79%, 57%, and 47% of seizure-free patients were in full-time work at 2-, 5-, 10-, and 15-year follow-up, compared to patients with benefits at baseline, where 16%, 27%, 31%, and 33% of seizure-free patients worked full time at these time points (p = 0.018 at 10 years). More patients with full-time work had ability to drive, a family of their own, and higher educational status than patients in part-time work or on benefits. Univariate predictors for employment at long term were having employment preoperatively, higher education, favorable seizure outcome, male sex, and younger age at surgery. Multivariate predictors were having employment preoperatively, favorable seizure outcome, and younger age.


CONCLUSIONS
The best vocational outcomes occurred in seizure-free patients who were employed or students at baseline, which may reflect a higher general psychosocial level of function. Younger age also predicted better employment outcomes and it therefore seems plausible that early referral for surgery could contribute to better vocational outcomes.