LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Parental smoking in childhood and adult obstructive lung disease: results from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey.

BACKGROUND
Early exposure to parental smoking appears to influence the development of the airways and predispose to respiratory symptoms. A study was undertaken to determine whether the consequences of parental smoking could be traced in adulthood.


METHODS
Information from interviewer-led questionnaires was available for 18 922 subjects aged 20-44 years from random population samples in 37 areas participating in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey. Lung function data were available for 15,901 subjects.


RESULTS
In men, father's smoking in childhood was associated with more respiratory symptoms (ORwheeze 1.13 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.28); never smokers: ORwheeze 1.21 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.50)) and there was a dose-dependent association between number of parents smoking and wheeze (one: OR 1.08 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.24); both: OR 1.24 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.47); ptrend = 0.010). A reduced ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) was related to father's smoking (-0.3% (95% CI -0.6 to 0)) and number of parents smoking (ptrend <0.001) among men. In women, mother's smoking was associated with more respiratory symptoms and poorer lung function (ORwheeze 1.15 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.31), never smokers: ORwheeze 1.21 (95% CI 0.98-1.51); FEV1 -24 ml (95% CI -45 to -3); FEV1/FVC ratio -0.6% (95% CI -0.9 to -0.3)). These effects were possibly accounted for by maternal smoking in pregnancy (ORwheeze 1.39 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.65); FEV1 -23 ml (95% CI -52 to 7); FEV1/FVC ratio -0.9% (95% CI -1.3 to -0.4)) as there was no association with paternal smoking among women (interaction by sex, p<0.05). These results were homogeneous across centres.


CONCLUSION
Both intrauterine and environmental exposure to parental tobacco smoking was related to more respiratory symptoms and poorer lung function in adulthood in this multicultural study. The age window of particular vulnerability appeared to differ by sex, postnatal exposure being important only in men and a role for prenatal exposure being more evident in women.
Enhancing Teaching and Learning Through Educational Data Mining and Learning Analytics: An Issue Brief

The authors are grateful for the deliberations of our technical working group (TWG) of academic experts in educational data mining and learning analytics. These experts provided constructive guidance and comments for this issue brief. The TWG comprised Ryan S. In data mining and data analytics, tools and techniques once confined to research laboratories are being adopted by forward-looking industries to generate business intelligence for improving decision making. Higher education institutions are beginning to use analytics for improving the services they provide and for increasing student grades and retention. The U.S. Department of Education's National Education Technology Plan, as one part of its model for 21st-century learning powered by technology, envisions ways of using data from online learning systems to improve instruction. With analytics and data mining experiments in education starting to proliferate, sorting out fact from fiction and identifying research possibilities and practical applications are not easy. This issue brief is intended to help policymakers and administrators understand how analytics and data mining have been—and can be—applied for educational improvement. At present, educational data mining tends to focus on developing new tools for discovering patterns in data. These patterns are generally about the microconcepts involved in learning: one-digit multiplication, subtraction with carries, and so on. Learning analytics—at least as it is currently contrasted with data mining—focuses on applying tools and techniques at larger scales, such as in courses and at schools and postsecondary institutions. But both disciplines work with patterns and prediction: If we can discern the pattern in the data and make sense of what is happening, we can predict what should come next and take the appropriate action. Educational data mining and learning analytics are used to research and build models in several areas that can influence online learning systems. One area is user modeling, which encompasses what a learner knows, what a learner's behavior and motivation are, what the user experience is like, and how satisfied users are with online learning. At the simplest level, analytics can detect when a student in an online course is going astray and nudge him or her on to a course correction. At the most complex, they hold promise of detecting boredom from patterns of key clicks and redirecting the student's attention. Because these data are gathered in real time, there is a real possibility of continuous improvement via multiple feedback loops that operate at different time scales—immediate to the student …
Wireless sensor-based control of mobile robots motion

The paper deals with the wireless sensor-based remote control of mobile robots motion in an unknown environment with obstacles using the Bluetooth wireless transmission and Sun SPOT technology. The Sun SPOT is designed to be a flexible development platform, capable of hosting widely differing application modules. Web technologies are changing the education in robotics. A feature of remote control laboratories is that users can interact with real mobile robot motion processes through the Internet. Motion control of mobile robots is very important research field today, because mobile robots are a interesting subject both in scientific research and practical applications. In this paper the object of the remote control is the Boe-Bot mobile robot from Parallax. This Boe-Bot mobile robot is the simplest, low-cost platform and the most suitable for the small-sized, light, battery-driven autonomous vehicle. The vehicle has two driving wheels and the angular velocities of the two wheels are independently controlled. When the vehicle is moving towards the target in an unknown environment with obstacles, an avoiding strategy is necessary. A remote control program has been implemented.
PREVALENCE OF PATHOGENIC BACTERIA IN COMMON SALAD VEGETABLES OF DHAKA METROPOLIS

Microbial quality of common salad vegetables (viz. carrot, cucumber, tomato and lettuce) collected from Dhaka metropolis was analysed to detect the presence of bacterial pathogens. The occurrence of huge numbers of fecal coliforms (1.0×10 4.09×10 cfu/g), Escherichia coli (1.0×10 5.0×10 cfu/g), Staphylococcus aureus (2.0×10 5.95×10 cfu/g), and Listeria spp. (1.5×10 6.5×10 cfu/g) were detected in all the tested samples. Interestingly, occurrence of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) bacteria was also noticed. Introduction Vegetables serve a major part of our food supply. Raw vegetables harbor a number of pathogenic microorganisms, which may be dispersed over the plants or appear as microcolonies embedded in the plant tissues (Beuchat 2002). During harvesting and transportation, raw vegetables may be bruised resulting in the release of plant nutrients, and thereby, providing substrates for microorganisms present on the surface of the vegetables to grow. In addition, the processing of fresh salad vegetables may alter or increase the number and type of pathogens present on the surface of the product. With a view of such exposure to pathogens, vegetables have been associated with the outbreaks of food borne disease in many countries (Alice 1997). Food borne illnesses can be caused mainly by microorganisms and/or their toxins. Cultivation of vegetables may largely account for such pathogenic contamination. Manures used to promote the growth of crops and vegetables contain a large number of pathogenic microorganisms including Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Bacillus anthracis, Mycobacterium spp., Brucella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterolytica, Clostridium perfringens, Klebsiella spp. and M. paratuberculosis (Alice 1997). Therefore, a great risk towards public health is posed by the organic fertilizers applied in the fields. The major bacterial diseases shaded are the various enteric diseases, diarrhoea, anthrax, salmonellosis, listeriosis, Crohn’s disease, thrombocytopenic purpura, neurological disorders, arthritis, etc. (Cray and Moon 1995, Snowdon et al. 1989, Starutch 1991). Pathogens associated with untreated manure are assumed to enter into the food chain through crop. Thus, vegetables grown in such assistance of untreated fertilizers may play a significant role in showering pathogens to the consumers. Therefore, an attempt was taken to assess the bacteriological quality, particularly pathogenic bacteria of fresh salad vegetables collected from several retail shops in Dhaka city. Materials and Methods A total of four different samples of common salad vegetables collected from different local markets and super shops of Dhaka City were used for microbiological analysis (Table 1). All the samples were collected according to the method suggested by American Public Health Association *Author for correspondence: <noor.rashed@yahoo.com>
Clinical and radiological assessment of vertebral rotation in idiopathic scoliosis.

Background. Idiopathic scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine and the trunk. The principle clinical method of estimation of the rotational deformity in the transversal plane of the body is the measurement of the angle of trunk rotation with a scoliometer. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the angle of trunk rotation and the two radiological parameters: the Perdriolle angle of axial rotation and the Cobb angle of spinal curvature. Material and Methods. 50 children with single or double scoliosis (total of 65 curves) were examined clinically and radiologically. For each patient the angle of trunk rotation was measured with the Bunnell scoliometer, the Cobb angle and the Perdriolle angle were calculated at the a-p standing radiograph. Results. Strong positive linear correlation was found among the three parameters in thoracic curves. The correlation was less important in lumbar curves. Thoracic curves revealed superior values of the angle of trunk rotation and inferior values of the angle of Perdriolle than the lumbar curves matched for Cobb angle. Conclusions. Clinical measurement of the angle of trunk rotation with the use of a scoliometer can predict the value of the angle of the curve in thoracic scoliosis. This might replace a certain amount of radiological examination and reduce the patients' irradiation.
Xenakis: combining tangible interaction with probability-based musical composition

In this paper we present the table-based tangible interface application Xenakis which uses probability models in order to compose music in a way that can be strongly influenced by the user. Our musical sequencing application is based on a framework for tangible interfaces with an architecture that is strongly inspired by the model-view-controller pattern. In addition, we developed a hardware setup for tangible interfaces and used MatraX for tracking markers. The sequencer is the first implementation based on this framework. It allows users to create music simply by moving tangibles on the table. The graphics engine Horde3D is used to visualize the user-interaction and to show the relationships between the tangible objects on the table, creating an appealing audio-visual experience. An evaluation with 37 first time users was conducted in order to discover the strong and the weak points of such tangible user interfaces, especially in the context of our application.
Process Mining by Measuring Process Block Similarity

Mining, discovering, and integrating process-oriented services has attracted growing attention in the recent year. Workflow precedence graph and workflow block structures are two important factors for comparing and mining processes based on distance similarity measure. Some existing work has done on comparing workflow designs based on their precedence graphs. However, there lacks of standard distance metrics for comparing workflows that contain complex block structures such as parallel OR, parallel AND. In this paper we present a quantitative approach to modeling and capturing the similarity and dissimilarity between different workflow designs, focusing on similarity and dissimilarity between the block structures of different workflow designs. We derive the distance-based similarity measures by analyzing the workflow block structure of the participating workflow processes in four consecutive phases. We first convert each workflow dependency graph into a block tree by using our block detection algorithm. Second, we transform the block tree into a binary tree to provide a normalized reference structure for distance based similarity analysis. Third, we construct a binary branch vector by encoding the binary tree. Finally, we calculate the distance metric between two binary branch vectors. Our initial experience shows that this distance measure can be used as a quantitative and qualitative tool for understanding and detecting block structure similarity and dissimilarity between two workflow designs. It can be effectively combined with a workflow precedence based similarity analysis tool in process mining, process merging, and process clustering, and ultimately it can reduce or minimize the costs involved in design, analysis, and evolution of workflow systems.
Applied Stochastic Processes and Control for Jump-Diffusions

Negative numbered lines imply lines counted up from the bottom, designated as line -1. • Page 1, line -5: Replace “continuous-time stochastic processes” by “stochastic processes in continuous-time” • Page 12, line -5: Replace “is independent of t.” by “is independent of t with constant jump-rate λ.” • Page 190, line -6: Delete ”dps”. • Page 228, Eq. (8.35): Replace ”0.5|Fj,k+0.5|” by ”0.5|Fj,k+0.5|∆X”. • Page 290, Eq. (10.8), line -13: Insert “S(t)” before “∂ F ′′ ∂S so equation is dV ∗(t) = N∗ F ( dF − ∂F ∂S dS ) = N∗ F ( ∂F ∂t + 1 2 σS(t) ∂F ∂S2 ) dt
Finite element response sensitivity analysis of steel-concrete composite beams with deformable shear connection

The behavior of steel-concrete composite beams is strongly influenced by the type of shear connection between the steel beam and the concrete slab. For accurate analytical predictions, the structural model must account for the interlayer slip between these two components. In numerous engineering applications e.g., in the fields of structural optimization, structural reliability analysis, and finite element model updating , accurate response sensitivity calculations are needed as much as the corresponding response simulation results. This paper focuses on a procedure for response sensitivity analysis of steel-concrete composite structures using displacement-based locking-free frame elements including deformable shear connection with fiber discretization of the cross section. Realistic cyclic uniaxial constitutive laws are adopted for the steel and concrete materials as well as for the shear connection. The finite element response sensitivity analysis is performed according to the direct differentiation method. The concrete and shear connection material models as well as the static condensation procedure at the element level are extended for response sensitivity computations. Two steel-concrete composite structures for which experimental test results are available in the literature are used as realistic testbeds for response and response sensitivity analysis. These benchmark structures consist of a nonsymmetric, two-span continuous beam subjected to monotonic loading and a frame subassemblage under cyclic loading. The new analytical derivations for response sensitivity calculations and their computer implementation are validated through forward finite difference analysis based on the two benchmark examples considered. Selected sensitivity analysis results are shown for validation purposes and for quantifying the effect and relative importance of the various material parameters in regards to the nonlinear monotonic and cyclic response of the testbed structures. DOI: 10.1061/ ASCE 0733-9399 2005 131:11 1126 CE Database subject headings: Finite element method; Composite beams; Steel; Concrete; Connections; Sensitivity analysis.
Matching, Euler tours and the Chinese postman

The solution of the Chinese postman problem using matching theory is given. The convex hull of integer solutions is described as a linear programming polyhedron. This polyhedron is used to show that a good algorithm gives an optimum solution. The algorithm is a specialization of the more general b-matching blossom algorithm. Algorithms for finding Euler tours and related problems are also discussed.
A trial for the use of qigong in the treatment of pre and mild essential hypertension: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND
Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and the prevalence of hypertension tends to increase with age. Current treatments for hypertension have side effects and poor adherence. Qigong has been studied as an alternative therapy for hypertension; however, the types of qigong used in those studies were diverse, and there have not been many well-designed randomized controlled trials.Our objectives are the following: 1) To evaluate the effects of qigong on blood pressure, health status and hormone levels for pre- or mild hypertension. 2) To test the methodological appropriateness of this clinical trial and calculate a sample size for future randomized trials.


METHODS
Forty subjects with pre- or mild hypertension will be randomized to either the qigong exercise group or the non-treated group. Participants in the qigong group will conduct qigong exercises 5 times per week for 8 weeks, and participants in the non-treated group will maintain their current lifestyle, including diet and exercise. The use of antihypertensive medication is not permitted. The primary endpoint is a change in patient blood pressure. Secondary endpoints are patient health status (as measured by the SF-36 and the MYMOP2 questionnaires) and changes in hormone levels, including norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol.


DISCUSSION
This study will be the first randomized trial to investigate the effectiveness of qigong exercises for the treatment of pre- and mild hypertension. The results of this study will help to establish the optimal approach for the care of adults with pre- or mild hypertension.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinical Research Information Service KCT0000140.
Neonatal neurobehavior effects following buprenorphine versus methadone exposure.

AIM
To determine the effects of in utero exposure to methadone or buprenorphine on infant neurobehavior.


DESIGN
Three sites from the Maternal Opioid Treatment: Human Experimental Research (MOTHER) study, a double-blind, double-dummy, randomized clinical trial participated in this substudy.


SETTING
Medical Centers that provided comprehensive maternal care to opioid-dependent pregnant women in Baltimore, MD, Providence, RI and Vienna, Austria.


PARTICIPANTS
Thirty-nine full-term infants.


MEASUREMENTS
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) was administered to a subgroup of infants on postpartum days 3, 5, 7, 10, 14-15 and 28-30.


FINDINGS
While neurobehavior improved for both medication conditions over time, infants exposed in utero to buprenorphine exhibited fewer stress-abstinence signs (P < 0.001), were less excitable (P < 0.001) and less over-aroused (P < 0.01), exhibited less hypertonia (P < 0.007), had better self-regulation (P < 0.04) and required less handling (P < 0.001) to maintain a quiet alert state relative to in utero methadone-exposed infants. Infants who were older when they began morphine treatment for withdrawal had higher self-regulation scores (P < 0.01), and demonstrated the least amount of excitability (P < 0.02) and hypertonia (P < 0.02) on average. Quality of movement was correlated negatively with peak NAS score (P < 0.01), number of days treated with morphine for NAS (P < 0.01) and total amount of morphine received (P < 0.03). Excitability scores were related positively to total morphine dose (P < 0.03).


CONCLUSION
While neurobehavior improves during the first month of postnatal life for in utero agonist medication-exposed neonates, buprenorphine exposure results in superior neurobehavioral scores and less severe withdrawal than does methadone exposure.
How CMM Impacts Quality, Productivity, Rework, and the Bottom Line

G eneral Dynamics Decision Systems supplies communications and information technology for military and government customers and employs approximately 1,500 engineers that design and build a wide variety of government electronic systems. Approximately 360 engineers are directly involved in software development. The question of cost/benefit has come up frequently in organizations contemplating software process improvement (SPI) activities. This article will explore various cost/benefit issues and examine performance results of various General Dynamics Decision Systems' projects with relation to its software process maturity. It also discusses the implementation strategies put in place to achieve process improvement and other organizational goals; some " lessons learned " about process improvement are also presented. The Software Engineering Institute's (SEI) Capability Maturity Model ® (CMM ®) [1] plays a major role in defining SPI in many companies. The CMM consists of five levels of process maturity where each level has an associated set of key process areas (KPAs). At the initial Level 1 maturity, software projects rely on the skills and heroic efforts of individual engineers. There are no KPAs associated with Level 1. Firefighting is prevalent and projects tend to leap from one emergency to the next. CMM Level 2, the Repeatable maturity level, has six KPAs associated with it. These KPAs relate to requirements management, project planning, project tracking and oversight, subcontract management, quality assurance, and configuration management. Projects under a Level 2 organization are repeat-able and under basic management control. At the Defined Level 3 maturity level, the software development organization now defines common processes, develops training programs, focuses on intergroup coordination, and performs peer reviews. The result is the development of tailorable software processes and other organizational assets so that there is a certain level of consistency across projects. At the Managed Level 4 maturity level, the software development organization implements a quality and metric management program and monitors both project and organizational performance (i.e., establishes software process capability and variance measures using statistical process control charts). At the Optimizing Level 5 maturity level, quantitative data are used for process improvement and defect prevention. In addition, technology changes are introduced and evaluated in an organized, systematic process.
Linkage and Reactivation Along the Northern Hurricane and Sevier Faults, Southwestern Utah

Abstract This roadlog covers two days of field trips in the Colorado Plateau – Basin and Range Transition Zone and the High Plateaus of southwestern Utah. The focus of the trip is the structural development of and deformation along two long, geometrically segmented, young faults: the Hurricane fault (Day 1) and the Sevier fault (Day 2). The development of these faults encompasses interaction with structures of the mainly Mesozoic Sevier orogenic belt and linkage of individual relatively short normal faults to form long faults. Understanding the amounts and recency of slip along these faults requires an understanding of the Upper Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic stratigraphy. Many of these stratigraphic units will be seen during the course of the trip. In addition, past landslides and potential earthquake in the region will be observed and considered.