LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
An empirical note on economic freedom and income inequality

I report estimates for a fixed-effects model of country-level Gini coefficients as a function of economic freedom along with relevant control variables. Gini coefficients are drawn from the UNU/WIDER World Income Inequality Database Version 2.0a, while economic freedom is measured by the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of the World index. Controls are included for per capita income, political structure, education, demographics, and industrial composition. Over a broad range of freedom, the estimated relation between economic freedom and income inequality is positive, statistically significant, but relatively inelastic.
Preoperative antithrombin supplementation in cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES
Purified antithrombin supplementation in cardiac surgery has been suggested for the treatment of heparin resistance and the prevention of thromboembolic complications. This study is a randomized controlled trial of preoperative purified antithrombin supplementation, with the primary end point of avoiding low (<58%) postoperative antithrombin activity levels and secondary end points including avoidance of heparin resistance, clinical outcome, and safety end points.


METHODS
Two hundred patients were randomly allocated to the antithrombin group and the control group. Patients in the antithrombin group received a dose of purified antithrombin to reach an antithrombin activity value of 120%, whereas patients in the control group did not receive antithrombin.


RESULTS
The antithrombin activity values were significantly higher in the antithrombin group at all postoperative determinations until discharge. Antithrombin activity levels <58% at admission to the intensive care unit were found in 26.6% of patients in the control group versus none in the antithrombin group (P = .001). Heparin resistance rate was significantly (P = .001) higher in the control group (38.2%) versus the antithrombin group (17%). Patients in the antithrombin group had a significant but clinically irrelevant (8 mL/hour) higher postoperative bleeding, with no differences in transfusion rates. No differences were found for clinical outcomes, and no safety issues were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative antithrombin supplementation prevents heparin resistance and avoids excessive postoperative decrease of antithrombin activity.
A framework for feature extraction from hospital medical data with applications in risk prediction

Feature engineering is a time consuming component of predictive modeling. We propose a versatile platform to automatically extract features for risk prediction, based on a pre-defined and extensible entity schema. The extraction is independent of disease type or risk prediction task. We contrast auto-extracted features to baselines generated from the Elixhauser comorbidities. Hospital medical records was transformed to event sequences, to which filters were applied to extract feature sets capturing diversity in temporal scales and data types. The features were evaluated on a readmission prediction task, comparing with baseline feature sets generated from the Elixhauser comorbidities. The prediction model was through logistic regression with elastic net regularization. Predictions horizons of 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 months were considered for four diverse diseases: diabetes, COPD, mental disorders and pneumonia, with derivation and validation cohorts defined on non-overlapping data-collection periods. For unplanned readmissions, auto-extracted feature set using socio-demographic information and medical records, outperformed baselines derived from the socio-demographic information and Elixhauser comorbidities, over 20 settings (5 prediction horizons over 4 diseases). In particular over 30-day prediction, the AUCs are: COPD—baseline: 0.60 (95% CI: 0.57, 0.63), auto-extracted: 0.67 (0.64, 0.70); diabetes—baseline: 0.60 (0.58, 0.63), auto-extracted: 0.67 (0.64, 0.69); mental disorders—baseline: 0.57 (0.54, 0.60), auto-extracted: 0.69 (0.64,0.70); pneumonia—baseline: 0.61 (0.59, 0.63), auto-extracted: 0.70 (0.67, 0.72). The advantages of auto-extracted standard features from complex medical records, in a disease and task agnostic manner were demonstrated. Auto-extracted features have good predictive power over multiple time horizons. Such feature sets have potential to form the foundation of complex automated analytic tasks.
Bayesian learning theory applied to human cognition.

Probabilistic models based on Bayes' rule are an increasingly popular approach to understanding human cognition. Bayesian models allow immense representational latitude and complexity. Because they use normative Bayesian mathematics to process those representations, they define optimal performance on a given task. This article focuses on key mechanisms of Bayesian information processing, and provides numerous examples illustrating Bayesian approaches to the study of human cognition. We start by providing an overview of Bayesian modeling and Bayesian networks. We then describe three types of information processing operations-inference, parameter learning, and structure learning-in both Bayesian networks and human cognition. This is followed by a discussion of the important roles of prior knowledge and of active learning. We conclude by outlining some challenges for Bayesian models of human cognition that will need to be addressed by future research. WIREs Cogn Sci 2011 2 8-21 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.80 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
Daclizumab HYP versus Interferon Beta-1a in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND
Daclizumab high-yield process (HYP) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to CD25 (alpha subunit of the interleukin-2 receptor) and modulates interleukin-2 signaling. Abnormalities in interleukin-2 signaling have been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders.


METHODS
We conducted a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, phase 3 study involving 1841 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis to compare daclizumab HYP, administered subcutaneously at a dose of 150 mg every 4 weeks, with interferon beta-1a, administered intramuscularly at a dose of 30 μg once weekly, for up to 144 weeks. The primary end point was the annualized relapse rate.


RESULTS
The annualized relapse rate was lower with daclizumab HYP than with interferon beta-1a (0.22 vs. 0.39; 45% lower rate with daclizumab HYP; P<0.001). The number of new or newly enlarged hyperintense lesions on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over a period of 96 weeks was lower with daclizumab HYP than with interferon beta-1a (4.3 vs. 9.4; 54% lower number of lesions with daclizumab HYP; P<0.001). At week 144, the estimated incidence of disability progression confirmed at 12 weeks was 16% with daclizumab HYP and 20% with interferon beta-1a (P=0.16). Serious adverse events, excluding relapse of multiple sclerosis, were reported in 15% of the patients in the daclizumab HYP group and in 10% of those in the interferon beta-1a group. Infections were more common in the daclizumab HYP group than in the interferon beta-1a group (in 65% vs. 57% of the patients, including serious infection in 4% vs. 2%), as were cutaneous events such as rash or eczema (in 37% vs. 19%, including serious events in 2% vs. <1%) and elevations in liver aminotransferase levels that were more than 5 times the upper limit of the normal range (in 6% vs. 3%).


CONCLUSIONS
Among patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, daclizumab HYP showed efficacy superior to that of interferon beta-1a with regard to the annualized relapse rate and lesions, as assessed by means of MRI, but was not associated with a significantly lower risk of disability progression confirmed at 12 weeks. The rates of infection, rash, and abnormalities on liver-function testing were higher with daclizumab HYP than with interferon beta-1a. (Funded by Biogen and AbbVie Biotherapeutics; DECIDE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01064401.).
Improved adaptive Gaussian mixture model for background subtraction

Background subtraction is a common computer vision task. We analyze the usual pixel-level approach. We develop an efficient adaptive algorithm using Gaussian mixture probability density. Recursive equations are used to constantly update the parameters and but also to simultaneously select the appropriate number of components for each pixel.
Density versions of Schur's theorem for ideals generated by submeasures

We characterize ideals of subsets of natural numbers for which some versions of Schur's theorem hold. These are similar to generalizations shown by Bergelson (1986) in [1] and Frankl, Graham and Rodl (1990) in [7]. Additionally, we prove a generalization of an iterated version of Ramsey's theorem.
Evolving approach to aortic valve replacement in children and adolescents--a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND
Surgical treatment methods are still controversial in children with congenital or acquired aortic valve dysfunction.


AIM
To evaluate treatment results in children after mechanical or biological valve implantation.


METHODS
We analysed a group of 55 children after mechanical valve implantation (group A) and a group of 8 children after Freestyle biological valve implantation (group B). We evaluated in both groups: patient's age, type of valve dysfunctions, severity of heart failure symptoms, and quality of life. The parameters of physiological left ventricular (LV) remodelling were examined on the basis of echocardiographical signs of LV contractibility (%SF) and anatomical changes: LV diastolic diameter (LVDd), LV posterior wall thickness (LVPW), thickness of intra-ventricle septum (IVS) and pressure gradient between LV and aorta (LV-Ao).


RESULTS
There were no hospital deaths in either group. There were two late deaths in children from group A. Thromboembolic (2), nonspecific bleeding complications (2), and infections (2) occurred in group A. There were two re-operations in children after mechanical valve implantation. The early postoperative period was good in groups A and B. Furthermore, late postoperative period was good in group B. Physiological LV remodelling occurred in children in groups A and B. Quality of life was good in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Good clinical results, simplicity, repeatability and safety of surgical technique mean that mechanical valve implantation in the aortic position is still an attractive option for treatment in children and adults. However, absence of bleeding, thromboembolic and infection complications and improvement of durability mean that the Freestyle biological new generation valve could be a good option for future in children and adolescents who need aortic valve replacement.
Exhaustion is associated with reduced habituation of free cortisol responses to repeated acute psychosocial stress

We investigated the association between exhaustion and the habituation of free cortisol responses to repeated stress exposure. The study comprised 25 healthy male subjects (38-59 years) who were confronted three times with the Trier Social Stress Test. Mean cortisol responses showed the well-known general habituation effect. A two-way interaction day by exhaustion (p<0.05) indicated that mean cortisol responses vary across stress sessions depending on the extent of exhaustion. Linear regression revealed a negative dose-response relationship between exhaustion and the degree of habituation (p<0.02). We identified 19 individuals showing a response habituation (negative slope) and 6 individuals showing a response sensitization over the three sessions (positive slope) with the latter reporting higher exhaustion scores. It might be hypothesized that impaired habituation to repeated exposure to the same stressor could reflect a state of increased vulnerability for allostatic load. Absence of normal habituation might be one potential mechanism how exhaustion relates to increased disease vulnerability.
An adaptive empirical likelihood test for parametric time series regression models

A test for a parametric regression model against a sequence of local alternative is constructed based on an empirical likelihood test statistic that measures the goodness-of-fit between the parametric model and its nonparametric counterpart. To reduce the dependence of the test on a single smoothing bandwidth, the test is formulated by maximizing a standardized version of the empirical likelihood test statistic over a set of smoothing bandwidths. It is demonstrated that the proposed test is able to distinguish local alternatives from the null hypothesis at an optimal rate.
Prevalence and factors associated with sleep disturbances among early-treated HIV-infected persons.

BACKGROUND
Sleep disturbances are reportedly common among persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but recent data, including comparisons with HIV-uninfected persons, are limited.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional study among early-treated HIV-infected military beneficiaries (n = 193) to determine the prevalence and factors associated with insomnia (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]) and daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS]). Data were compared with HIV-uninfected persons (n = 50) matched by age, sex, race or ethnicity, and military rank.


RESULTS
Forty-six percent of HIV-infected persons had insomnia (PSQI >5), and 30% reported daytime drowsiness (ESS ≥10). The prevalence of insomnia and daytime sleepiness was not significantly higher compared with the HIV-uninfected group (38% [P = .30] and 20% [P = .18], respectively). In the multivariate model, factors associated with insomnia among HIV infected patients included depression (odds ratio [OR], 16.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-142.1; P = .01), increased waist size (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.4-5.1; P = .002), and fewer years of education (OR, 0.8; 95% CI, .7-.95; P = .006). Neurocognitive impairment (diagnosed in 19% of HIV-infected participants) was not associated with insomnia; however, HIV-infected persons with insomnia were 3.1-fold more likely to have a decline in activities of daily living than those without insomnia (23% vs 9%; P = .01). Only 18% of HIV-infected persons reported using a sleep medication at least weekly.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV-infected persons have a high prevalence of insomnia, but among an early-treated cohort this rate was not significantly higher compared with HIV-uninfected persons. Factors associated with insomnia among HIV-infected patients include depression and increased waist size. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of sleep disturbances are advocated and may improve quality of life.
VAMS 2017: Workshop on Value-Aware and Multistakeholder Recommendation

In this paper, we summarize VAMS 2017 - a workshop on value-aware and multistakeholder recommendation co-located with RecSys 2017. The workshop encouraged forward-thinking papers in this new area of recommender systems research and obtained a diverse set of responses ranging from application results to research overviews.
Visual evoked potentials after photostress in newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes patients

•Background: The study was performed in order to ascertain whether electrophysiological abnormalities in visual function exist in newly diagnosed diabetic patients. •Methods: Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were assessed under basal conditions and after photostress in normal control subjects and in newly diagnosed diabetic patients free of any fluorescein angiography signs of retinopathy. • Results: In basal conditions VEP P100 latency was significantly increased in the diabetic patients compared to controls (P<0.01), while N75-P100 amplitude was similar in both groups. After photostress N75-P100 amplitude (mean percentage decrement) was significantly higher in diabetic patients (P<0.01), while P100 latency (mean increment) and recovery time (time at which VEPs were superimposable on basal condition) were similar in the two groups. • Conclusions: The impaired basal VEPs suggest an early involvement of conduction in the optic nerve. In contrast, the preserved recovery time after photostress indicates that a short duration of disease does not induce physiopathological changes in macular function.
The K-factor : Individual differences in life history strategy

Until recently, variations in life history strategy were studied exclusively at the species level. Although this domain of study has been extended to examine systematic differences in life history strategy among various human ethnic groupings, more recent evolutionary theories of human development and related behavioral genetic work imply substantial within-group individual variation in life history strategy. We constructed a latent variable model identifying a single common factor, denoted as K, which underlies a variety of otherwise disparate life history parameters. This ‘‘K-Factor’’ loaded 0.36 on childhood attachment to the biological father, 0.36 on childhood attachment to any non-biological father figure, 0.38 on adult romantic partner attachment, 0.51 on mating effort, 0.58 on Machiavellianism, and 0.41 on risk propensity. The bivariate correlations of the K-factor with higher-order personality factors were statistically significant, 0.24 with ‘‘Big Neuroticism’’ and 0.67 with ‘‘Big Psychoticism’’, and approached significance, correlating 0.12, with ‘‘Big Extraversion’’. The K-factor appears to be an underappreciated individual difference variable of major importance to human development. 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Answering What-Is Questions by Virtual Annotation

We present the technique of Virtual Annotation as a specia lization of Predictive Annotation for answering definitional What is questions. These questions generally have the property that th e type of the answer is not given away by the question, which po ses problems for a system which has to select answer strings f rom suggested passages. Virtual Annotation uses a combination of knowledge-based techniques using an ontology, and statistical techniques using a large corpus to achieve high precision.
Trends in suicidal behaviour in Dutch general practice 1983–2013: a retrospective observational study

OBJECTIVES
To analyse trends in suicidal behaviour as reported by the Dutch sentinel general practices from 1983 to 2013. Second, to examine the relationship between suicidal behaviour and several patient characteristics. Finally, to compare the relationship between suicidal behaviour and patient characteristics before (1983-2007) and after (2008-2013) the start of the crisis.


SETTING
40 general practices in the Netherlands during the period 1983-2013.


PARTICIPANTS
Patients with an ICPC code of P77 (suicide attempt).


PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES
Primary outcomes were age-adjusted and gender-specific trends in reported suicides (342) and suicide attempts (1614). Secondary outcomes were the relationship between suicidal behaviour and age, household composition, history of depression, recognition of suicide ideation, treatment before the suicidal behaviour and contact within the past month before suicidal behaviour for the period 1983-2013. Additionally, separate frequencies for the periods 1983-2007 and 2008-2013 were presented.


RESULTS
Join-point analyses revealed a significant rise in male suicides from 2008 (b=0.32, SE=0.1, p=0.008), and an increase in male suicide attempts since 2009 (b=0.19, SE=0.04, p<0.001). Female suicidal behaviour showed a steady decrease from 1989 to 2013(b=-0.03, SE=0.007, p<0.0001 for female suicide, b=-0.02, SE=0.002, p<0.001 for female attempts). Before 2007, a history of depression was reported in 65% (168/257) of the suicides. After the start of the recession, a depression was recognised in 44% (22/50) of the patients who died by suicide.


CONCLUSIONS
Since 2008, there was a rise in the male suicide rate while female suicide behaviour has continued to decline. General practitioners less often reported a history of depression within patients who died due to suicide after 2007 than before. Training in the early recognition of suicide ideation in depressive patients might improve suicide prevention in primary care.
Nutrient content, uptake and quality of pearlmillet influenced by phosphorus and zinc fertilization (Pennisetum galaucum L.) under rainfed Condition

A field experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Farm of Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Banaras Hindu University, Barkachha, Mirzapur to study the effect of phosphorus and zinc application on nutrient content, uptake and quality of pearl millet. On the basis of experimental data significant improvements were recorded in nutrient (N, P K and Zn ) content, uptake and quality of pearl millet. Nutrient N, P and K content in grain and straw significantly increased from 1.56 to 2.02, 0.773 to 1.320, 1.10 to 1.97 % and 1.11 to 1.41, 0.23 to 0.50 and 0.68 to 1.20 %, respectively. The lowest N, P and K content in grain and straw was recorded in control. The maximum N, P and K content in grain (2.02, 1.320 and 1.97 %) and straw (1.11, 0.23 and 0.68 %) was recorded with application of 30 kg P ha-1 + 20 kg Zn ha-1. The similarly results were found in uptake of N, P and K by grain and straw in pearl millet. Zn content in grain and straw ranged between 23.43 to 52.32 and 24.88 to 58.46 ppm and the lowest value (23.43 and 24.88 ppm) was recorded in control. The highest Zn content in grain and straw was recorded in the treatment 10 kg P ha-1 + 30 kg Zn ha-1. Zn uptake in grain and straw varied between 374.92 to 937.90 and 810.86 to 2109.86 g ha-1, respectively. The maximum uptake of Zn in grain and straw was recorded in 10 kg P ha-1 + 30 kg Zn ha-1, which was increased by 60 and 62 % over control. The combined effect of phosphorus x zinc were found significant for N & K content and uptake by grain and straw and protein content in grain.
Mercury Capture and Fate Using Wet FGD at Coal-Fired Power Plants

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This paper provides an assessment of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory research and development efforts to optimize mercury capture in wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems and characterize the fate of mercury in the resultant by-products. Coal characteristics, combustion conditions, and air pollution control devices upstream of a power plant FGD system have an impact on the types and concentration of flue gas mercury at the FGD inlet. These factors can also affect the amount of mercury removed (co-removal) in the FGD system and the fate of mercury in FGD byproducts. This paper will help to explain the system performance of wet FGD and upstream processes for control of mercury on coal-fired power plants. The first portion of the paper provides background information on regulatory drivers, relative air pollution control technologies (including wet and dry FGD systems, selective catalytic reduction (SCR), activated carbon injection, and oxidation additives), current and projected FGD capacity, co-benefit mercury capture, and FGD by-product utilization and disposal. The second portion addresses the Innovations for Existing Plants program’s mercury and coal utilization by-products research areas and provides details on projects related to mercury capture and fate when using wet FGD systems at coal-fired power plants.