LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Bracketing effects in categorized survey questions and the measurement of economic quantities

Abstract: In households surveys, quantities of interest are frequently elicited using categorized (range-card) formats rather than open-ended questions. One advantage of this format is that it typically reduces item non-response. Unfortunately, results from research in social psychology suggest that the choice of bracket values in range-card questions is likely to influence responses. Not much is known about the influence of bracketing effects on the measurement of economic quantities and regression analysis. Based on data from controlled survey experiments, this paper shows that bracketing effects exist in interval data obtained from household surveys and that they are of significant size. I also discuss strategies for limiting bracketing effects in range-card questions and for developing valid econometric models for biased interval data.
Efficacy of High Intensity Exercise on Disease Activity and Cardiovascular Risk in Active Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

BACKGROUND
Physical therapy is recommended for the management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and flexibility exercises have traditionally been the main focus. Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are considered as a major health concern in axSpA and there is strong evidence that endurance and strength exercise protects against CV diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of high intensity endurance and strength exercise on disease activity and CV health in patients with active axSpA.


METHODS
In a single blinded randomized controlled pilot study the exercise group (EG) performed 12 weeks of endurance and strength exercise while the control group (CG) received treatment as usual. The primary outcome was the Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Disease Activity Score (ASDAS). Secondary outcomes included patient reported disease activity (Bath AS Disease Activity Index [BASDAI]), physical function (Bath AS Functional Index [BASFI]), and CV risk factors measured by arterial stiffness (Augmentation Index [Alx]) and Pulse Wave Velocity [PWV]), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 peak) and body composition. ANCOVA on the post intervention values with baseline values as covariates was used to assess group differences, and Mann Whitney U-test was used for outcomes with skewed residuals.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight patients were included and 24 (EG, n = 10, CG, n = 14) completed the study. A mean treatment effect of -0.7 (95%CI: -1.4, 0.1) was seen in ASDAS score. Treatment effects were also observed in secondary outcomes (mean group difference [95%CI]): BASDAI: -2.0 (-3.6, -0.4), BASFI: -1.4 (-2.6, -0.3), arterial stiffness (estimated median group differences [95% CI]): AIx (%): -5.3 (-11.0, -0.5), and for PVW (m/s): -0.3 (-0.7, 0.0), VO2 peak (ml/kg/min) (mean group difference [95%CI]: 3.7 (2.1, 5.2) and trunk fat (%): -1.8 (-3.0, -0.6). No adverse events occurred.


CONCLUSION
High intensity exercise improved disease activity and reduced CV risk factors in patients with active axSpA. These effects will be further explored in a larger trial.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01436942.
A 20nm 112Mb SRAM in High-к metal-gate with assist circuitry for low-leakage and low-VMIN applications

A 20nm high-κ metal-gate planar CMOS technology is optimized and developed for SoC platform applications that span a wide range of power and performance. This technology is based on a 20nm SoC process featuring high-κ metal gate and strain techniques for core logic transistors with low-power/high-performance and I/O transistors. A high-density and a high-performance embedded memory bit cell each has an area <;0.1μm2. This technology is targeted to high-density low-cost low-power high-performance applications, such as mobile applications with video. Increased threshold-voltage variation of scaled transistors reduces the static noise margin (SNM) and write margin (WM) of the SRAM bit cell. The effect is more predominant for the high-density SRAMs due to small device sizes and large memory capacity requirement for modern SoC design. Therefore, chip performance and minimum operating voltage (VDDmin) are both degraded by the embedded SRAM. Reducing the pass-gate strength or BL capacitance with slow WL rise are effective techniques to improve the SRAM cell stability [1,2]. Underdriving the pass-gate reduces the bit-cell read current but also reduces WM, resulting in SRAM performance degradation. Physically shortening the BL limits the SRAM array configuration. Lowering the SRAM cell power supply improves the WM [3,4], but is less effective than the negative-bitline-based write-assist technique. Compared to conventional techniques, this work presents a partially suppressed wordline (PSWL) scheme for read assist and a bitline-length-tracked negative-bitline-boosting (BT-NBL) scheme for write assist without significantly degrading SRAM performance. With the read/write assist circuitry, the overall VDDmin improvement is over 200mV in a 112Mb SRAM test-chip.
Low cost multisite testing of quadruple band GSM transceivers

Multisite low cost production testing of quadruple band GSM/GPRS RF transceivers was designed for a low cost mixed signal tester with new RF sources, frequency mixing circuits, combiners, splitters, and switches. Special design considerations for the device under test load board have reduced cross talk between parallel sites and signal layout traces. Final production testing on dual sites have shown that a low cost test solution as implemented has higher throughput and better capabilities in several of the key tests on the device specification for GSM/GPRS transceivers, such as the Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulated spectrum mask test, Synthesizer frequency lock time and transmitter frequency settle time tests, as well as receive channel noise figure tests
Knowledge exchange using Web 2.0 technologies in NGOs

Purpose: Members’ knowledge is the most important resource in NGOs and it is important to stimulate it’s exchange. Knowledge that is needed to act in complex situations is hard to exchange, but Web 2.0 technologies provide a toolbox to develop a knowledge management strategy. The paper aims to specify optimal conditions and necessary measures that NGOs should take in order to successfully use Web 2.0 technologies for knowledge exchange. Design/methodology/approach: NGOs and Web 2.0 technologies have specific characteristics in common. It is suggested that these characteristics require certain prerequisites in order to make the use of Web 2.0 technologies successful. Using an iterative and participative design method, a case study is presented that investigated prior boundary conditions and implemented a Web 2.0 based platform as knowledge management strategy in a large NGO. Findings: NGOs and Web 2.0 are based on strong voluntariness, they are democratic, contribution and personality are strongly tied to each other, and education is rarely formal. Therefore, there is a strong need for contact between members, internal motivation and organizational identification, for quality criteria, for protected spaces and patternstructures, if Web 2.0 technologies shall lead to successful knowledge management. The case study demonstrates that considering these circumstances enabled the successful implementation in a large NGO. Practical implications: The current research helps NGOs to successfully implement Web 2.0 technologies as a means to support knowledge management. A figure with the crucial questions and the means that have to be taken in dependence of the answers is provided. Originality: NGOs do not have the same means to develop formal management strategies as other organizations. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the circumstances that enable knowledge exchange with Web 2.0 technologies is needed. The current research provides information about optimal circumstances and about possibilities how to improve less promising circumstances.
A Framework for Detection of Video Spam on YouTube

YouTube is one of the largest video sharing websites (with social networking features) on the Internet. The immense popularity of YouTube, anonymity and low publication barrier has resulted in several forms of misuse and video pollution such as uploading of malicious, copyright violated and spam video or content. It has been observed that the presence of opportunistic users post unrelated, promotional, pornographic videos (spam videos posted manually or using automated scripts). A method of mining YouTube to classify a video as spam or legitimate based on video attributes has been presented. The empirical analysis reveals that certain linguistic features (presence of certain terms in the title or description of the YouTube video), temporal features, popularity based features, time based features can be used to predict the video type. We identify features with discriminatory powers and use it to recognize video response spam. Keywords— video spam; spam detection; YouTube; TubeKit
Epidemiology of pediatric burn injuries in Istanbul, Turkey.

BACKGROUND
Many burns that occur in the first two decades of life are accidental and preventable. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic features, mortality, and other factors associated with pediatric burns in Istanbul, Turkey.


METHODS
Our retrospective study included 375 hospitalized pediatric patients (225 male, 150 female; mean age 4.07±3.79; range 0.2 to 16 years) aged 16 years or less admitted between January 2005 and January 2009. Each child's medical record was reviewed and demographic features, mechanism of burn, place of residence, total body surface area (TBSA), surgical treatment, duration of hospital stay and mortality rates were analyzed.


RESULTS
Scalding was the predominant cause among all pediatric age groups. There were no differences between the age groups with respect to mean TBSA. Length of hospital stay in infants and toddler age group was significantly lower than in other age groups (p<0.005). Sixteen (4.3%) patients died during the study period. Mortality rates associated with scalding, flame and electrical burns were 3.1%, 13.9% and 10%, respectively. Electrical burns and flame resulted in significantly higher mortality rates than scalding (p<0.05).


CONCLUSION
Scalding was found to be the most important cause of burns and flame-related mechanisms resulted in the highest mortality rate among children. Only a specific preventive program for changing the traditional habits of Turkish parents would reduce burn injuries among children.
U.S. Teenage Pregnancies, Births and Abortions, 2008: National Trends by Age, Race and Ethnicity

Introduction This report contains the most current national estimates of teenage pregnancy, birth and abortion statistics available. It comprises tables containing annual national rates and numbers through 2008 and a discussion of the methodology and sources used to obtain the estimates. Pregnancy rates include births, abortions and miscarriages; the pregnancy rate is not synonymous with the birthrate. Trends in rates of births, abortions and pregnancies can move in different directions and may be affected by different social and economic factors. Previous versions of this report included data at both the national and state levels. In order to release information more quickly, we have included only national-level data in this report. A state-level report will follow when data are available. National levels and trends • In 2008, nearly 750,000 women younger than 20 became pregnant: Some 733,000 pregnancies were among teenagers (women aged 15–19), and 13,500 were among those aged 14 and younger. • The pregnancy rate among teenagers was 67.8 pregnancies per 1,000 women aged 15–19; this means that about 7% became pregnant. • In 2008, the U.S. teenage pregnancy rate reached its lowest point in more than 30 years (67.8), down 42% from its peak in 1990 (116.9). Among women younger than 15, the pregnancy rate fell even more in that period (62%), from 17.5 to 6.6 per 1,000. • The pregnancy rate among sexually experienced teenagers (those who had ever had intercourse) was 158.5 pregnancies per 1,000 women aged 15–19, reflecting the fact that the overall teenage pregnancy rate includes a substantial proportion of young people who have never had sex. The pregnancy rate among sexually experienced teenagers has fallen 29% since 1990, when it was 223.1. • The 2008 teenage abortion rate was 17.8 abortions per 1,000 women. This figure is the lowest since abortion was legalized and 59% lower than its peak in 1988 (43.5). • The long-term decline in teenage birth and abortion rates were interrupted by increases in 2006. By 2008, the declines had resumed. • From 1986 to 2008, the proportion of teenage pregnancies ending in abortion (i.e., the abortion ratio) declined by one-third, from 46% to 31%. 3 National levels by race and ethnicity • Among non-Hispanic white teenagers, the pregnancy rate has declined 50% since 1990 (from 86.6 per 1,000 to 43.3). • The pregnancy rate among black women aged 15–19 fell 48% between 1990 and 2008 (from 223.8 per 1,000 …
Melt Pool Characterization for Selective Laser Melting of Ti-6 Al-4 V Pre-alloyed Powder

Parameter optimization for metal powders in Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is usually carried out by experimental investigations of the influence of significant parameters (such as laser power, scan speed, hatch spacing, layer thickness, scan pattern, etc.) on microstructure and/or mechanical properties. This type of experimental optimization is extremely timeand costconsuming. In order to accelerate the optimization process, a study was undertaken to develop a method for rapid optimization of parameters based on melt pool characterizations. These characterizations began with investigations of SLM single bead experiments. Pre-alloyed Ti-6Al4V powder was used for single bead fabrication with multiple laser power and scan speed combinations. Surface morphology and dimensions of single beads were characterized. Geometrical features of melt pools were measured after polishing and etching of the cross section of each single bead. It was found that melt pool characteristics provide significant information that is helpful for process parameters selection. These experiments are being extended to characterize test pads with multiple layers.
Validating prediction scales of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Spain: the SPREDIA-2 population-based prospective cohort study protocol

INTRODUCTION
The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing worldwide. When diagnosed, many patients already have organ damage or advance subclinical atherosclerosis. An early diagnosis could allow the implementation of lifestyle changes and treatment options aimed at delaying the progression of the disease and to avoid cardiovascular complications. Different scores for identifying undiagnosed diabetes have been reported, however, their performance in populations of southern Europe has not been sufficiently evaluated. The main objectives of our study are: to evaluate the screening performance and cut-off points of the main scores that identify the risk of undiagnosed T2DM and prediabetes in a Spanish population, and to develop and validate our own predictive models of undiagnosed T2DM (screening model), and future T2DM (prediction risk model) after 5-year follow-up. As a secondary objective, we will evaluate the atherosclerotic burden of the population with undiagnosed T2DM.


METHODS AND ANALYSIS
Population-based prospective cohort study with baseline screening, to evaluate the performance of the FINDRISC, DANISH, DESIR, ARIC and QDScore, against the gold standard tests: Fasting plasma glucose, oral glucose tolerance and/or HbA1c. The sample size will include 1352 participants between the ages of 45 and 74 years.


ANALYSIS
sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, likelihood ratio positive, likelihood ratio negative and receiver operating characteristic curves and area under curve. Binary logistic regression for the first 700 individuals (derivation) and last 652 (validation) will be performed. All analyses will be calculated with their 95% CI; statistical significance will be p<0.05.


ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
The study protocol has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Carlos III Hospital (Madrid). The score performance and predictive model will be presented in medical conferences, workshops, seminars and round table discussions. Furthermore, the predictive model will be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal to further increase the exposure of the scores.
Neem cake: chemical composition and larvicidal activity on Asian tiger mosquito

New pesticides based on natural products are urgently needed, in consideration of their environmental care and lower collateral effects. Neem oil, the main product obtained from Azadiractha indica A. Juss, commonly known as neem tree, is mainly used in medical devices, cosmetics and soaps, as well as important insecticide. Manufacturing of neem oil first includes the collection of the neem seeds as raw material used for the extraction. Neem cake is the waste by-product remaining after extraction processes. The quality of the oil, as that of the cake, strictly depends from the quality of seeds as well as from the type of extraction processes used, which strongly influences the chemical composition of the product. Currently, the different types of commercial neem cake on the market are roughly identified as oiled and deoiled cake, but several other differences can be detected. The differences are relevant and must be determined, to obtain the necessary correlation between chemical constitution and larvicidal activities. Six different batches of neem cake, marketed by several Indian and European companies, were analyzed by HPLC and HPTLC, and their fingerprints compared, obtaining information about the different compositions, focusing in particular on nortriterpenes, considered as the main active components of neem oil. Therefore, the chemical composition of each cake was connected with the biological activitiy, i.e., the effects of the extracts of the six neem cakes were tested on eggs and larvae of Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia albopicta) (Diptera: Culicidae), commonly known as Asian tiger mosquito. The results confirmed the previously reported larvicide effects of neem cake that, however, can now be related to the chemical composition, in particular with nortriterpenes, allowing in that way to discriminate between the quality of the various marketed products, as potential domestic insecticides.
NTSMDA: prediction of miRNA-disease associations by integrating network topological similarity.

Recently, accumulating studies have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in exploring the pathogenesis of various human diseases at the molecular level and may result in the design of specific tools for diagnosis, treatment evaluation and prevention. Experimental identification of disease-related miRNAs is time-consuming and labour-intensive. Hence, there is a stressing need to propose efficient computational methods to detect more potential miRNA-disease associations. Currently, several computational approaches for identifying disease-related miRNAs on the miRNA-disease network have gained much attention by means of integrating miRNA functional similarities and disease semantic similarities. However, these methods rarely consider the network topological similarity of the miRNA-disease association network. Here, in this paper we develop an improved computational method named NTSMDA that is based on known miRNA-disease network topological similarity to exploit more potential disease-related miRNAs. We achieve an AUC of 89.4% by using the leave-one-out cross-validation experiment, demonstrating the excellent predictive performance of NTSMDA. Furthermore, predicted highly ranked miRNA-disease associations of breast neoplasms, lung neoplasms and prostatic neoplasms are manually confirmed by different related databases and literature, providing evidence for the good performance and potential value of the NTSMDA method in inferring miRNA-disease associations. The R code and readme file of NTSMDA can be downloaded from .
Using Students' Experiences to Derive Quality in an e-Learning System: An Institution's Perspective

Higher education institutions undertake a range of approaches to evaluating and making judgments about the quality of their e-learning provision. This paper begins by exploring benchmarking as one current strategy in common use in universities to identify and implement quality practices: from the use of checklists (for example, of best practices and standards) to a more contemporary dynamic systems approach involving continuous cycles of feedback and improvement centred around the learners’ experiences of elearning. These practices are influenced by the teachers’ design of e-learning and emerging technologies as well as by the institutional and societal contexts in which both learners and teachers operate. We give an account of two major evaluation studies at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), utilising a systems approach to investigate the consequences of e-learning, and we inquire into the value of this particular institutional approach for deriving e-learning quality. We use selections from the large dataset to describe and analyse students’ and teaching staff’s experiences of an e-learning system (LMS) over a two-year period. Our findings reveal that learners’ experiences warrant consideration in shaping future e-learning developments at UTS, and that students value e-learning in facilitating their access to education for making choices about their learning and for enabling engagement in collaborative and interactive learning activities, while they also recognise the current constraints on e-learning imposed by the developers of LMS technologies.
Gabapentin therapy for pruritus in haemodialysis patients: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND
Uraemic pruritus is a common and distressing symptom in patients on haemodialysis for chronic renal failure. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that alleviates neuropathic pain. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study to assess its effectiveness against renal itch.


METHODS
We enrolled in the trial 25 adult patients on haemodialysis who were asked to daily record the severity of their pruritus on a visual analogue scale. The patients were randomly assigned to receive gabapentin for 4 weeks followed by placebo for 4 weeks or the reverse sequence. Gabapentin or placebo were administered thrice weekly, at the end of haemodialysis sessions.


RESULTS
The mean pruritus score of the cohort before the study was 8.4 +/- 0.94. After placebo intake, it decreased to 7.6 +/- 2.6 (P = 0.098). The score of four patients decreased by >50% following placebo. After gabapentin administration, the mean score decreased significantly, to 1.2 +/- 1.8 (P = 0.0001), although one patient's symptoms did not improve significantly. No patient dropped out of the study due to adverse effects from gabapentin.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows that gabapentin is safe and effective for treating uraemic pruritus in haemodialysis patients. Our results also support the neuropathic hypothesis of uraemic pruritus.