LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Homocysteine-Lowering by B Vitamins Slows the Rate of Accelerated Brain Atrophy in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND
An increased rate of brain atrophy is often observed in older subjects, in particular those who suffer from cognitive decline. Homocysteine is a risk factor for brain atrophy, cognitive impairment and dementia. Plasma concentrations of homocysteine can be lowered by dietary administration of B vitamins.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether supplementation with B vitamins that lower levels of plasma total homocysteine can slow the rate of brain atrophy in subjects with mild cognitive impairment in a randomised controlled trial (VITACOG, ISRCTN 94410159).


METHODS AND FINDINGS
Single-center, randomized, double-blind controlled trial of high-dose folic acid, vitamins B(6) and B(12) in 271 individuals (of 646 screened) over 70 y old with mild cognitive impairment. A subset (187) volunteered to have cranial MRI scans at the start and finish of the study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups of equal size, one treated with folic acid (0.8 mg/d), vitamin B(12) (0.5 mg/d) and vitamin B(6) (20 mg/d), the other with placebo; treatment was for 24 months. The main outcome measure was the change in the rate of atrophy of the whole brain assessed by serial volumetric MRI scans.


RESULTS
A total of 168 participants (85 in active treatment group; 83 receiving placebo) completed the MRI section of the trial. The mean rate of brain atrophy per year was 0.76% [95% CI, 0.63-0.90] in the active treatment group and 1.08% [0.94-1.22] in the placebo group (P =  0.001). The treatment response was related to baseline homocysteine levels: the rate of atrophy in participants with homocysteine >13 µmol/L was 53% lower in the active treatment group (P =  0.001). A greater rate of atrophy was associated with a lower final cognitive test scores. There was no difference in serious adverse events according to treatment category.


CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE
The accelerated rate of brain atrophy in elderly with mild cognitive impairment can be slowed by treatment with homocysteine-lowering B vitamins. Sixteen percent of those over 70 y old have mild cognitive impairment and half of these develop Alzheimer's disease. Since accelerated brain atrophy is a characteristic of subjects with mild cognitive impairment who convert to Alzheimer's disease, trials are needed to see if the same treatment will delay the development of Alzheimer's disease.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN94410159.
Dynamic quality and change management for large scale concurrent design and construction projects

Though concurrent design and construction has been lauded for reducing the time of the total processes, such an approach may make projects more uncertain and complex than those where a sequential design and construction process is used. The main sources of risk are iterative cycles that result from errors and changes introduced during the execution of concurrent design and construction. Such cycles create subsequent impacts on the project performance. In addition, traditional network scheduling tools are not adequate to deal with problems encountered during concurrent design and construction because they consider the project only as a combination of discrete activities and ignore dynamic interactions between different activities. In this context, Dynamic Planning and control Methodology (DPM), a simulation-based planning and control tool, was developed to help prepare a robust construction plan that would avoid these uncertainties. However, DPM focuses only on iterative cycles caused by quality problems in construction, and it lacks the capability to deal with change cycles. In order to address this issue, this paper proposes a framework for quality and change management and a new generation of DPM based on this framework. The new DPM incorporates the traditional network tools and buffering strategies into system dynamics simulation models and aims to capture iterative cycles and their impact on design and construction performance in advance. Generated policy guidelines and analysis by the new DPM show comprehensive project profiles and help avoid unnecessary redundant subsequent actions. In addition, uncertainties of complex concurrent projects can be reduced by the buffering strategy of the new DPM. Finally, a case study of a bridge project demonstrates that DPM can help prepare robust and systemic planning for concurrent design and construction in the real world setting, and DPM allows managers or site engineers to analyze the unpredictable incidents that may occur during concurrent design and construction and to anticipate their impacts on project performance. Thesis Supervisor: Feniosky Pefia-Mora Title: Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conjugated linoleic acid improves glycemic response, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial

AIM
To investigate if conjugated linoleic acid supplementation (CLA) affects metabolic factors and oxidative stress in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).


METHODS
The study was a randomized, controlled clinical trial conducted in specialized and subspecialized clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences from January 2014 to March 2015. 38 obese NAFLD patients were randomly allocated into either the intervention group, receiving three 1000 mg softgel of CLA with a weight loss diet and 400 IU vitamin E, or into the control group, receiving only weight loss diet and 400 IU vitamin E for eight weeks. Dietary data and physical activity, as well as anthropometric, body composition, metabolic factors, and oxidative stress were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study.


RESULTS
Weight, body composition, and serum oxidative stress, insulin, and lipid profile significantly improved in both groups, while hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels (P=0.004), total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein ratio (P=0.008), low density lipoprotein to high density lipoprotein ratio (LDL/HDL) (P=0.002), and alanine aminotransferase to aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) ratio (P=0.025) significantly decreased in the intervention group. At the end of the study, fat mass (P=0.001), muscle mass (P=0.023), total body water (P=0.004), HbA1c (P<0.001), triglycerides (P=0.006), LDL/HDL ratio (P=0.027), and ALT/AST ratio (P=0.046) were significantly better in the CLA group than in the control group.


CONCLUSION
CLA improved insulin resistance, lipid disturbances, oxidative stress, and liver function in NAFLD. Therefore, it could be considered as an effective complementary treatment in NAFLD.
Location-based services for elderly and disabled people

Many techniques have been developed to perform indoor location. Each strategy has its own advantages and drawbacks, with the application demanding location information the main determinant of the system to be used. In this paper, a system is presented that serves location to innovative services for elderly and disabled people, ranging from alarm and monitoring to support for navigation and leisure. The system uses ZigBee and ultrasound to fulfill the application requirements, differing in this respect from all other existing systems. ZUPS (ZigBee and ultrasound positioning system) provides wide multicell coverage, easy extension, robustness even in crowded scenarios, different levels of precision depending on the user’s profile and service requirements (from a few centimeters to meters), limited infrastructure requirements, simple calibration, and cost-effectiveness. The system has been evaluated from the technical, functional, and usability standpoints, with satisfactory results, and its suitability has also been demonstrated in a residence for people with disabilities located in Zaragoza, Spain. 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Across the continuum of attention skills: a twin study of the SWAN ADHD rating scale.

INTRODUCTION
Most behavior checklists for attention problems or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) such as the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) have a narrow range of scores, focusing on the extent to which problems are present. It has been proposed that measuring attention on a continuum, from positive attention skills to attention problems, will add value to our understanding of ADHD and related problems. The Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD symptoms and Normal behavior scale (SWAN) is such a scale. Items of the SWAN are scored on a seven-point scale, with in the middle 'average behavior' and on the extremes 'far below average' and 'far above average'.


METHOD
The SWAN and the CBCL were completed by mothers of respectively 560 and 469 12-year-old twin pairs. The SWAN consists of nine DSM-IV items for Attention Deficit (AD) and nine DSM-IV items for Hyperactivity/Impulsivity (HI). The CBCL Attention Problem (AP) scale consists of 11 items, which are rated on a three-point scale.


RESULTS
Children who had a score of zero on the CBCL AP scale can be further differentiated using the SWAN, with variation seen between the average behavior and far above average range. In addition, SWAN scores were normally distributed, rather than kurtotic or skewed as is often seen with other behavioral checklists. The CBCL AP scale and the SWAN-HI and AD scale were strongly influenced by genetic factors (73%, 90% and 82%, respectively). However, there were striking differences in genetic architecture: variation in CBCL AP scores is in large part explained by non-additive genetic influences. Variation in SWAN scores is explained by additive genetic influences only.


CONCLUSION
Ratings on the SWAN cover the continuum from positive attention skills to attention and hyperactivity problems that define ADHD. Instruments such as the SWAN offer clinicians and researchers the opportunity to examine variation in both strengths and weaknesses in attention skills.
Attitudes Toward Gays and Lesbians Among Undergraduate Social Work Students

This article identifies the factors behind students’ attitudes toward lesbian and gay individuals on the basis of the responses of 575 heterosexual undergraduates from 12 social work programs in th...
BEVs/PHEVs as dispersed energy storage in smart grid

As gasoline prices rise, Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) may be quickly becoming an economical choice for transportation. Numerous recent studies have assessed the feasibility of grid-to-vehicle (G2V) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) scenarios. This paper discusses the potential benefits of using BEVs/PHEVs as dynamically configurable dispersed energy storage in smart grid, which provides an option to use the battery energy in electric vehicles to support the power grid. By serving in two modes, G2V and V2G, the benefits of using BEVs/PHEVs as energy storage for demand-side management, outage management, and asset management are discussed in detail.
An Experimental Study of WiMAX-Based Passive Radar

Passive radars using illuminators of opportunity have attracted much attention in recent years. The worldwide inter-operability for microwave access (WiMAX) signal is a new illumination source for passive radar. This paper presents a study to understand and to demonstrate the feasibility of using WiMAX signals for passive radar. The study includes WiMAX signal analysis, the design and implementation of a WiMAX-based passive radar demonstrator, the associated radar signal processing scheme, and the field measurements. Results based on field measurements for various moving targets provide some useful references about the performance and potential capability of using WiMAX signals for passive radar applications.
Enabling a Continuum of Virtual Environment Experiences

e define a virtual environment as a set of surroundings that appear to a user through computer-generated sensory stimuli. The level of immersion—or sense of being in another world—that a user experiences within a VE relates to how much stimuli the computer delivers to the user. Thus, you can classify VEs along a virtuality continuum, illustrated in Figure 1, which ranges from the real world to an entirely computer-generated environment. In this article, we present a technology that allows seamless transitions between levels of immersion in VEs. Milgram and Kishino first proposed the concept of a virtuality continuum in the context of visual displays. 1 The concept of a virtuality continuum extends to multi-modal VEs, which combine multiple sensory stimuli, including 3D sound and haptic capability, leading to a multidimensional virtuality continuum. Emerging applications will benefit from multiple levels of immersion, requiring innovative multimodal technologies and the ability to traverse the multidimensional virtuality continuum. (See the " MagicBook " sidebar for an example application.) The experience of entering VEs resembles Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. We present a metaphor—based on this classic children's tale—for transitioning between virtual realities. In the book, Alice seeks an escape from reality. The escape begins with her seeing the talking white rabbit. The rabbit is part of her reality, yet clearly doesn't belong. This marks her departure from reality. However, because she experiences the rabbit as part of her real world, this is Alice's augmented reality. Next, Alice becomes increasingly a part of and immersed in Wonderland. At this stage, Alice is becoming more familiar with this fantastic environment. However, she still feels as though she is an outsider within the world. Her feeling of being an outsider relates to our notion of augmented virtuality, where real stimuli are inserted as part of a larger virtual world. That is, Alice is both real and part of a virtual world. Finally, after attempting to relate the fantasy world with the real world by asking directions to the Cheshire Cat, Alice attends the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, plays croquet with the Queen of Hearts, and has a provoking discussion with the Mock Turtle and the Gryphon. At this point, Alice has totally accepted the utter ridiculousness of Wonderland and embraces the craziness. She exists totally within her virtual reality. Alice's experience and dream of Wonderland were compelling to her. The environment was interactive, entertaining, and in …
Severe traumatic brain injury in New South Wales: comparable outcomes for rural and urban residents.

OBJECTIVE
To compare differences in functional outcomes between urban and rural patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).


DESIGN
A longitudinal, prospective, multicentre study of a 2-year cohort from the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program (BIRP) for New South Wales, with follow-up at 18 months after injury.


PARTICIPANTS
198 patients (147 urban, 51 rural) with severe TBI from the 11 participating rehabilitation units.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Demographic and injury details collected prospectively using a standardised questionnaire, and measures from five validated instruments (Disability Rating Scale, Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory, Sydney Psychosocial Reintegration Scale, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form and the General Health Questionnaire--28-item version) administered at follow-up to document functional, psychosocial, emotional and vocational outcomes.


RESULTS
Demographic details, injury severity, lengths of stay in intensive and acute care wards were similar for both rural and urban groups. There were no significant group differences in functional outcomes, including return to work, at follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings contrast with previous research that has reported poorer outcomes after TBI for rural residents, and suggest that the integrated network of inpatient, outpatient and outreach services provided throughout NSW through the BIRP provides effective rehabilitation for people with severe TBI regardless of where they live.
Determinants of health-related quality of life in pharmacoresistant epilepsy: results from a large multicenter study of consecutively enrolled patients using validated quantitative assessments.

PURPOSE
To evaluate the relative contribution of demographic and epilepsy-related variables, depressive symptoms, and adverse effects (AEs) of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) to health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in adults with pharmacoresistant epilepsy.


METHODS
Individuals with epilepsy whose seizures failed to respond to at least one AED were enrolled consecutively at 11 tertiary referral centers. HRQOL was assessed by the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31), AEs by the Adverse Event Profile (AEP), and depressive symptoms by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Multivariate linear regression models were used to identify variables associated with QOLIE-31 total score and subscale scores.


KEY FINDINGS
Of 933 enrolled individuals aged 16 years or older, 809 (87%) were able to complete the self-assessment instruments and were included in the analysis. Overall, 61% of the variance in QOLIE-31 scores was explained by the final model. The strongest predictors of HRQOL were AEP total scores (β = -0.451, p < 0.001) and BDI-II scores (β = -0.398, p < 0.001). These factors were also the strongest predictors of scores in each of the seven QOLIE-31 subscales. Other predictors of HRQOL were age (β = -0.060, p = 0.008), lack of a driving license (β = -0.053, p = 0.018), pharmacoresistance grade, with higher HRQOL in individuals who had failed only one AED (β = 0.066, p = 0.004), and location of the enrolling center. Epilepsy-related variables (seizure frequency, occurrence of tonic-clonic seizures, age of epilepsy onset, disease duration) and number of AEDs had no significant predictive value on HRQOL. The AEP total score was the strongest negative predictor of HRQOL in the subgroup of 362 patients without depressive symptoms (BDI-II score <10), but even in this subgroup the BDI-II score was retained as a significant predictor.


SIGNIFICANCE
In individuals with pharmacoresistant epilepsy, AEs of medication and depressive symptoms are far more important determinants of HRQOL than seizures themselves. When seizure freedom cannot be achieved, addressing depressive comorbidity and reducing the burden of AED toxicity is likely to be far more beneficial than interventions aimed at reducing the frequency of seizures.
How active are K-12 students using Edmodo as online motivation, interaction and collaboration tools for learning process?

Edmodo called as ‘Facebook for schools’ [1] enable the academic social network site connecting students and teachers anywhere and anytime. It can be used to encourage students to complete activities assigned by teachers such as assignment and quiz posting, polls conducting, badges awarding, learning materials uploading, classroom discussions, grade tracking, and comments writing besides as personal digital library connected to Google drive, OneDrive, and much more. Accordingly, this paper provided a general overview of how students in class IX to XII of technology information and communication course fully participate in Edmodo. The main beneficial point of this research was the trend and analysis of K-12 students' participation at high school in Indonesia. Investigating the participation and factors underlying the students' patterns of behavior in Edmodo can provide guidelines for sustainable improvement of online learning management systems. The data analysis revealed that a high number of students join as members in Edmodo and only a few of them were not engaged due to limited access of internet. It was found that most of students in class XII-IPA were active in posting their assignments through Edmodo after school and that most dominant is class X. There were some discussions and sharing information between teacher-students and students-students related to the inside and outside classroom activities. The result also indicated that students in class XII were more active than those in class IX, X, and XI. Students of class XII are in the final year before joining universities. Thus, they were more serious about their study. Furthermore, the students found Edmodo as a communication tool and a user-friendly social learning platform enabling them to connect with classmates and teachers in online class. The results also inspired teachers to motivate and encourage the students' to do their best in the study and build a strong relationship inside and outside the class.
Patients’ Perceptions of Information and Education for Renal Replacement Therapy: An Independent Survey by the European Kidney Patients' Federation on Information and Support on Renal Replacement Therapy

BACKGROUND
Selection of an appropriate renal replacement modality is of utmost importance for patients with end stage renal disease. Previous studies showed provision of information to and free modality choice by patients to be suboptimal. Therefore, the European Kidney Patients' Federation (CEAPIR) explored European patients' perceptions regarding information, education and involvement on the modality selection process.


METHODS
CEAPIR developed a survey, which was disseminated by the national kidney patient organisations in Europe.


RESULTS
In total, 3867 patients from 36 countries completed the survey. Respondents were either on in-centre haemodialysis (53%) or had a functioning graft (38%) at the time of survey. The majority (78%) evaluated the general information about kidney disease and treatment as helpful, but 39% did not recall being told about alternative treatment options than their current one. Respondents were more often satisfied with information provided on in-centre haemodialysis (90%) and transplantation (87%) than with information provided on peritoneal dialysis (79%) or home haemodialysis (61%), and were more satisfied with information from health care professionals vs other sources such as social media. Most (75%) felt they had been involved in treatment selection, 29% perceived they had no free choice. Involvement in modality selection was associated with enhanced satisfaction with treatment (OR 3.13; 95% CI 2.72-3.60). Many respondents (64%) could not remember receiving education on how to manage their kidney disease in daily life. Perceptions on information seem to differ between countries.


CONCLUSIONS
Kidney patients reported to be overall satisfied with the information they received on their disease and treatment, although information seemed mostly to have been focused on one modality. Patients involved in modality selection were more satisfied with their treatment. However, in the perception of the patients, the freedom to choose an alternative modality showed room for improvement.