LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Geostatistics: Modeling Spatial Uncertainty, Jean-Paul Chilès, Pierre Delfiner. Second ed., Wiley Series in Probability and Statistics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey (2012), 699pp. ISBN: 978-0-470-18315-1

Geostatistics basically concerns with the description of a characteristic that varies in space and is originally developed to deal with mineral resource estimation problem in mining. Due to the spatial feature of the characteristic, geostatistical applications are now extended to many fields in the earth sciences other than mining, including the subsurface, the land, the atmosphere, and the oceans. A recent study made by Hengl et al. (2009) on the bibliometric indices of geostatistics shows that it is an active scientific field, expanding fast. Considering new perspectives, new developments and an explosion in the applications of geostatistical methods, the authors revised and updated the first edition without increasing the size of the book. The most noticeable change is the removal of the chapter related to stochastic hydrology and the distribution of some material included in it throughout the relevant chapters. Some chapters (e.g., multivariate methods) are largely rewritten with a number of additions and some (nonlinear methods and conditional simulations) are restructured and updated. Some chapters such as preliminaries and intrinsic model of order k remain the same. Another change to the second edition is that footnotes are given immediately at the bottom of the page, not at the end of the chapter, providing reader with great comfort. The first edition of Geostatistics: Modeling Spatial Uncertainty appeared in 1999, and in reviewing it in Computers & Geosciences, 2001, vol. 27, pp. 121–123, L. Zheng wrote, ‘y it covers a wide range of theoretical and technical issues involved in modeling spatial uncertainty and performing geostatistical analyses. Its major features include its comprehensive scope, the rich content and full details, the clear presentation, and a good balance between theory and application. Although this book may not be a good choice for beginners, it is no doubt a must-read for anyone who wants to gain a comprehensive view and an insightful understanding of this specialized discipline’. I strongly agree and during the review process, I have used it as a reference for my research and gained some interesting research ideas. The book begins with an introductory chapter defining types of problems considered in each chapter and presenting a striking example demonstrating that geostatistical methods are rather descriptive. Chapter 1 defines basic mathematical, statistical and philosophical properties of random functions that are useful models for regionalized variables. These are needed for the subsequent chapters. In particular, shaking jar example illustrating a notion of random functions is very instructive and memorable. Throughout the book it is easy to find such kind of interesting examples. Chapter 2, one of the most voluminous chapters, is devoted to structural analysis of a regionalized variable. The variogram is the fundamental tool. To characterize
Symptomatic dystonias associated with structural brain lesions: report of 16 cases.

BACKGROUND
Symptomatic (secondary) dystonias associated isolated lesions in the brain provide insight into etiopathogenesis of the idiopathic form of dystonia and are a basis for establishing the possible correlation between the anatomy of a lesion and the type of dystonia according to muscles affected.


METHODS
In 358 patients with differently distributed dystonias, a group of 16 patients (4.5%) was encountered in whom dystonia was associated with focal brain lesions.


RESULTS
Of the 16 patients, 3 patients had generalized, 3 segmental and 4 hemidystonia, while the remaining 6 patients had focal dystonia. The most frequent etiologies were infarction in 7, and tumor in 4 patients. These lesions were usually found in the lenticular and caudate nucleus, thalamus, and in the case of blepharospasm in the upper brainstem.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results support the suggestion that dystonia is caused by a dysfunction of the basal ganglia.
Theorising big IT programmes in healthcare: strong structuration theory meets actor-network theory.

The UK National Health Service is grappling with various large and controversial IT programmes. We sought to develop a sharper theoretical perspective on the question "What happens - at macro-, meso- and micro-level - when government tries to modernise a health service with the help of big IT?" Using examples from data fragments at the micro-level of clinical work, we considered how structuration theory and actor-network theory (ANT) might be combined to inform empirical investigation. Giddens (1984) argued that social structures and human agency are recursively linked and co-evolve. ANT studies the relationships that link people and technologies in dynamic networks. It considers how discourses become inscribed in data structures and decision models of software, making certain network relations irreversible. Stones' (2005) strong structuration theory (SST) is a refinement of Giddens' work, systematically concerned with empirical research. It views human agents as linked in dynamic networks of position-practices. A quadripartite approcach considers [a] external social structures (conditions for action); [b] internal social structures (agents' capabilities and what they 'know' about the social world); [c] active agency and actions and [d] outcomes as they feed back on the position-practice network. In contrast to early structuration theory and ANT, SST insists on disciplined conceptual methodology and linking this with empirical evidence. In this paper, we adapt SST for the study of technology programmes, integrating elements from material interactionism and ANT. We argue, for example, that the position-practice network can be a socio-technical one in which technologies in conjunction with humans can be studied as 'actants'. Human agents, with their complex socio-cultural frames, are required to instantiate technology in social practices. Structurally relevant properties inscribed and embedded in technological artefacts constrain and enable human agency. The fortunes of healthcare IT programmes might be studied in terms of the interplay between these factors.
The Bipolar Prodrome Symptom Interview and Scale-Prospective (BPSS-P): description and validation in a psychiatric sample and healthy controls.

OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Bipolar Prodrome Symptom Interview and Scale-Prospective (BPSS-P), the first specific interview for emerging bipolar disorder (BD) symptoms.


METHODS
A total of 205 youth aged 12-23 years and/or their caregivers underwent BPSS-P interviews: 129 patients with mood spectrum disorders [depression spectrum disorder (n = 77), mood disorder not otherwise specified (NOS) (n = 27), BD-NOS (n = 14), bipolar I disorder (BD-I)/bipolar II disorder (BD-II)/cyclothymia (n = 11), 34 with non-mood spectrum disorders, and 42 healthy controls (HCs)]. We used Cronbach's α to assess internal consistency; intra-class correlation (ICC) for inter-rater reliability; Spearman's rho for convergent validity with the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), General Behavior Inventory-10-item Mania Form (GBI-M-10), and Cyclothymic-Hypersensitive Temperament (CHT) scale; and analysis of variance for discriminatory power between diagnostic groups.


RESULTS
Internal consistency was good to very good for the BPSS-P Mania (Cronbach's α = 0.87), Depression (Cronbach's α = 0.89), and General Symptom indices (Cronbach's α = 0.74). Inter-rater reliability was high for the BPSS-P Total score (ICC = 0.939), and BPSS-P Mania (ICC = 0.934), Depression (ICC = 0.985), and General (ICC = 0.981) indices. Convergent validity was large (ρ ≥ 0.50) between the BPSS-P Mania Index and YMRS, GBI-M-10, and CHT; BPSS-P Depression Index and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and CHT; and BPSS-P General Index and GBI-M-10 and CHT. Expectedly, convergent validity was small (ρ = 0.10 to < 0.30) between the BPSS-P Mania Index and MADRS, and BPSS-P Depression Index and YMRS. Furthermore, the BPSS-P and its subscales discriminated each patient group from HCs and from non-mood spectrum patients (except for the BPSS-P General Index). Moreover, the BPSS-P Total score discriminated BD-I/BD-II/cyclothymia from depression spectrum patients, and the BPSS-Mania Index differentiated all three bipolar spectrum groups from depression spectrum patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The BPSS-P has good to excellent psychometric properties. Its use across multiple settings and predictive validity requires further investigation.
Vision therapy/orthoptics for symptomatic convergence insufficiency in children: treatment kinetics.

PURPOSE
To evaluate the kinetics of change in symptoms and signs of convergence insufficiency (CI) during 12 weeks of treatment with commonly prescribed vision therapy/orthoptic treatment regimens.


METHODS
In a randomized clinical trial, 221 children aged 9 to 17 years with symptomatic CI were assigned to home-based pencil push-ups (HBPP), home-based computer vergence/accommodative therapy and pencil push-ups (HBCVAT+), office-based vergence/accommodative therapy with home reinforcement (OBVAT), or office-based placebo therapy with home reinforcement (OBPT). Symptoms and signs were measured after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of treatment. The outcome measures were the mean CI Symptom Survey (CISS), near point of convergence (NPC), positive fusional vergence (PFV), and proportions of patients who were classified as successful or improved based on a composite measure of CISS, NPC, and PFV.


RESULTS
Only the OBVAT group showed significant improvements in symptoms between each visit (p < 0.001). Between weeks 8 and 12, all groups showed a significant improvement in symptoms. Between-group differences were apparent by week 8 (p = 0.037) with the fewest symptoms in the OBVAT group. For each group, the greatest improvements in NPC and PFV were achieved during the first 4 weeks. Differences between groups became apparent by week 4 (p < 0.001), with the greatest improvements in NPC and PFV in the OBVAT group. Only the OBVAT group continued to show significant improvements in PFV at weeks 8 and 12. The percentage of patients classified as "successful" or "improved" based on our composite measure increased in all groups at each visit.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of improvement is more rapid for clinical signs (NPC and PFV) than for symptoms in children undergoing treatment for CI. OBVAT results in a more rapid improvement in symptoms, NPC and PFV, and a greater percentage of patients reaching pre-determined criteria of success when compared with HBPP, HBCVAT+, or OBPT.
Evaluation of a training and communication-network nephrology program for community pharmacists

Objectives To assess the feasibility and impact of implementing ProFiL program to optimize community-pharmacist management of drug-related problems among chronic kidney disease patients followed in a predialysis clinic. The program comprises a training workshop, communication-network program and consultation service. Setting Forty-two community pharmacies, 101 pharmacists, and 90 chronic kidney disease patients attending a predialysis clinic in Laval (Canada). Patients were followed-up for 6 months. Method In a six-month, pilot, open, cluster-randomized controlled trial, community pharmacies were assigned to ProFiL or the usual care. Chronic kidney disease patients of these pharmacies attending a predialysis clinic were recruited. ProFiL pharmacists attended a workshop, received patient information (diagnoses, medications, and laboratory-test results) and had access to a consultation service. Their knowledge and satisfaction were measured before and after the workshop. The mean numbers of pharmacists’ written recommendations to physicians (pharmaceutical opinions) and refusals to dispense a medication were computed. Results Of the ProFiL pharmacists, 84% attended the workshop; their knowledge increased from 52% to 88% (95% CI: 29–40%). Most ProFiL pharmacists rated workshop (95%), communication program (82%) and consultation service (59%) as “excellent” or “very good”; 82% said the program improved the quality of their follow-up. The consultation service received 21 requests. ProFiL and usual care pharmacists issued a mean of 0.50 and 0.02 opinion/patient, respectively, (95% CI of the adjusted difference: 0.28–1.01 opinion/patient). Conclusion The results of this pilot study suggest that ProFiL can be implemented and may help community pharmacists intervene more frequently to manage drug-related problems. However, a larger-scale study with longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate the impact of the program on management of drug-related problems and its clinical relevance.
How does foreign direct investment affect economic 1 growth ?

We test the effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth in a cross-country regression framework, utilizing data on FDI flows from industrial countries to 69 developing countries over the last two decades. Our results suggest that FDI is an important vehicle for the transfer of technology, contributing relatively more to growth than domestic investment. However, the higher productivity of FDI holds only when the host country has a minimum threshold stock of human capital. Thus, FDI contributes to economic growth only when a sufficient absorptive capability of the advanced technologies is available in the host economy.  1998 Elsevier Science B.V.
Research Guides: Mechanical Engineering Technology : Welcome

The Mechanical Engineering Technology curriculum prepares graduates for employment as technicians in the diversified mechanical and manufacturing engineering fields. Mechanical Engineering technicians assist in design, development, testing, process design
The Effects of White Noise on Agitated Behaviors, Mental Status, and Activities of Daily Living in Older Adults With Dementia.

BACKGROUND
The aging of society is a global trend, and care of older adults with dementia is an urgent challenge. As dementia progresses, patients exhibit negative emotions, memory disorders, sleep disorders, and agitated behavior. Agitated behavior is one of the most difficult problems for family caregivers and healthcare providers to handle when caring for older adults with dementia.


PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of white noise in improving agitated behavior, mental status, and activities of daily living in older adults with dementia.


METHODS
An experimental research design was used to study elderly participants two times (pretest and posttest). Six dementia care centers in central and southern Taiwan were targeted to recruit participants. There were 63 participants: 28 were in the experimental group, and 35 were in the comparison group. Experimental group participants received 20 minutes of white noise consisting of ocean, rain, wind, and running water sounds between 4 and 5 P.M. daily over a period of 4 weeks. The comparison group received routine care. Questionnaires were completed, and observations of agitated behaviors were collected before and after the intervention.


RESULTS
Agitated behavior in the experimental group improved significantly between pretest and posttest. Furthermore, posttest scores on the Mini-Mental Status Examination and Barthel Index were slightly better for this group than at pretest. However, the experimental group registered no significant difference in mental status or activities of daily living at posttest. For the comparison group, agitated behavior was unchanged between pretest and posttest.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study support white noise as a simple, convenient, and noninvasive intervention that improves agitated behavior in older adults with dementia. These results may provide a reference for related healthcare providers, educators, and administrators who care for older adults with dementia.
Effects of changes in potassium with valsartan use on diabetes risk: Nateglinide and Valsartan in Impaired Glucose Tolerance Outcomes Research (NAVIGATOR) trial.

BACKGROUND
Low and low-normal serum potassium is associated with an increased risk of diabetes. We hypothesized that the protective effect of valsartan on diabetes risk could be mediated by its effect of raising serum potassium.


METHODS
We analyzed data from the Nateglinide and Valsartan in Impaired Glucose Tolerance Outcomes Research (NAVIGATOR) trial, which randomized participants at risk for diabetes to either valsartan (up to 160mg daily) or no valsartan. Using Cox models, we evaluated the effect of valsartan on diabetes risk over a median of 4 years of follow-up and calculated the mediation effect of serum potassium as the difference in treatment hazard ratios from models excluding and including 1-year change in serum potassium. The 95% confidence interval (CI) for the difference in log hazard ratios was computed by bootstrapping.


RESULTS
The hazard ratio for developing diabetes among those on valsartan vs. no valsartan was 0.866 (95% CI = 0.795-0.943) vs. 0.868 (95% CI = 0.797-0.945), after controlling for 1-year change in potassium. The bootstrap 95% CI for a difference in these log hazard ratios was not statistically significant (-0.003 to 0.009).


CONCLUSIONS
Serum potassium does not appear to significantly mediate the protective effect of valsartan on diabetes risk.
Reliability and Validity of Selected PROMIS Measures in People with Rheumatoid Arthritis

PURPOSE
To evaluate the reliability and validity of 11 PROMIS measures to assess symptoms and impacts identified as important by people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).


METHODS
Consecutive patients (N = 177) in an observational study completed PROMIS computer adapted tests (CATs) and a short form (SF) assessing pain, fatigue, physical function, mood, sleep, and participation. We assessed test-test reliability and internal consistency using correlation and Cronbach's alpha. We assessed convergent validity by examining Pearson correlations between PROMIS measures and existing measures of similar domains and known groups validity by comparing scores across disease activity levels using ANOVA.


RESULTS
Participants were mostly female (82%) and white (83%) with mean (SD) age of 56 (13) years; 24% had ≤ high school, 29% had RA ≤ 5 years with 13% ≤ 2 years, and 22% were disabled. PROMIS Physical Function, Pain Interference and Fatigue instruments correlated moderately to strongly (rho's ≥ 0.68) with corresponding PROs. Test-retest reliability ranged from .725-.883, and Cronbach's alpha from .906-.991. A dose-response relationship with disease activity was evident in Physical Function with similar trends in other scales except Anger.


CONCLUSIONS
These data provide preliminary evidence of reliability and construct validity of PROMIS CATs to assess RA symptoms and impacts, and feasibility of use in clinical care. PROMIS instruments captured the experiences of RA patients across the broad continuum of RA symptoms and function, especially at low disease activity levels. Future research is needed to evaluate performance in relevant subgroups, assess responsiveness and identify clinically meaningful changes.
Are virtual reference services color blind

This study reports an experiment that examines whether librarians provide equitable virtual reference services to diverse user groups. The relative absence of social cues in the virtual environment may mean greater equality of services though at the same time greater inequalities may arise as librarians can become less self-aware online. Findings indicate that the quality of service librarians provide to African Americans and Arabs is lower than the quality of service they provide to Caucasian, Hispanic, Asian, and Jewish students. This study adds to the knowledge of subjective bias in the virtual environment by specifying those that are discriminated against online, identifying the kinds of discriminatory actions of virtual reference librarians, and identifying the type of queries that more frequently result in unbiased service.
The effect of a periodontal intervention on cardiovascular risk markers in Indigenous Australians with periodontal disease: the PerioCardio study

BACKGROUND
Indigenous Australians experience an overwhelming burden of chronic disease, including cardiovascular diseases. Periodontal disease (inflammation of the tissues surrounding teeth) is also widespread, and may contribute to the risk of cardiovascular diseases via pathogenic inflammatory pathways. This study will assess measures of vascular health and inflammation in Indigenous Australian adults with periodontal disease, and determine if intensive periodontal therapy improves these measures over a 12 month follow-up. The aims of the study are: (i) to determine whether there is a dose response relationship between extent and severity of periodontal disease and measures of vascular health and inflammation among Indigenous Australian adults with moderate to severe periodontal disease; and (ii) to determine the effects of periodontal treatment on changes in measures of vascular health and inflammation in a cohort of Indigenous Australians.


METHODS/DESIGN
This study will be a randomised, controlled trial, with predominantly blinded assessment of outcome measures and blinded statistical analysis. All participants will receive the periodontal intervention benefits (with the intervention delayed 12 months in participants who are randomised to the control arm). Participants will be Indigenous adults aged ≥25 years from urban centres within the Top End of the Northern Territory, Australia. Participants assessed to have moderate or severe periodontal disease will be randomised to the study's intervention or control arm. The intervention involves intensive removal of subgingival and supragingival calculus and plaque biofilm by scaling and root-planing. Study visits at baseline, 3 and 12 months, will incorporate questionnaires, non-fasting blood and urine samples, body measurements, blood pressure, periodontal assessment and non-invasive measures of vascular health (pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness). Primary outcome measures are pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness.


DISCUSSION
The study will assess the periodontal-cardiovascular disease relationship among Indigenous Australian adults with periodontal disease, and the effectiveness of an intervention aimed at improving periodontal and cardiovascular health. Efforts to understand and improve Indigenous oral health and cardiovascular risk may serve as an important means of reducing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health in Australia.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register (ANZCTR): ACTRN12610000817044.
Type II branes from braneantibrane in M-theory

Abstract We discuss in a systematic way all the possible realisations of branes of M and type II theories as topological solitons of a brane–antibrane system. The classification of all the possibilities, consistent with the structure of the theory, is achieved by studying the Wess–Zumino terms in the worldvolume effective actions of the branes of M-theory and their reductions.