LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Biotechnological Processes in Microbial Amylase Production

Amylase is an important and indispensable enzyme that plays a pivotal role in the field of biotechnology. It is produced mainly from microbial sources and is used in many industries. Industrial sectors with top-down and bottom-up approaches are currently focusing on improving microbial amylase production levels by implementing bioengineering technologies. The further support of energy consumption studies, such as those on thermodynamics, pinch technology, and environment-friendly technologies, has hastened the large-scale production of the enzyme. Herein, the importance of microbial (bacteria and fungi) amylase is discussed along with its production methods from the laboratory to industrial scales.
Accuracy of Tetrode Spike Separation as Determined by Simultaneous Intracellular and Extracellular Measurements

Harris, Kenneth D., Darrell A. Henze, Jozsef Csicsvari, Hajime Hirase, and György Buzsáki.Accuracy of tetrode spike separation as determined by simultaneous intracellular and extracellular measurements. J Neurophysiol84: 401–414, 2000. Simultaneous recording from large numbers of neurons is a prerequisite for understanding their cooperative behavior. Various recording techniques and spike separation methods are being used toward this goal. However, the error rates involved in spike separation have not yet been quantified. We studied the separation reliability of “tetrode” (4-wire electrode)recorded spikes by monitoring simultaneously from the same cell intracellularly with a glass pipette and extracellularly with a tetrode. With manual spike sorting, we found a trade-off between Type I and Type II errors, with errors typically ranging from 0 to 30% depending on the amplitude and firing pattern of the cell, the similarity of the waveshapes of neighboring neurons, and the experience of the operator. Performance using only a single wire was markedly lower, indicating the advantages of multiple-site monitoring techniques over single-wire recordings. For tetrode recordings, error rates were increased by burst activity and during periods of cellular synchrony. The lowest possible separation error rates were estimated by a search for the best ellipsoidal cluster shape. Human operator performance was significantly below the estimated optimum. Investigation of error distributions indicated that suboptimal performance was caused by inability of the operators to mark cluster boundaries accurately in a high-dimensional feature space. We therefore hypothesized that automatic spike-sorting algorithms have the potential to significantly lower error rates. Implementation of a semi-automatic classification system confirms this suggestion, reducing errors close to the estimated optimum, in the range 0–8%.
Research Guides: Introduction to Environmental Science, 2017 edition: Air Pollution

Introduction to Environmental Science, 2018 edition is the textbook for Environmental Science 1000 (ENSC1000)
The Gamification of Learning and Instruction: Game-Based Methods and Strategies for Training and Education

Description: Praise for The Gamification of Learning and Instruction "Kapp argues convincingly that gamification is not just about adding points, levels and badges to an eLearning program, but about fundamentally rethinking learning design. He has put together a brilliant primer for learning professionals on how to gamify learning, packed with useful advice and examples." ANDERS GRONSTEDT, president, Gronstedt Group "After reading this book, you'll never be able to design boring learning again." CONNIE MALAMED, author, Visual Language For Designers; author/creator of The eLearning Coach Blog "Engaging, informative and complete; if you need to understand anything about instructional game design, this is the book you need. It provides the right amount of academic evidence, practical advice and insightful design tips to have you creating impactful learning in no time." SHERRY ENGEL, associate director learning technology, Penn Medicine Center for Innovation and Learning "What Karl Kapp has done with this book is looked at games and learning from every possible angle....he provocatively asks questions that the learning community needs to answer, like 'Do our design processes still work?' and 'Are we really meeting the needs of today's learners?' This book may make you anxious, make you laugh, or make you angry. But one thing it will definitely do is make you think." RICH MESCH, experiential learning guru, Performance Development Group
The role of motivators in improving knowledge-sharing among academics

Introduction. This research addresses a primary issue that involves motivating academics to share knowledge. Adapting the theory of reasoned action, this study examines the role of motivation that consists of intrinsic motivators (commitment; enjoyment in helping others) and extrinsic motivators (reputation; organizational rewards) to determine and explain the behaviour of Malaysian academics in sharing knowledge. Method. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed using a non-probability sampling technique. A total of 373 completed responses were collected with a total response rate of 38.2%. Analysis. The partial least squares analysis was used to analyse the data. Results. The results indicated that all five of the hypotheses were supported. Analysis of data from the five higher learning institutions in Malaysia found that commitment and enjoyment in helping others (i.e., intrinsic motivators) and reputation and organizational rewards (i.e., extrinsic motivators) have a positive and significant relationship with attitude towards knowledge-sharing. In addition, the findings revealed that intrinsic motivators are more influential than extrinsic motivators. This suggests that academics are influenced more by intrinsic motivators than by extrinsic motivators. Conclusions. The findings provided an indication of the determinants in enhancing knowledgesharing intention among academics in higher education institutions through extrinsic and intrinsic motivators.
The short-form version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21): construct validity and normative data in a large non-clinical sample.

OBJECTIVES
To test the construct validity of the short-form version of the Depression anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21), and in particular, to assess whether stress as indexed by this measure is synonymous with negative affectivity (NA) or whether it represents a related, but distinct, construct. To provide normative data for the general adult population.


DESIGN
Cross-sectional, correlational and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).


METHODS
The DASS-21 was administered to a non-clinical sample, broadly representative of the general adult UK population (N = 1,794). Competing models of the latent structure of the DASS-21 were evaluated using CFA.


RESULTS
The model with optimal fit (RCFI = 0.94) had a quadripartite structure, and consisted of a general factor of psychological distress plus orthogonal specific factors of depression, anxiety, and stress. This model was a significantly better fit than a competing model that tested the possibility that the Stress scale simply measures NA.


CONCLUSIONS
The DASS-21 subscales can validly be used to measure the dimensions of depression, anxiety, and stress. However, each of these subscales also taps a more general dimension of psychological distress or NA. The utility of the measure is enhanced by the provision of normative data based on a large sample.
Conceptual Modeling and Specification Generation for B2B Business Process based on ebXML

In order to support dynamic setup of business processes among independent organizations, a formal standard schema for describing the business processes is basically required. The ebXML framework provides such a specification schema called BPSS (Business Process Specification Schema) which is available in two stand-alone representations: a UML version, and an XML version. The former, however, is not intended for the direct creation of business process specifications, but for defining specification elements and their relationships required for creating an ebXML-compliant business process specification. For this reason, it is very important to support conceptual modeling that is well organized and directly matched with major modeling concepts. This paper deals with how to represent and manage B2B business processes using UML-compliant diagrams. The major challenge is to organize UML diagrams in a natural way that is well suited with the business process meta-model and then to transform the diagrams into an XML version. This paper demonstrates the usefulness of conceptually modeling business processes by prototyping a business process editor tool called ebDesigner.
Stiffening in Soft Robotics: A Review of the State of the Art

The need for building robots with soft materials emerged recently from considerations of the limitations of service robots in negotiating natural environments, from observation of the role of compliance in animals and plants [1], and even from the role attributed to the physical body in movement control and intelligence, in the so-called embodied intelligence or morphological computation paradigm [2]-[4]. The wide spread of soft robotics relies on numerous investigations of diverse materials and technologies for actuation and sensing, and on research of control techniques, all of which can serve the purpose of building robots with high deformability and compliance. But the core challenge of soft robotics research is, in fact, the variability and controllability of such deformability and compliance.
Multi-locus models of genetic risk of disease

Evidence for genetic contribution to complex diseases is described by recurrence risks to relatives of diseased individuals. Genome-wide association studies allow a description of the genetics of the same diseases in terms of risk loci, their effects and allele frequencies. To reconcile the two descriptions requires a model of how risks from individual loci combine to determine an individual's overall risk. We derive predictions of risk to relatives from risks at individual loci under a number of models and compare them with published data on disease risk. The model in which risks are multiplicative on the risk scale implies equality between the recurrence risk to monozygotic twins and the square of the recurrence risk to sibs, a relationship often not observed, especially for low prevalence diseases. We show that this theoretical equality is achieved by allowing impossible probabilities of disease. Other models, in which probabilities of disease are constrained to a maximum of one, generate results more consistent with empirical estimates for a range of diseases. The unconstrained multiplicative model, often used in theoretical studies because of its mathematical tractability, is not a realistic model. We find three models, the constrained multiplicative, Odds (or Logit) and Probit (or liability threshold) models, all fit the data on risk to relatives. Currently, in practice it would be difficult to differentiate between these models, but this may become possible if genetic variants that explain the majority of the genetic variance are identified.
Reliability analysis of the 3-min all-out exercise test for cycle ergometry.

UNLABELLED
The 3-min all-out exercise test (3 MT) is purported to estimate critical power (CP) and anaerobic work capacity (W') and serve as an exercise mode for measuring maximum oxygen uptake (VO(2max)). Reliability analysis of the 3 MT has been confined to CP, not W', and verification of "true" VO(2max)was exclusive to a graded exercise test (GXT).


PURPOSE
We conducted a reliability analysis of the 3 MT and compared VO(2max)values from the 3 MT with a GXT and an exhaustive square-wave verification bout.


METHODS
Upon completion of a custom GXT and square-wave verification protocol, 11 subjects of various aerobic powers completed two 3 MTs (separate visits). CP, W', average power during 150 s from the 3 MT, and VO(2max)values were assessed using typical error (TE), coefficient of variation (CV), and intraclass correlation (α).


RESULTS
CP (W) (trial 1 = 206 ± 47, trial 2 = 206 ± 42) did not differ between 3 MT trials (P = 0.37) and was reliable (TE = 15 W, CV = 7%, α = 0.93). W' was less reliable (TE = 2864 J, CV = 28%, α = 0.76) but did not alter power-duration estimates from the two 3 MTs (P > 0.05). Variability for VO(2max)(TE (mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) between the GXT and the verification bout (1.16) was more consistent than the first (2.03) or second (2.69) 3 MT.


CONCLUSIONS
The 3 MT yields reliable estimates of CP and consistent estimates of the power-duration relationship. Power for 150 s, in comparison with W', is a more reliable metric of short-term power performance. The square-wave protocol is recommended over the 3 MT for verifying true VO(2max).
BlazingText: Scaling and Accelerating Word2Vec using Multiple GPUs

Word2Vec is a popular algorithm used for generating dense vector representations of words in large corpora using unsupervised learning. The resulting vectors have been shown to capture semantic relationships between the corresponding words and are used extensively for many downstream natural language processing (NLP) tasks like sentiment analysis, named entity recognition and machine translation. Most open-source implementations of the algorithm have been parallelized for multi-core CPU architectures including the original C implementation by Mikolov et al. [1] and FastText [2] by Facebook. A few other implementations have attempted to leverage GPU parallelization but at the cost of accuracy and scalability. In this work, we present BlazingText, a highly optimized implementation of word2vec in CUDA, that can leverage multiple GPUs for training. BlazingText can achieve a training speed of up to 43M words/sec on 8 GPUs, which is a 9x speedup over 8-threaded CPU implementations, with minimal effect on the quality of the embeddings.
Controlling chaos in a memristor-based Chua's circuit

In this paper, we study the problem of controlling chaos in a memristor-based Chua's circuit, which can be represented as a linear switched system. A linear switched controller is obtained by solving a set of LMIs based on a common Lyapunov function. Finally, a numerical simulation is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Stroke in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: A Retrospective Hospital-Based Study.

INTRODUCTION
The epidemiology of stroke in sub-Saharan countries is poorly characterized because of lack of population-based studies and national vital statistics systems with complete death registration.


OBJECTIVE
To describe risk factors, clinical presentations, the pattern of brain insult, and outcomes of stroke patients admitted to a hospital in Ethiopia.


METHOD
A retrospective hospital-based study was conducted on 508 patients, 303 of whom had computed tomography proven stroke, who were admitted to medical wards of Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar Ethiopia, from February 2014 to August 2016.


RESULTS
From 508 patients with a clinical diagnosis of stroke, 303 patients had computed tomography and complete medical record. Of the latter, 63% were male and 32% were in the age group 61-70 years. The most common initial clinical presentation was hemiplegia (61%). Common risk factors documented with stroke were hypertension (36.3%), dyslipidemia (20.4%), atrial fibrillation (12.2%), and structural cardiac disease (9.2%). Ischemic stroke comprised 59.4%, whereas 40.6% were hemorrhagic stroke. Only 3.6% patients arrived at the hospital within 3 hours of onset of clinical symptoms. Among subjects with preexisting treated hypertension, 56% had discontinued antihypertensive medications. One third of patients with atrial fibrillation were on warfarin or aspirin. In-hospital mortality rate was 11%. The cerebral cortex was affected in 36.6%.


CONCLUSION
Poor adherence to drugs and uncontrolled high blood pressure might have resulted in a high proportion of hemorrhagic stroke. Use of anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation should be standard in patient with risk factors for stroke in Ethiopia.
Choice overload : A conceptual review and meta-analysis

Despite the voluminous evidence in support of the paradoxical finding that providing individuals with more options can be detrimental to choice, the question of whether and when large assortments impede choice remains open. Even though extant research has identified a variety of antecedents and consequences of choice overload, the findings of the individual studies fail to come together into a cohesive understanding of when large assortments can benefit choice and when they can be detrimental to choice. In a meta-analysis of 99 observations (N = 7202) reported by prior research, we identify four key factors—choice set complexity, decision task difficulty, preference uncertainty, and decision goal—that moderate the impact of assortment size on choice overload. We further show that each of these four factors has a reliable and significant impact on choice overload, whereby higher levels of decision task difficulty, greater choice set complexity, higher preference uncertainty, and a more prominent, effort-minimizing goal facilitate choice overload. We also find that four of the measures of choice overload used in prior research— satisfaction/confidence, regret, choice deferral, and switching likelihood—are equally powerful measures of choice overload and can be used interchangeably. Finally, we document that when moderating variables are taken into account the overall effect of assortment size on choice overload is significant—a finding counter to the data reported by prior meta-analytic research. © 2014 Society for Consumer Psychology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Rehab-let: touchscreen tablet for self-training impaired dexterity post stroke: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND
Impaired dexterity of the weaker upper extremity is common post stroke and it is recommended that these individuals practice many repetitions of movement to regain function. However, stroke rehabilitation methods do not achieve the required intensity to be effective. Touchscreen tablet technology may be used as a motivating tool for self-training impaired dexterity of the weaker upper extremity post stroke.


METHODS/DESIGN
Rehab-let is a self-training protocol utilizing game apps on a touchscreen for practicing movement of the weaker upper extremity. We will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial to assess Rehab-let compared to traditional self-training to improve dexterity of the weaker hand, and to increase self-training time and satisfaction in individuals with subacute stroke. Forty individuals with stroke undergoing subacute rehabilitation will be randomly allocated to Rehab-let or a traditional self-training program using therapeutic aids such as balls, blocks and pegs. All participants will be requested to perform self-training for 60 minutes a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Dexterity assessed by The Nine Hole Peg Test is the main outcome measure. Assessments will be administered pre and post the self-training intervention by assessors blind to the group allocation.


DISCUSSION
The outcomes of this study will inform the design of a fully powered randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Rehab-let. If found to be effective, Rehab-let can be used during subacute rehabilitation to increase treatment intensity and improve dexterity. Potentially, Rehab-let can also be used after discharge and might be ideal for individuals with mild stroke who are often not referred to formal rehabilitation.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
Current Controlled Trials NCT02136433 registered on 17 September 2014.
Closed loop stimulation in prevention of vasovagal syncope. Inotropy Controlled Pacing in Vasovagal Syncope (INVASY): a multicentre randomized, single blind, controlled study.

OBJECTIVES
To determine whether dual-chamber rate-adaptive Closed Loop Stimulation (CLS) could prevent recurrence of Vasovagal Syncope (VVS).


BACKGROUND
During VVS, an increase in myocardial contractility associated with a reduction of ventricular filling produces an increase in baroreceptor afferent flow and a consequent decrease in the heart rate. The CLS algorithm is a form of rate-adaptive pacing, which responds to myocardial contraction dynamics, by measuring variations in right ventricular intracardiac impedance: during an incipient VVS it could increase paced heart rate and avoid bradycardia, arterial hypotension and syncope.


METHODS
Fifty patients (27 males, mean age 59+/-18 year) with severe and recurrent vasovagal syncope and positive Head Up Tilt Test (HUTT) with cardioinhibition, received a CLS pacemaker (INOS2, Biotronik GmbH Co., Germany). The primary end point was recurrence of two VVSs during a minimum of 1 year of follow-up. Randomization between DDD-CLS and DDI mode (40 bpm) pacing was performed only during the first stage of the study (first year): 9/26 randomized to DDI mode (control group) and 17/26 in DDD-CLS mode. All the 24 patients recruited in the second stage of the study (second year) were programmed in DDD-CLS mode.


RESULTS
Of the nine patients randomized to the DDI mode, seven had recurrences of syncope during the first year. At the end of the first year the nine patients were reprogrammed to the CLS mode and no syncope occurred after reprogramming. The 41 patients programmed to CLS had a mean follow-up of 19+/-4 months: none reported VVS, only four (10%) reported occasional presyncope and their quality of life greatly improved. Positive HUTT at the end of the first year failed to predict the clinical response to CLS pacing.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrates the effectiveness of CLS pacing in preventing cardioinhibitory VVS. A possible placebo effect of pacemaker implantation occurred in 22% of patients.
Life experience and demographic influences on cognitive function in older adults.

OBJECTIVE
We examined the influence of a broad spectrum of life experiences on longitudinal cognitive trajectories in a demographically diverse sample of older adults.


METHOD
Participants were 333 educationally, ethnically, and cognitively diverse older adults enrolled in a longitudinal aging study. Mixed-effects regression was used to measure baseline status in episodic memory, executive functioning, and semantic memory and change in a global cognition factor defined by change in these 3 domain-specific measures. We examined effects of life experience variables (literacy, childhood socioeconomic status, morphometric measures of physical development, life course physical and recreational activity) on longitudinal cognitive trajectories, covarying for age, apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and demographics (education, ethnicity, language).


RESULTS
Non-Latino Whites had higher baseline cognition, but life experience variables attenuated ethnic differences in cognitive scores. Age, literacy, childhood socioeconomic status, and physical activity significantly influenced baseline cognition. Age, APOE ε4, and decline in intellectually and socially stimulating recreational activity from mid to late life were independently associated with increased late life cognitive decline. Higher literacy and late life recreational activity were associated with less decline. Literacy had similar effects for English and Spanish readers/speakers. Bilingual English and Spanish speakers did not differ from English Speakers in cognitive performance.


CONCLUSIONS
Life experience variables, especially literacy level, were strongly related to baseline cognition and substantially attenuated effects of race/ethnicity and education. Cognitive change was best explained by age, APOE ε4, literacy, and current recreational activities. Literacy had robust associations with baseline cognition and cognitive change in both English and Spanish speakers.