LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Complete and prolonged suppression of symptoms and consequences of alcohol-dependence using high-dose baclofen: a self-case report of a physician.

AIMS
To test whether the dose-dependent motivation-suppressing effect of baclofen in animals could be transposed to humans, and suppress craving and sustain abstinence.


METHODS
Neurologists safely use up to 300 mg/day (10 times the dosage currently used for alcohol dependence) of high-dose oral baclofen, to control spasticity, in order to avoid invasive therapy. I am a physician with alcohol dependence and comorbid anxiety. I self-prescribed high-dose baclofen, starting at 30 mg/day, with 20 mg increments every third day and an (optional) additional 20-40 mg/day for cravings.


RESULTS
Cravings became easier to combat. After reaching the craving-suppression dose of 270 mg/day (3.6 mg/kg) after 5 weeks, I became and have remained free of alcohol dependence symptoms effortlessly for the ninth consecutive month. Anxiety is well controlled. Somnolence disappeared with a dosage reduction to 120 mg/day, now used for the eighth consecutive month.


CONCLUSIONS
High-dose baclofen induced complete and prolonged suppression of symptoms and consequences of alcohol dependence, and relieved anxiety. This model, integrating cure and well-being, should be tested in randomized trials, under medical surveillance. It offers a new concept: medication-induced, dose-dependent, complete and prolonged suppression of substance-dependence symptoms with alleviation of comorbid anxiety.
BIODIESEL FROM JATROPHA OIL AS AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL FOR DIESEL ENGINE

— The world is getting modernized and industrialized day by day. As a result vehicles and engines are increasing. But energy sources used in these engines are limited and decreasing gradually. This situation leads to seek an alternative fuel for diesel engine. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engine. The esters of vegetables oil animal fats are known as Biodiesel. This paper investigates the prospect of making of biodiesel from jatropha oil. Jatropha curcas is a renewable non-edible plant. Jatropha is a wildly growing hardy plant in arid and semi-arid regions of the country on degraded soils having low fertility and moisture. The seeds of Jatropha contain 50-60% oil. In this study the oil has been converted to biodiesel by the well-known transesterification process and used it to diesel engine for performance evaluation. I. INTRODUCTION As civilization is growing, transport becomes essential part of life. The biggest problem is the growing population & depletion of fossil fuel. About 100 years ago, the major source of energy shifted from recent solar to fossil fuel (hydrocarbons). Technology has generally led to a greater use of hydrocarbon fuels, making civilization vulnerable to decrease in supply. This necessitates the search for alternative of oil as energy source. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engine. The esters of vegetable oils and animal fats are known collectively as biodiesel. It is a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engine derived from natural oil like Jatropha oil. Biodiesel has an energy content of about 12% less than petroleum-based diesel fuel on a mass basis. It has a higher molecular weight, viscosity, density, and flash point than diesel fuel. Jatropha curcas is unusual among tree crops is a renewable non-edible plant. From jatropha seeds jatropha oil can be extracted which have similar properties as diesel but some properties such as kinematic viscosity, solidifying point, flash point and ignition point is very high in jatropha oil. By some chemical reactions, Jatropha oil can be converted into biodiesel. Jatropha oil can also be used directly by blending
Starting over: Gm/Id-based MOSFET modeling as a basis for modernized analog design methodologies

1 Gilgamesh Associates, Fletcher, Vermont, USA; dfoty@sover.net. 2 University of North Carolina/Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; dmbinkle@uncc.edu. 3 National Technological University of Athens, Zagraphou, Athens, Greece; mbucher@elab.ntua.gr. Abstract – A method of interpreting MOSFET behavior is described which is more coherent for modern analog CMOS circuit design. This method supercedes the use of simple but antiquated equations in design, and replaces them with an approach based on the inversion coefficient of the individual transistors in the design. Measurements and modeling confirm that this method can be used directly to arbitrate among the various countervailing requirements of demanding analog designs.
Asthma in older patients: factors associated with hospitalization.

BACKGROUND
Although older adults (> or =65 years) with asthma have higher rates of hospitalization and death from asthma than younger adults, the reasons for this are not known.


OBJECTIVES
To determine whether patterns of care were less favorable for older than younger adults with asthma and to assess whether patient characteristics such as symptom severity and comorbid illnesses explain the higher rate of hospitalization.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study of 6590 adults with asthma in 15 managed care organizations in the United States. Participants completed a survey of demographics, symptoms, health status, comorbid illnesses, treatment, access to care, self-care knowledge, physician specialty, and health care use.


RESULTS
Among 6590 adults with asthma, 554 (8%) were 65 years or older and 1942 (29%) were aged 18 to 34 years. Older patients were more likely than younger patients to be men, white, non-Hispanic, and less educated. At baseline, older patients reported a greater frequency of asthma-related symptoms, such as daily cough (36% vs 22%, P<.001) and wheezing (27% vs 22%, P<.002). They were also more likely to report comorbid conditions, such as sinusitis (50% vs 38%), heartburn (35% vs 23%), chronic bronchitis (43% vs 16%), emphysema (19% vs 1%), congestive heart failure (8% vs 1%), and history of smoking (54% vs 34%) (all P<.001). Care appeared to be better for the older patients compared with the younger, including more frequent use of inhaled corticosteroids, greater self-management knowledge, and fewer reported barriers to care. In the follow-up year, older patients were approximately twice as likely to be hospitalized (14%) than were younger patients (7%) (P<.001). In multivariate analysis, however, older age was not predictive of future hospitalization (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.68-1.61), after adjustment for sex, ethnicity, education, baseline asthma symptoms, health status, comorbid illnesses, and tobacco use. Factors independently associated with hospitalization included being female, nonwhite, less educated, and less physically healthy, and more frequent asthma symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the older adults with asthma had greater respiratory symptoms and more comorbidity than their younger counterparts, chronologic age was not an independent risk for hospitalization. Appropriate care for older adults with asthma should address asthma symptoms and other chronic conditions.
Vehicular Entertainment Systems: Mobile Application Enhancement in Networked Infrastructures

Entertainment systems can transform a tedious trip to an enjoyable experience. In this article, we present a new business model and a complete architecture for vehicular entertainment networks that allow users to transfer applications from their mobile terminals to infrastructure elements, such as seat screens, while maintaining control from their terminals. Our approach is compatible with highly successful business models such as application markets, where users download content and services to their devices for future use. This simplifies the process of managing, providing, and updating content services, resulting in reduced maintenance costs and placing the responsibility of content updates and licensing costs on the users. It also reduces infrastructure hardware costs because the use of mobile terminals such as cell phones as control devices eliminates the need for mechanical joysticks or touchscreens in the infrastructures.
Impact of health education on health-related quality of life among elderly persons: results from a community-based intervention study in rural Bangladesh.

UNLABELLED
This study examines the change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among (> or =60 years) elderly persons as a result of health education intervention. A community-based intervention study was performed in eight randomly selected villages (


INTERVENTION
n = 4;


CONTROL
n = 4) in rural Bangladesh. A total of 1135 elderly persons was selected for this study. The analyses include 839 participants (


INTERVENTION
n = 425;


CONTROL
n = 414) who participated in both baseline and post-intervention surveys. Participants in the intervention area were further stratified into compliant (n = 315) and non-compliant (n = 110) groups based on the reported compliance to the intervention activities. The intervention includes, for example, physical activity, advice on healthy food intake and other aspects of management. To create an enabling environment, social awareness was provided by means of information about the contribution of and challenges faced by elderly persons at home and the community, including information about elderly persons' health and health care. The intervention activities were provided to the elderly persons, caregivers, household members and community people for 15 months. The HRQoL was assessed using a multi-dimensional generic instrument designed for elderly persons. Multivariate analyses revealed that in the non-compliant group the probabilities of increased scores were less likely in overall HRQoL (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.32-0.82). Among the CONTROL group, increased scores were less likely in the physical (OR 73, 95% CI 0.54-0.99), social (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.27-0.50), spiritual (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.34-0.94), environment (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.26-0.49) dimensions and overall HRQoL (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.32-0.59) (adjusted for age, sex, literacy, marital status and economic status). This study concludes that provision of community-based health education intervention might be a potential public health initiative to enhance the HRQoL in old age.
How should we revise diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders in the DSM-V?

This article reviews literature on the validity and performance characteristics of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders (SUDs) and recommends changes in these criteria that should be considered for the next edition of the DSM (DSM-V). Substantial data indicate that DSM-IV substance abuse and substance dependence are not distinct categories and that SUD criteria are best modeled as reflecting a unidimensional continuum of substance-problem severity. The conceptually and empirically problematic substance abuse diagnosis should be abandoned in the DSM-V, with substance dependence defined by a single set of criteria. Data also indicate that various individual SUD criteria should be revised, dropped, or considered for inclusion in the DSM-V. The DSM-V should provide a framework that allows the integration of categorical and dimensional approaches to diagnosis. Important areas for further research are noted.
Geriatric Depression in Family Medicine

Introduction
Elderly persons often suffer from depression, without anyone around them noticing. Depression is more common at physically ill elderly person then at their physically healthy contemporary. It is important mental health problem of developed society, because it is still faintly revealed thus insufficiently treated.


Objective
To explore the existence of geriatric depression in elderly persons living on their own and those who live in family environment.


Materials and methods
The research included 200 elderly respondents, experimental group made of elderly persons (>65 years) living alone. Control group included elderly persons living in a family environment. Universal geriatric questionnaire was made for this research. To assess the presence of depression at respondents we used "The scale of geriatric depression".


Results
The average age (±SD) was 75,4±6,2 years in the experimental group, while in the control group the average age was 74,9±5,6 years. In the experimental group there is significantly larger number of elderly persons that are neglected (p=0,001). Elderly respondents surrounded by loneliness are more depressive than elderly living in the family environment. Statistically geriatric depression is significantly connected with inability for everyday activities, with decreased result of cognitive abilities and indicated result of dementia (P=0.001).


Conclusion
Depression is an important mental health problem of the developed society, because it is still faintly discovered and by that insufficiently treated. Organizing approach to different aspects of geriatric health, doctors of the primary protection can improve care of their elderly patients.
Interactive computer-based interventions for sexual health promotion.

BACKGROUND
Sexual health promotion is a major public health challenge; there is huge potential for health promotion via technology such as the Internet.


OBJECTIVES
To determine effects of interactive computer-based interventions (ICBI) for sexual health promotion, considering cognitive, behavioural, biological and economic outcomes.


SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched more than thirty databases for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on ICBI and sexual health, including CENTRAL, DARE, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, British Nursing Index, and PsycINFO. We also searched reference lists of published studies and contacted authors. All databases were searched from start date to November 2007, with no language restriction.


SELECTION CRITERIA
RCTs of interactive computer-based interventions for sexual health promotion, involving participants of any age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or nationality. 'Interactive' was defined as packages that require contributions from users to produce tailored material and feedback that is personally relevant.


DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors screened abstracts, applied eligibility and quality criteria and extracted data. Results of RCTs were pooled using a random-effects model with standardised mean differences (SMDs) for continuous outcomes and odds ratios (ORs) for binary outcomes. We assessed heterogeneity using the I(2) statistic. Separate meta-analyses were conducted by type of comparator: 1) minimal intervention such as usual practice or leaflet, 2) face-to-face intervention or 3) a different design of ICBI; and by type of outcome (cognitive, behavioural, biological outcomes).


MAIN RESULTS
We identified 15 RCTs of ICBI conducted in various settings and populations (3917 participants). Comparing ICBI to 'minimal interventions' such as usual practice, meta-analyses showed statistically significant effects as follows: moderate effect on sexual health knowledge (SMD 0.72, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.18); small effect on safer sex self-efficacy (SMD 0.17, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.29); small effect on safer-sex intentions (SMD 0.16, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.30); and also an effect on sexual behaviour (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.59). Data were insufficient for meta-analysis of biological outcomes and analysis of cost-effectiveness.In comparison with face-to-face sexual health interventions, meta-analysis was only possible for sexual health knowledge, showing that ICBI were more effective (SMD 0.36, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.58). Two further trials reported no difference in knowledge between ICBI and face-to-face intervention, but data were not available for pooling. There were insufficient data to analyse other types of outcome.No studies measured potential harms (apart from reporting any deterioration in measured outcomes).


AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
ICBI are effective tools for learning about sexual health, and they also show positive effects on self-efficacy, intention and sexual behaviour. More research is needed to establish whether ICBI can impact on biological outcomes, to understand how interventions might work, and whether they are cost-effective.
Competency in managing cardiac arrest: A scenario-based evaluation of dental students.

OBJECTIVE
Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) in life-threatening situations is perceived as a basic skill for dental professionals. However, medical emergency training in dental schools is often not standardized. The dental students' knowledge transfer to an ACLS setting thus remains questionable. The aim of the study was to evaluate dental pre-doctorate students' practical competence in ACLS in a standardized manner to enable the curriculum to be adapted to meet their particular needs.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty dental students (age 25.47 ± 1.81; 16 male/14 female) in their last year of dental studies were randomly assigned to 15 teams. Students' ability to successfully manage ACLS was assessed by a scenario-based approach (training module: Laerdal® ALS Skillmaster). Competence was assessed by means of (a) an observation chart, (b) video analysis and (c) training module analysis (Laerdal HeartSim®4000; Version 1.4). The evaluation was conducted by a trained anesthesiologist with regard to the 2010 guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC).


RESULTS
Only five teams (33.3%) checked for all three vital functions (response, breathing and circulation). All teams initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Only 54.12% of the compressions performed during CPR were sufficient. Four teams stopped the CPR after initiation. In total, 93% of the teams used the equipment for bag-valve-mask ventilation and 53.3% used the AED (Automated external defibrillator).


CONCLUSIONS
ACLS training on a regular basis is necessary and, consistent with a close link between dentistry and medicine, should be a standardized part of the medical emergency curriculum for dental students with a specific focus on the deficiencies revealed in this study.
Effects of a fixed-dose combination strategy on adherence and risk factors in patients with or at high risk of CVD: the UMPIRE randomized clinical trial.

IMPORTANCE
Most patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) do not take recommended medications long-term. The use of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) improves adherence in several clinical areas. Previous trials of cardiovascular FDCs have assessed short-term effects compared with placebo or no treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To assess whether FDC delivery of aspirin, statin, and 2 blood pressure-lowering agents vs usual care improves long-term adherence to indicated therapy and 2 major CVD risk factors, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).


DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
The UMPIRE trial, a randomized, open-label, blinded-end-point trial among 2004 participants with established CVD or at risk of CVD enrolled July 2010-July 2011 in India and Europe. The trial follow-up concluded in July 2012.


INTERVENTIONS
Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to an FDC-based strategy (n=1002) containing either (1) 75 mg aspirin, 40 mg simvastatin, 10 mg lisinopril, and 50 mg atenolol or (2) 75 mg aspirin, 40 mg simvastatin, 10 mg lisinopril, and 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide or to usual care (n=1002).


MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Adherence to medication (defined as self-reported use of antiplatelet, statin, and ≥2 BP-lowering medications) and changes in SBP and LDL-C from baseline.


RESULTS
At baseline, mean BP was 137/78 mm Hg, LDL-C was 91.5 mg/dL, and 1233 (61.5%) of 2004 participants reported use of antiplatelet, statin, and 2 or more BP-lowering medications. Median follow-up was 15 months (interquartile range, 12-18 months). The FDC group had improved adherence vs usual care (86% vs 65%; relative risk [RR] of being adherent, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.26-1.41; P < .001) with concurrent reductions in SBP (-2.6 mm Hg; 95% CI, -4.0 to -1.1 mm Hg; P < .001) and LDL-C (-4.2 mg/dL; 95% CI, -6.6 to -1.9 mg/dL; P < .001) at the end of the study. Although there was consistency of effects across predefined subgroups, evidence existed of larger benefits in patients with lower adherence at baseline. In this subgroup of 727 participants (36%), adherence at the end of study was 77% vs 23% (RR, 3.35; 95% CI, 2.74-4.09; P < .001 for interaction), SBP was reduced by 4.9 mm Hg (95% CI 7.3-2.6 mm Hg; P = .01 for interaction), and LDL-C was reduced by 6.7 mg/dL (95% CI, 10.5-2.8 mg/dL; P = .11 for interaction). There were no significant differences in serious adverse events or cardiovascular events (50 [5%] in the FDC group and 35 [3.5%] in the usual care group; RR, 1.45; 95% CI, 0.94-2.24; P=.09) between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Among patients with or at high risk of CVD, use of an FDC strategy for blood pressure, cholesterol, and platelet control vs usual care resulted in significantly improved medication adherence at 15 months and statistically significant but small improvements in SBP and LDL-C.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01057537.
Can Public Policy Affect Private School Cream Skimming

The increasing number of students who choose private over public schooling threatens the traditional role of public schools in the United States. This study investigated how key school and community characteristics interact with the characteristics of individual students and families in determining the enrollment patterns in public and private schools. Using unique, nationally representative, individual-level data from the National Education Longitudinal Survey (NELS), evidence was found that a number of factors has powerful effects on the extent of student segregation by race, income, education, and ability across public and private schools. These factors include public-school concentration, student-teacher ratios in the public schools, and the local crime rate, all of which may be influenced, sometimes powerfully so, by public policies. For example, fighting crime successfully and lowering the crime rate will likely improve the ability of public schools to retain students of higher socioeconomic status and ability and lessen the disparity in peer groups between the public and private sectors. Questions about the likely effects of the implementation of a private--school voucher program cannot be answered because of lack of relevant data at this time. (Contains 25 references and 8 tables.) (RT) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. (-4-) Occasional Paper No. 31 t) National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education Teachers College, Columbia University Can Public Policy Affect Private School Cream-Skimming? U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 04.1;is document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. 0 Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. David N. Fig lio and Joe A. Stone* August 2001 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY