LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Effects on health of air pollution: a narrative review.

Air pollution is a complex and ubiquitous mixture of pollutants including particulate matter, chemical substances and biological materials. There is growing awareness of the adverse effects on health of air pollution following both acute and chronic exposure, with a rapidly expanding body of evidence linking air pollution with an increased risk of respiratory (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer) and cardiovascular disease (e.g., myocardial infarction, heart failure, cerebrovascular accidents). Elderly subjects, pregnant women, infants and people with prior diseases appear especially susceptible to the deleterious effects of ambient air pollution. The main diseases associated with exposure to air pollutants will be summarized in this narrative review.
High-density MIM capacitors using AlTaOx dielectrics

The authors have obtained good MIM capacitor integrity of high-capacitance density of 10 fF//spl mu/m/sup 2/ using high-/spl kappa/ AlTaO/sub x/ fabricated at 400/spl deg/C. In addition, small voltage dependence of capacitance of <600 ppm (quadratic voltage coefficient of only 130 ppm/V/sup 2/) is obtained at 1 GHz using their mathematical derivation from measured high-frequency S parameters. These good results ensure the high-/spl kappa/ AlTaO/sub x/ MIM capacitor technology is useful for high-precision circuits operated at the RF frequency regime.
Soft Mask Methods for Single-Channel Speaker Separation

The problem of single-channel speaker separation attempts to extract a speech signal uttered by the speaker of interest from a signal containing a mixture of acoustic signals. Most algorithms that deal with this problem are based on masking, wherein unreliable frequency components from the mixed signal spectrogram are suppressed, and the reliable components are inverted to obtain the speech signal from speaker of interest. Most current techniques estimate this mask in a binary fashion, resulting in a hard mask. In this paper, we present two techniques to separate out the speech signal of the speaker of interest from a mixture of speech signals. One technique estimates all the spectral components of the desired speaker. The second technique estimates a soft mask that weights the frequency subbands of the mixed signal. In both cases, the speech signal of the speaker of interest is reconstructed from the complete spectral descriptions obtained. In their native form, these algorithms are computationally expensive. We also present fast factored approximations to the algorithms. Experiments reveal that the proposed algorithms can result in significant enhancement of individual speakers in mixed recordings, consistently achieving better performance than that obtained with hard binary masks.
Aim-mat: the auditory image model in MATLAB

This paper describes a version of the auditory image model (AIM) [1] implemented in MATLAB. It is referred to as “aim-mat” and it includes the basic modules that enable AIM to simulate the spectral analysis, neural encoding and temporal integration performed by the auditory system. The dynamic representations produced by non-static sounds can be viewed on a frame-by-frame basis or in movies with synchronized sound. The software has a sophisticated graphical user interface designed to facilitate the auditory modelling. It is also possible to add MATLAB code and complete modules to aim-mat. The software can be downloaded from http://www.mrccbu.cam.ac.uk/cnbh/aimmanual
Trade-offs? What trade-offs? Competence and competitiveness in manufacturing strategy

Manufacturing strategy is increasingly recognized by academics as essential in achieving sustainable competitive advantage. The reason it has not yet penetrated equally far into the world of business is partly the lack of simple conceptual foundations. As a result, a number of important observations showing up recently in manufacturing strategy literature have not yet captured the attention they deserve, despite their broad implications for managers. This article attempts to clarify some of these issues. It is important to distinguish clearly between internal competences and external measures of competitiveness; ensuring a proper link between the two is a critical factor for success. The points we emphasize are (1) competences don't have to hurt each other, (2) performance relative to the competition is what counts, (3) each product has to meet some minimum requirements to have a chance of selling, and (4) these requirements are continually becoming tougher. We then sketch a scenario where even superior manufacturing may no longer be a source of competitive advantage, but simply a ticket to the ball game. Trade-Offs? What Trade-Offs? (Competence and competitiveness in manufacturing strategy) Charles Corbett Luk Van Wassenhove The field of manufacturing strategy has been around for more than 20 years. 1 Over this period the field has advanced considerably as an academic discipline, but practical achievements have been limited to date. The father of the field, Wickham Skinner, claims that this is partly due to the lack of solid conceptual foundations. 2 Indeed, some important recent developments in thinking on manufacturing strategy and their managerial implications have not drawn as much attention as we believe they deserve. In this paper, we bring a number of these developments together and state them more explicitly. In so doing, we hope to clarify them. We also extrapolate the recent developments in question to an extreme-sounding but currently emerging scenario, describing how manufacturing may eventually cease to be a source of competitive advantage, leaving human resources as the ultimate critical factor. In particular, we use these emerging concepts in manufacturing strategy to provide a conceptual basis for the often-heard complaint among managers that "markets are always becoming more competitive" or "margins are continuously getting smaller." What seems to emerge is the concept of a competitive dimensions life-cycle, suggesting that the well-known product-process matrix is losing its validity. We are greatly indebted to an anonymous referee of the California Management Review, whose comments have led to substantial improvements in this paper.
Organizational strategies for promoting patient and provider uptake of personal health records

OBJECTIVE
To investigate organizational strategies to promote personal health records (PHRs) adoption with a focus on patients with chronic disease.


METHODS
Using semi-structured interviews and a web-based survey, we sampled US health delivery organizations which had implemented PHRs for at least 12 months, were recognized as PHR innovators, and had scored highly in national patient satisfaction surveys. Respondents had lead positions for clinical information systems or high-risk population management. Using grounded theory approach, thematic categories were derived from interviews and coupled with data from the survey.


RESULTS
Interviews were conducted with 30 informants from 16 identified organizations. Organizational strategies were directed towards raising patient awareness via multimedia communications, and provider acceptance and uptake. Strategies for providers were grouped into six main themes: organizational vision, governance and policies, work process redesign, staff training, information technology (IT) support, and monitoring and incentives. Successful organizations actively communicated their vision, engaged leaders at all levels, had clear governance, planning, and protocols, set targets, and celebrated achievement. The most effective strategy for patient uptake was through health professional encouragement. No specific outreach efforts targeted patients with chronic disease. Registration and PHR activity was routinely measured but without reference to a denominator population or high risk subpopulations.


DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Successful PHR implementation represents a social change and operational project catalyzed by a technical solution. The key to clinician acceptance is making their work easier. However, organizations will likely not achieve the value they want from PHRs unless they target specific populations and monitor their uptake.
Joint subcarrier-pairing and resource allocation for two-way multi-relay OFDM networks

In this paper, we investigate the joint subcarrier-pairing and resource allocation scheme for multi-relay aided two-way relay OFDM networks, where power allocation, subcarriers assignment and relay selection are taken into account. It is assumed that amplify-and-forward relaying protocol is deployed on all relay nodes to assists the information exchange between two sources via orthogonal subchannels. In this case, we formulate an optimization problem to maximize the total end-to-end transmission rate of the system under individual power constraints at each node. The goal is to seek the jointly optimized subcarrier pairing, subcarrier-pair-to-relay selection and power allocation. To solve the problem, we derive an asymptotically optimal scheme by adopting the dual decomposition approach of mixed-integer programming problems. Finally, simulation results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed scheme.
Rivastigmine reduces tobacco craving in alcohol-dependent smokers.

INTRODUCTION
Although alcohol-dependent smokers represent an important group for applying smoking interventions, a sufficient pharmacotherapy has not been established in this high-risk group so far.


METHODS
In order to examine the effect of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine on tobacco dependence, we performed a 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. 26 alcohol-dependent smokers were randomized to rivastigmine 6 mg/day (n=14) or placebo (n=12). Assessments on addictive behavior included carbon monoxide (CO), severity of tobacco dependence (FTND), daily smoked cigarettes (diaries), and craving for tobacco (QSU) and alcohol (AUQ).


RESULTS
ANOVA revealed a significant treatment-by-time interaction for tobacco consumption and tobacco craving (each p<0.0001). The rivastigmine group showed a decrease in daily smoked cigarettes (-30%), in exhaled carbon monoxide (-32%) and in tobacco craving (-18%) whereas controls did not show significant changes. ANCOVA revealed rivastigmine effects to be more prominent in smokers suffering from more severe tobacco dependence. None of the patients developed an alcohol relapse or an increase in alcohol craving.


DISCUSSION
Our preliminary data indicate an effect of rivastigmine on tobacco craving and consumption. This pilot study encourages further investigation of acetylcholinesterase-inhibitors as a promising treatment approach regarding tobacco dependence.
Dydrogesterone has no effect on uterine fibroids when used to prevent miscarriage in pregnant women with uterine fibroids.

OBJECTIVES
To analyse the effect of dydrogesterone use during pregnancy on uterine fibroids, pregnancy complications, and pregnancy outcome.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
In all, 372 pregnant women with uterine fibroids who were treated at the Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Shandong University were included in this study. Thirty-three of these women received dydrogesterone and constituted the treatment group, and the 27 women who were found to have uterine fibroids during the first trimester but did not receive intervention to prevent miscarriage composed the control group. The changes in uterine fibroids before and after pregnancy and the pregnancy complications were recorded; immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of progesterone receptor (PR) and proliferation- and apoptosis-related proteins in the uterine fibroid tissue.


RESULTS
No significant difference was observed in the change in uterine fibroid volume during pregnancy between the treatment group and the control group (p > 0.05). The percentage of uterine fibroids with red degeneration was lower in the treatment group than in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. No significant difference was observed in newborn weight, height, Apgar score, threatened miscarriage, or premature birth, among other characteristics, between the two groups (p > 0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed no significant difference in the expression of PR, cyclinD1, insulin-like growth factor (IGF1), or B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of dydrogesterone during pregnancy has no significant effect on uterine fibroids, pregnancy progression, or pregnancy outcomes in pregnant patients with uterine fibroids.
Understanding challenges in the front lines of home health care: a human-systems approach.

A human-systems perspective is a fruitful approach to understanding home health care because it emphasizes major individual components of the system - persons, equipment/technology, tasks, and environments - as well as the interaction between these components. The goal of this research was to apply a human-system perspective to consider the capabilities and limitations of the persons, in relation to the demands of the tasks and equipment/technology in home health care. Identification of challenges and mismatches between the person(s) capabilities and the demands of providing care provide guidance for human factors interventions. A qualitative study was conducted with 8 home health Certified Nursing Assistants and 8 home health Registered Nurses interviewed about challenges they encounter in their jobs. A systematic categorization of the challenges the care providers reported was conducted and human factors recommendations were proposed in response, to improve home health. The challenges inform a human-systems model of home health care.
Tall Buildings and Elevators : A Review of Recent Technological Advances

Efficient vertical mobility is a critical component of tall building development and construction. This paper investigates recent advances in elevator technology and examines their impact on tall building development. It maps out, organizes, and collates complex and scattered information on multiple aspects of elevator design, and presents them in an accessible and non-technical discourse. Importantly, the paper contextualizes recent technological innovations by examining their implementations in recent major projects including One World Trade Center in New York; Shanghai Tower in Shanghai; Burj Khalifa in Dubai; Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and the green retrofit project of the Empire State Building in New York. Further, the paper discusses future vertical transportation models including a vertical subway concept, a space lift, and electromagnetic levitation technology. As these new technological advancements in elevator design empower architects to create new forms and shapes of large-scale, mixed-use developments, this paper concludes by highlighting the need for interdisciplinary research in incorporating elevators in skyscrapers.
Introductory essay: the social shaping of technology

LSE has developed LSE Research Online so that users may access research output of the School. Copyright © and Moral Rights for the papers on this site are retained by the individual authors and/or other copyright owners. Users may download and/or print one copy of any article(s) in LSE Research Online to facilitate their private study or for non-commercial research. You may not engage in further distribution of the material or use it for any profit-making activities or any commercial gain. You may freely distribute the URL (http://eprints.lse.ac.uk) of the LSE Research Online website.
The MacLean Committee: Scotland's answer to the ‘dangerous people with severe personality disorder’ proposals?

The MacLean Committee was established in 1999 by the Scottish Office to review and make recommendations concerning the sentencing of serious violent and sexual offenders, including those with personality disorder. It provides an alternative perspective on the problem of offenders with personality
Effectiveness of a barber-based intervention for improving hypertension control in black men: the BARBER-1 study: a cluster randomized trial.

BACKGROUND
Barbershop-based hypertension (HTN) outreach programs for black men are becoming increasingly common, but whether they are an effective approach for improving HTN control remains uncertain.


METHODS
To evaluate whether a continuous high blood pressure (BP) monitoring and referral program conducted by barbers motivates male patrons with elevated BP to pursue physician follow-up, leading to improved HTN control, a cluster randomized trial (BARBER-1) of HTN control was conducted among black male patrons of 17 black-owned barbershops in Dallas County, Texas (March 2006-December 2008). Participants underwent 10-week baseline BP screening, and then study sites were randomized to a comparison group that received standard BP pamphlets (8 shops, 77 hypertensive patrons per shop) or an intervention group in which barbers continually offered BP checks with haircuts and promoted physician follow-up with sex-specific peer-based health messaging (9 shops, 75 hypertensive patrons per shop). After 10 months, follow-up data were obtained. The primary outcome measure was change in HTN control rate for each barbershop.


RESULTS
The HTN control rate increased more in intervention barbershops than in comparison barbershops (absolute group difference, 8.8% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.8%-16.9%]) (P = .04); the intervention effect persisted after adjustment for covariates (P = .03). A marginal intervention effect was found for systolic BP change (absolute group difference, -2.5 mm Hg [95% CI, -5.3 to 0.3 mm Hg]) (P = .08).


CONCLUSIONS
The effect of BP screening on HTN control among black male barbershop patrons was improved when barbers were enabled to become health educators, monitor BP, and promote physician follow-up. Further research is warranted.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00325533.
Harmonisation of knowledge management - comparing 160 KM frameworks around the globe

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to look at how knowledge management (KM) has entered into a new phase where consolidation and harmonisation of concepts is required. Some first standards have been published in Europe and Australia in order to foster a common understanding of terms and concepts. The aim of this study was to analyse KM frameworks from research and practice regarding their model elements and try to discover differences and correspondences. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 160 KM frameworks from science, practice, associations and standardization bodies have been collected worldwide. These frameworks have been analysed regarding the use and understanding of the term knowledge, the terms used to describe the knowledge process activities and the factors influencing the success of knowledge management. Quantitative and qualitative content analysis methods have been applied. Findings – The result shows that despite the wide range of terms used in the KM frameworks an underlying consensus was detected regarding the basic categories used to describe the knowledge management activities and the critical success factors of KM. Nevertheless regarding the core term knowledge there is still a need to develop an improved understanding in research and practice. Originality/value – The first quantitative and qualitative analysis of 160 KM frameworks from different origin worldwide.
Elastance-Based Control of a Mock Circulatory System

A new control strategy for a mock circulatory system (MCS) has been developed to mimic the Starling response of the natural heart. The control scheme is based on Suga's elastance model, which is implemented using nested elastance and pressure feedback control systems. The elastance control loop calculates the desired chamber pressure using a time-varying elastance function and the ventricular chamber volume signal. The pressure control loop regulates the chamber pressure according to this reference signal. Simulations and tests on MCS hardware showed that the elastance-based controller responds to changes in preload, afterload, and contractility in a manner similar to the natural heart. Since the elastance function is an arbitrary function of time, the controller allows modification of ventricular chamber contractility, giving researchers a new tool to mimic various pathological conditions which can be used in the evaluation of cardiac devices such as ventricular assist devices. © 2001 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC01: 8719Uv, 8780-y, 8719Rr
Evolution of land tenure institutions and development of agroforestry: evidence from customary land areas of Sumatra

It is widely believed that land tenure insecurity under a customary tenure system leads to a socially inefficient resource allocation. This article demonstrates that the practice of granting secure individual ownership to tree planters spurs earlier tree planting, which is inefficient from the private point of view but could be efficient from the viewpoint of the global environment. Regression analysis, based on primary data collected in Sumatra, indicates that an expected increase in tenure security in fact led to early tree planting. It is also found that customary land tenure institutions have been evolving towards greater tenure security responding to increasing scarcity of land. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Solving Single-digit Sudoku Subproblems

We show that single-digit “Nishio” subproblems in n×n Sudoku puzzles may be solved in time o(2n), faster than previous solutions such as the pattern overlay method. We also show that single-digit deduction in Sudoku is NP-hard.
Moisture Buffering Effects on Indoor Air Quality— Experimental and Simulation Results

The ability of building materials to control indoor air humidity is studied in this paper. First, moisture capacity and transient response of building materials were investigated in small-scale laboratory experiments. Effects of moisture-absorbing interior wall materials on indoor air humidity were measured in a full-scale room under controlled conditions with known ventilation rates and moisture production schedule. The measured interior surface materials included wood, porous wood fiberboard, gypsum board with hygroscopic insulation, perforated plywood board, and, in a reference case, aluminium foil. Second, numerical simulation tools for hygrothermal performance analyses of building envelope parts and for buildings as a whole were used to assess the impact of hygroscopic mass on indoor air humidity. Two levels of testing and simulation were carried out: First, the moisture capacity of building materials in dynamic conditions was tested in small-scale laboratory tests. Second, the materials were placed in a room with intermittent moisture production. Moisture production and ventilation rates were set to correspond to those typical in residential buildings. Mass transfer between the finishing materials and indoor air affects the humidity both in indoor air and in the building envelope. The effect of coatings and their vapor permeance on the moisture exchange was investigated. A sensitivity study looking at the hygrothermal material properties and their effects on the performance was carried out. The results show that building materials exposed to indoor air can have a strong effect on the indoor air humidity. Potentials, practical applications, and design concepts for utilizing the moisture-buffering effect of building materials are discussed.