nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Preservation of DNA in nuclease rich samples using magnetic ionic liquids

Nucleic acids are important diagnostic molecules for a variety of applications, but are exceedingly sensitive to enzymatic degradation by nucleases. Very recently, hydrophobic magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) have shown considerable promise in the area of DNA extraction. Here, we show that MILs can also serve as DNA preservation media in nuclease rich environments. DNA samples treated with deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) were found to retain their molecular weight for up to 72 h at room temperature within the benzyltrioctylammonium bromotrichloroferrate(III) [N888Bn+[FeCl3Br and trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium tetrachloroferrate(III) [P66614+[FeCl4 MILs, whereas DNA in aqueous samples suffered complete enzymatic degradation under similar conditions. Using a single drop extraction (SDE) technique, DNase I was found to partition between aqueous solution and MIL with a smaller amount of the enzyme extracted by the [N888Bn+[FeCl3Br MIL relative to the [P66614+[FeCl4 MIL. Plasmid DNA (pDNA) exhibited structural stability for up to 1 week in the [N888Bn+[FeCl3Br and [P66614+[FeCl4 MILs, even when treated with 20 U of DNase I. pDNA stored within the MIL solvent under these conditions was successfully amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) whereas pDNA in aqueous solutions of DNase I yielded no detectable amplicon. Furthermore, pDNA stored within the trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium tetrachloromanganate(II) [P66614+]2[MnCl42 MIL was capable of conveying antibiotic resistance to competent E. coli following 24 h incubation with DNase I at room temperature, demonstrating that the biological activity of pDNA was preserved.
ROBINS I: a tool for assessing risk of bias in non randomised studies of interventions
Venue: British Medical Journal

Non randomised studies of the effects of interventions are critical to many areas of healthcare evaluation, but their results may be biased. It is therefore important to understand and appraise their strengths and weaknesses. We developed ROBINS I "Risk Of Bias In Non randomised Studies of Interventions" a new tool for evaluating risk of bias in estimates of the comparative effectiveness (harm or benefit) of interventions from studies that did not use randomisation to allocate units (individuals or clusters of individuals) to comparison groups. The tool will be particularly useful to those undertaking systematic reviews that include non randomised studies.
Global estimation of neonatal mortality using a Bayesian hierarchical splines regression model

In recent years, much of the focus in monitoring child mortality has been on assessing changes in the under five mortality rate (U5MR) However, as the U5MR decreases, the share of neonatal deaths (within the first month) tends to increase, warranting increased efforts in monitoring this indicator in addition to the U5MR. A Bayesian splines regression model is presented for estimating neonatal mortality rates (NMR) for all countries. In the model, the relationship between NMR and U5MR is assessed and used to inform estimates, and spline regression models are used to capture country specific trends. As such, the resulting NMR estimates incorporate trends in overall child mortality while also capturing data driven trends. The model is fitted to 195 countries using the database from the United Nations Interagency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, producing estimates from 1990, or earlier if data are available, until 2015. The results suggest that, above a U5MR of 34 deaths per 1000 live births, at the global level, a 1 per cent increase in the U5MR leads to a 0.6 per cent decrease in the ratio of NMR to U5MR. Below a U5MR of 34 deaths per 1000 live births, the proportion of deaths under five that are neonatal is constant at around 54 per cent. However, the relationship between U5MR and NMR varies across countries. The model has now been adopted by the United Nations Inter agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.
Genetic risk for obesity predicts nucleus accumbens size and responsivity to real world food cues
Venue: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Genetic predisposition and sensitivity to environmental cues jointly give rise to maladaptive human behaviors, such as unhealthy eating. Despite the dramatic rise in obesity rates, the relationship between these factors is not well understood. Here we show that children genetically at risk for obesity exhibit stronger reward related responses to real world food cues (i.e. food advertisements) in the nucleus accumbens, a brain area canonically associated with reward processing. Additionally, this structure is larger in children at a higher risk for obesity. Taken together, these findings offer one explanation for how genetic risk for obesity may predispose individuals to engage in unhealthy eating behaviors and may inform strategies targeting early intervention. Obesity is a major public health concern that involves an interaction between genetic susceptibility and exposure to environmental cues (e.g. food marketing) however, the mechanisms that link these factors and contribute to unhealthy eating are unclear. Using a well known obesity risk polymorphism (FTO rs9939609) in a sample of 78 children (ages 9 12 y) we observed that children at risk for obesity exhibited stronger responses to food commercials in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) than children not at risk. Similarly, children at a higher genetic risk for obesity demonstrated larger NAcc volumes. Although a recessive model of this polymorphism best predicted body mass and adiposity, a dominant model was most predictive of NAcc size and responsivity to food cues. These findings suggest that children genetically at risk for obesity are predisposed to represent reward signals more strongly, which, in turn, may contribute to unhealthy eating behaviors later in life.
The Relation of Childhood Maltreatment to Psychotic Symptoms in Adolescents and Young Adults With Depression
Venue: Journal of clinical child and adolescent psychology the official journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53

This study examined the relation between a history of maltreatment and the presence of psychotic symptoms in a community sample of adolescents and young adults with major depressive disorder. One hundred and twenty nine depressed adolescents and young adults (M 16.02 years, 77% female, 92% White) were recruited through community advertisement and clinician referral. Clinical diagnoses and psychotic symptoms (i.e. hallucinations and delusions) were assessed using a structured diagnostic interview. Childhood maltreatment was assessed using a contextual interview and standardized rating system. Logistic regression analyses examined the relation between childhood maltreatment and psychotic symptoms. As hypothesized, individuals with psychotic symptoms were significantly more likely to report a history of severe sexual maltreatment than those without psychotic symptoms (Wald 5.44, odds ratio 3.86, p .020) 95% confidence interval [1.24, 12.01] Further, those with psychotic symptoms were more likely to report being the victims of more than one type of maltreatment than those without, kh2(2) 6.66, p .036 (ph .23; 40% vs. 16% Results held upon adjusting for overall level of depression symptoms. A history of severe sexual maltreatment is related to a severe presentation of major depressive disorder even in the initial onset of the syndrome in adolescence and young adulthood. These findings underscore the importance of early assessment of both depression and maltreatment history to implement interventions that have the potential to prevent the emergence of psychotic psychopathology in young people at risk.
Reward devaluation: Dot probe meta analytic evidence of avoidance of positive information in depressed persons.
Venue: Psychological bulletin

Cognitive theories of depression and anxiety have traditionally emphasized the role of attentional biases in the processing of negative information. The dot probe task has been widely used to study this phenomenon. Recent findings suggest that biased processing of positive information might also be an important aspect of developing psychopathological symptoms. However, despite some evidence suggesting persons with symptoms of depression and anxiety may avoid positive information, many dot probe studies have produced null findings. The present review used conventional and novel meta analytic methods to evaluate dot probe attentional biases away from positive information and, for comparison, toward negative information, in depressed and anxious individuals. Results indicated that avoidance of positive information is a real effect exhibiting substantial evidential value among persons experiencing psychopathology, with individuals evidencing primary symptoms of depression clearly demonstrating this effect. Different theoretical explanations for these findings are evaluated, including those positing threat processing structures, even handedness, self regulation, and reward devaluation, with the novel theory of reward devaluation emphasized and expanded. These novel findings and theory suggest that avoidance of prospective reward helps to explain the cause and sustainability of depressed states. Suggestions for future research and methodological advances are discussed.
Global self esteem and the processing of positive information about the self

We examined undergraduate participants' N 98) self related cognitive response to positive information about the self and how this response is related to global self esteem and trait anxiety. Positive information about the self was defined as information that attributes positive qualities to the self or positive experiences for the self. The responses were measured by an open ended questionnaire containing 12 scenarios. Self esteem correlated positively with positive self verification and self focused positive construal of the event, and negatively with negative self verification and self focused negative construal of the event. All the four forms of self focused cognitive responses made unique contributions to the prediction of self esteem. Mediational analysis suggested that self focused negative construal of positive information about the self might partially account for the link between self esteem and trait anxiety. The findings in this study underscore the importance of studying cognitive responses to positive events for understanding individual differences in self esteem and trait anxiety.
Factors Influencing Accessibility of Maternal Child Health Information on Reproductive Health Practices among Rural Women in Kenya

Maternal and child health information forms cradle human right, that allow mothers to access quality and reliable health care hence, decrease morbidity and mortality rates, aimed to be achieved in global goals number 3 and 17 of 2015 by 2030. Globally over 80% of community households have limited access to effective, reliable, efficiency and quality Maternal child health information, especially in Sub Saharan Africa SSA) and depends solely on health professionals and community health workers (CHWs) as their main sources of health information, with large diversified society of demographic, socio economic and socio cultural factors. The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing accessibility of maternal child health information. Specifically to determine how health professions and community health workers influence accessibility of maternal health information, investigate association that exists between source of maternal child health information received and health practices and establish how demographic and social cultural factors influence utilization of maternal health Child information among rural women in Kenya, using cross sectional and descriptive design. Cluster sampling design was used to identify study participants, mothers with children aged 0 11 months. Results showed that, health professionals remain main source of health information (46.2% followed by community health workers (32.9% in Kenya However, since CHWs are accessible and reliable sources in rural areas, they form most efficient community health linkages with health facilities, so it's important to empower them for sustainable healthcare at community level.
Factors influencing place of delivery for pastoralist women in Kenya: a qualitative study
Venue: BMC Women's Health

BackgroundKenya's high maternal mortality ratio can be partly explained by the low proportion of women delivering in health facilities attended by skilled birth attendants (SBAs) Many women continue to give birth at home attended by family members or traditional birth attendants (TBAs) This is particularly true for pastoralist women in Laikipia and Samburu counties, Kenya. This paper investigates the socio demographic factors and cultural beliefs and practices that influence place of delivery for these pastoralist women.MethodsQualitative data were collected in five group ranches in Laikipia County and three group ranches in Samburu County. Fifteen in depth interviews were conducted: seven with SBAs and eight with key informants. Nineteen focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted: four with TBAs; three with community health workers (CHWs) ten with women who had delivered in the past two years; and two with husbands of women who had delivered in the past two years. Topics discussed included reasons for homebirths, access and referrals to health facilities, and strengths and challenges of TBAs and SBAs. The data were translated, transcribed and inductively and deductively thematically analysed both manually and using NVivo.ResultsSocio demographic characteristics and cultural practices and beliefs influence pastoralist women's place of delivery in Laikipia and Samburu counties, Kenya. Pastoralist women continue to deliver at home due to a range of factors including: distance, poor roads, and the difficulty of obtaining and paying for transport; the perception that the treatment and care offered at health facilities is disrespectful and unfriendly; lack of education and awareness regarding the risks of delivering at home; and local cultural values related to women and birthing.ConclusionsUnderstanding factors influencing the location of delivery helps to explain why many pastoralist women continue to deliver at home despite health services becoming more accessible. This information can be used to inform policy and program development aimed at increasing the proportion of facility based deliveries in challenging settings.
Factors Influencing Womenas Optimum Health in Zambia

This article discusses the factors that influence health status of women in Zambia. The factors that influence the health status of women include educational level, unemployment, poverty, nutrition status, violence against women, gender inequality, Health seeking behaviour, representation in leadership positions, marital obligations and early marriages, socio cultural factors, reproductive health and maternal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this review is to analyse factors that influence women's health and suggest strategies for improvement.
Genetic Parameters of Factors Affecting the Biomass Recalcitrance of Douglas Fir Trees
Venue: BioEnergy Research

Although forestry residuals provide a potentially abundant source of biomass, Douglas fir is a particularly challenging feedstock to utilize in the biochemical conversion to fuels and value added chemicals due to its high levels of biomass recalcitrance. A greater understanding of the underlying factors behind highly recalcitrant biomass is critical in overcoming this problem. Building on earlier efforts to establish a protocol and a "recalcitrance factor" for screening the recalcitrance of trees, this study attempts to provide the first look into the genetic factors behind recalcitrance in Douglas fir with the possibility of using selective breeding and tree improvement practices to reduce recalcitrance in future generations of our forest products. Samples from over 250 Douglas fir trees in a second cycle progeny test were collected and subjected to screening. Samples were subjected to a dilute acid pretreatment and a subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis procedure, ultimately measuring the raw wood density, pretreatment yield, the holocellulose content of pretreated samples, hydrolyzability, and recalcitrance factor. From these data, the heritability, genetic gains, and genetic correlations were estimated. Based on these results, we predict that modifying recalcitrance in tree improvement may be feasible, but would likely require some additional understanding and improved screening techniques.
LPV model development and control of a solution copolymerization reactor

In this paper, linear parameter varying (LPV) control is considered for a solution copolymerization reactor, which takes into account the time varying nature of the parameters of the process. The nonlinear model of the process is first converted to an exact LPV model representation in the state space form that has a large number of scheduling variables and hence is not appropriate for control design purposes due to the complexity of the LPV control synthesis problem. To reduce such complexity, two approaches are proposed in this paper. First, an approximate LPV representation with only one scheduling variable is obtained by means of a parameter set mapping (PSM) The second approach is based on reformulating the nonlinear model so that it provides an LPV model with a fewer number of scheduling parameters but preserves the same input output behavior. Moreover, in the implementation of the LPV controllers synthesized with the derived models, the unmeasurable scheduling variables are estimated by an extended Kalman filter. Simulation results using the nonlinear model of the copolymerization reactor are provided in order to illustrate the performance of the proposed controllers in reducing the convergence time and the control effort.
Evaluation of control strategies for a semi batch copolymerization reactor
Venue: 2016 Indian Control Conference (ICC)

Polymerization processes are characterized by exothermic reactions with complicated nonlinear dynamics, especially in batch semi batch mode. The complexities of the polymerization kinetics and reactor behaviour pose difficult quality control problems. Therefore a control strategy that ensures an optimal as well as robust operation of polymerization reactors, under the influence of various disturbances control, is required to achieve the desired product specifications. It is extremely important to develop efficient methods for the synthesis of polymerization control strategies. In this work, the optimal target values of molecular weight and copolymer composition for a semi batch styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymerization reactor are set as set point trajectories and are tracked by PI controllers. Two versions of PI control, namely two independent SISO controllers and multivariable PI controller are attempted in this study for control of molecular weight and copolymer composition using coolant temperature and inlet feeding flow rate as manipulated inputs. This approach overcomes the drawbacks of open loop optimal control implementation though handling of the effects of load disturbances as well as set point changes. The simulation results demonstrate the usability of this approach for online optimization and control.
Essential Oils May Lead a Synuclein towards Toxic Fibrils Formation
Venue: Parkinson's disease

a Synuclein (a Syn) fibrillation links with Parkinson's disease (PD) and several related syndromes. It is believed that exposure to the factors which promote fibrillation may induce and progress such neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) Herein, the effects of some wildly used essential oils including Myrtus communis (M. communis) on a Syn fibrillation were examined. M. communis particularly increased a Syn fibrillation in a concentration dependent manner. Given that applications of M. communis are very extensive in Asian societies, especially Zoroastrians, this study was extended towards its role on a Syn fibrillation/cytotoxicity. By using a unilamellar vesicle, it was shown that the aggregated species with tendency to perturb membrane were increased in the presence of M. communis. In this regard, the cytotoxicity of a Syn on SH SH5Y cells was also increased significantly. Inappropriately, the effects of fibrillation inhibitors, baicalein and cuminaldehyde, were modulated in the presence of M. communis. However, major components of M. communis did not induce fibrillation and also the effect of M. communis was limited on other fibrinogenic proteins. Assuming that essential oils have the ability to pass through the blood brain barrier (BBB) along with the popular attention on aromatherapy for the incurable ND, these findings suggest an implementation of fibrillation tests for essential oils.
Release of chlorinated, brominated and mixed halogenated dioxin related compounds to soils from open burning of e waste in Agbogbloshie (Accra, Ghana)
Venue: Journal of hazardous materials

Although complex mixtures of dioxin related compounds (DRCs) can be released from informal e waste recycling, DRC contamination in African e waste recycling sites has not been investigated. This study examined the concentrations of DRCs including chlorinated, brominated, mixed halogenated dibenzo p dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs, PBDD/Fs, PXDD/Fs) and dioxin like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL PCBs) in surface soil samples from the Agbogbloshie e waste recycling site in Ghana. PCDD/F and PBDD/F concentrations in open burning areas (18 520 and 83 3800 ng/g dry, respectively) were among the highest reported in soils from informal e waste sites. The concentrations of PCDFs and PBDFs were higher than those of the respective dibenzo p dioxins, suggesting combustion and PBDE containing plastics as principal sources. PXDFs were found as more abundant than PCDFs, and higher brominated analogues occurred at higher concentrations. The median total WHO toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentration in open burning soils was 7 times higher than the U.S. action level (1000 pg/g) with TEQ contributors in the order of PBDFs>>PCDD/Fs>PXDFs. DRC emission to soils over the e waste site as of 2010 was estimated, from surface soil lightness based on the correlations between concentrations and lightness, at 200mg (95% confidence interval 93 540 mg) WHO TEQ over three years. People living in Agbogbloshie are potentially exposed to high levels of not only chlorinated but also brominated DRCs, and human health implications need to be assessed in future studies.