nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
Housing Finance Market in Bangladesh A Review

The availability of affordable housing is one of the important signs of the socioeconomic growth of a country. But the shortage of housing is a universal phenomenon. It is more acute in developing countries like Bangladesh. Housing finance can play an important role in encouraging and improving housing quality in Bangladesh. This article tries to focus on the recent motivation to the affordable housing finance market in Bangladesh, the blockages of growth for the segment, the encouragements working for the segment and the outlook of the segment in the near future.
Quantification of ionic transport within thermally activated batteries using electron probe micro analysis

The transient transport of electrolytes in thermally activated batteries is studied using electron probe micro analysis (EPMA) demonstrating the robust capability of EPMA as a useful tool for studying and quantifying mass transport within porous materials, particularly in difficult environments where classical flow measurements are challenging. By tracking the mobility of bromine and potassium ions from the electrolyte stored within the separator into the lithium silicon anode and iron disulfide cathode, we are able to quantify the transport mechanisms and physical properties of the electrodes including permeability and tortuosity. Due to the micron to submicron scale porous structure of the initially dry anode, a fast capillary pressure driven flow is observed into the anode from which we are able to set a lower bound on the permeability of 10 1 mDarcy. The transport into the cathode is diffusion limited because the cathode originally contained some electrolyte before activation. Using a transient one dimensional diffusion model, we estimate the tortuosity of the cathode electrode to be 2.8 0.8.
Treating rheumatoid arthritis to target: 2014 update of the recommendations of an international task force
Venue: Annals of the rheumatic diseases

Reaching the therapeutic target of remission or low disease activity has improved outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) significantly. The treat to target recommendations, formulated in 2010, have provided a basis for implementation of a strategic approach towards this therapeutic goal in routine clinical practice, but these recommendations need to be re evaluated for appropriateness and practicability in the light of new insights.  To update the 2010 treat to target recommendations based on systematic literature reviews (SLR) and expert opinion.  A task force of rheumatologists, patients and a nurse specialist assessed the SLR results and evaluated the individual items of the 2010 recommendations accordingly, reformulating many of the items. These were subsequently discussed, amended and voted upon by >40 experts, including 5 patients, from various regions of the world. Levels of evidence, strengths of recommendations and levels of agreement were derived.  The update resulted in 4 overarching principles and 10 recommendations. The previous recommendations were partly adapted and their order changed as deemed appropriate in terms of importance in the view of the experts. The SLR had now provided also data for the effectiveness of targeting low disease activity or remission in established rather than only early disease. The role of comorbidities, including their potential to preclude treatment intensification, was highlighted more strongly than before. The treatment aim was again defined as remission with low disease activity being an alternative goal especially in patients with long standing disease. Regular follow up (every 1 3 months during active disease) with according therapeutic adaptations to reach the desired state was recommended. Follow up examinations ought to employ composite measures of disease activity that include joint counts. Additional items provide further details for particular aspects of the disease, especially comorbidity and shared decision making with the patient. Levels of evidence had increased for many items compared with the 2010 recommendations, and levels of agreement were very high for most of the individual recommendations =9/10)  The 4 overarching principles and 10 recommendations are based on stronger evidence than before and are supposed to inform patients, rheumatologists and other stakeholders about strategies to reach optimal outcomes of RA.
Novel algorithms for the pragmatic use of ultrasound in the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: from diagnosis to remission
Venue: Annals of the rheumatic diseases

The absence of specific guidance on how to use ultrasound (US) to diagnose and manage patients with inflammatory arthritis, especially with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has hindered the optimal utilisation of US in clinical practice, potentially limiting its benefits for patient outcomes. In view of this, a group of musculoskeletal US experts formed a working group to consider how this unmet need could be satisfied and to produce guidance (additional to European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) imaging recommendations) to support clinicians in their daily clinical work. This paper describes this process and its outcome, namely five novel algorithms, which identify when US could be used. They are designed to aid diagnosis, to inform assessment of treatment response/disease monitoring and to evaluate stable disease state or remission in patients with suspected or established RA, by providing a pragmatic template for using US at certain time points of the RA management. A research agenda has also been defined for answering unmet clinical needs.
Tapering biologic and conventional DMARD therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: current evidence and future directions
Venue: Annals of the rheumatic diseases

Improvements in the control of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by conventional synthetic and biologic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have led to a substantial change in the clinical outcomes of patients during the last 30 years. Current treatment can lead to sustained remission in some patients raising questions about the optimal management strategies in this subgroup of patients. Today, tapering of DMARDs and even their discontinuation appears as an interesting concept for achieving a more tailored and dynamic treatment approach of RA, especially in patients, who achieved full disease control by DMARD treatment. In this review article, current developments of DMARD tapering are discussed. The article provides an overview of existing studies on this topic and addresses new strategies to reach drug free remission. Furthermore, concepts for defining patients eligible for DMARD tapering are described and potential future strategies in using biomarkers in predicting the risk for disease relapse after initiation of DMARD tapering are addressed. These findings are finally considered in light of the vision to achieve cure as an ultimate goal in patients with RA achieving full control of inflammation.
A Phase IIb Study of ABT 494, a Selective JAK 1 Inhibitor, in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and an Inadequate Response to Anti Tumor Necrosis Factor Therapy
Venue: Arthritis rheumatology

To compare the efficacy and safety of ABT 494, a novel selective JAK 1 inhibitor, with placebo in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and an inadequate response or intolerance to at least 1 anti tumor necrosis factor (anti TNF) agent.
Financial Information Quality and Investment Efficiency: Evidence from Malaysia

This study aims to empirically examine the association between financial information quality and investment efficiency among firms in Malaysia. Sample of this study consists of 558 firms listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia from the year of 2001 until 2011. The investment efficiency is measured based on firmsaEUR(tm) deviations from the expected investment level. The financial information quality is measured based on four different measurement schemes. The results provide support that financial information quality is significantly positively related to investment efficiency. The inclusion of several firm level control variables and use of alternative models to measure investment efficiency provides consistent findings. The results of this study provide further understanding and empirical evidence relevant to quality of financial information and investment efficiency. As most of the extant studies on this association have been done on data from the US and advanced countries, this study fills the gap in literature by investigating the impact of financial information quality on investment efficiency in an emerging market. Although emerging markets make up the vast majority of economic activity around the world, they have received limited attention in academic research. Findings of this study could be of interest to the international organisations such as World Bank whose missions are to aid countries with developing and transitional economy, and improve living conditions of their citizens.
Unique membrane properties and enhanced signal processing in human neocortical neurons
Venue: eLife

The advanced cognitive capabilities of the human brain are often attributed to our recently evolved neocortex. However, it is not known whether the basic building blocks of the human neocortex, the pyramidal neurons, possess unique biophysical properties that might impact on cortical computations. Here we show that layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons from human temporal cortex (HL2/3 PCs) have a specific membrane capacitance (Cm) of ~0.5 uF/cm2, half of the commonly accepted 'universal' value ~1 uF/cm2) for biological membranes. This finding was predicted by fitting in vitro voltage transients to theoretical transients then validated by direct measurement of Cm in nucleated patch experiments. Models of 3D reconstructed HL2/3 PCs demonstrated that such low Cm value significantly enhances both synaptic charge transfer from dendrites to soma and spike propagation along the axon. This is the first demonstration that human cortical neurons have distinctive membrane properties, suggesting important implications for signal processing in human neocortex.
Framework for the Multiperiod Sequential Synthesis of Heat Exchanger Networks with Selection, Design, and Scheduling of Multiple Utilities

A novel sequential approach is proposed for the multiperiod synthesis of Heat Exchanger Networks (HEN) and Utility Systems of chemical processes and energy systems. The framework can be used also for single period problems. Given the set of hot and cold process streams with period dependent heat loads and target temperatures and a set of available utility systems, the algorithm determines the optimal utility system selection, design, and operation scheduling, as well as the optimal HEN. In this work, the approach of solving multiperiod problems by adopting (1) the Multiperiod Utility Integration and Scheduling model of Marechal and Kalitventzeff, a modified formulation for (2) the Multiperiod Minimum Number of Units problem of Floudas and Grossmann, and (3) the Multiperiod Minimum Investment Network problem proposed by Floudas and Grossmann is improved by coupling the existing framework with the derivative free hybrid algorithm PGS COM of Martelli and Amaldi. Compared to the classic sequential approach,3
Experimental investigation on tribological behaviour of Al TiCp composite under sliding wear conditions

Cryogenic technology is used in various engineering and industrial applications such as aerospace, automotive, defence and medical fields due to its better cooling and /or lubrication action. Conventional materials used in cryo techniques are substituted with metal matrix composites (MMCs) due to their high strength to weight ratio. Aluminium reinforced titanium carbide particulate (Al TiCp) composite has gained attention due to its superior thermomechanical and tribological characteristics, but the effect of cryogenic temperature technology on Al TiCp MMC, have not been studied substantially. So an effort has been made in this current research work to bridge the gap. To determine the cryogenic tribological behaviour of Al TiCp composite, sliding wear tests are conducted. A customised cryogenic tribo setup has been developed by attaching cryogenic system to pin on disc configuration. Nozzle arrangement to the cryogenic tribo setup feeds cryogenic fluid (liquid nitrogen: LN2) exactly into sliding contact with a restricted flow rate and constant pressure for better cooling and lubrication. Wear studies have been carried out under different applied loading and sliding velocities under LN2, cryogenic chilled air and dry environment. The present analysis reveals that the weight loss of composite sample increases linearly with increase in normal load and sliding distance whereas decreases with increase in sliding velocity. Auxiliary observations revels that presence of LN2 in sliding contact offers significant reduction in friction and wear values when compared to other environments. The performance improvement with LN2 could be due to the hydraulic pressure of trapped LN2 into the sliding contact which takes away a part of normal load resulting in reduced apparent friction coefficient and wear rate. Microscopic images of worn surfaces showed the cracks and fracture in the wear track over sliding surfaces is high in dry than compared to LN2 condition.
Experimental investigation on tribological behaviours of PA6, PA6 reinforced Al2O3 and PA6 reinforced graphite polymer composites
Venue: Bulletin of Materials Science

This article reports on the preparation, characterization and experimental investigation of polyamide 6 (PA6) reinforced with alumina oxide (Al2O3) and graphite composites. The test specimens were prepared in an injection moulding machine by varying the weight proportions of Al2O3 and graphite particles blended with PA6. The tribological properties of the composites were observed by using pin on disc wear test rig under dry sliding conditions. The worn surfaces of the composites were examined using scanning electron microscope. The addition of Al2O3 and graphite significantly enhanced the tribological properties of PA6. The PA6 containing 30 wt% Al2O3 and 20 wt% graphite revealed the best tribological behaviours due to the stronger interfacial bonding characteristics with improved wear resistance. Further, the thermal stability of Al2O3 and graphite particles was studied through thermogravimetric analysis test. It was also found that further addition of Al2O3 and graphite in PA6 had no significant improvement in wear resistance, the co efficient of friction and heat generation.
In vitro larvicidal effects of ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa Linn. on Haemonchus larval stage
Venue: Veterinary world

Gastrointestinal helminthosis is a global problem in small ruminant production. Most parasites have developed resistance to commonly available anthelminthic compounds, and there is currently an increasing need for new compounds with more efficacies. This study evaluated the in vitro effects of ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa (EECL) as a biological nematicide against third stage Haemonchus larvae (L3) isolated from sheep.  Haemonchus L3 were cultured and harvested from the feces of naturally infected sheep. EECL was prepared and three concentrations; 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL were tested for their efficacies on Haemonchus L3. Levamisole at concentration 1.5 and 3 mg/mL were used as positive controls.  EECL showed anthelmintic activity in a dose dependent manner with 78% worm mortality within 24 h of exposure at the highest dose rate of 200 mg/mL. There was a 100% worm mortality rate after 2 h of levamisole (3 mg/mL) admisntration. However, there was a comparable larvicidal effect between when levamisole (1.5 mg/mL) and EECL (200 mg) were administered.  The study shows that EECL does exhibit good anthelmintic properties at 200 mg/mL which is comparable with levamisole at 1.5 mg/mL.
Experimental treatment strategies in primary cutaneous T cell lymphomas
Venue: Current opinion in oncology

Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) comprises a heterogeneous group of malignancies derived from skin homing or resident T cells. Effective treatments are limited, thus new therapies are in development to address the unmet medical need. Recent findings Recent studies uncovering the genetic alteration in cutaneous T cell lymphoma have enhanced our understanding of the importance of the T cell activation/survival pathways, dysregulated immune system, and the relevance of chromatin modification in the pathogenesis of CTCL. New advances in cancer immunomodulation such as with PD1/PD L1 inhibitors and novel targeted antitumor therapies such as brentuximab vedotin and mogamulizumab as well as potential combination strategies are promising for improving clinical efficacy with manageable toxicity profile.  All these new therapeutic approaches have resulted in broadening the treatment landscape and a potential paradigm shift in the management of CTCL.
Delayed autumn phenology in the Northern Hemisphere is related to change in both climate and spring phenology.
Venue: Global change biology

The timing of the end of the vegetation growing season (EOS) plays a key role in terrestrial ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycles. Autumn phenology is, however, still poorly understood, and previous studies generally focused on few species or were very limited in scale. In this study, we applied four methods to extract EOS dates from NDVI records between 1982 and 2011 for the Northern Hemisphere, and determined the temporal correlations between EOS and environmental factors (i.e. temperature, precipitation and insolation) as well as the correlation between spring and autumn phenology, using partial correlation analyses. Overall, we observed a trend toward later EOS in ~70% of the pixels in Northern Hemisphere, with a mean rate of 0.18 0.38 days yr 1 Warming preseason temperature was positively associated with the rate of EOS in most of our study area, except for arid/semi arid regions, where the precipitation sum played a dominant positive role. Interestingly, increased preseason insolation sum might also lead to a later date of EOS. In addition to the climatic effects on EOS, we found an influence of spring vegetation green up dates on EOS, albeit biome dependent. Our study, therefore, suggests that both environmental factors and spring phenology should be included in the modeling of EOS to improve the predictions of autumn phenology as well as our understanding of the global carbon and nutrient balances.
The CHAP EMS health promotion program: a qualitative study on participants' views of the role of paramedics
Venue: BMC Health Services Research

BackgroundExpanded roles for paramedics, commonly termed community paramedicine, are becoming increasingly common. Paramedics working in community paramedicine roles represent a distinct departure away from the traditional emergency paradigm of paramedic services. Despite this, little research has addressed how community paramedics are perceived by their clients.MethodsThis study took an interpretivist qualitative approach to examine participants' perceptions of paramedics providing a community paramedicine program, named the Community Health Assessment Program through Emergency Medical Services (CHAP EMS) Both participant observation and semi structured interviews conducted with program participants were used to gain insight into the on the ground experiences of the program. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze all data.ResultsThree themes emerged: i) Caring and trusting relationships; ii) paramedics as health advocates; iii) the added value of EMS skills. Paramedics were perceived by residents as having dual identities: first in a novel role as health advocates and secondly in a traditional role as emergency experts despite lacking contextual features associated with emergency response.ConclusionsFrom this exploratory, qualitative study we present an emerging framework in which to conceptualize paramedic roles in community paramedicine settings. Future research should address the saliency of these roles in different contexts and how these roles relate to paramedic practice.
Alternative Destination Transport? The Role of Paramedics in Optimal Use of the Emergency Department
Venue: The western journal of emergency medicine

Alternative destination transportation by emergency medical services (EMS) is a subject of hot debate between those favoring all patients being evaluated by an emergency physician (EP) and those recognizing the need to reduce emergency department (ED) crowding. This study aimed to determine whether paramedics could accurately assess a patient's acuity level to determine the need to transport to an ED.  We performed a prospective double blinded analysis of responses recorded by paramedics and EPs of arriving patients' acuity level in a large Level II trauma center between April 2015 and November 2015. Under triage was defined as lower acuity assessed by paramedics but higher acuity by EPs. Over triage was defined as higher acuity assessed by paramedics but lower acuity by EPs. The degree of agreement between the paramedics and EPs' evaluations of patient's acuity level was compared using Chi square test.  We included a total of 503 patients in the final analysis. For paramedics, 2 51 (49.9% patients were assessed to be emergent, 178 (35.4% assessed as urgent, and 74 (14.7% assessed as non emergent/non urgent. In comparison, the EPs assessed 296 (58.9% patients as emergent, 148 (29.4% assessed as urgent, and 59 (11.7% assessed as non emergent/non urgent. Paramedics agreed with EPs regarding the acuity level assessment on 71.8% of the cases. The overall under and over triage were 19.3% and 8.9% respectively. A moderate Kappa=0.5174 indicated moderate inter rater agreement between paramedics' and EPs' assessment on the same cohort of patients.  There is a significant difference in paramedic and physician assessment of patients into emergent, urgent, or non emergent/non urgent categories. The field triage of a patient to an alternative destination by paramedics under their current scope of practice and training cannot be supported.