LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Continental differences in clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes in patients hospitalized with worsening heart failure results from the EVEREST (Efficacy of Vasopressin Antagonism in Heart Failure: Outcome Study with Tolvaptan) program.

OBJECTIVES
Our aim was to examine continental and regional differences in baseline characteristics and post-discharge clinical outcomes in the EVEREST (Efficacy of Vasopressin Antagonism in Heart Failure: Outcome Study with Tolvaptan) trial.


BACKGROUND
Continental and regional differences in clinical trials of acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS) have not been well studied.


METHODS
We analyzed data from the EVEREST trial, which randomized 4,133 patients hospitalized for worsening (HF) and left ventricular ejection fraction < or =40% to oral tolvaptan, a vasopressin antagonist, or placebo and followed for a median of 9.9 months. Baseline characteristics, mortality, and outcomes were analyzed across North America (n = 1,251), South America (n = 688), Western Europe (564 patients), and Eastern Europe (n = 1,619).


RESULTS
There were major differences between the 4 groups in the severity, etiology, and management of HF. Unadjusted 1-year mortality and cardiovascular mortality/HF hospitalization were 30.4% and 52.5% in North America, 27.2% and 41.6% in South America, 27.1% and 47.3% in Western Europe, and 20.5% and 35.3% in Eastern Europe. After adjustment, South American patients had the highest overall mortality (hazard ratio: 1.42, 95% confidence interval: 1.15 to 1.76), while Eastern European patients had the lowest cardiovascular death and HF hospitalization rate (hazard ratio: 0.84, 95% confidence interval: 0.73 to 0.97), compared with patients in North America.


CONCLUSIONS
Major continental and regional differences in HF severity, etiology, and management exist among AHFS patients, resulting in varied post-discharge outcomes, despite pre-defined selection criteria. These differences should be taken into account when planning global trials in AHFS. (Efficacy of Vasopressin Antagonism in Heart Failure: Outcome Study with Tolvaptan [EVEREST]; NCT00071331).
Characterization and in vitro properties of potentially probiotic Bifidobacterium strains isolated from breast-milk.

Most of the current commercial probiotic strains have not been selected for specific applications, but rather on the basis of their technological potential for use in diverse applications. Therefore, by selecting them from appropriate sources, depending on the target population, it is likely that better performing strains may be identified. Few strains have been specifically selected for human neonates, where the applications of probiotics may have a great positive impact. Breast-milk constitutes an interesting source of potentially probiotic bifidobacteria for inclusion in infant formulas and foods targeted to both pre-term and full-term infants. In this study six Bifidobacterium strains isolated from breast-milk were phenotypically and genotypically characterised according to international guidelines for probiotics. In addition, different in vitro tests were used to assess the safety and probiotic potential of the strains. Although clinical data would be needed before drawing any conclusion on the probiotic properties of the strains, our results indicate that some of them may have probiotic potential for their inclusion in products targeting infants.
NOVEL PHASE-SHIFTING CHARACTERISTIC OF CRLH TL AND ITS APPLICATION IN THE DESIGN OF DUAL- BAND DUAL-MODE DUAL-POLARIZATION ANTENNA

The phase-shifting characteristic of a novel composite right/left handed transmission line (CRLH TL) for two frequency points is analyzed in this paper. Samples of (90◦, 0◦) and (180◦, 0◦) phase-shifting TLs for two frequency points (f1, f2) are deigned and the total length of the CRLH TLs has decreased by more than 77% compared to the conventional microstrip lines. Then a four way power divider made by three Wilkinson power dividers and interconnected with the (90◦, 0◦) and (180◦, 0◦) phase-shifting TLs is designed to feed an antenna with two different operating modes at two different frequency bands. Four radiating patches arranging symmetrically in a loop are printed in an upper substrate and connected with the four outputs of the feed network by four copper pins. When the four rectangular patches are excited by four sources with equal amplitude and phase at f1, metamaterial antenna with conical beam and linear polarization (LP) is achieved; while four sources with equal amplitude but 90◦ phase difference for each adjacent output at f2 leads to wideband antenna with broadside beam and circular polarization (CP). One antenna prototype with dual-band dual-mode dual-polarization property is fabricated and good agreements between simulation and measurement results are obtained. This single-feed patch antenna is valuable in wireless communications for its radiation pattern selectivity and polarization diversity. Received 10 August 2012, Accepted 6 September 2012, Scheduled 17 September 2012 * Corresponding author: Wen-Quan Cao (cao wenquan@163.com).
Segmentation and interpretation of MR brain images. An improved active shape model

This paper reports a novel method for fully automated segmentation that is based on description of shape and its variation using point distribution models (PDM's). An improvement of the active shape procedure introduced by Cootes and Taylor (1997) to find new examples of previously learned shapes using PDM's is presented. The new method for segmentation and interpretation of deep neuroanatomic structures such as thalamus, putamen, ventricular system, etc. incorporates a priori knowledge about shapes of the neuroanatomic structures to provide their robust segmentation and labeling in magnetic resonance (MR) brain images. The method was trained in eight MR brain images and tested in 19 brain images by comparison to observer-defined independent standards. Neuroanatomic structures in all testing images were successfully identified. Computer-identified and observer-defined neuroanatomic structures agreed well. The average labeling error was 7%/spl plusmn/3%. Border positioning errors were quite small, with the average border positioning error of 0.8/spl plusmn/0.1 pixels in 256/spl times/256 MR images. The presented method was specifically developed for segmentation of neuroanatomic structures in MR brain images. However, it is generally applicable to virtually any task involving deformable shape analysis.
Canadian Outcomes Study in Dementia: study methods and patient characteristics.

OBJECTIVE
To describe the methods and patient characteristics of the Canadian Outcomes Study in Dementia (COSID).


METHODS
COSID is a 3-year prospective study of dementia patients living in the community at the time of study registration. We assessed patients' cognition, behaviour, and functioning every 6 months, using the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS), the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and the Functional Autonomy Measurement System (SMAF), respectively. We assessed caregivers, using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Additional information included the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS), patients' driving status, and clinical information including family history, dementia type, concomitant medications, and comorbid conditions. From the patient or caregiver, we collected details of inpatient and outpatient resources used by the patient and (or) caregiver.


RESULTS
We enrolled 766 patients from 31 Canadian sites. Overall mean age was 76.8 years, and mean age of onset was 73.1 years. Of the total patients, 98% were white, 54% were women, and 84% were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Mean baseline 3MS was 66.5, NPI was 9.5, and SMAF was 18.30. Of these patients, 48% reported a GDS score of 3 (that is, moderate), 16% reported a GDS score of 4 (that is, moderately severe), and the remaining 36% reported a GDS score of 1 or 2 (that is, mild or very mild). At baseline, 83% of patients received cholinesterase inhibitors, 46% received nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, 39% received vitamin E, and 25% received antidepressants. Adult day care and home help were the largest cost factors in this population, with mean monthly costs of $65 and $64, respectively. We found interesting differences in the resources used among geographic regions and care settings.


CONCLUSIONS
COSID is already generating valuable information about treatment patterns, outcomes, and resource use in Canadian patients with dementia. As the data mature, it will be possible to build robust models on treatment effectiveness and costs of care.
Gasoline prices, gasoline consumption, and new-vehicle fuel economy: Evidence for a large sample of countries

Countries differ considerably in terms of the price drivers pay for gasoline. This paper uses data for a large sample of countries to provide new evidence on the implications of these differences for the consumption of gasoline for road transport and the fuel economy of new vehicles. To address the potential for simultaneity bias in ordinary least squares estimation, we use a country’s oil reserves as an instrument for its average gasoline pump price. We obtain estimates of the long-run price elasticity of gasoline demand of between –0.2 and –0.4, a smaller elasticity than most existing estimates. The results also indicate that higher gasoline prices induce consumers to substitute to vehicles that are more fuel-efficient, with an estimated elasticity of +0.2. While gasoline demand and fuel economy are both inelastic with respect to gasoline prices, there is considerable scope for low-price countries to achieve gasoline savings and vehicle fuel economy improvements via reducing gasoline subsidies and/or increasing gasoline taxes.
PATTERNS OF NEURAL TUBE DEFECTS AT TWO TEACHING HOSPITALS IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA A THREE YEARS RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.

BACKGROUND
Neural tube defects (NTDs), one of the most common congenital malformations, are potentially preventable cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality.


OBJECTIVES
To give baseline description of NTDs and their outcome at two teaching hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective cross sectional descriptive study conducted from September 2009 to August 2012.


RESULTS
During the study period out of 28,961 deliveries 177 cases of NTDs were identified, giving an overall NTD prevalence of 6.1/1000. Only 12% (21/177) were diagnosed before 28 weeks of gestation. The mean gestational age at diagnosis of NTDs was 33.8 weeks (±5.5). Majority, 93.2% (165/177), had antenatal care (ANC) follow-up. Most, 72% (127/177), were diagnosed by ultrasound before delivery while 28% (50/177) were identified at the time of delivery or expulsion. Majority, 85.3% (151/177), never received folic acid supplementation. Only less than 1% (2/177) of the mothers started taking folic acid supplementation pre-conceptionally. Only a third, 33.3% (59/177), of the fetuses were born alive while only 13.6% (24/177) were discharged alive. Myelomeningocele, identified in 51.4% (91/177), was the commonest NTD in this study.


CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The proportion of NTDs in this study is among the highest globally reported rates. The practice of periconceptional folic acid supplementation is negligible. And although most had ANC follow-up the vast majority of NTDs were diagnosed late in the third trimester. It is, therefore, highly recommended to consider implementing national preventive strategies to reduce the prevalence of NTDs in Ethiopia.
Parallel filter algorithms for data assimilation in oceanography

A consistent systematic comparison of filter algorithms based on the Kalman filter and intended for data assimilation with high-dimensional nonlinear numerical models is presented. Considered are the Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF), the Singular Evolutive Extended Kalman (SEEK) filter, and the Singular Evolutive Interpolated (SEIK) filter. Within the two parts of this thesis, the filter algorithms are compared with a focus on their mathematical properties as Error Subspace Kalman Filters (ESKF). Further, the filters are studied as parallel algorithms. This study includes the development of an efficient framework for parallel filtering. In the first part, the filter algorithms are motivated in the context of statistical estimation. The unified interpretation of the algorithms as Error Subspace Kalman Filters provides the basis for the consistent comparison of the filter algorithms. The efficient implementation of the algorithms is discussed and their computational complexity is compared. Numerical data assimilation experiments with a test model based on the shallow water equations show how choices of the assimilation scheme and particular state ensembles for the initialization of the filters lead to significant variations of the data assimilation performance. The relation of the data assimilation performance to different qualities of the predicted error subspaces is demonstrated by a statistical examination of the predicted state covariance matrices. The comparison of the filters shows that problems of the analysis equations are apparent in the EnKF algorithm due to the Monte Carlo sampling of ensembles. In addition, the SEIK filter appears to be a numerically very efficient algorithm with high potential for use with nonlinear models. The application of the EnKF, SEEK, and SEIK algorithms on parallel computers is studied in the second part. The parallelization possibilities of the different phases of the filter algorithms are examined. In addition, a framework for parallel filtering is developed which allows to combine filter algorithms with existing numerical models requiring only minimal changes to the source code of the model. The framework has been used to combine the parallel filter algorithms with the 3-dimensional finite element ocean model FEOM. Numerical data assimilation experiments are utilized to assess the parallel efficiency of the filtering framework and the parallel filters. The experiments yield an excellent parallel efficiency for the filtering framework. Furthermore, the framework and the filter algorithms are well suited for application to realistic largescale data assimilation problems.
Climbing Has a Positive Impact on Low Back Pain: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE
Comparison of climbing versus no treatment to treat chronic low back pain.


DESIGN
Prospective randomized controlled trial.


SETTING
Tertiary.


PARTICIPANTS
A total of 30 patients with chronic low back pain were recruited and randomly assigned to 2 different groups: climbing and control. The inclusion criteria were defined as chronic low back pain, age between 18 and 45 years, body mass index lower than 25, and no climbing experience.


INTERVENTIONS
Patients in the climbing group were instructed to climb 5 different climbing routes. A climbing activity of 10 sessions in 8 weeks, at least once a week with a minimum duration of 1 hour, was mandatory.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The participants were examined before (T0) and after therapy (8 weeks, T8) and after another 6 weeks (T14). The outcome was evaluated using Oswestry Disability Index, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Likert scale, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Radiologists evaluating MRI were blinded. The study was performed as a single-center study.


RESULTS
Evaluating the Oswestry Disability Index, a significant difference in the time course between the 2 groups was detected (P = 0.022). Significant improvements comparing climbing and control group were also found when assessing VAS in a minimal finger-floor-distance position (P = 0.048). Patients in the climbing group showed a reduction in size of disc protrusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Climbing may be an effective and low-cost therapy option for people with chronic low back pain.


CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Low back pain is a very common disease but still a challenge to treat. Therapy strategies vary from conservative ones, pharmacological treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and weak opioids, to invasive treatment with acupuncture, injections, and operative reconstruction. Some can be costly and not without risks. For instance, many people who use NSAIDs are at risk of common side effects such as gastrointestinal complications (irritation, ulcers, and bleeding) that may lead to hospitalization. Climbing could offer reduction of pain and better performance in daily life, because it offers a closed chain muscle training that has the potential to improve posture, perception of the trunk midline, and muscle control. Climbing may also lead to a better adherence to continuing treatment than traditional physical therapy and exercise due to a more exciting aspect of the sports activity.
General health, health conditions, and current pregnancy among U.S. women with and without chronic physical disabilities.

BACKGROUND
Although increasing numbers of reproductive-age U.S. women with chronic physical disabilities (CPD) are becoming pregnant, little is known about their general health or comorbid health conditions.


OBJECTIVES
To explore general health and comorbid health conditions among women with and without CPD by current pregnancy status.


METHODS
We analyzed responses of 47,629 civilian, noninstitutionalized women ages 18-49 from the 2006-2011 National Health Interview Surveys. The survey asks about: various movement difficulties; selected adult health conditions; self-reported general health; and current pregnancy. We identified women with CPD using responses from 8 movement difficulty questions.


RESULTS
6043 (12.7%) women report CPD. Among nondisabled women, 3.8% report current pregnancy, as do 2.0% of women with CPD. Among currently pregnant women with CPD, 29.1% report fair or poor health, compared with only 3.2% of nondisabled pregnant women. Currently pregnant women both with and without CPD are significantly less likely to report coexisting health conditions than nonpregnant women. Nonetheless, among currently pregnant women with CPD, only 24.5% report no coexisting conditions, while 28.7% report 1, 22.8% report 2, 13.2% report 3, and 10.8% report 4-6 health conditions. In a multivariable regression controlling for age category, health status, and health conditions, CPD is not statistically significantly associated with current pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
According to national survey data, it appears that pregnant women with CPD may have a complex mix of health problems and often experience fair or poor health. Better understanding the obstetrical and subspecialty needs of these women with multimorbidities requires additional investigation.
Tree row spacing affected agronomic and economic performance of Eucalyptus-based agroforestry in Andhra Pradesh, Southern India

The 3 × 2 m spacing currently used for eucalyptus plantations in the state of Andhra Pradesh, southern India does not permit intercropping from the second year. This discourages small landholders who need regular income from taking up eucalyptus plantations and benefiting from the expanding market for pulpwood. Therefore, on-farm experiments were conducted near Bhadrachalam, Khammam district (Andhra Pradesh) for over 4 years from August 2001 to November 2005 to examine whether wide-row planting and grouping of certain tree rows will facilitate extended intercropping without sacrificing wood yield. Eucalyptus planted in five-spatial arrangements in agroforestry [3 × 2 m (farmers’ practice), 6 × 1 m, 7 × 1.5 m paired rows (7 × 1.5 PR), 11 × 1 m paired rows (11 × 1 PR) and 10 × 1.5 m triple rows (10 × 1.5 TR)] was compared with sole tree stands at a constant density of 1,666 trees ha−1. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) was intercropped during the post-rainy seasons from 2001 to 2004, and fodder grasses (Panicum maximum and Brachiaria ruziziensis) were intercropped during both the seasons of 2005. At 51 months after planting, different spatial arrangements did not significantly affect height and diameter at breast height (dbh). Total dry biomass of eucalyptus in different spatial arrangements ranged between 59.5 and 52.9 Mg ha−1, the highest being with 6 × 1 m and the lowest with 10 × 1.5 TR, but treatment differences were not significant. The widely spaced paired row (11 × 1 PR) and triple row (10 × 1.5 TR) arrangements produced 62–73% of sole cowpea yield in 2003, 59–66% of sole cowpea yield in 2004, and 79–94% of sole fodder in 2005. In contrast, the 3 × 2 m spacing allowed only 17–45% of sole crop yields in these years. The better performance of intercrops in widely spaced eucalyptus was likely because of limited competition from trees for light and water. Intercropping of eucalyptus in these wider rows gave 14% greater net returns compared with intercropping in eucalyptus spaced at 3 × 2 m, 19% greater returns compared with that from sole tree woodlot and 263% greater returns compared with that from sole crops. Therefore, in regions where annual rainfall is around 1,000 mm and soils are fairly good, eucalyptus at a density of 1,666 plants per ha can be planted in uniformly spaced wide-rows (6 m) or paired rows at an inter-pair spacing of 7–11 m for improving intercrop performance without sacrificing wood production.
Lyapunov functions and attractors in arbitrary metric spaces

We prove two theorems concerning Lyapunov functions on metric spaces. The new element in these theorems is the lack of a hypothesis of compactness or local compactness. The first theorem applies to a discrete dynamical system on any metric space; the result is that if A is an attractor for a continuous map g of a metric space X to itself, then there is a Lyapunov function for A. The second theorem applies only to separable metric spaces; the theorem is that there is a complete Lyapunov function for any continuouslygenerated discrete dynamical system on a separable metric space. (A complete Lyapunov function is a real-valued function that is constant on orbits in the chain recurrent set, is strictly decreasing along all other orbits, and separates different components of the chain recurrent set.)
Functional disability and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate functional disability and quality of life (QOL) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and determine the relationship between functional status and measures of clinical condition including QOL. Fifty-one AS patients (45 male, six female) with a mean age of 37.2±10.8 years were included. The demographic data of the patients were recorded. Their clinical status was assessed using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index (BASRI), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI). Global pain of the patients was determined with a visual analog scale (VAS), and QOL status was evaluated with the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Twenty-seven patients (52.9%) had peripheral articular involvement. Sixty percent had mild-to-moderate and 25.4% of the patients had severe functional disability, while 5.8% did not report any functional loss. A significant change in the mean scores of all clinical measures except BASRI was observed between patients with and without peripheral arthritis. The clinical measures of disease (BASRI, BASMI, and BASDAI) were all correlated with each other and with laboratory variables. The strongest factors correlating with functional loss were BASMI and BASDAI. The scores of all sections of the NHP were significantly higher, indicating a poor quality of life in AS patients. Peripheral joint involvement had a significant role in the deterioration of QOL. Physical domains of NHP such as pain and physical activity had highest correlations with functional disability, whereas psychosocial domains of NHP were found to correlate more highly with BASDAI and VAS pain scores. These results show the effect of AS, especially when the disease is active and associated with peripheral involvement. In conclusion, current management strategies should focus on decreasing pain, maintaining physical activity, and efforts to improve psychosocial health aspects for increasing QOL in patients suffering from AS.