LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Effect of initial combination therapy with sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, and metformin on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and safety of initial combination therapy with sitagliptin and metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycemic control on diet and exercise.


RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
In a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study, 1,091 patients with type 2 diabetes and A1C 7.5-11% were randomized to one of six daily treatments: sitagliptin 100 mg/metformin 1,000 mg (S100/M1000 group), sitagliptin 100 mg/metformin 2,000 mg (S100/M2000 group), metformin 1,000 mg (M1000 group), metformin 2,000 mg (M2000 group) (all as divided doses administered twice daily [b.i.d.]), sitagliptin 100 mg q.d. (S100 group), or placebo. Patients who had an A1C >11% or a fasting glucose value >280 mg/dl after the run-in period were not eligible to be randomized; these patients could participate in an open-label substudy and were treated with S100/M2000 for 24 weeks.


RESULTS
The mean baseline A1C was 8.8% in the randomized patients. The placebo-subtracted A1C change from baseline was -2.07% (S100/M2000), -1.57% (S100/M1000), -1.30% (M2000), -0.99% (M1000), and -0.83% (S100) (P < 0.001 for comparisons versus placebo and for coadministration versus respective monotherapies). The proportion of patients achieving an A1C <7% and <6.5% was 66 and 44%, respectively, in the S100/M2000 group (P < 0.001 vs. S100 or M2000). For the open-label cohort (n = 117; baseline A1C 11.2%) treated with S100/M2000, the within-group mean A1C change from baseline was -2.9%. The incidence of hypoglycemia was low (0.5-2.2%) across active treatment groups and not significantly different from that in the placebo group (0.6%). The incidence of gastrointestinal adverse experiences was similar for coadministration therapies compared with their respective metformin monotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The initial combination of sitagliptin and metformin provided substantial and additive glycemic improvement and was generally well tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Laser-induced mouse model of chronic ocular hypertension.

PURPOSE
To develop an inducible mouse model of glaucoma.


METHODS
An obstruction of aqueous humor outflow in adult C57BL6/J mice was induced by combined injection of indocyanine green (ICG) dye into the anterior chamber and diode laser treatment. To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP), tonometry was performed with a modified Goldmann tonometer. The function of the retina was evaluated with electroretinography (ERG).


RESULTS
IOP was significantly elevated in surgical eyes compared with control eyes: before surgery, 15.2 +/- 0.6 mm Hg; 10 days after surgery, 33.6 +/- 1.5 mm Hg (P < 0.001); and 30 days after surgery, 27.4 +/- 1.2 mm Hg (P < 0.001). However, 60 days after surgery, IOP in the surgical eyes decreased to 19.5 +/- 0.9 mm Hg and was not significantly different compared with control eyes (control, 17.3 +/- 0.7 mm Hg; P = 0.053). ERG amplitudes, expressed as a ratio (surgical/control), were decreased in surgical eyes. The amplitudes for b-wave were: before surgery, 107.6% +/- 4.6%; 28 days after surgery, 61% +/- 4% (P < 0.001); and 56 days after surgery, 62% +/- 5.6% (P < 0.001). Oscillatory potentials were the most dramatically affected: before surgery, 108.6% +/- 6.7%; 28 days after surgery, 57.5% +/- 5% (P < 0.01); and 56 days after surgery, 57% +/- 8.5% (P < 0.001). Amplitudes of the a-waves had relatively smaller but still significant deficits: before surgery, 105.8% +/- 6.9%; 28 days after surgery, 72.2% +/- 5.4% (P < 0.01); and 56 days after surgery, 79.8% +/- 11.0% (P < 0.01). Histologic analysis of the surgical eyes revealed development of anterior synechia, loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), and thinning of all retinal layers. Electron microscopy of optic nerve cross sections revealed swelling and degeneration of the large diameter axons and gliosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Diode laser treatment of ICG saturated episcleral veins causes a chronic elevation of IOP and sustained ERG deficits.
Hip disarticulation – case series analysis and literature review☆

OBJECTIVE
To present a retrospective study of 16 patients submitted to hip disarticulation.


METHODS
During the period of 16 years, 16 patients who underwent hip disarticulation were identified. All of them were studied based on clinical records regarding the gender, age at surgery, disarticulation cause, postoperative complications, mortality rates and functional status after hip disarticulation.


RESULTS
Hip disarticulation was performed electively in most cases and urgently in only three cases. The indications had the following origins: infection (n = 6), tumor (n = 6), trauma (n = 3), and ischemia (n = 2). The mean post-surgery survival was 200.5 days. The survival rates were 6875% after six months, 5625% after one year, and 50% after three years. The mortality rates were higher in disarticulations with traumatic (66.7%) and tumoral (60%) causes. Regarding the eight patients who survived, half of them ambulate with crutches and without prosthesis, 25% walk with limb prosthesis, and 25% are bedridden. Complications and mortality were higher in the cases of urgent surgery, and in those with traumatic and tumoral causes.


CONCLUSION
Hip disarticulation is a major ablative surgery with obvious implications for limb functionality, as well as high rates of complications and mortality. However, when performed at the correct time and with proper indication, this procedure can be life-saving and can ensure the return to the home environment with a certain degree of quality of life.
Impact of Intensive Lifestyle Intervention on Depression and Health-Related Quality of Life in Type 2 Diabetes: The Look AHEAD Trial

OBJECTIVE
We examined the effects of an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI), compared with a diabetes support and education (DSE) control intervention, on long-term changes in depression symptoms, antidepressant medication (ADM) use, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in overweight/obese individuals with type 2 diabetes.


RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Look AHEAD was a multisite randomized controlled trial of 5,145 overweight/obese participants assigned to ILI (designed to produce weight loss) or DSE and followed for a median of 9.6 years. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was administered at baseline, annually at years 1-4, and again at year 8. Mean BDI scores and incidence of BDI scores ≥10, indicative of likely mild or greater depression, were examined. Annually through year 10, participants reported their ADM use and completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire, which yields physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores.


RESULTS
ILI significantly reduced the incidence of mild or greater depression symptoms (BDI scores ≥10) compared with DSE (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.85; 95% CI 0.75-0.97; P = 0.0145). Although SF-36 PCS scores worsened over time in both groups, ILI participants reported better physical function than DSE throughout the first 8 years (all P values <0.01). There were no significant differences between treatment arms in the proportion of participants who used ADMs or in SF-36 MCS scores.


CONCLUSIONS
ILI for overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes may reduce the risk of developing clinically significant symptoms of depression and preserve physical HRQoL. These findings should be considered when evaluating the potential benefits of ILIs.
Подходы к психологической интерпретации духовности

Spirituality is seen as an integrated mental phenomenon. Its structure includes a moral, a cognitive, and an aesthetic component. Spirituality is considered to be a value and semantic reflection of the environment through active search for truth, good and beauty.
The ACTIVE Trial: comparison of the effects on renal function of iomeprol-400 and iodixanol-320 in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing abdominal computed tomography.

BACKGROUND
We performed a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study to compare the renal effects of iomeprol-400 and iodixanol-320 in patients with preexisting chronic kidney disease undergoing contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography of the liver.


METHODS
One hundred forty-eight patients with moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease, ie, serum creatinine (SCr) > or =1.5 mg/dL (132.6 micromol/L) and/or calculated creatinine clearance (CrCl) <60 mL/min, undergoing contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography of the liver were randomized to equi-iodine doses (40 gI) of either the low-osmolar agent iomeprol-400 (400 mgI/mL, 726 mOsm/kg, N = 76) or the isotonic agent iodixanol-320 (320 mgI/mL, 290 mOsm/kg, N = 72), injected intravenously at 4 mL/S, followed by a bolus of 20 mL normal saline solution at the same rate. SCr was obtained at screening, baseline and at 48 to 72 hours postdose. SCr measurements and CrCl calculations were performed by a central laboratory. Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) was defined as an absolute SCr increase of > or =0.5 mg/dL (44.2 micromol/L) from baseline to 48 to 72 hours postdose. Mean SCr changes from baseline were also assessed. A Renal Safety Review Board comprised 3 medical experts reviewed the renal safety data, demographics, medical history, CIN risk factors, concomitant medications, and hydration status of each subject in a blinded manner.


RESULTS
The 2 study groups were comparable with regard to age, gender distribution, concomitant nephrotoxins, hydration status, and total iodine dose; however, the iomeprol-400 group showed a significantly higher proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus (P = 0.02). Baseline SCr was 1.7 +/- 0.6 mg/dL (150.3 +/- 53.0 micromol/L) in the iomeprol-400 group and 1.7 +/- 0.7 mg/dL (150.3 +/- 61.9 micromol/L) in the iodixanol-320 group (P = 0.87). Predose CrCl was 41.5 +/- 13.1 mL/Min in the iomeprol-400 group and 43.0 +/- 13.3 mL/Min in the iodixanol-320 group (P = 0.49). Five of 72 patient receiving iodixanol-320 (6.9%) and none of the patients receiving iomeprol-400 showed an increase of > or =0.5 mg/dL (44.2 micromol/L) from baseline [P = 0.025, 95% CI (-12.8%, -1.1%)]. The mean SCr change from baseline was significantly higher (P = 0.017 ANCOVA) after iodixanol-320 (0.06 +/- 0.27) than after iomeprol-400 (-0.04 +/- 0.19).


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of CIN was significantly higher after IV administration of iodixanol-320 than iomeprol-400. The mean rise in SCr from baseline was also higher in patients receiving iodixanol.
QoS prediction for service recommendations in mobile edge computing

Mobile edge computing is an emerging technology that provides services within the close proximity of mobile subscribers by edge servers that are deployed in each edge server. Mobile edge computing platform enables application developers and content providers to serve context-aware services (such as service recommendation) by using real time radio access network information. In service recommendation system, quality of service (QoS) prediction plays an important role when mobile devices or users want to invoke services that can satisfy user QoS requirements. However, user mobility (e.g., from one edge server to another) often makes service QoS prediction values deviate from actual values in traditional mobile networks. Unfortunately, many existing service recommendation approaches fail to consider user mobility. In this paper, we propose a service recommendation approach based on collaborative filtering and make QoS prediction based on user mobility. This approach initially calculates user or edge server similarity and selects the Top-K most-similar neighbors, predicts service QoS, and then makes service recommendation. We have implemented our proposed approach with experiments based on Shanghai Telecom datasets. Experimental results show that our approach can significantly improve on the accuracy of service recommendation in mobile edge computing. Keywords—Mobile Edge Computing, QoS, Service Recommendation, Edge server Similarity
High speed PM motor with hybrid magnetic bearing for kinetic energy storage

This paper describes the design essentials of an external-rotor permanent magnet Halbach array motor with a hybrid magnetic bearing, intended for kinetic energy storage. The theoretical estimations are compared to finite element analysis as well as an approximated model using standard shape magnets. A dipole Balbach array produces a uniform flux distribution inside the cylindrical stator, where straight windings on an iron-less stator are placed near the inner boundary. The position of the windings inside this field does not affect the efficiency of the motor. When the motor is operated continuously, these variations become insignificant. The motor is suspended on a hybrid magnetic bearing without active control. Two radial repelling magnetic bearings are used in combination with an axial journal bearing. The theoretical values were found to be consistent to that of a working model. For high speed kinetic energy storage it is essential that the flywheel, which incorporates the motor and hybrid magnetic bearing, is operated in a vacuum. Under these conditions, the motor/bearing system approaches near 100% efficiencies e.g. the approximated Halbach array motor model showed an electrical to mechanical efficiency of 97%. The flywheel target storage capacity was 150 Wh with a minimum power rating of 40 W at a maximum operating speed of 48000 RPM. It is intended that multiple modules of this basic unit can be used in parallel to increase the overall energy storage capacity for rural and isolated power supplies.
Volumetric and Ultrasonic Velocity Studies of Urea and Thiourea in Aqueous Solution

The observations on the anomalous behavior of urea and the comparison between urea and thiourea in aqueous solutions have been examined by volumetric and ultrasonic sound velocity techniques at different temperature (298.15, 303.15, 308.15, 313.15, 318.15 and 323.15 K), atmospheric pressure by using a high accuracy vibrating U-tube digital density and ultrasonic sound velocity analyzer. The apparent molar volume (φv) & apparent molar adiabatic compressibility (φk) have been calculated from experimental density and ultrasonic sound velocity data respectively and limiting apparent molar volume (φ0), limiting apparent molar adiabatic compressibility (φ k 0) have been evaluated from apparent molar volume vs. molality plot as intercept. Apparent molar expansibility (φE) was determined from apparent molar volume and hydration number (nH) from adiabatic compressibility. The results show very interesting information about strong solute-solvent & solute-solute interactions, and also elaborate the structure making or breaking behavior in the solution mixtures. keywords: Urea, Thiourea, Apparent molar volume, Expansibility, Sound velocity, Hydration number.
7 Philosophical Perspectives

Philosophical perspectives are worldviews that define the nature of the world, the individual’s place in it, and the possible relationships to that world and its parts. Learning and instructional theories are developed with respect to a particular set of assumptions regarding what it means to know and learn. It is our contention that when situational variables require some decision on the part of the educator (and we believe this is always the case), an underlying set of assumptions (whether they be tacit or explicit) will, and should, drive the decision. In this chapter we provide overview descriptions of five psychological perspectives, contrasted in terms of epistemology, ontology, unit of analysis, and whether they suggest dualist relationships. These theories (behaviorism, cognitivism, cognitive constructivism, sociocultural/historicism, and situativity theory) provide frameworks for describing learning and designing instruction. It is the goal of this chapter to clarify these distinctions and the underlying assumptions so instructional designers, teachers, and researchers may make pedagogical decisions more explicitly.
Slow and Fast Light

Recent research has established that it is possible to exercise extraordinary control of the velocity of propagation of light pulses through a material system. Both extremely slow propagation (much slower than the velocity of light in vacuum) and fast propagation (exceeding the velocity of light in vacuum) have been observed. This article summarizes this recent research, placing special emphasis on the description of the underlying physical processes leading to the modification of the velocity of light. To understand these new results, it is crucial to recall the distinction between the phase velocity and the group velocity of a light field. These concepts will be defined more precisely below; for the present we note that the group velocity gives the velocity with which a pulse of light propagates through a material system. One thus speaks of “fast” or “slow” light depending on the value of the group velocity vg in comparison to the velocity of light c in vacuum. Slow light refers to the situation vg c. In fact group velocities smaller than 17 m/c have been observed experimentally (Hau, Harris, Dutton, and Behroozi [1999]). Fast light refers to light traveling faster then the speed of light in vacuum. This circumstance can occur either when vg > c or when vg is negative. A negative group velocity corresponds to the case when the peak of the pulse transmitted through an optical material emerges before the peak of the incident light field enters the medium, (Garrett and McCumber [1970]), which is indeed fast! Some of these ideas can be understood in terms of the time sequences shown in Fig. 1. It is also worth noting that the transit time T through an optical medium can in general be represented as
Analysis of immunoglobulin transcripts and hypermutation following SHIVAD8 infection and protein-plus-adjuvant immunization

Developing predictive animal models to assess how candidate vaccines and infection influence the ontogenies of Envelope (Env)-specific antibodies is critical for the development of an HIV vaccine. Here we use two nonhuman primate models to compare the roles of antigen persistence, diversity and innate immunity. We perform longitudinal analyses of HIV Env-specific B-cell receptor responses to SHIV(AD8) infection and Env protein vaccination with eight different adjuvants. A subset of the SHIV(AD8)-infected animals with higher viral loads and greater Env diversity show increased neutralization associated with increasing somatic hypermutation (SHM) levels over time. The use of adjuvants results in increased ELISA titres but does not affect the mean SHM levels or CDR H3 lengths. Our study shows how the ontogeny of Env-specific B cells can be tracked, and provides insights into the requirements for developing neutralizing antibodies that should facilitate translation to human vaccine studies.
Beard infantile hemangioma and subglottic involvement: are median pattern and telangiectatic aspect the clue?

BACKGROUND
Identification of patient at risk of subglottic infantile hemangioma (IH) is challenging because subglottic IH can grow fast and cause airway obstruction with a fatal course.


OBJECTIVE
To refine the cutaneous IH pattern at risk of subglottic IH.


METHODS
Prospective and retrospective review of patients with cutaneous IH involving the beard area. IHs were classified in the bilateral pattern group (BH) or in the unilateral pattern group (UH). Infantile hemangioma topography, subtype (telangiectatic or tuberous), ear, nose and throat (ENT) manifestations and subglottic involvement were recorded.


RESULTS
Thirty-one patients (21 BH and 10 UH) were included during a 20-year span. Nineteen patients (16 BH and 3 UH) had subglottic hemangioma. BH and UH group overlap on the median pattern (tongue, gum, lips, chin and neck). Median pattern, particularly the neck area and telangiectatic subtype of IH were significantly associated with subglottic involvement.


CONCLUSION
Patients presenting with telangiectatic beard IH localized on the median area need early ENT exploration. They should be treated before respiratory symptoms occur.
Query tree-based reservation for efficient RFID tag anti-collision

Since the tree based RFID tag anti-collision protocol achieves 100% read rate, and the slotted ALOHA based tag anti-collision protocol allows simple implementation and good performance in small amount of tags, we consider how to take the advantages of each algorithm. This paper presents query tree based reservation for efficient RFID tag anti-collision. According to the simulation results, the proposed protocol requires less time consumption for tag identification than the present tag anti-collision protocols implemented in EPC Class 0, Class 1, and Class 1 Gen. 2
Simulation versus Narrative: Introduction to Ludology

Academic video game studies have known an incredible development during the last couple of years. Slowly, academic interest has shifted from the early do-games-induce-violent-behaviors studies toward analyses that acknowledge the relevance of this new medium. Several international conferences on game studies took place in 2001, plus the publication of Game Studies, the first peer-reviewed online journal on the field. 1 In 2002 and 2003, the number of conferences and workshops kept growing steadily. After an early start as a subset of digital text studies, video game studies is finding its own academic space. Probably the most promising change comes from a new generation of researchers who grew up with computer games and now are bringing to this new field both their passion and expertise on this form of entertainment. So far, the traditional-and most popular-research approach from both the industry and the academy has been to consider video games as extensions of drama 2 and narrative. 3 Mile this notion has been contested (especially by Espen Aarseth 4) and generated a sometimes passionate debate, the narrative paradigm still prevails. My goal in this essay is to contribute to this discussion by offering more reasons as to why the storytelling model is not only an inaccurate one but also how it limits our understanding of the medium and our ability to create even more compelling games. The central argument I will explore is that, unlike traditional media, video games are not just
Patient assessment using standardized bone mineral density values and a national reference database: implementing uniform thresholds for the reimbursement of osteoporosis treatments in Belgium

 Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) devices from the three main manufacturers provide different bone mineral density (BMD) values, due in part to technical differences in the algorithms for bone mineral content (BMC) and area measurements and in part to the use of different manufacturer-derived reference databases. As a result, significant differences exist between Hologic, Lunar and Norland systems in the reported young normal standard deviation scores or T-scores. In a number of European countries, including Belgium, a T-score below −2.5 is one of the key criteria for reimbursement of osteoporosis treatments. This paper addresses the first attempt to implement a nationwide, uniform expression of BMD in patients, in order to harmonize drug reimbursement. To this end, measures were taken to implement a uniform expression of BMD in Belgian patients, by converting each manufacturer's absolute BMD to standardized BMD (sBMD) values and by establishing a single national reference range.