LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Exercise and hand osteoarthritis symptomatology: a controlled crossover trial.

STUDY DESIGN
Randomized Clinical Trial.


INTRODUCTION
Hand exercises have been recommended as treatment for hand osteoarthritis (OA) but research evidence is sparse.


PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
To investigate effects of daily 16-week home-based hand exercise among persons with hand OA.


METHODS
Forty-six older adults completed a crossover trial with washout between exercise and sham treatments. The AUSCAN physical function sub-scale served as the primary outcome measure. Other outcomes included pain and stiffness sub-scales, dexterity, and grip & pinch strengths.


RESULTS
Changes in AUSCAN sub-scales did not differ between exercise and sham treatments. No changes in dexterity were seen. Grip and pinch measures modestly improved after exercise but not sham.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible that our exercise protocol may have been too ambitious for this age group. Future research will further the understanding of the role of hand exercise in hand OA symptomatology.


LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
2b.
Osteopenia and fractures in cystinotic children post renal transplantation

 Many of the end-organ effects of cystinosis are known to be risk factors for osteopenia; these include deposition of cystine crystals in bone, hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, primary hypogonadism, urinary phosphate wasting, and chronic renal failure. While transplantation may correct the latter, it exposes the child to other risk factors for diminished bone mass, notably the use of high-dose glucocorticoids. Our objective was to determine if these multiple risk factors translate into an increased occurrence of osteopenia, as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and/or fractures in this population. We examined the charts, X-rays, and bone mineral density (BMD) of all cystinotic patients post renal transplant for whom this information was available. Lumbar spine BMD was measured by DEXA scan (Hologic 4500). Z-scores were corrected for growth parameters using previously published reference data. Fracture history and pertinent serum markers of bone metabolism were also analyzed. Of the 63 renal transplants performed at our institution, 11 children were transplanted due to cystinosis. Nine of these patients, 5 male and 4 female, had had BMD evaluations, with an average age of 14.3 years (range 5–17 years) at the time of initial BMD post transplant. The mean interval between transplant and BMD evaluation was 39 months (range 3–90 months). Surprisingly, 7 of 9 patients had normal uncorrected BMD values (z-scores −1.92 to +0.02) and 7 of 9 patients had normal corrected values (z-scores –1.20 to +1.93). Three patients suffered from a total of eight fractures. Of the 3 fracture patients, 2 had normal BMD. All patients maintained good graft function and had normal calcium/phosphate mineral status. Of note, 3 of 5 male patients had evidence of primary testicular failure at earlier ages than often described, and this may be an unrecognized risk factor for bone disease in this population. Despite the numerous risk factors for developing osteopenia, these results suggest that the majority of cystinotic patients post renal transplant do not experience reduced bone mineral content as measured by DEXA. However, the significant fracture history among these patients demonstrates that DEXA cannot be used to assess fracture risk in patients with nephropathic cystinosis.
Of Electrical Distribution Systems with Multiple Grounded Neutrals

Multiple grounded neutral systems require that, on most land-based AC current service installations, the bonding conductor used to connect the non-current-carrying metal parts of equipment, the system grounded conductor (neutral), and the grounding electrodes be bonded together at the service entrance box. Users, thus, share their ground with the serving utility's neutral ground. This interconnection, although functional, poses some distinctive problems to utility companies as well as to users, which this paper seeks to clarify
Effects of stabilization exercises on health-related quality of life in women with chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND
The study examined the effects of a 4-week intensive isometric and isotonic stabilization exercise program on dimensions of health-related quality of life (HRQL) in women with chronic low back pain (CLBP).


METHODS
A total of 39 women (27-72 years old) provided data in an experimental study with a 9-month follow-up. Random allocation was undertaken for the two treatment groups out of the 3 groups: isometric stabilization (n = 13), isotonic stabilization (n = 13), and a control group (n = 13) that did not participate in any form of exercise. Health-related quality of life measures using the Short-Form 36 Health Survey were assessed before program initiation, immediately after program termination, and 4 times postintervention for a period of 9 months.


RESULTS
The isometric stabilization group displayed large improvements in bodily pain and vitality for women with CLBP attending a 4-week intensive isometric stabilization exercise program. The effects were retained for a period of 9 months after program termination.


CONCLUSIONS
Isometric stabilization exercises reduce pain and enhance vitality as dimensions of HRQL among women with chronic low back pain with such effects lasting for at least 9 months.
Context awareness in health care: A review

BACKGROUND
Health care systems will integrate new computing paradigms in the coming years. Context-awareness computing is a research field which often refers to health care as an interesting and rich area of application.


AIM
Through a survey of the research literature, we intended to derive an objective view of the actual dynamism of context awareness in health care, and to identify strengths and weaknesses in this field.


METHODS
After discussing definitions of context, we proposed a simple framework to analyse and characterize the use of context through three main axes. We then focused on context-awareness computing and reported on the main teams working in this area. We described some of the context-awareness projects in health care. A deeper analysis of the hospital-based projects demonstrated the gap between recommendations expressed for modelling context awareness and the actual use in a prototype. Finally, we identified pitfalls encountered in this area of research.


RESULTS
A number of opportunities remain for this evolving field of research. We found relatively few groups with such a specific focus. As yet there is no consensus as to the most appropriate models or attributes to include in context awareness. We conclude that a greater understanding of which aspects of context are important in a health care setting is required; the inherent sociotechnical nature of context-aware applications in health care; and the need to draw on a number of disciplines to conduct this research.
Attitudes, knowledge, and interest: preparing university students to work in an aging world.

BACKGROUND
The underlying goals of the present study were (i) to assess knowledge of and attitudes towards aging in a sample of Portuguese undergraduate students undertaking various degrees in health and welfare subjects, and (ii) to analyze the extent to which knowledge, attitudes and other factors were associated with interest in working with older adults.


METHODS
The study was cross-sectional in design. The sample comprised 460 Portuguese undergraduate students enrolled in degrees in nursing, social work, and psychology. They were asked to complete questionnaires and quizzes, which were analyzed using contingency tables and one way analysis of variance for inter-group comparison, and then subjected to multivariate logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Significant differences emerged between groups on knowledge, attitudes towards aging and interest in working with older adults, with both nursing and social work students displaying more positive attitudes, knowledge, and interest in working with older adults, when compared with psychology students. A regression analysis indicated that attitudes, knowledge, and previous formal contact were significant predictors of interest.


CONCLUSION
Interest in working with older adults was significantly related to positive attitudes, more knowledge and formal previous contact. Positive attitudes towards older adults can be promoted through interaction with faculty members and experts, knowledge acquisition about normative changes with age, and contact with healthy and impaired older adults.
Review of Research on Age Discrimination in the Employment

This paper reviews the research literature on age discrimination in the employment interview and related contexts. Twenty one studies were identified which explored whether age discrimination occurs within the context of the employment interview since the Age Discrimination in Employment Act was put into law. Sixteen studies were conducted in laboratory settings. It was concluded that evidence of age discrimination in the employment interview is commonly observed in laboratory studies which do not assess the influence of other job-relevant characteristics. Laboratory studies may create too much artificiality, where the impact of qualifications is artificially minimized and the impact of irrelevant factors like age are maximized. Only 5 of the 21 studies were conducted in the field, but they found far less consequential age discrimination in the employment interview.
Art And Politics In The Weimar Period: The New Sobriety 1917-1933

Apologia and Plan Voices From Underground A Story of Contrasts * War and Revolution 1914-1920 People in the War Counter-Offensive Revolution and the Arts: Russia 1917-20 Revolution and the Arts: Germany 1918-20 Paris Postwar * The Turning Point 1921-3: Politics, Radio, Cinema, The NEP, IAH, Rapallo German Stabilization, Russians in Berlin, Berlin Constructivism, International Constructivism The Bauhaus at Weimar, Grosz and Political Art, A New Naturalism End of Theatrical Expressionism, La Cration du Monde Hindermith, Mechanical Instruments Architectural Beginnings, End of Paris Dada, Summary * The New Sobriety 1924-8 Weimar Builds Impersonal Art Neue Saschlichkeit The Dessau Bauhaus Modern Architecture Living Design The Camera Eye Theatre for the Machine Age Music for the Times Retrograde Symptoms * The Crunch 1929-30: Economic Collapse, Death of Stresemann Proletarian art Organizations and the Five-Year Plan, Economy and Reaction in Germany Sacking of Hannes Meyer, the ARBKD, Transformation in the Theatre End of the Silent Film, Book Clubs and War Novels Epic Structures and Light Prose * Kampf and its Illusions 1930-33 Weimar Crumples The Lost Revolution * Post Mortem Looking Back Today
Automatic credit card fraud detection based on non-linear signal processing

Fraud detection is a critical problem affecting large financial companies that has increased due to the growth in credit card transactions. This paper presents a new method for automatic detection of frauds in credit card transactions based on non-linear signal processing. The proposed method consists of the following stages: feature extraction, training and classification, decision fusion, and result presentation. Discriminant-based classifiers and an advanced non-Gaussian mixture classification method are employed to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent transactions. The posterior probabilities produced by classifiers are fused by means of order statistical digital filters. Results from data mining of a large database of real transactions are presented. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated for several datasets using parameters derived from receiver characteristic operating analysis and key performance indicators of the business.
Comparison of Xpert MTB/RIF with Other Nucleic Acid Technologies for Diagnosing Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a High HIV Prevalence Setting: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND
The Xpert MTB/RIF (Cepheid) non-laboratory-based molecular assay has potential to improve the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB), especially in HIV-infected populations, through increased sensitivity, reduced turnaround time (2 h), and immediate identification of rifampicin (RIF) resistance. In a prospective clinical validation study we compared the performance of Xpert MTB/RIF, MTBDRplus (Hain Lifescience), LightCycler Mycobacterium Detection (LCTB) (Roche), with acid fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy and liquid culture on a single sputum specimen.


METHODS AND FINDINGS
Consecutive adults with suspected TB attending a primary health care clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa, were prospectively enrolled and evaluated for TB according to the guidelines of the National TB Control Programme, including assessment for smear-negative TB by chest X-ray, clinical evaluation, and HIV testing. A single sputum sample underwent routine decontamination, AFB smear microscopy, liquid culture, and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing. Residual sample was batched for molecular testing. For the 311 participants, the HIV prevalence was 70% (n = 215), with 120 (38.5%) culture-positive TB cases. Compared to liquid culture, the sensitivities of all the test methodologies, determined with a limited and potentially underpowered sample size (n = 177), were 59% (47%-71%) for smear microscopy, 76% (64%-85%) for MTBDRplus, 76% (64%-85%) for LCTB, and 86% (76%-93%) for Xpert MTB/RIF, with specificities all >97%. Among HIV+ individuals, the sensitivity of the Xpert MTB/RIF test was 84% (69%-93%), while the other molecular tests had sensitivities reduced by 6%. TB detection among smear-negative, culture-positive samples was 28% (5/18) for MTBDRplus, 22% (4/18) for LCTB, and 61% (11/18) for Xpert MTB/RIF. A few (n = 5) RIF-resistant cases were detected using the phenotypic drug susceptibility testing methodology. Xpert MTB/RIF detected four of these five cases (fifth case not tested) and two additional phenotypically sensitive cases.


CONCLUSIONS
The Xpert MTB/RIF test has superior performance for rapid diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis over existing AFB smear microscopy and other molecular methodologies in an HIV- and TB-endemic region. Its place in the clinical diagnostic algorithm in national health programs needs exploration. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.
Is extubation associated with changes in ductal and pulmonary blood flow in extremely preterm neonates?

AIM
Early extubation is desirable in preterm neonates to minimise the risk of complications associated with prolonged intubation. The association of significant pulmonary haemorrhage (PH) with extubation in a cluster of very preterm infants instigated an assessment of ductal and pulmonary haemodynamic effects of early extubation.


METHOD
This is a prospective observational study in 20 neonates (gestation <28 weeks) undergoing early extubation. Echocardiography was performed 5 min pre-extubation and 20 min post-extubation to continuous positive airway pressure. Normal cardiac anatomy was ascertained. Left pulmonary artery (LPA) and ductus arteriosus diameter and flows were recorded. Doppler spectral pattern of velocity was recorded over a minimum of four cycles.


RESULTS
Median (range) gestation, birthweight and age at extubation were 26.5 (24.0-28.0) weeks, 932 (595-1260) g and 18 (6-51) h, respectively. There was no significant change in pulmonary flow post-extubation: ductal size: (pre--1.2 (0-3.3) mm, post--1.0 (0-3.5) mm); ductal flow: (pre--44 (0-515), post--49 (0-441) mL/kg/min); LPA diameter: (pre--2.4 (1.9-3.8) mm, post--2.6 (1.9-3.4) mm); LPA flow: (pre--112 (59-255), post--122 (58-188) mL/kg/min. There were 3 out of 20 infants who developed PH at the post-natal age of 2, 11 and 16 days after extubation. Ductal and LPA flow did not change significantly after extubation in infants with or without PH irrespective of the ductal status.


CONCLUSIONS
Early extubation was not associated with a significant change from baseline in ductal and pulmonary flow in extremely preterm infants.
Feature correspondence and motion recovery in vehicle planar navigation

This paper describes a strategy to feature point correspondence and motion recovery in vehicle navigation. A transformation of the image plane is proposed that keeps the motion of the vehicle on a plane parallel to the transformed image plane. This permits to de"ne linear tracking "lters to estimate the real-world positions of the features, and allows us to select the matches that accomplish the rigidity of the scene by a Hough transform. Candidate correspondences are selected by similarity, taking into account the smoothness of motion. Further processing brings out the "nal matching. The methods have been tested in a real application. ( 1999 Pattern Recognition Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
A Miniaturized Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna With Improved Radiation Characteristics

In this letter, a modified antipodal Vivaldi antenna is presented. A novel tapered slot edge (TSE) structure is employed in this design. The proposed TSE has the capacity to extend the low-end bandwidth limitation and improve the radiation characteristics in the lower frequencies. A prototype of the modified antenna is fabricated and experimentally studied as well. The measured results show reasonable agreement with the simulated ones that validate the design procedure and confirm the benefits of the modification.
Impact of sociodemographic patient characteristics on the efficacy of decision AIDS: a patient-level meta-analysis of 7 randomized trials.

BACKGROUND
Decision aids (DAs) increase patient knowledge, reduce decisional conflict, and promote shared decision making (SDM). The extent to which they do so across diverse sociodemographic patient groups is unknown.


METHODS AND RESULTS
We conducted a patient-level meta-analysis of 7 randomized trials of DA versus usual care comprising 771 encounters between patients and clinicians discussing treatment options for chest pain, myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis. Using a random effects model, we examined the impact of sociodemographic patient characteristics (age, sex, education, income, and insurance status) on the outcomes of knowledge transfer, decisional conflict, and patient involvement in SDM. Because of small numbers of people of color in the study population, we were not powered to investigate the role of race. Most patients were aged ≥65 years (61%), white (94%), and women (59%); two thirds had greater than a high school education. Compared with usual care, DA patients gained knowledge, were more likely to know their risk, and had less decisional conflict along with greater involvement in SDM. These gains were largely consistent across sociodemographic patient groups, with DAs demonstrating similar efficacy when used with vulnerable patients such as the elderly and those with less income and less formal education. Differences in efficacy were found only in knowledge of risk in 1 subgroup, with greater efficacy among those with higher education (35% versus 18%; P=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
In this patient-level meta-analysis of 7 randomized trials, DAs were efficacious across diverse sociodemographic groups as measured by knowledge transfer, decisional conflict, and patient involvement in SDM. To the extent that DAs increase patient knowledge and participation in SDM, they have potential to impact health disparities related to these factors.
Measurement and Correction of Systematic Odometry Errors Caused by Kinematics Imperfections in Mobile Robots

This paper addresses an innovative method for the measurement and correction of systematic odometry errors caused by the kinematics imperfections in the differential drive mobile robots. An occasional systematic calibration of the mobile robot increases the odometric accuracy and reduces operational cost, as less frequent absolute positioning updates are required during the operation. Conventionally, the tests used for this purpose (e.g. UMBmark test) are relatively difficult to perform and are very sensitive to non-systematic errors and requires a large number of tests with precise measurements of the final position and orientation of the robot to get better accuracy. This paper describes a novel method for calibration of differential drive mobile robots. The method is systematic, very simple to perform and insensitive to the random errors and hence provides near optimal results (with respect to the systematic errors) in a single test due to its inherent robustness. Simulation results are presented which shows the significant improvement in the odometric accuracy with less effort
Using Machine Learning Safely in Automotive Software: An Assessment and Adaption of Software Process Requirements in ISO 26262

The use of machine learning (ML) is on the rise in many sectors of software development, and automotive software development is no different. In particular, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Automated Driving Systems (ADS) are two areas where ML plays a significant role. In automotive development, safety is a critical objective, and the emergence of standards such as ISO 26262 has helped focus industry practices to address safety in a systematic and consistent way. Unfortunately, these standards were not designed to accommodate technologies such as ML or the type of functionality that is provided by an ADS and this has created a conflict between the need to innovate and the need to improve safety. In this report, we take steps to address this conflict by doing a detailed assessment and adaption of ISO 26262 for ML, specifically in the context of supervised learning. First we analyze the key factors that are the source of the conflict. Then we assess each software development process requirement (Part 6 of ISO 26262) for applicability to ML. Where there are gaps, we propose new requirements to address the gaps. Finally we discuss the application of this adapted and extended variant of Part 6 to ML development scenarios. Table of