LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Distributed Mean Estimation with Limited Communication

Abstract Motivated by the need for distributed optimization algorithms with low communication cost, we study communication efficient algorithms to perform distributed mean estimation. We study scenarios in which each client sends one bit per dimension. We first show that for d dimensional data with n clients, a naive stochastic rounding approach yields a mean squared error Θ(d/n). We then show by applying a structured random rotation of the data (an O(d log d) algorithm), the error can be reduced to O((log d)/n). The algorithms and the analysis make no distributional assumptions on the data.
Examination of the fetal brain by transabdominal three-dimensional ultrasound: potential for routine neurosonographic studies.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of transabdominal three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound in the assessment of the fetal brain and its potential for routine neurosonographic studies.


METHODS
We studied prospectively 202 consecutive fetuses between 16 and 24 weeks' gestation. A 3D ultrasound volume of the fetal head was acquired transabdominally. The entire brain anatomy was later analyzed using the multiplanar images by a sonologist who was expert in neonatal cranial sonography. The quality of the conventional planes obtained (coronal, sagittal and axial, at different levels) and the ability of the 3D multiplanar neuroscan to visualize properly the major anatomical structures of the brain were evaluated.


RESULTS
Acceptable cerebral multiplanar images were obtained in 92% of the cases. The corpus callosum could be seen in 84% of the patients, the fourth ventricle in 78%, the lateral sulcus (Sylvian fissure) in 86%, the cingulate sulcus in 75%, the cerebellar hemispheres in 98%, the cerebellar vermis in 92%, the medulla oblongata in 97% and the cavum vergae in 9% of them. The thalami and the cerebellopontine cistern (cisterna magna) were identified in all cases. At or beyond 20 weeks, superior visualization (in > 90% of cases) was achieved of the cerebral fissures, the corpus callosum (97%), the supracerebellar cisterns (92%) and the third ventricle (93%). Some cerebral fissures were seen initially at 16-17 weeks.


CONCLUSION
Multiplanar images obtained by transabdominal 3D ultrasound provide a simple and effective approach for detailed evaluation of the fetal brain anatomy. This technique has the potential to be used in the routine fetal anomaly scan.
Regular inflationary cosmology and gauge theories of gravitation

Cosmological equations for homogeneous isotropic models filled by scalar fields and ultrarelativistic matter are investigated in the framework of gauge theories of gravity. Regular inflationary cosmological models of flat, closed and open type with dominating ultrarelativistic matter at a bounce are discussed. It is shown that essential part of inflationary cosmological models has bouncing character.
Simulation technology panel: panel: simulation - past, present and future

This panel examines the progress and promise of simulation in areas of education, research and software. The panelists bring the varied perspectives of modelers and researchers, industry, academia and government.
The relationship between alliance and outcome: Analysis of a two-person perspective on alliance and session outcome.

OBJECTIVE
Better alliance is known to predict better psychotherapy outcomes, but the interdependent and interactive effects of both therapist- and patient-reported alliance levels have yet to be systematically investigated.


METHOD
Using actor-partner interdependence model analysis the authors estimated actor, partner, and 2 types of interactive effects of alliance on session outcome in a sample of 241 patient-therapist dyads across 30 sessions of cognitive-behavioral and alliance-focused therapy.


RESULTS
Findings suggest that the most robust predictors of session outcome are within-treatment changes in patient reports of the alliance, which predict both patient and therapist report on outcome. Within-treatment changes in therapist reports of the alliance, as well as differences between patients and between therapists in their average ratings of alliance levels across treatment, predict outcome as reported by the specific individual. Although alliance was found to be a significant predictor of outcome in both treatments, for therapist-reported alliance and outcome it had a stronger effect in alliance-focused therapy than in cognitive-behavioral therapy. Additionally, dyads with the highest pooled level of alliance from both partners fared best on session outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
The results are consistent with a 2-person perspective on psychotherapy, demonstrating the importance of considering the interdependent and interactive nature of both patient and therapist alliance levels on session outcome. (PsycINFO Database Record
How well does pre-service education prepare midwives for practice: competence assessment of midwifery students at the point of graduation in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND
Midwifery support and care led by midwives is the most appropriate strategy to improve maternal and newborn health. The Government of Ethiopia has recently improved the availability of midwives by scaling up pre-service education. However, the extent to which graduating students acquire core competencies for safe and effective practice is not known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of midwifery education by assessing the competence of graduating midwifery students.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the competence of students who completed basic midwifery education in Ethiopia in 2013. We interviewed students to obtain their perceptions of the sufficiency and quality of teachers and educational resources and processes. We assessed achievement of essential midwifery competencies through direct observation, using a 10-station Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). We calculated average percentage scores of performance for each station and an average summary score for all stations. Chi-square test, independent sample t test, and linear regression analysis were used to assess the statistical significance of differences and associations.


RESULTS
We assessed 484 graduating students from 25 public training institutions. Majority of students rated the learning environment unfavorably on 8 out of 10 questions. Only 32 % of students managed 20 or more births during training, and just 6 % managed 40 or more births. Students' overall average competence score was 51.8 %; scores ranged from 32.2 % for manual vacuum aspiration to 69.4 % for active management of the third stage of labor. Male gender, reporting sufficient clinical experience, and managing greater numbers of births during training were significant predictors of higher competence scores.


CONCLUSIONS
The quality of pre-service midwifery education needs to be improved, including strengthening of the learning environment and quality assurance systems. In-service training and mentoring to fill competence gaps of new graduates is also essential.
Lean product development flow

A general holistic framework, also called a process—named “Lean Product Development Flow (LPDF)”—for organizing the engineering work of Product Development (PD), has been proposed as a contribution to the emerging field of Lean Systems Engineering. The framework is based on Lean Principles, with emphasis on PD value-pulling workflow pulsed by takt periods. The value is defined as (1) mission assurance/product quality, (the traditional goals of Systems Engineering) and (2) reduced program cost and schedule achieved by a radical reduction of waste. LPDF is recommended for smaller design programs based on a high degree of legacy knowledge, with technologies mature enough so that the program feasibility is not in question. LPDF may involve limited-scope research, provided that it can be identified early in the program, and carried out separate from the main workflow. The paper is focused on aerospace and defense programs, which are presently burdened with as much as 60–90% of waste, but the process is also applicable to commercial programs. LPDF can be applied to the entire PD, to one or more milestones, and to a multilevel program. LPDF requires both detailed preparations and disciplined execution. The preparations include detailed Value Stream Mapping, separation of research from the main workflow, parsing of the Value Stream map into Takt Periods, architecting the LPDF team using dynamic allocation of resources, and team training. LPDF execution is organized as a flow through a series of short and equal work Takt Periods, each followed by an Integrative Event for structured, comprehensive coordination. Strategic and flexible tactical mitigations of uncertainties must be applied during the flow. LPDF also requires excellent leadership of a Chief Engineer, modeled after Toyota and Honda, who is a dedicated program “owner,” an expert systems designer, a strong leader focused on the program and product integrity, and skilled in consensus-building. The Chief Engineer is responsible for the entire program, with Assistant Chiefs assisting in selected technical areas, and a Project Manager assisting with program administration. An industrial pilot program is currently being undertaken to validate the method. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 7: 352–376, 2004 Regular Paper *E-mail: boppenheim@lmu.edu. Systems Engineering, Vol. 7, No. 4, 2004 © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Infection control policies and hospital-associated infections among surgical patients: variability and associations in a multicenter pediatric setting.

BACKGROUND
Hospital-associated infections are an important cause of patient morbidity and death. Little is known about the variability of infection rates and infection control practices among pediatric hospitals.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was performed with the Pediatric Health Information System database, which includes demographic and diagnostic data for 35 freestanding, noncompeting, children's hospitals, and with data from a survey of the hospitals, which yielded additional information on infection control policies and practices. Patients undergoing elective surgical procedures were included in this study.


RESULTS
Of the 35 eligible hospitals, 31 (89%) chose to participate in the survey component of this study. A total of 48278 patients met the inclusion criteria for the study; 2.3% of these patients had respiratory infections and 0.8% had gastrointestinal infections. The frequency of patients diagnosed with respiratory or gastrointestinal infections varied considerably among the hospitals and ranged from <1% to 6%. Certain infection control processes also varied among the hospitals during the study period. For instance, of the 31 hospitals, 12 monitored hand hygiene, 19 had administrative support of hand hygiene, and 16 had alcohol hand gel present for the entire study period. The presence of alcohol hand gel for the entire study was strongly and independently associated with lower odds of gastrointestinal infections (adjusted odds ratio: 0.64; 95% confidence interval: 0.49-0.85).


CONCLUSIONS
Hospitals should support the use of alcohol hand gel, with the aim of decreasing hospital-associated infection rates.
End-stage renal disease and recruitment to randomized trials: why is it so difficult? Results from a survey among Norwegian nephrologists.

OBJECTIVE
Recruitment is one of the most serious challenges in randomized clinical trials (RCTs), especially in the old and frail population. A Norwegian multicentre RCT targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients older than 70 years was initiated to compare the impact on quality of life of early or late start of dialysis. Owing to poor inclusion the RCT was closed. The aim of the present study was to explore possible reasons for the recruitment failure.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
A questionnaire was distributed to all Norwegian nephrologists. The questionnaire presented 11 statements which cited possible reasons for not including elderly ESRD patients in the RCT in question.


RESULTS
The highest rated reasons for non-inclusion were the physician's wish to decide the timing of dialysis individually and the patient's wish to postpone the start of treatment. High mean scores were also found for reasons related to workload and capacity at the dialysis unit, whereas the influence of the doctor-patient relationship and competing studies were judged not to be important.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that confidence in individually decided treatment and fear of losing professional autonomy make Norwegian nephrologists reluctant to include patients in RCTs. To succeed in recruitment, there seems to be a need for cultural changes as well as increased resources to meet practical challenges.
Rib approximation without intercostal nerve compression reduces post-thoracotomy pain: a prospective randomized study.

OBJECTIVE
One of the most important considerations in the care of thoracic surgery patients is the control of pain, which leads to increased morbidity and relevant mortality.


METHODS
Between February and May 2009, 60 patients undergoing full muscle-sparing posterior minithoracotomy were prospectively randomized into two groups, according to the thoracotomy closure techniques. In the first group (group A), two holes were drilled into the sixth rib using a hand perforator, and sutures were passed through the holes in the sixth rib and were circled from the upper edge of the fifth rib, thereby compressing the intercostal nerve underneath the fifth rib. In the second group (group B), the intercostal muscle underneath the fifth rib was partially dissected along with the intercostal nerve, corresponding to the holes on the sixth rib. Two 1/0 polyglactin (Vicyrl) sutures were passed through the holes in the sixth rib and above the intercostal nerve.


RESULTS
There were 30 patients in each group. The visual analog score, observer verbal ranking scale (OVRS) scores for pain, and Ramsay sedation scores were used to follow-up on postoperative analgesia and sedation. The von Frey hair test was used to evaluate hyperalgesia of the patients. The patients in group B had lower visual analog scores at rest and during coughing. The patients in group B had lower OVRS scores than group A patients. The groups were not statistically different in terms of the Ramsay sedation scores and von Frey hair tests.


CONCLUSIONS
Thoracotomy closure by a technique that avoids intercostal nerve compression significantly decreases post-thoracotomy pain.
The Welfare Effects of Monopoly Versus Competition: A Clarification of Textbook Presentations

A survey of textbooks reveals that only a few analyze correctly the welfare effects of the monopolization of a perfectly competitive industry.
Down syndrome biochemical markers and screening for preeclampsia at first and second trimester: correlation with the week of onset and the severity.

OBJECTIVES
To estimate the combined screening performance of first and early second trimester prenatal serum markers for Down syndrome, in screening for the development of preeclampsia, and analyze the correlation among marker levels, week of onset, and severity of the disease.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study was carried out on 32 women with preeclampsia and 3044 controls. Serum samples from these pregnancies were assayed for pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), unconjugated estriol (uE3), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), and inhibin-A. A likelihood ratio and the odds of being affected given a positive result (OAPR) of various combinations of markers were calculated and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis was performed.


RESULTS
In the pregnancies that subsequently developed preeclampsia, first trimester PAPP-A concentration was significantly lower and concentrations of early second trimester inhibin-A and hCG significantly elevated. Levels of early second trimester uE3 and AFP were not significantly altered. We also found that inhibin-A correlates with both onset of the disease and the severity.


CONCLUSION
Down syndrome biochemical markers levels are altered in those patients who subsequently developed preeclampsia and may be a useful screening test for preeclampsia. Inhibin-A is the most predictive marker and correlates with the severity of subsequent preeclampsia and inversely with the week of occurrence of preeclampsia.
Strengthening of Flat Slabs Against Punching Shear Using Post-Installed Shear Reinforcement

A significant number of existing flat slabs currently require strengthening against punching shear for safety reasons (the increase of applied loads and deficiencies during design or construction) or to comply with more stringent code requirements. Available strengthening methods are, however, not completely satisfactory, or they cannot be applied in many cases (depending on the possibilities to enlarge column sizes or to intervene on the upper face of slabs). In this paper, an innovative system overcoming most of the previous difficulties is presented. It consists of inclined shear reinforcement installed within existing slabs by drilling holes only from the soffit of the slab and by bonding it with high-performance epoxy adhesive. The results of a test program on 12 full-size slabs 3.0 x 3.0 x 0.25 m (118 x 118 x 9.8 in.) show that such reinforcement is an efficient way to increase both the strength and deformation capacity of flat slabs. Finally, the design of the reinforcement based on the critical shear-crack theory (CSCT) is presented. INTRODUCTION The collapse of flat slabs without transverse reinforcement by punching shear has shown the danger of this failure mode. 1,2 Punching develops in the slab around the column in a very brittle way and is followed by a sudden drop in the load-carrying capacity of the slab. This behavior leads to limited warning signs, increases the sensitivity of these structures to imposed deformations, allows very limited redistribution of internal forces, and propagates through the slab, eventually leading to the total collapse of the structure.
No Λ oscillations

Abstract We examine a recently published calculation which predicts an oscillatory behaviour for the decay of Λ's produced together with a neutral kaon, and proposes a new expression for the wavelength of kaon strangeness oscillations. We modify the calculation by imposing the requirement that the interference of the K L and K S components of the kaon wave function occurs at a specific space-time point. With this requirement, the unusual results predicted vanish, and the conventional results are recovered.
Structural, electronic and magnetic properties in bulk and various (0 0 1) surfaces of X2CoIn (X = Ti, Zr) Heusler alloy

Abstract The structural, electronic and magnetic properties in bulk and various (0 0 1) surfaces of X 2 CoIn (X = Ti, Zr) Heusler alloy have been investigated by spin-polarized first-principles calculations. The InIn termination is the most stable one and the XIn termination is the second only to InIn termination as the most stable surface, with high spin polarizations 65.2% and 62.3% for X = Ti (80.8% and 69.6% for X = Zr), respectively. The atomic partial density of states (APDOS) and atomic magnetic moments (AMMs) of atoms in the central layer of X 2 CoIn (0 0 1) surface accord well with those of the corresponding atoms in bulk X 2 CoIn structure. The half-metallic (HM) feature is destroyed by the surface states for all the five CoCo, XCo, XX, XIn and InIn terminations. The total magnetic moment is contributed by atoms in all layers for Ti 2 CoIn (0 0 1) surface while is mainly contributed by the atoms in the fourth to central layers (L 4 to L 9 ) for the ZrIn termination but is mainly contributed by the atoms in the sixth to central layers (L 6 to L 9 ) for the InIn termination for Zr 2 CoIn (0 0 1) surface. Further experimental efforts are expected to fabricate the X 2 CoIn thin films and investigate the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of them.
Distributional Form of Little's Law for FIFO Queues with Multiple Markovian Arrival Streams and Its Application to Queues with Vacations

This paper considers stationary queues with multiple arrival streams governed by an irreducible Markov chain. In a very general setting, we first show an invariance relationship between the time-average joint queue length distribution and the customer-average joint queue length distribution at departures. Based on this invariance relationship, we provide a distributional form of Little’s law for FIFO queues with simple arrivals (i.e., the superposed arrival process has the orderliness property). Note that this law relates the time-average joint queue length distribution with the stationary sojourn time distributions of customers from respective arrival streams. As an application of the law, we consider two variants of FIFO queues with vacations, where the service time distribution of customers from each arrival stream is assumed to be general and service time distributions of customers may be different for different arrival streams. For each queue, the stationary waiting time distribution of customers from each arrival stream is first examined, and then applying the Little’s law, we obtain an equation which the probability generating function of the joint queue length distribution satisfies. Further, based on this equation, we provide a way to construct a numerically feasible recursion to compute the joint queue length distribution.
Patrolling monocytes play a critical role in CX3CR1-mediated neuroprotection during excitotoxicity

Excitotoxicity underlies neuronal death in many neuropathological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. In murine models of these diseases, disruption of CX3CR1 signaling has thus far generated data either in favor or against a neuroprotective role of this crucial regulator of microglia and monocyte functions. In this study, we investigated the recruitment of circulating PU.1-expressing cells following sterile excitotoxicity and delineated the CX3CR1-dependent neuroprotective functions of circulating monocytes versus that of microglia in this context. WT, Cx3cr1-deficient and chimeric mice were subjected to a sterile excitotoxic insult via an intrastriatal injection of kainic acid (KA), a conformational analog of glutamate. Following KA administration, circulating monocytes physiologically engrafted the brain and selectively accumulated in the vicinity of excitotoxic lesions where they gave rise to activated macrophages depicting strong Iba1 and CD68 immunoreactivity 7 days post-injury. Monocyte-derived macrophages completely vanished upon recovery and did thus not permanently seed the brain. Furthermore, Cx3cr1 deletion significantly exacerbated neuronal death, behavioral deficits and activation of microglia cells following sterile excitotoxicity. Cx3cr1 disruption also markedly altered the blood levels of patrolling monocytes 24 h after KA administration. The specific elimination of patrolling monocytes using Nr4a1 −/− chimeric mice conditioned with chemotherapy provided direct evidence that these circulating monocytes are essential for neuroprotection. Taken together, these data support a beneficial role of CX3CR1 signaling during excitotoxicity and highlight a novel and pivotal role of patrolling monocytes in neuroprotection. These findings open new research and therapeutic avenues for neuropathological disorders implicating excitotoxicity.