LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Do cervical epidural injections provide long-term relief in neck and upper extremity pain? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND
The high prevalence of chronic persistent neck pain not only leads to disability but also has a significant economic, societal, and health impact. Among multiple modalities of treatments prescribed in the management of neck and upper extremity pain, surgical, interventional and conservative modalities have been described. Cervical epidural injections are also common modalities of treatments provided in managing neck and upper extremity pain. They are administered by either an interlaminar approach or transforaminal approach.


OBJECTIVES
To determine the long-term efficacy of cervical interlaminar and transforaminal epidural injections in the treatment of cervical disc herniation, spinal stenosis, discogenic pain without facet joint pain, and post surgery syndrome.


METHODS
The literature search was performed from 1966 to October 2014 utilizing data from PubMed, Cochrane Library, US National Guideline Clearinghouse, previous systematic reviews, and cross-references. The evidence was assessed based on best evidence synthesis with Level I to Level V.


RESULTS
There were 7 manuscripts meeting inclusion criteria. Of these, 4 assessed the role of interlaminar epidural injections for managing disc herniation or radiculitis, and 3 assessed these injections for managing central spinal stenosis, discogenic pain without facet joint pain, and post surgery syndrome. There were 4 high quality manuscripts. A qualitative synthesis of evidence showed there is Level II evidence for each etiology category. The evidence is based on one relevant, high quality trial supporting the efficacy of cervical interlaminar epidural injections for each particular etiology. There were no randomized trials available assessing the efficacy of cervical transforaminal epidural injections.


LIMITATIONS
Paucity of available literature, specifically conditions other than disc herniation.


CONCLUSION
This systematic review with qualitative best evidence synthesis shows Level II evidence for the efficacy of cervical interlaminar epidural injections with local anesthetic with or without steroids, based on at least one high-quality relevant randomized control trial in each category for disc herniation, discogenic pain without facet joint pain, central spinal stenosis, and post surgery syndrome.
Pricing games of mixed conventional and e-commerce distribution channels

In this paper, a distribution system is studied, in which a supplier sells a common product through conventional (physical retailer) and e-commerce (e-tailers) channels. We examine two types of Stackelberg pricing games and one type of Nash pricing game in this dual-channel distribution system. We also analyze the effects of several key factors (i.e., the supplier’s pricing mode, game schemes, and efficiency of echannel in relation to acceptance of channels) on the resulting prices as well as the profits for the supplier and the retailer, respectively. This paper is an effort to examine modeling competition in the multiplechannel environment from a pricing viewpoint. We find that channel acceptance plays a critical role in influencing equilibrium prices and profits in the dual-channel distribution system. When the customer acceptance of one channel exceeds a certain threshold, this channel cannibalizes all retail sales and dominates the distribution system. The supplier can make more profits by adopting a differential pricing strategy; on the contrary, the retailer prefers uniform pricing. Numerical analysis indicates that both the supplier and the retailer are worse off in the Nash game than in the Stackelberg games. The supplier prefers an e-channel with higher efficiency, whereas the physical retailer has to maintain higher channel acceptance to maintain its position in the distribution system. 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Ergometry as a Basis for Judging the Antihypertensive Effect

The duration and degree of blood pressure reduction produced by antihypertensive drugs is usually assessed by measuring blood pressure at rest; however, these measurements are strongly influenced by the time ofday and the subject's physical and emotional state (Kronig 1976; Schulte et aI. 1978; Taylor 1975;Von Eiffet aI. 1978). Moreover, arterial hypertension is characterised both by an elevated resting blood pressure and, especially, by an excessive pressure response to physical and emotional stress (Franz 1986).There is a close correlation between systolic pressure during exercise and the degree of left ventricular hypertropy (Nathwani et aI. 1975; Ren et aI. 1985).Therefore, it may be appropriate to assess antihypertensive efficacy during standardised exercise testing. In a double-blind controlled study, we evaluated the effect ofurapidil and nitrendipine on blood pressure at rest and also during and after standardised ergometric exercise. This method of exercise testing is reported to provide reproducible data regarding the blood pressure response to physical activity (Franz 1982, 1987).
Fast Detection of Denial-of-Service Attacks on IP Telephony

Recently voice over IP (VoIP) is experiencing a phenomenal growth. Being a real-time service, VoIP is more susceptible to denial-of-service (DoS) attacks than regular Internet services. Moreover, VoIP uses multiple protocols for call control and data delivery, making it vulnerable to various DoS attacks at different protocol layers. An attacker can easily disrupt VoIP services by flooding TCP SYN packets, UDP-based RTP packets, or SIP-based INVITE messages, which pose a critical threat to IP telephony. In this paper, we present an online statistical detection mechanism, called vFDS, to detect DoS attacks in the context of VoIP. The core of vFDS is based on Hellinger distance method, which computes the variability between two probability measures. Using Hellinger distance, we characterize normal protocol behaviors and then detect the traffic anomalies caused by flooding attacks. Our experimental results show that vFDS achieves fast and accurate detection of DoS attacks
Virtual Vouchers: Prototyping a Mobile Augmented Reality User Interface for Botanical Species Identification

the tools that botanists require for field-work must evolve and take on new forms. Of particular importance is the ability to identify existing and new species in the field. Mobile augmented reality systems can make it possible to access, view, and inspect a large database of virtual species examples side-by-side with physical specimens. In this paper, we present prototypes of a mobile augmented reality electronic field guide and techniques for displaying and inspecting computer vision-based visual search results in the form of virtual vouchers. Our work addresses head-movement controlled augmented reality for hands-free interaction and tangible augmented reality. We describe results from our design and investigation process and discuss observations and feedback from lab trials by botanists.
Image plane interaction techniques in 3D immersive environments

This paper presents a set of interaction techniques for use in headtracked immersive virtual environments. With these techniques, the user interacts with the 2D projections that 3D objects in the scene make on his image plane. The desktop analog is the use of a mouse to interact with objects in a 3D scene based on their projections on the monitor screen. Participants in an immersive environment can use the techniques we discuss for object selection, object manipulation, and user navigation in virtual environments. CR
What can we hope to accomplish in generalized Ramsey theory?

Abstract In its relatively short existence as a field of study, generalized Ramsey theory for graphs has achieved a remarkable degree of coherence. A major reason for this coherence is the presence of guiding principles and conjectures that give most results in the field a general setting. We will surveey some of these principles and conjectures here. It is hoped that considering these, as well as the illustrative results given, will help give focus to future research. We emphasize Ramsey numbers, but consider arrow relations as well.
The Role of Incentives in the Public Sector: Issues and Evidence

Using incentive pay to improve public sector efficiency is an important component of the UK Government’s public service modernisation agenda. In this paper, we review the important issues in performance pay in the public sector, and summarise the evidence on its effects. We consider how optimal incentives for public sector workers may differ from those in the private sector, and if so, what types of incentives are more appropriate for the public sector. We investigate the reasons for the infrequent use of explicit incentives in the public sector. We summarise evidence of particular relevance to the public sector, on issues such as the impact on output of incentive pay schemes, gaming and dysfunctional behaviour, multiple principals, intrinsic motivation and team-work. Finally, we comment on the design of new policies being introduced in the UK public sector in the light of the theoretical arguments and the evidence.
When Are We Speculating on History? A Mandelbaumian Theory

Abstract This paper is a classic critique of speculative philosophies of history based on Maurice Mandelbaum’s work. Unlike the more famous invective by Karl Popper, I argue that Mandelbaum’s is a richer and more interesting approach, which reveals through exposition a deeper unity to Mandelbaum’s work than is normally evident. Because Popper’s nominalism is suspicious of all metaphysics, it loses credibility whereas Mandelbaum placed reflection on the nature of society and causality at the center of his interests. Mandelbaum’s critique then is an invitation to investigate metaphysics on realist principles and he requires that we have a robust theory of historical ontology and truth with which to judge what goes beyond the proper representation of history and becomes speculative.
A Co-Operative Study: Clinical Characteristics of 334 Korean Patients with Moyamoya Disease Treated at Neurosurgical Institutes (1976–1994)

  A co-operative study was conducted to determine the clinical characteristics of patients with moyamoya disease who were diagnosed and treated at neurosurgical institutes in Korea before 1995. Twenty-six hospitals contributed 505 cases and among them, the clinical characteristics of 334 patients with definite moyamoya disease were evaluated. The number of patients began to increase from the late 1980s, and after that approximately 20 patients were treated each year. There were two age peaks: from six to 15 and from 31 to 40 years of age. Haemorrhagic manifestations occurred in approximately 43% of the patients. The major clinical manifestations were haemorrhage in adults (62.4%) and ischaemia in children (61.2%). Overall 54.5% of the patients experienced decreased consciousness levels, mainly due to intracranial haemorrhage or cerebral infarction. In the patients with ischemic manifestations, the adult patients were more likely to have cerebral infarction than the pediatric patients (80% vs. 39%) and the pediatric patients were more likely to have TIA (61% vs. 25%). Thirty eight percent of the patients underwent bypass surgery and 53% of these procedures were performed bilaterally. Treatment policies, including indications for bypass surgery and commonly used drugs, were somewhat different according to the institution. Overall favorable outcome was 73%, and the most significant factor affecting poor outcome was haemorrhagic manifestation. This article describes the characteristics of 334 patients with moyamoya disease, who were diagnosed and treated at neurosurgical institutes in Korea before 1995.
Cyber-physical systems for water sustainability: challenges and opportunities

Water plays a vital role in the proper functioning of the Earth's ecosystems, and practically all human activities, such as agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and energy production. The proliferation of industrial and agricultural activities in modern society, however, poses threats to water resources in the form of chemical, biological, and thermal pollution. On the other hand, tremendous advancements in science and technology offer valuable tools to address water sustainability challenges. Key technologies, including sensing technology, wireless communications and networking, hydrodynamic modeling, data analysis, and control, enable intelligently wireless networked water cyber-physical systems (CPS) with embedded sensors, processors, and actuators that can sense and interact with the water environment. This article provides an overview of water CPS for sustainability from four critical aspects: sensing and instrumentation; communications and networking; computing; and control. The article also explores opportunities and design challenges of relevant techniques.
The effect of offering different numbers of colorectal cancer screening test options in a decision aid: a pilot randomized trial

BACKGROUND
Decision aids can improve decision making processes, but the amount and type of information that they should attempt to communicate is controversial. We sought to compare, in a pilot randomized trial, two colorectal cancer (CRC) screening decision aids that differed in the number of screening options presented.


METHODS
Adults ages 48-75 not currently up to date with screening were recruited from the community and randomized to view one of two versions of our previously tested CRC screening decision aid. The first version included five screening options: fecal occult blood test (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy, a combination of FOBT and sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and barium enema. The second discussed only the two most frequently selected screening options, FOBT and colonoscopy. Main outcomes were differences in screening interest and test preferences between groups after decision aid viewing. Patient test preference was elicited first without any associated out-of-pocket costs (OPC), and then with the following costs: FOBT-$10, sigmoidoscopy-$50, barium enema-$50, and colonoscopy-$200.


RESULTS
62 adults participated: 25 viewed the 5-option decision aid, and 37 viewed the 2-option version. Mean age was 54 (range 48-72), 58% were women, 71% were White, 24% African-American; 58% had completed at least a 4-year college degree. Comparing participants that viewed the 5-option version with participants who viewed the 2-option version, there were no differences in screening interest after viewing (1.8 vs. 1.9, t-test p = 0.76). Those viewing the 2-option version were somewhat more likely to choose colonoscopy than those viewing the 5-option version when no out of pocket costs were assumed (68% vs. 46%, p = 0.11), but not when such costs were imposed (41% vs. 42%, p = 1.00).


CONCLUSION
The number of screening options available does not appear to have a large effect on interest in colorectal cancer screening. The effect of offering differing numbers of options may affect test choice when out-of-pocket costs are not considered.
Dyspnea experience and management strategies in patients with lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper was to describe lung cancer patients' experience of dyspnea and their strategies for managing the dyspnea.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews with two main questions about dyspnea experiences and management were conducted with 20 patients with lung cancer, not amenable to curative treatment, who had completed life prolonging treatments. Data analysis was made with a descriptive, qualitative content analysis.


RESULTS
The two questions resulted in two domains with 7 categories and subcategories. The experience of dyspnea included four categories: 'Triggering factors' included circumstances contributing to dyspnea, which comprised physical, psychosocial and environmental triggers. Bodily manifestations were considered to be the core of the experience. 'Immediate reactions' concerned physical and psychological impact. The long-term reactions included limitations, increased dependence and existential impact concerning hope, hopelessness and thoughts of death. The experience of managing dyspnea included three categories: 'Bodily strategies', 'psychological strategies' and 'medical strategies'.


CONCLUSION
Dyspnea experience is a complex experience which influences the life of the patients both with immediate reactions and long-term reactions concerning physical, emotional and existential issues in life and patients address this experience with managing strategies in order to take control of their situation, although they do not seem to be able to meet the existential distress they experience.
Credit Risk Management and Profitability of Rural Banks in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

Credit risk management in rural and community banks ha become more important not only because of the financial crisis that the world is experiencing cur rently, but also as a crucial concept which determi nes banks’ survival, growth and profitability. Because credit granting is one of the key sources of income genera ting ctivity in rural banks, the management of the risk related to credit affects the profitability of the banks. This study examines the impact of credit risk manag ement on the profitability of rural and community b anks in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. We used the annual financial statements of ten rural banks from the p eriod of 2006 to 2010 (five years) for our analysis. The pan el regression model was employed for the estimation . In the model, definition of Return on Equity (ROE) and Ret urn on Asset (ROA) were used as profitability indic ators while Non-Performing Loans (NLP) and Capital Adequa cy Ratio (CAR) as credit risk management indicators . The findings indicate a significant positive relati onship between non-performing loans and rural banks ’ profitability revealing that, there are higher loan losses but banks still earn profit. This indicates that, rural banks do not have sound and effective credit risk managem ent practices. Theoretically, non-performing loans reduce the profit levels of rural banks but in a situation where non-performing loans are increasing proporti onately to profitability, then it means that rural banks do no t have effective institutional measures to deal wit h credit risk management. What the banks do is that they shift th e cost on loan default to other customers in the fo rm f higher interest rate on loans. Higher interest margin charged on loan by rural ban ks due to weak credit risk management practices pre vent microenterprises from accessing loans. Such a situa tion prevents business expansion and rural industri alization which are essential for poverty reduction. Most studies in this area tend to focus on the big commercial banks, thus this study with its focus on rural banks, contributes a lot to literature concerning credit r isk management in small banks such as rural and com munity banks. In terms of policy directions, the Bank of Ghana wi ll have to tighten its control mechanisms of on rur al banks to stop this unfortunate trend in the rural banking in dustry.
On Two Fundamental Identities For Euler Sums

We give diverse proofs of the fundamental identities ζ(2,1) =ζ(3) = 8ζ(2,1). We also discuss various generalizations for multiple harmonic (Euler) sums and some connections, thereby illustrating the wide variety of techniques fruitfully used to study such sums.
Reduced blood brain barrier breakdown in P-selectin deficient mice following transient ischemic stroke: a future therapeutic target for treatment of stroke

The link between early blood- brain barrier (BBB) breakdown and endothelial cell activation in acute stroke remain poorly defined. We hypothesized that P-selectin, a mediator of the early phase of leukocyte recruitment in acute ischemia is also a major contributor to early BBB dysfunction following stroke. This was investigated by examining the relationship between BBB alterations following transient ischemic stroke and expression of cellular adhesion molecule P-selectin using a combination of magnetic resonance molecular imaging (MRMI), intravital microscopy and immunohistochemistry. MRMI was performed using the contrast, gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) conjugated to Sialyl Lewis X (Slex) where the latter is known to bind to activated endothelium via E- or P selectins. Middle cerebral artery occlusion was induced in male C57/BL 6 wild-type (WT) mice and P-selectin-knockout (KO) mice. At 24 hours following middle cerebral artery occlusion, T1 maps were acquired prior to and following contrast injection. In addition to measuring P- and E-selectin expression in brain homogenates, alterations in BBB function were determined immunohistochemically by assessing the extravasation of immunoglobulin G (IgG) or staining for polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes. In vivo assessment of BBB dysfunction was also investigated optically using intravital microscopy of the pial circulation following the injection of Fluorescein Isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran (MW 2000 kDa). MRI confirmed similar infarct sizes and T1 values at 24 hours following stroke for both WT and KO animals. However, the blood to brain transfer constant for Gd DTPA (Kgd) demonstrated greater tissue extravasation of Gd DTPA in WT animals than KO mice (P < 0.03). In the P selectin KO mice, Δ T1 stroke -Δ T1 contralateral control cortex, decreased significantly in the Gd-DTPA(sLeX) group compared to Gd-DTPA, indicative of sLeX mediated accumulation of the targeted contrast agent. Regarding BBB function, in the P-selectin KO mice compared to WT control mice, there was an attenuation in the extravasation of IgG (P < 0.001), a trend for decreased FITC extravasation and less infiltration of PMN leukocytes (P < 0.001) thereby supporting the observed increase in Kgd permeability in stroke brain of WT compared to KO mice. P-selectin expression contributes to enhanced BBB dysfunction at 24 hours after transient focal cerebral ischemia.
On “Darwinian Mysteries” or Molluscs as Models in Evolutionary Biology: From Local Speciation to Global Radiation*

Abstract: Evolutionary biology is not only a biological subdiscipline but also a synthetic theory based on comprehensive scientific achievements. However, to date biodiversity, which is far from being fully documented, and the evolutionary processes leading to it are two of the least understood phenomena in evolutionary biology. Surprisingly, decades after the Modern Synthesis and centuries after the commencement of research in biological systematics, we are still unable to satisfyingly answer apparently simple yet fundamental questions. Here termed “Darwinian mysteries”, these are for example, how many species inhabit Earth today, what are species, where are they distributed, and how did biodiversity originate. While many contributions in malacology center around morphology, anatomy, and phylogenetic relationships within and among constituent taxa, molluscs only rarely have been utilized explicitly as models for the study of general aspects in evolutionary biology. However, this particular group, with it...