LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Nonparametric determination of the equation of state of Dark Energy

We present a nonparametric method to determine the sign of w + 1 in the equation of state of dark energy. It is more tolerant to uncertainties of other cosmological parameters than fitting methods, and permits to distinguish between different classes of dark energy models even with relatively low resolution data. We apply this method to SNLS supernovae and to gold sample of re-analyzed supernovae data from Riess et al.2004 [1]. Both data sets show strong indication of w < −1. If this result is confirmed by more extended and precise data avalable in near future, many of dark energy models, including simple cosmological constant, standard quintessence models without interaction between quintessence scalar field(s) and matter, and scaling models are ruled out. Recent observations of SuperNovae (SN), Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), and Large Scale Structures (LSS) indicate that the dominant content of the Universe is a mysterious energy with an equation of state very close to Einstein Cosmological Constant. The equation of state is defined by w, the ratio of pressure p to density ρ, w = P/ρ. For a cosmological constant w = −1. The observed mean value of w for dark energy is very close to −1. Some of the most recent estimations are the followings: From combination of 3-year WMAP and SuperNova Legacy Survey (SNLS), w = −0.97
The Distress Thermometer as an ultra-short screening tool: a first validation study for mixed-cancer outpatients in Singapore.

INTRODUCTION
Research has shown that single-item tools, like the Distress Thermometer (DT), are comparable to longer ones, like the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). In this study, we tested the validity of the DT in a population of Singapore cancer outpatients, and determined the cut-off scores on the DT for clinically relevant distress and an impaired quality of life (QOL). We also documented the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and QOL impairments in this population.


METHODS
One hundred and five patients (Mdn age=51-60years, 64% female, and 71% Chinese) diagnosed with various cancers participated in this study. They completed a standard socio-demographic form, the DT and the Problem List, the HADS, and the EuroQOL Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D).


RESULTS
Almost a third of patients had clinically significant emotional distress, with 15%-16% having probable levels of anxiety and depression. Almost half (41%-55%) had an impaired QOL compared to Singapore population norms. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses identified an area under the curve of 0.89 (SE=0.36, 95% CI [0.82, 0.96], p<.001) when compared to the HADS cut-off score of 15. A cut-off score of 5 on the DT had the best sensitivity (0.88) and specificity (0.81). Participants above the DT cut-off score of 5 reported significantly more emotional problems (worry, nervousness, depression, sadness), insurance/finance-related problems, and sleep problems. They also scored significantly lower on EQ-5D, with more QOL impairments in the domains of carrying out their usual activities and anxiety/depression.


CONCLUSION
Levels of distress, anxiety, depression, and QOL impairments are high in this population. The DT was found to be a valid tool for distress screening in the Singapore cancer population, with a recommended cut-off score of 5.
Index Pairs Algorithms

AbstractWe introduce some modifications and extensions of the concept of index pair
in the Conley index theory. We then show how these concepts may be used to overcome some difficulties in obtaining efficient algorithms computing the Conley index. We also present examples of applications to computer assisted proofs in dynamics.
VideoSET: Video Summary Evaluation through Text

In this paper we present VideoSET, a method for Video Summary Evaluation through Text that can evaluate how well a video summary is able to retain the semantic information contained in its original video. We observe that semantics is most easily expressed in words, and develop a text-based approach for the evaluation. Given a video summary, a text representation of the video summary is first generated, and an NLP-based metric is then used to measure its semantic distance to ground-truth text summaries written by humans. We show that our technique has higher agreement with human judgment than pixel-based distance metrics. We also release text annotations and ground-truth text summaries for a number of publicly available video datasets, for use by the computer vision community.
Nordic Action for a Transformation to Low-carbon Shipping.

The Paris Agreement aims to hold the increase in average global temperatures to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C,
1 but it does not refer specifically to emissions of greenhouse gases by the international maritime transport sector. This Report presents the findings of a project commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers through the Nordic Working Group for Global Climate Negotiations (NOAK) focusing on opportunities for Nordic countries to achieve a transition to low-carbon shipping globally, nationally and regionally. The Report is informed by a discussion paper released in November 2016 and a workshop convened in Malmo in December 2016, in which representatives of governments, businesses and the research community participated. The key findings of this Workshop Report are as follows.
(1) Technology and finance.
Promising technical and financial options are available to Nordic countries to support or lead a transition to low-carbon shipping. The Report presents these options in the form of a low-carbon road map for the sector (see Figure 1), which includes illustrative actions and outcomes concerning technological and operational measures, partnerships between the public and private sectors, and supporting policies and finance.
(2) Public policy.
Opportunities exist for Nordic countries to support and lead development of the public policies needed for transitions to low-carbon shipping. Internationally, Nordic countries are well positioned to lead efforts by the International Maritime Organization and others to define global targets for the sector and to build global ambition through partnerships with developing countries and flag registries.
Outside the IMO, Nordic countries can catalyze transitions to low-carbon shipping through actions including market-based measures in Nordic countries, support for private-sector standards, low-carbon targets for Nordic fleets, arranging dialogue between stakeholders, including financiers and charterers, showcasing innovative Nordic practices, and building Nordic-led global partnerships such as “climate clubs”.
(3) Collaboration.
The actions described above are interdependent and interconnected. The success of a Nordic agenda for low-carbon shipping depends on the inclusion of all relevant stakeholders, the coordination of policies, and a holistic view of shipping and the important roles of Nordic governments, businesses and civil society within the sector.
INTRODUCTION TO CIRCLE PACKING: A REVIEW

This is a review of Introduction to Circle Packing: The Theory of Discrete Analytic Functions, by Kenneth Stephenson, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK, 2005, pp. i-xii, 1–356, £42, ISBN-13 978-0-521-82356-2. 1. The Context: A Personal Reminiscence Two important stories in the recent history of mathematics are those of the geometrization of topology and the discretization of geometry. Having come of age during the unfolding of these stories as both observer and practitioner, this reviewer does not hold the detachment of the historian and, perhaps, can be forgiven the personal accounting that follows, along with its idiosyncratic telling. The first story begins at a time when the mathematical world is entrapped by abstraction. Bourbaki reigns and generalization is the cry of the day. Coxeter is a curious doddering uncle, at best tolerated, at worst vilified as a practitioner of the unsophisticated mathematics of the nineteenth century. 1.1. The geometrization of topology. It is 1978 and I have just begun my graduate studies in mathematics. There is some excitement in the air over ideas of Bill Thurston that purport to offer a way to resolve the Poincaré conjecture by using nineteenth century mathematics—specifically, the noneuclidean geometry of Lobachevski and Bolyai—to classify all 3-manifolds. These ideas finally appear in a set of notes from Princeton a couple of years later, and the notes are both fascinating and infuriating—theorems are left unstated and often unproved, chapters are missing never to be seen, the particular dominates—but the notes are bulging with beautiful and exciting ideas, often with but sketches of intricate arguments to support the landscape that Thurston sees as he surveys the topology of 3-manifolds. Thurston’s vision is a throwback to the previous century, having much in common with the highly geometric, highly particular landscape that inspired Felix Klein and Max Dehn. These geometers walked around and within Riemann surfaces, one of the hot topics of the day, knew them intimately, and understood them in their particularity, not from the rarified heights that captured the mathematical world in general, and topology in particular, in the period from the 1930’s until the 1970’s. The influence of Thurston’s Princeton notes on the development of topology over the next 30 years would be pervasive, not only in its mathematical content, but AMS SUBJECT CLASSIFICATION: 52C26
The self-paced VO2max test to assess maximal oxygen uptake in highly trained runners.

PURPOSE
The novel self-paced maximal-oxygen-uptake (VO2max) test (SPV) may be a more suitable alternative to traditional maximal tests for elite athletes due to the ability to self-regulate pace. This study aimed to examine whether the SPV can be administered on a motorized treadmill.


METHODS
Fourteen highly trained male distance runners performed a standard graded exercise test (GXT), an incline-based SPV (SPVincline), and a speed-based SPV (SPVspeed). The GXT included a plateau-verification stage. Both SPV protocols included 5×2-min stages (and a plateau-verification stage) and allowed for self-pacing based on fixed increments of rating of perceived exertion: 11, 13, 15, 17, and 20. The participants varied their speed and incline on the treadmill by moving between different marked zones in which the tester would then adjust the intensity.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference (P=.319, ES=0.21) in the VO2max achieved in the SPVspeed (67.6±3.6 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1), 95%CI=65.6-69.7 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) compared with that achieved in the GXT (68.6±6.0 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1), 95%CI=65.1-72.1 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)). Participants achieved a significantly higher VO2max in the SPVincline (70.6±4.3 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1), 95%CI=68.1-73.0 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)) than in either the GXT (P=.027, ES=0.39) or SPVspeed (P=.001, ES=0.76).


CONCLUSIONS
The SPVspeed protocol produces VO2max values similar to those obtained in the GXT and may represent a more appropriate and athlete-friendly test that is more oriented toward the variable speed found in competitive sport.
Homomorphic Mini-blockchain Scheme

We create a new cryptocurrency scheme based on the mini-blockchain scheme and homomorphic commitments. The aim is to improve the miniblockchain by making it more private. We also make a comparison of Bitcoin and our scheme regarding their ability to resist blockchain analysis.
Comparison of Symbicort® versus Pulmicort® on steroid pharmacodynamic markers in asthma patients.

BACKGROUND
Combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting β(2)-adrenergic agonists (LABA) is reported to have superior effects on controlling asthma symptoms to ICS alone; however, there is no molecular-based evidence to explain the clinical effects. Here, the effect of the ICS/LABA combination was compared with ICS on glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activation in sputum macrophages.


METHODS
In a randomised, double-blind cross-over placebo-controlled 6-visit study, 10 patients with mild asthma were given placebo, formoterol (Oxis(®) 12 μg), budesonide (Pulmicort(®) 200 μg :BUD200, or 800 μg :BUD800), or budesonide/formoterol combination (Symbicort(®)) as a single 100/6 μg (SYM100) or double 200/12 μg (SYM200) dose. Sputum macrophages were separated by plate adhesion from induced sputum. GR binding to the glucocorticoid-response elements on oligonucleotides (GR-GRE binding) was evaluated by ELISA. mRNA expression of MAP-kinase phosphatase (MKP)-1 and IL-8 were measured by quantitative RT-PCR.


RESULTS
GR-GRE binding was significantly increased after treatment with SYM100 (3.5 OD/10 μg protein, median, p < 0.05) versus placebo (1.3) and BUD200 (1.6), and the induction was higher than that of BUD800 (2.4). MKP-1 mRNA was increased and IL-8 mRNA was significantly inhibited by BUD800, SYM100 and SYM200 versus placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
The effects of SYM100 and SYM200 on GR activation were not different from that of BUD800 and superior to BUD200. Thus, it has been confirmed at a molecular level that inhaled combination therapy with a lower dose of budesonide has an equivalent effect to a high dose of budesonide alone. In addition, GR-GRE binding is found to be a valuable pharmacodynamic marker for steroid efficacy in clinical studies.
Multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria in a long-term care facility: prevalence and risk factors.

OBJECTIVES
To quantify the prevalence, risk factors, and mode of transmission associated with colonization by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (MDRGN) in the long-term care (LTC) setting.


DESIGN
Cross-sectional.


SETTING
Four nursing units in a 648-bed LTC facility in Boston, Massachusetts.


PARTICIPANTS
Eighty-four long-term care residents.


MEASUREMENTS
Nasal and rectal swabs were obtained to determine colonization with MDRGN; if present, molecular typing was performed. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) was also determined. Demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained from the medical record. Multivariable analysis was used to identify factors independently associated with MDRGN colonization.


RESULTS
A total of 51%, 28%, and 4% subjects were colonized with MDRGN, MRSA, and VRE, respectively. After multivariable adjustment, advanced dementia (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.2-7.35, P=.02) and nonambulatory status (AOR=5.7, 95% CI=1.1-28.9, P=.04) were the only independent risk factors for harboring MDRGN. Molecular typing indicated person-to-person transmission.


CONCLUSION
Colonization with MDRGN is common in the LTC setting. A diagnosis of advanced dementia is a major risk factor for harboring MDRGN.
Counting of People in the Extremely Dense Crowd using Genetic Algorithm and Blobs Counting

Received Nov 13,2012 Revised Jan 05, 2013 Accepted Jan 12,2013 In this paper, we have proposed a framework to count the moving person in the video automatically in a very dense crowd situation. Median filter is used to segment the foreground from the background and blob analysis is done to count the people in the current frame. Optimization of different parameters is done by using genetic algorithm. This framework is used to count the people in the video recorded in the mattaf area where different crowd densities can be observed. An overall people counting accuracy of more than 96% is obtained. Keyword:
Phase stability of ZrO2 9.5Y2O3 5.6Yb2O3 5.2Gd2O3 compound at 1100 °C and 1300 °C for advanced TBC applications

Abstract Phase instability of conventional zirconia compounds (YSZ: Yttria Stabilized Zirconia) at temperatures above 1200 °C, is one of the important reasons of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) destruction in new generation of turbines. In this study, ZGYbY: ZrO 2 9.5Y 2 O 3 5.6Yb 2 O 3 5.2Gd 2 O 3 powder, as a new material for TBC applications, was synthesized through a chemical co-precipitation method to enhance the phase stability of the YSZ at higher temperatures. A cyclic method with 5 h cycles at 1100 °C and 1300 °C for 50 h was employed to investigate the phase stability of YSZ and ZGYbY compounds. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis confirmed the phase stability of both of powders during thermal cycling at 1100 °C for 50 h. The results of thermal cycling at 1300 °C for 50 h indicated that ZGYbY powder exhibits excellent phase stability due to full retention of t-prime zirconia phase and restriction of tetragonal to monoclinic phase transition upon cooling. However, in the case of YSZ powder, after thermal cycling at similar condition, it decomposed to two new phases including cubic and monoclinic zirconia with 62 wt% and 38 wt%, respectively.
Validation of a Dutch version of the Actionable 8-item screening questionnaire for neurogenic bladder overactivity in multiple sclerosis: an observational web-based study

BACKGROUND
In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) the impact of urological symptoms on quality of life and daily activities is considerable. Yet, a substantial percentage of patients may not be urologically evaluated and thus fail to be treated concordantly. The 8-item Actionable questionnaire is a validated English screening tool for the detection of neurogenic bladder overactivity in MS. To enable the use of the 8-item Actionable in The Netherlands and Belgium we translated the questionnaire into the Dutch language and investigated the test-retest reliability and the concurrent validity of the Dutch version.


METHODS
The process of translating the English Actionable questionnaire into the Dutch language included forward translations and back-translations. Then, in an online observational study, MS patients completed the Dutch Actionable at Days 1 and 8, and the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life 54-Items (MSQoL-54) and Multiple Sclerosis Impact Profile (MSIP) questionnaires at Day 1; the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was assessed by phone at Day 1. For assessment of the test-retest reliability Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) between the Day 1 and Day 8 Actionable scores was calculated. For assessment of the concurrent validity r values were calculated between the Day 1 Actionable score and the EDSS score, the Physical and Mental MSQoL-54 composites, and the MSIP domain and symptom disability scores.


RESULTS



STUDY POPULATION
N = 141 (106 female, 35 male) (80 relapsing remitting, 48 progressive, 13 unknown), mean age 47.8 (standard deviation [SD] 10.4) years, mean EDSS score 4.7 (SD 1.8); 137 patients completed the Day 8 assessment. Pearson's r between Actionable scores Day 1 and Day 8: 0.85 (P < .0001). Pearson's r between Actionable score Day 1 and scores for EDSS 0.41 (P < 0.0001), MSQoL-54 Physical -0.31 (P = 0.0002), MSQoL-54 Mental -0.29 (P = 0.0005), MSIP Excretion and Reproductive Functions 0.44 (P < 0.0001), Muscle and Movement Functions 0.39 (P < .0001), Basic Movement Activities 0.37 (P < 0.0001), Activities of Daily Living 0.32 (P < 0.0001), Participation in Life Situations 0.29 (P = 0.0006) and Mental Functions 0.20 (P = 0.0189).


CONCLUSIONS
The Dutch version of the Actionable urological screening tool for MS shows a good test-retest reliability and a good concurrent validity with disabilities and HRQoL.
Cognitive activity for the treatment of older adults with mild Alzheimer's Disease (AD) - PACE AD: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND
Participation in cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) may reduce the rate of cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer's disease (AD), however it is unclear if the training of carers to deliver activities is sufficient to improve the clinical outcome of patients. The Promoting Healthy Ageing with Cognitive Exercise for Alzheimer's Disease (PACE-AD) study has been designed to determine if change in cognitive function over a six month period can be achieved with participation in cognitive stimulating activities when the intervention is delivered to carers only as opposed to carers and patients.


METHODS/DESIGN
The study will aim to recruit 128 community-dwelling men and women with probable AD according to NINCDS-ADRDS criteria. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of two cognitive activity treatment groups: (1) Participants with mild AD and their companions together (2) Companions of participants with mild AD alone. The intervention will consist of a twelve-week program of cognitive stimulation. Seven weeks of the program will involve 90-minute group sessions delivered once per week while the remaining weeks of the program will involve structured home based activities with telephone support. The primary outcome measure of the study is the change from baseline in the total score on the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-COG). Secondary outcomes of interest include changes in health related quality of life, mood, memory, language, executive functions, independent living abilities and psychiatric symptoms for participants with mild AD. Changes in companion quality of life, mood, and general health will also be monitored. Primary endpoints will be collected 13 and 26 weeks after the baseline assessment.


DISCUSSION
The proposed project will provide evidence as to whether CST for people with AD and their companions is more beneficial than when used for companions alone. Outcomes sought include a reduction of further cognitive decline and improved quality of life amongst older adults with mild AD. We anticipate that the results of this study will have implications for the development of cost-effective evidence-based best practice to treat people with mild AD.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
ACTRN12610000653066.
A prospective study evaluating efficacy of polymer free Pronova XR stent in treatment of denovo coronary artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND
Drug eluting stents have remarkably improved results of percutaneous coronary angioplasty. Most of the currently available drug eluting stents uses a durable polymer as drug carrier which has been implicated in local inflammatory response and continued incidence of late and very late stent thrombosis. The Pronova XR stent is one from those new generation polymer free sirolimus eluting stents in which pharmaceutical excipient is used for the timed release of sirolimus from the XR stent platform instead of a polymeric coating.


METHODOLOGY
We consecutively recruited 121 patients undergoing elective or urgent PCI at our center. All the patients were followed up clinically and mandatory follow up angiogram at 6 months was done for one third of the total patients. An independent core lab analyzed paired angiograms.


RESULTS
The primary efficacy endpoint was death, MI, TVR at 6 months which occurred in 6.66% patients. The QCA analysis showed reference vessel diameter of 2.5 + 0.44 mm at baseline and the minimal luminal diameter was 0.88 + 0.43 mm giving baseline diameter stenosis of 65.26 + 15.89%. The immediate post procedure in-segment diameter stenosis assessed was 23.68 + 8.96% which increased to 36.02 + 24.48% at follow up with a late lumen loss of 0.25 + 0.76 mm at mean of 191 days.


CONCLUSION
Coronary angioplasty with polymer free Pronova XR stents results in acceptable late lumen loss and very low target lesion revascularisation at short and intermediate term in unselected patients.