LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Adapting to a Changing Environment: the Brownian Restless Bandits

In the multi-armed bandit (MAB) problem there are k distributions associated with the rewards of playing each of k strategies (slot machine arms). The reward distributions are initially unknown to the player. The player iteratively plays one strategy per round, observes the associated reward, and decides on the strategy for the next iteration. The goal is to maximize the reward by balancing exploitation: the use of acquired information, with exploration: learning new information. We introduce and study a dynamic MAB problem in which the reward functions stochastically and gradually change in time. Specifically, the expected reward of each arm follows a Brownian motion, a discrete random walk, or similar processes. In this setting a player has to continuously keep exploring in order to adapt to the changing environment. Our formulation is (roughly) a special case of the notoriously intractable restless MAB problem. Our goal here is to characterize the cost of learning and adapting to the changing environment, in terms of the stochastic rate of the change. We consider an infinite time horizon, and strive to minimize the average cost per step which we define with respect to a hypothetical algorithm that at every step plays the arm with the maximum expected reward at this step. A related line of work on the adversarial MAB problem used a significantly weaker benchmark, the best time-invariant policy. The dynamic MAB problem models a variety of practical online, game-againstnature type optimization settings. While building on prior work, algorithms and steady-state analysis for the dynamic setting require a novel approach based on different stochastic tools. ∗Microsoft Research, Mountain View CA. E-mail: slivkins at microsoft.com. Parts of this work has been completed while A. Slivkins was a postdoc at Brown University. †Computer Science Department, Brown University, Providence RI. E-mail: eli at cs.brown.edu. Supported in part by NSF awards CCR-0121154 and DMI-0600384, and ONR Award N000140610607.
Phase I study of single-dose oxaliplatin in Japanese patients with malignant tumors.

BACKGROUND
Oxaliplatin, a platinum compound, has been commonly used around the world for treating advanced colorectal cancer. The generally recommended dose and schedule of oxaliplatin monotherapy is 130 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks. This trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of oxaliplatin monotherapy in Japanese patients with solid tumors.


METHODS
Oxaliplatin was administered as a 2-h intravenous infusion every 3 weeks at a dose of 90 and 130 mg/m(2). Blood was collected to determine the total platinum and the ultrafiltrate platinum concentrations in plasma in all cycles.


RESULTS
Nine patients were enrolled; three were given oxaliplatin monotherapy at 90 mg/m(2) and six received 130 mg/m(2). All tumors were colorectal cancer. The major adverse reactions included myelosuppressive, neurological and gastrointestinal toxicities, although most were grades 1 and 2 at both dose levels. Peripheral sensory neuropathy of without movement disturbance (grade 1 or 2) was observed in all patients at both dose levels. The 130 mg/m(2) dose level was not found to be the maximum tolerated dose, but was judged to be the recommended dose. No objective responses were seen and five cases of no change were observed. A bi-exponential open model best described the disappearance of platinum in the plasma, and a tri-exponential open model best described the disappearance of ultrafilterable platinum in the plasma at both dose levels. No racial difference was suggested in the pharmacokinetics of oxaliplatin.


CONCLUSIONS
The oxaliplatin monotherapy dose schedule of 130 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks, recommended worldwide, is acceptable for Japanese patients.
Consumer Power : Evolution in the Digital Age

The predictions of growing consumer power in the digital age that predated the turn of the century were fueled by the rise of the Internet, then reignited by social media. This article explores the intersection of consumer behavior and digital media by clearly defining consumer power and empowerment in Internet and social media contexts and by presenting a theoretical framework of four distinct consumer power sources: demand-, information-, network-, and crowd-based power. Furthermore, we highlight technology's evolutionary role in the development of these power sources and discuss the nature of shifts in power from marketers to consumers in terms of each source. The framework organizes prior marketing literature on Internet-enabled consumer empowerment and highlights gaps in current research. Specific research questions are elaborated for each source of power outlining the agenda for future research areas. © 2013 Direct Marketing Educational Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Low-molecular-weight heparin for prevention of restenosis after femoropopliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND
Restenosis after angioplasty is essentially due to intimal hyperplasia. Low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) have experimentally been shown to have antiproliferative effects in addition to their antithrombotic properties. Their potential in reducing restenosis remains to be established. Therefore, we wanted to test the hypothesis that LMWH plus aspirin is more effective than aspirin alone in reducing the incidence of restenosis/reocclusion in patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of femoropopliteal arteries. Further, different effects of LMWH in patients treated for critical limb ischemia (CLI) or claudication only should be investigated.


METHODS
After successful PTA, 275 patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (claudication or critical limb ischemia) and femoropopliteal obstructions were randomized to receive either 2500 IU of dalteparin subcutaneously for 3 months plus 100 mg of aspirin daily (n = 137), or 100 mg aspirin daily alone (n = 138). The primary end point was restenosis or reocclusion documented by duplex ultrasonography imaging at 12 months.


RESULTS
Restenosis/reocclusion occurred in 58 patients (44%) in the dalteparin group and in 62 patients (50%) in the control group (P = .30). In a subgroup analysis according to the severity of peripheral arterial disease, we found that in patients treated for claudication, restenosis/reocclusion developed in 43 (43%) in the dalteparin group, and in 35 (41%) in the control group (P = .70); in patients treated for CLI, restenosis/reocclusion was significantly lower in the dalteparin group (15, 45%) than in the control group (27, 72%; P = .01). No major bleeding events occurred in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with 2500 IU dalteparin subcutaneously given for 3 months after femoropopliteal PTA failed to reduce restenosis/reocclusion at 12 months. However, dalteparin may be beneficial in the subgroup of patients with CLI at 12 months follow-up.
Randomized trial of induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil with or without docetaxel for larynx preservation.

BACKGROUND
Chemotherapy with cisplatin (P) and 5-fluorouracil (F) followed by radiotherapy in patients who respond to chemotherapy is an alternative to total laryngectomy for patients with locally advanced larynx and hypopharynx cancer. Data suggest that docetaxel (T) may add to the efficacy of PF. The objective of this trial was to determine whether adding T to PF could increase the larynx preservation rate.


METHODS
Patients who had larynx and hypopharynx cancer that required total laryngectomy were randomly assigned to receive three cycles of TPF or PF. Patients who responded to chemotherapy received radiotherapy with or without additional chemotherapy. Patients who did not respond to chemotherapy underwent total laryngectomy followed by radiotherapy with or without additional chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was 3-year larynx preservation rate. Secondary endpoints included acute toxicities and overall response. All statistical tests were two-sided.


RESULTS
Baseline patient and tumor characteristics were well balanced between the TPF (n = 110) and PF (n = 103) groups. With a median follow-up of 36 months, the 3-year actuarial larynx preservation rate was 70.3% with TPF vs 57.5% with PF (difference = 12.8%; P = .03). Patients in the TPF group had more grade 2 alopecia, grade 4 neutropenia, and febrile neutropenia, whereas patients in the PF group had more grade 3 and 4 stomatitis, thrombocytopenia, and grade 4 creatinine elevation. The overall response was 80.0% in the TPF group vs 59.2% in the PF group (difference = 20.8%; P = .002).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with advanced larynx and hypopharynx carcinomas, TPF induction chemotherapy was superior to the PF regimen in terms of overall response rate. These results suggest that larynx preservation could be achieved for a higher proportion of patients.
A phase I/II study of the Src inhibitor saracatinib (AZD0530) in combination with gemcitabine in advanced pancreatic cancer

Aim This phase I/II study of saracatinib in combination with gemcitabine in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer was conducted by the NCIC Clinical Trials Group. The aims were to define the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of saracatinib when combined with gemcitabine, and assess the efficacy of this combination in advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients and Methods Eligibility criteria included locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and no prior chemotherapy. In phase I saracatinib was escalated in combination with gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) to determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D). The study was then expanded to a single arm phase II trial using a Simon 2-stage design. The primary endpoint was objective tumor response (OR) plus stable disease ≥4 months (SD4) rate; if ≥8 patients had OR+SD4, the study would proceed to stage 2. Results Thirteen patients were enrolled into the phase I portion of this study. Saracatinib 175 mg PO daily was chosen as the RP2D in combination with gemcitabine. Twenty-one additional patients were then enrolled at the RP2D (phase II). Of the 22 response evaluable patients treated at the RP2D, 9 patients (40.9%) had progressive disease, 6 patients (27.3%) had stable disease for less than 4 months, 5 patients (22.7%) had SD4, and 2 patients (9.1%) had a partial response to treatment. Objective criteria for continuing to stage 2 were thus not met and the trial was closed following the accrual of 34 patients. Conclusion Saracatinib 175 mg daily in combination with gemcitabine is well tolerated but the combination did not improve efficacy over what would be expected from gemcitabine alone.
Including walnuts in a low-fat/modified-fat diet improves HDL cholesterol-to-total cholesterol ratios in patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a moderate-fat diet inclusive of walnuts on blood lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes.


RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
This was a parallel randomized controlled trial comparing three dietary advice groups each with 30% energy as fat: low fat, modified low fat, and modified low fat inclusive of 30 g of walnuts per day. Fifty-eight men and women, mean age 59.3 +/- 8.1 years, started the trial. Dietary advice was given at baseline with monthly follow-up and fortnightly phone calls for support. Body weight, percent body fat, blood lipids, HbA1c, total antioxidant capacity, and erythrocyte fatty acid levels were measured at 0, 3, and 6 months. Data were assessed by repeated-measures ANOVA with an intention-to-treat model.


RESULTS
The walnut group achieved a significantly greater increase in HDL cholesterol-to-total cholesterol ratio (P=0.049) and HDL (P=0.046) than the two other treatment groups. A 10% reduction in LDL cholesterol was also achieved in the walnut group, reflecting a significant effect by group (P=0.032) and time (P=0.036). There were no significant differences between groups for changes in body weight, percent body fat, total antioxidant capacity, or HbA1c levels. The higher dietary polyunsaturated fat-to-saturated fat ratio and intakes of omega-3 fatty acids in the walnut group were confirmed by erythrocyte biomarkers of dietary intake.


CONCLUSIONS
Structured "whole of diet" advice that included 30 g of walnuts/day delivering substantial amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acid improved the lipid profile of patients with type 2 diabetes.
Hepatic differentiation capability of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells.

AIM
To investigate the different effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) on hepatic differentiation.


METHODS
MSCs from rat bone marrow were isolated and cultured by standard methods. HSCs from rat bone marrow were isolated and purified by magnetic activated cell sorting. Both cell subsets were induced. Morphology, RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry were used to identify the hepatic differentiation grade.


RESULTS
MSCs exhibited round in shape after differentiation, instead of fibroblast-like morphology before differentiation. Albumin mRNA and protein were expressed positively in MSCs, without detection of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). HSCs were polygonal in shape after differentiation. The expression of albumin signal decreased and AFP signal increased. The expression of CK18 was continuous in MSCs and HSCs both before and after induction.


CONCLUSION
Both MSCs and HSCs have hepatic differentiation capabilities. However, their capabilities are not the same. MSCs can differentiate into mature hepatocyte-like cells, never expressing early hepatic specific genes, while Thy-1.1(+) cells are inclined to differentiate into hepatic stem cell-like cells, with an increasing AFP expression and a decreasing albumin signal. CK18 mRNA is positive in Thy-1.1(+) cells and MSCs, negative in Thy-1.1(-) cells. It seems that CK18 has some relationship with Thy-1.1 antigen, and CK18 may be a predictive marker of hepatic differentiation capability.
On the nature of language – Heidegger and African Philosophy

This paper explores links between Heidegger's notion of language and views
in African philosophy. My contention is that Heidegger's daring phenomenology of language is also found and even radicalised within the framework of African philosophy, particularly the philosophy of myth. I argue that the exploration of the relation between these views of language offers the possibility not only to expand on the conventional conception of language but also to challenge the common notion of philosophical language and philosophy as such. South African Journal of Philosophy Vol. 27 (4) 2008: pp. 310-324
Carbon Nanotubes in Nanocomposites and Hybrids with Hydroxyapatite for Bone Replacements

Hydroxyapatite (HA), as a bone mineral component, has been an attractive bioceramic for the reconstruction of hard tissues. However, its poor mechanical properties, including low fracture toughness and tensile strength, have been a significant challenge to the application of HA for the replacement of load-bearing and/or large bone defects. Among materials studied to reinforce HA, carbon nanotubes (CNTs: single-walled or multiwalled) have recently gained significant attention because of their unprecedented mechanical properties (high strength and toughness) and physicochemical properties (high surface area, electrical and thermal conductivity, and low weight). Here, we review recent studies of the organization of HA-CNTs at the nanoscale, with a particular emphasis on the functionalization of CNTs and their dispersion within an HA matrix and induction of HA mineralization. The organization of CNTs and HA implemented at the nanoscale can further be developed in the form of coatings, nanocomposites, and hybrid powders to enable potential applications in hard tissue reconstruction.
Increased cartilage volume after injection of hyaluronic acid in osteoarthritis knee patients who underwent high tibial osteotomy

High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a surgical procedure used to correct abnormal mechanical loading of the knee joint; additionally, intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections have been shown to restore the viscoelastic properties of synovial fluid and balance abnormal biochemical processes. It was hypothesized that combining HTO with intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections would have benefit to improve the cartilage volume of knee joints. Forty patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA) were randomly placed into 1 of 2 groups. The study group (n = 20) received 2 cycles (at 6-month intervals) of 5 weekly intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections after HTO operation. The control group (n = 20) did not receive any intra-articular injections after HTO surgery. Cartilage volume (primary outcome) was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pre-operatively and 1 year post-operatively. Treatment efficacy (secondary outcomes) was evaluated with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index (WOMAC) and by the comparison of the total rescue medication (paracetamol/diclofenac) used (weeks 6, 12, 24, 48). MRI studies showed a significant increase in total cartilage volume (p = 0.033), lateral femoral cartilage volume (p = 0.044) and lateral tibial cartilage volume (p = 0.027) in the study group. Cartilage volume loss was detected at the lateral tibial plateau in the control group. There were significant improvements after surgery in both groups for all subscales of WOMAC scores (p < 0.001) compared to the baseline. However, no difference was found between the two groups. The study group had significantly lower amounts of diclofenac consumption (p = 0.017). Based on the findings of the present study, intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections may be beneficial for increasing total cartilage volume and preventing the loss of lateral tibiofemoral joint cartilage after HTO. Therapeutic study, Level I.
ROC curves for regression

Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis is one of the most popular tools for the visual assessment and understanding of classifier performance. In this paper we present a new representation of regression models in the so-called regression ROC (RROC) space. The basic idea is to represent over-estimation against under-estimation. The curves are just drawn by adjusting a shift, a constant that is added (or subtracted) to the predictions, and plays a similar role as a threshold in classification. From here, we develop the notions of optimal operating condition, convexity, dominance, and explore several evaluation metrics that can be shown graphically, such as the area over the RROC curve (AOC). In particular, we show a novel and significant result: the AOC is equivalent to the error variance. We illustrate the application of RROC curves to resource estimation, namely the estimation of software project effort.
Screening and treatment of psychological distress in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: study protocol of the TES trial

Psychological distress occurs frequently in patients with cancer. Psychological distress includes mild and severe forms of both anxious and depressive mood states. Literature indicates that effective management of psychological distress seems to require targeted selection of patients (T), followed by enhanced care (E), and the application of evidence based interventions. Besides, it is hypothesized that delivering care according to the stepped care (S) approach results in an affordable program. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the (cost)-effectiveness of the TES program compared to usual care in reducing psychological distress in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). This study is designed as a cluster randomized trial with 2 treatment arms: TES program for screening and treatment of psychological distress versus usual care. Sixteen hospitals participate in this study, recruiting patients with mCRC. Outcomes are evaluated at the beginning of chemotherapy and after 3, 10, 24, and 48 weeks. Primary outcome is the difference in treatment effect over time in psychological distress, assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, patient evaluation of care, recognition and management of psychological distress, and societal costs. We created optimal conditions for an effective screening and treatment program for psychological distress in patients with mCRC. This involves targeted selection of patients, followed by enhanced and stepped care. Our approach will be thoroughly evaluated in this study. We expect that our results will contribute to the continuing debate on the (cost-) effectiveness of screening for and treatment of psychological distress in patients with cancer. This trial is registered in the Netherlands Trial Register NTR4034
Nurse managers' preferred and perceived leadership styles: a study at an Italian hospital.

AIM
The aim of this cross-sectional descriptive study was to compare the different leadership styles based on perceptions of nurse managers and their staff.


BACKGROUND
Nurse managers' styles are fundamental to improving subordinates' performance and achieving goals at health-care institutions.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire developed by Ekvall & Arvonen, considering three leadership domains (Change, Production and Employee relations), was administered to all nurse managers and to their subordinates at a city hospital in north-east Italy.


RESULTS
The comparison between the leadership styles actually adopted and those preferred by the nurse managers showed that the preferred style always scored higher than the style adopted, the difference reaching statistical significance for Change and Production. The leadership styles preferred by subordinates always scored higher than the styles their nurse managers actually adopted; in the subordinates' opinion, the differences being statistically significant in all three leadership domains.


IMPLICATION FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT
The study showed that nurse managers' expectations in relation to their leadership differ from those of their subordinates. These findings should be borne in mind when selecting and training nurse managers and other personnel, and they should influence the hospital's strategic management of nurses.
Sexual slavery without borders: trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation in India

Trafficking in women and children is a gross violation of human rights. However, this does not prevent an estimated 800 000 women and children to be trafficked each year across international borders. Eighty per cent of trafficked persons end in forced sex work. India has been identified as one of the Asian countries where trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation has reached alarming levels. While there is a considerable amount of internal trafficking from one state to another or within states, India has also emerged as a international supplier of trafficked women and children to the Gulf States and South East Asia, as well as a destination country for women and girls trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation from Nepal and Bangladesh. Trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation is a highly profitable and low risk business that preys on particularly vulnerable populations. This paper presents an overview of the trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation (CSE) in India; identifies the health impacts of CSE; and suggest strategies to respond to trafficking and related issues.