LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Video-based Framework for Safer and Smarter Computer Aided Surgery

The paramount emphasis on safety in surgical robotics has driven its incorporation at multiple levels within all stages of their development, testing, validation and deployment [1]. Nonetheless, such systems finally have come back full-circle to fundamentally rely solely on the surgeon-in-the-loop to ensure safe operation amidst a host of real-world uncertainties and complexities. For example, the finite life and slack in the cables of the passive-robotic surgical instruments lead to toolpositioning inaccuracies, requiring surgeons to compensate for this error. We would like to make a case for taking advantage of the rich information content to create automated-assists that can help make robotic surgeries smarter and safer. Specifically, in this paper we seek to develop and implement real-time videobased understanding for improved situational awareness and context-based decision support in robotic surgeries.
A Sentiment-Aware Approach to Community Formation in Social Media

Participating in a community exemplifies the aspect of sharing, networking and interacting in a social media system. There has been extensive work on characterising on-line communities by their contents and tags using topic modelling tools. However, the role of sentiment and mood has not been studied. Arguably, mood is an integral feature of a text, and becomes more significant in the context of social media: two communities might discuss precisely the same topics, yet within an entirely different atmosphere. Such sentiment-related distinctions are important for many kinds of analysis and applications, such as community recommendation. We present a novel approach to identification of latent hyper-groups in social communities based on users’ sentiment. The results show that a sentiment-based approach can yield useful insights into community formation and metacommunities, having potential applications in, for example, mental health—by targeting support or surveillance to communities with negative mood—or in marketing—by targeting customer communities having the same sentiment on similar topics.
German bank lending during emerging market crises : A bank level analysis

This paper studies German bank lending during the Asian and Russian crises, using a bank level data set, which has been compiled from credit data at the Deutsche Bundesbank. Our aim is to gain more insight into the pattern of German bank lending during financial crises in emerging markets. We find that German banks reacted to the Asian crisis mainly by reallocating their portfolios among emerging markets. This behaviour is consistent with active portfolio management and does not necessarily indicate a spontaneous reaction to the Asian crisis. By contrast, the banks’ behaviour during the Russian crisis is characterised by a general withdrawal from emerging markets. The use of micro data allows us to analyse and to model bank heterogeneity with panel estimation techniques. We find that the lending of large commercial banks was less stable than the lending of public sector banks during the Asian crisis. Differences were not as pronounced during the Russian crisis.
Gender Wage Discrimination in Rural and Urban Labour Markets of Bangladesh

Female wages in Bangladesh are significantly lower than male wages. This paper quantifies the extent to which discrimination can explain this gender wage gap across the rural and urban labour markets of Bangladesh, using unit record data from the 1999–2000 Labour Force Survey. The gender wage differential is decomposed into a component that can be explained by differences in productive characteristics and a component not explained by observable productive differences, which is attributed to discrimination. An attempt is also made to improve on the standard methodology by implementing a wage-gap decomposition method that accounts for selectivity bias, on top of the usual “explained” and “unexplained” components. Analytical results from this paper show that gender wage differentials are considerably larger in urban areas than in rural areas and a significant portion of this wage differential can be attributed to discrimination against women. The results also show that selectivity bias is an important component of total discrimination.
MRI of carotid atherosclerosis to identify TIA and stroke patients who are at risk of a recurrence.

PURPOSE
To evaluate the potential of carotid plaque MRI to predict transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke recurrence in previously symptomatic patients.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred twenty-six TIA/stroke patients with ipsilateral 30-69% carotid stenosis underwent multisequence carotid plaque MRI. The presence of a lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), fibrous cap (FC) status, and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) were assessed. Patients were followed to determine the recurrence of ipsilateral TIA and/or stroke within 1 year after inclusion.


RESULTS
Thirteen patients suffered from recurrent ipsilateral clinical ischemic events (10 TIAs and 3 strokes). Carotid stenosis grade was not associated with recurrent events (hazard ratio [HR] for 50-69% versus 30-49% stenosis = 1.198; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.383 to 3.749; P = 0.756). The presence of an LRNC (HR = 3.2001; 95% CI, 1.078 to 9.504; P = 0.036), a thin and/or ruptured FC (HR = 5.756; 95% CI, 1.913 to 17.324; P = 0.002), and IPH (HR = 3.542; 95% CI, 1.058 to 11.856; P = 0.040) were associated with recurrence.


CONCLUSION
The presence of MRI-depicted LRNC, a thin and/or ruptured FC, and IPH are associated with the recurrence of clinical cerebrovascular ischemic events in TIA and stroke patients with carotid atherosclerosis.
The effects of the novel DA D3 receptor antagonist SR 21502 on cocaine reward, cocaine seeking and cocaine-induced locomotor activity in rats

There is a focus on developing D3 receptor antagonists as cocaine addiction treatments. We investigated the effects of a novel selective D3 receptor antagonist, SR 21502, on cocaine reward, cocaine-seeking, food reward, spontaneous locomotor activity and cocaine-induced locomotor activity in rats. In Experiment 1, rats were trained to self-administer cocaine under a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement and tested with vehicle or one of three doses of SR 21502. In Experiment 2, animals were trained to self-administer cocaine under a fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement followed by extinction of the response. Then, animals were tested with vehicle or one of the SR 21502 doses on cue-induced reinstatement of responding. In Experiment 3, animals were trained to lever press for food under a PR schedule and tested with vehicle or one dose of the compound. In Experiments 4 and 5, in separate groups of animals, the vehicle and three doses of SR 21502 were tested on spontaneous or cocaine (10 mg/kg, IP)-induced locomotor activity, respectively. SR 21502 produced significant, dose-related (3.75, 7.5 and 15 mg/kg) reductions in breakpoint for cocaine self-administration, cue-induced reinstatement (3.75, 7.5 and 15 mg/kg) and cocaine-induced locomotor activity (3.75, 7.5 and 15 mg/kg) but failed to reduce food self-administration and spontaneous locomotor activity. SR 21502 decreases cocaine reward, cocaine-seeking and locomotor activity at doses that have no effect on food reward or spontaneous locomotor activity. These data suggest SR 21502 may selectively inhibit cocaine’s rewarding, incentive motivational and stimulant effects.
Survivable elastic optical networks: survey and perspective (invited)

Elastic optical networks (EONs) have been receiving extensive attention because of their inherent flexibility and the efficiency with which they allocate fiber-bandwidth. For an EON, survivability is of crucial importance because of the very high bandwidth that it carries on each optical channel. In this article, we review the current state of the art of survivable EONs which reviews the literature to summarize the following aspects: (a) spectrum resource sharing among backup lightpaths, (b) sharing of high-speed optical transponders, (c) effect of spectrum conversion, (d) bandwidth squeezed restoration (BSR), (e) joint restoration by multiple sub-band optical channels, (f) multi-layer survivability, and (g) energy efficiency. Apart from a summary on the current research status, we also discuss open research issues which are important to survivable EONs from the perspectives of (a) impact of spectrum conversion, (b) impact of elastic optical transponder configuration, (c) impact of physical layer impairments and limitations, (d) protection-path-based spectrum defragmentation, and (e) network availability.
Corporate Financial Evaluation and Bankruptcy Prediction Implementing Artificial Intelligence Methods

Corporate accounting statements provide financial markets, and tax services with valuable data on the economic health of companies, although financial indices are only focused on a very limited part of the activity within the company. Useful tools in the field of processing extended financial and accounting data are the methods of Artificial Intelligence, aiming the efficient delivery of financial information to tax services, investors, and financial markets where lucrative portfolios can be created. Key-words: Financial Indices, Artificial Intelligence, Data Mining, Neural Networks, Genetic Algorithms
A Novel Low-Pass Filter With an Embedded Band-Stop Structure for Improved Stop-Band Characteristics

This letter presents a novel design of a microstrip low- pass filter (LPF) with an embedded band-stop structure, which is constructed from a simple two transmission line band-stop filter. The band-stop structure is ingeniously embedded into a classical step-impedance microstrip LPF. The stop-band of the proposed LPF is more than two times broader than the original design, while its cut-off frequency remains at 1.8 GHz. The embedded structure does not increase the physical dimension of the LPF, but improves the performance significantly. Measured results agree with simuAcircnot lation well, and validate the dual-frequency design method.
Hydra: an Ensemble of Convolutional Neural Networks for Geospatial Land Classification

We describe in this paper Hydra, an ensemble of convolutional neural networks (CNN) for geospatial land classification. The idea behind Hydra is to create an initial CNN that is coarsely optimized but provides a good starting pointing for further optimization, which will serve as the Hydra’s body. Then, the obtained weights are fine tuned multiple times to form an ensemble of CNNs that represent the Hydra’s heads. By doing so, we were able to reduce the training time while maintaining the classification performance of the ensemble. We created ensembles using two state-of-the-art CNN architectures, ResNet and DenseNet, to participate in the Functional Map of the World challenge. With this approach, we finished the competition in third place. We also applied the proposed framework to the NWPU-RESISC45 database and achieved the best reported performance so far. Code and CNN models are available at https://github.com/maups/hydra-fmow.
Optic disc size and optic nerve damage in normal pressure glaucoma.

BACKGROUND
Recent reports indicate that eyes with normal pressure glaucoma have larger optic discs than eyes with primary open angle glaucoma or normal eyes. This study was performed to find whether, in normal pressure glaucoma, a large disc is associated with more optic nerve damage than a small disc.


METHODS
Colour optic disc photographs of 74 patients with normal pressure glaucoma were assessed morphometrically.


RESULTS
Taking the study group as a whole, the optic disc size decreased significantly (p = 0.04) with increasing visual field defect. In an intraindividual bilateral comparison, the side differences in the disc area of the right minus the left eye of the same individual were not significantly correlated with the side differences in the mean visual field defect.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that the eye with the larger optic disc, when compared with the contralateral eye with the smaller optic nerve head, showed neither a significantly more marked nor less pronounced glaucomatous optic nerve damage. It suggests that for a given patient the degree of glaucomatous optic nerve atrophy was not markedly associated with the optic disc size. The finding that patients with large visual field defects had smaller discs than patients with moderate perimetric loss may indicate that the results of previous cross sectional studies reporting on an unusually large disc size in normal pressure glaucoma may be due partially to selection.
Firearm death rates and association with level of firearm purchase background check.

BACKGROUND
Past ecologic analyses of firearm deaths have studied the effects of various gun-control laws; however, no study has analyzed the effects of the differences among states in the background checks required for firearm purchase. Some states utilize a federal agency to conduct the background checks; others use a state agency; still others use a local agency. The information potentially available to checking agencies at different levels of government varies; the consequence of this variation is not known.


METHODS
In 2007, negative binomial regression models were used to assess the association between the Department of Justice classification of agencies conducting firearm background checks for each state in 2002-2004 and firearm suicide and homicide rates for the same years from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control while controlling for age, race, unemployment, crime, income inequality, poverty, alcohol consumption, urbanization, and divorce rate.


RESULTS
Performing local-level background checks was associated with a 27%-lower firearm suicide rate (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=0.73, 95% CI=0.60, 0.89) and a 22%-lower homicide rate (IRR=0.78, 95% CI=0.61, 1.01) in adults>or=21 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Using local-level agencies to perform firearm background checks is associated with reduced rates of firearm suicide and homicide. Methods to increase local-level agency background checks, such as authorizing local police or sheriff's departments to conduct them, or developing the capability to share local-level records with federal databases, should be evaluated as a means of reducing firearm deaths.
Arduino Programming Language

1. Abstract The Arduino prototyping platform is a creative outlet for any user to produce technology through easily usable hardware and software. However, the steep learning curve of the Arduino programming language holds back many of its users. Through graphical and tangible programming languages users can effectively learn how to program for the Arduino platform. Incorporating tangible human computer interaction in Arduino technology yields positive results in learning ability and enthusiasm of programming language learnt. A new language for Arduino can be developed through interactive and participatory design practices which intends to be valuable for novice programmers.
Organizational Readiness for Successful Knowledge Sharing: Challenges for Public Sector Managers

This paper contributes to our understanding of an increasingly important practical problem, namely the effectiveness of knowledge management in organizations. As with many other managerial innovations, knowledge management appears to have been adopted firstly by manufacturing firms, and is only now beginning to permeate the service sector, predominantly in professional services such as consulting (Hansen et al., 1999; Sarvary, 1999). Public services, traditionally slower to embrace innovative management practices, are only beginning to recognize the importance of knowledge management. There is, as yet, little published research of its implementation in this context (Bate & Robert, 2002). ABSTRACT
Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure on Respiratory Resistance in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease With a Small Amount of Secretion

This study aims to evaluate the acute effects of an oscillating positive expiratory pressure device (flutter) on airways resistance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Randomized crossover study: 15 COPD outpatients from Asthma Lab-Royal Brompton Hospital underwent spirometry, impulse oscillometry (IOS) for respiratory resistance (R) and reactance (X), and fraction exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measures.Thirty minutes of flutter exercises: a "flutter-sham" procedure was used as a control, and airway responses after a short-acting bronchodilator were also assessed.Respiratory system resistance (R): in COPD patients an increase in X5insp (-0.21 to -0.33 kPa/L/s) and Fres (24.95 to 26.16 Hz) occurred immediately after flutter exercises without bronchodilator. Following 20 min of rest, a decrease in the R5, ΔR5, R20, X5, and Ax was observed, with R5, R20, and X5 values lower than baseline, with a moderate effect size; there were no changes in FeNO levels or spirometry.The use of flutter can decrease the respiratory system resistance and reactance and expiratory flow limitation in stable COPD patients with small amounts of secretions.
The GoodNEWS (Genes, Nutrition, Exercise, Wellness, and Spiritual Growth) Trial: a community-based participatory research (CBPR) trial with African-American church congregations for reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors--recruitment, measurement, and randomization.

INTRODUCTION
Although cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death among Americans, significant disparities persist in CVD prevalence, morbidity, and mortality based on race and ethnicity. However, few studies have examined risk factor reduction among the poor and ethnic minorities.


METHODS
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) study using a cluster randomized design--African-American church congregations are the units of randomization and individuals within the congregations are the units of analysis. Outcome variables include dietary change (Diet History Questionnaire), level of physical activity (7-Day Physical Activity Recall), lipoprotein levels, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and hemoglobin A1c.


RESULTS
Eighteen (18) church congregations were randomized to either a health maintenance intervention or a control condition. Complete data were obtained on 392 African-American individuals, 18 to 70 years of age, predominantly employed women with more than a high school diploma. Treatment and intervention groups were similar at baseline on saturated fat intake, metabolic equivalent of tasks (METS) per day, and other risk factors for CVD.


CONCLUSIONS
The GoodNEWS trial successfully recruited and evaluated CVD-related risk among African-American participants using a CBPR approach. Several logistical challenges resulted in extending the recruitment, preliminary training, and measurement periods. The challenges were overcome with the assistance of a local community consultant and a professional event planner. Our experience supports the need for incorporating non-traditional community-based staff into the design and operational plan of CBPR trials.
Semiochemical Production and Laboratory Behavior Response of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha Halys

BACKGROUND
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an exotic insect pest that was first recognized in the United States in 2001. As of today, it has been found in more than 42 states. BMSB has a very broad host plant range and damage to crops in mid-Atlantic States has reached a critical level. A reliable and accurate tool for infestation detection and population monitoring is urgently needed to provide better and more timely interventions. Pheromones produced by male BMSB have been previously identified and are currently used in BMSB infestation detection. However, the conditions affecting BMSB production of these pheromones were unknown.


METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
In this study, we collected headspace volatiles from male BMSB under laboratory conditions, measured the temporal patterns of release of these pheromones, and assayed the attractiveness to conspecifics. In addition to the pheromone components, tridecane (C13) and E-2-decenal (an alarm compound) were observed in headspace collections of males, as well as in females and nymphs. Exposure of pheromone-emitting adult males to synthetic C13 greatly reduced pheromone emission.


CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
This information should lead to a better understanding of the biology, physiology, and chemical ecology of BMSB, which will help scientists and growers develop more efficient strategies based on natural products to manage BMSB population, therefore, reducing pesticide usage and protecting the crops from BMSB damage.
A High Step-Up Ratio Soft-Switching DC–DC Converter for Interconnection of MVDC and HVDC Grids

DC grid technology is regarded as a promising solution for future electric networks integrating a great amount of renewable energies. It calls for high-efficiency dc–dc converters with high voltage step-up ratio to interconnect medium-voltage (MV) dc distribution grids and high-voltage (HV) dc transmission grids. This paper presents an isolated bidirectional soft-switching dc–dc converter combining two-level converters in parallel on the MV side and a modular multilevel converter (MMC) on the HV side. A dedicated control method of the proposed converter is presented. By the proposed method, a certain reactive current is injected into the MV side by the MMC to ensure soft-switching on the MV side. The proposed converter presents low power-semiconductor total device rating and low semiconductor losses over a wide power range at variable input and output voltages. Simulation of a 50 kV/400 kV, 400 MW converter is conducted to evaluate semiconductor losses and verify the validity of this work.
Malaria in American troops in the South and Southwest Pacific in World War II.

The control of infectious or communicable diseases generally demands in whole or in part management of the environment (water chlorination), law (immunization of school children), behaviour modification (safe sex), drugs (antibiotics, vaccines), and education or propaganda (television, posters). The eventual control of malaria in the South Pacific (SOPAC) and Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) theatres in World War II required the application in combat of all these variables. It is an exemplary tale of the importance of medical research before and during a war and-more importantly-of the absolute necessity of combat commanders understanding medical advice and applying it through the command chain with military discipline. The reduction of malaria cases is a multi-factorial process. Military personnel must take the prophylactic drugs, use insect repellent, observe clothing discipline, and use bed nets where possible. Dedicated engineering, entomological and preventive medicine units must determine the significant mosquito vectors and destroy their breeding places, define any reservoirs in native inhabitants, and educate troops and their commanders. Civil affairs and medical units must assist in the treatment of any native reservoirs and advise command on the use of native labour as a transmission risk. Malaria was endemic to hyper-endemic in SOPAC and SWPA. It took three campaigns-Bataan, New Guinea and Guadalcanal-to demonstrate what a force destroyer this single disease was. As soon as combat commanders understood what a force multiplier malaria control could be, the resources and command support were given without stint. This paper discusses the operational and medical aspects of malaria in American forces. The lessons apply equally to the Australian army; their story is splendidly told elsewhere.1 Of necessity, the tactical and operational background must be sketched in. Those soldiers and marines were not in the jungles by choice; it was a war that put them there, it was a war that exposed them to malaria, and it was a war that forced the application of peacetime knowledge, and wartime research that eventually solved the military medical problem.