LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Electromyography: Physiology, Engineering and Non-Invasive Applications

It is now almost a century since Piper used a string galvanometer to study muscle activity and initiated the first studies in electromyography (EMG). But not many volumes have emerged since then to describe the fascinating developments in the field of muscle physiology and diagnostics. Such a synthesis is long overdue, and to accomplish this goal, Merletti and Parker have elicited contributions from an internationally famed group of EMG research experts. As a result, Electromyography: Physiology, Engineering and Non-Invasive Applications has materialized as a pioneering volume that captures the remarkable revolution in the field of skeletal muscle electrodiagnostics and research. Most of the book’s 18 chapters are very good or outstanding. Repetitions are present, but they appear to be didactic rather than distracting. The introductory chapter offers superb reading on the basic biophysical and (electro)physiological aspects of EMG signal generation. The chapters on EMG methodologies, decomposition techniques, surface biophysical issues, signal conditioning and extraction, simulation/modeling, and myoelectric manifestations, written by senior authors, are superlative. The book concludes with the description of various advancements and relevant clinical applications in the areas ranging from neurology and ergonomics to exercise physiology, from rehabilitation medicine to biofeedback and prostheses control. The chapters are succinct and contain numerous clinical pearls of wisdom. A few exceptions are the chapters on signal extraction, EMG modeling and simulation, and myoelectric manifestations, which are wordy and, though informative, not as authoritative as the others. Applications are generally well covered, but the depth of the practical information useful to busy researchers varies from excellent, as in the instances of ergonomics, movement and gait analysis, and rehabilitation medicine, to brittle, as in the instance of exercise physiology. One criticism of the book is that little attention is focused on the beguiling issue of mechanomyography (vibromyography), which is developing as a contestant with superior muscle diagnostic potential against EMG. Overall, this textbook is a harmonious work that can certainly be appreciated by graduate students and researchers from different backgrounds such as bioengineering, life sciences, exercise sciences, sports health, neuro(physio)logy, and occupational medicine. Electromyography is certainly the best single reference book currently available in the field and more importantly, this book comes with the assurance that what is presented is reliable, objective, and up to date.
Identification of a preoperative predictive factor for lymph node metastasis in uterine papillary serous carcinoma: long-term results from a single institution.

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify preoperative clinicopathological predictive factors for lymph node (LN) metastasis in women diagnosed with uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC).


METHODS
Women diagnosed with UPSC in our institution from 1997 to 2012 were identified. All patients underwent hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy plus pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy. The predictive values of the risk factors for LN metastasis were analyzed using χ and multivariate logistic regression analyses.


RESULTS
A total of 94 patients met our study criteria. A CA-125 cutoff of 47.5 IU/mL on the receiver operating characteristic curve provided the best sensitivity and specificity (56.5% vs 90.1%, respectively) for LN metastasis prediction. The sensitivities and specificities of old age (≥60 years), body mass index of 25 kg/m or greater, deep myometrial invasion, tumor size greater than 2 cm, tumor size greater than 4 cm, preoperative CA-125 greater than 47.5 IU/mL, LN metastasis on imaging, and extrauterine spread on imaging for the presence of a positive LN were 39.1%, 34.8%, 30.4%, 34.8%, 21.7%, 56.5%, 43.5%, and 52.2%, and 52.1%, 45.1%, 78.9%, 57.7%, 83.1%, 90.1%, 93.0%, and 90.1%, respectively. Preoperative CA-125 (P < 0.001), LN metastasis on preoperative imaging (P < 0.001), and extrauterine spread on preoperative imaging (P = 0.009) were risk factors for LN metastasis on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative CA-125 (P = 0.001) was the only independent risk factor for LN metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative CA-125 is a preoperative predictive factor for LN metastasis in UPSC.
Quantum cosmology: Problems for the 21st century

Two fundamental laws are needed for prediction in the universe: (1) a basic dynamical law and (2) a law for the cosmological initial condition. Quantum cosmology is the area of basic research concerned with the search for a theory of the initial cosmological state. The issues involved in this search are presented in the form of eight problems. (To appear in Physics 2001, ed. by M. Kumar and in the Proceedings of the 10th Yukawa-Nishinomiya Symposium}, November 7-8, 1996, Nishinomiya, Japan.)
Visual fields in woodcocks Scolopax rusticola (Scolopacidae; Charadriiformes)

Woodcocks, Scolopax rusticola, are long-billed terrestrial wading birds (Scolopacidae; Charadriiformes) which forage primarily by probing in soft substrates for invertebrates. Visual field topography in restrained alert birds was investigated using an ophthalmoscopic reflex technique. 1. Eye movements of significant amplitude are absent. 2. The retinal binocular field is long and narrow. It extends through 190° in the median sagittal plane. When the head adopts a normal posture (bill at an angle of 40° below the horizontal) the binocular field stretches from 25° above the bill to 5° above the horizontal behind the head. Thus, woodcocks have comprehensive visual coverage of the hemisphere above them but the bill falls outside the visual field. Maximum binocular field width equals 12° and occurs perpendicular to the line of the bill. To the rear of the head binocular field width is less than 5° except in an area 40° above the horizontal where it increases to 7°. 3. Monocular retinal fields in the horizontal plane are 182° wide. There is no blind sector at the margin of the optical fields. 4. The general structure of woodcock skulls facilitates panoramic vision in a horizontal plane. 5. Interspecific comparisons are consistent with the hypothesis that visual field topography among birds is closely associated with the role of vision in foraging. Comprehensive visual coverage of the celestial hemisphere probably occurs only in species, such as woodcocks, which rely primarily upon senses other than vision to guide foraging. Eye movements of significant amplitude are absent. The retinal binocular field is long and narrow. It extends through 190° in the median sagittal plane. When the head adopts a normal posture (bill at an angle of 40° below the horizontal) the binocular field stretches from 25° above the bill to 5° above the horizontal behind the head. Thus, woodcocks have comprehensive visual coverage of the hemisphere above them but the bill falls outside the visual field. Maximum binocular field width equals 12° and occurs perpendicular to the line of the bill. To the rear of the head binocular field width is less than 5° except in an area 40° above the horizontal where it increases to 7°. Monocular retinal fields in the horizontal plane are 182° wide. There is no blind sector at the margin of the optical fields. The general structure of woodcock skulls facilitates panoramic vision in a horizontal plane. Interspecific comparisons are consistent with the hypothesis that visual field topography among birds is closely associated with the role of vision in foraging. Comprehensive visual coverage of the celestial hemisphere probably occurs only in species, such as woodcocks, which rely primarily upon senses other than vision to guide foraging.
Latino Representation on Primetime Television

This study analyzes the frequency and quality of depictions of Latinos during the 2002 primetime television season. Research on cultivation theory and social identity theory provides insight into the potential implications of exposure to these images. Findings suggest that wliile adva)ices have been made in terms ofthe quality of depictions of Latinos, many of these images remain tied to a few, longstanding media stereotypes. In addition, the rate at which Latinos are portrayed on television remains dramatically below that ofthe real-world population-
Patients lacking classical poor prognostic markers might also benefit from a step-down glucocorticoid bridging scheme in early rheumatoid arthritis: week 16 results from the randomized multicenter CareRA trial

INTRODUCTION
Considering a lack of efficacy data in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (eRA) presenting without classical markers of poor prognosis, we compared methotrexate (MTX) with or without step-down glucocorticoids in the CareRA trial.


METHODS
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug-naïve patients with eRA were stratified into a low-risk group based on prognostic markers that included non-erosiveness, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies and rheumatoid factor negativity and low disease activity (Disease Activity Score in 28 joints based on C-reactive protein (DAS28(CRP)) ≤3.2). Patients were randomized to 15 mg of MTX weekly (MTX with tight step-up (MTX-TSU)) or 15 mg of MTX weekly with prednisone bridging, starting at 30 mg and tapered to 5 mg daily from week 6 (COmbinatie therapie bij Reumatoïde Artritis (COBRA Slim)). A TSU approach was applied. Outcomes assessed were DAS28(CRP)-determined remission, cumulative disease activity, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores and adverse events (AEs) after 16 treatment weeks.


RESULTS
We analyzed 43 COBRA Slim and 47 MTX-TSU patients and found that 65.1% in the COBRA Slim group and 46.8% in the MTX-TSU group reached remission (P = 0.081). Mean ± standard deviation area under the curve values of DAS28(CRP) were 13.84 ± 4.58 and 11.18 ± 4.25 for the MTX-TSU and COBRA Slim patients, respectively (P = 0.006). More COBRA Slim patients had an HAQ score of 0 (51.2% versus 23.4%, P = 0.006) at week 16. Therapy-related AEs between groups did not differ.


CONCLUSION
In patients with low-risk eRA, MTX with step-down glucocorticoid bridging seems more efficacious than MTX step-up monotherapy, with a comparable number of AEs observed over the first 16 treatment weeks.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
EU Clinical Trials Register Identifier: EudraCT number 2008-007225-39 . Registered 5 November 2008.
Ontologies and the semantic web

How ontologies provide the semantics, as explained here with the help of Harry Potter and his owl Hedwig.
Measurement of OSNR in the presence of partially polarized ASE

We investigate the effect of partially polarized amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) on the measurement and interpretation of the optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) using the polarization-nulling method. OSNR measurement is widely used to estimate bit-error rate (BER) in transparent photonic networks, but we find that significant errors in OSNR and in estimated BER could occur if the degree of ASE polarization becomes high.
Functional adaptation of knee cartilage in asymptomatic female novice runners compared to sedentary controls. A longitudinal analysis using delayed Gadolinium Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cartilage (dGEMRIC).

OBJECTIVE
To longitudinally estimate the change in glycosaminoglycan content of knee cartilage in asymptomatic untrained female novice runners participating in a Start To Run program (STR) compared to sedentary controls.


METHOD
Nine females enrolling in a 10-week STR and 10 sedentary controls participated voluntarily. Prior to and after the 10-week period, both groups were subjected to dGEMRIC imaging. dGEMRIC indices of knee cartilage were determined at baseline and for the change after the 10-week period in both groups. Based on a self-reported weekly log, physical activity change during the study was depicted as decreased, unchanged or increased. The Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied to test the hypotheses that dGEMRIC changes occurred between groups and according to physical activity changes respectively.


RESULTS
No significant differences were established between groups for dGEMRIC indices at baseline (P=0.541). A significant positive change of the median dGEMRIC index in the runners group was demonstrated when compared to the controls [+11.66ms (95% CI: -25.29, 44.43) vs -9.56ms (95% CI: -29.55, 5.83), P=0.006]. The change in dGEMRIC index differed significantly according to physical activity change (P=0.014), showing an increase in dGEMRIC index with increasing physical activity.


CONCLUSION
Since cartilage appears to positively respond to moderate running when compared to a sedentary lifestyle, this running scheme might be considered a valuable tool in osteoarthritis prevention strategies. Caution is warranted when applying these results to a wider population and to longer training periods.
Hierarchical cluster analysis of labour market regulations and population health: a taxonomy of low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND
An important contribution of the social determinants of health perspective has been to inquire about non-medical determinants of population health. Among these, labour market regulations are of vital significance. In this study, we investigate the labour market regulations among low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and propose a labour market taxonomy to further understand population health in a global context.


METHODS
Using Gross National Product per capita, we classify 113 countries into either low-income (n = 71) or middle-income (n = 42) strata. Principal component analysis of three standardized indicators of labour market inequality and poverty is used to construct 2 factor scores. Factor score reliability is evaluated with Cronbach's alpha. Using these scores, we conduct a hierarchical cluster analysis to produce a labour market taxonomy, conduct zero-order correlations, and create box plots to test their associations with adult mortality, healthy life expectancy, infant mortality, maternal mortality, neonatal mortality, under-5 mortality, and years of life lost to communicable and non-communicable diseases. Labour market and health data are retrieved from the International Labour Organization's Key Indicators of Labour Markets and World Health Organization's Statistical Information System.


RESULTS
Six labour market clusters emerged: Residual (n = 16), Emerging (n = 16), Informal (n = 10), Post-Communist (n = 18), Less Successful Informal (n = 22), and Insecure (n = 31). Primary findings indicate: (i) labour market poverty and population health is correlated in both LMICs; (ii) association between labour market inequality and health indicators is significant only in low-income countries; (iii) Emerging (e.g., East Asian and Eastern European countries) and Insecure (e.g., sub-Saharan African nations) clusters are the most advantaged and disadvantaged, respectively, with the remaining clusters experiencing levels of population health consistent with their labour market characteristics.


CONCLUSIONS
The labour market regulations of LMICs appear to be important social determinant of population health. This study demonstrates the heuristic value of understanding the labour markets of LMICs and their health effects using exploratory taxonomy approaches.
Contraindications can damage your health—is metformin a case in point?

Metformin is an effective anti-hyperglycaemic and cardioprotective agent, but a long list of contraindications precludes millions of patients with type 2 diabetes from using it. This is largely due to the historical experience of lactic acidosis with phenformin, despite the fact that metformin does not predispose to this when compared with other therapies. Contraindications such as old age, renal impairment and cardiac insufficiency are increasingly disregarded in clinical practice, yet there is no evidence that the incidence of lactic acidosis has changed. Metformin has been shown to improve metabolic control without causing lactic acidosis in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities, including explicit contraindications, and its use in patients with type 2 diabetes over the age of 70 with mild renal impairment did not produce a clinically relevant increase in plasma lactate. There is no correlation between levels of metformin and lactate in patients with lactic acidosis, and its prognosis is mainly related to the causal hypoxic underlying disease and comorbidities. These findings raise doubts about the pathogenetic significance of metformin in lactic acidosis. We propose that advanced age per se, mild renal impairment and compensated heart failure can no longer be upheld as contraindications for metformin. A clear re-definition of contraindications to metformin will enable more physicians to prescribe within guidelines.
Kriging interpolation in simulation: a survey

Many simulation experiments require much computer time, so they necessitate interpolation for sensitivity analysis and optimization. The interpolating functions are 'metamodels' (or 'response surfaces') of the underlying simulation models. Classic methods combine low-order polynomial regression analysis with fractional factorial designs. Modern Kriging provides 'exact' interpolation, i.e., predicted output values at inputs already observed equal the simulated output values. Such interpolation is attractive in deterministic simulation, and is often applied in Computer Aided Engineering. In discrete-event simulation, however, Kriging has just started. Methodologically, a Kriging metamodel covers the whole experimental area; i.e., it is global (not local). Kriging often gives better global predictions than regression analysis. Technically, Kriging gives more weight to 'neighboring' observations. To estimate the Kriging metamodel, space filling designs are used; for example, Latin Hypercube Sampling (LHS). This paper also presents novel, customized (application driven) sequential designs based on cross-validation and bootstrapping.
Effects of the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren and atenolol alone or in combination in patients with hypertension.

INTRODUCTION
Aliskiren is the first in a new class of direct renin inhibitors to be approved for the treatment of hypertension.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
In this double-blind, multicentre trial, 694 patients with hypertension (mean sitting diastolic blood pressure [BP] > or = 95 and < 110 mmHg) were randomised to once-daily aliskiren 150 mg (n=231), atenolol 50 mg (n=231) or the combination (150/50 mg; n=232) for six weeks, followed by a further six weeks on double the initial doses of aliskiren and atenolol. Efficacy (reduction from baseline in mean sitting systolic and diastolic BP) and tolerability of study treatments were assessed; plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured in a subset of patients.


RESULTS
At Week 12 endpoint, aliskiren, atenolol and aliskiren/atenolol lowered systolic and diastolic BP from baseline by 14.3/11.3, 14.3/13.7 and 17.3/14.1 mmHg, respectively. Systolic BP reductions with aliskiren/atenolol were significantly greater than those with aliskiren (p=0.039) or atenolol (p=0.034) alone, and diastolic BP reductions were greater than with aliskiren alone (p<0.001). Diastolic BP changes were larger with atenolol than with aliskiren (p=0.003, correlating with the large reductions in pulse rate (> 10 bpm) observed with atenolol. Aliskiren, atenolol and aliskiren/atenolol reduced geometric mean PRA from baseline by 65%, 52% and 61%, respectively. In patients with moderate or high baseline PRA (> or = 0.65 ng/ml/hour), PRA was reduced to low levels (< 0.65 ng/ml/hour) at Week 12 endpoint in a greater proportion of patients receiving aliskiren (11/15 patients, 73.3%) or aliskiren/atenolol (18/23, 78.3%) than with atenolol (10/21, 47.6%). Aliskiren treatment was associated with numerically lower rates of adverse events and discontinuations due to adverse events compared with atenolol or combination treatment, and unlike atenolol was not associated with bradycardia.


CONCLUSIONS
Direct renin inhibition with aliskiren may be an appropriate substitute for beta-blocker treatment in patients with uncomplicated hypertension. Aliskiren also represents an attractive option for dual therapy with atenolol to improve systolic BP/pulse pressure reductions and BP control with maintained tolerability compared with atenolol alone.
Effect of once daily and twice daily sustained release theophylline formulations on daytime variation of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic patients.

BACKGROUND
Previous studies evaluating spirometric values and symptoms have shown that once daily theophylline administered in the evening produces greater stabilisation of the airway function in asthmatic patients than the prototype theophylline given twice a day. The aim of this study was to compare the effects on bronchial responsiveness to methacholine of an ultrasustained release theophylline formulation (Diffumal-24, Malesci, Florence, Italy) administered once a day, a sustained release theophylline formulation (Theo-Dur, Recordati, Milan, Italy) administered twice a day, and placebo.


METHODS
The study was performed in 12 adult patients with asthma using a randomised, double blind, three phase, cross-over design. Each phase lasted seven days and was followed or preceded by at least three days of theophylline washout. Diffumal-24 was administered once a day at 20.00 hours whereas Theo-Dur was given twice a day at 08.00 hours and 20.00 hours. In each patient the total daily dose of theophylline was the same during both phases. The dose of the two active preparations was titrated to individual needs before the beginning of the study and then given in divided or once daily doses. At 08.00, 14.00, and 20.00 hours on day 7 of each phase serum theophylline concentrations were measured and spirometric tests (FEV1) and bronchial challenge with methacholine were also performed.


RESULTS
When the administration of Diffumal-24 was compared with that of Theo-Dur, a higher serum theophylline concentration of the former was seen in the morning whereas at 20.00 hours the reverse was true. Compared with placebo, at 08.00 hours Diffumal-24 improved FEV1 whereas Theo-Dur did not (difference between treatments 0.29 1, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.45). At 08.00 hours Diffumal-24 decreased bronchial sensitivity to methacholine, expressed as a natural logarithm of PD20, to a greater extent than Theo-Dur (difference between treatments 0.54 log units, 95% CI 0.016 to 1.08). The morning advantage observed with Diffumal-24 administration was not associated with a deterioration in the state of the airway during the daytime, the protective activity against methacholine during the 12 hours of the monitoring period being constant. Furthermore there was no difference in the mean FEV1 between the two treatments at 14.00 and 20.00 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
In adults with stable bronchial asthma treatment with a single dose of Diffumal-24 administered in the evening improved airflow obstruction and reduced bronchial hyperresponsiveness.