LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Determination of the incidence and clinical characteristics of subsequent retinal tears following treatment of the acute posterior vitreous detachment-related initial retinal tears.

PURPOSE
To determine the incidence of subsequent retinal tears (SRT) in patients who were previously treated for acute posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)-related retinal tears.


DESIGN
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of 155 eyes of 137 consecutive patients treated for acute PVD-related retinal tears was performed.


RESULTS
During a median follow-up of 13 months (range 3 to 157 months) after treatment, SRT developed in 19 (12.2%) of 155 treated eyes. Most of the SRT occurred during the first 6 months (12 of 19 eyes) after initial treatment. Subsequent vetinal tears developed within the first 12 months in 15 of 19 treated eyes, however only six of 15 of these eyes were symptomatic. Of those patients who developed SRT after 12 months, all had new visual symptoms.


CONCLUSION
Patients who present with acute PVD-related retinal tears are at a low but significant risk for developing SRT. A significant number of patients treated for PVD-associated retinal tears present within 1 year with SRT without symptoms.
Word Embeddings for Information Extraction from Tweets

This paper describes our approach on “Information Extraction from Microblogs Posted during Disasters”as an attempt in the shared task of the Microblog Track at Forum for Information Retrieval Evaluation (FIRE) 2016 [2]. Our method uses vector space word embeddings to extract information from microblogs (tweets) related to disaster scenarios, and can be replicated across various domains. The system, which shows encouraging performance, was evaluated on the Twitter dataset provided by the FIRE 2016 shared task. CCS Concepts •Computing methodologies→Natural language processing; Information extraction;
Fuzzy Running Average and Fuzzy Background Subtraction : Concepts and Application

Running average method and its modified version are two simple and fast methods for background modeling. In this paper, some weaknesses of running average method and standard background subtraction are mentioned. Then, a fuzzy approach for background modeling and background subtraction is proposed. For fuzzy background modeling, fuzzy running average is suggested. Background modeling and background subtraction algorithms are very commonly used in vehicle detection systems. To demonstrate the advantages of fuzzy running average and fuzzy background subtraction, these methods and their standard versions are compared in vehicle detection application. Experimental results show that fuzzy approach is relatively more accurate than classical approach.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of single dose rituximab as induction in renal transplantation: a 3-year follow-up.

Case 3 A 32-year-old white man underwent LT in January 2009 because of HCV-related cirrhosis. HIV infection was diagnosed in 2004, with a nadir CD4 cell count of 0.347 10/L (347/KL) (stage A2). ART was started in 2005 with a cumulative exposure of 2 months to PIs. The patient was a smoker and is overweight. IS therapy was based on rapamycin and methylprednisolone (cumulative dose of 1880 mg). The same pretransplant ART regimen containing lamivudine, raltegravir, and unboosted atazanavir was resumed on the 10th pod. Two months after transplantation, rapamycin was switched to cyclosporine because of painful peripheral edemas. In April 2009, he reported an intense left coxalgia. MRI revealed bilateral ON in the femoral heads (Fig. 1D), which was then confirmed by positron emission tomography. For inefficacy of conservative treatment, in July 2009, total hip arthroplasty on the left side was performed. To date, indication for contralateral hip replacement has not yet been placed.
On hardware Trojan design and implementation at register-transfer level

There have been a number of hardware Trojan (HT) designs at register-transfer level (RTL) in the literature, which mainly describe their malicious behaviors and trigger mechanisms. Generally speaking, the stealthiness of the HTs is shown with extremely low sensitization probability of the trigger events. In practice, however, based on the fact that HTs are not sensitized with verification test cases (otherwise their malicious behaviors would have manifested themselves), designers could focus on verification corners for HT detection. Consequently, a stealthy HT not only requires to be hard to trigger, but also needs to be able to evade those hardware trust verification techniques based on “unused circuit identification (UCI)”. In this paper, we present new HT design and implementation techniques that are able to achieve the above objectives. In addition, attackers would like to be able to control their HTs easily, which is also considered in the proposed HT design methodology. Experimental results demonstrate that HTs constructed with the proposed technique are both hard to be detected and easy to be controlled when compared to existing HTs shown in the literature.
Chance in Boltzmannian statistical mechanics

In two recent papers Barry Loewer (2001, 2004) has suggested to interpret probabilities in statistical mechanics as chances in David Lewis’s (1994) sense. I first give a precise formulation of this proposal, then raise two fundamental objections, and finally conclude that these can be overcome only at the price of interpreting these probabilities epistemically.
The value of wetlands: importance of scale and landscape setting

Wetlands have value because their functions have proved to be useful to humans. The unit value for some wetlands also increases with human development (agriculture and urban) because of increased use and/or increased scarcity. Yet, paradoxically, its functions can easily be overwhelmed in areas of heavy human development, thus lessening those values. Thus wetlands appear to work best in the landscape as spatially distributed systems. Also, the value is partially dependent on where they are found in the landscape, e.g., the degree to which a wetland is open to hydrologic and biological fluxes with other systems, including urban and agricultural landscapes. A paradox of assigning values to wetlands and other ecosystems is that it can argue for the replacement of one system with another if a landscape view is not taken. Estimates of percent of landscape for various functions, e.g. water quality or flood control, are presented. It is suggested that a range of 3–7% of temperate-zone watersheds should be in wetlands to provide adequate flood control and water quality values for the landscape. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Differential Privacy for Bayesian Inference through Posterior Sampling

Differential privacy formalises privacy-preserving mechanisms that provide access to a database. Can Bayesian inference be used directly to provide private access to data? The answer is yes: under certain conditions on the prior, sampling from the posterior distribution can lead to a desired level of privacy and utility. For a uniform treatment, we define differential privacy over arbitrary data set metrics, outcome spaces and distribution families. This allows us to also deal with non-i.i.d or non-tabular data sets. We then prove bounds on the sensitivity of the posterior to the data, which delivers a measure of robustness. We also show how to use posterior sampling to provide differentially private responses to queries, within a decision-theoretic framework. Finally, we provide bounds on the utility of answers to queries and on the ability of an adversary to distinguish between data sets. The latter are complemented by a novel use of Le Cam’s method to obtain lower bounds on distinguishability. Our results hold for arbitrary metrics, including those for the common definition of differential privacy. For specific choices of the metric, we give a number of examples satisfying our assumptions. ∗. A preliminary version of this paper appeared in Algorithmic Learning Theory 2014 (Dimitrakakis et al., 2014). This version corrects proofs, constant factors in the upper bounds and introduces new material on utility analysis, lower bounds and examples. c ©2017 C. Dimitrakakis, B. Nelson, Z. Zhang, A. Mitrokotsa, B. I. P. Rubinstein. License: CC-BY 4.0, see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Attribution requirements are provided at http://jmlr.org/papers/v18/15-257.html. Dimitrakakis, Nelson, Zhang, Mitrokotsa and Rubinstein
Atorvastatin in clinically-significant macular edema in diabetics with a normal lipid profile.

INTRODUCTION
Lipid-lowering drugs preserve vision and reduce the risk of hard exudates in clinically-significant macular edema(CSME) in diabetics with an abnormal lipid profile. But their role in reducing CSME in diabetics with a normal lipid profile is not yet known.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of atorvastatin in CSME in diabetics with a normal lipid profile.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
A prospective, randomized clinical trial was carried out. Thirty CSME patients with a normal lipid profile were randomly divided into Group A and B. Atorvastatin had been started in Group A four weeks prior to laser treatment. The main outcome measures were any improvement or deterioration in visual acuity and macular edema and hard exudates at six months follow-up.


STATISTICS
Both the groups were compared using unpaired t test for quantitative parameters and chi-square test for qualitative parameters. A p value of less than 0.05 was taken as significant.


RESULTS
Visual acuity, macular edema and hard exudates resolution was not significantly different in the two groups (P = 0.14, 0.62, 0.39 respectively).


CONCLUSION
Atorvastatin does not affect treatment outcome in CSME with a normal lipid profile over a short term follow-up.
A prospective study of pelvic floor dysfunctions related to delivery.

OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence and impact on quality of life of urinary incontinence (UI) and anal incontinence (AI) three months after first delivery; to identify risk factors involved in UI or AI; to evaluate possible changes in sexual behaviour and anatomical modifications of pelvic floor after childbirth.


STUDY DESIGN
A multicenter prospective study, in six Italian Ob/Gyn departments, of nulliparous women who delivered at term (37-42 weeks of gestation) between April and September 2005. A structured questionnaire investigated several maternal and obstetric variables. UI and AI were assessed by administration of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and according to Wexner's Continence Grading Scale, at 2-3 days post-partum and at 3 months after delivery. Changes in sexual behaviour, and pelvic floor condition after delivery, were also recorded. Statistical analysis included comparison of means (Mann-Whitney or Student's t-test) and proportions (Chi-square test). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed including variables that were significant in univariate comparisons.


RESULTS
Of 960 enrolled women, 744 were evaluated 3 months after delivery and included in final analysis. The prevalences of UI and AI at that time were 21.6% and 16.3%, respectively. Onset of incontinence during pregnancy was an independent predictor for persistent UI (Odds Ratio (OR) 4.6, Confidence Interval (CI) 3.1-6.8, p<0.001) and AI (OR 3.6, CI 2.2-6.1, p<0.001). Family history of urinary or anal incontinence were respectively associated with UI (OR 2.6, CI 1.6-4.0, p<0.001) and AI (OR 2.4, CI 1.4-4.0, p<0.001) 3 months after delivery. Among obstetric factors, vaginal delivery was a strong risk factor for UI (OR 3.3, CI 2.0-5.3, p<0.001). The sexual score improved 3 months after delivery in 72.4% of women. Urogynaecological evaluation showed a significant association between grade 1-2 anterior prolapse, urethral hypermobility and UI.


CONCLUSION
New onset of UI or AI during pregnancy, positive family history and vaginal delivery are independent risk factors for the persistence of symptoms of UI and AI in the early postpartum period. Adequate counselling and the implementation of targeted strategies to prevent or early identify these conditions are therefore mandatory to improve the patient's quality of life.
Body Weight, Not Insulin Sensitivity or Secretion, May Predict Spontaneous Weight Changes in Nondiabetic and Prediabetic Subjects

OBJECTIVE
Previous studies have found that high insulin sensitivity predicts weight gain; this association has not been confirmed. Our aim was to systematically analyze metabolic predictors of spontaneous weight changes.


RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
In 561 women and 467 men from the Relationship Between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Disease (RISC) cohort (mean age 44 years, BMI range 19-44 kg/m(2), 9% impaired glucose tolerance) followed up for 3 years, we measured insulin sensitivity (by a euglycemic clamp) and β-cell function (by modeling of the C-peptide response to oral glucose and by acute insulin response to intravenous glucose).


RESULTS
Insulin sensitivity was similar in weight gainers (top 20% of the distribution of BMI changes), weight losers (bottom 20%), and weight stable subjects across quartiles of baseline BMI. By multiple logistic or linear regression analyses controlling for center, age, sex, and baseline BMI, neither insulin sensitivity nor any β-cell function parameter showed an independent association with weight gain; this was true in normal glucose tolerance, impaired glucose tolerance, and whether subjects progressed to dysglycemia or not. Baseline BMI was significantly higher in gainers (26.1 ± 4.1 kg/m(2)) and losers (26.6 ± 3.7 kg/m(2)) than in weight stable subjects (24.8 ± 3.8 kg/m(2), P<0.0001 for both gainers and losers). Baseline waist circumference (or equivalently, BMI or weight) was a positive, independent predictor of both weight gain and weight loss (odds ratio 1.48 [95% CI 1.12-1.97]) in men and (1.67 [1.28-2.12]) in women. In men only, better insulin sensitivity was an additional independent predictor of weight loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Neither insulin sensitivity nor insulin secretion predicts spontaneous weight gain. Individuals who have attained a higher weight are prone to either gaining or losing weight regardless of their glucose tolerance.
The safety and efficacy of inhaled dry powder mannitol as a bronchial provocation test for airway hyperresponsiveness: a phase 3 comparison study with hypertonic (4.5%) saline

BACKGROUND
Inhaled mannitol is a new bronchial provocation test (BPT) developed to improve portability and standardisation of osmotic challenge testing. Osmotic challenge tests have an advantage over the traditional methods of measuring airway hyperresponsiveness using methacholine as they demonstrate higher specificity to identify asthma and thus the need for treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). The safety and the efficacy of mannitol (M) as a BPT to measure airway hyperresponsiveness were compared to hypertonic (4.5%) saline (HS) in people both with and without signs and symptoms of asthma.


METHODS
A phase III, multi-centre, open label, operator-blinded, crossover design, randomised trial, with follow-up. Asthmatics and non-asthmatics (6-83 yr) were recruited and 592 subjects completed the study. Mannitol was delivered using a low resistance dry powder inhaler and HS was delivered using an ultrasonic nebuliser. The FEV1 was measured 60 seconds after each dose of mannitol (5,10,20,40,80,160,160,160 mg) and after each exposure to HS (0.5,1.0,2.0,4.0,8.0 minutes). A 15% fall in FEV1 defined a positive test. Adverse events were monitored and diaries kept for 7 days following the tests.


RESULTS
Mean pre-test FEV1 (mean +/- SD) was 95.5 +/- 14% predicted. 296 were positive to mannitol (M+) and 322 positive to HS (HS+). A post study physician conducted clinical assessment identified 82.3% asthmatic (44% classified mild) and 17.7% non-asthmatic. Of those M+, 70.1% were taking ICS and of those mannitol negative (M-), 81.1 % were taking ICS. The % fall in FEV1 for mannitol in asthmatics was 21.0% +/- 5.7 and for the non-asthmatics, 5.5% +/- 4.8. The median PD15 M was 148 mg and PD15 HS 6.2 ml. The sensitivity of M to identify HS+ was 80.7% and the specificity 86.7%. The sensitivity of M compared with the clinical assessment was 59.8% and specificity 95.2% and increased to 88.7% and 95.0% respectively when the M- subjects taking ICS were excluded. Cough was common during testing. There were no serious adverse events. The diarised events were similar for mannitol and HS, the most common being headache (17.2%M, 19%HS), pharyngolaryngeal pain (5.1%M, 3%HS), nausea (4.3%M, 3%HS), and cough (2.2%M, 2.4%HS).


CONCLUSION
The efficacy and safety of mannitol was demonstrated in non-asthmatic and clinically diagnosed asthmatic adults and children.
Anthropogenic and natural sources of ambient noise in the ocean

Ocean ambient noise results from both anthropogenic and natural sources. Different noise sources are dominant in each of 3 frequency bands: low (10 to 500 Hz), medium (500 Hz to 25 kHz) and high (>25 kHz). The low-frequency band is dominated by anthropogenic sources: primarily, commercial shipping and, secondarily, seismic exploration. Shipping and seismic sources contribute to ambient noise across ocean basins, since low-frequency sound experiences little attenuation, allowing for long-range propagation. Over the past few decades the shipping contribution to ambient noise has increased by as much as 12 dB, coincident with a significant increase in the number and size of vessels comprising the world’s commercial shipping fleet. During this time, oil exploration and construction activities along continental margins have moved into deeper water, and the long-range propagation of seismic signals has increased. Medium frequency sound cannot propagate over long ranges, owing to greater attenuation, and only local or regional (10s of km distant) sound sources contribute to the ambient noise field. Ambient noise in the mid-frequency band is primarily due to sea-surface agitation: breaking waves, spray, bubble formation and collapse, and rainfall. Various sonars (e.g. military and mapping), as well as small vessels, contribute anthropogenic noise at mid-frequencies. At high frequencies, acoustic attenuation becomes extreme so that all noise sources are confined to an area close to the receiver. Thermal noise, the result of Brownian motion of water molecules near the hydrophone, is the dominant noise source above about 60 kHz.
Reference ranges for uterine artery mean pulsatility index at 11-41 weeks of gestation.

OBJECTIVES
To construct gestational age (GA)-based reference ranges for the uterine artery (UtA) mean pulsatility index (PI) at 11-41 weeks of pregnancy.


METHODS
A prospective cross-sectional observational study was carried out of 20 consecutive singleton pregnancies for each completed gestational week at 11-41 weeks. UtAs were examined by color and pulsed Doppler imaging, and the mean PI, as well as the presence or absence of a bilateral protodiastolic notch, were recorded. Polynomials were fitted by means of least-square regression to estimate the relationship between the mean UtA-PI and GA.


RESULTS
A total of 620 women were included. A second-degree polynomial (Log(e) mean UtA-PI = 1.39 - 0.012 x GA + GA(2) x 0.0000198, with GA measured in days), after a natural logarithmic transformation, was selected to model our data. There was a significant decrease in the mean UtA-PI between 11 weeks (mean PI, 1.79; 95(th) centile, 2.70) and 34 weeks (mean PI, 0.70; 95(th) centile, 0.99). It then became more stable up until 41 weeks (mean PI, 0.65; 95(th) centile, 0.89).


CONCLUSIONS
The mean UtA-PI shows a progressive decrease until the late stages of pregnancy. Reference ranges for mean UtA-PI may have clinical value in screening for placenta-associated diseases in the early stages of pregnancy, and in evaluating patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension and/or small-for-gestational age fetuses during the third trimester.
A Systematic Review of Immunotherapy in Urologic Cancer: Evolving Roles for Targeting of CTLA-4, PD-1/PD-L1, and HLA-G.

CONTEXT
Overexpression of immune checkpoint molecules affects tumor-specific T-cell immunity in the cancer microenvironment, and can reshape tumor progression and metastasis. Antibodies targeting checkpoints could restore antitumor immunity by blocking the inhibitory receptor-ligand interaction.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze data and current trends in immune checkpoint targeting therapy for urologic cancers.


EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
Systematic literature search for clinical trials in the PubMed and Cochrane databases up to August 2014 according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Endpoints included oncologic results, tumor response rates, safety, and tolerability.


EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Anti-CTLA-4 monotherapy has demonstrated biochemical responses in prostate cancer. One phase 3 trial assessing ipilimumab efficacy in castration-resistant disease was negative overall. Nevertheless, ipilimumab may significantly improve overall survival compared with placebo in subgroups of patients with favorable prognostic features. In renal cancer, phase 1 trials showed interesting stabilization or long-lasting objective response rates approaching 50% using anti-PD-1/PD-L1 drugs in heavily pretreated metastatic patients. In bladder cancer, one phase 2 trial indicated a good safety profile for ipilimumab as a neoadjuvant drug before radical cystectomy. Overall, immune-related effects such as colitis and dermatitis were common and well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
Our systematic review shows that antibodies blocking immune checkpoints offer interesting and long-lasting response rates in heavily pretreated patients with advanced urologic cancers. More promising results are currently provided by anti-CTLA-4 antibodies in prostate cancer and by PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in renal cancer. These should encourage new clinical trials of immune therapy combinations and immunotherapy monotherapy combined with conventional anticancer drugs. In bladder cancer, the use of targeted immunotherapy still remains underevaluated; however, preliminary results reported at recent conferences seem encouraging.


PATIENT SUMMARY
Data from studies support the activity and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors in urologic cancers, alone or in combination with conventional cancer therapies. Encouraging data in other oncologic fields could translate into interesting responses in urological cancers.
[Review] Monarchisms and republicanisms

Hans Blom, John Christian Laursen and Luisa Simonutti (eds) Age of Enlightenment: Liberty, Patriotism, and the Common Good. Toronto Press, ISBN: 0802091776, 2007. x + 306 pp., £40.
Beta-blocker therapy for cardiac dysfunction in patients with muscular dystrophy.

BACKGROUND
In muscular dystrophy, cardiac function deteriorates with time and heart failure is one of the major causes of death. Although the combination of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and beta-blockers improves cardiac function in adults, little is known about the efficacy of those drugs in patients with muscular dystrophy.


METHODS AND RESULTS
The effect of the beta-blocker, carvedilol, and/or ACEI on ventricular function in patients with muscular dystrophy was studied. Carvedilol and an ACEI were given to 13 patients (ACEI group; mean age 18 years, range 7-27 years), and an ACEI only to 15 patients (carvedilol group; mean age 15 years, range 8-29 years). Diagnoses included Duchenne muscular dystrophy (n=25), Fukuyama muscular dystrophy (n=2), and Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (n=1). Echocardiographic parameters of the left ventricle were measured during the 2-3 years of follow-up. In the carvedilol group, combination therapy of carvedilol and an ACEI for 2 years resulted in a significant increase in left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS). In the ACEI group, there was no significant change in LVFS. Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension increased in the ACEI group, but not in the carvedilol group.


CONCLUSION
Carvedilol plus an ACEI improves left ventricular systolic function in patients with muscular dystrophy.