LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Big Data: Understanding Big Data

Steve Jobs, one of the greatest visionaries of our time was quoted in 1996 saying “a lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them”[38] indicating he advocated products to be developed based on human intuition rather than research. With the advancements of mobile devices, social networks and the Internet of Things (IoT) enormous amounts of complex data, both structured & unstructured are being captured in hope to allow organizations to make better business decisions as data is now vital for an organizations success. These enormous amounts of data are referred to as Big Data, which enables a competitive advantage over rivals when processed and analyzed appropriately. However Big Data Analytics has a few concerns including Management of Datalifecycle, Privacy & Security, and Data Representation. This paper reviews the fundamental concept of Big Data, the Data Storage domain, the MapReduce programming paradigm used in processing these large datasets, and focuses on two case studies showing the effectiveness of Big Data Analytics and presents how it could be of greater good in the future if handled appropriately. Keywords—Big Data; Big Data Analytics; Big Data Inconsistencies; Data Storage; MapReduce; Knowledge-Space
Placenta weight percentile curves for singleton and twins deliveries.

OBJECTIVE
To establish updated placental percentile nomograms in a large North American population for singleton and twin gestations for the use of researchers and clinicians.


STUDY DESIGN
Data was extracted from our computerized registry; McGill Obstetrics and Neonatal Database (MOND). The registry includes all the obstetrical data on all deliveries at the McGill University, including placental weight, placental pathologies, maternal and perinatal complications. 20,635 singleton deliveries and 527 twin deliveries were included. Placental weight, gestational age at delivery, birth weight and gender were retrieved. Tables and figures for the 3rd,10th,25th, 50th, 75th 90th, and 97th percentile of placental weight by gestational age, placental weight by birth weight and placental to birth weight ratio by gestational age were produced.


RESULTS
Tables and figures are presented for placental percentiles curves according to gestational age, gestational weight and gender for singleton and twin deliveries. In addition, tables and figures are presented for the ratio of placental weight to birth weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Population percentile curves have been produced for placental weight and for the ratio of placental weight to birth weight to for singleton and twin deliveries.
A Novel Object-Based Deep Learning Framework for Semantic Segmentation of Very High-Resolution Remote Sensing Data: Comparison with Convolutional and Fully Convolutional Networks

Deep learning architectures have received much attention in recent years demonstrating state-of-the-art performance in several segmentation, classification and other computer vision tasks. Most of these deep networks are based on either convolutional or fully convolutional architectures. In this paper, we propose a novel object-based deep-learning framework for semantic segmentation in very high-resolution satellite data. In particular, we exploit object-based priors integrated into a fully convolutional neural network by incorporating an anisotropic diffusion data preprocessing step and an additional loss term during the training process. Under this constrained framework, the goal is to enforce pixels that belong to the same object to be classified at the same semantic category. We compared thoroughly the novel object-based framework with the currently dominating convolutional and fully convolutional deep networks. In particular, numerous experiments were conducted on the publicly available ISPRS WGII/4 benchmark datasets, namely Vaihingen and Potsdam, for validation and inter-comparison based on a variety of metrics. Quantitatively, experimental results indicate that, overall, the proposed object-based framework slightly outperformed the current state-of-the-art fully convolutional networks by more than 1% in terms of overall accuracy, while intersection over union results are improved for all semantic categories. Qualitatively, man-made classes with more strict geometry such as buildings were the ones that benefit most from our method, especially along object boundaries, highlighting the great potential of the developed approach.
Database of normal human cerebral blood flow measured by SPECT: I. Comparison between I-123-IMP, Tc-99m-HMPAO, and Tc-99m-ECD as referred with O-15 labeled water PET and voxel-based morphometry.

OBJECTIVES
Three accumulative tracers, iodine-123-labeled N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (I-123-IMP), technetium-99m-labeled hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime (Tc-99m-HMPAO), and technetium-99m-labeled ethyl cysteinate dimer (Tc-99m-ECD) are widely used to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In the present study, normal regional distribution of CBF measured with three different SPECT tracers was entered into a database and compared with regional distribution of CBF measured by positron emission tomography (PET) with H2(15)O. The regional distribution of tissue fractions of gray matter determined by voxel-based morphometry was also compared with SPECT and PET CBF distributions.


METHODS
SPECT studies with I-123-IMP, Tc-99m-HMPAO, and Tc-99m-ECD were performed on 11, 20, and 17 healthy subjects, respectively. PET studies were performed on 11 healthy subjects. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies for voxel-based morphometry were performed on 43 of the 48 subjects who underwent SPECT study. All SPECT, PET, and MR images were transformed into the standard brain format with the SPM2 system. The voxel values of each SPECT and PET image were globally normalized to 50 ml/100 ml/min. Gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid images were segmented and extracted from all transformed MR images by applying voxel-based morphometry methods with the SPM2 system.


RESULTS
Regional distribution of all three SPECT tracers differed from that of H2150 in the pons, midbrain, thalamus, putamen, parahippocampal gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, temporal cortex, and occipital cortex. No significant correlations were observed between the tissue fraction of gray matter and CBF with any tracer.


CONCLUSION
Differences in regional distribution of SPECT tracers were considered to be caused mainly by differences in the mechanism of retention of tracers in the brain. Regional distribution of CBF was independent of regional distribution of gray matter fractions, and consequently the blood flow per gray matter volume differed for each brain region.
Methodologies in Computer Science and Information Systems

this paper discusses the several research methodologies that can be used in Computer Science (CS) and Information Systems (IS). The research methods vary according to the science domain and project field. However a little of research methodologies can be reasonable for CS and IS. KeywordsComputer Science(CS), Information Systems (IS),Research Methodologies.
Dynamic relief mapping1

The best texture mapping techniques that focus on the microrelief effect use iterative algorithms. The number of iterations must be determined in advance, but for real-time rendering, the number of iterations must be chosen dynamically to take into account the change of the depth scale and the viewing angle (viewing direction). In this paper, we presented a real-time rendering technique that allows a combined synchronization between depth scaling, viewing angle and number of iterations.
Treatment needs of patients admitted for acute chest pain.

OBJECTIVE
To examine the characteristics, subsequent resource use and outcome of a consecutive cohort of admissions with acute chest pain not due to myocardial infarction.


METHODS
Subjects (N=356) identified in the course of a epidemiological study of myocardial infarction were interviewed and completed HAD, SF-36 and other self-report information in hospital and at 3 months and 1 year. Hospital casenotes were reviewed at 1 year.


RESULTS
A total of 218 subjects were given cardiac diagnoses and 138 noncardiac diagnoses. Cardiac subjects were more distressed and disabled and used more resources. Those in the noncardiac group reported distress and disability and resource use comparable to infarct admissions.


CONCLUSION
Awareness of psychosocial variables would aid in the assessment and management of those with and without ischaemic heart disease.
The weeping patient.

Weeping patients engender feelings of inadequacy in themselves and in their doctors. The creation of a warm empathy by showing understanding and by giving support provides an atmosphere for open ventilation of feelings and, ultimately, enables the patient to relax.
Clinical relapses and disease activity on magnetic resonance imaging associated with viral upper respiratory tract infections in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND
Although the risk of clinical attacks of multiple sclerosis seems to be significantly increased with viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), serological evidence for the reported association remains controversial. In addition, although MRI is six to 10 times more sensitive than clinical exacerbations in indexing disease activity, any possible association between URTI and MRI activity has yet to be investigated.


OBJECTIVES
To examine the relation between URTI and disease activity, in multiple sclerosis patients participating in a placebo controlled trial of interferon beta-1a, as indexed both by clinical exacerbation rate and by the number and volume of gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) enhancing lesions on MRI. "At risk" periods were defined around symptomatic URTI, with or without serological confirmation.


RESULTS
The relative risk of clinical relapse for serologically unconfirmed symptomatic URTI was 2.1 (p=0.004). Raised antiviral antibody titres conferred a relative risk of multiple sclerosis exacerbations that was 3.4 times higher than the "not at risk" periods (annual attack rates of 5.7 v 1.6, respectively, p=0.006). There was no definite relation between the number or the volume of active lesions on MRI and either symptomatic or serologically defined at risk periods.


CONCLUSIONS
These results confirm the previously reported association between viral infections and multiple sclerosis exacerbations and indicate that the relative risk may be even higher when viral infection is serologically confirmed. However, the results, perhaps because of the confounding effects of interferon beta-1a, do not provide convincing evidence of increased blood-brain barrier breakdown or inflammation during periods of virally induced immune stimulation.
A randomised controlled trial evaluating the effects of two workstation interventions on upper body pain and incident musculoskeletal disorders among computer operators.

BACKGROUND
Call centre work with computers is associated with increased rates of upper body pain and musculoskeletal disorders.


METHODS
This one year, randomised controlled intervention trial evaluated the effects of a wide forearm support surface and a trackball on upper body pain severity and incident musculoskeletal disorders among 182 call centre operators at a large healthcare company. Participants were randomised to receive (1) ergonomics training only, (2) training plus a trackball, (3) training plus a forearm support, or (4) training plus a trackball and forearm support. Outcome measures were weekly pain severity scores and diagnosis of incident musculoskeletal disorder in the upper extremities or the neck/shoulder region based on physical examination performed by a physician blinded to intervention. Analyses using Cox proportional hazard models and linear regression models adjusted for demographic factors, baseline pain levels, and psychosocial job factors.


RESULTS
Post-intervention, 63 participants were diagnosed with one or more incident musculoskeletal disorders. Hazard rate ratios showed a protective effect of the armboard for neck/shoulder disorders (HR = 0.49, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.97) after adjusting for baseline pain levels and demographic and psychosocial factors. The armboard also significantly reduced neck/shoulder pain (p = 0.01) and right upper extremity pain (p = 0.002) in comparison to the control group. A return-on-investment model predicted a full return of armboard and installation costs within 10.6 months.


CONCLUSION
Providing a large forearm support combined with ergonomic training is an effective intervention to prevent upper body musculoskeletal disorders and reduce upper body pain associated with computer work among call centre employees.
Reflecting on the global burden of musculoskeletal conditions: lessons learnt from the global burden of disease 2010 study and the next steps forward.

The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the strengths, limitations and lessons learned from estimating the burden from musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in the Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study (GBD 2010 Study). It should be read in conjunction with the other GBD 2010 Study papers published in this journal. The strengths of the GBD 2010 Study include: the involvement of a MSK expert group; development of new and more valid case definitions, functional health states, and disability weights to better reflect the MSK conditions; the extensive series of systematic reviews undertaken to obtain data to derive the burden estimates; and the use of a new, more advanced version of the disease-modelling software (DisMod-MR). Limitations include: many regions of the world did not have data; the extent of heterogeneity between included studies; and burden does not include broader aspects of life, such as participation and well-being. A number of lessons were learned. Ongoing involvement of experts is critical to ensure the success of future efforts to quantify and monitor this burden. A paradigm shift is urgently needed among global agencies in order to alleviate the rapidly increasing global burden from MSK conditions. Prevention and control of MSK disability are required, along with health system changes. Further research is needed to improve understanding of the predictors and clinical course across different settings, and the ways in which MSK conditions can be better managed and prevented.
Natural Gait Generation Techniques for Principally Kinematic Mechanical Systems

In this paper we present a novel gait analysis technique which can directly be used to synthesize gaits for a broad class of mechanical systems. We build upon prior work in locomotion mechanics, however we take a different approach to generate gaits that yield absolute motion of the mechanical system. We present a systematic analysis to control all parameters of a proposed type of gait which eliminates the need for intuition and guesswork as was required in the prior work. The main contribution of the paper is relating position change or motion in the ber space to a volume integral bounded by closed curves on a two dimensional manifold embedded in the base space or shape space of the robot. Not only does our method remove the restriction of using sinusoidal gaits as was the case in the prior work but it also allows for generating optimal gaits by solving a variational problem rather than solving a dynamic programming problem as was the case in the prior work.
Native QRS duration predicts the occurrence of arrhythmic events in ICD recipients.

AIMS
Identification of implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) recipients at higher risk of future therapies may assist in pre-empting future shocks. Native QRS duration is an established predictor of overall mortality, but the role of this parameter as a clinical predictor of arrhythmic events warrants further investigation.


METHODS AND RESULTS
In an analysis of a single-centre, 13-year ICD implantation experience (1990-2002), multiple clinical parameters including QRS duration were analysed using a multiple logistic regression model. Of 562 patients followed for at least 1 year, 98 (17%) did not receive ICD therapies (event-free, group A). Comparisons were made with a randomly selected sample of 123 patients who received ICD therapies (arrhythmic events, group B). There were no significant differences in age, gender, frequency of coronary artery disease, and degree of left ventricular dysfunction. However, QRS duration was a significant determinant of arrhythmic events (> or =100 vs. <100 ms: adjusted OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.37-5.51; > or =120 vs. <120 ms: adjusted OR 1.77, 95% CI 0.97-3.23). QRS duration was also a predictor of overall mortality in the logistic regression models (> or =100 ms: adjusted OR 3.72, 95% CI 1.17-11.9; > or =120 ms: adjusted OR 3.09, 95% CI 1.39-6.85).


CONCLUSION
In this ICD population, consisting largely of secondary prevention ICD recipients, longer QRS duration predicted higher likelihood of arrhythmic events. Extent of QRS prolongation could guide the decision to initiate prophylactic anti-arrhythmic therapy in ICD patients.
Equity effects of Quality Teaching: closing the gap

With studies such as PISA and TIMMS making very public international differences in educational quality and equity, school systems around the world are under increasing pressure to improve student achievement – and to do so in a way that reduces the traditional achievement gap between cohorts of students who have historically achieved and not achieved intended outcomes of schooling. With the advent of No Child Left Behind, many school systems across the US have been driven to focus on the improvement of student achievement through increased school accountability mechanisms and increased stakes associated with performance. While concerns for the quality of school performance and student achievement are high on the agenda in countries around the world, the call to improve achievement has been answered with very different initiatives in vastly different policy contexts outside of the US. One such context is New South Wales, where, despite the support of federal government for teacher salary increases based on student performance, the use of high stakes accountability mechanisms has not been on the state educational policy horizon. Instead, pedagogical reform has been targeted as a major means of improving outcomes for all students.
Validation of self-reported colorectal cancer screening behavior from a mixed-mode survey of veterans.

OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to validate self-reported colorectal cancer (CRC) screening using the National Cancer Institute Colorectal Cancer Screening questionnaire.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
890 patients, ages 50 to 75 years, from the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center were surveyed by mail. Phone administration was attempted with mail nonresponders. VA and non-VA records were combined for the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, concordance, and report-to-records ratio (R2R) were estimated for overall and test-specific CRC adherence among respondents providing complete medical records. Secondary analyses examined variation in estimates by patient characteristics, treatment of missing and uncertain responses, and whether a strict or liberal time interval was used for assessing concordance.


RESULTS
Complete medical records were available for 345 of the 686 survey responders. For overall adherence, sensitivity was 0.98, specificity was 0.59, concordance was 0.88, and R2R was 1.14. Sensitivity was 0.82 for fecal occult blood test (FOBT), 0.75 for sigmoidoscopy, 0.97 for colonoscopy, and 0.63 for double-contrast barium enema (DCBE). Specificity was 0.89 for FOBT, 0.76 for sigmoidoscopy, 0.72 for colonoscopy, and 0.85 for DCBE. Concordance was >0.80 for all tests other than sigmoidoscopy (0.76). R2R was 1.31 for FOBT, 1.33 for sigmoidoscopy, 1.42 for colonoscopy, and 6.13 for DCBE. The R2R was lower for a combined sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy measure. Overreporting was more pronounced for older, less-educated individuals with no family history of CRC. Sensitivity and R2R improved using a liberal interval and treating uncertain responses as nonadherent (versus missing), but differences were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-reported CRC screening validity is generally acceptable and robust across definitional decisions, but varies by screening test and patient characteristics.
Smart Grid — Safe , Secure , Self-Healing Challenges and Opportunities in Power System Security , Resiliency , and Privacy

By S. Massoud Amin and Anthony M. Giacomoni T THE EXISTING POWER DELIVERY system is vulnerable to both natural disasters and intentional attack. A successful terrorist attempt to disrupt the power delivery system could have adverse effects on national security, the economy, and the lives of every citizen. Secure and reliable operation of the electric system is fundamental to national and international economic systems, security, and quality of life. This is not new: both the importance and the diffi culty of protecting power systems have long been recognized. In 1990, the U.S. Offi ce of Technology Assessment (OTA) issued a detailed report, Physical Vulnerability of the Electric System to Natural Disasters and Sabotage. The report concluded: “Terrorists could emulate acts of sabotage in several other countries and destroy critical [power system] components, incapacitating large © B R A N D X P IC T U R E S
Technical competence, engineering leadership and electric power

The author identifies societal needs that the engineer can help fulfil, and things that the engineer must do to accomplish this. He examines anti-engineering biases experienced by Galileo, the Challenger engineers, in the health effects of EMF fields, and in the economics of engineering-based activities. He proposes a number of corrective actions.<<ETX>>
Small bowel Crohn's disease: comparison of enteroclysis, bowel sonography and Tc-99m-HMPAO leukocyte scintigraphy.

BACKGROUND
Crohn's disease (CD) frequently involves the small bowel. Actually, the diagnosis of CD is made by ileocolonoscopy (IC) and small bowel enteroclysis (SBE), while trans-abdominal bowel sonography (BS) and Tc-99m-HMPAO leukocyte scintigraphy (LS) are only partially used in spite of their minimal invasiveness.


AIM
to compare the diagnostic accuracy of these procedures for the diagnosis of small bowel CD.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
in about two years a series of consecutive subjects underwent IC, SBE, BS and LS for either suspected or known small bowel CD.


RESULTS
Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for CD diagnosis of the studied procedures were respectively: 98%, 97%, 98% and 97% for SBE; 92%, 97%, 98%, and 88% for BS; 90%, 93%, 96% and 85% for LS. In addition, the parallel combined use of BS and LS led to overall sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of 100%, 93%, 96%, 100%, respectively.


CONCLUSION
SBE, BS and LS are accurate procedures for the diagnosis of small bowel Crohn's disease. The use of BS and LS, particularly in combination, can be proposed as early diagnostic approach to subjects with a suspicion of disease.