LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
CT number-controlling system for reproducibility of intracoronary CT number on follow-up coronary CT angiography.

BACKGROUND
Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) may be useful for noninvasive follow-up; however, evaluation of coronary stenosis and CT number of plaque may be inaccurate under different vessel enhancement of contrast media. We examined the reproducibility of the CT number of repeat CCTA using our original CT number-controlling system (CTN-CS), which selects contrast level by a multiple regression equation using body surface area and peak CT number and peak time on timing bolus and during CCTA.


METHODS AND RESULTS
One hundred seventy-two patients who underwent serial CCTA were prospectively and randomly assigned to 3 groups. In the first group, Group A, the amount of contrast for the second CCTA was determined by CTN-CS to match the intracoronary CT number of the first CCTA. In Group B, each patient received the same amount of intravenous contrast in both CCTA examinations. In Group C, 0.7 mL/mg body weight (BW) of contrast medium (350 mgI/mL) was used for baseline and follow-up CCTAs. The regression of repeated CCTAs was the best in Group A (r=0.85, p<0.001) vs. Group B (r=0.52, p<0.001), and Group C (r=0.61, p<0.001). The absolute difference between intracoronary CT numbers of the second and first CCTA was the lowest in Group A (24.8 ± 21.8HU), followed by Group B (37.6 ± 26.2 HU; p<0.05) and Group C (46.5 ± 34.4HU; p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Using CTN-CS, the difference of intracoronary CT numbers of the second and first CCTA was the smallest when compared to CCTAs using the same contrast volumes or constant volumes per body weight.
Simulation based fuzzy TOPSIS approach for group multi-criteria supplier selection problem

Supplier selection is nowadays one of the critical topics in supply chain management. This paper presents a new decision making approach for group multi-criteria supplier selection problem, which clubs supplier selection process with order allocation for dynamic supply chains to cope market variations. More specifically, the developed approach imitates the knowledge acquisition and manipulation in a manner similar to the decision makers who have gathered considerable knowledge and expertise in procurement domain. Nevertheless, under many conditions, exact data are inadequate to model real-life situation and fuzzy logic can be incorporated to handle the vagueness of the decision makers. As per this concept, fuzzy-AHP method is used first for supplier selection through four classes (CLASS I: Performance strategy, CLASS II: Quality of service, CLASS III: Innovation and CLASS IV: Risk), which are qualitatively meaningful. Thereafter, using simulation based fuzzy TOPSIS technique, the criteria application is quantitatively evaluated for order allocation among the selected suppliers. As a result, the approach generates decision-making knowledge, and thereafter, the developed combination of rules order allocation can easily be interpreted, adopted and at the same time if necessary, modified by decision makers. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed approach, an illustrative example is presented and the results analyzed. & 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Segmentation of telecom customers based on customer value by decision tree model

The more the telecom services marketing paradigm evolves, the more important it becomes to retain high value customers. Traditional customer segmentation methods based on experience or ARPU (Average Revenue per User) consider neither customers’ future revenue nor the cost of servicing customers of different types. Therefore, it is very difficult to effectively identify high-value customers. In this paper, we propose a novel customer segmentation method based on customer lifecycle, which includes five decision models, i.e. current value, historic value, prediction of long-term value, credit and loyalty. Due to the difficulty of quantitative computation of long-term value, credit and loyalty, a decision tree method is used to extract important parameters related to long-term value, credit and loyalty. Then a judgments matrix formulated on the basis of characteristics of data and the experience of business experts is presented. Finally a simple and practical customer value evaluation system is built. This model is applied to telecom operators in a province in China and good accuracy is achieved. 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Predicting students' success based on forum activities in MOOCs

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have the potential to scale university education, allowing for many thousands of students to participate in a single online course. But even successful MOOC platforms like Coursera, edX or Iversity face the problem of very low completion rates. Analyzing learning activities in a MOOC, learning analytics could help to identify necessary interventions. In Iversity MOOCs, a forum is the basic communication platform, both for student-student and student-instructor communication. In this paper, features of successful students are derived from forum activities and combined to a learning profile. From this learning profile, feedback could be generated for students who are classified as ”risk students”. An analytics tool was developed, based on machine learning, which classifies students in Iversity MOOCs, using features like number of answers in a forum or number of up-votes. Thus, features of successful students can be determined, and visualized in an intuitive way.
Ankle-brachial index improves the classification of cardiovascular risk: PERART/ARTPER Study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
The sensitivity of cardiovascular risk functions is low because many cardiovascular events occur in low- or intermediate-risk patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate how the ankle-brachial index (ABI) reclassifies these patients.


METHODS
We conducted a descriptive, transversal, multicenter study (28 centers) of 3171 randomly selected patients aged >49 years. We studied demographic variables, clinical history and cardiovascular risk factors, ABI (defined as pathologic if <0.9) and 10-year cardiovascular risk with the Framingham-Wilson, REGICOR and SCORE equations, dividing risk into three categories: low (Framingham<10%, REGICOR<5% and SCORE<2.5%, intermediate (10-19.9%, 5-9.9% and 2.5-4.9%, respectively) and high (≥20%, ≥10% and ≥5%, respectively). Low- or intermediate-risk patients were reclassified as high-risk if they presented ABI <0.9.


RESULTS
We compared patients with ABI <0.9 and patients with ABI ≥0.9 and found the former were significantly older, more frequently men, had a worse history and more cardiovascular risk factors, and included more high-risk patients than when the classification used Framingham-Wilson (42.7% vs. 18.5%), REGICOR (25.8% vs. 9.3%) and SCORE (42.2% vs. 15.9%) equations. In men, using ABI led to a 5.8% increase in the high-risk category versus Framingham-Wilson, a 19.1% increase versus REGICOR and a 4.4% increase versus SCORE. In women, the increases were 78.6% versus Framingham-Wilson, 151.6% versus REGICOR and 50.0% versus SCORE.


CONCLUSIONS
The ABI reclassifies a substantial proportion of patients towards the high-risk category. This is particularly marked in women and by comparison with REGICOR scores.
Health status in patients at risk of inherited arrhythmias and sudden unexpected death compared to the general population

The possibilities in the molecular genetics of long QT syndrome (LQTS) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has made family screening, with diagnostic and predictive genetic testing part of the health care offer in genetic counselling of inherited arrhythmias, potentially affecting the subjective health among these individuals. The study compared health status among patients at risk of arrhythmia because of family history or clinical diagnosis of LQTS and HCM with reference health status scores of the general population. In the period 2005-2007, 127 patients (mean age 45 years, 53.5% women), with a family history of arrhythmia (n = 95) or a clinical diagnosis of LQTS (n = 12) or HCM (n = 19) referred for genetic counselling at the medical genetic departments in Norway filled in a questionnaire (Short Form Health Survey SF-36) measuring health status on eight domains. The patient SF-36 scores were compared to expected scores of the general population by t-test, and the relationship between the socio-demographic variables, clinical status, and SF-36 domains were analysed by multiple linear regression. The total sample reported significant lower SF-36 score as compared to the general population scores for the domain of general health (mean difference -7.3 (<0.001). When analysing the sample in subgroups according to clinical status, the general health was still significant lower for the group of family risk and in the group of HCM. In addition the physical functioning, role physical, vitality and role emotional domains were reduced for the latter group. In general, employment, higher education and being referred to genetic counselling through a family member were associated with better scores on the health status domains. Having a genetic risk of arrhythmia affects general health significantly. In addition, patients with a clinical diagnosis of HCM demonstrate a significantly poorer health in both physical and mental domains.
Design and Implementation of carrier based Sinusoidal PWM Inverter

SPWM or sinusoidal pulse width modulation is widely used in power electronics to digitize the power so that a sequence of voltage pulses can be generated by the on and off of the power switches. The pulse width modulation inverter has been the main choice in power electronic for decades, because of its circuit simplicity and rugged control scheme SPWM switching technique is commonly used in industrial applications SPWM techniques are characterized by constant amplitude pulses with different duty cycle for each period. The width of this pulses are modulated to obtain inverter output voltage control and to reduce its harmonic content. Sinusoidal pulse width modulation or SPWM is the mostly used method in motor control and inverter application. In this development a unipolar and bipolar SPWM voltage modulation type is selected because this method offers the advantage of effectively doubling the switching frequency of the inverter voltage, thus making the output filter smaller, cheaper and easier to implement. Conventionally, to generate this signal, triangle wave as a carrier signal is compared with the sinusoidal wave, whose frequency is the desired frequency. In this paper single-phase inverters and their operating principles are analyzed in detail. The concept of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) for inverters is described with analyses extended to different kinds of PWM strategies. Finally the simulation results for a single-phase inverter (unipolar) using the PWM strategies described are presented [1],[2],[3]. Index Term—Modulation, Sinusoidal pulse width modulation, Unipolar, Bipolar
Predicting three-dimensional structures of transmembrane domains of β-barrel membrane proteins.

β-Barrel membrane proteins are found in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, mitochondria, and chloroplasts. They are important for pore formation, membrane anchoring, and enzyme activity. These proteins are also often responsible for bacterial virulence. Due to difficulties in experimental structure determination, they are sparsely represented in the protein structure databank. We have developed a computational method for predicting structures of the transmembrane (TM) domains of β-barrel membrane proteins. Based on physical principles, our method can predict structures of the TM domain of β-barrel membrane proteins of novel topology, including those from eukaryotic mitochondria. Our method is based on a model of physical interactions, a discrete conformational state space, an empirical potential function, as well as a model to account for interstrand loop entropy. We are able to construct three-dimensional atomic structure of the TM domains from sequences for a set of 23 nonhomologous proteins (resolution 1.8-3.0 Å). The median rmsd of TM domains containing 75-222 residues between predicted and measured structures is 3.9 Å for main chain atoms. In addition, stability determinants and protein-protein interaction sites can be predicted. Such predictions on eukaryotic mitochondria outer membrane protein Tom40 and VDAC are confirmed by independent mutagenesis and chemical cross-linking studies. These results suggest that our model captures key components of the organization principles of β-barrel membrane protein assembly.
Smart Health Care System Using Internet of Things

The rapid development of Internet of things (IoT) technology makes it possible for connecting various smart objects together through the Internet and providing more data interoperability methods for application purpose. Recent research shows more potential applications of IoT in information intensive industrial sectors such as healthcare services. However, the diversity of the objects in IoT causes the heterogeneity problem of the data format in IoT platform. Meanwhile, the use of IoT technology in applications has spurred the increase of real-time data, which makes the information storage and accessing more difficult and challenging. Here in this paper a more efficient machine to machine communication is achieved for health care datas. Index Terms – Internet of Things(IOT), Machine to Machine communication(M2M), Pulse Oximeter,EoR.
A phase I study of the pan bcl-2 family inhibitor obatoclax mesylate in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies.

PURPOSE
The outcome of patients with refractory leukemia and myelodysplasia is poor, and new therapies are needed. The antiapoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family are overexpressed in these malignancies and are potential therapeutic targets. Therefore, we conducted a phase I clinical trial of the small-molecule pan-Bcl-2 inhibitor, obatoclax mesylate, in patients with refractory leukemia and myelodysplasia to assess its safety and define its optimal dose.


EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Forty-four patients with refractory leukemia or myelodysplasia were treated with obatoclax mesylate by continuous intravenous infusion at increasing doses and frequencies.


RESULTS
A total of 306 infusions of obatoclax mesylate were administered with a median of 5 infusions per patient. The study drug was well tolerated up to the highest dose planned without dose-limiting toxicity. Grade 1/2 central nervous system symptoms were the most common adverse events attributable to the study drug. One patient with acute myeloid leukemia with mixed lineage leukemia t(9;11) rearrangement achieved a complete remission, which lasted 8 months. Three of 14 patients with myelodysplasia showed hematologic improvement with RBC or platelet transfusion independence.


CONCLUSIONS
Obatoclax mesylate is well tolerated and these results support its further investigation in patients with leukemia and myelodysplasia.
Discharge home after acute stroke: Differences between older and younger patients.

OBJECTIVE
To identify determinants for discharge destination of older (≥ 70 years) and younger (< 70 years) acute stroke patients.


DESIGN
Multicentre prospective cohort.


PATIENTS
A total of 395 patients, within 7 days of clinically evaluated stroke, were included from 6 hospital stroke units.


METHODS
The main outcome measure was discharge destination (home vs clinical rehabilitation). Independent variables were: demographic factors, stroke characteristics, functional impairments and disabilities, cognition, comorbidity, and premorbid social participation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis established the independent strength of the contribution of possible determinants to discharge destination.


RESULTS
Seventy-six percent of younger patients were discharged home, compared with 63% of older patients. Most of the younger patients discharged to clinical rehabilitation (71%) had a spouse, whereas only 40% of the older age group discharged to clinical rehabilitation had a spouse. Multivariate analysis showed that, besides National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and Barthel Index scores, having a spouse was an important determinant for discharge home in the older age group (adjusted odds ratio 4.77, 95% confidence interval 2.01-11.31), but not in the younger age group.


CONCLUSION
The presence of a spouse is an additional important factor determining discharge home in older stroke patients. It is important to monitor and support informal caregivers in order to provide appropriate care for older community-dwelling stroke patients.
Development and psychometric validation of a brief comprehensive health status assessment scale in older patients with hematological malignancies: The GAH Scale.

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to develop a new brief, comprehensive geriatric assessment scale for older patients diagnosed with different hematological malignancies, the Geriatric Assessment in Hematology (GAH scale), and to determine its psychometric properties.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
The 30-item GAH scale was designed through a multi-step process to cover 8 relevant dimensions. This is an observational study conducted in 363 patients aged≥65years, newly diagnosed with different hematological malignancies (myelodysplasic syndrome/acute myeloblastic leukemia, multiple myeloma, or chronic lymphocytic leukemia), and treatment-naïve. The scale psychometric validation process included the analyses of feasibility, floor and ceiling effect, validity and reliability criteria.


RESULTS
Mean time taken to complete the GAH scale was 11.9±4.7min that improved through a learning-curve effect. Almost 90% of patients completed all items, and no floor or ceiling effects were identified. Criterion validity was supported by reasonable correlations between the GAH scale dimensions and three contrast variables (global health visual analogue scale, ECOG and Karnofsky), except for comorbidities. Factor analysis (supported by the scree plot) revealed nine factors that explained almost 60% of the total variance. Moderate internal consistency reliability was found (Cronbach's α: 0.610), and test-retest was excellent (ICC coefficients, 0.695-0.928).


CONCLUSION
Our study suggests that the GAH scale is a valid, internally reliable and a consistent tool to assess health status in older patients with different hematological malignancies. Future large studies should confirm whether the GAH scale may be a tool to improve clinical decision-making in older patients with hematological malignancies.
Comparative efficacy and distribution of lipid formulations of amphotericin B in experimental Candida albicans infection of the central nervous system.

The central nervous system (CNS) distribution and antifungal efficacy of all 4 approved formulations of amphotericin B (AmB) were investigated in a rabbit model of hematogenous Candida albicans meningoencephalitis. Treatment with AmB deoxycholate (1 mg/kg/day) or liposomal AmB (5 mg/kg/day) yielded the highest peak plasma concentration (C(max)), area under concentration versus time curve from zero to 24 h (AUC(0-24)), and time during dosing level tau Ttau>minimum inhibitory complex (MIC) values and led to complete eradication of C. albicans from brain tissue (P<.05 vs. untreated controls). By comparison, AmB colloidal dispersion and AmB lipid complex (5 mg/kg/day each) were only partially effective (not significant vs. untreated controls). There was a strong correlation of C(max), AUC(0-24), C(max)/MIC, AUC(0-24)/MIC, and Ttau>MIC with clearance of C. albicans from brain tissue (P</=.0002). Although pharmacodynamic parameters derived from the MIC of free AmB were highly predictive of antifungal efficacy, parameters derived from MICs of individual formulations were not predictive. AmB deoxycholate and liposomal AmB had the greatest antifungal efficacy. This activity was concentration and time dependent.
Phase III, multicenter, randomized trial of maintenance chemotherapy versus observation in patients with metastatic breast cancer after achieving disease control with six cycles of gemcitabine plus paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy: KCSG-BR07-02.

PURPOSE
The primary purpose of our study was to evaluate whether maintenance chemotherapy with paclitaxel/gemcitabine (PG) was superior to observation in improving progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who achieved disease control with an initial six cycles of PG as their first-line treatment.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
The study was a prospective, randomized, multicenter, phase III trial. Patients MBC with who achieved disease control after six cycles of PG chemotherapy were randomly assigned to maintenance chemotherapy or observation until progression.


RESULTS
Of 324 patients from 10 centers enrolled, 231 patients with MBC exhibited disease control (complete response + partial response + stable disease) with first-line PG and were randomly assigned to maintenance chemotherapy (n = 116) or observation (n = 115). The median age was 48 years (range, 28 to 76 years), median follow-up was 33 months, and median number of chemotherapy cycles in the maintenance group after random assignment was six. The median PFS time after random assignment was longer in the maintenance group than in the observation group (7.5 v 3.8 months, respectively; P = .026). The median overall survival (OS) time was longer in the maintenance group than in the observation group (32.3 v 23.5 months, respectively; P = .047). The rate of grade 3 or higher neutropenia after random assignment was higher in the maintenance group than in the observation group (61% v 0.9%, respectively; P < .001).


CONCLUSION
In patients with MBC who achieved disease control with an initial six cycles of PG chemotherapy, maintenance PG chemotherapy resulted in better PFS and OS compared with observation.
Inability of the Rome III Criteria to Distinguish Functional Constipation From Constipation-Subtype Irritable Bowel Syndrome

OBJECTIVES:The Rome III classification system treats functional constipation (FC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) as distinct disorders, but this distinction appears artificial, and the same drugs are used to treat both. This study's hypothesis is that FC and IBS-C defined by Rome III are not distinct entities.METHODS:In all, 1,100 adults with a primary care visit for constipation and 1,700 age- and gender-matched controls from a health maintenance organization completed surveys 12 months apart; 66.2% returned the first questionnaire. Rome III criteria identified 231 with FC and 201 with IBS-C. The second survey was completed by 195 of the FC and 141 of the IBS-C cohorts. Both surveys assessed the severity of constipation and IBS, quality of life (QOL), and psychological distress.RESULTS:(i) Overlap: if the Rome III requirement that patients meeting criteria for IBS cannot be diagnosed with FC is suspended, 89.5% of IBS-C cases meet criteria for FC and 43.8% of FC patients fulfill criteria for IBS-C. (ii) No qualitative differences between FC and IBS-C: 44.8% of FC patients report abdominal pain, and paradoxically IBS-C patients have more constipation symptoms than FC. (iii) Switching between diagnoses: by 12 months, 1/3 of FC transition to IBS-C and 1/3 of IBS-C change to FC.CONCLUSIONS:Patients identified by Rome III criteria for FC and IBS-C are not distinct groups. Revisions to the Rome III criteria, possibly including incorporation of physiological tests of transit and pelvic floor function, are needed.