LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the efficacy and safety of arformoterol 15 microg twice daily and arformoterol 30 microg once daily in COPD: a single-dose, multicenter, randomized, modified-blind, two-way crossover study.

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of nebulized arformoterol 15 microg/2 mL twice daily (ARF15 BID) and 30 microg/4 mL once daily (ARF30 QD) in subjects with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).


METHODS
In this single-dose, multicenter, randomized, modified-blind, 2-way crossover study, subjects aged > or =45 years with moderate to severe COPD, a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) > or =0.7 L, and < or =65% predicted FEV1, and a FEV(1):forced vital capacity ratio < or =70% were randomly assigned to receive single-day treatment with ARF15 BID or ARF30 QD in random order, separated by a 5 +/- 2-day washout period. The primary efficacy end point was time-normalized AUC of FEV(1) from baseline (hour 0) to 24 hours (FEV(1)AUC(0-24)). Secondary efficacy end points were time-normalized AUC of FEV(1) from baseline to 12 hours (FEV(1)AUC(0-12)) and from 12 to 24 hours (FEV(1)AUC(12-24)), and FEV(1) at 24 hours after administration of the morning dose (trough FEV(1)). Equivalence of the 2 therapies was assessed by comparing the 90% CI value for the difference of the least squares mean (LSM) to a study-specific predefined equivalence range for change in FEV(1)AUC(0-24) of -0.07 to 0.07 L.


RESULTS
A total of 33 subjects were enrolled (20 men, 13 women; mean [SD] age, 64.5 [8.8] years; 15 subjects received ARF15 BID first; 18 received ARF30 QD first). ARF15 BID and ARF30 QD were associated with similar improvements from baseline in (FEV(1)AUC(0-24), LSM 0.15 and 0.16 L, respectively; Delta, 0.01 L; 90% CI, -0.02 to 0.04) and trough FEV(1) (LSM, 0.15 and 0.12 L, respectively; Delta, -0.03 L; 90% CI, -0.09 to 0.03). FEV(1)AUC(0-12) was improved more with ARF30 QD than ARF15 BID (Delta, 0.06 L; 90% CI, 0.04 to 0.09), and FEV(1)AUC(12-24) was improved more with ARF15 BID than ARF30 Qd (Delta, -0.04 L; 90% CI, -0.08 to 0.01). The 90% CI for FEV(1)AUC(0-24) for the treatment difference between ARF15 BID and ARF30 QD was within the prespecified range of -0.07 to 0.07 L, indicating that both treatments resulted in equivalent FEV(1)AUC(0-24) values.


CONCLUSIONS
In these subjects with moderate to severe COPD, single-day administrations of ARF15 BID or ARF30 QD were associated with FEV(1) responses over a period of 24 hours that were considered equivalent per the protocol definition employed in the present study. FEV1 improvement over 12 hours was greater for ARF30 QD after the morning dose and for ARF15 BID after the evening dose. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00571428.
PositNN: Tapered Precision Deep Learning Inference for the Edge

The performance of neural networks, especially the currently popular form of deep 1 neural networks, is often limited by the underlying hardware. Computations in 2 deep neural networks are expensive, have large memory footprint, and are power 3 hungry. Conventional reduced-precision numerical formats, such as fixed-point 4 and floating point, cannot accurately represent deep neural network parameters 5 with a nonlinear distribution and small dynamic range. Recently proposed posit 6 numerical format with tapered precision represents small values more accurately 7 than the other formats. In this work, we propose an ultra-low precision deep neural 8 network, PositNN, that uses posits during inference. The efficacy of PositNN is 9 demonstrated on a deep neural network architecture with two datasets (MNIST 10 and Fashion MNIST), where an 8-bit PositNN outperforms other {5-8}-bit low11 precision neural networks and a 32-bit floating point baseline network. 12
The DYCE Concept - Architecture & Implementation Strategies

Abstract This paper presents an approach to design a powerful and flexible controller architecture in order to support new applications across various heterogeneous networks. The approach allows a run-time configuration of the protocol modules. In contrast to existing systems, the developer has the choice to apply different implementation strategies to a module, changing in this way its encapsulation and execution behaviour. Thus, one and the same module can meet different configuration requirements depending on its implementation form as: a typed dynamic library procedure, a typed unmovable thread, a typed movable thread, or a composed protocol graph. The proposed environment is a light-weight framework, called DYCE-2, which represents an implementation of the Dynamic Configuration Entity (DYCE) [Hein93]. DYCE is the central part of our flexible protocol architecture. To build such a flexible and also high-performance system we have to find out and uncover protocol functionalities which can operate concurrently. To achieve results on protocol inherent functional parallelism we have done extensive simulation studies using a petri net based specification technique.
Role of stress, arousal, and coping skills in primary insomnia.

OBJECTIVE
Although stress is often presumed to cause sleep disturbances, little research has documented the role of stressful life events in primary insomnia. The present study examined the relationship of stress and coping skills, and the potential mediating role of presleep arousal, to sleep patterns in good sleepers and insomnia sufferers.


METHODS
The sample was composed of 67 participants (38 women, 29 men; mean age, 39.6 years), 40 individuals with insomnia and 27 good sleepers. Subjects completed prospective, daily measures of stressful events, presleep arousal, and sleep for 21 consecutive days. In addition, they completed several retrospective and global measures of depression, anxiety, stressful life events, and coping skills.


RESULTS
The results showed that poor and good sleepers reported equivalent numbers of minor stressful life events. However, insomniacs rated both the impact of daily minor stressors and the intensity of major negative life events higher than did good sleepers. In addition, insomniacs perceived their lives as more stressful, relied more on emotion-oriented coping strategies, and reported greater presleep arousal than good sleepers. Prospective daily data showed significant relationships between daytime stress and nighttime sleep, but presleep arousal and coping skills played an important mediating role.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that the appraisal of stressors and the perceived lack of control over stressful events, rather than the number of stressful events per se, enhance the vulnerability to insomnia. Arousal and coping skills play an important mediating role between stress and sleep. The main implication of these results is that insomnia treatments should incorporate clinical methods designed to teach effective stress appraisal and coping skills.
Oropharyngeal Contamination Predisposes to Complications after Neck Dissection: An Analysis of 9462 Patients.

OBJECTIVE
While neck dissection is important in the treatment of head and neck cancer, there is a paucity of studies evaluating outcomes. We sought to compare preoperative variables and outcomes between clean and contaminated neck dissections, using the 2006-2011 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) data sets.


STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective review of prospectively maintained database.


SETTING
Multicenter (university hospitals; tertiary referral centers).


SUBJECTS AND METHODS
A retrospective review was performed of the NSQIP database to identify patients undergoing neck dissection in clean vs oropharyngeal contaminated cases. Clinical factors, comorbidities, epidemiologic factors, and procedural characteristics were analyzed to identify factors associated with 30-day postoperative adverse events, including medical and surgical complications, unplanned reoperation, and mortality. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed for the outcome of one or more adverse events.


RESULTS
In total, 8890 patients had clean neck dissections, while 572 patients had neck wound contamination with oropharyngeal flora. On multivariable regression analysis, oropharyngeal contamination was a significant risk factor for surgical complications (odds ratio [OR], 3.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96-5.96; P < .001). However, medical complications and mortality were not significantly different between the 2 cohorts. This finding persisted after subgroup analysis, with removal of all thyroidectomy patients from analysis (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.25-4.36; P = .008).


CONCLUSION
Using the ACS-NSQIP data set, this study found an increased risk of surgical complications in the setting of contaminated neck dissections. These data should be used for patient risk stratification, informed consent, and to guide further research.
Vehicle license plate recognition system based on digital image processing

This paper analyzes the basic method of digital video image processing, studies the vehicle license plate recognition system based on image processing in intelligent transport system, presents a character recognition approach based on neural network perceptron to solve the vehicle license plate recognition in real-time traffic flow. Experimental results show that the approach can achieve better positioning effect, has a certain robustness and timeliness.
Intermediate-affinity interleukin-2 receptor expression predicts CD56(bright) natural killer cell expansion after daclizumab treatment in the CHOICE study of patients with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate whether interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor expression on CD56(bright) natural killer (NK) cells predicted CD56(bright) NK cell expansion and therapeutic response to daclizumab (DAC) in multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
DAC exposure, CD56(bright) NK cell counts, IL-2 receptor alpha (CD25) and beta (CD122) subunits, and new or enlarged lesions on brain MRI were measured in 64 subjects in a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic substudy of the phase 2 CHOICE trial at multiple time points. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples were obtained from healthy subjects to assess the relationship among DAC treatment, intermediate affinity IL-2 signaling, and CD56(bright) NK cell expansion.


RESULTS
Increased CD56(bright) NK cell counts in DAC/interferon beta (IFNβ)-treated subjects were observed by day 14, the first post-dosing time point (mean [SD] ln{CD56(bright) NK cell count}: DAC high/IFNβ, 2.01 [1.25]; DAC low/IFNβ, 2.29 [1.06]; placebo/IFNβ, 1.01 [1.03]; adjusted p = 0.003), and persisted throughout the treatment period. Higher DAC dose predicted a faster rate of CD56(bright) NK cell expansion (p < 0.001), but individual subjects' increases in CD56(bright) NK cells from baseline levels were only weakly correlated with DAC exposure (r(2) = 0.167). Higher expression of the intermediate-affinity IL-2 receptor subunit (CD122) on CD56(bright) NK cells at baseline predicted fewer new gadolinium-enhanced (Gd+) lesions during the treatment period (1.77 vs. 0.62 adjusted mean new Gd+ lesions during weeks 8-24, lowest vs. highest quartile of percentage CD122(+) CD56(bright) NK cells; p = 0.033) and a greater increase in CD56(bright) NK cell counts at the end of DAC dosing (p = 0.029).


CONCLUSION
CD56(bright) NK cell expansion after DAC treatment appears to reflect individual differences in the capacity for intermediate-affinity IL-2 signaling and could provide a basis for predicting clinical response to DAC in MS.
Brand Equity, Consumer Learning, and Choice

The aim of this paper is to explore the links between brand equity, consumer learning and consumer choice processes in general and considering two recent trends in the market place: store brands and the Internet. We ®rst review the advances that have occurred in brand equity research in marketing in the past decade, with particular emphasis on integrating the separate streams of research emanating from cognitive psychology and information economics. Brand equity has generally been de®ned as the incremental utility with which a brand endows a product, compared to its non-branded counterpart. We amplify this de®nition: we propose that brand equity be the incremental effect of the brand on all aspects of the consumer's evaluation and choice process. We propose an agenda of research based on this ampli®ed de®nition.
Long-lasting immunogenicity and safety of a 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) MF59-adjuvanted vaccine when co-administered with a 2009-2010 seasonal influenza vaccine in young patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS
To evaluate the long-lasting immunogenicity and safety of a pandemic vaccine co-administered with a seasonal influenza vaccine in young subjects with Type 1 diabetes.


METHODS
Eighty patients (mean age: 16.7 ± 5.5 years, disease duration: 10.2 ± 4.7 years) were randomly assigned to receive a single or a double dose (1 month apart) of MF59-adjuvanted influenza A(H1N1) vaccine, simultaneously with a single dose of a virosome-adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine for the 2009-2010 season.


RESULTS
One month after immunization, the rate of seroconversion to 2009 pandemic A(H1N1) was 92.5% with an overall 100% proportion of vaccinees with protective antibody titres (≥ 1:40). No significant differences were observed between vaccinees who received the one-dose or the two-dose schedule. Seasonal vaccine induced a significant increase of both seroprotection rates and antibody levels. Local adverse events at the injection site of pandemic and seasonal vaccines were reported by 66.3% and 50% of subjects, respectively. Solicited systemic adverse events, mainly mild in intensity, were reported by 26.7% of vaccinees. No subjects had an influenza-like illness during the 6-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
One injection of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) MF59-adjuvanted vaccine is immunogenic and safe in young patients with Type 1 diabetes who are at increased risk of influenza morbidities. Pandemic vaccine can be safely co-administered with seasonal influenza vaccine.
Soy protein containing isoflavones does not decrease colorectal epithelial cell proliferation in a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND
Soy isoflavones have numerous biological properties that suggest that they may protect against colorectal cancer. Colorectal epithelial cell proliferation has been used extensively as an intermediate endpoint biomarker for colorectal neoplasia.


OBJECTIVE
We tested the hypothesis that supplementation with soy protein containing isoflavones decreases colorectal epithelial cell proliferation.


DESIGN
A 12-mo randomized intervention was conducted in men and women aged 50-80 y with recently diagnosed adenomatous polyps. One hundred fifty participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to an active treatment group (58 g protein powder/d containing 83 mg isoflavones/d; +ISO) or a control group (ethanol-extracted soy-protein powder containing 3 mg isoflavones; -ISO). Biopsy specimens from the cecum, sigmoid colon, and rectum were collected at baseline and at the 12-mo follow-up. Ki-67 antibody immunohistostaining was used to detect cell proliferation. One hundred twenty-five participants completed the study, and proliferation was measured in the first 91 who completed the study.


RESULTS
In the sigmoid colon, cell proliferation increased by 0.9 (95% CI: 0.09, 1.9) labeled nuclei per crypt more (11%) in the +ISO group than in the -ISO group over the 12-mo intervention, which was opposite the direction predicted. The number of labeled nuclei per 100 mum crypt height also increased more in the +ISO than in the -ISO group. In the cecum and sigmoid colon, but not in the rectum, the proliferation count increased as the serum genistein concentration increased. Proliferation distribution and crypt height were not changed by treatment at any site.


CONCLUSIONS
Supplementation with soy protein containing isoflavones does not reduce colorectal epithelial cell proliferation or the average height of proliferating cells in the cecum, sigmoid colon, and rectum and increases cell proliferation measures in the sigmoid colon.
Using Simulation to Teach Telehealth Nursing Competencies.

BACKGROUND
The use of telehealth to provide care to millions of patients who have difficulty accessing care through traditional means is growing exponentially. Nurse educators must prepare students to meet the challenge of managing this mode of care delivery.


METHOD
A simulated telehealth experience was designed using the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning Standards of Best Practice: Simulation™, student learning objectives, and telehealth competencies. The design promoted active participation in a telehealth visit with a standardized patient.


RESULTS
The simulation provided students with the opportunity to demonstrate use of telehealth equipment and become familiar with telehealth competencies. This hands-on experience increased student engagement related to telehealth as a health care delivery option and was an effective objective structured clinical examination.


CONCLUSION
Integration of telehealth into the nursing curriculum is a necessity as health care technology advances. Simulation is one strategy available to expose students to telehealth and increase student engagement. [J Nurs Educ. 2018;57(10):624-627.].
Real-time Distracted Driver Posture Classification

In this paper, we present a new dataset for “distracted driver” posture estimation. 1 In addition, we propose a novel system that achieves 95.98% driving posture 2 estimation classification accuracy. The system consists of a genetically-weighted 3 ensemble of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). We show that a weighted 4 ensemble of classifiers using a genetic algorithm yields in better classification 5 confidence. We also study the effect of different visual elements (i.e. hands and face) 6 in distraction detection and classification by means of face and hand localizations. 7 Finally, we present a thinned version of our ensemble that could achieve a 94.29% 8 classification accuracy and operate in a realtime environment. 9
A Method for Extracting the Fundamental-Frequency Positive-Sequence Voltage Vector Based on Simple Mathematical Transformations

In this paper, a novel scheme for obtaining the fundamental-frequency positive-sequence grid voltage is proposed. The method is based on four simple mathematical transformations; two of them are in the stationary reference frame, which are able to eliminate odd harmonics from the original signals. The other two transformations are implemented in a synchronously rotating reference frame in order to eliminate even harmonics. The output of the last transformation block is the input to a synchronous reference-frame phase-locked loop for detecting the frequency and position of the positive-sequence voltage vector. The proposed algorithm was verified through simulations and experiments by applying distorted and unbalanced signals, containing positive and negative-sequence components. The results are in agreement with those theoretically predicted and indicate that the proposed scheme has a great potential for use in grid-connected converter synchronization algorithms.
Introduction : Methodological variety in entrepreneurship research

Introduction Although entrepreneurship in its broadest interpretation is as old as civilization itself, and theory on the individual’s role in the organizational genesis can be dated back some centuries, entrepreneurship theory is still considered quite a young academic field (Bygrave 1989; Brazeal and Herbert 1999; Low 2001). Nevertheless, it has become an increasingly popular field of inquiry in the past quarter of a century with a growing research community of scholars from a broad spectrum of disciplines entering the field (Aldrich 1992; Low 2001; Acs and Audretsch 2003; McDonald et al. 2004). The implication is that entrepreneurship can be studied using a variety of methods, including both quantitative and qualitative techniques (Perren and Ram 2004). Despite this richness in methodological approaches, entrepreneurship is still considered a field lacking in methodological diversity and rigour (Wortman 1987; Aldrich 1992; Huse and Landström 1997; Low 2001); a criticism repeatedly directed at both quantitative and qualitative contributions since the late 1980s (Hornaday and Churchill 1987; Bygrave 1989; Low 2001, Hindle 2004). Indeed, it is argued that ‘Entrepreneurship is less steeped in the rigors of traditional disciplines’ (Low 2001: 20). Whilst this may be so, we would ask whether the pattern is a reflection of entrepreneurship being an applied science rather than a ‘pure’ science. Further, does not the entrepreneurial phenomenon itself, in all its complexity and dynamics, invite a methodological toolbox of broad variety? Indeed, entrepreneurship is a phenomenon in a state of constant flux, shaped by the behaviour of entrepreneurs whose responses to perceived opportunities may be highly difficult to predict. In entrepreneurship research, calls for more qualitative approaches are made at regular intervals (e.g. Bygrave 1989; Huse and Landström 1997; Gartner and Birley 2002; Hindle 2004), seemingly without much effect. A less pessimistic angle is that the field is not lacking methodological diversity; rather qualitative entrepreneurship research merely faces a liability of legitimacy from mainstream editors which in part may be due to a varying quality of qualitative contributions. Often researchers who advocate
The Classical Vernacular: Architectural Principles in an Age of Nihilism

In this book, Roger Scruton looks at the work of 19th- and 20th-century architects and appraises their achievement and the values that inform it in relation to those of us who live in, or alongside, their structures.
Design and analysis of a MAC protocol for wireless body area network using wakeup radio

Wireless sensor networks are widely used for healthcare applications. A new field known as wireless body area networks (WBAN) has emerged to support this area. An energy efficient medium access control (MAC) protocol can increase the performance of such a network. The major requirements for a WBAN MAC protocol are energy efficiency and low delay. In this paper, we propose a MAC protocol for WBAN using wakeup radio mechanism. We present a detailed analytical model for both energy consumption and delay. We have simulated the proposed MAC and compared the results. It is found that the proposed MAC has improved the performance in terms of energy consumption and delay.