LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
The potential for functional recovery of upper extremity function following cervical spinal cord injury without major bone injury

Study Design:This was a retrospective observational study.Objectives:The objectives were to describe the prognosis of upper extremity function following cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI), and to identify prognostic factors for functional recovery.Setting:Spinal Injuries Center, Japan.Methods:Sixty patients with C3–4 CSCI without major bone injury participated in the study. Patients were treated nonsurgically and evaluated using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scales for the upper and lower extremities, their residual cervical motor functions, the modified Frankel grade and an upper extremity function scale. We compared the findings for the upper extremity function scale at 6 months with those for the residual cervical motor functions and modified Frankel grade obtained 3 days after injury.Results:Most patients with CSCI who could flex their hip and knee from a supine position (95%) or who showed some active elbow extension (86%) 3 days after their injury could use a spoon at 6 months. We compared patients who used their fingers at 6 months to those who could not, and observed significant differences in age and ASIA scores for the upper and lower extremities obtained 3 days after injury. A strong correlation was observed between the initial motor scores and the extent of functional recovery at 6 months.Conclusion:Hip and knee flexion from the supine position and elbow extension 3 days after injury significantly predicted a positive prognosis for upper extremity function. Younger age and higher ASIA motor scores obtained 3 days after injury were factors associated with neurological recovery.
A Taxonomy of Cyber Attacks on SCADA Systems

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition(SCADA) systems are deeply ingrained in the fabric of critical infrastructure sectors. These computerized real-time process control systems, over geographically dispersed continuous distribution operations, are increasingly subject to serious damage and disruption by cyber means due to their standardization and connectivity to other networks. However, SCADA systems generally have little protection from the escalating cyber threats. In order to understand the potential danger and to protect SCADA systems, in this paper, we highlight their difference from standard IT systems and present a set of security property goals. Furthermore, we focus on systematically identifying and classifying likely cyber attacks including cyber-induced cyber-physical attack son SCADA systems. Determined by the impact on control performance of SCADA systems, the attack categorization criteria highlights commonalities and important features of such attacks that define unique challenges posed to securing SCADA systems versus traditional Information Technology(IT) systems.
Understanding factors affecting perceived sociability of social software

Sociability is considered to be important to the success of social software. The goal of the current study is to identify factors that affect the users’ perception of the sociability of social software and to examine the impact of sociability on the users’ attitude and behavior intentions. In a pilot study, 35 web users were interviewed to gain understanding of how they use social software to supplement their social life and to explore the possible factors that influence the users’ utilization of social software. In the first study, a questionnaire was developed, and 163 valid responses were collected. From the factor analysis results, seven important factors for social software design emerged, which accounts for 63.3% of the total variance. In the second study, 246 participants were asked to evaluate one of ten popular social applications with respect to the seven factors, their perceived sociability, and their attitudes and intention regarding the use of the applications. Results show that sociability is influenced by social climate, benefits and purposes, people, interaction richness, self-presentation, and support for formal interaction. System competency is not a sociability factor, but it significantly influences the user’s experience. Sociability and system competency, when combined, can predict 43% of users’ attitude towards social software and 51% of their intentions to use social software. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Book Review: Title: Ibuanyindanda (Complementary Reflection) and some Basic Philosophical Problems in Africa Today

Author: Prof. Innocent I. Asouzu Discipline: Philosophy/ African Studies Category: Metaphysics/Philosophy of Social Science Publisher: Litverlag Dr.W.Hopf, Berlin, 2013 ISBN: 978 – 1 – 643 – 90316 – 7 Price: N500 Pages: 124
Diet and exercise in the treatment of obesity: effects of 3 interventions on insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND
In short-term studies, diet and exercise both improve insulin sensitivity.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of a 48-week supervised diet and exercise program on weight and insulin sensitivity after initial weight loss and weight maintenance, and then subsequent weight regain over 96 weeks.


METHODS
Forty-five obese women were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: (1) diet alone, (2) diet and aerobic training, and (3) diet and strength training. All subjects received the same 48-week group behavior modification program and diet (approximately 3879 kJ/d [approximately 925 kcal/d] for the first 16 weeks; approximately 6276 kJ/d [approximately 1500 kca/d] thereafter). Exercising subjects were provided 3 supervised exercise sessions per week for the first 28 weeks and 2 sessions weekly until week 48. During weeks 48 to 96, subjects were unsupervised. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed at baseline and weeks 16, 24, 44, and 96.


RESULTS
Subjects across the 3 conditions achieved a mean weight loss of 13.8 kg by week 16, which was associated with decreased insulin levels (61.8% of baseline) There were no significant differences among groups in changes in body mass index, which is a measure of weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters, weight, glucose tolerance, or insulin levels at weeks 16, 24, and 44. No additional beneficial effect of aerobic or strength exercise on insulin resistance, as reflected by serum insulin levels before and after a glucose load, was demonstrated. The 22 subjects who were studied at week 96 maintained a loss of approximately 10% of initial weight. Insulin levels, however, had returned to pretreatment levels.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms the beneficial effect of weight reduction on hyperinsulinemia in obese individuals. Participation in supervised exercise did not result in additional improvement in weight loss or insulin sensitivity. We also observed a marked increase in insulin levels with only partial weight regain. Determining the amount of sustained weight loss necessary for continued improvement in insulin sensitivity will require further study.
Deep feature for text-dependent speaker verification

Recently deep learning has been successfully used in speech recognition, however it has not been carefully explored and widely accepted for speaker verification. To incorporate deep learning into speaker verification, this paper proposes novel approaches of extracting and using features from deep learning models for text-dependent speaker verification. In contrast to the traditional short-term spectral feature, such as MFCC or PLP, in this paper, outputs from hidden layer of various deep models are employed as deep features for text-dependent speaker verification. Fours types of deep models are investigated: deep Restricted Boltzmann Machines, speech-discriminant Deep Neural Network (DNN), speaker-discriminant DNN, and multi-task joint-learned DNN. Once deep features are extracted, they may be used within either the GMM-UBM framework or the identity vector (i-vector) framework. Joint linear discriminant analysis and probabilistic linear discriminant analysis are proposed as effective back-end classifiers for identity vector based deep features. These approaches were evaluated on the RSR2015 data corpus. Experiments showed that deep feature based methods can obtain significant performance improvements compared to the traditional baselines, no matter if they are directly applied in the GMM-UBM system or utilized as identity vectors. The EER of the best system using the proposed identity vector is 0.10%, only one fifteenth of that in the GMM-UBM baseline. 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Vaccination against GIP for the Treatment of Obesity

BACKGROUND
According to the WHO, more than 1 billion people worldwide are overweight and at risk of developing chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and stroke. Current therapies show limited efficacy and are often associated with unpleasant side-effect profiles, hence there is a medical need for new therapeutic interventions in the field of obesity. Gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP, also known as glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) has recently been postulated to link over-nutrition with obesity. In fact GIP receptor-deficient mice (GIPR(-/-)) were shown to be completely protected from diet-induced obesity. Thus, disrupting GIP signaling represents a promising novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of obesity.


METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS
In order to block GIP signaling we chose an active vaccination approach using GIP peptides covalently attached to virus-like particles (VLP-GIP). Vaccination of mice with VLP-GIP induced high titers of specific antibodies and efficiently reduced body weight gain in animals fed a high fat diet. The reduction in body weight gain could be attributed to reduced accumulation of fat. Moreover, increased weight loss was observed in obese mice vaccinated with VLP-GIP. Importantly, despite the incretin action of GIP, VLP-GIP-treated mice did not show signs of glucose intolerance.


CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE
This study shows that vaccination against GIP was safe and effective. Thus active vaccination may represent a novel, long-lasting treatment for obesity. However further preclinical safety/toxicology studies will be required before the therapeutic concept can be addressed in humans.
On the validity of citation counting in science evaluation: Content analyses of references and citations in psychological publications

In reference to the increasing significance of citation counting in evaluations of scientists and science institutes as well as in science historiography, it is analyzed empirically what is cited in which frequency and what types of citations in scientific texts are used. Content analyses refer to numbers of references, self-references, publication language of references cited, publication types of references cited, and type of citation within the texts. Validity of citation counting is empirically analyzed with reference to random samples of English and German journal articles as well as German textbooks, encyclopedias, and test-manuals from psychology. Results show that 25% of all citations are perfunctory, more than 50% of references are journal articles and up to 40% are books and book-chapters, 10% are self-references. Differences between publications from various psychological sub-disciplines, publication languages, and types of publication are weak. Thus, validity of evaluative citation counting is limited because at least one quarter refers to perfunctory citations exhibiting a very low information utility level and by the fact that existing citation-databases refer to journal articles only.
Postcards in Persia: randomised controlled trial to reduce suicidal behaviours 12 months after hospital-treated self-poisoning.

BACKGROUND
Hospital-treated self-poisoning is common, with limited effective interventions for reducing subsequent suicidal behaviour.


AIMS
To test the efficacy of a postcard intervention to reduce suicidal behaviour.


METHOD
Randomised controlled trial of individuals who self-poisoned (n = 2300), the intervention consisted of nine postcards sent over 12 months versus usual treatment. Outcomes assessed at 12 months (n = 2113) were suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and self-cutting (proportion and event rates).


RESULTS
There was a significant reduction in any suicidal ideation (relative risk reduction (RRR) = 0.31, 95% CI 0.22-0.38), any suicide attempt (RRR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.11-0.63) and number of attempts (incidence rate ratios (IRR) = 0.64, 95% CI 0.42-0.97). There was no significant reduction in any self-cutting (RRR = 0.14, 95% CI -0.29 to 0.42) or self-cutting events (IRR = 1.03 95% CI 0.76-1.39).


CONCLUSIONS
A postcard intervention reduced suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in a non-Western population. Sustained, brief contact by mail may reduce suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in individuals who self-poison.
What Shape Is Your Conjugate? A Survey of Computational Convex Analysis and Its Applications

Computational Convex Analysis algorithms have been rediscovered several times in the past by researchers from different fields. To further communications between practitioners, we review the field of computational convex analysis, which focuses on the numerical computation of fundamental transforms arising from convex analysis. Current models use symbolic, numeric, and hybrid symbolic-numeric algorithms. Our objective is to disseminate widely the most efficient numerical algorithms, and to further communications between several fields benefiting from the same techniques. We survey applications of the algorithms which have been applied to problems arising from image processing (distance transform, generalized distance transform, mathematical morphology), partial differential equations (solving Hamilton-Jacobi equations, and using differential equations numerical schemes to compute the convex envelope), max-plus algebra, multi-fractal analysis, and several others. They span a wide range of applications in computer vision, robot navigation, phase transition in thermodynamics, electrical networks, medical imaging, network communications, discrete event systems, etc.
Identification of Cotton Diseases Based on Cross Information Gain _ Deep Forward Neural Network Classifier with PSO Feature Selection

This work exposes the automatic computation system to analyse the cotton leaf spot diseases. First to initialize the images from the database (Image features) that are highly related to the test image (new image), where test image is given by the user. Three features are used for matching the train image features in database images, namely color feature variance, shape and texture feature variance. These features are extracted by PSO. The feature selection method which helps to identify the injured leaf spot of cotton and at the same time improve the accuracy of the system and reduce the error rate also. These features are calculated by different techniques. The proposed Skew divergence color variance feature is calculated by color histogram and color descriptor. The shape Skew divergence feature is calculated by Sobel and Canny through the find out edge variance, edge location using Edge detection method. The skew divergence texture feature is calculated by Gober filter and texture descriptor. This investigation is based on six types of diseases like Bacterial Blight, Fusarium wilt, Leaf Blight, Root rot, Micro Nutrient, Verticillium wilt. This work utilizes these three features and combined the classifier of proposed Cross Information Gain Deep forward Neural Network (CIGDFNN) which helps to recognize and identify cotton leaf spot diseases. The forceful feature vector set is a combination of three features to obtain the higher accuracy rate and sensitivity, specificity when tested with the cotton leaf dataset. KeywordsParticle Swarm Optimization, Skew divergence Color Variance feature, Skew divergence Edge variance feature, Skew divergence texture variance feature, Cross Information Gain Deep forward Neural Network (CIGDFNN) classifier. The paper is addressed with the following Sections: Section 1: Introduction,Section 2: Literature Review, Section 3: Material and Methods, Section 4: Result and Discussion, Section 5: Conclusion and Acknowledgement, Reference.
Health practices of Canadian physicians.

OBJECTIVE
To study the health and health practices of Canadian physicians, which can often influence patient health.


DESIGN
Mailed survey.


SETTING
Canada.


PARTICIPANTS
A random sample of 8100 Canadian physicians; 7934 were found to be eligible and 3213 responded (40.5% response rate).


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Factors that influence health, such as consumption of fruits and vegetables, amount of exercise and alcohol consumption, smoking status, body mass idex, and participation in preventive health screening measures, as well as work-life balance and emotional stability.


RESULTS
Canadian physicians are healthy. More than 90% reported being in good to excellent health, and only 5% reported that poor physical or mental health made it difficult to handle their workload more than half the time in the previous month (although a quarter had reduced work activity because of long-term health conditions). Eight percent were obese, 3% currently smoked cigarettes, and 1% typically consumed 5 drinks or more on days when they drank alcohol. Physicians averaged 4.7 hours of exercise per week and ate fruits and vegetables 4.8 times a day. Their personal screening practices were largely compliant with Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommendations. They averaged 38 hours per week on patient care and 11 hours on other professional activities. Fifty-seven percent agreed that they had a good work-life balance, and 11% disagreed with the statement "If I can, I work when I am ill."


CONCLUSION
Compared with self-reports from the general Canadian population, Canadian physicians, like American physicians, seem to be healthy and to have generally healthy behaviour. There is, however, room for improvement in physicians' personal and professional well-being, and improving their personal health practices could be an efficient and beneficent way to improve the health of all Canadians.
What are the risks and benefits of temporarily discontinuing medications to prevent acute kidney injury? A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES
To summarise evidence on temporary discontinuation of medications to prevent acute kidney injury (AKI).


DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised and non-randomised studies.


PARTICIPANTS
Adults taking diuretics, ACE inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), direct renin inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, metformin or sulfonylureas, experiencing intercurrent illnesses, radiological or surgical procedures.


INTERVENTIONS
Temporary discontinuation of any of the medications of interest.


PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES
Risk of AKI. Secondary outcome measures were estimated glomerular filtration rate and creatinine post-AKI, urea, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, death, clinical outcomes and biomarkers.


RESULTS
6 studies were included (1663 participants), 3 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and 3 prospective cohort studies. The mean age ranged from 65 to 73 years, and the proportion of women ranged from 31% to 52%. All studies were in hospital settings; 5 evaluated discontinuation of medication prior to coronary angiography and 1 prior to cardiac surgery. 5 studies evaluated discontinuation of ACEI and ARBs and 1 small cohort study looked at discontinuation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. No studies evaluated discontinuation of medication in the community following an acute intercurrent illness. There was an increased risk of AKI of around 15% in those in whom medication was continued compared with those in whom it was discontinued (relative risk (RR) 1.17, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.38; 5 studies). When only results from RCTs were pooled, the increase in risk was almost 50% (RR 1.48, 95% CI 0.84 to 2.60; 3 RCTs), but the CI was wider. There was no difference between groups for any secondary outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
There is low-quality evidence that withdrawal of ACEI/ARBs prior to coronary angiography and cardiac surgery may reduce the incidence of AKI. There is no evidence of the impact of drug cessation interventions on AKI incidence during intercurrent illness in primary or secondary care.


TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
PROSPERO CRD42015023210.
Ocular flutter as presenting manifestation of pediatric MOG antibody-associated demyelination: A case report.

A 13-year-old girl presented with a 5-day history of oscillopsia. On examination, ocular flutter and mild cerebellar signs were found. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed four periventricular and subcortical non-enhancing lesions. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal bands were negative. Neuroblastoma or other malignancies were not found. She responded well to a corticosteroid-intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) combination and remained symptom-free for 3 years until presenting again with isolated ocular flutter. Brain MRI at this time remained atypical for classic multiple sclerosis (MS) with a predominance of juxtacortical demyelinating lesions. CSF was positive for oligoclonal bands. Serum myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies were present. Ocular flutter can be the presenting feature of MOG antibody-associated pediatric demyelination.
Establishing moderators and biosignatures of antidepressant response in clinical care (EMBARC): Rationale and design.

UNLABELLED
Remission rates for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are low and unpredictable for any given antidepressant. No biological or clinical marker has demonstrated sufficient ability to match individuals to efficacious treatment. Biosignatures developed from the systematic exploration of multiple biological markers, which optimize treatment selection for individuals (moderators) and provide early indication of ultimate treatment response (mediators) are needed. The rationale and design of a multi-site, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of sertraline examining moderators and mediators of treatment response is described. The target sample is 300 participants with early onset (≤30 years) recurrent MDD. Non-responders to an 8-week trial are switched double blind to either bupropion (for sertraline non-responders) or sertraline (for placebo non-responders) for an additional 8 weeks. Clinical moderators include anxious depression, early trauma, gender, melancholic and atypical depression, anger attacks, Axis II disorder, hypersomnia/fatigue, and chronicity of depression. Biological moderator and mediators include cerebral cortical thickness, task-based fMRI (reward and emotion conflict), resting connectivity, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), arterial spin labeling (ASL), electroencephalograpy (EEG), cortical evoked potentials, and behavioral/cognitive tasks evaluated at baseline and week 1, except DTI, assessed only at baseline. The study is designed to standardize assessment of biomarkers across multiple sites as well as institute replicable quality control methods, and to use advanced data analytic methods to integrate these markers. A Differential Depression Treatment Response Index (DTRI) will be developed. The data, including biological samples (DNA, RNA, and plasma collected before and during treatment), will become available in a public scientific repository.


CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
Establishing Moderators and Biosignatures of Antidepressant Response for Clinical Care for Depression (EMBARC). Identifier: NCT01407094. URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01407094.