LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Aged garlic extract supplemented with B vitamins, folic acid and L-arginine retards the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES
Previous studies demonstrated that aged garlic extract reduces multiple cardiovascular risk factors. This study was designed to assess whether aged garlic extract therapy with supplements (AGE+S) favorably affects inflammatory and oxidation biomarkers, vascular function and progression of atherosclerosis as compared to placebo.


METHODS
In this placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial (conducted 2005-2007), 65 intermediate risk patients (age 60+/-9 years, 79% male) were treated with a placebo capsule or a capsule containing aged garlic extract (250 mg) plus Vitamin B12 (100 microg), folic acid (300 microg), Vitamin B6 (12.5 mg) and l-arginine (100 mg) given daily for a 1 year. All patients underwent coronary artery calcium scanning (CAC), temperature rebound (TR) as an index of vascular reactivity using Digital Thermal Monitoring (DTM), and measurement of lipid profile, autoantibodies to malondialdehyde (MDA)-LDL, apoB-immune complexes, oxidized phospholipids (OxPL) on apolipoprotein B-100 (OxPL/apoB), lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)], C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine were measured at baseline and 12 months. CAC progression was defined as an increase in CAC>15% per year and an increase in TR above baseline was considered a favorable response.


RESULTS
At 1 year, CAC progression was significantly lower and TR significantly higher in the AGE+S compared to the placebo group after adjustment of cardiovascular risk factors (p<0.05). Total cholesterol, LDL-C, homocysteine, IgG and IgM autoantibodies to MDA-LDL and apoB-immune complexes were decreased, whereas HDL, OxPL/apoB, and Lp (a) were significantly increased in AGE+S to placebo.


CONCLUSION
AGE+S is associated with a favorable improvement in oxidative biomarkers, vascular function, and reduced progression of atherosclerosis.
The impact of pharmaceutical care on improving outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus from China: a pre- and postintervention study

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of pharmaceutical care services in management teams by assessing the change in hemoglobin A1c (A1C), cholesterol, and blood pressure for patients with type 2 diabetes in a diabetes ward. Setting Tongde hospital of Zhejiang province, a 1,200 bed South China teaching hospital, serving the local community. Method A single-center, 2-phase (pre-/postintervention phase) designs was performed. Patients in postintervention phase (July 2013 to December 2013) received pharmaceutical care from a clinical pharmacist, while patients in the preintervention phase (January 2013 to June 2013) received routine medical care. The pre- and postintervention phases were then compared to evaluate the outcomes of pharmaceutical care services. Main outcome measure The primary end point was the absolute change in A1C versus baseline, the change in cholesterol and blood pressure and the number of patients to achieve Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) goals at the baseline and at the end of pharmaceutical care were the main outcome measures. Results During the 6-month study period, the postintervention phase showed a greater percent change in A1C (−1.45 vs. −0.43 %, P = 0.03). Another end points for achieving CDS goals were statistically significantly different in low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides and blood pressure. In the phase that received the participation of pharmacists, the number of patients that improved in A1C increased from 327 to 406 (P = 0.02); the number of rehospitalization was 29 for the postintervention phase and 75 for the preintervention phase (P = 0.05).The drug cost per patient day decreased from € 254.74 to € 219.85 (P = 0.095), and the Length of stay (LOS) did not change significantly (16.35 vs. 15.91 days; P = 0.15).Conclusion Including a pharmacist as a part of the diabetes management team may result in lower A1C, cholesterol and blood pressure in patients versus a health care.
trans-Cyclooctene--a stable, voracious dienophile for bioorthogonal labeling.

Discussed herein is the development and advancement of trans-cyclooctene as a tool for facilitating bioorthogonal labeling through reactions with s-tetrazines. While a number of strained alkenes have been shown to combine with tetrazines for applications in bioorthogonal labeling, trans-cyclooctene enables fastest reactivity at low concentration with rate constants in excess of k2=10(6) M(-1) s(-1). In the present article, we describe advances in computation and synthesis that have enabled applications in chemical biology and nuclear medicine.
Analytical validation of the new plasma calibrated Accu-Chek Test Strips (Roche Diagnostics).

BACKGROUND
The Accu-Chek Inform glucose monitor is a point-of-care system for testing blood glucose. New test strips, calibrated to deliver glucose plasma-like values, were launched on the market in May 2005. The aim of our study was to perform analytical validation of these new strips.


METHODS
We compared the new plasma strips with whole blood strips; results for the plasma strips with plasma values obtained using a clinical analyzer and with whole blood values given by the glucose electrode of a blood gas analyzer; and the influence of the type of blood (capillary or venous) on the results obtained by the glucose monitor with the plasma calibrated strips.


RESULTS
Plasma strips give on average 7% higher results than the previous whole blood strips. However, the results given by the plasma strips on capillary whole blood, even if well correlated, are not completely comparable with those given by an analyzer for venous plasma. Nevertheless, these plasma strips and the glucose electrode of a blood gas analyzer give comparable results.


CONCLUSIONS
Accu-Chek Inform plasma strips are a good method for monitoring of blood glucose values in patients with diabetes.
A shared parking model in vehicular network using fog and cloud environment

At the present, the traffic is really in a mess when the number of vehicles is increasing rapidly. As a consequence, finding a parking space is remarkably difficult and expensive. Therefore, solving this problem has attracted the attention of both scientists and companies. Our study also focuses on solving parking problem to relieve the traffic congestion, reduce air pollution and enhance driving effectively. However, unlike other studies, we consider parking problem in the view of IoT. From this perspective, Fog Computing and Roadside Cloud are utilized to find a vacant spot. By utilizing this infrastructures, any parking space at many places can be shared. Then, we analyze and apply the matching theory to solve the parking problem. Accordingly, our proposal not only helps drivers finding an ideal available space but also brings the owners of these places profit. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach is a reliable solution for the finding parking slot.
Indoor Office Plan Environment and Layout-Based mmWave Path Loss Models for 28 GHz and 73 GHz

This paper presents large-scale path loss models based on extensive ultra-wideband millimeter-wave propagation measurements performed at 28 GHz and 73 GHz in three typical indoor office layouts - namely: corridor, open-plan, and closed-plan. A previous study combined all indoor layouts together, while this study separates them for site-specific indoor large-scale path loss model analysis. Measurements were conducted using a 400 megachips-per-second broadband sliding correlator channel sounder with 800 MHz first null-to-null RF bandwidth for 48 transmitter- receiver location combinations with distances ranging 3.9 m to 45.9 m for both co- and cross-polarized antenna configurations in line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight environments. Omnidirectional path loss values were synthesized from over 14,000 directional power delay profiles and were used to generate single-frequency and multi-frequency path loss models for combined, co-, and cross-polarized antennas. Large-scale path loss models that include a cross-polarization discrimination factor are provided for cross-polarized antenna measurements. The results show the value of using the close-in free space reference distance single and multi-frequency path loss models, as they offer simplicity (less parameters) in path loss calculation and prediction, without sacrificing accuracy. Moreover, the current 3GPP floating-intercept path loss model only requires a simple and subtle modification to convert to the close-in free space reference distance models.
Summarization evaluation for text and speech: issues and approaches

This paper surveys current text and speech summarization evaluation approaches. It discusses advantages and disadv ant ges of these, with the goal of identifying summarization techni ques most suitable to speech summarization. Precision/recall s hemes, as well as summary accuracy measures which incorporate weig htings based on multiple human decisions, are suggested as par ticularly suitable in evaluating speech summaries.
Scapula osteocutaneous free flap reconstruction of the head and neck: impact of flap choice on surgical and medical complications.

BACKGROUND
The scapula osteocutaneous free flap is frequently used to reconstruct complex head and neck defects given its tissue versatility. Because of minimal atherosclerotic changes in its vascular pedicle, this flap also may be used as a second choice when other osseous flaps are not available because of vascular disease at a preferred donor site.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective chart review evaluating flap outcome as well as surgical and medical complications based upon the flap choice.


RESULTS
The flap survival rate was 97%. The surgical complication rate was similar for the 21 first-choice flaps (57.1%) and the 12 second-choice flaps (41.7%; p = .481). However, patients having second-choice flaps had a higher rate of medical complications (66.7%) than those with first-choice flaps (28.6%; p = .066). Age and the presence of comorbidities were associated with increased medical complications. All patients with comorbidities that had a second-choice flap experienced medical complications, with most being severe.


CONCLUSIONS
The scapula osteocutaneous free flap has a high success rate in head and neck reconstruction. Surgical complications occur frequently regardless of whether the flap is used as a first or second choice. However, medical complications are more frequent and severe in patients undergoing second-choice flaps.
Optimizing referral reward programs under impression management considerations

We examine referral reward programs (RRP) that are intended for a service firm to encourage its current customers (inductors) to entice their friends (inductees) to purchase the firm’s service. By considering the interplay among the firm, the inductor, and the inductee, we solve a ‘‘nested’’ Stackelberg game so as to determine the optimal RRP in equilibrium. We determine the conditions under which it is optimal for the firm to reward the inductor only, reward the inductee only, or reward both. Also, our results suggest that RRP dominates direct marketing when the firm’s current market penetration or the inductor’s referral effectiveness is sufficiently high. We then extend our model to incorporate certain key impression management factors: the inductor’s intrinsic reward of making a positive impression by being seen as helping a friend, the inductor’s concerns about creating a negative impression when making an incentivized referral, and the inductee’s impression of the inductor’s credibility when an incentive is involved. In the presence of these impression management factors, we show that the firm should reward the inductee more and the inductor less. Under certain conditions, it is optimal for the firm to reward neither the inductor nor the inductee so that the optimal RRP relies purely on unincentivized word of mouth. 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Angular analysis of bremsstrahlung in α-decay

Abstract.A new quantum electrodynamical method of calculations of bremsstrahlung spectra in the α-decay of heavy nuclei taking into account the angle between the directions of α-particle motion (or its tunneling) and photon emission is presented. The angular bremsstrahlung spectra for 210Po have been obtained for the first time. According to calculations, the bremsstrahlung in the α-decay of this nucleus depends extremely weakly on the angle. Taking into account nuclear forces, such dependence is not changed visibly. An analytical formula of the angular dependence of the bremsstrahlung spectra is proposed and gives its harmonic behavior. The extremal values of the angle, at which the bremsstrahlung has maximal and minimal values, have been found.
Impact of mTOR Inhibitors on Cancer Development in Kidney Transplantation Recipients: A Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor is an immunosuppressive drug used in kidney transplantation. Whether the mTOR inhibitor is associated with reduced risk of cancer development and mortality after kidney transplantation is controversial.


METHODS
We conducted a nationwide population-based study. Patients who did not have malignancy history and received kidney transplantation between 2010 and 2013 were enrolled. Recipients who had mTOR inhibitors (n = 430) for more than 30 days comprised the study group; 1720 recipients who did not have mTOR inhibitors comprised the control group. The primary outcome is the development of cancer after kidney transplantation. These patients were followed until the first-time admission with diagnosis of cancer, death, or the end of 2014. A Cox proportional-hazard model was used to determine the risk of cancer development and all-cause mortality.


RESULTS
During the 35-month median duration of observation, there were 16 and 61 patients with cancer development in the study group and the control group, respectively. The cancer incidence was 12.8 and 12.4 per 1000 person-years. There were 10 and 135 mortality cases, with the incidence rate of 7.8 and 26.9 per 1000 person-years. After multivariable adjustment, the mTOR inhibitors users were not associated with reduced risk of new cancer development as compared with control (hazard ratio [HR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46-1.60; P = .63), nor risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.33-1.46; P = .34).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of mTOR inhibitors was not associated with a reduction in the risk of cancer development and all-cause mortality in kidney transplantation recipients.
Alcohol Consumption during Adolescence and Risk of Diabetes in Young Adulthood

BACKGROUND
There is very limited data available on the association between underage drinking and risk of diabetes. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between alcohol use during adolescence and the risk of diabetes while controlling for a wide range of confounders, including parental alcohol use.


METHODS
This population-based study used data collected from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Participants were initially recruited in 1994-1995 (Wave I), then followed up in 1996 (Wave II) and in 2001-2002 (Wave III), and in 2008-2009 (Wave IV). Analysis included 2,850 participants (46% male) who were successfully followed up at Waves I, III, and IV without a known diagnosis of diabetes at Waves I and III and who provided all necessary information for the analysis.


RESULTS
During adolescence, frequent alcohol consumption at levels reaching 5 or more drinks, 3-7 days/week, substantially increased the risk of diabetes in young adulthood, with an odds ratio of 12.57 (95% CI 4.10-38.61) compared to current abstainers.


CONCLUSIONS
Heavy alcohol use during adolescence may increase the risk of diabetes in young adulthood. The Significant finding of the Study.
Microstructure and optical properties of Gd2O3 thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition

Abstract Gadolinium oxide (Gd 2 O 3 ) thin films were deposited on Si (100) and quartz substrates at different substrate temperatures (300–873 K) and oxygen partial pressures (0.002–2 Pa) by pulsed laser deposition technique. The microstructure of the films was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The XRD pattern shows the presence of monoclinic phase of Gd 2 O 3 as a major phase along with a small volume fraction of cubic phase at lower substrate temperatures. Optical transmittance and absorbance of the Gd 2 O 3 films were measured by UV–visible spectrophotometer. The films deposited at different deposition conditions show a strong absorbance at ~ 220 nm and exhibit transmittance in the range of 70–90%. Highest value of band gap (~ 5.80 eV) is obtained for the Gd 2 O 3 film deposited at 873 K.
A Neural Algorithm of Artistic Style

Neural Style Transfer is the problem of taking a content image and a style image as input, and outputting an image that has the content of the content image and the style of the style image. The key technique that makes neural style transfer possible is convolutional neural network(CNN). This paper will first survey major techniques of doing neural style transfer on images, and then briefly examine one way of extending neural style transfer to videos.
Outcome of idiopathic membranous nephropathy using targeted stepwise immunosuppressive treatment strategy.

BACKGROUND
The natural course of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is variable and the role of immunosuppressive therapy is controversial. In our centre, the strategy has been conservative: the immunomodulating treatment (glucocorticoids and/or cyclosporine A) has been targeted to patients at high risk of developing progressive renal disease and the cytotoxic drugs have been used cautiously. The aim of this retrospective observational study was to evaluate the efficacy of this strategy.


METHODS
We evaluated the clinical course and outcome of IMN patients diagnosed between 1993 and 2003. Risk assessment was done during an observation period of ≥6 months after the initial renal biopsy. Patients were followed up until death, the development of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or the last clinical visit (before December 2006). Treatments and their side effects were recorded.


RESULTS
One hundred and forty-two patients with membranous nephropathy were diagnosed of which 81 were idiopathic. The clinical course of 76 IMN patients (38 high risk and 38 low risk) were followed up [mean duration 66 ± 40 (median 59) months]. Thirty-five patients were treated with immunosuppressive drugs, and at last follow-up, 71% of them were in complete or partial remission. The overall response rate of this therapy was 83%. 11% of the high-risk patients had reached ESRD. For the high-risk patients, 10-year survival (alive with glomerular filtration rate >10 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) was 79%. No major side effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that targeted, stepwise, cytotoxic drug-sparing immunosuppressive treatment in IMN was associated with favourable renal, as well as overall survival among patient at risk of developing ESRD.
An integrated decision making approach for ERP system selection

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems have gained major prominence by enabling companies to streamline their operations, leverage and integrate business data process. In order to implement an ERP project successfully, it is necessary to select an ERP system which can be aligned with the needs of the company. Thus, a robust decision making approach for ERP software selection requires both company needs and characteristics of the ERP system and their interactions to be taken into account. This paper develops a novel decision framework for ERP software selection based on quality function deployment (QFD), fuzzy linear regression and zero–one goal programming. The proposed framework enables both company demands and ERP system characteristics to be considered, and provides the means for incorporating not only the relationships between company demands and ERP system characteristics but also the interactions between ERP system characteristics through adopting the QFD principles. The presented methodology appears as a sound investment decision making tool for ERP systems as well as other information systems. The potential use of the proposed decision framework is illustrated through an application. 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Effects of 24-week add-on treatment with ciclesonide and montelukast on small airways inflammation in asthma.

BACKGROUND
Eosinophilic inflammation of the small airways is a key process in asthma that often smolders in treated patients. The long-term effects of add-on therapy on the persistent inflammation in the small airways remain unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of add-on therapy with either ciclesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid with extrafine particles, or montelukast on small airway inflammation.


METHODS
Sixty patients with stable asthma receiving inhaled corticosteroid treatment were enrolled in a randomized, open-label, parallel comparison study of 24-week add-on treatment with ciclesonide or montelukast. Patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups: ciclesonide (n = 19), montelukast (n = 22), or no add-on as controls (n = 19). At baseline and at weeks 4, 12, and 24, extended nitric oxide analysis; pulmonary function tests, including impulse oscillometry; blood eosinophil counts; and asthma control tests (ACTs) were performed.


RESULTS
A total of 18 patients in the ciclesonide group, 19 in the montelukast group, and 15 in the control group completed the study and were analyzed. With repeated-measures analysis of variance, ciclesonide produced a significant decrease in alveolar nitric oxide and a significant improvement in ACT scores over time. Montelukast produced significant decreases in alveolar nitric oxide concentrations and blood eosinophil counts over time and slightly improved ACT scores, whereas no such changes were observed in the control group. Alveolar nitric oxide concentrations with ciclesonide and reactance area at low frequencies with montelukast produced greater improvements over time compared with control.


CONCLUSION
Ciclesonide add-on therapy and montelukast add-on therapy may act differently, but both separately can improve small airway abnormalities and provide better asthma control.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
umin.ac.jp/ctr Identifier: UMIN000001083.
Towards Efficient Model for Automatic Text Summarization

Automatic text summarization aims at producing summary from a document or a set of documents. It has become a widely explored area of research as the need for immediate access to relevant and precise information that can effectively represent huge amount of information. Because relevant information is scattered across a given document, every user is faced with the problem of going through a large amount of information to get to the main gist of a text. This calls for the need to be able to view a smaller portion of large documents without necessarily losing the important aspect of the information contained therein. This paper provides an overview of current technologies, techniques and challenges in automatic text summarization. Consequently, we discuss our efforts at providing an efficient model for compact and concise documents summarization using sentence scoring algorithm and a sentence reduction algorithm. Based on comparison with the wellknown Copernic summarizer and the FreeSummarizer, our system showed that the summarized sentences contain more relevant information such that selected sentences are relevant to the query posed by the user CS Concepts • Computing methodologies ➝Artificial intelligence ➝Natural language processing ➝Information extraction • Information Systems ➝Information Retrieval ➝Retrieval tasks and goals ➝Summarization