LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Improved adaptive sparse channel estimation using mixed square/fourth error criterion

Sparse channel estimation problem is one of challenge technical issues in stable broadband wireless communications. Based on square error criterion (SEC), adaptive sparse channel estimation (ASCE) methods, e.g., zero-attracting least mean square error (ZA-LMS) algorithm and reweighted ZA-LMS (RZA-LMS) algorithm, have been proposed to mitigate noise interferences as well as to exploit the inherent channel sparsity. However, the conventional SEC-ASCE methods are vulnerable to 1) random scaling of input training signal; and 2) imbalance between convergence speed and steady state mean square error (MSE) performance due to fixed step-size of gradient descend method. In this paper, a mixed square/fourth error criterion (SFEC) based improved ASCE methods are proposed to avoid aforementioned shortcomings. Specifically, the improved SFEC-ASCE methods are realized with zero-attracting least mean square/fourth error (ZA-LMS/F) algorithm and reweighted ZA-LMS/F (RZA-LMS/F) algorithm, respectively. Firstly, regularization parameters of the SFECASCE methods are selected by means of Monte-Carlo simulations. Secondly, lower bounds of the SFEC-ASCE methods are derived and analyzed. Finally, simulation results are given to show that the proposed SFEC-ASCE methods achieve better estimation performance than the conventional SEC-ASCE methods. 1
DUAL-WIDEBAND SYMMETRICAL G-SHAPED SLOTTED MONOPOLE ANTENNA FOR WLAN/WIMAX APPLICATIONS

A novel dual-wideband printed monopole antenna is proposed for wireless local area network (WLAN) and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) applications. The proposed antenna consists of a T-shaped monopole on top and dual combined G-shaped slots etched symmetrically on the ground plane to achieve a dual-wideband performance. Prototype of the proposed antenna has been constructed and tested. The measured 10 dB bandwidths for return loss are 1.76 GHz from 2.13 to 3.89 GHz and 0.92GHz from 5.03 to 5.95GHz, covering all the 2.4/5.2/5.8 GHz WLAN and 2.5/3.5/5.5 GHz WiMAX bands. And this antenna also has omni-directional patterns over the lower operating range.
Ankle-Dorsiflexion Range of Motion After Ankle Self-Stretching Using a Strap.

CONTEXT
A variety of ankle self-stretching exercises have been recommended to improve ankle-dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) in individuals with limited ankle dorsiflexion. A strap can be applied to stabilize the talus and facilitate anterior glide of the distal tibia at the talocrural joint during ankle self-stretching exercises. Novel ankle self-stretching using a strap (SSS) may be a useful method of improving ankle DFROM.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of 2 ankle-stretching techniques (static stretching versus SSS) on ankle DFROM.


DESIGN
Randomized controlled clinical trial.


SETTING
University research laboratory.


PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS
Thirty-two participants with limited active dorsiflexion (<20°) while sitting (14 women and 18 men) were recruited.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
The participants performed 2 ankle self-stretching techniques (static stretching and SSS) for 3 weeks. Active DFROM (ADFROM), passive DFROM (PDFROM), and the lunge angle were measured. An independent t test was used to compare the improvements in these values before and after the 2 stretching interventions. The level of statistical significance was set at α = .05.


RESULTS
Active DFROM and PDFROM were greater in both stretching groups after the 3-week interventions. However, ADFROM, PDFROM, and the lunge angle were greater in the SSS group than in the static-stretching group (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Ankle SSS is recommended to improve ADFROM, PDFROM, and the lunge angle in individuals with limited DFROM.
S-1 plus oxaliplatin versus capecitabine plus oxaliplatin for first-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a randomised, non-inferiority phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND
Capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CapeOX) is one of the reference doublet cytotoxic chemotherapy treatments for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of CapeOX with that of S-1 plus oxaliplatin (SOX), a promising alternative treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.


METHODS
In this open-label, multicentre, randomised phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned patients (1:1) from 11 institutions in South Korea to receive either CapeOX (capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) twice daily on days 1-14 and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) on day 1) or SOX (S-1 40 mg/m(2) twice daily on days 1-14 and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) on day 1). Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks and continued for as many as nine cycles of oxaliplatin-containing chemotherapy, except in instances of disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or a patient's refusal. Maintenance chemotherapy with S-1 or capecitabine was allowed after discontinuation of oxaliplatin. Randomisation was done with a computer-generated sequence (stratified by primary sites, previous adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment, and the presence of measurable lesions). The primary endpoint was to show non-inferiority of SOX relative to CapeOX in terms of progression-free survival (PFS). The primary analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00677443.


FINDINGS
Between May 14, 2008, and Sept 23, 2009, we randomly assigned 168 patients to receive SOX and 172 to receive CapeOX. Median PFS was 8·5 months (95% CI 7·6-9·3) in the SOX group and 6·7 months (6·2-7·1) in the CapeOX group (hazard ratio, 0·79 [95% CI 0·60-1·04]; p(non-inferiority)<0·0001, p(log-rank)=0·09). The upper limit of the CI was below the predefined margin of 1·43, showing the non-inferiority of SOX to CapeOX. We recorded a higher incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia (49 [29%] vs 24 [15%]), thrombocytopenia (37 [22%] vs 11 [7%]), and diarrhoea (16 [10%] vs seven [4%]) in the SOX group than in the CapeOX group. The frequency of any grade of hand-foot syndrome was greater in the CapeOX group than it was in the SOX group (51 [31%] vs 23 [14%]).


INTERPRETATION
The SOX regimen could be an alternative first-line doublet chemotherapy strategy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Further investigation is needed to explore its potential when used together with other targeted agents or as adjuvant chemotherapy.


FUNDING
Korea Healthcare Technology Research and Development Project, Ministry of Health and Welfare, South Korea.
Cloud Architecture for Dynamic Service Composition

Service composition provides value-adding services through composing basic Web services, which may be provided by various organizations. Cloud computing presents an efficient managerial, on-demand, and scalable way to integrate computational resources (hardware, platform, and software). However, existing Cloud architecture lacks the layer of middleware to enable dynamic service composition. To enable and accelerate on-demand service composition, we explore the paradigm of dynamic service composition in the Cloud for Pervasive Service Computing environments, and propose a Cloud-based Middleware for Dynamic Service Composition (CM4SC). In this approach, we introduce the CM4SC ‘Composition as a Service’ middleware layer into conventional Cloud architecture, to allow automatic composition planning, service discovery, and service composition. We implement the CM4SC middleware prototype utilizing Windows Azure Cloud platform. The prototype demonstrates the feasibility of CM4SC for accelerating dynamic service composition, and convinces us that the CM4SC middleware-accelerated Cloud architecture offers a novel way for realizing dynamic service composition.
Regenerated oxidized cellulose reinforcement of low rectal anastomosis: do we still need diversion?

PURPOSE
The leak rate after low anterior resection is in the region of 10% to 15%. The highest risks of anastomotic leak are in anastomoses less than 5 cm from the anal verge. We evaluated the outcome of oxidized regenerated cellulose reinforcement of low rectal anastomosis.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 108 patients with rectal cancer. Patients with low rectal cancer had low anterior resection with stapled straight low colorectal or coloanal anastomosis without proximal diversion. They were prospectively randomized to either oxidized regenerated cellulose reinforcement or no reinforcement. Data collected included age, sex, hemoglobin percentage, albumin level, histopathologic type of the tumor, anastomotic leak, and stricture.


RESULTS
The mean age of patients was 56 years, and sex was matched in both groups. Clinical leak occurred in 6 of 38 cases (15.7%) in the group that did not undergo reinforcement versus 2 of 33 (6.1%) in the oxidized regenerated cellulose reinforcement group (P < .01). In the case of a leak, diversion was needed in 3 of 6 patients in the group that did not undergo reinforcement vs no patients in the oxidized regenerated cellulose reinforcement group (P = .05). Generalized peritonitis occurred in 3 patients in the group that did not undergo reinforcement versus no patients in the oxidized regenerated cellulose reinforcement group (P < .01). Length of stay was 4.8 days in the oxidized regenerated cellulose reinforcement group versus 5.9 days in the group that did not undergo reinforcement (P = .047), with no mortalities in either group.


CONCLUSION
Oxidized regenerated cellulose reinforcement of low rectal anastomosis significantly decreases the risk of postoperative leak in low rectal anastomosis and may reduce the requirement for proximal diversion. Potential benefits include avoidance of a stoma, lower morbidity, shorter hospital stay, and a lower cost of care.
Soy isoflavones in the prevention of menopausal bone loss and menopausal symptoms: a randomized, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND
Concerns regarding the risk of estrogen replacement have resulted in a significant increase in the use of soy products by menopausal women who, despite the lack of evidence of the efficacy of such products, seek alternatives to menopausal hormone therapy. Our goal was to determine the efficacy of soy isoflavone tablets in preventing bone loss and menopausal symptoms.


METHODS
The study design was a single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial conducted from July 1, 2004, through March 31, 2009. Women aged 45 to 60 years within 5 years of menopause and with a bone mineral density T score of -2.0 or higher in the lumbar spine or total hip were randomly assigned, in equal proportions, to receive daily soy isoflavone tablets, 200 mg, or placebo. The primary outcome was changes in bone mineral density in the lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck at the 2-year follow-up. Secondary outcomes included changes in menopausal symptoms, vaginal cytologic characteristics, N -telopeptide of type I bone collagen, lipids, and thyroid function.


RESULTS
After 2 years, no significant differences were found between the participants receiving soy tablets (n = 122) and those receiving placebo (n = 126) regarding changes in bone mineral density in the spine (-2.0% and -2.3%, respectively), the total hip (-1.2% and -1.4%, respectively), or the femoral neck (-2.2% and -2.1%, respectively). A significantly larger proportion of participants in the soy group experienced hot flashes and constipation compared with the control group. No significant differences were found between groups in other outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
In this population, the daily administration of tablets containing 200 mg of soy isoflavones for 2 years did not prevent bone loss or menopausal symptoms.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00076050.
Symbiotic Robotic Systems: Humans, Robots, and Smart Environments

In general symbiotic robotic systems can be considered three-agent systems in which the agents are performing interdependent tasks. In such systems the robot's actions are generally controllable and observable the environment's actions are partially controllable and partially observable, and the human's actions are not (directly) controllable but are partially observable. This new paradigm will enable us to incorporate techniques from AI and robotics in everyday, smart environments. Symbiotic robotic systems will shift our focus from the development of fully autonomous, almighty robot servants to the development of an open, extensible environment in which humans will cohabitate with many cooperating robotic devices
Pregabalin in generalized anxiety disorder: a placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE
Current drug therapies for generalized anxiety disorder have limitations. In a controlled trial, the novel agent pregabalin was studied for the treatment of patients with generalized anxiety disorder.


METHOD
In this double-blind study, patients with DSM-IV generalized anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to receive pregabalin (150 mg/day or 600 mg/day), lorazepam (6 mg/day), or placebo. A 1-week placebo lead-in was followed by 4 weeks of treatment and then a 1-week dose taper. The primary efficacy measure was the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale score at endpoint.


RESULTS
A total of 276 patients were randomly assigned to a treatment group and received at least one dose of their assigned medication. Fewer patients given lorazepam (59%, N=40 of 68) completed the trial than did those given placebo (73%, N=50 of 69), 600 mg/day of pregabalin (71%, N=50 of 70), or 150 mg/day or pregabalin (90%, N=62 of 69). The mean baseline-to-endpoint decreases in total Hamilton anxiety scale score in the patients given 150 mg/day of pregabalin (-9.2), 600 mg/day of pregabalin (-10.3), and lorazepam (-12.0) were significantly greater than the decrease in those given placebo (-6.8). As early as the week 1 observation, pregabalin significantly reduced the total Hamilton anxiety scale score compared with placebo. The most frequent adverse events reported for pregabalin and lorazepam were somnolence and dizziness. There were no serious adverse events reported by patients given pregabalin, and no withdrawal syndrome was associated with pregabalin treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that pregabalin is an effective, rapidly acting, and safe treatment for generalized anxiety disorder. In short-term treatment, pregabalin does not appear to have the withdrawal symptoms associated with the benzodiazepines.
Association between Val66Met brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene polymorphism and post-treatment relapse in alcohol dependence.

BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between genetic markers of central serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine function, and risk for post-treatment relapse, in a sample of alcohol-dependent patients.


METHODS
The study included 154 patients from addiction treatment programs in Poland, who met DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence. After assessing demographics, severity of alcohol use, suicidality, impulsivity, depression, hopelessness, and severity of alcohol use at baseline, patients were followed for approximately 1 year to evaluate treatment outcomes. Genetic polymorphisms in several genes (TPH2, SLC6A4, HTR1A, HTR2A, COMT, and BDNF) were tested as predictors of relapse (defined as any drinking during follow-up) while controlling for baseline measures.


RESULTS
Of 154 eligible patients, 123 (80%) completed follow-up and 48% (n = 59) of these individuals relapsed. Patients with the Val allele in the Val66Met BDNF polymorphism and the Met allele in the Val158Met COMT polymorphism were more likely to relapse. Only the BDNF Val/Val genotype predicted post-treatment relapse [odds ratio (OR) = 2.62; p = 0.019], and time to relapse (OR = 2.57; p = 0.002), after adjusting for baseline measures and other significant genetic markers. When the analysis was restricted to patients with a family history of alcohol dependence (n = 73), the associations between the BDNF Val/Val genotype and relapse (OR = 5.76, p = 0.0045) and time to relapse (hazard ratio = 4.93, p = 0.001) were even stronger.


CONCLUSIONS
The Val66Met BDNF gene polymorphism was associated with a higher risk and earlier occurrence of relapse among patients treated for alcohol dependence. The study suggests a relationship between genetic markers and treatment outcomes in alcohol dependence. Because a large number of statistical tests were conducted for this study and the literature on genetics and relapse is so novel, the results should be considered as hypothesis generating and need to be replicated in independent studies.
Process Cycle Efficiency Improvement Through Lean : A Case Study

A R T I C L E I N F O Lean Manufacturing, Value stream mapping, Cycle time, Takt time, Cycle efficiency. Received 23 February 2011 Received in revised form 11 March 2011 Accepted 13 March 2011 Available online 23 March 2011 Lean manufacturing is an applied methodology of scientific, objective techniques that cause work tasks in a process to be performed with a minimum of non-value adding activities resulting in greatly reduced wait time, queue time, move time, administrative time, and other delays. This work addresses the implementation of lean principles in a construction equipment company. The prime objective is to evolve and test several strategies to eliminate waste on the shop floor. This paper describes an application of value stream mapping (VSM). Consequently, the present and future states of value stream maps are constructed to improve the production process by identifying waste and its sources. A noticeable reduction in cycle time and increase in cycle efficiency is confirmed. The production flow was optimized thus minimizing several non-value added activities/times such as bottlenecking time, waiting time, material handling time, etc. This case study can be useful in developing a more generic approach to design lean environment. ________________________________ * Corresponding Author
A systematic nurse-led approach to withdrawal risk screening, prevention and treatment among inpatients with an alcohol use disorder in an ear, nose, throat and jaw surgery department-A formative evaluation.

INTRODUCTION
Among patients with head and neck cancer comorbid alcohol use disorder is frequent which contributes to higher risk of developing perioperative alcohol withdrawal syndrome/delirium or delirium due to medical conditions. Although guidelines emphasize prevention and treatment of alcohol withdrawal in hospitalized patients, a validated systematic approach for management of these patients is still lacking. Our aim was to formatively evaluate our newly developed systematic approach in view of nurses' adherence to screening patients for regular alcohol consumption and managing their withdrawal symptoms using the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, Revised.


METHODS
We conducted a formative evaluation to improve the project's design and performance and used a retrospective chart review in a consecutive sample of all adult inpatients with head and neck cancer being assigned for surgery in a university hospital. Our bundle of interventions consisted of nurses' screenings for regular alcohol consumption, withdrawal risk assessment, offering patients a substitution therapy, nurses' assessments of withdrawal symptoms and symptom oriented withdrawal management. Proximate endpoints were analyzed descriptively at each component of the bundle in terms of frequencies and severity of withdrawal symptoms, frequencies of nurses' and doctors' screenings and nurses' assessments performed as required.


RESULTS
Between 2013 and 2014, 87 inpatients met inclusion criteria and screenings by doctors/ nurses revealed 49 alcohol consumers, where six screenings were omitted by nurses and six by doctors. Twenty-one consumers were at risk and six of them developed an alcohol withdrawal syndrome. None of the 87 showed an alcohol withdrawal delirium, but five developed a delirium due to medical conditions. Nurses correctly conducted all preventive elements of the intervention bundle in 14 (58%) patients at risk but overall, only performed 50% of the required assessments.


CONCLUSIONS
Although nurses safely managed patients' symptoms, nurses' adherence to the interventions was suboptimal and requires stronger leadership.
Ab interno approach to the subconjunctival space using a collagen glaucoma stent.

UNLABELLED
This review considers a minimally invasive ab interno approach to glaucoma filtration surgery. Glaucoma filtration surgery can be defined as an attempt to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) by the surgical formation of an artificial drainage pathway from the anterior chamber to the subconjunctival space. Subconjunctival drainage of aqueous fluid has been a cornerstone of glaucoma surgery for more than a century. Varying techniques have been deployed to provide access to this space. Yet, despite numerous innovations in filtering surgery to achieve safe IOP reduction, too many short-term and long-term complications are associated with this surgery. This article describes the development of a new, soft, and permanent ab interno collagen implant (XEN gel stent) to optimize aqueous drainage to the subconjunctival space. Specific characteristics are critical in designing such an implant. Determining the optimum size of the device lumen to avoid hypotony while maximizing long-term outflow is crucial. Other topics discussed include material, length, diameter, flexibility, stability, and biocompatibility of the implant. Preclinical and human eye testing shows that the implant does not seem to occlude inside the lumen and the implant material does not appear to cause tissue reaction in the eye. The ab interno placement of the stent offers an alternative for lowering IOP with a minimally invasive procedure, minimum conjunctival tissue disruption, restricted flow to avoid hypotony, and long-term safety.


FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Dr. Lewis received financial support from Aquesys, Inc. as a consultant.
OLEINIK TYPE ESTIMATES AND UNIQUENESS FOR N N CONSERVATION LAWS

Let u t + f(u) x = 0 be a strictly hyperbolic n n system of conservation laws in one space dimension. Relying on the existence of a semigroup of solutions, we rst establish the uniqueness of entropy admissible weak solutions to the Cauchy problem, under a mild assumption on the local oscillation of u in a forward neighborhood of each point in the t-x plane. In turn, this yields the uniqueness of weak solutions which satisfy a decay estimate on positive waves of genuinely nonlinear families, thus extending a classical result proved by Oleinik in the scalar case.