LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Central obesity and high blood pressure in pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis.

IMPORTANCE
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with multiple potential risk factors for obesity and high blood pressure (BP), including chronic inflammation, sleep disturbance, and mental health comorbidity. Previous studies found associations between general obesity and AD. However, it is unknown whether AD is associated with central obesity and/or high BP.


OBJECTIVES
To determine whether central obesity and high BP are increased in pediatric AD.


DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This case-control study performed in multicenter pediatric dermatology practices in the United States recruited 132 children (age range, 4-17 years) with active moderate to severe AD and 143 healthy controls from April 1, 2009, through December 31, 2012.


EXPOSURES
Diagnosis and severity of AD assessed by a pediatric dermatologist.


MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Body mass index, waist circumference, waist to height ratio, systolic BP, and diastolic BP.


RESULTS
Moderate to severe AD was associated with body mass index for age and sex of 97th percentile or greater (logistic regression; odds ratio [OR], 2.64; 95% CI, 1.15-6.06), International Obesity Task Force obesity cutoffs (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.06-5.34), waist circumference in the 85th percentile or greater (OR, 3.92; 95% CI, 1.50-10.26), and waist to height ratio of 0.5 or greater (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.10-4.50). Atopic dermatitis was associated with higher BP for age, sex, and height percentiles (systolic BP: OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.04-8.36; diastolic BP: OR, 3.68; 95% CI, 1.19-11.37), particularly a systolic BP in the 90th percentile or higher (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.09-3.90), in multivariate models that controlled for demographics, body mass index and waist circumference percentiles, and history of using prednisone or cyclosporine. Atopic dermatitis was associated with higher systolic BP in Hispanics/Latinos (general linear model; β, .23; 95% CI, .04-.43) and Asians (β, .16; 95% CI, .03-.30). Severe to very severe AD was associated with systolic BP in the 90th percentile or higher (adjusted OR, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.13-8.70). Atopic dermatitis was associated with a family history of hypertension (adjusted OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.14-3.10) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (adjusted OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.02-2.68) but not obesity or hyperlipidemia.


CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Moderate to severe pediatric AD may be associated with central obesity and increased systolic BP.
Effect of application of benzyl benzoate on house dust mite allergen levels.

BACKGROUND
Several acaricides have become available for reducing house dust mite allergen levels.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess whether the use of benzyl benzoate (Acarosan) provides additional benefit to the usual mite control measures including encasement of mattress and pillows with vinyl covers.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial was carried out in 26 homes (14 control versus 12 treatment) of asthmatic patients in two cities (Vancouver and Winnipeg). The control group had the usual house dust mite control measures including the use of vinyl covers for mattresses and pillows while the treatment group had application of benzyl benzoate to mattresses and carpets in the bedroom and the most commonly used room, in addition to the above control measures. Mite allergen levels were measured 3 months and immediately before, 1 week, and 1 and 3 months after the application of house dust mite control measures. Patients kept diary cards on asthma symptoms and peak expiratory flow rates morning and evening one month before and three months after the onset of mite allergen control measures.


RESULTS
A reduction of mite allergen level was found in mattress samples in both groups, statistically significant at all times in the treatment group and at one and three months in the control group. Mite allergen levels on floor carpets also showed progressive reduction in both groups, but were significantly different in the treatment group (compared with controls) at 1 week, and were lower compared with baseline in the treatment group up to 3 months. No significant changes in asthma symptoms, peak expiratory flow rates, spirometric measurements, or bronchial hyperresponsiveness were observed among treatment or control group subjects.


CONCLUSION
The addition of benzyl benzoate to conventional house dust mite control measures resulted in a significant reduction in floor carpet dust mite levels that persisted for 3 months. The results of this study should be confirmed in a larger and longer study.
Style-based reuse for software architectures

Although numerous mechanisms for promoting software reuse have been proposed and implemented over the years, most have focused on the reuse of implementation code. There is much conjecture and some empirical evidence , however, that the most effective forms of reuse are generally found at more abstract levels of software design. In this paper we discuss software reuse at the architectural level of design. Specifically, we argue that the concept of " architectural style " is useful for supporting the classification , storage, and retrieval of reusable architectural design elements. We briefly describe the Aesop system's Software Shelf, a tool that assists designers in selecting appropriate design elements and patterns based on stylistic information and design constraints.
An enhanced test case generation technique based on activity diagrams

Test case generation is a core phase in any testing process, therefore automating it plays a tremendous role in reducing the time and effort spent during the testing process. This paper proposes an enhanced XML-based automated approach for generating test cases from activity diagrams. The proposed architecture creates a special table called Activity Dependency Table (ADT) for each XML file. The ADT covers all the functionalities in the activity diagram as well as handling the decisions, loops, fork, join, merge, object and conditional threads. Then it automatically generates a directed graph called Activity Dependency Graph (ADG) that is used in conjunction with the ADT to extract all the possible final test cases. The proposed model validates the generated test paths during the generation process to ensure meeting a hybrid coverage criterion. The generated test cases can be sent to any requirements management tool to be traced against the requirements. The proposed model is prototyped on 30 differently sized activity diagrams in different domains An experimental evaluation of the proposed model is done as well. It saves time and effort besides, increases the quality of generated test cases, therefore optimizes the overall performance of the testing process Moreover, the generated test cases can be executed on the system under test using any automatic test execution tool.
Smart Cars on Smart Roads: An IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Society Update

To promote tighter collaboration between the IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Society and the pervasive computing research community, the authors introduce the ITS Society and present several pervasive computing-related research topics that ITS Society researchers are working on. This department is part of a special issue on Intelligent Transportation.
Screening for pre-eclampsia by using maternal serum inhibin A, activin A, human chorionic gonadotropin, unconjugated estriol, and alpha-fetoprotein levels and uterine artery Doppler in the second trimester of pregnancy.

AIMS
To analyse the predictive power of maternal serum inhibin A, activin A, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), unconjugated estriol (uE(3)), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and uterine artery Doppler in the second trimester of pregnancy in screening for pre-eclampsia.


METHODS
Maternal serum inhibin A, activin A, hCG, uE(3), and AFP levels and uterine artery Doppler were determined in 178 healthy, pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy. Serum samples were collected between the 16th and 18th weeks of gestation, and Doppler investigation was performed between the 24th and 26th weeks of gestation. Receiver operating characteristic curves were created to analyse the predictive powers of the above parameters in screening for pre-eclampsia. Different combinations also were analysed.


RESULTS
The rate of pre-eclampsia was 7.9% (14/178). Maternal serum inhibin A, activin A, hCG, AFP levels, the rate of presence of the prediastolic notch and uterine artery resistance index (RI) values in pre-eclamptic pregnancies were significantly higher than those in healthy pregnancies. Presence of the prediastolic notch, uterine artery RI, maternal serum activin A and inhibin A levels had high predictive efficacy, and each had a sensitivity between 70 and 93% and a specificity between 87% and 98%. The addition of inhibin A or activin A measurement to the Doppler velocimetry improved the specificity to 99-100%.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal serum inhibin A and activin A levels and uterine artery Doppler appear to be useful screening tests during the second trimester for pre-eclampsia. However, addition of these hormonal markers to Doppler velocimetry only slightly improves the predictive efficacy, which appears clinically insignificant.
The use of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII): parental and professional perceptions of self-care mastery and autonomy in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE
To describe parent-perceived mastery of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) specific skills and level of autonomy for these tasks among youth with type 1 diabetes.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty-three parents of youth using CSII and 142 diabetes clinicians participated. Parents reported their child's mastery and autonomy of CSII-specific skills. Clinicians indicated the age at which 50% of their patients mastered these skills.


RESULTS
Parents report CSII skill mastery between 10.9 and 12.8 years. Very few achieved skill mastery on all CSII-related tasks. Parent- and clinician-expectations for age of skill acquisition were consistent with one another. Parents shared CSII task responsibility with their children even after their children have attained skill mastery.


CONCLUSION
The recent emphasis on maintaining parental involvement in diabetes care seems to have been translated into clinical practice. Parents remain involved in their child's CSII care even after they believe their child has mastered these skills.
Optimization of process parameters in drilling of GFRP composite using Taguchi method

The objective of the present work is to optimize process parameters namely, cutting speed, feed, point angle and chisel edge width in drilling of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites. In this work, experiments were carried out as per the Taguchi experimental design and an L9 orthogonal array was used to study the influence of various combinations of process parameters on hole quality. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was conducted to determine the significance of each process parameter on drilling. The results indicate that feed rate is the most significant factor influencing the thrust force followed by speed, chisel edge width and point angle; cutting speed is the most significant factor affecting the torque, speed and the circularity of the hole followed by feed, chisel edge width and point angle. This work is useful in selecting optimum values of various process parameters that would not only minimize the thrust force and torque but also reduce the delimitation and improve the quality of the drilled hole. © 2013 Brazilian Metallurgical, Materials and Mining Association. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda.
How to write a patient case report.

PURPOSE
Guidelines for writing patient case reports, with a focus on medication-related reports, are provided.


SUMMARY
The format of a patient case report encompasses the following five sections: an abstract, an introduction and objective that contain a literature review, a description of the case report, a discussion that includes a detailed explanation of the literature review, a summary of the case, and a conclusion. The abstract of a patient case report should succinctly include the four sections of the main text of the report. The introduction section should provide the subject, purpose, and merit of the case report. It must explain why the case report is novel or merits review, and it should include a comprehensive literature review that corroborates the author's claims. The case presentation section should describe the case in chronological order and in enough detail for the reader to establish his or her own conclusions about the case's validity. The discussion section is the most important section of the case report. It ought to evaluate the patient case for accuracy, validity, and uniqueness; compare and contrast the case report with the published literature; derive new knowledge; summarize the essential features of the report; and draw recommendations. The conclusion section should be brief and provide a conclusion with evidence-based recommendations and applicability to practice.


CONCLUSION
Patient case reports are valuable resources of new and unusual information that may lead to vital research.
Pedicle screw-rod fixation: a feasible treatment for dogs with severe degenerative lumbosacral stenosis

BACKGROUND
Degenerative lumbosacral stenosis is a common problem in large breed dogs. For severe degenerative lumbosacral stenosis, conservative treatment is often not effective and surgical intervention remains as the last treatment option. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the middle to long term outcome of treatment of severe degenerative lumbosacral stenosis with pedicle screw-rod fixation with or without evidence of radiological discospondylitis.


RESULTS
Twelve client-owned dogs with severe degenerative lumbosacral stenosis underwent pedicle screw-rod fixation of the lumbosacral junction. During long term follow-up, dogs were monitored by clinical evaluation, diagnostic imaging, force plate analysis, and by using questionnaires to owners. Clinical evaluation, force plate data, and responses to questionnaires completed by the owners showed resolution (n = 8) or improvement (n = 4) of clinical signs after pedicle screw-rod fixation in 12 dogs. There were no implant failures, however, no interbody vertebral bone fusion of the lumbosacral junction was observed in the follow-up period. Four dogs developed mild recurrent low back pain that could easily be controlled by pain medication and an altered exercise regime.


CONCLUSIONS
Pedicle screw-rod fixation offers a surgical treatment option for large breed dogs with severe degenerative lumbosacral stenosis with or without evidence of radiological discospondylitis in which no other treatment is available. Pedicle screw-rod fixation alone does not result in interbody vertebral bone fusion between L7 and S1.
Prevalence and causative fungal species of tinea capitis among schoolchildren in Gabon.

Tinea capitis is endemic among schoolchildren in tropical Africa. The objective was to determine the prevalence of symptomatic tinea capitis in schoolchildren in Gabon. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 454 children aged 4-17 years, attending a rural school and an urban school. The diagnosis of tinea capitis was based on clinically manifest infection, direct microscopic examination using 20% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution and fungal culture. Based on clinical examination, 105 (23.1%) of 454 children had tinea capitis. Seventy-four (16.3%) children were positive by direct examination (KOH) and/or fungal culture. The prevalence of tinea capitis depended on the school studied and ranged from 20.4% in the urban school with a higher socioeconomic status to 26.3% in the rural school with a lower socioeconomic status. Similarly, the spectrum of causative species varied between the different schools. Taken the schools together, Trichophyton soudanense (29.4%) was the most prominent species, followed by Trichophyton tonsurans (27.9%) and Microsporum audouinii (25.0%). Clinically manifest tinea capitis is endemic among schoolchildren in the Lambaréné region in Gabon. The prevalence of tinea capitis and the causative species depended on the type of school that was investigated.
Directions in Hybrid Intelligence: Complementing AI Systems with Human Intelligence

Hybrid intelligence systems combine machine and human intelligence to overcome the shortcomings of existing AI systems. This paper reviews recent research efforts towards developing hybrid systems focusing on reasoning methods for optimizing access to human intelligence and on gaining comprehensive understanding of humans as helpers of AI systems. It concludes by discussing short and long term research directions.
Anti-forensics: The Next Step in Digital Forensics Tool Testing

We classify and present established and new attacks on digital forensics tools. In particular, we present the first and surprisingly simple code injection attack on a commercial analysis tool that potentially allows to infiltrate the analysis system. We argue that digital forensics tool testing must mature to cater for malicious adversaries. We also discuss possible countermeasures.
Hepatitis C Virus Resistance to Direct-Acting Antiviral Drugs in Interferon-Free Regimens.

Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has progressed considerably with the approval of interferon-free, direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-based combination therapies. Although most treated patients achieve virological cure, HCV resistance to DAAs has an important role in the failure of interferon-free treatment regimens. The presence of viral variants resistant to NS5A inhibitors at baseline is associated with lower rates of virological cure in certain groups of patients, such as those with genotype 1a or 3 HCV, those with cirrhosis, and/or prior nonresponders to pegylated interferon-based regimens. DAA-resistant HCV is generally dominant at virological failure (most often relapse). Viruses resistant to NS3-4A protease inhibitors disappear from peripheral blood in a few weeks to months, whereas NS5A inhibitor-resistant viruses persist for years. Re-treatment options are available, but first-line treatment strategies should be optimized to efficiently prevent treatment failure due to HCV resistance.
Cognitive style predicts entry into physical sciences and humanities: Questionnaire and performance tests of empathy and systemizing

It is often questioned as to why fewer women enter science. This study assesses whether a cognitive style characterized by systemizing being at a higher level than empathizing (SNE) is better than sex in predicating entry into the physical sciences compared to humanities. 415 students in both types of discipline (203 males, 212 females) were given questionnaire and performance measures of systemizing and empathy. 59.1% of the science students were male and 70.1% of the humanities students were female. There were significant sex differences on the Empathy Quotient (EQ) (females on average scoring higher) and on the Systemizing Quotient (SQ) (males on average scoring higher), confirming earlier studies. Scientists also scored higher on the SQ, and scored lower on the EQ, compared to those in the humanities. Thus, independent of sex, SQ was a significant predictor of entry into the physical sciences. Results from questionnaire data and performance data indicate an SNE profile for physical science students as a group, and an ENS profile for humanities students as a group, regardless of sex. We interpret this as evidence that whilst on average males show stronger systemizing and females show stronger empathizing, individuals with a strong systemizing drive are more likely to enter the physical sciences, irrespective of their sex. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Wheelchair tilt-in-space and recline does not reduce sacral skin perfusion as changing from the upright to the tilted and reclined position in people with spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of various wheelchair tilt-in-space and recline angles on sacral skin perfusion in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.


DESIGN
Repeated-measures, intervention and outcomes measure design.


SETTING
University research laboratory.


PARTICIPANTS
Power wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (N=11).


INTERVENTIONS
Six protocols of various wheelchair tilt-in-space and recline angles were randomly assigned to the participants: (1) 15° tilt-in-space and 100° recline, (2) 25° tilt-in-space and 100° recline, (3) 35° tilt-in-space and 100° recline, (4) 15° tilt-in-space and 120° recline, (5) 25° tilt-in-space and 120° recline, and (6) 35° tilt-in-space and 120° recline. Each protocol consisted of a 5-minute upright sitting and a 5-minute tilted and reclined period.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Skin perfusion over the sacrum (midpoint between the right posterior superior iliac spine and the adjacent spinous process) and right ischial tuberosity was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry.


RESULTS
Sacral skin perfusion did not show a significant difference in all 6 protocols of various tilt-in-space and recline angles when changing from an upright to a tilted and reclined position (not significant). However, as previously reported, skin perfusion over the ischial tuberosity showed a significant increase at 15°, 25°, and 35° tilt-in-space when combined with 120° recline and at 35° tilt-in-space when combined with 100° recline (P<.008).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that wheelchair tilt-in-space and recline enhances skin perfusion over the ischial tuberosities without reducing sacral skin perfusion when changing from an upright to a tilted and reclined position.
A Holistic View of the Challenges and Social Implications of Online Distribution: the Case of Pensions

The market for individual and company pensions has been identified as uncompetitive and inefficient resulting in consumer confusion and apathy (Sandler, 2002; Pickering, 2002). Recommended solutions are large-scale product rationalisation and process simplification. Sandler (2002) suggests end-to-end electronic processing as a key means to achieving improvement whilst noting that “success will necessitate very broad take-up” (p. 217) requiring collective action and co-ordination. In response pension providers are seeking to develop the Internet as a low cost distribution and communication channel. ABSTRACT