LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Sift-based image alignment for contactless palmprint verification

Contactless palmprint recognition is an effective way to improve the user-friendliness of palmprint recognition technology. The main challenge of contactless palmprint recognition is the intra-class variations caused by contact-less image acquisition. In such occasions, traditional palm-print recognition algorithms which require precise image alignment may not contribute. Aiming at solving this problem, this paper proposes a contactless palmprint recognition method with a precise palmprint image alignment. The original contactless palmprint images are firstly aligned using a projective transformation model that estimated from matched SIFT feature points. From the aligned images, a prominent palmprint feature representation method, the competitive code, is extracted and matched. Finally, matching scores of both SIFT and competitive code are fused to further improve the accuracy. Experiments on a public contactless palmprint database show that after the image alignment, the verification accuracy of competitive code has increased dramatically, and the result is further enhanced by fusing the matching scores of competitive code and SIFT features.
Community detection in large‐scale networks: a survey and empirical evaluation

Community detection is a common problem in graph data analytics that consists of finding groups of densely connected nodes with few connections to nodes outside of the group. In particular, identifying communities in large-scale networks is an important task in many scientific domains. In this review, we evaluated eight state-of-the-art and five traditional algorithms for overlapping and disjoint community detection on large-scale real-world networks with known ground-truth communities. These 13 algorithms were empirically compared using goodness metrics that measure the structural properties of the identified communities, as well as performance metrics that evaluate these communities against the ground-truth. Our results show that these two types of metrics are not equivalent. That is, an algorithm may perform well in terms of goodness metrics, but poorly in terms of performance metrics, or vice versa. © 2014 The Authors. WIREs Computational Statistics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Motivation and patch treatment for HIV+ smokers: a randomized controlled trial.

AIMS
To test the efficacy of two smoking cessation interventions in a HIV positive (HIV+) sample: standard care (SC) treatment plus nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) versus more intensive motivationally enhanced (ME) treatment plus NRT.


DESIGN
Randomized controlled trial.


SETTING
HIV+ smoker referrals from eight immunology clinics in the northeastern United States.


PARTICIPANTS
A total of 444 participants enrolled in the study (mean age = 42.07 years; 63.28% male; 51.80% European American; mean cigarettes/day = 18.27).


INTERVENTIONS
SC participants received two brief sessions with a health educator. Those setting a quit date received self-help quitting materials and NRT. ME participants received four sessions of motivational counseling and a quit-day counseling call. All ME intervention materials were tailored to the needs of HIV+ individuals.


MEASUREMENTS
Biochemically verified 7-day abstinence rates at 2-month, 4-month and 6-month follow-ups.


FINDINGS
Intent-to-treat (ITT) abstinence rates at 2-month, 4-month and 6-month follow-ups were 12%, 9% and 9%, respectively, in the ME condition, and 13%, 10% and 10%, respectively, in the SC condition, indicating no between-group differences. Among 412 participants with treatment utilization data, 6-month ITT abstinence rates were associated positively with low nicotine dependence (P = 0.02), high motivation to quit (P = 0.04) and Hispanic American race/ethnicity (P = 0.02). Adjusting for these variables, each additional NRT contact improved the odds of smoking abstinence by a third (odds ratio = 1.32, 95% confidence interval = 0.99-1.75).


CONCLUSIONS
Motivationally enhanced treatment plus NRT did not improve cessation rates over and above standard care treatment plus NRT in this HIV+ sample of smokers. Providers offering brief support and encouraging use of nicotine replacement may be able to help HIV+ patients to quit smoking.
Fast Separable Gabor Filter for Fingerprint Enhancement

Since two-dimensional Gabor filter can be separated into onedimensional Gaussian low pass filter and one-dimensional Gaussian band pass filter to the perpendicular, a new set of separable Gabor filters are implemented for fingerprint enhancement. This separable Gabor filtering consumes approximately 2.6 time faster than the conventional Gabor filtering with comparable enhancement results. This alternative fingerprint enhancement scheme is very promising for practical fast implementation in the near future.
Building a Better America-One Wealth Quintile at a Time.

Disagreements about the optimal level of wealth inequality underlie policy debates ranging from taxation to welfare. We attempt to insert the desires of "regular" Americans into these debates, by asking a nationally representative online panel to estimate the current distribution of wealth in the United States and to "build a better America" by constructing distributions with their ideal level of inequality. First, respondents dramatically underestimated the current level of wealth inequality. Second, respondents constructed ideal wealth distributions that were far more equitable than even their erroneously low estimates of the actual distribution. Most important from a policy perspective, we observed a surprising level of consensus: All demographic groups-even those not usually associated with wealth redistribution such as Republicans and the wealthy-desired a more equal distribution of wealth than the status quo.
New text indexing functionalities of the compressed suffix arrays

New text indexing functionalities of the compressed suffix arrays are proposed. The comp suffix array proposed by Grossi and Vitter is a space-efficient data structure for text index occupies onlyO(n) bits for a text of lengthn; however it also uses the text itself that occup n log2 |A| bits for the alphabetA. In this paper we modify the data structure so that pat matching can be done without any access to the text. In addition to the original functions compressed suffix array, we add new operations search, decompressand inverseto the compresse suffix arrays. We show that the new index can find occoccurrences of any substring P of the text in O(|P | logn+ occlog n) time for any fixed 1 > 0 without access to the text. The index also c decompress a part of the text of length m inO(m+ log n) time. For a text of lengthn on an alphabe A such that|A| = polylog(n), our new index occupies only O(nH0 + n log log|A|) bits where H0 log |A| is the order-0 entropy of the text. Especially for = 1 the size isnH0+O(n log log|A|) bits. Therefore the index will be smaller than the text, which means we can perform fast querie compressed texts.  2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Clinical and financial impact of hospital readmissions after colorectal resection: predictors, outcomes, and costs.

BACKGROUND
After passage of the Affordable Care Act, 30 -day hospital readmissions have come under greater scrutiny. Excess readmissions for certain medical conditions and procedures now result in penalizations on all Medicare reimbursements.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this work was to define the risk factors, outcomes, and costs of 30-day readmissions after colorectal surgery.


DESIGN
Adults undergoing colorectal surgery were studied using data from the University HealthSystem Consortium. Univariate and multivariable analyses were used to identify patient-related risk factors for, and 30-day outcomes of, readmission after colorectal surgery.


SETTINGS
This study was conducted at an academic hospital and its affiliates.


PATIENTS
Adults ≥18 years of age who underwent colorectal surgery for cancer, diverticular disease, IBD, or benign tumors between 2008 and 2011 were included in this study.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Readmission within 30 days of index discharge was the main outcome measured.


RESULTS
A total of 70,484 patients survived the index hospitalization after colorectal surgery; 9632 (13.7%) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. The strongest independent predictors of readmission were length of stay ≥4 days (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.32-1.57), stoma (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.46-1.51), and discharge to skilled nursing (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.49-1.76) or rehabilitation facility (OR 2.93; 95% CI 2.53-3.40). Of those readmitted, half of the readmissions occurred within 7 days, 13% required the intensive care unit, 6% had a reoperation, and 2% died during the readmission stay. The median combined total direct hospital cost was more than 2 times higher ($26,917 vs $13,817; p < 0.001) for readmitted than for nonreadmitted patients.


LIMITATIONS
Follow-up was limited to 30 days after initial discharge.


CONCLUSIONS
Readmissions after colorectal resection occur frequently and incur a significant financial burden on the health-care system. Future studies aimed at targeted interventions for high-risk patients may reduce readmissions and curb escalating health-care costs.
VARIATION BETWEEN DIFFERENT SURFACE CONDITIONS IN TIMBER HARVEST SITES IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS

Information about differences in surface conditions on timber harvest hillslopes is important for hydrologic modeling. We measured and compared saturated hydraulic conductivity and interrill erodibility values for different conditions found on timber harvest sites. Plots with different surface conditions were subjected to three simulated rainfall events. Conditions sampled included bladed skid roads with and without treatments, many pass skid trails, few pass skid trails, low burn severity harvest sites, high burn severity harvest sites, and undisturbed forest. Results suggest these conditions can be divided into two or three groups for modeling purposes. 1 P. R. Robichaud, C. H. Luce, R. E. Brown, U. S. Department of Agriculture-Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, 1221 South Main Street, Moscow, Idaho 83843, USA.
Clinical Applications of Circulating Tumor Cells and Circulating Tumor DNA as Liquid Biopsy.

UNLABELLED
"Liquid biopsy" focusing on the analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTC) and circulating cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the blood of patients with cancer has received enormous attention because of its obvious clinical implications for personalized medicine. Analyses of CTCs and ctDNA have paved new diagnostic avenues and are, to date, the cornerstones of liquid biopsy diagnostics. The present review focuses on key areas of clinical applications of CTCs and ctDNA, including detection of cancer, prediction of prognosis in patients with curable disease, monitoring systemic therapies, and stratification of patients based on the detection of therapeutic targets or resistance mechanisms.


SIGNIFICANCE
The application of CTCs and ctDNA for the early detection of cancer is of high public interest, but it faces serious challenges regarding specificity and sensitivity of the current assays. Prediction of prognosis in patients with curable disease can already be achieved in several tumor entities, particularly in breast cancer. Monitoring the success or failure of systemic therapies (i.e., chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or other targeted therapies) by sequential measurements of CTCs or ctDNA is also feasible. Interventional studies on treatment stratification based on the analysis of CTCs and ctDNA are needed to implement liquid biopsy into personalized medicine. Cancer Discov; 6(5); 479-91. ©2016 AACR.
A randomised controlled trial of yoga for the treatment of chronic low back pain: results of a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE
To conduct a pilot trial of yoga for the treatment of chronic low back pain (LBP) to inform the feasibility and practicality of conducting a full-scale trial in the UK; and to assess the efficacy of yoga for the treatment of chronic low back pain.


DESIGN
A pragmatic randomised controlled trial was undertaken comparing yoga to usual care.


PARTICIPANTS
Twenty participants who had presented to their GP with chronic low back pain in the previous 18 months were recruited via GP records from one practice in York, UK.


INTERVENTIONS
Twenty patients were randomised to either 12 weekly 75-min sessions of specialised yoga plus written advice, or usual care plus written advice. Allocation was 50/50.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Recruitment rate, levels of intervention attendance, and loss to follow-up were the main non-clinical outcomes. Change as measured by the Roland and Morris disability questionnaire was the primary clinical outcome. Changes in the Aberdeen back pain scale, SF-12, EQ-5D, and pain self-efficacy were secondary clinical outcomes. Data were collected via postal questionnaire at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks follow-up.


RESULTS
Of the 286 patients identified from the GP database, 52 (18%) consented and returned the eligibility questionnaire, out of these 20 (6.9%) were eligible and randomised. The total percentage of patients randomised from the GP practice population was 0.28%. Ten patients were randomised to yoga, receiving an average of 1.7 sessions (range 0-5), and 10 were randomised to usual care. At 12 weeks follow-up data was received from 60% of patients in the yoga group and 90% of patients in the usual care group (75% overall). No significant differences were seen between groups in clinical outcomes apart from on the Aberdeen back pain scale at four weeks follow-up where the yoga group reported significantly less pain.


CONCLUSION
This pilot study provided useful data and information to inform the design and development of a full-scale trial of yoga for CLBP in the UK. A key finding is the calculation of GP practice total list size required for patient recruitment in a full-scale trial, and the need to implement methods to increase class attendance.
Peritoneal-Pleural Leaks Demonstrated by CT Peritoneography

INTRODUCTION
Acute hydrothorax is an uncommon complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Currently, there is no specific diagnostic method. Although it is not a life-threatening complication, hydrothorax often requires interrupting or quitting PD. Misdiagnosis often leads to more serious consequences.


CASE PRESENTATION
A 49-year-old woman (height 163 cm, weight 58 kg, BMI 21.82), who started PD 3 months previously, suddenly presented with acute dyspnea and a right pleural effusion. Blood routine examination, serum albumin and a series of laboratory tests were immediately performed. Except for the serum creatinine, all of the other tests were within normal range. Thoracentesis was performed to obtain pleural fluid specimens; there was also no evidence of a tumor or inflammation. Congestive heart failure, infection and hypoalbuminemia were excluded as well. Because PD-associated pleural leakage was suspected, computerized tomography (CT) peritoneography was performed next. The first CT scan showed that the CT value of pleural effusion was 6 Hounsfield units (HU). On the evening of the same day, 100 ml ionic contrast medium was mixed with 2 l dialysate and infused into the peritoneal cavity. The next morning, a CT scan was performed again. The CT value of pleural effusion at the same site increased to 40 HU. At the end, pleural leakage was clearly diagnosed. Subsequently, she received temporary hemodialysis and a small dose of automated PD. After 3 months, she successfully returned to PD without any recurrence of hydrothorax.


CONCLUSION
Although similar case reports are not rare, this report provided a simple and effective method for diagnosing pleural leakage. Furthermore, noninvasive treatment of pleural effusion will also get a satisfactory outcome.
Corticosteroid injections for lateral epicondylitis: a systematic review

Patients with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) are frequently treated with corticosteroid injections, in order to relieve pain and diminish disability. The objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of corticosteroid injections for lateral epicondylitis. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified by a highly sensitive search strategy in six databases in combination with reference tracking. Two independent reviewers selected and assessed the methodological quality of RCTs that included patients with lateral epicondylitis treated with corticosteroid injection(s), and reported at least one clinically relevant outcome measure. Standardised mean differences were computed for continuous data and relative risks (RR) for dichotomous data. A best-evidence synthesis was conducted, weighting the studies with respect to their internal validity, statistical significance, clinical relevance, and statistical power. Thirteen studies consisting of 15 comparisons were included in the review, evaluating the effects of corticosteroid injections compared to placebo injection (n=2), injection with local anaesthetic (n=5), another conservative treatment (n=5), or another corticosteroid injection (n=3). Almost all studies had poor internal validity scores. For short-term outcomes (<or=6 weeks), statistically significant and clinically relevant differences were found on pain, global improvement and grip strength for corticosteroid injection compared to placebo, local anaesthetic and conservative treatments. For intermediate (6 weeks-6 months) and long-term outcomes (>or=6 months), no statistically significant or clinically relevant results in favour of corticosteroid injections were found. Although the available evidence shows superior short-term effects of corticosteroid injections for lateral epicondylitis, it is not possible to draw firm conclusions on the effectiveness of injections, due to the lack of high quality studies. No beneficial effects were found for intermediate or long-term follow-up. More, better designed, conducted and reported RCTs with intermediate and long-term follow-up are needed.
Image content-based retrieval and automated interpretation of fluorescence microscope images via the protein subcellular location image database

We describe the Protein Subcellular Location Image Database (PSLID), which collects and structures 2-D through 5-D fluorescence microscope images, annotations, and derived features in a relational schema. It is designed so that interpretations as well as annotations can be queried. The annotations in PSLID, composed of 28 linked tables with publicly available descriptions, provide a thorough description of sample preparation and fluorescence microscope imaging. Image interpretation is achieved using Subcellular Location Features that have been shown to be capable of recognizing all major subcellular structures and of resolving patterns that cannot be distinguished by eye. Results of queries can be ranked by image typicality and statistical tests can be performed on sets of images (e.g., to determine whether a drug alters the distribution of a tagged protein). We anticipate that PSLID will serve as a common repository for microscopy images documenting the subcellular location of proteins.
A Multi-Agent System Based Approach to Fight Financial Fraud : An Application to Money Laundering

A Multi-Agent System Based Approach to Fight Financial Fraud: An Application to Money Laundering Claudio Alexandre 1,∗ ID and João Balsa 1 1 Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa (BioISI-MAS), Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Academic Editor: name Version December 19, 2017 submitted to Appl. Sci. Abstract: The anti-money laundering (AML) process has failed both in identifying suspicious cases in 1 due time as in assisting the AML analysts in decision making. Starting from a new generic anti-fraud 2 approach, this article presents the main aspects related to the development of a multi-agent system 3 that goes beyond the capture of suspicious transactions, seeking to assist the human expert in the 4 analysis of suspicious behaviour. First, a transactional behavioural profile of clients is obtained 5 in a data mining process. A set of rules, obtained through data mining over a real database, in 6 conjunction with specific rules based on legal aspects and in the expertise of the AML analysts make 7 up the agents’ knowledge base. The cases for which the system was unable to suggest a decision are 8 flagged as requiring more detailed analysis. The system analysed 6 months of real transactions and 9 indicated several suspicious profiles, a set of these suspects was investigated by the AML analysts 10 who proved the suspicion of several cases, including some that had not been identified by the systems 11 in execution. 12
Evaluation of the sentinel lymph node algorithm with blue dye labeling for early-stage endometrial cancer in a multicentric setting.

OBJECTIVES
Sentinel lymph node (SLN) removal may be a midterm between no and full pelvic dissection in early endometrial cancer. Whereas the use of blue dye alone in SLN detection has a poor accuracy, its integration in an SLN algorithm may yield better results and overcome hurdles such as the requirement of nuclear medicine facility.


METHODS
Sixty-six patients with clinical stage I endometrial cancer were prospectively enrolled in a multicentre study between May 2003 and June 2009. Patent blue was injected intraoperatively into the cervix. We retrospectively assessed the accuracy of a previously described SLN algorithm consisting of the following sequence: (1) pelvic node area is inspected for removal of all mapped SLN and (2) excision of every suspicious non-SLN, (3) in the absence of mapping in a hemipelvis, a standard ipsilateral lymphadenectomy is then performed.


RESULTS
Sentinel nodes were identified in 41 patients (62.1%), mostly in interiliac and obturator areas. None was detected in the para-aortic area. Detection was bilateral in 23 cases (56.1%). Seven patients (10.6%) had positive nodes. The false-negative rate was 40% using SLN detection alone. When the algorithm was applied, the false-negative rate was 14.3%. The use of a SLN algorithm would have avoided 53% of lymphadenectomies


CONCLUSION
Our multicentric evaluation validates the use of a SLN algorithm based on blue-only sentinel node mapping in early-stage endometrial cancer. The application of such SLN algorithm should be evaluated in a prospective context and might lead to decrease unnecessary lymphadenectomies.