LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Postoperative radiation protocol for keloids and hypertrophic scars: statistical analysis of 370 sites followed for over 18 months.

BACKGROUND
Before 2002, keloids and intractable hypertrophic scars were treated at our facility with postoperative irradiation of 15 Gy (the traditional protocol). Analysis of the therapeutic outcomes of patients treated with this protocol showed that the recurrence rates of keloids and intractable hypertrophic scars in the anterior chest wall, as well as the scapular and suprapubic regions, were statistically higher than at other sites, while the recurrence rates in earlobes were lower. Thus, we customized doses for various sites. This report describes our trial of postoperative radiation therapy.


METHODS
Between January 2002 and September 2004, 109 patients with 121 keloid and intractable hypertrophic scar sites were treated with surgical excision following the new protocol: electron-beam irradiation at total doses of 10, 15, or 20 Gy, depending on the site. The recurrence rates and toxicities were historically followed in 218 patients with 249 keloid and intractable hypertrophic scar sites treated with the old protocol of surgical removal followed by irradiation at 15 Gy (without variation by site). The minimal follow-up time was 18 months. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher exact probability test.


RESULTS
Total recurrence rates were 29.3% before 2002 and 14.0% after 2003. The recurrence rate in the anterior chest wall was statistically reduced. Outcomes of earlobe did not differ between irradiation with 15 Gy or 10 Gy.


CONCLUSIONS
Keloids and intractable hypertrophic scars should be treated with dose protocols customized by site. Our results suggest that keloid and intractable hypertrophic scar sites with a high risk of recurrence should be treated with 20 Gy in 4 fractions over 4 days and that earlobe should be treated with 10 Gy in 2 fractions over 2 days.
Progressive transmission of images using MAP detection over channels with memory

We propose a new maximum a posteriori (MAP) detector, without the need for explicit channel coding, to lessen the impact of communication channel errors on compressed image sources. The MAP detector exploits the spatial correlation in the compressed bitstream as well as the temporal memory in the channel to correct channel errors. We first present a technique for computing the residual redundancy inherent in a compressed grayscale image (compressed using VQ). The performance of the proposed MAP detector is compared to that of a memoryless MAP detector. We also investigate the dependence of the performance on memory characteristics of the Gilbert-Elliott channel as well as average channel error rate. Finally, we study the robustness of the proposed MAP detector's performance to estimation errors.
On Single-Look Multivariate  $ {\cal G}$ Distribution for PolSAR Data

For many applications where High Resolution (HR) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images are required, like urban structures detection, road map detection, marine structures and ship detection etc., single-look processing of SAR images may be desirable. The G family of distributions have been known to fit homogeneous to extremely heterogeneous Polarimetric SAR (PolSAR) data very well and can be very useful for processing single-look images. The multi-look polarimetric G distribution has a limitation that it does not reduce to single-look form for (multivariate) PolSAR data. This paper presents the new single-look polarimetric G distribution, which reduces to its two well-known special forms, the single-look Kp and Gp0 distributions, when the domain of its parameters are restricted. The significance of this distribution becomes evident as it fits X- & S-band sub-meter resolution (<; 1 m2) PolSAR data (acquired over the same scene at the same time in X- & S-bands) better than the Gp0 & Kp distributions, while it fits the X-band decameter resolution (10 m2) PolSAR data as good as the Gp0 distribution. Numerical Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) method for parameter estimation of multivariate G, Gp0, and Kp distributions is proposed. Simulated PolSAR data has been generated to validate the convergence and accuracy of maximum likelihood parameter estimates to values corresponding to globally maximum likelihood. A new iterative algorithm for accurate estimation of speckle covariance matrix is also proposed.
The use of non-pharmacological nursing interventions on the comfort of cancer patients: A comprehensive systematic review protocol

Review question/objective The objective of this review is to identify and synthesize the best available evidence on the experiences of cancer patients of non-pharmacological nursing interventions. More specifically, the review will focus on the following questions: Are non-pharmacological nursing interventions effective for increasing comfort in cancer patients? What are the experiences of cancer patients of non-pharmacological nursing interventions?
Negative Binomial-Lindley Distribution and Its Application

Problem statement: The modeling of claims count is one of the most imp ortant topics in actuarial theory and practice. Many attempts were i mplemented in expanding the classes of mixed and compound distributions, especially in the distr ibution of exponential family, resulting in a bette r fit on count data. In some cases, it is proven that mixed distributions, in particular mixed Poisson and mixed negative binomial, provided better fit co mpared to other distributions. Approach: In this study, we introduce a new mixed negative binomial d istribution by mixing the distributions of negative binomial (r,p) and Lindley ( θ), where the reparameterization of p = exp(λ) is considered. Results: The closed form and the factorial moment of the new distribution, i.e., the negative binomial-Lindley distribution, are derived. In addi tion, the parameters estimation for negative binomial-Lindley via the method of moments (MME) an d the Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) are provided. Conclusion: The application of negative binomial-Lindley distr bution is carried out on two samples of insurance data. Based on the results, it is shown that the negative binomial-Lindley provides a better fit compared to the Poisson and the negative binomial for count data where the probability at zero has a large valu e.
A speculation-friendly binary search tree

We introduce the first binary search tree algorithm designed for speculative executions. Prior to this work, tree structures were mainly designed for their pessimistic (non-speculative) accesses to have a bounded complexity. Researchers tried to evaluate transactional memory using such tree structures whose prominent example is the red-black tree library developed by Oracle Labs that is part of multiple benchmark distributions. Although well-engineered, such structures remain badly suited for speculative accesses, whose step complexity might raise dramatically with contention.
 We show that our speculation-friendly tree outperforms the existing transaction-based version of the AVL and the red-black trees. Its key novelty stems from the decoupling of update operations: they are split into one transaction that modifies the abstraction state and multiple ones that restructure its tree implementation in the background. In particular, the speculation-friendly tree is shown correct, reusable and it speeds up a transaction-based travel reservation application by up to 3.5x.
Bioequivalence of an ezetimibe/simvastatin combination tablet and coadministration of ezetimibe and simvastatin as separate tablets in healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE
To assess the bioequivalence of an ezetimibe/simvastatin (EZE/SIMVA) combination tablet compared to the coadministration of ezetimibe and simvastatin as separate tablets (EZE + SIMVA).


METHODS
In this open-label, randomized, 2-part, 2-period crossover study, 96 healthy subjects were randomly assigned to participate in each part of the study (Part I or II), with each part consisting of 2 single-dose treatment periods separated by a 14-day washout. Part I consisted of Treatments A (EZE 10 mg + SIMVA 10 mg) and B (EZE/SIMVA 10/10 mg/mg) and Part II consisted of Treatments C (EZE 10 mg + SIMVA 80 mg) and D (EZE/SIMVA 10/80 mg/mg). Blood samples were collected up to 96 hours post-dose for determination of ezetimibe, total ezetimibe (ezetimibe + ezetimibe glucuronide), simvastatin and simvastatin acid (the most prevalent active metabolite of simvastatin) concentrations. Ezetimibe and simvastatin acid AUC(0-last) were predefined as primary endpoints and ezetimibe and simvastatin acid Cmax were secondary endpoints. Bioequivalence was achieved if 90% confidence intervals (CI) for the geometric mean ratios (GMR) (single tablet/coadministration) of AUC(0-last) and Cmax fell within prespecified bounds of (0.80, 1.25).


RESULTS
The GMRs of the AUC(0-last) and Cmax for ezetimibe and simvastatin acid fell within the bioequivalence limits (0.80, 1.25). EZE/ SIMVA and EZE + SIMVA were generally well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
The lowest and highest dosage strengths of EZE/SIMVA tablet were bioequivalent to the individual drug components administered together. Given the exact weight multiples of the EZE/SIMVA tablet and linear pharmacokinetics of simvastatin across the marketed dose range, bioequivalence of the intermediate tablet strengths (EZE/SIMVA 10/20 mg/mg and EZE/SIMVA 10/40 mg/mg) was inferred, although these dosages were not tested directly. These results indicate that the safety and efficacy profile of EZE + SIMVA coadministration therapy can be applied to treatment with the EZE/SIMVA tablet across the clinical dose range.
Evolutionary genetics research reports

ORAFF, R. J., AND SNELL, 0. ID. 1969. Histocompatibility genes of mice IX. Transplantation, 8, 861-875. BULL, P. 1964. PartiaL incompatibility not affecting total litter size in the mouse. Genetics, 50, 563-570. HULL, P. 1969. Maternal-foetal incompatibility associated with the H-3 locus in the mouse. Heredity, 24, 203-209. PALM, j. 1970. Maternal-foetal interactions and histocompatibility polymorphism. Transplantation Proceedings, 2, 162-173. SNELL, o. 0., AND BUNKER, H. i'. 1964. Histocompatibility genes of mice IV. Transplantation, 2, 743-751. SNELL, 0. D., CUDKOWICz, 0., AND BUNKER, H. i'. 1967. Histocompatibility genes of mice VII. Transplantation, 5, 492-503. STAATS, j. 1964. Standardised nomenclature for inbred strains of mice. Cancer Research, 24, 147-168.
Recorded quality of primary care for osteoarthritis: an observational study.

BACKGROUND
Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic disease in the UK, with greater prevalence in women, older people, and those with poorer socioeconomic status. Effective treatments are available, yet little is known about the quality of primary care for this disabling condition.


AIM
To measure the recorded quality of primary care for osteoarthritis, and assess variations by patient and/or practice characteristics.


DESIGN OF STUDY
Retrospective observational study.


SETTING
Eighteen general practices in England.


METHOD
Records of 320/393 randomly selected patients with osteoarthritis (response rate 81%) were reviewed. High-quality health care was specified by nine quality indicators. Logistic regression modelling assessed variations in quality by age, sex, deprivation, severity, time since diagnosis, and practice size.


RESULTS
There was substantial variation in the recorded achievement of individual indicators (range 5% to 90%). The percentage of eligible patients whose records show that they received care in the form of information provision ranged from 17% to 30%. For regular assessment indicators the range was 27% to 43%, and for treatment indicators the range was 5% to 90%. Recorded achievement of quality indicators was higher in those with more severe osteoarthritis (odds ratio [OR] 1.38, 95% CI=1.13 to 1.69) and in older patients (OR 1.14, 95% CI=1.02 to 1.28). There were no significant variations by deprivation score.


CONCLUSION
This study has demonstrated the feasibility of using existing robust quality indicators to measure the quality of primary care for osteoarthritis, and has found considerable scope for improvement in the recording of high-quality care. The lack of variation between practices suggests that system-level initiatives may be needed to achieve improvement. One challenge will be to improve care for all, without losing the equitable distribution of care identified.
[Effects of Self-management Program applying Dongsasub Training on Self-efficacy, Self-esteem, Self-management Behavior and Blood Pressure in Older Adults with Hypertension].

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to develop a self-management program applying Dongsasub training based on self-efficacy theory, and to verify the program effectiveness on self-esteem as well as self-efficacy, self-management behaviors, and blood pressure.


METHODS
The study design was a non-equivalent, pre-post controlled quasi-experiment study. Thirty-eight patients aged 65 and older from a senior welfare center in Seoul participated in this study (20 patients in the experimental group and 18 patients in the control group). The self-management program applying Dongsasub training consisted of eight sessions. After development was complete the program was used with the experimental group. Outcome variables included self-efficacy, self-esteem, self-management behaviors measured by questionnaires, and blood pressure measured by electronic manometer.


RESULTS
Self-efficacy (t=2.42, p=.021), self-esteem (t=2.57, p=.014) and self-management behaviors (t=2.21, p=.034) were significantly higher and systolic blood pressure (t=-2.14, p=.040) was significantly lower in the experimental group compared to the control group. However, diastolic blood pressure (t=-.85, p=.400) was not significantly different between the two groups.


CONCLUSION
The results indicate that the self-management program applying Dongsasub training can be used as a nursing intervention in community settings for improving self-management behaviors for older adults with hypertension.
Sexual behaviour of adolescents in Nigeria: cross sectional survey of secondary school students.

OBJECTIVES
To determine whether family structure (polygamous or monogamous) is associated with sexual activity among school students in Nigeria.


DESIGN
Cross sectional school survey with a two stage, clustered sampling design.


PARTICIPANTS
4218 students aged 12-21 years attending 39 schools in Plateau state, Nigeria. Responses from 2705 students were included in the analysis.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Report of ever having had sexual intercourse. Variables of interest included sexual history, age, sex, religion, family polygamy, educational level of parents, having a dead parent, and sense of connectedness to parents and school.


RESULTS
Overall 909 students (34%) reported ever having had sexual intercourse, and 1119 (41%) reported a polygamous family structure. Sexual activity was more common among students from polygamous families (42% of students) than monogamous families (28%) (chi2=64.23; P<0.0001). Variables independently associated with sexual activity were male sex (adjusted odds ratio 2.52 (95% confidence interval 2.05 to 3.12)), older age (1.62 (1.24 to 2.14)), lower sense of connectedness with parents (1.87 (1.48 to 2.38)), having a dead parent (1.59 (1.27 to 2.00)), family polygamy (1.58 (1.29 to 1.92)), lower sense of connectedness with school (1.25 (1.09 to 1.44)), and lower educational level of parents (1.14 (1.05 to 1.24)). Multistep logistic regression analysis showed that the effect of polygamy on sexual activity was reduced by 27% by whether students were married and 22% by a history of forced sex.


CONCLUSIONS
Secondary school students in Nigeria from a polygamous family structure are more likely to have engaged in sexual activity than students from a monogamous family structure. This effect is partly explained by a higher likelihood of marriage during adolescence and forced sex. Students' sense of connectedness to their parents and school, regardless of family structure, decreases the likelihood of sexual activity, and fostering this sense may help reduce risky sexual behaviour among Nigerian youth.
Mental health system in Saudi Arabia: an overview

BACKGROUND
There is evidence that mapping mental health systems (MHSs) helps in planning and developing mental health care services for users, families, and other caregivers. The General Administration of Mental Health and Social Services of the Ministry of Health over the past 4 years has sought to streamline the delivery of mental health care services to health consumers in Saudi Arabia.


OBJECTIVE
We overview here the outcome of a survey that assessed the Saudi MHS and suggest strategic steps for its further improvement.


METHOD
The World Health Organization Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems was used systematically to collect information on the Saudi MHS in 2009-2010, 4 years after a baseline assessment.


RESULTS
Several mental health care milestones, especially provision of inpatient mental health services supported by a ratified Mental Health Act, were achieved during this period. However, community mental health care services are needed to match international trends evident in developed countries. Similarly, a larger well-trained mental health workforce is needed at all levels to meet the ever-increasing demand of Saudi society.


CONCLUSION
This updated MHS information, discussed in light of international data, will help guide further development of the MHS in Saudi Arabia in the future, and other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region may also benefit from Saudi experience.
An information retrieval system for Malayalam using query expansion technique

Malayalam is the administrative language of the south Indian state of Kerala and also of the Lakshadweep islands of west coast of India. This work explain an efficient monolingual information retrieval system for Malayalam using query expansion technique, which returns Malayalam documents in response to query in Malayalam. The proposed system uses synonym mapping to improve the efficiency of document retrieval. This technique help to overcome vocabulary mismatch issues by expanding user query with additional relevant terms and reweighting the terms in expanded user query. The developed system is domain independent and used in different Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks in Classical language like Malayalam.
Intelligent Machines: An Introduction

In this chapter, an introduction to intelligent machine is presented. An explanation on intelligent behavior, and the difference between intelligent and repetitive natural or programmed behavior is provided. Some learning techniques in the field of Artificial Intelligence in constructing intelligent machines are then discussed. In addition, applications of intelligent machines to a number of areas including aerial navigation, ocean and space exploration, and humanoid robots are presented.
The beneficial antispasticity effect of botulinum toxin type A is maintained after repeated treatment cycles.

OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy, safety, and incidence of BtxA antibody formation with repeated treatments with BtxA in post-stroke upper limb muscle spasticity.


METHODS
The study was a prospective open label trial. Patients with established post-stroke upper limb spasticity received 1000 units of BtxA (Dysport) into five muscles of the affected arm on study entry. Treatment was repeated every 12, 16, or 20 weeks as clinically indicated. Each patient received a total of three treatment cycles. Efficacy of treatment was assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale. Patients were assessed on study entry and on week 4 and 12 of each treatment cycle for all safety and efficacy parameters. Blood samples for BtxA antibody assay were taken at baseline and on completion of the trial.


RESULTS
Fifty one patients were recruited and 41 of them completed the study. Improvement from the cycle one baseline was observed in all the outcome measures. Mild to moderately severe treatment related adverse events were reported in 24% of cases. There were no serious adverse events. No BtxA antibodies were detected.


CONCLUSION
BtxA at a dose of 1000 units Dysport was efficacious in the symptomatic treatment of post-stroke upper limb spasticity. The study suggests that this effect can be maintained with repeated injections for up to at least three treatment cycles, with duration of effect per cycle of between 12 and 20 weeks. BtxA was safe in the dose used in this study and did not induce the formation of detectable levels of neutralising BtxA antibodies.
Method of invitation and geographical proximity as predictors of NHS Health Check uptake

BACKGROUND
Uptake of NHS Health Checks remains below the national target. Better understanding of predictors of uptake can inform targeting and delivery. We explored invitation method and geographical proximity as predictors of uptake in deprived urban communities.


METHODS
This observational cohort study used data from all 4855 individuals invited for an NHS Health Check (September 2010-February 2014) at five general practices in Stoke-on-Trent, UK. Attendance/non-attendance was the binary outcome variable. Predictor variables included the method of invitation, general practice, demographics, deprivation and distance to Health Check location.


RESULTS
Mean attendance (61.6%) was above the city and national average, but varied by practice (47.5-83.3%; P < 0.001). Telephone/verbal invitations were associated with higher uptake than postal invitations (OR = 2.87, 95% CI = 2.26-3.64), yet significant practice-level variation remained. Distance to Health Check was not associated with attendance. Increasing age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.03-1.04), female gender (OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.30-1.68) and living in the least deprived areas (OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.23-2.05) were all independent positive predictors of attendance.


CONCLUSIONS
Using verbal or telephone invitations should be considered to improve Health Check uptake. Other differences in recruitment and delivery that might explain remaining practice-level variation in uptake warrant further exploration. Geographical proximity may not be an important predictor of uptake in urban populations.
Foveated shot detection for video segmentation

We view scenes in the real world by moving our eyes three to four times each second and integrating information across subsequent fixations (foveation points). By taking advantage of this fact, in this paper we propose an original approach to partitioning of a video into shots based on a foveated representation of the video. More precisely, the shot-change detection method is related to the computation, at each time instant, of a consistency measure of the fixation sequences generated by an ideal observer looking at the video. The proposed scheme aims at detecting both abrupt and gradual transitions between shots using a single technique, rather than a set of dedicated methods. Results on videos of various content types are reported and validate the proposed approach.