LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
A hinged external fixator for complex elbow dislocations: A multicenter prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND
Elbow dislocations can be classified as simple or complex. Simple dislocations are characterized by the absence of fractures, while complex dislocations are associated with fractures of the radial head, olecranon, or coronoid process. The majority of patients with these complex dislocations are treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), or arthroplasty in case of a non-reconstructable radial head fracture. If the elbow joint remains unstable after fracture fixation, a hinged elbow fixator can be applied. The fixator provides stability to the elbow joint, and allows for early mobilization. The latter may be important for preventing stiffness of the joint. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of early mobilization with a hinged external elbow fixator on clinical outcome in patients with complex elbow dislocations with residual instability following fracture fixation.


METHODS/DESIGN
The design of the study will be a multicenter prospective cohort study of 30 patients who have sustained a complex elbow dislocation and are treated with a hinged elbow fixator following fracture fixation because of residual instability. Early active motion exercises within the limits of pain will be started immediately after surgery under supervision of a physical therapist. Outcome will be evaluated at regular intervals over the subsequent 12 months. The primary outcome is the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score. The secondary outcome measures are the Mayo Elbow Performance Index, Oxford Elbow Score, pain level at both sides, range of motion of the elbow joint at both sides, radiographic healing of the fractures and formation of periarticular ossifications, rate of secondary interventions and complications, and health-related quality of life (Short-Form 36).


DISCUSSION
The outcome of this study will yield quantitative data on the functional outcome in patients with a complex elbow dislocation and who are treated with ORIF and additional stabilization with a hinged elbow fixator.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
The trial is registered at the Netherlands Trial Register (NTR1996).
Service mediation and negotiation bootstrapping as first achievements towards self-adaptable grid and cloud services

Nowadays, novel computing paradigms as for example Grid or Cloud Computing are gaining more and more on importance. In case of Cloud Computing users pay for the usage of the computing power provided as a service. Beforehand they can negotiate specific functional and non-functional requirements relevant for the application execution. However, providing computing power as a service bears different research challenges. On the one hand dynamic, versatile, and adaptable services are required, which can cope with system failures and environmental changes. On the other hand, human interaction with the system should be minimized. In this paper we present the first results in establishing adaptable, versatile, and dynamic services considering negotiation bootstrapping and service mediation achieved in context of the Foundations of Self-Governing ICT Infrastructures (FoSII) project. We discuss novel meta-negotiation and SLA mapping solutions for Grid/Cloud services bridging the gap between current QoS models and Grid/Cloud middleware and representing important prerequisites for the establishment of autonomic Grid/Cloud services. We present document models for the specification of meta-negotiations and SLA mappings. Thereafter, we discuss the sample architecture for the management of meta-negotiations and SLA mappings.
New approaches in the management of insomnia: weighing the advantages of prolonged-release melatonin and synthetic melatoninergic agonists

Hypnotic effects of melatonin and melatoninergic drugs are mediated via MT(1) and MT(2) receptors, especially those in the circadian pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which acts on the hypothalamic sleep switch. Therefore, they differ fundamentally from GABAergic hypnotics. Melatoninergic agonists primarily favor sleep initiation and reset the circadian clock to phases allowing persistent sleep, as required in circadian rhythm sleep disorders. A major obstacle for the use of melatonin to support sleep maintenance in primary insomnia results from its short half-life in the circulation. Solutions to this problem have been sought by developing prolonged-release formulations of the natural hormone, or melatoninergic drugs of longer half-life, such as ramelteon, tasimelteon and agomelatine. With all these drugs, improvements of sleep are statistically demonstrable, but remain limited, especially in primary chronic insomnia, so that GABAergic drugs may be indicated. Melatoninergic agonists do not cause next-day hangover and withdrawal effects, or dependence. They do not induce behavioral changes, as sometimes observed with z-drugs. Despite otherwise good tolerability, the use of melatoninergic drugs in children, adolescents, and during pregnancy has been a matter of concern, and should be avoided in autoimmune diseases and Parkinsonism. Problems and limits of melatoninergic hypnotics are compared.
A robust approach to independent component analysis of signals with high-level noise measurements

We propose a robust approach for independent component analysis (ICA) of signals where observations are contaminated with high-level additive noise and/or outliers. The source signals may contain mixtures of both sub-Gaussian and super-Gaussian components, and the number of sources is unknown. Our robust approach includes two procedures. In the first procedure, a robust prewhitening technique is used to reduce the power of additive noise, the dimensionality and the correlation among sources. A cross-validation technique is introduced to estimate the number of sources in this first procedure. In the second procedure, a nonlinear function is derived using the parameterized t-distribution density model. This nonlinear function is robust against the undue influence of outliers fundamentally. Moreover, the stability of the proposed algorithm and the robust property of misestimating the parameters (kurtosis) have been studied. By combining the t-distribution model with a family of light-tailed distributions (sub-Gaussian) model, we can separate the mixture of sub-Gaussian and super-Gaussian source components. Through the analysis of artificially synthesized data and real-world magnetoencephalographic (MEG) data, we illustrate the efficacy of this robust approach.
A R ELATIVE APPROACH TO HIERARCHICAL CLUSTERING

This paper presents a new approach to agglomerative hierarchical clustering. Classical hierarchical clustering algorithms are based on metrics which only consider the absolute distance between two clusters, merging the pair of clusters with highest absolute similarity. We propose a relative dissimilarity measure, which considers not only the distance between a pair of clusters, but also how distant are they from the rest of the clusters. It defines for each cluster its relative nearest cluster respect to the whole data set, instead of its usual absolute nearest cluster. We have named the agglomerative hierarchical scheme with this relative dissimilarity measure as Relative Hierarchical Clustering (RHC). The performance of RHC is compared with the classical approach with different intercluster distances by using three data sets.
Evaluation of Single-Pass Photovoltaic-Thermal Air Collector with Rectangle Tunnel Absorber

Problem statement: Photovoltaic solar cell generate electric by receiving sun light or solar irradiance. But solar cell received heat from solar irradiance as well and this will reduced the efficiency of the solar cell. The heat trap at the solar photovoltaic panel become waste energy. Approach: The solution for this was by adding a cooling system to the photovoltaic panel. The purpose of this study was to cool the solar cell in order to increase its electrical efficiency and also to produce heat energy in the form of hot air. Hot air can be used for drying applications. A single pass PVT with rectangle tunnel absorber has been developed. The rectangle tunnel acted as an absorber and was located at the back side of a standard photovoltaic panel. The dimension of the photovoltaic panel was 120×53 cm. The size of the rectangle tunnel was 27 units of tunnel bar with the size of 1.2×2.5×120 cm (width×tall×length) and 12 units with 1.2×2.5×105.3 cm (width×tall×length). The rectangle tunnel was connected in parallel. The PVT collector has been tested using a solar simulator. Results: Electrical efficiency increased when the solar cell was cool by air flow. Solar photovoltaic thermal collector with rectangle tunnel absorber has better electrical and thermal efficiency compared to solar collector without rectangle tunnel absorber. Photovoltaic, thermal and combined photovoltaic thermal efficiency of 10.02, 54.70 and 64.72% at solar irradiance of 817.4 W m, mass flow rate of 0.0287 kg sec at ambiant temperature of 25°C respectively has been obtained. Conclusion: The hybrid photovoltaic and thermal with rectangle tunnel as heat absorber shows higher performance compared to conventional PV/T system.
Electrical stimulation plus progressive resistance training for leg strength in spinal cord injury: A randomized controlled trial

Study design:A randomized controlled trial.Objectives:To determine the effectiveness of electrical stimulation (ES)-evoked muscle contractions superimposed on progressive resistance training (PRT) for increasing voluntary strength in the quadriceps muscles of people with spinal cord injuries (SCI).Setting:Sydney, Australia.Methods:A total of 20 people with established SCI and neurologically induced weakness of the quadriceps muscles participated in the trial. Participants were randomized between experimental and control groups. Volunteers in the experimental group received ES superimposed on PRT to the quadriceps muscles of one leg thrice weekly for 8 weeks. Participants in the control group received no intervention. Assessments occurred at the beginning and at the end of the 8-week period. The four primary outcomes were voluntary strength (Nm) and endurance (fatigue ratio) as well as the performance and satisfaction items of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM; points).Results:The between-group mean differences (95% confidence interval (CI)) for voluntary strength and endurance were 14 Nm (1–27; P=0.034) and 0.1 (−0.1 to 0.3; P=0.221), respectively. The between-group median differences (95% CI) for the performance and satisfaction items of the COPM were 1.7 points (−0.2 to 3.2; P=0.103) and 1.4 points (−0.1 to 4.6; P=0.058), respectively.Conclusion:ES superimposed on PRT improves voluntary strength, although there is uncertainty about whether the size of the treatment effect is clinically important. The relative effectiveness of ES and PRT is yet to be determined.
Some aspects of variational inequalities

Abstract In this paper we provide an account of some of the fundamental aspects of variational inequalities with major emphasis on the theory of existence, uniqueness, computational properties, various generalizations, sensitivity analysis and their applications. We also propose some open problems with sufficient information and references, so that someone may attempt solution(s) in his/her area of special interest. We also include some new results, which we have recently obtained.
Reduced between-hospital variation in short term survival after acute myocardial infarction: the result of improved cardiac care?

OBJECTIVES
To re-examine interhospital variation in 30 day survival after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) 10 years on to see whether the appointment of new cardiologists and their involvement in emergency care has improved outcome after AMI.


DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study.


SETTING
Acute hospitals in Scotland.


PARTICIPANTS
61,484 patients with a first AMI over two time periods: 1988-1991; and 1998-2001.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
30 day survival.


RESULTS
Between 1988 and 1991, median 30 day survival was 79.2% (interhospital range 72.1-85.1%). The difference between highest and lowest was 13.0 percentage points (age and sex adjusted, 12.1 percentage points). Between 1998 and 2001, median survival rose to 81.6% (and range decreased to 78.0-85.6%) with a difference of 7.6 (adjusted 8.8) percentage points. Admission hospital was an independent predictor of outcome at 30 days during the two time periods (p < 0.001). Over the period 1988-1991, the odds ratio for death ranged, between hospitals, from 0.71 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58 to 0.88) to 1.50 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.89) and for the period 1998-2001 from 0.82 (95% CI 0.60 to 1.13) to 1.46 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.99). The adjusted risk of death was significantly higher than average in nine of 26 hospitals between 1988 and 1991 but in only two hospitals between 1998 and 2001.


CONCLUSIONS
The average 30 day case fatality rate after admission with an AMI has fallen substantially over the past 10 years in Scotland. Between-hospital variation is also considerably less notable because of better survival in the previously poorly performing hospitals. This suggests that the greater involvement of cardiologists in the management of AMI has paid dividends.
The effect of dexamethasone on the longevity of syringe driver subcutaneous sites in palliative care patients.

OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of adding 1 mg dexamethasone to syringe drivers on the viability time of subcutaneous cannulation sites in palliative care patients.


DESIGN
Prospective, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial in which patients received half their daily infused medications plus 1 mg dexamethasone in 1 mL saline through one subcutaneous site (test site) and the other half of their medications plus 1 mL saline through another symmetrically placed site (control site).


PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING
Palliative care patients from the inpatient units at two hospices, recruited between 1999 and 2002.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Difference in time that the test and control sites remained viable.


RESULTS
38 patients consented and were randomised. Twenty did not complete the trial because their participation in the study finished before either site broke down. Eighteen patients either partially completed (at least one site broke down) or fully completed (both sites broke down) the trial. In these 18 patients, test sites lasted 3.6 days longer than control sites (95% CI, 1.5-5.8 days; P = 0.002). Twelve patients fully completed the trial. In this group, test sites lasted 3.9 days longer than control sites (95% CI, 0.6-7.2 days; P = 0.025).


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of 1 mg dexamethasone to syringe drivers significantly extends the viability time of subcutaneous cannulation sites in palliative care patients.
The impact of financial services and managerial Training on Costa Rica SMEs

Este trabajo estima el impacto de los servicios financieros (diferentes del credito) y los cursos de capacitacion de corto plazo sobre las ventas reales, numero de empleados, grado de formalizacion y acceso al credito en el sistema financiero formal, de un conjunto de micro, pequenas y medianas empresas clientes de una entidad de microfinanzas que opera en Costa Rica. Para ello, se emplea un panel de datos de cinco anos (2006 a 2010) y modelos econometricos que tratan de controlar por atributos de las empresas, tanto observables como no observables, que afectan el desempeno de las variables sobre las cuales se mide el impacto. Los resultados senalan que aquellas empresas que recibieron servicios financieros diferentes del credito lograron aumentar mas el valor de sus ventas y el empleo, y tambien mejoraron su grado de formalizacion (aunque este resultado es debil estadisticamente), cuando se las compara con aquellas que no obtuvieron acceso a este tipo de financiamiento. Ademas, pareceria ser que las garantias de participacion y cumplimiento son el instrumento financiero que mas impacta en forma positiva el desempeno de estas empresas. Por otra parte, no se obtuvo evidencia de que los servicios de capacitacion de corta duracion tuvieran algun impacto sobre el desempeno de estas empresas. Con base en todo lo anterior se plantean varias recomendaciones de politica. Abstract This paper considers the impact that financial services other than credit, and short term training courses have on total sales, employee number, level of formalization and access to credit in the regular financial system for a group of micro, small and medium size enterprises that are clients of a micro financing entity operating in Costa Rica. With this aim, data collected over five years (2006 to 2010), and econometric models that monitor a company`s performance by visible and non-visible attributes affecting measuring variables were used. Results show that the companies that received financial services other than the credit itself increased sales and employment more , and also improved their level of formalization (although the latter is statistically weak), when compared to others that did not had access to this type of financing. Also, it seems that participation and compliance guarantees are the most impacting financial instrument on company performance. On the other hand, no evidence was obtained about short training courses had any impact on company performance. Finally, some policy changes are recommended.
Vertex Bisection is Hard, too

We settle an open problem mentioned in Diaz, Petit, and Serna: A survey of graph layout problems (ACM Computing Surveys 34:313–356, 2002). Of eight objectives considered in that survey, only the complexity status of minimum vertex bisection is listed as unknown. We show that both minimum and maximum vertex bisection are NP-hard, but polynomially solvable on special graph classes such as hypercubes and trees. Submitted: December 2005 Reviewed: April 2006 Revised: April 2007 Accepted: February 2009 Final: February 2009 Published: April 2009 Article type: Concise paper Communicated by: S. Albers E-mail addresses: Ulrik.Brandes@uni-konstanz.de (Ulrik Brandes) Daniel.Fleischer@uni-konstanz.de (Daniel Fleischer) 120 U. Brandes, D. Fleischer Vertex Bisection
Passive geolocation and tracking of an unknown number of emitters

An algorithm for the geolocation and tracking of an unknown number of ground emitters using the time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements in practical scenarios is proposed. The focus is on solving the important issue of data association, i.e., deciding from which target, if any, a measurement originated. A previous solution for data association based on the assignment formulation for passive measurement tracking systems relied on solving two assignment problems: an S-dimensional (or SD, where S /spl ges/ 3) assignment for association across sensors and a 2D assignment for the measurement-to-track association. In this paper, (S + 1 )D assignment algorithm - an extension of the SD assignment formulation - that performs the data association in one step, is introduced. It will be shown later that the (S + 1 )D assignment formulation reduces the computational cost significantly without compromising tracking accuracy. The incorporation of correlated measurements, as with the case of TDOA measurements, into the SO framework that typically assumes uncorrelated measurements, is also discussed. The nonlinear TDOA equations are posed as an optimization problem and solved using SolvOpt, a nonlinear optimization solver. The interacting multiple model (IMM) estimator is used in conjunction with the unscented Kalman filter (UKF) to track the geolocated emitters.
Switching to second-line antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings: comparison of programmes with and without viral load monitoring.

BACKGROUND
In high-income countries, viral load is routinely measured to detect failure of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and guide switching to second-line ART. Viral load monitoring is not generally available in resource-limited settings. We examined switching from nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based first-line regimens to protease inhibitor-based regimens in Africa, South America and Asia.


DESIGN AND METHODS
Multicohort study of 17 ART programmes. All sites monitored CD4 cell count and had access to second-line ART and 10 sites monitored viral load. We compared times to switching, CD4 cell counts at switching and obtained adjusted hazard ratios for switching (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from random-effects Weibull models.


RESULTS
A total of 20 113 patients, including 6369 (31.7%) patients from 10 programmes with access to viral load monitoring, were analysed; 576 patients (2.9%) switched. Low CD4 cell counts at ART initiation were associated with switching in all programmes. Median time to switching was 16.3 months [interquartile range (IQR) 10.1-26.6] in programmes with viral load monitoring and 21.8 months (IQR 14.0-21.8) in programmes without viral load monitoring (P < 0.001). Median CD4 cell counts at switching were 161 cells/microl (IQR 77-265) in programmes with viral load monitoring and 102 cells/microl (44-181) in programmes without viral load monitoring (P < 0.001). Switching was more common in programmes with viral load monitoring during months 7-18 after starting ART (aHR 1.38; 95% CI 0.97-1.98), similar during months 19-30 (aHR 0.97; 95% CI 0.58-1.60) and less common during months 31-42 (aHR 0.29; 95% CI 0.11-0.79).


CONCLUSION
In resource-limited settings, switching to second-line regimens tends to occur earlier and at higher CD4 cell counts in ART programmes with viral load monitoring compared with programmes without viral load monitoring.
Effects of international health electives on medical student learning and career choice: results of a systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The present study reviewed the published literature to examine the effects of international health electives (IHEs) on medical student learning and career choice.


METHODS
A systematic literature review was conducted to identify key English-language articles on IHEs, using PubMed journal databases for the period 1990--2009. Article inclusion for this review was vetted by a rigorous evaluation of each article's study methods, content, and data quality. Pooled or aggregate information from 11 key articles, including information on type and duration of IHE, study and comparison group characteristics, and measured outcomes such as self-reported changes in cultural competency, clinical skills, and specialty choice, were extracted and summarized.


RESULTS
Findings suggest that having IHE experiences contributed to a more well-rounded training for medical students; students reported being more culturally competent and were more likely to choose a primary care specialty and/or a public service career.


CONCLUSIONS
Although IHE experiences appear to have educational benefits, the quality and availability of these electives vary by institution. Barriers to ensuring that students attain a safe and rich experience include the lack of consistent categorical funding, safety concerns when traveling, and limited faculty experience and resources to support and guide students during their rotations abroad.
Experiences with group projects in software engineering

Computer science graduates are often accused of having no experience of the real-world problems of large software systems. In general, the practical work is said to be too small scale, and too individually oriented. The paper describes the introduction of a major group project into the degree syllabus at Heriot-Watt University. The project is designed to give the students experience of the problems involved in writing multi-author software and meeting strict deadlines. The choice of topics, supervision and management aspects are all covered. The problems of assessment are described. >