LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Femoral micropuncture or routine introducer study (FEMORIS).

OBJECTIVES
The Micropuncture® 21-gauge needle may reduce complications related to vessel trauma from inadvertent venous or posterior arterial wall puncture.


METHODS
This was a single-center, multiple-user trial. Four hundred and two patients undergoing possible or definite percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were randomized 1:1 to an 18-gauge versus a 21-gauge needle. Patients and personnel pulling the sheaths and performing the follow-up were blinded. The primary end point was a composite of access bleeding. Events were tabulated following sheath removal, ≤ 24 h after the procedure and at the follow-up (at 1-2 weeks). End points were blindly adjudicated.


RESULTS
The event rate overall was 12.4% and did not differ significantly between groups, although the 21-gauge needle was found to reduce events by more than one third. An exploratory subgroup analysis of prespecified variables indicated that: patients who did not undergo PCI or elective procedures, female patients and those with a final sheath size of ≤ 6 Fr all had a significant or near-significant reduction of complications with Micropuncture.


CONCLUSIONS
Although no significant differences between the use of the 18- and 21-gauge needles were observed, there was a 50-75% reduction with Micropuncture in several subgroups. The study was terminated prematurely. Access site complications may be reduced by the use of the 21-gauge needle, particularly when the risk of bleeding is not high. Further multicenter data will be required to confirm these hypothesis-generating observations.
Improving asthma care for the elderly: a randomized controlled trial using a simple telephone intervention.

BACKGROUND
Several studies suggest that asthma is undertreated in the elderly population.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if the use of a simple telephone intervention can improve asthma care in the elderly.


METHODS
Fifty-two elderly subjects with asthma who required their rescue inhalers more than twice a week and had at least one emergency department or urgent care visit in the previous year were randomized to an intervention or control group. All subjects received two telephone calls over a 12-month period. The intervention group received an asthma-specific questionnaire and the control group received a general health questionnaire. Medication use and health care utilization were evaluated at the beginning and end of a 12-month period.


RESULTS
The study was completed by 23 control and 25 intervention subjects. Baseline data were similar in both groups. After 12 months, 72% (n = 18) of the intervention group were on an inhaled corticosteroid compared with 40% (n = 10) of the control group (p = 0.08). The intervention group had fewer emergency department visits when compared with the control group (p = 0.21). Sixty-four percent (n = 16) of the intervention group had an asthma action plan compared with 26% (n = 6) in the control group (p = 0.01).


CONCLUSION
This study suggests that asthma care in the elderly can be improved using a simple telephone intervention.


CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Clinicians need to recognize that under treatment of asthma in the elderly still exists and to use alternative methods such as a simple telephone questionnaire to improve care in this population.
A mathematical model of quorum sensing in patchy biofilm communities with slow background flow

Quorum sensing is a type of cell to cell communication used to coordinate behavior in groups based on population density. We present a mathematical model of this phenomenon in bacterial biofilms, consisting of a nonlinear diffusion reaction system. The model includes production and spatial spreading of biomass, conversion of down-regulated biomass into up-regulated biomass as a consequence of the quorum sensing signalling molecule concentration, and convective and diffusive transport of nutrients and quorum sensing molecules. In numerical experiments, using quantitative parameter data derived from P.putida experiments, we investigate how the hydrodynamic environment and nutrient conditions contribute to biofilm growth and quorum sensing behaviour. Our main findings are the observation of flow-facilitated inter-colony communication, and that at sufficiently high bulk flow rates, biofilm growth and signalling molecule production is enhanced, yet washout of signalling molecules suppresses quorum sensing induction. A discussion of the ecological implications of these results is included.
Nicotine absorption from electronic cigarette use: comparison between first and new-generation devices

A wide range of electronic cigarette (EC) devices, from small cigarette-like (first-generation) to new-generation high-capacity batteries with electronic circuits that provide high energy to a refillable atomizer, are available for smokers to substitute smoking. Nicotine delivery to the bloodstream is important in determining the addictiveness of ECs, but also their efficacy as smoking substitutes. In this study, plasma nicotine levels were measured in experienced users using a first- vs. new-generation EC device for 1 hour with an 18 mg/ml nicotine-containing liquid. Plasma nicotine levels were higher by 35-72% when using the new- compared to the first-generation device. Compared to smoking one tobacco cigarette, the EC devices and liquid used in this study delivered one-third to one-fourth the amount of nicotine after 5 minutes of use. New-generation EC devices were more efficient in nicotine delivery, but still delivered nicotine much slower compared to tobacco cigarettes. The use of 18 mg/ml nicotine-concentration liquid probably compromises ECs' effectiveness as smoking substitutes; this study supports the need for higher levels of nicotine-containing liquids (approximately 50 mg/ml) in order to deliver nicotine more effectively and approach the nicotine-delivery profile of tobacco cigarettes.
Postoperative Multimodal Analgesia Pain Management With Nonopioid Analgesics and Techniques: A Review.

Importance
Amid the current opioid epidemic in the United States, the enhanced recovery after surgery pathway (ERAS) has emerged as one of the best strategies to improve the value and quality of surgical care and has been increasingly adopted for a broad range of complex surgical procedures. The goal of this article was to outline important components of opioid-sparing analgesic regimens.


Observations
Regional analgesia, acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, gabapentinoids, tramadol, lidocaine, and/or the N-methyl-d-aspartate class of glutamate receptor antagonists have been shown to be effective adjuncts to narcotic analgesia. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents are not associated with an increase in postoperative bleeding. A meta-analysis of 27 randomized clinical trials found no difference in postoperative bleeding between the groups taking ketorolac tromethamine (33 of 1304 patients [2.5%]) and the control groups (21 of 1010 [2.1%]) (odds ratio [OR], 1.1; 95% CI, 0.61-2.06; P = .72). After adoption of the multimodal analgesia approach for a colorectal ERAS pathway, most patients used less opioids while in the hospital and many did not need opioids after hospital discharge, although approximately 50% of patients received some opioid during their stay.


Conclusions and Relevance
Multimodal analgesia is readily available and the evidence is strong to support its efficacy. Surgeons should use this effective approach for patients both using and not using the ERAS pathway to reduce opioid consumption.
An Application of Reversible-Jump MCMC to Multivariate Spherical Gaussian Mixtures

Applications of Gaussian mixture models occur frequently in the fields of statistics and artificial neural networks. One of the key issues arising from any mixture model application is how to estimate the optimum number of mixture components. This paper extends the Reversible-Jump Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm to the case of multivariate spherical Gaussian mixtures using a hierarchical prior model. Using this method the number of mixture components is no longer fixed but becomes a parameter of the model which we shall estimate. The Reversible-Jump MCMC algorithm is capable of moving between parameter subspaces which correspond to models with different numbers of mixture components. As a result a sample from the full joint distribution of all unknown model parameters is generated. The technique is then demonstrated on a simulated example and a well known vowel dataset.
Sn-zeolite beta as a heterogeneous chemoselective catalyst for Baeyer–Villiger oxidations

The Baeyer–Villiger oxidation, first reported more than 100 years ago, has evolved into a versatile reaction widely used to convert ketones—readily available building blocks in organic chemistry—into more complex and valuable esters and lactones. Catalytic versions of the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation are particularly attractive for practical applications, because catalytic transformations simplify processing conditions while minimizing reactant use as well as waste production. Further benefits are expected from replacing peracids, the traditionally used oxidant, by cheaper and less polluting hydrogen peroxide. Dissolved platinum complexes and solid acids, such as zeolites or sulphonated resins, efficiently activate ketone oxidation by hydrogen peroxide. But these catalysts lack sufficient selectivity for the desired product if the starting material contains functional groups other than the ketone group; they perform especially poorly in the presence of carbon–carbon double bonds. Here we show that upon incorporation of 1.6 weight per cent tin into its framework, zeolite beta acts as an efficient and stable heterogeneous catalyst for the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of saturated as well as unsaturated ketones by hydrogen peroxide, with the desired lactones forming more than 98% of the reaction products. We ascribe this high selectivity to direct activation of the ketone group, whereas other catalysts first activate hydrogen peroxide, which can then interact with the ketone group as well as other functional groups.
Consumer-based brand equity and brand performance

The relation between consumer-based brand equity and brand performance was investigated across fifteen product categories in Brazil and the UK. Brand equity was conceptualized as related to the level of social benefit offered by each brand and was measured with a simple questionnaire that asked consumers to rate brands with respect to their familiarity and quality levels. These measures were then related to brand market share and revenue. Results showed that the relation between consumer-based brand equity and brand performance varies across product categories, indicating that products differ with respect to their level of brandability and suggesting ways to measure it.
Macroporous polymers from particle-stabilized foams

In this communication, we describe a general, straightforward route to produce highly porous bulk materials from melt-processable and intractable polymers using particle-stabilized liquid foams.
Management Reactions to Technological Change The Example of Enterprise Resource Planning

This article explores how different types of managers respond to large-scale organizational change and what factors underpin differences in management attitudes and reactions. Through qualitative analysis of the introduction of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in two case study organizations, the authors argue that variations in managerial responses to organizational change relate to both the structural position of individual managers and their level of involvement in the implementation of change. Managers are also shown to exhibit agency in interpreting, influencing, and negotiating the impact of organizational change. The analysis emphasizes the need to incorporate more critical perspectives informed by labor process theory with existing insights from conventional organizational change literature.
Results of a phase II double-blinded randomized clinical trial of difluoromethylornithine for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 to 3.

PURPOSE
Our purpose was to conduct a double-blinded randomized trial of difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) at 0.125, 0.5 gm/m2, versus placebo in the treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades 2 to 3. A promising phase I study has shown histopathologic responses at these dose levels.


EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Patients with histopathologically confirmed CIN 2-3 lesions were recruited from a colposcopy clinic and underwent Papanicolaou testing, human papillomavirus testing, and colpophotography. They took oral contraception and DFMO or placebo elixir for 28 days and filled out the National Cancer Institute common toxicity calendars. They returned for follow-up and a repeat Papanicolaou smear, colpophotograph, and loop excision of the cervix.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences among the arms in histopathologic response. This could no be explained by any biases in risk factors. The prominent toxicities were diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, and headaches. There were no differences in the toxicities among arms. The Papanicolaou smear was a poor biomarker of response and correlated poorly with the histopathology.


CONCLUSIONS
DFMO is no active at 0.125 and 0.5 gm/m2 for 28 days when given orally in CIN 2-3. Higher oral doses or longer administration is necessary, supporting data from breast trials. Alternatively, a trial of topical DFMO might merit attention as activity has been noted in trials of actinic keratoses.
Polymer-free sirolimus- and probucol-eluting versus new generation zotarolimus-eluting stents in coronary artery disease: the Intracoronary Stenting and Angiographic Results: Test Efficacy of Sirolimus- and Probucol-Eluting versus Zotarolimus-eluting Stents (ISAR-TEST 5) trial.

BACKGROUND
Durable polymer coatings have been implicated in mid- and long-term adverse events after drug-eluting stent implantation. A polymer-free dual-drug sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stent and a new generation permanent polymer zotarolimus-eluting stent are recently developed technologies demonstrating encouraging results.


METHODS AND RESULTS
In a clinical trial with minimal exclusion criteria, we randomly assigned 3002 patients to treatment with sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stents versus zotarolimus-eluting stents. The trial was designed to demonstrate noninferiority of the sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stents. The primary end point was the combined incidence of cardiac death, target-vessel-related myocardial infarction, or target-lesion revascularization at 1-year follow-up. Follow-up angiography was scheduled at 6 to 8 months. The sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stent was noninferior to the zotarolimus-eluting stent in terms of occurrence of the primary end point (13.1% versus 13.5%, respectively, P(noninferiority)=0.006; hazard ratio=0.97, 95% confidence interval, 0.78 to 1.19; P(superiority)=0.74). The incidence of definite/probable stent thrombosis was low in both groups (1.1% versus 1.2%, respectively; hazard ratio=0.91 [95% confidence interval, 0.45 to 1.84], P=0.80). With regard to angiographic efficacy, there were no differences between the sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stent and the zotarolimus-eluting stent in terms of either in-segment binary angiographic restenosis (13.3% versus 13.4% respectively; P=0.95) or in-stent late luminal loss (0.31±0.58 mm versus 0.29±0.56 mm, respectively; P=0.46).


CONCLUSION
In this large-scale study powered for clinical end points, a polymer-free sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stent was noninferior to a new generation durable polymer-based zotarolimus-eluting stent out to 12 months.


CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier NCT 00598533.
Fungal silver nanoparticles: synthesis, application and challenges.

PURPOSE
This paper aims to summarize recent developments regarding the synthesis, application and challenges of fungal AgNPs. Possible methods to overcome the challenge of synthesis and reduce the toxicity of AgNPs have been discussed.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
This review consults and summary a large number of papers.


RESULTS
Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have great potential in many areas, as they possess multiple novel characteristics. Conventional methods for AgNPs biosynthesis involve chemical agents, causing environmental toxicity and high energy consumption. Fungal bioconversion is a simple, low-cost and energy-efficient biological method, which could successfully be used for AgNPs synthesis. Fungi can produce enzymes that act as both reducing and capping agents, to form stable and shape-controlled AgNPs.


CONCLUSIONS
AgNPs have great potential in the medical and food industries, due to their antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-HIV, and catalytic activities. However, the observed in vitro and in vivo toxicity poses considerable challenges in the synthesis and application of AgNPs.
Relapse prevention with antidepressant drug treatment in depressive disorders: a systematic review

BACKGROUND
Antidepressant drugs can promote remission from acute depressive episodes. Our aim was to establish how long such treatments should be continued to prevent relapse.


METHOD
We did a systematic overview of evidence from randomised trials of continuing treatment with antidepressants in patients with depressive disorders who have responded to acute treatment. Medline, Embase, Cinahl, PsycLIT, Psyndex, and Lilacs were searched.


FINDINGS
Data were pooled from 31 randomised trials (4410 participants). Continuing treatment with antidepressants reduced the odds of relapse by 70% (95% CI 62-78; 2p<0.00001) compared with treatment discontinuation. The average rate of relapse on placebo was 41% compared with 18% on active treatment. The treatment effect seemed to persist for up to 36 months, although most trials were of 12 months' duration, and so the evidence on longer-term treatment requires confirmation. Significantly more participants allocated antidepressants withdrew from the trials than did those allocated to placebo (18% vs 15%, respectively; odds ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.07-1.59): the treatment effect could be even greater in adherent patients. The two-thirds reduction in risk of depressive relapse seemed to be largely independent of the underlying risk of relapse, the duration of treatment before randomisation, or the duration of the randomly allocated therapy.


INTERPRETATION
Antidepressants reduce the risk of relapse in depressive disorder, and continued treatment with antidepressants would benefit many patients with recurrent depressive disorder. The treatment benefit for an individual patient will depend on their absolute risk of relapse with greater absolute benefits in those at higher risk. Further trials are needed to establish the optimum length of therapy and should include patients who were not well represented in these trials, including those at low risk of relapse.
Churn models for prepaid customers in the cellular telecommunication industry using large data marts

0957-4174/$ see front matter 2009 Elsevier Ltd. A doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2009.11.083 E-mail address: mo23628@sgh.waw.pl 1 PLN is the abbreviation of the Polish currency unit In this article, we test the usefulness of the popular data mining models to predict churn of the clients of the Polish cellular telecommunication company. When comparing to previous studies on this topic, our research is novel in the following areas: (1) we deal with prepaid clients (previous studies dealt with postpaid clients) who are far more likely to churn, are less stable and much less is known about them (no application, demographical or personal data), (2) we have 1381 potential variables derived from the clients’ usage (previous studies dealt with data with at least tens of variables) and (3) we test the stability of models across time for all the percentiles of the lift curve – our test sample is collected six months after the estimation of the model. The main finding from our research is that linear models, especially logistic regression, are a very good choice when modelling churn of the prepaid clients. Decision trees are unstable in high percentiles of the lift curve, and we do not recommend their usage. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Printed Circuit Board Deconstruction Techniques

The primary purpose of printed circuit board (PCB) reverse engineering is to determine electronic system or subsystem functionality by analyzing how components are interconnected. We performed a series of experiments using both inexpensive home-based solutions and state-of-the-art technologies with a goal of removing exterior coatings and accessing individual PCB layers. This paper presents our results from the most effective techniques.
Detection of Lane Departure on High-speed Roads

We present a system for detecting and tracking the lanes of high-speed roads, in order to warn the driver of accidental lane departures. The proposed method introduces a novel variant of the classic Hough transform, better equipped to detect and locate linear road markings with a common vanishing point. This is combined with a simple model of the lane and an Extended Kalman Filter to make detection and tracking more robust. This allows detection of lane changes, resistant to visual interference by traffic and irrelevant road markings.
Noise Reduction of MEMS Gyroscope Based on Direct Modeling for an Angular Rate Signal

In this paper, a novel approach for processing the outputs signal of the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) gyroscopes was presented to reduce the bias drift and noise. The principle for the noise reduction was presented, and an optimal Kalman filter (KF) was designed by a steady-state filter gain obtained from the analysis of KF observability. In particular, the true angular rate signal was directly modeled to obtain an optimal estimate and make a self-compensation for the gyroscope without needing other sensor’s information, whether in static or dynamic condition. A linear fit equation that describes the relationship between the KF bandwidth and modeling parameter of true angular rate was derived from the analysis of KF frequency response. The test results indicated that the MEMS gyroscope having an ARW noise of 4.87°/h0.5 and a bias instability of 44.41°/h were reduced to 0.4°/h0.5 and 4.13°/h by the KF under a given bandwidth (10 Hz), respectively. The 1σ estimated error was reduced from 1.9°/s to 0.14°/s and 1.7°/s to 0.5°/s in the constant rate test and swing rate test, respectively. It also showed that the filtered angular rate signal could well reflect the dynamic characteristic of the input rate signal in dynamic conditions. The presented algorithm is proved to be effective at improving the measurement precision of the MEMS gyroscope. OPEN ACCESS Micromachines 2015, 6 267
Neutrino spin dynamics in dense matter and electromagnetic field

A complete set of solutions to the Dirac-Pauli equation is derived for a massive neutrino that interacts with dense matter and a strong electromagnetic field. It is shown that these solutions may describe neutrino spin precession.
plasp: A Prototype for PDDL-Based Planning in ASP

We present a prototypical system, plasp, implementing Planning by compilation to Answer Set Programming (ASP). Our approach is inspired by Planning as Satisfiability, yet it aims at keeping the actual compilation simple in favor of modeling planning techniques by meta-programming in ASP. This has several advantages. First, ASP modelings are easily modifiable and can be studied in a transparent setting. Second, we can take advantage of available ASP grounders to obtain propositional representations. Third, we can harness ASP solvers providing incremental solving mechanisms. Finally, the ASP community gains access to a wide range of planning problems, and the planning community benefits from the knowledge representation and reasoning capacities of ASP.