LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Phase II study of second-line therapy with DTIC, BCNU, cisplatin and tamoxifen (Dartmouth regimen) chemotherapy in patients with malignant melanoma previously treated with dacarbazine

This study assessed response rates to combination dacarbazine (DTIC), BCNU (carmustine), cisplatin and tamoxifen (DBPT) chemotherapy in patients with progressive metastatic melanoma previously treated with DTIC, as an evaluation of DBPT as a second-line regimen, and as an indirect comparison of DBPT with DTIC. Thirty-five consecutive patients received DBPT. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 comprised 17 patients with progressive disease (PD) on DTIC + tamoxifen therapy who were switched directly to DBPT. Group 2 comprised 18 patients not immediately switched to DBPT and included patients who had either a partial response (PR; one patient) or developed stable disease (SD; four patients) with DTIC, or received adjuvant DTIC (nine patients). All except four patients had received tamoxifen at the time of initial DTIC treatment. Median times since stopping DTIC were 22 days (range 20–41) and 285 days (range 50–1240) in Groups 1 and 2 respectively. In Group 1, one patient developed SD for 5 months and the remainder had PD. In Group 2, there were two PRs, four patients with SD (4, 5, 6, and 6 months), and 11 with PD. These results indicate that the DBPT regimen is not of value in melanoma primarily refractory to DTIC. There were responses in patients not directly switched from DTIC to DBPT, suggesting combination therapy may be of value in a small subgroup of melanoma patients. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign
An Anonymous User Authentication and Key Agreement Scheme Based on a Symmetric Cryptosystem in Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), a registered user can login to the network and use a user authentication protocol to access data collected from the sensor nodes. Since WSNs are typically deployed in unattended environments and sensor nodes have limited resources, many researchers have made considerable efforts to design a secure and efficient user authentication process. Recently, Chen et al. proposed a secure user authentication scheme using symmetric key techniques for WSNs. They claim that their scheme assures high efficiency and security against different types of attacks. After careful analysis, however, we find that Chen et al.'s scheme is still vulnerable to smart card loss attack and is susceptible to denial of service attack, since it is invalid for verification to simply compare an entered ID and a stored ID in smart card. In addition, we also observe that their scheme cannot preserve user anonymity. Furthermore, their scheme cannot quickly detect an incorrect password during login phase, and this flaw wastes both communication and computational overheads. In this paper, we describe how these attacks work, and propose an enhanced anonymous user authentication and key agreement scheme based on a symmetric cryptosystem in WSNs to address all of the aforementioned vulnerabilities in Chen et al.'s scheme. Our analysis shows that the proposed scheme improves the level of security, and is also more efficient relative to other related schemes.
Laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia and astigmatism: 6 month results.

PURPOSE
To evaluate the visual and refractive results of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for mild to moderate myopia with or without astigmatism.


SETTING
Barnet-Dulaney Eye Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.


METHODS
Data were prospectively collected on 124 consecutive eyes having LASIK over 12 weeks. Eyes with a preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) from -1.35 to -10.00 diopters (D) (mean -4.81 D +/- 2.21 [SD]) and cylinder from 0 to 5.00 D (mean 1.12 +/- 1.12 D) were entered in the study. Thirty-one eyes had spherical corrections. Ninety-three eyes had spherocylinder corrections; preoperative astigmatism in these eyes ranged from 0.50 to 5.00 D (mean 1.47 +/- 1.09 D). Surgery included creation of a corneal flap using an automated microkeratome with a 160 microns plate followed by photoablation on the exposed stromal bed. Photoablation was performed using five zones varying from 5.0 to 6.6 mm in eyes with 6.25 D of myopia or less and with five passes at a 5.0 mm zone in eyes with 6.50 D of myopia or more. Astigmatism was corrected using a single-pass ablation through a 6.0 mm slit of varying diameter.


RESULTS
Six month follow-up was obtained in 89 eyes (72%). All eyes were completely re-epithelialized by the first postoperative day. Uncorrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 81% of eyes at 1 day and in 91% at 6 months. At 6 months, the mean SE was -0.35 +/- 0.77 D; 83% were within +/- 1.00 D of plano. Postoperative astigmatism in the 93 eyes having cylinder correction ranged from 0 to 1.22 D (mean 0.38 +/- 0.42 D). No eye lost more than two lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. Three eyes (2%) required surgical intervention for cap problems. Visually significant corneal haze was not observed.


CONCLUSION
In eyes with myopia with or without astigmatism, LASIK provided rapid visual recovery with satisfactory visual and refractive outcomes. The effect of LASIK on visual function (night glare, contrast sensitivity) awaits further study.
Rotational resistance of surface-treated mini-implants.

OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that there is no difference in the stability and resistance to rotational moments of early loaded sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) mini-implants and those of machined-surface implants of the same size and shape.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
A randomized complete block design was used in 12 skeletally mature male beagle dogs. Ninety-six orthodontic mini-implants were tested. Two types of implants were used: some had SLA surface treatment and some had machined surfaces without coating. After 3 weeks of healing, rotational moments of 150 g were applied. The success rates, maximum torque values, angular momentum, and total energy absorbed by the bone were compared. All values were subjected to mixed-model analysis to evaluate the influence of surface treatment, rotational force direction, and site of implantation.


RESULTS
The maximum insertion torque and angular momentum of SLA implants were significantly lower than those of machined implants (P = .034, P = .039). The SLA implants had a significantly higher value for total removal energy than the machined implants (P = .046). However, there were no significant differences in total insertion energy, maximum removal torque, and removal angular momentum between the 2 groups. There was no significant difference between clockwise and counterclockwise rotation in all measurements.


CONCLUSION
SLA mini-implants showed relatively lower insertion torque value and angular momentum and higher total energy during removal than the machined implants, suggesting osseointegration of the SLA mini-implant after insertion.
The relationship of materialism to spending tendencies, saving, and debt

Abstract This study is a response to the Richins and Rudmin [J. Econ. Psychol. 15 (1994) 217–231] call for work examining the relationship between materialism and aspects of economic psychology. The research was designed to investigate how people with differing levels of materialism vary in their propensity to spend and/or save and their attitudes and behaviors toward borrowing money. The results indicate that highly materialistic people are more likely to view themselves as spenders and have more favorable attitudes toward borrowing. These differences were evident in behavioral measures, although the differences were strongest for behaviors related to debt rather than saving. The implications of these findings for establishing a more comprehensive view of materialism in modern society are discussed.
Agreement between ambulance and hospital records for information promoting urgent stroke treatment decisions.

OBJECTIVE
Rapid decision-making during acute stroke care can improve outcomes. We wished to assess whether crucial information to facilitate decisions is routinely collected by emergency practitioners before hospital admission.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
We examined whether ambulance records contained information relevant to a thrombolysis treatment decision for consecutive stroke admissions to three emergency departments in England between 14 May 2012 and 10 June 2013.


RESULTS
In all, 424 of 544 (78%) records included a paramedic diagnosis of stroke. Twice as many hospital records contained a symptom onset time/last known to be well time, but there was 82% agreement within 1 h when a prehospital time was also recorded. This was more likely for younger patients. Documentation of medication history was infrequent (12%), particularly for anticoagulant status (6%). When compared with hospital documentation, paramedics recorded a history of diabetes for 38/49 (78%), previous stroke 44/69 (64%), hypertension 71/140 (51%) and atrial fibrillation 19/64 (30%).


CONCLUSION
In a retrospective cohort of stroke patients admitted by emergency ambulance, standard practice did not consistently result in prehospital documentation of information that could promote rapid treatment decisions. Training emergency practitioners and/or providing clinical protocols could facilitate early stroke treatment decisions, but prehospital information availability is likely to be a limiting factor.
Quaternary structure of SecA in solution and bound to SecYEG probed at the single molecule level.

Dual-color fluorescence-burst analysis (DCFBA) was applied to measure the quaternary structure and high-affinity binding of the bacterial motor protein SecA to the protein-conducting channel SecYEG reconstituted into lipid vesicles. DCFBA is an equilibrium technique that enables the direct observation and quantification of protein-protein interactions at the single molecule level. SecA binds to SecYEG as a dimer with a nucleotide- and preprotein-dependent dissociation constant. One of the SecA protomers binds SecYEG in a salt-resistant manner, whereas binding of the second protomer is salt sensitive. Because protein translocation is salt sensitive, we conclude that the dimeric state of SecA is required for protein translocation. A structural model for the dimeric assembly of SecA while bound to SecYEG is proposed based on the crystal structures of the Thermotoga maritima SecA-SecYEG and the Escherichia coli SecA dimer.
Classifying the Histology Image of Uterine Cervical Cancer

This paper presents an image segmentation method for the manual identification of squamous epithelium from cervical cancer images. The present study was utilizing the various feature extraction techniques including texture feature, triangle feature and profile based correlation features. Generated features are used to classifying the squamous epithelium into normal, Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN1), CIN2 and CIN3. The results are used to classify the images into: 1) normal, 2) pre-cancer. The final system will take as input a biopsy image of the cervix containing the epithelium layer and provide the classification using our approach, to assist the pathologist in cervical cancer diagnosis. Keywords— Histology, Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia, Human Papillomavirus.
A learner-centred approach to developing team skills through web-based learning and assessment

In traditional face-to-face classrooms, collaborative learning has been endorsed as an effective pedagogy that fosters skills of analysis, communication and higher order thinking. Increasingly, as online learning environments for tertiary learners make use of course support systems, there is greater recognition of the potential of communications technologies to foster dialogue, networking and team skills among learners. Such skills are now among the recognised core attributes that graduates are expected to develop. In face-toface classroom students learn the skills of collaboration and teamwork by engaging in tasks defined and supervised by a teacher. In online environments teacher presence is often limited to task definition, management and feedback functions. Team skills and collaboration therefore need to be supported though different pedagogies and processes such as establishing a climate of trust and openness, communication protocols, resolution of conflict and group processes that provide sanctions and support. In this paper we describe an innovative approach to building the skills of decision-making and conflict resolution, leadership and clarity in goal setting and communication. A case study of tertiary learners illustrates how the essential aspects of task definition, resources to support group learning and integrated online assessment foster team skills. Introduction Traditional university education is quite different from professional learning, not only in the organisation of curricula, but also in its forms of delivery. According to Taylor, (1997) the curriculum addresses knowledge for and about practice, and is delivered both in formal institutional settings and in the field of professional practice. Often, students studying for the professions are mature age and are highly motivated as they 06_McL 15/10/02 12:40 pm Page 571
Compliance with nutrition prescription improves outcomes in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS
There are few well-designed studies evaluating the effect of oral nutrition supplements in patients with cancer cachexia. The aim of this study, in a posthoc analysis, was to examine the effect of dietary compliance on intake and body composition in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.


METHODS
Two hundred patients were randomised to receive 2 cans/day of a protein and energy dense, oral nutrition supplement+/-n-3 fatty acids in an international, multi-centre randomised trial over 8 weeks. Dietary compliance was defined a priori as consumption of a minimum of 1.5 cans/day of either supplement. Body composition, dietary intake and quality of life were measured at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks.


RESULTS
On average, there were significant differences in energy intake (501 kcal), protein intake (25.4 g) and weight (1.7 kg) between patients who were compliant with the nutrition prescription compared to noncompliant patients controlling for n-3 fatty acid randomisation, baseline weight and quality of life. Over the 8-week period, there was significant improvement in weight only. There was no significant difference in the energy intake from meals of the total group over the 8 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Compliance with the prescription of 1.5 cans of a protein and energy dense, oral nutrition supplement +/-n-3 fatty acids improved nutrition related outcomes in untreated pancreatic cancer patients. This level of supplement intake does not inhibit meal intake.
Correlated equilibria and local interactions

It is now common to interpret the Nash equilibria of a game as a description of equilibrium behavior of populations of agents who are randomly matched to play that game. In particular, if there is one population for each player in the underlying game and if the pattern of matching is uniform, then every agent in each population faces the same distribution of opponents' strategies. An equilibrium in which each agent chooses a best reply then corresponds to a Nash equilibrium of the underlying game (where the distribution of strategies in each population is interpreted as a mixed strategy). However, the matching pattern may not be uniform. If not, then different agents in the same population may face different distributions of opponents' strategies. Moreover, these distributions may be correlated across the individuals. This note makes the obvious point that equilibria in such cases correspond to correlated equilibria (Aumann [2]) of the underlying game. We begin by describing a simple matching model in which the game is played by agents selected from a population. There is a fixed and "local"
Sediment accumulation and carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus deposition in the large tropical reservoir Lake Kariba (Zambia/Zimbabwe)

[1] Large dams affect the aquatic continuum from land to ocean by accumulating particles and nutrients in their reservoirs. We examined sediment cores to quantify sediment, organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N), and phosphorous (P) accumulation, and to examine historic changes and spatial variability in the sedimentation pattern in Lake Kariba, the largest hydropower reservoir in the Zambezi River Basin (ZRB). Sediment characteristics (concentrations of OC, N, P; dC and dN; wet bulk density) showed large variability both with sediment depth and between cores. While organic matter (OM) in river deltas was primarily allochthonous in origin, OM characteristics (dC, C:N) in lacustrine sediments suggest that autochthonous sources account for >45% of the OM that accumulates over large areas of the lake. At the same time, the relative contribution of allochthonous material within individual layers of lacustrine cores varied considerably with depth due to discrete flood deposits. The overall sediment accumulation rate in Lake Kariba is on the order of 4 × 10 t yr, and the estimated OC accumulation of 120 × 10 t C yr accounts for ∼1‰ of globally buried OC in reservoirs. In addition, mass balance calculations revealed that approximately 70% and 90% of incoming total N and P, respectively, are eliminated from the water column by sedimentation (N, P) and denitrification (N). Since Lake Kariba attenuates flow from ∼50% of the ZRB, these OC, N, and P removals represent a drastic reduction in nutrient loadings to downstream riparian ecosystems and to the coastal Indian Ocean.
Effects of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Metabolic Syndrome on Cognitive Aging in Veterans.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
With the influx of veterans entering older adulthood, it is increasingly important to understand risk factors for cognitive decline. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are highly prevalent in older veterans. Although both increase risk for cognitive decline and often co-occur, it is unclear how they may interact to negatively impact cognition. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate associations among PTSD, MetS, and cognitive function in older veterans. We hypothesized that co-occurring PTSD and MetS would be associated with worse cognitive performance than seen in either illness alone.


DESIGN AND METHODS
Participants completed cognitive testing to assess processing speed, verbal memory, and executive function. Data from 204 male veterans aged 55-89 were analyzed with the use of hierarchical multiple regression models.


RESULTS
Veterans with MetS demonstrated poorer performance on tasks of executive function (response inhibition and cognitive set shifting) and immediate verbal memory regardless of PTSD status. There was an interaction between MetS and PTSD on delayed verbal memory, suggesting that the negative impact of MetS on verbal memory was only significant for veterans not classified as having PTSD.


IMPLICATIONS
This is the first study to examine the impact of comorbid PTSD and MetS on cognition. The results suggest that MetS is associated with poorer verbal learning and executive functioning independent of PTSD. We discuss the necessity of monitoring cerebrovascular risk factors and providing early behavioral and/or pharmaceutical interventions to lessen the risk of cognitive decline in older age.
A Bit of Progress in Language Modeling

In the past several years, a number of different language modeling improvements over simple trigram models have been found, including caching, higher-order n-grams, skipping, interpolated Kneser–Ney smoothing, and clustering. We present explorations of variations on, or of the limits of, each of these techniques, including showing that sentence mixture models may have more potential. While all of these techniques have been studied separately, they have rarely been studied in combination. We compare a combination of all techniques together to a Katz smoothed trigram model with no count cutoffs. We achieve perplexity reductions between 38 and 50% (1 bit of entropy), depending on training data size, as well as a word error rate reduction of 8 .9%. Our perplexity reductions are perhaps the highest reported compared to a fair baseline. c © 2001 Academic Press
Grouping proof for RFID tags

An RFID tag is a small and cheap device which is combined in IC chip and an antenna for radio communications. The tag is used for management of goods and its distribution. Moreover it reduces the cost of managements of goods. However, an RFID system has some security problems. Juels proposed a "yoking-proof" which guarantees the existence of two tags (Juels, 2004). But we point out that this scheme is not secure against a replay attack. In this paper, we propose a scheme which deals with the problem by using time stamp. Moreover, we propose a scheme which guarantees the existence of a group of RFID tags.
Idiopathic Small Fiber Neuropathy: Phenotype, Etiologies, and the Search for Fabry Disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The etiology of small fiber neuropathy (SFN) often remains unclear. Since SFN may be the only symptom of late-onset Fabry disease, it may be underdiagnosed in patients with idiopathic polyneuropathy. We aimed to uncover the etiological causes of seemingly idiopathic SFN by applying a focused investigatory procedure, to describe the clinical phenotype of true idiopathic SFN, and to elucidate the possible prevalence of late-onset Fabry disease in these patients.


METHODS
Forty-seven adults younger than 60 years with seemingly idiopathic pure or predominantly small fiber sensory neuropathy underwent a standardized focused etiological and clinical investigation. The patients deemed to have true idiopathic SFN underwent genetic analysis of the alpha-galactosidase A gene (GLA) that encodes the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A (Fabry disease).


RESULTS
The following etiologies were identified in 12 patients: impaired glucose tolerance (58.3%), diabetes mellitus (16.6%), alcohol abuse (8.3%), mitochondrial disease (8.3%), and hereditary neuropathy (8.3%). Genetic alterations of unknown clinical significance in GLA were detected in 6 of the 29 patients with true idiopathic SFN, but this rate did not differ significantly from that in healthy controls (n=203). None of the patients with genetic alterations in GLA had significant biochemical abnormalities simultaneously in blood, urine, and skin tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
A focused investigation may aid in uncovering further etiological factors in patients with seemingly idiopathic SFN, such as impaired glucose tolerance. However, idiopathic SFN in young to middle-aged Swedish patients does not seem to be due to late-onset Fabry disease.
Acquired lymphangioma of the penis in a patient with severe phimosis.

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