LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Decision aids for respite service choices by carers of people with dementia: development and pilot RCT

BACKGROUND
Decision aids are often used to assist individuals confronted with a diagnosis of a serious illness to make decisions about treatment options. However, they are rarely utilised to help those with chronic or age related conditions to make decisions about care services. Decision aids should also be useful for carers of people with decreased decisional capacity. These carers' choices must balance health outcomes for themselves and for salient others with relational and value-based concerns, while relying on information from health professionals. This paper reports on a study that both developed and pilot tested a decision aid aimed at assisting carers to make evaluative judgements of community services, particularly respite care.


METHODS
A mixed method sequential study, involving qualitative development and a pilot randomised controlled trial, was conducted in Tasmania, Australia. We undertook 13 semi-structured interviews and three focus groups to inform the development of the decision aid. For the randomised control trial we randomly assigned 31 carers of people with dementia to either receive the service decision aid at the start or end of the study. The primary outcome was measured by comparing the difference in carer burden between the two groups three months after the intervention group received the decision aid. Pilot data was collected from carers using interviewer-administered questionnaires at the commencement of the project, two weeks and 12 weeks later.


RESULTS
The qualitative data strongly suggest that the intervention provides carers with needed decision support. Most carers felt that the decision aid was useful. The trial data demonstrated that, using the mean change between baseline and three month follow-up, the intervention group had less increase in burden, a decrease in decisional conflict and increased knowledge compared to control group participants.


CONCLUSIONS
While these results must be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size, all intervention results trend in a direction that is beneficial for carers and their decisional ability. Mixed method data suggest the decision aid provides decisional support that carers do not otherwise receive. Decision aids may prove useful in a community health services context.


TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ISRCTN: ISRCTN32163031.
Automata-based verification of programs with tree updates

This paper describes a verification framework for Hoare-style pre- and post-conditions of programs manipulating balanced tree-like data structures. Since the considered verification problem is undecidable, we appeal to the standard semi-algorithmic approach in which the user has to provide loop invariants, which are then automatically checked, together with the program pre- and post-conditions. We specify sets of program states, representing tree-like memory configurations, using Tree Automata with Size Constraints (TASC). The main advantage of this new class of tree automata is that they recognise tree languages based on arithmetic reasoning about the lengths of various (possibly all) paths in trees, like, e.g., in AVL trees or red–black trees. TASCs are closed under union, intersection, and complement, and their emptiness problem is decidable. Thus we obtain a class of automata which are an interesting theoretical contribution by itself. Further, we show that, under few restrictions, one can automatically compute the effect of tree-updating program statements on the set of configurations represented by a TASC, which makes TASC a practical verification tool. We tried out our approach on the insertion procedure for red–black trees, for which we verified that the output on an arbitrary balanced red–black tree is also a balanced red–black tree.
Iatrogenic occlusion of the ophthalmic artery after cosmetic facial filler injections: a national survey by the Korean Retina Society.

IMPORTANCE
Iatrogenic occlusion of the ophthalmic artery and its branches is a rare but devastating complication of cosmetic facial filler injections.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate clinical and angiographic features of iatrogenic occlusion of the ophthalmic artery and its branches caused by cosmetic facial filler injections.


DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Data from 44 patients with occlusion of the ophthalmic artery and its branches after cosmetic facial filler injections were obtained retrospectively from a national survey completed by members of the Korean Retina Society from 27 retinal centers. Clinical features were compared between patients grouped by angiographic findings and injected filler material.


MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Visual prognosis and its relationship to angiographic findings and injected filler material.


RESULTS
Ophthalmic artery occlusion was classified into 6 types according to angiographic findings. Twenty-eight patients had diffuse retinal and choroidal artery occlusions (ophthalmic artery occlusion, generalized posterior ciliary artery occlusion, and central retinal artery occlusion). Sixteen patients had localized occlusions (localized posterior ciliary artery occlusion, branch retinal artery occlusion, and posterior ischemic optic neuropathy). Patients with diffuse occlusions showed worse initial and final visual acuity and less visual gain compared with those having localized occlusions. Patients receiving autologous fat injections (n = 22) had diffuse ophthalmic artery occlusions, worse visual prognosis, and a higher incidence of combined brain infarction compared with patients having hyaluronic acid injections (n = 13).


CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Clinical features of iatrogenic occlusion of the ophthalmic artery and its branches following cosmetic facial filler injections were diverse according to the location and extent of obstruction and the injected filler material. Autologous fat injections were associated with a worse visual prognosis and a higher incidence of combined cerebral infarction. Extreme caution and care should be taken during these injections, and physicians should be aware of a diverse spectrum of complications following cosmetic facial filler injections.
Dose-response relation between volume of drinking and alcohol-related diseases in male general hospital inpatients.

AIMS
Previous studies investigating dose-response relations between volume of drinking and diseases have focused on single diseases only. Until now, the relation between the drinking volume and the risk of having any alcohol-attributable disease is largely unknown. The aim of the present study is to investigate to what extent is the risk of diseases with different alcohol-attributable fractions (AAFs) predicted by daily alcohol consumption (> 120 g, 61-120 g vs 31-60 g).


METHODS
The sample consisted of 805 inpatients classified as at-risk drinking, aged 18-64 years hailing from four general hospitals in North-eastern Germany. Inpatients were classified into three groups (AAF = 1, AAF < 1, AAF = 0). Group differences regarding alcohol-related variables, smoking, and demographics were analysed. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to predict the risk of diseases with AAF = 1 and AAF < 1.


RESULTS
In our sample, 26.6% of the inpatients showed a disease with AAF = 1, while 20.2% had a disease with AAF < 1. Inpatients consuming > 120 g, and inpatients consuming 61-120 g revealed significantly higher odds for diseases with AAF = 1 compared to inpatients consuming 31-60 g (OR = 6.30, CI = 3.55-11.26; OR = 2.91, CI = 1.64-5.13). Regarding diseases with AAF < 1, inpatients consuming > 120 g revealed significantly higher odds compared to the inpatients consuming 31-60 g (OR = 1.97, CI = 1.15-3.37).


CONCLUSION
A dose-response relation between the level of the drinking volume and the risk of diseases with AAF = 1 was found in this sample of inpatients from the general hospitals.
Connections of the rat lateral septal complex

The organization of lateral septal connections has been re-examined with respect to its newly defined subdivisions, using anterograde (PHAL) and retrograde (fluorogold) axonal tracer methods. The results confirm that progressively more ventral transverse bands in the hippocampus (defined by the orientation of the trisynaptic circuit) innervate progressively more ventral, transversely oriented sheets in the lateral septum. In addition, hippocampal field CA3 projects selectively to the caudal part of the lateral septal nucleus, which occupies topologically lateral regions of the transverse sheets, whereas field CA1 and the subiculum project selectively to the rostral and ventral parts of the lateral septal nucleus, which occupy topologically medial regions of the transverse sheets. Finally, the evidence suggests that progressively more ventral hippocampal bands innervate progressively thicker lateral septal sheets. In contrast, ascending inputs to the lateral septum appear to define at least 20 vertically oriented bands or subdivisions arranged orthogonal to the hippocampal input (Risold, P.Y. and Swanson, L.W., Chemoarchitecture of the rat lateral septal nucleus, Brain Res. Rev., 24 (1997) 91-113). Hypothalamic nuclei forming parts of behavior-specific subsystems share bidirectional connections with specific subdivisions of the lateral septal nucleus (especially the rostral part), suggesting that specific domains in the hippocampus may influence specific hypothalamic behavioral systems. In contrast, the caudal part of the lateral septal nucleus projects to the lateral hypothalamus and to the supramammillary nucleus, which projects back to the hippocampus and receives its major inputs from brainstem cell groups thought to regulate behavioral state. The neural system mediating defensive behavior shows these features rather clearly, and what is known about its organization is discussed in some detail.
A survey of deep neural network architectures and their applications

Since the proposal of a fast learning algorithm for deep belief networks in 2006, the deep learning techniques have drawn ever-increasing research interests because of their inherent capability of overcoming the drawback of traditional algorithms dependent on hand-designed features. Deep learning approaches have also been found to be suitable for big data analysis with successful applications to computer vision, pattern recognition, speech recognition, natural language processing, and recommendation systems. In this paper, we discuss some widelyused deep learning architectures and their practical applications. An up-to-date overview is provided on four deep learning architectures, namely, autoencoder, convolutional neural network, deep belief network, and restricted Boltzmann machine. Different types of deep neural networks are surveyed and recent progresses are summarized. Applications of deep learning techniques on some selected areas (speech recognition, pattern recognition and computer vision) are highlighted. A list of future research topics are finally given with clear
Dietary Planning as a Mediator of the Intention Behavior Relation : An Experimental-Causal-Chain Design

Health behavior change is seen as a self-regulatory process that consists of a motivation phase of goal setting and a volition phase of goal pursuit. Previous studies suggest that the intention-behavior association is mediated by planning. However, evidence is based on observational studies rather than on experimental designs. To validate the causal assumptions, an experimental-causal-chain design was employed. Study 1 (n = 145) examined whether changing dietary intentions by a motivational intervention engenders changes in planning activities I month later. Study 2 (n = 115) examined, in a different sample, whether a volitional planning intervention engenders changes in dietary behavior I month later. In both studies, repeated measures ANOVAs revealed a significant Time x Condition interaction. Changes in intention mediated the effects of the motivational intervention on planning activities (Study 1). Changes in planning mediated the effect of a planning intervention on dietary behavior (Study 2). Previous observational findings on planning as a mediator in the intention-behavior association were supported by the two experiments. The findings might help to identify points of intervention in the process underlying health behavior change.
Randomized, double-blind, phase I/II study of intravenous allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells in acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND AIMS
Cell therapy is promising as an exploratory cardiovascular therapy. We have recently developed an investigational new drug named Stempeucel (bone marrow-derived allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells) for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with ST-segment elevation. A phase I/II randomized, double-blind, single-dose study was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of intravenous administration of Stempeucel versus placebo (multiple electrolytes injection).


METHODS
Twenty patients who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention for AMI were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive intravenous Stempeucel or placebo and were followed for 2 years.


RESULTS
The number of treatment-emergent adverse events observed were 18 and 21 in the Stempeucel and placebo groups, respectively. None of the adverse events were related to Stempeucel according to the investigators and independent data safety monitoring board. There was no serious adverse event in the Stempeucel group and there were three serious adverse events in the placebo group, of which one had a fatal outcome. Ejection fraction determined by use of echocardiography showed improvement in both Stempeucel (43.06% to 47.80%) and placebo (43.44% to 45.33%) groups at 6 months (P = 0.26). Perfusion scores measured by use of single-photon emission tomography and infarct volume measured by use of magnetic resonance imaging showed no significant differences between the two groups at 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that Stempeucel was safe and well tolerated when administered intravenously in AMI patients 2 days after percutaneous coronary intervention. The optimal dose and route of administration needs further evaluation in larger clinical trials (http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00883727).
Coaching patients with early rheumatoid arthritis to healthy physical activity: a multicenter, randomized, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of a 1-year coaching program for healthy physical activity on perceived health status, body function, and activity limitation in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.


METHODS
A total of 228 patients (169 women, 59 men, mean age 55 years, mean time since diagnosis 21 months) were randomized to 2 groups after assessments with the EuroQol visual analog scale (VAS), Grippit, Timed-Stands Test, Escola Paulista de Medicina Range of Motion scale, walking in a figure-of-8, a visual analog scale for pain, the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index, a self-reported physical activity questionnaire, and the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints. All patients were regularly seen by rheumatologists and underwent rehabilitation as prescribed. Those in the intervention group were further individually coached by a physical therapist to reach or maintain healthy physical activity (> or =30 minutes, moderately intensive activity, most days of the week).


RESULTS
The retention rates after 1 year were 82% in the intervention group and 85% in the control group. The percentages of individuals in the intervention and control groups fulfilling the requirements for healthy physical activity were similar before (47% versus 51%; P > 0.05) and after (54% versus 44%; P > 0.05) the intervention. Analyses of outcome variables indicated improvements in the intervention group over the control group in the EuroQol VAS (P = 0.025) and muscle strength (Timed-Stands Test; P = 0.000) (Grippit; P = 0.003), but not in any other variables assessed.


CONCLUSION
A 1-year coaching program for healthy physical activity resulted in improved perceived health status and muscle strength, but the mechanisms remain unclear, as self-reported physical activity at healthy level did not change.
A lithospheric-scale seismogenic thrust in central Italy

Abstract In this paper, the relatively deep (up to 90 km) seismicity of central Italy is considered in comparison with the upper crust seismicity at the outer front of the Apennine fold-and-thrust belt system and with the major crust-scale tectonic discontinuities outlined by deep crust seismic reflection and refraction profiles. In particular, attention is given to the presence of a Plio-Quaternary SW-dipping thrust zone cutting the entire Adriatic crust and emerging at the outer front of the Apennine thrust system, along the Po Plain-Adriatic belt. This discontinuity, detectable from the CROP 03 near-vertical seismic reflection profile, but only partially highlighted in previous studies, is here named Adriatic Thrust (AT). The geometry of the AT is compared with the distribution and kinematics of the Coastal-Adriatic upper crust seismicity, of the Marche Foothill lower crust seismicity and of the Apennine deep seismicity (base of the crust and upper mantle). A good spatial correspondence between the down-dip fault geometry and the seismicity is observed. The rheological stratification of the lithosphere controls the location of the seismic activity at different depth intervals along the fault plane (0–10, 15–25, 35–45 km). The reconstructed rheological conditions do not allow to justify in terms of brittle behavior the deepest earthquakes, located at depths from 55 to 70 km within the possible down-dip intra-mantle prosecution of the AT. These events might represent either co-seismic plastic instabilities due to high strain concentrations within the AT shear zone or seismic failure of the continental Adriatic lithosphere due to a strong increase in pore fluid pressure (infiltration from the asthenosphere of hydroxil-CO 2 rich volatiles). The proposed interpretation of the AT as a lithosphere-scale seismogenic fault zone, has several implications: (1) the Po Plain-Adriatic front of the Apennine thrust system is still active; (2) the Apennine deep seismicity is not associated with a SW-dipping subduction plane; (3) seismogenic deformation in association with lithospheric failure is possible.
Fast and Accurate Annotation of Short Texts with Wikipedia Pages

Several recent software systems have been designed to obtain novel annotation of cross-referencing text fragments and Wikipedia pages. Tagme is state of the art in this setting and can accurately manage short textual fragments (such as snippets of search engine results, tweets, news, or blogs) on the fly.
Relationship Between Primary Patency and Lesion Length Following Bare Nitinol Stent Placement for Femoropopliteal Disease.

PURPOSE
To evaluate the relationship between 1-year primary patency and lesion length in patients with femoropopliteal disease treated with bare nitinol stents.


METHODS
The study was a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained multicenter database. Between January 2004 and December 2011, 1047 consecutive patients (mean age 72 years; 765 men) underwent femoropopliteal stenting with nitinol stents in 1373 limbs. The mean vessel diameter was 5.3±0.7 mm and the mean lesion length was 142±75 mm. One-year follow-up data were collected and analyzed to ascertain which lesion length would be expected to demonstrate a 1-year primary patency above the established 66% objective performance goal (OPG).


RESULTS
The lower limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the unadjusted 1-year primary patency was >66% when the lesion length was ≤243 mm. After adjustment of the covariates to match those of the OPG-derived population, the 1-year primary patency decreased linearly with longer lesion length. The 1-year primary patency was 83.2% (95% CI 79.8% to 86.1%) for a 100-mm lesion length, 76.4% (95% CI 71.7% to 80.5%) for a 200-mm lesion length, and 70.7% (95% CI 62.4% to 77.7%) for a 300-mm lesion length. The maximum lesion length providing a 1-year primary patency significantly greater than 66% was calculated to be 263 mm.


CONCLUSION
The 1-year primary patency of femoropopliteal lesions treated with bare nitinol stents decreased linearly with longer lesion length. The maximum lesion length providing a higher patency rate than the OPG of 66% was ~25 cm.
White matter fractional anisotropy is related to processing speed in metabolic syndrome patients: a case-control study

BACKGROUND
Metabolic Syndrome (MetSd) is a cluster of vascular risk factors that may influence cerebrovascular pathology during aging. Recently, microstructural white matter (WM) changes detected by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and processing speed deficits have been reported in MetSd patients. We aimed to test the relationship between WM alteration and cognitive impairment in these patients.


METHODS
The sample comprised 38 subjects (19 patients aged between 50 and 80 years old, and 19 controls). All patients fulfilled National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP-III) criteria for MetSd. Speed of information processing was measured by the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and reaction time (RT) on the Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II) and the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT). DTI images were acquired in a 3 Tesla Siemens Trio scanner. Voxelwise statistical analysis of the fractional anisotropy (FA) data was performed using the Tract-Based Spatial Statistics part of the FMRIB Software Library. A correlation analysis was performed between processing speed variables and FA values.


RESULTS
There was a larger proportion of slow subjects (percentile below 25th) in the patient group (Chi2 = 7.125 p = 0.008). FA values correlated positively with SDMT in anterior and posterior parts of the corpus callosum, and RT CPT-II correlated negatively with FA values in the anterior corpus callosum (p < 0.05 corrected) in the patient group.


CONCLUSION
We found significant correlations between WM alterations and cognitive impairment in MetSd patients, especially in the frontal lobe. These findings highlight the importance of MetSd prevention and control due to its association with structural and functional damage in the central nervous system.