LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Long-term remissions after FCR chemoimmunotherapy in previously untreated patients with CLL: updated results of the CLL8 trial.

Despite promising results with targeted drugs, chemoimmunotherapy with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide (FC), and rituximab (R) remains the standard therapy for fit patients with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Herein, we present the long-term follow-up of the randomized CLL8 trial reporting safety and efficacy of FC and FCR treatment of 817 treatment-naïve patients with CLL. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). With a median follow-up of 5.9 years, median PFS were 56.8 and 32.9 months for the FCR and FC group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50-0.69, P < .001). Median overall survival (OS) was not reached for the FCR group and was 86.0 months for the FC group (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54-0.89, P = .001). In patients with mutated IGHV (IGHV MUT), FCR improved PFS and OS compared with FC (PFS: HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.33-0.68, P < .001; OS: HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.34-1.11, P = .1). This improvement remained applicable for all cytogenetic subgroups other than del(17p). Long-term safety analyses showed that FCR had a higher rate of prolonged neutropenia during the first year after treatment (16.6% vs 8.8%; P = .007). Secondary malignancies including Richter's transformation occurred in 13.1% in the FCR group and in 17.4% in the FC group (P = .1). First-line chemoimmunotherapy with FCR induces long-term remissions and highly relevant improvement in OS in specific genetic subgroups of fit patients with CLL, in particular those with IGHV MUT. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00281918.
Value of Reliability: High Occupancy Toll Lanes, General Purpose Lanes, and Arterials

In the Minneapolis-St. Paul region (Twin Cities), the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) converted the Interstate 394 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes (or MnPASS Express Lanes). These lanes allow single occupancy vehicles (SOV) to access the HOV lanes by paying a fee. This fee is adjusted according to a dynamic pricing system that varies with the current demand. This paper estimates the value placed by the travelers on the HOT lanes because of improvements in travel time reliability. This value depends on how the travelers regard a route with predictable travel times (or small travel time variability) in comparison to another with unpredictable travel times (or high travel time variability). For this purpose, commuters are recruited and equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) devices and instructed to commute for two weeks on each of three plausible alternatives between their home in the western suburbs of Minneapolis eastbound to work in downtown or the University of Minnesota: I-394 HOT lanes, I-394 General Purpose lanes (untolled), and signalized arterials close to the I-394 corridor. They are then given the opportunity to travel on their preferred route after experiencing each alternative. This revealed preference data is then analyzed using mixed logit route choice models. Three measures of reliability are explored and incorporated in the estimation of the models: standard deviation (a classical measure in the research literature); shortened right range (typically found in departure time choice models); and interquartile range (75th 25th percentile). Each of these measures represents distinct ways about how travelers deal with different sections of reliability. In all the models, it was found that reliability was valued highly (and statistically significantly), but differently according to how it was defined. The estimated value of reliability in each of the models indicates that commuters are willing to pay a fee for a reliable route depending on how they value their reliability savings.
Novel subgroups of adult-onset diabetes and their association with outcomes: a data-driven cluster analysis of six variables.

BACKGROUND
Diabetes is presently classified into two main forms, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but type 2 diabetes in particular is highly heterogeneous. A refined classification could provide a powerful tool to individualise treatment regimens and identify individuals with increased risk of complications at diagnosis.


METHODS
We did data-driven cluster analysis (k-means and hierarchical clustering) in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes (n=8980) from the Swedish All New Diabetics in Scania cohort. Clusters were based on six variables (glutamate decarboxylase antibodies, age at diagnosis, BMI, HbA1c, and homoeostatic model assessment 2 estimates of β-cell function and insulin resistance), and were related to prospective data from patient records on development of complications and prescription of medication. Replication was done in three independent cohorts: the Scania Diabetes Registry (n=1466), All New Diabetics in Uppsala (n=844), and Diabetes Registry Vaasa (n=3485). Cox regression and logistic regression were used to compare time to medication, time to reaching the treatment goal, and risk of diabetic complications and genetic associations.


FINDINGS
We identified five replicable clusters of patients with diabetes, which had significantly different patient characteristics and risk of diabetic complications. In particular, individuals in cluster 3 (most resistant to insulin) had significantly higher risk of diabetic kidney disease than individuals in clusters 4 and 5, but had been prescribed similar diabetes treatment. Cluster 2 (insulin deficient) had the highest risk of retinopathy. In support of the clustering, genetic associations in the clusters differed from those seen in traditional type 2 diabetes.


INTERPRETATION
We stratified patients into five subgroups with differing disease progression and risk of diabetic complications. This new substratification might eventually help to tailor and target early treatment to patients who would benefit most, thereby representing a first step towards precision medicine in diabetes.


FUNDING
Swedish Research Council, European Research Council, Vinnova, Academy of Finland, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Scania University Hospital, Sigrid Juselius Foundation, Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking, Vasa Hospital district, Jakobstadsnejden Heart Foundation, Folkhälsan Research Foundation, Ollqvist Foundation, and Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research.
Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale-8 (ASES-8) in a rheumatoid arthritis population

The Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale-8 (ASES-8) is a valid tool to measure patients’ arthritis-specific self-efficacy. However, evidence about reliability and validity of the ASES-8 in Chinese arthritis patients is lacking. This study aimed to culturally adapt and test the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the ASES-8. Chinese ASES-8 was translated from original English version using translation and back-translation procedures. Validation survey was then conducted in a university-affiliated hospital by a set of questionnaires comprised Chinese ASES-8, pain-VAS, The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue (FACIT-F), and Short Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) physical functioning subscale. A convenience sample of 134 patients with rheumatoid arthritis was recruited from the department of rheumatology. Validity was assessed by Pearson’s correlation analysis and exploratory factor analysis. Reliability was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha. Exploratory factor analysis extracted one dimension that explained of the 71.35% variation. Significant negative correlations were found between the ASES-8 and pain-VAS, HADS-D, HADS-A scores (r −0.487 to −0.656, p < 0.01), while positive correlations were found between the ASES-8 and SF-36 PH (r = 0.561, p < 0.01), FACIT-F (r = 0.660, p < 0.01). Excellent test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.98) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.942) were demonstrated. The Chinese version of the ASES-8 had statistically acceptable levels of reliability and validity for assessing self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This disease-specific scale is particularly valuable for use among patients with rheumatoid arthritis from the Chinese population.
A Software Reuse System Based on Natural Language Specifications

Promoting software reuse practice requires more effective support. In this paper we discuss some problems in current software reuse systems and how current research in retrieval through natural language specifications addresses them. We introduce work in progress for a software reuse system that aims to provide high precision in retrieval by processing both queries in natural language and descriptions of components in a software library. Additional support for application developers (for understanding and adapting software components) and for library managers (for creation, organization and reorganization of reusable components) is also discussed.
A Study on the Usefulness of Audio-Visual Aids in EFL Classroom: Implications for Effective Instruction.

A resourceful English language teacher equipped with eclecticism is desirable in English as a foreign language classroom. The challenges of classroom instruction increases when prescribed English as a Foreign Language (EFL) course books (textbooks) are constituted with too many interactive language proficiency activities. Most importantly, it has become a common phenomenon to integrate language textbooks with audio and video as additional or supplementary resources for classroom language learning activities. A study was conducted on the usefulness of audio-visual aids in EFL classroom at undergraduate level at Aljouf University, Saudi Arabia. Findings of the study give insights on EFL students’ approach to using technological aids. EFL textbooks with technological aids are often viewed to be an inspiration and to provide motivation in classroom instruction. However, a close examination of classroom teaching aids and resources unveil many issues in EFL teaching and learning contexts. Insights, issues and implications presented in the paper are useful to English language educators, administrators, curriculum designers and English teachers in English as a Foreign Language setting.
Network forensics: Review, taxonomy, and open challenges

In recent years, a number of network forensics techniques have been proposed to investigate the increasing number of cybercrimes. Network forensics techniques assist in tracking internal and external network attacks by focusing on inherent network vulnerabilities and communication mechanisms. However, investigation of cybercrime becomes more challenging when cyber criminals erase the traces in order to avoid detection. Therefore, network forensics techniques employ mechanisms to facilitate investigation by recording every single packet and event that is disseminated into the network. As a result, it allows identification of the origin of the attack through reconstruction of the recorded data. In the current literature, network forensics techniques are studied on the basis of forensic tools, process models and framework implementations. However, a comprehensive study of cybercrime investigation using network forensics frameworks along with a critical review of present network forensics techniques is lacking. In other words, our study is motivated by the diversity of digital evidence and the difficulty of addressing numerous attacks in the network using network forensics techniques. Therefore, this paper reviews the fundamental mechanism of network forensics techniques to determine how network attacks are identified in the network. Through an extensive review of related literature, a thematic taxonomy is proposed for the classification of current network forensics techniques based on its implementation as well as target data sets involved in the conducting of forensic investigations. The critical aspects and significant features of the current network forensics techniques are investigated using qualitative analysis technique. We derive significant parameters from the literature for discussing the similarities and differences in existing network forensics techniques. The parameters include framework nature, mechanism, target dataset, target instance, forensic processing, time of investigation, execution definition, and objective function. Finally, open research challenges are discussed in network forensics to assist researchers in selecting the appropriate domains for further research and obtain ideas for exploring optimal techniques for investigating cyber-crimes. & 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Three-dimensional volume rendering of tibiofibular joint space and quantitative analysis of change in volume due to tibiofibular syndesmosis diastases

The diagnosis of ankle syndesmosis injuries is made by various imaging techniques. The present study was undertaken to examine whether the three-dimensional reconstruction of axial CT images and calculation of the volume of tibiofibular joint space enhances the sensitivity of diastases diagnoses or not. Six adult cadaveric ankle specimens were used for spiral CT-scan assessment of tibiofibular syndesmosis. After the specimens were dissected, external fixation was performed and diastases of 1, 2, and 3 mm was simulated by a precalibrated device. Helical CT scans were obtained with 1.0-mm slice thickness. The data was transferred to the computer software AcquariusNET. Then the contours of the tibiofibular syndesmosis joint space were outlined on each axial CT slice and the collection of these slices were stacked using the computer software AutoCAD 2005, according to the spatial arrangement and geometrical coordinates between each slice, to produce a three-dimensional reconstruction of the joint space. The area of each slice and the volume of the entire tibiofibular joint space were calculated. The tibiofibular joint space at the 10th-mm slice level was also measured on axial CT scan images at normal, 1, 2 and 3-mm joint space diastases. The three-dimensional volume-rendering of the tibiofibular syndesmosis joint space from the spiral CT data demonstrated the shape of the joint space and has been found to be a sensitive method for calculating joint space volume. We found that, from normal to 1 mm, a 1-mm diastasis increases approximately 43% of the joint space volume, while from 1 to 3 mm, there is about a 20% increase for each 1-mm increase. Volume calculation using this method can be performed in cases of syndesmotic instability after ankle injuries and for preoperative and postoperative evaluation of the integrity of the tibiofibular syndesmosis.
Foldable Joints for Foldable Robots

Print-and-fold manufacturing has the potential to democratize access to robots with robots that are easier to fabricate using materials that are easier to procure. Unfortunately, a lack of understanding about how motion can be achieved by folding hinders the scope of print-and-fold robots. In this paper, we show how the basic joints used in robots can be constructed using print-and-fold. Our patterns are parameterized so that users not only get the desired degrees of freedom but can also specify the joint’s range of motion. The joints can be combined with each other to achieve higher degrees of freedom or with rigid bodies to produce foldable linkages. We have folded our basic joints and measured their force–displacement curves. We have composed them into joints with higher degrees of freedom and into foldable mechanisms and found that they achieve the expected kinematics. We have also added actuators and control circuitry to our joints and mechanisms, showing that it is possible to print and fold entire robots with many different kinematics using a uniform process. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4029490]
Gemcitabine in metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma of the undifferentiated type.

BACKGROUND
We conducted two parallel phase II trials in chemonaïve and previously treated patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) to evaluate the tumour response, progression-free and overall survival, and toxicity of gemcitabine.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
Gemcitabine 1250 mg/m2 was given on days 1 and 8 of a 21-day cycle. Patients with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status <2, adequate renal, hepatic and bone marrow function, and radiologically measurable NPC were eligible.


RESULTS
Twenty-five chemonaïve and 27 previously treated patients were enrolled. The overall response rate was 28% [95% confidence interval (CI) 14% to 48%] for the chemonaïve and 48% (95% CI 31% to 66%) for previously treated patients. Toxicities greater than or equal to grade 3 occurred in 15 (60%) chemonaïve and 13 (48%) previously treated patients. Neutropenia was uncommon in chemonaïve patients, but occurred in 37% of previously treated patients. The median time to progression was 3.6 months (range 0.9-7.9) for chemonaïve and 5.1 months (0.9-13.1) for previously treated patients. Median overall survival time was 7.2 months (1.4-15.6) and 10.5 months (2.4-15.0) for chemonaïve and previously treated patients, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Gemcitabine has moderate activity in NPC with minimal toxicity, and is also an effective salvage agent for patients who have failed or progressed after treatment with other agents.
An FFT-based technique for translation, rotation, and scale-invariant image registration

This correspondence discusses an extension of the well-known phase correlation technique to cover translation, rotation, and scaling. Fourier scaling properties and Fourier rotational properties are used to find scale and rotational movement. The phase correlation technique determines the translational movement. This method shows excellent robustness against random noise.
Automating Survey Coding for Occupation

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A Digitally Controlled Shunt Capacitor CMOS Delay Line

Delay-controlled CMOS delay lines have been proved useful in a number of applications, notably the digitization of short time intervals. This paper introduces a new kind of CMOS delay line, in which the delay element is an array of capacitors controlled by a digital signal vector. This choice allows for a robust implementation of the circuitry controlling the delay generation, while the maximum speed attainable by the line is high compared to the maximum speed achieved by other delay line architectures. The delay line presented here was designed to produce an accurately tunable 16 0:5 ns delay under large temperature, supply voltage, and technological process quality variations.
An overview of substrate noise reduction techniques

This paper provides an overview of the recent circuit level and physical level substrate noise reduction techniques. Several of these techniques are compared for their advantages and disadvantages in "system-on-chip" applications.
Hepatoprotective and antidiabetic effects of apple cider vinegar (A Prophetic Medicine Remedy) on the liver of male rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with biochemical and pathological alterations in the liver. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of apple cider vinegar (ACV) on serum biochemical markers and histopathological changes in the liver of diabetic rats for 30 days. Effects were evaluated using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats as an experimental model. Materials and methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single dose of STZ (65 mg/kg) given intraperitoneally. Thirty wistar rats were divided into three groups: control group, STZ-treated group and STZ plus ACV treated group (2 ml/kg BW). Animals were sacrificed 30 days post treatment. Results: Biochemical results indicated that, ACV caused a significant decrease in glucose, TC, LDL-c and a significant increase in HDL-c. Histopathological examination of the liver sections of diabetic rats showed fatty changes in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes in the form of accumulation of lipid droplets, lymphocytic infiltration. Electron microscopic studies revealed aggregations of polymorphic mitochondria with apparent loss of their cristae and condensed matrices. Besides, the rough endoplasmic reticulum was proliferating and fragmented into smaller stacks. The cytoplasm of the hepatocytes exhibited vacuolations and displayed a large number of lipid droplets of different sizes. On the other hand, the liver sections of diabetic rats treated with ACV showed minimal toxic effects due to streptozotocin. These ultrastructural results revealed that treatment of diabetic rats with ACV led to apparent recovery of the injured hepatocytes. In prophetic medicine, Prophet Muhammad peace is upon him strongly recommended eating vinegar in the Prophetic Hadeeth: "vinegar is the best edible". Conclusion: This study showed that ACV, in early stages of diabetes inductioncan decrease the destructive progress of diabetes and cause hepatoprotection against the metabolic damages resulting from streptozotocininduced diabetes mellitus.
Reduced infections with perioperative immunonutrition in head and neck cancer: exploratory results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS
Head and neck cancer surgery is affected by complications in 20-60% of cases, with risk factors being malnutrition, alcoholism and immunosuppression due to cancer. The aim of the study was to investigate whether preoperative or perioperative immunonutrition could reduce postoperative infectious complications (IC) and surgical-site infections (SSI) in this population.


METHODS
This was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Patients with oropharyngeal and pharyngolaryngeal tumour were randomly allocated to three groups: a) perioperative formula of Impact(®) without immune nutrients, named "reference diet" (group A, control); b) preoperative Impact(®) and "reference diet" postoperatively (group B); c) Impact(®) perioperatively (group C). Products were available in oral and enteral formula and were given 7 days before surgery and for 7-15 days postoperatively. The primary and secondary endpoints were the incidence of IC and SSI, respectively.


RESULTS
Of 312 randomized patients, 205 were evaluable for ITT analysis. There was no significant difference in IC and SSI. However out of this population, only 64 patients had taken at least 75% of the theoretical intake from surgery to day 10 (per-protocol population). In this condition, a significant difference in IC (OR = 0.24, p = 0.05), SSI (OR = 0.17, p = 0.04) and also in the median length of postoperative stay (18 vs. 25 days, p = 0.05) was demonstrated between groups A and C.


CONCLUSIONS
In the ITT population, no significant difference in IC, SSI and LOS was demonstrated. Positive exploratory results on the perioperative Impact(®) per-protocol population, encourage further study in head and neck cancer patients. Registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier no. NCT00765440.