LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Chlorhexidine gluconate bathing to reduce methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus acquisition.

BACKGROUND
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a virulent organism causing substantial morbidity and mortality in intensive care units. Chlorhexidine gluconate, a topical antiseptic solution, is effective against a wide spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including MRSA. Objectives To examine the impact of a bathing protocol using chlorhexidine gluconate and bath basin management on MRSA acquisition in 5 adult intensive care units and to examine the cost differences between chlorhexidine bathing by using the bath-basin method versus using prepackaged chlorhexidine-impregnated washcloths.


METHODS
The protocol used a 4-oz bottle of 4% chlorhexidine gluconate soap in a bath basin of warm water. Patients in 3 intensive care units underwent active surveillance for MRSA acquisition; patients in 2 other units were monitored for a new positive culture for MRSA at any site 48 hours after admission.


RESULTS
Before the protocol, 132 patients acquired MRSA in 34333 patient days (rate ratio, 3.84). Afterwards, 109 patients acquired MRSA in 41376 patient days (rate ratio, 2.63). The rate ratio difference is 1.46 (95% CI, 1.12-1.90; P = .003). The chlorhexidine soap and bath basin method cost $3.18 as compared with $5.52 for chlorhexidine-impregnated wipes (74% higher).


CONCLUSIONS
The chlorhexidine bathing protocol is easy to implement, cost-effective, and led to decreased unit-acquired MRSA rates in a variety of adult intensive care units.
A phase 1 b clinical trial of the CD 40-activating antibody CP-870 , 893 in combination with cisplatin and pemetrexed in malignant pleural mesothelioma

A phase 1b clinical trial of the CD40-activating antibody CP-870,893 in combination with cisplatin and pemetrexed in malignant pleural mesothelioma A. K. Nowak1,2,3*, A. M. Cook2,3, A. M. McDonnell2,3, M. J. Millward1,2, J. Creaney2,3, R. J. Francis2,3,4, A. Hasani1, A. Segal5, A. W. Musk2,6,7, B. A. Turlach8, M. J. McCoy2,9, B. W. S. Robinson2,3,6 & R. A. Lake2,3 Department of Medical Oncology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth; School of Medicine and Pharmacology; National Research Centre for Asbestos Related Diseases, University of Western Australia, Perth; Department of Nuclear Medicine; PathWest and; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth; School of Population Health; Centre for Applied Statistics, University of Western Australia, Perth; St John of God Hospital, Perth, Australia
RF MOSFET: recent advances, current status and future trends

Recent advances in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processing, continuous scaling of gate length, and progress in silicon on insulator have stirred serious discussions on the suitability of metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) for RF/microwave applications. This paper covers the recent advances and current status of mainstream CMOS as the dominating technology in very large scale integration, future trends of RF MOSFETs, and applications of MOSFETs in RF electronics. Aspects of RF MOSFET modeling are also addressed. Despite some lingering debates, the prospects for RF MOS with operating frequencies in the lower GHz range are very promising. 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Incidence of Epstein-Barr virus in pediatric leukemia in the Sudan.

BACKGROUND
Results of several studies have suggested a probable etiologic association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and leukemias; therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association of EBV in childhood leukemia.


METHODS
A direct isothermal amplification method was developed for detection of the latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) of EBV in the peripheral blood of 80 patients with leukemia (54 had lymphoid leukemia and 26 had myeloid leukemia) and of 20 hematologically healthy control subjects.


RESULTS
EBV LMP1 gene transcripts were found in 29 (36.3%) of the 80 patients with leukemia but in none of the healthy controls (P < .0001). Of the 29 EBV(+) cases, 23 (79.3%), 5 (17.3%), and 1 (3.4%) were acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and chronic myeloid leukemia, respectively.


CONCLUSION
EBV LMP1 gene transcriptional activity was observed in a significant proportion of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. EBV infection in patients with lymphoid leukemia may be a factor involved in the high incidence of pediatric leukemia in the Sudan.
Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) increases growth performance and intestinal bacterial range-weighted richness in juvenile European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax

The bacterial storage polymer poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) has the potential to be used as an alternative anti-infective strategy for aquaculture rearing. In this research, the effects of (partially) replacing the feed of European sea bass juveniles with PHB were investigated. During a 6-week trial period, the PHB showed the ability to act as an energy source for the fish. This indicated that PHB was degraded and used during gastrointestinal passage. The gut pH decreased from 7.7 to 7.2 suggesting that the presence of PHB in the gut led to the increased production of (short-chain fatty) acids. The diets supplemented with 2% and 5% PHB (w/w) induced a gain of the initial fish weight with a factor 2.4 and 2.7, respectively, relative to a factor 2.2 in the normal feed treatment. Simultaneously, these treatments showed the highest bacterial range-weighted richness in the fish intestine. Based on molecular analysis, higher dietary PHB levels induced larger changes in the bacterial community composition. From our results, it seems that PHB can have a beneficial effect on fish growth performance and that the intestinal bacterial community structure may be closely related to this phenomenon.
Platelet gel for treatment of mucocutaneous lesions related to graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

BACKGROUND
Platelet (PLT) gel has been successfully used in tissue regeneration of diabetic/surgical wounds through the releasing of growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor and PLT-derived growth factor. Therefore, the PLT gel could represent a therapeutic tool in treating the deep and painful wounds sometimes occurring during graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).


STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy and safety of PLT gel for treating GVHD ulcers. Allogeneic hemocomponents were used to obtain PLT gel with an automated system for the on-site preparation and application of patient (autologous) or healthy blood donor (allogeneic)-derived fibrin sealant or PLT-rich fibrin (Vivostat system, Vivostat A/S). Six patients with multiple lesions involving dermis (Grade I, n = 2), subcutaneous (Grade II, n = 4), or oral mucosa and related to GVHD underwent PLT gel as local therapy.


RESULTS
After the second PLT gel application, the pain disappeared in all cases and the granulation tissue was observed in the four patients with Grade II lesions. After a median of eight PLT gel applications (range, 4-10), five of six patients showed a complete response, while one patient with a partial response died early from multiorgan failure. No side effects were documented.


CONCLUSION
These preliminary data show that the PLT gel may be used as a safe and effective tool in the management of mucosal skin lesions related to the GVHD.
Deep Semantic Architecture with discriminative feature visualization for neuroimage analysis

Neuroimaging data analysis often involves a-priori selection of data features to study the underlying neural activity. Since this could lead to sub-optimal feature selection and thereby prevent the detection of subtle patterns in neural activity, datadriven methods have recently gained popularity for optimizing neuroimaging data analysis pipelines and thereby, improving our understanding of neural mechanisms. In this context, we developed a deep convolutional architecture that can identify discriminating patterns in neuroimaging data and applied it to electroencephalography (EEG) recordings collected from 25 subjects performing a hand motor task before and after a rest period or a bout of exercise. The deep network was trained to classify subjects into exercise and control groups based on differences in their EEG signals. Subsequently, we developed a novel method termed the cue-combination for Class Activation Map (ccCAM), which enabled us to identify discriminating spatio-temporal features within definite frequency bands (23–33 Hz) and assess the effects of exercise on the brain. Additionally, the proposed architecture allowed the visualization of the differences in the propagation of underlying neural activity across the cortex between the two groups, for the first time in our knowledge. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using deep network architectures for neuroimaging analysis in different contexts such as, for the identification of robust brain biomarkers to better characterize and potentially treat neurological disorders. Preprint. Work in progress. ar X iv :1 80 5. 11 70 4v 2 [ qbi o. N C ] 2 9 Ju n 20 18
Mirror therapy enhances lower-extremity motor recovery and motor functioning after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of mirror therapy, using motor imagery training, on lower-extremity motor recovery and motor functioning of patients with subacute stroke.


DESIGN
Randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded, 4-week trial, with follow-up at 6 months.


SETTING
Rehabilitation education and research hospital.


PARTICIPANTS
A total of 40 inpatients with stroke (mean age, 63.5 y), all within 12 months poststroke and without volitional ankle dorsiflexion.


INTERVENTIONS
Thirty minutes per day of the mirror therapy program, consisting of nonparetic ankle dorsiflexion movements or sham therapy, in addition to a conventional stroke rehabilitation program, 5 days a week, 2 to 5 hours a day, for 4 weeks.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The Brunnstrom stages of motor recovery, spasticity assessed by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), walking ability (Functional Ambulation Categories [FAC]), and motor functioning (motor items of the FIM instrument).


RESULTS
The mean change score and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the Brunnstrom stages (mean, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.1; vs mean, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.5-1.2; P=.002), as well as the FIM motor score (mean, 21.4; 95% CI, 18.2-24.7; vs mean, 12.5; 95% CI, 9.6-14.8; P=.001) showed significantly more improvement at follow-up in the mirror group compared with the control group. Neither MAS (mean, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.4-1.2; vs mean, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-0.7; P=.102) nor FAC (mean, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.1; vs mean, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-1.9; P=.610) showed a significant difference between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Mirror therapy combined with a conventional stroke rehabilitation program enhances lower-extremity motor recovery and motor functioning in subacute stroke patients.
Time trends in cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in the 'old' and 'new' European Union countries.

AIMS
There are large differences in all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality between eastern and western countries in Europe. We reviewed the development of these mortality trends in countries of the European Union (EU) over the past 40 years and evaluated available data regarding possible determinants of these differences.


METHODS AND RESULTS
We summarized all-cause mortality and specific cardiovascular mortality for two country groups - 10 countries that joined the European Union (EU) after 2004 (East), and 15 countries that joined before 2004 (West). Standardized mortality rates were retrieved from the World Health Organization "European Health for All" database for each country between 1970 and 2007. Currently (in the 2000s), mortality due to circulatory system disease, ischemic heart disease (IHD), cerebrovascular disease (CBVD), and all-causes in the 'new' EU countries (East) is approximately twice that in the 'old' EU countries (West). These differences were much smaller in the 1970s. The increasing gap in mortality between West and East is primarily the result of a continuous and rapid improvement in the West.


CONCLUSION
Differences in lifestyle (i.e. diet, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and smoking) provide insufficient explanation for the observed mortality gap in these two groups of EU countries. Higher expenditures on health, better access to invasive and acute cardiac care, and better pharmacological control of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in the West are well documented. Socioeconomic and psychosocial factors may also contribute to the changes in mortality trends.
Dynamic task allocation for robots via auctions

We present an auction-based method for the allocation of tasks to a group of robots. The robots operate in a 2D environment for which they have a map. Tasks are locations in the map that have to be visited by the robots. Unexpected obstacles and other delays may prevent a robot from being able to complete its allocated tasks. Therefore tasks not yet achieved are rebid every time a robot accomplishes a task. This provides an opportunity to improve the allocation of the remaining tasks and to reduce the overall task completion time. We present experimental results that we have obtained in simulation using Player/Stage with this task allocation mechanism
Fuzzy methods for forensic data analysis

In this paper we describe a methodology and an automatic procedure for inferring accurate and easily understandable expert-system-like rules from forensic data. This methodology is based on the fuzzy set theory. The algorithms we used are described in detail, and were tested on forensic data sets. We also present in detail some examples, which are representative for the obtained results.
Accent Classification Using Support Vector Machine and Hidden Markov Model

Accent classification technologies directly influence the performance of speech recognition. Currently, two models are used for accent detection namely: Hidden Markov Model (HMM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). However, both models have some drawbacks of their own. In this paper, we use Support Vector Machine (SVM) to detect different speakers’ accents. To examine the performance of SVM, Hidden Markov Model is used to classify the same problem set. Simulation results show that SVM can effectively classify different accents. Its performance is found to be very similar to that of HMM.
Clinical efficacy of web-based versus standard asthma self-management.

BACKGROUND
Guided self-management is an important component of asthma care. Most trials have evaluated paper-based strategies. The effectiveness of new communication technologies remains uncertain.


OBJECTIVES
To compare the feasibility and clinical outcomes of a standard paper-based asthma self-management strategy with web-based strategies.


METHODS
In a crossover trial, 21 patients using inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting B2-agonists (mean [SD] age 29 [10] years) were randomly assigned to use a sequence of web-based and paper-based diary and action plan. Quality of life, asthma control, lung function, and airway inflammation were assessed using the Asthma Life Quality Questionnaire (ALQ), Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ-5), Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini AQLQ), and office spirometry. The ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (FEV1) to peak expiratory flow (PEF) rate (PiKo-1) and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) were monitored. The main clinical outcomes were asthma control and FE(NO). Quality of data and adherence to monitoring tools were the main process outcomes.


RESULTS
Significant improvements were observed in the AQL and ACQ scores, although lung function did not change. FE(NO) was significantly reduced only after a web-based strategy but a significant period effect occurred (P = .006). There were no differences in clinical outcomes between web-based and paper-based management. No intervention-related adverse effects were observed. Adherence seemed higher with the paper-based strategy (P < .001). However, paper data were unreliable when compared to automatic daily electronic FEV1/PEF records. Twelve patients were very interested in continuing self-management with the web-based approach compared with 2 in using paper tools (P = .002).


CONCLUSIONS
Web-based management was feasible, safe, and preferred by patients. Short-term outcomes were at least as good, and data quality was improved.
A modular robotic system using magnetic force effectors

One of the primary impediments to building ensembles of modular robots is the complexity and number of mechanical mechanisms used to construct the individual modules. As part of the Claytronics project - which aims to build very large ensembles of modular robots - we investigate how to simplify each module by eliminating moving parts and reducing the number of mechanical mechanisms on each robot by using force-at-a-distance actuators. Additionally, we are also investigating the feasibility of using these unary actuators to improve docking performance, implement intermodule adhesion, power transfer, communication, and sensing. In this paper we describe our most recent results in the magnetic domain, including our first design sufficiently robust to operate reliably in groups greater than two modules. Our work should be seen as an extension of systems such as Fracta [9], and a contrasting line of inquiry to several other researchers' prior efforts that have used magnetic latching to attach modules to one another but relied upon a powered hinge [10] or telescoping mechanism [12] within each module to facilitate self-reconfiguration.
Demineralized bone matrix and platelet-rich plasma do not improve healing of osteochondral defects of the talus: an experimental goat study.

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) with and without platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of osteochondral defects (OCDs) of the talus. We hypothesized that treatment with DBM would result in more bone formation than no treatment in control OCDs, and that PRP would further enhance the regenerative capacity of DBM.


METHOD
A standardized 6-mm OCD was created in each talus of 16 adult goats. According to a randomization scheme, one OCD of each goat was treated with allogeneic DBM hydrated with normal saline (n = 8) or hydrated with autologous PRP (n = 8). The contralateral OCD (n = 16) served as control. After 24 weeks, the animals were euthanized and the tali excised. Various outcome parameters were analyzed with use of macroscopic evaluation, micro-computed tomography (μCT), histology, histomorphometry, and fluorescence microscopy.


RESULTS
None of the analyses revealed statistically significant differences between the groups for any of the parameters analyzed in any volume of interest. For example, the mean bone volume fraction (BV/TV) of the defect, as measured by μCT, was 0.56 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.44-0.68) for DBM hydrated with normal saline and 0.52 (95% CI, 0.40-0.65) for DBM hydrated with PRP, compared to 0.53 (95% CI, 0.45-0.61) and 0.54 (95% CI, 0.44-0.64) for the internal controls, respectively (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSION
In contrast to our hypotheses, no beneficial treatment effect of DBM with or without PRP was found for OCDs of the caprine talus.
Chapter 8 Copies of Artworks: The Case of Paintings and Prints ⁎

Abstract In his essay on imitation in the arts, Adam Smith considers that the exact copy of an artwork always deserves less merit than the original. But the hierarchy between copies and originals has changed over time. So has the perception of copies by lawyers, philosophers, art historians and curators. The development of a market for copies is part of a wider contemporary questioning of the boundaries between originality and copy. We analyze whether and how the various actors in the art market (artists, collectors, lawyers, curators, art historians and philosophers) contribute to valuing and creating or, at times, to killing copies. Artists and collectors have never belittled copies. Art historians think that copies have an important role in preserving the memory of lost artworks, and in educating young artists, but nevertheless consider copies better left to the reserves of museums. Lawyers are ambivalent and judicial precedents bear testimony to the ambiguous legal status of copies. Contemporary art historians and art philosophers have influenced curators and museums to organize exhibitions that make use of copies, giving them a new life.
Manual training of mental rotation in children

When deciding whether two stimuli rotated in space are identical or mirror reversed, subjects employ mental rotation to solve the task. In children mental rotation can be trained by extensive repetition of the task, but the improvement seems to rely on the retrieval of previously learned stimuli. We assumed that due to the close relation between mental and manual rotation in children a manual training should improve the mental rotation process itself. The manual training we developed indeed ameliorated mental rotation and the training effect was not limited to learned stimuli. While boys outperformed girls in the mental rotation test before the manual rotation training, we found no gender differences in the results of the manual rotation task. 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Cost analysis related to dose-response of spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low back pain: outcomes from a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this analysis is to report the incremental costs and benefits of different doses of spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).


METHODS
We randomized 400 patients with chronic LBP to receive a dose of 0, 6, 12, or 18 sessions of SMT. Participants were scheduled for 18 visits for 6 weeks and received SMT or light massage control from a doctor of chiropractic. Societal costs in the year after study enrollment were estimated using patient reports of health care use and lost productivity. The main health outcomes were the number of pain-free days and disability-free days. Multiple regression was performed on outcomes and log-transformed cost data.


RESULTS
Lost productivity accounts for most societal costs of chronic LBP. Cost of treatment and lost productivity ranged from $3398 for 12 SMT sessions to $3815 for 0 SMT sessions with no statistically significant differences between groups. Baseline patient characteristics related to increase in costs were greater age (P = .03), greater disability (P = .01), lower quality-adjusted life year scores (P = .01), and higher costs in the period preceding enrollment (P < .01). Pain-free and disability-free days were greater for all SMT doses compared with control, but only SMT 12 yielded a statistically significant benefit of 22.9 pain-free days (P = .03) and 19.8 disability-free days (P = .04). No statistically significant group differences in quality-adjusted life years were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
A dose of 12 SMT sessions yielded a modest benefit in pain-free and disability-free days. Care of chronic LBP with SMT did not increase the costs of treatment plus lost productivity.