LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Chemokine blockade and chronic inflammatory disease: proof of concept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND
Chemokines and their receptors are considered important contributors in cell migration and inflammation in chronic inflammatory disorders. Chemokines affecting monocytes/macrophages are considered potential therapeutic targets, but no studies of the effects of blocking the chemokine repertoire in humans with a chronic inflammatory disease have been reported.


OBJECTIVE
To carry out a double blind, placebo controlled, phase Ib clinical trial with a specific, oral CCR1 antagonist.


METHODS
16 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were randomised 3:1 to active:placebo treatment for 14 days. Synovial biopsy specimens were obtained on days 1 and 15. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the presence of various cell types before and after treatment and the results measured by digital image analysis. Results before and after treatment were compared by paired t test, and a two sample t test was used to compare the changes from baseline in the two groups.


RESULTS
All patients completed the study. A significant reduction in the number of macrophages (p=0.016), intimal macrophages (p=0.026), and CCR1+cells (p=0.049) in patients treated with the chemokine antagonist compared with the placebo group occurred in the synovium. Significant decreases in overall cellularity, intimal lining layer cellularity, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells also occurred in treated patients. Cells lacking CCR1 were not affected. Trends towards clinical improvement were seen in the treated patients but not in the placebo group. Severe side effects were not reported.


CONCLUSION
Specific chemokine receptor blockade can result in relevant biological effects in patients with active RA.
3D printing in neonatal care

In recent years additive manufacturing, or threedimensional (3D) printing, it is becoming increasingly widespread and used also in the medical and biomedical field [1]. 3D printing is a technology that allows to print, in plastic or other material, solid objects of any shape from its digital model. The printing process takes place by overlapping layers of material corresponding to cross sections of the final product. The 3D models can be created de novo, with a 3D modeling software, or it is possible to replicate an existing object with the use of a 3D scanner. In the past years, the development of appropriate software packages allowed to generate 3D printable anatomical models from computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound scans [2,3]. Up to now there have been 3D printed objects of nearly any size (from nanostructures to buildings) and material. Plastics, metals, ceramics, graphene and even derivatives of human tissues. The so-called “bio-printers”, in fact, allow to print one above the other thin layers of cells immersed in a gelatinous matrix. Recent advances of 3D bioprinting enabled researchers to print biocompatible scaffolds and human tissues such as skin, bone, cartilage, vessels and are driving to the design and 3D printing of artificial organs like liver and kidney [4]. Dentistry, prosthetics, craniofacial reconstructive surgery, neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery are among the disciplines that have already shown versatility and possible applications of 3D printing in adults and children [2,5]. Only a few experiences have instead been reported in newborn and infants. 3D printed individualized bioresorbable airway splints have been used for the treatment of three infants with severe tracheobronchomalacia, ensuring resolution of pulmonary and extrapulmonary symptoms [6,7]. A 3D model of a complex congenital heart defects have been used for preoperative planning of intraoperative procedures, allowing surgeons to repair a complex defect in a single intervention [8]. As already shown for children with obstructive sleep apnea and craniofacial anomalies [9]. personalized 3D printed masks could improve CPAP effectiveness and comfort also in term and preterm neonates. Neonatal emergency transport services and rural hospitals could also benefit from this technology, making possible to print medical devices spare parts, surgical and medical instruments wherever not readily available. It is envisaged that 3D printing, in the next future, will give its contribute toward the individualization of neonatal care, although further multidisciplinary studies are still needed to evaluate safety, possible applications and realize its full potential.
Invitation strategies for colorectal cancer screening programmes: The impact of an advance notification letter.

AIM
To estimate the impact of an advance notification letter on participation in sigmoidoscopy (FS) and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) screening.


METHODS
Eligible subjects, invited in 3 Italian population based programmes using FS and in 5 using FIT, were randomised (1:1:1), within GP, to: A) standard invitation letter; B) advance notification followed after 1month by the standard invitation; and C) B+indication to contact the general practitioner (GP) to get advice about the decision to be screened. We calculated the 9-month attendance and the incremental cost of each strategy. We conducted a phone survey to assess GP's utilization and predictors of participation.


RESULTS
The advance notification was associated with a 20% increase in the attendance among 15,655 people invited for FS (B vs A - RR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.10-1.25; C vs A - RR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.12-1.27); the incremental cost ranged between 10 and 9 Euros. Participation in FIT screening (N=23,543) was increased only with simple pre-notification (B vs A - RR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10); the incremental cost was 22.5 Euros. GP consultation rate was not increased in group C.


CONCLUSIONS
An advance notification represents a cost-effective strategy to increase participation in FS screening; its impact on the response to FIT screening was limited.
Historical consciousness in contemporary society. Popular historical culture in the Netherlands, 1945-2000

The presence of history in everyday life is so ubiquitous that it hardly raises attention. Professional historians merely assume a general interest in the past, but is this assumption true? How can interest in history be defined? These are problematic questions that many historians have hardly pondered upon. The possibility should be considered that the historical interest of the lay public may differ significantly from the professional perception. Only in recent decades have historians begun to probe this issue. Since the early 1970’s, a limited but growing number of studies devoted to the manner in which non-historians perceive and relate to history have been undertaken. These studies have mainly been pursued in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 
Complaints about the lack of scientific attention devoted to the public conception of history have encouraged the composition of a variety of literature about the role of history in popular culture. Dutch scholars started to take an interest in this issue in the 1980's, influenced by several foreign publications. Unfortunately, the literary efforts of Dutch scholars have been brief and fragmentary. There are some detailed and well researched works about the memory of World War II, but what lacks is a comprehensive survey of the theoretical concepts of historical culture linked to broader empirical studies on this subject. The doctoral dissertation which is summarized in this article (Published as: Kees Ribbens, Een eigentijds verleden. Alledaagse historische cultuur in Nederland, 1945-2000 (Hilversum [Verloren] 2002) 381 p.) attempts to bridge this gap by focusing on the concept of popular historical culture as a framework in which the general public (not consisting of professional historians) integrates and processes history into everyday life. This popular historical culture is as diverse as the population concerned.
A New Oscillometry-Based Method for Estimating the Brachial Arterial Compliance Under Loaded Conditions

We propose a new method for assessing the compliance of a compressed brachial artery using an oscillometry-based approach that is mathematically based on artery and air-cuff models. The cuff dynamics during the inflation period were characterized by simultaneously recording the cuff volume and internal pressure with a pressure transducer and an airflow meter, respectively, which yielded the envelope of the oscillation amplitudes (OAs) in the air cuff. This allowed the change in the arterial volume during each heartbeat at different cuff pressures to be calculated, yielding a changed volume-pressure curve. The oscillometry-derived loaded compliance of the brachial artery ( C osci) can be determined as the dynamic changed volume divided by the pulse pressure. Furthermore, we developed a direct scheme to calibrate the calculated dynamic changed volume. In addition, the proposed C osci was validated by comparing it with the compliance of the brachial artery (C echo ) estimated echocardiographically from the brachial arterial blood flow in 32 patients whose lower limbs exhibited numbness or lack of strength. The results showed that C osci and C echo were significantly correlated between the cuff pressures levels and the mean arterial pressure, systolic pressure, and diastolic pressure ( r = 0.616, 0.571, and 0.666, respectively; p < 0.0001). This suggests that a useful measure of the loaded compliance can be derived from the pattern of the OA waveform in addition to oscillometry-based blood pressure measurements.
Reduction of cognitive concerns of anxiety sensitivity is uniquely associated with reduction of PTSD and depressive symptoms: a comparison of civilians and veterans.

PTSD and comorbid depression are common among civilians and veterans, resulting in substantial impairment. Anxiety sensitivity (AS) may be a common malleable vulnerability factor for PTSD and depression. The AS cognitive concerns subscale is most strongly related to symptoms of PTSD and depression, and thus, may be an efficient route to reduce these symptoms. The current study evaluated a brief computerized intervention targeting AS cognitive concerns. Specifically, we evaluated whether reduction in AS cognitive concerns was associated with reduction in symptoms of PTSD and depression. Also, we evaluated whether there was a significant difference between civilians and veterans in response to the intervention. The single session intervention utilized psychoeducation and interoceptive exposure to target AS cognitive concerns. This intervention was compared to a health information condition among a sex-matched sample of civilians and veterans with elevated AS cognitive concerns (N = 56). Reduction in AS cognitive concerns over one month was uniquely associated with reduction in PTSD and depressive symptoms in the same time frame. There were no significant differences between civilians and veterans in response to the intervention suggesting the intervention has efficacy for both groups. Treatment implications are discussed.
The inhibition action of N-furfuryl-N'-phenyl thiourea on the corrosion of mild steel in acid media

The inhibiting effect of N-(furfuryl)-N-phenyl thiourea (FPTU) on the corrosion of mild steel in aqueous solutions of 0.05 and 0.1 M HCl, as well as 0.025 and 0.05 M H2SO4 has been demonstrated using the potentiodynamic polarization technique. The polarization data showed that FPTU acts as an efficient anodic inhibitor for mild steel in both acid solutions. A very high inhibition efficiency was evidenced in both acid solutions and it was found to vary with the concentration of the inhibitor and temperature. The obtained kinetic parameters of adsorption revealed spontaneous adsorption and a strong interaction of FPTU with the mild steel surface.
Do Conglomerate Firms Allocate Resources Inefficiently Across Industries ? Theory and Evidence

We develop a profit-maximizing neoclassical model of optimal firm size and growth across different industries based on differences in industry fundamentals and firm productivity. In the model, a conglomerate discount is consistent with profit maximization. The model predicts how conglomerate firms will allocate resources across divisions over the business cycle and how their responses to industry shocks will differ from those of single-segment firms. Using plant level data, we find that growth and investment of conglomerate and single-segment firms is related to fundamental industry factors and individual segment level productivity. The majority of conglomerate firms exhibit growth across industry segments that is consistent with optimal behavior. SEVERAL RECENT ACADEMIC PAPERS and the business press claim that conglomerate firms destroy value and do a poor job of investing across business segments.1 Explanations for this underperformance share the idea that there is an imperfection either in firm governance ~agency theory! or in financial markets ~incorrect valuation of firm industry segments!. These studies implicitly assume that the conglomerates and single-industry firms possess similar ability to compete, and that they differ mainly in that conglomerates * Robert H. Smith School of Business, The University of Maryland. A previous draft was circulated and presented with the title “Optimal Firm Size and the Growth of Conglomerate and Single-industry Firms.” This research was supported by NSF Grant #SBR-9709427. We wish to thank the editor, René Stulz, two anonymous referees, John Graham, Robert Hauswald, Sheridan Titman, Anjan Thakor, Haluk Unal, and seminar participants at Carnegie Mellon, Colorado, Harvard, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State, the 1999 AFA meetings, the National Bureau of Economic Research and the 1998 Finance and Accounting conference at NYU for their comments. We also wish to thank researchers at the Center for Economic Studies for comments and their help with the data used in this study. The research was conducted at the Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce. The authors alone are responsible for the work and any errors or omissions. 1 Lang and Stulz ~1994!, Berger and Ofek ~1995!, and Comment and Jarrell ~1995! document a conglomerate discount in the stock market and low returns to conglomerate firms. Rajan, Servaes, and Zingales ~2000! and Scharfstein ~1997! examine conglomerate investment across different business segments. Lamont ~1997! and Shin and Stulz ~1997! examine the relation of investment to cash f low for conglomerate industry segments. For an example from the business press see Deutsch ~1998!. THE JOURNAL OF FINANCE • VOL. LVII, NO. 2 • APRIL 2002
Botnet detection via mining of traffic flow characteristics

Botnet is one of the most serious threats to cyber security as it provides a distributed platform for several illegal activities. Regardless of the availability of numerous methods proposed to detect botnets, still it is a challenging issue as botmasters are continuously improving bots to make them stealthier and evade detection. Most of the existing detection techniques cannot detect modern botnets in an early stage, or they are specific to command and control protocol and structures. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to detect botnets irrespective of their structures, based on network traffic flow behavior analysis and machine learning techniques. The experimental evaluation of the proposed method with real-world benchmark datasets shows the efficiency of the method. Also, the system is able to identify the new botnets with high detection accuracy and low false positive rate. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A Memristor-Based Continuous-Time Digital FIR Filter for Biomedical Signal Processing

This paper proposes a new timing storage circuit based on memristors. Its ability to store and reproduce timing information in an analog manner without performing quantization can be useful for a wide range of applications. For continuous-time (CT) digital filters, the power and area costly analog delay blocks, which are usually implemented as inverter chains or their variants, can be replaced by the proposed timing storage circuits to delay CT digital signals in a more efficient way, especially for low-frequency biomedical applications that require very long tap delays. In addition, the same timing storage circuits also enable the storage of CT digital signals, extending the benefits of CT digital signal processing (DSP) to applications that require signal storage. As an example, a 15-tap CT finite impulse response (FIR) Savitzky-Golay (S-G) filter was designed with memristor-based delay blocks to smoothen electrocardiographic (ECG) signals accompanied with high-frequency noise. The simulated power consumption under a 3.3-volt supply was 6.63 μw.
Arthroscopic foveal repair of the triangular fibrocartilage complex.

Background Foveal disruption of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is associated with distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability. TFCC fixation onto the fovea is the suitable treatment, which is not achieved by conventional arthroscopic techniques. We describe an all-inside arthroscopic technique that uses a suture anchor through distal DRUJ arthroscopy for foveal repair of the TFCC. Materials and Methods Forty-eight patients with TFCC foveal tear and DRUJ instability were selected according to the Atzei-European Wrist Arthroscopy Society (EWAS) algorithm of treatment. Retrospective evaluation included pain, DRUJ instability, range of motion (ROM), grip strength, Modified Mayo Wrist Score (MMWS), and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) Score. Description of Technique DRUJ arthroscopy was performed to débride the TFCC and the foveal area. Under arthroscopic guidance, a suture anchor was inserted via the distal foveal portal to repair the TFCC onto the fovea. Sutures were tied on the radiocarpal surface of the TFCC. Postoperative immobilization of forearm rotation was maintained for 4 weeks. Heavy tasks were allowed after 3 months. Results After a mean follow-up of 33 months, pain improved significantly but remained moderate in four patients, severe in one. DRUJ instability resolved in 44 patients. Wrist ROM increased. Grip strength, MMWS, and DASH score improved significantly. Excellent and good MMWS equaled 83.3%. Forty-one patients (85.5%) resumed previous work and sport activities. As a postoperative complication, five patients experienced neuroapraxia of the dorsal sensory branch of the ulnar nerve (DSBUN) with full spontaneous recovery. Conclusions With appropriate indications and patient selection, arthroscopic foveal repair of the TFCC may restore DRUJ stability and provide satisfactory results without significant complications.
The Banff 97 working classification of renal allograft pathology.

BACKGROUND
Standardization of renal allograft biopsy interpretation is necessary to guide therapy and to establish an objective end point for clinical trials. This manuscript describes a classification, Banff 97, developed by investigators using the Banff Schema and the Collaborative Clinical Trials in Transplantation (CCTT) modification for diagnosis of renal allograft pathology.


METHODS
Banff 97 grew from an international consensus discussion begun at Banff and continued via the Internet. This schema developed from (a) analysis of data using the Banff classification, (b) publication of and experience with the CCTT modification, (c) international conferences, and (d) data from recent studies on impact of vasculitis on transplant outcome.


RESULTS
Semiquantitative lesion scoring continues to focus on tubulitis and arteritis but includes a minimum threshold for interstitial inflammation. Banff 97 defines "types" of acute/active rejection. Type I is tubulointerstitial rejection without arteritis. Type II is vascular rejection with intimal arteritis, and type III is severe rejection with transmural arterial changes. Biopsies with only mild inflammation are graded as "borderline/suspicious for rejection." Chronic/sclerosing allograft changes are graded based on severity of tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Antibody-mediated rejection, hyperacute or accelerated acute in presentation, is also categorized, as are other significant allograft findings.


CONCLUSIONS
The Banff 97 working classification refines earlier schemas and represents input from two classifications most widely used in clinical rejection trials and in clinical practice worldwide. Major changes include the following: rejection with vasculitis is separated from tubulointerstitial rejection; severe rejection requires transmural changes in arteries; "borderline" rejection can only be interpreted in a clinical context; antibody-mediated rejection is further defined, and lesion scoring focuses on most severely involved structures. Criteria for specimen adequacy have also been modified. Banff 97 represents a significant refinement of allograft assessment, developed via international consensus discussions.
The positive mental health instrument: development and validation of a culturally relevant scale in a multi-ethnic asian population

BACKGROUND
Instruments to measure mental health and well-being are largely developed and often used within Western populations and this compromises their validity in other cultures. A previous qualitative study in Singapore demonstrated the relevance of spiritual and religious practices to mental health, a dimension currently not included in exiting multi-dimensional measures. The objective of this study was to develop a self-administered measure that covers all key and culturally appropriate domains of mental health, which can be applied to compare levels of mental health across different age, gender and ethnic groups. We present the item reduction and validation of the Positive Mental Health (PMH) instrument in a community-based adult sample in Singapore.


METHODS
Surveys were conducted among adult (21-65 years) residents belonging to Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnicities. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA, CFA) were conducted and items were reduced using item response theory tests (IRT). The final version of the PMH instrument was tested for internal consistency and criterion validity. Items were tested for differential item functioning (DIF) to check if items functioned in the same way across all subgroups.


RESULTS
EFA and CFA identified six first-order factor structure (General coping, Personal growth and autonomy, Spirituality, Interpersonal skills, Emotional support, and Global affect) under one higher-order dimension of Positive Mental Health (RMSEA=0.05, CFI=0.96, TLI=0.96). A 47-item self-administered multi-dimensional instrument with a six-point Likert response scale was constructed. The slope estimates and strength of the relation to the theta for all items in each six PMH subscales were high (range:1.39 to 5.69), suggesting good discrimination properties. The threshold estimates for the instrument ranged from -3.45 to 1.61 indicating that the instrument covers entire spectrums for the six dimensions. The instrument demonstrated high internal consistency and had significant and expected correlations with other well-being measures. Results confirmed absence of DIF.


CONCLUSIONS
The PMH instrument is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used to measure and compare level of mental health across different age, gender and ethnic groups in Singapore.