LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Anger management for people with mild to moderate learning disabilities: Study protocol for a multi-centre cluster randomized controlled trial of a manualized intervention delivered by day-service staff

BACKGROUND
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is the treatment of choice for common mental health problems, but this approach has only recently been adapted for people with learning disabilities, and there is a limited evidence base for the use of CBT with this client group. Anger treatment is the one area where there exists a reasonable number of small controlled trials. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of a manualized 12-week CBT intervention for anger. The intervention will be delivered by staff working in the day services that the participants attend, following training to act as 'lay therapists' by a Clinical Psychologist, who will also provide supervision.


METHODS/DESIGN
This is a multi-centre cluster randomized controlled trial of a group intervention versus a 'support as usual' waiting-list control group, with randomization at the level of the group. Outcomes will be assessed at the end of the intervention and again 6-months later. After completion of the 6-month follow-up assessments, the intervention will also be delivered to the waiting-list groups. The study will include a range of anger/aggression and mental health measures, some of which will be completed by service users and also by their day service key-workers and by home carers. Qualitative data will be collected to assess the impact of the intervention on participants, lay therapists, and services, and the study will also include a service-utilization cost and consequences analysis.


DISCUSSION
This will be the first trial to investigate formally how effectively staff working in services providing day activities for people with learning disabilities are able to use a therapy manual to deliver a CBT based anger management intervention, following brief training by a Clinical Psychologist. The demonstration that service staff can successfully deliver anger management to people with learning disabilities, by widening the pool of potential therapists, would have very significant benefits in relation to the current policy of improving access to psychological therapies, in addition to addressing more effectively an important and often unmet need of this vulnerable client group. The economic analysis will identify the direct and indirect costs (and/or savings) of the intervention and consider these in relation to the range of observed effects. The qualitative analyses will enhance the interpretation of the quantitative data, and if the study shows positive results, will inform the roll-out of the intervention to the wider community.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
ISRCTN: ISRCTN37509773.
A comparative approach to life-history strategies and tactics among four orders of teleost fish

Whereas a life-history strategy is defined as a complex pattern of co-evolved lifehistory traits designed for a particular environment, a tactic is the plasticity of these traits that allows populations to cope with environmental variability. Strategies and tactics are sought by comparing traits from a large number of populations of different species. An autoregressive method allows partitioning the variability of demographic traits into two parts: a phylogenetic part (broad strategies inherited from the past) and a population part (the remaining variability, including tactics). The following traits are analysed: adult size as a scaling parameter because life-history traits are known to change with body size; survival, which accounts for fishing and natural mortality; age and size at maturity, and total reproductive output for an individual life-time. Data have been assembled for 67 stocks of four orders: Clupeiformes, Gadiformes, Perciformes, and Pleuronectiformes. It is concluded that these four orders have different life-history strategies, and that tactics are different among strategies. At low abundance, the compensations allowed by these tactics are much less efficient in Clupeiformes than in the other orders considered.
Intermediaries Driving Eco-Innovation in SMEs: A Qualitative Investigation

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the role intermediaries can play in an SME’s pursuit for corporate sustainability with a focus on eco-efficiency innovation. The research identifies drivers and barriers for eco-efficiency innovation, and highlights effects induced through collaboration between SMEs and local authorities, on the one hand, and consultancies, on the other. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is based on an exploratory qualitative interview study among German SMEs of the metal and mechanical engineering industry that have participated in “Ecoprofit”, an intermediary based program that aims at introducing organizations to the concept of sustainable development through implementation of eco-efficiency innovations. Findings: Our key findings are that first, the proactive approach by a public intermediary (here local authority) is one essential push factor to trigger eco-efficiency innovations in SMEs with low absorptive capacity. Second, we find that SMEs may need facilitation for eco-efficiency innovation from different types of intermediaries (public and private) with different levels of support, which can range from customized and individual to more loosely held support, such as networks. Originality/value: Our study discusses the challenges of corporate sustainability with a focus on ecoefficiency innovations for SMEs and proposes a ‘complex intermediary’ consisting of a local authority and consultancies as one means to engage SMEs in sustainability. Moreover, it focuses on SMEs in the B2B context, organizations that are often overlooked despite their vast impact. Furthermore, by using a single industry approach, in-depth findings for the metal and mechanical engineering industry are presented.
Providing deterministic delay guarantees in ATM networks

Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network (BISDN) is expected to carry various types of traffic, including best-effort as well as real-time traffic like video-on-demand, live multimedia conferences, and remote medical services for which stringent quality of service (QoS) requirements must be met. In particular, per-packet (per-cell) delay guarantees are an important QoS requirement for real-time applications. Although several methods have been proposed to provide delay guarantees in packet-switching networks, they are either too complex for ATM networks which allow only very simple operations to achieve high bandwidths (hence, high-speed switching and routing), or too inefficient (in using network resources) to be cost effective. In this paper, we propose a cell-multiplexing scheme for the realtime communication service in ATM networks. The proposed scheme achieves an efficiency close to that of Packet-by-Packet Generalized Processor Sharing, and incurs an implementation cost similar to that of Rate Controlled Static Priority Queueing. It employs the leaky bucket model as the input traffic description model and regulates the input traffic at the User Network Interface to follow the input traffic specification. Inside the network, it consists of two components, trafic controller and scheduler. The function of the traffic controller is to shape real-time traffic to have the same input pattern at every switch along the path. The end-to-end delay is bounded by the scheduler which employs a nonpreemptive rate-monotonic priority scheduling policy at each switch on the path. The proposed scheme is compared to three other popular schemes with MPEG-coded movie clips. Finally, we present a hardware implementation of the proposed scheme based on a systolic array priority queue. Zndex Terms-ATM, broadband ISDN, cell multiplexing, channel admissibility, delay guarantee, multimedia conferencing, ratemonotonic priority scheduling, real-time communication, traffic controller.
Continual learning in reinforcement environments

Continual learning is the constant development of complex behaviors with no nal end in mind. It is the process of learning ever more complicated skills by building on those skills already developed. In order for learning at one stage of development to serve as the foundation for later learning, a continual-learning agent should learn hierarchically. CHILD, an agent capable of Continual, Hierarchical, Incremental Learning and Development is proposed, described, tested, and evaluated in this dissertation. CHILD accumulates useful behaviors in reinforcement environments by using the Temporal Transition Hierarchies learning algorithm, also derived in the dissertation. This constructive algorithm generates a hierarchical, higher-order neural network that can be used for predicting context-dependent temporal sequences and can learn sequential-task benchmarks more than two orders of magnitude faster than competing neural-network systems. Consequently, CHILD can quickly solve complicated non-Markovian reinforcement-learning tasks and can then transfer its skills to similar but even more complicated tasks, learning these faster still. This continual-learning approach is made possible by the unique properties of Temporal Transition Hierarchies, which allow existing skills to be amended and augmented in precisely the same way that they were constructed in the rst place. Table of
Changing sagittal plane body position during single-leg landings influences the risk of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury

To examine the effects of different sagittal plane body positions during single-leg landings on biomechanics and muscle activation parameters associated with risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Twenty participants performed single-leg drop landings onto a force plate using the following landing styles: self-selected, leaning forward (LFL) and upright (URL). Lower extremity and trunk 3D biomechanics and lower extremity muscle activities were recorded using motion analysis and surface electromyography, respectively. Differences in landing styles were examined using 2-way Repeated-measures ANOVAs (sex × landing conditions) followed by Bonferroni pairwise comparisons. Participants demonstrated greater peak vertical ground reaction force, greater peak knee extensor moment, lesser plantar flexion, lesser or no hip extensor moments, and lesser medial and lateral gastrocnemius and lateral quadriceps muscle activations during URL than during LFL. These modifications of lower extremity biomechanics across landing conditions were similar between men and women. Leaning forward while landing appears to protect the ACL by increasing the shock absorption capacity and knee flexion angles and decreasing anterior shear force due to the knee joint compression force and quadriceps muscle activation. Conversely, landing upright appears to be ACL harmful by increasing the post-impact force of landing and quadriceps muscle activity while decreasing knee flexion angles, all of which lead to a greater tibial anterior shear force and ACL loading. ACL injury prevention programmes should include exercise regimens to improve sagittal plane body position control during landing motions.
A WBAN-based Real-time Electroencephalogram Monitoring System: Design and Implementation

In this study, a flexible wireless body area network (WBAN) node platform has been designed and implemented based on the Zigbee technology. In order to provide wide range WBAN for health monitoring, a Zigbee/Internet Gateway (ZiGW) has also been developed rather than using a PDA or a host PC to connect different WBANs by using the Internet as the communication infrastructure. The proposed body sensor node platform promises a cost-effective, flexible platform for developing physical sensor node in real-time health monitoring. The ZiGW can provide an effective method to connect WBAN with the Internet. In this work, we present the implementation of an Electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring system using the proposed methods. In this proposed system, real-time EEG signals can be remotely monitored by physicians via Internet, and the collected EEG data is stored in the online EEG database which can be shared with physicians or researchers for further analysis.
Virtual Petz: A Hybrid Approach to Creating Autonomous, Lifelike Dogz and Catz

1. ABSTRACT WC have developed a series of lifelike computer characters called Virtual Petz. These are autonomous agents with real-time layered 3D animation and sound. Using a mouse the user moves a hand-shaped cursor to directly touch, pet, and pick up the characters, as well as use toys and objects. Virtual Petz grow up over time on the user’s PC computer desktop, and strive to be the user’s friends and companions. They have evolving social relationships with the user and each other. To implement these agents we have invented hybrid techniques that draw from cartoons, improvisational drama, AI and video games. 1.1
Prehabilitation for men undergoing radical prostatectomy: a multi-centre, pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND
An emerging field of research describes the role of preoperative health behaviours, known as prehabilitation. The preoperative period may be a more physically and emotionally salient time to introduce and foster chronic adherence to health behaviours, such as exercise, in patients compared to post-treatment during recovery. Moreover, physical and psychosocial improvements during the preoperative period may translate into an enhanced recovery trajectory with reduced operative complications and postoperative adverse effects. No studies have assessed prehabilitation for men with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy.


METHODS/DESIGN
This is a multi-centre, pilot randomized control trial conducted at two Canadian urban teaching hospitals. 100 men undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer with no contraindications to exercise will be recruited and randomized to the prehabiliation program or usual care. Prehabilitation participants will engage in a preoperative, individualized exercise program including pelvic floor muscle strengthening instructions and a healthy lifestyle guide for men with prostate cancer. These participants will be asked to engage in 60 minutes of home-based, unsupervised, moderate-intensity exercise on 3-4 days per week. Usual care participants will receive the same pelvic floor muscle strengthening instructions and healthy lifestyle guide only. We will assess the feasibility of conducting an adequately powered trial of the same design via recruitment rate, programmatic adherence/contamination, attrition, and safety. Estimates of intervention efficacy will be captured through measurements at baseline (4-8 weeks preoperatively), within 1 week prior to surgery, and postoperatively at 4, 12, and 26 weeks. Efficacy outcomes include: fatigue, quality of life, urinary incontinence, physical fitness, body composition, aerobic fitness, pain, and physical activity volume.


DISCUSSION
The primary outcome of this study is to determine the feasibility of conducting a full-scale, randomized controlled trial of prehabilitation versus usual care and to estimate effect sizes that will inform sample size determinations for subsequent trials in this field. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine a structured presurgical exercise program for men undergoing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. This trial will advance our understanding of strategies to efficiently and effectively use the preoperative period to optimize postoperative recovery.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02036684.
Saccharomyces boulardii does not prevent relapse of Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS
Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic yeast that has been shown to have beneficial effects on the intestinal epithelial barrier and digestive immune system. There is preliminary evidence that S boulardii could be used to treat patients with Crohn's disease (CD). We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effects of S boulardii in patients with CD who underwent remission during therapy with steroids or aminosalicylates.


METHODS
We performed a prospective study of 165 patients who achieved remission after treatment with steroids or salicylates; they were randomly assigned to groups given S boulardii (1 g/day) or placebo for 52 weeks. The primary end point was the percentage of patients in remission at week 52. Time to relapse, Crohn's disease activity index scores, and changes in parameters of inflammation were secondary end points.


RESULTS
CD relapsed in 80 patients, 38 in the S boulardii group (47.5%) and 42 in the placebo group (53.2%, a nonsignificant difference). The median time to relapse did not differ significantly between patients given S boulardii (40.7 weeks) vs placebo (39.0 weeks). There were no significant differences between groups in mean Crohn's disease activity index scores or erythrocyte sedimentation rates or in median levels of C-reactive protein. In a post hoc analysis, nonsmokers given S boulardii were less likely to experience a relapse of CD than nonsmokers given placebo, but this finding requires confirmation.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the probiotic yeast S boulardii is safe and well tolerated, it does not appear to have any beneficial effects for patients with CD in remission after steroid or salicylate therapies.
Collaborative job prediction based on Naïve Bayes Classifier using python platform

The paper aims to implement recommendation system based on collaborative filtering technique for job portals. The system is designed to suggest the jobs to the user depending upon his profile and by calculating a similarity index using Euclidian distance of two skill sets and then ranking them according to their naïve Bayes algorithm. The recommendation system has been implemented in python.
Location and Navigation Support for Emergency Responders: A Survey

As this overview of products and projects shows, preinstalled location systems, wireless sensor networks, and inertial sensing all have benefits and drawbacks when considering emergency response requirements.
SALICORNIA HERBACEAE: BOTANICAL, CHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW OF HALOPHYTE MARSH PLANT

Salicornia (S.) herbacea L. (Chenopodiaceae) is a salt marsh plant and one of the most salt tolerant species on Western coast of Korea. In a long time, S. herbacea has been prescribed in traditional medicines for the treatment of intestinal ailments, nephropathy, and hepatitis in Oriental countries. In addition, S. herbacea has recently reported to be effective on the atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. A variety of pharmacological experiments have revealed that solvent-extracted fractions of S. herbacea exhibited anti-oxidative, anti-microbial, anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammatory activities, supporting rationale behind its several traditional uses. Tungtungmadic acid, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, and isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside have been isolated from S. herbacea, and identified as active ingredients of biological and pharmacological activities. Due to the easily collection of the plant and remarkable biological activities, this plant has become the food and medicine in seashore area of Korea. This review presents comprehensively analyzed information on the botanical, chemical, and pharmacological aspects of S. herbacea.
Islamic vs . Conventional Banking : Business Model , Efficiency and Stability

How different are Islamic banks from conventional banks? Does the recent crisis justify a closer look at the Sharia-compliant business model for banking? When comparing conventional and Islamic banks, controlling for time-variant country-fixed effects, we find few significant differences in business orientation. There is evidence however, that Islamic banks are less cost-effective, but have a higher intermediation ratio, higher asset quality and are better capitalized. We also find large cross-country variation in the differences between conventional and Islamic banks as well as across Islamic banks of different sizes. Furthermore, we find that Islamic banks are better capitalized, have higher asset quality and are less likely to disintermediate during crises. The better stock performance of listed Islamic banks during the recent crisis is also due to their higher capitalization and better asset quality. 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Pareto-Optimal Adversarial Defense of Enterprise Systems

The National Vulnerability Database (NVD) maintained by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology provides valuable information about vulnerabilities in popular software, as well as any patches available to address these vulnerabilities. Most enterprise security managers today simply patch the most dangerous vulnerabilities—an adversary can thus easily compromise an enterprise by using less important vulnerabilities to penetrate an enterprise. In this article, we capture the vulnerabilities in an enterprise as a Vulnerability Dependency Graph (VDG) and show that attacks graphs can be expressed in them. We first ask the question: What set of vulnerabilities should an attacker exploit in order to maximize his expected impact? We show that this problem can be solved as an integer linear program. The defender would obviously like to minimize the impact of the worst-case attack mounted by the attacker—but the defender also has an obligation to ensure a high productivity within his enterprise. We propose an algorithm that finds a Pareto-optimal solution for the defender that allows him to simultaneously maximize productivity and minimize the cost of patching products on the enterprise network. We have implemented this framework and show that runtimes of our computations are all within acceptable time bounds even for large VDGs containing 30K edges and that the balance between productivity and impact of attacks is also acceptable.
Slip-compensated path following for planetary exploration rovers

A system that enables continuous slip compensation for a Mars rover has been designed, implemented, and field-tested. This system is composed of several components that allow the rover to accurately and continuously follow a designated path, compensate for slippage, and reach intended goals in high-slip environments. These components include: visual odometry, vehicle kinematics, a Kalman filter pose estimator, and a slip-compensated path follower. Visual odometry tracks distinctive scene features in stereo imagery to estimate rover motion between successively acquired stereo image pairs. The kinematics for a rocker-bogie suspension system estimates vehicle motion by measuring wheel rates, and rocker, bogie, and steering angles. The Kalman filter processes measurements from an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and visual odometry. The filter estimate is then compared to the kinematic estimate to determine whether slippage has occurred, taking into account estimate uncertainties. If slippage is detected, the slip vector is calculated by differencing the current Kalman filter estimate from the kinematic estimate. This slip vector is then used to determine the necessary wheel velocities and steering angles to compensate for slip and follow the desired path. keywords: rover navigation, visual odometry, slip compensation, Kalman filter, rover kinematics.