LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Transdermal testosterone gel increases serum testosterone levels in hypogonadal men in Taiwan with improvements in sexual function

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to (1) evaluate efficacy and safety of transdermal testosterone gel (AndroGel) for hypogonadal men in Taiwan, and (2) observe improvements in sexual function through international index of erectile function (IIEF) scores. Eligible hypogonadal men were randomized to receive 50 mg/day transdermal testosterone gel (TTG) or placebo for 3 months. Primary end point was change from baseline in total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT). Secondary end points were change from baseline in serum hormone levels (such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)) and changes in IIEF scores. Safety evaluations included adverse events (AEs) and skin irritation assessment. Compared with baseline, the TTG group (n=20) had statistically significant increases in mean TT levels at month 1 (P=0.024) and month 2 (P=0.025), but no significant changes at month 3. TT levels in the placebo group (n=18) showed no statistically significant change at any visit. Changes in FT levels paralleled changes in TT levels in both groups. TTG group IIEF scores were significantly increased at month 3 (P=0.01), compared with a decline in placebo scores. No drug-related AEs occurred in the TTG group; the placebo group had 2 AEs (mild skin rash). In conclusion, TTG effectively restores serum TT and FT levels to a normal physiological range for hypogonadal men in Taiwan and improves sexual function.
QUANTUM FIELDS ON THE GROENEWOLD–MOYAL PLANE

We give an introductory review of quantum physics on the noncommutative space–time called the Groenewold–Moyal plane. Basic ideas like star products, twisted statistics, second quantized fields and discrete symmetries are discussed. We also outline some of the recent developments in these fields and mention where one can search for experimental signals.
Deep neural networks for time series prediction with applications in ultra-short-term wind forecasting

The aim of this paper is to present deep neural network architectures and algorithms and explore their use in time series prediction. Existing and novel input variable selection algorithms and deep neural networks are applied for ultra-short-term wind prediction. Since gradient-based optimization starting from random initialization often appears to get stuck in poor solutions, recent research effort aimed at training methods for such deep networks is summarized. Shallow and deep neural networks coupled with two input variable selection algorithms are compared on a ultra-short-term wind prediction task. Initial results show that deep neural networks outperform shallow ones. Depth adds additional computational cost and input variable selection use reduces it. Keywords—Deep Neural Networks, Input Variable Selection, ultrashort-term, wind forecasting
The Association of Four-Limb Blood Pressure with History of Stroke in Chinese Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE
We investigated the association of ankle-brachial blood pressure index (ABI), interarm blood pressure (BP) difference and interankle BP difference, obtained by simultaneous four-limb BP measurement, with history of stroke in a Chinese adult population.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 1485 participants aged ≥35 years in the framework of the China Hypertension Survey. We performed simultaneous four-limb BP measurement using oscillometric devices with the participants in the supine position and calculated ABI and interarm/interankle BP differences between the 4 limbs. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association of these BP parameters and other factors with a history of stroke.


RESULTS
In univariate analyses, participants with ABI <0.9, interarm BP difference ≥15 mmHg, and interankle BP difference ≥10 mmHg had a higher prevalence of stroke than those without (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0152, p = 0.002, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analyses suggested, ABI <0.9 was independently associated with a history of stroke after adjustment for interarm BP difference ≥15 mmHg, interankle BP difference ≥10 mmHg, and traditional risk factors for stroke (p = 0.001). An interankle BP difference ≥10 mmHg was associated with prior stroke after the two variables of hypertension and ABI were removed from the logistic regression model (p = 0.0142). Net reclassification improvement analysis showed that inclusion of interankle BP difference ≥10 mmHg to the independent risk factors (age, family history of stroke, hypertension, and ABI) improved net reclassification by 11.92%.


CONCLUSION
ABI <0.9 is an independent risk factor for stroke prevalence in Chinese adults and it just detected a small propotion of paticipants. The addition of interankle BP difference ≥10 mmHg to the independent risk factors for stroke may improve the prediction of stroke.
An extension of statistical decision theory with information theoretic cost functions to decision fusion: Part II

This paper is the second of two papers that examine statistical decision theory for the case where the cost function is an information theoretic cost function. Part I reviewed the information theoretic decision rule that results from the information theoretic function as well as some of its unique characteristics. It was shown that information theoretic decisions are represented by characteristic probability distributions and that the optimal decision is the one with the smallest Kullbach–Leibler statistical distance from the measurement-based probability distribution. The information theoretic decision function is less sensitive to the assignment of prior probabilities and the abstraction levels of the decision and hypothesis sets when compared to Bayesian decision theory. This second part develops an entirely new decision fusion rule from the decision rule of Part I. The decision fusion rule is restructured to produce a recursive algorithm that has similarities with the Kalman filter. The performance characteristics of the recursive algorithm and a handful of extensions are compared to a recursive Bayesian decision fusion algorithm through the analysis of a simple decision problem. 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Cognitive Work Analysis Toward Safe, Productive, and Healthy Computer-Based Work [Book Review]

Book Publisher: Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1999, 392 pp. with index and references. This book is already the classic text in the area of cognitive work analysis (CWA), and the author, Kim Vicente, is a recognized expert in the field. CWA is an approach to the problem of understanding the work required to perform complex tasks. The approach was developed at the Ris National Laboratory in Roskilde, Denmark, under the leadership of Jens Rasmussen, head of the electronics department.
Positioning-Free Resonant Wireless Power Transmission Sheet With Staggered Repeater Coil Array (SRCA)

A magnetically resonant wireless power transmission sheet (WPTS) on a printed circuit board is developed. WPTS wirelessly supplies the power to electronic devices including the wearable wireless healthcare devices anywhere on the sheet with high efficiency. In order to increase a power transmission efficiency degraded by a misalignment of a receiver coil, a transmitter coil array and a proposed staggered repeater coil array (SRCA) are stacked in WPTS. One transmitter coil closest to the receiver coil and the surrounding four repeater coils are selectively activated based on the result of a position detection of the receiver coil. By adding SRCA to the transmitter coil array, the measured power transmission efficiency at the worst-case misalignment increases from 4.8% to 64% at a distance of 15 mm between the transmitter and receiver coils with a diameter of 40 mm. The measured results are verified by electromagnetic simulations.
Light scattering from dense cold atomic media

We theoretically study the propagation of light through a cold atomic medium, where the effects of motion, laser intensity, atomic density, and polarization can all modify the properties of the scattered light. We present two different microscopic models: the “coherent dipole model” and the “random walk model”, both suitable for modeling recent experimental work done in large atomic arrays in the low light intensity regime. We use them to compute relevant observables such as the linewidth, peak intensity and line center of the emitted light. We further develop generalized models that explicitly take into account atomic motion. Those are relevant for hotter atoms and beyond the low intensity regime. We show that atomic motion can lead to drastic dephasing and to a reduction of collective effects, together with a distortion of the lineshape. Our results are applicable to model a full gamut of quantum systems that rely on atom-light interactions including atomic clocks, quantum simulators and nanophotonic systems.
Early Changes of Mannose-Binding Lectin, H-Ficolin, and Procalcitonin in Patients with Febrile Neutropenia: A Prospective Observational Study

OBJECTIVE
The significance of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and H-ficolin deficiency in febrile neutropenic (FN) patients and the correlation of these markers along with consecutive C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels during the infectious process are investigated.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Patients with any hematological malignancies who were defined to have "microbiologically confirmed infection", "clinically documented infection", or "fever of unknown origin" were included in this single-center prospective observational study. Serum levels of CRP, PCT, MBL, and H-ficolin were determined on 3 separate occasions: at baseline (between hospital admission and chemotherapy), at the onset of fever, and at the 72nd hour of fever.


RESULTS
Forty-six patients (54% male, mean age 41.7 years) with 61 separate episodes of FN were evaluated. Eleven patients (23.9%) had "microbiologically confirmed infection", 17 (37%) had "clinically documented infection", and 18 (39.1%) had "fever of unknown origin". Fourteen (30.4%) patients had low (<500 ng/mL) initial MBL levels and 7 (15.21%) had low (<12,000 ng/mL) H-ficolin levels. Baseline MBL and H-ficolin levels did not significantly change on the first and third days of fever (p=0.076). Gram-negative bacteremia more frequently occurred in those with low initial MBL levels (p=0.006). PCT levels were significantly higher in those with microbiologically documented infections. Mean and median PCT levels were significantly higher in cases with bacteremia. There was no significant difference between hemoculture-positive and-negative patients in terms of CRP levels.


CONCLUSION
Monitoring serum H-ficolin levels was shown to be of no benefit in terms of predicting severe infection. Low baseline MBL levels were correlated with high risk of gram-negative bacteremia; however, no significant correlation was shown in the follow-up. Close monitoring of PCT levels is warranted to provide more accurate and specific data while monitoring cases of bacteremia.
Metabolic Control With the Bio-inspired Artificial Pancreas in Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A 24-Hour Randomized Controlled Crossover Study.

BACKGROUND
The Bio-inspired Artificial Pancreas (BiAP) is a closed-loop insulin delivery system based on a mathematical model of beta-cell physiology and implemented in a microchip within a low-powered handheld device. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the BiAP over 24 hours, followed by a substudy assessing the safety of the algorithm without and with partial meal announcement. Changes in lactate and 3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were investigated for the first time during closed-loop.


METHODS
This is a prospective randomized controlled open-label crossover study. Participants were randomly assigned to attend either a 24-hour closed-loop visit connected to the BiAP system or a 24-hour open-loop visit (standard insulin pump therapy). The primary outcome was percentage time spent in target range (3.9-10 mmol/l) measured by sensor glucose. Secondary outcomes included percentage time in hypoglycemia (<3.9 mmol/l) and hyperglycemia (>10 mmol/l). Participants were invited to attend for an additional visit to assess the BiAP without and with partial meal announcements.


RESULTS
A total of 12 adults with type 1 diabetes completed the study (58% female, mean [SD] age 45 [10] years, BMI 25 [4] kg/m(2), duration of diabetes 22 [12] years and HbA1c 7.4 [0.7]% [58 (8) mmol/mol]). The median (IQR) percentage time in target did not differ between closed-loop and open-loop (71% vs 66.9%, P = .9). Closed-loop reduced time spent in hypoglycemia from 17.9% to 3.0% (P < .01), but increased time was spent in hyperglycemia (10% vs 28.9%, P = .01). The percentage time in target was higher when all meals were announced during closed-loop compared to no or partial meal announcement (65.7% [53.6-80.5] vs 45.5% [38.2-68.3], P = .12).


CONCLUSIONS
The BiAP is safe and achieved equivalent time in target as measured by sensor glucose, with improvement in hypoglycemia, when compared to standard pump therapy.
The ganglia distributed monitoring system: design, implementation, and experience

Ganglia is a scalable distributed monitoring system for high performance computing systems such as clusters and Grids. It is based on a hierarchical design targeted at federations of clusters. It relies on a multicast-based listen/announce protocol to monitor state within clusters and uses a tree of point-to-point connections amongst representative cluster nodes to federate clusters and aggregate their state. It leverages widely used technologies such as XML for data representation, XDR for compact, portable data transport, and RRDtool for data storage and visualization. It uses carefully engineered data structures and algorithms to achieve very low per-node overheads and high concurrency. The implementation is robust, has been ported to an extensive set of operating systems and processor architectures, and is currently in use on over 500 clusters around the world. This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of Ganglia along with experience gained through real world deployments on systems of widely varying scale, configurations, and target application domains over the last two and a half years. 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
How I Do It Adjunctive Tenotomy During Middle Ear Surgery

INTRODUCTION We describe indications and surgical technique for dividing the stapedius and tensor tympani tendons during middle ear surgery. Middle ear muscle reflexes involve contraction of the tensor tympani muscle (TTM) and stapedius muscle (SM) to increase impedance of the middle ear, and may shield the inner ear from loud, continuous nonimpact noise. Sectioning SM and TTM tendons has been advocated for a number of conditions, including improving access to anterior epitympanic (supratubal) recess, releasing a medialized malleus during tympanoplasty and ossiculoplasty, tensor or stapedial myoclonus, reflexive vertigo, and Meniere disease.
Variation in tospovirus transmission between populations of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Fourteen populations of the western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande, originating from different hosts and countries in Asia, Europe, North America and New Zealand, were analysed for their competency and efficiency to transmit tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). All populations acquired and subsequently transmitted the virus, and were thus competent to transmit. They show marked differences in their efficiency, expressed as the percentage of transmitting adults. Efficiencies varied from 18% for a F. occidentalis population from the USA (US2) to 75% for a population from Israel (IS2). The differences between populations were not affected by the amount of virus ingested or by the host plant used. However, the tospovirus species studied and age at which the larvae acquired the virus affected the efficiency to transmit. First instar larvae of the NL3 population from The Netherlands were able to acquire tomato spotted wilt virus, whereas second instar larvae failed to do so. However, both instars of this population acquired impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), another tospovirus. This and tomato spotted wilt virus were both acquired by both larval stages of the populations IS2 and US2, although their ability to acquire virus decreased with their age. Hence, it is likely that, in general, both instar larvae of most F. occidentalis populations are competent to acquire both tospoviruses. These results show that large differences exist in the efficiency by which tomato spotted wilt is transmitted by the various F. occidentalis populations and that the ability to acquire tospovirus decreases with the age of the larvae
C2TAM: A Cloud framework for cooperative tracking and mapping

The Simultaneous Localization And Mapping by an autonomous mobile robot – known by its acronym SLAM – is a computationally demanding process for medium and large-scale scenarios, in spite of the progress both in the algorithmic and hardware sides. As a consequence, a robot with SLAM capabilities has to be equipped with the latest computers whose weight and power consumption might limit its
Energy Storage Systems for Transport and Grid Applications

Energy storage systems (ESSs) are enabling technologies for well-established and new applications such as power peak shaving, electric vehicles, integration of renewable energies, etc. This paper presents a review of ESSs for transport and grid applications, covering several aspects as the storage technology, the main applications, and the power converters used to operate some of the energy storage technologies. Special attention is given to the different applications, providing a deep description of the system and addressing the most suitable storage technology. The main objective of this paper is to introduce the subject and to give an updated reference to nonspecialist, academic, and engineers in the field of power electronics.
Studies on the phylogeny and gene structure of early-branching eukaryotes.

The Archezoa hypothesis holds that several living protist groups constitute primitive eukaryotic lineages that diverged from the main eukaryotic lineage prior to the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria. Several aspects of this hypothesis were tested.
Ontology Mapping - a User Survey

Ontology mapping is the key to data interoperability in the semantic web vision. Computing mappings is the first step to applications such as query rewriting, instance sharing, web-service integration, and ontology merging. This problem has received a lot of attention in recent years, but little is known about how users actually construct mappings. Several ontology-mapping tools have been developed, but which tools do users actually use? What processes are users following to discover, track, and compute mappings? How do teams coordinate when performing mappings? In this paper, we discuss the results from an online user survey where we gathered feedback from the community to help answer these important questions. We discuss the results from the survey and the implications they may have on the mapping research community.
Development of robot legs inspired by bi-articular muscle-tendon complex of cats

Within the limbs of typical animals, there exist bi-articular muscles crossing two joints. It is known that the bi-articular muscles of the felid play an important role in the locomotion. Also the muscle-tendon complex, composed of the gastrocnemius muscle and the Achilles' tendon that cross the knee joint and the ankle joint contributes much to the movements such as running and jumping particularly. Besides, because the muscle-tendon complex has the function for absorbing shocking, it is utilized for soft landing from high places. To achieve high performance for jumping and landing motion like cats, we are developing robot legs inspired by the bi-articular muscle-tendon complex of cats. The leg consists of hip, knee and ankle joints. For the knee and ankle joints, a four-bar linkage mechanism with one elastic linkage, in which the knee joint is driven by an electric rotary motor and the ankle joint is passive, is applied. By this mechanism, basic functions of the bi-articular muscle-tendon complex of felids like cats can be realized and the performance for jumping and landing can be improved. In this paper, the new leg mechanism is described. Moreover, a prototype of a pair of the hind legs of the quadruped robot using the new mechanism has been developed. The results of jumping and landing experiments are shown to validate the effectiveness of the mechanism.
Effects of supplementation vegetable oil on milk production in lactating cows.

Vegetable oil have long been studied and added to concentrates rations in order to improve the energetic value of the diet and enhance dairy cows to express their productive potential. This study was conducted to examine if vegetable oil supplemented would affect milk production. Sixteen cows were obtained for an experiment and received 20 kg corn silage and 7.5 kg concentrate, on dry matter basis containing 6.2% palm oil, for 4 weeks. Subsequently, the animals were assigned into three experimental groups, which were given different oil rich diets; palm oil served as control (PO; n=4), soybean oil (SB; n=6), and sunflower oil (SF; n=6). During 4 weeks of receiving the experimental diets, milking data was recorded daily and milk samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Supplementation with all vegetable oils did not alter milk production but decreased 3.5% fat corrected milk at week 1 in SF compared to PO (P = 0.042). The percentages of milk fat were significantly lower in cow fed diet rich in SB and SF at week 1 (P = 0.029 and P = 0.001, respectively) and week 2(P = 0.025 and P = 0.015, respectively) compared to cow fed PO with far more significant lower in cow fed SF compared to SB (P = 0.048). Moreover, lower milk fat yield was also observed in cows fed SF rich diet at week 1 (P = 0.003). Furthermore, dietary SB caused lower in milk protein yield at week 3 (P = 0.028), and supplemented SF caused higher in the percentages of SNF in milk at week 4 (P = 0.038). However, all treatments did not affect the content and yield of lactose in milk. It is concluded that the supplementation of diet with vegetable oils could alter milk performance and production, however, these effects tended to occur during a rather short period of
Designing Secure Ethereum Smart Contracts: A Finite State Machine Based Approach

The adoption of blockchain-based distributed computation platforms is growing fast. Some of these platforms, such as Ethereum, provide support for implementing smart contracts, which are envisioned to have novel applications in a broad range of areas, including finance and Internet-of-Things. However, a significant number of smart contracts deployed in practice suffer from security vulnerabilities, which enable malicious users to steal assets from a contract or to cause damage. Vulnerabilities present a serious issue since contracts may handle financial assets of considerable value, and contract bugs are non-fixable by design. To help developers create more secure smart contracts, we introduce FSolidM, a framework rooted in rigorous semantics for designing contracts as Finite State Machines (FSM). We present a tool for creating FSM on an easy-to-use graphical interface and for automatically generating Ethereum contracts. Further, we introduce a set of design patterns, which we implement as plugins that developers can easily add to their contracts to enhance security and functionality.