LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Restoring large-scale brain networks in PTSD and related disorders: a proposal for neuroscientifically-informed treatment interventions

BACKGROUND
Three intrinsic connectivity networks in the brain, namely the central executive, salience, and default mode networks, have been identified as crucial to the understanding of higher cognitive functioning, and the functioning of these networks has been suggested to be impaired in psychopathology, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).


OBJECTIVE
1) To describe three main large-scale networks of the human brain; 2) to discuss the functioning of these neural networks in PTSD and related symptoms; and 3) to offer hypotheses for neuroscientifically-informed interventions based on treating the abnormalities observed in these neural networks in PTSD and related disorders.


METHODS
Literature relevant to this commentary was reviewed.


RESULTS
Increasing evidence for altered functioning of the central executive, salience, and default mode networks in PTSD has been demonstrated. We suggest that each network is associated with specific clinical symptoms observed in PTSD, including cognitive dysfunction (central executive network), increased and decreased arousal/interoception (salience network), and an altered sense of self (default mode network). Specific testable neuroscientifically-informed treatments aimed to restore each of these neural networks and related clinical dysfunction are proposed.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuroscientifically-informed treatment interventions will be essential to future research agendas aimed at targeting specific PTSD and related symptoms.
Building Synthetic Graphical Documents for Performance Evaluation

In this paper we present a system that allows to build synthetic graphical documents for the performance evaluation of symbol recognition systems. The key contribution of this work is the building of whole documents like drawings or maps. We exploit the layer property of graphical documents by positioning symbol sets in different ways from a same background using positioning constraints. Experiments are presented to build two kinds of test document databases : bags of symbol and architectural drawings.
A single-arm phase II trial of first-line paclitaxel in combination with lapatinib in HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION
Lapatinib, an orally active tyrosine kinase inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor ErbB1 (EGFR) and ErbB2 (HER2), has activity as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy in HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer (MBC).


METHODS
This phase II single-arm trial assessed the safety and efficacy of first-line lapatinib in combination with paclitaxel in previously untreated patients with HER2-overexpressing MBC. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints were the duration of response (DoR), time to response, time to progression, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, and the incidence and severity of adverse events. All endpoints were investigator- and independent review committee (IRC)-assessed.


RESULTS
The IRC-assessed ORR was 51% (29/57 patients with complete or partial response) while the investigator-assessed ORR was 77% (44/57). As per the IRC, the median DoR was 39.7 weeks, and the median PFS was 47.9 weeks. The most common toxicities were diarrhea (56%), neutropenia (44%), rash (40%), fatigue (25%), and peripheral sensory neuropathy (25%).


CONCLUSIONS
First-line lapatinib plus paclitaxel for HER2-overexpressing MBC produced an encouraging ORR with manageable toxicities. This combination may be useful in first-line treatment for patients with HER2-overexpressing MBC and supports the ongoing evaluation of this combination as first-line therapy in HER2-overexpressing MBC.
Effect of Mn element on microstructure and mechanical properties of bulk nanocrystalline Fe3Al based materials prepared by aluminothermic reaction

Abstract Bulk nanocrystalline Fe 3 Al based materials containing 5, 10 and 15 wt.% Mn element were prepared by aluminothermic reaction. The materials were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA). Compressive behavior and hardness of the materials were investigated. It shows that all of the three materials consist of nanocrystalline matrix and a little contamination phases. The nanocrystalline matrix phases are solid solutions composed of Fe, Al and Mn elements. The nanocrystalline matrix phases of the materials containing 5 and 10 wt.% Mn have disordered solid solution of bcc crystal structure and that of the material containing 15 wt.% Mn has ordered DO 3 crystal structure. Average grain size of the nanocrystalline matrix phases dramatically decreases at first and then increases a little with content of Mn and that of the material containing 10 wt.% Mn is the smallest. The material containing 10 wt.% Mn does not fracture in the compression and exhibits good plasticity, the yield strength and hardness increases at first and then decreases with content of Mn and those of the material containing 10 wt.% Mn are the highest.
Signs of knee osteoarthritis common in 620 patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery for meniscal tear

Background and purpose - Recent evidence has questioned the effect of arthroscopic knee surgery for middle-aged and older patients with degenerative meniscal tears with or without concomitant radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA). We investigated the prevalence of early or more established knee OA and patients' characteristics in a cohort of patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery for a meniscal tear. Patients and methods - 641 patients assigned for arthroscopy on suspicion of meniscus tear were consecutively recruited from February 2013 through January 2015. Of these, 620 patients (mean age 49 (18-77) years, 57% men) with full datasets available were included in the present study. Prior to surgery, patients completed questionnaires regarding onset of symptoms, duration of symptoms, and mechanical symptoms along with the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS). At arthroscopy, the operating surgeon recorded information about meniscal pathology and cartilage damage. Early or more established knee OA was defined as the combination of self-reported frequent knee pain, cartilage damage, and the presence of degenerative meniscal tissue. Results - 43% of patients (269 of 620) had early or more established knee OA. Of these, a large proportion had severe cartilage lesions with almost half having a severe cartilage lesion in at least 1 knee compartment. Interpretation - Based on a definition including frequent knee pain, cartilage damage, and degenerative meniscal tissue, early or more established knee OA was present in 43% of patients undergoing knee arthroscopy for meniscal tear.
The influence of gender on the injury severity, course and outcome of traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE
To examine the independent association of gender with injury severity, clinical course, pituitary dysfunction and outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI).


DESIGN
Prospective cohort, analysis of a data sub-set collected as part of the nation-wide database 'The Structured Data Assessment of Hypopituitarism after TBI and SAH'.


METHODS AND PROCEDURES
Four hundred and twenty-seven patients following TBI were observed from acute care through neurological rehabilitation. Outcome was measured by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), employment status and living situation post-injury. As a secondary outcome measure anterior pituitary function was assessed.


RESULTS
There were no differences in injury severity between men and women. Age had a significant effect on the GCS score (p = 0.0295), but gender did not (p = 0.4105). The outcome was equivalent between men and women once corrected for age. Logistic regression revealed that gender had no effect (p = 0.8008), but age (p = 0.0021) and initial injury severity (p = 0.0010) had an effect on the GOS. After correcting for pre-injury living situation and employment only initial injury severity (p = 0.0005) influenced GOS. Pituitary insufficiency was not affected by sex or age.


CONCLUSION
Gender does not seem to influence the course and outcome of TBI. Outcome parameters were affected foremost by initial injury severity and by age, but not by sex.
Reduced-intensity stem cell transplantation from an HLA-identical sibling donor in patients with myeloid malignancies

Summary:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with a reduced-intensity regimen (RIST) in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). In all, 36 patients (median age 55 years) underwent RIST from an HLA-matched related donor between September 1999 and December 2002. The diagnoses included AML (n=14), leukemia evolving from MDS (n=10), and MDS (refractory anemia with excess blasts n=6, refractory anemia n=6). The RIST regimen consisted of purine analog (cladribine or fludarabine)/busulfan, with or without antithymocyte globulin. The regimen was well tolerated, and 34 patients achieved durable engraftment and most achieved remission after RIST. A total of 17 patients developed grade II–IV acute GVHD, and 27 developed chronic GVHD. Eight patients relapsed, and five of them received antithymocyte globulin (ATG) as part of the preparative regimen. A total of 12 patients died (four disease progression, six transplantation-related complications, and two others). Estimated 1-year disease-free survival (DFS) in low- and high-risk groups was 85 and 64%, respectively. We conclude that RIST can be performed safely in elderly patients with myeloid malignancies, and has therapeutic potential for those who fail conventional chemotherapy. In view of the significant association between GVHD or ATG and DFS, defined management of GVHD following RIST should become a major target of clinical research.
Effects of cross-sex hormone treatment on transgender women and men.

OBJECTIVE
To describe weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), lipids, and hormone levels in transgender women and men presenting for initiation of cross-sex hormone therapy at a community clinic in the United States.


METHODS
Twenty-three transgender women (persons assigned male at birth who identify as female and want to use estrogen to develop female secondary sex characteristics) and 34 transgender men (persons assigned female at birth who identify as male and want to use testosterone to develop male secondary sex characteristics) presenting for initiation of hormone therapy at a community health center were enrolled. Body mass index, BP, lipids, and sex hormone levels were measured at baseline and 6 months. Persistence of menses at 6 months in transgender men was recorded.


RESULTS
Sixteen transgender women and 31 transgender men completed the study. Baseline and 6-month median BPs and lipid values were within a normal clinical range. Median systolic BP in transgender women dropped from baseline 130.5 mmHg (interquartile range 11.5) to 120.5 mmHg (interquartile range 15.5) at 6 months (P=.006). Testosterone levels remained elevated in 33% and estradiol (E2) levels were supratherapeutic in 19% of transgender women at 6 months. Median BMI for transgender men was 29.1 kg/m (interquartile range 11.2) at baseline and 30.0 kg/m (interquartile range 11.4) at 6 months (P=.024). Six-month total testosterone levels were subtherapeutic in 32% and E2 levels remained elevated in 71% of transgender men.


CONCLUSION
In transgender women, estrogen therapy, with or without antiandrogen therapy, was associated with lower BP. In transgender men, testosterone therapy was associated with increased BMI. The study had insufficient power to detect other associations. Monitoring of hormone levels to guide therapy appears to be useful.


LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
III.
Parent-mediated communication-focused treatment in children with autism (PACT): a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND
Results of small trials suggest that early interventions for social communication are effective for the treatment of autism in children. We therefore investigated the efficacy of such an intervention in a larger trial.


METHODS
Children with core autism (aged 2 years to 4 years and 11 months) were randomly assigned in a one-to-one ratio to a parent-mediated communication-focused (Preschool Autism Communication Trial [PACT]) intervention or treatment as usual at three specialist centres in the UK. Those assigned to PACT were also given treatment as usual. Randomisation was by use of minimisation of probability in the marginal distribution of treatment centre, age (</=42 months or >42 months), and autism severity (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic [ADOS-G] algorithm score 12-17 or 18-24). Primary outcome was severity of autism symptoms (a total score of social communication algorithm items from ADOS-G, higher score indicating greater severity) at 13 months. Complementary secondary outcomes were measures of parent-child interaction, child language, and adaptive functioning in school. Analysis was by intention to treat. This study is registered as an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial, number ISRCTN58133827.


RESULTS
152 children were recruited. 77 were assigned to PACT (London [n=26], Manchester [n=26], and Newcastle [n=25]); and 75 to treatment as usual (London [n=26], Manchester [n=26], and Newcastle [n=23]). At the 13-month endpoint, the severity of symptoms was reduced by 3.9 points (SD 4.7) on the ADOS-G algorithm in the group assigned to PACT, and 2.9 (3.9) in the group assigned to treatment as usual, representing a between-group effect size of -0.24 (95% CI -0.59 to 0.11), after adjustment for centre, sex, socioeconomic status, age, and verbal and non-verbal abilities. Treatment effect was positive for parental synchronous response to child (1.22, 0.85 to 1.59), child initiations with parent (0.41, 0.08 to 0.74), and for parent-child shared attention (0.33, -0.02 to 0.68). Effects on directly assessed language and adaptive functioning in school were small.


INTERPRETATION
On the basis of our findings, we cannot recommend the addition of the PACT intervention to treatment as usual for the reduction of autism symptoms; however, a clear benefit was noted for parent-child dyadic social communication.


FUNDING
UK Medical Research Council, and UK Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Design and performance of a centimetre-scale shrouded wind turbine for energy harvesting

A miniature shrouded wind turbine aimed at energy harvesting for power delivery to wireless sensors in pipes and ducts is presented. The device has a rotor diameter of 2 cm, with an outer diameter of 3.2 cm, and generates electrical power by means of an axial-flux permanent magnet machine built into the shroud. Fabrication was accomplished using a combination of traditional machining, rapid prototyping, and flexible printed circuit board technology for the generator stator, with jewel bearings providing low friction and start up speed. Prototype devices can operate at air speeds down to 3 m s−1, and deliver between 80 μW and 2.5 mW of electrical power at air speeds in the range 3–7 m s−1. Experimental turbine performance curves, obtained by wind tunnel testing and corrected for bearing losses using data obtained in separate vacuum run-down tests, are compared with the predictions of an elementary blade element momentum (BEM) model. The two show reasonable agreement at low tip speed ratios. However, in experiments where a maximum could be observed, the maximum power coefficient (∼9%) is marginally lower than predicted from the BEM model and occurs at a lower than predicted tip speed ratio of around 0.6. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)
Zinc as an adjunct to the treatment of severe pneumonia in Ecuadorian children: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND
Studies of zinc as an adjunct to treatment of severe pneumonia in children have shown mixed results, possibly because of poor information on zinc status and respiratory pathogens.


OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the effect of zinc given with standard antimicrobial treatment on the duration of respiratory signs in children with severe pneumonia. Zinc status and pathogens were assessed.


DESIGN
Children aged 2-59 mo with severe pneumonia who were admitted to the main children's hospital in Quito, Ecuador, were given standard antibiotics and randomly allocated to receive zinc supplements twice daily or a placebo. Measurements included anthropometric variables, breastfeeding, hemoglobin, plasma zinc, and common bacteria/viral respiratory pathogens. The primary outcome was time to resolution of respiratory signs. The secondary outcome was treatment failure.


RESULTS
We enrolled 225 children in each group. There was no difference between groups in time to resolution of respiratory signs or treatment failure; pathogens were not associated with outcomes. Tachypnea and hypoxemia resolved faster in older children (P = 0.0001) than in younger ones. Higher basal zinc concentration (P = 0.011) and better height-for-age z score (HAZ) (P = 0.044) were associated with faster resolution of chest indrawing. Better weight-for-height z score (WHZ) (P = 0.031) and HAZ (P = 0.048) were associated with faster resolution of tachypnea. Increased C-reactive protein was associated with a longer duration of tachypnea (P = 0.044).


CONCLUSIONS
Zinc did not affect time to pneumonia resolution or treatment failure, nor did type of respiratory pathogens affect outcomes. Higher basal zinc and better HAZ and WHZ were associated with reduced time to resolution of respiratory signs. These results suggest the need for prevention of chronic zinc deficiency and improvement of general nutritional status among Ecuadorian children.
Note — Effects of Individual Self-Protection , Industry Self-Regulation , and Government Regulation on Privacy Concerns : A Study of Location-Based Services

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A Multi-Batch L-BFGS Method for Machine Learning

We describe a batch method that uses a sizeable fraction of the training set at each iteration, and that employs secondorder information. • To improve the learning process, we follow a multi-batch approach in which the batch changes at each iteration. • This inherently gives the algorithm a stochastic flavor that can cause instability in L-BFGS. • We show how to perform stable quasi-Newton updating in the multi-batch setting, illustrate the behavior of the algorithm in a distributed computing platform, and study its convergence properties for both the convex and nonconvex cases. Introduction min w∈Rd F (w) = 1 n n ∑ i=1 f (w;x, y) Idea: select a sizeable sample Sk ⊂ {1, . . . , n} at every iteration and perform quasi-Newton steps 1. Distributed computing setting: distributed gradient computation (with faults) 2. Multi-Batch setting: samples are changed at every iteration to accelerate learning Goal: show that stable quasi-Newton updating can be achieved in both settings without incurring extra computational cost, or special synchronization Issue: samples used at the beginning and at the end of every iteration are different • potentially harmful for quasi-Newton methods Key: controlled sampling • consecutive samples overlap Sk ∩ Sk+1 = Ok 6= ∅ • gradient differences based on this overlap – stable quasi-Newton updates Multi-Batch L-BFGS Method At the k-th iteration: • sample Sk ⊂ {1, . . . , n} chosen, and iterates updated via wk+1 = wk − αkHkgk k where gk k is the batch gradient g Sk k = 1 |Sk| ∑ i∈Sk ∇f ( wk;x , y ) and Hk is the inverse BFGS Hessian approximation Hk+1 =V T k HkVk + ρksks T k ρk = 1 yT k sk , Vk = 1− ρkyksk • to ensure consistent curvature pair updates sk+1 = wk+1 − wk, yk+1 = gk k+1 − g Ok k where gk k+1 and g Ok k are gradients based on the overlapping samples only Ok = Sk ∩ Sk+1 Sample selection:
Pressure ulcers in intensive care patients: a review of risks and prevention

Abstract Objective. Review of the literature concerning pressure ulcers in the intensive care setting. Data source and study selections. Computerized databases (Medline from 1980 until 1999 and CINAHL from 1982 until 1999). The indexing terms for article retrieval were: "pressure ulcers", "pressure sores", "decubitus", and "intensive care". Nineteen articles met the selection criteria, and seven more were found from the references of these articles. One thesis was also analyzed. Results. Data on prevention, incidence, and costs of pressure ulcers in ICU patients are scarce. Overall there are no conclusive studies on the identification of pressure ulcer risk factors. None of the existing risk-assessment scales was developed especially for use in ICU patients. It is highly questionable to what extent these scales can be used in this setting as they are not even reliable in "standard care". The following risk factors might play a role in pressure ulcer development: duration of surgery and number of operations, fecal incontinence and/or diarrhea, low preoperative protein and albumin concentrations, disturbed sensory perception, moisture of the skin, impaired circulation, use of inotropic drugs, diabetes mellitus, too unstable to turn, decreased mobility, and high APACHE II score. The number of patients per study ranged from 5 from 638. The definition of "pressure ulcer" varied widely between authors or was not mentioned. Conclusions. Meaningful comparison cannot be made between the various studies because of the use of different grading systems for pressure ulcers, different methods of data collection, different (or lack of) population characteristics, unreported preventive measures, and the use of different inclusion and exclusion criteria. There is a need for well-conducted studies covering all these aspects.
Mr. Keynes' theory of investment : Do forward looking expectations and weight really matter?

Abstract Keynes argued that profit expectations, and the degree of confidence or weight that managers place in their profit forecasts, determine investment. Previous attempts to test Keynes' theory have been plagued by the absence of any clear measure of entrepreneurs' expectations of future profits. The Conference Board collected managers' self-reported data on expectation of future profits. The Conference Board data also allowed the construction of a measure of the weight assigned by managers to their profit forecasts. With this data, it is concluded that in most industries, investment rises both when managers are more optimistic and when they exhibit greater confidence in their forecast.
A Comparative Political Economy Approach to Farming Interest Groups in Australia and the United States

Commons ([1950] 1970 : 34) insisted that "economics should be the science of activity." In this tradition, the aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of farming interest groups on natural resource policy by using a comparative political economy approach. Special attention will be given to farming interest groups in Australia and the United States. Curiously, each group takes a very different ideological approach to promoting farming interests. Our contention is that each group tends to display values that were prominent during its formation. The ideology and thus behavior of interest groups cannot be isolated from the history, the economic conditions, and the changing alternatives open to individuals. It is very reasonable to argue that two groups with similar goals might pursue different means to the same ends; the different means simply reflect values that were important in the formation of the groups. As such, there might be a concerted effort of the farming interest group, based on history, economic conditions, and custom, to either encourage a higher degree of competition or protect against the degree of competition. Copyright 2006 American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Inc..