LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Acute and 12-month results with catheter-based mitral valve leaflet repair: the EVEREST II (Endovascular Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair) High Risk Study.

OBJECTIVES
The EVEREST II (Endovascular Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair) High Risk Study (HRS) assessed the safety and effectiveness of the MitraClip device (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California) in patients with significant mitral regurgitation (MR) at high risk of surgical mortality rate.


BACKGROUND
Patients with severe MR (3 to 4+) at high risk of surgery may benefit from percutaneous mitral leaflet repair, a potentially safer approach to reduce MR.


METHODS
Patients with severe symptomatic MR and an estimated surgical mortality rate of ≥12% were enrolled. A comparator group of patients screened concurrently but not enrolled were identified retrospectively and consented to compare survival in patients treated by standard care.


RESULTS
Seventy-eight patients underwent the MitraClip procedure. Their mean age was 77 years, >50% had previous cardiac surgery, and 46 had functional MR and 32 degenerative MR. MitraClip devices were successfully placed in 96% of patients. Protocol-predicted surgical mortality rate in the HRS and concurrent comparator group was 18.2% and 17.4%, respectively, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons calculator estimated mortality rate was 14.2% and 14.9%, respectively. The 30-day procedure-related mortality rate was 7.7% in the HRS and 8.3% in the comparator group (p = NS). The 12-month survival rate was 76% in the HRS and 55% in the concurrent comparator group (p = 0.047). In surviving patients with matched baseline and 12-month data, 78% had an MR grade of ≤2+. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume improved from 172 ml to 140 ml and end-systolic volume improved from 82 ml to 73 ml (both p = 0.001). New York Heart Association functional class improved from III/IV at baseline in 89% to class I/II in 74% (p < 0.0001). Quality of life was improved (Short Form-36 physical component score increased from 32.1 to 36.1 [p = 0.014] and the mental component score from 45.5 to 48.7 [p = 0.065]) at 12 months. The annual rate of hospitalization for congestive heart failure in surviving patients with matched data decreased from 0.59 to 0.32 (p = 0.034).


CONCLUSIONS
The MitraClip device reduced MR in a majority of patients deemed at high risk of surgery, resulting in improvement in clinical symptoms and significant left ventricular reverse remodeling over 12 months. (Pivotal Study of a Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair System [EVEREST II]; NCT00209274).
Listing All Minimal Separators of a Graph

An efficient algorithm listing all minimal vertex separators of an undirected graph is given. The algorithm needs polynomial time per separator that is found.
Diagnostic strategies for autosomal dominant acute porphyrias: retrospective analysis of 467 unrelated patients referred for mutational analysis of the HMBS, CPOX, or PPOX gene.

BACKGROUND
Clinically indistinguishable attacks of acute porphyria occur in acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), hereditary coproporphyria (HCP), and variegate porphyria (VP). There are few evidence-based diagnostic strategies for these disorders.


METHODS
The diagnostic sensitivity of mutation detection was determined by sequencing and gene-dosage analysis to search for mutations in 467 sequentially referred, unrelated patients. The diagnostic accuracy of plasma fluorescence scanning, fecal porphyrin analysis, and porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) assay was assessed in mutation-positive patients (AIP, 260 patients; VP, 152 patients; HCP, 31 patients).


RESULTS
Sensitivities (95% CI) for mutation detection were as follows: AIP, 98.1% (95.6%-99.2%); HCP, 96.9% (84.3%-99.5%); VP, 100% (95.7%-100%). We identified 5 large deletions in the HMBS gene (hydroxymethylbilane synthase) and one in the CPOX gene (coproporphyrinogen oxidase). The plasma fluorescence scan was positive more often in VP (99% of patients) than in AIP (68%) or HCP (29%). The wavelength of the fluorescence emission peak and the fecal coproporphyrin isomer ratio had high diagnostic specificity and sensitivity for differentiating between AIP, HCP, and VP. DNA analysis followed by PBGD assay in mutation-negative patients had greater diagnostic accuracy for AIP than either test alone.


CONCLUSIONS
When PBG excretion is increased, 2 investigations (plasma fluorescence scanning, the coproporphyrin isomer ratio) are sufficient, with rare exceptions, to identify the type of acute porphyria. When the results of PBG, 5-aminolevulinate, and porphyrin analyses are within reference intervals and clinical suspicion that a past illness was caused by an acute porphyria remains high, mutation analysis of the HMBS gene followed by PBGD assay is an effective strategy for diagnosis or exclusion of AIP.
Cross cultural adaptation and validation of the Chinese Health Assessment Questionnaire for use in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE
The Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index (HAQ), used as a disability and outcome measurement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), has been validated in several languages, but not in Chinese. Our aim was to validate the Chinese version of HAQ (Chinese-HAQ) to suit the needs of Chinese speaking patients with RA in an Asian setting.


METHODS
The original HAQ was modified in the context of Chinese culture and translated into Chinese by 2 translators aware of the objective of the questionnaire. The Chinese HAQ was self-administered by 42 patients with RA during their routine followup visit and one week later.


RESULTS
The test-retest reliability assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficient was 0.84. Between dimensions measured in the HAQ, the highest test-retest reliability was observed for walking (Spearman correlation coefficient rs=0.80) and the lowest was for eating (rs=0.54). The internal consistency of the scale using Cronbach's alpha was high at 0.86. In terms of criterion validity, the Chinese-HAQ score was found to correlate well with American College of Rheumatology functional status (rs=0.501, p=0.01). The Chinese-HAQ scores also correlated well with markers of disease activity such as patient's perception of pain measured on a visual analog scale (rs=0.55, p < 0.001), grip strength in mm Hg (rs=-0.55. p < 0.001 ), and physician's assessment of disease activity (rs=0.59, p < 0.001).


CONCLUSION
The Chinese HAQ is a reliable and valid instrument for studies measuring disability of patients with RA in Singapore.
Insulin Degludec/Insulin Aspart Administered Once Daily at Any Meal, With Insulin Aspart at Other Meals Versus a Standard Basal-Bolus Regimen in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate efficacy and tolerability of a co-formulation of insulin degludec and insulin aspart (IDegAsp) with insulin aspart (IAsp) at other meals compared with basal-bolus therapy using insulin detemir (IDet) and IAsp.


RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Adults (n = 548) with type 1 diabetes (A1C 7.0-10.0%; BMI ≤35.0 kg/m(2)) were randomized 2:1 in a 26-week, multinational, parallel-group, treat-to-target trial to IDegAsp or IDet. IDegAsp was given with a meal, and IDet was given in the evening, with a second (breakfast) dose added if needed.


RESULTS
Non-inferiority for IDegAsp versus IDet was confirmed; A1C improved by 0.75% with IDegAsp and 0.70% with IDet to 7.6% in both groups (estimated treatment difference IDegAsp - IDet: -0.05% [95% CI -0.18 to 0.08]). There was no statistically significant difference between IDegAsp and IDet in the rates of severe hypoglycemia (0.33 and 0.42 episodes/patient-year, respectively) or overall confirmed (plasma glucose <3.1 mmol/L) hypoglycemia (39.17 and 44.34 episodes/patient-year, respectively). Nocturnal confirmed hypoglycemia rate was 37% lower with IDegAsp than IDet (3.71 vs. 5.72 episodes/patient-year, P < 0.05). Weight gain was 2.3 and 1.3 kg with IDegAsp and IDet, respectively (P < 0.05). Total insulin dose was 13% lower in the IDegAsp group (P < 0.0001). No treatment differences were detected in Health-Related Quality of Life, laboratory measurements, physical examination, vital signs, electrocardiograms, fundoscopy, or adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
IDegAsp in basal-bolus therapy with IAsp at additional mealtimes improves overall glycemic control and was non-inferior to IDet, with a reduced risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia and fewer injections in comparison with IDet + IAsp basal-bolus therapy.
Adoption and effectiveness of electronic banking in Kenya

1567-4223/$ see front matter 2009 Elsevier B.V. A doi:10.1016/j.elerap.2009.12.003 * Corresponding author. Present address: Pwani Un Kilifi, Kenya. Tel.: +64 3 366 7001x4185; fax: +64 3 3 E-mail address: joyce.gikandi@pg.canterbury.ac.nz A global explosion in the use of electronic commerce has been witnessed in recent times with the monetary value of products and services exchanged electronically being estimated at above US$ 7 trillion in the year 2004. Research has followed the same pattern especially in investigating factors influencing the adoption and effectiveness of e-commerce in retail businesses. However, little has been done to establish these factors in electronic banking (e-banking) in developing countries. The aim of this research was to investigate the factors influencing the adoption and effectiveness of e-banking in retail banking. Initial and follow-up surveys were carried out in the years 2005 and 2009, respectively, which involved banks controlling approximately 90% of formal retail banking in Kenya. The follow-up survey was meant to monitor trends between the periods of the two surveys. Results varied across the period. 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Text-to-speech scripting interface for appropriate vocalisation of e-texts

Electronic texts carry important meta-information (such as tags in HTML) that most of the current Text-to-Speech (TtS) systems ignore during the production of the speech. We propose an approach to exploit this meta-information in order to achieve a detailed auditory representation of an e-text. The e-Text to Speech and Audio (e-TSA) Composer has been designed and developed as an XML based scripting framework that can be adopted by existing TtS, with minor or major modifications. It provides a mechanism to create scripts using combined elements from e-texts and TtS systems. The e-TSA Composer can manipulate the behaviour of a TtS (e.g. the applied prosody) in order to define a finest vocalisation in response to specific e-texts.
Reuse and Migration of Legacy Systems to Interoperable Cloud Services- The REMICS project

Legacy applications are sometimes of substantial value for companies when moving towards the future internet paradigm. Despite the fact that technologies of legacy systems may be outdated, they still function for the users’ needs, capture important business logic and the cost of replacing them with systems designed from scratch is often too high. The objective of the REMICS project is providing tools and methods to support the migration of legacy systems into the service cloud paradigm based on a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA). The migration process consists of understanding the legacy system in terms of its architecture and functions, designing a new SOA application that provides the same or better functionality, and verifying and implementing the new application in the cloud. REMICS proposes a methodology that covers these steps based on modeldriven engineering tools and methods.
A secure scan chain using a phase locking system and a reconfigurable LFSR

Scan chains are exploited to develop attacks on cryptographic hardware to extract secret information. For a scan-enabled chip, the probability of success increases if a user has unlimited access to apply test patterns to the Circuit-Under-Test (CUT) and observe the responses. In this paper, two layers of security have been proposed to protect scan architecture against hackers. A tester authentication method utilizing a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) to encrypt the operating frequency of both CUT/Tester is presented. Moreover, the CUT authenticates the tester to grant access to the scan chain. In the test mode, the direct access to the scan flip-flops is not granted to protect their secret information against attackers. A built-in self-test scheme (BIST) using a reconfigurable LFSR is designed to test the scan flip-flops in the test mode.
An up-to-date comparison of state-of-the-art classification algorithms

Current benchmark reports of classification algorithms generally concern common classifiers and their variants but do not include many algorithms that have been introduced in recent years. Moreover, important properties such as the dependency on number of classes and features and CPU running time are typically not examined. In this paper, we carry out a comparative empirical study on both established classifiers and more recently proposed ones on 71 data sets originating from different domains, publicly available at UCI and KEEL repositories. The list of 11 algorithms studied includes Extreme Learning Machine (ELM), Sparse Representation based Classification (SRC), and Deep Learning (DL), which have not been thoroughly investigated in existing comparative studies. It is found that Stochastic Gradient Boosting Trees (GBDT) matches or exceeds the prediction performance of Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Random Forests (RF), while being the fastest algorithm in terms of prediction efficiency. ELM also yields good accuracy results, ranking in the top-5 , alongside GBDT, RF, SVM, and C4.5 but this performance varies widely across all data sets. Unsurprisingly, top accuracy performers have average or slow training time efficiency. DL is the worst performer in terms of accuracy but second fastest in prediction efficiency. SRC shows good accuracy performance but it is the slowest classifier in both training and testing. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Insulin resistance is an independent predictor of severe lower urinary tract symptoms and of erectile dysfunction: results from a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION
Several studies have linked the association between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), erectile dysfunction (ED), and the presence of insulin resistance (IR) due to an underlined metabolic syndrome (MetS).


AIM
This study aims to determine the relationship between IR, sexual function, and LUTS and to demonstrate the ability of IR in predicting ED and severe LUTS.


METHODS
Between January 2008 to January 2013, 544 consecutive patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia-related LUTS were enrolled. LUTS and sexual function of the patients were evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). MetS was defined by the International Diabetes Federation. IR was defined as a homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index of 3 or greater.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess significant predictors of severe LUTS (IPSS ≥ 20) and ED (IIEF-Erectile Function [IIEF-EF] <26), including MetS component, prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen, total testosterone, and HOMA index.


RESULTS
IR patients resulted in higher values of IPSS (19.0 vs. 15.0; P<0.01), IPSS-storage (6.0 vs. 5.0; P<0.01), IPSS-voiding (12.0 vs. 9.0; P<0.01), total prostate volume (54.8 vs. 36.5; P<0.01), and lower values of IIEF-EF (17.0 vs. 20.0; P<0.01), IIEF-Intercourse Satisfaction (3.0 vs. 10.0; P<0.01), IIEF-Orgasmic Function (8.0 vs. 9.0; P<0.01), IIEF-Overall Satisfaction (6.0 vs. 8.0; P<0.01), and total testosterone (3.83 vs. 4.44; P<0.01). IR was demonstrated to be a strong predictor of ED (IIEF-EF <26) (odds ratio [OR] =6.20, P<0.01) after adjusting for confounding factors. Finally, IR was also an independent predictor of severe LUTS (IPSS ≥ 20) (OR=2.0, P<0.01) after adjusting for confounding factors.


CONCLUSIONS
IR patients are at high risk of having severe LUTS and contemporary sexual dysfunctions. We strongly suggest to prevent LUTS and ED by reducing insulin resistance.
Printed circuit board defect detection using mathematical morphology and MATLAB image processing tools

various concentrated work on detection of defects on printed circuit boards (PCBs) have been done, but it is also crucial to classify these defects in order to analyze and identify the root causes of the defects. This project is aimed in detecting and classifying the defects on bare single layer PCBs by introducing a hybrid algorithm by combining the research done by Heriansyah et al [1] and Khalid [2]. This project proposes a PCB defect detection and classification system using a morphological image segmentation algorithm [1] and simple the image processing theories [2]. Based on initial studies, some PCB defects can only exist in certain groups. Thus, it is obvious that the image processing algorithm could be improved by applying a segmentation exercise. This project uses template and test images of single layer, bare, grayscale computer generated PCBs. The research improves Khalid [2] work by increasing the number of defect categories from 5 to 7, with each category classifying a minimum of 1 to a maximum 4 different types of defects and a total of 13 out of 14 defects were classified.
A neural simulation system based on biologically realistic electronic neurons

This paper describes an original neural simulation platform designed as a tool for computational neuroscience. The system, based on artificial electronic neurons implemented in specific integrated circuits, computes in real-time and emulates in analogue mode the electrical activity of single neurons or small neural networks. Neurons are modelled using a biologically realistic description of membrane excitability and synaptic connectivity. The characteristics of the simulator are discussed and simulation examples are presented, including the implementation of ‘‘hybrid networks’’, where living neurons and artificial one are interacting in real-time in a mixed neural network. 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Lumbar drainage for subarachnoid hemorrhage: technical considerations and safety analysis.

INTRODUCTION
Recent and on going clinical research trials may indicate that the incidence of vasospasm is less in patients treated with lumbar drains following SAH than with patients treated with external ventricular drainage (EVD) alone. These studies have sparked interest in the more aggressive use of LDs in patients with aneurysmal SAH but some clinicians have been concerned about safety.


METHODS
This paper is a review of 25 patients with aneurysmal SAH cared for over a 2.2 year period at the University of Mississippi Medical Center Neurosciences Critical Care Unit that were managed with a LD. In general the LD was used subsequent to an EVD, but in some cases alone, in order to improve evacuation of blood from the cisterns around the base of the brain.


RESULTS
This retrospective cohort review demonstrates that lumbar drainage is safe in the setting of aneurysmal SAH. Of the 25 patients treated with a lumbar drain only one suffered a reversible neurological event. No other complications occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
LDs are safe when used in the setting of aneurysmal SAH if appropriate patient selection and good technique are employed.
Mobile IP-Based Architecture for Smart Homes

Smart Home technology is the integration of technology and services through home networking for a better quality of living. This paper provides a review of the recent developments in technologies for Smart Home Automation and Mobile IP and its potential application and integration to Smart Home systems. The principles of MIPv6 are adopted for providing mobility on the design of the architecture for MIP-Based Smart Home.
Using energy scenarios to explore alternative energy pathways in California

This paper develops and analyzes four energy scenarios for California that are both exploratory and quantitative. The businessas-usual scenario represents a pathway guided by outcomes and expectations emerging from California’s energy crisis. Three alternative scenarios represent contexts where clean energy plays a greater role in California’s energy system: Split Public is driven by local and individual activities; Golden State gives importance to integrated state planning; Patriotic Energy represents a national drive to increase energy independence. Future energy consumption, composition of electricity generation, energy diversity, and greenhouse gas emissions are analyzed for each scenario through 2035. Energy savings, renewable energy, and transportation activities are identified as promising opportunities for achieving alternative energy pathways in California. A combined approach that brings together individual and community activities with state and national policies leads to the largest energy savings, increases in energy diversity, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Critical challenges in California’s energy pathway over the next decades identified by the scenario analysis include dominance of the transportation sector, dependence on fossil fuels, emissions of greenhouse gases, accounting for electricity imports, and diversity of the electricity sector. The paper concludes with a set of policy lessons revealed from the California energy scenarios. r 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The factors associated with the burnout syndrome and fatigue in Cypriot nurses: a census report

BACKGROUND
Fatigue and burnout are two concepts often linked in the literature. However, regardless of their commonalities they should be approached as distinct concepts. The current and ever-growing reforms regarding the delivery of nursing care in Cyprus, stress for the development of ways to prevent burnout and effectively manage fatigue that can result from working in stressful clinical environments.


METHODS
To explore the factors associated with the burnout syndrome in Cypriot nurses working in various clinical departments. A random sampling method taking into account geographical location, specialty and type of employment has been used.


RESULTS
A total of 1,482 nurses (80.4% were females) working both in the private and public sectors completed and returned an anonymous questionnaire that included several aspects related to burnout; the MBI scale, questions related to occupational stress, and questions pertaining to self reported fatigue. Two-thirds (65.1%) of the nurses believed that their job is stressful with the majority reporting their job as stressful being female nurses (67.7%). Twelve point eight percent of the nurses met Maslach's criteria for burnout. The prevalence of fatigue in nurses was found 91.9%. The prevalence of fatigue was higher in females (93%) than in males (87.5%) (p = 0.003). As opposed to the burnout prevalence, fatigue prevalence did not differ among the nursing departments (p = 0.166) and among nurses with a different marital status (p = 0.553). Burnout can be associated adequately knowing if nurses find their job stressful, their age, the level of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. It has been shown that the fatigue may be thought of as a predictor of burnout, but its influence is already accounted by emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.


CONCLUSION
The clinical settings in Cyprus appear as stress generating environment for nurses. Nurses working both in the private and public sector appear to experience low to severe burnout. Self-reported fatigue interferes to the onset of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.
Reducing the False Rejection Rate of Iris Recognition Using Textural and Topological Features

This paper presents a novel iris recognition system using 1D log polar Gabor wavelet and Euler numbers. 1D log polar Gabor wavelet is used to extract the textural features, and Euler numbers are used to extract topological features of the iris. The proposed decision strategy uses these features to authenticate an individual’s identity while maintaining a low false rejection rate. The algorithm was tested on CASIA iris image database and found to perform better than existing approaches with an overall accuracy of 99.93%. Keywords—Iris recognition, textural features, topological features.