LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Management strategies for patients with varicose veins (C2-C6): results of a worldwide survey.

OBJECTIVES
This study evaluated how patient characteristics and duplex ultrasound findings influence management decisions of physicians with specific expertise in the field of chronic venous disease.


METHODS
Worldwide, 346 physicians with a known interest and experience in phlebology were invited to participate in an online survey about management strategies in patients with great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux and refluxing tributaries. The survey included two basic vignettes representing a 47 year old healthy male with GSV reflux above the knee and a 27 year old healthy female with a short segment refluxing GSV (CEAP classification C2sEpAs2,5Pr in both cases). Participants could choose one or more treatment options. Subsequently, the basic vignettes were modified according to different patient characteristics (e.g. older age, morbid obesity, anticoagulant treatment, peripheral arterial disease), clinical class (C4, C6), and duplex ultrasound findings (e.g. competent terminal valve, larger or smaller GSV diameter, presence of focal dilatation). The authors recorded the distribution of chosen management strategies; adjustment of strategies according to characteristics; and follow up strategies.


RESULTS
A total of 211 physicians (68% surgeons, 12% dermatologists, 12% angiologists, and 8% phlebologists) from 36 different countries completed the survey. In the basic case vignettes 1 and 2, respectively, 55% and 40% of participants proposed to perform endovenous thermal ablation, either with or without concomitant phlebectomies (p < .001). Looking at the modified case vignettes, between 20% and 64% of participants proposed to adapt their management strategy, opting for either a more or a less invasive treatment, depending on the modification introduced. The distribution of chosen management strategies changed significantly for all modified vignettes (p < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study illustrates the worldwide variety in management preferences for treating patients with varicose veins (C2-C6). In clinical practice, patient related and duplex ultrasound related factors clearly influence therapeutic options.
Image denoising by non-local averaging

In this work, we present and analyze an image denoising method, the NL-means algorithm, based on a non local averaging of all pixels in the image. We also introduce the concept of method noise, that is, the difference between the original (always slightly noisy) digital image and its denoised version. Finally, we present some experiences comparing the NL-means results with some classical denoising methods.
Steam turbine model

In order to characterize the transient dynamics of steam turbines subsections, in this paper, nonlinear mathematical models are first developed based on the energy balance, thermodynamic principles and semi-empirical equations. Then, the related parameters of developed models are either determined by empirical relations or they are adjusted by applying genetic algorithms (GA) based on experimental data obtained from a complete set of field experiments. In the intermediate and low-pressure turbines where, in the sub-cooled regions, steam variables deviate from prefect gas behavior, the thermodynamic characteristics are highly dependent on pressure and temperature of each region. Thus, nonlinear functions are developed to evaluate specific enthalpy and specific entropy at these stages of turbines. The parameters of proposed functions are individually adjusted for the operational range of each subsection by using genetic algorithms. Comparison between the responses of the overall turbine-generator model and the response of real plant indicates the accuracy and performance of the proposed models over wide range of operations. The simulation results show the validation of the developed model in term of more accurate and less deviation between the responses of the models and real system where errors of the proposed functions are less than 0.1% and the modeling error is less than 0.3%. 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Port-of-entry safety via the reliability optimization of container inspection strategy through an evolutionary approach

Up to now, of all the containers received in USA ports, roughly between 2% and 5% are scrutinized to determine if they could cause some type of danger or contain suspicious goods. Recently, concerns have been raised regarding the type of attack that could happen via container cargo leading to devastating economic, psychological and sociological effects. Overall, this paper is concerned with developing an inspection strategy that minimizes the total cost of inspection while maintaining a user-specified detection rate for ‘‘suspicious’’ containers. In this respect, a general model for describing an inspection strategy is proposed. The strategy is regarded as an (n+1)echelon decision tree where at each of these echelons, a decision has to be taken, regarding which sensor to be used, if at all. Second, based on the general decision-tree model, this paper presents a minimum cost container inspection strategy that conforms to a prespecified user detection rate under the assumption that different sensors with different reliability and cost characteristics can be used. To generate an optimal inspection strategy, an evolutionary optimization approach known as probabilistic solution discovery algorithm has been used. r 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Assessment and management of the orthopedic and other complications of Proteus syndrome.

PURPOSE
A multidisciplinary workshop was convened at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to discuss the management of the orthopedic and other complications of Proteus syndrome (PS), a progressive, disproportionate overgrowth disorder. While PS poses many complex challenges, the focus of the workshop was the management of the asymmetric and disorganized skeletal overgrowth that characterizes this multisystem disorder.


METHODS
Workshop participants developed recommendations for clinical research and patient management and surveillance to maximize the benefits and reduce the risks of surgical and other interventions.


RESULTS
Recommendations for clinical care and management included assessments of skeletal overgrowth and its progression with modalities such as X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and computerized tomography (CT) imaging. The recommendations also cover the assessment of non-orthopedic complications of PS that significantly impact surgical risk, such as pulmonary embolism and lung bullae. Surgical considerations in PS include assessment of the contribution of contractures to deformities and prophylactic soft-tissue release, aggressive and early use of epiphysiodesis and epiphysiostasis, amputation, and spinal bracing.


CONCLUSION
Decisions on the timing of orthopedic procedures in children with PS are challenging because they entail balancing the risks of intervention in this high-risk and complex population against the increasing morbidity that patients experience with progressive bony overgrowth. If surgery is delayed too long, the condition may become inoperable. We hope that these recommendations will help clinicians gather appropriate data and assist their patients in making timely treatment decisions.
Commentary: Using Virtual Reality to Assess Ethical Decisions in Road Traffic Scenarios: Applicability of Value-of-Life-Based Models and Influences of Time Pressure

Citation: Keeling G (2017) Commentary: Using Virtual Reality to Assess Ethical Decisions in Road Traffic Scenarios: Applicability of Value-of-Life-Based Models and Influences of Time Pressure. Front. Behav. Neurosci. 11:247. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00247 Commentary: Using Virtual Reality to Assess Ethical Decisions in Road Traffic Scenarios: Applicability of Value-of-Life-Based Models and Influences of Time Pressure
[Characterization of and costs associated to the profile of patients with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin who are added a second oral antidiabetic drug: a population study].

OBJECTIVES
To determine compliance, metabolic control, complications and healthcare costs of patients treated with metformin started a second antidiabetic drug in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).


PATIENTS AND METHODS
Design multicenter observational retrospective. Patients were evaluated ≥30 years (age), treated with metformin and started a second antidiabetic treatment during 2008-2009. There were 4 patient groups (metformin and another antidiabetic): a) dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (IDPP4), b) sulfonylureas, c) glitazones and d) insulin.


MAIN MEASURES
comorbidity, metabolic control, compliance and complications. Patients were followed for 2 years. The cost model differed direct health costs (primary care / specialist) and indirect (labor productivity).


STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
logistic regression models and ANCOVA, p<0.05.


RESULTS
2067 patients were included (mean age: 66.6 years male: 53.1%). 25.1% started a second treatment with IDPP4; 42.9% sulfonylureas, 14.0% glitazones and 18.0% insulin. At 2 years follow-up, patients treated with IDPP4 showed greater adherence vs. 70.3%. 59.9%, 60.3% and 58.4; better control of 64.3% vs. DM2. 62.6%, 62.8% and 50.5% and a decrease of 13.9% compared to hypoglycaemia 40.4%, 37.6% and 58.9% respectively (p<0.001). The average / unit total costs was €2,321 vs. €2,475, €2,724 and €3,164, respectively, p<0.001. Rates of cardiovascular events and renal failure were 3.7%, 6.4%, 7.6% and 10.2% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Sulfonylureas were the most commonly used drugs. Patients treated with IDPP4 had higher compliance and control of diabetes, with lower rates of hypoglycaemia and healthcare costs.
An anticipation model of potential customers' purchasing behavior based on clustering analysis and association rules analysis

This paper proposes an anticipation model of potential customers’ purchasing behavior. This model is inferred from past purchasing behavior of loyal customers and the web server log files of loyal and potential customers by means of clustering analysis and association rules analysis. Clustering analysis collects key characteristics of loyal customers’ personal information; these are used to locate other potential customers. Association rules analysis extracts knowledge of loyal customers’ purchasing behavior, which is used to detect potential customers’ near-future interest in a star product. Despite using offline analysis to filter out potential customers based on loyal customers’ personal information and generate rules of loyal customers’ click streams based on loyal customers’ web log data, an online analysis which observes potential customers’ web logs and compares it with loyal customers’ click stream rules can more readily target potential customers who may be interested in the star products in the near future. 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Efficient coupling between Si3N4 photonic and hybrid slot-based CMOS plasmonic waveguide

Bringing photonics and electronics into a common integration platform can unleash unprecedented performance capabilities in data communication and sensing applications. Plasmonics were proposed as the key technology that can merge ultra-fast photonics and low-dimension electronics due to their metallic nature and their unique ability to guide light at sub-wavelength scales. However, inherent high losses of plasmonics in conjunction with the use of CMOS incompatible metals like gold and silver which are broadly utilized in plasmonic applications impede their broad utilization in Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs). To overcome those limitations and fully exploit the profound benefits of plasmonics, they have to be developed along two technology directives. 1) Selectively co-integrate nanoscale plasmonics with low-loss photonics and 2) replace noble metals with alternative CMOS-compatible counterparts accelerating volume manufacturing of plasmo-photonic ICs. In this context, a hybrid plasmo-photonic structure utilizing the CMOS-compatible metals Aluminum (Al) and Copper (Cu) is proposed to efficiently transfer light between a low-loss Si3N4 photonic waveguide and a hybrid plasmonic slot waveguide. Specifically, a Si3N4 strip waveguide (photonic part) is located below a metallic slot (plasmonic part) forming a hybrid structure. This configuration, if properly designed, can support modes that exhibit quasi even or odd symmetry allowing power exchange between the two parts. According to 3D FDTD simulations, the proposed directional coupling scheme can achieve coupling efficiencies at 1550nm up to 60% and 74% in the case of Al and Cu respectively within a coupling length of just several microns.
Course length of 30 metres versus 10 metres has a significant influence on six-minute walk distance in patients with COPD: an experimental crossover study.

QUESTIONS
Do patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) achieve a different distance on the six minute walk test (6MWT) conducted on a 10m course versus on a 30m course? When assessing the distance on a 6MWT conducted on a 10m course, is it valid to use existing reference equations that were generated on longer courses?


DESIGN
A randomised double-crossover experimental study.


PARTICIPANTS
Forty-five patients with COPD in primary physiotherapy care.


INTERVENTION
All patients performed a 6MWT twice over a 10m course and twice over a 30m course. The 6MWTs were performed in accordance with the American Thoracic Society guidelines.


OUTCOME MEASURES
6MWD was assessed and predicted distance was calculated based on a range of reference equations.


RESULTS
The 6MWD on the 10m course was 49.5m shorter than on the 30m course, which was statistically significant (95% CI 39.4 to 59.6). By using existing reference equations for a 6MWT conducted on the 10m course, the predicted distance is highly overestimated (with a range of 30% to 33%) and the average distance as a percentage of the predicted value is 8%pred lower compared to a 6MWT conducted on the 30m course, resulting in a worse representation of a COPD patient's functional exercise capacity.


CONCLUSION
This study shows that the impact of course length on the 6MWD and on the use of reference equations in patients with COPD is substantial and clinically relevant (based on the most conservative published minimum clinically important difference). Therefore, existing reference equations established for a 6MWT conducted over a 30m (or longer) course cannot be applied to predict the distance achieved on the 6MWT on a 10m course, which is frequently used in primary care physiotherapy practices for patients with COPD.
The effects of multisystemic therapy on diabetes stress among adolescents with chronically poorly controlled type 1 diabetes: findings from a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine whether multisystemic therapy (MST), an intensive, home-based psychotherapy, could decrease diabetes-related stress among adolescents with chronically poorly controlled type 1 diabetes. Stress was also evaluated as a mediator of the effect of MST on adherence and metabolic control.


METHODS
A randomized, controlled trial was conducted with 127 adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus and chronically poor metabolic control (hemoglobin A1c levels of > or =8% at study enrollment and for the past 1 year) who received their diabetes care in a children's hospital located in a major Midwestern city. Participants assigned randomly to MST received treatment for approximately 6 months. Data were collected at baseline and at a 7-month posttest (ie, treatment termination). Changes in diabetes-related stress, as measured with a self-report questionnaire, were assessed. Structural equation models were used to test the degree to which changes in stress levels mediated the ability of the MST intervention to improve adherence and metabolic control.


RESULTS
In intent-to-treat analyses, participation in MST was associated with significant reductions in diabetes-related stress. Tests for moderation found no significant effects of age, gender, or ethnicity, which suggests that the intervention was equally effective in reducing diabetes stress for all participants. However, structural equation modeling did not provide support for diabetes stress as the mechanism through which MST improved health outcomes. Rather, the final model suggested that MST improved metabolic control through increased regimen adherence.


CONCLUSIONS
Intensive, home-based psychotherapy reduces diabetes-related stress among adolescents with chronically poorly controlled type 1 diabetes. Such stress reductions are important for the psychological wellbeing of a subset of youths with diabetes who are at high risk for future health complications.
WordNet Affect: an Affective Extension of WordNet

In this paper we present a linguistic resource for the lexical representation of affective knowledge. This resource (named W ORDNETAFFECT) was developed starting from W ORDNET, through a selection and tagging of a subset of synsets representing the affective
Validity of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) in assessing levels and change in moderate-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviour

BACKGROUND
Feasible, cost-effective instruments are required for the surveillance of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) and to assess the effects of interventions. However, the evidence base for the validity and reliability of the World Health Organisation-endorsed Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) is limited. We aimed to assess the validity of the GPAQ, compared to accelerometer data in measuring and assessing change in MVPA and SB.


METHODS
Participants (n = 101) were selected randomly from an on-going research study, stratified by level of physical activity (low, moderate or highly active, based on the GPAQ) and sex. Participants wore an accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X) for seven days and completed a GPAQ on Day 7. This protocol was repeated for a random sub-sample at a second time point, 3-6 months later. Analysis involved Wilcoxon-signed rank tests for differences in measures, Bland-Altman analysis for the agreement between measures for median MVPA and SB mins/day, and Spearman's rho coefficient for criterion validity and extent of change.


RESULTS
95 participants completed baseline measurements (44 females, 51 males; mean age 44 years, (SD 14); measurements of change were calculated for 41 (21 females, 20 males; mean age 46 years, (SD 14). There was moderate agreement between GPAQ and accelerometer for MVPA mins/day (r = 0.48) and poor agreement for SB (r = 0.19). The absolute mean difference (self-report minus accelerometer) for MVPA was -0.8 mins/day and 348.7 mins/day for SB; and negative bias was found to exist, with those people who were more physically active over-reporting their level of MVPA: those who were more sedentary were less likely to under-report their level of SB. Results for agreement in change over time showed moderate correlation (r = 0.52, p = 0.12) for MVPA and poor correlation for SB (r = -0.024, p = 0.916).


CONCLUSIONS
Levels of agreement with objective measurements indicate the GPAQ is a valid measure of MVPA and change in MVPA but is a less valid measure of current levels and change in SB. Thus, GPAQ appears to be an appropriate measure for assessing the effectiveness of interventions to promote MVPA.
Organic phosphates and ligand binding in hemoglobin.

Abstract Although several organic phosphates appear to react rapidly with hemoglobin, and to be nearly at equilibrium with the various intermediates during oxygen binding, pyridoxal phosphate reacts quite slowly, allowing study of the properties of intermediates bound both to organic phosphate and to oxygen. The affinity for oxygen and the n value are much decreased as compared with stripped hemoglobin. It has been calculated that about a third to a half of the heme-heme interaction energy is associated with binding of organic phosphates or other anions, in a linked reaction occurring only with tetrameric hemoglobin, which must therefore be considered as the smallest unit permitting a meaningful. description of hemoglobin-ligand interactions.
An investigation of general predictors for cognitive-behavioural therapy outcome for anxiety disorders in a routine clinical setting.

INTRODUCTION
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective for treating anxiety disorders and is offered in most mental health services around the world. However, a relatively large number of patients with anxiety disorders do not benefit from CBT, experience relapses or drop out. Reliable predictors of treatment effects are lacking. The aim of this study is to investigate the predictive value of emotion regulation and attentional control for CBT outcome in a routine setting.


METHODS AND ANALYSIS
In this prospective and practice-based study, 112 patients with anxiety disorders referred for manual-based group CBT at two psychiatric outpatient clinics will be recruited. Emotion regulation, severity of anxiety and attentional control will be assessed with self-report measures and with an experimental computer-based attentional control task at baseline, post-treatment and at a 6-month follow-up. Emotion regulation will be measured with Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, severity of anxiety will be assessed with Beck Anxiety Inventory and attentional control will be measured with the self-report questionnaire, Attention Control Scale, and with an experimental computer-based attentional control task based on theory of visual attention. Data will be analysed using multilevel mixed-effects modelling.


ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
The study is approved by the Danish National Ethical Board, the Department of Psychology Ethical Board, University of Copenhagen and by the Danish Data Protection Agency. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications and conference presentations. The Danish Committee System on Health Research Ethics has been notified about the project.


TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT02638363.
The Use of Predictive Annotation for Question Answering in TREC8

This paper introduces the technique of Predictive Annotation, a methodology for indexing texts for retrieval aimed at answering fact-seeking questions. The essence of the approach can be stated simply: index the answers. This is done by establishing about 20 classes of objects that can be identified in text by shallow parsing, and by annotating and indexing the text with these labels, which we call QATokens. Given a question, its class is identified and the question is modified accordingly to include the appropriate token(s). The search engine is modified to rank and return short passages of text rather than documents. The QA-Tokens are used in later stages of analysis to extract the supposed answers from these returned passages. Finally, all potential answers are ranked using a novel formula, which determines which ones among them are most likely to be correct.