LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Offloading effect of therapeutic footwear in patients with diabetic neuropathy at high risk for plantar foot ulceration.

AIMS
Custom-made therapeutic footwear is often prescribed to patients with diabetic neuropathy, foot deformity and a healed plantar foot ulcer. Offloading these feet is important to prevent ulcer recurrence. The aim was to evaluate the offloading effect of custom-made footwear in these patients.


METHODS
In 171 patients with diabetic neuropathy (336 feet) with foot deformity and a recently healed plantar foot ulcer, plantar pressures walking barefoot and inside new custom-made footwear were measured. At the previous ulcer location and at locations of highest barefoot pressure attributable to the deformity, in-shoe pressures were compared with non-deformed feet. The footwear was considered effective in offloading when in-shoe peak pressure at these locations was < 200 kPa.


RESULTS
Mean in-shoe peak pressures ranged between 211 and 308 kPa in feet with forefoot deformity (vs. 191-222 kPa in non-deformed feet) and between 140 and 187 kPa in feet with midfoot deformity (vs. 112 kPa in non-deformed feet). Offloading was effective in 61% of all feet with deformity, 81% of feet with midfoot deformity, 44% of feet with forefoot deformity and 62% of previous ulcer locations. Inter-subject variability in measured in-shoe plantar pressure was large.


CONCLUSIONS
Offloading in custom-made footwear is often not sufficiently achieved in high-risk diabetic feet with deformity. Highest offloading success rates were seen at known high-risk locations such as previous ulcer locations and Charcot feet, the lowest success rates in forefoot deformities. Together with the large inter-subject variability in pressure outcomes, this emphasizes the need for evidence-based prescription and evaluation procedures to assure adequate offloading.
Homoarginine and mortality in an older population: the Hoorn study.

BACKGROUND
Homoarginine is an amino acid that may be involved in nitric oxide and energy metabolism. Previous studies in patient populations showed that low homoarginine levels indicate an increased risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease. We evaluated whether low plasma levels of homoarginine are associated with elevated, overall and cause-specific mortality.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
The Hoorn study is a population-based study among older men and women. We calculated Cox proportional hazard ratios (HRs) for overall and cause-specific mortality according to sex-specific homoarginine quartiles.


RESULTS
We included 606 study participants (51·3% women; 70·0 ± 6·6 years). Homoarginine concentrations were higher in men (1·63 ± 0·51 μM), compared with women (1·30 ± 0·44 μM; P < 0·001). After a median follow-up time of 7·8 years, 112 study participants died, including 31 deaths due to cardiovascular diseases and 30 due to cancer. Associations between homoarginine levels and mortality showed a threshold effect with a significant risk increase from the second to the first quartile. Compared with the upper three quartiles, the age-, sex- and BMI-adjusted HR (with 95% CI) in the first quartile was 2·26 (1·52-3·32) for overall mortality, 4·20 (2·03-8·69) for cardiovascular mortality and 1·25 (0·55-2·85) for cancer mortality. These associations remained materially unchanged after multivariate adjustments.


CONCLUSIONS
Low plasma concentrations of homoarginine are a risk marker for overall mortality and especially for cardiovascular mortality in the older general population. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
Knowledge-based information retrieval from semi-structured text

This paper describes FAQ FINDER, a natural language question-answering system that uses files of frequently-asked questions as its knowledge base. Unlike AI question-answering systems that focus on the generation of new answers, FAQ FINDER retrieves existing ones found in frequently-asked question files. Unlike information retrieval approaches that rely on a purely lexical metric of similarity between query and document, FAQ FINDER uses a semantic knowledge base (WordNet) and natural language processing techniques to improve its ability to match question and answer. We describe an evaluation of the system’s performance against a corpus of user questions, and show that a combination of techniques from information retrieval and natural language processing works better than any single approach.
Personality and medication non-adherence among older adults enrolled in a six-year trial.

OBJECTIVES
Personality factors parsimoniously capture the variation in dispositional characteristics that affect behaviours, but their value in predicting medication non-adherence is unclear. We investigated the relationship between five-factor model personality factors (Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Extraversion, and Openness) and medication non-adherence among older participants during a six-year randomized placebo-controlled trial (RCT).


DESIGN
Observational cohort data from 771 subjects aged ≥ 72 years enrolled in the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory study, a RCT of Ginkgo biloba for prevention of dementia.


METHODS
Random effects logistic regression analyses examined effects of NEO Five-Factor Inventory scores on medication non-adherence, determined via pill counts every 6 months (median follow-up 6.1 years) and defined as taking <80% of prescribed pills. Analyses adjusted for covariates linked with non-adherence in prior studies.


RESULTS
Each 5 year increment in participant age was associated with a 6.7% greater probability of non-adherence (95% confidence interval, CI [2.4, 11.0]). Neuroticism was the only personality factor associated with non-adherence: a 1 SD increase was associated with a 3.8% increase in the probability of non-adherence (95% CI [0.4, 7.2]). Lower cognitive function was also associated with non-adherence: a 1 SD decrease in mental status exam score was associated with a 3.0% increase in the probability of non-adherence (95% CI [0.2, 5.9]).


CONCLUSIONS
Neuroticism was associated with medication non-adherence over 6 years of follow-up in a large sample of older RCT participants. Personality measurement in clinical and research settings might help to identify and guide interventions for older adults at risk for medication non-adherence.
Bone marrow or peripheral blood for reduced-intensity conditioning unrelated donor transplantation.

PURPOSE
There have been no randomized trials that have compared peripheral blood (PB) with bone marrow (BM) grafts in the setting of reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) transplantations for hematologic malignancy. Because immune modulation plays a significant role in sustaining clinical remission after RIC, we hypothesize that higher graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) associated with PB transplantation may offer a survival advantage.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
The primary outcome evaluated was overall survival. Cox regression models were built to study outcomes after transplantation of PB (n = 887) relative to BM (n = 219) for patients with acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the three most common indications for unrelated RIC transplantation. Transplantations were performed in the United States between 2000 and 2008. Conditioning regimens consisted of an alkylating agent and fludarabine, and GVHD prophylaxis involved a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) with either methotrexate (MTX) or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).


RESULTS
After adjusting for age, performance score, donor-recipient HLA-match, disease, and disease status at transplantation (factors associated with overall survival), there were no significant differences in 5-year rates of survival after transplantation of PB compared with BM: 34% versus 38% with CNI-MTX and 27% versus 20% with CNI-MMF GVHD prophylaxis.


CONCLUSION
Survival after transplantation of PB and BM are comparable in the setting of nonirradiation RIC regimens for hematologic malignancy. The effect of GVHD prophylaxis on survival merits further evaluation.
Lipid Extract from Hard-Shelled Mussel (Mytilus coruscus) Improves Clinical Conditions of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Studies have suggested a lipid extract from hard-shelled mussel (Mytilus coruscus) (HMLE) possessed strong anti-inflammatory activity in arthritis model of rats. This study investigated whether HMLE could improve clinical conditions of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Fifty rheumatoid arthritis patients (28-75 years) were randomly assigned to receive HMLE capsules or receive placebo capsules for 6 months. Forty-two subjects and 50 subjects were included in per-protocol and intention-to-treat analysis, respectively. Significant differences in changes on disease activity score (DAS28) and clinical disease activity index (CDAI) after 6-month intervention (p < 0.01) were observed in both analyses with more evident efficacy shown in per-protocol population (∆DAS28 = 0.47; ∆CDAI = 4.17), which favored the benefits of the HMLE group. TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor α), interleukin (IL)-1β and PGE2 (prostaglandin E2) but not IL-6, were significantly decreased in both groups, and the decrements were much larger in the HMLE group for TNF-α and PGE2 after 6 months from baseline (p < 0.05). IL-10 was significantly increased in both groups and the change was much more evident in the HMLE group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, HMLE exhibited benefits for the clinical conditions of rheumatoid patients in relation to improvement in the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory factors, which indicated its potential to serve as adjunctive treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02173587).
Does Offshoring Pay? Firm-Level Evidence from Japan

This paper explores the impact of offshoring, or contracting out of business activities to foreign providers, on firm productivity, using Japanese firm-level data for the period 1994-2000. We find that offshoring has generally a positive effect on productivity growth. This effect is robust to controlling for the possible endogeneity of offshoring with respect to unobserved productivity shocks. Our preferred specification suggests that a one percent increase in offshoring intensity raises productivity growth by 0.17 percent. For the average offshoring firm this implies a 1.8 percent increase in annual productivity growth. These results do not appear to depend much on either the level of technological sophistication of a firms’ industry or a firms’ international orientation. However, we find that the scope for productivity improvements from offshoring depends negatively on the initial level of productivity of the firm. JEL classification: F14, L23
Debating authenticity : concepts of modernity in anthropological perspective

Acknowledgements List of Illustrations Introduction: Authenticity Aujourd'hui Thomas Fillitz and A. Jamie Saris PART I: AUTHENTICITY AND AUTHENTICATING Chapter 1. Revisiting "Culture, Genuine and Spurious:" Reflections on Icons and Politics in Ireland A. Jamie Saris Chapter 2. Deceptive Tentacles of the Authenticating Mind: on Authenticity and Some Other Notions that are Good for Absolutely Nothing Rajko Mursic PART II: MORAL DISCOURSES OF AUTHENTICITY Chapter 3. Authentic Wilderness: The Production and Experience of Nature in America Lawrence J. Taylor Chapter 4. The Moral Economy of Authenticity. And the Invention of Traditions in Franche-Comte (France) Jean-Pierre Warnier Chapter 5. Oh, That's So Typical!" Discussing Some Spanish "Authentic" Essential Traits Jorge Grau Rebollo PART III: AUTHENTICITY: POPULAR AND ACADEMIC DISCOURSES Chapter 6. Is Form Really Primary or, What Makes Things Authentic? Sociality and Materiality in Afro Brazilian Ritual and Performance Inger Sjorslev Chapter 7. Cultural Search for Authenticity: Questioning Primitivism and Exotic Art Paul Van der Grijp Chapter 8. Wooden Pillars and Mural Paintings in the Saudi Southwest: Notes on Continuity, Authenticity, and Artistic Change in Regional Traditions Andre Gingrich Chapter 9. True to Life: Authenticity and the Photographic Image Marcus Banks PART IV: ENTANGLED SPACES OF AUTHENTICITY Chapter 10. Questions of Authenticity and Legitimacy in the Work of Henri Gaden (1867-1939) Roy Dilley Chapter 11. Constructing Culture Through Shared Location, Bricolage and Exchange: the Case of Gypsies and Roma Judith Okely Chapter 12. Cultural Regimes of Authenticity and Contemporary Art of Africa Thomas Fillitz Notes on Contributors Index
Effects of physical and mental task demands on cervical and upper limb muscle activity and physiological responses during computer tasks and recovery periods

The present study examined the effects of physical and mental workload during computer tasks on muscle activity and physiological measures. Activity in cervical postural muscles and distal forearm muscles, heart rate and blood pressure were compared among three tasks and rest periods of 15 min each in an experimental study design. Fourteen healthy pain-free adults participated (7 males, mean age = 23.2 ± 3.0 years) and the tasks were: (1) copy-typing (“typing”), (2) typing at progressively faster speed (“pacing”), (3) mental arithmetic plus fast typing (“subtraction”). Typing task was performed first, followed by the other two tasks in a random order. Median muscle activity (50th percentile) was examined in 5-min intervals during each task and each rest period, and statistically significant differences in the “time” factor (within task) and time × task factors was found in bilateral cervical erector spinae and upper trapezius muscles. In contrast, distal forearm muscle activity did not show any significant differences among three tasks. All muscles showed reduced activity to about the baseline level within first 5 min of the rest periods. Heart rate and blood pressure showed significant differences during tasks compared to baseline, and diastolic pressure was significantly higher in the subtraction than pacing task. The results suggest that cervical postural muscles had higher reactivity than forearm muscles to high mental workload tasks, and cervical muscles were also more reactive to tasks with high physical demand compared to high mental workload. Heart rate and blood pressure seemed to respond similarly to high physical and mental workloads.
Solution structure of the cellular factor BAF responsible for protecting retroviral DNA from autointegration

The solution structure of the human barrier-to-autointegration factor, BAF, a 21,000 Mr dimer, has been solved by NMR, including extensive use of dipolar couplings which provide a priori long range structural information. BAF is a highly evolutionarily conserved DNA binding protein that is responsible for inhibiting autointegration of retroviral DNA, thereby promoting integration of retroviral DNA into the host chromosome. BAF is largely helical, and each subunit is composed of five helices. The dimer is elongated in shape and the dimer interface comprises principally hydrophobic contacts supplemented by a single salt bridge. Despite the absence of any sequence similarity to any other known protein family, the topology of helices 3–5 is similar to that of a number of DNA binding proteins, with helices 4 and 5 constituting a helix-turn-helix motif. A model for the interaction of BAF with DNA that is consistent with structural and mutagenesis data is proposed.
Preference recommendation for personalized search

Conditional Preference Networks (CP-nets) are widely used to express qualitative preferences. As users are sometimes reluctant or unable to specify complete CP-nets, it prohibits personalized search from being effectively conducted. In this article, we present an approach to perform personalized search using incomplete CP-nets. We propose a preference recommendation scheme for complementing a user’s CPnets, so as to improve the accuracy of personalized search. We have conducted extensive simulation and user study to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach. © 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.
An update on reform in Eastern Europe and Russia

Abstract The paper reviews the experience of Poland and Russia with economic reform, with occasional comparison to China's experience. The author argues that macroeconomic chaos in Poland and Russia preceded reform and was allayed by reform; that there is no necessary tradeoff between reform and growth; and that the Polish and Russian experience shows that it is possible to create clear property rights quickly.
An update on the perioperative management of children with upper respiratory tract infections.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This review summarizes the current evidence for the management of children with recent upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Furthermore, the review includes management guidelines for children with URTIs.


RECENT FINDINGS
Good history and clinical examination is sufficient in most children presenting with URTI. Testing for immune markers or preoperative nitric oxide measurement does not add any additional value. Preoperative bronchodilator administration, intravenous induction with propofol, and noninvasive airway management all reduce the occurrence of respiratory adverse events.


SUMMARY
Most children can be safely anaesthetized even in the presence of an URTIs if the perioperative anaesthesia management is optimized. In this review article, we have included a management algorithm for children with URTI presenting for elective surgery.
Human Augmentation and Exoskeleton Systems in Berkeley

Human–robot integration, in particular human augmentation, outlines the future of robotics. Although autonomous robotic systems perform remarkably in structured environments (e.g. factories), integrated human–robotic systems are superior to any autonomous robotic systems in unstructured environments that demand significant adaptation. In our research work at Berkeley, we have separated the technology associated with human power augmentation into lower extremity exoskeletons and upper extremity exoskeletons. The reason for this was two-fold: firstly, we could envision a great many applications for either a stand-alone lower or upper extremity exoskeleton in the immediate future. Secondly, and more importantly for the division is that the exoskeletons are in their early stages, and further research still needs to be conducted to ensure that the upper extremity exoskeleton and lower extremity exoskeleton can function well independently before we can venture an attempt to integrate them. With this in mind, we proceeded with the designs of the lower and upper extremity exoskeleton separately, with little concern for the development of an integrated exoskeleton. This article first gives a description of the upper extremity exoskeleton efforts and then will proceed with the more detailed description of the lower extremity exoskeleton.
Systemic toxicity following administration of sirolimus (formerly rapamycin) for psoriasis: association of capillary leak syndrome with apoptosis of lesional lymphocytes.

BACKGROUND
Sirolimus (formerly rapamycin) is an immunosuppressive agent that interferes with T-cell activation. After 2 individuals with psoriasis developed a capillary leak syndrome following treatment with oral sirolimus lesional skin cells and activated peripheral blood cells were analyzed for induction of apoptosis.


OBSERVATIONS
A keratome skin specimen from 1 patient with sirolimus-induced capillary leak syndrome had a 2.3-fold increase in percentage of apoptotic cells (to 48%) compared with an unaffected sirolimus-treated patient with psoriasis (21%). Activated peripheral blood T cells from patients with psoriasis tended to exhibit greater spontaneous or dexamethasone-induced apoptosis than did normal T cells, particularly in the presence of sirolimus.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe adverse effects of sirolimus include fever, anemia, and capillary leak syndrome. These symptoms may be the result of drug-induced apoptosis of lesional leukocytes, especially activated T lymphocytes, and possibly release of inflammatory mediators. Because patients with severe psoriasis may develop capillary leak from various systemic therapies, clinical monitoring is advisable for patients with inflammatory diseases who are treated with immune modulators.
One Hour Ahead Load Forecasting Using Artificial Neural Network for the Western Area of Saudi Arabia

Load forecasting has become in recent years one of the major areas of research in electrical engineering. Most traditional forecasting models and artificial intelligence neural network techniques have been tried out in this task. Artificial neural networks (ANN) have lately received much attention, and a great number of papers have reported successful experiments and practical tests. This article presents the development of an ANN-based short-term load forecasting model with improved generalization technique for the Regional Power Control Center of Saudi Electricity Company, Western Operation Area (SEC-WOA). The proposed ANN is trained with weather-related data and historical electric load-related data using the data from the calendar years 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 for training. The model tested for one week at five different seasons, typically, winter, spring, summer, Ramadan and fall seasons, and the mean absolute average error for one hour-ahead load forecasting found 1.12%. Keywords—Artificial neural networks, short-term load forecasting, back propagation.
Lévy flights, non-local search and simulated annealing

We solve a problem of non-convex stochastic optimisation with help of simulated annealing of Lévy flights of a variable stability index. The search of the ground state of an unknown potential is non-local due to big jumps of the Levy flights process. The convergence to the ground state is fast due to a polynomial decrease rate of the temperature.