LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Left atrial appendage morphology, echocardiographic characterization, procedural data and in-hospital outcome of patients receiving left atrial appendage occlusion device implantation: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND
Implantation of left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion devices was shown to be a feasible and effective alternative to oral anticoagulation in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. However, only few data about in-hospital and peri-procedural data are currently available. This study aims to report about echocardiographic, procedural and in-hospital data of patients receiving LAA occlusion devices.


METHODS
This single-center, prospective and observational study includes consecutively patients being eligible for percutaneous implantation of LAA occlusion devices (either Watchman™ or Amplatzer™ Cardiac Plug 2). Data on pre- and peri-procedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), implantation and procedure related in-hospital complications were collected. The primary efficacy outcome measure was a successful device implantation without relevant peri-device leaks (i.e., < 5 mm).


RESULTS
In total, 37 patients were included, 22 receiving the Watchman™ and 15 ACP 2 device. Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly in both patient groups. The primary efficacy outcome measure was reached in 91.9% of patients (90.9% for the Watchman™, 93.3 % for the ACP 2 group). One device embolization (Watchman™ group) with successful retrieval occurred (2.7% of patients). No thromboembolism or device thrombosis were present. The majority of bleedings was caused by access site bleedings (88.3% of all bleedings), consisting mostly of mild hematomas corresponding to a BARC type 1 bleeding (80.0% of all access-site complications). One patient died due to septic shock (non-procedure related).


CONCLUSIONS
In daily real-life practice, percutaneous treatment with LAA occlusion devices appears to be an effective and safe.
Cloud Computing Adoption by Higher Education Institutions in Saudi Arabia: Analysis Based on TOE

(1) Background, Motivation and Objective: Academic study of Cloud Computing within Saudi Arabia is an emerging research field. Saudi Arabia represents the largest economy in the Arabian Gulf region. This positions it as a potential market of cloud computing technologies. Adoption of new innovations should be preceded by analysis of the added value, challenges and adequacy from technological, organizational and environmental perspectives. (2) Statement of Contribution/Method: This cross-sectional exploratory empirical research is based on Technology, Organization and Environment model targeting higher education institutions. In this study, the factors that influence the adoption by higher education institutions were analyzed and tested using Partial Least Square. (3) Results, Discussion and Conclusions: Three factors were found significant in this context. Relative Advantage, Data Privacy and Complexity are the most significant factors. The model explained 43% of the total adoption measure variation. Significant differences in the areas of cloud computing compatibility, complexity, vendor lock-in and peer pressure between large and small institutions were revealed. Items for future cloud computing research were explored through open-ended questions. Adoption of cloud services by higher education institutions has been started. It was found that the adoption rate among large universities is higher than small higher education institutions. Improving the network and Internet Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia at an affordable cost is a pre-requisite for cloud computing adoption. Cloud service provider should address the privacy and complexity concerns raised by non-adopters. Future information systems that are potential for hosting in cloud were prioritized.
What guidance is available for researchers conducting overviews of reviews of healthcare interventions? A scoping review and qualitative metasummary

BACKGROUND
Overviews of reviews (overviews) compile data from multiple systematic reviews to provide a single synthesis of relevant evidence for decision-making. Despite their increasing popularity, there is limited methodological guidance available for researchers wishing to conduct overviews. The objective of this scoping review is to identify and collate all published and unpublished documents containing guidance for conducting overviews examining the efficacy, effectiveness, and/or safety of healthcare interventions. Our aims were to provide a map of existing guidance documents; identify similarities, differences, and gaps in the guidance contained within these documents; and identify common challenges involved in conducting overviews.


METHODS
We conducted an iterative and extensive search to ensure breadth and comprehensiveness of coverage. The search involved reference tracking, database and web searches (MEDLINE, EMBASE, DARE, Scopus, Cochrane Methods Studies Database, Google Scholar), handsearching of websites and conference proceedings, and contacting overview producers. Relevant guidance statements and challenges encountered were extracted, edited, grouped, abstracted, and presented using a qualitative metasummary approach.


RESULTS
We identified 52 guidance documents produced by 19 research groups. Relatively consistent guidance was available for the first stages of the overview process (deciding when and why to conduct an overview, specifying the scope, and searching for and including systematic reviews). In contrast, there was limited or conflicting guidance for the latter stages of the overview process (quality assessment of systematic reviews and their primary studies, collecting and analyzing data, and assessing quality of evidence), and many of the challenges identified were also related to these stages. An additional, overarching challenge identified was that overviews are limited by the methods, reporting, and coverage of their included systematic reviews.


CONCLUSIONS
This compilation of methodological guidance for conducting overviews of healthcare interventions will facilitate the production of future overviews and can help authors address key challenges they are likely to encounter. The results of this project have been used to identify areas where future methodological research is required to generate empirical evidence for overview methods. Additionally, these results have been used to update the chapter on overviews in the next edition of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.
Projection-free Distributed Online Learning in Networks

The conditional gradient algorithm has regained a surge of research interest in recent years due to its high efficiency in handling large-scale machine learning problems. However, none of existing studies has explored it in the distributed online learning setting, where locally light computation is assumed. In this paper, we fill this gap by proposing the distributed online conditional gradient algorithm, which eschews the expensive projection operation needed in its counterpart algorithms by exploiting much simpler linear optimization steps. We give a regret bound for the proposed algorithm as a function of the network size and topology, which will be smaller on smaller graphs or ”well-connected” graphs. Experiments on two large-scale real-world datasets for a multiclass classification task confirm the computational benefit of the proposed algorithm and also verify the theoretical regret bound.
Patients’ perceptions of changes in their blood pressure

Objectives: (1) To investigate patients’ experience of changes in their blood pressure (BP) in an every day setting and the accuracy of patients’ predictions; and (2) to examine what influences patients’ belief that they can tell when their BP is up. Subjects: A total of 102 hypertensive patients were recruited sequentially as they presented for routine BP checks. The setting was an inner city general practice. Design: Patients attended for BP checks on a weekly basis. Before each check they were asked whether they thought their BP was higher, lower or the same as usual. Subjects were classified as predictors if they thought they could tell when their BP was up. On completing their series of BP checks each subject completed symptom and Hospital Anxiety and Depression questionnaires. Main outcome measures: Accuracy of BP predictions, BP levels and variability, number of symptoms reported and anxiety level. Results: One hundred and two hypertensive patients entered the study of whom 51 patients were predictors. The majority (86%) of predictors could not accurately predict their BP. There were no significant differences in either BP or variability between predictors and non-predictors. Predictors were significantly more anxious and reported more symptoms than non-predictors. Conclusions: For the majority of predictors there is no significant relationship between predictions of BP and clinical measurements. Predictor status is associated with the reporting of more symptoms and higher levels of anxiety. Doctors should counsel patients against using subjective BP assessments to guide their use of antihypertensive medication.
Diffraction-limited high-finesse optical cavities

High-quality optical cavities with wavelength-sized end mirrors are important to the growing field of micro-optomechanical systems. We present a versatile method for calculating the modes of diffraction limited optical cavities and show that it can be used to determine the effect of a wide variety of cavity geometries and imperfections. Additionally, we show these calculations agree remarkably well with FDTD simulations for wavelength-sized optical modes, even though our method is based on the paraxial approximation.
A Consensus Statement on the Use of Ketamine in the Treatment of Mood Disorders.

Importance
Several studies now provide evidence of ketamine hydrochloride's ability to produce rapid and robust antidepressant effects in patients with mood and anxiety disorders that were previously resistant to treatment. Despite the relatively small sample sizes, lack of longer-term data on efficacy, and limited data on safety provided by these studies, they have led to increased use of ketamine as an off-label treatment for mood and other psychiatric disorders.


Observations
This review and consensus statement provides a general overview of the data on the use of ketamine for the treatment of mood disorders and highlights the limitations of the existing knowledge. While ketamine may be beneficial to some patients with mood disorders, it is important to consider the limitations of the available data and the potential risk associated with the drug when considering the treatment option.


Conclusions and Relevance
The suggestions provided are intended to facilitate clinical decision making and encourage an evidence-based approach to using ketamine in the treatment of psychiatric disorders considering the limited information that is currently available. This article provides information on potentially important issues related to the off-label treatment approach that should be considered to help ensure patient safety.
Perioperative morbidity of laparoscopic cryoablation of small renal masses with ultrathin probes: a European multicentre experience.

BACKGROUND
Low morbidity has been advocated for cryoablation of small renal masses.


OBJECTIVES
To assess negative perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic renal cryoablation (LRC) with ultrathin cryoprobes and patient, tumour, and operative risk factors for their development.


DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Prospective collection of data on LRC in five centres.


INTERVENTION
LRC.


MEASUREMENTS
Preoperative morbidity was assessed clinically and the American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score was assigned prospectively. Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and Charlson-Age Comorbidity Index (CACI) scores were retrospectively assigned. Negative outcomes were prospectively recorded and defined as any undesired event during the perioperative period, including complications, with the latter classed according to the Clavien system. Patient, tumour, and operative variables were tested in univariate analysis as risk factors for occurrence of negative outcomes. Significant variables (p<0.05) were entered in a step-forward multivariate logistic regression model to identify independent risk factors for one or more perioperative negative outcomes. The confidence interval was settled at 95%.


RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS
There were 148 procedures in 144 patients. Median age and tumour size were 70.5 yr (range: 32-87) and 2.6 cm (range: 1.0-5.6), respectively. A laparoscopic approach was used in 145 cases (98%). Median ASA, CCI, and CACI scores were 2 (range: 1-3), 2 (range: 0-7), and 4 (range: 0-11), respectively. Comorbidities were present in 79% of patients. Thirty negative outcomes and 28 complications occurred in 25 (17%) and 23 (15.5%) cases, respectively. Only 20% of all complications were Clavien grade > or = 3. Multivariate analysis showed that tumour size in centimetres, the presence of cardiac conditions, and female gender were independent predictors of negative perioperative outcomes occurrence. Receiver operator characteristic curve confirmed the tumour size cut-off of 3.4 cm as an adequate predictor of negative outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Perioperative negative outcomes and complications occur in 17% and 15.5%, respectively, of cases treated by LRC with multiple ultrathin needles. Most of the complications are Clavien grade 1 or 2. The presence of cardiac conditions, female gender, and tumour size are independent prognostic factors for the occurrence of a perioperative negative outcome.
Pothole Detection System using Machine Learning on Android

This paper investigates an application of mobile sensing: detection of potholes on roads. We describe a system and an associated algorithm to monitor the pothole conditions on the road. This system, that we call the Pothole Detection System, uses Accelerometer Sensor of Android smartphone for detection of potholes and GPS for plotting the location of potholes on Google Maps. Using a simple machine-learning approach, we show that we are able to identify the potholes from accelerometer data. The pothole detection algorithm detects the potholes in real-time. A runtime graph has been shown with the help of a charting software library ‘AChartEngine’. Accelerometer data and pothole data can be mailed to any email address in the form of a ‘.csv’ file. While designing the pothole detection algorithm we have assumed some threshold values on x-axis and z-axis. These threshold values are justified using a neural network technique which confirms an accuracy of 90%-95%. The neural network has been implemented using a machine learning framework available for Android called ‘Encog’. We evaluate our system on the outputs obtained using two, three and four wheelers. Keywords— Machine Learning, Context, Android, Neural Networks, Pothole, Sensor
Genotype at the sIL-6 R A 358 C polymorphism does not influence response to anti-TNF therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives. To investigate the association between genotype at the soluble interleukin 6 receptor (sIL-6R) A358C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, rs8192284), previously reported to correlate with soluble receptor levels, and response to anti-TNF therapy in subjects with RA. Methods. In a large cohort of Caucasian RA patients treated with anti-TNF medications (total, n = 1050; etanercept, n = 455; infliximab, n = 450; and adalimumab, n = 142), the sIL-6R A358C polymorphism was genotyped using a Taqman 50-allelic discrimination assay. Linear regression analysis adjusted for baseline 28 joint disease activity score (DAS28), baseline HAQ score, gender and use of concurrent DMARDs was used to assess the association of genotype at this polymorphism with response to anti-TNF therapy, defined by change in DAS28 after 6 months of treatment. Analyses were performed in the entire cohort, and also stratified by an anti-TNF agent. Additional analysis according to the EULAR response criteria was also performed, with the chi-squared test used to compare genotype groups. Results. No association between genotype at sIL-6R A358C and response to anti-TNF treatment was detected either in the cohort as a whole or after stratification by anti-TNF agent, in either the linear regression analysis or with response segregated according to EULAR criteria. Conclusions. This study shows that genotype at the functional sIL-6R A358C SNP is not associated with response to anti-TNF treatment in patients with RA.
A cataloging framework for software development methods

A framework providing a basis for comparing and evaluating software development methods (SDMs), which are systems of technical procedures and notational conventions for the organized construction of software-based systems, is presented. Using the framework, practitioners and methodologists can describe and rate an SDM's support for 21 properties. The application of the framework to two examples, OMT and R.J.A. Buhr's (1990) architectural design, is discussed. Several suggested uses of the framework include: comparing a group of SDMs with one another; defining a standard in terms of the framework and then using this as a basis for discussion; examining an SDM to discover its coverage and capabilities; and combining the properties of different SDMs to create a new SDM.<<ETX>>
Knowledge Development, Social Capital and Alliance Learning

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to elucidate information on what creates the different types of knowledge.Design/methodology/approach – In the conceptual model it is argued that the concept of social capital provides an interesting view on the creation of market‐specific and firm‐specific knowledge.Findings – The major finding from the paper is that knowledge is an important by‐product of an alliance forming process, a process commonly termed as alliance learning.Research limitations/implications – Both market‐specific and firm‐specific knowledge have implications on two main types of alliance learning, that of mutual and non‐mutual learning.Practical implications – Alliance managers need to be aware that knowledge is a key driver as well as a beneficial outcome in the formation of alliances.Originality/value – This paper examines how the different types of knowledge evolve and how these different types of knowledge impact upon alliance learning.
The atrial fibrillation ablation pilot study: a European Survey on Methodology and results of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation conducted by the European Heart Rhythm Association.

AIMS
The Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Pilot Study is a prospective registry designed to describe the clinical epidemiology of patients undergoing an atrial fibrillation (AFib) ablation, and the diagnostic/therapeutic processes applied across Europe. The aims of the 1-year follow-up were to analyse how centres assess in routine clinical practice the success of the procedure and to evaluate the success rate and long-term safety/complications.


METHODS AND RESULTS
Seventy-two centres in 10 European countries were asked to enrol 20 consecutive patients undergoing a first AFib ablation procedure. A web-based case report form captured information on pre-procedural, procedural, and 1-year follow-up data. Between October 2010 and May 2011, 1410 patients were included and 1391 underwent an AFib ablation (98.7%). A total of 1300 patients (93.5%) completed a follow-up control 367 ± 42 days after the procedure. Arrhythmia documentation was done by an electrocardiogram in 76%, Holter-monitoring in 52%, transtelephonic monitoring in 8%, and/or implanted systems in 4.5%. Over 50% became asymptomatic. Twenty-one per cent were re-admitted due to post-ablation arrhythmias. Success without antiarrhythmic drugs was achieved in 40.7% of patients (43.7% in paroxysmal AF; 30.2% in persistent AF; 36.7% in long-lasting persistent AF). A second ablation was required in 18% of the cases and 43.4% were under antiarrhythmic treatment. Thirty-three patients (2.5%) suffered an adverse event, 272 (21%) experienced a left atrial tachycardia, and 4 patients died (1 haemorrhagic stroke, 1 ventricular fibrillation in a patient with ischaemic heart disease, 1 cancer, and 1 of unknown cause).


CONCLUSION
The AFib Ablation Pilot Study provided crucial information on the epidemiology, management, and outcomes of catheter ablation of AFib in a real-world setting. The methods used to assess the success of the procedure appeared at least suboptimal. Even in this context, the 12-month success rate appears to be somewhat lower to the one reported clinical trials.
A Proposal of Testing Imaginary Time in a Total Reflection

All paradoxes concerning faster-than-light signal propagation reported in recent experiments can be dispelled by using imaginary time in a quantum framework. I present a proposal of testing imaginary time in a total reflection.
Embodiment or Envatment ? : Reflections on the Bodily Basis of Consciousness

Suppose that a team of neurosurgeons and bioengineers were able to remove your brain from your body, suspend it in a life-sustaining vat of liquid nutrients, and connect its neurons and nerve terminals by wires to a supercomputer that would stimulate it with electrical impulses exactly like those it normally receives when embodied. According to this brain-in-a-vat thought experiment, your envatted brain and your embodied brain would have subjectively indistinguishable mental lives. For all you know—so one argument goes—you could be such a brain in a vat right now. Daniel Dennett calls this sort of philosophical thought experiment an “intuition pump” (1995). An intuition pump is designed to elicit certain intuitive convictions, but is not itself a proper argument: “Intuition pumps are fine if they’re used correctly, but they can also be misused. They’re not arguments, they’re stories. Instead of having a conclusion, they pump an intuition. They get you to say ‘Aha! Oh, I get it!’” (Dennett 1995, 182). Philosophers have used the brain-in-a-vat story mainly to raise the problem of radical skepticism and to elicit various intuitions about meaning and knowledge (Putnam 1981). The basic intuition the story tries to pump is that the envatted brain, though fully conscious, has systematically false beliefs about the world, including itself. Some philosophers reject this intuition. They propose that the envatted brain’s beliefs are really about its artificial environment or that it has no real beliefs at all. According to these proposals, the mental lives of the two brains do not match, despite their being subjectively indistinguishable. Dennett (1978) tells a classic variant of the brain-in-a-vat story, one in which he sees his own envatted brain and knows that it remotely controls his own body, but still cannot experience himself as located where his brain is located. Here the thought experiment serves to raise questions about the locus of the self in the physical world. 13