LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Discriminative and predictive properties of multidimensional prognostic indices of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a validation study in Taiwanese patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a pulmonary disease with systemic involvement. Several multidimensional indices have been developed to predict long-term outcomes. However, these indices have not been compared and validated in Taiwanese patients with COPD.


METHODS
A prospective, observational, hospital-based study was designed, and a total of 621 patients were recruited from May 2006 to December 2011. Patients followed at least 1 year were enrolled and 594 patients eligible for inclusion. Three prognostic indices--the ADO (age, dyspnoea and airflow obstruction), BODEx (body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnoea and exacerbations), and CPI (the COPD Prognostic Index)--were validated and the predictive power of each was analysed.


RESULTS
The median follow-up of the 594 patients was 33 months (range 1-72 months), and the mortality rate was 19.2% (114 deaths). All indices were significantly predictive for all-cause mortality in our validation cohort. Furthermore, the C statistics of the three indices, indicating their predictive accuracy, were all >0.7 (area under the curve of the CPI 0.718, P < 0.001, ADO 0.702, P < 0.001, BODEx 0.702, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
ADO, BODEx and CPI scores are useful predictors of all-cause mortality with significantly discriminative properties in Taiwanese patients with COPD.
AVID: Adversarial Visual Irregularity Detection

Real-time detection of irregularities in visual data is very invaluable and useful in many prospective applications including surveillance, patient monitoring systems, etc. With the surge of deep learning methods in the recent years, researchers have tried a wide spectrum of methods for different applications. However, for the case of irregularity or anomaly detection in videos, training an end-to-end model is still an open challenge, since often irregularity is not well-defined and there are not enough irregular samples to use during training. In this paper, inspired by the success of generative adversarial networks (GANs) for training deep models in unsupervised or self-supervised settings, we propose an end-to-end deep network for detection and fine localization of irregularities in videos (and images). Our proposed architecture is composed of two networks, which are trained in competing with each other while collaborating to find the irregularity. One network works as a pixel-level irregularity Inpainter, and the other works as a patch-level Detector. After an adversarial self-supervised training, in which I tries to fool D into accepting its inpainted output as regular (normal), the two networks collaborate to detect and fine-segment the irregularity in any given testing video. Our results on three different datasets show that our method can outperform the state-of-the-art and fine-segment the irregularity. 1
On Conditions for Constant Radiation Characteristics for Log-Periodic Array Antennas

Wide frequency band antenna systems are required for many now and future applications, such as in radio astronomy and ultrawideband (UWB) technology. Constant radiation characteristics over a decade bandwidth are required for some of wide band applications, for example, feeds for reflector antennas in radio telescope. The log-periodic array antenna is one of the technologies for wideband antennas. In the present paper, an analysis on condition for constant radiation characteristics over wide bandwidth for a log-periodic array antenna is presented. From this condition, a guide rule for designing a wideband log-periodic array antenna is obtained. The Eleven antenna, a decade bandwidth log-periodic array antenna, is selected to illustrate the condition and verify the analysis in the paper.
A model of the stimulation of a nerve fiber by electromagnetic induction

A model is presented to explain the physics of nerve stimulations by electromagnetic induction. Maxwell's equations predict the induced electric field distribution that is produced when a capacitor is discharged through a stimulating coil. A nonlinear Hodgkin-Huxley cable model describes the response of the nerve fiber to this induced electric field. Once the coil's position, orientation, and shape are given and the resistance, capacitance, and initial voltage of the stimulating circuit are specified, this model predicts the resulting transmembrane potential of the fiber as a function of distance and time. It is shown that the nerve fiber is stimulated by the gradient of the component of the induced electric field that is parallel to the fiber, which hyperpolarizes or depolarizes the membrane and may stimulate an action potential. The model predicts complicated dynamics such as action potential annihilation and dispersion.<<ETX>>
Changes in flow-mediated dilatation, cytokines and carotid arterial stenosis during aggressive atorvastatin treatment in normocholesterolemic patients.

BACKGROUND
Aggressive statin therapy to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in patients with normal LDL-cholesterol levels reduces the incidence of future cardiovascular events and enhances atherosclerotic regression in the common carotid artery. We tried to quantify changes in flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), inflammatory cytokines, and the severity of carotid arterial stenosis, after aggressive statin administration to patients with normal LDL-cholesterol levels, and stroke or transient ischemic attack ipsilateral to carotid arterial stenosis.


METHODS
Twenty patients with at least a 50% reduction in the diameter of the carotid artery were studied. Atorvastatin 10 mg daily was prescribed for 4 months. Serial changes in the severity of carotid arterial stenosis, and brachial-artery FMD were evaluated by high-resolution ultrasound. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), soluble endothelin-1 (ET-1), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), were measured before, and after 2 and 4 months of, atorvastatin treatment.


RESULTS
Atorvastatin significantly decreased plasma levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol after 1, 2 and 4 months of treatment (p < 0.01). FMD showed significant improvement after only 4 months (10.0% vs 6.8% at baseline; p = 0.019). The overall severity of carotid arterial lesions was not significantly reduced by atorvastatin. Changes in TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and ET-1 showed trends towards a progressive decline after atorvastatin, but none of the cytokines was reduced significantly. FMD did not correlate with the severity of carotid arterial stenosis, lipid profile, or cytokine levels.


CONCLUSION
Atorvastatin effectively reduced plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, and had beneficial effects on endothelial function, in Chinese patients with carotid arterial stenosis and normal LDL-cholesterol levels.
Effects of ultrasound on the thermal and structural characteristics of proteins in reconstituted whey protein concentrate.

The sonication-induced changes in the structural and thermal properties of proteins in reconstituted whey protein concentrate (WPC) solutions were examined. Differential scanning calorimetry, UV-vis, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopic techniques were used to determine the thermal properties of proteins, measure thiol groups and monitor changes to protein hydrophobicity and secondary structure, respectively. The enthalpy of denaturation decreased when WPC solutions were sonicated for up to 5 min. Prolonged sonication increased the enthalpy of denaturation due to protein aggregation. Sonication did not alter the thiol content but resulted in minor changes to the secondary structure and hydrophobicity of the protein. Overall, the sonication process had little effect on the structure of proteins in WPC solutions which is critical to preserving functional properties during the ultrasonic processing of whey protein based dairy products.
The Business Cycle: A Georgist-Austrian Synthesis.

Abstract. Conventional macroeconomics lacks a warranted explanation of the major business cycle, while the Austrian and geo-economic Georgist) schools have incomplete theories. A geo-Austrian synthesis, in contrast, provides a potent theory consistent with historical cycles and with explanations about the root causes. The geo-economic and Austrian schools have had little interaction in the past, despite many similarities (Yeager, 1954 and 1984). Though the theories of the schools are largely complementary, each providing content the other lacks, so far a synthesis has not been forthcoming; although some geo-economists have incorporated elements of Austrian capital theory (e.g., Gaffney, 1994).
Assessment of intravenous adipose-derived allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of feline chronic kidney disease: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in eight cats.

OBJECTIVES
Feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis, and inflammation contributes to the progression of renal fibrosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects in rodent CKD models. However, few randomized trials evaluating the effectiveness of MSC therapy for diseases in companion animals have been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of allogeneic MSCs for the treatment of feline CKD using a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
MSCs were isolated from the cryopreserved adipose tissues of specific pathogen-free research cats and culture expanded. CKD cats were enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded one-way crossover clinical study. Four CKD cats were randomized to receive 2 × 10(6) MSCs/kg intravenously at 2, 4 and 6 weeks. Four CKD cats were randomized to receive placebo, with two cats crossing over to the MSC treatment group and one cat failing to complete the trial. Complete blood counts, chemistry and urinalysis were performed at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) via nuclear scintigraphy and urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) were determined at weeks 0 and 8.


RESULTS
Six cats received three doses of allogeneic MSC culture expanded from cryopreserved adipose without adverse effects. No significant change in serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, GFR by nuclear scintigraphy, UPC or packed cell volume was seen in cats treated with MSCs. Individual changes in GFR were 12%, 8%, 8%, 2%, -13% and -67% in treated cats compared with 16%, 36% and 0% in placebo-treated cats.


CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
While administration of MSC culture expanded from cryopreserved adipose was not associated with adverse effects, significant improvement in renal function was not observed immediately after administration. Long-term follow-up is necessary to determine whether MSC administration affects disease progression in cats with CKD.
Residents’ and preceptors’ perceptions of the use of the iPad for clinical teaching in a family medicine residency program

BACKGROUND
As Family Medicine programs across Canada are transitioning into a competency-based curriculum, medical students and clinical teachers are increasingly incorporating tablet computers in their work and educational activities. The purpose of this pilot study was to identify how preceptors and residents use tablet computers to implement and adopt a new family medicine curriculum and to evaluate how they access applications (apps) through their tablet in an effort to support and enhance effective teaching and learning.


METHODS
Residents and preceptors (n = 25) from the Family Medicine program working at the Pembroke Regional Hospital in Ontario, Canada, were given iPads and training on how to use the device in clinical teaching and learning activities and how to access the online curriculum. Data regarding the use and perceived contribution of the iPads were collected through surveys and focus groups. This mixed methods research used analysis of survey responses to support the selection of questions for focus groups.


RESULTS
Reported results were categorized into: curriculum and assessment; ease of use; portability; apps and resources; and perceptions about the use of the iPad in teaching/learning setting. Most participants agreed on the importance of accessing curriculum resources through the iPad but recognized that these required enhancements to facilitate use. The iPad was considered to be more useful for activities involving output of information than for input. Participants' responses regarding the ease of use of mobile technology were heterogeneous due to the diversity of computer proficiency across users. Residents had a slightly more favorable opinion regarding the iPad's contribution to teaching/learning compared to preceptors.


CONCLUSIONS
iPad's interface should be fully enhanced to allow easy access to online curriculum and its built-in resources. The differences in computer proficiency level among users should be reduced by sharing knowledge through workshops led by more skillful iPad users. To facilitate collection of information through the iPad, the design of electronic data-input forms should consider the participants' reported negative perceptions towards typing data through mobile devices. Technology deployment projects should gather sufficient evidence from pilot studies in order to guide efforts to adapt resources and infrastructure to relevant needs of Family Medicine teachers and learners.
Improving fine motor function after brain injury using gesture recognition biofeedback.

PURPOSE
We developed a gesture recognition biofeedback (GRB) device for improving fine motor function in persons with brain injury using surface muscle pressures of the forearm to provide real-time visual biofeedback. The GRB apparatus is easy to don by moderately impaired users and does not require precise placement of sensors.


METHOD
The efficacy of GRB training with each subject was assessed by comparing its effectiveness against standard repetitive training without feedback. The outcome was measured using a nine-hole peg test (HPT) administered before and after each condition, in a cross-over study design.


RESULTS
GRB was shown to be effective for short-term improvement of fine motor function of 12 impaired participants, reducing their average time to completion of the HPT by 15.5% (S.D. 7.14%). In a subset of impaired subjects, this effect was significant in comparison to similar training without biofeedback (p < 0.05). Control subjects experienced negligible change in HPT time.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study of a heterogeneous group shows that GRB may offer a simple means to help impaired users re-learn specified manual tasks.
Emerging therapies in traumatic hemorrhage control.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Care of the injured patient is a dynamic process. Hemorrhage remains the primary cause of preventable death after trauma. Rapid and effective early care can improve survival and outcomes. Emerging therapies to address traumatic hemorrhage will be discussed.


RECENT FINDINGS
Current concepts in trauma care include damage control resuscitation with rapid surgical correction of bleeding; prevention of the development of the lethal triad; limitation of crystalloid administration and application of high ratios of plasma and platelets to packed red blood cells. Prehospital resuscitation strategies can effect care of the hemorrhaging trauma patient, as well. The goal should be to preserve vital functions without increasing the risk for further bleeding. The concept of hypotensive resuscitation has been formulated to address this issue. The type of resuscitation fluid also plays an important role, with novel fluids currently being studied for routine use. Compressible hemorrhage constitutes an important component of potentially survivable injury. Hemostatic dressings and tourniquets can prove essential to the management of combat and civilian wounds.


SUMMARY
Given the potential to preserve life with appropriate attention applied to the bleeding trauma victim, it is vitally important to explore the options currently available and continue to make improvements in care.
An exploration of relationships between environmental practice and manufacturing performance using the PLS path modeling

Many manufacturers turn to highlight the concept to improve product development, quality goals, waste reduction, energy conservation, and to enhance manufacturing performance. Environmental practices involve complex components ranging from planning the product/process design, top management support, production practice to organizational design. Only few works concern about the relationship between environmental practice and manufacturing performance. However, there is lacking of a model to facilitate the comprehensive relationships between environmental practice components and manufacturing performance. In this study, the conceptual framework is proposed and tested between an environmental practices and the manufacturing performance. This empirical assessment collects 616 respondents from Taiwanese high-tech manufacturing firms and modelizing used partial least squares path.
Prognostic value of copeptin: one-year outcome in patients with acute stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
An accurate long-term outcome prediction may improve management of stroke patients. We investigated the ability of copeptin to predict 1-year outcome in stroke patients.


METHODS
In this preplanned post hoc analysis, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and copeptin levels were measured on admission in a cohort of patients with ischemic stroke. The primary end point was functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score <3 or 3-6) after 1 year. The secondary end point was all-cause mortality.


RESULTS
Of 362 patients, 341 (94.2%) completed the 1-year follow-up, 146 (43%) patients had an unfavorable functional outcome, and 66 (20%) died. Multivariate logistic-regression analysis adjusted for age and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score showed that copeptin was an independent predictor of functional outcome (odds ratio=4.00; 95% CI, 1.94-8.19) and death (odds ratio=2.68; 95% CI, 1.24-5.82). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of copeptin was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.67-0.77) for functional outcome and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.69-0.78) for mortality. Copeptin improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score for functional outcome from 0.70 (95% CI, 0.64-0.74) to 0.76 (95% CI, 0.71-0.82; P=0.002) and for mortality from 0.74 (95% CI, 0.69-0.78) to 0.78 (95% CI, 0.71-0.85; P=0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Copeptin levels are a useful, complementary tool to predict functional outcome and mortality 1 year after stroke.


CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION
ISCTRN 00390962; clinicaltrials.gov No. NCT00390962.
Query expansion through geographical feature types

This paper introduces a new approach for expansion of queries with geographical context. The proposed strategy is based on a query parser that captures geonames and spatial relationships, and maps geographical features and feature types into concepts of a geographical ontology. Different strategies for query expansion, according to the geographical restrictions given by the user, are compared. The proposed method allows a more versatile and focused expansion towards the geographical information need of the user.
Falls among adult patients hospitalized in the United States: prevalence and trends.

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to provide normative data on fall prevalence in U.S. hospitals by unit type and to determine the 27-month secular trend in falls before the implementation of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service (CMS) rule, which does not reimburse hospitals for care related to injury resulting from hospital falls.


METHODS
We used data from the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) collected between July 1, 2006, and September 30, 2008, to estimate prevalence and secular trends of falls occurring in adult medical, medical-surgical, and surgical nursing units. More than 88 million patient days (pd) of observation were contributed from 6100 medical, surgical, and medical-surgical nursing units in 1263 hospitals across the United States.


RESULTS
A total of 315,817 falls occurred (rate = 3.56 falls/1000 pd) during the study period, of which, 82,332 (26.1%) resulted in an injury (rate = 0.93/1000 pd). Both total fall and injurious fall rates were highest in medical units (fall rate = 4.03/1000 pd; injurious fall rate = 1.08/1000 pd) and lowest in surgery units (fall rate = 2.76/1000 pd; injurious fall rate = 0.67/1000 pd). Falls (0.4% decrease per quarter, P < 0.0001) and injurious falls (1% decrease per quarter, P < 0.0001) both decreased over the 27-month study.


CONCLUSIONS
In this large sample, fall and injurious fall prevalence varied by nursing unit type in U.S. hospitals. Over the 27-month study, there was a small, but statistically significant, decrease in falls (P < 0.0001) and injurious falls (P < 0.0001).
Composition and Stability of the Microbial Community inside the Digestive Tract of the Aquatic Crustacean Daphnia magna

Small filter-feeding zooplankton organisms like the cladoceran Daphnia spp. are key members of freshwater food webs. Although several interactions between Daphnia and bacteria have been investigated, the importance of the microbial communities inside Daphnia guts has been studied only poorly so far. In the present study, we characterised the bacterial community composition inside the digestive tract of a laboratory-reared clonal culture of Daphnia magna using 16S rRNA gene libraries and terminal-restriction length polymorphism fingerprint analyses. In addition, the diversity and stability of the intestinal microbial community were investigated over time, with different food sources as well as under starvation stress and death, and were compared to the community in the cultivation water. The diversity of the Daphnia gut microbiota was low. The bacterial community consisted mainly of Betaproteobacteria (e.g. Limnohabitans sp.), few Gammaproteobacteria (e.g. Pseudomonas sp.) and Bacteroidetes that were related to facultatively anaerobic bacteria, but did not contain typical fermentative or obligately anaerobic gut bacteria. Rather, the microbiota was constantly dominated by Limnohabitans sp. which belongs to the Lhab-A1 tribe (previously called R-BT065 cluster) that is abundant in various freshwaters. Other bacterial groups varied distinctly even under constant cultivation conditions. Overall, the intestinal microbial community did not reflect the community in the surrounding cultivation water and clustered separately when analysed via the Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction model. In addition, the microbiota proved to be stable also when Daphnia were exposed to bacteria associated with a different food alga. After starvation, the community in the digestive tract was reduced to stable members. After death of the host animals, the community composition in the gut changed distinctly, and formerly undetected bacteria were activated. Our results suggest that the Daphnia microbiota consists mainly of an aerobic resident bacterial community which is indigenous to this habitat.