LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
A Microsoft-Excel-based tool for running and critically appraising network meta-analyses—an overview and application of NetMetaXL

BACKGROUND
The use of network meta-analysis has increased dramatically in recent years. WinBUGS, a freely available Bayesian software package, has been the most widely used software package to conduct network meta-analyses. However, the learning curve for WinBUGS can be daunting, especially for new users. Furthermore, critical appraisal of network meta-analyses conducted in WinBUGS can be challenging given its limited data manipulation capabilities and the fact that generation of graphical output from network meta-analyses often relies on different software packages than the analyses themselves.


METHODS
We developed a freely available Microsoft-Excel-based tool called NetMetaXL, programmed in Visual Basic for Applications, which provides an interface for conducting a Bayesian network meta-analysis using WinBUGS from within Microsoft Excel. . This tool allows the user to easily prepare and enter data, set model assumptions, and run the network meta-analysis, with results being automatically displayed in an Excel spreadsheet. It also contains macros that use NetMetaXL's interface to generate evidence network diagrams, forest plots, league tables of pairwise comparisons, probability plots (rankograms), and inconsistency plots within Microsoft Excel. All figures generated are publication quality, thereby increasing the efficiency of knowledge transfer and manuscript preparation.


RESULTS
We demonstrate the application of NetMetaXL using data from a network meta-analysis published previously which compares combined resynchronization and implantable defibrillator therapy in left ventricular dysfunction. We replicate results from the previous publication while demonstrating result summaries generated by the software.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of the freely available NetMetaXL successfully demonstrated its ability to make running network meta-analyses more accessible to novice WinBUGS users by allowing analyses to be conducted entirely within Microsoft Excel. NetMetaXL also allows for more efficient and transparent critical appraisal of network meta-analyses, enhanced standardization of reporting, and integration with health economic evaluations which are frequently Excel-based.
Equity in the use of antiretroviral treatment in the public health care system in urban South Africa.

OBJECTIVES
The scaling up of antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV-infected adults requires a sizeable investment of resources in the South African public health care system. It is important that these resources are used productively and in ways that reach those in need, irrespective of social status or personal characteristics. In this study we evaluate whether the distribution of ART services in the public system reflects the distribution of need among adults in the urban population.


METHODS
Data from a 2008 national survey were used to estimate the distribution of socioeconomic status (SES) and sex in HIV-positive adults in urban areas. These findings were compared to SES and sex distributions in 635 ART users within 6 urban public ART facilities.


RESULTS
Close to 40% of those with HIV are in the lowest SES quintile, while 67% are women. The distributions in users of ART are similar to these distributions in HIV-positive people.


CONCLUSIONS
Patterns of ART use in study settings correspond to patterns of HIV in the urban population at the national level. This suggests that the South African ART programme is on track to ensure equitable delivery of treatment services in urban settings.
Providing palliative care for cancer patients: the views and exposure of community general practitioners and district nurses in Japan.

CONTEXT
The role of general practitioners (GPs) and district nurses (DNs) is increasingly important to achieve dying at home.


OBJECTIVES
The primary aim of this region-based representative study was to clarify 1) clinical exposure of GPs and DNs to cancer patients dying at home, 2) availability of symptom control procedures, 3) willingness to participate in out-of-hours cooperation and palliative care consultation services, and 4) reasons for hospital admission of terminally ill cancer patients.


METHODS
Questionnaires were sent to 1106 GP clinics and 70 district nursing services in four areas across Japan.


RESULTS
Two hundred thirty-five GPs and 56 district nursing services responded. In total, 53% of GPs reported that they saw no cancer patients dying at home per year, and 40% had one to 10 such patients. In contrast, 31% of district nursing services cared for more than 10 cancer patients dying at home per year, and 59% had one to 10 such patients. Oral opioids, subcutaneous opioids, and subcutaneous haloperidol were available in more than 90% of district nursing services, whereas 35% of GPs reported that oral opioids were unavailable and 50% reported that subcutaneous opioids or haloperidol were unavailable. Sixty-seven percent of GPs and 93% of district nursing services were willing to use palliative care consultation services. Frequent reasons for admission were family burden of caregiving, unexpected change in physical condition, uncontrolled physical symptoms, and delirium.


CONCLUSION
Japanese GPs have little experience in caring for cancer patients dying at home, whereas DNs have more experience. To achieve quality palliative care programs for cancer patients at the regional level, educating GPs about opioids and psychiatric medications, easily available palliative care consultation services, systems to support home care technology, and coordinated systems to alleviate family burden is of importance.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of chronic primary insomnia: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT
Use of nonpharmacological behavioral therapy has been suggested for treatment of chronic primary insomnia, but well-blinded, placebo-controlled trials demonstrating effective behavioral therapy for sleep-maintenance insomnia are lacking.


OBJECTIVE
To test the efficacy of a hybrid cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) compared with both a first-generation behavioral treatment and a placebo therapy for treating primary sleep-maintenance insomnia.


DESIGN AND SETTING
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted at a single academic medical center, with recruitment from January 1995 to July 1997.


PATIENTS
Seventy-five adults (n = 35 women; mean age, 55.3 years) with chronic primary sleep-maintenance insomnia (mean duration of symptoms, 13.6 years).


INTERVENTIONS
Patients were randomly assigned to receive CBT (sleep education, stimulus control, and time-in-bed restrictions; n = 25), progressive muscle relaxation training (RT; n = 25), or a quasi-desensitization (placebo) treatment (n = 25). Outpatient treatment lasted 6 weeks, with follow-up conducted at 6 months.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Objective (polysomnography) and subjective (sleep log) measures of total sleep time, middle and terminal wake time after sleep onset (WASO), and sleep efficiency; questionnaire measures of global insomnia symptoms, sleep-related self-efficacy, and mood.


RESULTS
Cognitive behavioral therapy produced larger improvements across the majority of outcome measures than did RT or placebo treatment. For example, sleep logs showed that CBT-treated patients achieved an average 54% reduction in their WASO whereas RT-treated and placebo-treated patients, respectively, achieved only 16% and 12% reductions in this measure. Recipients of CBT also showed a greater normalization of sleep and subjective symptoms than did the other groups with an average sleep time of more than 6 hours, middle WASO of 26.6 minutes, and sleep efficiency of 85.1%. In contrast, RT-treated patients continued to report a middle WASO of 43.3 minutes and sleep efficiency of 78.8%.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that CBT represents a viable intervention for primary sleep-maintenance insomnia. This treatment leads to clinically significant sleep improvements within 6 weeks and these improvements appear to endure through 6 months of follow-up.
Effect of treatment environment on modified constraint-induced movement therapy results in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE
To determine the effects of treatment environment (home and clinic) on results of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (modified CIMT) in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy.


METHOD
In a single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial, 14 children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy (5 females, 9 males; mean age: 74 months) received 15 hours of modified CIMT, occurring three times/week for 10 sessions every other day in two randomly assigned groups. Each session lasts one and half hours. Treatment environment for intervention group (n = 7) was home and for control group (n = 7) was clinic. Measures were conducted pre, post and 3 months after treatment period by pediatrics motor activity log and subtests 5 (upper limb coordination) and 8 (upper limb speed and dexterity) of Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency. Sample randomization and data analysis by analysis of variance with repeated measures were conducted by SPSS-16 software in α level set at p < 0.05.


RESULTS
All subjects showed significant improvement (p < 0.01) in post-test measures except subtest 5 of Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency. In contrast to clinic group, subjects in home showed significantly continued improvement at follow-up session in all measures.


CONCLUSIONS
Modified CIMT is effective in improving upper limb function in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy. In addition, more improved performance in home group places the practice in natural context as the preferred method for treatment of these children.
Security Model for Hierarchical Clustered Wireless Sensor Networks

The proposed security system for the Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is based on the WSN security design goal that ‘to design a completely secure WSN, security must be integrated into every node of the system’. This paper discusses on two main components of the security framework viz. the secure key management module and the secure routing scheme. The incorporation of security mechanism during the routing protocol design phase is the main focus of this paper. The proposed security framework viz. ‘Secure and Hierarchical, a Routing Protocol’ (SHARP) is designed for the wireless sensor network applications which is deployed particularly for data collection purpose in a battlefield where the security aspect of the network cannot be compromised at any cost. SHARP consists of three basic integrated modules and each module performs a well defined task to make the whole security framework a complete system on its own.
Modeling using K-means clustering algorithm

Modeling is an abstract representation of real world process. Predicting the likely behavior from observed behavior would be entirely legitimate if the relationship were found in the data. Two common data mining techniques for finding hidden patterns in data are clustering and classification analyses. Classification is supposed to be supervised learning and clustering is an unsupervised classification with no predefined classes. Clustering tries to group a set of objects and find whether there is some relationship between those objects. In this paper we have used the numerical results generated through the Probability Density Function algorithm as the basis of recommendations in favor of the K-means clustering for weather-related predictions. We propose a model for predicting the probability of the outcome of the Play class as YES or NO through K-means clustering on weather data. The main reason for our choice in favor of K-means clustering algorithm is that it is robust.
Biomimetic walking robot SCORPION: Control and modeling

We present the biomimetic control scheme for the walking robot SCORPION. We used a concept of Basic Motion Patterns, which can be combined in a very flexible manner. In addition our modeling and simulation approach is described, which has been done based on the ADAMS(TM) simulator. Especially the motion patterns of real scorpions were analyzed and used for walking patterns and acceleration of the robot.
Rare breast cancer subtypes: histological, molecular, and clinical peculiarities.

Breast cancer encompasses a collection of different diseases characterized by different biological and pathological features, clinical presentation, response to treatments, clinical behavior, and outcome. On the basis of cell morphology, growth, and architecture patterns, breast cancer can be classified in up to 21 distinct histological types. Breast cancer special types, including the classic lobular invasive carcinoma, represent 25% of all breast cancers. The histological diversity of breast carcinomas has relevant prognostic implications. Indeed, the rare breast cancer group includes subtypes with very different prognoses, ranging from the tubular carcinoma, associated with an indolent clinical course, to metaplastic cancer, whose outcome is generally unfavorable. New approaches based on gene expression profiling allow the identification of molecularly defined breast cancer classes, with distinct biological features and clinical behavior. In clinical practice, immunohistochemical classification based on the expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 and Ki67 is applied as a surrogate of the intrinsic molecular subtypes. However, the identification of intrinsic molecular subtypes were almost completely limited to the study of ductal invasive breast cancer. Moreover, some good-prognosis triple-negative histotypes, on the basis of gene expression profiling, can be classified among the poor-prognosis group. Therefore, histopathological classification remains a crucial component of breast cancer diagnosis. Special histologies can be very rare, and the majority of information on outcome and treatments derives from small series and case reports. As a consequence, clear recommendations about clinical management are still lacking. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about rare breast cancer histologies.
Evaluation of eye gaze interaction

Eye gaze interaction can provide a convenient and natural addition to user-computer dialogues. We have previously reported on our interaction techniques using eye gaze [10]. While our techniques seemed useful in demonstration, we now investigate their strengths and weaknesses in a controlled setting. In this paper, we present two experiments that compare an interaction technique we developed for object selection based on a where a person is looking with the most commonly used selection method using a mouse. We find that our eye gaze interaction technique is faster than selection with a mouse. The results show that our algorithm, which makes use of knowledge about how the eyes behave, preserves the natural quickness of the eye. Eye gaze interaction is a reasonable addition to computer interaction and is convenient in situations where it is important to use the hands for other tasks. It is particularly beneficial for the larger screen workspaces and virtual environments of the future, and it will become increasingly practical as eye tracker technology matures.
Multicamera fusion for shape estimation and visibility analysis of unknown deforming objects

A method is proposed for fused three-dimensional (3-D) shape estimation and visibility analysis of an unknown, markerless, deforming object through a multicamera vision system. Complete shape estimation is defined herein as the process of 3-D reconstruction of a model through fusion of stereo triangulation data and a visual hull. The differing accuracies of both methods rely on the number and placement of the cameras. Stereo triangulation yields a high-density, high-accuracy reconstruction of a surface patch from a small surface area, while a visual hull yields a complete, low-detail volumetric approximation of the object. The resultant complete 3-D model is, then, temporally projected based on the tracked object’s deformation, yielding a robust deformed shape prediction. Visibility and uncertainty analyses, on the projected model, estimate the expected accuracy of reconstruction at the next sampling instant. In contrast to common techniques that rely on a priori known models and identities of static objects, our method is distinct in its direct application to unknown, markerless, deforming objects, where the object model and identity are unknown to the system. Extensive simulations and comparisons, some of which are presented herein, thoroughly demonstrate the proposed method and its benefits over individual reconstruction techniques. © 2016 SPIE and IS&T [DOI: 10.1117/1.JEI.25.4.041009]
Continuous low-dose cyclophosphamide and methotrexate combined with celecoxib for patients with advanced cancer

Background:Combined therapy of metronomic cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and high-dose celecoxib targeting angiogenesis was used in a phase II trial.Methods:Patients with advanced cancer received oral cyclophosphamide 50 mg o.d., celecoxib 400 mg b.d. and methotrexate 2.5 mg b.d. for two consecutive days each week. Response was determined every 8 weeks; toxicity was evaluated according to CTC version 2.0. Plasma markers of inflammation, coagulation and angiogenesis were measured.Results:Sixty-seven of 69 patients were evaluable for response. Twenty-three patients had stable disease (SD) after 8 weeks, but there were no objective responses to therapy. Median time to progression was 57 days. There was a low incidence of toxicities. Among plasma markers, levels of tissue factor were higher in the SD group of patients at baseline, and levels of both angiopoietin-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 increased in the progressive disease group only. There were no changes in other plasma markers.Conclusion:This metronomic approach has negligible activity in advanced cancer albeit with minimal toxicity. Analysis of plasma markers indicates minimal effects on endothelium in this trial. These data for this particular regimen do not support basic tenets of metronomic chemotherapy, such as the ability to overcome resistant tumours by targeting the endothelium.
Comparison of the AT1-receptor blocker, candesartan cilexetil, and the ACE inhibitor, lisinopril, in fixed combination with low dose hydrochlorothiazide in hypertensive patients

Aim: To compare candesartan cilexetil and lisinopril in fixed combination with hydrochlorothiazide with respect to antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability.Methods:This was a double-blind (double-dummy), randomised, parallel group comparison in patients with a mean sitting diastolic blood pressure 95–115 mm Hg on prior antihypertensive monotherapy. Treatments were candesartan cilexetil/hydrochlorothiazide 8/12.5 mg once daily (n = 237) and lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide 10/12.5 mg once daily (n = 116) for 26 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was change in trough sitting diastolic blood pressure.Results: Changes in mean sitting diastolic blood pressure did not differ significantly between the groups (mean difference 0.5 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval −1.6, 2.7, P = 0.20). No significant differences between the groups was found for other haemodynamic variables (sitting systolic blood pressure, standing blood pressure, sitting/erect heart rate, and proportion of responders and controlled patients). Both drugs were well tolerated but the proportion of patients with at least one adverse event was significantly greater in the lisinopril group (80% vs 69%, P = 0.020). The proportion of patients spontaneously reporting cough (23.1% vs 4.6%) and discontinuing therapy due to adverse events (12.0% vs 5.9%) was also higher in the lisinopril group compared with the candesartan cilexetil group.Conclusions: The fixed combinations of candesartan cilexetil and hydrochlorothiazide 8/12.5 mg and lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide 10/12.5 mg once daily are equally effective as antihypertensive agents. The fixed combination containing candesartan cilexetil is better tolerated than that containing lisinopril.
5G: Personal mobile internet beyond what cellular did to telephony

Cellular technology has dramatically changed our society and the way we communicate. First it impacted voice telephony, and then has been making inroads into data access, applications, and services. However, today potential capabilities of the Internet have not yet been fully exploited by cellular systems. With the advent of 5G we will have the opportunity to leapfrog beyond current Internet capabilities.
KASL clinical practice guidelines: management of chronic hepatitis B

* Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of KASL for the Management of Chronic Hepatitis B Kwan Sik Lee (Committee Chair, Yonsei University College of Medicine), Si Hyun Bae (Catholic University of Korea), Won Hyeok Choe (Konkuk University College of Medicine), Moon Seok Choi (Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine), Woo Jin Chung (Keimyung University School of Medicine), Chang Wook Kim (Catholic University of Korea), Hyung Joon Kim (Chung-Ang University College of Medicine), Ja Kyung Kim (Yonsei University College of Medicine), Ji Hoon Kim (Korea University College of Medicine), Suk Bae Kim (Dankook University Medical College), Yoon Jun Kim (Seoul National University College of Medicine), Jae Sung Ko (Seoul National University College of Medicine), Byung Seok Lee (Chungnam National University College of Medicine), Jung Il Lee (Yonsei University College of Medicine), Young-Suk Lim (University of Ulsan College of Medicine), Won Young Tak (Kyungpook National University School of Medicine), Jong Eun Yeon (Korea University College of Medicine), Ki Tae Yoon (Pusan National University School of Medicine).
Decision support and intelligent systems in the textile and apparel supply chain: An academic review of research articles

This article provides a comprehensive review of research articles related to the application of decision support and intelligent systems in the textile and apparel supply chains. Data were obtained from 77 articles published from 1994 to 2009 in 35 journals. The articles were categorized according to their applicability into three basic sectors – textile production, apparel manufacture, and distribution/sales. They were further categorized into 16 subsectors based on their operational and management/control processes. A comprehensive list of categorized journal articles identified in this study provides insights and relevant references for both researchers and practitioners on the application of decision support and intelligent systems to various stages of a textile and apparel supply chain. In light of the developed classification framework, we identify gaps in extending the use of the decision support and artificial intelligent systems in the industry and suggest potential and applicable research areas for further consideration in this subject area. 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.