jimnoneill/paper-to-field-training huggingface dataset:
Implementing dynamic atrioventricular delay optimization for cardiac resynchronization therapy: an economic analysis in the EU5 countries

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) poses an escalating public health challenge, contributing significantly to patient morbidity, mortality and healthcare expenditures [1,2]. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a well-established intervention that improves functional capacity and enhances quality of life while mitigating symptoms, hospitalizations, and mortality in HF patients [3]. Nevertheless, the reaction to CRT varies among individuals; some experience positive responses and others show resistance to the therapy, with unfavourable outcomes and increased healthcare costs [4]. The introduction of the dynamic atrioventricular (AV) optimization algorithm aims to enhance CRT response by enabling dynamic optimization of the AV delay [4]. Purpose Despite the strong clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of dynamic AV optimization algorithm, a comprehensive assessment of its economic implications is still lacking. This study aims to evaluate the economic impact of activating dynamic AV optimization algorithm in patients undergoing CRT treatment across the Big 5 European countries (EU5; France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the UK). Methods The study examines two scenarios over a 3-year timeframe: a) current scenario, where dynamic AV optimization algorithm activation is limited to a small segment of the population, and b) future scenario, where dynamic AV optimization algorithm activation is progressively expanded per year from 15% to 50%. Treatment efficacy data, measured in terms of HF hospitalization and mortality rates, were sourced from Varma et al. studies [1,4]. Hospitalization and mortality costs were extracted from national DRG tariffs and relevant literature [5–14]. It is important to note that there is no additional cost for algorithm activation if the device is already equipped with it. Results In this hypothetical analysis of 1,000 patients, around 30% undergo CRT implantation compatible with dynamic AV optimization algorithm activation. The treatment cost of patients with the algorithm ON is reduced by -15% compared to patients with the algorithm OFF, considering a weighted average across the EU5 countries (France: -11%, Germany: -16%, Italy: -14%, Spain -17%, UK: -16%), as shown in Table 1. The steady increase in algorithm activation led to an annual expenditure reduction equal to €21,109, calculated on the weighted average across the EU5 countries (France: €15,549, Germany: €33,753, Italy: €13,844, Spain: €20,385, UK: £13,423). When compared to the current scenario, the future scenario saved €36,468 on average across the EU5 countries. Further country-specific cost savings are shown in Table 2. Conclusion The conducted economic analysis gives confidence in dynamic AV optimization algorithm, positioning it as a valuable and economically sustainable asset for enhancing CRT treatment outcomes in patients with HF.
Prognostic significance of preoperative abdominal fat thickness for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical value of abdominal fat thickness (AFT) as a predictor of outcomes for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: Between August 2016 and March 2023, we retrospectively gathered data on 148 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for PDAC at the Hepatobiliary Surgery Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soocho-w University. We conducted a comparative analysis of laboratory results and radiological features between patients who developed postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and those who did not. To identify predictive factors, we employed both univariate and multivariate analytical methods.Furthermore,we conducted prognostic assessments for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), taking into account AFT and various patient-related factors. Result: POPF developed in 46 patients (31.1%). AFT>74.2mm was associated with a risk of POPF, high body mass index (BMI), operation time and soft pancreatic texture. Patients with POPF were significantly more likely to have high BMI (>23.2 kg/m2),Intra-abdominal infection, and high AFT than patients without POPF. In the multivariate analysis, high AFT (OR,13.678;95% CI,1.848-101.236;p=0.01) was the sole independent predictive factor for POPF. Compared with PDAC patients with low AFT values, high AFT patients showed significantly worse OS (HR,2.646; 95% CI, 1.516,4.618;p =0.001) and RFS (HR, 3.612; 95% CI, 1.949,6.693; p <0.001). Conclusion: Patients who have experienced POPF have been shown to exhibit a high correlation with AFT. Among the various parameters examined, AFT has emerged as an independent predictive factor for clinically significant POPF. Additionally,our cohort study showed that AFT was associated with poor clinical outcomes in PDAC patients following surgical resection.
Using knowledge-based technology to integrate CIM databases

Field: Computer Science (Physical Sciences)

The authors propose a framework for using knowledge-based systems to integrate the heterogeneous multidatabases of computer integrated manufacturing (CIM). For each database, a corresponding knowledge-based system is designed for directing knowledge-processing of shared information. This one-to-one method reduces the complexity of the problem. Specifically, the structure, features, and knowledge representation for a knowledge-based system are presented. Then, a prototype of an interface between manufacturing planning and computer-aided design is described. Due to the potential for rapid changes in the manufacturing environment, the linkages among CIM databases are designed to be dynamic, flexible, and adaptive to a wide variety of situations.< >
An Empirical Study on the Performance of Software Company with Software Type

Field: Business, Management and Accounting (Social Sciences)

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors influencing performance of software companies. This model tests various theoretical research hypotheses related to innovation, standardization and technology marketing strategy and software type. Smart PLS (Partial Least Square) 2.0 and SPSS 15.0 have been utilized for deriving the study results. The result of hypothesis testing is as follows. First, standardization and technology marketing strategy positively influence financial performance. Second, innovation, standardization and technology marketing strategy positively influence technical performance. Finally, mobile and non-mobile software companies was shown that innovation, standardization, and technology marketing strategy has different effects to financial and technical performance.
The pursuit of computer literacy: how older women learn

Field: Psychology (Social Sciences)

This case study explored the experiences of a small group of computer-literate older women. A mixed methodology examined four issues in their learning process: their motivation to begin, the resources they employed during learning, the obstacles they may have encountered, and the technical supports used to overcome these obstacles. The study also explored the computer uses which respondents subsequently employed and the benefits they accrued from their usage.
The objectives of the study were to gain an understanding of the factors that influenced these older women to accept the challenge to become computer literate, to examine the resources upon which they drew for assistance with learning, to determine which obstacles they encountered, to discover the methods they employed to overcome these obstacles, and to describe the ways that these women currently use their computer skills. The survey instrument contained four sections, each consisting of quantitative and qualitative questions. The data were analyzed using both methods.
The findings showed that these women, once motivated, drew upon a wide range of resources to reach their goals, most of which involved an individual person or a group of people. The results also illustrate the enrichment opportunities afforded the respondents through their computer-related activities: communications were more frequent and clear-cut; continuation of lifelong learning was facilitated; entertainment opportunities were amplified; and health care was improved because of the availability of information. This study showed that access to computers and the Internet can enhance the lives of older adults, facilitate the acquisition of various services, and provide a variety of support systems.
Becoming paradigm: the image of the Turks in the construction of Pius V’s sanctity

Field: Arts and Humanities (Social Sciences)

This essay analyses, through three exemplary images, the way in which the image of the Turkish enemy was used to promote the beatification and sanctification of pope Pius V, progressively becoming the emblem of all the battles the Church had to fight against any form of religious and political dissidence in the modern era. While in the frontispiece published in the Vita by Girolamo Catena (1586) the victory over the Turks is remembered along with that over the Huguenot heretics, in the painting of the beatification, conceived by Lazzaro Baldi in 1672, the pope is celebrated only and exclusively as the prophet who received the revelation of Lepanto’s victory. Following the canonization (1712), Andrea Procaccini realised the altarpiece for the chapel of St. Pius V in Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome, where the Turkish enemy, personified as a woman, is floored by St. Michael archangel, who is the alter ego of St. Pius V. In this case it is possible that the Turkish woman does not only represent the Ottoman Empire, but also, more generally, Heresy and the battles that the Church must lead in an increasingly secular Europe, that is becoming more and more independent from the dictates of Catholicism. Il saggio analizza attraverso tre immagini paradigmatiche come l’immagine del nemico turco sia stata utilizzata per promuovere la beatificazione e la santificazione di papa Pio V e come essa sia divenuta progressivamente l’emblema di tutte le lotte da compiere da parte della Chiesa contro ogni forma di dissidenza religiosa e politica in età moderna. Mentre nell’antiporta pubblicata nella Vita di Girolamo Catena (1586) la vittoria sui turchi è ricordata insieme a quella sugli eretici ugonotti, nel quadro della beatificazione, realizzato da Lazzaro Baldi nel 1672, il pontefice è celebrato solo ed esclusivamente come il profeta che ha ricevuto la rivelazione delle vittoria di Lepanto. A seguito della canonizzazione (1712) Andrea Procaccini realizza la pala d’altare per la cappella di San Pio V in Santa Maria Sopra Minerva a Roma, nella quale il nemico turco, personificato in una donna, viene atterrato da un San Michele arcangelo, che è l’alter ego di San Pio V. In questo caso è possibile che la donna turca rappresenti non solo l’Impero Ottomano, ma anche più in generale l’Eresia e le lotte che la Chiesa deve condurre in un’Europa sempre più laica e indipendente dei dettami del cattolicesimo.
A national, cross-sectional survey of children's hospital-based safety resource centres

Field: Health Professions (Health Sciences)

Objective To describe the location, staffing, clientele, safety product disbursement patterns, education provided and sustainability of safety resource centres (SRCs) in US children's hospitals. Methods A cross-sectional survey was distributed to children's hospital-based SRC directors. Survey categories included: funding sources, customer base, items sold, items given free of charge, education provided and directors’ needs. Results 32/38 (84.2%) SRC sites (affiliated with 30 hospitals) completed the survey. SRCs were in many hospital locations including lobby (28.1%), family resource centres (12.5%), gift shop/retail space (18.8%), mobile units (18.8%) and patient clinics (12.5%). 19% of respondents reported that their SRC was financially self-sustainable. Sales to patients predominated (mean of 44%); however, hospital employees made up a mean of 20% (range 0–60%) of sales. 78.1% of SRCs had products for children with special healthcare needs. Documentation kept at SRC sites included items purchased (96.9%), items given free of charge (65.6%) and customer demographics (50%). 56.3% of SRCs provided formal injury prevention education classes. The SRCs’ directors’ most important needs were finances (46.9%), staffing (50%) and space (46.9%). All of the directors were ‘somewhat interested’ or ‘very interested’ in each of the following: creation of a common SRC listserv, national SRC data bank and multisite SRC research platform. Conclusions SRCs are located in many US children's hospitals, and can be characterised as heterogeneous in location, products sold, data kept and ability to be financially sustained. Further research is needed to determine best practices for SRCs to maximise their impact on injury prevention.
Critical Factors Affecting the Bid Cost of Building Construction Projects

Field: Engineering (Physical Sciences)

A cost database is essential for contractors to estimate accurate bid costs, and most contractors use historical cost databases for this purpose. Factors that influence bid cost should be investigated so that they are accurate. From the existing literature, this study identifies 30 factors that affect bid costs, and a survey was sent to 80 prime and subcontractors to determine the critical factors. The intraclass correlation test was conducted to determine the consistency of the responses. Then the Relative Importance Index (RII) was determined to identify the critical factors inhibiting the bid cost. In addition, the Mann-Whitney test was performed to determine whether the critical factors were highly ranked. Using RII and Mann-Whitney tests, the study determined seven critical factors that affect the bid cost of building projects: failure to track labor productivity; failure to report site-specific project conditions; failure to report complexity of the project; lacking documentation of union restrictions, regulations, local building code, and safety requirements; failure to report change order impact on labor productivity; failure to incorporate change orders into a cost control program; and failure to report project description. These findings will assist contractors to accurately bid building projects.
Cultural similarity and migration new evidence from a gravity model of international migration

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance (Social Sciences)

Theory suggests that cultural similarity increases migration flows between countries. This paper brings best practices from the trade gravity literature to migration to test this prediction. In my preferred specification, I use lags of time-varying similarity variables in a panel of international and domestic migration flows (>200 countries, 1990-2019, 5-year intervals) and estimate a theory-consistent structural gravity model with origin-year, destination-year, and corridor fixed effects. The results do not show the hypothesized positive effect of cultural similarity on migration. Instead, religious similarity has a significant negative effect on migration, while WVS-based attitudinal similarities regarding individualism, indulgence, and trust are insignificant. Additional results suggest that cultural selection and sorting can explain these findings, where migrants are attracted by destinations that are culturally similar to their personal cultural beliefs rather than the average cultural beliefs of their home country. Results of a two-stage fixed effects (TSFE) procedure and a gravity-specific matching estimator, which both allow the estimation of time-invariant similarity variables, confirm that the relationship between cultural similarity and migration is more nuanced than previously thought.
Surgical Outcomes of Pediatric Patients with Ventricular Septal Defects in a Tertiary Referral Center in Pakistan: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Background: The nature of complications and outcomes for Ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair differ between developed and developing countries. Understanding these differences can help optimize patient management according to geographical location.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with in-hospital peri- and post-surgical complications of VSD repair in a developing country.
Design: A retrospective cohort study. Setting: A tertiary referral center. Participants: 117 patients under 18 years of age admitted for surgical closure of ventricular septal defect between July 1998 and June 2008.
Main Outcomes: Only patients with isolated VSD or VSD associated with acyanotic congenital heart disease were included. Outcomes were defined as in-hospital minor and major complications and mortality.
Results: Adverse complications occurred in 35.9% (42/117) and death in 3.4% (4/117) of cases. Age >12 months (OR 0.17 13 months-5 years; 0.10 5-18 years), weight >10 kg (OR 0.24 11-20 kg; 0.13>21 kg), and absence of pulmonary artery hypertension (OR 0.43) were all significantly associated with a reduced rate of adverse events. A longer stay in intensive care unit/semi-intensive care unit (OR 11.6 5-7 days; OR 6.1 >8 days) and larger size of ventricular septal defect (OR 5.4 medium size; 3.9 large size) were associated with an increased risk of adverse events. Infection (20%) and pneumonia (10%) were the commonest complications. Conclusions and relevance: Age under one year, weight less than ten kilograms, pulmonary artery hypertension, and moderate to large size ventricular septal defect are more likely to be associated with adverse outcomes after surgical repair of ventricular septal defect. Infection and pneumonia comprise almost one third of the total complications, compared to higher arrhythmic events in developed countries. Developing countries have a distinct spectrum of complications that may be avoidable and treatable.
1205 Estimation of Excitation from Gear Vibration with Vibration Measurement and Simulation

Field: Engineering (Physical Sciences)

We had already reported estimation method of gear mesh excitation waveform with vibration measurement results and simulation to utilize for quality check of manufactured gear system. But it remains an unknown quantity and the exact mesh excitation waveform can't be estimated. In this paper, we improve excitation waveform estimation accuracy with vibration measurement results on the gearbox. But still amplitude error remains because of simulation accuracy.
Immunological indicators of coeliac disease activity are not altered by long-term oats challenge

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Summary Coeliac disease is a gluten-sensitive enteropathy that develops in genetically susceptible individuals. The disease exhibits many features of an autoimmune disorder. These include the production of highly specific anti-endomysial autoantibodies directed against the enzyme tissue transglutaminase. It is well accepted that wheat-, barley- and rye-based foods should be excluded in the gluten-free diet. Although several studies report that oats ingestion is safe in this diet, the potential toxicity of oats remains controversial. In the current study, 46 coeliac patients ingested oats for 1 year and were investigated for a potential immunogenic or toxic effect. Stringent clinical monitoring of these patients was performed and none experienced adverse effects, despite ingestion of a mean of 286 g of oats each week. Routine histological analysis of intestinal biopsies showed improvement or no change in 95% of the samples examined. Furthermore, tissue transglutaminase expression in biopsy samples, determined quantitatively using the IN Cell Analyzer, was unchanged. Employing immunohistochemistry, oats ingestion was not associated with changes in intraepithelial lymphocyte numbers or with enterocyte proliferation as assessed by Ki-67 staining. Finally, despite the potential for tissue transglutaminase to interact with oats, neither endomysial nor tissue transglutaminase antibodies were generated in any of the patients throughout the study. To conclude, this study reaffirms the lack of oats immunogenicity and toxicity to coeliac patients. It also suggests that the antigenic stimulus caused by wheat exposure differs fundamentally from that caused by oats.
Postoperative radiotherapy for endometrial cancer: treatment results and prognostic factors

Field: Medicine (Health Sciences)

Introduction and Purpose: In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of the prognostic factors related to tumour, treatment, local and regional controls, overall survival, and disease free survival in postoperative radiotherapy patients. Materials and Methods: Sixty-one patients admitted to suffering from adenocarcinom of endometrium were analyzed retrospectively following surgical operation, adjuvant radiotherapy, and brachytherapy. We evaluated the patients in trems of age, tumour differentiations, tumour stage, lymphovascular invasion, serosal invasion, myometrial invasion, endocervical invasion, adnex involvement, lymph node involvement, menopausal age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, parity, hormone replacement therapy, chemotherapy process, vaginal brachitherapy, the type and doses of radiotherapy and local relapses. Throughout our research, we studied how overall survival and disease-free survival are influenced by factors like age, stage, tumour differentiation, histological type, lymph node involvement, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), endocervical invasion, serosal invasion, menopausal age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking history, parity, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), operation type, depth of myometrial invasion, and adnexal involvement. Results: Fifty three patiens (87%) were exposed to total abdominal hysterectomy+bilateral saphingo oohporectomy+bilateral pelvic lymp node dissection (TAH+BSO+BPLND), while 8 patients (13%) were exposed to TAH-BSO. Thirty patients were treated by conventional methods, 23 patients were treated by conformal methods. Eight patients were treated only by brachytherapy. The five-year overall survival rate was 80.3% and disease-free survival rate was found to be 77%. Two year overall survival rate was 93.4% and disease-free survival rate was 85.2%. It was noticed that serosal invasion (p=0.034) affect overall survival.
740 Duplication of the Sox3 Gene in a Sry Negative 46, XX Male

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Life Sciences)

<sec><st>Case presentation</st> An 11 old patient with hypoplasia of the right kidney and hypospadias was found to be SRY negative, 46, XX. His parents and younger sister were healthy. His intelligence was normal (IQ 92) and he had no other anomalies. The behavior, growth and development were all normal. His testes were >4ml and the penis was 5 cm. Ultrasound and MRI did not show internal female genitals, while confirming right kidney hypoplasia (as did the DMSA scan). ACTH test showed normal basal and stimulated 17OH-progesterone excluding a form of 46XX DSD due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. 11-DOC and 11S were normal at both baseline and after ACTH stimulation, excluding 11-hydroxylase deficiency. Cortisol levels were in the mid normal range at baseline and responded to stimulation, excluding primary adrenal insufficiency. Androstenedione, The hCG test found testosterone in the low normal range for male sex and age at baseline. It rised up to 146 ng/mL indicating the presence of functional Leydig cells targeted by hCG. The stimulated ratio T:DHT was 5.6, not supporting 5 alpha-reductase deficiency. SNP array for copy number variations (CNV’s) showed a unique 550 kb duplication involving SOX3, RP1–177G6, and CDR1 genes, and the microRNA MIR320D2. This CNV was absent in 13,839 controls. </sec><sec><st>Conclusions</st> A SRY negative 46, XX male with renal hypodysplasia was found to have an exceedingly rare duplication involving the SOX-3 gene, proving its role in sex determination and suggesting its evolvement in kidney development. </sec>