nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
On Communication in Solving Distributed Constraint Satisfaction Problems

Distributed Constraint Satisfaction Problems (DCSP) is a g eneral framework for multi-agent coordination and conflict resolution. I most DCSP algorithms, inter-agent communication is restricted to only ex changing values of variables, since any additional information-exchange is assum ed to lead to significant communication overheads and to a breach of privacy. This pap er provides a detailed experimental investigation of the impact of inter-a gent exchange of additional legal values among agents, within a collaborative se tting. We provide a new run-time model that takes into account the overhead of the ad ditional communication in various computing and networking environments. O ur investigation of more than 300 problem settings with the new run-time model (i ) shows that DCSP strategies with additional information-exchange can lead to big speedups in a significant range of settings; and (ii) provides categorizatio n of problem settings with big speedups by the DCSP strategies based on extra communica tio , enabling us to selectively apply the strategies to a given domain. This p aper not only provides a useful method for performance measurement to the DCSP comm unity, but also shows the utility of additional communication in DCSP.
Clinical outcomes of synchronous head and neck and esophageal cancer

To investigate clinical outcomes of synchronous head and neck and esophageal cancer (SHNEC).



We retrospectively reviewed 27 SHNEC patients treated with curative intent at a single institution. The treatment modality for individual cases was usually determined on a case by case basis.



The median follow-up duration for the surviving patients was 28.2 months. The most common site of head and neck cancer was hypopharyngeal carcinoma (n = 21, 77.7%). The lower esophagus was the most common location of esophageal carcinoma (n = 16, 59.3%). The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 57.5% and 39.6%. Major pattern of failure was locoregional recurrence in the study patients. Esophageal cancer stage, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, and pretreatment weight loss were significant prognostic factors for OS in univariate analysis. Treatment-related death was observed in two patients, and one patient developed a grade 4 late treatment-related complication.



Although the survival outcome for SHNEC is poor, long-term survival might be achievable with aggressive treatment with stage I-II esophageal cancer and good performance.
Heterogeneity in the systems of pediatric diabetes care across the European Union.

It is known that the systems of pediatric diabetes care differ across the member states of the European Union (EU). The aim of this project was to characterize some of the main differences among the national systems.



Data were collected using two questionnaires. The first one was distributed among leading centers of pediatric diabetes (one per country) with the aim of establishing an overview of the systems, national policies, quality control (QC) and financing of pediatric diabetes care. Responses were received from all 27 EU countries. The second questionnaire was widely disseminated among all 354 International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes members with a domicile in an EU country; it included questions related to individual pediatric diabetes centers. A total of 108 datasets were collected and processed from healthcare professionals who were treating more than 29 000 children and adolescents with diabetes. Data on the reimbursement policies were verified by representatives of the pharmaceutical and medical device companies.



The collected data reflect the situation in 2009. There was a notable heterogeneity among the systems for provision of pediatric diabetes care across the EU. Only 20/27 EU countries had a pediatric diabetes register. Nineteen countries had officially recognized centers for pediatric diabetes, but only nine of them had defined criteria for becoming such a center. A system for QC of pediatric diabetes at the national level was reported in 7/26 countries. Reimbursement for treatment varied significantly across the EU, potentially causing inequalities in access to modern technologies.



The collected data help develop strategies toward improving equity and access to modern pediatric diabetes care across Europe.
Efficacy and safety of bexarotene combined with psoralen-ultraviolet A (PUVA) compared with PUVA treatment alone in stage IB-IIA mycosis fungoides: final results from the EORTC Cutaneous Lymphoma Task Force phase III randomized clinical trial (NCT00056056).

Psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) is the standard treatment for early stages of mycosis fungoides. There have been no adequate randomized controlled trials with sufficient power comparing this modality with other therapies.



To assess disease response and to compare the response rates of patients treated with PUVA alone or PUVA and bexarotene.



EORTC 21011 (NCT 00056056) was a randomized phase III study comparing combined bexarotene (Targretin(®) ) and PUVA vs. PUVA alone in patients with stage IB and IIA mycosis fungoides (MF). The primary endpoint was the overall response rate [complete clinical response (CCR) plus partial response (PR)].



The study was prematurely closed due to low accrual after 93 of 145 required patients (65%) were randomized. Of the 93 randomized patients, 87 started treatment, 41 received PUVA and 46 received PUVA + bexarotene. Total UVA doses received were 107 J cm(-2) (range 1·4-489·9) in the PUVA arm vs. 101·7 J cm(-2) (0·2-529·9) in the combination arm. The safety profile was acceptable with few grade 3-4 toxicities observed in either arm. More drop-outs due to toxicity were observed in the combination arm compared with the PUVA-alone arm. The best overall response (CCR + PR) rate was 71% for PUVA alone and 77% for the combination arm (P = 0·57). The median duration of response was 9·7 months for PUVA vs. 5·8 months for the combination arm (P = 0·33). CCR was seen in 25 patients of whom 10 received PUVA alone (CCR 22%) and 15 received combination therapy (CCR 31%) (P = 0·45). CCR was sustained in 25% of patients regardless of therapy. There was a trend towards fewer PUVA sessions needed to achieve CCR in the combination arm (median 22) compared with the PUVA arm (median 27·5) (P = 0·11). Similarly, a trend towards lower UVA dose required to achieve CCR in the combination arm (median 55·8 J cm(-2) ) compared with the PUVA arm alone (median 117·5 J cm(-2) ) (P = 0·5) was observed.



No significant difference in response rate or response duration was observed in this study. However, there was a trend towards fewer PUVA sessions and lower UVA dose required to achieve CCR in the combination arm (PUVA + bexarotene) but this did not achieve statistical significance due to insufficient power.
Effect of Lipid lowering with rosuvastatin on progression of aortic stenosis: results of the aortic stenosis progression observation: measuring effects of rosuvastatin (ASTRONOMER) trial.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is an active process with similarities to atherosclerosis. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of cholesterol lowering with rosuvastatin on the progression of AS.



This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in asymptomatic patients with mild to moderate AS and no clinical indications for cholesterol lowering. The patients were randomized to receive either placebo or rosuvastatin 40 mg daily. A total of 269 patients were randomized: 134 patients to rosuvastatin 40 mg daily and 135 patients to placebo. Annual echocardiograms were performed to assess AS progression, which was the primary outcome; the median follow-up was 3.5 years. The peak AS gradient increased in patients receiving rosuvastatin from a baseline of 40.8+/-11.1 to 57.8+/-22.7 mm Hg at the end of follow-up and in patients with placebo from 41.6+/-10.9 mm Hg at baseline to 54.8+/-19.8 mm Hg at the end of follow-up. The annualized increase in the peak AS gradient was 6.3+/-6.9 mm Hg in the rosuvastatin group and 6.1+/-8.2 mm Hg in the placebo group (P=0.83). Treatment with rosuvastatin was not associated with a reduction in AS progression in any of the predefined subgroups.



Cholesterol lowering with rosuvastatin 40 mg did not reduce the progression of AS in patients with mild to moderate AS; thus, statins should not be used for the sole purpose of reducing the progression of AS.
Empaglif lozin as Add-On to Metformin in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes : A 24-Week , Randomized , Double-Blind , Placebo-Controlled Trial

Patients with HbA1c levels of‡7% to£ 10% (‡53 to£86mmol/mol) while receiving metformin (‡1,500 mg/day) were randomized and treated with once-daily treatment with empagliflozin 10mg (n = 217), empagliflozin 25 mg (n = 213), or placebo (n = 207) for 24 weeks. The primary end point was the change in HbA1c level from baseline at week 24. Key secondary end points were changes from baseline in weight and mean daily glucose (MDG) at week 24.
Do patients with Parkinson’s disease benefit from embryonic dopamine cell transplantation?

Embryonic dopamine cell transplants survive in nearly all patients regardless of age and without immunosuppression. Transplants can improve Parkinson “off” symptoms up to the best effects of L-dopa observed preoperatively. They cannot improve the “best on” state. Transplants appear to survive indefinitely. In 10 to 15% of patients, transplants can reproduce the dyskinetic effects of L-dopa even after discontinuing all L-dopa. Neurotransplantation should be tried earlier in the clinical course of Parkinson’s to see if earlier intervention can prevent progression of the disease, particularly the dyskinetic responses seen after longterm L-dopa treatment.
Comparison of efficacy and safety between bisoprolol transdermal patch (TY-0201) and bisoprolol fumarate oral formulation in Japanese patients with grade I or II essential hypertension: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

TY-0201 (TY) is a new drug absorbed by the transdermal delivery system developed for the treatment of hypertension, which contains the free base of bisoprolol fumarate that is widely used. An 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in hypertensive patients to evaluate the superiority of TY 8 mg to placebo and the noninferiority of TY 8 mg to bisoprolol fumarate oral formulation (BO) 5 mg. Changes in diastolic blood pressure (BP) (primary endpoint) from baseline in the TY 8 mg group, the BO 5 mg group, and the placebo group were -12.2 mm Hg, -11.8 mm Hg, and -3.7 mm Hg, respectively, with TY 8 mg demonstrating superiority to placebo and noninferiority to BO 5 mg. Changes from baseline for systolic BP and pulse rate produced significant reductions compared with placebo. TY is expected to serve as a new treatment approach for hypertensive patients.
Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Upper Gastrointestinal Nonvariceal Hemorrhage: Is Empiric Embolization Warranted?

To determine whether transcatheter arterial embolization performed in the setting of active gastric or duodenal nonvariceal hemorrhage is efficacious when the bleeding source cannot be identified angiographically. Records of 115 adult patients who underwent visceral angiography for endoscopically documented gastric (50 patients) or duodenal (65 patients) nonvariceal hemorrhage were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were subdivided into three groups according to whether angiographic evidence of arterial hemorrhage was present and whether embolization was performed (group 1 = no abnormality, no embolization; group 2 = no abnormality, embolization performed [empiric embolization]; and group 3 = abnormality present, embolization performed). Thirty-day rates and duration of primary hemostasis and survival were compared. For patients with gastric sources of hemorrhage, the rate of primary hemostasis at 30 days after embolization was greater when embolization was performed in the setting of a documented angiographic abnormality than when empiric embolization was performed (67% vs. 42%). The rate of primary hemostasis at 30 days after angiography was greater for patients with duodenal bleeding who either underwent empiric embolization (60%) or embolization in the setting of angiographically documented arterial hemorrhage (58%) compared with patients who only underwent diagnostic angiogram (33%). Patients with duodenal hemorrhage who underwent embolization were less likely to require additional invasive procedures to control rebleeding (p = 0.006). Empiric arterial embolization may be advantageous in patients with a duodenal source of hemorrhage but not in patients with gastric hemorrhage.
<ce:italic>In vivo</ce:italic> occipital–frontal temperature-gradient in schizophrenia patients and its possible association with psychopathology: A magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Accumulating data suggest that schizophrenia patients' mental status might be modulated by their core/brain temperature. Hence, we intended to assess in vivo brain temperature (Tb) of schizophrenia patients vs. healthy subjects and to evaluate its potential association with patients' mental status.



Absolute values of Tb were measured in 9 neuroleptic-treated schizophrenia patients and 10 healthy comparison subjects using 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Values were extracted by measuring the chemical shift between the peaks of water and N-acetyl-aspartate in the 1H MRS spectra.



A substantial (about 1.1 degrees C) and significantly higher occipital-frontal temperature-gradient was found in the schizophrenia patients compared to the healthy controls (1.27 degrees C vs. 0.18 degrees C; p=0.032). Furthermore, a trend was found between the above mentioned occipital-frontal temperature-gradient in the schizophrenia patients and the severity of their psychopathology, as assessed by the total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores (r=0.61; p=0.08).



Our findings corroborate previous results indicating putative correlation between core/brain temperature and the mental status of schizophrenia patients, emphasizing the possible role of within patients decreased frontal temperature and a significant occipital-frontal temperature-gradient as modulators of psychopathology. In addition, the MRS technique used for brain temperature assessment seems to be a potential non-invasive method to assess in vivo absolute Tb in schizophrenia.
The Singaporean English and Chinese versions of the EQ-5D achieved measurement equivalence in cancer patients.

To assess measurement equivalence of the Singaporean English and Chinese versions of the EuroQol Group's 5-domain questionnaire (EQ-5D) in cancer patients.



Seven hundred and seventy-one ethnic Chinese patients in Singapore were recruited, and they answered either an English or a Chinese version of the EQ-5D. Seven days later, a similar questionnaire in the same language was mailed to the patients. Regression analysis was used to assess equivalence of the mean values obtained by using the two language versions. The validity, responsiveness to change, and reliability of the two versions of the EQ-5D were assessed and compared.



Based on the prespecified equivalence margin of +/-10% for binary outcome, +/-0.05 for utility index, and +/-5 points in the visual analog scale, the two language versions of the EQ-5D gave equivalent mean values at item and scale levels. They also showed similar characteristics in validity, responsiveness, and reliability. For example, the test-retest reliability values for the EQ-5D utility index in the two language samples were identical in two significant digits: 0.79.



The Singaporean English and Chinese versions of the EQ-5D were validated in cancer patients and were shown to achieve measurement equivalence.
Rest perfusion abnormalities in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: correlation with myocardial fibrosis and risk factors for sudden cardiac death

To measure the prevalence of abnormal rest perfusion in a population of consecutive patients with known hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) referred for cardiovascular MRI (CMR), and to assess any associations between abnormal rest perfusion and the presence, pattern, and severity of myocardial scar and the presence of risk factors for sudden death.



Eighty consecutive patients with known HCM referred for CMR underwent functional imaging, rest first-pass perfusion, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE).



Thirty percent of the patients had abnormal rest perfusion, all of them corresponding to areas of mid-myocardial LGE and to a higher degree of segmental hypertrophy. Rest perfusion abnormalities correlated with more extensive and confluent LGE. The subgroup of patients with myocardial fibrosis and rest perfusion abnormalities (fibrosis+/perfusion+) had more than twice the incidence of episodes of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia on Holter monitoring in comparison to patients with myocardial fibrosis and normal rest perfusion (fibrosis+/perfusion-) and patients with no fibrosis and normal rest perfusion (fibrosis-/perfusion-).



First-pass perfusion CMR identifies abnormal rest perfusion in a significant proportion of patients with HCM. These abnormalities are associated with the presence and distribution of myocardial scar and the degree of hypertrophy. Rest perfusion abnormalities identify patients with increased incidence of episodes of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia on Holter monitoring, independently from the presence of myocardial fibrosis.
Single- versus double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

F or this inaugural Clinical Faceoff, I have invited two internationally known experts on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction to discuss two approaches: singleand double-bundle reconstruction. Russell Warren, MD, is the Surgeon-in-Chief Emeritus at Hospital for Special Surgery and a past president of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. Joining Dr. Warren and me is Freddie Fu, MD, the David Silver Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at University of Pittsburgh and past president of AOSSM and the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. There is great controversy in this area, and the discussion between these two experts addresses the key issues. Robert Marx MD: Should doublebundle ACL reconstruction be used for all primary cases? Russell Warren MD: A definitive study is still needed to determine whether primary ACL reconstruction should be performed with a doublebundle technique instead of a singlebundle approach. To date, multiple studies have shown improvements in rotational control with a double-bundle approach, but the clinical relevance of this is unclear as many studies have failed to demonstrate significant differences on important parameters. Recently, Dr. Irrgang et al.  indicated that ‘‘at this time, there is no definitive evidence that double-bundle ACL reconstruction is better than singlebundle ACL reconstruction in terms of measures of knee joint structures, functions, and clinical outcomes.’’ They proposed an NIH-funded study in an attempt to answer this question. I have found single-bundle reconstruction to be of value to my patients over many years. Bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft can be used for a single-bundle reconstruction, allowing for bone-tobone healing and aperture fixation. The double-bundle technique typically uses ‘‘suspensory’’ fixation, leading to increased creep and potential tunnel widening. Anatomic reconstruction with the double-bundle technique leads to the two bundles functioning somewhat independently at different degrees of knee flexion, potentially placing the entire load on a smaller graft (bundle). If single-bundle ACL reconstruction is performed, it must be placed anatomically so the change in length with flexion is minimal, as observed in a normal ACL. Graft tunnel location is critical to both techniques. Using intraoperative computer navigation, we found that some knees have higher degrees of rotation after ACL injury . These knees may be better served by a double-bundle approach.  The Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons1 2012
Long-Term Alteration of Intestinal Microbiota in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis by Antibiotic Combination Therapy

Previous work has demonstrated that intestinal bacteria, such as Fusobacterium varium (F. varium), contribute to the clinical activity in ulcerative colitis (UC); thus, an antibiotic combination therapy (amoxicillin, tetracycline, and metronidazole (ATM)) against F. varium can induce and maintain UC remission. Therefore, we investigated whether ATM therapy induces a long-term alteration of intestinal microbiota in patients with UC. Patients with UC were enrolled in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Biopsy samples at the beginning of the trial and again at 3 months after treatment completion were randomly obtained from 20 patients. The terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) in mucosa-associated bacterial components was examined to assess the alteration of the intestinal microbiota. Profile changes of T-RFLP in mucosa-associated bacterial components were found in 10 of 12 patients in the treatment group and in none of 8 in the placebo group. Dice similarity coefficients using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages (Dice-UPGMA) confirmed that the similarity of mucosal microbiota from the descending colon was significantly decreased after the ATM therapy, and this change was maintained for at least 3 months. Moreover, at 3 months after treatment completion, the F. varium/β-actin ratio, examined by real-time PCR using nested PCR products from biopsy samples, was reduced less than 40% in 8 of 12 treated patients, which was higher, but not significantly, than in 4 of 8 patients in the placebo group. Together, these results suggest that ATM therapy induces long-term alterations in the intestinal microbiota of patients with UC, which may be associated, at least in part, with clinical effects of the therapy.
Comparative effectiveness of continuing a virologically effective first-line boosted protease inhibitor combination or of switching to a three-drug regimen containing either efavirenz, nevirapine or abacavir.

To compare virological effectiveness in patients who continued on a virologically successful first-line boosted protease inhibitor (PI)-containing combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) regimen or who switched to a PI-free cART including efavirenz, nevirapine or abacavir.



From the French Hospital Database on HIV, we selected 439 patients with undetectable viral load (VL) on a first-line boosted PI-containing cART regimen who switched to a PI-free combination including efavirenz, nevirapine or abacavir. Each of these patients was matched with three patients who continued to take their first-line cART regimen, on the basis of gender, age, CD4 cell count, VL, date of cART initiation and the duration of VL undetectability. Time to virological failure (VF) was analysed with Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox models.



The 12 month probabilities of VF were 3.7% and 5.7% in non-switch and switch patients, respectively, and 3.9%, 7.2% and 9.0% in patients switching to efavirenz-, nevirapine- and abacavir-containing cART, respectively. After adjustment, only patients switching to abacavir-containing cART had a higher risk of VF than non-switch patients (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-3.79).



Switching from a virologically successful first-line boosted PI-containing cART regimen to a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-containing cART regimen containing either efavirenz or nevirapine is virologically safe, while switching to abacavir-containing cART should be avoided.