nils-herrmann/clean_scirepeval huggingface dataset:
High Performance and Reliable NIC-Based Multicast over Myrinet/GM-2

Multicast is an important collective operation for parallel programs. Some Network Interface Cards (NICs), such as Myrinet, have programmable processors that can be programmed to support multicast. This paper proposes a high performance and reliable NICbased multicast scheme, in which a NIC-based multisend mechanism is used to to send multiple replicas of a message to different destinations, and a NIC-based forwarding mechanism to forward the received packets without intermediate host involvement. We have explored different design alternatives and implemented the proposed scheme with the set of best alternatives over Myrinet/GM-2. MPICH-GM has also been modified to take advantage of this scheme. At the GM-level, the NICbased multicast improves the multicast latency by a factor up to 1.48 for messages 512 bytes, and a factor up to 1.86 for 16KB messages over 16 nodes compared to the traditional host-based multicast. Similar improvements are also achieved at the MPI level. In addition, it is demonstrated that NIC-based multicast is tolerant to process skew and has significant benefits for large sys-
Randomized Trial of Once-Daily Fluticasone Furoate in Children with Inadequately Controlled Asthma.

To evaluate the dose-response, efficacy, and safety of fluticasone furoate (FF; 25 µg, 50 µg, and 100 µg), administered once daily in the evening during a 12-week treatment period to children with inadequately controlled asthma.



This was a Phase IIb, multicenter, stratified, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group, placebo- and active-controlled study in children aged 5-11 years with inadequately controlled asthma. The study comprised a 4-week run-in period, 12-week treatment period, and 1-week follow-up period. Children were randomized to receive either placebo once daily, fluticasone propionate (FP) 100 µg twice daily, FF 25 µg, FF 50 µg, or FF 100 µg each once daily in the evening. Primary endpoint was the mean change from baseline in daily morning peak expiratory flow (PEF) averaged over weeks 1-12. Adverse events (AEs) also were investigated.



In total, 593 children were included in the intent-to-treat population. The difference vs placebo in change from baseline daily morning PEF averaged over weeks 1-12 was statistically significant for the FF 25, FF 50, FF 100, and FP 100 groups (18.6 L/min, 19.5 L/min, 12.5 L/min, and 14.0 L/min, respectively; P < .001 for all). The incidence of AEs was greater in the FF groups (32%-36%) than in the placebo group (29%); the most frequent AE was cough.



FF and FP resulted in significant improvements in morning PEF compared with placebo, suggesting that they are effective treatments for children with inadequately controlled asthma. All treatments were well tolerated; no new safety concerns were identified.
A double-blind, randomised, parallel group, multinational, multicentre study comparing a single dose of ondansetron 24 mg p.o. with placebo and metoclopramide 10 mg t.d.s. p.o. in the treatment of opioid-induced nausea and emesis in cancer patients

Nausea and emesis are common side effects of opioid drugs administered for pain relief in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to compare the anti-emetic efficacy and safety of ondansetron, placebo and metoclopramide in the treatment of opioid-induced nausea and emesis (OIE) in cancer patients. This was a multinational, multicentre, double-blind, parallel group study in which cancer patients who were receiving a full opioid agonist for cancer pain were randomised to receive one of oral ondansetron 24 mg once daily, metoclopramide 10 mg three times daily, or placebo. Study medication was started only if the patient experienced nausea and/or emesis following opioid administration. Efficacy and safety assessments were made over a study period of 24 h from the time of the first dose of anti-emetics/placebo. The study was terminated prematurely because of the difficulties in recruiting patients satisfying the stringent entry criteria. Ninety-two patients were included in the intent-to-treat population: 30 patients received placebo, 29 patients ondansetron and 33 patients metoclopramide. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the proportion achieving complete control of emesis (33% of patients on placebo, 48% on ondansetron and 52% on metoclopramide) or complete control of nausea (23% of patients on placebo, 17% on ondansetron and 36% on metoclopramide). Rescue anti-emetics were required in 8 of 33 patients on metoclopramide, 4 of 29 on ondansetron, and 3 of 30 on placebo. The incidence of adverse events was very low and similar in all treatment groups. Neither ondansetron 24 mg once daily nor metoclopromide 10 mg t.d.s. given orally was significantly more effective than placebo in the control of OIE in cancer patients.
Comparison between single-and double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective, randomized, single-blinded clinical trial.

Double-bundle ACL reconstruction popularity is increasing with the aim to reproduce native ACL anatomy and improve ACL reconstruction outcome. However, to date, only a few randomized clinical studies have been published.



The aim of this study was to prospectively compare the clinical results of single- and double-bundle ACL reconstruction.



Randomized controlled clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1.



Seventy patients with a chronic unilateral ACL rupture who underwent arthroscopically assisted ACL reconstruction using a hamstring graft were randomized to receive a single- (SB) or double-bundle (DB) reconstruction. Both groups were comparable with regard to preoperative data. A double-incision surgical technique was adopted in both groups. The graft was fixed by looping the hamstring tendons around a bony (DB) or a metallic (SB) bridge on the tibial side and with interference screws reinforced with a staple on the femur. The same rehabilitation protocol was adopted. Outcome assessment was performed by a blinded, independent observer using the visual analog scale (VAS) score, the new International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and KT-1000 arthrometer evaluation.



All the patients reached a minimum follow-up of 2 years. No differences between the 2 groups were observed in terms of KOOS and IKDC subjective score. A statistically significant difference in favor of the DB group was found with the VAS (P < .03). The objective IKDC final scores showed statistically significantly more "normal knees" in the DB group than in the SB group (P = .03). There was 1 stability failure in the DB group and 3 in the SB group. The KT-1000 arthrometer data showed a statistically significant decrease in the average anterior tibial translation in the DB group (1.2 mm DB vs 2.1 mm SB; P < .03). The incidence of a residual pivot-shift glide was 14% in DB and 26% in SB (P = .08).



In the 2-year minimum follow-up, DB ACL reconstructions showed better VAS, anterior knee laxity, and final objective IKDC scores than SB. However, longer follow-up and accurate instrumented in vivo rotational stability assessment are needed.
Low-dose naltrexone for the treatment of fibromyalgia: findings of a small, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, crossover trial assessing daily pain levels.

To determine whether low dosages (4.5 mg/day) of naltrexone reduce fibromyalgia severity as compared with the nonspecific effects of placebo. In this replication and extension study of a previous clinical trial, we tested the impact of low-dose naltrexone on daily self-reported pain. Secondary outcomes included general satisfaction with life, positive mood, sleep quality, and fatigue.



Thirty-one women with fibromyalgia participated in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced, crossover study. During the active drug phase, participants received 4.5 mg of oral naltrexone daily. An intensive longitudinal design was used to measure daily levels of pain.



When contrasting the condition end points, we observed a significantly greater reduction of baseline pain in those taking low-dose naltrexone than in those taking placebo (28.8% reduction versus 18.0% reduction; P = 0.016). Low-dose naltrexone was also associated with improved general satisfaction with life (P = 0.045) and with improved mood (P = 0.039), but not improved fatigue or sleep. Thirty-two percent of participants met the criteria for response (defined as a significant reduction in pain plus a significant reduction in either fatigue or sleep problems) during low-dose naltrexone therapy, as contrasted with an 11% response rate during placebo therapy (P = 0.05). Low-dose naltrexone was rated equally tolerable as placebo, and no serious side effects were reported.



The preliminary evidence continues to show that low-dose naltrexone has a specific and clinically beneficial impact on fibromyalgia pain. The medication is widely available, inexpensive, safe, and well-tolerated. Parallel-group randomized controlled trials are needed to fully determine the efficacy of the medication.
Inspiratory muscle training improves maximal inspiratory pressure and may assist weaning in older intubated patients: a randomised trial.

Does inspiratory muscle training improve maximal inspiratory pressure in intubated older people? Does it improve breathing pattern and time to wean from mechanical ventilation?



Randomised trial with concealed allocation and intention-to-treat analysis.



41 elderly, intubated adults who had been mechanically ventilated for at least 48 hr in an intensive care unit.



The experimental group received usual care plus inspiratory muscle training using a threshold device, with an initial load of 30% of their maximal inspiratory pressure, increased by 10% (absolute) daily. Training was administered for 5 min, twice a day, 7 days a week from the commencement of weaning until extubation. The control group received usual care only.



The primary outcome was the change in maximal inspiratory pressure during the weaning period. Secondary outcomes were the weaning time (ie, from commencement of pressure support ventilation to successful extubation), and the index of Tobin (ie, respiratory rate divided by tidal volume during a 1-min spontaneous breathing trial).



Maximal inspiratory pressure increased significantly more in the experimental group than in the control group (MD 7.6 cmH(2)0, 95% CI 5.8 to 9.4). The index of Tobin decreased significantly more in the experimental group than in the control group (MD 8.3 br/min/L, 95% CI 2.9 to 13.7). In those who did not die or receive a tracheostomy, time to weaning was significantly shorter in the experimental group than in the control group (MD 1.7 days, 95% CI 0.4 to 3.0).



In intubated older people, inspiratory muscle training improves maximal inspiratory pressure and the index of Tobin, with a reduced weaning time in some patients.
Fulminant necrotizing enterocolitis in a multihospital healthcare system

A subset of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) cases is fulminant, characterized by rapid progression to death with massive bowel necrosis found at laparotomy or autopsy. We sought to identify and report all such cases in a multihospital healthcare system during the past 9 years and to characterize this entity using case-control methodologies.This was a multicentered, cross-sectional, historic cohort study conducted using Intermountain Healthcare hospital patient data. All neonates who died of NEC within 48 h of onset, during 2001 to 2009, were compared with two matched control groups: (1) demographically matched controls who developed non-fulminant NEC, (2) demographically matched controls that did not develop NEC.Result:During this period, 2 71 327 live births occurred in the Intermountain Healthcare hospitals. Of these, 318 had a diagnosis of NEC (Bell stage ⩾II). Also during this period, 205 other neonates were transferred into an Intermountain hospital for treatment of NEC. Of these 523 NEC cases, 35 (6.7%) had a fulminant course. Compared with the non-fulminant cases, the fulminant group were born at lower weight (1088±545 vs 1652±817 g, P=0.000) and earlier gestational age (27.5±3.3 vs 31.1±4.4 weeks, P=0.000), and were more likely to have: (1) radiographic evidence of portal venous air (P=0.000), (2) hematocrit <22% (P=0.000), (3) increase in feeding volume >20 ml/kg/day (P=0.003), (4) immature to total (I/T) neutrophil ratio >0.5 (P=0.005), (5) blood lymphocyte count <4000/μl (P=0.018), (6) an increase in concentration of human milk fortifier within 48 h before developing NEC (P=0.020).Conclusion:Portal venous air, anemia, rapid feeding escalation, a high I/T neutrophil ratio, a low lymphocyte count and recent increases in fortifier may all be associated with fulminant NEC.
Porous titanium construct cup compared to porous coated titanium cup in total hip arthroplasty. A randomised controlled trial

The purpose of this study was to determine if a new titanium cup with increased porosity resulted in different periacetabular bone loss and migration compared to a porous coated cup. Fifty-one patients with primary hip osteoarthritis were randomized to either a cup with porous titanium construct backside (porous titanium group, n = 25) or a conventional porous coated titanium cup (control group, n = 26). The primary outcome variable was change in periacetabular bone mineral density two years after surgery measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Secondary outcomes were implant fixation measured with radiostereometry (RSA) and clinical outcome scores. The pattern of bone remodelling was similar in the two groups with almost complete restoration to baseline values. BMD diminished in the two proximal zones and increased in the two distal zones. After minimal migration up to six months all implants in both groups became stable. We found no difference between the two groups in clinical outcome scores. In this prospective, randomized, controlled trial on a new porous titanium cup we found, compared to the control group, no clinically relevant differences regarding periacetabular bone preservation, implant fixation or clinical outcome up to two years postoperatively.
Survival of childhood polycystic kidney disease following renal transplantation: the impact of advanced hepatobiliary disease.

Childhood PKD encompasses the diagnoses of AR and ADPKD, glomerulocystic disease, and syndromes such as tuberous sclerosis or Jeune's syndrome. Given the fact that a majority of PKD children with ESRD carry the diagnosis of ARPKD, natural history studies assessing the long-term prognosis of PKD patients following renal transplantation must focus on morbidity and mortality issues related to complications from congenital hepatic fibrosis. Using the NAPRTCS registry, we analyzed the patient and graft survival rates of 203 PKD patients and 7044 non-PKD patients undergoing renal transplantation between 1987 and 2001. Deceased PKD patients, all with a diagnosis of ARPKD, were further identified and characterized using a special questionnaire submitted to the principal investigators. Overall graft and patient survival rates were not significantly different between PKD and non-PKD patients. No differences in rates of acute rejection or time to first rejection were noted between PKD and non-PKD patients. The relative risk of living longer than 3 yr in the PKD patients was not significantly different from non-PKD patients (RR = 0.70, p = 0.28). Sepsis was identified as a likely factor in the cause of death in nine (64%) ARPKD patients and was comfirmed with a positive blood culture in four patients. Despite similar graft and patient survival rates among PKD and non-PKD children following renal transplantation, our results suggest that ARPKD transplant recipients appear to be at increased risk for sepsis that may be related to hepatic fibrosis and ascending cholangitis. The utility of early liver transplantation in ARPKD patients with significant hepatobiliary disease is discussed.
The Importance of Male Partner Involvement for Women’s Acceptability and Adherence to Female-Initiated HIV Prevention Methods in Zimbabwe

Enlisting male partner involvement is perceived as an important component of women’s successful uptake of female-initiated HIV prevention methods. We conducted a longitudinal study among a cohort of 955 Zimbabwean women participating in a clinical trial of the effectiveness of a female-initiated HIV prevention method (the diaphragm and lubricant gel) to: (a) describe the extent to which women involved their male partners in the decision to use the study products, and (b) measure the effect perceived male partner support had on their acceptability and consistent use of these methods. Reported levels of male partner involvement in discussions and decisions regarding: joining the study, study activities, the outcome of HIV/STI test results, and product use were very high. In multivariate analyses, regular disclosure of study product use and partner approval for the diaphragm and gel were significantly associated with women’s acceptability and consistent use of the products; an essential component for determining efficacy of investigational prevention methods. These results support the need for more sophisticated measurement of how couples interact to make decisions that impact study participation and investigational product use as well as more rigorous adaptations and evaluations of existing strategies to involve male partners in female-initiated HIV prevention trials.
Randomised study of long term outcome after epidural versus non-epidural analgesia during labour.

To determine whether epidural analgesia during labour is associated with long term backache.



Follow up after randomised controlled trial. Analysis by intention to treat.



Department of obstetrics and gynaecology at one NHS trust.



369 women: 184 randomised to epidural group (treatment as allocated received by 123) and 185 randomised to non-epidural group (treatment as allocated received by 133). In the follow up study 151 women were from the epidural group and 155 from the non-epidural group.



Self reported low back pain, disability, and limitation of movement assessed through one to one interviews with physiotherapist, questionnaire on back pain and disability, physical measurements of spinal mobility.



There were no significant differences between groups in demographic details or other key characteristics. The mean time interval from delivery to interview was 26 months. There were no significant differences in the onset or duration of low back pain, with nearly a third of women in each group reporting pain in the week before interview. There were no differences in self reported measures of disability in activities of daily living and no significant differences in measurements of spinal mobility.



After childbirth there are no differences in the incidence of long term low back pain, disability, or movement restriction between women who receive epidural pain relief and women who receive other forms of pain relief.
A phase 2 clinical trial of deforolimus (AP23573, MK-8669), a novel mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, in patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies.

Deforolimus (AP23573), a novel non-prodrug rapamycin analogue, inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin, a downstream effector of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and nutrient-sensing pathways. A phase 2 trial was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of single-agent deforolimus in patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies.



Eligible patients were assigned to one of five disease-specific, parallel cohorts and given 12.5 mg deforolimus as a 30-minute infusion once daily for 5 days every 2 weeks. A Simon two-stage design was used for each cohort. Safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor response were assessed.



Fifty-five patients received deforolimus as follows: cohort 1 23 acute myelogenous leukemia, two myelodysplastic syndrome and one chronic myelogenous leukemia in nonlymphoid blast phase; cohort 2, one acute lymphocytic leukemia; cohort 3, nine agnogenic myeloid metaplasia; cohort 4, eight chronic lymphocytic leukemia; cohort 5, nine mantle cell lymphoma and two T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Most patients were heavily pretreated. Of the 52 evaluable patients, partial responses were noted in five (10%), two of seven agnogenic myeloid metaplasia and three of nine mantle cell lymphoma. Hematologic improvement/stable disease was observed in 21 (40%). Common treatment-related adverse events, which were generally mild and reversible, were mouth sores, fatigue, nausea, and thrombocytopenia. Decreased levels of phosphorylated 4E-BP1 in 9 of 11 acute myelogenous leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome patients after therapy showed mammalian target of rapamycin inhibition by deforolimus.



Deforolimus was well-tolerated in patients with heavily pretreated hematologic malignancies, and antitumor activity was observed. Further investigation of deforolimus alone and in combination with other therapeutic agents is warranted in patients with selected hematologic malignancies.
Effect of postoperative low-dose dopamine on renal function after elective major vascular surgery

To determine the effect on renal function of postoperative low-dose dopamine in volume-replete patients after elective, major vascular abdominal surgery.



Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.



Intensive care unit of a referral hospital in Brisbane, Australia.



37 patients having elective repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm or having aortobifemoral grafting; 18 received dopamine, and 19 received placebo. Two patients were excluded from the 5-day analysis because of perioperative death.



Patients were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or a low-dose infusion of dopamine (3 micrograms/kg per minute) in saline. Patients in both groups were given sufficient crystalloid to maintain a urine flow of more than 1 mL/kg per hour during the first 24 postoperative hours. Care in the intensive care unit was otherwise usual and was the same for each group.



Plasma creatinine levels, urea levels, and creatinine clearance were measured preoperatively and postoperatively (at 24 hours and 5 days). Urine flow and the volume of crystalloid during the first 24 hours were recorded.



Two postoperative deaths occurred in the dopamine group (from renal failure and myocardial infarction). Four patients had myocardial infarction, three of whom received dopamine. Plasma creatinine levels remained unchanged in both groups. At 24 hours, the mean plasma urea level decreased by 1.07 mmol/L in the dopamine group compared with 1.84 mmol/L in the placebo group, a difference of 0.77 (95% CI, -0.12 to 1.67). The mean 24-hour creatinine clearance increased by 0.165 mL/s (9.89 mL/min) in the dopamine group and by 0.199 mL/s (11.98 mL/min) in the placebo group (P > 0.2). Urine volumes were slightly higher in those receiving dopamine (1.83 mL/kg compared with 1.6 mL/kg, a difference of 0.23 [CI, -0.18 to 0.64]). None of these differences were statistically or clinically significant.



Within the limits of the small size of the study, low-dose dopamine appeared to offer no advantage to euvolemic patients after elective abdominal aortic surgery. However, patients with acute oliguric renal failure were not included in the study.