bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reproducing Spectral Reflectances From Tristimulus Colours
Authors: Otsu H. , Yamamoto M. , Hachisuka T. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPhysically based rendering systems often support spectral rendering to simulate light transport in the real world. Material representations in such simulations need to be defined as spectral distributions. Since commonly available material data are in tristimulus colours, we ideally would like to obtain spectral distributions from tristimulus colours as an input to spectral rendering systems. Reproduction of spectral distributions given tristimulus colours, however, has been considered an ill‐posed problem since single tristimulus colour corresponds to a set of different spectra due to metamerism. We show how to resolve this problem using a data‐driven approach based on measured spectra and propose a practical algorithm that can faithfully reproduce a corresponding spectrum only from the given tristimulus colour. The key observation in colour science is that a natural measured spectrum is usually well approximated by a weighted sum of a few basis functions. We show how to reformulate conversion of tristimulus colours to spectra via principal component analysis. To improve accuracy of conversion, we propose a greedy clustering algorithm which minimizes reconstruction error. Using pre‐computation, the runtime computation is just a single matrix multiplication with an input tristimulus colour. Numerical experiments show that our method well reproduces the reference measured spectra using only the tristimulus colours as input.
Data Reduction Techniques for Simulation, Visualization and Data Analysis
Authors: Li S. , Marsaglia N. , Garth C. , Woodring J. , Clyne J. , Childs H. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractData reduction is increasingly being applied to scientific data for numerical simulations, scientific visualizations and data analyses. It is most often used to lower I/O and storage costs, and sometimes to lower in‐memory data size as well. With this paper, we consider five categories of data reduction techniques based on their information loss: (1) truly lossless, (2) near lossless, (3) lossy, (4) mesh reduction and (5) derived representations. We then survey available techniques in each of these categories, summarize their properties from a practical point of view and discuss relative merits within a category. We believe, in total, this work will enable simulation scientists and visualization/data analysis scientists to decide which data reduction techniques will be most helpful for their needs.
Politically induced board turnover, ownership arrangements, and performance of SOEs
Authors: Kuzman Tanja , Talavera Oleksandr , Bellos Sotirios K. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractManuscript TypeEmpiricalResearch Question/IssueThis study investigates the impact of elections on board member changes and its relationship with profit‐oriented performance of state‐owned enterprises (SOEs), thus providing new insights on political tie heterogeneity.Research Findings/InsightsUsing a unique hand‐collected dataset of 200 SOEs in six countries of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) from 2010 till 2014, we find that board member changes within SOEs, unlike for private enterprises, are politically motivated rather than performance induced. We reveal that SOEs with higher levels of board member changes encounter lower productivity and profitability levels. These findings suggest that political interference via board member changes causes organizational inefficiencies and poor SOE performance. Moreover, the results show that board member changes are insignificant for the performance of large SOEs and SOEs governed by independent government body.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsThis study reveals an indirect channel for political interference, thus contributing to a better understanding of political tie heterogeneity. Moreover, our study is the first to link political interference and performance of SOEs through introduction of election cycles into the board member changes–performance relationship.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsThe results of this study provide insights for policymakers who are interested in enhancement of SOEs' performance. They suggest ways in which board appointment procedures should be altered as to be insulated from political interference. In addition, they show boards how they can lower the negative consequences of frequent board member changes.
Comparative efficacy and safety of low‐intensity warfarin therapy in preventing unprovoked recurrent venous thromboembolism: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jiang Rong , Shi Yu , Zhang Rui , Pudasain Bigyan , Wang Lan , Zhao Qin‐Hua , Yuan Ping , Guo Jian , Zhu Chang‐Tai , Liu Jin‐Ming 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundAlthough there exists potential risk of bleeding, extended ‘lifelong’ conventional‐intensity [international normalized ratio (INR): 2.0‐3.0] warfarin anticoagulation is recommended for unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) patients because of risk of recurrent VTE. Whether long‐term low‐intensity (INR: 1.5‐2.0) warfarin therapy reduced the risk of major bleeding without substantially lowered antithrombotic efficacy is not well understood. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the risk‐benefits of low‐intensity warfarin therapy.MethodsWe conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases and included randomized control trials (RCTs) that reported efficacy (recurrent VTE) and safety (bleeding episodes) of low‐intensity warfarin therapy compared with conventional‐intensity warfarin or placebo from inception through Jun 2016.ResultsFour RCTs reporting high GRADE quality evidence were included. Although the relative risk of recurrent VTE with low‐intensity therapy was significantly increased [2.96 (95% CI: 1.40 to 6.24), P < .004] compared to conventional‐intensity warfarin, there was significant decrease of relative risk when compared with placebo [0.37 (95% CI: 0.24 to 0.56), P < .00001]. As per included publications, no significant major bleeding episodes were observed in low‐intensity warfarin group.ConclusionsAlthough less effective than conventional‐intensity warfarin therapy this meta‐analysis indicates that long‐term low‐intensity warfarin therapy is highly effective for preventing recurrent VTE than placebo, along with reduced risks of major bleeding and minimizing potential complications.
Supervised physical exercise improves clinical, anthropometric and biochemical parameters in adult cystic fibrosis patients: A 2‐year evaluation
Authors: Elce Ausilia , Nigro Ersilia , Gelzo Monica , Iacotucci Paola , Carnovale Vincenzo , Liguori Renato , Izzo Viviana , Corso Gaetano , Castaldo Giuseppe , Daniele Aurora , Zarrilli Federica 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectiveCystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common inherited, life limiting condition among Caucasians. No healing therapy is currently available for patients with CF. The aim of the study was to define clinical, anthropometric and biochemical effects of regular, supervised physical exercise in a large cohort of patients with CF.Materials and MethodsFifty‐nine adult patients with CF that performed regularly supervised physical exercise in the last 3 years in comparison to 59 sex and age matched sedentary patients with CF were included in the study.ResultsPhysical exercise had significantly beneficial effects on: (a) FEV1% decline; (b) anthropometric parameters (lower number of cases with altered BMI, waist and arm circumferences); (c) lipid and glucose metabolism; (d) vitamin D serum levels. Of course, some of this improvement may be because of the better adherence to therapy typical of patients with CF that perform physical activity.ConclusionsSuch clinical and metabolic effects make supervised physical activity one of the hubs in managing patients with CF.
Phenotypes, genotypes, and the management of paroxysmal movement disorders
Authors: Silveira‐Moriyama Laura , Kovac Stjepana , Kurian Manju A , Houlden Henry , Lees Andrew J , Walker Matthew C , Roze Emmanuel , Paciorkowski Alex R , Mink Jonathan W , Warner Thomas T 
Published: March 2018

As a consequence of the genomic revolution, a large number of publications describing paroxysmal movement disorders have been published in the last few years, shedding light on their molecular pathology. Routine gene testing is not necessary to guide treatment for typical forms of paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD), paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia (PNKD), and episodic ataxia type 1 or 2. It can, however, be helpful in the management of atypical or complex cases, especially for genetic counselling, treatment strategies, and the offer of preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Antiepileptic drugs remain the treatment of choice for PKD and episodic ataxia type 1, benzodiazepines are often useful for PNKD, and episodic ataxia type 2 benefits from acetazolamide regardless of the genetic etiology.What the paper adds

A growing number of genes have been associated with classic and newly described paroxysmal movement disorders.

Paroxysmal movement disorders share common mechanisms and clinical features with other neurological paroxysmal phenomena including epilepsy and migraine.
Dose‐dependent modulation of the visually evoked N1/N170 by perceptual surprise: a clear demonstration of prediction‐error signalling
Authors: Robinson Jonathan E. , Breakspear Michael , Young Andrew W. , Johnston Patrick J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPrediction‐error checking processes play a key role in predictive coding models of perception. However, neural indices of such processes have yet to be unambiguously demonstrated. To date, experimental paradigms aiming to study such phenomena have relied upon the relative frequency of stimulus repeats and/or ‘unexpected’ events that are physically different from ‘expected’ events. These features of experimental design leave open alternative explanations for the observed effects. A definitive demonstration requires that presumed prediction error‐related responses should show contextual dependency (rather than simply effects of frequency or repetition) and should not be attributable to low‐level stimulus differences. Most importantly, prediction‐error signals should show dose dependency with respect to the degree to which expectations are violated. Here, we exploit a novel experimental paradigm specifically designed to address these issues, using it to interrogate early latency event‐related potentials (ERPs) to contextually expected and unexpected visual stimuli. In two electroencephalography (EEG) experiments, we demonstrate that an N1/N170 evoked potential is robustly modulated by unexpected perceptual events (‘perceptual surprise’) and shows dose‐dependent sensitivity with respect to both the influence of prior information and the extent to which expectations are violated. This advances our understanding of perceptual predictions in the visual domain by clearly identifying these evoked potentials as an index of visual surprise.
Plant controls on Late Quaternary whole ecosystem structure and function
Authors: Jeffers Elizabeth S. , Whitehouse Nicki J. , Lister Adrian , Plunkett Gill , Barratt Phil , Smyth Emma , Lamb Philip , Dee Michael W. , Brooks Stephen J. , Willis Katherine J. , Froyd Cynthia A. , Watson Jenny E. , Bonsall Michael B. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPlants and animals influence biomass production and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems; however, their relative importance remains unclear. We assessed the extent to which mega‐herbivore species controlled plant community composition and nutrient cycling, relative to other factors during and after the Late Quaternary extinction event in Britain and Ireland, when two‐thirds of the region's mega‐herbivore species went extinct. Warmer temperatures, plant–soil and plant–plant interactions, and reduced burning contributed to the expansion of woody plants and declining nitrogen availability in our five study ecosystems. Shrub biomass was consistently one of the strongest predictors of ecosystem change, equalling or exceeding the effects of other biotic and abiotic factors. In contrast, there was relatively little evidence for mega‐herbivore control on plant community composition and nitrogen availability. The ability of plants to determine the fate of terrestrial ecosystems during periods of global environmental change may therefore be greater than previously thought.
Cantharidin world in air: Spatiotemporal distributions of flying canthariphilous insects in the forest interior
Authors: Horiuchi Kaho , Hashimoto Kosei , Hayashi Fumio 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe natural community in which the members interact using a toxic terpenoid cantharidin is named the “cantharidin world.” In previous studies, however, the members of this world have been surveyed only on the forest floor by setting pitfall traps with cantharidin as an attractant. In this study, we set cantharidin traps at various heights above the forest floor to investigate the structure and functional diversity of the canthariphilous flying insect community in the forest above‐ground space. A total of 3,168 arthropods were collected by the traps; among them, six species were more attracted to cantharidin than to control traps. Pseudopyrochroa brevitarsis and P. laticollis (Colecoptera: Pyrochroidae) both appeared for a short time during spring, but the latter species tended to use a lower layer of the forest. Clavicollis fugiens (Coleoptera: Anthicidae) also appeared in spring and flew near the ground. In these beetles, the attracted individuals were mostly males; they may use the obtained cantharidin for nuptial gifts to the female. Atrichopogon femoralis, A. insularis and Atrichopogon sp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were collected widely in the forest above‐ground space. These midges were almost females, probably because only females of these insects use chemical cues, including cantharidin, for searching for arthropods from which to suck hemolymph.
SCN1A variants associated with sudden infant death syndrome
Authors: Brownstein Catherine A. , Goldstein Richard D. , Thompson Christopher H. , Haynes Robin L. , Giles Emma , Sheidley Beth , Bainbridge Matthew , Haas Elisabeth A. , Mena Othon J. , Lucas Jonathan , Schaber Bethann , Holm Ingrid A. , George Alfred L. , Kinney Hannah C. , Poduri Annapurna H. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryWe identified SCN1A variants in 2 infants who died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) with hippocampal abnormalities from an exome sequencing study of 10 cases of SIDS but no history of seizures. One harbored SCN1A G682V, and the other had 2 SCN1A variants in cis: L1296M and E1308D, a variant previously associated with epilepsy. Functional evaluation in a heterologous expression system demonstrated partial loss of function for both G682V and the compound variant L1296M/E1308D. Our cases represent a novel association between SCN1A and SIDS, extending the SCN1A spectrum from epilepsy to SIDS. Our findings provide insights into SIDS and support genetic evaluation focused on epilepsy genes in SIDS.
Outcome prediction in patients with acute repetitive seizures: Application of the Status Epilepticus Severity Score
Authors: Szklener Sebastian , Godek Magdalena , Korchut Agnieszka , Balicka‐Adamik Luiza , Rejdak Robert , Rossetti Andrea O. , Rejdak Konrad 
Published: March 2018

SummaryAcute repetitive seizures (ARS) pose a risk of hospital admission with status epilepticus and a mortality threat, which underscores the need for the early prediction of a clinical course. Unfortunately, little attention has been given to ARS in this context, even though we possess the appropriate predictive tools for the stages of status epilepticus. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the Status Epilepticus Severity Score (STESS) in the population of patients with ARS. The study included a population of 200 patients. Almost half of the patients had achieved seizure cessations after diazepam administration, whereas 19.5% progressed to status epilepticus despite antiepileptic drug treatment. Mortality reached 10.5% of the total population. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for prediction of death by the STESS had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.901, with an optimal cutoff point for discrimination ≥2 (sensitivity 0.95, specificity 0.71, and Youden index 0.66). Hosmer‐Lemeshow indicated good calibration of the STESS (chi‐square goodness‐of‐fit test = 3.24; P = .919). The study shows excellent effectiveness of the STESS in the prognosis of the clinical course in patients with ARS. STESS may be a valuable tool for the proper planning of diagnostic and therapeutic activities in this population.
Neuromuscular disease detection by neural networks and fuzzy entropy on time‐frequency analysis of electromyography signals
Authors: Vallejo Marcela , Gallego Carlos J. , Duque‐Muñoz L. , Delgado‐Trejos Edilson 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAnalysis of electromyography (EMG) signals is a necessary step in the diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases. Automatic classification systems can assist specialists and optimize the diagnostic process by applying time‐frequency analysis, fuzzy entropy, and neural networks to EMG signals in order to identify the presence of characteristics of a specific disorder, such as myopathy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The performance of a decision support system depends on three important issues: the correct estimation of features from the EMG signal, the proper criteria for relevance analysis, and the learning process of the classification algorithm. In this paper, Discrete Wavelet Transform and Fuzzy Entropy are used to extract and select features from EMG signals, whereas Artificial Neural Networks are used to give the recognition result. The database used in this study is available for public use in EMGLAB, which is a website for sharing data, software, and information related to EMG decomposition. Results using the combination of these techniques show an accuracy around 98% for identifying EMG signals from three classes: healthy, patients with myopathy, or evidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Sexuality, space, gender, and health: Renewing geographical approaches to well‐being in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer populations
Authors: Davies Megan , Lewis Nathaniel M. , Moon Graham 
Published: March 2018

AbstractResearch on sexual orientation and gender identities, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ), has been limited in health geography compared with other sub‐fields of the discipline. The reasons for this gap include both the logistical limitations of data on sexual orientation and the historical dominance of visible, measurable infectious, and chronic disease outcomes in medical geography research. While medical geographers were among the first to research HIV/AIDS diffusion among gay men, there is now something of a divide between qualitative geographers studying experience and embodiment and health science researchers examining the socio‐spatial determinants of LGBTQ health outcomes. In the following article, we review the LGBTQ health inequalities research, emerging geographies of mental health and substance use among those identified as LGBTQ, and potential avenues for health geographers to re‐engage with this field of study.
Cost‐utility of a six‐month programmed sports therapy (PST) in patients with haemophilia
Authors: Koeberlein‐Neu J. , Runkel B. , Hilberg T. 
Published: March 2018

IntroductionRecurrent musculoskeletal haemorrhages in people with haemophilia (PwH) lead to restrictions in the locomotor system and, as a result, in physical performance, too. Due to its physical and psychological benefits, sport is increasingly re‐commended for haemophilic patients. Evidence on the cost‐effectiveness of sports therapy is still lacking.AimThe aim of this study was to determine the cost‐effectiveness of a 6‐month programmed sports therapy (PST).MethodsThe cost‐effectiveness of the 6‐month PST was assessed from a societal perspective alongside a RCT using cost‐utility analysis. The analysis included 50 PwH with moderate‐to‐severe haemophilia A and B and a training period over 6 months. The health‐related quality of life was measured with the EuroQoL‐domain questionnaire. Resource utilization was assessed by questionnaire before and after the intervention. A cost‐effectiveness acceptability curve was constructed, and sensitivity analyses were performed.ResultsDuring the 6‐month study period, mean adjusted total healthcare costs were lower (mean difference: −22 805 EUR; 95%‐CI: −73 944‐48 463; P = .59) and the number of QALYs was higher in the intervention group (mean difference: 0.3733; 95%‐CI: 0.0014‐0.0573; P = .04). The probability of an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio <50 000 EUR per QALY was 71%. The performed sensitivity analysis confirmed these results.ConclusionResults showed that the PST is effective in terms of a significant gain of QALYs. Furthermore, results weakly indicate the potential of the PST to reduce healthcare costs. Future studies should expand the observation period to have a closer look at the influence of PST on lifetime costs.
Recurrence rates of pruritus after the stop of nalfurafine hydrochloride in chronic liver disease: Preliminary prospective confirmatory trial
Authors: Akuta Norio , Kumada Hiromitsu , Fujiyama Shunichiro , Kawamura Yusuke , Sezaki Hitomi , Hosaka Tetsuya , Kobayashi Masahiro , Kobayashi Mariko , Saitoh Satoshi , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Suzuki Fumitaka , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji 
Published: March 2018

AimThe recurrence rates of pruritus after stopping nalfurafine hydrochloride are unknown in chronic liver disease.MethodsA prospective confirmatory trial was carried out to determine the recurrence rates of pruritus after cessation of nalfurafine hydrochloride in chronic liver disease. After pretreatment with nalfurafine hydrochloride for 4 weeks or more, 15 consecutive Japanese patients, who confirmed the improvement of pruritus (decrease in the visual analogue scale (VAS) of ≥50 mm), were enrolled in the present study. Patients were classified to the continuous group (continuation of nalfurafine hydrochloride for 4 weeks) or the discontinuous group (cessation of nalfurafine hydrochloride) at the time of consent to study protocol, by self‐determination.ResultsThe recurrence rates (increase in VAS of ≥25 mm after stopping nalfurafine hydrochloride) were 100% (5 of 5 patients) and 0% (0 of 10) in the discontinuous and continuous groups, respectively. In the discontinuous group, 3 patients selected retreatment with nalfurafine hydrochloride as salvage therapy, and they generally recovered to the levels of VAS at the discontinuation of treatment.ConclusionThe present prospective trial showed the high recurrence rates of pruritus after the stop of nalfurafine hydrochloride in chronic liver disease.
Diet with linseed oil and organic selenium yields low n‐6/n‐3 ratio pork Semimembranosus meat with unchanged volatile compound profiles
Authors: Wojtasik‐Kalinowska Iwona , Guzek Dominika , Górska‐Horczyczak Elżbieta , Brodowska Marta , Sun Da‐Wen , Wierzbicka Agnieszka 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThe aim of this was to improve n‐6/n‐3 ratio without affecting the volatile compounds profiles of pork. Different feeding strategies were designed for 60 Polish Landrace pigs with the goal to enhance the health attributes of Polish pork. Composition, colour, hardness, fatty acid contents and volatile compound profiles of the semimembranosus muscles were determined. Results showed that with the basic diet with the addition 3% of linseed oil, 100 mg kg−1 of vitamin E and 1 mg kg−1 of organic selenium, the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the meat samples was increased by 26% (P ≤ 0.05) as compared to the control. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated that the aroma profile of semimembranosus muscles from pigs fed with the diet supplemented with 3% of linseed oil and 1 mg kg−1 of organic selenium was close to that of control. Results demonstrated that healthy functional meats could be produced by designing feeding strategies.