bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
VisFM: Visual Analysis of Image Feature Matchings
Authors: Li Chenhui , Baciu George 
Published: March 2018

AbstractFeature matching is the most basic and pervasive problem in computer vision and it has become a primary component in big data analytics. Many tools have been developed for extracting and matching features in video streams and image frames. However, one of the most basic tools, that is, a tool for simply visualizing matched features for the comparison and evaluation of computer vision algorithms is not generally available, especially when dealing with a large number of matching lines. We introduce VisFM, an integrated visual analysis system for comprehending and exploring image feature matchings. VisFM presents a matching view with an intuitive line bundling to provide useful insights regarding the quality of matched features. VisFM is capable of showing a summarization of the features and matchings through group view to assist domain experts in observing the feature matching patterns from multiple perspectives. VisFM incorporates a series of interactions for exploring the feature data. We demonstrate the visual efficacy of VisFM by applying it to three scenarios. An informal expert feedback, conducted by our collaborator in computer vision, demonstrates how VisFM can be used for comparing and analysing feature matchings when the goal is to improve an image retrieval algorithm.
Can the epoxides of cinnamyl alcohol and cinnamal show new cases of contact allergy?
Authors: Hagvall Lina , Niklasson Ida B. , Luthman Kristina , Karlberg Ann‐Therese 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundCinnamyl alcohol is considered to be a prohapten and prehapten with cinnamal as the main metabolite. However, many individuals who are allergic to cinnamyl alcohol do not react to cinnamal. Sensitizing epoxides of cinnamyl alcohol and cinnamal have been identified as metabolites and autoxidation products of cinnamyl alcohol.ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical relevance of contact allergy to epoxycinnamyl alcohol and epoxycinnamal.MethodsIrritative effects of the epoxides were investigated in 12 dermatitis patients. Epoxycinnamyl alcohol and epoxycinnamal were patch tested in 393 and 390 consecutive patients, respectively. In parallel, cinnamyl alcohol and cinnamal were patch tested in 607 and 616 patients, respectively.ResultsBoth epoxides were irritants, but no more positive reactions were detected than when testing was performed with cinnamyl alcohol and cinnamal. Late allergic reactions to epoxycinnamyl alcohol were observed. In general, patients with late reactions showed doubtful or positive reactions to cinnamal and fragrance mix I at regular patch testing.ConclusionThe investigated epoxides are not important haptens in contact allergy to cinnamon fragrance. The high frequency of fragrance allergy among patients included in the irritancy study showed the difficulty of suspecting fragrance allergy on the basis of history; patch testing broadly with fragrance compounds is therefore important.
Optimal low‐density lipoprotein concentration for cardiac allograft vasculopathy prevention
Authors: Harris Justin , Teuteberg Jeffery , Shullo Michael 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a major risk factor influencing graft loss and patient survival following orthotopic heart transplant. Allograft vasculopathy is a multifactorial process, which includes both immunologic and non‐immunologic mechanisms. Given the non‐immunological risk factors for vasculopathy, particularly hyperlipidemia, it is intuitive that reducing a patient's LDL would help attenuate the disease process. Multiple studies have shown benefits with the use of statin therapy. However, current heart transplant guidelines do not give a specific recommendation as to what LDL goal should be achieved in this patient population. This study is a retrospective cohort analysis designed to determine the relative risk of developing cardiac allograft vasculopathy with respect to different LDL goals. Median LDL level of <100 mg/dL was shown to significantly reduce the risk of developing cardiac allograft vasculopathy. Twelve of 37 patients with an LDL ≥100 mg/dL (32.4%) developed CAV vs 25 of 157 patients (15.9%) with an LDL <100 mg/dL (P = .021). Furthermore, a delay in to time to cardiac allograft vasculopathy was seen when a median LDL concentration of <100 mg/dL was achieved. This benefit was not extended when a goal concentration of <70 mg/dL was targeted.
Recalcitrant psoriasiform dermatosis of the face: Is it related to pityriasis rubra pilaris?
Authors: Gan Emily Yiping , Ng See Ket , Goh Chee Leok , Lee Siong See Joyce 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundThere are patients with recalcitrant psoriasiform plaques that do not fit into conventional categories of facial dermatoses. Our study aims to describe the clinicopathological characteristics of several patients with a unique presentation of persistent psoriasiform facial rashes.MethodsThis retrospective cross‐sectional study analyzed clinical and histological data of known cases of recalcitrant psoriasiform dermatosis of the face diagnosed at National Skin Centre, Singapore, over 10 years.ResultsThere were 8 Chinese patients with mean age at onset of 29 years. Majority had pink to pink‐orange well‐defined plaques with dry scale (n = 6, 75%), distributed mostly on the cheeks (100%) and chin (n = 7, 88%). Hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, preserved granular layer and psoriasiform hyperplasia were showed in all biopsies. Other common findings included subtle subcorneal acantholysis, “checkerboard” alternating ortho‐/parakeratosis, vacuolated keratinocytes and follicular plugging. All patients showed little treatment response. One patient eventually developed features of type II pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP). Our study was limited by its small sample size and lack of a pre‐existing diagnostic code.ConclusionsThis recalcitrant psoriasiform facial dermatosis seems to be a distinct entity, with consistent and reproducible clinical features and a PRP‐like histology, bearing some resemblance to the recently described condition—facial discoid dermatosis.
Dialogue Exhibitions: Putting Transformative Learning Theory into Practice
Authors: Cohen Orna , Heinecke Andreas 
Published: March 2018

AbstractExhibitions in museums, science centers, and other socio‐cultural locations can play a key role in shifting patterns in interpersonal relationships and understanding between “us” and “them.” This objective of changing attitudes and shifting perspectives can be accomplished with exhibitions designed with a clear methodology based on the Theory of Transformative Learning (Mezirow 1978, 1991, 2000). How can museum educators ensure that learners internalize attitude changes and perspective shifts, and what evidence can be shown that these learning objectives have actually been met? In this article, we explain the Theory of Transformative Learning and how it is applied to exhibitions to facilitate exactly these objectives.
An adaptive bivariate kernel smoothing method for determining instars of Austrosimulium tillyardianum (Diptera: Simuliidae) larvae
Authors: Cen Guan‐Jun , Gao Xu‐Yuan , Long Xiu‐Zhen , Zeng Xian‐Ru , Liu Ji‐Min , Wei De‐Wei , Yu Yong‐Hao 
Published: March 2018

1. In insects, instar determination is generally based on the frequency distribution of sclerotised body part measurements. Commonly used univariate methods, such as histograms and univariate kernel smoothing, are not sufficient to reflect the distribution of the measurements, because development of sclerotised body parts is multidimensional.2. This study used an adaptive bivariate kernel smoothing method, based on 10 pairs of separating variables, to differentiate instars of Austrosimulium tillyardianum (Diptera: Simuliidae) larvae in two‐dimensional space. A variable bandwidth matrix was used and separation lines between instars were defined.Using the Crosby growth ratio, Brooks' rule and the new standard recently proposed, larvae were separated into nine instars. It was found that, using the bivariate kernel smoothing method, the clustering accuracy and determination of separation lines as instar class limits were higher than those associated with the univariate kernel smoothing method. With the exceptions of the paired separating variables, head capsule length and antennal segment 3 length (AS3L), the mean probabilities of correct classifications was > 85%. The pair of separating variables that yielded the greatest classification accuracy comprised mandible length (ML) and AS3L, which had mean probabilities of 0.8984. The clustering accuracy was higher for early‐ and late‐instar larvae, but lower for instars 6 and 7.The adaptive bivariate kernel smoothing method was better than univariate methods for instar determination, especially in the detection of divisions between instars and identification of a larval instar.
Investing in early public works: financial risks and returns in English and Welsh turnpikes, 1820–82
Authors: Bogart Dan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPrivate and local investors provided much of the capital to improve England's infrastructure during its industrialization. This study investigates the financial returns to investors in turnpike road trusts. It draws on parliamentary reports which provide comprehensive data on finances, including payments to bondholders. One key finding is that turnpike trusts paid their bondholders a return above the yield on government bonds before 1850. Afterwards turnpike interest payments declined, yet they still yielded competitive returns. Another key finding is that the risks were modest. Returns to holding individual turnpike bonds varied, with most paying 4 to 5 per cent and some paying zero. The latter were not the majority and in many cases interest payments resumed within a few years. Diversified portfolios of turnpike bonds enjoyed lower risks, and outperformed portfolios with railway and canal securities traded on the London exchange before 1850. Overall, the results contribute to a better understanding of the risks and returns associated with investing in early public works.
The state‐of‐the‐art in digital technology‐based assessment
Authors: O'Leary Michael , Scully Darina , Karakolidis Anastasios , Pitsia Vasiliki 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe role of digital technology in assessment has received a great deal of attention in recent years. Naturally, technology offers many practical benefits, such as increased efficiency with regard to the design, implementation and scoring of existing assessments. More importantly, it also has the potential to have profound, transformative effects on the field of assessment by facilitating the integration of formative activities with accountability requirements and broadening the range of abilities and the scope of constructs that can be assessed. This article provides an overview of the current state‐of‐the‐art in digital technology‐based assessment, with particular reference to advances in the automated scoring of constructed responses, the assessment of complex 21st century skills in large‐scale assessments and innovations involving high fidelity virtual reality simulations. Key challenges with respect to each are highlighted before the extent to which digital technology is truly transforming assessment is considered.
Impact of white blood cells on thrombotic risk in patients with optimized platelet count in essential thrombocythemia
Authors: Buxhofer‐Ausch Veronika , Steurer Michael , Sormann Siegfried , Schloegl Ernst , Schimetta Wolfgang , Gisslinger Bettina , Schalling Martin , Krauth Maria Theresa , Thiele Jürgen , Ruckser Reinhard , Gastl Günther , Gisslinger Heinz 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectivesRisk of thrombosis is significantly enhanced by both elevated platelet (PLT) and white blood cell (WBC) counts according to a retrospective analysis of a large anagrelide registry in thrombocythemic MPN patients. We were interested in the impact of elevated WBC counts on thrombosis risk in patients where PLT counts were reduced below the calculated cutoff of 574.5 G/L by treatment with anagrelide.MethodsCox regression analysis and Kaplan‐Meier plot were applied on all patients in the registry with optimized PLT counts.ResultsUsing the calculated cutoff of 9.66 G/L for WBC, Cox regression analysis revealed a clear influence of elevated WBC counts on the occurrence of a major thrombotic event (P = .012). A Kaplan‐Meier plot revealed a markedly shorter time to a major thrombotic event for patients with WBC counts above the cutoff (P = .001).ConclusionsThese data suggest that additional correction of elevated WBC counts is mandatory in patients with optimally managed PLT counts to reduce thrombotic risk. This study is the first investigation in a prospectively observed large patient cohort which was treated homogenously allowing for evaluation of single parameters for an effect on thrombophilia.
Molecular mechanisms underlying striatal synaptic plasticity: relevance to chronic alcohol consumption and seeking
Authors: Blackwell Kim T. , Salinas Armando G. , Tewatia Parul , English Brad , Hellgren Kotaleski Jeanette , Lovinger David M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe striatum, the input structure of the basal ganglia, is a major site of learning and memory for goal‐directed actions and habit formation. Spiny projection neurons of the striatum integrate cortical, thalamic, and nigral inputs to learn associations, with cortico‐striatal synaptic plasticity as a learning mechanism. Signaling molecules implicated in synaptic plasticity are altered in alcohol withdrawal, which may contribute to overly strong learning and increased alcohol seeking and consumption. To understand how interactions among signaling molecules produce synaptic plasticity, we implemented a mechanistic model of signaling pathways activated by dopamine D1 receptors, acetylcholine receptors, and glutamate. We use our novel, computationally efficient simulator, NeuroRD, to simulate stochastic interactions both within and between dendritic spines. Dopamine release during theta burst and 20‐Hz stimulation was extrapolated from fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry data collected in mouse striatal slices. Our results show that the combined activity of several key plasticity molecules correctly predicts the occurrence of either LTP, LTD, or no plasticity for numerous experimental protocols. To investigate spatial interactions, we stimulate two spines, either adjacent or separated on a 20‐μm dendritic segment. Our results show that molecules underlying LTP exhibit spatial specificity, whereas 2‐arachidonoylglycerol exhibits a spatially diffuse elevation. We also implement changes in NMDA receptors, adenylyl cyclase, and G protein signaling that have been measured following chronic alcohol treatment. Simulations under these conditions suggest that the molecular changes can predict changes in synaptic plasticity, thereby accounting for some aspects of alcohol use disorder.
A silent eligibility trace enables dopamine‐dependent synaptic plasticity for reinforcement learning in the mouse striatum
Authors: Shindou Tomomi , Shindou Mayumi , Watanabe Sakurako , Wickens Jeffery 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDopamine‐dependent synaptic plasticity is a candidate mechanism for reinforcement learning. A silent eligibility trace – initiated by synaptic activity and transformed into synaptic strengthening by later action of dopamine – has been hypothesized to explain the retroactive effect of dopamine in reinforcing past behaviour. We tested this hypothesis by measuring time‐dependent modulation of synaptic plasticity by dopamine in adult mouse striatum, using whole‐cell recordings. Presynaptic activity followed by postsynaptic action potentials (pre–post) caused spike‐timing‐dependent long‐term depression in D1‐expressing neurons, but not in D2 neurons, and not if postsynaptic activity followed presynaptic activity. Subsequent experiments focused on D1 neurons. Applying a dopamine D1 receptor agonist during induction of pre–post plasticity caused long‐term potentiation. This long‐term potentiation was hidden by long‐term depression occurring concurrently and was unmasked when long‐term depression blocked an L‐type calcium channel antagonist. Long‐term potentiation was blocked by a Ca2+‐permeable AMPA receptor antagonist but not by an NMDA antagonist or an L‐type calcium channel antagonist. Pre–post stimulation caused transient elevation of rectification – a marker for expression of Ca2+‐permeable AMPA receptors – for 2–4‐s after stimulation. To test for an eligibility trace, dopamine was uncaged at specific time points before and after pre‐ and postsynaptic conjunction of activity. Dopamine caused potentiation selectively at synapses that were active 2‐s before dopamine release, but not at earlier or later times. Our results provide direct evidence for a silent eligibility trace in the synapses of striatal neurons. This dopamine‐timing‐dependent plasticity may play a central role in reinforcement learning.
Canalisation in the wild: effects of developmental conditions on physiological traits are inversely linked to their association with fitness
Authors: Boonekamp Jelle J. , Mulder Ellis , Verhulst Simon 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEcological conditions affect fitness, but mechanisms causing such effects are not well known, while evolved responses to environmental variation may depend on the underlying mechanisms. Consequences of environmental conditions vary strongly between traits, but a framework to interpret such variation is lacking. We propose that variation in trait response may be explained by differential canalisation, with traits with larger fitness effects showing weaker responses to environmental perturbations due to preferential resource allocation to such traits. We tested the canalisation hypothesis using brood size manipulation in wild jackdaw nestlings in which we measured eight physiological traits (mainly oxidative stress markers), and two feather traits. For each trait, we estimated manipulation response and association with fitness (over‐winter survival). As predicted, a strong negative correlation emerged between manipulation response and association with fitness (r =−0.76). We discuss the consequences of differential trait canalisation for the study of mechanisms mediating environmental effects on fitness.
Calcium plus magnesium indicates digestibility: the significance of the second major axis of plant chemical variation for ecological processes
Authors: Mládková Pavla , Mládek Jan , Hejduk Stanislav , Hejcman Michal , Pakeman Robin J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPlant variation in nutrient concentrations encompasses two major axes. The first is connected to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), reflects growth rate and has been designated as the leaf economics spectrum (LES) while the second follows the gradient in calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and mirrors cell structural differences. Here, we tested in grasslands whether the sum Ca + Mg concentrations is a better indicator of digestibility than LES constituents. Structural equation modelling revealed that the total effect size of N (0.30) on digestibility was much lower than that of Ca + Mg (0.58). The N effect originated predominantly from sampling date (biomass ageing), while the Ca + Mg effect largely from phylogenetic composition (proportion of monocots). Thus, plant variation in partially substitutable divalent cations seems to play a significant role in biomass digestion by ruminants. This finding contests, together with litter decomposition studies, the prominent role of the LES for understanding both fundamental ecological processes.
Risk score prediction model for dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Li C.‐I. , Li T.‐C. , Liu C.‐S. , Liao L.‐N. , Lin W.‐Y. , Lin C.‐H. , Yang S.‐Y. , Chiang J.‐H. , Lin C.‐C. 
Published: March 2018

Background and purposeNo study has established a prediction dementia model in the Asian populations. This study aimed to develop a prediction model for dementia in Chinese type 2 diabetes patients.MethodsThe retrospective cohort study included 27 540 Chinese type 2 diabetes patients (aged 50–94 years) enrolled in the Taiwan National Diabetes Care Management Program. Participants were randomly allocated into derivation and validation sets at a 2:1 ratio. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to identify risk factors for dementia in the derivation set. Steps proposed by the Framingham Heart Study were used to establish a prediction model with a scoring system.ResultsThe average follow‐up was 8.09 years, with a total of 853 incident dementia cases in the derivation set. The dementia risk score summed up the individual scores (from 0 to 20). The areas under the curve of 3‐, 5‐ and 10‐year dementia risks were 0.82, 0.79 and 0.76 in the derivation set and 0.84, 0.80 and 0.75 in the validation set, respectively.ConclusionsThe proposed score system is the first dementia risk prediction model for Chinese type 2 diabetes patients in Taiwan.
Association of serum Cystatin C with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
Authors: Shu Y. , Zhang L. , Chang Y. , Li R. , Sun X. , Li J. , Wu H. , Yang Y. , Peng L. , Lu Z. , Kermode A. G. , Qiu W. 
Published: March 2018

Background and purposeThe relationship between Cystatin C (CysC) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) is unknown.MethodsSerum CysC levels were measured in 105 Chinese patients with NMOSD (53 in relapse, 52 in remission) and 109 healthy controls (HCs). The association of CysC with NMOSD and its clinical and magnetic resonance imaging parameters were evaluated.ResultsCystatin C levels were significantly lower in patients with relapsing NMOSD than in those in remission (P < 0.001) or HCs (P < 0.05). CysC levels in NMOSD remission were higher than in HCs (P = 0.002). CysC levels were positively associated with age and negatively associated with brain lesion numbers in relapsing NMOSD (r = −0.252, P = 0.069).ConclusionOur results indicate a reduced serum level of CysC in patients with relapsing NMOSD and an increased level in remission. Further studies on the role of CysC in NMOSD are warranted.