bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging identifies significant apical prostate cancers
Authors: Kenigsberg Alexander P. , Tamada Tsutomu , Rosenkrantz Andrew B. , Llukani Elton , Deng Fang‐Ming , Melamed Jonathan , Zhou Ming , Lepor Herbert 
Published: August 2017

ObjectiveTo determine if multiparametric (mp) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can identify significant apical disease, thereby informing decisions regarding preservation of the membranous urethra.Materials and MethodsMen undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) between January 2012 and June 2016, who underwent a 12‐core transrectal ultrasonography‐guided systematic biopsy (SB), preoperative 3‐Tesla MRI, and sectioning of the prostate specimen with tumour foci mapping, were extracted from a single surgeon's prospective longitudinal outcomes database. Apical SB and mpMRI lesion results were compared with regard to their ability to predict aggressive tumours in the prostatic apex (PA), defined as prostate cancer grade group >1.ResultsOf the 100 men who met the eligibility criteria, 43 (43%) exhibited aggressive prostate cancer in the distal 5 mm of the apex. A Likert score >2 in the apical one‐third of the prostate was found to be more reliable than any cancer found on apical SB at detecting aggressive cancer in the apex. On multivariate regression analysis, which included Likert score in the apex, age, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, prostate size and presence of any cancer on apical biopsy, only Likert score (P = 0.005) and PSA level (P = 0.025) were significant and independent predictors of aggressive cancer in the distal apex.ConclusionThe results of the study showed that MRI was superior to SB at identifying aggressive prostate cancer within the distal PA and may be useful for planning the extent of apical preservation during RP.
The shape variational autoencoder: A deep generative model of part‐segmented 3D objects
Authors: Nash C. , Williams C. K. I. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe introduce a generative model of part‐segmented 3D objects: the shape variational auto‐encoder (ShapeVAE). The ShapeVAE describes a joint distribution over the existence of object parts, the locations of a dense set of surface points, and over surface normals associated with these points. Our model makes use of a deep encoder‐decoder architecture that leverages the part‐decomposability of 3D objects to embed high‐dimensional shape representations and sample novel instances. Given an input collection of part‐segmented objects with dense point correspondences the ShapeVAE is capable of synthesizing novel, realistic shapes, and by performing conditional inference enables imputation of missing parts or surface normals. In addition, by generating both points and surface normals, our model allows for the use of powerful surface‐reconstruction methods for mesh synthesis. We provide a quantitative evaluation of the ShapeVAE on shape‐completion and test‐set log‐likelihood tasks and demonstrate that the model performs favourably against strong baselines. We demonstrate qualitatively that the ShapeVAE produces plausible shape samples, and that it captures a semantically meaningful shape‐embedding. In addition we show that the ShapeVAE facilitates mesh reconstruction by sampling consistent surface normals.
Generalized Matryoshka: Computational Design of Nesting Objects
Authors: Jacobson Alec 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis paper generalizes the self‐similar nesting ofMatryoshkadolls (“Russian nesting dolls”) to arbitrary solid objects. We introduce the problem of finding the largest scale replica of an object thatnestsinside itself. Not only should the nesting object fit inside the larger copy without interpenetration, but also it should be possible to cut the larger copy in two and remove the smaller object without collisions. We present a GPU‐accelerated evaluation of nesting feasibility. This test can be conducted at interactive rates, providing feedback during manual design. Further, we may optimize for some or all of the nesting degrees of freedom (e.g., rigid motion of smaller object, cut orientation) to maximize the smaller object's scale while maintaining a feasible nesting. Our formulation and tools robustly handle imperfect geometric representations and generalize to the nesting of dissimilar objects in one another. We explore a variety of applications to aesthetic and functional shape design.
A Constrained Resampling Strategy for Mesh Improvement
Authors: Abdelkader Ahmed , Mahmoud Ahmed H. , Rushdi Ahmad A. , Mitchell Scott A. , Owens John D. , Ebeida Mohamed S. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn many geometry processing applications, it is required to improve an initial mesh in terms of multiple quality objectives. Despite the availability of several mesh generation algorithms with provable guarantees, such generated meshes may only satisfy a subset of the objectives. The conflicting nature of such objectives makes it challenging to establish similar guarantees for each combination, e.g., angle bounds and vertex count. In this paper, we describe a versatile strategy for mesh improvement by interpreting quality objectives as spatial constraints on resampling and develop a toolbox of local operators to improve the mesh while preserving desirable properties. Our strategy judiciously combines smoothing and transformation techniques allowing increased flexibility to practically achieve multiple objectives simultaneously. We apply our strategy to both planar and surface meshes demonstrating how to simplify Delaunay meshes while preserving element quality, eliminate all obtuse angles in a complex mesh, and maximize the shortest edge length in a Voronoi tessellation far better than the state‐of‐the‐art.
Practices in the evaluation of potential kidney transplant recipients who are elderly: A survey of U.S. transplant centers
Authors: Mandelbrot Didier A. , Fleishman Aaron , Rodrigue James R. , Norman Silas P. , Samaniego Milagros 
Published: August 2017

AbstractLimited data exist regarding the evaluation and selection of older candidates for transplantation. To help guide the development of program protocols and help define research questions in this area, we surveyed U.S. transplant centers regarding their current practices in the evaluation of older kidney transplant candidates. We emailed a 28‐question survey to the medical and surgical directors of 190 adult kidney transplant programs in the USA. We received usable responses from 59 programs, a 31.1% response rate. Most (76.3%) programs do not have absolute age cutoffs for listing patients, but for the 22.0% of programs that do have cutoffs, the mean age was 79, range 70‐90. Nearly one‐third (29.2%) of programs require a minimum life expectancy to list for transplant, reporting a mean of 4.5 years life expectancy, (range 2‐10). Programs vary significantly in evaluating candidates living in a nursing home or with cognitive impairments. Practices regarding the evaluation of older transplant candidates vary widely between U.S. programs. Further studies are needed on the impact of age and other comorbidities on transplant outcomes, to help guide decisions on which older patients are most appropriate for transplant listing.
Sign language in dental education—A new nexus
Authors: Jones T. , Cumberbatch K. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractFocusThe introduction of the landmark mandatory teaching of sign language to undergraduate dental students at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus in Kingston, Jamaica, to bridge the communication gap between dentists and their patients is reviewed.Literature reviewA review of over 90 Doctor of Dental Surgery and Doctor of Dental Medicine curricula in North America, the United Kingdom, parts of Europe and Australia showed no inclusion of sign language in those curricula as a mandatory component.History of sign language in dental educationIn Jamaica, the government's training school for dental auxiliaries served as the forerunner to the UWI's introduction of formal training of sign language in 2012. Outside of the UWI, a couple of dental schools have sign language courses, but none have a mandatory programme as the one at the UWI.Programme rationaleDentists the world over have had to rely on interpreters to sign with their deaf patients. The deaf in Jamaica have not appreciated the fact that dentists cannot sign and they have felt insulted and only go to the dentist in emergency situations. The mandatory inclusion of sign language in the Undergraduate Dental Programme curriculum at The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, sought to establish a direct communication channel to formally bridge this gap.Programme developmentThe programme of two sign language courses and a direct clinical competency requirement was developed during the second year of the first cohort of the newly introduced undergraduate dental programme through a collaborating partnership between two faculties on the Mona Campus.ImplementationThe programme was introduced in 2012 in the third year of the 5‐year undergraduate dental programme.Programme review & outcomesTo date, two cohorts have completed the programme, and the preliminary findings from an ongoing clinical study have shown a positive impact on dental care access and dental treatment for deaf patients at the UWI Mona Dental Polyclinic.ImplicationsThe development of a direct communication channel between dental students and the deaf that has led to increased dental access and treatment for the deaf can be extended to dentists and to other dental students globally. The vision is that similar courses will be introduced in other health training programmes at the UWI, and conceivably, in other institutions.LimitationsThe small sample size allows for informative, but not definitive, conclusions to be drawn.ConclusionThe mandatory inclusion of sign language and Deaf culture in the dental curricula has not just removed a communication barrier, but has assisted in the empathetic and ethical development of the dental student.
MRP1 protein expression in leukemic stem cells as a negative prognostic marker in acute myeloid leukemia patients
Authors: Paprocka Maria , Bielawska‐Pohl Aleksandra , Rossowska Joanna , Krawczenko Agnieszka , Duś Danuta , Kiełbiński Marek , Haus Olga , Podolak‐Dawidziak Maria , Kuliczkowski Kazimierz 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundIt is well established that expression of multi‐drug resistance (MDR) proteins (MDR1, BCRP, MDR3, MRP1, and LRP) in leukemic blasts correlates with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients’ clinical response. Assuming that leukemic stem cells (LSC) are resistant to chemotherapy and responsible for relapse, it might be clinically relevant to evaluate the expression level of MDR proteins in LSC and relate it to the clinical outcome.MethodsBone marrow samples from 26 patients with de novo AML were labeled with antibodies to distinguish CD34+CD38−CD123+ LSC population and with antibodies against MDR1, BCRP, MDR3, MRP1, or LRP proteins. Multicolor flow cytometry was applied to evaluate the expression of MDR proteins in blasts and LSC.ResultsNine of 26 patients with AML attained CR (30%). High negative correlation was found between MDR1 and LRP expression in blasts and the patient's remission. MDR proteins were expressed more frequently in LSC than in leukemic blasts. High negative correlation was also observed between remission achievement and MRP1 expression in LSC.ConclusionsOur data present for the very first time the high negative correlation between MRP1 protein expression in LSC and AML patients’ remission. It does strongly suggest that MRP1 expression in LSC is an adverse prognostic marker in patients with de novo AML.
On Kantians and Pragmatists: Kenneth Baynes's Habermas
Authors: Finlayson James Gordon 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn this article I lay out Kenneth Baynes's interpretation of Habermas's social and political philosophy, and develop three lines of criticism. The first concerns the question of whether, and if so in what respect, Habermas's political theory counts as a critical social theory. I argue that it is not clear in what sense Habermas's political theory is a ‘critical’ social theory, and that Baynes's interpretation throws little light on this issue. The second related issue is to what extent it can be fairly claimed that on Habermas's account of democracy, political legitimacy rests on a “core morality”. While there is a possible reconstruction of Habermas along these lines, I argue that it conflicts with the central tenets of Habemras's political theory. Finally, I question whether Baynes is right to align Habermas's ideal of public reason so closely with Rawls's.
Determinants of Underwriting Fees by New Entrant Banks: Evidence from the Japanese IPO Underwriting Market
Authors: Koda Keiichiro , Yamada Kazuo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis research investigates how banks expand market share after entering the underwriting market by examining the relation between commercial bank equity investments and underwriting fees. First, we find that not only bank underwriters with private information about issuers but also those without private information discount their fees, especially for smaller and riskier firms. This result is robust when using multiple firm‐bank relationship measures or when changing the investing stage. This is consistent with the strategic discount view that predicts that bank underwriters discount fees to expand bank market shares in underwriting markets.
Direct and indirect effects of episodic frost on plant growth and reproduction in subalpine wildflowers
Authors: Pardee Gabriella L. , Inouye David W. , Irwin Rebecca E. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractFrost is an important episodic event that damages plant tissues through the formation of ice crystals at or below freezing temperatures. In montane regions, where climate change is expected to cause earlier snow melt but may not change the last frost‐free day of the year, plants that bud earlier might be directly impacted by frost through damage to flower buds and reproductive structures. However, the indirect effects of frost mediated through changes in plant–pollinator interactions have rarely been explored. We examined the direct and pollinator‐mediated indirect effects of frost on three wildflower species in southwestern Colorado, USA, Delphinium barbeyi (Ranunculaceae), Erigeron speciosus (Asteraceae), and Polemonium foliosissimum (Polemoniaceae), by simulating moderate (−1 to −5°C) frost events in early spring in plants in situ. Subsequently, we measured plant growth, and upon flowering measured flower morphology and phenology. Throughout the flowering season, we monitored pollinator visitation and collected seeds to measure plant reproduction. We found that frost had species‐specific direct and indirect effects. Frost had direct effects on two of the three species. Frost significantly reduced flower size, total flowers produced, and seed production of Erigeron. Furthermore, frost reduced aboveground plant survival and seed production for Polemonium. However, we found no direct effects of frost on Delphinium. When we considered the indirect impacts of frost mediated through changes in pollinator visitation, one species, Erigeron, incurred indirect, negative effects of frost on plant reproduction through changes in floral traits and pollinator visitation, along with direct effects. Overall, we found that flowering plants exhibited species‐specific direct and pollinator‐mediated indirect responses to frost, thus suggesting that frost may play an important role in affecting plant communities under climate change.
The haemtrack home therapy reporting system: Design, implementation, strengths and weaknesses: A report from UK Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation
Authors: Hay C. R. M. , Xiang H. , Scott M. , Collins P. W. , Liesner R. , Dolan G. , Hollingsworth R. 
Published: August 2017

IntroductionHaemtrack is an electronic home treatment diary for patients with inherited bleeding disorders, introduced in 2008. It aimed to improve the timeliness and completeness of patient‐reported treatment records, to facilitate analysis of treatment and outcome trends. The system is easy to use, responsive and accessible.MethodsThe software uses Microsoft technologies with a SQL Server database and an ASP.net website front‐end, running on personal computers, android and I‐phones. Haemtrack interfaces with the UK Haemophilia Centre Information System and the National Haemophilia Database (NHD). Data are validated locally by Haemophilia Centres and centrally by NHD. Data collected include as follows: treatment brand, dose and batch number, time/date of bleed onset and drug administration, reasons for treatment (prophylaxis, bleed, follow‐up), bleed site, severity, pain‐score and outcome.ResultsHaemtrack was used by 90% of haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs) in 2015, registering 2683 patients using home therapy of whom 1923 used Haemtrack, entering >17 000 treatments per month. This included 68% of all UK patients with severe haemophilia A. Reporting compliance varied and 55% of patients reported ≥75% of potential usage. Centres had a median 78% compliance overall. A strategy for progressively improving compliance is in place. Age distribution and treatment intensity were similar in Haemtrack users/non‐users with severe haemophilia treated prophylactically.ConclusionThe Haemtrack system is a valuable tool that may improve treatment compliance and optimize treatment regimen. Analysis of national treatment trends and large‐scale longitudinal, within‐patient analysis of changes in regimen and/or product will provide valuable insights that will guide future clinical practice.
Study of physical function in adolescents with haemophilia: The SO‐FIT study
Authors: Khair K. , Holland M. , Bladen M. , Griffioen A. , McLaughlin P. , von Mackensen S. ,   the SO‐FIT Study Group
Published: August 2017

IntroductionContemporary haemophilia care demands Patient‐Reported Outcomes. SO‐FIT is a UK multi‐centre study, assessing self‐reported function, health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) and joint health in boys with severe haemophilia.MethodsSubjective physical function (PedHAL, HEP‐Test‐Q) and HRQoL (Haemo‐QoL Short Form [SF]) were assessed alongside joint health using the objective Haemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS v2.1). Demographic and clinical data were collected.ResultsData from 127 boys mean age 12.38 ± 2.5 (range 8‐17) treated at 16 sites were analysed. One‐hundred‐and‐thirteen had haemophilia A, 25/9 past/current inhibitor, 124 were treated prophylactically (46.8% primary) and three on‐demand. In the preceding 6 months, boys reported median 0 joint bleeds (range 0‐8) with a median HJHS score of 1 (range 0‐30). Boys reported good physical functioning; HEP‐Test‐Q (M = 80.32 ± 16.1) showed the highest impairments in the domain “endurance” (72.53 ± 19.1), in PedHAL (M = 85.44 ± 18.9) highest impairments were in the domains “leisure activities & sports” (M = 82.43 ± 23.4) and “lying/sitting/kneeling/standing” (M = 83.22 ± 20.3). Boys reported generally good HRQoL in Haemo‐QoL SF SF (M = 22.81 ± 15.0) with highest impairments in the domains “friends” (M = 28.81 ± 30.5) and “sports & school” (M = 26.14 ± 25.1). HJHS revealed low correlations with the Haemo‐QoL SF (r = .251, P < .006), the PedHAL (r = −.397, P < .0001) and the HEP‐Test‐Q (r = −.323, P < .0001). A moderate correlation was seen between HEP‐Test‐Q and Haemo‐QoL SF of r = −.575 (P < .0001) and between PedHAL and Haemo‐QoL SFr = −.561 (P < .0001) implying that good perceived physical function is related to good HRQoL.ConclusionsThe SO‐FIT study has demonstrated that children with severe haemophilia in the UK report good HRQoL and have good joint health as reflected in low HJHS scores.
What is new in the pathophysiology of acne, an overview
Authors: Dréno B. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAcne is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit. Its pathophysiology includes hyperseborrhoea, abnormal follicular keratinization and Propionibacterium acnes proliferation in the pilosebaceous unit. Recent research has shed some new light on the involvement of the sebaceous gland, as well as on the pro‐inflammatory activity of the cutaneous microbiome. During puberty, alteration of the sebaceous lipid profile, called dysseborrhoea, stress, irritation, cosmetics and potential dietary factors lead to inflammation and formation of different types of acne lesions. Dysbiosis, the process leading to a disturbed skin barrier and disequilibrium of the cutaneous microbiome, resulting in the proliferation of P. acnes strains, is another important process that triggers acne. P. acnes activates the innate immunity via the expression of protease activated receptors (PARs), tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α and toll‐like receptors (TLRs), and the production of interferon (INF) γ, interleukins (IL‐8, IL12, IL‐1), TNF, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by keratinocytes, resulting in the hyperkeratinization of the pilosebaceous unit. Rebalancing the natural microbiome of the skin by restoring the natural skin barrier, limiting the proliferation of P. acnes on the skin by using topical antibacterials which do not cause resistance and regulating quantity and quality of sebum will be the main acne treatment challenges in the future. The aim of this article to provide an update on the involvement of the sebaceous gland, the innate immunity and the cutaneous microbiome, how all of these factors promote acne and to illustrate their links with current and future treatments.
Characteristics of Spontaneous Births Attended by Midwives and Physicians in US Hospitals in 2014
Authors: Thornton Patrick 
Published: August 2017

IntroductionThis study compares characteristics and birth outcomes of women attended by certified nurse‐midwives/certified midwives (midwives) and physicians in US hospitals in 2014.MethodsData reported in 2014 on the 2003 version of the US birth certificate were examined. Spontaneous vaginal births attributed to midwives and physicians and occurring in hospitals were included. Demographic and risk profiles and adjusted odds ratios for maternal and newborn outcomes were compared by provider type.ResultsMidwives attended 294,604 (12.21%) and physicians attended 2,117,376 (87.79%) of all spontaneous vaginal births occurring in 47 states. Small but statistically significant differences (P < .05) were evident in most characteristics. Substantively, profiles were remarkably similar along all demographic and many medical risk variables. Age, race, and insurance status varied by less than 2 percentage points; education status and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participation varied by less than one percentage point. Parity, body mass index, maternal weight gain, tobacco use, trimester care began, and average number of prenatal visits also varied by less than one to 2 percentage points. Midwives attended women with hypertension, diabetes, and infections in proportions similar to physicians. Physicians attended more women with preterm birth and multiple gestation. Midwives attended more women beyond 41 weeks’ gestation. There were no differences in 5‐minute Apgar scores, neonatal seizures, anomalous neonates, or those no longer living at the time of data collection. Third‐ or fourth‐degree lacerations (odds ratio [OR], 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78‐0.84), labor induction (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.76‐0.77), and epidural analgesia use (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.53‐0.54) were less likely in midwife‐attended births. Birth at greater than 42 weeks' gestation was more likely (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.97‐2.17) among midwife‐attended births.DiscussionIn 2014, midwives practicing in US hospitals attended women with a range of risks similar to those of women attended by physicians. Small but statistically significant differences were noted in most characteristics and should be controlled in comparative studies. This contrasts with earlier reports of midwives caring for disproportionately disadvantaged women compared to physicians.