bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plateaus, Dips, and Leaps: Where to Look for Inventions and Discoveries During Skilled Performance
Authors: Gray Wayne D. , Lindstedt John K. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe framework of plateaus, dips, and leaps shines light on periods when individuals may be inventing new methods of skilled performance. We begin with a review of the role performance plateaus have played in (a) experimental psychology, (b) human–computer interaction, and (c) cognitive science. We then reanalyze two classic studies of individual performance to show plateaus and dips which resulted in performance leaps. For a third study, we show how the statistical methods of Changepoint Analysis plus a few simple heuristics may direct our focus to periods of performance change for individuals. For the researcher, dips become the marker of exploration where performance suffers as new methods are invented and tested. Leaps mark the implementation of a successful new method and an incremental jump above the path plotted by smooth and steady log–log performance increments. The methods developed during these dips and leaps are the key to surpassing one's teachers and acquiring extreme expertise.
Two histopathological patterns of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: epidermal and dermal
Authors: Park Ji‐Youn , Park Ji‐Hye , Kim Sang Jin , Kwon Ji Eun , Kang Hee Young , Lee Eun‐So , Kim You Chan 
Published: October 2016

BackgroundPostinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) commonly occurs, but the histopathological features are not well characterized.MethodsA total of 21 PIH patients' medical charts were reviewed. Punch biopsies from lesional and perilesional normal skin were performed. Sections were stained with hematoxylin‐eosin, Fontana‐Masson, NKI/beteb, microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF), CD68, c‐kit, factor XIIIa, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9.ResultsFontana‐Masson‐stained sections suggested two obvious PIH groups: epidermal (13 cases) and dermal (8 cases) pigmentation. The epidermal pigment group had increased epidermal basal pigmentation. The dermal pigment group had marked pigmentation within the upper dermis and decreased epidermal pigmentation. More intense perivascular lymphocytic infiltration was observed in the dermal pigment group. NKI/beteb levels were increased in lesional skin in both groups. The numbers of MITF+ melanocytes were not different between lesional and perilesional normal skin in either group. The expression of CD68 and c‐kit was significantly higher in the dermis of lesional skin than in normal skin in the dermal pigment group. MMP‐2 expression was upregulated in lesional skin in both groups.ConclusionPIH patients can be classified into two histopathological groups: epidermal and dermal pigmentation. The dermal pigment group showed decreased levels of epidermal pigmentation. This study provides histopathological information that can improve the treatment of PIH.
Tricenter analysis of cofactors and comorbidity in patients with pyoderma gangrenosum
Authors: Jockenhöfer Finja , Herberger Katharina , Schaller Jörg , Hohaus Katja Christina , Stoffels‐Weindorf Maren , Al Ghazal Philipp , Augustin Matthias , Dissemond Joachim 
Published: October 2016

SummaryIntroductionPyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic, ulcerative skin disease of largely unknown pathophysiology.Material and methodsIn this study, potentially relevant cofactors and comorbidities in patients with PG from three dermatological wound care centers in Germany were evaluated.ResultsOf the 121 patients assessed, women (66.9 %) were more frequently affected than men. Patient age ranged from 18 to 96 years (mean 59.8). Wound size varied from 1–600 cm² (mean 65.6 cm²), and the pain intensity was predominantly very high (VAS 1–10, mean 7). The lower legs were most commonly (71.9 %) affected. Overall, 12 (9.9 %) patients had inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, 5.8 %; Crohn's disease, 4.1 %), 14.1 % exhibited rheumatic comorbidities. Neoplasms were found in 20.6 % of patients, with 6.6 % classified as hematological and 14.0 % as solid neoplasms. With respect to criteria for the metabolic syndrome, obesity was found in 69.4 %, arterial hypertension in 57.9 %, and diabetes mellitus in 33.9 % of patients.ConclusionsThe present data analysis confirms the association of PG with metabolic syndrome and neoplasms. In the future, these aspects should be included in the targeted diagnostic workup of patients with PG and subsequently treated in a timely fashion.
Myokardszintigraphie – eine Methode zur Erfassung der kardialen Komorbidität bei Psoriasis‐Patienten?
Authors: Zutt Markus , Rudolph Hagen , Kaune Kjell Matthias , Wosniok Werner , Gärtner Ulrich , Linke Rainer 
Published: October 2016

ZusammenfassungHintergrundKardiale Komorbiditäten bei Patienten mit Psoriasis stehen seit Jahren im Fokus. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, im Rahmen einer Pilotstudie die Myokardszintigraphie als mögliche Früherkennungsmethode zu evaluieren.Patienten und MethodikEs wurden bei insgesamt 50 kardial asymptomatischen Patienten mit einer Psoriasis der Haut verschiedene Begleiterkrankungen erfasst. Dabei kam zur Erkennung von kardialem Risiko/ belastungsinduzierter Ischämie die Myokardszintigraphie zum Einsatz.ErgebnisseBei 28 Patienten (56 %) fanden sich pathologische Befunde in der Myokardszintigraphie. Davon zeigten 14 Patienten Zeichen einer sogenannten Small Vessel Disease (Kardiales Syndrom X). Darüber hinaus fanden sich weitere Begleiterkrankungen wie Adipositas, arterielle Hypertonie, Nikotinkonsum, Alkoholkonsum und erhöhte CRP‐Werte. Die Häufigkeiten entsprachen im Wesentlichen den aktuellen Daten aus der Literatur. Wir konnten keinen signifikanten Zusammenhang von Schwere der Psoriasis oder der angegebenen Komorbiditäten mit einem pathologischen Befund in der Myokardszintigraphie feststellen.SchlussfolgerungenMit der Myokardszintigraphie scheint ein sehr empfindliches, nicht invasives Früherkennungsverfahren zur Detektion kardialer Komorbidität bei Psoriasis‐Patienten zur Verfügung zu stehen. Weitere größere Arbeiten mit Kontrollkollektiven und Kotrollmethoden, wie beispielsweise der Koronarangiographie, sind zur Überprüfung der Wertigkeit nötig.
Wells syndrome
Authors: Weins Andreas Benedikt , Biedermann Tilo , Weiss Tina , Weiss Johannes Martin 
Published: October 2016

SummaryA rare eosinophilic dermatosis, Wells syndrome, also referred to as eosinophilic cellulitis, is characterized by great clinical variability. Typical findings include infiltrated erythematous plaques arising on the extremities. Lesions initially resemble erysipelas/cellulitis, however, they do not improve with antibiotic treatment. Eosinophilic cellulitis is a diagnosis of exclusion that may only be made over the course of the disease, taking into account clinical and characteristic histological findings (flame figures). Although multiple potential triggers have been proposed, the exact etiology remains unresolved. Involvement of abnormal Th2 cells, IL‐5, and activated eosinophilic granulocytes suggest a nonspecific hypersensitivity response to exogenous or endogenous stimuli. Corticosteroids may have a beneficial effect on the chronic, recurrent course frequently observed. The disease is often self‐limiting, healing without sequelae. Given that transitions to hematological and oncological disorders have been observed, patients should be closely followed up.
A multistep approach to the diagnosis of rare genodermatoses
Authors: Tantcheva‐Poór Iliana , Oji Vinzenz , Has Cristina 
Published: October 2016

SummaryRecent advances in genetic technology have found their way into clinical dermatology. Approximately one third of all hereditary disorders show characteristic cutaneous findings. Moreover, human skin easily provides samples for studying the mechanisms of genetic mosaicism, as well as the underlying functional defects due to mutated proteins. Diagnosing hereditary skin disorders remains, however, a challenging task due to the rarity of genodermatoses and their diversity, overlapping or heterogeneous phenotypes, huge amount of new information, and complicated nomenclature and classifications. In order to support the clinicians’ interest for this complex and rapidly developing field of dermatology, we are going to present a multistep approach with some useful clues for the evaluation of patients suspected of having a genodermatosis.
Behavioural Economics: A Virginia Political Economy Perspective
Authors: Horwitz Steven 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBehavioural economics offers a critique of modern neoclassical economics by providing empirical evidence that the model of rational choice does not accurately describe human decision‐making processes. The existence of cognitive biases, what we might term ‘agent failure’, becomes reason to doubt the efficacy of unhampered markets, and is seen by some as a sufficient condition for government intervention. This article offers a critique of this argument from an Austrian and public choice theory comparative institutions perspective. Agent failure arguments are analogous to market failure arguments of the mid‐twentieth century and the same kinds of responses made against the latter are applied to the former. Behavioural economics arguments for intervention ignore the cognitive biases of political actors, neglect the comparative perspective that results from such biases, and do not examine the ways in which markets are superior to politics in providing the information and incentives actors need to become aware of their errors and correct them. The existence of imperfectly rational agents, like the existence of imperfect markets, is therefore not a sufficient condition for government intervention into the market.
The Social Costs of Innovation Policy
Authors: Davidson Sinclair , Potts Jason 
Published: October 2016

AbstractInnovation policy is designed to produce social benefits by solving a market failure problem associated with private investment in new knowledge. Yet the social costs of these policy interventions are routinely ignored. We use the Djankov et al. (2003) institutional possibility frontier model to analyse the trade‐offs between the social costs of disorder and those of dictatorship that particular innovation policies impose. We show how different innovation policies impose different types of social costs. We conclude that the case for public support for innovation policies is often both distorted and overstated because of failure to account for social costs.
Incentive Effects in Higher Education: an Improved Funding Model for Universities
Authors: Ainsworth Peter , McKenzie Tom , Stroyny Al 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWe examine the incentive effects of risk‐sharing between student and university in the English higher education system. The ‘graduate premium’ has been widely reported and has been used to justify rising higher education participation and increased individual or governmental expenditure. But this premium is simply the mean of a wide distribution, varying, inter alia, by subject, institution, year of graduation and individual. We assume that universities exist in a state of monopolistic competition and are subject to a budget constraint. Using US college data we find evidence suggesting that a funding model which incorporates risk‐sharing improves the efficiency of educational delivery while maintaining subject diversity and access.
Post‐Cameralist Governance: Towards a Robust Political Economy of Bureaucracy
Authors: Salter Alexander William 
Published: October 2016

AbstractI develop a robust political economy of bureaucracy by highlighting the conditions necessary for hierarchical administrative bodies to govern protectively and productively, but not predatorily. These conditions are residual claimancy and jurisdictional competition. I make this argument by exploring a post‐cameralist interpretation of governance. Cameralism arose as a governance philosophy in the fractured principalities of seventeenth‐century Germany following the Thirty Years' War. Post‐cameralism focuses not on particular cameralist governance strategies but on a paradigm which sees governance as an activity provided within a larger exchange order, rather than imposing itself on that order as in more conventional treatments of public economics. While a post‐cameralist conception of governance comes with its own challenges, such as tensions with normative visions that promote self‐governance, it nonetheless presents an intriguing synthesis of monocentric and polycentric insights.
Predicting and mapping of soil particle‐size fractions with adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference and ant colony optimization in central Iran
Authors: Taghizadeh‐mehrjardi R. , Toomanian N. , Khavaninzadeh A. R. , Jafari A. , Triantafilis J. 
Published: October 2016

In arid regions, knowledge of the variation in soil texture is crucial for land management because it affects soil physical, chemical, biological and most importantly hydrological properties. The availability of information on soil texture is scarce even though it is required to support land‐use management and sustainable development. Because it is costly to obtain information about the individual particle‐size fractions (PSFs), we used digital soil mapping methods (DSM) with environmental covariates that are less costly to obtain. Specifically, we explored the use of a digital elevation model and remote sensing data as environmental covariates to predict the vertical (i.e. 0–0.15, 0.15–0.3, 0.3–0.6 and 0.6–1 m) and lateral variation in PSFs over a 150‐km2 area in central Iran. We used a combination of equal‐area spline depth functions and three data‐mining techniques: multiple linear regression (MLR), artificial neural networks (ANN) and the neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). In addition, we explored the effect of the reduction in dimension of feature space with ant colony optimization (ACO) and correlation‐based feature selection (CFS) on the accuracy of prediction of spatial models for each PSF. The results showed that the prediction of clay at 0–0.15‐m depth with ACO indicated the importance of including Landsat ETM+, the digital numbers of band 7 of Landsat images (B7) and clay index, whereas at 0.60–1‐m depth the wetness index and multi‐resolution valley bottom flatness index (MRVBF) were important. Model evaluation by leave‐one‐out cross‐validation with 191 soil observations indicated that the predictions by the ACO‐based ANFIS model (RMSE = 4.51% and R2 = 0.74 for clay at 0–0.15‐m) were more accurate than those by MLR and ANN. Spatial prediction was also better for the topsoil (0–0.15‐m) than at depth (RMSE = 7.1% for clay at 0.6–1 m); therefore, we conclude that the environmental covariates tested cannot resolve subsurface variation as accurately. Nevertheless, we recommend prediction by the ACO‐based ANFIS model and splines of lateral and vertical distribution of PSFs in other arid regions of Iran with the same agro‐ecological conditions.HighlightsDigital soil mapping of particle size‐fractions (PSF) by adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference and ant colony optimization.
Use of ant colony optimization (ACO) to assist in feature selection of environmental covariates.
Neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) superior to multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural networks (ANN).
PSF prediction by ACO‐based ANFIS model and splines is optimal.
Re‐evaluation of re‐hospitalization and rehabilitation in renal research
Authors: Lin Eugene , Kurella Tamura Manjula , Montez‐Rath Maria E. , Chertow Glenn M. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIntroduction: The use of administrative data to capture 30‐day readmission rates in end‐stage renal disease is challenging since Medicare combines claims from acute care, inpatient rehabilitation (IRF), and long‐term care hospital stays into a single “Inpatient” file. For data prior to 2012, the United States Renal Data System does not contain the variables necessary to easily identify different facility types, making it likely that prior studies have inaccurately estimated 30‐day readmission rates.Methods: For this report, we developed two methods (a “simple method” and a “rehabilitation‐adjusted method”) to identify acute care, IRF, and long‐term care hospital stays from United States Renal Data System claims data, and compared them to methods used in previously published reports.Findings: We found that prior methods overestimated 30‐day readmission rates by up to 12.3% and overestimated average 30‐day readmission costs by up to 11%. In contrast, the simple and rehabilitation‐adjusted methods overestimated 30‐day readmission rates by 0.1% and average 30‐day readmission costs by 1.8%. The rehabilitation‐adjusted method also accurately identified 96.8% of IRF stays.Discussion: Prior research has likely provided inaccurate estimates of 30‐day readmissions in patients undergoing dialysis. In the absence of data on specific facility types particularly when using data prior to 2012, future researchers could employ our method to more accurately characterize 30‐day readmission rates and associated outcomes in patients with end‐stage renal disease.
Morphology and genetics of pyloric gland adenomas in familial adenomatous polyposis
Authors: Hackeng Wenzel M , Montgomery Elizabeth A , Giardiello Francis M , Singhi Aatur D , Debeljak Marija , Eshleman James R , Vieth Michael , Offerhaus G Johan , Wood Laura D , Brosens Lodewijk A A 
Published: October 2016

AimsGastric pyloric gland adenomas (PGAs) are rare epithelial polyps that are found more commonly in autoimmune atrophic gastritis and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Little is known about the morphology and genetics of PGAs in FAP. PGAs in FAP are studied morphologically and genetically. Findings in FAP‐associated PGAs are compared to sporadic PGAs and related lesions such as oxyntic gland adenoma (OGA) to increase our understanding of these rare polyps.Methods and resultsSeven PGAs and 18 fundic gland polyps (FGPs) from FAP patients were collected. KRAS and GNAS mutations were determined in six PGAs and 18 FGPs. Immunohistochemistry was applied on five PGAs to provide further confirmation of the histological subtypes and genetic alterations. Morphology of all PGAs was studied and compared to literature on sporadic PGAs and related lesions. All successfully sequenced PGAs (six of six) carried GNAS mutations and half of the successfully sequenced PGAs carried a KRAS mutation (three of six). Nuclear β‐catenin was seen only in one PGA with focal high‐grade dysplasia. Morphologically, PGAs in FAP showed overlapping features with OGA.ConclusionFamilial adenomatous polyposis‐associated PGAs have a similar genetic background as sporadic PGAs, i.e. KRAS and GNAS mutation. Based on morphological findings in FAP associated PGAs, it is hypothesized that PGAs and OGAs are closely related lesions.
Testicular sperm extraction for patients with spinal cord injury‐related anejaculation: A single‐center experience
Authors: Iwahata Toshiyuki , Shin Takeshi , Shimomura Yukihito , Suzuki Keisuke , Kobayashi Tomohiro , Miyata Akane , Kobori Yoshitomo , Soh Shigehiro , Okada Hiroshi 
Published: October 2016

ObjectivesTo present a single‐center experience with testicular sperm extraction and intracytoplasmic sperm injection for fathering biological children in patients with ejaculatory dysfunction as a result of spinal cord injury.MethodsTesticular sperm extraction was carried out in 52 male patients with ejaculatory dysfunction as a result of spinal cord injury. We investigated sperm retrieval rates and pregnancy rates from medical records. Data on age, testicular volume, hormonal status (luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and testosterone), and time since spinal cord injury were obtained and analyzed to detect potential associations with the presence of spermatogenesis.ResultsTesticular sperm retrieval was achieved in 42 of 52 patients (80.7%). Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was carried out for 37 patients, and pregnancy was achieved in 32 (86.5%). The take‐home baby rate was 70.2%. In the group with successful sperm extraction, testicular volume was significantly greater, time from spinal cord injury to extraction was significantly shorter, and serum luteinizing hormone and follicle‐stimulating hormone levels were significantly lower. Serum follicle‐stimulating hormone levels had the strongest association with feasibility of sperm retrieval by testicular sperm extraction. Furthermore, the sperm retrieval rates of patients injured within the preceding 12 years were significantly better than those injured longer before treatment (P = 0.045).ConclusionsTesticular sperm extraction and intracytoplasmic sperm injection seem to provide favorable results for patients with ejaculatory dysfunction as a result of spinal cord injury. However, early testicular sperm extraction is recommended, because sperm retrieval becomes more difficult with time from spinal cord injury.
Fuzzy multicriteria decision‐making tools for selecting a professional property management company
Authors: Shiu Jiun‐Yi , Lu Shih‐Tong , Chang Dong‐Shang , Wu Kai‐Wei 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis study develops a model to assist a condominium committee in selecting an appropriate property management company. This model adopts the literature reviews and expert interviews to construct the suitable evaluation criteria of property management companies, then applies the fuzzy linguistic preference relations to determine the relative weights of evaluation criteria, and adopts the fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) and fuzzy VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) approaches to rank the alternatives for the condominium committee. Additionally, a condominium in Da'an District of Taipei is used as an example of how an appropriate property management firm can be selected using these two models. The results of fuzzy TOPSIS and fuzzy VIKOR are compared and discussed to understand the properties of selecting alternatives. The model proposed here allows the condominium committee to select professional property management firms systematically, making it highly applicable for academia and practices.
Treatment of Recurrent Nonparoxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Using Focal Impulse and Rotor Mapping (FIRM)‐Guided Rotor Ablation: Early Recurrence and Long‐Term Outcomes
Authors: SPITZER STEFAN GEORG , KÁROLYI LÁSZLÓ , RÄMMLER CAROLA , SCHARFE FRANK , WEINMANN THOMAS , ZIESCHANK MIRKO , LANGBEIN ANKE 
Published: October 2016

FIRM Ablation Outcomes for Recurrent Nonparoxysmal AFIntroductionA patient‐tailored ablation approach focused on the elimination of both pulmonary vein triggers as well as substrate drivers may result in favorable outcomes in recurrent persistent AF patients.ObjectiveWe evaluated the long‐term outcomes of rotor ablation combined with conventional pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with recurrent nonparoxysmal AF.MethodsFifty‐eight consecutive patients underwent FIRM‐guided rotor ablation followed by conventional PVI for the treatment of recurrent nonparoxysmal AF. A software algorithm was used to display rotational activity at rotor sites by creating propagation maps from unipolar electrograms recorded using a 64‐electrode basket catheter. These rotor sites were targeted for ablation, followed by conventional PVI.ResultsAll patients had nonparoxysmal AF (83% longstanding persistent) and a previously failed conventional ablation procedure. Stable rotors were identified in all patients (mean of 3.0 ± 1.6 per patient), with 55.2% having right atrial rotors and 96.6% left atrial rotors, respectively. Complications occurred in 5.2% of patients, none related to the FIRM procedure. The median follow‐up was 12 months. At 6 and 12 months of follow‐up, 73.2% and 76.9% of patients remained free from AF/AT, respectively. Excluding 2 patients who underwent a successful redo ablation procedure/electrical cardioversion, at 12 months of follow‐up, 69.2% were free from any AF/AT and 73.1% were free from AF after a single FIRM‐guided ablation procedure.ConclusionA high degree of success was observed in this cohort of primarily longstanding persistent AF patients treated for recurrent AF with FIRM‐guided rotor ablation. Prospective randomized controlled trials are needed.