bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urinary bladder cancer staging in CT urography using machine learning
Authors: Garapati Sankeerth S. , Hadjiiski Lubomir , Cha Kenny H. , Chan Heang‐Ping , Caoili Elaine M. , Cohan Richard H. , Weizer Alon , Alva Ajjai , Paramagul Chintana , Wei Jun , Zhou Chuan 
Published: August 2017

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of using an objective computer‐aided system to assess bladder cancer stage in CT Urography (CTU).Materials and methodsA dataset consisting of 84 bladder cancer lesions from 76 CTU cases was used to develop the computerized system for bladder cancer staging based on machine learning approaches. The cases were grouped into two classes based on pathological stage ≥ T2 or below T2, which is the decision threshold for neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment clinically. There were 43 cancers below stage T2 and 41 cancers at stage T2 or above. All 84 lesions were automatically segmented using our previously developed auto‐initialized cascaded level sets (AI‐CALS) method. Morphological and texture features were extracted. The features were divided into subspaces of morphological features only, texture features only, and a combined set of both morphological and texture features. The dataset was split into Set 1 and Set 2 for two‐fold cross‐validation. Stepwise feature selection was used to select the most effective features. A linear discriminant analysis (LDA), a neural network (NN), a support vector machine (SVM), and a random forest (RAF) classifier were used to combine the features into a single score. The classification accuracy of the four classifiers was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (Az).ResultsBased on the texture features only, the LDA classifier achieved a test Az of 0.91 on Set 1 and a test Az of 0.88 on Set 2. The test Az of the NN classifier for Set 1 and Set 2 were 0.89 and 0.92, respectively. The SVM classifier achieved test Az of 0.91 on Set 1 and test Az of 0.89 on Set 2. The test Az of the RAF classifier for Set 1 and Set 2 was 0.89 and 0.97, respectively. The morphological features alone, the texture features alone, and the combined feature set achieved comparable classification performance.ConclusionThe predictive model developed in this study shows promise as a classification tool for stratifying bladder cancer into two staging categories: greater than or equal to stage T2 and below stage T2.
ELectron microscopic abnormality and therapeutic efficacy in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy with anti‐neurofascin155 immunoglobulin G4 antibody
Authors: Kuwahara Motoi , Suzuki Hidekazu , Oka Nobuyuki , Ogata Hidenori , Yanagimoto Satoshi , Sadakane Shuji , Fukumoto Yuta , Yamana Masaki , Yuhara Yoshiko , Yoshikawa Keisuke , Morikawa Miyuki , Kawai Shigeru , Okazaki Masahiro , Tsujimoto Toru , Kira Jun‐Ichi , Kusunoki Susumu 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTIntroductionNeurofascin155 (NF155) is a target antigen for autoantibodies in a subset of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).MethodsWe report the cases of 4 patients with anti‐NF155 immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) antibody‐positive CIDP who underwent sural nerve biopsies.ResultsAll patients were relatively young at onset. Three patients experienced tremors, and 2 patients had severe ataxia. Although the response to intravenous immunoglobulin was poor in all patients, plasma exchange and corticosteroids were at least partially effective. Immunoadsorption plasmapheresis was performed in 1 patient but was ineffective. Electron microscopic examination of sural nerve biopsies revealed loss of paranodal transverse bands in all patients.DiscussionAnti‐NF155 IgG4 antibody‐positive CIDP shows distinctive clinicopathological features, indicating that the IgG4 antibody is directly associated with the pathogenic mechanisms of anti‐NF155 IgG4 antibody‐positive CIDP. Muscle Nerve 57: 498–502, 2018
Heterofunctional RAFT‐derived PNIPAM via cascade trithiocarbonate removal and thiol‐yne coupling click reaction
Authors: Le Bohec Maël , Piogé Sandie , Pascual Sagrario , Fontaine Laurent 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTAn efficient one‐pot process to functionalize the α‐ and ω‐positions of RAFT‐derived poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) by two inherently different mechanistic pathways is reported. The method relies on the RAFT polymerization of NIPAM using a new alkyne‐based RAFT agent, namely 2‐cyano‐5‐oxo‐5‐(prop‐2‐yn‐1‐ylamino)pentan‐2‐yl dodecyltrithiocarbonate (COPYDC) and the combination of thiol‐yne click chemistry and thiocarbonylthio chain‐end removal reactions. COPYDC was prepared in good yield and used as an efficient chain transfer agent during the RAFT polymerization of NIPAM. Well‐defined polymers with controlled molar masses (
= 7500–14,700 g.mol−1) and narrow dispersities (Đ = 1.18–1.26) are thus obtained. Cascade thiol‐yne click reaction at the alkyne α‐chain end and trithiocarbonate removal at the ω‐chain end are successfully achieved using benzyl mercaptan and excess AIBN. The reported method provides a facile and mild route to heterofunctional telechelic RAFT polymers with predictable molar masses and low dispersities. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 3597–3606
Deciphering the promiscuous interactions between intrinsically disordered transactivation domains and the KIX domain
Authors: Huang Yongqi , Gao Meng , Yang Fei , Zhang Lei , Su Zhengding 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe kinase‐inducible domain interacting (KIX) domain of the transcriptional coactivator CBP protein carries 2 isolated binding sites (designated as the c‐Myb site and the MLL site) and is capable of binding numerous intrinsically disordered transactivation domains (TADs), including c‐Myb and pKID via the c‐Myb site, and MLL, E2A and c‐Jun via the MLL site. In this study we compared the kinetics for binding of various disordered TADs to the KIX domain via computational biophysical analyses. We found that the binding rates are heavily affected by long‐range electrostatic interactions. The basal rate constants for forming the encounter complexes are similar for different KIX binding peptides, favorable electrostatic interactions between the MLL site and the peptides result in greater association rates when peptides bind to the MLL site. FOXO3a and p53 TAD each contains 2 copies of KIX binding motif and each motif interacts with both the MLL site and the c‐Myb site. Our kinetics studies suggest that binding of FOXO3a or p53 TAD to the KIX domain is via a sequential mechanism, where one KIX binding motif binds to the MLL site first and then the other KIX binding motif binds to the c‐Myb site. Considering the promiscuous interactions between FOXO3a and KIX, and p53 TAD and KIX, electrostatic steering simplifies the binding mechanism. This study highlights the importance of long‐range electrostatic interactions in molecular recognition process involving multi‐motif intrinsically disordered proteins and promiscuous interactions.
An exponentially weighted moving average chart based on likelihood‐ratio test for monitoring Weibull mean and variance with subgroups
Authors: Wang Fu‐Kwun , Cheng Xiao‐Bin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMonitoring changes in the Weibull mean and variance simultaneously is of interest in quality control. The mean and variance of a Weibull process are determined by its shape and scale parameters. Most studies are focused on monitoring the Weibull scale parameter with fixed shape parameter or the Weibull shape parameter with fixed scale parameter. In this paper, we propose an exponentially weighted moving average chart based on the likelihood‐ratio test and an inverse error function called ELR chart to monitor changes in the Weibull mean and variance simultaneously. The simulation approach is used to derive the average run length. We compare our proposed chart with other existing control charts for 3 cases, including scale parameter changes with fixed shape parameter, shape parameter changes with fixed scale parameter, and both parameters changes. The results show that the ELR chart outperforms the other control charts in terms of average run length in most cases. Two numerical examples are used to illustrate the applications of the proposed control chart.
The Cost of Providing District‐Level Surgery in Malawi
Authors: Cornelissen Dennis , Mwapasa Gerald , Gajewski Jakub , McCauley Tracey , Borgstein Eric , Brugha Ruairi , Bijlmakers Leon 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundThree district hospitals in Malawi that provide essential surgery, which for many patients can be lifesaving or prevent disability, formed the setting of this costing study.MethodsAll resources used at district hospitals for the delivery of surgery were identified and quantified. The hospital departments were divided into three categories of cost centres—the final cost centre, intermediate and ancillary cost centres. All costs of human resources, buildings, equipment, medical and non‐medical supplies and utilities were quantified and allocated to surgery through step‐down accounting.ResultsThe total cost of surgery, including post‐operative care, ranged from US$ 329,000 per year to more than twice that amount at one of the hospitals. At two hospitals, it represented 16–17% of the total cost of running the hospital. The main cost drivers of surgery were transport and inpatient services, including catering. The cost of a C‐section ranged from $ 164 to 638 that of a hernia repair from $ 137 to 598. Evacuations from uterus were cheapest mainly because of the shorter duration of patient stay.ConclusionLow bed occupancy rates and utilisation rates of the operating theatres suggest overcapacity but may also indicate a potential to scale up surgery. This may be achieved by adding surgical staff, although there may be rate‐limiting steps, such as demand for surgery in the community or capacity to provide anaesthesia. If a scale‐up of surgery cannot be realised, hospital managers may be forced to reduce the number of beds, reorganise wards and/or reallocate staff to achieve better economies of scale.
Surgical Resources in South Africa: An International Comparison and Deficit Calculation
Authors: Dell A. J. , Kahn D. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundSurgical conditions lead to premature death and disability resulting in a massive economic burden. Contributing to this global crisis is the lack of data on the limited surgical infrastructure and workforce in many low‐ and middle‐income countries.MethodsThis study involved a descriptive analysis of surgical resources in South Africa and included the total number of hospitals, number of hospital beds, number of surgical beds, number of general surgeons, and the number of functional operating theatres. All hospitals in South Africa were contacted between the 1 October 2014 and the 31 December 2014. An international comparison of South Africa’s surgical resources was then made with several countries.ResultsThe results showed one hospital per 100,000 population. There were 186.64 hospital beds, 41.55 surgical beds, 1.78 specialist general surgeons, 2.90 non‐specialist general surgeons, and 3.59 operating theatres per 100,000 people in South Africa. These numbers fell far below international recommendations, as well as for developed countries such as the UK and USA.ConclusionStrengthening surgical systems will reduce the surgical burden of disease and improve health outcomes globally. This description of surgical infrastructure and workforce provided insight into the surgical capacity of South Africa. Furthermore, this research provided a comparison of surgical resources between South Africa and the rest of the world.
Minimally Invasive Pancreaticoduodenectomy: What is the Best “Choice”? A Systematic Review and Network Meta‐analysis of Non‐randomized Comparative Studies
Authors: Ricci Claudio , Casadei Riccardo , Taffurelli Giovanni , Pacilio Carlo Alberto , Ricciardiello Marco , Minni Francesco 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundMany mini‐invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (MIPD) techniques have been reported, but their advantages with respect to an open technique (OPD) and with respect to each other are unclear.MethodA systematic literature search of studies comparing different types of MIPD was carried out: laparoscopic‐assisted (LAPD), totally robotic (TRPD), totally laparoscopic (TLPD) or totally laparoscopic—robotic assisted (TLPD‐RA) to OPD. The primary endpoint was postoperative mortality. The secondary endpoints were intraoperative, postoperative and oncological outcomes. A network meta‐analysis was designed to generate direct, indirect and mixed estimate effects, between different approaches, for each variable. The effects were reported as pairwise comparisons and hierarchical ranking as to each approach could be the best or the worst for each outcome, expressed by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve.ResultsTwenty studies were identified, involving 2759 patients: 1813 OPDs, 81 LAPDs, 505 TRPDs, 224 TLPDs and 136 TLPD‐RAs. No differences regarding postoperative mortality were found in pairwise comparison. The LAPD technique had a high probability of being the worst approach, while TRPD had a high probability of being one of the best. Regarding the secondary endpoints, OPD was the best regarding operative time and postoperative bleeding, but the worst regarding blood loss and wound infection. The TRPD or TLPD‐RA techniques seemed to be the best for delayed gastric emptying, length of hospital stay, harvested lymph nodes and postoperative morbidity. The TLPD technique was often the worst approach, especially for overall and major complications, postoperative bleeding and biliary leak.ConclusionThe safest MIPDs are those involving a robotic system which seems to have a promising role in ameliorating the outcomes of OPD, especially when compared to a laparoscopic approach.
Learning from the UK’s research impact assessment exercise: a case study of a retrospective impact assessment exercise and questions for the future
Authors: Morgan Jones Molly , Manville Catriona , Chataway Joanna 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNational governments spend significant amounts of money supporting public research. However, in an era where the international economic climate has led to budget cuts, policymakers increasingly are looking to justify the returns from public investments, including in science and innovation. The so-called ‘impact agenda’ which has emerged in many countries around the world is part of this response; an attempt to understand and articulate for the public what benefits arise from the research that is funded. The United Kingdom is the most progressed in implementing this agenda and in 2014 the national research assessment exercise, the Research Excellence Framework, for the first time included the assessment of research impact as a component. For the first time within a dual funding system, funding would be awarded not only on the basis of the academic quality of research, but also on the wider impacts of that research. In this paper we outline the context and approach taken by the UK government, along with some of the core challenges that exist in implementing such an exercise. We then synthesise, together for the first time, the results of the only two national evaluations of the exercise and offer reflections for future exercises both in the UK and internationally.
COMBAT study – Computer based assessment and treatment – A clinical trial evaluating impact of a computerized clinical decision support tool on pain in cancer patients
Authors: Raj Sunil X. , Brunelli Cinzia , Klepstad Pål , Kaasa Stein 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Background and aims
The prevalence of pain in cancer patients are relatively high and indicate inadequate pain management strategies. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new methods and to improve implementation of guidelines to assess and treat pain. The vast improvement in information technology facilitated development of a computerized symptom assessment and decision support system (CCDS) - the Combat system - which was implemented in an outpatient cancer clinic to evaluate improvement in pain management.

Methods
We conducted a controlled before-and-after study between patient cohorts in two consecutive study periods: before (n = 80) and after (n = 134) implementation of the Combat system. Patients in the first cohort completed questionnaires with the paper-and-pencil method and this data was not shown to physicians. Patients in the latter cohort completed an electronic questionnaire by using an iPad and the data were automatically transferred and presented to physicians at point of care. Additionally, the system provided computerized decision support at point of care for the physician based on the electronic questionnaires completed by the patients, an electronic CRF completed by physicians and clinical guidelines.

Results
The Combat system did not improve pain intensity and there were no significant alterations in the prescribed dose of opiates compared to the cohort of patients managed without the Combat system.

Conclusion
The Combat system did not improve pain management. This may be explained by several factors, however, we consider lack of proper implementation of the CCDS in the clinic to be the most important factor. As a result, we did not manage to change the behaviour of the physicians in the clinic.

Implications
There is a need to conduct larger prospective studies to evaluate the efficacy of modern information technology to improve pain management in cancer patients. Before introducing new information technology in the clinics, it is important to have a well thought out implementation strategy. The trial is registered at Clinialtrials.gov, number NCT01795157.
Effectiveness of Disinfectants Against Candida auris and Other Candida Species
Authors: Cadnum Jennifer L. , Shaikh Aaron A. , Piedrahita Christina T. , Sankar Thriveen , Jencson Annette L. , Larkin Emily L. , Ghannoum Mahmoud A. , Donskey Curtis J. 
Published: August 2017

Contaminated surfaces are a suspected source for dissemination of the globally emerging pathogen Candida auris. In laboratory testing, sporicidal and improved hydrogen peroxide disinfectants were highly effective against C. auris, C. glabrata, and C. albicans. The widely used quaternary ammonium disinfectants exhibited relatively poor activity against all of the Candida species.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1240–1243
From soft sediment deformation to fluid assisted faulting in the shallow part of a subduction megathrust analogue: the Sestola Vidiciatico tectonic Unit (Northern Apennines, Italy)
Authors: MITTEMPERGHER SILVIA , CERCHIARI ANNA , REMITTI FRANCESCA , FESTA ANDREA 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe Sestola Vidiciatico tectonic Unit (SVU) accommodated the early Miocene convergence between the subducting Adriatic plate and the overriding Ligurian prism, and has been interpreted as a field analogue for the shallow portion of subduction megathrusts. The SVU incorporated sediments shortly after their deposition and was active down to burial depth corresponding to temperatures around 150 °C. Here, we describe the internal architecture of the basal thrust fault of the SVU through a multi-scale structural analysis and investigate the evolution of the deformation mechanisms with increasing burial depth. At shallow depth, the thrust developed in poorly lithified sediments which deformed by particulate flow. With increasing depth and lithification of sediments, deformation was accommodated in a meter scale, heterogeneous fault zone, including multiple strands of crack-and-seal shear veins, associated with minor distributed shearing in clay-rich domains and pressure solution. In the last stage, slip localized along a sharp, 20 cm thick shear vein, deactivating the fault zone towards the footwall. The widespread formation of crack-and-seal shear veins since the first stages of lithification indicates that failure along the thrust occurred at high fluid pressure and low differential stress already at shallow depth. Progressive shear localization occurs in the last phases of deformation, at temperatures typical of the transition to the seismogenic zone in active megathrusts.
Doing natural theology consistently with theism and why one might stop trying
Authors: MAWSON T. J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTheists such as Swinburne who seek to use natural theological arguments to move from observations about the world to conclusions about the existence (or probable existence) of God seem to need premises concerning what the world would have been like were Theism to have been false, viz. premises to the effect that it would have been (or would probably have been) different from the way we observe the actual world to be. Surely only that way could observations of the actual world be taken to be evidence that Theism is true.1 And surely for such arguments to be dialectically powerful in discussions with Atheists, these premises need to be acceptable to Theists and Atheists alike.2 In this article, I call these claims into question.
Reply to my commentators
Authors: SWINBURNE RICHARD 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis article contains my responses to the discussions of my views on the nature of God by Howard Robinson and Herman Philipse, my views on the strength of arguments for the existence of God by Herman Philipse, Brian Leftow, Timothy Mawson, and Christoph Jäger, and my views on the nature and justification of Christian faith by Mark Wynn and Cyrille Michon, contained in this issue of Religious Studies.
Herman Bavinck's Reformed eclecticism: On catholicity, consciousness and theological epistemology
Authors: Brock Cory , Sutanto Nathaniel Gray 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis article argues that Herman Bavinck's organic worldview allows him to use classical and modern thinkers in an eclectic yet theologically principled manner. To vindicate this claim, the article observes Bavinck's self-conscious comments regarding the task of Reformed catholicity, his use of Schleiermacher and Augustine to construct a theological account of self-consciousness, and his resituating of Thomistic motifs within an organic framework in his epistemology. In so doing, the article suggests that Bavinck's catholicity is broader than previously observed, thus generating a different way of interpreting Bavinck's use of thinkers who are often thought to be in tension.
Being Autonomous and Having Space in which to Act: Commissioning in the ‘New NHS’ in England
Authors: CHECKLAND KATH , DAM RINITA , HAMMOND JON , COLEMAN ANNA , SEGAR JULIA , MAYS NICHOLAS , ALLEN PAULINE 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe optimal balance between central governmental authority and the degree of autonomy of local public bodies is an enduring issue in public policy. The UK National Health Service is no exception, with NHS history, in part at least, a history of repeated cycles of centralisation and decentralisation of decision-making power. Most recently, a significant reorganisation of the NHS in 2012–13 was built around the creation of new and supposedly more autonomous commissioning organisations (Clinical Commissioning Groups – CCGs). Using Bossert's (1998) concept of ‘decision space’, we explored the experiences of local commissioners as they took on their new responsibilities. We interviewed commissioning staff from all of the CCGs in two regional health care ‘economies’, exploring their perceptions of autonomy and their experiences over time. We found significant early enthusiasm for, and perceptions of, increased autonomy tempered in the vertical dimension by increasingly onerous and prescriptive monitoring regimes, and in the horizontal dimension by the proliferation of overlapping networks, inter-organisational groups and relationships. We propose that, whatever the balance between central and local control that is adopted, complex public services require some sort of meso-level oversight from organisations able to ‘hold the ring’ between competing interests and to take a regional view of the needs of the local health system. This suggests that local organisational autonomy in such services will always be constrained.