bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fast CU partition strategy for HEVC based on Haar wavelet
Authors: Sun Xuebin , Chen Xiaodong , Xu Yong , Wang Yi , Yu Daoyin 
Published: June 2017

As the latest video coding standard, high‐efficiency video coding (HEVC) achieves better performance and supports higher resolution compared with the predecessor standard, H.264/advanced video coding (AVC). Intra‐coding is an important feature in HEVC standard, which reduces the spatial redundancy significantly, due to the flexible coding structure, and high density of angular prediction modes. However, the improvement on coding efficiency is obtained at the expense of the extraordinary computation complexity. This study presents a novel coding unit (CU) partitioning technique for HEVC. By using a fast texture complexity detection method, which is based on two‐dimensional Haar wavelet transform, texture complexity for each CU can be extracted. According to the Haar wavelet coefficients obtained, an early CU splitting termination is proposed to decide whether a CU should be decomposed into four lower dimensions CUs or not. Experimental results demonstrate that the fast CU partition strategy achieves better trade‐off between rate‐distortion performance and complexity reduction than the previous algorithms. Compared with the reference software HM16.7, the proposed algorithm can lessen the encoding time up to 46.22% on average, with a negligible bit rate increase of 0.45%, and quality losses lower than 0.04 dB, respectively.
Analysis and experimental results of frequency splitting of underwater wireless power transfer
Authors: Niu Wangqiang , Gu Wei , Chu Jianxin 
Published: June 2017

Underwater wireless power transfer (UWPT) is an important technique to power underwater devices while its frequency splitting phenomena are not fully elucidated. In this study, frequency splitting phenomena of a symmetrical planar two‐coil wireless power transfer (WPT) system resonated at 90 kHz are investigated in seawater and freshwater. A concise frequency splitting analysis of this WPT system in air based on circuit model is given first and then experimental data are reported to show there is little difference between power transfer in air, freshwater and seawater in the range of 40–140 kHz of this WPT system. Consequently, the frequency splitting analysis and observations in air are also applicable in freshwater and seawater. It is found a V‐type frequency splitting pattern exists in this WPT system under seawater and freshwater. Frequency shift is observed in this UWPT system in overcoupled region, and no frequency shift is observed in undercoupled region. In undercoupled region, in the low frequency zone of 40–90 kHz the load voltage characteristics in three media are identical; in the high‐frequency zone of 90–140 kHz, the load voltage in air is slightly larger than those in freshwater and seawater.
Scoring Systems for Estimating the Risk of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism
Authors: Nichele Ilaria , Tosetto Alberto 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe risk of recurrence after suspension of anticoagulant treatment in patients with a first episode of unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) is highly variable from patient to patient. Not all patients are candidates for life-long anticoagulant therapy, essentially because there remain concerns for such an option regarding hemorrhagic complications and clinical monitoring. Thus, the “treat all” approach may be inadequate for some patients at low risk of relapse. Proper assessment of the recurrence risk may be helpful to decide the optimal therapeutic strategy in such patients. In recent years, attempts have been made to develop and validate clinical prediction rules to estimate the absolute risk of VTE recurrence in individual patients. This article highlights the advantages and disadvantages of such options, presenting three different prediction rules that have been published so far.
Phantom: investigating heterogeneous gene sets in time-course data
Authors: Gu Jinghua , Wang Xuan , Chan Jinyan , Baldwin Nicole E , Turner Jacob A 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Motivation
Gene set analysis is a powerful tool to study the coordinative change of time-course data. However, most existing methods only model the overall change of a gene set, yet completely overlooked heterogeneous time-dependent changes within sub-sets of genes.

Results
We have developed a novel statistical method, Phantom, to investigate gene set heterogeneity. Phantom employs the principle of multi-objective optimization to assess the heterogeneity inside a gene set, which also accounts for the temporal dependency in time-course data. Phantom improves the performance of gene set based methods to detect biological changes across time.

Availability and implementation
Phantom webpage can be accessed at: http://www.baylorhealth.edu/Phantom. R package of Phantom is available at https://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/phantom/index.html.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Activism in the ‘Students’ League of Nations’: International Student Politics and the Confédération Internationale des Étudiants, 1919–1939
Authors: Laqua Daniel 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
The aftermath of the First World War saw manifold efforts to (re-)construct an international community. One striking feature of this development was the foundation of a number of international student organisations. This article analyses the largest of these organisations—the International Confederation of Students (Confédération internationale des Étudiants, CIE), using it as a prism through which to examine four major aspects of inter-war student internationalism: nationalism, intellectual co-operation, mobility and radicalism. The CIE brought together the representatives of different national unions of students and thus involved activists who could cast themselves as future leaders. It portrayed its activities as ‘apolitical’, embracing an internationalism that sought to consolidate, rather than overthrow, the international order. To this end, the organisation co-operated with the League of Nations, particularly in the realm of student travel. Yet, despite its discourse of peace and non-partisanship, the CIE suffered from manifold national divisions and maintained an uneasy relationship with the political developments of the period. In this context, the article shows how, rather than being the domain of impractical idealists, internationalism provided an arena for the pursuit of competing national and political agendas.
Connecting single-stock assessment models through correlated survival
Authors: Albertsen Christoffer Moesgaard , Nielsen Anders , Thygesen Uffe Høgsbro 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Fisheries management is mainly conducted via single-stock assessment models assuming that fish stocks do not interact, except through assumed natural mortalities. Currently, the main alternative is complex ecosystem models which require extensive data, are difficult to calibrate, and have long run times. We propose a simple alternative. In three case studies each with two stocks, we improve the single-stock models, as measured by Akaike information criterion, by adding correlation in the cohort survival. To limit the number of parameters, the correlations are parameterized through the corresponding partial correlations. We consider six models where the partial correlation matrix between stocks follows a band structure ranging from independent assessments to complex correlation structures. Further, a simulation study illustrates the importance of handling correlated data sufficiently by investigating the coverage of confidence intervals for estimated fishing mortality. The results presented will allow managers to evaluate stock statuses based on a more accurate evaluation of model output uncertainty. The methods are directly implementable for stocks with an analytical assessment and do not require any new data sources.
The Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Early Brain Edema Score Predicts Delayed Cerebral Ischemia and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Ahn Sung-Ho , Savarraj Jude P , Pervez Mubashir , Jones Wesley , Park Jin , Jeon Sang-Beom , Kwon Sun U , Chang Tiffany R , Lee Kiwon , Kim Dong H , Day Arthur L , Choi H Alex 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is an important determinant of clinical outcomes. However, a major hindrance to studies of EBI is the lack of radiographic surrogate marker.

OBJECTIVE
To propose a scoring system based on early changes in clinically obtained computed tomography (CT), called the Subarachnoid hemorrhage Early Brain Edema Score (SEBES).

METHODS
Patients with spontaneous aneurysmal SAH and a CT within 24 h of ictus were included. We defined SEBES as a scale of 0 to 4 points according to the (1) absence of visible sulci caused by effacement of sulci or (2) absence of visible sulci with disruption of the gray–white matter junction at 2 predetermined levels in each hemisphere. Prognostic value of the SEBES grade for the prediction of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) and unfavorable outcomes was assessed. A separate cohort of patients was used as a validation cohort.

RESULTS
Of the 164 subjects in our study, high-grade SEBES (3 or 4 points) was identified in 48 patients (29.3%). CT interobserver reliability of SEBES grades was high with a Kappa value of 0.89. After adjusting for covariables, SEBES was identified as an independent predictor of DCI (OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.58–3.17) and unfavorable outcome (OR = 3.45, 95% CI: 1.95–6.07). In our validation cohort, 84 subjects showed similar predictive power of SEBES for a prediction of DCI and unfavorable long-term outcome.

CONCLUSION
SEBES may be a surrogate marker of EBI and predicts DCI and clinical outcomes after SAH.
Stereotactic Catheter Ventriculocisternostomy for Clearance of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Patients with Coiled Aneurysms
Authors: Roelz Roland , Scheiwe Christian , Urbach Horst , Coenen Volker A , Reinacher Peter 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Cerebral vasospasm leading to delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) is a central source of poor outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Current treatments of cerebral vasospasm are insufficient. Cisternal blood clearance is a promising treatment option. However, a generally applicable, safe, and effective method to access the cisterns of the brain is lacking.

OBJECTIVE
To report on stereotactic catheter ventriculocisternostomy (STX-VCS) as a method to access the cisterns of the brain for clearance of subarachnoid hemorrhage in patients with aSAH and coiled aneurysms.

METHODS
In 9 aSAH patients at high risk for DCI (Hunt and Hess grade ≥3, modified Fisher grade ≥3), access to the basal cisterns of the brain was created by STX-VCS. Fibrinolytic and/or spasmolytic lavage therapy was administered.

RESULTS
STX-VCS was feasible and safe in all patients. Subarachnoid blood was rapidly cleared by irrigation with urokinase. Vasospasm occurred in 2 patients and was interrupted by irrigation with nimodipine. There was 1 fatality due to pneumogenic sepsis. Minor DCI occurred in 1 patient. Eight survived without DCI and are independent (modified Rankin score [mRS] ≤ 3) at 6 mo after aSAH.

CONCLUSION
STX-VCS allows for rapid clearance of subarachnoid hemorrhage in patients with coiled aneurysms.
Pythium Insidiosum Keratitis: Histopathology and Rapid Novel Diagnostic Staining Technique
Authors: Mittal Ruchi , Jena Shipra K. , Desai Alisha , Agarwal Sunil 
Published: June 2017

Purpose:
To elucidate the histopathology of Pythium insidiosum keratitis and to describe a novel, simple, and rapid staining technique for identification of oomycete Pythium insidiosum and to differentiate it from fungi.

Methods:
This is a laboratory investigation study of 38 nonconsecutive cases (37 ocular samples and 1 colonic biopsy); 14 microbiologically diagnosed as Pythium insidiosum keratitis and 24 as fungal keratitis. Review of clinical, demographic details, microbiological results, and identification of cases that necessitated evisceration was performed. Reevaluation of histopathology slides was done using stains such as hematoxylin–eosin, Gomori methenamine silver (GMS), periodic acid–Schiff (PAS), potassium iodide–sulfuric acid (IKI-H2SO4). Morphology, degree, and nature of inflammation and load, distribution, and staining results of Pythium insidiosum and its comparison with fungi were studied.

Results:
Delay in zoospore formation, failure of growth, and delay in identification of Pythium were the main cause of evisceration. Corneal pythiosis showed epithelial ulceration, stromal destruction, and varying inflammation; load and distribution of Pythium were inversely proportional to inflammation. The filaments were commonly wide, with admixed narrower structures and uncommonly involved Descemet membrane. The oomycete was not discretely discerned with PAS stain and stained distinctly with GMS stain and IKI-H2SO4 stain (100% sensitive). In comparison, fungal organisms stained well with PAS and GMS stain, but not with IKI-H2SO4 stain (100% specific).

Conclusions:

Pythium insidiosum keratitis is perhaps not more devastating than fungal keratitis but late diagnosis, misdiagnosis, and treatment as fungal infection are major heralds. Early diagnosis may markedly improve the patient outcome. IKI-H2SO4 is a cost-effective, simple, sensitive, and specific stain for the diagnosis of oomycete Pythium.
Isolated Neurofibroma of the Orbit: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Braich Puneet S. , Donaldson Jared C. , Bajaj Gurtej S. , Bearden William H. 
Published: June 2017

Purpose:
To summarize the clinical, radiographic, and intraoperative characteristics of isolated neurofibromas of the orbit (INFO) in the literature and report a case of INFO.

Methods:
Case report and a systematic review of the literature.

Results:
A total of 45 patients were identified from 18 previous studies. There was no sex predilection and mean ages were between 32.3 and 40.0 years with a standard deviation of 9.8 to 19.5 years, median age was 32 to 38 years with a range of 1.5 to 82 years. On CT imaging, INFO reveals homogeneous precontrast radiodensity similar to that of extraocular muscles. On MR imaging, INFO appears hypointense to orbital fat and isointense to brain on precontrast T1-weighted images. On T2-weighted images, they have been described as being predominantly hyperintense with possible hypointense intralesional islands. To the best of our knowledge, our case identifies the youngest patient with the myxoid histologic variant of INFO.

Conclusions:
Patients with orbital neurofibromas should be evaluated for the presence of systemic neurofibromatosis, and the plexiform variant is a commonly associated subtype. The myxoid variant can be part of a lesser known condition called NAME syndrome (nevi, atrial myxoma, myxoid neurofibroma, and ephelides) which may warrant echocardiography in patients to evaluate for associated cardiac tumors.
Teenagers’ Awareness of Peers’ Substance and Drug Use in Kuwait
Authors: Omu Florence E. , Bader Al-Wadaany , Helen Delles , Slabeeb Shukriya , Safar Hanan , Omu Alexander E. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Background
Teenage substance use is a global challenge, and youths residing in Kuwait are not immune from it. Tobacco products are licit; however, alcohol and other mood-altering illicit substance are prohibited with severe penalties including imprisonment. Youths residing in Kuwait are being initiated into the use of mood-altering substances like tobacco at an early age, and it is postulated that, as they grow older, they may progress into using alcohol and other prohibited illicit drugs.

Aims
The aim of this study was to determine licit and illicit substance use by teenagers residing in Kuwait. The study will also explore their awareness of substance use among their peers.

Design
A cross-sectional survey using a snowball sampling technique was used to recruit 190 teenagers aged 15–18 years residing in Kuwait. Data were collected using the 130-item questionnaire adapted from 1998 New Jersey Triennial Public High School Survey of Drug and Alcohol Use. Data collection was from September 2012 to June 2013.

Data Analysis
The Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 22 for Windows was used. Pearson’s chi-square, Kruskal–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to test the hypotheses.

Results
Tobacco was the most commonly used substance by these teenagers; 8.4% were current smokers, and 50% had experimented. Age of initiation for 21% was before 14 years old. Hashish (marijuana) was the most commonly used illicit drug, with 3.7% current users and 5.3% claiming to have used it. More male than female teenagers in Grade 9 were using tobacco products (χ2 = 27.428, df = 5, p < .001).

Conclusion
The use and abuse of mood/mind-altering licit and illicit substances appear to be increasing among older teenagers. Intensifying campaigns about the hazards of substance use and drug testing should start from the primary school level.
Withdrawal Phenomena
Authors: Dändliker This , Kolbe Nina 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
This study explored the concept of withdrawal phenomena from the perspective of nurses, with the aim of developing a nursing diagnosis. Concept analysis was used as the framework of the study, a systematized review was conducted to identify relevant studies, and interpretation was based on qualitative content analysis. Specifying aspects, defining characteristics, related factors, and risk factors were extracted and classified into categories. Thirteen studies were identified as a basis for the construction of two nursing diagnoses: “withdrawal phenomena” and “risk of withdrawal complications.” The proposed nursing diagnoses require further discussion. The NANDA International Diagnosis Development Committee was asked to examine the proposed diagnoses. However, it was too early to determine implications for nursing practice based on the results of this study.
The Effect of Positive Group Psychotherapy and Motivational Interviewing on Smoking Cessation
Authors: Lee Eun Jin 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Objective
The purpose of this study was to describe the process and evaluate the effect of positive group psychotherapy and motivational interviewing as an intervention for smoking cessation.

Method
A qualitative descriptive study was conducted at a university in South Korea. Positive group psychotherapy and motivational interviewing were attended by 36 smokers for 1 hour once a week, for 6 hours. A recorded exit interview was conducted after the intervention. The resulting transcripts were analyzed with content analysis and thematic analysis.

Results
Among the 36 study participants, the importance of stopping smoking was rated higher in the successful cessation (defined as those who ceased smoking for at least 3 months; hereafter, success group) group (8.6 ± 0.4, n = 10) than in the failed cessation (defined as those who did not cease smoking for at least 3 months; hereafter, failure group) group (7.75 ± 0.3, n = 26; p < .01). The confidence to stop smoking was rated higher by the successes (8.4 ± 0.3) than by the failures (5.5 ± 0.4; p < .01). More successes wanted to stop smoking for the sake of their loved ones (60%) and health (50%), whereas more failures wanted to stop smoking for saving money (45.5%). Failures had more cross-addiction than successes (three to four addictions: 31.5% vs. 20%). When participants were asked to find 10 personality merits, 78% of the successes and 47% of the failures found their 10 merits. The therapeutic process was described as “sharing the smoking cessation process with others,” “detailed guidance for stress management and smoking cessation,” and “compliments about efforts for smoking cessation.”

Conclusion
The importance of and confidence in smoking cessation were predictors for successful cessation for 3–6 months. Motivational interviewing increased motivations, whereas positive group psychotherapy increased positive thoughts and confidence.
Early Improvement Predicts Treatment Outcomes for Patients With Acute Mania
Authors: Li Dian-Jeng , Lin Ching-Hua , Lu Mei-Jou 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Background
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental disorder. This study investigated whether early improvement at week 1 or 2 could predict treatment outcomes at week 4 in clinical populations with acute mania.

Methods
We conducted a naturalistic study, recruiting inpatients with bipolar mania for acute treatment. Symptom severity was assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) at weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Early improvement was defined as a reduction in the YMRS score of at least 20% or 25%, assessed at weeks 1 and 2. Response was defined as a reduction of 50% or more in the YMRS score, and remission was defined as an end-point YMRS score of 12 or less. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine whether week 1 or week 2 had better discriminative capacity. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated for the different definitions of early improvement.

Results
Of the 350 patients, 32.9% (n = 115) and 16.6% (n = 58) of the subjects were classified as responders and remitters at week 4, respectively. Early improvement at week 2 showed better discriminative capacity, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve greater than 0.8. It had high sensitivity and high negative predictive value for 2 cutoffs in predicting response and remission.

Conclusions
Relatively lower response and remission rates were observed. Response and remission could be predicted by early improvement at week 2, whereas patients without early improvement were unlikely to reach response and remission at week 4.
Staphylococcus AureusColonization and Familial Transmission Over a One Year Period
Authors: Hanson Blake M. , Kates Ashley E. , O’Malley Sean M. , Mills Elizabeth , Herwaldt Loreen A. , Torner James C. , Dawson Jeffrey D. , Farina Sarah A. , Klostermann Cassandra , Smith Tara C. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractMethods177 adults and 86 minors comprising 95 family units were enrolled from two counties in Iowa and followed up for 52 weeks. Random effects logistic regression was used to test the effect of different risk factors on the probability of an individual falling into a differentS. aureuscolonization categories. Additionally, the frequency ofS. aureuscolonization events and familial transmission events were calculated.ResultsThe number of positive environmental sites within a participant’s house was associated with being a persistent carrier compared to being a non-carrier or intermittent carrier. Age, sharing bath towels, and the number of positive environmental sites within a participant’s house were associated with being a persistent or intermittent carrier. Colonization events per year were 3.95 for adults and 3.04 for minors. Duration of colonization was longest for persistent carriers (92.3 days for adults and 97.8 days for minors), and intermittent carriers had the most colonization events.ConclusionsThe average duration of colonization was significantly different when comparing intermittent carriers and non-carriers. We have also established estimates of the duration of colonization and the frequency of transmission events among family units in a non-healthcare population.