bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Nonlinear Approach to Regional Flood Frequency Analysis Using Projection Pursuit Regression
Authors: Durocher Martin , Chebana Fateh , Ouarda Taha B. M. J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis paper presents an approach for regional flood frequency analysis (RFFA) in the presence of nonlinearity and problematic stations, which require adapted methodologies. To this end, the projection pursuit regression (PPR) is proposed. The PPR is a family of regression models that applies smooth functions on intermediate predictors to fit complex patterns. The PPR approach can be seen as a hybrid method between the generalized additive model (GAM) and the artificial neural network (ANN), which combines the advantages of both methods. Indeed, the PPR approach has the structure of a GAM to describe nonlinear relations between hydrological variables and other basin characteristics. On the other hand, PPR can consider interactions between basin characteristics to improve the predictive capabilities in a similar way to ANN, but simpler. The methodology developed in the present study is applied to a case study represented by hydrometric stations from southern Québec, Canada. It is shown that flood quantiles are mostly associated with a dominant intermediate predictor, which provides a parsimonious representation of the nonlinearity in the flood-generating processes. The model performance is compared to eight other methods available in the literature for the same dataset, including GAM and ANN. When using the same basin characteristics, the results indicate that the simpler structure of PPR does not affect the global performance and that PPR is competitive with the best existing methods in RFFA. Particular attention is also given to the performance resulting from the choice of the basin characteristics and the presence of problematic stations.
Prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in the general population of China
Authors: Cao Xiao-Lan , Zhong Bao-Liang , Xiang Yu-Tao , Ungvari Gabor S , Lai Kelly YC , Chiu Helen FK , Caine Eric D 
Published: June 2015

Objective The objective of this meta-analysis is to estimate the pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in the general population of Mainland China. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted via the following databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, China Journals Full-Text Databases, Chongqing VIP database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and Wan Fang Data. Statistical analysis used the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis program. Results Eight studies met the inclusion criteria for the analysis; five reported on the prevalence of suicidal ideation and seven on that of suicide attempts. The estimated lifetime prevalence figures of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts were 3.9% (95% confidence interval: 2.5%–6.0%) and 0.8% (95% confidence interval: 0.7%–0.9%), respectively. The estimated female–male ratio for lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts was 1.7 and 2.2, respectively. Only the difference of suicide attempts between the two genders was statistically significant. Conclusion This was the first meta-analysis of the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in the general population of Mainland China. The pooled lifetime prevalence of both suicidal ideation and suicide attempts are relatively low; however, caution is required when assessing these self-report data. Women had a modestly higher prevalence for suicide attempts than men. The frequency for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in urban regions was similar to those in rural areas.
Computed Tomographic Percutaneous Transsplenic Portography
Authors: Sawada S. , Nakamura K. , Tanigawa N. , Kobayashi M. 
Published: June 2015

The diagnosis of liver tumors should be utilized for determination of not only the number of lesions, but also their size, segmental location and extent, and the relationship of the mass or masses to the hepatic vasculature. CT during arterial portography (CTAP) is the most sensitive imaging modality for precise diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (1–3, 5). CTAP is thus widely used as a diagnostic imaging technique, particularly for the detection of small hepatocellular carcinomas (4, 6, 8). Conventional splenic portography has been carried out for many years using a wide diameter needle, a large amount of contrast medium and a film-screen system (7). Since the development of arterial portography, fewer splenoportograms have been performed due to the high incidence of bleeding and other complications (7). In this study a 0.6-mm (23 gauge) thin needle was used for splenic puncture and CT was used as a detector instead of a film-screen system. With this technique CT during percutaneous transsplenic portography may be performed on an outpatient basis.
Conditioned Taste Aversion in Rats following Intrathecal Administration of Contrast Media
Authors: La Noce A. , Danieli A. , Bertani F. , Tirone P. , De Haën C. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose: The occurrence of side-effects such as visceral malaise after intrathecal administration of the non-ionic radiography contrast media iomeprol, iopamidol, and iotrolan was assessed in rats by the conditioned taste aversion procedure. Methods: Reduced preference towards a saccharose solution compared with normal water following intraventricular administration of a contrast medium was used as a measure of the aversive response. Results: At a dose of 100 mg I/kg none of the tested contrast media induced aversion. At 200 and 300 mg I/kg, both iopamidol and iomeprol induced significant aversive responses with respect to control, although the response of the iomeprol group appeared milder than that of the iopamidol group at a dose of 200 mg I/kg. Iotrolan could be tested only at the lowest dose since the high doses caused excessive mortality. Conclusion: Intrathecally administered iomeprol appeared to be well tolerated in rats at doses higher than those suggested for clinical use.
Type D Dural Carotid—Cavernous Fistula
Authors: Hasuo K. , Mizushima A. , Matsumoto S. , Uchino A. , Uehara S. , Miyoshi M. , Mihara F. , Ohmagari J. , Ohnishi Y. , Masuda K. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of irradiation combined with particulate embolization for treating type D dural carotid—cavernous fistulas, supplied by the meningeal branches of both external (ECA) and internal carotid arteries. Material and Methods: Nine patients were treated by particulate embolization via the ECA branches, followed by radiation therapy with doses of 30 Gy. One of these patients with recurrent symptoms received an additional 30 Gy one year after initial treatment, making a total dose of 60 Gy. Results: In all cases, symptoms were improved immediately after the particulate embolizations. In 8 cases, complete resolution of symptoms were obtained in 4–19 months and an average of 8 months after treatment. In one case, chemosis was markedly improved and persisted minimally 41 months later. Conclusion: Particulate embolization is effective for immediate symptomatic improvement, and complete resolution of symptoms can usually be achieved by subsequent radiation therapy.
Effects of Ionic and Nonionic Contrast Media on Endothelium and on Arterial Thrombus Formation
Authors: Barstad R. M. , Buchmann M. S. , Hamers M. J. A. G. , Örning L. , Ørvim U. , Stormorken H. , Sakariassen K. S. 
Published: June 2015

Background: The aims of the present study were to investigate whether ionic and nonionic contrast media (CM) affect: 1) the procoagulant and fibrinolytic activities of cultured human vessel endothelium; and 2) early events of tissue-factor-induced arterial thrombus formation under conditions which may follow a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedure. The following 3 CM were studied: iohexol (nonionic monomer, Omnipaque); iodixanol (nonionic dimer, Visipaque); and ioxaglate (ionic dimer, Hexabrix). Saline (0.9%) and glucose (40 vol%) were used as control. Methods and Results: Exposing endothelium to 40 vol% CM for 10 min did not affect the selected parameters of cellular procoagulant (tissue factor), anticoagulant (thrombomodulin), fibrinolytic (tissue plasminogen activator) or antifibrinolytic (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) activity or antigen. However, ioxaglate had a profound impact on the cell morphology, which was noted already after one minute of exposure. The cells contracted and rounded, exposing large areas of extracellular matrix. Iohexol showed this phenomenon to a considerably lesser extent, whereas iodixanol induced a slight swelling of the cells without detectable exposure of extracellular matrix. The effect of the respective CM on tissue-factor-driven thrombus formation at an arterial shear rate of 2600 s−1 was studied in an ex vivo parallel-plate perfusion chamber device. In this model, human native blood was passed over a tissue factor/phospholipid-rich surface following 30 s exposure to 100% CM. The CM was washed out by nonanticoagulated blood drawn directly from an antecubital vein by a pump positioned distal to the perfusion chamber. Such a pre-exposure of the procoagulant surface to iodixanol reduced the fibrin deposition around the platelet thrombi by 50% (p<0.01). However, iohexol and ioxaglate did not affect fibrin deposition. None of the 3 CM affected the recruitment of platelets in the thrombi, since similar values were obtained with pre-exposure to 40 vol% of saline. Conclusion: Iodixanol appears to be most biocompatible with endothelium, and has a moderate inhibitory effect on fibrin deposition in flowing blood. This differs from iohexol, and in particular from ioxaglate, which induce endothelial changes in morphology with no effect on fibrin deposition. Since none of the CM affected the platelet aggregate formation, and since ioxaglate has been reported to have stronger anticoagulant and antithrombotic properties than iodixanol or iohexol in in vitro assays, it is apparent that these properties were not reflected in thrombus formation under the experimental conditions of high arterial shear.
Spatial Resolution Requirements in Digital Radiography of Scaphoid Fractures
Authors: Jónsson Á. , Laurin S. , Karner G. , Herrlin K. , Hochbergs P. , Jonsson K. , Rudling O. , Sandström S. , Sloth M. , Svahn G. , Pettersson H. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose: To investigate the spatial resolution requirements in digital radiography of scaphoid fractures. Material and Methods: Included in the study were 60 scaphoid radiographs with and 60 without fractures of the scaphoid bone. The film-screen images were digitized using pixel sizes of 115, 170, and 340 μm along with 170 μm with a 10; 1 wavelet compression. The digital images were displayed on a 1280×1024×8 bits monitor, and 5 observers evaluated the images in 5 randomized sessions. The results for each pixel size were then compared to the film-screen images by ROC analysis. Results: The mean area under the ROC curves was larger for the film-screen images than for the digital images at all resolutions. However, this difference was not significant when the areas under the ROC curves for the film-screen images were compared to the digital images of 115, 170, and 170 μm with 10: 1 compression. There was a significant difference for the 340-μm pixel size in favour of the film-screen images. The mean ROC curves for the digital images were very similar for the 115 and 170 μm pixel sizes, although slightly better for 115 μm. At 170 μm, the compression seemed to have a relatively small negative effect on the diagnostic performance; the deterioration was greater when the pixel size was increased to 340 μm. There was no obvious correlation between diagnostic performance and the experience of the observers in using workstations. Conclusion: The pixel size of 170 μm is adequate for the detection of subtle fractures, even after wavelet compression by a ratio of 10:1.
Primary Intraosseous Meningiomas
Authors: Arana E. , Diaz C. , Latorre F. F. , Menor F. , Revert A. , Beltrán A. , Navarro M. 
Published: June 2015

Purpose: A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the clinical, radiological and histological findings of 14 intraosseous meningiomas. Material and Methods: 14 histologically proved intraosseous meningiomas were studied with plain skull film and CT. Pathological records were reviewed. Results: We found 9 calvarial cases and 5 spheno-orbital ones. The most common symptom in the calvarial cases was a lump in the scalp, and in the spheno-orbital lesions it was exophtalmos. Hyperostosis was present in all 5 spheno-orbital cases and in 3 out of the 9 calvarial ones; in the other 6 cases it had a mixed pattern. Enhanced dura was present in 3 calvarial cases and in 2 sphenoidal ones. Dura was involved in 5 cases: 2 with inflammatory changes, 2 with a minimal intradural tumour and one with a subdural tumour. Conclusion: CT better detected both the bony reaction and the intraosseous extension of the tumour. The dural changes were not specific of tumoural involvement. The differential diagnosis comprises: fibrous dysplasia, osteoma, blastic metastasis and mainly meningioma en plaque (MEP). Comparing our findings with other series, we noticed that in some cases the term MEP was used for similar cases. As the name MEP is merely descriptive and both entities share a larger number of similarities than differences, we believe that a differentiation between hyperostotic en plaque meningioma and intraosseous meningioma can hardly be made.
A Conceptual Framework on the Power of Consumers in Pushing Corporate Social Responsibility Towards Sustainable Development
Authors: Hussain Jogita Sorokhaibam , Hussain Jamal 
Published: June 2015

In recent times, sustainable development has received huge attention of academia, corporations, government and society at large as there has been an increasing concern about the rapid exhausting of the earth's natural resources and related environmental issues.There has been plenty of research done on corporate social responsibility (CSR) which leads to the growing realisation that corporate inclination towards it results in sustainable development. This is important because corporates are the major users and often abusers of our limited stocks of the various forms of natural capital upon which our economic, social and cultural well-being are based. Interestingly, many authors believe that those corporations which are socially responsible are considered to be good companies by the society (customers). Thus, customer acts as a primary stakeholder and it affects the long-term survival of the business. A conceptual framework on CSR orientation has been developed for sustainable society development on the basis of two dimensions, namely, corporate orientation and consumer orientation. It has four quadrants where the best case is both corporate and consumer showing high orientation towards social responsibility. The worst scenario is Menace when both display low orientation. The quadrant Blind is also not favourable because only corporations are highly oriented whereas consumers are not.The case may be contrary when consumers are enlightened and corporations are not.The main endeavour behind this study is to unleash the power of consumer and in extreme cases employ the method of boycott to pressurise business firms to follow sustainable guidelines. Effort has been made to highlight how consumer can be a key driving force for CSR.
Statutory Auditors' Independence in the Backdrop of Corporate Corruption: Select Case Studies
Authors: Saha Siddhartha Sankar , Roy Mitrendu Narayan 
Published: June 2015

This study considers three highly recognised corporate scandals that occurred in three diverse continents during different time periods. These are Enron Corporation (United States of America [USA], 2001], Polly Peck International (PPI) (United Kingdom [UK],1990] and Satyam Computer Services Ltd (India, 2009). Arthur Anderson LLP (USA), Stoy Hayward (UK) and Price Waterhouse (India) performed as statutory auditors in these three companies respectively. This study analyses statutory auditors' independence in these select cases based on nine parameters. Investigated facts on these parameters are compared with current regulatory requirements in order to explore the deviation for the case indicating the extent to which statutory auditors' independence was lost in each scandal. The study finds that statutory auditors in all three cases had enough reasons to compromise their independence. Their activities against most of the parameters were not in compliance with current regulatory requirements. Appointment procedure of statutory auditors, provision of non-audit services and remuneration arrangement threatened statutory auditors' independence in all three scandals. Safeguards available in the form of audit committee, external review and disciplinary framework were also not adequate. It ultimately caused statutory auditors in all three companies to compromise their independence.
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting for severe stenosis of the intracranial extradural internal carotid artery causing transient ischemic attack or minor stroke
Authors: Ko Jun Kyeung , Choi Chang Hwa , Cha Seung Heon , Choi Byung Kwan , Cho Won Ho , Kang Tae Ho , Sung Sang Min , Cho Han Jin , Lee Tae Hong 
Published: June 2015

The purpose of this study is to assess the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) for symptomatic stenosis of the intracranial extradural (petrous and cavernous) internal carotid artery (ICA). Review of medical records identified 26 consecutive patients who underwent PTAS using a balloon-expandable coronary stent ( n = 15, 57.7%) or a Wingspan self-expandable stent ( n = 11, 42.3%) for treatment of severe stenosis (>70%) involving the intracranial extradural ICA. The inclusion criteria were transient ischemic attack with an ABCD2 score of ≥3 ( n = 12, 46.2%) or minor stroke with an NIHSS score of ≤4 ( n = 14, 53.8%). Technical success rates, complications, and angiographic and clinical outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. PTAS was technically successful in all patients. The mean stenosis ratio decreased from 77.1% to 10.0% immediately after PTAS. The overall incidence of procedural complications was 23.1%, and the postoperative permanent morbidity/mortality rate was 7.7%. A total of 22 patients were tracked over an average period of 29.9 months. During the observation period, 20 patients (90.9%) had no further cerebrovascular events and stroke recurrence occurred in two patients (9.1%), resulting in an annual stroke risk of 3.7%. Two cases (11.1%) of significant in-stent restenosis (>50%) were found on follow-up angiography ( n = 18). PTAS for severe stenosis (>70%) involving the intracranial extradural ICA showed a good technical feasibility and favorable clinical outcome in patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke.
Nutrition and metabolism in the rehabilitative phase of recovery in burn children: a review of clinical and research findings in a speciality pediatric burn hospital
Authors: Prelack Kathy , Yu Yong Ming , Sheridan Robert L 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDuring the rehabilitation phase of burn injury, patient care transitions from critical care medicine to restorative treatment strategies that encompass physical and occupational therapies, nutrition repletion, and psychosocial support for community reintegration. As pediatric burn patients undergo rehabilitation, nutrition assessment remains ongoing to define nutritional status and any alterations in metabolism that may take place. For some, a persistent hypermetabolic state appears evident, and weight loss may continue. The severity and duration however varies among patients. Many patients enter their rehabilitative phase with visible lean body mass depletion, and the focus of nutritional therapy for them shifts to replenishing nutritional status, while supporting rehabilitative efforts. Over the past decade, we have conducted studies on energy and protein metabolism, body composition, including bone mineralization, and general wellness in over 130 patients to better understand changes in metabolism and nutritional status during the rehabilitative phase of recovery. This abstract summarizes our findings.
Jenseits der Cloud: Metadaten- und Datenmanagement in der bibliothekarischen Infrastruktur Teil 1
Authors: Altenhöner Reinhard 
Published: June 2015

Zusammenfassung:
In der laufenden Diskussion um die zukünftige Informationsinfrastruktur spielen – auch vor dem Hintergrund einer entsprechenden Förderinitiative der DFG – bibliothekarische Metadaten, ihre Erzeugung und -verwaltung sowie die Träger der entsprechenden Systeme in einem globalen Kontext eine Rolle. Der Beitrag versucht sich an einer Verortung der laufenden Bemühungen einerseits, er beleuchtet aus Sicht des Autors wesentliche Perspektiven und den absehbar erreichbaren Stand. Eng mit diesem Beitrag verknüpft ist ein zweiter Teil, der sich mit dem Einsatz von Text- und Datamining-Verfahren in Bibliotheken mit einem Schwerpunkt auf den Aktivitäten der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek beschäftigt. Dieser wird im September erscheinen. Beide Beiträge beziehen sich zwar aufeinander, sind aber der besseren Lesbarkeit halber nur lose miteinander verbunden. Folie für beide Beiträge ist die Diskussion um zukünftige Arbeitsschwerpunkte von Bibliotheken und ihre Neupositionierung innerhalb der Informationsinfrastruktur insgesamt. Der Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf dem Metadaten- und Datenmanagement.
An estimate of the approximation accuracy in B. A. Sevastyanov’s limit theorem and its application in the problem of random inclusions
Authors: Kopyttsev Viktor A. , Mikhailov Vladimir G. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAn estimate of the accuracy of the Poisson approximation in B. A. Sevastyanov’s theorem providing conditions for the distribution of the sum of random indicators to converge to the Poisson distribution is obtained. This result is applied to estimate the rate of convergence to the limit Poisson distribution in a theorem on the number of solutions of systems of random inclusions.
Region Of Southern Africa: International Trade And Global Value Chains
Authors: Cieślik Ewa 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Integration of Southern Africa has resulted in changes in trade structures and production process across borders. The aim of this article is to present transformations taking place in the structure of trade exchange of the Southern African states (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, and South Africa) that are members of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), and the position of South Africa in global value chains. South Africa seems to be the group of the most advanced countries in analyzed region. The analysis takes advantage of both the conventional methods of comprehensive study on international trade and the modern indicators and measures examining similarity, concentration or the position of South Africa in global value chains in general and sectoral terms.
On the Importance of Subtext in Recommender Systems
Authors: Grasch Peter , Felfernig Alexander 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Conversational recommender systems have been shown capable of allowing users to navigate even complex and unknown application domains effectively. However, optimizing preference elicitation remains a largely unsolved problem. In this paper we introduce SPEECHREC, a speech-enabled, knowledge-based recommender system, that engages the user in a natural-language dialog, identifying not only purely factual constraints from the users’ input, but also integrating nuanced lexical qualifiers and paralinguistic information into the recommendation strategy. In order to assess the viability of this concept, we present the results of an empirical study where we compare SPEECHREC to a traditional knowledge-based recommender system and show how incorporating more granular user preferences in the recommendation strategy can increase recommendation quality, while reducing median session length by 46 %.