bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rehabilitation of a Bilateral Maxillectomy Patient with a Free Fibula Osteocutaneous Flap and with an Implant‐Retained Obturator: A Clinical Report
Authors: Otomaru Takafumi , Sumita Yuka I. , Aimaijiang Yiliyaer , Munakata Motohiro , Tachikawa Noriko , Kasugai Shohei , Taniguchi Hisashi 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA 47‐year‐old man underwent surgical resection and reconstruction with a fibula osteocutaneous flap. After the surgery, a surgical obturator was placed and adjusted. After flap healing, a conventional obturator was fabricated with polymethyl methacrylate resin and retained by the anatomical undercuts around the reconstructed fibula bone flap and the posterior part of the defect. As the defect shape changed with time, a second conventional obturator was fabricated and fitted. No further recurrence of myoepithelioma was observed for 2 years, and the patient was satisfied with the obturator during mastication and speech; however, despite having no major complaints, the patient found it difficult to chew on the right side, and the obturator was displaced slightly downward when the mouth was opened wide and shifted when chewing hard and sticky food. Thus, an implant‐retained obturator was suggested to provide better retention and stability. Four dental implants were therefore placed into the fibula bone, although one did not osseointegrate because either primary stability was insufficient or overload was affected in the nonloaded implant environment and was replaced. After fitting custom abutments with a magnet, an implant‐retained obturator was placed, and the patient was satisfied with the outcome. During 3 years of follow‐up, no issues were noted with the implant bodies, abutments, obturator, or reconstructed site. The conventional obturator was displaced slightly downward when the patient opened his mouth wide, and it shifted when chewing hard and sticky food because there was limited fibula bone at the reconstruction site and more available posteriorly. For better retention and stability, the implant‐retained obturator was fabricated with a custom abutment and magnetic retention. The patient was satisfied with the results, as improved implant retention increased the stability of the prosthesis. This clinical report describes the rehabilitation of a bilateral maxillectomy patient with a free fibula osteocutaneous flap and an implant‐retained obturator. The patient's oral functions were improved when the prosthesis was stabilized by means of dental implants and custom abutments.
An In Vivo 24‐Month Study to Compare Crestal Bone Loss and Pocket Depth of Platform‐Switched Implants Placed in Maxillary Anterior and Mandibular Posterior Regions
Authors: Arora Varuni , Rao Jitendra , Singh Saumyendra V. , Mishra Niraj , Singh Kamleshwar , Kumar Lakshya , Agrawal Kaushal Kishor , Mohammad Shadab 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPurposeTo analyze and compare crestal bone loss and pocket depth around platform‐switched implants placed at two intraoral locations.Materials and MethodsEighty platform‐switched implants, 40 in the maxillary anterior region (group – ANT) and 40 in the mandibular posterior region (group – POST), were placed in healthy men aged between 25 and 45 years, and restored following two‐stage surgical and progressive loading protocols. Digital radiographs for crestal bone level assessment and pocket depths on facial, mesial, distal, and palatal/lingual sites around the implant were recorded at definitive restoration cementation (baseline) and 6‐month follow‐up. Difference in pre‐ and post‐periodontal pocket depths and crestal bone loss levels were measured and analyzed statistically using SPSS v.16.0, applying the Mann‐Whitney test (p < 0.05 considered significant).ResultsMean bone loss was significantly higher in group ANT (1.2 ± 0.3 mm) than in group POST (0.7 ± 0.02 mm). Palatal pocket depth increase was significantly greater in the ANT group (p = 0.01), and distal pocket depth increase was significantly greater for the POST group (p = 0.002).ConclusionThe amount of bone loss noted in the maxillary anterior region compared to the mandibular posterior region was significantly more. This could possibly be because of greater vertical cantilever and offset loads in the anterior compared to the posterior region. Significantly greater pocket depth in mandibular posterior distal and maxillary anterior palatal regions could be related to oral hygiene maintenance issues.
Friday the 13th: The Empirics of Bad Luck
Authors: Fidrmuc Jan , Tena J. D. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryWe use the UK Labor Force survey to investigate whether the socio‐economic outcomes of people born on the 13th day of the month, and of those born on Friday the 13th, differ from the outcomes of people born on more auspicious days. In many European countries, including the UK, number 13 is considered unlucky and Friday the 13th is seen as an especially unlucky day. We find little evidence that people born on the 13th or those born on Friday the 13th are significantly less likely to be employed, earn lower wages or that they are more likely to stay unmarried compared to people born on other days.
Why Democracies Outgrow Autocracies in the Long Run: Civil Liberties, Information Flows and Technological Change
Authors: Knutsen Carl Henrik 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThis paper argues that democracy enhances technological change, the most important determinant of long‐term economic growth. It first presents an argument on how and why dictators restrict civil liberties and diffusion of information to survive in office, even if this reduces their personal consumption. The argument predicts that autocracies have slower technological change than democracies, which in turn impairs GDP per capita growth rates. These and other implications from the argument are tested empirically, and so are implications from alternative explanations on the association between democracy and technological change. Drawing on an extensive global dataset, with some time series going back to the early 19th century, the paper reports robust evidence that democracy increases not only technology‐induced growth but also net economic growth rates. Notably, the results hold when accounting for the endogeneity of democracy, country‐fixed effects, and sample‐selection bias.
γ‐Tubulin complex in Trypanosoma brucei: molecular composition, subunit interdependence and requirement for axonemal central pair protein assembly
Authors: Zhou Qing , Li Ziyin 
Published: July 2015

Summaryγ‐Tubulin complex constitutes a key component of the microtubule‐organizing center and nucleates microtubule assembly. This complex differs in complexity in different organisms: the budding yeast contains the γ‐tubulin small complex (γTuSC) composed of γ‐tubulin, gamma‐tubulin complex protein (GCP)2 and GCP3, whereas animals contain the γ‐tubulin ring complex (γTuRC) composed of γTuSC and three additional proteins, GCP4, GCP5 and GCP6. In Trypanosoma brucei, the composition of the γ‐tubulin complex remains elusive, and it is not known whether it also regulates assembly of the subpellicular microtubules and the spindle microtubules. Here we report that the γ‐tubulin complex in T. brucei is composed of γ‐tubulin and three GCP proteins, GCP2‐GCP4, and is primarily localized in the basal body throughout the cell cycle. Depletion of GCP2 and GCP3, but not GCP4, disrupted the axonemal central pair microtubules, but not the subpellicular microtubules and the spindle microtubules. Furthermore, we showed that the γTuSC is required for assembly of two central pair proteins and that γTuSC subunits are mutually required for stability. Together, these results identified an unusual γ‐tubulin complex in T. brucei, uncovered an essential role of γTuSC in central pair protein assembly, and demonstrated the interdependence of individual γTuSC components for maintaining a stable complex.
Clinical trial success rates of anti‐obesity agents: the importance of combination therapies
Authors: Hussain H. T. , Parker J. L. , Sharma A. M. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThe objective of this study was to construct a clinical trial profile assessing the risk of drug failure among anti‐obesity agents. Research was conducted by looking at anti‐obesity therapies currently on the market or in clinical trials (phases I to III) conducted from 1998 to September 2014, with the exclusion of any drugs whose phase I trial was conducted prior to January 1998. This was completed primarily through a search on http://clinicaltrials.gov where a total of 51 drugs met the search criteria. The transition probabilities were then calculated based on various classifications and compared against industry standards. The transition probability of anti‐obesity agents was 8.50% whereas the transition probability of industry standards was 10.40%. Combination therapies had four times the transition probability than monotherapies, 40% and 4.75%, respectively. Therefore, it was determined that 92% of drugs fail during clinical trial testing for this indication and combination therapy appears to improve clinical trial success rates to 10‐fold.
Popularity of Indonesian Adolescents: Do the Findings from the USA Generalize to a Muslim Majority Developing Country?
Authors: French Doran C. , Niu Li , Purwono Urip 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis study investigated whether the pattern of behavior associated with popularity in the USA is also found in Indonesia. Participants were 452 7th (13 years) and 10th grade (16 years) Muslim students from West Java, Indonesia. Data were obtained from adolescents, peers, and teachers. Social preference and popularity were positively associated with prosocial behavior and number of mutual friends. Whereas social preference was positively associated with academic achievement and negatively associated with aggression, popularity was positively associated with aggression and tobacco use. These patterns of association are similar to those found in the United States. Indonesian society is highly hierarchical and popularity structures may build upon these stratifications.
Are Trade Preferences more Effective than Aid in Supporting Exports? Evidence from the ‘Everything But Arms’ Preference Scheme
Authors: Gradeva Katerina , Martínez‐Zarzoso Inmaculada 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis study examines the effect of the ‘Everything But Arms’ (EBA) trade preferences regime on exports from the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (ACP) to the European Union (EU). With this aim, an augmented gravity model is estimated for exports from the 79 ACP countries to the EU‐15 for the time period of 1995—2013 using panel data techniques. The results are used to quantify the effect of the eligibility for EBA preferences on the export performance of the ACP least developed countries (LDCs) and to relate it to the impact of official development assistance on exports. In addition to their separate effects, the combined impact of EBA and aid flows is examined. The main results do not provide evidence for an additional positive effect of the EBA agreement on the export performance of the ACP LDCs. However, receiving aid shows a significant and positive effect on exports from EBA‐eligible ACP countries to the EU‐15, supporting an EU development strategy that includes both sorts of assistance, aid and trade preferences.
Assessment quality of a nonuniform suspended sediment transport model under unsteady flow condition (case study: Aras River)
Authors: Merkhali Siavash P. , Ehteshami Majid , Sadrnejad Sayed‐Amir 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis study presents a one‐dimensional, fully coupled numerical model for nonequilibrium suspended sediment transport that can be applied to channels and alluvial rivers. The accuracy of calculations was enhanced using a nonuniform size distribution, and evaluating probability of hiding and exposure effect of particles. This model is also capable of calculating the flocculation and temperature effect on sediment transport. In addition, the BOD and its influence on suspended sediment transport have been discussed. The study was conducted on the Aras River, Iran's third major river with a relatively high sediment concentration. To verify the model, water depth and sediment concentration of measured field data are compared with simulated data. Comparisons show a regression coefficient of more than 95% and mean computational error is less than 5%. The agreement of the data shows that the model is capable of predicting flow and suspended sediment transport with a correlation coefficient higher than 98%.
Kcnh2 and Kcnj8 interactively regulate skin wound healing and regeneration
Authors: Zhang Wengeng , Bei Marianna 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTPrevious studies indicate that ion channels are mediators of bioelectricity promoting wound closure/regeneration in nonmammalian, lower vertebrate systems. The role of ion channels however in regeneration of wounds in mammalian systems that do not regenerate as adults is not yet defined. Using a mammalian model system that allows us to determine differentially expressed genes when skin regenerates and when skin does not regenerate after wound induction, we identified two potassium channels, kcnh2 and kcnj8, to be (1) differentially expressed between the two states and (2) highly expressed after wound induction at the nonregenerative state. We also found that kcnh2 small molecule inhibitor enhanced wound healing while kcnj8 small molecule inhibitor did not. In contrast, kcnj8 activator accelerated wound healing and even augmented the effect of kcnh2 inhibition. These results provide evidence for the first time that potassium channels may mediate skin wound healing and regeneration interactively.
Selective robust optimization: A new intensity‐modulated proton therapy optimization strategy
Authors: Li Yupeng , Niemela Perttu , Liao Li , Jiang Shengpeng , Li Heng , Poenisch Falk , Zhu X. Ronald , Siljamaki Sami , Vanderstraeten Reynald , Sahoo Narayan , Gillin Michael , Zhang Xiaodong 
Published: July 2015

Purpose:To develop a new robust optimization strategy for intensity‐modulated proton therapy as an important step in translating robust proton treatment planning from research to clinical applications.Methods:In selective robust optimization, a worst‐case‐based robust optimization algorithm is extended, and terms of the objective function are selectively computed from either the worst‐case dose or the nominal dose. Two lung cancer cases and one head and neck cancer case were used to demonstrate the practical significance of the proposed robust planning strategy. The lung cancer cases had minimal tumor motion less than 5 mm, and, for the demonstration of the methodology, are assumed to be static.Results:Selective robust optimization achieved robust clinical target volume (CTV) coverage and at the same time increased nominal planning target volume coverage to 95.8%, compared to the 84.6% coverage achieved with CTV‐based robust optimization in one of the lung cases. In the other lung case, the maximum dose in selective robust optimization was lowered from a dose of 131.3% in the CTV‐based robust optimization to 113.6%. Selective robust optimization provided robust CTV coverage in the head and neck case, and at the same time improved controls over isodose distribution so that clinical requirements may be readily met.Conclusions:Selective robust optimization may provide the flexibility and capability necessary for meeting various clinical requirements in addition to achieving the required plan robustness in practical proton treatment planning settings.
Characteristic image quality of a third generation dual‐source MDCT scanner: Noise, resolution, and detectability
Authors: Solomon Justin , Wilson Joshua , Samei Ehsan 
Published: July 2015

Purpose:The purpose of this work was to assess the inherent image quality characteristics of a new multidetector computed tomography system in terms of noise, resolution, and detectability index as a function of image acquisition and reconstruction for a range of clinically relevant settings.Methods:A multisized image quality phantom (37, 30, 23, 18.5, and 12 cm physical diameter) was imaged on a SOMATOM Force scanner (Siemens Medical Solutions) under variable dose, kVp, and tube current modulation settings. Images were reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) and with advanced modeled iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE) with iterative strengths of 3, 4, and 5. Image quality was assessed in terms of the noise power spectrum (NPS), task transfer function (TTF), and detectability index for a range of detection tasks (contrasts of approximately 45, 90, 300, −900, and 1000 HU, and 2–20 mm diameter) based on a non‐prewhitening matched filter model observer with eye filter.Results:Image noise magnitude decreased with decreasing phantom size, increasing dose, and increasing ADMIRE strength, offering up to 64% noise reduction relative to FBP. Noise texture in terms of the NPS was similar between FBP and ADMIRE (<5% shift in peak frequency). The resolution, based on the TTF, improved with increased ADMIRE strength by an average of 15% in the TTF 50% frequency for ADMIRE‐5. The detectability index increased with increasing dose and ADMIRE strength by an average of 55%, 90%, and 163% for ADMIRE 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Assessing the impact of mA modulation for a fixed average dose over the length of the phantom, detectability was up to 49% lower in smaller phantom sections and up to 26% higher in larger phantom sections for the modulated scan compared to a fixed tube current scan. Overall, the detectability exhibited less variability with phantom size for modulated scans compared to fixed tube current scans.Conclusions:Image quality increased with increasing dose and decreasing phantom size. The CT system exhibited nonlinear noise and resolution properties, especially at very low‐doses, large phantom sizes, and for low‐contrast objects. Objective image quality metrics generally increased with increasing dose and ADMIRE strength, and with decreasing phantom size. The ADMIRE algorithm could offer comparable image quality at reduced doses or improved image quality at the same dose. The use of tube current modulation resulted in more consistent image quality with changing phantom size.
Robust PET‐guided intensity‐modulated radiation therapy
Authors: Li H. , Bissonnette J. P. , Purdie T. , Chan T. C. Y. 
Published: July 2015

Purpose:Functional image guided intensity‐modulated radiation therapy has the potential to improve cancer treatment quality by basing treatment parameters such as heterogeneous dose distributions information derived from imaging. However, such heterogeneous dose distributions are subject to imaging uncertainty. In this paper, the authors develop a robust optimization model to design plans that are desensitized to imaging uncertainty.Methods:Starting from the pretreatment fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography scans, the authors use the raw voxel standard uptake values (SUVs) as input into a series of intermediate functions to transform the SUV into a desired dose. The calculated desired doses were used as an input into a robust optimization model to generate beamlet intensities. For each voxel, the authors assume that the true SUV cannot be observed but instead resides in an interval centered on the nominal (i.e., observed) SUV. Then the authors evaluated the nominal and robust solutions through a simulation study. The simulation considered the effect of the true SUV being different from the nominal SUV on the quality of the treatment plan. Treatment plans were compared on the metrics of objective function value and tumor control probability (TCP).Results:Computational results demonstrate the potential for improvements in tumor control probability and deviation from the desired dose distribution compared to a nonrobust model while maintaining acceptable tissue dose.Conclusions:Robust optimization can help design treatment plans that are more stable in the presence of image value uncertainties.
A contactless approach for respiratory gating in PET using continuous‐wave radar
Authors: Ersepke Thomas , Büther Florian , Heß Mirco , Schäfers Klaus P. 
Published: July 2015

Purpose:Respiratory gating is commonly used to reduce motion artifacts in positron emission tomography (PET). Clinically established methods for respiratory gating in PET require contact to the patient or a direct optical line between the sensor and the patient's torso and time consuming preparation. In this work, a contactless method for capturing a respiratory signal during PET is presented based on continuous‐wave radar.Methods:The proposed method relies on the principle of emitting an electromagnetic wave and detecting the phase shift of the reflected wave, modulated due to the respiratory movement of the patient's torso. A 24 GHz carrier frequency was chosen allowing wave propagation through plastic and clothing with high reflections at the skin surface. A detector module and signal processing algorithms were developed to extract a quantitative respiratory signal. The sensor was validated using a high precision linear table. During volunteer measurements and [18F] FDG PET scans, the radar sensor was positioned inside the scanner bore of a PET/computed tomography scanner. As reference, pressure belt (one volunteer), depth camera‐based (two volunteers, two patients), and PET data‐driven (six patients) signals were acquired simultaneously and the signal correlation was quantified.Results:The developed system demonstrated a high measurement accuracy for movement detection within the submillimeter range. With the proposed method, small displacements of 25 μm could be detected, not considerably influenced by clothing or blankets. From the patient studies, the extracted respiratory radar signals revealed high correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient) to those derived from the external pressure belt and depth camera signals (r = 0.69–0.99) and moderate correlation to those of the internal data‐driven signals (r = 0.53–0.70). In some cases, a cardiac signal could be visualized, due to the representation of the mechanical heart motion on the skin.Conclusions:Accurate respiratory signals were obtained successfully by the proposed method with high spatial and temporal resolution. By working without contact and passing through clothing and blankets, this approach minimizes preparation time and increases the convenience of the patient during the scan.