bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel method to salvage a dislodged Memokath intraprostatic stent before deployment in obstructive prostate fossa
Authors: Wong Ka‐Wing , Ho Kwan‐Lun , Yiu Ming‐Kwong 
Published: August 2014

AimMemokath intraprostatic stent insertion is an alternative intervention to manage male patients with bladder outlet obstruction. Occasionally, however, the insertion of a Memokath intraprostatic stent in an obstructive prostate fossa can be complicated with dislodgement. This is deemed to be a procedure failure and there is no suggested solution from the manufacturer concerned to salvage the dislodged stent. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to describe a novel method to salvage a dislodged Memokath intraprostatic stent before deployment in obstructive prostate fossaPatients and MethodsThe present study is a summary of our experience in salvaging dislodged Memokath intraprostatic stents during insertion for managing bladder outlet obstruction. The Memokath intraprostatic stents were all inserted with flexible cystoscope.ResultsWhen the intraprostatic stent is accidently dislodged before deployment, the insertion of a super‐stiff guidewire through the cystoscope judiciously can prevent failure.ConclusionThe dislodgment of a Memokath intraprostatic stent before deployment should not be regarded as a procedure failure. We demonstrated a novel and feasible method to solve this situation effectively.
Retrospective analysis of treatment outcomes following reirradiation in locoregionally recurrent head and neck cancer patients: A single institutional study
Authors: Kakria Anjali , Rawat Sheh , Bhutani Ritu , Gupta Gourav , Devnani Bharti , Wahi Inderjeet K , Ahlawat Parveen 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAimTo present a retrospective analysis of treatment outcomes following reirradiation in locoregionally recurrent head and neck cancer patients at our institute.MethodsThirty‐one patients of head and neck cancer who presented with a locoregional recurrence from April 2007 to April 2012 underwent salvage reirradiation. Median dose of first‐time radiation was 70 Gy. Median duration of gap between the first and second course of radiation was 45.6 months. The median dose of reirradiation was 60 Gy. Conformal radiotherapy technique in the form of intensity modulated radiotherapy was used in 60% (17) of patients. Fourteen patients received concurrent chemotherapy or immunotherapy.ResultsAfter a median follow‐up of 20.6 months, 12 patients were alive with no evidence of disease. The 3‐year disease‐free survival and overall survival were 28.7 and 48.5%, respectively. Acute and late toxicities were reported in 29 and 61% of patients, respectively. Severe grade 3 and 4 late complications were observed in nine patients but none of them led to mortality.ConclusionReirradiation appears to be both feasible and well tolerated in patients treated with previous radiotherapy for recurrent and second primary head and neck cancer. Careful case selection for reirradiation based on patient's performance status and tumor characteristics is essential.
Regression analysis of correlated ordinal data using orthogonalized residuals
Authors: Perin J. , Preisser J. S. , Phillips C. , Qaqish B. 
Published: August 2014

SummarySemi‐parametric regression models for the joint estimation of marginal mean and within‐cluster pairwise association parameters are used in a variety of settings for population‐averaged modeling of multivariate categorical outcomes. Recently, a formulation of alternating logistic regressions based on orthogonalized, marginal residuals has been introduced for correlated binary data. Unlike the original procedure based on conditional residuals, its covariance estimator is invariant to the ordering of observations within clusters. In this article, the orthogonalized residuals method is extended to model correlated ordinal data with a global odds ratio, and shown in a simulation study to be more efficient and less biased with regards to estimating within‐cluster association parameters than an existing extension to ordinal data of alternating logistic regressions based on conditional residuals. Orthogonalized residuals are used to estimate a model for three correlated ordinal outcomes measured repeatedly in a longitudinal clinical trial of an intervention to improve recovery of patients' perception of altered sensation following jaw surgery.
Hierarchical functional data with mixed continuous and binary measurements
Authors: Li Haocheng , Staudenmayer John , Carroll Raymond J. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryMotivated by objective measurements of physical activity, we take a functional data approach to longitudinal data with simultaneous measurement of a continuous and a binary outcomes. The regression structures are specified as smooth curves measured at various time‐points with random effects that have a hierarchical correlation structure. The random effect curves for each variable are summarized using a few important principal components, and the association of the two longitudinal variables is modeled through the association of the principal component scores. We use penalized splines to model the mean curves and the principal component curves, and cast the proposed model into a mixed effects model framework for model fitting, prediction and inference. Via a quasilikelihood type approximation for the binary component, we develop an algorithm to fit the model. Data‐based transformation of the continuous variable and selection of the number of principal components are incorporated into the algorithm. The method is applied to the motivating physical activity data and is evaluated empirically by a simulation study. Extensions for different types of outcomes are also discussed.
THE ALLOCATION OF OECD DIRECT INVESTMENT BETWEEN CEECS: A DISCRETE CHOICE APPROACH
Authors: Rasciute Simona , Puckett Sean , Pentecost Eric J. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThe choice of the location of foreign direct investment is a complex phenomenon, depending not only on host‐country characteristics, but also on host‐industry and specific source‐firm characteristics. To capture these different influences for foreign investment location decisions into 13 Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs) over a twelve‐year period, this paper uses a Generalized Nested Logit (GNL) model with firm, industry, and country data. The novel empirical results show that the responsiveness of firms’ decisions regarding where to locate capital in CEECs to country‐level variables differs both across sectors and across firms of different sizes and profitability.
4‐bromopropofol decreases action potential generation in spinal neurons by inducing a glycine receptor‐mediated tonic conductance
Authors: Eckle V S , Grasshoff C , Mirakaj V , O'Neill P M , Berry N G , Leuwer M , Antkowiak B 
Published: August 2014

Background and PurposeImpaired function of spinal strychnine‐sensitive glycine receptors gives rise to chronic pain states and movement disorders. Therefore, increased activity of glycine receptors should help to treat such disorders. Although compounds targeting glycine receptors with a high selectivity are lacking, halogenated analogues of propofol have recently been considered as potential candidates. Therefore we asked whether 4‐bromopropofol attenuated the excitability of spinal neurons by promoting glycine receptor‐dependent inhibition.Experimental ApproachThe actions of sub‐anaesthetic concentrations of propofol and 4‐bromopropofol were investigated in spinal tissue cultures prepared from mice. Drug‐induced alterations in action potential firing were monitored by extracellular multi‐unit recordings. The effects on GABAA and glycine receptor‐mediated inhibition were quantified by whole‐cell voltage‐clamp recordings.Key ResultsLow concentrations of 4‐bromopropofol (50 nM) reduced action potential activity of ventral horn neurons by about 30%, compared with sham‐treated slices. This effect was completely abolished by strychnine (1 μM). In voltage‐clamped neurons, 4‐bromopropofol activated glycine receptors, generating a tonic current of 65 ± 10 pA, while GABAA‐ and glycine receptor‐mediated synaptic transmission remained unaffected.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe highest glycine levels in the CNS are found in the ventral horn of the spinal cord, a region mediating pain‐induced motor reflexes and participating in the control of muscle tone. 4‐Bromopropofol may serve as a starting point for the development of non‐sedative, non‐addictive, muscle relaxants and analgesics to be used to treat low back pain.
Deciduousness Influences the Understory Community in a Semideciduous Tropical Forest
Authors: Souza Flaviana M. , Gandolfi Sergius , Rodrigues Ricardo R. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWe investigated how deciduousness of overstory tree species influences the community structure and species composition in the understory. The results suggest that deciduous overstory trees have positive effects on light‐demanding species, and that the processes underlying such effects may involve reduced competition for light or facilitation through increased water availability.
Microclimate Fluctuation Correlated with Beta Diversity of Epiphyllous Bryophyte Communities
Authors: Kraichak Ekaphan 
Published: August 2014

AbstractSite‐to‐site variation in community composition, or beta diversity, is a major component of regional diversity. While many mechanisms, such as dispersal limitation and habitat heterogeneity, have been shown to affect beta diversity, interactions between habitat heterogeneity and environmental fluctuation have not been thoroughly investigated. This study uses leaf‐colonizing (epiphyllous) bryophyte communities as a model system to investigate the effects of microclimate fluctuation on beta diversity. I hypothesized that beta diversity would increase with increasing microclimate fluctuation, as niche breadth of species was reduced with increasing fluctuation. A total of 354 leaf‐colonizing bryophyte communities from 18 sites on the island of Moorea, French Polynesia were collected and identified. At each site, temperature and relative humidity were measured and converted to vapor pressure deficit (VPD). My analyses showed that beta diversity among communities on different host types tended to increase with the increasing daily range of VPD at a given site. It is possible that high fluctuation in microclimate conditions augments the differences in habitat quality among host types, resulting in greater dissimilarities among epiphyllous communities. However, host niche breadths of major epiphyllous species did not decrease with increasing VPD range. Overall, the results suggest that beta diversity may increase with environmental fluctuation, but it is not likely to be the results of reduced niche breadth as theoretically suspected.
Probably Approximately Symmetric: Fast Rigid Symmetry Detection With Global Guarantees
Authors: Korman Simon , Litman Roee , Avidan Shai , Bronstein Alex 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWe present a fast algorithm for global rigid symmetry detection with approximation guarantees. The algorithm is guaranteed to find the best approximate symmetry of a given shape, to within a user‐specified threshold, with very high probability. Our method uses a carefully designed sampling of the transformation space, where each transformation is efficiently evaluated using a sublinear algorithm. We prove that the density of the sampling depends on the total variation of the shape, allowing us to derive formal bounds on the algorithm's complexity and approximation quality. We further investigate different volumetric shape representations (in the form of truncated distance transforms), and in such a way control the total variation of the shape and hence the sampling density and the runtime of the algorithm. A comprehensive set of experiments assesses the proposed method, including an evaluation on the eight categories of the COSEG data set. This is the first large‐scale evaluation of any symmetry detection technique that we are aware of.
Boundary Handling at Cloth–Fluid Contact
Authors: Huber M. , Eberhardt B. , Weiskopf D. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWe present a robust and efficient method for the two‐way coupling between particle‐based fluid simulations and infinitesimally thin solids represented by triangular meshes. Our approach is based on a hybrid method that combines a repulsion force approach with a continuous intersection handling to guarantee that no penetration occurs. Moreover, boundary conditions for the tangential component of the fluid's velocity are implemented to model the different slip conditions. The proposed method is particularly useful for dynamic surfaces, like cloth and thin shells. In addition, we demonstrate how standard fluid surface reconstruction algorithms can be modified to prevent the calculated surface from intersecting close objects. For both the two‐way coupling and the surface reconstruction, we take into account that the fluid can wet the cloth. We have implemented our approach for the bidirectional interaction between liquid simulations based on Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) and standard mesh‐based cloth simulation systems.
Psychopathy and Low Anxiety: Meta‐Analytic Evidence for the Absence of Inhibition, Not Affect
Authors: Derefinko Karen J. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractDespite historical conviction that the psychopath is low‐anxious, contemporary research remains equivocal. An examination of the literature suggests that the lack of consensus may be due to problems with the conceptualization of “psychopathic low anxiety.” It was hypothesized that ambiguous relations could be clarified by parsing the psychopathic low anxiety construct into more discrete components: anxiety, fear, and constraint. The current study examined the relations between psychopathy and these three different low anxiety conceptualizations through three meta‐analyses. Results indicated that anxiety and fear were negligibly related to psychopathyTotal. In contrast, constraint demonstrated a medium negative relation with psychopathyTotal. Relations showed divergence across psychopathy factor scores. Anxiety, fear, and constraint were all negatively related toFactor 1 scores, whereas anxiety was positively related, and constraint negatively related, toFactor 2 scores. These meta‐analytic findings suggest that although psychopathic individuals have deficits in inhibition/constraint, they do not necessarily exhibit a consistent absence of negative affect. This interpretation is consistent with predictions regarding the personality correlates of the factors of psychopathy, indicating that while constraint composes a large part of psychopathy assessments, it is less clear how much anxiety lends to the construct.
Factors Influencing Prostate-Specific Antigen Response among Men Treated with Testosterone Therapy for 6 Months
Authors: Morgentaler Abraham , Benesh Janet A. , Denes Bela S. , Kan-Dobrosky Natalia , Harb Diala , Miller Michael G. 
Published: August 2014

Abstract

Introduction
Factors influencing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) changes in men undergoing testosterone (T) therapy have not been well studied.

Aim
The aim of this study was to assess the influence of selected variables on PSA changes in hypogonadal men administered with 1.62% testosterone gel (T-gel) for 6 months.

Methods
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 274 (234 T-gel, 40 placebo) hypogonadal men &gt;18 years of age, with baseline T concentrations &lt;300 ng/dL, PSA ≤2.5 ng/mL, and negative digital rectal examination. Subjects received once-daily T-gel for T therapy.

Main Outcome Measures
Changes in mean serum PSA, percentage of free PSA (%fPSA), and T from baseline to 6 months (182 days).

Results
Mean age was 53.5 years and baseline mean values were total T 247 ng/dL, PSA 0.9 ng/mL, and %fPSA 24.6%. Among men treated with T-gel, T increased to 499 ng/dL and PSA increased by 0.1 ng/mL (P = 0.0012). PSA increased ≥0.3 ng/mL in 26.3%, &lt;0.3 ng/mL in 73.7%, including a decline from baseline in 33.0%. In the placebo group, T increased 29 ng/dL to 274 ng/dL, and PSA decreased 0.1 ng/mL, compared with baseline. A greater increase in PSA was noted in men ≥60 years old than in men &lt;60 years old (0.4 vs. 0.05 ng/mL, respectively; P = 0.0006). Mean PSA did not change in men with baseline serum T &gt;250 ng/dL, whereas it increased by 0.2 ng/mL in men with T ≤250 ng/dL (P = 0.0031). PSA increased 0.3 ng/mL in men with baseline %fPSA &lt;20% and 0.1 ng/mL in men with %fPSA ≥20%.

Conclusions
Overall, T-gel treatment was associated with a minor increase in PSA, of questionable clinical significance. Factors predicting greater PSA increases included age ≥60 years, baseline T ≤250 ng/dL, and %fPSA &lt;20%. Men with T &gt;250 ng/dL and age &lt;60 years demonstrated minimal or no PSA change.
Who are the children using hospice care?
Authors: Lindley Lisa C. , Shaw Shih‐Lung 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurposeThe purpose was to examine the characteristics of children who use hospice care.Design and MethodsUsing the Andersen Model of Health Services Use, California Medicaid administrative databases were analyzed to describe the characteristics of 76 children in hospice.ResultsThe predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics of children were identified. Children who used hospice were a diverse group with community resources that enabled them to access care while presenting with serious health needs. Children enrolled in hospice were more likely older (15–20 years of age), resided nearer a pediatric hospice, and had a serious health condition such as neuromuscular disease with multiple comorbidities.Practice ImplicationsWith this knowledge, pediatric nurses can improve their clinical practice by targeting conversations with families and children most in need of hospice care.
A pathogenicity determinant maps to the N‐terminal coat protein region of the Pepino mosaic virus genome
Authors: Duff‐Farrier Celia R. A. , Bailey Andy M. , Boonham Neil , Foster Gary D. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryPepino mosaic virus (PepMV) poses a worldwide threat to the tomato industry. Considerable differences at the genetic level allow for the distinction of four main genotypic clusters; however, the basis of the phenotypic outcome is difficult to elucidate. This work reports the generation of wild‐type PepMV infectious clones of both EU (mild) and CH2 (aggressive) genotypes, from which chimeric infectious clones were created. Phenotypic analysis in three solanaceous hosts, Nicotiana benthamiana, Datura stramonium and Solanum lycopersicum, indicated that a PepMV pathogenicity determinant mapped to the 3′‐terminal region of the genome. Increased aggression was only observed in N. benthamiana, showing that this factor is host specific. The determinant was localized to amino acids 11–26 of the N‐terminal coat protein (CP) region; this is the first report of this region functioning as a virulence factor in PepMV.
Automated hematologic analysis of bone marrow aspirate samples from healthy Beagle dogs
Authors: Tan E. , Abrams‐Ogg A. C. G. , Defarges A. , Bienzle D. 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundInterpretation of bone marrow (BM) smears typically is comprised of qualitative assessment and differential counting of cells. Analysis of BM fluid with automated hematology analyzers may provide rapid characterization of cells to supplement microscopic interpretation.ObjectivesThe purpose of the study was to examine the practicality and utility of analyzing BM samples in the Advia 2120 hematology analyzer; to determine if results correlate with smear assessment; and to establish descriptive statistics from hematologically normal and clinically healthy Beagle dogs.MethodsAnticoagulated BM aspirates from 3 different sites of 26 adult Beagle dogs were collected. BM samples were analyzed in the Advia 2120, and numerical results were correlated with microscopic assessment of corresponding BM smears. Results from automated analyses and manual 500‐cell differential counts were statistically analyzed.ResultsForty‐six samples were suitable for complete analysis. Results were available in approximately 2 (Advia) and 30 (stained and cover‐slipped smear) minutes. Advia nucleated cell concentration was significantly correlated with microscopic assessment of smear particle number and smear cellularity. Significant correlations were also identified for Advia percent neutrophils with segmented, band and metamylocyte neutrophils, Advia percent lymphocytes with rubricytes, and Advia percent large unstained cells (LUC) with myeloblasts and promyelocytes.ConclusionsAutomated analysis of BM aspirates was practicable, although techniques to obtain cellular samples and avoid clot formation could be improved. Automated analysis may provide rapid and useful preliminary information regarding sample cellularity, and granulocytic and erythrocytic components. Automated analysis should not supplant microscopic assessment, but may be a useful adjunct.
Studying the linguistic ecology of Singapore: A comparison of college and university students
Authors: SIEMUND PETER , SCHULZ MONIKA EDITH , SCHWEINBERGER MARTIN 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThe focus of research on Singapore English has traditionally been on its structural features, while the relationship between English and other official languages of the Republic within the individual speaker has attracted much less interest, and comparatively little empirical data exist on the actual linguistic ecology of individual Singaporeans. The present study explores the results of detailed language background questionnaires eliciting the linguistic and sociological background of 300 Singaporean university and polytechnic students. The questionnaires assess not only how many languages a speaker is proficient in, but also when and how they acquired each language, how often and in which contexts speakers make use of which language, as well as their attitudes to different languages. The data depict a fine‐grained picture of language use among Singaporean students that challenges the notion of the typical multilingual Singaporean. On the whole, students exhibit bilingual or trilingual identities and report positive attitudes towards both English and their respective mother tongue. Attitudes towards Singapore Colloquial English (Singlish) are also generally positive, especially among university students, as Singlish evidently continues to serve as an important marker of Singaporean identity.
Structural, Electrical, and Ethanol-Sensing Properties ofLa1-xNdxFeO3Nanoparticles
Authors: Thuy Nguyen Thi , Minh Dang Le , Giang Ho Truong , Toan Nguyen Ngoc 
Published: August 2014

The nanocrystallineLa1-xNdxFeO3(0≤x ≤1.0) powders with orthorhombic perovskite phase were prepared by sol-gel method. The average crystallite sizes ofLa1-xNdxFeO3powders are about 20 nm. The resistance and gas-sensing properties of theLa1-xNdxFeO3based sensors were investigated in the temperature range from 160 to 300°C. The results demonstrated that the resistance and response of the perovskite thick films changed with the increase of Nd content.