bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Desmoplastic Trichoepithelioma: An Infrequent Entity not to be Missed: Report of Two Cases
Authors: Nuno‐Gonzalez Almudena , Colmenero Isabel , de Prada Inmaculada , Noguera‐Morel Lucero , Martorell‐Calatayud Antonio , Hernandez‐Martin Angela , Torrelo Antonio 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDesmoplastic trichoepitheliomas are rare benign tumors with follicular differentiation. They have rarely been described in children. We report two children with this uncommon condition.
Policy Determinants of School Outcomes under Model Uncertainty: Evidence from South Africa
Authors: Murtin Fabrice , Laurent Thomas , Barnard Geoff , Janse van Rensburg Dean , Reddy Vijay , Frempong George , Winnaar Lolita 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we assess the determinants of secondary school outcomes in South Africa. We use Bayesian model averaging techniques to account for uncertainty in the set of underlying factors that are chosen among a very large pool of explanatory variables in order to identify the subset of explanatory variables most strongly associated with the dependent variable. Our analysis indicates that the socio‐economic background of pupils, demographic characteristics such as population groups (Black and White), as well as geographical locations account for a significant variation in pupils’ achievement levels. We also find that the most robust policy determinants of pupils’ test scores are the availability of a library at school, the use of IT in the classroom as well as school climate.
A Hobbesian Theory of Shame
Authors: Berkovski Y. Sandy 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTOn most accounts present in the literature, the complex experience of shame has the injury to self‐esteem as its main component. A major objection to this idea is that it fails to differentiate between shame and disappointment in oneself. I argue that previous attempts to respond to the objection are unsatisfactory. I argue further that the distinction should refer to the different ways the subject's self‐esteem is formed. A necessary requirement for shame is that the standards and values by which the subject judges himself are borrowed from a canon of values the subject accepts as a given. The proper focus of shame is the fact of conformity to that canon. Those agents who have a different conception of self‐esteem and who freely set and alter their own values are prone to self‐disappointment, but not to shame.
An alternative teaching method of conditional probabilities and Bayes' rule: an application of the truth table
Authors: Satake Eiki , Vashlishan Murray Amy 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThis paper presents a comparison of three approaches to the teaching of probability to demonstrate how the truth table of elementary mathematical logic can be used to teach the calculations of conditional probabilities. Students are typically introduced to the topic of conditional probabilities—especially the ones that involve Bayes' rule—with the help of such traditional approaches as formula use or conversion to natural frequencies. The truth table approach is an alternative method for explaining the concept and calculation procedure of conditional probability and Bayes' rule.
Automatic segmentation method for bone and blood vessel in murine hindlimb
Authors: Zhao Fengjun , Liang Jimin , Chen Dongmei , Wang Chuan , Yang Xiang , Chen Xueli , Cao Feng 
Published: June 2015

Purpose:The goal of this paper is to address three problems existing in vessel extraction of murine hindlimb. First, the bone can hardly be separated from blood vessels because the intensity of contrast enhanced blood vessels is similar to that of bones. Second, as an automatic blood vessel segmentation method, the vesselness method is sensitive to sharp boundaries, resulting in false positive effect in nonvascular regions. Finally, thin blood vessels are always broken after segmentation because of the low signal‐to‐noise ratio.Methods:The proposed automatic segmentation method for bone and blood vessel in this paper includes three important modules. (1) To eliminate the interference of bones on the segmentation of blood vessels, the authors employ split Bregman method to segment bones in the first place. (2) The authors propose an edge extension strategy to cope with the false positive effect of the vesselness method on the sharp boundaries of hindlimb after the removal of bones. Then, the authors segment the blood vessels using the vesselness method combined with multiscale bi‐Gaussian filtering. (3) The authors reconnect the broken blood vessels after segmentation based on centerline and morphological dilation.Results:The bones’ segmentation from the murine hindlimbs was conducted using the split Bregman, manual, and thresholding methods, respectively. Compared with the thresholding method, the split Bregman method could finely segment the bones from blood vessels, and the results were comparable to that of manual segmentation. After removing bones, the vesselness method combined with the bi‐Gaussian filtering with and without edge extension was performed. The vesselness results with the edge extension strategy could effectively eliminate the false positive effect on sharp boundaries in nonvascular regions. Some of the blood vessels segmented by thresholding from the vesselness results were disconnected. Thus, the authors employed the vascular connection method based on centerline and morphological dilation to connect the broken blood vessels. Compared with the vascular connection utilizing the spatial‐variant and ‐invariant morphological closing methods, the proposed vascular connection method reconnected the broken blood vessels and meanwhile maintained the nonbroken ones unchanged.Conclusions:Our proposed method is suitable for the segmentation of bones and blood vessels in murine hindlimbs. For the segmentation of bones, the split Bregman method improves the distinguishability between bones and blood vessels, since both the intensity information and the geometrical size are exploited. For the segmentation of blood vessels, vesselness method with the edge extension strategy eliminates the false positive effect on the nonvascular sharp boundaries. After segmentation, the proposed vascular connection method based on centerline and morphological dilation can reconnect the broken blood vessels without affecting the nonbroken ones.
Tracking fuzzy borders using geodesic curves with application to liver segmentation on planning CT
Authors: Yuan Yading , Chao Ming , Sheu Ren‐Dih , Rosenzweig Kenneth , Lo Yeh‐Chi 
Published: June 2015

Purpose:This work aims to develop a robust and efficient method to track the fuzzy borders between liver and the abutted organs where automatic liver segmentation usually suffers, and to investigate its applications in automatic liver segmentation on noncontrast‐enhanced planning computed tomography (CT) images.Methods:In order to track the fuzzy liver–chestwall and liver–heart borders where oversegmentation is often found, a starting point and an ending point were first identified on the coronal view images; the fuzzy border was then determined as a geodesic curve constructed by minimizing the gradient‐weighted path length between these two points near the fuzzy border. The minimization of path length was numerically solved by fast‐marching method. The resultant fuzzy borders were incorporated into the authors’ automatic segmentation scheme, in which the liver was initially estimated by a patient‐specific adaptive thresholding and then refined by a geodesic active contour model. By using planning CT images of 15 liver patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy, the liver contours extracted by the proposed computerized scheme were compared with those manually delineated by a radiation oncologist.Results:The proposed automatic liver segmentation method yielded an average Dice similarity coefficient of 0.930 ± 0.015, whereas it was 0.912 ± 0.020 if the fuzzy border tracking was not used. The application of fuzzy border tracking was found to significantly improve the segmentation performance. The mean liver volume obtained by the proposed method was 1727 cm3, whereas it was 1719 cm3 for manual‐outlined volumes. The computer‐generated liver volumes achieved excellent agreement with manual‐outlined volumes with correlation coefficient of 0.98.Conclusions:The proposed method was shown to provide accurate segmentation for liver in the planning CT images where contrast agent is not applied. The authors’ results also clearly demonstrated that the application of tracking the fuzzy borders could significantly reduce contour leakage during active contour evolution.
Speckle contrast diffuse correlation tomography of complex turbid medium flow
Authors: Huang Chong , Irwin Daniel , Lin Yu , Shang Yu , He Lian , Kong Weikai , Luo Jia , Yu Guoqiang 
Published: June 2015

Purpose:Developed herein is a three‐dimensional (3D) flow contrast imaging system leveraging advancements in the extension of laser speckle contrast imaging theories to deep tissues along with our recently developed finite‐element diffuse correlation tomography (DCT) reconstruction scheme. This technique, termed speckle contrast diffuse correlation tomography (scDCT), enables incorporation of complex optical property heterogeneities and sample boundaries. When combined with a reflectance‐based design, this system facilitates a rapid segue into flow contrast imaging of larger, in vivo applications such as humans.Methods:A highly sensitive CCD camera was integrated into a reflectance‐based optical system. Four long‐coherence laser source positions were coupled to an optical switch for sequencing of tomographic data acquisition providing multiple projections through the sample. This system was investigated through incorporation of liquid and solid tissue‐like phantoms exhibiting optical properties and flow characteristics typical of human tissues. Computer simulations were also performed for comparisons. A uniquely encountered smear correction algorithm was employed to correct point‐source illumination contributions during image capture with the frame‐transfer CCD and reflectance setup.Results:Measurements with scDCT on a homogeneous liquid phantom showed that speckle contrast‐based deep flow indices were within 12% of those from standard DCT. Inclusion of a solid phantom submerged below the liquid phantom surface allowed for heterogeneity detection and validation. The heterogeneity was identified successfully by reconstructed 3D flow contrast tomography with scDCT. The heterogeneity center and dimensions and averaged relative flow (within 3%) and localization were in agreement with actuality and computer simulations, respectively.Conclusions:A custom cost‐effective CCD‐based reflectance 3D flow imaging system demonstrated rapid acquisition of dense boundary data and, with further studies, a high potential for translatability to real tissues with arbitrary boundaries. A requisite correction was also found for measurements in the fashion of scDCT to recover accurate speckle contrast of deep tissues.
Early Defensive Mechanisms against Human Papillomavirus Infection
Authors: Moerman-Herzog Andrea , Nakagawa Mayumi 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTCervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and is almost exclusively caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is also frequently associated with other cancers arising from mucosal epithelium, including anal and oropharyngeal cancers, which are becoming more common in both men and women. Viral persistence and progression through precancerous lesion stages are prerequisites for HPV-associated cancer and reflect the inability of cell-mediated immune mechanisms to clear infections and eliminate abnormal cells in some individuals. Cell-mediated immune responses are initiated by innate pathogen sensing and subsequent secretion of soluble immune mediators and amplified by the recruitment and activation of effector T lymphocytes. This review discusses early defensive mechanisms of innate responders to natural HPV infection, their influence on response polarization, and the underappreciated role of keratinocytes in this process.
Overdiagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection and Underdiagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Infection in Adult Women Presenting to an Emergency Department
Authors: Tomas Myreen E. , Getman Damon , Donskey Curtis J. , Hecker Michelle T. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are commonly diagnosed in emergency departments (EDs). Distinguishing between these syndromes can be challenging because of overlapping symptomatology and because both are associated with abnormalities on urinalysis (UA). We conducted a 2-month observational cohort study to determine the accuracy of clinical diagnoses of UTI and STI in adult women presenting with genitourinary (GU) symptoms or diagnosed with GU infections at an urban academic ED. For all urine specimens, UA, culture, and nucleic acid amplification testing for
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
,
Chlamydia trachomatis
, and
Trichomonas vaginalis
were performed. Of 264 women studied, providers diagnosed 175 (66%) with UTIs, 100 (57%) of whom were treated without performing a urine culture during routine care. Combining routine care and study-performed urine cultures, only 84 (48%) of these women had a positive urine culture. Sixty (23%) of the 264 women studied had one or more positive STI tests, 22 (37%) of whom did not receive treatment for an STI within 7 days of the ED visit. Fourteen (64%) of these 22 women were diagnosed with a UTI instead of an STI. Ninety-two percent of the women studied had an abnormal UA finding (greater-than-trace leukocyte esterase level, positive nitrite test result, or pyuria). The positive and negative predictive values of an abnormal UA finding were 41 and 76%, respectively. In this population, empirical therapy for UTI without urine culture testing and overdiagnosis of UTI were common and associated with unnecessary antibiotic exposure and missed STI diagnoses. Abnormal UA findings were common and not predictive of positive urine cultures.
Epidemiology, Evolution, and Recent Outbreaks of Avian Influenza Virus in China
Authors: Su Shuo , Bi Yuhai , Wong Gary , Gray Gregory C. , Gao George F. , Li Shoujun 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT
Novel reassortants of H7N9, H10N8, and H5N6 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are currently circulating in China's poultry flocks, occasionally infecting humans and other mammals. Combined with the sometimes enzootic H5N1 and H9N2 strains, this cauldron of genetically diverse AIVs pose significant risks to public health. Here, we review the epidemiology, evolution, and recent outbreaks of AIVs in China, discuss reasons behind the recent increase in the emergence of novel AIVs, and identify warning signs which may point to the emergence of a potentially virulent and highly transmissible AIV to humans. This review will be useful to authorities who consider options for the detection and control of AIV transmission in animals and humans, with the goal of preventing future epidemics and pandemics.
Leisure time computer use and adolescent bone health—findings from the Tromsø Study,Fit Futures: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Winther Anne , Ahmed Luai Awad , Furberg Anne-Sofie , Grimnes Guri , Jorde Rolf , Nilsen Ole Andreas , Dennison Elaine , Emaus Nina 
Published: June 2015

ObjectivesLow levels of physical activity may have considerable negative effects on bone health in adolescence, and increasing screen time in place of sporting activity during growth is worrying. This study explored the associations between self-reported screen time at weekends and bone mineral density (BMD).DesignIn 2010/2011, 1038 (93%) of the region’s first-year upper-secondary school students (15–18 years) attended the Tromsø Study,Fit Futures 1(FF1). A follow-up survey (FF2) took place in 2012/2013. BMD at total hip, femoral neck and total body was measured as g/cm² by dual X-ray absorptiometry (GE Lunar prodigy). Lifestyle variables were self-reported, including questions on hours per day spent in front of television/computer during weekends and hours spent on leisure time physical activities. Complete data sets for 388/312 girls and 359/231 boys at FF1/FF2, respectively, were used in analyses. Sex stratified multiple regression analyses were performed.ResultsMany adolescents balanced 2–4 h screen time with moderate or high physical activity levels. Screen time was positively related to body mass index (BMI) in boys (p=0.002), who spent more time in front of the computer than girls did (p<0.001). In boys, screen time was adversely associated with BMDFF1at all sites, and these associations remained robust to adjustments for age, puberty, height, BMI, physical activity, vitamin D levels, smoking, alcohol, calcium and carbonated drink consumption (p<0.05). Screen time was also negatively associated with total hip BMDFF2(p=0.031). In contrast, girls who spent 4–6 h in front of the computer had higher BMD than the reference (<2 h).ConclusionsIn Norwegian boys, time spent on screen-based sedentary activity was negatively associated with BMD levels; this relationship persisted 2 years later. Such negative associations were not present among girls. Whether this surprising result is explained by biological differences remains unclear.
Establishing integrated rural–urban cohorts to assess air pollution-related health effects in pregnant women, children and adults in Southern India: an overview of objectives, design and methods in the Tamil Nadu Air Pollution and Health Effects (TAPHE) study
Authors: Balakrishnan Kalpana , Sambandam Sankar , Ramaswamy Padmavathi , Ghosh Santu , Venkatesan Vettriselvi , Thangavel Gurusamy , Mukhopadhyay Krishnendu , Johnson Priscilla , Paul Solomon , Puttaswamy Naveen , Dhaliwal Rupinder S , Shukla D K ,   SRU-CAR Team
Published: June 2015

IntroductionIn rapidly developing countries such as India, the ubiquity of air pollution sources in urban and rural communities often results in ambient and household exposures significantly in excess of health-based air quality guidelines. Few efforts, however, have been directed at establishing quantitative exposure–response relationships in such settings. We describe study protocols for The Tamil Nadu Air Pollution and Health Effects (TAPHE) study, which aims to examine the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposures and select maternal, child and adult health outcomes in integrated rural–urban cohorts.Methods and analysesThe TAPHE study is organised into five component studies with participants drawn from a pregnant mother–child cohort and an adult cohort (n=1200 participants in each cohort). Exposures are assessed through serial measurements of 24–48 h PM2.5area concentrations in household microenvironments together with ambient measurements and time-activity recalls, allowing exposure reconstructions. Generalised additive models will be developed to examine the association between PM2.5exposures, maternal (birth weight), child (acute respiratory infections) and adult (chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function) health outcomes while adjusting for multiple covariates. In addition, exposure models are being developed to predict PM2.5exposures in relation to household and community level variables as well as to explore inter-relationships between household concentrations of PM2.5and air toxics. Finally, a bio-repository of peripheral and cord blood samples is being created to explore the role of gene–environment interactions in follow-up studies.Ethics and disseminationThe study protocols have been approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Sri Ramachandra University, the host institution for the investigators in this study. Study results will be widely disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations. In addition, policy-relevant recommendations are also being planned to inform ongoing national air quality action plans concerning ambient and household air pollution.
Oral Contraceptive Use and Colorectal Cancer in the Nurses' Health Study I and II
Authors: Charlton Brittany M. , Wu Kana , Zhang Xuehong , Giovannucci Edward L. , Fuchs Charles S. , Missmer Stacey A. , Rosner Bernard , Hankinson Susan E. , Willett Walter C. , Michels Karin B. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Background: It remains unclear if oral contraceptive (OC) use is associated with the incidence of colorectal cancer. Few studies have examined this association by duration of OC use, time since last OC use, and different cancer subsites.
Methods: Among 88,691 participants of the Nurses' Health Study I (NHSI) and 93,080 participants of the Nurses' Health Study II (NHSII), we assessed OC use every 2 years between 1976 and 2010 and categorized it as ever use, duration of use, and time since last use. We included incident colorectal cancer cases through 2010 (NHSI: age at diagnosis = 36–88, N = 1,764; NHSII: age at diagnosis = 33–64, N = 206). Multivariable hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models.
Results: Ever OC use was not associated with colorectal cancer in NHSI [1.01 (0.91, 1.12)] nor NHSII [1.03 (0.69, 1.53)]. In NHSII, when compared with never-users, longer durations (5+ years) of OC use were inversely associated with the risk of colon cancers (Ptrend = 0.02) but the number of endpoints was limited. No other colorectal cancer subsites were associated with OC durations or times since last OC use in either cohort.
Conclusions: In two large prospective cohorts, we found little evidence that OC use may be protective for colorectal cancer, except potentially with longer durations of use among younger women.
Impact: Our results do not support the previous initial studies that reported an inverse association of recent OC use with colorectal cancer but instead support newer, larger studies demonstrating no such association. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(8); 1214–21. ©2015 AACR.
Insecure attachment strategies are associated with cognitive alexithymia in patients with severe somatoform disorder
Authors: Koelen Jurrijn A , Eurelings-Bontekoe Elisabeth HM , Stuke Frauke , Luyten Patrick 
Published: June 2015

Objective In light of interpersonal difficulties and their relation to alexithymia in patients with somatoform disorder, the primary aim of this study was to explore the association between two insecure attachment strategies (deactivation and hyperactivation strategies), and affective and cognitive alexithymia in a sample of 128 patients with severe somatoform disorder, over and above the levels of negative affectivity and personality pathology. Method In a cross-sectional study among patients with somatoform disorder, self-report data were obtained using measures for alexithymia (Bermond-Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire), attachment (Experiences in Close Relationships Questionnaire), personality pathology (Inventory of Personality Organization), and negative affectivity (Dutch Short Form of the MMPI). We used hierarchical regression analyses to test main effects of attachment deactivation and hyperactivation strategies in the prediction of both cognitive and affective alexithymia, while controlling for the levels of negative affectivity and personality pathology. Results Only cognitive alexithymia, i.e., the inability to analyze, identify, and verbalize emotions, was associated with personality dysfunction, in particular insecure attachment strategies. Affective alexithymia, i.e., the inability to fantasize and to experience emotions, was associated (negatively) with negative affectivity but not with the personality variables. Conclusions This study, therefore, indicates that both types of alexithymia are relevant for the assessment and treatment of severe somatoform disorder, yet each type may tap into different features of somatoform disorder.