bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age‐associated alterations in corpus callosum white matter integrity in bipolar disorder assessed using probabilistic tractography
Authors: Toteja Nitin , Guvenek‐Cokol Perihan , Ikuta Toshikazu , Kafantaris Vivian , Peters Bart D , Burdick Katherine E , John Majnu , Malhotra Anil K , Szeszko Philip R 
Published: December 2014

ObjectivesAtypical age‐associated changes in white matter integrity may play a role in the neurobiology of bipolar disorder, but no studies have examined the major white matter tracts using nonlinear statistical modeling across a wide age range in this disorder. The goal of this study was to identify possible deviations in the typical pattern of age‐associated changes in white matter integrity in patients with bipolar disorder across the age range of 9–62 years.MethodsDiffusion tensor imaging was performed in 57 (20 male and 37 female) patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and 57 (20 male and 37 female) age‐ and sex‐matched healthy volunteers. Mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy were computed for the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum, two projection tracts, and five association tracts using probabilistic tractography.ResultsOverall, patients had lower fractional anisotropy and higher mean diffusivity compared to healthy volunteers across all tracts (while controlling for the effects of age and age2). In addition, there were greater age‐associated increases in mean diffusivity in patients compared to healthy volunteers within the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum beginning in the second and third decades of life.ConclusionsOur findings provide evidence for alterations in the typical pattern of white matter development in patients with bipolar disorder compared to healthy volunteers. Changes in white matter development within the corpus callosum may lead to altered inter‐hemispheric communication that is considered integral to the neurobiology of the disorder.
Big Data and analytics in higher education: Opportunities and challenges
Authors: Daniel Ben 
Published: December 2014

AbstractInstitutions of higher education are operating in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. This paper identifies contemporary challenges facing institutions of higher education worldwide and explores the potential of Big Data in addressing these challenges. The paper then outlines a number of opportunities and challenges associated with the implementation of Big Data in the context of higher education. The paper concludes by outlining future directions relating to the development and implementation of an institutional project on Big Data.
The development and evaluation of listening and speaking diagnosis and remedial teaching system
Authors: Hsiao Hsien‐Sheng , Chang Cheng‐Sian , Lin Chiou‐Yan , Chen Berlin , Wu Chia‐Hou , Lin Chien‐Yu 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIn this study, a system was developed to offer adaptive remedial instruction materials to learners of Chinese as a foreign language (CFL). The Chinese Listening and Speaking Diagnosis and Remedial Instruction (CLSDRI) system integrated computerized diagnostic tests and remedial instruction materials to diagnose errors made in listening comprehension and speaking. To test the CLSDRI system, 65 CFL students were recruited from the Mandarin Training Center at National Taiwan Normal University to participate in an experiment. The results indicated that the CLSDRI system made a greater positive impact on the experimental group (EG) participants' listening comprehension and oral language proficiency compared with the control group's (CG) use of computerized diagnostic tests combined with paper‐based remedial instruction materials. Moreover, the experiment revealed two interesting findings related to the effectiveness of the CLSDRI system: (1) immediate and adaptive remedial instruction materials improved the EG participants' proficiency in listening comprehension and speaking and (2) there were fewer differences in listening comprehension and speaking abilities between the Sinosphere participants who resided in a Chinese population and were influenced by Chinese culture and the non‐Sinosphere participants. These findings support the effectiveness of computer‐assisted language learning.
Development and evaluation of a web map mind tool environment with the theory of spatial thinking and project‐based learning strategy
Authors: Hou Huei‐Tse , Yu Tsai‐Fang , Wu Yi‐Xuan , Sung Yao‐Ting , Chang Kuo‐En 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe theory of spatial thinking is relevant to the learning and teaching of many academic domains. One promising method to facilitate learners' higher‐order thinking is to utilize a web map mind tool to assist learners in applying spatial thinking to cooperative problem solving. In this study, an environment is designed based on the theory of spatial thinking and developed to help learners engage in project‐based learning that utilizes the proposed web map mind tool for tour planning. The participants were 66 college students, and a quasi‐experimental research design was employed. This study examined the differences in the learning performance and project performance between participants using the web map mind tool (the experimental group) and ordinary Internet search engines (the control group). The results indicate the experimental group performed significantly better than the control group in terms of both learning performance and project performance. In addition, we found that the students in the two groups held a positive learning attitude toward the project activity of tour planning. In terms of students' attitude toward the use of a mind tool, this study only conducted a survey for the experimental group. The results indicated that learners in the experimental group held a positive attitude toward the use of the web map mind tool.
A clinician's guide to double hit lymphomas
Authors: Cheah Chan Yoon , Oki Yasuhiro , Westin Jason R. , Turturro Francesco 
Published: December 2014

SummaryDouble hit lymphomas (DHL) represent a subset of highly aggressive B‐cell malignancies characterized by the presence of recurrent cytogenetic rearrangements affecting MYC and either BCL2 and/or BCL6. Recent studies have expanded the concept to include MYC/BCL2 protein co‐expressing lymphomas. Around 5–10% of diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas are ‘double hit’ using the cytogenetic definition, whilst around 30–40% are MYC/BCL2 protein co‐expressing. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of this condition written with the practicing clinician in mind, covering the definition and classification, when DHL should be suspected and how to make the diagnosis, the prognostic factors and a detailed discussion of recent evidence regarding optimal therapy. In particular, we discuss choice of induction regimen, the role of central nervous system‐directed prophylaxis, stem cell transplantation and relapsing or refractory disease and provide our opinions based on the currently available evidence. Finally, we highlight some of the more exciting therapies currently in development for this highly aggressive disease.
White Matter Changes in Dementia: Role of Impaired Drainage of Interstitial Fluid
Authors: Weller Roy O. , Hawkes Cheryl A. , Kalaria Raj N. , Werring David J. , Carare Roxana O. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWhite matter abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with dementia and include white matter hyperintensities (WMH; also termed leukoaraiosis) and visible perivascular spaces (PVS). We review the potential role of impaired drainage of interstitial fluid in the pathogenesis of WMH and PVS. Whereas the volume of extracellular space in the grey matter is tightly controlled, fluid accumulates and expands the extracellular spaces of the white matter in acute hydrocephalus, vasogenic edema and WMH. Although there are no conventional lymphatic vessels in the brain, there is very effective lymphatic drainage for fluid and solutes along restricted pathways in the basement membranes of cerebral capillaries and arteries in young individuals. Lymphatic drainage of the brain is impaired with age and in association with apolipoprotein E ε4, risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Deposition of proteins in the lymphatic drainage pathways in the walls of cerebral arteries with age is recognized as protein elimination failure angiopathy (PEFA), as in CAA and cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). Facilitating perivascular lymphatic drainage from the aging brain may play a significant role in the prevention of CAA, WMH and Alzheimer's disease and may enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease.
White Matter Hypoperfusion and Damage in Dementia: Post‐Mortem Assessment
Authors: Love Seth , Miners J Scott 
Published: December 2014

AbstractNeuroimaging has revealed a range of white matter abnormalities that are common in dementia, some that predict cognitive decline. The abnormalities may result from structural diseases of the cerebral vasculature, such as arteriolosclerosis and amyloid angiopathy, but can also be caused by nonstructural vascular abnormalities (eg, of vascular contractility or permeability), neurovascular instability or extracranial cardiac or vascular disease. Conventional histopathological assessment of the white matter has tended to conflate morphological vascular abnormalities with changes that reflect altered interstitial fluid dynamics or white matter ischemic damage, even though the latter may be of extracranial or nonstructural etiology. However, histopathology is being supplemented by biochemical approaches, including the measurement of proteins involved in the molecular responses to brain ischemia, myelin proteins differentially susceptible to ischemic damage, vessel‐associated proteins that allow rapid measurement of microvessel density, markers of blood–brain barrier dysfunction and axonal injury, and mediators of white matter damage. By combining neuroimaging with histopathology and biochemical analysis, we can provide reproducible, quantitative data on the severity of white matter damage, and information on its etiology and pathogenesis. Together these have the potential to inform and improve treatment, particularly in forms of dementia to which white matter hypoperfusion makes a significant contribution.
Changing trends in prognostic factors for patients with multiple myeloma after autologous stem cell transplantation during the immunomodulator drug/proteasome inhibitor era
Authors: Takamatsu Hiroyuki , Honda Sumihisa , Miyamoto Toshihiro , Yokoyama Kenji , Hagiwara Shotaro , Ito Toshiro , Tomita Naoto , Iida Shinsuke , Iwasaki Toshihiro , Sakamaki Hisashi , Suzuki Ritsuro , Sunami Kazutaka 
Published: December 2014

We evaluated the clinical significance of prognostic factors including the International Staging System (ISS) and modified European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation response criteria in 1650 Japanese patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who underwent upfront single autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). We categorized patients into two treatment cohorts: pre‐novel agent era (1995–2006) and novel agent era (2008–2011). The combined percentage of pre‐ASCT complete response and very good partial response cases (463 of 988, 47%) significantly increased during the novel agent era compared with the pre‐novel agent era (164 of 527, 31%; P < 0.0001). The 2‐year overall survival (OS) rate of 87% during the novel agent era was a significant improvement relative to that of 82% during the pre‐novel agent era (P = 0.019). Although significant differences in OS were found among ISS stages during the pre‐novel agent era, no significant difference was observed between ISS I and II (P = 0.107) during the novel agent era. The factors independently associated with a superior OS were female gender (P = 0.002), a good performance status (P = 0.024), lower ISS (P < 0.001), pre‐ASCT response at least partial response (P < 0.001) and ASCT during the novel agent era (P = 0.017). These results indicate that the response rate and OS were significantly improved, and the ISS could not clearly stratify the prognoses of Japanese patients with MM who underwent upfront single ASCT during the novel agent era.
Mechanism of multiple sclerosis based on the clinical trial results of molecular targeted therapy
Authors: Ochi Hirofumi 
Published: December 2014

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex immune mediated disease of the central nervous system. It is characterized by inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes that result in neuroaxonal damage. Its etiology is still unknown, and its pathogenesis is only partly understood. There have been major advances in the treatment of MS in the past two decades, and a wide range of immunomodulagtory and immunosuppressive therapies have been used for the management of MS. More recently, there has been a growing interest in immunotherapeutic strategies with selective actions that target biological molecules involved in MS pathogenesis. Thus, better understanding of the immunopathogenesis of MS is believed to result in the development of more efficacious treatment. However, in contrast to the successful introduced therapies, such as natalizumab and alemtuzumab, there have been a remarkable number of therapeutic failures as well. Despite the convincing immunological concepts and promising results from animal models of MS, some drugs showed no clinical efficacy or even worsened the disease. Clinical trial results of molecular targeted therapy that shed light on the improving understanding of the immunopathogenesis of MS are discussed in the present review. These trials include monoclonal antibodies against leukocyte differentiation molecules (anti‐CD3 and anti‐CD4 antibodies), tumor necrosis factor‐α neutralization, targeting the interleukin (IL)‐12/IL‐23 pathways, immune cell‐depleting ant‐CD52 monoclonal antibody and targeting IL‐2 receptor signaling.
Non‐Local Image Inpainting Using Low‐Rank Matrix Completion
Authors: Li Wei , Zhao Lei , Lin Zhijie , Xu Duanqing , Lu Dongming 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a highly accurate inpainting algorithm which reconstructs an image from a fraction of its pixels. Our algorithm is inspired by the recent progress of non‐local image processing techniques following the idea of ‘grouping and collaborative filtering’. In our framework, we first match and group similar patches in the input image, and then convert the problem of estimating missing values for the stack of matched patches to the problem of low‐rank matrix completion, and finally obtain the result by synthesizing all the restored patches. In our algorithm, how to accurately perform patch matching process and solve the low‐rank matrix completion problem are key points. For the first problem, we propose a robust patch matching approach, and for the second task, the alternating direction method of multipliers is employed. Experiments show that our algorithm has superior advantages over existing inpainting techniques. Besides, our algorithm can be easily extended to handle practical applications including rendering acceleration, photo restoration and object removal.
Impact of implant support on mandibular free‐end base removable partial denture: theoretical study
Authors: Oh Won‐suk , Oh Tae‐Ju , Park Ju‐mi 
Published: December 2014

AbstractObjectivesThis study investigated the impact of implant support on the development of shear force and bending moment in mandibular free‐end base removable partial dentures (RPDs).Material and methodsThree theoretical test models of unilateral mandibular free‐end base RPDs were constructed to represent the base of tooth replacement, as follows: Model 1: first and second molars (M1 and M2); Model 2: second premolar (P2), M1, and M2; and Model 3: first premolar (P1), P2, M1, and M2. The implant support located either at M1 or M2 sites. The occlusal loading was concentrated at each replacement tooth to calculate the stress resultants developed in the RPD models using the free‐body diagrams of shear force and bending moment.ResultsThere was a trend of reduction in the peak shear force and bending moment when the base was supported by implant. However, the degree of reduction varied with the location of implant support. The moment reduced by 76% in Model 1, 58% in Model 2, and 42% in Model 3, when the implant location shifted from M1 to M2 sites.ConclusionsThe shear forces and bending moments subjected to mandibular free‐end base RPDs were found to decrease with the addition of implant support. However, the impact of implant support varied with the location of implant in this theoretical study.
Bisphenol A as epigenetic modulator: setting the stage for carcinogenesis?
Authors: Ferreira Luciana L. , Couto Renata , Oliveira Paulo J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundBisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most widely produced chemicals worldwide and is often used in the production of food and beverage containers. As a result of BPA contact with food, drink and toiletries, its ingestion and absorption by humans has been growing. The industrialization and modern lifestyles brought a constant exposure to several health‐disturbing compounds and ushered a new era of chronic diseases. The endocrine disruptor potential of BPA is well known, but the research around its epigenotoxic effects raised further concerns whether chronic exposure to BPA can contribute to chronic human illness, including cancer in hormone‐sensitive organs.Materials and methodsFocusing on computerized databases, we reviewed original and review articles which elucidate and link some of the information already available about BPA and related epigenetic alterations.ResultsA number of studies indicate that short‐term administration of low or high‐doses of BPA may be associated with an increased risk of epigenetic modifications, increasing the risk for carcinogenesis. However, it is clear that more studies considering real daily exposures are essential to define a real tolerable daily intake and to tighten\xA0up\xA0manufactory regulations.ConclusionIn this review, we highlight some evidences suggesting a relationship between BPA exposure, genotoxic activity and epigenetic modifications, which may prime for carcinogenesis.
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells, a role in neoplastic prevention and progression
Authors: Lombardi Vincent C. , Khaiboullina Svetlana F. , Rizvanov Albert A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundPlasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are multifunctional bone‐marrow‐derived immune cells that are key players in bridging the innate and adaptive immune systems. Activation of pDCs through toll‐like receptor agonists has proven to be an effective treatment for some neoplastic disorders.Materials and methodsIn this mini‐review, we will explore the fascinating contribution of pDCs to neoplastic pathology and discuss their potential utilization in cancer immunotherapy.ResultsCurrent research suggests that pDCs have cytotoxic potential and can effectively induce apoptosis of tumour‐derived cells lines. They are also reported to display tolerogenic function with the ability to suppress T‐cell proliferation, analogous to regulatory T cells. In this capacity, they are critical in the suppression of autoimmunity but can be exploited by tumour cells to circumvent the expansion of tumour‐specific T cells, thereby allowing tumours to persist.ConclusionSeveral forms of skin cancer are successfully treated with the topical drug Imiquimod, which activates pDCs through toll‐like receptor 7 engagement. Additionally, pDC‐based anticancer vaccines have shown encouraging results for the treatment of melanoma in early trials. Future studies regarding the contributions of pDCs to malignancy will likely afford many opportunities for immunotherapy strategies.
The interplay between p66Shc, reactive oxygen species and cancer cell metabolism
Authors: Lebiedzinska‐Arciszewska Magdalena , Oparka Monika , Vega‐Naredo Ignacio , Karkucinska‐Wieckowska Agnieszka , Pinton Paolo , Duszynski Jerzy , Wieckowski Mariusz R. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe adaptor protein p66Shc links membrane receptors to intracellular signalling pathways and has the potential to respond to energy status changes and regulate mitogenic signalling. Initially reported to mediate growth signals in normal and cancer cells, p66Shc has also been recognized as a pro‐apoptotic protein involved in the cellular response to oxidative stress. Moreover, it is a key element in processes such as cancer cell proliferation, tumor progression, metastasis and metabolic reprogramming. Recent findings on the role of p66Shc in the above‐mentioned processes have been obtained through the use of various tumor cell types, including prostate, breast, ovarian, lung, colon, skin and thyroid cancer cells. Interestingly, the impact of p66Shc on the proliferation rate was mainly observed in prostate tumors, while its impact on metastasis was mainly found in breast cancers. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the possible roles of p66Shc in different cancers.
Services liberalization and productivity of manufacturing firms
Authors: Shepotylo Oleksandr , Vakhitov Volodymyr 
Published: December 2014

AbstractEmploying a unique database of Ukrainian firms in 2001–07, we use the external push for liberalization in the services sector as a source of exogenous variation to identify the effect of services liberalization on total factor productivity (TFP) of manufacturing firms. The results indicate that a standard deviation increase in services liberalization within a firm is associated with a 9.2 percent increase in TFP. The effect is stronger for firms with high productivity, bringing about a reallocation of resources within an industry. Industry‐level results show that the effect of reallocation on industry productivity is almost as strong as the within‐firm effect. The dynamic interaction of services liberalization and TFP through the investment channel reinforces the effect. The effect is robust to different estimation methods and to different sub‐samples of the data. In particular, it is more pronounced for domestic and small firms.
Disease progression in plantations of Acacia mangium affected by red root rot (Ganoderma philippii)
Authors: Francis A. , Beadle C. , Puspitasari D. , Irianto R. , Agustini L. , Rimbawanto A. , Gafur A. , Hardiyanto E. , Junarto   , Hidyati N. , Tjahjono B. , Mardai U. , Glen M. , Mohammed C. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThe rapid emergence of Acacia mangium as the key industrial plantation species in Indonesia has been followed by the equally rapid emergence of red root rot (Ganoderma philippii) as its potential nemesis. As a consequence, and on severely affected mineral soils in equatorial tropical environments in particular, A. mangium may no longer be capable of producing commercial yields after three rotations. In this experiment, 100‐tree plots were established in commercial plantings of A. mangium at five sites which represented the range of growing conditions used for plantation establishment in Indonesia. Repeated monitoring at approximately 6‐month intervals of above‐ and below‐ground variables was used to explore relationships between measures of tree health and root rot. Crown colour and density were poor predictors of either the presence or severity of infections. Tree mortality increased more or less linearly with time and led to the progressive coalescence of initially discrete disease gaps. The average rate of disease development was about 0.3% per month, and average time from infection to tree death was conservatively estimated at around 1 year. Trees with more than four dead/missing neighbours had a >50% chance of being dead by the following monitoring. By the end of the monitoring period >40% of trees were classified as dead/missing, although this value varied from 20 to 70% depending on site, tree age and rotation. Canonical discriminant analysis correctly allocated >90% trees into their correct group on the first monitoring and similarly classified whether trees would be dead or missing in the following monitoring.