bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)1A and HNF4A substitution occurring simultaneously in a family with maturity‐onset diabetes of the young
Authors: Beijers H. J. B. H. , Losekoot M. , Odink R. J. , Bravenboer B.
Published: September 2009

Introduction  Maturity‐onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a monogenic form of diabetes mellitus characterized by an early age at onset, autosomal dominant inheritance and a primary defect in the function of the B‐cells of the pancreas. We report a family with two members carrying a substitution in both the hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)1A and HNF4A gene simultaneously.

Case report  A 39‐year‐old man was referred because of mild diabetic retinopathy. Because of a dominant presentation of diabetes in his family, genetic testing was performed. Sequence analysis of the genes involved in MODY‐1–3 revealed the presence of an amino acid substitution in the HNF1A as well as the HNF4A gene. Both substitutions were also detected in his mother. The HNF1A substitution has been described previously as pathogenic, whereas the HNF4A substitution had not been found previously. The HNF4A substitution was located in a conserved region of the protein and, additionally, the proband and his mother had high birthweights and low triglyceride levels, both of which are associated with pathogenic HNF4A substitutions.

Conclusions  To our knowledge this is the first reported family carrying both a substitution of HNF1A and HNF4A gene simultaneously. The exact contribution of each substitution to the phenotype of our subjects remains to be further elucidated, however, given the high birthweights and the low triglyceride levels in those with both substitutions, it is reasonable that the HNF4A substitution is pathogenic.
Children, Labour Supply and Child Care: Challenges for Empirical Analysis
Authors: Kalb Guyonne
Published: September 2009

The aim of this article is to give an overview of the important issues relating to the labour supply of the primary carer in a household. Child care plays a central role in allowing the primary carer time away from the young children in a household. Therefore, child‐care use is a central topic of this article, as well. There are a number of different aspects to child care, such as the price, quality, availability and type of service. This article discusses the analytical problems and challenges, taking Australian data, policy and experience as a focus, but drawing on a wide range of international empirical studies. It reports the results from previous research on child‐care use and labour supply and it outlines the areas requiring more study. The focus of the article is on economic research.
Object Calibration for Augmented Reality
Authors: Whitaker Ross T. , Crampton Chris , Breen David E. , Tuceryan Mihran , Rose Eric
Published: September 2009

Augmented reality involves the use of models and their associated renderings to supplement information in a real scene. In order for this information to be relevant or meaningful, the models must be positioned and displayed in such a way that they align with their corresponding real objects. For practical reasons this alignment cannot be known a priori, and cannot be hard‐wired into a system. Instead a simple, reliable alignment or calibration process is performed so that computer models can be accurately registered with their real‐life counterparts. We describe the design and implementation of such a process and we show how it can be used to create convincing interactions between real and virtual objects.
A Real‐time Continuous Alphabetic Sign Language to Speech Conversion VR System
Authors: Liang Rung‐Huei , Ouhyoung Ming
Published: September 2009

Many ways of communications are used between human and computer, while using gesture is considered to be one of the most natural way in a virtual reality system. Because of its intuitiveness and its capability of helping the hearing impaired or speaking impaired, we develop a gesture recognition system. Considering the world‐wide use of ASL (American Sign Language), this system focuses on the recognition of a continuous flow of alphabets in ASL to spell a word followed by the speech synthesis, and adopts a simple and efficient windowed template matching recognition strategy to achieve the goal of a real‐time and continuous recognition. In addition to the abduction and the flex information in a gesture, we introduce a concept of contact‐point into our system to solve the intrinsic ambiguities of some gestures in ASL. Five tact switches, served as contact‐points and sensed by an analogue to digital board, are sewn on a glove cover to enhance the functions of a traditional data glove.
Three Architectures for Volume Rendering
Authors: Hesser Jürgen , Manner Reinhard , Knittel Günter , Straßer Wolfgang , Pfister Hanspeter , Kaufman Arie
Published: September 2009

Volume rendering is a key technique in scientific visualization that lends itself to significant exploitable parallelism. The high computational demands of real‐time volume rendering and continued technological advances in the area of VLSl give impetus to the development of special‐purpose volume rendering architectures. This paper presents and characterizes three recently developed volume rendering engines which are based on the ray‐casting method. A taxonomy of the algorithmic variants of ray‐casting and details of each ray‐casting architecture are discussed. The paper then compares the machinefeatures and provides an outlook onfuture developments in the area of volume rendering hardware.
Shading with Curve Light Sources1
Authors: Bao Hujun , Ying Jianguo , Peng Qunsheng
Published: September 2009

A new shading model for curve light sources is presented. It accounts for both diffuse reflection and specular reflection of the illuminated surface. By regarding a linear light source as a directional quadrilateral light source with very small width, a simple formula is derived first for calculating the diffuse reflection component due to the illumination of the linear segment. The diffuse reflection of the surface by direct illumination of a curve light source is then evaluated by approximating the curve light with a series of linear segments. The specular reflection component due to a curve light source is represented by an integration taking Phong's specular model as the kernel and evaluated by summing the contributions from the linear segments. Finally, an efficient shadow detection algorithm for curve light sources is proposed. The images rendered with the shading model are very photo‐realistic.
A new radiosity approach for regular objects: application to ruled surfaces
Authors: ARQUES Didier , MICHELIN Sylvain
Published: September 2009

This paper introduces a new approach in the radiosity method. The main principle applied here, is the improvement of form factor computation by the knowledge of the model properties. More precisely, if surfaces describing a scene are “regular”, the values of the form factor and its “derivatives” between any patch B and a patch A intervening in the meshing of a given surface, enable us to evaluate (with a required precision) the form factors values between B and the neighboring patches of A. We will also show that the mathematical relation we have obtained, 1) is especially efficient with ruled surfaces, 2) significantly decreases the computation time, 3) is well‐adapted to refinement or subdivision techniques and 4) gives us an interesting variety of surfaces. Calculation times are equivalent to those obtained with a projective method (hemi‐cube for example) but with an efficient control of the generated errors.
Using Procedural RenderMan Shaders for Global Illurnination
Authors: Slusallek Philipp , Pflaum Thomas , Seidel Hans‐Peter
Published: September 2009

Global illumination techniques like radiosity or Monte‐Carlo ray‐tracing are becoming standard features of rendering systems. However, there is currently no accepted interface format which supports an appropriate physically‐based scene description. In this paper we present extensions to the well‐known RenderMan interface, which allow for a physically based scene description and support advanced global illumination techniques. Special emphasis has been laid on the support for procedural descriptions of reflection and emission by RenderMan surface shaders. So far, they could not be used with most global illumination algorithms. The extensions have been implemented in a physically‐based rendering system and are illustrated with examples.
Synthesizing Feather Textures in Galliformes
Authors: Dai Wen‐Kai , Shih Zen‐Chung , Chang Ruei‐Chuan
Published: September 2009

The texture of feather is one of the most fascinating, complicated, and beautiful texture patterns in nature. In this paper, we propose a new and effective texture generation approach that uses the traits of iteration behavior to synthesize the textures of Galliformes feathers realistically. We also propose an interactive feather modeling approach which provides a close connection between the user's intuition and the resulting branching pattern. In texturing the feather structure, we use an object‐space mapping technique. Experimental results are presented to show the effectiveness of our method.
Why Liberals Can Favour Compulsory Attendance
Authors: Engelen Bart
Published: September 2009

It has been argued that compulsory voting conflicts with a number of liberal commitments, such as free thought, free speech and privacy. This article aims to show that compulsory voting, which is actually a misnomer for compulsory attendance, can in fact be defended on a liberal basis. If understood correctly, compulsory attendance laws and liberalism fit quite easily together.
Functional Principal Component Analyses of Biomedical Images as Outcome Measures
Authors: O’Connor Emma , Fieller Nick , Holmes Andrew , Waterton John C. , Ainscow Edward
Published: September 2009

Medical imaging data are often valuable in evaluating disease and therapeutic effects. However, in formal assessment of treatment efficacy, it is usual to discard most of the rich information within the image, instead relying on simple summary measures. This reflects the absence of satisfactory statistical tools for the description and analysis of variability between images. We present extended techniques of functional data analysis applied to distributions of variable values extracted from specified regions within images, which are used to produce displays of ‘principal densities’ that allow interpretation of principal modes of variation in terms of features in the distributions of the voxel values. These techniques are especially relevant in circumstances where the spatial distribution of variables within the specified region is not of interest. Tumours, for example, are disorganized in nature and may change shape rapidly so it is not possible, even in principle, to create a 1–1 correspondence between images before and post treatment. The techniques that are introduced here, however, enable us to distinguish differences between pretreatment and post-treatment densities. These methods are essentially exploratory; hence we develop a permutation test providing more formal assessment of differences of treatment, which assesses the changes within dose group. Extensions to multivariate images of two or more variables are also illustrated and we show that the methodology makes bivariate functional data just as easy to handle as univariate data.
Estimating the Cure Fraction in Population-Based Cancer Studies by Using Finite Mixture Models
Authors: Lambert P. C. , Dickman P. W. , Weston C. L. , Thompson J. R.
Published: September 2009

The cure fraction (the proportion of patients who are cured of disease) is of interest to both patients and clinicians and is a useful measure to monitor trends in survival of curable disease. The paper extends the non-mixture and mixture cure fraction models to estimate the proportion cured of disease in population-based cancer studies by incorporating a finite mixture of two Weibull distributions to provide more flexibility in the shape of the estimated relative survival or excess mortality functions. The methods are illustrated by using public use data from England and Wales on survival following diagnosis of cancer of the colon where interest lies in differences between age and deprivation groups. We show that the finite mixture approach leads to improved model fit and estimates of the cure fraction that are closer to the empirical estimates. This is particularly so in the oldest age group where the cure fraction is notably lower. The cure fraction is broadly similar in each deprivation group, but the median survival of the ‘uncured’ is lower in the more deprived groups. The finite mixture approach overcomes some of the limitations of the more simplistic cure models and has the potential to model the complex excess hazard functions that are seen in real data.
Evaluating a Continuous Biomarker for Infection by using Observed Disease Status with Covariate Effects on Disease
Authors: Jones Geoffrey , Johnson Wesley O. , Vink W. Daan
Published: September 2009

A continuous valued serology test has been developed for the infective agent causing bovine digital dermatitis. Since infection cannot be observed directly, disease status as indicated by foot lesions is used as an imperfect proxy to evaluate the test. The desire to specify covariate effects on disease rather than infection status leads to some difficulties in developing a coherent probability model linking the variables of interest. We resolve these issues by making some plausible conditional independence assumptions, and we use the resulting model to investigate the ability of the serology test to discriminate between infected and uninfected animals.
Quantifying the Interest Rate Risk of Banks: Assumptions Do Matter
Authors: Entrop Oliver , Wilkens Marco , Zeisler Alexander
Published: September 2009

This paper analyses the robustness of the standardised framework proposed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (2004b) to quantify the interest rate risk of banks. We generalise this framework and study the change in the estimated level of interest rate risk if the strict assumptions of the standardised framework are violated. Using data on the German universal banking system, we find that estimates of the interest rate risk are very sensitive to the framework's assumptions. We conclude that the results obtained using the standardised framework in its current specification should be treated with caution when used for supervisory and risk management purposes.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: Karl Barth and the Historicization of God's Being
Authors: EITEL ADAM
Published: September 2009

Abstract:  In the excurses of Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics IV/1, Barth invests the resurrection with greater ontological significance than is typically acknowledged in contemporary accounts of his mature theology. In this article, I systematically develop the numerous statements in CD IV/1 in which Barth conceptualizes the resurrection as the historical fulfillment of God's eternal being. Subsequently, I identify the similitude between Barth's theology of the resurrection and Hegel's as presented in his Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion. The article closes by suggesting that the similitude between Barth's view and Hegel's may include points of material correspondence.
Pleasant natural scent with unpleasant effects: Cluster headache-like attacks triggered by Umbellularia californica
Authors: Benemei S , Appendino G , Geppetti P
Published: September 2009

Umbellularia californica, a shrub or tree indigenous to southwestern Oregon and northern California, is commonly known as headache tree, probably because it is reported that its scent can cause headache. Here, we report the case of a 69-year-old Italian gardener, affected during his young adult age by cluster headache, who, 10 years from his last cluster episode, developed shorter-lasting cluster-like headache attacks after and at any time he was exposed to U. californica scent. The present case indicates that, even though endogenous mechanisms causing the cluster headache were no longer present, susceptibility to exogenous triggers remains active in this patient, and suggests that identification of the constituent(s) of U. californica responsible for triggering cluster headache-like attacks may help in the understanding of the hitherto elusive mechanism of cluster headache.
Increased intracranial pressure due to hyperthyroidism
Authors: Yaka E , Çakmur R
Published: September 2009

We present a 58-year-old man with neurological manifestations indicating increased intracranial pressure in association with hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism due to a hyperfunctioning solitary thyroid nodule was the underlying cause, since all the symptoms disappeared after the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Our aim is to emphasize that hyperthyroidism should be suspected in a patient with progressive symptoms of increased intracranial pressure.
Harre's Social Philosophy and Political Philosophy: A Social Scientific Critique
Authors: RATNER CARL
Published: September 2009

In his article, “Saving Critical Realism,”Harre (2009) relates his revised philosophy of science to a social philosophy concerning the nature of society, and to a political philosophy regarding the nature of freedom and reform. I argue that his social philosophy and political philosophy rest upon an individualistic sense of society and freedom. I demonstrate that his individualism is factually and politically untenable. (I shall not comment on his philosophy of science, although the errors in his social and political philosophies make it suspect.) I counterpose an alternative social philosophy and political philosophy that are based on a structural model of society, freedom, and social change.

My critique demonstrates how social science can adjudicate claims of structuralist vs. individualist social and political philosophy. It also argues that social science must constitute the basis for formulating political ideals of freedom and social organization if these are to be viable.
Review of electrical stimulation in cerebral palsy and recommendations for future directions
Authors: MERRILL DANIEL R
Published: September 2009

Electrical stimulation (ES) for treatment of neuromuscular disorders is introduced. Various forms of ES are defined. Characteristics of cerebral palsy (CP) and treatment options are given. The clinical objectives of ES for CP treatment are stated. A review of the literature for treatment in CP is given. Several common themes within the literature and limitations in prior studies are explored. The majority of studies have used surface stimulation, which has several inherent limitations. To address these limitations, implanted devices may be used. Implanted device systems include percutaneous stimulation systems, and fully implantable leaded systems. While both of these technologies have advantages over surface stimulation, they also have their own limitations. To further address the limitations of percutaneous and fully implantable leaded systems, the Alfred Mann Foundation has developed a completely implantable, telemetered device known as the Radio Frequency Microstimulator (RFM). Results from a study using the RFM for arm rehabilitation in poststroke patients are given. A list of desirable design features for an ES system for CP is given. The next generation microstimulator device under development at the Alfred Mann Foundation is presented. This device may well serve the needs for ES in CP.
The potential metabolic consequences of cerebral palsy: inferences from the general population and persons with spinal cord injury
Authors: BAUMAN WILLIAM A
Published: September 2009

The metabolic consequences of cerebral palsy (CP) have not been reported. The observations and suggestions presented in this article are based on our current knowledge of physiology in the general population and on information on the known metabolic consequences of disability in persons with spinal cord injury. Because of pain, fatigue, and other secondary consequences of CP, adolescents with CP who are ambulatory may become less physically active with age. This phenomenon would be expected to be associated with deconditioning and adverse changes in body composition including atrophy of muscles and an absolute or relative increase in adiposity. Insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and associated adverse metabolic changes may develop. In an unfavorable metabolic milieu, the ability of the pancreas to compensate for mild elevations of circulating glucose may diminish. The combination of reduced fitness and conventional risk factors for cardiovascular disease would be expected to increase the risk for coronary heart disease (CHD); however, there has been no assessment of the risk factors for CHD in adults with CP. Once subgroups with modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease have been identified, risk factors for CHD should be aggressively treated, according to current standards of care.
Osteoporosis in adults with cerebral palsy
Authors: SHERIDAN KEVIN J
Published: September 2009

Life expectancy for the 400 000 adults with cerebral palsy (CP) in the USA is increasing. Although there is a perception of increased fractured rate in the adult with CP, it has not been well studied. Low bone mineral density is found in more than 50% of adults with a variety of disabilities, including CP. Dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scanning is commonly used to assess bone mineral density, but is limited by positioning and other artifacts in adults with CP. Novel scanning regions of interest, such as the distal femur, are not yet standardized in adults. Nutritional assessment and physical activity, the basis of most fracture prevention programs, are difficult to do in the adult with CP. A better understanding of the ‘muscle‐bone unit’ physiology and its exploitation may lead to better treatment modifications. Clinical research trials with bisphosphonates (e.g. pamidronate), estrogen, selective estrogen receptor modulators, parathyroid hormone analogs, and growth hormone need to be targeted to the adult with CP. Longitudinal studies of fracture risk factors, genetic research in bone and neuromuscular biology, and the development of treatment surrogates for physical activity are additional areas of needed expertise. This could be facilitated by an adult CP registry and the centralization of clinical research efforts.
Undergraduate students' attitudes towards food shopping and attitudes to time
Authors: Dobson Suzanne , Ness Mitchell
Published: September 2009

The objectives of the study are to identify the dimensions underlying two constructs (students' attitudes to food shopping and students' attitudes to time), to use these dimensions to identify student segments and to profile them in terms of the construct dimensions, shopping behaviour and students' characteristics. The study employs a web‐based questionnaire. The useable sample was 744 full‐time undergraduate students at Newcastle University. Results indicated that there are six and seven dimensions underlying attitudes to food shopping and attitudes to time respectively. Three student segments are identified with different attitudes to food shopping, attitudes to time, shopping behaviour and students' characteristics. The implication for marketers is that the student market should not be considered en masse, but that segmentation, targeting and positioning is an appropriate strategy for food retailers to adopt.
Exploring mechanisms of sex differences in longevity: lifetime ovary exposure and exceptional longevity in dogs
Authors: Waters David J. , Kengeri Seema S. , Clever Beth , Booth Julie A. , Maras Aimee H , Schlittler Deborah L. , Hayek Michael G.
Published: September 2009

To move closer to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of sex differences in human longevity, we studied pet dogs to determine whether lifetime duration of ovary exposure was associated with exceptional longevity. This hypothesis was tested by collecting and analyzing lifetime medical histories, age at death, and cause of death for a cohort of canine ‘centenarians’– exceptionally long‐lived Rottweiler dogs that lived more than 30% longer than average life expectancy for the breed. Sex and lifetime ovary exposure in the oldest‐old Rottweilers (age at death, ≥ 13 years) were compared to a cohort of Rottweilers that had usual longevity (age at death, 8.0–10.8 years). Like women, female dogs were more likely than males to achieve exceptional longevity (OR, 95% CI = 2.0, 1.2–3.3;P = 0.006). However, removal of ovaries during the first 4 years of life erased the female survival advantage. In females, a strong positive association between ovaries and longevity persisted in multivariate analysis that considered other factors, such as height, body weight, and mother with exceptional longevity. A beneficial effect of ovaries on longevity in females could not be attributed to resistance against a particular disease or major cause of death. Our results document in dogs a female sex advantage for achieving exceptional longevity and show that lifetime ovary exposure, a factor not previously evaluated in women, is associated with exceptional longevity. This work introduces a conceptual framework for designing additional studies in pet dogs to define the ovary‐sensitive biological processes that promote healthy human longevity.
How Likely is Proportional Representation in the House of Commons? Lessons from International Experience
Authors: Renwick Alan
Published: September 2009

This article asks what international evidence suggests about the likelihood of major reform of the system used to elect the British House of Commons. It identifies four paths that have generated major electoral reform or come close to doing so in established democracies in recent decades and examines how likely each is to lead to reform in the UK. It argues that, on this evidence, reform in the UK is unlikely but not impossible.
Evaluation of indocyanine green clearance and model for end‐stage liver disease for estimation of short‐term prognosis in decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Stauber Rudolf E. , Wagner Doris , Stadlbauer Vanessa , Palma Stefan , Gurakuqi Gerald , Kniepeiss Daniela , Iberer Florian , Smolle Karl‐Heinz , Haas Josef , Trauner Michael
Published: September 2009

Background: Indocyanine green (ICG) clearance has been proposed as a quantitative liver function test several decades ago. Interest in this method has been renewed following the development of finger pulse densitometry for noninvasive estimation of the ICG plasma disappearance rate (PDR). On the other hand, the model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD), which is based on routine laboratory parameters, is widely used for estimation of short‐term survival in cirrhosis, but its prognostic value in critically ill cirrhotic patients is unclear.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of ICG PDR vs. MELD for estimation of short‐term prognosis in cirrhotic patients.

Methods: Ninety consecutive cirrhotic patients who were admitted for decompensated disease or were being evaluated for liver transplantation were screened. Patients who underwent liver transplantation within the following 90 days and those with hepatocellular carcinoma were excluded. In the remaining 70 patients, routine laboratory parameters and ICG clearance were analysed. Following an injection of ICG 0.25 mg/kg, PDR was measured by finger pulse densitometry. The diagnostic accuracy of ICG PDR and MELD for prediction of 90‐day survival was assessed by receiver–operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results: ROC curve analysis revealed superior diagnostic accuracy for MELD as compared with ICG PDR in predicting 90‐day survival (area under the ROC curve 0.89 vs. 0.71). A MELD cut‐off of 22 provided the best discrimination for prediction of 90‐day survival.

Conclusions: MELD is superior to ICG PDR for estimation of short‐term survival in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
Microfabric of folded quartz veins in metagreywackes: dislocation creep and subgrain rotation at high stress
Authors: TREPMANN C. A. , STÖCKHERT B.
Published: September 2009

The microfabrics of folded quartz veins in fine‐grained high pressure–low temperature metamorphic greywackes of the Franciscan Subduction Complex at Pacheco Pass, California, were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy including electron backscatter diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The foliated host metagreywacke is deformed by dissolution–precipitation creep, as indicated by the shape preferred orientation of mica and clastic quartz without any signs of crystal‐plastic deformation. The absence of crystal‐plastic deformation of clastic quartz suggests that the flow stress in the host metagreywacke remained below a few tens of MPa at temperatures of 250–300 °C. In contrast, the microfabric of the folded quartz veins indicates deformation by dislocation creep accompanied by subgrain rotation recrystallization. For the small recrystallized grain size of ∼8 ± 6 μm, paleopiezometers indicate differential stresses of a few hundred MPa. The stress concentration in the single phase quartz vein is interpreted to be due to its higher effective viscosity compared to the fine‐grained host metagreywacke deforming by dissolution–precipitation creep. The fold shape suggests a viscosity contrast of one to two orders of magnitude. Deformation by dissolution–precipitation creep is expected to be a continuous process. The same must hold for folding of the vein and deformation of the vein quartz by dislocation creep. The microfabric suggests dynamic recrystallization predominantly by subgrain rotation and only minor strain‐induced grain boundary migration, which requires low contrasts in dislocation density across high‐angle grain boundaries to be maintained during climb‐controlled creep at high differential stress. The record of quartz in these continuously deformed veins is characteristic and different from the record in metamorphic rocks exhumed in seismically active regions, where high‐stress deformation at similar temperatures is episodic and related to the seismic cycle.
Favorable Long‐Term Survival in Patients Undergoing Multivessel‐PCI Compared to Predicted Prognosis of CABG Estimated by EuroSCORE: Procedural and Clinical Determinants of Long‐Term Outcome
Authors: LEHMANN RALF , FICHTLSCHERER STEPHAN , SCHÄCHINGER VOLKER , HELD LAURA , HOBLER CAROLA , BAIER GREGOR , ZEIHER ANDREAS M. , SPYRIDOPOULOS IOAKIM
Published: September 2009

Aims/Methods:

Treatment of patients with multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) has been an ongoing focus of recent clinical studies, questioning the ideal treatment. Randomized trials comparing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have so far only included a minority of screened patients. Therefore, we analyzed data from 679 consecutive “all‐comer” patients, who underwent PCI in at least two main vessels. Expected in‐hospital mortality for CABG was calculated using the EuroSCORE and compared to the observed mortality rate during in‐hospital as well as long‐term follow‐up.

Results:

The patients were suffering from 2.5 ± 0.6 diseased vessels, and 2.8 ± 1.0 lesions were stented (32% of patients received at least one drug‐eluting stent [DES]; 20% of lesions were treated with DES). Forty‐seven percent of patients were treated for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (
N = 176 ST‐elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]; N = 140 non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]). The EuroSCORE was significantly higher in ACS patients compared to stable patients (logistic: STEMI 16.3 ± 17.2; NSTEMI 13.6 ± 13.0; stable CAD 3.9 ± 4.2). The observed in‐hospital mortality (STEMI 13.0%; NSTEMI 2.9%; stable CAD 1.7%, P < 0.001) was far lower than the estimated 30‐day mortality. Cox regression analysis identified an elevated logistic EuroSCORE (HR per quartile 2.7, P = 0.003), severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HR 2.7, P < 0.001), elevated C‐reactive protein (HR 1.8, P = 0.012), and chronic renal failure (HR 2.8, P = 0.001) as independent predictors of long‐term mortality.

Conclusions:

The EuroSCORE, which is routinely used to estimate the perioperative risk of patients undergoing CABG, also predicts short‐ and long‐term prognosis of patients undergoing MV‐PCI. The observed mortality of patients undergoing MV‐PCI seems to be much lower than the estimated mortality of CABG.
Compression of the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Authors: Hwang Sung Oh , Zhao Pei Ge , Choi Han Joo , Park Kyung Hye , Cha Kyung Chul , Park So Mi , Kim Sang Chul , Kim Hyun , Lee Kang Hyun
Published: September 2009

Objectives:  This prospective observational study was performed to investigate if the hand position used for external chest compressions is in an optimal position for compressing the ventricles during standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Methods:  Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed during standard CPR in 34 patients with nontraumatic cardiac arrest (24 males, mean ± standard deviation [SD] age = 56 ± 12 years). On the recorded image of TEE, an area of maximal compression (AMC) was identified, and the degree of compression at the AMC and the left ventricular stroke volume was calculated.

Results:  A significant narrowing of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) or the aorta was noted in all patients, with the degree of compression at the AMC ranging from 19% to 83% (mean ± SD = 49 ± 19%). The AMC was found at the aorta in 20 patients (59%) and at the LVOT in 14 patients (41%). A significant narrowing of more than 50% of the diameter at the end of the relaxation phase occurred in 15 patients (44%). On linear regression, the left ventricular stroke volume was correlated with the location of the AMC (R2 = 0.165, p = 0.017).

Conclusions:  The outflow of the left ventricle is affected during standard CPR, resulting in varying degrees of narrowing in the LVOT and/or the aortic root.
Washington Wire
Authors: Dozier Damon
Published: September 2009

Washington Wire brings readers coverage of important public policy issues of general interest to the anthropology community.
Theoretical Antecedents of Distress Disclosure in a Community Sample of Young People1
Authors: Greenland Katy , Scourfield Jonathan , Maxwell Nina , Prior Lindsay , Scourfield Jane
Published: September 2009

The Distress Disclosure Index (Kahn & Hessling, 2001) measures the tendency to disclose psychological distress and is important in understanding psychological well‐being, interpersonal relationships, and help seeking. This paper used the disclosure decision model (Omarzu, 2000) to explore the theoretical antecedents of distress disclosure. Results of a community‐based survey of 17–18‐year‐olds in South Wales (United Kingdom), suggesting that private self‐consciousness, social support, and femininity were associated with higher distress disclosure. Shame was associated with lower distress disclosure. Moderating effects of gender and gender identity were also explored. Social support and femininity both interacted with gender to predict distress disclosure. The results suggest a number of interventions to increase distress disclosure in young men and women.
Effects of microtopography and hydrology on phenology of an invasive herb
Authors: Andrew Margaret E. , Ustin Susan L.
Published: September 2009

Phenological traits may influence invasion success via effects on invasiveness of the colonizing species and invasibility of the receiving ecosystems. Many species exhibit substantial fine‐scaled spatial variation in phenology and interannual differences in phenological timing in response to environmental variation. Yet describing and understanding this variation is limited by the availability of appropriate spatial and temporal datasets. Remote sensing provides such datasets, but has primarily been used to monitor broad‐scale phenological patterns at coarse resolutions, necessarily missing fine spatial detail and intraspecies variation. We used hyperspectral remote sensing to characterize the spatial and temporal phenological variation of the invasive species Lepidium latifolium (perennial pepperweed) at two sites in California's San Francisco Bay/Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta. Considerable phenological variation was detected: L. latifolium was simultaneously present in vegetative, early flowering, peak flowering, fruiting, and senescent stages in late June; the relative dominance and distribution of these stages varied interannually. Environmental determinants of phenology were investigated with variables derived from the hyperspectral image data, from a high resolution LiDAR (light detection and ranging) digital elevation model (DEM), and from local precipitation and streamflow data. Lepidium latifolium phenology was found to track water availability, and may also be influenced by intraspecific competition and edaphic stress. Lepidium latifolium has a unique phenology (summer flowering) relative to the communities it invades, which may allow invasion of an empty niche. Furthermore, many habitats are invaded by L. latifolium, which occurs in locally appropriate phenologies under the different environmental conditions. The environmental responsiveness of L. latifolium phenology may mediate the wide breadth of invasible habitats.
Spectroscopic characterization and microscopic imaging of extracted and in situ cutaneous collagen and elastic tissue components under two‐photon excitation
Authors: Chen Jianxin , Lee Anthony , Zhao Jianhua , Wang Hequn , Lui Harvey , McLean David I. , Zeng Haishan
Published: September 2009

Background/purposes: Understanding the two‐photon excitation spectral characteristics and microscopic morphology of cutaneous collagen and elastic tissue components is important for applying multiphoton microscopy (MPM) in basic skin biology research and for clinical diagnosis.

Methods: We developed a system for two‐photon excitation spectral measurements at various excitation wavelengths. The microscopic morphology was studied using a commercial multiphoton microscope.

Results: We obtained two‐photon excitation fluorescence (TPEF) excitation–emission matrices (EEM), for the first time, of purified collagen and elastin samples, as well as in situ collagen and elastic fibers within excised human dermis. The EEM of the dermis was found to be similar to that of elastin. The excitation spectra for second harmonic generation (SHG) from purified collagen and excised dermis were also studied and were found to have similar spectral shapes.

Conclusion: This study, using the EEM spectroscopic approach, confirmed a previous imaging study inference that in the dermis, TPEF predominantly originates from elastic fibers, while SHG originates solely from collagen fibers. The EEM data and SHG excitation spectra obtained in this study can be used to guide the selection of excitation wavelengths for MPM applications in basic skin biology research and for clinical diagnosis.
Semi‐quantitative assessment of the distribution of skin lesions in patients with psoriasis and psoriasis arthritis
Authors: Piechnik Stefan Kazimierz , Forseth Karin Øien , Krogstad Anne‐Lene
Published: September 2009

Background: We propose that the distribution of skin lesions in psoriasis may be assessed using parametric maps on a pixel‐by‐pixel basis.

Material and methods: We processed 428 patient‐drawn self‐descriptions of the psoriasis lesions on a supplied body template. We compared 195 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) with 89 who had this diagnosis rejected (Psor). Additionally, 28 Psor cases supplied drawings performed after 3 weeks of climate therapy (PsorCT) to test the treatment efficacy. The drawings were scanned, lesion areas were segmented, followed by construction of parametric maps of lesion distributions and calculation of statistical differences between groups.

Results and discussion: In PsorCT, the lesions occupied 11.2% (0–42%) [median (min.–max.)] of the body area. The area decreased to 2.4% (6–11%) after heliotherapy. The differences were statistically significant for all the areas studied and spread evenly over the body surface. PsA had a relatively low psoriasis lesion occupancy of 2.5% (0–42%) compared with Psor 9.8% (0–34%), which is attributed to the difference in recruitment. Correcting for this, we demonstrate a clear tendency for the head, palms, feet, groin and nails to be preferred lesion sites in PsA in contrast to psoriasis.

Conclusion: Pixel‐based analysis of self‐reported skin lesion distributions is a powerful tool to assess systematic differences due to treatment or disease variants.
Effect of antifungal gels incorporated into a tissue conditioning material on the growth of Candida albicans
Authors: Radnai Marta , Whiley Rob , Friel Tim , Wright Paul S
Published: September 2009

doi:10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00337.x
 
Effect of antifungal gels incorporated into a tissue conditioning material on the growth of Candida albicans

Objective:  The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of antifungal gels incorporated into a tissue conditioner which inhibits the growth of Candida albicans in vitro.

Background:  The release of drugs from relining materials has been demonstrated earlier. However, the incorporation of antifungal agents in gel form has not yet been studied.

Materials and methods:  Visco‐gel® tissue conditioner was prepared with chlorhexidine digluconate and miconazole in gel form in a concentration of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% by volume. Sample discs were prepared and placed on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) plates which had been previously inoculated with C. albicans, and incubated aerobically at 37°C.

To investigate antifungal activity over time, Visco‐gel discs containing 20%v/v miconazole were prepared and immersed in water for different time periods before being placed on SDA plates inoculated with C. albicans.

Results:  Chlorhexidine digluconate gel added to tissue conditioner had no inhibition effect on the growth of C. albicans. Incorporation of miconazole gave a dose‐related inhibitory effect on candidal growth. Immersion of the discs in water showed an inverse relationship between time of immersion and degree of inhibition.

Conclusion:  Miconazole added in gel form to Visco‐gel® had an inhibitory effect on the growth of C. albicans in vitro.
The relationship of the interleukin‐6 −174 G>C gene polymorphism with cardiovascular risk factors in Turkish polycystic ovary syndrome patients
Authors: Erdogan M. , Karadeniz M. , Berdeli A. , Tamsel S. , Yilmaz C.
Published: September 2009

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between 174 promoter region of the interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) C/G gene polymorphism and high sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), fibrinogen and carotis intima–media thickness (CIMT), body mass index, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) insulin resistance index, serum lipid parameters, in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients carrying a potential risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). We studied 88 PCOS patients and 119 healthy controls. PCOS was defined by the Rotterdam PCOS consensus criteria. The genotype IL‐6 distribution did differ between the control group (CC 10.1%, GC 63.0%, GG 29.6%) and the PCOS patients (CC 5.7%, GC 29.5%, GG 64.8%) (P < 0.001). The frequency of the polymorphic G allele was also no similar for the group with PCOS as for the control group with 79.5% and 58.4% respectively (P < 0.001). Both in PCOS patients and in control group, no statistically significant difference was determined between C/C, G/C and G/G, and blood cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, high‐density lipoprotein levels, low density lipoprotein levels, fasting blood sugar levels, insulin levels, HOMA values, CIMT measurements either on the right or left side, hs‐CRP, f‐testosterone, fibrinogen and 17 alpha‐hydroxy‐progesterone levels (P > 0.05). Gene polymorphism of IL‐6 −174 G>C is a risk factor for PCOS in Turkish patients, but we found no relationship between the cardiovascular risk factors and IL‐6 −174 G>C gene polymorphism in women with PCOS and healthy subjects. Our negative results in risk factors of CVD can probably be explained by the fact that metabolic parameters and endothelial systems of patients may not yet be affected in this short time of period.
The optimal redshift for detecting ionized bubbles in Hi 21-cm maps
Authors: Datta Kanan K. , Bharadwaj Somnath , Choudhury T. Roy
Published: September 2009

The detection of individual ionized bubbles in H i 21-cm maps is one of the most promising, direct probes of the epoch of reionization (EoR). At least 1000 h of observation would be required for such a detection with either the currently functioning Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) or the upcoming Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). Considering the large investment for telescope time, it is essential to identify the ‘optimal redshift’ where the prospects of a detection are most favourable. We find that the optimal redshift is determined by a combination of instrument dependent factors and the evolution of the neutral fraction xH i. We find that the redshift range 8.1 ± 1.1 and 9.8 ± 1 are optimum for detecting ionized bubbles with the GMRT and MWA, respectively. The prospects of a detection, we find, are more favourable in a scenario with late reionization with xH i≈ 0.5 at z≈ 7.5 as compared to an early reionization model where xH i≈ 0.5 at z≈ 10. In the late reionization scenario, for both instruments a 3σ detection is possible for bubbles of comoving radius Rb≥ 30 Mpc with 1000 h of observation. Future observations will either lead to the detection of ionized bubbles, or in the event of non-detection, lead to constraints on the product xH iRγb for the observational volume, where γ= 1.5 and 2 for GMRT and MWA, respectively.
DETERMINATION OF INDICATOR BACTERIA IN PHARMACEUTICAL SAMPLES BY MULTIPLEX PCR
Authors: FARAJNIA S. , HASSAN M. , HALLAJ NEZHADI S. , MOHAMMADNEJAD L. , MILANI M. , LOTFIPOUR F.
Published: September 2009

Rapid and sensitive detection techniques for indicator pathogens are important in pharmaceutical industry. However, common detection methods rely on bacterial culture in combination with biochemical tests, a process that typically takes 5–6 days to complete. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assay for simultaneous detection and identification of four indicator pathogenic bacteria in a single reaction. Specific primers for indicator bacteria, namely Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosaand Salmonella, were applied to allow simultaneous detection of them, and the sensitivity and specificity of each primer pairs were determined. In the mPCR with mixed DNA samples, specific bands for corresponding bacteria were simultaneously detected. Agarose gel electrophoresis of PCR products revealed 100% specificity of mPCR with single bands in the expected sizes. Low levels of microbial contamination less than 10 cfu per milliliter or gram of product were detected using mPCR assay. The detection of all four indicator pathogenic bacteria were completed in less than 8 h with this novel mPCR method, whereas the conventional United States Pharmacopeia methods and uniplex PCR required 5–6 days and 27 h for completion, respectively. Using mPCR assay, the microbial quality control of nonsterile pharmaceutical products can be performed in a cost‐effective and timely manner in pharmaceutical industry.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Detection of pathogenic indicatiors of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the mandatory tests in microbial quality of nonsterile pharmaceutical products; therefore, rapid and sensitive detection of the contaminations is of great importance for product release. According to the results of the present study, simultaneous detection of low levels of four major potential pathogenic bacteria in pharmaceutical finished products can be performed using mPCR in a cost‐effective and timely manner, and upon these properties of the mPCR assay it could have potential applications in pharmaceutical industry.