bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Almost Periodic Solutions for Wilson-Cowan Type Model with Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Xie Shasha , Huang Zhenkun
Published: March 2013

Wilson-Cowan model of neuronal population with time-varying delays is considered in this paper. Some sufficient conditions for the existence and delay-based exponential stability of a unique almost periodic solution are established. The approaches are based on constructing Lyapunov functionals and the well-known Banach contraction mapping principle. The results are new, easily checkable, and complement existing periodic ones.
Fuzzy Sliding Mode Controller Design Using Takagi-Sugeno Modelled Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Bououden S. , Chadli M. , Karimi H. R.
Published: March 2013

Adaptive fuzzy sliding mode controller for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems is proposed in this paper. The unknown system dynamics and upper bounds of the minimum approximation errors are adaptively updated with stabilizing adaptive laws. The closed-loop system driven by the proposed controllers is shown to be stable with all the adaptation parameters being bounded. The performance and stability of the proposed control system are achieved analytically using the Lyapunov stability theory. Simulations show that the proposed controller performs well and exhibits good performance.
From Ontology to Semantic Similarity: Calculation of Ontology‐Based Semantic Similarity
Authors: Gan Mingxin , Dou Xue , Jiang Rui
Published: March 2013

Advances in high‐throughput experimental techniques in the past decade have enabled the explosive increase of omics data, while effective organization, interpretation, and exchange of these data require standard and controlled vocabularies in the domain of biological and biomedical studies. Ontologies, as abstract description systems for domain‐specific knowledge composition, hence receive more and more attention in computational biology and bioinformatics. Particularly, many applications relying on domain ontologies require quantitative measures of relationships between terms in the ontologies, making it indispensable to develop computational methods for the derivation of ontology‐based semantic similarity between terms. Nevertheless, with a variety of methods available, how to choose a suitable method for a specific application becomes a problem. With this understanding, we review a majority of existing methods that rely on ontologies to calculate semantic similarity between terms. We classify existing methods into five categories: methods based on semantic distance, methods based on information content, methods based on properties of terms, methods based on ontology hierarchy, and hybrid methods. We summarize characteristics of each category, with emphasis on basic notions, advantages and disadvantages of these methods. Further, we extend our review to software tools implementing these methods and applications using these methods.
Robust Synchronization Criterion for Coupled Stochastic Discrete-Time Neural Networks with Interval Time-Varying Delays, Leakage Delay, and Parameter Uncertainties
Authors: Park M. J. , Kwon O. M. , Park Ju H. , Lee S. M. , Cha E. J.
Published: March 2013

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a delay-dependent robust synchronization analysis for coupled stochastic discrete-time neural networks with interval time-varying delays in networks coupling, a time delay in leakage term, and parameter uncertainties. Based on the Lyapunov method, a new delay-dependent criterion for the synchronization of the networks is derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) by constructing a suitable Lyapunov-Krasovskii’s functional and utilizing Finsler’s lemma without free-weighting matrices. Two numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Expression of Pluripotency and Oocyte-Related Genes in Single Putative Stem Cells from Human Adult Ovarian Surface Epithelium CulturedIn Vitroin the Presence of Follicular Fluid
Authors: Virant-Klun Irma , Skutella Thomas , Kubista Mikael , Vogler Andrej , Sinkovec Jasna , Meden-Vrtovec Helena
Published: March 2013

The aim of this study was to trigger the expression of genes related to oocytes in putative ovarian stem cells scraped from the ovarian surface epithelium of women with premature ovarian failure and culturedin vitroin the presence of follicular fluid, rich in substances for oocyte growth and maturation. Ovarian surface epithelium was scraped and cell cultures were set up by scrapings in five women with nonfunctional ovaries and with no naturally present mature follicles or oocytes. In the presence of donated follicular fluid putative stem cells grew and developed into primitive oocyte-like cells. A detailed single-cell gene expression profiling was performed to elucidate their genetic status in comparison to human embryonic stem cells, oocytes, and somatic fibroblasts. The ovarian cell cultures depleted/converted reproductive hormones from the culture medium. Estradiol alone or together with other substances may be involved in development of these primitive oocyte-like cells. The majority of primitive oocyte-like cells was mononuclear and expressed several genes related to pluripotency and oocytes, including genes related to meiosis, although they did not express some important oocyte-specific genes. Our work reveals the presence of putative stem cells in the ovarian surface epithelium of women with premature ovarian failure.
The Effects of the PEM Fuel Cell Performance with the Waved Flow Channels
Authors: Yang Yue-Tzu , Tsai Kuo-Teng , Chen Cha’o-Kuang
Published: March 2013

The objective of this study is to use a new style of waved flow channel instead of the plane surface channel in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The velocity, concentration, and electrical performance with the waved flow channel in PEMFC are investigated by numerical simulations. The results show that the waved channel arises when the transport benefits through the porous layer and improves the performance of the PEMFC. This is because the waved flow channel enhances the forced convection and causes the more reactant gas flow into the gas diffusion layer (GDL). The performance which was compared to a conventional straight gas flow channel increases significantly with the small gap size when it is smaller than 0.5 in the waved flow channel. The performance is decreased at the high and low velocities as the force convection mechanism is weakened and the reactant gas supply is insufficient. The pressure drop is increased as the gap size becomes smaller, and the wave number decreases. (gap size)δ> 0.3 has a reasonable pressure drop. Consequently, compared to a conventional PEMFC, the waved flow channel improves approximately 30% of power density.
Friction Forces during Sliding of Various Brackets for Malaligned Teeth: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Crincoli Vito , Perillo Letizia , Di Bisceglie Maria Beatrice , Balsamo Antonio , Serpico Vitaliano , Chiatante Francesco , Pappalettere Carmine , Boccaccio Antonio
Published: March 2013

Aims. To measure the friction force generated during sliding mechanics with conventional, self‐ligating (Damon 3 mx, Smart Clip, and Time 3) and low‐friction (Synergy) brackets using different archwire diameters and ligating systems in the presence of apical and buccal malalignments of the canine. Methods. An experimental setup reproducing the right buccal segment of the maxillary arch was designed to measure the friction force generated at the bracket/wire and wire/ligature interfaces of different brackets. A complete factorial plan was drawn up and a three‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out to investigate whether the following factors affect the values of friction force: (i) degree of malalignment, (ii) diameter of the orthodontic wire, and (iii) bracket/ligature combination. Tukey post hoc test was also conducted to evaluate any statistically significant differences between the bracket/ligature combinations analyzed. Results. ANOVA showed that all the above factors affect the friction force values. The friction force released during sliding mechanics with conventional brackets is about 5‐6times higher than that released with the other investigated brackets. A quasilinear increase of the frictional forces was observed for increasing amounts of apical and buccal malalignments. Conclusion. The Synergy bracket with silicone ligature placed around the inner tie‐wings appears to yield the best performance.
Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors Induce Tumor Cell ApoptosisIn VivoPrimarily by Inhibiting VEGF Expression and Angiogenesis
Authors: Frost Patrick , Berlanger Eileen , Mysore Veena , Hoang Bao , Shi YiJiang , Gera Joseph , Lichtenstein Alan
Published: March 2013

We found that rapalog mTOR inhibitors induce G1 arrest in the PTEN-null HS Sultan B-cell lymphoma linein vitro, but that administration of rapalogs in a HS Sultan xenograft model resulted in significant apoptosis, and that this correlated with induction of hypoxia and inhibition of neoangiogenesis and VEGF expression. Mechanistically, rapalogs prevent cap-dependent translation, but studies have shown that cap-independent, internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated translation of genes, such as c-myc and cyclin D, can provide a fail-safe mechanism that regulates tumor survival. Therefore, we tested if IRES-dependent expression of VEGF could likewise regulate sensitivity of tumor cellsin vivo. To achieve this, we developed isogenic HS Sultan cell lines that ectopically express the VEGF ORF fused to the p27 IRES, an IRES sequence that is insensitive to AKT-mediated inhibition of IRES activity and effective in PTEN-null tumors. Mice challenged with p27-VEGF transfected tumor cells were more resistant to the antiangiogenic and apoptotic effects of the rapalog, temsirolimus, and active site mTOR inhibitor, pp242. Our results confirm the critical role of VEGF expression in tumors during treatment with mTOR inhibitors and underscore the importance of IRES activity as a resistance mechanism to such targeted therapy.
Role of Melanin in Melanocyte Dysregulation of Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Jenkins Noah C. , Grossman Douglas
Published: March 2013

We have recently reported a potential alternative tumor suppressor function for p16 relating to its capacity to regulate oxidative stress and observed that oxidative dysregulation in p16-depleted cells was most profound in melanocytes, compared to keratinocytes or fibroblasts. Moreover, in the absence of p16 depletion or exogenous oxidative insult, melanocytes exhibited significantly higher basal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than these other epidermal cell types. Given the role of oxidative stress in melanoma development, we speculated that this increased susceptibility of melanocytes to oxidative stress (and greater reliance on p16 for suppression of ROS) may explain why genetic compromise of p16 is more commonly associated with predisposition to melanoma rather than other cancers. Here we show that the presence of melanin accounts for this differential oxidative stress in normal and p16-depleted melanocytes. Thus the presence of melanin in the skin appears to be a double-edged sword: it protects melanocytes as well as neighboring keratinocytes in the skin through its capacity to absorb UV radiation, but its synthesis in melanocytes results in higher levels of intracellular ROS that may increase melanoma susceptibility.
A Survey on Sensor-Cloud: Architecture, Applications, and Approaches
Authors: Alamri Atif , Ansari Wasai Shadab , Hassan Mohammad Mehedi , Hossain M. Shamim , Alelaiwi Abdulhameed , Hossain M. Anwar
Published: March 2013

Nowadays, wireless sensor network (WSN) applications have been used in several important areas, such as healthcare, military, critical infrastructure monitoring, environment monitoring, and manufacturing. However, due to the limitations of WSNs in terms of memory, energy, computation, communication, and scalability, efficient management of the large number of WSNs data in these areas is an important issue to deal with. There is a need for a powerful and scalable high-performance computing and massive storage infrastructure for real-time processing and storing of the WSN data as well as analysis (online and offline) of the processed information under context using inherently complex models to extract events of interest. In this scenario, cloud computing is becoming a promising technology to provide a flexible stack of massive computing, storage, and software services in a scalable and virtualized manner at low cost. Therefore, in recent years, Sensor-Cloud infrastructure is becoming popular that can provide an open, flexible, and reconfigurable platform for several monitoring and controlling applications. In this paper, we present a comprehensive study of representative works on Sensor-Cloud infrastructure, which will provide general readers an overview of the Sensor-Cloud platform including its definition, architecture, and applications. The research challenges, existing solutions, and approaches as well as future research directions are also discussed in this paper.
Rupture in Polycystic Kidney Disease Presented as Generalized Peritonitis with Severe Sepsis: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Zahir Muhammed , Al Muttairi Hassan , Upadhyay Surjya Prasad , Mallick Piyush N.
Published: March 2013

Recurrent upper urinary tract (renal) infections have been reported to be frequent in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and often difficult to treat. Female preference and enteric organism predominance suggest that these renal infections are acquired to retrograde from the lower urinary tract. We encountered a rare case of bilateral polycystic kidneys with spontaneous intraperitoneal rupture of multiple infected renal cysts causing generalized peritonitis leading to severe sepsis with multiorgan failure. The patient is successfully managed with nephrectomy followed by prolonged supportive care in intensive care unit.
Rehabilitation of Posterior Maxilla with Zygomatic and Dental Implant after Tumor Resection: A Case Report
Authors: Ugurlu Faysal , Yıldız Coskun , Sener B. C. , Sertgoz Atilla
Published: March 2013

Zygomatic implants have been used for dental rehabilitation in patients with insufficient bone in the posterior upper jaw, due to, for example, tumor resection, trauma, or atrophy. Zygomatic implants are an alternative to complex free or vascularized bone grafting and distraction osteogenesis. A 42-year-old male patient with a severe defect in the right posterior maxilla, starting from the first canine region, which had occurred after tumor resection 3 years earlier, was referred to our department. One zygomatic implant (Brenemark System, Nobel Biocare, Goteborg, Sweden) to the zygoma and one dental implant to the canine region were placed. After a 5-month osseointegration period, a fixed denture was fabricated and adapted to the implants. Although the surgical and prosthetic procedures for zygoma implants are not easy, the final outcomes can be successful with appropriate planning.
Pricing and Remanufacturing Decisions of a Decentralized Fuzzy Supply Chain
Authors: Zhao Jing , Liu Weiyu , Wei Jie
Published: March 2013

The optimal pricing and remanufacturing decisions problem of a fuzzy closed-loop supply chain is considered in this paper. Particularly, there is one manufacturer who has incorporated a remanufacturing process for used products into her original production system, so that she can manufacture a new product directly from raw materials or from collected used products. The manufacturer then sells the new product to two different competitive retailers, respectively, and the two competitive retailers are in charge of deciding the rates of the remanufactured products in their consumers’ demand quantity. The fuzziness is associated with the customer’s demands, the remanufacturing and manufacturing costs, and the collecting scaling parameters of the two retailers. The purpose of this paper is to explore how the manufacturer and the two retailers make their own decisions about wholesale price, retail prices, and the remanufacturing rates in the expected value model. Using game theory and fuzzy theory, we examine each firm’s strategy and explore the role of the manufacturer and the two retailers over three different game scenarios. We get some insights into the economic behavior of firms, which can serve as the basis for empirical study in the future.
Persistence of Cholinesterase Inhibitor Treatment in Dementia: Insights from a Naturalistic Study
Authors: Olazarán Javier , Navarro Eloísa , Rojo José Manuel
Published: March 2013

Background: Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) are widely used in dementia, but there is a lack of practice guidelines in case of intolerance or absence of perceived effect. Methods: Two hundred and forty patients (mean age 77 years, SD 6.3, 66% female) with Alzheimer's disease or Lewy body dementia were prescribed a ChEI and evaluated annually under conditions of standard practice. Of these, 152 patients maintained, 36 switched, and 52 abandoned ChEI treatment. Results: Less behavioural disturbance and less cognitive deterioration were observed, respectively, at the 3- and 4-year follow-up assessments in the patients who maintained the first prescribed ChEI (p < 0.05). Cognitive benefits were reinforced in the patients who experienced some adverse event, but no benefits were observed when the patient or caregiver did not perceive an effect. Conclusions: Maintenance of the first prescribed ChEI was supported when some benefit was perceived by the patient or caregiver, even in cases of nonserious adverse events.
Topical Treatment of Tinea Pedis Using 6% Coriander Oil in Unguentum Leniens: A Randomized, Controlled, Comparative Pilot Study
Authors: Beikert F.C. , Anastasiadou Z. , Fritzen B. , Frank U. , Augustin M.
Published: March 2013

Background: The antifungal activity of coriander oil has already been demonstrated in vitro. Objective: Evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of 6% coriander oil in unguentum leniens in the treatment of interdigital tinea pedis. Methods: Half-side comparative pilot study on subjects with symmetric, bilateral interdigital tinea pedis. Active drug and placebo control were applied twice daily on the affected areas, and follow-up visits were performed on days 14 and 28. Results: 40 participants (mean age 52.5 years, 60% male) were included in the study. For 6% coriander oil in unguentum leniens, a highly significant improvement of the clinical signs (p < 0.0001) was observed during the entire observation period; the number of positive fungal cultures also tended to decrease (p = 0.0654). The tolerability of the tested substances was good. Conclusion: Coriander oil is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of interdigital tinea pedis.
Towards Optimal Treatment with Growth Hormone in Short Children and Adolescents: Evidence and Theses
Authors: Ranke Michael B. , Lindberg Anders , Mullis Primus E. , Geffner Mitchell E. , Tanaka Toshi , Cutfield Wayne S. , Tauber Maïthé , Dunger David
Published: March 2013

Treatment with growth hormone (GH) has become standard practice for replacement in GH-deficient children or pharmacotherapy in a variety of disorders with short stature. However, even today, the reported adult heights achieved often remain below the normal range. In addition, the treatment is expensive and may be associated with long-term risks. Thus, a discussion of the factors relevant for achieving an optimal individual outcome in terms of growth, costs, and risks is required. In the present review, the heterogenous approaches of treatment with GH are discussed, considering the parameters available for an evaluation of the short- and long-term outcomes at different stages of treatment. This discourse introduces the potential of the newly emerging prediction algorithms in comparison to other more conventional approaches for the planning and evaluation of the response to GH. In rare disorders such as those with short stature, treatment decisions cannot easily be deduced from personal experience. An interactive approach utilizing the derived experience from large cohorts for the evaluation of the individual patient and the required decision-making may facilitate the use of GH. Such an approach should also lead to avoiding unnecessary long-term treatment in unresponsive individuals.
Painless Myocardial Ischemia Is Associated with Mortality in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Wetmore James B. , Broce Mike , Malas Amer , Almehmi Ammar
Published: March 2013

Background: Painless myocardial ischemia (PMI) is associated with poor outcomes in the general population. We hypothesized that the presence of PMI is inversely related to the level of kidney function and is associated with impaired survival in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: A total of 356 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention were assessed for PMI, which was defined as the absence of chest pain in response to balloon dilation of the affected vessel. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to calculate 10-year all-cause mortality. Results: There was an increase in PMI occurrence by strata of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), whereby PMI was present in only 20.6% of individuals with eGFR ≥90 ml/min/1.73 m2, but was found in 50.0% of individuals with eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73m2 (p = 0.004 for trend). Classification of individuals as having either CKD or PMI showed significant differences in adjusted mortality between groups (p < 0.001 for trend), with individuals having both CKD and PMI demonstrating the highest 10-year mortality. Compared to individuals with neither CKD nor PMI, individuals with CKD and no PMI had a hazard ratio (HR) for mortality of 1.64 (95% CI: 1.03-2.63, p = 0.038), while individuals with both PMI and CKD had an HR of 2.08 (1.30-3.33, p = 0.002). Conclusion: PMI is common in the CKD population, is inversely related to the level of eGFR, and confers a substantially increased risk in CKD. These findings may partially explain the high mortality traditionally attributed to cardiovascular disease in CKD patients.
Cinacalcet Improves Endothelial Dysfunction and Cardiac Hypertrophy in Patients on Hemodialysis with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Choi Sun Ryoung , Lim Ji Hee , Kim Min Young , Hong Yu-Ah , Chung Byung Ha , Chung Sungjin , Choi Bum Soon , Yang Chul Woo , Kim Yong-Soo , Chang Yoon Sik , Park Cheol Whee
Published: March 2013

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients on hemodialysis is strongly associated with cardio-vascular morbidity and mortality. Treatment of SHPT with cinacalcet decreases circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations and lowers serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations. Therefore, we investigated the cardiovascular effects of cinacalcet in hemodialysis patients with SHPT. Methods: We studied 12 hemodialysis patients with SPHT [serum intact PTH (iPTH) >300 pg/ml]. The study consisted of three phases: an initial run-in period of 16 weeks, including a wash-out period of 4 weeks (pretreatment), a cinacalcet treatment period of 20 weeks (treatment), and 20-week follow-up after suspension of cinacalcet treatment (posttreatment). In this study, vitamin D sterols were not prescribed to all the study subjects for at least 1 year during the pretreatment period. Results: Cinacalcet significantly decreased serum iPTH (pretreatment vs. treatment; 628.2 ± 250.8 vs. 251.7 ± 237.4 pg/ml, p < 0.01), calcium, phosphorus, and calcium × phosphorus product (p < 0.01), all of which returned to baseline levels after treatment. There was no change in C-reactive protein during the study period. There was significantly improvement in brachial flow-mediated dilatation (p < 0.01) and enhanced cardio-ankle vascular index (p < 0.01) with cinacalcet treatment. Moreover, cinacalcet significantly improved diastolic function (E/e' ratio, p < 0.05) and the left ventricular mass index (p < 0.05). Cinacalcet also increased serum NO x (p < 0.05) and decreased serum isoprostane (p < 0.05) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 concentrations (p < 0.05). All of these biochemical parameters returned to their pretreatment concentrations after withdrawal of cinacalcet. Conclusions: Cinacalcet hydrochloride without vitamin D might ameliorate endothelial dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction, and cardiac hypertrophy by decreasing oxidative stress and increasing the serum nitric oxide production in hemodialysis patients with SHPT.
Noninvasive Electrocardiographic Imaging of Arrhythmogenic Substrates in Humans
Authors: Rudy Yoram
Published: March 2013

Cardiac excitation is determined by interactions between the source of electric activation (membrane depolarization) and the load that cardiac tissue presents. This relationship is altered in pathology by remodeling processes that often create a substrate favoring the development of cardiac arrhythmias. Most studies of arrhythmia mechanisms and arrhythmogenic substrates have been conducted in animal models, which may differ in important ways from the human pathologies they are designed to represent. Electrocardiographic imaging is a noninvasive method for mapping the electric activity of the heart in humans in real-world conditions. This review summarizes results from electrocardiographic imaging studies of arrhythmogenic substrates associated with human clinical arrhythmias. Examples include heart failure, myocardial infarction scar, atrial fibrillation, and abnormal ventricular repolarization.
Evidence HDAC9 Genetic Variant Associated With Ischemic Stroke Increases Risk via Promoting Carotid Atherosclerosis
Authors: Markus Hugh S. , Mäkelä Kari-Matti , Bevan Steve , Raitoharju Emma , Oksala Niku , Bis Joshua C. , O’Donnell Chris , Hainsworth Atticus , Lehtimäki Terho
Published: March 2013

Background and Purpose—

A novel association between a single nucleotide polymorphism on chromosome 7p21.1 and large-vessel ischemic stroke was recently identified. The most likely underlying gene is histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9). The mechanism by which HDAC9 increases stroke risk is not clear; both vascular and neuronal mechanisms have been proposed.

Methods—

We determined whether the lead single nucleotide polymorphisms were associated with asymptomatic carotid plaque (N=25 179) and carotid intima-media thickness (N=31 210) detected by carotid ultrasound in a meta-analysis of population-based and community cohorts. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine whether HDAC9 was expressed in healthy human cerebral and systemic arteries. In the Tampere Vascular Study, we determined whether HDAC9 mRNA expression was altered in carotid (N=29), abdominal aortic (N=15), and femoral (N=24) atherosclerotic plaques compared with control (left internal thoracic, N=28) arteries.

Results—

Both single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs11984041 and rs2107595) were associated with common carotid intima-media thickness (rs2107595;
P
=0.0018) and with presence of carotid plaque (rs2107595;
P
=0.0022). In both cerebral and systemic arteries, HDAC9 labeling was seen in nuclei and cytoplasm of vascular smooth muscle cells, and in endothelial cells. HDAC9 expression was upregulated in carotid plaques compared with left internal thoracic controls (
P
=0.00000103). It was also upregulated in aortic and femoral plaques compared with controls, with mRNA expression increased in carotid compared with femoral plaques (
P
=0.0038).

Conclusions—

Our results are consistent with the 7p21.1 association acting via promoting atherosclerosis, and consistent with alterations in HDAC9 expression mediating this increased risk. Further studies in experimental models are required to confirm this link.
Reporting of Aspiration Pneumonia or Choking as a Cause of Death in Patients Who Died With Stroke
Authors: Chang Chia-Yu , Cheng Tain-Junn , Lin Ching-Yih , Chen Jen-Yin , Lu Tsung-Hsueh , Kawachi Ichiro
Published: March 2013

Background and Purpose—

It is not known how many stroke patients die from fatal pulmonary complications such as aspiration pneumonia (AP) and choking each year in the United States. This study aimed to determine the frequency of reporting of AP or choking as a cause of death on death certificates with mention of stroke in the United States as a proxy measure of the incidence of dying from AP or choking among patients with stroke.

Methods—

We used multiple-cause mortality data for the years 2001 to 2010 to identify death certificates with mention of stroke (
International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision
code I60–I69), AP (
International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision
code J69), and choking (
International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision
code W78–W80) for analysis.

Results—

Of 2 424 379 death certificates with mention of stroke in the United States between 2001 and 2010, 5.1% (n=124 503) reported AP as a cause of death, and 1.5% (n=36 997) reported choking as a cause of death. However, if we confined the analysis to autopsy-confirmed cases, the frequency decreased to 1.3% (555/42 732) and 1.3% (541/42 732), respectively. The adjusted odds ratios of reporting AP or choking as a cause of death were higher among men, increased with age, and were higher among decedents who died in a nursing home/long-term care.

Conclusions—

The estimated incidence of dying from AP and choking among patients who died with stroke was 5% (~12 000 deaths per year) and 1% (~3700 deaths per year) according to information reported on death certificates. Efforts are needed to reduce the number of deaths from these 2 preventable complications.
Complete Early Reversal of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Hyperintensities After Ischemic Stroke Is Mainly Limited to Small Embolic Lesions
Authors: Albach Fredrik N. , Brunecker Peter , Usnich Tatiana , Villringer Kersten , Ebinger Martin , Fiebach Jochen B. , Nolte Christian H.
Published: March 2013

Background and Purpose—

Case reports have demonstrated complete early reversal of hyperintensities on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) after clinically diagnosed stroke. We aimed to investigate systematically the rate and characteristics of reversible diffusion hyperintensities (RDHs) in the first week after stroke.

Methods—

Patients with clinical diagnosis of an acute cerebrovascular event and evidence of ischemia on DWI were included. MRI scans were performed on admission, on the following day, and 4 to 7 days after onset of symptoms with DWI and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery. Baseline and follow-up DWIs were coregistered and examined for individual RDHs. Characteristics of patients and of hyperintensities associated with early reversal were identified.

Results—

We included 153 patients with a median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 4 (interquartile range, 2–8). In 3 patients (2%), MR images normalized completely. Thirty-seven patients (24%) displayed individual RDHs. Of 611 initial DWI hyperintensities, 97 (16%) reversed. Thirteen percent of the RDHs had corresponding abnormalities on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images at the third measurement. Median size of the RDHs was 0.029 mL (interquartile range, 0.013–0.055). RDHs were associated with a multiple infarct pattern (odds ratio, 22.1; 95% confidence interval, 4.5–109.7) and symptomatic carotid stenosis (odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–21.5). Fifty-nine percent of the patients with RDHs had new additional lesions on follow-up DWI. RDHs were not associated with functional improvement on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score.

Conclusions—

In this population of mainly minor to moderate stroke patients, complete normalization of MR images was rare. Complete reversal of individual DWI hyperintensities was limited to very small lesions and mostly occurred in embolic stroke patients.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00715533.
Same-Sex Cohabitors and Health
Authors: Liu Hui , Reczek Corinne , Brown Dustin
Published: March 2013

A legacy of research finds that marriage is associated with good health. Yet same-sex cohabitors cannot marry in most states in the United States and therefore may not receive the health benefits associated with marriage. We use pooled data from the 1997 to 2009 National Health Interview Surveys to compare the self-rated health of same-sex cohabiting men ( n = 1,659) and same-sex cohabiting women ( n = 1,634) with that of their different-sex married, different-sex cohabiting, and unpartnered divorced, widowed, and never-married counterparts. Results from logistic regression models show that same-sex cohabitors report poorer health than their different-sex married counterparts at the same levels of socioeconomic status. Additionally, same-sex cohabitors report better health than their different-sex cohabiting and single counterparts, but these differences are fully explained by socioeconomic status. Without their socioeconomic advantages, same-sex cohabitors would report similar health to nonmarried groups. Analyses further reveal important racial-ethnic and gender variations.
Growth in Rapid Automatized Naming From Grades K to 8 in Children with Math or Reading Disabilities
Authors: Mazzocco Michèle M. M. , Grimm Kevin J.
Published: March 2013

Rapid automatized naming (RAN) is widely used to identify reading disabilities (RD) and has recently been considered a potential predictor of risk for mathematics learning disabilities (MLD). Here we longitudinally examine RAN performance from Grades K to 8, to view how growth on RAN response time differs for children with RD versus MLD. Across all participants, there was significant stability of RAN performance for all three subtests. For all three subtests, there was significant between-child variability in response times (RTs) at kindergarten and Grade 8; for select combinations of subtests, there was also between-child variability in difference scores over time. Relative to typically achieving peers, children with MLD or RD were slower on all three subtests at kindergarten, but these deficits were most pronounced for children with MLD versus RD at kindergarten and more persistent through Grade 8 for children with RD. RAN numbers and letters performance was closely related in the RD group, more so than in the MLD group, despite deficits on both subtests across groups. Our findings indicate that empirically guided modifications of RAN are needed for extending its use for evaluating risk for MLD.
Comorbidity Between Reading Disability and Math Disability
Authors: Willcutt Erik G. , Petrill Stephen A. , Wu Sarah , Boada Richard , DeFries John C. , Olson Richard K. , Pennington Bruce F.
Published: March 2013

Reading disability (RD) and math disability (MD) frequently co-occur, but the etiology of this comorbidity is not well understood. Groups with RD only (N = 241), MD only (N = 183), and RD + MD (N = 188) and a control group with neither disorder (N = 411) completed a battery of measures of internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, social and academic functioning, and 10 neuropsychological processes. Groups with RD only, MD only, and RD + MD were significantly impaired versus the control group on nearly all measures, and the group with RD + MD was more impaired than the groups with MD and RD alone on measures of internalizing psychopathology, academic functioning, and 7 of 10 neuropsychological constructs. Multiple regression analyses of the neuropsychological measures indicated that deficits in reading and math were associated with shared weaknesses in working memory, processing speed, and verbal comprehension. In contrast, reading difficulties were uniquely associated with weaknesses in phoneme awareness and naming speed, and math deficits were uniquely associated with weaknesses in set shifting. These results support multiple-deficit neuropsychological models of RD and MD and suggest that RD and MD are distinct but related disorders that co-occur because of shared neuropsychological weaknesses in working memory, processing speed, and verbal comprehension.
Bloom's Model of Human Development: A Regression Surface Analysis
Authors: Marjoribanks Kevin
Published: March 2013

The Bloom model of development was used to examine relations between the family environment and measures of the reading development of a national sample of English children. The sample was divided into three age cohorts. The initial reading performance and the family environment of the children were assessed when the average ages in the cohorts were 7, 8 and 11 and assessed again four years later. Regression surface analysis, which provided only partial support for the Bloom model, was conducted separately for girls and boys and for middle and lower social status groups. From the analysis the following general propositions are suggested: (a) for children with low initial reading levels increases in the quality of the intervening family environment are not associated with changes in later reading performance, (b) at any initial reading level children who experience a poor intervening family environment show a decline in their later reading performance, relative to the achievement of other children, and (c) children with high initial reading scores either maintain or increase their relative position in reading performance, with respect to other children, if they experience an enriched intervening family environment.
The Development of Perspective-Taking Ability in Children
Authors: Cox M. V.
Published: March 2013

The study reported in this paper traced the nature of the changes which take place as the child gradually acquires perspective-taking skills. The results indicate that at first the young child can correctly represent only the location of the object nearest another observer; later, he can correctly represent a before-behind relationship between objects as seen by another observer; last, he can represent a left-right relationship between objects as seen by another observer. Nevertheless, left right errors are still made by many 10year-olds; Piaget and Inhelder's notion that perspective-taking ability is fully developed by this age is too optimistic.
Neonate Orientation Behaviour towards Human Voice
Authors: Alegria J. , Noirot E.
Published: March 2013

Head, eye, mouth and crying responses were recorded in one-six day old neonates in an experimental (N = 36) and in a control condition (N = 12). In the experimental con-dition, the babies were sitting in a chair surrounded by a uniform white curtain and exposed to playback of a male voice transmitted successively through three loud-speakers at the left, the right or in front of the chair, according to a factorial design. In the control condition, there was no voice.

The voice enhanced head movements, opening of the eyes, mouthing and crying and it influenced hand-sucking.

The babies' head behavior can be described as positive orientation since first head movements after the voice had started to talk were most frequently given in the direction of the source of the sound. A possible explanation of the data on eye behaviour and on crying is that the babies turned their head towards the voice because they expected to see something else than a uniform white curtain by doing this. Their eyes were more frequently open when they first turned their head in the direction of the source than when they turned in the opposite direction. The onset of crying took place most frequently when the babies were facing the source and was more frequent when their preceding head movement had lead to an approach than when it had not.

Individual differences between certain variables of the babies' behaviour can be related to type of feeding. Breast-fed babies showed positive mouth orientation when the voice came from the right and from the left of the chair, whereas bottle-fed babies mainly mouthed towards the left whatever the source of the sound. The possibility that the babies behaved, as far as the mouth was concerned, according to rules established during feeding, is discussed. Other differences between breast-and bottle-fed babies were found for hand-sucking and crying.
Understanding Proportionality: A Comparison of Different Models of Cognitive Development
Authors: Spada Hans
Published: March 2013

Investigations of two different models of thinking and intellectual development are reviewed. One model is based on assumptions of the deterministic model of structural learning by Scandura and corresponds to findings of Inhelder and Piaget. The other is a generalization of the probabilistic latent trait model of Rasch and corresponds to theories in which cognitive development is described as gradual, quantitative change. Both models make it possible to test hypotheses about cognitive operations used in solving tasks. The models are compared on the basis of the plausibility and theoretical relevance of their differing psychological assumptions and by means of data of two experiments with balance scale tasks. In experiment I data on 949 pupils, aged 11 to 16, were gathered by means of a paper and pencil test. In experiment II the task solution behavior of 32 pupils, aged 9 to 13, who were tested individually, was recorded.
Developmental Trends in Figure Reasoning
Authors: Vos Peter G.
Published: March 2013

Two different models of conceptualizing figure similarities were derived from Piaget's developmental theory of spatial reference systems. One model was a formal description of similarity judgements by subjects who used an observer-dependent approach, while the other model was a description of judgements according to an observer-independent approach. The results of a two alternative forced-choice similarity matching experiment with different age groups showed that both judgements and concomittant verbal justifications of elementary school or kindergarten children largely fitted with the observerdependent model, while the behaviors of young adults were predominantly compatible with the predictions of the observer-independent model. It was concluded that insight into some properties of Euclidian space is not mastered at the time that concrete operatory thinking is developed, as has been suggested by Piaget and his co-workers, but more likely is achieved in synchrony with the unfolding of formal, hypothetico-deductive reasoning.
Hierarchical Disability in the Syntax of Aphasic Children
Authors: Cromer Richard F.
Published: March 2013

The writings by a group of aphasic children in a standardised situation were compared with those of a group of deaf children. In spite of writing sentences of comparable length, the aphasic children produced a more restricted range of sentence types than did the deaf children. This was particularly noticeable in their relative failure to use structures requiring embedding. It is hypothesised that these aphasic children have difficulties with hierarchically ordered material. This lack of hierarchical planning ability has been noted in other tasks.
The Life-Course and Human Development: An Ecological Perspective
Authors: Elder Glen H. , Rockwell Richard C.
Published: March 2013

A life-course perspective is applied to the study of human development in ecological context. Three meanings of age (developmental, social, and historical) represent key elements of this perspective and depict lives in terms of aging, career, and historical setting. Age locates people in history (by birth year) and in the social structure. The neglect of such temporal distinctions in problem formulation has consequences in studies of status differences and psychological states, of careers and work satisfaction, of children's socioeconomic environment and the family economy, and of life change and stress. Alternative questions based on the life-course facilitate explanatory assessments of the relation between environmental and personal change.
Quotations, Imitations, and Generalizations. Factual and Methodological Analyses
Authors: Moerk Ernst L. , Moerk Claudia
Published: March 2013

Methodological and factual analyses are presented of children's use of imitative speech as a strategy in language acquisition. A new definition encompassing a greater variety of imitative speech is chosen and the manner in which model utterances are employed and restructured is followed over brief and longer time intervals. Speech samples of one girl between the ages of 20 and 32 months were recorded and related to the input she obtained in conversational interactions and through picture-story books. The impact of these two sources upon vocabulary, morphological, and syntactic development is described. Broad and profound effects of model-speech are demonstrated in all three domains of language. These impacts often become visible only after considerable intervals and can appear in extensively restructured utterances. Based upon the methodological complexities that were encountered in the present study and in the literature, four methodological problem areas are analyzed: pertaining to the definition of imitation, to the child's use of it, to the investigator's interpretation of its effects, and to the contrast between abstracting or 'generalized imitation' versus direct copying.
Heart Rate Reactivity of 9-and 12-Months Old Infants Showing Specific Emotions in Natural Setting
Authors: Provost Marc A. , Gouin-Dicarie Therese
Published: March 2013

To further our understanding of the relationship between cardiovascular reactions and specific emotions, 40 9-and 12-months old infants were systematically observed in a laboratory setting. The experiment included six standardized three-minute-long situations designed to trigger one of five basic emotions: interest, anger, fear, distress and joy. During each situation, overt behaviors, cardiac reactions and judgments on emotion were recorded every five seconds. Our results revealed no fear so data on cardiovascular activity are relative to only four emotions. Heart rate associated with negative emotions is significantly different from heart rate associated with positive emotions; emotions usually considered as negative, anger and distress, evoke concurrent significant cardiac acceleration, whereas emotions usually considered as positive, interest and joy, are associated with small-non-significant deceleration. Furthermore, emotions with the same hedonic tone cannot be distinguished on the basis of their concurrent cardiac reactivity. Implications are derived from the Graham and Clifton (1966) theory as to the usefulness of heart rate measurement in developmental studies.
Kindness in the Kindergarten: The Relative Influence of Role Playing and Prosocial Television in Facilitating Altruism
Authors: Ahammer Inge M. , Murray John P.
Published: March 2013

The effectiveness of four training programs designed to foster altruism was examined with 97 four-to-five-year-old preschool children. It was assumed that role taking skills would be a necessary and/or sufficient condition for altruistic behavior. Thus, training programs centering on cognitive perceptual and affective role taking (empathy) respectively were compared to programs in which altruistic behavior was either watched on TV or enacted (role played) by the children. Children watching 'neutral' TV episodes, or experiencing a regular preschool program, served as controls. Training lasted for four weeks I h daily training. Altruism was significantly enhanced in the three role playing programs, whereas prosocial TV viewing - while less effective than the role play conditions was marginally superior to neutral TV viewing. Cognitive/perceptual role taking was clearly implicated in the enactment of altruistic behavior while the role of affective role taking was less consistent.
Relationships Between Assessments of Habituation and Cognitive Performance in the Early Years of Life
Authors: Miller Dolores J. , Ryan Ellen B. , Aberger Edward , Mcguire Michael D. , Short Elizabeth J. , Kenny Debra A.
Published: March 2013

Relationships between measures of habituation and performance on cognitive tasks at 27 and 39 months of age and between these and previously reported assessments (at 15 months and early infancy) were examined for 29 children. Some stability of habituation rate is evidenced, but results do not offer strong support for the notion that faster habituators are somewhat more advanced cognitively than their slower counterparts.