bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface chemical modification for exceptional wear life of MEMS materials
Authors: Singh R. Arvind , Satyanarayana N. , Sinha Sujeet Kumar
Published: November 2011

Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) are built at micro/nano-scales. At these scales, the interfacial forces are extremely strong. These forces adversely affect the smooth operation and cause wear resulting in the drastic reduction in wear life (useful operating lifetime) of actuator-based devices. In this paper, we present a surface chemical modification method that reduces friction and significantly extends the wear life of the two most popular MEMS structural materials namely, silicon and SU-8 polymer. The method includes surface chemical treatment using ethanolamine-sodium phosphate buffer, followed by coating of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) nanolubricant on (i) silicon coated with SU-8 thin films (500 nm) and (ii) MEMS process treated SU-8 thick films (50 μm). After the surface chemical modification, it was observed that the steady-state coefficient of friction of the materials reduced by 4 to 5 times and simultaneously their wear durability increased by more than three orders of magnitude (> 1000 times). The significant reduction in the friction coefficients is due to the lubrication effect of PFPE nanolubricant, while the exceptional increase in their wear life is attributed to the bonding between the -OH functional group of ethanolamine treated SU-8 thin/thick films and the -OH functional group of PFPE. The surface chemical modification method acts as a common route to enhance the performance of both silicon and SU-8 polymer. It is time-effective (process time ≤ 11 min), cost-effective and can be readily integrated into MEMS fabrication/assembly processes. It can also work for any kind of structural material from which the miniaturized devices are/can be made.
Rank Order Scaling of Pictorial Depth
Authors: van Doorn Andrea , Koenderink Jan , Wagemans Johan
Published: November 2011

We address the topic of “pictorial depth” in cases of pictures that are unlike photographic renderings. The most basic measure of “depth” is no doubt that of depth order. We establish depth order through the pairwise depth-comparison method, involving all pairs from a set of 49 fiducial points. The pictorial space for this study was evoked by a capriccio (imaginary landscape) by Francesco Guardi (1712–1793). In such a drawing pictorial space is suggested by the artist through a small set of conventional depth cues. As a result typical Western observers tend to agree largely in their visual awareness when looking at such art. We rank depths for locations that are not on a single surface and far apart in pictorial space. We find that observers resolve about 40 distinct depth layers and agree largely in this. From a previous experiment we have metrical data for the same observers. The rank correlations between the results are high. Perhaps surprisingly, we find no correlation between the number of distinct depth layers and the total metrical depth range. Thus, the relation between subjective magnitude and discrimination threshold fails to hold for pictorial depth.
Managing the risk of exotic vertebrate incursions in Australia
Authors: Henderson Wendy , Bomford Mary , Cassey Phillip
Published: November 2011

Context
Biological invasions are a profound contribution to human-induced environmental change. Although intentional introductions of vertebrate species have largely declined, global transport and communication networks continue to increase. As a consequence, more goods are being traded and the type of species being transported has changed, as well as the associated risks.

Aims
To analyse the frequency, and provide risk assessments, for exotic vertebrate species detected by border and post-border Australian biosecurity agencies in the past decade (1999–2010).

Methods
We collated detection records by emailing or telephoning representatives from agencies responsible for implementing Australian biosecurity. We calculated the risk of successful establishment (low, moderate, serious, extreme) for 137 identified vertebrate species not currently established in Australia. Generalised linear models were constructed to test whether the frequency of increasing risk of establishment was associated with either differences between vertebrate classes and/or different detection categories.

Key results
The majority of species detected were reported from illegal keeping. Individual species risk assessments revealed that reptiles were more likely to be of greater risk for future establishment than were birds, mammals or amphibians. Controlling for taxonomy, high-risk species were not involved in larger (i.e. number of individuals) incidents than were lower-risk species. Across years, the number of novel exotic vertebrate species detected ‘at large’ in Australia has significantly increased.

Conclusions
Several of the species detected by biosecurity agencies have attributes that give them the potential to become pests in Australia. Preventing incursions is by far the most cost-effective way to prevent future pest damage.

Implications
It is clear that a nationally coordinated framework for data collection and data sharing among agencies is urgently required. We present a minimum framework for the future collection of inter-agency data, necessary to assess and monitor the ongoing risk of vertebrate pest incursions in Australia.
Judgement of discrete and continuous quantity in adults: Number counts!
Authors: Nys Julie , Content Alain
Published: November 2011

Three experiments involving a Stroop-like paradigm were conducted. In Experiment 1, adults received a number comparison task in which large sets of dots, orthogonally varying along a discrete dimension (number of dots) and a continuous dimension (cumulative area), were presented. Incongruent trials were processed more slowly and with less accuracy than congruent trials, suggesting that continuous dimensions such as cumulative area are automatically processed and integrated during a discrete quantity judgement task. Experiment 2, in which adults were asked to perform area comparison on the same stimuli, revealed the reciprocal interference from number on the continuous quantity judgements. Experiment 3, in which participants received both the number and area comparison tasks, confirmed the results of Experiments 1 and 2. Contrasting with earlier statements, the results support the view that number acts as a more salient cue than continuous dimensions in adults. Furthermore, the individual predisposition to automatically access approximate number representations was found to correlate significantly with adults' exact arithmetical skills.
Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM)
Authors: Soergel Elisabeth
Published: November 2011

Piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) detects the local piezoelectric deformation of a sample caused by an applied electric field from the tip of a scanning force microscope. PFM is able to measure deformations in the sub-picometre regime and can map ferroelectric domain patterns with a lateral resolution of a few nanometres. These two properties have made PFM the preferred technique for recording and investigating ferroelectric domain patterns. In this review we shall describe the technical aspects of PFM for domain imaging. Particular attention will be paid to the quantitative analysis of PFM images.
Hydrogen-bond imaging and engineering with a scanning tunnelling microscope
Authors: Okuyama Hiroshi , Hamada Ikutaro
Published: November 2011

The scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) has been a valuable tool in surface science for the study of structures and electronic states of metal surfaces. The recent advance of STM as a state-of-the-art technique to probe and manipulate individual molecules has made it possible to investigate molecular dynamics and chemical reactions at the surface in a single-molecule limit. In this review paper, we present an overview of our recent work of H-bond imaging, manipulating and engineering at a metal surface. From individual water molecules, a variety of H-bonded structures including water clusters, hydroxyl clusters and water–hydroxyl complexes are assembled on Cu(1 1 0), whose properties and dynamics are studied in real space in collaboration with density-functional-theory calculations.
Scanning probe microscopy in material science and biology
Authors: Cricenti A , Colonna S , Girasole M , Gori P , Ronci F , Longo G , Dinarelli S , Luce M , Rinaldi M , Ortenzi M
Published: November 2011

A review of the activity of scanning probe microscopy at our Institute is presented, going from instrumentation to software development of scanning tunnelling microscopy, atomic force microscopy and scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM). Some of the most important experiments in material science and biology performed by our group through the years with these SPM techniques will be presented. Finally, infrared applications by coupling a SNOM with a free electron laser will also be presented.
A STM perspective on covalent intermolecular coupling reactions on surfaces
Authors: Lackinger M , Heckl W M
Published: November 2011

‘Covalent self-assembly’, i.e. the on-surface synthesis of covalent organic aggregates and networks, has received considerable attention. This review covers recent scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) based studies on intermolecular reactions carried out on solid substrates that resulted in surface-confined covalently interlinked organic nanostructures. Experiments showed that their defect density crucially depends on the targeted dimensionality: while zero-dimensional aggregates and one-dimensional chains and ribbons can be synthesized on surfaces with utmost structural perfection, i.e. without any topological defects, realization of long-range ordered two-dimensional (2D) covalently interlinked organic networks has revealed itself as a paramount challenge for on-surface chemists. Different types of reactions, foremost condensation and addition reactions have been proven suitable as polymerization reactions for 2D cross-linked covalent networks. Yet, the emergence of topological defects during the polymerization is difficult to avoid. However, the combined experience and creativity of chemists and surface scientists has yielded encouraging first results which may open up ways for realization of extended, long-range ordered 2D polymers. This review summarizes and compares different approaches, i.e. reaction types, monomers, environments and conditions, for the on-surface synthesis of covalent organic nanostructures. The focus on STM as an analytical tool appears justified, since its unique capabilities render the STM an ideal instrument to study and even control covalent coupling reactions of organic molecules on surfaces.
Long-term antibacterial efficacy of air plasma-activated water
Authors: Traylor Matthew J , Pavlovich Matthew J , Karim Sharmin , Hait Pritha , Sakiyama Yukinori , Clark Douglas S , Graves David B
Published: November 2011

Indirect air dielectric barrier discharge in close proximity to water creates an acidified, nitrogen-oxide containing solution known as plasma-activated water (PAW), which remains antibacterial for several days. Suspensions of E. coli were exposed to PAW for either 15 min or 3 h over a 7-day period after PAW generation. Both exposure times yielded initial antibacterial activity corresponding to a ∼5-log reduction in cell viability, which decreased at differing rates over 7 days to negligible activity and a 2.4-log reduction for 15 min and 3 h exposures, respectively. The solution remained at pH ∼2.7 for this period and initially included hydrogen peroxide, nitrate and nitrite anions. The solution composition varied significantly over this time, with hydrogen peroxide and nitrite diminishing within a few days, during which the antibacterial efficacy of 15 min exposures decreased significantly, while that of 3 h exposures produced a 5-log reduction or more. These results highlight the complexity of PAW solutions where multiple chemical components exert varying biological effects on differing time scales.
The 2010 Nobel Prize in physics—ground-breaking experiments on graphene
Authors: Hancock Y
Published: November 2011

The 2010 Nobel Prize in physics was awarded to Professors Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov for their ground-breaking experiments on graphene, a single atomic layer of carbon, and more generally, for their pioneering work in uncovering a new class of materials, namely two-dimensional atomic crystals. This paper gives an accessible account and review of the story of graphene; from its first description in the literature, to the realization and confirmation of its remarkable properties, through to its impressive potential for broad-reaching applications. The story of graphene is written within the context of the enormous impact that Geim and Novoselovs' work has had on this field of research, and recounts their personal pathways of discovery, which ultimately led to their award of the 2010 Nobel Prize.
Detecting genome-wide epistases based on the clustering of relatively frequent items
Authors: Xie Minzhu , Li Jing , Jiang Tao
Published: November 2011

Motivation: In genome-wide association studies (GWAS), up to millions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are genotyped for thousands of individuals. However, conventional single locus-based approaches are usually unable to detect gene–gene interactions underlying complex diseases. Due to the huge search space for complicated high order interactions, many existing multi-locus approaches are slow and may suffer from low detection power for GWAS.

Results: In this article, we develop a simple, fast and effective algorithm to detect genome-wide multi-locus epistatic interactions based on the clustering of relatively frequent items. Extensive experiments on simulated data show that our algorithm is fast and more powerful in general than some recently proposed methods. On a real genome-wide case–control dataset for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the algorithm has identified genotype combinations that are significantly enriched in the cases.

Availability:  http://www.cs.ucr.edu/~minzhux/EDCF.zip

Contact:  minzhux@cs.ucr.edu; jingli@cwru.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Creative Destruction of the Chicago River Harbor: Spatial and Environmental Dimensions of Industrial Capitalism, 1881–1909
Authors: Salzmann Joshua A. T.
Published: November 2011

This essay examines the implications of rapid technological and economic change, or what economist Joseph Schumpeter called “creative destruction,” for the urban environment. Taking the Chicago River Harbor as a case study, it argues that industrial capitalism was marked by fundamental spatial and environmental contradictions that resulted in the frequent destruction and reinvention of urban landscapes. The essay shows how transformations in the Great Lakes shipping industry and the rise of the steel industry rendered Chicago River Harbor infrastructure obsolete. That obsolescence, in turn, sparked a public debate over whether the port should be retrofitted or if the river should be harnessed for different uses. So many stakeholders—streetcar companies, commuters, City Beautiful advocates, and sanitary engineers—had conflicting ideas about the use of the river that it was practically impossible to retrofit the port. The resulting decline of industrial freight traffic on the Chicago River enabled urban planner Daniel Burnham to reinvent the riverfront as a site of leisure and consumption.
TGF‐β2 Induces Maturation of Immature Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Inhibits Inflammatory Cytokine Responses Induced Via the NF‐κB Pathway
Authors: Rautava Samuli , Lu Lei , Nanthakumar N. Nanda , Dubert‐Ferrandon Alix , Walker W. Allan
Published: November 2011

Objectives:

Breast milk transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β2 is associated with healthy immune maturation and reduced risk of immune‐mediated disease in infants. We sought to investigate whether conditioning with TGF‐β2 may result in a more mature immune responder phenotype in immature human intestinal epithelial cells (IECs).

Methods:

Primary human fetal IECs (hFIECs) and the human fetal small intestinal epithelial cell line (H4 cells) were conditioned with breast milk levels of TGF‐β2, and an inflammatory response was subsequently induced. Inflammatory cytokine secretion and mRNA expression were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Alterations in activation of inflammatory signaling pathways were detected from IECs by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. The effects of TGF‐β2 conditioning on gene expression patterns in hFIECs were assessed by cDNA microarray analysis and quantitative PCR.

Results:

Conditioning with TGF‐β2 significantly attenuated subsequent interleukin (IL)‐1β‐, TNF‐α‐, and poly I:C‐induced IL‐8 and IL‐6 responses in immature human IECs. Conditioning with TGF‐β2 inhibited IL‐1β‐induced IκB‐α degradation and NF‐κB p65 nuclear translocation, which may partially result from TGF‐β2‐induced changes in the expression of genes in the NF‐κB signaling pathway detected by cDNA microarray and qPCR.

Conclusions:

Conditioning with TGF‐β2 attenuates the subsequent inflammatory cytokine response in immature human IECs by inhibiting signaling in the NF‐κB pathway. The immunomodulatory potential of breast milk may in part be mediated by TGF‐β2, which may provide a novel means of supporting intestinal immune maturation in neonates.
Splitting the task: Ubp8 and Ubp10 deubiquitinate different cellular pools of H2BK123
Authors: Schulze Julia M. , Hentrich Thomas , Nakanishi Shima , Gupta Arvind , Emberly Eldon , Shilatifard Ali , Kobor Michael S.
Published: November 2011

Monoubiquitination of H2BK123 (H2BK123ub), catalyzed by Rad6/Bre1, is a transient histone modification with roles in transcription and is essential for establishing H3K4 and H3K79 trimethylations (H3K4me3 and H3K79me3). Here, we investigated the chromatin network around H2BK123ub by examining its localization and co-occurrence with its dependent marks as well as the transcription elongation mark H3K36me3 across the genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In yeast, H2BK123ub is removed by the deubiquitinases Ubp8 and Ubp10, but their genomic target regions remain to be determined. Genome-wide maps of H2BK123ub in the absence of Ubp8 and Ubp10 revealed their distinct target loci, which were genomic sites enriched for H3K4me3 and H3K79me3, respectively. We propose an extended model of the H2BK123ub cross-talk by integrating existing relationships with the substrate specificities of Ubp8 and Ubp10 reported here.
Pectin Methylesterase Genes Influence Solid Wood Properties of Eucalyptus pilularis
Authors: Sexton Timothy R. , Henry Robert J. , Harwood Chris E. , Thomas Dane S. , McManus Luke J. , Raymond Carolyn , Henson Michael , Shepherd Mervyn
Published: November 2011

This association study of Eucalyptus pilularis populations provides empirical evidence for the role of Pectin Methylesterase (PME) in influencing solid wood characteristics of Eucalyptus. PME6 was primarily associated with the shrinkage and collapse of drying timber, which are phenotypic traits consistent with the role of pectin as a hydrophilic polysaccharide. PME7 was primarily associated with cellulose and pulp yield traits and had an inverse correlation with lignin content. Selection of specific alleles in these genes may be important for improving trees as sources of high-quality wood products. A heterozygote advantage was postulated for the PME7 loci and, in combination with haplotype blocks, may explain the absence of a homozygous class at all single-nucleotide polymorphisms investigated in this gene.
Effects of saline and alkaline stresses in varying temperature regimes on seed germination of Leymus chinensis from the Songnen Grassland of China
Authors: Lin J. , Wang J. , Li X. , Zhang Y. , Xu Q. , Mu C.
Published: November 2011

Leymus chinensis is a dominant and most promising grass species in the Songnen Grassland of Northern China. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of temperature, salinity, alkalinity and their interactions on seed germination. Seeds were germinated at four alternating temperatures (10–20, 15–25, 20–30 and 25–35°C), with saline stress (9:1 molar ratio of NaCl:Na2SO4) and alkaline stress (9:1 molar ratio of Na2CO3:NaHCO3). Germination percentage and rate were inhibited by either an increase or decrease in temperature from the optimal temperature range of 20–30°C, and were also inhibited by an increase in salinity and alkalinity at all temperatures. The inhibitory effects of high salinity on germination were greater at 25–35°C, but seeds were subjected to more stress even though the alkalinity was low under this temperature. Recovery percentage was highest at 400 mm salinity at 20–30°C, but only at 100 mm alkalinity, and 25–35°C also resulted in lower recovery percentage under both stresses. Results suggest that saline stress and alkaline stress have different impacts on seed germination and that saline‐alkaline tolerance of L. chinensis seeds is affected by the interactions of temperature and salinity‐alkalinity. Early July sowing in the field is recommended when temperature is optimal and salinity‐alkalinity concentrations are reduced by the high rainfall.
The effectiveness of an improved multidisciplinary pain management programme: a 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up study
Authors: Dysvik Elin , Kvaløy Jan Terje , Natvig Gerd Karin
Published: November 2011

dysvik e., kvaløy j.t. & natvig g.k. (2011) The effectiveness of an improved multidisciplinary pain management programme: a 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(5), 1061–1072.

Aim.  This article is a report of a Norwegian‐revised study on the effectiveness of a follow‐up multidisciplinary management programme for chronic pain to investigate the change processes associated with treatment.

Background.  Substantial evidence supports the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approaches to chronic pain. As relapse is often reported, follow‐up sessions should be included.

Methods.  A follow‐up quasi‐experimental design was performed, and a previous control group was used. The study initially included 117 participants, and 104 of the sample completed the 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up programme. The 6‐month follow‐up consisted of therapeutic dialogue and education combined with physical activity. At the 12‐month follow‐up, a telephonic consultation was conducted. The data collection period was between September 2006 and January 2008. The statistical and clinical significance were considered.

Results.  Findings suggest that this follow‐up programme can potentially maintain the positive results of the basic programme in terms of reduced pain perception, improved health‐related quality of life, and movement towards self‐management.

Conclusion.  These results are consistent with the ultimate goal of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approaches, which is to help patients with chronic pain to cope more effectively and to improve their health‐related quality of life and functioning. To maintain treatment improvements and advance nursing, there is a clear need for research that tests the efficacy of follow‐up interventions that are designed to prevent drop out and relapse.
‘Therapeutic emplotment’: a new paradigm to explore the interaction between nurses and patients with a long‐term illness
Authors: Tropea Savina
Published: November 2011

tropea s. (2011) ‘Therapeutic emplotment’: a new paradigm to explore the interaction between nurses and patients with a long‐term illness. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(4), 939–947.

Aims.  This paper presents a discussion of the use of ‘therapeutic emplotment’ during health professional–patient interactions when caring for patients with a long‐term illness, with implications for nursing.

Background.  ‘Therapeutic emplotment’ develops from two philosophical strains: one emphasizing the connection of speech to actions, the other the linguistically mediated nature of human experience. Mattingly defines therapeutic emplotment as the creation of story‐like structures through therapist–patient interactions which encourage the patient to see therapy as integral to healing.

Data Sources.  A literature search for the period 1994–2010 was undertaken using the keywords therapeutic emplotment, chronic illness, illness narratives, nursing narratives and nurse–patient interaction in the following databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE, COCHRANE, Social Care online, PsycInfo and AnthroSource. Reference lists of papers and books were examined for relevant studies published before 1994.

Discussion.  Differing from other social scientists, Mattingly highlights potential of narratives to create experiences in clinical practice. With therapeutic emplotment, narratives become ‘tools’ in the hands of health professionals to shape the interaction with patients with a long‐term illness and are constructed by them together. This introduces changes in the way health professionals, including nurses, look at their practice.

Implications for nursing.  Therapeutic emplotment may provide nurses with a way of improving communication and relationship skills to help patients reach therapeutic goals; its use may also help qualitative research that explores the impact of nurses’ interactions with patients on the quality of care.

Conclusion.  Therapeutic emplotment may be used by a broader range of health professionals, including nurses, for clinical and research purposes.
Does postoperative ‘M’ technique® massage with or without mandarin oil reduce infants’ distress after major craniofacial surgery?
Authors: de Jong Marjan , Lucas Cees , Bredero Hansje , van Adrichem Leon , Tibboel Dick , van Dijk Monique
Published: November 2011

de jong m., lucas c., bredero h., van adrichem l., tibboel d. & van dijk m. (2011) Does postoperative ‘M’ technique® massage with or without mandarin oil reduce infants’ distress after major craniofacial surgery? Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 1748–1757.

Aim.  This article is a report of a randomized controlled trial of the effects of ‘M’ technique® massage with or without mandarin oil compared to standard postoperative care on infants’ levels of pain and distress, heart rate and mean arterial pressure after major craniofacial surgery.

Background.  There is a growing interest in non‐pharmacological interventions such as aromatherapy massage in hospitalized children to relieve pain and distress but well performed studies are lacking.

Methods.  This randomized controlled trial allocated 60 children aged 3–36 months after craniofacial surgery from January 2008 to August 2009 to one of three conditions; ‘M’ technique® massage with carrier oil, ‘M’ technique® massage with mandarin oil or standard postoperative care. Primary outcome measures were changes in COMFORT behaviour scores, Numeric Rating Scale pain and Numeric Rating Scale distress scores assessed from videotape by an observer blinded for the condition.

Results.  In all three groups, the mean postintervention COMFORT behaviour scores were higher than the baseline scores, but differences were not statistically significant. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure showed a statistically significant change across the three assessment periods in all three groups. These changes were not related with the intervention.

Conclusions.  Results do not support a benefit of ‘M’ technique® massage with or without mandarin oil in these young postoperative patients. Several reasons may account for this: massage given too soon after general anaesthesia, young patients’ fear of strangers touching them, patients not used to massage.
Patient and nurse staffing characteristics associated with high sitter use costs
Authors: Rochefort Christian M. , Ward Linda , Ritchie Judith A. , Girard Nadyne , Tamblyn Robyn M.
Published: November 2011

rochefort c.m., ward l., ritchie j.a., girard n. & tamblyn r.m. (2011) Patient and nurse staffing characteristics associated with high sitter use costs. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(6), 1758–1767.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of the relationships between patient health conditions, nurse staffing characteristics and high sitter use costs.

Background.  Increasing recourse to patient sitters is a major cost concern to hospitals. To reduce these expenses, we need to understand better the factors associated with high sitter use costs.

Methods.  From a cohort of 43,212 medical/surgical patients admitted to an academic health centre in Montreal (Canada) in 2007 and 2008, all 1151 patients who received a sitter were selected. We applied multivariate logistic regression, using the Generalized Estimating Equation framework, to estimate the relationships between patient health conditions, nurse staffing characteristics and being in the upper two quintiles of sitter costs, vs. the lower three.

Results.  The median sitter cost per patient, in Canadian dollars, was $772·35 (IQR = $1737·84); and $2397·00 (IQR = $3085·03) among the patients with high sitter use costs. In multivariate analyses, dementia, delirium and other cognitive impairments (OR = 1·49; 95% CI = 1·01–2·22) and schizophrenia and other psychoses (OR = 2·42; 95% CI = 1·08–5·76) increased the likelihood of high sitter use costs. In addition, every additional worked hour per patient per day by Registered Nurses (OR = 0·33; 95% CI = 0·27–0·39) and by patient care assistants (OR = 0·11; 95% CI = 0·08–0·15) reduced the likelihood of high sitter use costs.

Conclusion.  Circumstances of understaffing and patients having psycho‐geriatric conditions are associated with high sitter use costs. Improving staffing and providing additional resources to support the care of psycho‐geriatric patients may lower these expenses.
Practical guide to skin prick tests in allergy to aeroallergens
Authors: Bousquet J. , Heinzerling L. , Bachert C. , Papadopoulos N. G. , Bousquet P. J. , Burney P. G. , Canonica G. W. , Carlsen K. H. , Cox L. , Haahtela T. , Lodrup Carlsen K. C. , Price D. , Samolinski B. , Simons F. E. R. , Wickman M. , Annesi‐Maesano I. , Baena‐Cagnani C. E. , Bergmann K. C. , Bindslev‐Jensen C. , Casale T. B. , Chiriac A. , Cruz A. A. , Dubakiene R. , Durham S. R. , Fokkens W. J. , Gerth‐van‐Wijk R. , Kalayci O. , Kowalski M. L. , Mari A. , Mullol J. , Nazamova‐Baranova L. , O’Hehir R. E. , Ohta K. , Panzner P. , Passalacqua G. , Ring J. , Rogala B. , Romano A. , Ryan D. , Schmid‐Grendelmeier P. , Todo‐Bom A. , Valenta R. , Woehrl S. , Yusuf O. M. , Zuberbier T. , Demoly P.
Published: November 2011

To cite this article: Bousquet J, Heinzerling L, Bachert C, Papadopoulos NG, Bousquet PJ, Burney PG, Canonica GW, Carlsen KH, Cox L, Haahtela T, Lodrup Carlsen KC, Price D, Samolinski B, Simons FER, Wickman M, Annesi‐Maesano I, Baena‐Cagnani CE, Bergmann KC, Bindslev‐Jensen C, Casale TB, Chiriac A, Cruz AA, Dubakiene R, Durham SR, Fokkens WJ, Gerth‐van‐Wijk R, Kalayci O, Kowalski ML, Mari A, Mullol J, Nazamova‐Baranova L, O’Hehir RE, Ohta K, Panzner P, Passalacqua G, Ring J, Rogala B, Romano A, Ryan D, Schmid‐Grendelmeier P, Todo‐Bom A, Valenta R, Woehrl S, Yusuf OM, Zuberbier T, Demoly P. Practical guide to skin prick tests in allergy to aeroallergens. Allergy 2012; 67: 18–24.

This pocket guide is the result of a consensus reached between members of the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN) and Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA). The aim of the current pocket guide is to offer a comprehensive set of recommendations on the use of skin prick tests in allergic rhinitis–conjunctivitis and asthma in daily practice. This pocket guide is meant to give simple answers to the most frequent questions raised by practitioners in Europe, including ‘practicing allergists’, general practitioners and any other physicians with special interest in the management of allergic diseases. It is not a long or detailed scientific review of the topic. However, the recommendations in this pocket guide were compiled following an in‐depth review of existing guidelines and publications, including the 1993 European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology position paper, the 2001 ARIA document and the ARIA update 2008 (prepared in collaboration with GA2LEN). The recommendations cover skin test methodology and interpretation, allergen extracts to be used, as well as indications in a variety of settings including paediatrics and developing countries.
Long‐Distance Calling by the Willow Tit, Poecile montanus, Facilitates Formation of Mixed‐Species Foraging Flocks
Authors: Suzuki Toshitaka N.
Published: November 2011

The occurrence of mixed‐species foraging flocks is a worldwide phenomenon in terrestrial bird communities. Previous studies suggest that individuals participating in flocks might derive benefits in terms of improved feeding efficiency and/or reduced risk of predation. However, very little is known about how individuals establish mixed‐species flocks. Here, I provide the first experimental evidence that long‐distance calling by the willow tit, Poecile montanus, facilitates the establishment of mixed‐species flocks at a foraging patch. Observations at experimental foraging patches showed that willow tits that find a food source produce long‐distance calls, particularly when they are isolated from conspecific flockmates. The probability of long‐distance calling was negatively correlated with the number of heterospecific foraging individuals near the food source. A playback experiment confirmed that calls attract both conspecific and heterospecific members of foraging flocks. This study demonstrates that willow tits use long‐distance calls to attract conspecific flockmates to foraging patches, and these calls can also facilitate the formation of mixed‐species flocks on patches.
Development of Semen Quality Following Reversible Downregulation of Testicular Function in Male Dogs with a GnRH Agonist Implant
Authors: Goericke‐Pesch S , Ludwig C , Hoffmann B
Published: November 2011

Contents

Slow‐release GnRH agonist implants have shown to be an effective and reversible alternative to surgical castration. Testicular function is downregulated with an arrest of spermatogenesis on the level of spermatogonia/primary spermatocytes but is fully restored after abolition of downregulation. Aim of this study was to assess the quality of ejaculates after active abolishment of downregulation by implant removal and to follow recrudescence of spermatogenesis. Five dogs – which served as their own controls – were treated with a slow‐release implant containing the GnRH agonist azagly‐nafarelin. Implants were removed during full downregulation (testosterone <0.1 ng/ml), and attempts to collect ejaculates started from week 4 onwards to week 29. First ejaculates could be obtained between weeks 8 and 12 with the first fully elongated spermatozoa observed in week 10. Volume, %motility and total sperm count increased and %pathomorphology decreased during the course of the study with all ejaculates being in the normal range by week 29. Our data indicate that onset of recrudescence of spermatogenesis coincides with the first testosterone increase after active abolishment of downregulation. Semen quality was fully regained with a significant improvement of %pathomorphology (p < 0.05) and a tendency of improved %motility. However, these observations on an improved semen quality need further validation and no final conclusions can be drawn yet.
Improvement of 2D‐PAGE Resolution of Human, Porcine and Canine Follicular Fluid: Comparison of Two Immunodepletion Columns
Authors: Fahiminiya S , Roche S , Gérard N
Published: November 2011

Contents

Follicular fluid provides the microenvironment within which somatic cells proliferate and differentiate, and the oocyte matures. It contains a number of soluble factors implicated in various stages of follicular development, most of them being functionally unknown. The presence of several high‐abundance proteins, mainly originating from the blood circulation, is a major challenge of follicular fluid proteomic analysis, as these proteins can mask or decrease the visualization of follicle‐specific proteins. In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of two immunodepletion columns (ProteomeLab™ IgY‐HSA and MARS‐6) on follicular fluids of human, porcine and canine prior to 2D‐PAGE. Our results showed that both columns were suitable to remove some of the high‐abundance proteins present in human and canine follicular fluid. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the immunodepletion strategy enables the detection of new protein spots, increases resolution and highly improves the intensity of low‐abundance proteins by 2D‐PAGE.
Unmasking the janus faces of autophagy in obesity‐associated insulin resistance and cardiac dysfunction
Authors: Xu Xihui , Ren Jun
Published: November 2011

1. Autophagy is an intracellular, lysosomal‐dependent process involved in the turnover of long‐lived proteins, damaged organelles and other subcellular structures. The autophagic process is known to play an essential role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Results from recent studies also indicate an important role for the autophagic process in the pathogenesis of human diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus and ageing.

2. Because of the pivotal role of autophagy in the regulation of adipogenesis, obesity and insulin sensitization, research efforts have focused on elucidating the role of autophagy in metabolic syndrome. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key regulator of cell growth and is characterized by a complex signalling mechanism that affects protein synthesis and autophagy. Results from experimental and clinical studies reveal some interesting, but conflicting, findings regarding the mTOR signalling pathway and autophagy in adipocytes in metabolic syndrome.

3. Although the pivotal role of autophagy in obesity and other metabolic diseases has been established, its involvement in obesity‐induced cardiac dysfunction remains unknown, as do the upstream signalling regulators of autophagy. The present minireview discusses the molecular mechanisms of autophagy in the regulation of cardiac function in overweight and obesity. Further studies using appropriate models are needed to better unravel the complex intracellular mechanisms involved in the regulation of autophagy in obesity‐induced cardiac dysfunction.
Video Brush: A Novel Interface for Efficient Video Cutout
Authors: Tong Ruo‐Feng , Zhang Yun , Ding Meng
Published: November 2011

We present Video Brush, a novel interface for interactive video cutout. Inspired by the progressive selection scheme in images, our interface is designed to select video objects by painting on successive frames as the video plays. The video objects are progressively selected by solving the graph‐cut based local optimization according to the strokes drawn by the brush on each painted frame. In order to provide users interactive feedback, we accelerate 3D graph‐cut by efficient graph building and multi‐level banded graph‐cut. Experimental results show that our novel interface is both intuitive and efficient for video cutout.
Exposure Fusion for Time‐Of‐Flight Imaging
Authors: Hahne Uwe , Alexa Marc
Published: November 2011

This work deals with the problem of automatically choosing the correct exposure (or integration) time for time‐of‐flight depth image capturing. We apply methods known from high dynamic range imaging to combine depth images taken with differing integration times in order to produce high quality depth maps. We evaluate the quality of these depth maps by comparing the performance in reconstruction of planar textured patches and in the 3D reconstruction of an indoor scene. Our solution is fast enough to capture the images at interactive frame rates and also flexible to deal with any amount of exposures.
Rephotography Using Image Collections
Authors: Lee Kun‐Ting , Luo Sheng‐Jie , Chen Bing‐Yu
Published: November 2011

This paper proposes a novel system that “rephotographs” a historical photograph with a collection of images. Rather than finding the accurate viewpoint of the historical photo, users only need to take a number of photographs around the target scene. We adopt the structure from motion technique to estimate the spatial relationship among these photographs, and construct a set of 3D point cloud. Based on the user‐specified correspondences between the projected 3D point cloud and historical photograph, the camera parameters of the historical photograph are estimated. We then combine forward and backward warping images to render the result. Finally, inpainting and content‐preserving warping are used to refine it, and the photograph at the same viewpoint of the historical one is produced by this photo collection.
Improving Performance and Accuracy of Local PCA
Authors: Gassenbauer Václav , Křivánek Jaroslav , Bouatouch Kadi , Bouville Christian , Ribardière Mickaël
Published: November 2011

Local Principal Component Analysis (LPCA) is one of the popular techniques for dimensionality reduction and data compression of large data sets encountered in computer graphics. The LPCA algorithm is a variant of k‐means clustering where the repetitive classification of high dimensional data points to their nearest cluster leads to long execution times. The focus of this paper is on improving the efficiency and accuracy of LPCA. We propose a novel SortCluster LPCA algorithm that significantly reduces the cost of the point‐cluster classification stage, achieving a speed‐up of up to 20. To improve the approximation accuracy, we investigate different initialization schemes for LPCA and find that the k‐means++ algorithm [AV07] yields best results, however at a high computation cost. We show that similar ideas that lead to the efficiency of our SortCluster LPCA algorithm can be used to accelerate k‐means++. The resulting initialization algorithm is faster than purely random seeding while producing substantially more accurate data approximation.
Toward Optimal Space Partitioning for Unbiased, Adaptive Free Path Sampling of Inhomogeneous Participating Media
Authors: Yue Yonghao , Iwasaki Kei , Chen Bing‐Yu , Dobashi Yoshinori , Nishita Tomoyuki
Published: November 2011

Photo‐realistic rendering of inhomogeneous participating media with light scattering in consideration is important in computer graphics, and is typically computed using Monte Carlo based methods. The key technique in such methods is the free path sampling, which is used for determining the distance (free path) between successive scattering events. Recently, it has been shown that efficient and unbiased free path sampling methods can be constructed based on Woodcock tracking. The key concept for improving the efficiency is to utilize space partitioning (e.g., kd‐tree or uniform grid), and a better space partitioning scheme is important for better sampling efficiency. Thus, an estimation framework for investigating the gain in sampling efficiency is important for determining how to partition the space. However, currently, there is no estimation framework that works in 3D space. In this paper, we propose a new estimation framework to overcome this problem. Using our framework, we can analytically estimate the sampling efficiency for any typical partitioned space. Conversely, we can also use this estimation framework for determining the optimal space partitioning. As an application, we show that new space partitioning schemes can be constructed using our estimation framework. Moreover, we show that the differences in the performances using different schemes can be predicted fairly well using our estimation framework.
Heat Walk: Robust Salient Segmentation of Non‐rigid Shapes
Authors: Benjamin William , Polk Andrew Wood , Vishwanathan S.V.N. , Ramani Karthik
Published: November 2011

Segmenting three dimensional objects using properties of heat diffusion on meshes aim to produce salient results. The few existing algorithms based on heat diffusion do not use the full knowledge that can be gained from heat diffusion and are sensitive to varying kinds of perturbations. Our simple algorithm, Heat Walk, converts the implicit information in the heat kernel to explicit knowledge about the pathways for maximum heat flow capacity. We develop a two stage strategy for segmentation. In the first stage we quickly identify regions which are dominated by heat accumulators by employing a greedy algorithm. The second stage partitions out dissipative regions from the previously discovered accumulative regions by using a KL‐divergence based criterion. The resulting algorithm is both independent of human intervention and fast because of the globally aware directed walk along the maximal heat flow capacity. Extensive experimental evidence shows the method is robust to a variety of noise factors including topological short circuits, surface holes, pose variations, variations in tessellation, missing features, scaling, as well as normal and shot noise. Comparison with the Princeton Segmentation Benchmark (PSB) shows that our method is comparable with state of the art segmentation methods and has additional advantages of being robust and self contained. Based upon theoretical insight the convergence and stability of the Heat Walk is shown.
A Single Image Representation Model for Efficient Stereoscopic Image Creation
Authors: Kim Younghui , Jung Hwi‐ryong , Choi Sungwoo , Lee Jungjin , Noh Junyong
Published: November 2011

Computer graphics is one of the most efficient ways to create a stereoscopic image. The process of stereoscopic CG generation is, however, still very inefficient compared to that of monoscopic CG generation. Despite that stereo images are very similar to each other, they are rendered and manipulated independently. Additional requirements for disparity control specific to stereo images lead to even greater inefficiency. This paper proposes a method to reduce the inefficiency accompanied in the creation of a stereoscopic image. The system automatically generates an optimized single image representation of the entire visible area from both cameras. The single image can be easily manipulated with conventional techniques, as it is spatially smooth and maintains the original shapes of scene objects. In addition, a stereo image pair can be easily generated with an arbitrary disparity setting. These convenient and efficient features are achieved by the automatic generation of a stereo camera pair, robust occlusion detection with a pair of Z‐buffers, an optimization method for spatial smoothness, and stereo image pair generation with a non‐linear disparity adjustment. Experiments show that our technique dramatically improves the efficiency of stereoscopic image creation while preserving the quality of the results.
An Illustrative Visualization Framework for 3D Vector Fields
Authors: Chen Cheng‐Kai , Yan Shi , Yu Hongfeng , Max Nelson , Ma Kwan‐Liu
Published: November 2011

Most 3D vector field visualization techniques suffer from the problem of visual clutter, and it remains a challenging task to effectively convey both directional and structural information of 3D vector fields. In this paper, we present a novel visualization framework that combines the advantages of clustering methods and illustrative rendering techniques to generate a concise and informative depiction of complex flow structures. Given a 3D vector field, we first generate a number of streamlines covering the important regions based on an entropy measurement. Then we decompose the streamlines into different groups based on a categorization of vector information, wherein the streamline pattern in each group is ensured to be coherent or nearly coherent. For each group, we select a set of representative streamlines and render them in an illustrative fashion to enhance depth cues and succinctly show local flow characteristics. The results demonstrate that our approach can generate a visualization that is relatively free of visual clutter while facilitating perception of salient information of complex vector fields.
FOUR LIBERTINE POEMS
Authors: DE BLOT BARON
Published: November 2011

Translated by Ali Nematollahy
LA DOCTRINE CURIEUSE
Authors: GARASSE FRANÇOIS
Published: November 2011

Translated by Ali Nematollahy