bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Snapshots reflecting the lives of siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Latta A. , Rampton T. , Rosemann J. , Peterson M. , Mandleco B. , Dyches T. , Roper S.
Published: August 2013

Background

Past research focused on the effects of raising a child with autism spectrum disorder on families. However, most research examined parents' perspectives rather than siblings' perspectives. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative descriptive design was to use photo elicitation to capture perspectives of siblings living with a child with autism spectrum disorder.

Methods

Fourteen siblings (nine male) of 13 children with autism spectrum disorder received disposable cameras with 24–27 colour exposures, and were asked to photograph what was important to them within 2 weeks. After developing snapshots, investigators interviewed siblings about their photographs, and used open, axial and selective coding to determine photograph categories and subcategories.

Results

Two major categories were found: people (family members, non‐family members) and non‐people (personal items/objects, animals, buildings, scenery). Interviews about photographs reflected experiences siblings had with people/non‐people in the snapshots and their normal everyday activities. Most photographs revealed family life and activities any sibling would experience whether or not they lived in a family raising a child with autism spectrum disorder.

Conclusions

Photo elicitation facilitates communication between children and health‐care professionals, and provides information about living with a child with autism spectrum disorder from the sibling's perspective. This information contributes to our knowledge base and allows development of specific intervention plans for siblings of these children.
Body mass index (BMI)‐for‐age and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) among high school students in Tehran
Authors: Jalali‐Farahani S. , Chin Y. S. , Amiri P. , Mohd Taib M. N.
Published: August 2013

Background

The study aimed to determine the association between body mass index (BMI)‐for‐age and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) among high school students in Tehran.

Methods

A total of 465 high school students (227 girls and 238 boys) and their parents were participated in this cross‐sectional study. Body weight and height of the students were measured. For assessing HRQOL, both adolescent self‐report and parent proxy‐report of the Persian version of Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™4.0) questionnaire were completed by adolescents and their parents respectively.

Results

The prevalence of overweight and obesity (38.5%) was higher than severe thinness and thinness (2.8%). Mean of adolescent self‐reported and parent proxy‐reported HRQOL total score were 80.26 ± 12.07 and 81.30 ± 14.08 respectively. In terms of HRQOL subscale scores, the highest subscale score of HRQOL was reported in social functioning (87.27 ± 14.40) and the lowest score was reported in emotional functioning (69.83 ± 18.69). Based on adolescent self‐report, adolescent boys had significantly higher mean score for total and all subscale scores of HRQOL compared with girls (P < 0.05). BMI‐for‐age was inversely correlated to adolescent self‐reported HRQOL total score (r = −0.25, P < 0.05). Based on adolescents self‐report, HRQOL total score was significantly different by body weight status (F = 16.16, P < 0.05). Normal weight adolescents had significantly higher HRQOL total score compared with overweight (mean difference: 7.32; P < 0.05) and obese adolescents (mean difference: 9.10, P < 0.05). The HRQOL total score was not significantly different between normal weight and underweight adolescents (mean difference: 1.65, P = 0.96). However, based on parent proxy‐reports, HRQOL total score was not significantly different by body weight status (F = 2.64, P = 0.059).

Conclusion

More than one‐third of adolescents were overweight and obese. BMI‐for‐age was inversely correlated to adolescent self‐reported HRQOL. Based on adolescents' perspective, overweight and obese adolescents had poorer HRQOL compared with normal weight adolescents. Intervention studies are needed to improve the HRQOL of overweight and obese adolescents in Tehran.
Semantizing Complex 3D Scenes using Constrained Attribute Grammars
Authors: Boulch A. , Houllier S. , Marlet R. , Tournaire O.
Published: August 2013

We propose a new approach to automatically semantize complex objects in a 3D scene. For this, we define an expressive formalism combining the power of both attribute grammars and constraint. It offers a practical conceptual interface, which is crucial to write large maintainable specifications. As recursion is inadequate to express large collections of items, we introduce maximal operators, that are essential to reduce the parsing search space. Given a grammar in this formalism and a 3D scene, we show how to automatically compute a shared parse forest of all interpretations — in practice, only a few, thanks to relevant constraints. We evaluate this technique for building model semantization using CAD model examples as well as photogrammetric and simulated LiDAR data.
Practical Anisotropic Geodesy
Authors: Campen Marcel , Heistermann Martin , Kobbelt Leif
Published: August 2013

The computation of intrinsic, geodesic distances and geodesic paths on surfaces is a fundamental low‐level building block in countless Computer Graphics and Geometry Processing applications. This demand led to the development of numerous algorithms – some for the exact, others for the approximative computation, some focussing on speed, others providing strict guarantees. Most of these methods are designed for computing distances according to the standard Riemannian metric induced by the surface's embedding in Euclidean space. Generalization to other, especially anisotropic, metrics – which more recently gained interest in several application areas – is not rarely hampered by fundamental problems. We explore and discuss possibilities for the generalization and extension of well‐known methods to the anisotropic case, evaluate their relative performance in terms of accuracy and speed, and propose a novel algorithm, the Short‐Term Vector Dijkstra. This algorithm is strikingly simple to implement and proves to provide practical accuracy at a higher speed than generalized previous methods.
Sparse Iterative Closest Point
Authors: Bouaziz Sofien , Tagliasacchi Andrea , Pauly Mark
Published: August 2013

Rigid registration of two geometric data sets is essential in many applications, including robot navigation, surface reconstruction, and shape matching. Most commonly, variants of the Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithm are employed for this task. These methods alternate between closest point computations to establish correspondences between two data sets, and solving for the optimal transformation that brings these correspondences into alignment. A major difficulty for this approach is the sensitivity to outliers and missing data often observed in 3D scans. Most practical implementations of the ICP algorithm address this issue with a number of heuristics to prune or reweight correspondences. However, these heuristics can be unreliable and difficult to tune, which often requires substantial manual assistance. We propose a new formulation of the ICP algorithm that avoids these difficulties by formulating the registration optimization using sparsity inducing norms. Our new algorithm retains the simple structure of the ICP algorithm, while achieving superior registration results when dealing with outliers and incomplete data. The complete source code of our implementation is provided at http://lgg.epfl.ch/sparseicp.
Bijective Composite Mean Value Mappings
Authors: Schneider T. , Hormann K. , Floater M.S.
Published: August 2013

We introduce the novel concept of composite barycentric mappings and give theoretical conditions under which they are guaranteed to be bijective. We then focus on mean value mappings and derive a simple procedure for computing their Jacobians, leading to an efficient GPU‐assisted implementation for interactively designing composite mean value mappings which are bijective up to pixel resolution. We provide a number of examples of 2D image deformation and an example of 3D shape deformation based on a natural extension of the concept to spatial mappings.
Consistent Shape Maps via Semidefinite Programming
Authors: Huang Qi‐Xing , Guibas Leonidas
Published: August 2013

Recent advances in shape matching have shown that jointly optimizing the maps among the shapes in a collection can lead to significant improvements when compared to estimating maps between pairs of shapes in isolation. These methods typically invoke a cycle‐consistency criterion — the fact that compositions of maps along a cycle of shapes should approximate the identity map. This condition regularizes the network and allows for the correction of errors and imperfections in individual maps. In particular, it encourages the estimation of maps between dissimilar shapes by compositions of maps along a path of more similar shapes.

In this paper, we introduce a novel approach for obtaining consistent shape maps in a collection that formulates the cycle‐consistency constraint as the solution to a semidefinite program (SDP). The proposed approach is based on the observation that, if the ground truth maps between the shapes are cycle‐consistent, then the matrix that stores all pair‐wise maps in blocks is low‐rank and positive semidefinite. Motivated by recent advances in techniques for low‐rank matrix recovery via semidefinite programming, we formulate the problem of estimating cycle‐consistent maps as finding the closest positive semidefinite matrix to an input matrix that stores all the initial maps. By analyzing the Karush‐Kuhn‐Tucker (KKT) optimality condition of this program, we derive theoretical guarantees for the proposed algorithm, ensuring the correctness of the recovery when the errors in the inputs maps do not exceed certain thresholds. Besides this theoretical guarantee, experimental results on benchmark datasets show that the proposed approach outperforms state‐of‐the‐art multiple shape matching methods.
Dynamic Maps for Exploring and Browsing Shapes
Authors: Kleiman Yanir , Fish Noa , Lanir Joel , Cohen‐Or Daniel
Published: August 2013

Large datasets of 3D objects require an intuitive way to browse and quickly explore shapes from the collection. We present a dynamic map of shapes where similar shapes are placed next to each other. Similarity between 3D models exists in a high dimensional space which cannot be accurately expressed in a two dimensional map. We solve this discrepancy by providing a local map with pan capabilities and a user interface that resembles an online experience of navigating through geographical maps. As the user navigates through the map, new shapes appear which correspond to the specific navigation tendencies and interests of the user, while maintaining a continuous browsing experience. In contrast with state of the art methods which typically reduce the search space by selecting constraints or employing relevance feedback, our method enables exploration of large sets without constraining the search space, allowing the user greater creativity and serendipity. A user study evaluation showed a strong preference of users for our method over a standard relevance feedback method.
Dirichlet Energy for Analysis and Synthesis of Soft Maps
Authors: Solomon Justin , Guibas Leonidas , Butscher Adrian
Published: August 2013

Soft maps taking points on one surface to probability distributions on another are attractive for representing surface mappings in the presence of symmetry, ambiguity, and combinatorial complexity. Few techniques, however, are available to measure their continuity and other properties. To this end, we introduce a novel Dirichlet energy for soft maps generalizing the classical map Dirichlet energy, which measures distortion by computing how soft maps transport probabilistic mass from one distribution to another. We formulate the computation of the Dirichlet energy in terms of a differential equation and provide a finite elements discretization that enables all of the quantities introduced to be computed. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our framework for understanding soft maps arising from various sources. Furthermore, we suggest how these energies can be applied to generate continuous soft or point‐to‐point maps.
Watertight Scenes from Urban LiDAR and Planar Surfaces
Authors: van Kreveld M. , van Lankveld T. , Veltkamp R. C.
Published: August 2013

The demand for large geometric models is increasing, especially of urban environments. This has resulted in production of massive point cloud data from images or LiDAR. Visualization and further processing generally require a detailed, yet concise representation of the scene's surfaces. Related work generally either approximates the data with the risk of over‐smoothing, or interpolates the data with excessive detail. Many surfaces in urban scenes can be modeled more concisely by planar approximations. We present a method that combines these polygons into a watertight model. The polygon‐based shape is closed with free‐form meshes based on visibility information. To achieve this, we divide 3‐space into inside and outside volumes by combining a constrained Delaunay tetrahedralization with a graph‐cut. We compare our method with related work on several large urban LiDAR data sets. We construct similar shapes with a third fewer triangles to model the scenes. Additionally, our results are more visually pleasing and closer to a human modeler's description of urban scenes using simple boxes.
From Blickets to Synapses: Inferring Temporal Causal Networks by Observation
Authors: Fernando Chrisantha
Published: August 2013

How do human infants learn the causal dependencies between events? Evidence suggests that this remarkable feat can be achieved by observation of only a handful of examples. Many computational models have been produced to explain how infants perform causal inference without explicit teaching about statistics or the scientific method. Here, we propose a spiking neuronal network implementation that can be entrained to form a dynamical model of the temporal and causal relationships between events that it observes. The network uses spike‐time dependent plasticity, long‐term depression, and heterosynaptic competition rules to implement Rescorla–Wagner‐like learning. Transmission delays between neurons allow the network to learn a forward model of the temporal relationships between events. Within this framework, biologically realistic synaptic plasticity rules account for well‐known behavioral data regarding cognitive causal assumptions such as backwards blocking and screening‐off. These models can then be run as emulators for state inference. Furthermore, this mechanism is capable of copying synaptic connectivity patterns between neuronal networks by observing the spontaneous spike activity from the neuronal circuit that is to be copied, and it thereby provides a powerful method for transmission of circuit functionality between brain regions.
Influenza vaccination rate among patients with moderate to severe psoriasis
Authors: Radtke Marc Alexander , Rustenbach Stephan Jeff , Reusch Michael , Strömer Klaus , Augustin Matthias
Published: August 2013

Background

Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis vulgaris represent a risk group for developing serious complications after influenza virus infection. By vaccinating this cohort such complications might be prevented. The objective was to determine the vaccination rate among patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and to explore the surrounding circumstances.

Patients and methods

A nationwide, non‐interventional, cross‐sectional study was performed in 1,229 adults with confirmed psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. The survey consisting of 15 questions about vaccination and vaccination adherence was distributed to patients enrolled in the psoriasis patient registry “PsoBest”.

Results

About 28 % of the patients (95 %‐CI 24.0−31.6) were vaccinated. The mean age was 58 years, 40 % were females. The prevalence of psoriatic arthritis was 28 % at baseline and 39 % during the vaccination period. General practitioners vaccinated 50 % of the patients, while dermatologists suggested vaccination in 7 % of the cases. Fifty percent of the patients reported that they had been vaccinated at their own request. 91 % of the patients had been vaccinated at least once over the past ten years, receiving on average 5.9 influenza vaccinations during the decade.

Conclusions

The vaccination rate in the study cohort was relatively low compared to that in the general population. Influenza vaccination had only been suggested by a small percentage of physicians.
New developments in dermatological oncogenetics
Authors: Kunz Manfred
Published: August 2013

Activated intracellular signaling pathways based on mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes play an important role in a variety of malignant tumors. In dermatology, such mutations have been identified in melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These have partly led to the establishment of new, targeted therapies. Treatment successes have been particularly impressive for melanoma with small molecule inhibitors directed against the mutated BRAF oncogene and in basal cell carcinoma with inhibitors directed against the hedgehog signaling pathway. New sequencing technologies, in particular next generation sequencing, have led to a better and more comprehensive understanding of malignant tumors. This approach confirmed the pathogenic role of BRAF, NRAS and MAP kinase pathways for melanoma. At the same time, a series of further interesting target molecules with oncogenic mutations such as ERBB4, GRIN2A, GRM3, PREX2, RAC1 and TP53 were identified. New aspects have recently been shown for squamous cell carcinoma by detection of mutations in the NOTCH signaling pathway. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of these and other tumors should lead to improved and maybe even individualized treatment. The current developments in dermatological oncogenetics based on the new sequencing technologies are reviewed.
Basic diagnostics in andrology
Authors: Grunewald Sonja , Paasch Uwe
Published: August 2013

Basic andrological diagnosis consists of taking the patient's medical history and the couple's history as well as performing a physical examination including genital ultrasound, spermiogram, and hormonal analysis. If needed, a testicular biopsy and genetic testing may also be performed. Recent studies have shown the effect of lifestyle factors on male fertility. Thus, the patient history and clinical/andrological examinations have been broadened to include information on metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes mellitus.

The biggest changes occurred with the publication of the fifth edition of the WHO laboratory manual in 2010 and the introduction of a section on semen analysis in the German Medical Association guidelines (RiliBÄK). The reference values for almost all spermiogram parameters were adapted in an evidence‐based approach using worldwide prospective population studies. For central parameters such as sperm motility and morphology, the assessment criteria were changed. New independent markers such as sperm DNA fragmentation rate are now routinely used in clinical diagnosis. For German andrological laboratories, there are now mandatory quality assurance measures for semen analysis (in the German “Rili‐BÄK” guidelines). These include duplicate testing of all standard semen parameters and inter‐laboratory comparison at regular intervals.
Learning and Open Source Software License Choice
Authors: Peng Gang , Mu Jifeng , Di Benedetto C. Anthony
Published: August 2013

Licensing is the defining characteristic of open source software (OSS) and often has tremendous impact on the success of OSS projects. However, OSS licenses are very different from those for proprietary software, and our understanding of the choice of OSS licenses is very limited. In this study, we explore this important decision from a learning perspective. We build collaboration networks and trace paths through which potential learning and knowledge flow across projects using a dataset derived from SourceForge. We identify that both experiential learning and vicarious learning have significant influence on OSS license choice. We provide reasons why experiential learning and vicarious learning affect decision‐making regarding OSS license choice, and explore important contingencies under which the two modes of learning are more effective. We find that leadership roles on prior projects and similarities between projects significantly moderate these two modes of learning, respectively. More importantly, we argue and empirically illustrate that experiential learning is more effective than vicarious learning in influencing OSS license choice. Our research sheds new light on our understanding of license choice for OSS projects and provides practical guidelines for future OSS development.
Food Price Crisis, Poverty, and Inequality
Authors: Marktanner Marcus , Noiset Luc P.
Published: August 2013

This paper simulates how a doubling of food prices affects absolute poverty and the food‐price‐adjusted real income distribution. We assume unsubsidized world food prices in order to derive the cost of poverty deepening and poverty expansion. We also estimate the degree to which inequality increases if no measures are put in place to offset rising food prices. Both measures are vulnerability indicators useful for social policy planning. Our results show that low‐income countries experience dramatic increases in absolute poverty as a result of doubling food prices. Middle‐income countries experience the greatest decrease in absolute income, which contributes most to an increase in world income inequality. The paper estimates that the global dollar value of the absolute poverty gap ($1.25/day) has the potential to increase by 400%, with poverty deepening accounting for two thirds of the increase.
Impacts of land use at the catchment scale constrain the habitat benefits of stream riparian buffers
Authors: Wahl Colin M. , Neils Allison , Hooper David
Published: August 2013

Stream conservation and restoration strategies commonly focus on preserving extant riparian forest and restoring riparian habitat. Though these practices are beneficial to stream habitat, they may not suffice to restore stream condition in catchments heavily influenced by intensive land use.

To evaluate this hypothesis, we measured invertebrate populations in 12 streams affected by different land‐use types (cultivated, developed, forested and grassland). Within each stream, we compared reaches with and without riparian buffers of remnant mature forest. Within each reach, we calculated the relative abundance of individuals from the insect ordersEphemeroptera,Plecoptera andTrichoptera (%EPT) and assessed specific conductance, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature and substratum composition.

Forested catchments had the highest %EPT(average 23.8) followed by grassland (16.1), cultivated (1.96) and developed (0.31). Reaches with forested buffers present were not associated with higher %EPTin forested, cultivated or developed catchments. In grassland catchments, however, %EPTwas about eightfold higher in reaches with forested buffers than those without.

High values of %EPTwere associated with large stream substratum and low specific conductance and temperature, which were most common in forested catchments. Developed and cultivated catchments did not follow this pattern, %EPTbeing uniformly low, even where abiotic conditions were similar to forested catchments.

These results confirm that intensive urban and cultivated land uses at the catchment scale degrade stream biological communities. They also indicate that patchy forested riparian corridors, as found in many restoration projects, are probably insufficient to mitigate severe, large‐scale biological degradation.
Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: Comparison of the therapeutic efficacies between miriplatin and epirubicin
Authors: Handa Takahiro , Imai Yukinori , Sugawara Kayoko , Chikayama Taku , Nakazawa Manabu , Ando Satsuki , Hamaoka Kazuhiro , Inao Mie , Nakayama Nobuaki , Mochida Satoshi
Published: August 2013

Aim

The therapeutic efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) using miriplatin was evaluated in comparison with that using epirubicin in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

Two hundred and eight‐nine HCC patients receiving TACE were retrospectively enrolled; none of the patients gave a previous TACE history. The short‐term therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by computed tomography (CT) performed 1 month later. In patients showing TE‐4, CT and/or magnetic resonance imaging examinations were performed repeatedly and the long‐term therapeutic efficacy was assessed based on local tumor recurrence.

Results

After exclusion of 68 patients (CT not performed at 1 month), 97 patients treated with epirubicin and 124 treated with miriplatin were analyzed. The percentage of patients showing TE‐4 was 46.8% in the miriplatin–TACE group, being significantly higher than that in the epirubicin–TACE group (33.0%). The cumulative local recurrence rates at 18 months were 71.2% in the miriplatin–TACE group and 43.1% in the epirubicin–TACE group; multivariate analysis revealed higher local tumor recurrence rates in the miriplatin–TACE group than in the epirubicin–TACE group.

Conclusion

For HCC patients, although miriplatin–TACE was superior to epirubicin–TACE in the short term, it proved inferior to the latter in the long term. The merits of TACE using miriplatin should be further investigated, because adverse effects appear to be minimal after miriplatin administration.
Promoting the consumer voice in palliative care: exploring the possibility of using consumer impact statements
Authors: McConigley Ruth , Shelby‐James Tania , Currow David C
Published: August 2013

Background

It can be difficult to engage consumers in health decision making. This is particularly so in the area of palliative care, where consumers are very unwell and are unlikely to become involved in long‐term programmes that promote consumer input. This paper explores the possibility of using ‘Consumer Impact Statements’ to facilitate the inclusion of the viewpoint of people at the end of life in the process of policy and decision making, particularly in the area of subsidy of pharmaceuticals used in palliative care.

Search Strategy

A broad search was conducted to find information about the use of impact statements in any health field. The health literature and grey literature were searched to explore the use of Consumer Impact Statements to date.

Results

No papers were found describing the use of Consumer Impact Statements in the palliative care setting. Health impact assessment is used in the areas of environmental health and community health. Impact statements are less commonly used in other areas of health, especially policy development, and no formal description of a Consumer Impact Statement was found.

Discussion

There is considerable scope for developing the use of Consumer Impact Statements to promote the consumer viewpoint in health decision making, because it will allow people who are otherwise unlikely to contribute to the public debate to have their views heard by decision makers.

Conclusion

The use of Consumer Impact Statements is particularly suited to palliative care, given that consumers are often otherwise unable to contribute to the public debate.
A Lead‐Free and High‐Energy Density Ceramic for Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Correia Tatiana M. , McMillen Mark , Rokosz Maciej K. , Weaver Paul M. , Gregg John M. , Viola Giuseppe , Cain Markys G
Published: August 2013

In this work, we demonstrate a very high‐energy density and high‐temperature stability capacitor based on SrTiO3‐substituted BiFeO3 thin films. An energy density of 18.6 J/cm3 at 972 kV/cm is reported. The temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) was below 11% from room temperature up to 200°C. These results are of practical importance, because it puts forward a promising novel and environmentally friendly, lead‐free material, for high‐temperature applications in power electronics up to 200°C. Applications include capacitors for low carbon vehicles, renewable energy technologies, integrated circuits, and for the high‐temperature aerospace sector.
Accommodation, Accumulation, and Migration of Defects in Ti3SiC2 and Ti3AlC2 MAX Phases
Authors: Middleburgh Simon C. , Lumpkin Greg R. , Riley Daniel
Published: August 2013

We have determined the energetics of defect formation and migration in Mn+1AXn phases with M = Ti, A = Si or Al, X = C, and n = 3 using density functional theory calculations. In the Ti3SiC2 structure, the resulting Frenkel defect formation energies are 6.5 eV for Ti, 2.6 eV for Si, and 2.9 eV for C. All three interstitial species reside within the Si layer of the structure, the C interstitial in particular is coordinated to three Si atoms in a triangular configuration (C–Si = 1.889 Å) and to two apical Ti atoms (C–Ti = 2.057 Å). This carbon–metal bonding is typical of the bonding in the SiC and TiC binary carbides. Antisite defects were also considered, giving formation energies of 4.1 eV for Ti–Si, 17.3 eV for Ti–C, and 6.1 eV for Si–C. Broadly similar behavior was found for Frenkel and antisite defect energies in the Ti3AlC2 structure, with interstitial atoms preferentially lying in the analogous Al layer. Although the population of residual defects in both structures is expected to be dominated by C interstitials, the defect migration and Frenkel recombination mechanism in Ti3AlC2 is different and the energy is lower compared with the Ti3SiC2 structure. This effect, together with the observation of a stable C interstitial defect coordinated by three silicon species and two titanium species in Ti3SiC2, will have important implications for radiation damage response in these materials.
A Quantitative Analysis of the Indian Supreme Court's Workload
Authors: Robinson Nick
Published: August 2013

This article analyzes the Indian Supreme Court's docket in detail from 1993 to 2011. It also draws on available data to describe more broadly the workings of the Court before 1993. The article explains how deficiencies in the way data are currently collected and categorized by the Court presents challenges in developing a full picture of its workload. Using the admittedly imperfect data set, it then analyzes the Supreme Court's caseload by geographic region of appeal, subject matter category, petition type, and other classifications. Among other findings, this analysis shows that the Court is disproportionately accessed by those close to Delhi and with more resources and that the Supreme Court's multiplicity of benches and cases may be undercutting precedent following in the Indian judicial system.
Retracted: Superoxide‐dependent uptake of vitamin C in human glioma cells
Authors: Rodríguez Federico S. , Salazar Katterine A. , Jara Nery A. , García‐Robles María A , Pérez Fernando , Ferrada Luciano E. , Martínez Fernando , Nualart Francisco J.
Published: August 2013

Glioblastomas are lethal brain tumors that resist current cytostatic therapies. Vitamin C may antagonize the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating therapies; however, it is often used to reduce therapy‐related side effects despite its effects on therapy or tumor growth. Because the mechanisms of vitamin C uptake in gliomas are currently unknown, we evaluated the expression of the sodium‐vitamin C cotransporter (SVCT) and facilitative hexose transporter (GLUT) families in human glioma cells. In addition, as microglial cells can greatly infiltrate high‐grade gliomas (constituting up to 45% of cells in glioblastomas), the effect of TC620 glioma cell interactions with microglial‐like HL60 cells on vitamin C uptake (Bystander effect) was determined. Although glioma cells expressed high levels of the SVCT isoform‐2 (SVCT2), low functional activity, intracellular localization and the expression of the dominant‐negative isoform (dnSVCT2) were observed. The increased glucose metabolic activity of glioma cells was evident by the high 2‐Deoxy‐d‐glucose and dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) uptake rates through the GLUT isoform‐1 (GLUT1), the main DHA transporter in glioblastoma. Co‐culture of glioma cells and activated microglial‐like HL60 cells resulted in extracellular ascorbic acid oxidation and high DHA uptake by glioma cells. This Bystander effect may explain the high antioxidative potential observed in high‐grade gliomas.

image

This study strongly suggests that the Bystander effect, that is, glioma cell interaction with oxidant‐producing microglia, could be an important mechanism for glioma vitamin C loading in the absence of functional sodium‐vitamin C cotransporter 2 (SVCT2) expression. The high cellular vitamin C load in glioma cells results from a high uptake of extracellular dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) generated by neighboring microglia. This Bystander effect may explain the high antioxidative potential observed in high‐grade gliomas, considering that high‐grade gliomas may be the only neoplasm where oxidant‐producing microglia can almost equal the number of tumor cells.
Effects of Chronic NMDA‐NR2b Inhibition in the Median Eminence of the Reproductive Senescent Female Rat
Authors: Kermath B. A. , Riha P. D. , Sajjad A. , Gore A. C.
Published: August 2013

Gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) neurones of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis drive reproductive function and undergo age‐related decreases in activation during the transition to reproductive senescence. Decreased GnRH secretion from the median eminence (ME) partially arises from attenuated glutamatergic signalling via the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) and may be a result of changing NMDAR stoichiometry to favour NR2b over NR2a subunit expression with ageing. We have previously shown that the systemic inhibition of NR2b‐containing receptors with ifenprodil, an NR2b‐specific antagonist, stimulates parameters of luteinising hormone (used as a proxy for GnRH) release in both young and middle‐aged females. In the present study, we chronically administered ifenprodil, an NR2b‐specific antagonist, at the site of GnRH terminals in the ME or at GnRH perikarya in the preoptic area, in reproductively senescent middle‐aged female rats, aiming to determine whether NR2b antagonism could restore aspects of reproductive functionality. Effects on oestrous cyclicity, serum hormones, and protein expression of GnRH, NR2b and phosphorylated NR2b (Tyr‐1472) in the ME were measured. Chronic ifenprodil treatment in the ME (but not the preoptic area) altered oestrous cyclicity by increasing the percentage of days spent in pro‐oestrus. This was accompanied by increased GnRH fluorescence intensity in the external ME zone and a greater proportion of GnRH terminals that co‐labelled with pNR2b with treatment. We also observed changes in the relationships between protein immunofluorescence, serum hormone levels and other aspects of reproductive physiology in acyclic females, as revealed by bionetwork analysis. Together, these data support the hypothesis that NMDAR‐NR2b expression and phosphorylation state play a role in reproductive senescence and highlight the ME as a major player in reproductive ageing.
The effectiveness of different concentrations of chlorhexidine for prevention of ventilator‐associated pneumonia: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Ting‐Ting , Tang Shan‐Shan , Fu Li‐Juan
Published: August 2013

Aims and objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of chlorhexidine for the prevention of ventilator‐associated pneumonia and explore the preferred concentration of chlorhexidine.

Background

The implementation of effective oral care measures could reduce the incidence of ventilator‐associated pneumonia, but among several randomised controlled trials, whether using chlorhexidine is effective and which concentration is more appropriate remain controversial.

Design

A meta‐analysis was conducted.

Methods

We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, China Biology Medicine disc and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure to collect randomised controlled trials of mechanically ventilated adult patients receiving oral care with chlorhexidine to prevent ventilator‐associated pneumonia. The quality of randomised controlled trials was critically appraised, data were extracted by two reviewers independently, and disagreement was resolved by consensus. Meta‐analyses were conducted for the eligible randomised controlled trials by revman 5.1. Relative risks and 95% CIs were calculated with the Mantel–Haenszel model, and heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 test.

Results

Eighteen randomised controlled trials were included and a meta‐analysis was used. All studies indicated chlorhexidine could significantly prevent and reduce the incidence of ventilator‐associated pneumonia [RR = 0·59, 95% CI (0·50–0·69), p < 0·00001]. Nine studies showed 0·12% chlorhexidine had a significant effect [RR = 0·53, 95% CI (0·43–0·67), p < 0·00001]. Three studies proved the effect of the 2% chlorhexidine on the prevention of ventilator‐associated pneumonia [RR = 0·55, 95% CI (0·37–0·81), p = 0·002].

Conclusion

Chlorhexidine can prevent and reduce the incidence of ventilator‐associated pneumonia. Chlorhexidine of 0·12% has the best effect on the prevention of ventilator‐associated pneumonia according to the meta‐analysis, cost analysis, adverse reactions and drug resistance analysis.

Relevance to clinical practice

Ventilator‐associated pneumonia remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care unit, and implementing effective oral care can reduce the incidence of ventilator‐associated pneumonia. Chlorhexidine of 0·12% is recommended in our study.
On the Cross‐Cultural Replicability of the Resilient, Undercontrolled, and Overcontrolled Personality Types
Authors: Alessandri Guido , Vecchione Michele , Donnellan Brent M. , Eisenberg Nancy , Caprara Gian Vittorio , Cieciuch Jan
Published: August 2013

Personality types reflect typical configurations of personality attributes within individuals. Over the last 20 years, researchers have identified a set of three replicable personality types: resilient (R), undercontrolled (U), and overcontrolled (O) types. In this study, we examined the cross‐cultural replicability of the RUO types in Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United States. Personality types were identified using cluster analyses of Big Five profiles in large samples of college students from Italy (n = 322), the United States (n = 499), Spain (n = 420), and Poland (n = 235). Prior to clustering the profiles, the measurement invariance of the Big Five measure across samples was tested. We found evidence for the RUO types in all four samples. The three‐cluster solution showed a better fit over alternative solutions and had a relatively high degree of cross‐cultural generalizability. The RUO types are evident in samples from four countries with distinct linguistic and cultural traditions. Results were discussed in light of the importance of considering how traits are organized within individuals for advancing contemporary personality psychology.
Popularity as a Moderator of Peer Selection and Socialization of Adolescent Alcohol, Marijuana, and Tobacco Use
Authors: Mathys Cécile , Burk William J. , Cillessen Antonius H. N.
Published: August 2013

This study examined prospective associations between late adolescents’ friendships and substance use (alcohol, marijuana, tobacco) using a stochastic actor‐based modeling approach and the moderating role of popularity. Participants were 450 adolescents (53% female, M age = 15.5 years) who completed surveys in grades 10 and 11. Results of a single multivariate model indicated that peer selection based on similar tobacco use was a more robust predictor of changes in friendship than selection based on similar alcohol and marijuana use; and peer socialization of alcohol use predicted more changes in adolescent‐drinking behaviors. Popularity moderated selection based on alcohol use; popular adolescents were more likely to select friends with high levels of drinking behaviors. Popularity did not moderate peer socialization.
Adolescents’ Intake of Junk Food: Processes and Mechanisms Driving Consumption Similarities Among Friends
Authors: de la Haye Kayla , Robins Garry , Mohr Philip , Wilson Carlene
Published: August 2013

Adolescents’ consumption of low‐nutrient, energy‐dense (LNED) food often occurs out of home, and friends may be an important source of influence. This study tested whether observed similarities in LNED food intake among friends result from social influence and also explored underlying psychological mechanisms. Three waves of data were collected over 1 year from Grade 8 students in Australia (N = 378, 54% male), including measures of food intake and related cognitions, and friendships to grademates. The results of longitudinal social network models show that adolescent intake was predicted by their friends’ intake, accounting for pre‐existing similarities and other potentially confounding factors. Changes to adolescents’ beliefs about LNED food do not appear to be the mechanisms underpinning influence from their friends.
Competition, Envy, or Snobbism? How Popularity and Friendships Shape Antipathy Networks of Adolescents
Authors: Berger Christian , Dijkstra Jan Kornelis
Published: August 2013

This study examined how status (popularity) and friendship relations affected the development of adolescents’ dislike relations (i.e., antipathy networks) over time. Three competing hypotheses were formulated about the role of status: antipathy relations result from either similarity in status (competition hypothesis) or dissimilarity in status when lower status peers reject higher status peers (envy hypothesis) or vice versa (snobbism hypothesis). Hypotheses were tested in a longitudinal sample of adolescents from Chile (fifth to sixth grade; 52% boys; N = 273). Antipathy and friendship networks were examined simultaneously using longitudinal social network modeling (SIENA). Higher status adolescents were more likely to reject their lower status peers, in line with the snobbism hypothesis. Furthermore, best friends tended to agree upon which peers to reject over time.
DOES FIRM OWNERSHIP AFFECT SPILLOVER OPPORTUNITIES? EVIDENCE FROM CHINESE MANUFACTURING
Authors: Kamal Fariha
Published: August 2013

The clustering of economic activity is believed to generate both positive own‐industry (localization) spillovers and negative competitive pressures. Using data on manufacturing enterprises operating in China during 1998–2006, this paper provides evidence on the net effect of opposing spillovers from nearby economic activity. Central to the analysis is the opportunity to distinguish local manufacturing enterprises by state, private, or foreign ownership. Systematic differences in average productivity of these firms enable inferences about differences in the strength of spillovers from one type of firm to another type. Results indicate that spillovers are larger within the same ownership type than they are across them, consistent with localization economies that operate within segmented channels of influence.
Urinary Biomarkers for Acute Kidney Injury in Dogs
Authors: De Loor J. , Daminet S. , Smets P. , Maddens B. , Meyer E.
Published: August 2013

Routinely, kidney dysfunction and decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are diagnosed by the evaluation of changes in the serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations. However, neither of these tests is sensitive or specific enough for the early diagnosis of impaired kidney function because they are both affected by other renal and nonrenal factors. Furthermore, kidney injury can be present in the absence of kidney dysfunction. Renal reserve enables normal GFR even when nephrons are damaged. Renal biomarkers, especially those present in urine, may be useful for the study of both acute and chronic nephropathies. The aim of this review is to describe the current status of urinary biomarkers as diagnostic tools for kidney injury in dogs with particular focus on acute kidney injury (AKI). The International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) canine AKI grading system and the implementation of urinary biomarkers in this system also are discussed. The discovery of novel urinary biomarkers has emerged from hypotheses about the pathophysiology of kidney injury, but few proteomic urine screening approaches have been described in dogs. Lack of standardization of biomarker assays further complicates the comparison of novel canine urinary biomarker validation results among studies. Future research should focus on novel biomarkers of renal origin and evaluate promising biomarkers in different clinical conditions. Validation of selected urinary biomarkers in the diagnosis of canine kidney diseases must include dogs with both renal and nonrenal diseases to evaluate their sensitivity, specificity as well as their negative and positive predictive values.
Quantitative Analysis of Fecal Flora in Goat Kids with and without Floppy Kid Syndrome
Authors: Bleul U. , Fassbind N. , Ghielmetti G. , Zoller D. , Liesegang A. , Hässig M. , Wittenbrink M.M. , Prohaska S.
Published: August 2013

Background

Floppy kid syndrome (FKS) affects goat kids in the first month of life and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The condition is characterized by neurological signs that can be ascribed to increased plasma d‐lactate concentrations. The source of d‐lactate has not been identified conclusively, but d‐lactate‐producing bacteria in the large intestine are thought to be involved.

Objectives

To determine the number of colony‐forming unit (CFUs) of certain groups of bacteria in the feces of kids with and without FKS.

Animals

Nineteen goat kids with clinical signs of FKS, acidemia (pH ≤ 7.2), and plasma d‐lactate concentration >7 mM and 15 healthy goat kids without acidemia (pH >7.2) and d‐lactate concentration <1 mM.

Methods

In this case‐control study, the goat kids were examined clinically and blood was collected to measure d‐lactate concentration, blood gases, and acid–base parameters. Fecal samples were collected and the total aerobic bacterial count and CFU counts of coliforms, enterococci, staphylococci, streptococci, lactobacilli, and clostridia were determined using the surface plating method.

Results

Goat kids with FKS had a mean plasma d‐lactate concentration of 10.9 ± 3.7 mM compared with 0.3 ± 0.9 mM in healthy kids, and significantly greater CFU counts for enterococci, streptococci, staphylococci, and lactobacilli than healthy kids.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The groups of bacteria present in greater numbers in the feces of goat kids with FKS include several d‐lactate‐producing species, which makes dysbacteriosis a likely cause of the increased plasma d‐lactate concentration in FKS.