bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single‐institution long‐term outcomes for patients receiving nonmyeloablative conditioning hematopoeitic cell transplantation for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and follicular lymphoma
Authors: Mortensen Bo K. , Petersen Søren L. , Kornblit Brian , Andersen Per K. , Braendstrup Peter , Andersen Niels S. , Sengeløv Henrik , Vindeløv Lars
Published: May 2012

Non‐myeloablative conditioning hematopoietic cell transplantation (NMC‐HCT) has improved the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and follicular lymphoma (FL). In a cohort of 85 patients (45 with CLL and 40 with FL), we observed 5‐yr overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) of 53% and 38% in the CLL group and 81% and 76% in the FL group. In the both the CLL group and the FL group, a strong trend toward better OS and PFS was observed among patients in complete remission (CR) at HCT. Within the FL group, sixteen patients had at one or more time points in their disease history had transformed FL. In contrast to the poor survival found in patients with transformed FL in previous studies, the 5‐yr OS was almost identical in patients with transformed and non‐transformed FL, 83% and 78%, respectively. In conclusion, our study supports that NMC‐HCT is a safe and efficacious treatment that can provide long‐term survival in elderly, heavily pretreated patients with FL and CLL. Especially patients with FL, and also transformed FL, seemed to have a great benefit of NMC‐HCT, and CR at the time of HCT was an important prognostic factor.
Claudin‐5 haploinsufficiency exacerbates UVB‐induced oedema formation by inducing lymphatic vessel leakage
Authors: Matsumoto‐Okazaki Yuuko , Furuse Mikio , Kajiya Kentaro
Published: May 2012

Acute exposure of skin to ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation (290–320 nm) leads to epidermal hyperplasia, erythema and oedema formation. We have elucidated that UV irradiation induced the leakiness of cutaneous lymphatic vessels. Although these studies indicated a crucial role of the lymphatic integrity in skin inflammation, the mechanisms underlying its disruption by UVB exposure remain unknown. Here we demonstrated that a vascular‐specific tight junction molecule, claudin‐5 has an important role in lymphatics and skin inflammation. Claudin‐5+/− mice, whose claudin‐5 expression was greatly downregulated in skin, exacerbates oedema formation and inflammation by a low dose of UVB irradiation. Lymphatic vessels of claudin‐5+/− mice were markedly enlarged and leaky after low‐dose UVB exposure, compared with those of wild‐type mice, while the morphology of blood vessels were not different between groups. These results suggest that claudin‐5 in the lymphatic tight junction maintains lymphatic integrity and plays a protective role in skin inflammation.
Collagen XVII (BP180) modulates keratinocyte expression of the proinflammatory chemokine, IL‐8
Authors: Van den Bergh Françoise , Eliason Steven L. , Burmeister Brian T. , Giudice George J.
Published: May 2012

Collagen XVII (COL17), a transmembrane protein expressed in epidermal keratinocytes (EK), is targeted by pathogenic autoantibodies in bullous pemphigoid. Treatment of EK with anti‐COL17 autoantibodies triggers the production of proinflammatory cytokines. In this study, we test the hypothesis that COL17 is involved in the regulation of the EK proinflammatory response, using IL‐8 expression as the primary readout. The absence of COL17 in EK derived from a junctional epidermolysis bullosa patient or shRNA‐mediated knockdown of COL17 in normal EK resulted in a dysregulation of IL‐8 responses under various conditions. The COL17‐deficient cells showed an abnormally high IL‐8 response after treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), ultraviolet‐B radiation or tumor necrosis factor, but exhibited a blunted IL‐8 response to phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate exposure. Induction of COL17 expression in COL17‐negative EK led to a normalization of the LPS‐induced proinflammatory response. Although α6β4 integrin was found to be up‐regulated in COL17‐deficient EK, siRNA‐mediated knockdown of the α6 and β4 subunits revealed that COL17's effects on the LPS IL‐8 response are not dependent on this integrin. In LPS‐treated cells, inhibition of NF‐kappa B activity in COL17‐negative EK resulted in a normalization of their IL‐8 response, and expression of an NF‐kappa B‐driven reporter was shown to be higher in COL17‐deficient, compared with normal EK. These findings support the hypothesis that COL17 plays an important regulatory role in the EK proinflammatory response, acting largely via NF‐kappa B. Future investigations will focus on further defining the molecular basis of this novel control network.
Effect of azithromycin, as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal treatment, on microbiological parameters and gingival crevicular fluid biomarkers in generalized aggressive periodontitis
Authors: Emingil G. , Han B. , Özdemir G. , Tervahartiala T. , Vural C. , Atilla G. , Baylas H. , Sorsa T.
Published: May 2012

Emingil G, Han B, Özdemir G, Tervahartiala T, Vural C, Atilla G, Baylas H, Sorsa T. The effect of azithromycin, as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal treatment, on microbiological parameters and gingival crevicular fluid biomarkers in generalized aggressive periodontitis. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 729–739. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Background and Objective:  To study the effectiveness of azithromycin in combination with nonsurgical periodontal therapy on clinical and microbiological parameters, and on the MMP‐8 and TIMP‐1 levels in gingival crevicular fluid, over a 6‐mo time‐period in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis.

Material and Methods:  Thirty‐two patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis were included in this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐arm study. They were randomly assigned to azithromycin or placebo groups (500 mg once daily for 3 d). Probing depth, clinical attachment levels, presence of bleeding on probing and plaque were recorded. Gingival crevicular fluid samples were obtained from one single‐rooted tooth, while microbiological samples were obtained from two single‐rooted teeth, all with a probing depth of ≥ 6 mm. Microbiological parameters were analyzed by quantitative real‐time PCR for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia and total bacteria. Gingival crevicular fluid biomarkers were determined by immunofluorometric assay and ELISA.

Results:  All clinical parameters improved, and microbiological parameters and gingival crevicular fluid MMP‐8 levels significantly decreased, over the 6‐mo period (p < 0.05); both groups demonstrated similar improvements. The azithromycin group presented a higher percentage of deep pockets resolved (probing depth reduction of ≥ 3 mm from baseline) compared with the placebo group at 1 mo (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:  Adjunctive azithromycin therapy provides no additional benefit over nonsurgical periodontal treatment on clinical parameters, microbiological parameters and gingival crevicular fluid biochemical markers investigated in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis.
Improving animal models for nervous system disorders
Authors: Brown R. E.
Published: May 2012

A workshop on ‘Improving translation of animal models for nervous system disorders' held at the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, in Washington, DC, 28–29 March 2012, was organized to discuss the issues that contribute to the poor translation of results from animal models to human nervous system disorders, to consider strategies to increase the scientific rigor of preclinical testing, to identify methods to maximize bidirectional translation between basic and clinical research, and to determine the next steps for improvement of the development and testing of animal models of nervous system disorders. The proceedings of this workshop will be of great interest to those doing research in genes, brain and behaviour.
Understanding precocious puberty in girls
Authors: Tirumuru Sakunthala Sahithi , Arya Pratibha , Latthe Pallavi , Kirk Jeremy
Published: May 2012

Key content

Precocious puberty is defined as the development of secondary sexual characteristics before the age of 8 years in girls. It is divided into central (gonadotrophin‐dependent) precocious puberty and peripheral (gonadotrophin‐independent) precocious puberty.

Variants of premature sexual development include isolated premature thelarche, premature pubarche and isolated premature menarche (menstruation without other signs of puberty).

Possible consequences of precocious puberty include short adult stature due to premature epiphyseal closure and psychosocial problems.

Gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone analogues are the mainstay of treatment for central precocious puberty.

Treatment options vary for peripheral precocious puberty, depending on the underlying aetiology. These include aromatase inhibitors, anti‐estrogens, anti‐androgens and tumour resection.

Combined consultation with or referral to a paediatric endocrinologist is indicated in all cases.

Learning objectives

To be aware of the normal development and milestones of puberty.

To understand the aetiology and diagnostic evaluation of the girl with precocious puberty.

To be aware of treatment modalities and multidisciplinary management.

Ethical issues

Should children with precocious puberty and severe brain dysfunction be given contraception and treated for behavioural problems on parental request?
Genetic and geographical structure in grapevines from northwestern Spain
Authors: Díaz‐Losada E. , Tato Salgado A. , Ramos‐Cabrer A.M. , Díaz‐Hernández B. , Pereira‐Lorenzo S.
Published: May 2012

The grapevine germplasm bank from Estación de Viticultura e Enoloxía de Galicia contains 110 accessions collected from more than 100‐year‐old grapevines from northwestern Spain. We identified 60 different genotypes (among which ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Shyrah’ were included as references) with 32 polymorphic microsatellites (SSRs), 21 of which were unlinked SSRs and without null alleles, which were used to detect genetic structure. We found four reconstructed populations that were highly differentiated by analysis of molecular variance (18.3%): (i) western Galician group (‘Caíño Bravo’); (ii) eastern Galician group (‘Merenzao’); (iii) Castilian group (‘Garnacha’) and (iv) southern Spanish group (‘Moscatel’). The greatest genetic differentiation was found between the western Galician/eastern Galician groups and the southern Spanish/Castilian groups, with Fst > 0.13. Western and eastern Galician groups contained most of the ancient Galician cultivars (86%) and included ancestors from central Europe, such as ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Shyrah’ in the western Galician group and the introgressant ‘Merenzao’ (French ‘Trousseau’) in the eastern Galician group; the Castilian and southern Spain groups included traditional cultivars from central and southern Spanish and suggest a further introduction of those cultivars in northwestern plantations. Genetic structure corresponded with East‐to‐West geographical differentiation in the northern Iberian Peninsula, following the old path to Santiago de Compostela from France, with the southern Spanish and Castilian groups in the East (Castilian plateau and southern Spain), the eastern Galician group and the western Galician group in the West. Five new relationships were discovered: ‘Caíño Bravo’/‘Caíño Longo2’, ‘Albarín Tinto’/‘Torrontés1’, ‘Treixadura’/‘Treixadura Francesa’, ‘Moscatel’/‘Moscatel de Bago Miúdo’ and ‘Moscatel’/‘Moscatel de Hamburgo’, indicating that hybridisation and further selection by growers have been the origin of most of the genetic diversity found in northwestern Spain.
UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AS PERCEIVED CRIMINAL THREAT: A TEST OF THE MINORITY THREAT PERSPECTIVE*
Authors: WANG XIA
Published: May 2012

The link between immigration and crime has garnered considerable attention from researchers. Although the weight of evidence suggests that immigration is not linked to crime, the public consistently views immigrants, especially undocumented immigrants, as criminal and thus a threat to social order. However, little attention has been paid to why they are perceived this way. By drawing on the minority threat perspective, this article investigates the effects of objective and perceptual measures of community context on perceived criminal threat from undocumented immigrants. Analyses of data collected from four Southwest states and the U.S. Census show that the perceived size of the undocumented immigrant population, more so than the actual size of the immigrant population and economic conditions, is positively associated with perceptions of undocumented immigrants as a criminal threat. Additional analyses show that objective measures of community context do not affect native respondents’ perceptions of the size of the undocumented immigrant population. The study's findings and their implications for theory, research, and policy are discussed.
Collective Management Organizations in China: Practice, Problems and Possible Solutions
Authors: Jiang Fuxiao , Gervais Daniel
Published: May 2012

Collective management organizations (CMOs) in China have been in a rapid development and made a great progress in the past 20 years. Yet, there remain a number of issues that should be addressed. This note surveys the current practice of Chinese CMOs and, a number of important issues, and suggests possible solutions to ameliorate the situation. The first issue, namely, the relation between CMOs and their members, is particularly visible in the issue of CMO's standing to sue. The second issue, namely relations with nonmembers, has caused a recent litigation explosion against users of collective managed works. The third issue, the abuse of monopoly position, is mainly a sign of the need for an appropriate regulatory regime for CMOs. It is important for China to draw on the successful experience and learn lessons from the best CMOs and regulatory models in other countries. Because of the relatively short history of collective management in China, the improvement of CMOs will likely be a gradual institutional process characteristic by bold experiments, as when making one's way across a deep river.
Abnormal acute changes in upper limb muscle cortical representation areas in the patients with writer's cramp during co‐activation of distal and proximal muscles
Authors: Tyč F. , Boyadjian A. , Allam N. , Brasil‐Neto J. P.
Published: May 2012

Aim

We analysed cortical muscle representation areas during single muscle activation and during the co‐activation of several upper arm muscles in the patients with writer's cramp to determine the possible occurrence of abnormal dynamic somatotopic changes in M1, in addition to the static map abnormalities already described in this form of dystonia.

Methods

Using transcranial magnetic stimulation, we assessed cortical representations of medial deltoid, extensor carpi radialis and the first dorsal interosseus muscles in eight patients with writer's cramp and in eight healthy control subjects. Cortical maps were obtained during distal muscles' activation either in isolation or in conjunction with voluntary medial deltoid co‐activation.

Results

This study showed a difference in the organization of cortical representations of these muscles between the patients with dystonia and control subjects. The first dorsal interosseus and the extensor carpi radialis cortical representation areas were larger in the dystonic group. The cortical representations became larger when the medial deltoid was simultaneously co‐activated, and this effect was not observed in the control group. In the dystonic group, the three cortical muscle representations largely overlapped and their centres of gravity were closer.

Conclusion

Patients with dystonia showed not only a different spatial organization of muscle cortical representation areas, but also abnormal acute somatotopic changes during proximal muscle co‐activation. Task‐specific motor impairment in writer's cramp may result not only from lack of cortical inhibition and the well‐known anomalous cortical organization observed in these patients, but also from abnormal patterns of proximo‐distal functional muscle coupling.
Practices and predictors of 2009 H1N1 vaccination in cancer patients: a nationwide survey in Korea
Authors: Shin Dong W. , Kim Yeol , Park Jong H. , Cho Juhee , Jho Hyun J. , Yang Hyung‐Kook , Kim Hyun S. , Kim So Y.
Published: May 2012

Please cite this paper as: Shin et al. (2012) Practices and predictors of 2009 H1N1 vaccination in cancer patients: a nationwide survey in Korea. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(601), e120–e128.

Background  Because patients with cancer are considered to be at high‐risk for influenza infection and related complications, annual vaccination is recommended. The emergence of the novel H1N1 influenza virus in 2009 complicated the medical care of patients with cancer. The present study examined H1N1 vaccination practices among patients with cancer during the pandemic season and investigated factors related to the vaccination.

Methods  A national multicenter cross‐sectional survey of patient–doctor dyads was performed; A total of 97 oncologists (response rates of invited participants, 87·4%) and 495 patients (response rates of recruited participants, 86·5%) were included. Patients with cancer provided information concerning vaccination practices and reasons for/against it. Oncologists answered questions about their recommendations and knowledge of H1N1 vaccination. Mixed logistic regression was used to identify patient‐level and physician‐level predictors of H1N1 vaccination.

Results  Only 34·1% of the patients had received H1N1 vaccination, and 53·5% had not considered the need for vaccination. The H1N1 vaccine was proactively recommended by physicians in only a small fraction of patients (8·3%). Increasing age, higher educational status, longer time since the cancer diagnosis, comorbidities, and greater knowledge of H1N1 vaccination among oncologists were significant predictors of patients being vaccinated.

Conclusions  The present results showed low levels of utilization and poor interaction between patients and physicians with regard to the need for vaccination. In addition, the oncologist’s level of knowledge affected the adoption of preventive services. Intervention strategies are needed to maximize the rapid adoption of preventive methods to confront future pandemic threats in the cancer patient population.
Whither the Preconventional Child? Toward a Life‐Span Moral Development Theory
Authors: Thompson Ross A.
Published: May 2012

A vigorous research literature focused on early childhood conscience, prosocial behavior, and empathy—and also theory of mind, emotion understanding, and social cognition—has important implications for moral development theory. It offers a new understanding of the early conceptual, affective, and relational foundations of moral development. In addition, it provides the opportunity to create a genuinely life‐span theory of moral development when it is considered together with the research literatures on moral character, identity, and judgment at older ages. The purpose of this article is to summarize current research on the early foundations of moral development, highlighting how it compares with earlier formulations and describing its implications for constructing a life‐span moral development theory to guide future research.
Asymptotically Optimal Response‐Adaptive Designs for Allocating the Best Treatment: An Overview
Authors: Flournoy Nancy , May Caterina , Secchi Piercesare
Published: May 2012

Les plans d’expériences qui s’adaptent aux réponses déjà acquises sont de plus en plus fréquemment utilisés dans les applications, et c’est tout particulièrement vrai pour les essais cliniques en phase précoce. Cet article est une revue dédiée à une classe de plans adaptatifs qui ont pour propriété de sélectionner le meilleur traitement avec une probabilité tendant vers un. D’un point de vue éthique, ceci est une propriété souhaitable pour les essais cliniques. Pour de tels plans, le modèle sous‐jacent est un modèle d’urne aléatoirement renforcée. Cet article présente un panorama des résultats concernant ces plans, allant de l’article séminal de Durham et Yu (1990) jusqu’au travail récent de Flournoy et al. (2010).
Flood warning responses of farmer households: a case study in Uria Union in the Brahmaputra flood plain, Bangladesh
Authors: Shah M.A.R. , Douven W.J.A.M. , Werner M. , Leentvaar J.
Published: May 2012

Flood warning aims at reducing flood damage through an adequate response. However, where warnings are provided, the response and particularly the factors that influence the response are often poorly understood. This paper presents a study of the response to flood warnings taken by farmer households in an agricultural area in the Brahmaputra flood plains in Bangladesh. Interviews with experts and a survey of farmer households were used to analyse the flood early warning system and the response to warnings during the 2007 flood event. Results show that warnings received from multiple sources increased confidence as information could be cross‐checked, despite that information originating from a single source. Responses included saving livestock, family members and household assets. It was found that the response was influenced mainly by the source(s) of warnings, the quality of information, visibility of floods, the personality of the warning recipient, as well as the ability to bear the costs. Differences in these factors were found, depending on if the farmers were located in high or low flood‐prone areas. Through this understanding of the response, suggestions to improve flood warning information are given, although further research on the socio‐economic aspects of flood response decisions is recommended.
Lung metastasis of adenoid cystic carcinoma, which mimicked primary lung cancer
Authors: Ito Masaoki , Okita Riki , Tsutani Yasuhiro , Mimura Takeshi , Kawasaki Yukari , Miyata Yoshihiro , Okada Morihito
Published: May 2012

We report a case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the submandibular gland where pulmonary metastasis occurred twice 16 years after resection, and each metastasis mimicked primary lung adenocarcinoma in imaging findings. The first pulmonary relapse was clinically diagnosed as primary lung adenocarcinoma and intraoperative pathological examination showed that the tumor was an adenocarcinoma; lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed. However, postoperative immunohistochemical analysis showed that the tumor was a metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma. During the secondary pulmonary relapse, although the tumor was correctly diagnosed as a metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma by intraoperative examination, it again mimicked primary lung adenocarcinoma.
Evaluation of Arterial Blood Gases and Arterial Blood Pressures in Brachycephalic Dogs
Authors: Hoareau G.L. , Jourdan G. , Mellema M. , Verwaerde P.
Published: May 2012

Background

Brachycephalic dogs (BD) are prone to congenital upper airway obstruction (brachycephalic syndrome, BS). In humans suffering from sleep apnea, upper airway obstruction is known to cause hypertension. There is no information regarding the influence of BS in dogs on cardiorespiratory physiology.

Hypothesis

BD are prone to lower PaO2
, higher PaCO
2, and hypertension compared with meso‐ or dolicocephalic dogs (MDD).

Animals

Eleven BD and 11 MDD.

Methods

After a questionnaire was completed by the owner, a physical examination was performed. Height and thoracic circumferences were measured. Arterial blood gases, electrolyte concentrations, and packed cell volume (PCV) were measured. Systolic (SAP), mean (MAP), and diastolic (DAP) arterial blood pressure recordings were performed.

Results

A total of 7 French and 4 English bulldogs met the inclusion criteria. The control group consisted in 6 Beagles, 2 mixed breed dogs, 1 Staffordshire Bull Terrier, 1 Parson Russell Terrier, and 1 Australian Cattle Dog. Statistically, BD had lower PaO2, higher PaCO2, and higher PCV when compared with controls (86.2 ± 15.9 versus 100.2 ± 12.6 mmHg, P = .017; 36.3 ± 4.6 versus 32.7 ± 2.6 mmHg, P = .019; 48.2 ± 3.5 versus 44.2 ± 5.4%, P = .026, respectively). Also, they had significantly higher SAP (177.6 ± 25.0 versus 153.5 ± 21.7 mmHg, P = .013), MAP (123.3 ± 17.1 versus 108.3 ± 12.2 mmHg, P = .014), and DAP (95.3 ± 19.2 versus 83.0 ± 11.5 mmHg, P = .042). BD with a PaCO
2 >35 mmHg were significantly older than those with a PaCO
2 ≤35 mmHg (58 ± 16 and 30 ± 11 months, P = .004).

Conclusion

Results of this study suggest that some BD are prone to lower PaO2
, higher PaCO
2, and hypertension when compared with MDD. Age may be a contributing factor.
Sources of insoluble inclusions in stratospheric sulfate particles
Authors: BIGG E. Keith
Published: May 2012

Abstract– Properties of aerosol collected in the stratosphere from altitudes of 20–45 km are reviewed. Removal of the soluble material from predominantly sulfate particles collected at 20 km revealed the presence of insoluble individual particles, or small groups of them, typically 40–50 nm in diameter. The size distribution of components of chain aggregates found above 35 km was almost identical, suggesting that rupture of the chains by condensing sulfuric acid, as they fell into the sulfate layer from above, was the source of the inclusions. Particles collected above 35 km on thin films of metal all showed the presence of a partially volatile liquid. On a copper surface, the liquid was stabilized, and of greater extent than the solid component. Three observations suggest that the upper stratospheric particles and their associated liquid were partly or wholly organic and derived from cometary dust too small to be heated on entering the atmosphere. These are: (1) the presence of a liquid that reacts with copper and the similarity to the behavior of particles collected on copper during a manned space flight, (2) their morphological similarity to published photographs of particles collected in the mesosphere from rockets, (3) the consistency with recent spacecraft observations of the size distribution of components sub‐10 μm aggregates in cometary dust and the presence within them of carbon compounds.
A role for glycosylated serine‐rich repeat proteins in Gram‐positive bacterial pathogenesis
Authors: Lizcano A. , Sanchez C.J. , Orihuela C.J.
Published: May 2012

Bacterial attachment to host surfaces is a pivotal event in the biological and infectious processes of both commensal and pathogenic bacteria, respectively. Serine‐rich repeat proteins (SRRPs) are a family of adhesins in Gram‐positive bacteria that mediate attachment to a variety of host and bacterial surfaces. As such, they contribute towards a wide‐range of diseases including sub‐acute bacterial endocarditis, community‐acquired pneumonia, and meningitis. SRRPs are unique in that they are glycosylated, require a non‐canonical Sec‐translocase for transport, and are largely composed of a domain containing hundreds of alternating serine residues. These serine‐rich repeats are thought to extend a unique non‐repeat (NR) domain outward away from the bacterial surface to mediate adhesion. So far, NR domains have been determined to bind to sialic acid moieties, keratins, or other NR domains of a similar SRRP. This review summarizes how this important family of bacterial adhesins mediates bacterial attachment to host and bacterial cells, contributes to disease pathogenesis, and might be targeted for pharmacological intervention or used as novel protective vaccine antigens. This review also highlights recent structural findings on the NR domains of these proteins.
Strengthening socio‐emotional competencies in a school setting: Data from the Pyramid project
Authors: Ohl Madeleine , Fox Pauline , Mitchell Kathryn
Published: May 2012

Background. Development of socio‐emotional competencies is key to children's successful social interaction at home and at school.

Aims. This study examines the efficacy of a UK primary school‐based intervention, the Pyramid project, in strengthening children's socio‐emotional competencies.

Sample. Participants were 385 children from seven schools in two UK cities. All children were aged 7–8 years and in school Year 3. Children were screened for socio‐emotional difficulties through the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; Goodman, 1997) and a multi‐agency meeting of relevant professionals before being allocated to attend a Pyramid Club intervention (n= 103) or a comparison group (n= 282).

Method. A 2 × 2 mixed‐model design was used: group (intervention group vs. comparison group) × 2 time points (pre‐ vs. 12 weeks post‐intervention) with repeated measures on the time factor to investigate the impact of the Pyramid Year 3 intervention. Teachers completed the SDQ‐T4‐16 for all children pre‐ and post‐intervention to measure participants’ socio‐emotional health status.

Results. As measured by the two SDQ difficulty sub‐scales of Emotional and Peer problems and the SDQ strength sub‐scale of Prosocial behaviour, post‐intervention improvements in the Pyramid attendee group were of greater magnitude than those of the comparison group.

Conclusions. The Pyramid project intervention improves the socio‐emotional health of vulnerable children through promoting positive outcomes as well as reducing socio‐emotional deficits. These findings further support the inclusion of a salutogenic approach in promoting children's socio‐emotional well‐being.
Methods for Establishing the Accuracy of Clinical Indicators in Predicting Nursing Diagnoses
Authors: de Oliveira Lopes Marcos Venícios , da Silva Viviane Martins , de Araujo Thelma Leite
Published: May 2012

PURPOSE: To describe the methodological stages in determining the accuracy of clinical indicators in identifying nursing diagnoses.

DATA SOURCES: Literature review of diagnostic tests.

DATA SYNTHESIS: The methodological stages described include concept analysis, content analysis by experts, and accuracy analysis of clinical indicators.

CONCLUSIONS: The theory underlying the development of diagnostic tests can be used to evaluate the accuracy of clinical indicators in identifying nursing diagnoses.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Knowledge of the accuracy characteristics of clinical indicators allows the identification and discrimination of the most suitable nursing diagnoses.

PROPÓSITO: Descrever as etapas metodológicas da teoria de testes diagnósticos para avaliação de indicadores clínicos de diagnósticos de enfermagem.

ORIGEM DOS DADOS: Revisão da literatura sobre testes diagnósticos.

SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: As etapas metodológicas descritas incluem a análise de conceito, a análise de conteúdo por especialistas, e a análise da acurácia dos indicadores clínicos.

CONCLUSÕES: A teoria de testes diagnósticos pode ser utilizada para a avaliação das características de acurácia de indicadores clínicos de diagnósticos de enfermagem.

IMPLICAÇÕES PARA A PRÁTICA DE ENFERMAGEM: O conhecimento das características de acurácia de indicadores clínicos permite a identificação e discriminação mais adequada de diagnósticos de enfermagem.

PALAVRAS CHAVE: Diagnóstico de enfermagem; teste diagnóstico; avaliação de enfermagem.
Local Measurements of Disk Heat Transfer in Heated Rotating Cavities for Several Flow Regimes
Authors: Günther André , Uffrecht Wieland , Odenbach Stefan
Published: May 2012

This paper discusses experimental results from a two-cavity test rig representation of the internal air system of a high-pressure compressor. Thermal steady-state measurements of the time-averaged local heat fluxes on both sides of the middle disk are presented for three different flow regimes: pure axial throughflow of cooling air and axial throughflow of cooling air in two directions with a superposed radial inflow of hot air in one cavity. Mass flow ratios between 1/40 < mrad/max < 2/1 are measured. Tests were carried out for a wide range of non-dimensional parameters: Reφ up to 107, Rez up to 2 × 105, and Cw up to −2.5 × 104. In all cases, the shroud is uniformly heated to approximately 100 °C. The local axial heat fluxes are determined separately for both sides of the middle disk from measurements of the surface temperatures with open spot-welded thermo-couples. The method of heat flux determination and an analysis approach calculating the uncertainties and the sensitivity are described and discussed. The local heat flux results of the different flow paths are compared and interpreted by assumed flow structures. The time-averaged heat flux results can be adequately interpreted by flow structures of two toroidal vortices for axial throughflow and a source-sink flow for the radial inflow. The measurements show that the axial heat flux can change direction, i.e., areas exist where the disk is heated and not cooled by the flow. For axial throughflow, a local minimum of heat flux exists on the impinged side in the range of x = 0.65. On the back side, a heating area exists in all tests in the lower half of the disk (x < 0.6) due to recirculated air of higher temperature. This heating area corresponds to the range of the inner vortex and increases with higher axial and rotational Reynolds numbers.
Simulation of Particle Trajectories and Erosion in a Centrifugal Compressor
Authors: Ghenaiet Adel
Published: May 2012

Turbocompressors manipulating particle-laden airflows suffer from severe erosion damages which affect their operating performance and lifetime. This paper presents the results of a numerical investigation of the dynamics of sand particles and the subsequent erosion in a centrifugal compressor. The particle trajectories simulations used a developed code based on a stochastic Lagrangian model, which solves the equations of motion separately from the airflow, whereas the tracking of particles in different computational cells used the finite element method. The number of particles, sizes, and initial positions were specified, conformed to a sand particle size distribution AC_coarse (0–200 μm), and a given concentration profile. The obtained results show that the speed of rotation and particle size strongly affect the trajectories of particles and their locations of impact. Erosion is spreading over the pressure side of the main blade. Regions of high erosion rates are seen over the leading edge, at the inducer top corner and along the blade tip. Over the splitter pressure side erosion wear is much less than the main blade. The suction sides are almost without erosion except near the leading edge, and the casing is mainly affected over the inducer and tips of the blades.
3D ultrasound image segmentation using wavelet support vector machines
Authors: Akbari Hamed , Fei Baowei
Published: May 2012

Purpose:

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) imaging is clinically used in prostate biopsy and therapy. Segmentation of the prostate on TRUS images has many applications. In this study, a three‐dimensional (3D) segmentation method for TRUS images of the prostate is presented for 3D ultrasound‐guided biopsy.

Methods:

This segmentation method utilizes a statistical shape, texture information, and intensity profiles. A set of wavelet support vector machines (W‐SVMs) is applied to the images at various subregions of the prostate. The W‐SVMs are trained to adaptively capture the features of the ultrasound images in order to differentiate the prostate and nonprostate tissue. This method consists of a set of wavelet transforms for extraction of prostate texture features and a kernel‐based support vector machine to classify the textures. The voxels around the surface of the prostate are labeled in sagittal, coronal, and transverse planes. The weight functions are defined for each labeled voxel on each plane and on the model at each region. In the 3D segmentation procedure, the intensity profiles around the boundary between the tentatively labeled prostate and nonprostate tissue are compared to the prostate model. Consequently, the surfaces are modified based on the model intensity profiles. The segmented prostate is updated and compared to the shape model. These two steps are repeated until they converge. Manual segmentation of the prostate serves as the gold standard and a variety of methods are used to evaluate the performance of the segmentation method.

Results:

The results from 40 TRUS image volumes of 20 patients show that the Dice overlap ratio is 90.3% ± 2.3% and that the sensitivity is 87.7% ± 4.9%.

Conclusions:

The proposed method provides a useful tool in our 3D ultrasound image‐guided prostate biopsy and can also be applied to other applications in the prostate.
Fast on‐site Monte Carlo tool for dose calculations in CT applications
Authors: Chen Wei , Kolditz Daniel , Beister Marcel , Bohle Robert , Kalender Willi A.
Published: May 2012

Purpose:

Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is an established technique for dose calculation in diagnostic radiology. The major drawback is its high computational demand, which limits the possibility of usage in real‐time applications. The aim of this study was to develop fast on‐site computed tomography (CT) specific MC dose calculations by using a graphics processing unit (GPU) cluster.

Methods:

GPUs are powerful systems which are especially suited to problems that can be expressed as data‐parallel computations. In MC simulations, each photon track is independent of the others; each launched photon can be mapped to one thread on the GPU, thousands of threads are executed in parallel in order to achieve high performance. For further acceleration, the authors considered multiple GPUs. The total computation was divided into different parts which can be calculated in parallel on multiple devices. The GPU cluster is an MC calculation server which is connected to the CT scanner and computes 3D dose distributions on‐site immediately after image reconstruction. To estimate the performance gain, the authors benchmarked dose calculation times on a 2.6 GHz Intel Xeon 5430 Quad core workstation equipped with twoNVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 cards. The on‐site calculation concept was demonstrated for clinical and preclinical datasets on CT scanners (multislice CT, flat‐detector CT, and micro‐CT) with varying geometry, spectra, and filtration. To validate the GPU‐based MC algorithm, the authors measured dose values on a 64‐slice CT system using calibrated ionization chambers and thermoluminesence dosimeters (TLDs) which were placed inside standard cylindrical polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantoms.

Results:

The dose values and profiles obtained by GPU‐based MC simulations were in the expected good agreement with computed tomography dose index (CTDI) measurements and reference TLD profiles with differences being less than 5%. For 109 photon histories simulated in a 256 × 256 × 12 voxel thorax dataset with voxel size of 1.36 × 1.36 × 3.00 mm3, calculation times of about 70 and 24 min were necessary with single‐core and multiple‐core central processing unit (CPU) solutions, respectively. Using GPUs, the same MC calculations were performed in 1.27 min (single card) and 0.65 min (two cards) without a loss in quality. Simulations were thus speeded up by factors up to 55 and 36 compared to single‐core and multiple‐core CPU, respectively. The performance scaled nearly linearly with the number of GPUs. Tests confirmed that the proposed GPU‐based MC tool can be easily adapted to different types of CT scanners and used as service providers for fast on‐site dose calculations.

Conclusions:

The Monte Carlo software package provides fast on‐site calculation of 3D dose distributions in the CT suite which makes it a practical tool for any type of CT‐specific application.
Histogram matching for the generation of ventilation‐perfusion difference images in SPECT lung scanning: A phantom study
Authors: Smith Jye , Bartlett Marissa , Thomas Paul
Published: May 2012

Purpose:

Diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is commonly done by acquiring SPECT scans of lung ventilation and of lung perfusion. The two image sets are compared, to identify regions which are ventilated but not perfused (“mismatched defects”). This paper describes the application of histogram matching to the calculation of a ventilation/perfusion difference image, and an investigation of the feasibility of the technique using phantom data.

Methods:

An empty balloon was inserted into the lung compartment of an anthropomorphic torso phantom. The lungs were filled with polystyrene beads and with water containing 0.20 kBq/ml of99mTc. Two scans were acquired to mimic a matched ventilation/perfusion pair. Then, 30 ml of water containing 0.01 kBq/ml of 99mTc was injected into the balloon and the phantom was rescanned. This was repeated four more times, adding 30 ml each time. Each perfusion scan thus had a mismatched defect of a different size. A CT scan was also performed after each perfusion scan, to verify the size and location of the balloon. Histogram matching was applied to each perfusion scan, which was then subtracted from the ventilation scan, yielding a difference image in which voxels with positive values identified mismatched defects. For each scan, a volume of interest (VOI) was automatically generated on the defect and was also copied across to the contralateral side to determine target to background ratios.

Results:

All mismatched defects were clearly visible in the difference images, including the smallest, which corresponded in size to a small subsegmental defect. Voxel values for the mismatched defects ranged from 17 to 26, compared with contralateral regions, which had voxel values of 0 or 1.

Conclusions:

Histogram matching provides a simple, automatic data‐driven method for scaling ventilation and perfusion studies without user intervention.
Structural Basis for DNA Damage–Dependent Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation by Human PARP-1
Authors: Langelier Marie-France , Planck Jamie L. , Roy Swati , Pascal John M.
Published: May 2012

Dissecting DNA Repair

Covalent modification of proteins can be a crucial regulatory event. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) (ADP, adenosine diphosphate) synthesizes poly(ADP-ribose), which is attached to and regulates proteins involved in DNA repair.

Langelier
et al.

(p.
728
; see the Perspective by

Gagné
et al.

) use x-ray crystallography and biochemical analysis to demonstrate how PARP-1 detects DNA damage and how the interaction with DNA is coupled to poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation activity.
The Violent Collisional History of Asteroid 4 Vesta
Authors: Marchi S. , McSween H. Y. , O’Brien D. P. , Schenk P. , De Sanctis M. C. , Gaskell R. , Jaumann R. , Mottola S. , Preusker F. , Raymond C. A. , Roatsch T. , Russell C. T.
Published: May 2012

A New Dawn

Since 17 July 2011, NASA's spacecraft Dawn has been orbiting the asteroid Vesta—the second most massive and the third largest asteroid in the solar system (see the cover).

Russell
et al.

(p.
684
) use Dawn's observations to confirm that Vesta is a small differentiated planetary body with an inner core, and represents a surviving proto-planet from the earliest epoch of solar system formation; Vesta is also confirmed as the source of the howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) meteorites.

Jaumann
et al.

(p.
687
) report on the asteroid's overall geometry and topography, based on global surface mapping. Vesta's surface is dominated by numerous impact craters and large troughs around the equatorial region.

Marchi
et al.

(p.
690
) report on Vesta's complex cratering history and constrain the age of some of its major regions based on crater counts.

Schenk
et al.

(p.
694
) describe two giant impact basins located at the asteroid's south pole. Both basins are young and excavated enough amounts of material to form the Vestoids—a group of asteroids with a composition similar to that of Vesta—and HED meteorites.

De Sanctis
et al.

(p.
697
) present the mineralogical characterization of Vesta, based on data obtained by Dawn's visual and infrared spectrometer, revealing that this asteroid underwent a complex magmatic evolution that led to a differentiated crust and mantle. The global color variations detailed by

Reddy
et al.

(p.
700
) are unlike those of any other asteroid observed so far and are also indicative of a preserved, differentiated proto-planet.
Under the Hood of the Earthquake Machine: Toward Predictive Modeling of the Seismic Cycle
Authors: Barbot Sylvain , Lapusta Nadia , Avouac Jean-Philippe
Published: May 2012

Earthquake Model Shakedown

The Parkfield segment of the San Andreas Fault in California experiences Magnitude 6.0 earthquakes at a surprisingly regular interval—roughly every 22 years. This area is one of the most well studied fault segments in the world, yet computational models often struggle to integrate the wealth of observational data with theoretical predictions.

Barbot
et al.

(p.
707
; see the Perspective by

Segall

) constructed a dynamic model of a fault segment which, when integrated with previous observations, reproduces the behavior of the Parkfield segment over the entire earthquake cycle. Because the model is based on realistic fault physics, it not only explains the distribution of small earthquakes but also the recurrence interval of large earthquakes and the amount of geodetic strain accumulated postseismically. It also reveals how smaller earthquakes can influence this region's semiregular earthquake cycle.
Dawn at Vesta: Testing the Protoplanetary Paradigm
Authors: Russell C. T. , Raymond C. A. , Coradini A. , McSween H. Y. , Zuber M. T. , Nathues A. , De Sanctis M. C. , Jaumann R. , Konopliv A. S. , Preusker F. , Asmar S. W. , Park R. S. , Gaskell R. , Keller H. U. , Mottola S. , Roatsch T. , Scully J. E. C. , Smith D. E. , Tricarico P. , Toplis M. J. , Christensen U. R. , Feldman W. C. , Lawrence D. J. , McCoy T. J. , Prettyman T. H. , Reedy R. C. , Sykes M. E. , Titus T. N.
Published: May 2012

A New Dawn

Since 17 July 2011, NASA's spacecraft Dawn has been orbiting the asteroid Vesta—the second most massive and the third largest asteroid in the solar system (see the cover).

Russell
et al.

(p.
684
) use Dawn's observations to confirm that Vesta is a small differentiated planetary body with an inner core, and represents a surviving proto-planet from the earliest epoch of solar system formation; Vesta is also confirmed as the source of the howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) meteorites.

Jaumann
et al.

(p.
687
) report on the asteroid's overall geometry and topography, based on global surface mapping. Vesta's surface is dominated by numerous impact craters and large troughs around the equatorial region.

Marchi
et al.

(p.
690
) report on Vesta's complex cratering history and constrain the age of some of its major regions based on crater counts.

Schenk
et al.

(p.
694
) describe two giant impact basins located at the asteroid's south pole. Both basins are young and excavated enough amounts of material to form the Vestoids—a group of asteroids with a composition similar to that of Vesta—and HED meteorites.

De Sanctis
et al.

(p.
697
) present the mineralogical characterization of Vesta, based on data obtained by Dawn's visual and infrared spectrometer, revealing that this asteroid underwent a complex magmatic evolution that led to a differentiated crust and mantle. The global color variations detailed by

Reddy
et al.

(p.
700
) are unlike those of any other asteroid observed so far and are also indicative of a preserved, differentiated proto-planet.
The Heliosphere’s Interstellar Interaction: No Bow Shock
Authors: McComas D. J. , Alexashov D. , Bzowski M. , Fahr H. , Heerikhuisen J. , Izmodenov V. , Lee M. A. , Möbius E. , Pogorelov N. , Schwadron N. A. , Zank G. P.
Published: May 2012

No Shock Ahead of the Sun

The boundary of the heliosphere is the region where the solar wind interacts with interstellar space, and it marks the edge of our solar system. Based on observations from NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer,

McComas
et al.

(p.
1291
, published online 10 May; see the Perspective by

Redfield

) determined values for local interstellar parameters—such as speed, direction, and temperature—and show that these and other recent constraints are not consistent with a bow shock ahead of the heliosphere, as previously believed.