bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vectorising Bitmaps into Semi‐Transparent Gradient Layers
Authors: Richardt C. , Lopez‐Moreno J. , Bousseau A. , Agrawala M. , Drettakis G.
Published: July 2014

We present an interactive approach for decompositing bitmap drawings and studio photographs into opaque and semi‐transparent vector layers. Semi‐transparent layers are especially challenging to extract, since they require the inversion of the non‐linear compositing equation. We make this problem tractable by exploiting the parametric nature of vector gradients, jointly separating and vectorising semi‐transparent regions. Specifically, we constrain the foreground colours to vary according to linear or radial parametric gradients, restricting the number of unknowns and allowing our system to efficiently solve for an editable semi‐transparent foreground. We propose a progressive workflow, where the user successively selects a semi‐transparent or opaque region in the bitmap, which our algorithm separates as a foreground vector gradient and a background bitmap layer. The user can choose to decompose the background further or vectorise it as an opaque layer. The resulting layered vector representation allows a variety of edits, such as modifying the shape of highlights, adding texture to an object or changing its diffuse colour.
Bilinear Accelerated Filter Approximation
Authors: Manson Josiah , Schaefer Scott
Published: July 2014

Our method approximates exact texture filtering for arbitrary scales and translations of an image while taking into account the performance characteristics of modern GPUs. Our algorithm is fast because it accesses textures with a high degree of spatial locality. Using bilinear samples guarantees that the texels we read are in a regular pattern and that we use a hardware accelerated path. We control the texel weights by manipulating the u, v parameters of each sample and the blend factor between the samples. Our method is similar in quality to Cardinality‐Constrained Texture Filtering [MS13] but runs two times faster.
Semi‐Automated Video Morphing
Authors: Liao Jing , Lima Rodolfo S. , Nehab Diego , Hoppe Hugues , Sander Pedro V.
Published: July 2014

We explore creating smooth transitions between videos of different scenes. As in traditional image morphing, good spatial correspondence is crucial to prevent ghosting, especially at silhouettes. Video morphing presents added challenges. Because motions are often unsynchronized, temporal alignment is also necessary. Applying morphing to individual frames leads to discontinuities, so temporal coherence must be considered. Our approach is to optimize a full spatiotemporal mapping between the two videos. We reduce tedious interactions by letting the optimization derive the fine‐scale map given only sparse user‐specified constraints. For robustness, the optimization objective examines structural similarity of the video content. We demonstrate the approach on a variety of videos, obtaining results using few explicit correspondences.
Interactive Parameter Retrieval for Two‐Tone Procedural Textures
Authors: Gieseke L. , Koch S. , Hahn J.-U. , Fuchs M.
Published: July 2014

The choice of parameters for procedural textures to achieve a desired appearance poses a challenging problem even for experienced artists. We propose a method to automatically determine such parameters to reproduce the appearance of input images. Addressing two‐tone textures, we separate the estimation of color and structure information and interpret the problem as image retrieval task from the space of procedural outputs. Applying a perceptually motivated image metric based on a texture descriptor enables us to precompute a comprehensive collection of possible parameter sets and yet achieve interactive retrieval performance. Our method supports a large variety of procedural texture models with a unified approach.
Layered Reconstruction for Defocus and Motion Blur
Authors: Munkberg Jacob , Vaidyanathan Karthik , Hasselgren Jon , Clarberg Petrik , Akenine‐Möller Tomas
Published: July 2014

Light field reconstruction algorithms can substantially decrease the noise in stochastically rendered images. Recent algorithms for defocus blur alone are both fast and accurate. However, motion blur is a considerably more complex type of camera effect, and as a consequence, current algorithms are either slow or too imprecise to use in high quality rendering. We extend previous work on real‐time light field reconstruction for defocus blur to handle the case of simultaneous defocus and motion blur. By carefully introducing a few approximations, we derive a very efficient sheared reconstruction filter, which produces high quality images even for a low number of input samples. Our algorithm is temporally robust, and is about two orders of magnitude faster than previous work, making it suitable for both real‐time rendering and as a post‐processing pass for offline rendering.
Error analysis of estimators that use combinations of stochastic sampling strategies for direct illumination
Authors: Subr Kartic , Nowrouzezahrai Derek , Jarosz Wojciech , Kautz Jan , Mitchell Kenny
Published: July 2014

We present a theoretical analysis of error of combinations of Monte Carlo estimators used in image synthesis. Importance sampling and multiple importance sampling are popular variance‐reduction strategies. Unfortunately, neither strategy improves the rate of convergence of Monte Carlo integration. Jittered sampling (a type of stratified sampling), on the other hand is known to improve the convergence rate. Most rendering software optimistically combine importance sampling with jittered sampling, hoping to achieve both. We derive the exact error of the combination of multiple importance sampling with jittered sampling. In addition, we demonstrate a further benefit of introducing negative correlations (antithetic sampling) between estimates to the convergence rate. As with importance sampling, antithetic sampling is known to reduce error for certain classes of integrands without affecting the convergence rate. In this paper, our analysis and experiments reveal that importance and antithetic sampling, if used judiciously and in conjunction with jittered sampling, may improve convergence rates. We show the impact of such combinations of strategies on the convergence rate of estimators for direct illumination.
Spectral Ray Differentials
Authors: Elek Oskar , Bauszat Pablo , Ritschel Tobias , Magnor Marcus , Seidel Hans‐Peter
Published: July 2014

Light refracted by a dispersive interface leads to beautifully colored patterns that can be rendered faithfully with spectral Monte‐Carlo methods. Regrettably, results often suffer from chromatic noise or banding, requiring high sampling rates and large amounts of memory compared to renderers operating in some trichromatic color space. Addressing this issue, we introduce spectral ray differentials, which describe the change of light direction with respect to changes in the spectrum. In analogy with the classic ray and photon differentials, this information can be used for filtering in the spectral domain. Effectiveness of our approach is demonstrated by filtering for offline spectral light and path tracing as well as for an interactive GPU photon mapper based on splatting. Our results show considerably less chromatic noise and spatial aliasing while retaining good visual similarity to reference solutions with negligible overhead in the order of milliseconds.
Towards safer and appropriate application of endoscopic submucosal dissection for T1 colorectal carcinoma as total excisional biopsy: Future perspectives
Authors: Tanaka Shinji , Asayama Naoki , Shigita Kenjiro , Hayashi Nana , Oka Shiro , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: July 2014

According to the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum Guidelines 2014 for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer, cases with T1 colorectal carcinoma should be considered for additional colectomy with lymph node dissection when histologically complete en bloc resection is endoscopically carried out and when one of the four risk factors listed below is present. These four risk factors are: (i) submucosal (SM) invasion depth ≥1000 μm; (ii) positive vascular invasion; (iii) poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, signet ring cell carcinoma, or mucinous carcinoma; and (iv) grade 2/3 budding at the deepest part of SM invasion. However, the probability of lymph node metastasis is extremely low if none of these risk factors are present, with the exception of SM invasion depth ≥1000 μm. Consequently, it is assumed that there will be an increasing number of cases where no additional surgery is done, or cases of moderate invasive carcinoma in which endoscopic treatment is carried out to achieve an excisional biopsy, for which complete resection is applicable. In these cases, the preoperative diagnosis, resection techniques such as endoscopic submucosal dissection, features of resected specimens, and the accuracy of pathological diagnosis are all extremely important.
Esophageal adenocarcinoma with white opaque substance observed by magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging
Authors: Yoshii Shunsuke , Kato Motohiko , Honma Keiichiro , Fujinaga Tetsuji , Tsujii Yoshiki , Maekawa Akira , Inoue Takuya , Hayashi Yoshito , Akasaka Tomofumi , Shinzaki Shinichiro , Nishida Tsutomu , Iijima Hideki , Tsujii Masahiko , Morii Eiichi , Takehara Tetsuo
Published: July 2014

White opaque substance (WOS) is observed in the gastric neoplasia of 0‐IIa type using magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging (NBI‐ME). Colonic and duodenal neoplasms with WOS have also been reported. Immunohistochemical examination with adipophilin reveals WOS in gastric neoplasms as lipid droplets, and WOS is specific for neoplasm with intestinal or gastrointestinal phenotype. We herein report a case of adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction with WOS. A male patient in his sixties was found by esophagogastroduodenoscopy to have an esophageal elevated lesion. NBI‐ME showed whitish deposits that looked similar to WOS in gastric neoplasms. The patient underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection and the lesion was resected in a single piece. This tumor had diffuse positivity for adipophilin and gastrointestinal phenotype.
Combining laboratory and field approaches to investigate the importance of flower nectar in the horizontal transmission of a bumblebee parasite
Authors: Cisarovsky Gabriel , Schmid‐Hempel Paul
Published: July 2014

Knowledge of the complete life cycle of a parasite is crucial to understand the epidemiology and population dynamics of a disease. The populations of several social insect pollinators are decreasing, and parasites are often cited as a contributing factor. The exact transmission pathway of the bumblebee parasite Crithidia bombi (Lipa & Triggiani) (Kinetoplastea: Trypanosomatidae) between two hosts is still unknown, although a previous laboratory experiment suggests transmission via the nectar of flowers. Plant species may differentially protect or negatively affect the parasite while it resides in the flower, for instance if plants vary in their floral shape or the compounds present in their nectar. This will lead to differential transmission success and potentially influence disease epidemiology. In the present study we aimed at determining whether the parasite may indeed be transmitted in the nectar by the bumblebee Bombus terrestris (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae). We found that parasite survival was significantly decreased in water with higher sugar concentrations. However, none of the field‐collected nectar samples contained parasite cells, and no parasite cells were transmitted between two artificial flowers by a foraging worker under laboratory conditions. Our results suggest instead that parasite cells may be deposited on flower surfaces and transported on worker surfaces.
Contralateral interictal spikes are related to tapetum damage in left temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Pustina Dorian , Doucet Gaelle , Skidmore Christopher , Sperling Michael , Tracy Joseph
Published: July 2014

Objective

In temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), the epileptogenic focus is focal and unilateral in the majority of patients. A key characteristic of focal TLE is the presence of subclinical epileptiform activity in both the ictal and contralateral “healthy” hemisphere. Such interictal activity is clinically important, as it may reflect the spread of pathology, potentially leading to secondary epileptogenesis. The role played by white matter pathways in this process is unknown.

Methods

We compared three interhemispheric white matter tracts (anterior commissure, fornix, and tapetum) to determine the pathway most associated with the presence of contralateral interictal spikes. Forty patients with unilateral left or right TLE were categorized based on the presence or absence of contralateral interictal spikes. Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were run on diffusion properties from each tract.

Results

The analyses revealed that patients with left TLE and with bilateral interictal spikes had lower fractional anisotropy (FA) and higher mean diffusivity (MD) in the tapetum. Patients with right TLE did not show this effect. No significant associations with bilateral activity were observed for the other tracts. Blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) functional connectivity data revealed that homotopic lateral, not mesial, temporal areas were reliably correlated in bilateral patients, independent of ictal side.

Significance

Our results indicate that, among the tracts investigated, only the tapetum was associated with contralateral epileptiform activity, implicating this structure in seizures and possible secondary epileptogenesis. We describe two mechanisms that might explain this association (the interruption of inhibitory signals or the toxic effect of carrying epileptiform signals toward the healthy hemisphere), but also acknowledge other rival factors that may be at work. We also report that patients with TLE with bilateral spikes had increased lateral bitemporal lobe connectivity. Our current results can be seen as bringing together important functional and structural data to elucidate the basis of contralateral interictal activity in focal, unilateral epilepsy.

A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Microbe driven T‐helper cell differentiation: lessons from Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Zielinski Christina E.
Published: July 2014

T‐helper cells integrate signals from their T‐cell receptor, co‐stimulatory molecules and cytokine receptors to polarize into effector T‐helper subsets with specialized functions in antigen clearance or tolerance. To this end, antigen presenting cells and the local microenvironment tailor effector T‐helper cells to respond appropriately to microbial challenges. These challenges comprise protection from pathogens on the one hand and tolerance for the commensal microbiota on the other hand. To accomplish these complex tasks, the host immune system needs to be highly specialized and stringently regulated. In this viewpoint article, we will concentrate on how microbes shape human T‐helper cell responses and how this could relate to the emergence of chronic inflammatory diseases. Understanding the intricate communication between adaptive immunity and microbes will be important for the rational design of novel immunomodulatory therapies and also for anticipating infectious complications upon therapeutic intervention with cytokine depleting therapies, such as biologicals in dermatology.
Will the wound‐healing field earn its wings?
Authors: Anderson Aimee E. , Galko Michael J.
Published: July 2014

In a recently published issue of Experimental Dermatology, Dr. Nuria Paricio and colleagues review recent advances using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, as a wound‐healing model. They describe many of the advantages of the fly model for gene discovery and functional analysis, highlighting its particular strengths and limitations for studies of wound healing. This commentary assumes that dermatologist–scientists and fly wound‐healing researchers share a common field‐wide goal of discovering all of the clinically relevant wound‐healing genes and understanding in molecular detail how those genes work. We ask: how can we cooperate to achieve this shared goal?
Novel gene identified in an exome‐wide association study of tanning dependence
Authors: Cartmel Brenda , Dewan Andrew , Ferrucci Leah M. , Gelernter Joel , Stapleton Jerod , Leffell David J. , Mayne Susan T. , Bale Allen E.
Published: July 2014

Growing evidence suggests that some individuals may exhibit symptoms of dependence to ultraviolet light, a known carcinogen, in the context of tanning. Genetic associations with tanning dependence (TD) have not yet been explored. We conducted an exome‐wide association study in 79 individuals who exhibited symptoms of TD and 213 individuals with volitional exposure to ultraviolet light, but who were not TD based on three TD scales. A total of 300 000 mostly exomic single nucleotide polymorphisms primarily in coding regions were assessed using an Affymetrix Axiom array. We performed a gene burden test with Bonferroni correction for the number of genes examined (P < 0.05/14 904 = 3.36 × 10−6). One gene, patched domain containing 2 (PTCHD2), yielded a statistically significant P‐value of 2.5 × 10−6 (OR = 0.27) with fewer individuals classified as TD having a minor allele at this locus. These results require replication, but are the first to support a specific genetic association with TD.
Melanoma‐derived IL‐1 converts vascular endothelium to a proinflammatory and procoagulatory phenotype via NFκB activation
Authors: Strozyk Elwira A. , Desch Anna , Poeppelmann Birgit , Magnolo Nina , Wegener Joachim , Huck Volker , Schneider Stefan W.
Published: July 2014

Spreading of melanoma is associated with efficient extravasation of circulating tumor cells from the vascular system into distant target organs. This process is accompanied and supported by proinflammatory and procoagulatory conditions. In this study, we analysed the ability of human melanoma cell lines to activate endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro. Some melanoma cells, that is, MV3, were shown to trigger an prompt calcium‐flux‐dependent, procoagulatory endothelial response that was accompanied by luminal release of ultra‐large von Willebrand factor (ULVWF) fibres that were immobilized to the endothelial surface layer. In contrast to MV3‐derived supernatant, prolonged treatment of ECs with WM9‐derived supernatant mediated a pronounced activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB). NFκB activation in ECs was dependent on both IL‐1α and IL‐1β secreted from melanoma cells. Melanoma‐derived IL‐1 mediated an upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines IL‐6 and IL‐8, the intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), the vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) and the procoagulatory tissue factor (TF) in ECs. Our data show that melanoma cells activate ECs either directly and within seconds or by an IL‐1‐mediated NFκB activation. Both pathways of EC activation convert the regular repressive function of ECs on inflammation and coagulation to a proinflammatory and procoagulatory surface that supports tumor progression.
Greenhouse gas emissions from dairy manure management: a review of field‐based studies
Authors: Owen Justine J. , Silver Whendee L.
Published: July 2014

Livestock manure management accounts for almost 10% of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture globally, and contributes an equal proportion to the US methane emission inventory. Current emissions inventories use emissions factors determined from small‐scale laboratory experiments that have not been compared to field‐scale measurements. We compiled published data on field‐scale measurements of greenhouse gas emissions from working and research dairies and compared these to rates predicted by the IPCC Tier 2 modeling approach. Anaerobic lagoons were the largest source of methane (368 ± 193 kg CH4 hd−1 yr−1), more than three times that from enteric fermentation (~120 kg CH4 hd−1 yr−1). Corrals and solid manure piles were large sources of nitrous oxide (1.5 ± 0.8 and 1.1 ± 0.7 kg N2O hd−1 yr−1, respectively). Nitrous oxide emissions from anaerobic lagoons (0.9 ± 0.5 kg N2O hd−1 yr−1) and barns (10 ± 6 kg N2O hd−1 yr−1) were unexpectedly large. Modeled methane emissions underestimated field measurement means for most manure management practices. Modeled nitrous oxide emissions underestimated field measurement means for anaerobic lagoons and manure piles, but overestimated emissions from slurry storage. Revised emissions factors nearly doubled slurry CH4 emissions for Europe and increased N2O emissions from solid piles and lagoons in the United States by an order of magnitude. Our results suggest that current greenhouse gas emission factors generally underestimate emissions from dairy manure and highlight liquid manure systems as promising target areas for greenhouse gas mitigation.
Owl dusk chorus is related to the quality of individuals and nest‐sites
Authors: Penteriani Vincenzo , Delgado María Del Mar , Stigliano Renato , Campioni Letizia , Sánchez María
Published: July 2014

Dawn and dusk choruses represent one of the most investigated topics in avian vocal behaviour, but their underlying basis remains unclear. As with the dawn chorus in passerines, dusk chorus in owls seems to support the mate and rival assessment hypothesis and happens during the most constraining period, as individuals have not yet fed and, under the handicap principle, dusk chorus is likely to reveal inter‐individual differences in competitive ability, body condition and/or habitat quality. Here, a study of vocal displays at dusk of 14 Eurasian Eagle Owls Bubo bubo revealed a temporal succession in the order in which males began their vocalizations. The vocalization order appeared to be related to both the quality of the nesting territory (based upon mean number of fledged young and proportion of rats in the diet) and the male's individual quality, as revealed by haematocrit values and the brightness of the white throat patch.
Shaping Things to Come?: How Decisions on Statistical Disclosure and Analysis Influenced the Debate on Scotland's Independence
Authors: Cuthbert Jim , Cuthbert Margaret
Published: July 2014

Jim Cuthbert and Margaret Cuthbert share two examples of how the collection, analysis and reporting of data shaped discussions around the Scottish referendum.
Statisticians can Help Save the World – But they only have 396 Days
Authors: Greenfield Oliver , Allin Paul
Published: July 2014

The climate change debate is split between those arguing for enviromental sustainability and those on the side of economic growth. But it shouldn't be an either/or choice. Environmentalist and economist Oliver Greenfield challenges statisticians to provide the measures that are needed to balance these twin demands; statistician Paul Allin replies.
Bulk Iodoapatite Ceramic Densified by Spark Plasma Sintering with Exceptional Thermal Stability
Authors: Yao Tiankai , Lu Fengyuan , Sun Hongtao , Wang Jianwei , Ewing Rodney C. , Lian Jie
Published: July 2014

Iodoapatite powder prepared by high‐energy ball milling is densified by Spark Plasma Sintering to ~96% theoretical density. X‐ray Diffraction and First‐principle Calculation indicates the sintered phase is iodine‐deficient apatite with chemical composition of Pb9.85(VO4)6I1.7 and iodine confinement over 8 wt%. Thermogravimetric analysis shows the bulk iodoapatite displays exceptionally stability without iodine release until 670°C. The greatly improved iodine confinement can be attributed to the dense matrix upon rapid consolidation from highly activated powders by mechanical attrition.
Large Electromechanical Strain in Lead‐Free Binary System K0.5Bi0.5TiO3‐Bi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3
Authors: Zeb Aurang , Milne Steven J.
Published: July 2014

Solid solution formation in the lead‐free binary system (1−x)K0.5Bi0.5TiO3−xBi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3 has been studied for compositions x ≤ 0.12. X‐ray powder diffraction shows single‐phase perovskite for x < 0.1, and a mixed phase region between tetragonal and pseudocubic phases for compositions 0.04 ≤ x ≤ 0.06. Large electromechanical strains of ~0.3% at fields of 50 kV/cm are recorded in the mixed phase region, with d33* (Smax/Emax) values of ~600 pm/V. The materials sustain polarization at low electric fields with remnant polarization ~18 μC/cm2 and coercive field ~20 kV/cm for x = 0.06. Relative permittivity‐temperature plots display relaxor characteristics, with peak temperature ~340°C.
A First Report of Photoemission in Experiments Related to Flash Sintering
Authors: Lebrun Jean‐Marie , Raj Rishi
Published: July 2014

A highly nonlinear increase in electrical conductivity and concomitant photoemission occurs not only during “flash sintering” but also in presintered, dense specimens. We report results from experiments with dense specimens that show a strong correspondence between the intensity of photoemission and electrical conductivity of specimens under a variety of conditions of the electrical parameters. It is proposed that both properties are related to the concentration of electron–hole pairs generated in such experiments.
Inter‐rater agreement in the diagnosis of mucositis and peri‐implantitis
Authors: Merli Mauro , Bernardelli Francesco , Giulianelli Erica , Toselli Ivano , Moscatelli Marco , Pagliaro Umberto , Nieri Michele
Published: July 2014

Aim

The objective was to assess the inter‐rater agreement in the diagnosis of mucositis and peri‐implantitis.

Material and Methods

Adult patients with ≥ 1 dental implant were eligible. Three operators examined the patients. One examiner allocated the patients to three groups of nine as follows: nine implants with peri‐implantitis, nine implants with mucositis, and 9 implants with healthy mucosa. Each examiner recorded on all 27 patients (one implant per patient) recessions, probing depth, bleeding on probing, suppuration, keratinized tissue depth and bone loss, leading to a final diagnosis of mucositis, peri‐implantitis or healthy mucosa. Examiners were independent and blinded to each other.

Results

Fleiss k‐statistic with quadratic weight in the diagnosis of peri‐implantitis and mucositis was 0.66 [CI95%: 0.45–0.87]. A complete agreement was obtained only in 14 cases (52%). Fleiss k‐statistics in bleeding on probing and bone loss were respectively 0.31 [CI95%: 0.20–0.41] and 0.70 [CI95%: 0.45–0.94]. Intra‐class correlation coefficients for recession, probing depth and keratinized tissue depth were respectively 0.69 [CI95%: 0.62–0.75], 0.54 [CI95%: 0.44–0.63] and 0.56 [CI95%: 0.27–0.77].

Conclusions

The inter‐rater agreement in the diagnosis of peri‐implant disease was qualified as merely good. This could also be due in part to the unclear definition of peri‐implantitis and mucositis.
The peer relationships of girls with ASD at school: comparison to boys and girls with and without ASD
Authors: Dean Michelle , Kasari Connie , Shih Wendy , Frankel Fred , Whitney Rondalyn , Landa Rebecca , Lord Catherine , Orlich Felice , King Bryan , Harwood Robin
Published: July 2014

Background

This study examines the social relationships of elementary school children with high‐functioning autism, focusing on how gender relates to social preferences and acceptance, social connections, reciprocal friendships, and rejection.

Method

Peer nomination data were analyzed for girls with and without ASD (n = 50) and boys with and without ASD (n = 50). Girls and boys with ASD were matched by age, gender, and IQ. Each child with ASD was matched by age and gender to a typically developing classmate.

Results

Consistent with typically developing populations, children with ASD preferred, were accepted by, and primarily socialized with same‐gender friends. With fewer nominations and social relationships, girls and boys with ASD appear more socially similar to each other than to the same‐gender control group. Additionally, girls and boys with ASD showed higher rates of social exclusion than their typically developing peers. However, boys with ASD were more overtly socially excluded compared to girls with ASD, who seemed to be overlooked, rather than rejected.

Conclusions

Our data suggest a number of interesting findings in the social relationships of children with ASD in schools. Like typically developing populations, children with ASD identify with their own gender when socializing and choosing friends. But given the social differences between genders, it is likely that girls with ASD are experiencing social challenges that are different from boys with ASD. Therefore, gender is an important environmental factor to consider when planning social skills interventions at school.
Mothers' early depressive symptoms predict children's low social competence in first grade: mediation by children's social cognition
Authors: Wang Yiji , Dix Theodore
Published: July 2014

Background

This study examined whether social‐cognitive processes in children mediate relations between mothers' depressive symptoms across the first 3 years and children's first‐grade social competence. Three maladaptive cognitions were examined: self‐perceived social inadequacy, hostile attribution, and aggressive response generation.

Method

One thousand three hundred and sixty‐four mothers reported depressive symptoms across early development, first‐grade children reported target social cognitions, and children's first‐grade social competence was observed and reported by multiple informants.

Results

Findings demonstrated that (a) mothers' average depressive symptoms from 6 to 36 months predicted children's maladaptive social cognition in first grade, (b) low mother–child responsiveness mediated this relation, and (c) maladaptive social cognition mediated relations between mothers' early depressive symptoms and low first‐grade social competence independent of later depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

When mothers' depressive symptoms occur early in development, they may set in motion low‐responsive dyadic patterns that promote children's maladaptive social cognition and, as a result, low social competence.
Causes and Consequences of Sports Concussion
Authors: Edwards Jonathan C. , Bodle Jeffrey D.
Published: July 2014

The Consensus Statement of the Third International Congress on Concussion in Sport in November 2008 defined concussion as a “complex pathophysiologic process affecting the brain, induced by traumatic biochemical forces.” Definitions of concussion vary slightly between various professional organizations of neurosurgeons, neurologists, and orthopedic surgeons, but all share the common characteristics of trauma affecting the head or body resulting in transient neurologic deficits or symptoms. Underlying the symptoms of concussion is a complex pathophysiologic process at the cellular level. While concussion is typically thought of as resulting from a direct impact to the head, a concussion can also be sustained as a result of an impact to the body causing the force of the impact to be transmitted to and absorbed by the brain.
Treating Pain in Sickle Cell Disease with Opioids: Clinical Advances, Ethical Pitfalls
Authors: Smith Wally R.
Published: July 2014

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive hemoglobinopathy found mainly in populations of African and Mediterranean descent, including approximately 100,000 Americans. It is also very common in Spanish-speaking regions of Central America, South America, and parts of the Caribbean, in Saudi Arabia, and in India and Sri Lanka. The disorder is characterized most commonly by lifelong recurrent unpredictable vaso-occlusive pain that may be disabling, and by chronic tissue damage and organ dysfunction. There are several genotypes of the disease. Although SCD pain frequency generally varies between genotypes, it also varies between subjects even within genotype. It may worsen from childhood to adulthood. It may vary by gender. Its location, timing, and severity may be unpredictable.

Until recently, pain in SCD had been characterized as episodes that were acute, periodic, and relatively rare. Crises were viewed as usually associated with hospitalization. Many patients utilized hospital or emergency care for pain once per year or less, so painful episodes in SCD were called vaso-occlusive “crises.”
Is It Reasonable to Deny Older Patients Treatment for Glioblastoma?
Authors: Gusmano Michael K.
Published: July 2014

Is it ever fair to limit treatment for diseases like glioblastoma for which prognosis is poor? Because resources are finite and health care spending limits the other possible uses for those resources, limiting access to an intervention that does not generate benefits is ethically sound. Ignoring the balance of benefits and burdens associated with treatment ignores opportunity costs and leads us to treat some lives as more valuable than others. It also ignores evidence that patients and families, when presented with adequate information about the benefits and burdens of aggressive treatment compared with palliative care, often prefer the palliative care option.

Should the limitations we set on the availability of care be greater for older people than younger people? Since the 1980s, scholars have called for strong age rationing of medical care in which Medicare would not pay for anything other than palliative care after they have achieved average life expectancy (usually 75 or 80 years of age).
A Framework for Analyzing the Ethics of Disclosing Genetic Research Findings
Authors: Eckstein Lisa , Garrett Jeremy R. , Berkman Benjamin E.
Published: July 2014

Over the past decade, there has been an extensive debate about whether researchers have an obligation to disclose genetic research findings, including primary and secondary findings. There appears to be an emerging (but disputed) view that researchers have some obligation to disclose some genetic findings to some research participants. The contours of this obligation, however, remain unclear.

As this paper will explore, much of this confusion is definitional or conceptual in nature. The extent of a researcher's obligation to return secondary and other research findings is often limited by reference to terms and concepts like “incidental,” “analytic validity,” “clinical validity,” “clinical relevance,” “clinical utility,” “clinical significance,” “actionability,” and “desirability.” These terms are used in different ways by different writers to describe obligations in different sorts of cases.
Genomic Research with the Newly Dead: A Crossroads for Ethics and Policy
Authors: Walker Rebecca L. , Juengst Eric T. , Whipple Warren , Davis Arlene M.
Published: July 2014

Research uses of human bodies maintained by mechanical ventilation after being declared dead by neurological criteria (“heart-beating cadavers”), were first published in the early 1980s with a renewed interest in research on the newly or nearly dead occurring in about last decade. While this type of research may take many different forms, recent technologic advances in genomic sequencing along with high hopes for genomic medicine, have inspired interest in genomic research with the newly dead. For example, the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) program through the National Institutes of Health aims to collect large numbers of diverse human tissues with the eventual goal of elucidating the genetic bases of common diseases through a better understanding of the relationship between genetic variation and gene expression.
Toward a Jurisprudence of Drug Regulation
Authors: Herder Matthew
Published: July 2014

Efforts to ensure greater transparency in the regulation of “drugs” (used here as a catch-all for pharmaceuticals, biologics, medical devices, and biomarker-based technologies such as genetic testing paired with a pharmaceutical or biologic) are well underway. For example, laws in the United States and Europe now require registration of most clinical trials beyond phase 1. Yet instances of avoidable harm to patients continue to arise. In response, calls for disclosure of clinical trial data in the form of “clinical study reports,” not just trial designs and basic results, are growing. In this paper, I argue that disclosure of clinical trial data is necessary but insufficient. Rather, the regulatory decisions that flow from those trial data —whether positive (i.e., product approvals) or negative (i.e., abandoned products, product refusals, and withdrawals) —should also be open to outside scrutiny provided they are final in nature.
Relationship between Two Types of Coil Packing Densities Relative to Aneurysm Size
Authors: Park Keun Young , Kim Byung Moon , Ihm Eun Hyun , Baek Jang Hyun , Kim Dong Joon , Kim Dong Ik , Huh Seung Kon , Lee Jae Whan
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Coil packing density (PD) can be calculated via a formula (PDF) or software (PDS). Two types of PD can be different from each other for same aneurysm. This study aimed to evaluate the interobserver agreement and relationships between the 2 types of PD relative to aneurysm size.

METHODS

Consecutive 420 saccular aneurysms were treated with coiling. PD (PDF, [coil volume]/[volume calculated by formula] and PDS, [coil volume]/[volume measured by software]) was calculated and prospectively recorded. Interobserver agreement was evaluated between PDF and PDS. Additionally, the relationships between PDF and PDS relative to aneurysm size were subsequently analyzed.

RESULTS

Interobserver agreement for PDF and PDS was excellent (Intraclass correlation coefficient, PDF; 0.967 and PDS; 0.998). The ratio of PDF and PDS was greater for smaller aneurysms and converged toward 1.0 as the maximum dimension (DM) of aneurysm increased. Compared with PDS, PDF was overestimated by a mean of 28% for DM < 5 mm, by 17% for 5 mm ≤ DM < 10 mm, and by 9% for DM ≥ 10 mm (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Interobserver agreement for PDF and PDS was excellent. However, PDF was overestimated in smaller aneurysms and converged to PDS as aneurysm size increased.
Is the Fastest MRI a Hologram?
Authors: Hutchinson Michael , Raff  Ulrich
Published: July 2014

Real‐time MR imaging might exert a profound influence on neuroscience in the future by enabling the direct visualization of neuronal interactions. At this time, however, all practical embodiments of MRI require at least some degree of gradient encoding, and this in turn sets a lower limit of about 100 ms for volume acquisition. A novel formulation of MRI is proposed here which is given the acronym ULTRA (Unlimited Trains of Radio Acquisitions). In the preferred embodiment ULTRA is completely free of gradient reversals, which allows for signal acquisition from the entire object volume simultaneously. This permits a rate of signal acquisition that is increased hundreds of times compared with existing techniques, with full 3‐D imaging in as little as one millisecond. The proposed detector now resembles a holographic recording.
Improvement of the Diagnostic Accuracy of MRA with Subtraction Technique in Cerebral Vasospasm
Authors: Hamaguchi Akiyoshi , Fujima Noriyuki , Yoshida Daisuke , Hamaguchi Naoko , Kodera Shuichi
Published: July 2014

PURPOSE

Vasospasm has been considered the most severe acute complication after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). MRA is not considered ideal for detecting cerebral vasospasm because of background including the hemorrhage. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Subtraction MRA (SMRA) by comparing it to that of conventional MRA (CMRA) for diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm.

METHODS

Arteries were assigned to one of three categories based on the degree of MRA diagnostic quality of vasospasm (quality score): 0, bad … 2, good. Furthermore each artery was assigned to one of four categories based on the degree of vasospasm severity (SV score): 0, no vasospasm … 3, severe. The value of the difference between DSA‐SV score and MRA‐SV score was defined as the DIF score. CMRA and SMRA were compared for each arterial region with regard to quality score and DIF score.

RESULTS

The average CMRA and SMRA quality score were 1.46 and 1.79; the difference was statistically significant. The average CMRA and SMRA DIF score were 1.08 and .60; the difference was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosis of cerebral vasospasm is more accurate by SMRA than by CMRA. The advantages are its noninvasive nature and its ability to detect cerebral vasospasm.
Development of probiotic-based immunoparticles for pulmonary immunization against Hepatitis B
Authors: Sharma Kulbhushan , Malik Basant , Goyal Amit K , Rath Goutam
Published: July 2014

Objectives

The present study was oriented towards the development of pulmonary vaccine for Hepatitis B using probiotic biomass as an adjuvant.

Methods

The antigen was spray dried in presence of heat treated, formalin treated and live probiotic biomass.

Key findings

The results indicated that the biomass itself without any additional cryoprotectant is capable of protecting the structural integrity of the antigen. We were able to retain more than 80% of the antigenicity. The scanning electron microscopic images indicated that the formulation bearing live probiotic biomass have spherical size, while the formulations with heat and formalin treated biomass shows irregular shaped particles. The developed formulations were further evaluated for in-vivo immune response. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) titre results were found to be comparable with marketed (aluminium adsorbed) formulations while significantly higher secretory immunoglobulin A titre showed better mucosal immune response than marketed formulation.

Conclusion

Therefore, the probiotic biomass can be utilized as a potential cryoprotectant as well as a potent immunomodulator.
Variation of genome size and the ribosomal DNA ITS region of Alternanthera philoxeroides (Amaranthaceae) in Argentina, the USA, and China
Authors: CHEN Zi‐Yi , XIONG Zhu‐Jun , PAN Xiao‐Yun , SHEN Su‐Qin , GENG Yu‐Peng , XU Cheng‐Yuan , CHEN Jia‐Kuan , ZHANG Wen‐Ju
Published: July 2014

Alligator weed, Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb., is one of the worst invasive weeds in the world. In the present study, the genome size of seven forms/biotypes of alligator weed from Argentina (native area), the USA (introduced area), and China (introduced area) was analyzed using flow cytometers; the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) was cloned and sequenced. We found that the genome size of A. philoxeroides ranged from 5.72 to 8.50 pg/2C nucleus, consisting of four levels of genome and three kinds of ploidy. Among them, three levels and two kinds (tetraploid and hexaploid) were found in samples from Argentina, two levels and one kind (pentaploid) in US samples, and one level and one kind (hexaploid) in samples from China. Contrary to the significant variation in genome size, we found that the intraspecific differentiation of the ITS sequences in the seven forms/biotypes was extremely low, and that six of them shared ITS sequences with no or one single substitution. These results show that the change of genome size played a major role in the differentiation of A. philoxeroides, and that forms/biotypes with higher ploidy seem to have stronger invasive ability. Furthermore, the differences of A. philoxeroides in ploidy between samples from the USA and China showed that alligator weeds from these two invaded areas certainly have different native progenitors.
Antiviral therapy (pegylated interferon and ribavirin) of hepatitis C in dialysis patients: meta‐analysis of clinical studies
Authors: Fabrizi F. , Dixit V. , Messa P. , Martin P.
Published: July 2014

Information on the antiviral treatment (pegylated interferon plus ribavirin) of chronic infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients on long‐term dialysis is extremely limited. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of combination antiviral therapy (pegylated interferon plus ribavirin) in patients on long‐term dialysis with chronic hepatitis C by performing a systematic review of the literature with a meta‐analysis of clinical studies. The primary outcome was sustained virological response (SVR) (as a measure of efficacy); the secondary outcome was dropout rate (as a measure of tolerability). We used the random‐effects model of DerSimonian and Laird, with heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses. We identified eleven clinical studies (287 unique patients), two of them being controlled clinical trials. The summary estimate for SVR and dropout rate was 0.60 (95% Confidence Intervals, 0.47; 0.71) and 0.18 (95% CI, 0.08; 0.35), respectively; studies being heterogeneous with regard to both the outcomes. Stratified analysis reported a higher SVR rate in controlled trials, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.27; 0.99). The most common sources of dropout were anaemia (11/46 = 23%) and infections (6/46 = 13%). Meta‐regression analysis showed a detrimental impact of HCV genotype 1 (P = 0.036) and dropout (P = 0.0001) rate upon the frequency of SVR. Antiviral therapy based on pegylated interferon plus ribavirin for HCV gives encouraging results in terms of efficacy and safety among patients on long‐term dialysis; such approach should be considered the current standard of care for HCV‐infected individuals on regular dialysis.
Contrasting soil fungal community responses to experimental nitrogen addition using the large subunit rRNA taxonomic marker and cellobiohydrolase I functional marker
Authors: Mueller Rebecca C. , Balasch Monica M. , Kuske Cheryl R.
Published: July 2014

Human activities have resulted in increased nitrogen inputs into terrestrial ecosystems, but the impact of nitrogen on ecosystem function, such as nutrient cycling, will depend at least in part on the response of soil fungal communities. We examined the response of soil fungi to experimental nitrogen addition in a loblolly pine forest (North Carolina, USA) using a taxonomic marker (large subunit rDNA, LSU) and a functional marker involved in a critical step of cellulose degradation (cellobiohydrolase, cbhI) at five time points that spanned fourteen months. Sampling date had no impact on fungal community richness or composition for either gene. Based on the LSU, nitrogen addition led to increased fungal community richness, reduced relative abundance of fungi in the phylum Basidiomycota and altered community composition; however, similar shifts were not observed with cbhI. Fungal community dissimilarity of the LSU and cbhI genes was significantly correlated in the ambient plots, but not in nitrogen‐amended plots, suggesting either functional redundancy of fungi with the cbhI gene or shifts in other functional groups in response to nitrogen addition. To determine whether sequence similarity of cbhI could be predicted based on taxonomic relatedness of fungi, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis of publically available cbhI sequences from known isolates and found that for a subset of isolates, similar cbhI genes were found within distantly related fungal taxa. Together, these findings suggest that taxonomic shifts in the total fungal community do not necessarily result in changes in the functional diversity of fungi.