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Showing papers by "University of Calgary published in 2010"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Standard nomenclature, outlined in this article, should be followed for reporting of results of µCT‐derived bone morphometry and density measurements.
Abstract: Use of high-resolution micro-computed tomography (microCT) imaging to assess trabecular and cortical bone morphology has grown immensely. There are several commercially available microCT systems, each with different approaches to image acquisition, evaluation, and reporting of outcomes. This lack of consistency makes it difficult to interpret reported results and to compare findings across different studies. This article addresses this critical need for standardized terminology and consistent reporting of parameters related to image acquisition and analysis, and key outcome assessments, particularly with respect to ex vivo analysis of rodent specimens. Thus the guidelines herein provide recommendations regarding (1) standardized terminology and units, (2) information to be included in describing the methods for a given experiment, and (3) a minimal set of outcome variables that should be reported. Whereas the specific research objective will determine the experimental design, these guidelines are intended to ensure accurate and consistent reporting of microCT-derived bone morphometry and density measurements. In particular, the methods section for papers that present microCT-based outcomes must include details of the following scan aspects: (1) image acquisition, including the scanning medium, X-ray tube potential, and voxel size, as well as clear descriptions of the size and location of the volume of interest and the method used to delineate trabecular and cortical bone regions, and (2) image processing, including the algorithms used for image filtration and the approach used for image segmentation. Morphometric analyses should be based on 3D algorithms that do not rely on assumptions about the underlying structure whenever possible. When reporting microCT results, the minimal set of variables that should be used to describe trabecular bone morphometry includes bone volume fraction and trabecular number, thickness, and separation. The minimal set of variables that should be used to describe cortical bone morphometry includes total cross-sectional area, cortical bone area, cortical bone area fraction, and cortical thickness. Other variables also may be appropriate depending on the research question and technical quality of the scan. Standard nomenclature, outlined in this article, should be followed for reporting of results.

3,298 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Among patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenosis, the risk of the composite primary outcome of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death did not differ significantly in the group undergoing carotids-artery stenting and the group undergoes carOTid endarterectomy.
Abstract: For 2502 patients over a median follow-up period of 2.5 years, there was no significant difference in the estimated 4-year rates of the primary end point between the stenting group and the endarterectomy group (7.2% and 6.8%, respectively; hazard ratio with stenting, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.81 to 1.51; P = 0.51). There was no differential treatment effect with regard to the primary end point according to symptomatic status (P = 0.84) or sex (P = 0.34). The 4-year rate of stroke or death was 6.4% with stenting and 4.7% with endarterectomy (hazard ratio, 1.50; P = 0.03); the rates among symptomatic patients were 8.0% and 6.4% (hazard ratio, 1.37; P = 0.14), and the rates among asymptomatic patients were 4.5% and 2.7% (hazard ratio, 1.86; P = 0.07), respectively. Periprocedural rates of individual components of the end points differed between the stenting group and the endarterectomy group: for death (0.7% vs. 0.3%, P = 0.18), for stroke (4.1% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.01), and for myocardial infarction (1.1% vs. 2.3%, P = 0.03). After this period, the incidences of ipsilateral stroke with stenting and with endarterectomy were similarly low (2.0% and 2.4%, respectively; P = 0.85). CONCLUSIONS Among patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid stenosis, the risk of the composite primary outcome of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death did not differ significantly in the group undergoing carotid-artery stenting and the group undergoing carotid endarterectomy. During the periprocedural period, there was a higher risk of stroke with stenting and a higher risk of myocardial infarction with endarterectomy. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00004732.)

2,514 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Criteria for the classification of giant cell (temporal) arteritis were developed by comparing 214 patients who had this disease with 593 patients with other forms of vasculitis, and 2 other variables were included: scalp tenderness and claudication of the jaw or tongue or on deglutition.
Abstract: Criteria for the classification of giant cell (temporal) arteritis were developed by comparing 214 patients who had this disease with 593 patients with other forms of vasculitis. For the traditional format classification, 5 criteria were selected: age greater than or equal to 50 years at disease onset, new onset of localized headache, temporal artery tenderness or decreased temporal artery pulse, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Westergren) greater than or equal to 50 mm/hour, and biopsy sample including an artery, showing necrotizing arteritis, characterized by a predominance of mononuclear cell infiltrates or a granulomatous process with multinucleated giant cells. The presence of 3 or more of these 5 criteria was associated with a sensitivity of 93.5% and a specificity of 91.2%. A classification tree was also constructed using 6 criteria. These criteria were the same as for the traditional format, except that elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate was excluded, and 2 other variables were included: scalp tenderness and claudication of the jaw or tongue or on deglutition. The classification tree was associated with a sensitivity of 95.3% and specificity of 90.7%.

2,204 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Klein this paper wrote: "Do you know what war in Iraq, hurricane Katrina, the recent Asian tsunami, 9/11 and the HIV/AIDS pandemic have caused?
Abstract: Naomi Klein, Toronto, Knopf Canada, 2007, 662 pp, ISBN: 978-0-676-97800-1, (CDN$36.95) Do you know what war in Iraq, hurricane Katrina, the recent Asian tsunami, 9/11 and the HIV/AIDS pandemic have...

1,985 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Criteria for the classification of Churg-Strauss syndrome were developed by comparing 20 patients who had this diagnosis with 787 control patients with other forms of vasculitis, and advantages of the traditional format compared with the classification tree format are discussed.
Abstract: Criteria for the classification of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) were developed by comparing 20 patients who had this diagnosis with 787 control patients with other forms of vasculitis. For the traditional format classification, 6 criteria were selected: asthma, eosinophilia greater than 10% on differential white blood cell count, mononeuropathy (including multiplex) or polyneuropathy, non-fixed pulmonary infiltrates on roentgenography, paranasal sinus abnormality, and biopsy containing a blood vessel with extravascular eosinophils. The presence of 4 or more of these 6 criteria yielded a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 99.7%. A classification tree was also constructed with 3 selected criteria: asthma, eosinophilia greater than 10% on differential white blood cell count, and history of documented allergy other than asthma or drug sensitivity. If a subject has eosinophilia and a documented history of either asthma or allergy, then that subject is classified as having CSS. For the tree classification, the sensitivity was 95% and the specificity was 99.2%. Advantages of the traditional format compared with the classification tree format, when applied to patients with systemic vasculitis, and their comparison with earlier work on CSS are discussed.

1,954 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Criteria for the classification of Takayasu arteritis were developed by comparing 63 patients who had this disease with 744 control patients with other forms of vasculitis, and the presence of 3 or more of these 6 criteria demonstrated a sensitivity of 90.5% and a specificity of 97.0%.
Abstract: Criteria for the classification of Takayasu arteritis were developed by comparing 63 patients who had this disease with 744 control patients with other forms of vasculitis. Six criteria were selected for the traditional format classification: onset at age less than or equal to 40 years, claudication of an extremity, decreased brachial artery pulse, greater than 10 mm Hg difference in systolic blood pressure between arms, a bruit over the subclavian arteries or the aorta, and arteriographic evidence of narrowing or occlusion of the entire aorta, its primary branches, or large arteries in the proximal upper or lower extremities. The presence of 3 or more of these 6 criteria demonstrated a sensitivity of 90.5% and a specificity of 97.8%. A classification tree also was constructed with 5 of these 6 criteria, omitting claudication of an extremity. The classification tree demonstrated a sensitivity of 92.1% and a specificity of 97.0%.

1,888 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The benefits of physical training are discussed, along with recommendations for varying activities, PA-associated blood glucose management, diabetes prevention, gestational diabetes mellitus, and safe and effective practices for PA with diabetes-related complications.
Abstract: Although physical activity (PA) is a key element in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes, many with this chronic disease do not become or remain regularly active. High-quality studies establishing the importance of exercise and fitness in diabetes were lacking until recently, but it is now well established that participation in regular PA improves blood glucose control and can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, along with positively affecting lipids, blood pressure, cardiovascular events, mortality, and quality of life. Structured interventions combining PA and modest weight loss have been shown to lower type 2 diabetes risk by up to 58% in high-risk populations. Most benefits of PA on diabetes management are realized through acute and chronic improvements in insulin action, accomplished with both aerobic and resistance training. The benefits of physical training are discussed, along with recommendations for varying activities, PA-associated blood glucose management, diabetes prevention, gestational diabetes mellitus, and safe and effective practices for PA with diabetes-related complications.

1,635 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Among patients with NYHA class II or III heart failure, a wide QRS complex, and left ventricular systolic dysfunction, the addition of CRT to an ICD reduced rates of death and hospitalization for heart failure.
Abstract: Background Cardiac-resynchronization therapy (CRT) benefits patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and a wide QRS complex. Most of these patients are candidates for an implantable cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD). We evaluated whether adding CRT to an ICD and optimal medical therapy might reduce mortality and morbidity among such patients. Methods We randomly assigned patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II or III heart failure, a left ventricular ejection fraction of 30% or less, and an intrinsic QRS duration of 120 msec or more or a paced QRS duration of 200 msec or more to receive either an ICD alone or an ICD plus CRT. The primary outcome was death from any cause or hospitalization for heart failure. Results We followed 1798 patients for a mean of 40 months. The primary outcome occurred in 297 of 894 patients (33.2%) in the ICD–CRT group and 364 of 904 patients (40.3%) in the ICD group (hazard ratio in the ICD–CRT group, 0.75; 95% confi dence interval [CI], 0.64 to 0.87; P<0.001). In the ICD–CRT group, 186 patients died, as compared with 236 in the ICD group (hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.91; P = 0.003), and 174 patients were hospitalized for heart failure, as compared with 236 in the ICD group (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.83; P<0.001). However, at 30 days after device implantation, adverse events had occurred in 124 patients in the ICD-CRT group, as compared with 58 in the ICD group (P<0.001). Conclusions Among patients with NYHA class II or III heart failure, a wide QRS complex, and left ventricular systolic dysfunction, the addition of CRT to an ICD reduced rates of death and hospitalization for heart failure. This improvement was accompanied by more adverse events. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Medtronic of Canada; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00251251.)

1,554 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
15 Oct 2010-Science
TL;DR: Dynamic in vivo imaging revealed a multistep hierarchy of directional cues that guide neutrophil localization to sites of sterile inflammation, and the underlying mechanisms of recruitment of neutrophils into injured tissue.
Abstract: Neutrophils are recruited from the blood to sites of sterile inflammation, where they contribute to wound healing but may also cause tissue damage. By using spinning disk confocal intravital microscopy, we examined the kinetics and molecular mechanisms of neutrophil recruitment to sites of focal hepatic necrosis in vivo. Adenosine triphosphate released from necrotic cells activated the Nlrp3 inflammasome to generate an inflammatory microenvironment that alerted circulating neutrophils to adhere within liver sinusoids. Subsequently, generation of an intravascular chemokine gradient directed neutrophil migration through healthy tissue toward foci of damage. Lastly, formyl-peptide signals released from necrotic cells guided neutrophils through nonperfused sinusoids into the injury. Thus, dynamic in vivo imaging revealed a multistep hierarchy of directional cues that guide neutrophil localization to sites of sterile inflammation.

1,033 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
03 Feb 2010-JAMA
TL;DR: The risks of mortality, myocardial infarction, and progression to kidney failure associated with a given level of eGFR are independently increased in patients with higher levels of proteinuria.
Abstract: Context The current staging system for chronic kidney disease is based primarily on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with lower eGFR associated with higher risk of adverse outcomes. Although proteinuria is also associated with adverse out- comes, it is not used to refine risk estimates of adverse events in this current system. Objective To determine the association between reduced GFR, proteinuria, and ad- verse clinical outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants Community-based cohort study with partici- pants identified from a province-wide laboratory registry that includes eGFR and pro- teinuria measurements from Alberta, Canada, between 2002 and 2007. There were 920985 adults who had at least 1 outpatient serum creatinine measurement and who did not require renal replacement treatment at baseline. Proteinuria was assessed by urine dipstick or albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR). Main Outcome Measures All-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and progres- sion to kidney failure. Results The majority of individuals (89.1%) had an eGFR of 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 or greater. Over median follow-up of 35 months (range, 0-59 months), 27959 participants (3.0%)died.Thefullyadjustedrateofall-causemortalitywashigherinstudyparticipants with lower eGFRs or heavier proteinuria. Adjusted mortality rates were more than 2-fold higher among individuals with heavy proteinuria measured by urine dipstick and eGFR of 60mL/min/1.73m 2 orgreater,ascomparedwiththosewitheGFRof45to59.9mL/min/ 1.73 m 2 and normal protein excretion (rate, 7.2 (95% CI, 6.6-7.8) vs 2.9 (95% CI, 2.7- 3.0)per1000person-years,respectively;rateratio,2.5(95%CI,2.3-2.7)).Similarresults were observed when proteinuria was measured by ACR (15.9 (95% CI, 14.0-18.1) and 7.0 (95% CI, 6.4-7.6) per 1000 person-years for heavy and absent proteinuria, respec- tively;rateratio,2.3(95%CI,2.0-2.6))andfortheoutcomesofhospitalizationwithacute myocardial infarction, end-stage renal disease, and doubling of serum creatinine level. Conclusion The risks of mortality, myocardial infarction, and progression to kidney failure associated with a given level of eGFR are independently increased in patients with higher levels of proteinuria.

952 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an up-to-date review of the state of technology, installations and some challenges of electrical energy storage (EES) systems, focusing on the applicability, advantages and disadvantages of various EES technologies for large-scale VRES integration.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Using data from 598 studies representing over 200,000 individuals, a meta-analyzed the relationship between G. Hofstede's (1980a) original 4 cultural value dimensions and a variety of organizationally relevant outcomes, finding significantly stronger effects in culturally tighter, rather than looser, countries.
Abstract: Using data from 598 studies representing over 200,000 individuals, we meta-analyzed the relationship between G. Hofstede's (1980a) original 4 cultural value dimensions and a variety of organizationally relevant outcomes. First, values predict outcomes with similar strength (with an overall absolute weighted effect size of rho = 0.18) at the individual level of analysis. Second, the predictive power of the cultural values was significantly lower than that of personality traits and demographics for certain outcomes (e.g., job performance, absenteeism, turnover) but was significantly higher for others (e.g., organizational commitment, identification, citizenship behavior, team-related attitudes, feedback seeking). Third, cultural values were most strongly related to emotions, followed by attitudes, then behaviors, and finally job performance. Fourth, cultural values were more strongly related to outcomes for managers (rather than students) and for older, male, and more educated respondents. Fifth, findings were stronger for primary, rather than secondary, data. Finally, we provide support for M. Gelfand, L. H. Nishii, and J. L. Raver's (2006) conceptualization of societal tightness-looseness, finding significantly stronger effects in culturally tighter, rather than looser, countries.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new mechanism of NET release that is very rapid and contributes to trapping and killing of S. aureus through a novel process of NET formation that did not require neutrophil lysis or even breach of the plasma membrane.
Abstract: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are webs of DNA covered with antimicrobial molecules that constitute a newly described killing mechanism in innate immune defense. Previous publications reported that NETs take up to 3-4 h to form via an oxidant-dependent event that requires lytic death of neutrophils. In this study, we describe neutrophils responding uniquely to Staphylococcus aureus via a novel process of NET formation that did not require neutrophil lysis or even breach of the plasma membrane. The multilobular nucleus rapidly became rounded and condensed. During this process, we observed the separation of the inner and outer nuclear membranes and budding of vesicles, and the separated membranes and vesicles were filled with nuclear DNA. The vesicles were extruded intact into the extracellular space where they ruptured, and the chromatin was released. This entire process occurred via a unique, very rapid (5-60 min), oxidant-independent mechanism. Mitochondrial DNA constituted very little if any of these NETs. They did have a limited amount of proteolytic activity and were able to kill S. aureus. With time, the nuclear envelope ruptured, and DNA filled the cytoplasm presumably for later lytic NET production, but this was distinct from the vesicular release mechanism. Panton-Valentine leukocidin, autolysin, and a lipase were identified in supernatants with NET-inducing activity, but Panton-Valentine leukocidin was the dominant NET inducer. We describe a new mechanism of NET release that is very rapid and contributes to trapping and killing of S. aureus.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A personal perspective about the development of the seminal papers associated with the Community of Inquiry Framework is provided and the evolution of the framework and its associated methodology is explored.
Abstract: This article provides a personal perspective about the development of the seminal papers associated with the Community of Inquiry Framework. The framework and its construction are described. The main part of the paper explores the evolution of the framework and its associated methodology. Finally, research associated with the validation of the framework and new research directions are reviewed.

Journal ArticleDOI
29 Oct 2010-Science
TL;DR: Crystallographic resolution of bound carbon dioxide in a porous solid validates methods of theoretically predicting binding behavior and bodes well for the theory-aided development of amine-based CO2 sorbents.
Abstract: Understanding the molecular details of CO(2)-sorbent interactions is critical for the design of better carbon-capture systems. Here we report crystallographic resolution of CO(2) molecules and their binding domains in a metal-organic framework functionalized with amine groups. Accompanying computational studies that modeled the gas sorption isotherms, high heat of adsorption, and CO(2) lattice positions showed high agreement on all three fronts. The modeling apportioned specific binding interactions for each CO(2) molecule, including substantial cooperative binding effects among the guest molecules. The validation of the capacity of such simulations to accurately model molecular-scale binding bodes well for the theory-aided development of amine-based CO(2) sorbents. The analysis shows that the combination of appropriate pore size, strongly interacting amine functional groups, and the cooperative binding of CO(2) guest molecules is responsible for the low-pressure binding and large uptake of CO(2) in this sorbent material.

Journal Article
TL;DR: Choi et al. as mentioned in this paper developed a valid and reliable instrument that would offer tourism managers and planners a useful tool in understanding and planning for memorable tourism experiences (MTE) using the analysis technique of structural equation model.
Abstract: Goal and objectives of the dissertationGoalThe goal of this study was to develop a valid and reliable instrument that would offer tourism managers and planners a useful tool in understanding and planning for memorable tourism experiences (MTE).ObjectivesSpecifically, this study sought to answer the following research questions:1. Does the MTE scale developed in this study yield an appropriate level of reliability and validity?2. Are there relationships among the constructs in the proposed model?3. How well does the construct model fit the data when tested using the analysis technique of structural equation model?MethodologyParticipants and ProceduresAn empirical evaluation of the developed instrument was undertaken using data obtained from U.S. college students at a large Midwestern university. The students were enrolled in 12 classes spread across different academic majors. The participants were first asked to recall their MTE and to evaluate all 85 items on a seven-point Likert-type scale, on which 1 represented I have not experienced at all and 7 represented I have experienced very much. A total of 730 survey questionnaires were handed out and 536 copies were returned, representing an overall response rate of 73.4%.Development and validation of research instrumentIn refining the scale, both exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) as well as reliability tests were conducted. After the number of factors was identified and the problematic items were removed based on the results of exploratory factor analysis, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using the covariance matrmatrix examine whether the scale items were structurally consistent with the embedded theory or with any a priori logic of scale design. Before the CFA, the sample was randomly split into two 250-case subsamples using SPSS routine for random case selection. One sample was used for calibration and the other for validation.Structural Equation ModelingAfter the convergent and discriminant validity are identified, a further examination of the causal relationships between the derived constructs and other constructs or variables of interest was performed to see if the derived constructs behave in the way stipulated by the underlying tenets guiding the MTE scale development. The resulting data further provides critical indication of construct validity. Researchers regarded this test as a process to assess nomological validity of construct (Anderson & Gerbing, 1988; Campbell, 1960; Chen & Hsu, 2001).ResultsPurification of Measurement ScaleIn assessing the quality of an item, the itemto- total correlations were examined. This is a commonly accepted procedure in developing a scale (Choi & Sirakaya, 2005). In order to purify the scale, items that were poorly correlated (r Exploratory Factor AnalysisEFA was followed by a rotation with both orthogonal (VARIMAX) and oblique (OBLIMIN) methods. Results from two different methods showed similar structures with the same value of explained variances. The results obtained from principal components analysis with an oblique rotation method was used for the data analysis in order to permit the obtained components to correlate and, therefore, followed the assumption that MTE components are related yet distinct from each other (Lee & Comrey 1979). In deciding to retain an item, both factor loading (r > 0.4) and the communality (r>0.5) of each item were examined. Employing a combination of Cattell (1966) scree test and theoretical basis of the scale (i.e., eigenvalues greater than 1), the EFA of the MTE scale extracted seven factors accounting for 74. …

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Criteria for identifying Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (HSP) and distinguishing HSP from other forms of systemic arteritis were developed by comparing the manifestations in 85 patients who had HSP with those of 722 control patients with other form of vasculitis.
Abstract: Criteria for identifying Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) and distinguishing HSP from other forms of systemic arteritis were developed by comparing the manifestations in 85 patients who had HSP with those of 722 control patients with other forms of vasculitis. By the traditional format of choosing different combinations of candidate criteria and comparing the combinations for their ability to separate HSP cases from controls, 4 criteria were identified: age less than or equal to 20 years at disease onset, palpable purpura, acute abdominal pain, and biopsy showing granulocytes in the walls of small arterioles or venules. The presence of any 2 or more of these criteria distinguish HSP from other forms of vasculitis with a sensitivity of 87.1% and a specificity of 87.7%. The criteria selected by a classification tree method were similar: palpable purpura, age less than or equal to 20 years at disease onset, biopsy showing granulocytes around arterioles or venules, and gastrointestinal bleeding. These were able to distinguish HSP from other forms of vasculitis with a sensitivity of 89.4% and a specificity of 88.1%.

Proceedings ArticleDOI
04 Nov 2010
TL;DR: In this article, the main challenges and problems associated with wind power prediction are discussed, and an overview of comparative analysis of various available forecasting techniques is discussed as well as a major challenges and major challenges.
Abstract: In recent years, environmental considerations have prompted the use of wind power as a renewable energy resource. However, the biggest challenge in integrating wind power into the electric grid is its intermittency. One approach to deal with wind intermittency is forecasting future values of wind power production. Thus, several wind power or wind speed forecasting methods have been reported in the literature over the past few years. This paper provides insight on the foremost forecasting techniques, associated with wind power and speed, based on numeric weather prediction (NWP), statistical approaches, artificial neural network (ANN) and hybrid techniques over different time-scales. An overview of comparative analysis of various available forecasting techniques is discussed as well. In addition, this paper further gives emphasis on the major challenges and problems associated with wind power prediction.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The causal relationships among the three presences in the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework are explored and tested in this paper.
Abstract: The causal relationships among the three presences in the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework are explored and tested in this paper. The CoI framework has been used extensively in the research and ...

Journal ArticleDOI
Sergio Molinari1, B. Swinyard, John Bally2, M. J. Barlow3, J.-P. Bernard4, Paul Martin5, Toby J. T. Moore6, Alberto Noriega-Crespo7, Rene Plume8, Leonardo Testi9, Leonardo Testi1, Annie Zavagno10, Alain Abergel11, Babar Ali7, L. D. Anderson10, Ph. André12, J.-P. Baluteau10, Cara Battersby2, M. T. Beltrán1, M. Benedettini1, N. Billot7, J. A. D. L. Blommaert13, Sylvain Bontemps14, Sylvain Bontemps12, F. Boulanger11, Jan Brand1, Christopher M. Brunt15, Michael G. Burton16, Luca Calzoletti, Sean Carey7, Paola Caselli17, Riccardo Cesaroni1, José Cernicharo18, Sukanya Chakrabarti, Antonio Chrysostomou, Martin Cohen, Mathieu Compiegne5, P. de Bernardis19, G. de Gasperis20, A. M. di Giorgio1, Davide Elia1, F. Faustini, Nicolas Flagey7, Yasuo Fukui21, Gary A. Fuller22, K. Ganga23, Pedro García-Lario, Jason Glenn2, Paul F. Goldsmith24, Matthew Joseph Griffin25, Melvin Hoare17, Maohai Huang26, D. Ikhenaode19, C. Joblin4, G. Joncas27, Mika Juvela28, Jason M. Kirk25, Guilaine Lagache11, Jin-Zeng Li26, T. L. Lim, S. D. Lord7, Massimo Marengo29, Douglas J. Marshall4, Silvia Masi19, Fabrizio Massi1, Mikako Matsuura3, Vincent Minier12, Marc-Antoine Miville-Deschenes11, L. Montier4, L. K. Morgan6, Frédérique Motte12, Joseph C. Mottram15, T. G. Müller30, Paolo Natoli20, J. Neves31, Luca Olmi1, Roberta Paladini7, Deborah Paradis7, Harriet Parsons31, Nicolas Peretto12, Nicolas Peretto22, M. R. Pestalozzi1, Stefano Pezzuto1, F. Piacentini19, Lorenzo Piazzo19, D. Polychroni1, M. Pomarès10, Cristina Popescu30, William T. Reach7, Isabelle Ristorcelli4, Jean-François Robitaille27, Thomas P. Robitaille29, J. A. Rodón10, A. Roy5, Pierre Royer13, D. Russeil10, Paolo Saraceno1, Marc Sauvage12, Peter Schilke32, Eugenio Schisano1, Nicola Schneider12, Frederic Schuller, Benjamin L. Schulz7, B. Sibthorpe25, Hazel Smith29, Michael D. Smith33, L. Spinoglio1, Dimitrios Stamatellos25, Francesco Strafella, Guy S. Stringfellow2, E. Sturm30, R. Taylor8, Mark Thompson31, Alessio Traficante20, Richard J. Tuffs30, Grazia Umana1, Luca Valenziano1, R. Vavrek, M. Veneziani19, Serena Viti3, C. Waelkens13, Derek Ward-Thompson25, Glenn J. White34, L. A. Wilcock25, Friedrich Wyrowski, Harold W. Yorke24, Qizhou Zhang29 
TL;DR: In this paper, the first results from the science demonstration phase for the Hi-GAL survey, the Herschel key program that will map the inner Galactic plane of the Milky Way in 5 bands, were presented.
Abstract: We present the first results from the science demonstration phase for the Hi-GAL survey, the Herschel key program that will map the inner Galactic plane of the Milky Way in 5 bands. We outline our data reduction strategy and present some science highlights on the two observed 2° × 2° tiles approximately centered at l = 30° and l = 59°. The two regions are extremely rich in intense and highly structured extended emission which shows a widespread organization in filaments. Source SEDs can be built for hundreds of objects in the two fields, and physical parameters can be extracted, for a good fraction of them where the distance could be estimated. The compact sources (which we will call cores' in the following) are found for the most part to be associated with the filaments, and the relationship to the local beam-averaged column density of the filament itself shows that a core seems to appear when a threshold around AV ~ 1 is exceeded for the regions in the l = 59° field; a AV value between 5 and 10 is found for the l = 30° field, likely due to the relatively higher distances of the sources. This outlines an exciting scenario where diffuse clouds first collapse into filaments, which later fragment to cores where the column density has reached a critical level. In spite of core L/M ratios being well in excess of a few for many sources, we find core surface densities between 0.03 and 0.5 g cm-2. Our results are in good agreement with recent MHD numerical simulations of filaments forming from large-scale converging flows.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily, starting on the morning after total knee replacement, offers a convenient and more effective orally administered alternative to 40 mg per day enoxaparin, without increased bleeding.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Qualitative research on physical activity in urban parks informed by a published classification scheme based on quantitative research suggests that perceptions of the social environment entwine inextricably with perceptions ofthe physical environment and that physical attributes of parks as well as perceptions of these attributes may influence physical activity patterns.

Posted Content
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors report on the state-of-the-art in the field of optical quantum memory, including criteria for successful quantum memory and current performance levels, as well as the current performance of quantum memory mechanisms.
Abstract: Quantum memory is important to quantum information processing in many ways: a synchronization device to match various processes within a quantum computer, an identity quantum gate that leaves any state unchanged, and a tool to convert heralded photons to photons-on-demand. In addition to quantum computing, quantum memory would be instrumental for the implementation of long-distance quantum communication using quantum repeaters. The importance of this basic quantum gate is exemplified by the multitude of optical quantum memory mechanisms being studied: optical delay lines, cavities, electromagnetically-induced transparency, photon-echo, and off-resonant Faraday interaction. Here we report on the state-of-the-art in the field of optical quantum memory, including criteria for successful quantum memory and current performance levels.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: GTWR was compared with global ordinary least squares, TWR, and GWR in terms of goodness-of-fit and other statistical measures using a case study of residential housing sales in the city of Calgary, Canada, from 2002 to 2004 and showed substantial benefits in modeling both spatial and temporal nonstationarity simultaneously.
Abstract: By incorporating temporal effects into the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model, an extended GWR model, geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR), has been developed to deal with both spatial and temporal nonstationarity simultaneously in real estate market data. Unlike the standard GWR model, GTWR integrates both temporal and spatial information in the weighting matrices to capture spatial and temporal heterogeneity. The GTWR design embodies a local weighting scheme wherein GWR and temporally weighted regression (TWR) become special cases of GTWR. In order to test its improved performance, GTWR was compared with global ordinary least squares, TWR, and GWR in terms of goodness-of-fit and other statistical measures using a case study of residential housing sales in the city of Calgary, Canada, from 2002 to 2004. The results showed that there were substantial benefits in modeling both spatial and temporal nonstationarity simultaneously. In the test sample, the TWR, GWR, and GTWR models, respectively, reduced absolute errors by 3.5%, 31.5%, and 46.4% relative to a global ordinary least squares model. More impressively, the GTWR model demonstrated a better goodness-of-fit (0.9282) than the TWR model (0.7794) and the GWR model (0.8897). McNamara's test supported the hypothesis that the improvements made by GTWR over the TWR and GWR models are statistically significant for the sample data.

Journal ArticleDOI
08 Apr 2010-Nature
TL;DR: It is shown that dog breeds share a higher proportion of multi-locus haplotypes unique to grey wolves from the Middle East, indicating that they are a dominant source of genetic diversity for dogs rather than wolves from east Asia, as suggested by mitochondrial DNA sequence data.
Abstract: Advances in genome technology have facilitated a new understanding of the historical and genetic processes crucial to rapid phenotypic evolution under domestication. To understand the process of dog diversification better, we conducted an extensive genome-wide survey of more than 48,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms in dogs and their wild progenitor, the grey wolf. Here we show that dog breeds share a higher proportion of multi-locus haplotypes unique to grey wolves from the Middle East, indicating that they are a dominant source of genetic diversity for dogs rather than wolves from east Asia, as suggested by mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Furthermore, we find a surprising correspondence between genetic and phenotypic/functional breed groupings but there are exceptions that suggest phenotypic diversification depended in part on the repeated crossing of individuals with novel phenotypes. Our results show that Middle Eastern wolves were a critical source of genome diversity, although interbreeding with local wolf populations clearly occurred elsewhere in the early history of specific lineages. More recently, the evolution of modern dog breeds seems to have been an iterative process that drew on a limited genetic toolkit to create remarkable phenotypic diversity.

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30 Apr 2010-Science
TL;DR: The western clawed frog Xenopus tropicalis is an important model for vertebrate development that combines experimental advantages of the African clawed frogs Xenopus laevis with more tractable genetics.
Abstract: The western clawed frog Xenopus tropicalis is an important model for vertebrate development that combines experimental advantages of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis with more tractable genetics. Here we present a draft genome sequence assembly of X. tropicalis. This genome encodes more than 20,000 protein-coding genes, including orthologs of at least 1700 human disease genes. Over 1 million expressed sequence tags validated the annotation. More than one-third of the genome consists of transposable elements, with unusually prevalent DNA transposons. Like that of other tetrapods, the genome of X. tropicalis contains gene deserts enriched for conserved noncoding elements. The genome exhibits substantial shared synteny with human and chicken over major parts of large chromosomes, broken by lineage-specific chromosome fusions and fissions, mainly in the mammalian lineage.

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TL;DR: This review summarizes the evidence about effects of the many available probiotics with an emphasis on intestinal barrier function and the mechanisms affected by probiotics.
Abstract: The intestinal tract is a diverse microenvironment where more than 500 species of bacteria thrive. A single layer of epithelium is all that separates these commensal microorganisms and pathogens from the underlying immune cells, and thus epithelial barrier function is a key component in the arsenal of defense mechanisms required to prevent infection and inflammation. The epithelial barrier consists of a dense mucous layer containing secretory IgA and antimicrobial peptides as well as dynamic junctional complexes that regulate permeability between cells. Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer benefit to the host and that have been suggested to ameliorate or prevent diseases including antibiotic-associated diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease. Probiotics likely function through enhancement of barrier function, immunomodulation, and competitive adherence to the mucus and epithelium. This review summarizes the evidence about effects of the many available probiotics with an emphasis on intestinal barrier function and the mechanisms affected by probiotics.

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01 Oct 2010-Stroke
TL;DR: A low rate of acute recanalization was observed with IV rt-PA in proximal vessel occlusions identified by baseline CT angiogram and was the strongest predictor of good outcome.
Abstract: Background and Purpose— Acute rates of recanalization after intravenous (IV) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in proximal vessel occlusion have been estimated sparingly, typically using transcranial Doppler (TCD). We aimed to study acute recanalization rates of IV rt-PA in CT angiogram-proven proximal (internal carotid artery [ICA], M1 middle cerebral artery [MCA], M2-MCA, and basilar artery) occlusions and their effects on outcome. Materials and Methods— The CT angiogram database of the Calgary stroke program was reviewed for the period 2002 to 2009. All patients with proximal vessel occlusions receiving IV rt-PA who were assessed for recanalization by TCD or angiogram (for acute endovascular treatment) were included for analysis. Rates of acute recanalization as observed on TCD/first run of angiogram and postendovascular therapy recanalization rates were noted. Modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 at 3 months was used as a good outcome. Results— Among 1341 patients in the CT angiogram database, 388 patients with proximal occlusion were identified. Of these, 216 patients had received IV rt-PA; 127 patients underwent further imaging to assess recanalization. Among the patients undergoing TCD (n=46) and cerebral angiogram (n=103), only 27 (21.25%) patients had acute recanalization. By occlusion subtype, the rates of recanalization were: distal ICA (with or without ICA neck occlusion or stenotic disease) 1 of 24 (4.4%); M1-MCA (with or without ICA neck occlusion or stenotic disease) 21 of 65 (32.3%); M2-MCA 4 of 13 (30.8%); and basilar artery 1 of 25 (4%). Onset to rt-PA time was comparable in patients with and without recanalization. Recanalization ( P Conclusions— A low rate of acute recanalization was observed with IV rt-PA in proximal vessel occlusions identified by baseline CT angiogram. Recanalization was the strongest predictor of good outcome.

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TL;DR: Overall, the odds of seizure freedom after surgery are two to three times higher in the presence of a lesion on histopathology or MRI, which is clinically and statistically significant, consistent across various subgroups, and quite homogeneous across studies.