Showing papers by "University of Western Ontario published in 2004"
TL;DR: This paper compares the running times of several standard algorithms, as well as a new algorithm that is recently developed that works several times faster than any of the other methods, making near real-time performance possible.
Abstract: Minimum cut/maximum flow algorithms on graphs have emerged as an increasingly useful tool for exactor approximate energy minimization in low-level vision. The combinatorial optimization literature provides many min-cut/max-flow algorithms with different polynomial time complexity. Their practical efficiency, however, has to date been studied mainly outside the scope of computer vision. The goal of this paper is to provide an experimental comparison of the efficiency of min-cut/max flow algorithms for applications in vision. We compare the running times of several standard algorithms, as well as a new algorithm that we have recently developed. The algorithms we study include both Goldberg-Tarjan style "push -relabel" methods and algorithms based on Ford-Fulkerson style "augmenting paths." We benchmark these algorithms on a number of typical graphs in the contexts of image restoration, stereo, and segmentation. In many cases, our new algorithm works several times faster than any of the other methods, making near real-time performance possible. An implementation of our max-flow/min-cut algorithm is available upon request for research purposes.
4,463 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the usefulness of calculated multiplet peaks to fit high-resolution iron 2p3/2 spectra from high-spin compounds. And they found that the multiplets were found to fit most spectra well, particularly when contributions attributed to surface peaks and shake-up satellites were included.
Abstract: Ferrous (Fe2+) and ferric (Fe3+) compounds were investigated by XPS to determine the usefulness of calculated multiplet peaks to fit high-resolution iron 2p3/2 spectra from high-spin compounds. The multiplets were found to fit most spectra well, particularly when contributions attributed to surface peaks and shake-up satellites were included. This information was useful for fitting of the complex Fe 2p3/2 spectra for Fe3O4 where both Fe2+ and Fe3+ species are present. It was found that as the ionic bond character of the iron —ligand bond increased, the binding energy associated with either the ferrous or ferric 2p3/2 photoelectron peak also increased. This was determined to be due to the decrease in shielding of the iron cation by the more increasingly electronegative ligands. It was also observed that the difference in energy between a high-spin iron 2p3/2 peak and its corresponding shake-up satellite peak increased as the electronegativity of the ligand increased. The extrinsic loss spectra for ion oxides are also reported; these are as characteristic of each species as are the photoelectron peaks. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
2,637 citations
Harvard University1, University of British Columbia2, University of Manitoba3, University of Rochester4, University of Western Ontario5, University of Alberta6, Imperial College London7, Washington University in St. Louis8, Duke University9, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center10, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven11, McGill University12, University of Amsterdam13
TL;DR: Patients with fistulizing Crohn's disease who have a response to induction therapy with inflIXimab have an increased likelihood of a sustained response over a 54-week period if infliximab treatment is continued every 8 weeks.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Infliximab, a monoclonal antibody against tumor necrosis factor, is an effective maintenance therapy for patients with Crohn's disease without fistulas. It is not known whether infliximab is an effective maintenance therapy for patients with fistulas. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of infliximab maintenance therapy in 306 adult patients with Crohn's disease and one or more draining abdominal or perianal fistulas of at least three months' duration. Patients received 5 mg of infliximab per kilogram of body weight intravenously on weeks 0, 2, and 6. A total of 195 patients who had a response at weeks 10 and 14 and 87 patients who had no response were then randomly assigned to receive placebo or 5 mg of infliximab per kilogram every eight weeks and to be followed to week 54. The primary analysis was the time to the loss of response among patients who had a response at week 14 and underwent randomization. RESULTS: The time to loss of response was significantly longer for patients who received infliximab maintenance therapy than for those who received placebo maintenance (more than 40 weeks vs. 14 weeks, P<0.001). At week 54, 19 percent of patients in the placebo maintenance group had a complete absence of draining fistulas, as compared with 36 percent of patients in the infliximab maintenance group (P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with fistulizing Crohn's disease who have a response to induction therapy with infliximab have an increased likelihood of a sustained response over a 54-week period if infliximab treatment is continued every 8 weeks.
2,006 citations
Richard A. Gibbs1, George M. Weinstock1, Michael L. Metzker1, Donna M. Muzny1 +239 more•Institutions (35)
TL;DR: This first comprehensive analysis of the genome sequence of the Brown Norway (BN) rat strain is reported, which is the third complete mammalian genome to be deciphered, and three-way comparisons with the human and mouse genomes resolve details of mammalian evolution.
Abstract: The laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus) is an indispensable tool in experimental medicine and drug development, having made inestimable contributions to human health. We report here the genome sequence of the Brown Norway (BN) rat strain. The sequence represents a high-quality 'draft' covering over 90% of the genome. The BN rat sequence is the third complete mammalian genome to be deciphered, and three-way comparisons with the human and mouse genomes resolve details of mammalian evolution. This first comprehensive analysis includes genes and proteins and their relation to human disease, repeated sequences, comparative genome-wide studies of mammalian orthologous chromosomal regions and rearrangement breakpoints, reconstruction of ancestral karyotypes and the events leading to existing species, rates of variation, and lineage-specific and lineage-independent evolutionary events such as expansion of gene families, orthology relations and protein evolution.
1,964 citations
TL;DR: An integrative framework in which commitment is presented as one of several energizing forces for motivated behavior, and a new concept, goal regulation, is derived from self-determination theory and regulatory focus theory is presented.
Abstract: Theorists and researchers interested in employee commitment and motivation have not made optimal use of each other's work. Commitment researchers seldom address the motivational processes through which commitment affects behavior, and motivation researchers have not recognized important distinctions in the forms, foci, and bases of commitment. To encourage greater cross-fertilization, the authors present an integrative framework in which commitment is presented as one of several energizing forces for motivated behavior. E. A. Locke's (1997) model of the work motivation process and J. P. Meyer and L. Herscovitch's (2001) model of workplace commitments serve as the foundation for the development of this new framework. To facilitate the merger, a new concept, goal regulation, is derived from self-determination theory (E. L. Deci & R. M. Ryan, 1985) and regulatory focus theory (E. I. Higgins, 1997). By including goal regulation, it is acknowledged that motivated behavior can be accompanied by different mindsets that have particularly important implications for the explanation and prediction of discretionary work behavior.
1,491 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provide an introduction to geographical information technology along with an historical perspective on the evolving role of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in planning, overview relevant methods and techniques for GIS-based land-use suitability mapping and modeling, and identify the trends, challenges and prospects of GISbased land use suitability analysis.
1,416 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the effect of high school graduation on participation in criminal activity accounting for endogeneity of schooling and found that completing high school reduces the probability of incarceration by about.76% for whites and 3.4% for blacks.
Abstract: We estimate the effect of high school graduation on participation in criminal activity accounting for endogeneity of schooling. We begin by analyzing the effect of high school graduation on incarceration using Census data. Instrumental variable estimates using changes in state compulsory attendance laws as an instrument for high school graduation uncover a significant reduction in incarceration for both blacks and whites. When estimating the impact of high school graduation only, OLS and IV estimators estimate different weighted sums of the impact of each schooling progression on the probability of incarceration. We clarify the relationship between OLS and IV estimates and show that the 'weights' placed on the impact of each schooling progression can explain differences in the estimates. Overall, the estimates suggest that completing high school reduces the probability of incarceration by about .76 percentage points for whites and 3.4 percentage points for blacks. We corroborate these findings using FBI data on arrests that distinguish among different types of crimes. The biggest impacts of graduation are associated with murder, assault, and motor vehicle theft. We also examine the effect of drop out on self-reported crime in the NLSY and find that our estimates for imprisonment and arrest are caused by changes in criminal behavior and not educational differences in the probability of arrest or incarceration conditional on crime. We estimate that the externality of education is about 14-26% of the private return to schooling, suggesting that a significant part of the social return to education comes in the form of externalities from crime reduction.
1,301 citations
TL;DR: Recent neurophysiological evidence is described demonstrating the presence of this inhibitory function in single-cell activity in the frontal eye fields and superior colliculus in patients diagnosed with various neurological and/or psychiatric disorders that affect the frontal lobes or basal ganglia.
Abstract: The anti-saccade task has emerged as an important task for investigating the flexible control that we have over behaviour. In this task, participants must suppress the reflexive urge to look at a visual target that appears suddenly in the peripheral visual field and must instead look away from the target in the opposite direction. A crucial step involved in performing this task is the top-down inhibition of a reflexive, automatic saccade. Here, we describe recent neurophysiological evidence demonstrating the presence of this inhibitory function in single-cell activity in the frontal eye fields and superior colliculus. Patients diagnosed with various neurological and/or psychiatric disorders that affect the frontal lobes or basal ganglia find it difficult to suppress the automatic pro-saccade, revealing a deficit in top-down inhibition.
1,299 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that firms with low environmental legitimacy incur less unsystematic stock market risk than illegitimate firms and that firms earn environmental legitimacy when their performance with respect to the natural environment conforms to stakeholders' expectations.
Abstract: Applying institutional theory, we argue that environmentally legitimate firms incur less unsystematic stock market risk than illegitimate firms. Firms earn environmental legitimacy when their performance with respect to the natural environment conforms to stakeholders' expectations. This relationship was supported with the analysis of media reports and stock prices of 100 firms over a five-year period. The analysis also showed that firms with low environmental legitimacy can attenuate this effect by expressing commitment to the natural environment.
1,295 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the possibility that the Corporate Social Responsibility halo affects consumers' attributions in a product-harm crisis situation, and they found that attributions that are influenced by CSR mediate the impact of productharm crises on consumers' brand evaluations.
1,284 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors develop a theoretical model of the impact of CEO and top manager leadership styles and practices on organizational learning, taking a fine-grained look at the processes and levels of organizational learning to describe how strategic leaders influence each element of the learning system.
Abstract: Adopting the strategic leadership perspective, we develop a theoretical model of the impact of CEO and top manager leadership styles and practices on organizational learning. We take a fine-grained look at the processes and levels of organizational learning to describe how strategic leaders influence each element of the learning system. Researchers have implicitly assumed transformational leadership approaches to organizational learning. We challenge this conventional wisdom by highlighting the value of transactional leadership as well.
TL;DR: A theoretical framework for the study of multinationality and performance includes both benefits and costs of geographic expansion over different phases of internationalization was proposed in this article, which highlighted complexity and temporal dynamics.
Abstract: A proposed theoretical framework for the study of multinationality and performance includes both benefits and costs of geographic expansion over different phases of internationalization. Data on 1,489 Japanese firms over 12 years show a consistent horizontal X S-shaped X relationship between multinationality and performance. Further, firms investing more heavily in intangible assets, such as technology and advertising, achieved greater profitability gains from growth in foreign direct investment. Our framework and findings highlight complexity and temporal dynamics.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a new normalized information distance based on the non-computable notion of Kolmogorov complexity, which minorizes every computable distance in the class (that is, it is universal in that it discovers all computable similarities).
Abstract: A new class of distances appropriate for measuring similarity relations between sequences, say one type of similarity per distance, is studied. We propose a new "normalized information distance," based on the noncomputable notion of Kolmogorov complexity, and show that it is in this class and it minorizes every computable distance in the class (that is, it is universal in that it discovers all computable similarities). We demonstrate that it is a metric and call it the similarity metric . This theory forms the foundation for a new practical tool. To evidence generality and robustness, we give two distinctive applications in widely divergent areas using standard compression programs like gzip and GenCompress. First, we compare whole mitochondrial genomes and infer their evolutionary history. This results in a first completely automatic computed whole mitochondrial phylogeny tree. Secondly, we fully automatically compute the language tree of 52 different languages.
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University1, National University of Singapore2, University of Buenos Aires3, University of California, San Francisco4, University of Miami5, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine6, University of Western Ontario7, Mayo Clinic8, Johns Hopkins University9, Duke University10, Karolinska University Hospital11, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki12, Tulane University13, Erasmus University Rotterdam14, London Bridge Hospital15, Istanbul University16, Rush University Medical Center17, Georgia Regents University18, University of Florence19, Deakin University20, Cleveland Clinic21, University of Milan22, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center23, Concordia University Wisconsin24, Valparaiso University25, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey26, Maimonides Medical Center27, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich28, Rambam Health Care Campus29, Emory University30
TL;DR: Specific evaluation, treatment guidelines, and algorithms were developed for every sexual dysfunction in men, including erectile dysfunction; disorders of libido, orgasm, and ejaculation; Peyronie's disease; and priapism.
TL;DR: The scheduled infliximab groups, particularly the 10 mg/kg group, had better CDAI and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) responses than those in the episodic group.
TL;DR: The results showed that higher temperature contributed to more hydrogen production, but too high a temperature lowered gas heating value, and a smaller particle was more favorable for higher gas LHV and yield.
TL;DR: The profile of gene expression observed in H1 cells was similar to that of two other human ES cell lines tested, indicating that the observed differences between human and mouse ES cells were species-specific rather than arising from differences in culture conditions.
Boston University1, University of Texas at Austin2, University of Florence3, Actelion4, University of Western Ontario5, Lille University of Science and Technology6, Université de Montréal7, University of Washington8, Rutgers University9, University of Paris10, Cleveland Clinic11, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust12, University of Manchester13, University College London14, University of California, Los Angeles15
TL;DR: Endothelins may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular disease in patients with SSc and treatment with bosentan may be effective in preventing new digital ulcers and improving hand function.
Abstract: Objective
Recurrent digital ulcers are a manifestation of vascular disease in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) and lead to pain, impaired function, and tissue loss. We investigated whether treatment with the endothelin receptor antagonist, bosentan, decreased the development of new digital ulcers in patients with SSc.
Methods
This was a randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 122 patients at 17 centers in Europe and North America, evaluating the effect of treatment on prevention of digital ulcers. The primary outcome variable was the number of new digital ulcers developing during the 16-week study period. Secondary assessments included healing of existing digital ulcers and evaluation of hand function using the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire.
Results
Patients receiving bosentan had a 48% reduction in the mean number of new ulcers during the treatment period (1.4 versus 2.7 new ulcers; P = 0.0083). Patients who had digital ulcers at the time of entry in the study were at higher risk for the development of new ulcers; in this subgroup the mean number of new ulcers was reduced from 3.6 to 1.8 (P = 0.0075). In patients receiving bosentan, a statistically significant improvement in hand function was observed. There was no difference between treatment groups in the healing of existing ulcers. Serum transaminase levels were elevated to >3-fold the upper limit of normal in bosentan-treated patients; this elevation is comparable with that observed in previous studies of this agent. Other side effects were similar in the 2 treatment groups.
Conclusion
Endothelins may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular disease in patients with SSc. Treatment with the endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan may be effective in preventing new digital ulcers and improving hand function in patients with SSc.
TL;DR: A new scanning protocol for generating 4D-CT image data sets influenced by respiratory motion is proposed, providing a shorter scan time of three to six times faster than the single-slice CT with prospective gating; a shorter scanning time of two to four times improvement over a previously reported multi- slice CT implementation, and images over all phases of a breathing cycle.
Abstract: We propose a new scanning protocol for generating 4D-CT image data sets influenced by respiratory motion. A cine scanning protocol is used during data acquisition, and two registration methods are used to sort images into temporal phases. A volume is imaged in multiple acquisitions of 1 or 2 cm length along the cranial-caudal direction. In each acquisition, the scans are continuously acquired for a time interval greater than or equal to the average respiratory cycle plus the duration of the data for an image reconstruction. The x ray is turned off during CT table translation and the acquisition is repeated until the prescribed volume is completely scanned. The scanning for 20 cm coverage takes about 1 min with an eight-slice CT or 2 mins with a four-slice CT. After data acquisition, the CT data are registered into respiratory phases based on either an internal anatomical match or an external respiratory signal. The internal approach registers the data according to correlation of anatomy in the CT images between two adjacent locations in consecutive respiratory cycles. We have demonstrated the technique with ROIs placed in the region of diaphragm. The external approach registers the image data according to an externally recorded respiratory signal generated by the Real-Time Position Management (RPM) Respiratory Gating System (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA). Compared with previously reported prospective or retrospective imaging of the respiratory motion with a single-slice or multi-slice CT, the 4D-CT method proposed here provides (1) a shorter scan time of three to six times faster than the single-slice CT with prospective gating; (2) a shorter scan time of two to four times improvement over a previously reported multi-slice CT implementation, and (3) images over all phases of a breathing cycle. We have applied the scanning and registration methods on phantom, animal and patients, and initial results suggest the applicability of both the scanning and the registration methods.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used structural equation modeling (SEM) and data collected from 139 first-tier North American automotive suppliers to determine how suppliers perceive the buying firm's supplier evaluation communication process and its impact on suppliers' performance.
TL;DR: This paper presents a verbal model of the effect of good genes sexual selection and compatible genesSexual selection on population genetic variation in fitness, and discusses the potential trade‐offs that might exist betweenmate choice for good genes and mate choice for compatible genes.
Abstract: Why are females so choosy when it comes to mating? This question has puzzled and marveled evolutionary and behavioral ecologists for decades. In mating systems in which males provide direct benefits to the female or her offspring, such as food or shelter, the answer seems straightforward — females should prefer to mate with males that are able to provide more resources. The answer is less clear in other mating systems in which males provide no resources (other than sperm) to females. Theoretical models that account for the evolution of mate choice in such nonresource-based mating systems require that females obtain a genetic benefit through increased offspring fitness from their choice. Empirical studies of nonresourcebased mating systems that are characterized by strong female choice for males with elaborate sexual traits (like the large tail of peacocks) suggest that additive genetic benefits can explain only a small percentage of the variation in fitness. Other research on genetic benefits has examined nonadditive effects as another source of genetic variation in fitness and a potential benefit to female mate choice. In this paper, we review the sexual selection literature on genetic quality to address five objectives. First, we attempt to provide an integrated framework for discussing genetic quality. We propose that the term ‘good gene’ be used exclusively to refer to additive genetic variation in fitness, ‘compatible gene’ be used to refer to nonadditive genetic variation in fitness, and ‘genetic quality’ be defined as the sum of the two effects. Second, we review empirical approaches used to calculate the effect size of genetic quality and discuss these approaches in the context of measuring benefits from good genes, compatible genes and both types of genes. Third, we discuss biological mechanisms for acquiring and promoting offspring genetic quality and categorize these into three stages during breeding: (i) precopulatory (mate choice); (ii) postcopulatory, prefertilization (sperm utilization); and (iii) postcopulatory, postfertilization (differential investment). Fourth, we present a verbal model of the effect of good genes sexual selection and compatible genes sexual selection on population genetic variation in fitness, and discuss the potential trade-offs that might exist between mate choice for good genes and mate choice for compatible genes. Fifth, we discuss some future directions for research on genetic quality and sexual selection.
Emory University1, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology2, Indiana University3, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza4, University of Bologna5, Johns Hopkins University6, Mayo Clinic7, Charles University in Prague8, University of Virginia9, University of Florida10, University of British Columbia11, Harvard University12, University of Washington13, University of Western Ontario14, Pennsylvania State University15
TL;DR: Most cases of mesenchymal tumor-associated OO, both in the present series and in the reported literature, are due to PMTMCT, and improved recognition of their histologic spectrum, including the presence of bone or osteoid-like matrix in otherwise typical cases and the existence of malignant forms, should allow distinction from other meschymal tumors.
Abstract: Oncogenic osteomalacia (OO) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome of osteomalacia due to phosphate wasting The phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor (mixed connective tissue variant) (PMTMCT) is an extremely rare, distinctive tumor that is frequently associated with OO Despite its association with OO, many PMTMCTs go unrecognized because they are erroneously diagnosed as other mesenchymal tumors Expression of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), a recently described protein putatively implicated in renal tubular phosphate loss, has been shown in a small number of mesenchymal tumors with known OO The clinicopathological features of 32 mesenchymal tumors either with known OO (29) or with features suggestive of PMTMCT (3) were studied Immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin, S-100, actin, desmin, CD34, and FGF-23 was performed The patients (13 male, 19 female) ranged from 9 to 80 years in age (median 53 years) A long history of OO was common The cases had been originally diagnosed as PMTMCT (15), hemangiopericytoma (HPC) (3), osteosarcoma (3), giant cell tumor (2), and other (9) The tumors occurred in a variety of soft tissue (21) and bone sites (11) and ranged from 17 to 14 cm Twenty-four cases were classic PMTMCT with low cellularity, myxoid change, bland spindled cells, distinctive "grungy" calcified matrix, fat, HPC-like vessels, microcysts, hemorrhage, osteoclasts, and an incomplete rim of membranous ossification Four of these benign-appearing PMTMCTs contained osteoid-like matrix Three other PMTMCTs were hypercellular and cytologically atypical and were considered malignant The 3 cases without known OO were histologically identical to the typical PMTMCT Four cases did not resemble PMTMCT: 2 sinonasal HPC, 1 conventional HPC, and 1 sclerosing osteosarcoma Three cases expressed actin; all other markers were negative Expression of FGF-23 was seen in 17 of 21 cases by immunohistochemistry and in 2 of 2 cases by RT-PCR Follow-up (25 cases, 6-348 months) indicated the following: 21 alive with no evidence of disease and with normal serum chemistry, 4 alive with disease (1 malignant PMTMCT with lung metastases) We conclude that most cases of mesenchymal tumor-associated OO, both in the present series and in the reported literature, are due to PMTMCT Improved recognition of their histologic spectrum, including the presence of bone or osteoid-like matrix in otherwise typical cases and the existence of malignant forms, should allow distinction from other mesenchymal tumors Recognition of PMTMCT is critical, as complete resection cures intractable OO Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR for FGF-23 confirm the role of this protein in PMTMCT-associated OO
TL;DR: In this paper, a longitudinal predictive design was used to test a model linking changes in structural and psychological empowerment to changes in job satisfaction and found that perceived structural empowerment had direct effects on changes in psychological empowerment and job satisfaction.
Abstract: A longitudinal predictive design was used to test a model linking changes in structural and psychological empowerment to changes in job satisfaction. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed a good fit of the data from 185 randomly selected staff nurses to the hypothesized model. Changes in perceived structural empowerment had direct effects on changes in psychological empowerment and job satisfaction. Changes in psychological empowerment did not explain additional variance in job satisfaction beyond that explained by structural empowerment. The results suggest that fostering environments that enhance perceptions of empowerment can have enduring positive effects on employees. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: The MALES study confirms the high prevalence rates of erectile dysfunction and its association with co-morbid medical conditions, such as diabetes and depression, reported in other large-scale, epidemiological studies.
Abstract: Objective: The aims of the Men's Attitudes to Life Events and Sexuality (MALES) study were to identify prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) and related health issues in the general male population in Europe, North and South America, and to examine the attitudes and behavior of men in relation to these health issues.Research design and methods: Phase I of the MALES study involved 27839 men aged 20-75years who were interviewed in eight countries (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil) using a standardized questionnaire. Phase II of the MALES study involved 2912 men who were recruited from the sub-sample of Phase I MALES participants who reported ED together with additional men with ED recruited from other sources.Main outcome measure: Prevalence of ED and associated attitudes.Results:The overall prevalence of ED in the MALES sample was 16%. ED prevalence varied markedly by country, however, from a high of 22%of men in the US reporting ED to a low of 10% in Spain...
TL;DR: The current state of BMP receptor signaling is reviewed and a summary of the crosstalk of the B MP receptor pathway with other major signaling pathways is provided.
TL;DR: The biological dysregulation caused by gestational depression has not received appropriate attention: most studies focus on the potential but unproven risks of psychotropic medication and no in-depth discussion of the role of psychotherapy is available.
Abstract: Objective:To review the literature on the perinatal risks involved in untreated depression during pregnancy.Method:We searched Medline and medical texts for all studies pertaining to this area up to the end of April 2003. Key phrases entered were depression and pregnancy, depression and pregnancy outcome, and depression and untreated pregnancy. We did not include bipolar depression.Results:While there is wide variability in reported effects, untreated depression during pregnancy appears to carry substantial perinatal risks. These may be direct risks to the fetus and infant or risks secondary to unhealthy maternal behaviours arising from the depression. Recent human data suggest that untreated postpartum depression, not treatment with antidepressants in pregnancy, results in adverse perinatal outcome.Conclusion:The biological dysregulation caused by gestational depression has not received appropriate attention: most studies focus on the potential but unproven risks of psychotropic medication. No in-depth d...
TL;DR: Annually, a small but significant portion of motor-vehicle collisions, costs, and deaths are related to OSAS and treatment of OSAS benefits both the patient and the public.
Abstract: STUDY OBJECTIVES: Drivers suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) have an increased risk for being involved in motor-vehicle collisions. This study estimates, for the first time, the annual OSAS-related collisions, costs, and fatalities in the United States and performs a cost-benefit analysis of treating drivers suffering from OSAS with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). DESIGN: The MEDLINE-PubMed database (1980 to 2003) was searched for information on OSAS. A meta-analysis was performed of studies investigating the relationship between collisions and OSAS. Data from the National Safety Council were used to estimate OSAS-related collisions, costs, and fatalities and their reduction with treatment. Next, the annual cost of treating OSAS with CPAP was calculated. Finally, multiple 1-way sensitivity analyses were performed. SETTING: N/A. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: N/A. INTERVENTIONS: N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: More than 800,000 drivers were involved in OSAS-related motor-vehicle collisions in the year 2000. These collisions cost 15.9 billion dollars and 1,400 lives in the year 2000. In the United States, treating all drivers suffering from OSAS with CPAP would cost 3.18 billion dollars, save 11.1 billion dollars in collision costs, and save 980 lives annually. CONCLUSION: Annually, a small but significant portion of motor-vehicle collisions, costs, and deaths are related to OSAS. With CPAP treatment, most of these collisions, costs, and deaths can be prevented. Treatment of OSAS benefits both the patient and the public.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review the literature published during the period 1990-2002 and take stock of the state of empirical research in organizational learning, based on the 123 articles reviewed, they note a phenomenal growth in empirical research and the emergence of a learning perspective.
Abstract: Prior reviews of organizational learning (OL) have noted an exponential growth in the literature through the 1990s and have expressed concerns about the lack of empirical research. In this paper, we review the literature published during the period 1990-2002 and take stock of the state of empirical research in OL. Based on the 123 articles reviewed, we note a phenomenal growth in empirical research and the emergence of a learning perspective. We discuss key research findings pertaining to internal and external learning, and the facilitators of organizational learning. We discuss the implications of the empirical research and suggest directions for future research.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Implementation of evidence-based recommendations improved the provision of nutritional support and was associated with improved clinical outcomes.
Abstract: Background: The provision of nutritional support for patients in intensive care units (ICUs) varies widely both within and between institutions. We tested the hypothesis that evidence-based algorithms to improve nutritional support in the ICU would improve patient outcomes. Methods: A cluster-randomized controlled trial was performed in the ICUs of 11 community and 3 teaching hospitals between October 1997 and September 1998. Hospital ICUs were stratified by hospital type and randomized to the intervention or control arm. Patients at least 16 years of age with an expected ICU stay of at least 48 hours were enrolled in the study ( n = 499). Evidence-based recommendations were introduced in the 7 intervention hospitals by means of in-service education sessions, reminders (local dietitian, posters) and academic detailing that stressed early institution of nutritional support, preferably enteral. Results: Two hospitals crossed over and were excluded from the primary analysis. Compared with the patients in the control hospitals ( n = 214), the patients in the intervention hospitals ( n = 248) received significantly more days of enteral nutrition (6.7 v. 5.4 per 10 patient-days; p = 0.042), had a significantly shorter mean stay in hospital (25 v. 35 days; p = 0.003) and showed a trend toward reduced mortality (27% v. 37%; p = 0.058). The mean stay in the ICU did not differ between the control and intervention groups (10.9 v. 11.8 days; p = 0.7). Interpretation: Implementation of evidence-based recommendations improved the provision of nutritional support and was associated with improved clinical outcomes.
TL;DR: The findings from this literature both support the original hypothesis and suggest important modifications of the perception-action hypothesis and the ongoing challenge for neurobiologists is to map these behavioural findings onto their corresponding neural substrates.