Repetitive behaviors in autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder:new perspectives from a network analysis

The association between autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) seems largely dependent upon observed similarities in the repetitive behaviors that manifest in both disorders. The aim of this study was to use a network approach to explore the interactions between these behaviors. We constructed a network based on clinician’s perceptions as well as a network based on 213 clinically diagnosed children. In all networks, autism and OCD emerged as two distinct symptom clusters and obsessions and compulsions showed few direct associations with autism symptoms. Further, sensory interests were identified as behaviors that may contribute to the link between autism and OCD. Through network analysis, we expose the symptom pathways that may lead to the perceived association between autism and OCD

Monopoly and Power Implications for Trans Health Care Specialists Working in a Centralised Setting: A Qualitative Study

In the last decade, the range and number of people accessing trans health care has increased at a faster rate than previously. Globally trans health care is commonly used as a requirement for trans people to access legal gender recognition. In Europe, trans health care is often provided within centralised health systems by a limited number of specialist teams placed in monopoly positions. Through a qualitative study, we sought to understand the relationship and role these teams have with legal gender recognition. We conducted in-depth interviews with a team located in Central and Eastern Europe and consulted with local key informants working in trans health advocacy outside the team. After applying qualitative content analysis emerging themes comprised three sections: the team in context; conceptions of trans health care; and beyond the clinic.Findings indicated that the team conceived trans identities and clinical needs in a medical framework that correlated with the process for legal gender recognition. This followed a similar historical progression across Europe. As the few respected specialists in the country, the team influenced care regulations within the ministry and held a monopoly position. While reform of some regulations was seen as needed, they were met with challenges within the health system and field. These challenges were, however, found to reflect trans health care globally rather than the team itself. Our findings suggest comparisons could be drawn to similar positioned teams throughout Europe regarding decision making, power, and influence. Increased transparency and cooperation between local trans communities and health care providers will be vital

Leray and LANS-α\alpha modeling of turbulent mixing

Mathematical regularisation of the nonlinear terms in the Navier-Stokes equations provides a systematic approach to deriving subgrid closures for numerical simulations of turbulent flow. By construction, these subgrid closures imply existence and uniqueness of strong solutions to the corresponding modelled system of equations. We will consider the large eddy interpretation of two such mathematical regularisation principles, i.e., Leray and LANS$-\alpha$ regularisation. The Leray principle introduces a {\bfi smoothed transport velocity} as part of the regularised convective nonlinearity. The LANS$-\alpha$ principle extends the Leray formulation in a natural way in which a {\bfi filtered Kelvin circulation theorem}, incorporating the smoothed transport velocity, is explicitly satisfied. These regularisation principles give rise to implied subgrid closures which will be applied in large eddy simulation of turbulent mixing. Comparison with filtered direct numerical simulation data, and with predictions obtained from popular dynamic eddy-viscosity modelling, shows that these mathematical regularisation models are considerably more accurate, at a lower computational cost.Comment: 42 pages, 12 figure

The effect of phase transitions on the droplet size distribution in homogeneous isotropic turbulence

We investigate the dynamics of an ensemble of discrete aerosol droplets in a homogeneous, isotropic turbulent flow. Our focus is on the stationary distribution of droplet sizes that develops as a result of evaporation and condensation effects. For this purpose we simulate turbulence in a domain with periodic boundary conditions using pseudo-spectral discretization. We solve in addition equations for the temperature and for a scalar field, which represents the background humidity against which the size of the droplets evolves. We apply large-scale forcing of the velocity field to reach a statistically steady state. The droplets are transported by the turbulent field while exchanging heat and mass with the evolving temperature and humidity fields. In this Euler-Lagrange framework, we assume the droplets volume fraction to be sufficiently low to allow one-way coupling of the droplets and turbulence dynamics. The motion of the droplets is time-accurately tracked. The Stokes drag force is included in the equation of motion of the individual droplets. The responsiveness of the droplets to small turbulent scales is directly related to the size of the individual spherical droplets. We perform direct numerical simulation to ultimately obtain the probability density function of the evolving radius of the droplets at different points in time with characteristic heat and mass transfer parameters. We determine the gradual convergence of the distribution function to its statistically stationary state for forced homogeneous, isotropic turbulence

Effects of methylphenidate on executive functioning in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder across the lifespan:A meta-regression analysis

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood and adulthood is often treated with the psychostimulant methylphenidate (MPH). However, it is unknown whether cognitive effects of MPH depend on age in individuals with ADHD, while animal studies have suggested age-related effects. In this meta-analysis, we first determined the effects of MPH on response inhibition, working memory and sustained attention, but our main goal was to examine whether these effects are moderated by age. A systematic literature search using PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science and MEDLINE for double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with MPH resulted in 25 studies on response inhibition (n = 775), 13 studies on working memory (n = 559) and 29 studies on sustained attention (n = 956) (mean age range 4.8–50.1 years). The effects of MPH on response inhibition [effect size (ES) = 0.40, p < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22–0.58], working memory (ES = 0.24, p = 0.053, 95% CI 0.00–0.48) and sustained attention (ES = 0.42, p < 0.0001, 95% CI 26–0.59) were small to moderate. No linear or quadratic age-dependencies were observed, indicating that effects of MPH on executive functions are independent of age in children and adults with ADHD. However, adolescent studies are lacking and needed to conclude a lack of an age-dependency across the lifespan

Evaluation of Vascular Control Mechanisms Utilizing Video Microscopy of Isolated Resistance Arteries of Rats

This protocol describes the use of in vitro television microscopy to evaluate vascular function in isolated cerebral resistance arteries (and other vessels), and describes techniques for evaluating tissue perfusion using Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) and microvessel density utilizing fluorescently labeled Griffonia simplicifolia (GS1) lectin. Current methods for studying isolated resistance arteries at transmural pressures encountered in vivo and in the absence of parenchymal cell influences provide a critical link between in vivo studies and information gained from molecular reductionist approaches that provide limited insight into integrative responses at the whole animal level. LDF and techniques to selectively identify arterioles and capillaries with fluorescently-labeled GS1 lectin provide practical solutions to enable investigators to extend the knowledge gained from studies of isolated resistance arteries. This paper describes the application of these techniques to gain fundamental knowledge of vascular physiology and pathology in the rat as a general experimental model, and in a variety of specialized genetically engineered designer rat strains that can provide important insight into the influence of specific genes on important vascular phenotypes. Utilizing these valuable experimental approaches in rat strains developed by selective breeding strategies and new technologies for producing gene knockout models in the rat, will expand the rigor of scientific premises developed in knockout mouse models and extend that knowledge to a more relevant animal model, with a well understood physiological background and suitability for physiological studies because of its larger size

Random forests with random projections of the output space for high dimensional multi-label classification

We adapt the idea of random projections applied to the output space, so as to enhance tree-based ensemble methods in the context of multi-label classification. We show how learning time complexity can be reduced without affecting computational complexity and accuracy of predictions. We also show that random output space projections may be used in order to reach different bias-variance tradeoffs, over a broad panel of benchmark problems, and that this may lead to improved accuracy while reducing significantly the computational burden of the learning stage

Dielectron Measurements in STAR

Ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions provide a unique environment to study the properties of strongly interacting matter. Dileptons, which are not affected by the strong interactions, are an ideal penetrating probe. We present the dielectron results for p+p and Au+Au collisions at \sqrt{s_\mathrm{NN}}} =200 GeV, as measured by the STAR experiment. We discuss the prospects of dilepton measurements with the near-future detector upgrades, and the recent lower beam energy Au+Au measurements.Comment: Resonance Workshop at UT Austin (2012), 8 pages,15 figure