From pattern classification to stratification: towards conceptualizing the heterogeneity of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Pattern classification and stratification approaches have increasingly been used in research on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) over the last ten years with the goal of translation towards clinical applicability. Here, we present an extensive scoping literature review on those two approaches. We screened a total of 635 studies, of which 57 pattern classification and 19 stratification studies were included. We observed large variance across pattern classification studies in terms of predictive performance from about 60% to 98% accuracy, which is among other factors likely linked to sampling bias, different validation procedures across studies, the heterogeneity of ASD and differences in data quality. Stratification studies were less prevalent with only two studies reporting replications and just a few showing external validation. While some identified strata based on cognition and intelligence reappear across studies, biology as a stratification marker is clearly underexplored. In summary, mapping biological differences at the level of the individual with ASD is a major challenge for the field now. Conceptualizing those mappings and individual trajectories that lead to the diagnosis of ASD, will become a major challenge in the near future

Microwave Correlation Measurement Crossed-pair Antennas Techniques Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Microwave correlation radiometry is a possible alternative technique to multi-frequency radiometry for obtaining a measurement of the subcutaneous temperature gradient in living tissue. In its simplest form this technique consists of combining the outputs of two antennas feeding a microwave correlation radiometer. Microwave correlation is based on the coherent detection of noise, here presented as the correlated signal from the two antennas. We propose here new processes, an add and square correlation radiometer and the non-resonant perturbation, which thoroughly investigated for different muscle phantom materials to define the optimum penetration depth of the electromagnetic field at fixed distance between the antennas. Keywords: Microwave correlation radiometer, non-resonant perturbation, Medical application Technologies Avancees Vol. 18 2006: pp. 12-1

Real-time implementation of an interconnected observer design for p-cells chopper

This paper deals with an observer design for a p-cell chopper. The goal is to reduce drastically the number of sensors in such system by using an observer in order to estimate all the capacitor voltages. Furthermore, considering an instantaneous model of a p-cell chopper, an interconnected observer is designed in order to estimate the capacitor voltages. This is realized by using only the load current measurement. Simulation results are given in order to illustrate the performance of such observer. To demonstrate the validity of our approach, experimental results based on Digital Signal Processor (DSP) are presented

Silene aristidis

International audienceThis species is endemic to the "Kabylies-Numidia-Kroumiria" plant diversity hotspot (Véla and Benhouhou 2007) in northern Algeria. The extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated at 2,623 km2 and the area of occupancy (AOO) is 32 km2. The species is assessed as Vulnerable (A3c; B1ab(iii,iv,v)+2ab(iii,iv,v); C2a(i)) because of its natural restricted population and the future predicted decline of the population due to the presence of some active threats such as quarries close to the localities of Bouzegza and Ifri N'ziri, and the shotcrete concrete on the cliffs of Ammal gorges and Bin El Ghedrin gorges. An improvement in biological and ecological knowledge both in situ and ex situ with awareness-raising could be helpful to protect its natural habitat

Punishing childhoods: contradictions in children’s rights and global governance

The article considers efforts to eradicate corporal punishment as an aspect of the global governance of childhood and raises problems relevant to global governance more broadly. The article analyses contradictions in children’s rights advocacy between its universal human rights norms and implicit relativist development model. Children’s rights research is influenced by social constructivist theories, which highlight the history of childhood and childhood norms. Earlier social constructivist studies identified the concept of childhood underpinning the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) as a Western construction based on Western historical experiences, which excluded the experiences of childhood in developing countries. More recent social constructivist approaches emphasise how childhood norms are constructed and therefore can be reconstructed. The article outlines problems with attempts to globalise childhood norms without globalising material development. The article discusses the softening of discipline norms in Western societies historically. It indicates problems with children’s rights advocacy seeking to eradicate the corporal punishment of children globally without globalising the material conditions, which underpin the post-industrial ideal of childhood embodied in the CRC

Patients with autism spectrum disorders display reproducible functional connectivity alterations

Despite the high clinical burden, little is known about pathophysiology underlying autism spectrum disorder(ASD). Recent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) studies have found atypical synchro-nization of brain activity in ASD. However, no consensus has been reached on the nature and clinical relevance ofthese alterations. Here, we addressed these questions in four large ASD cohorts. Using rs-fMRI, we identified func-tional connectivity alterations associated with ASD. We tested for associations of these imaging phenotypes withclinical and demographic factors such as age, sex, medication status, and clinical symptom severity. Our resultsshowed reproducible patterns of ASD-associated functional hyper- and hypoconnectivity. Hypoconnectivity wasprimarily restricted to sensory-motor regions, whereas hyperconnectivity hubs were predominately located inprefrontal and parietal cortices. Shifts in cortico-cortical between-network connectivity from outside to withinthe identified regions were shown to be a key driver of these abnormalities. This reproducible pathophysiologicalphenotype was partially associated with core ASD symptoms related to communication and daily living skills andwas not affected by age, sex, or medication status. Although the large effect sizes in standardized cohorts areencouraging with respect to potential application as a treatment and for patient stratification, the moderate linkto clinical symptoms and the large overlap with healthy controls currently limit the usability of identified altera-tions as diagnostic or efficacy readout

Neuroimaging Evidence for Increased Neurite Density in Patients Taking Lithium: A Replication Study

International audienc