2D-3D registration of CT vertebra volume to fluoroscopy projection: A calibration model assessment (doi:10.1155/2010/806094)

This study extends a previous research concerning intervertebral motion registration by means of 2D dynamic fluoroscopy to obtain a more comprehensive 3D description of vertebral kinematics. The problem of estimating the 3D rigid pose of a CT volume of a vertebra from its 2D X-ray fluoroscopy projection is addressed. 2D-3D registration is obtained maximising a measure of similarity between Digitally Reconstructed Radiographs (obtained from the CT volume) and real fluoroscopic projection. X-ray energy correction was performed. To assess the method a calibration model was realised a sheep dry vertebra was rigidly fixed to a frame of reference including metallic markers. Accurate measurement of 3D orientation was obtained via single-camera calibration of the markers and held as true 3D vertebra position; then, vertebra 3D pose was estimated and results compared. Error analysis revealed accuracy of the order of 0.1 degree for the rotation angles of about 1?mm for displacements parallel to the fluoroscopic plane, and of order of 10?mm for the orthogonal displacement.<br/

(+/-)-Gelliusines A and B, two diastereomeric brominated tris-indole alkaloids from a deep water New Caledonian marine sponge (Gellius or Orina sp.)

Two new diastereomeric brominated tris-indole alkaloids occurring as enantiomeric pairs, (±)-gelliusine A (I) and its isomer (±)-gelliusine B, have been isolated from a deep water New Caledonian sponge (Gellius or Orina sp.), whose crude ext. exhibited cytotoxicity against KB cells. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The major compd., I, which showed very weak cytotoxicity, proved to be active at the serotonin receptor

Exploring disorganized attachment style among Malay mothers in Malaysia: a study using the Attachment Style Interview

This article explores emerging themes involving disorganized attachment style among Malay Muslim mothers using the Attachment Style Interview (ASI). Analysis of the 18 mothers with disorganized attachment style (those with combined anxious and avoidant styles) utilized themes deemed important from the attachment research literature and selected based on a careful reading of the narrative cases. These include more extreme negative interpersonal experiences than found in other insecure attachment style descriptors, and included partner violence and related isolation/social exclusion. It also indicated more complex cognitive-affective disturbance including mixed or contradictory dependency patterns and both angry and fearful attitudes to others. We discuss the concept of disorganized attachment style in relation to abuse, social exclusion, and its implication for psychopathology, intervention, and treatment

Comparing Signal Setting Design Methods through emissions and fuel consumption performance indicators

In order to address the Signal Setting Design at urban level two main approaches may be pursued: the coordination and the synchronisation approaches depending on the steps considered for the optimisation of decision variables (two steps vs. one step). Furthermore, in terms of objective functions mono-criterion or multi-criteria may be adopted. In this paper the coordination approach is implemented considering the multi-criteria optimisation at single junctions and mono-criterion optimisation at network level whereas the synchronisation is implemented considering the mono-criterion optimisation. The main purpose of the paper is the evaluation of the performances of two strategies not only considering indicators such as the total delay, the queue length etc. but also considering other indicators such as the emissions and the fuel consumption. The methodological framework is composed by three stages: (i) the decision variables (green timings and offsets) computation through optimisation methods; (ii) the implementation of optimal signal settings in a microscopic traffic flow simulator (“Simulation of Urban MObility”-SUMO); (iii) the estimation of emissions and fuel consumption indicators

Interview investigation of insecure attachment styles as mediators between poor childhood care and schizophrenia-spectrum phenomenology

Background Insecure attachment styles have received theoretical attention and some initial empirical support as mediators between childhood adverse experiences and psychotic phenomena; however, further specificity needs investigating. The present interview study aimed to examine (i) whether two forms of poor childhood care, namely parental antipathy and role reversal, were associated with subclinical positive and negative symptoms and schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorder (PD) traits, and (ii) whether such associations were mediated by specific insecure attachment styles. Method A total of 214 nonclinical young adults were interviewed for subclinical symptoms (Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States), schizophrenia-spectrum PDs (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Disorders), poor childhood care (Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Interview), and attachment style (Attachment Style Interview). Participants also completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II and all the analyses were conducted partialling out the effects of depressive symptoms. Results Both parental antipathy and role reversal were associated with subclinical positive symptoms and with paranoid and schizotypal PD traits. Role reversal was also associated with subclinical negative symptoms. Angry-dismissive attachment mediated associations between antipathy and subclinical positive symptoms and both angry-dismissive and enmeshed attachment mediated associations of antipathy with paranoid and schizotypal PD traits. Enmeshed attachment mediated associations of role reversal with paranoid and schizotypal PD traits. Conclusions Attachment theory can inform lifespan models of how adverse developmental environments may increase the risk for psychosis. Insecure attachment provides a promising mechanism for understanding the development of schizophrenia-spectrum phenomenology and may offer a useful target for prophylactic intervention

Attachment style, loneliness and depression in older age women

This study explores whether attachment, especially avoidant styles, might be a predictor of social support, loneliness and depression in old age

A contextual approach to trauma experience: lessons from life events research

There has been much debate over what constitutes trauma experience and how this is differentiated from other very negative life events in the diagnosis of PTSD. We believe the DSM implication that trauma events are uniquely different from other types of negative life events and are limited to a few specific types of predetermined event identified categorically hinders the utility of current trauma definitions in research and practice. Whilst we do not take issue with the standard definition of trauma events, a binary checklist-style approach to identifying such events has a potential for missing relevant experience. Instead, we argue that trauma events should be considered to be at one end of a continuum of threat/severity, with potential for more or less ‘threat to life’ in a range of domains. Furthermore, a wider assessment of events could elucidate a greater range of co-existing trauma events, those sub-threshold experiences related to phasing of trauma, and other unrelated negative life events which may contribute to context and impact. In this critique of definitions of trauma events we argue that the current definition of PTSD criterion-A events limits their utility in both research and clinical practice. Following intensive life event assessments such as the LEDS (Life Events and Difficulties Schedule) the application of dimensions underlying a cross spectrum of events includes loss (of person, role, plan or ideas about the self), danger (future loss/threat to security), humiliation (devaluation of self/rejection) and entrapment (sense of imprisonment) can be used to further categorise events or trauma, and specify their likely impact. Data is provided of the overlap of ‘markedly’ threatening negative events (using the LEDS) and those constituting trauma using a commonly used checklist in a high-risk community sample of women. This yielded high specificity (97%; CI = 95.60-97.71) but low sensitivity (41%; (95% CI = 27.57-54.97) with around a third rated on both. Most of the trauma events involved loss and danger categorisation and only in one instance humiliation. Other markedly threatening, non-trauma events, involved not only loss and danger but also humiliation and entrapment. We discuss how a more in-depth assessment of trauma events utilising these dimensions and with the new Computerised Life Events Assessment Record (CLEAR), could aid us in our understanding of trauma events and lead to more personalised treatment possibilities

Understanding trauma in children and young people in the school setting

Aim: Educational practitioners are increasingly aware of trauma experiences in students as a factor in child disturbance and schooling problems. This discussion paper aims to clarify definitions of trauma and differentiate them from other adverse childhood experiences (ACE), describe trauma impact in terms of clinical outcomes (PTSD, emotional and behavioural disorder) and how attachment factors mediate risk and discuss the challenges and ethics of identifying and enquiring about trauma experience in a school setting. Rationale: Schools are increasingly required to be 'trauma sensitive' and to intervene where possible, with government requirements of improving mental health in schools. However, this poses a real challenge for educationalists given the barriers due to ethics, stigma/secrecy, referral implications and measurement availability for whole school approaches. Universal screening may provide a framework that helps schools recognise, measure and treat trauma. Findings: A conceptual model clarifying trauma exposure, trauma impact and mediating factors is identified to aid understanding for teachers. Use of technological screening methods for whole school monitoring of trauma impacts, including mediating risks, are outlined. Limitations: A full literature review of trauma or school-based interventions is not provided. Nor are biological impacts of trauma at different developmental stages described. Conclusion: Teachers would benefit from having a psychological understanding of trauma models and their component parts in order to identify what lies within the remit of schools for identification and intervention

An Integrated TCGA Pan-Cancer Clinical Data Resource to Drive High-Quality Survival Outcome Analytics

For a decade, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) program collected clinicopathologic annotation data along with multi-platform molecular profiles of more than 11,000 human tumors across 33 different cancer types. TCGA clinical data contain key features representing the democratized nature of the data collection process. To ensure proper use of this large clinical dataset associated with genomic features, we developed a standardized dataset named the TCGA Pan-Cancer Clinical Data Resource (TCGA-CDR), which includes four major clinical outcome endpoints. In addition to detailing major challenges and statistical limitations encountered during the effort of integrating the acquired clinical data, we present a summary that includes endpoint usage recommendations for each cancer type. These TCGA-CDR findings appear to be consistent with cancer genomics studies independent of the TCGA effort and provide opportunities for investigating cancer biology using clinical correlates at an unprecedented scale. Analysis of clinicopathologic annotations for over 11,000 cancer patients in the TCGA program leads to the generation of TCGA Clinical Data Resource, which provides recommendations of clinical outcome endpoint usage for 33 cancer types