bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of Multiperiod Mixed Train Schedule on High-Speed Railway
Authors: Zhou Wenliang , Tian Junli , Qin Jin , Deng Lianbo , Wei TangJian
Published: April 2015

For providing passengers with periodic operation trains and making trains’ time distribution better fit that of passengers, the multiperiod mixed train schedule is first proposed in this paper. It makes each type of train having same origin, destination, route, and stop stations operate based on a periodic basis and allows different types of train to have various operation periods. Then a model of optimizing multiperiod mixed train schedule is built to minimize passengers generalized travel costs with the constraints of trains of same type operating periodically, safe interval requirements of trains’ departure, and arrival times, and so forth. And its heuristic algorithm is designed to optimize the multiperiod mixed train schedule beginning with generating an initial solution by scheduling all types of train type by type and then repeatedly improving their periodic schedules until the objective value cannot be reduced or the iteration number reaches its maximum. Finally, example results illustrate that the proposed model and algorithm can effectively gain a better multiperiod mixed train schedule. However, its passengers deferred times and advanced times are a little higher than these of an aperiodic train schedule.
Systematic Evaluation of Satellite-Based Rainfall Products over the Brahmaputra Basin for Hydrological Applications
Authors: Bajracharya Sagar Ratna , Palash Wahid , Shrestha Mandira Singh , Khadgi Vijay Ratan , Duo Chu , Das Partha Jyoti , Dorji Chhimi
Published: April 2015

Estimation of the flow generated in the Brahmaputra river basin is important for establishing an effective flood prediction and warning services as well as for water resources assessment and management. But this is a data scarce region with few and unevenly distributed hydrometeorological stations. Five high-resolution satellite rainfall products (CPC RFE2.0, RFE2.0-Modified, CMORPH, GSMaP, and TRMM 3B42) were evaluated at different spatial and temporal resolutions (daily, dekadal, monthly, and seasonal) with observed rain gauge data from 2004 to 2006 to determine their ability to fill the data gap and suitability for use in hydrological and water resources management applications. Grid-to-grid (G-G) and catchment-to-catchment (C-C) comparisons were performed using the verification methods developed by the International Precipitation Working Group (IPWG). Comparing different products, RFE2.0-Modified, TRMM 3B42, and CMORPH performed best; they all detected heavy, moderate, and low rainfall but still significantly underestimated magnitude of rainfall, particularly in orographically influenced areas. Overall, RFE2.0-Modified performed best showing a high correlation coefficient with observed data and low mean absolute error, root mean square error, and multiple bias and is reasonably good at detecting the occurrence of rainfall. TRMM 3B42 showed the second best performance. The study demonstrates that there is a potential use of satellite rainfall in a data scarce region.
Fibers and Conductive Films Using Silver Nanoparticles and Nanowires by Near‐Field Electrospinning Process
Authors: Pan Cheng-Tang , Yang Tsung-Lin , Chen Yi-Chian , Su Cherng-Yuh , Ju Shin-Pon , Hung Kun-Hao , Wu I-Chou , Hsieh Ci-Chang , Shen Sheng-Chih
Published: April 2015

The silver nanowires (AgNWs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized. With near‐field electrospinning (NFES) process, fibers and thin films with AgNPs and AgNWs were fabricated. In the NFES process, 10 k voltage was applied and the AgNPs and AgNWs fibers can be directly orderly collected without breaking and bending. Then, the characteristics of the fibers were analyzed by four‐point probe and EDS. The conductive film was analyzed. When the thickness of films with AgNWs and AgNPs was 1.6 µm, the sheet resistance of films was 0.032 Ω/sq which was superior to that of the commercial ITO. The transmissivity of films was analyzed. The transmissivity was inversely proportional to sheet resistance of the films. In the future, the fibers and films can be used as transparent conductive electrodes.
Precipitation Regime and Temporal Changes in the Central Danubian Lowland Region
Authors: Halmova Dana , Pekarova Pavla , Olbrimek Juraj , Miklanek Pavol , Pekar Jan
Published: April 2015

The aim of this paper is to investigate the statistical aspects of multiannual variability of precipitation at the Hurbanovo station, Slovakia, over 140 years (1872–2011). We compare the long-term variability of annual precipitation for Hurbanovo (Slovakia), Brno (Czech Republic), Vienna (Austria), and Mosonmagyarovar (Hungary) stations using autocorrelation and spectral analysis methods. From the long-term point of view, there is no consistent trend in the annual precipitation; only a multiannual variability has been detected. Consequently we identify changes in the distribution of annual maximum daily precipitation for Hurbanovo during different periods for winter-spring and summer-autumn seasons using histograms, empirical exceedance curves, and frequency curves of daily precipitation. Next, we calculate the periods of days without precipitation exceeding 29 days between 1872 and 2011. The longest period of days without precipitation was 83 days in 1947. The statistical analysis does not confirm our initial hypothesis that neither high daily precipitation (over 51.2 mm per day) nor long dry periods (more than 50 days without precipitation) would occur more frequently nowadays. We assume that the decrease in annual precipitation over the period 1942–2011 (compared to 1872–1941) is caused by the less frequent occurrence of daily precipitation between 0.4 and 25.6 mm.
Active Disturbance Rejection Fuzzy Controller for Roll Stabilization of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle under Wave Disturbance
Authors: Wang Lin-Lin , Wang Hong-Jian , Pan Li-Xin , Guo Jun-Xi
Published: April 2015

Considering the case of autonomous underwater vehicle navigating with low speed near water surface, a new method for designing of roll motion controller is proposed in order to restrain wave disturbance effectively and improve roll stabilizing performance under different sea conditions. Active disturbance rejection fuzzy control is applied, which is based on nonlinear motion model of autonomous underwater vehicle and the principle of zero-speed fin stabilizer. Extended state observer is used for estimation of roll motion state and unknown wave disturbance. Wave moment is counteracted by introducing compensation term into the roll control law which is founded on nonlinear feedback. Fuzzy reasoning is used for parameter adjustment of the controller online. Simulation experiments on roll motion are conducted under different sea conditions, and the results show better robustness improved by active disturbance rejection fuzzy controller of autonomous underwater vehicle navigating near water surface.
High Performance Computation of a Jet in Crossflow by Lattice Boltzmann Based Parallel Direct Numerical Simulation
Authors: Lei Jiang , Wang Xian , Xie Gongnan
Published: April 2015

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a round jet in crossflow based on lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is carried out on multi-GPU cluster. Data parallel SIMT (single instruction multiple thread) characteristic of GPU matches the parallelism of LBM well, which leads to the high efficiency of GPU on the LBM solver. With present GPU settings (6 Nvidia Tesla K20M), the present DNS simulation can be completed in several hours. A grid system of 1.5 × 108is adopted and largest jet Reynolds number reaches 3000. The jet-to-free-stream velocity ratio is set as 3.3. The jet is orthogonal to the mainstream flow direction. The validated code shows good agreement with experiments. Vortical structures of CRVP, shear-layer vortices and horseshoe vortices, are presented and analyzed based on velocity fields and vorticity distributions. Turbulent statistical quantities of Reynolds stress are also displayed. Coherent structures are revealed in a very fine resolution based on the second invariant of the velocity gradients.
Breast Cancer Detection by B7-H3–Targeted Ultrasound Molecular Imaging
Authors: Bachawal Sunitha V. , Jensen Kristin C. , Wilson Katheryne E. , Tian Lu , Lutz Amelie M. , Willmann Jürgen K.
Published: April 2015

Ultrasound complements mammography as an imaging modality for breast cancer detection, especially in patients with dense breast tissue, but its utility is limited by low diagnostic accuracy. One emerging molecular tool to address this limitation involves contrast-enhanced ultrasound using microbubbles targeted to molecular signatures on tumor neovasculature. In this study, we illustrate how tumor vascular expression of B7-H3 (CD276), a member of the B7 family of ligands for T-cell coregulatory receptors, can be incorporated into an ultrasound method that can distinguish normal, benign, precursor, and malignant breast pathologies for diagnostic purposes. Through an IHC analysis of 248 human breast specimens, we found that vascular expression of B7-H3 was selectively and significantly higher in breast cancer tissues. B7-H3 immunostaining on blood vessels distinguished benign/precursors from malignant lesions with high diagnostic accuracy in human specimens. In a transgenic mouse model of cancer, the B7-H3–targeted ultrasound imaging signal was increased significantly in breast cancer tissues and highly correlated with ex vivo expression levels of B7-H3 on quantitative immunofluorescence. Our findings offer a preclinical proof of concept for the use of B7-H3–targeted ultrasound molecular imaging as a tool to improve the diagnostic accuracy of breast cancer detection in patients. Cancer Res; 75(12); 2501–9. ©2015 AACR.
Glycodelin: A New Biomarker with Immunomodulatory Functions in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Schneider Marc A. , Granzow Martin , Warth Arne , Schnabel Philipp A. , Thomas Michael , Herth Felix J.F. , Dienemann Hendrik , Muley Thomas , Meister Michael
Published: April 2015

Purpose: In recent years, immune therapeutic strategies against non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) based on tissue-derived biomarkers, for example PD1/PD-L1 (CD274), have evolved as novel and promising treatment options. However, the crosstalk between tumor and immune cells is poorly understood. Glycodelin (gene name PAEP), initially described in the context of pregnancy and trophoblastic implantation, is a secreted immunosuppressive glycoprotein with an as-of-yet largely unknown function in lung cancer.

Experimental Design: In this study, we characterized the expression and role of glycodelin in NSCLC through mRNA and protein expression analyses, functional knockdown experiments, and correlations with clinicopathologic parameters.

Results: Glycodelin mRNA expression was significantly elevated in tumors (n = 336) compared with matched normal tissue (P < 0.0001). Overall survival (OS) was significantly reduced in NSCLC with high glycodelin mRNA levels in women but not in men. Glycodelin was detected in the sera of patients, and the levels correlated with recurrence and metastatic disease. Knockdown of glycodelin with siRNAs in NSCLC cell lines resulted in significant upregulation of immune system modulatory factors such as PDL1, CXCL5, CXCL16, MICA/B, and CD83 as well as proliferation stimulators EDN1 and HBEGF. Furthermore, decreased migration of tumor cells was observed.

Conclusions: Altogether, the comprehensive characterization of glycodelin in NSCLC provides strong support for its use as a biomarker with immune modulatory function. Clin Cancer Res; 21(15); 3529–40. ©2015 AACR.
Continuous Lead Exposure Increases Blood Pressure but Does Not Alter Kidney Function in Adults 20-44 Years of Age in a Lead-Polluted Region of China
Authors: Lu Yao , Liu Xing , Deng Qihong , Duan Yizhu , Dai Haijiang , Li Ying , Xiao Ting , Ning Xingping , Fan Jialun , Zhou Li , Li Xiaohui , Zhong Hua , Yuan Hong
Published: April 2015

Background/Aims: To examine the relationships among blood lead levels, blood pressure and kidney function in a population-based sample of adults in an area of China with lead pollution. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a sample of 1447 adults older than 20 years of age who underwent physical examinations in hospitals within a lead-polluted area of China from January to December 2013. Results: Blood lead levels were high among the local population (152.47µg/L) and did not change with age (P=.182). Overall, changes in both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood Pressure (DBP) were associated with changes in blood lead level (P=.012, P=.001), whereas BUN and CCr did not change along with the blood lead level (P>.05). This relationship was strongest among people 20-45 years of age; in this group, the beta coefficients for SBP and DBP were 0.009 (0.003), P=.001 and 0.005 (0.002), P=.004, respectively. Compared with young men, young women's blood pressures were more affected by blood lead levels (beta for SBP=0.031 for women vs. 0.008 for men; beta for DBP=0.015 for women vs. 0.005 for men). Conclusion: Continuous lead exposure causes increased blood lead levels among local residents. Blood lead levels are positively associated with both SBP and DBP increases among adults aged 20-44 years. The relationships between blood lead levels and SBP and DBP are most pronounced in young women. Chronic saturnism does not increase blood pressure by altering kidney function. These results provide support for continued efforts to control blood pressure in the population living in a lead-polluted region of China, particularly in young women.
Contralesional Thalamic Surface Atrophy and Functional Disconnection 3 Months after Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Yassi Nawaf , Malpas Charles B. , Campbell Bruce C.V. , Moffat Bradford , Steward Christopher , Parsons Mark W. , Desmond Patricia M. , Donnan Geoffrey A. , Davis Stephen M. , Bivard Andrew
Published: April 2015

Background: Remote structural and functional changes have been previously described after stroke and may have an impact on clinical outcome. We aimed to use multimodal MRI to investigate contralesional subcortical structural and functional changes 3 months after anterior circulation ischemic stroke. Methods: Fifteen patients with acute ischemic stroke had multimodal MRI imaging (including high resolution structural T1-MPRAGE and resting state fMRI) within 1 week of onset and at 1 and 3 months. Seven healthy controls of similar age group were also imaged at a single time point. Contralesional subcortical structural volume was assessed using an automated segmentation algorithm in FMRIB's Integrated Registration and Segmentation Tool (FIRST). Functional connectivity changes were assessed using the intrinsic connectivity contrast (ICC), which was calculated using the functional connectivity toolbox for correlated and anticorrelated networks (Conn). Results: Contralesional thalamic volume in the stroke patients was significantly reduced at 3 months compared to baseline (median change -2.1%, interquartile range [IQR] -3.4-0.4, p = 0.047), with the predominant areas demonstrating atrophy geometrically appearing to be the superior and inferior surface. The difference in volume between the contralesional thalamus at baseline (mean 6.41 ml, standard deviation [SD] 0.6 ml) and the mean volume of the 2 thalami in controls (mean 7.22 ml, SD 1.1 ml) was not statistically significant. The degree of longitudinal thalamic atrophy in patients was correlated with baseline stroke severity with more severe strokes being associated with a greater degree of atrophy (Spearman's rho -0.54, p = 0.037). There was no significant difference between baseline contralesional thalamic ICC in patients and control thalamic ICC. However, in patients, there was a significant linear reduction in the mean ICC of the contralesional thalamus over the imaging time points (p = 0.041), indicating reduced connectivity to the remainder of the brain. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of remote brain areas, such as the contralesional thalamus, in stroke recovery. Similar methods have the potential to be used in the prediction of stroke outcome or as imaging biomarkers of stroke recovery.
Rapid Blood Pressure Lowering According to Recovery at Different Time Intervals after Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Pooled Analysis of the INTERACT Studies
Authors: Wang Xia , Arima Hisatomi , Al-Shahi Salman Rustam , Woodward Mark , Heeley Emma , Stapf Christian , Lavados Pablo M. , Robinson Thompson , Huang Yining , Wang Jiguang , Delcourt Candice , Anderson Craig S. ,   for the INTERACT Investigators
Published: April 2015

Background and Purpose: Early intensive blood pressure (BP) lowering has been shown to improve functional outcome in acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), but the treatment effect is modest and without a clearly defined underlying explanatory mechanism. We aimed at more reliably quantifying the benefits of this treatment according to different time periods in the recovery of participants in the Intensive Blood Pressure Reduction in Acute Cerebral Hemorrhage Trial (INTERACT) studies. Methods: Pooled analysis of the pilot INTERACT1 (n = 404) and main INTERACT2 (n = 2,839) involving patients with spontaneous ICH (<6 h) and elevated systolic BP (SBP 150-220 mm Hg) who were randomized to intensive (target SBP <140 mm Hg) or guideline-recommended (target SBP <180 mm Hg) BP lowering treatment. Treatment effects were examined according to repeated measures analysis of an ordinal (‘shift') across all 7 levels of the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) assessed during follow-up at 7, 28, and 90 days, post-randomization. Clinical trial registration information: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00226096 and NCT00716079. Results: Intensive BP lowering resulted in a significant favorable distribution of mRS scores for better functioning (odds ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.26; p = 0.042) over 7, 28 and 90 days, and the effect was consistency for early (7-28 days) and later (28-90 days) time periods (p homogeneity 0.353). Treatment effects were also consistent across several pre-specified patient characteristic subgroups, with trends favoring those randomized early, and with higher SBP and milder neurological severity at baseline. Conclusions: Intensive BP lowering provides beneficial effects on physical functioning that manifests consistently through the early and later phases of recovery from ICH.
Fatty Acids, Obesity and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Arner Peter , Rydén Mikael
Published: April 2015

Objective: Although elevated free fatty acid (FFA) levels in obesity have been considered to be of importance for insulin resistance, a recent meta-analysis suggested normal FFA levels in obese subjects. We investigated fasting circulating FFA and glycerol levels in a large cohort of non-obese and obese subjects. Methods: Subjects recruited for a study on obesity genetics were investigated in the morning after an overnight fast (n = 3,888). Serum FFA (n = 3,306), plasma glycerol (n = 3,776), and insulin sensitivity index (HOMA-IR,n = 3,469) were determined. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and insulin resistance as HOMA-IR ≥ 2.21. Results: In obese subjects, circulating FFA and glycerol levels were higher than in non-obese individuals (by 26% and 47%, respectively; both p < 0.0001). Similar results were obtained if only men, women or medication-free subjects were investigated. Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes were associated with a further minor increase in FFA/glycerol among obese subjects. When comparing insulin-sensitive non-obese with insulin-sensitive or -resistant obese individuals, FFA and glycerol were 21-29% and 43-49% higher in obese individuals, respectively. Conclusion: Circulating FFA and glycerol levels are markedly elevated in obesity but only marginally influenced by insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Whether these differences persist during diurnal variations in circulating FFA/glycerol, remains to be established.
Late Abdominal Pregnancies (≥20 Weeks Gestation): A Review from 1965 to 2012
Authors: Hymel Jamie A. , Hughes Dawn S. , Gehlot Ashita , Ramseyer Abigail M. , Magann Everett F.
Published: April 2015

Background: Information about the diagnosis and management of late abdominal pregnancies (≥20 weeks gestation) is limited to case reports and small case series. Methods: We performed a literature review of abdominal pregnancies ≥20 weeks gestation from 1965 to November 2012. Excluded were abdominal ectopic pregnancies that did not primarily implant in the peritoneal cavity, including tubal, ovarian, and intraligamentary pregnancies, and those prior to 20 weeks gestation. Results: The 31 cases identified were at 30.4 ± 7.4 weeks at diagnosis and 33 ± 8.3 weeks at delivery. The most common sites of placental implantation were uterus or adnexa (47.8%), bowel (30%), and the potential spaces surrounding the uterus (8.7%). There were 5 cases of an intra-abdominal abscess in the 14 patients in whom the placenta had been left in situ. Maternal outcomes were documented in 26 cases with 7 deaths; 27 fetal outcomes were documented in 22 cases with 3 fetal deaths (13.6%). Conclusion: An abdominal ectopic pregnancy is an uncommon but serious event and should be considered in all patients until intrauterine gestation is confirmed. Management should be undertaken by an experienced surgical team in a tertiary care facility.
Right-Sided Diverticulosis and Disparities from Left-Sided Diverticulosis in the Vietnamese Population Living in Boston, Mass., USA: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Mehrzad Raman , Mishra Suprav , Faller Garrey , Memon Babar , Fiore Joseph
Published: April 2015

Objective: To report the prevalence, clinical differences and complications of right-sided diverticulosis (RD) and to investigate the potential disparities from left-sided diverticulosis (LD) in the Vietnamese population. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using medical records of Vietnamese-born patients from 2000 to 2013 in a community teaching hospital in Boston, Mass., USA. By simple randomization, a randomized control group of 299 Caucasian patients was also selected from the same time frame [167 males (M) and 132 females (F)]. Colonoscopy reports were reviewed for demographics (age and gender), indication and anatomical location of the colonic diverticulosis (CD), concomitant colonic findings, symptoms, and endoscopic complications. Results: A total of 207 patients were included in the Vietnamese cohort (mean age 61.6 ± 8.9 years). The mean age at first screening colonoscopy was 58.2 ± 7.2 years (114 F/92 M, 55.7/44.4%). Our study identified 104 (50.5%) patients with LD (57 M/47 F), 65 (31.1%) with RD (35 M/30 F) and 38 (18.4%) with both LD and RD (23 M/15 F); 133 (64%) were asymptomatic. A total of 21 (33%) patients with RD were symptomatic. The mean age of the control group was 61.6 ± 8.1 years. The average age at first screening colonoscopy was 52.8 ± 6.4 years. Of the 299 in the Caucasian group, 254 (84.9%) had LD (114 M/140 F), 9 (3.0%) had RD (2 M/7 F) and 36 (12%) had both LD and RD (16 M/20 F); 225 (75%) were asymptomatic and came in for screening colonoscopies. A total of 2 patients (22%) with RD were symptomatic. Conclusion: RD was common in this Vietnamese population, and the prevalence was higher than in the Caucasian control group.
Prognostic Significance of Depression in Blacks With Heart Failure
Authors: Mentz Robert J. , Babyak Michael A. , Bittner Vera , Fleg Jerome L. , Keteyian Steven J. , Swank Ann M. , Piña Ileana L. , Kraus William E. , Whellan David J. , O’Connor Christopher M. , Blumenthal James A.
Published: April 2015

Background—

Although studies have shown that depression is associated with worse outcomes in patients with heart failure, most studies have been in white patients. The impact of depression on outcomes in blacks with heart failure has not been studied.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed 747 blacks and 1420 whites enrolled in Heart Failure: A Controlled Trial Investigating Outcomes of Exercise Training, which randomized 2331 patients with ejection fraction ≤35% to usual care with or without exercise training. We examined the association between depressive symptoms assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) at baseline and after 3 months with all-cause mortality/hospitalization. A race by baseline BDI-II interaction was observed (
P
=0.003) in which elevated baseline scores were associated with worse outcomes in blacks versus whites. In blacks, the association was nonlinear with a hazard ratio of 1.44 (95% confidence interval, 1.24–1.68) when comparing the 75th and 25th percentile of BDI-II (score of 15 and 5, respectively). No race interaction was observed for mortality (
P
=0.34). There was no differential association between BDI-II change and outcomes in blacks versus whites. In blacks, an increase in BDI-II score from baseline to 3 months was associated with increased mortality/hospitalization (hazard ratio, 1.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–1.57 per 10 point increase), whereas a decrease was not related to outcomes.

Conclusions—

In blacks with heart failure, baseline symptoms of depression and worsening of symptoms over time are associated with increased all-cause mortality/hospitalization. Routine assessment of depressive symptoms in blacks with heart failure may help guide management.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00047437.
Design and Validation of a Prehospital Scale to Predict Stroke Severity
Authors: Katz Brian S. , McMullan Jason T. , Sucharew Heidi , Adeoye Opeolu , Broderick Joseph P.
Published: April 2015

Background and Purpose—

We derived and validated the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Severity Scale (CPSSS) to identify patients with severe strokes and large vessel occlusion (LVO).

Methods—

CPSSS was developed with regression tree analysis, objectivity, anticipated ease in administration by emergency medical services personnel and the presence of cortical signs. We derived and validated the tool using the 2 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) tissue-type plasminogen activator Stroke Study trials and Interventional Management of Stroke III (IMS III) Trial cohorts, respectively, to predict severe stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] ≥15) and LVO. Standard test characteristics were determined and receiver operator curves were generated and summarized by the area under the curve.

Results—

CPSSS score ranges from 0 to 4; composed and scored by individual NIHSS items: 2 points for presence of conjugate gaze (NIHSS ≥1); 1 point for presence of arm weakness (NIHSS ≥2); and 1 point for presence abnormal level of consciousness commands and questions (NIHSS level of consciousness ≥1 each). In the derivation set, CPSSS had an area under the curve of 0.89; score ≥2 was 89% sensitive and 73% specific in identifying NIHSS ≥15. Validation results were similar with an area under the curve of 0.83; score ≥2 was 92% sensitive, 51% specific, a positive likelihood ratio of 3.3, and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.15 in predicting severe stroke. For 222 of 303 IMS III subjects with LVO, CPSSS had an area under the curve of 0.67; a score ≥2 was 83% sensitive, 40% specific, positive likelihood ratio of 1.4, and negative likelihood ratio of 0.4 in predicting LVO.

Conclusions—

CPSSS can identify stroke patients with NIHSS ≥15 and LVO. Prospective prehospital validation is warranted.
Reverse Discrimination in National College Entrance Examination – Epitome of Preferential Ethnic Affairs Policies in China
Authors: Huang Sam
Published: April 2015

This article critically analyses ethnic affairs policies in China; in particular, preferential policies in criminal law, family planning and education. The policy of awarding extra points to ethnic minority candidates in the National College Entrance Examination (ncee) is evaluated as a case study to expound why preferential treatment is discriminatory. China’s regional autonomy model, which replicates that of the former ussr, is unsustainable in the long run, because it could foster separatism and ethnic identity, rather than a common citizenship of China. Lessons are drawn from education affirmative action in the usa, which in recent years has arguably transformed into reverse discrimination in some states. The author argues that China does not have historical persecutions against minorities like those in the usa that require governmental compensatory policy, nor could it afford to cherry-pick amongst 55 ethnic minorities (shaoshu minzu 少数民族) and alienate Han ethnicity1 (hanzu 汉族). Preferential ethnic affairs policies could challenge harmony among various ethnic groups. Equality before the law of all citizens regardless of ethnicity must be upheld.
Evaluating the Impact of Improvements in the Boundary Layer Parameterization on Hurricane Intensity and Structure Forecasts in HWRF
Authors: Zhang Jun A. , Nolan David S. , Rogers Robert F. , Tallapragada Vijay
Published: April 2015

As part of the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Project (HFIP), recent boundary layer physics upgrades in the operational Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) Model have benefited from analyses of in situ aircraft observations in the low-level eyewall region of major hurricanes. This study evaluates the impact of these improvements to the vertical diffusion in the boundary layer on the simulated track, intensity, and structure of four hurricanes using retrospective HWRF forecasts. Structural metrics developed from observational composites are used in the model evaluation process. The results show improvements in track and intensity forecasts in response to the improvement of the vertical diffusion. The results also demonstrate substantial improvements in the simulated storm size, surface inflow angle, near-surface wind profile, and kinematic boundary layer heights in simulations with the improved physics, while only minor improvements are found in the thermodynamic boundary layer height, eyewall slope, and the distributions of vertical velocities in the eyewall. Other structural metrics such as warm core anomaly and warm core height are also explored. Reasons for the structural differences between the two sets of forecasts with different physics are discussed. This work further emphasizes the importance of aircraft observations in model diagnostics and development, endorsing a developmental framework for improving physical parameterizations in hurricane models.
What is the Role of the Sea Surface Temperature Uncertainty in the Prediction of Tropical Convection Associated with the MJO?
Authors: Wang Wanqiu , Kumar Arun , Fu Joshua Xiouhua , Hung Meng-Pai
Published: April 2015

This study investigated the influence of the uncertainty in the sea surface temperature (SST) on the representation of the intraseasonal rainfall variability associated with the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and how this influence varies with convection parameterization. The study was motivated by the fact that there exist substantial differences in observational SST analyses, and by the possibility that lacking sufficient accuracy for SSTs in dynamical models may degrade the MJO simulation and prediction. Experiments for the DYNAMO intensive observing period were carried out using the NCEP atmospheric Global Forecast System (GFS) with three convection schemes forced by three SST specifications. The SST specifications included the widely used National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) daily SST analysis, the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) SST retrieval, and an SST climatology that only contains climatological seasonal cycle.

The experiments show that for all convection schemes, the advantage of using observed (TMI and NCDC) SSTs over the climatology SSTs can be seen as early as 5 days to 1 week after the start of the forecast. Further, the prediction with TMI SSTs was more skillful than that with the NCDC SSTs, indicating that the current level of SST uncertainties in the observational analyses can lead to large differences when they are used as the lower boundary conditions. The results suggest that the simulation and prediction can be improved with an atmosphere-only model forced by more accurate SSTs, or with a coupled atmosphere–ocean model that has a more realistic representation of the SST variability. Differences in the prediction among the convection schemes are also presented and discussed.
Ancestry Matters
Authors: Song Xi , Campbell Cameron D. , Lee James Z.
Published: April 2015

Patrilineality, the organization of kinship, inheritance, and other key social processes based on patrilineal male descent, has been a salient feature of social organization in China and many other societies for centuries. Because patrilineage continuity or growth was the central focus of reproductive strategies in such societies, we introduce the number of patrilineal male descendants generations later as a stratification outcome. By reconstructing and analyzing 20,000 patrilineages in two prospective, multi-generational population databases from eighteenth- and nineteenth-century China, we show that patrilineages founded by high-status males had higher growth rates for the next 150 years. The elevated growth rate of these patrilineages was due more to their having a lower probability of extinction at each point in time than to surviving patrilineal male descendants having larger numbers of sons on average. As a result, male descendants of high-status males account for a disproportionately large share of the male population in later generations. In China and elsewhere, patrilineal kin network characteristics influence individuals’ life chances; effects of a male founder’s characteristics on patrilineage size many generations later thus represent an indirect channel of status transmission that has not been considered previously.
Neighborhood Foreclosures, Racial/Ethnic Transitions, and Residential Segregation
Authors: Hall Matthew , Crowder Kyle , Spring Amy
Published: April 2015

In this article, we use data on virtually all foreclosure events between 2005 and 2009 to calculate neighborhood foreclosure rates for nearly all block groups in the United States to assess the impact of housing foreclosures on neighborhood racial/ethnic change and on broader patterns of racial residential segregation. We find that the foreclosure crisis was patterned strongly along racial lines: black, Latino, and racially integrated neighborhoods had exceptionally high foreclosure rates. Multilevel models of racial/ethnic change reveal that foreclosure concentrations were linked to declining shares of whites and expanding shares of black and Latino residents. Results further suggest that these compositional shifts were driven by both white population loss and minority growth, especially from racially mixed settings with high foreclosure rates. To explore the impact of these racially selective migration streams on patterns of residential segregation, we simulate racial segregation assuming that foreclosure rates remained at their 2005 levels throughout the crisis period. Our simulations suggest that the foreclosure crisis increased racial segregation between blacks and whites by 1.1 dissimilarity points, and between Latinos and whites by 2.2 dissimilarity points.
Reweighting Data in the Spirit of Tukey
Authors: Dardick William R. , Mislevy Robert J.
Published: April 2015

A new variant of the iterative “data = fit + residual” data-analytical approach described by Mosteller and Tukey is proposed and implemented in the context of item response theory psychometric models. Posterior probabilities from a Bayesian mixture model of a Rasch item response theory model and an unscalable latent class are expressed as weights for the original data. The data are weighted by the units’ posterior probabilities for the unscalable class and used for further exploration of structures. Factor analysis models are compared with the original data and data as reweighted by the posterior probabilities for the unscalable class. In comparing two weighted data sets, Rasch-weighted data and data considered unscalable, differences were evident. Pattern types are detected for the Rasch baseline with patterns that are different patterns from random or systematic contamination. Rasch baseline patterns are strongest near item difficulties closest to the mean generating value of θs. Patterns in baseline conditions are weaker as they depart from an item difficulty of zero and move toward extreme values. Random contamination patterns are typically flat and near zero regardless of item difficulty. Systematic contamination using reversed Rasch-generated data produced alternate patterns to the Rasch baseline condition and in some conditions showed an opposite effect from Rasch patterns. Differences could be detected within residually weighted data between the Rasch-generated subtest and contaminated subtest. Rasch subtest often had Rasch patterns while contaminated subtest had random/flat or systematic/reversed pattern.
Inborn Errors in Immunity
Authors: Moutsopoulos N.M. , Lionakis M.S. , Hajishengallis G.
Published: April 2015

In recent years, the study of genetic defects arising from inborn errors in immunity has resulted in the discovery of new genes involved in the function of the immune system and in the elucidation of the roles of known genes whose importance was previously unappreciated. With the recent explosion in the field of genomics and the increasing number of genetic defects identified, the study of naturally occurring mutations has become a powerful tool for gaining mechanistic insight into the functions of the human immune system. In this concise perspective, we discuss emerging evidence that inborn errors in immunity constitute real-life models that are indispensable both for the in-depth understanding of human biology and for obtaining critical insights into common diseases, such as those affecting oral health. In the field of oral mucosal immunity, through the study of patients with select gene disruptions, the interleukin-17 (IL-17) pathway has emerged as a critical element in oral immune surveillance and susceptibility to inflammatory disease, with disruptions in the IL-17 axis now strongly linked to mucosal fungal susceptibility, whereas overactivation of the same pathways is linked to inflammatory periodontitis.
Exploratory Study
Authors: Breidenbach Sarah , Tse Samson
Published: April 2015

This article explores the cognitive process and awakening experience associated with natural recovery from alcohol or drug addiction in English-speaking Hong Kong residents. It is an exploratory study using qualitative research methods. Advertising and snowball sampling recruitment methods yielded two English-speaking Hong Kong residents, one White male expatriate from the United States and one female native Hong Kong resident who is half Chinese and half White American. Reported natural recovery process was evolutionary, occurring over a long period of time with intervals of cognitive appraisal and quit attempts. Awakening interpretations included having a greater insight about their cognitive process, addiction behavior, or emotional experience. The awakening experience played a role in natural recovery and may be used to enhance already existing interventions.
New ways of teaching and observing science class
Authors: Hutner Todd L. , Sampson Victor
Published: April 2015

Observing the work of science teachers is different. Although general indicators such as a focus on relevant and appropriate topics, student engagement, frequent checks for understanding are important for any context, they’re insufficient for identifying good science instruction. Science teachers need to use science-specific instructional practices due to the nature of the content and what we know about how people learn science. The authors identify five indicators of good science instruction: creating a need to learn, making student thinking visible, engaging in activities before delving into content, participating in the practices of science and having students negotiate their own meaning. In addition, the authors identify five student practices that principals should be able to see during observations: asking questions, planning, and carrying out investigations; analyzing and interpreting data; engaging in argument from evidence and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.
Highlighted & underlined
Authors: Richardson Joan
Published: April 2015

News and information from the world of education. A new report by a team of researchers from the Consortium for Policy Research in Education considers exactly how social media is making a difference in conversations about education policy. An examination of two iconic Disney films -- one an old and new -- shows that although children consume media differently in 2013 than they did in 1955, creativity and innovation are still at the core of children’s development today. High school graduation rates of black males has gained but it still trails that of white males.
Plasma modification of polylactide nonwovens for dressing and sanitary applications
Authors: Urbaniak-Domagala Wieslawa , Krucinska Izabella , Wrzosek Henryk , Komisarczyk Agnieszka , Chrzanowska Olga
Published: April 2015

Polylactide (PLA) non-woven surfaces were modified with Radio Frequency plasma (RF) under reduced pressure with the use of two media, air and C6F14 vapor. The effectiveness of the plasma modification of nonwovens was analyzed by examining the fiber surface layer with ATR-FTIR absorption spectroscopy, SEM/EDX microanalysis of atomic composition, SEM surface morphology, wettability tests, susceptibility to water, and physiological liquid absorption tests and air permeability tests. The type of plasma used determines the effect obtained. Air plasma improves sorption properties of nonwovens and does not significantly affect air permeability. C6F14 vapor plasma significantly reduces the absorption of liquids by the fabric and increases its hydrophobicity. The effects obtained from the plasma are stable for six months of fabrics storage after treatment. PLA fabrics modified with plasma can be used for various applications such as dressing and sanitary materials.
Sustainable energy projects and the community: Mapping single-building use of microgeneration technologies in London
Authors: Coles Anne-Marie , Piterou Athena , Genus Audley
Published: April 2015

Microgeneration technologies offer the potential for distributed energy supply and consumption resulting in reduced reliance on centralised generation. Adoption of microgeneration for use in community settings is usually understood as having a beneficial contribution to sustainable development. This is particularly relevant in urban environments which present specific challenges relating to the heterogeneity of building and land use. Small-scale installations in buildings also appear to offer technological flexibility at the ‘human’ level, necessary for local participation in shaping the direction of sustainable development. This paper reports on a project concerned with identifying on-site energy generation projects in Greater London. A database was compiled comprising renewable and energy efficient microgeneration installations in multi-occupancy buildings. The relationships between each project and its associated organisations are mapped as a social network, which illustrates the heterogeneity of technologies and actors involved, as well as the flows of funding and expertise. The structure of the resulting networks indicates a lack of participation by social or not-for-profit groups who are traditionally identified as community level actors. The findings indicate that large institutional actors on the supply side may become regarded as renewable energy experts. Hence, there is a need to consider how the concept of community level actors in urban microgeneration projects is applicable to local government and commercial organisations.
Group drumming as a burnout prevention initiative among staff members at a child and adolescent mental health care facility
Authors: Newman Garth F , Maggott Clint , Alexander Debbie G
Published: April 2015

Work-related stress and burnout is pervasive within the public mental health sector in South Africa. This study aimed to identify the subjective experiences of staff members at a child and adolescent mental health unit, who participated in a drumming group aimed at reducing burnout, and to establish from participants’ experiences whether group drumming had potential as a burnout reduction intervention. This retrospective study was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire and followed an interpretive approach. The study population consisted of all the team members who participated in the staff drumming group (30 staff members). Qualitative methods of data collection were employed. Data were analysed by means of thematic analysis. Responses from participants ( N = 17) indicated that taking part in the drumming group encouraged emotional expression, represented a distraction from vicarious trauma, helped to level hierarchical structures, increased energy and productivity, induced relaxation, improved mood states, created feelings of accomplishment, and fostered a sense of belonging. A discussion of these findings in relation to the challenges within the public mental health sector in the Western Cape is also included. Based on the findings, the authors support previous studies, and conclude that drumming and recreational music-making groups may represent a potentially powerful and cost-effective burnout reduction strategy, particularly within the context of public mental health in South Africa. Due to the qualitative methods utilised in this study, further quantitative studies are recommended.
Mission and the inclusive kingdom of Jesus: Assessing the missiological approach of Brian McLaren
Authors: Mackenzie Ed
Published: April 2015

As a key voice within the emerging church movement, Brian McLaren has thought widely and deeply about the challenges of Christian mission in a postmodern and pluralistic society. This article explores McLaren’s missiology through exploring three of its key themes: a stress on Jesus as a paradigm for mission, a focus on the kingdom of God as the object of mission, and a revision of doctrine for the sake of mission. While McLaren helpfully encourages Christians to work alongside other faiths in pursuing the common good, his vision for mission marginalises key features of the biblical witness, including its focus on Jesus’ redemptive work.
Does the History of the Canon Matter? Contextualizing the Debate over the Authority of the New Testament Canon
Authors: Moxnes Halvor
Published: April 2015

The Da Vinci Code created a great popular interest in the question of the history of the canon of the New Testament, arguing for a late date for the establishment of canon, with a suppression of apocryphal gospels. This position has become popular among many scholars, but has been met by protests from Protestant evangelical scholars. The positions on both sides appear to be constrained to a religious context; therefore an attempt is made to place the discussion in a broader context by comparing it to the discussion of the canon in American literature. In that discussion, the issue of the content of the canon could not be separated from the question of the interpretation of canonical literature. I argue in this article that also regarding the New Testament the canon has been challenged by the development of interpretations with focus on e.g. minorities, women and post-colonial situations. The conclusion is that how we read texts, both canonical and extra-canonical ones, is more important than how the canon came into being.