bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult-Onset Case of Undiagnosed Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation with Psychotic Symptoms
Authors: Attademo Luigi , Paolini Enrico , Bernardini Francesco , Quartesan Roberto , Moretti Patrizia
Published: May 2014

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) is a collective term to indicate a group of neurodegenerative diseases presenting accumulation of iron in the basal ganglia. These disorders can result in progressive dystonia, spasticity, parkinsonism, neuropsychiatric abnormalities, and optic atrophy or retinal degeneration. Onset age ranges from infancy to late adulthood and the rate of progression is very variable. So far, the genetic bases of nine types of NBIA have been identified, pantothenate-kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) being the most frequent type. The brain MRI “eye-of-the-tiger” sign, T2-weighted hypointense signal in theglobus palliduswith a central region of hyperintensity, has been considered virtually pathognomonic for PKAN but recently several reports have denied this. A significant percentage of individuals with clinical and radiographic evidence of NBIA do not have an alternate diagnosis or mutation of one of the nine known NBIA-associated genes (idiopathic NBIA). Here we present an adult-onset case of “undiagnosed” NBIA with the brain MRI “eye-of-the-tiger” sign, and with psychotic symptoms which were successfully treated with antipsychotic and mood stabilizer medications. Here, the term “undiagnosed” is used because the patient has not been screened for all known NBIA genes, but only for two of them.
Subband DCT and EMD Based Hybrid Soft Thresholding for Speech Enhancement
Authors: Deger Erhan , Molla Md. Khademul Islam , Hirose Keikichi , Minematsu Nobuaki , Hasan Md. Kamrul
Published: May 2014

This paper presents a two-stage soft thresholding algorithm based on discrete cosine transform (DCT) and empirical mode decomposition (EMD). In the first stage, noisy speech is decomposed into eight frequency bands and a specific noise variance is calculated for each one. Based on this variance, each band is denoised using soft thresholding in DCT domain. The remaining noise is eliminated in the second stage through a time domain soft thresholding strategy adapted to the intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) derived by applying EMD on the signal obtained from the first stage processing. Significantly better SNR improvement and perceptual speech quality results for different noise types prove the superiority of the proposed algorithm over recently reported techniques.
Squatting-Related Tibiofemoral Shear Reaction Forces and a Biomechanical Rationale for Femoral Component Loosening
Authors: Thambyah Ashvin , Fernandez Justin
Published: May 2014

Previous gait studies on squatting have described a rapid reversal in the direction of the tibiofemoral joint shear reaction force when going into a full weight-bearing deep knee flexion squat. The effects of such a shear reversal have not been considered with regard to the loading demand on knee implants in patients whose activities of daily living require frequent squatting. In this paper,the shear reversal effectis discussed and simulated in a finite element knee implant-bone model, to evaluate the possible biomechanical significance of this effect on femoral component loosening of high flexion implants as reported in the literature. The analysis shows that one of the effects of the shear reversal was a switch between large compressive and large tensile principal strains, from knee extension to flexion, respectively, in the region of the anterior flange of the femoral component. Together with the known material limits of cement and bone, this large mismatch in strains as a function of knee position provides new insight into how and why knee implants may fail in patients who perform frequent squatting.
The Ideal Convergence of Strongly of  Γ2inp-Metric Spaces Defined by Modulus
Authors: Subramanian N. , Balasubramanian K. , Rao K. Chandrasekhara
Published: May 2014

The aim of this paper is to introduce and study a new concept of theΓ2space via ideal convergence defined by modulus and also some topological properties of the resulting sequence spaces were examined.
Development of a Wireless Sensor Network for Distributed Measurement of Total Electric Field under HVDC Transmission Lines
Authors: Cui Yong , Lv Jianxun , Yuan Haiwen , Zhao Luxing , Liu Yingyi , Yang Hao
Published: May 2014

A wireless sensor network-based distributed measurement system is designed for collecting and monitoring the electric field under the high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines. The proposed system architecture is composed of a group of wireless nodes connected with electric field sensors and a base station. The electric field sensor based on Gauss's law is elaborated and developed. For the design of wireless node, the ARM microprocessor and Zigbee radio frequency module are employed. The proposed system has been used in China's state grid HVDC test base and the in situ power transmission projects. Based on the experimental results, the proposed measurement system demonstrates that it can adapt to the complex electromagnetic environment under the transmission lines and can accomplish the accurate, flexible, and stable demands of the electric field measurement.
Hitting Times of Walks on Graphs through Voltages
Authors: Palacios José Luis , Gómez Eduardo , Del Río Miguel
Published: May 2014

We derive formulas for the expected hitting times of general random walks on graphs, in terms of voltages, with very elementary electric means. Under this new light we revise bounds and hitting times for birth-and-death Markov chains and for walks on graphs with cutpoints, and give some exact computations on the necklace graph. We also prove Tetali’s formula for hitting times without making use of the reciprocity principle. In fact this principle follows as a corollary of our argument that also yields as corollaries the triangular inequality for effective resistances and the reversibility of the sum of hitting times around a tour.
Soil Phosphorus Forms and Profile Distributions in the Tidal River Network Region in the Yellow River Delta Estuary
Authors: Yu Junbao , Qu Fanzhu , Wu Huifeng , Meng Ling , Du Siyao , Xie Baohua
Published: May 2014

Modified Hedley fraction method was used to study the forms and profile distribution in the tidal river network region subjected to rapid deposition and hydrologic disturbance in the Yellow River Delta (YRD) estuary, eastern China. The results showed that the total P (Pt) ranged from 612.1 to 657.8 mg kg−1. Dilute HCl extractable inorganic P (Pi) was the predominant form in all profiles, both as absolute values and as a percentage of total extractedPi. The NaOH extractable organic P (Po) was the predominant form of total extractedPo, while Bicarb-Piand C.HCl-Powere the lowest fractions of total extractedPiandPoin all the P forms. The Resin-P concentrations were high in the top soil layer and decreased with depth. The Pearson correlation matrix indicated that Resin-P, Bicarb-Pi, NaOH-Pi, and C.HCl-Piwere strongly positively correlated with salinity, TOC, Ca, Al, and Fe but negatively correlated with pH. The significant correlation of any studied form of organic P (Bicarb-Po, NaOH-Po, and C.HCl-Po) with geochemical properties were not observed in the study. Duncan multiple-range test indicated that the P forms and distribution heterogeneity in the profiles could be attributed to the influences of vegetation cover and hydrologic disturbance.
A Systematic Review of Individual Motivational Factors in Orthodontic Treatment: Facial Attractiveness as the Main Motivational Factor in Orthodontic Treatment
Authors: Samsonyanová Lusine , Broukal Zdenek
Published: May 2014

Introduction.Physical, mental, and social consequences of malocclusion may impact the quality of life. The aim of this review is to describe main factors motivating parents for orthodontic treatment for their children.Methods.A systematic review study design was used to identify articles analyzing different motivational factors in orthodontic treatment appearing in Medline database, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. The search terms used were teasing, motivating factors, orthodontics, malocclusion, quality of life, smile attractiveness, and perception of malocclusion. Papers selected up to May 2013 included retrospective and prospective longitudinal studies, randomized control trials, cross-sectional studies, reviews, and meta-analyses.Results.13 articles included in this review identified aesthetics as the main motivational factor in orthodontic treatment. Children mention teeth crowding, large overbite, missing teeth, and largest maxillary anterior irregularities also as motivational factors. Parents want their children to look nice and worry of being accused of neglecting parental duties.Conclusions.Dissatisfaction with one’s appearance, dentist recommendation, interest and worries of parents, and the impact of peers who wear braces rank among the main motivation factors of seeking orthodontic treatment. Understanding these factors allows better planning of resources and better assessment of the requirements and priorities of treatment.
Prolonged Nitric Oxide Exposure Enhances Anoikis Resistance and Migration through Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Caveolin-1 Upregulation
Authors: Chanvorachote Pithi , Pongrakhananon Varisa , Chunhacha Preedakorn
Published: May 2014

Nitric oxide (NO) in tumor microenvironment may have a significant impact on metastatic behaviors of cancer. Noncytotoxic doses of NO enhanced anoikis resistance and migration in lung cancer H23 cells via an increase in lamellipodia, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers including vimentin and snail, and caveolin-1 (Cav-1). However, the induction of EMT was found in Cav-1-knock down cells treated with NO, suggesting that EMT was through Cav-1-independent pathway. These effects of NO were consistently observed in other lung cancer cells including H292 and H460 cells. These findings highlight the novel role of NO on EMT and metastatic behaviors of cancer cells.
The Prognostic Significance of Lymphatics in Colorectal Liver Metastases
Authors: Muralidharan Vijayaragavan , Nguyen Linh , Banting Jonathan , Christophi Christopher
Published: May 2014

Background. Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in Australia across both genders. Approximately, 40%–60% of patients with CRC develop metastasis, the liver being the most common site. Almost 70% of CRC mortality can be attributed to the development of liver metastasis. This study examines the pattern and density of lymphatics in colorectal liver metastases (CLM) as predictors of survival following hepatic resection for CLM.Methods. Patient tissue samples were obtained from the Victorian Cancer Biobank. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the spatial differences in blood and lymphatic vessel densities between different regions within the tumor (CLM) and surrounding host tissue. Lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was assessed as a potential prognostic marker.Results. Patients with low lymphatic vessel density in the tumor centre, tumor periphery, and adjacent normal liver demonstrated a significant disease-free survival advantage compared to patients with high lymphatic vessel density (P=0.01,P>0.01, andP=0.05, resp.). Lymphatic vessel density in the tumor centre and periphery and adjacent normal liver was an accurate predictive marker of disease-free survival (P=0.05).Conclusion. Lymphatic vessel density in CLM appears to be an accurate predictor of recurrence and disease-free survival.
Continued Rapid Increase in Thyroid Cancer Incidence in California: Trends by Patient, Tumor, and Neighborhood Characteristics
Authors: Horn-Ross Pamela L. , Lichtensztajn Daphne Y. , Clarke Christina A. , Dosiou Chrysoula , Oakley-Girvan Ingrid , Reynolds Peggy , Gomez Scarlett Lin , Nelson David O.
Published: May 2014

Background: Thyroid cancer incidence is increasing worldwide. Incorporating 22 years of incidence data through 2009, we extend examination of these trends among a wide array of subgroups defined by patient (age, sex, race/ethnicity, and nativity), tumor (tumor size and stage), and neighborhood (socioeconomic status and residence in ethnic enclaves) characteristics, to identify possible reasons for this increase.

Methods: Thyroid cancer incidence data on 10,940 men and 35,147 women were obtained from the California Cancer Registry for 1988–2009. Population data were obtained from the 1990 and 2000 U.S. Census. Incidence rates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated and incidence trends were evaluated using Joinpoint regression to evaluate the timing and magnitude of change [annual percentage change (APC) and rate ratios].

Results: The incidence of papillary thyroid cancer continues to increase in both men (APC, 5.4; 95% CI, 4.5–6.3 for 1998–2009) and women (APC, 3.8; 95% CI, 3.4–4.2 for 1998–2001 and APC, 6.3; 95% CI, 5.7–6.9 for 2001–2009). Increasing incidence was observed in all subgroups examined.

Conclusions: Although some variation in the magnitude or temporality of the increase in thyroid cancer incidence exists across subgroups, the patterns (i) suggest that changes in diagnostic technology alone do not account for the observed trends and (ii) point to the importance of modifiable behavioral, lifestyle, or environmental factors in understanding this epidemic.

Impact: Given the dramatic and continued increase in thyroid cancer incidence rates, studies addressing the causes of these trends are critical. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(6); 1067–79. ©2014 AACR.
Prostate Tumor Growth Is Impaired by CtBP1 Depletion in High-Fat Diet–Fed Mice
Authors: Moiola Cristian P. , De Luca Paola , Zalazar Florencia , Cotignola Javier , Rodríguez-Seguí Santiago A. , Gardner Kevin , Meiss Roberto , Vallecorsa Pablo , Pignataro Omar , Mazza Osvaldo , Vazquez Elba S. , De Siervi Adriana
Published: May 2014

Purpose: Clinical and epidemiologic data suggest that obesity is associated with more aggressive forms of prostate cancer, poor prognosis, and increased mortality. C-terminal–binding protein 1 (CtBP1) is a transcription repressor of tumor suppressor genes and is activated by NADH binding. High calorie intake decreases intracellular NAD+/NADH ratio. The aim of this work was to assess the effect of high-fat diet (HFD) and CtBP1 expression modulation over prostate xenograft growth.

Experimental Design: We developed a metabolic syndrome-like disease in vivo model by feeding male nude mice with HFD during 16 weeks. Control diet (CD)–fed animals were maintained at the same conditions. Mice were inoculated with PC3 cells stable transfected with shCtBP1 or control plasmids. Genome-wide expression profiles and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were performed from PC3.shCtBP1 versus PC3.pGIPZ HFD-fed mice tumors.

Results: No significant differences were observed in tumor growth on CD-fed mice; however, we found that only 60% of HFD-fed mice inoculated with CtBP1-depleted cells developed a tumor. Moreover these tumors were significantly smaller than those generated by PC3.pGIPZ control xenografts. We found 823 genes differentially expressed in shCtBP1 tumors from HFD-fed mice. GSEA from expression dataset showed that most of these genes correspond to cell adhesion, metabolic process, and cell cycle.

Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome–like diseases and CtBP1 expression cooperate to induce prostate tumor growth. Hence, targeting of CtBP1 expression might be considered for prostate cancer management and therapy in the subset of patients with metabolic syndromes. Clin Cancer Res; 20(15); 4086–95. ©2014 AACR.
Increased FADS2-Derived n-6 PUFAs and Reduced n-3 PUFAs in Plasma of Atopic Dermatitis Patients
Authors: Mihály Johanna , Marosvölgyi Tamás , Szegedi Andrea , Köröskényi Krisztina , Lucas Renata , Törőcsik Dániel , Garcia Ada L. , Decsi Tamás , Rühl Ralph
Published: May 2014

Fatty acid concentrations, in particular n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), have been described to be dysregulated in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. The role of genetic polymorphisms of fatty acid enzymes in AD is controversial. We determined in a Hungarian cohort of healthy volunteers (n = 20) and AD patients (n = 20) triglyceride-, sterol- and phospholipid-bound fatty acids in the plasma, mRNA expression of fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) and stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and FADS2 concentrations in plasma. We observed higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, 16:1 versus 16:0 ratios in phospholipids, triglycerides and sterol esters in patients compared to healthy subjects. In addition higher levels of the FADS2-derived n-6 PUFAs γ-linolenic acid and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid were observed in PBMCs of patients as well as lower levels of n-3 PUFAs. We conclude that the increased expression of FADS2 in PBMCs, as a representative tissue accessible from human blood of AD patients, might be responsible for higher levels of FADS2-derived n-6 PUFAs and lower n-3 PUFA levels in patients.
Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Inhibits Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression in Lung Fibroblasts through Nuclear Factor-Kappa-B-Dependent Pathway
Authors: Xie Ying , Wang Ye , Zong Chuanyue , Cheng Jiawen
Published: May 2014

Background: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) contributes to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. However, the expression of HO-1 in fibroblasts under fibrotic conditions has not been studied. Methods: This study was conducted to investigate the expression of HO-1 in lung fibroblasts from mice and humans under fibrotic conditions by Western blot. Results: We found that the expression of HO-1 was significantly decreased in lung fibroblasts isolated from bleomycin-challenged mice in comparison with control mice. Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) inhibited HO-1 expression and induced differentiation in human lung fibroblasts. Pretreatment with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation inhibitor or knockdown of the NF-κB p65 subunit attenuated TGF-ß-induced inhibition of HO-1 expression and differentiation in human lung fibroblasts. Similarly, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induced TGF-ß expression and decreased HO-1 expression in human lung fibroblasts. Interestingly, pretreatment with neutralized anti-TGF-ß antibody attenuated LPA effects in human lung fibroblasts. Conclusion: These data suggested that TGF-ß inhibited HO-1 expression in human lung fibroblasts through activation of NF-κB.
Myocardial Recovery From Ischemia–Reperfusion Is Compromised in the Absence of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 4
Authors: Takawale Abhijit , Fan Dong , Basu Ratnadeep , Shen Mengcheng , Parajuli Nirmal , Wang Wang , Wang Xiuhua , Oudit Gavin Y. , Kassiri Zamaneh
Published: May 2014

Background—

Myocardial reperfusion after ischemia (I/R), although an effective approach in rescuing the ischemic myocardium, can itself trigger several adverse effects including aberrant remodeling of the myocardium and its extracellular matrix. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) protect the extracellular matrix against excess degradation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). TIMP4 levels are reduced in myocardial infarction; however, its causal role in progression of post-I/R injury has not been explored.

Methods and Results—

In vivo I/R (20-minute ischemia, 1-week reperfusion) resulted in more severe systolic and diastolic dysfunction in TIMP4
−/−
mice with enhanced inflammation, oxidative stress (1 day post-I/R), hypertrophy, and interstitial fibrosis (1 week). After an initial increase in TIMP4 (1 day post-I/R), TIMP4 mRNA and protein decreased in the ischemic myocardium from wild-type mice by 1 week post-I/R and in tissue samples from patients with myocardial infarction, which correlated with enhanced activity of membrane-bound MMP, membrane-type 1 MMP. By 4 weeks post-I/R, wild-type mice showed no cardiac dysfunction, elevated TIMP4 levels (to baseline), and normalized membrane-type 1 MMP activity. TIMP4-deficient mice, however, showed exacerbated diastolic dysfunction, sustained elevation of membrane-type 1 MMP activity, and worsened myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. Ex vivo I/R (20- or 30-minute ischemia, 45-minute reperfusion) resulted in comparable cardiac dysfunction in wild-type and TIMP4
−/−
mice.

Conclusions—

TIMP4 is essential for recovery from myocardial I/R in vivo, primarily because of its membrane-type 1 MMP inhibitory function. TIMP4 deficiency does not increase susceptibility to ex vivo I/R injury. Replenishment of myocardial TIMP4 could serve as an effective therapy in post-I/R recovery for patients with reduced TIMP4.
Contemporary Trends of Hospitalization for Atrial Fibrillation in the United States, 2000 Through 2010
Authors: Patel Nileshkumar J. , Deshmukh Abhishek , Pant Sadip , Singh Vikas , Patel Nilay , Arora Shilpkumar , Shah Neeraj , Chothani Ankit , Savani Ghanshyambhai T. , Mehta Kathan , Parikh Valay , Rathod Ankit , Badheka Apurva O. , Lafferty James , Kowalski Marcin , Mehta Jawahar L. , Mitrani Raul D. , Viles-Gonzalez Juan F. , Paydak Hakan
Published: May 2014

Background—

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. The associated morbidity and mortality make AF a major public health burden. Hospitalizations account for the majority of the economic cost burden associated with AF. The main objective of this study is to examine the trends of AF-related hospitalizations in the United States and to compare patient characteristics, outcomes, and comorbid diagnoses.

Methods and Results—

With the use of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2000 through 2010, we identified AF-related hospitalizations using
International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification
code 427.31 as the principal discharge diagnosis. Overall AF hospitalizations increased by 23% from 2000 to 2010, particularly in patients ≥65 years of age. The most frequent coexisting conditions were hypertension (60.0%), diabetes mellitus (21.5%), and chronic pulmonary disease (20.0%). Overall in-hospital mortality was 1%. The mortality rate was highest in the group of patients ≥80 years of age (1.9%) and in the group of patients with concomitant heart failure (8.2%). In-hospital mortality rate decreased significantly from 1.2% in 2000 to 0.9% in 2010 (29.2% decrease;
P
<0.001). Although there was no significant change in mean length of stay, mean cost of AF hospitalization increased significantly from $6410 in 2001 to $8439 in 2010 (24.0% increase;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Hospitalization rates for AF have increased exponentially among US adults from 2000 to 2010. The proportion of comorbid chronic diseases has also increased significantly. The last decade has witnessed an overall decline in hospital mortality; however, the hospitalization cost has significantly increased.
Association of Parity With Carotid Diameter and Distensibility
Authors: Vaidya Dhananjay , Bennett Wendy L. , Sibley Christopher T. , Polak Joseph F. , Herrington David M. , Ouyang Pamela
Published: May 2014

Pregnancy and childbirth are associated with hemodynamic changes and vascular remodeling. It is not known whether parity is associated with later adverse vascular properties such as larger arterial diameter, wall thickness, and lower distensibility. We used baseline data from 3283 women free of cardiovascular disease aged 45 to 84 years enrolled in the population-based Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Participants self-reported parity status. Ultrasound-derived carotid artery lumen diameters and brachial artery blood pressures were measured at peak-systole and end-diastole. Common carotid intima-media thickness was also measured. Regression models to determine the association of carotid distensibility coefficient, lumen diameter, and carotid intima-media thickness with parity were adjusted for age, race, height, weight, diabetes mellitus, current smoking, blood pressure medication use, and total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The prevalence of nulliparity was 18%. In adjusted models, carotid distensibility coefficient was 0.09×10
−5
Pa
−1
lower (
P
=0.009) in parous versus nulliparous women. Among parous women, there was a nonlinear association with the greatest carotid distensibility coefficient seen in women with 2 live births and significantly lower distensibility seen in primiparas (
P
=0.04) or with higher parity >2 (
P
=0.005). No such pattern of association with parity was found for lumen diameter or carotid intima-media thickness. Parity is associated with lower carotid artery distensibility, suggesting arterial remodeling that lasts beyond childbirth. These long-term effects on the vasculature may explain the association of parity with cardiovascular events later in life.
Office, Home, and Ambulatory Blood Pressures as Predictors of Cardiovascular Risk
Authors: Niiranen Teemu J. , Mäki Juhani , Puukka Pauli , Karanko Hannu , Jula Antti M.
Published: May 2014

Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) is considered as the gold standard of BP measurement although it has not been shown to be more strongly associated with cardiovascular risk than is home BP. Our objective was to compare the prognostic value of office, home, and ambulatory BP for cardiovascular risk in 502 participants examined in 1992 to 1996. The end point was a composite of cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure hospitalization, and coronary intervention. We assessed the prognostic value of each BP in multivariable-adjusted Cox models. The likelihood χ
2
ratio value was used to test whether the addition of a BP variable improved the model’s goodness of fit. After a follow-up of 16.1±3.9 years, 70 participants (13.9%) had experienced ≥1 cardiovascular event. Office (systolic/diastolic hazard ratio per 1/1 mm Hg increase in BP, 1.024/1.018; systolic/diastolic 95% confidence interval, 1.009–1.040/0.994–1.043), home (hazard ratio, 1.029/1.028; 95% confidence interval, 1.013–1.045/1.005–1.052), and 24-hour ambulatory BP (hazard ratio, 1.033/1.049; 95% confidence interval, 1.019–1.047/1.023–1.077) were predictive of cardiovascular events. When all 3 BP variables were included in the model simultaneously, only systolic/diastolic ambulatory BP was a significant predictor of cardiovascular events (
P
=0.002/<0.001). Home systolic/diastolic BP improved the fit of the model only marginally when added to a model including office BP (χ
2
=3.0/4.0,
P
=0.09/0.047). Ambulatory BP, however, improved the fit of model more clearly when added to office and home BP (χ
2
=9.0/12.3,
P
=0.001/<0.001). Our findings suggest that ambulatory BP is prognostically superior to office and home BP.
The Onion and the Mandrake: Plants in Yezidi Folk Beliefs
Authors: Arakelova Victoria
Published: May 2014

Abstract

The non-dogmatic character of the Yezidi religion presupposes the presence of a heavy layer of so-called “primitive” religious elements, including plant worship. This paper focuses on plants having obvious sacred connotations in Yezidi beliefs, both on the level of the cult and marginal folk beliefs. There is no explicit tree cult in the Yezidism, or dendrolatry, despite the existence of a cultic complex connected with the so-called Dārā mirāzā or “The trees of Desire”. Still, there are representatives of the flora world that bear obvious cultic attribution, the most important of which are the onion and the mandrake. The mandrake has mystical fame and reverence not only among the Yezidis, but also among many other peoples of the region. This panacea for all diseases, widely used in folk medicine, is also considered an important element of the materia magica, primarily due to its aphrodisiac qualities. This paper will provide a comparative analysis of plant worship among the Yezidis and several other traditions of the Caucaso-Iranian region.
The Comintern, New York’s Immigrant Community, and the Forging of Caribbean Visions, 1931–1936
Authors: Pujals Sandra
Published: May 2014

The article discusses the participation of the Communist International (Comintern, 1919–1943) in the Caribbean region throughout most of the 1930s, mapping an international dimension for local and regional developments and counting the Soviet Union as an imperialist contender along with the customary colonial powers. The essay also enumerates examples of the sort of international, cultural networks fostered by the Comintern’s agenda and its political agents throughout the area, pointing out the connection between this sort of communication and the region’s leap into modernity that defined the decolonization process in the late 1940s. In these developments, New York as the center of a Caribbean diaspora becomes instrumental as the point of departure and confluence for the agents of international communism and Caribbean nationals during the decade of the 1930s. The evidence, in turn, implies a call to reformulate the historical evolution of the Caribbean diaspora in New York between the 1920s and the 1940s, taking into consideration the Comintern’s contribution to the transnational aspect of Caribbean radicalism, politics and culture in the post-war era. Finally, it also suggests a possible revision of the chronological framework for the Soviet Union’s presence in the Caribbean region long before the Cuban revolution of 1959, in view of declassified documentation from the Comintern archives.
Two new species of Kalophrynus Tschudi, 1838 (Anura: Microhylidae) from the Annamite mountains in southern Vietnam
Authors: VASSILIEVA ANNA B. , GALOYAN EDUARD A. , GOGOLEVA SVETLANA S. , POYARKOV NIKOLAY JR. A.
Published: May 2014

We describe two new mountain-dwelling microhylid species of the genus Kalophrynus from the southern part of the Annamite Mountains in Vietnam. The two new species differ from all known congeners in morphological characters and mtDNA; phylogenetically, they form a sister clade to the large-bodied K. interlineatus (1009 bp, 16S rRNA gene, mtDNA). Both species share the following characteristics: snout pointed in dorsal and lateral views, slightly sloping in profile; tympanum distinct, smaller than eye in diameter; toe webbing moderate; outer metatarsal tubercle present; light dorsolateral line absent. Kalophrynus cryptophonus sp. nov. from Loc Bao, Lam Dong Province is a small-sized species distinguishing from its congeners by a combination of: SVL 27.9–30.4 mm in males, 23.4 mm in female; canthus rostralis indistinct; males with large sharp conical spines on the skin covering mandible margins and finely asperous nuptial pads on the dorsal surface of fingers I–III; dark ocelli in the inguinal region usually present, small, without a light border; anterior palatal dermal ridge short, restricted to medial part of palate. Kalophrynus honbaensis sp. nov. from Hon Ba, Khanh Hoa Province is a medium-sized Kalophrynus, distinguishing from its congeners by a combination of: SVL 26.7–36.8 mm in males; canthus rostralis distinct; males without distinguishable spines on the mandible margins nor the nuptial pads; dark ocelli in the inguinal region present, large, without a distinct light border, anterior palatal dermal ridge developed, parallel to posterior one. Kalophrynus cryptophonus sp. nov. reproduces in hollow bamboo stems; we describe larval morphology and bioacoustics of this species in relation to phytotelm breeding. A review of the distribution of the genus Kalophrynus in Indochina is provided.
Seven new species of Chimarra (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae) from Malawi
Authors: WAHLBERG EMMA , ESPELAND MARIANNE , JOHANSON KJELL ARNE
Published: May 2014

For the first time species of caddisflies in the genus Chimarra Stephens 1829 are reported from Malawi. The following new species are described: Chimarra zombaensis, C. flaviseta, C. chichewa, C. circumverta, C. mulanjae, C. psittacus and C. calidopectoris. The descriptions add to the knowledge of Afrotropical diversity in the order Trichoptera.
Australia’s deep-water octocoral fauna: historical account and checklist, distributions and regional affinities of recent collections
Authors: ALDERSLADE PHILIP , ALTHAUS FRANZISKA , MCENNULTY FELICITY , GOWLETT-HOLMES KAREN , WILLIAMS ALAN
Published: May 2014

The number of deep-water (>80 m) octocoral species recorded from Australian waters has more than tripled from 135 to 457 following six surveys undertaken between 1997 and 2008 on the deep continental margin of south-eastern, western and north-western Australia and the Tasman Sea.  This rapid increase in knowledge follows a slow accumulation of records since the earliest collections were made by vessels such as the Géographe and the Naturaliste in the early years of the 19th century. Consistent identification and alpha-labelling of the octocoral fauna between surveys has permitted a multi-region description and comparison.  We detail the identities, distributions and regional affinities of 457 octocoral species in 131 genera and 28 families from the orders Alcyonacea and Pennatulacea, including 69 new species, 17 new genera and 43 first records for Australia. Five of the more common genera were widely distributed (present at 35 and 66 sampling stations spanning all of the 4 survey regions), but two were restricted to south-eastern Australia—Pleurogorgia Versluys, 1902 and Tokoprymno Bayer, 1996—and were only sampled from depths below 700 m.  The great majority of species (81%) and nearly half of all genera (47%) were only sampled once or twice.  The highest average number of species per sampling station (3.2) was reported from the outer shelf. The proportion of new species was highest (>22%) on the upper and lower slope bathomes, intermediate (13–15%) on the mid-slope bathome and lowest (8%) on the outer shelf bathome.  Species overlap between bathomes was low, but all families were shared across bathomes. Most described species (55 of 69) have an Indo-West Pacific affinity, 20 have an Indian Ocean affinity, while three were previously recorded from the Atlantic Ocean only; 20 appear to be Australian endemics. Octocorals can now be added to an emerging set of taxon-specific data sets—including fishes, ophiuroids and galatheids—that permit regional-scale analysis of biodiversity distributions to support Australia’s efforts in marine conservation management. However, because so much of the world octocoral literature is inadequate for accurate identifications to species level, there is a pressing need for taxonomic revisions using modern morphological and molecular techniques to fine-tune the current use of octocorals as indicators of vulnerable marine ecosystems in many national and high seas conservation initiatives.
World catalog of extant and fossil Corethrellidae (Diptera)
Authors: BORKENT ART
Published: May 2014

A world catalog of extant and fossil frog-biting midges (Diptera: Corethrellidae) provides full type information, known life stages, and distribution of each species. There are 105 extant and seven fossil species of Corethrellidae but unnamed species are known from Costa Rica, Colombia and Madagascar. New information on types and other important specimens are provided.
Long-Term Variations of the Kuroshio Extension Path in Winter: Meridional Movement and Path State Change
Authors: Seo Yasuharu , Sugimoto Shusaku , Hanawa Kimio
Published: May 2014

As an indicator of the Kuroshio Extension (KE) path, the KE northern boundary (KENB) was detected based on the position of the strong winter sea surface temperature (SST) gradient between 142° and 155°E, using high spatial resolution satellite-derived SST for the 30 winters (January to March) from 1982 to 2011. The KE path showed meridional movement with a period of 10–15 yr and an amplitude of about 2° latitude. The changes in latitudinal position of the KE path were initiated by a north–south shift of the Aleutian low (AL). Negative wind stress curl anomalies around 35°N in the eastern North Pacific associated with a northward shift of the AL induced a deepening of the main thermocline depth, and then this deepening signal propagated westward, reaching the KE region after about 3 yr, where it caused the KE path to move northward. The path state of the KE (straight path/convoluted path) modulated on a time scale of 8–12 yr, but this was not significantly correlated with the meridional movement of the KE path. The anticyclonic eddies containing warm-salty water that detached northward from the convoluted KE exerted a strong influence on oceanic conditions in the Kuroshio–Oyashio Confluence (KOC) region. The changes in path state of the KE were related to the path of the Kuroshio south of Japan over the long term; a convoluted (straight) KE path was associated with the Kuroshio taking the offshore nonlarge (nearshore nonlarge or typical large) meander path.
A Multiple-Vortex Tornado in Southeastern Brazil
Authors: de Lima Nascimento Ernani , Held Gerhard , Gomes Ana Maria
Published: May 2014

During the late afternoon hours of 24 May 2005 a severe weather outbreak occurred in the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Severe thunderstorms were observed ahead of a surface cold front, including a (Southern Hemisphere) cyclonic left-moving supercell that produced a multiple-vortex tornado in the outskirts of the town of Indaiatuba, Brazil (23.1°S, 47.2°W). A documentation of the multivortex structure of the tornado and of the cloud-base features is performed using still images from a video that recorded the event. Characteristics of the tornadic thunderstorm and the synoptic-scale environment in which it developed are examined using Doppler radar data, geostationary satellite imagery, surface and upper-air observations, and data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction’s Climate Forecast System Reanalysis. The cloud base of the thunderstorm displayed morphological features associated with midlatitude tornadic supercells, including a low-level mesocyclone and a “clear slot”; however, the rear-flank downdraft did not obscure the view of the tornado from the western flank of the storm. The tornadic storm developed in a moist prefrontal environment with a low-level jet. Limited mesoscale observations hampered the quantitative analysis of the local thermodynamic forcing, but the available data suggest that the supercell developed under moderate conditional instability. Strong speed and directional vertical wind shear were observed, while the local boundary layer displayed very high relative humidity and low surface-based lifting condensation level.
The Role of Convective Outflow in the Waldo Canyon Fire
Authors: Johnson Richard H. , Schumacher Russ S. , Ruppert James H. , Lindsey Daniel T. , Ruthford Julia E. , Kriederman Lisa
Published: May 2014

The meteorological conditions associated with the rapid intensification and spread of the catastrophic Waldo Canyon fire on 26 June 2012 are studied. The fire caused two fatalities, destroyed 347 homes in Colorado Springs, and resulted in insurance losses of nearly $0.5 billion (U.S. dollars), making it the most economically destructive fire in Colorado’s history. While the fire was first discovered on 23 June, the paper focuses on 26 June, when it grew explosively and rapidly advanced eastward into a heavily populated area on the west side of Colorado Springs. Near-record hot and dry conditions prevailed over the Intermountain West prior to the fire, along with a persistent upper-level ridge. On 26 June, a narrow tongue of moist air aloft originating over the Southwest shifted from Utah into Colorado. Dry conditions at low levels and moisture aloft set the stage for strong microburst-producing thunderstorms to develop over Colorado. Convective cells first formed at midday over the San Juan Mountains, later consolidating into a thunderstorm complex that produced an organized convective outflow with strong, gusty winds at the surface. The leading gust front associated with the outflow moved past the Waldo Canyon fire at the hottest time of the day with recorded wind gusts up to 26 m s−1. The rapid eastward advance of the fire, as well as an onset of pyrocumulonimbus and lightning activity, was timed with the passage of the gust front. A numerical simulation, initiated one day earlier, produced mesoscale features closely resembling those observed, including the gust front passage at the fire and the vertical structure of the convective outflow.
An Evaluation of the Efficacy of Using Observed Lightning to Improve Convective Lightning Forecasts
Authors: Lynn Barry H. , Kelman Guy , Ellrod Gary
Published: May 2014

Dynamic lightning forecasts [total and cloud to ground (CG)] were produced on a convection-allowing forecast grid with 4-km grid spacing with lightning assimilation (ASML) and without lightning assimilation [control (CNTL)]. A dynamic scheme produces time- and space-dependent potential electrical energy, which then converts this energy into lightning (e.g., number per hour per grid element). The assimilation scheme uses observed, gridded total lightning to determine how much water vapor is added at constant temperature in the mixed-phase region, leading to a convective response. ASML and CNTL lightning forecasts were compared to observed total and CG lightning. Four case studies—each representing a different type of convective regime—demonstrate that the spatial distribution and intensity of forecast lightning were improved when lightning assimilation was used. Over 3 days in March 2012, eight 18-h lightning forecasts quantified the advantages in forecast accuracy. Equitable threat scores for forecast CG lightning associated with strong [25 (3 h)−1], very strong [50 (3 h)−1], and extreme [100 (3 h)−1] events were significantly more accurate for convective storms that developed in forecasts with lightning assimilation than without. Improvements in forecasts of very strong and extreme events occurred out to 9 h of forecast time, while the forecasts of strong events showed improvement out to 15 h. Spurious convection was removed with filtering in one case study, which led to a notable improvement in the timing and intensity of the squall line. Sensitivity tests examined the utility of this filtering approach, and the importance of reducing mass imbalances liable to occur when too much water vapor mass is introduced into the model.
Machine Learning Enhancement of Storm-Scale Ensemble Probabilistic Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts
Authors: Gagne David John , McGovern Amy , Xue Ming
Published: May 2014

Probabilistic quantitative precipitation forecasts challenge meteorologists due to the wide variability of precipitation amounts over small areas and their dependence on conditions at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Ensembles of convection-allowing numerical weather prediction models offer a way to produce improved precipitation forecasts and estimates of the forecast uncertainty. These models allow for the prediction of individual convective storms on the model grid, but they often displace the storms in space, time, and intensity, which results in added uncertainty. Machine learning methods can produce calibrated probabilistic forecasts from the raw ensemble data that correct for systemic biases in the ensemble precipitation forecast and incorporate additional uncertainty information from aggregations of the ensemble members and additional model variables. This study utilizes the 2010 Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms Storm-Scale Ensemble Forecast system and the National Severe Storms Laboratory National Mosaic & Multi-Sensor Quantitative Precipitation Estimate as input data for training logistic regressions and random forests to produce a calibrated probabilistic quantitative precipitation forecast. The reliability and discrimination of the forecasts are compared through verification statistics and a case study.
Trust and distrust: Polar opposites, or independent but co-existing?
Authors: Saunders Mark NK , Dietz Graham , Thornhill Adrian
Published: May 2014

This article provides an empirical test of whether trust and distrust can co-exist in the mind of an employee. Two interrelated questions are considered: firstly, whether trust and distrust judgements are ‘symmetrical’ or whether they can occur ‘simultaneously’ as separate constructs; and, secondly, whether trust and distrust judgements entail the same or conceptually different expectations as revealed in their expressions and anticipated manifestations. Using a concurrent mixed-method design incorporating a structured card sort and in-depth interviews, data were collected from 56 participants in two organizations. The card-sort findings offer little support for the co-existence of trust and distrust, but suggest they could be separate constructs. Interview data indicate that participants do perceive trust and distrust as entailing different sets of expectations and having different manifestations, providing some support for the ‘separate constructs’ thesis. We also find evidence of two new combinations of weak levels of trust and distrust not previously specified. The findings highlight how employees’ trust and distrust judgements are shaped, in part, by managerial actions and policies relating to quality of communication and job security. They also emphasize how, when employees are distrustful, different practice interventions may be needed to reduce distrust from those used to build trust.
It’s all a matter of consensus: Leader role modeling strength as a moderator of the links between ethical leadership and employee outcomes
Authors: Ogunfowora Babatunde
Published: May 2014

The present research examines the relationships between ethical leadership and unit-level organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) and individual-level job satisfaction. In addition, this study tests the proposition that the impact of ethical leadership on these outcomes is moderated by leader role modeling strength, a unit-level construct that captures within-group consensus regarding the extent to which unit members perceived the leader as a role model of ethical behaviors at work. To these ends, the article draws on social learning theory (Bandura, 1977) and social identity theory (Ashforth and Mael, 1989). The results provide support for the proposed theoretical model in a sample of 297 employees nested in 58 work units. Specifically, ethical leadership was more strongly and positively associated with unit-level OCB and individual-level job satisfaction in work units reporting higher (versus lower) leader role modeling strength. This research highlights the importance of studying leader role modeling perceptions in order to better understand the boundary conditions of the impact of ethical leadership on employee attitudes and behaviors.
Effects of Internal and External Focus of Attention on Novices’ Rehearsal Evaluations
Authors: Silvey Brian A. , Montemayor Mark
Published: May 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of internal and external focus of attention on novices’ rehearsal evaluations. Thirty-two undergraduate instrumental music education students led bands in a series of three 6-minute rehearsals on their assigned excerpt. Prior to these rehearsals, participants were led in score study and rehearsal preparation activities. Internal group ( n = 16) participants’ preparation related to knowledge of the score, whereas external group ( n = 16) participants focused their preparations on observable rehearsal behaviors with a minimal amount of time devoted to score study. No significant differences were found between conditions for any of several dependent measures, including participants’ self-evaluation of their teaching, participants’ evaluation of ensemble performance, ensemble members’ evaluations of conductor rehearsal effectiveness and of conductor score knowledge, and independent audio evaluation of the final ensemble performance run-through. Results of repeated-measures analyses did indicate significant improvements in participants’ and ensemble members’ evaluations, for both experimental groups, between the first rehearsal and the second and third rehearsals. Both methods may have helped novice conductors prepare to rehearse, but their direct experience in working with ensembles may have been comparatively more informative in preparing them for future rehearsals.