bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
7,12‐Dimethylbenz[α]anthracene increases cell proliferation and invasion through induction of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling and EMT process
Authors: Kwon Yeo‐Jung , Ye Dong‐Jin , Baek Hyoung‐Seok , Chun Young‐Jin
Published: April 2018

7,12‐Dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA) is a hazardous component present in polluted environments. DMBA has been used as an experimental tool for in vivo tumor formation owing to its carcinogenic effects, but the detailed molecular mechanism of DMBA has not been fully established. To comprehend the carcinogenic mechanism of DMBA, we explored its effects in the breast cancer cell lines, MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231, and the cervical cancer cell line, HeLa. Cell viability assay and measurement of a proliferation marker showed that DMBA markedly increased cancer cell proliferation. Furthermore, morphological observations and wound healing assays in nontumorigenic MCF‐10A cells and trans‐well invasion assays in cancer cells following DMBA treatment revealed that DMBA induced cell migration and invasion. To reveal the molecular mechanism of DMBA, we investigated the effects of DMBA on the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, a critical pathway for cell proliferation that was reported to correlate with the EMT process, by using quantitative RT‐PCR (qPCR), western blot analysis, and confocal microscopy. Consequently, we found that DMBA increased cancer cell proliferation and invasion through the promotion of EMT‐inducing factors and β‐catenin. Especially, it was revealed in promoter activity assay using mutated luciferase vectors on transcription factor‐binding sites that TWIST1 is promoted by DMBA through induction of STAT3‐mediated promoter activation. To further elucidate the detailed mechanism of DMBA, we aimed to identify the key regulator of its carcinogenic action. DMBA was shown to significantly upregulate the expression of specificity protein 1 (Sp1), a transcription factor, and the carcinogenic effects of DMBA were blocked via the suppression or interruption of Sp1 activity. In conclusion, our data suggested that DMBA induced carcinogenic effects through activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling and the EMT process by upregulating Sp1 activity.
The ethics of climate‐induced community displacement and resettlement
Authors: Draper Jamie , McKinnon Catriona
Published: April 2018

Climate‐induced resettlement programs are happening right now in places around the world where populations face high risks from climatic impacts. Burgeoning literatures are considering the ethical implications of climate change more broadly, and the ethics of migration, but the nexus between the two issues has not been given enough attention by moral and political theorists, especially with respect to climate‐induced community resettlement. Here, we sketch the key nodes in a debate we think should take place, which will be made even more urgent in the coming decades as climate change impacts on communities least resilient to it.

This article is categorized under:

Climate, Nature, and Ethics > Climate Change and Global Justice
Benefits of a multimodel ensemble for hub‐height wind prediction in mountainous terrain
Authors: Siuta David M. , Stull Roland B.
Published: April 2018

While numerical weather prediction models can be used to estimate future wind power, no single model is perfect. A better approach is to run many models (an ensemble) and use the average to estimate future wind speeds. The goal of this manuscript is to demonstrate the benefits of using a multimodel ensemble to predict wind speeds at wind‐turbine hub heights. We do this for a 1‐year period at 4 wind farms in mountainous terrain. The ensemble‐mean forecast has higher accuracy than the climatology forecast until a forecast horizon of 6.5 days. The ensemble‐mean forecast has higher correlation to the observations than the climatology forecast has to the observations through the 7‐day forecast horizon tested. Use of the ensemble‐mean forecast results in at least a 1‐ to 2‐day skill advantage (increase in time that a forecast remains more skilled than climatology) over use of a single, deterministic ensemble member for both forecast accuracy and correlation. For probabilistic forecasts, use of the multimodel ensemble mean is most beneficial to improvements in probabilistic sharpness (narrowing of uncertainty). A comparison of Weather Research and Forecasting model forecasts initialized by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Global Forecast System and North American Mesoscale models, the Canadian Meteorological Centre Global Deterministic Prediction System, and Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center Navy Global Environmental Model showed that the Canadian Meteorological Centre Global Deterministic Prediction System provided the best initial conditions for the locations tested.
A comparison of variation management strategies for wind power integration in different electricity system contexts
Authors: Göransson Lisa , Johnsson Filip
Published: April 2018

Variation management strategies improve the capability of the electricity system to meet variations both in the electricity demand and in the generation that relies on variable energy sources. In this work, we introduce a new, functionality‐based, categorization of variation management strategies: shifting (eg, batteries), absorbing (eg, power‐to‐gas), and complementing (dispatchable generation, including reservoir hydropower) strategies. A dispatch model with European coverage (EU‐27 plus Norway and Switzerland) is applied to compare the benefits of shifting and absorbing strategies on wind integration in regions with different amounts of complementing strategies in place. The benefits are measured in terms of the wind value factor, wind owner revenue, and average short‐term generation cost.

The results of the modeling show that the reduction in average short‐term generation cost and the increase in revenue earned by the wind owner from shifting strategies, such as the use of batteries, are more substantial at low wind shares than at high wind shares. The opposite situation is found for absorbing strategies, such as power‐to‐gas, which are found to be more efficient at reducing the average generation cost and increasing profit for the wind owner as the wind share increases. In regions that have access to complementing strategies in the form of reservoir hydropower, variation management has a weak ability to reduce the average short‐term generation cost, although it can increase significantly the revenue accrued by the wind power owner.
Social network analysis: An overview
Authors: Tabassum Shazia , Pereira Fabiola S. F. , Fernandes Sofia , Gama João
Published: April 2018

Social network analysis (SNA) is a core pursuit of analyzing social networks today. In addition to the usual statistical techniques of data analysis, these networks are investigated using SNA measures. It helps in understanding the dependencies between social entities in the data, characterizing their behaviors and their effect on the network as a whole and over time. Therefore, this article attempts to provide a succinct overview of SNA in diverse topological networks (static, temporal, and evolving networks) and perspective (ego‐networks). As one of the primary applicability of SNA is in networked data mining, we provide a brief overview of network mining models as well; by this, we present the readers with a concise guided tour from analysis to mining of networks.

This article is categorized under:

Application Areas > Science and Technology

Technologies > Machine Learning

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Human Centricity and User Interaction

Commercial, Legal, and Ethical Issues > Social Considerations
An overview on the evolution and adoption of deep learning applications used in the industry
Authors: Dutta Sourav
Published: April 2018

With continuous improvements in performance of microprocessors over the years, they now possess capabilities of supercomputers of earlier decade. Further with the continuous increase in the packaging density on the silicon and General Purpose Graphics Processing Unit (GPGPU) enhancements, has led to utilization the deep learning (DL) techniques, which had lost steam during the last decade. A GPGPU is a parallel programming setup using a combination of GPUs and CPUs that can manipulate large matrices. Interestingly, GPUs were created for faster graphic processing, but found its way into relevant scientific computing. DL is a subset of the artificial intelligence (AI) domain and falls specifically under the set of machine learning (ML) techniques which are based on learning data representations rather than task‐specific algorithms. It has been observed that the accuracy and the pragmatism of deploying DL at massive level was restricted by technological issues of executing DL based AI models, with extremely large training sessions running into weeks. DL applications can solve problems of very large order and areas like computer vision/image processing is one of the early successes and becoming quite a sensation in many areas such as natural language processing (NLP) with state of the art real‐time translation capabilities, automatic game playing, optical character recognition especially handwritten text, and so on. This overview traverses the evolution and successful adoption in the various industry verticals.

This article is categorized under:

Application Areas > Industry Specific Applications

Application Areas > Business and Industry

Technologies > Machine Learning
Identification of nanoparticles and nanosystems in biological matrices with scanning probe microscopy
Authors: Angeloni Livia , Reggente Melania , Passeri Daniele , Natali Marco , Rossi Marco
Published: April 2018

Identification of nanoparticles and nanosystems into cells and biological matrices is a hot research topic in nanobiotechnologies. Because of their capability to map physical properties (mechanical, electric, magnetic, chemical, or optical), several scanning probe microscopy based techniques have been proposed for the subsurface detection of nanomaterials in biological systems. In particular, atomic force microscopy (AFM) can be used to reveal stiff nanoparticles in cells and other soft biomaterials by probing the sample mechanical properties through the acquisition of local indentation curves or through the combination of ultrasound‐based methods, like contact resonance AFM (CR‐AFM) or scanning near field ultrasound holography. Magnetic force microscopy can detect magnetic nanoparticles and other magnetic (bio)materials in nonmagnetic biological samples, while electric force microscopy, conductive AFM, and Kelvin probe force microscopy can reveal buried nanomaterials on the basis of the differences between their electric properties and those of the surrounding matrices. Finally, scanning near field optical microscopy and tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy can visualize buried nanostructures on the basis of their optical and chemical properties. Despite at a still early stage, these methods are promising for detection of nanomaterials in biological systems as they could be truly noninvasive, would not require destructive and time‐consuming specific sample preparation, could be performed in vitro, on alive samples and in water or physiological environment, and by continuously imaging the same sample could be used to dynamically monitor the diffusion paths and interaction mechanisms of nanomaterials into cells and biological systems.

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Kinetic models of hematopoietic differentiation
Authors: Olariu Victor , Peterson Carsten
Published: April 2018

As cell and molecular biology is becoming increasingly quantitative, there is an upsurge of interest in mechanistic modeling at different levels of resolution. Such models mostly concern kinetics and include gene and protein interactions as well as cell population dynamics. The final goal of these models is to provide experimental predictions, which is now taking on. However, even without matured predictions, kinetic models serve the purpose of compressing a plurality of experimental results into something that can empower the data interpretation, and importantly, suggesting new experiments by turning “knobs” in silico. Once formulated, kinetic models can be executed in terms of molecular rate equations for concentrations or by stochastic simulations when only a limited number of copies are involved. Developmental processes, in particular those of stem and progenitor cell commitments, are not only topical but also particularly suitable for kinetic modeling due to the finite number of key genes involved in cellular decisions. Stem and progenitor cell commitment processes have been subject to intense experimental studies over the last decade with some emphasis on embryonic and hematopoietic stem cells. Gene and protein interactions governing these processes can be modeled by binary Boolean rules or by continuous‐valued models with interactions set by binding strengths. Conceptual insights along with tested predictions have emerged from such kinetic models. Here we review kinetic modeling efforts applied to stem cell developmental systems with focus on hematopoiesis. We highlight the future challenges including multi‐scale models integrating cell dynamical and transcriptional models.

This article is categorized under:

Models of Systems Properties and Processes > Mechanistic Models

Developmental Biology > Stem Cell Biology and Regeneration
To gauge or not to gauge?
Authors: Maldacena Juan , Milekhin Alexey
Published: April 2018

Abstract

The D0 brane, or BFSS, matrix model is a quantum mechanical theory with an interesting gravity dual. We consider a variant of this model where we treat the SU(N) symmetry as a global symmetry, rather than as a gauge symmetry. This variant contains new non-singlet states. We consider the impact of these new states on its gravity dual. We argue that the gravity dual is essentially the same as the one for the original matrix model. The non-singlet states have higher energy at strong coupling and are therefore dynamically suppressed.
Teichmüller TQFT vs. Chern-Simons theory
Authors: Mikhaylov Victor
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Teichmüller TQFT is a unitary 3d topological theory whose Hilbert spaces are spanned by Liouville conformal blocks. It is related but not identical to PSL(2, ℝ) Chern-Simons theory. To physicists, it is known in particular in the context of 3d-3d correspondence and also in the holographic description of Virasoro conformal blocks. We propose that this theory can be defined by an analytically-continued Chern-Simons path-integral with an unusual integration cycle. On hyperbolic three-manifolds, this cycle is singled out by the requirement of invertible vielbein. Mathematically, our proposal translates a known conjecture by Andersen and Kashaev into a conjecture about the Kapustin-Witten equations. We further explain that Teichmüller TQFT is dual to complex SL(2, ℂ) Chern-Simons theory at integer level k = 1, clarifying some puzzles previously encountered in the 3d-3d correspondence literature. We also present a new simple derivation of complex Chern-Simons theories from the 6d (2,0) theory on a lens space with a transversely-holomorphic foliation.
Causal holographic information does not satisfy the linearized quantum focusing condition
Authors: Fu Zicao , Marolf Donald , Qi Marvin
Published: April 2018

Abstract

The Hubeny-Rangamani causal holographic information (CHI) defined by a region R of a holographic quantum field theory (QFT) is a modern version of the idea that the area of event horizons might be related to an entropy. Here the event horizon lives in a dual gravitational bulk theory with Newton’s constant G
bulk, and the relation involves a factor of 4G
bulk. The fact that CHI is bounded below by the von Neumann entropy S suggests that CHI is coarse-grained. Its properties could thus differ markedly from those of S. In particular, recent results imply that when d ≤ 4 holographic QFTs are perturbatively coupled to d-dimensional gravity, the combined system satisfies the so-called quantum focusing condition (QFC) at leading order in the new gravitational coupling G

d
when the QFT entropy is taken to be that of von Neumann. However, by studying states dual to spherical bulk (anti-de Sitter) Schwarschild black holes in the conformal frame for which the boundary is a (2 + 1)-dimensional de Sitter space, we find the QFC defined by CHI is violated even when perturbing about a Killing horizon and using a single null congruence. Since it is known that a generalized second law (GSL) holds in this context, our work demonstrates that the QFC is not required in order for an entropy, or an entropy-like quantity, to satisfy such a GSL.
Dental and periodontal manifestations of glycogen storage diseases: a case series of 60 patients
Authors: Biosse Duplan Martin , Hubert Aurélie , Le Norcy Elvire , Louzoun Alice , Perry Ariane , Chaussain Catherine , Labrune Philippe
Published: April 2018

Glycogen storage diseases (GSDs) are rare genetic disorders of glycogen metabolism where the liver, kidneys, respiratory and cardiac muscles, as well as the immune and skeletal systems can be affected. Oral manifestations can also be present, but the specificity and frequency of these manifestations in the different forms of GSD are unknown. Analysis of a case series of 60 patients presenting four types of GSD (Ia, Ib, III, and IX) showed that the different types of GSDs have common and specific oral manifestations. In none of the GSD types studied, the prevalence of caries was higher than in the general population, especially in patients benefiting from current nutritional therapy, while in all GSD types the prevalence of delayed tooth eruption, agenesis, and tooth shape abnormalities was increased compared to the general population. Severe periodontitis prevalence was increased in patients with GSD Ib and neutropenia. Our results show that GSDs have oral manifestations and suggest some specificity depending on the type of GSDs.
Family ethnic socialization predicts better academic outcomes via proactive coping with discrimination and increased self‐efficacy
Authors: McDermott Elana R. , Umaña‐Taylor Adriana J. , Martinez‐Fuentes Stefanie
Published: April 2018

As the U.S. Latino youth population grows, understanding how family and individual resources may promote Latino adolescents' academic outcomes is important. The current investigation examined whether family ethnic socialization predicted adolescents' use of proactive strategies for coping with ethnic‐racial discrimination and examined a potential pathway through which these contextual and individual resources may relate to educational outcomes. Drawing on data from a sample of Latino adolescents (n = 321; Mage = 15.31 years, SD = .76; 49.5% female), results of a cross‐sectional structural equation model showed a double mediation of the relation between family ethnic socialization and GPA by proactive coping strategies and self‐efficacy. Alternate models, limitations of the current investigation, and implications for future research are discussed.
Myeloid sarcoma with megakaryoblastic differentiation presenting as a breast mass
Authors: Obiorah Ifeyinwa E. , Ozdemirli Metin
Published: April 2018

Myeloid sarcoma is an extramedullary tumor that consists of myeloblasts or immature myeloid cells. The neoplasm can occur in any part of the body, including the bone, periosteum, lymph nodes, skin, and soft tissue and they may occur de novo or in association with acute myeloid leukemia, myeloproliferative neoplasms and myelodysplastic syndromes. Most cases display a myelomonocytic or pure monoblastic morphology. Tumors with megakaryoblastic differentiation are extremely uncommon and may occur in association with transformation of a myeloproliferative disorder. Myeloid sarcoma presenting as a breast mass is very rare and diagnostically challenging. We report a case of myeloid sarcoma with megakaryoblastic differentiation in the breast of a patient with history of essential thrombocythemia. The mass was composed of undifferentiated pleomorphic malignant cells in trabecular cords and nests with many scattered giant malignant cells and brisk abnormal mitoses. On immunohistochemistry, the neoplastic cells were positive for CD61, CD31, CD34, Factor VIII and CD43 which confirmed the diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of myeloid sarcoma with megakaryoblastic morphology occurring in the breast. Here we discuss the clinicopathologic features of this rare entity and the challenges involved in making this difficult diagnosis.
Sorafenib-induced tumor lysis syndrome in a patient with metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma ☆
Authors: Imam Sardar Zakariya , Zahid Mohammad Faizan , Maqbool Muhammad Asad
Published: April 2018

Tumor lysis syndrome is a potentially lethal complication of chemotherapy, usually associated with aggressive hematologic malignancies. We describe the case of a young patient with metastatic hepatocellular cancer who developed rapid and fatal tumor lysis syndrome following initiation of sorafenib therapy. Although rare with sorafenib therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, tumor lysis syndrome is serious complication. Patients with a high burden of disease at therapy initiation should have their metabolic parameters measured prior to starting therapy and closely followed for the first 1–2 weeks while being treated.
Relationship Efficacy and Relationship-Related Attitudes
Authors: Cohen Marisa T.
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the connection between relationship efficacy and other relationship-related attitudes. The sample consisted of 211 participants who were given measures of relationship efficacy, sociosexuality, and attitudes toward consensual non-monogamy. Results demonstrated a negative relationship between efficacy and views on non-monogamy, a negative relationship between efficacy and sociosexuality, and a difference in efficacy between those who were and were not in a relationship at the time of the study. Relationship efficacy is important to examine, as our beliefs about our capabilities are likely to influence our future success.
How young and older people differ in discriminatory behaviour towards older people? An explanation of the knowledge–attitude–behaviour continuum model
Authors: CHUNG SOONDOOL , PARK HYUNJU
Published: April 2018

This study examined the causal relationship between knowledge, attitudes and discriminatory behaviour towards older people and further explored age-group differences using multi-group analysis. Data were collected from 1,500 Korean adults aged 20 and older in 2011 using the multi-stage quota sampling method. Trained investigators collected data with a developed survey questionnaire in person and a structural equation modelling method was used for data analysis. Attitudes towards older people was measured using two variables: ‘image of older people’ and ‘prejudice against older people’. The findings revealed that the younger and older generations demonstrated differences regarding the causal relationship between knowledge, attitudes and discriminatory behaviour towards older people. The paths model between independent and dependent variables in the structural equation modelling was non-equivalent in younger and older groups. For both groups, knowledge about ageing and older people led to a positive influence on their image of and prejudice against older people. The effect of prejudice on discriminatory behaviour was significant in the younger group, but not in the older group. Further implications for practice and future research to reduce ageism were discussed.
Pollination of the Australian cycad Cycas ophiolitica (Cycadaceae): the limited role of wind pollination in a cycad with beetle pollinator mutualists, and its ecological significance
Authors: Hall John A. , Walter Gimme H.
Published: April 2018

Cycads in the Zamiaceae are well known for their host-specific insect pollination mutualisms. Pollination of Cycas in the sister family Cycadaceae is less well-documented, with beetle pollination possibly coexisting with a limited potential for wind pollination, a hypothesis we tested for C. ophiolitica in Central Queensland, Australia. Cones were associated with three species of beetle: an undescribed weevil (Curculionidae), Hapalips sp. (Erotylidae) and Ulomoides sp. (Tenebrionidae). Pollination-vector exclusion experiments compared the pollination success (quantified as % ovules pollinated per cone) of control cones against bagged or netted cones that excluded wind or insects respectively (n = 10 for all treatments). Insects do pollinate C. ophiolitica in the absence of wind, the median (first quartile-third quartile) pollination success of control plants being 83.7% (60.8–87.2%) while bagged cones, from which wind, but not insects, were excluded, pollinated at 52.9% (19.5–74.8%). For netted cones, (excluding insects but not wind), pollination fell to 12.6% (10.9–45.9%). Airborne pollen (as quantified by capture on a series of adhesive pollen traps) decreased rapidly with distance from male cones, potentially becoming ineffective for wind pollination at ~5 m. Airborne pollen load in the vicinity of female cones, and distance of females from neighbouring males, suggests wind pollination may occur sporadically, but only at high spatial densities. Although Cycas appears to be primarily insect pollinated, this limited potential for ambophily may be significant given the history of dispersal and pollinator host shifts among these cycads.
SUBJECT POSITION AND INFORMATION STRUCTURE IN L2 SPANISH
Authors: Sánchez Alvarado Covadonga
Published: April 2018

This study investigates the acquisition of the constraints regulating subject position in the L2 Spanish spoken by English native speakers and provides a representational account following the premises of the Multiple Grammars (MG) model. The acceptability of preverbal and postverbal subjects is compared considering different discursive contexts (i.e., broad focus, Verbal Phase [VP] focus, and subject focus). Three groups (i.e., native speakers, intermediate learners, and advanced learners), with 28 subjects each, took part in the study. Findings show that advanced speakers behave in a more nativelike manner than intermediate learners. Learners, nonetheless, are not capable of blocking the acceptability of preverbal subjects in those contexts in which native speakers disfavor them and show high productivity levels of underspecified L2 rules that lead them to accept postverbal subjects in infelicitous contexts (e.g., VP focus). These results are consistent with MG, the representation model proposed by Amaral and Roeper (2014), because an acquisition path can be described using simple rules with lexical or pragmatic restrictions, which may be targetlike. Optionality can be explained considering that L1 and L2 rules coexist and are never deleted, simply assigned different productivity levels or blocked.
Critical periods in amblyopia
Authors: HENSCH TAKAO K. , QUINLAN ELIZABETH M.
Published: April 2018

The shift in ocular dominance (OD) of binocular neurons induced by monocular deprivation is the canonical model of synaptic plasticity confined to a postnatal critical period. Developmental constraints on this plasticity not only lend stability to the mature visual cortical circuitry but also impede the ability to recover from amblyopia beyond an early window. Advances with mouse models utilizing the power of molecular, genetic, and imaging tools are beginning to unravel the circuit, cellular, and molecular mechanisms controlling the onset and closure of the critical periods of plasticity in the primary visual cortex (V1). Emerging evidence suggests that mechanisms enabling plasticity in juveniles are not simply lost with age but rather that plasticity is actively constrained by the developmental up-regulation of molecular ‘brakes’. Lifting these brakes enhances plasticity in the adult visual cortex, and can be harnessed to promote recovery from amblyopia. The reactivation of plasticity by experimental manipulations has revised the idea that robust OD plasticity is limited to early postnatal development. Here, we discuss recent insights into the neurobiology of the initiation and termination of critical periods and how our increasingly mechanistic understanding of these processes can be leveraged toward improved clinical treatment of adult amblyopia.
Cortical correlates of amblyopia
Authors: KIORPES LYNNE , DAW NIGEL
Published: April 2018

There are many levels of disorder in amblyopic vision, from basic acuity and contrast sensitivity loss to abnormal binocular vision and global perception of motion and form. Amblyopia treatment via patching to restore acuity often leaves other aspects of vision deficient. The source for these additional deficits is unclear. Neural correlates of poor binocular function and acuity loss are found in V1 and V2. However, they are generally not sufficient to account for behaviorally measured vision loss. This review summarizes the known cortical correlates of visual deficits found in association with amblyopia, particularly those relevant to binocular vision and higher-order visual processing, in striate and extrastriate cortex. Recommendations for future research address open questions on the role of suppression and oculomotor abnormalities in amblyopic vision, and underexplored mechanisms such as top-down influences on information transmission in the amblyopic brain.
Comparison of Electronic Versus Manual Mass-Casualty Incident Triage
Authors: Bolduc Claudie , Maghraby Nisreen , Fok Patrick , Luong The Minh , Homier Valerie
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) easily overwhelm a health care facility’s human and material resources through the extraordinary influx of casualties. Efficient and accurate triage of incoming casualties is a critical step in the hospital disaster response.

Hypothesis/Problem

Traditionally, triage during MCIs has been manually performed using paper cards. This study investigated the use of electronic Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START) triage as compared to the manual method.

Methods

This observational, crossover study was performed during a live MCI simulation at an urban, Canadian, Level 1 trauma center on May 26, 2016. Health care providers (two medical doctors [MDs], two paramedics [PMs], and two registered nurses [RNs]) each triaged a total of 30 simulated patients - 15 by manual (paper-based) and 15 by electronic (computer-based) START triage. Accuracy of triage categories and time of triage were analyzed. Post-simulation, patients and participating health care providers also completed a feedback form.

Results

There was no difference in accuracy of triage between the electronic and manual methods overall, 83% and 80% (P=1.0), between providers or between triage categories. On average, triage time using the manual method was estimated to be 8.4 seconds faster (P<.001) for PMs; and while small differences in triage times were observed for MDs and RNs, they were not significant. Data from the participant feedback survey showed that the electronic method was preferred by most health care providers. Patients had no preference for either method. However, patients perceived the computer-based method as “less personal” than the manual triage method, but they also perceived the former as “better organized.”

Conclusion

Hospital-based electronic START triage had the same accuracy as hospital-based manual START triage, regardless of triage provider type or acuity of patient presentations. Time of triage results suggest that speed may be related to provider familiarity with a modality rather than the modality itself. Finally, according to patient and provider perceptions, electronic triage is a feasible modality for hospital triage of mass casualties. Further studies are required to assess the performance of electronic hospital triage, in the context of a rapid surge of patients, and should consider additional efficiencies built in to electronic triage systems. This study presents a framework for assessing the accuracy, triage time, and feasibility of digital technologies in live simulation training or actual MCIs.

BolducC, MaghrabyN, FokP, LuongTM, HomierV. Comparison of electronic versus manual mass-casualty incident triage. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(3):273–278.
Assessing food security using household consumption expenditure surveys (HCES): a scoping literature review
Authors: Russell Joanna , Lechner Anne , Hanich Quentin , Delisle Aurélie , Campbell Brooke , Charlton Karen
Published: April 2018

Objective

To meet some of the UN’s seventeen Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, there is a need for more effective policy to reduce food insecurity in low-income and lower-middle-income countries (LMIC). Measuring progress towards these goals requires reliable indicators of food security in these countries. Routinely conducted household consumption and expenditure surveys (HCES) provide potentially valuable and nationally representative data sets for this purpose. The present study aimed to assess methods used to determine national food security status using proxy measures from HCES data in LMIC globally.

Design

A scoping literature review was conducted using electronic databases. Of the 929 abstracts identified, a total of twenty articles were reviewed against strict inclusion and exclusion criteria and included for further analysis.

Results

Fourteen LMIC globally were represented in the twenty articles. The simplest metric used to indicate food insecurity compared household food expenditure against a level of expenditure considered to be below the poverty line. Data on acquisition of food was commonly converted to available energy for the household using local food composition tables and expressed as a proportion of household total energy requirements. Dietary diversity was also assessed in some studies as well as experience of food insecurity.

Conclusions

The review demonstrated that routinely collected HCES data sets provide a useful resource for the measurement of household food security in often resource-limited LMIC. Standardisation of methods used to assess food security is needed to allow for more useful comparisons between countries, as well as to assess temporal trends.
Protecting internally displaced persons: The value of the Kampala Convention as a regional example
Authors: Dieng Adama
Published: April 2018

This article examines the value of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention) in the general quest for the regional and global protection of internally displaced persons (IDPs). It contends that the absence of a globally binding legal instrument for the protection of IDPs underlines the importance of the Kampala Convention and the possible contribution it can make to global and regional efforts to create a binding legal framework for the protection of IDPs. While recognizing some challenges that may impact the full implementation of the Convention, the article concludes by noting its various positive elements that are invaluable in overall efforts to create a comprehensive global legal framework to enhance protection of IDPs.
The mental health consumer movement and peer providers in Israel
Authors: Moran G. S.
Published: April 2018

Self-help peer-support groups in Israel emerged in the 1980s and, over time, dynamically interacted and co-developed with the statutory mental health (MH) system. In this editorial, I outline historical milestones of how the evolution of the Israeli mental health system was influenced by the consumer movement. A brief depiction of the consumer movement history. At first, consumers operated outside of the mainstream MH system. Gradually, consumer groups and institutional personnel joined efforts towards community integration and enhancement of quality of life, pushing forward a person-centered recovery orientation. In turn, some administrators and key stakeholders in rehabilitation community services grew to value the impact of knowledge-by-experience in contemporary mental health care. In this context, over the past decade, peer roles were developed in the mental health system, including consumer-providers in community services and peer specialists in inpatient psychiatric hospitals. The insertion of peer roles into the mainstream MH system is far-reaching, including the placement of a peer-project coordinator within the ministry of health. I describe the unique contribution of peers, as experts-by-experience, to mainstream professional knowledge and practice. I also highlight the potential challenges involved when peer models of care are added to traditional medical models of care. The Israeli case demonstrates how the consumer movement can play an active role in MH systems and be acknowledged and recognised as a partner for changing policy, practice and reshaping formal institutions. In addition, they play a vital role in the development of peer-support services.
Clusterrandomisierte kontrollierte Untersuchung eines Stressbewältigungs-Trainings in der gymnasialen Oberstufe
Authors: Eppelmann Lena , Parzer Peter , Lenzen Christoph , Bürger Arne , Haffner Johann , Resch Franz , Kaess Michael
Published: April 2018

Zusammenfassung. Fragestellung: Ein Fünftel aller Kinder und Jugendlichen in Deutschland ist von psychischen Auffälligkeiten betroffen, welche mit Beeinträchtigungen von Lebenszufriedenheit und Funktionsniveau einhergehen. Die Entstehung psychischer Probleme steht oft in unmittelbarem Zusammenhang mit hohem Stresserleben. Um der Entwicklung psychischer Symptomkonstellationen entgegenzuwirken, scheint es daher vielversprechend, Kompetenzen zur Stressbewältigung (Coping) zu vermitteln. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie ist die Evaluation eines 3 x 90-minütigen Stressbewältigungs-Trainings für die gymnasiale Oberstufe, Klasse 11. Methodik: In einer clusterrandomisierten kontrollierten Untersuchung wurde geprüft, ob das Präventionsprogramm zu einer Reduktion des Stresserlebens führt. Nebenzielkriterien waren Wissen über Stress und Coping, Copingstrategien, emotionale und Verhaltensauffälligkeiten sowie die gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität. 21 Kurse von vier Schulen wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Ergebnisse: Die Stichprobe umfasste 286 Jugendliche (58.25 % Mädchen; mittleres Alter 16.58 ± 0.65 Jahre). Die Veränderung des Stresserlebens zwischen Prä- und Post-Erhebung unterschied sich nicht signifikant zwischen der Interventions- und der Kontrollgruppe. Im Bereich der Nebenzielkriterien zeigte sich ein signifikanter Wissenszuwachs, jedoch keine weiteren Effekte. Eine explorative Moderatoranalyse lässt einen positiven Zusammenhang zwischen Höhe der Stressbelastung und Trainingswirksamkeit erkennen. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Erkenntnisse stellen infrage, ob die universelle Prävention von Stress für die Zielgruppe geeignet ist. Künftige Studien sollten u. a. auch das Potenzial indizierter Programme in Bezug auf Stress untersuchen.
Empirical Characterization of Low‐Altitude Ion Flux Derived from TWINS
Authors: Goldstein J. , LLera K. , McComas D. J. , Redfern J. , Valek P. W.
Published: April 2018

In this study we analyze ion differential flux from 10 events between 2008 and 2015. The ion fluxes are derived from low‐altitude emissions (LAEs) in energetic neutral atom (ENA) images obtained by Two Wide‐angle Imaging Neutral‐atom Spectrometers (TWINS). The data set comprises 119.44 hr of observations, including 4,284 per energy images with 128,277 values of differential ENA flux from pixels near Earth's limb. Limb pixel data are extracted and mapped to a common polar ionospheric grid and associated with values of the Dst index. Statistical analysis is restricted to pixels within 10% of the LAE emissivity peak. For weak Dst conditions we find a premidnight peak in the average ion precipitation, whose flux and location are relatively insensitive to energy. For moderate Dst, elevated flux levels appear over a wider magnetic local time (MLT) range, with a separation of peak locations by energy. Strong disturbances bring a dramatic flux increase across the entire nightside at all energies but strongest for low energies in the postmidnight sector. The arrival of low‐energy ions can lower the average energy for strong Dst, even as it raises the total integral number flux. TWINS‐derived ion fluxes provide a macroscale measurement of the average precipitating ion distribution and confirm that convection, either quasi‐steady or bursty, is an important process controlling the spatial and spectral properties of precipitating ions. The premidnight peak (weak Dst), MLT widening and energy‐versus‐MLT dependence (moderate Dst), and postmidnight low‐energy ion enhancement (strong Dst) are consistent with observations and models of steady or bursty convective transport.
Photopolarimetric Sensitivity to Black Carbon Content of Wildfire Smoke: Results From the 2016 ImPACT‐PM Field Campaign
Authors: Kalashnikova O. V. , Garay M. J. , Bates K. H. , Kenseth C. M. , Kong W. , Cappa C. D. , Lyapustin A. I. , Jonsson H. H. , Seidel F. C. , Xu F. , Diner D. J. , Seinfeld J. H.
Published: April 2018

Detailed characterization of the aerosol content of wildfire smoke plumes is typically performed through in situ aircraft observations, which have limited temporal and spatial coverage. Extending such observations to regional or global scales requires new remote sensing approaches, such as retrievals that make use of spectropolarimetric, multiangle imaging. In this work measurements made during the Imaging Polarimetric Assessment and Characterization of Tropospheric Particulate Matter (ImPACT‐PM) field campaign in a smoke plume near the town of Lebec in Southern California by the Navy Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely Piloted Aircraft Studies Twin Otter aircraft on 8 July 2016 are used in conjunction with near‐coincident measurements from the Airborne Multiangle SpectroPolarimetric Imager (AirMSPI) on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration ER‐2 high‐altitude research aircraft to assess the sensitivity of spectropolarimetric measurements to the black carbon content of the plume. Tracking visible features in the smoke through the sequence of AirMSPI observations allowed the height of the plume to be estimated through geometric techniques. Then, by constraining the fractional amounts of the aerosol constituents with the in situ data, radiative closure was obtained through simulations performed with a polarimetric radiative transfer code, demonstrating the ability to constrain the black carbon mass fraction to approximately 5%, given the uncertainties in the AirMSPI measurements and the assumption of external mixing of aerosol components. The AirMSPI retrieval, made using a limited set of observations from the 470 nm polarimetric spectral band alone, was also generally consistent with operational retrievals of aerosol optical depth and surface reflectance made by the Multi‐Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction algorithm at 1 km resolution.
Tropical Cyclonic Rainfall in China: Changing Properties, Seasonality, and Causes
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Lai Yangchen , Gu Xihui , Shi Peijun , Singh Vijay P.
Published: April 2018

Using daily rainfall data from 1936 stations across China, this study investigated tropical cyclonic rainfall (TCR) changes during 1960–2014. The possible reasons behind TCR changes were examined using tracks and frequency of tropical cyclones (TCs) in both space and time. The highest annual TCR occur in coastal regions of east and southeast China (>500 mm/year). At monthly scale, August TCR can reach 150–250 mm in coastal regions. From the contribution viewpoint, TCR accounts for more than 40% of the monthly total rainfall and extreme rainfall events along the southeast coast of China. The contributions of TCR to the monthly rainfall amount decrease rapidly from coast to inland and are even faster for contributions of TCR to extreme rainfall. The distance inland from the shoreline with 250 km has been identified as the threshold, within that these contributions abruptly increase with decreasing distance from shoreline, and vice versa. In terms of extreme rainfall regimes, logistic and Poisson regressive techniques were used to identify the connections between TC‐induced extreme rainfall and El Niño–Southern Oscillation. Both these two regressions reveal that TC‐induced extreme rainfall tends to occur with higher frequency and magnitude in southeastern China (east and northeast coast of China) during La Niña (El Niño) years (El Niño). These consistent relations and remarkable spatial patterns can help to predict the occurrence of TC‐induced extreme rainfall events across eastern China.
Enhanced Temperature‐Humidity Similarity Caused by Entrainment Processes With Increased Wind Shear
Authors: Gao Zhongming , Liu Heping , Li Dan , Katul Gabriel G. , Blanken Peter D.
Published: April 2018

A number of studies already suggested that entrainment of warm/dry air from aloft degrades the similarity between air temperature (T) and specific humidity (q) in the atmospheric surface layer (ASL). Less is known about entrainment of cool/dry air on the ASL T‐q similarity. Using eddy covariance measurements over a large inland water surface, enhanced T‐q similarity with increased friction velocity (u*) was measured during daytime unstable conditions. Explaining this enhancement is the main goal of this work. Cool/dry air masses originating and advecting from land set the upper boundary condition on a quasi‐equilibrated internal boundary layer embedding the warm/moist ASL over water. With increased u*, the entrainment velocity (dhI/dt ∝ u*) increases, thereby enhancing entrainment of cool/dry air originating from land, where t is time and hI is the internal boundary layer depth. By analyzing the scale‐dependent (spectral) correlation coefficients, the enhanced T‐q similarity with increased u* was shown to originate from spectral correlation coefficients in the middle‐ to low‐frequency ranges (large eddies ≫ z, the distance from the surface). With further increases in u*, similarity between T and q within large eddies was further enhanced and phase differences between T and q was reduced. Quadrant analysis showed large increases in flux and time fractions of downward large cool/dry eddies with increasing u*. These results provide evidence that enhanced entrainment of synchronized, large cool/dry eddies was a primary cause for the increased T‐q similarity with increasing u*.