bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anticipating Corporate Financial Performance from CEO Letters Utilizing Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Che Siqi , Zhu Wenzhong , Li Xuepei
Published: May 2020

With the emergence and tremendous growth of text mining, a computer-assisted approach for capturing sentiment viewpoints from textual data is gradually becoming a promising field, particularly when researchers are increasingly facing the problem of filtering bunches of useless information without capturing the essence in the big data era. This study aims at observing and classifying the sentiment orientation in CEO letters, digging the main corporate social responsibility (CSR) themes, and examining the effectiveness of CEO letters’ sentiment on forecasting financial performance. A specific sentiment dictionary has been proposed to identify and classify the sentiment orientation in CEO letters by utilizing the appraisal theory. Additionally, the qualitative data analysis software NVivo is applied to explore the CSR topics. Furthermore, a modified Altman’s Z-score model and machine-learning approach are employed to predict financial performance. The results of preliminary evaluations validate that approximately 62.14% of the texts represent positive polarity even when companies are not in a promising economic situation. The CSR themes mainly focus on business ethical responsibility, particularly ethical activities. Among various machine-learning approaches, the logistic regression approach is appropriate for predicting financial performance with the state-of-the-art accuracy of 70.46 %. The encouraging results indicate that the sentiment information inCEO letters is a vital factor for anticipating financial performance. This work not only offers a new analytic framework for associating linguistic theory with computer science and economic models but will also improve stakeholders’ decision-making.
Explaining Soil Fertility Heterogeneity in Smallholder Farms of Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Laekemariam Fanuel , Kibret Kibebew
Published: May 2020

Soil is spatially heterogeneous and needs site-specific management. However, soil nutrient information at larger scale in most cases is lacking. Consequently, fertilizer advisory services become dependent upon blanket recommendation approach. Subsequently, it affects yield and profitability. This study is aimed at explaining soil fertility heterogeneity in Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia. About 789 soil samples were collected to evaluate soil physical (color, particle size, and bulk density) and chemical properties (pH, OC, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, PBS, and CEC). The laser diffraction method for soil particles and mid-infrared diffused reflectance (MIR) spectral analysis for OC, TN, and CEC determination were employed. Mehlich-III extraction and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometer measurement were used for the remaining elements. The result based on principal component analysis showed that 52% of the total variations were explained by exchangeable bases, CEC, pH, available P, Cu, B, and particle sizes. Clay texture and acidic soil reaction are dominant. Soil parameters with the following ranges were found at low status: soil OC (0.2–6.9%), total N (0.01–0.7%), available P (0.1–238 mg/kg), S (4–30 mg/kg), B (0.01–6.9 mg/kg), and Cu (0.01–5.0 mg/kg). Besides, low levels of exchangeable Ca, Mg, and K (Mg-induced K deficiency) on 22, 34, and 54% soil samples, respectively, were recorded. The soil contained sufficient Fe, Zn, and Mn. In conclusion, the study aids in developing practical decision for optimum soil management interventions and overcomes lower productivity occurring due to fertilizer use that is not tailored to the local conditions. Overall, continuous cropping, low return of crop residues, and low and/or no fertilizer application might have caused the low status of N, P, K, S, B, and Cu. Therefore, application of inorganic fertilizers specific to the site, lime in acidic soils, and organic fertilizers are recommended to restore the soil fertility and improve crop productivity.
Experimental Study on Deformation Mechanism of a Utility Tunnel in a Ground Fissure Area
Authors: Zhang Dan , Hu Zhiping , Lu Ganggang , Wang Rui , Ren Xiang
Published: May 2020

This paper discusses the deformation mechanism of a utility tunnel crossing active ground fissures in Xi’an as observed in a physical model test. The purpose of this work is to confirm the precise effects of ground fissures on utility tunnels. The physical simulation experiment is carried out to measure the earth pressure and the strain relationship of the structure and the structural displacement. The structure appears to have been destroyed by torsion. The structural deformation located in the tunnel’s footwall was more serious than that in the hanging wall. However, at the top of the utility tunnel structure, the earth pressure in the footwall was less than that in the hanging wall. The increased range of the hanging wall at 0.3–1.5 m (the prototype within the range of 22.5 m) and decreased range of the footwall at 0.3–0.8 m (the prototype within the range of 12 m) were basically consistent with changes in the contact pressure at the structure’s bottom. This was roughly consistent with the main deformation zone of ground fissures mentioned in the specification, with the hanging wall at 0–20 m and footwall at 0–12 mm. Displacement meter data shows that the structure tends to deform to the lower right as the utility tunnel is “twisted” clockwise. These observations mark a notable departure from the previously published failure mode of metro tunnels under active ground fissures.
Does Patent Help to Build Investment Portfolio of China A-Shares under China-US Trade Conflict?
Authors: Chiu Yu-Jing , Chen Kuang-Chin , Che Hui-Chung
Published: May 2020

Patent, a legal representation of innovation achievement, is strongly meaningful for almost every country’s economic growth and technology development. China, the world’s no. 2 stock market, is the world’s largest patent application country. In this study, we observed 2,197 China-listed companies of Renminbi (RMB) common stocks (A-shares) from 2016 to 2018. The relationship among 570 valid patent indicators and financial indicators of the stock price, Return-on-Assets (ROA), and Return-on-Equity (ROE) was examined. We constructed patent leading indicators, patent kernel indicators, and patent prediction equations for predicting the stock price, ROA, and ROE using the Granger causality test and the dynamic time series forecast model. The stock performance of investment portfolios based on patent prediction equations was thoroughly discussed. We found that investment portfolios constructed by the higher predictive ROA, the higher predictive ROE, and the higher predictive stock price growth rate have better performance than the A-shares’ average. The underlying concept behind this study is that despite the overall economic environment fluctuation and the China-US trade conflict, the patent-based algorithm proposed was proved to be useful to discover good investment portfolios.
3D Physical Simulation Experiment of Edge Water Reservoir by Polymer/Surfactant Binary Flooding
Authors: Wang Qunyi , Geng Wenshuang , Luo Fuquan , Gai Changcheng , Zhang Xuena , Gu Xiao
Published: May 2020

To investigate the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology by chemical flooding in an edge water reservoir, a 3D physical simulation experimental device for the edge water reservoir was developed, and polymer/surfactant binary flooding experiments were carried out under different edge water energies. In addition, the effect and mechanism of binary flooding on EOR under different edge water energies were comprehensively analyzed. Experimental results show that edge water intrusion considerably affects EOR by binary flooding. The stronger the edge water energy, the worse the effect of EOR by binary flooding. Edge water possibly diluted the concentration of the chemical agent medium that is injected into the reservoir, and the degree of dilution varied in different regions. The dilution region was mainly distributed between the injection wells and edge water. The stronger the edge water energy, the higher the dilution multiple of chemical agent and the greater the recovery loss rate by binary flooding.
Spectrophotometric Determination of Palladium(II) Ions Using a New Reagent: 4-(N’-(4-Imino-2-oxo-thiazolidine-5-ylidene)-hydrazino)-benzoic Acid (p-ITYBA)
Authors: Tymoshuk Oleksandr S. , Fedyshyn Orest S. , Oleksiv Lesia V. , Rydchuk Petro V. , Matiychuk Vasyl S.
Published: May 2020

The simple, rapid spectrophotometric method for palladium(II) ions determination using a new analytical reagent is described. The interaction of Pd(II) ions with a reagent, of the class of azolidones, 4-(N′-(4-imino-2-oxo-thiazolidine-5-ylidene)-hydrazino)-benzoic acid, in water medium results in the formation of a complex. The Pd(II)-p-ITYBA complex shows maximum absorbance at a wavelength of 450 nm. The molar absorptivity is 4.30 × 103 L·mol−1·cm−1. The optimal pH for complex formation is 7.0. The developed method has a wide linearity range of 0.64–10.64 µg·mL−1 for Pd(II). The detection limit is 0.23 µg·mL−1. It was found that Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Fe(III), Cu(II), Al(III), and many anions do not interfere with the Pd(II) determination. The proposed method was tested in the analysis of model solutions and successfully applied for the determination of palladium in catalyst. The obtained results show that this method can be used for serial determinations of palladium in various objects.
Elastoplastic Model and Three-Dimensional Method for Unsaturated Soils
Authors: Fang Jinjin , Feng Yixin
Published: May 2020

This paper proposed a new elastoplastic constitutive model to predict the deformation and strength behaviour of unsaturated soils. Applying the modified Cambridge model as a generalization, the degree of saturation is introduced into the elastoplastic model of unsaturated soil. Under the condition of ensuring that the model parameters are unchanged, the model is transformed into three dimensions based on the SMP criterion transformation stress method. Enhanced modified van Genuchten model under true triaxial conditions is also proposed in this paper to describe hydromechanical behaviours of unsaturated soils. The proposed constitutive model can capture the observed mechanical and hydraulic behaviours. Then, the model is validated via equal p and equal b value true triaxial tests, and the results show that a reasonable agreement can be obtained.
Is Gliclazide Associated with a Lower Obesity-Related Cancer Risk Compared to Other Sulfonylureas? A Long-term Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Du Jing , Kleefstra Nanno , Schrijnders Dennis , Groenier Klaas H. , de Bock Geertruida H. , Landman Gijs W.D.
Published: May 2020

Background:

Gliclazide has been suspected to be associated with a lower obesity-related cancer risk; however, current evidence is limited by important methodologic shortcomings. This study aimed to evaluate whether gliclazide is preferred over other sulfonylureas regarding obesity-related cancer risk.

Methods:

In this prospective cohort study, an annual benchmarking database in Dutch primary care (Zwolle Outpatient Diabetes project Integrating Available CareZODIAC, 1998–2014) was linked to the Netherlands Cancer Registry and the Dutch Personal Record Database. Of the 71,648 patients with type 2 diabetes, we included 26,207 who used sulfonylureas and had no history of cancer or insulin use at baseline. Obesity-related cancer was defined using the latest definition of the World Cancer Research Fund. Cox regression analyses were used to estimate HRs, with both baseline sulfonylurea and cumulative exposure modeled and corrected for baseline covariates.

Results:

During follow-up for 167,692 person-years, there were 1,111 obesity-related cancer events. For males, the adjusted HRs [95% confidence interval (CI)] for baseline sulfonylurea compared with gliclazide were as follows: glibenclamide, 1.10 (0.92–2.69); glimepiride, 1.13 (0.68–1.84); and tolbutamide, 0.93 (0.59–1.48). For females, these were as follows: glibenclamide, 1.49 (0.72–3.13); glimepiride, 0.96 (0.59–1.54); and tolbutamide, 0.84 (0.54–1.28). The adjusted HRs (95% CI) for one more year of cumulative exposure compared with gliclazide were as follows: glibenclamide, 0.90 (0.71–1.14); glimepiride, 0.96 (0.87–1.06); and tolbutamide, 1.00 (0.92–1.09). For females, these were as follows: glibenclamide, 0.93 (0.77–1.13); glimepiride, 0.99 (0.90–1.10); and tolbutamide, 1.04 (0.96–1.13).

Conclusions:

Obesity-related cancer risk was comparable between gliclazide and other sulfonylureas.

Impact:

Gliclazide is not preferred over other sulfonylureas regarding obesity-related cancer risk.
Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy with Dentato-Rubro-Thalamic Tractography in Patients with Spinal Cord Stimulators and Cardiac Pacemakers
Authors: Buch Vivek P. , McShane Brendan J. , Beatson Nathan , Yang Andrew , Blanke Aaron , Tilden David , Korn Matthew , Chaibainou Hanane , Ramayya Ashwin , Wombacher Kirsten , Maier Shannon , Marashlian Tigran , Wolf Ronald , Baltuch Gordon H.
Published: May 2020

Magnetic resonance image-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRgFUS)-based thermal ablation of the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus (VIM) is a minimally invasive treatment modality for essential tremor (ET). Dentato-rubro-thalamic tractography (DRTT) is becoming increasingly popular for direct targeting of the presumed VIM ablation focus. It is currently unclear if patients with implanted pulse generators (IPGs) can safely undergo MRgFUS ablation and reliably acquire DRTT suitable for direct targeting. We present an 80-year-old male with a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) and an 88-year-old male with a cardiac pacemaker who both underwent MRgFUS for medically refractory ET. Clinical outcomes were measured using the Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (CRST). DRTT was successfully created and imaging parameter adjustments did not result in any delay in procedural time in either case. In the first case, 7 therapeutic sonications were delivered. The patient improved immediately and durably with a 90% CRST-disability improvement at 6-week follow-up. In our second case, 6 therapeutic sonications were delivered with durable, 75% CRST-disability improvement at 6 weeks. These are the first cases of MRgFUS thalamotomy in patients with IPGs. DRTT targeting and MRgFUS-based thermal ablation can be safely performed in these patients using a 1.5-T MRI.
“Eu Quis Comer Você”
Authors: Soares Thiago , Nunes Caroline Govari
Published: May 2020

A partir da presença de um roqueiro gaúcho num programa televisivo infantil, propomos debater possibilidades teórico-metodológicas dos Estudos de Performance na análise de produtos da televisão. As noções de roteiro e quadro performático (Taylor, 2013) são subsídios para tratar o encontro entre a banda Os Cascavelletes e a apresentadora Angélica no Clube da Criança, na TV Manchete, como a performance em torno do estranhamento da figura do gaúcho jovem, urbano e roqueiro, no contexto midiático dos anos 1980 no Brasil. Carnavalização e fantasia integram princípios norteadores da teatralização desse encontro que ficou marcado na memória de integrantes da cena musical roqueira de Porto Alegre.
Documentário argentino em Revolución y democracia, de Javier Campo
Authors: Aguiar Carolina Amaral de
Published: May 2020

Revolución y democracia: el cine documental argentino del exilio (1976-1984), de Javier Campo, é uma importante contribuição para entender os exílios políticos latino-americanos. Se o cinema de exílio chileno é tema bastante conhecido, o exílio cinematográfico argentino (um fenômeno de menor alcance) ainda é pouco pesquisado. Nesse sentido, o livro de Campo, lançado em 2017 em Buenos Aires, analisa os documentários políticos realizados fora do país no período em que a Argentina permaneceu sob uma ditadura, comparando os filmes feitos entre 1976 e 1984 tanto com o cinema político militante dos anos anteriores como com o cinema de transição que se consolida com a volta da democracia.
A política das emoções
Authors: Almeida Guilherme Fumeo , Hoff Rafael
Published: May 2020

Este trabalho analisa o processo de interpenetração entre as esferas pública e privada em dois vídeos do canal Porta dos Fundos no YouTube, Questão de Ordem e Nome na Lista, problematizando a noção de política das emoções através dos vídeos. Para tanto, será feito o diálogo entre uma discussão teórica sobre a evolução das noções de público e privado, através de Richard Sennett (2014) e Sandra Jovchelovitch (2000), a análise dos discursos emocionais como práticas políticas, por meio de Lila Abu- Lughod e Catherine Lutz (1990) e Claudia Rezende e Maria Claudia Coelho (2010) e o humor sobre política feito pelo canal, pela análise destes dois vídeos.
FADS1 (Fatty Acid Desaturase 1) Genotype Associates With Aortic Valve FADS mRNA Expression, Fatty Acid Content and Calcification
Authors: Plunde Oscar , Larsson Susanna C. , Artiach Gonzalo , Thanassoulis George , Carracedo Miguel , Franco-Cereceda Anders , Eriksson Per , Bäck Magnus
Published: May 2020

Background:

Aortic stenosis (AS) contributes to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity but disease mechanisms remain largely unknown. Recent evidence associates a single nucleotide polymorphism rs174547 within the
FADS1
gene, encoding FADS1 (fatty acid desaturase 1), with risk of several cardiovascular outcomes, including AS.
FADS1
encodes a rate-limiting enzyme for ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acid metabolism. The aim of this study was to decipher the local transcriptomic and lipidomic consequences of rs174547 in tricuspid aortic valves from patients with AS.

Methods:

Expression quantitative trait loci study was performed using data from Illumina Human610-Quad BeadChip, Infinium Global Screening Arrays, and Affymetrix Human Transcriptome 2.0 arrays in calcified and noncalcified aortic valve tissue from 58 patients with AS (mean age, 74.2; SD, 5.9). Fatty acid content was assessed in aortic valves from 25 patients with AS using gas chromatography.
Δ
5 and
Δ
6 desaturase activity was assessed by the product-to-precursor ratio.

Results:

The minor C-allele of rs174547, corresponding to the protective genotype for AS, was associated with higher FADS2 mRNA levels in calcified valve tissue, whereas FADS1 mRNA and other transcripts in proximity of the single nucleotide polymorphism were unaltered. In contrast, the FADS1
Δ
5-desaturase activity and the FADS2
Δ
6-desaturase activity were decreased. Finally, docosahexaenoic acid was decreased in calcified tissue compared with non-calcified tissue and C-allele carriers exhibited increased docosahexaenoic acid levels. Overall desaturase activity measured with ω-3 fatty acids was higher in C-allele carriers.

Conclusions:

The association between the FADS1 genotype and AS may implicate effects on valvular fatty acids.
Intraventricular Hemorrhage Clearance in Human Neonatal Cerebrospinal Fluid
Authors: Mahaney Kelly B. , Buddhala Chandana , Paturu Mounica , Morales Diego , Limbrick David D. , Strahle Jennifer M.
Published: May 2020

Background and Purpose—

Preterm neonates with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) are at risk for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus and poor neurological outcomes. Iron has been implicated in ventriculomegaly, hippocampal injury, and poor outcomes following IVH. We hypothesized that levels of cerebrospinal fluid blood breakdown products and endogenous iron clearance proteins in neonates with IVH differ from those of neonates with IVH who subsequently develop posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus.

Methods—

Premature neonates with an estimated gestational age at birth <30 weeks who underwent lumbar puncture for clinical evaluation an average of 2 weeks after birth were evaluated. Groups consisted of controls (n=16), low-grade IVH (grades I–II; n=4), high-grade IVH (grades III–IV; n=6), and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (n=9). Control subjects were preterm neonates born at <30 weeks’ gestation without brain abnormality or hemorrhage on cranial ultrasound, who underwent lumbar puncture for clinical purposes. Cerebrospinal fluid hemoglobin, total bilirubin, total iron, ferritin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, haptoglobin, and hemopexin were quantified.

Results—

Cerebrospinal fluid hemoglobin levels were increased in posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus compared with high-grade IVH (9.45 versus 6.06 µg/mL,
P
<0.05) and cerebrospinal fluid ferritin levels were increased in posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus compared with controls (511.33 versus 67.08,
P
<0.01). No significant group differences existed for the other cerebrospinal fluid blood breakdown and iron-handling proteins tested. We observed positive correlations between ventricular enlargement (frontal occipital horn ratio) and ferritin (Pearson
r
=0.67), hemoglobin (Pearson
r
=0.68), and total bilirubin (Pearson
r
=0.69).

Conclusions—

Neonates with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus had significantly higher levels of hemoglobin than those with high-grade IVH. Levels of blood breakdown products, hemoglobin, ferritin, and bilirubin correlated with ventricular size. There was no elevation of several iron-scavenging proteins in cerebrospinal fluid in neonates with posthemorrhagic hydrocpehalus, indicative of posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus as a disease state occurring when endogenous iron clearance mechanisms are overwhelmed.
Sovereignty: Indigenous Counter-Examples
Authors: Brett Mark G. , Wolfe Naomi
Published: May 2020

Through assertions of ‘sovereignty’, modern nation states lay claim to an undivided authority. It is commonly suggested that this kind of political assertion superseded the overlapping authorities of medieval theological imagination. But in settler colonial states, Indigenous sovereignties endure to the present, not washed away by the ‘tide of history’, and in many cases Indigenous peoples embrace Christian identities along with traditional law and custom. The peculiar complexities of Australian history reveal many counter-examples to the conventional modernist tale, and in particular, the article seeks to show how Indigenous Christians snatched the King James Bible from Protestant doctrines of discovery. This discussion comes at an historically significant time as Australian state governments contemplate treaty making with the First Nations, each of whom exercise their own alternative model of sovereignty within local jurisdictions. This article argues that biblical theologies can support the making of modern treaties.
“Tengo Feuza en la Piyadad de Allāh”: Piety and Polemic in an Aljamiado-Morisco “Companion in Paradise” Narrative
Authors: Wood Donald Walter
Published: May 2020

The subject of this study is the Aljamiado-Morisco narrative, the Alḥadix đe Musā kon Yako el-karniçero, found in Madrid, BNE, MS 5305; an adaptation of the popular “Companion in Paradise” folktale type. Through a comparative reading of this and similar renderings of this tale, I will demonstrate that the Aljamiado narrative develops a detailed exemplification of ritual-like domestic practices that, within a Morisco context of use, served as a model for the proper care of one’s parents. For his fulfillment of these practices, the protagonist Jacob, condemned by the members of his community identified collectively as Banī Isrāʾīl, is promised a privileged place in Paradise alongside the prophet Moses. Contextualized within an Aljamiado-Morisco manuscript, Jacob’s reward is reframed as a polemical victory for Islam over other monotheistic traditions; a recurrent theme linking several of the texts contained in this manuscript.
Socialscapes and Abstractions: An Appraisal of Richard A. Horsley’s Theorizing of Antiquity
Authors: Rollens Sarah E.
Published: May 2020

Richard A. Horsley’s work on Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity has been widely influential. In particular, his theorizing of the social world in which early Jews and Christians were embedded has significantly advanced biblical studies. This article engages with several of the most prominent analytical categories in his work (peasant, retainer, resistance, and renewal) with a view toward investigating their conceptual origins and probing their analytical utility.
Capricious Texture of Time in Awareness and Art
Authors: Koenderink Jan , Pinna Baingio , van Doorn Andrea
Published: May 2020

We present a speculative account of lived-time at the level of sentience as distinct from sapience. It implies refraining from reference to clock-time. The account is necessarily in terms of meaning. Thus, familiar concepts such as the specious moment, retention and protention mechanisms are re-evaluated. Lived-time does not have a ‘time-line topology’. It has a volatile, irregular texture rather than a sequential linear order. Indeed, lived-time is necessarily an articulate moment, because awareness is not extended, but here-and-now. Thus, Gestalts in static images often have temporal qualities. Yet they can hardly reflect clock-time, as they are ‘frozen happenings’. This applies to many works of art. We especially focus on painting, sculpture and cinema. Narrative structures in the arts have a close similarity to lived-time. Thus, the analyses of the arts and of visual awareness, including daydreams and dreams, mutually illuminate each other. Our account rides the edge that separates sentience from sapience.
Empirical Methodologies and the Value of Subjectivity in the Analysis of the Experience of Contemporary Experiential Art
Authors: Sadia Sadia
Published: May 2020

Current neuroscientific methods for the investigation of art experience are circumscribed by the researcher’s own cultural constructions of gender, art and beauty, and these present difficulties in the production of unassailable empirical data. Gathering biometric data of viewers or participants’ responses to artworks remains equally problematic as a consequence of the anticipation or arousal brought about by the act of preparing the subject for the collection of data. Much of the methodology that has been designed to study aesthetic psychological and affective states is based in classicism, a convention which contemporary experiential art defies. There is a group of contemporary experiential artworks, defined herein as ATRIA (Affective Transcendental Revelatory Immersive Artworks), which report a significantly higher rate for profound, life-changing, epiphanic, transcendent experiences, and the study of the experience of these artworks defies current methodologies. An understanding of these works and states requires a re-evaluation of the value of subjective reportage and the personal truths that are central to these experiences of art. Research artists understand that objective reality does not lie at the core of the experience of art, and that practice-based artist-led research (PBR) must as a consequence critically inform any neuroaesthetic or neuroscientific endeavour or study. The article is an opinion paper by a practising artist, academic and researcher.
A New k-Distribution Scheme for Clear-Sky Radiative Transfer Calculations in Earth’s Atmosphere. Part I: Thermal Infrared (Longwave) Radiation
Authors: Chou Ming-Dah , Chung-Chieh Yu Jack , Lee Wei-Liang , Shiu Chein-Jung , Lee Kyu-Tae , Zo Il-Sung , Jee Joon-Bum , Kim Bu-Yo
Published: May 2020

A new k-distribution scheme of longwave radiation without the correlated-k-distribution assumption is developed. Grouping of spectral points is based on the line-by-line (LBL)-calculated absorption coefficient k at a few sets of reference pressure pr and temperature θr, where the cooling rate is substantial in a spectral band. In this new scheme, the range of k(pr, θr) of a band is divided into a number of equal intervals, or g groups, in log10(kr). A spectral point at the wavenumber ν is identified with one of the g groups according to its kν(pr, θr). For each g group, a Planck-weighted k-distribution function Hg and a nonlinearly averaged absorption coefficient are derived. The function Hg and the absorption coefficient constitute the new k-distribution scheme. In this k-distribution scheme, a spectral point can only be identified with a g group regardless of pressure and temperature, which is different from the correlated-k distribution scheme. The k-distribution scheme is applied to the H2O, CO2, O3, N2O, and CH4 absorption bands, and results are compared with LBL calculations. To balance between the accuracy and the computational economy, the number of g groups in a band of a given gas is chosen such that 1) the difference in cooling rate is <0.1 K day−1 in the troposphere and <1.0 K day−1 in the stratosphere and 2) the difference in fluxes is <0.5 W m−2 at both the top of the atmosphere and the surface. These differences are attained with 130 g groups, which is the sum of the g groups of all five gases.
Moisture Attribution and Sensitivity Analysis of a Winter Tornado Outbreak
Authors: Molina Maria J. , Allen John T. , Prein Andreas F.
Published: May 2020

The tornado outbreak of 21–23 January 2017 caused 20 fatalities, more than 200 injuries, and over a billion dollars in damage in the Southeast United States. The event occurred concurrently with a record-breaking warm Gulf of Mexico (GoM) basin. This article explores the influence that warm GoM sea surface temperatures (SSTs) had on the tornado outbreak. Backward trajectory analysis, combined with a Lagrangian-based moisture-attribution algorithm, reveals that the tornado outbreak’s moisture predominantly originated from the southeast GoM and the northwest Caribbean Sea. We used the WRF Model to generate a control simulation of the event and explore the response to perturbed SSTs. With the aid of a tornadic storm proxy derived from updraft helicity, we show that the 21–23 January 2017 tornado outbreak exhibits sensitivity to upstream SSTs during the first day of the event. Warmer SSTs across remote moisture sources and adjacent waters increase tornado frequency, in contrast to cooler SSTs, which reduce tornado activity. Upstream SST sensitivity is reduced once convection is ongoing and modifying local moisture and instability availability. Our results highlight the importance of air–sea interactions before airmass advection toward the continental United States. The complex and nonlinear nature of the relationship between upstream SSTs and local precursor environments is also discussed.
Dollars and $ense: Uncovering the Socio-Economic Benefit of Religious Congregations in Canada
Authors: Wood Daly Mike
Published: May 2020

Since the earliest days of religious worship, houses of worship have stood as symbols of meaning and value. In Canada, the social, spiritual and communal value of local worshipping congregations has long been accepted. Despite this widespread qualitative acknowledgement, few studies have considered the economic impact that these congregations provide directly to their surrounding communities. Drawing on recent research in the United States, this article offers the first quantitative national estimate of the socio-economic value of these religious congregations to Canadian society. This study offers insight into the socio-economic benefit, or “Halo Effect”, that Canadian congregations and places of worship have on their surrounding communities. The article offers two estimates, ranging in economic scope from the basic impact of congregational spending, to a more generous figure resulting from the application of Social Return on Investment (SROI) models.
Health Care Resource Utilization of Late Premature Versus Term Infants With Bronchiolitis
Authors: Greenberg David , Dagan Ron , Shany Eilon , Ben-Shimol Shalom , Givon-Lavi Noga
Published: May 2020

It is controversial whether it is cost-beneficial for late preterm infants to receive respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis. This study compares community and hospital health care resource utilization (HCRU) of late premature infants (33-36 weeks gestational age) with term infants (>36 weeks gestational age) hospitalized with bronchiolitis. This was a retrospective, population-based, observational study spanning a 9-year period (2004-2012). HCRU data were obtained from the Health Maintenance Organization “Clalit” and included duration of hospitalization, physician visits, laboratory tests, and treatments. Compared with term infants, late preterm infants had significantly longer duration of hospitalization and higher admission rates to pediatric intensive care unit. They also had higher rates of mean outpatients clinic visits, total outpatient clinic and specialist visits, blood chemistry, and virology testing. HCRU of term infants with bronchiolitis was also substantial, indicating that they also can greatly benefit from respiratory syncytial virus prophylaxis. These findings can guide stakeholders in decisions concerning the prevention of bronchiolitis and will be useful in performing further cost-benefit analysis.
The First Descriptions of Dorsal Preservation Rhinoplasty in the 19th and Early- to Mid-20th Centuries and Relevance Today
Authors: Lee Joel , Abdul-Hamed Senan , Kazei Darya , Toriumi Dean , Lin Samuel J.
Published: May 2020

Introduction:

The basis of dorsal preservation rhinoplasty goes back to the late 19th and the early 20th centuries. In that era, pioneers such as Drs. Goodale, Lothrop, and Cottle were prominent surgeons who reported on this technique. Currently, there has been a renewed interest of this technique that stems from the nasal anatomy and an interest in less destructive techniques. In this review, we discuss examples of the contributions of those surgeons, which represent some of the earliest experiences in this field.

Methods:

We reviewed several journals from the late 19th and early 20th centuries as detailed in the references section. We collected the related publications on closed reduction techniques performed by Drs. Goodale, Lothrop, and Cottle.

Results:

The publications on closed reduction techniques by Drs. Goodale, Lothrop, and Cottle described similar thought processes and techniques comparable to current dorsal preservation rhinoplasty techniques. The thought processes of these 3 renowned rhinoplasty surgeons appear to be very much relevant today.

Conclusions:

Although there has been recent resurgence in dorsal preservation rhinoplasty techniques due to anatomical and functional aspects of the nose, the basis of dorsal preservation rhinoplasty goes far back to more than 100 years ago.
Diagnosis of the Patulous Eustachian Tube
Authors: Ikeda Ryoukichi , Kikuchi Toshiaki , Oshima Hidetoshi , Kobayashi Toshimitsu
Published: May 2020

Objectives:

To review the diagnosis of patulous Eustachian tube (PET) based on the diagnostic criteria for the PET proposed by Japan Otological Society (JOS).

Methods:

We reviewed typical aural symptoms of PET, Eustachian tube (ET) obstruction procedure to confirm diagnosis of PET, objective findings of a patent ET obtainable from observation of the movement of the tympanic membrane, and by ET function tests (tubo-tympano-aerodynamic graphy, sonotubometry). In addition, usefulness of other tests such as patulous Eustachian tube handicap inventory-10 (PHI-10), sonotubometry with postural change (Ohta method), and sitting computed tomography (CT) to diagnose PET is described.

Results and Conclusions:

We have described the diagnosis of PET based on the diagnostic criteria for PET proposed by JOS; PHI-10, Ohta method, and sitting CT are also useful for the diagnosis of PET. Further investigation is needed for an accurate diagnosis and precise evaluation of the pathophysiology of this challenging disease.
The Relationship Between System Justification and Perspective-Taking and Empathy
Authors: Li Zheng , Edwards John A.
Published: May 2020

Four studies tested the hypotheses that system-justifying beliefs will be negatively associated with perspective-taking (PT) and empathic concern (EC) and this negative relationship will be exacerbated when system-justifying people encounter information that challenges system-justifying stereotypes. System justification and PT and EC were negatively associated at the dispositional level (Study 1). Experimentally increased PT decreased system justification through increased EC (Study 2) whereas experimentally increased system justification decreased PT and EC (Study 3). Moderation analyses indicated that when exposed to status-quo-inconsistent information (e.g., a Black vs. White person and/or a woman vs. man of high socioeconomic status), system-endorsing people were less likely to engage in PT (Study 4). There was no effect of system justification on actual helping behavior.
Proportion of Foreigners Negatively Predicts the Prevalence of Xenophobic Hate Crimes within German Districts
Authors: Wagner Ulrich , Tachtsoglou Sarantis , Kotzur Patrick Ferdinand , Friehs Maria-Therese , Kemmesies Uwe
Published: May 2020

Statistics show that the increase in the number of refugees to Germany since 2015 was accompanied by an increase in xenophobic hate crimes. We deduced rivaling predictions from intergroup contact and intergroup threat theories that could explain the occurrence of xenophobic hate crimes. By combining structural data of the 402 German districts with the 2015 police crime statistics, we found evidence to support our predictions that aligns with intergroup contact theory: the higher the proportion of foreigners in a district, the lower the prevalence of xenophobic hate crimes. Our analyses further show that the prevalence of xenophobic hate crime attacks was positively related to the total prevalence of registered criminal offenses in a district and was higher in eastern German districts.
Threshold Levels for Disorder, Inequity in Household Labor, and Frustration with the Partner among Emerging Adult Couples: A Dyadic Examination
Authors: Charbonneau Andréanne , Lachance-Grzela Mylène , Bouchard Geneviève
Published: May 2020

Young adults increasingly express a desire to create egalitarian romantic partnerships, yet numerous studies have shown that women generally continue to assume the lion’s share of housework. Building on previous work on threshold levels of tolerance for dirt and disorder, on housework allocation, and on perceived fairness, the current longitudinal study documented the pathway by which threshold levels for housework lead to feelings of frustration with the partner over a period of six months. Data from 176 cohabiting emerging adult couples were analyzed using path analysis. Results confirmed the proposed model of feelings of frustration with the partner. More precisely, romantic partners’ threshold levels were associated with their and their partners’ feelings of frustration through the division of housework and perceptions of fairness. Gender differences, empirical and practical implications, and future research directions are further discussed.
Effectiveness of Culturally Tailored Interventions for Chronic Illnesses among Ethnic Minorities
Authors: Joo Jee Young , Liu Megan F.
Published: May 2020

Culturally tailored interventions have been applied to provide benefits to ethnic minorities’ care; however, the effectiveness of these interventions for chronic conditions is mixed. This systematic review of systematic reviews critically evaluates recent evidence of the effects that culturally tailored interventions have on health care outcomes among ethnic minorities with chronic conditions. It synthesizes results of eight English-language systematic reviews published between 2010 and 2018 and identifies four health care outcomes common to the reviews: disease knowledge, objective clinical outcomes, satisfaction, and access. Our findings suggest that culturally tailored interventions can contribute to the improvement of ethnic minorities’ health care outcomes and especially improve patients’ satisfaction with care. However, results overall are mixed. Further studies to better understand the value of culturally tailored interventions for ethnic minorities’ care are needed.
“Watchful Waiting” Advice for Pediatric Ear Infections
Authors: MacGeorge Erina L. , Foley Kasey A. , Firgens Emily P. C. , Vanderbilt Rachel R. , Worthington Amber K. , Hackman Nicole M.
Published: May 2020

To reduce antibiotic use, clinical guidelines recommend treating many pediatric ear infections with watchful waiting (WW), which entails parents managing children’s symptoms while waiting to see if the infection will resolve without antibiotics. This study examines providers’ WW advice in recorded medical visits ( n = 28), focusing on five communication elements specified by guidelines and consistent with advice response theory. Results suggest directions for improving providers’ delivery of WW advice and are discussed with regard to theory.
Health Providers’ Advising on Symptom Management for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: Does Elaboration of Reasoning Influence Outcomes Relevant to Antibiotic Stewardship?
Authors: Foley Kasey A. , MacGeorge Erina L. , Brinker David L. , Li Yuwei , Zhou Yanmengqian
Published: May 2020

Antibiotic-resistant infections, fueled by unwarranted antibiotic prescribing, are an increasing threat to public health. Reducing overprescribing and promoting antibiotic stewardship requires managing patient expectations for and understanding about the utility of antibiotics. One hotspot for overprescribing is upper respiratory tract infections, for which the best treatment is often non-antibiotic symptom management behaviors. Guided by advice response theory, the current study examines how providers’ reason-giving for symptom management advice affected perceptions of advice quality, efficacy for symptom monitoring and management, and satisfaction with care for patients who were not prescribed antibiotics for their upper respiratory tract infections. Transcribed medical visits were coded for symptom management advice reason-giving and patients completed post-visit surveys. Greater provider elaboration about instruction was independently and positively associated with evaluations of advice quality. Results also indicate several significant interactions between types of reason-giving. Implications of these findings for advice theory and clinical practice are addressed in the discussion.
New noninvasive methodology to measure cardiac output in veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients
Authors: Krivitski Nikolai , Galyanov Gregory , Gehron Johannes M , Bandorski Dirk , Boning Andreas
Published: May 2020

Introduction:

Cardiac output (CO) measurement is vital in veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patient population to evaluate oxygen delivery and to early identify right heart failure. Standard clinical methods like pulmonary artery thermodilution and transpulmonary thermodilution are known to be inaccurate in the veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation setting, especially at high levels of recirculation.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to develop a simple noninvasive method to measure CO in patients during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Methods:

A mathematical model was developed where CO was analyzed as a combination of two flows: oxygenated blood from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and less oxygenated mixed venous blood. The system of two mass balance equations for oxygen saturations was introduced to calculate CO. The procedure included measurement of recirculation (ELSA Monitor Transonic Systems Inc. Ithaca, USA) and arterial saturation at two extracorporeal membrane oxygenation flows after temporary pump flow decrease. Mathematic modeling that utilized a crude Monte Carlo method was used to analyze theoretical errors in CO calculations from unknown behavior of venous saturation. The developed concept was retrospectively applied to clinical data archive of 17 adult patients on veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation that included 52 measurement sessions.

Results:

Mathematical modeling suggests that proportion of results with error ⩽10% was between 86% and 100% if pre-oxygenated saturation was available and it was between 78% and 86% if pre-oxygenated saturation was not available. Application of two mass balance equation concept to clinical data suggests that as the decrease of the arterial saturation reaches 6% due to flow decrease, then CO calculations becomes highly reliable as 96% (2 standard deviations) of the results has a reproducibility within 6.4%.

Conclusion:

The mathematical model and clinical retrospective analysis demonstrates that the new methodology has the potential to accurately measure CO in veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients. The next step is validation in animal and clinical settings.
ECLS Training and Simulation - Evaluation of the 8th Educational Corner of the EuroELSO Congress 2019 Held in Barcelona
Authors: Swol Justyna , Lorusso Roberto , Di Nardo Matteo , Vercaemst Leen , Finney Simon J , Jones Tim J , Barrett Nicholas A , Bělohlávek Jan
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Simulation-based learning and hands-on learning are popular in medicine, particularly in areas where life-saving manoeuvres and team skills are required. Simulations can be provided in different environments: directly in hospitals (in situ), in dedicated facilities (simulation rooms) or, on occasion, at scientific meetings, thus taking advantage of the delegates’ motivation. Simulation-based learning in extracorporeal life support is also increasingly relevant due to the inherent features of the often difficult and emergent decision-making, approaches and management involved, as well as to the challenging multidisciplinary teamwork. Aim: Based on these premises and on the constant rise in interest in starting new extracorporeal life support programmes, the EuroELSO organization has, since the beginning of its scientific activities, established an ‘ad hoc’ space (Educational Corner) for training and hands-on sessions with a limited number of attendees per session during its annual congress. Methods: Experienced trainers deliver repeated dedicated sessions on fundamental aspects of extracorporeal life support management. After several years of sessions, a questionnaire was prepared and delivered to the attendees at the 8th annual congress in Barcelona. Results: More than 90% of the responders indicated that they would recommend the workshop to their colleagues and that they received useful information during the workshops. Over 85% of the responders (85-97%) indicated that the workshops met the set educational goals and objectives and indicated that the simulation sessions would have a positive impact on their daily practice. Conclusion: The Educational Corner during the EuroELSO Congress has achieved great popularity, as shown by the number of attendees participating each year, and presumably improves many technical and behavioural skills among the attendees.
The reincarnation of work motivation: Millennials vs older generations
Authors: Mahmoud Ali B , Reisel William D , Grigoriou Nicholas , Fuxman Leonora , Mohr Iris
Published: May 2020

This study examines generational differences in valuing the sources of motivation in workplace behaviour between millennials and older generations, with a view to assist managers in making employment decisions and maintaining multigenerational staff in the services sector. Based on systematically sampled data, the authors used Gagné et al.’s Multidimensional Work Motivational Scale (MWMS) to measure the different facets of work motivators alongside a three-item measure of employee overall work motivation (designed for this study) to address the hypotheses. Using structural equation modelling procedures to analyse the data, the authors found that four out of six motivators regress differently to overall work motivation. In other words, both extrinsic regulation–material and identified regulation are valued more by millennials compared to older generations, while extrinsic regulation–social and introjected regulation are valued less by millennials compared to older generations.