bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual versus semiquantitative analysis of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography brain images in patients with dementia
Authors: Sarikaya Ismet , Kamel Walaa , Ateyah Khattab , Essa Nooraessa , AlTailji Samira , Sarikaya Ali
Published: April 2019

Various studies have reported to the superiority of semiquantitative (SQ) analysis over visual analysis in detecting metabolic changes in the brain. In this study, we aimed to determine the limitations of SQ analysis programs and the current status of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) scan in dementia. 18F-FDG-PET/computed tomography (CT) brain images of 39 patients with a history of dementia were analyzed both visually and semiquantitatively. Using the visually markedly abnormal 18F-FDG-PET images as standard, we wanted to test the accuracy of two commercially available SQ analysis programs. SQ analysis results were classified as matching, partially matching and nonmatching with visually markedly abnormal studies. On visual analysis, 18F-FDG-PET showed marked regional hypometabolism in 19 patients, mild abnormalities in 8 and was normal in 12 patients. SQ analysis-1 results matched with visual analysis in 8 patients (42.1%) and partially matched in 11. SQ analysis-2 findings matched with visual analysis in 11 patients (57.8%) and partially matched in 7 and did not match in 1. Marked regional hypometabolism was either on the left side of the brain or was more significant on the left than the right in 63% of patients. Preservation of metabolism in sensorimotor cortex was seen in various dementia subtypes. Reviewing images in color scale and maximum intensity projection (MIP) image was helpful in demonstrating and displaying regional abnormalities, respectively. SQ analysis provides less accurate results as compared to visual analysis by experts. Due to suboptimal image registration and selection of brain areas, SQ analysis provides inaccurate results, particularly in small areas and areas in close proximity. Image registration and selection of areas with SQ programs should be checked carefully before reporting the results.
Gallium-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography compared with diagnostic computed tomography in relapsed prostate cancer
Authors: Asokendaran Marcus Edward , Meyrick Danielle P. , Skelly Laura A. , Lenzo Nat P. , Henderson Andrew
Published: April 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate if prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has a higher detection rate compared to standard contrast CT imaging for patients with a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) following definitive treatment (i.e., curative radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy, and brachytherapy) for prostate cancer in a private hospital setting. A retrospective single-site clinical audit was conducted on 150 PSMA PET/CT scans done for patients with a rising PSA after definitive treatment for prostate cancer. All studies were performed using I and T Ga-68 PSMA produced on a Scintomics radiopharmaceutical unit (Munich). All scans were performed on a GE 710 PET/CT scanner. All studies were compared to standard CT and other imaging. Of the 150 patients who had a 68Gallium (Ga)-PSMA PET/CT for a rise in their PSA levels, 102/150 (68%) of patients had PSMA-avid scans compared to the conventional imaging group which had an overall detection rate of 42% (63/150). The rates of detection were 100%, 90%, 92%, 67%, and 25% at PSA levels of >10 μg/L, 5–10 μg/L, >1.5 μg/L, 0.5–1.5 μg/L, and <0.5 μg/L, respectively. PSMA PET/CT also solely picked up 39/102 (38%) of prostate cancer relapses compared to the conventional imaging group. In our study of 150 patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer, 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT demonstrated a superior detection rate (P < 0.05) compared to conventional imaging, including patients with low PSA levels (<0.5 μg/L).
Incidental breast lesion detected by technetium-99m sestamibi scintigraphy in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Saowapa Sakditad , Chamroonrat Wichana , Suvikapakornkul Ronnarat , Sriphrapradang Chutintorn
Published: April 2019

Nuclear scintigraphy is functional imaging and can be combined with anatomical imaging to improve diagnostic yield. Detection of parathyroid lesion by technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (Tc-99m MIBI) can facilitate an appropriate operative approach in a patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Tc-99m MIBI is concentrated in highly cellular or metabolically active tissues, which have abundant mitochondria. False-positive scintigraphic findings could be from head-and-neck carcinomas, thyroid neoplasm, and multinodular goiter. In addition, multiple organs outside of the neck region, such as lung and breast, can take up the Tc-99m MIBI. Herein, we report the occurrence of abnormal focal uptake in the breast region during the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenoma and later discovered breast carcinoma.
Infliximab-induced hot kidneys on bone scintigraphy
Authors: Cayir Derya , Bozkurt Mehmet , Filik Mustafa , Gultekin Salih Sinan
Published: April 2019

99mTechnetium-methylene diphosphonate bone scintigraphy is widely used in various clinical settings to detect bone abnormalities. Many reasons may cause abnormal tracer uptake in soft tissues on bone scintigraphy. Here, we present a 70-year-old man diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis receiving chimeric anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) therapy (infliximab). In order to evaluate the bone involvement of rheumatic disease, the patient underwent a whole-body bone scan that revealed left side dominant diffuse uptake in both kidneys defined as the “hot kidneys.” Since the patient had no other identifiable reason, anti-TNF-α therapy might be responsible for the “hot kidneys” on bone scan. Thus, therapy regiment of the patient changed from the chimeric anti-TNF-α to a human monoclonal TNF inhibitor (golimumab). After 6 months of the change of the therapy, the bone scintigraphy was repeated and revealed that the previous “hot kidneys” finding had disappeared.
Head-to-head comparison of [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose and [18F]-fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography in three patients with rare gestational trophoblastic neoplasms: A case series
Authors: Thientunyakit Tanyaluck , Thongpraparn Thonnapong , Siriprapa Tossaporn , Gelovani Juri G.
Published: April 2019

We report the efficacy of dual positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging with [18F]-2'-fluoro-2'-deoxy-D-glucose ([18F]-FDG) and [18F]-fluorocholine ([18F]-FCH) in patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) for primary diagnosis and staging of this rare pregnancy-related disorder. Whole-body PET/CT with [18F]-FDG and [18F]-FCH was performed in three patients with GTN in 2 consecutive days. Each detectable lesion was characterized by visual and quantitative analyses. As compared to CT alone, PET/CT with [18F]-FDG and [18F]-FCH PET/CT revealed more hypermetabolic metastatic lesions in the body, but not in the brain. The standard uptake value of [18F]-FDG was generally higher than [18F]-FCH in all detectable tumor lesions. In conclusion, both [18F]-FDG and [18F]-FCH PET/CT can be used for diagnosis and staging for GTN, based on their sensitivity for small extracerebral metastatic lesions. Additional studies are warranted to determine whether the PET/CT imaging with [18F]-FDG and [18F]-FCH can serve as a biomarker of GTN aggressiveness, for prediction of treatment response.
Reactive changes with microfilaria in a suspected metastatic axillary lymph node on positron emission tomography–computed tomography in breast malignancy: An interesting finding
Authors: Anand Anuja , Tyagi Aarti , Jain Shubham , Dougall Pankaj
Published: April 2019

Positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) has evolved as an important diagnostic tool in the diagnosis and management of breast carcinoma. PET/CT can help in staging as well as detecting metastases to mediastinal, axillary, and internal mammary nodes. However, PET-CT is not useful in differentiating between inflammation and malignancy.
Development and Initial Validation of a Frontline Health Worker mHealth Assessment Platform (MEDSINC®) for Children 2–60 Months of Age
Authors: Finette Barry A. , McLaughlin Megan , Scarpino Samuel V. , Canning John , Grunauer Michelle , Teran Enrique , Bahamonde Marisol , Quizhpe Edy , Shah Rashed , Swedberg Eric , Rahman Kazi Asadur , Khondker Hosneara , Chakma Ituki , Muhoza Denis , Seck Awa , Kabore Assiatta , Nibitanga Salvator , Heath Barry
Published: April 2019

Approximately 3 million children younger than 5 years living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) die each year from treatable clinical conditions such as pneumonia, dehydration secondary to diarrhea, and malaria. A majority of these deaths could be prevented with early clinical assessments and appropriate therapeutic intervention. In this study, we describe the development and initial validation testing of a mobile health (mHealth) platform, MEDSINC®, designed for frontline health workers (FLWs) to perform clinical risk assessments of children aged 2–60 months. MEDSINC is a web browser–based clinical severity assessment, triage, treatment, and follow-up recommendation platform developed with physician-based Bayesian pattern recognition logic. Initial validation, usability, and acceptability testing were performed on 861 children aged between 2 and 60 months by 49 FLWs in Burkina Faso, Ecuador, and Bangladesh. MEDSINC-based clinical assessments by FLWs were independently and blindly correlated with clinical assessments by 22 local health-care professionals (LHPs). Results demonstrate that clinical assessments by FLWs using MEDSINC had a specificity correlation between 84% and 99% to LHPs, except for two outlier assessments (63% and 75%) at one study site, in which local survey prevalence data indicated that MEDSINC outperformed LHPs. In addition, MEDSINC triage recommendation distributions were highly correlated with those of LHPs, whereas usability and feasibility responses from LHP/FLW were collectively positive for ease of use, learning, and job performance. These results indicate that the MEDSINC platform could significantly increase pediatric health-care capacity in LMICs by improving FLWs’ ability to accurately assess health status and triage of children, facilitating early life-saving therapeutic interventions.
Multilevel Analysis of Factors Associated with Treatment-Seeking Behaviors among Caregivers with Febrile Children in Malawi
Authors: Nkoka Owen , Chuang Ting-Wu , Chen Yi-Hua
Published: April 2019

Early diagnosis and treatment of childhood fever, an important sign of potentially serious infections such as malaria, is essential for controlling disease progression, and ultimately, preventing deaths. This study examined individual- and community-level factors associated with treatment-seeking behaviors and promptness in these behaviors among caregivers of febrile under-five children in Malawi. The 2015–2016 Malawi Demographic Health Survey was used to analyze a nationally representative sample of 4,133 under-five children who had fever within 2 weeks before the survey. A multilevel logistic regression model was used to examine the association between individual- and community-level factors and treatment-seeking behaviors. Approximately 67.3% of the caregivers reported seeking treatment for their febrile child, whereas only 46.3% reported promptly seeking treatment. Children from communities with moderate and high percentages of educated caregivers were more likely to be taken for treatment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.01–1.58 and aOR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.02–1.70, respectively) than those from communities with a low percentage of educated caregivers. Children from communities with moderate and high percentages of caregivers complaining about the distance to a health facility were less likely to be taken for treatment (aOR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.58–0.96 and aOR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.51–0.88, respectively). At the individual level, having a cough in the last 2 weeks, region, religion, and having better health behaviors in other health dimensions were associated with fever treatment-seeking behaviors among Malawian caregivers. Programs aimed at improving treatment-seeking behaviors should consider these factors and the regional variations observed in this study.
Feasibility, Acceptability, and Accuracy of Vaginal Self-Sampling for Screening Human Papillomavirus Types in Women from Rural Areas in Senegal
Authors: Fall Ndeye Safietou , Tamalet Catherine , Diagne Nafissatou , Fenollar Florence , Raoult Didier , Sokhna Cheikh , Lagier Jean-Christophe
Published: April 2019

Vaginal self-sampling and human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing can be useful tools for women with limited access to health care living in sub-Saharan Africa. To assess the feasibility and acceptability of vaginal self-sampling and high-risk HPV prevalence in two villages of central Senegal, women were asked to self-sample vaginal swabs for HPV detection in May, 2016. Vaginal swabs were collected from 133 women and were tested for HPV genotyping. The acceptability rate of vaginal self-sampling was 98.5%, and 99.2% of the women (133/134) used the device correctly. The quality of self-sampling was satisfactory in 100% of the samples; 10.5% of the samples were positive for HPV, including 6% with high-risk HPV types and 4% with low-risk HPV types. This preliminary study indicates that vaginal self-sampling is a valuable strategy for high-risk HPV detection and cervical cancer screening in a population of women not attending gynecologic screening in rural areas of Senegal.
Value relevance do nível de evidenciação do ativo intangível nas companhias de capital aberto brasileiras
Authors: Pacheco Juliane , Rover Suliani , Vicente Ernesto Fernando Rodrigues
Published: April 2019

Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a influência do nível de evidenciação do ativo intangível (NEAI) na value relevance de companhias de capital aberto brasileiras. A amostra de pesquisa é composta por 75 companhias de capital aberto com intangível superior a zero que compõem a carteira de maio a agosto de 2017 do ÍBRx100 na B3. Para mensurar o nível de evidenciação do ativo intangível foi elaborada uma métrica a partir da NBC TG 04 R4 (2017), composta por 14 itens, enquanto a relação entre o NEAI e a value relevance foi feita mediante regressão múltipla. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio das notas explicativas integrantes das DFP anuais consolidadas de 2016. Os resultados apontaram um nível de evidenciação médio de 62,93%, sendo discrepante a diferença entre o maior e o menor (91,09%). Em relação à influência do NEAI na value relevance resultou significativa estatisticamente, com um poder explicativo de 38,09%.
Estratégia metacognitiva de aprendizagem autorregulada, percepção docente sobre a aprendizagem e métodos educacionais em contabilidade
Authors: Silva Thiago Bruno De Jesus , Biavatti Vania Tanira
Published: April 2019

O objetivo geral desta investigação foi analisar a relação entre o perfil autorregulado de aprendizagem dos discentes aos métodos educacionais de ensino e a percepção docente sobre a aprendizagem no curso de Ciências Contábeis na Universidade Regional de Blumenau (FURB). A investigação utilizou como estratégia de pesquisa o estudo de caso único. A amostra foi composta por 202 discentes e 16 professores do Centro de Ciências Sociais e Aplicadas da instituição, que responderam aos instrumentos de pesquisa. O instrumento de levantamento de dados que foi aplicado aos discentes, sobre o uso das estratégias metacognitivas, foi proposto por Zimerman e Martinez-Ponz (1986) e o aplicado aos docentes foi proposto por Silva (2016). Para análise dos dados, identificaram-se as estratégias de aprendizagem autorregulada, através da estatística descritiva, a análise fatorial e o uso de testes paramétricos de comparação de médias (teste t); a percepção docente sobre a aprendizagem e os métodos de ensino foram alcançados pela análise descritiva dos dados. Por fim, relacionaram-se o perfil do discente quanto à utilização da estratégia metacognitiva de aprendizagem autorregulada, os métodos educacionais de ensino e a percepção docente sobre a aprendizagem. Conclui-se que o ensino tem a consecução de aproximar o conteúdo teórico com o conteúdo prático da contabilidade. Entretanto, ao serem utilizados diferentes métodos de ensino, mesclam-se métodos ativos e passivos de aprendizagem, o que pode ter contribuído no desenvolvimento de nível maior de estratégias metacognitivas de aprendizagem autorregulada. Tem-se como implicação a percepção docente sobre aprendizagem que enfatiza à formação de um profissional com concepções técnicas, o que se limita às regras e desempenho de tarefas rotineiras de contabilidade.
Conhecimentos contábeis e gerenciais e a ocorrência de heurísticas: um estudo com estudantes de ciências contábeis
Authors: Franceschini Rafaella Maranhão Kawata , Toigo Leandro Augusto
Published: April 2019

O estudo teve por objetivo analisar se o perfil acadêmico e os conhecimentos contábeis e gerenciais influenciam a ocorrência de heurística. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo junto aos alunos de graduação do curso de Ciências Contábeis em três campi de uma Universidade Pública do Paraná, com uma amostra composta por 133 acadêmicos. O método de pesquisa foi o survey. Foram construídos três blocos de pesquisa, correspondentes a heurísticas, conhecimentos contábeis e gerenciais e perfil acadêmico. Realizou-se análise descritiva dos dados, contagem de heurísticas, análise fatorial e regressão logística. Os resultados apontam que variáveis do perfil acadêmico e o baixo conhecimento gerencial influenciam a presença de heurística. Como conclusão do estudo do perfil acadêmico as variáveis gênero, idade, experiência profissional e atuação contábil apresentaram relação significativa com a ocorrência de heurística, corroborando com os achados da Teoria dos Prospectos.
DEK overexpression is predictive of poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yi Huochun , Duan Hongbing , Shi Wensheng , Liu Zhengjin , Liu Yali
Published: April 2019

Introduction

The DEK gene encodes a nuclear phosphoprotein which is involved in multiple cell metabolic processes, such as DNA damage repair, mRNA splicing, modifying chromatin structure and transcription regulation. DEK has been shown to be overexpressed in various solid human tumors and associated with patient prognosis. In this study, our aim was to investigate DEK protein expression and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Material and methods

Tissue samples were collected from 120 routinely diagnosed ESCC patients who underwent surgical resection at the Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University in the period from June 2011 to May 2013. The expression of DEK was determined by immunohistochemistry.

Results

DEK protein was ubiquitously distributed in the nucleus of ESCC cells, and its positive rate (71.7%) was significantly higher in cancer samples than those of para-carcinoma (21.4%) or normal esophageal (13.9%) tissues (p < 0.001). Similarly, significantly more cells overexpressing DEK were found in ESCC tissues (57.5%) in comparison with para-carcinoma samples (11.4%) and normal esophageal mucosa (0%, p < 0.001). The DEK overexpression rate was significantly different between patients with different tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stages and differentiation degrees (p < 0.001). ESCC cases with elevated DEK amounts showed reduced disease-free and 5-year survival rates compared with those expressing low DEK amounts (p < 0.001). DEK overexpression was also confirmed to independently predict prognosis in ESCC (HR = 4.121, 95% CI: 1.803–9.42, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

DEK expression is positively correlated with reduced survival in ESCC patients. DEK has potential to be an independent biomarker in predicting prognosis of ESCC patients.
The effects of Mobilization and Stimulation of Neuromuscular Tissue on the hemiplegic upper limb: a case report
Authors: Athanasiadis Dimitrios , Protopsaltis Stylianos , Stefas Eleftherios
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Mobilization and Stimulation of Neuromuscular Tissue (MaSoNT) is a newly-invented technique that aims to trigger functional recovery in stroke patients. This is the first study that applies an intervention with MaSoNT in a patient’s hemiplegic hand. The purpose was to investigate the effects of a MaSoNT intervention and to prove the safety of the technique.

Methods

A case study is provided. The patient was a male stroke survivor, aged 71, who underwent a cerebrovascular accident a week before the intervention. He presented zero voluntary movement in the hemiplegic arm and some sensory impairment. The patient had had neither pain nor spasticity before the intervention. The intervention was standard upper limb therapy performed twice per week and MaSoNT application for 15 minutes, 5 times per week. The total duration of the intervention was 3 weeks. The following measurement tools were used: Modified Ashworth Scale, Motricity Index Arm Score, Motor Assessment Scale items 6, 7, and 8, Thumb Localization Test, Nottingham Sensory Assessment.

Results

The patient demonstrated both motor and sensory improvements by the end of the experiment. Pain and spasticity remained absent.

Conclusions

The study possibly proves that MaSoNT is a safe technique to apply in a hemiplegic hand. Moreover, it could lead to functional recovery, although further research is mandated.
Effect of myofascial release on electrophysiological and clinical measures of pregnant women with carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Hamoda Reham E. , Osman Doaa A. , Hamada Hamada Ahmed , Radwan Rafik , Yousef Amel M. , Samea Gehan A. Abdel , Gharib Hassan O.
Published: April 2019

Introduction

To explore the effect of myofascial release on electrophysiological and clinical measures of pregnant women with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Methods

Randomized controlled trial. Overall, 30 pregnant women with CTS, aged 25–35 years, were randomized into 2 equal groups. The control group only wore a neutral wrist splint during sleeping for 4 weeks, while the study group received a myofascial release in addition to wearing a neutral wrist splint during sleeping for 4 weeks. All pregnant women in both groups were evaluated pre- and post-treatment with median nerve distal motor latency and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire to assess pain, numbness, and tingling sensation severity, as well as hand function.

Results

Comparing both groups post-treatment revealed that there was a statistically highly significant decrease in median nerve distal motor latency, pain intensity, numbness, and tingling sensation severity, as well as in weakness and difficulty in grasping severity (p < 0.001) in favour of the study group.

Conclusions

Myofascial release is an effective method for improving electrophysiological and clinical measures of pregnant women with CTS.
Comparison of balance in seated and non-seated employees of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Authors: Jabarifard Fatemeh , Samani Mahbobeh , Ghafarinejad Farahnaz , Pirouzi Soraya , Rasouli Javad
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Developments in modern technology in occupational settings have resulted in prolonged sitting at the workplace. Prolonged sedentarism may cause musculoskeletal complications and impaired balance. The present study aimed to evaluate balance in employees working in a seated position for more than half of their working day compared with employees working in a non-seated position.

Methods

Overall, 100 employees entered the study and were divided into the seated (n = 50) and non-seated (n = 50) groups. The star excursion balance test was used to measure dynamic balance in the lower extremities. Independent t-tests were applied for between-group comparisons.

Results

The star excursion balance test scores were significantly lower in the seated position group compared with the non-seated position group.

Conclusions

We conclude that dynamic stability is lower in employees working in a seated position compared with their non-seated counterparts.
Testing eye temperature assessed with infrared thermography to evaluate stress in meat goats raised in a semi-intensive farming system: a pilot study
Authors: Bartolomé Ester , Azcona Florencia , Cañete-Aranda María , Perdomo-González Davinia I. , Ribes-Pons Joana , Terán Ester M.
Published: April 2019

Abstract. The Blanca Serrana goat is selected for meat production and usually raised in an extensive farm system. The meat goat industry is getting bigger in Spain, evolving to more intensive farming systems. The negative influence of stress produced by daily management on animal welfare is even bigger in these animals as they are not used to getting so close to humans. Eye temperature has recently appeared as an appropriate and noninvasive tool for welfare assessment in cattle, but no previous studies have been developed in goats. Thus, the main aim of this pilot study was to test eye temperature as a noninvasive tool to explore stress levels associated with a semi-intensive farming system for meat goats in comparison with the standard measurements of stress. For that, 24 Blanca Serrana goats were used. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and eye temperature (ET), assessed with infrared thermography samples, were collected just before and just after a stressful situation created to check how the routine management of semi-intensive farming systems affected this species. A factorial ANOVA, least square means and Scheffé post hoc comparison analyses found statistically significant differences due to the stress test moment for RR (p < 0.05) and ET (p < 0.001) with higher values shown after the stress test than before it. Differences due to age were found just for HR (p < 0.05) and RR (p < 0.01) stress parameters, with kids showing higher results than adults. Pearson correlations between HR, RR and ET parameters showed a medium–high positive correlation of 0.56 between RR and ET. Thus, ET appears as an appropriate and noninvasive tool to explore stress levels associated with a semi-intensive farming system for meat goats.
A meandering polar jet caused the development of a Saharan cyclone and the transport of dust toward Greenland
Authors: Francis Diana , Eayrs Clare , Chaboureau Jean-Pierre , Mote Thomas , Holland David M.
Published: April 2019

Abstract. In this study, we identify a new mechanism by which dust aerosols travel
over long distances across the eastern side of the North Atlantic Ocean
toward the Arctic. The meandering polar jet was at the origin of both dust
emission through cyclogenesis over Northwest Africa and poleward transport
of the uplifted dust towards the Arctic, through cut-off circulation. The
dust emission was associated with an intense Saharan cyclone that formed
over Northwest Africa in early April 2011. The formation of the cyclone was
caused by the intrusion into subtropics, of a high-latitude-upper-level
trough, linked to the meandering polar jet. The trough initiated
cyclogenesis over Northwest Africa after orographic blocking by the
Anti-Atlas Mountains. The still meandering polar jet led to the formation of
a cut-off low further south with which the Saharan dust-cyclone merged 2 d later and moved northward with the main stream. Beside satellite
observations, a simulation at high resolution was performed using the
prognostic-dust permitting model MesoNH. The total dust load carried during
this event to areas located north of 40∘ N was estimated by the model to be
38 Tg and dust deposition was estimated to be 1.3 Tg. The Saharan dust
reaching Greenland was accompanied by warm and moist air masses that caused
a rise in surface temperature of about 10 ∘C for more than 3 consecutive days
over the southeastern Greenland. Ice melt over this area of Greenland was
detected in the brightness temperature observations.
Identifying areas prone to coastal hypoxia – the role of topography
Authors: Virtanen Elina A. , Norkko Alf , Nyström Sandman Antonia , Viitasalo Markku
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Hypoxia is an increasing problem in marine ecosystems around the world, and recent projections indicate that anoxic dead zones will be spreading in the forthcoming decades. While major advances have been made in our understanding of the drivers of hypoxia, it fundamentally hinges on patterns of water circulation that can be difficult to resolve in coastal regions. The complexity of many coastal areas and lack of detailed in situ data has hindered the development of models describing oxygen dynamics at a sufficient resolution for efficient management actions to take place. We hypothesized that the enclosed nature of seafloors facilitates hypoxia formation. We developed simple proxies of seafloor heterogeneity and modelled oxygen deficiency in complex coastal areas in the northern Baltic Sea. We discovered that topographically sheltered seafloors and sinkholes with stagnant water are prone to the development of hypoxia. Approximately half of the monitoring sites in Stockholm Archipelago and one third of sites in southern Finland experienced severe hypoxia (O2
Modelling forest plantations for carbon uptake with the LPJmL dynamic global vegetation model
Authors: Braakhekke Maarten C. , Doelman Jonathan C. , Baas Peter , Müller Christoph , Schaphoff Sibyll , Stehfest Elke , van Vuuren Detlef P.
Published: April 2019

Abstract. We present an extension of the dynamic global vegetation model LPJmL to simulate planted forests intended for C sequestration. We implemented three functional types to simulate plantation trees in temperate, tropical, and boreal climates. The parameters of these functional types were optimized to fit target growth curves (TGCs). These curves represent the evolution of stemwood C over time in typical productive plantations and were derived by combining field observations and LPJmL estimates for equivalent natural forests. While the calibrated model underestimates stemwood C growth rates compared to the TGCs, it represents substantial improvement over using natural forests to represent afforestation. Based on a simulation experiment in which we compared global natural forest versus global forest plantation, we found that forest plantations allow for much larger C uptake rates on the time scale of 100 years, with a maximum difference of a factor 1.9, around 54 years. In subsequent simulations for an ambitious but realistic scenario in which 650 Mha (14 % of global managed land, 4.5 % of global land surface) is converted to forest over 85 years, we found that natural forests take up 37 PgC versus 48 PgC for forest plantations. Comparing these results to estimations of C sequestration required to achieve the 2 °C climate target, we conclude that afforestation can offer a substantial contribution to climate mitigation. Full evaluation of afforestation as a climate change mitigation strategy requires an integrated assessment which considers all relevant aspects, including costs, biodiversity, and trade-offs with other land-use types. Our extended version of LPJmL can contribute such an assessment by providing improved estimates of C uptake rates by forest plantations.
Uncertainty analysis of floodplain friction in hydrodynamic models
Authors: Dalledonne Guilherme , Kopmann Rebekka , Brudy-Zippelius Thomas
Published: April 2019

Abstract. This study proposes a framework to estimate the uncertainty of hydrodynamic models on floodplains. The traditional floodplain resistance formula of Pasche (1984) (based on Lindner, 1982) used for river modelling as well as the approaches of Baptist et al. (2007), Järvelä (2004), and Battiato and Rubol (2014) have been considered for carrying out an uncertainty analysis (UA). The analysis was performed by means of three different methods: traditional Monte Carlo (MC), First-Order Second-Moment (FOSM) and Metamodelling. Using a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model, a 10 km reach of the River Rhine was simulated. The model was calibrated with water level measurements under steady flow conditions and then the analysis was carried out based on flow velocity results. The compared floodplain friction formulae produced qualitatively similar results, in which uncertainties in flow velocity were most significant on the floodplains. Among the tested resistance formulae the approach from Järvelä presented on average the smallest prediction intervals i.e. the most accurate results. It is important to keep in mind that UA results are not only dependent on the defined input parameters deviations, but also on the number of parameters considered in the analysis. In that sense, the approach from Battiato and Rubol is still attractive for it reduces the current analysis to a single parameter, the canopy permeability. The three UA methods compared gave similar results, which means that FOSM is the less expensive one. Nevertheless it should be used with caution as it is a first-order method (linear approximation). In studies involving dominant non-linear processes, one is advised to carry out further comparisons.
The International Association of Geodesy: from an ideal sphere to an irregular body subjected to global change
Authors: Drewes Hermann , Ádám József
Published: April 2019

Abstract. The history of geodesy can be traced back to Thales of Miletus (∼600 BC), who developed the concept of geometry, i.e. the measurement of the Earth. Eratosthenes (276–195 BC) recognized the Earth as a sphere and determined its radius. In the 18th century, Isaac Newton postulated an ellipsoidal figure due to the Earth's rotation, and the French Academy of Sciences organized two expeditions to Lapland and the Viceroyalty of Peru to determine the different curvatures of the Earth at the pole and the Equator. The Prussian General Johann Jacob Baeyer (1794–1885) initiated the international arc measurement to observe the irregular figure of the Earth given by an equipotential surface of the gravity field. This led to the foundation of the International Geodetic Association, which was transferred in 1919 to the Section of Geodesy of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics. This paper presents the activities from 1919 to 2019, characterized by a continuous broadening from geometric to gravimetric observations, from exclusive solid Earth parameters to atmospheric and hydrospheric effects, and from static to dynamic models. At present, we identify geodesy as the discipline of quantifying global change by geodetic measurements.
ASMENŲ, TURINČIŲ ŠIZOFRENIJOS SPEKTRO PSICHIKOS SUTRIKIMŲ, VEIKSNUMO APRIBOJIMAS
Authors: Daškevičienė Jelena , Daškevičius Konstantinas , Navickaitė Gintarė
Published: April 2019

Veiksnumas yra svarbiausias teisinio subjektiškumo elementas, susijęs su asmens galimybėmis atlikti tam tikrus veiksmus. Civiliniuose teisiniuose santykiuose dalyvauja visi žmonės, taip pat ir asmenys, turintys psichikos sutrikimų, todėl teismo psichiatrijos eksper­tizė civiliniame procese yra susijusi su socialiai reikš­mingomis psichikos sutrikimus lydinčiomis gyvenimo situacijomis, kuomet ekspertas vertina asmens socia­linį buitinį funkcionavimą ir faktinę adaptaciją. Nuo 2016 m. įsigaliojus LR Civilinio kodekso pataisoms dėl fizinio asmens pripažinimo neveiksniu tam tikroje srityje, Lietuvoje vyksta visų asmenų, kurie iki 2016 m. buvo pripažinti neveiksniais, teismų sprendimų peržiūra bei kitų asmenų, turinčių psichikos sutri­kimų, veiksnumo apribojimas pagal tam tikras gyve­nimo sritis. Mūsų darbo tikslas buvo atlikti asmenų, turinčių šizofrenijos spektro sutrikimų, kurių atžvilgiu buvo pradėtas civilinis procesas dėl jų veiksnumo apribojimo ar ankstesnės teismo sprendimo peržiū­ros, psichikos sveikatos būklės vertinimą ir išskirti pagrindinius kriterijus, vertinant jų gebėjimą suprasti savo veiksmų reikšmę ir juos valdyti konkrečioje gy­venimo srityje. Nustatyta, kad pagrindinis vertinimo kriterijus yra klinikinis, tai yra aktyvios psichopato­logijos intensyvumo, sutrikimo eigos, gydymo efek­tyvumo, kritinių gebėjimų savo psichikos sveikatos atžvilgiu vertinimas bei socialinės adaptacijos lygis. Tyrimo metu taip pat buvo nustatyta, kad šizofrenijos spektro sutrikimus turintiems asmenims institucinė globa turi žymiai daugiau teigiamos įtakos užtikri­nant šių asmenų psichikos sveikatos stabilumą, gy­dymo tęstinumą, buitines ir socialines garantijas bei jų adaptaciją kasdieniniame gyvenime, palyginus su psichikos sveikata ir gyvenimo kokybe asmenų, gyve­nančių savarankiškai. Priimant ekspertinį sprendimą dėl gebėjimo iš dalies suprasti savo veiksmų esmę ir juos valdyti, šiai diagnostinei tiriamųjų asmenų gru­pei lemiamu argumentu buvo asmens gebėjimas ir motyvacija priimti pagalbą. Teismo psichiatrai eks­pertai, atlikdami šios rūšies ekspertizes, privalo vado­vautis nuostata dėl asmens maksimalaus veiksnumo išsaugojimo.
Branding with Vlogs, Factors Affecting Their Success
Authors: Khalid Kanza , Siddiqui Danish Ahmed
Published: April 2019

This study examines the culture of video blogging — its rhythm, language, and communication style and link its use to brand promotion and buying decisions. Specifically we analyze factors which help in the success of Vlog like its positioning in viewers mind, endorsement by celebrity, Ethical considerations, Benefits and its Features. And then investigated how Vlog affect Brand Promotion and customers buying decisions. Quantitative research was carried out through the use of questionnaire and collecting data of 212 respondents from Karachi. This study focused on Vlogs posted on YouTube Channel. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to analyze different variables. The result shows a strong and significant effect of factors such as Appeals, feature, ethical consideration and celebrity on Vlogging. Furthermore, strong evidence found that supported consumer buying decision and brand promotion is also influenced through Vlogs. Hence Vlog could be a major factor helping in building brands. Hence, this proves that Vlogger of Pakistan does not just life earn through it or gain fame and advantages in their daily, but they can also be part of branding strategies that are taking place through Vlogs.
Corporate Social Responsibility by Malaysian and Singapore Sustainable Index Companies
Authors: Hamid Fathilatul Zakimi Abdul , Othman Zaleha
Published: April 2019

The main objective of this study is to investigate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices by listed companies in Malaysia and Singapore. These companies have been classified as sustainability index companies by the stock exchanges in those countries. Sustainability is a sister concept of CSR. The results of the study show the influence of the stock exchanges and government in business CSR initiatives. The second objective of this study is to suggest three variables, namely Government Link Companies, Reporting Website and Assurance Report, to mirror the recent changes in CSR practices. The results also show the significant influence of these three variables in explaining the current business CSR practice in two countries. Finally, the study also suggests that future research should employ third party CSR data, for the accuracy and reliability of the result.
Research Projects Writing Skills and Other Challenges Faced by Master and PhD Students at the Open University of Tanzania
Authors: Magali Joseph
Published: April 2019

Every Master and PhD student at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) has to make a research project as one of the requirements for completing their degree programmes. However, most students at the OUT face challenges in their research writing process due to lack of the research writing skills. This paper discusses the research writing skills and other challenges which the Master and PhD students face at the OUT. The challenges were learned from the researcher’s personal experiences of five years in supervising and training students on research methodology course for Master and PhD students at the OUT. Foremost, this paper presents the sections of the research proposal and research report which are mostly problematic to students and the author provides the suggestions on improvements. These sections include background information, the problem statement, research objectives, theoretical and empirical literature review, the research gap, research design, approach, strategy and philosophy, variables and measurements, data analysis, results and interpretation and conclusion and recommendations. Secondly, the paper also discusses other challenges which hinder students’ theses and dissertations timely completion at the OUT which include insufficient research orientation, lack of reading culture lack of facilitation methods’ integration for research course trainers, lack of awareness on students-supervisors responsibilities, lack of research completion strategy, low level of English language proficiency and lack of funds and health problems. Finally, the paper presents conclusions and recommendations for improvements.
Badanie możliwości wykorzystania metody porównawczej do zapobiegania skutkom ataków typu DNS Injection
Authors: Melaniuk Michał
Published: April 2019

W artykule przedstawiono zagadnienie wykorzystania metody porównawczej do zapobiegania skutkom ataków typu DNS Injection. Zaproponowano rozwiązanie wykorzystujące przedmiotową metodę oraz opisano opracowane środowisko laboratoryjne do eksperymentalnego zbadania skuteczności działania opracowanego rozwiązania.
Quality study of user activity using mobile device. Tap, double tap, flick gestures.
Authors: Arciuch Artur , Donigiewicz Antoni
Published: April 2019

The article presents the results of research on the quality of gestures performed by users using a mobile device. As a mobile device, the Nokia Lumia 800 smartphone was used. The results of the research concern the basic gestures of tap, double tap and flick, and include the execution time and the precision of the gesture. The results take into account the division of users into age groups and groups using and not using a smartphone every day. A comparison of the designated characteristics between groups is presented. Research on other gestures will be presented in the next paper.
Psychologie für Juristen
Authors: Effer-Uhe Daniel , Mohnert Alica
Published: April 2019

Die objektive Rechtsordnung haben Sie bereits studiert. Doch Juristen arbeiten mit Menschen, und menschliches Verhalten folgt einem anderen Satz Regeln: denen der Psychologie. Dieses Werk vermittelt Ihnen sichere Kenntnis jener sozialer Einflüsse, Urteilsheuristiken und statistischer Fehlschlüsse, die unser aller tägliches Denken und Handeln bestimmen. Ob im Kontakt mit Fachkollegen, Verfahrensparteien oder Zeugen, die empirische Experimentalforschung zeigt Ihnen systematisch auf, mit welchen psychologischen Phänomenen Sie in allen typisch juristischen Berufssituationen rechnen können, um Kunstfehler zu vermeiden, sich nicht selbst mental ein Beinchen zu stellen und Ihr Handwerkszeug zugunsten aller Beteiligter erheblich zu schärfen.
Das in Forschung und Praxis erfahrene Expertenteam Mohnert/Effer-Uhe vereint die Fachrichtungen Psychologie und Rechtswissenschaften in diesem einzigartigen Lehrbuch speziell für die Bedürfnisse der juristischen Fakultät und Berufstätigkeit.
Rethinking the Thin-Thick Distinction among Theories of Evil (and Then Rereading Arendt)
Authors: Sias James ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2019

According to a standard interpretation of Hannah Arendt’s remarks about evil, she had a psychologically thin conception of evil action. This paper has two aims. First, I argue that the distinction between psychological thinness and thickness is poorly conceived, at least as it commonly applies to theories of evil action. And second, I argue that, according to a better conception of the thin-thick distinction, Arendt is being misinterpreted.
The Particularity of Sanctity
Authors: Clark Patrick M. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2019

This paper draws upon the meta-ethical insights of Bernard Lonergan and Raimond Gaita to bolster the foundational claims of Linda Zagzebski’s exemplarist moral theory. I aim to refine Zagzebski’s approach by pointing out how a community’s inevitable prioritization of a given paradigm of moral exemplarity plays a decisive role in the trajectory of its ethical reasoning. I conclude by arguing that within the Christian community, encounters with sanctity should determine the identification of virtues rather than vice versa.
Of Men and [Mountain]Tops
Authors: Marshall Turman Eboni ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2019

This essay asserts freedom as the essence of the prophetic Black Christian tradition that propelled the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Strikes, and largely guided the moral compass of the late-twentieth-century Civil Rights Movement. Sexism, however, is a moral paradox that emerges at the interstices of the prophetic Black Church’s institutional espousal of freedom and its consistently conflicting practices of gender discrimination that bind Black women to politics of silence and invisibility. An exploration of the iconic “I AM a Man” placards worn by strikers during Martin Luther King Jr.’s final campaign in Memphis alongside a contemporary icon of the Black Lives Matter movement illumines how black women continue to be challenged by intracommunal invisibility, even as they are consistently the progenitors, mobilizers, sustainers, and intellectual architects of Black movements for social change.
Risk of acute exacerbation between acetaminophen and ibuprofen in children with asthma
Authors: Fu Lin-Shien , Lin Che-Chen , Wei Chia-Yi , Lin Ching-Heng , Huang Yung-Chieh
Published: April 2019

Background

Antipyretics are widely prescribed in pediatric practice. Some reports have mentioned that acetaminophen and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs may negatively affect asthma control by causing asthma exacerbation (AE). However, many confounding factors can also influence the risks. We assessed the impact of using acetaminophen or ibuprofen on AE in asthmatic children, especially those with strong risk factors.

Methods

We used the 2010 Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database and identified 983 children with persistent asthma aged 1–5 years old; among them, 591 used acetaminophen alone and 392 used ibuprofen alone in 2010. Then, we analyzed the risk of AE over 52 weeks in the patients with and without severe AE in the previous year.

Results

The ibuprofen group had a higher risk of an emergency room (ER) visit or hospitalization for AE (odds ratio (OR) = 2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.17–3.76], P = 0.01). Among asthmatic children who had severe AE in the previous year, the risk of AE was higher in the ibuprofen group than in the acetaminophen group (OR = 3.28, 95% CI [1.30–8.29], P = 0.01), where as among those who did not, the risks of AE were similar between the acetaminophen and ibuprofen groups (OR = 1.52, 95% CI [0.71–3.25], P = 0.28).

Conclusions

Among young asthmatic children, use of ibuprofen was associated with a higher risk of AE than acetaminophen, if they had severe AE with ER visit or hospitalization in the previous year. Pediatricians should use antipyretics among children with asthma after a full evaluation of the risk.