bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HIF2α-Dependent Lipid Storage Promotes Endoplasmic Reticulum Homeostasis in Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Qiu Bo , Ackerman Daniel , Sanchez Danielle J. , Li Bo , Ochocki Joshua D. , Grazioli Alison , Bobrovnikova-Marjon Ekaterina , Diehl J. Alan , Keith Brian , Simon M. Celeste
Published: April 2015

Two hallmarks of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) are constitutive hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling and abundant intracellular lipid droplets (LD). However, regulation of lipid storage and its role in ccRCC are incompletely understood. Transcriptional profiling of primary ccRCC samples revealed that expression of the LD coat protein gene PLIN2 was elevated in tumors and correlated with HIF2α, but not HIF1α, activation. HIF2α-dependent PLIN2 expression promoted lipid storage, proliferation, and viability in xenograft tumors. Mechanistically, lipid storage maintained integrity of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which is functionally and physically associated with LDs. Specifically, PLIN2-dependent lipid storage suppressed cytotoxic ER stress responses that otherwise result from elevated protein synthetic activity characteristic of ccRCC cells. Thus, in addition to promoting ccRCC proliferation and anabolic metabolism, HIF2α modulates lipid storage to sustain ER homeostasis, particularly under conditions of nutrient and oxygen limitation, thereby promoting tumor cell survival.

Significance: We demonstrate that HIF2α promotes lipid storage, ER homeostasis, and cell viability in ccRCC via upregulation of the LD coat protein PLIN2, revealing a novel function for the well-documented “clear-cell” phenotype and identifying ER stress as a targetable vulnerability created by HIF2α/PLIN2 suppression in this common renal malignancy. Cancer Discov; 5(6); 652–67. ©2015 AACR.

See related commentary by Sim and Johnson, p. 584.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 565
Sex Differences of ≥pT1 Bladder Cancer Survival in Austria: A Descriptive, Long-Term, Nation-Wide Analysis Based on 27,773 Patients
Authors: Waldhoer Thomas , Berger Ingrid , Haidinger Gerald , Zielonke Nadine , Madersbacher Stephan
Published: April 2015

Introduction: In recent days, the relationship between gender, tumour stage and survival of bladder cancer has attracted interest. Materials and Methods: The Austrian cancer registry was linked to the national death statistics. All patients with urothelial cancer of the urinary bladder with stages pT1, pT2, pT3 and pT4 diagnosed between 1983 until 2012 were followed for up to 15 years. Overall and cancer-specific mortality were estimated by cumulative incidence. Results: A total of 27,773 patients were analysed. The male:female ratio declined from 3:1 for stage pT1-tumours (n = 16,416) to 2.6:1 for pT2 (n = 6,548), 2.1:1 for pT3 (n = 3,111) and 1.9:1 for pT4 (n = 1,698). The 5 years cumulative overall death rate for pT1 tumours was slightly lower for women (0.31 vs. 0.32; p = 0.016). The opposite was observed for more advanced tumour stages: pT2: women 0.66, men: 0.60 (p = 0.0001); pT3: women 0.76, men 0.72 (p = 0.0004) and for pT4: women 0.90, men 0.85 (p = 0.0001). Cancer-specific survival was identical for pT1-tumours in both sexes, while women had a worse cancer-specific survival in both age cohorts (<70 years and ≥70 years) with higher tumour stages. Conclusions: This population-based study demonstrates that (1) a rise of advanced bladder cancer stages in women and (2) that women with tumour stages >pT1 have a shorter cancer-specific and overall survival.
FOXO3: A Major Gene for Human Longevity - A Mini-Review
Authors: Morris Brian J. , Willcox Donald Craig , Donlon Timothy A. , Willcox Bradley J.
Published: April 2015

Background: The gene FOXO3, encoding the transcription factor forkhead box O-3 (FoxO3), is one of only two for which genetic polymorphisms have exhibited consistent associations with longevity in diverse human populations. Objective: Here, we review the multitude of actions of FoxO3 that are relevant to health, and thus healthy ageing and longevity. Methods: The study involved a literature search for articles retrieved from PubMed using FoxO3 as keyword. Results: We review the molecular genetics of FOXO3 in longevity, then current knowledge of FoxO3 function relevant to ageing and lifespan. We describe how FoxOs are involved in energy metabolism, oxidative stress, proteostasis, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, metabolic processes, immunity, inflammation and stem cell maintenance. The single FoxO in Hydra confers immortality to this fresh water polyp, but as more complex organisms evolved, this role has been usurped by the need for FoxO to control a broader range of specialized pathways across a wide spectrum of tissues assisted by the advent of as many as 4 FoxO subtypes in mammals. The major themes of FoxO3 are similar, but not identical, to other FoxOs and include regulation of cellular homeostasis, particularly of stem cells, and of inflammation, which is a common theme of age-related diseases. Other functions concern metabolism, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, destruction of potentially damaging reactive oxygen species and proteostasis. Conclusions: The mechanism by which longevity-associated alleles of FOXO3 reduce age-related mortality is currently of great clinical interest. The prospect of optimizing FoxO3 activity in humans to increase lifespan and reduce age-related diseases represents an exciting avenue of clinical investigation. Research strategies directed at developing therapeutic agents that target FoxO3, its gene and proteins in the pathway(s) FoxO3 regulates should be encouraged and supported.
Lacrimal Gland Intra-Lobular Duct Cysts Associated with Focal Vasculitis
Authors: Singh Mudhar Hardeep , Currie Zanna I. , Salvi Sachin M.
Published: April 2015

Purpose: Description of the clinical and histopathological features of unusual lacrimal gland intra-glandular duct cysts. Procedures: A 38-year-old male presented with bilateral upper lid lumpiness, which was worse on the left. Computed tomography scan showed bilateral multiple lacrimal gland cysts, which were larger on the left compared to the right. After two unsuccessful attempts to excise the largest cyst on the left side, it was removed at the third attempt using a novel technique that incorporated the use of fibrin glue to fill the remaining cavity. Results: The microscopy of the left-sided cyst comprised a cavity containing fibrin glue, lined by intra-lobular lacrimal gland duct epithelium. The cyst wall contained reactive lymphoid aggregates, plasma cells and eosinophils associated with fibrosis. Focally, there were small vessels affected by an acute vasculitis associated with eosinophils and a granulomatous component. Conclusions: We ascribe the cyst formation to the effects of tractional fibrosis secondary to focal vasculitis and to obstructive fibrosis of the lacrimal ductules. This case also described a novel use of Tisseel fibrin glue to assist intact removal of a lacrimal gland cyst.
The Empirical Status of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy - An Update: Bambi's Alive and Kicking
Authors: Leichsenring Falk , Leweke Frank , Klein Susanne , Steinert Christiane
Published: April 2015

Background: The Task Force on Promotion and Dissemination of Psychological Procedures proposed rigorous criteria to define empirically supported psychotherapies. According to these criteria, 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showing efficacy are required for a treatment to be designated as ‘efficacious' and 1 RCT for a designation as ‘possibly efficacious'. Applying these criteria modified by Chambless and Hollon, this article presents an update on the evidence for psychodynamic therapy (PDT) in specific mental disorders. Methods: A systematic search was performed using the criteria by Chambless and Hollon for study selection, as follows: (1) RCT of PDT in adults, (2) use of reliable and valid measures for diagnosis and outcome, (3) use of treatment manuals or manual-like guidelines, (4) adult population treated for specific problems and (5) PDT superior to no treatment, placebo or alternative treatment or equivalent to an established treatment. Results: A total of 39 RCTs were included. Following Chambless and Hollon, PDT can presently be designated as efficacious in major depressive disorder (MDD), social anxiety disorder, borderline and heterogeneous personality disorders, somatoform pain disorder, and anorexia nervosa. For MDD, this also applies to the combination with pharmacotherapy. PDT can be considered as possibly efficacious in dysthymia, complicated grief, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and substance abuse/dependence. Evidence is lacking for obsessive-compulsive, posttraumatic stress, bipolar and schizophrenia spectrum disorder(s). Conclusions: Evidence has emerged that PDT is efficacious or possibly efficacious in a wide range of common mental disorders. Further research is required for those disorders for which sufficient evidence does not yet exist.
The WHO-5 Well-Being Index: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Topp Christian Winther , Østergaard Søren Dinesen , Søndergaard Susan , Bech Per
Published: April 2015

Background: The 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) is among the most widely used questionnaires assessing subjective psychological well-being. Since its first publication in 1998, the WHO-5 has been translated into more than 30 languages and has been used in research studies all over the world. We now provide a systematic review of the literature on the WHO-5. Methods: We conducted a systematic search for literature on the WHO-5 in PubMed and PsycINFO in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. In our review of the identified articles, we focused particularly on the following aspects: (1) the clinimetric validity of the WHO-5; (2) the responsiveness/sensitivity of the WHO-5 in controlled clinical trials; (3) the potential of the WHO-5 as a screening tool for depression, and (4) the applicability of the WHO-5 across study fields. Results: A total of 213 articles met the predefined criteria for inclusion in the review. The review demonstrated that the WHO-5 has high clinimetric validity, can be used as an outcome measure balancing the wanted and unwanted effects of treatments, is a sensitive and specific screening tool for depression and its applicability across study fields is very high. Conclusions: The WHO-5 is a short questionnaire consisting of 5 simple and non-invasive questions, which tap into the subjective well-being of the respondents. The scale has adequate validity both as a screening tool for depression and as an outcome measure in clinical trials and has been applied successfully across a wide range of study fields.
Switching from Endoscopic Extraperitoneal Radical Prostatectomy to Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy: Comparing Outcomes and Complications
Authors: Wagenhoffer Robert , Gruner Maren , Schymik Jan , Schachtner Lydia , Neagoe Liviu , Berg Christine , Schlichter Andreas , Manseck Andreas
Published: April 2015

Objective: Endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EERPE) and robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) are minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat localized prostate cancer. We report the outcome and complications of these two techniques conducted by one individual surgeon. Patients and Methods: 86 patients underwent EERPE between January 2008 and June 2011, and 100 patients underwent RALP between August 2011 and October 2012. All surgeries were performed by one single surgeon. Results: The patients of the EERPE and RALP groups had similar clinical characteristics in PSA, prostate volume and D'Amico classification, and were significantly different in their age and BMI as well as in the number of prior surgeries. RALP surgeries were significantly slower (183 vs. 157 min) but also involved lower blood loss (147 vs. 245 ml). Pathological stages and positive surgical margins were similar in both groups. Complications were assessed by the Clavien-Dindo classification. 6 patients in the EERPE group and 3 patients of the RALP group suffered major complications (IIIb-IV). Conclusion: Altogether our results indicate that the learning curve for RALP was short after experience with EERPE. We hypothesize that this is more a result of the surgical experience of the surgeon with the EERPE than on the robotic technique.
Short Stature Screening by Accurate Length Measurement in Infants with a Birth Weight <9th Centile
Authors: Montgomery Sardar Colette , Kinmond Sheena , Siddique Jamila , Cooper Andrew , McGowan Sheena , Paterson Wendy , Donnelly Sharon , Gault Emma Jane , Donaldson Malcolm
Published: April 2015

Background/Aims: Intrauterine growth restriction is an indication for growth hormone treatment. Birth length (BL) is needed to evaluate the influence of birth size on childhood short stature. However, BL is commonly measured only approximately, if at all. A single-centre study was undertaken to determine the value of measuring accurate and targeted BL and parental height (PH) for neonates with a birth weight (BW) ≤9th centile, identifying short [BL ≤-2 standard deviation scores (SDS)] and light newborns (BW ≤-2 SDS), and remeasuring short neonates at 2 years in order to detect those not showing catch-up growth. Methods: Information was collected on all live births (n = 3,798) in a single maternity unit during a 1-year period. Results: BW was ≤9th centile in 481 neonates (12.7%) of whom 47 were light but not short, 46 were short, and 60 were both light and short. Of 107 eligible infants, 57 (53%) attended the 2-year follow-up; failure of catch-up growth was identified in 6 infants (11%) of whom only 1 was already known to medical services. PH was measured in both parents of 52/153 (34%) light and/or short infants. Conclusion: Targeted and accurate BL measurement in newborns with a BW ≤9th centile is a promising alternative to the current practices. The feasibility of PH measurement after birth still requires further evaluation.
The Contribution of MRI after Fetal Anomalies Have Been Diagnosed by Ultrasound: Correlation with Postnatal Outcomes
Authors: Verburg Bero , Fink A. Michelle , Reidy Karen , Palma-Dias Ricardo
Published: April 2015

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the additional value of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment and management of fetuses with abnormal findings on ultrasound. Methods: A total of 257 patients who had fetal MRI following the ultrasound diagnosis of a fetal anomaly, or were at high risk, were included. The patients were grouped by referral category for fetal MRI. Fetal MRI was compared to ultrasound in the detection of anomalies, i.e. whether additional findings were identified and if this changed diagnosis, prognosis and management during pregnancy. Results: Ultrasound findings were confirmed on fetal MRI in 89% of the cases. Additional findings were seen with MRI in 28% of all patients. The diagnosis changed in 21% and the prognosis in 19% of the cases. Perinatal management changed in 8%. The antenatal findings were confirmed in all cases that had a postmortem examination following termination of pregnancy. In all the pregnancies that continued to delivery and for which the postnatal outcome is known, the findings correlated in 97% of the cases. Conclusion: Fetal MRI provided additional detection of fetal anomalies, leading to a change in diagnosis and prognosis in 19% of the cases. Neonatal and postmortem findings mostly confirmed the fetal MRI diagnosis, suggesting it to be a useful tool for clinical decision making in perinatal management.
Blood Pressure Responses to Renal Denervation Precede and Are Independent of the Sympathetic and Baroreflex Effects
Authors: Grassi Guido , Seravalle Gino , Brambilla Gianmaria , Trabattoni Daniela , Cuspidi Cesare , Corso Rocco , Pieruzzi Federico , Genovesi Simonetta , Stella Andrea , Facchetti Rita , Spaziani Domenico , Bartorelli Antonio , Mancia Giuseppe
Published: April 2015

It is still largely unknown whether the neuroadrenergic responses to renal denervation (RD) are involved in its blood pressure (BP)–lowering effects and represent predictors of the BP responses to RD. In 15 treated true resistant hypertensives, we measured before and 15 days, 1, 3, and 6 months after RD clinic, ambulatory and beat-to-beat BP. Measurements included muscle sympathetic nerve traffic (MSNA), spontaneous baroreflex–MSNA sensitivity, and various humoral and metabolic variables. Twelve treated hypertensives served as controls. BP, which was unaffected 15 days after RD, showed a significant decrease during the remaining follow-up period. MSNA and baroreflex did not change at 15-day and 1-month follow-up and showed, respectively, a decrease and a specular increase at 3 and 6 months after RD. No relationship, however, was detected between baseline MSNA and baroreflex, MSNA changes and BP changes. At the 6-month follow-up, the MSNA reduction was similar for magnitude in patients displaying a BP reduction greater or lower the median value. Similarly, the BP reduction detected 6 months after RD was similar in patients displaying a MSNA reduction greater or lower median value. No significant BP and MSNA changes were detected in the control group. Thus, the BP reduction associated with RD seems to precede the MSNA changes and not to display a temporal, qualitative, and quantitative relationship with the MSNA and baroreflex effects. Given the small sample size of the present study further investigations are warranted to confirm the present findings.
Independent Associations of Circulating Galectin-3 Concentrations With Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity and Wave Reflection in a Community Sample
Authors: Libhaber Elena , Woodiwiss Angela J. , Raymond Andrew , Gomes Monica , Maseko Muzi J. , Sareli Pinhas , Norton Gavin R.
Published: April 2015

Although the profibrotic inflammatory substance galectin-3 predicts outcomes in the general population, the mechanisms responsible for this effect are uncertain. We aimed to determine whether circulating galectin-3 concentrations are associated with carotid femoral (aortic) pulse wave velocity and aortic reflective wave index (applanation tonometry and SphygmoCor software) in 966 randomly selected participants from a community sample. Galectin-3 concentrations were not independently associated with office (n=966) or 24-hour (n=661) systolic (
P
=0.88–0.92) or diastolic (
P
=0.65–0.94) blood pressure. In contrast, with adjustments for age, sex (in all participants), office or 24-hour mean arterial pressure (or systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure), pulse rate, body mass index, regular smoking, regular alcohol intake, total cholesterol concentrations, diabetes mellitus or an glycohemoglobin >6.1%, treatment for hypertension, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, galectin-3 was independently associated with aortic pulse wave velocity in all participants (partial
r
=0.15,
P
<0.0001) and reflective wave index in men (partial
r
=0.13,
P
<0.02). In 745 participants who had never received antihypertensive therapy, galectin-3 concentrations were similarly independently associated with pulse wave velocity in all participants (partial=0.16,
P
<0.0001) and reflective wave index in men (partial
r
=0.15,
P
<0.02). The blood pressure–independent relations between galectin-3 concentrations and aortic hemodynamics persisted with further adjustments for C-reactive protein concentrations (pulse wave velocity in all participants: partial
r
=0.14,
P
<0.0001; reflective wave index in men: partial
r
=0.12,
P
<0.05). In conclusion, despite a lack of independent association with brachial blood pressure, the profibrotic inflammatory substance galectin-3 may contribute toward adverse outcomes through an effect on aortic stiffness, an effect that cannot be attributed to general inflammatory changes.
Central Aortic Blood Pressure From Ultrasound Wall-Tracking of the Carotid Artery in Children
Authors: Milne Laura , Keehn Louise , Guilcher Antoine , Reidy John F. , Karunanithy Narayan , Rosenthal Eric , Qureshi Shakeel , Chowienczyk Phil J. , Sinha Manish D.
Published: April 2015

Differences between central aortic root (c) and peripheral (p) systolic blood pressure (SBP) may be particularly marked in children, but noninvasive methods for assessing cSBP in children have not been validated. We compared estimates of cSBP obtained from radiofrequency ultrasound wall tracking of the carotid artery (ART.LAB system) with that measured directly by a catheter in the aortic root at the time of arterial cannulation. Carotid waveforms were calibrated from invasive measurements of mean and diastolic pressures. In 9 children aged 10.5±5.0 years (mean±SD), cSBP obtained from carotid wall tracking was highly correlated with invasive measures of cSBP (
r
=0.99) with mean (±SD) difference 3.9±2.5 mm Hg. Second, we compared values of cSBP obtained from the carotid with those obtained using noninvasive applanation tonometry at the radial artery and a radial-to-aortic transfer function (SphygmoCor). Both carotid and radial tonometric measurements were calibrated from the same peripheral mean and diastolic measurements of blood pressure obtained by sphygmomanometry. In 84 children aged 13.2±3.2 years, there was excellent agreement between the 2 methods (
r
=0.95;
P
<0.001) with mean difference 0.71±3.7 mm Hg (95% confidence interval =−1.53 to 1.01). This invasive validation study confirms that cSBP as estimated by carotid wall tracking provides an acceptable measurement of true cSBP when calibration is from true mean and diastolic pressures. Close agreement of cSBP obtained by carotid wall tracking and radial tonometry suggests that these provide similar results when calibrated from the same peripheral blood pressure measurements.
The Future of Intergenerational Relations in Aging Societies
Authors: Furstenberg Frank F. , Hartnett Caroline Sten , Kohli Martin , Zissimopoulos Julie M.
Published: April 2015

As the pressure mounts to reduce the public costs of supporting rapidly aging societies, responsibility for supporting elderly people will increasingly fall on their family members. This essay explores the family's capacity to respond to these growing challenges. In particular, we examine how family change and growing inequality pose special problems in developed nations, especially the United States. This essay mentions a series of studies supported by the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on an Aging Society that aim to examine the future of intergenerational exchange. We focus particularly on adults who have dependent and young-adult children and who must also care for elderly parents, a fraction of the population that will grow substantially in the coming twenty-five years.
Resetting Social Security
Authors: Olshansky S. Jay , Goldman Dana P. , Rowe John W.
Published: April 2015

Social Security retirement benefits were first introduced in 1935 as a financial safety net for a large and rapidly growing older American population. The program was intended to be economically selfsustaining, but population aging and rising life expectancies threaten the program's solvency. The 1983 Social Security Amendments mandated that the full retirement age increase to 67 by the year 2027. In this essay, we present evidence demonstrating that the rate of improvement in life extension at older ages accelerated after 1983. If the 1935 ratio of working years to retired years is maintained, early and full retirement ages of 66.5 and 69.4, respectively, were justified in 2009. Additional delays in the age of eligibility beyond those currently in effect would place significant financial burdens on individuals with lower life expectancies, the poor and near-poor, and the very old, and – absent additional reform – would exacerbate existing unequal access to entitlements within the system.
Individual & Social Strategies to Mitigate the Risks & Expand Opportunities of an Aging America
Authors: Zissimopoulos Julie M. , Goldman Dana P. , Olshansky S. Jay , Rother John , Rowe John W.
Published: April 2015

Increasing life expectancy offers the potential benefit of additional years of productivity and engagement to both individuals and society as a whole. However, it also carries substantial risks. For many, advanced age brings increased disease and disability (including cognitive impairment), financial insecurity, and social isolation. These risks are greatest for those with the least education and financial resources. An aging society must cope with increasing demands for high-quality geriatric care, mounting stresses on social insurance programs (such as Social Security and Medicare in the United States), and the increasing danger that the growing gap between the haves and have-nots will threaten societal cohesion. These risks can be mitigated or aggravated by the lifestyle and savings behavior of individuals, families, employers, and the government. We present policy options in the areas of education, work and retirement, financial security, health care, and social cohesion that can promote the benefits and reduce the risks of longer life.
Refined Generalization Bounds of Gradient Learning over Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Lv Shao-Gao
Published: April 2015

Gradient learning (GL), initially proposed by Mukherjee and Zhou ( 2006 ) has been proved to be a powerful tool for conducting variable selection and dimensional reduction simultaneously. This approach presents a nonparametric version of a gradient estimator with positive definite kernels without estimating the true function itself, so that the proposed version has wide applicability and allows for complex effects between predictors. In terms of theory, however, existing generalization bounds for GL depend on capacity-independent techniques, and the capacity of kernel classes cannot be characterized completely. Thus, this letter considers GL estimators that minimize the empirical convex risk. We prove generalization bounds for such estimators with rates that are faster than previous results. Moreover, we provide a novel upper bound for Rademacher chaos complexity of order two, which also plays an important role in general pairwise-type estimations, including ranking and score problems.
Macradenia grandiflora (Cymbidieae; Epidendroideae; Orchidaceae), a new species from southeastern Brazil
Authors: Koch Ana Kelly , Ilkiu-Borges Anna Luiza , Barros Fábio De
Published: April 2015

Macradenia grandiflora a new species from southeastern Brazil is described and illustrated. It is related to M. lutescens, but differs by the number of lip calli, the size of sepals, petals and lip, the number of flowers per inflorescence, the cuspidate apex of sepals and petals, and the irregularly lacerate margin of the clinandrium.
Reformulation of the Drought Code in the Canadian Fire Weather Index System Implemented in New Zealand
Authors: Yang Yang , Uddstrom Michael , Pearce Grant , Revell Mike
Published: April 2015

The fire danger rating system implemented in New Zealand is the Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI) System developed 40 years ago for Canadian temperate forests. Issues have been raised in relation to this system when applied in other regions with different climate and vegetation environments. For the first time, two methods were proposed for improving the Drought Code (DC) component of the FWI System for New Zealand. The first method (PotE) employs a potential evaporation (PE) scheme that considers wind speed, surface air stability, and water vapor mixing ratio gradient. The second method (soilM) uses soil moisture. For the latter, when soil moisture is derived from observations, the calculated DC represents the actual drought status of the soil. DC and FWI have been calculated with the original and the two new DC methods at 28 climate stations in New Zealand for a pair of 2-yr periods. The Joint U.K. Land Environment Simulator (JULES) was run to provide the PE and soil moisture for the two methods. The original DC method underestimated the drought status in New Zealand, especially in summer, leading to underestimation of FWI. The PotE method significantly overestimated the drought status in summer. The errors in the calculated drought status and FWI were largely reduced by using the soilM method with simulated soil moisture from JULES. In this paper, the reasons for this reduction in error are investigated by testing the sensitivity of DC to surface evaporation and to soil parameters. Potential benefit is found from using the proposed soilM method for monitoring drought status and for FWI calculations.
Effects of Horizontal Geometrical Spreading on the Parameterization of Orographic Gravity Wave Drag. Part II: Analytical Solutions
Authors: Eckermann Stephen D. , Broutman Dave , Knight Harold
Published: April 2015

Effects of horizontal geometrical spreading on the amplitude variation with height of linear three-dimensional hydrostatic orographic gravity waves (OGWs) are quantified via relevant simplifications to the governing transform relations, leading to analytical solutions. The analysis is restricted to elliptical Gaussian obstacles with principal axes aligned parallel and perpendicular to unidirectional shear flow and to vertical displacement and steepness amplitudes, given their relevance to OGW drag parameterizations in global models. Two solutions are derived: a “small l” solution in which horizontal wavenumbers l orthogonal to the flow are taken to be much smaller than those parallel to the flow, and a “single k” solution in which horizontal wavenumbers k parallel to the flow have a single mean value. The resulting analytical relations, valid for arbitrary vertical profiles of upstream winds and stability, depend only on the obstacle’s elliptical aspect ratio β and a normalized height coordinate incorporating wind and stability variations. These analytical approximations accurately reproduce the salient features of the exact numerical transform solutions. These include monotonic decreases with height that asymptotically approach z−1/2 forms at large z and strong β dependence in amplitude diminution with height. Steepness singularities close to the surface are shown to be a mathematical consequence of the Hilbert transform approach to deriving complex wavefield solutions. These approximate analytical solutions for horizontal geometrical spreading effects on wave amplitude highlight the importance of this missing physics for current parameterizations of OGW drag and offer an accurate and efficient means of incorporating some of these omitted effects.
Processes Controlling Precipitation in Shallow, Orographic, Trade Wind Convection
Authors: Watson Campbell D. , Smith Ronald B. , Nugent Alison D.
Published: April 2015

A sharp reduction in precipitation was observed on the island of Dominica in the Caribbean during a 2011 field campaign when the trade winds weakened and convection transitioned from mechanically to thermally driven. The authors propose four hypotheses for this reduction, which relate to (i) the triggering mechanism, (ii) dry-air entrainment, (iii) giant sea-salt aerosol, and (iv) small-island-derived aerosol. The plausibility of the first three hypotheses is the focus of this study.

Aircraft observations show the dynamics of the orographic cumulus clouds at flight level are surprisingly similar, irrespective of how they are triggered. However, the orographic cumulus clouds are consistently shallower when the trade winds are weak, which the authors attribute to a drier and shallower cloud layer compared to days with stronger trade winds. The strong negative influence of dry-air entrainment in a drier environment on cumulus depth and liquid water content is qualitatively demonstrated using an entraining plume model and the WRF Model. Although the models appear more sensitive than observations to entrainment and cloud size, the sensitivity tests have some resemblance to observations. The authors also find evidence of sea-salt aerosol entering the base of marine cumulus on strong wind days using an aircraft-mounted lidar and other instruments. Although each hypothesis is plausible, the complex interplay of these processes makes determining the controlling mechanisms difficult. Ultimately, the authors’ analysis rejects the hypothesis (i) triggering, while supporting (ii) entrainment and (iii) sea-salt aerosol.
NEXRAD NWS Polarimetric Precipitation Product Evaluation for IFloodS
Authors: Cunha Luciana K. , Smith James A. , Krajewski Witold F. , Baeck Mary Lynn , Seo Bong-Chul
Published: April 2015

The NEXRAD program has recently upgraded the WSR-88D network observational capability with dual polarization (DP). In this study, DP quantitative precipitation estimates (QPEs) provided by the current version of the NWS system are evaluated using a dense rain gauge network and two other single-polarization (SP) rainfall products. The analyses are performed for the period and spatial domain of the Iowa Flood Studies (IFloodS) campaign. It is demonstrated that the current version (2014) of QPE from DP is not superior to that from SP mainly because DP QPE equations introduce larger bias than the conventional rainfall–reflectivity [i.e., R(Z)] relationship for some hydrometeor types. Moreover, since the QPE algorithm is based on hydrometeor type, abrupt transitions in the phase of hydrometeors introduce errors in QPE with surprising variation in space that cannot be easily corrected using rain gauge data. In addition, the propagation of QPE uncertainties across multiple hydrological scales is investigated using a diagnostic framework. The proposed method allows us to quantify QPE uncertainties at hydrologically relevant scales and provides information for the evaluation of hydrological studies forced by these rainfall datasets.
Large-Eddy Simulation and Single-Column Modeling of Thermally Stratified Wind Turbine Arrays for Fully Developed, Stationary Atmospheric Conditions
Authors: Sescu Adrian , Meneveau Charles
Published: April 2015

Effects of atmospheric thermal stratification on the asymptotic behavior of very large wind farms are studied using large-eddy simulations (LES) and a single-column model for vertical distributions of horizontally averaged field variables. To facilitate comparisons between LES and column modeling based on Monin–Obukhov similarity theory, the LES are performed under idealized conditions of statistical stationarity in time and fully developed conditions in space. A suite of simulations are performed for different thermal stratification levels and the results are used to evaluate horizontally averaged vertical profiles of velocity, potential temperature, vertical turbulent momentum, and heat flux. Both LES and the model show that the stratification significantly affects the atmospheric boundary layer structure, its height, and the surface fluxes. However, the effects of the wind farm on surface heat fluxes are found to be relatively small in both LES and the single-column model. The surface fluxes are the result of two opposing trends: an increase of mixing in wakes and a decrease in mixing in the region below the turbines due to reduced momentum fluxes there for neutral and unstable cases, or relatively unchanged shear stresses below the turbines in the stable cases. For the considered cases, the balance of these trends yields a slight increase in surface flux magnitude for the stable and near-neutral unstable cases, and a very small decrease in flux magnitude for the strongly unstable cases. Moreover, thermal stratification is found to have a negligible effect on the roughness scale as deduced from the single-column model, consistent with the expectations of separation of scale.
Natural fiber composite: Challenges simulating inelastic response in strain-controlled tensile tests
Authors: Pupure Liva , Varna Janis , Joffe Roberts
Published: April 2015

Problems occurring, when nonlinear time-dependent material model with parameters identified in creep tests is applied to simulate high-strain response in strain-controlled tests, are described and analyzed. Reasons for discrepancies with experimental loading curves are revealed. Presented numerical/experimental examples deal with three bio-based composites showing highly nonlinear behavior due to damage, nonlinear viscoelasticity and viscoplasticity. Schapery's approach for viscoelasticity and Zapas' model for viscoplasticity are used. The model is generalized to include microdamage effect. It is shown that the main problem in simulations at high stresses is the reliability of data from creep test for model identification in this region because creep rupture limits the available data region and extrapolation to higher stresses is rather uncertain. Alternative solution is to employ relaxation tests at high strains to obtain the missing information. However, it would work only in absence of viscoplastic strains: viscoelastic relaxation functions cannot be determined by maintaining constant total strain if viscoplastic-strain is developing. Based on sensitivity analysis of composite response to variations of the elastic modulus, damage, viscoelastic and viscoplastic parameters, suggestions are made for improving (further “tuning”) the model in high stress region by using tensile stress–strain curves in quasi-static loading.
Disturbance observer-based sliding mode backstepping control for a re-entry vehicle with input constraint and external disturbance
Authors: Wang Fang , Zong Qun , Dong Qi , Tian Bailing
Published: April 2015

An attitude controller is designed for a reusable launch vehicle (RLV) during the re-entry phase with input constraint, model uncertainty and external disturbance. A control-oriented model with matched and unmatched uncertainty is first derived for the control design. To proceed, the control scheme is designed taking advantage of the robust stability property of sliding mode control, the compensation ability of the non-linear disturbance observer (DOB) technique and the systematic design procedure of the backstepping technique. An additional system, the states of which are used for controller design and stability analysis, is constructed to handle the input constraint. The time derivative of the virtual control input is considered as an uncertainty to eliminate the ‘explosion of terms’ problem inherent in backstepping control. Moreover, the proposed method alleviates the chattering problem of the traditional sliding mode backstepping control scheme. Stability analysis of the composite control scheme consisting of the designed controller and the DOB is performed via Lyapunov theory. Finally, simulation results are compared to show that the proposed method is able to achieve better tracking performance and tackles input constraints more effectively than an adaptive filter backstepping control scheme.
Clinical Practice Guideline (Update)
Authors: Rosenfeld Richard M. , Piccirillo Jay F. , Chandrasekhar Sujana S. , Brook Itzhak , Ashok Kumar Kaparaboyna , Kramper Maggie , Orlandi Richard R. , Palmer James N. , Patel Zara M. , Peters Anju , Walsh Sandra A. , Corrigan Maureen D.
Published: April 2015

The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation has published a supplement to this issue featuring the updated “Clinical Practice Guideline: Adult Sinusitis” as a supplement to Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. To assist in implementing the guideline recommendations, this article summarizes the rationale, purpose, and key action statements. The 14 developed recommendations address diagnostic accuracy for adult rhinosinusitis, the appropriate use of ancillary tests to confirm diagnosis and guide management (including radiography, nasal endoscopy, computed tomography, and testing for allergy and immune function), and the judicious use of systemic and topical therapy. Emphasis was also placed on identifying multiple chronic conditions that would modify management of rhinosinusitis, including asthma, cystic fibrosis, immunocompromised state, and ciliary dyskinesia. An updated guideline is needed as a result of new clinical trials, new systematic reviews, and the lack of consumer participation in the initial guideline development group.
How am I using my own understanding and development of gifts and talents to promote the learning of children?
Authors: Clayton Nina
Published: April 2015

My enquiry, which formed the subject of my Master’s module on gifts and talents in education in 2008, was part of my journey as a classroom teacher during a pressured year when the Office for Standards in Education (UK) gave our school ‘notice to improve’. I specifically write ‘our school’ as this is what the children called it and I feel the same loyalty and pride to call it this too. At the time I had been teaching Early Years in this English primary school for 8 years and I had a true sense of belonging and passion towards the children and staff, and the teaching that happened there. My journey is not exclusive and it is a journey followed and shared with the children in my class. The narrative is as relevant now as it was then for teachers wanting to develop gifts and talents to promote learning in their classrooms.
The Flip-Flop Trail and Fragile Globalization
Authors: Knowles Caroline
Published: April 2015

The flip-flop trail is an object biography. It follows the translocal journeys of a pair of plastic sandals, unpacking the lives and landscapes hidden in the plastic. An important shoe-infrastructure enabling human mobility, flip-flops work as an offbeat proxy for globalization too. They proffer empirical footings in translocally-connected worlds in which people and the social textures and terrains of their everyday lives come to the fore, in place of economic processes and commodity chains favoured in hegemonic versions of globalization. These reduce globalization’s complex social forms to the grand narratives of the logics of capital accumulation, implicitly naturalizing it, if critically, as inevitable, entrenched and robust. From the vantage point of the flip-flop trail, globalization looks rather different. It is more fragile and shifting, generating multiple forms of uncertainty in the lives and landscapes it simultaneously sustains and undermines.
Novel accent perception in typically-developing school-aged children
Authors: Newton Caroline , Ridgway Samuel
Published: April 2015

Many schools in Western countries like the United Kingdom have become increasingly diverse communities in recent years, and children are likely to be exposed to a variety of accents that are different from their own. While there is a wide body of research exploring accent comprehension in the adult population and in infancy, little has been done to investigate the impact that an unfamiliar accent has on perception in school-aged children. This study investigated the effect of an unfamiliar novel accent on the ability of typically-developing children aged 6 and 7 years to repeat simple sentences. Stimuli were presented in speech-shaped noise using an adaptive staircase procedure in order to compare the speech reception thresholds of the two accents. Participants were required to repeat back short English sentences, and their speech reception thresholds were calculated as the sound-to-noise ratio in which they were able to repeat back 100% of the key words in the sentence. Results showed that the participants required a significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio (i.e. less noise) to achieve the same level of comprehension for the novel accent as the familiar accent. Measures of cognitive flexibility and selective attention were also taken but were not found to correlate with performance with the unfamiliar accent. These findings have implications for professionals working with children and should alert them to the possible difficulties in communication as a result of unfamiliar accent.
An investigation of the validity of the Work Assessment Triage Tool clinical decision support tool for selecting optimal rehabilitation interventions for workers with musculoskeletal injuries
Authors: Qin Ziling , Armijo-Olivo Susan , Woodhouse Linda J , Gross Douglas P
Published: April 2015

Objective:

To evaluate the concurrent validity of a clinical decision support tool (Work Assessment Triage Tool (WATT)) developed to select rehabilitation treatments for injured workers with musculoskeletal conditions.

Design:

Methodological study with cross-sectional and prospective components.

Setting:

Data were obtained from the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta rehabilitation facility in Edmonton, Canada.

Subjects:

A total of 432 workers’ compensation claimants evaluated between November 2011 and June 2012.

Main measures:

Percentage agreement between the Work Assessment Triage Tool and clinician recommendations was used to determine concurrent validity. In claimants returning to work, frequencies of matching were calculated and compared between clinician and Work Assessment Triage Tool recommendations and the actual programs undertaken by claimants. The frequency of each intervention recommended by clinicians, Work Assessment Triage Tool, and case managers were also calculated and compared.

Results:

Percentage agreement between clinician and Work Assessment Triage Tool recommendations was poor (19%) to moderate (46%) and Kappa = 0.37 (95% CI −0.02, 0.76). The Work Assessment Triage Tool did not improve upon clinician recommendations as only 14 out of 31 claimants returning to work had programs that contradicted clinician recommendations, but were consistent with Work Assessment Triage Tool recommendations. Clinicians and case managers were inclined to recommend functional restoration, physical therapy, or no rehabilitation while the Work Assessment Triage Tool recommended additional evidence-based interventions, such as workplace-based interventions.

Conclusions:

Our findings do not provide evidence of concurrent validity for the Work Assessment Triage Tool compared with clinician recommendations. Based on these results, we cannot recommend further implementation of the Work Assessment Triage Tool. However, the Work Assessment Triage Tool appeared more likely than clinicians to recommend interventions supported by evidence; thus warranting further research.
Role of the serotonin transporter gene locus in the response to SSRI treatment of major depressive disorder in late life
Authors: Seripa Davide , Pilotto Andrea , Paroni Giulia , Fontana Andrea , D’Onofrio Grazia , Gravina Carolina , Urbano Maria , Cascavilla Leandro , Paris Francesco , Panza Francesco , Padovani Alessandro , Pilotto Alberto
Published: April 2015

It has been suggested that the serotonin or 5-hydroxytriptamine (5-HT) transporter (5-HTT) and its gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) response modulators in late-life depression (LLD), and particularly in late-life major depressive disorder (MDD). Previous studies differed in design and results. Our study aimed to investigate the solute carrier family 6 (neurotransmitter transporter and serotonin) member 4 (SLC6A4) gene locus, encoding 5-HTT and SSRI treatment response in late-life MDD. For a prospective cohort study, we enrolled 234 patients with late-life MDD to be treated with escitalopram, sertraline, paroxetine or citalopram for 6 months. The SLC6A4 polymorphisms rs4795541 (5-HTTLPR), rs140701 and rs3813034 genotypes spanning the SLC6A4 locus were investigated in blinded fashion. No placebo group was included. We assessed responder or non-responder phenotypes according to a reduction in the 21-item version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-21) score of ⩾ 50%. At follow-up, 30% of the late-life MDD patients were non-responders to SSRI treatment. No time-course of symptoms and responses was made. A poor response was associated with a higher baseline HDRS-21 score. We observed a significant over-representation of the rs4795541-S allele in the responder patients (0.436 versus 0.321; p = 0.023). The single S-allele dose-additive effect had OR = 1.74 (95% CI 1.12–2.69) in the additive regression model. Our findings suggested a possible influence of 5-HTTLPR on the SSRI response in patients with late-life MDD, which is potentially useful in identifying the subgroups of LLD patients whom need a different pharmacological approach.