bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myocardial perfusion SPECT 2015 in Germany
Authors: Burchert Wolfgang , Schäfer Wolfgang , Hacker Marcus , Lindner Oliver
Published: December 2016

Aim: The working group Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine of the German Society of Nuclear Medicine presents the results of the 7th survey of myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) of the reporting year 2015. Method: 268 guestionnaires (173 practices [PR], 67 hospitals [HO], 28 university hospitals ]UH[) were evaluated. Results of the last survey from 2012 are set in sguared brackets. Results: MPS of 121939 [105941] patients were reported. 98% [95 %] of all MPS were performed with Tc-99m radiopharmaceuticals and 2 % [5 %] with TI-201.78% [79%] of all patients were studied in PR, 14% [15%] in HO, and 8% [6%] in UH. A pharmacological stress test was performed in 43% [39%] (22 % [24 %] adenosine, 20 % [9 %] regade- noson, 1 % [6 %] dipyridamole or dobutamine). Attenuation correction was applied in 25 % [2009: 10 %] of MPS. Gated SPECT was performed in 78 % [70 %] of all rest MPS, in 80 % [73 %] of all stress and in 76 % [67 %] of all stress and rest MPS. 53 % [33 %] of all nuclear medicine departments performed MPS scoring by default, whereas 24% [41 %] did not apply any quantification. 31 % [26 %] of all departments noticed an increase in their counted MPS and 29% [29%] no changes. Data from 89 departments which participated in all surveys showed an increase in MPS count of 11.1 % (PR: 12.2 %, HO: 4.8%, UH: 18.4%). 70 % [60 %] of the MPS were reguested by ambulatory care cardiologists. Conclusion: The 2015 MPS survey reveals a high-grade adherence of routine MPS practice to current guidelines. The positive trend in MPS performance and number of MPS already observed in 2012 continues. Educational training remains necessary in the field of SPECT scoring.
Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis in Patients with HIV and End-Stage Renal Failure
Authors: Ndlovu Kwazi C. Z. , Assounga Alain
Published: December 2016

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the differences in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)-related outcomes according to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status of end-stage renal failure patients.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 70 HIV-negative and 70 HIV-positive consecutive patients with renal failure who underwent dialysis with newly inserted Tenckhoff catheters between September 2012 and February 2015. Patients were followed up monthly at a central renal clinic for 1 year or until the primary endpoints of technique failure or death.

Results

Technique failure rates were similar (HIV-negative: 0.270 episodes/person-year; HIV-positive: 0.298 episodes/person-year; hazard ratio [HR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.51 – 2.32; p = 0.822). However, there were fewer HIV-positive patients with complete 1-year follow-up with a patent catheter (42.9% vs 58.6% in the HIV-negative cohort; p = 0.063) owing to their higher all-cause mortality rate (0.55 vs 0.25 deaths/person-year, respectively; HR, 2.11; CI, 1.07 – 4.14; p = 0.031). Cluster of differentiation 4 count (CD4) < 200/μL (HR, 5.39; CI, 2.20 – 13.21; p < 0.001) and unsuppressed viral load (HR, 3.63; CI 1.72 – 7.67; p = 0.001) were associated with increased mortality hazards. Rates of first peritonitis were 0.616 (HIV-negative) and 1.668 (HIV-positive) episodes/person-year (HR, 2.38; CI, 1.46 – 3.89; p = 0.001). All-cause admission rates were 1.52 (HIV-negative) and 2.97 (HIV-positive) hospital admissions/person-year (HR, 1.66; CI, 1.12 – 2.48; p = 0.013).

Conclusion

Although HIV-seropositive status of patients on CAPD did not adversely influence technique failure rates or patency at 1 year, uncontrolled HIV infection may be associated with increased relative risk of mortality and morbidity.
A Negative Antinuclear Antibody Does Not Indicate Autoantibody Negativity in Myositis: Role of Anticytoplasmic Antibody as a Screening Test for Antisynthetase Syndrome
Authors: Aggarwal Rohit , Dhillon Namrata , Fertig Noreen , Koontz Diane , Qi Zengbiao , Oddis Chester V.
Published: December 2016

Objective.

To evaluate the utility of anticytoplasmic autoantibody (anti-CytAb) in antisynthetase antibody–positive (anti-SynAb+) patients.

Methods.

Anti-SynAb+ patients were evaluated for antinuclear antibody (ANA) and anti-CytAb [cytoplasmic staining on indirect immunofluorescence (IIF)] positivity. Anti-SynAb+ patients included those possessing anti-Jo1 and other antisynthetase autoantibodies. Control groups included scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and healthy subjects. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), accuracy of anti-CytAb, and ANA were assessed. Anti-CytAb and ANA testing was done by IIF on human epithelial cell line 2, both reported on each serum sample without knowledge of the clinical diagnosis or final anti-SynAb results.

Results.

Anti-SynAb+ patients (n = 202; Jo1, n = 122; non-Jo1, n = 80) between 1985–2013 with available serum samples were assessed. Anti-CytAb showed high sensitivity (72%), specificity (89%), NPV (95%), and accuracy (86%), but only modest PPV (54%) for anti-SynAb positivity. In contrast, ANA showed only modest sensitivity (50%) and poor specificity (6%), PPV (9%), NPV (41%), and accuracy (12%). Positive anti-CytAb was significantly greater in the anti-SynAb+ patients than ANA positivity (72% vs 50%, p < 0.001), and 81/99 (82%) ANA-negative patients in the anti-SynAb+ cohort had positive anti-CytAb. In contrast, the control groups showed high rates for ANA positivity (93.5%), but very low rates for anti-CytAb positivity (11.5%). Combining anti-CytAb or Jo1 positivity showed high sensitivity (92%) and specificity (89%) for identification of anti-SynAb+ patients.

Conclusion.

Assessing patients for anti-CytAb serves as an excellent screen for anti-SynAb+ patients using simple IIF. Cytoplasmic staining should be assessed and reported for patients suspected of having antisynthetase syndrome and a negative ANA should not be used to exclude this diagnosis.
Penser la complexité
Authors: Bozarslan Hamit
Published: December 2016

Les violences de la fondation de l’islam sont-elles effacées par les juristes qui sacrifient l’idéal d’une société juste au profit de l’unité d’une communauté asservie au pouvoir ?
Intégrer l’éthique à la prise de décision : une question de confiance
Authors: Girard Diane
Published: December 2016

Confiance et légitimité sont essentielles à la pérennité d’une organisation et à l’atteinte de ses objectifs. Or, les décisions prises par les dirigeants peuvent avoir des effets indésirables qui leur nuisent considérablement. Pour y remédier, l’intégration systématique de l’éthique à la prise de décision devient un élément incontournable.
Le travail avec des objectifs et récompenses de groupe est-il bénéfique ?
Authors: Weidmann Jean , Konishi Mario , Gonin François
Published: December 2016

Depuis plus de 15 ans, les organisations ont recours à des objectifs d’équipe ainsi qu’à des récompenses partagées entre les membres dans le but de stimuler les échanges ainsi que la production et la qualité du travail. Or, quels en sont les avantages et les inconvénients ? Et quelles sont les conditions nécessaires pour qu’un tel processus collectif fonctionne ?
Connectivite : une condition gagnante pour l’internationalisation
Authors: Van Assche Ari , Turkina Ekaterina
Published: December 2016

À l’heure où des mouvements de repli sur soi et de protectionnisme apparaissent un peu partout dans le monde, il faut se rappeler que, pour croître et stimuler les économies nationales et régionales, le commerce ne devrait plus se heurter à des barrières.
Nespresso : le gout du monde
Authors: Lord Simon , Simard Sylvain , Valleix Jean-Luc
Published: December 2016

Un pays après l’autre, Nespresso a converti la planète à son produit : le café portionné haut de gamme. Pionnière du modèle des capsules, l’entreprise a toutefois dû travailler fort pour convaincre les amateurs de café des avantages de son système. Elle a réussi et en récolte aujourd’hui les fruits. Histoire d’une marque internationale qui, depuis sa fondation, est de la graine des champions.
Les Cahiers noirs de Martin Heidegger : un cryptage meurtier
Authors: Kellerer Sidonie
Published: December 2016

Les Cahiers noirs de Heidegger permettent d’éclairer l’importance chez les épigones de Heidegger des malentendus concernant le langage ainsi que le statut et les objectifs de la philosophie du Maître. Les Cahiers apportent une confirmation de l’utilisation systématique par leur auteur d’une stratégie d’égarement, celle-ci comportant deux aspects majeurs. D’une part, le message heideggérien s’adresse à un « petit nombre » de lecteurs ou auditeurs et non pas aux hommes en général. La pensée de l’Être est en effet conçue comme combat contre la rationalité comme faculté et valeur universelle, la communication devant dès lors se faire intentionnellement ambiguë. D’autre part, suivre la voix de l’Être ne relève pas de l’émancipation humaine mais d’un processus d’« éveil » tribal.
Sartre et le problème des passions libres
Authors: Perrin Christophe
Published: December 2016

S’il est bien une passion libre pour Descartes, c’est la générosité. Or, si toutes le sont pour Sartre, la générosité n’en est pas moins la passion de la liberté. On ne s’étonnera donc pas que Sartre puisse, avec Descartes, faire l’éloge de la générosité. On le fera néanmoins à le voir aussi bien, contre lui, en faire la critique. Sans doute cette ambivalence dans le traitement de la générosité par Sartre s’explique-t‑elle par l’ambiguïté de cette passion elle-même. Mais son auteur n’est pas sans jouer double jeu, feignant d’être stupide dans la présentation qu’il donne de la position de Descartes relativement au problème des passions, pour que sa propre conception de celles-ci et de la liberté qui y préside paraisse d’autant plus subtile.
A GIS-BASED PROCEDURE FOR MEASURING THE EFECTS OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT ON URBAN FLASH FLOODS
Authors: Li Yan , Liu Chunlu
Published: December 2016

Urban flooding has been a severe problem for many cities around the world as it remains one of the greatest threats to the property and safety of human communities. In Australia, it is seen as the most expensive natural hazard. However, urban areas that are impervious to rainwater have been sharply increasing owing to booming construction activities and rapid urbanisation. The change in the built environment may cause more frequent and longer duration of flooding in floodprone urban regions. Thus, the flood inundation issue associated with the effects of land uses needs to be explored and developed. This research constructs a framework for modelling urban flood inundation. Different rainfall events are then designed for examining the impact on flash floods generated by land-use changes. Measurement is formulated for changes of topographical features over a real time series. Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies are then utilised to visualise the effects of land-use changes on flood inundation under different types of storms. Based on a community-based case study, the results reveal that the built environment leads to varying degrees of aggravation of urban flash floods with different storm events and a few rainwater storage units may slightly mitigate flooding extents under different storm conditions. Hence, it is recommended that the outcomes of this study could be applied to flood assessment measures for urban development and the attained results could be utilised in government planning to raise awareness of flood hazard.
DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE BUILDING PROJECTS – CHALLENGES, REALITY AND SUCCESS
Authors: Rasekh Haleh , McCarthy Timothy J.
Published: December 2016

This research concerns the delivery of sustainable building projects. These projects are defined as those which either attempt to achieve green ratings or are claimed to address certain sustainability issues. A key focus is to examine how the client's vision for sustainability is achieved or compromised by the practicality of construction. Two sustainability rating systems, the Australian Green Star and the Living Building Challenge from the U.S. are discussed.

This research examines two projects; one university multipurpose building (SMART Infrastructure Facility); and an advanced research facility, the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC). The methodology used is semi-structured interviews of key participants and stakeholders for the two university building.

The outcome of this research indicates that environmental rating systems are useful tools to construct reasonably sustainable buildings. Many interviewees, however, believe that for their next projects the concern would be to continue to construct sustainable buildings but not necessarily by following the strict criteria and reporting requirements of the environmental rating system.
WATER CONSERVATION: OBSERVATIONS FROM A HIGHER EDUCATION FACILITY MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Cupido Anthony , Steinberg Laura , Baetz Brian
Published: December 2016

Sustainable or green building practices have been adopted by most higher education institutions for their new campus buildings, major renovations and daily operations. This paper provides a synthesis of opinions and existing practices related to water conservation in institutional green buildings of member institutions of APPA (formerly the Association of Physical Plant Administrators). A specific focus regarding waterless urinals and their operation was attempted. A web-based survey and follow-up one-to-one interviews were utilized to extract information and data from these industry professionals. The survey evaluated the institution's use of policy related to sustainable building practices and focused on their approaches to water conservation. Regional preferences are provided and barriers to some water conservation practices and approaches have been identified. Operational challenges are evident, particularly as they relate to waterless urinals. It is clear that higher education institutions are engaging in water conservation practices across Canada and the United States. This work contributes to a foundation for future research and analysis related to best-management practices for water conservation in the higher education sector.
REHABILITATION OF AN ICONIC SKYSCRAPER POISED TO SPUR REVITALIZATION OF A DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD
Authors: Burns Robert C. , Thompson Patrick
Published: December 2016

INTRODUCTION

The revitalization of downtown Richmond, Virginia, in the 21st century has been a slow process, beginning in the financial center near the State Capitol Building and migrating slowly westward along Broad Street, the traditional retail avenue of the City. One by one over the course of the past several years, large, iconic buildings have been rehabilitated for new and exciting uses. These buildings have long been associated with the history of the City itself: the Miller & Rhoads Department Store, the John Marshall Hotel, the First National Bank Building, and the Hotel Richmond among others.

The Central National Bank (CNB) Building was built at the dawn of the Great Depression and eventually became one of the last Art Deco style skyscrapers remaining in downtown Richmond. Its location in the neglected western fringe area of Broad Street made it the next logical target for rehabilitation.

When Douglas Development purchased the vacant building in 2005, they were buying the crowning piece of architecture that they hoped would become the linchpin project to spur the revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood. That lofty goal was not without challenges, of course, and it took 8 years to put the project together and start the building's renovation. The complications inherent in the rehabilitation of any iconic 75-year old building listed on the National Register of Historic Places to suit continued use for contemporary life also clearly came into play.
Biogenesis and Transcriptional Regulation of Long Noncoding RNAs in the Human Immune System
Authors: Spurlock Charles F. , Crooke Philip S. , Aune Thomas M.
Published: December 2016

The central dogma of molecular biology states that DNA makes RNA makes protein. Discoveries over the last quarter of a century found that the process of DNA transcription into RNA gives rise to a diverse array of functional RNA species, including genes that code for protein and noncoding RNAs. For decades, the focus has been on understanding how protein-coding genes are regulated to influence protein expression. However, with the completion of the Human Genome Project and follow-up ENCODE data, it is now appreciated that only 2–3% of the genome codes for protein-coding gene exons and that the bulk of the transcribed genome, apart from ribosomal RNAs, is at the level of noncoding RNA genes. In this article, we focus on the biogenesis and regulation of a distinct class of noncoding RNA molecules termed long, noncoding RNAs in the context of the immune system.
Anthophysa vegetans (O.F. Müller) Stein (Chrysophyceae), a new record from South Africa
Authors: Erasmus Anrie , Janse van Vuuren Sanet , Levanets Anatoliy
Published: December 2016

Background: Although the colonial flagellate alga Anthophysa vegetans is well known in Europe, it has only been recorded from Africa (Nigeria) once. It was recently found in the Mooi River, South Africa – making this a first record of the presence of A. vegetans in southern Africa. Objectives: The objective of this study is to record a new geographic locality for A. vegetans for South Africa. Method: Light microscopy was used to compare morphological features of the species found in South Africa with illustrations and literature on A. vegetans found in Europe and other countries of the world. An extensive literature survey was done to determine the species’ current geographic distribution. Results: A. vegetans is widely distributed across all continents, except Africa and Antarctica. During this study, it was described from a new location in the Mooi River near Potchefstroom in the North West province, South Africa, making this a first record of its presence in southern Africa. Conclusion: The known geographic distribution of A. vegetans was expanded to include southern Africa and, to be more specific, South Africa.
The value of urban and peri-urban conservation efforts within a global biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Ground Lyle E. , Slotow Rob , Ray-Mukherjee Jayanti
Published: December 2016

Background: Systematic conservation planning (SCP) is a key tool in conservation prioritisation. It has recently been applied within the eThekwini Municipal Area (EMA), South Africa, a rapidly developing metro located within a biodiversity hotspot. Most vegetation types within this region are threatened, yet have received limited scientific attention. Objectives: To assess forb biodiversity of coastal and near-coastal grasslands and contextualise potential drivers of species variation to the EMA context. Method: We quantified forb species richness, frequency and species composition, determined the variation of these amongst plots and sites, and assessed which variables were responsible for this variation. Results: Site forb species richness ranged from 33 to 84 species per site, with the most frequent species differing across the seven sites. Beta diversity was higher across than within sites. Distance to the closest traditional medicine market and site perimeter-to-area ratio were the greatest drivers of species richness, whilst altitude, aspect, mean temperature and rainfall seasonality were the main contributors to species composition patterns. Conclusion: SCP can use key environmental and climatic categories to improve selection of grasslands to maximise both species richness and variation in species composition. A more fine-scale systematic conservation plan will, in turn, provide a more robust basis for development decisions. The outcomes illustrate the importance of urban and peri-urban conservation efforts, including fine-scale conservation planning, in contributing to regional, national conservation targets.
UN Women’s experience with strengthening evaluation systems in Africa: Enhancing quantity, quality and use of evaluations
Authors: Merkle Caspar
Published: December 2016

Background: Following the adoption of the Women Evaluation Policy in 2012, a series of systems and mechanisms were introduced in the organisation to strengthen the evaluation function at both central and decentralised levels. They were based on a systemic approach and a Theory of Change for building an enabling environment for evaluation in UN Women. Objectives: The purpose of this article was to analyse progress made and challenges with respect to establishing evaluation systems and institutionalising an evaluation culture in the UN Women Africa region. Method: The article draws on UN Women evaluation performance data collected over the past five years, discussions and practical experience by the author of working on evaluation with UN Women since 2009. It also analyses UN Women documents and the broader literature on the topic. Results: The findings illustrate that the different mechanisms to strengthen the evaluation function in UN Women show progress in the Africa region on four out of the five selected evaluation performance indicators. The Theory of Change to strengthen the UN Women evaluation function is largely validated by the wider literature on evaluation use. External assessments confirm that the UN Women evaluation function is sound overall. Conclusion: The article concludes that evaluation performance indicators only provide a partial snapshot of the many different factors that help or undermine evaluative thinking and a learning culture within an organisation. Institutional systems and mechanisms are necessary but not sufficient for nurturing an evaluation culture and ensuring utilisation of evaluation for better development effectiveness.
Factors influencing Internet banking adoption in South African rural areas
Authors: Ramavhona Thinamano C. , Mokwena Sello
Published: December 2016

Background: The banking industry globally provides Internet banking to offer their customers easy access to banking services. The banks in South Africa, like their counterparts in other parts of the world, offer Internet banking to customers. However, the majority of South Africans in rural areas do not adopt and use Internet banking despite its convenience, the availability of Internet banking infrastructure, the effort of banks in promoting Internet banking awareness and Internet security.Objectives: This research investigated factors which influence the adoption and use of Internet banking in the context of South African rural areas.Method: In this study, a quantitative research approach was used. Data were collected through questionnaires and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) tool.Results: The perceived compatibility, trialability and external variables such as awareness and security were found to have significant influence in the adoption of Internet banking in South African rural areas, whereas relative advantage was found not to be a significant factor. Security and the complexity of Internet banking were also revealed as some of the factors hampering the intention to adopt Internet banking in South African rural areas.Conclusion: The lack of awareness on Internet banking services and its benefits such as its convenience and the possibility to conduct banking transactions from any location with Internet is found to be the reason for South African rural area retail bank consumers’ reluctance to adopt Internet banking. The majority of retail bank customers in South African rural areas do not use Internet banking because of the lack of resources, such as computers with Internet access. The security of transactions conducted over the Internet is the main concern and significant element that customers consider before adopting Internet banking in South African rural areas as they perceive it as being easily exposed to fraud. As a result, this perception erodes retail bank customers’ confidence to adopt Internet banking. The majority of retail bank customers in South African rural areas will be willing to adopt Internet banking if their lifestyle, values and specific need are met. Retail bank customers in South African rural areas will adopt Internet banking if the Internet banking processes are simplified and user-friendly.
Being digital: A guarantee for or a threat to the future?
Authors: De Beer Carel S.
Published: December 2016

‘Digital’ in the phrase ‘being digital’ constitutes one of the core terms of our time and offers a guarantee for a better and a more commendable future. The problem is that digitality is based on calculation. Many people argue that calculation on its own can never either create or guarantee a future. Calculation is too limited and has too many boundaries to determine the future and on its own, it can be a threat. Above all, the calculable is as a matter of fact determined by the incalculable. For a realistic expectation of the future, as an essential matter of being human, something more and totally different from mere calculation, and complementary to calculation, is needed in order to expect a future, to dream and fantasise about it, to imagine and invent it. The flip side of calculation, which can equally be referred to as a human capacity, is the issue here. To be more specific: the spiritual ability, the noetic capacity, linked to the Greek term nous is what, together with cyber (calculation, digitality) and cybernetics, carry humans into the future. Guarantees for the future of humankind are to be found in humans themselves and their capacities. This can hardly be anything other than the meaningful, forceful connection that must be worked out between the cyber and the nous, the capacity of calculation and the spiritual capacity of dreamery and imagination. The numeric or digital imagination must be complemented by a narrative or noetic noological imagination. These would be the only capacities that in our times of complete devastation, can free us from fatal and catastrophic madness and can give us hope and courage to invent a future in which care will be abundant.
The importance of being Earnest : strategies for translating irony from English into Macedonian
Authors: Kitanovska-Kimovska Sonja , Neshkovska Silvana
Published: December 2016

Irony has significant stylistic function in texts. Given that in many cases it works in a certain linguistic, cultural, social and political context, irony may present a major challenge for the translator. The challenge involves not only recognizing and understanding it, but, perhaps, more importantly, conveying it in the target language so that all its stylistic effects become accessible for the target language reader. The purpose of this paper is to examine the strategies used to translate irony from English into Macedonian as well as to identify if there is any correlation between the type of irony and the translation strategy used. The results are based on an analysis of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest and its translation into Macedonian. The study focuses on ironic utterances and their rendition in translation. The method combines qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Celebrating downward mobility in selected Australian texts
Authors: Rubik Margarete
Published: December 2016

Several critics have pointed out that the new lower class national hero from late 19th century onwards was invariably male, and that women were largely excluded from this national stereotype. Yet several recent Australian authors have portrayed female characters who correspond to this insubordinate, defiantly lower class ideal, and thereby insert women into the national myth.
Gerard Manley Hopkins and Walter Pater : the labyrinths of transience
Authors: Starčević Mirko
Published: December 2016

Transience forming life's very essence left an indelible mark on the creative explorations of Gerard Manley Hopkins and Walter Pater. The permanently indeterminable presence of mutability made both of them face the umbrous and unknowable aspect of death, thus revealing unto them the task of determining the role of art in life ruled by ceaseless corrosion. Pater accepts the flux of mutability as the primary particle in the revelatory act of the authentic creative experience. The power of that which is frolicsome in art augments the constitution of life's essence submerged in the unsettled condition of fate. Hopkins the priest particularly in his theoretic excursions recognizes in art itself only an approximate value to the timeless grandeur of God's ubiquity. His poetry, however, presents a dissimilar narrative. The poetic image that Hopkins forges corresponds to the mode of exposed individuality of the Romantic spirit, which Pater perceives as the harmony of strangeness and beauty. During Hopkins' student days at Oxford, Pater's relationship to the young poet was not confined to coaching only. Much of their time they spent in conversation, meditating upon the essential principles of artistic expression. Pater influenced Hopkins greatly and contributed impressively to the discipline of his poetic heart. Traces of this companionship do not find the path to Hopkins' religious ruminations; they announce their own existence, although very subtly, upon the individual levels of Hopkins' poetic yearnings.
Revisiting the steering principal of tropical cyclone motion in a numerical experiment
Authors: Wu Liguang , Chen Xiaoyu
Published: December 2016

Abstract. The steering principle of tropical cyclone motion has been applied to tropical cyclone forecasting and research for nearly 100 years. Two fundamental questions remain unanswered. One is why the steering flow plays a dominant role in tropical cyclone motion, and the other is when tropical cyclone motion deviates considerably from the steering. A high-resolution numerical experiment was conducted with the tropical cyclone in a typical large-scale monsoon trough over the western North Pacific. The simulated tropical cyclone experiences two eyewall replacement processes. Based on the potential vorticity tendency (PVT) diagnostics, this study demonstrates that the conventional steering, which is calculated over a certain radius from the tropical cyclone center in the horizontal and a deep pressure layer in the vertical, plays a dominant role in tropical cyclone motion since the contributions from other processes are largely cancelled out due to the coherent structure of tropical cyclone circulation. Resulting from the asymmetric dynamics of the tropical cyclone inner core, the trochoidal motion around the mean tropical cyclone track cannot be accounted for by the conventional steering. The instantaneous tropical cyclone motion can considerably deviate from the conventional steering that approximately accounts for the combined effect of the contribution of the advection of the symmetric potential vorticity component by the asymmetric flow and the contribution from the advection of the wave-number-one potential vorticity component by the symmetric flow.
The Dynamical Core of the Aeolus Statistical-Dynamical Atmosphere Model: Validation and Parameter Optimization
Authors: Molnos Sonja , Eliseev Alexey V. , Petri Stefan , Flechsig Michael , Caesar Levke , Petoukhov Vladimir , Coumou Dim
Published: December 2016

Abstract. We present and validate a set of equations for representing the atmosphere's large-scale general circulation in an Earth system model of intermediate complexity (EMIC). These dynamical equations have been implemented in Aeolus, which is a Statistical Dynamical Atmosphere Model (SDAM) and includes radiative transfer and cloud modules (Coumou, 2011; Eliseev, 2013). The statistical dynamical approach is computationally efficient, and thus enables us to do climate simulations at multi-millennia timescales, which is a prime aim of our model development. Further, this computational efficiency enables us to scan large and high-dimensional parameter space to tune the model parameters. We optimize the dynamical core parameter values by tuning all relevant dynamical variables to ERA-Interim reanalysis data (1983–2009) using monthly mean data of climatology data as well as the data for the El Niño and La Niña composites. We use a Simulated Annealing optimization algorithm, which approximates the global minimum of a high-dimensional function. With non-tuned parameter values, the model performs reasonably in terms of its representation of zonal-mean circulation, planetary waves and storm tracks. The Simulated Annealing optimization improves in particular the model's representation of the northern hemisphere jet stream and storm tracks as well as the Hadley circulation. The regions of high azonal wind velocities (planetary waves) are accurately captured for all validation experiments. The zonal-mean zonal wind and the integrated lower troposphere mass flux show good results in particular in the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, the model tends to produce too weak zonal-mean zonal winds and a too narrow Hadley circulation. We discuss possible reasons for these model biases as well as planned future model applications.
Technical Note: Design flood under hydrological uncertainty
Authors: Botto Anna , Ganora Daniele , Claps Pierluigi , Laio Francesco
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Planning and verification of hydraulic infrastructures demands for a design estimate of hydrologic variables, usually provided by frequency analysis, neglecting hydrologic uncertainty. However, when hydrologic uncertainty is accounted for, the design flood value is no longer a deterministic value, but should be treated as a random variable itself. As a consequence, the design flood is no longer univocally defined, making the design process undetermined. Both et al. (2014), with the development of the Uncertainty Compliant Design Flood Estimation (UNCODE) procedure, have shown that it is possible to fix the ambiguity in the selection of the design flood under uncertainty by considering an additional constraint based on a cost-benefit criterion. This paper contributes with an easy-to-use framework to implement the UNCODE procedure without resorting to numerical computation, but using a correction coefficient that modifies the standard (i.e., uncertainty-free) design value on the basis of sample length and return period only. The procedure is robust and parsimonious, as it does not require additional parameters with respect to the traditional uncertainty-free analysis. Simple equations to compute the correction term to the standard estimate are provided for a number of probability distributions commonly used to represent the flood frequency curve. This new design tool provides a robust way to manage the hydrologic uncertainty and to go beyond the use of traditional safety factors. With all the other parameters being equal, an increase of the sample length reduces the correction factor, and thus the construction costs, still keeping the same safety level. This improvement is shown to be more effective when short samples are extended.
Generation of large-scale intrusions at baroclinic fronts: an analytical consideration with a reference to the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Kuzmina Natalia
Published: December 2016

Abstract. Analytical solutions are found for the problem of instability of a weak geostrophic flow with linear velocity shear accounting for vertical diffusion of buoyancy. The analysis is based on the potential-vorticity equation in a long-wave approximation when the horizontal scale of disturbances is considered much larger than the local baroclinic Rossby radius. It is hypothesized that the solutions found can be applied to describe stable and unstable disturbances of the planetary scale with respect, in particular, to the Arctic Ocean, where weak baroclinic fronts with typical temporal variability periods on the order of several years or more have been observed and the β effect is negligible. Stable (decaying with time) solutions describe disturbances that, in contrast to the Rossby waves, can propagate to both the west and east, depending on the sign of the linear shear of geostrophic velocity. The unstable (growing with time) solutions are applied to explain the formation of large-scale intrusions at baroclinic fronts under the stable–stable thermohaline stratification observed in the upper layer of the Polar Deep Water in the Eurasian Basin. The suggested mechanism of formation of intrusions can be considered a possible alternative to the mechanism of interleaving at the baroclinic fronts due to the differential mixing.
Design Factors Affect User Experience for Different Cultural Populations
Authors: Chu Sauman
Published: December 2016

With increasing changes in our demographic populations and new immigrants settling in the US, there is an increasing need for visual communications that address the diversity of our populations. This paper draws from the results of the researcher’s several past research and teaching projects that worked with different cultural populations. These projects examined the theme of multicultural design with a particular focus on user experience for audiences from different cultural backgrounds. The nature of the projects included printed materials, web design, video production, and interactive design. The researcher examined users’ preferences for precise language presentation, options of visual layout, cultural related design elements such as images, colors, fonts, and interactive interface design. The goal of this paper is to increase design educators and students’ awareness in designing projects for culturally diverse audiences.
Understanding Organisational Culture and Organisational Performance: Are They Two Sides of the Same Coin?
Authors: Idowu Oluwafemi Emmanuel
Published: December 2016

The understanding of organisational culture is increasingly viewed as a necessary requirement for high performance in the organisation. This is also suggestive that the culture of an organisation may have a significant impact on the success of the organisation. The term ‘organisational culture’ is used widely, however inappropriately and occasionally defining and using it incorrectly. While there is universal agreement that organisational culture exists and that it plays a crucial role in shaping behaviour and performance in organisations, there is little consensus on what organisational culture is and how it impacts on organisational performance. Without a reasonable understanding of the concept of organisation culture and its definition, we cannot understand its relationships with organisational performance. This paper explores the notion and the understanding of the concepts of organisational culture and organisational performance. If we can define and understand the concept of organisational culture, then we can understand how it can impact on organisational performance.
The Frequency and Causes of Abnormal Head Position Based on an Ophthalmology Clinic's Findings: Is it Overlooked?
Authors: Erkan Turan Kadriye , Taylan Sekeroglu Hande , Koc Irem , Kilic Meltem , Sanac Ali S.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

To determine the frequency of abnormal head position (AHP) and identify the underlying causes in patients who presented to an ophthalmology clinic due to any ophthalmologic complaint.

Methods

The medical records of patients who presented with any ophthalmologic symptoms during a 6-month period were prospectively evaluated. In all, 2,710 patients (1,492 female and 1,218 male) aged 6 months-91 years were included in the study. Each patient underwent complete ophthalmologic evaluation.

Results

Among the 2,710 patients, 30 (1.1%) (7 female and 23 male) with a mean age of 14.62 ± 17.45 years (range 6 months-60 years) had AHP. In total, 24 (80%) of the patients with AHP were aged ≤16 years. The initial complaint in the patients with AHP was ocular misalignment in 18 (60%) patients, AHP in 4 (13.3%), abnormal ocular movements in 4 (13.3%), double vision in 3 (10%), and droopy eyelid in 1 (3.3%). Comitant strabismus, nystagmus, and Duane syndrome were the most common causes of AHP. Other diagnoses included fourth nerve palsy, sixth nerve palsy, Brown syndrome, congenital muscular torticollis, ptosis, and blowout orbital fracture.

Conclusions

The leading underlying causes of AHP in patients who presented to an ophthalmology clinic were ocular and treatable. Of note, in only a minority of these patients AHP was the initial presenting complaint. Clinicians must be aware that observation of any head position that is not normal should prompt additional investigation, as the underlying pathology can cause treatable morbidity or in rare instances mortality, such as in cases of acute cranial nerve palsy.
An Easy Method for Intraoperative Confirmation of Lacrimal Sac Patency in Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy
Authors: Pagella Fabio , Pusateri Alessandro , Matti Elina , Carena Paolo , Quiroa Luis , Antoniazzi Elena , Emanuelli Enzo
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Few studies have focused on the intranasal localization of the lacrimal sac during endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: landmarks in order to find the medial wall of the lacrimal sac have been described, but there is a lack of description of methods for the verification of the complete marsupialization of the lacrimal sac during surgery. In this report, we propose an easy and effective method for certain intraoperative identification of lacrimal sac.

Methods

A method in order to verify the effective marsupialization of the lacrimal sac is applied and described: to ensure that the opening of the sac in the nasal cavity is complete, the surgeon should identify the Rosenmuller valve, which is the end of the common canaliculus in the lacrimal sac. Continuous irrigation with saline solution through the inferior canaliculus can be useful to obtain a clean surgical area and to permit easy intraoperative identification of the valve.

Results

Between 2007 and 2015, 193 endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomies were performed in our institutions. Postoperative surgical success at last follow-up (minimum 12 months) was 93.8% (181 out of 193 of cases). No major complications were observed.

Conclusions

Correct and complete exposure of the lacrimal sac during surgery is crucial for a good outcome: when the opening of the common canaliculus is identified, the surgeon is assured that the sac has been correctly and completely marsupialized inside the nasal cavity.
Steady State Acetabular Cartilage Wear after Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty: A Case Series of 10 Patients with Radiostereometric Analysis
Authors: Tsukanaka Masako , Støen Ragnhild Ø. , Figved Wender , Frihagen Frede , Nordsletten Lars , Röhrl Stephan M.
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Cartilage wear is a concern after hemiarthroplasty. The precise pattern of the progression of wear has not been evaluated. We previously reported the application of radiostereonetric analysis (RSA) for the measurement of cartilage wear in patients. The purpose of this study was to report the amount and the orientation of the steady state wear of cartilage between 1 and 3 years after bipolar hemiarthroplasty.

Methods

22 patients with a bipolar hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral neck fracture were included. 10 patients completed the mean follow up of 37 months. The cartilage wear was evaluated by calculating the migration of the bipolar head in reference to the markers in the acetabulum using RSA.

Results

The mean age of the patients at the final follow-up was 80 (range 67-91) years. The 3-D migration was -0.02 mm (SD 0.30) between 1 and 3 years. The migration in each direction was 0.03 mm (SD 0.49) in medial, 0.03 mm (SD 0.14) in proximal and 0.11 mm (SD 0.29) in posterior directions. 2 patients showed migration of more than 0.2 mm. The large initial migration seen in some patients up to 1 year did not progress further. Total wear after 37 months was 0.43 mm (SD 0.17).

Conclusions

Cartilage wear progressed slowly in 2 of 10 patients from 1 to 3 years. No pelvic penetration was seen. We believe that RSA will give a basic knowledge about the development and the progression of cartilage wear after hemiarthroplasty.
Functional Outcomes of Infected Hip Arthroplasty: A Comparison of Different Surgical Treatment Options
Authors: Herman Benjamin V. , Nyland Mark , Somerville Lyndsay , MacDonald Steven J. , Lanting Brent A. , Howard James L.
Published: December 2016

Background

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total hip arthroplasty (THA) can be treated with irrigation and debridement with head and polyethylene exchange (IDHPE) or 2-stage revision (2SR). Few studies have compared patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients managed with these treatments.

Methods

A retrospective review identified 137 patients who had an infected primary THA between 1986-2013. Control cohorts were matched according to age and Charlton Comorbidity Index (CCI). Harris Hip Scores (HHS), Short Form 12 (SF12), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were compared between the control and infected cohorts.

Results

68 patients underwent a 2SR and 69 patients underwent an IDHPE. IDHPE had a 59% success rate in eradicating infection. PROMs for the 2SR cohort were significantly worse than the noninfected controls (SF12-PCS [34.0 vs. 38.3, p = 0.03]; HHS [76.6 vs. 91.7, p<0.001]; and WOMAC [67.3 vs. 79.3, p = 0.005]). There were no significant differences between the noninfected cohort and the successful IDHPE. Significant differences were found between failed IDHPE and noninfected controls (SF12-PCS [42.5 vs. 34.0, p = 0.011]; HHS [92.3 vs. 79.6, p = 0.004]). There was only difference in SF12-MCS scores (50.3 vs. 57.3, p = 0.012) between the 2SR and failed IDHPE cohorts.

Conclusions

Patients treated with a successful IDHPE had similar outcomes to noninfected patients. Patients that failed IDHPE and went onto 2SR had similar outcomes to those that had a 2SR alone. IDHPE demonstrated a 59% success rate with PROMs equivalent to a noninfected cohort and should be considered in the treatment algorithm of infected THA.
Two successful insertions of peripherally inserted central catheter in a super elderly patient with bilateral pacemaker placement
Authors: Sun Wenyan , Ma Yufen , Liu Bing , Ge Ruibing , Wang Kai , Song Qi
Published: December 2016

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) have been placed through the peripheral veins, and the best location for the tip of the PICCs is the lower third of the superior vena cava (SVC) and cavo-atrial junction. PICCs are commonly used in intravenous administration, parenteral nutrition therapy, chemotherapy, as well as in critical care units. The success rates in venipuncture are enhanced when ultrasonographic guides are used by the bedside PICC teams. There have been few reports of PICCs placed in super elderly patients with permanent cardiac pacemakers. We share a case of two successful PICC insertions in a 97-year-old patient with bilateral pacemaker placement, that have not been reported previously.