bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A measure of facies mixing in data upscaling to account for information loss in the estimation of petrophysical variables
Authors: Lajevardi Saina , Deutsch Clayton V.
Published: April 2016

Blocking facies information to a constant length prior to three-dimensional (3D) modelling is necessary with current 3D geostatistical modelling techniques. The high-resolution information from core and well logging must be upscaled to unify the scale to a target scale considered in building the 3D numerical models. A downside is the inevitable loss of information when the majority facies is assigned to each upscaled interval. The loss of such information could become problematic when dealing with small shale barriers in the middle of the reservoir or at the boundary of the facies transitions. This paper addresses the information loss by retaining as much information as possible in the upscaling process and proposes a metric to account for small-scale information that is mixed during the process: such a metric is referred to as facies mixing measure (FMM). Retaining more information in the upscaling process and utilizing that information to better model petrophysical properties is an important contribution. FMM is calculated during the upscaling step and is treated as a secondary property during petrophysical property modelling. Cross-validation with two different datasets demonstrates improvements in porosity estimation.
FGF21 Is Associated with Acanthosis Nigricans in Obese Patients
Authors: Huang Yueye , Yang Jie , Li Yan , Chen Jiaqi , Song Kexiu , Wang Xingchun , Bu Le , Cheng Xiaoyun , Wang Jiying , Qu Shen
Published: April 2016

Objective. We aimed to investigate the relationship between FGF21 and obesity-related acanthosis nigricans (AN).Methods. 40 obese patients without AN (OB group), 40 obese patients with AN (AN group), and 40 healthy volunteers (control group, CON) were included in this study. Weight, BMI, lipid profile, FFA, UA, and CRP were measured in all participants. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were performed and serum glucose and plasma insulin were measured. Serum FGF21 was measured by ELISA.Results. Compared with OB group, AN group had higher levels of fasting insulin and homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P<0.05), but lower serum levels of blood glucose. The difference of FGF21 among three groups was significant and AN group showed the highest serum level of FGF21 (P<0.05). Serum FGF21 was most positively correlated with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. Multiple logistic analysis showed that FGF21 was the independent risk factor for AN (OR 4.550; 95% CI 1.054–19.635;P=0.042).Conclusion. AN patients had more serious hyperinsulinemia but better serum levels of blood glucose than OB. Increased FGF21 is associated with AN in obese patients and may be considered as compensatory response to the decreased insulin sensitivity.
Communities’ Satisfaction towards Housing Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program after September 30, 2009, Earthquake in West Sumatra
Authors: Istijono Bambang , Ophiyandri Taufika , Chairisna Diah , Tadzkia Ade
Published: April 2016

The government of Indonesia had provided the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (RR) assistance to 194,636 houses for communities after September 30, 2009, earthquake in West Sumatra. The community-based development model was adopted in this housing program aid. This study aims to explore people’s satisfaction towards the RR program and to identify the difference of satisfaction level between urban area and rural area. The research was carried out by conducting a questionnaire survey to 200 communities. The beneficiaries were invited to determine their satisfaction level based on 5 Likert scale from 1 as “not satisfied at all” to 5 as “absolutely satisfied.” The satisfaction level was assessed by two factors, process of reconstruction and result of reconstruction. It was found that the level of communities’ satisfaction is at average level. The satisfaction level of urban communities is 2.75, while the satisfaction level of rural communities is slightly higher at 2.88. The satisfaction levels of urban and rural communities with the reconstruction process are at 2.63 and 2.75, respectively, while the satisfaction level with the results of the program is at 2.84 and at 2.95, respectively. Communities’ satisfaction with the result of reconstruction is higher than that with the process of reconstruction.
The Hepaticojejunostomy Technique with Intra-Anastomotic Stent in Biliary Diseases and Its Evolution throughout the Years: A Technical Analysis
Authors: Moris Demetrios , Papalampros Alexandros , Vailas Michail , Petrou Athanasios , Kontos Michael , Felekouras Evangelos
Published: April 2016

Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RYHJ) is currently considered as the definitive treatment for iatrogenic bile duct injuries and the principal representative of biliary diversion procedures. This technique has met many milestones of extensive evolution, particularly the last years of concomitant technological evolution (laparoscopic/robotic approach). Anastomotic strictures and leaks, which may have deleterious effects on the survival and quality of life of a patient with biliary obstruction of any cause, made the need of the development of a safe and efficient RYHJ compulsory. The aim of this technical analysis and the juxtaposed discussions is to elucidate with the most important milestones and technical tips and tricks all aspects of a feasible and reliable RYHJ technique that is performed in our center for the last 25 years in around 400 patients.
A Two-Dimensional CMUT Linear Array for Underwater Applications: Directivity Analysis and Design Optimization
Authors: Zhang Wen , Zhang Hui , Jin Shijiu , Zeng Zhoumo
Published: April 2016

Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) are one of the promising MEMS devices. This paper proposed an integrated vibration membrane structure to design a two-dimensional CMUT linear array for underwater applications. The operation frequencies for different medium have been calculated and simulated, which are 2.5 MHz in air and 0.7 MHz in water. The directivity analyses for the CMUT cell, subarray, and linear array have been provided. According to the product theorems, the directivity function of the complex array is obtained using a combination of the directivity functions of certain simple structures. Results show that the directivity of a CMUT cell is weak due to the small size, but the directivity of the designed linear array is very strong. Influential parameters of the linear array have been discussed, including the cell numbers, the adjacent distance, and the operation medium. In order to further suppress the side lobe interference and improve the resolution and the imaging quality of the imaging system, several weighting methods are used for optimization and comparison. Satisfactory side lobe suppression results are obtained, which can meet the actual requirements.
Symptoms of Poststroke Depression among Stroke Survivors: An Appraisal of Psychiatry Needs and Care during Physiotherapy Rehabilitation
Authors: Ibeneme Sam Chidi , Anyachukwu Canice Chukwudi , Nwosu Akachukwu , Ibeneme Georgian Chiaka , Bakare Muideen , Fortwengel Gerhard
Published: April 2016

Purpose. To identify stroke survivors with symptoms of poststroke depression and the extent of psychiatry needs and care they have received while on physiotherapy rehabilitation.Participants. Fifty stroke survivors (22 females and 28 males) at the outpatient unit of Physiotherapy Department, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, who gave their informed consent, were randomly selected. Their age range and mean age were 26–66 years and54.76±8.79years, respectively.Method. A multiple case study of 50 stroke survivors for symptoms of poststroke depression was done with Beck’s Depression Inventory, mini mental status examination tool, and Modified Motor Assessment Scale. The tests were performed independently by the participants except otherwise stated and scored on a scale of 0–6. Data were analyzed usingZ-test for proportional significance and chi-square test for determining relationship between variables, atp<0.05.Results. Twenty-one (42.0%) stroke survivors had symptoms of PSD, which was significantly dependent on duration of stroke (χ2= 21.680, df = 6, andp=0.001), yet none of the participants had a psychiatry review.Conclusions. Symptoms of PSD may be common in cold compared to new cases of stroke and may need psychiatry care while on physiotherapy rehabilitation.
Assessment of Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Monoamine Oxidase Contribution to Oxidative Stress in Human Diabetic Hearts
Authors: Duicu O. M. , Lighezan R. , Sturza A. , Balica R. , Vaduva A. , Feier H. , Gaspar M. , Ionac A. , Noveanu L. , Borza C. , Muntean D. M. , Mornos C.
Published: April 2016

Mitochondria‐related oxidative stress is a pathomechanism causally linked to coronary heart disease (CHD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Recently, mitochondrial monoamine oxidases (MAOs) have emerged as novel sources of oxidative stress in the cardiovascular system and experimental diabetes. The present study was purported to assess the mitochondrial impairment and the contribution of MAOs‐related oxidative stress to the cardiovascular dysfunction in coronary patients with/without DM. Right atrial appendages were obtained from 75 patients randomized into 3 groups: (1) Control (CTRL), valvular patients without CHD; (2) CHD, patients with confirmed CHD; and (3) CHD‐DM, patients with CHD and DM. Mitochondrial respiration was measured by high‐resolution respirometry and MAOs expression was evaluated by RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) emission was assessed by confocal microscopy and spectrophotometrically. The impairment of mitochondrial respiration was substrate‐independent in CHD‐DM group. MAOs expression was comparable among the groups, with the predominance of MAO‐B isoform but no significant differences regarding oxidative stress were detected by either method. Incubation of atrial samples with MAOs inhibitors significantly reduced the H2O2 in all groups. In conclusion, abnormal mitochondrial respiration occurs in CHD and is more severe in DM and MAOs contribute to oxidative stress in human diseased hearts with/without DM.
Repeated Exposure to Dissection Does Not Influence Students’ Attitudes towards Human Body Donation for Anatomy Teaching
Authors: Mwachaka Philip Maseghe , Mandela Pamela , Saidi Hassan
Published: April 2016

The use of unclaimed bodies for anatomical dissection has been the main method of instruction at our institution. There is however a shortage of cadavers for dissection given the increase in the number of medical schools as well as in the number of students enrolling in these schools. This shortage could be mitigated by having voluntary human body donation programs. This study aimed at assessing the attitudes of medical students and surgical residents towards body donation for anatomy learning. We conducted an online survey involving 72 first-year medical students and 41 surgical residents at University of Nairobi who had completed one year of anatomy dissection. For the medical students, this was their first dissection experience while it was the second exposure for the surgery trainees. Most of the surgical trainees (70.7%) and medical students (68.1%) were opposed to self-body donation. This was mainly due to cultural (37%) and religious (20%) barriers. Surprisingly, of those not willing to donate themselves, 67.9% (82.8% surgical trainees, 59.2% medical students) would recommend the practice to other people. Exposure to repeated dissection does not change the perceptions towards body donation. It is noteworthy that culture and religion rank high as clear barriers amongst this “highly informed” group of potential donors.
M-COPA, a Golgi Disruptor, Inhibits Cell Surface Expression of MET Protein and Exhibits Antitumor Activity against MET-Addicted Gastric Cancers
Authors: Ohashi Yoshimi , Okamura Mutsumi , Hirosawa Asaka , Tamaki Naomi , Akatsuka Akinobu , Wu Kuo-Ming , Choi Hyeong-Wook , Yoshimatsu Kentaro , Shiina Isamu , Yamori Takao , Dan Shingo
Published: April 2016

The Golgi apparatus is responsible for transporting, processing, and sorting numerous proteins in the cell, including cell surface-expressed receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK). The small-molecule compound M-COPA [2-methylcoprophilinamide (AMF-26)] disrupts the Golgi apparatus by inhibiting the activation of Arf1, resulting in suppression of tumor growth. Here, we report an evaluation of M-COPA activity against RTK-addicted cancers, focusing specifically on human gastric cancer (GC) cells with or without MET amplification. As expected, the MET-addicted cell line MKN45 exhibited a better response to M-COPA than cell lines without MET amplification. Upon M-COPA treatment, cell surface expression of MET was downregulated with a concurrent accumulation of its precursor form. M-COPA also reduced levels of the phosphorylated form of MET along with the downstream signaling molecules Akt and S6. Similar results were obtained in additional GC cell lines with amplification of MET or the FGF receptor FGFR2. MKN45 murine xenograft experiments demonstrated the antitumor activity of M-COPA in vivo. Taken together, our results offer an initial preclinical proof of concept for the use of M-COPA as a candidate treatment option for MET-addicted GC, with broader implications for targeting the Golgi apparatus as a novel cancer therapeutic approach. Cancer Res; 76(13); 3895–903. ©2016 AACR.
Secretory TRAIL-Armed Natural Killer Cell–Based Therapy: In Vitro and In Vivo Colorectal Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Xenograft
Authors: Song Xinxin , Hong Se-Hoon , Kwon William T. , Bailey Lisa M. , Basse Per , Bartlett David L. , Kwon Yong Tae , Lee Yong J.
Published: April 2016

Since its discovery in 1995, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has sparked growing interest among oncologists due to its remarkable ability to induce apoptosis in malignant human cells, but not in most normal cells. However, one major drawback is its fast clearance rate in vivo. Thus, the development of an alternative means of delivery may increase the effectiveness of TRAIL-based therapy. In this study, we developed a secretory TRAIL-armed natural killer (NK) cell–based therapy and assessed its cytotoxic effects on colorectal cancer cells and its tumoricidal efficacy on colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis xenograft. We generated genetically modified NK cells by transduction with a lentiviral vector consisting of a secretion signal domain, a trimerization domain, and an extracellular domain of the TRAIL gene. These NK cells secreted a glycosylated form of TRAIL fusion protein that induced apoptotic death. Intraperitoneally, but not intravenously, injected NK cells effectively accumulated at tumor sites, infiltrated tumor tissue, induced apoptosis, and delayed tumor growth. These results shed light on the therapeutic potential of genetically engineered NK cells to treat peritoneal carcinomatosis. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(7); 1591–601. ©2016 AACR.
The Discovery and Validation of Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Esophageal Squamous Dysplasia and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Couch George , Redman James E. , Wernisch Lorenz , Newton Richard , Malhotra Shalini , Dawsey Sanford M. , Lao-Sirieix Pierre , Fitzgerald Rebecca C.
Published: April 2016

The 5-year survival rate of esophageal cancer is less than 10% in developing countries, where more than 90% of these cancers are esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC). Endoscopic screening is undertaken in high incidence areas. Biomarker analysis could reduce the subjectivity associated with histologic assessment of dysplasia and thus improve diagnostic accuracy. The aims of this study were therefore to identify biomarkers for esophageal squamous dysplasia and carcinoma. A publicly available dataset was used to identify genes with differential expression in ESCC compared with normal esophagus. Each gene was ranked by a support vector machine separation score. Expression profiles were examined, before validation by qPCR and IHC. We found that 800 genes were overexpressed in ESCC compared with normal esophagus (P < 10−5). Of the top 50 genes, 33 were expressed in ESCC epithelium and not in normal esophagus epithelium or stroma using the Protein Atlas website. These were taken to qPCR validation, and 20 genes were significantly overexpressed in ESCC compared with normal esophagus (P < 0.05). TNFAIP3 and CHN1 showed differential expression with IHC. TNFAIP3 expression increased gradually through normal esophagus, mild, moderate and severe dysplasia, and SCC (P < 0.0001). CHN1 staining was rarely present in the top third of normal esophagus epithelium and extended progressively towards the surface in mild, moderate, and severe dysplasia, and SCC (P < 0.0001). Two novel promising biomarkers for ESCC were identified, TNFAIP3 and CHN1. CHN1 and TNFAIP3 may improve diagnostic accuracy of screening methods for ESCC. Cancer Prev Res; 9(7); 558–66. ©2016 AACR.
Clinical Practice of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Early-Stage Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Frielink Lindy M.J. , Pijlman Brenda M. , Ezendam Nicole P.M. , Pijnenborg Johanna M.A.
Published: April 2016

Background: Adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy improves survival in women with early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Yet, there is a wide variety in clinical practice. Methods: All patients diagnosed with FIGO I and IIa EOC (2006-2010) in the south of the Netherlands were analyzed. The percentage of patients that received adjuvant chemotherapy was determined as well as the comprehensiveness of staging and outcome. Results: Forty percent (54/135) of the patients with early-stage EOC received adjuvant chemotherapy. Treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with FIGO stage, clear-cell histology and nonoptimal staging. Optimal staging was achieved in 50%, and nonoptimal staging was associated with advanced age, comorbidity and treatment in a non-referral hospital. Overall, there was no difference in outcome between patients with and without adjuvant chemotherapy. Yet, in grade 3 tumors, adjuvant chemotherapy seems beneficial. Conclusions: Selective treatment of patients with early-stage EOC might reduce adjuvant chemotherapy without compromising outcome.
Short-Term Visual Acuity and Intraocular Pressure Changes and Their Correlation after Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Injection
Authors: Lim Hyung-Bin , Kim Min-Su , Jo Young-Joon , Kim Jung-Yeul
Published: April 2016

Purpose: To assess the effect of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection on short-term changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and visual acuity (VA) and the correlation between the two values. Methods: This study included 25 eyes of 25 patients undergoing intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) with preinjection uncorrected VA (UCVA) >20/40. IOP and UCVA were measured before injection and 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min after injection, using a Tono-Pen (Reichert, Chicago, Ill., USA). The IOP and VA values before and after injection were compared. The correlation between IOP and VA at each time point was analyzed. Results: The preinjection IOP value (17.7 mm Hg) increased sharply to 43.1 mm Hg 1 min after injection, followed by a decrease to 30.4, 24.6, 20.7, 18.7, 18.2, and 17.7 mm Hg at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min, respectively. The preinjection UCVA value (0.21; logMAR) increased to 0.96 one minute after injection, followed by a decrease to 0.61, 0.44, 0.33, 0.27, 0.23, and 0.22 at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min, respectively. Significant differences were evident between the preinjection IOP and VA values and those observed over the 5- to 25-min period after injection (p < 0.05). The correlation between IOP and VA was significant 1, 5, and 10 min after injection [p < 0.001 (1 min), p = 0.033 (5 min), and p = 0.002 (10 min)]. Conclusions: Differences in all IOP and VA values were significant up to 25 min after IVB, compared with preinjection values; however, no significant difference was found 30 min after injection. Such fluctuations in VA and IOP were positively correlated. The patients' own knowledge of VA fluctuations after injection may provide ophthalmologists with sufficient evidence to make an indirect clinical judgment regarding short-term complications of intravitreal injection.
Prolidase Deficiency in a Mexican-American Patient Identified by Array CGH Reveals a Novel and the Largest PEPD Gene Deletion
Authors: Hintze Jonathan P. , Kirby Amelia , Torti Erin , Batanian Jacqueline R.
Published: April 2016

Prolidase deficiency (PD) is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the peptidase D (PEPD) gene, affecting collagen degradation. Features include lower extremity ulcers, facial dysmorphism, frequent respiratory infections, and intellectual disability, though there is significant intra- and interfamilial variability. Twenty-eight mutations have been previously reported, all either small deletions/duplications or point mutations discovered by enzyme or DNA assays. PD has been reported in patients of various ethnic backgrounds, but never in the Mexican-American population. We describe the first Mexican-American patient with PD, who presented with typical facial features, developmental delay, microcephaly, and xerosis. Chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) revealed a homozygous deletion in the region of 19q13.11, estimated to be between 124.79 and 195.72 kb in size, representing the largest PEPD gene deletion reported to date and the first discovered by CMA.
Protracted Clinical Course of Postinfectious Glomerulonephritis in a Previously Healthy Child
Authors: Grøndahl Camilla , Rittig Søren , Povlsen Johan Vestergaard , Kamperis Kostantinos
Published: April 2016

Acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN) affects children typically after upper respiratory tract or skin infections with streptococci but can complicate the course of other infections. In children, it is generally a self-limiting disease with excellent prognosis. This paper reports a previously healthy 4-year-old boy who experienced a protracted course of PIGN with persisting episodes of gross haematuria, proteinuria, decreased complement C3c levels but normal P-creatinine levels. Due to the protracted course and the nephrotic-range proteinuria, a renal biopsy was performed 6 months after the initial presentation and the overall pathology was consistent with acute endocapillary glomerulonephritis.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Stroke Patients Transferred to Hospitals Participating in the Michigan Coverdell Acute Stroke Registry
Authors: Nickles Adrienne V. , Roberts Stacey , Shell Erin , Mitchell Marylou , Hussain Syed , Lyon-Callo Sarah , Reeves Mathew J.
Published: April 2016

Background—

Interhospital transfer of acute stroke patients is becoming increasingly important as regional stroke systems of care continue to evolve. We describe the characteristics and outcomes of stroke cases transferred to hospitals participating in the Michigan Coverdell Stroke Registry.

Methods and Results—

Thirty-six hospitals participated in the Michigan registry during 2009 to 2011. Transfer patients were transferred from another hospital either acutely or after admission. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine predictors of transfer and the independent association between transfer and in-hospital mortality and complications. Of 16 202 acute stroke admissions, 19.1% were transferred. Independent predictors of being transferred included younger age, hemorrhagic stroke, and higher stroke severity, but having a past history of stroke decreased the likelihood of being transferred. Transferred cases had higher in-hospital mortality (12.0% versus 6.4%;
P
<0.001) compared with regular admissions and were more likely to suffer complications (18.4% versus 12.8%;
P
<0.001). These differences remained after adjustment for confounding variables (adjusted odds ratio for mortality =1.32, 95% confidence interval 1.12, 1.56; adjusted odds ratio for complications =1.39, 95% confidence interval 1.22, 1.58). Among ischemic stroke, elevated odds of poor outcomes among transferred patients remained after adjustment for stroke severity.

Conclusions—

Transferred patients represent a complex admixture of patient characteristics that result in higher risks of poor outcomes. Our results suggest that it is prudent to account for patient transfer status when comparing hospital outcomes and that stroke registries need to expand their data collection capacity to provide a better understanding of the relative benefits and risks of transferring patients.
Author Attributions in Medieval Text Collections: An Exploration
Authors: Besamusca Bart , Griffith Gareth , Meyer Matthias , Morcos Hannah
Published: April 2016

This article examines the role and function of author attributions in multi-text manuscripts containing Dutch, English, French or German short verse narratives. The findings represent one strand of the investigations undertaken by the cross-European project ‘The Dynamics of the Medieval Manuscript’, which analysed the dissemination of short verse narratives and the principles of organisation underlying the compilation of text collections. Whilst short verse narratives are more commonly disseminated anonymously, there are manuscripts in which authorship is repeatedly attributed to a text or corpus. Through six case studies, this article explores medieval concepts of authorship and how they relate to constructions of authority, whether regarding an empirical figure or a literary construction. In addition, it looks at how authorship plays a role in manuscript compilation, and at the effects of attributions (by author and/or compiler) on reception. The case studies include manuscripts from the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries, produced in a range of social and cultural contexts, and featuring some of the most important European authors of short verse narratives: Rutebeuf, Baudouin de Condé, Der Stricker, Konrad von Würzburg, Willem of Hildegaersberch, and Geoffrey Chaucer. The preliminary findings contribute to our understanding of author attributions in text collections from across northern Europe and point towards future lines of enquiry into the role of authorship in medieval textual dissemination.
Supplementary description of Cycas hongheensis (Cycadaceae) from Yunnan, China and its phylogenetic position
Authors: LIU JIAN , LINDSTROM ANDERS J. , GONG XUN
Published: April 2016

Cycas hongheensis was firstly proposed as a distinct taxon in 1994 and formally described two years later based on vegetative materials only. Here, the reproductive organs of this species, namely, the female cone, male cone and seeds are supplemented for description as these fertile materials were found for the first time at the type locality. Furthermore, the phylogenetic position of this species as being the only endemic member of Cycas sect. Indosinenses in China was investigated. The conflicting phylogenic results between chloroplastic (cpDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) are corresponded with the inconformity characters of morphology of this species. The characters of lacking indumentum on ovules and the distinct apical spine of megasporophyll are corresponding to nDNA result while the characters such as the soft and rudimentary apical spine of the microsporophyll and the absence of fibrous layer inside the sarcotesta comform to cpDNA result. For the taxonomy, we agree this species to be classified into Cycas sect. Indosinenses for the obvious morphological characters of megasporophyll and ovule as well as deeper evidence from phylogeny based on nuclear data, as biparental inherited nuclear genes could offer more comprehensive genetic information than maternal inherited cpDNA.
A Comparison of Temperature Data from Automated and Manual Observing Networks in Georgia and Impacts of Siting Characteristics
Authors: Allard Jason , Vincent Paul C. , McElwaney Jeromy R. , Hoogenboom Gerrit
Published: April 2016

The objectives of this study were to compare average monthly and seasonal maximum and minimum temperatures of the Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring Network (AEMN) to those of geographically close (i.e., paired) manual observations from U.S. Historical Climatology Network (USHCN) stations and Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) stations for the period 2002–13, and to evaluate the extent to which differences in siting characteristics of paired AEMN–USHCN stations contribute to the temperature differences. Correlations for monthly and seasonal maximum and minimum temperatures of paired AEMN–USHCN and AEMN–COOP stations were high and almost always significant, although the correlations for seasonal minimum temperatures were slightly lower than those of maximum temperatures, especially for summer. Monthly maximum and minimum temperatures and seasonal maximum temperatures of paired AEMN–USHCN and AEMN–COOP stations were significantly different in only a few instances, while seasonal minimum temperatures were more often significantly different, particularly for summer. The stronger relationship between maximum temperatures than minimum temperatures for paired stations is logical given that minimum temperatures typically occur when a shallow, decoupled nocturnal boundary layer is more sensitive to local conditions [e.g., land use/land cover (LULC)]. Stepwise regressions confirmed that a portion of the variance of seasonal minimum temperatures of paired AEMN–USHCN stations was explained by differences in LULC, while the variance in seasonal maximum temperatures was explained better by differences in elevation. Despite the generally close relationships between temperatures of paired stations and a portion of the differences being explained, an abrupt change from manual networks to the AEMN without data adjustments would change the Georgia climate record on monthly and seasonal time scales.
Quantification of the Effect of Water Temperature on the Fall Rate of Expendable Bathythermographs
Authors: Abraham John P. , Cowley Rebecca , Cheng Lijing
Published: April 2016

A very large portion of the historical information on ocean temperatures has been measured using expendable bathythermograph (XBT) devices. For decades, these devices provided the majority of global information. It is, therefore, important to quantify their accuracy and identify biases in this important historical dataset. Here, calculations are made of the influence of water temperature on the rate of descent of the XBT devices into the ocean waters. In colder regions, the larger viscosity of the water is expected to cause a greater drag force on the device, which would slow the descent. It was found through computational fluid dynamic models that the impact of temperature and viscosity on the probe descent is approximately 2.2% for water temperatures that range from 0° to 27°C. Probe-specific temperature-dependent fall rate equations were applied to 269 collocated XBT/conductivity–temperature–depth (CTD) measurements from two different research cruises. It was found that the probe-specific descent equations were an improvement over the uncorrected method. Next, in an effort to automate the process, the fall rate coefficients were related to the topmost measured temperature in the water column. With this relationship, comparisons were made between the probe-specific descent calculations and 2937 high-resolution XBT–CTD pairs. It was found that again, the new methodology outperformed the standard fall rate equation. The new method was also compared with an independent correction method that was previously published. It was found that both new methods were improvements upon the industry-standard fall rate calculation. Subsequent calculations using the top-100-m water temperature were performed and were found to be statistically insignificant compared to the proposed simplified method.
The Impact of Targeted School Vouchers on Racial Stratification in Louisiana Schools
Authors: Egalite Anna J. , Mills Jonathan N. , Wolf Patrick J.
Published: April 2016

The question of how school choice programs affect the racial stratification of schools is highly salient in the field of education policy. We use a student-level panel data set to analyze the impacts of the Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP) on racial stratification in public and private schools. This targeted school voucher program provides funding for low-income, mostly minority students in the lowest-graded public schools to enroll in participating private schools. Our analysis indicates that the vast majority (82%) of LSP transfers have reduced racial stratification in the voucher students’ former public schools. LSP transfers have marginally increased stratification in the participating private schools, however, where just 45% of transfers reduce racial stratification. In those school districts under federal desegregation orders, voucher transfers result in a large reduction in traditional public schools’ racial stratification levels and have no discernible impact on private schools. The results of this analysis provide reliable empirical evidence on whether or not parental choice harms desegregation efforts in Louisiana.
Emotionally Up and Down, Behaviorally To and Fro
Authors: Dvorak Robert D. , Kuvaas Nicholas J. , Lamis Dorian A. , Pearson Matthew R. , Stevenson Brittany L.
Published: April 2016

Emotional and behavioral regulation has been linked to coping and enhancement motives and associated with different patterns of alcohol use and problems. The current studies examined emotional instability, urgency, and internal drinking motives as predictors of alcohol dependence symptoms as well as the likelihood and severity of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—5th edition Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). In Study 1, college drinkers ( n = 621) completed alcohol involvement and behavioral/emotional functioning assessments. There was an indirect association between emotional instability and dependence symptoms via both coping and enhancement drinking motives which was potentiated by trait urgency. In Study 2, college drinkers ( n = 510) completed alcohol involvement, behavioral/emotional functioning, and AUD criteria assessments. A significant indirect effect from emotional instability to the likelihood of meeting AUD criteria, via drinking to cope was found, again potentiated by urgency.
The Role of Surgery in Management of Samter’s Triad
Authors: Adelman Julie , McLean Caitlin , Shaigany Kevin , Krouse John H.
Published: April 2016

Objective

Aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) represents a severe form of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) characterized by nasal polyposis, bronchial asthma, and aspirin intolerance. This syndrome, known as Samter’s triad, is more difficult to manage than routine CRS and poses a challenge to the treating clinician. We performed a systematic review of the literature to determine the role of endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with AERD who are on adjuvant medical therapies.

Data Sources

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Methodology Register, Cochrane Technology Assessments, Cochrane Economic Evaluations, Cochrane Groups, and Clinicaltrials.gov.

Review Methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed using the 2009 PRISMA guidelines. Studies with both preoperative and postoperative data for patients with AERD who underwent sinus surgery were considered appropriate for inclusion. Publications were written in English, included patients aged 18 years or older, and had a minimum follow‐up of 3 months.

Results

Eighteen studies met criteria for inclusion in our review. The primary outcome was change in symptom profile as measured by sinonasal and asthma symptom scores. Most studies demonstrated improvement in sinus‐ and asthma‐related symptoms and quality‐of‐life measures after endoscopic sinus surgery.

Conclusion

This review, which did not exclude the use of concomitant medical therapy, suggests that surgery is beneficial in AERD management. Evidence demonstrates improvement in sinonasal and asthma symptom severity and frequency, radiographic and endoscopy scores, and quality of life after surgery.
Predictors of Foreign Body Aspiration in Children
Authors: Sink Jacquelyn R. , Kitsko Dennis J. , Georg Matthew W. , Winger Daniel G. , Simons Jeffrey P.
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To examine the sensitivity and specificity of history, physical examination, and radiologic studies as predictors of foreign body aspiration in children.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care children’s hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Medical records were reviewed for 102 children who presented to our institution from 2006 to 2013 with suspected foreign body aspiration and who underwent endoscopy. Data included symptoms, physical examination, radiologic, and endoscopy findings. Descriptive statistics, sensitivity and specificity, and univariate and multivariable analyses were performed.

Results

A total of 102 patients were included (62% male). The mean age was 3.3 years (SD, 3.7). A foreign body was identified on endoscopy in 69 cases (68%). The most common presenting symptoms were cough (88%), choking/gagging (67%), and wheezing (57%). Decreased breath sounds and wheezing on examination were independently associated with increased odds of foreign body. The most common abnormal radiographic finding was air trapping (33%). The most frequent items retrieved were fragments of seeds and nuts (49%). There were no serious complications related to endoscopy. The sensitivity and specificity of any finding on history, physical examination, and imaging were 100% and 3%, 90% and 33%, 61% and 77%, respectively. Having a positive history, examination, and chest radiograph combined was 46% sensitive and 79% specific.

Conclusions

Patients with airway foreign bodies have varied presentations. The presence of any radiologic finding suggests that endoscopy should be performed, as a foreign body is probable. The absence of any history or physical examination finding was associated with a low likelihood of a foreign body.
Doing business in Ukraine – multinational companies in the trap of regional institutions?
Authors: Diez Javier Revilla , Schiller Daniel , Zvirgzde Daria
Published: April 2016

The transition process in Ukraine is far from being completed and large differences among the regions prevail. The adaptation of market-based and reliable institutional arrangements differs strongly among the capital region, the western (Lviv), and the eastern part (Kharkiv) of the country. Conducive regional institutions are necessary for two reasons. First, multinational corporations (MNCs) need transparent and reliable institutions to fully exploit benefits from their investment decision. Second, MNCs might only deliver positive impacts to the regional economy which are envisaged by the local governments under these circumstances. This paper aims to assess the quality of regional institutions from the perspective of MNCs and the interdependence between institutional quality and investment motives by using data from an explorative enterprise survey of 153 foreign firms in three Ukrainian regions. The analysis of the World Bank’s Doing Business indicators clearly shows strong regional variation in institutional quality in Ukraine. Due to higher institutional quality, investors are attracted to the capital region and are potentially performing more sophisticated activities and create a higher value for the regional economy. Whereas the capital region can be seen as the frontrunner in the transition process, the regional economic system of Kharkiv is still strongly based on persisting networks from the Soviet time which leads to worse evaluations of the institutional quality. In Lviv, the post-Soviet legacy is less pronounced and institutional quality is assessed more positive than in Kharkiv, but still falls behind the capital region. As a result of the very distinct assessment of the regional quality of institutions, region-specific policy measures are proposed.
Some practical improvements of sliding-mode control for servo-solenoid valve
Authors: Fang Jin-hui , Chen Zheng , Wei Jian-hua
Published: April 2016

The sliding-mode (SLM) control for a servo-solenoid valve (SSV) has been employed before to achieve better performance compared to traditional PID control. However, there still exists some improvement potential for the previous SLM control, such as the static accuracy, the response to ramp or sinusoidal input, and the extra cost of sensors to get full-state feedback. Through effective analysis, this paper develops four practical improvements for the SLM control of a SSV, which can obviously achieve better control performance and not increase the implementation difficulties from the existing controllers. Specifically, the modeling, identification, and the standard SLM control strategy for SSVs are introduced first. The improvements of the SLM control include: the integral element is used to eliminate steady-state error; the tracking control strategies by the velocity feedforward are developed to enhance the trajectory tracking ability; the switch of power supply is employed to improve dynamic response; and the circuit modification of linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) is designed to obtain displacement, velocity, and acceleration signals together. The experiments are carried out and the results reveal that the transient and steady-state performances of SSVs are significantly improved by these improvements to the SLM control.
Responsive Meta-Evaluation
Authors: Sturges Keith M. , Howley Caitlin
Published: April 2016

In an era of ever-deepening budget cuts and a concomitant demand for substantiated programs, many organizations have elected to conduct internal program evaluations. Internal evaluations offer advantages (e.g., enhanced evaluator program knowledge and ease of data collection) but may confront important challenges, including credibility threats, conflicts of interest, and power struggles. Thus, demand for third-party meta-evaluation may be on the rise to offset such limitations. Drawing on the example of a moderately large and fairly complex five-year program to build state department of education capacity to implement federal education law, this article explores the development and use of external responsive meta-evaluation (RME) to build evaluator capacity, enhance the evaluation’s quality, optimize evaluation use, and minimize conflict. After describing RME, the authors discuss its activities, strengths, and limitations through the case example of the Appalachia Regional Comprehensive Center. The article concludes with recommendations for adapting RME for use in various settings.
e-Campaigning in the 2014 European elections
Authors: Ceron Andrea , Curini Luigi
Published: April 2016

The article explores the relationship between the incentives of parties to campaign on valence issues and the ideological proximity between one party and its competitors. Building from the existing literature, we provide a novel theoretical model that investigates this relationship in a two-dimensional multiparty system. Our theoretical argument is then tested focusing on the 2014 European electoral campaign in the five largest European countries, through an analysis of the messages posted by parties in their official Twitter accounts. Our results highlight an inverse relationship between a party’s distance from its neighbors and its likelihood to emphasize valence issues. However, as suggested in our theoretical framework, this effect is statistically significant only with respect to valence positive campaigning. Our findings have implications for the literature on valence competition, electoral campaigns, and social media.
Unité de Coordination Clinique des Services Préhospitaliers d’Urgence: A clinical telemedicine platform that improves prehospital and community health care for rural citizens
Authors: Bussières Sylvain , Tanguay Alain , Hébert Denise , Fleet Richard
Published: April 2016

Access to health care in Canada’s rural areas is a challenge. The Unité de Coordination Clinique des Services Préhospitaliers d’Urgence (UCCSPU) is a telemedicine program designed to improve health care in the Chaudiere-Appalaches and Quebec City regions of Canada. Remote medical services are provided by nurses and by an emergency physician based in a clinical unit at the Alphonse-Desjardins Community Health and Social Services Center. The interventions were developed to meet two objectives. The first is to enhance access to quality health care. To this end, Basic Life Support paramedics and nurses were taught interventions outside of their field of expertise. Prehospital electrocardiograms were used to remotely diagnose ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and to monitor patients who were en route by ambulance to the nearest catheterization facility or emergency department. Basic Life Support paramedics received extended medical authorization that allowed them to provide opioid analgesia via telemedicine physician orders. Nurses from community health centres without physician coverage were able to request medical assistance via a video telemedicine system. The second objective is to optimize medical resources. To this end, remote death certifications were implemented to avoid unnecessary transport of deceased persons to hospitals. This paper presents the telemedicine program and some results.
The importance of stories untold: Life-story, event-story and trope
Authors: Sandberg Sveinung
Published: April 2016

Stories make harmful actions both plausible and compelling. They provide a lot of what qualitative researchers consider data, but as a discursive form have received only scant attention in criminology. From interviews with imprisoned drug dealers in Norway, this paper identifies three forms of narrative: first, life-stories summarizing and reducing the immense complexity of individual lives; second, stories about particular events such as narrative turning points in life-stories, but also less significant episodes; finally, tropes that only hint at familiar stories. These different narrative forms are crucial in understanding the manifold and central role of stories in society. They can only be understood as part of the interactional context of storytelling, and as proposed by narrative criminology, their effects are essential for understanding crime and harmful action. In this paper I argue that tropes are the most salient forms of narrative. They are indicative of that which ‘goes without saying’, and can be used to identify both ambiguity and hegemonic discourse. In such efforts narrative criminology needs to move beyond interpretation of full narratives, to include reconstruction of stories from tropes.