bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute myeloid leukaemia masquerading as a primary CNS tumour
Authors: Cuglievan Branko , Menegaz Brian A , Garces Sofia , Rytting Michael E
Published: August 2017

In children with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), myeloid sarcomas (MS) of the central nervous system (CNS) are rare. Since MS involving the CNS are potentially curable, timely recognition is paramount. Establishing a diagnosis may be problematic as they can easily mimic primary CNS neoplasms. We report the case of a 5-year-old boy with AML with t(8;21)(q22;q22) rearrangement who presented with a massive intracranial MS and rapid clinical deterioration suggestive of a meningioma or a primitive neuroectodermal tumour. The peripheral smear showed blasts with Auer rods. Urgent chemotherapy was started for AML with presumptive CNS MS. The mass resolved with chemotherapy, and treatment was consolidated with radiotherapy. Although exceedingly rare, this case highlights the potential for MS to present similarly to a primary CNS tumour. MS should be part of the differential diagnosis as part of a CNS mass, particularly if the complete blood count is abnormal.
Colonoscopic full-thickness resection using an over-the-scope device: a prospective multicentre study in various indications
Authors: Schmidt Arthur , Beyna Torsten , Schumacher Brigitte , Meining Alexander , Richter-Schrag Hans-Juergen , Messmann Helmut , Neuhaus Horst , Albers David , Birk Michael , Thimme Robert , Probst Andreas , Faehndrich Martin , Frieling Thomas , Goetz Martin , Riecken Bettina , Caca Karel
Published: August 2017

Objective

Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) is a novel treatment of colorectal lesions not amenable to conventional endoscopic resection. The aim of this prospective multicentre study was to assess the efficacy and safety of the full-thickness resection device.

Design

181 patients were recruited in 9 centres with the indication of difficult adenomas (non-lifting and/or at difficult locations), early cancers and subepithelial tumours (SET). Primary endpoint was complete en bloc and R0 resection.

Results

EFTR was technically successful in 89.5%, R0 resection rate was 76.9%. In 127 patients with difficult adenomas and benign histology, R0 resection rate was 77.7%. In 14 cases, lesions harboured unsuspected cancer, another 15 lesions were primarily known as cancers. Of these 29 cases, R0 resection was achieved in 72.4%; 8 further cases had deep submucosal infiltration >1000 µm. Therefore, curative resection could only be achieved in 13/29 (44.8%). In the subgroup with SET (n=23), R0 resection rate was 87.0%. In general, R0 resection rate was higher with lesions ≤2 cm vs >2 cm (81.2% vs 58.1%, p=0.0038). Adverse event rate was 9.9% with a 2.2% rate of emergency surgery. Three-month follow-up was available from 154 cases and recurrent/residual tumour was evident in 15.3%.

Conclusion

EFTR has a reasonable technical efficacy especially in lesions ≤2 cm with acceptable complication rates. Curative resection rate for early cancers was too low to recommend its primary use in this indication. Further comparative studies have to show the clinical value and long-term outcome of EFTR in benign colorectal lesions.

Trial registration number

NCT02362126; Results.
Self-reported vision impairment and incident prefrailty and frailty in English community-dwelling older adults: findings from a 4-year follow-up study
Authors: Liljas Ann E M , Carvalho Livia A , Papachristou Efstathios , De Oliveira Cesar , Wannamethee S Goya , Ramsay Sheena E , Walters Kate R
Published: August 2017

Background

Little is known about vision impairment and frailty in older age. We investigated the relationship of poor vision and incident prefrailty and frailty.

Methods

Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses with 4-year follow-up of 2836 English community-dwellers aged ≥60 years. Vision impairment was defined as poor self-reported vision. A score of 0 out of the 5 Fried phenotype components was defined as non-frail, 1–2 prefrail and ≥3 as frail. Participants non-frail at baseline were followed-up for incident prefrailty and frailty. Participants prefrail at baseline were followed-up for incident frailty.

Results

49% of participants (n=1396) were non-frail, 42% (n=1178) prefrail and 9% (n=262) frail. At follow-up, there were 367 new cases of prefrailty and frailty among those non-frail at baseline, and 133 new cases of frailty among those prefrail at baseline. In cross-sectional analysis, vision impairment was associated with frailty (age-adjustedandsex-adjusted OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.95 to 3.30). The association remained after further adjustment for wealth, education, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, falls, cognition and depression. In longitudinal analysis, compared with non-frail participants with no vision impairment, non-frail participants with vision impairment had twofold increased risks of prefrailty or frailty at follow-up (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.32 to 3.24). The association remained after further adjustment. Prefrail participants with vision impairment did not have greater risks of becoming frail at follow-up.

Conclusion

Non-frail older adults who experience poor vision have increased risks of becoming prefrail and frail over 4 years. This is of public health importance as both vision impairment and frailty affect a large number of older adults.
How safe and effective are existing treatments for wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms? Literature-based objective performance criteria for safety and effectiveness
Authors: Fiorella David , Arthur Adam S , Chiacchierini Richard , Emery Evelyne , Molyneux Andy , Pierot Laurent
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs) present unique technical challenges for both endovascular and surgical treatments which aim to achieve complete occlusion of the aneurysm without compromising the patency of the incorporated regional parent vessels. We present a meta-analysis of traditional therapies for WNBAs to provide critical benchmarks for safety and effectiveness.

Methods

Following a systematic search of the literature and the application of pre-specified appropriateness criteria, 43 (including 2794 aneurysms treated) and 65 (including 5366 patients treated) references with sufficient detail were identified to include in a meta-analysis of efficacy and safety, respectively. Effectiveness endpoints of both complete and adequate occlusion were assessed. A composite safety endpoint was based upon commonly applied metrics for major adverse events. Fleiss analyses were performed for both effectiveness and safety endpoints for the entire group, and then parsed separately by treatment modality (surgical clipping (SC) or endovascular therapy (EVT)) and location (anterior or posterior circulation).

Results

Using the above methods, the core laboratory adjusted rate of complete occlusion was 46.3% (standard error 3.6%), 39.8% (3.7%), and 52.5% (9.6%) for all therapies, EVT, and SC, respectively. The rate of adequate occlusion was 59.4% (12.2%), 43.8% (5.3%), and 69.7% (14.3%) for all therapies, EVT, and SC, respectively. The rates of occurrence for pre-specified safety endpoints were 18.7% (2.9%), 21.1% (2.8%), and 24.3% (4.9%) for all therapies, EVT, and SC, respectively.

Conclusions

Conventional therapies for WNBAs are associated with relatively low rates of complete occlusion and peri-procedural complications are not uncommon. As new treatment technologies are investigated, it is important that the available data regarding predicate treatments is understood.
Pretreatment predictors of malignant evolution in patients with ischemic stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy
Authors: Davoli Alessandro , Motta Caterina , Koch Giacomo , Diomedi Marina , Napolitano Simone , Giordano Angela , Panella Marta , Morosetti Daniele , Fabiano Sebastiano , Floris Roberto , Gandini Roberto , Sallustio Fabrizio
Published: August 2017

Background

Few data exist on malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MMI) among patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after endovascular treatment (ET). Numerous predictors of MMI evolution have been proposed, but a comprehensive research of patients undergoing ET has never been performed. Our purpose was to find a practical model to determine robust predictors of MMI in patients undergoing ET.

Methods

Patients from a prospective single-center database with AIS secondary to large intracranial vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation, treated with ET, were retrospectively analyzed. We investigated demographic, clinical, and radiological data. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify clinical and imaging predictors of MMI.

Results

98 patients were included in the analysis, 35 of whom developed MMI (35.7%). No differences in the rate of successful reperfusion and time from stroke onset to reperfusion were found between the MMI and non-MMI groups. The following parameters were identified as independent predictors of MMI: systolic blood pressure (SBP) on admission (p=0.008), blood glucose (BG) on admission (p=0.024), and the CTangiography (CTA) Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) (p=0.001). A scoreof ≤5 in CTA ASPECTS was the best cut-off to predict MMI evolution (sensitivity 46%; specificity 97%; positive predictive value 78%; negative predictive value 65%).

Conclusions

in our study a clinical and radiological features-based model was strongly predictive of MMI evolution in AIS. High SBP and BG on admission and, especially, a CTA ASPECTS ≤5 may help to make decisions quickly, regardless of time to treatment and successful reperfusion.
Cost-effectiveness of a smokeless tobacco control mass media campaign in India
Authors: Murukutla Nandita , Yan Hongjin , Wang Shuo , Negi Nalin Singh , Kotov Alexey , Mullin Sandra , Goodchild Mark
Published: August 2017

Background

Tobacco control mass media campaigns are cost-effective in reducing tobacco consumption in high-income countries, but similar evidence from low-income countries is limited. An evaluation of a 2009 smokeless tobacco control mass media campaign in India provided an opportunity to test its cost-effectiveness.

Methods

Campaign evaluation data from a nationally representative household survey of 2898 smokeless tobacco users were compared with campaign costs in a standard cost-effectiveness methodology. Costs and effects of the Surgeon campaign were compared with the status quo to calculate the cost per campaign-attributable benefit, including quit attempts, permanent quits and tobacco-related deaths averted. Sensitivity analyses at varied CIs and tobacco-related mortality risk were conducted.

Results

The Surgeon campaign was found to be highly cost-effective. It successfully generated 17 259 148 additional quit attempts, 431 479 permanent quits and 120 814 deaths averted. The cost per benefit was US$0.06 per quit attempt, US$2.6 per permanent quit and US$9.2 per death averted. The campaign continued to be cost-effective in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion

This study suggests that tobacco control mass media campaigns can be cost-effective and economically justified in low-income and middle-income countries. It holds significant policy implications, calling for sustained investment in evidence-based mass media campaigns as part of a comprehensive tobacco control strategy.
Secure Communication with Chaos and Electronic Circuit Design Using Passivity-Based Synchronization
Authors: Kocamaz Uğur Erkin , Çiçek Serdar , Uyaroğlu Yılmaz
Published: August 2017

This work deals with the passive control-based chaos synchronization with circuit design for secure communication. First, the numerical simulation and electronic circuit design of a simple five-term chaotic system are performed. The numerical simulation and electronic circuit design outputs have confirmed each other. Then, the passive control method is applied for synchronizing two identical five-term chaotic systems using only one state control signal. After the synchronization study, design and analysis for secure communication by chaotic masking method are conducted in Matlab–Simulink platform. Finally, an electronic circuit design is performed for the designed communication system. In the designed communication system with Matlab–Simulink platform and electronic circuit design, information signal which is sent from the transmitter unit is successfully retrieved at the receiver unit. As a result, the electronic circuit design has shown that a single state passivity-based synchronization signal can be effectively used for secure data communication applications for the real environment.
Compression and Cyclic Shear Behavior of Lime Mortar Brick Masonry
Authors: Tomar Anshu , Paul Dilip Kumar , Agarwal Pankaj
Published: August 2017

Most of the British regime engineered heritage brick masonry in northern India is either purely in lime mortar or in lime-surkhi (crushed brick aggregate) mortar. Lime mortar constituting majorly of historical brick masonry stock and influences substantially the dynamic characteristics was investigated. The heritage buildings are highly vulnerable against seismic actions especially in the highly active tectonic regions of Himalayan foothills. Material properties of Historic Unreinforced Brick Masonry (HUBM) in lime mortar are critical to be evaluated for assessment but it is difficult to test the in-situ constituents due to intervention constraints governed by civic bodies on such heritage structures and hence exhaustive testing has been carried out on contemporary lime masonry. Compression tests have revealed the design, yield, ultimate strength and feasible inelastic material properties suitable enough to characterize the cyclic behavior of historical brick masonry in India. Elastic modulus, shear modulus and Poisson ratio have been evaluated to be on the lower side as compared to contemporary mortars constituted masonry. Parameters such as damping, hysteresis behavior, energy dissipation and stiffness degradation characterizing the seismic behavior in elastic and inelastic range suggested the improved performance of brick masonry with increase in compressive strength of lime mortar.
A Review, Classification, and Comparative Evaluation of Approximate Arithmetic Circuits
Authors: Jiang Honglan , Liu Cong , Liu Leibo , Lombardi Fabrizio , Han Jie
Published: August 2017

Often as the most important arithmetic modules in a processor, adders, multipliers, and dividers determine the performance and energy efficiency of many computing tasks. The demand of higher speed and power efficiency, as well as the feature of error resilience in many applications (e.g., multimedia, recognition, and data analytics), have driven the development of approximate arithmetic design. In this article, a review and classification are presented for the current designs of approximate arithmetic circuits including adders, multipliers, and dividers. A comprehensive and comparative evaluation of their error and circuit characteristics is performed for understanding the features of various designs. By using approximate multipliers and adders, the circuit for an image processing application consumes as little as 47% of the power and 36% of the power-delay product of an accurate design while achieving similar image processing quality. Improvements in delay, power, and area are obtained for the detection of differences in images by using approximate dividers.
Two-Dimensional Echocardiography Estimates of Fetal Ventricular Mass throughout Gestation
Authors: Aye Christina Y.L. , Lewandowski Adam James , Ohuma Eric O. , Upton Ross , Packham Alice , Kenworthy Yvonne , Roseman Fenella , Norris Tess , Molloholli Malid , Wanyonyi Sikolia , Papageorghiou Aris T. , Leeson Paul
Published: August 2017

Background: Two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound quality has improved in recent years. Quantification of cardiac dimensions is important to screen and monitor certain fetal conditions. We assessed the feasibility and reproducibility of fetal ventricular measures using 2D echocardiography, reported normal ranges in our cohort, and compared estimates to other modalities. Methods: Mass and end-diastolic volume were estimated by manual contouring in the four-chamber view using TomTec Image Arena 4.6 in end diastole. Nomograms were created from smoothed centiles of measures, constructed using fractional polynomials after log transformation. The results were compared to those of previous studies using other modalities. Results: A total of 294 scans from 146 fetuses from 15+0 to 41+6 weeks of gestation were included. Seven percent of scans were unanalysable and intraobserver variability was good (intraclass correlation coefficients for left and right ventricular mass 0.97 [0.87-0.99] and 0.99 [0.95-1.0], respectively). Mass and volume increased exponentially, showing good agreement with 3D mass estimates up to 28 weeks of gestation, after which our measurements were in better agreement with neonatal cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. There was good agreement with 4D volume estimates for the left ventricle. Conclusion: Current state-of-the-art 2D echocardiography platforms provide accurate, feasible, and reproducible fetal ventricular measures across gestation, and in certain circumstances may be the modality of choice.
Therapeutic Effect of 0.1% Tacrolimus Eye Drops in the Tarsal Form of Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis
Authors: Wan Qi , Tang Jing , Han Yu , Wang Dan , Ye Hongquan
Published: August 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 0.1% tacrolimus eye drops in the tarsal form of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) and to survey the changes of dendritic cells at the palpebral conjunctiva in patients with VKC by in vivo confocal microscopy. Methods: A total of 17 patients (34 eyes) with the tarsal form of VKC were enrolled in this prospective, nonrandomized case series. They were treated with 0.1% tacrolimus eye drops twice daily after discontinuation of all other topical medications. Subjective ocular symptoms and objective ocular signs were scored on a 4-point scale by one ophthalmologist and the characteristics of the dendritic cells in each right eye at the palpebral conjunctiva were evaluated by in vivo confocal microscopy before treatment and at the 1st, 2th, 4th, and 8th weeks after treatment. Results: After 1 week of treatment with 0.1% tacrolimus eye drops, the score for each symptom in all patients showed a significant (p < 0.001) improvement, and 13 patients (76%) experienced dramatic relief of symptoms. In addition, there was a significantly (p < 0.001) decreased clinical sign score (except for giant papillae) after 4 weeks, and a significant (p < 0.001) improvement in the score of giant papillae after 8 weeks of treatment. The characteristics of dendritic cells (including cell count, total area, average size, perimeter, and diameter) showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease after 2 weeks of treatment. During the follow-up, no other topical medications were required and no significant changes in visual acuity were documented. No cataracts or elevation of intraocular pressures were detected. Only 5 patients (29%) had a tingling or burning sensation or discomfort. Conclusions: Tacrolimus 0.1% eye drops are an effective and safe treatment for the tarsal form of VKC, and can rapidly inhibit the activity of dendritic cells, improve symptoms, reduce papillary hyperplasia, and reverse damage at the palpebral conjunctiva. The side effects could affect the compliance of some patients.
The Contribution of Anthroposophic Medicine to Self-Management: An Exploration of Concepts, Evidence, and Patient Perspectives
Authors: Baars Erik W. , Koster Evi B. , Verhoef John
Published: August 2017

Background: In Western healthcare policies, promotion of self-management of patients is an important topic. Currently, there is also a worldwide interest in the integration of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and conventional medicine into integrative medicine. This article explores the contribution of anthroposophic medicine (AM) to the promotion of self-management of patients. Material and Methods: The scientific literature on concepts of, evidence on and experiences of patients with AM was explored. Results: The AM approach contributes to: (1) a patient-centered, collaborative promotion of patient self-management by means of application of basic values (equivalence, servitude, and presence of mind) and specific methods; (2) a better coping with health-related issues by providing a spiritual worldview that serves as a coping strategy; by treating patients in such a way that they (further) develop self-regulating functioning, both on the physiological and the psychosocial level, thus enabling the self-management of disease-related symptoms; and by treating with (non-verbal) therapies that improve emotion-focused coping skills; and (3) a better self-monitoring of: one's own activity during treatment and in dealing with treatment- and health-related issues, and the physiological and/or psychological responses to these (self-reflection) activities. Conclusion: AM provides specific contributions to promoting self-management of patients.
MiR-143-5p Deficiency Triggers EMT and Metastasis by Targeting HIF-1α in Gallbladder Cancer
Authors: He Min , Zhan Ming , Chen Wei , Xu Sunwang , Long Manmei , Shen Hui , Shi Yongheng , Liu Qiang , Mohan Man , Wang Jian
Published: August 2017

Background/Aims: Early metastasis plays a pivotal role in tumor-caused death in gallbladder cancer (GBC) patients. Increasing evidence suggest that miR-143-5p is an active player involved in cancer metastasis and a potential therapeutic target. However, its role in the development of GBC cells remains unclear. The aim of this study is to reveal the inhibiting effects of miR-143-5p on the proliferation and metastasis in GBC. Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR were used to investigate miR-143-5p and its target HIF-1α mRNA levels. Protein expression was measured by immunohistochemistry and western blot. The function and regulation mechanism of miR-143-5p was confirmed by MTS, colony formation, wound healing, transwell, and luciferase reporter assays. Results: miR-143-5p was first found significantly reduced in GBC tissues compared with corresponding noncancerous gallbladder tissues. In addition, miR-143-5p deficiency correlated well with larger tumor size, advanced TNM stage, and poorer survival rate. In vitro, miR-143-5p addition dramatically suppressed GBC cells proliferation, migration and invasion, whereas miR-143-5p antisense led the opposite effects. Further elucidating the molecular mechanism inside, we found miR-143-5p exerted its inhibitory function through downregulating the expression of HIF-1α, which further reduced Twist1 and impeded epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Conclusions: Altogether, our studies identified a novel regulator, miR-143-5p, implicated in GBC prognosis through targeting HIF-1α/EMT related signaling pathway, which could serve as a biomarker and therapeutic target for GBC.
Characterization of Macrophage Polarization States Using Combined Measurement of 2-Deoxyglucose and Glutamine Accumulation
Authors: Tavakoli Sina , Downs Kevin , Short John D. , Nguyen Huynh Nga , Lai Yanlai , Jerabek Paul A. , Goins Beth , Toczek Jakub , Sadeghi Mehran M. , Asmis Reto
Published: August 2017

Objective—

Despite the early promising results of
18
F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for assessment of vessel wall inflammation, its accuracy in prospective identification of vulnerable plaques has remained limited. Additionally, previous studies have indicated that
18
F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake alone may not allow for accurate identification of specific macrophage activation states. We aimed to determine whether combined measurement of glucose and glutamine accumulation—the 2 most important bioenergetic substrates for macrophages—improves the distinction of macrophage inflammatory states and can be utilized to image atherosclerosis.

Approach and Results—

Murine peritoneal macrophages (MΦ) were activated ex vivo into proinflammatory states with either lipopolysaccharide (MΦ
LPS
) or interferon-γ+tumor necrosis factor-α (MΦ
IFN-γ+TNF-α
). An alternative polarization phenotype was induced with interleukin-4 (MΦ
IL-4
). The pronounced increase in 2-deoxyglucose uptake distinguishes MΦ
LPS
from MΦ
IFN-γ+TNF-α
, MΦ
IL-4
, and unstimulated macrophages (MΦ
0
). Despite having comparable levels of 2-deoxyglucose accumulation, MΦ
IL-4
can be distinguished from both MΦ
IFN-γ+TNF-α
and MΦ
0
based on the enhanced glutamine accumulation, which was associated with increased expression of a glutamine transporter,
Slc1a5
. Ex vivo autoradiography experiments demonstrated distinct and heterogenous patterns of
18
F-fluorodeoxyglucose and
14
C-glutamine accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions of low-density lipoprotein receptor-null mice fed a high-fat diet.

Conclusions—

Combined assessment of glutamine and 2-deoxyglucose accumulation improves the ex vivo identification of macrophage activation states. Combined ex vivo metabolic imaging demonstrates heterogenous and distinct patterns of substrate accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions. Further studies are required to define the in vivo significance of glutamine uptake in atherosclerosis and its potential application in identification of vulnerable plaques.
Assessment of NWP Forecast Models in Simulating Offshore Winds through the Lower Boundary Layer by Measurements from a Ship-Based Scanning Doppler Lidar
Authors: Pichugina Yelena L. , Banta Robert M. , Olson Joseph B. , Carley Jacob R. , Marquis Melinda C. , Brewer W. Alan , Wilczak James M. , Djalalova Irina , Bianco Laura , James Eric P. , Benjamin Stanley G. , Cline Joel
Published: August 2017

Evaluation of model skill in predicting winds over the ocean was performed by comparing retrospective runs of numerical weather prediction (NWP) forecast models to shipborne Doppler lidar measurements in the Gulf of Maine, a potential region for U.S. coastal wind farm development. Deployed on board the NOAA R/V Ronald H. Brown during a 2004 field campaign, the high-resolution Doppler lidar (HRDL) provided accurate motion-compensated wind measurements from the water surface up through several hundred meters of the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL). The quality and resolution of the HRDL data allow detailed analysis of wind flow at heights within the rotor layer of modern wind turbines and data on other critical variables to be obtained, such as wind speed and direction shear, turbulence, low-level jet properties, ramp events, and many other wind-energy-relevant aspects of the flow. This study will focus on the quantitative validation of NWP models’ wind forecasts within the lower MABL by comparison with HRDL measurements. Validation of two modeling systems rerun in special configurations for these 2004 cases—the hourly updated Rapid Refresh (RAP) system and a special hourly updated version of the North American Mesoscale Forecast System [NAM Rapid Refresh (NAMRR)]—are presented. These models were run at both normal-resolution (RAP, 13 km; NAMRR, 12 km) and high-resolution versions: the NAMRR-CONUS-nest (4 km) and the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR, 3 km). Each model was run twice: with (experimental runs) and without (control runs) assimilation of data from 11 wind profiling radars located along the U.S. East Coast. The impact of the additional assimilation of the 11 profilers was estimated by comparing HRDL data to modeled winds from both runs. The results obtained demonstrate the importance of high-resolution lidar measurements to validate NWP models and to better understand what atmospheric conditions may impact the accuracy of wind forecasts in the marine atmospheric boundary layer. Results of this research will also provide a first guess as to the uncertainties of wind resource assessment using NWP models in one of the U.S. offshore areas projected for wind plant development.
Storm-Based Probabilistic Hail Forecasting with Machine Learning Applied to Convection-Allowing Ensembles
Authors: Gagne David John , McGovern Amy , Haupt Sue Ellen , Sobash Ryan A. , Williams John K. , Xue Ming
Published: August 2017

Forecasting severe hail accurately requires predicting how well atmospheric conditions support the development of thunderstorms, the growth of large hail, and the minimal loss of hail mass to melting before reaching the surface. Existing hail forecasting techniques incorporate information about these processes from proximity soundings and numerical weather prediction models, but they make many simplifying assumptions, are sensitive to differences in numerical model configuration, and are often not calibrated to observations. In this paper a storm-based probabilistic machine learning hail forecasting method is developed to overcome the deficiencies of existing methods. An object identification and tracking algorithm locates potential hailstorms in convection-allowing model output and gridded radar data. Forecast storms are matched with observed storms to determine hail occurrence and the parameters of the radar-estimated hail size distribution. The database of forecast storms contains information about storm properties and the conditions of the prestorm environment. Machine learning models are used to synthesize that information to predict the probability of a storm producing hail and the radar-estimated hail size distribution parameters for each forecast storm. Forecasts from the machine learning models are produced using two convection-allowing ensemble systems and the results are compared to other hail forecasting methods. The machine learning forecasts have a higher critical success index (CSI) at most probability thresholds and greater reliability for predicting both severe and significant hail.
Republicans Should Vote: Partisan Conceptions of Electoral Participation in Campaign 2016
Authors: Jarvis Sharon E. , Jennings Jay T.
Published: August 2017

Research has identified differences in partisan communication styles, cognitive processing, values, and cultures. This article assesses if there are also differences in how Democrats and Republicans conceive of electoral participation. We submitted 1,730 open-ended responses from a 2016 survey prompt soliciting thoughts and feelings about voting to computerized content analysis. Findings show that Republicans employed more confident and less negative language than Democrats in their responses. Additionally, a close read of the Republican statements reveals how they expressed that their electoral participation matters. Our conclusion addresses how the traditional ideals often associated with the Grand Old Party may make them a more duty-based constituency valuing voting more than their less conservative peers.
Provider perspectives on employment for people with serious mental illness
Authors: Costa Mark , Baker Michaella , Davidson Larry , Giard Julienne , Guillorn Linda , Ibáñez Angels González , Weitz Dawn , O’Connell Maria
Published: August 2017

Background:

Persons with serious mental illnesses (SMI) can lead productive lives, and the majority want to work. Mental health providers can play an important role in helping their clients gain and maintain employment.

Aims:

The Provider Survey was developed to shed additional light on providers’ views toward employment and recovery, and the utilization of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) supported employment (SE) services for people with SMI.

Methods:

A total of 1,306 providers of the State of Connecticut participated in the survey. Four main questions were addressed in the survey: what do providers do, what do they view as most important regarding employment, what are their views when it comes to what promotes recovery and what barriers do providers face in attempting to refer their clients to IPS services.

Results:

Referring clients to additional supports was rated as the most important aspect of what providers do; encouragement was rated as the most important component to enable clients in gaining and maintaining employment; agency, belonging and medical care were rated as most important in promoting recovery; and expectations that clients would be discriminated against at work was the most important barrier to referring clients for SE. Also, employment and finances were seen as the least important factors in promoting the recovery of people with SMI.

Conclusion:

This survey suggests that one reason that more clients may not be referred to IPS programs is that clinicians do not view employment or financial self-sufficiency as important factors in recovery, further compounding the historical view that these persons are unable to, and uninterested in, working. Such findings call for a provider education and training campaign to highlight the fact that most persons with SMI – like most persons in general – do want to work and, with supports, most are capable of doing so.
Survival After HIV Infection Stage 3 (AIDS) Diagnosis, by Population Density Areas, United States, 2005-2010
Authors: Bosh Karin A. , Shi Jing , Chen Mi
Published: August 2017

Objectives:

We examined the survival rates after diagnosis of HIV infection stage 3 (AIDS) in the United States by population density area of residence at diagnosis.

Methods:

We used data from the National HIV Surveillance System to calculate survival rates among people aged ≥13 with HIV infection stage 3 (AIDS) diagnosed from 2005 through 2010. We determined survival rates for more than 12, 24, and 36 months after diagnosis; overall and by demographic characteristics; and across 3 population density area categories (large metropolitan statistical areas [MSAs, ≥500 000 people], small-to-medium MSAs [50 000 to 499 999 people], and nonmetropolitan areas [<50 000 people]).

Results:

The survival rates for more than 12, 24, and 36 months after diagnosis were highest among people residing in large MSAs (90.2%, 87.2%, and 84.9%, respectively) and lowest among people residing in nonmetropolitan areas (87.3%, 84.1%, and 81.4%, respectively). With a few exceptions, survival rates were lower in those residing in nonmetropolitan areas than those residing in large MSAs and small-to-medium MSAs across most subgroups by age at diagnosis, race/ethnicity, sex, transmission category, region of residence, and year of diagnosis. Between 2005 and 2010, significant year-to-year increases occurred in the proportion of people surviving more than 36 months after diagnosis across all 3 population density area categories (estimated annual percentage change: large MSAs [0.88; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56-1.20]; small-to-medium MSAs [0.94; 95% CI, 0.06-1.83]; and nonmetropolitan areas [1.26; 95% CI, 0.07-2.46]).

Conclusions:

Although survival rates for those with HIV infection stage 3 (AIDS) improved in all 3 population density area categories, efforts to remove barriers to care and promote treatment adherence in nonmetropolitan areas will be necessary to eliminate survival disparities.
Media events today
Authors: Sonnevend Julia
Published: August 2017

Introduction to the Special Section on the 25th anniversary of the publication of Daniel Dayan’s and Elihu Katz’s Media Events: The Live Broadcasting of History.
I-Challenges: Influencing Others’ Perspectives by Mentioning Personal Experiences in Therapeutic Community Group Meetings
Authors: Pino Marco
Published: August 2017

In this article, I examine the communicative practice of mentioning a personal experience as a vehicle for challenging a peer’s perspective. I study this in the context of therapeutic community (TC) group meetings for clients recovering from drug misuse. Using conversation analysis, I demonstrate that TC clients use this practice, which I call an I-challenge, to influence how their peers make sense of their own experiences and to do so without commenting on those peers’ experiences and perspectives. This study highlights the power of talking in the first person as a means of influencing others—a notion previously made popular by Thomas Gordon’s work on “I-messages.” Additionally, this study illustrates a novel way of studying social influence. Whereas previous research in social psychology has focused on the cognitive constraints behind phenomena of social influence and persuasion, here I contribute to understandings of the interactional norms underlying the organization of influence as a structured and coordinated domain of social action.
What does it mean to feel loved: Cultural consensus and individual differences in felt love
Authors: Heshmati Saeideh , Oravecz Zita , Pressman Sarah , Batchelder William H. , Muth Chelsea , Vandekerckhove Joachim
Published: August 2017

Cultural consensus theory is a statistical framework (CCT) for the study of individual differences in the knowledge of culturally shared opinions. In this article, we demonstrate how a CCT analysis can be used to study individual differences and cultural consensus on what makes people feel loved, or more generally any social behaviors that are governed by cognitive schemata. To highlight the advantages of the method, we describe a study in which people reported on their everyday experiences of feeling loved. Our unique approach to understanding this topic is to focus on people’s cognitive evaluations on what feeling loved (both romantically and nonromantically) entails by exploring the shared agreement regarding when one is most likely to feel loved and the individual differences that influence knowledge of these shared agreements. Our results reveal that people converge on a consensus about indicators of expressed love and that these scenarios are both romantic and nonromantic. Moreover, people show individual differences in (1) the amount of knowledge they have about this consensus and (2) their guessing biases in responding to items on love scenarios, depending on personality and demographics—all conclusions made possible by the CCT method.
The World Bank, contradictory lending, and forests: A cross-national analysis of organized hypocrisy
Authors: Sommer Jamie M , Shandra John M , Restivo Michael
Published: August 2017

This article draws on the theory of organized hypocrisy to test the hypothesis that World Bank lending in different sectors has contradictory impacts on forests. The authors use ordinary least squares regression to analyze newly available satellite imagery data on forest loss from 2001 to 2014 for a sample of 89 low and middle income nations. The analysis finds support for the theory of organized hypocrisy. The results indicate that World Bank structural adjustment lending and investment lending in the agriculture and forestry sectors are related to more forest loss but World Bank investment lending in the environmental sector is related to less forest loss. The article concludes with a discussion of the theoretical, methodological, and policy implications.
Structural evaluation of the peritubular sheath of rat’s testes after administration of ribavirin: A possible impact on the testicular function
Authors: Almasry Shaima M , Hassan Zeinab A , Elsaed Wael M , Elbastawisy Yasser M
Published: August 2017

Effects of ribavirin on the structure of peritubular sheath (PS) of seminiferous tubules and on testicular functions were studied. We found that ribavirin at a dose of 4 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks produced a significant reduction in testosterone level (6.3 ± 0.2; P < 0.001) and in spermatogenic score count (3.8 ± 0.2; P < 0.001) compared to control values. The thickness of PS (17.8 ± 1.13) and tubular lumen perimeter (1024.7 ± 67) was significantly increased compared to controls (10.7 ± 0.70; P < 0.001 and 808 ± 25; P = 0.004, respectively). The length of germinal epithelium (411.8 ± 39) and tubular external diameters (1661.8 ± 115) was significantly reduced compared to control values (708.4 ± 40; P < 0.001 and 2358.8 ± 169; P < 0.001, respectively). The basement membranes (BMs) were thickened with great deposition of collagen. Myoid cells showed altered structure and extracellular matrix revealed disorganization by excessive collagen I and IV accumulation. Testicular damage was established histologically. Evidence of apoptosis was detected in germ cells. There was a significant increase in integrated density of Casp-3 expression (38,121,743 ± 1,763,420; P < 0.001) in seminiferous tubules compared to control (24,788,409 ± 1,900,140). It is concluded that ribavirin can cause alterations of the testicular function and structure with increased apoptosis in the tissues after 4 weeks of administration. The damaging effect could be persuaded by destruction of the peritubular sheath.
Community-Dwelling Older Adults’ Adherence to Environmental Fall Prevention Recommendations
Authors: Taylor Suzänne F. , Coogle Constance L. , Cotter James J. , Welleford E. Ayn , Copolillo Al
Published: August 2017

This study examined the impact of personalized versus generalized education about environmental fall prevention recommendations on older adults’ adherence with recommendations. Secondary aims focused on the impact of recent falls and perceived susceptibility of future falls on adherence with recommendations. Twenty-four community-dwelling older adults aged 65 to 89 years were randomized into two groups to receive either personalized or generalized education intervention on environmental fall prevention recommendations. A significant difference was found in the mean total percentage of adherence with recommendations of those receiving personalized education (69%) compared with those receiving generalized education (37%). No statistically significant relationship was found between sustaining recent falls, nor perceived susceptibility to future falls, and their extent of adherence with environmental fall prevention recommendations. Providing personalized education for environmental fall prevention recommendations may improve older adults’ adherence with the recommendations given.
‘You Can’t Win’: The Non-Profit Double-Bind and Experiences of Organisational Contradictions in the Non-Profit and Voluntary Sector
Authors: Venter Katharine , Currie Denise , McCracken Martin
Published: August 2017

There is growing evidence that in the UK demands for non-profit and voluntary sector organisations to comply with funders’ target driven priorities are often in tension with organisations’ social goals. The implications of this for employees are not yet sufficiently understood. The present article builds on Bateson et al.’s theory of double-bind to develop a socially contextualised model to understand employees’ experiences of workplace contradictions in the sector. Drawing from data provided by 49 individuals working in three case study organisations, our conceptualisation of a ‘non-profit double-bind’ provides a new and novel way of understanding how social meta-communicative processes serve to embed or reframe contradictions within intense employment relationships.
Long-term association between climate change and agriculturalists’ migration in historical China
Authors: Pei Qing , Lee Harry F , Zhang David D
Published: August 2017

Based on 1686 records of agriculturalists’ migration and 4417 events of social crisis (wars, famines, and epidemics) together with various statistical methods, we constructed a conceptual model that includes both climatic and social factors to explain the long-term dynamics of agriculturalists’ migration in historical China over the last two millennia. Also, we framed our research under the paradigm of environmental humanities to help reinterpret the influence of long-term climate change on human migration. Our statistical results quantitatively analyzed and evidenced the reluctance of agriculturalists toward migration as a general feature of history in China. Yet, at the long-term and large spatial scale, climate change can exert indirect effects on agriculturalists’ migration by contributing to social crisis, which is a more direct trigger. Based on our statistical results and existing literature, the attitude toward migration of agriculturalists and pastoralists in historical China was compared in a quantitative perspective. Finally, a traditional notion ‘Mandate of Heaven’ in relation to agriculturalists’ migration was revisited. Our findings may have an important implication in comprehending the cultural barriers of human adaption to climate change in Chinese history.
Price Discovery and Volatility Transmission in Currency Spot and Futures Markets in India: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Sakthivel P. , Chittedi Krishna Reddy , Sakyi Daniel
Published: August 2017

This article investigates the price discovery and volatility transmission between currency spot and futures markets in India. Daily closing currency spot and futures prices of United States dollar/Indian Rupee (USD/INR), Japanese Yen/Indian Rupee (JPY/INR), Great Britain Pound/Indian Rupee (GBP/INR) and Euro/Indian Rupee (EUR/INR) from 1 March 2010 to 20 January 2015 were used. Both long-and short-run relationship as well as volatility transmission was investigated by the use of Engle Granger co-integration test, error correction mechanism, causality test and the bivariate GARCH model. The co-integration results proved that there is a long-run relationship between currency spot and futures prices. The study finds that there is a unidirectional causal relationship from currency spot to futures prices of JPY/INR, GBP/INR and EUR/INR. Further, results conclude the bidirectional causal relationship between USD/INR currency spot and futures prices. The result further shows that the spot market adjusts to new information faster than futures market suggesting that spot price leads the futures price and contributes largely to price discovery. Finally, the results show that there is unidirectional volatility transmission from currency spot to futures prices of JPY/INR, GBP/INR and EUR/INR and bidirectional spillover between currency spot and futures prices of USD/INR. Based on the findings, relevant policy recommendations are made.
South–South Migration and Security Risks: Political Islam and Violent Extremism in the Shadow of Globalisation in Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Mubashar
Published: August 2017

Against the backdrop of 2016 terrorist attack in Dhaka, this article argues that in the terrain of Bangladeshi literatures on migration, little is explored about the impact of south–south migration in unleashing security threat to Bangladesh. This article offers a historic trajectory of south–south migration and security threat to Bangladeshi state. It argues that while it is important to understand migration from various point of views, scholars have ignored to explore the nexus between migration and security threat of the sender state. This article explains why to some Muslim migrants of Bangladesh, bad ideas such as terrorism may seem to form an option and how globalisation played a role in fostering bad ideas. It proposes that scholars of migration require to indulge in further research to understand the nexus between outward migration and security threat to Bangladesh.