bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nephrotic Syndrome without Hematuria due to Infection-Related Glomerulonephritis Mimicking Minimal-Change Disease in a Child
Authors: Iwafuchi Yoichi , Morioka Tetsuo , Morita Takashi , Watanabe Kanako , Oyama Yuko , Narita Ichiei
Published: January 2016

Nephrotic syndrome without hematuria due to infection-related glomerulonephritis is uncommon. The present report describes a case of nephrotic syndrome due to infection-related glomerulonephritis without hematuria and hypertension in an older child. A 14-year-old boy was referred to our hospital because of a 5-day history of fever, nausea, weight gain and recent leg edema without hypertension. Laboratory data showed nephrotic-range proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, mild hypocomplementemia and acute renal injury without hematuria. Although, due to the clinical presentation, minimal-change nephrotic syndrome was mostly suspected, a renal biopsy showed endocapillary hypercellularity mainly of mononuclear cells with segmental mesangiolytic changes. Fine granular IgG and C3 deposits were noted by an immunofluorescent study; many relatively small electron-dense deposits were observed electron-microscopically. These findings led to the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome due to infection-related endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis, although the causative organism of his nephritis was not detected. He recovered with rest and dietary cure. When we examine an acute nephrotic child, infection-related glomerulonephritis should be considered as the differential diagnosis to avoid unnecessary use of corticosteroids.
Estradiol Rapidly Attenuates ORL-1 Receptor-Mediated Inhibition of Proopiomelanocortin Neurons via Gq-Coupled, Membrane-Initiated Signaling
Authors: Conde Kristie , Meza Cecilia , Kelly Martin J. , Sinchak Kevin , Wagner Edward J.
Published: January 2016

Estradiol rapidly regulates the activity of arcuate nucleus (ARH) proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons that project to the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) to regulate lordosis. Orphanin FQ/nociceptin (OFQ/N) acts via opioid receptor-like (ORL)-1 receptors to inhibit these POMC neurons. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that estradiol excites POMC neurons by rapidly attenuating inhibitory ORL-1 signaling in these cells. Hypothalamic slices through the ARH were prepared from ovariectomized rats injected with Fluorogold into the MPN. Electrophysiological recordings were generated in ARH neurons held at or near -60 mV, and neuronal phenotype was determined post hoc by immunohistofluorescence. OFQ/N application induced robust outward currents and hyperpolarizations via G protein-gated, inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels that were attenuated by pretreatment with either 17-β estradiol (E2) or E2 conjugated to bovine serum albumin. This was blocked by the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182,780 and mimicked by the Gq-coupled membrane ER (Gq-mER) ligand STX and the ERα agonist PPT. Inhibiting phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) blocked the estrogenic attenuation of ORL-1/GIRK currents. Antagonizing either phospholipase C (PLC), protein kinase C (PKC), protein kinase A (PKA) or neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) also abrogated E2 inhibition of ORL-1/GIRK currents, whereas activation of PKC, PKA, protein kinase B (Akt) and nNOS substrate L-arginine all attenuated the OFQ/N response. This was observed in 92 MPN-projecting, POMC-positive ARH neurons. Thus, ORL-1 receptor-mediated inhibition of POMC neurons is rapidly and negatively modulated by E2, an effect which is stereoselective and membrane initiated via Gq-mER and ERα activation that signals through PLC, PKC, PKA, PI3K and nNOS.
The Voice: novas formas de participação e interação na segunda tela
Authors: Sigiliano Daiana , Borges Gabriela
Published: January 2016

A Social TV está transformando as métricas da audiência, o nível de
participação dos interagentes, as estruturas narrativas, a recepção do
telespectador, e trazendo de volta o appointment television. O fenômeno
mostra que o atual ecossistema de conectividade não representa a
sentença de morte para o mass media, mas uma oportunidade de se
atualizar diante dos novos hábitos dos telespectadores multitasking.
Com o intuito de realizar uma leitura crítica sobre as possiblidades
de interação e participação estabelecidas pela segunda tela, foram
analisados três episódios do reality show The Voice (Estados Unidos).
A partir dos dados aferidos, discutem-se os principais pontos que
contribuem para o engajamento do público na Social TV.
Cidades visíveis: a esquina da experiência urbana com o jornalismo
Authors: Peres Ana Cláudia
Published: January 2016

Neste artigo, as cidades devem ser vistas como metáfora e, ao mesmo tempo, lugar de trânsito e passagem, a fim de discutir a linguagem das ruas em narrativas jornalísticas impressas. Ao esboçar uma breve cartografia de textos impressos que, por vezes, são a própria cidade e, em outros casos, o discurso que se constrói sobre ela, localizamos algumas pistas enunciativas que se desenham durante o processo
narrativo dos acontecimentos e dão a ver outras possibilidades para o jornalismo em narrativas sobre a cidade que, em vez de aprisionar a experiência urbana, valorizam a potência para o diálogo que há no próprio ato jornalístico.
Mobile Phone Text Messages to Support Treatment Adherence in Adults With High Blood Pressure (SMS-Text Adherence Support [StAR])
Authors: Bobrow Kirsten , Farmer Andrew J. , Springer David , Shanyinde Milensu , Yu Ly-Mee , Brennan Thomas , Rayner Brian , Namane Mosedi , Steyn Krisela , Tarassenko Lionel , Levitt Naomi
Published: January 2016

Background—

We assessed the effect of automated treatment adherence support delivered via mobile phone short message system (SMS) text messages on blood pressure.

Methods and Results—

In this pragmatic, single-blind, 3-arm, randomized trial (SMS-Text Adherence Support [StAR]) undertaken in South Africa, patients treated for high blood pressure were randomly allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio to information only, interactive SMS text messaging, or usual care. The primary outcome was change in systolic blood pressure at 12 months from baseline measured with a validated oscillometric device. All trial staff were masked to treatment allocation. Analyses were intention to treat. Between June 26, 2012, and November 23, 2012, 1372 participants were randomized to receive information-only SMS text messages (n=457), interactive SMS text messages (n=458), or usual care (n=457). Primary outcome data were available for 1256 participants (92%). At 12 months, the mean adjusted change in systolic blood pressure compared with usual care was −2.2 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, −4.4 to −0.04) with information-only SMS and −1.6 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, −3.7 to 0.6) with interactive SMS. Odds ratios for the proportion of participants with a blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg were 1.42 (95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.95) for information-only messaging and 1.41 (95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.95) for interactive messaging compared with usual care.

Conclusions—

In this randomized trial of an automated adherence support program delivered by SMS text message in a general outpatient population of adults with high blood pressure, we found a small reduction in systolic blood pressure control compared with usual care at 12 months. There was no evidence that an interactive intervention increased this effect.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02019823. South African National Clinical Trials Register, number SANCTR DOH-27-1212-386; Pan Africa Trial Register, number PACTR201411000724141.
Heme–Hemopexin Scavenging Is Active in the Brain and Associates With Outcome After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Garland Patrick , Durnford Andrew J. , Okemefuna Azubuike I. , Dunbar John , Nicoll James A.R. , Galea James , Boche Delphine , Bulters Diederik O. , Galea Ian
Published: January 2016

Background and Purpose—

Long-term outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is potentially linked to cytotoxic heme. Free heme is bound by hemopexin and rapidly scavenged by CD91. We hypothesized that heme scavenging in the brain would be associated with outcome after hemorrhage.

Methods—

Using cerebrospinal fluid and tissue from patients with SAH and control individuals, the activity of the intracranial CD91–hemopexin system was examined using ELISA, ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography, and immunohistochemistry.

Results—

In control individuals, cerebrospinal fluid hemopexin was mainly synthesized intrathecally. After SAH, cerebrospinal fluid hemopexin was high in one third of cases, and these patients had a higher probability of delayed cerebral ischemia and poorer neurological outcome. The intracranial CD91–hemopexin system was active after SAH because CD91 positively correlated with iron deposition in brain tissue. Heme–hemopexin uptake saturated rapidly after SAH because bound heme accumulated early in the cerebrospinal fluid. When the blood–brain barrier was compromised after SAH, serum hemopexin level was lower, suggesting heme transfer to the circulation for peripheral CD91 scavenging.

Conclusions—

The CD91–heme–hemopexin scavenging system is important after SAH and merits further study as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target.
The Possession of Jesus
Authors: Walsh Richard
Published: January 2016

This article reads Jesus’ baptism in Mark as an experience of possession akin to that of the demoniacs. It suggests several possible readings of Mark in light of this baptismal possession: (1) as a story of heavenly rape similar to that of the Lukan Mary’s overshadowing by the spirit; (2) as a story like the possessed of cinematic horror; (3) as a story of a colonial holy warrior’s enthusing possession by the spirit and subsequent dispossession and failure vis-à-vis empire; and (4) as a story of one entrapped by an obsessive script. The readings’ cumulative effect is a different perspective on the Markan Jesus’ first and last words – the announcement of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14) and his final lament (15:34, 37) – than is common in Markan scholarship. The sayings become descriptions of Jesus’ possession and the subsequent loss of that spirit.
Diplogasteroides luxuriosae n. sp. associated with Acalolepta luxuriosa (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) from Japan
Authors: Kanzaki Natsumi , Ide Tatsuya
Published: January 2016

Diplogasteroides luxuriosae n. sp. is described from a species of longhorn beetle, Acalolepta luxuriosa (Cerambycidae), associated with a broad-leaved tree, Aralia elata (Araliaceae), from the Ibaraki and Kyoto Prefectures of Japan. Besides its generic (or intrageneric species group-specific) characteristics, the new species is characterised and distinguished from its close relatives by its apomorphic characteristics, i.e., broad spicule with a trapezoidal shape, gubernaculum with pointed anterior, and posterior ends with two gland-like cells dorsally overlapping the vas deferens of males and large and wide receptaculum seminis of females. The new species is molecularly similar to two recently described Diplogasteroides spp., D. andrassyi and D. asiaticus. However, D. luxuriosae n. sp. is molecularly distinguished from these two species by the 6-7 bp difference in near-full-length small subunit (18S) and 10-14 bp differences in D2-D3 expansion segments of large subunit (28S) ribosomal RNA genes.
Floral Microcharacters in South American species of Senecio s.str. (Asteraceae) with considerations on the circumscription of this genus
Authors: Salomón Luciana , Hernández Marcelo Paulo , Giugliano Daniel Alejandro , Freire Susana Edith
Published: January 2016

Senecio L. s.str. is the largest genus in the tribe Senecioneae (Asteraceae) and it has been commonly characterized by its truncate, penicillate stylar tips, separated stigmatic lines, and stamens usually with ecaudate anther bases and balusterform filament collar. A micromorphological study was carried out to determine if South American species of Senecio s.str. present these diagnostic micromorphological characters, as a contribution towards a circumscription of this genus supported by morphology. The study included 72 South American Senecio species from eight sections and 16 series, as well as species from six other genera of subtribe Senecioninae (Delairea, Dendrophorbium, Dendrosenecio, Graphistylis, Lomanthus, Pentacalia), three genera of subtribe Tussilagininae (Aequatorium, Nordenstamia, Roldana), and one of subtribe Brachyglottidinae (Acrisione). The studied characters include: style branches (stigmatic surface, and apices), anthers (filament collar, bases, and appendages), as well as pollen features (shape, size, and sculpture). Analyses of these characters suggested that Senecio s.str. can be defined only by the presence of balusterform filament collars, which are present in 61 out of the 72 studied Senecio s.str. species (vs. cylindrical collar in remaining species). The genera Graphistylis and Delairea also show this trait, however, Graphistylis presents some microcharacters (e.g. “banded” stigmatic surface) that are rather infrequently found in Senecio s.str. Senecio grandis showed cylindrical collars and sagittate anther bases and should be excluded from the genus. The other microcharacters analyzed appeared to be taxonomically uninformative, since their predominant states were found in Senecio s.str. as well as in other genera of Senecioneae.
A new species of Chresta (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) endemic to the Mata Atlântica Domain, Brazil

Authors: Moriani Siniscalchi Carolina , Francis Patrice Loeuille Benoit , Pirani José Rubens
Published: January 2016

Chresta filicifolia is described and illustrated. It is a perennial herb known only from open vegetation on top of small rock outcrops at the Rio Doce Valley in Eastern Minas Gerais, Southeastern Brazil. This is the first record of a species of Chresta endemic to a phytogeographic domain other than the Cerrado and Caatinga, since those outcrops are included in the Mata Atlântica Domain (Atlantic Forest). The new species is closely related to C. harleyi and C. hatschbachii, but differs from these by its leaves, which are larger and more deeply lobed than those of the other two species, and also by its florets and cypselae, which are both larger in Chresta filicifolia. Moreover, the two other species are allopatric from C. filicifolia, being restricted to the Caatinga Domain. The southernmost distribution of C. harleyi lies more than 500 km away from the locality where the new species is found, making this discovery unexpected, and raising interesting biogeographical questions, which are briefly addressed here.
A new species of Speleogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Western Mediterraenean Sea
Authors: KOVAČIĆ MARCELO , ORDINES FRANCESC , SCHLIEWEN ULRICH K.
Published: January 2016

A new goby species, Speleogobius llorisi sp. nov. (Teleostei: Gobiidae) is described from the circalittoral sea bed at 46–69 m depth off the Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean. Six specimens, four females and two males, of the new species were collected from beam trawl samples carried out on the red algae beds off the south west coast of Mallorca Island. Among others, the main traits that differentiate the new species from the only congeneric species, S. trigloides, are the presence of preopercular head canal with pores γ, δ, ε vs. preopercular head canal absent; a longer snout, equal or longer than eye vs. shorter than eye; lower lip ending anteriorly slightly in front of upper lip vs. upper lip slightly protruding lower lip; scales in lateral series 28 or 29 vs. 26; scales in transverse series 6 vs.7–8. It also differs from S. trigloides in some non-overlapping morphometrics and in coloration. All individuals of the new species were collected from Peyssonnelia beds, beds of red algae dominated by species of the family Peyssonneliaceae. The generic diagnosis of Speleogobius is revised.
Explaining Extreme Events of 2014 from a Climate Perspective
Authors: Herring Stephanie C. , Hoerling Martin P. , Kossin James P. , Peterson Thomas C. , Stott Peter A.
Published: January 2016

Editors note: For easy download the posted pdf of the Explaining Extreme Events of 2014 is a very low-resolution file. A high-resolution copy of the report is available by clicking here. Please be patient as it may take a few minutes for the high-resolution file to download.
Transient Climate Impacts for Scenarios of Aerosol Emissions from Asia: A Story of Coal versus Gas
Authors: Grandey Benjamin S. , Cheng Haiwen , Wang Chien
Published: January 2016

Fuel usage is an important driver of anthropogenic aerosol emissions. In Asia, it is possible that aerosol emissions may increase if business continues as usual, with economic growth driving an increase in coal burning. But it is also possible that emissions may decrease rapidly as a result of the widespread adoption of cleaner technologies or a shift toward noncoal fuels, such as natural gas. In this study, the transient climate impacts of two aerosol emissions scenarios are investigated: a representative concentration pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5) control, which projects a decrease in anthropogenic aerosol emissions, and a scenario with enhanced anthropogenic aerosol emissions from Asia. A coupled atmosphere–ocean configuration of the Community Earth System Model (CESM), including the Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 (CAM5), is used. Three sets of initial conditions are used to produce a three-member ensemble for each scenario. Enhanced Asian aerosol emissions are found to exert a large cooling effect across the Northern Hemisphere, partially offsetting greenhouse gas–induced warming. Aerosol-induced suppression of the East Asian and South Asian summer monsoon precipitation occurs. The enhanced Asian aerosol emissions also remotely impact precipitation in other parts of the world. Over Australia, austral summer monsoon precipitation is enhanced, an effect associated with a southward shift of the intertropical convergence zone, driven by the aerosol-induced cooling of the Northern Hemisphere. Over the Sahel, West African monsoon precipitation is suppressed, likely via a weakening of the West African westerly jet. These results indicate that fuel usage in Asia, through the consequent aerosol emissions and associated radiative effects, might significantly influence future climate both locally and globally.
A Deep Neural Network Modeling Framework to Reduce Bias in Satellite Precipitation Products
Authors: Tao Yumeng , Gao Xiaogang , Hsu Kuolin , Sorooshian Soroosh , Ihler Alexander
Published: January 2016

Despite the advantage of global coverage at high spatiotemporal resolutions, satellite remotely sensed precipitation estimates still suffer from insufficient accuracy that needs to be improved for weather, climate, and hydrologic applications. This paper presents a framework of a deep neural network (DNN) that improves the accuracy of satellite precipitation products, focusing on reducing the bias and false alarms. The state-of-the-art deep learning techniques developed in the area of machine learning specialize in extracting structural information from a massive amount of image data, which fits nicely into the task of retrieving precipitation data from satellite cloud images. Stacked denoising autoencoder (SDAE), a widely used DNN, is applied to perform bias correction of satellite precipitation products. A case study is conducted on the Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information Using Artificial Neural Networks Cloud Classification System (PERSIANN-CCS) with spatial resolution of 0.08° × 0.08° over the central United States, where SDAE is used to process satellite cloud imagery to extract information over a window of 15 × 15 pixels. In the study, the summer of 2012 (June–August) and the winter of 2012/13 (December–February) serve as the training periods, while the same seasons of the following year (summer of 2013 and winter of 2013/14) are used for validation purposes. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the methodology outside the study area, three more regions are selected for additional validation. Significant improvements are achieved in both rain/no-rain (R/NR) detection and precipitation rate quantification: the results make 33% and 43% corrections on false alarm pixels and 98% and 78% bias reductions in precipitation rates over the validation periods of the summer and winter seasons, respectively.
A Simple Shelf Circulation Model: Intrusion of Atlantic Water on the West Spitsbergen Shelf
Authors: Nilsen Frank , Skogseth Ragnheid , Vaardal-Lunde Juni , Inall Mark
Published: January 2016

Barotropic flow along depth contours is found in accordance with standard geostrophic theory. A numerical model is developed that studies the deviation from such a flow. The model gives a good approximation of the dynamical processes on the West Spitsbergen Shelf (WSS) and shows that the West Spitsbergen Current (WSC), the main gateway of Atlantic water (AW) toward the Arctic, connects more easily to the Isfjorden Trough than anywhere else along the shelf. The circulation of AW in the troughs along the WSS is here named the Spitsbergen Trough Current (STC). From hydrographical and ocean current observations it is evident that the STC is primarily barotropic and driven by the sea surface height. A connection between the along-coast wind stress and the STC is established, and it is demonstrated how the increased occurrence of winter cyclones in Fram Strait during January–February accelerates and widens the WSC. Ultimately, this results in a strengthened STC and dominance of AW on the WSS. The STC represents a slower route of AW toward the Arctic Ocean and a large heat transport toward the West Spitsbergen fjords during winter (0.2–0.4 TW toward Isfjorden). Heat flux estimates show that half of the AW heat loss in the Isfjorden Trough is due to heat loss to the surrounding water masses, while the rest is lost to the atmosphere. Sea ice production along West Spitsbergen has been reduced, or even nonexistent, in some fjords since 2006. Here, the authors argue that this is a consequence of the strong southerly wind periods along the WSS during winter.
A Bayesian Approach to Assess the Performance of Lightning Detection Systems
Authors: Bitzer Phillip M. , Burchfield Jeffrey C. , Christian Hugh J.
Published: January 2016

Historically, researchers explore the effectiveness of one lightning detection system with respect to another system; that is, the probability that system A detects a discharge given that system B detected the same discharge is estimated. Since no system detects all lightning, a more rigorous comparison should include the reverse process—that is, the probability that system B detects a discharge given that system A detected it. Further, the comparison should use the fundamental physical process detected by each system. Of particular interest is the comparison of ground-based radio frequency detectors with space-based optical detectors. Understanding these relationships is critical as the availability and use of lightning data, both ground based and space based, increases. As an example, this study uses Bayesian techniques to compare the effectiveness of the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network (ENTLN), a ground-based wideband network, and the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS), a space-based optical detector. This comparison is completed by matching LIS groups and ENTLN pulses, each of which correspond to stroke-type discharges. The comparison covers the period from 2009 to 2013 over several spatial domains. In 2013 LIS detected 52.0% of the discharges ENTLN reported within the LIS field of view globally and 53.2% near North America. Conversely, ENTLN detected 5.9% of the pulses detected by LIS globally and 26.9% near North America in 2013. Using these results in the Bayesian-based methodology outlined, the study finds that LIS detected 80.1% of discharges near North America in 2013, while ENTLN detected 40.1%.
Intercomparison and Potential Synergies of Three Methods for Weather Radar Antenna Pointing Assessment
Authors: Altube Patricia , Bech Joan , Argemí Oriol , Rigo Tomeu , Pineda Nicolau
Published: January 2016

Three methods for estimation of the weather radar antenna azimuth and elevation pointing offsets are compared. Two of the methods reviewed use the known location of the sun as a reference. The first of these methods is based on an offline scan of the sun disk. The second method detects and characterizes solar interferences in operative scans. The third method consists of correlating measured ground clutter echoes with echoes simulated using a high-resolution digital elevation model. The main objectives are to review the characteristics in each case, studying their performance in actual operative conditions, and to examine the reasons for the discrepancies between the reported pointing bias estimates, with the aim of laying the groundwork for an optimized individual or combined application and interpretation of the methods. Daily pointing biases estimated through the sun-scanning procedure in a dedicated one-month, short-term campaign are the base for the intercomparison. When applied to the three weather radars operated by the Meteorological Service of Catalonia, the short-term study reveals the advantages and limitations of the methods. A one-year, long-term analysis serves to confirm and clarify the discrepancies inferred from the short-term study and highlights how the antenna position at the time of the measurement may influence the pointing bias estimates. Based on the long-term results, a combination of the two sun-based methods for detection and simultaneous quantification of the pointing bias and the system leveling error is discussed.
Synoptic-Dynamic Analysis of Early Dry-Season Rainfall Events in the Vietnamese Central Highlands
Authors: van der Linden Roderick , Fink Andreas H. , Phan-Van Tan , Trinh-Tuan Long
Published: January 2016

The Central Highlands are Vietnam’s main coffee growing region. Unusual wet spells during the early dry season in November and December negatively affect two growing cycles in terms of yield and quality. The meteorological causes of wet spells in this region have not been thoroughly studied to date. Using daily rain gauge measurements at nine stations for the period 1981–2007 in the Central Highlands, four dynamically different early dry-season rainfall cases were investigated in depth: 1) the tail end of a cold front, 2) a tropical depression–type disturbance, 3) multiple tropical wave interactions, and 4) a cold surge with the Borneo vortex.

Cases 1 and 4 are mainly extratropically forced. In case 1, moisture advection ahead of a dissipating cold front over the South China Sea led to high equivalent potential temperature in the southern highland where this air mass stalled and facilitated recurrent outbreaks of afternoon convection. In this case, the low-level northeasterly flow over the South China Sea was diverted around the southern highlands by relatively stable low layers. On the contrary, low-level flow was more orthogonal to the mountain barrier and high Froude numbers and concomitant low stability facilitated the westward extension of the rainfall zone across the mountain barrier in the other cases. In case 3, an eastward-traveling equatorial Kelvin wave might have been a factor in this westward extension, too. The results show a variety of interactions of large-scale wave forcings, synoptic-convective dynamics, and orographic effects on spatiotemporal details of the rainfall patterns.
A Forecast Advisory for Afternoon Thunderstorm Occurrence in the Taipei Basin during Summer Developed from Diagnostic Analysis*
Authors: Chen Tsing-Chang , Tsay Jenq-Dar , Takle Eugene S.
Published: January 2016

Summer is a dry season in northern Taiwan. By contrast, the Taipei basin, located in this region, has its maximum rainfall during summer (15 June–31 August), when 78% of this rainfall is contributed by afternoon thunderstorms. This thunderstorm activity occurs during only 20 days in summer. Because of the pronounced impacts on the well-being of three million people in the basin and the relative infrequency of occurrence, forecasting thunderstorm events is an important operational issue in the Taipei basin. The basin’s small size (30 km × 60 km), with two river exits and limited thunderstorm occurrence days, makes the development of a thunderstorm activity forecast model for this basin a great challenge. Synoptic analysis reveals a thunderstorm day may develop from morning synoptic conditions free of clouds/rain, with a NW–SE-oriented dipole located south of Taiwan and southwesterlies straddling the low and high of this dipole. The surface meteorological conditions along the two river valleys exhibit distinct diurnal variations of pressure, temperature, dewpoint depression, relative humidity, and land–sea breezes. The primary features of the synoptic conditions and timings of the diurnal cycles for the four surface variables are utilized to develop a two-step hybrid forecast advisory for thunderstorm occurrence. Step 1 validates the 24-h forecasts for the 0000 UTC (0800 LST) synoptic conditions and timings for diurnal variations for the first five surface variables on thunderstorm days. Step 2 validates the same synoptic and surface meteorological conditions (including sea-breeze onset time) observed on the thunderstorm day. The feasibility of the proposed forecast advisory is successfully demonstrated by these validations.
I the People? Self-Interest and Demand for Government Responsiveness
Authors: Rosset Jan , Giger Nathalie , Bernauer Julian
Published: January 2016

Whether elected representatives should be responsive to the wishes of the majority of citizens has been an issue often discussed from a normative perspective. This article shifts the focus by looking at the determinants of support for responsiveness among citizens. Its core argument is that attitudes toward responsiveness vary systematically depending on the policy gains an individual can expect from a government that is responsive to the preferences of the majority of citizens. The analysis of data from the European Social Survey and 21 countries confirms these expectations. Individuals whose ideological stances are reflected well by the incumbent government are less favorable to the idea that governments should be responsive to the preferences of the majority, while one’s proximity to the ideological location of the median citizen increases the odds of support for majority responsiveness. Our findings are stable across a large variety of European democracies.
Improved long-term outcome after transient cerebral ischemia in aquaporin-4 knockout mice
Authors: Hirt Lorenz , Fukuda Andrew M , Ambadipudi Kamalakar , Rashid Faisil , Binder Devin , Verkman Alan , Ashwal Stephen , Obenaus Andre , Badaut Jerome
Published: January 2016

A hallmark of stroke is water accumulation (edema) resulting from dysregulation of osmotic homeostasis. Brain edema contributes to tissue demise and may lead to increased intracranial pressure and lethal herniation. Currently, there are only limited treatments to prevent edema formation following stroke. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4), a brain water channel, has become a focus of interest for therapeutic approaches targeting edema. At present, there are no pharmacological tools to block AQP4. The role of AQP4 in edema after brain injury remains unclear with conflicting results from studies using AQP4−/− mice and of AQP4 expression following stroke. Here, we studied AQP4 and its role in edema formation by testing AQP4−/− mice in a model of middle cerebral artery occlusion using novel quantitative MRI water content measurements, histology and behavioral changes as outcome measures. Absence of AQP4 was associated with decreased mortality and increased motor recovery 3 to 14 days after stroke. Behavioral improvement was associated with decreased lesion volume, neuronal cell death and neuroinflammation in AQP4−/− compared to wild type mice. Our data suggest that the lack of AQP4 confers an overall beneficial role at long term with improved neuronal survival and reduced neuroinflammation, but without a direct effect on edema formation.
Is palinopsia in migraineurs an enhanced physiological phenomenon?
Authors: Kalita Jayantee , Uniyal Ravi , Bhoi Sanjeev K
Published: January 2016

Background

We report the occurrence of palinopsia in patients with migraine and its correlation with migraine characteristics, triggers and allodynia.

Methods

This study included 153 consecutive patients with migraine and recorded their clinical details, including allodynia and migraine triggers and characteristics. Palinopsia was evaluated in migraineurs and 101 controls by using a questionnaire and a novel method.

Results

According to the questionnaire assessment, 9.8% migraineurs had palinopsia. According to the novel method, 57.5% of migraineurs and 12% of controls had palinopsia. Migraineurs most frequently had palinopsia to red color (51.6%), followed by yellow (49.7%), blue (47.7%), green (46.4%) and the least to white (30.7%). A similar pattern with a lesser frequency was noted in controls. The duration of palinopsia was longer in migraineurs than in controls (32.68 ± 20.24 vs. 5.92 ± 4.55 seconds; p < 0.001). Migraineurs with palinopsia differed from those without in terms of noise as a migraine trigger ( p < 0.001) and allodynia as a migraine-associated phenomenon ( p = 0.03). In multivariable analysis, predictors of palinopsia were the frequency ( p = 0.003) and severity ( p = 0.04) of headache and the presence of headache during examination ( p = 0.0001).

Conclusion

Migraineurs had a pattern of palinopsia to different colors that was similar to the controls, but the palinopsia of migraineurs was more frequent and of longer duration, especially during headaches.
Synthesis, characterization, and biocompatible properties of alanine-grafted chitosan copolymers
Authors: Park Gyu Han , Kang Min-Sil , Knowles Jonathan C , Gong Myoung-Seon
Published: January 2016

In order to overcome major problems regarding the lack of affinity to solvents and limited reactivity of the free amines of chitosan, introduction of appropriate spacer arms having terminal amine function is considered of interest. L-Alanine- N-carboxyanhydride was grafted onto chitosan via anionic ring-opening polymerization. The chemical and structural characterizations of L-alanine-grafted chitosan ( Ala-g-Cts) were confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR). In addition, the viscoelastic properties of Ala-g-Cts were examined by means of a rotational viscometer, and thermal analysis was carried out with a thermogravimetric analyzer and differential scanning calorimetry. Morphological changes in the chitosan L-alanine moiety were determined by x-ray diffraction. To determine the feasibility of using these films as biomedical materials, we investigated the effects of their L-alanine content on physical and mechanical properties. The biodegradation results of crosslinked Ala-g-Cts films were evaluated in phosphate-buffered solution containing lysozyme at 37℃. Proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells on crosslinked Ala-g-Cts films was also investigated with use of the CCK-8 assay.
Reworking labour practices: on the agency of unorganized mobile migrant construction workers
Authors: Berntsen Lisa
Published: January 2016

In an attempt to probe the nuanced processes of non-unionization, this article analyses the agency of migrant construction workers and the ways they negotiate and navigate an increasingly flexible and pan-European labour market. Drawing upon qualitative interview data, the article argues that the precarious employment context limits opportunities for effective collective action (and unionization), and that workers employ a wide range of strategies to ‘get by’ and ‘get ahead’ instead. This analysis contributes to an understanding of the resilience of current employment relations by extending the discussion of agency with the category of reworking. Instead of challenging the way cross-border employment relations are organized, migrant construction workers employ various strategies that rework existing conditions to their advantage. On a broader scale, however, these practices contribute to the continuation of current employment relations.
Bipolar disorder and its outcomes: two cohorts, 1875–1924 and 1994–2007, compared
Authors: Atigari Onome V , Harris Margaret , Le Noury Joanna , Healy David
Published: January 2016

We compared admission rates and outcomes for bipolar disorder patients using the medical records of patients with a first hospital admission in 1875–1924 retrospectively diagnosed based on International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 criteria, and patients with a first admission in 1994–2007. The incidences of first admissions in the historical and contemporary periods are comparable: 1.2 and 1.3 per hundred thousand per year, respectively. Manic episodes constituted a greater proportion of admissions historically, while depressive episodes made up more in the contemporary sample. There is no evidence for a reduction in the mean inter-admission intervals with duration of illness. This study suggests that modern treatments may have decreased lengths of stay in hospital, but at a cost of contributing to more admissions. It also points to a shift in the threshold for admissions.
How American and Chinese Journalism Students Prioritize Values
Authors: Yang Jin , Arant David
Published: January 2016

This study found that Chinese journalism students and American journalism students are more different than similar in their value systems. Overall, American students give greater weight to social-interaction values and self-improvement values, and Chinese students give greater importance to morality-oriented values and competency-oriented values. Both groups prioritize “honest” and “responsible” as among the top five values. American students, however, give priority to the values of “courageous,” “ambitious,” and “broadminded,” whereas Chinese students give priority to the values of “civic-minded,” “justice,” and “aboveboard.” Furthermore, Chinese students rank “justice” higher than American students do. Although their similar rankings on honesty and responsibility may suggest that the Chinese and U.S. students share some common understanding of journalism practice, their differing rankings of the values may reflect the social and media realities in which the students study and practice journalism.
A Blossoming of Oranges
Authors: Howe Lori
Published: January 2016

“A Blossoming of Oranges” is a phenomenological response to two houses of criticism of the creative writing workshop model, the first of which positions the workshop model as a force for cultural hegemony, and the second of which identifies the workshop model as a causal factor for the deterioration of writing in America. This defense is presented in the form of theatrical vignettes, participant writing, and constructed conversations between participants, researcher, and critics. Major lines of criticism are explored, as well as the bodies of research on both the creative writing workshop model and the field of existential phenomenology, as they illuminate the workshop model as an aesthetic hermeneutic that may aid in the artistic development of individuals and the betterment of society.
Neuropsychological Deficits in Adult ADHD: Evidence for Differential Attentional Impairments, Deficient Executive Functions, and High Self-Reported Functional Impairments
Authors: Salomone Simona , Fleming Grainne R. , Bramham Jessica , O’Connell Redmond G. , Robertson Ian H.
Published: January 2016

Objective: This study is aimed to investigate neuropsychological deficits in adult ADHD. Method: Neuropsychological deficits in terms of executive functions, divided, selective, and sustained attention, were investigated in a group of adults with ADHD using a series of neuropsychological tests as well as electroencephalography (EEG). Subjective ratings of everyday life attention and memory problems were also collected. Results: Adults with ADHD showed impairments in executive functions, divided attention and sustained attention, compared with adult controls. Performance on selective attention tasks in adults with ADHD was instead no different from control participants’ performance. EEG results confirmed neuropsychological findings by showing a selective impairment on P3 event-related potential (ERP) amplitude indicative of sustained attention deficits. Higher subjective ratings of everyday attentional and memory problems were also found in the ADHD group compared with the control group. Conclusion: This pattern of results suggests differential impairments of attentional skills. Impaired executive functions and higher subjective functional impairments were also found.
Investigation of human eye pupil sizes as a measure of visual sensation in the workplace environment with a high lighting colour temperature
Authors: Choi Joon-Ho
Published: January 2016

Among indoor environmental quality components, such as lighting, thermal, acoustic and spatial conditions, lighting quality is one of the significant factors that affect human environmental health and work productivity, especially as they pertain to human visual comfort and satisfaction. With the help of advanced sensing technologies, this study utilized a human body’s physiological principle to instantly react to its ambient environmental lighting condition to estimate a user’s visual sensation. Thus, this research investigated the possibility of using human eye pupil sizes as a measure of visual sensation in a workplace setting, especially in the high lighting colour temperature (5000 K) that is very common in modern office environments with the adoption of natural colour-fluorescent light bulbs. A series of experiments involving human subjects in an environmental chamber were conducted. Various ambient lighting conditions were generated to initiate and test pupil size changes and visual sensations. Statistical analyses of the collected data were conducted to help elucidate research findings. This research directed its focus toward pupil size change patterns as a means of assessing the human subject’s visual sensations, and to determine a potential use for this physiological principle in the control loop of a lighting system in a conventional workplace environment.
Applying importance-performance analysis to services of a visitor information center
Authors: Draper Jason
Published: January 2016

Visitor information centers provide destinations with an opportunity once visitors are at the destination to provide information and recommendations. As a result, destinations who manage visitor information centers benefit from being aware of who visits the center, what information is important to such visitors, and how well the center does at providing the information and services. Therefore, this study compares demographic characteristics of visitors who visit and those who do not visit visitor information centers, as well as if reasons for visiting such facilities (e.g. general information, get a map of the area) are associated with demographic characteristics. The study also conducts an importance-performance analysis of a visitor information center’s services. This study found visitors who stopped at the visitor information center were older and more likely to be retired than visitors who did not. The study also found that demographic characteristics, such as age and employment status, were associated with reasons for stopping at a visitor information center. Importance-performance analysis revealed areas where the visitor information center can focus to improve their performance (e.g. knowledge of staff) and where resources might be redirected as a result of less important services (e.g. activities/tour booking service). Practical implications of the study are discussed.
Clinical validation trial of a diagnostic for Ebola Zaire antigen detection: Design rationale and challenges to implementation
Authors: Schieffelin John , Moses Lina M , Shaffer Jeffrey , Goba Augustine , Grant Donald S
Published: January 2016

The current Ebola outbreak in West Africa has affected more people than all previous outbreaks combined. The current diagnostic method of choice, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, requires specialized conditions as well as specially trained technicians. Insufficient testing capacity has extended the time from sample collection to results. These delays have led to further delays in the transfer and treatment to Ebola Treatment Units. A sensitive and specific point-of-care device that could be used reliably in low-resource settings by healthcare workers with minimal training would increase the efficiency of triage and appropriate transfer of care. This article describes a study designed to validate the sensitivity and specificity of the ReEBOVTM Rapid Diagnostic Test using venous whole blood and capillary blood obtained via fingerprick. We present the scientific and clinical rationale for the decisions made in the design of a diagnostic validation study to be conducted in an outbreak setting. The multi-site strategy greatly complicated implementation. In addition, a decrease in cases in one geographic area along with a concomitant increase in other areas made site selection challenging. Initiation of clinical trials during rapidly evolving outbreaks requires significant cooperation on a national level between research teams implementing studies and clinical care providers. Coordination and streamlining of approval process are essential if trials are to be implemented in a timely fashion.
A response adaptive randomization platform trial for efficient evaluation of Ebola virus treatments: A model for pandemic response
Authors: Berry Scott M , Petzold Elizabeth A , Dull Peter , Thielman Nathan M , Cunningham Coleen K , Corey G Ralph , McClain Micah T , Hoover David L , Russell James , Griffiss J McLeod , Woods Christopher W
Published: January 2016

The outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa is the largest ever recorded. Numerous treatment alternatives for Ebola have been considered, including widely available repurposed drugs, but initiation of enrollment into clinical trials has been limited. The proposed trial is an adaptive platform design. Multiple agents and combinations will be investigated simultaneously. Additionally, new agents may enter the trial as they become available, and failing agents may be removed. In order to accommodate the many possible agents and combinations, a critical feature of this design is the use of response adaptive randomization to assign treatment regimens. As the trial progresses, the randomization ratio evolves to favor the arms that are performing better, making the design also suitable for all-cause pandemic preparedness planning. The study was approved by US and Sierra Leone ethics committees, and reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, data management, drug supply lines, and local sites were prepared. However, in response to the declining epidemic seen in February 2015, the trial was not initiated. Sierra Leone remains ready to rapidly activate the protocol as an emergency response trial in the event of a resurgence of Ebola. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02380625.) In summary, we have designed a single controlled trial capable of efficiently identifying highly effective or failing regimens among a rapidly evolving list of proposed therapeutic alternatives for Ebola virus disease and to treat the patients within the trial effectively based on accruing data. Provision of these regimens, if found safe and effective, would have a major impact on future epidemics by providing effective treatment options.