bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Understanding of El Niño’s Impact over East Asia: Dominance of the ENSO Combination Mode
Authors: Zhang Wenjun , Li Haiyan , Stuecker Malte F. , Jin Fei-Fei , Turner Andrew G.
Published: November 2015

Previous studies have shown that the Indo-Pacific atmospheric response to ENSO comprises two dominant modes of variability: a meridionally quasi-symmetric response (independent of the annual cycle) and an antisymmetric response (arising from the nonlinear atmospheric interaction between ENSO variability and the annual cycle), referred to as the combination mode (C-mode). This study demonstrates that the direct El Niño signal over the tropics is confined to the equatorial region and has no significant impact on the atmospheric response over East Asia. The El Niño–associated equatorial anomalies can be expanded toward off-equatorial regions by the C-mode through ENSO’s interaction with the annual cycle. The C-mode is the prime driver for the development of an anomalous low-level anticyclone over the western North Pacific (WNP) during the El Niño decay phase, which usually transports more moisture to East Asia and thereby causes more precipitation over southern China. An atmospheric general circulation model is used that reproduces well the WNP anticyclonic anomalies when both El Niño sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies as well as the SST annual cycle are prescribed as boundary conditions. However, no significant WNP anticyclonic circulation anomaly appears during the El Niño decay phase when excluding the SST annual cycle. The analyses herein of observational data and model experiments suggest that the annual cycle plays a key role in the East Asian climate anomalies associated with El Niño through their nonlinear atmospheric interaction. Hence, a realistic simulation of the annual cycle is crucial in order to correctly capture the ENSO-associated climate anomalies over East Asia.
Impact of East Asian Summer Monsoon Heating on the Interannual Variation of the South Asian High
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Liu Yimin , He Bian
Published: November 2015

Occupying the upper troposphere over subtropical Eurasia during boreal summer, the South Asian high (SAH) is thought to be a regulator of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM), which is particularly important for regional climate over Asia. However, there is feedback of the condensational heating associated with EASM precipitation to SAH variability. In this study, interannual variation of SAH intensity and the mechanisms are investigated. For strong SAH cases, the high pressure system intensifies and expands. Significant positive anomalies of the geopotential height and upper-tropospheric temperature were found over the Middle East and to the east of the Tibetan Plateau (TP), namely, the western and the eastern flanks of the SAH. The dynamical diagnosis and the numerical experiments consistently show that the interannual variation of SAH intensity is strongly affected by EASM precipitation over the eastern TP–Yangtze River valley. The feedback of the condensational heating anomaly to the SAH is summarized as follows: Excessive EASM heating excites a local anticyclone in the upper troposphere and warms the upper troposphere, leading to the eastward extension of the SAH’s eastern edge and reinforcing geopotential height anomalies over East Asia. Furthermore, the monsoonal heating excites a westward-propagating Rossby wave that increases the upper-tropospheric geopotential height and warms the upper troposphere over the Middle East. In conclusion, this study suggests a mechanistic paradigm in which the EASM may also be a modulator of SAH variation rather than just a passive result of the latter as traditionally thought. The results suggest that the EASM and the SAH are a tightly interactive system.
Constraining Future Summer Austral Jet Stream Positions in the CMIP5 Ensemble by Process-Oriented Multiple Diagnostic Regression*
Authors: Wenzel Sabrina , Eyring Veronika , Gerber Edwin P. , Karpechko Alexey Yu.
Published: November 2015

Stratospheric ozone recovery and increasing greenhouse gases are anticipated to have a large impact on the Southern Hemisphere extratropical circulation, shifting the jet stream and associated storm tracks. Models participating in phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project poorly simulate the austral jet, with a mean equatorward bias and 10° latitude spread in their historical climatologies, and project a wide range of future trends in response to anthropogenic forcing in the representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios. Here, the question is addressed whether the unweighted multimodel mean (uMMM) austral jet projection of the RCP4.5 scenario can be improved by applying a process-oriented multiple diagnostic ensemble regression (MDER). MDER links future projections of the jet position to processes relevant to its simulation under present-day conditions. MDER is first targeted to constrain near-term (2015–34) projections of the austral jet position and selects the historical jet position as the most important of 20 diagnostics. The method essentially recognizes the equatorward bias in the past jet position and provides a bias correction of about 1.5° latitude southward to future projections. When the target horizon is extended to midcentury (2040–59), the method also recognizes that lower-stratospheric temperature trends over Antarctica, a proxy for the intensity of ozone depletion, provide additional information that can be used to reduce uncertainty in the ensemble mean projection. MDER does not substantially alter the uMMM long-term position in jet position but reduces the uncertainty in the ensemble mean projection. This result suggests that accurate observational constraints on upper-tropospheric and lower-stratospheric temperature trends are needed to constrain projections of the austral jet position.
Effects of Land Surface Schemes on WRF-Simulated Geopotential Heights over China in Summer 2003*
Authors: Zeng Xin-Min , Wang B. , Zhang Y. , Zheng Y. , Wang N. , Wang M. , Yi X. , Chen C. , Zhou Z. , Liu H.
Published: November 2015

To quantify and explain effects of different land surface schemes (LSSs) on simulated geopotential height (GPH) fields, we performed simulations over China for the summer of 2003 using 12-member ensembles with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model, version 3. The results show that while the model can generally simulate the seasonal and monthly mean GPH patterns, the effects of the LSS choice on simulated GPH fields are substantial, with the LSS-induced differences exceeding 10 gpm over a large area (especially the northwest) of China, which is very large compared with climate anomalies and forecast errors. In terms of the assessment measures for the four LSS ensembles [namely, the five-layer thermal diffusion scheme (SLAB), the Noah LSS (NOAH), the Rapid Update Cycle LSS (RUC), and the Pleim–Xiu LSS (PLEX)] in the WRF, the PLEX ensemble is the best, followed by the NOAH, RUC, and SLAB ensembles. The sensitivity of the simulated 850-hPa GPH is more significant than that of the 500-hPa GPH, with the 500-hPa GPH difference fields generally characterized by two large areas with opposite signs due to the smoothly varying nature of GPHs. LSS-induced GPH sensitivity is found to be higher than the GPH sensitivity induced by atmospheric boundary layer schemes. Moreover, theoretical analyses show that the LSS-induced GPH sensitivity is mainly caused by changes in surface fluxes (in particular, sensible heat flux), which further modify atmospheric temperature and pressure fields. The temperature and pressure fields generally have opposite contributions to changes in the GPH. This study emphasizes the importance of choosing and improving LSSs for simulating seasonal and monthly GPHs using regional climate models.
Incorporating Diagnosed Intercept Parameters and the Graupel Category within the ARPS Cloud Analysis System for the Initialization of Double-Moment Microphysics: Testing with a Squall Line over South China
Authors: Pan Yujie , Xue Ming , Ge Guoqing
Published: November 2015

In this study, a new set of reflectivity equations are introduced into the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) cloud analysis system. This set of equations incorporates double-moment microphysics information in the analysis by adopting a set of diagnostic relationships between the intercept parameters and the corresponding mass mixing ratios. A reflectivity- and temperature-based graupel classification scheme is also implemented according to a hydrometeor identification (HID) diagram. A squall line that occurred on 23 April 2007 over southern China containing a pronounced trailing stratiform precipitation region is used as a test case to evaluate the impacts of the enhanced cloud analysis scheme.

The results show that using the enhanced cloud analysis scheme is able to better capture the characteristics of the squall line in the forecast. The predicted squall line exhibits a wider stratiform region and a more clearly defined transition zone between the leading convection and the trailing stratiform precipitation region agreeing better with observations in general, when using the enhanced cloud analysis together with the two-moment microphysics scheme. The quantitative precipitation forecast skill score is also improved.
Elongated Uvula Causing Chronic Cough
Authors: Loftus Patricia A. , Stegnjajic Arsen , Tibbetts Kathleen M. , Badhey Arvind K. , Glicksman Jeffrey
Published: November 2015

Objective:

A subset of patients previously diagnosed with idiopathic chronic cough were found to have an elongated uvula contacting the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis and inducing a cough reflex. These patients were successfully treated with an in-office modified uvulopalatoplasty procedure (mUPP) at our institution. We aim to further categorize this subset of patients and describe the mUPP that can potentially offer this group of patients cure for their chronic cough.

Study Design:

Institutional Review Board–approved retrospective chart review.

Methods:

Patient demographics, medical history, associated symptoms, prior treatment remedies, and response to mUPP were recorded and analyzed for 30 patients who underwent an in-office mUPP.

Results:

The majority of patients were middle-aged, nonsmoking females with symptoms of globus sensation and a gag reflex when lying supine. 96.7% of patients reported complete resolution or noticeable improvement of their cough following mUPP. There were no complications from this in-office procedure in our study.

Conclusions:

The authors’ main goals are to make other physicians aware of this under-recognized subset of patients with chronic cough who have an identifiable and treatable cause for their symptoms and to provide the steps of a simple and effective surgical solution to chronic cough in this group of patients.
Hunger Amidst Plenty: Locating Vulnerability in a Resource-Rich Region in India
Authors: Sabar Bhubaneswar
Published: November 2015

This paper illustrates how politics on resource entitlement have historically shaped the vulnerable condition of people in Nuapada district (formerly Nawapara sub-division of Kalahandi district) of Orissa, India. It finds that the underutilisation of existing resources in the district, backed by loopholes in district administration, has widened the vulnerability conditions of local people. The collapse of the state command economy during post-economic reform and the subsequent withdrawal of welfare state from welfare activities, which opens space for elite groups and middlemen to exploit both resources and local people, have caused serious disruption in the development of the district as evident from the declining livelihood options and increasing distress migration. Thus there is a need to bring reform in equitable distribution of resources at the state level.
Behaviour of hollow pultruded GFRP square beams with different shear span-to-depth ratios
Authors: Muttashar Majid , Karunasena Warna , Manalo Allan , Lokuge Weena
Published: November 2015

It is important to determine accurately the elastic properties of fibre-reinforced polymer composites material, considering that their member design is often governed by deflection rather than strength. In this study, the elastic properties of the pultruded glass fibre-reinforced polymer square sections were evaluated firstly using full-scale with different shear span to depth ( a/ d) ratios and tested under static four-point bending. Back calculation and simultaneous methods were then employed to evaluate the flexural modulus and shear stiffness and were compared with the results of the coupon tests. Secondly, the full-scale beams were tested up to failure to determine their capacity and failure mechanisms. Finally, prediction equations describing the behaviour of the pultruded glass fibre-reinforced polymer square beams were proposed and compared with the experimental results. The results indicate that the back calculation method gives more reliable values of elastic properties of glass fibre-reinforced polymer profiles. In addition, the behaviour of the beams is strongly affected by the a/ d ratios. The shear was found to have a significant contribution on the behaviour of beams with lower a/ d ratios while the flexural stress played a major part for higher a/ d ratios. The proposed equation, which accounts for the combined effect of the shear and flexural stresses, reasonably predicted the failure load of pultruded glass fibre-reinforced polymer square beams.
Surface modification of novel rice bran carbon functionalized with (3-Mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane and its influence on the properties of styrene-butadiene rubber composites
Authors: Zhang Yinhang , Fei Deng , Xin Ge , Cho Ur-Ryong
Published: November 2015

In the present study, surface modification of novel environment-friendly Rice Bran Carbon was carried out by mixed acid treatment followed by reaction with multifunctional silane, (3-Mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane. Then a new class of styrene-butadiene rubber/Rice Bran Carbon composites were prefabricated by using latex compounding method on the basis of pretreatment of RBC. Specifically, extra 3phr 3-MPTMS was added into the composites to construct a systematic filler-silane-matrix net framework. The chemical interaction mechanism of silane agent with the oxidized RBC was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy. The effect of silane modified RBC on the mechanical, wear and friction property of SBR vulcanizates was investigated.
Cast and age hardening behaviour of Al6061 alloy reinforced with an in-situ ceramic composite prepared by carbo thermal reduction of fly ash in plasma reactor
Authors: Reddy GovindaRao , Sahoo KL , Ganguly RI , Dash RR , Rao PSP , Reddy GS
Published: November 2015

An in-situ ternary ceramic composite material is developed indigenously by carbo thermal reduction of fly ash in a plasma reactor. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-Energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) analyses of the developed ternary mixture has revealed in-situ conversion of SiO2 to SiC in the vicinity of Al2O3, present in the fly ash material. Presence of carbon in the form of graphite is also confirmed by XRD and EDX analyses. The morphology of the fly ash powder particles is changed from irregular to rod shaped particles with the presence of whiskers (diameter ∼ 0.2  µm, length 8–20  µm). Metal matrix based (Al6061) ceramic composites are prepared with the plasma synthesized fly ash and untreated fly ash composites by stir casting method with different volume fractions of ceramic powders of both the category. Progressive reductions of grain size by increasing volume fractions with segregation of ceramic particles at the grain boundaries are salient features of microstructures. Remarkable improvement in strength and wear resistance is the two significant features of the novel Al6061alloy based composite developed with plasma treated fly ash. Results are presented on the ageing behaviour of the alloy composite for both the categories and mechanical properties of age hardened alloy based composites are compared with monolithic alloy. Accelerated ageing behaviour is observed for alloy based composites, which is found to depend on the morphology of the incoherent dispersed phases. Accelerated precipitation during ageing has been confirmed by hardness versus time as well as by differential scanning calorimetry analysis. Sequences of precipitation for all materials are shown in differential scanning calorimetry thermogram.
Nonparametric Multiple Imputation for Questionnaires with Individual Skip Patterns and Constraints: The Case of Income Imputation in the National Educational Panel Study
Authors: Aßmann Christian , Würbach Ariane , Goßmann Solange , Geissler Ferdinand , Bela Anika
Published: November 2015

Large-scale surveys typically exhibit data structures characterized by rich mutual dependencies between surveyed variables and individual-specific skip patterns. Despite high efforts in fieldwork and questionnaire design, missing values inevitably occur. One approach for handling missing values is to provide multiply imputed data sets, thus enhancing the analytical potential of the surveyed data. To preserve possible nonlinear relationships among variables and incorporate skip patterns that make the full conditional distributions individual specific, we adapt a full conditional multiple imputation approach based on sequential classification and regression trees. Individual-specific skip patterns and constraints are handled within imputation in a way ensuring the consistency of the sequence of full conditional distributions. The suggested approach is illustrated in the context of income imputation in the adult cohort of the National Educational Panel Study.
Mand Training
Authors: Drasgow Erik , Martin Christian A. , Chezan Laura C. , Wolfe Katie , Halle James W.
Published: November 2015

Our primary purpose in this study was to examine the structure of a response class when new members are acquired through mand training. To do this, we replaced existing mands (e.g., reaching) in three children with autism with two new functionally equivalent mands. Next, we examined their responding under immediate- and delayed-reinforcement conditions. Then, we assessed generalization to novel social partners. We employed a reversal design to examine the effectiveness of mand training and to assess responding under both immediate- and delayed-reinforcement conditions. Our results suggest that all children acquired the new mands and that two of the children emitted these responses as replacements when the social partner did not provide access to the reinforcer contingent on the child’s first mand. Generalization data indicate that all three children emitted the new mands and two of the children alternated between the new mands with novel social partners. We discuss the clinical implications and the conceptual significance of teaching multiple replacement mands to children with autism and severe language delays.
Narcissism and Self-Insight
Authors: Grijalva Emily , Zhang Luyao
Published: November 2015

The current article reviews the narcissism–self-enhancement literature using a multilevel meta-analytic technique. Specifically, we focus on self-insight self-enhancement (i.e., whether narcissists perceive themselves more positively than they are perceived by others); thus, we only include studies that compare narcissists’ self-reports to observer reports or objective measures. Results from 171 correlations reported in 36 empirical studies ( N = 6,423) revealed that the narcissism–self-enhancement relationship corrected for unreliability in narcissism was .21 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [.17, .25]), and that narcissists tend to self-enhance their agentic characteristics more than their communal characteristics. The average corrected relationship between narcissism and self-enhancement for agentic characteristics was .29 (95% CI = [.25, .33]), whereas for communal characteristics it was .05 (95% CI = [−.01, .10]). In addition, we individually summarized narcissists’ self-enhancement for 10 different constructs (i.e., the Big Five, task performance, intelligence, leadership, attractiveness, and likeability).
A stream-based method to detect differences between XML documents
Authors: Jang Bumsuk , Park SeongHun , Ha Young-guk
Published: November 2015

Detecting differences between XML documents is one of most important research topics for XML. Since XML documents are generally considered to be organized in a tree structure, most previous research has attempted to detect differences using tree-matching algorithms. However, most tree-matching algorithms have inadequate performance owing to limitations in terms of the execution time, optimality and scalability. This study proposes a stream-based difference detection method in which an XML binary encoding algorithm is used to provide improved performance relative to that of previous tree-matching algorithms. A tree-structured analysis of XML is not essential in order to detect differences. We use a D-Path algorithm that has an optimal result quality for difference detection between two streams and has a lower time complexity than tree-based methods. We then modify the existing XML binary encoding method to tokenize the stream and the algorithm in order to support more operations than D-Path algorithm does. The experimental results reveal greater efficiency for the proposed method relative to tree-based methods. The execution time is at least 4 times faster than state-of-the-art tree-based methods. In addition, the scalability is much more efficient.
Staged repair of hemitruncus without prosthetic material
Authors: Kido Takashi , Hoashi Takaya , Kagisaki Koji , Ichikawa Hajime
Published: November 2015

Right pulmonary artery banding was performed in a patient with right hemitruncus at 17 days of age, due to severe hypertension in both pulmonary arteries and severely reduced right ventricular contraction. Following the procedure, the pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular contraction gradually improved with pulmonary vasodilator administration, and total correction was achieved two months later. A cardiac catheter examination at the 1-year follow-up showed normal pressure in both pulmonary arteries and good right ventricular contraction.
Prediction of lung tumor palpability using high-resolution computed tomography
Authors: Isaka Tetsuya , Ito Hiroyuki , Yokose Tomoyuki , Kondo Tetsuro , Nagata Masashi , Nishii Teppei , Yamada Kouzo , Nakayama Haruhiko , Masuda Munetaka
Published: November 2015

Background

Palpation is the most important means of locating lung tumors and resecting them with sufficient margins. This study aimed to predict the palpability of pulmonary lesions using high-resolution computed tomography.

Methods

Eighty-six pulmonary lesions were palpated in fresh resected lung specimens from July 2013 to March 2014. The following parameters were compared between 10 impalpable and 76 palpable lesions: maximum tumor size in pulmonary and bone window level settings, consolidation tumor size in pulmonary window level setting, and pleural-tumor distance. In 54 adenocarcinomas, the lepidic component and fibrosis foci rates were compared between the two groups.

Results

Tumor size in bone window level setting and the consolidation tumor size were significantly smaller in the impalpable group (both p < 0.001), and an operational cutoff of 5 mm was identified by receiver-operating characteristic analysis (sensitivity/specificity was 90.0%/94.7% and 90.0%/86.9%, respectively). Pulmonary lesions were impalpable with 87.5% probability when the tumor size in bone window level setting was ≤5 mm and the pleural-tumor distance was ≥ 5 mm, and with 85.7% probability when the consolidation tumor size was ≤5 mm and the pleural-tumor distance was ≥ 5 mm. Lepidic component and fibrosis foci rates of impalpable/palpable lesions were 96.0%/52.8% and 4.0%/24.7%, respectively (both p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Tumor size in bone window level setting or a consolidation tumor size ≤5 mm and pleural-tumor distance ≥ 5 mm are simple criteria that are potentially useful indicators for preoperative marking to locate small-sized lepidic-predominant adenocarcinomas with few fibrotic foci.
The influence of Ulrich Beck’s work on social-environmental studies in Brazil
Authors: Constante Martins Rodrigo
Published: November 2015

This short article aims to reflect on the impacts of Ulrich Beck’s work in Brazilian sociology. Particularly, it will be argued that Beck’s work has had a significant impact on the establishment of the conceptual field of environmental sociology in Brazil. His book Risk Society, for instance, had a great influence – since the late 1980s – among the Brazilian research groups dedicated to the debate on the relationship between society and nature in modern contexts. Although placed in the critical target condition through the years, the notion of risk developed by Beck is still undoubtedly an important pillar in the constitution of the field of socioenvironmental studies at an international level and in Brazil, in particular.
Containing the Mask, Governing the Emergency: The Case of Turkey
Authors: Soncul Yiğit
Published: November 2015

The security bill that was proposed by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government in 2014 has sparked controversy both within and outside the Parliament of Turkey. Yet, with AKP’s majority, the bill – which includes an anti-masking regulation for protests – was passed in spring 2015. In this article, first I demonstrate a partial mapping of the rhetoric employed by mainstream politics in Turkey, to underline that any oppositional political activity on the streets has the potential to be labeled a ‘terrorist’ one – and most have been. Then, by taking one of the most prominent examples of these events, the Gezi uprising, I discuss the affirmative biopolitical potentialities of the uses of masks that the law criminalizes. Lastly, I situate the law globally in relation to the protest movements, on the one hand, and anti-masking laws on the other.
New approaches to understanding the role of the news media in the formation of public attitudes and behaviours on climate change
Authors: Happer Catherine , Philo Greg
Published: November 2015

This article examines the role of news media on climate change and sustainable energy in the shaping of audience opinions and beliefs and the possible relation of these to behaviours. It reports on a series of studies conducted between 2011 and 2014 which develop existing approaches to audience reception analyses by using innovative methodologies which focus specifically on the negotiation of new information in response to existing beliefs, perceptions and behavioural patterns – both in the short and long term. Audience groups are introduced to new information, to which the range of responses is examined. This approach allows for an exploration of the interplay of socio-political and personal factors as well as the identification of the potential informational triggers for change. The findings suggest that media accounts are likely to have a shaping role in relation to behaviours under a range of specific and coinciding conditions.
Radiologic evaluation of portal steal phenomenon in recipients of liver transplantation
Authors: Kim Bohyun , Kim Kyoung Won , Jeong Woo Kyoung , Park So Hyun , Lee So Jung , Lee Jong Seok , Kim Hyoung Jung , Song Gi-Won , Lee Sung-Gyu
Published: November 2015

It is important to maintain adequate portal flow and to prevent the detrimental effect of portosystemic shunt in recipients following liver transplantation. The purpose of this article is to present a comprehensive review of portosystemic shunts and to illustrate such phenomenon demonstrated on radiologic studies such as Doppler ultrasound, computed tomography, and portogram. It is important for radiologists to be aware of such phenomenon not only in preoperative evaluation of the recipients but also in postoperative screening to detect recurrence of the phenomenon.
Radiologic evaluation of lumps in the male breast
Authors: Tangerud Åse , Potapenko Ivan , Skjerven Helle Kristine , Stensrud Mats Julius
Published: November 2015

Background

Gynecomastia has a typical appearance on mammography, and occurs frequently in men. However, imaging is often performed on men with breast lumps to exclude breast cancer, which only comprises 1% of male breast masses.

Purpose

To assess whether ultrasound and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) are necessary investigations when mammograms show classical gynecomastia.

Material and Methods

We have retrospectively collected data on male patients referred for mammography during the period 2011–2013 (a total of 539 patients). All radiological images were re-read, and descriptions of ultrasound images were reviewed. Clinical information supplied with the original referrals was assessed, along with pathology and cytology reports.

Results

Among the 539 male patients who underwent mammography, 483 were also examined with ultrasound, and 335 were further evaluated with FNAC. Mammograms showed gynecomastia in 350 patients, and among these subjects ultrasound was performed in 340 (97%), FNAC in 261 (75%), and core biopsies in four (1%) patients. The diagnosis gynecomastia was unchanged in all patients who underwent FNAC or biopsy. Malignant tumors were found in eight patients, six of which were invasive ductal carcinomas.

Conclusion

In patients with a classical appearance of gynecomastia on mammography, supplemental ultrasound, FNAC, or biopsy is superfluous and contributes to unnecessary costs.
A body-sized phantom for evaluation of diffusion-weighted MRI data using conventional, readout-segmented, and zoomed echo-planar sequences
Authors: Ihalainen Toni , Kuusela Linda , Soikkeli Maiju , Lantto Eila , Ovissi Ali , Sipilä Outi
Published: November 2015

Background

Abdominal diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been rapidly increasing during the last few years. For the evaluation of new DWI techniques, the development of suitable phantoms and quality assurance methods is important.

Purpose

To construct a body-diameter phantom for abdominal DWI and study the impact of different acquisition options on image quality.

Material and Methods

A phantom with a diameter of 31 cm and a volume of 26 L was constructed, containing four samples representing a clinically relevant range of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. Measurements were carried out on 1.5T and 3.0T MRI systems using conventional echo-planar imaging (EPI), readout-segmented EPI, and zoomed EPI (3.0T) sequences. The effects of parallel imaging, coil intensity normalization, and patient-specific B1 shim (3.0T) were also examined. ADC values and signal-to-noise ratios of the samples were measured, and the level of artifacts was visually evaluated.

Results

The agreement of ADC values between different acquisition options was generally good, but higher values (by 0.07 × 10–3 mm2/s on the average) with readout-segmented EPI as well as ADC variations of approximately 0.1 × 10–3 mm2/s in slice direction were observed. The image artifacts were reduced by using patient-specific B1 shim, readout-segmented EPI, or zoomed EPI.

Conclusion

The body-sized phantom demonstrated well the expected image artifacts in DWI with large field of view. The use of patient-specific B1 shim, readout-segmented EPI, or zoomed EPI improved image quality of DWI in this study.
Pattern-Reversal Visual Evoked Potential Parameters and Migraine in the Teenage Population
Authors: Jancic Jasna , Petrusic Igor , Pavlovski Vera , Savkovic Zorica , Vucinic Dragana , Martinovic Zarko
Published: November 2015

Although migraine represents one of the most common form of primary headache in the teenage population, most neurophysiologic studies are only on the adulthood. We investigated 38 teenage patients with migraine with aura, 17 male and 21 female, with a mean age of 16.2 years, comparing them with gender- and age-matched patients with migraine without aura and healthy subjects. Also, characteristics of aura were correlated with pattern-reversal visual evoked potential parameters. There was a significant difference in left and right eye N2 wave latencies between migraine with aura and migraine without aura patients or healthy controls. In migraine with aura and migraine without aura, 26.3% of patients had abnormal wave latency. Reported tunnel vision during the aura was correlated with lower N1P1 and/or P1N2 wave amplitudes. Also, higher amplitude in patients with migraine with aura correlated with younger age and earlier disease onset, whereas longer aura duration correlated with prolonged wave latency. Findings suggest that migraine subtypes may be differentiated on the basis of N2 wave latency prolongation.
A new method for titania thin film production
Authors: Şenay Volkan , Özen Soner , Pat Suat , Geçici Birol , Korkmaz Şadan
Published: November 2015

In this research, transparent titania (TiO2) thin films were deposited on a glass microscope slide and on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate under a high vacuum condition by means of the thermionic vacuum arc (TVA) method in a very short period of time (60 s). Optical properties and surface properties of the coated TiO2 surfaces are related to the structural changes of the coated layers due to ion energies and substrate effect. But obtained results are closely linked to literature values. Our analysis showed that the TVA method is an alternative method for low-temperature coatings and the produced films present important advantages for optical and industrial applications.
Mechanical properties, morphology, and Mullins effect of thermoplastic vulcanizates based on ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer/ethylene–vinyl acetate rubber
Authors: Wang Cancan , Zhang Yufeng , Wang Zhaobo
Published: November 2015

Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)/ethylene–vinyl acetate rubber (EVM) were prepared by dynamic vulcanization. Mechanical properties, morphology, and Mullins effect of the TPVs were investigated. The results showed that the EVA/EVM TPV with 40/60 weight ratio had excellent mechanical properties. There was no obvious phase separation on the fracture surface of the TPV. Mullins effect could be observed in the stress–strain curves of TPVs during the uniaxial loading–unloading cycles. Compared with TPV with 20/80 weight ratio, the TPV with 40/60 weight ratio had the relatively larger maximum stress, residual deformation, and internal friction loss at specific strain.
Polypropylene-based conducting nanocomposites
Authors: Ramanujam BTS , Radhakrishnan S , Deshpande SD
Published: November 2015

Powder-mixed polypropylene (PP)–graphite binary composites exhibit an electrical percolation threshold at 10 wt% graphite signifying insulator-semiconductor transition. Three conducting fillers such as carbon black (CB), sonicated expanded graphite (s-ExGr), and carbon nanofiber (CNF) are mixed with PP-7 wt% graphite binary composites. The electrical percolation threshold has been found to have inverse relation to the aspect ratio of second conducting fillers in hybrid composites. The aspect ratio of second conducting fillers varies in the order CB < ExGr < CNF. The electrical percolation threshold is found to vary for the hybrid composites as 2.2 wt% for CB addition, 0.75 wt% for ExGr addition, and 0.2 wt% for CNF addition in the PP-7 wt% graphite binary composites. When the aspect ratio of second conducting fillers increases, they reduce the barrier for the charge transport. The second conducting fillers occupy the interspace of graphite and alternating current studies show that the effective dielectric constant increases with the concentration of second conducting filler in the hybrid composites. The composites are characterized by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Melt-crystallized PP-7 wt% graphite-CNF composites exhibit higher percolation threshold due to decrease in the polymer viscosity which increases the interparticulate distance.
Investigation on solid particle erosion behavior of date palm leaf fiber- reinforced polyvinyl pyrrolidone composites
Authors: Mohanty Jyoti R
Published: November 2015

The present investigation reports about the solid particle erosion behavior of randomly oriented short date palm leaf (DPL) fiber-reinforced polyvinyl pyrrolidone composites. The erosion rates of these composites have been evaluated at different impingement angles (15–90°) and impact velocities (48–109 m/s). The neat polyvinyl pyrrolidone shows maximum erosion rate at 30° impingement angle, whereas, PVA/DPL composites exhibit maximum erosion rate at 45° impingement angle irrespective of fiber loading showing semi-ductile behavior. Erosion efficiency ( η) values (2.83–15.29%) indicate micro-ploughing and micro-cutting as dominant wear mechanisms. The morphology of eroded surfaces was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Possible erosion mechanisms are discussed.
Aluminum-substituted phosphotungstic acid/sulfonated poly ether ether ketone nanocomposite membrane with reduced leaching and improved proton conductivity
Authors: Banerjee Soma , Kar Kamal K
Published: November 2015

Aluminum-substituted tungstophosphoric acid (AlTPA)/sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) (sulfonation degree approximately 77%) nanocomposite membranes have been prepared for fuel cell application. AlTPA nanoparticles are synthesized by the reaction of TPA and aluminum nitrate in aqueous medium. X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) are used to characterize the AlTPA particles and SPEEK. Study reveals that 2.31 numbers of protons of TPA have been replaced by Al3+ in AlTPA with retention of Keggin’s structure. Nanocomposite membranes with varying AlTPA and TPA content are prepared and evaluated by measuring water uptake, ion exchange capacity, equilibrium water content, water desorption rate, proton conductivity, leaching tendency, and thermal properties. SPEEK/AlTPA nanocomposite membrane exhibits proton conductivity as high as 1.09 mS cm−1 at 10 wt% filler loading. Leaching of filler is reduced by approximately 92% in SPEEK/AlTPA nanocomposite membrane compared to SPEEK/TPA membrane. SPEEK/AlTPA membrane shows approximately 15% higher equilibrium water content and approximately 57% reduction in water desorption rate as compared to SPEEK/TPA membrane. Membranes are thermally stable up to 215°C, which is well above the operating temperature of fuel cells. Composite films are also examined by FESEM to gain further insights into the microstructure.
The Evolution of an Inpatient Palliative Care Consultation Service in an Urban Teaching Hospital
Authors: Liu On Ying , Malmstrom Theodore , Burhanna Patricia , Rodin Miriam B.
Published: November 2015

Background:

Research on inpatient palliative medicine reports quality-of-life outcomes and selected “hard” outcomes including pain scores, survival, and readmissions.

Objective:

This case study reports the evolution of an inpatient palliative consultation (IPC) team to show how IPC induces culture change in a hospital that previously had no palliative care.

Design:

Retrospective chart review.

Setting:

A Catholic university-affiliated, inner-city hospital.

Population:

A total of 1700 consecutive adult inpatients from May 2009 to October 2013.

Measures:

Consultation records enumerated demographics, code status, powers of attorney, referring physician, reason for consultation, and discharge destination. Deidentified data were uploaded to a spreadsheet. Simple descriptive statistics were calculated.

Results:

Requests originated from internal medicine (24%), geriatrics (21%), neurology (including stroke and neurosurgery, 14.3%), medical intensive care unit (MICU, 12.2%), and hematology–oncology (10.3%). The MICU consults increased 17.6% over time. The numbers of consults nearly doubled after trainees began rounding with the service. Hospice discharges increased by 9.2%. Palliative management of in-hospital expirations increased 2- to 3-fold. The most common consultation requests were for pain and nonpain symptoms, establishing goals of care for patients experiencing clinical decline and convening family meetings in cases of divided judgment.

Conclusion:

We describe the evolution of palliative care in a safety-net hospital. Medicine services which are largely resident run adopted early. Specialty services that are attending driven adopted later. We believe house staff and nurses were the initial change agents. The number of consultations increased when house staff and students began rotating on the service suggesting unmet demand due to the limited supply of providers.
“What is Palliative Care?”
Authors: Kozlov Elissa , Carpenter Brian D.
Published: November 2015

Background and Aim:

Americans rely on the Internet for health information, and people are likely to turn to online resources to learn about palliative care as well. The purpose of this study was to analyze online palliative care information pages to evaluate the breadth of their content. We also compared how frequently basic facts about palliative care appeared on the Web pages to expert rankings of the importance of those facts to understanding palliative care.

Design:

Twenty-six pages were identified. Two researchers independently coded each page for content. Palliative care professionals (n = 20) rated the importance of content domains for comparison with content frequency in the Web pages.

Results:

We identified 22 recurring broad concepts about palliative care. Each information page included, on average, 9.2 of these broad concepts (standard deviation [SD] = 3.36, range = 5-15). Similarly, each broad concept was present in an average of 45% of the Web pages (SD = 30.4%, range = 8%-96%). Significant discrepancies emerged between expert ratings of the importance of the broad concepts and the frequency of their appearance in the Web pages ( rτ = .25, P > .05).

Conclusion and Implications:

This study demonstrates that palliative care information pages available online vary considerably in their content coverage. Furthermore, information that palliative care professionals rate as important for consumers to know is not always included in Web pages. We developed guidelines for information pages for the purpose of educating consumers in a consistent way about palliative care.
A Systematic Review of Effects of Social Stories Interventions for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Qi Cathy H. , Barton Erin E. , Collier Margo , Lin Yi-Ling , Montoya Charisse
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize 22 single-case research design (SCRD) studies on social stories intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We used the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) SCRD standards to analyze study rigor and evidence of a causal relation. We calculated four nonoverlap indices to evaluate intervention, maintenance, and generalization effects. Results suggested that all studies met the WWC design standards with or without reservations. Seven studies (32%) provided strong or moderate evidence of a causal relation. Nonoverlap indices calculations indicated social stories intervention was effective. Using the WWC 5-3-20 guidelines to determine evidence of social stories, social stories intervention would not be considered an evidence-based practice (EBP) for individuals with ASD based on visual analysis, but would be deemed an EBP based on nonoverlap indices. It is worth noting that WWC used visual analysis, not nonoveralap indices, to determine whether an intervention meets the 5-3-20 replication rule. Findings of the systematic review showed there were discrepancies. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Unveiling the Male Corset
Authors: Ragusa Angela T. , Ward Olivia
Published: November 2015

Contemporary sociological research indicates rural men face increasing pressure to comply with hegemonic masculine gender norms. Adopting Butler’s poststructural theory of gender performativity, this study presents findings from qualitative interviews with twenty-five self-identified male Goths living in rural Australia, revealing how participants enacted masculinity and how rurality shaped gender performance. Despite participants’ believing their Goth identity transcended geographic location, Goth self-expression of counternormative masculinity was met with societal pressure. Rural Australian communities were presented as strongly upholding normative, traditional gender expectations as most participants experienced adverse responses, namely, homophobic hostility, employment discrimination, bullying, and/or physical assault, which necessitated modification of gender performance for individual safety and well-being. Participants largely attributed negative reactions to rural communities’ “closed-mindedness” in contrast with the “open-mindedness” they experienced in urban communities. Overall, participants believed urban communities in Australia and beyond displayed greater acceptance of diverse gender performances than rural Australia.
High school physical education
Authors: Stormoen Sidsel , Urke Helga Bjørnøy , Tjomsland Hege Eikeland , Wold Bente , Diseth Åge
Published: November 2015

This study seeks to identify factors that promote positive experiences in high school physical education (PE). The study combines elements of Self-determination Theory (SDT) with the theory of flow. Special attention is given to gender differences. The study sample consisted of 167 Norwegian senior high school students (78 females and 89 males) who completed a questionnaire after having participated in a PE class. The majority of the students reported having flow experiences, although this was more true for boys than for girls. Those who had experienced flow also tended to be those who had experienced the fulfilment of basic psychological needs and were characterized by a high level of autonomous motivation. In boys, the need for competence was a stronger predictor of flow than other factors, while for girls the need for relatedness was the stronger predictor of flow. Although a high percentage of the participants in this study reported an experience of flow, a significant minority of the students (more girls than boys) did not report an experience of flow. The findings confirm previous research on the relationship between the different constructs of SDT and the experience of flow, indicating that this relationship also applies in PE. The experience of flow in PE might result in positive PE experiences that can have significant health benefits for the individual student and our society.
Gender and corporal expression activity in physical education
Authors: Sevil Javier , Abós Ángel , Aibar Alberto , Julián José Antonio , García-González Luis
Published: November 2015

Grounded in Self-Determination Theory and Achievement Goal Theory, the objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an intervention programme on a series of motivational variables in a corporal expression teaching unit. An analysis was also conducted in terms of whether the impact of the intervention would be effective in boys and girls, given the social stereotypes inherent to this type of expression activity. A sample of 224 students, with ages varying from 12 to 14 years old (105 boys, 119 girls) participated in 10 sessions. A quasi-experimental design was carried out, dividing the total sample into two groups: control ( n = 115) and experimental ( n = 109). The intervention programme was applied in the experimental group via specific strategies based on the TARGET areas. In the experimental group, the results showed significantly higher values in perceived task-oriented climate, autonomy, competence, intrinsic motivation, identified regulation and enjoyment, as well as significantly lower values in ego-oriented climate. The intervention programme proved to be effective in boys and girls and the results were even better in boys. The importance of developing and applying specific motivational strategies in corporal expression activities should be stressed in order for this to have an impact on variables such as motivation and enjoyment in boys and girls, thus achieving more positive experiences.