bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lessons from the Little Ice Age
Nature's Mutiny: How the Little Ice Age of the Long Seventeenth Century Transformed the West and Shaped the Present
Philipp Blom Liveright, 2019. 332 pp.
Authors: Hannibal Mary Ellen
Published: February 2019

Citing 17th-century culture shifts, an author implicates climate in human destiny
Membrane protein takes the brakes off
Authors: Wolfe Michael S.
Published: February 2019

An enzyme family has evolved to distort membranes and diffuse quickly to find substrates
Chronic uterine inversion with malignancy mimicking carcinoma cervix
Authors: Girish Bhavana , Davis Amenda Ann
Published: February 2019

Chronic non-puerperal uterine inversion is a rare event, with only a handful of cases reported in literature. We report a case of a 64-year-old postmenopausal woman who presented with complaints of mass per vaginam and postmenopausal bleeding. On examination, she appeared to have third-degree cervical descent with an irregular growth seen over what appeared to be the cervix, biopsy of which showed keratinising squamous cell carcinoma. Subsequently, an inverted uterus was diagnosed at laparotomy with an irregular growth seen over the inverted portion of the uterine fundus, histopathology of which revealed squamous cell carcinoma of endometrium.
Complete resolution of erythrodermic psoriasis with first-line apremilast monotherapy
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Geetha , Kotecha Aditya , Pimentel Jason
Published: February 2019

Erythrodermic psoriasis (EP) is the most serious type of psoriasis with high morbidity and mortality. First-line recommended therapies for EP, cyclosporine and infliximab have significant adverse effects. Cyclosporine increases the risk of hypertension, leucopenia, infections and renal failure. Infliximab increases the risk of reactivation of tuberculosis, hepatitis B and histoplasmosis, and increases risk for hepatitis, autoantibody formation, congestive heart failure, demyelinating disorders, pancytopenia, lymphoma and skin cancer. An effective drug with a much safer side effect profile will be of significant benefit in EP. The phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor apremilast is U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Adverse effects of apremilast reported are headache, nausea, diarrhoea, upper respiratory tract infection, potential for depression and weight loss. We report complete and long-standing resolution of EP with first-line apremilast monotherapy. Apremilast may be an effective option with comparatively minor side effects for EP.
Severe case of pneumonia with pleural effusion in an immunocompromised woman due toFusobacterium necrophorum
Authors: Garcia-Carretero Rafael
Published: February 2019

Infections caused by fusobacteria have a wide clinical spectrum, and in certain patients, they can lead to severe systemic illness. We report the case of an immunocompromised young woman who presented with severe pneumonia complicated by parapneumonic pleural effusion, despite wide-spectrum antibiotic treatment.Fusobacterium necrophorumwas isolated in the samples obtained after thoracentesis was performed. Apart from the pulmonary involvement, we could not identify the infectious focus, since the patient did not have poor dentition or Lemierre’s syndrome. After an extended antibiotic regimen and placement of a chest tube, the patient fully recovered and was able to be discharged.
Rare cause of lung atelectasis in a young woman
Authors: Pedro Paula Inês , Canário Dolores , Lopes Miguel , Argyropoulou Despina
Published: February 2019

Pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma is an extremely rare intrathoracic malignancy, comprising less than 1% of all lung tumours. These are very slow growing and are classified into low grade and high grade based on histological features. Surgical resection is the primary treatment with excellent outcomes, while chemotherapy or radiotherapy effectiveness is not known. Preoperative fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (18F-FDG PET/CT) is useful for predicting tumour grade and postsurgical prognosis.

A clinical case of a 31-year-old woman who presented with dyspnoea on exertion, cough and wheezing is reported. Imaging studies revealed a mass involving the left lower lobe bronchus and atelectasis. 18F-FDG PET/CT showed uptake in the described mass with a maximum standardised uptake value of 9.7. Complete surgical resection was performed, and pathological examination revealed a high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma with tumour-free margins. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given and there is no evidence of tumour recurrence.
Artificial intelligence and the radiologist: the future in the Armed Forces Medical Services
Authors: Sen Debraj , Chakrabarti R , Chatterjee S , Grewal D S , Manrai K
Published: February 2019

Artificial intelligence (AI) involves computational networks (neural networks) that simulate human intelligence. The incorporation of AI in radiology will help in dealing with the tedious, repetitive, time-consuming job of detecting relevant findings in diagnostic imaging and segmenting the detected images into smaller data. It would also help in identifying details that are oblivious to the human eye. AI will have an immense impact in populations with deficiency of radiologists and in screening programmes. By correlating imaging data from millions of patients and their clinico-demographic-therapy-morbidity-mortality profiles, AI could lead to identification of new imaging biomarkers. This would change therapy and direct new research. However, issues of standardisation, transparency, ethics, regulations, training, accreditation and safety are the challenges ahead. The Armed Forces Medical Services has widely dispersed units, medical echelons and roles ranging from small field units to large static tertiary care centres. They can incorporate AI-enabled radiological services to subserve small remotely located hospitals and detachments without posted radiologists and ease the load of radiologists in larger hospitals. Early widespread incorporation of information technology and enabled services in our hospitals, adequate funding, regular upgradation of software and hardware, dedicated trained manpower to manage the information technology services and train staff, and cyber security are issues that need to be addressed.
Dynamic Response Control of a Wind-Excited Tall Building with Distributed Multiple Tuned Mass Dampers
Authors: Elias Said , Matsagar Vasant , Datta T. K.
Published: February 2019

Dynamic response control of a wind-excited tall building installed with distributed multiple tuned mass dampers (d-MTMDs) is presented. The performance of d-MTMDs is compared with those of single tuned mass damper (STMD) and MTMDs installed at top of the building. The modal frequencies and mode shapes of the building are first determined. Based on the mode shapes of the uncontrolled and controlled building, the most suitable locations are identified for the dampers, in that the TMDs are placed where the modal amplitude of the building is the largest/larger in a particular mode, with each tuned to the modal frequency of the first five modes. The coupled differential equations of motion for the system are derived for the cases with the STMD, MTMDs, and d-MTMDs and solved numerically. Extensive parametric studies are conducted to compare the effectiveness of the three control schemes using STMD, MTMDs, and d-MTMDs by examining the variations in wind-induced responses. The mass ratios, damping ratios of the devices, number of TMDs, and robustness of the TMDs are the parameters of investigation. It is concluded that the MTMDs exhibit improved performance when compared with the STMD. The use of d-MTMDs is most efficient among the three schemes because it can effectively control wind-induced response of the building, while reduced space is required in the installation of the TMDs, as they are placed at various floors.
Controllable Zn0.76Co0.24S Nanoflower Arrays Grown on Carbon Fiber Papers for High-Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Man , Sui Yanwei , Yuan Xiaofang , Qi Jiqiu , Wei Fuxiang , Meng Qingkun , He Yezeng , Ren Yaojian , Sun Zhi , Liu Jinlong
Published: February 2019

A nanoflower structure of Zn[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text]S directly grown on carbon fiber papers (CFP) was successfully designed by a mild two-step hydrothermal method. Benefiting from their fascinating structural features, Zn[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text]S/CFP electrode exhibits a maximum specific capacitance of 300[Formula: see text]F[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] at current density of 1[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] and 84% capacitance retention after 5,000 cycles at current density of 5[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text]. Subsequently, Zn[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text]S/CFP//AC all-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) device is assembled and able to illuminate the red LEDs. ASC devices deliver a maximum energy density of 9.59[Formula: see text]W[Formula: see text]h[Formula: see text]kg[Formula: see text] at a power density of 750[Formula: see text]W[Formula: see text]kg[Formula: see text]. Therefore, this impressive result demonstrates that the nanoflower Zn[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text]S have promising applications in the development of high-performance supercapacitors.
Topological complexity of the work map
Authors: Murillo Aniceto , Wu Jie
Published: February 2019

We introduce the topological complexity of the work map associated to a robot system. In broad terms, this measures the complexity of any algorithm controlling, not just the motion of the configuration space of the given system, but the task for which the system has been designed. From a purely topological point of view, this is a homotopy invariant of a map which generalizes the classical topological complexity of a space.
Electrochemistry at the Synapse
Authors: Shin Mimi , Wang Ying , Borgus Jason R. , Venton B. Jill
Published: February 2019

Electrochemical measurements of neurotransmitters provide insight into the dynamics of neurotransmission. In this review, we describe the development of electrochemical measurements of neurotransmitters and how they started with extrasynaptic measurements but now are pushing toward synaptic measurements. Traditionally, biosensors or fast-scan cyclic voltammetry have monitored extrasynaptic levels of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, adenosine, glutamate, and acetylcholine. Amperometry and electrochemical cytometry techniques have revealed mechanisms of exocytosis, suggesting partial release. Advances in nanoelectrodes now allow spatially resolved, electrochemical measurements in a synapse, which is only 20–100 nm wide. Synaptic measurements of dopamine and acetylcholine have been made. In this article, electrochemical measurements are also compared to optical imaging and mass spectrometry measurements, and while these other techniques provide enhanced spatial or chemical information, electrochemistry is best at monitoring real-time neurotransmission. Future challenges include combining electrochemistry with these other techniques in order to facilitate multisite and multianalyte monitoring.
Single-Molecule Analysis with Solid-State Nanopores
Authors: Albrecht Tim
Published: February 2019

Solid-state nanopores and nanopipettes are an exciting class of single-molecule sensors that has grown enormously over the last two decades. They offer a platform for testing fundamental concepts of stochasticity and transport at the nanoscale, for studying single-molecule biophysics and, increasingly, also for new analytical applications and in biomedical sensing. This review covers some fundamental aspects underpinning sensor operation and transport and, at the same time, it aims to put these into context as an analytical technique. It highlights new and recent developments and discusses some of the challenges lying ahead.
Firms in Trade and Trade Politics
Authors: Kim In Song , Osgood Iain
Published: February 2019

We survey the literature on firms as primary actors in trade politics. In contrast with prevailing approaches, firm-centered models predict that trade internally divides industries and that larger firms are the strongest advocates for globalization. This new preference map alters extant predictions about the dynamics of interest group contestation over trade and suggests revised accounts for how political organization and institutions contribute to an open international order. We also explore the potential for new insights into the operation of the global trade regime, the politics of foreign investment, immigration and capital movements, and exchange rates. Poli-tical activities undertaken by firms are important areas for further research in international political economy: Their economic engagements directly affect the movement of goods, services, capital, and people across the globe.
Right ventricular remodeling in response to volume overload in fetal sheep
Authors: Karamlou Tara , Giraud George D. , McKeogh Donogh , Jonker Sonnet S. , Shen Irving , Ungerleider Ross M. , Thornburg Kent L.
Published: February 2019

The fetal myocardium is known to be sensitive to hemodynamic load, responding to systolic overload with cellular hypertrophy, proliferation, and accelerated maturation. However, the fetal cardiac growth response to primary volume overload is unknown. We hypothesized that increased venous return would stimulate fetal cardiomyocyte proliferation and terminal differentiation, particularly in the right ventricle (RV). Vascular catheters and pulmonary artery flow probes were implanted in 16 late-gestation fetal sheep: a right carotid artery-jugular vein (AV) fistula was surgically created in nine fetuses, and sham operations were performed on seven fetuses. Instrumented fetuses were studied for 1 wk before hearts were dissected for component analysis or cardiomyocyte dispersion for cellular measurements. Within 1 day of AV fistula creation, RV output was 20% higher in experimental than sham fetuses ( P < 0.0001). Circulating atrial natriuretic peptide levels were elevated fivefold in fetuses with an AV fistula ( P < 0.002). On the terminal day, RV-to-body weight ratios were 35% higher in the AV fistula group ( P < 0.05). Both left ventricular and RV cardiomyocytes grew longer in fetuses with an AV fistula ( P < 0.02). Cell cycle activity was depressed by >50% [significant in left ventricle ( P < 0.02), but not RV ( P < 0.054)]. Rates of terminal differentiation were unchanged. Based on these studies, we speculate that atrial natriuretic peptide suppressed fetal cardiomyocyte cell cycle activity. Unlike systolic overload, fetal diastolic load appears to drive myocyte enlargement, but not cardiomyocyte proliferation or maturation. These changes could predispose to RV dysfunction later in life.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Adaptation of the fetal heart to changes in cardiac load allows the fetus to maintain adequate blood flow to its systemic and placental circulations, which is necessary for the well-being of the fetus. Addition of arterial-venous fistula flow to existing venous return increased right ventricular stroke volume and output. The fetal heart compensated by cardiomyocyte elongation without accelerated cellular maturation, while cardiomyocyte proliferation decreased. Even transient volume overload in utero alters myocardial structure and cardiomyocyte endowment.
Reported Outcomes in Perinatal Iron Deficiency Anemia Trials: A Systematic Review
Authors: Malinowski Ann Kinga , D’Souza Rohan , Khan Khalid S. , Shehata Nadine , Malinowski Marcin , Daru Jahnavi
Published: February 2019

Background/Aims: Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are global health concerns associated with adverse perinatal effects. Despite efforts taken at the international level, there is no consensus on unified prevention/treatment strategies, largely stemming from inconsistencies of outcome reporting. Our objective was to comprehensively assess outcome reporting perinatal iron intervention trials as Phase 1 of core outcome set (COS) development to inform future research. Methods: Systematic search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Databases, and CINAHL (January 2000 – April 2016), with inclusion of trials involving pregnant or postpartum women with ID/IDA confirmed before recruitment. Articles were independently screened and selected by 2 reviewers; data were extracted in duplicate. Quality was assessed using published scoring systems. Outcome definitions and measurement methods were tabulated. Results: Of 7,046 citations, 33 randomized controlled trials were included. Sixty-nine reported outcomes were categorized into 8 domains. High methodological quality characterized 25 (76%) studies. Reporting quality was low in 16 (49%), moderate in 13 (39%), and high in 4 (12%) studies. Variation was greatest for outcome definition, timing of assessment and measurement methods. Conclusion: This review identifies a comprehensive long-list of outcomes reported of perinatal iron interventions for ID/IDA. Beyond highlighting existing variation in outcome reporting, it provides a foundation for development of a COS for future trials.
Interleukin-15 and Interleukin-7 are the Major Cytokines to Maintain Endometriosis
Authors: Bellelis Patrick , Frediani Barbeiro Denise , Gueuvoghlanian-Silva Bárbara Yasmin , Kalil Jorge , Abrão Mauricio Simões , Podgaec Sergio
Published: February 2019

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate cytokines related to natural killer and T-regulatory cells in endometriotic lesions, peritoneal fluid (PF) and the peripheral blood (PB) of patients with deep infiltrative endometriosis. Study Design: A case-control study was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital. Sixty-four consecutive patients after laparoscopy were divided into 2 groups: with endometriosis (Group A – n = 32) and without endometriosis (Group B – n = 32). Main Outcome Measures: Interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-10, IL-12, IL-15, transforming growth factor β1, and IFNγ concentration was measured using a LuminexTM multiplex suspension bead array. Tissues from endometriotic lesions of patients with endometriosis and from eutopic endometrium were evaluated, as well as PF and PB of all patients. Results: Compared to the other analyzed groups, IL-15 concentration was significantly higher in the ectopic endometrium and IL-7 in the eutopic endometrium of the endometriosis group (p < 0.05). Compared to endometriosis group, IFNγ, IL-7, and IL-15 were observed to be significantly higher in the PF of the control group, and IL-10 was lower in the control group (p < 0.05). In PB, compared to endometriosis group, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IL-15, and IFNγ concentrations were significantly higher in the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our hypothesis is that deep endometriosis is a disease out of control. This disease’s nature is of progression and invasion of adjacent structures, and proof of this disease state is the disorganized secretion of cytokine regulation and inflammation, which seem to be among the factors responsible for the maintenance of the disease.
Como e por que fazer de Câmara Cascudo um objeto de pesquisa sociológica?
Authors: Oliveira Aluizio Lins de
Published: February 2019

Realizar uma análise sociológica de uma atividade intelectual implica a construção explicativa das condições sociais de sua produção. O método pede a consideração relacional e a interdependência de elementos que dentro de uma determinada lógica encontram grande parte da fundamentação de suas existências, além da crítica e da reflexividade da própria construção do objeto. A feitura de uma análise sociológica da atividade intelectual de Câmara Cascudo deve trabalhar com duas dimensões que formam uma só, mas se diferenciam enormemente: as relações sociais, culturais e de poder no chamado mundo local e as relações sociais,  culturais e de poder nacionais. Além disso, construir analiticamente as diversas fases diferenciadas e os elementos de constância em suas diferentes cores.
Autoconstrução Redux
Authors: Jiménez Alberto Corsín , Rocha André Campos , Kosicki João Victor
Published: February 2019

Este artigo recupera o conceito de autoconstrução como uma heurística para o método e a teoria antropológica. Com base no uso original do conceito nos estudos urbanos, eu sugiro que a autoconstrução oferece uma visada capaz de dar conta não só dos projetos de base que mobilizam recursos, materiais e relações de um modo inventivo e transformador das ecologias urbanas, mas que também ajuda a delinear a forma como a teoria, em si, é autoconstruída: as operações de problematizações por meio das quais situações são navegadas e projetadas em métodos de investigação e exploração. Em outras palavras, eu tomo a autoconstrução como uma descrição empírica e teórica e, ao mesmo tempo, uma forma de auto-heurística para pensar a cidade como um método. O argumento é ilustrado por um relato etnográfico do trabalho com coletivos de arquitetura e contraculturais de guerrilha em Madri, focalizando, particularmente, nas transformações de um terreno abandonado no coração da cidade em um projeto comunitário auto-organizado, explorando de que modos os ativistas problematizaram a cidade como um método.
O conforto no ambiente construído:
Authors: Freitas Filho Hermano Braga Viriato de , Guizzo Iazana , Martins Eduardo Ferraz
Published: February 2019

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo contribuir para ampliar a discussão sobre as questões que envolvem os aspectos relativos ao conforto ambiental no ambiente construído e suas derivações, compreendendo o ambiente como lugar de ações participativas por parte de seus usuários. Neste estudo, é abordada a noção de conforto vista sob dois principais aspectos: inicialmente, o mais comum, aquele de um olhar de conteúdo mais técnico, pragmático, a partir das bases geradoras das normatizações, e, em seguida, sob um prisma raramente associado ao tema conforto, de caráter mais subjetivo, atento às sensações dos usuários, com ênfase final na referência à obra do arquiteto contemporâneo Peter Zumthor. O trabalho sequencia seu desenvolvimento estudando as principais fontes normativas como Normas Técnicas e Selos de Qualidade aplicáveis ao ambiente construído, e aborda o pensamento de diversos profissionais contemporâneos dedicados às questões aqui elencadas. Finalizando com uma aproximação ao pensamento de Peter Zumthor, o trabalho expõe, contribuindo à discussão do tema, as dicotomias ainda existentes nas abordagens e, se indaga, abrindo caminho a pesquisas futuras.
Outcomes After Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair in Patients With Renal Disease
Authors: Shah Binita , Villablanca Pedro A. , Vemulapalli Sreekanth , Manandhar Pratik , Amoroso Nicholas S. , Saric Muhamed , Staniloae Cezar , Williams Mathew R.
Published: February 2019

Background:

Renal disease is associated with poor prognosis despite guideline-directed cardiovascular therapy, and outcomes by sex in this population remain uncertain.

Methods and Results:

Patients (n=5213) who underwent a MitraClip procedure in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry Transcatheter Valve Therapy registry were evaluated for the primary composite outcome of all-cause mortality, stroke, and new requirement for dialysis by creatinine clearance (CrCl). Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services–linked data were available in 63% of patients (n=3300). CrCl was <60 mL/min in 77% (n=4010) and <30 mL/min in 23% (n=1183) of the cohort. Rates of primary outcome were higher with lower CrCl (>60 mL/min, 1.4%; 30–<60 mL/min, 2.7%; <30 mL/min, 5.2%; dialysis, 7.8%;
P
<0.001), and all low CrCl groups were independently associated with the primary outcome (30–<60 mL/min: adjusted odds ratio, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.38–3.91; <30 mL/min: adjusted odds ratio, 4.44; 95% CI, 2.63–7.49; dialysis: adjusted hazards ratio, 4.52; 95% CI, 2.08–9.82) when compared with CrCl >60 mL/min. Rates of 1-year mortality were higher with lower CrCl (>60 mL/min, 13.2%; 30–<60 mL/min, 18.8%; <30 mL/min, 29.9%; dialysis, 32.3%;
P
<0.001), and all low CrCl groups were independently associated with 1-year mortality (30–<60 mL/min: adjusted hazards ratio, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.13–1.99; <30 mL/min: adjusted hazards ratio, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.78–3.20; adjusted hazards ratio: dialysis, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.66–3.57) when compared with CrCl >60 mL/min.

Conclusions:

The majority of patients who undergo MitraClip have renal disease. Preprocedural renal disease is associated with poor outcomes, particularly in stage 4 or 5 renal disease where 1-year mortality is observed in nearly one-third. Studies to determine how to further optimize outcomes in this population are warranted.
Specific Disruption of Abca1 Targeting Largely Mimics the Effects of miR-33 Knockout on Macrophage Cholesterol Efflux and Atherosclerotic Plaque Development
Authors: Price Nathan L. , Rotllan Noemi , Zhang Xinbo , Canfrán-Duque Alberto , Nottoli Timothy , Suarez Yajaira , Fernández-Hernando Carlos
Published: February 2019

Rationale:

Inhibition of miR-33 reduces atherosclerotic plaque burden, but miR-33 deficient mice are predisposed to the development of obesity and metabolic dysfunction. The proatherogenic effects of miR-33 are thought to be in large part because of its repression of macrophage cholesterol efflux, through targeting of
Abca1
(ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 1). However, targeting of other factors may also be required for the beneficial effects of miR-33, and currently available approaches have not allowed researchers to determine the specific impact of individual miRNA target interactions in vivo.

Objective:

In this work, we sought to determine how specific disruption of
Abca1
targeting by miR-33 impacts macrophage cholesterol efflux and atherosclerotic plaque formation in vivo.

Methods and Results:

We have generated a novel mouse model with specific point mutations in the miR-33 binding sites of the
Abca1
3’untranslated region, which prevents targeting by miR-33. Abca1 binding
s
ite mutant (

Abca1
BSM

) mice had increased hepatic ABCA1 expression but did not show any differences in body weight or metabolic function after high fat diet feeding. Macrophages from

Abca1
BSM

mice also had increased ABCA1 expression, as well as enhanced cholesterol efflux and reduced foam cell formation. Moreover, LDLR (low-density lipoprotein receptor) deficient animals transplanted with bone marrow from

Abca1
BSM

mice had reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation, similar to mice transplanted with bone marrow from miR-33 knockout mice.

Conclusion:

Although the more pronounced phenotype of miR-33 deficient animals suggests that other targets may also play an important role, our data clearly demonstrate that repression of ABCA1 is primarily responsible for the proatherogenic effects of miR-33. This work shows for the first time that disruption of a single miRNA/target interaction can be sufficient to mimic the effects of miRNA deficiency on complex physiological phenotypes in vivo and provides an approach by which to assess the impact of individual miRNA targets.
Recognizing the Famine Early Warning Systems Network: Over 30 Years of Drought Early Warning Science Advances and Partnerships Promoting Global Food Security
Authors: Funk Chris , Shukla Shraddhanand , Thiaw Wassila Mamadou , Rowland James , Hoell Andrew , McNally Amy , Husak Gregory , Novella Nicholas , Budde Michael , Peters-Lidard Christa , Adoum Aklhalil , Galu Gideon , Korecha Diriba , Magadzire Tamuka , Rodriguez Mario , Robjhon Miliaritiana , Bekele Endalkachew , Arsenault Kristi , Peterson Pete , Harrison Laura , Fuhrman Steven , Davenport Frank , Landsfeld Marty , Pedreros Diego , Jacob Jossy P. , Reynolds Curt , Becker-Reshef Inbal , Verdin James
Published: February 2019

On a planet with a population of more than 7 billion, how do we identify the millions of drought-afflicted people who face a real threat of livelihood disruption or death without humanitarian assistance? Typically, these people are poor and heavily dependent on rainfed agriculture and livestock. Most live in Africa, Central America, or Southwest Asia. When the rains fail, incomes diminish while food prices increase, cutting off the poorest (most often women and children) from access to adequate nutrition. As seen in Ethiopia in 1984 and Somalia in 2011, food shortages can lead to famine. Yet these slow-onset disasters also provide opportunities for effective intervention, as seen in Ethiopia in 2015 and Somalia in 2017. Since 1985, the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) has been providing evidence-based guidance for effective humanitarian relief efforts. FEWS NET depends on a Drought Early Warning System (DEWS) to help understand, monitor, model, and predict food insecurity. Here we provide an overview of FEWS NET’s DEWS using examples from recent climate extremes. While drought monitoring and prediction provides just one part of FEWS NET’s monitoring system, it draws from many disciplines—remote sensing, climate prediction, agroclimatic monitoring, and hydrologic modeling. Here we describe FEWS NET’s multiagency multidisciplinary DEWS and Food Security Outlooks. This DEWS uses diagnostic analyses to guide predictions. Midseason droughts are monitored using multiple cutting-edge Earth-observing systems. Crop and hydrologic models can translate these observations into impacts. The resulting information feeds into FEWS NET reports, helping to save lives by motivating and targeting timely humanitarian assistance.
The 2016 CEOS Infrared Radiometer Comparison: Part II: Laboratory Comparison of Radiation Thermometers
Authors: Theocharous E. , Fox N. P. , Barker-Snook I. , Niclòs R. , Santos V. Garcia , Minnett P. J. , Göttsche F. M. , Poutier L. , Morgan N. , Nightingale T. , Wimmer W. , Høyer J. , Zhang K. , Yang M. , Guan L. , Arbelo M. , Donlon C. J.
Published: February 2019

To ensure confidence, measurements carried out by imaging radiometers mounted on satellites require robust validation using “fiducial quality” measurements of the same in situ parameter. For surface temperature measurements this is optimally carried out by radiometers measuring radiation emitted in the infrared region of the spectrum, collocated to that of a satellite overpass. For ocean surface temperatures the radiometers are usually on board ships to sample large areas but for land and ice they are typically deployed at defined geographical sites. It is of course critical that the validation measurements and associated instrumentation are internationally consistent and traceable to international standards. The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) facilitates this process and over the last two decades has organized a series of comparisons, initially to develop and share best practice, but now to assess metrological uncertainties and degree of consistency of all the participants. The fourth CEOS comparison of validation instrumentation: blackbodies and infrared radiometers, was held at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) during June and July 2016, sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA). The 2016 campaign was completed over a period of three weeks and included not only laboratory-based measurements but also representative measurements carried out in field conditions, over land and water. This paper is one of a series and reports the results obtained when radiometers participating in this comparison were used to measure the radiance temperature of the NPL ammonia heat-pipe blackbody during the 2016 comparison activities (i.e., an assessment of radiometer performance compared to international standards). This comparison showed that the differences between the participating radiometer readings and the corresponding temperature of the reference blackbody were within the uncertainty of the measurements, but there were a few exceptions, particularly for a reference blackbody temperature of −30°C. Reasons that give rise to the discrepancies observed at the low blackbody temperatures were identified.
Verification of Two Years of CNR-ISAC Subseasonal Forecasts
Authors: Mastrangelo Daniele , Malguzzi Piero
Published: February 2019

The monthly forecasting system of the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate of the National Research Council (CNR-ISAC) of Italy is operationally run on a weekly basis in the framework of the Subseasonal-to-Seasonal (S2S) project to produce 41-member ensemble forecasts. The first two years of forecasts, covering 106 weeks from April 2015, are verified against ERA-Interim as weekly averages starting from the first forecast day. Nonprobabilistic scores of 500-hPa geopotential height and 850-hPa temperature anomalies are computed for the extratropical hemispheres. The anomaly correlation coefficient shows enhanced predictive skill during the cold months, when favorable values are occasionally obtained beyond week 2. The root-mean-square error saturates toward the climatological value between weeks 2 and 3. Reliability diagrams are used to evaluate the probabilistic forecast skill of 2-m temperature over Northern Hemisphere extratropical land points, in terms of above- and below-normal events. The forecasting system loses reliability and resolution beyond week 2, but well reproduces the observed 2-yr mean frequency up to week 4, proving to be unbiased. The reliability of the forecasting system systematically outperforms that obtained by persisting the previous week forecast. Beyond week 2, the forecast distribution of below-normal events shows low confidence. However, a reliability diagram based on equally populated bins of forecast probabilities highlights residual resolution up to week 4 at low probabilities. ROC diagrams confirm that the modeling system has greater discrimination capability for below-normal events. The reliability analysis of accumulated precipitation shows minor differences between below- and above-normal events, with lower skill than 2-m temperature.
Local Thoughts on Global Ideas: Pre- and In-service TESOL Practitioners’ Attitudes to the Pedagogical Implications of the Globalization of English
Authors: Cameron Andrew , Galloway Nicola
Published: February 2019

With the globalization of the English language, Global Englishes (GE) is a growing research paradigm with numerous pedagogical implications for those learning and teaching English. The study reported here provides insights on pre- and in-service Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) practitioners’ perceptions of Global Englishes Language Teaching (GELT) (Galloway & Rose, 2015; Rose & Galloway, 2019), which aims to make TESOL classrooms more reflective of learners’ needs in today’s globalized world, where multilingualism is the norm and English functions as a lingua franca. Interviews (n=5) with those taking a GE course on an MSc TESOL programme at a Russell Group university in the UK were triangulated with a survey among the wider programme (n=66). The study reveals that curriculum innovation is complex, particularly when it requires a conceptual transition, and practitioners need time and support to implement change. Furthermore, it was clarified that GE has made little headway into ‘traditional’ TESOL classrooms, which remains biased towards ‘native’ English norms.
Book review: Jonathan Eacott, Selling Empire: India in the Making of Britain and America 1600–1830
Authors: Marshall P. J.
Published: February 2019

Jonathan Eacott, Selling Empire: India in the Making of Britain and America 1600–1830, Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture and the University of North Carolina Press, Williamsburg, VA, 2016, 472 pp., $45.
Politicized Literature: Dramas, Democracy and the Mysore Princely State
Authors: Boratti Vijayakumar M.
Published: February 2019

Literary writings such as poetry, drama or novel in colonial India manifest themselves into, react or subscribe to the larger discourse of colonialism or nationalism; rarely do they hold uniformity in their articulations. As colonial experiences and larger nationalist consciousness varied from region to region, cultural articulations—chiefly dramas—not only assumed different forms but also illustrated different thematic concerns. Yet, studies on colonial drama, thus far, have paid attention to either colonialism/orientalism or nationalism. There is a greater focus on British India in such studies. However, the case of princely states demands a momentary sidestep from the dichotomy of colonialism versus nationalism to understand the colonial dramas. The slow and gradual entry of nationalism in the princely states did not have to combat the British chiefly and directly. Much before its full blossom in the princely states, it had to grapple with a range of issues such as monarchy, democratic institutions, constitutionalism, bureaucracy and other pressing issues locally. In the present article, the Kannada dramas of Devanahalli Venkataramanaiah Gundappa (DVG) in the early decades of the twentieth century are examined to throw light on the ways in which they act as political allegories which imagine and debate democracy and its repercussions in the social and political spheres of the Mysore princely state.
Book review: Kazim Abdullaev, Buddhist Iconography of Northern Bactria
Authors: Alone Y. S.
Published: February 2019

Kazim Abdullaev, Buddhist Iconography of Northern Bactria, Manohar, New Delhi, 2015, 274 pp., ₹1,295.
Variability in the management of line-related upper extremity deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Cires-Drouet Rafael , Sharma Jashank , McDonald Tara , Sorkin John D , Lal Brajesh K
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Central-venous devices are risk-factors for upper extremity deep vein thrombosis. We surveyed physicians to identify practice-patterns and adherence to American College of Chest Physicians guidelines.

Methods

The 13-question survey obtained physician-demographics and treatment-choices. Respondents were grouped into surgical and medical specialists. Data were reported as ratios and percentages, and compared using Fisher’s exact test.

Results

We received 143 responses from physicians; 65% treated one-to-two new cases/month. Most physicians (69.2%) used anticoagulation; 36.4% retained the catheter and 32.9% removed it. Medical-specialists retained catheters more often than surgeons ( p = 0.027). For recurrences, 84% repeated anticoagulation; 50.3% retained the catheter. A majority anticoagulated upper-extremity deep-vein thrombosis in long-term catheters for three months only (55.1%). Direct oral anticoagulants were used frequently (43.6%). Only 10% believed that existing guidelines were appropriate and only 2.8% followed all guidelines.

Conclusion

There is great variability in treatment-decisions for upper-extremity deep-vein thrombosis. The existing guidelines are considered inadequate and not followed by most physicians.
Urban experimentation as a politics of niches
Authors: Savini Federico , Bertolini Luca
Published: February 2019

Experimentation has become an increasingly dominant and celebrated practice in urban governance. Used by planners and policy-makers seeking to manage and organize a positive transition to a ‘better’ world, experiments are generally seen as desirable and even necessary to achieve this goal. The quintessentially political nature of this approach to urban change, however, remains insufficiently addressed in planning and policy literature. This paper argues that experimental agency entails a set of political biases and normative assumptions that deserve to be problematized. Critically building on the analytical insights of evolutionary theory, we develop a critique of experimental action, arguing that experiments express a ‘politics of niches’ which occur across three processes: the creation, selection and retention of emergent practices within established institutional orders. Using empirical evidence from contemporary practices in Amsterdam, we sketch four trajectories of niches: death, marginalization, assimilation and transformation. We conclude by reflecting on the political implications of experimentation for urban theory and practice.
Taking Care and Taking Over: Daughter’s Duty, Self-Employment, and Gendered Inheritance in Zacatecas, Mexico
Authors: Banchik Anna Veronica
Published: February 2019

Although disproportionate housework and care responsibilities ascribed to mothers and wives have been found to greatly impact women’s self-employment, less is known about how family-level labor structures may shape daughters’ entrepreneurship. Family business scholarship has shed partial light on this question by showing that household hierarchies and gender norms impede daughters’ recognition and inheritance within family firms in the United States. Drawing on interviews with 32 women microenterprise owners in Zacatecas, Mexico, this article builds on previous research by suggesting that gendered mechanisms and labor structures may in fact position daughters to inherit businesses or business-related resources such as skills, financial capital, and property from their parents. Daughters acquire these assets by virtue of contributing to their parents’ enterprises as part of their childhood chores and maintaining a continued attachment to these businesses into adulthood. Daughters’ job prospects aside from inheritance were found to further shape their perceptions of business succession and inform their decision about whether to take over the family enterprise. Such acquisitions can be said to comprise instances of “gendered inheritance,” in which gendered institutions largely understood as disadvantaging women also may position them to attain valuable assets.
Conceptual design of PrandtlPlane civil transport aircraft
Authors: Frediani A , Cipolla Vittorio , Salem K Abu , Binante V , Scardaoni M Picchi
Published: February 2019

According to aircraft manufacturers and several air transportation players, the main challenge the civil aviation will have to deal with in the future is to provide a sustainable growth strategy, in order to face the growing demand of air traffic all over the world. The sustainability requirements are related to air pollution, noise impact, airport congestion, competitiveness of the air transportation systems in terms of travel time and passengers' comfort. Among the possible ways to allow a sustainable growth of the air transportation systems, disruptive aircraft configurations have been object of study for several years, in order to demonstrate that the improvement of aircraft performance can enable the envisaged growth. This paper presents the study of a possible novel configuration called “PrandtlPlane,” having a box-wing layout derived from Prandtl's “Best Wing System” concept. The paper deals with the definition of top level requirements and faces the conceptual study of the overall configuration, focusing on fuselage sizing as well as on the aerodynamic design of the box-wing system. This latter is designed through an optimization-driven strategy, carried out by means of a low-fidelity aerodynamic tool, which simulates the flow condition in the subsonic range and introduces corrections to take the transonic effects into account. Design procedures and tools are presented, showing preliminary results related to a PrandtlPlane compliant with ICAO Aerodrome Reference Code “C” standard, such as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, whose wingspan is limited to 36 m. Activities and results here shown are part of the first phase of the research project “PARSIFAL” (Prandtlplane ARchitecture for the Sustainable Improvement of Future AirpLanes), funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 Program, which aims to demonstrate that the PrandtlPlane configuration can improve aircraft payload capability, keeping their dimensions compatible with present airport infrastructures.
Knowledge Generation for Innovation in Ayurvedic Cosmetics MSMEs: Investigating Entrepreneur’s Cultural and Symbolic Capital
Authors: Baghel Deepmala , Parthasarathy D.
Published: February 2019

This article addresses links between entrepreneurs’ cultural and symbolic capital and their practices of knowledge generation for innovation. Through an ethnographic study of four Ayurvedic cosmetics manufacturing MSMEs in Mumbai, we argue that innovation in cosmetics MSMEs is the result of conversion of cultural capital into symbolic capital that in turn converts into economic capital. The study shows that Ayurveda knowledge resides in the entrepreneur’s family tradition and mostly transfers in a tacit form. The entrepreneurs’ acquisition of symbolic capital intertwines with the discourse of ‘sustainable development’, which makes ‘natural’ fashionable and ‘traditional’ knowledge prestigious. Within this discourse, Ayurveda knowledge acquires symbolic value which makes entrepreneurs’ cultural knowledge valuable and legitimate. The analyses of representative cases show how cultural capital and symbolic capital impact acquisition of knowledge in ways that facilitate entrepreneurs to attain legitimacy through innovations. We argue that appropriation of different forms of capital by entrepreneurs reinforces the beauty field’s normative structure which in turn facilitates knowledge generation for innovation in cosmetics MSMEs.
Seeing a drummer’s performance modulates the subjective experience of groove while listening to popular music drum patterns
Authors: Eaves Daniel Lloyd , Griffiths Noola , Burridge Emily , McBain Thomas , Butcher Natalie
Published: February 2019

Spontaneous rhythmical movements, like foot-tapping and head-bobbing, often emerge when people listen to music, promoting the enjoyable sensation of ‘being in the groove’. Here we report the first experiment to investigate if seeing the music maker modulates this experience. Across trials we manipulated groove level in the audio beats (high vs low), and manipulated the match between the audio beats and a concurrently observed point-light display (PLD) of the drummer. The visual display was either fully corresponding with the audio beats, or incompatible across three conditions: a static PLD, a corresponding but asynchronous PLD (0.5s time shifted); or a non-corresponding PLD (e.g. high groove audio paired with low groove PLD). Participants (n = 36) rated: (a) their desire to move; and (b) their perceived groove, purely in response to the audio beats, using 8-point Likert scales. The main effects of groove level and visual display were significant in both measurements. Ratings increased for high compared to low groove audio overall, and for the fully corresponding condition compared to the other visual conditions. Ratings of the desire to move also increased in the static compared to the non-corresponding condition, and the two-way interaction was significant. Desire to move significantly increased for high compared to low groove audio in the fully corresponding, static and asynchronous conditions, while this effect was absent in the non-corresponding condition. These findings identify the importance of seeing as well as hearing the musician for an enhanced experience of groove, which necessitates a multimodal account of music perception.
An ill-posed Cauchy type problem for an elastic strip
Authors: Galybin AN , Rogerson GA
Published: February 2019

This study deals with an incorrectly posed, plane elasticity, boundary value problem for a strip. The strip is loaded by a concentrated load of known intensity applied to one side and the displacements on this side are also known. The problem is therefore over-determined on one side of the boundary; in contrast no boundary conditions are specified on the other side of the strip. Therefore, the problem is ill-posed with the specified boundary conditions. The problem can be reduced to a system of integral equations derived from basic properties of holomorphic functions, which are used to prove uniqueness of the considered boundary value problem. An analytical solution of the problem is obtained by applying Fourier transforms. The inversion of the Fourier transform is performed with the use of the Stieltjes integral. This is a non-stable operation, which necessitates the application of a regularisation technique in order to build stable solutions. For numerical implementation we discuss the regularisation procedure based on the singular value decomposition truncation method.