bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Maternal Antihypertensive Drugs on the Cerebral, Renal and Splanchnic Tissue Oxygen Extraction of Preterm Neonates
Authors: Richter Anne E. , Schat Trijntje E. , Van Braeckel Koenraad N.J.A. , Scherjon Sicco A. , Bos Arend F. , Kooi Elisabeth M.W.
Published: April 2016

Background: Drugs with antihypertensive action are frequently used in obstetrics for the treatment of preeclampsia (labetalol) and tocolysis (nifedipine) or for neuroprotection (MgSO4), and may affect the hemodynamics of preterm born neonates. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether maternal antihypertensive drugs affect multisite oxygenation levels of the neonate. Methods: Eighty preterm neonates of ≤32 weeks of gestational age were monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy. Mean cerebral, renal and splanchnic fractional tissue oxygen extractions (cFTOE, rFTOE and sFTOE) were calculated for the first 5 postnatal days. We determined the effect of various maternal antihypertensive drugs on cFTOE and rFTOE using multilevel analysis, and on sFTOE using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Eleven infants were exposed to labetalol ± MgSO4, 7 to nifedipine ± MgSO4, 20 to MgSO4 only, and 42 to no maternal antihypertensive drugs. The infants exposed to labetalol ± MgSO4 had a lower cFTOE on days 1 (0.14, p = 0.031), 2 (0.13, p = 0.035) and 4 (0.18, p = 0.046) than nonexposed infants on the corresponding days (0.22, 0.20 and 0.24, respectively). On day 2, cFTOE was also lower in infants exposed to nifedipine ± MgSO4 (0.11, p = 0.028) and to MgSO4 only (0.15, p = 0.047). sFTOE was higher in infants exposed to labetalol ± MgSO4 on days 1 (µ = 0.71) and 2 (µ = 0.82) than in nonexposed infants (µ = 0.26, p = 0.04 and µ = 0.55, p = 0.007, respectively). Maternal antihypertensive drugs did not affect rFTOE. Conclusions: Low neonatal cFTOE found with maternal antihypertensive drug exposure may relate to either increased cerebral perfusion or neurologic depression induced by the medication, or preferential brain perfusion associated with preeclampsia placental insufficiency. Concomitantly high sFTOE found with labetalol exposure supports the latter, while renal autoregulation may explain rFTOE stability.
Outcome of Fetuses with Supratentorial Extra-Axial Intracranial Cysts: A Systematic Review
Authors: Youssef Aly , D'Antonio Francesco , Khalil Asma , Papageorghiou Aris T. , Ciardulli Andrea , Lanzone Antonio , Rizzo Giuseppe , Thilaganathan Basky , Pilu Gianluigi
Published: April 2016

Objective: To investigate the incidence of associated anomalies, aneuploidy, cyst progression, need for surgery and neurodevelopmental outcome in fetuses with extra-axial supratentorial intracranial cysts. Data Sources: Medline, Embase and CINAHL databases were searched and the following outcomes analyzed: associated central nervous system (CNS) and extra-CNS anomalies detected at the scan, chromosomal anomalies, additional CNS anomalies detected only at prenatal MRI, additional CNS anomalies detected only after birth, cyst progression in utero, neurological outcome and need for surgery. Two authors reviewed all abstracts independently. Results were reported as proportions, and between-study heterogeneity was explored using the I² statistic; fixed or random effect models were used accordingly. Results: Ten studies involving 47 fetuses were included in the meta-analysis. Arachnoid cysts (n = 24) had associated CNS anomalies and extra-CNS in 73% (95% CI 56-88) and 14% (95% CI 4-29), respectively. The most common associated anomalies were ventriculomegaly and callosal abnormalities. Chromosomal abnormalities were present in 6% (95% CI 0-30), but fetuses with isolated cysts were always euploid (0/7; 95% CI 0-29). Fetal MRI and postnatal examination identified 5 additional cases (21%, 95% CI 1-57). Cavum veli interpositi (CVI) cysts had associated CNS and extra-CNS anomalies in 31% (95% CI 13-52) and 6% (95% CI 0-29), respectively. No chromosomal or callosal anomalies were found in these cases. In isolated CVI cysts, no cases of associated anomalies were detected postnatally. Intrauterine regression occurred in 23% of CVI cysts and in none of the arachnoid cysts. In children with arachnoid cyst, the occurrence of hydrocephaly and mass effect on the adjacent structures were observed in 23.9% (95% CI 8.3-4.4) and 26.8% (95% CI 4.0-60.1), respectively. None of the cases included had abnormal motor outcome or intelligence. The rate of surgery was 34.7% (95% CI 16.0-56.4). None of the children with a prenatal diagnosis of isolated CVI cyst experienced any of the adverse outcomes explored in this review. Conclusions: Extra-axial supratentorial cysts diagnosed in utero are frequently associated with other neural and extra-neural anomalies. However, this may represent the consequence of a selection bias. Interhemispheric arachnoid cysts were typically associated with callosal anomalies. Abnormal karyotypes were seen only in fetuses with multiple anomalies. Arachnoid, but not CVI, cysts frequently increased in size throughout gestation.
The Clinical Stages of Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease with Met/Met Genotype in Korean Patients
Authors: Park So Young , Wang Min Jeong , Jang Jae-Won , Park Young Ho , Lim Jae-Sung , Youn Young Chul , Kim Jungeun , Kim SangYun
Published: April 2016

Background: Clinical diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is currently based on changes occurring in the late disease stages, which limits early-stage detection. Therefore, we investigated the disease course from the vague symptomatic to the terminal phase. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 36 sCJD patient records, classifying the disease progression into 4 stages based on clinical manifestations: vague symptomatic, possible CJD, probable CJD and chronic vegetative state. We analyzed findings from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), electroencephalography (EEG) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 14-3-3 protein testing performed at each stage. Results: In stage 1, the most distinctive feature was DWI hyperintensities in the neocortex, even with negative CSF 14-3-3 protein and EEG results. In stage 2, DWI hyperintensities in the limbic cortex were more remarkable. CSF 14-3-3 protein testing yielded positive results in >80% of patients; EEG showed sensitivity in <30% of patients. With progression toward stage 3, DWI hyperintensities in the subcortical nucleus increased, with a sustained higher rate of hyperintensities in the limbic and neocortical regions. With gradual progression to stage 4, the sensitivity of CSF 14-3-3 protein testing and EEG decreased and increased, respectively within limited data. Conclusions: Understanding disease stage-dependent differences in clinical symptoms and laboratory test results will facilitate early and accurate diagnosis.
Walking and Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque in the Coronary Arteries
Authors: Imran Tasnim F. , Patel Yash , Ellison R. Curtis , Carr J. Jeffrey , Arnett Donna K. , Pankow James S. , Heiss Gerardo , Hunt Steven C. , Gaziano J. Michael , Djoussé Luc
Published: April 2016

Objective—

Studies have reported mixed findings on the association between physical activity and subclinical atherosclerosis. We sought to examine whether walking is associated with prevalent coronary artery calcification (CAC) and aortic calcification.

Approach and Results—

In a cross-sectional design, we studied 2971 participants of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study without a history of myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. A standardized questionnaire was used to ascertain the number of blocks walked daily to compute walking metabolic equivalent hours. CAC was measured by cardiac computed tomography. We defined prevalent CAC and aortic calcification using an Agatston score of at least 100 and used generalized estimating equations to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios. Mean age was 55 years, and 60% of participants were women. Compared with the ≤3.75-Met-h/wk group, prevalence ratios for CAC after adjusting for age, sex, race, smoking, alcohol use, total physical activity (excluding walking), and familial clustering were 0.53 (95% confidence interval, 0.35–0.79) for >3.75 to 7.5 Met-h/wk, 0.72 (95% confidence interval, 0.52–0.99) for >7.5 to 15 Met-h/wk, and 0.54 (95% confidence interval, 0.36–0.81) for >15 to 22.5 Met-h/wk, (
P
trend=0.01). The walking–CAC relationship remained significant for those with body mass index ≥25 (
P
trend=0.02) and persisted with CAC cutoffs of 300, 200, 150, and 50 but not 0. When examined as a continuous variable, a J-shaped association between walking and CAC was found. The walking–aortic calcification association was not significant.

Conclusions—

Our findings suggest that walking is associated with lower prevalent CAC (but not aortic calcification) in adults without known heart disease.
Cost-Effectiveness of Oral Anticoagulants for Ischemic Stroke Prophylaxis Among Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients
Authors: Shah Anuj , Shewale Anand , Hayes Corey J. , Martin Bradley C.
Published: April 2016

Background and Purpose—

The objective of the study is to compare the cost-effectiveness of oral anticoagulants among atrial fibrillation patients at an increased stroke risk.

Methods—

A Markov model was constructed to project the lifetime costs and quality-adjusted survival (QALYs) of oral anticoagulants using a private payer’s perspective. The distribution of stroke risk (CHADS
2
score: congestive heart failure, hypertension, advanced age, diabetes mellitus, stroke) and age of the modeled population was derived from a cohort of commercially insured patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation. Probabilities of treatment specific events were derived from published clinical trials. Event and downstream costs were determined from the cost of illness studies. Drug costs were obtained from 2015 National Average Drug Acquisition Cost data.

Results—

In the base case analysis, warfarin was the least costly ($46 241; 95% CI, 44 499–47 874) and apixaban had the highest QALYs (9.38; 95% CI, 9.24–9.48 QALYs). Apixaban was found to be a cost-effective strategy over warfarin (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio=$25 816) and dominated other anticoagulants. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that apixaban had at least a 61% chance of being the most cost-effective strategy at willingness to pay value of $100 000 per QALY. Among patients with CHADS
2
≥3, dabigatran was the dominant strategy. The model was sensitive to efficacy estimates of apixaban, dabigatran, and edoxaban and the cost of these drugs.

Conclusions—

All the newer oral anticoagulants compared were more effective than adjusted dosed warfarin. Our model showed that apixaban was the most effective anticoagulant in a general atrial fibrillation population and has an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio <$50 000/QALY. For those with higher stroke risk (CHADS
2
≥3), dabigatran was the most cost-effective treatment option.
Movement patterns and activity of the Brazilian snake-necked turtle Hydromedusa maximiliani (Testudines: Chelidae) in southeastern Brazil
Authors: Famelli Shirley , Souza Franco L. , Georges Arthur , Bertoluci Jaime
Published: April 2016

To investigate the movement patterns and activity ofHydromedusa maximilianiin southeastern Brazil, sixteen adult freshwater turtles (eight males and eight females) were monitored with radio-transmitters from October 2009 to November 2010. An additional 22 turtles (11 males and 11 females) were monitored with thread-bobbins over a 3-day period.Hydromedusa maximilianishowed strong tendency to remain close to the river course. The distance moved each day varied from 0 to 179 m/day (radio-tracking) and 1.5 to 201 m/day (thread-bobbins). Males moved greater distances than females during the mating season (August to November), while females exhibited pronounced movements associated with egg-laying (December to February). Male and female movements did not differ significantly. Straight line distance measurements, usually obtained by radio-tracking, underestimate actual movement distances, since the nonlinearity of movements is not captured by radio-tracking as opposed to spool tracking, even when long distances are travelled. Results from this study are important for establishing conservation strategies for this vulnerable species.
Integrated Approach of Conventional Medicine and Complementary Alternative Medicine. Background Information and Future Directions at International, European and National Level
Authors: Poto Margherita , Wang Saisai
Published: April 2016

The range of treatments offered currently by healthcare providers worldwide is very fragmented, and should be replaced with a system in which integrated therapies, both complementary and conventional, are concentrated in health-delivery organisations following a patient-centred approach. The first part of this article portrays the regulatory framework of Complementary Alternative Medicine (cam) at international level. The second part describes the role of the European Union in this process. In the third part, a specific case study on the German health care system contributes to offers some suggestions for the pursuit of this work. The study increases the understanding of the relevance of an integrative approach both for medical and for non-medical practitioners.
Multimodal Contributions to Body Representation
Authors: Azañón Elena , Tamè Luigi , Maravita Angelo , Linkenauger Sally A. , Ferrè Elisa R. , Tajadura-Jiménez Ana , Longo Matthew R.
Published: April 2016

Our body is a unique entity by which we interact with the external world. Consequently, the way we represent our body has profound implications in the way we process and locate sensations and in turn perform appropriate actions. The body can be the subject, but also the object of our experience, providing information from sensations on the body surface and viscera, but also knowledge of the body as a physical object. However, the extent to which different senses contribute to constructing the rich and unified body representations we all experience remains unclear. In this review, we aim to bring together recent research showing important roles for several different sensory modalities in constructing body representations. At the same time, we hope to generate new ideas of how and at which level the senses contribute to generate the different levels of body representations and how they interact. We will present an overview of some of the most recent neuropsychological evidence about multisensory control of pain, and the way that visual, auditory, vestibular and tactile systems contribute to the creation of coherent representations of the body. We will focus particularly on some of the topics discussed in the symposium on Multimodal Contributions to Body Representation held on the 15th International Multisensory Research Forum (2015, Pisa, Italy).
Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful: Is there a Male Gaze in Empirical Aesthetics?
Authors: Ortlieb Stefan A. , Fischer Uwe C. , Carbon Claus-Christian
Published: April 2016

In his ground-breaking Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful, Edmund Burke (1757) presented a comprehensive aesthetic theory based on two types of aesthetic appreciation: the beautiful and the sublime. While beauty inspires us with tender feelings of affection, a thrill of delightful horror attracts us to the sublime. According to Burke these ideas originate in a drive for affiliation (beautiful) and a drive for self-preservation (sublime). He also claims that the sublime is generally the more powerful aesthetic experience. A synopsis of literature on gender differences in aesthetic preferences, personality traits, and social motivation suggests, however, that on average women might be less susceptible to the Burkeian sublime than men. We tested this hypothesis empirically using sixty picture details from a triptych by Hieronymus Bosch. One hundred and fifty participants rated these stimuli in terms of threat (respectively safety) and liking. Besides, they completed standardized scales for state and trait anxiety as well as for state and trait depression. We found a strong effect for gender: on average, safety and liking were more closely related for female than for male participants. In the light of these findings we state that Burke’s concepts of the beautiful and the sublime might in fact be confounded with gender-related aesthetic preferences and that his proclivity to the sublime could reflect a male gaze on aesthetics. Finally, we discuss possible indicators for ‘Burke’s fallacy’ in empirical aesthetics today.
A revision of the genus Macrolygistopterus Pic, 1929 (Coleoptera, Lycidae, Calochromini)
Authors: FERREIRA VINICIUS S.
Published: April 2016

A taxonomic review of the Lycid genus Macrolygistopterus Pic, 1929 with illustrations of diagnostic characters, geographic distribution maps and an identification key to the species is presented. Also, a key to the world Calochromini is given. Of the 12 species of the genus, 9 were studied: M. succinctus (Latreille, 1811), M. quadricostatus (Buquet, 1842), M. caeruleus (Gorham, 1884), M. germaini Pic, 1930, M. grandjeani Pic, 1930, M. subparallelus Pic, 1930, M. testaceirostris Pic, 1930, M. simoni Pic, 1930 and M. kirschi Pic, 1931 were redescribed and their status as valid species is confirmed. The lectotypes and paralectotypes were designated for all those examined species. M. bilineatus (Pic, 1923), M. diversicornis Pic, 1930 and M. bipartitus Pic, 1933 remain as valid species since these specimens were not available for this study. M. succinctus var. scutelaris Pic, 1930 is proposed here as new junior synonym of M. succinctus (Latreille, 1811).
Comments on the status of Xiphidiopsis quadrinotata Bey-Bienko, 1971 and related species with one new genus and species (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae)
Authors: SHI FUMING , BIAN XUN , ZHOU ZHIJUN
Published: April 2016

Based on the collections of the Museum of Hebei University, the paper comments Xiphidiopsis quadrinotata Bey-Bienko, 1971 status and reinstates Xizicus (Axizicus) xizangensis Jiao & Shi, 2013 as a valid species. Meanwhile, Alloteratura (Meconemopsis) Karny, 1924 is redefined and one new genus of Meconematinae, Nigrimacula Shi, Bian & Zhou gen. nov., mainly distributed in South China, is erected. The new genus includes three previously known species: Xiphidiopsis quadrinotata Bey-Bienko, 1971, Xizicus (Axizicus) xizangensis Jiao & Shi, 2013 and Meconemopsis paraquadrinotata Wang, Liu & Li, 2015 and one new species, Nigrimacula binotata Shi, Bian & Zhou sp. nov. The male of Xiphidiopsis quadrinotata Bey-Bienko, 1971 and female of Xizicus (Axizicus) xizangensis Jiao & Shi, 2013 are described for the first time. A key to the species based on the morphology and a distribution map are included.
A new species of Metacoelura (Collembola: Paronellidae) from Australia, and redescription of Metacoelura articulata
Authors: MA YITONG , ZHAO CHUN , GREENSLADE PENELOPE
Published: April 2016

The genus Metacoelura Salmon, 1951 is unusual as it possesses some characters typical of the family Entomobryidae and others of the Paronellidae. Three species and subspecies have been described, all from Australasian tropical regions. Metacoelura articulata is redescribed and a new species, Metacoelura majeri sp. nov., is described based on material collected in Australia. A key to species of the genus is provided.
A Review of Targeted Observations
Authors: Majumdar Sharanya J.
Published: April 2016

It has long been conceived that numerical weather forecasts will benefit from the assimilation of supplementary observations that augment the conventional observational network. In particular, the concept of “targeting” observations in selected regions to improve a forecast of a high-impact weather event had been promoted and tested prior to and during the World Meteorological Organization/World Weather Research Programme’s The Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment (THORPEX) era (2005–14), through field campaigns and assimilation experiments. The end of the THORPEX era provided an appropriate opportunity to review the outcomes and, in particular, the evaluations of the influence of assimilating targeted observations on numerical weather predictions. The main outcome in the extratropics was that the influence of the targeted observations was positive though small (typically an average forecast error reduction of less than 10%). In the tropics, the targeted observations usually improved tropical cyclone track forecasts. Significantly, the results from these and other experiments were found to be sensitive to the sample chosen, the method of verification, and the numerical weather prediction system including the data assimilation scheme and the treatment of observations. Recommendations for the future include innovations to optimize the use of the Global Observing System via better exploitation of routinely available resources together with new instrumentation; expanding into the convective scale and mesoscale; investing quantitative evaluations and improving our understanding of how observations affect forecasts; and assessing the socioeconomic value of improved forecasts. A comprehensive bibliography of approximately 200 papers is provided in the online supplement to this paper.
The GEWEX Water Vapor Assessment: Results from Intercomparison, Trend, and Homogeneity Analysis of Total Column Water Vapor
Authors: Schröder Marc , Lockhoff Maarit , Forsythe John M. , Cronk Heather Q. , Vonder Haar Thomas H. , Bennartz Ralf
Published: April 2016

The Global Energy and Water Cycle Exchanges project (GEWEX) water vapor assessment’s (G-VAP) main objective is to analyze and explain strengths and weaknesses of satellite-based data records of water vapor through intercomparisons and comparisons with ground-based data. G-VAP results from the intercomparison of six total column water vapor (TCWV) data records are presented. Prior to the intercomparison, the data records were regridded to a common regular grid of 2° × 2° longitude–latitude. All data records cover a common period from 1988 to 2008. The intercomparison is complemented by an analysis of trend estimates, which was applied as a tool to identify issues in the data records. It was observed that the trends over global ice-free oceans are generally different among the different data records. Most of these differences are statistically significant. Distinct spatial features are evident in maps of differences in trend estimates, which largely coincide with maxima in standard deviations from the ensemble mean. The penalized maximal F test has been applied to global ice-free ocean and selected land regional anomaly time series, revealing differences in trends to be largely caused by breakpoints in the different data records. The time, magnitude, and number of breakpoints typically differ from region to region and between data records. These breakpoints often coincide with changes in observing systems used for the different data records. The TCWV data records have also been compared with data from a radiosonde archive. For example, at Lindenberg, Germany, and at Yichang, China, such breakpoints are not observed, providing further evidence for the regional imprint of changes in the observing system.
A Combined Balloon Photography and Buoy-Tracking Experiment for Mapping Surface Currents in Coastal Waters
Authors: Miyao Yasuyuki , Isobe Atsuhiko
Published: April 2016

A novel observational technique to map surface ocean currents at high spatial resolution in narrow regions is developed. Low-altitude remote sensing using a digital camera suspended from a vessel-towed balloon is used to track trajectories of floating buoys deployed on the ocean. Surface-current velocities are thereafter computed by sequentially moving buoy locations on photo images converted into ground (Cartesian) coordinates. Field experiments were conducted in July and August 2013 using a balloon towed by a research vessel on the Seto Inland Sea. The image-derived currents were compared with those derived from buoy locations recorded by GPS receivers attached to each floating buoy. It was found that surface currents computed using GPS data contain unrealistic values arising from stochastic fluctuations in those data. However, the image-derived currents reproduced well convergent flows and a cyclonic eddy that accumulated foam and marine debris, as actually observed during the surveys. This performance is attributed to the fact that the image processing acts as a filter to remove erroneous buoy locations in computing surface currents. The estimated error was 4.1 cm s−1, sufficiently small to measure snapshots of surface coastal currents with magnitudes greater than several tens of centimeters per second.
Potential Gaps in the Satellite Observing System Coverage: Assessment of Impact on NOAA’s Numerical Weather Prediction Overall Skills
Authors: Boukabara Sid-Ahmed , Garrett Kevin , Kumar V. Krishna
Published: April 2016

The current constellation of environmental satellites is at risk of degrading due to several factors. This includes the following: 1) loss of secondary polar-orbiting satellites due to reaching their nominal lifetimes, 2) decrease in the density of extratropical radio-occultation (RO) observations due to a likely delayed launch of the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate-2 (COSMIC-2) high inclination orbit constellation, and 3) the risk of losing afternoon polar-orbiting satellite coverage due to potential launch delays in the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) programs. In this study, the impacts from these scenarios on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Global Forecast System skill are quantified. Performances for several metrics are assessed, but to encapsulate the results the authors introduce an overall forecast score combining metrics for all parameters, atmospheric levels, and forecast lead times. The first result suggests that removing secondary satellites results in significant degradation of the forecast. This is unexpected since it is generally assumed that secondary sensors contribute to system’s robustness but not necessarily to forecast performance. Second, losing the afternoon orbit on top of losing secondary satellites further degrades forecast performances by a significant margin. Finally, losing extratropical RO observations on top of losing secondary satellites also negatively impacts the forecast performances, but to a lesser degree. These results provide a benchmark that will allow for the assessment of the added value of projects being implemented at NOAA in support of mitigation strategies designed to alleviate the negative impacts associated with these data gaps, and additionally help NOAA to define requirements of the future global observing system architecture.
The POWER Experiment: Impact of Assimilation of a Network of Coastal Wind Profiling Radars on Simulating Offshore Winds in and above the Wind Turbine Layer
Authors: Djalalova Irina V. , Olson Joseph , Carley Jacob R. , Bianco Laura , Wilczak James M. , Pichugina Yelena , Banta Robert , Marquis Melinda , Cline Joel
Published: April 2016

During the summer of 2004 a network of 11 wind profiling radars (WPRs) was deployed in New England as part of the New England Air Quality Study (NEAQS). Observations from this dataset are used to determine their impact on numerical weather prediction (NWP) model skill at simulating coastal and offshore winds through data-denial experiments. This study is a part of the Position of Offshore Wind Energy Resources (POWER) experiment, a Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored project that uses National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) models for two 1-week periods to measure the impact of the assimilation of observations from 11 inland WPRs. Model simulations with and without assimilation of the WPR data are compared at the locations of the inland WPRs, as well as against observations from an additional WPR and a high-resolution Doppler lidar (HRDL) located on board the Research Vessel Ronald H. Brown (RHB), which cruised the Gulf of Maine during the NEAQS experiment. Model evaluation in the lowest 2 km above the ground shows a positive impact of the WPR data assimilation from the initialization time through the next five to six forecast hours at the WPR locations for 12 of 15 days analyzed, when offshore winds prevailed. A smaller positive impact at the RHB ship track was also confirmed. For the remaining three days, during which time there was a cyclone event with strong onshore wind flow, the assimilation of additional observations had a negative impact on model skill. Explanations for the negative impact are offered.
Openness to Experience Rather Than Overexcitabilities
Authors: Vuyk M. Alexandra , Krieshok Thomas S. , Kerr Barbara A.
Published: April 2016

Openness to experience is a personality factor in the five-factor model of personality, and it is composed of six facets. Facets of openness appear conceptually analogous to overexcitabilities (OEs), which are displays of inner energy guiding individuals toward advanced potential according to the theory of positive disintegration. This study examined the similarity of OEs to corresponding openness to experience facets in a sample of 149 creative adolescents and adults and 312 adults from the general population (total N = 461). Exploratory structural equation modeling tested competing models in which each OE and corresponding openness facet were modeled as separate factors and as joint factors. The separate-factor model had acceptable fit but uninterpretable loadings, while the joint-factor model had acceptable fit and interpretable loadings; thus, openness seems to encompass OEs. Accordingly, the field should align with well-researched psychological theories like the five-factor model of personality and begin to talk about openness rather than OEs.
A Mixed-Methods Study of Former Child Soldiers’ Transition Trajectories From Military to Civilian Life
Authors: Vindevogel Sofie , Van Parys Hanna , De Schryver Maarten , Broekaert Eric , Derluyn Ilse
Published: April 2016

Child soldiering affects the well-being of thousands of young people globally and inflicts significant challenges on entire socio-ecological systems, confronting them with culminating stressful living conditions and immense loss. This study sought to explore how former child soldiers’ transition trajectories are shaped by the dynamic interplay between these encountered challenges and available personal and communal resources. We conducted and analyzed in-depth interviews with 48 northern Ugandan former child soldiers using cluster analysis ( K-means) and interpretative-phenomenological analysis. The results showed divergent post-child soldiering trajectories of stability, improvement, or decline across time. Regarding resources, the cases showed ongoing resource depletion, threat to remaining resources in the face of significant challenge, and loss of resources that could not be replenished. However, there was also evidence that halting the depletion of resources, utilizing existing resources, and valuing remaining resources could offset distress, especially when individual initiatives were environmentally scaffolded. This study calls for a comprehensive approach to the interconnected challenges and resources as well as the intersecting personal and communal responses to these challenges in the aftermath of child soldiering.
Campus Based Sexual Assault and Dating Violence
Authors: Voth Schrag Rachel J.
Published: April 2016

Colleges are working to study and address sexual assault (SA) and dating violence (DV) on campus. This quantitative systematic review assessed 196 studies of SA and DV to evaluate if the literature fully reflects the demographics of American higher education. Results show disproportionate representation in the populations and settings in which research is occurring. No studies occurred at associates/2-year institutions, and participants are substantially younger and whiter than American college students overall. Education and prevention efforts that do not take into account the bias in these studies may exacerbate intersectional barriers for students.
Efficacy of Recommended Prehospital Human Equivalent Doses of Atropine and Pralidoxime Against the Toxic Effects of Carbamate Poisoning in the Hartley Guinea Pig
Authors: Brittain Matthew K. , McGarry Kevin G. , Moyer Robert A. , Babin Michael C. , Jett David A. , Platoff Gennady E. , Yeung David T.
Published: April 2016

Purpose:

Aldicarb and methomyl are carbamate pesticides commonly implicated in human poisonings. The primary toxic mechanism of action for carbamate poisoning is cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition. As such, it is logical to assume that the currently accepted therapies for organophosphate poisoning (muscarinic antagonist atropine and the oxime acetylcholinesterase reactivator pralidoxime chloride [2-PAM Cl]) could afford therapeutic protection. However, oximes have been shown to be contraindicated for poisoning by some carbamates.

Methods:

A protective ratio study was conducted in guinea pigs to evaluate the efficacy of atropine and 2-PAM Cl. The ChE activity was determined in both the blood and the cerebral cortex.

Results:

Coadministration of atropine free base (0.4 mg/kg) and 2-PAM Cl (25.7 mg/kg) demonstrated protective ratios of 2 and 3 against aldicarb and methomyl, respectively, relative to saline. The data reported here show that this protection was primarily mediated by the action of atropine. The reactivator 2-PAM Cl had neither positive nor negative effects on survival. Both blood acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities were significantly reduced at 15 minutes postchallenge but gradually returned to normal within 24 hours. Analysis of cerebral cortex showed that BChE, but not AChE, activity was reduced in animals that succumbed prior to 24 hours after challenge.

Conclusion:

The results suggest that coadministration of atropine and 2-PAM Cl at the currently recommended human equivalent doses for use in the prehospital setting to treat organophosphorus nerve agent and pesticide poisoning would likely also be effective against aldicarb or methomyl poisoning.
Gender Violence as Global Phenomenon
Authors: McKinnon Sara L.
Published: April 2016

This essay investigates the mounting U.S. vision of gender violence since the 1990s as a global phenomenon. Focusing on U.S. legal, political, and media discourse about female circumcision in particular, and gender violence more broadly, this essay examines what U.S. imaginaries about global gender violence enable as warrants for neocolonial consolidations of U.S. power in the 21st century through international projects and programs of defense, development, and diplomacy. The essay first addresses the way female circumcision becomes recognized in the United States imaginary as a gendered violence that is distant from the United States and essential to the African continent and African women’s bodies. It then questions what the recognition of gender violence as a global phenomenon does for U.S. neocolonial projects of defense, development, and diplomacy. It is the flexibility of gender violence as a rhetoric—its ability to be both specific and general—that makes it most potent in the service of U.S. neocolonial practices and projects around the world.
Using Cognitive Testing to Develop Items for Surveying Asian American Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers as a Pathway to Culturally Competent Care
Authors: Bolcic-Jankovic Dragana , Lu Fengxin , Colten Mary Ellen , McCarthy Ellen P.
Published: April 2016

We report the results from cognitive interviews with Asian American patients and their caregivers. We interviewed seven caregivers and six patients who were all bilingual Asian Americans. The main goal of the cognitive interviews was to test a survey instrument developed for a study about perspectives of Asian American patients with advanced cancer who are facing decisions around end-of-life care. We were particularly interested to see whether items commonly used in White and Black populations are culturally meaningful and equivalent in Asian populations, primarily those of Chinese and Vietnamese ethnicity. Our exploration shows that understanding respondents’ language proficiency, degree of acculturation, and cultural context of receiving, processing, and communicating information about medical care can help design questions that are appropriate for Asian American patients and caregivers, and therefore can help researchers obtain quality data about the care Asian American cancer patients receive.
A numerical study of the propagation of organic gellant-based fuel-rich premixed spray flames
Authors: Greenberg JB , Kagan LS , Sivashinsky GI
Published: April 2016

The behavior of laminar rich, organic gellant-based premixed spray flames is investigated for the first time. The pulsating evaporation of such spray droplets, that has been observed experimentally, is accounted for. The numerical investigation discloses two main important findings. First, the phenomenon of the creation of flame hot-spots in organic gellant-based spray diffusion flames, associated with the pulsating evaporation, is absent in the premixed flame context. Second, the influence of the temperature of onset of the pulsations and their frequency on the propagation velocity of premixed gel spray flames was examined. These parameters were found to impact on whether the flame front moves steadily through the initial pre-mixture or whether it exhibits oscillations in its movement.
Helical modes in combined Rayleigh–Taylor and Kelvin–Helmholtz instability of a cylindrical interface
Authors: Vadivukkarasan M , Panchagnula Mahesh V
Published: April 2016

The effect of competing Rayleigh–Taylor and Kelvin–Helmholtz mechanisms of instability applied to a cylindrical two-fluid interface is discussed. A three-dimensional temporal linear stability model for the instability growth is developed based on the frozen time approximation. The fluids are assumed to be inviscid and incompressible. From the governing equations and the boundary conditions, a dispersion relation is derived and analyzed for instability. Four different regimes have been shown to be possible, based on the most unstable axial and circumferential wavenumbers. The four modes are the Taylor mode, the sinuous mode, the flute mode and long and short wavelength helical modes. The effect of Bond number, Weber number, and density ratio are investigated in the context of the mode chosen. It is found that Bond number is the primary determinant of the neutral stability while Weber number plays a key role in identifying the instability mode that is manifest. A regime map is presented to delineate the modes realized for a given set of flow parameter values. From this regime map, a short wavelength helical mode is identified which is shown to result only when both the Rayleigh–Taylor and Kelvin–Helmholtz instability mechanisms are active. A scaling law for the magnitude of the wavenumber vector as a function of Bond number and Weber number are also developed. A length scale is defined to characterize the interface distortion. Using this length scale, the set of conditions where the interface exhibits a maximum in surface area creation is identified. With the objective of achieving the smallest characteristic length scale of interface distortion, a criterion to optimally budget mean flow energy is also proposed.
The effect of bend positions on premixed methane–air explosion overpressures in ducts
Authors: Zhu Chuan-jie , Gao Zi-shan , Lin Bai-quan , Tan Zhong , Sun Yu-min , Hong Yi-du , Guo Chang
Published: April 2016

Bend structures in process industries can enhance gas explosions. Many researchers have studied their effects on flame propagations or overpressure evolutions with experiments or numerical simulations. In this work, three bends with different angles ranging from obtuse to acute were examined, and the effect of bend positions on gas explosions was also studied in the experiments. It was found that the peak overpressure evolutions under three different angles experienced three different stages, i.e. a slight downtrend before the bend, a sudden uptrend in and after the bend, and a following downtrend. The explosion violence was enhanced due to a reflection wave and flame tip wrinkle. The peak overpressure increased when the bend angles decreased because of stronger reflection and turbulence under a smaller bend angle. Additionally, the bend shortened the distance at which the peak overpressure reached its maximum values. However, the bend positions had little effect on the maximum overpressure in the ducts.
Experience counts: The chief justice, management tenure, and strategic behavior on the U.S. Supreme Court
Authors: Ura Joseph Daniel , Flink Carla M.
Published: April 2016

We develop and test a theoretical account of the effect of management tenure on the strategic behavior of the chief justice of the United States. Substantial evidence from literatures on learning models and public management indicate that tenure (length of service) is positively related to management performance in public organizations. This suggests that the chief justice’s tenure in office should be positively related to efficiency in the use of the chief justice’s formal powers. We assess this hypothesis by replicating and extending Johnson et al.’s study of chief justice Burger’s conference voting behavior. The data support our management tenure hypothesis, showing that Burger used greater discretion in reserving his conference vote over time as he became more adept at discriminating between circumstances when the tactic was strategically valuable and when it was not.
Christian Art in China during the Period of Economic Reform
Authors: Clarke Jeremy
Published: April 2016

The Chinese Catholic Church has a rich tradition of producing art that depicts its faith. During its more than 400 years of continuous history, not counting earlier incarnations, these works have also incorporated inculturated motifs, such as figures drawn from Buddhist iconography and the use of fauna and flora. Since the period of economic reform in China began, the Catholic communities have had greater freedom than in earlier decades, which had led to the production of many new images. The inculturated forms, however, have not always been so well received. Works from two famous Catholic locations (Shijiazhuang and Shanghai) are explored in the article.
The Christian Art Scene in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Küster Volker
Published: April 2016

The Christian artists introduced here from Yogyakarta, Indonesia; all have at least some academic background, and most are converted Muslims. In different degrees, their work attempts to contextualize Christian faith in the cultural-religious pluralism of present-day Indonesia. In doing so, they contribute to the development of Indonesian theology.
Unfavourable effects of medically indicated oral anticoagulants on survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Kreuter Michael , Wijsenbeek Marlies S. , Vasakova Martina , Spagnolo Paolo , Kolb Martin , Costabel Ulrich , Weycker Derek , Kirchgaessler Klaus-Uwe , Maher Toby M.
Published: April 2016

Procoagulant and antifibrinolytic activity has been associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); however, investigation of anticoagulant therapy in IPF has suggested deleterious effects. Thispost hocanalysis evaluated the effect of medically indicated anticoagulation on mortality and other clinical outcomes in IPF.

Patients randomised to placebo (n=624) from three controlled trials in IPF were analysed by oral anticoagulant use. End-points included all-cause and IPF-related mortality, disease progression, hospitalisation, and adverse events, over 1 year.

At baseline, 32 (5.1%) patients randomised to placebo were prescribed anticoagulants for non-IPF indications, 29 (90.6%) of whom received warfarin. Unadjusted analyses demonstrated significantly higher all-cause and IPF-related mortality at 1 year in baseline anticoagulant usersversusnonusers (15.6%versus6.3%, p=0.039 and 15.6%versus3.9%, p=0.002, respectively). In multivariate analyses, baseline use of anticoagulants was an independent predictor of IPF-related mortality (hazard ratio 4.7, p=0.034), but not other end-points. Rates of bleeding and cardiac events did not differ significantly between groups. In an exploratory analysis, anticoagulant use at any time during the study was an independent predictor of all end-points.

Thispost hocanalysis suggests that anticoagulants used for non-IPF indications may have unfavourable effects in IPF patients. Future studies are needed to explore this relationship further.
microRNA-206 is involved in survival of hypoxia preconditioned mesenchymal stem cells through targeting Pim-1 kinase
Authors: Zhang You , Lei Wei , Yan Weiya , Li Xizhe , Wang Xiaolin , Zhao Zhenao , Hui Jie , Shen Zhenya , Yang Junjie
Published: April 2016

Background

Overexpression of Pim-1 in stem/progenitor cells stimulated cell cycling and enhanced cardiac regeneration in vivo. We proposed that hypoxic preconditioning could increase survival of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) via upregulation of Pim-1 and aimed to determine the microRNAs that modulate the expression of Pim-1.

Methods and results

MSCs were subjected to hypoxia exposure. The expression of Pim-1 in MSCs was enhanced in a time-dependent manner, detected by quantitative PCR and western blot. miR-206 is predicted as one of the potential microRNAs that target Pim-1. The expression of miR-206 was decreased in hypoxic MSCs and reversely correlated with Pim-1 expression. Luciferase activity assay further confirmed Pim-1 as a putative target of miR-206. In addition, gain and loss-of-function studies with miR-206 mimics and inhibitors showed that inhibition of miR-206 in hypoxic MSCs promoted the migration ability of the cells, prevented cell apoptosis, and protected membrane potential of mitochondria, while the benefits were all blocked by Pim-1 inhibitor. In an acute model of myocardial infarction, transplanted hypoxic MSCs showed a significantly improved survival as compared with hypoxic MSCs overexpressing miR-206.

Conclusions

Hypoxic preconditioning could increase short-term survival of bone marrow MSCs via upregulation of Pim-1, and miR-206 was one of the critical regulators in this process.
Factors associated with uterine fibroid in Ghanaian women undergoing pelvic scans with suspected uterine fibroid
Authors: Sarkodie Benjamin Dabo , Botwe Benard Ohene , Adjei David Nana , Ofori Eric
Published: April 2016

Background

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumours affecting premenopausal women and are often associated with considerable hospitalization and morbidity. Literature shows virtually no study concerning the quantification of the main factors associated with uterine fibroids in Ghanaian women. The purpose of this study was to assess the main factors associated with uterine fibroid among Ghanaian women presenting for ultrasound.

Method

A prospective cross-sectional study design was employed in this study. A total of two hundred and forty-four (244) women were consecutively evaluated from November 2011 to February 2012 using a 2–5 MHz curvilinear probe of Philips HD3 ultrasound machines at three centres in Accra using a trans-abdominal pelvic approach. Data was analysed with (SPSS) version 20.0 for windows, 2010; Chicago. The Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to determine associations between selected demographic and gynaecological characteristics and uterine fibroid appearance. All tests were two-tailed and p-value of less than 0.05 was interpreted as significant.

Results

The range, mean and standard deviation (SD) of the patients’ age were 14–54 years, 31.89 years and ± 7.92 respectively. Factors that associated significantly with uterine fibroid in Ghanaian women included obesity (X2 = 17.3, p-value = 0.001), participant’s age range (X2 = 47.4, p-value = 0.001), parity (X2 = −10.169, p-value = 0.001), and age at last delivery (X2 = 34.579, p-value = 0.001).

Conclusion

Uterine fibroid was mainly associated with women of older age group of the reproductive age than the younger age categories and also associated more with women with without children compared to those with more children. Moreover, it associated more with obese patients and patient with late age at last delivery.