bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renewable Generation (Wind/Solar) and Load Modeling through Modified Fuzzy Prediction Interval
Authors: Rafique Syed Furqan , Jianhua Zhang , Rafique Rizwan , Guo Jing , Jamil Irfan
Published: January 2018

The accuracy of energy management system for renewable microgrid, either grid-connected or isolated, is heavily dependent on the forecasting precision such as wind, solar, and load. In this paper, an improved fuzzy prediction horizon forecasting method is developed to address the issue of intermittence and uncertainty problem related to renewable generation and load forecast. In the first phase, a Takagi-Sugeno type fuzzy system is trained with many evolutionary optimization algorithms and established coverage grade indicator to check the accuracy of interval forecast. Secondly, a wind, solar, and load forecaster is developed for renewable microgrid test bed which is located in Beijing, China. One day and one step ahead results for the proposed forecaster are expressed with lowest RMSE and training time. In order to check the efficiency of the proposed method, a comparison is carried out with the existing models. The fuzzy interval-based model for the microgrid test bed will help to formulate the energy management problem with more accuracy and robustness.
Mining EEG with SVM for Understanding Cognitive Underpinnings of Math Problem Solving Strategies
Authors: Bosch Paul , Herrera Mauricio , López Julio , Maldonado Sebastián
Published: January 2018

We have developed a new methodology for examining and extracting patterns from brain electric activity by using data mining and machine learning techniques. Data was collected from experiments focused on the study of cognitive processes that might evoke different specific strategies in the resolution of math problems. A binary classification problem was constructed using correlations and phase synchronization between different electroencephalographic channels as characteristics and, as labels or classes, the math performances of individuals participating in specially designed experiments. The proposed methodology is based on using well-established procedures of feature selection, which were used to determine a suitable brain functional network size related to math problem solving strategies and also to discover the most relevant links in this network without including noisy connections or excluding significant connections.
Lateral Percolation and Its Effect on Shale Gas Accumulation on the Basis of Complex Tectonic Background
Authors: Zhang Kun , Jiang Zhenxue , Xie Xuelian , Gao Zhiye , Liu Tianlin , Yin Lishi , Jia Chengzao , Song Yan , Shan Chang’an , Wu Yinghui , Wang Pengfei
Published: January 2018

As a result of complex tectonic background, shale gas in China exhibits differential enrichment. Choosing a favorable exploration target accurately is a crucial problem to be solved. In this study, the tests show that there is a superior transportation pathway within shale layer. Gas in the shale layer percolates much more in the direction parallel to the plane. Therefore, the accumulation pattern of shale gas indicates a complex tectonic background. Gas in the lower part of the structure diffuses and percolates in the vertical direction into the surrounding rock. Most gas percolates towards the high part of the structure in the direction parallel to the plane. When the shale was exposed, gas percolated along the parallel direction into the air. In the case of fracture development, if there is a reverse fault, gas would be enriched in the footwall. However, if there is an unsealed fault, it would become a pathway for gas migration. The above accumulation pattern was proved in several Areas. Also, this research presented a basis of evaluation units division. According to the buried depth, fractures, and structural position, Xiuwu Basin was divided into five evaluation units and Unit A3 is the most favorable exploration target.
Precision Light for the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Kaladchibachi Sevag , Fernandez Fabian
Published: January 2018

Circadian timekeeping can be reset by brief flashes of light using stimulation protocols thousands of times shorter than those previously assumed to be necessary for traditional phototherapy. These observations point to a future where flexible architectures of nanosecond-, microsecond-, and millisecond-scale light pulses are compiled to reprogram the brain’s internal clock when it has been altered by psychiatric illness or advanced age. In the current review, we present a chronology of seminal experiments that established the synchronizing influence of light on the human circadian system and the efficacy of prolonged bright-light exposure for reducing symptoms associated with seasonal affective disorder. We conclude with a discussion of the different ways that precision flashes could be parlayed during sleep to effect neuroadaptive changes in brain function. This article is a contribution to a special issue onCircadian Rhythms in Regulation of Brain Processes and Role in Psychiatric Disorderscurated by editors Shimon Amir, Karen Gamble, Oliver Stork, and Harry Pantazopoulos.
Core/Shell Structure of TiO2‐Coated MWCNTs for Thermal Protection for High‐Temperature Processing of Metal Matrix Composites
Authors: Ardila Rodriguez Laura Angélica , Travessa Dilermando Nagle
Published: January 2018

The production of metal matrix composites with elevated mechanical properties depends largely on the reinforcing phase properties. Due to the poor oxidation resistance of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as well as their high reactivity with molten metal, the processing conditions for the production of MWCNT‐reinforced metal matrix composites may be an obstacle to their successful use as reinforcement. Coating MWCNTs with a ceramic material that acts as a thermal protection would be an alternative to improve oxidation stability. In this work, MWCNTs previously functionalized were coated with titanium dioxide (TiO2) layers of different thicknesses, producing a core‐shell structure. Heat treatments at three different temperatures (500°C, 750°C, and 1000°C) were performed on coated nanotubes in order to form a stable metal oxide structure. The MWCNT/TiO2 hybrids produced were evaluated in terms of thermal stability. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy (RS), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were performed in order to investigate TiO2‐coated MWCNT structure and thermal stability under oxidative atmosphere. It was found that the thermal stability of the TiO2‐coated MWCNTs was dependent of the TiO2 layer morphology that in turn depends on the heat treatment temperature.
Oxygen Concentration and Oxidative Stress Modulate the Influence of Alzheimer’s Disease Aβ1–42 Peptide on Human Cells
Authors: Džinić Tamara , Dencher Norbert A.
Published: January 2018

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated after exposure to ionizing radiation and toxic peptides, in mitochondrial metabolism and during aging contribute to damage of cell’s structural and functional components and can lead to diseases. Monomers and small oligomers of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide, players in Alzheimer’s disease, are recently suggested to be involved in damaging of neurons, instead of extracellular Aβ plaques. We demonstrate that externally applied disaggregated Aβ1–42 peptide interacts preferentially with acidic compartments (lysosomes). We compared standard cell cultivation (21% O2) to more physiological cell cultivation (5% O2). Cells did not exhibit a dramatic increase in ROS and change in glutathione level upon 4 μM Aβ peptide treatment, whereas exposure to 2 Gy X‐rays increased ROS and changed glutathione level and ATP concentration. The occurrence of the 4977 bp deletion in mtDNA and significant protein carbonylation were specific effects of IR and more pronounced at 21% O2. An increase in cell death after Aβ peptide treatment or irradiation was unexpectedly restored to the control level or below when both were combined, particularly at 5% O2. Therefore, Aβ peptide at low concentration can trigger neuroprotective mechanisms in cells exposed to radiation. Oxygen concentration is an important modulator of cellular responses to stress.
Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1α Alleviates Calcium-Sensing Receptor Activation-Mediated Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting Caspase-3/Caspase-9-Induced Cell Apoptosis in Rat Free Flaps
Authors: Song Li , Gao Li-Na , Wang Jun , Thapa Swosti , Li Yong , Zhong Xiao-Bo , Zhao Hong-Wei , Xiang Xue-Rong , Zhang Fu-Gui , Ji Ping
Published: January 2018

Surgical flaps are frequently affected by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) are closely associated with myocardial I/R injury. This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of applying SDF-1α to counteract CaSR activation-mediated I/R injury in ischemic free flaps. Free flaps that underwent ischemia for 3 h were equally randomized into five groups: CaCl2, NPS2143 + CaCl2, SDF-1α + CaCl2, AMD3100 + SDF-1α + CaCl2, and normal saline. The free flaps were harvested to evaluate flap necrosis and neovascularization after 2 h or 7 d of reperfusion. p-CaSR/CaSR was extensively expressed in vascular endothelial cells of free flaps after I/R injury, and activation of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis and NPS2143 could reduce the expression of cleaved caspase-3, caspase-9, FAS, Cyt-c, and Bax and increase Bcl-2 expression; the opposite was true after CaSR activation. Interestingly, initiation of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis might abrogate CaSR activation-induced I/R injury through enhancement of microvessel density. In conclusion, CaSR might become a novel therapeutic target of free flaps affected by I/R injury. Activation of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis and NPS2143 could counteract CaSR activation-mediated I/R injury and promote free flap survival through inhibition of caspase-3/caspase-9-related cell apoptosis and enhancement of neovascularization.
Evaluation of Overall Response Rate and Progression-Free Survival as Potential Surrogate Endpoints for Overall Survival in Immunotherapy Trials
Authors: Mushti Sirisha L. , Mulkey Flora , Sridhara Rajeshwari
Published: January 2018

Purpose: With the approval of immunotherapies for a variety of indications, methods to assess treatment benefit addressing the response patterns observed are important. We evaluated RECIST criteria–based overall response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) as potential surrogate endpoints of overall survival (OS), and explored a modified definition of PFS by altering the threshold percentage determining disease progression to assess the association with survival benefit in immunotherapy trials.

Experimental Design: Thirteen randomized, multicenter, active-control trials containing immunotherapeutic agents submitted to the FDA were analyzed. Associations between treatment effects of ORR, PFS, modified PFS, and OS were evaluated at individual and trial levels. Patient-level responder analysis was performed for PFS and OS.

Results: The coefficient of determination (R²) measured the strength of associations, where values near 1 imply surrogacy and values close to 0 suggest no association. At the trial level, the association between hazard ratios (HR) of PFS and OS was R2 = 0.1303, and between the odds ratio (OR) of ORR and HR of OS was R2 = 0.1277. At the individual level, the Spearman rank correlation coefficient between PFS and OS was 0.61. Trial-level associations between modified PFS and OS ranged between 0.07 and 0.1, and individual-level correlations were approximately 0.6. HRs of PFS and OS for responders versus nonresponders were 0.129 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.11–0.15] and 0.118 (95% CI, 0.11–0.13), respectively.

Conclusions: Although responders exhibited longer survival and PFS than nonresponders, the trial-level and individual-level associations were weak between PFS/ORR and OS. Modifications to PFS did not improve associations. Clin Cancer Res; 24(10); 2268–75. ©2018 AACR.

See related commentary by Korn and Freidlin, p. 2239
Toward Optimizing Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials: Normalization Reduces the Need for Strong Neck Muscle Contraction
Authors: Noij Kimberley S. , Herrmann Barbara S. , Rauch Steven D. , Guinan Jr. John J.
Published: January 2018

Background: The cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) represents an inhibitory reflex of the saccule measured in the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) in response to acoustic or vibrational stimulation. Since the cVEMP is a modulation of SCM electromyographic (EMG) activity, cVEMP amplitude is proportional to muscle EMG amplitude. We sought to evaluate muscle contraction influences on cVEMP peak-to-peak amplitudes (VEMPpp), normalized cVEMP amplitudes (VEMPn), and inhibition depth (VEMPid). Methods: cVEMPs at 500 Hz were measured in 25 healthy subjects for 3 SCM EMG contraction ranges: 45-65, 65-105, and 105-500 μV root mean square (r.m.s.). For each range, we measured cVEMP sound level functions (93-123 dB peSPL) and sound off, meaning that muscle contraction was measured without acoustic stimulation. The effect of muscle contraction amplitude on VEMPpp, VEMPn, and VEMPid and the ability to distinguish cVEMP presence/absence were evaluated. Results: VEMPpp amplitudes were significantly greater at higher muscle contractions. In contrast, VEMPn and VEMPid showed no significant effect of muscle contraction. Cohen's d indicated that for all 3 cVEMP metrics contraction amplitude variations produced little change in the ability to distinguish cVEMP presence/absence. VEMPid more clearly indicated saccular output because when no acoustic stimulus was presented the saccular inhibition estimated by VEMPid was zero, unlike those by VEMPpp and VEMPn. Conclusion: Muscle contraction amplitude strongly affects VEMPpp amplitude, but contractions 45-300 μV r.m.s. produce stable VEMPn and VEMPid values. Clinically, there may be no need for subjects to exert high contraction effort. This is especially beneficial in patients for whom maintaining high SCM contraction amplitudes is challenging.
Targeted Knockdown of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling within Neural Progenitors Protects the Brain and Improves Motor Function following Postnatal Hypoxia-Ischemia
Authors: Dettman Robert W. , Birch Derin , Fernando Augusta , Kessler John A. , Dizon Maria L.V.
Published: January 2018

Hypoxic-ischemic injury (HI) to the neonatal human brain results in myelin loss that, in some children, can manifest as cerebral palsy. Previously, we had found that neuronal overexpression of the bone morphogenic protein (BMP) inhibitor noggin during development increased oligodendroglia and improved motor function in an experimental model of HI utilizing unilateral common carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxia. As BMPs are known to negatively regulate oligodendroglial fate specification of neural stem cells and alter differentiation of committed oligodendroglia, BMP signaling is likely an important mechanism leading to myelin loss. Here, we showed that BMP signaling is upregulated within oligodendroglia of the neonatal brain. We tested the hypothesis that inhibition of BMP signaling specifically within neural progenitor cells (NPCs) is sufficient to protect oligodendroglia. We conditionally deleted the BMP receptor 2 subtype (BMPR2) in NG2-expressing cells after HI. We found that BMPR2 deletion globally protects the brain as assessed by MRI and protects motor function as assessed by digital gait analysis, and that conditional deletion of BMPR2 maintains oligodendrocyte marker expression by immunofluorescence and Western blot and prevents loss of oligodendroglia. Finally, BMPR2 deletion after HI results in an increase in noncompacted myelin. Thus, our data indicate that inhibition of BMP signaling specifically in NPCs may be a tractable strategy to protect the newborn brain from HI.
Adjudication of Transient Ischemic Attack and Stroke in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Longstreth Jr. W.T. , Gasca Natalie C. , Gottesman Rebecca F. , Pearce John B. , Sacco Ralph L.
Published: January 2018

Background: To describe adjudication of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke in an observational study. Methods: We detail the process used to adjudicate TIA and stroke in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a large longitudinal cohort study. Two of three vascular neurologists adjudicated each event using specific protocols. We examined the initial agreement, effect of imaging on diagnosis of TIA versus ischemic stroke, and effect of strict and less strict criteria on the number of ischemic stroke subtypes classified as undetermined. Results: Of 573 adjudicated events over 13.5 years of follow-up, 95 (16.5%) had TIA and 269 (47.0%) had stroke: 211 (78.4%) ischemic, 43 (16.0%) hemorrhagic, and 15 (5.6%) other. Disagreements occurred on 16% of initial adjudication of events. Using results from imaging, the number with TIA decreased by 8.6% and with ischemic stroke increased by 4.1%. Using less strict criteria to classify ischemic stroke subtypes reduced the number classified as undetermined, from 137 to 59, and numbers classified as cardioembolic and small vessel doubled. Conclusions: We hope that this work will motivate and facilitate investigators to use MESA data to investigate issues concerning TIA and stroke and will inform investigators seeking to adjudicate TIA and stroke in other studies.
Using the Capture-Recapture Method to Estimate the Incidence of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Beijing, China
Authors: Zhou Shenghan , Qian Silin , Li Xiaohan , Zheng Liping , Chang Wenbing , Wang Liping
Published: January 2018

Background: To assess the total, gender-related and ageing process-related incidence rates of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Beijing, China. Determine whether the decreased male to female ratio among postmenopausal age groups. Methods: We used the 2-source capture-recapture method to estimate the incidence of ALS in Beijing. The primary and secondary data sources were from diagnostic hospitals and assisted care institutions in the same area from 2010 to 2015. Results: A total of 562 cases and 283 cases were extracted from 2 data sources, and a total of 962 patients diagnosed with ALS within the 6-year period were estimated (95% CI 883–1041). The average yearly incidence was 0.77/100,000 persons (95% CI 0.71–0.83). The female to male ratio was 1.63. The incidence was associated with age and peaked in the 55–64 year age group. There was no obvious decline in the male:female ratio among postmenopausal age groups. Conclusions: The total incidence of ALS in Beijing is similar to international reports. The onset of ALS is not merely the result of ageing.
Plasma n-3 and n-6 Fatty Acids Are Differentially Related to Carotid Plaque and Its Progression
Authors: Steffen Brian T. , Guan Weihua , Stein James H. , Tattersall Mathew C. , Kaufman Joel D. , Sandfort Veit , Szklo Moyses , Tsai Michael Y.
Published: January 2018

Objective—

ω-3 (n-3) fatty acids (FAs) have long been considered healthful dietary components, yet recent clinical trials have questioned their cardiovascular benefits. By contrast, the ω-6 (n-6) FAs have been considered harmful, proatherogenic macronutrients, despite an absence of empirical evidence supporting this hypothesis. We aimed to determine whether plasma n-3 and n-6 FAs are related to risk of carotid plaque and its progression in 3327 participants of MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).

Approach and Results—

Carotid plaque was assessed using ultrasonography at baseline and after a median period of 9.5 years. Plasma phospholipid n-3 and n-6 FAs were determined using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection. Relative risk regression analyses assessed the relations of FAs with the presence or progression of carotid plaque adjusted for typical cardiovascular disease risk factors. At baseline, it was found that participants in the fourth quartile of n-3 docosahexaenoic acid showed a 9% lower risk of carotid plaque (
P
=0.05), whereas those in the second quartile of n-3 α-linolenic acid showed an 11% greater risk compared with respective referent quartiles (
P
=0.02). In prospective analyses, individuals in the top quartile of docosahexaenoic acid showed a 12% lower risk of carotid plaque progression during 9.5 years compared with those in the referent quartile (
P
=0.002). No significant relations were observed among n-6 FAs and plaque outcomes. No significant race/ethnicity interactions were found.

Conclusions—

These findings support docosahexaenoic acid as an atheroprotective macronutrient, whereas null findings for n-6 FAs challenge the view that they promote atherosclerosis.
Inward Rectifier Potassium Channels (Kir2.x) and Caveolin-3 Domain–Specific Interaction
Authors: Vaidyanathan Ravi , Van Ert Hanora , Haq Kazi T. , Morotti Stefano , Esch Samuel , McCune Elise C. , Grandi Eleonora , Eckhardt Lee L.
Published: January 2018

Background

In human cardiac ventricle,
I
K1
is mainly comprised Kir2.1, but Kir2.2 and Kir2.3 heterotetramers occur and modulate
I
K1
. Long-QT syndrome-9–associated
CAV3
mutations cause decreased Kir2.1 current density, but Kir2.x heterotetramers have not been studied. Here, we determine the effect of long-QT syndrome-9-
CAV3
mutation F97C on Kir2.x homo- and heterotetramers and model-associated arrhythmia mechanisms.

Methods and Results

Super-resolution microscopy, co-immunoprecipitation, cellular electrophysiology, on-cell Western blotting, and simulation of Purkinje and ventricular myocyte mathematical models were used. Kir2.x isoforms have unique subcellular colocalization in human cardiomyocytes and coimmunoprecipitate with Cav3. F97C-Cav3 decreased peak inward Kir2.2 current density by 50% (−120 mV;
P
=0.019) and peak outward by 75% (−40 mV;
P
<0.05) but did not affect Kir2.3 current density. FRET (Förster resonance energy transfer) efficiency for Kir2.2 with Cav3 is high, and on-cell Western blotting demonstrates decreased Kir2.2 membrane expression with F97C-Cav3. Cav3-F97C reduced peak inward and outward current density of Kir2.2/Kir2.1 or Kir2.2/Kir2.3 heterotetramers (
P
<0.05). Only Cav3 scaffolding and membrane domains co-immunoprecipitation with Kir2.1 and Kir2.2 and Kir2.x-N-terminal Cav3 binding motifs are required for interaction. Mathematical Purkinje, but not ventricular, myocyte model incorporating simulated current reductions, predicts spontaneous delayed after-depolarization–mediated triggered activity.

Conclusions

Kir2.x isoforms have a unique intracellular pattern of distribution in association with specific Cav3 domains and that critically depends on interaction with N-terminal Kir2.x Cav3-binding motifs. Long-QT syndrome-9-
CAV3
mutation differentially regulates current density and cell surface expression of Kir2.x homomeric and heteromeric channels. Mathematical Purkinje cell model incorporating experimental findings suggests delayed after-depolarization–type triggered activity as a possible arrhythmia mechanism.
Intersection of Pulmonary Hypertension and Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients on Left Ventricular Assist Device Support
Authors: Sparrow Christopher T. , LaRue Shane J. , Schilling Joel D.
Published: January 2018

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) improve survival and quality of life in patients with advanced heart failure. Despite these benefits, combined post- and precapillary pulmonary hypertension can be particularly problematic in patients on LVAD support, often exacerbating right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Both persistently elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and RV dysfunction are associated with adverse outcomes, including death after LVAD. These observations have led to significant interest in the use of pulmonary vasodilators to treat pulmonary hypertension and preserve RV function among LVAD-supported patients. Although pulmonary vasodilators are commonly used for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension and RV dysfunction in LVADs, the benefits of this practice remain unclear. The purpose of this review is to highlight the current challenges in managing pulmonary vascular disease and RV dysfunction in patients with heart failure on LVAD support.
Efficacy of a Chronic Care–Based Intervention on Secondary Stroke Prevention Among Vulnerable Stroke Survivors
Authors: Cheng Eric M. , Cunningham William E. , Towfighi Amytis , Sanossian Nerses , Bryg Robert J. , Anderson Thomas L. , Barry Frances , Douglas Susan M. , Hudson Lillie , Ayala-Rivera Monica , Guterman Jeffrey J. , Gross-Schulman Sandra , Beanes Sylvia , Jones Andrea S. , Liu Honghu , Vickrey Barbara G.
Published: January 2018

Background

Disparities of care among stroke survivors are well documented. Effective interventions to improve recurrent stroke preventative care in vulnerable populations are lacking.

Methods and Results

In a randomized controlled trial, we tested the efficacy of components of a chronic care model–based intervention versus usual care among 404 subjects having an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack within 90 days of enrollment and receiving care within the Los Angeles public healthcare system. Subjects had baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥120 mm Hg. The intervention included a nurse practitioner/physician assistant care manager, group clinics, self-management support, report cards, decision support, and ongoing care coordination. Outcomes were collected at 3, 8, and 12 months, analyzed as intention-to-treat, and used repeated-measures mixed-effects models. Change in SBP was the primary outcome. Low-density lipoprotein reduction, antithrombotic medication use, smoking cessation, and physical activity were secondary outcomes. Average age was 57 years; 18% were of black race; 69% were of Hispanic ethnicity. Mean baseline SBP was 150 mm Hg in both arms. SBP decreased to 17 mm Hg in the intervention arm and 14 mm Hg in the usual care arm; the between-arm difference was not significant (−3.6 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval, −9.2 to 2.2). Among secondary outcomes, the only significant difference was that persons in the intervention arm were more likely to lower their low-density lipoprotein <100 md/dL (2.0 odds ratio; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–3.5).

Conclusions

This intervention did not improve SBP control beyond that attained in usual care among vulnerable stroke survivors. A community-centered component could strengthen the intervention impact.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00861081.
Acute Myocardial Infarction Readmission Risk Prediction Models
Authors: Smith Lauren N. , Makam Anil N. , Darden Douglas , Mayo Helen , Das Sandeep R. , Halm Ethan A. , Nguyen Oanh Kieu
Published: January 2018

Background

Hospitals are subject to federal financial penalties for excessive 30-day hospital readmissions for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Prospectively identifying patients hospitalized with AMI at high risk for readmission could help prevent 30-day readmissions by enabling targeted interventions. However, the performance of AMI-specific readmission risk prediction models is unknown.

Methods and Results

We systematically searched the published literature through March 2017 for studies of risk prediction models for 30-day hospital readmission among adults with AMI. We identified 11 studies of 18 unique risk prediction models across diverse settings primarily in the United States, of which 16 models were specific to AMI. The median overall observed all-cause 30-day readmission rate across studies was 16.3% (range, 10.6%–21.0%). Six models were based on administrative data; 4 on electronic health record data; 3 on clinical hospital data; and 5 on cardiac registry data. Models included 7 to 37 predictors, of which demographics, comorbidities, and utilization metrics were the most frequently included domains. Most models, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services AMI administrative model, had modest discrimination (median C statistic, 0.65; range, 0.53–0.79). Of the 16 reported AMI-specific models, only 8 models were assessed in a validation cohort, limiting generalizability. Observed risk-stratified readmission rates ranged from 3.0% among the lowest-risk individuals to 43.0% among the highest-risk individuals, suggesting good risk stratification across all models.

Conclusions

Current AMI-specific readmission risk prediction models have modest predictive ability and uncertain generalizability given methodological limitations. No existing models provide actionable information in real time to enable early identification and risk-stratification of patients with AMI before hospital discharge, a functionality needed to optimize the potential effectiveness of readmission reduction interventions.
Rapid Improvement on a Temporal Attention Task within a Single Session of High-frequency Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation
Authors: Tyler Sarah C. , Contò Federica , Battelli Lorella
Published: January 2018

This study explored the modulatory effects of high-frequency transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) on visual sensitivity during a temporal attention task. We measured sensitivity to different onset asynchronies during a temporal order judgment task as a function of active stimulation relative to sham. While completing the task, participants were stimulated bilaterally for 20 min over either the TPJ or the human middle temporal area. We hypothesized that tRNS over the TPJ, which is critical to the temporal attention network, would selectively increase cortical excitability and induce cognitive training-like effects on performance, perhaps more so in the left visual field [Matthews, N., & Welch, L. Left visual field attentional advantage in judging simultaneity and temporal order. Journal of Vision, 15, 1–13, 2015; Romanska, A., Rezlescu, C., Susilo, T., Duchaine, B., & Banissy, M. J. High-frequency transcranial random noise stimulation enhances perception of facial identity. Cerebral Cortex, 25, 4334–4340, 2015]. In Experiment 1, we measured the performance of participants who judged the order of Gabors temporally imbedded in flickering discs, presented with onset asynchronies ranging from −75 msec (left disc first) to +75 msec (right disc first). In Experiment 2, we measured whether each participant's temporal sensitivity increased with stimulation by using temporal offsets that the participant initially perceived as simultaneous. We found that parietal cortex stimulation temporarily increased sensitivity on the temporal order judgment task, especially in the left visual field. Stimulation over human middle temporal area did not alter cortical excitability in a way that affected performance. The effects were cumulative across blocks of trials for tRNS over parietal cortex but dissipated when stimulation ended. We conclude that single-session tRNS can induce temporary improvements in behavioral sensitivity and that this shows promising insight into the relationship between cortical stimulation and neural plasticity.
First description of epizoic ciliates (Sessilida Stein, 1933) on Bathyporeia Lindström, 1855 (Peracarida, Amphipoda) and infestation patterns in brackish and marine waters
Authors: Wijnhoven Sander , Zwiep Karin L. , Hummel Herman
Published: January 2018

During a re-examination of macrozoobenthic samples from a long-term monitoring programme in the Dutch Oosterschelde and Westerschelde, the abundant presence of peritrich ciliates on specimens ofBathyporeiaLindström, 1855, was discovered. Out of the more than 3500Bathyporeiaspecimens investigated, 44% contained ciliates. AlthoughBathyporeia sarsiWatkin, 1938 was significantly more often infested thanBathyporeia pilosaLindström, 1855, these differences in infestation rates were largely due to differences between water bodies with higher infestation rates in the polyhaline than in the mesohaline reach. Observation of additionally collected living specimens and freshly preserved material showed that at least two, and likely three, species of ciliates are present of which two might be undescribed so far. One of the observed species matchesZoothamnium nanumKahl, 1933. A second species belongs to the genusEpistylisEhrenberg, 1830, but does not seem to match a so far known species. This also accounts for a possible third species belonging to the genusZoothamniumBory de St. Vincent, 1826, deviating fromZ. nanumamongst others in the habitus of the stalk. The front part ofBathyporeiaspp. and the antennae in particular, significantly more often harboured ciliates than the remainder of the body, where additional ciliates were only found on the ventral side. This shows that the peritrich ciliates benefit from the water currents induced by the basibiont, providing food items, but might also indicate thatBathyporeiaspp. benefits from the presence of the epibionts as they are most prevalent on the body parts that are easiest to clean. Analyses of densities and distributions of epibiont and basibiont species gave first indications of the ecological niche of the peritrich ciliate communities.
Morphological and genetic characterization of a new Armadillidium species (Oniscidea, Armadillidiidae) from Tunisia
Authors: Hamaied S. , Charfi-Cheikhrouha F. , Lombardo B. M.
Published: January 2018

Armadillidium boukorninensen. sp., a new species collected in northeastern Tunisia, is described. This species can be easily recognised by the tegument structure, the morphology of the cephalon and the high differentiation of the male pereopod 7. Its geographical distribution is limited to the northeast of Tunisia, in the maquis and garrigues habitats of sub-humid and semi-arid areas. This new species is morphologically similar toA. decorum. However, the morphological comparison between these two species showed a divergence at the cephalon, hind margin of pereon-epimeron 1, pereopod VII and pleotelson. An allozyme analysis of ten enzymatic systems (ME, PHI, EST, MPI, ACPH, GOT, IDH, PEP, PGM, MDH) confirmed this morphological differentiation. Among the eighteen loci that were analysed, differentiation in six diagnostic (Mpi,Pgm,Me,Acph-2,Pep-3,Got-2) and two partially-diagnostic loci (Idh-1,Phi),were easily recognized. Furthermore, high values of Nei’s genetic distance (Nei, 1978) () and indicated a high genetic differentiation of these two species. When taking into account these two approaches,A. boukorninensen. sp. is morphologically and genetically different fromA. decorum.
Analysis of crab size structure and the fishing effort applied to a crab fishery in northwest Mexico
Authors: Heredia-Delgadillo César A. , Rodríguez-Domínguez Guillermo , Pérez-González Raúl , Castañeda-Lomas Nicolás , Castillo-Vargasmachuca Sergio G. , Aragón-Noriega E. Alberto
Published: January 2018

The fishing effort of a Sinaloa crab fishery in the Gulf of California in 2014 was analysed based on fishermen’s interviews, official catches and permits, and information from a sample of fishing logbooks from five fishery cooperatives operating in four coastal lagoons that contained the daily catch from individual fishing trips. Unauthorized gear, a double-ring net (DR), was used most frequently (>70% of the fishers) for crab fishing, although authorized single-ring nets and Chesapeake traps (CT) were also used with low frequency. The estimated fishing effort was 641 boats/day in the four coastal lagoons, which was 34% more than authorized, and 818 boats/day were employed in all of Sinaloa. A total of 57 479 fishing gears were estimated for the study area, which was 49.9% greater than the maximum authorized number, and 80 822 nominal fishing gears were estimated for the entire Sinaloa crab fishery, 14.15% more than the total gear limit (70 800). The size of the mesh used in the gear was smaller than the authorized limit of 76 mm, and >50% of the catches included crabs of unlawful size. It is argued that the effort must be regulated in terms of the number of vessels, per unit time, and not the number of gears. The information from this study demonstrates a failure to monitor compliance with current regulations and thus means that other strategies for the sustainable management of the fishery, such as co-management, should be tested.
The Investigative Scope of Article 8(2)(b)(viii) of the Rome Statute before the icc within the Palestine Situation
Authors: Knoops Geert-Jan Alexander , van Giessen Ine
Published: January 2018

This article aims to analyse the pitfalls and prospects of the preliminary examinations Prosecutor’s Office of the International Criminal Court (otp) into the situation in Palestine. The otp opened the preliminary examination into the situation in Palestine on 16 January 2015 covering the timeframe as of 13 June 2014, the start of Israel’s military operation – ‘Protective Edge’ – into Gaza. The request of Palestine to investigate aims also at alleged crimes committed on ‘occupied territories’ by Israel. One of the most pertinent questions will be the basis upon which the otp is to determine this qualification of occupied territories. The authors introduce legal rights to the territories, through a teleological interpretation of Art. 21(1)(b).

Rome Statute, within the prosecutorial test of Art. 53(1) Rome Statute, i.e. the existence of ‘a reasonable basis to proceed’ to initiate an investigation.
Народні уявлення про хвороби крізь призму фразеології української та польської мов
Authors: Чибор [Chybor] Ірина [Iryna] Степанівна [Stepanivna]
Published: January 2018

Folk perceptions of disease through the prism of Ukrainian and Polish phraseologyThe article analyzes the phraseological units of the Ukrainian and Polish languages motivated by folk perceptions of the etiology of diseases; describes ethnocultural features of the formation of the analyzed units; and reveals that in Ukrainian and Polish phraseology the idea of personification and demonic origin of diseases is highlighted by coding in the phraseological units: 1) the outward appearance of mythical creatures similar to the appearance of an afflicted person; 2) specific actions of the personified disease that lead to the deterioration of health or even death; 3) folk ways of treating illness and so on. Ludowe wyobrażenia o chorobach przez pryzmat frazeologii języka ukraińskiego i polskiegoW artykule przeanalizowano jednostki frazeologiczne języka ukraińskiego i polskiego motywowane ludowymi wyobrażeniami o etiologii chorób; opisano etnokulturową specyfikę tworzenia badanych jednostek; oraz ustalono, że we frazeologii języka ukraińskiego i polskiego wyobrażenia o personifikacjach i demonicznym pochodzeniu chorób odzwierciedlone są za sprawą kodowania w jednostkach frazeologicznych: 1) osobliwości wyglądu zewnętrznego istoty mitycznej podobnego do wyglądu zewnętrznego chorego człowieka; 2) konkretnych działań uosobionej choroby, które prowadzą do pogorszenia samopoczucia albo śmierci; 3)ludowych sposobów leczenia choroby itd.
Impact of Earth Greening on the Terrestrial Water Cycle
Authors: Zeng Zhenzhong , Piao Shilong , Li Laurent Z. X. , Wang Tao , Ciais Philippe , Lian Xu , Yang Yuting , Mao Jiafu , Shi Xiaoying , Myneni Ranga B.
Published: January 2018

Leaf area index (LAI) is increasing throughout the globe, implying Earth greening. Global modeling studies support this contention, yet satellite observations and model simulations have never been directly compared. Here, for the first time, a coupled land–climate model was used to quantify the potential impact of the satellite-observed Earth greening over the past 30 years on the terrestrial water cycle. The global LAI enhancement of 8% between the early 1980s and the early 2010s is modeled to have caused increases of 12.0 ± 2.4 mm yr−1 in evapotranspiration and 12.1 ± 2.7 mm yr−1 in precipitation—about 55% ± 25% and 28% ± 6% of the observed increases in land evapotranspiration and precipitation, respectively. In wet regions, the greening did not significantly decrease runoff and soil moisture because it intensified moisture recycling through a coincident increase of evapotranspiration and precipitation. But in dry regions, including the Sahel, west Asia, northern India, the western United States, and the Mediterranean coast, the greening was modeled to significantly decrease soil moisture through its coupling with the atmospheric water cycle. This modeled soil moisture response, however, might have biases resulting from the precipitation biases in the model. For example, the model dry bias might have underestimated the soil moisture response in the observed dry area (e.g., the Sahel and northern India) given that the modeled soil moisture is near the wilting point. Thus, an accurate representation of precipitation and its feedbacks in Earth system models is essential for simulations and predictions of how soil moisture responds to LAI changes, and therefore how the terrestrial water cycle responds to climate change.
Sources of Intermodel Spread in the Lapse Rate and Water Vapor Feedbacks
Authors: Po-Chedley Stephen , Armour Kyle C. , Bitz Cecilia M. , Zelinka Mark D. , Santer Benjamin D. , Fu Qiang
Published: January 2018

Sources of intermodel differences in the global lapse rate (LR) and water vapor (WV) feedbacks are assessed using CO2 forcing simulations from 28 general circulation models. Tropical surface warming leads to significant warming and moistening in the tropical and extratropical upper troposphere, signifying a nonlocal, tropical influence on extratropical radiation and feedbacks. Model spread in the locally defined LR and WV feedbacks is pronounced in the Southern Ocean because of large-scale ocean upwelling, which reduces surface warming and decouples the surface from the tropospheric response. The magnitude of local extratropical feedbacks across models and over time is well characterized using the ratio of tropical to extratropical surface warming. It is shown that model differences in locally defined LR and WV feedbacks, particularly over the southern extratropics, drive model variability in the global feedbacks. The cross-model correlation between the global LR and WV feedbacks therefore does not arise from their covariation in the tropics, but rather from the pattern of warming exerting a common control on extratropical feedback responses. Because local feedbacks over the Southern Hemisphere are an important contributor to the global feedback, the partitioning of surface warming between the tropics and the southern extratropics is a key determinant of the spread in the global LR and WV feedbacks. It is also shown that model Antarctic sea ice climatology influences sea ice area changes and southern extratropical surface warming. As a result, model discrepancies in climatological Antarctic sea ice area have a significant impact on the intermodel spread of the global LR and WV feedbacks.
Covariability of Near-Surface Wind Speed Statistics and Mesoscale Sea Surface Temperature Fluctuations
Authors: Gemmrich Johannes , Monahan Adam
Published: January 2018

The atmospheric (ABL) and ocean (OBL) boundary layers are intimately linked via mechanical and thermal coupling processes. In many regions over the world’s oceans, this results in a strong covariability between anomalies in wind speed and SST. At oceanic mesoscale, this coupling can be driven either from the atmosphere or the ocean. Gridded SST and wind speed data at 0.25° resolution show that over the western North Atlantic, the ABL mainly responds to the OBL, whereas in the eastern North Pacific and in the Southern Ocean, the OBL largely responds to wind speed anomalies. This general behavior is also verified by in situ buoy observations in the Atlantic and Pacific. A stochastic, nondimensional, 1D coupled air–sea boundary layer model is utilized to assess the relative importance of the coupling processes. For regions of little intrinsic SST fluctuations (i.e., most regions of the world’s oceans away from strong temperature fronts), the inclusion of cold water entrainment at the thermocline is crucial. In regions with strong frontal activities (e.g., the western boundary regions), the coupling is dominated by the SST fluctuations, and the frontal variability needs to be included in models. Generally, atmospheric and ocean-driven coupling lead to an opposite relationship between SST and wind speed fluctuations. This effect can be especially important for higher wind speed quantiles.
Efficient Methods to Account for Cloud-Top Inclination and Cloud Overlap in Synthetic Visible Satellite Images
Authors: Scheck Leonhard , Weissmann Martin , Mayer Bernhard
Published: January 2018

Visible satellite images contain high-resolution information about clouds that would be well suited for convective-scale data assimilation. This application requires a forward operator to generate synthetic images from the output of numerical weather prediction models. Only recently have 1D radiative transfer (RT) solvers become sufficiently fast for this purpose. Here computationally efficient methods are proposed to increase the accuracy and consistency of an operator based on the Method for Fast Satellite Image Synthesis (MFASIS) 1D RT. Two important problems are addressed: the 3D RT effects related to inclined cloud tops and the overlap of subgrid clouds. It is demonstrated that in a rotated frame of reference, an approximate solution for the 3D RT problem can be obtained by solving a computationally much cheaper 1D RT problem. Several deterministic and stochastic schemes that take the overlap of subgrid clouds into account are discussed. The impact of the inclination correction and the overlap schemes is evaluated for synthetic 0.6-μm SEVIRI images computed from operational forecasts of the German-focused COSMO (COSMO-DE) Model for a test period in May–June 2016. The cloud-top inclination correction increases the information content of the synthetic images considerably and reduces systematic errors, in particular for larger solar zenith angles. Taking subgrid cloud overlap into account is essential to avoid large systematic errors. The results obtained using several different 2D cloud overlap schemes are very similar, whereas small but significant differences are found for the most consistent 3D method, which accounts for the fact that the RT problem is solved for columns tilted toward the satellite.
Preliminary Report on the Survey of Kom El-Hisn, 1996
Authors: Kirby C. J. , Orel S. E. , Smith S. T.
Published: January 2018

The Egypt Exploration Society initiated a new archaeological survey at the site of Kom el-Hisn near the edge of Egypt's Western Delta. Six test pits were opened in the southern half of the site to the north of the Old Kingdom town excavated by the ARCE mission in the 1980s. Deposits dating to the mid-Thirteenth Dynasty were discovered in Test Pit 1, robbers' trenches and the foundation wall of the main temple building of Sekhmet-Hathor (probably New Kingdom or later) in Test Pits 2, 3, 5 and 6, and domestic structural remains of the late Third Intermediate Period in Test Pit 4. Auger cores in the intervening areas of the site suggested that deposits of the Middle Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period were substantial.
Uncharted Saqqara: A Postscript
Authors: Davies Sue
Published: January 2018

W. B. Emery's 1964–71 excavations at the Sacred Animal Necropolis, North Saqqara, uncovered large quantities of bovid material, thought at the time to derive from the Mother of Apis Catacomb. This article suggests instead that the material may have come from other (now lost) bovid galleries in the vicinity, the existence of which is attested by the accounts of eighteenth and nineteenth century travellers who visited them. These accounts are compared and the possible positions of the galleries discussed. References to bovid cults at Saqqara attested in texts but not yet located are set out and certain objects from the site reviewed in an attempt to elucidate the character of the material and the identity of the cults represented by the lost galleries.