bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone Levels Aggravated the Severity of Male Adolescent Acne in Northeast China
Authors: Wei Bin , Qu Le , Zhu Hong , Xiao Ting , Wei Hua-Chen , Chen Hong-Duo , He Chundi
Published: November 2014

Background: The relationship between serum hormone levels and adolescent acne is not fully clarified. Objective: To determine the relationship between levels of androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), testosterone, estradiol and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) with adolescent acne in Northeast China. Methods: A transversal study included 242 acne cases and 188 controls. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. Results: Androstenedione and testosterone levels were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in the cases than in the control group. In males, the difference in 17-OHP levels was statistically significant (p < 0.0001), as well as between mild and severe acne cases (p = 0.002). The estradiol level was significantly different (p < 0.0001) between cases and controls in females. Conclusion: Higher androstenedione and testosterone levels are significant risk factors in the occurrence of adolescent acne. A higher 17-OHP level aggravates the severity of male adolescent acne, while a higher estradiol level protects females against the onset of adolescent acne.
Neopterin: A Potential Biomarker for Delirium in Elderly Patients
Authors: Egberts Angelique , Wijnbeld Eline H.A. , Fekkes Durk , van der Ploeg Milly A. , Ziere Gijsbertus , Hooijkaas Herbert , van der Cammen Tischa J.M. , Mattace-Raso Francesco U.S.
Published: November 2014

Background/Aims: The diagnosis of delirium is not supported by specific biomarkers. In a previous study, high neopterin levels were found in patients with a postoperative delirium. In the present study, we investigated levels of neopterin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in acutely ill admitted elderly patients with and without a delirium. Methods: Plasma/serum levels of neopterin, IL-6 and IGF-1 were determined in patients aged ≥65 years admitted to the wards of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. Differences in biomarker levels between patients with and without a delirium were investigated by the analysis of variance in models adjusted for age, gender, comorbidities and eGFR (when appropriate). Results: Eighty-six patients were included; 23 of them with a delirium. In adjusted models, higher mean levels of neopterin (70.5 vs. 45.9 nmol/l, p = 0.009) and IL-6 (43.1 vs. 18.5 pg/ml, p = 0.034) and lower mean levels of IGF-1 (6.3 vs. 9.3 nmol/l, p = 0.007) were found in patients with a delirium compared to those without. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that neopterin might be a potential biomarker for delirium which, through oxidative stress and activation of the immune system, may play a role in the pathophysiology of delirium. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Diverticular Disease: Guidelines of the German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases and the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery
Authors: Kruis Wolfgang , Germer Christoph-Thomas , Leifeld Ludger
Published: November 2014

Background: Diverticular disease is one of the most common disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. 28-45% of the population develop colonic diverticula, while about 25% suffer symptoms and about 5% complications. Aim: To create formal guidelines for diagnosis and management. Methods: Six working groups with 44 participants analyzed key questions in subject areas assigned to them. Following a systematic literature search, 451 publications were included. Consensus was obtained by agreement within the working groups, two Delphi processes and a guideline conference. Results: Targeted management of diverticular disease requires a classificatory diagnosis. A new classification was created. In addition to the clinical examination, intestinal ultrasound or computed tomography is the determining factor. Interval colonoscopy is recommended to exclude comorbidities. A low-fiber diet, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking and immunosuppression have an adverse impact on diverticulosis. This can lead to diverticulitis. Antibiotics are no longer recommended in uncomplicated diverticulitis if no risk factors such as immunosuppression are present. If close monitoring is ensured, uncomplicated diverticulitis can be treated on an outpatient basis. Complicated diverticulitis should be treated in hospital, involving broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, where necessary abscess drainage, and surgery, if possible laparoscopically. In the case of chronic relapsing diverticulitis, the risk of perforation decreases with each episode, so that surgery is no longer recommended after the second episode but only following individual assessment. Conclusions: New findings on diverticular disease call into question the overuse of antibiotics and excessive indications for surgery. Targeted treatment requires a precise diagnosis and intensive interdisciplinary cooperation. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Longitudinal Analysis of Reticular Drusen Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Combined Confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy and Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging
Authors: Steinberg Julia S. , Auge Jasmin , Fleckenstein Monika , Holz Frank G. , Schmitz-Valckenberg Steffen
Published: November 2014

Purpose: To evaluate longitudinal variations of reticular drusen (RDR) in age-related macular degeneration using confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO), near-infrared reflectance (NIR) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging. Methods: Eighteen eyes of 12 patients with RDR (median observational time 5 months, range 3-10) were included. Changes over time in the en face cSLO NIR images, the identical SD-OCT B scan (simple approach) and the dense SD-OCT volume scans (11 µm between B scans, detailed approach) for 5 preselected RDR lesions were analysed, respectively. Results: Nineteen of 90 (21%) lesions were no longer detectable at the follow-up examination with the simple SD-OCT approach (increase 7/decrease 48/unchanged 15/not gradable 1). By contrast, no disappearance of single lesions was noted for both cSLO (3/8/61/18) and detailed SD-OCT image analysis (67/22/1/0). Within the dense SD-OCT volume scan, a median change of individual lesion height of 10 µm/year was determined. Conclusions: The findings indicate a recordable progression of RDR lesions in lateral and vertical dimensions. Using dense SD-OCT volume scans, individual RDR lesion progression can be quantified and may be applied in future longitudinal studies.
Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia in Northern Sarawak: A Molecular Study to Identify Different Genotypes in the Multi-Ethnic Groups and the Importance of Genomic Sequencing in Unstudied Populations
Authors: Tan Jin-Ai M.A. , Chin Saw-Sian , Ong Gek-Bee , Mohamed Unni Mohamed N. , Soosay Ashley E.R. , Gudum Henry R. , Kho Siew-Leng , Chua Kek-Heng , Chen Jang J. , George Elizabeth
Published: November 2014

Background: Although thalassemia is a genetic hemoglobinopathy in Malaysia, there is limited data on thalassemia mutations in the indigenous groups. This study aims to identify the types of globin gene mutations in transfusion-dependent patients in Northern Sarawak. Methods: Blood was collected from 32 patients from the Malay, Chinese, Kedayan, Bisayah, Kadazandusun, Tagal, and Bugis populations. The α- and β-globin gene mutations were characterized using DNA amplification and genomic sequencing. Results: Ten β- and 2 previously reported α-globin defects were identified. The Filipino β-deletion represented the majority of the β-thalassemia alleles in the indigenous patients. Homozygosity for the deletion was observed in all Bisayah, Kadazandusun and Tagal patients. The β-globin gene mutations in the Chinese patients were similar to the Chinese in West Malaysia. Hb Adana (HBA2:c.179G>A) and the -α3.7/αα deletion were detected in 5 patients. A novel 24-bp deletion in the α2-globin gene (HBA2:c.95 + 5_95 + 28delGGCTCCCTCCCCTGCTCCGACCCG) was identified by sequencing. Co-inheritance of α-thalassemia with β-thalassemia did not ameliorate the severity of thalassemia major in the patients. Conclusion: The Filipino β-deletion was the most common gene defect observed. Homozygosity for the Filipino β-deletion appears to be unique to the Malays in Sarawak. Genomic sequencing is an essential tool to detect rare genetic variants in the study of new populations.
Correlation Between Endothelial Dysfunction and Left Ventricular Remodeling in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Peng Tao , Hu Zhao , Wu Ling , Li Dengren , Yang Xiangdong
Published: November 2014

Background/Aims: To investigate the role of endothelial dysfunction on left ventricular remodeling in patients with chronic kidney disease and to evaluate the correlation between endothelial dysfunction and left ventricular remodeling. Methods: Seventy-three patients with chronic kidney disease as study-group and thirty healthy volunteers as control-group were enrolled in the present study. All patients in both groups had echocardiography examination. The concentration of endothelin-1, nitric oxide, and inducible nitric oxide synthase of serum of all patients and healthy volunteers was measured. The incidence of cardiac structural abnormalities in patients with chronic kidney disease, and the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and cardiac structural abnormalities were analyzed. Results: The incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular concentric remodeling, and left ventricular systolic dysfunction was 65%, 8.33%, and 16.67%, respectively. The level of endothelin-1 and nitric oxide increased in study-group, and the concentration of inducible nitric oxide synthase decreased. There was significant positively relationship between plasma endothelin-1 and left ventricular mass index, interventricular septal thickness, left ventricular diastolic diameter. There was negatively relationship between the level of serum nitric oxide and the maximum flow velocity at the mitral in left ventricular diastolic stage. There was not any correlation between inducible nitric oxide synthase with left ventricular remodeling. Conclusions: The results showed that there was a higher incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with chronic kidney disease. Endothelin-1 and nitric oxide played an important role on the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Incidence of Developmental Speech Dysfluencies in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Hartelius Lena
Published: November 2014

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of developmental speech dysfluencies in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Background: The possible relationship between PD and dysfluencies such as stuttering has engaged researchers for many years. However, whether there is a higher-than-expected incidence of reported childhood stuttering in adults with a diagnosis of PD is unknown. Participants and Methods: A questionnaire including items regarding present and former speech difficulties was answered by 280 individuals with PD. Results: The total number of persons who reported that they had stuttered (often or sometimes) before the age of 10 years was 11, corresponding to 3.9%. The number of persons who reported unusually fast speech before the age of 10 years was 17, corresponding to 6.1%. The reported incidence of childhood stuttering in this group was consequently not higher than that in previously published reports on childhood stuttering (approx. 5%). The frequency of unusually fast speech was notable, but the lack of a control group made it difficult to conclude on the significance of that finding. Conclusion: Although no direct comparison between self-reported incidences of childhood dysfluencies and published incidence figures regarding childhood stuttering can be made, different possible relationships between speech dysfluency and basal ganglia dysfunction are discussed. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Relatives with Opposite Chromosome Constitutions, rec(10)dup(10p)inv(10)(p15.1q26.12) and rec(10)dup(10q)inv(10)(p15.1q26.12), due to a Familial Pericentric Inversion
Authors: Ciuladaite Zivile , Preiksaitiene Egle , Utkus Algirdas , Kučinskas Vaidutis
Published: November 2014

Large pericentric inversions in chromosome 10 are rare chromosomal aberrations with only few cases of familial inheritance. Such chromosomal rearrangements may lead to production of unbalanced gametes. As a result of a recombination event in the inversion loop, 2 recombinants with duplicated and deficient chromosome segments, including the regions distal to the inversion, may be produced. We report on 2 relatives in a family with opposite terminal chromosomal rearrangements of chromosome 10, i.e. rec(10)dup(10p)inv(10) and rec(10)dup(10q)inv(10), due to familial pericentric inversion inv(10)(p15.1q26.12). Based on array-CGH results, we characterized the exact genomic regions involved and compared the clinical features of both patients with previous reports on similar pericentric inversions and regional differences within 10p and 10q. The fact that both products of recombination are viable indicates a potentially high recurrence risk of unbalanced offspring. This report of unbalanced rearrangements in chromosome 10 in 2 generations confirms the importance of screening for terminal imbalances in patients with idiopathic intellectual disability by molecular cytogenetic techniques such as FISH, MLPA or microarrays. It also underlines the necessity for FISH to define structural characteristics of such cryptic intrachromosomal rearrangements and the underlying cytogenetic mechanisms.
17q21.31 Microdeletion: Brain Anomalies Leading to Prenatal Diagnosis
Authors: Egloff Matthieu , Encha-Razavi Ferechte , Garel Catherine , Bonnière-Darcy Maryse , Millischer Anne-Elodie , Lapierre Jean-Michel , Fontaine Sophie , de Blois Marie-Christine , Vekemans Michel , Turleau Catherine , Ville Yves , Malan Valérie
Published: November 2014

Ultrasound examination performed on a 36-year-old woman at 33 weeks of gestation showed the presence of isolated and bilateral ventriculomegaly in the fetus. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) performed on uncultured amniocytes at 35 weeks of gestation revealed a 17q21.31 microdeletion. After genetic counseling, the pregnancy was terminated at 37 weeks of gestation. At autopsy, the fetus displayed facial dysmorphic features and triventricular ventriculomegaly. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a 17q21.31 microdeletion detected prenatally. Our report suggests that array-CGH should be performed when severe ventriculomegaly is observed in prenatal ultrasound examination.
Relationship of the Distance Between Non-PCI Hospitals and Primary PCI Centers, Mode of Transport, and Reperfusion Time Among Ground and Air Interhospital Transfers Using NCDR’s ACTION Registry-GWTG
Authors: Nicholson Benjamin D. , Dhindsa Harinder S. , Roe Matthew T. , Chen Anita Y. , Jollis James G. , Kontos Michael C.
Published: November 2014

Background—

ST-segment myocardial infarction patients frequently present to non-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) hospitals and require interhospital transfer for primary PCI. The effect of distance and mode of transport to the PCI center and the frequency that recommended primary PCI times are met are not clear.

Methods and Results—

Data from the ACTION Registry
®
-GWTG™ were used to determine the distance between the Non-PCI and PCI center and first door time to balloon time based on transfer mode (ground and air) for patients having interhospital transfer for primary PCI. From July 1, 2008, to December 31, 2012, 17 052 ST-segment myocardial infarction patients were transferred to 413 PCI hospitals. The median distance from the non-PCI hospital to the primary PCI center was 31.9 miles (Q1, Q3: 19.1, 47.9; ground 25.2 miles; air 43.9 miles;
P
<0.001). At distances <40 miles, ground transport was the primary transport method, whereas at distances >40 miles air transport predominanted. Median first door time to balloon time time for patients transferred for primary PCI was 118 minutes (Q1, Q3: 95 152), with time for patients transported by air significantly longer (median 124 versus 113 minutes; respectively,
P
<0.001) than for patients transported by ground. Fifty-three percent of patients had a first door time to balloon time ≤120 minutes, with only 20% ≤90 minutes. A first door time to balloon time ≤120 minutes was more likely in ground than in air transport patients (57.0% versus 45.6%;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Interhospital transfer for primary PCI is associated with prolonged reperfusion times. These delays should prompt increased consideration of fibrinolytic therapy, emergency medical services hospital bypass protocols, and improved systems of care for ST-segment myocardial infarction patients requiring transfer.
Singing Interaction: Embodied Instruments for Musical Expression in Opera
Authors: Elblaus Ludvig , Unander-Scharin Carl , Unander-Scharin Åsa
Published: November 2014

In the opera Sing the Body Electric! A Corporatorio, artists from the disciplines of opera, dance and the development of new musical instruments collaborated to create an onstage fusion of different technologies and artistic practices that connected performer, scenography and instrument. Gestures and movements of singers were captured by custom-built technologies. The singers also used custom-built technologies for transforming their vocal qualities and for creating synthesized accompaniment in real time. In this way the singers’ bodily musical processes further extended their vocal performances, rooted in operatic praxis, allowing for heightened expressivity and emergent scenic subjects.
Affective Audio
Authors: Weinel Jonathan , Cunningham Stuart , Griffiths Darryl , Roberts Shaun , Picking Richard
Published: November 2014

The authors discuss their interdisciplinary research, which investigates the use of affective computing technologies in the context of music, audiovisual artworks and video games. One current project involves the expansion of mobile sound walk apps through incorporating environmental and emotional factors, forming new sonic landscapes. What type of music could reflect driving through a hot desert landscape at midday or walking through a snowy cityscape at dawn? Through a discussion of their collective work in this area, the authors aim to elicit a vision of the computer-based musical experiences of the future.
The Mobile Solo Auditor: Personalization and Located Listening
Authors: Flügge Elen
Published: November 2014

The author considers personalization and located listening as tendencies of new audio media and sound art, particularly works using social networks and geographic user data.
Convergence by the Noise Index
Authors: Vallis Owen , Hochenbaum Jordan , Blasco Jasmin
Published: November 2014

The authors explore questions about relationships to information, more specifically how we consume, process and interact with the current deluge of data. This article examines their work in the group the Noise Index: Convergence, a sound sculpture that confronts the viewer with the experience of information saturation, and the line between meaning and noise.
Skin Pattern Sonification as a New Timbral Expression
Authors: Han Yoon Chung , Han Byeong-jun
Published: November 2014

The authors discuss two sonification projects that transform fingerprint and skin patterns into audio: (1) Digiti Sonus, an interactive installation performing fingerprint sonification and visualization and (2) skin pattern sonification, which converts pore networks into sound. The projects include novel techniques for representing user-intended fingerprint expression and skin pattern selection as audio parameters.
Along a Duration of Time: Extending Human Involvement to Remote Regions of the Earth
Authors: Koshkin Anastasya
Published: November 2014

The author discusses extending human involvement to remote regions of the earth, initiating a method of contact with nature via philosophy and new media art.
A Brief Introduction to Gremlins as Aesthetic Devices
Authors: Contant Heather
Published: November 2014

The sounds of electromagnetic interference, or “gremlins,” result from interactions among objects in the 21st century’s sphere of media ecology. This article examines how artists use these sounds in their work by employing ecologically minded creative practices reflective of the interactions that created these gremlins in the first place. It analyzes three creative methods: the artist workshop, recorded music and live performance. The conclusion offers an original score for group-improvisation with gremlins.
The Role of Mechanical Reproduction in (What Was Formerly Known as) the Record in the Age of Personal Fabrication
Authors: Jo Kazuhiro
Published: November 2014

The author examines the role of mechanical reproduction in (what was formerly known as) analog records in the age of personal fabrication with an example from his recent project cutting record. He investigates the creation of records without inputting sound sources by utilizing a production technique and a variety of materials, in conjunction with a discussion of a performance and workshop extracted from the project.
Dumpster Diving and Post-Electronic Soundmaking
Authors: Wilson Daniel
Published: November 2014

The author presents an overview of his work, revealing how the socioeconomic position of the electroacoustic composer may necessitate dumpster diving as a means of survival that also provides a hidden benefit in fueling the creative process.
Fun with Information or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Objectivity
Authors: Iglesia Daniel
Published: November 2014

The author discusses audio/video interaction in his recent performance practice.
A Religious Futurism: The Catholic Modernist Crisis in the Maternal Imagery of Umberto Boccioni
Authors: Taylor Anna Frey
Published: November 2014

In recent years scholars have attempted to reconsider the place of religion within Italian Futurism. A tendency to secularize the avant-garde has ensured that Futurism is often assumed to be in opposition to religion. This paper reassesses this notion by examining the religious dimension of the work of the Futurist artist Umberto Boccioni. In particular, it examines the mother images the artist produced during the early years of the Futurist movement. The paper argues that in Boccioni’s 1912 work Matter (Materia) the maternal figures of the Virgin Mary and the Catholic Church coalesce through a process akin to what Sigmund Freud described as “condensation.” During the years preceding the work’s execution, Boccioni was recording the development of the Catholic Modernist Crisis in his diary. This crisis culminated in 1907 with the papal encyclical Pascendi Dominici Gregis. At this time, the Catholic Church was experiencing increasing pressure to adapt to new ways of thinking about ecclesiastical history. In this paper, Matter is reread as an investigation into the place of the Catholic Church in the modern world. In seeking to account for the religious significance of Boccioni’s maternal imagery, this paper challenges the claim that the early Futurist movement was wholly anti-Christian in orientation.
Brachiopods from Late Jurassic—Early Cretaceous hydrocarbon seep deposits, central Spitsbergen, Svalbard
Authors: SANDY MICHAEL R. , HRYNIEWICZ KRZYSZTOF , HAMMER ØYVIND , NAKREM HANS ARNE , LITTLE CRISPIN T. S.
Published: November 2014

Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous (Late Volgian–latest Ryazanian) rhynchonellate brachiopods are described from eight out of 15 hydrocarbon seep deposits in the Slottsmøya Member of the Agardhfjellet Formation in the Janusfjellet to Knorringfjellet area, central Spitsbergen, Svalbard. The fauna comprises rhynchonellides, terebratulides (terebratuloids and loboidothyridoids) and a terebratellidine. The rhynchonellides include: Pseudomonticlarella varia Smirnova; Ptilorhynchia mclachlani sp. nov.; and Ptilorhynchia obscuricostata Dagys. The terebratulides belong to the terebratuloids: Cyrtothyris? sp.; Cyrtothyris aff. cyrta (Walker); Praelongithyris? aff. borealis Owen; and the loboidothyridoids: Rouillieria cf. michalkowii (Fahrenkohl); Rouillieria aff. ovoides (Sowerby); Rouillieria aff. rasile Smirnova; Uralella? cf. janimaniensis Makridin; Uralella? sp.; Pinaxiothyris campestris? Dagys; Placothyris kegeli? Harper et al.; and Seductorithyris septemtrionalis gen. et sp. nov. The terebratellidine Zittelina? sp. is also present. Age determinations for all but one of the brachiopod-bearing seeps are based on associated ammonites. Five of the seep carbonates have yielded Lingularia similis?, and it is the only brachiopod species recorded from two of the seeps. Other benthic invertebrate taxa occurring in the seeps include bivalves, gastropods, echinoderms, sponges, and serpulid and non-serpulid worm tubes. The brachiopod fauna has a strong Boreal palaeobiogeographic signature. Collectively, the Spitsbergen seep rhynchonellate brachiopods exhibit high species richness and low abundance (<100 specimens from 8 seeps). This contrasts markedly with other Palaeozoic–--Mesozoic brachiopod-dominated seep limestones where brachiopods are of low diversity (typically monospecific) with a super-abundance of individuals. The shallow water environmental setting for the Spitsbergen seeps supported a diverse shelf fauna, compared to enigmatic Palaeozoic–Mesozoic brachiopod-dominated seeps.
New Oppiidae (Acari: Oribatida) from the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in South Africa
Authors: HUGO-COETZEE ELIZABETH A.
Published: November 2014

A checklist of Oppiidae sampled at Golden Gate Highlands National Park in central South Africa is provided. Twelve genera and 17 species were recorded of which one species, Arcoppia fenestralis, is recorded from South Africa for the first time. One new subgenus and six new species were identified and are described. The new species are Brachioppia louwi sp. nov., Brachioppiella (B.) dawidi sp. nov., Brachioppiella (B.) goblina sp. nov., Kokoppia mandelai sp. nov., Lanceoppia (L.) scytheae sp. nov., Oppiella (Q.) goldengatensis sp. nov.. Oppiella (Quattoppiella) subgen. nov. is characterized by the absence of costulae on the prodorsum and having four pairs of genital setae.
Description and DNA barcoding of Ochetostethomorpha secunda, a new species of the South African endemic burrower bug genus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cydnidae) from Namibia
Authors: LIS JERZY A. , LIS BARBARA , ZIAJA DARIUSZ J. , DOBOSZ ROLAND
Published: November 2014

Ochetostethomorpha secunda sp. nov. from Namibia, the second species of the South African endemic genus is described, illustrated, and compared with O. nollothensis Schumacher, 1913. The new species is the third of the subfamily Sehirinae known from Namibia. Moreover, a DNA barcode sequence was generated for this new species (827 bp of cytochrome oxidase I) and was deposited in GenBank.
A New Species of Corynoneura Winnertz from Oriental China (Diptera: Chironomidae: Orthocladiinae)
Authors: FANG XIANGLIANG , WANG XINHUA , FU YUE
Published: November 2014

A new species of Corynoneura Winnertz (1846) from Oriental China, C. ecphora sp. n. is described and illustrated as male. A distribution map of adult males in Oriental China is given. A key to known males of Oriental China is provided.
The genus Sitothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) with a new grass-living species from southern Iran
Authors: MINAEI KAMBIZ , MOUND LAURENCE
Published: November 2014

One of the generic characters given by zur Strassen (2003) for species of the genus Sitothrips Priesner (1931) is the presence of 2-segmented maxillary palps. In contrast, a new species of this genus is described below from Iran in which the maxillary palps are clearly 3-segmented (Fig. 5). The genus was erected for arabicus Priesner from Egypt, a species now recorded widely among countries around the Mediterranean, from Morocco to southern Russia. Three further species are listed in Sitothrips: almargeniensis Titschack from Spain and Portugal, lindbergi zur Strassen from the Canary Islands and Morocco, and calcaratus (Savenko) from southern Russia. The identity of the latter species remains in some doubt as, in contrast to the other species, it was described as wingless and lacking ocelli (Savenko 1944), but zur Strassen (2003) provided an illustrated key to the other three species.
Disdrometer Network Observations of Finescale Spatial–Temporal Clustering in Rain
Authors: Jameson A. R. , Larsen M. L. , Kostinski A. B.
Published: November 2014

The spatial clustering of drops is a defining characteristic of rain on all scales from centimeters to kilometers. It is the physical basis for much of the observed variability in rain. The authors report here on the temporal–spatial 1-min counts using a network of 21 optical disdrometers over a small area near Charleston, South Carolina. These observations reveal significant differences between spatial and temporal structures (i.e., clustering) for different sizes of drops, which suggest that temporal observations of clustering cannot be used to infer spatial clustering simply using by an advection velocity as has been done in past studies. It is also shown that both spatial and temporal clustering play a role in rain variability depending upon the drop size. The more convective rain is dominated by spatial clustering while the opposite holds for the more stratiform rain.

Like previous time series measurements by a single disdrometer but in contradiction with widely accepted drop size distribution power-law relations, it is also shown that there is a linear relation between 1-min averages of the rainfall rate R over the network and the average total number of drops Nt. However, the network (area) R–Nt relation differs from those derived strictly from time series observations by individual disdrometers. These differences imply that the temporal and spatial size distributions and their variabilities are not equivalent.
The Dissipation of Trapped Lee Waves. Part I: Leakage of Inviscid Waves into the Stratosphere
Authors: Durran Dale R. , Hills Matthew O. G. , Blossey Peter N.
Published: November 2014

Leaky trapped mountain lee waves are investigated by examining the structure of individual linear modes in multilayer atmospheres. When the static stability and cross-mountain wind speed are constant in the topmost unbounded layer, modes that decay exponentially downstream also grow exponentially with height. This growth with height occurs because packets containing relatively large-amplitude waves follow ray paths through the stratosphere, placing them above packets entering the stratosphere farther downstream that contain relatively low-amplitude waves. Nevertheless, if the trapped wave train is generated by a compact source, all waves disappear above some line parallel to the group velocity that passes just above the source region.

The rate of downstream decay due to leakage into the stratosphere is strongly dependent on the atmospheric structure. Downstream dissipation is often significant under realistic atmospheric conditions, which typically include elevated inversions and strong upper-tropospheric winds. On the other hand, idealized profiles with constant Scorer parameters throughout each of two tropospheric layers can exhibit a wide range of behaviors when capped by a third stratospheric layer with typical real-world static stability. Assuming the Scorer parameter in the stratosphere is a little larger than the minimum value necessary to allow a particular mode to propagate vertically, the rate of downstream decay is more sensitive to changes in the height of the tropopause than to further increases in the stability of the stratosphere. Downstream decay is minimized when the tropopause is high and the horizontal wavelength is short.
Development and Formation Mechanism of the Southeast Asian Winter Heavy Rainfall Events around the South China Sea. Part I: Formation and Propagation of Cold Surge Vortex*
Authors: Chen Tsing-Chang , Tsay Jenq-Dar , Matsumoto Jun , Alpert Jordan
Published: November 2014

Examination of the development of cold season heavy rainfall/flood (HRF) events around the South China Sea (SCS) from their parent cold surge vortices (CSVs) shows three new development processes. First, the formation mechanism of the parent CSV of an HRF event [CSV(HRF)] has a preference as to geographic location, flow type of the cold surge inside the SCS, and time of day. The surface trough east of the Philippines, Taiwan, and southern Japan island chain in late fall and the near-equator trough across Borneo in winter facilitate the CSV(HRF) formation in two regions—the vicinity of the Philippines and Borneo. The formation of the Philippine (Borneo) CSV(HRF) occurs at 0600 UTC (0000 UTC) with involvement from the Philippine Sea (PHS)-type (SCS type) of cold surge flow. Second, the flow type of the cold surge determines the CSV(HRF) propagation across the South China Sea. The PHS-type (SCS type) facilitates (hinders) the CSV(HRF) westward propagation. This occurs because the easterly (northerly) flow is greater than (less than) the northerly (easterly) flow at the maximum isotach location of the cold surge flow associated with CSV(HRF) and is centered east of the demarcation line for propagation. This flow-type contrast is substantiated by the vorticity budget analysis for CSV(HRF). The positive 925-hPa vorticity tendency is located west of (coincident with) the 925-hPa vorticity center for the PHS-type (SCS type) of cold surge. Third, the CSV(HRF) development into a HRF event is achieved through multiple interactions of former vortices with sequential cold surges across the South China Sea. The first two CSV(HRF) development processes are reported herein; the last process is presented in Part II.
The Relative Roles of the Ocean and Atmosphere as Revealed by Buoy Air–Sea Observations in Hurricanes
Authors: Cione Joseph J.
Published: November 2014

Results from this multihurricane study suggest that the criticality of the oft-cited 26°C hurricane threshold linked to hurricane maintenance may be more closely associated with atmospheric thermodynamic conditions within the inner core than previously believed. In all cases, a positive sea–air contrast was observed within the storm inner core (i.e., surface ocean temperature greater than surface air temperature), despite the fact that 6% of the hurricanes exhibited sea surface temperatures (SSTs) less than the 26°C. For the storms sampled in this study, inner-core surface dewpoint temperatures never exceeded 26.5°C. This finding may provide an alternate explanation as to the criticality of the 26°C threshold since SSTs above 26°C would, in almost all instances, be associated with a positive enthalpy flux condition. Analyses from this study also illustrate that high wind SSTs fluctuate as a function of storm latitude, while inner-core near-surface dewpoint temperatures are much less sensitive to this parameter. As a result, and assuming all other factors to be equal, low-latitude hurricanes would, on average, be expected to experience surface moisture fluxes ~1/3 greater than storms located farther to the north. For systems sampled within the deep tropics, inner-core SST was found to fluctuate much less than surface dewpoint temperature, suggesting that the atmosphere, not the ocean, is more likely to influence the key thermodynamic parameter controlling surface moisture flux for this subset of hurricanes.
Remission criteria and functional outcome in patients with schizophrenia, a longitudinal study
Authors: Heering Henriette D , Janssens Mayke , Boyette Lindy-Lou , van Haren Neeltje EM ,   G.R.O.U.P investigators, Bruggeman Richard , Cahn Wypke , de Haan Lieuwe , Kahn René S , Meijer Carin J , Myin-Germeys Inez , van Os Jim , Wiersma Durk
Published: November 2014

Background:

The Remission in Schizophrenia Working Group (RSWG) has proposed remission criteria for schizophrenia, which were shown to be valid in terms of functional and clinical outcomes. However, studies investigating the association between dynamics in remission status in relation to longitudinal functional and clinical outcome are scarce.

Methods:

A total of 648 patients were allocated to four change-in-remission groups, i.e. remission/remission, remission/no-remission, no-remission/remission, and no-remission/no-remission. Remission status was based on PANSS ratings. Multilevel linear modelling techniques were used to investigate whether enduring remission was associated with more improvement in functional outcome at follow-up. Further, change in functional and clinical outcome at follow-up measurement was assessed for each remission category separately.

Results:

Both at baseline and at follow-up, remission status was associated with better functioning. At baseline, patients who subsequently moved out of remission status could be characterized by more severe psychopathology, disabilities, unmet needs and worse quality of life (QoL) compared with patients who continued to be in remission. The stable in-remission group was characterized by significantly better functioning and QoL, both at baseline and follow-up compared with all other remission groups. Nevertheless, QoL increased in all four patient categories.

Conclusions:

In a large sample of patients with a non-affective psychotic disorder, stable remission or moving into remission over time, based on the RSWG criteria, was associated with a favourable functional outcome and QoL, providing further support for the clinical validity of the RSWG remission criteria. The findings also suggest growing adaptation and self-management over time, despite ongoing difficulties.
Regulatory Focus as an Explanatory Variable for Cross-Cultural Differences in Achievement-Related Behavior
Authors: Kurman Jenny , Liem Gregory Arief , Ivancovsky Tal , Morio Hiroaki , Lee Joo
Published: November 2014

The main claim of the present study is that regulatory focus (i.e., promotion vs. prevention orientations) is an important explanatory variable of cross-cultural differences in actual and self-reported achievement-related behaviors and preferences, which include a component of autonomy. It adds explained variance in behavior above and beyond that of individualism/collectivism (I/C), and mediates the relations between I/C and behavior. Three studies are reported. The first compared Israeli Jews and Arabs on minimal initiation ( n = 255), the second compared Israeli Jews and Japanese on creativity ( n = 92), and the third compared Swiss, Mexican, and Indonesian samples on preference for mastery goals in education ( n = 488). All three studies demonstrated the ability of regulatory focus scales to distinguish between cultures and to serve as meaningful predictors of actual and self-reported achievement-related behaviors. The measured I/C scales were found to be less relevant to behavior prediction than was regulatory focus. In most studies, regulatory focus scales mediated the relations between some of the I/C scales and behavior. The diversity of the measured behaviors and cultures supports the ecological validity of the findings.
Climate change leaders and followers: Leadership recognition and selection in the UNFCCC negotiations
Authors: Parker Charles F , Karlsson Christer , Hjerpe Mattias
Published: November 2014

Past research has posited that effective leadership is an essential ingredient in reaching international agreements and overcoming the collective action problems associated with responding to climate change. Despite its fundamental importance for leadership relationships, the demand side of the leadership equation has been comparatively neglected in the literature. In this study, we answer several related questions that are vital for understanding the leadership dynamics that impact the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations. Are there any leaders in the field of climate change and, if so, who are they? How do followers select climate leaders? What factors are important to them? Using unique survey data collected at four consecutive United Nations (UN) climate summits, Conference of Parties (COP) 14–17, this article investigates which actors are actually recognized as playing a leadership role in the UNFCCC negotiations and probes how followers select leadership candidates in this issue area. The survey findings reveal a fragmented leadership landscape, with no one clear-cut leader, and spotlight that if an actor seeks to be recognized as a leader, it is crucial to be perceived as being devoted to promoting the common good.
What constitutes a ‘Manifest Failing’? Ambiguous and inconsistent terminology and the Responsibility to Protect
Authors: Gallagher Adrian
Published: November 2014

Paragraph 139 of the World Summit Outcome Document (WSOD) stipulates that the international community is prepared to respond on a ‘case-by-case basis’ in a ‘timely and decisive manner’ when ‘national authorities are manifestly failing to protect their populations’ from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. But what constitutes a ‘manifest failing’? Ten years on from the WSOD, it is evident that there is a large amount of ambiguity and inconsistency in how this term is interpreted and applied. This article highlights the confusion and complexity within the discourse prior to putting forward five policy prescriptions. In so doing, it argues that a more informed understanding of the concept will, primarily, rectify the problems of ambiguity and inconsistency and, secondarily, may help address fears of Great Power manipulation and assist in delegitimising misuse of the R2P.
Change Happens
Authors: Ribando Saundra J. , Evans Lorraine
Published: November 2014

Mergers and acquisitions more commonly occur in the business and commercial domain, so details and data specific to the education arena are limited. In particular, very little quantitative research examines the sociocultural aspects of consolidating postsecondary educational institutions. This research intends to add to the literature with the initial results of a 5-year study examining the consolidation of a high-status, research-focused, health-oriented institution with a low-status, teaching-oriented, liberal arts college, each with quite different organizational cultures. Our findings show that consolidation increased stress levels and decreased levels of person–organization fit (PO fit) resulting in increases in turnover intention among all faculty members. As expected, moreover, the negative impact was much stronger among the liberal arts faculty than the health faculty.
Evaluating Person Fit for Cognitive Diagnostic Assessment
Authors: Cui Ying , Li Johnson
Published: November 2014

Methods evaluating person fit for cognitive diagnostic assessment are an important area of research because failing to detect misfitting responses can lead to the misinterpretation of students’ attribute profiles, which may result in faulty remediation decisions. This article aims to examine ways of detecting person misfit for cognitive diagnostic assessments. The authors first investigated whether the well-known lz statistic, developed under the framework of item response theory, can be extended for use in the context of cognitive diagnostic models. The authors also introduce a new person fit statistic, response conformity index (RCI), developed for detecting misfitting response patterns for cognitive diagnostic assessments. The authors conduct both simulation and real data studies to compare the detection rates of lz and our new statistic.
Impact of Early Sodium Supplementation on Hyponatremia and Growth in Premature Infants
Authors: Isemann Barbara , Mueller Eric W. , Narendran Vivek , Akinbi Henry
Published: November 2014

Background: We tested the hypothesis that sodium supplementation in early preterm infants prevents late‐onset hyponatremia and improves growth without increasing common morbidities during birth hospitalization. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized, masked controlled trial of 4 mEq/kg/d of sodium (intervention) versus sterile water (placebo) from days‐of‐life 7 to 35 in infants born at <32 weeks corrected gestational age. The primary outcome was weight gain in the first 6 weeks of life. Secondary outcomes included weekly serum sodium concentrations, growth in body length and head circumference, and complications of prematurity during birth hospitalization. Results: Fifty‐three infants with an average corrected gestational age of 28.5 ± 2.4 weeks were randomized. Infants receiving the intervention had fewer (P = .012) reports of serum sodium concentrations <135 mmol/L and greater velocity of weight gain during the study period, mean (SD) 26.9 (3.1) vs 22.9 (4.7) g/kg/day, P = .012. At 6 weeks of age, infants <28 weeks' gestation who received sodium supplementation had greater percentage weight change from birth, mean (SD) 193% (22%) vs 173% (10%), P = .041, and maintained fetal reference birth percentile for body weight more often (P = .002) compared with infants receiving placebo. Growth in length and head circumference was not significantly different between study arms. No increase in common prematurity‐related morbidities was detected in infants who received supplemental sodium chloride. Conclusion: Sodium supplementation of enteral feedings in very premature infants averts hyponatremia and enhances weight gain.
Beveled reversed elephant trunk procedure for complex aortic aneurysm
Authors: Fujikawa Takuya , Yamamoto Shin , Sekine Yuji , Oshima Susumu , Kasai Reo , Sasaguri Shiro
Published: November 2014

The reversed elephant trunk procedure uses an inverted graft for distal aortic replacement before aortic arch replacement in patients with mega aorta, to reduce the risk in the second stage. However, the conventional technique restricts the maximum diameter of the inverted graft to the aortic graft diameter. We employed a beveled reversed elephant trunk procedure to overcome the discrepancy between graft diameters in a 54-year-old woman with a severely twisted ascending aortic graft and enlarging chronic dissection of the aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta. The patient was discharged with a satisfactory repair and no neurologic deficit.
Vision-guided motion primitives for humanoid reactive walking: Decoupled versus coupled approaches
Authors: Garcia Mauricio , Stasse Olivier , Hayet Jean-Bernard , Dune Claire , Esteves Claudia , Laumond Jean-Paul
Published: November 2014

This paper proposes a novel visual servoing approach to control the dynamic walk of a humanoid robot. Online visual information is given by an on-board camera. It is used to drive the robot towards a specific goal. Our work is built upon a recent reactive pattern generator that make use of model predictive control (MPC) to modify footsteps, center of mass and center of pressure trajectories to track a reference velocity. The contribution of the paper is to formulate the MPC problem considering visual feedback. We compare our approach with a scheme decoupling visual servoing and walking gait generation. Such a decoupled scheme consists of, first, computing a reference velocity from visual servoing; then, the reference velocity is the input of the pattern generator. Our MPC-based approach allows to avoid a number of limitations that appears in decoupled methods. In particular, visual constraints can be introduced directly inside the locomotion controller, while camera motions do not have to be accounted for separately. Both approaches are compared numerically and validated in simulation. Our MPC method shows a faster convergence.