bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La Revista de Neuro-Psiquiatría: reflexiones sobre sus fundadores, sus “laboratorios” y su historia institucional.
Authors: Alva Verna
Published: February 2016

Tras una breve revisión histórica, se examinan tres segmentos en la existencia de la Revista de Neuro-Psiquiatría, detallándose aspectos, en algunos casos poco conocidos, de los fundadores, sus colaboradores inmediatos y características de estilo personal, ambientes en los que desarrollaron su labor clínica, docente y de investigación, así como el background institucional que apoyó la publicación desde sus comienzos (Cátedras universitarias, hospitales y sociedades profesionales). Se analiza en particular la gestión de Javier Mariátegui como Director-Editor y se formulan aserciones y reflexiones en relación al futuro de la Revista en el ámbito médico-editorial nacional e internacional.
An Understanding of the Accumulation of Biomass and Nitrogen is Benefit for Chinese Maize Production
Authors: Yan Peng , Yue Shanchao , Meng Qingfeng , Pan Junxiao , Ye Youliang , Chen Xinping , Cui Zhenling
Published: February 2016

Increasing maize (Zea mays L.) yields depends on understanding the dynamics of biomass and N accumulation such that N demand and N supply can be synchronized and N management improved. Biomass and N accumulation data were collected at the six‐leaf (V6) stage, the flowering (VT) stage, and harvest from nine field experiments at eight sites in four key summer maize domains on the North China Plain. The data were used to investigate how grain yield and the N uptake requirement per Mg grain yield (Nreq) were related to differences in N management. Grain yield averaged 9.0 Mg ha−1 and ranged from 1.9 to 16.3 Mg ha−1; the highest grain yield (9.6 Mg ha−1) was achieved with optimal N rates (N = OPT). In N = OPT plots, increases in grain yield from <8 to 8–10 Mg ha−1 were associated with increased biomass and N accumulation beginning at stage V6; increases in grain yield from 8–10 to >10 Mg ha−1 were associated with substantial increases in biomass and N accumulation during grain filling. In N = OPT plots with >10 Mg ha−1 yield, plants had a high stover N content and maintained a high green leaf area index and SPAD, which contributed to a high harvest index, high kernel number per plant, and high thousand kernel weight. Our results indicate that farmers on the North China Plain should apply less total N fertilizer and should apply a substantial proportion of the N fertilizer after stage V6.
Long‐Term Impacts of Cropping Systems and Landscape Positions on Claypan‐Soil Grain Crop Production
Authors: Yost Matt A. , Kitchen Newell R. , Sudduth Kenneth A. , Sadler Edward J. , Baffaut Claire , Volkmann Matthew R. , Drummond Scott T.
Published: February 2016

Sustainable grain crop production on vulnerable claypan soils requires improved knowledge of long‐term impacts of conservation cropping systems (CS). Therefore, effects of CS and landscape positions (LP) on corn (Zea mays L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production were evaluated from 1991 to 2010 on a claypan soil in Missouri. Replicated treatments were three CS (2‐yr mulch till corn–soybean [MTCS], 2‐yr no‐till corn–soybean [NTCS], and 3‐yr no‐till corn–soybean–wheat–cover crop [NTCSW]) and three LP (summit, backslope, and footslope). Corn yield was equivalent among CS on the summit, 13% higher for NTCS and NTCSW on the backslope, and 14% lower for NTCSW on the footslope. Soybean yield was 8% higher on the summit, 24% higher on the backslope in NTCS and NTCSW, and 12% higher on the footslope in NTCSW than MTCS. Corn yield was more stable in NTCS and NTCSW than MTCS and increased in stability from the footslope to summit. Soybean yield was less stable in NTCS and NTCSW than MTCS and LP effects on stability were similar to corn. The coefficient of variation (CV) of corn yield across years was 10% points lower in NTCS and on the footslope, and of soybean yield was 10% points lower at the footslope and summit. Wheat production was not affected by LP. Results indicate that conservation systems often can maintain grain crop productivity equal to, increase yield stability above, and reduce yield variability below those of a conventional system on claypan soils.
Seeding Date Affects Fall Growth of Winter Canola (Brassica napus L. ‘Baldur’) and its Performance as a Winter Cover Crop in Central Iowa
Authors: Martinez‐Feria Rafael A. , Kaspar Thomas C. , Wiedenhoeft Mary H.
Published: February 2016

In recent years, interest has increased in finding nongrass cover crop species that could be planted after soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and before corn (Zea mays L.) in central Iowa crop rotations. In this study, we investigated the use of winter canola (Brassica napus L.) as an alternative cover crop for Iowa, and characterize the effect of fall seeding date on its growth and winter survival. In a field experiment, the winter canola cultivar Baldur was seeded at four dates in the fall of 2012 and 2013. Aboveground biomass (AGB) production, nitrogen (N) accumulation, canopy cover, and winter survival were measured, and leaf development was tracked as a function of growing‐degree days (GDD). In general, winter canola performed best when seeded in early September. During the 2012–2013 season, winter canola seeded in early September provided ample AGB production, N accumulation, and canopy cover during the fall and spring, and achieved good winter survival. Conversely, no plants survived extreme cold temperatures without snow cover during the 2013–2014 season. This was despite the early‐seeded crop achieving the fifth‐leaf stage, which is usually associated with sufficient winter survival potential. In both years, the number of leaves were correlated to GDD accrued after emergence. The winter canola cultivar and management practices used in this study did not result in consistent overwintering and growth in the spring in Iowa. More research into other planting options or cultivars is needed to fully understand the potential of this alternative cover crop in Iowa.
Plant Health Characteristics of Creeping Bentgrass Affected by Strobilurin Fungicide Applications and Turfgrass Diseases
Authors: Benelli J.J. , Horvath B.J. , Brosnan J.T. , Kopsell D.A.
Published: February 2016

Previous research has indicated that strobilurin fungicide applications may mitigate the effects of summer heat stress on creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). Two multi‐year experiments were conducted in 2011 and 2012 to evaluate plant health characteristics following strobilurin fungicide applications to creeping bentgrass putting greens. In Exp. 1, pyraclostrobin, azoxystrobin, fluoxastrobin, or trifloxystrobin were integrated within a conventional summer fungicide program. In Exp. 2, repeated applications of strobilurin fungicides were evaluated in absence of visible foliar disease. To limit foliar disease, overspray applications of chlorothalonil (2,4,5,6‐tetrachloroisophthalonitrile) and iprodione [3‐(3,5‐dichlorophenyl)‐N‐isopropyl‐2,4‐dioxoimidazolidine‐1‐carboxamide] were applied over the experimental units. The plant health characteristics evaluated were visual quality, spectral reflectance, percent green cover, and root morphology. Disease incidence and severity was also quantified visually. In Exp. 1, the nontreated control was similar to strobilurin fungicide programs in all parameters in 2011. In 2012, strobilurin fungicide programs exhibited improved normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), ratio vegetation index (RVI), turfgrass quality, and percent green cover compared to the nontreated control. Disease severity also increased in 2012 compared to 2011. In Exp. 2, repeated applications of strobilurin fungicides did not affect measured parameters compared to the nontreated control when foliar diseases were managed with fungicides chlorothalonil and iprodione. In these experiments, differences in NDVI, RVI, turfgrass quality, and percent green cover often coincided with differences in disease severity in our evaluations. Under the conditions of these studies, applications of strobilurin fungicides have limited effects on NDVI, RVI, turfgrass quality, and percent green cover in the absence of visible disease.
Kinetic to Saturation Model for Simulation of Soil Organic Carbon Increase to Steady State
Authors: Nicoloso Rodrigo S. , Rice Charles W. , Amado Telmo J.C.
Published: February 2016

Core Ideas

We evaluated SOC dynamics in a long‐term soil tillage and N fertilization experiment.

We proposed a kinetic to saturation model for long‐term simulation of SOC dynamics.

The model was accurate in C‐depleted soils and accounted for SOC saturation process.

The use of mathematical models predicting SOC dynamics can provide relevant information about the C storage potential of agricultural soils. We evaluated three mathematical models (first‐order kinetic, C saturation, and a proposed kinetic to saturation) predicting SOC dynamics and steady‐state SOC of a Hapludoll from central Kansas. The study was based on a long‐term experiment (17 yr) assessing soil tillage systems (chisel tillage [CT] and no‐till [NT]) and N fertilizer sources (168 kg N ha−1 as NH4NO3 [MF], cattle manure [OF], and a control treatment without N [CO]. The soil under NT (0–5 cm) had significant SOC accumulation (>0.23 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) regardless of fertilization source, while the CT soil had negligible changes in SOC (<0.12 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) without the addition of organic fertilizer as an external C source. Organic fertilization increased the original SOC by 56 and 192%, reaching steady state at 15.9 and 28.0 Mg ha−1 in CT and NT soils, respectively. The SOC predicted by all three models had significant correlations (r > 0.80, p < 0.05) with measured SOC. However, the C saturation model overestimated the measured SOC under C‐depleted conditions, failing RMSE and lack‐of‐fit tests, while the first‐order kinetic model overestimated NT OF steady‐state SOC by up to 58% in relation to the maximum SOC storage capacity determined for NT soils. The SOC predicted by the kinetic to saturation model agreed with both measured SOC and the maximum SOC storage capacity of NT soils. The kinetic to saturation model can be used for long‐term simulation of SOC dynamics in soils that are either C depleted or close to saturation.
Zerovalent Iron with High Sulfur Content Enhances the Formation of Cadmium Sulfide in Reduced Paddy Soils
Authors: Hashimoto Yohey , Furuya Mitsuhiro , Yamaguchi Noriko , Makino Tomoyuki
Published: February 2016

Core Ideas

Sulfur impurities in ZVI affect Cd chemical speciation and solubility in reduced soils.

Exchangeable Cd decreased in the ZVI‐treated soil with greater S content.

The addition of ZVI with high levels of S enhanced the formation of CdS.

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of S impurity in zerovalent iron (ZVI) on the chemical speciation and solubility of Cd in the reduced soils. Two types of ZVI with contrastingly different S levels (0.009 and 1.08%) were used to find how the solubility and speciation of Cd would be influenced by the S impurity in ZVIs. Synchrotron‐based X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy was used to determine the relative proportion of CdS and other species in the Cd‐spiked soils amended with ZVIs with different S levels (hereafter low‐ and high‐S ZVIs). Microscale distribution and speciation of Cd at the interface between ZVI and soil particles were investigated using micro‐X‐ray fluorescence (μ‐XRF) and micro‐XAFS (μ‐XAFS) spectroscopy. The difference in S contents in ZVIs did not affect the soil solution Cd concentrations, but a significant decrease in exchangeable Cd was found in the soil with added high‐S ZVI. Linear combination fitting (LCF) on Cd K‐edge XAFS spectra of bulk soils determined up to 16% CdS in the reduced soils amended with ZVIs. The μ‐XRF map of the soil amended with high‐S ZVI showed that the spots with S accumulation were discretely distributed on the ZVI, and some S accumulating areas corresponded to Cd localization. The LCF on Cd K‐edge μ‐XAFS spectra for selected soil particles revealed that the proportion of CdS ranged from 20 to 87% (avg. 53 ± 22%) in the soil with low‐S ZVI and from 64 to 98% (avg. 84 ± 14%) in the soil with high‐S ZVI. A higher S content in ZVI, and probably in other amendments, decreases labile Cd fractions and enhances CdS formation in reduced soils.
Is Tax Avoidance Related to Firm Risk?
Authors: Guenther David A. , Matsunaga Steven R. , Williams Brian M.
Published: February 2016

We test whether tax avoidance strategies are associated with greater firm risk. We find that low tax rates tend to be more persistent than high tax rates and that measures of tax avoidance commonly used in the literature are generally not associated with either future tax rate volatility or future overall firm risk. Our evidence suggests that, on average, corporate tax avoidance is accomplished using strategies that are persistent and do not increase firm risk. We also find that the volatility of cash tax rates is associated with future stock volatility, suggesting that tax rate volatility and overall firm risk are related.

JEL Classifications: M41.
Real Earnings Management: A Threat to Auditor Comfort?
Authors: Commerford Benjamin P. , Hermanson Dana R. , Houston Richard W. , Peters Michael F.
Published: February 2016

Real earnings management (REM) is an increasingly common method of manipulating financial results, yet little research examines auditors' perceptions of and responses to REM. Using the auditor comfort framework (Pentland 1993; Carrington and Catasús 2007), we examine the extent to which REM impacts auditor comfort and how, in the presence of REM, auditors rely on comfort-building strategies in trying to move from a state of discomfort (i.e., fear of failing to identify misstatements) to comfort. Based on in-depth interviews of 20 experienced auditors, we find that auditors are aware of REM and often identify REM through formalized protocols that include analytical procedures, discussions with management, or their knowledge of the business. Formal audit procedures play a role when trying to address, “rationally,” the risk of REM, but we also find that auditors use emotive phrases and references to body senses related to discomfort, indicating that there also is an emotional component to dealing with REM (Guénin-Paracini, Malsch, and Marché-Paillé 2014). Most of the interviewees have concerns about REM (i.e., it threatens comfort), largely because they believe that it is indicative of management's desire to meet short-term targets (i.e., poor management tone), and that it may signal the use of other, less acceptable earnings management methods (i.e., accruals-based earnings management) to meet those targets. Interviewees respond to the discomfort caused by REM in many ways, including engaging in discussions with the client, increasing skepticism, and altering audit procedures and risk assessments. Auditors may even go as far as resigning from an engagement because of REM. Our analysis reveals that REM is a significant source of auditor discomfort and that auditors use both their rationality and their emotions/body senses to identify and try to alleviate that discomfort.
The e3value Ontology for Value Networks: Current State and Future Directions
Authors: Weigand Hans
Published: February 2016

Meeting changing customer demands and business opportunities in a connected world makes it necessary for organizations to constantly innovate by means of value-creating collaborations. The goal of value modeling is to support the exploration of new business models from an economic point of view. The e3value approach to value modeling is based on an explicit ontology and supported by a graphical tool. This paper provides a structured overview and evaluation of e3value, and discusses two important issues. The first issue concerns the difference between a value co-creation perspective and an exchange value perspective. It shows that with some extensions, e3value can support both. The second issue is model quality. It argues that an ontology is not complete without model quality features and, as far as e3value is concerned, proposes to use the notion of “value cycle” as a soundness feature and as a replacement of the scenario concept.
The Advent of IFRS in Canada: Incidence on Value Relevance
Authors: Cormier Denis , Magnan Michel L.
Published: February 2016

The paper focuses on Canada's enactment of IFRS for publicly accountable firms. We investigate whether IFRS meet one of their stated goals, which is to improve financial statements' relevance for stock markets. Results show that migrating from Canadian GAAP to IFRS enhances the value relevance of earnings but the effect is concentrated among firms that are cross-listed in the U.S. (and that do not report according to U.S. GAAP). The advent of IFRS enhances the value relevance of information contained in footnotes but attenuates the need for non-GAAP measures' disclosure. Stock market prices also embed more precise anticipations about future IFRS earnings. Additional analyses suggest that less earnings management accompanies IFRS adoption. Our results suggest that, for cross-listed firms, the adoption of IFRS enhanced the comparability of their financial statements and, ultimately, their value relevance.
Differential age susceptibility to influenza B/Victoria lineage viruses in the 2015 Australian influenza season
Authors: Barr Ian G. , Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran , Sullivan Sheena G.
Published: February 2016

Influenza B viruses make up an important part of the burden from seasonal influenza globally. The 2015 season in Australia saw an unusual predominance of influenza B with a distinctive switch during the season from B/Yamagata/16/88 lineage viruses to B/Victoria/2/87 lineage viruses. We also noted significant differences in the age groups infected by the different B lineages, with B/Victoria infecting a younger population than B/Yamagata, that could not be explained by potential prior exposure.
Factors Associated with High School Students' Delayed Acquisition of a Driver's License
Authors: Brown Rodney E. , Handy Susan L.
Published: February 2016

In recent years the number of teenagers and young adults acquiring a driver's license has declined in many developed countries worldwide, with long-term implications for transportation planning. However, the reasons for this decline are only partially understood. Some research has focused on surveys of young drivers without licenses, but few studies have looked at the characteristics and attitudes of youth of driving age as a whole. Other studies have focused on young adults but not teenagers. This study addressed these gaps by examining the results of a survey of students at three high schools in Northern California. These results indicated that demographic factors such as race–ethnicity and parental education level, which was used as a proxy for socioeconomic status, were correlated with licensing and the age at which a license was obtained. Smartphone use, frequency of participation in after-school activities, and bicycle ownership also corresponded positively with increased licensing rates, while actual bicycle use, enjoyment of riding the bus, and ability to rely on parents for transportation corresponded with decreased licensing rates. Use of electronic communications in general was not found to correspond highly with licensing rates, and environmental concern had no significant relationship. These results suggest the need for further research to separate economic factors from other possible factors influencing licensing rates of high school students.
Modeling Intertrip Time Intervals between Individuals’ Overnight Long-Distance Trips
Authors: LaMondia Jeffrey J. , Moore Michael , Aultman-Hall Lisa
Published: February 2016

Long-distance and overnight travel are growing in importance in the United States, yet the data and methods needed to model these activity patterns are lacking. One important factor for activity simulation is the interval between overnight trips away from home. This study used a unique 1-year panel data set of overnight trips for the estimation of a negative binomial regression model of intertrip time intervals. Most respondents indicated that they took between two and seven overnight trips per year, but time between trips varied widely regardless of the total number of trips. This time difference suggests some clustering of trips for some but not all people. Model results indicated that both regional and household attributes affected intertrip time intervals, but that both prior and next trip factors were significant. The distance from home on previous trips and income were not factors in intertrip interval times. The results of this study demonstrate the range of factors needed to model the time interval between trips. The model format lends itself well to activity simulation models that can expand beyond 1 day and the local region to include 1 year of travel and, potentially, a global landscape. In this way, long-distance and overnight travel can be integrated more appropriately into transportation system planning.
Joint Econometric Analysis of Temporal and Spatial Flexibility of Activities, Vehicle Type Choice, and Primary Driver Selection
Authors: Anowar Sabreena , Eluru Naveen , Miranda-Moreno Luis F. , Lee-Gosselin Martin
Published: February 2016

This study examined the relationship between four individual-level travel choice processes of daily activity: spatial flexibility of the activity, temporal flexibility of the activity, vehicle choice for the activity, and primary driver (for auto users). Activity flexibility (spatial and temporal) has been suggested as a precursor to the travel pattern observed for an activity. This study examined the impact of activity flexibility through unique data drawn from Quebec City, Quebec, Canada from 2003 to 2006. In traditional literature on travel behavior, vehicle fleet decisions have been examined as a long-term choice with annual usage metrics. However, the long-term vehicle usage observed (as studied in the literature) is an aggregation of the household's yearly vehicle type and usage behavior. Only recently have researchers begun to consider decisions about vehicle usage (type and mileage) as a short-term decision in travel behavior models. By examining short-term vehicle usage, this study explored, at a disaggregate level, the interaction of activity behavior (defined as flexibility) and vehicle type choice. A panel mixed multinomial logit model was applied to analyze the four choices within the decision process to account for the intrinsic unobserved taste preferences across individuals. The analysis results revealed that several individual and household sociodemographic characteristics, residential location, and activity attributes, as well as contextual variables, influenced the packaged choice of temporal flexibility, spatial flexibility, vehicle type choice, and primary driver selection. The presence of common unobserved correlation across various alternatives was also incorporated.
Value of Schedule Delays by Time of Day
Authors: Morgul Ender Faruk , Ozbay Kaan
Published: February 2016

This study estimated the value of schedule delays (VSD) along the high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on State Road 167 in the state of Washington on the basis of revealed preference data from toll-paying users. More than 5 months of tolling records that included more than 1 million lane choices were used in the analysis. A mixed logit model was estimated to account for heterogeneity at the individual level. Drivers were assumed to evaluate reliability relative to their desired or expected arrival times (i.e., reference points). Three empirically determined reference point specifications were employed to calculate schedule delays, and the sensitivity of the results with respect to reference points was reported accordingly. The model estimations showed significant variations in the estimated VSDs for different times of day and also in different travel directions. The differences in VSD estimations could be as high as $17/h in a single time period depending on the reference point assumption. Reference point assumption was also shown to have a significant effect on the VSD when scheduling delays were used for measuring travel time reliability. Empirical findings of this study provide useful insights into the variability of the value of travel time of users traveling in different time periods. In particular, these results can help in the development of policies for more effective allocation of traffic capacity to HOT lanes, especially during peak congestion periods.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle Ownership and Fuel Economy across Texas
Authors: Bansal Prateek , Kockelman Kara M. , Wang Yiyi
Published: February 2016

Policymakers, transport planners, automobile manufacturers, and others are interested in the factors that affect adoption rates of electric vehicles and other fuel-efficient vehicles. With tract-level data from the 2010 census and registered vehicle counts from Texas counties in 2010, this study investigated the impact of various built environment and demographic attributes, including land use balance, employment density, population density, median age, gender, race, education, household size, and income. Spatial autocorrelation (across census tracts) in unobserved components of vehicle counts by tract and cross-response correlation (both spatial and local–aspatial in nature) was allowed for by the estimation of models of ownership levels (vehicle counts by vehicle type and fuel economy level) with bivariate and trivariate Poisson–lognormal conditional autoregressive models. The presence of high spatial autocorrelations and local cross-response correlations was consistent in all models across all counties studied. Ownership rates for fuel-efficient vehicles were found to rise with household income, resident education levels, and the share of male residents and to fall in the presence of larger household sizes and higher job densities. The average fuel economy of each tract's light-duty vehicles was also analyzed with a spatial error model across all Texas tracts, and this variable was found to depend most on educational attainment levels, median age, income, and household size variables, though all covariates used were statistically significant. If households registering more fuel-efficient vehicles, including hybrid electric vehicles, are also more inclined to purchase plug-in electric vehicles, these findings can assist in spatial planning of charging infrastructure as well as other calculations (such as implications for the revenue from gas tax).
Transit Travel Time Reliability
Authors: Hendren Patricia , Antos Justin , Carney Yvonne , Harcum Richard
Published: February 2016

Transit agencies traditionally have used vehicle movement to assess service quality. However, new technologies such as automatic fare collection systems, automatic passenger counters, and automatic vehicle location devices are giving agencies a wealth of data from which critical insights can be gained about customer experience. Trip-level travel time distributions are used to explore the potential for a new customer-focused measure of service quality. The proposed method builds on recent transit research and ties in to lessons learned over the past 20 years of highway reliability research. An example of delay incidents illustrates the disconnect between the vehicle-focused tools that currently are available to transit agencies for the evaluation of service quality (e.g., minutes of train delay, headway adherence) and what a customer cares about (i.e., travel time to the destination). This disconnect is addressed with the use of actual trip times to outline a new measure: percentage of customers with a travel time of less than x min. Historical travel time distributions create the opportunity to understand better the duration and magnitude of an incident. Possible applications of information about travel time reliability are identified; these include improved understanding of the causes of delay, incident management, and communication of service status to customers.
Travel Patterns of Urban Linear Ferry Passengers
Authors: Soltani Ali , Tanko Michael , Burke Matthew I. , Farid Reza
Published: February 2016

Urban linear ferry systems are an emerging form of public transport in cities worldwide. The travel behavior of passengers who used CityCat ferries in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, was investigated with data from 1,675,821 smart card fare transactions for ferry trips made over a 6-month period. Although services used small vessels and had only one main route, about 2.3% of all paid public transport journeys in Brisbane were made on CityCat and the related cross-river ferries. The ferries were used more for commuting and university trips on weekdays with significant patronage in the morning and afternoon peak periods. Use was consistent on weekend days. Although use was strong, most users were infrequent patrons; this use suggested that leisure travel was a significant component of the system. Key terminals with high use rates included those where transfer to cross-river ferry services was possible. The system offered single-stop cross-river travel at many points. However, only 15.8% of paid trips in March 2013 were made this way; 84.2% of trips continued farther up- or downriver. Integration with other buses and trains was significant; about 15% of all ferry journeys were linked to another mode of public transport. Additional investigation into how users access terminals and interact with other public transport modes is suggested. With expansion planned, the CityCat system could increase its contribution to public transport in Brisbane. Increasing the use frequency of the large pool of infrequent riders could increase patronage of the system.
Study to Evaluate Express Toll Lanes on Florida’s Turnpike
Authors: Shbaklo Saad A. , Davis Barbara , Cui Xiao
Published: February 2016

This paper describes a study conducted by Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise to evaluate the potential for implementing congestion management strategies on the turnpike system. The study was partially funded by two grants from the FHWA through the Value Pricing Pilot Program. The Integrated Congestion Pricing Plan (ICPP) study focused on the large urban areas of the state that experience long periods of traffic congestion. These include turnpike facilities in southeast Florida, and in Tampa and Orlando. The turnpike’s ICPP is among the first in the nation to consider a large-scale program of express lanes on an existing system of toll roads. This approach allows the addition of express lanes alongside the existing toll lanes, providing drivers with a new and attractive choice for their travel needs. In this study, three turnpike widening projects, one in each of the major urban areas, were selected for express lanes. In addition, the Florida Department of Transportation established various policies for express lanes, including access points and gantry location, toll pricing, signing and design standards, and vehicle eligibility. The turnpike initiated a public outreach program to solicit customer input through market research and focus groups. An informational brochure, a project video, and a website were prepared as part of this effort. A traffic and revenue study was also completed for the selected projects. The ICPP study includes a master plan showing future regional networks of express lanes on the turnpike along with performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of such lanes.
Computational Technique for Detecting Errors in Network-Level Pavement Condition Data
Authors: Siabil Salar Zabihi , Gharaibeh Nasir G.
Published: February 2016

Errors in pavement condition data can affect not only the assessment of current and predicted performance of the network but also the quality of pavement maintenance and rehabilitation plans. The large size of pavement condition databases makes manual error detection methods difficult to implement. This paper provides a new computational technique for detecting errors in network-level pavement condition data sets. The technique integrates conventional statistical methods and heuristics. The statistical methods are used to identify outliers in uniform performance families, and the heuristics are used for delineating potential errors from extreme, yet valid, behavior within these outliers. The new technique was validated with field data from Texas on pavement cracking. Of 9,166 audited pavement sections, 681 sections having potentially erroneous cracking data were detected. These potential errors are randomly distributed across the Texas roadway network and are not related to a specific geographic region, district, or climatic zone. Pavement engineers can use the presented technique to identify potential errors in large pavement condition data sets and to design more effective programs that ensure the quality of these data.
Adaptive Planning for Transportation Corridors Threatened by Sea Level Rise
Authors: Shilling Fraser M. , Vandever Justin , May Kris , Gerhard Ina , Bregoff Robert
Published: February 2016

This paper describes a generalizable planning and assessment process for transportation planning adaptive to sea level rise (SLR). State Route 37 (SR-37) is the California highway most vulnerable to temporary flooding and permanent inundation as a result of SLR. Like many other coastal highways in the United States, SR-37 is adjacent to protected coastal systems (e.g., beaches, tidal wetlands), meaning that any activity on the highway is subject to regulatory oversight. Both SR-37 and the surrounding marshes are vulnerable to the effects of SLR. Because of a combination of congestion and threats from SLR, planning for a new highway adaptive and resilient to SLR impacts was conducted in the context of stakeholder participation and Eco-Logical, a planning process developed by FHWA to better integrate transportation and environmental planning. To understand which stretches of SR-37 might be most vulnerable to SLR and to what degree, a model of potential inundation was developed with a recent, high-resolution elevation assessment conducted using lidar. This model projects potential inundation by comparing future daily and extreme tide levels with surrounding ground elevations. The vulnerability of each segment was scored according to its exposure to SLR effects, sensitivity to SLR, and adaptive capacity (ability of other roadways to absorb traffic). The risk to each segment from SLR was determined by estimating and aggregating impacts to costs of improvement, recovery time (from impacts), public safety impacts, economic impacts, impacts on transit routes, proximity to communities of concern, and impacts on recreational activities.
Association between moyamoya syndrome and the RNF213 c.14576G>A variant in patients with neurofibromatosis Type 1
Authors: Phi Ji Hoon , Choi Jung Won , Seong Moon-Woo , Kim Tackeun , Moon Youn Joo , Lee Joongyub , Koh Eun Jung , Ryu Seul Ki , Kang Tae Hee , Bang Jae Seung , Oh Chang Wan , Park Sung Sup , Lee Ji Yeoun , Wang Kyu-Chang , Kim Seung-Ki
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVE

In a minority of patients with neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF-1), cerebral vasculopathy reminiscent of moyamoya disease develops. This phenomenon is called moyamoya syndrome (MMS), but there are no known risk factors for the prediction of MMS in NF-1 patients. Polymorphism of the RNF213 gene has exhibited strong associations with familial and sporadic moyamoya disease and other cerebral vasculopathies. The aim of this study is to find whether the RNF213 c.14576G>A variant is associated with MMS development in the NF-1 population or not.

METHODS

The MMS group included 16 NF-1 patients with documented MMS. The control group consisted of 97 NF-1 patients without MMS. Genomic DNA samples were obtained from the saliva or blood of both groups, and the presence of the RNF213 c.14576G>A variant was assessed by Sanger sequencing.

RESULTS

In the MMS group, 3 patients had the RNF213 c.14576G>A variant (18.7%), whereas no patients with this genetic variation were observed in the control group (0%). There was a meaningful association between the RNF213 c.14576G>A variant and MMS development (p = 0.0024). The crude odds ratio was calculated as 50.57 (95% CI 1.57–1624.41). All 3 patients with MMS and the c.14576G>A variant were diagnosed with MMS at an early age and had bilateral involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

The RNF213 c.14576G>A variant is more common in NF-1 patients who develop MMS than in NF-1 patients without MMS. This variant might be a susceptibility gene for the NF-1–moyamoya connection.
Digital subtraction myelography for the identification of spontaneous spinal CSF-venous fistulas
Authors: Schievink Wouter I. , Moser Franklin G. , Maya M. Marcel , Prasad Ravi S.
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVE

In most patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension, a spinal CSF leak can be found, but occasionally, no leak can be demonstrated despite extensive spinal imaging. Failure to localize a CSF leak limits treatment options. The authors recently reported the discovery of CSF-venous fistulas in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension and now report on the use of digital subtraction myelography in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension but no CSF leak identifiable on conventional spinal imaging (i.e., non–digital subtraction myelography).

METHODS

The patient population consisted of 53 consecutive patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension who underwent digital subtraction myelography but in whom no spinal CSF leak (i.e., presence of extradural CSF) was identifiable on conventional spinal imaging.

RESULTS

The mean age of the 33 women and 20 men was 53.4 years (range 29–71 years). A CSF-venous fistula was demonstrated in 10 (19%) of the 53 patients. A CSF-venous fistula was found in 9 (27%) of the 33 women and in 1 (5%) of the 20 men (p = 0.0697). One patient was treated successfully with percutaneous injection of fibrin sealant. Nine patients underwent surgery for the fistula. Surgery resulted in complete resolution of symptoms in 8 patients (follow-up 7–25 months), and in 1 patient, symptoms recurred after 4 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the authors found a CSF-venous fistula in approximately one-fifth of the patients with recalcitrant spontaneous intracranial hypotension but no CSF leak identifiable on conventional spinal imaging. The authors suggest that digital subtraction myelography be considered in this patient population.
Unilateral vestibular schwannoma in a patient with schwannomatosis in the absence of LZTR1 mutation
Authors: Mehta Gautam U. , Feldman Michael J. , Wang Herui , Ding Dale , Chittiboina Prashant
Published: February 2016

The presence of vestibular schwannomas has long been considered an exclusion criterion for the diagnosis of schwannomatosis. Recently, 2 cases of vestibular schwannoma were reported in patients with schwannomatosis, leading to a revision of the diagnostic criteria for this genetic disorder. Overall, the relative infrequency of vestibular schwannomas in schwannomatosis is unexplained, and the genetics of this uncommon phenomenon have not been described. The authors report on a family with clinical manifestations consistent with schwannomatosis, including 4 affected members, that was identified as having an affected member harboring a unilateral cerebellopontine angle mass with extension into the internal auditory canal. Radiologically, this mass was consistent with a vestibular schwannoma and resulted in a symptomatic change in ipsilateral hearing (word recognition 86% at 52 dB) and increased latency of the wave I–V interval on auditory brainstem response testing. The patient was found to be negative for a germline mutation of NF2 and LZTR1, and her affected mother was found to harbor neither NF2 nor SMARCB1 mutations on genetic testing. Although vestibular schwannomas have been classically considered to not occur in the setting of schwannomatosis, this patient with schwannomatosis and a vestibular schwannoma further confirms that schwannomas can occur on the vestibular nerve in this syndrome. Further, this is the first such case found to be negative for a mutation on the LZTR1 gene.
Correlation of personality assessments with standard selection criteria for neurosurgical residency applicants
Authors: Lubelski Daniel , Healy Andrew T. , Friedman Alan , Ferraris Dyan , Benzel Edward C. , Schlenk Richard
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVE

Neurosurgery is among the most competitive residencies, as evidenced by the high number of applicants for relatively few positions. Although it is important to recruit candidates who have the intellectual capacity and drive to succeed, traditional objective selection criteria, such as US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) (also known as Step 1) score, number of publications, and class ranking, have not been shown to consistently predict clinical and academic success. Furthermore, these traditional objective parameters have not been associated with specific personality traits.

METHODS

The authors sought to determine the efficacy of a personality assessment in the selection of neurosurgery residents. Specifically, the aim was to determine the correlation between traditional measures used to evaluate an applicant (e.g., USMLE score, number of publications, MD/PhD status) and corresponding validated personality traits.

RESULTS

Fifty-four neurosurgery residency applicants were interviewed at the Cleveland Clinic during the 2014–2015 application cycle. No differences in validated personality scores were identified between the 46 MD applicants and 8 MD/PhD applicants. The mean USMLE score (± SD) was 252.3 ± 11.9, and those in the high-USMLE-score category (USMLE score ≥ 260) had a significantly lower “imaginative” score (a stress measure of eccentric thinking and impatience with those who think more slowly). The average number of publications per applicant was 8.6 ± 7.9, and there was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.339, p = 0.016) between greater number of publications and a higher “adjustment” score (a measure of being even-tempered, having composure under pressure). Significant negative correlations existed between the total number of publications and the “excitable” score (a measure of being emotionally volatile) (r = −0.299, p = 0.035) as well as the “skeptical” score (measure of being sensitive to criticism) (r = −0.325, p = 0.021). The average medical school rank was 25.8, and medical school rankings were positively correlated with the “imaginative” score (r = 0.287, p = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to investigate the use of personality scores in the selection of neurosurgical residents. The use of personality assessments has the potential to provide insight into an applicant's future behavior as a resident and beyond. This information may be useful in the selection of neurosurgical residents and can be further used to customize the teaching of residents and for enabling them to recognize their own strengths and weaknesses for self-improvement.
Comparative analysis of the anterior transpetrosal approach with the endoscopic endonasal approach to the petroclival region
Authors: Muto Jun , Prevedello Daniel M. , Ditzel Filho Leo F. S. , Tang Ing Ping , Oyama Kenichi , Kerr Edward E. , Otto Bradley A. , Kawase Takeshi , Yoshida Kazunari , Carrau Ricardo L.
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVE

The endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) offers direct access to midline skull base lesions, and the anterior transpetrosal approach (ATPA) stands out as a method for granting entry into the upper and middle clival areas. This study evaluated the feasibility of performing EEA for tumors located in the petroclival region in comparison with ATPA.

METHODS

On 8 embalmed cadaver heads, EEA to the petroclival region was performed utilizing a 4-mm endoscope with either 0° or 30° lenses, and an ATPA was performed under microscopic visualization. A comparison was executed based on measurements of 5 heads (10 sides). Case illustrations were utilized to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of EEA and ATPA when dealing with petroclival conditions.

RESULTS

Extradurally, EEA allows direct access to the medial petrous apex, which is limited by the petrous and paraclival internal carotid artery (ICA) segments laterally. The ATPA offers direct access to the petrous apex, which is blocked by the petrous ICA and abducens nerve inferiorly. Intradurally, the EEA allows a direct view of the areas medial to the cisternal segment of cranial nerve VI with limited lateral exposure. ATPA offers excellent access to the cistern between cranial nerves III and VIII. The quantitative analysis demonstrated that the EEA corridor could be expanded laterally with an angled drill up to 1.8 times wider than the bone window between both paraclival ICA segments.

CONCLUSIONS

The midline, horizontal line of the petrous ICA segment, paraclival ICA segment, and the abducens nerve are the main landmarks used to decide which approach to the petroclival region to select. The EEA is superior to the ATPA for accessing lesions medial or caudal to the abducens nerve, such as chordomas, chondrosarcomas, and midclival meningiomas. The ATPA is superior to lesions located posterior and/or lateral to the paraclival ICA segment and lesions with extension to the middle fossa and/or infratemporal fossa. The EEA and ATPA are complementary and can be used independently or in combination with each other in order to approach complex petroclival lesions.
Radical treatment for bilateral vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms by reconstruction of the vertebral artery
Authors: Ota Nakao , Tanikawa Rokuya , Eda Hirotake , Matsumoto Takashi , Miyazaki Takanori , Matsukawa Hidetoshi , Yanagisawa Takeshi , Suzuki Go , Miyata Shiro , Oda Jumpei , Noda Kosumo , Tsuboi Toshiyuki , Takeda Rihei , Kamiyama Hiroyasu , Tokuda Sadahisa
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVE

Bilateral vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) have a poor prognosis because progressive enlargement of the aneurysms compresses the brainstem or causes subarachnoid hemorrhage. The trapping of 1 vertebral artery (VA) places increased hemodynamic stress on the contralateral VA and may lead to enlargement and rupture. Therefore, management strategies are controversial. This study describes a radical treatment for bilateral VADAs using bypass surgery.

METHODS

Seven patients with bilateral VADAs were included. Three patients were treated by trapping of 1 VA via coiling or clipping at another hospital; the previously treated VA in 1 patient and the contralateral untreated VA in 2 patients subsequently enlarged. The other 4 patients presented without previous intervention and progressive enlargement of the aneurysms.

RESULTS

The post–coil embolization patients underwent V3–posterior cerebral artery (PCA) bypass and trapping. The other 4 patients underwent VA reconstruction via V3–V4 or V4–V4 bypass, with contralateral trapping on a separate day in 3 patients and observation in 1 patient. Perioperative complications included 1 case of cerebrospinal fluid leakage for which the patient required an additional operation, 1 case of dysphagia and facial palsy due to sigmoid sinus thrombosis, and 1 case of dysphagia. The long-term outcomes of these patients were favorable.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with bilateral VADAs require treatment on both sides. If VA trapping is performed first, the treatment options for the other side are limited to V3-PCA bypass and trapping. This procedure is effective; however, it is also invasive and technically difficult. In cases of bilateral VADAs in which it is feasible to reconstruct 1 side, the best approach is to begin by reconstructing the VA that appears technically easiest, followed by trapping of the contralateral VADA. This strategy allows enough time to suture vessels because contralateral reverse flow is maintained.