bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of the Interview in Resident Candidate Selection: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Stephenson-Famy Alyssa , Houmard Brenda S. , Oberoi Sidharth , Manyak Anton , Chiang Seine , Kim Sara
Published: October 2015

Background

Although the resident candidate interview is costly and time-consuming for both applicants and programs, it is considered critically important for resident selection. Noncognitive attributes, including communication skills and professionalism, can be assessed by the personal interview.

Objective

We conducted a review of the literature on the residency interview to identify the interview characteristics used for resident selection and to ascertain to what extent the interview yields information that predicts future performance.

Methods

We searched PubMed and Scopus using the following search terms: residency, internship, interview, selection, and performance. We extracted information on characteristics of the interview process, including type of interview format, measures taken to minimize bias by interviewers, and testing of other clinical/surgical skills.

Results

We identified 104 studies that pertained to the resident selection interview, with highly varied interview formats and assessment tools. A positive correlation was demonstrated between a medical school academic record and the interview, especially for unblinded interview formats. A total of 34 studies attempted to correlate interview score with performance in residency, with mixed results. We also identified a number of studies that included personality testing, clinical skills testing, or surgical skills testing.

Conclusions

Our review identified a wide variety of approaches to the selection interview and a range of factors that have been studied to assess its effectiveness. More research needs to be done not only to address and ascertain appropriate interview formats that predict positive performance in residency, but also to determine interview factors that can predict both residents' “success” and program attrition.
Have First-Year Emergency Medicine Residents Achieved Level 1 on Care-Based Milestones?
Authors: Weizberg Moshe , Bond Michael C. , Cassara Michael , Doty Christopher , Seamon Jason
Published: October 2015

Background

Residents in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited emergency medicine (EM) residencies were assessed on 23 educational milestones to capture their progression from medical student level (Level 1) to that of an EM attending physician (Level 5). Level 1 was conceptualized to be at the level of an incoming postgraduate year (PGY)-1 resident; however, this has not been confirmed.

Objectives

Our primary objective in this study was to assess incoming PGY-1 residents to determine what percentage achieved Level 1 for the 8 emergency department (ED) patient care–based milestones (PC 1–8), as assessed by faculty. Secondary objectives involved assessing what percentage of residents had achieved Level 1 as assessed by themselves, and finally, we calculated the absolute differences between self- and faculty assessments.

Methods

Incoming PGY-1 residents at 4 EM residencies were assessed by faculty and themselves during their first month of residency. Performance anchors were adapted from ACGME milestones.

Results

Forty-one residents from 4 programs were included. The percentage of residents who achieved Level 1 for each subcompetency on faculty assessment ranged from 20% to 73%, and on self-assessment from 34% to 92%. The majority did not achieve Level 1 on faculty assessment of milestones PC-2, PC-3, PC-5a, and PC-6, and on self-assessment of PC-3 and PC-5a. Self-assessment was higher than faculty assessment for PC-2, PC-5b, and PC-6.

Conclusions

Less than 75% of PGY-1 residents achieved Level 1 for ED care-based milestones. The majority did not achieve Level 1 on 4 milestones. Self-assessments were higher than faculty assessments for several milestones.
Benchmarks for Support and Outcomes for Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Programs: A 5-Year Review
Authors: Aronica Michael , Williams Ronald , Dennar Princess E. , Hopkins Robert H.
Published: October 2015

Background

Combined internal medicine and pediatrics (medicine-pediatrics) residencies were Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited separately from their corresponding categorical residencies in June 2006.

Objective

We investigated how ACGME accreditation of medicine-pediatrics programs has affected the levels of support (both financial and personnel), the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) match rate, performance on the board examination, and other graduate outcomes.

Methods

From 2009 through 2013 we sent an annual SurveyMonkey online survey to members of the Medicine-Pediatrics Program Directors Association. Questions pertained to program characteristics, program director support, recruitment, ambulatory training, and graduate data. More than 79% of responders completed the entire survey for each year (sample size was 60 program directors).

Results

Compared to the time prior to accreditation of the specialty, there was an increase in program directors who are dually trained (89% versus 93%), an increase in program director salary ($134,000 before accreditation versus $185,000 in 2013, P < .05), and an increase in the average full-time equivalent support (0.32 before accreditation versus 0.42 in 2013, P < .05). There was also an increase in programs with associate program directors (35% versus 78%), programs with chief residents (71% versus 91%), and an increase in program budgets controlled by program directors (52% versus 69%). The 2013 NRMP match rates increased compared to those of 2005 (99% versus 49%). Performance on the American Board of Pediatrics examination was comparable to that for pediatrics residents. Since accreditation, a larger number of residents are choosing careers in hospital medicine.

Conclusions

Our data show widespread improved support for medicine-pediatrics programs since the 2006 start of ACGME accreditation.
Using an Accountability Program to Improve Psychiatry Resident Scores on In-Service Examinations
Authors: Ferrell Brandon T. , Tankersley William E. , Morris Clayton D.
Published: October 2015

Background

The Psychiatry Resident-In-Training Examination (PRITE) is a standardized examination that measures residents' educational progress during residency training. It also serves as a moderate-to-strong predictor of later performance on the board certification examination.

Objective

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an accountability program used by a public psychiatric hospital to increase its residents' PRITE scores.

Methods

A series of consequences and incentives were developed based on levels of PRITE performance. Poor performance resulted in consequences, including additional academic assignments. Higher performance led to residents earning external moonlighting privileges. Standardized PRITE scores for all residents (N = 67) over a 10-year period were collected and analyzed. The PRITE examination consists of 2 subscales—psychiatry and neurology. Change in the overall level of PRITE scores following the implementation of the accountability program was estimated using a discontinuous growth curve model for each subscale.

Results

Standardized scores on the psychiatry subscale were 51.09 points, approximately 0.50 SD change, which was higher after the accountability program was implemented. Standardized scores on the neurology subscale did not change.

Conclusions

An accountability program that assigns consequences based on examination performance may be moderately successful in improving scores on the psychiatry subscale scores of the PRITE. This likely has longer-term benefits for residents due to the relationship between PRITE and board certification examination performance.
Medical Schools' Industry Interaction Policies Not Associated With Trainees' Self-Reported Behavior as Residents: Results of a National Survey
Authors: Yeh James S. , Austad Kirsten E. , Franklin Jessica M. , Chimonas Susan , Campbell Eric G. , Avorn Jerry , Kesselheim Aaron S.
Published: October 2015

Background

Medical students attending schools with policies limiting industry/student interactions report fewer relationships with pharmaceutical representatives.

Objective

To investigate whether associations between students' medical school policies and their more limited industry interaction behaviors persist into residency.

Methods

We randomly sampled 1800 third-year residents who graduated from 120 allopathic US-based medical schools, using the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile. We surveyed them in 2011 to determine self-reported behavior and preferences for brand-name prescriptions, and we calculated the strength of their medical schools' industry interaction policies using the 2008 American Medical Student Association and Institute on Medicine as a Profession databases. We used logistic regression to estimate the association between strength of school policies and residents' behaviors with adjustments for class size, postresidency career plan, and concern about medical school debt.

Results

We achieved a 44% survey response rate (n = 739). Residents who graduated from schools with restrictive policies were no more or less likely to accept industry gifts or industry-sponsored meals, speak with marketing representative about drug products, attend industry-sponsored lectures, or prefer brand-name medications than residents who graduated from schools with less restrictive policies. Residents who correctly answered evidence-based prescription questions were about 30% less likely to have attended industry-sponsored lectures (OR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.56–0.98).

Conclusions

Any effect that medical school industry interaction policies had on insulating students from pharmaceutical marketing did not persist in the behavior of residents in our sample. This suggests that residency training environments are important in influencing behavior.
Assessing Correlations of Physicians' Practice Intensity and Certainty During Residency Training
Authors: Dine C. Jessica , Bellini Lisa M. , Diemer Gretchen , Ferris Allison , Rana Ashish , Simoncini Gina , Surkis William , Rothschild Charles , Asch David A. , Shea Judy A. , Epstein Andrew J.
Published: October 2015

Background

Variation in physicians' practice patterns contributes to unnecessary health care spending, yet the influences of modifiable determinants on practice patterns are not known. Identifying these mutable factors could reduce unnecessary testing and decrease variation in clinical practice.

Objective

To assess the importance of the residency program relative to physician personality traits in explaining variations in practice intensity (PI), the likelihood of ordering tests and treatments, and in the certainty of their intention to order.

Methods

We surveyed 690 interns and residents from 7 internal medicine residency programs, ranging from small community-based programs to large university residency programs. The surveys consisted of clinical vignettes designed to gauge respondents' preferences for aggressive clinical care, and questions assessing respondents' personality traits. The primary outcome was the participant-level mean response to 23 vignettes as a measure of PI. The secondary outcome was a certainty score (CS) constructed as the proportion of vignettes for which a respondent selected “definitely” versus “probably.”

Results

A total of 325 interns and residents responded to the survey (47% response rate). Measures of personality traits, subjective norms, demographics, and residency program indicators collectively explained 27.3% of PI variation. Residency program identity was the largest contributor. No personality traits were significantly independently associated with higher PI. The same collection of factors explained 17.1% of CS variation. Here, personality traits were responsible for 63.6% of the explained variation.

Conclusions

Residency program affiliations explained more of the variation in PI than demographic characteristics, personality traits, or subjective norms.
On cyclic relatively nonexpansive mappings in generalized semimetric spaces
Authors: Gabeleh Moosa
Published: October 2015

In this article, we prove a fixed point theorem for cyclic relatively nonexpansive mappings in the setting of generalized semimetric spaces by using a geometric notion of seminormal structure and then we conclude some results in uniformly convex Banach spaces. We also discuss on the stability of seminormal structure in generalized semimetric spaces.
Best Proximity Points for Cyclical Contractive Mappings
Authors: Felicit J. Maria , Eldred A. Anthony
Published: October 2015

We consider p-cyclic mappings and prove an analogous result to Edelstien contractive theorem for best proximity points. Also we give similar results satisfying Boyd-Wong and Geraghty contractive conditions.
Some classes of minimally almost periodic topological groups
Authors: Comfort Wistar , Gould Franklin R.
Published: October 2015

A Hausdorff topological group G=(G,T) has the small subgroup generating property
(briefly: has the SSGP property, or is an SSGP group) if for each neighborhood U of $1_G$ there is a family $\sH$
of subgroups of $G$ such that $\bigcup\sH\subseteq U$ and
$\langle\bigcup\sH\rangle$ is dense in $G$. The class of $\rm{SSGP}$ groups is defined and investigated with respect
to the properties usually studied by topologists (products,
quotients, passage to dense subgroups, and the like), and with respect to the familiar class of minimally almost
periodic groups (the m.a.p. groups). Additional classes
SSGP(n) for $n<\omega$ (with SSGP(1) = SSGP) are defined and investigated, and the class-theoretic inclusions
$$\mathrm{SSGP}(n)\subseteq\mathrm{SSGP}(n+1)\subseteq\mathrm{ m.a.p.}$$
are established and shown proper.

In passing the authors also establish the presence of {\rm SSGP}$(1)$ or {\rm SSGP}$(2)$ in many of the early examples in the literature of abelian m.a.p. groups.
Finite products of limits of direct systems induced by maps
Authors: Ivansic Ivan , Rubin Leonard R.
Published: October 2015

Let Z, H be spaces. In previous work, we introduced the
direct (inclusion) system induced by the set of maps between the spaces Z and H. Its direct limit is a subset of Z × H, but its topology is different from the relative topology. We found that many of the spaces constructed from this method are pseudo-compact and Tychonoff. We are going to show herein that these spaces are typically not sequentially compact and we will explore conditions under which a finite product of them will be pseudo-compact.
Two general fixed point theorems for a sequence of mappings satisfying implicit relations in Gp - metric spaces
Authors: Popa Valeriu , Patriciu Alina-Mihaela
Published: October 2015

In this paper, two general fixed point theorem for a sequence of mappings satisfying implicit relations in Gp - complete metric spaces are proved.
Revisiting benzene cluster cations for the chemical ionization of dimethyl sulfide and select volatile organic compounds
Authors: Kim M. J. , Zoerb M. C. , Campbell N. R. , Zimmermann K. J. , Blomquist B. W. , Huebert B. J. , Bertram T. H.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. Benzene cluster cations were revisited as a sensitive and selective reagent ion for the chemical ionization of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and a select group of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Laboratory characterization was performed using both a new set of compounds (i.e. DMS, β-caryophyllene) as well as previously studied VOCs (i.e., isoprene, α-pinene). Using a field deployable chemical ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (CI-ToFMS), benzene cluster cations demonstrated high sensitivity (> 1 ncps ppt−1) to DMS, isoprene, and α-pinene standards. Parallel measurements conducted using a chemical-ionization quadrupole mass spectrometer, with a weaker electric field, demonstrated that ion-molecule reactions likely proceed through a combination of ligand-switching and direct charge transfer mechanisms. Laboratory tests suggest that benzene cluster cations may be suitable for the selective ionization of sesquiterpenes, where minimal fragmentation (< 25 %) was observed for the detection of β-caryophyllene, a bicyclic sesquiterpene. The field stability of benzene cluster cations using CI-ToFMS was examined in the marine boundary layer during the High Wind Gas Exchange Study (HiWinGS). The use of benzene cluster cation chemistry for the selective detection of DMS was validated against an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer. Measurements from the two instruments were highly correlated (R2=0.80) over a wide range of sampling conditions.
Studying entrepreneurial marketing for information technology SMEs based on the classic grounded theory
Authors: Seyyedamiri Nader , Faghih Nezameddin
Published: October 2015

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have distinctive characteristics that differentiate them from their larger counterparts. One of these characteristics is marketing; Poor marketing skills in SMEs would lead to low performance and, in extreme cases, failure. Therefore, adopting a marketing strategy based on small business analysis is a fundamental requirement of any successful SME. The term “entrepreneurial marketing” is used to describe the marketing activities conducted by SMEs. The present paper aims to identify the entrepreneurial marketing characteristics of information technology SMEs, based on the classic grounded theory. To achieve this, the sample was selected and deep interviews conducted. The basic model was developed using interviews, findings and analyses. As the secondary objective of the research, interviews with ten SME owner-managers of Denmark, a developed country, was compared with that of the Iranian ICT industry. Based on Glaser's approach (1995a,b), the results and analyses were used to develop an entrepreneurial marketing theory for the information technology industry. Finally, the components of the entrepreneurial marketing model are described.
Osteonecrose mandibular relacionada com bifosfonatos orais em paciente idosa polimedicada
Authors: Aiex Leticia Simao , Jimenez Maria Villa Juárez , Milena Alejandro Pérez
Published: October 2015

A polifarmácia define-se como o consumo de cinco ou mais fármacos simultâneos durante um período de tempo determinado e é cada vez mais frequente em pessoas maiores de 65 anos. A osteoporose é a alteração metabólica óssea mais frequente nos países ocidentais e o segundo problema sanitário no mundo, depois das doenças cardiovasculares. Sua maior complicação é a fratura por fragilidade, afetando mais mulheres que homens. A prevenção de fraturas por osteoporose é feita com diversos tipos de remédios e os mais usados são os bifosfonatos. Estes são fármacos com amplo uso em Atenção Primária, principalmente para osteoporose pós-menopáusica. Apesar de serem bem tolerados, não estão isentos de efeitos secundários, sendo um dos mais graves a osteonecrose mandibular, como ocorre no caso exposto neste trabalho. Por este e outros motivos, sempre é importante ponderar risco-benefício de forma individualizada antes de começar qualquer tratamento e, principalmente, quando se trata a de pacientes polimedicados.
Conhecimento de puérperas sobre identificação e prevenção do acidente loxoscélico
Authors: Schmitz Guilherme Luiz Pacher , Rohrbacher Ignatz , Corrêa Carlos Júnio da Silva , Silva Aglaher Mayra Stocco da , Franzoi Cerlei Fátima , Parzianello Faigha Barbosa , Silva Jarbas Pereira , Rezende Felipe Franchini , Oldenburg Neto Carlos Frederico
Published: October 2015

Objetivos: este estudo teve como objetivo identificar o grau de conhecimento que puérperas possuíam a respeito da aranha Loxosceles, sua picada e conduta no caso de acidente com elas ou seus filhos. Métodos: estudo transversal quantitativo, que utilizou um questionário estruturado abrangendo perfil socioeconômico, conhecimento sobre aranha-marrom e o loxoscelismo. Foram incluídas pacientes em puerpério imediato, considerado entre o primeiro e décimo dia do parto, internadas na maternidade do Hospital do Trabalhador em Curitiba-PR, entre julho e outubro de 2011. Participaram 208 puérperas, das quais oito foram excluídas porque os questionários foram preenchidos de forma incorreta. Os dados obtidos foram tabulados no programa Microsoft Excel 2007® e analisados pelos testes χ2 e Exato de Fisher. Resultados: sobre o conhecimento da aranha, 61% das puérperas afirmaram reconhecer a aranha e apontaram a imagem correta. Sobre a conduta em caso de acidente, 87,5% responderam a conduta correta, porém apenas 37% apontaram a sintomatologia correta. Hipóteses testadas mostraram que idade, escolaridade e acidente loxoscélico prévio são diretamente proporcionais ao conhecimento das participantes (p<0,05). Conclusão: a maioria das puérperas pesquisadas conhecia a aranha-marrom e grande parte reconhecia a lesão provocada pela picada, mas a gravidade da lesão foi superestimada. Contraditoriamente, o conhecimento dos sintomas foi pequeno, o que pode levar ao atraso do tratamento delas mesmas ou dos seus filhos. O conhecimento da aranha foi diretamente relacionado à idade, escolaridade e a acidente loxoscélico prévio.
Acurácia da pesagem de lactentes com a fralda na atenção primária à saúde
Authors: Fontenelle Leonardo Ferreira , Ribeiro Marcelo Alves , Lecco Rafael De Almeida , Alves Tatiana Feltmann
Published: October 2015

Objetivo: estimar o viés introduzido pela pesagem de lactentes com fralda na atenção primária à saúde. Métodos: recrutamos lactentes que estavam para ser pesados numa unidade básica de saúde e pesamos cada lactente duas vezes: uma sem fralda, e outra com fralda, depois de a balança ter sido tarada com uma fralda seca. O viés foi calculado como a diferença percentual de peso, subtraindo o peso sem fralda do peso com fralda, e então dividindo o resultado pelo peso sem fralda. Resultados: recrutamos 30 lactentes entre os dias 23 de julho e 1º de agosto de 2013. A maioria estava lá para uma consulta médica agendada, e tinha tido sua fralda trocada havia menos de 45 minutos. A diferença percentual de peso média foi 0,3% (intervalo de confiança de 95%, 0,2% a 0,5%). Conclusão: houve concordância substancial entre as duas técnicas de pesagem. O viés (isto é, perda de acurácia) introduzido pela pesagem de lactentes com a fralda se compara favoravelmente à precisão da técnica padrão e à variabilidade fisiológica do peso dos lactentes. Pesar lactentes com a fralda parece ser uma técnica válida para a avaliação transversal do estado nutricional na atenção primária à saúde, apesar de mais pesquisa ser necessária antes de ela ser usada para a avaliação longitudinal da velocidade de ganho de peso.
Cost of illness of advanced ovarian carcinoma in Italy: results of an empirical, single-centre study
Authors: Lazzaro Carlo , Plotti Francesco , Capriglione Stella , Ferrario Matteo , Angioli Roberto
Published: October 2015

AIM: To perform an empirical, single-centre, retrospective and secondary cost of illness (COI) study of advanced ovarian carcinoma (AOC) in Italy. METHODS: Demographic, clinical, health care and non-health care resource consumption data concerning a convenience sample of subsequent patients in 1st line of treatment (100 patients), 2nd line of treatment A (surgery + chemotherapy; 30 patients) and 2nd line of treatment B (chemotherapy only; 20 patients) were obtained from a database created in 2011 by the Obstetrics and Ginecology Unit at Campus Biomedico teaching hospital, Rome. Patients were followed-up for 2 years. Resources were valued according to the above mentioned database and literature, following the societal viewpoint. Costs are expressed in Euro (€) 2014 and reported as mean and standard deviation (SD). RESULTS: One-year COI for 1st line of treatment reaches € 44,999.7 (SD: €28,757.3), € 55,410.8 (SD: € 32,454.6) and €46,895.6 (SD: € 28,407.4) for 2nd line of treatment A and B, respectively. Regardless the line of treatment, COI is mainly driven by cost borne by patient and her family. Due to the high costs of relapse the mean COI per patient after 2 years from the diagnosis of AOC equals € 81,869.4 (SD: € 30,660.9), or 182% of the COI for the 1st line of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Despite some limitations, our results show that increasing progression-free survival could well reduce the COI for AOC in Italy.
Identifying risk factors that contribute to acute mountain sickness
Authors: Mahomed Z , Martin D , Gilbert E , Grant CC , Patricios J , Motara F
Published: October 2015

Background. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is an ever-increasing burden on the health sector. With reported incidences of greater than 50%, coupled with the fact that recreational activities at high altitude are gaining increasing popularity, more persons are developing AMS. Physicians are therefore increasingly faced with the task of managing and preventing AMS.Objectives. The pathophysiology of AMS is poorly understood, with little understanding of risk factors for the development of AMS. This research aimed to identify epidemiological and physiological risk factors for development of AMS.Methods. This study is a questionnaire-based study conducted in London and at Everest Base Camp, in which 116 lowlanders were invited to participate and fill in a questionnaire to identify potential risk factors in their history that may have contributed to development of or protection against AMS.Results. A total of 89 lowlanders enrolled in the study. Thirty-seven of the participants had AMS at  Everest Base Camp, giving a prevalence of 42%. Of the demographic variables, only weight and body  mass index (BMI) were statistically significantly associated with AMS, with those who weighed less or had a lower BMI more likely to get AMS. Previous high-altitude experience was also associated with AMS, with those who had such experience less likely to get AMS.Conclusion. Predicting AMS and furthering our understanding of the pathophysiology of AMS will be of tremendous benefit. Further research is needed in this regard.
Over diagnosing? Time for the ‘exercise is medicine’ movement to react
Authors: Lambert M
Published: October 2015

Over diagnosing? Time for the ‘exercise is medicine’ movement to react
Dispersal and metapopulation stability
Authors: Wang Shaopeng , Haegeman Bart , Loreau Michel
Published: October 2015

Metapopulation dynamics are jointly regulated by local and spatial factors. These factors may affect the dynamics of local populations and of the entire metapopulation differently. Previous studies have shown that dispersal can stabilize local populations; however, as dispersal also tends to increase spatial synchrony, its net effect on metapopulation stability has been controversial. Here we present a simple metapopulation model to study how dispersal, in interaction with other spatial and local processes, affects the temporal variability of metapopulations in a stochastic environment. Our results show that in homogeneous metapopulations, the local stabilizing and spatial synchronizing effects of dispersal cancel each other out, such that dispersal has no effect on metapopulation variability. This result is robust to moderate heterogeneities in local and spatial parameters. When local and spatial dynamics exhibit high heterogeneities, however, dispersal can either stabilize or destabilize metapopulation dynamics through various mechanisms. Our findings have important theoretical and practical implications. We show that dispersal functions as a form of spatial intraspecific mutualism in metapopulation dynamics and that its effect on metapopulation stability is opposite to that of interspecific competition on local community stability. Our results also suggest that conservation corridors should be designed with appreciation of spatial heterogeneities in population dynamics in order to maximize metapopulation stability.
Unraveling mysteries of personal performance style; biomechanics of left-hand position changes (shifting) in violin performance
Authors: Visentin Peter , Li Shiming , Tardif Guillaume , Shan Gongbing
Published: October 2015

Instrumental music performance ranks among the most complex of learned human behaviors, requiring development of highly nuanced powers of sensory and neural discrimination, intricate motor skills, and adaptive abilities in a temporal activity. Teaching, learning and performing on the violin generally occur within musico-cultural parameters most often transmitted through aural traditions that include both verbal instruction and performance modeling. In most parts of the world, violin is taught in a manner virtually indistinguishable from that used 200 years ago. The current study uses methods from movement science to examine the “how” and “what” of left-hand position changes (shifting), a movement skill essential during violin performance. In doing so, it begins a discussion of artistic individualization in terms of anthropometry, the performer-instrument interface, and the strategic use of motor behaviors. Results based on 540 shifting samples, a case series of 6 professional-level violinists, showed that some elements of the skill were individualized in surprising ways while others were explainable by anthropometry, ergonomics and entrainment. Remarkably, results demonstrated each violinist to have developed an individualized pacing for shifts, a feature that should influence timing effects and prove foundational to aesthetic outcomes during performance. Such results underpin the potential for scientific methodologies to unravel mysteries of performance that are associated with a performer’s personal artistic style.
ASSEMBLEIAS DE PEIXES EM IGARAPÉS DE TERRA FIRME EM DUAS SUB-BACIAS DO MÉDIO RIO MADEIRA, BRASIL
Authors: Anjos Marcelo Rodrigues dos , Manzatto Ângelo Gilberto , Machado Nadja Gomes
Published: October 2015

A bacia Amazônica abriga a maior diversidade de peixes de água doce do mundo. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as assembleias de peixes em igarapés de terra firme em duas sub-bacias do Médio Rio Madeira. O estudo foi realizado em duas sub-bacias no Médio Rio Madeira localizadas em terras indígenas. Foram coletados 475 indivíduos, distribuídos em 55 espécies. As curvas do coletor e de rarefação indicam esforço amostral satisfatório. A ordem Characiformes foi a mais abundante. A espécie mais abundante foi Potamorhina latior e a mais amplamente distribuída foi Crenicichla lenticulata. A cor da água estruturou a assembleia de peixes em igarapés na área de estudo com maior diversidade de espécies em igarapés de água preta. Diferenças entre águas pretas, brancas e claras são óbvias, mas mais estudos sobre assembleias de peixes nestes ambientes da bacia Amazônica são necessários.
Whole Mouse Brain Image Reconstruction from Serial Coronal Sections Using FIJI (ImageJ)
Authors: Paletzki Ronald , Gerfen Charles R.
Published: October 2015

Whole‐brain reconstruction of the mouse enables comprehensive analysis of the distribution of neurochemical markers, the distribution of anterogradely labeled axonal projections or retrogradely labeled neurons projecting to a specific brain site, or the distribution of neurons displaying activity‐related markers in behavioral paradigms. This unit describes a method to produce whole‐brain reconstruction image sets from coronal brain sections with up to four fluorescent markers using the freely available image‐processing program FIJI (ImageJ). © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Overview of Target Enrichment Strategies
Authors: Kozarewa Iwanka , Armisen Javier , Gardner Andrew F. , Slatko Barton E. , Hendrickson C.L.
Published: October 2015

Target enrichment is commonly used in next generation sequencing (NGS) workflows to eliminate genomic DNA regions that are not of interest for a particular experiment. By only targeting specific regions such as exons, one can obtain greater depth of DNA sequencing coverage for regions of interest or increase the sampling numbers of individuals, thereby saving both time and cost. This overview of target enrichment strategies provides a high‐level review of distinct approaches to capture specific sequences: (a) hybridization‐based strategies, (b) transposon‐mediated fragmentation (tagmentation), (c) molecular inversion probes (MIPs), and (d) singleplex and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) target enrichment. Strategies for assay design and performance criteria are also discussed. Other platforms currently in development are also briefly described. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Basin‐scale runoff prediction: An Ensemble Kalman Filter framework based on global hydrometeorological data sets
Authors: Lorenz Christof , Tourian Mohammad J. , Devaraju Balaji , Sneeuw Nico , Kunstmann Harald
Published: October 2015

In order to cope with the steady decline of the number of in situ gauges worldwide, there is a growing need for alternative methods to estimate runoff. We present an Ensemble Kalman Filter based approach that allows us to conclude on runoff for poorly or irregularly gauged basins. The approach focuses on the application of publicly available global hydrometeorological data sets for precipitation (GPCC, GPCP, CRU, UDEL), evapotranspiration (MODIS, FLUXNET, GLEAM, ERA interim, GLDAS), and water storage changes (GRACE, WGHM, GLDAS, MERRA LAND). Furthermore, runoff data from the GRDC and satellite altimetry derived estimates are used. We follow a least squares prediction that exploits the joint temporal and spatial auto‐ and cross‐covariance structures of precipitation, evapotranspiration, water storage changes and runoff. We further consider time‐dependent uncertainty estimates derived from all data sets. Our in‐depth analysis comprises of 29 large river basins of different climate regions, with which runoff is predicted for a subset of 16 basins. Six configurations are analyzed: the Ensemble Kalman Filter (Smoother) and the hard (soft) Constrained Ensemble Kalman Filter (Smoother). Comparing the predictions to observed monthly runoff shows correlations larger than 0.5, percentage biases lower than ± 20%, and NSE‐values larger than 0.5. A modified NSE‐metric, stressing the difference to the mean annual cycle, shows an improvement of runoff predictions for 14 of the 16 basins. The proposed method is able to provide runoff estimates for nearly 100 poorly gauged basins covering an area of more than 11,500,000 km2 with a freshwater discharge, in volume, of more than 125,000 m3/s.
Limb sounders tracking topographic gravity wave activity from the stratosphere to the ionosphere around midlatitude Andes
Authors: Alexander P. , de la Torre A. , Schmidt T. , Llamedo P. , Hierro R.
Published: October 2015

Several studies have shown that the surroundings of the highest Andes mountains at midlatitudes in the Southern Hemisphere exhibit gravity waves (GWs) generated by diverse sources which may traverse the troposphere and then penetrate the upper layers if conditions are favorable. There is a specific latitude band where that mountain range is nearly perfectly aligned with the north‐south direction, which favors the generation of wavefronts parallel to this orientation. This fact may allow an optimization of procedures to identify topographic GW in some of the observations. We analyze data per season to the east and west of these Andes latitudes to find possible significant differences in GW activity between both sectors. GW effects generated by topography and convection are expected essentially on the eastern side. We use satellite data from two different limb sounding methods: the Global Positioning System radio occultation (RO) technique and the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry instrument, which are complementary with respect to the height intervals, in order to study the effects of GW from the stratosphere to the ionosphere. Activity becomes quantified by the GW average potential energy in the stratosphere and mesosphere and by the electron density variance content in the ionosphere. Consistent larger GW activity on the eastern sector is observed from the stratosphere to the ionosphere (night values). However, this fact remains statistically significant at the 90% significance level only during winter, when GWs generated by topography dominate the eastern sector. On the contrary, it is usually assumed that orographic GWs have nearly zero horizontal phase speed and will therefore probably be filtered at some height in the neutral atmosphere. However, this scheme relies on the assumption that the wind is uniform and constant. Our results also suggest that it is advisable to separate night and day cases to study GWs in the ionosphere, as it is more difficult to find significant statistical differences during daytime. This may happen because perturbations induced by GWs during daytime are more likely to occur in a disturbed environment that may hinder the identification of the waves.
Earth's distant magnetotail current sheet near and beyond lunar orbit
Authors: Vasko I. Y. , Petrukovich A. A. , Artemyev A. V. , Nakamura R. , Zelenyi L. M.
Published: October 2015

We analyze the structure of the Earth magnetotail current sheet (CS) in middle, X∈[−50,−20]  RE, and distant, X∈[−100,−80] RE, regions using data set of 573 CS crossings by Geotail in 1994–1995. For a subset of 213 CSs we determine the CS thickness L, average current density j0, and velocity vD=j0/en0 (n0 is the ion number density). We find similar dawn‐dusk distributions of CS parameters for middle and distant tail: L is about 3000 km at the dusk flank and grows up to 12,000 km toward the dawn flank; j0 grows toward the dusk flank by a factor of 2–3; and the most intense CSs (with higher vD) are observed near midnight. We show that ion‐scale CSs with the thickness of several ion thermal gyroradii (say less than seven) are observed in middle and distant tail in more than 50% of crossings. For observed CSs electrons likely provide the dominant contribution to the current density. We divide the subset into intense and weak CSs (using parameter vD). Weak CSs have thickness of about 20 ion thermal gyroradii and Bz of about 1.5 nT. Intense CSs have thickness of about 3–7 thermal gyroradii and much smaller Bz implying more stretched field line configuration. Intense CSs are accompanied by fast ion flows: vD is larger for larger amplitudes of ion bulk velocity vx that is likely due to larger contribution of Speiser ions. The properties of the CS in middle and distant tail are compared with those found for the near‐Earth tail.
Pairwise surface drifter separation in the western Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean
Authors: van Sebille Erik , Waterman Stephanie , Barthel Alice , Lumpkin Rick , Keating Shane R. , Fogwill Chris , Turney Chris
Published: October 2015

The Southern Ocean plays a critical role in global climate, yet the mixing properties of the circulation in this part of the ocean remain poorly understood. Here dispersion in the vicinity of the Southern Antarctic Circumpolar Current Front, one of the branches of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, is studied using 10 pairs of surface drifters deployed systematically across the frontal jet and its flanks. Drifter pairs were deployed with an initial separation of 13 m and report their position every hour. The separation of the pairs over 7 months, in terms of their Finite‐Scale Lyapunov Exponents (FSLE), dispersion, and diffusivity, is characterized and related to expected behavior from Quasi‐Geostrophic (QG) and Surface Quasi‐Geostrophic (SQG) theories. The FSLE analysis reveals two submesoscale regimes, with SQG‐like behavior at scales below 3.2 km and mixed QG/SQG behavior at scales between 3.2 and 73 km. The dispersion analysis, however, suggests QG‐like behavior for the smallest scales. Both dispersion and diffusivity appear isotropic for scales up to 500 km. Finally, there is no clear indication of a cross‐jet variation of drifter dispersion.
Geophysical constraints on the dynamics and retreat of the Barents Sea ice sheet as a paleobenchmark for models of marine ice sheet deglaciation
Authors: Patton Henry , Andreassen Karin , Bjarnadóttir Lilja R. , Dowdeswell Julian A. , Winsborrow Monica C. M. , Noormets Riko , Polyak Leonid , Auriac Amandine , Hubbard Alun
Published: October 2015

Our understanding of processes relating to the retreat of marine‐based ice sheets, such as the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and tidewater‐terminating glaciers in Greenland today, is still limited. In particular, the role of ice stream instabilities and oceanographic dynamics in driving their collapse are poorly constrained beyond observational timescales. Over numerous glaciations during the Quaternary, a marine‐based ice sheet has waxed and waned over the Barents Sea continental shelf, characterized by a number of ice streams that extended to the shelf edge and subsequently collapsed during periods of climate and ocean warming. Increasing availability of offshore and onshore geophysical data over the last decade has significantly enhanced our knowledge of the pattern and timing of retreat of this Barents Sea ice sheet (BSIS), particularly so from its Late Weichselian maximum extent. We present a review of existing geophysical constraints that detail the dynamic evolution of the BSIS through the last glacial cycle, providing numerical modelers and geophysical workers with a benchmark data set with which to tune ice sheet reconstructions and explore ice sheet sensitivities and drivers of dynamic behavior. Although constraining data are generally spatially sporadic across the Barents and Kara Seas, behaviors such as ice sheet thinning, major ice divide migration, asynchronous and rapid flow switching, and ice stream collapses are all evident. Further investigation into the drivers and mechanisms of such dynamics within this unique paleo‐analogue is seen as a key priority for advancing our understanding of marine‐based ice sheet deglaciations, both in the deep past and in the short‐term future.
All‐sky interferometric riometry
Authors: McKay Derek , Fallows Richard , Norden Menno , Aikio Anita , Vierinen Juha , Honary Farideh , Marple Steve , Ulich Thomas
Published: October 2015

The first implementation of a Fourier‐based interferometric riometry technique for measuring electron density induced ionospheric opacity at VHF radio frequencies is presented. Unlike multibeam riometers, which form discrete beams on the sky, the interferometric technique permits all‐sky sampling of incoming cosmic radio noise emissions resulting in a spatially continuous radiogram of the entire sky. The map of the received power at each time may then be compared to the equivalent map from a “quiet day,” allowing the morphology of ionospheric absorption of cosmic radio noise to be ascertained. In this work, the high‐latitude Kilpisjärvi Atmospheric Imaging Receiver Array was used to carry out the first interferometric riometry measurements in late 2013, producing all‐sky absorption maps of space‐weather‐related ionization in the D region.
Uncertainty propagation through wave optics retrieval of bending angles from GPS radio occultation: Theory and simulation results
Authors: Gorbunov Michael E. , Kirchengast Gottfried
Published: October 2015

The wave optical technique for bending angle retrieval in processing radio occultation observations is nowadays widely used by different data processing and assimilation groups and centers. This technique uses Fourier Integral Operators that map the observed records of the amplitude and phase into the impact parameter representation, which allows for the retrieval of bending angle as a function of impact parameter. We investigate the propagation of uncertainty in the observed amplitude and excess phase to the retrieved bending angle. We construct a simple linear approximation, where the excess phase uncertainty is mapped into the bending angle uncertainty. This results in a simple analytical expression for the final uncertainty. To verify our approximation, we perform numerical Monte Carlo simulations for three example occultation events (tropical, middle, and polar latitude profiles from an atmospheric analysis). We demonstrate that our approximation basically gives good results in all cases over the entire troposphere. Exception is the narrow area near the top of the sharp boundary layer, especially in tropics, where, due to nonlinear effects, a significant systematic error arises accompanied by increased uncertainty.
Differences between the CME fronts tracked by an expert, an automated algorithm, and the Solar Stormwatch project
Authors: Barnard L. , Scott C. J. , Owens M. , Lockwood M. , Crothers S. R. , Davies J. A. , Harrison R. A.
Published: October 2015

Observations from the Heliospheric Imager (HI) instruments aboard the twin STEREO spacecraft have enabled the compilation of several catalogues of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), each characterizing the propagation of CMEs through the inner heliosphere. Three such catalogues are the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL)‐HI event list, the Solar Stormwatch CME catalogue, and, presented here, the J‐tracker catalogue. Each catalogue uses a different method to characterize the location of CME fronts in the HI images: manual identification by an expert, the statistical reduction of the manual identifications of many citizen scientists, and an automated algorithm. We provide a quantitative comparison of the differences between these catalogues and techniques, using 51 CMEs common to each catalogue. The time‐elongation profiles of these CME fronts are compared, as are the estimates of the CME kinematics derived from application of three widely used single‐spacecraft‐fitting techniques. The J‐tracker and RAL‐HI profiles are most similar, while the Solar Stormwatch profiles display a small systematic offset. Evidence is presented that these differences arise because the RAL‐HI and J‐tracker profiles follow the sunward edge of CME density enhancements, while Solar Stormwatch profiles track closer to the antisunward (leading) edge. We demonstrate that the method used to produce the time‐elongation profile typically introduces more variability into the kinematic estimates than differences between the various single‐spacecraft‐fitting techniques. This has implications for the repeatability and robustness of these types of analyses, arguably especially so in the context of space weather forecasting, where it could make the results strongly dependent on the methods used by the forecaster.
A paleoclimate rainfall reconstruction in the Murray‐Darling Basin (MDB), Australia: 2. Assessing hydroclimatic risk using paleoclimate records of wet and dry epochs
Authors: Ho Michelle , Kiem Anthony S. , Verdon‐Kidd Danielle C.
Published: October 2015

Estimates of hydrological risk are crucial to enable adequate planning and preparation for extreme events. However, the accurate estimation of hydrological risk is hampered by relatively short instrumental records in many parts of the world. Information derived from climate‐sensitive paleoclimate proxies provide an opportunity to resolve hydroclimatic variability, but many regions, such as Australia's Murray‐Darling Basin (MDB), currently lack the suitable in situ proxies necessary to do this. Here new MDB rainfall reconstructions are presented based on a novel method using paleoclimate rainfall proxies in the Australasian region spanning from 749 B.C.E. to 1980 C.E. Our results emphasize the need to develop additional reconstructions and, with the companion paper, demonstrate how this information can be used to benefit water resource management. This study shows that prior to the twentieth century, both dry and wet epochs have persisted for longer periods than observed in the instrumental record—with the probability of both dry and wet periods exceeding a decade at least 10 times more likely prior to 1883 than suggested by the instrumental records. Some reconstructed rainfalls exceeded the instrumental range (i.e., drier dry epochs and wetter wet spells) despite a systematic underestimation of extremes due to a combination of proxy quality and model bias. Importantly, the results demonstrate that the instrumental record does not cover the full range of hydroclimatic variability possible in the MDB. Therefore, hydroclimatic risk assessments based on the instrumental record likely underestimate, or at least misinterpret, the frequency, duration, and magnitude of wet and dry epochs.