bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large Sensitivity of Near-Surface Vertical Vorticity Development to Heat Sink Location in Idealized Simulations of Supercell-Like Storms
Authors: Markowski Paul M. , Richardson Yvette P.
Published: March 2017

In idealized numerical simulations of supercell-like “pseudostorms” generated by a heat source and sink in a vertically sheared environment, a tornado-like vortex develops if air possessing large circulation about a vertical axis at the lowest model levels can be converged. This is most likely to happen if the circulation-rich air possesses only weak negative buoyancy (the circulation-rich air has a history of descent, so typically possesses at least some negative buoyancy) and is subjected to an upward-directed vertical perturbation pressure gradient force. This paper further explores the sensitivity of the development of near-surface vertical vorticity to the horizontal position of the heat sink. Shifting the position of the heat sink by only 2–3 km can significantly influence vortex intensity by altering both the baroclinic generation of circulation and the buoyancy of circulation-rich air. Many of the changes in the pseudostorms that arise from shifting the position of the heat sink would be difficult to anticipate. The sensitivity of the pseudostorms to heat sink position probably at least partly explains the well-known sensitivity of near-surface vertical vorticity development to the microphysics parameterizations in more realistic supercell storm simulations, as well as some of the failures of actual supercells to produce tornadoes in seemingly favorable environments.
Climatology and Interannual Variability of Boreal Spring Wet Season Precipitation in the Eastern Horn of Africa and Implications for Its Recent Decline
Authors: Liebmann Brant , Bladé Ileana , Funk Chris , Allured Dave , Quan Xiao-Wei , Hoerling Martin , Hoell Andrew , Peterson Pete , Thiaw Wassila M.
Published: March 2017

The 1981–2014 climatology and variability of the March–May eastern Horn of Africa boreal spring wet season are examined using precipitation, upper- and lower-level winds, low-level specific humidity, and convective available potential energy (CAPE), with the aim of better understanding the establishment of the wet season and the cause of the recent observed decline. At 850 mb, the development of the wet season is characterized by increasing specific humidity and winds that veer from northeasterly in February to southerly in June and advect moisture into the region, in agreement with an earlier study. Equally important, however, is a substantial weakening of the 200-mb climatological easterly winds in March. Likewise, the shutdown of the wet season coincides with the return of strong easterly winds in June. Similar changes are seen in the daily evolution of specific humidity and 200-mb wind when composited relative to the interannual wet season onset and end, with the easterlies decreasing (increasing) several days prior to the start (end) of the wet season. The 1981–2014 decrease in March–May precipitation has also coincided with an increase in 200-mb easterly winds, with no attendant change in specific humidity, leading to the conclusion that, while high values of specific humidity are an important ingredient of the wet season, the recent observed precipitation decline has resulted mostly from a strengthening of the 200-mb easterlies. This change in the easterly winds appears to be related to an increase in convection over the Indonesian region and in the associated outflow from that enhanced heat source.
Precipitation Analysis over the French Alps Using a Variational Approach and Study of Potential Added Value of Ground-Based Radar Observations
Authors: Birman Camille , Karbou Fatima , Mahfouf Jean-François , Lafaysse Matthieu , Durand Yves , Giraud Gérald , Mérindol Laurent , Hermozo Laura
Published: March 2017

A one-dimensional variational data assimilation (1DVar) method to retrieve profiles of precipitation in mountainous terrain is described. The method combines observations from the French Alpine region rain gauges and precipitation estimates from weather radars with background information from short-range numerical weather prediction forecasts in an optimal way. The performance of this technique is evaluated using measurements of precipitation and of snow depth during two years (2012/13 and 2013/14). It is shown that the 1DVar model allows an effective assimilation of measurements of different types, including rain gauge and radar-derived precipitation. The use of radar-derived precipitation rates over mountains to force the numerical snowpack model Crocus significantly reduces the bias and standard deviation with respect to independent snow depth observations. The improvement is particularly significant for large rainfall or snowfall events, which are decisive for avalanche hazard forecasting. The use of radar-derived precipitation rates at an hourly time step improves the time series of precipitation analyses and has a positive impact on simulated snow depths.
An Evaluation of Modeled Evaporation Regimes in Europe Using Observed Dry Spell Land Surface Temperature
Authors: Harris Phil P. , Folwell Sonja S. , Gallego-Elvira Belen , Rodríguez José , Milton Sean , Taylor Christopher M.
Published: March 2017

Soil moisture availability exerts control over the land surface energy partition in parts of Europe. However, determining the strength and variability of this control is impeded by the lack of reliable evaporation observations at the continental scale. This makes it difficult to refine the broad range of soil moisture–evaporation behaviors across global climate models (GCMs). Previous studies show that satellite observations of land surface temperature (LST) during rain-free dry spells can be used to diagnose evaporation regimes at the GCM gridbox scale. This relative warming rate (RWR) diagnostic quantifies the increase in dry spell LST relative to air temperature and is used here to evaluate a land surface model (JULES) both offline and coupled to a GCM (HadGEM3-A). It is shown that RWR can be calculated using outputs from an atmospheric GCM provided the satellite clear-sky sampling bias is incorporated. Both offline JULES and HadGEM3-A reproduce the observed seasonal and regional RWR variations, but with weak springtime RWRs in central Europe. This coincides with sustained bare soil evaporation (Ebs) during dry spells, reflecting previous site-level JULES studies in Europe. To assess whether RWR can discriminate between surface descriptions, the bare soil surface conductance and the vegetation root profile are revised to limit Ebs. This increases RWR by increasing the occurrence of soil moisture–limited dry spells, yielding more realistic springtime RWRs as a function of antecedent precipitation but poorer relationships in summer. This study demonstrates the potential for using satellite LST to assess evaporation regimes in climate models.
A New Inversion Method to Obtain Upper-Ocean Current-Depth Profiles Using X-Band Observations of Deep-Water Waves
Authors: Campana Jeffrey , Terrill Eric J. , de Paolo Tony
Published: March 2017

A new method for estimating current-depth profiles from observations of wavenumber-dependent Doppler shifts of the overlying ocean wave field is presented. Consecutive scans of marine X-band backscatter provide wave field measurements in the time–space domain that transform into the directional wavenumber–frequency domain via a 3D fast Fourier transform (FFT). Subtracting the linear dispersion shell yields Doppler shift observations in the form of (kx, ky, Δω) triplets. A constrained linear regression technique is used to extract the wavenumber-dependent effective velocities, which represent a weighted depth average of the Eulerian currents (Stewart and Joy). This new method estimates these Eulerian currents from the effective velocities via the inversion of the integral relationship, which was first derived by Stewart and Joy. To test the effectiveness of the method, the inverted current profiles are compared to concurrent ADCP measurements. The inversion method is found to successfully predict current behavior, with a depth-average root-mean-square (RMS) error less than 0.1 m s−1 for wind speeds greater than 5 m s−1 and a broad wave spectrum. The ability of the inversion process to capture the vertical structure of the currents is assessed using a time-average RMS error during these favorable conditions. The time-averaged RMS error is found to be less than 0.1 m s−1 for depths shallower than 20 m, approximately twice the depth of existing methods of estimating current shear from wave field measurements.
Mesocyclone-Targeted Doppler Velocity Dealiasing
Authors: Xu Qin , Nai Kang
Published: March 2017

The alias-robust variational (AR-Var) analysis developed originally for dealiasing raw velocities scanned from winter ice storms by operational WSR-88D radars was recently extended for dealiasing raw velocities scanned from all storms to increase the dealiased data coverage. The extended AR-Var (eAR-Var)-based dealiasing can detect tornadic mesocyclones and estimate their vortex center locations as by-products, but its dealiased data often leave rejected data holes in the critical vortex core and vicinity areas of detected mesocyclones. To solve this problem, a mesocyclone-targeted dealiasing routine is developed in this paper to perform two additional steps after the eAR-Var dealiasing. In particular, a reference check is performed in the first step, with the required reference velocities produced by a newly designed alias-robust vortex wind analysis to recover the rejected data in the vortex core, and then a continuity check is performed in the second step to recover the remaining rejected data around and beyond the vortex core. The mesocyclone-targeted dealiasing is tested extensively with severely aliased velocity data scanned from tornadic storms and is found to be effective and efficient for recovering the rejected data in and around the vortex core of the detected mesocyclone, provided the required data coverage conditions and analysis acceptance conditions are satisfied.
Remote Measurements of Tides and River Slope Using an Airborne Lidar Instrument
Authors: Hudson Austin S. , Talke Stefan A. , Branch Ruth , Chickadel Chris , Farquharson Gordon , Jessup Andrew
Published: March 2017

Tides and river slope are fundamental characteristics of estuaries, but they are usually undersampled due to deficiencies in the spatial coverage of water level measurements. This study aims to address this issue by investigating the use of airborne lidar measurements to study tidal statistics and river slope in the Columbia River estuary. Eight plane transects over a 12-h period yield at least eight independent measurements of water level at 2.5-km increments over a 65-km stretch of the estuary. These data are fit to a sinusoidal curve and the results are compared to seven in situ gauges. In situ– and lidar-based tide curves agree to within a root-mean-square error of 0.21 m, and the lidar-based river slope estimate of 1.8 × 10−5 agrees well with the in situ–based estimate of 1.4 × 10−5 (4 mm km−1 difference). Lidar-based amplitude and phase estimates are within 10% and 8°, respectively, of their in situ counterparts throughout most of the estuary. Error analysis suggests that increased measurement accuracy and more transects are required to reduce the errors in estimates of tidal amplitude and phase. However, the results validate the use of airborne remote sensing to measure tides and suggest this approach can be used to systematically study water levels at a spatial density not possible with in situ gauges.
Diagnosis of a North American Polar–Subtropical Jet Superposition Employing Piecewise Potential Vorticity Inversion
Authors: Winters Andrew C. , Martin Jonathan E.
Published: March 2017

The polar jet (PJ) and subtropical jet (STJ) often reside in different climatological latitude bands. On occasion, the meridional separation between the two jets can vanish, resulting in a relatively rare vertical superposition of the PJ and STJ. A large-scale environment conducive to jet superposition can be conceptualized as one that facilitates the simultaneous advection of tropopause-level potential vorticity (PV) perturbations along the polar and subtropical waveguides toward midlatitudes. Once these PV perturbations are transported into close proximity to one another, interactions between tropopause-level, lower-tropospheric, and diabatically generated PV perturbations work to restructure the tropopause into the two-step, pole-to-equator tropopause structure characteristic of a jet superposition.

This study employs piecewise PV inversion to diagnose the interactions between large-scale PV perturbations throughout the development of a jet superposition during the 18–20 December 2009 mid-Atlantic blizzard. While the influence of PV perturbations in the lower troposphere as well as those generated via diabatic processes were notable in this case, tropopause-level PV perturbations played the most substantial role in restructuring the tropopause prior to jet superposition. A novel PV partitioning scheme is presented that isolates PV perturbations associated with the PJ and STJ, respectively. Inversion of the jet-specific PV perturbations suggests that these separate features make distinct contributions to the restructuring of the tropopause that characterizes the development of a jet superposition.
‘All of that’s gone now’
Authors: Caldas Stephanie V , Turkel Rachel , Nelson Allyson , Pandey Shristi , Wu Yumeng , Broaddus Elena , Beebe Madeleine , Rivera Gia , Winch Peter
Published: March 2017

Extra-curricular programmes that unite police officers and youth (hereafter: ‘police-youth programmes’) have long been recommended to ameliorate the often-strained relationship between these groups. Baltimore’s history of police-youth programming includes initiating and discontinuing a variety of programmes. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions among diverse stakeholders to identify barriers to sustaining police-youth programmes. Stakeholders described lack of political will, conflicting policing philosophies, and negative police-community dynamics. Participants were optimistic about the potential impact of quality programming, despite these barriers. Police-youth programmes have the capacity to improve police-youth relationships in Baltimore. Strategies to ensure sustainability and increase impact are discussed.
Differentiating Between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton Voters Using Facets of Right-Wing Authoritarianism and Social-Dominance Orientation
Authors: Crowson Howard Michael , Brandes Joyce A.
Published: March 2017

Historically, much of the research on right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation has proceeded from the assumption that they are unidimensional. Recently, researchers have begun to seriously consider the possibility that they are multidimensional in nature and should be measured as such. Several studies have examined the unique relationships between right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation facets and social and political outcome measures of interest. However, there have been no efforts to include the full slate of right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation facets as predictors in the same model. This is problematic when investigating the discriminant validity of these facets, given the potential empirical overlap among the facets both within and across scales. We included facets of right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation as predictors of U.S. voters’ intentions to vote for Hillary Clinton versus Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential Election. Data were collected in September 2016. We found evidence for the discriminant validity of several of the right-wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation facets.
Keep an eye out: A rare case of acute-onset Charles Bonnet Syndrome after Stanford type A aortic dissection repair surgery
Authors: Cook Fabian , Dougherty Scott , Moreton Robert , Khorsandi Maziar
Published: March 2017

Charles Bonnet Syndrome describes the triad of complex visual hallucinations secondary to ophthalmic pathology in psychologically normal people. We present a rare case of acute-onset Charles Bonnet Syndrome following cardiac surgery that resulted in profound loss of visual acuity in both eyes with characteristic visual hallucinations that were initially mistaken for delirium. Computed tomography of the brain revealed bilateral occipital infarcts, providing the substrate for Charles Bonnet Syndrome. A high index of suspicion should be maintained in cognitively intact patients with visual loss who are also experiencing visual hallucinations to ensure prompt diagnosis and management of this often overlooked condition.
Dynamic modeling and rolling data analysis of the tandem hot rolling process
Authors: Fang-chen Yin , Dian-hua Zhang , Yu-cheng Zhang
Published: March 2017

Hot rolling is an essential industrial process in the production of sheet steel, a widely used product in manufacturing and construction. The hot strip mill is a complex unit including many processes and control loops and its modeling is a challenging task owing to the variety of phenomena that occur within the mill. Model validation is also challenging owing to a scarcity of measurements. In this study, a computer simulative emulation that can analyze the dynamic behaviors of the tandem hot rolling process with original non-linear rolling models has been developed and validated against a linear model and measured data. Moreover, the influence coefficients of rolling process parameters were calculated by analyzing the rolling data.
Two views of assistance
Authors: Maffettone Pietro , Muldoon Ryan
Published: March 2017

The article makes two substantive contributions to the existing literature on the ethics of international assistance and global justice. First, it builds what we take to be a widely held set of propositions about international assistance into a consistent view (i.e. the relief view), and articulates a strong case against its desirability. Second, it sketches a more attractive alternative (i.e. the development view). To do so the article uses Sen’s idea of agent-oriented development as a starting point while at the same time providing a generalization of Sen’s account and a justificatory framework that does not rely on the capability approach.
Prediction of hemorrhagic transformation after experimental ischemic stroke using MRI-based algorithms
Authors: Bouts Mark JRJ , Tiebosch Ivo ACW , Rudrapatna Umesh S , van der Toorn Annette , Wu Ona , Dijkhuizen Rick M
Published: March 2017

Estimation of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) risk is crucial for treatment decision–making after acute ischemic stroke. We aimed to determine the accuracy of multiparametric MRI-based predictive algorithms in calculating probability of HT after stroke. Spontaneously, hypertensive rats were subjected to embolic stroke and, after 3 h treated with tissue plasminogen activator (Group I: n = 6) or vehicle (Group II: n = 7). Brain MRI measurements of T2, T2*, diffusion, perfusion, and blood–brain barrier permeability were obtained at 2, 24, and 168 h post-stroke. Generalized linear model and random forest (RF) predictive algorithms were developed to calculate the probability of HT and infarction from acute MRI data. Validation against seven-day outcome on MRI and histology revealed that highest accuracy of hemorrhage prediction was achieved with a RF-based model that included spatial brain features (Group I: area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.85 ± 0.14; Group II: AUC = 0.89 ± 0.09), with significant improvement over perfusion- or permeability-based thresholding methods. However, overlap between predicted and actual tissue outcome was significantly lower for hemorrhage prediction models (maximum Dice’s Similarity Index (DSI) = 0.20 ± 0.06) than for infarct prediction models (maximum DSI = 0.81 ± 0.06). Multiparametric MRI-based predictive algorithms enable early identification of post-ischemic tissue at risk of HT and may contribute to improved treatment decision-making after acute ischemic stroke.
Optical coherence tomography follow-up 18 months after titanium-nitride-oxide-coated versus everolimus-eluting stent implantation in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Karjalainen Pasi , Paana Tuomas , Ylitalo Antti , Sia Jussi , Nammas Wail
Published: March 2017

Background

Inadequate neointimal coverage of stent struts is associated with late stent thrombosis.

Purpose

To demonstrate the extent of neointimal coverage and strut malapposition in titanium-nitride-oxide-coated bioactive stents (BAS) versus everolimus-eluting stents (EES) by optical coherence tomography (OCT) performed at 18-month follow-up.

Material and Methods

In the BASE-ACS trial, 827 patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome were randomized to receive either BAS or EES. Forty patients (20 BAS, 20 EES) underwent OCT at 18-month follow-up for evaluation of stent strut coverage, malapposition, and neointimal hyperplasia (NIH). Primary endpoint was binary stent strut coverage (ratio of covered struts to all analyzed struts multiplied by 100). Co-primary endpoint was the percentage of malapposed struts.

Results

We analyzed 3465 struts in 330 cross-sections of BAS and 3327 struts in 316 cross-sections of EES. Binary stent strut coverage, based on strut-level analysis, was higher with BAS versus EES (99.5% versus 94.2%, respectively; P < 0.001), the strut-level percentage of malapposed struts was lower with BAS (0.6% versus 2.5%, respectively; P < 0.001). Yet, the mean NIH thickness was greater with BAS (237 ± 125 versus 108 ± 62 µm, respectively; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In the current post-hoc analysis with OCT performed at 18 months, binary strut coverage, based on strut-level analysis, was higher with BAS versus EES; strut-level malapposed struts were fewer with BAS; yet, BAS induced thicker NIH.
Intravoxel incoherent motion MRI for monitoring the therapeutic response of hepatocellular carcinoma to sorafenib treatment in mouse xenograft tumor models
Authors: Lee Yedaun , Lee Seung Soo , Cheong Hyunhee , Lee Chang Kyung , Kim Namkug , Son Woo-Chan , Hong Seung Mo
Published: March 2017

Background

With the introduction of targeted therapies, there has been a growing need for non-invasive imaging methods which accurately evaluate therapeutic effects and overcome the limitations of tumor size-based therapeutic response assessments.

Purpose

To assess diagnostic values of intra-voxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging in evaluating therapeutic effects of sorafenib on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using mouse xenograft model.

Material and Methods

Twenty-four mice bearing Huh-7 were divided into a control group and two treatment groups received sorafenib doses of 5 mg/kg (5 mg-Tx) or 30 mg/kg (30 mg-Tx). IVIM imaging was performed using 10 b-values (0–900 s/mm2). The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), diffusion coefficient ( D), and perfusion fraction ( f) were measured for whole tumors and tumor periphery. Changes between baseline and post-treatment parameters ( Δ ADC, Δ D, and Δ f) were calculated, and these parameters were compared with microvessel density (MVD) and area of tumor cell death.

Results

The post-treatment f and Δ f for tumor periphery were significantly higher in control group, followed by 5 mg-Tx and 30 mg-Tx ( P < 0.001). MVD showed significant positive correlation with post-treatment f ( r = 0.584, P = 0.003) and negative correlation with D ( r = –0.495, P = 0.014) for tumor periphery, while no parameter showed significant correlation with area of tumor cell death.

Conclusion

The f is significantly correlated with MVD of HCC, and could potentially be used to evaluate the anti-angiogenic effects of sorafenib.
Pentoxifylline plus ACEIs/ARBs for proteinuria and kidney function in chronic kidney disease: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Dong , Wang Li-na , Li Hong-xia , Huang Ping , Qu Liang-bo , Chen Fei-yan
Published: March 2017

Objective

This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of pentoxifylline (PTF) plus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) for proteinuria and kidney function in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

CENTRAL, EMBASE, Ovid-MEDLINE, PubMed, and CNKI were searched for relevant, randomized, controlled trials (RCTs). A meta-analysis was performed to review the effect of PTF plus ACEIs/ARBs vs. ACEIs/ARBs alone on proteinuria and kidney function in CKD.

Results

Eleven RCTs including 705 patients were retrieved. PTF plus ACEI/ARB treatment significantly decreased proteinuria in patients with CKD within 6 months (standard mean difference [SMD] −0.52; 95% CI −0.90 to 0.15; I2 = 68%) and significantly attenuated a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with stages 3–5 CKD after 6 months of treatment (standard mean difference [SMD] 0.30; confidence limit [Cl] 95% CI 0.06 to 0.54; I2 = 0%). PTF plus ACEIs/ARBs for 9 to 12 months significantly reduced albuminuria in patients with CKD (SMD−0.30, 95% CI −0.57 to 0.03; I2 = 0%) and alleviated the decline in eGFR in patients with stages 3–5 CKD (SMD 0.51; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.96; I2 = 61%).

Conclusion

The combination of an ACEI or ARB and PTF has a protective effect in reducing proteinuria by ameliorating the decline in eGFR in patients with stages 3–5 CKD.
A Targeted Self-Management Approach for Reducing Stroke Risk Factors in African American Men Who Have Had a Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Sajatovic Martha , Tatsuoka Curtis , Welter Elisabeth , Colon-Zimmermann Kari , Blixen Carol , Perzynski Adam T. , Amato Shelly , Cage Jamie , Sams Johnny , Moore Shirley M. , Pundik Svetlana , Sundararajan Sophia , Modlin Charles , Sila Cathy
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

This study compared a novel self-management (TargetEd MAnageMent Intervention [TEAM]) versus treatment as usual (TAU) to reduce stroke risk in African American (AA) men.

Design:

Six-month prospective randomized controlled trial with outcomes evaluated at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.

Setting:

Academic health center.

Participants:

Thirty-eight (age < 65) AA men who had a stroke or transient ischemic attack and a Barthel index score of >60 were randomly assigned to TEAM (n = 19) or TAU (n = 19).

Intervention:

Self-management training, delivered in 1 individual and 4 group sessions (over 3 months).

Measures:

Blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipids, medication adherence, weight, and standardized measures of health behaviors (diet, exercise, smoking, substances), depression, and quality of life. Qualitative assessments evaluated the perspectives of TEAM participants.

Analysis:

T tests for paired differences and nonparametric tests. Thematic content qualitative analysis.

Results:

Mean age was 52.1 (standard deviation [SD] = 7.4) and mean body mass index was 31.4 (SD = 7.4). Compared to TAU, TEAM participants had significantly lower mean systolic blood pressure by 24 weeks, and there was also improvement in HbA1c and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( P = .03). Other biomarker and health behaviors were similar between groups. Qualitative results suggested improved awareness of risk factors as well as positive effects of group support.
The Quest for Security
Authors: Jaganathan Madhan Mohan , Sunmbul Amna , Saini Gaurav
Published: March 2017

Why does the quest for security lead to insecurity? In its quest for becoming secure, mainstream international relations (IR) has weaved a fictitious web that hardly lives up to its promise of providing security to the international community. It is through the vocabulary of securitisation that the freedom to resist and express dissent is nipped in the bud. Security is premised on a flawed assumption. The insistence on the usefulness of assumptions instead of their truthfulness is not just misleading but a theoretical sleight of hand. Security seems to have flourished owing to a unidimensional view of human nature and a unilinear extrapolation of anarchy, which is considered as the central facet of international political structure. This article contests these assumptions and argues that the construction of security is tantamount to a façade that gives a false impression of security, thereby concealing and camouflaging the hegemonic nature of such an endeavour.
Genuine Global Governance
Authors: Babu B. Ramesh
Published: March 2017

Revolutionary changes sweeping the world since the mid-1980s have transformed international and global politics. Major issues and challenges confronting mankind have become global and demand global solutions. However, present international institutions are out of tune with today’s realities. Reforms will not do. New forms of global governance are needed. This is an opportune time for the Global South (Third World) to rise to the occasion and offer viable alternative conceptions of global governance that are more cooperative, inclusive, equitable and legitimate. Towards this end, mankind has to draw from all the living civilisations on earth and formulate a ‘confluence of cultures’ as the conceptual foundation for ‘genuine global governance’. Mankind needs a new ‘philosophy of globalism’. In this context, Hindu civilisation’s ideas on the rights and duties of man; man’s relationship with his family, community and society; his place on earth; and its emphasis on living in tune with nature deserve attention.
Bhutanese Older Adult Refugees Recently Resettled in the United States: A Better Life With Little Sorrows
Authors: Gautam Ramraj , Mawn Barbara E. , Beehler Sarah
Published: March 2017

Purpose: This study explores the experiences and adjustment process among older Bhutanese refugees resettled in the United States and identifies their unmet health and social service needs. Design: This phenomenological study design included the conduction of nine in-depth semistructured interviews in the respondents’ native language. The researchers adhered to the steps outlined by Moustakas for data analysis. Results: The five identified themes included the following: a better life but with little sorrows, cultural tensions related to adaptation, language as a barrier to success in the United States, isolation and loneliness, and worries about citizenship and its impact on the future. Discussion/Implications for Practice: Psychological adjustment to life in the United States can have profound impact on the health of Bhutanese older adults. Nurses and health care providers should integrate culturally congruent health care, raise awareness of the unique needs, and advocate for policy changes that will benefit this group of older adult refugees whose lives have frequently been upended.
Toward a Validated Competence Framework for Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Authors: Ploum Lisa , Blok Vincent , Lans Thomas , Omta Onno
Published: March 2017

Knowledge, skills, and attitudes to manage sustainable development have become significant components of different career paths. Previous research has explored which competencies are needed for future change agents in the field of sustainable development. Sustainable entrepreneurship can be seen as a promising work context in which these competencies are truly at the forefront and enacted. Several researchers have compiled frameworks of key competencies. However, their work is exploratory in nature and a more in-depth analysis of these frameworks is called for. In this study, an existing competence framework for sustainable entrepreneurship was tested in terms of construct validity, among 402 would-be entrepreneurs. The results suggest the inclusion of six competencies, which constitute a competence framework with a good model fit. Furthermore, a new combination of two existing competencies is proposed. This study has important implications for the debate on which competencies for sustainable entrepreneurship are essential on theoretical and empirical grounds.
Masculine Bodies, Selfies, and the (Re)configurations of Intimacy
Authors: Enguix Begonya , Gómez-Narváez Erick
Published: March 2017

This article is part of a research about the use of selfies in two different apps, Grindr and Instagram. We are interested in exploring how selfies relate to masculine bodies and produce different negotiations of intimacy. Selfies are personal, bodily centered, and highly visible. Understanding their production can contribute to the discussion on the digital exposure of intimacy and on the (self) management of masculine bodies. We consider selfies as discursive media that merge the visual and the discursive. Through their practice, users actively negotiate their masculine bodies and their intimacies and question and/or affirm hegemonies. Based on visual analysis and qualitative data obtained from observation and structured interviews, our results point out to the active production of selfies in relation to the different apps and to different styles of bodies that (in)visibilize different body parts and/or emotional traits. Selfies (re)present hegemonic, resistant, and emergent bodies with different understandings of intimacy.
Suited for Success? Suits, Status, and Hybrid Masculinity
Authors: Barry Ben , Weiner Nathaniel
Published: March 2017

This article analyzes the sartorial biographies of four Canadian men to explore how the suit is understood and embodied in everyday life. Each of these men varied in their subject positions—body shape, ethnicity, age, and gender identity—which allowed us to look at the influence of men’s intersectional identities on their relationship with their suits. The men in our research all understood the suit according to its most common representation in popular culture: a symbol of hegemonic masculinity. While they wore the suit to embody hegemonic masculine configurations of practice—power, status, and rationality—most of these men were simultaneously marginalized by the gender hierarchy. We explain this disjuncture by using the concept of hybrid masculinity and illustrate that changes in the style of hegemonic masculinity leave its substance intact. Our findings expand thinking about hybrid masculinity by revealing the ways subordinated masculinities appropriate and reinforce hegemonic masculinity.
Retrospective evaluation of toceranib phosphate (Palladia) use in cats with mast cell neoplasia
Authors: Berger Erika P , Johannes Chad M , Post Gerald S , Rothchild Gillian , Shiu Kai-Biu , Wetzel Sarah , Fox Leslie E
Published: March 2017

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to solicit and compile data from practicing veterinary specialists regarding their use of toceranib in cats with mast cell neoplasia and to provide initial assessment of possible clinical benefit and adverse events.

Methods

The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and Oncology listservs were used to solicit data pertaining to cases in which toceranib was used in the treatment of feline mast cell neoplasia. Cases were included if the following data were received: signalment (age, sex, breed), diagnosis of mast cell neoplasia by either cytology or histopathology, anatomic classification of disease (cutaneous, splenic/hepatic, gastrointestinal, other), previous and concurrent treatment, toceranib dose (mg/kg) and schedule, duration of therapy, best response and documentation of adverse events.

Results

Case data from 50 cats with cutaneous (n = 22), splenic/hepatic (visceral) (n = 10), gastrointestinal (n = 17) or other (n = 1) mast cell neoplasia were received. Clinical benefit was seen in 80% (40/50), including 86% (19/22) with cutaneous, 80% (8/10) with visceral and 76% (13/17) with gastrointestinal involvement. A majority of cats (n = 35) received glucocorticoids during toceranib treatment. Median duration of treatment in cats experiencing clinical benefit was 36 weeks (range 4–106 weeks), 48 weeks (range 12–199 weeks) and 23 weeks (range 13-81 weeks) for cutaneous, visceral and gastrointestinal cases, respectively. Toceranib was administered at a median dose of 2.5 mg/kg (range 1.6–3.5 mg/kg); in 90% (45/50) the drug was given three times per week. Treatment was generally well tolerated with 60% (30/50) of cats experiencing adverse events. The majority of these events were low-grade (grade 1 or 2) gastrointestinal or hematologic events that resolved with treatment break and/or dose adjustment.

Conclusions and relevance

Toceranib appears to be well tolerated in feline patients with mast cell neoplasia. Biologic activity of this drug is evident in the studied cats; however, further prospective studies are needed to elucidate fully its role in treatment of this disease.
Cytochrome P-450 1B1 Leu432Val Polymorphism Does Not Show Association With Breast Cancer in Northern Iranian Women With a History of Infertility
Authors: Andarieh Maryam Ghanbari , Zabihi Ebrahim , Moslemi Dariush , Delavar Mouloud Agajani , Haji-Ahmadi Mahmoud , Monfared Ali Shabestani , Jorsaraei Seyed Gholam Ali , Ghasemi Masoumeh , Esmaeilzadeh Sedighe
Published: March 2017

The Cytochrome P-4501B1 ( CYP1B1) Leu432Val polymorphism has been previously shown to be associated with some types of cancer and affects CYP1B1-mediated metabolism of various infertility drugs. To establish the frequency of CYP1B1 Leu432Val polymorphism among women with a history of infertility drug use, we studied the genotypes of 147 patients with breast cancer with a history of infertility and 150 cancer-free, infertile women (control group) in Northern Iran. A polymerase chain reaction–based restriction fragment length polymorphism assay was used to detect GG (Val/Val), CG (Leu/Val), and CC (Leu/Leu) genotype frequencies, which did not vary significantly between the 2 patient groups ( P  = .847). We established for the first time that the incidence of CYP1B1 Leu432Val polymorphism is 46.6% among women with infertility history and breast cancer in Northern Iran. Finally, our results do not show any significant association between CYP1B1 Leu432Val polymorphism and breast cancer in infertile women in this region, who have also received infertility treatment.
The Exercise of Autonomy by Older Cancer Patients in Palliative Care: The Biotechnoscientific and Biopolitical Paradigms and the Bioethics of Protection
Authors: Niemeyer-Guimarães Márcio , Schramm Fermin Roland
Published: March 2017

Toward the end of life, older cancer patients with terminal illness often prefer palliative over life-extending care and also prefer to die at home. However, care planning is not always consistent with patients’ preferences. In this article, discussions will be centered on patients’ autonomy of exercising control over their bodies within the current biotechnoscientific paradigm and in the context of population aging. More specifically, the biopolitical strategy of medicine in the context of hospital-centered health care control and of the frail condition of cancer patients in the intensive care unit will be considered in terms of the bioethics of protection. This ethical principle may provide support to these patients by ensuring that they receive appropriate treatment of pain and other physical, psychosocial, and spiritual problems in an attempt to focus attention on the values of the ill person rather than limiting it to the illness.
Biostrategic Removal of Sulphur Contamination in Groundwater With Sulphur-Reducing Bacteria: A Review
Authors: Satapathy Sandeep , Singh Roshan Kumar , Kumar Chanchal , Negi Rashmi , Mishra Kirti , Bhuyan Kashyap
Published: March 2017

The rapid growth in the use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture, excessive extraction of groundwater, and rise in the number of industries with inefficient waste disposal system have been some of the key factors in degradation of groundwater quality during the past years. Although groundwater is considered as a valuable natural resource, the quality control of this resource has systematically failed in India. Irrespective of rural or urban locations, the average sulphate contamination of groundwater in India has reached 90 to 150 mg/L. Such a borderline contamination concentration poses threat both to livelihood and to economy. In addition, the negative health effects of sulphate-contaminated drinking water can range from dermatitis to lung problems and skin cancer. The biostrategic manipulation of groundwater discussed in this article involves sulphate-reducing bacteria used in addition to a 3-step procedure involving constitutive aeration, filtration, and shock chlorination. With earlier use of a similar strategy in the United States and Europe proven to be beneficial, we propose a combinatorial and economical approach for processing of groundwater for removal of sulphur contamination, which still largely remains unnoticed and neglected.
External Quality Assessment in the Evaluation of Laboratory Performance of Faecal Culture
Authors: Kiiskinen Salla J , Ojanen Tarja , Björkman Yvonne , Laitinen Harri , Siitonen Anja
Published: March 2017

In Finland, all laboratories carrying out diagnostics of infectious diseases in humans are approved by the Regional State Administrative Agencies and are obligated to participate in External Quality Assurance rounds. Performance in these rounds is thought to reflect the quality of laboratory work. In the 6-year study period, 17 Finnish laboratories received 48 simulated faecal specimens for the culturing of diarrhoeal pathogens, yielding altogether 586 faecal culture External Quality Control specimens and 581 reports. The results were correct in 92% of all reports and in 67% of all specimens. False-negative Salmonella results were given for 2 of the 18 specimens, one with biochemically atypical Salmonella strain and the other with a low count of Salmonella cells. False-negative Shigella report was given for 6 of the 7 specimens in some participating laboratory. Detection of all common faecal pathogens is especially relevant to patient safety, public health, and epidemiological surveillance.
Prognostic Value of Her2/neu Expression in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: Immunohistochemical Study
Authors: Abd El-Aziz Ahmed M , Ibrahim Eman A , Abd-Elmoghny Ashraf , El-Bassiouny Mohammed , Laban Zina M , Saad El-Din Somaia A , Shohdy Youhanna
Published: March 2017

Background:

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a relatively rare type of neoplasms. In Egypt, it represents 2.5% of gastrointestinal tumors and 0.3% of all malignancies. Most of the GISTs develop in the stomach.

Aim:

To reveal the significance of Her2/neu immunohistochemical expression in GIST and its correlation with other histopathologic parameters and tumor relapse after regular follow-up.

Patients and methods:

This study is a retrospective and prospective cohort. It included 32 patients with GISTs, who were resectable with no distant metastasis. Immunohistochemical staining by Her2/neu was performed after complete surgical resection of the tumors with preservation of the pseudocapsule.

Results:

In total, 53.1% of cases were men and 46.9% women. Tumors were classified into low-risk (25%), intermediate-risk (21.9%), and high-risk groups (53.1%). Her2/neu expression was negative in 56.3% of GISTs and positive in 43.7%. Its expression was significantly correlated with risk grade ( P = .04), tumor size ( P = .001), mitotic count ( P = .00), and increased risk of relapse ( P = .00). Furthermore, tumor relapse was significantly correlated with the tumor mitotic counts ( P = .00). Using kappa agreement test, it showed that 4 mitotic counts/50 high-power fields (HPF) was the cutoff value with which the tumor might be associated more with relapse, with 83% sensitivity, 70% specificity, and P value of .003.

Conclusions:

Her2/neu might be used as an independent prognostic marker for tumor recurrence after complete resection of GIST, and the cutoff value of mitotic count that might predict tumor relapse is 4/50 HPF. However, more clinical studies with greater number of cases with fluorescent in situ hybridization integration are recommended.
Preoperative Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen as a Marker for Predicting the Outcome of Three Cancers
Authors: Nan Jingzhu , Li Juan , Li Xiujuan , Guo Guanghong , Wen Xinyu , Tian Yaping
Published: March 2017

Background:

Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) are associated with a variety of tumors.

Objective:

This study evaluated the prognostic value of pretreatment serum CEA levels in predicting the outcomes of multiple tumors subjected to treatment.

Methods:

Prior to therapy, serum samples from 71 prostate, 46 breast, 77 gastric, and 31 pancreatic cancer patients were collected to examine serum CEA levels. The cutoff value for CEA was set as determined by the maximum Youden index. The data were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier curves generated by the log-rank test and Cox multivariate analysis.

Results:

The overall survival rate for all the patients was 71.11%. The 3-year survival rate of patients with prostate, breast, gastric, and pancreatic cancers was 81.69%, 95.65%, 54.55%, and 51.61%, respectively. The 3-year survival rate showed significant statistical differences between patients with serum CEA levels <2.885 µg/L and those with serum CEA levels ⩾2.885 µg/L ( P < .001). The statistical differences of the 3-year survival rate also existed in the men ( P = .010) or women group ( P < .001), as well as in the 3 different types of cancer, which include breast cancer ( P = .025), gastric cancer ( P = .001), and pancreatic cancer ( P = .047).

Conclusions:

Serum CEA levels can provide additional prognostic information and may be useful in treatment implementation for patients with breast, gastric, or pancreatic cancer.
Performing Anticoagulation: A Puzzling Case of Cholesterol Embolization Syndrome
Authors: Igarashi Yusuke , Akimoto Tetsu , Kobayashi Takahisa , Iwazu Yoshitaka , Miki Takuya , Otani-Takei Naoko , Imai Toshimi , Sugase Taro , Masuda Takahiro , Takeda Shin-ichi , Muto Shigeaki , Nagata Daisuke
Published: March 2017

The avoidance of any form of anticoagulation is advised in cases of cholesterol embolization syndrome (CES). We herein describe a case of CES in a man with a history of unprovoked pulmonary embolism for which warfarinization was performed. Despite anecdotal reports of successful anticoagulation in CES patients with certain indications, irreversible renal failure, which was sufficiently severe to require chronic hemodialysis, eventually developed in our patient. Our results emphasize the pitfalls of this procedure, which imply its limited feasibility and safety. Several therapeutic concerns associated with this case are also discussed.
Effects of Serum Leptin and Resistin Levels on Cancer Cachexia in Patients With Advanced-Stage Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Demiray Gökcen , Değirmencioğlu Serkan , Uğurlu Erhan , Yaren Arzu
Published: March 2017

Introduction:

Cancer cachexia is one of the most frequent effects of malignancy, is often associated with poor prognosis, and may account for up to 20% of cancer deaths. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship of cancer cachexia and serum levels of resistin and leptin in patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer.

Methods:

A total of 67 chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced-stage non–small cell cancer and a control group containing 20 healthy individuals without a known chronic disease were enrolled in this study. All individuals in the control group were age and sex matched. Demographic, anthropometric, laboratory data and serum levels of adipokines were measured for 2 groups. Progression-free survival and overall survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival among various factors was calculated using the log-rank test.

Results:

Patients presented significantly higher serum resistin ( P = .0001) and lower serum leptin levels ( P = .025) than the control group. Lower serum levels of leptin were correlated with overall survival ( P = .011).

Conclusions:

Serum leptin and resistin levels play key role as proinflammatory cytokines in lung cancer and cancer cachexia; however, their use as diagnostic or prognostic markers is not possible yet, and further large-scale studies are required to confirm our findings.