bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Bridging Role of Winter Snow over Northern China and Southern Mongolia in Linking the East Asian Winter and Summer Monsoons
Authors: Lu Mengmeng , Kuang Zhiming , Yang Song , Li Zhenning , Fan Hanjie 
Published: August 2020

AbstractEurasian snow, one of the most important factors that influence the Asian monsoons, has long been viewed as a useful predictor for seasonal monsoon prediction. In this study, observations and model simulations are used to demonstrate a bridging role of the winter snow anomaly over northern China and southern Mongolia (NCSM) in the relationship between the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) and the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). Enhanced snow in NCSM results in local surface and tropospheric cooling, strengthening the EAWM through cold-air intrusion induced by northerly wind anomalies. In turn, the stronger EAWM provides a favorable condition for enhanced snowfall over East Asia to the south, indicating an active snow–EAWM interaction. The continental cooling could be maintained until summer due to the memory effect of snowmelt and moistening as well as the snow–monsoon interaction in the spring, causing changes in the meridional temperature gradient and associated upper-level westerlies in the summer. The interaction between the strengthened westerlies over the northern Tibetan Plateau and the topography of the plateau could lead to anomalous downstream convergence and compensating divergence to the south. Therefore, anomalous cyclonic circulation and increased rainfall occur over northeastern China and the Korean Peninsula, but anticyclonic circulation and decreased rainfall appear over the subtropical East Asia–Pacific region. Moreover, limited analysis shows that, compared to sea surface temperature feedback, the direct impact of snow anomaly on the EAWM–EASM connection seems more important.
Revisiting Near-Inertial Wind Work: Slab Models, Relative Stress, and Mixed Layer Deepening
Authors: Alford Matthew H. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe wind generation of near-inertial waves is revisited through use of the Pollard–Rhines–Thompson theory, the Price–Weller–Pinkel (PWP) mixed layer model, and KPP simulations of resonant forcing by Crawford and Large. An Argo mixed layer climatology and 0.6° MERRA-2 reanalysis winds are used to compute global totals and explore hypotheses. First, slab models overestimate wind work by factors of 2–4 when the mixed layer is shallow relative to the scalingH* ≡u*/(Nf)1/2, but are accurate for deeper mixed layers, giving overestimation of global totals by a factor of 1.23 ± 0.03 compared to PWP. Using wind stress relative to the ocean currents further reduces the wind work by an additional 13 ± 0.3%, for a global total wind work of 0.26 TW. Second, the potential energy increase ΔPE due to wind-driven mixed layer deepening is examined and compared to ΔPE computed from Argo and ERA-Interim heat flux climatology. Argo-derived ΔPE closely matches cooling, confirming that cooling sets the seasonal cycle of mixed layer depth and providing a new constraint on observational estimates of convective buoyancy flux at the mixed layer base. Locally and in fall, wind-driven deepening is comparable in importance to cooling. Globally, wind-driven ΔPE is about 11% of wind work, implying that >50% of wind work goes to turbulence and thus not into propagating inertial motions. The fraction into this “modified wind work” is imperfectly estimated in two ways, but we conclude that more research is needed into mixed layer and transition-layer physics. The power available for propagating near-inertial waves is therefore still uncertain, but appears lower than previously thought.
A Comparison of Two Local Moment-Matching Nonlinear Filters: Local Particle Filter (LPF) and Local Nonlinear Ensemble Transform Filter (LNETF)
Authors: Feng Jie , Wang Xuguang , Poterjoy Jonathan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe local particle filter (LPF) and the local nonlinear ensemble transform filter (LNETF) are two moment-matching nonlinear filters to approximate the classical particle filter (PF). They adopt different strategies to alleviate filter degeneracy. LPF and LNETF localize observational impact but use different localization functions. They assimilate observations in a partially sequential and a simultaneous manner, respectively. In addition, LPF applies the resampling step, whereas LNETF applies the deterministic square root transformation to update particles. Both methods preserve the posterior mean and variance of the PF. LNETF additionally preserves the posterior correlation of the PF for state variables within a local volume. These differences lead to their differing performance in filter stability and posterior moment estimation. LPF and LNETF are systematically compared and analyzed here through a set of experiments with a Lorenz model. Strategies to improve the LNETF are proposed. The original LNETF is inferior to the original LPF in filter stability and analysis accuracy, particularly for small particle numbers. This is attributed to both the localization function and particle update differences. The LNETF localization function imposes a stronger observation impact than the LPF for remote grids and thus is more susceptible to filter degeneracy. The LNETF update causes an overall narrower range of posteriors that excludes true states more frequently. After applying the same localization function as the LPF and additional posterior inflation to the LNETF, the two filters reach similar filter stability and analysis accuracy for all particle numbers. The improved LNETF shows more accurate posterior probability distribution but slightly worse spatial correlation of posteriors than the LPF.
Insurance Status in Rectal Cancer is Associated With Age at Diagnosis and May be Associated With Overall Survival
Authors: Bridges Lindsey C. , Honaker Michael D. , Smith Betsy E. , Montgomery Anne 
Published: August 2020

Background There are approximately 44 180 new cases of rectal cancer diagnosed annually. While surgical resection remains the standard of care for definitive treatment, neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NCRT) has significantly reduced recurrence rates postoperatively. NCRT is indicated for T3/T4 tumors, and relative indications include patients with T1/T2 lesions with clinically positive nodes. While this remains the standard of care, all patients may not receive equal treatment for their rectal cancer depending on various healthcare disparities. We aimed to discover how insurance status affected rectal cancer patients’ time of diagnosis to treatment, age of diagnosis, and overall vitality. Methods A single-center retrospective chart and cancer registry review was performed for all patients diagnosed with rectal cancer of any stage between 2011 and 2018. A total of 94 rectal cancer patients were included in the analysis. Age, race, sex, insurance status, vitality, and grade were assessed. Time in days of diagnosis to the time of first treatment (neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiation) was measured. Continuous variables were reported as means and SDs or medians and interquartile ranges and were analyzed with the unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test. Categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages and were analyzed with Fisher’s exact test. Statistical significance was determined with a P < .05. All analyses were conducted using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Results Total race breakdown was as follows: white (61%), African-American (30%), and other (3%). There was no statistically significant difference in diagnosis time to first treatment in the uninsured versus insured groups ( P = .9). There was a statistically significant difference in the age of diagnosis with insured mean age of 60.9 years and uninsured mean age of 52.4 years ( P = .0080). There was no statistically significant difference in survival between the 2 groups ( P = .54). For those who went onto have surgery, there was no difference in the median number of lymph nodes harvested between the 2 groups ( P = .73). Conclusion Insurance status did not affect timing to treatment or survival. Uninsured patients had a younger age of diagnosis by approximately 8 years on average. Uninsured patients received the same quality surgeries as uninsured patients in regard to lymph node harvests.
Gang Affiliation and Prisoner Reentry: Discrete-Time Variation in Recidivism by Current, Former, and Non-Gang Status
Authors: Pyrooz David C. , Clark Kendra J. , Tostlebe Jennifer J. , Decker Scott H. , Orrick Erin 
Published: August 2020

Objectives: Reentry experiences for the 600,000 people released annually from federal and state prisons differ vastly. We contend that gangs, which rose to prominence alongside mass incarceration, are an overlooked source of variation in reentry experiences. Drawing on precepts from the street gang literature, we test whether patterns of recidivism differ by official and survey measures of current, former, and non-gang status. Methods: Data from a representative sample of 802 prisoners interviewed prior to their release in 2016 were linked to 36 months of post-release arrest, conviction, and imprisonment records. Survival curves and multivariable discrete-time survival analysis were used to test for differential patterns of recidivism. Results: The conditional risk of recidivism varied by gang status. Current gang members maintained the greatest risk for all recidivism types. While former gang members were more likely to get arrested than non-gang members, there were no differences in conviction and imprisonment. Official and survey gang measures mostly told the same story, although official measures appeared to be more reliable determinants of recidivism than survey measures. Conclusions: Distinguishing former from current and non-gang members is important for policy, practice, and research. These findings renew calls to understand and respond to social groups and networks like gangs for prisoner reentry.
Comparison of basic regional cerebral oxygen saturation values in patients of different ages: a pilot study
Authors: Lian Chaohui , Li Peng , Wang Ning , Lu Yi , Shangguan Wangning 
Published: August 2020

Objective To explore the basic values of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) among different age groups. Methods One hundred twenty patients who were scheduled for elective surgery aged 0 to 80 years (American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] physical status I or II) or neonates just after birth via cesarean section were enrolled and divided into the following six groups: infant (0 month and ≤12 months), toddler (>1 and ≤3 years old), preschool (>3 and ≤6 years old), school age (>6 and ≤18 years old), adult (>18 and ≤65 years old), and elderly (>65 and ≤80 years old) groups. There were 20 patients in each group. Results The basic values of rSO2 in infant, toddler, preschool, school age, adults, and elderly groups were 70.41% ± 4.66%, 72.43% ± 3.81%, 70.77% ± 3.27%, 70.62% ± 2.20%, 69.76% ± 6.02%, and 62.69% ± 3.14%, respectively. The basic value in the elderly group was lower compared with other five groups. There was no significant difference among infant, toddler, preschool age, school age, and adult groups. Conclusions The basic value of rSO2 in elderly patients is lower. Age is an important factor that affects the underlying value of rSO2.
Long-term outcome of posterior approach insertion of tunneled cuffed catheter: A single clinic retrospective analysis
Authors: Wang Lihua , Wei Fang , Chen Haiyan , Jia Lan , Li Bo , Jiang Aili 
Published: August 2020

Background and objectives: For patients who rely on a tunneled cuffed catheter, the internal jugular vein is the preferred site of insertion. A few studies have suggested that the posterior approach for central lines is equivalent or better in comparison to the conventional central approach. However, there have been fewer studies examining tunneled cuffed catheter insertion using the posterior approach. We have performed many posterior insertions of tunneled cuffed catheters in our practice, and because the technique has not yet been comprehensively studied for long-term use, we performed a retrospective study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of posterior approach for tunneled cuffed catheter in maintained hemodialysis patients. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 200 hemodialysis patients who were treated with tunneled cuffed catheters over a period of 3 years. There were 104 patients in the study group, as well as a 96-patient control group, who underwent catheter insertion by central approach. The clinical follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Results: All catheters were successfully placed. The mean primary patency days per catheter were 712 catheter days for the study group and 585 catheter days for the control group. The episode of catheter infection was similar in both groups (p = 0.874), but the case of total catheter dysfunction was significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group (p = 0.006). The cumulative patency of catheters was higher in the study group than that in the control group (p = 0.02), while patient survival was the same in the two groups (p = 0.325). Conclusion: The posterior approach is safe, and similar infection rates were observed with lower dysfunction rates compared to tunneled catheter insertion by the conventional central approach.
Causal Nexus Between FDI Inflows and Its Determinants in SAARC Countries
Authors: K. Rai Sushil , K. Sharma Akhilesh 
Published: August 2020

This article aims to understand the drivers of foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and its nexus with its determinants such as economic growth, inflation rate, labour productivity, infrastructure development, market size, openness of the economy, political stability and corporate tax for South Asian Association for Regional Corporation (SAARC) countries. The article is based on secondary data from the World Bank and International Labour Organization (ILO) for 19 years from 2001 to 2018 for 6 SAARC countries, viz. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The findings indicate that there exists long-run, short-run and joint causal relationship among infrastructure development, market size, openness of the economy, political stability and corporate tax and FDI inflows. Among these variables, the corporate tax is the most important one because it shows bidirectional causality with FDI inflows in the long run as well as short run along with joint strong causality. However, only the coefficients of infrastructure development and corporate tax were found to be positively and negatively significant, respectively. Therefore, better infrastructure development and decrease in corporate tax may enhance FDI inflows in SAARC countries. This infers that with the decrease in corporate tax, more FDI inflows may take place, and higher FDI inflows may decrease in corporate tax further. Therefore, this article suggests that SAARC countries should accelerate the process of integration of their economy with the rest of the world along with political stability, enhance the infrastructure facility and reduce the corporate tax to get the higher FDI inflows. JEL: F21, F02, C22
The Influence of Spirituality and Religiosity on US Oncologists’ Personal Use of and Clinical Practices Regarding Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Authors: Powers-James Catherine , Alvarez Adriana , Milbury Kathrin , Barbo Andrea , Daunov Katherine , Lopez Gabriel , Cohen Lorenzo , Delgado-Guay Marvin O. , Olopade Olufunmilayo I. , Lee Richard T. 
Published: August 2020

Background: Cancer patients frequently use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and spirituality has been associated with CAM use among patients. We evaluated how oncologists’ spirituality and religiosity are associated with personal use and patient recommendations for CAM. Methods: A survey was mailed to 1000 medical oncologists in the United States. The questionnaire asked about oncologists’ approaches to CAM use by patients, focusing on the use of herbs and supplement (HS), and about religiosity and spirituality. Results: Of 937 deliverable questionnaires, 392 were returned (response rate 42%). Respondents were mostly men (71%) and Caucasian (76%), with a median age of 48. Approximately 16% reported no religion, 19% Jewish, 24% Catholic, 28% Christian, and 13% other religions. Eighteen percent reported attending religious services at least once a week, including 15% who attend several times per week. Twenty-eight percent reported high theological pluralism (skepticism regarding whether one religion is comprehensively and uniquely true); 58% described themselves as moderately or very spiritual. Self-reported spirituality and religious service attendance were associated with using CAM personally and recommending HS to patients. In multivariate analyses, moderate-high spirituality and attending religious services less than monthly was positively associated with personal use of CAM: odds ratio (OR) = 3.10 (confidence interval [CI] = 1.5-6.5) and OR = 3.04 (CI = 1.5-6.6), respectively. Physicians with moderate to high spirituality were more likely to report recommending CAM in general (OR = 3.07, CI = 1.3-7.1), but less likely to report recommending HS (OR = 0.33, CI = 0.14-0.75). Conclusion: Self-reported spirituality is a significant factor among US oncologists’ decision to use CAM and recommend CAM to patients.
Wire Cerclage Versus Cable Closure After Sternotomy for Dehiscence and DSWI: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dixit Apurva , Tam Derrick Y. , Yu Monica , Yanagawa Bobby , Gaudino Mario , Lam Tiffany , Fremes Stephen E. 
Published: August 2020

Objective Cable closure has been introduced as a potential alternative to traditional wire cerclage (WC) for closure of median sternotomy. To evaluate whether cable closure improves patient outcomes, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. Methods Ovid versions of Medline and Embase, and Google Scholar were used for the literature search. This yielded 7 studies ( n = 2,758), which compared traditional WC to cable closure systems. Outcomes included deep sternal wound infection, sternal dehiscence, postoperative pain score, and sternal wound infection. Results We found significantly lower incidence of sternal dehiscence for cable closure compared to WC (risk ratio [RR] 0.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03 to 0.59 , P < 0.01 , I 2 = 0%) but no difference in DSWI (RR 0.97, 95% CI: 0.39 to 2.42, P = 0.95, I 2 = 33%). Cable closure was also associated with lower pain when compared with the WC group (mean difference −1.04 points, 95% CI: −1.89 to −0.19 , P = 0.02, I 2 = 87%). Conclusions This study suggests that cable closure results in less incidence of sternal dehiscence and pain compared to WC. Nonetheless, there remains a limited number of studies on this topic and further high-quality studies are required to confirm the results of this meta-analysis.
Hemodynamic differences by increasing low profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) stent local compaction across intracranial aneurysm orifice
Authors: Tian Zhongbin , Zhang Mingqi , Li Gaohui , Jin Rongbo , Leng Xiaochang , Zhang Ying , Wang Kun , Zhang Yisen , Yang Xinjian , Xiang Jianping , Liu Jian 
Published: August 2020

Background The Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support device (LVIS) has been successfully used to treat cerebral aneurysm, and the push-pull technique has been used clinically to compact the stent across aneurysm orifice. Our aim was to exhibit the hemodynamic effect of the compacted LVIS stent. Methods Two patient-specific aneurysm models were constructed from three-dimensional angiographic images. The uniform LVIS stent, compacted LVIS and Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) with or without coil embolization were virtually deployed into aneurysm models to perform hemodynamic analysis. Intra-aneurysmal flow parameters were calculated to assess hemodynamic differences among different models. Results The compacted LVIS had the highest metal coverage across the aneurysm orifice (case 1, 46.37%; case 2, 67.01%). However, the PED achieved the highest pore density (case 1, 19.56 pores/mm2; case 2, 18.07 pores/mm2). The compacted LVIS produced a much higher intra-aneurysmal flow reduction than the uniform LVIS. The PED showed a higher intra-aneurysmal flow reduction than the compacted LVIS in case 1, but the results were comparable in case 2. After stent placement, the intra-aneurysmal flow was further reduced as subsequent coil embolization. The compacted LVIS stent with coils produced a similar reduction in intra-aneurysmal flow to that of the PED. Conclusions The combined characteristics of stent metal coverage and pore density should be considered when assessing the flow diversion effects of stents. More intra-aneurysmal flow reductions could be introduced by compacted LVIS stent than the uniform one. Compared with PED, compacted LVIS stent may exhibit a flow-diverting effect comparable to that of the PED.
A New Medical Device for Improved Rotation of Insulin Injections in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Klarskov Carina Kirstine , Hamid Yasmin Hassan , Tjalk-Bøggild Rasmus , Tarnow Lise , Kristensen Peter Lommer 
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Lipohypertrophy (LH) is caused by repetitively injecting insulin into the same location. This can lead to unpredictable insulin absorption and increased glucose variability (GV). A new medical device, ROTO Track, automatically guides the user to rotate abdominal insulin injections to avoid LH lesions. This study aimed to test whether the medical device could reduce the number of insulin injections in the same subcutaneous area as compared with non-aided standard insulin injection techniques. Methods: In this proof-of-concept cross-over study, baseline data about injection site in the abdominal region were collected blinded for 1 week with a nonguiding version of the device and compared to 1 and 12 weeks of device guidance in 35 people with type 1 diabetes. The device registered time and location of abdominal injections. The primary endpoint was a “rotation score.” Secondary endpoints included number and size of LH, GV, and hemoglobin A1c. Results: The rotation score improved significantly from a baseline mean of 40.2% to 49.9% after 1 week (confidence interval: 2.2-17.2%, P = .012) and improved further after 12 weeks to 52.2% ( P < .001). After 12 weeks, LH was reduced both in median size from 9.2 (range: [0.9-29.4]) cm2 to 5.4 (range: [0.0- 26.8]) cm2 ( P = .041) and mean count from 1.4 (range: [1-2]) to 1.1 (range: [0-2], P = .039) and the coefficient of variation of interstitial glucose was reduced from 38.6 to 35.1 ( P = .009). Conclusion: This proof-of-concept study indicates that the device improves rotation of insulin injections, and reduces LH and GV.