bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating Soil Moisture–Precipitation Interactions Using Remote Sensing: A Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Ford Trent W. , Quiring Steven M. , Thakur Balbhadra , Jogineedi Rohit , Houston Adam , Yuan Shanshui , Kalra Ajay , Lock Noah 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
The complex interactions between soil moisture and precipitation are difficult to observe, and consequently there is a lack of consensus as to the sign, strength, and location of these interactions. Inconsistency between soil moisture–precipitation interaction studies can be attributed to a multitude of factors, including the difficulty of demonstrating causal relationships, dataset differences, and precipitation autocorrelation. The purpose of this study is to explore these potential confounding factors and determine which are most important for consideration when assessing statistical coupling between soil moisture and precipitation. Soil moisture is assessed via three remote sensing datasets: the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager, and the Essential Climate Variable Soil Moisture. Estimates of soil moisture are coupled with afternoon thunderstorm events identified by the Thunderstorm Observation by Radar (ThOR) algorithm, and dry soil or wet soil preferences for convection initiation are determined for over 16 000 thunderstorm events between 2005 and 2007. Differences in soil moisture datasets were found to have the largest impact with regard to determining wet or dry soil preferences. Precipitation autocorrelation is prevalent in the data; however, precipitation autocorrelation did not influence the results with regard to dry or wet soil preferences. Consideration of the convective environment (i.e., weakly or synoptically forced) did result in significant differences in wet/dry soil preference, but only for certain soil moisture datasets. The results suggest that observation-driven soil moisture–precipitation interaction studies should both consider the convective environment and implement multiple soil moisture datasets to assure robust results.
Effects of diacutaneous fibrolysis in patients with mild to moderate symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jiménez del Barrio Sandra , Estébanez de Miguel Elena , Bueno Gracia Elena , Haddad Garay María , Tricás Moreno José Miguel , Hidalgo García César 
Published: July 2018

Objective: To compare the effects of diacutaneous fibrolysis with sham in patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome. Design: Double-blind (patient and evaluator) randomized controlled trial. Setting: Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain. Subjects: A total of 52 patients (72 wrists) with carpal tunnel syndrome, 41 women and 11 men, mean age was 46.9 (8.8) years. They were divided into two groups: diacutaneous fibrolysis group and sham group. Interventions: Real diacutaneous fibrolysis in diacutaneous fibrolysis group and sham diacutaneous fibrolysis in sham group. Both groups received five sessions in the forearm, wrist and hand. Main measures: Neurophysiological parameters assessed at baseline and at the end of the treatment. Intensity of nocturnal symptoms (visual analogue scale (VAS)) and upper limb functional capacity (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire) at baseline, at the end of the treatment and one month after treatment. Results: Diacutaneous fibrolysis group (n = 30 wrists) improved in nerve conduction distal motor latency (mean difference: –0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): –0.49/–0.26), sensory conduction velocity (mean difference: 6.52, 95% CI: 3.52/9.51), intensity of nocturnal symptoms (mean difference: –2.24, 95% CI: –4.08/–2.04) and upper limb functional capacity (mean difference: –19, 95% CI: –26.1/–11.9) compared to the sham group (n = 30 wrists) ( P < 0.02, P < 0.01, P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). At one-month follow-up, improvements in the nocturnal symptoms and upper limb functional capacity were maintained compared to the sham group ( P < 0.01). Conclusion: Diacutaneous fibrolysis provides short-term and one-month follow-up, improvements in sensory conduction velocity, motor distal latency, symptoms and functional capacity in patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
Healthy Start Home Visiting Program—School-Based Model: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Leung Cynthia , Tsang Sandra , Heung Kitty , Tam Mia 
Published: July 2018

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Healthy Start Home Visiting Program—School-Based Model (HSS), using a cluster randomized controlled trial design. Methods: Participants included 224 parents from 20 preschools randomized into intervention and wait-list control groups at the preschool level. Furthermore, 105 parents from the participating preschools were trained as parent ambassadors to assist in program delivery. They were randomized into intervention and control groups at the preschool level. Outcome measures included parent and teacher reports on children’s learning, parent report on children’s behavior and health, their own parenting, and direct assessment of children. Parent ambassadors completed measures on parenting and their children’s behavior before training and after program delivery. Results: There was significant improvement at postintervention in parenting, children’s behavior, and learning and health in the intervention group, compared with the control group. Conclusions: The results provided evidence on the effectiveness of the HSS program.
Optic coherence tomography appearances of retinal astrocytic hamartoma and systemic features in tuberous sclerosis of Japanese patients
Authors: Kato Aya , Obana Akira , Gohto Yuko , Seto Takahiko , Sasano Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2018

Purpose: To describe the optical coherence tomography findings of retinal astrocytic hamartoma of tuberous sclerosis and to confirm the association between the type of retinal astrocytic hamartoma and systemic manifestations in Japanese patients. Study Design: A retrospective observational case series. Methods: The medical records of 35 patients with tuberous sclerosis who underwent ophthalmological examination were reviewed. The retinal astrocytic hamartomas were classified into four types based on the optical coherence tomography findings, and their association with systemic disease was evaluated. Results: A total of 40 retinal astrocytic hamartomas in 13 eyes of eight patients aged 4–28 years were identified. Optical coherence tomography images were obtained for 23 lesions in 10 eyes of seven patients. Retinal astrocytic hamartomas were seen as protruding lesions of varying heights (maximum thickness, range between 221 to 1043 μm). Of the 23, 15 lesions showed homogeneous reflectivity; in six lesions, hyper-reflective spots that presumably represented intratumoral calcification were noted. Vitreous changes were noted in 13 lesions; vitreous seeding by retinal astrocytic hamartoma was observed in seven eyes. There were no significant differences in the rates of each systemic feature among the optical coherence tomography types. Conclusion: Retinal astrocytic hamartomas were classified into four types according to the previous reports; however, this classification may be worthless because the extent of protrusion did not correspond to the intratumoral characteristics, and the involved depth of the retina was not same even in the same type. An association between the type of retinal astrocytic hamartoma and systemic manifestations was not confirmed in this small case series. We considered that the classification of retinal astrocytic hamartoma and its association with systemic manifestations need further study.
Evaluation of an innovative tele-education intervention in chronic pain management for primary care clinicians practicing in underserved areas
Authors: Furlan Andrea D , Zhao Jane , Voth Jennifer , Hassan Samah , Dubin Ruth , Stinson Jennifer N , Jaglal Susan , Fabico Ralph , Smith Andrew J , Taenzer Paul , Flannery John F 
Published: July 2018

Introduction Inadequate knowledge and training of healthcare providers are obstacles to effective chronic pain management. ECHO (extension for community healthcare outcomes) uses case-based learning and videoconferencing to connect specialists with providers in underserved areas. ECHO aims to increase capacity in managing complex cases in areas with poor access to specialists. Methods A pre-post study was conducted to evaluate the impact of ECHO on healthcare providers’ self-efficacy, knowledge and satisfaction. Type of profession, presenting a case, and number of sessions attended were examined as potential factors that may influence the outcomes Results From June 2014 to March 2017, 296 primary care healthcare providers attended ECHO, 264 were eligible for the study, 170 (64%) completed the pre-ECHO questionnaire and 119 completed post-ECHO questionnaires. Participants were physicians (34%), nurse practitioners (21%), pharmacists (13%) and allied health professionals (32%). Participants attended a mean of 15 ± 9.19 sessions. There was a significant increase in self-efficacy ( p < 0.0001) and knowledge ( p < 0.0001). Self-efficacy improvement was significantly higher among physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners than the non-prescribers group ( p = 0.03). On average, 96% of participants were satisfied with ECHO. Satisfaction was higher among those who presented cases and attended more sessions. Discussion This study shows that ECHO improved providers’ self-efficacy and knowledge. We evaluated outcomes from a multidisciplinary group of providers practicing in Ontario. This diversity supports the generalisability of our findings. Therefore, we suggest that this project may be used as a template for creating other educational programs on other medical topics.
Bilingual adolescent vowel production in the Parisian suburbs
Authors: Cychosz Margaret 
Published: July 2018

Aims and objectives: The study examines how bilingualism and adolescent identity interact to influence acoustic vowel patterns. This is examined in students at a secondary school in the socially and economically disadvantaged working-class Parisian suburbs. Design: The front, round vowels /y/, /ø/, and /œ/ were analyzed in the speech of ( N = 22) adolescents. Three student groups were juxtaposed: monolingual Franco-French ( N = 9) and two simultaneous bilingual groups, Arabic-French ( N = 6), and Bantu-French ( N = 7). Crucially, unlike French, these contact languages do not have phonemically round front vowels. Data and analysis: To elicit naturalistic speech, sociolinguistic interviews were conducted with students speaking in dyads or small groups. Vowel roundedness, derived from acoustic measurements of the third formant and the difference between the third and second formants, was compared across speaker groups. Findings: Results show an effect of bilingual status for male speakers – monolingual speakers pattern differently from both bilingual groups. Still, bilingual Bantu-French and Arabic-French speakers show some distinct patterning. This suggests influences beyond first-language phonology on bilingual speakers’ production of French. Originality: This is one of the first studies to look beyond Arabic substrate influence in emerging Hexagonal urban youth vernaculars. It contributes naturalistic data from those most prone to language change, adolescents, for the study of French in contact. Finally, the study proposes a type of ‘laboratory in the field’: because none of the contact languages contrast vowels by roundedness, first-language influence is controlled for and the effect of social stigmatization upon speech can be isolated. Implications: The findings suggest that the social and ethnic divisions between dominant ethnic groups and minorities of immigrant descent may even be reflected in their phonetic patterning. Because these patterns are present in adolescents, who are the source of much language change, a connection between segregation and language change is drawn.
Admission and treatment at a weekend is not associated with worse outcomes for patients admitted with fractured neck of femur
Authors: Al-Ani Asef , Bence Matthew , Liddle Alexander D. , Ferris Barry 
Published: July 2018

Introduction The weekend effect is a reported phenomenon whereby patients admitted at a weekend are found to have worse outcomes than those admitted during the week. The causes are not well understood, but may have implications for the planning of medical workforces throughout the developed world. Although the magnitude of the weekend effect is reduced whenknown confounding factors are adjusted for, there are likely to be substantial residual unmeasured confounding factors. It remains unclear how much effect exists in comparable patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of a weekend effect could be detected for the patients admitted with hip fracture to our unit and to quantify this effect if detected. Methods All hip fracture patients admitted to our unit over a five-year period were examined. All patients had their details entered onto the National Hip Fracture Database which was investigated to compare inpatient, 30-day, 120-day and 365-day mortality with specific reference to day of admission and operative treatment. Results Two thousand one hundred and thirty fractured neck of femur patients were admitted from 2011 to 2016. We found no difference in mortality in being admitted or treated at the weekend or weekday; however, patients operated upon on a Tuesday had a statistically significant higher risk of death (OR 2.813, 95% CI 1.336–5.992, p = 0.006). The reasons for this are unclear. Conclusions In our unit there is no evidence of a weekend effect for hip fractures.
Balloon-expandable stents for treatment of symptomatic middle cerebral artery stenosis: Clinical outcomes during long-term follow-up
Authors: Baik Sung Hyun , Kwak Hyo Sung , Chung Gyung Ho , Hwang Seung Bae 
Published: July 2018

Background Insertion of a balloon-expandable stent (BES) in patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis is a treatment option for reperfusion therapy. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed clinical outcomes during long-term follow-up after insertion of balloon-expandable stents in patients with symptomatic middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis. Methods Institutional review board approval was obtained for retrospective review of patient data. Thirty-four patients (15 men, 19 women; median age, 67.5 years) with symptomatic MCA stenosis underwent balloon-expandable stent insertion between June 2008 and December 2010. Patient records were reviewed for angiographic findings and clinical outcomes during long-term follow-up. Results Of these patients, 22 presented with acute ischemic stroke with underlying MCA atherosclerosis and had good clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score (mRS): 0–2) after reperfusion therapy. Indications for stenting for the remaining 12 patients were recurrent transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) refractory to medical therapy and MCA stenosis greater than 70%. During the poststenting follow-up period, which ranged from 61 to 108 months (median, 67.5 months), a TIA occurred in five patients. Of these five patients, one experienced a complete reocclusion of the MCA stent, and three had symptomatic restenosis. The remaining 29 patients did not experience any further ischemic events or restenosis during the follow-up period. Conclusions In our study, treatment with balloon-expandable stents in patients with symptomatic MCA stenosis resulted in low recurrence rates for both ischemic events and restenosis during long-term follow-up.
Assessing operational performance benefits of a Water Safety Plan implemented in Southwestern France
Authors: Setty K , O’Flaherty G , Enault J , Lapouge S , Loret JF , Bartram J 
Published: July 2018

Aims: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended Water Safety Plans (WSPs) since 2004 as a means to reduce drinking water contamination and risks to human health. These risk management programs have shown promise across several potential areas of evaluation, such as economic benefits and regulatory compliance. Since WSPs are largely carried out by people who interact with water treatment equipment and processes, operational performance indicators may be key to understanding the mechanisms behind desirable WSP impacts such as water quality and public health improvement. Method: This study reports performance measures collected at a WSP implementation location in southwestern France over several years. Results: Quantitative assessment of performance measures supported qualitative reports from utility managers. Results indicate significantly reduced duration of low-chlorine events at one production facility and a significant decrease in customer complaints related to water quality, manifesting reported improvements in operational performance and the customer service culture. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate some success stories and potential areas of future performance tracking. Cyclical iteration of the WSP can help to achieve continuous quality improvement. Successfully applied evaluation criteria such as the number of water quality complaints or alarm resolution time might be useful across other locations.
Arthroscopic Treatment of Acetabular Retroversion With Acetabuloplasty and Subspine Decompression: A Matched Comparison With Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Treatment for Focal Pincer-Type Femoroacetabular Impingement
Authors: Flores Sergio E. , Chambers Caitlin C. , Borak Kristina R. , Zhang Alan L. 
Published: July 2018

Background: Global acetabular retroversion is classically treated with open reverse periacetabular osteotomy. Given the low morbidity and recent success associated with the arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), there may also be a role for arthroscopic treatment of acetabular retroversion. However, the safety and outcomes after hip arthroscopic surgery for retroversion need further study, and the effect of impingement from the anterior inferior iliac spine (subspine) in patients with retroversion is currently unknown. Hypothesis: Arthroscopic treatment for global acetabular retroversion will be safe, and patients will have similar outcomes compared with a matched group undergoing arthroscopic treatment for focal pincer-type FAI. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery for symptomatic global acetabular retroversion were prospectively enrolled and compared with a matched group of patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery for focal pincer-type FAI. Both groups underwent the same arthroscopic treatment protocol. All patients were administered patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures, including the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) Physical Component Summary (PCS) and a Mental Component Summary (MCS), modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. Results: There were no differences in age, sex, or body mass index between 39 hips treated for global acetabular retroversion and 39 hips treated for focal pincer-type FAI. There were no major or minor complications in either group. Patients who underwent arthroscopic treatment for global acetabular retroversion demonstrated similar significant improvements in postoperative PRO scores (scores increased by 17 to 43 points) as patients who underwent arthroscopic treatment for focal pincer-type FAI. Patients treated for retroversion who also underwent subspine decompression had greater improvement than patients who did not undergo subspine decompression for the HOOS-Pain (33.7 ± 15.3 vs 22.5 ± 17.6, respectively; P = .046) and HOOS–Quality of Life (49.7 ± 18.8 vs 34.6 ± 22.0, respectively; P = .030) scores. Conclusion: Arthroscopic treatment for acetabular retroversion is safe and provides significant clinical improvement similar to arthroscopic treatment for pincer-type FAI. Patients with acetabular retroversion who also underwent arthroscopic subspine decompression demonstrated greater improvements in pain and quality of life outcomes than those who underwent arthroscopic treatment without subspine decompression.
The Dutch Acute Stroke Audit: Benchmarking acute stroke care in the Netherlands
Authors: Kuhrij Laurien S , Wouters Michel WJM , van den Berg-Vos Renske M , de Leeuw Frank-Erik , Nederkoorn Paul J 
Published: July 2018

Introduction In the nationwide Dutch Acute Stroke Audit (DASA), consecutive patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) are prospectively registered. Acute stroke care is a rapidly evolving field in which intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and intra-arterial thrombectomy (IAT) play a crucial role in increasing odds of favourable outcome. The DASA can be used to assess the variation in care between hospitals and develop ‘best practice’ in acute stroke care. Patients and methods: We describe the initiation and design of the DASA as well as the results from 2015 and 2016. Results In 2015 and 2016, 55,854 patients with AIS and 7727 patients with ICH were registered in the DASA. Treatment with IVT was administered to 10,637 patients (with an increase of 1.3% in 2016) and 1740 patients underwent IAT (with an increase of 1% in 2016). Median door-to-needle time for IVT and median door-to-groin time for IAT have decreased from 27 to 25 min and 66 to 64 min, respectively. Mortality during admission was 4.9% in patients with AIS, whereas 26% of patients with ICH died. Modified Rankin Scale score at three months was registered in 49% of AIS patients and 45% of ICH patients. Discussion During the nationwide DASA, time to treatment is reduced for IVT as well as IAT. With the rapidly evolving treatment of acute stroke care, the DASA can be used to monitor the quality provided on patient- and hospital level. Conclusion Increasing completeness of registration of the outcome, in combination with adjustment for patient-related factors, is necessary to define and further improve the quality of the acute stroke care.
Genomic and outcome analyses of Ph-like ALL in NCI standard-risk patients: a report from the Children’s Oncology Group
Authors: Roberts Kathryn G. , Reshmi Shalini C. , Harvey Richard C. , Chen I-Ming , Patel Kinnari , Stonerock Eileen , Jenkins Heather , Dai Yunfeng , Valentine Marc , Gu Zhaohui , Zhao Yaqi , Zhang Jinghui , Payne-Turner Debbie , Devidas Meenakshi , Heerema Nyla A. , Carroll Andrew J. , Raetz Elizabeth A. , Borowitz Michael J. , Wood Brent L. , Mattano Leonard A. , Maloney Kelly W. , Carroll William L. , Loh Mignon L. , Willman Cheryl L. , Gastier-Foster Julie M. , Mullighan Charles G. , Hunger Stephen P. 
Published: July 2018

Key Points
The prevalence of Ph-like ALL is lower in children with NCI SR ALL compared with HR ALL. Ph-like ALL in SR patients harbors few targetable kinase fusions and has improved outcome compared with HR Ph-like ALL.