bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Automatic Monitoring of Aviation Terminal Forecasts
Authors: Vercelli David J. 
Published: April 2018

One of the goals of the Automation of Field Operations and Services (AFOS) was to implement a computer program to automatically monitor aviation terminal forecasts at National Weather Service (NWS) forecast offices. Such a program has now been developed. The program can be initiated either automatically at predefined times or by the forecaster at any time. Once initiated, the program compares the information in the latest terminal forecast and surface airway observation at each designated terminal to a set of amendment and alert criteria. It then notifies the forecaster via an audio or visual alarm if any terminal forecast needs amending, or may need amending in the near future, due to changing weather conditions.
The program successfully underwent extensive operational field tests at four National Weather Service forecast offices during 1983. Analysis of the test results showed that, overall, the program performed very well and was found to be useful by the forecasters. In early 1984, the program was issued to each of the National Weather Service regional headquarters for use by the individual field offices. In response to evaluations provided by the forecasters during the field tests, an improved program was developed and is being tested at several forecast offices.
Basic Meteorological Observations for Schools: Temperature
Authors: Snow John T. , Harley Shawn B. 
Published: April 2018

This article addresses the measurement of temperature using easily fabricated and/or economical instruments. It describes techniques for measuring temperature with simple instrumentation, comments on our experiences in implementing the techniques, and provides a list appropriate references. The intent is to provide members of the Society with a ready reference to be used to respond to inquiries from earth and physical science teachers at the junior and senior high school level. The material should aid members who are interested in pursuing the educational initiatives described in Weather Education (Royal Meteorological Society, 1984) and in the AMS Guide to Establishing School and Public Educational Activities (American Meteorological Society, 1985). To assist members in advising teachers interested in including meteorology in science curricula, we will also include a few suggestions for student or class projects.
Good references concerning meteorological observations and measurements in schools are the books by Trowbridge (1973) and Couchman et al. (1977), and the pamphlets by Geer (1975), Pedgley (1980) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (1979). The review articles by Mazzarella (1985) and Brock (1985) contain much useful information, as do the handbooks by the Meteorological Office (1981) and United States Department of Agriculture (1976).
Intercomparison of Radiation Codes in Climate Models (ICRCCM): Longwave Clear-Sky Results—A Workshop Summary
Authors: Luther Frederick M. , Ellingson Robert G. , Fouquart Yves , Fels Stephen , Scott Noelle A. , Wiscombe Warren J. 
Published: April 2018

An international program of intercomparison of radiation models has been initiated because of the central role of radiative processes in many proposed climate change mechanisms. Models ranging from the most detailed (line-by-line) to the most-highly parameterized have been compared with each other and with selected aircraft observations. Although line-by-line-model fluxes tend to agree with each other to within one percent (if the water-vapor–continuum absorption is ignored), the less-detailed models show a spread of 10–20 percent. The spread is even larger (30–40 percent) for the sensitivities of the models to changes in important radiation variables, such as carbon dioxide amounts and water-vapor amounts. These spreads are disturbingly large.
Lacking highly accurate flux observations from within the atmosphere, it has been customary to regard line-by-line–model results as “the truth.” However, uncertainties in the physics of line wings and in the proper treatment of the water-vapor continuum make it impossible for the line-by-line models to provide an absolute reference for evaluating less-detailed models. Therefore, a dedicated surface-based field measurement program is recommended in order to properly evaluate model performance; the goal would be to use sophisticated spectrometers to measure accurately spectral radiances rather than integrated fluxes.
Playing it safe: toy safety and conformity assessment in Europe and the United States
Authors: Larson Derek B. , Jordan Sara R. 
Published: April 2018

Do similar standards of product safety lead to similar levels of consumer safety? In 2007, more than 19 million toys worldwide were recalled for violations of applicable safety standards. Following these recalls, both the EU and the US instituted new policies governing children’s products: the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) and EU 2009 Toy Safety Directive. The relevant toy safety standards that emerged from this legislation, such as ISO (ISO 8124), US (ASTM F963), and EU (EN 71) standards are comparable in terms of their language but not their results. Using a data set profiling implementation of EU and US conformity assessment systems for determination of product safety for toys manufactured in China, we find that weighted recall totals for violative products are between 10 and 20 times higher in the EU than the US. This suggests that differences in the implementation of global standards result in more unsafe products initially reaching consumers in some locations. Points for practitioners Government officials should avoid assuming that safety begins and ends with international standards. The process for verifying that products meet established standards is as important as the standards themselves, and it can have significant economic and safety impacts The choice of conformity assessment system for a given product or market is driven by many considerations, including appetite for risk, political institutions and practice, and variations in national-level administrative capacity. Discussions on the merits of any conformity assessment system for a given market, or product, should incorporate all of these factors.
A Time for a Crime
Authors: van Sleeuwen Sabine E. M. , Ruiter Stijn , Menting Barbara 
Published: April 2018

Objectives: This article examines to what extent repeat offenders’ crime location choices are conditional on the timing of the offenses within the week and within the day. Extending crime pattern theory, we argue that offenders acquire time-specific rather than general knowledge of their environment. We hypothesize that offenders are more likely to offend in previously targeted areas at similar than at different days and times. Methods: Data on 12,639 offenses committed by 3,666 repeat offenders in the Netherlands are analyzed using discrete spatial choice models. Results: Offenders are most likely to offend in areas they already targeted before at similar parts of the week and similar times of the day, especially when the previous offense was committed on exactly the same weekend day or weekday and at the same hour of day. Offenders are less likely to return to previously targeted areas at different times of the week and day, and least likely to offend in areas they never targeted before. The effects were stronger for the same than for different types of crime. Conclusions: Assessing cyclic time patterns in crime location choice not only enhances our understanding of spatial criminal decision-making, but could also improve predictive policing methods.
Prostate-specific antigen associates with extensive lymph node invasion in high-risk prostate cancer
Authors: Porcaro Antonio B , Corsi Paolo , Inverardi Davide , Sebben Marco , Tafuri Alessandro , Processali Tania , Mattevi Daniele , De Marchi Davide , Pirozzi Marco , Cerruto Maria A. , Amigoni Nelia , Rizzetto Riccardo , Brunelli Matteo , Siracusano Salvatore , Artibani Walter 
Published: April 2018

Objective: To evaluate clinical predictors of lymph node invasion (LNI) in patients with high-risk prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy (RP) with extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND). Methods: A contemporary cohort of 116 patients, who underwent ePLND during RP, was retrospectively evaluated. Patients were classified into 3 groups including cases without LNI (group 1), with 1 to 3 positive nodes (group 2; limited LNI), and with more than 3 positive nodes (group 3; extensive LNI). The multinomial logistic regression model (multivariate analysis) evaluated the risk of LNI. Results: Overall, 30 patients (25.9%) had LNI, which was limited in 17 cases (14.7%) and extensive in 13 subjects (11.2%). Median prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was higher in cases with limited (11.4 ng/mL) or extensive (23.5 ng/mL) LNI than cases without (7.3 ng/mL) and the difference was significant ( p <.0001). Median proportion of biopsy-positive cores was higher in limited (0.64) or extensive (0.54) LNI than cases without (0.34) and the difference was significant ( p < .0001). The distribution of other factors did not show any significant difference among the groups. On multivariate analysis, only higher values of PSA significantly affected the odds of extensive LNI when compared to cases without (odds ratio, 1.054; p = .005); PSA showed a fair discrimination power (area under the curve 0.792). Conclusion: PSA was the only independent predictor of extensive LNI and could be an important preoperative factor for stratifying high-risk patients.
The efficacy of a multifactorial falls-prevention programme, implemented in primary health care
Authors: Johansson Erika , Jonsson Hans , Dahlberg Raymond , Patomella Ann-Helen 
Published: April 2018

Introduction A major threat to healthy ageing is accidental falls causing individual suffering as well as increasing costs for society. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate a multifactorial falls-prevention programme, with ordinary falls prevention in primary healthcare. Method Eligible patients were community-dwelling older adults (+65) who had fallen within the last 6 months or were concerned about falling. Participants ( n = 131) were randomized to an intervention or control group. The primary outcome was measure of falls and the secondary was fear of falling. Results There was a significant decrease in the risk of falls and fear of falling at 12 months in favour of the intervention group. When comparing groups over time, including baseline measures, only fear of falling remained significant. Conclusion Small-group learning environments in combination with learning by doing, could be an effective approach for the translation of knowledge into everyday life and valued activities leading to a decrease in falls and fear of falling. Multifactorial and multi-disciplinary approaches against falls in a small-group learning environment could be effective in preventing falls and reducing fear of falling among older adults at risk.
Into-Tunnel Repair Versus Onto-Surface Repair for Rotator Cuff Tears in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Li Xiaoxi , Shen Peng , Su Wei , Zhao Song , Zhao Jinzhong 
Published: April 2018

Background: Clinically, onto-surface repair is commonly used for rotator cuff tears. The retear rate after rotator cuff repair (RCR) is relatively high, with failure occurring mostly at the tendon-bone connection site. For anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, into-tunnel reconstruction is commonly employed. The retear rate after ACL reconstruction is relatively low, with retears seldom occurring at the tendon-bone interface. No study on into-tunnel RCR has been conducted. Hypothesis: Into-tunnel RCR could promote fibrocartilage regeneration at the tendon-bone interface and has biomechanical advantage over onto-surface repair in a rabbit rotator cuff tear model. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Thirty-six New Zealand White rabbits were used in this study. The supraspinatus tendons were cut from the footprint to create a rotator cuff tear on both shoulders. On one side, the supraspinatus was cut longitudinally into 2 halves, sutured, and pulled into 2 tunnels through the greater tuberosity (into-tunnel repair). On the other side, the tendon was reattached to the surface of the footprint with transosseous sutures (onto-surface repair). Twelve animals were sacrificed, of which 6 were used for a histological examination and the other 6 for biomechanical testing, at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively. Results: The tendon-bone interface in the into-tunnel group showed a different healing pattern from that in the onto-surface group. In the former, most of the tendon tissue in the tunnel was replaced with newly generated fibrocartilage; the rest of the tendon fibers appeared in large bundles with direct connection to the bone. In the latter, fibrocartilage regeneration was seldom found at the tendon-bone interface; the tendon near the bone surface appeared as small fibrils. The biomechanical evaluation revealed a higher ultimate load ( P < .001) and stiffness ( P < .001) at the tendon-bone junction in the into-tunnel group than those in the onto-surface group at 12 weeks. Conclusion: In a rabbit rotator cuff tear model, into-tunnel RCR could result in a different tendon-bone healing pattern, with obvious fibrocartilage regeneration at the interface and higher tendon-bone healing strength than that in onto-surface repair. Clinical Relevance: New RCR patterns may be developed to improve the tendon-bone healing pattern and obtain better tendon-bone healing strength.
Right time, right place, and right direction: First reported use of dual simultaneous external defibrillation in Hong Kong
Authors: Lau James Siu Ki , Chau Yau Ming , Wong Yau Tak , Kan Pui Gay 
Published: April 2018

Introduction:Refractory ventricular fibrillation is not uncommon and can be extremely difficult to abort. There is currently no standard guideline to effectively manage this electrical storm.Case Presentation:We hereby present the first successful reported use of dual simultaneous external defibrillation on a patient with refractory ventricular fibrillation in Hong Kong.Conclusion:Given the numerous successful cases with intact neurology in literature, dual simultaneous external defibrillation should be employed in indicated patients.
Analysis of prehospital care of patients with acute myocardial infarction in Bulgaria
Authors: Milanova Maria Hristova , Naydenov Stefan Naydenov , Runev Nikolay Margaritov , Manov Emil Ivanov , Krastev Plamen Krasimirov 
Published: April 2018

Introduction: Acute myocardial infarction is one of the most devastating cardiovascular diseases and about 50% of all deaths due to it occur prior to hospitalization. Our study aimed to evaluate the prehospital delay in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods: We enrolled 682 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction from May 2008 to December 2014, with a mean age of 66.6 ± 12.9 years. Detailed information was collected about the symptoms, first medical contact, concomitant clinical conditions, and the socioeconomic data. We analyzed the following prehospital times: (1) onset of symptoms to emergency call, (2) onset of symptoms to first medical contact, (3) first medical contact to hospital admission, and (4) onset of symptoms to hospital admission. Results: The first medical contact was with the National Emergency Medical Service in 266 (39.0%) patients, another emergency unit 106 (15.6%), cardiologist 41 (6%), general practitioner 36 (5.3%), and others 233 (34.1%). The median time from the onset of symptoms till emergency call was 190 min, from the first contact with a team of the National Emergency Medical Service till hospital admission 60 min, and from the onset of symptoms till hospital admission 4.8 h. Conclusion: The total prehospital delay in our study was unacceptably prolonged, with patient’s decision time as the major contributor. The delay could be substantially shortened by (1) increased awareness of the general population, particularly of individuals at high cardiovascular risk and (2) continuous medical education and regular practical training of the primary care providers about coping with medical emergencies.
Validation and Generalizability of Preoperative PROMIS Scores to Predict Postoperative Success in Foot and Ankle Patients
Authors: Anderson Michael R. , Houck Jeff R. , Saltzman Charles L. , Hung Man , Nickisch Florian , Barg Alexej , Beals Timothy , Baumhauer Judith F. 
Published: April 2018

Background: A recent publication reported preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Instrumentation System (PROMIS) scores to be highly predictive in identifying patients who would and would not benefit from foot and ankle surgery. Their applicability to other patient populations is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the validation and generalizability of previously published preoperative PROMIS physical function (PF) and pain interference (PI) threshold t scores as predictors of postoperative clinically meaningful improvement in foot and ankle patients from a geographically unique patient population. Methods: Prospective PROMIS PF and PI scores of consecutive patient visits to a tertiary foot and ankle clinic were obtained between January 2014 and November 2016. Patients undergoing elective foot and ankle surgery were identified and PROMIS values obtained at initial and follow-up visits (average, 7.9 months). Analysis of variance was used to assess differences in PROMIS scores before and after surgery. The distributive method was used to estimate a minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine thresholds for achieving and failing to achieve MCID. To assess the validity and generalizability of these threshold values, they were compared with previously published threshold values for accuracy using likelihood ratios and pre- and posttest probabilities, and the percentages of patients identified as achieving and failing to achieve MCID were evaluated using χ2 analysis. Results: There were significant improvements in PF ( P < .001) and PI ( P < .001) after surgery. The area under the curve for PF (0.77) was significant ( P < .01), and the thresholds for achieving MCID and not achieving MCID were similar to those in the prior study. A significant proportion of patients (88.9%) identified as not likely to achieve MCID failed to achieve MCID ( P = .03). A significant proportion of patients (84.2%) identified as likely to achieve MCID did achieve MCID ( P < .01). The area under the curve for PROMIS PI was not significant. Conclusions: PROMIS PF threshold scores from published data were successful in classifying patients from a different patient and geographic population who would improve with surgery. If functional improvement is the goal, these thresholds could be used to help identify patients who will benefit from surgery and, most important, those who will not, adding value to foot and ankle health care. Level of evidence: Level II, Prospective Comparative Study
Standardized care by redesign of an intravitreal injection pathway
Authors: Van Calster Joachim , Willekens Koen , Seys Deborah , Van Elderen Peter , Spileers Werner , Vanhaecht Kris 
Published: April 2018

Purpose: Intravitreal injection of medication is a rapid rising surgical intervention in modern ophthalmological care. With increasing numbers, the caseload of complications follows and the burden on daily clinical organization increases. This study focuses on developing a standardized treatment protocol to improve care and reduce hazard. Methods: A standardized treatment protocol was designed and educated to the involved medical doctor and registered nurse. An independent observer used this protocol to evaluate the actions performed during the intravitreal injection. Data on the included patients and products injected were collected. Results: In total, 180 injections of 134 patients were observed between 1 December 2011 and 18 October 2012, divided over 16 measurements. From the fifth measurement on, a 100% protocol adherence for the time out procedure was achieved and maintained over time, with a transient insignificant decrease. The performance of actions of the medical doctor and assisting registered nurse followed the same trend with a rapid increase and 100% protocol adherence. No microorganism caused development of endophthalmitis was recorded. Conclusion: The optimization of an intravitreal injection care pathway leads to a more standardized intervention process with no apparent reduction in clinical efficiency and safety.
Clinical outcome and higher order aberrations after bilateral implantation of an extended depth of focus intraocular lens
Authors: Pilger Daniel , Homburg David , Brockmann Tobias , Torun Necip , Bertelmann Eckart , von Sonnleithner Christoph 
Published: April 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical outcome after a bilateral implantation of an extended depth of focus intraocular lens in comparison to a monofocal intraocular lens. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Charité—Medical University Berlin, Germany. Patients and Methods: A total of 60 eyes of 30 patients were enrolled in this prospective, single-center study. The cataract patients underwent phacoemulsification with bilateral implantation of a TECNIS® Symfony (Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, CA, USA, 15 patients) or a TECNIS Monofocal ZCB00 (Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, CA, USA, 15 patients). Postoperative evaluations were performed after 1 and 3 months, including visual acuities at far, intermediate, and near distance. Mesopic, scotopic vision, and contrast sensitivity were investigated. Aberrometry was performed using an iTrace aberrometer with a pupil scan size of 5.0 mm. Results: After 3 months, the TECNIS Symfony group reached an uncorrected visual acuity at far distance of −0.02 logMAR compared to −0.06 logMAR in the TECNIS Monofocal group ( p = 0.03). Regarding the uncorrected vision at intermediate and near distance the following values were obtained: intermediate visual acuity −0.13 versus 0.0 logMAR (TECNIS Symfony vs TECNIS Monofocal, p = 0.001) and near visual acuity 0.11 versus 0.26 logMAR (TECNIS Symfony vs TECNIS Monofocal, p = 0.001). Low-contrast visual acuities were 0.27 versus 0.20 logMar (TECNIS Symfony vs TECNIS Monofocal, p = 0.023). Conclusion: The TECNIS Symfony intraocular lens can be considered an appropriate alternative to multifocal intraocular lenses because of good visual results at far, intermediate, and near distance as well as in low-contrast vision.