bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A randomised controlled trial of an online menu planning intervention to improve childcare service adherence to dietary guidelines: a study protocol
Authors: Yoong Sze Lin , Grady Alice , Wiggers John , Flood Victoria , Rissel Chris , Finch Meghan , Searles Andrew , Salajan David , O’Rourke Ruby , Daly Jaqueline , Gilham Karen , Stacey Fiona , Fielding Alison , Pond Nicole , Wyse Rebecca , Seward Kirsty , Wolfenden Luke 
Published: November 2017

IntroductionThe implementation of dietary guidelines in childcare settings is recommended to improve child public health nutrition. However, foods provided in childcare services are not consistent with guidelines. The primary aim of the trial is to assess the effectiveness of a web-based menu planning intervention in increasing the mean number of food groups on childcare service menus that comply with dietary guidelines regarding food provision to children in care.Methods and analysisA parallel group randomised controlled trial will be undertaken with 54 childcare services that provide food to children within New South Wales, Australia. Services will be randomised to a 12-month intervention or usual care. The experimental group will receive access to a web-based menu planning and decision support tool and online resources. To support uptake of the web program, services will be provided with training and follow-up support. The primary outcome will be the number of food groups, out of 6 (vegetables, fruit, breads and cereals, meat, dairy and ‘discretionary’), on the menu that meet dietary guidelines (Caring for Children) across a 1-week menu at 12-month follow-up, assessed via menu review by dietitians or nutritionists blinded to group allocation. A nested evaluation of child dietary intake in care and child body mass index will be undertaken in up to 35 randomly selected childcare services and up to 420 children aged approximately 3–6 years.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been provided by Hunter New England and University of Newcastle Human Research Ethics Committees. This research will provide high-quality evidence regarding the impact of a web-based menu planning intervention in facilitating the translation of dietary guidelines into childcare services. Trial findings will be disseminated widely through national and international peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.Trial registrationProspectively registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12616000974404.
Functional visual fields: a cross-sectional UK study to determine which visual field paradigms best reflect difficulty with mobility function
Authors: Subhi Hikmat , Latham Keziah , Myint Joy , Crossland Michael 
Published: November 2017

ObjectivesTo develop an appropriate method of assessing visual field (VF) loss which reflects its functional consequences, this study aims to determine which method(s) of assessing VF best reflect mobility difficulty.SettingThis cross-sectional observational study took place within a single primary care setting. Participants attended a single session at a University Eye Clinic, Cambridge, UK, with data collected by a single researcher (HS), a qualified optometrist.Participants50 adult participants with peripheral field impairment were recruited for this study. Individuals with conditions not primarily affecting peripheral visual function, such as macular degeneration, were excluded from the study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresParticipants undertook three custom and one standard binocular VF tests assessing VF to 60°, and also integrated monocular threshold 24–2 visual fields (IVF). Primary VF outcomes were average mean threshold, percentage of stimuli seen and VF area. VF outcomes were compared with self-reported mobility function assessed with the Independent Mobility Questionnaire, and time taken and patient acceptability were also considered. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves determined which tests best predicted difficulty with mobility tasks.ResultsGreater VF loss was associated with greater self-reported mobility difficulty with all field paradigms (R20.38–0.48, all P<0.001). All four binocular tests were better than the IVF at predicting difficulty with at least three mobility tasks in ROC analysis. Mean duration of the tests ranged from 1 min 26 s (±9 s) for kinetic assessment to 9 min 23 s (±24 s) for IVF.ConclusionsThe binocular VF tests extending to 60° eccentricity all relate similarly to self-reported mobility function, and slightly better than integrated monocular VFs. A kinetic assessment of VF area is quicker than and as effective at predicting mobility function as static threshold assessment.
Cohort profile: the Mayo Clinic Cohort Study of Oophorectomy and Aging-2 (MOA-2) in Olmsted County, Minnesota (USA)
Authors: Rocca Walter A , Gazzuola Rocca Liliana , Smith Carin Y , Grossardt Brandon R , Faubion Stephanie S , Shuster Lynne T , Stewart Elizabeth A , Mielke Michelle M , Kantarci Kejal , Miller Virginia M 
Published: November 2017

PurposeThis cohort study was established to investigate the effects of unilateral and bilateral oophorectomy on the ageing processes in women.ParticipantsWe used the records-linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP,http://www.rochesterproject.org) to identify 570 women who underwent unilateral oophorectomy and 1653 women who underwent bilateral oophorectomy in Olmsted County, Minnesota from 1988 through 2007 (20 years). Each woman was matched by age (±1 year) to a population-based referent woman who had not undergone any oophorectomy (570 referent women) or bilateral oophorectomy (1653 referent women). These four cohorts are being followed to assess morbidity and mortality and to study imaging and biological markers related to ageing.Findings to dateAn extensive medical record abstraction using the REP has been completed for each woman to obtain demographic, reproductive and adult life characteristics and extensive clinical information about the surgical procedure and subsequent oestrogen replacement therapy (or other sex steroid therapy). The cohorts have been used to date to study the accumulation of multiple chronic conditions following bilateral oophorectomy in women with or without chronic conditions at the time of the oophorectomy (or index date). From the cohorts, we have also derived a sample of 128 pairs of women for a case–control study linking adverse childhood or adult experiences to the risk of bilateral oophorectomy.Future plansWe hypothesise that the abrupt hormonal changes caused by bilateral oophorectomy in younger women have a major effect on the ageing processes across the full body. Therefore, we plan to investigate the risk of a wide range of chronic conditions following bilateral oophorectomy. Specific studies are underway for kidney diseases, psychiatric diseases and neurological diseases. In addition, we plan to invite a subsample of women from the bilateral oophorectomy cohort to participate in an in-person study involving brain imaging and the collection of biomarkers.
XUV pulse effect on harmonic emission spectra and attosecond pulse generation
Authors: Feng Liqiang , Castle R. S. , Li Yi 
Published: November 2017

The generation of the high-order harmonic and the attosecond pulse from He atom driven by the near-infrared (NIR) field combined with the XUV pulse has been theoretically investigated by solving the three-dimensional time-dependent Schrödinger equation. The results show that by properly adding the XUV pulse into the NIR field, (i) not only the harmonic yield is enhanced, caused by the laser-induced excited state effect; but also the multi-cutoff extension of the harmonics can be found, caused by the absorption of the extra XUV photons during its recombination process. (ii) With the introduction of the XUV pulse, the frequency modulation of the high-order harmonic generation (HHG) can be found and controlled. (iii) By directly superposing the harmonics in the cutoff region, two isolated XUV pulses with the durations of 150 as can be obtained.
Comparative Oncology Evaluation of Intravenous Recombinant Oncolytic Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Therapy in Spontaneous Canine Cancer
Authors: Naik Shruthi , Galyon Gina D. , Jenks Nathan J. , Steele Michael B. , Miller Amber C. , Allstadt Sara D. , Suksanpaisan Lukkana , Peng Kah Whye , Federspiel Mark J. , Russell Stephen J. , LeBlanc Amy K. 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Clinical translation of intravenous therapies to treat disseminated or metastatic cancer is imperative. Comparative oncology, the evaluation of novel cancer therapies in animals with spontaneous cancer, can be utilized to inform and accelerate clinical translation. Preclinical murine studies demonstrate that single-shot systemic therapy with a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-IFNβ-NIS, a novel recombinant oncolytic VSV, can induce curative remission in tumor-bearing mice. Clinical translation of VSV-IFNβ-NIS therapy is dependent on comprehensive assessment of clinical toxicities, virus shedding, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy in clinically relevant models. Dogs spontaneously develop cancer with comparable etiology, clinical progression, and response to therapy as human malignancies. A comparative oncology study was carried out to investigate feasibility and tolerability of intravenous oncolytic VSV-IFNβ-NIS therapy in pet dogs with spontaneous cancer. Nine dogs with various malignancies were treated with a single intravenous dose of VSV-IFNβ-NIS. Two dogs with high-grade peripheral T-cell lymphoma had rapid but transient remission of disseminated disease and transient hepatotoxicity that resolved spontaneously. There was no shedding of infectious virus. Correlative pharmacokinetic studies revealed elevated levels of VSV RNA in blood in dogs with measurable disease remission. This is the first evaluation of intravenous oncolytic virus therapy for spontaneous canine cancer, demonstrating that VSV-IFNβ-NIS is well-tolerated and safe in dogs with advanced or metastatic disease. This approach has informed clinical translation, including dose and target indication selection, leading to a clinical investigation of intravenous VSV-IFNβ-NIS therapy, and provided preliminary evidence of clinical efficacy and potential biomarkers that correlate with therapeutic response. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(1); 316–26. ©2017 AACR.
Symptom Diary Use and Improved Survival for Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Park Linda G. , Dracup Kathleen , Whooley Mary A. , McCulloch Charles , Jin Chengshi , Moser Debra K. , Clark Robyn A. , Pelter Michele M. , Biddle Martha , Howie Esquivel Jill 
Published: November 2017

Background:
Attention to symptoms of weight gain and dyspnea are central tenets of patient education in heart failure (HF). However, it is not known whether diary use improves patient outcomes. The aims of this study were to compare mortality among rural patients with HF who completed versus did not complete a daily diary of weight and symptom self-assessment and to identify predictors of diary use.

Methods and Results:

This is a secondary analysis of a 3-arm randomized controlled trial on HF education of self-care with 2 intervention groups versus control who were given diaries for 24 months to track daily weight, HF symptoms, and response to symptom changes. Mean age was 66±13, 58% were men, and 67% completed diaries (n=393). We formed 5 groups (no use, low, medium, high, and very high) based on the first 3 months of diary use and then analyzed time to event (cardiac mortality, all-cause mortality, and HF-related readmission) starting at 3 months. Compared with patients with no diary use, high and very high diary users were less likely to experience all-cause mortality (
P
=0.02 and
P
=0.01, respectively). Self-reported sedentary lifestyle was associated with less diary use in an adjusted model (odds ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.46–0.95;
P
=0.03). Depression and sex were not significant predictors of diary use in the adjusted model.

Conclusions:
In this study of 393 rural patients with HF, we found that greater diary use was associated with longer survival. These findings suggest that greater engagement in self-care behaviors is associated with better HF outcomes.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique Identifier: NCT00415545.
Pathogenic Role of the Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns S100A8 and S100A9 in Coxsackievirus B3–Induced Myocarditis
Authors: Müller Irene , Vogl Thomas , Pappritz Kathleen , Miteva Kapka , Savvatis Konstantinos , Rohde David , Most Patrick , Lassner Dirk , Pieske Burkert , Kühl Uwe , Van Linthout Sophie , Tschöpe Carsten 
Published: November 2017

Background:
The alarmins S100A8 and S100A9 are damage-associated molecular patterns, which play a pivotal role in cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and viral infections. We aimed to investigate their role in Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3)–induced myocarditis.

Methods and Results:

S100A8 and S100A9 mRNA expression was 13.0-fold (
P
=0.012) and 5.1-fold (
P
=0.038) higher in endomyocardial biopsies from patients with CVB3-positive myocarditis compared with controls, respectively. Elimination of CVB3 led to a downregulation of these alarmins. CVB3-infected mice developed an impaired left ventricular function and displayed an increased left ventricular S100A8 and S100A9 protein expression versus controls. In contrast, CVB3-infected S100A9 knockout mice, which are also a complete knockout for S100A8 on protein level, showed an improved left ventricular function, which was associated with a reduced cardiac inflammatory and oxidative response, and lower CVB3 copy number compared with wild-type CVB3 mice. Exogenous application of S100A8 to S100A9 knockout CVB3 mice induced a severe myocarditis similar to wild-type CVB3 mice. In CVB3-infected HL-1 cells, S100A8 and S100A9 enhanced oxidative stress and CVB3 copy number compared with unstimulated infected cells. In CVB3-infected RAW macrophages, both alarmins increased MIP-2 (macrophage inflammatory protein-2) chemokine expression, which was reduced in CVB3 S100A8 knockdown versus scrambled siRNA CVB3 cells.

Conclusions:
S100A8 and S100A9 aggravate CVB3-induced myocarditis and might serve as therapeutic targets in inflammatory cardiomyopathies.
Transoceanic Management and Treatment of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Mejdoubi Mehdi , Schertz Mathieu , Zanolla Sylvia , Mehdaoui Hossein , Piotin Michel 
Published: November 2017

Background and Purpose—
Because of the small number of yearly cases of ruptured cerebral aneurysms, endovascular treatment is not performed in Martinique. Therefore, patients from Martinique are sent 7000 km to Paris on commercial flights as soon as possible, where treatment is performed. Nontransportable patients are treated locally with either surgery or symptomatic care. The objective of our study was to assess patient outcomes and safety of this treatment strategy.

Methods—
We retrospectively examined all cases of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in Martinique diagnosed during 2004 to 2013. Medical case records were searched for the type and location of treatment, clinical status, and transfer duration.

Results—
A total of 119 patients had an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage during the 10-year period. Of these, 91 were transferred to Paris, 12 were surgically treated locally, and 16 received symptomatic treatment. None of the transferred patients experienced any hemorrhagic recurrence, and none suffered a significant complication related to the air transportation. The median time between aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage diagnosis and arrival at the referral center was 32 hours. The 30-day case fatality rate for treated cases was 14.6% (8.8% for those treated in Paris and 58.3% for those treated locally).

Conclusions—
Our treatment strategy for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage resulted in a 30-day case fatality rate similar to those observed elsewhere, despite an 8-hour flight and a median treatment delay of 32 hours. This strategy therefore seems to be safe and reliable for isolated regions with small populations.
Flash Droughts: A Review and Assessment of the Challenges Imposed by Rapid-Onset Droughts in the United States
Authors: Otkin Jason A. , Svoboda Mark , Hunt Eric D. , Ford Trent W. , Anderson Martha C. , Hain Christopher , Basara Jeffrey B. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractGiven the increasing use of the term “flash drought” by the media and scientific community, it is prudent to develop a consistent definition that can be used to identify these events and to understand their salient characteristics. It is generally accepted that flash droughts occur more often during the summer owing to increased evaporative demand; however, two distinct approaches have been used to identify them. The first approach focuses on their rate of intensification, whereas the second approach implicitly focuses on their duration. These conflicting notions for what constitutes a flash drought (i.e., unusually fast intensification vs short duration) introduce ambiguity that affects our ability to detect their onset, monitor their development, and understand the mechanisms that control their evolution. Here, we propose that the definition for “flash drought” should explicitly focus on its rate of intensification rather than its duration, with droughts that develop much more rapidly than normal identified as flash droughts. There are two primary reasons for favoring the intensification approach over the duration approach. First, longevity and impact are fundamental characteristics of drought. Thus, short-term events lasting only a few days and having minimal impacts are inconsistent with the general understanding of drought and therefore should not be considered flash droughts. Second, by focusing on their rapid rate of intensification, the proposed “flash drought” definition highlights the unique challenges faced by vulnerable stakeholders who have less time to prepare for its adverse effects.
Aboveground Thermodynamic Observations in Convective Storms from Balloonborne Probes Acting as Pseudo-Lagrangian Drifters
Authors: Markowski Paul M. , Richardson Yvette P. , Richardson Scott J. , Petersson Anders 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe severe storms research community lacks reliable, aboveground, thermodynamic observations (e.g., temperature, humidity, and pressure) in convective storms. These missing observations are crucial to understanding the behavior of both supercell storms (e.g., the generation, reorientation, and amplification of vorticity necessary for tornado formation) and larger-scale (mesoscale) convective systems (e.g., storm maintenance and the generation of damaging straight-line winds). This paper describes a novel way to use balloonborne probes to obtain aboveground thermodynamic observations. Each probe is carried by a pair of balloons until one of the balloons is jettisoned; the remaining balloon and probe act as a pseudo-Lagrangian drifter that is drawn through the storm. Preliminary data are presented from a pair of deployments in supercell storms in Oklahoma and Kansas during May 2017. The versatility of the observing system extends beyond severe storms applications into any area of mesoscale meteorology in which a large array of aboveground, in situ thermodynamic observations are needed.
Improvement of Short-Term Climate Prediction with Indirect Soil Variables Assimilation in China
Authors: Wang Chenghai , Cui Zhiqiang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractShort-term climate prediction based on a regional climate dynamical model heavily depends on atmospheric forcing and initial soil moisture state. In this study, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model with different nudging schemes is used for approximate 2-yr simulations for investigating the importance of soil variables in seasonal temperature and precipitation simulations. The results show that the improvement of seasonal climate simulation (precipitation and air temperature) is more evident in the experiment of assimilating both soil and atmospheric variables than that in the experiments of assimilating atmospheric variables only. Further investigation of the impact of indirectly assimilating soil moisture on precipitation prediction with an indirect soil nudging (ISN) scheme shows that the precipitation reproducibility in summer is better than that in winter, and the effect of ISN is particularly prominent in the region where seasonal precipitation exceeds 200 mm. Moreover, statistical results also illustrate that initial soil moisture plays a crucial role in seasonal precipitation forecasts because of its slowly evolving nature, and its effect is more distinct in semiarid and semihumid regions than in arid and humid regions. The effects of indirectly assimilating soil moisture on precipitation can last two and three months in semiarid and semihumid areas, respectively.
Effect of the Indo-Pacific Warm Pool on Lower-Stratospheric Water Vapor and Comparison with the Effect of ENSO
Authors: Xie Fei , Zhou Xin , Li Jianping , Chen Quanliang , Zhang Jiankai , Li Yang , Ding Ruiqiang , Xue Jiaqing , Ma Xuan 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
Time-slice experiments with the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model, version 4 (WACCM4), and composite analysis with satellite observations are used to demonstrate that the Indo-Pacific warm pool (IPWP) can significantly affect lower-stratospheric water vapor. It is found that a warmer IPWP significantly dries the stratospheric water vapor by causing a broad cooling of the tropopause, and vice versa for a colder IPWP. Such imprints in tropopause temperature are driven by a combination of variations in the Brewer–Dobson circulation in the stratosphere and deep convection in the troposphere. Changes in deep convection associated with El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) reportedly have a small zonal mean effect on lower-stratospheric water vapor for strong zonally asymmetric effects on tropopause temperature. In contrast, IPWP events have zonally uniform imprints on tropopause temperature. This is because equatorial planetary waves forced by latent heat release from deep convection project strongly onto ENSO but weakly onto IPWP events.
Machine Learning for Real-Time Prediction of Damaging Straight-Line Convective Wind
Authors: Lagerquist Ryan , McGovern Amy , Smith Travis 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThunderstorms in the United States cause over 100 deaths and $10 billion (U.S. dollars) in damage per year, much of which is attributable to straight-line (nontornadic) wind. This paper describes a machine-learning system that forecasts the probability of damaging straight-line wind (≥50 kt or 25.7 m s−1) for each storm cell in the continental United States, at distances up to 10 km outside the storm cell and lead times up to 90 min. Predictors are based on radar scans of the storm cell, storm motion, storm shape, and soundings of the near-storm environment. Verification data come from weather stations and quality-controlled storm reports. The system performs very well on independent testing data. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve ranges from 0.88 to 0.95, the critical success index (CSI) ranges from 0.27 to 0.91, and the Brier skill score (BSS) ranges from 0.19 to 0.65 (&gt;0 is better than climatology). For all three scores, the best value occurs for the smallest distance (inside storm cell) and/or lead time (0–15 min), while the worst value occurs for the greatest distance (5–10 km outside storm cell) and/or lead time (60–90 min). The system was deployed during the 2017 Hazardous Weather Testbed.