bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seamless precipitation prediction skill comparison between two global models
Authors: Wheeler Matthew C. , Zhu Hongyan , Sobel Adam H. , Hudson Debra , Vitart Frédéric 
Published: September 2016

The prediction of precipitation by two ocean–atmosphere ensemble systems is compared with observations and each other over a broad range of time‐scales. The systems are the 2015 version of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's Predictive Ocean–Atmosphere Model for Australia (POAMA) with a T47 atmosphere, and the 2011 version of the European Centre for Medium‐range Weather Forecasts' (ECMWF) monthly system with a variable atmospheric resolution of T639 to T319. To facilitate the comparison across a seamless range of time‐scales, verification against observations is performed using data averaged over time windows equal in length to the forecast lead time, from 1 day to 4 weeks. In addition to this ‘actual’ skill, potential skill is computed by taking one ensemble member as truth and computing how well the other members forecast that member.Overall, ECMWF shows higher actual skill than POAMA across all time‐scales and in both the Tropics and extratropics, as expected given its greater sophistication. ECMWF is particularly more skilful than POAMA in the Tropics for the shorter leads. Consistent between the two systems, however, is that as lead time and averaging window are simultaneously increased the near‐equatorial skill remains approximately constant, whereas it drops in all other latitude bands. As a result, both systems show much higher skill in the Tropics than extratropics for the 1 week time‐scale and beyond, with that skill concentrated over the equatorial Pacific.Although potential skill in both systems is almost everywhere higher than their actual skill, there remains a strong similarity in the spatial patterns of potential and actual skill for the longer time‐scales. Within‐model comparisons of potential and actual skill show largest differences for POAMA in the Tropics at short lead times, and largest differences for ECMWF in the Southern Hemisphere high latitudes (50–70°S). The implications of these findings are discussed.
Cholane and Lanostane Derivatives: Antimicrobial Evaluation
Authors: Cateni F. , Zacchigna M. , Procida G. , Zilic J. , Cordone A. , Zanfardino A. , Varcamonti M. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBile acids lithocholic acid (LCA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) together with trametenolic acid (TMA) were used as starting materials for the preparation of new derivatives bearing a guanidine moiety in their side chain. The derivatives were synthesized through modification at the oxygenated carbon C‐3/C‐7 and at the carbonyl carbon C‐24/C‐21. The reactions showed yields ranging from 40 % to 96 %. The structures of all compounds obtained were identified on the basis of their spectral data (IR, MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR).The activity of bile acids, trametenolic acid and derivatives was evaluated against the growth of S. aureus, B. subtilis and M. smegmatis. The derivative 3α‐hydroxy‐23‐guanidino‐5β‐cholane showed the best activity, with MIC values of 12.5 μM against S. aureus, 5 μM against B. subtilis and 50 μM against M. smegmatis. The cytotoxic activity of bile acids, trametenolic acid and derivatives was also evaluated against HT‐29 cell line.
Correlation of blood biomarkers with age informs pathomechanisms in succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (SSADHD), a disorder of GABA metabolism
Authors: Jansen E. E. , Vogel K. R. , Salomons G. S. , Pearl P. L. , Roullet J.‐B. , Gibson K. M. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWe hypothesized that blood levels of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and γ‐hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), biomarkers of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (SSADHD), would correlate with age. GABA and GHB were quantified in plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) from 18 patients (age range 5–41 years; median 8). Both metabolites negatively correlated with age (P < 0.05). Plasma and RBC GHB declined with age, reaching a nadir and approximate steady state by 10 years. Declining plasma GABA achieved this approximate steady state at 30–40 years of age. These biomarker relationships may reflect further GABA‐ and GHB‐ergic neurotransmission imbalances that correlate with the onset of adolescent/adulthood neuropsychiatric morbidity and epilepsy in SSADHD.
Differential effect of liquidity constraints on firm growth
Authors: Quader Syed Manzur 
Published: September 2016

AbstractDifferential quantitative effects of internal finance on growth among firms facing different degrees of financial constraints are found in this paper using an unbalanced panel data on 1122 UK firms listed on the London Stock Exchange. The generalized methods of moments (GMM) estimation results are consistent with financial constraints arising from capital market imperfections and indicate a substantially greater sensitivity of growth to cash flow for firm years facing the most binding financial constraints. Furthermore, these firms can actually expand their size more than the extent of increase in cash flow they may have which supports the leverage effect hypothesis. The estimated impact decreases monotonically thereafter as financial constraints become less binding allowing the firms to finance successively bigger portion of their growth through external financing.
Emergency Preparedness for a Mass Gathering: the 2015 Papal Visit to Philadelphia
Authors: Paras Emma , Butler Matthew , Maguire Brian F. , Scarfone Rich 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIn September 2015, Pope Francis visited Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and led outdoor events over the course of 2 days. As a result, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) was faced with the challenge of planning for and responding to a mass gathering that was anticipated to be one of the largest in US history. As a result of unprecedented traffic restrictions, it was anticipated that patients, staff, and vendors would have severe challenges accessing the hospital, along with impaired communications from widespread cell phone service disruption. Previous mass gatherings have proven a need for early, detailed planning with multidisciplinary stakeholders, but little has been published on the impact of mass gatherings on area hospitals. This lack of data makes it difficult to predict the extent to which demand for hospital services would be increased and which services would be most affected. Early, coordinated planning allowed CHOP leaders to delegate responsibilities to those with specific expertise, prioritize needs, prevent duplication of efforts, and ensure engagement and accountability from key stakeholders. Emergency preparedness-led efforts including housing almost 1000 employees for 3 consecutive nights and assisting families with access allowed our hospital to maintain operations. The planning strategies shared here will provide emergency preparedness planners with a blueprint for future mass gathering preparedness. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:267–276)
IN MEMORY OF A GREAT SINOLOGIST: NOEL BARNARD (FEBRUARY 23, 1922–FEBRUARY 14, 2016)
Authors: Kwong-Yue (Alex) Cheung 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe primary expertise of Noel Barnard, who died on February 14, 2016, was in bronze casting, Chu silk manuscripts, and their associated research, and he was internationally renowned for his knowledge of Chinese history and archaeology. Barnard's most important academic works included his ground-breaking Metallurgical Remains of Ancient China, with Satō Tamotsu, published in 1975, and Rubbings and Hand Copies of Bronze Inscriptions in Chinese, Japanese, European, American, and Australasian Collections 中日歐美澳紐所見所拓所摹金文彙編, with Cheong Kwong-yue. His three-volume book manuscript, Inscriptions of Chin and the San-Chin, on which he had spent almost twenty years before its completion, will be published soon. In this obituary, the author recalls his experiences, friendship, and collaboration with him.
The effects of synbiotic supplementation on markers of insulin metabolism and lipid profiles in gestational diabetes: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Ahmadi Shahnaz , Jamilian Mehri , Tajabadi-Ebrahimi Maryam , Jafari Parvaneh , Asemi Zatollah 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTo the best of our knowledge, data on the effects of synbiotic supplementation on markers of insulin metabolism and lipid concentrations in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are scarce. The aim of the current study was to determine the effects of synbiotic supplementation on markers of insulin metabolism and lipid profiles in GDM patients. In total, seventy patients with GDM aged 18–40 years were assigned to two groups – the synbiotic group (n 35) and the placebo group (n 35) – in this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients in the synbiotic group received a daily capsule that contained three viable and freeze-dried strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum (2×109 colony-forming units/g each) plus 800 mg inulin for 6 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at the beginning and week 6 to quantify related markers. After 6 weeks of intervention, compared with the placebo, synbiotic supplementation led to a significant decrease in serum insulin levels (−1·5 (sd 5·9) v. +4·8 (sd 11·5) µIU/ml, P=0·005), homoeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (−0·4 (sd 1·3) v. +1·1 (sd 2·7), P=0·003) and homoeostatic model assessment for β cell function (−5·1 (sd 24·2) v. +18·9 (sd 45·6), P=0·008) and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0·01 (sd 0·01) v. −0·007 (sd 0·02), P=0·02). In addition, synbiotic intake significantly decreased serum TAG (−14·8 (sd 56·5) v. +30·4 (sd 37·8) mg/dl, P<0·001) and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations (−3·0 (sd 11·3) v. +6·1 (sd 7·6) mg/dl, P<0·001) compared with the placebo. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that taking synbiotic supplements for 6 weeks among patients with GDM had beneficial effects on markers of insulin metabolism, TAG and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations.
Interrelationship between family history of alcoholism and generational status in the prediction of alcohol dependence in US Hispanics
Authors: Chartier K. G. , Thomas N. S. , Kendler K. S. 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundBoth a family history of alcoholism and migration-related factors like US v. foreign nativity increase the risk for developing alcohol use disorders in Hispanic Americans. For this study, we integrated these two lines of research to test whether the relationship between familial alcoholism and alcohol dependence changes with successive generations in the United States.MethodData were from the waves 1 and 2 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Subjects self-identified Hispanic ethnicity (N = 4122; n = 1784 first, n = 1169 second, and n = 1169 third or later generation) and reported ever consuming ⩾12 drinks in a 1-year period. A family history of alcoholism was assessed in first- and second-degree relatives. Analyses predicting the number of alcohol dependence symptoms were path models.ResultsAlcohol dependence symptoms were associated with a stronger family history of alcoholism and later generational status. There was a significant interaction effect between familial alcoholism and generational status; the relationship of familial alcoholism with alcohol dependence symptoms increased significantly with successive generations in the United States, more strongly in women than men. Acculturation partially mediated the interaction effect between familial alcoholism and generational status on alcohol dependence, although not in the expected direction.ConclusionsFamilial alcoholism interacted with generational status in predicting alcohol dependence symptoms in US Hispanic drinkers. This relationship suggests that heritability for alcoholism is influenced by a higher-order environmental factor, likely characterized by a relaxing of social restrictions on drinking.
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, severe psychological distress, explosive anger and grief amongst partners of survivors of high levels of trauma in post-conflict Timor-Leste
Authors: Silove D. M. , Tay A. K. , Steel Z. , Tam N. , Soares Z. , Soares C. , dos Reis N. , Alves A. , Rees S. 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundLittle is known about the mental health of partners of survivors of high levels of trauma in post-conflict countries.MethodWe studied 677 spouse dyads (n = 1354) drawn from a community survey (response 82.4%) in post-conflict Timor-Leste. We used culturally adapted measures of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological distress, explosive anger and grief.ResultsLatent class analysis identified three classes of couples: class 1, comprising women with higher trauma events (TEs), men with intermediate TEs (19%); class 2, including men with higher TEs, women with lower TEs (23%); and class 3, comprising couples in which men and women had lower TE exposure (58%) (the reference group). Men and women partners of survivors of higher TE exposure (classes 1 and 2) had increased symptoms of explosive anger and grief compared with the reference class (class 3). Women partners of survivors of higher TE exposure (class 2) had a 20-fold increased rate of PTSD symptoms compared with the reference class, a pattern that was not evident for men living with women exposed to higher levels of trauma (class 1).ConclusionsMen and women living with survivors of higher levels of trauma showed an increase in symptoms of grief and explosive anger. The manifold higher rate of PTSD symptoms amongst women living with men exposed to high levels of trauma requires replication. It is important to assess the mental health of partners when treating survivors of high levels of trauma in post-conflict settings.
EDUCATING THE NATION: III. SOCIAL MOBILITY
Authors: Mandler Peter 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTThis address asks how much has education contributed to social mobility in post-war Britain and considers other factors that may have contributed as much or more: labour-market opportunities, trends in income inequality, gender differences and ‘compositional effects’ deriving from the shape of the occupational hierarchy. Even where these other factors proved much more powerful – especially labour-market opportunities and compositional effects – democratic discourse both among politicians and among the electorate remained fixated on educational opportunities and outcomes, especially after the decline of the Croslandite critique of ‘meritocracy’. That fixation has if anything been reinforced by the apparent end to a ‘golden age’ of absolute upward mobility for large sections of the population, not necessarily because education is an effective antidote but because the alternative political solutions are so unpalatable both to politicians and to voters.
WHO WAS SIMON DE MONTFORT, EARL OF LEICESTER?
Authors: Maddicott John 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTThis paper surveys the political career and personal life of Simon de Montfort. Derived largely from the author's biography of Montfort, it lays stress on his initial position as an outsider in English politics whose military abilities, diplomatic usefulness and personal charisma fostered his rise to power at the court of Henry III, but who subsequently fell out with the king and eventually became his fiercest opponent. It describes his position as lord of the honour of Leicester, from which town he expelled the Jews, and it goes on to assess the paradoxical and contrasting elements in Montfort's character, which combined deep piety and religious fervour with avarice and a self-seeking desire for his own and his family's advancement. It argues that personal differences, based largely on a strong sense of grievance and reflecting some of these character traits, rather than constitutional principles, lay behind his opposition to Henry III. It concludes by reviewing Montfort's role in the period of baronial reform and rebellion, 1258–65, and by describing his legacy, both to Henry III in his later years and to Edward I.
TALL HISTORIES: HEIGHT AND GEORGIAN MASCULINITIES
Authors: McCormack Matthew 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTHeight is rarely taken seriously by historians. Demographic and archaeological studies tend to explore height as a symptom of health and nutrition, rather than in its own right, and cultural studies of the human body barely study it at all. Its absence from the history of gender is surprising, given that it has historically been discussed within a highly gendered moral language. This paper therefore explores height through the lens of masculinity and focuses on the eighteenth century, when height took on a peculiar cultural significance in Britain. On the one hand, height could be associated with social status, political power and ‘polite’ refinement. On the other, it could connote ambition, militarism, despotism, foreignness and even castration. The article explores these themes through a case-study of John Montagu, earl of Sandwich, who was famously tall and was frequently caricatured as such. As well as exploring representations of the body, the paper also considers corporeal experiences and biometric realities of male height. It argues that histories of masculinity should study both representations of gender and their physical manifestations.
Occurrence of human respiratory syncytial virus in summer in Japan
Authors: SHOBUGAWA Y. , TAKEUCHI T. , HIBINO A. , HASSAN M. R. , YAGAMI R. , KONDO H. , ODAGIRI T. , SAITO R. 
Published: September 2016

SUMMARYIn temperate zones, human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) outbreaks typically occur in cold weather, i.e. in late autumn and winter. However, recent outbreaks in Japan have tended to start during summer and autumn. This study examined associations of meteorological conditions with the numbers of HRSV cases reported in summer in Japan. Using data from the HRSV national surveillance system and national meteorological data for summer during the period 2007–2014, we utilized negative binomial logistic regression analysis to identify associations between meteorological conditions and reported cases of HRSV. HRSV cases increased when summer temperatures rose and when relative humidity increased. Consideration of the interaction term temperature × relative humidity enabled us to show synergistic effects of high temperature with HRSV occurrence. In particular, HRSV cases synergistically increased when relative humidity increased while the temperature was ⩾28·2 °C. Seasonal-trend decomposition analysis using the HRSV national surveillance data divided by 11 climate divisions showed that summer HRSV cases occurred in South Japan (Okinawa Island), Kyushu, and Nankai climate divisions, which are located in southwest Japan. Higher temperature and higher relative humidity were necessary conditions for HRSV occurrence in summer in Japan. Paediatricians in temperate zones should be mindful of possible HRSV cases in summer, when suitable conditions are present.
English language education on-line game and brain connectivity
Authors: Hong Ji Sun , Han Doug Hyun , Kim Young In , Bae Su Jin , Kim Sun Mi , Renshaw Perry 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe HoDoo English game was developed to take advantage of the benefits attributed to on-line games while teaching English to native Korean speakers. We expected to see that the improvements in the subjects’ English language abilities after playing the HoDoo English game would be associated with increased brain functional connectivity in the areas of the brain involved in the language production (Broca’s area) and the understanding (Wernicke’s area) networks. Twelve children, aged nine and ten, were asked to play the on-line English education game for 50 minutes per day, five days per week for twelve weeks. At baseline, and again at the end of twelve weeks of game play, each child’s English language ability was assessed and a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan was conducted. The on-line English education game play effectively improved English language skills, especially in terms of non-verbal pragmatic skills. Following twelve weeks of on-line English education game play, the children showed positive connectivity between Broca’s area and the left frontal cortex as well as between Wernicke’s area and the left parahippocampal gyrus and the right medial frontal gyrus. Changes in pragmatic scores were positively correlated with average peak brain activity in the left parahippocampal gyrus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report an improvement in English ability and changes in brain activity within language areas after on-line language education game play.
Definition of important early morbidities related to paediatric cardiac surgery
Authors: Brown Katherine L. , Pagel Christina , Brimmell Rhian , Bull Kate , Davis Peter , Franklin Rodney C. , Hoskote Aparna , Khan Natasha , Rodrigues Warren , Thorne Sara , Smith Liz , Chigaru Linda , Utley Martin , Wray Jo , Tsang Victor , Mclean Andrew 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundMorbidity is defined as a state of being unhealthy or of experiencing an aspect of health that is “generally bad for you”, and postoperative morbidity linked to paediatric cardiac surgery encompasses a range of conditions that may impact the patient and are potential targets for quality assurance.MethodsAs part of a wider study, a multi-disciplinary group of professionals aimed to define a list of morbidities linked to paediatric cardiac surgery that was prioritised by a panel reflecting the views of both professionals from a range of disciplines and settings as well as parents and patients.ResultsWe present a set of definitions of morbidity for use in routine audit after paediatric cardiac surgery. These morbidities are ranked in priority order as acute neurological event, unplanned re-operation, feeding problems, the need for renal support, major adverse cardiac events or never events, extracorporeal life support, necrotising enterocolitis, surgical site of blood stream infection, and prolonged pleural effusion or chylothorax. It is recognised that more than one such morbidity may arise in the same patient and these are referred to as multiple morbidities, except in the case of extracorporeal life support, which is a stand-alone constellation of morbidity.ConclusionsIt is feasible to define a range of paediatric cardiac surgical morbidities for use in routine audit that reflects the priorities of both professionals and parents. The impact of these morbidities on the patient and family will be explored prospectively as part of a wider ongoing, multi-centre study.
Tricuspid atresia associated with aortopulmonary window: diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas
Authors: Milovanovic Vladimir , Stefanovic Igor , Ilic Slobodan 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe association of tricuspid atresia with aortopulmonary window is exceptionally rare. We report a patient with tricuspid atresia, normally related great arteries, non-restrictive ventricular septal defect, and no pulmonary stenosis (type IC) with an aortopulmonary window who underwent successful initial surgical palliation. The unique anatomical feature of this case, other than the presence of the aortopulmonary window, was the absence of pulmonary stenosis at the level of either the ventricular septal defect or the pulmonary valve. All other reported cases have described some degree of restriction of anterograde pulmonary flow due to pulmonary stenosis or atresia.