bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Left Atrial Structure in Relationship to Age, Sex, Ethnicity, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Authors: Zemrak Filip , Ambale-Venkatesh Bharath , Captur Gabriella , Chrispin Jonathan , Chamera Ela , Habibi Mohammadali , Nazarian Saman , Mohiddin Saidi A. , Moon James C. , Petersen Steffen E. , Lima João A.C. , Bluemke David A. 
Published: February 2017

Background—
Left atrial (LA) size is a marker of diastolic function and is associated with atrial fibrillation and cardiovascular outcomes. However, there are no large population studies measuring LA structure. The relationship of demographics and cardiovascular risk factors to LA size is largely unknown. This study aimed to determine associations of LA size with demographic factors, cardiac structure and function, and cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods and Results—

LA volume indexed to body surface area was measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance steady-state free precession and fast gradient echo cine long- and short-axis images in 2576 asymptomatic participants of MESA ([Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis] 68.7 years, 53.0% women, white 42.2%, Chinese American 12.0%, black 24.5%, and Hispanic 21.2%) using biplane and short-axis images. The mean LA volume index was 36.5±11.4 mL/m
2
in the entire cohort and 35.5±10.1 mL/m
2
in subjects free of cardiovascular risk factors (n=283). Multivariable analysis included adjustment for demographics, ethnicity, cardiovascular risk factors, serological studies, socioeconomic status, left ventricular structure, and medications. In the adjusted analysis, age (β=0.2 mL/m
2
per year,
P
<0.0001), male sex (β=−4.2 mL/m
2
,
P
<0.0001), obesity (β=1.3 mL/m
2
,
P
<0.01), end-diastolic volume index (β=0.4 mL/m
2
,
P
<0.0001), Chinese American (β=−2.6 mL/m
2
,
P
<0.0001), and Hispanic (β=1.1 mL/m
2
,
P
<0.05) ethnicities were associated with LA volume index. Diabetes mellitus and smoking were not associated with LA volume index. LA volumes measured by steady-state free precession were 3% larger than by fast gradient echo cine cardiovascular magnetic resonance (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—
Age, sex, ethnicity and left ventricular structural parameters were associated with LA size. Importantly, the study provides reference values of normal LA volume index.
Healthcare Utilization and Expenditures Associated With Appropriate and Inappropriate Implantable Defibrillator Shocks
Authors: Turakhia Mintu P. , Zweibel Steven , Swain Andrea L. , Mollenkopf Sarah A. , Reynolds Matthew R. 
Published: February 2017

Background—
In patients with implantable cardioverter–defibrillators, healthcare utilization (HCU) and expenditures related to shocks have not been quantified.

Methods and Results—
We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with implantable cardioverter–defibrillators identified from commercial and Medicare supplemental claims databases linked to adjudicated shock events from remote monitoring data. A shock event was defined as ≥1 spontaneous shocks delivered by an implanted device. Shock-related HCU was ascertained from inpatient and outpatient claims within 7 days following a shock event. Shock events were adjudicated and classified as inappropriate or appropriate, and HCU and expenditures, stratified by shock type, were quantified. Of 10 266 linked patients, 963 (9.4%) patients (61.3±13.6 years; 81% male) had 1885 shock events (56% appropriate, 38% inappropriate, and 6% indeterminate). Of these events, 867 (46%) had shock-related HCU (14% inpatient and 32% outpatient). After shocks, inpatient cardiovascular procedures were common, including echocardiography (59%), electrophysiology study or ablation (34%), stress testing (16%), and lead revision (11%). Cardiac catheterization was common (71% and 51%), but percutaneous coronary intervention was low (6.5% and 5.0%) after appropriate and inappropriate shocks. Expenditures related to appropriate and inappropriate shocks were not significantly different.

Conclusions—
After implantable cardioverter–defibrillator shock, related HCU was common, with 1 in 3 shock events followed by outpatient HCU and 1 in 7 followed by hospitalization. Use of invasive cardiovascular procedures was substantial, even after inappropriate shocks, which comprised 38% of all shocks. Implantable cardioverter–defibrillator shocks seem to trigger a cascade of health care. Strategies to reduce shocks could result in cost savings.
Risk of Acute Stroke After Hospitalization for Sepsis
Authors: Boehme Amelia K. , Ranawat Purnima , Luna Jorge , Kamel Hooman , Elkind Mitchell S.V. 
Published: February 2017

Background and Purpose—
Infections have been found to increase the risk of stroke over the short term. We hypothesized that stroke risk would be highest shortly after a sepsis hospitalization, but that the risk would decrease, yet remain up to 1 year after sepsis.

Methods—
This case-crossover analysis utilized data obtained from the California State Inpatient Database of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. All stroke admissions were included. Exposure was defined as hospitalization for sepsis or septicemia 180, 90, 30, or 15 days before stroke (risk period) or similar time intervals exactly 1 or 2 years before stroke (control period). Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the association between sepsis/septicemia and ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.

Results—

Ischemic (n=37 377) and hemorrhagic (n=12 817) strokes that occurred in 2009 were extracted where 3188 (8.5%) ischemic and 1101 (8.6%) hemorrhagic stroke patients had sepsis. Sepsis within 15 days before the stroke placed patients at the highest risk of ischemic (OR, 28.36; 95% CI, 20.02–40.10) and hemorrhagic stroke (OR, 12.10; 95% CI, 7.54–19.42); however, although the risk decreased, it remained elevated 181 to 365 days after sepsis for ischemic (OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 2.20–3.06) and hemorrhagic (OR, 3.92; 95% CI 3.29–4.69) strokes. There was an interaction with age (
P
=0.0006); risk of developing an ischemic stroke within 180 days of hospitalization for sepsis increased 18% with each 10-year decrease in age.

Conclusions—
Risk of stroke is high after sepsis, and this risk persists for up to a year. Younger sepsis patients have a particularly increased risk of stroke after sepsis.
Circulating Spirits and Dead Bodies
Authors: Saraiva Clara 
Published: February 2017

Death is the ultimate rite of passage, one that no one can avoid, with multiple implications for the life of the individuals and of the groups within which they move. Throughout this article, I intend to show how death is a good metaphor to think about the production of places and spaces of belonging in transnational contexts, and how circulation is the key term to understand how such transnational trends are produced. I argue that in a transnational setting – in this case of Guinean migrants in Portugal – death functions as a true regeneration source as it shapes the continuity of the relationship between the migrant and the place of origin. The circulation of dead bodies, symbolic universes, spiritual healers and spirits re-shape the ties between the world of the living and the world of the dead across continents and oceans.
Using a Bayesian Regression Approach on Dual-Model Windstorm Simulations to Improve Wind Speed Prediction
Authors: Yang Jaemo , Astitha Marina , Anagnostou Emmanouil N. , Hartman Brian M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWeather prediction accuracy is very important given the devastating effects of extreme-weather events in recent years. Numerical weather prediction systems are used to build strategies to prevent catastrophic losses of human lives and the environment and have evolved with the use of multimodel or single-model ensembles and data-assimilation techniques in an attempt to improve the forecast skill. These techniques require increased computational power (thousands of CPUs) because of the number of model simulations and ingestion of observational data from a wide variety of sources. In this study, the combination of predictions from two state-of-the-science atmospheric models [WRF and RAMS/Integrated Community Limited Area Modeling System (ICLAMS)] using Bayesian and simple linear regression techniques is examined, and wind speed prediction for the northeastern United States is improved using regression techniques. Retrospective simulations of 17 storms that affected the northeastern United States during the period 2004–13 are performed and utilized. Optimal variances are estimated for the 13 training storms by minimizing the root-mean-square error and are applied to four out-of-sample storms [Hurricane Irene (2011), Hurricane Sandy (2012), a November 2012 winter storm, and a February 2013 blizzard]. The results show a 20%–30% improvement in the systematic and random error of 10-m wind speed over all stations and storms, using various storm combinations for the training dataset. This study indicates that 10–13 storms in the training dataset are sufficient to reduce the errors in the prediction, and a selection that is based on occurrence (chronological sequence) is also considered to be efficient.
Evaluation of Hemispheric Asymmetries in Marine Cloud Radiative Properties
Authors: Bender Frida A.-M. , Engström Anders , Wood Robert , Charlson Robert J. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
The hemispheric symmetry of albedo and its contributing factors in satellite observations and global climate models is evaluated. The analysis is performed on the annual mean time scale, on which a bimodality in the joint distribution of albedo and cloud fraction is evident, resulting from tropical and subtropical clouds and midlatitude clouds, respectively. Hemispheric albedo symmetry is not found in individual ocean-only latitude bands; comparing the Northern and Southern Hemisphere (NH and SH), regional mean albedo is higher in the NH tropics and lower in the NH subtropics and midlatitudes than in the SH counterparts. This follows the hemispheric asymmetry of cloud fraction. In midlatitudes and tropics the hemispheric asymmetry in cloud albedo also contributes to the asymmetry in total albedo, whereas in the subtropics the cloud albedo is more hemispherically symmetric. According to the observations, cloud contributions to compensation for higher clear-sky albedo in the NH come primarily from cloud albedo in midlatitudes and cloud amount in the subtropics. Current-generation climate models diverge in their representation of these relationships, but common features of the model–data comparison include weaker-than-observed asymmetry in cloud fraction and cloud albedo in the tropics, weaker or reversed cloud fraction asymmetry in the subtropics, and agreement with observed cloud albedo asymmetry in the midlatitudes. Models on average reproduce the NH–SH asymmetry in total albedo over the 60°S–60°N ocean but show higher occurrence of brighter clouds in the SH compared to observations. The albedo bias in both hemispheres is reinforced by overestimated clear-sky albedo in the models.
Visualizing Volcanic Ash Forecasts: Scientist and Stakeholder Decisions Using Different Graphical Representations and Conflicting Forecasts
Authors: Mulder Kelsey J. , Lickiss Matthew , Harvey Natalie , Black Alison , Charlton-Perez Andrew , Dacre Helen , McCloy Rachel 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
During volcanic eruptions, Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres issue ash advisories for aviation showing the forecasted outermost extent of the ash cloud. During the 2010 Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull eruption, the Met Office produced supplementary forecasts of quantitative ash concentration, due to demand from airlines. Additionally, satellite retrievals of estimated volcanic ash concentration are now available. To test how these additional graphical representations of volcanic ash affect flight decisions, whether users infer uncertainty in graphical forecasts of volcanic ash, and how decisions are made when given conflicting forecasts, a survey was conducted of 25 delegates representing U.K. research and airline operations dealing with volcanic ash. Respondents were more risk seeking with safer flight paths and risk averse with riskier flight paths when given location and concentration forecasts compared to when given only the outermost extent of the ash. Respondents representing operations were more risk seeking than respondents representing research. Additionally, most respondents’ hand-drawn no-fly zones were larger than the areas of unsafe ash concentrations in the forecasts. This conservatism implies that respondents inferred uncertainty from the volcanic ash concentration forecasts. When given conflicting forecasts, respondents became more conservative than when given a single forecast. The respondents were also more risk seeking with high-risk flight paths and more risk averse with low-risk flight paths when given conflicting forecasts than when given a single forecast. The results show that concentration forecasts seem to reduce flight cancellations while maintaining safety. Open discussions with the respondents suggested that definitions of uncertainty may differ between research and operations.
The association of psychedelic use and opioid use disorders among illicit users in the United States
Authors: Pisano Vincent D , Putnam Nathaniel P , Kramer Hannah M , Franciotti Kevin J , Halpern John H , Holden Selma C 
Published: February 2017

Background: Preliminary studies show psychedelic compounds administered with psychotherapy are potentially effective and durable substance misuse interventions. However, little is known about the association between psychedelic use and substance misuse in the general population. This study investigated the association between psychedelic use and past year opioid use disorders within illicit opioid users. Methods: While controlling for socio-demographic covariates and the use of other substances, the relationship between classic psychedelic use and past year opioid use disorders was analyzed within 44,000 illicit opioid users who completed the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2008 to 2013. Results: Among respondents with a history of illicit opioid use, psychedelic drug use is associated with 27% reduced risk of past year opioid dependence (weighted risk ratio = 0.73 (0.60–0.89) p = 0.002) and 40% reduced risk of past year opioid abuse (weighted risk ratio = 0.60 (0.41–0.86) p = 0.006). Other than marijuana use, which was associated with 55% reduced risk of past year opioid abuse (weighted risk ratio = 0.45 (0.30–0.66) p < 0.001), no other illicit drug was associated with reduced risk of past year opioid dependence or abuse. Conclusion: Experience with psychedelic drugs is associated with decreased risk of opioid abuse and dependence. Conversely, other illicit drug use history is largely associated with increased risk of opioid abuse and dependence. These findings suggest that psychedelics are associated with positive psychological characteristics and are consistent with prior reports suggesting efficacy in treatment of substance use disorders.
Retelling the History: The Indigenous Palestinian Bedouin in Israel
Authors: Abu-Saad Ismael 
Published: February 2017

As Linda Smith notes in the Foreword, it has been the common experience of indigenous peoples to have their histories erased and retold by the conquering colonial powers, and it is all too common for indigenous people to be powerless and passive participants in this process. In this paper it is my intention to retell the history of my own people, the Palestinian Bedouin living in what is now southern Israel, from an indigenous perspective. It is also my intention to explore the ways in which the telling of history is not only a matter of the past, but is critical to determining current and future political and social policy. As such, the retelling of indigenous histories—and the introduction of indigenous histories into mainstream discourse—is as much about our futures as it is about our past. Furthermore, it is an act of resistance against the colonisers’ hegemony over the telling of history and against the violence that their hegemony has both dictated and hidden from view: Under colonialism indigenous peoples have struggled against a Western view of history and yet been complicit with the view. We have often allowed our ‘histories’ to be told and have then become outsiders as we heard them being retold … Maps of the world reinforced our place on the periphery of the world, although we were still considered part of the Empire. This included having to learn new names for our lands. Other symbols of our loyalty, such as the flag, were also an integral part of the imperial curriculum. Our orientation to the world was already being redefined as we were being excluded systematically from the writing of the history of our own lands. (Smith, 1999, p. 33)
Fonua, Tu‘ufonua Mo E Nofofonua ‘I Aotearoa New Zealand: Ko Ha Fakalanga Talanoa Pē
Authors: Manu‘atu Linitā 
Published: February 2017

The article is written in the Tongan language for Tongan people, in the main, and for others with an interest in the education of the people who live and work abroad, in Aotearoa/New Zealand, for example. The article discusses the concept of fonua as culture in order to understand Tongan ways of thinking and practice. As a concept, it frames and names the many worlds that are experienced by Tongan people. The central idea here is that the many worlds and experiences are intimately related in energy, spirit and life force. Two interrelated notions, namely tu‘ufonua (being indigenous) and nofofonua (residing permanently in another country), are further discussed from the perspective of the author, who is indigenous to Tonga but is currently a permanent resident in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Both notions are explored by the writer and demonstrate that they can provide insights into significant dimensions of the underpinnings of fonua. The article suggests that Tongan migrants to Aotearoa/New Zealand can develop their critical perspectives of their indigeneity more deeply in order to inform their new ‘stance’ in the new context. That is, they are residing in a fonua/land of which they are not indigenous but with the legal status of resident. The author's concluding suggestion is that the Tongan people who reside in Aotearoa/New Zealand could become better informed about their ‘place’ in both Aotearoa and Tonga when they draw upon the knowledge and culture of their indigenous land alongside their learning and education in Aotearoa/New Zealand. In this way, the Tongan people recreate ways of working together to put an end to the colonising and the marginalising thinking and practices confronted in our own country and the new country of residency.2
The Role of Whānau in Māori Women's Decisions about Breast Feeding
Authors: Glover Marewa , Manaena-Biddle Harangi , Waldon John 
Published: February 2017

Objective This project investigated Māori women's decision making around breastfeeding within the context of whānau attitudes towards breastfeeding in order to describe the dynamic role played by the whānau whānui (extended family) in a woman's decision to breastfeed or not. Methods During late 2004 and early 2005, 30 women who had cared for a newborn within the previous three years and 11 family members were recruited from within Auckland (a major urban area) and small towns and rural areas in and around the Bay of Plenty. Purposive sampling was used to recruit a diverse demographic of Māori women and whānau members. Given the exploratory nature of the study, detailed qualitative data was collected during semi-structured face-to-face interviews with women alone or together with whānau. All participants self-identified as Māori and were over 16 years of age. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the University of Auckland Human Participants Ethics Committee. Results A diverse range of women were interviewed in terms of age, socio-economic status, gravida, parity, pregnancy wantedness, birthing experience, baby's age and breastfeeding experience. Women who did not want to breastfeed and women who formula-fed their babies from early on were under-represented in this research. The women's partners, mothers, sisters and aunties were cited most often as having a role in the decision to breastfeed and in supporting breastfeeding. Most of the women and whānau thought it was the feeding mother's place to decide if she would breastfeed or not and for how long. Infant feeding usually came up for discussion around ordinary home life and meetings during one-on-one conversations. Sometimes infant feeding was not discussed with whānau until the mother encountered problems. Conclusion This research supports the assertion that whānau are central and that whānau could be mobilised to support healthy choices. Further research is needed to investigate fathers’ experience of maternity services to inform the development of health education materials to prepare partners for their role in supporting breastfeeding. Research should also seek to identify which healthcare policies undermine and minimise the role of the father and other whānau in pregnancy, birthing and infant care. Public health policies that encourage the delivery of health services to whānau in a culturally appropriate, accessible and effective way are important for promoting whānau ora (family health and well-being) and supporting Māori development.
Set the Overgrowth Alight and the New Shoots Will Spring Forth: New Directions in Community Based Research
Authors: Pohatu Pia , Warmenhoven Tui Aroha 
Published: February 2017

Kia tupu whakaritorito te tupu o te harakeke Set the overgrown bush alight and the new flax shoots will spring up A literal translation of this proverb illustrates the task of custodianship exercised by traditional weavers thus ensuring the sustainability of fax, arguably the most precious plant to the early Māori. One of the conditions required to ensure both continuity and quality of the resource is that the overgrowth be set alight. The practice of burning and clearing to assist new life is imperative to the durability of the plant and quality of the fibre. Metaphorically, the saying means clear off the old and bad that the new and good may grow vigorously. Proverbially, the process can also symbolize the regeneration, renewal, and development of the line of human descent and of the kin based corporate structures (Walker, 1996) of whānau, hapū and iwi. For Māori, the fax plant supplies medicine but more importantly, the woven product provided material for basic needs of shelter, clothing, hunting and gathering equipment, lashings and cord. Art forms such as decorated tukutuku interior design panels and whariki large woven mats of intricate design. Prized traditional cloaks are created from muka – a soft fibre produced from scraping the leaves of fax. The flax bush represents our continuity as a people sustained by episodes of renewal, upheaval and transformation (Walker, 1996). The introduction of fire generates two important processes: reduction of the inhibiting overgrowth poor quality for weaving and; nourishment of the plant enabling regeneration and development of new shoots. Setting alight the exterior of the bush is likened to the purging of Eurocentrism and its pervading ideologies and systems that mainly serve to keep indigenous peoples from flourishing. The fire is indigenous research, the overgrowth is patriarchal post colonial systems, nutrients in the ash are the resilient enriching knowledge customs and practices of indigenous peoples and the new shoots represent the coalition of newly developed and practiced western models that are harmonious with indigenous paradigms, knowledge and practices. The following discourse outlines priorities, challenges, new directions and notions of excellence through the narrative of two insider community researchers.