bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Coronary Artery Calcium Presence, Carotid Plaque Presence, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness for Cardiovascular Disease Prediction in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Gepner Adam D. , Young Rebekah , Delaney Joseph A. , Tattersall Matthew C. , Blaha Michael J. , Post Wendy S. , Gottesman Rebecca F. , Kronmal Richard , Budoff Matthew J. , Burke Gregory L. , Folsom Aaron R. , Liu Kiang , Kaufman Joel , Stein James H. 
Published: January 2015

Background—
Presence of coronary artery calcium (CAC), carotid plaque, and increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) may indicate elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; however, no large studies have compared them directly. This study compares predictive uses of CAC presence, carotid artery plaque presence, and high IMT for incident CVD events.

Methods and Results—

Participants were from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Predictive values of carotid plaque, IMT, and CAC presence were compared using Cox proportional hazards models,
c
-statistics, and net reclassification indices. The 6779 participants were mean (SD) 62.2 (10.2) years old; 49.9% had CAC, and 46.7% had carotid plaque. The mean left and right IMT were 0.754 (0.210) mm and 0.751 (0.187) mm, respectively. After 9.5 years (mean), 538 CVD events, 388 coronary heart disease (CHD) events, and 196 stroke/transient ischemic attacks were observed. CAC presence was a stronger predictor of incident CVD and CHD than carotid ultrasound measures. Mean IMT ≥75th percentile (for age, sex, and race) alone did not predict events. Compared with traditional risk factors,
c
-statistics for CVD (
c
=0.756) and CHD (
c
=0.752) increased the most by the addition of CAC presence (CVD, 0.776; CHD, 0.784;
P
<0.001) followed by carotid plaque presence (CVD,
c
=0.760; CHD,
c
=0.757;
P
<0.05). Compared with risk factors (
c
=0.782), carotid plaque presence (
c
=0.787;
P
=0.045) but not CAC (
c
=0.785;
P
=0.438) improved prediction of stroke/transient ischemic attacks.

Conclusions—
In adults without CVD, CAC presence improves prediction of CVD and CHD more than carotid plaque presence or high IMT. CAC and carotid ultrasound parameters performed similarly for stroke/transient ischemic attack event prediction.
On the Variability of Drop Size Distributions over Areas
Authors: Jameson A. R. , Larsen M. L. , Kostinski A. B. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Past studies of the variability of drop size distributions (DSDs) have used moments of the distribution such as the mass-weighted mean drop size as proxies for the entire size distribution. In this study, however, the authors separate the total number of drops Nt from the DSD leaving the probability size distributions (PSDs); that is, DSD = Nt × PSD. The variability of the PSDs are then considered using the frequencies of size [P(D)] values at each different drop diameter P(PD | D) over an ensemble of observations collected using a network of 21 optical disdrometers. The relative dispersions RD of P(PD | D) over all the drop diameters are used as a measure of PSD variability. An intrinsic PSD is defined as an average over one or more instruments excluding zero drop counts. It is found that variability associated with an intrinsic PSD fails to characterize its true variability over an area. It is also shown that this variability is not due to sampling limitations but rather originates for physical reasons. Furthermore, this variability increases with the expansion of the network size and with increasing drop diameter.
A physical explanation is that the network acts to integrate the Fourier transform of the spatial correlation function from smaller toward larger wavelengths as the network size increases so that the contributions to the variance by all spatial wavelengths being sampled also increases. Consequently, RD and, hence, PSD variability will increase as the size of the area increases.
Anomalous Weather Patterns in Relation to Heavy Precipitation Events in Japan during the Baiu Season
Authors: Ohba Masamichi , Kadokura Shinji , Yoshida Yoshikatsu , Nohara Daisuke , Toyoda Yasushi 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Anomalous weather patterns (WPs) in relation to heavy precipitation events during the baiu season in Japan are investigated using a nonlinear classification technique known as the self-organizing map (SOM). The analysis is performed on daily time scales using the Japanese 55-year Reanalysis Project (JRA-55) to determine the role of circulation and atmospheric moisture on extreme events and to investigate interannual and interdecadal variations for possible linkages with global-scale climate variability. SOM is simultaneously employed on four atmospheric variables over East Asia that are related to baiu front variability, whereby anomalous WPs that dominated during the 1958–2011 period are obtained. Our analysis extracts seven typical WPs, which are linked to frequent occurrences of heavy precipitation events. Each WP is associated with regional variations in the probability of extreme precipitation events. On interannual time scales, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) affects the frequency of the WPs in relation to the heavy rainfall events. The warm phase of ENSO results in an increased frequency of a WP that provides a southwesterly intrusion of high equivalent potential temperature at low levels, while the cold phase provides southeastern intrusion. In addition, the results of this analysis suggest that interdecadal variability of frequency for heavy rainfall events corresponds to changes in frequency distributions of WPs and are not due to one particular WP.
Addressing Spatial Variability of Surface-Layer Wind with Long-Range WindScanners
Authors: Berg Jacob , Vasiljevíc Nikola , Kelly Mark , Lea Guillaume , Courtney Michael 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis paper presents an analysis of mean wind measurements from a coordinated system of long-range WindScanners. From individual scan patterns the mean wind field was reconstructed over a large area, and hence it highlights the spatial variability. From comparison with sonic anemometers, the quality of the WindScanner data is high, although the fidelity of the estimated vertical velocity component is significantly limited by the elevation angles of the scanner heads. The system of long-range WindScanners presented in this paper is close to being fully operational, with the pilot study herein serving not only as a proof of concept but also verifying expectations of reliable wind measurements over arbitrary three-dimensional volumes, in future sustained meteorological campaigns.
A Study of Atmospheric Temperature and Wind Profiles Obtained from Rocketsondes in the Chinese Midlatitude Region
Authors: Sheng Z. , Jiang Y. , Wan L. , Fan Z. Q. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn November 2004, five TK-1 meteorological rockets were launched at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China for the first time. The observations are compared with models, reanalysis, and satellite datasets. The mean differences of temperature between the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) and the rocketsondes are about 0.7–2.4 K in the stratosphere and −6 K in the mesosphere. The temperature biases between the Naval Research Laboratory Mass Spectrometer and Incoherent Scatter Radar, Exosphere (NRLMSISE-00)/Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM), and the rocketsondes are small (~1–2 K) in the lower stratosphere and largest near the stratopause. Both models strongly overestimated the temperature by 11 K on average. The discrepancies of horizontal winds between the Horizontal Wind Model 07 (HWM07)/WACCM and the rocketsondes reached the maximum in the upper stratosphere and the lower mesosphere. The westerly observed zonal winds and equatorward meridional winds were two interesting phenomena that led to large biases in the upper stratosphere, which need further study.
A Diabatically Generated Potential Vorticity Structure near the Extratropical Tropopause in Three Simulated Extratropical Cyclones
Authors: Chagnon Jeffrey M. , Gray Suzanne L. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
The structure of near-tropopause potential vorticity (PV) acts as a primary control on the evolution of extratropical cyclones. Diabatic processes such as the latent heating found in ascending moist warm conveyor belts modify PV. A dipole in diabatically generated PV (hereafter diabatic PV) straddling the extratropical tropopause, with the positive pole above the negative pole, was diagnosed in a recently published analysis of a simulated extratropical cyclone. This PV dipole has the potential to significantly modify the propagation of Rossby waves and the growth of baroclinically unstable waves. This previous analysis was based on a single case study simulated with 12-km horizontal grid spacing and parameterized convection. Here the dipole is investigated in three additional cold-season extratropical cyclones simulated in both convection-parameterizing and convection-permitting model configurations. A diabatic PV dipole across the extratropical tropopause is diagnosed in all three cases. The amplitude of the dipole saturates approximately 36 h from the time diabatic PV is accumulated. The node elevation of the dipole varies between 2 and 4 PVU (1 PVU = 106 K kg−1 m2 s−1) in the three cases, and the amplitude of the system-averaged dipole varies between 0.2 and 0.4 PVU. The amplitude of the negative pole is similar in the convection-parameterizing and convection-permitting simulations. The positive pole, which is generated by longwave radiative cooling, is weak in the convection-permitting simulations due to the small domain size, which limits the accumulation of diabatic tendencies within the interior of the domain. The possible correspondence between the diabatic PV dipole and the extratropical tropopause inversion layer is discussed.
Craniofacial Surgery and Adverse Outcomes
Authors: Svider Peter F. , Eloy Jean Anderson , Folbe Adam J. , Carron Michael A. , Zuliani Giancarlo F. , Shkoukani Mahdi A. 
Published: January 2015

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate factors contributing to medical negligence relevant to craniofacial surgery. Methods: Retrospective analysis of verdict and settlement reports on the Westlaw legal database for outcome, awards, physician defendants, and other specific factors raised in malpractice litigation. Results: Of 42 verdicts and settlement reports included, 52.4% were resolved with either an out-of-court settlement or plaintiff verdict, with aggregate payments totaling $50.1M (in 2013 dollars). Median settlements and jury-awarded damages were $988 000 and $555 000, respectively. Payments in pediatric cases ($1.2M) were significantly higher. Plastic surgeons, oral surgeons, and otolaryngologists were the most commonly named defendants. The most common alleged factors included intraoperative negligence (69.0%), permanent deficits (54.8%), requiring additional surgery (52.4%), missed/delayed diagnosis of a complication (42.9%), disfigurement/scarring (28.6%), postoperative negligence (28.6%), and inadequate informed consent (20.6% of surgical cases). Failure to diagnose a fracture (19.0%) and cleft-reparative procedures (14.3%) were the most frequently litigated entities. Conclusion: Medical negligence related to craniofacial surgery involves plaintiffs in a wide age range as well as physician defendants in numerous specialties, and proceedings resolved with settlement and plaintiff verdict involve substantial payments. Cases with death, allegedly permanent injuries, and pediatric plaintiffs had significantly higher payments.
Bridging the accountability gap in hybrid organizations: the case of Copenhagen Malmö Port
Authors: Grossi Giuseppe , Thomasson Anna 
Published: January 2015

Previous research on hybrid organizations has drawn attention to the accountability gap that is believed to emerge when the provision of public services is transferred to a hybrid organization. In this article we take our point of departure in that research and use a case study method to explore whether this gap can be bridged by existing corporate governance systems or if governance systems specially tailored to hybrid forms need to be developed. The result of the study shows that the process is equally important as the system in place. That is, it is not only the actual system but also how the system is implemented and used that affects the ability to bridge the accountability gap. Points for practitioners This article provides insight into how the hybrid form alters the relationship between citizens, elected politicians and organizations performing public services and, consequently, how the ability to secure accountability in public services changes. The results presented in the article provide politicians and managers in the public sector with knowledge regarding how, by focusing on organizational processes, relationships between stakeholders and performance evaluation can work with improving accountability in hybrid organizations. Further, the article stresses the need for performance evaluation to encompass not only financial aspects, but also the societal values of the public services performed by the hybrid organization.
A Prospective Study of Injury Patterns in Collegiate Pole Vaulters
Authors: Rebella Gregory 
Published: January 2015

Background: Although pole vaulting has been a sanctioned collegiate event since the 1920s, little is known about the injury patterns observed in the sport. Purpose: To describe injury incidence, patterns, and risks in collegiate pole vaulters. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of collegiate athletes participating in pole vault over a single track-and-field season. Baseline athlete information was collected on study enrollment. Injuries were recorded in a standardized form to document diagnosis and event circumstances. A log of practice and competition exposures was maintained for each athlete. Injury incidence was reported as the proportion of injured vaulters and number of new injuries per 1000 athlete-exposures. Regression analysis on baseline variables was performed to determine risks for injury. Results: A total of 135 vaulters from 15 universities took part in the study. There were 70 injury events reported during 8823 exposures. Forty-one percent of vaulters sustained injury, and there were 7.9 injuries per 1000 athlete-exposures. The low back was the most common injury location (16.7%), followed by the hamstrings and lower leg (13.9% each). Overall, 60% of injuries were to the lower extremities, 21% to the upper extremities, and 18% to the back. No head or neck injuries were reported. Injuries were most commonly muscular strains (39.2%) or overuse type (25.5%). Thirty percent, including 83% of low back injuries, occurred during the plant/takeoff phase of the vault. One-third of lumbar injuries were spondylolysis, with 75% of these being season ending. The odds of injury were 2.7 (95% CI, 1.1-7.1) times greater in vaulters with multiple prior injuries. Conclusion: This is the first prospective study of injury patterns in collegiate pole vaulters. The results indicate that injuries are very common in experienced vaulters. Medical personnel and coaches should be aware of the propensity for overuse-type injuries and institute activity modification to reduce time lost. In addition, coaches and athletes should focus on proper technique, particularly during the plant/takeoff to help minimize back injury. Medical providers should maintain a high level of suspicion for symptomatic spondylolysis in any vaulter complaining of frequent or persistent low back pain. Detailed medical histories are important to identify prior injuries, and coaches should focus on changing technical flaws or behaviors that may contribute to reinjury.
Factors Influencing Exclusive Breastfeeding at 4 Months Postpartum in a Sample of Urban Hispanic Mothers in Kentucky
Authors: Linares Ana Maria , Rayens Mary K. , Dozier Ann , Wiggins Amanda , Dignan Mark B. 
Published: January 2015

Background: Although Hispanic mothers in the United States have slightly higher rates of breastfeeding initiation than the national average, they are more likely to supplement with formula. Objectives: To describe infant feeding decisions in a sample of 72 urban Hispanic mothers and assess whether demographic and personal factors influence exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) status at 4 months postpartum. Methods: The study was longitudinal and included assessments during pregnancy, in the hospital following childbirth, and monthly up to 4 months following birth. Results: Nearly all of the 72 mothers were breastfeeding at discharge after the birth of their infant (94%); half of these were EBF. By 2 months postpartum, the rate of EBF had declined to 26%, dropping to 22% by 4 months. Significant predictors of EBF status at 4 months included the baseline indicator for mother’s partner as the most important person in life (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 5.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-28.66) and breastfeeding self-efficacy score at 1 month (AOR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.07-1.34). Conclusion: These findings have particular relevance in this population, given the high rate of breastfeeding initiation coupled with breastfeeding self-efficacy being a modifiable factor. Support during pregnancy and postpartum, including consultation with a lactation consultant, may increase the self-efficacy of EBF in this low-income population, leading to higher rates of extended EBF among Hispanics.
Decreased diffusion capacity on lung function testing in asymptomatic patients with systemic lupus erythematosus does not predict future lung disease
Authors: Elalouf O , Fireman E , Levartovsky D , Kaufman I , Rogovski O , Elkayam O , Caspi D , Paran D 
Published: January 2015

Background In a previous study performed 9 ± 3.6 years ago, 74 asymptomatic patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and/or antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) underwent lung function testing. A significantly low diffusion capacity (DLCO) ranging from 45% to 70% was recorded in 28 of the 74 (37.8%) patients who were all free of respiratory symptoms. Aim The aim of this report is to assess the clinical importance and the predictive value of a low DLCO in asymptomatic patients with SLE or APS. Methods Asymptomatic patients with SLE and/or APS who were found to have a low DLCO in the previous study were contacted. Of the 28 patients, 15 were recruited and reevaluated in the current study (SLE with APS ( n = 7), SLE without APS ( n = 7); primary APS ( n = 1)). A full history, physical examination, nail bed capillaroscopy, current laboratory tests and full lung function tests including DLCO were performed. Results During a surveillance period of 9 ± 3.6 years, none of the patients developed lung disease. Diffusion capacity corrected for alveolar volume (DLCO/VA) improved in the study group during this period from 60.4% ± 7.0 to 76.1% ± 11.2 ( p < 0.0001). Lung function tests including total lung capacity (TLC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) remained within normal limits. Capillaroscopy studies did not reveal changes compatible with scleroderma in any of the patients. Conclusion Low DLCO findings on lung function testing does not have a positive predictive value for the development of future lung disease in patients with SLE, with or without APS, who are free of respiratory symptoms. Our results suggest that a finding of low DLCO in asymptomatic patients with SLE, with or without APS, does not necessarily require further evaluation and imaging and may improve spontaneously over time. Further studies in a larger group of patients are needed to validate these findings.
Mutuelles de santé en Afrique : caractéristiques et relations contractuelles avec les prestataires de soins pour la prise en charge de la qualité des soins
Authors: Ndiaye Pascal , Vanlerberghe Veerle , Lefèvre Pierre , Criel Bart 
Published: January 2015

En Afrique, une part importante de la population est encore confrontée à plusieurs barrières pour accéder aux soins. Les mutuelles de santé (MS) sont mises en place pour réduire la barrière financière et assurer à leurs membres un accès à des soins de qualité. Les MS établissent des relations avec les prestataires de soins sous forme de contrat, dont certaines clauses peuvent contenir des notions de qualité des soins (QS). A travers une vue d’ensemble de la typologie de 180 MS de 14 pays (dans Afrique Ouest et Centrale), cet article vise à analyser dans quelle mesure les caractéristiques des MS influencent la mise en œuvre de mécanismes contractuels susceptibles de faciliter la discussion sur la QS. L’hypothèse de cette association a été étudiée avec trois types de caractéristiques (taille, utilisation des services et volume des soins achetés) et huit variables relatives à la contractualisation et la QS (existence d’un contrat, organisation de rencontres, fréquence de ces rencontres, présence de notions de QS dans le contrat, négociation du contrat, révision du contrat, révision des clauses spécifiques à la QS et organisation de rencontres pour discuter de QS). Les MS de type communautaire représentent 80% des mutuelles étudiées (60% d’entre elles sont localisées en zone rurale). Les MS professionnelles représentent 17% et se concentrent principalement au Mali et en Côte d’Ivoire. La quasi-totalité des MS disposent de contrats écrits et contenant des notions relatives à la QS. Bien que les MS de grande taille ayant des résultats financiers importants négocient plus les aspects liés à la qualité des soins lors de l’élaboration de la convention, les MS de taille et aux performances financières plus modestes mettent en œuvre des mécanismes plus réguliers de concertation avec les prestataires. Ces rencontres sont susceptibles de créer un espace de prise en charge de la QS.
Deletion of Stat3 in hematopoietic cells enhances thrombocytosis and shortens survival in a JAK2-V617F mouse model of MPN
Authors: Grisouard Jean , Shimizu Takafumi , Duek Adrian , Kubovcakova Lucia , Hao-Shen Hui , Dirnhofer Stephan , Skoda Radek C. 
Published: January 2015

Key Points
Loss of Stat3 in hematopoietic cells enhances JAK2-V617F–driven thrombopoiesis and negatively impacts survival in mouse models. The phenotypic changes of Stat3-deficient JAK2-V617F mice could in part be mediated by increased Stat1 expression and activation.
Critical role of CD4 T cells in PF4/heparin antibody production in mice
Authors: Zheng Yongwei , Yu Mei , Padmanabhan Anand , Aster Richard H. , Yuan Liudi , Wen Renren , Wang Demin 
Published: January 2015

Key PointsCD4 T cells play a critical role in controlling production of PF4/heparin-specific antibodies.