bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Flashiest Watersheds in the Contiguous United States
Authors: Smith Brianne K. , Smith James A. 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
The authors identify the flashiest watersheds in the contiguous United States based on frequency of discharge peaks exceeding 1 m3 s−1 km−2. The entire digitized record of USGS instantaneous discharge data is used for all stream gauging stations with over 10 years of data. Using the 1 m3 s−1 km−2 threshold, the flashiest basins in the contiguous United States are located in urban areas along a swath of states from the south-central United States to the mid-Atlantic and in mountainous areas of the West Coast, especially the Pacific Northwest. The authors focus on small watersheds to identify the flashiest cities and states across the country and find Tulsa, Oklahoma; Baltimore, Maryland; and St. Louis, Missouri, to be the flashiest cities in the contiguous United States. Thunderstorms are major agents for peak-over-threshold flood events east of the Rocky Mountains, and tropical cyclones play a secondary role, especially in the Southeast. West Coast flood events are associated with winter storms. Flooding west of and within the Rockies is linked to steeply sloped terrain and compact watersheds. East of the Rockies, urban areas dominate flashy watersheds. The authors find that watersheds northeast (downwind) of city centers are flashier than other urban watersheds, consistent with the downwind maximum in rainfall found in many urban regions. They examine anomalous flood response in the Illinois–Missouri region; St. Louis is among the flashiest cities in the United States, while Chicago is among the least flashy. Their flashiness map is compared with other measures of flooding, including flood damage and National Weather Service flash flood reports.
Automated Retrieval of Cloud and Aerosol Properties from the ARM Raman Lidar. Part I: Feature Detection
Authors: Thorsen Tyler J. , Fu Qiang , Newsom Rob K. , Turner David D. , Comstock Jennifer M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractA feature detection and extinction retrieval (FEX) algorithm for the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program’s (ARM) Raman lidar (RL) has been developed. Presented here is Part I of the FEX algorithm: the detection of features including both clouds and aerosols. The approach of FEX is to use multiple quantities— scattering ratios derived using elastic and nitrogen channel signals from two fields of view, the scattering ratio derived using only the elastic channel, and the total volume depolarization ratio—to identify features using range-dependent detection thresholds. FEX is designed to be context sensitive with thresholds determined for each profile by calculating the expected clear-sky signal and noise. The use of multiple quantities provides complementary depictions of cloud and aerosol locations and allows for consistency checks to improve the accuracy of the feature mask. The depolarization ratio is shown to be particularly effective at detecting optically thin features containing nonspherical particles, such as cirrus clouds. Improvements over the existing ARM RL cloud mask are shown. The performance of FEX is validated against a collocated micropulse lidar and observations from the Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) satellite over the ARM Darwin, Australia, site. While the focus is on a specific lidar system, the FEX framework presented here is suitable for other Raman or high spectral resolution lidars.
Tornadoes, Social Science, and the False Alarm Effect
Authors: Trainor Joseph E. , Nagele Danielle , Philips Brenda , Scott Brittany 
Published: August 2015

AbstractDespite considerable interest in the weather enterprise, there is little focused research on the “false alarm effect.” Within the body of research that does exist, findings are mixed. Some studies suggest that the false alarm effect is overstated, while several recent efforts have provided evidence that FAR may be a significant determinate of behavior. This effort contributes to the understanding of FAR through a sociological analysis of public perceptions and behavioral responses to tornadoes. This analysis begins by addressing public definitions of FAR and then provides two statistical models, one focused on perception of FAR and one focused on behavioral response to tornado warnings. The authors’ approach incorporates a number of sociological and other social science concepts as predictors in both of these models. Findings provide a number of important insights. Most notably, it is found that 1) there is a wide degree of variation in public definitions of false alarm, 2) actual county FAR rates do not predict perception of FAR, 3) actual county FAR rates do predict behavioral response, and 4) planning and family characteristics are also influential. Another major contribution is to illustrate the significant complexity associated with analysis of false alarms. Conclusions discuss the limits of this analysis and future direction for this type of research.
Cross-cultural and Moroccan Validation of the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Adnane Choaib , Oubahmane Tarek , Adouly Taoufik , Elhani Loubna , Rouadi Sami , Abada Reda Lah , Roubal Mohamed , Mahtar Mohamed 
Published: August 2015

Objectives: To translate the original English version of the University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) questionnaire into Moroccan Arabic version and investigate its psychometric validity and reliability for Moroccan-speaking patients with head and neck cancer. Methods: The UW-QOL was conducted in 104 patients treated for head and neck cancer in the department of head and neck surgery, Ibn Rochd university hospital, Casablanca. A control group of 57 healthy volunteers was also evaluated. The questionnaire was translated into Moroccan language. Results: Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.829, suggesting good internal consistency, and test-retest reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.987). A good correlation was observed between UW-QOL composite scores and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) global health status/QOL scores ( P < .001). There was also low concordance between the UW-QOL scores and the Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scores of the 36-Item Short-Form questionnaire (SF-36) ( P = .017 and P = .014, respectively). Conclusions: The Moroccan UW-QOL questionnaire appears to be culturally appropriate and psychometrically valid.
Partial Epiglottoplasty for Pharyngeal Dysphagia due to Cervical Spine Pathology
Authors: Jamal Nausheen , Erman Andrew , Chhetri Dinesh K. 
Published: August 2015

ObjectiveTo examine the role of epiglottoplasty in patients with pharyngeal dysphagia due to pharyngeal crowding from cervical spine pathology and to assess swallowing outcomes following epiglottoplasty.Study DesignRetrospective case series.SettingAcademic tertiary care medical center.Subjects and MethodsDysphagia can occur in patients with cervical spine pathology because of hypopharyngeal crowding. Swallowing studies, such as modified barium swallow study and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, may demonstrate a nonretroflexing epiglottis owing to cervical spine osteophytes or hardware, thus impeding pharyngeal bolus transit. We performed partial epiglottoplasties in a series of these patients. A retrospective review of swallowing outcomes was performed to assess the efficacy of this surgery in this patient population.ResultsEpiglottic dysfunction causing dysphagia due to cervical spine pathology was diagnosed by modified barium swallow study and/or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing in 12 patients. Findings included hypopharyngeal crowding because of cervical osteophytes (n = 8) or cervical hardware (n = 4) associated with absent epiglottic retroflexion and retained vallecular residue. Partial epiglottoplasty resulted in significant reduction of vallecular residue and a significant increase in functional swallow outcomes without an increase in swallow morbidity.ConclusionThere is a role for partial epiglottoplasty in patients with dysphagia attributed to hypopharyngeal crowding from cervical spine pathology. Surgery enables reduced vallecular residue and improved functional swallowing outcomes.
Vitamin D deficiency and its association with fatigue and quality of life in advanced cancer patients under palliative care: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Martínez-Alonso Montserrat , Dusso Adriana , Ariza Gemma , Nabal Maria 
Published: August 2015

Background: A normal vitamin D status is required for bones and muscles to maintain their function and structure, but it also contributes to the functional integrity of other multiple physiologic systems in the body. Aim: To assess the relationship of Vitamin D deficiency with health-related quality-of-life issues, fatigue, and physical functioning in advanced cancer patients. Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Patients/settings: Adults under palliative care, having a locally advanced or metastatic or inoperable solid cancer. Results: Among 30 patients in palliative care with advanced solid cancer, 90% were vitamin D deficient. Serum Vitamin D concentration was positively correlated with patient-reported absence of fatigue ( s = 0.49), and physical and functional well-being ( s = 0.44 and s = 0.41, respectively, p < 0.01). Fatigue was the symptom with the highest median impact on their lives and was the only one associated with serum vitamin D ( p = 0.031), with lower fatigue in patients with vitamin D concentrations in the third tertile. There was no evidence of a direct association between health-related quality of life and vitamin D status. Conclusion: The 90% frequency of advanced cancer patients with vitamin D deficiency, together with the positive correlation of vitamin D status with the absence of fatigue and improved physical and functional well-being, points to vitamin D supplementation as a potential therapy to enhance the patient’s quality of life.
Patient Activity Levels After Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Authors: Garcia Grant H. , Taylor Samuel A. , DePalma Brian J. , Mahony Gregory T. , Grawe Brian M. , Nguyen Joseph , Dines Joshua S. , Dines David M. , Warren Russell F. , Craig Edward V. , Gulotta Lawrence V. 
Published: August 2015

Background: The indications for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) continue to expand, which has resulted in younger patients who want to remain active after RTSA. Little information is available to manage expectations of both physicians and patients for return to sporting activities. Purpose: To determine the rate of return to sporting activities and assess average time to return to sports after RTSA. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: This was a retrospective review of consecutive RTSA patients collected from our institution’s shoulder arthroplasty registry. All patients who played sports preoperatively and had a minimum of 1-year follow-up were included. Final follow-up consisted of an additional patient-reported questionnaire with questions regarding physical fitness and sporting activities. Each patient also completed an assessment with the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) Shoulder Score and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain. Results: Seventy-six patients played a sport preoperatively and met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The average follow-up was 31.6 months (range, 12-65 months), and average age was 74.8 years (range, 49.9-92.6 years). Average VAS pain scores improved from 6.57 to 0.63 ( P < .001). Average ASES scores improved from 34.30 to 81.45 ( P < .001). Subjectively, 11.8% of patients complained of stiffness and 10.5% complained of chronic pain. After RTSA, 85.5% of patients returned to at least 1 sport. Average time to return to full sports was 5.3 months. Fitness sports had the highest direct rate of return (81.5%), followed by swimming (66.7%), running (57.1%), cycling (50.0%), and golf (50%). Postoperatively, 41.1% of patients reported improved physical fitness; 88.2% felt that their sports outcome was good to excellent, and 93.4% felt that their surgical outcome was good to excellent. Conclusion: Patients undergoing RTSA had an 85% rate of return to 1 or more sporting activities at an average of 5.3 months after surgery. Age greater than 70 years was a significant predictor of decreased return to activities. The present study offers valuable information to help manage patient and surgeon expectations.
Return to Sport After Rotator Cuff Tear Repair
Authors: Klouche Shahnaz , Lefevre Nicolas , Herman Serge , Gerometta Antoine , Bohu Yoann 
Published: August 2015

Background: One of the most frequent demands from athletes after rotator cuff tear repair is to return to sport, if possible at the same level of play. Purpose: The main goal of this study was to determine the rate of return to sport after treatment of rotator cuff tears. Study Design: Meta-analysis and systematic review. Methods: The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed to perform this systematic review and meta-analysis of the results in the literature, as well as for the presentation of results. A search of the literature was performed on the electronic databases MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. The quality of the included studies was evaluated according to the MINORS (Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies) checklist. Inclusion criteria were studies in English evaluating return to sport after treatment of traumatic, degenerative, partial or full-thickness rotator cuff tears in patients practicing a sport regularly, whatever the level, all ages and sports included. The main judgment criterion was the number of patients who returned to a sports activity after treatment of a rotator cuff tear. The criterion was analyzed in 2 ways: return to sport (yes/no) and the level of play (identical or higher/lower level). Results: Twenty-five studies were reviewed, including 859 patients (683 athletes), all treated surgically after a mean follow-up of 3.4 years (range, 0.3-13.4 years). The level of sports was recorded in 23 studies or 635 (93%) athletes and included 286 competitive or professional athletes and 349 recreational athletes. The most commonly practiced sports were baseball (224 participants), tennis (104 participants), and golf (54 participants). The overall rate of return to sport was 84.7% (95% CI, 77.6%-89.8%), including 65.9% (95% CI, 54.9%-75.4%) at an equivalent level of play, after 4 to 17 months. Of the professional and competitive athletes, 49.9% (95% CI, 35.3-64.6%) returned to the same level of play. Conclusion: Most recreational athletes return to sports at the same level of play as before their injury, but only half of professional and competitive athletes return to an equivalent level of play.
Outcome of Minimally Invasive Distal Metatarsal Metaphyseal Osteotomy (DMMO) for Lesser Toe Metatarsalgia
Authors: Haque Syed , Kakwani Rajesh , Chadwick Caroline , Davies Mark Bowen , Blundell Chris M. 
Published: August 2015

Background: As in all fields of surgery, advances in orthopaedic surgery develop toward less invasive surgical techniques. The advantages of smaller incisions include minimal soft tissue dissection allowing procedures to be performed as outpatient surgery. There is the assumption that this leads to a quicker recovery time permitting an earlier return to work. As with any new surgical technique, there is an associated learning curve. This study looked into the outcome of minimally invasive distal metatarsal metaphyseal osteotomy (DMMO) performed at a University Hospital. Methods: Thirty patients underwent minimally invasive surgery for DMMO. There were 13 males and 17 females with an average age of 60 years. More than one metatarsal osteotomy was done in all cases to facilitate the moulding of the metatarsal head to the correct alignment with full weight bearing. The outcome was measured with the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ), patient-reported outcome (PRO), and visual analog scale (VAS) pain score. Minimum follow up was 1 year. Results: At the final review, the average MOXFQ score was an excellent 31. Average improvement in VAS score was 3.5, which ranged from 10 to -7. The VAS was affected by 2 patients whose pain worsened after the operation. There were 4 complications, one each of nonunion, malunion, transfer metatarsalgia, and soft tissue ossification. Conclusion: The 3 most common complications of foot and ankle surgery are infection, wound dehiscence, and skin ulcer or blister. Intra-articular metatarsal osteotomies are commonly associated with stiffness due to scarring and consequently hammertoes. By reducing the soft tissue injury in minimally invasive surgery, these risks can be potentially minimized. Minimally invasive DMMO produced good patient satisfaction, functional improvement, and low complication rates in most cases. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Effects of two concentrations of topical tropicamide on the Schirmer tear test in clinically normal cats
Authors: Selk Ghaffari Masoud , Javadzadeh Reza , Rajaei Seyed Mehdi 
Published: August 2015

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical tropicamide at two concentrations (0.5% and 1.0%) on the Schirmer tear test (STT) results in clinically normal cats. Methods Twenty-four adult domestic shorthair cats were randomly assigned to three groups. In all three groups, ophthalmic solutions were instilled in a randomly selected eye and the opposite eye served as the control. In groups 1, 2 and 3 one drop of 0.5% tropicamide, 1.0% tropicamide and distilled water was used, respectively. Tear production in both eyes was tested 30 and 60 mins after instillation in all three groups. Results Baseline mean ± SEM STT values for the treated eyes in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 13.37 ± 2.91 mm/min, 10.87 ± 1.39 mm/min and 11.37 ± 1.65 mm/min, respectively. Thirty minutes after the drug instillation in the treated eye, mean ± SEM STT values in groups 1, 2 and 3 were 4.87 ± 3.05 mm/min, 2.00 ± 0.84 mm/min and 11.25 ± 1.81 mm/min, respectively. The mean ± SEM STT levels of the treated eye after 60 mins were 3.75 ± 1.87 mm/min, 0.5 ± 0.37 mm/min and 11.42 ± 1.78 mm/min in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Conclusions and relevance Use of 0.5% topical tropicamide, instead of 1.0% tropicamide, as a mydriatic agent, can be recommended in cats. Tear production measurement should be performed prior to the administration of tropicamide, regardless of the concentration of this drug.
Digitization of Electrocardiogram From Telemetry Prior to In-hospital Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Attin Mina , Wang Lu , Soroushmehr S. M. Reza , Lin Chii-Dean , Lemus Hector , Spadafore Maxwell , Najarian Kayvan 
Published: August 2015

Background: Analyzing telemetry electrocardiogram (ECG) data over an extended period is often time-consuming because digital records are not widely available at hospitals. Investigating trends and patterns in the ECG data could lead to establishing predictors that would shorten response time to in-hospital cardiac arrest (I-HCA). This study was conducted to validate a novel method of digitizing paper ECG tracings from telemetry systems in order to facilitate the use of heart rate as a diagnostic feature prior to I-HCA. Methods: This multicenter study used telemetry to investigate full-disclosure ECG papers of 44 cardiovascular patients obtained within 1 hr of I-HCA with initial rhythms of pulseless electrical activity and asystole. Digital ECGs were available for seven of these patients. An algorithm to digitize the full-disclosure ECG papers was developed using the shortest path method. The heart rate was measured manually (averaging R-R intervals) for ECG papers and automatically for digitized and digital ECGs. Results: Significant correlations were found between manual and automated measurements of digitized ECGs ( p < .001) and between digitized and digital ECGs ( p < .001). Bland–Altman methods showed bias = .001 s, SD = .0276 s, lower and upper 95% limits of agreement for digitized and digital ECGs = .055 and −.053 s, and percentage error = 0.22%. Root mean square (rms), percentage rms difference, and signal to noise ratio values were in acceptable ranges. Conclusion: The digitization method was validated. Digitized ECG provides an efficient and accurate way of measuring heart rate over an extended period of time.
Psoriasis as an Independent Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Lai Yi Chun , Yew Yik Weng 
Published: August 2015

Background: Psoriasis is known to be associated with metabolic syndrome, a well-established risk factor for ischemic heart disease and stroke. Emerging evidence indicates that psoriasis is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Objective: To evaluate whether psoriasis is independently associated with myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic heart disease (MI, angina pectoris, or coronary heart disease), and stroke, we conducted a cross-sectional study using the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Methods: Data on clinical history of psoriasis, MI, angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, and stroke from the questionnaire as well as laboratory parameters on serum lipid and uric acid levels in the cycle years 2003-2006 and 2009-2012 were analyzed. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression modelling was performed with the aforementioned cardiovascular events or stroke as the dependent variables and with risk factors such as age, gender, ethnic group, current smoking status, alcohol consumption, metabolic syndrome, hyperuricemia, and psoriasis as independent variables. Results: There were 520 cases of psoriasis, and 108 of them had metabolic syndrome (20.8%). Well-established cardiovascular risk factors such as age, gender, ethnic group, smoking, alcohol consumption, metabolic syndrome, and hyperuricemia were also found to have significant associations with MI and ischemic heart disease (all P values <.001). Psoriatic patients were at significantly higher risks of developing MI (odds ratio [OR] 2.24; 95% CI: 1.27-3.95; P = .005) and ischemic heart disease (OR 1.90; 95% CI: 1.18-3.05; P = .008), but not stroke (OR 1.01; 95% CI: 0.48-2.16; P = .744), after adjustment was made for major cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusion: This study provides epidemiological evidence that psoriasis may be independently associated with the development of MI and ischemic heart disease. Physicians should be cognizant of any underlying cardiovascular risk factors, especially among psoriatic patients with metabolic syndrome, and manage them according to national guidelines.