bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evolution of Lightning Activity and Storm Charge Relative to Dual-Doppler Analysis of a High-Precipitation Supercell Storm
Authors: Calhoun Kristin M. , MacGorman Donald R. , Ziegler Conrad L. , Biggerstaff Michael I. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
A high-precipitation tornadic supercell storm was observed on 29–30 May 2004 during the Thunderstorm Electrification and Lightning Experiment. Observational systems included the Oklahoma Lightning Mapping Array, mobile balloon-borne soundings, and two mobile C-band radars. The spatial distribution and evolution of lightning are related to storm kinematics and microphysics, specifically through regions of microphysical charging and the location and geometry of those charge regions. Lightning flashes near the core of this storm were extraordinarily frequent, but tended to be of shorter duration and smaller horizontal extent than typical flashes elsewhere. This is hypothesized to be due to the charge being in many small pockets, with opposite polarities of charge close together in adjoining pockets. Thus, each polarity of lightning leader could propagate only a relatively short distance before reaching regions of unfavorable electric potential. In the anvil, however, lightning extended tens of kilometers from the reflectivity cores in roughly horizontal layers, consistent with the charge spreading through the anvil in broad sheets. The strong, consistent updraft of this high-precipitation supercell storm combined with the large hydrometeor concentrations to produce the extremely high flash rates observed during the analysis period. The strength and size of the updraft also contributed to unique lightning characteristics such as the transient hole of reduced lightning density and discharges in the overshooting top.
Quantification of Patient Migration in Bed
Authors: Kotowski Susan E. , Davis Kermit G. , Wiggermann Neal , Williamson Rachel 
Published: January 2013

Objective: The study objective was to quantify the movement of hospital bed occupants relative to the bed in typical bed articulations. Background: Movement of a patient in bed results in two common adverse events: (a) increase in shear and friction forces between the patient and bed, which are extrinsic pressure ulcer risk factors, and (b) musculoskeletal injuries to nurses, resulting from repositioning patients who have migrated down in bed. Method: The study involved 12 participants who lay supine in three hospital beds, which were articulated to common positions. Body movement relative to the bed was quantified with the use of motion capture. Cumulative movement, net displacement, and torso compression (shoulder to trochanter distance) were calculated for different bed types and bed movements. Results: Bed design and bed movement had a significant effect on most of the dependent variables. Bed design (e.g., type) influenced cumulative movement by up to 115%, net displacement by up to 70%, and torso compression by about 20%. Bed movement (e.g., knee elevation) reduced cumulative migration by up to 35%. Conclusion: The quantification of patient migration provides a metric for evaluating the interaction between body and bed surfaces. Overall, the measures were sensitive to design changes in bed frames, bed articulations, and mattress inflation. Application: Documentation of the cumulative movement, net displacement, and torso compression provides hospital bed designers quantifiable measures for reducing migration and potentially shear and friction forces when designing bed frames, bed articulations, and mattresses. Optimization of these metrics may ultimately have an impact on patient and caregiver health.
Patient perspectives and the risk of compulsory admission: The Amsterdam Study of Acute Psychiatry V
Authors: van der Post Louk FM , Peen Jaap , Visch Irene , Mulder Cornelis L , Beekman Aartjan TF , Dekker Jack JM 
Published: January 2013

Objective: Compulsory admission to a psychiatric hospital is associated with a three- to fourfold increase in the risk of another compulsory admission. Given the rising numbers of civil detentions in the Netherlands and other European countries, it is important to understand the mechanism behind this association. Our aim is to study the links between opinions about prior psychiatric treatment, insight, service engagement and the risk of (new) civil detentions. Methods: We took a random sample of 252 from the 2,682 patients consecutively coming into contact with two psychiatric emergency teams in Amsterdam between September 2004 and September 2006. We recorded socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, and information about prior involuntary admissions. We interviewed the patients using the Verona Service Satisfaction Scale (Verona-EU), the Birchwood Insight Scale and the Service Engagement Scale. During a two-year follow-up period we noted their use of mental health care facilities. Results: Patients with a satisfactory score on the Verona-EU had significantly lower odds for civil detentions during follow-up compared to patients with a dissatisfactory score on this scale (OR = 0.3). Level of insight did not influence the risk of detention during follow-up. Furthermore, of the 131 patients admitted involuntarily the year before, one-third looked back on their involuntary admission with unambiguous satisfaction. Conclusion: More satisfaction with prior treatment seems to reduce the risk of civil detention remarkably. Low levels of satisfaction seem to be mainly dependent on a history of previous involuntary admission. These findings seem to open up a new perspective for diminishing the risk of (new) civil detention by trying to enhance satisfaction with treatment, especially for patients under detention.
Impact of Race and Diagnostic Label on Older Adults’ Emotions, Illness Beliefs, and Willingness to Help a Family Member With Osteoarthritis
Authors: Mingo Chivon A. , McIlvane Jessica M. , Haley William E. , Luong My-Linh N. 
Published: January 2013

Objective: To examine how race and the diagnostic label of Osteoarthritis (OA) affects older adults’ emotions, illness beliefs, and willingness to help a family member. Methods: African American and White older adults were randomly assigned to read vignettes describing a sister suffering from chronic pain and disability, either with or without the OA label. Race × diagnostic label ANOVAs were conducted. Results: Compared to Whites, African Americans were more optimistic that OA could improve with health care, and showed greater willingness to help their sister. The OA label had little impact on emotions, beliefs, or willingness to help. African Americans rated the sister as having more control of their problem than Whites without the OA label, but providing the diagnosis eliminated this difference. Discussion: The diagnostic label of OA had little effect on these older adults, but racial differences indicate that cultural values regarding family caregiving are important in arthritis care.
Teachers’ attitudes toward the appointment of women as school leaders
Authors: Arar Khalid , Abramovitz Ruth 
Published: January 2013

The trend towards gender equality in principalship appointments continues to interest researchers, especially when it appears in traditional societies that maintain patriarchal, anti-feminist attitudes and values. Arab society in Israel is undergoing transition from traditionalism to modernism. Arab women hold the majority of Arab school teaching positions, but patriarchal opposition erupts when they aspire to attain principalship positions. This article reports on a study that examined attitudes of teacher colleagues towards the appointment of women principals. The findings indicated that women principals were perceived as creating a pleasant atmosphere at school, yet all the teachers agreed that women had inferior abilities to conduct relations with external bodies. Male teachers expressed significantly more patriarchal attitudes than female teachers. Surprisingly, teachers with higher-level education expressed more resistance to female leadership than those without academic degrees. The discussion suggests ways to achieve gender equality in the appointment of school principals in Arab society in Israel.
Reprocessability of poly(ethylene terephthalate) nanocomposites
Authors: Lim Su Rong , Ariff Zulklifi Mohamad , Chow Wen Shyang 
Published: January 2013

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) containing 3 wt% of organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) was prepared using twin-screw extruder followed by injection molding. Maleic anhydride-grafted styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene (SEBS- g-MAH) and N, N′-ethylenebis(stearamide) (EBS) were used as impact modifier and dispersing agent. The reprocessing ability of PET/OMMT nanocomposites was studied through three cycles of extrusion. Properties of the reprocessed PET nanocomposites were characterized using intrinsic viscosity measurements, impact tests, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy. The enhanced intercalation of the OMMT silicate layers in the PET was confirmed using XRD. The intrinsic viscosity, impact strength and thermal stability of PET nanocomposites were reduced after subjecting to three cycles of extrusion. Nevertheless, the retention ability in mechanical and thermal properties of PET/OMMT/EBS nanocomposites was higher than that of PET/OMMT/SEBS- g-MAH counterparts.
Serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha is associated with poor health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Mak A , Tang CS , Ho RC 
Published: January 2013

Objectives While patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and are more depressed than healthy people, the impact of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), on these unfavourable psychosocial parameters is unclear. We aim to explore potential relationships between lupus-related proinflammatory cytokines, HRQoL and depressive symptoms in patients with SLE. Methods Patients with SLE and age-matched healthy subjects were assessed for HRQoL and depressive and anxiety symptoms by the Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) respectively. Using multiplex immunoassay, a panel of serum proinflammatory cytokines including TNFα, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IL-23 and IL-33 were determined and compared between both groups. Independent associations between SF-36, serum proinflammatory cytokine levels and HADS scores were studied by regression models. Results In total, 54 patients and 54 healthy controls were studied. Lupus patients had significantly poorer HRQoL ( p < 0.001) and were significantly more depressed ( p = 0.006) and anxious ( p = 0.022) than their healthy counterparts. Amongst the proinflammatory cytokines studied, serum TNFα was significantly higher in lupus patients ( p < 0.001). After multivariate adjustment, higher serum TNFα (β = −0.224, p = 0.047) remained significantly associated with lower SF-36, along with smoking (β = −0.253, p = 0.014) and more severe depressive symptoms (β = −0.433, p = 0.002). In healthy subjects, serum TNFα was associated with depressive symptoms but not with SF-36. Conclusions Higher serum TNFα level is independently associated with poorer HRQoL and more severe depressive symptoms in SLE patients. These associations suggest a potential impact of inflammatory response on depressive symptoms and the quality of life in patients with SLE.
Emulating the directional sensitivity of fish hair cell sensor
Authors: Tao Junliang , Sun Ye , Wu Guangxi , Yu Xiong 
Published: January 2013

This article describes the sensor development efforts that are inspired by the unique acoustic source tracking capability of aquatics such as fish. The physiological basis in the natural system has been attributed to the unique directional responses of hair cell sensor in the otolith. To emulate such directional transduction behaviors, a hair sensor based on piezoelectric microfiber is attempted. The sensor employs piezoelectric fiber both as the hair shaft and as the transduction element. A pair of electrodes was deposited on the fiber surface both for sensor signal collection and for polarizing the piezoelectric materials. Both computational modeling analysis and experimental study were conducted to validate the sensor performance. The hair sensor was found to possess directional responses that change in the pattern of a cosine function of the loading direction, resembling that observed in the hair cell sensor in the biological system. Such transduction behaviors pave the technical basis to emulate the unique acoustic tracking strategy by aquatics. PACS 07.07.Df, 07.10.Pz, 77.84.Cg, 87.19.lt
Flouroscopic Arthrography Versus MR Arthrography of the Lesser Metatarsophalangeal Joints for the Detection of Tears of the Plantar Plate and Joint Capsule
Authors: Mazzuca James W. , Yonke Bret , Downes Jessica M. , Miner Mark 
Published: January 2013

Background: Derangements of the plantar plate and joint capsule are an underrecognized cause of lesser metatarsalgia. Fluoroscopic arthrography and magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography are both used for diagnosis. Currently there are no studies comparing the effectiveness of these two modalities. Methods: Patients suspected of having plantar plate or capsular tears underwent both fluoroscopic arthrography and MR arthrography; the imaging findings were then compared and correlated with intraoperative findings, when available, to evaluate the effectiveness of the different imaging modalities. Forty consecutive patients underwent both fluoroscopic and MR arthrography. Results: Thirty-two of 40 patients (80%) were found to have tears of the plantar plate, joint capsule, or both. MR arthrography identified all 32 tears. Four cases in the first 29 patients, 13.8%, demonstrated discrepancy where a tear was identified only on the MR arthrogram. A midpoint review of the data was performed. Of the 4 missed tears they were all noted to be plantar lateral in location. Four other patients in this group had plantar lateral tears that were not missed. These patients had an additional steep lateral oblique image on fluoroscopic arthrography, which showed the plantar lateral tear. Therefore an additional steep lateral oblique image was performed routinely capturing these small tears in the last 11 patients. Conclusion: MR arthrography was more accurate in identifying tears of the plantar plate and capsule than fluoroscopic arthrography. Fluoroscopic arthrography with additional views, like a steep lateral oblique view, was found to be as reliable, and more cost-effective, than MR arthrography. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective comparative study.
Common Pitfalls in Syndesmotic Rupture Management
Authors: Symeonidis Panagiotis D. , Iselin Lukas D. , Chehade Mellick , Stavrou Peter 
Published: January 2013

Background: Syndesmotic injuries occur in up to 11% of all ankle injuries. Whereas the optimal fixation of syndesmotic injuries remains controversial, pitfalls in their management can lead to poor outcomes. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of all ankle fractures operated on at a level 1 trauma center over a 7-year period. All cases with syndesmotic fixation were classified and patients’ notes and x-rays were reviewed. The timing of definitive syndesmotic fixation, the type of fixation (screw size and number, number of cortices), and the number of unplanned, syndesmotic-related reoperations were recorded. Seventy syndesmotic ruptures were operated on during the study period. Results: There were 19 unplanned reoperations. The 3 reasons for reoperation identified were failure to diagnose the syndesmotic injury 9/19 (47%), failure to achieve an anatomic reduction 6/19 (31%), and loss of reduction due to fixation failure 4/19 (21%). The type of fixation was not correlated with the failure rate, nor were the experience of the surgeon, the gender or the age of the patient. Conclusions: The reoperation rate for syndesmotic fixation may be higher than previously thought. In order to reduce the pitfalls in their treatment, we emphazise the importance of 3 critical points in the management of these injuries: suspect the injury, document the stability of the syndesmosis, and reduce the fibula anatomically. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative series.
Vitamin A and systemic inflammation as protective factors in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Salzer Jonatan , Hallmans Göran , Nyström Maria , Stenlund Hans , Wadell Göran , Sundström Peter 
Published: January 2013

Background: Vitamin A is important for the immune system, and might suppress inflammatory activity in multiple sclerosis (MS). Objectives: We aimed to examine if vitamin A levels were associated with MS risk in samples collected prospectively and during gestation. Methods: We measured Retinol Binding Protein (RBP – a surrogate marker for vitamin A) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, in (1) prospectively collected biobank blood samples from MS cases and controls, and (2) gestational samples where the offspring had later developed MS, and gestational control samples. The risk of MS was calculated using matched multivariable logistic regression adjusted for confounders. Results: In prospective samples, RBP levels within the second quintile (vs. the first) were associated with a lower MS risk (OR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.19–0.74). No effect on MS risk in the offspring by gestational RBP levels was found. In young subjects hs-CRP levels ≥10 mg/l in prospective samples were associated with a lower MS risk (OR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.14–0.95). Conclusions: Our results suggest that sub-optimal vitamin A levels may be associated with MS risk. The association between hs-CRP levels and MS risk in young subjects may support the role of the hygiene hypothesis in MS aetiology.
Toward understanding the variability in the language proficiencies of Arabic heritage speakers
Authors: Albirini Abdulkafi 
Published: January 2013

Previous research on Arabic heritage speakers points to notable variability in the language proficiencies of Arabic heritage speakers, both as individuals and as groups (Albirini & Benmamoun, 2012; Albirini, Benmamoun, & Saadah, 2011). This study examines the language proficiencies of Egyptian and Palestinian heritage speakers, assesses the relationship between their L1 proficiency levels and other linguistic, socio-affective, socio-contextual, and demographic factors, and explores the relative significance of these factors in determining proficiency in heritage Arabic. A total of 20 Egyptian and 20 Palestinian heritage speakers completed an oral narrative that was used for assessing three dimensions of their language proficiencies, namely fluency, grammatical accuracy, and syntactic complexity. In addition, the participants filled in a 182-item questionnaire about the factors potentially influencing their heritage language skills, including language input, language use, language attitudes, ethnic identity, family role, community support, school, and demographics. The study also involved follow-up interviews with a sample of five Palestinian and five Egyptian participants. The results showed that the Palestinian speakers outperformed their Egyptian counterparts in terms of language fluency, accuracy, complexity, and overall proficiency. Pearson and Spearman correlations indicated that language use, language input, family role, community support, and parents’ language correlate positively with language proficiency. Multiple regression analyses showed that language use (in terms of frequency, range, and contexts) is the only significant predictor of the variability in heritage language proficiency. Lastly, the interviews revealed that the Palestinian heritage speakers’ linguistic advantage over their Egyptian counterparts might be attributed to their commitment to Arabic as a main marker of their heritage and identity, the encouragement of their families to maintain their heritage language, and the wider social networks to which they had access. The implications of the study are discussed.
Lack of compliance of European Public Assessment Reports to guidelines for paediatric drug development before the introduction of paediatric investigation plans
Authors: Piana Chiara , Kliphuis Edward , Della Pasqua Oscar 
Published: January 2013

Background According to the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines for paediatric clinical trials, bridging procedures can be used if disease progression, exposure–response relationships, and clinical endpoints are similar in adults and children. In these circumstances, confirmatory efficacy trials are not necessary; the evaluation of pharmacokinetics and safety ought to be sufficient for drug approval. Purpose The aim of this study was to assess whether the clinical trials and strategy for market approval authorisation (MAAs) in paediatric indications reflect the guidelines for bridging of adult data. Methods A total of 95 European Public Assessment Reports (EPARs) published between 1995 and 2007 were reviewed. From every report, data extraction was performed according to the phase of development, scope of analysis, number of dose levels, dosage form, and demographics of the subjects enrolled in the trial. Data analysis consisted of an initial grouping of the studies by the degree of compliance to bridging guidelines. Results Our analysis reveals that only 66% of the trials (n = 174) can be classified as needed, while 22% of the trials (n = 59) could have been designed and performed differently from the approved protocol (partially required). Moreover, 12% (n = 30) of the studies were deemed completely unnecessary. Limitations A potential limitation in our study was that the dates of start and completion of the clinical studies were not available. Therefore, some EPARs have been included that may reflect common practice in the period that precedes the introduction of the ICH E11 guidelines. Yet, this should not obscure the points identified with regard to the lack of compliance to guidelines before the introduction of the paediatric legislation and the requirements for a paediatric investigation plan. Conclusions Paediatric trials are desirable and necessary to address important unmet medical needs. However, the types of studies supporting regulatory approval do not always reflect the recommendations available in paediatric guidelines, which allow for extrapolation and bridging approaches. This situation may be explained by the lack of awareness about the prerequisites for the use of bridging concepts and of a clear process for evaluating different strategies in paediatric development.