bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Urbanization on the Climate of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area: A Numerical Study
Authors: Kamal Samy , Huang Huei-Ping , Myint Soe W. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn this study, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model and its embedded land surface and urban canopy model are used to simulate effects of urbanization on the local climate of the Las Vegas, Nevada, metropolitan area. High-resolution simulations are performed with a 3-km horizontal resolution over the city. With identical lateral boundary conditions, three land use/land cover (LULC) maps for 2006, 1992, and hypothetical 1900 are used in multiple simulations. The differences in the simulated climate among those cases are used to quantify the urban effect. The study found that urbanization in Las Vegas produces a classic urban heat island (UHI) at night but a minor cooling trend during the day. An analysis of the surface energy balance helps illustrate the major roles of the decreases in surface albedo of solar radiation and increases in the effective emissivity of longwave radiation in shaping the local climate change in Las Vegas. In addition, the emerging urban structures are found to have a mechanical effect of slowing down the climatological wind field over the urban area as a result of an increased effective surface roughness. The slowing down of the diurnal circulation leads to a secondary modification of temperature, which exhibits a complicated diurnal dependence. This suggests the need for more investigations into the coupling of thermodynamic and mechanical effects of urbanization on local climate.
Numerical Experiments to Analyze Cloud Microphysical Processes Depicted in Vertical Profiles of Radar Reflectivity of Warm Clouds
Authors: Kuba Naomi , Suzuki Kentaroh , Hashino Tempei , Seiki Tatsuya , Satoh Masaki 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Information about microphysical processes in warm clouds embedded in satellite measurements must be untangled to be used to improve the parameterization in global models. In this paper, the relationship between vertical profiles of horizontally averaged radar reflectivity Zm and cloud optical depth from cloud top τd was investigated using a hybrid cloud microphysical model and a forward simulator of satellite measurements. The particle size distributions were explicitly simulated using a bin method in a kinematic framework. In contrast to previous interpretations of satellite-observed data, three patterns of the Zm–τd relationship related to microphysical processes were identified. The first is related to the autoconversion process, which causes Zm to increase upward with decreasing τd. Before the initiation of surface precipitation, Zm increases downward with τd in the upper part of the cloud, which is considered to be a second characteristic pattern and is caused by the accretion process. The appearance of this pattern corresponds to the initiation of efficient production of raindrops in the cloud. The third is related to the sedimentation and evaporation of raindrops causing Zm to decrease downward with τd in the lower part of the Zm–τd relationship. It was also found that the bulk collection efficiency has a partially positive correlation with the slope factor of Zm with regard to τd and that the slope factor could be a gross measure of the collection efficiency in partial cases. This study also shows that differences in the aerosol concentration modulate the duration of these three patterns and change the slope factor of Zm.
Interhemispheric Aerosol Radiative Forcing and Tropical Precipitation Shifts during the Late Twentieth Century
Authors: Allen Robert J. , Evan Amato T. , Booth Ben B. B. 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Through the latter half of the twentieth century, meridional shifts in tropical precipitation have been associated with severe droughts. Although linked to a variety of causes, the origin of these shifts remains elusive. Here, it is shown that they are unlikely to arise from internal variability of the climate system alone, as simulated by coupled ocean–atmosphere climate models. Similar to previous work, the authors find that anthropogenic and volcanic aerosols are the dominant drivers of simulated twentieth-century tropical precipitation shifts. Models that include the cloud-albedo and lifetime aerosol indirect effects yield significantly larger shifts than models that lack aerosol indirect effects and also reproduce most of the southward tropical precipitation shift in the Pacific. However, all models significantly underestimate the magnitude of the observed shifts in the Atlantic sector, unless driven by observed SSTs. Mechanistically, tropical precipitation shifts are driven by interhemispheric sea surface temperature variations, which are associated with hemispherically asymmetric changes in low-latitude surface pressure, winds, and low clouds, as well as the strength, location, and cross-equatorial energy transport of the Hadley cells. Models with a larger hemispheric aerosol radiative forcing gradient yield larger hemispheric temperature contrasts and, in turn, larger meridional precipitation shifts. The authors conclude that aerosols are likely the dominant driver of the observed southward tropical precipitation shift in the Pacific. Aerosols are also significant drivers of the Atlantic shifts, although one cannot rule out a contribution from natural variability to account for the magnitude of the observed shifts.
Wavelet-Based Methodology for the Verification of Stochastic Submeso and Meso-Gamma Fluctuations
Authors: Suarez Astrid , Stauffer David R. , Gaudet Brian J. 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Numerical weather prediction model skill is difficult to assess for transient, nonstationary, nondeterministic, or stochastic motions, like submeso and small meso-gamma motions. New approaches are needed to complement traditional methods and to quantify and evaluate the variability and the errors for these high-frequency, nondeterministic modes. A new verification technique that uses the wavelet transform as a bandpass filter to obtain scale-dependent frequency distributions of fluctuations is proposed for assessing model performance or accuracy. This new approach quantifies the nondeterministic variability independent of time while accounting for the time scale and amplitude of each fluctuation.
The efficacy of this wavelet decomposition technique for the verification of submeso and meso-gamma motions is first illustrated for a single case before the analysis is extended to six cases. The sensitivity of subkilometer grid-length Weather Research and Forecasting Model forecasts to the choice of three initialization strategies is assessed for both deterministic and stochastic motions using observations from a special network located at Rock Springs, Pennsylvania. It is demonstrated that the use of data assimilation in a preforecast period results in improved temperature and wind speed statistics for deterministic motions and for nondeterministic fluctuations with periods greater than ~20 min. As expected, there is little-to-no accuracy forecasting the occurrence of variability for temperature and wind in the smaller-submeso range and greater accuracy in the larger-submeso and meso-gamma ranges. Nonetheless, the model has some difficulty reproducing the observed variability with the correct amplitude. It underestimates the amplitude of observed fluctuations even for larger time scales, where better model performance could be expected.
Cannabis use in first episode psychosis: Meta-analysis of prevalence, and the time course of initiation and continued use
Authors: Myles Hannah , Myles Nicholas , Large Matthew 
Published: August 2015

Objectives: Cannabis use is prevalent among people with first episode psychosis and the epidemiology of its use in early psychosis is unclear. We performed a meta-analysis of observational studies to determine; (1) the interval between age at initiation of cannabis use and age at onset of first episode psychosis, (2) the prevalence of cannabis use at time of first episode psychosis, and (3) the odds of continuing cannabis following treatment for first episode psychosis. Data sources: Search of electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science and CINAHL for English-language papers using search terms (psychosis OR schizophrenia) AND (cannabis OR marijuana) IN (title OR keyword OR abstract), current to October 2014. Study selection: Studies were included if they reported on prevalence of current cannabis use in first episode psychosis cohorts. A total of 37 samples were included for meta-analysis. Data extraction: Rates of cannabis use in each sample were extracted to determine prevalence estimates. The age at initiation of regular cannabis and age at onset of psychosis were used to determine the length of cannabis use preceding psychosis. Prevalence estimates at first episode psychosis and various time points of follow-up following first episode psychosis were analysed to determine odds ratio of continuing cannabis use. Data synthesis was performed using random-effects meta-analyses. Results: The pooled estimate for the interval between initiation of regular cannabis use and age at onset of psychosis was 6.3 years (10 samples, standardised mean difference = 1.56, 95% confidence interval = [1.40, 1.72]). The estimated prevalence of cannabis use at first episode psychosis was 33.7% (35 samples, 95% confidence interval = [31%, 39%]). Odds of continued cannabis use between 6 months and 10 years following first episode psychosis was 0.56 (19 samples, 95% confidence interval = [0.40, 0.79]).
Prognostic Factors Affecting Rotator Cuff Healing After Arthroscopic Repair in Small to Medium-sized Tears
Authors: Park Ji Soon , Park Hyung Jun , Kim Sae Hoon , Oh Joo Han 
Published: August 2015

Background: Small and medium-sized rotator cuff tears usually have good clinical and anatomic outcomes. However, healing failure still occurs in some cases. Purpose: To evaluate prognostic factors for rotator cuff healing in patients with only small to medium-sized rotator cuff tears. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data were prospectively collected from 339 patients with small to medium-sized rotator cuff tears who underwent arthroscopic repair by a single surgeon between March 2004 and August 2012 and who underwent magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomographic arthrography at least 1 year after surgery. The mean age of the patients was 59.8 years (range, 39-80 years), and the mean follow-up time was 20.8 months (range, 12-66 months). The functional evaluation included the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant-Murley score, and Simple Shoulder Test. Results: Postoperative VAS for pain and functional scores improved significantly compared with preoperative values ( P < .001). Forty-five healing failures occurred (13.3%), and fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus muscle, tear size (anteroposterior dimension), and age were significant factors affecting rotator cuff healing ( P < .001, = .018, and = .011, respectively) in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Grade II and higher infraspinatus fatty degeneration correlated with a higher failure rate. The failure rate was also significantly higher in patients with a tear >2 cm in size (34.2%) compared with patients with a tear ≤2 cm (10.6%) ( P < .001). A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the predictive cut-off value for the oldest age and the largest tear size for successful healing, which were calculated as 69 years and 2 cm, respectively, with a specificity of 90%. Conclusion: In small to medium-sized rotator cuff tears, grade II fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus muscle according to the Goutallier classification could be a reference point for successful healing, and anatomic outcomes might be better if repair is performed before the patient is 69 years old and the tear size exceeds 2 cm.
Effect on Baby-Friendly Hospital Steps When Hospitals Implement a Policy to Pay for Infant Formula
Authors: Tarrant Marie , Lok Kris Y.W. , Fong Daniel Y.T. , Wu Kendra M. , Lee Irene L.Y. , Sham Alice , Lam Christine , Bai Dorothy Li , Wong Ka Lun , Wong Emmy M.Y. , Chan Noel P.T. , Dodgson Joan E. 
Published: August 2015

Background: The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative requires hospitals to pay market price for infant formula. No studies have specifically examined the effect of hospitals paying for infant formula on breastfeeding mothers’ exposure to Baby-Friendly steps. Objectives: To investigate the effect of hospitals implementing a policy of paying for infant formula on new mothers’ exposure to Baby-Friendly steps and examine the effect of exposure to Baby-Friendly steps on breastfeeding rates. Methods: We used a repeated prospective cohort study design. We recruited 2 cohorts of breastfeeding mother–infant pairs (n = 2470) in the immediate postnatal period from 4 Hong Kong public hospitals and followed them by telephone up to 12 months postpartum. We assessed participants’ exposure to 6 Baby-Friendly steps by extracting data from the medical record and by maternal self-report. Results: After hospitals began paying for infant formula, new mothers were more likely to experience 4 out of 6 Baby-Friendly steps. Breastfeeding initiation within the first hour increased from 28.7% to 45%, and in-hospital exclusive breastfeeding rates increased from 17.9% to 41.4%. The proportion of mothers who experienced all 6 Baby-Friendly steps increased from 4.8% to 20.5%. The risk of weaning was progressively higher among participants experiencing fewer Baby-Friendly steps. Each additional step experienced by new mothers decreased the risk of breastfeeding cessation by 8% (hazard ratio = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.89-0.95). Conclusion: After implementing a policy of paying for infant formula, breastfeeding mothers were exposed to more Baby-Friendly steps, and exposure to more steps was significantly associated with a lower risk of breastfeeding cessation.
Regional hippocampal involvement and cognitive impairment in pediatric multiple sclerosis
Authors: Rocca Maria A , Morelli Maria E , Amato Maria P , Moiola Lucia , Ghezzi Angelo , Veggiotti Pierangelo , Capra Ruggero , Pagani Elisabetta , Portaccio Emilio , Fiorino Agnese , Pippolo Lorena , Pera Maria C , Comi Giancarlo , Falini Andrea , Filippi Massimo 
Published: August 2015

Objectives: We assessed global and regional hippocampal volume abnormalities in pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and their correlations with clinical, neuropsychological and magnetic resonance imaging metrics. Methods: From 53 pediatric MS patients and 18 healthy controls, global hippocampal volume was computed using a manual tracing procedure. Regional hippocampal volume modifications were assessed using a radial mapping analysis. MS patients with abnormal performance in three or more tests of a neuropsychological battery for children were classified as cognitively impaired. Results: Global hippocampal volume was reduced in MS patients compared with controls, but did not correlate with clinical, neuropsychological and magnetic resonance imaging measures. Compared to controls, MS patients experienced bilateral radial atrophy of the cornu ammonis, subiculum and dentate gyrus subfields as well as radial hypertrophy of the dentate gyrus subfield. Regional hippocampal volume modifications correlated with brain T2 lesion volume as well as attention and language abilities. Global hippocampal volume did not differ between cognitively impaired ( n=12) and cognitively preserved MS patients. Compared to cognitively preserved, cognitively impaired MS patients had atrophy of the subiculum and dentate gyrus subfields of the right hippocampus. Conclusions: Hippocampal subregions have different vulnerability to damage in pediatric MS. Regional rather than global hippocampal involvement contributes to global cognitive impairment as well as to deficits of selected cognitive tests.
Over-the-counter anti-oxidant therapies for use in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review
Authors: Plemel Jason R. , Juzwik Camille A. , Benson Curtis A. , Monks Michael , Harris Chelsea , Ploughman Michelle 
Published: August 2015

Background: Anti-oxidant compounds that are found in over-the-counter (OTC) supplements and foods are gaining interest as treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS). They are widely used by patients, sometimes without a clear evidence base. Objective: We conducted a systematic review of animal and clinical research to determine the evidence for the benefits of OTC anti-oxidants in MS. Methods: Using predefined criteria, we searched key databases. Two authors scrutinized all studies against inclusion/exclusion criteria, assessed study risk-of-bias and extracted results. Results: Of the 3507 titles, 145 met criteria and included compounds, α(alpha)-lipoic acid (ALA), anti-oxidant vitamins, Ginkgo biloba, quercetin, resveratrol and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (ECGC). The strongest evidence to support OTC anti-oxidants was for compounds EGCG and ALA in animal models; both consistently showed anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant effects and reduced neurological impairment. Only vitamin E, Ginkgo biloba and ALA were examined for efficacy in pilot clinical trials with either conflicting evidence or evidence of no benefit. Conclusion: OTC anti-oxidants EGCG and ALA show the most consistent benefit, however only in preclinical studies. There is no evidence that they alter MS relapses or progression. Future work should focus on testing more of these therapies for clinical efficacy before recommending them to MS patients.
Pixantrone: a B-cell-depleting immunosuppressant for multiple sclerosis patients with active disease
Authors: Gonsette Richard , Debouverie Marc , Sindic Christian , Ferré Jean-Christophe , Edan Gilles 
Published: August 2015

Background: Mitoxantrone has been approved for patients with worsening relapsing–remitting (RR) or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), but its long-term use is limited by its cardiotoxicity. Pixantrone (PIX) is an analog of mitoxantrone. Objectives: The aim of this open-label, multicenter, noncomparative Phase I/II trial was to explore the immunosuppressive effect of PIX, its impact on clinical disease activity and cerebral gadolinium-enhanced (Gd+) lesions, and its safety. Methods: Eighteen patients with active RRMS and SPMS (⩾ 1 cerebral Gd+ lesion) despite approved immunomodulatory therapy received four intravenous PIX injections every 21 days. A neurological examination, hematology, lymphocyte subsets, and biochemistry were performed at Day 1, Weeks 3, 6 and 9, and Months 3, 6, 9 and 12. Echocardiography was performed before each infusion, at Months 3, 6 and 12. Cerebral MRI was performed at baseline, and at Months 6 and 12. Results: CD19+ cells were reduced by 95% at Month 3 and by 47% at Month 12. Gd+ lesions were reduced by 86% at Month 12 ( p = 0.01). The annual relapse rate was reduced by 87% ( p < 10−4). Two patients experienced a transient reduction in left ventricular fraction. Conclusion: These preliminary data indicate the efficacy of PIX in active RRMS and SPMS.
Tissue-engineered tubular substitutions for urinary diversion in a rabbit model
Authors: Meng Lingchao , Liao Wenbiao , Yang Sixing , Xiong Yunhe , Song Chao , Liu Lingqi 
Published: August 2015

Clinically, autologous gastrointestinal segments are traditionally used for urinary diversion. However, this procedure often causes many serious complications. Tissue engineering may provide an alternative treatment method in urinary diversion. This research aims to produce tissue-engineered tubular substitutions by using homologous adipose-derived stem cells, smooth muscle cells, and bladder acellular matrix in developing urinary diversion in a rabbit model. Adipose-derived stem cells and smooth muscle cells of rabbit were obtained and cultured in vitro. These cultured adipose-derived stem cells and smooth muscle cells were seeded onto the two sides of the bladder acellular matrix and then incubated for seven days. The cell-seeded matrix was used to build tissue-engineered tubular substitutions, which were then implanted and wrapped into the omentum in vivo for two weeks to promote angiogenesis. In the experimental group, the bladder of 20 rabbits was totally resected, and the above tissue-engineered tubular substitutions were used for urinary diversion. In the control group, bladder acellular matrix tubular substitutions with unseeded cells were implanted into the omentum and were used as urinary diversion on another five rabbits with the same process. The implants were harvested, and histological examination was conducted at 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks after operation. Intravenous urography assessment was performed at 16 weeks postoperatively. All the rabbits were alive in the experimental group until they were sacrificed. Histological analysis of the construct displayed the presence of multilayer urothelial cells on the luminal side and organized smooth muscle tissue on the other side, and different diameters of neovascularization were clearly identified in the substitutions obtained. No leakage, stricture, or obstructions were noted with intravenous urography assessment. All the animals in the control group died within two weeks, and urine leakage, scar formation, and inflammation were detected through autopsy. This study demonstrates the feasibility of tissue-engineered tubular substitutions constructed using homologous adipose-derived stem cells, smooth muscle cells, and bladder acellular matrix for urinary diversion in a rabbit model.
If three of my brothers have ankylosing spondylitis, why does the doctor say it is not necessarily hereditary? The meaning of risk in multiplex case families with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Peláez-Ballestas Ingris , Romero-Mendoza Martha , Burgos-Vargas Rubén 
Published: August 2015

Objective To investigate how patients with ankylosing spondylitis and their relatives in multiplex case families understand concepts of familial aggregation, heredity and risk perceptions, and its impact on decision-making. Methods This is a multimethod clinical investigation using field research style in 34 individuals from 10 families with ≥2 members with ankylosing spondylitis covering a wide spectrum of disease severity, educational level, and economical status. The narratives of patients and their relatives were obtained using clinical information, unstructured observation, and personal interviews, which were then transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed by three investigators. The interpretation of the textual data was based on two analysis styles, immersion/crystallization and interpretative grounded theory. Results We identified four broad interrelated interpretive units in patient and relatives narratives: (1) familial interpretation of the disease, (2) genetic risk, (3) decision-making based on risk, and (4) patient-family/physician discourse contradiction on the meaning of heredity. Conclusions Patient's and their relatives interpretation of familial aggregation, HLAB27, heredity, and risk perception in relation with ankylosing spondylitis involves four broad interpretive units spanning from clinical symptoms to heredity and decisions made accordingly. Their thoughts and consequent decisions are often in contradiction with the medical knowledge on the role of genetic factors in ankylosing spondylitis.