bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integrating Remote Sensing Data on Evapotranspiration and Leaf Area Index with Hydrological Modeling: Impacts on Model Performance and Future Predictions
Authors: Parr Dana , Wang Guiling , Bjerklie David 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
Using the Connecticut River basin as an example, this study assesses the extent to which remote sensing data can help improve hydrological modeling and how it may influence projected future hydrological trends. The dynamic leaf area index (LAI) derived from satellite remote sensing was incorporated into the Variable Infiltration Capacity model (VIC) to enable an interannually varying seasonal cycle of vegetation (VICVEG); the evapotranspiration (ET) data based on remote sensing were combined with ET from a default VIC simulation to develop a simple bias-correction algorithm, and the simulation was then repeated with the bias-corrected ET replacing the simulated ET in the model (VICET). VICET performs significantly better in simulating the temporal variability of river discharge at daily, biweekly, monthly, and seasonal time scales, while VICVEG better captures the interannual variability of discharge, particularly in the winter and spring, and shows slight improvements to soil moisture estimates. The methodology of incorporating ET data into VIC as a bias-correction tool also influences the modeled future hydrological trends. Compared to the default VIC, VICET portrays a future characterized by greater drought risk and a stronger decreasing trend of minimum river flows. Integrating remote sensing data with hydrological modeling helps characterize the range of model-related uncertainties and more accurately reconstruct historic river flow estimates, leading to a better understanding and prediction of hydrological response to future climate changes.
Intrinsic Variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation at Interannual-to-Multidecadal Time Scales
Authors: Grégorio Sandy , Penduff Thierry , Sérazin Guillaume , Molines Jean-Marc , Barnier Bernard , Hirschi Joël 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe low-frequency variability of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) is investigated from 2, ¼°, and ° global ocean–sea ice simulations, with a specific focus on its internally generated (i.e., “intrinsic”) component. A 327-yr climatological ¼° simulation, driven by a repeated seasonal cycle (i.e., a forcing devoid of interannual time scales), is shown to spontaneously generate a significant fraction R of the interannual-to-decadal AMOC variance obtained in a 50-yr “fully forced” hindcast (with reanalyzed atmospheric forcing including interannual time scales). This intrinsic variance fraction R slightly depends on whether AMOCs are computed in geopotential or density coordinates, and on the period considered in the climatological simulation, but the following features are quite robust when mesoscale eddies are simulated (at both ¼° and ° resolutions); R barely exceeds 5%–10% in the subpolar gyre but reaches 30%–50% at 34°S, up to 20%–40% near 25°N, and 40%–60% near the Gulf Stream. About 25% of the meridional heat transport interannual variability is attributed to intrinsic processes at 34°S and near the Gulf Stream. Fourier and wavelet spectra, built from the 327-yr ¼° climatological simulation, further indicate that spectral peaks of intrinsic AMOC variability (i) are found at specific frequencies ranging from interannual to multidecadal, (ii) often extend over the whole meridional scale of gyres, (iii) stochastically change throughout these 327 yr, and (iv) sometimes match the spectral peaks found in the fully forced hindcast in the North Atlantic. Intrinsic AMOC variability is also detected at multidecadal time scales, with a marked meridional coherence between 35°S and 25°N (15–30 yr periods) and throughout the whole basin (50–90-yr periods).
Linking administrative career patterns and politicization: signalling effects in the careers of top civil servants in Germany
Authors: Veit Sylvia , Scholz Simon 
Published: June 2015

This article explores the influence of two types of signalling on the career success of civil servants in the federal ministerial bureaucracy of Germany. Whereas ‘ability signalling’ displays bureaucratic expertise in the sense of both political craft and administrative management competencies, ‘intention signalling’ indicates party politicization. Data are drawn from the biographies of 341 civil servants within the two highest ranks in federal ministries and the chancellery who held office between 2002 and 2013. Taking gender, formal education and career patterns into consideration, we are able to find clear evidence for ‘intention signalling’, whereas ‘ability signalling’ plays only a minor role. Over time, the accelerating effect of ‘intention signalling’ on administrative careers is increasing. Points for practitioners How important is political loyalty for senior civil servants in merit bureaucracies? This article investigates the relationship between the merit principle and politicization in the German federal bureaucracy. By analysing the importance of certain career steps, we find clear evidence for party politicization. Employment in positions that signal party political loyalty accelerates the careers of ministerial officials, even if the data also prove that there is no distinct ‘fast track’ to leading administrative positions in Germany. Moreover, our analysis reveals an under-representation of women in administrative top positions, as well as the continuing dominance of lawyers. Regarding career patterns, considerable differences between state secretaries and directors-general are evident.
Safeguarding Education as Public Good and Regulating Private Providers
Authors: Singh Kishore 
Published: June 2015

Mushrooming of privatisation which one witnesses at all levels in education aggravates marginalisation and exclusion. It has a crippling effect on the principle of equality of opportunity in education, which is a fundamental principle established by almost all international human rights conventions. Instead of supplementing education, private providers are supplanting it. Rather than controlling this phenomenon, governments even provide subsidy to private providers. There is widespread concern with the negative effects of privatisation in education in scholarly writings by intellectual community, civil society organisations and international organisations. Every child is entitled to education free of cost as an inalienable right, and access to education should not be based on capacity to pay fees which often are exorbitant. This also puts in jeopardy the principles of social justice and equity, which are key pillars of the United Nations system. Safeguarding education as a public good and fostering its humanist mission is of paramount importance. Under no circumstances education should be allowed to be mercantalised. States have the obligation to ensure that when education is provided by non-State entities, the principles and norms underlying right to education are respected, and education is not allowed to be reduced to business. They have the obligation to regulate and control all private providers in education and protect public interest in education. Abusive practices by private providers denote the failure of States to adequately monitor and regulate privatised education. This calls for strengthening human rights mechanisms to effectively address and sanction all abusive practices. In this, governments can be inspired by numerous decisions by courts and emerging jurisprudence.
Migration Policy in the New Ecuadorean Constitution
Authors: Ramírez G. Jacques P. 
Published: June 2015

Ecuador’s new constitution, approved in 2008, establishes the basis for a new model of the nation-state, characterized as progressively transnational, that attempts to protect both Ecuadoreans living abroad and foreigners residing in the country. It recognizes the right to migrate and the transnational family and advocates universal citizenship, the free movement of all inhabitants of the planet, and the eventual end of the status of foreigner as an element of the transformation of unequal relations between countries. En la nueva constitución de la República del Ecuador, probada en el año 2008, se sienta las bases de un nuevo modelo de Estado-Nación de carácter cada vez más transnacional que intenta velar por las y los ecuatorianos radicados en el exterior, así como por las personas extranjeras residentes en el país. Reconoce el derecho a migrar, la familia transnacional, ciudadanía universal, la libre movilidad de todos los habitantes del planeta y el progresivo fin de la condición de extranjero como elemento transformador de las relaciones desiguales entre los países.
Are perioperative near-infrared spectroscopy values correlated with clinical and biochemical parameters in cyanotic and acyanotic infants following corrective cardiac surgery?
Authors: Ersoy Cihangir , Özyüksel Arda , Alkan Bozkaya Tijen , Karaaslan Pelin , Örmeci Tuğrul , Ündar Akif , Akçevin Atıf , Türkoğlu Halil 
Published: June 2015

Background: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a useful non-invasive tool for monitoring infants undergoing cardiac surgery. In this study, we aimed to determine the NIRS values in cyanotic and acyanotic patients who underwent corrective cardiac surgery for congenital heart diseases. Methods: Thirty consecutive infants who were operated on with the diagnosis of ventricular septal defect (n=15) and tetralogy of Fallot (n=15) were evaluated retrospectively. A definitive repair of the underlying cardiac pathology was achieved in all cases. A total of six measurements of cerebral and renal NIRS were performed at different stages of the perioperative period. The laboratory data, mean urine output and serum lactate levels were evaluated along with NIRS values in each group. Results: The NIRS values differ in both groups, even after the corrective surgical procedure is performed. The recovery of renal NIRS values is delayed in the cyanotic patients. Conclusion: Even though definitive surgical repair is performed in cyanotic infants, recovery of the renal vasculature may be delayed by up to two days, which is suggestive of a vulnerable period for renal dysfunction.
Impact of CCSVI on cerebral haemodynamics: a mathematical study using MRI angiographic and flow data
Authors: Müller LO , Toro EF , Haacke EM , Utriainen D 
Published: June 2015

Background The presence of abnormal anatomy and flow in neck veins has been recently linked to neurological diseases. The precise impact of extra-cranial abnormalities such as stenoses remains unexplored. Methods Pressure and velocity fields in the full cardiovascular system are computed by means of a global mathematical model that accounts for the relationship between pulsating cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure. Results Our model predicts that extra-cranial strictures cause increased pressure in the cerebral venous system. Specifically, there is a predicted pressure increase of about 10% in patients with a 90% stenoses. Pressure increases are related to significant flow redistribution with flow reduction of up to 70% in stenosed vessels and consequent flow increase in collateral pathways. Conclusions Extra-cranial venous strictures can lead to pressure increases in intra-cranial veins of up to 1.3 mmHg, despite the shielding role of the Starling resistor. The long-term clinical implications of the predicted pressure changes are unclear.
Benefits of polidocanol endovenous microfoam (Varithena®) compared with physician-compounded foams
Authors: Carugo Dario , Ankrett Dyan N , Zhao Xuefeng , Zhang Xunli , Hill Martyn , O’Byrne Vincent , Hoad James , Arif Mehreen , Wright David DI , Lewis Andrew L 
Published: June 2015

Objective To compare foam bubble size and bubble size distribution, stability, and degradation rate of commercially available polidocanol endovenous microfoam (Varithena®) and physician-compounded foams using a number of laboratory tests. Methods Foam properties of polidocanol endovenous microfoam and physician-compounded foams were measured and compared using a glass-plate method and a Sympatec QICPIC image analysis method to measure bubble size and bubble size distribution, Turbiscan™ LAB for foam half time and drainage and a novel biomimetic vein model to measure foam stability. Physician-compounded foams composed of polidocanol and room air, CO2, or mixtures of oxygen and carbon dioxide (O2:CO2) were generated by different methods. Results Polidocanol endovenous microfoam was found to have a narrow bubble size distribution with no large (>500 µm) bubbles. Physician-compounded foams made with the Tessari method had broader bubble size distribution and large bubbles, which have an impact on foam stability. Polidocanol endovenous microfoam had a lower degradation rate than any physician-compounded foams, including foams made using room air (p < 0.035). The same result was obtained at different liquid to gas ratios (1:4 and 1:7) for physician-compounded foams. In all tests performed, CO2 foams were the least stable and different O2:CO2 mixtures had intermediate performance. In the biomimetic vein model, polidocanol endovenous microfoam had the slowest degradation rate and longest calculated dwell time, which represents the length of time the foam is in contact with the vein, almost twice that of physician-compounded foams using room air and eight times better than physician-compounded foams prepared using equivalent gas mixes. Conclusion Bubble size, bubble size distribution and stability of various sclerosing foam formulations show that polidocanol endovenous microfoam results in better overall performance compared with physician-compounded foams. Polidocanol endovenous microfoam offers better stability and cohesive properties in a biomimetic vein model compared to physician-compounded foams. Polidocanol endovenous microfoam, which is indicated in the United States for treatment of great saphenous vein system incompetence, provides clinicians with a consistent product with enhanced handling properties.
Arthroscopic Evaluation of Impingement and Osteochondral Lesions in Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability
Authors: Odak Saurabh , Ahluwalia Raju , Shivarathre Deepak G. , Mahmood Atif , Blucher Nicola , Hennessy Michael , Platt Simon 
Published: June 2015

Background: Anterolateral impingement associated with intra-articular synovitis, scarring, and fibrosis is a less recognized feature in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability. The aim of our study was to ascertain the incidence of intra-articular synovitis, osteochondral lesions (OCLs), impingement lesions (both intra- and extra-articular), and other associated pathologies in patients undergoing modified Broström-Gould ankle ligament reconstruction. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent arthroscopically assisted modified Broström-Gould ankle ligament reconstruction for symptomatic recurrent ankle instability. Patients who had previous ankle surgery or inflammatory arthropathy were excluded. Ankle arthroscopy was performed prior to reconstruction in all patients. Data were obtained from clinical and radiological records including magnetic resonance imaging scans. Arthroscopic findings were recorded in detail intraoperatively. A total of 100 patients (53 females and 47 males) with an average age of 37 years (range, 15-65 years) were reviewed over a 10-year period. Results: Sixty-three patients (63%) had intra-articular synovitis mostly in the anterior and/or anterolateral compartment, which required arthroscopic debridement. Seventeen patients (17%) were found to have OCLs, and 12 (12%) patients had anterior bony impingement lesions. Conclusion: This study found a high incidence of anterior/anterolateral synovitis in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability. However, there was a relatively low incidence of anterior bony impingement lesions or OCLs in our series. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Beaming for Charcot Foot Reconstruction
Authors: Jones Carroll P. 
Published: June 2015

Charcot arthropathy commonly affects the midfoot and is often an extremely difficult and challenging surgical problem. Operative treatment with medial column arthrodesis using large intramedullary bolts or screws is an evolving and increasingly popular technique called “beaming.” The technique is described here. Level of Evidence: Level V, expert opinion.
Upregulation of Leucine Zipper Protein mRNA in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated With Poor Prognosis
Authors: Li Guangbing , Yuan Li , Liu Dejie , Liu Jun 
Published: June 2015

Background: Leucine zipper protein (LUZP) plays key roles in development. Overexpression of LUZP was documented in several types of solid tumors. In this study, expression of LUZP messenger RNA (LUZP mRNA) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was examined, and the correlations of LUZP mRNA level with patients’ characteristics and prognosis were also investigated. Methods: Total RNA was extracted from HCC and paired noncancerous liver tissues of 77 patients. Expression of LUZP mRNA in the tissues was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Using average LUZP mRNA level in noncancerous liver tissues as the cutoff, patients with HCC were categorized into high-expression group and low-expression group. Correlations of LUZP mRNA with clinical parameters were analyzed. Overall survival of the patients in the 2 groups was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The LUZP mRNA level was significantly higher in HCC samples than in the noncancerous liver tissues (1.87 ± 0.11 vs 0.58 ± 0.05, P < .01). Significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of portal vein invasion, Tumor Lymph Node Metastasis (TNM) stage, and recurrence of HCC. The current study failed to find significant differences between the 2 groups in clinical characteristics such as age, gender, lymph node metastasis, hepatitis B virus infection, family HCC history, and alcohol intake. Overall survival in high-expression group was 12 months while that in the low-expression group was 34 months ( P = .03). Conclusion: The LUZP mRNA is a prognostic indicator in HCC, and overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in patients with HCC.
The inter-rater reliability of the Smith hand function test: A South African perspective
Authors: de Klerk Susan , Coetzee Zelda 
Published: June 2015

Introduction The Smith hand function test is a performance-based hand function assessment with limited evidence on its psychometric properties. This study was conducted to investigate the inter-rater reliability of the Smith hand function test and for consideration in a developing country context. Methods Twenty-two participants living in Cape Town, South Africa were selected by convenience sampling. The sample performed test–retest of the Smith hand function test items four times by four different raters. The inter-rater reliability was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients, with 95% confidence interval, testing absolute agreement and consistency. Results The intraclass correlation coefficients were above 0.75 for all subtests apart from the button board test item. This item had intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.579 (agreement) and 0.577 (consistency) with a standard deviation of 3.64 s and a 0.39 s standard error of measurement. Conclusions The inter-rater reliability of the Smith hand function test following a test–retest design by multiple raters was good. This suggests that further psychometric studies on the Smith hand function test could be valuable for clinical hand practice.
The Development of a Continuous Intravascular Glucose Monitoring Sensor
Authors: Crane Barry C. , Barwell Nicholas P. , Gopal Palepu , Gopichand Mannam , Higgs Timothy , James Tony D. , Jones Christopher M. , Mackenzie Alasdair , Mulavisala Krishna Prasad , Paterson William 
Published: June 2015

Background: Glycemic control in hospital intensive care units (ICU) has been the subject of numerous research publications and debate over the past 2 decades. There have been multiple studies showing the benefit of ICU glucose control in reducing both morbidity and mortality. GlySure Ltd has developed a glucose monitor based on a diboronic acid receptor that can continuously measure plasma glucose concentrations directly in a patient’s vascular system. The goal of this study was to validate the performance of the GlySure CIGM system in different patient populations. Methods: The GlySure Continuous Intravascular Glucose Monitoring (CIGM) System was evaluated in both the Cardiac ICU (33 patients) and MICU setting (14 patients). The sensor was placed through a custom CVC and measured the patients’ blood glucose concentration every 15 seconds. Comparison blood samples were taken at 2 hourly then 4 hourly intervals and measured on a YSI 2300 STAT Plus or an i-STAT. Results: Consensus error grid analysis of the data shows that the majority of the data (88.2% Cardiac, and 95.0% MICU) fell within zone A, which is considered to be clinically accurate and all data points fell within zones A and B. The MARD of the Cardiac trial was 9.90% and the MICU trial had a MARD of 7.95%. Data analysis showed no significant differences between data generated from Cardiac and MICU patients or by time or glucose concentration. Conclusions: The GlySure CIGM System has met the design challenges of measuring intravascular glucose concentrations in critically ill patients with acceptable safety and performance criteria and without disrupting current clinical practice. The accuracy of the data is not affected by the patients’ condition.
Multicenter Observational Study of the First-Generation Intravenous Blood Glucose Monitoring System in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Bochicchio Grant V. , Hipszer Brian R. , Magee Michelle F. , Bergenstal Richard M. , Furnary Anthony P. , Gulino Angela M. , Higgins Michael J. , Simpson Peter C. , Joseph Jeffrey I. 
Published: June 2015

Background: Current methods of blood glucose (BG) monitoring and insulin delivery are labor intensive and commonly fail to achieve the desired level of BG control. There is great clinical need in the hospital for a user-friendly bedside device that can automatically monitor the concentration of BG safely, accurately, frequently, and reliably. Methods: A 100-patient observation study was conducted at 6 US hospitals to evaluate the first generation of the Intravenous Blood Glucose (IVBG) System (Edwards Lifesciences LLC & Dexcom Inc). Device safety, accuracy, and reliability were assessed. A research nurse sampled blood from a vascular catheter every 4 hours for ≤ 72 hours and BG concentration was measured using the YSI 2300 STAT Plus Analyzer (YSI Life Sciences). The IVBG measurements were compared to YSI measurements to calculate point accuracy. Results: The IVBG systems logged more than 5500 hours of operation in 100 critical care patients without causing infection or inflammation of a vein. A total of 44135 IVBG measurements were performed in 100 patients with 30231 measurements from the subset of 75 patients used for accuracy analysis. In all, 996 IVBG measurements were time-matched with reference YSI measurements. These pairs had a mean absolute difference (MAD) of 11.61 mg/dl, a mean absolute relative difference (MARD) of 8.23%, 93% met 15/20% accuracy defined by International Organization for Standardization 15197:2003 standard, and 93.2% were in zone A of the Clarke error grid. The IVBG sensors were exposed to more than 200 different medications with no observable effect on accuracy. Conclusions: The IVBG system is an automated and user-friendly glucose monitoring system that provides accurate and frequent BG measurements with great potential to improve the safety and efficacy of insulin therapy and BG control in the hospital, potentially leading to improved clinical outcomes.