bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Left Ventricular Lead Electrical Delay Is a Predictor of Mortality in Patients With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Roubicek Tomas , Wichterle Dan , Kucera Pavel , Nedbal Pavel , Kupec Jindrich , Sedlakova Jana , Cerny Jan , Stros Jan , Kautzner Josef , Polasek Rostislav 
Published: September 2015

Background—
Electric left ventricular lead position, assessed by the electric delay from the beginning of the QRS complex to the local LV electrogram (QLV), was found in previous studies to be a strong predictor of short-term response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. We hypothesized that suboptimum electric position of the left ventricular lead is associated with an excess of heart failure events and mortality.

Methods and Results—

We analyzed the clinical outcome of patients with left bundle branch block or intraventricular conduction delay treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy at our institution during 9 years. Baseline clinical characteristics, QLV/QRS duration (QLV ratio) at cardiac resynchronization therapy implant, and data about heart failure hospitalization and mode of death were collected in 329 patients who were followed for a period of 3.3±1.9 years. Of them, 83 were hospitalized for heart failure and 83 died. Event rates for all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, noncardiac mortality, heart failure mortality, and sudden death were 25.2%, 14.9%, 10.3%, 12.2%, and 2.1%, respectively. Patients with a QLV ratio ≤0.70 had significantly worse event-free survival for all study end points—hazard ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.0 to 2.4;
P
=0.05 for heart failure hospitalization; hazard ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.6 to 5.5;
P
=0.001 for heart failure mortality; hazard ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 2.7;
P
=0.01 for cardiac mortality; and hazard ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 3.7;
P
=0.01 for all-cause mortality. In multivariable analysis, QLV ratio ≤0.70 remained associated with all study end points.

Conclusions—
Electric left ventricular lead position in cardiac resynchronization therapy patients was a significant predictor of heart failure hospitalization and mortality.
Serum Leptin Levels and the Risk of Stroke
Authors: Saber Hamidreza , Himali Jayandra J. , Shoamanesh Ashkan , Beiser Alexa , Pikula Aleksandra , Harris Tamara B. , Roubenoff Ronenn , Romero Jose Rafael , Kase Carlos S. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Seshadri Sudha 
Published: September 2015

Background and Purpose—
Leptin is a major adipokine that regulates weight balance and energy homeostasis. There is inconsistent evidence linking circulating leptin levels to risk of stroke. We tested the hypothesis that leptin levels are associated with risk of incident stroke in an elderly community based sample.

Methods—
Serum leptin levels were assayed in 757 stroke free individuals (mean age, 79 years; 62% women) from the Framingham Original Cohort at the 22nd examination cycle (1990–1994). Incidence of all -stroke and ischemic stroke were prospectively ascertained.

Results—

During a mean follow up of 10 years, 119 individuals developed stroke (99 ischemic strokes). In multivariable Cox regression models, log leptin levels were not associated with incidence of all -stroke or ischemic stroke (hazard ratios per SD increment in log leptin 0.90 [0.73–1.09] and 0.89 [0.72–1.11], respectively). The results were suggestive for potential effect modification by waist/hip ratio for the association between leptin and stroke (
P
=0.03). Adjusting for age, sex, and established stroke risk factors, analysis stratified by waist/hip ratio quartiles revealed a lower incidence of first-ever all-stroke and ischemic stroke associated with higher leptin levels among only subjects in the top waist/hip ratio quartile (hazard ratio, 0.64 [0.43, 0.95] versus 0.98 [0.77, 1.25] for incident all-stroke and 0.61 [0.39, 0.95] versus 0.96 [0.74, 1.26] for ischemic stroke).

Conclusions—
Leptin levels were not directly related to the risk of incident stroke overall but there was an inverse association with stroke in the top waist/hip ratio quartile. Further investigations are required to confirm these findings and explore possible mechanisms for the observed association.
Catastrophe and Mechanism Analyses of Multiple Equilibria in the Western Pacific Subtropical High System Based on Objective Fitting of Spatial Basis Functions
Authors: Hong Mei , Zhang Ren , Hu Yijia , Dandan Yu , Jiang Guorong 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Scholars have been showing great interest in revealing the mechanisms that govern the activities of the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH). However, the problem currently remains unresolved. In this paper, a new model is developed to reveal the dynamical mechanism of the WPSH abnormal activities. Variables in the partial differential vorticity equations based on latent heat flux are separated in space and time using Galerkin methods. To overcome three deficiencies of the traditional highly truncated spectral method, spatial basis functions are reconstructed from observation field time series based on a combination of empirical orthogonal function decomposition and genetic algorithm. Based on the atmospheric vorticity equation, nonlinear ordinary differential equations of the WPSH can be obtained using an objective spatial basis function. Moreover, dynamical characteristics and actions, such as bifurcation and catastrophe induced by latent heat flux factors, are analyzed. Results show that the latent heat flux field in the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal region determines the formation and rupture of the WPSH (such as the “double ridge” phenomenon). The enhancements of land–sea heating contrast and latent heat flux field in the South China Sea lead to WPSH abnormal activities and WPSH circulation anomalies, such as subtropical high northward jump and rapid westward extension. Linked with the real weather phenomena and the diagnostic analysis of the previous studies, the credibility of the bifurcation and catastrophe analysis is confirmed. This work documents new areas of research on the evolution mechanism of the WPSH under the action of latent heat flux from the view of chaotic dynamics.
NCAR’s Experimental Real-Time Convection-Allowing Ensemble Prediction System
Authors: Schwartz Craig S. , Romine Glen S. , Sobash Ryan A. , Fossell Kathryn R. , Weisman Morris L. 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
This expository paper documents an experimental, real-time, 10-member, 3-km, convection-allowing ensemble prediction system (EPS) developed at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in spring 2015. The EPS is particularly unique in that continuously cycling, limited-area, mesoscale ensemble Kalman filter analyses provide diverse initial conditions. In addition to describing the EPS configurations, initial forecast assessments are presented that suggest the EPS can provide valuable severe weather guidance and skillful predictions of precipitation. The EPS output is available to operational forecasters, many of whom have incorporated the products into their toolboxes. Given such rapid embrace of an experimental system by the operational community, acceleration of convection-allowing EPS development is encouraged.
Convergent or divergent Europeanization? An analysis of higher education governance reforms in France and Italy
Authors: Dobbins Michael 
Published: September 2015

This article comparatively examines the higher education reform pathways of France and Italy. Using a scheme of empirical indicators, I focus on the divergent and convergent developments in these two countries, which played a pioneering role in the Europeanization of higher education. While France has consistently moved closer to a market-oriented model, legacies of academic self-rule were initially strengthened in Italy, before recent reforms aimed to crack down on academic power abuses. To explain these policy pathways, I pursue a dual theoretical argument by linking institutional isomorphism with historical institutionalism. Points for practitioners The article examines the changing structures of higher education management and administration in France and Italy. It focuses on the new roles attributed to the state, university leaders and external stakeholders, and addresses whether both systems have converged on a market-oriented paradigm. I explain how and why various new competitive steering instruments were introduced. The analysis should be of interest to both scholars and practitioners due to its focus on new power arrangements in quality assurance, university administration and research governance.
Street-level bureaucrats’ turnover intention: does public service motivation matter?
Authors: Shim Dong Chul , Park Hyun Hee , Eom Tae Ho 
Published: September 2015

This study examines the joint influences of work exhaustion, job demands (red tape, role conflict, work overload), and public service motivation on street-level bureaucrats’ turnover intention. Based on a survey of 4974 Korean street-level bureaucrats, the study examines the potential mediating role of work exhaustion and complex moderating role of public service motivation in determining street-level bureaucrats’ turnover intention. In line with previous research, we find that job demands have both direct and indirect associations with street-level bureaucrats’ turnover intention through work exhaustion. However, public service motivation was found to reduce the employees’ turnover intention in two different ways. First, public service motivation was found to have a direct negative association with turnover intention. In addition, it was also found to mitigate the positive associations between job demands and work exhaustion, and between job demands and turnover intention. Points for practitioners The findings of the current study provide several practical implications for public managers. First of all, it suggests that imbuing public sector values through formal and informal training is important. Second, it provides some clues for local government managers to reduce street-level bureaucrats’ work exhaustion and turnover intention. For example, the problem of work overload for street-level bureaucrats could be reduced by reassigning work responsibilities according to workload analyses for given jobs.
US sub-national governmental response to the ‘Great Recession’: implications for the ‘equitable distribution of the costs and benefits of public services’
Authors: Wooldridge Blue , Smith Heidi Jane M. 
Published: September 2015

Experts suggest that when faced with fiscal stress public managers can engage in three coping practices: an actual cutback in services, expansion of existing financial resources, or reduction in work force. During the Great Recession (2007–2012), US subnational governments utilized all three of these practices. The purpose of this article is to identify coping mechanisms used by state and local governments to respond to the Great Recession, and identify approaches to minimize the negative and disproportionate impact of these actions on women, minorities, and the economically disadvantaged. The authors provide specific examples of tactics employed by US subnational governments in response to fiscal stress and evaluate the equity of their consequences on the distribution of goods and services. A review of the concept of social equity, its related literature, and an analysis of the disparate impact of coping practices on underrepresented groups is provided. Finally, the article presents mitigating strategies in order to reduce the regressive impact of these coping practices on the vulnerable populations. Points for practitioners This article identifies ‘coping’ strategies used by US Subnational Governments in response to the Global Recession. It presents the inequities caused by these responses and suggests some ‘mitigating’ strategies to reduce the regressive impact on the disadvantaged.
Personality and decision-making in public administration: the five-factor model in cultural perspective
Authors: Filiz Erdinc , Battaglio R. Paul 
Published: September 2015

Using a cross-sectional survey of 254 Turkish district governors, this study assesses the impact of personality on decision-making among public managers. The research evaluates self-reported results from the Five-Factor Model of personality and the Decision-Making Questionnaire of the psychology literature. The findings suggest that Openness, Conscientiousness, and Extraversion are important in the analysis of decision-making subjects, tasks, and contexts, respectively. Departing from previous research, the analysis here suggests that culture and structure are important factors in explaining personality and decision-making in public administration. Points for practitioners This study offers policy implications for the recruitment, performance appraisal, training, and assignment of practitioners in the public service. Personality assessments can be used as a valuable tool during the evaluation of public officials under consideration for recruitment, appointment, and promotion. Matching the personalities of potential candidates to positions requiring comparable qualifications has important organizational, personnel, and financial implications. Our research also suggests that decision-making and personality should also account for social, cultural, and organizational differences in their applications.
Validating a scale for citizen trust in government organizations
Authors: Grimmelikhuijsen Stephan , Knies Eva 
Published: September 2015

Citizen trust in government at the macro level has been studied by public administration scholars for many years. To further our understanding, assessing trust at the meso level of government organizations is important to more precisely determine effects and antecedents of trust at the organizational level. The organizational trust literature has shown that organizational trustworthiness is multidimensional, but the extant literature has not validated such measures in a public administration context. The proposed scale builds on and adapts an existing organizational trust scale to a public administration context. The ‘Citizen Trust in Government Organizations’ scale is validated using data from two different samples (total n = 991), resulting in a scale of nine items measuring three dimensions: perceived competence, benevolence, and integrity. This scale can be used by other researchers and is valuable to gain a more specific and multi-dimensional understanding of trust in government organizations. Points for practitioners A major problem for government organizations worldwide is the lack of perceived trustworthiness by the public. To tackle this problem, a way to measure it is needed, but at the moment there are only generic measures to assert perceived trustworthiness in a government organization. This article presents a first validation and incorporates three dimensions: perceived competence, benevolence, and honesty. Practitioners can use this scale and adapt to their relevant local context to identify specific trustworthiness problems.
Thermal performance of a typical residential Cyprus building with phase change materials
Authors: Ozdenefe Murat , Dewsbury Jonathan 
Published: September 2015

This work investigates the thermal performance of a typical building in Cyprus, and the effect of application of a particular passive technology (phase change material or PCM) with the aim of reducing indoor air temperatures and energy supplied for the cooling season. Phase change materials for passive building applications are an emerging technology and have not been tested for the buildings of Cyprus, either by computer simulation or practical application. In this paper, the effect of incorporating a phase change material wallboard with a phase change temperature of 26℃ was investigated by simulation in Energy Plus. Four scenarios were considered for the same building geometry, each having different constructions. Two construction styles were used: perforated clay brick walls with reinforced concrete slabs and cellular concrete block walls with cellular concrete slabs. Each construction style was used in two different thicknesses. Simulations were carried out for the city of Larnaca for the cooling season only (May–October). The results showed that with this particular phase change material product, indoor air temperatures and cooling energies supplied to the building could be reduced by up to 1.7℃ and 14.0%. Practical application: Sensible heat storage in building fabric is usual practice in Cyprus, as traditional building materials are thermally heavy. This paper will have practical impact as it introduces application of PCMs, a new method for storing heat in the buildings of Cyprus in much lighter way, where the weight is significant constraint due to earthquake load.
Stresses in equilibrium configurations of inextensible nets with slack
Authors: Šilhavý Miroslav 
Published: September 2015

The paper deals with nets formed by two families of fibers (cords) which can grow shorter but not longer, in a deformation. The nets are treated as two-dimensional continua in the three-dimensional space. The inextensibility condition places unilateral constraint on the partial derivatives y,1 and y,2 of the deformation [Formula: see text] of the form [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] There is no deformation energy, the total energy reduces to the potential energy of the net under external forces. Equilibrium configurations are those of minimum energy. The stresses in equilibrium configurations thus reduce to the reactions to the constraints. Nonzero stresses occur only in tense regions where one or two constraints are satisfied with the equality sign. The paper follows the work of Paroni in treating the stress problem via the dual variational problem in the sense of convex analysis. Unlike in the work of Paroni, where stresses are modeled as finitely additive set functions, here a (perhaps more economic) choice of spaces is made that leads to more accessible stresses represented by (countably additive) measures. The present development is made possible by an observation, of independent value, that the space of measures with divergence measure is the dual of another Banach space, in the present context naturally interpreted as the space of strains. Our measures generalize stress fields represented by ordinary functions to account for stress concentrations along folded lines in tension, frequently occurring in equilibrium configurations of the net.
Factors associated with resilience among female family caregivers of a functionally or cognitively impaired aging relative in Lebanon: A correlational study
Authors: Séoud Joelle N , Ducharme Francine 
Published: September 2015

Background Owing to the loss of autonomy associated with aging, home-dwelling older people often need the support of family and friends, particularly of a family caregiver whose demanding role can have negative health consequences. The empirical literature reports that some caregivers are resilient and continue to grow and develop, whereas others have difficulty coping with the role and suffer psychological distress. Aims The aim of this study was to examine the contribution of personal and contextual factors to the resilience of female family caregivers of home-dwelling functionally or cognitively impaired older people in Lebanon. Methods A predictive correlational design was used. The study was conducted with a cohort of 140 female primary family caregivers cohabiting with an older person aged 65 years or over. Data were collected through home-based structured interviews. Results Four factors were shown to be significantly associated with caregiver resilience: problem-focused coping strategies, emotion-focused coping strategies, sense of self-efficacy and caregiver meaning of caregiving. Conclusion The study offers potential priorities for nursing interventions aimed at promoting caregiver resilience. The results enable the creation of the foundations of a transferable contextual theory of resilience among female family caregivers in Lebanon.
Comparative Study of Collagen versus Synthetic-Based Meniscal Scaffolds in Treating Meniscal Deficiency in Young Active Population
Authors: Bulgheroni Erica , Grassi Alberto , Campagnolo Monica , Bulgheroni Paolo , Mudhigere Abhishek , Gobbi Alberto 
Published: September 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 2 different meniscal scaffolds in treating patients with irreparable partial medial meniscal tear and patients complaining of pain in the medial compartment of the knee due to a previous partial medial meniscectomy. Based on previous studies, we hypothesized that both the scaffolds are effective in improving clinical outcomes in these patient populations. Material and Methods: Twenty-eight patients underwent collagen-based medial meniscus implantation (CMI-Menaflex) and 25 with a second-generation scaffold (Actifit). All patients were assessed with Lysholm, Tegner scale, and MRI evaluation—preoperatively, at 6 months, at 12 moths, and followed-up for a minimum of 2 years. Second look arthroscopy and concomitant biopsy were performed in 7 and 12 patients of CMI and Actifit groups, respectively. Results: The CMI group at final follow-up showed improvement in Lysholm score from 58.4 ± 17.3 to 94.5 ± 6.0, while the Actifit group showed improvement from 67.0 ± 15.7 to 90.3 ± 13.1; the improvement was statistically significant in both the groups but intergroup difference was not statistically significant ( P = 0.1061). Tegner Activity Scale score improved in both the groups, but intergroup difference was not statistically significant ( P = 0.5918). MRI evaluation showed in situ scaffold and no progression of degenerative arthritis in both the groups at final follow-up. Histological evaluation showed more fibrous tissue with blood vessels in the CMI group and the Actift group showed avascular cartilaginous features. Conclusion: Both the scaffolds are effective in improving patients’ symptoms and joint function at short-term follow-up.
Bartonella henselae as a cause of acute-onset febrile illness in cats
Authors: Breitschwerdt Edward B , Broadhurst Jack J , Cherry Natalie A 
Published: September 2015

Case series summary At different time points spanning 6 months, three adopted feral flea-infested cats, residing in the household of a veterinary technician, became acutely anorexic, lethargic and febrile. Enrichment blood culture/PCR using Bartonella alpha Proteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM) confirmed initial infection with the same Bartonella henselae genotype in all three cases. With the exception of anemia and neutropenia, complete blood counts, serum biochemical profiles and urinalysis results were within reference intervals. Also, tests for feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, Toxoplasma gondii and feline coronavirus antibodies were negative. Serial daily temperature monitoring in one case confirmed a cyclic, relapsing febrile temperature pattern during 1 month, with resolution during and after treatment with azithromycin. Bartonella henselae Western immunoblot (WB) results did not consistently correlate with BAPGM enrichment blood culture/PCR results or B henselae indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) titers, and WB titration results were not informative for establishing antibiotic treatment failure. During the respective follow-up periods, no illnesses or additional febrile episodes were reported, despite repeat documentation of B henselae bacteremia in two cats available for follow-up (one with the same genotype and the other with a different B henselae genotype); one cat was, unfortunately, killed by dogs before follow-up testing. Relevance and novel information We conclude that microbiological diagnosis and treatment of B henselae infection in cats can be challenging, that antibody titration results and resolution of clinical abnormalities may not correlate with a therapeutic cure, and that fever and potentially neutropenia should be differential diagnostic considerations for young cats with suspected bartonellosis.