bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of Subclinical Coronary Artery Disease in Masters Endurance Athletes With a Low Atherosclerotic Risk Profile
Authors: Merghani Ahmed , Maestrini Viviana , Rosmini Stefania , Cox Andrew T. , Dhutia Harshil , Bastiaenan Rachel , David Sarojini , Yeo Tee Joo , Narain Rajay , Malhotra Aneil , Papadakis Michael , Wilson Mathew G. , Tome Maite , AlFakih Khaled , Moon James C. , Sharma Sanjay
Published: May 2017

Background:

Studies in middle-age and older (masters) athletes with atherosclerotic risk factors for coronary artery disease report higher coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores compared with sedentary individuals. Few studies have assessed the prevalence of coronary artery disease in masters athletes with a low atherosclerotic risk profile.

Methods:

We assessed 152 masters athletes 54.4±8.5 years of age (70% male) and 92 controls of similar age, sex, and low Framingham 10-year coronary artery disease risk scores with an echocardiogram, exercise stress test, computerized tomographic coronary angiogram, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging with late gadolinium enhancement and a 24-hour Holter. Athletes had participated in endurance exercise for an average of 31±12.6 years. The majority (77%) were runners, with a median of 13 marathon runs per athlete.

Results:

Most athletes (60%) and controls (63%) had a normal CAC score. Male athletes had a higher prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques of any luminal irregularity (44.3% versus 22.2%;
P
=0.009) compared with sedentary males, and only male athletes showed a CAC ≥300 Agatston units (11.3%) and a luminal stenosis ≥50% (7.5%). Male athletes demonstrated predominantly calcific plaques (72.7%), whereas sedentary males showed predominantly mixed morphology plaques (61.5%). The number of years of training was the only independent variable associated with increased risk of CAC >70th percentile for age or luminal stenosis ≥50% in male athletes (odds ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.15;
P
=0.016); 15 (14%) male athletes but none of the controls revealed late gadolinium enhancement on cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Of these athletes, 7 had a pattern consistent with previous myocardial infarction, including 3(42%) with a luminal stenosis ≥50% in the corresponding artery.

Conclusions:

Most lifelong masters endurance athletes with a low atherosclerotic risk profile have normal CAC scores. Male athletes are more likely to have a CAC score >300 Agatston units or coronary plaques compared with sedentary males with a similar risk profile. The significance of these observations is uncertain, but the predominantly calcific morphology of the plaques in athletes indicates potentially different pathophysiological mechanisms for plaque formation in athletic versus sedentary men. Coronary plaques are more abundant in athletes, whereas their stable nature could mitigate the risk of plaque rupture and acute myocardial infarction.
New Protoribates (Acari, Oribatida, Haplozetidae) from Vietnam
Authors: ERMILOV SERGEY G. , STARÝ JOSEF
Published: May 2017

Three new species of oribatid mites of the genus Protoribates (Oribatida, Haplozetidae) are described based on adult specimens from the Tam Dao National Park of Northern Vietnam. Protoribates chistyakovi sp. nov. differs from P. sangumburiensis (Choi, 1996) by being larger, the localization of lamellar setae, and morphology of rostrum and interlamellar setae. Protoribates shaldybinae sp. nov. differs from P. dentatus (Berlese, 1883) by its distinctly foveolate body surface, morphology of pedotecta II and leg tarsi I and II, and much longer adanal setae ad2. Protoribates shvanderovi sp. nov. differs from P. gracilis (Aoki, 1982) by its larger body size, localization of lamellar setae, and the relative lengths of lamellar, interlamellar and bothridial setae, and longer dorsophragmata. An identification key to the Vietnamese species of the genus Protoribates is given.
Oxynoemacheilus kentritensis, a new species from the upper Tigris drainage in Turkey with remarks on O. frenatus (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)
Authors: FREYHOF JÖRG , KAYA CÜNEYT , TURAN DAVUT
Published: May 2017

Oxynoemacheilus kentritensis, new species, is described from the Botan drainage, a tributary to the upper Tigris. It is distinguished from other Oxynoemacheilus species in the Tigris drainage by having a complete lateral line, long barbels, flank and back completely covered by scales and flank behind dorsal-fin base with large, dark-brown, vertically elongated blotches or bars.
Description of Diploplastron dehorityi sp. nov. (Entodiniomorphida, Ophryoscolecidae), a new rumen ciliate from Brazilian sheep (Ovis aries)
Authors: CEDROLA FRANCIANE , DIAS ROBERTO JÚNIO PEDROSO , MARTINELE ISABEL , D’AGOSTO MARTA
Published: May 2017

To date the genus Diploplastron comprised only one species of ophryoscolecid ciliate, Diploplastron affine, which is characterized by having two retractable ciliary zones in the anterior end of the body, two slender and juxtaposed skeletal plates on the right side, a rod shape macronucleus, and two contractile vacuoles. During study on the characterization of rumen ciliate community composition in Brazilian domestic sheep, we observed ciliates with atypical morphology but with diagnostic features of genus Diploplastron. This study describes Diploplastron dehorityi, a new species of ophryoscolecid ciliate, that differs from D. affine, primarily, in the morphology of skeletal plates, morphology of nuclear apparatus and body shape. In addition to the similarities between the new species and congener species, D. dehorityi has some morphological similarities to species of genus Eremoplastron.
The Populist Political Communication Style in Action: Podemos’s Issues and Functions on Twitter During the 2016 Spanish General Election
Authors: Casero-Ripollés Andreu , Sintes-Olivella Marçal , Franch Pere
Published: May 2017

Populism is a phenomenon that has been acquiring great relevance over recent years in the United States and Europe. Literature on the subject has identified the existence of a populist style that also affects political communication. The aim of this article is to analyze the structure of issues and the functions of messages circulated by a populist party in order to determine the presence and incidence of this style’s main components. The methodology is based on a quantitative analysis of the content of the Twitter profiles of the Spanish political party Podemos and its leader, Pablo Iglesias, during the 2016 Spanish elections. Totally, 2,612 tweets were analyzed. The results allow the identification of a strategy of complementarity, which appears as a new component in the communication style of populism in the digital environment. Podemos is also seen to lean toward antielitism and its leader toward the communicative construction of “the people.”
Sources of Segregation in Social Networks: A Novel Approach Using Facebook
Authors: Hofstra Bas , Corten Rense , van Tubergen Frank , Ellison Nicole B.
Published: May 2017

Most research on segregation in social networks considers small circles of strong ties, and little is known about segregation among the much larger number of weaker ties. This article proposes a novel approach to the study of these more extended networks, through the use of data on personal ties in an online social network. We illustrate this method’s potential by describing and explaining the degree of ethnic and gender segregation on Facebook among a representative survey of adolescents in the Netherlands ( N = 2,810; ~1.1 million Facebook friends). The results show that large online networks are more strongly segregated by ethnicity than by gender. Drawing on the same survey data, we find that core networks are more segregated in terms of ethnicity and gender than are extended networks. However, an exception to this pattern is personal networks of ethnic majority members, whose core networks are as segregated by ethnicity as their extended networks. Further analysis suggests this exception is due to their larger population size and the ethnic segregation of their social settings. We discuss the implications of these findings for the role of structural opportunities, homophily, and balance.
Assessment of the Procoagulant Activity of Microparticles and the Protein Z System in Patients Undergoing Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
Authors: Słomka Artur , Piekuś Aleksandra , Kowalewski Mariusz , Pawliszak Wojciech , Anisimowicz Lech , Żekanowska Ewa
Published: May 2017

To understand the coagulation changes after off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery, we evaluated the procoagulant activity of microparticles (MPs) and microparticles exposing tissue factor (MPs-TF), together with the levels of total tissue factor (TF), protein Z (PZ), protein Z-dependent protease inhibitor (ZPI), and factor X (FX) before (first day) and 1 week after surgery (seventh day) in plasma samples from 30 patients. Twenty healthy controls were also included. Compared to the controls, patients scheduled for surgery had significantly higher MPs-TF procoagulant activity and lower TF levels ( P = .0006, P = .02, respectively). In the whole cohort, median procoagulant activity of MPs-TF and median levels of TF and ZPI were significantly lower ( P = .02, P = .0003, and P = .004, respectively), while median levels of PZ and FX were significantly higher ( P = .02 and P = .002, respectively) on the seventh day compared to the first day. Our results suggest that OPCAB surgery has a significant effect on the procoagulant activity of MPs-TF and the PZ system.
The Role of Compensatory Beliefs in Rationalizing Environmentally Detrimental Behaviors
Authors: Hope Aimie L. B. , Jones Christopher R. , Webb Thomas L. , Watson Matthew T. , Kaklamanou Daphne
Published: May 2017

Compensatory green beliefs (CGBs) reflect the idea that a pro-environmental behavior (e.g., recycling) can off-set the negative effects of an environmentally detrimental behavior (e.g., driving). It is thought that CGBs might help explain why people act in ways that appear to contradict their pro-environmental intentions, and inconsistently engage in pro-environmental behaviors. The present study sought to investigate the nature and use of CGBs. A series of interviews suggested that participants endorsed CGBs to (a) reduce feelings of guilt with respect to (the assumed or actual) negative environmental impact of their actions and (b) defend their green credentials in social situations. Participants also justified detrimental behaviors on the basis of higher loyalties (e.g., family’s needs), or the perceived difficulty of performing more pro-environmental actions. In addition to shedding light on how, when, and why people might hold and use CGBs, the research also provides new insight into how CGBs should be assessed.
Engaging homeless individuals in discussion about their food experiences to optimise wellbeing: A pilot study
Authors: Pettinger Clare , Parsons Julie M , Cunningham Miranda , Withers Lyndsey , D’Aprano Gia , Letherby Gayle , Sutton Carole , Whiteford Andrew , Ayres Richard
Published: May 2017

Objective:

High levels of social and economic deprivation are apparent in many UK cities, where there is evidence of certain ‘marginalised’ communities suffering disproportionately from poor nutrition, threatening health. Finding ways to engage with these communities is essential to identify strategies to optimise wellbeing and life skills. The Food as a Lifestyle Motivator project aimed to pilot creative methods among homeless adults for the examination of food-related experiences in order to facilitate their engagement in the wellbeing discourse.

Design:

Creative Participatory Action Research methods including Photo-Elicitation.

Setting:

A homeless service provider in Plymouth, UK.

Method:

A sample of homeless service users took photographs of their food activities over a 10-day period, and then volunteered to share their photos in focus group discussions to elicit meaning related to their food experiences.

Results:

Five themes were generated from nine service user narratives, demonstrating that food holds meaning, elicits emotions and exerts power. The food environment can be a critical social meeting place and food preparation can provide companionship and occupation.

Conclusion:

As well as being central to many health concerns, food may also be a powerful way to motivate people to change their lifestyle. The participatory methods used in this pilot hold potential to engage effectively with harder-to-reach service users. Discussions about their wellbeing indicate food as a powerful ‘catalyst’ for inclusion with the potential to empower individuals. The study serves to inform health education practice, design of services and address (nutritional) health inequalities.
Discordance between lifestyle-related health beliefs and behaviours of Saudi women in Dammam
Authors: Al-Bannay Hana R , Jarus Tal , Jongbloed Lyn , Dean Elizabeth
Published: May 2017

Objective:

Women living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including in the Eastern Province have a high prevalence of lifestyle-related conditions for which targeted health education strategies are needed. This study’s objective was to explore their self-reported health status and the congruence of their lifestyle-related health beliefs and practices to inform health education programme development.

Methods:

A cross section of community-living Saudi women ( N = 407) living in Dammam (the capital of the Eastern Province) was sampled from regional health centres. Participants completed an interview survey questionnaire about their health status and their lifestyle-related health beliefs and practices.

Results:

In all, 44% of participants reported having an average but not excellent health. This finding was at odds with their unequivocal, evidence-supported beliefs about the positive relationship between exercise, good nutrition, not smoking and manageable stress, with health (⩾97%). Despite these strong beliefs, participants reported suboptimal levels of exercise, nutritional choices, stress and sleep quality and quantity for maximal health and wellbeing.

Conclusion:

Studies are warranted to explore and explain marked discrepancy between the positive health beliefs and lifestyle-related health practices of Saudi women living in Dammam, and to design effective health promotion education programmes to address this gap. Improving Saudi women’s health by narrowing the lifestyle-related health belief–practice gap may also maximise the health of families, given women’s pivotal role in managing the family, as well as individual health.
Ancient History of Technology in West Africa: The Indigenous Glass/Glass Bead Industry and the Society in Early Ile-Ife, Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Babalola Abidemi Babatunde
Published: May 2017

The technology of glassmaking is complex. This complexity has been cited for the exclusion of the development of ancient glass technology from certain regions of the world, especially Africa, South of the Sahara. Thus, much of the existing scholarship on the technology of ancient glass has focused on the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Southeast and South Asia. Although the discourse on indigenous African technology has gained traction in Black studies, the study of ancient glass seems to have been left mainly in the hands of specialists in other disciplines. Drawing from archaeological and historical evidence from Ile-Ife, Southwest Nigeria, in tandem with the result of compositional analysis, this article examines the first recognized indigenous Sub-Saharan African glass technology dated to early second millennium ad or earlier. The development of the local glass recipe and the making of beads not only ushered in a social, religious, and economic transformation in Yorubaland as well as the other West African societies but also redressed the place of Sub-Saharan African in the historiographical map of ancient global technology and commerce.
Living off the land: The connection between cropland, food security, and violence against civilians
Authors: Koren Ore , Bagozzi Benjamin E
Published: May 2017

Food security has attracted widespread attention in recent years. Yet, despite preliminary evidence connecting food insecurity to political violence, we lack a systematic understanding of the relationship(s) between local food resources and violence against civilians. This study develops a food-security based theory to explain the significant variation that we observe in violence against civilians across both time and subnational geographic space. We argue that combatants, be they government or rebel actors, often must turn to local agricultural resources for sustenance. During times of relative peace, armed actors and civilians have long time horizons, and the prospects of repeated interactions thereby promote a strategy of co-optation to obtain food resources. However, the existence of immediate conflict in a region leads armed actors to discount the benefits of future interactions in favor of obtaining food immediately, using violence if necessary. In estimating a series of statistical models on a sample of all African countries (1997–2009), we find robust support for our expectations: cropland increases the frequency of violence against civilians during periods of conflict, but has an added pacifying effect during times of peace.
Autocracies and the international sources of cooperation
Authors: Mazumder Soumyajit
Published: May 2017

Under what conditions do autocracies peacefully settle disputes? Existing studies tend to focus on the domestic factors that shape conflict initiation. In this article, I show how domestic institutions interact with international institutions to produce more cooperative outcomes. Particularly, this study argues that as autocracies become more central in the network of liberal institutions such as preferential trade agreements (PTAs), they are less likely to initiate a militarized interstate dispute (MID). As a state becomes more democratic, the effect of centrality within the PTA network on the peaceful dispute settlement dissipates. This is because greater embeddedness in the PTA regime is associated with enhanced transparency for autocracies, which allows autocracies to mitigate ex ante informational problems in dispute resolution. Using a dataset of MID initiation from 1965 to 1999, this study finds robust empirical support for the aforementioned hypothesis. Moreover, the results are substantively significant. Further analysis into the causal mechanisms at work provides evidence in favor of the information mechanism. Autocrats who are more embedded in the PTA network tend to have higher levels of economic transparency and economic transparency itself is associated with lower rates of conflict initiation. The results suggest that an autocrat’s structural position within the international system can help to peacefully settle its disputes.
No extraction without representation: The ethno-regional oil curse and secessionist conflict
Authors: Hunziker Philipp , Cederman Lars-Erik
Published: May 2017

A large body of literature claims that oil production increases the risk of civil war. However, a growing number of skeptics argue that the oil–conflict link is not causal, but merely an artifact of flawed research designs. This article re-evaluates whether – and where – oil causes conflict by employing a novel identification strategy based on the geological determinants of hydrocarbon reserves. We employ geospatial data on the location of sedimentary basins as a new spatially disaggregated instrument for petroleum production. Combined with newly collected data on oil field locations, this approach allows investigating the causal effect of oil on conflict at the national and subnational levels. Contrary to the recent criticism, we find that previous work has underestimated the magnitude of the conflict-inducing effect of oil production. Our results indicate that oil has a large and robust effect on the likelihood of secessionist conflict, especially if it is produced in populated areas. In contrast, oil production does not appear to be linked to center-seeking civil wars. Moreover, we find considerable evidence in favor of an ethno-regional explanation of this link. Oil production significantly increases the risk of armed secessionism if it occurs in the settlement areas of ethnic minorities.
Perils of pluralism: Electoral violence and incumbency in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Taylor Charles Fernandes , Pevehouse Jon CW , Straus Scott
Published: May 2017

Why do some multiparty elections lead to political violence while others do not? Despite extensive literatures on democratization, civil war, and violence against civilians in civil war, the topic of electoral violence has received less attention. We develop a set of theoretical propositions to explain this variation, testing them on an original dataset on African elections from 1990 to 2008. We find that elections in which an incumbent presidential candidate is running for re-election are significantly more likely to experience electoral violence, both prior to the election and after voting has taken place. We argue that clientelism is behind this pattern, and that clients often resort to electoral violence to protect a reliable incumbent patron. On the other hand, when an incumbent candidate is not running for office, we argue that clients are less willing to assume the risks of participating in electoral violence because candidates in the election have not established a record of delivering patronage at the executive level. We further find some evidence that pre-existing social conflicts increase the risk of pre-election violence. We suggest that this finding is due to the tendency of political elites to mobilize voters around pre-existing political and economic grievances to promote their candidacies, in turn heightening tensions and divisions. We also examine, but find little support for, a number of other possible determinants of electoral violence, such as regime type, income level, international observers, ongoing civil war, pathway to power, and first elections after civil war. The article contributes not only to a small but growing literature on electoral violence but also to a burgeoning literature on political behavior in African elections.
A Critical Analysis of Debates Around Mental Health Calls in the Prehospital Setting
Authors: Ford-Jones Polly Christine , Chaufan Claudia
Published: May 2017

Paramedics, health care workers who assess and manage health concerns in the prehospital setting, are increasingly providing psychosocial care in response to a rise in mental health call volume. Observers have construed this fact as “misuse” of paramedic services, and proposed as solutions better triaging of patients, better mental health training of paramedics, and a greater number of community mental health services. In this commentary, we argue that despite the ostensibly well-intentioned nature of these solutions, they shift attention and accountability away from relevant public policies, as well as from broader economic, social, and political determinants of mental health, while placing responsibility on those requiring services or, at best, on the health care system. We also argue that the perspective of paramedics, who are exposed to, and interact with, individuals in their everyday environments, has the potential to inform a better, structural and critical, understanding of the factors driving the rise in psychosocial crises in the first place. Finally, we suggest that a greater engagement with the political and social determinants of mental health would lead to preventing, rather than primarily reacting to, these crises after the fact.
Sedative-Hypnotic Use Among Older Adults Participating in Anxiety Research
Authors: Conti Elizabeth C. , Stanley Melinda A. , Amspoker Amber B. , Kunik Mark E.
Published: May 2017

Older adults are prescribed sedative-hypnotic medications at higher rates than younger adults. These are not recommended for older adults due to risk of sedation, cognitive impairment, and falls. Severe generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a possibly appropriate use of these medications in older people, but little is available on use of sedative-hypnotic medications among older adults with GAD. This study examined the frequency and predictors of sedative-hypnotic medication use among older adults screening positive for anxiety. 25.88% ( n = 125) of participants reported taking sedative-hypnotics over the past 3 months; 16.36% ( n = 79) reported taking benzodiazepines, and 12.22% ( n = 59) reported taking hypnotic sleep medications. Depressive symptoms were more strongly associated with sedative-hypnotic use than insomnia or worry. Major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, but not GAD, predicted sedative-hypnotic use. Other medications and treatments are more appropriate and efficacious for depression, anxiety, and insomnia in this population.
Coloniality in the Appropriation of Nature: Agrofuel Production, Dependency, and Constant Primitive Accumulation in the Periphery of Capitalism
Authors: Assis Wendell Ficher Teixeira , Franco Sérgio H. Rocha
Published: May 2017

The expansion of sugarcane monoculture for the production of agrofuels since the early 2000s has caused territorial reconfigurations in the Brazilian countryside. This territorial reordering represents both a lucrative way of employing idle capital and the geographical expansion of capital domains. In the process, new markets are created and leveraged by discourses of environmental conservation while air, soil, and water are depredated and indigenous people, peasants, and quilombolas are dispossessed and dragged into new circuits of accumulation. Linked to the continuous search for new fronts of accumulation and the increasing commodification of nature, Brazilian agrofuel production may be understood as an expression of the logic of coloniality.

A expansão da monocultura açucareira com vistas a produção de agro combustíveis tem causado reconfigurações territoriais na área rural brasileira. Implementada desde o princípio dos anos 2000, essa reordenação territorial apresenta ao mesmo tempo o emprego lucrativo do capital ocioso e a expansão geográfica do domínio do capital. Nesse processo, novos mercados são criados e alavancados por discursos ambientalistas, enquanto ar, solo e água são devastados. Demais, a população indígena, os campesinos e os quilombolas sofrem destituição e são forçados a integrar novos circuitos de acumulação. Relacionados à busca de novas frentes de acumulação e à comercialização da natureza, a produção brasileira de agro combustível pode ser compreendida como expressão da lógica da colonialidade.
“Emerging Cities”: Knowledge and Urbanization in Europe’s Borderlands 1880-1945—Introduction
Authors: Gantner Eszter , Hein-Kircher Heidi
Published: May 2017

The article focuses on the interaction of knowledge transfer and urbanization in the emerging cities of East and Central Europe 1880-1945. Doing so, the article is arguing that in the East European borderlands, this interaction can be understood as reception and creative development of impulses transformed by local socioeconomic and cultural factors, such as multiethnicity, multiconfessionalisation, and nationalizing processes, which are specific for these regions. Due to this, the article offers the concept of “emerging cities” on the specific model of urbanization with a focus on knowledge transfer and circulation in this historical and geographical region beyond the center–periphery scheme.
Indian middling migrants in Wrocław: A study of migration experiences and strategies
Authors: Jaskułowski Krzysztof
Published: May 2017

This article analyzes the migration experiences and strategies of Indian middle-class professionals living in Wrocław, Poland. Drawing on qualitative research, I explore the question of how and why they move to Wrocław. I argue that they see Wrocław not so much as a city of interest in Poland and as their chosen destination, but rather as an entry point to the developed world. For Indian migrants, moving to Wrocław is primarily a strategy for increasing social status and gaining new experiences that may be understood not only in terms of individualization processes but also in the context of building cultural capital.
Quality monitoring of spot welding with advanced signal processing and data-driven techniques
Authors: Wang Xing-Jue , Zhou Jun-Hong , Yan Heng-Chao , Pang Chee Khiang
Published: May 2017

As resistance spot welding is a crucial and widely used metal joining technique nowadays, a cheap and highly accurate online quality monitoring scheme is strongly demanded in industry. In this paper, a novel framework for welding quality examination is proposed by using advanced signal processing and artificial intelligence techniques. Our proposed framework consists of two objective schemes, a general welding quality classification scheme and a more detailed and advanced welding quality estimation scheme. To achieve a fast, convenient and cheap monitoring strategy, only the easily obtained electrical signals are monitored for data acquisition. For the welding quality classification, a self-organizing map under a windowed feature extraction is applied. Results of the spot welding experiment from a portable welding machine show that the classification accuracy can be 92.9%. For welding quality estimation, variation of the welding time and detailed aspects of welding quality are introduced. In particular, a modified recurrent neural network is utilized for the size estimation of the heat affected zone, while a novel self-organizing map type classifier is used to detect the expulsion condition along with its occurrence time. During the spot welding experiments, the average error percentage of the heat affected zone size estimation is around 6.7% and the accuracy on expulsion detection reaches 93.3%.
Maximum power point tracking with constraint feedback linearization controller and modified incremental conductance algorithm
Authors: Fesharaki Vahid Jafari , Sheikholeslam Farid , Jahed Motlagh Mohammad Reza
Published: May 2017

In this paper, a robust and constraint feedback linearization controller (FLC) with a modified incremental conductance (Inc.Cond) is proposed for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in the photovoltaic (PV) systems and overall closed-loop internal stability is guaranteed. The proposed technique is independent with respect to load and is robust against disturbances in the load voltage. A boost chopper converter is utilized as an interface between the PV panel and load to control the system at the best operating point. A modified Inc.Cond method based on current orientation and without division equations is presented. The Inc.Cond method is utilized to generate the desired current for the FLC. The FLC navigates the PV panel to the maximum power point with high speed, whereas the control signal (duty cycle) constraints are monitored. Finally, the MPPT technique is validated through simulation and experimental results and two scenarios are defined to confirm controller robustness and modified Inc.Cond performance.
Global least squares method based on tensor form to solve linear systems in Kronecker format
Authors: Karimi Saeed , Dehghan Maryam
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we propose a new algorithm based on the global least squares method for solving linear systems in Kronecker format. Because of the inefficiency of iterative methods for solving linear systems in Kronecker format in high dimensions, we consider the tensor form of these systems and apply the global least squares method based on the tensor form to obtain an approximate solution. We use the new method to solve the Sylvester tensor equations in Kronecker format, as a special case of these systems. The convergence analysis of the new method is also investigated. Numerical results demonstrate the efficiency of the new method in comparison with some existing methods.
Increasing Functional Leisure Engagement for Children With Autism Using Backward Chaining
Authors: Edwards Chelsea K. , Landa Robin K. , Frampton Sarah E. , Shillingsburg M. Alice
Published: May 2017

Research with individuals with disabilities has demonstrated the utility of intervention approaches to address toy play, also referred to as functional leisure engagement (FLE). Examples include prompting FLE, blocking stereotypy, and differentially reinforcing appropriate FLE with social or automatic (i.e., access to stereotypy) reinforcers. Backward chaining has yet to be evaluated, but may be useful for establishing more complex FLE. The current study employed a treatment package consisting of these components with three school-aged children with autism in a therapeutic classroom. Effects were evaluated during pretest and posttest sessions, which consisted of free access to toys in a novel setting. The percentage of session with FLE was evaluated using a multiple probe design across participants. Results showed all participants demonstrated an increase in FLE and two participants showed decreased stereotypy. Feasibility for classroom implementation is discussed.
Emotion Decoding and Incidental Processing Fluency as Antecedents of Attitude Certainty
Authors: Petrocelli John V. , Whitmire Melanie B.
Published: May 2017

Previous research demonstrates that attitude certainty influences the degree to which an attitude changes in response to persuasive appeals. In the current research, decoding emotions from facial expressions and incidental processing fluency, during attitude formation, are examined as antecedents of both attitude certainty and attitude change. In Experiment 1, participants who decoded anger or happiness during attitude formation expressed their greater attitude certainty, and showed more resistance to persuasion than participants who decoded sadness. By manipulating the emotion decoded, the diagnosticity of processing fluency experienced during emotion decoding, and the gaze direction of the social targets, Experiment 2 suggests that the link between emotion decoding and attitude certainty results from incidental processing fluency. Experiment 3 demonstrated that fluency in processing irrelevant stimuli influences attitude certainty, which in turn influences resistance to persuasion. Implications for appraisal-based accounts of attitude formation and attitude change are discussed.
Figuring Out Who’s Who: The Role of Social Categorization in the Language Attitudes Process
Authors: Dragojevic Marko , Berglund Christofer , Blauvelt Timothy K.
Published: May 2017

This study examined the role of social categorization in the language attitudes process. Participants ( N = 1,915) from three ethnolinguistic groups residing in the republic of Georgia—Georgians, Armenians, and Azerbaijanis—listened to a speaker reading a text in a Tbilisi-accented (standard variety) and a Mingrelian-accented (nonstandard variety) Georgian guise. We predicted that the three groups would vary in their ability to correctly categorize the two guises and that this intergroup variation in categorization accuracy would result in intergroup variation in language attitudes. These hypotheses were supported. Georgians were more accurate than Armenians and Azerbaijanis in their categorization of both guises. The Tbilisi-accented (Mingrelian-accented) guise was evaluated more (less) favorably when categorized correctly than when miscategorized. This resulted in intergroup variation in language attitudes: Overall, Georgians evaluated the Tbilisi-accented (Mingrelian-accented) guise more (less) favorably than Armenians and Azerbaijanis, due in part to Georgians’ higher categorization accuracy of both guises.
The Strategic Manipulation of Linguistic Complexity: A Test of Two Models of Lying
Authors: Repke Meredith A. , Conway Lucian Gideon , Houck Shannon C.
Published: May 2017

To what degree is complex language driven by personal cognitive factors versus strategic self-presentation? Studies teasing apart these two influences on complexity are hard to design and evidence bearing on the question is not abundant. To fill this gap, the present studies explored two models relevant to a form of communication full of strategic implications: deception. The cognitive strain model suggests that because lies are cognitively draining, deception will generally reduce complexity, whereas the strategic model expects the liar to adjust complexity up or down depending on the perceived benefits. Three studies tested differential predictions from these models by scoring different forms of linguistic complexity (dialectical and elaborative) for deceptive communications in real-world and experimental contexts. Results from these studies support the value of a strategic model of the effect of lying on complex language, thus suggesting that people strategically manipulate the complexity of their language to accomplish specific goals.
Second language attainment and first language attrition: The case of VOT in immersed Dutch–German late bilinguals
Authors: Stoehr Antje , Benders Titia , van Hell Janet G , Fikkert Paula
Published: May 2017

Speech of late bilinguals has frequently been described in terms of cross-linguistic influence (CLI) from the native language (L1) to the second language (L2), but CLI from the L2 to the L1 has received relatively little attention. This article addresses L2 attainment and L1 attrition in voicing systems through measures of voice onset time (VOT) in two groups of Dutch–German late bilinguals in the Netherlands. One group comprises native speakers of Dutch and the other group comprises native speakers of German, and the two groups further differ in their degree of L2 immersion. The L1-German–L2-Dutch bilinguals ( N = 23) are exposed to their L2 at home and outside the home, and the L1-Dutch–L2-German bilinguals ( N = 18) are only exposed to their L2 at home. We tested L2 attainment by comparing the bilinguals’ L2 to the other bilinguals’ L1, and L1 attrition by comparing the bilinguals’ L1 to Dutch monolinguals ( N = 29) and German monolinguals ( N = 27). Our findings indicate that complete L2 immersion may be advantageous in L2 acquisition, but at the same time it may cause L1 phonetic attrition. We discuss how the results match the predictions made by Flege’s Speech Learning Model and explore how far bilinguals’ success in acquiring L2 VOT and maintaining L1 VOT depends on the immersion context, articulatory constraints and the risk of sounding foreign accented.
Energy, Popularity, and the Circumplex
Authors: North Adrian C. , Krause Amanda E. , Sheridan Lorraine P. , Ritchie David
Published: May 2017

The circumplex model of affect claims that emotions can be understood in terms of their relative positions along two dimensions, namely pleasant-unpleasant and active-sleepy; and numerous studies of small samples of music have yielded data consistent with this. The present research tests whether the energy and beats per minute (proxies for the arousal dimension) and popularity as expressed in terms of sale charts (a possible proxy for the pleasantness dimension) could predict scores on six moods in 143,353 musical pieces. Findings concerning energy were clearly consistent with the circumplex model; findings for beats per minute were consistent though more equivocal; and findings concerning popularity yielded only limited support. Numerous relationships between popularity and mood were indicative of the commercial market for specific genres; and evidence demonstrated considerable differences in the mood scores between genres. In addition to the circumplex model and aesthetic responses, the findings have implications for music marketing, therapy, and everyday listening.
The Effects of Optical Illusions in Perception and Action in Peripersonal and Extrapersonal Space
Authors: Shim Jaeho , van der Kamp John
Published: May 2017

While the two visual system hypothesis tells a fairly compelling story about perception and action in peripersonal space (i.e., within arm’s reach), its validity for extrapersonal space is very limited and highly controversial. Hence, the present purpose was to assess whether perception and action differences in peripersonal space hold in extrapersonal space and are modulated by the same factors. To this end, the effects of an optic illusion in perception and action in both peripersonal and extrapersonal space were compared in three groups that threw balls toward a target at a distance under different target eccentricity (i.e., with the target fixated and in peripheral field), viewing (i.e., binocular and monocular viewing), and delay conditions (i.e., immediate and delayed action). The illusory bias was smaller in action than in perception in peripersonal space, but this difference was significantly reduced in extrapersonal space, primarily because of a weakening bias in perception. No systematic modulation of target eccentricity, viewing, and delay arose. The findings suggest that the two visual system hypothesis is also valid for extra personal space.
Augmented Versus Nonaugmented Repair of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Yi-Jun , Zhang Chi , Wang Quan , Lin Xiang-Jin
Published: May 2017

Background:

Although simple end-to-end repair of the Achilles tendon is common, many augmented repair protocols have been implemented for acute Achilles tendon rupture. However, whether augmented repair is better than nonaugmented repair of an acute Achilles tendon rupture is still unknown.

Purpose:

To conduct a meta-analysis to determine whether augmented surgical repair of an acute Achilles tendon rupture improved subjective patient satisfaction without an increase in rerupture rates. Secondary outcomes assessed included infections, ankle range of motion, calf muscle strength, and minor complications.

Study Design:

Meta-analysis.

Methods:

A systematic literature search of peer-reviewed articles was conducted to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing augmented repair and nonaugmented repair for acute Achilles tendon rupture from January 1980 to August 2016 in the electronic databases of PubMed, Web of Science (SCI-E/SSCI/A&HCI), and EMBASE. The keywords (Achilles tendon rupture) AND (surg* OR operat* OR repair* OR augment* OR non-augment* OR end-to-end OR sutur*) were combined, and results were limited to human RCTs and controlled clinical trials published in the English language. Four RCTs involving 169 participants were eligible for inclusion; 83 participants were treated with augmented repair and 86 were treated with nonaugmented repair.

Results:

Augmented repair led to similar responses when compared with nonaugmented repair for acute Achilles tendon rupture (93% vs 90%, respectively; P = .53). The rerupture rates showed no significant difference for augmented versus nonaugmented repair (7.2% vs 9.3%, respectively; P = .69). No differences in superficial and deep infections occurred in augmented (7 infections) and nonaugmented (8 infections) repair groups during postoperative follow-up ( P = .89). The average incisional infection rate was 8.4% with augmented repair and 9.3% with nonaugmented repair. No significant differences in other complications were found between augmented (7.2%) and nonaugmented (8.1%) repair ( P = .80).

Conclusion:

Augmented repair, when compared with nonaugmented repair, was not found to improve patient satisfaction or reduce rerupture rate or infection rate. These conclusions are based on 4 trials with small sample sizes, and larger randomized trials are required to confirm these results.
Return to Play and Decreased Performance After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in National Football League Defensive Players
Authors: Read Connor R. , Aune Kyle T. , Cain E. Lyle , Fleisig Glenn S.
Published: May 2017

Background:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur commonly in football. Recent work has reported ACL reconstruction (ACLR) as one of several orthopaedic procedures with unfavorable outcomes for professional athletes. The performance impact to defensive players after surgery has not been quantified.

Purpose:

To quantify the effect of ACLR on the performance of defensive players by comparing them to a cohort of matched controls as well as to measure the effect of ACLR on athletes’ career length in the National Football League (NFL).

Study Design:

Case-control and cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Thirty-eight NFL defensive players with a history of ACLR from 2006 to 2012 were identified. For each injured player, a matched control player was identified. Demographic and performance statistics were collected from the online NFL player database. Players who returned after ACLR (n = 23) were compared with players who did not return (n = 15) using t tests and chi-squared analyses. Similarly, players who returned after ACLR (n = 23) were compared with their matched controls with t tests and chi-squared analyses. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was utilized to test for significant differences between performance before and after the season of the injury for the players in the ACLR group who returned (n = 23) and for their matched controls. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to test for differences in the rate of retirement between the groups. For all analyses, P values <.05 were considered significant.

Results:

Approximately 74% (28/38) of athletes who underwent ACLR returned to play at least 1 NFL game, and 61% (23/38) successfully returned to play at least half a season (ie, 8 games). Athletes in the ACLR group who returned retired from the NFL significantly sooner and more often after surgery than their matched controls. In the seasons leading up to their injury, athletes who successfully returned to play started a greater percentage of their games (81%) and made more solo tackles per game (3.44 ± 1.47) compared with athletes in the ACLR group who did not return to play (54% and 1.82 ± 1.17, respectively) and compared with healthy control players (52% and 1.77 ± 1.19, respectively). After the season of surgery, athletes in the ACLR group who returned to play decreased to 57% games started and 2.38 ± 1.24 solo tackles per game, while their matched controls suffered no significant decreases.

Conclusion:

Players who successfully returned were above-average NFL players before their injury but comparatively average after their return.
Effects of the Decrease in Sensory Variability on Body Scheme
Authors: Azima H. , Cramer-Azima Fern J.
Published: May 2017

1. The disorganizing effects of sensory isolation on animals and normal human subjects led the authors to study this problem in mental patients for the purpose of gaining some information about the therapeutic value of the disorganization-reorganization sequence of the psychic events and about the problem of depersonalization and body scheme.

2. Two hebephrenics, 5 depressions, 2 obsessive neuroses, and 6 neurotic anxiety states were subjected to a partial sensory and expressive isolation for an average period of 4 days (eyes covered, arms maintained in a cardboard cylinder, and verbal communications only twice a day for interviewing.)

3. Two sets of changes occurred: (a) Disorganization: this consisted of the appearance of a depersonalization state in 8 cases; of visual, auditory, and gustatory hallucinoses, and of paresthesias. The two obsessional neuroses developed acute psychotic episodes, were treated with electric shock with subsequent improvement of both paranoid and obsessional states.

(b) Reorganization: this consisted of a marked change in mood in almost all of the depressed cases, two of which showed lasting recovery and were discharged without any other therapy. In addition, constructive aggression occurred in most cases with an increasing tendency to association, surely and relationships-undertaking.

4. The common emergent dynamic process during isolation which was concomitant with the changes in body scheme was found to be related to the quantity and direction of aggressive tendencies. It appeared that repression and aggression turned against the self led to the depersonalization syndrome.

5. The theoretical aspect of the problem is discussed from three different points of view: organic, dynamic and organo-dynamic (relationship).