bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D status and risk for malignant cutaneous melanoma: recent advances
Authors: Ombra Maria N. , Paliogiannis Panagiotis , Doneddu Valentina , Sini Maria C. , Colombino Maria , Rozzo Carla , Stanganelli Ignazio , Tanda Francesco , Cossu Antonio , Palmieri Giuseppe
Published: January 2017

Cutaneous malignant melanoma, whose incidence is increasing steadily worldwide, is the result of complex interactions between individual genetic factors and environmental risk factors. Ultraviolet radiation represents the most important environmental risk factor for the development of skin cancers, including melanoma. Sun exposure and early sunburn during childhood are the principal causes of cutaneous melanoma insurgence in adults, with double the risk relative to a nonexposed population. Consequently, ultraviolet protection has long been recognized as an important measure to prevent such a malignancy. Biological and epidemiological data suggest that vitamin D status could affect the risk of cancer and play a role in cancer prevention by exerting antiproliferative effects. Solar radiations are critical for vitamin D synthesis in humans; however, uncontrolled and intensive sun exposure is dangerous to skin health and may contribute toward the development of cutaneous malignant melanoma. An optimum balance between sun protection and exposure is thus advocated. Additional research is required to confirm the preventive role of vitamin D in melanoma incidence or a positive influence on patient outcome.
Finding the Value of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
Authors: WHITESIDE JAMES L.
Published: January 2017

Minimally invasive surgery is indistinctly defined and some cases possess clinical outcomes that are similarly indistinct or excessively costly. Seeking to clarify these issues will offer organized medicine an opportunity to deliver value-based health care. Context (patient, society, and clinician) is critical to finding that clarity, although the clinician context likely offers the best insights into how the ideal of high-value care may be incorporated into minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.
Insights into nurses’ work: Exploring relationships among work attitudes and work-related behaviors
Authors: Perreira Tyrone , Berta Whitney , Ginsburg Liane , Barnsley Jan , Herbert Monique
Published: January 2017

Background:

Work attitudes have been associated with work productivity. In health care, poor work attitudes have been linked to poor performance, decreased patient safety, and quality care. Hence, the importance, ascribed in the literature, of work that clearly identifies the relationships between and among work attitudes and work behaviors linked to performance.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to better understand the relationships between work attitudes—perceived organizational justice, perceived organizational support (POS), affective commitment—consistently associated with a key type of performance outcome among nurses’ organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs).

Methodology:

A survey was developed and administered to frontline nurses working in the province of Ontario, Canada. Data analysis used path analytic techniques.

Results:

Direct associations were identified between interpersonal justice and POS, procedural justice and POS, and POS and affective commitment to both one’s supervisor and one’s co-workers. Affective commitment to patients and career was directly associated with OCBs. Affective commitment to one’s co-worker was directly associated with OCBs directed toward individuals, as affective commitment to one’s organization was with OCBs directed toward the organization. Finally, OCBIs and OCBs were directly associated.

Conclusions:

Examining the relationships of these constructs in a single model is novel and provides new information regarding their complexity. Findings suggest that prior approaches to studying these relationships may have been undernuanced, and conceptualizations may have led to somewhat inaccurate conclusions regarding their associations.

Practice Implications:

With limited resources, knowledge of nurse work attitudes can inform human resource practices and operational policies involving training programs in employee communication, transparency, interaction, support, and performance evaluation.
Disseminated Nonleukemic Myeloid Sarcoma of the Spleen With Involvement of the Liver in an Infant
Authors: Rao Yueli , Wu Yuanyuan , Dong Ao , Zhu Kun , Li Wei , Cai Shenyang , Yang Min , Yan Jie
Published: January 2017

Nonleukemic myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare tumor that can occur in several locations without myeloid leukemia. We reported a first case of nonleukemic MS of the spleen involving the liver in a 5-month-old boy presenting with hematochezia, petechial hemorrhage, fever, and hepatosplenomegaly. Bone marrow trephine biopsy and immunophenotypic flow cytometry revealed no evidence of myeloid leukemia. The patient underwent liver biopsy and splenectomy. Clinicopathology and immunohistochemistry suggested a disseminated nonleukemic MS. The patient died of respiratory failure on the seventh postoperative day. Early diagnosis of a disseminated nonleukemic MS may be quite important for patient survival and it should be considered one of the differential diagnoses of hepatosplenomegaly with atypical clinical features.
One Hundred Years of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins
Authors: DePaulo J. Raymond
Published: January 2017

This article describes a history of clinical methods and constructs that guide Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Phipps Clinic today. The contributions of Adolf Meyer and Paul McHugh are central and closely connected. Both emphasize the clinical examination as the central practice of psychiatry as a specialty within medicine. Meyer's comprehensive examination of the patient became the centerpiece of his approach and was the standard for psychiatrists in the English-speaking world. McHugh, with Phillip Slavney, developed a pluralistic and practical framework for interpreting that history and examination. Both argued against the uncritical use of the modern disease construct. McHugh argues that the disease construct, although fundamental, is but one of four useful “perspectives of psychiatry” and is, thus, an insufficient basis for psychiatric practice. The perspectives could be used as an organizing framework by all physicians who seek a practical and truly personalized approach to the care of patients.
Emergency Department Care of Young Children at Risk for Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Reilly Caroline , Zhang Nanhua , Babcock Lynn , Wade Shari L. , Rhine Tara
Published: January 2017

Objectives

The aims of the study were to describe emergency department (ED) management of young children with head injury and to assess parental comfort level and perceptions of ED care.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of children younger than 5 years who presented to a pediatric ED after head injury. Children were eligible if clinical observation was an appropriate ED management option per the Pediatric Emergency Care Academic Research Network's neuroimaging clinical decision rule. Demographics, injury variables, and ED clinician surveys explaining the care provided were collected at time of study enrollment. Parents were subsequently contacted to assess understanding of ED management and comfort with care.

Results

One hundred four children were enrolled with a mean (standard deviation) age of 1.19 (1.34) years. Thirty (29%) had emergent neuroimaging and 59 (57%) were placed into a period of observation per clinician report. A total of 37 children received a head computed tomography, of which 21 (57%) were normal. Eighty-four parents (81%) completed the phone follow-up. Of these children, there was a significant difference between whether parents and clinicians reported that the child had been clinically observed in the ED (P < 0.0001). Parents of children who did not receive a head CT were more likely to be uncomfortable with the decision to obtain neuroimaging compared with those who did receive a head CT (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Parents are not always comfortable with the medical care practices provided and are often unaware of clinical observation when it does occur. Better parent-clinician communication could improve parental understanding and reduce overall discomfort.
Respiratory pathogen panels in the hospital: good or unnecessary?
Authors: Cawcutt Kelly A. , Fey Paul D. , Kalil Andre C.
Published: January 2017

Purpose of review

We aim to review the epidemiology of respiratory viral infections and the strengths and limitations of multiplex respiratory pathogen panels that are currently available along with their respective features and differences.

Recent findings

We give particular emphasis to the pathogens included on each test and evaluate their performance in the hospital setting.

We conclude with a discussion on the evidence for the clinical utility of respiratory pathogen multiplex panels in hospitalized patients, including the potential for coinfection with viral and bacterial pathogens.
Symptom Relief and Retreatment After Vaginal, Open, or Robotic Surgery for Apical Vaginal Prolapse
Authors: Anand Mallika , Weaver Amy L. , Fruth Kristin M. , Trabuco Emanuel C. , Gebhart John B.
Published: January 2017

Objectives

The aim of this work was to determine the degree of symptom relief and survival free of retreatment after Mayo-McCall culdoplasty (MMC), open abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC), and robotic sacrocolpopexy (RSC) for posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse.

Methods

We retrospectively studied patients who had undergone surgery for posthysterectomy apical vaginal prolapse from January 1, 2000, through June 30, 2012, at our institution. Baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes were abstracted from electronic health records. Cross-sectional data for current pelvic floor symptoms were collected by using validated questionnaires. Survival free of retreatment was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. To account for selection bias, adjusted analyses using inverse probability weighting (IPW) were performed to compare outcomes for MMC versus ASC, MMC versus RSC, and ASC versus RSC.

Results

Of 512 patients, 337 completed at least a validated or abbreviated questionnaire. Among MMC, ASC, and RSC groups, overall Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory 20, Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire Short Form 7, and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire 12 summary scores were not significantly different. There was no significant difference in 5-year survival free of retreatment for MMC (94.0%) versus RSC (95.5%) and ASC (94.8%) versus RSC (92.1%). However, patients who had MMC were more likely to have retreatment than patients who had ASC during the first 10 years (10-year survival free of retreatment: 81.1% vs 95.4%; hazard ratio, 3.68 [95% confidence interval, 1.51–8.98]); the 10-year data were not available for RSC comparisons, given the later initiation of RSC.

Conclusions

Symptom relief was comparable after MMC, ASC, and RSC. Among all groups, most patients were free of retreatment for prolapse at 5 years. Between the MMC and ASC groups, survival free of retreatment (%) within 10 years was still favorable, but ASC had greater durability, particularly after accounting for selection bias.
Use of Portion Size Estimation Aids for High-Energy-Dense Snack Foods Increases Portion Size Estimation Accuracy in College Students
Authors: Joram Elana , Weigel Morgan
Published: January 2017

This study examined the impact of an intervention designed to teach young adults appropriate portion sizes for savory/sweet snack foods using hand gestures, such as handfuls, as portion size estimation aids. Results indicate that participants who received the intervention, relative to those who did not, became much more accurate in their ability to estimate portion sizes; these positive effects were still present several months after the intervention. Hand gestures may be useful aids for young adults to gauge portion sizes of high-energy-dense snack food because they provide a reference point for an appropriate amount, require no tools, and are easy to remember.
Determination of Patient Energy Requirements by Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Inpatient and Outpatient Settings
Authors: Herrington Holly , Gregoire Mary , Foley Sharon , Roehl Kelly
Published: January 2017

This study examined whether and how registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) determine energy requirements for their patients/clients. A total of 5000 RDNs were asked to participate in an online questionnaire; 1019 responded (20.4%). Most RDNs (93.4% inpatient and 84.6% outpatient) used predictive equations; less than one-fourth of dietitians used indirect calorimetry to determine energy requirements. Use of indirect calorimetry did not differ on the basis of most demographic characteristics. Inpatient RDNs more often used a metabolic cart (17.2%) than handheld device (1.5%). Outpatient RDNs chose handheld calorimeters (10.7%) more often than metabolic carts (9.1%).
Understanding human queuing behaviour at exits: an empirical study
Authors: Wagoum A. U. Kemloh , Tordeux A. , Liao W.
Published: January 2017

The choice of the exit to egress from a facility plays a fundamental role in pedestrian modelling and simulation. Yet, empirical evidence for backing up simulation is scarce. In this contribution, we present three new groups of experiments that we conducted in different geometries. We varied parameters such as the width of the doors, the initial location and number of pedestrians which in turn affected their perception of the environment. We extracted and analysed relevant indicators such as distance to the exits and density levels. The results put in evidence the fact that pedestrians use time-dependent information to optimize their exit choice, and that, in congested states, a load balancing over the exits occurs. We propose a minimal modelling approach that covers those situations, especially the cases where the geometry does not show a symmetrical configuration. Most of the models try to achieve the load balancing by simulating the system and solving optimization problems. We show statistically and by simulation that a linear model based on the distance to the exits and the density levels around the exit can be an efficient dynamical alternative.
Partially controlling transient chaos in the Lorenz equations
Authors: Capeáns Rubén , Sabuco Juan , Sanjuán Miguel A. F. , Yorke James A.
Published: January 2017

Transient chaos is a characteristic behaviour in nonlinear dynamics where trajectories in a certain region of phase space behave chaotically for a while, before escaping to an external attractor. In some situations, the escapes are highly undesirable, so that it would be necessary to avoid such a situation. In this paper, we apply a control method known as
partial control
that allows one to prevent the escapes of the trajectories to the external attractors, keeping the trajectories in the chaotic region forever. We also show, for the first time, the application of this method in three dimensions, which is the major step forward in this work. To illustrate how the method works, we have chosen the Lorenz system for a choice of parameters where transient chaos appears, as a paradigmatic example in nonlinear dynamics. We analyse three quite different ways to implement the method. First, we apply this method by building an one-dimensional map using the successive maxima of one of the variables. Next, we implement it by building a two-dimensional map through a Poincaré section. Finally, we built a three-dimensional map, which has the advantage of using a fixed time interval between application of the control, which can be useful for practical applications.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Horizons of cybernetical physics’.
Control methods for localization of nonlinear waves
Authors: Porubov Alexey , Andrievsky Boris
Published: January 2017

A general form of a distributed feedback control algorithm based on the speed–gradient method is developed. The goal of the control is to achieve nonlinear wave localization. It is shown by example of the sine-Gordon equation that the generation and further stable propagation of a localized wave solution of a single nonlinear partial differential equation may be obtained independently of the initial conditions. The developed algorithm is extended to coupled nonlinear partial differential equations to obtain consistent localized wave solutions at rather arbitrary initial conditions.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Horizons of cybernetical physics’.
Finding limiting possibilities of thermodynamic systems by optimization
Authors: Sieniutycz Stanislaw , Tsirlin Anatoly
Published: January 2017

We consider typical problems of the field called the finite time thermodynamics (also called the optimization thermodynamics). We also outline selected formal methods applied to solve these problems and discuss some results obtained. It is shown that by introducing constraints imposed on the intensity of fluxes and on the magnitude of coefficients in kinetic equations, it is possible not only to investigate limiting possibilities of thermodynamic systems within the considered class of irreversible processes, but also to state and solve problems whose formulation has no meaning in the class of reversible processes.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Horizons of cybernetical physics’.
Modelling non-equilibrium thermodynamic systems from the speed-gradient principle
Authors: Khantuleva Tatiana A. , Shalymov Dmitry S.
Published: January 2017

The application of the speed-gradient (SG) principle to the non-equilibrium distribution systems far away from thermodynamic equilibrium is investigated. The options for applying the SG principle to describe the non-equilibrium transport processes in real-world environments are discussed. Investigation of a non-equilibrium system's evolution at different scale levels via the SG principle allows for a fresh look at the thermodynamics problems associated with the behaviour of the system entropy. Generalized dynamic equations for finite and infinite number of constraints are proposed. It is shown that the stationary solution to the equations, resulting from the SG principle, entirely coincides with the locally equilibrium distribution function obtained by Zubarev. A new approach to describe time evolution of systems far from equilibrium is proposed based on application of the SG principle at the intermediate scale level of the system's internal structure. The problem of the high-rate shear flow of viscous fluid near the rigid plane plate is discussed. It is shown that the SG principle allows closed mathematical models of non-equilibrium processes to be constructed.

This article is part of the themed issue ‘Horizons of cybernetical physics’.
Locomotion enhances neural encoding of visual stimuli in mouse V1
Authors: Dadarlat Maria C. , Stryker Michael P.
Published: January 2017

Neurons in mouse primary visual cortex (V1) are selective for particular properties of visual stimuli. Locomotion causes a change in cortical state that leaves their selectivity unchanged but strengthens their responses. Both locomotion and the change in cortical state are initiated by projections from the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR), the latter through a disinhibitory circuit in V1. The function served by this change in cortical state is unknown. By recording simultaneously from a large number of single neurons in alert mice viewing moving gratings, we investigated the relationship between locomotion and the information contained within the neural population. We found that locomotion improved encoding of visual stimuli in V1 by two mechanisms. First, locomotion-induced increases in firing rates enhanced the mutual information between visual stimuli and single neuron responses over a fixed window of time. Second, stimulus discriminability was improved, even for fixed population firing rates, because of a decrease in noise correlations across the population during locomotion. These two mechanisms contributed differently to improvements in discriminability across cortical layers, with changes in firing rates most important in the upper layers and changes in noise correlations most important in layer V. Together, these changes resulted in a three- to five-fold reduction in the time needed to precisely encode grating direction and orientation. These results support the hypothesis that cortical state shifts during locomotion to accommodate an increased load on the visual system when mice are moving.

Significance Statement

This paper contains three novel findings about the representation of information in neurons within the primary visual cortex of the mouse. First, we show that locomotion reduces by at least a factor of three the time needed for information to accumulate in the visual cortex that allows the distinction of different visual stimuli. Second, we show that the effect of locomotion is to increase information in cells of all layers of the visual cortex. Third we show that the means by which information is enhanced by locomotion differs between the upper layers, where the major effect is the increasing of firing rates, and in layer V, where the major effect is the reduction in noise correlations.
Comparison of Principal Component Analysis and t-Stochastic Neighbor Embedding with Distance Metric Modifications for Single-cell RNA-sequencing Data Analysis
Authors: Kwon Haejoon (Ellen) , Fan Jean , Kharchenko Peter
Published: January 2017

Recent developments in technological tools such as next generation sequencing along with peaking interest in the study of single cells has enabled single-cell RNA-sequencing, in which whole transcriptomes are analyzed on a single-cell level. Studies, however, have been hindered by the ability to effectively analyze these single cell RNA-seq datasets, due to the high-dimensional nature and intrinsic noise in the data. While many techniques have been introduced to reduce dimensionality of such data for visualization and subpopulation identification, the utility to identify new cellular subtypes in a reliable and robust manner remains unclear. Here, we compare dimensionality reduction visualization methods including principle component analysis and t-stochastic neighbor embedding along with various distance metric modifications to visualize single-cell RNA-seq datasets, and assess their performance in identifying known cellular subtypes. Our results suggest that selecting variable genes prior to analysis on single-cell RNA-seq data is vital to yield reliable classification, and that when variable genes are used, the choice of distance metric modification does not particularly influence the quality of classification. Still, in order to take advantage of all the gene expression information, alternative methods must be used for a reliable classification.
Ecological drivers of jellyfish blooms – the complex life history of a ‘well-known’ medusa (Aurelia aurita)
Authors: Goldstein J. , Steiner U.K.
Published: January 2017

Jellyfish blooms are conspicuous demographic events with significant ecological and socio-economic impact. Despite worldwide concern about an increased frequency and intensity of such mass occurrences, predicting their booms and busts remains challenging.

Forecasting how jellyfish populations may respond to environmental change requires taking into account their complex life histories. Metagenic life cycles, which include a benthic polyp stage, can boost jellyfish mass occurrences via asexual recruitment of pelagic medusae.

Here we present stage-structured matrix population models with monthly, individual-based demographic rates of all life stages of the moon jellyfishAurelia aurita(sensu stricto). We investigate the life stage-dynamics of these complex populations under low and high food conditions to illustrate how changes in medusa density depend on non-medusa stage dynamics.

We show that increased food availability can be an important ecological driver of jellyfish mass occurrences, as it can temporarily shift the population structure from polyp- to medusa-dominated. Projecting populations for a winter warming scenario additionally enhanced the booms and busts of jellyfish blooms.

We identify demographic key variables that control the intensity and frequency of jellyfish blooms in response to environmental drivers such as habitat eutrophication and climate change. By contributing to an improved understanding of mass occurrence phenomena, our findings provide perspective for future management of ecosystem health.
Large-scale analysis of branchpoint usage across species and cell lines
Authors: Taggart Allison J. , Lin Chien-Ling , Shrestha Barsha , Heintzelman Claire , Kim Seongwon , Fairbrother William G.
Published: January 2017

The coding sequence of each human pre-mRNA is interrupted, on average, by 11 introns that must be spliced out for proper gene expression. Each intron contains three obligate signals: a 5′ splice site, a branch site, and a 3′ splice site. Splice site usage has been mapped exhaustively across different species, cell types, and cellular states. In contrast, only a small fraction of branch sites have been identified even once. The few reported annotations of branch site are imprecise as reverse transcriptase skips several nucleotides while traversing a 2–5 linkage. Here, we report large-scale mapping of the branchpoints from deep sequencing data in three different species and in the SF3B1 K700E oncogenic mutant background. We have developed a novel method whereby raw lariat reads are refined by U2snRNP/pre-mRNA base-pairing models to return the largest current data set of branchpoint sequences with quality metrics. This analysis discovers novel modes of U2snRNA:pre-mRNA base-pairing conserved in yeast and provides insight into the biogenesis of intron circles. Finally, matching branch site usage with isoform selection across the extensive panel of ENCODE RNA-seq data sets offers insight into the mechanisms by which branchpoint usage drives alternative splicing.
Performance on absolute scattering intensity calibration and protein molecular weight determination at BL16B1, a dedicated SAXS beamline at SSRF
Authors: Zeng Jianrong , Bian Fenggang , Wang Jie , Li Xiuhong , Wang Yuzhu , Tian Feng , Zhou Ping
Published: January 2017

The optical system and end-station of bending-magnet beamline BL16B1, dedicated to small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) at the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, is described. Constructed in 2009 and upgraded in 2013, this beamline has been open to users since May 2009 and supports methodologies including SAXS, wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), simultaneous SAXS/WAXS, grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) and anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering (ASAXS). Considering that an increasing necessity for absolute calibration of SAXS intensity has been recognized in in-depth investigations, SAXS intensity is re-stated according to the extent of data processing, and the absolute intensity is suggested to be a unified presentation of SAXS data in this article. Theory with a practical procedure for absolute intensity calibration is established based on BL16B1, using glass carbon and water as primary and secondary standards, respectively. The calibration procedure can be completed in minutes and shows good reliability under different conditions. An empirical line of scale factor estimation is also established for any specific SAXS setup at the beamline. Beamline performance on molecular weight (MW) determination is provided as a straightforward application and verification of the absolute intensity calibration. Results show good accuracy with a deviation of less than 10% compared with the known value, which is also the best attainable accuracy in recent studies using SAXS to measure protein MW. Fast MW measurement following the demonstrated method also enables an instant check or pre-diagnosis of the SAXS performance to improve the data acquisition.
A modified quantum-based particle swarm optimization for engineering inverse problem
Authors: Rehman Obaid Ur , Yang Shiyou , Khan Shafi Ullah
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential of standard quantum-based particle swarm optimization (QPSO) methods for solving electromagnetic inverse problems.

Design/methodology/approach

A modified QPSO algorithm is designed.

Findings

The modified QPSO algorithm is an efficient and robust global optimizer for optimizing electromagnetic inverse problems. More specially, the experimental results as reported on different case studies demonstrate that the proposed method can find better final optimal solution at an early stage of the iterating process (uses less iterations) as compared to other tested optimal algorithms.

Originality/value

The modifications include the design of a new position updating formula, the introduction of a new mutation strategy and a dynamic control parameter to intensify the convergence speed of the algorithm.
Predictive speed control with fuzzy compensation of a two-mass drive with friction
Authors: Serkies Piotr , Szabat Krzysztof
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design and test a linear predictive control algorithm with elements of fuzzy logic in the non-linear speed region of a two-mass system with a flexible shaft.

Design/methodology/approach

To compensate the non-linearity of friction in the low-speed region, the elements of the Q matrix have been retuned with the use of fuzzy logic. First, the influence of the Q matrix on the dynamics of the drive has been discussed. On the basis of these findings a fuzzy system has been developed.

Findings

It has been demonstrated that applying a relatively simple fuzzy system can reduce unwanted non-linear phenomena in the low-speed region; at the same time, the dynamics of the drive in the other regions is not deteriorated.

Originality/value

The solutions presented in the paper are original and have not been published so far. The influence of non-linear friction on the work of the drive in the low-speed region at different values of the matrix Q has been shown. Also, a novel system of online adjustment of the values of the Q matrix in a predictive speed controller has been introduced. Besides, the system has been compared against the classical predictive regulator.
Average wavelet coefficient-based detection of chaos in oscillatory circuits
Authors: Rubežić Vesna , Djurović Igor , Sejdić Ervin
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new algorithm for detection of chaos in oscillatory circuits. The algorithm is based on the wavelet transform.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed detection is developed by using a specific measure obtained by averaging wavelet coefficients. This measure exhibits various values for chaotic and periodic states.

Findings

The proposed algorithm is applied to signals from autonomous systems such as the Chua’s oscillatory circuit, the Lorenz chaotic system and non-autonomous systems such as the Duffing oscillator. In addition, the detection is applied to sequences obtained from the logistic map. The results are compared to those obtained with a detrended fluctuation analysis and a time-frequency signal analysis based on detectors of chaotic states.

Originality/value

In this paper, a new algorithm is proposed for the detection of chaos from a single time series. The proposed technique is robust to the noise influence, having smaller calculation complexity with respect to the state-of-the-art techniques. It is suitable for real-time detection with delay that is about half of the window width.
A novel mathematical model of bearingless switched reluctance motor considering air-gap edge effect
Authors: Chen Ling , Wang Honghua , Tan Chao
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a novel mathematical model of bearingless switched reluctance motor (BSRM). This model differs from conventional mathematical models in the calculation of torque and suspension forces. Conventional mathematical models neglect the coupling relationship between the α- and β-axes or ignore the magnetic saturation of the Si-Fe material. This study considers these issues simultaneously. Additionally, considering the air-gap edge effect, the fringing coefficient is used to establish a high-precision mathematical model.

Design/methodology/approach

An innovative mathematical model of BSRM based on the Maxwell stress method was established by selecting an appropriate integration path. The fringing coefficient of the air-gap was computed based on the finite element analysis results at the aligned position of the stator and rotor poles. Using the least squares fitting method, the piecewise fitted magnetization curve of the Si-Fe material was utilized to calculate flux density.

Findings

The appropriate integration path of the Maxwell stress method was selected, which considered the coupling relationship of the suspension forces in the α- and β-axes and was closer to the actual situation. The fringing coefficient of the air-gap improved the calculation accuracy of air-gap flux density. The magnetomotive force was consumed by the magnetic resistance of the stator and rotor poles considering the magnetic saturation.

Originality/value

A novel mathematical model of BSRM is proposed. Different from conventional mathematical models, the proposed model can effectively solve the coupling relationship of the suspension forces in the α- and β-axes. Additionally, this model is consistent with the actual situation of motor as it includes a reasonable calculation of the air-gap flux density, considering the air-gap edge effect and magnetic saturation.
Self-leadership change project: the continuation of an ongoing experiential program
Authors: Phillips James I. , Kern Dave , Tewari Jitendra , Jones Kenneth E. , Beemraj Eshwar Prasad , Ettigi Chaitra Ashok
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The self-leadership change project (SLCP) is an ongoing program for senior level students at a regional university designed to provide hands-on experience in building self-management skills, which is considered a pre-requisite by many leaders and scholars (e.g. Drucker, 1996; Schaettiet al., 2008). The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants (479 undergraduate business students in 26 different classes with two different professors) had from 10 to 16 weeks to complete their SLCP project. A survey to collect the data for this study were provided as a voluntary option to participants who wished to report their SLCP project results.

Findings

A majority of students participating in the projects reported achieving change in targeted behavior, with intentions to continue to utilize the SLCP approach for future “projects.” Additionally, students who successfully completed a SLCP reported that observers noted change in others as a result of the project. Students who received positive feedback from observers reported that they were likely to engage in a self-leadership project in the future.

Research limitations/implications

The data used in the analysis are exclusively self-reported information. The survey and results do not tie to previous studies that measure individuals’ aptitude for self-leadership as an indicator of success and development of self-leadership capabilities. This study offers little in the way of acknowledging or determining the sustainability of changes desired.

Practical implications

The results fully supported the idea that self-leaders influence others.

Social implications

This study providing support for the concept that external leadership begins with self-leadership. Successful self-leadership change prepares an individual for external leadership roles in organizations and society.

Originality/value

The relationship noted in “Practical implications” above has been suggested in the literature, but there have been few studies covering this relationship.
Does productivity of Islamic banks endure progress or regress?
Authors: Kamarudin Fakarudin , Hue Chiun Zack , Sufian Fadzlan , Mohamad Anwar Nazratul Aina
Published: January 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the level of productivity of Islamic banks specifically in selected Southeast Asian Countries from the period 2006 to 2014. Besides, this study also investigates the potential determinants of bank-specific characteristics and macroeconomic conditions that may influence the productivity of banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study gathers data on the 29 Islamic banks from Southeast Asian countries, namely, Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. The productivity level of the Islamic banks is evaluated using the data envelopment analysis-based Malmquist productivity index method. The authors then used a panel regression analysis framework based on the ordinary least square to identify potential determinants.

Findings

The domestic and foreign Islamic banks have exhibited progress in total factor productivity change solely attributed to the increase in efficiency change (EFFCH) which were mainly managerial rather than scale related. Foreign-owned banks have been slightly more productive compared to their domestic-owned bank counterparts, attributed to a higher EFFCH but insignificantly different. Furthermore, capitalisation, liquidity and world financial crisis determinants have significantly influenced productivity level of Islamic banks.

Originality/value

The study on the productivity of Islamic banking is still in its formative stage. To date, very limited study has been conducted to examine the productivity level in Southeast Asian, which is a strong regional hub for Islamic banking. This study intends to fill the gaps with a specific focus on the productivity level, specifically narrowing down to Southeast Asian countries in the domestic and foreign Islamic banking sector.
Overcoming irrationality: the Popperian approach
Authors: Chitpin Stephanie
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how associationism mistakenly assumes that direct experience is possible; that is, there is expectation-free observation and association without prior expectation. Thus, associationism assumes that learning involves the absorption of information from the environment itself. However, contrary arguments take the position that, for an individual to make a connection between his/her behaviour and its consequence(s), he/she must first have an expectation in order for a connection to be made.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a personal experience to illustrate how implicit assumptions and unstated expectations can be found in the corporate world. It offers to answer questions that will lead to an examination of overcoming irrationality through utilization of the Popperian philosophy of associationism.

Findings

When evaluating a practice, it is easier to find evidence of some sort to support the practice, especially if we are either disposed to do so or if our colleagues and organizations have recommended that we adopt these practices. However, if we are committed to genuinely improving our practice, Swann (2009) suggests that we become critical and ask, “What are the unintended and undesirable consequences of doing things this way?” (p. 8).

Research limitations/implications

Popper’s approach needs to be developed or learned through stages and with time. We need to be aware that it takes time to master the use of this approach. Merely introducing or having organizations learn the different methods or short cuts have only a limited effect in improving their ability to deal with issues in different contexts.

Practical implications

The examples used throughout this paper illustrate that the adoption of Popper’s approach does not necessarily require large-scale experiments. In fact, a well-conducted case study can be effective in casting doubt on existing assumptions. Regardless of the nature of the research strategy and the scale of the experiment devised to test a hypothesis, the task of testing can and will be problematic.

Social implications

Expectations can make us look foolish from time to time, but they can also be very powerful or useful because they are more than mere anticipation. If we are unable to strip away our preconceptions or prior knowledge, we can at least acknowledge our biases and, in doing so, we may not continue to be trapped within our own perspectives, which can blind us to the truth.

Originality/value

The examples used in this paper illustrate that Popper’s approach is robust and applicable in a variety of contexts and is not limited to educational organizations. Furthermore, it showcases our irrationality, and helps us understand when and where we may make erroneous decisions.
Armed burglary: a marker for extreme instrumental violence
Authors: DeLisi Matt , Beauregard Eric , Mosley Hayden
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Most burglaries are property offenses yet some offenders perpetrate burglary for the purpose of violent instrumental crimes. Sexual burglars are distinct from non-sexual burglars because the former seek to rape or sexually abuse victims within the homes they burgle whereas the latter seek theft and material gain. It is unclear to what degree burglars who are armed with firearms or knives represent a type of sexual burglar, or perhaps a more severe type of offender who enters homes not merely to rape a victim, but to perhaps murder them as well. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on data from 790 felons in Florida,t-test and negative binomial regression models were used to compare armed burglars to offenders who were not convicted of armed burglary.

Findings

Compared to offenders not convicted of armed burglary, armed burglars were involved in significantly more instrumental crimes of violence including first-degree murder, kidnapping, armed rape, armed robbery and assault with intent to murder. Armed burglary may be a marker of extreme instrumental violent offending and warrants further study.

Originality/value

To the authors’ knowledge, this is among the first studies of armed burglary offenders and adds understanding to the heterogeneity of burglary offenders and their criminal careers.
Maternal incarceration penalty: an examination of the effect of maternal conviction and incarceration on childhood delinquency
Authors: Sobba Kristen N. , Prochaska Brenda , Berthelot Emily
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Several studies have reported the impact of paternal incarceration and criminal behavior on childhood delinquency; however, fewer studies have addressed the influence of maternal criminality on children’s behavioral outcomes. Integrating self-control and attachment theoretical frameworks, the purpose of this paper is to address the impact of mothers who have been stopped, arrested, convicted, and incarcerated in relation to their children’s delinquent behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing data set was used to better understand this relationship. By using binary logistic regression, two types of delinquent behavior were assessed: destroying property and fighting.

Findings

The results revealed that mothers’ criminal behavior affected children’s fighting tendencies but did not significantly impact children’s tendency to destroy property. Furthermore, certain childhood antisocial traits and demographic characteristics revealed to also impact children’s delinquent behavior. From the results, implications and prevention strategies were drawn describing techniques to combat delinquency.

Originality/value

This research lays a foundation for future researchers to explore mother-child attachment and the transmission of low self-control from mother to child in relation to criminality. The current research is one of the first studies to specifically address how maternal criminal behavior affects their children’s tendency to engage in delinquency, specifically examining property destruction and fighting.
Bacterial, fungal, and plant communities exhibit no biomass or compositional response to two years of simulated nitrogen deposition in a semiarid grassland
Authors: McHugh Theresa A. , Morrissey Ember M. , Mueller Rebecca C. , Gallegos‐Graves La Verne , Kuske Cheryl R. , Reed Sasha C.
Published: January 2017

Nitrogen (N) deposition affects myriad aspects of terrestrial ecosystem structure and function, and microbial communities may be particularly sensitive to anthropogenic N inputs. However, our understanding of N deposition effects on microbial communities is far from complete, especially for drylands where data are comparatively rare. To address the need for an improved understanding of dryland biological responses to N deposition, we conducted a two‐year fertilization experiment in a semiarid grassland on the Colorado Plateau in the southwestern United States. We evaluated effects of varied levels of N inputs on archaeal, bacterial, fungal and chlorophyte community composition within three microhabitats: biological soil crusts (biocrusts), soil below biocrusts, and the plant rhizosphere. Surprisingly, N addition did not affect the community composition or diversity of any of these microbial groups; however, microbial community composition varied significantly among sampling microhabitats. Further, while plant richness, diversity, and cover showed no response to N addition, there were strong linkages between plant properties and microbial community structure. Overall, these findings highlight the potential for some dryland communities to have limited biotic ability to retain augmented N inputs, possibly leading to large N losses to the atmosphere and to aquatic systems.
Why does the subject speak? Prejudgement in fieldwork with Naxalites and Hindu rioters
Authors: Chitralekha
Published: January 2017

This article explores the shifting trajectory of dramaturgical encounters with ‘subjects’ in two disparate contexts of violence in contemporary India: Naxalites in Jharkhand and Bihar; and participants in the 2002 riots in Gujarat. It argues that why (and thereby what) the subject speaks has to be located within the larger text of performances in the ‘field’, involving the prejudgement (in a Gadamerian sense) of both researcher and subject. Limits and possibilities to prior knowledges of both predetermine outcomes of interaction and inform the enterprise of doing theory in troubled contexts.
Sexual Homicide by Older Male Offenders
Authors: Myers Wade C. , Chan Heng Choon (Oliver) , Mariano Timothy Y. , Safarik Mark E. , Geberth Vernon J.
Published: January 2017

Recent research has expanded our understanding of sexual homicide offenders (SHOs). However, little exists beyond case reports for older SHOs. We characterized male SHOs ≥ 55 years, comparing them to typical adult male SHOs who are in their 20s. Analysis of 37 years (1976–2012) of US Supplementary Homicide Reports data provided a large SHO sample (N = 3453). Three case reports provide clinical context for the diverse nature and patterns of older SHOs. Only 32 older male SHOs and no older female SHOs were identified. Murders by older SHOs accounted for only 0.5% of US sexual homicides. Unlike typical SHOs that generally target young adult females, over two‐thirds of older SHO victims were ≥40 years, and one‐third were ≥55 years. Sexual homicides by older SHOs, like sexual homicide in general, decreased over the study period. These crimes, while exceedingly rare, do occur, warranting special consideration.
Psoas hitch and ureteral re‐implantation in an augmented bladder with ketamine uropathy: A case report
Authors: Cheng Nicole Miu‐Yee , Teoh Jeremy Yuen‐Chun , Yee Chi‐Hang , Hou See‐Ming , Ng Chi‐Fai
Published: January 2017

Ketamine has become a popular recreational drug among Asians in recent years. Ketamine uropathy is well known to affect the lower urinary tract leading to urgency, frequency, incontinence and pelvic pain. Concomitant upper urinary tract involvement with ureteric stricture is less common. We hereby present a case of a patient with ketamine‐related bladder contracture initially treated with augmentation cystoplasty, who subsequently developed left lower ureteric stricture requiring psoas hitch and ureteral re‐implantation. We further discussed the fundamental principles in managing ketamine uropathy.