bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Power Factor Correction Rectifier for Enhancing Power Quality
Authors: K V Bindu , Rabi B Justus
Published: March 2017

In this paper, the disturbances in power system due to low quality of power are discussed and a current injection method to maintain the sinusoidal input current which will reduce the total current harmonic distortion (THD) as well as improve the power factor nearer to unity is proposed. The proposed method makes use of a novel controlled diode rectifier which involves the use of bidirectional switches across the front-end rectifier and the operation of the converter is fully analyzed. The main feature of the topology is low cost, small size, high efficiency and simplicity, and is excellent for retrofitting front-end rectifier of existing ac drives, UPS etc. A novel strategy implementing reference compensation current depending on the load harmonics and a control algorithm for three-phase three-level unity PF rectifier which draws high quality sinusoidal supply currents and maintains good dc link- voltage regulation under wide load variation. The proposed technique can be applied as a retrofit to a variety of existing thyristor converters which uses three bidirectional switches operating at low frequency and a half-bridge inverter operating at high frequency .The total power delivered to the load is processed by the injection network, the proposed converter offers high efficiency and not only high power factor but also the Total Harmonic Distortion is reduced. Theoretical analysis is verified by digital simulation and a hardware proto type module is implemented in order to confirm the feasibility of the proposed system. This scheme in general is suitable for the common variable medium-to high-power level DC load applications.
Development of Digital Controller for DC-DC Buck Converter
Authors: Soman Sarun , T.S. Sangeetha
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a design & implementation of 3P3Z (3-pole 3-zero) digital controller based on DSC (Digital Signal Controller) for low voltage synchronous Buck Converter. The proposed control involves one voltage control loop. Analog Type-3 controller is designed for Buck Converter using standard frequency response techniques.Type-3 analog controller transforms to 3P3Z controller in discrete domain.Matlab/Simulink model of the Buck Converter with digital controller is developed. Simualtion results for steady state response and load transient response is tested using the model.
Analysis of Impedance Source Inverter Topologies for Grid integration of PV inverters
Authors: Sangari Arasakumar , Umamaheswari R
Published: March 2017

In this paper, the performance of different Impedance Source Inverter (ZSI) topologies in implementing single stage power conversion for grid ingetertion of PV power converters  is discussed.Unlike the traditional inverters, ZSI employs a distinctive impedance network, thereby making shoot-through state is possible. The independent control variables are shoot-through duty ratio and modulation index. Simple Boost Control pulse width modulation technique was used in this work to vary the modulation index. Here the basic operation, simple boost control method, characteristics, requirements and harmonic analysis of the classical Z-Source Inverter (ZSI), TZ-Source Inverter (TZSI), Trans-Z-Source Inverter (Trans-ZSI) and Improved ZSI (IMZSI) topologies were compared for interfacing the wide range  variable input energy to utility supply system. The performances were compared based on its MATLAB/SIMULINK simulation model and featured results are shown to confirm its validity.
Low Voltage Ride-through Capability Enhancement of Doubly Fed Induction Generator Based Wind Turbines under Voltage Dips
Authors: Boukhris Youness , El Makrini Aboubakr , El Moussaoui Hassan , El Markhi Hassane
Published: March 2017

Based on the advantages of doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind turbine (WT). This paper proposes a new control strategy to improve the ride-through capability of DFIG-based WTs in the event of a grid fault. The proposed method is performed by using the DFIG converters control and the addition of the damping resistances connected to the DC circuit, to follow the requirements defined by the grid codes. The proposed ride-through solution limits the peak values of the DC link voltage, the rotor inrush current, electromagnetic torque and DFIG transient response at the times of occurrence and clearing the fault. The proposed solution is simulated and compared with the crowbar solution using MATLAB/Simulink environment.
Backstepping Control for a Five-Phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drive
Authors: Hosseynia Anissa , Trabelsi Ramzi , Iqbal Atif , Mimounia Med Faouzi
Published: March 2017

This paper deals with the synthesis of a speed control strategy for a five-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive based on backstepping controller. The proposed control strategy considers the nonlinearities of the system in the control law. The stability of the backstepping control strategy is proved by the Lyapunov theory. Simulated results are provided to verify the feasibility of the backstepping control strategy.
Performance of Fractional-Slot Winding PM Machines due to Un-even Coil Turns and Asymmetric Design of Stator Teeth
Authors: Mohd Jamil Mohd Luqman , S. A. Al-Habshi Syed Muhammad , Othman Md Nazri , Sutikno Tole
Published: March 2017

PM machines in which slot number and pole number combination differs by one have to be configured with asymmetric winding pattern in order to maximize it back-emf performance. However, this asymmetric winding configuration inherently results an unwanted Unabalanced Magnetic Force (UMF). Investigations of electromagnetic performance of fractional-slot asymmetric winding PM machines using 2-D Finite-Element Analysis are presented. The investigations are mainly driven by the effort of minimizing the UMF. By employing techniques such as non-uniform number of coil turns in every tooth and asymmetric design of stator tooth, the UMF are expected can be minimized. The investigations show that the radial component of UMF has greater effect than the tangential component on the UMF itself. In all proposed techniques, a slight reduction of machine torque performance is inevitable.
Modified Synchronous Reference Frame Based Harmonic Extraction for Shunt Active Filter
Authors: Subash Kumar C.S. , Gopalakrishnan V.
Published: March 2017

This paper presents the modified synchronous reference frame based Shunt Active Filter (SAF) for the instantaneous compensation of harmonic current present at the Point of Common Coupling. The harmonics generated by the non linear load are extracted using the positive frame and negative frame of the input signal using the modified synchronous reference frame theory with extended Multiple Reference Frame based PLL (EMRFPLL). Based on the harmonics extracted, pulse width modulation signals are generated using Artificial Neural Network based Space Vector Pulse width Modulation technique (ANNSVPWM). Using this switching technique the losses can be reduced and compensation can be done more accurately The concept was verified using MATLAB / Simulink Simulation and the results confirm the THD at point of common coupling is below the required standards.
An Evaluation of Linear Time Frequency Distribution Analysis for VSI Switch Faults Identification
Authors: Habban M.F. , Manap M. , Abdullah A.R. , Jopri M.H. , Sutikno T.
Published: March 2017

This paper present an evaluation of linear time frequency distribution analysis for voltage source inverter system (VSI). Power electronic now are highly demand in industrial such as manufacturing, industrial process and semiconductor because of the reliability and sustainability. However, the phenomenon that happened in switch fault has become a critical issue in the development of advanced. This causes problems that occur study on fault switch at voltage source inverter (VSI) must be identified more closely so that problems like this can be prevented. The TFD which is STFT  and S-transform method are analyzed the switch fault of VSI.  To identify the VSI switches fault, the parameter of fault signal such as instantaneous of average current, RMS current, RMS fundamental current, total waveform distortion, total harmonic distortion and total non-harmonic distortion can be estimated from TFD. The analysis information are useful especially for industrial application in the process for identify the switch fault detection. Then the accuracy of both method, which mean STFT and S-transform are identified by the lowest value of mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). In addition, the S-transform gives a better accuracy compare with STFT and it can be implement for fault detection system.
Single Switched Non-isolated High Gain Converter
Authors: Mitra Lopamudra , Kumar Rout Ullash
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a new single switched inductor- capacitor coupled transformer-less high gain DC-DC converter which can be used in renewable energy sources like PV, fuel cell in which the low DC output voltage is to be converted into high dc output voltage. With the varying low input voltages, the output of DC-DC converter remains same and does not change. A state space model of the converter is also presented in the paper. This constant output voltage is obtained by close loop control of converter using PID controller. High voltage gain of 10 is obtained without use of transformer. All the simulations are done in MATLAB-SIMULINK environment.
Analysis of Permanent Magnet Demagnetization Effect Outer-rotor Hybrid Excitation Flux Switching Motor
Authors: Ahmad M. Z. , Sulaiman E. , Rahimi S.K. , Romalan G. M. , Jenal M.
Published: March 2017

This paper addresses the irreversible permanent magnet (PM) demagnetization analysis of hybrid excitation flux switching motor (HEFSM) with outer-rotor configuration. PM demagnetization cause the PM strength used in the motor significantly reduces and hence contributes less torque performance. The study is focused on thermal analysis and conducted at various temperature up to as high as 180 degrees Celsius which has a tendency to be demagnetized. Therefore, PM demagnetization is among a critical issue and influences the choice of the applied motor. The analysis is carried out based on finite element method (FEM) and percentage of PM demagnetization is then calculated. Finally, based on simulated and calculated results the final design outer-rotor HEFSM has only 0.85 percent PM demagnetization at very high temperature and obviously the is no PM demagnetization at normal operating conditions.
Modeling and Simulation of Three Phase D-SVC for Load Compensation
Authors: Sahoo Ashwin Kumar , Sahoo Sarat Kumar , Mohanty Nalinikanta
Published: March 2017

The transmission of electric power has to take place in the most efficient way in addition to providing flexibility in the process. Flexible A.C. Transmission System (FACTS) promotes the use of static controllers to enhance the controllability and increase the power transfer capability. Providing reactive shunt compensation with shunt-connected capacitors and reactors is a well-established technique to get a better voltage profile in a power system. Shunt Capacitors are inexpensive but lack dynamic capabilities, thus some form of dynamically controlled reactive power compensation becomes essential.  In this paper, three phase Distribution Static Var Compensator (D-SVC) has been developed and studied under different conditions. Open loop mode and closed loop mode of operation of D-SVC is simulated and studied. The work presented here is very much useful for distribution system, for effective reactive power management and better Voltage control.
An Efficient Control Implementation for Inverter Based Harmony Search Algorithm
Authors: Najeeb Mushtaq , Daniyal Hamdan , Razali Ramdan , Mansor Muhamad
Published: March 2017

This research implements a PI controller based on harmony search (HS) optimization algorithm for voltage source inverter to improve the output performance under step load change conditions. The HS algorithm aims to handle the trial and error procedure used in finding the PI parameters and then apply the proposed control algorithm via the eZdsp TMS320F28355 board to link the inverter prototype with the Matlab Simulink. The mean absolute error (MAE) is used as an optimization problem to minimize the output voltage error for the developed controller (PI-HS) as compared to the PI controller based particale swarm optimization algorithm (PI-PSO). Based on the experimental results obtained, it is noted that the proposed controller (PI-HS) provides a good dynamic performance, robustness, constant voltage amplitude, and fast response in terms of overshoot, transient, and steady-state.
Transient and Steady State Analysis of Modified Three Phase Multilevel Inverter for Photovoltaic System
Authors: Venkatesan M. , Rajeswari R. , Kaliyamoorthy M. , Srithar M.
Published: March 2017

The transient and steady state analysis of Modified Three Phase Multilevel Inverter (MMLI) for Photovoltaic (PV) system fed from single DC input is presented in this paper. The transient and Steady state conditions of modified three phase multilevel inverter are analyzed using Proportional Integral (PI) and Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) with change in irradiance level of PV panels. The three phase multilevel inverter  is designed with reduce number of power semiconductor switches, components, single DC input and effectively controlled by using Space Vector Pulse width Modulation technique (SVPWM).  The obtained results are validated using MATLAB/ Simulink.Finaly, semiconductor switches and componets utilization of MMLI is compared with other similar topologies.
Modeling and Control of Micro-grid Powered by Solar and Wind Energies
Authors: Zenned Sameh , Aridhi Emna , Mami Abdelkader
Published: March 2017

The number of installations of Micro-Grid or intelligent micro power networks will increase to quadruple by 2020.The purpose is to reduce the cost and the consumption of electricity in transmission and distribution networks, using a hybrid system powered by solar and wind sources, as well as integrating storage devices. This paper reviews and discusses the Micro-Grid Model. It describes various Micro-Grid components and different configurations. It also presents the model of two generation units (Photovoltaic and Wind Turbine). Then, a comparative study of different battery types used for large-scale electricity storage is carried out, followed by a review of control strategies.
Design and Development of a Wind Turbine Emulator for Analyzing the Performance of Stand-alone Wind Energy Conversion System
Authors: Bhayo M.A. , Aziz M.J.A. , Idris N.R.N. , Yatim A.H.M.
Published: March 2017

This paper describes the design and development of a Wind Turbine Emulator (WTE), which can be used to analyze and assess the performance of Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS). The mathematical modeling of the WTE has been done using MATLAB/Simulink platform.  A separately excited DC motor is deployed in order to reproduce the speed/torque, replacing the real wind turbine rotor. The half-bridge DC-DC power converter is developed to run the DC motor in a controlled fashion. Two PI controllers viz speed and current controller are employed which guarantee that the DC motor is following the theoretical (reference) rotational speed of the turbine rotor. A user interface is created in ControlDesk Next Generation, through which the input parameters of the WTE can be altered in real time and the instantaneous effect can be observed by analyzing the output parameters. The designed system offers wide range flexibility and provides a friendly environment in which wind speed and turbine parameters can be altered easily. Hence, offering user to conduct research on variable wind speeds. The DS1104 R&D controller board is employed for implementation of the developed Simulink model. The system design, the model used, and obtained results are presented in this paper. 
Whole exome sequencing in the Framingham Heart Study identifies rare variation in HYAL2 that influences platelet aggregation
Authors: Eicher John D. , Chen Ming-Huei , Pitsillides Achilleas N. , Lin Honghuang , Veeraraghavan Narayanan , Brody Jennifer A. , Metcalf Ginger A. , Muzny Donna M. , Gibbs Richard A. , Becker Diane M. , Becker Lewis C. , Faraday Nauder , Mathias Rasika A. , Yanek Lisa R. , Boerwinkle Eric , Adrienne Cupples L. , Johnson Andrew D.
Published: March 2017

Inhibition of platelet reactivity is a common therapeutic strategy in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Genetic and environmental factors influence inter-individual variation in platelet reactivity. Identifying genes that contribute to platelet reactivity can reveal new biological mechanisms and possible therapeutic targets. Here, we examined rare coding variation to identify genes associated with platelet reactivity in a population-based cohort. To do so, we performed whole exome sequencing in the Framingham Heart Study and conducted single variant and gene-based association tests against platelet reactivity to collagen, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and epinephrine agonists in up to 1,211 individuals. Single variant tests revealed no significant associations (p<1.44×10–7), though we observed a suggestive association with previously implicated MRVI1 (rs11042902, p = 1.95×10–7). Using gene-based association tests of rare and low-frequency variants, we found significant associations of HYAL2 with increased ADP-induced aggregation (p = 1.07×10–7) and GSTZ1 with increased epinephrine-induced aggregation (p = 1.62×10–6). HYAL2 also showed suggestive associations with epinephrine-induced aggregation (p = 2.64×10–5). The rare variants in the HYAL2 gene-based association included a missense variant (N357S) at a known N-glycosylation site and a nonsense variant (Q406*) that removes a glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor from the resulting protein. These variants suggest that improper membrane trafficking of HYAL2 influences platelet reactivity. We also observed suggestive associations of AR (p = 7.39×10–6) and MAPRE1 (p = 7.26×10–6) with ADP-induced reactivity. Our study demonstrates that gene-based tests and other grouping strategies of rare variants are powerful approaches to detect associations in population-based analyses of complex traits not detected by single variant tests and possible new genetic influences on platelet reactivity.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Consistent platelet inhibition with ticagrelor 60 mg twice-daily following myocardial infarction regardless of diabetes status
Authors: Thomas Mark R. , Angiolillo Dominick J. , Bonaca Marc P. , Ajjan Ramzi A. , Judge Heather M. , Rollini Fabiana , Franchi Francesco , Ahsan Arif J. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Kuder Julia F. , Steg Philippe Gabriel , Cohen Marc , Muthusamy Rangasamy , Sabatine Marc S. , Storey Robert F.
Published: March 2017

Diabetes increases cardiovascular risk and reduces pharmacodynamic response to some oral antiplatelet drugs. This study aimed to determine whether ticagrelor 60 mg twice daily (bid) provided potent and consistent platelet inhibition in patients with vs without diabetes in the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 platelet function substudy. Out of 180 patients studied, 58 patients were randomised to and had received at least four weeks of ticagrelor 60 mg bid, with 20 (34 %) having diabetes, 58 patients received ticagrelor 90 mg bid, with 12 (21 %) having diabetes, and 64 patients received placebo, with 18 (28 %) having diabetes. Blood was sampled pre- and 2 hours post-maintenance dose. In patients treated with ticagrelor 60 mg bid, on-treatment platelet reactivity to ADP, as determined by light transmission aggregometry (LTA), VerifyNow and VASP, was similar in patients with vs without diabetes (LTA post-dose, ADP 20 ?M: 29 ± 14 vs 34 ± 10 %, respectively; p = 0.19). A consistent inhibitory effect of ticagrelor 60 mg bid was observed pre- and post-dose regardless of diabetes status, even in insulin-treated patients. Patients with diabetes did not have an increased incidence of high platelet reactivity in either ticagrelor group. Platelet reactivity was similar in patients with diabetes treated with ticagrelor 60 mg vs 90 mg bid. Pharmacokinetics of ticagrelor were not affected by diabetes status. In conclusion, ticagrelor 60 mg bid is equally effective at reducing platelet reactivity in patients with and without diabetes, yielding a consistently high level of platelet inhibition regardless of diabetes status.
ПІДВИЩЕННЯ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ НАВЧАЛЬНОГО ПРОЦЕСУ ЗА РАХУНОК ВИКОРИСТАННЯ КОМП’ЮТЕРНИХ ТЕХНОЛОГІЙ
Authors: Chornenka T. V. , Konovalenko S. O.
Published: March 2017

Мета написання даної статті полягає в тому, щоб розглянути, як комп’ютерні технології використовуються в навчальному процесі і за рахунок чого підвищується ефективність засвоєння знань при використанні комп’ютерної техніки.
Heart Failure in Pediatric Patients With Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Hinton Robert B. , Ware Stephanie M.
Published: March 2017

Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome resulting from diverse primary and secondary causes and shared pathways of disease progression, correlating with substantial mortality, morbidity, and cost. HF in children is most commonly attributable to coexistent congenital heart disease, with different risks depending on the specific type of malformation. Current management and therapy for HF in children are extrapolated from treatment approaches in adults. This review discusses the causes, epidemiology, and manifestations of HF in children with congenital heart disease and presents the clinical, genetic, and molecular characteristics that are similar or distinct from adult HF. The objective of this review is to provide a framework for understanding rapidly increasing genetic and molecular information in the challenging context of detailed phenotyping. We review clinical and translational research studies of HF in congenital heart disease including at the genome, transcriptome, and epigenetic levels. Unresolved issues and directions for future study are presented.
Current Interventional and Surgical Management of Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Holst Kimberly A. , Said Sameh M. , Nelson Timothy J. , Cannon Bryan C. , Dearani Joseph A.
Published: March 2017

Successful outcome in the care of patients with congenital heart disease depends on a comprehensive multidisciplinary team. Surgery is offered for almost every heart defect, despite complexity. Early mortality for cardiac surgery in the neonatal period is ≈10% and beyond infancy is <5%, with 90% to 95% of patients surviving with a good quality of life into the adult years. Advances in imaging have facilitated accurate diagnosis and planning of interventions and surgical procedures. Similarly, advances in the perioperative medical management of patients, particularly with intensive care, has also contributed to improving outcomes. Arrhythmias and heart failure are the most common late complications for the majority of defects, and reoperation for valvar problems is common. Lifelong surveillance for monitoring of recurrent or residual structural heart defects, as well as periodic assessment of cardiac function and arrhythmia monitoring, is essential for all patients. The field of congenital heart surgery is poised to incorporate new innovations such as bioengineered cells and scaffolds that will iteratively move toward bioengineered patches, conduits, valves, and even whole organs.
Waltillia, a new monotypic genus in Tillandsioideae (Bromeliaceae) arises from a rediscovered, allegedly extinct species from Brazil
Authors: LEME ELTON M. C. , HALBRITTER HEIDEMARIE , BARFUSS MICHAEL H. J.
Published: March 2017

A new monotypic genus of Bromeliaceae, Waltillia, is described to accommodate a single rediscovered species, Waltillia hatschbachii, thought to be extinct and formerly placed in either Vriesea or Alcantarea. This new genus is ecologically and morphologically distinct from the remaining genera of subfamily Tillandsioideae in its unique combination of characters including those of habit, leaf rosette, leaf blades, flowers, petals, anthers, pollen, stigma, and seeds. Phylogenetic DNA sequence analyses indicate that the individuals of W. hatschbachii form a monophyletic, highly supported group in sister position to Alcantarea s.str., with Alcantarea and Waltillia being sister to the clade containing Vriesea s.str. and Stigmatodon.
A new species of Mimulopsis (Acanthaceae) from Rwanda and Burundi
Authors: FISCHER EBERHARD
Published: March 2017

A new species, Mimulopsis champluvierae, from Rwanda and Burundi is described. It differs from M. solmsii in the linear bracts with revolute margin, the long violet glandular hairs on the whole inflorescence including bracts and calyx, the two bracteoles that are at least half as long as the sepals, the linear sepals, the yellow corolla with purplish patterning, the capitate stigma, and the ovary with only a few hairs at the apex. The plietesial life history of M. champluvierae and M. arborescens is described. The typical M. solmsii and M. excellens show no pronounced mass-flowering, and single inflorescences are present almost every year.
SAM-CAAM: A Concept for Acquiring Systematic Aircraft Measurements to Characterize Aerosol Air Masses
Authors: Kahn Ralph A. , Berkoff Tim A. , Brock Charles , Chen Gao , Ferrare Richard A. , Ghan Steven , Hansico Thomas F. , Hegg Dean A. , Martins J. Vanderlei , McNaughton Cameron S. , Murphy Daniel M. , Ogren John A. , Penner Joyce E. , Pilewskie Peter , Seinfeld John H. , Worsnop Douglas R.
Published: March 2017

A modest operational program of systematic aircraft measurements can resolve key satellite aerosol data record limitations. Satellite observations provide frequent global aerosol amount maps but offer only loose aerosol property constraints needed for climate and air quality applications. We define and illustrate the feasibility of flying an aircraft payload to measure key aerosol optical, microphysical, and chemical properties in situ. The flight program could characterize major aerosol airmass types statistically, at a level of detail unobtainable from space. It would 1) enhance satellite aerosol retrieval products with better climatology assumptions and 2) improve translation between satellite-retrieved optical properties and species-specific aerosol mass and size simulated in climate models to assess aerosol forcing, its anthropogenic components, and other environmental impacts. As such, Systematic Aircraft Measurements to Characterize Aerosol Air Masses (SAM-CAAM) could add value to data records representing several decades of aerosol observations from space; improve aerosol constraints on climate modeling; help interrelate remote sensing, in situ, and modeling aerosol-type definitions; and contribute to future satellite aerosol missions. Fifteen required variables are identified and four payload options of increasing ambition are defined to constrain these quantities. “Option C” could meet all the SAM-CAAM objectives with about 20 instruments, most of which have flown before, but never routinely several times per week, and never as a group. Aircraft integration and approaches to data handling, payload support, and logistical considerations for a long-term, operational mission are discussed. SAM-CAAM is feasible because, for most aerosol sources and specified seasons, particle properties tend to be repeatable, even if aerosol loading varies.
On the Relationship between Spring NAO and Snowmelt in the Upper Southwestern United States
Authors: Myoung Boksoon , Kim Seung Hee , Kim Jinwon , Kafatos Menas C.
Published: March 2017

This study examines the relationship between the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and snowmelt in spring in the upper southwestern states of the United States (UP_SW) including California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, using SNOTEL datasets for 34 yr (1980–2014). Statistically significant negative correlations are found between NAO averages in the snowmelt period and timings of snowmelt (i.e., positive NAO phases in spring enhance snowmelt, and vice versa). It is also found that correlations between El Niño–Southern Oscillation and snowmelt are negligible in the region. The NAO–snowmelt relationship is most pronounced below the 2800-m level; above this level, the relationship becomes weaker. The underlying mechanism for this link is that a positioning of upper-tropospheric anticyclonic (cyclonic) circulations over the western United States that are associated with development of the positive (negative) NAO phases tends to bring warmer and drier (colder and wetter) spring weather conditions to the region. The temperature variations related with the NAO phases also strongly modulate the snowfall–rainfall partitioning. The relationship between the NAO and spring snowmelt can serve as key information for the warm season water resources management in the UP_SW.
New Perspectives on Frontal Variability in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Chapman Christopher C.
Published: March 2017

The frontal structure of the Southern Ocean is investigated using the Wavelet/Higher Order Statistics Enhancement (WHOSE) frontal detection method, introduced in Chapman’s work. This methodology is applied to 21 yr of daily gridded absolute dynamic topography (ADT) data to obtain daily maps of the locations of the fronts. By forming frontal occurrence frequency maps and then approximating these occurrence maps by a superposition of simple functions, the time-mean locations of the fronts, as well as a measure of their capacity to meander, are obtained and related to the frontal locations found by previous studies. The spatial and temporal variability of the frontal structure is then considered. The number of fronts is found to be highly variable throughout the Southern Ocean, increasing (splitting) downstream of large bathymetric features and decreasing (merging) in regions where the fronts are tightly controlled by the underlying topography. These splitting/merging events are related to changes in the underlying frontal structure whereby regions of high frontal occurrence cross or spread over streamfunction contours. In contrast to the number of fronts, frontal meandering remains relatively constant throughout the Southern Ocean. Little to no migration of the fronts over the 1993–2014 time period is found, and there is only weak sensitivity of frontal positions to atmospheric forcing related to the southern annular mode or the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. Finally, the implications of these results for the study of cross-stream tracer transport are discussed.
An Eddy Injection Method for Large-Eddy Simulations of Tornado-Like Vortices
Authors: Bryan George H. , Dahl Nathan A. , Nolan David S. , Rotunno Richard
Published: March 2017

The structure and intensity of tornado-like vortices are examined using large-eddy simulations (LES) in an idealized framework. The analysis focuses on whether the simulated boundary layer contains resolved turbulent eddies, and whether most of the vertical component of turbulent momentum flux is resolved rather than parameterized. Initial conditions are first generated numerically using a “precursor simulation” with an axisymmetric model. A three-dimensional “baseline” LES is then integrated using these initial conditions plus random perturbations. With this baseline approach, the inner core of the simulated vortex clearly contains resolved turbulent eddies (as expected); however, the boundary layer inflow has very weak resolved turbulent eddies, and the subgrid model accounts for most of the vertical turbulent momentum flux (contrary to the design of these simulations). To overcome this problem, a second precursor simulation is conducted in which resolved turbulent fluctuations develop within a smaller, doubly periodic LES domain. Perturbation flow fields from this precursor LES are then “injected” into the large-domain LES at a specified radius. With this approach, the boundary layer inflow clearly contains resolved turbulent fluctuations, often organized as quasi-2D rolls, which persist into the inner core of the simulation; thus, the simulated tornado-like vortex and its inflowing boundary layer can be characterized as LES. When turbulence is injected, the inner-core vortex structure is always substantially different, the boundary layer inflow is typically deeper, and in most cases the maximum wind speeds are reduced compared to the baseline simulation.
A Better Way to Manage Customer Experience
Authors: Maklan Stan , Antonetti Paolo , Whitty Steve
Published: March 2017

Customer experience is heralded as the competitive battleground; however, it is defined so broadly that companies often struggle to define, implement, and measure it. Based on the experiences of the Royal Bank of Scotland, this article develops an effective approach to scoping and managing customer experience, identifying typical pitfalls, and providing guidance to organizations trying to understand where to start.
Walmart’s Emergent Low-Cost Sustainable Product Strategy
Authors: Spicer Andrew , Hyatt David
Published: March 2017

This article traces the strategic initiatives that Walmart undertook over the last decade to implement its ambitious vision of selling more sustainable products. This effort has been characterized by a gradual shift away from customer-facing initiatives aimed at labeling sustainable products toward supplier-facing initiatives targeted at improving environmental or social performance without raising customer prices. It highlights the role of institutional intermediaries, transaction costs, and experiential learning in shaping firms’ capabilities to translate ambitious sustainability goals into operable, mass-market initiatives.
Hinduism and the mystical aestheticism of Gabriele D’Annunzio: “Una sensualità rapita fuor de’ sensi”
Authors: Turoff Barbara
Published: March 2017

D’Annunzio’s cult of Beauty—his attention to, and interest in, all things beautiful—is well known and has been widely discussed. Yet, the nature of the spirituality which infuses this aestheticism has not been adequately explored due to (mis)interpretations or even an outright rejection of D’Annunzio’s religiosity. In discussing the relationship between Hinduism and D’Annunzio, this article reveals the relevance of Hinduism’s aesthetics to D’Annunzio’s, primarily in the shared concept of the artist’s ability—through his or her heightened senses—to perceive the union of the self with the universal soul, or to experience what D’Annunzio calls “una sensualità rapita fuor de’ sensi”. While placing D’Annunzio in the cultural environment of Orientalism, and noting that he accessed Hindu ideas not only through secondary sources such as Schopenhauer, Romain Rolland, and Angelo Conti, but also through his reading of Orientalist scholars and primary sources (translated into French or Italian), this article demonstrates that in Hindu thought, D’Annunzio found support for, and confirmation of, his own mystic aestheticism.
The art of dying in Trionfo della morte
Authors: Wood Jessica
Published: March 2017

This article argues that Gabriele D’Annunzio’s protagonist in Trionfo della morte fails to become the superuomo because he pursues beauty in death rather than in life. While Giorgio Aurispa aspires to follow the teachings of Nietzsche and affirm life, his psychological weakness and sick will render him unable to do this. Any energy and willpower that Giorgio does possess is channelled into a morbid direction, alienating him from life and those around him. Giorgio becomes fixated on the ‘beautiful’ deaths of several figures (including Percy Bysshe Shelley and his uncle, who committed suicide) and, rather than imitating Zarathustra’s affirmative attitude towards life, aspires to create an end for himself that matches the beauty of the deaths of these macabre role models. It is Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde that provides the most beautiful – and fatal – model for death, however, and after hearing Wagner’s music D’Annunzio’s protagonist becomes obsessed with recreating a Liebestod. Instead of applying creativity to his life, Giorgio channels his (ebbing) energies into making a work of art of his death; but even here his creativity fails, and his intended Liebestod becomes a desperate suicide and brutal murder.
Exploring experiences of informal carers of mental health: Developing community intervention in social work in Jordan
Authors: AlMakhamreh Sahar Suleiman
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this article is to generate meaningful understanding of the mental health informal carers’ experience and to identify a possible approach to social work intervention. A mixed method of quantitative and qualitative analysis was used for data collection. The findings reveal that most of the informal carers are female adult. They experience stress, domestic violence, social exclusion as a result of the caring role, and fear of stigma. Cultural and religious factors must be considered when translating the caring role. The findings suggest implications for social work practice at a community level, utilizing a familial and support-group approach, with a practice that is sensitive to gender and religion.
Alumni of National Civic Service: Comparing the experience of at-risk and mainstream volunteers
Authors: Zeira Anat , Tuval-Mashiach Rivka , Meir Galit , Levy Drorit , Refaeli Tehila , Benbenishty Rami
Published: March 2017

This article describes the perspectives of alumni of National Civic Service (NCS) in Israel on its impact at the individual level. We compared 250 young women who were identified as youth at risk with 295 mainstream volunteers. Overall, the two groups show similar outcomes that are typical to this developmental stage of life. Yet youth at risk experience more difficulties. While NCS aims at increasing equality between groups, it seems that it is not enough to bridge the gaps between the groups. The findings imply a need for a continued intervention to accompany the at-risk alumni that would leverage the progress made during the NCS period.
C-FIT adolescent diversion program: A behavioral intervention pilot test for delinquent offenders
Authors: Gearing Robin E , Schwalbe Craig SJ , MacKenzie Michael J , Ibrahim Rawan W , Bushnaq Shadi , Brewer Kathryne B
Published: March 2017

The Community-Family Integration Teams (C-FIT) diversion program was developed to address behavioral and mental health treatment for justice-involved adolescents. The C-FIT pilot study, implemented in Jordan, aimed to (1) evaluate intervention fidelity and (2) assess intervention effectiveness. Adolescent males ( n = 19) and their families participated in the C-FIT study. Pre and post data were collected through interviews and standardized instruments. The mean fidelity score was 31.4 out of 46 (68%), indicating reasonable fidelity. Data suggest declining levels of internalizing problems. The C-FIT program holds promise for improving adolescent mental health outcomes and decreasing recidivism youths who are at risk of detention center placement.
Value Fulfillment and Bicultural Identity Integration
Authors: Oppenheim-Weller Shani , Kurman Jenny
Published: March 2017

What can facilitate bicultural identity integration (BII)? To answer this question, we introduce a new relevant construct—subjective value fulfillment. We contend that the subjective feeling of value fulfillment within a social identity can enhance the motivation to integrate this social identity with other identities. Furthermore, after distinguishing between central, peripheral, and conflictual identities that differ in level of identification, we contend that perceiving a conflictual identity as allowing value fulfillment is especially important to BII. We examine these hypotheses in four studies. Three examined Arab-Israelis (a total of N = 399), while the fourth study investigated Druze-Arab-Israelis ( N = 212). Our findings indicate that value fulfillment contributes to elevated BII, that manipulation of perceived value fulfillment elevates BII, and that perceived value fulfillment–BII relations are contingent on type of identity. More specifically, we found that perceived value fulfillment within a conflictual identity was more relevant to BII than perceived value fulfillment in a central identity. Last, we found that perceived value fulfillment predicted BII over and above identification.
Is Integration the Best Way to Acculturate? A Reexamination of the Bicultural-Adaptation Relationship in the “ICSEY Dataset” Using the Bilineal Method
Authors: Abu-Rayya Hisham M. , Sam David L.
Published: March 2017

The present study reexamined the relationship between biculturalism and adaptation in the ICSEY1 data. The sample consisted of 5,365 immigrants, aged between 13 and 18 years ( M = 15.35, SD = 1.56) who were living in 13 different countries. We measured biculturalism bilineally using a range of ICSEY variables akin to acculturation. The study findings revealed that biculturalism was the most preferred acculturation mode across countries and within most of the countries. Biculturalism was positively related to two out of three psychological adaptation measures and one out of two sociocultural adaptation measures across and within most participating countries. The pattern of relationship remained true after controlling for perceived discrimination in the analyses.
The Psycho-Lexical Approach in Exploring the Field of Values
Authors: Raad Boele De , Timmerman Marieke E. , Morales-Vives Fabia , Renner Walter , Barelds Dick P. H. , Pieter Van Oudenhoven Jan
Published: March 2017

We reply to each of the issues raised by Schwartz in a commentary on our article on a comparison of value taxonomies. We discuss two approaches, mentioned in that commentary, the lexical approach and the theory-driven approach, especially with respect to their capacities in covering the domain of values and with respect to the representation of important values in a useful structure. We refute the critique by Schwartz that the lexical approach is superfluous, because his theory “toward universals in values” would already cover all values, and that their mutual relationships are relevant to individuals around the globe. We explain the necessity and strength of the lexical approach in taxonomizing the value domain, both within and across languages. Furthermore, we argue that principal components analysis (PCA) and simultaneous component analysis (SCA) are most adequate in arriving at a satisfactory structuring of the great many values in terms of both underlying constructs and their facets. We point to a misrepresentation in Schwartz’s circular model, and we review some misunderstandings on the side of Schwartz with respect to our results in comparison with those proceeding from his circular model.
Substance Use Profiles Among Juvenile Offenders: A Lifestyles Theoretical Perspective
Authors: McCuish Evan C.
Published: March 2017

Base rates of illicit substances such as cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin are typically low in community-based studies, which often inhibit more complex multivariate analysis. Additionally, single-item measures and aggregate scales mask within-group differences among those showing versatility in their substance use. Latent class analysis was used to model the substance use profiles of adjudicated female ( n = 98) and male ( n = 378) youth. Alcohol, marijuana, acid, mushrooms, ecstasy, cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, crystal methamphetamine, and nonmedical use of prescription pills were used to define latent profiles of substance use. Three latent classes were identified that were qualitatively different across males and females. Multinomial logistic regression analyses indicated that time spent outside of the home of the biological parents, early substance use, and parental substance abuse were informative of the use of substances such as cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin. Implications for more individualized treatment strategies are discussed.
Development and Validation of a Music Self-Concept Inventory for College Students
Authors: Hash Phillip M.
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this study was to develop a Music Self-Concept Inventory (MSCI) for college students that is easy to administer and reflects the global nature of this construct. Students ( N = 237) at a private college in the midwestern United States completed the initial survey, which contained 15 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Three subscales determined by previous research included (a) support or recognition from others, (b) personal interest or desire, and (c) self-perception of music ability. A series of exploratory factor analyses supported this model and indicated that deleting two items loading <.40 on their intended subscales improved validity and helped attain simple structure. The final version of the MSCI contains 13 items, explains 63.6% of the variance, and maintains high reliability (total: α = .94; subscales: α = .83–.92). Validity was demonstrated through correlation between the MSCI and another measure of music self-perception ( r = .94), MSCI scores and years of participation in music activities ( r = .64), and interfactor correlations ( r = .71–.75). This instrument will provide a tool for researchers and educators to assess change or development in music self-concept and examine other variables related to this construct.
An epidemiology of sexual assault among elderly women in the Mthatha area of South Africa
Authors: Meel Banwari L
Published: March 2017

Background

South Africa has one of the highest rates of rape in the world, but this barely seems to surprise anyone. It is extremely disturbing, especially when children and elderly women are raped. Women and children are usually the weakest group in society physically, as well as the most exposed to abuse and neglect. It should be the responsibility of a civil society to protect these vulnerable groups from harm.

Objective

This study investigated the trend of rapes among elderly women in the Mthatha area of South Africa.

Method

This was a retrospective descriptive study from the records of the Sinawe Centre. All cases of the rape of elderly women (i.e. those aged ≥65 years) between 2007 and 2011 were recorded. The Sinawe Centre is now a one-stop centre known as the Thuthuzela-Sinawe Centre, which is the only centre to deal with cases of rape in this area.

Results

A total 2579 adult victims of rape (i.e. those aged ≥16 years) were reported at the Sinawe Centre over a five-year period (2007–2011). Of these, 145 (5.6%) involved elderly women. The average rate of rape among elderly women was 20.7/10,000 adult women per year. There was an increase in elderly rape from 17.1/10,000 women in 2007 to 40/10,000 women in 2009. The highest percentage (45.5%) of women were aged between 65 and 70 years, and the lowest percentage (4.1%) were aged between 86 and 90 years. The highest number of cases (56; 38.6%) were reported in 2009 (p < .05; χ2 = 45.2). In the majority of cases (122; 84.2%), there was a single perpetrator. There were two perpetrators in 14 (9.6%) cases, and three or more perpetrators were recorded in nine (6.2%) rapes. A little more than half (74; 51%) were known to the victims. In 117 (83%) cases, the rape took place in the home. Human immunodeficiency virus infection was found to be prevalent in five (3.6%) cases of elderly rape.

Conclusion

There are a high number of rapes among elderly women in the Mthatha area of South Africa. It is a matter of serious concern, and needs urgent attention.