bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The opisthobranch gastropods (Mollusca: Heterobranchia) from Venezuela: an annotated and illustrated inventory of species
Authors: GUTIÉRREZ MANUEL CABALLER , ORTEA JESÚS , RIVERO NELSY , TUCKER GABRIELA CARIAS , MALAQUIAS MANUEL ANTÓNIO E. , NARCISO SAMUEL
Published: October 2015

The Caribbean waters of Venezuela are composed by a large variety of habitats, with over 2800 km of coastline, islands, and islets. This area is a transitional zone between two main biogeographic provinces, the Caribbean and the Brazilian, separated by the fresh water outflows of the Orinoco and Amazon rivers, and is therefore expected to be an area of high species diversity. However, concerning the study of molluscs, Venezuela is probably the poorest known region in the Caribbean. The best compilation of opisthobranch species known in Venezuela was produced almost a decade ago, mentioning the occurrence of 57 species, plus seven determined only to genus level. In this work, 134 species are reported for Venezuela (71 are illustrated), representing about 40 % of the entire diversity of opisthobranchs known in the Caribbean. Among the species occurring in Venezuela, 49 have here the southern limit of their distribution range and only one the northern limit. Forty-six species are recorded for the first time to the country and one is a new record for the Caribbean Sea, namely Placida cremoniana. In addition, the distribution and ecology of the species are given based in literature and new data.
Description of a new species of Ameroseius Berlese (Acari: Ameroseiidae) from Norway, with a key to related species
Authors: NARITA JOÃO PAULO Z. , ABDUCH WILLIAM Y. , MORAES GILBERTO J. DE , KLINGEN INGEBORG
Published: October 2015

Ameroseius is the largest genus of the mite family Ameroseiidae (Mesostigmata), with a worldwide distribution. Ameroseius norvegicus Narita, Abduch & Moraes n. sp. is described based on the morphology of adult females collected from litter in a strawberry field, in Norway. The new species is most similar to Ameroseius ulmi Hirschmann. A key is provided to separate them as well as other similar species constituting what is here referred to as the sculptilis group.
Chekhovichia, a new generic replacement name for Rotalites Leleshus 1970 (Anthozoa: Heliolitoidea) non Lamarck 1801 (Protista: Foraminifera)
Authors: DOWELD ALEXANDER B.
Published: October 2015

The genus Rotalites was established by Leleshus (1970: 97) for fossil Upper Silurian heliolitoids (Anthozoa) from Southern Tien Shan. However, the name is preoccupied by Rotalites Lamarck (1801: 401) of Foraminifera (Protista) (cf. Loeblich & Tappan, 1987). In accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, Chekhovichia nom. nov. is proposed here as a replacement name for Rotalites Leleshus non Lamarck.
A taxonomic review, new species and a key to species of Platycoelus Blanchard, 1843 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Pterostichini)
Authors: WILL KIPLING
Published: October 2015

Based on the study of type material for species of Platycoelus Blanchard, 1843 significant changes to the current taxonomy of species included in this genus is required. Psegmatopterus politissimus (White 1846) from New Zealand is found to be congeneric with Platycoelus species and so is a new combination. Platycoelus irideomicans (Tschitschérine 1890) status novum; P. caledonicus (Tschitschérine 1901) status novum; P. sulcatulus (MacLeay 1888) status novum; and P. planipennis (MacLeay 1871) status novum; each previously considered synonyms of P. poeciloides are each recognized as a distinct species. Five new species are described, four from Queensland, Australia: P. chongheeae sp. nov., type locality Iron Range National Park; P. orion sp. nov., type locality Normanton; P. brigalowphilus sp. nov., type locality Southwood National Park; and P. politus sp. nov., type locality Cooloola National Park. The fifth species described is P. hermes sp. nov., type locality Aitape, Papua New Guinea. These changes and additions bring the total number of species in the genus to 19. A key and habitus images for all species is provided as are illustrations of the male genitalia for species where male specimens were available.
Description of three new species related to Themus (Haplothemus) coriaceipennis (Fairmaire, 1889) (Coleoptera: Cantharidae)
Authors: SU JUNYAN , YANG YUXIA , YANG XINGKE
Published: October 2015

The male of Themus (Haplothemus) coriaceipennis (Fairmaire, 1889) is discovered and described for the first time. Three new species related to this species are described from China: T. (H.) rectus sp. nov., T. (H.) bimaculaticollis sp. nov. and T. (H.) licentimimus sp. nov., which are provided with the illustrations of habitus and genitalia of both sexes and abdominal sternites VIII of female. A key to the species related to T. (H.) coriaceipennis is also provided.
The feather mites of the hoatzin Opisthocomus hoazin (Müller) (Aves: Opisthocomiformes), with the description of two new genera and six new species (Acari: Analgoidea, Pterolichoidea)
Authors: HERNANDES FABIO A. , MIRONOV SERGEY V.
Published: October 2015

Six new species and two new genera of feather mites are described from the hoatzin Opisthocomus hoazin (Müller) (Opisthocomiformes: Opisthocomidae) in Brazil: Gymnolichus lacrimosus sp. n., G. latihumeralis sp. n. (Xolalgidae), Temnalges hoazin sp. n., T. atelodiscus sp. n. (Psoroptoididae), Ciganalichus boasfilhoi gen. n., sp. n., and Hoazinacarus anisosetus gen. n., sp. n. (Pterolichidae). Illustrations of two previously known species, Opisthocomacarus umbellifer (Trouessart, 1899) and Stakyonemus hystrix (Trouessart, 1899) are provided. We show that the hoatzin bears a much richer feather mite fauna than previously thought and presently includes eight mite species from three families: Xolalgidae, Psoroptoididae (Analgoidea) and Pterolichidae (Pterolichoidea). They represent two morpho-ecological groups: (1) mites inhabiting the wing and tail feathers, and (2) mites living in downy and body contour feathers. We hypothesize that these mites represent a native feather mite fauna of the hoatzin, inherited from its ancestors and existing on this bird for a long time. The controversial and unresolved relationships of this bird with other bird taxa are briefly discussed in the light of the new acarofauna discovered.
Second highly modified hypogean species of the genus Morimotoidius Habu from western Jiangxi Province, China, with a new locality for M. zhushandong (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Platynini)
Authors: WANG XINHUI , PANG JIANMEI , TIAN MINGYI
Published: October 2015

Morimotoidius cavicola sp. n. is described and illustrated from a limestone cave called Guanfeng Dong in Yichun City of western Jiangxi Province, China. It is the second hypogean and highly morphologically modified species of the genus Morimotoidius recorded in China. M. cavicola sp. n. is easily recognized by its shorter pronotum which is less expanded medially than that in M. zhushandong Pang & Tian, 2014. M. zhushandong is also recorded from the cave Zhuangxi Dong. A distribution map, together with a modified key to Chinese species of the genus are also provided.
Genetic differentiation in the Mexican endemic Rufous-backed Robin,
Turdus rufopalliatus (Passeriformes: Turdidae)
Authors: MONTAÑO-RENDÓN MAURICIO , SÁNCHEZ-GONZÁLEZ LUIS A. , HERNÁNDEZ-ALONSO GERMÁN , NAVARRO-SIGÜENZA ADOLFO G.
Published: October 2015

The Rufous-backed Robin (Turdus rufopalliatus) is endemic to deciduous and semideciduous tropical forests of western Mexico. Of the currently recognized subspecies, T. r. graysoni, from the Tres Marías Islands and nearby coastal Nayarit, has been considered a separate species; however, this treatment has been challenged due to an apparent contact zone on the mainland, although no hybrids have ever been recorded. Here, we use mitochondrial DNA sequences from individuals sampled across the species’ range to assess their phylogeographic relationships. We found reciprocal monophyly between Tres Marías Islands and mainland populations, which share no haplotypes between them. Evolutionary divergence detected within T. rufopalliatus suggests that mainland and island populations have been isolated from each other, and divergence decreases if insular populations are excluded. Demographic parameters suggest that populations are in the process of a rapid expansion from ancestral populations with a lower population size. These results are consistent with morphometric and plumage differences that have been used to recognize the Tres Marías Islands populations from the mainland ones, thus suggesting species status of the island form.
List of unavailable infrasubspecific names originally published in Oberea Dejean, 1835, with nomenclatural notes on the genus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
Authors: LI ZHU , CUCCODORO GIULIO , CHEN Li
Published: October 2015

A list of 153 infrasubspecific and therefore unavailable names originally introduced in Oberea Dejean, 1935, is given. All were so far considered by previous authors to have been made available by Breuning in his 1960’s global key of the genus. Two of them (Oberea maculithorax v. pulla Matsushita, 1933 and Oberea suturalis v. flaveola Breuning 1960) refer to taxa in Obereopsis Chevrolat, 1855; and Leuconitocris Breuning, 1950, respectively.
International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere: An International Polar Year Legacy Consortium
Authors: Uttal Taneil , Starkweather Sandra , Drummond James R. , Vihma Timo , Makshtas Alexander P. , Darby Lisa S. , Burkhart John F. , Cox Christopher J. , Schmeisser Lauren N. , Haiden Thomas , Maturilli Marion , Shupe Matthew D. , De Boer Gijs , Saha Auromeet , Grachev Andrey A. , Crepinsek Sara M. , Bruhwiler Lori , Goodison Barry , McArthur Bruce , Walden Von P. , Dlugokencky Edward J. , Persson P. Ola G. , Lesins Glen , Laurila Tuomas , Ogren John A. , Stone Robert , Long Charles N. , Sharma Sangeeta , Massling Andreas , Turner David D. , Stanitski Diane M. , Asmi Eija , Aurela Mika , Skov Henrik , Eleftheriadis Konstantinos , Virkkula Aki , Platt Andrew , Førland Eirik J. , Iijima Yoshihiro , Nielsen Ingeborg E. , Bergin Michael H. , Candlish Lauren , Zimov Nikita S. , Zimov Sergey A. , O’Neill Norman T. , Fogal Pierre F. , Kivi Rigel , Konopleva-Akish Elena A. , Verlinde Johannes , Kustov Vasily Y. , Vasel Brian , Ivakhov Viktor M. , Viisanen Yrjö , Intrieri Janet M.
Published: October 2015

International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere (IASOA) activities and partnerships were initiated as a part of the 2007–09 International Polar Year (IPY) and are expected to continue for many decades as a legacy program. The IASOA focus is on coordinating intensive measurements of the Arctic atmosphere collected in the United States, Canada, Russia, Norway, Finland, and Greenland to create synthesis science that leads to an understanding of why and not just how the Arctic atmosphere is evolving. The IASOA premise is that there are limitations with Arctic modeling and satellite observations that can only be addressed with boots-on-the-ground, in situ observations and that the potential of combining individual station and network measurements into an integrated observing system is tremendous. The IASOA vision is that by further integrating with other network observing programs focusing on hydrology, glaciology, oceanography, terrestrial, and biological systems it will be possible to understand the mechanisms of the entire Arctic system, perhaps well enough for humans to mitigate undesirable variations and adapt to inevitable change.
A Bayesian Examination of Deep Convective Squall-Line Sensitivity to Changes in Cloud Microphysical Parameters
Authors: Posselt Derek J.
Published: October 2015

Deep convective cloud content, precipitation distribution and rate, dynamics, and radiative fluxes are known to be sensitive to the details of liquid- and ice-phase cloud microphysical processes. Previous studies have explored the multivariate convective response to changes in cloud microphysical parameter values in a framework that isolated the cloud and radiation schemes from the thermodynamic and dynamic environment. This study uses a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm to generate sets of cloud microphysical parameters consistent with a specific storm environment in a three-dimensional cloud-system-resolving model. These parameter sets, and the corresponding large ensemble of model simulations, contain information about the univariate model sensitivity, as well as parameter–state and parameter–parameter interactions. Examination of the relationships between cloud parameters and in-cloud vertical motion and latent heat release provides information about the influence of microphysical processes on the in-cloud environment. Exploration of the joint dependence of microphysical properties and clear-air relative humidity and temperature allows an assessment of the influence of cloud microphysics on the near-cloud environment. Analysis of the MCMC results indicates the model output is sensitive to a small subset of the parameters. In addition, constraint of cloud microphysics using bulk observations of the hydrologic cycle and TOA radiative fluxes uniquely constrains vertical velocity, latent heat release, and the environmental temperature and relative humidity.
CFSv2-Based Statistical Prediction for Seasonal Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) over the Western North Pacific
Authors: Zhan Ruifen , Wang Yuqing
Published: October 2015

A hybrid dynamical–statistical model is developed for predicting the accumulated cyclone energy (ACE)—a measure that can synthesize genesis number, mean life span, and intensity of tropical cyclones (TCs)—in the typhoon season (June–October) over the western North Pacific (WNP) using data from both observations and seasonal forecasts of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction’s (NCEP’s) Climate Forecast System, version 2 (CFSv2). The model is built on the relationships between the observed ACE and the large-scale variables for the period of 1982–2010. Four predictors are selected based on both previous work in the literature and statistical analyses in this study, including vertical zonal wind shear over the equatorial western North Pacific (Ushear), sea surface temperature (SST) gradient (SSTG) between the southwestern Pacific (SWP) and the western Pacific warm pool, Niño-3.4 SST, and SWP SST. Based on the cross validation, the hybrid model is finally constructed with the combination of the summer Niño-3.4 and SWP SST at the 4-to-2-month lead (January–March) and the summer Ushear and the April SSTG at the 1-to-0-month lead (April–May). The hybrid model is shown to be skillful in predicting WNP seasonal ACE starting from January, with the correlation coefficient ranging between 0.58 and 0.81 and the root-mean-square error ranging between 1.26 and 0.91 (scaled by 105 m2 s−2) initiated from January to May. The prediction experiments for 2011–13 using the hybrid dynamical–statistical model showed better skill and longer leads than that using the pure statistical models.
Quantitative Sensitivity Analysis of Physical Parameterizations for Cases of Deep Convection in the NASA GEOS-5
Authors: Posselt Derek J. , Fryxell Bruce , Molod Andrea , Williams Brian
Published: October 2015

Parameterization of processes that occur on length scales too small to resolve on a computational grid is a major source of uncertainty in global climate models. This study investigates the relative importance of a number of parameters used in the Goddard Earth Observing System Model, version 5 (GEOS-5), atmospheric general circulation model, focusing on cloud, convection, and boundary layer parameterizations. Latin hypercube sampling is used to generate a few hundred sets of 19 candidate physics parameters, which are subsequently used to generate ensembles of single-column model realizations of cloud content, precipitation, and radiative fluxes for four different field campaigns. A Gaussian process model is then used to create a computationally inexpensive emulator for the simulation code that can be used to determine a measure of relative parameter sensitivity by sampling the response surface for a very large number of input parameter sets. Parameter sensitivities are computed for different geographic locations and seasons to determine whether the intrinsic sensitivity of the model parameterizations changes with season and location. The results indicate the same subset of parameters collectively control the model output across all experiments, independent of changes in the environment. These are the threshold relative humidity for cloud formation, the ice fall speeds, convective and large-scale autoconversion, deep convection relaxation time scale, maximum convective updraft diameter, and minimum ice effective radius. However, there are differences in the degree of parameter sensitivity between continental and tropical convective cases, as well as systematic changes in the degree of parameter influence and parameter–parameter interaction.
Optimization of the Cross-Correlation Algorithm for Two-Component Wind Field Estimation from Single Aerosol Lidar Data and Comparison with Doppler Lidar
Authors: Hamada Masaki , Dérian Pierre , Mauzey Christopher F. , Mayor Shane D.
Published: October 2015

Numerical and field experiments were conducted to test an optimized cross-correlation algorithm (CCA) for the remote sensing of two-component wind vectors from horizontally scanning elastic backscatter lidar data. Each vector is the result of applying the algorithm to a square and contiguous subset of pixels (an interrogation window) in the lidar scan area. Synthetic aerosol distributions and flow fields were used to investigate the accuracy and precision of the technique. Results indicate that in neutral static stability, when the mean flow direction over the interrogation window is relatively uniform, the random error of the estimates increases as the mean wind speed and turbulence intensity increases. In convective conditions, larger errors may occur as a result of the cellular nature of convection and the dramatic changes in wind direction that may span the interrogation window. Synthetic fields were also used to determine the significance of various image processing and numerical steps used in the CCA. Results show that an iterative approach that dynamically reduces the block size provides the largest performance gains. Finally, data from a field experiment conducted in 2013 in Chico, California, are presented. Comparisons with Doppler lidar data indicate excellent agreement for the 10-min mean wind velocity computed over a set of 150 h: the root-mean-square deviations (and slopes) for the u and υ components are 0.36 m s−1 (0.974) and 0.37 m s−1 (0.991), respectively, with correlation coefficients > 0.99.
Adhesion problematics and curing kinetics in a thermosetting matrix for stitch-free non-crimp fabric
Authors: Kruppke Iris , Hund Rolf-Dieter , Cherif Chokri
Published: October 2015

Non-crimp fabrics (NCF) have become established in the fields of the automotive, aircraft, and wind power industries, which has led to an increasing demand of fiber plastic composites. In order to utilize the known excellent load-bearing properties of NCF and also to reduce the related disadvantages such as fiber undulation caused by stitching yarn, inclusions of resin and filament breakage by the stitch-bonding process have to be addressed. Hence, an alternative manufacturing technology is presented. This technology is defined by the punctiform application of a polyester hot melt adhesive to enable different geometries of NCF and ensure the position of the high-performance fiber in the load direction. The new manufacturing process, on the one hand, demands new testing methods to investigate the adhesion between the used adhesive and high-performance fibers, while, on the other, the surface of the adherend (carbon fiber) needs to be improved. Oxyfluorination is used here for the surface modification. Different tests such as peel test, shear test and transverse tensile test were developed and evaluated with different adhesives and high-performance yarns based on glass and carbon. The influence of the used copolyester hot melt on the curing kinetics of an epoxy matrix was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry using quasi-isothermal and non-isothermal measurements. In addition, the interface between the thermoplastic epoxy resin and the copolyester hot melt was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy.
Understanding the Impact of Negative and Positive Traveler Reviews
Authors: Book Laura A. , Tanford Sarah , Chen Yang-Su
Published: October 2015

This research utilizes theories of social influence and price anchoring to provide insights into the psychological processes underlying travel purchases in the presence of online reviews. Two experiments were conducted in which subjects chose between two resorts for a Las Vegas vacation in a 2 × 3 experimental design that manipulated social influence (unanimous, non-unanimous reviews) and price (10%, 30%, and 50% higher or lower). Social influence was in the form of negative (experiment 1) or positive (experiment 2) traveler reviews. Perceptions of quality and value as well as discount to purchase/willingness to pay were measured. Results indicate that no amount of price reduction was sufficient to offset the impact of unanimously negative reviews, although an extreme price reduction influenced decisions when negative reviews were not unanimous. Price anchoring occurred for positive reviews, such that a higher reference price increased willingness to pay.
Organizational trust: How to include the division of labour?
Authors: Svensson Sven
Published: October 2015

The aim of this article is to study the relevance of the division of labour to the formation of organizational trust. Trust is defined as a phenomenon related to the resources available to a person in a given social position, a social position which in turn is related to the division of labour. It is argued that work externalization constitutes a division of labour, and that differing access to resources for internal and external workers explains variations in trust. The theoretical propositions are tested in a quantitative analysis of 711 external workers and internal employees in a Swedish organization. The results lend partial support to the theory. External employees are found to be less likely have strong trust in their co-workers. The relationship is mediated by perceptions of shared norms in the organization.
Implicit beliefs about emotion regulation and their relations with emotional experiences among Chinese adolescents
Authors: Deng Xinmei , Sang Biao , Chen Xinyin
Published: October 2015

There is growing interest in understanding how beliefs about emotion regulation are related to individual emotional experiences. Extant studies have mainly focused on explicit beliefs about emotion regulation among individuals in Western societies. The current study examined implicit emotion regulation and explored their contributions to emotional outcomes in 147 Chinese adolescents. Participants were tested on their implicit beliefs about emotion regulation and their negative emotion experiences. Results showed that the down-regulation was implicitly evaluated as more positive than up-regulation. Moreover, positive implicit beliefs about down-regulation increased with age. Among younger adolescents, those who evaluated down-regulation more positively had less negative emotional experiences. These results suggest that down-regulation may have important implications in Chinese culture.
Metformin for treatment of antipsychotic-induced weight gain in a South Asian population with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder: A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study
Authors: de Silva Varuni A , Dayabandara Madhubhashinee , Wijesundara Hiranya , Henegama Thushani , Gunewardena Heshan , Suraweera Chathurie , Hanwella Raveen
Published: October 2015

Background:

Antipsychotic-induced weight gain causes serious health problems. We investigated the efficacy and safety of metformin in treating antipsychotic-induced weight gain in South Asian patients.

Methods:

Sixty six adult patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder treated, with atypical antipsychotics, and who had increased by more than 10% their pre treatment body weight, were randomly assigned to receive metformin or placebo in a double-blind study. Patients received usual treatment and metformin 500mg or placebo twice daily for 24 weeks. The primary outcome measure was change in body weight from baseline to week 24. Linear mixed models were used in the analysis.

Results:

Mean change in body weight in the metformin group was −1.56 kg (95% CI=−3.06 to −0.05) and 1.0kg (95% CI=0.03−1.97) in the placebo group. Between-group difference was 2.56 kg. At 24 weeks the between-group difference showed significant time-by-treatment interaction (F=3.23, p=0.004). Between-group difference in BMI showed significant time-by-treatment interaction (F=3.41 p=0.03). There was no significant difference in waist–hip ratio or fasting blood sugar.

Conclusions:

Metformin is effective in reducing weight in South Asian patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who had increased their body by more than 10% after treatment with atypical antipsychotics.
Early Puberty, School Context, and Delinquency Among South Korean Girls
Authors: Park Hye-Sook , Yun Ilhong , Walsh Anthony
Published: October 2015

Compared with chronological age, criminologists have paid less attention to the biological sense of age typically expressed by pubertal development. Studies that have examined pubertal timing’s effects on delinquency have almost exclusively been conducted in Western countries using mostly White samples. To our knowledge, no study has ever examined this issue in the Asian context. The current study is the first attempt to bridge this research gap by examining the association among menarcheal timing, the sex composition of schools, and delinquency in a representative sample of 1,108 ninth-grade girls in South Korea. The results show that significant association between early menarche and delinquency exists only in mixed-sex schools but not in all-girls schools. In addition, the significant linkage between early menarche and delinquency in mixed-sex schools is mediated by delinquent peer associations.
Assessment of carbon nanotube dispersion and mechanical property of epoxy nanocomposites by curing reaction heat measurement
Authors: Kim Sihwan , Lee Woo I , Park Chung H
Published: October 2015

The dispersion state of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a key parameter to the mechanical properties of nanocomposites. In the previous work, we proposed a method to assess the dispersion state of CNTs in a thermoset polymer matrix by measuring the curing reaction heat. In the present paper, we propose new parameters to represent the degree of CNT dispersion which can be defined from dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement data. Then, we investigate a relationship among the degree of CNT dispersion, the curing reaction heat and the mechanical property of nanocomposites. A micromechanics model is proposed to predict the tensile modulus of nanocomposites considering not only the content but also the degree of dispersion of CNTs which is represented in terms of the curing reaction heat. The model predictions and experimental measurement data for the tensile modulus of nanocomposites show that the exothermic reaction heat during the curing process is a good quantitative measure to estimate the mechanical property of nanocomposites as well as to evaluate the degree of CNT dispersion.
Regulating class in the neoliberal era: the role of the state in the restructuring of work and employment relations
Authors: Howell Chris
Published: October 2015

The article argues that, in the last three decades, states have become more preoccupied with, and interventionist in, the regulation of class relations in order to facilitate a broad liberalization of employment relations institutions. Drawing on insights from Regulation theorists and Karl Polanyi, the article examines the market-making role of states during periods of transition from one growth regime to another. The more prominent role of the state follows from the stickiness of institutions and the role that states can play in compensating workers from the consequences of liberalization. The article illustrates the argument with an examination of France and Sweden in the period since the early 1980s. For all their differences, in both cases substantial liberalization of employment relations institutions took place and in both cases, but for the state, the process of liberalization would have been either stymied or much more uneven than it was.
Preparation and characterization of novel polybenzoxazine hybrid materials
Authors: Chiu Wei-Ming , Wang Yu-Xiang , Tsai Peir-An , Wu Jyh-Horng
Published: October 2015

The novel polybenzoxazine hybrid materials were prepared using 6,6′-(9H-fluorene-9,9-diyl)bis(3-allyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo-1,3-oxazine) (VF9Bp), 4,4′-bisphenol silane as raw materials. The chemical structure of the raw materials was confirmed by proton, carbon, and silicon nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. The structural changes from benzoxazines to their corresponding polybenzoxazines were studied by FTIR. Thermal characterization indicated that the glass transition temperature, thermal stability, and dimensional stability of the novel polybenzoxazine hybrid materials were all superior to those of conventional polybenzoxazine.
Synthesis and properties of poly(ether sulfone)–poly(tetrahydrofuran) multiblock copolymers
Authors: Jikei Mitsutoshi , Aikawa Yuki , Matsumoto Kazuya
Published: October 2015

Multiblock copolymers consisting of poly(ether sulfone) and poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTHF) as hard and soft segments, respectively, were synthesized by post-polymerization of poly(ether sulfone) and PTHF oligomers via the Williamson ether synthesis. Hydroxy-terminated polysulfone oligomers composed of 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl ether or 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl and 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone were prepared as thermally stable hard segments. Bromo-terminated PTHF oligomers were prepared by ring-opening polymerization of tetrahydrofuran (THF) initiated by trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride and terminated by lithium bromide. The high-molecular-weight multiblock copolymers ( Mw > 105 g mol−1) were obtained by post-polymerization. Both the multiblock copolymers showed good thermal stability and high transition temperatures from elastic film to viscous liquid. Flexible films of the multiblock copolymers showed much larger elongation at break than the corresponding poly(ether sulfone). Microphase separation of hard and soft domains was observed for the resulting multiblock copolymer films. The results suggest that these multiblock copolymers are promising candidates for novel, thermally stable thermoplastic elastomers.
The forgotten French: The ‘heroic’ era of kidney transplantation
Authors: Cooper David KC
Published: October 2015

The efforts in the late 1940s to 1960s of two Parisian pioneers in kidney transplantation, René Kűss, a surgeon, and Jean Hamburger, a nephrologist, have largely been forgotten. Küss developed the operation that is basically unchanged today. Both groups initiated clinical transplant programs in January 1951, and both were among the first to carry out kidney transplantation (i) without immunosuppressive therapy, (ii) between living-related and unrelated donors, (iii) with organs from deceased donors, (iv) with irradiation and immunosuppressive drugs, and (v) with long-term survival. In the opinion of many, the French did not receive full credit for their work internationally.
‘I’m gonna do this over and over and over forever!’: Overlapping fields and climbing practice
Authors: Bunn Matthew
Published: October 2015

In this article I explore some of the aspects of shared doxic principles between outdoor fields and how these contribute to agents becoming interested in ‘high-consequence’ climbing styles. I argue that people who come to be high-risk climbers do not become involved for the purpose of participating in risky activities, but instead move into climbing through ‘overlapping fields’ that share practices and dispositions of climbing. Becoming a climber is a process that occurs gradually and imperceptibly, with much of the groundwork for an appreciation of climbing laid prior to actually taking part in climbing practice. In this paper, based on 18 months of ethnographic fieldwork and 35 interviews with climbers, I demonstrate that participants typically have been members of easier to access and less risky outdoor sports prior to their involvement. These activities share some of the skills required to become a climber, or at least are complementary. Once this initial engagement with the practice has occurred, individuals become involved in less risky forms of climbing practice. These allow climbers-to-be an opportunity to form an appreciation of the basic safety systems of climbing. With this understanding, it then becomes possible to navigate through the trajectories of climbing practice, often bringing with them greater acceptances of risk and danger.
Social upgrading in developing country industrial clusters: A reflection on the literature
Authors: Pyke Frank , Lund-Thomsen Peter
Published: October 2015

In this article, we examine the role of social upgrading in developing country industrial clusters. We argue that while economic growth and productivity enhancement matter, social conditions within clusters are influenced by state monetary, fiscal, and labour policies and regulations, as well as by dynamic processes of agency among cluster governance actors. We find that the state's policies and regulations might enable or constrain cluster actors to behave in ways that affect social upgrading or downgrading. These policies and regulations may also be used by the state to directly change social conditions in national contexts, including in cluster settings, in order to further the government's overall economic strategy. The conclusion outlines our main findings, and the research and policy implications of our analysis.
Development and Evaluation of an Information Booklet for Grandparents of Children With Cancer
Authors: Wakefield Claire , Lin Sixuan , Drew Donna , McLoone Jordana , Doolan Emma , Young Alison , Fardell Joanna , Cohn Richard
Published: October 2015

The needs of grandparents of children with cancer are often overlooked. This study evaluated a new educational resource (booklet) targeted toward grandparents of children with cancer. A multidisciplinary committee developed a printed booklet targeting grandparents’ information needs identified in a previous study. Seventy-nine grandparents of children with cancer (63% grandmothers, Mage = 66.04, SD = 7.0 years) read and evaluated the booklet. Quantitative responses were analyzed with SPSS, and qualitative responses were thematically coded using QSR NVivo 10. Grandparents’ responses to the resource were positive, with 92% finding the booklet “informative” (n = 73), “useful” (84%, n = 66), and “very relevant” (50%, n = 39). Qualitative responses reflected an appreciation for the booklet’s readability, informative content, and quotes from grandparent experiences. The developed booklet was highly acceptable to grandparents of children with cancer and addressed their need for reassurance and guidance on obtaining further support. This study demonstrates the feasibility of developing and evaluating a targeted resource to meet grandparent’s identified information needs.
From Chemo to College
Authors: Cantrell MaryAnn , Conte Teresa M.
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how childhood cancer survivors experience college life. Five undergraduate students who are childhood cancer survivors, aged 19 to 22 years, participated in a 75-minute focus group interview. The survivors attended the same university located in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. A transcript-based content analysis was used to analyze the data. Four themes and 2 subthemes were generated from the data analysis. Survivors described that the emotional growth they experienced from their cancer experience has provided them some psychological protection in managing the day-to-day challenges of college life and in making informed choices about engaging in high-risk behaviors. As a result of their cancer experience, the findings suggest that these childhood cancer survivors have a strong foundation of self-awareness and self-worth, which has assisted them in making a successful transition into college life and in enjoying positive collegiate experiences.
Roles of Calcium Stores and Store-Operated Channels in Plasticity of Dendritic Spines
Authors: Segal Menahem , Korkotian Eduard
Published: October 2015

Calcium stores in the endoplasmic reticulum play important roles in a variety of mammalian cellular functions. However, the multitude of calcium-handling machineries in neurons, including voltage- and ligand-gated channels, calcium-binding proteins, pumps, and transporters, as well as the rapid mobility of calcium ions among different cellular compartments hampered the singling out of calcium stores as a pivotal player in synaptic plasticity. Despite these methodological obstacles, novel molecular and imaging tools afforded a rapid progress in deciphering the role of specific calcium stores in neuronal functions. In the present review, we will address several key issues related to the involvement of ryanodine receptors and the calcium entry channel Orai1 in dendritic spine development and plasticity as well as their derailing in neurodegenerative diseases.
Effect of mass and shear center offset on the dynamic response of a rotating blade
Authors: Abdel Hafeez Mennatullah M , El-Badawy Ayman A
Published: October 2015

In this work, a model that accounts for the extensional, chordwise, flapwise and torsional vibrations of a flexible rotating blade was developed. The model also takes into consideration the offset between the elastic and inertial axes of the blade. In order to account for the centrifugal stiffening effect, expression for the strain energy was obtained based on an ordering scheme that retains terms up to 2nd order. Hence, a set of four nonlinear coupled partial differential equations governing the deformations of the blade was derived. The linearized equations were non-dimensionalized and then spatially discretized by the FEM (Finite Element Method). State space techniques were used to obtain the blade's natural modes and response to initial excitation. Effect of the mass and shear center offset on the coupling between the modes and veering regions at different rotor speeds were investigated.
Lyapunov-based boundary control of a multi-span beam subjected to moving masses
Authors: Pi Yangjun , Ouyang Huajiang
Published: October 2015

This paper considers a vibration control problem for a multi-span beam under moving masses by using boundary control method. The vibration of the multi-span beam under active control is governed by both a partial differential equation (PDE) and several ordinary differential equations (ODEs) which are derived from Hamilton’s principle. In order to suppress its vibration, boundary control strategy is proposed based on Lyapunov’s direct method. The closed-loop system stability of the multi-span beam with the proposed boundary control is proved. It can avoid spill-over effects which may occur in those popular methods that discretise the system model through modal expansion, as it directly acts on the PDE-ODEs of the system model in control design. Moreover, the sensors and actuators in the proposed boundary control strategy can be easily placed, as they are installed at the boundary of the system. The external excitations applied in simulation are a rectangular impulse, a moving mass and two moving masses, respectively. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method and good control performance in suppressing vibration of moving mass problems. This investigation has wide applications in engineering, notably, train-bridge dynamic interaction in high-speed railways.
Police Use-of-Force Situations in Canada
Authors: Boivin Rémi , Lagacé Maude
Published: October 2015

This study is one of the few to investigate correlates of force in the Canadian context. It also investigates the existence of protective factors that decrease the level of force used by the police. A total of 1,174 self-reported uses of force are analyzed. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify factors related to three possibilities: The force used by the police was lower than, equal to, or higher than the level of subject resistance. The analysis reveals that the impact of individual characteristics on the correspondence between officer force and subject resistance is negligible. Also, three general patterns of relationships are found. First, the presence of a weapon helps distinguish lower-than-expected force situations. Second, the presence of a single officer, resistance toward officer(s), conflict between the subject and another citizen, and subject intoxication have linear effects, that is, the effect increases or decreases consistently. Third, for every less severe level of force that was used, cases are more likely to be in the expected than the lower-than- and in the higher-than-expected group. The findings obtained in this study are consistent with the literature, suggesting that it is reasonable to apply most conclusions from previous studies on police use of force to the Canadian context. The analysis also suggests that police use of force could be better understood as a trichotomy where the force used by the police is depicted as lower than, equal to, or higher than the level of subject resistance.
Shooting to Kill
Authors: Phillips Amanda
Published: October 2015

The headshot burst into the cultural imaginary with the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, and it has been remediated from historical anxieties about execution and brain death to the eye-popping spectacle of the exploding head to video games, where it has entered a regime that holds virtuosic reflexes as the highest form of capital. By examining the textual and technological history of the headshot, this article develops a theory of mechropolitics: a way of thinking about political death worlds as they operate in the mechanics of video games and digital simulations. Moving beyond questions of whether violence in video games has a direct effect on aggression, mechropolitics mobilizes aesthetic and social justice critique to unmask the affective structures operating within digital death worlds. These prioritize twitch reflexes and offer few consequences—precisely the scenarios that render events like police shootings both legible and likely.
Cerebral foreign body reaction after carotid aneurysm stenting
Authors: Lorentzen Anastasia Orlova , Nome Terje , Bakke Søren Jacob , Scheie David , Stenset Vidar , Aamodt Anne Hege
Published: October 2015

Flow diverter stents are new important tools in the treatment of large, giant, or wide-necked aneurysms. Their delivery and positioning may be difficult due to vessel tortuosity. Common adverse events include intracranial hemorrhage and ischemic stroke, which usually occurs within the same day, or the next few days after the procedure. We present a case where we encountered an unusual intracerebral complication several months after endovascular treatment of a large left internal carotid artery aneurysm, and where brain biopsy revealed foreign body reaction to hydrophilic polymer fragments distally to the stent site. Although previously described, embolization of polymer material from intravascular equipment is rare. We could not identify any other biopsy verified case in the literature, with this particular presentation of intracerebral polymer embolization – a multifocal inflammation spread out through the white matter of one hemisphere without hemorrhage or ischemic changes.
A Novel Approach for Allocating Mathematical Expressions to Visual Speech Signals
Authors: Sadaghiani Mohammad Hossein , Shafiabady Niusha , Isa Dino
Published: October 2015

In this article, visual speech information modeling analysis by explicit mathematical expressions coupled with words’ phonemic structure is presented. The visual information is obtained from deformation of lips’ dimensions during articulation of a set of words that is called visual speech sample set. The continuous interpretation of the lips’ movement has been provided using Barycentric Lagrange Interpolation producing a unique mathematical expression named visual speech signal. Hierarchical analysis of the phoneme sequences has been applied for words’ categorization to organize the database properly. The visual samples were extracted from three visual feature points chosen on the lips via an experiment in which two individuals pronounced the aforementioned words. The simulation results show that each individual word can be represented by a mathematical expression or visual speech signal whereas the sample sets can also be derived from the same mathematical expression, and this is a significant improvement over the popular statistical methods.
Critical Success Factors for Franchised Restaurants Entering the Kenyan Market
Authors: Gikonyo Lucy , Berndt Adele , Wadawi Joseph
Published: October 2015

In today’s globalized world, businesses look to expand to have a global presence. Restaurant businesses have expanded internationally using franchising. This study sought to determine the critical success factors (CSFs) of a franchised restaurant system entering the Kenyan market from the franchisors’ perspective. It sought to establish how franchisors define, identify, and evaluate success. This study provides a theoretical framework that helps to understand the background of why organizations seek to expand using franchising method and consequently the CSFs of franchised restaurants entering the Kenyan market. The study used qualitative methodology with the use of in-depth interviews for collecting data. The results yielded CSFs from the franchisors’ perspective. As revealed by the study, the CSFs include brand power/concept, competitive environment, government policies, distance management, cultural appeal, excellent selection of franchisees, good site/location selection, good relationship with the franchisees, and proper contract management. These findings can be used by restaurant franchises that seek to establish successful businesses in the Kenyan market and other similar regional markets. The Africa franchise partners may also find some useful information from this article as they seek to set up the Franchise Association of Kenya. Other franchise businesses may also benefit from some aspects of the study.
Ultrasound-Aided Diagnosis of Pulmonary Artery Pseudoaneurysm in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: del Barco Oscar , Kim Wendy , Moeslein Fred , Shet Narendra
Published: October 2015

Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm (PAP) is an uncommon entity associated with high mortality if left untreated. PAPs are most often acquired secondary to trauma, inflammation, infection, or malignancy. The most common presentation is hemoptysis, but many patients are asymptomatic. Because of the increased risk of enlargement and rupture, timely diagnosis and intervention is necessary. Imaging plays an essential role not only in diagnosis of this entity but also in intervention. We describe a case using gray-scale and color Doppler imaging providing sonographically aided diagnosis and follow-up of a clinically silent PAP in a pediatric patient.