bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Male courtship displays and vocal communication in the polygynous bat Carollia perspicillata
Authors: Knörnschild Mirjam , Feifel Marion , Kalko Elisabeth K.V.
Published: April 2014

Male courtship behaviour towards choosy females often comprises elaborate displays that address multiple sensory channels. In bats, detailed quantitative descriptions of multimodal courtship displays are still fairly scarce, despite the taxon’s speciose nature. We studied male courtship behaviour in a polygynous Neotropical bat, Seba’s short-tailed fruit bat Carollia perspicillata, by monitoring harem males in a captive colony. Courting male C. perspicillata performed stereotypic tactile, visual and acoustic displays. A courtship sequence, directed at one female at a time, lasted up to 120 s. During courtship, males approached females by brachiating or flying, hovered in front of them, pursued them on the wing, sniffed them and repeatedly poked the females with one or both folded wings; the latter behaviour was the most conspicuous male courtship display. Immediately before copulation, males wrapped their wings around the females and bit their necks. As acoustic display, courting male C. perspicillata produced highly variable, monosyllabic courtship trills. The species’ vocal repertoire consisted of ten different social vocalisation types, three for benign interactions (courtship trills, wobbles, isolation calls), four for aggressive encounters (aggressive trills, down-sweeps, warbles, distress calls) and the remaining three for unknown behavioural contexts (V-shaped calls, flat down-sweeps, hooks). Courtship trills and aggressive trills were exclusively produced by males. We measured 245 courtship trills of five males and found statistical evidence for a strong individual signature which has the potential to facilitate female choice, mate recognition or neighbour–stranger recognition among male competitors.
Puma communication behaviours: understanding functional use and variation among sex and age classes
Authors: Allen Maximilian L. , Wittmer Heiko U. , Wilmers Christopher C.
Published: April 2014

Intraspecific communication for mate selection sometimes varies between sexes based on different evolutionary life history patterns. Solitary felids use communication for territorial defence and location of mates, for which they use scent-marking behaviours including scraping, urine spraying, body rubbing, caterwauling, cheek rubbing, and the flehmen response, but these behaviours are not well understood in pumas (Puma concolor). We used motion-triggered video cameras to document the use of communication behaviours by male and female pumas, and used a series of experimental treatments to determine the mechanisms and importance of visual and olfactory cues in puma scrapes. We found that pumas use the physical scrape to locate communications, and then use urine to convey and interpret the communication itself. We also found significant differences among puma age and sex classes in the proportion of use and duration of time behaviours were displayed. Mature males spent significantly longer durations () on producing behaviours (scraping, body rubbing, and caterwauling behaviours) than mature females (), and males used scraping (78.5%) and body rubbing (12.4%) behaviours at a higher proportion of visits than females (13.6 and 2.7%, respectively). Mature females spent significantly longer durations () on consuming behaviours (investigating and flehmen response behaviours) than mature males (), and females used flehmen response (30.6%) and caterwauling (9.3%) behaviours at a higher proportion of visits than mature males (6.5% flehmen and 0.4% caterwauling). Male reproductive strategy appears based on advertisement for possible mates, while female reproductive strategy appears based on assessment of possible mates. The use of communication behaviours also appears to develop with age, as immature pumas rarely visited and acted as non-participants in communication behaviours.
The Cambridge Seven, Late Victorian Culture, and the Chinese Frontier
Authors: Bruner Jason
Published: April 2014

While some gender studies have examined dimensions of British masculinity with regard to the empire, they often have neglected the constitutive role that Christian faith played in the formation of British masculinity and the ways that British Christians constructed ideal masculine character. This essay reassesses the Cambridge Seven’s significance in the construction of a British evangelical masculinity in the late Victorian period. It argues that British evangelicals utilized the ideals the Seven collectively represented to construct a Christian masculinity in relation to the foreign frontier. This analysis suggests that both faith and the foreign mission field were integral dimensions of British evangelical masculinity. Ultimately, the Seven’s experiences in China challenged and subverted many of these ideal constructions.
Envisioning Change in China
Authors: Nagy Dorottya
Published: April 2014

The present article examines the case of the Freundenkreis für Mission unter Chinesen in Deutschland (Friends of Mission to Chinese in Germany, FMCD) and its Chinesische Leihbücherei (Chinese Lending Library, CLL) to describe and analyze aspects of the complex question of the mission for China and Chinese people, with particular focus on mission work among Chinese students. By presenting the ministry of a German missionary couple, the article argues that the FMCD was one of the first, if not the first network organization after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) that envisioned Christian PRC students as important agents in shaping Christianity and generating societal transformations within and beyond China. The case of the FMCD also provides an opportunity to reflect on intercultural encounters enabled by missionary work. The article uses data collected through interviews and participant observation in 2009, 2010 and 2013.
A taxonomic review of the wolf spider genus Agalenocosa Mello-Leitão (Araneae, Lycosidae)
Authors: PIACENTINI LUIS N.
Published: April 2014

The lycosid genus Agalenocosa Mello-Leitão, 1944 comprises at least eight species from northern and eastern Argentina and neighbouring countries: Agalenocosa velox (Keyserling, 1891) comb. nov. (from southern Brazil and Argentina), transferred here from Pirata Sundevall, 1833, A. tricuspidata (Tullgren, 1905) comb. nov. (from northwestern Argentina), transferred here from Pardosa C.L. Koch, 1847, A. luteonigra (Mello-Leitão, 1945) (from Argentina and Uruguay), A. punctata Mello-Leitão, 1944 (from Buenos Aires and Entre Ríos, Argentina),  A. gentilis Mello-Leitão, 1944 (from Buenos Aires, Argentina), and three new species: A. pirity sp. nov., A. gamas sp. nov. (from eastern Argentina), and A. grismadoi sp. nov. (from eastern Argentina and Paraguay). Agalenocosa singularis Mello-Leitão (type species of the genus) is considered a junior synonym of A. velox. Agalenocosa fimbriata Mello-Leitão, 1944 is considered species inquirenda; Agalenocosa bryantae (Roewer, 1951), A. chacoensis (Mello-Leitão, 1942), A. denisi (Caporiacco, 1947), A. kolbei (Dahl, 1908), A. melanotaenia (Mello-Leitão, 1941), A. pickeli (Mello-Leitão, 1937), A. yaucensis (Petrunkevitch, 1929), A. fallax (L. Koch, 1877), A. helvola (C. L. Koch, 1847), A. subinermis (Simon, 1897) are considered misplaced species.        The subfamily placement of Agalenocosa is briefly discussed, and it could be placed in either Piratinae Zyuzin, 1993 or Venoniinae Lehtinen & Hippa, 1979.
A new species of Atanatolica Mosely 1936 (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) from Serra Bonita, Bahia, Brazil
Authors: COSTA ANNE M. , CALOR ADOLFO R.
Published: April 2014

The Neotropical genus Atanatolica includes 17 species distributed from Costa Rica to Brazil, but only two, A. brasiliana and A. flinti, have been recorded from Brazil, both occurring in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo States. A new species, Atanatolica bonita n. sp., is described and illustrated based on males and females from the Atlantic Forest in Bahia State in northeastern Brazil. The new species can be diagnosed by the following characters: Apicomesal and apicolateral processes of segment X of same length, long and digitate; and second article of each inferior appendage well developed, long, and thumb-shaped. Notes on demographic changes and correlations with seasonal variation and precipitation are also given.
The genus Clathria from the Gulf of Mexico and Mexican Caribbean, with redescription and resurrection of Clathria carteri (Poecilosclerida: Microcionidae)
Authors: GÓMEZ PATRICIA
Published: April 2014

The present study deals with the morphologic variability of eight Clathria species from the southern Gulf of Mexico and Mexican Caribbean. Clathria (Clathria) foliacea, C. (C.) carteri, C. (Microciona) calla, C. (M.) echinata, C. (M.) spinosa, C. (Thalysias.) venosa, and C. (T.) virgultosa were collected by scuba diving and dredging from the southern Gulf of Mexico (Veracruz, Campeche Bank, Yucatan) to the Caribbean coast (Quintana Roo) from shoreline to 120 m depth. The population of Clathria seems to be neither abundant nor diverse in the studied area. However, the seven species considered here are presumed to have a slight morphologic variability, and the interspecific relationships had not been fully resolved. The present study focuses on their differentiation through comparison of external morphology, skeletal architecture, spiculation and measurements of characters as well as scanning electronic microscopy.    Comparisons were made among intra- and interspecific material and with the available type material. In particular, C. carteri Topsent (1889), previously synonymized with C. foliacea, is resurrected by establishing a neotype from material from the type locality, Campeche Bank; this has not been studied since its original description and is here redescribed for the first time. Another neotype is assigned for C. foliacea from Campeche also, since the original material is no longer available, and this species is redescribed also. Significant differences in spiculation between C. foliacea and C. carteri were found by one-way ANOVA. Although C. (T.) venosa resembles C. (T.) raraechelae in spiculation, these two species differ in measurements and skeletal organization. C. (T.) virgultosa is typified by a peculiar acanthostyle that is markedly spined on distal parts of the shaft, and by two types of tiny microscleres. This study has extended the known geographic distribution of each of these Clathria spp. within the lower Gulf of Mexico.
The type specimens of sawflies (Hymenoptera: Symphyta) of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid
Authors: TAEGER ANDREAS , París Mercedes , Nieves-Aldrey Jose Luis
Published: April 2014

The type specimens of sawflies (Hymenoptera: Symphyta) housed in the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, were examined. Lectotypes are designated and illustrated for the following 32 nominal taxa (preserved in the MNCN collection if not stated otherwise): Tenthredo acutiscutis Konow, 1908; Tenthredo aericeps Konow, 1907; Allantus albipectus Konow, 1907; Athalia bolivari Dusmet, 1896; Tristactus punctatus var. candidatus Konow, 1899; Tenthredo capistrata Konow, 1907; Megalodontes capitalatus Konow 1904 (coll. SDEI); Tenthredo casta Konow, 1908; Clydostomus cestatus Konow, 1908; Miocephala chalybea Konow, 1907 (coll. SDEI); Peus cupreiceps Konow, 1907; Metallopeus cupreolus Malaise, 1945 (coll. NHRS); Allantus dusmeti Konow, 1894 (coll. SDEI); Megalodontes dusmeti Enslin, 1914 (coll. ZSM); Megalodontes escalerai Konow, 1899; Tenthredo flavitarsis Konow, 1908; Sciopteryx galerita Konow, 1907; Tenthredo habenata Konow, 1907; Allantus inguinalis Konow, 1908; Clydostomus merceti Konow, 1908; Megalodontes merceti Konow 1904 (coll. SDEI); Tenthredo mordax Konow, 1908; Megalodontes mundus Konow, 1904; Tenthredo nimbata Konow, 1906; Tenthredo oculissima Konow, 1907; Peus pannulosus Konow, 1907; Tenthredo podagrica Konow, 1907; Arge segmentaria var. rufiventris Konow, 1899; Tenthredo rugiceps Konow, 1908; Tenthredo segrega Konow, 1908; Peus splendidus Konow 1907; Tenthredo suta Konow, 1906. Peus cupreiceps Konow, 1907, is considered to be a valid species. New synonymy is proposed for Tenthredo (Metallopeus) cupreiceps (Konow, 1907), comb. nov., spec. rev. (=Metallopeus cupreolus Malaise, 1945, syn. nov.; =Metallopeus inermis Malaise, 1945, syn. nov.).
Agaporomorphus sharynae, a new species of diving beetle (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Copelatinae) from Venezuela
Authors: MILLER KELLY B.
Published: April 2014

Agaporomorphus sharynae sp. n. is described from Amazonas, Venezuela. Agaporomorphus Zimmermann, 1921 now includes nine known species. The new species is part of the A. knishi species group since it has similarly convoluted male genitalia with rows of setae on the dorsal surface. Males can be separated from those of other members of the genus by the structure of the abdominal ventrites, shape of the antennae, and shape of the male median lobe. The cladistic analysis of K.B. Miller & Wheeler (2008) is modified to include the new species. The habitus and male and female genitalia are illustrated, and male genitalia of other species of the A. knishi species group are illustrated for comparison.
Nomenclatural Notes on the Eurytomids (Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae) Described by Jean Brèthes Housed in Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”
Authors: GATES MICHAEL W.
Published: April 2014

Ten Eurytomidae (Hymenoptera) parasitic wasp species described by Jean Brèthes and deposited in the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales in Buenos Aires are treated and their nomenclature stabilized. The condition of the type material is described. Lectotypes are designated for Decatoma cecidosiphaga Brèthes, Prodecatoma parodii Brèthes, Eudecatoma opposita Brèthes, and Eurytoma caridei Brèthes. One new generic synonymy, Xanthosomodes Brèthes with Tetramesa Walker, n. syn., and five new combinations are proposed: Tetramesa albiangulata (Brèthes), n. comb.; Phylloxeroxenus caridei (Brèthes), n. comb.; Aximopsis vulgata (Brèthes), n. comb.; Proseurytoma parodii (Brèthes), n. comb.; and Bruchophagus opposita (Brèthes), n. comb. Sycophila paranensis Brèthes is declared incertae sedis.
Local and Remote Factors Affecting the SST–Precipitation Relationship over the Western North Pacific during Summer
Authors: Lu Riyu , Lu Shu
Published: April 2014

The western North Pacific (WNP) monsoon variability plays an important role in East Asian climate, and it highlights the importance of understanding atmosphere–ocean interaction determining WNP variability. A key characteristic of atmosphere–ocean interaction is the local relationship between sea surface temperatures and precipitation (SST–P), which over the WNP exhibits a weak and negative correlation; this indicates that atmospheric variations lead to SST anomalies. This study investigates the underlying physical causes of this relationship, and it suggests that the inverse SST–P relationship over the WNP results from a local anomalous lower-tropospheric anticyclone or cyclone. A strong and negative SST–P correlation corresponds to a strong cyclonic/anticyclonic anomaly, while a weak SST–P relationship is related to a weak circulation anomaly. This study suggests that the remote effects play a crucial role in forming the inverse SST–P relationship over the WNP, while local SSTs tend to result in a positive SST–P correlation and partially offset the remote effects. Furthermore, the negative SST–P relationship over the WNP tends to be associated with rapid transitions of SST anomalies in the equatorial central and eastern Pacific, implying that atmosphere–ocean interaction over the WNP during summer may be affected by and in turn modify the evolution of ENSO.
Changes in Tropical Pacific Thermocline Depth and Their Relationship to ENSO after 1999
Authors: Wen Caihong , Kumar Arun , Xue Yan , McPhaden M. J.
Published: April 2014

The characteristics of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability have experienced notable changes since the late 1990s, including a breakdown of the zonal mean upper-ocean heat content as a precursor for ENSO. These changes also initiated a debate on the role of thermocline variations on the development of ENSO events since the beginning of the twenty-first century. In this study, the connection between thermocline variations and El Niño and La Niña events is examined separately for the 1980–98 and 1999–2012 periods. The analysis highlights the important role of thermocline variations in modulating ENSO evolutions in both periods. It is found that thermocline variation averaged in the central tropical Pacific, including both equatorial and off-equatorial regions, is a good precursor for ENSO evolutions before and after 1999, while the traditional basinwide mean of equatorial thermocline variation is a good precursor only before 1999. The new precursor, including both high-frequency variability in equatorial regions and low-frequency variability in off-equatorial regions, is found to be indicative of multiyear persistent warm and cold conditions in the tropical Pacific. Further, it is found that the strength of the subtropical cells (STCs) interior mass transport in both hemispheres increased rapidly around the late 1990s. It is proposed that the strengthened STC interior transports provide a pathway for the enhanced influence of off-equatorial thermocline variations on the development of ENSO events after 1999.
Improvement of Initialized Decadal Predictions over the North Pacific Ocean by Systematic Anomaly Pattern Correction
Authors: Kim Hye-Mi , Ham Yoo-Geun , Scaife Adam A.
Published: April 2014

The prediction skill and errors in surface temperature anomalies in initialized decadal hindcasts from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) are assessed using six ocean–atmosphere coupled models initialized every year from 1961 to 2008. The initialized hindcasts show relatively high prediction skill over the regions where external forcing dominates, indicating that a large portion of the prediction skill is due to the long-term trend. After removing the linear trend, high prediction skill is shown near the centers of action of the dominant decadal climate oscillations, such as the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) and Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO). Low prediction skill appears over the tropical and eastern North Pacific Ocean where the predicted anomaly patterns associated with the PDO are systematically different in model and observations. By statistically correcting those systematic errors using a stepwise pattern projection method (SPPM) based on the data in an independent training period, the prediction skill of sea surface temperature (SST) is greatly enhanced over the North Pacific Ocean. The SST prediction skill over the North Pacific Ocean after the SPPM error correction is as high as that over the North Atlantic Ocean. In addition, the prediction skill in a single model after correction exceeds the skill of the multimodel ensemble (MME) mean before correction, implying that the MME method is not as effective in addressing systematic errors as the SPPM correction.
Examining the Concentration of Registered Sex Offenders in Upstate New York Census Tracts
Authors: Socia Kelly M.
Published: April 2014

This study examined the census tract characteristics associated with the spatial concentration of registered sex offender (RSO) residences in 1,823 census tracts across 53 counties in upstate New York. The concentration of RSOs for each tract was measured using excess risk scores that essentially measure disproportionate concentrations of RSOs based on the resident population of the county and tract. The tract characteristics examined included structural characteristics from the 2010 Census, such as indicators of social disorganization, housing availability and affordability, and population density, legal characteristics describing the presence of residence restrictions, and controls for spatial autocorrelation and regional differences. Results indicate that registered sex offenders (RSOs) are disproportionately more likely to be found in tracts exhibiting high levels of concentrated disadvantage, available housing, and affordable housing, and disproportionately less likely to be found in tracts with high levels of ethnic heterogeneity. Controlling for spatial autocorrelation (lag) did not change overall results but was significantly and positively associated with excess risk. Implications for future policy and research practices are discussed.
Partnering With a Higher Power
Authors: Holland Nicole E.
Published: April 2014

Engagement in and transitions between academic institutions may be enhanced for African American urban youth if we consider the role of religiosity, spirituality, and places of worship. This article presents the manner by which African American university students, who attended public high schools, conveyed the influence of their religious and spiritual beliefs on their academic aspirations, engagement, and achievement. Further, these students described how their connections to and support from places of worship assisted them in their educational endeavors. The data from this study, in conjunction with previous research, demonstrate the importance of knowing students’ social and contextual support for academic endeavors beyond the family and school. This type of information has the potential to assist school personnel in knowing, advising, and supporting students.
Control of Ethylene and Propylene Polymerisation Processes
Authors: George Alan
Published: April 2014

Many polymerisation processes can be accurately controlled by the regulation of chain growth through rheological measurement of average molecular weight. This article looks at the new developments in rheological analysers that can reintroduce closed-loop control into a variety of polyethylene and polypropylene manufacturing processes. Through the study of the exact flow patterns in Melt Flow Index test, computer fluid dynamics has enabled this industry standard test method to be faithfully replicated in the some of the more advanced instruments. These instruments can now be classed as analysers and serve the intended purpose of better control of the polymerisation processes. The whole of the polymer industry can benefit from this combined system of measurement and control technology. Closed-loop control of the primary polymer manufacture can ensure that the product is made to close tolerances instead of the present permitted ±10% passband. The manufacturer can benefit from improved plant efficiency by making the desired product as well as being able to guarantee a highly consistent product. The downstream processor can benefit from reduced material usage and elimination of process set-up wastage. A large variety of recyclers and the raw material manufacturers can benefit from the new technology by introducing reaction grades of polymer into the existing processes or by improving the measurement and control of those processes that are already producing reaction grades.
Fabrication and evaluation of a notched polymer optical fiber fabric strain sensor and its application in human respiration monitoring
Authors: Zheng Wei , Tao Xiaoming , Zhu Bo , Wang Guangfeng , Hui Chiyuen
Published: April 2014

This paper describes an intensity-based notched polymer optical fiber (POF) fabric strain sensor and its application in human respiration monitoring. A mechanical analysis illustrates geometrical profiles of constrained fiber loops on the fabric substrate. V-shaped notches are made by laser ablation on the sides of the POFs. The effects of loop parameters and processing conditions on the sensing performance are investigated. The experimental results show that the fabric sensor is more sensitive to strain with notches on the outer side of the loops, a small radius of the loops and a low scanning speed of laser. This fabric sensor exhibits a large measurable strain range of up to 21%. The achieved strain sensitivity is 3.77. The temperature and relative humidity have little effect on strain sensitivity between 0℃ and 60℃. A belt has been fabricated by integrating the fabric sensor for monitoring human respiration. The evaluation trials show a strong correlation between the belt system and a clinic monitor.
Electroless silver coating on glass stitched fabrics for electromagnetic shielding applications
Authors: Ersoy Mehmet S , Onder Emel
Published: April 2014

In this study silver nanoparticles were deposited by electroless coating onto glass-stitched fabrics via the Tollens’ reaction for technical textile applications. The effect of fabric compactness and the amount of silver nitrate solution on conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) were studied. The results showed that a compact fabric surface promoted the EMI SE and that a critical threshold of surface conductivity of 0.3 S.cm–1 was required to obtain an EMI SE above 50 dB in the frequency range 300 MHz−1.5 GHz. Using SEM analysis we found that conductivity values were compatible with the coating thickness of samples. FT–IR analysis revealed that the presence of Ag particles caused the aliphatic C–H stretching frequencies (2858 and 2927 cm–1) to become shifted to higher values (2901 cm–1, and 2988 and 2972 cm–1, respectively).
Temperature effect on the conductivity of knitted fabrics embedded with conducting yarns
Authors: Ding Jiahui Tong Feng , Tao Xiaoming , Au Wai Man , Li Li
Published: April 2014

The electrical resistance of knitted fabrics embedded with conducting yarns at different temperatures was studied in this paper. Two types of resistance, linear resistance and contact resistance have been considered and discussed by experimental studies and theoretical modeling. Two silver-coated conductive yarns, yarn A and B, with linear resistance of 68.6 Ω/cm and 1 Ω/cm respectively, were embedded into normal knitted woolen fabrics. The temperature effect on the resistance of these two conductive knitted fabrics as a function of applied voltages was extensively explored. The results have shown that the resistance of either conductive knitted fabric decreases significantly (maximum 30%) when its temperature is rising. It can be explained by two main factors: the electrical resistance of the silver-coated conductive yarns decreases as temperature rises; the physical contact of the overlapped conductive yarns extends due to heating on woolen fabrics, which causes a decrease in contact resistance. This research has shown that the temperature effect on the conductivity of the knitted fabrics embedded with conductive yarns should be carefully considered in future industrial applications.
Loudspeaker nonlinearity compensation with inverse tangent hyperbolic function-based predistorter for active noise control
Authors: Sahib Mouayad A , Kamil Raja
Published: April 2014

In active noise control (ANC), the performance of the filtered-x least mean squares (FXLMS) algorithm is degraded by the saturation of the loudspeaker in the secondary path. Predistortion is a linearization technique commonly used in signal processing applications to compensate for saturation nonlinearity. The design of the predistorter (PD) requires the use of direct measurement from the output of the nonlinear element. However, in ANC applications, direct measurement from the loudspeaker output is not available. Therefore, a conventional PD design approach cannot be directly applied. In this paper, a new PD-based compensation technique based on the inverse model of the loudspeaker nonlinearity is proposed. The PD is represented by an approximated memory-less inverse tangent hyperbolic function (ITHF). The approximated ITHF is scaled by a pre-identified parameter, which represents the loudspeaker nonlinearity strength. This parameter can be obtained by modelling the secondary path using a proposed block-oriented Hammerstein structure in which the nonlinear part is represented by a memory-less tangent hyperbolic function (THF). Simulation results show that using the proposed PD along with the FXLMS algorithm increase the noise reduction performance significantly.
Model order reduction using Fuzzy C-Means clustering
Authors: Narain Anirudha , Chandra Dinesh , Singh Ravindra K
Published: April 2014

In this paper, a mixed method of model order reduction for a continuous-time single-input single-output system is presented. The denominator of a reduced-order model (ROM) is obtained by clustering the poles of the original high-order system using the Fuzzy C-Means clustering technique retaining some dominant poles. Having determined the denominator polynomial, numerator coefficients are found by Padé approximation by matching the desired number of time moments and Markov parameters. The ROM of the proposed method provides good approximation to the original system both in terms of transient and steady-state response.
Lessons Learned from 20 Years of Diabetes Self-Management Research With Mexican Americans in Starr County, Texas
Authors: Brown Sharon A. , Hanis Craig L.
Published: April 2014

Purpose

The purpose is to provide an overview of a 20-year research program aimed at testing diabetes self-management education interventions culturally tailored for Mexican Americans residing in an impoverished rural community on the Texas-Mexico border.

Methods

The research program involved focus group interviews to obtain community input, pilot testing to refine instruments and interventions, and community-based randomized controlled trials to examine intervention effects. Here the authors summarize lessons learned related to the (1) overall effects of culturally tailored diabetes self-management education; (2) impact of culture on study design, intervention development, health outcomes, and community acceptance; (3) benefits of and findings from multiple focus groups held over time in the community; and (4) personal and cultural motivators for behavioral change that were evident among study participants.

Results

Postintervention reductions in A1C ranged from 1.4 to 1.7 percentage points. Individuals who attended ≥ 50% of intervention sessions achieved a 6–percentage point reduction in A1C. Intervention teams included bilingual Mexican American nurses, dietitians, and promotoras, all recruited from the local community. Focus group interviews indicated that a traditional promotora model was not acceptable to the participants who wanted knowledgeable health professionals, or perceived authority figures, to lead intervention sessions while promotoras provided logistical support. Free glucometers and strips, family participation, and interpersonal dynamics within intervention groups motivated individuals to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Conclusions

Culturally tailored diabetes interventions are effective in improving the health of socially disadvantaged minorities who bear a disproportional burden of type 2 diabetes, and these interventions are cost-effective.
A Marginal Benefit Approach for Vaccinating Influenza “Superspreaders”
Authors: Skene Katherine J. , Paltiel A. David , Shim Eunha , Galvani Alison P.
Published: April 2014

Background. There is widespread recognition that interventions targeting “superspreaders” are more effective at containing epidemics than strategies aimed at the broader population. However, little attention has been devoted to determining optimal levels of coverage for targeted vaccination strategies, given the nonlinear relationship between program scale and the costs and benefits of identifying and successfully administering vaccination to potential superspreaders. Methods. We developed a framework for such an assessment derived from a transmission model of seasonal influenza parameterized to emulate typical seasonal influenza epidemics in the US. We used this framework to estimate how the marginal benefit of expanded targeted vaccination changes with the proportion of the target population already vaccinated. Results. The benefit of targeting additional superspreaders varies considerably as a function of both the baseline vaccination coverage and proximity to the herd immunity threshold. The general form of the marginal benefit function starts low, particularly for severe epidemics, increases monotonically until its peak at the point of herd immunity, and then plummets rapidly. We present a simplified transmission model, primarily designed to convey qualitative insight rather than quantitative precision. With appropriate contact data, future work could address more complex population structures, such as age structure and assortative mixing patterns. Our illustrative example highlights the general economic and epidemiological findings of our method but does not address intervention design, policy, and resource allocation issues related to practical implementation of this particular scenario. Conclusions. Our approach offers a means of estimating willingness to pay for search costs associated with targeted vaccination of superspreaders, which can inform policies regarding whether a targeted intervention should be implemented and, if so, up to what levels.
Analysis and expert assessment of the semantic similarity between land cover classes
Authors: Feranec Jan , Solin Lubomir , Kopecka Monika , Otahel Jan , Kupkova Lucie , Stych Premysl , Bicik Ivan , Kolar Jan , Cerba Otakar , Soukup Tomas , Brodsky Lukas
Published: April 2014

Products of CORINE Land Cover (CLC), the National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD), the FAO/UNEP Land Cover Classification System (LCCS), etc. currently provide an important source of information used for the assessment of issues such as landscape change, landscape fragmentation and the planning of urbanization. Assuming that the data from these various databases are often used in searching for solutions to environmental problems, it is necessary to know which classes of different databases exist and to what extent they are similar, i.e. their possible compatibility and interchangeability. An expert assessment of the similarity between the CLC and NLCD 1992 nomenclatures is presented. Such a similarity assessment in comparison with the ‘geometric model’, the ‘feature model’ and the ‘network model’ is not frequently used. The results obtained show the similarity of assessments completed by four experts who marked the degree of similarity between the compared land cover classes by 1 (almost similar classes), 0.5 (partially similar classes) and 0 (not similar classes). Four experts agreed on assigning 1 in only three cases; 0.5 was given 33 times. A single expert assigned 0.5 a total of 17 times. Results confirmed that the CLC and NLCD nomenclatures are not very similar.
Effect of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene on the properties of chopped carbon fiber/wood plastic composites
Authors: Zhou Zhifang , Xu Min , Yang Zhaozhe , Li Xiaoxiao , Shao Dongwei
Published: April 2014

Chopped carbon fibers reinforced wood plastic composites were fabricated using a two-step extrusion process. As a coupling agent, maleic anhydride polyethylene was added for improving the interfacial adhesion between the chopped carbon fibers and plastic matrix. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the maleic anhydride polyethylene–added composites were significantly improved compared to that without maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene. Tensile strength, flexure strength and impact strength were increased by 97%–133%, 113%–119% and 181%–251%, respectively, which were very close to the strengths of structural timber. The adding of maleic anhydride polyethylene also influenced the electrical property of chopped carbon fibers reinforced wood plastic composites. The volume electrical resistivity of the composites with maleic anhydride polyethylene was higher. The scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the morphology of brittle fracture cross-section paralleled to the extrusion direction. It was observed that the interfacial adhesion was improved with the incorporation of maleic anhydride polyethylene. Chopped carbon fibers were coated by high-density polyethylene and the bonding connections were formed on the fiber surfaces. The distribution direction of chopped carbon fibers was parallel to the extrusion direction and dispersed more uniformly in the maleic anhydride polyethylene–added composites.
Nasogastric Tube Placement and Verification in Children
Authors: Irving Sharon Y. , Lyman Beth , Northington LaDonna , Bartlett Jacqueline A. , Kemper Carol ,   NOVEL Project Work Group, Alden Tor , Avram Debra Ben , Coghill Tim , Fanta Sarah , Flack Marilyn , Goday Praveen , Moore Candice S. , Muir Linda , Priviteca Mary Beth , Wilder Kerry , Yaworski Jane Ann
Published: April 2014

Placement of a nasogastric enteral access device (NG‐EAD), often referred to as a nasogastric tube, is a common practice and largely in the domain of nursing care. Most often an NG‐EAD is placed at the bedside without radiographic assistance. Correct initial placement and ongoing location verification are the primary challenges surrounding NG‐EAD use and have implications for patient safety. Although considered an innocuous procedure, placement of an NG‐EAD carries risk of serious and potentially lethal complications. Despite acknowledgment that an abdominal radiograph is the gold standard, other methods of verifying placement location are widely used and have success rates from 80% to 85%. The long‐standing challenges surrounding bedside placement of NG‐EADs and a practice alert issued by the Child Health Patient Safety Organization on this issue were the stimuli for the conception of The New Opportunities for Verification of Enteral Tube Location Project sponsored by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Its mission is to identify and promote best practices with the potential of technology development that will enable accurate determination of NG‐EAD placement for both the inpatient and outpatient pediatric populations. This article presents the challenges of bedside NG‐EAD placement and ongoing location verification in children through an overview of the current state of the science. It is important for all healthcare professionals to be knowledgeable about the current literature, to be vigilant for possible complications, and to avoid complacency with NG‐EAD placement and ongoing verification of tube location.
Long-Term Incentive Plan Combinations
Authors: Ellig Bruce R.
Published: April 2014

When using one long-term incentive plan (e.g., stock options), one is able to neutralize the disadvantages of that plan by combining it with another long-term plan (e.g., stock awards). They are either independent of each other (aka stand-alone plans) or dependent on each other (aka tandem plans). The difference is that with the latter, the action taken under one plan reduces the benefits of the other plan. Plans are market value (company stock), nonmarket value (cash) or a combination of the two. The most common market value plans are stock awards and stock options; the most common nonmarket value plans are phantom stock plans.
Care Delivery for Filipino Americans Using the Neuman Systems Model
Authors: Angosta Alona D. , Ceria-Ulep Clementina D. , Tse Alice M.
Published: April 2014

Filipino Americans are at risk of coronary heart disease due to the presence of multiple cardiometabolic factors. Selecting a framework that addresses the factors leading to coronary heart disease is vital when providing care for this population. The Neuman systems model is a comprehensive and wholistic framework that offers an innovative method of viewing clients, their families, and the healthcare system across multiple dimensions. Using the Neuman systems model, advanced practice nurses can develop and implement interventions that will help reduce the potential cardiovascular problems of clients with multiple risk factors. The authors in this article provides insight into the cardiovascular health of Filipino Americans and has implications for nurses and other healthcare providers working with various Southeast Asian groups in the United States.
Stories from Haiti
Authors: Baumann Steven L. , Bellefleur Carmelle
Published: April 2014

Two stories from Haiti are considered from three different perspectives. The first story is about a boy named Joseph Alvyns, whose mother died from cholera in 2011. His story is told in a short film titled Baseball in the time of Cholera. The second story is about Mme. Yolande Marie Nazaire, who was the Director of the Haiti National School of Nursing in Port-au-Prince on the morning of January 12, 2010, when an earthquake killed 90 students and faculty. The three perspectives discussed here are: (a) Critical Reflective in health professional education as used by the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine; (b) The Capacities of Stories, which is part of a socio-narratology methodology; and(c) Story Theory with implications for global health nursing.
The Mentor-Mentee Relationship
Authors: Florczak Kristine L. , Collins Eileen , Schmidt Lee
Published: April 2014

Leadership in the mentoring of novice researchers is the focus of this column. Interviews with two senior nurse research scientists is presented in which they respond to questions about the nature of mentoring, advantages and disadvantages of the process for both the mentor and the mentee, and the necessary factors for a good mentoring relationship. Both scientists discuss their on-going work in mentoring and finally a synopsis of their thoughts is presented.
Transformative Leadership Based on Nursing Science
Authors: Clarke Pamela N. , Cody William , Cowling Richard
Published: April 2014

The dialogue for this column is a summary of a dialogue among two preeminent nursing scholars and myself that took place “live” at the 40th Meeting of the American Academy of Nursing, focused on transforming healthcare. The dialogue was recorded and transcribed verbatim. In editing the dialogue I tried to leave it conversational which was the nature of the interaction. The paper that follows reflects the thinking of two executive nurse leaders who use different nursing frameworks as the basis for their practice. Translation of their practice models to leadership is presented as a natural transition to transformation.
Conceptualizations of Health in Nursing Practice
Authors: Doucet Thomas J. , Merlin Marjolaine Dionne
Published: April 2014

There are many ways of living health as individuals describe it from unique perspectives. With the intent of serving others, healthcare professionals rely on a specific conceptualization of health consistent with a practice methodology. Hence, for the advancement of innovative scientific knowledge health can be viewed from distinct paradigmatic perspectives and must be founded on a congruent ontological-epistemological-methodological link in professional practice. The purpose of this column is to describe conceptualizations of health with congruent practice methodologies from three distinct nursing paradigmatic perspectives. The authors consider that these distinct paradigmatic nursing perspectives offer diverse disciplinary knowledge of social utility to nursing professional practice for the betterment of the ones being served.
Concept Inventing
Authors: Doucet Thomas
Published: April 2014

Sufferance is a universal living experience. In view of the humanbecoming theoretical perspective, concept inventing is a way to expand understanding about a phenomenon of interest and to contribute to nursing knowledge development. This column offers a synthetic definition of sufferance in light of the concept inventing process. Sufferance is anguishing turbulence in weaving the cherished arising with luminous shifting. At the theoretical level, sufferance is imaging in the valuing connecting-separating of transforming.
Developing a Model
Authors: Havenga Yolanda , Poggenpoel Marie , Myburgh Chris
Published: April 2014

Model development may seem a daunting task for the novice. The purpose of this article is to illustrate the steps of model development applied to a real-life phenomenon using an inductive theory-generating research approach. The value of the illustration is that nurse researchers can follow the application of the process as a point of departure for their own work. A logical stepwise discussion is followed for empirical theory development. The logical thought process from identifying the phenomenon to describing the model as a visual metaphor of the phenomenon is illustrated.
British-Born Pakistani and Bangladeshi Young Men: Exploring Unstable Concepts of Muslim, Islamophobia and Racialization
Authors: Mac an Ghaill Mairtin , Haywood Chris
Published: April 2014

Much recent academic work on making sense of the changing public profile of the Muslim community in Britain operates within an explanatory framework that assumes a shift from ethnicity to religion and an accompanying shift from racialization to Islamophobia. A key limitation of this work, often grounded in media representations, is that it tends to be disconnected from contemporary lived social relations. In response, this paper critically engages with these debates, drawing upon qualitative research that explores a changing cultural condition that is inhabited by British born, working-class Pakistani and Bangladeshi young men. It is argued that this emergent cultural condition cannot conceptually be contained within a singular category of religion as the contours of the young men’s cultural condition are embedded within a range of intensified and ambivalent rapidly shifting local, national and international geo-political processes. Therefore in contrast to recent theorizing and research on Muslim communities and identities, the young men in this study critically engage with the contextually-based local meanings of Muslim, Islamophobia and racialization to secure complex masculine subjectivities. Alongside this, the article highlights that young men recognize that Islamophobia, displacing a notion of racialization, is a danger for their community because of the attendant invisibility of the current impact of social class within conditions of socio-economic austerity, which for them is a central element of their social and cultural exclusions.
From the social fund to local welfare assistance: Central–local government relations and ‘special expenses’
Authors: Grover Chris
Published: April 2014

In Britain since the 1930s social assistance recipients have in certain circumstances been able to claim ‘exceptional expenses’ in addition to their weekly benefit income. From the 1940s these were administered by its central government. However, in April 2013 the then incarnation of such payments (the discretionary Social Fund) was partly replaced by locally administered Local Welfare Assistance. Drawing upon material held in files at Britain's National Archives and central government documents framing the development of Local Welfare Assistance, this paper examines how concerns raised in the 1980s meant it was not possible to then transfer responsibility for ‘exceptional expenses’ from central to local government. The paper explores those concerns and how in contemporary Britain they are no longer deemed to be problematic because of the Coalition government's emphasis upon localism and because of changing local government views on the possibility of delivering a mainstream social assistance function.