bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bounding f(R) gravity by particle production rate
Authors: Capozziello Salvatore , Luongo Orlando , Paolella Mariacristina
Published: February 2016

Several models of [Formula: see text] gravity have been proposed in order to address the dark side problem in cosmology. However, these models should be constrained also at ultraviolet scales in order to achieve some correct fundamental interpretation. Here, we analyze this possibility comparing quantum vacuum states in given [Formula: see text] cosmological backgrounds. Specifically, we compare the Bogolubov transformations associated to different vacuum states for some [Formula: see text] models. The procedure consists in fixing the [Formula: see text] free parameters by requiring that the Bogolubov coefficients can be correspondingly minimized to be in agreement with both high redshift observations and quantum field theory predictions. In such a way, the particle production is related to the value of the Hubble parameter and then to the given [Formula: see text] model. The approach is developed in both metric and Palatini formalism.
A different approach to anisotropic spherical collapse with shear and heat radiation
Authors: Ivanov B. V.
Published: February 2016

In order to study the type of collapse mentioned in the title, we introduce a physically meaningful object, called the horizon function. It directly enters the expressions for many of the stellar characteristics. The main junction equation, which governs the collapse, transforms into a Riccati equation with simple coefficients for the horizon function. We integrate this equation in the geodesic case. The same is done in the general case when one or another of the coefficients vanish. It is shown how to build classes of star models in this formulation of the problem and simple solutions are given.
Phantom crossing with collisional matter in f(T) gravity
Authors: Zubair M.
Published: February 2016

We study the late-time cosmological evolution of [Formula: see text] (where [Formula: see text] is the torsion scalar) theories with matter contents consisting of collisional self-interacting matter and radiations. The power law, exponential and logarithmic [Formula: see text] models are considered to explore the evolution of Hubble parameter [Formula: see text], dark energy (DE) equation of state (EoS) [Formula: see text] and effective EoS parameter [Formula: see text]. We show that crossing of phantom divide line can be realized in the presence of collisional matter as compared to the results obtained for the choice of noncollisional matter [K. Bamba, C.-Q. Geng, C.-C. Lee and L.-W. Luo, J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys. 01 (2011) 021; K. Bamba, C.-Q. Geng and C.-C. Lee, arXiv:1008.4036]. The evolutionary behavior of [Formula: see text] is consistent with the one developed in [P. Wu and H. Yu, Eur. Phys. J. C 71 (2011) 1552] and recent observational data [U. Alam, V. Sahni and A. A. Starobinsky, J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys. 0406 (2004) 008; S. Nesseris and L. Perivolaropoulos, J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys. 0701 (2007) 018; P. Wu and H. Yu, Phys. Lett. B 643 (2006) 315; U. Alam, V. Sahni and A. A. Starobinsky, J. Cosmol. Astropart. Phys. 0702 (2007) 011; H. K. Jassal, J. S. Bagla and T. Padmanabhan, Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 405 (2010) 2639].
FABRICATION OF BIPHASE BiVO4 PARTICLES WITH ENHANCED PHOTOCATALYTIC PERFORMANCE VIA A SURFACTANT-FREE HYDROTHERMAL ROUTE
Authors: QIAN HONGZHI , LAI MIN , HUANG XIAOGU , WANG WEI , XU CHAOQI , YONG HAIBO , WEN YAN , ZHOU YINGJIE
Published: February 2016

Biphase bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) particles have been synthesized using a surfactant-free hydrothermal strategy. Biphase BiVO4 were formed at [Formula: see text], 5 and 7 with a bandgap between 2.28[Formula: see text]eV and 2.86[Formula: see text]eV, which are those of monoclinic and tetragonal phases, respectively. Photocatalytic tests on the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible-light irradiation showed that biphase BiVO4 with both monoclinic and tetragonal structures synthesized at [Formula: see text] achieved enhanced photocatalytic performance in comparison with pure monoclinic and tetragonal phases, which was attributed to the heterostructures leading to low recombination rate of electron–hole pairs.
Extinction and persistence of a nonautonomous stochastic food-chain system with impulsive perturbations
Authors: Tian Baodan , Zhong Shouming , Liu Zhijun
Published: February 2016

In this paper, a nonautonomous stochastic food-chain system with functional response and impulsive perturbations is studied. By using Itô’s formula, exponential martingale inequality, differential inequality and other mathematical skills, some sufficient conditions for the extinction, nonpersistence in the mean, persistence in the mean, and stochastic permanence of the system are established. Furthermore, some asymptotic properties of the solutions are also investigated. Finally, a series of numerical examples are presented to support the theoretical results, and effects of different intensities of white noises perturbations and impulsive effects are discussed by the simulations.
A note on generalizations of quasi-Frobenius rings
Authors: Thoang Le Duc
Published: February 2016

A ring [Formula: see text] is called quasi-Frobenius, briefly QF, if [Formula: see text] is right (or left) Artinian and right (or left) self-injective. A ring [Formula: see text] is called right co-Harada if every noncosmall right [Formula: see text]-module contains a nonzero projective direct summand and [Formula: see text] satisfies the ACC on right annihilators. The class of co-Harada rings is one of the most interesting generalizations of QF rings. When considering relation between these ring classes, [K. Oshiro, Lifting modules, extending modules and their applications to QF-ring, Hokkaido Math. J. 13 (1984) 310–338, Theorem 4.3] showed that a ring [Formula: see text] is QF if and only if it is right co-Harada ring with [Formula: see text]. In this note, we show that a ring [Formula: see text] is QF if and only if it is right co-Harada ring and satisfies either [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text].
Optimal CAR simulation
Authors: Chakroun Fatma , Abid Fathi
Published: February 2016

The present paper is conceived to expose a new model of bank capital adequacy. Our analysis highly relies on the dynamics of the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) as computed from balance sheet items, namely, loans, securities and bank regulatory capital, in a stochastic dynamic setting. In addition, an attempt is made to demonstrate how the CAR can be optimized in terms of asset allocation and the rate at which the bank remains solvent. Consequently, a dynamic programming principle has been applied to solve the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation explicitly in the case of CRRA utility function. The parameters’ estimation is based on the maximum likelihood method, using Tunisian data relevant to the period 2004–2012. As regard computations, they are carried out in MATLAB. The simulation results have shown the model relevance as a decision tool for bank risk management. Moreover, the relationship persisting between the macroeconomic activity and the bank capital adequacy has also been discussed.
Real-time risk management: An AAD-PDE approach
Authors: Capriotti Luca , Jiang Yupeng , Macrina Andrea
Published: February 2016

We apply adjoint algorithmic differentiation (AAD) to the risk management of securities when their price dynamics are given by partial differential equations (PDE). We show how AAD can be applied to forward and backward PDEs in a straightforward manner. In the context of one-factor models for interest rates or default intensities, we show how price sensitivities are computed reliably and orders of magnitude faster than with a standard finite-difference (FD) approach. This significantly increased efficiency is obtained by combining (i) the adjoint forward PDE for calibrating model parameters, (ii) the adjoint backward PDE for derivatives pricing, and (iii) the implicit function theorem to avoid iterating the calibration procedure.
On a recursive algorithm for pricing discrete barrier options
Authors: Llemit Dennis G.
Published: February 2016

An alternative and simple algorithm for valuating the price of discrete barrier options is presented. This algorithm computes the price just exactly the same as the Cox–Ross–Rubinstein (CRR) model. As opposed to other pricing methodologies, this recursive algorithm utilizes only the terminal nodes of the binomial tree and it captures the intrinsic property, the knock-in or knock-out feature, of barrier options. In this paper, we apply the algorithm to compute the price of an Up and Out Put (UOP) barrier option and compare the results obtained from the CRR model. We then determine the time complexity of the algorithm and show that it is [Formula: see text].
Logarithmic Bounds for Oscillatory Singular Integrals on Hardy Spaces
Authors: Al-Qassem Hussain , Cheng Leslie , Pan Yibiao
Published: February 2016

We establish a logarithmic bound for oscillatory singular integrals with quadratic phases on the Hardy spaceH1(Rn). The logarithmic rate of growth is the best possible.
Symmetry Analysis of Gait between Left and Right Limb Using Cross-Fuzzy Entropy
Authors: Xia Yi , Ye Qiang , Gao Qingwei , Lu Yixiang , Zhang Dexiang
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this paper is the investigation of gait symmetry problem by using cross-fuzzy entropy (C-FuzzyEn), which is a recently proposed cross entropy that has many merits as compared to the frequently used cross sample entropy (C-SampleEn). First, we used several simulation signals to test its performance regarding the relative consistency and dependence on data length. Second, the gait time series of the left and right stride interval were used to calculate the C-FuzzyEn values for gait symmetry analysis. Besides the statistical analysis, we also realized a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to perform the classification of normal and abnormal gaits. The gait dataset consists of 15 patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and 16 control (CO) subjects. The results show that the C-FuzzyEn values of the PD patients’ gait are significantly higher than that of the CO subjects with apvalue of less than10-5, and the best classification performance evaluated by a leave-one-out (LOO) cross-validation method is an accuracy of 96.77%. Such encouraging results imply that the C-FuzzyEn-based gait symmetry measure appears as a suitable tool for analyzing abnormal gaits.
EEG Resting-State Brain Topological Reorganization as a Function of Age
Authors: Petti Manuela , Toppi Jlenia , Babiloni Fabio , Cincotti Febo , Mattia Donatella , Astolfi Laura
Published: February 2016

Resting state connectivity has been increasingly studied to investigate the effects of aging on the brain. A reduced organization in the communication between brain areas was demonstrated by combining a variety of different imaging technologies (fMRI, EEG, and MEG) and graph theory. In this paper, we propose a methodology to get new insights into resting state connectivity and its variations with age, by combining advanced techniques of effective connectivity estimation, graph theoretical approach, and classification by SVM method. We analyzed high density EEG signals recorded at rest from 71 healthy subjects (age: 20–63 years). Weighted and directed connectivity was computed by means of Partial Directed Coherence based on a General Linear Kalman filter approach. To keep the information collected by the estimator, weighted and directed graph indices were extracted from the resulting networks. A relation between brain network properties and age of the subject was found, indicating a tendency of the network to randomly organize increasing with age. This result is also confirmed dividing the whole population into two subgroups according to the age (young and middle-aged adults): significant differences exist in terms of network organization measures. Classification of the subjects by means of such indices returns an accuracy greater than 80%.
Why Current Doppler Ultrasound Methodology Is Inaccurate in Assessing Cerebral Venous Return: The Alternative of the Ultrasonic Jugular Venous Pulse
Authors: Zamboni Paolo
Published: February 2016

Assessment of cerebral venous return is growing interest for potential application in clinical practice. Doppler ultrasound (DUS) was used as a screening tool. However, three meta-analyses of qualitative DUS protocol demonstrate a big heterogeneity among studies. In an attempt to improve accuracy, several authors alternatively measured the flow rate, based on the product of the time average velocity with the cross-sectional area (CSA). However, also the quantification protocols lacked of the necessary accuracy. The reasons are as follows: (a) automatic measurement of the CSA assimilates the jugular to a circle, while it is elliptical; (b) the use of just a single CSA value in a pulsatile vessel is inaccurate; (c) time average velocity assessment can be applied only in laminar flow. Finally, the tutorial describes alternative ultrasound calculation of flow based on the Womersley method, which takes into account the variation of the jugular CSA overtime. In the near future, it will be possible to synchronize the electrocardiogram with the brain inflow (carotid distension wave) and with the outflow (jugular venous pulse) in order to nicely have a noninvasive ultrasound picture of the brain-heart axis. US jugular venous pulse may have potential use in neurovascular, neurocognitive, neurosensorial, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Effect of Hoisting Load on Transverse Vibrations of Hoisting Catenaries in Floor Type Multirope Friction Mine Hoists
Authors: Yao Jiannan , Xiao Xingming
Published: February 2016

The effect of hoisting load on transverse vibrations of hoisting catenaries during lifting in coal mines was investigated in this study. Firstly, dynamic analyses of the vertical hoisting rope were performed. The results show that transverse vibration plays the dominating role in the coupled dynamics of the vertical rope subjected to external excitation induced by axial fluctuations of head sheave, and the rope tension can be approximated by the quasistatic tension. Secondly, employing dynamic simulations, the effect of hoisting load on the transverse vibrations of hoisting catenaries was discussed. The results show that, under the second-order excitation frequency, a discrepant large transverse amplitude will be excited when the hoisting load ranges from 0 to 5000 kg, leading to collision between the two adjacent catenaries and accelerating the rupture of rope. To solve this problem, according to simulation curves, the self-weight of conveyance (preload) can be optimized from 39500 kg to 49500 kg. Eventually, on-site measurements were performed on the studied machine, validating the accuracy of the effect of hoisting load on transverse vibrations of hoisting catenaries. This investigation will greatly support facility maintenance, machine design, and even engineering optimization for floor type multirope friction mine hoists.
Biological Inspired Stochastic Optimization Technique (PSO) for DOA and Amplitude Estimation of Antenna Arrays Signal Processing in RADAR Communication System
Authors: Hammed Khurram , Ghauri Sajjad Ahmed , Qamar M. Salman
Published: February 2016

This paper presents a stochastic global optimization technique known as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for joint estimation of amplitude and direction of arrival of the targets in RADAR communication system. The proposed scheme is an excellent optimization methodology and a promising approach for solving the DOA problems in communication systems. Moreover, PSO is quite suitable for real time scenario and easy to implement in hardware. In this study, uniform linear array is used and targets are supposed to be in far field of the arrays. Formulation of the fitness function is based on mean square error and this function requires a single snapshot to obtain the best possible solution. To check the accuracy of the algorithm, all of the results are taken by varying the number of antenna elements and targets. Finally, these results are compared with existing heuristic techniques to show the accuracy of PSO.
Area Median Income and Metropolitan Versus Nonmetropolitan Location of Care for Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Complex Interaction of Social Determinants
Authors: Fabreau Gabriel E. , Leung Alexander A. , Southern Danielle A. , James Matthew T. , Knudtson Merrill L. , Ghali William A. , Ayanian John Z.
Published: February 2016

Background

Metropolitan versus nonmetropolitan status and area median income may independently affect care for and outcomes of acute coronary syndromes. We sought to determine whether location of care modifies the association among area income, receipt of cardiac catheterization, and mortality following an acute coronary syndrome in a universal health care system.

Methods and Results

We studied a cohort of 14 012 acute coronary syndrome patients admitted to cardiology services between April 18, 2004, and December 31, 2011, in southern Alberta, Canada. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine the odds of cardiac catheterization within 1 day and 7 days of admission and the odds of 30‐day and 1‐year mortality according to area median household income quintile for patients presenting at metropolitan and nonmetropolitan hospitals. In models adjusting for area income, patients who presented at nonmetropolitan facilities had lower adjusted odds of receiving cardiac catheterization within 1 day of admission (odds ratio 0.22, 95%
CI
0.11–0.46,
P
<0.001). Among nonmetropolitan patients, when examined by socioeconomic status, each incremental decrease in income quintile was associated with 10% lower adjusted odds of receiving cardiac catheterization within 7 days (
P
<0.001) and 24% higher adjusted odds of 30‐day mortality (
P
=0.008) but no significant difference for 1‐year mortality (
P
=0.12). There were no differences in adjusted mortality among metropolitan patients.

Conclusion

Within a universal health care system, the association among area income and receipt of cardiac catheterization and 30‐day mortality differed depending on the location of initial medical care for acute coronary syndromes. Care protocols are required to improve access to care and outcomes in patients from low‐income nonmetropolitan communities.
Effect of Adherence to Oral Anticoagulants on Risk of Stroke and Major Bleeding Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Yao Xiaoxi , Abraham Neena S. , Alexander G. Caleb , Crown William , Montori Victor M. , Sangaralingham Lindsey R. , Gersh Bernard J. , Shah Nilay D. , Noseworthy Peter A.
Published: February 2016

Background

In comparison to warfarin, non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (
NOAC
s) have the advantages of ease of dosing, fewer drug interactions, and lack of need for ongoing monitoring. We sought to evaluate whether these advantages translate to improved adherence and whether adherence is associated with improved outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods and Results

We performed a retrospective cohort analysis by using a large
US
commercial insurance database to identify 64 661 patients with atrial fibrillation who initiated warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban treatment between November 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014. During a median of 1.1 y of follow‐up, 47.5% of
NOAC
patients had a proportion of days covered of ≥80%, compared with 40.2% in warfarin patients (
P
<0.001). Patients with
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c (risk based on the presence of congestive heart failure, hypertension age 65–74 y, age ≥75 y, diabetes mellitus, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, vascular disease, sex category) score ≥4 were at increased risk of stroke when they were not taking anticoagulation ≥1 month versus <1 week (1–3 months: hazard ratio [
HR
] 1.96, 3–6 months:
HR
2.64, ≥6 months:
HR
3.66; all
P
<0.001). Patients with
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score 2 or 3 were at increased risk of stroke when they were not taking anticoagulation ≥6 months (
HR
2.73,
P
<0.001). In these patients with
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score ≥2, nonadherence was not associated with intracranial hemorrhage. Among patients with
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score 0 or 1, time not taking anticoagulation was not associated with stroke, but not taking anticoagulation ≥3 months was associated with a significant reduction of bleeding.

Conclusions

Adherence to anticoagulation is poor in practice and may be modestly improved with
NOAC
s. Adherence to therapy appears to be most important in patients with
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score ≥2, whereas the benefits of anticoagulation may not outweigh the harms in patients with
CHA
2
DS
2
‐
VAS
c score 0 or 1.
Patient- and Aneurysm-Specific Risk Factors for Intracranial Aneurysm Growth
Authors: Backes Daan , Rinkel Gabriel J.E. , Laban Kamil G. , Algra Ale , Vergouwen Mervyn D.I.
Published: February 2016

Background and Purpose—

Follow-up imaging is often performed in intracranial aneurysms that are not treated. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on patient- and aneurysm-specific risk factors for aneurysm growth.

Methods—

We searched EMBASE and MEDLINE for cohort studies describing risk factors for aneurysm growth. Two authors independently assessed study eligibility and rated quality with the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. With univariable Poisson regression analysis, we calculated risk ratios (RRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of risk factors for aneurysm growth. Heterogeneity was assessed with
I
2
.

Results—

Eighteen studies on 15 patient-populations described 3990 patients with 4972 unruptured aneurysms. A total of 437 aneurysms (9%) enlarged during 13 987 aneurysm-years of follow-up. Compared with aneurysms ≤4 mm, RRs were 2.56 (95% CI, 1.93–3.39;
I
2
=98%) for ≥5 mm, 2.80 (95% CI, 2.01–3.90;
I
2
=96%) for ≥7 mm, and 5.38 (95% CI, 3.76–7.70;
I
2
=97%) for ≥10 mm. Compared with aneurysms on the middle cerebral artery, the RR for basilar artery was 1.94 (95% CI, 1.32–2.83;
I
2
=57%). RRs were 2.03 (95% CI, 1.52–2.71;
I
2
=59%) for smoking at baseline, 2.04 (95% CI, 1.56–2.66;
I
2
=90%) for multiple unruptured aneurysms, 1.26 (95% CI, 0.97–1.62;
I
2
=59%) for women, 1.24 (95% CI, 0.98–1.58;
I
2
=40%) for hypertension, and 2.32 (95% CI, 1.46–3.68;
I
2
=91%) for irregular aneurysm shape. Compared with other regions, RR was 0.75 (95% CI, 0.58–0.96) for Japan and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.45–0.90) for Finland.

Conclusions—

Most risk factors for aneurysm growth are consistent with risk factors for rupture. In contrast with rupture, the risk of growth was smaller in Japanese and Finnish cohorts compared with other regions. Pooling of individual patient data from low- and high-risk geographical regions is needed to assess independent predictors of aneurysm growth.
Passages through Time and Space: In Memory of Chantal Akerman
Authors: Bruno Giuliana
Published: February 2016

Film historian Giuliana Bruno commemorates celebrated filmmaker Chantal Akerman (1950–2015), whose intimate portraits of cities, lands, and homes captured the passing of everyday life and intensified our own sense of time, memory, and space. Akerman's breakthrough film, Jeanne Dielman, 23, Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles (1975), exposed the strictures of women's time and space while creating a new cinematic language of observation and duration. She continued to experiment with moving images throughout her life, moving easily between fiction and documentary, cinemas and gallery exhibitions. In the mid-1990s, Akerman began to engage in an expanded field of film-based installation art, at an early stage of the cultural movement that still drives today's filmmakers and artists to work between media. Bruno's personal evocation of Akerman's oeuvre highlights the filmmaker's use of the screen as both filter and threshold, in order to convey a relationship between interiority and exteriority, and physical and mental space, a relationship delicately tailored to Akerman's particular version of empathy.
Second world record of Metatrichia floripara (Trichiaceae, Myxomycetes), found in Brazil
Authors: DE LIMA VITOR XAVIER , CAVALCANTI LAISE DE HOLANDA
Published: February 2016

Metatrichia floripara is recorded for the first time in South America, and outside the type locality. A morphological description, illustrations and comments on its distribution are also presented.
Seasonal Variability of the Gulf Stream Kinetic Energy
Authors: Kang Dujuan , Curchitser Enrique N. , Rosati Anthony
Published: February 2016

The seasonal variability of the mean kinetic energy (MKE) and eddy kinetic energy (EKE) of the Gulf Stream (GS) is examined using high-resolution regional ocean model simulations. A set of three numerical experiments with different surface wind and buoyancy forcing is analyzed to investigate the mechanisms governing the seasonal cycle of upper ocean energetics. In the GS along-coast region, MKE has a significant seasonal cycle that peaks in summer, while EKE has two comparable peaks in May and September near the surface; the May peak decays rapidly with depth. In the off-coast region, MKE has a weak seasonal cycle that peaks in summer, while EKE has a dominant peak in May and a secondary peak in September near the surface. The May peak also decays with depth leaving the September peak as the only seasonal signal below 100 m. An analysis of the three numerical experiments suggests that the seasonal variability in the local wind forcing significantly impacts the September peak of the along-coast EKE through a local-flow barotropic instability process. Alternatively, the seasonal buoyancy forcing primarily impacts the flow baroclinic instability and is consequently related to the May peak of the upper ocean EKE in both regions. The analysis results indicate that the seasonal cycle of the along-coast MKE is influenced by both local energy generation by wind and the advection of energy from upstream regions. Finally, the MKE cycle and the September peak of EKE in the off-coast region are mainly affected by advection of energy from remote regions, giving rise to correlations with the seasonal cycle of remote winds.
Back to Square One
Authors: Thiem Alrik , Baumgartner Michael
Published: February 2016

We thank the editors of Comparative Political Studies for having invited us to join this symposium. Rather than addressing separate points made by Munck, Paine, and Schneider, we focus on two related problems that unite their pieces, that are of high relevance beyond this symposium, and that we have addressed only indirectly in our original article. The first problem concerns the over-inflation of the Boolean concept of necessity in Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), the second one ignorance about the formalities of the theory of causation which QCA rests on.
When and how does functional diversity influence team innovation? The mediating role of knowledge sharing and the moderation role of affect-based trust in a team
Authors: Cheung Siu Yin , Gong Yaping , Wang Mo , Zhou Le (Betty) , Shi Junqi
Published: February 2016

Findings from prior research on the relationship between functional diversity and team innovation have been inconclusive. This study aims to reconcile the mixed findings in the literature by investigating how functional diversity may influence team innovation and when such influence may or may not occur. The view of teams as information processors suggests that functionally diverse teams may capitalize on their knowledge benefits to produce innovations through knowledge sharing. However, knowledge sharing and subsequent team innovation do not necessarily occur in functionally diverse teams. Drawing on the motivated information processing in groups theory, we propose that affect-based trust in a team moderates the effects of functional diversity on team innovation (via knowledge sharing). The results based on a sample of 96 research and development teams indicate that functional diversity had a negative indirect relationship with team innovation via knowledge sharing when affect-based trust in a team was low, and this relationship became less negative as the level of affect-based trust in a team increased. The relationship was not significant when affect-based trust in a team was high.
The Prince—or Better No Prince? The Strategic Value of Appointing a Successor
Authors: Konrad Kai A. , Mui Vai-Lam
Published: February 2016

Appointing a successor (the “prince”) allows the ruler (the “king”) to alter the structures of conflicts that take place between him and his potential challengers, as well as the structures of conflicts that take place among his potential challengers. Motivated by historical examples and using an infinite horizon rulership competition game, we show that while an appointed prince constitutes a powerful and dangerous threat to the incumbent ruler (the elevated threat effect), the appointed prince can also offer the incumbent ruler increased protection against other potential challengers (the barrier effect). We determine conditions when the overall effect of appointing a successor benefits the incumbent ruler and enables him to acquire a larger share of the governance rent in equilibrium.
The Children of Immigrants’ Bonding to School: Examining the Roles of Assimilation, Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Social Bonds
Authors: Bondy Jennifer M. , Peguero Anthony A. , Johnson Brent E.
Published: February 2016

Social bonds to school (i.e., attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief) can influence educational progress and success for students; however, the children of immigrants’ bonding to school remain unclear. This study utilizes data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 and incorporates multilevel analysis to examine straight-line assimilation, segmented assimilation, and immigrant optimism theories in relationship to the children of immigrants’ school bonds. Findings suggest that bonds to school are moderated by gender, race, ethnicity, and immigrant generation. The implications of the evident disparities in the children of immigrants’ bonds to U.S. public schools are discussed more broadly.
Implications of technological change and austerity for employability in urban labour markets
Authors: Green Anne E
Published: February 2016

Over the last decade two key changes affecting employability, labour market operation and policy delivery are austerity and the expansion of the use of information and communication technologies (ICT), especially web-based technologies. Increasingly, given pressures for cost savings and developments in ICT, employers’ recruitment and selection strategies are at least partly web-based, careers guidance and public employment services are moving towards ‘digital by default’ delivery and job seekers are expected to manage their job search activity and benefit claims electronically. So, what are the implications of austerity and technological change for employability? This article presents a critical review of the literature on ICT and its relation to, and implications for, employability in a context of austerity. A new framework for employability is presented and those aspects of employability where ICT plays a key role are highlighted. It is concluded that in the context of austerity and technological change more is demanded of individual job seekers/workers, as they are expected to take greater responsibility for their marketability in the labour market. This means that individuals’ attributes and skills are of enhanced importance in conceptualisations of employability. ICT skills have a key role to play in employability, but not at the expense of more conventional social skills which remain very important alongside digital literacy.
An Overlooked Population in Community College
Authors: Zhang Yi (Leaf)
Published: February 2016

Objective: Guided by validation theory, this study aims to better understand the role that academic advising plays in international community college students’ adjustment. More specifically, this study investigated how academic advising validates or invalidates their academic and social experiences in a community college context. Method: This study utilized a phenomenological research design and interviewed 11 international students at a community college in North Texas. Each interview lasted approximately 60 to 90 minutes and consisted of semi-structured, open-ended questions. Results: The findings of the study indicate that international students experience both academic and personal validation through academic advising, but there is evidence that these students feel invalidated in large part due to advisors’ limited knowledge about international students, lack of collaboration between advisors and other professionals on campus, and inaccurate or delayed course selection information received from the advisors. The findings also indicate that academic advisors with better understanding of cultural diversity establish stronger relationships with international community college students. Contributions: This study addresses the gap in current literature on community college students and provides strategies that community college leaders and academic advisors can adopt to improve advising practice with international students.
Evaluation of favorable regions for multi-seam coalbed methane joint exploitation based on a fuzzy model: A case study in southern Qinshui Basin, China
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Qin Yong , Bai Jianping , Fu Xuehai , Liu Donghai
Published: February 2016

The coalbed methane resources in the Taiyuan Formation account for 55% of total coalbed methane reserves in the southern Qinshui Basin, China; however, the resources have yet to be utilized basically. The joint exploitation of coalbed methane in the Taiyuan Formation and the Shanxi Formation can accelerate the process of coalbed methane scale development in this region. The productivity characteristics of commingling drainage are controlled by various geological factors. Thus, to select favorable regions for multi-seam coalbed methane joint exploitation, the impacts of some geological factors such as coal thickness, burial depth, gas content, reservoir pressure gradient, and reduced water level on the gas production were analyzed and estimated based on a bivariate correlation analysis. Analysis results show that the two coal seams of the high production rate wells of commingling drainage usually have the following conditions: total coal thickness > 9.5 m; average burial depth < 640 m; average gas content > 14 m3/t; reservoir pressure gradient difference < 0.05 MPa/100 m; reduced water level difference < 55 m. Based on the correlation analysis results, the potential of multi-seam coalbed methane exploitation in the study area was evaluated by using a multi-objective fuzzy matter-element model. At last, taking the evaluation coefficient 0.75 as the critical value, unfavorable zones, relatively favorable zones, favorable zones, and extremely favorable zones for multi-seam coalbed methane joint exploitation were identified in the southern Qinshui Basin.
Biomaterials in Rhinology
Authors: Massey Conner J. , Suh Jeffrey D. , Tessema Belachew , Gray Stacey T. , Singh Ameet
Published: February 2016

Introduction

Many different kinds of rhinologic biomaterials, both nonabsorbable and absorbable, have been developed over the years to improve outcomes following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. In particular, these products have been designed to prevent postoperative bleeding, optimize the wound healing process, and reduce inflammation. This review evaluates the most recent evidence on biomaterials used in rhinology, focusing on these outcomes after ESS.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov.

Review Methods

A primary literature search based on the listed databases was performed with combinatorial search terms. Studies were considered for review if they met a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Conclusions

Some products have performed better than others in clinical trials, although significant heterogeneity among studies does not allow for selection of a clearly superior biomaterial. While nonabsorbable biomaterials are still effective in achieving certain outcomes, newer, absorbable substances may be just as effective and avoid the morbidity associated with nasal packing removal. Steroid‐eluting biomaterials have shown promising early results in reducing inflammation and promoting wound healing.

Implications for Practice

Certain absorbable biomaterials, such as chitosan gel and fibrin glue, have performed well with respect to postoperative hemostasis and wound healing, although they do not address mucosal inflammation. Steroid delivery systems may play an increasingly important role in reducing disease recurrence after ESS, although more studies are needed to assess long‐term outcomes.
Variation in Delivery of Sinus Surgery in the Medicaid Population across Ethnicities
Authors: Woodard Troy , Sindwani Raj , Halderman Ashleigh A. , Holy Chantal E. , Gurrola Jose
Published: February 2016

Objective

To evaluate differences in sinus surgery rates in the US Medicaid population by ethnicities.

Study Design

Retrospective administrative database analysis.

Setting

US‐based outpatient settings.

Methods

All patients from the MarketScan Medicaid database with endoscopic sinus surgery from 2009 to 2013 were stratified by ethnicity, age (5‐year increments, as per US Census), and sex. Crude rates of endoscopic sinus surgery per age group and sex were compiled for all patients and each ethnic group (African American, Caucasian, Hispanics, and others). Age and sex standardization was done with the MarketScan Medicaid overall population as standard. The coefficient of variation, extremal ratio, and chi‐square statistics were calculated to determine variation across ethnicities.

Results

Overall sinus surgery rates per 1000 people in the Medicaid population ranged from 0.36 to 0.40 from 2009 to 2013 (African Americans: 0.24‐0.26; Hispanics: 0.21‐0.37; Caucasians: 0.47‐0.56; rate of surgery statistically lower for African American vs Hispanics for 4 of 5 years). The coefficient of variation and extremal ratio ranged from 29.3% to 45.6% and 1.98 to 2.6, respectively. Differences among groups were significant for all years (P <. 0001). Comparison of sex‐adjusted ratios by age group demonstrated greater rates of surgery in the Caucasian group versus other groups for all age categories.

Conclusion

The Medicaid database was selected for this analysis to eliminate payer and wealth as potential confounders in access to health care. Despite this approach, significant differences in surgery rates among ethnic groups were observed. Further research is critical to understand those differences and provide actionable and effective recommendations for change.
Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test–22
Authors: Shapira Galitz Yael , Halperin Doron , Bavnik Yosef , Warman Meir
Published: February 2016

Objective

To perform the translation, cross‐cultural adaptation, and validation of the Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test–22 (SNOT‐22) questionnaire to the Hebrew language.

Study Design and Setting

A single‐center prospective cross‐sectional study.

Subjects and Methods

Seventy‐three chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients and 73 patients without sinonasal disease filled the Hebrew version of the SNOT‐22 questionnaire. Fifty‐one CRS patients underwent endoscopic sinus surgery, out of which 28 filled a postoperative questionnaire. Seventy‐three healthy volunteers without sinonasal disease also answered the questionnaire. Internal consistency, test‐retest reproducibility, validity, and responsiveness of the questionnaire were evaluated.

Results

Questionnaire reliability was excellent, with a high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, 0.91‐0.936) and test‐retest reproducibility (Spearman’s coefficient, 0.962). Mean scores for the preoperative, postoperative, and control groups were 50.44, 29.64, and 13.15, respectively (P <. 0001 for CRS vs controls, P <. 001 for preoperative vs postoperative), showing validity and responsiveness of the questionnaire.

Conclusion

The Hebrew version of SNOT‐22 questionnaire is a valid outcome measure for patients with CRS with or without nasal polyps.
Durability of Hearing Preservation after Cochlear Implantation with Conventional‐Length Electrodes and Scala Tympani Insertion
Authors: Sweeney Alex D. , Hunter Jacob B. , Carlson Matthew L. , Rivas Alejandro , Bennett Marc L. , Gifford Rene H. , Noble Jack H. , Haynes David S. , Labadie Robert F. , Wanna George B.
Published: February 2016

Objectives

To analyze factors that influence hearing preservation over time in cochlear implant recipients with conventional‐length electrode arrays located entirely within the scala tympani.

Study Design

Case series with planned chart review.

Setting

Single tertiary academic referral center.

Subjects and Methods

A retrospective review was performed to analyze a subgroup of cochlear implant recipients with residual acoustic hearing. Patients were included in the study only if their electrode arrays remained fully in the scala tympani after insertion and serviceable acoustic hearing (≤80 dB at 250 Hz) was preserved. Electrode array location was verified through a validated radiographic assessment tool. Patients with <6 months of audiologic follow‐up were excluded. The main outcome measure was change in acoustic hearing thresholds from implant activation to the last available follow‐up.

Results

A total of 16 cases met inclusion criteria (median age, 70.6 years; range, 29.4‐82.2; 50% female). The average follow‐up was 18.0 months (median, 16.1; range, 6.2‐36.4). Patients with a lateral wall electrode array were more likely to have stable acoustic thresholds over time (P <. 05). Positive correlations were seen between continued hearing loss following activation and larger initial postoperative acoustic threshold shifts, though statistical significance was not achieved. Age, sex, and noise exposure had no significant influence on continued hearing preservation over time.

Conclusions

To control for hearing loss associated with interscalar excursion during cochlear implantation, the present study evaluated patients only with conventional electrode arrays located entirely within the scala tympani. In this group, the style of electrode array may influence residual hearing preservation over time.
The everyday work of the drug treatment practitioner: The influence and constraints of a risk-based agenda
Authors: Weston Samantha
Published: February 2016

Crime reduction is a key objective in drug treatment policy and practice, and the criminal justice system (CJS) is a key player in the delivery of treatment, particularly its potential to provide a pathway into drug treatment. Despite cultural, ideological and philosophical differences, criminal justice and health sector workers are expected to work together alongside other agencies to address dependent drug use and associated harms. Through an analysis of in-depth interviews with drug treatment practitioners this article critically examines a number of assumptions underpinning this policy imperative. The author illustrates how the goals and everyday activities of drug workers have become aligned to the CJS, helping to create closer working relationships between these two agencies. However, also argued is how such changes may have helped to constrain drug workers’ relationships with other health and social care agencies, making it difficult to address the complex needs presented by dependent drug users.
The E point: a new echographic great saphenous identification sign in specific anatomical variants and applications
Authors: Ricci Stefano , Moro Leo , Ferrini Alessandro , Rossi Bartoli Isaura , Antonelli Incalzi Raffaele
Published: February 2016

Objective

To describe a new ultrasound marker of the Great Saphenous Vein at the groin.

Method

An ultrasound marker of the Great Saphenous Vein was identified as follows: the Great Saphenous Vein was tracked in cross-sectionally starting from the Sapheno Femoral Junction and optimally visualized where it crosses the Adductor Longus muscle, i.e., 3–5 cm below the junction. This marker, corresponding to a very superficial position of Great Saphenous Vein, was named “E Point,” where E means easy to find. The search for the E point was performed on 230 limbs of 126 subjects with or without chronic venous insufficiency (training population) and the method was validated in 58 subjects (testing population).

Results

The E point was successfully recorded in 128/144 (89%) pathologic and in 85/86 (99%) healthy limbs. Being free from other structures, at the E point the Great Saphenous Vein was always easily calibrated. In 17 cases, the E point could not be identified due to an hypoplasic Great Saphenous Vein; in such instances, the Anterior Accessory Saphenous Vein was well evident and substituted for the Great Saphenous Vein as the main draining vein at the groin.

Conclusion

The E point identifies the Great Saphenous Vein in healthy and varicose patients. Failure to identify the E point indicates Anterior Accessory Saphenous Vein dominance over a hypoplasic Great Saphenous Vein.
Women’s Facial Redness Increases Their Perceived Attractiveness: Mediation Through Perceived Healthiness
Authors: Pazda Adam D. , Thorstenson Christopher A. , Elliot Andrew J. , Perrett David I.
Published: February 2016

In the present research, we investigated whether the red-attraction relation that has been observed for men viewing women may also be observed with regard to women’s facial redness. We manipulated facial redness by slightly increasing or decreasing the redness on the faces of baseline pictures of target women, and then had men judge the attractiveness of the women. We also examined healthiness perceptions as a mediator of the redness-attraction relation, along with several other candidate mediator variables. A series of experiments showed that increased redness led to increased ratings of attractiveness, and decreased redness led to decreased ratings of attractiveness. Perceived healthiness was documented as a mediator of the influence of female facial redness on male perceptions of attractiveness, and this mediation was independent of other candidate mediator variables. The findings highlight the importance of attending to facial coloration as an attraction-relevant cue and point to interesting areas for subsequent research.
Organizational-Level Characteristics in Right-Wing Extremist Groups in the United States Over Time
Authors: Asal Victor , Chermak Steven M. , Fitzgerald Sarah , Freilich Joshua D.
Published: February 2016

This study compares the organizational-level variables of violent and nonviolent far-right extremist groups. This study makes an important contribution by coding for attributes for each specific year that an organization existed. Prior research has only examined organizational characteristics at a single point of time. Our strategy here better specifies differences between violent and nonviolent extremist groups. We used a pooled cross-sectional time series analysis using logistic regression because our dependent variable is dichotomous (the organization used violence this year vs. it did not). We clustered on the organization and we included dummy years to control for time series effects. We also included a lagged variable if the organization used violence in the year before. We found that organizations were more likely to use violence if they were previously involved in violence, had multiple alliances with other extremist groups, had a large membership, had weak or decentralized leadership or a strong ruling council, and advocated for inherent racial or ethnic superiority. These results have important implications for law enforcement and future research on extremism and violence.