bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polish version of the Questionnaire for Eudaimonic Well-Being – three factors rather than one
Authors: Kłym-Guba Maria , Karaś Dominika
Published: October 2018

Background

In their conception of well-being, Waterman et al. refer to the eudaimonist philosophy in which well-being is the active development of human best potentials and perceiving them as personally expressive.

Participants and procedure

The main objective of the present research was to determine the psychometric properties of the Polish adaptation of the Questionnaire for Eudaimonic Well-Being (QEWB) and to verify the structure of the construct. Four studies were performed with a total of 2273 participants. The psychometric properties of the Polish adaptation of the QEWB were proven. To verify the factorial structure, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was used, as well as exploratory structural equation modeling. The factor analysis showed that although assessing the general score of the QEWB is justified, the three-factorial structure fit best (CFI from .929 to .963 and RMSEA from .038 to .052 in all four studies). The criterion validity of the three factors was tested using the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF), measures of procrastination (PPS, NAPS), personality traits (IPIP-BMF-20) and grit (Grit-S).

Results

The results confirm the factorial structure of eudaimonic well-being reported in the literature, which is not fully compatible with the originally described structure.

Conclusions

The current study showed the importance of considering eudaimonic well-being as a multidimensional and multifactorial construct.
Ice core evidence for decoupling between midlatitude atmospheric water cycle and Greenland temperature during the last deglaciation
Authors: Landais Amaëlle , Capron Emilie , Masson-Delmotte Valérie , Toucanne Samuel , Rhodes Rachael , Popp Trevor , Vinther Bo , Minster Bénédicte , Prié Frédéric
Published: October 2018

Abstract. The last deglaciation represents the most recent example of
natural global warming associated with large-scale climate changes. In
addition to the long-term global temperature increase, the last deglaciation
onset is punctuated by a sequence of abrupt changes in the Northern
Hemisphere. Such interplay between orbital- and millennial-scale variability
is widely documented in paleoclimatic records but the underlying mechanisms
are not fully understood. Limitations arise from the difficulty in
constraining the sequence of events between external forcing, high- and low-
latitude climate, and environmental changes. Greenland ice cores provide sub-decadal-scale records across the last
deglaciation and contain fingerprints of climate variations occurring in
different regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Here, we combine new ice
d-excess and 17O-excess records, tracing changes in the
midlatitudes, with ice δ18O records of polar climate. Within
Heinrich Stadial 1, we demonstrate a decoupling between climatic conditions
in Greenland and those of the lower latitudes. While Greenland temperature
remains mostly stable from 17.5 to 14.7 ka, significant change in the midlatitudes of the northern Atlantic takes place at ∼16.2 ka, associated
with warmer and wetter conditions of Greenland moisture sources. We show that
this climate modification is coincident with abrupt changes in atmospheric
CO2 and CH4 concentrations recorded in an Antarctic ice
core. Our coherent ice core chronological framework and comparison with other
paleoclimate records suggests a mechanism involving two-step freshwater
fluxes in the North Atlantic associated with a southward shift of the
Intertropical Convergence Zone.
The Air-temperature Response to Green/blue-infrastructure
Evaluation Tool (TARGET v1.0): an efficient and user-friendly
model of city cooling
Authors: Broadbent Ashley M. , Coutts Andrew M. , Nice Kerry A. , Demuzere Matthias , Krayenhoff E. Scott , Tapper Nigel J. , Wouters Hendrik
Published: October 2018

Abstract. The adverse impacts of urban heat and global climate change are leading policy-makers to consider green and blue infrastructure (GBI) for heat mitigation benefits. Though many models exist to evaluate the cooling impacts of GBI, their complexity and computational demand leaves most of them largely inaccessible to those without specialist expertise and computing facilities. Here a new model called The Air-temperature Response to Green/blue-infrastructure Evaluation Tool (TARGET) is presented. TARGET is designed to be efficient and easy to use, with fewer user-defined parameters and less model input data required than other urban climate models. TARGET can be used to model street level air temperature at fine spatial scales (e.g. 30 m), meaning it can be used at the street, precinct, or city scales. The model aims to balance realistic representation of physical processes and computation efficiency. An evaluation against two different datasets shows that TARGET can reproduce the magnitude and patterns of both air temperature and surface temperature within suburban environments. To demonstrate the utility of the model for planners and policy-makers, the results from two precinct-scale heat mitigation scenarios are presented. TARGET will be made available to the public and ongoing development, including a graphical user interface, is planned for future work.
Spatial Relationship between Precipitation and Runoff in Africa
Authors: Karamage Fidele , Liu Yuanbo , Fan Xingwang , Francis Justine Meta , Wu Guiping , Liu Yongwei , Zhou Han , Wang Ruonan
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Lack of sufficient and reliable hydrological information is a key hindrance to water resource planning and management in Africa. Hence, the objective of this research is to examine the relationship between precipitation and runoff at three spatial scales, including the whole continent, 25 major basins and 55 countries. For this purpose, the long-term monthly runoff coefficient (Rc) was estimated using the long-term monthly runoff data (R) calculated from the Global Runoff Data Centre (GRDC) streamflow records and Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) precipitation datasets for the period of time spanning from 1901 to 2017. Subsequently, the observed Rc data were interpolated in order to estimate Rc over the ungauged basins under guidance of key runoff controlling factors, including the land-surface temperature (T), precipitation (P) and potential runoff coefficient (Co) inferred from the land use and land cover, slope and soil texture information. The results show that 16 % of the annual mean precipitation (672.52 mm) becomes runoff (105.72 mm), with a runoff coefficient of 0.16, and the remaining 84 % (566.80 mm) evapotranspirates over the continent during 1901–2017. Spatial analysis reveals that the precipitation–runoff relationship varies significantly among different basins and countries, mainly dependent on climatic conditions and its inter-annual variability. Generally, high runoff depths and runoff coefficients are observed over humid tropical basins and countries with high precipitation intensity compared to those located in subtropical and temperate drylands.
Implementation of salt-induced freezing point depression function into CoupModel_v5 for improvement of modelling seasonally frozen soils
Authors: Wu Mousong , Jansson Per-Erik , Wu Jingwei , Tan Xiao , Wang Kang , Chen Peng , Huang Jiesheng
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Soil freezing/thawing is important for soil hydrology and water management in cold regions. Salt in agricultural field impacts soil freezing/thawing characteristics and therefore soil hydrologic process. In this context, we conducted field experiments on soil water, heat and salt dynamics in two seasonally frozen agricultural regions of northern China to understand influences of salt on cold regions hydrology. We developed CoupModel by implementing impacts of salt on freezing point depression. We employed a Monte-Carlo sampling method to calibrate the new model with field observations. The new model improved soil temperature mean error (ME) by 16 % to 77 % when new freezing point equations were implemented into CoupModel. Nevertheless, we found that parameters related to energy balance and soil freezing characteristics in the new model were sensitive to soil heat and water transport at both sites. However, a systematic model sensitivity and calibration has shown to be able to improve model performance, with mean values of R2 from behavioral simulations for soil temperature at 5 cm depth as high as 0.87 and 0.90, and mean value of R2 for simulated soil water (liquid or total water contents at 5 cm depth) of 0.31 and 0.80 at site Qianguo and site Yonglian, respectively. This study provided a new approach considering influences of salt on soil freezing/thawing in numerical models and highlighted the importance of salt in soil hydrology of seasonally frozen agricultural soils.
Editorial
Authors: Idiáquez López Alicia María
Published: October 2018

Editorial
Correlación de factores subjetivos y objetivos incidentes en el rendimiento académico de la carrera de Banca y Finanzas
Authors: Guido Chávez José Daniel
Published: October 2018

Con el propósito de correlacionar los factores subjetivos y objetivos que inciden en el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes en la carrera Banca y Finanzas, de la Facultad Regional Multidisciplinaria de Carazo (FAREM-Carazo) de la UNAN–Managua, en el período 2011-2015, se presenta un estudio de tipo observacional, correlacional y analítico, que tradicionalmente es analizado solamente como un estudio de tipo descriptivo. Mediante la aplicación de las pruebas estadísticas no paramétricas V de Cramer, Tau–C de Kendall y Phi se facilita la evolución del estudio, considerando factor primordial, la naturaleza de las variables para poseer una estructura estadística bien definida; además tener premisas claras para construir la correlación o asociación entre las variables, estas premisas deben ser redactadas en forma de hipótesis, las cuales guían el propósito del estudio.
Los esquemas de aprendizaje: Kant y Piaget. Introducción filosófica-psicológica
Authors: Escobar Soriano Álvaro
Published: October 2018

Las deficiencias en la estructuración, desarrollo y funcionamiento de los esquemas mentales afectan la cotidianidad de los agentes sociales. La principal consecuencia de estas fallas se reflejan en problemas de aprendizaje (en el sentido amplio), desde problemas meramente técnicos hasta errores en el pensamiento lógico-matemático, en el pensamiento crítico-social y en las habilidades naturales y artificiales del lenguaje: expresión oral, expresión escrita, comprensión lectora y gramática).Estudiar los esquemas de aprendizaje humano trae a la luz que el hombre y la realidad son dinámicos y complejos, por tanto, se puede plantear que, la acción y el aprendizaje humano se construyen a partir de un tejido polisimbiótico-social individual o colectivo que se manifiesta en el discurso y permite explicitar los esquemas de aprendizaje estructurados a partir de cuatro subesquemas de acción: conceptual-factual, lingüístico, sociocultural y técnico-procedimental, que funcionan al unísono, aunque en diferente orden cuando entran en contacto con las situaciones de aprendizaje práctica o teóricas.El origen actual de la teoría de esquemas nace con Kant, quién, en su sistema conceptual, desarrolla una visión teórica sobre estos. Así, parte de la necesidad de comprender de qué manera es posible que un objeto sea conceptualizado por la mente y crea el concepto de esquema trascendental como categoría que hace posible la representación no empírica, pero sí intelectual y sensible de los objetos en los conceptos. Este término, doblemente homogéneo, lleva implícito la categoría tiempo, las relaciones entre las representaciones y las representaciones, a decir, es un microsistema que permite la categorización de los fenómenos como conceptos objetos de conocimiento. El método que sigue el entendimiento respecto a este esquema, lo llama esquematismo del entendimiento puro.Con base en las ideas de Kant y los aportes de un especialista francés, Piaget, coloca el concepto esquema como término central y evolutivo, que permite describir la acción del sujeto durante una situación específica de aprendizaje, por tanto, para explicar el funcionamiento cognitivo del sujeto. Por ello, se puede observar, a lo largo de la obra piagetiana, dos tesis fundamentales para explicar la interacción sujeto-objeto, quien utiliza el concepto esquema relacionado directamente con la acción, lo cual le permitió explicitarlo.
Analysis of the commercial value of rabbit meat based on positioning of the different types of fresh meat
Authors: Montero-Vicente Luis , Escribá-Pérez Carmen , Baviera-Puig Amparo , Buitrago-Vera Juan
Published: October 2018

In-depth knowledge of consumers' perceptions of value is considered a critical success factor in today’s competitive market. There is very little information about the perception that consumers have of rabbit meat compared to other types of meat (mainly beef and pork). To identify the consumer perception of rabbit meat in Spain, two marketing tools were used: positioning and image analysis. To this end, a survey was carried out in Spain mainland with an error of 3.53% and a confidence level of 95.5%. According to the positioning analysis, rabbit meat competed with turkey for the "low fat" and "healthy" attributes. Rabbit meat had in its favour that it was considered more “economical” than turkey. Commercially, rabbit meat did not compete with any other fresh meat and it was not associated with any other adjective. The image that consumers had of rabbit meat was that it is a clean, healthy and easy to find meat. Two clearly distinguished groups were also found: consumers who rated rabbit meat more positively and consumers that did so less positively. These two groups were defined by the variables “educational level”, “rabbit meat consumption by children under 18 residing in the home”, “geographical area” and “habitual residence”. For the variables “gender”, “age”, “number of people in the home” and “presence of children younger than 18 years in the home”, there were no significant differences. These results are very useful for the different value chain stakeholders, who can set different marketing strategies to improve rabbit meat consumption.
Leveraging Highly Relational Service Performance Through The Participation of Empowered Customer
Authors: Boaventura Patricia Silva Monteiro , Brito Eliane Pereira Zamith
Published: October 2018

Objective: As highly relational services are so heavily dependent on customer participation, it is relevant to understand how organizations can turn mandatory participation into more productive interaction; and how customer empowerment can be used as a mechanism to enhance participation and subsequently affect service evaluations and behavioral intentions. Method:Conceptual article analyzing the literature on customer participation and empowerment and presenting a framework that explores the effects of these constructs on service evaluations and behavioral intentions. Main Result: Service providers that offer opportunities to customers to move from the audience to the stage turn customers into competent partners, empowered-to-act, who can impact processes and outcomes. Under these conditions, the company together with the customer co-create personalized experiences, and the company can achieve a competitive advantage. Contributions:The distinction between different empowerment mechanisms and their effects on how participation develops in highly relational services contributes to the literature on service marketing, which may consider distinctive effects in models explaining service performance. The article discusses that customer empowerment impact on participation follows an inverted-U curve shape. Relevance/Originality:The empowerment-to-act mechanism described may contribute to a reduction in value co-destruction risk, as customers will be more prepared to assume their roles. Social and Managerial Implications: Organizations can clarify the effects of chosen strategies to promote customer empowerment; and public policies can also benefit from a more comprehensive understanding of mechanisms influencing customers behavioral intentions toward institutions, as customers who are more capable of taking decisions are less vulnerable.
Satisfação, Confiança e Familiaridade no Varejo Online e o Papel Moderador da Experiência
Authors: Veludo-de-Oliveira Tania Modesto , Huertas Melby Karina Zuniga
Published: October 2018

Objetivo do estudo: O objetivo desta pesquisa analisar as relaes entre satisfao, confiana e familiaridade no contexto do varejo online, analisando-se o efeito moderador da experincia.Metodologia/abordagem: Realizou-se um levantamento de dados por seo cruzada nica com 190 usurios brasileiros de comrcio eletrnico. Para testar as hipteses formuladas foram analisados quatro modelos de regresso.Principais resultados: As evidncias empricas confirmam o efeito moderador da experincia na relao satisfao-confiana. Quanto melhor a experincia do consumidor, o efeito da satisfao na confiana mais forte.Contribuies tericas/metodolgicas: Confirmao da experincia como varivel moderadora da relao satisfao-confiana. Confirmao da relao satisfao-confiana, esclarecendo a inter-relao entre esses construtos. Especulaes sobre o efeito da familiaridade na qualidade percebida do website e suas potenciais implicaes.Relevncia/originalidade: Este estudo discute os construtos satisfao, experincia, confiana e familiaridade no contexto especfico do ambiente de compra online do varejista e no do comrcio eletrnico em geral. O foco na satisfao cumulativa, que considera o resultado do desempenho da empresa ao longo do tempo.Implicaes para a gesto ou sociais: As implicaes gerenciais apontam para a necessidade maior nfase em aes que aprimorem a experincia do usurio com o website, como rapidez de carregamento, respostas imediatas, facilidade para encontrar informaes e um bom design podem influenciar a experincia do indivduo no website, aumentando as suas satisfao e confiana.
The evaluation of the postoperative course in patients operated due to abdominal aortic aneurysm as urgent or elective procedure
Authors: Rucińska Zuzanna , Juzwiszyn Jan , Bolanowska Zofia , Malinowski Maciej , Pormańczuk Kornel , Chabowski Mariusz , Janczak Dariusz
Published: October 2018

Introduction. The patients with the aortic abdominal aneurysm of 55mm in diameter are qualified for surgery. There is open repair (OR) by means of the vascular prosthesis implantation or the less invasive endovascular method by means of the stent graft implantation through femoral arteries incision (EndovascularAorticRepair - EVAR).
The aim of the study was the evaluation of the postoperative course in patients operated due to the aortic abdominal aneurysm and the evaluation of the impact of the surgical method on the short-time results.
Material and methods. 124 patients operated due to the abdominal aortic aneurysm in Dept of Surgery of 4th Military Hospital in Wroclaw in 2014 were enrolled into the study: 53 patients with OR, 53 patients with EVAR, and 19 patients with a ruptured aneurysm.
Results. Mortality was 0% in EVAR and 6% in OR and 39% in a ruptured aneurysm. Time of hospital stay was 5.8 days in EVAR vs 10 days in OR. The stay in ICU was 0% in EVAR vs 13% in OR. Blood transfusion was 9.4% in EVAR vs 66% in OR. Time of postoperative analgesia was 27 h in EVAR vs 76.8 h in OR. Cardio-respiratory decompensation was 1.9% in EVAR vs 7.6% in OR. Renal insufficiency was 2% in EVAR vs 9% in OR. The lower rate of organ complications was in EVAR. The ruptured aneurysm presented the most complicated postoperative course: hospital stay of 11.4 days, ICU stay of 78%, blood transfusion of 100%, painkillers of 136 hours, cardio-respiratory decompensation of 81% and renal insufficiency of 69%.
Conclusions. The method of treatment, the conditions of the admission and the type of surgery influenced the postoperative course. The elective EVAR patients presented both the 0% of mortality and the lightest postoperative course. The ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms operated as an emergency had the most complicated postoperative course.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Reflectance Confocal Microscopy for Diagnosis of Skin Lesions: An Update
Authors: Rao Babar K. , John Ann M , Francisco Gina , Haroon Attiya
Published: October 2018

Context.—

Histopathology is the current standard to diagnose skin disease. However, biopsy may not always be feasible, such as in patients with multiple nevi, a patient with a lesion on an aesthetically significant site, or in children. Recently, noninvasive techniques, including reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), optical coherence tomography, and Raman spectroscopy, have enabled dermatologists to manage skin lesions in real time without the need for biopsy.

Objective.—

To report the updated diagnostic accuracy of RCM for equivocal skin lesions.

Design.—

In this study, we retrospectively reviewed our data of clinically suspicious lesions from 2010 to 2017 that were evaluated by RCM.

Results.—

Our results showed an overall sensitivity of 98.2% and specificity of 99.8%.

Conclusions.—

In conclusion, RCM is a noninvasive real-time tool with the potential to diagnose skin lesions with high accuracy and without biopsy.
Evaluating social network extraction for classic and modern fiction literature
Authors: Dekker Niels , Kuhn Tobias , van Erp Marieke
Published: October 2018

The analysis of literary works has experienced a surge in computer-assisted processing. To obtain insights into the community structures and social interactions portrayed in novels the creation of social networks from novels has gained popularity. Many methods rely on identifying named entities and relations for the construction of these networks, but many of these tools are not specifically created for the literary domain. Furthermore, many of the studies on information extraction from literature typically focus on 19th century source material. Because of this, it is unclear if these techniques are as suitable to modern-day science fiction and fantasy literature as they are to those 19th century classics. We present a study to compare classic literature to modern literature in terms of performance of natural language processing tools for the automatic extraction of social networks as well as their network structure. We find that there are no significant differences between the two sets of novels but that both are subject to a high amount of variance. Furthermore, we identify several issues that complicate named entity recognition in modern novels and we present methods to remedy these.
Genetic characterization of Cycas panzhihuaensis (Cycadaceae): crisis lurks behind a seemingly bright prospect
Authors: Xiao Siyue , Ji Yunheng , Liu Jian , Gong Xun
Published: October 2018

Background

Cycas panzhihuaensis L. Zhou & S. Y. Yang (Cycadaceae) is an endangered gymnosperm species endemic in the dry-hot valley of Jinsha River basin from southwest China. Although the wild C. panzhihuaensis population from Panzhihua Cycad Natural Reserve is well protected, other known populations that fall outside the natural reserve may preserve specific genetic resources while face with larger extinction risk because of lacking essential monitoring.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity, phylogeographical structure and demographic history of C. panzhihuaensis from seven known locations so far by sequencing three chloroplastic DNA regions (psbA-trnH, psbM-trnD, and trnS-trnG), four single-copy nuclear genes (PHYP, AC5, HSP70, and AAT) from 61 individuals, and eleven microsatellite loci (SSR) from 102 individuals.

Results and Discussion

We found relative high genetic diversity within populations and high genetic differentiation among the populations of C. panzhihuaensis, which is similar with the other Asian inland cycads. Despite no significant phylogeographical structure was detected, small and unprotected populations possess higher genetic diversity and more unique haplotypes, which deserve due attention. Results of demographic dynamics suggest that human activity is the key factor that leads C. panzhihuaensis to endangered status. Basing on the genetic characterization of C. panzhihuaensis, we proposed several practical guidelines for the conservation of this species, especially for its small populations.
BRCT domains of the DNA damage checkpoint proteins TOPBP1/Rad4 display distinct specificities for phosphopeptide ligands
Authors: Day Matthew , Rappas Mathieu , Ptasinska Katie , Boos Dominik , Oliver Antony W , Pearl Laurence H
Published: October 2018

TOPBP1 and its fission yeast homologue Rad4, are critical players in a range of DNA replication, repair and damage signalling processes. They are composed of multiple BRCT domains, some of which bind phosphorylated motifs in other proteins. They thus act as multi-point adaptors bringing proteins together into functional combinations, dependent on post-translational modifications downstream of cell cycle and DNA damage signals. We have now structurally and/or biochemically characterised a sufficient number of high-affinity complexes for the conserved N-terminal region of TOPBP1 and Rad4 with diverse phospho-ligands, including human RAD9 and Treslin, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe Crb2 and Sld3, to define the determinants of BRCT domain specificity. We use this to identify and characterise previously unknown phosphorylation-dependent TOPBP1/Rad4-binding motifs in human RHNO1 and the fission yeast homologue of MDC1, Mdb1. These results provide important insights into how multiple BRCT domains within TOPBP1/Rad4 achieve selective and combinatorial binding of their multiple partner proteins.

Editorial note: This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed (see decision letter).
The allosteric activation of cGAS underpins its dynamic signaling landscape
Authors: Hooy Richard M , Sohn Jungsan
Published: October 2018

Cyclic G/AMP synthase (cGAS) initiates type-1 interferon responses against cytosolic double-stranded (ds)DNA, which range from antiviral gene expression to apoptosis. The mechanism by which cGAS shapes this diverse signaling landscape remains poorly defined. We find that substrate-binding and dsDNA length-dependent binding are coupled to the intrinsic dimerization equilibrium of cGAS, with its N-terminal domain potentiating dimerization. Notably, increasing the dimeric fraction by raising cGAS and substrate concentrations diminishes duplex length-dependent activation, but does not negate the requirement for dsDNA. These results demonstrate that reaction context dictates the duplex length dependence, reconciling competing claims on the role of dsDNA length in cGAS activation. Overall, our study reveals how ligand-mediated allostery positions cGAS in standby, ready to tune its signaling pathway in a switch-like fashion.
Extra-Legal Legality: Orientalism and Biopolitics in a State of Exception
Authors: Obaretin Igbinedion
Published: October 2018

With recourse to the poetry of Guantanamo’s detainees, this article describes the extra-legal legality that typifies the conception and activities of post-9/11 terror-suspect prison camps. It argues that the state of exception, which has become integral in the war on terror, is not a product of necessity, but a reflection of the interplay between biopolitics, biopower, and Orientalism in the post-9/11 era. By considering the ways in which Guantanamo detainees employ poetry to plead their innocence and exhibit their suffering body as political subjects and objects, this article pays careful attention to the aesthetics of Guantanamo poetry and how it reveals the poets’ individual humanity against the fabric of the brutality and illegality packaged ironically as the ‘war on terror’.
Taocriticism in an Essay on Man
Authors: Feng Liqun
Published: October 2018

Taoism, as a distinct type of philosophy, radically differs from many other philosophies in China, such as Confucianism and Mohism, by taking a much broader, much greater and more transcendental view of the world. Many similar notions of Tao have been found in the “An Essay on Man” in four epistles penned by Alexander Pope. Therefore, a challenging and daring approach to employ Taoist perspectives to interpret An Essay on Man penned would shed light upon new ways of undertaking literary criticism, namely, using non-western philosophical outlooks to re-read western literary works. The Taoist ideas used herein include oneness, small knowledge, instrumental mentality, and yin-yang. The method of using Taoism to read literary texts is dubbed Taocriticism.
The Manifestation of Slave Trauma in Lyrics: A Reading of Select Slave Songs
Authors: Annamma Mathew Mala
Published: October 2018

This research paper looks into the effect of slavery, as a traumatic communal experience, on music and lyrics. It focuses on the development of narratives out of the collective memory of trauma in the African-American community; which in turn worked first as a tool for freedom and evolved to function as cure and testimony. It addresses the issue of trauma being imbibed into a collective consciousness of a culture and its reflection in the narratives. The research paper looks at narratives used as escape slave codes and deconstructs them. While the primary text used to understand cultural trauma is the lyrics to the song “Strange Fruit” sung by Billie Holiday and written by Abel Meeropol. Trauma theories by Cathy Caruth, Jeffrey C. Alexander and Toni Morrison are used to understand how trauma is manifested in lyrics. The research paper will also look into the account of Billie Holiday to understand the development of Strange Fruit as an anthem and how she performed the song for racially integrated audiences when she felt that the song would receive its due.
The CCB-ID approach to tree species mapping with airborne imaging spectroscopy
Authors: Anderson Christopher B.
Published: October 2018

Background

Biogeographers assess how species distributions and abundances affect the structure, function, and composition of ecosystems. Yet we face a major challenge: it is difficult to precisely map species across landscapes. Novel Earth observations could overcome this challenge for vegetation mapping. Airborne imaging spectrometers measure plant functional traits at high resolution, and these measurements can be used to identify tree species. In this paper, I describe a trait-based approach to species identification with imaging spectroscopy, the Center for Conservation Biology species identification (CCB-ID) method, which was developed as part of an ecological data science evaluation competition.

Methods

These methods were developed using airborne imaging spectroscopy data from the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON). CCB-ID classified tree species using trait-based reflectance variation and decision tree-based machine learning models, approximating a morphological trait and dichotomous key method inspired by botanical classification. First, outliers were removed using a spectral variance threshold. The remaining samples were transformed using principal components analysis (PCA) and resampled to reduce common species biases. Gradient boosting and random forest classifiers were trained using the transformed and resampled feature data. Prediction probabilities were calibrated using sigmoid regression, and sample-scale predictions were averaged to the crown scale.

Results

CCB-ID received a rank-1 accuracy score of 0.919, and a cross-entropy cost score of 0.447 on the competition test data. Accuracy and specificity scores were high for all species, but precision and recall scores varied for rare species. PCA transformation improved accuracy scores compared to models trained using reflectance data, but outlier removal and data resampling exacerbated class imbalance problems.

Discussion

CCB-ID accurately classified tree species using NEON data, reporting the best scores among participants. However, it failed to overcome several species mapping challenges like precisely identifying rare species. Key takeaways include (1) selecting models using metrics beyond accuracy (e.g., recall) could improve rare species predictions, (2) within-genus trait variation may drive spectral separability, precluding efforts to distinguish between functionally convergent species, (3) outlier removal and data resampling can exacerbate class imbalance problems, and should be carefully implemented, (4) PCA transformation greatly improved model results, and (5) targeted feature selection could further improve species classification models. CCB-ID is open source, designed for use with NEON data, and available to support species mapping efforts.
Young, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and born in the USA: at excess risk of starting extra-medical prescription pain reliever use?
Authors: Parker Maria A. , Lopez-Quintero Catalina , Anthony James C.
Published: October 2018

Background

Prescription pain reliever (PPR) overdoses differentially affect ‘American Indian/Alaskan Natives’ in the United States (US). Here, studying onset of extra-medical PPR use in 12-24-year-olds, we examine subgroup variations in rates of starting to use prescription pain relievers extra-medically (i.e., to get ‘high’ or for other reasons outside boundaries of prescriber’s intent). Risk differences (RD) are estimated for US-born versus non-US-born young people, stratified by American Indian/Alaskan Natives versus other ethnic self-identities.

Methods

Between 2002–2009, nationally representative cross-sectional samples of 12–24-year-old non-institutionalized civilians completed interviews for the US National Surveys of Drug Use and Health. Analysis-weighted annual incidence estimates, RD, and confidence intervals (CI) are from the Restricted-use Data Analysis System, an online software tool for US National Surveys of Drug Use and Health.

Results

Each year, an estimated 2.5% of 12-24-year-olds in the US start using PPR extra-medically (95% CI [2.1%–3.0%]). Estimates for the US-born (3.8%; 95% CI [3.7%–3.9%]) are larger (non-US-born: 1.8%; 95% CI [1.5%–2.0%]; RD = 2.0; p < 0.05). US-born American Indian/Alaskan Natives youths have the largest incidence rate (4.8%). Robust RD for US-born can be seen for ‘non-Hispanic White’ subgroups, and for others (e.g., ‘Cuban’, ‘Dominican’).

Discussion

Each year, one in 20 of US-born American Indian/Alaskan Natives starts using PPR extra-medically. Overdose prevention is important, but is no substitute for primary prevention initiatives for all young people. The observed epidemiological patterns can guide targeted prevention initiatives for the identified higher risk subgroups in complement with more universal prevention efforts intended to reduce incidence of first extra-medical PPR use, a crucial rate-limiting step on the path toward more serious drug involvement (i.e., progressing past initial use).
One Dimensional Site Response Analysis of Liquefaction Potential along Coastal Area of Bengkulu City, Indonesia
Authors: Mase Lindung Zalbuin
Published: October 2018

This paper presents one dimensional non-linear site response analysis of liquefaction potential caused by the 2000 and the 2007 earthquakes in coastal area of Bengkulu City, Bengkulu, Indonesia. Site investigations, including Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and shear wave velocity (VS) measurement, were conducted in three locations along the coastal area of Bengkulu City. Further, the site investigation data were used in simulation of one-dimensional non-linear site response analysis by applying the synthetic ground motions at bedrock. The results show that liquefaction could happen at 0 to 1.5 m deep. This was indicated by the excess pore water pressure ratio (ru) which exceeded one. At depth between 1.5 m and 20 m, the excess pore water pressure almost reached the initial effective stress decreasing the effective confinement pressure close to zero. The results also indicated that liquefaction is possible to occur in this depth range if a stronger earthquake occurs.
Considering the Effect of Motorcyclist Risk Tolerance in Accident Risk Management: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Malkhamah Siti , Suparma Latif Budi , Da Costa Don Gaspar Noesaku
Published: October 2018

Negative perceptions about accident are usually associated with speeding behavior. However, risk perception has not been considered in accident risk management. It is accepted as a personality matter, thus the number of accidents per year was used as accident risk tolerance indicator. Consequently, due to insufficient measurable indicators, it would be difficult to prevent the increasing speeding behavior. This paper discusses the improvement of accident risk tolerance indicators, i.e. safety factor and margin of safety, and their possible usage in speed management policies. These indicators were built based on the correlation between the results of interview and braking maneuver test. From this combine approach, using aggregated-individual and expert acceptance models, it was found that risk tolerance arose because motorcyclists accepted both the advantages and disadvantages gained from speeding, obtained through their riding frequency, duration of riding and/or accident involvement experienced. However, inappropriate speed due to miss-perception toward braking capability should be avoided. Inversely, an appropriate speed management should consider their travelling expectation
Safety and Immunogenicity of Rituximab Biosimilar GP2013 After Switch From Reference Rituximab in Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Tony Hans‐Peter , Krüger Klaus , Cohen Stanley B. , Schulze‐Koops Hendrik , Kivitz Alan J. , Jeka Sławomir , Vereckei Edit , Cen Liyi , Kring Laura , Kollins Dmitrij
Published: October 2018

Objective

Comparable clinical efficacy of the rituximab (RTX) biosimilar GP2013 and reference RTX has been established in blinded randomized trials. However, when switching from a reference biologic to a biosimilar, potential safety implications are often an important consideration. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of switching from reference RTX to RTX biosimilar GP2013 compared with treatment continuation with reference RTX in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

In this multinational, randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group safety study, 107 patients with RA who had previously received treatment (of any duration) with reference RTX as part of routine practice and who required continuation of treatment were randomized to receive either GP2013 or to continue treatment with reference RTX. All patients received a stable dosage of methotrexate and folic acid during the study. Study assessments included the incidence of hypersensitivity, infusion‐related and anaphylactic reactions, immunogenicity (antidrug antibodies), and general safety.

Results

Regardless of whether patients switched to GP2013 or continued treatment with reference RTX, the incidences of hypersensitivity (9.4% and 11.1%, respectively) and infusion‐related reactions (11.3% and 18.5%, respectively) were similarly low. Only 1 patient (in the reference RTX group) developed antidrug antibodies to RTX after starting study treatment. No neutralizing antidrug antibodies were observed. Antidrug antibodies were not associated with adverse events (AEs). No clinically meaningful differences in the rate of AEs were observed between treatment groups.

Conclusion

No safety risks were detected when patients switched from reference RTX to GP2013. The safety profiles of patients in both treatment groups were similar, although the study was not powered for statistical testing of equivalence in safety.
Relationship Between Esophageal Abnormalities on Fluoroscopic Esophagram and Pulmonary Function Testing in Juvenile Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Ambartsumyan Lusine , Zheng Hengqi B. , Iyer Ramesh S. , Soares Jennifer , Henstorf Gretchen , Stevens Anne M.
Published: October 2018

Objective

Juvenile systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disabling autoimmune condition that affects multiple organs in addition to skin, notably the gastrointestinal and pulmonary systems. The relationship between esophageal abnormalities and pulmonary disease in juvenile SSc is not well understood. We describe associations between radiologic esophageal abnormalities and pulmonary function.

Methods

Clinical and radiographic data of children ages >18 years who fulfilled the 2007 Pediatric Rheumatology Provisional Classification Criteria for juvenile SSc between 1994 and 2016 were reviewed. Fluoroscopic upper gastrointestinal (UGI) studies, high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) within 12 months of presentation to Seattle Children's Hospital were extracted.

Results

Twenty‐one children with juvenile SSc (67% female, ages 8–17 years) were studied. Esophageal abnormalities, defined as abnormal esophageal peristalsis and/or bolus clearance, were found in 12 patients. Abnormal esophagus on UGI tests was not associated with gastrointestinal or pulmonary symptoms, disease duration, use of medications (proton pump inhibitor or immunosuppressant), or specific autoantibodies. Compared with patients with a normal esophagus on UGI tests, children with an abnormal esophagus had decreased PFTs: mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second 96% versus 78% (P = 0.03), forced vital capacity 94% versus 76% (P = 0.02), and vital capacity 95% versus 76% (P = 0.02). Children with an abnormal esophagus on UGI tests had a larger mean esophageal diameter on HRCT (14.6 mm compared to 8.5 mm; P < 0.01).

Conclusion

There was an association between esophageal and pulmonary disease in children with juvenile SSc. Esophageal findings on UGI tests or HRCT, despite lack of symptoms, should raise concern for esophageal dysfunction and prompt heightened surveillance for concurrent lung disease.
Effect of Physical State on Pain Mediated Through Emotional Health in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Nakagami Yukako , Sugihara Genichi , Takei Nori , Fujii Takao , Hashimoto Motomu , Murakami Kosaku , Furu Moritoshi , Ito Hiromu , Uda Miyabi , Torii Mie , Nin Kazuko , Murai Toshiya , Mimori Tsuneyo
Published: October 2018

Objective

Pain is one of the main symptoms of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Pain in RA is caused by specific physical changes, such as joint destruction, and is therefore used as a disease activity marker. Although pain can also be influenced by emotional factors, neither the effect of emotional health nor the indirect effect of the physical state mediated by emotional health on pain has been quantified.

Methods

A total of 548 patients with RA participated. Emotional health was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Measures routinely used in practice were used to evaluate the physical state and pain. To quantify the effects of the physical state on emotional health, and the effects of both physical and emotional health on pain, we used structural equation modeling, with emotional health, physical state, and pain as latent variables.

Results

The prevalence of anxiety and depression (HADS score ≥8 for each) among patients with RA was 18.7% and 29.4%, respectively. Emotional health was significantly influenced by the physical state (β = 0.21). Pain was affected by physical (β = 0.54) and emotional health (β = 0.29). The effect of the physical state on pain was mediated by emotional health, with this mediation effect (β = 0.06) accounting for 10.2% of the total effect.

Conclusion

The magnitude of pain in RA is determined by the mediation effect of emotional health as well as the direct physical state. Our findings suggest that emotional factors should be taken into account when assessing RA disease activity.
Long‐Term Safety of Rituximab in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results of a Five‐Year Observational Study
Authors: Winthrop Kevin L. , Saag Kenneth , Cascino Matthew D. , Pei Jinglan , John Ani , Jahreis Angelika , Haselkorn Tmirah , Furst Daniel E.
Published: October 2018

Objective

To evaluate the long‐term safety of rituximab in an observational cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who had an inadequate response to ≥1 anti–tumor necrosis factor therapy in the US (SUNSTONE [Study of the Safety of Rituxan in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis After an Inadequate Response to Previous Anti‐TNF Therapy] registry).

Methods

In this prospective, observational cohort study, patients received rituximab according to their physician's standard practice and were evaluated at standard‐of‐care follow‐up visits at least every 6 months. The primary outcome was the incidence of protocol‐defined significant infections. Secondary outcomes included serious adverse events potentially associated with rituximab, cardiovascular or thrombotic events, seizures, deaths, and pregnancies. Post hoc analyses assessed outcomes by concomitant medication use.

Results

Overall, 989 patients (safety‐evaluable population) received ≥1 dose of rituximab, with a total follow‐up of 3,844 patient‐years (mean duration 3.9 years). In total, 341 significant infections occurred in 197 patients (19.9%). The incidence rates (95% confidence intervals [95% CIs]) for significant infections, cardiovascular or thrombotic events, and seizures were 8.87 (95% CI 7.98–9.86), 1.95 (95% CI 1.56–2.45), and 0.18 (95% CI 0.09–0.38) per 100 patient‐years, respectively. The incidence of significant infections did not increase with time or with cumulative rituximab exposure. During the study, 64 patients died (crude mortality rate 1.66 per 100 patient‐years [95% CI 1.30–2.13]). The most common causes of death were infections (n = 19), malignancy (n = 14), and cardiovascular events (n = 13). Eight pregnancies were reported in 7 patients.

Conclusion

In patients with RA treated with rituximab for up to 5 years, the rates of significant infections were stable over time and higher in patients who received long‐term systemic steroid treatment.
Ultrasonic Spray Coating as a Fast Alternative Technique for the Deposition of Hybrid Magnetic‐Plasmonic Nanocomposites
Authors: Stryckers Jeroen , Swusten Tom , Brullot Ward , D'Haen Jan , Verbiest Thierry , Deferme Wim
Published: October 2018

Advanced applications in optics, for example, Faraday isolators, demand for complex magneto‐plasmonic nanostructures which exhibit large Faraday rotation. These structures is fabricated by a Layer‐by‐Layer approach, albeit this being a slow technique. Here, the ultrasonic spray coating as a promising alternative method toward the formation of hybrid magneto‐plasmonic structures is pioneered by the authors. Ultrasonic spray coating is a stable, fast, and tunable mass production method applied in this work to deposit gold and iron oxide nanoparticles. Altering multiple deposition parameters give the spray coating technique a large amount of control over the coverage. Optical and magneto‐optical properties, layer formation and surface coverage of single and hybrid layers with increasing thickness and number of layers are studied and compared to samples synthesized by Layer‐by‐Layer deposition. Ultrasonic spray coating paves the way to the widespread application of innovative and versatile hybrid magnetic‐plasmonic nanocomposites.