bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Southern Ocean Sector Centennial Climate Variability and Recent Decadal Trends
Authors: Latif Mojib , Martin Torge , Park Wonsun
Published: May 2013

Evidence is presented for the notion that some contribution to the recent decadal trends observed in the Southern Hemisphere, including the lack of a strong Southern Ocean surface warming, may have originated from longer-term internal centennial variability originating in the Southern Ocean. The existence of such centennial variability is supported by the instrumental sea surface temperatures (SSTs), a multimillennial reconstruction of Tasmanian summer temperatures from tree rings, and a millennial control integration of the Kiel Climate Model (KCM). The model variability was previously shown to be linked to changes in Weddell Sea deep convection. During phases of deep convection the surface Southern Ocean warms, the abyssal Southern Ocean cools, Antarctic sea ice extent retreats, and the low-level atmospheric circulation over the Southern Ocean weakens. After the halt of deep convection the surface Southern Ocean cools, the abyssal Southern Ocean warms, Antarctic sea ice expands, and the low-level atmospheric circulation over the Southern Ocean intensifies, consistent with what has been observed during the recent decades. A strong sensitivity of the time scale to model formulation is noted. In the KCM, the centennial variability is associated with global-average surface air temperature (SAT) changes of the order of a few tenths of a degree per century. The model results thus suggest that internal centennial variability originating in the Southern Ocean should be considered in addition to other internal variability and external forcing when discussing the climate of the twentieth century and projecting that of the twenty-first century.
Gridded Hourly Precipitation Analysis from High-Density Rain Gauge Network over the Yangtze–Huai Rivers Basin during the 2007 Mei-Yu Season and Comparison with CMORPH
Authors: Luo Yali , Qian Weimiao , Zhang Renhe , Zhang Da-Lin
Published: May 2013

Heavy rainfall hit the Yangtze–Huai Rivers basin (YHRB) of east China several times during the prolonged 2007 mei-yu season, causing the worst flood since 1954. There has been an urgent need for attaining and processing high-quality, kilometer-scale, hourly rainfall data in order to understand the mei-yu precipitation processes, especially at the mesoβ and smaller scales. In this paper, the authors describe the construction of the 0.07°-resolution gridded hourly rainfall analysis over the YHRB region during the 2007 mei-yu season that is based on surface reports at 555 national and 6572 regional automated weather stations with an average resolution of about 7 km. The gridded hourly analysis is obtained using a modified Cressman-type objective analysis after applying strict quality control, including not only the commonly used internal temporal and spatial consistency and extreme value checks, but also verifications against mosaic radar reflectivity data. This analysis reveals many convectively generated finescale precipitation structures that could not be seen from the national station reports. A comprehensive quantitative assessment ensures the quality of the gridded hourly precipitation data. A comparison of this dataset with the U.S. Climate Prediction Center morphing technique (CMORPH) dataset on the same resolution suggests the dependence of the latter's performance on different rainfall intensity categories, with substantial underestimation of the magnitude and width of the mei-yu rainband as well as the nocturnal and morning peak rainfall amounts, due mainly to its underestimating the occurrences of heavy rainfall (i.e., >10 mm h−1).
A Conjunctive Surface–Subsurface Flow Representation for Mesoscale Land Surface Models
Authors: Choi Hyun Il , Liang Xin-Zhong , Kumar Praveen
Published: May 2013

Most current land surface models used in regional weather and climate studies capture soil-moisture transport in only the vertical direction and are therefore unable to capture the spatial variability of soil moisture and its lateral transport. They also implement simplistic surface runoff estimation from local soil water budget and ignore the role of surface flow depth on the infiltration rate, which may result in significant errors in the terrestrial hydrologic cycle. To address these issues, this study develops and describes a conjunctive surface–subsurface flow (CSSF) model that comprises a 1D diffusion wave model for surface (overland) flow fully interacted with a 3D volume-averaged soil-moisture transport model for subsurface flow. The proposed conjunctive flow model is targeted for mesoscale climate application at relatively large spatial scales and coarse computational grids as compared to the traditional coupled surface–subsurface flow scheme in a typical basin. The CSSF module is substituted for the existing 1D scheme in the common land model (CoLM) and the performance of this hydrologically enhanced version of the CoLM (CoLM+CSSF) is evaluated using a set of offline simulations for catchment-scale basins around the Ohio Valley region. The CoLM+CSSF simulations are explicitly implemented at the same resolution of the 30-km grids as the target regional climate models to avoid downscaling and upscaling exchanges between atmospheric forcings and land responses. The results show that the interaction between surface and subsurface flow significantly improves the stream discharge prediction crucial to the terrestrial water and energy budget.
Subthermocline Eddies in the Western Equatorial Pacific as Shown by an Eddy-Resolving OGCM*
Authors: Chiang Tzu-Ling , Qu Tangdong
Published: May 2013

Sporadic in situ observations have shown evidence that subthermocline eddies exist off the Mindanao coast. These subthermocline eddies are believed to play an important role in the heat, freshwater, and other ocean property transports of the region, but their characteristics and in particular their pathway and source of energy are poorly explored because of the lack of long-term observations. Analysis of results from an eddy-resolving general ocean circulation model has revealed that most subthermocline eddies off the Mindanao coast originate from the equatorial South Pacific Ocean to the west of the Ninigo Group. These eddies propagate northward along the New Guinea coast, cross the equator in the far western Pacific, and reach the Mindanao coast at a typical propagation speed of ~0.12 m s−1. The dominant time scales of these eddies range between 50 and 60 days.
Tropical Cyclone Tracking Using a Neighbor Enclosed Area Tracking Algorithm
Authors: Satake Yuya , Inatsu Masaru , Mori Masato , Hasegawa Akira
Published: May 2013

Tropical cyclone (TC) tracking is essential for calculating TC statistics from gridded datasets. A new method for TC tracking is presented here using neighbor enclosed area tracking (NEAT), which is based on the temporal overlap of enclosed areas above a vorticity threshold and differs from the widely used neighbor point tracking (NPT) method. The parameters of cyclone intensity, vertical-shear, and warm-core criteria were intensively tuned for NEAT and NPT. When these criteria were optimized for the typhoon tracks observed in the western North Pacific based on the Japanese 25-yr Reanalysis Project (JRA-25)/Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) Climate Data Assimilation System (JCDAS) dataset, the NEAT and NPT algorithms captured approximately 85% of typhoons with little qualitative distortion in the spatial distribution and temporal variability of the TC track density. The grid system dependency of the algorithms was tested by applying NEAT and NPT to a high-resolution general circulation model output. The method presented here can also provide realistic statistics on the TC size, the extratropical transition timing, and the meridional heat transport.
An Evaluation of Tropical Cyclone Genesis Forecasts from Global Numerical Models
Authors: Halperin Daniel J. , Fuelberg Henry E. , Hart Robert E. , Cossuth Joshua H. , Sura Philip , Pasch Richard J.
Published: May 2013

Tropical cyclone (TC) forecasts rely heavily on output from global numerical models. While considerable research has investigated the skill of various models with respect to track and intensity, few studies have considered how well global models forecast TC genesis in the North Atlantic basin. This paper analyzes TC genesis forecasts from five global models [Environment Canada's Global Environment Multiscale Model (CMC), the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) global model, the Global Forecast System (GFS), the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS), and the Met Office global model (UKMET)] over several seasons in the North Atlantic basin. Identifying TCs in the model is based on a combination of methods used previously in the literature and newly defined objective criteria. All model-indicated TCs are classified as a hit, false alarm, early genesis, or late genesis event. Missed events also are considered. Results show that the models' ability to predict TC genesis varies in time and space. Conditional probabilities when a model predicts genesis and more traditional performance metrics (e.g., critical success index) are calculated. The models are ranked among each other, and results show that the best-performing model varies from year to year. A spatial analysis of each model identifies preferred regions for genesis, and a temporal analysis indicates that model performance expectedly decreases as forecast hour (lead time) increases. Consensus forecasts show that the probability of genesis noticeably increases when multiple models predict the same genesis event. Overall, this study provides a climatology of objectively identified TC genesis forecasts in global models. The resulting verification statistics can be used operationally to help refine deterministic and probabilistic TC genesis forecasts and potentially improve the models examined.
Bourdieu’s symbolic power and postcolonial organization theory in local–expatriate relationships: An ethnographic study of a French multinational corporation in Singapore
Authors: Lee Daphnee Hui Lin
Published: May 2013

This empirical study seeks to illustrate the complementary interplay between Bourdieu’s theory of symbolic power (field, habitus, cultural capital) and postcolonial organizational theory. Local and expatriate regional subsidiary managers of a French multinational corporation (MNC) hosted in Singapore share their divergent views on managerial assertiveness. Findings from ethnographic fieldwork point to the exercise of symbolic power and the differentiated responses to this imposition. The differentiated value of managerial assertiveness is found to be undergirded by not just power relationships within the organization, but also social inequalities, such as childhood socioeconomic background, within the broader social context of Singapore. Within this culturally diverse landscape, the author examines the empirical representations of theoretical perspectives emergent from the imagined dialogues that the managers have with each other, through the researcher as the medium. Notions of how expatriate managers are assertive by disposition and local managers are, conversely, risk and uncertainty avoidant, are first presented as symbolic impositions of cultural hegemony, before presenting perspectives that concede (‘conciliatory’) and reject (‘retaliatory’) these notions from a postcolonial vantage point. From the empirical findings, the author explores how theoretical dialogues on symbolic power and postcolonial organizational theory may unfold within the context of highly globalized societies.
Migrating against all the odds: International labour migration of Bangladeshi women
Authors: Bélanger Danièle , Rahman Mahmuda
Published: May 2013

Of all temporary unskilled migrant workers who originated from Bangladesh in 2010, women accounted for less than 3%. This extremely low proportion of women results from the numerous sociocultural, religious and political barriers women labour migrants encounter. Based on 23 in-depth interviews collected in 2009 in Bangladesh with former migrant domestic workers who worked in the Gulf region, the article argues that women actively negotiate these barriers prior to going abroad and upon return. Using a micro-sociological perspective of gender and family relations, the article shows that, depending on women’s family situation and relationships, they were more or less at risk of suffering stigma in the pre-departure and return stages of temporary labour migration. The article builds on a solid body of research that examines how international labour migration challenges the global and local patriarchal gender order. The findings show how international migration of women may unsettle the patriarchal gender order, but can also serve to further subordinate women after they return home.
Prediction of the transverse thermal conductivity of pitch-based carbon fibers
Authors: Huang H Sam , Ganguli Sabyasachi , Roy Ajit K
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we utilized a bottom-up method to predict the transverse thermal conductivity of pitched-based carbon fibers. We used molecular dynamics simulations with Green-Kubo formalism to calculate the in-plane thermal conductivity and out-of-plane thermal conductivity of the graphite sheets. The effects of waviness on the thermal conductivity of the graphite sheets were studied by MD simulations. The calculated in-plane thermal conductivity and out-of-plane thermal conductivity of graphite sheets from MD simulations were then used for the prediction of transverse thermal conductivity of the pitch fibers by finite element method. In the finite element simulations, the waviness in the graphite sheets was found to decrease the transverse thermal conductivity of pitch fibers, though not significantly. The defects observed in the pitch fibers were simulated by the damage elements in the finite element analysis. The simulation results showed that the proposed model, in which 12.5% of damage was included, predicted the effective transverse thermal conductivity well compared to the value measured from experiments.
Mechanical and thermal modeling of In-Cu composites for thermal interface materials applications
Authors: Kumar Praveen , Awasthi Sandeep
Published: May 2013

In-Cu composite solders have been proposed as an effective thermal interface material. Here, finite element analysis and theoretical treatment of their mechanical and thermal behavior is presented. It was determined that the stresses and the strains were concentrated in the narrow and wider In channels, respectively. Furthermore, it is suggested that an In-Cu composite with disk-shaped Cu inclusions may not only further improve the thermal conductivity but may also reduce the stiffness of In-Cu composites in shear.
Parenting Infants
Authors: Carra Cecilia , Lavelli Manuela , Keller Heidi , Kärtner Joscha
Published: May 2013

This study was aimed at contributing to the understanding of cultural parenting strategies in a context of immigration. Socialization goals (SGs) and parenting behaviors during interaction with 3-month-old infants of first-generation West African immigrant mothers in Italy and autochthonous Italian mothers were compared. The relation between SGs and maternal behaviors within the two groups was also examined. As expected, results showed that West African immigrant mothers placed more emphasis on SGs related to hierarchical relatedness and a proximal parenting style than Italian mothers, who emphasized SGs related to psychological autonomy and a distal parenting style. Although there were no significant differences in the amount of overall vocal/verbal behaviors between the two samples, West African immigrant mothers showed longer durations of rhythmic vocalizing and singing than Italian mothers, who showed more affectionate talking. Compared with the literature on West African parenting strategies, this result suggests a possible increased amount of talking of immigrant mothers in the new language-driven environment, but maintenance of a protosong structure typical of their culture of origin. Furthermore, a significant association between socialization goals and parenting behaviors was found in the Italian group of mothers but not in the sample of immigrant mothers, suggesting that the weaker links between goals and behaviors in the immigrant sample may express a reorganization in the composition of parenting beliefs and practices.
Social Isolation and Adult Mortality
Authors: Yang Yang Claire , McClintock Martha K. , Kozloski Michael , Li Ting
Published: May 2013

The health and survival benefits of social embeddedness have been widely documented across social species, but the underlying biophysiological mechanisms have not been elucidated in the general population. We assessed the process by which social isolation increases the risk for all-cause and chronic disease mortality through proinflammatory mechanisms. Using the 18-year mortality follow-up data ( n = 6,729) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–2006) on Social Network Index and multiple markers of chronic inflammation, we conducted survival analyses and found evidence that supports the mediation role of chronic inflammation in the link between social isolation and mortality. A high-risk fibrinogen level and cumulative inflammation burden may be particularly important in this link. There are notable sex differences in the mortality effects of social isolation in that they are greater for men and can be attributed in part to their heightened inflammatory responses.
Is There an Oppositional Culture Among Immigrant Adolescents in the Netherlands?
Authors: van Tubergen Frank , van Gaans Milou
Published: May 2013

This study examines oppositional culture among immigrant and majority adolescents in the Netherlands. Oppositional culture theory expects that immigrant adolescents would uphold positive attitudes towards education. The social exclusion theory predicts instead that immigrant adolescents develop an oppositional culture, particularly in ethnically concentrated schools. To test these ideas, we make use of one of the first large-scale studies on oppositional culture in the Netherlands, and in Europe more generally. Applying multilevel analyses to a survey across 340 schools among 11,215 adolescents aged 11 to 19, we find no clear evidence that immigrant adolescents support oppositional culture either more or less than majority adolescents. Results however showed that oppositional culture differs across schools and that in more ethnically concentrated schools, there is a higher tendency for ethnic minority adolescents to skip classes. Furthermore, oppositional culture finds more support among adolescents who are in a higher grade, male, and who attend a lower education track.
The Influence of Sensation-Seeking and Parental and Peer Influences in Early Adolescence on Risk Involvement Through Middle Adolescence
Authors: Wang Bo , Deveaux Lynette , Lunn Sonja , Dinaj-Koci Veronica , Li Xiaoming , Stanton Bonita
Published: May 2013

This study examined the relationships between youth and parental sensation-seeking, peer influence, parental monitoring and youth risk involvement in adolescence using structural equation modeling. Beginning in Grade 6, longitudinal data were collected from 543 students over 3 years. Youth sensation-seeking in Grade 6 contributed to risk involvement in early adolescence (Grades 6 and 7) indirectly through increased peer risk influence and decreased parental monitoring but did not have a direct contribution. It contributed directly and indirectly to risk involvement in middle adolescence (Grades 8 and 9). Parent sensation-seeking at baseline was positively associated with peer risk influence and negatively associated with parental monitoring; it had no direct effect on adolescent risk involvement. Parental monitoring buffers negative peer influence on adolescent risk involvement. Results highlight the need for intervention efforts to provide normative feedback about adolescent risky behaviors and to vary among families in which parents and/or youth have high sensation-seeking propensities.
Coefficient Alpha and Reliability of Scale Scores
Authors: Almehrizi Rashid S.
Published: May 2013

The majority of large-scale assessments develop various score scales that are either linear or nonlinear transformations of raw scores for better interpretations and uses of assessment results. The current formula for coefficient alpha (α; the commonly used reliability coefficient) only provides internal consistency reliability estimates of raw scores. This article presents a general form of α and extends its use to estimate internal consistency reliability for nonlinear scale scores (used for relative decisions). The article also examines this estimator of reliability using different score scales with real data sets of both dichotomously scored and polytomously scored items. Different score scales show different estimates of reliability. The effects of transformation functions on reliability of different score scales are also explored.
Responses to a Governance Mandate
Authors: Jones Carla D. , Li Mengge , Cannella Albert A.
Published: May 2013

We study how New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) firms adopted governance committees on their boards of directors. The drive to adopt started as a social movement but was facilitated greatly by the collapse of Enron Corporation and a subsequent mandate by the NYSE that all of its traded firms must have governance committees. Using institutional theory and a sample of NYSE firms, we develop and test hypotheses about the speed of governance committee adoption, the likelihood of committee adoption by the NYSE deadline, and the types of directors that were placed on the inaugural governance committee. Our study adds to theory about how organizations respond to external pressures when responding is contrary to the interests of executives.
Intermittent Oral Coadministration of a Gamma Secretase Inhibitor with Dexamethasone Mitigates Intestinal Goblet Cell Hyperplasia in Rats
Authors: Aguirre Shirley A. , Liu Ling , Hosea Natilie A. , Scott Wesley , May Jeffrey R. , Burns-Naas Leigh Ann , Randolph Sophia , Denlinger Robert H. , Han Bora
Published: May 2013

Dexamethasone was given in 2 oral dosing regimens with repeat dose oral administration of the gamma secretase inhibitor (GSI), PF-03084014, in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats in order to evaluate the effects of coadministration of dexamethasone on GSI-induced goblet cell hyperplasia (GCH) in the intestinal tract. Safety end points were evaluated in 1 week and 1 month studies. The dosing regimens tested in the 1-month studies included a 1-week pretreatment with 1.0 mg/kg dexamethasone followed by a 3-week repeat dose treatment with 100 mg/kg GSI or concurrent intermittent treatment with 1.0 mg/kg dexamethasone on weeks 1 and 3 and repeat dose treatment with 100 mg/kg GSI for 4 weeks. Pretreatment with dexamethasone for 1 week transiently mitigated the severity of intestinal GCH for up to 1 week. Intermittent coadministration of dexamethasone on weeks 1 and 3 with GSI repeat dosing for 4 weeks mitigated intestinal GCH for up to 4 weeks post treatment. Treatment-related morbidity and mortality occurred on day 7 with 150 mg/kg GSI and 5 mg/kg dexamethasone coadministration, and on days 13, 14, and 23 with 100 mg/kg GSI and 1 mg/kg dexamethasone coadministration.
Minimum 10-Year Follow-up of Patients After an Acute, Isolated Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Treated Nonoperatively
Authors: Shelbourne K. Donald , Clark Melanie , Gray Tinker
Published: May 2013

Background:

Few studies report long-term subjective or objective results for acute, isolated posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries in patients followed prospectively.

Hypothesis:

Subjective or objective results will not differ based on PCL laxity.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Sixty-eight patients with an acute, isolated PCL injury were treated nonoperatively and followed prospectively with yearly subjective surveys and periodic objective evaluations. Physical examination included evaluation of range of motion, effusion, and quadriceps strength; radiographic grading of osteoarthritis; and measurements of joint space width. Subjective follow-up included the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and modified Cincinnati Knee Rating System (CKRS) surveys.

Results:

A total of 44 patients were available for both objective and subjective evaluations at a mean of 14.3 years (range, 10-21 years) after injury. All 68 patients underwent subjective follow-up at a mean of 17.6 years after injury. The mean quadriceps muscle strength was 97% of the noninvolved leg; all patients maintained normal knee range of motion. The overall grade of radiographs was rated as normal in 26 patients (59%), nearly normal in 13 patients (30%), abnormal in 4 patients (9%), and severely abnormal in 1 patient (2%). The grade of osteoarthritis on radiographs was not different in any knee compartment based on PCL laxity grade. Five patients (11%) had medial joint space narrowing greater than 2 mm. Mean IKDC and modified CKRS subjective scores at a mean of 17 years after injury were 73.4 ± 21.7 and 81.3 ± 17.4, respectively; there was no difference in subjective scores between PCL laxity grades. There was no difference in subjective scores between patients who completed a minimum 10-year objective follow-up and patients who completed surveys only.

Conclusion:

Long-term results after an isolated PCL injury show that patients remain active, have good strength and full knee range of motion, and report good subjective scores. The prevalence of moderate to severe osteoarthritis was 11%. Results were not different based on PCL laxity grade. This natural history study of nonoperatively treated PCL injuries can serve as a baseline for comparison with patients treated with PCL reconstruction.
The integrated design and optimization of a WEEE collection network in Shanghai, China
Authors: Yao Linglan , He Wenzhi , Li Guangming , Huang Juwen
Published: May 2013

An integrated formal collection and recycling network is a significant concern to achieve efficient management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). This study, which aimed to investigate the present problems of WEEE recycling in China, proposes the application of a comprehensive solution approach to address a complete WEEE collection and transportation network in Shanghai, China. The methodologic steps regard three things: identification of WEEE collection sites and transit sites with quadratic optimizing models solved by exact algorithm; vehicle routing planning with a modified ant colony algorithm; and defining of minimum transportation cycles and proper shipping arrangements. The rounded WEEE collection network is presented as technical support and a demonstration of further planning and construction of the WEEE recycling system in China.
The Ketogenic Diet in Dravet Syndrome
Authors: Laux Linda , Blackford Robyn
Published: May 2013

Dravet syndrome is an infantile epilepsy syndrome with intractable pleomorphic seizures, cognitive impairment, and a number of comorbidities including ataxia/gait abnormalities and behavioral issues. Antiseizure medications are only partially effective in controlling seizures. Secondary to the intractable epilepsy, patients are often on multiple antiseizure medications with significant accumulative neurotoxic side effects. Specifically for Dravet syndrome, the medical literature includes both laboratory and clinical research that supports the use of the ketogenic diet. In addition, a review of the children with Dravet syndrome who were treated with the ketogenic diet at our center was undertaken. Thirteen of the 20 children (65%) with Dravet syndrome treated with the ketogenic diet experienced a greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency. The ketogenic diet is a good alternative to medication for seizure management in children with Dravet syndrome.
Reason for Optimism
Authors: Abrahams Jim
Published: May 2013

The ketogenic diet is increasing in popularity worldwide, as evidenced by this symposium. More child neurologists are prescribing it in more countries. However, the diet is still underutilized, only occasionally rising to the level of “last resort” among treatment options. Though much work remains to be done to make its use more widespread, recent developments provide reason to believe the future is promising.
Earnings Quality in Acquired and Nonacquired Family Firms
Authors: Pazzaglia Federica , Mengoli Stefano , Sapienza Elena
Published: May 2013

We develop a socioemotional wealth explanation for the differences in earnings quality between family firms. We argue that the process by which families obtain ownership of firms is a key contingency affecting earnings quality. Specifically, firms acquired by families through market transactions display lower earnings quality due to lower identification of family owners relative to firms still owned by the families that created them. Acquired family firms benefit with respect to their earnings quality from having a nonfamily CEO while nonacquired family firms benefit from having a family CEO.
Child circulation in and out of the secure zone of childhood: A view from the urban margins in Ecuador
Authors: Leifsen Esben
Published: May 2013

The article discusses informal child circulation in Latin America, as it is practiced by a marginalized urban mestizo population in the capital Quito, Ecuador. The practice of child circulation is contrasted to child welfare policies and interventions, and the author theorizes this contrast as a difference between rationales of relatedness – a fluidity rationale characterizing the care practices of the marginal urban population, and a fixity rationale characterizing child welfare governance. The contrast is explored through the case of child agency in what a modern and dominant discourse on child welfare and child rights would deem to be ‘non-ideal’ or ‘inappropriate’ contexts of childhood. A specific example of ‘chosen circulation’ looks at how child circulation has to be understood as movements in and out of the ‘safe zone’ of childhood, and this example also challenges ideas about childhood, the family and the social world external to the family. A main observation is that child agency and relatedness making tends to be ignored or disqualified as long as it happens outside proper childhood contexts. This lack of recognition has important consequences for the way policies are formulated and translated into welfare practices, and also for the way we construct social analysis of marginal childhoods.
Maternal Stress and Infant Mortality
Authors: Class Quetzal A. , Khashan Ali S. , Lichtenstein Paul , Långström Niklas , D’Onofrio Brian M.
Published: May 2013

Although preconception and prenatal maternal stress are associated with adverse outcomes in birth and childhood, their relation to infant mortality remains uncertain. We used logistic regression to study infant mortality risk following maternal stress within a population-based sample of infants born in Sweden between 1973 and 2008 ( N = 3,055,361). Preconception (6–0 months before conception) and prenatal (between conception and birth) stress were defined as death of a first-degree relative of the mother. A total of 20,651 offspring were exposed to preconception stress, 26,731 offspring were exposed to prenatal stress, and 8,398 cases of infant mortality were identified. Preconception stress increased the risk of infant mortality independently of measured covariates, and this association was timing specific and robust across low-risk groups. Prenatal stress did not increase risk of infant mortality. These results suggest that the period immediately before conception may be a sensitive developmental period with ramifications for infant mortality risk.
Protective effect of CV247 against cisplatin nephrotoxicity in rats
Authors: Máthé C. , Szénási G. , Sebestény A. , Blázovics A. , Szentmihályi K. , Hamar P. , Albert M.
Published: May 2013

CV247 (CV), an aqueous mixture of copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) gluconates, vitamin C and sodium salicylate increased the antitumour effects of cisplatin (CDPP; cis-diamminedichloroplatinum) in vitro. We hypothesized that the antioxidant and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2; prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2) inhibitory components of CV can protect the kidneys from CDPP nephrotoxicity in rats. CDPP (6.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) slightly elevated serum creatinine (Crea) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 12 days after treatment. Kidney histology demonstrated extensive tubular epithelial damage and COX-2 immunoreactivity increased 14 days after treatment. A large amount of platinum (Pt) accumulated in the kidney of CDPP-treated rats. Furthermore, CDPP decreased renal iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), Cu and Mn concentrations and increased plasma Fe and Cu concentrations. CDPP elevated plasma free radical concentration. Treatment with CV alone for 14 days (twice 3 ml/kg/day orally) did not influence these parameters. Chronic CV administration after CDPP reduced renal histological damage and slightly decreased COX-2 immunoreactivity, while failed to prevent the increase in Crea and BUN levels. Blood free radical concentration was reduced, that is, CV improved redox homeostasis. CV restored plasma Fe and renal Fe, Mo and Zn, while decreased Pt and elevated Cu and Mn concentrations in the kidney. Besides the known synergistic antitumour effects with CDPP, CV partially protected the kidneys from CDPP nephrotoxicity probably through its antioxidant effect.
Developing Students As Global Learners
Authors: Meinecke Annika L. , Smith Kim K. , Lehmann-Willenbrock Nale
Published: May 2013

This case study investigates the use of online blogs as a teaching tool. A collaborative blog was implemented in parallel classes on group processes in the United States and Germany. Our goal was to connect American and German graduate students by helping them to talk about group communication and meeting behaviors. Collected data included transcripts of the messages, as well as students’ evaluations of the blog (collected at the end of the project). Quantitative analyses assessed students’ participation rates and the content of their postings. Qualitative analysis examined the use of the blog as a teaching and learning tool. The results showed that students interacted more on the blog than was required by the instructor. Students valued blogging as a new learning experience. We discuss the pedagogical implications of blog usage for teaching about groups and provide recommendations for instructors interested in using blogs in their own courses.
Is Social Media Changing How We Understand Political Engagement? An Analysis of Facebook and the 2008 Presidential Election
Authors: Carlisle Juliet E. , Patton Robert C.
Published: May 2013

This research conceptualizes political engagement in Facebook and examines the political activity of Facebook users during the 2008 presidential primary (T1) and general election (T2). Using a resource model, we test whether factors helpful in understanding offline political participation also explain political participation in Facebook. We consider resources (socioeconomic status [SES]) and political interest and also test whether network size works to increase political activity. We find that individual political activity in Facebook is not as extensive as popular accounts suggest. Moreover, the predictors associated with the resource model and Putnam’s theory of social capital do not hold true in Facebook.
Identifying and Understanding Perceived Inequities in Local Politics
Authors: Hajnal Zoltan , Trounstine Jessica
Published: May 2013

Although there is widespread concern about bias in American democracy, convincing tests of differential responsiveness are rare. We use a unique data set that surveys the views of a large cross-section of urban residents to provide greater insight into this question. We demonstrate clear differences in perceived responsiveness across demographic and political groups with racial and ethnic minorities, the poor, and liberals expressing less satisfaction with local outcomes. Our analysis suggests that these differences are unlikely to be due to underlying differences in individual attitudes but instead appear to stem from real differences in local conditions and perceived governmental responsiveness.
Confirmation of Reported Aspirin Use in Community Studies
Authors: Zantek Nicole Dodge , Luepker Russell V. , Duval Sue , Miller Karen , Oldenburg Niki , Hirsch Alan T.
Published: May 2013

Aspirin (ASA) is recommended for the prevention of cardiovascular disease; however, the compliance is low. Reported use may not reflect actual use. Serum thromboxane B2 (STxB2) measurement was evaluated to validate reported ASA use. Males aged 45 to 79 years and females aged 55 to 79 years completed a survey and STxB2 measurement (Thromboxane B2 EIA Kit; Cayman Chemical, Ann Arbor, Michigan). The 107 patients were grouped by use of ASA (56 ASA+ and 51 ASA−) and possible interfering medications (INT) such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The STxB2 levels (ng/mL) were significantly lower in ASA users: ASA+ INT− 3.0 (0.7, 8.4), ASA+ INT+ 2.0 (0.8, 4.9), ASA− INT+ 176 (75, 390), and ASA− INT− 271 (199, 366). The INT use did not cause a significant difference in STxB2 levels. A STxB2 cut point of 25 ng/mL had high sensitivity (94.1%) and specificity (91.1%) for ASA use. The STxB2 was a reliable marker of ASA use and could be used to confirm ASA exposure in population-based health studies.
Autobalancing of high-speed rotors suspended by magnetic bearings using LMS adaptive feedforward compensation
Authors: Xiang Min , Wei Tong
Published: May 2013

To suppress unbalanced vibrations of low-speed rotors suspended by magnetic bearings, such as a magnetically suspended flywheel, an autobalancing control method based on elimination of synchronous force has been applied. But its precision may decrease for high-speed rotors such as magnetically suspended control moment gyros. The reason is that the low-pass characteristic of an amplifier in a magnetic bearing control system causes errors in the force elimination. Moreover, this low-pass characteristic increases with rotational speed. To resolve this problem, we propose an autobalancing control scheme using adaptive feedforward compensation based on a least mean square (LMS) algorithm. In this LMS algorithm, two input signals are synchronous displacement and its orthogonal signal. The weights of the input signals are introduced into the algorithm. They are updated in the principle of least mean square to minimize the error between actual and reference values of synchronous current. In simulation and experiments, this method reduces synchronous vibration to less than 40% of that with conventional proportional feedforward. The results demonstrate that this method counteracts the negative effect of low-pass characteristics of an amplifier adaptively and suppresses the synchronous vibration force more precisely. Accordingly, high-precision autobalancing of high-speed rotors can be achieved.
Use of load generated by a shape memory alloy for its position control with a neural network estimator
Authors: Senthilkumar P , Umapathy M
Published: May 2013

This paper presents the position control of a shape memory alloy (SMA) wire actuator by measuring the load generated by the SMA and using a neural network as an estimator for displacement. The experimentation facility is designed and developed for the position control of the SMA. Gain scheduled proportional integral (GSPI) and pulse width modulated GSPI controllers are designed and implemented. The closed-loop performance of the position control system using the displacement estimated from the load measurement is the same as the performance obtained with the direct position feedback. The position control of the SMA actuator using the SMA load with the neural network estimator is an easily implementable method that does not affect the frequency of operation of the SMA actuator.
The economic impact of multiple sclerosis in Australia in 2010
Authors: Palmer Andrew J , Colman Sam , O’Leary Beth , Taylor Bruce V , Simmons Rex D
Published: May 2013

Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a major impact on health and is a substantial burden on patients and society. We estimated the annual costs of MS in Australia from individual and societal perspectives using data from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study (AMSLS) and prevalence figures from 2010.

Methods:

Direct and indirect costs were estimated from a subsample of 712 AMSLS subjects who completed baseline and follow-up economic impact surveys. All costs are in 2010 Australian dollars (AUD).

Results:

Annual costs per person with MS were AUD48,945 (95% CI: 45,138 to 52,752). Total costs were AUD1.042 (0.9707 to 1.1227) billion based on a prevalence of 21,283. The largest component was indirect costs due to loss of productivity (48%). Costs increased with increasing disability: AUD36,369, AUD58,890 and AUD65,305 per patient per year for mild, moderate and severe disability, respectively. Total costs of MS to Australian society have increased 58% between 2005 and 2010.

Conclusions:

This study confirms that MS imposes a substantial burden on Australian society, particularly impacting on productivity. The burden increases with worsening disability associated with the disease. Investment in interventions that slow progression, as well as resources, services and environments that assist people with MS to retain employment, is supported.
Promoting metapragmatic development through assessment in the zone of proximal development
Authors: van Compernolle Rémi A , Kinginger Celeste
Published: May 2013

The assessment of second language (L2) pragmatic competence typically involves questionnaires, such as discourse completion tasks. This article describes a novel approach to using questionnaires to assess L2 metapragmatic capacities while simultaneously promoting their development: engaging learners in cooperative interaction as they complete the task. Following dynamic assessment principles, cooperative interaction reveals both fully formed and emerging competencies (i.e. zone of proximal development) while at the same time furthering their continued growth. This study draws on data collected during a concept-based pedagogical enrichment program in which US university students of French were learning the concepts of social distance and power hierarchies as illustrated by the second-person pronouns tu and vous ‘you’. We present a case study of one learner, Nikki, to show how support provided by a tutor around one questionnaire item (i.e. choosing tu or vous in an ambiguous situation) both assessed and promoted her developing conceptual knowledge about the dynamics of interpersonal relationships and how these are indexed through language.
‘It’s a matter of eating or being eaten’ Gender positioning and difference making in the heavy metal subculture
Authors: Nordström Susanna , Herz Marcus
Published: May 2013

The purpose of this article is to study how gender difference and ultimately female gender positioning are created and manifested in the heavy metal culture. The empirical material consists of single interviews and focus group interviews with heavy metal fans between the ages of 18 and 26. The overall finding is that while gender is a moveable position in general, women move their gender position to a greater extent than men, as they are forced constantly to adhere to the male values of the heavy metal culture. Three dualities in the positioning of heavy metal women illustrate this phenomenon: a ‘whore/goddess’ paradigm based on the knowledge of the female heavy metal fan; the balancing act of ‘acting male’ and ‘looking female’; and the gender ‘twilight zone’ of being insufficiently male for heavy metal culture while being insufficiently female for the mainstream world.
Secession of the rich
Authors: Dietrich Frank
Published: May 2013

The secession of prosperous regions may negatively affect the redistributive scheme of an established state. As a consequence, the capacity of its welfare system to support the inhabitants of poorer regions may be significantly reduced. Some authors assert that affluent groups who opt for full political independence violate duties of solidarity. This objection to the secession of prosperous regions can be based on different views of distributive justice. Here, following a distinction that has been introduced by Allen Buchanan, ‘subject centred’ and ‘justice as reciprocity’ theories are explored. It is argued that both theories fail to support the case against the secession of wealthy groups. ‘Subject centred’ theories cannot explain special duties toward compatriots, whereas ‘justice as reciprocity’ theories cannot justify restrictions on exit rights. However, this does not mean that separatists have no moral duties vis-à-vis their (former) fellow citizens. They are obliged to dissolve the political union in a fair way, e.g., by accepting responsibility for some share of the public debts.
Costs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in relation to compliance with guidelines: a study in the primary care setting
Authors: Miravitlles Marc , Sicras Antoni , Crespo Carles , Cuesta Maribel , Brosa Max , Galera Jordi , Lahoz Raquel , Lleonart Marta , Riera Maria Isabel
Published: May 2013

Background:

The aim of this study was to analyse the economic impact of nonadherence to the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was carried out on a claim database. Patients aged at least 40 years with a diagnosis of COPD were eligible for this analysis. Demographics, medical data and use of resources were collected and direct and indirect costs were analysed (from January 2008 to June 2009). A probabilistic multivariate sensitivity analysis of avoided costs was carried out. All results are presented in annualized form and costs are expressed in Euros (2009).

Results:

A total of 1365 patients were included, 79.5% were men. The mean age (±standard deviation) was 71.4 (±10.3) years, the mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was 65.3% and they had a COPD history of 5.5 (±2.9) years. Patients were divided into an adherent group and a nonadherent group depending on whether therapeutic recommendations according to severity defined in the GOLD guidelines (2007) were followed. Patients in both groups were also classified as having stage II (FEV1 < 80% and < 50%) or stage III disease (FEV1 < 50% and ≥ 30%). The total annual drug cost per patient in the nonadherent group was €771.5 while it was only €426.4 for the adherent group. The average direct cost per patient per year in the nonadherent stage II group was €1465 (±971) and it rose to €2942 (±1918) for patients in the nonadherent group with stage III disease. The potential saving from the implementation of the GOLD guidelines in stage II COPD amounted to €758 per patient per year (68% saving on drug cost). In contrast, the cost for patients with stage III disease was higher in the adherent group versus the nonadherent group (€2468).

Conclusions:

The cost of COPD may vary according to compliance with the GOLD guidelines. The cost observed for patients with stage II disease is higher than expected in patients who adhere to treatment, but patients with stage III disease treated according to the GOLD guidelines had significantly higher treatment costs.