bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Adenylyl Transferase 2: A Promising Diagnostic and Therapeutic Target for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Cui Chunhui , Qi Jia , Deng Quanwen , Chen Rihong , Zhai Duanyang , Yu Jinlong
Published: April 2016

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers all over the world. It is essential to search for more effective diagnostic and therapeutic methods for CRC. Abnormal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) metabolism has been considered as a characteristic of cancer cells. In this study, nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferases (NMNATs) as well as p53-mediated cancer signaling pathways were investigated in patients with colorectal cancer. The CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were obtained from 95 untreated colorectal cancer patients and were stained for expression of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 2 (NMNAT2) and p53. The survival rate was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. The multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was conducted as well. Our data demonstrated that expression of NMNAT2 and p53 was significantly higher in CRC tissues, while NMNAT2 expression is in correlation with the invasive depth of tumors and TNM stage. Significant positive correlation was found between the expression of NMNAT2 and the expression of p53. However, NMNAT2 expression was not a statistically significant prognostic factor for overall survival. In conclusion, our results indicated that NMNAT2 might participate in tumorigenesis of CRC in a p53-dependent manner and NMNAT2 expression might be a potential therapeutic target for CRC.
Control Law Design for Propofol Infusion to Regulate Depth of Hypnosis: A Nonlinear Control Strategy
Authors: Khaqan Ali , Bilal Muhammad , Ilyas Muhammad , Ijaz Bilal , Ali Riaz Raja
Published: April 2016

Maintaining the depth of hypnosis (DOH) during surgery is one of the major objectives of anesthesia infusion system. Continuous administration of Propofol infusion during surgical procedures is essential but increases the undue load of an anesthetist in operating room working in a multitasking setup. Manual and target controlled infusion (TCI) systems are not good at handling instabilities like blood pressure changes and heart rate variability arising due to interpatient variability. Patient safety, large interindividual variability, and less postoperative effects are the main factors to motivate automation in anesthesia. The idea of automated system for Propofol infusion excites the control engineers to come up with a more sophisticated and safe system that handles optimum delivery of drug during surgery and avoids postoperative effects. In contrast to most of the investigations with linear control strategies, the originality of this research work lies in employing a nonlinear control technique, backstepping, to track the desired hypnosis level of patients during surgery. This effort is envisioned to unleash the true capabilities of this nonlinear control technique for anesthesia systems used today in biomedical field. The working of the designed controller is studied on the real dataset of five patients undergoing surgery. The controller tracks the desired hypnosis level within the acceptable range for surgery.
Experimental Study on Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting from Vortex-Induced Vibrations and Wake-Induced Vibrations
Authors: Zhang Min , Wang Junlei
Published: April 2016

A rigid circular cylinder with two piezoelectric beams attached on has been tested through vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) and wake-induced vibrations (WIV) by installing a big cylinder fixed upstream, in order to study the influence of the different flow-induced vibrations (FIV) types. The VIV test shows that the output voltage increases with the increases of load resistance; an optimal load resistance exists for the maximum output power. The WIV test shows that the vibration of the small cylinder is controlled by the vortex frequency of the large one. There is an optimal gap of the cylinders that can obtain the maximum output voltage and power. For a same energy harvesting device, WIV has higher power generation capacity; then the piezoelectric output characteristics can be effectively improved.
p-Trigonometric andp-Hyperbolic Functions in Complex Domain
Authors: Girg Petr , Kotrla Lukáš
Published: April 2016

We study extension ofp-trigonometric functionssinpandcospand ofp-hyperbolic functionssinhpandcoshpto complex domain. Our aim is to answer the question under what conditions onpthese functions satisfy well-known relations for usual trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, such as, for example,sin(z)=-i·sinh⁡i·z. In particular, we prove in the paper that forp=6,10,14,…thep-trigonometric andp-hyperbolic functions satisfy very analogous relations as their classical counterparts. Our methods are based on the theory of differential equations in the complex domain using the Maclaurin series forp-trigonometric andp-hyperbolic functions.
Study of Time Evolution for Approximation of Two-Body Spinless Salpeter Equation in Presence of Time-Dependent Interaction
Authors: Sobhani Hadi , Hassanabadi Hassan
Published: April 2016

We approximate the two-body spinless Salpeter equation with the one which is valid in heavy quarks limit. We consider the resulting semirelativistic equation in a time-dependent formulation. We use the Lewis-Riesenfeld dynamical invariant method and series solution to obtain the solutions of the differential equation. We have also done some calculations in order to derive the time evolution operator for the considered problem.
Assessing Risk in Patients with Stable Coronary Disease: When Should We Intensify Care and Follow-Up? Results from a Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies of the COURAGE and FAME Era
Authors: Barbero Umberto , D’Ascenzo Fabrizio , Nijhoff Freek , Moretti Claudio , Biondi-Zoccai Giuseppe , Mennuni Marco , Capodanno Davide , Lococo Marco , Lipinski Michael J. , Gaita Fiorenzo
Published: April 2016

Background. A large number of clinical and laboratory markers have been appraised to predict prognosis in patients with stable angina, but uncertainty remains regarding which variables are the best predictors of prognosis. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of studies in patients with stable angina to assess which variables predict prognosis.Methods. MEDLINE and PubMed were searched for eligible studies published up to 2015, reporting multivariate predictors of major adverse cardiac events (MACE, a composite endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, and revascularization) in patients with stable angina. Study features, patient characteristics, and prevalence and predictors of such events were abstracted and pooled with random-effect methods (95% CIs). Major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) was the primary endpoint.Results. 42 studies (104,559 patients) were included. After a median follow-up of 57 months, cardiovascular events occurred in 7.8% of patients with MI in 6.2% of patients and need for repeat revascularization (both surgical and percutaneous) in 19.5% of patients. Male sex, reduced EF, diabetes, prior MI, and high C-reactive protein were the most powerful predictors of cardiovascular events.Conclusions. We show that simple and low-cost clinical features may help clinicians in identifying the most appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches within the broad range of outpatients presenting with stable coronary artery disease.
An Improved Genetic Fuzzy Logic Control Method to Reduce the Enlargement of Coal Floor Deformation in Shearer Memory Cutting Process
Authors: Tan Chao , Xu Rongxin , Wang Zhongbin , Si Lei , Liu Xinhua
Published: April 2016

In order to reduce the enlargement of coal floor deformation and the manual adjustment frequency of rocker arms, an improved approach through integration of improved genetic algorithm and fuzzy logic control (GFLC) method is proposed. The enlargement of coal floor deformation is analyzed and a model is built. Then, the framework of proposed approach is built. Moreover, the constituents of GA such as tangent function roulette wheel selection (Tan-RWS) selection, uniform crossover, and nonuniform mutation are employed to enhance the performance of GFLC. Finally, two simulation examples and an industrial application example are carried out and the results indicate that the proposed method is feasible and efficient.
Multiple Attribute Decision Making Based on Cross-Evaluation with Uncertain Decision Parameters
Authors: Ding Tao , Liang Liang , Yang Min , Wu Huaqing
Published: April 2016

Multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problem is one of the most common and popular research fields in the theory of decision science. A variety of methods have been proposed to deal with such problems. Nevertheless, many of them assumed that attribute weights are determined by different types of additional preference information which will result in subjective decision making. In order to solve such problems, in this paper, we propose a novel MADM approach based on cross-evaluation with uncertain parameters. Specifically, the proposed approach assumes that all attribute weights are uncertain. It can overcome the drawback in prior research that the alternatives’ ranking may be determined by a single attribute with an overestimated weight. In addition, the proposed method can also balance the mean and deviation of each alternative’s cross-evaluation score to guarantee the stability of evaluation. Then, this method is extended to a more generalized situation where the attribute values are also uncertain. Finally, we illustrate the applicability of the proposed method by revisiting two reported studies and by a case study on the selection of community service companies in the city of Hefei in China.
Virtual Networking Performance in OpenStack Platform for Network Function Virtualization
Authors: Callegati Franco , Cerroni Walter , Contoli Chiara
Published: April 2016

The emerging Network Function Virtualization (NFV) paradigm, coupled with the highly flexible and programmatic control of network devices offered by Software Defined Networking solutions, enables unprecedented levels of network virtualization that will definitely change the shape of future network architectures, where legacy telco central offices will be replaced by cloud data centers located at the edge. On the one hand, this software-centric evolution of telecommunications will allow network operators to take advantage of the increased flexibility and reduced deployment costs typical of cloud computing. On the other hand, it will pose a number of challenges in terms of virtual network performance and customer isolation. This paper intends to provide some insights on how an open-source cloud computing platform such as OpenStack implements multitenant network virtualization and how it can be used to deploy NFV, focusing in particular on packet forwarding performance issues. To this purpose, a set of experiments is presented that refer to a number of scenarios inspired by the cloud computing and NFV paradigms, considering both single tenant and multitenant scenarios. From the results of the evaluation it is possible to highlight potentials and limitations of running NFV on OpenStack.
An Effective Strategy to Build Up a Balanced Test Suite for Spectrum-Based Fault Localization
Authors: Li Ning , Wang Rui , Tian Yu-li , Zheng Wei
Published: April 2016

During past decades, many automated software faults diagnosis techniques including Spectrum-Based Fault Localization (SBFL) have been proposed to improve the efficiency of software debugging activity. In the field of SBFL, suspiciousness calculation is closely related to the number of failed and passed test cases. Studies have shown that the ratio of the number of failed and passed test case has more significant impact on the accuracy of SBFL than the total number of test cases, and a balanced test suite is more beneficial to improving the accuracy of SBFL. Based on theoretical analysis, we proposed an PNF (Passed test cases, Not execute Faulty statement) strategy to reduce test suite and build up a more balanced one for SBFL, which can be used in regression testing. We evaluated the strategy making experiments using the Siemens program and Space program. Experiments indicated that our PNF strategy can be used to construct a new test suite effectively. Compared with the original test suite, the new one has smaller size (average 90% test case was reduced in experiments) and more balanced ratio of failed test cases to passed test cases, while it has the same statement coverage and fault localization accuracy.
An Effective Method to Accurately Calculate the Phase Space Factors forβ-β-Decay
Authors: Neacsu Andrei , Horoi Mihai
Published: April 2016

Accurate calculations of the electron phase space factors are necessary for reliable predictions of double-beta decay rates and for the analysis of the associated electron angular and energy distributions. We present an effective method to calculate these phase space factors that takes into account the distorted Coulomb field of the daughter nucleus, yet it allows one to easily calculate the phase space factors with good accuracy relative to the most exact methods available in the recent literature.
Influence of Fe-Doping on the Structural and Magnetic Properties of ZnO Nanopowders, Produced by the Method of Pulsed Electron Beam Evaporation
Authors: Il’ves V. G. , Sokovnin S. Yu. , Murzakaev A. M.
Published: April 2016

The nanopowders (NPs) ZnO-Zn-Fe and ZnO-Fe with the various concentrations of Fe (xFe) (0≤xFe≤0.619mass.%) were prepared by the pulsed electron beam evaporation method. The influence of doping Fe on structural and magnetic properties of NPs was investigated. X-ray diffraction showed that powders contain fine-crystalline and coarse-crystalline ZnO fractions with wurtzite structure and an amorphous component. Secondary phases were not found. The magnetic measurements made at room temperature, using the vibration magnetometer and Faraday’s scales, showed ferromagnetic behavior for all powders. Magnetization growth of NPs ZnO-Zn and ZnO-Zn-Fe was detected after their short-term annealing on air at temperatures of 300–500°C. The growth of magnetization is connected with the increase in the concentration of the phase ZnO with a defective structure as the result of oxidation nanoparticles (NPles) of Zn. The scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) showed a lack of Fe clusters and uniform distribution of atoms dopant in the initial powder ZnO-Zn-Fe. A lack of logical correlation between magnetization and concentration of a magnetic dopant of Fe in powders is shown.
Loop Myopexy Surgery for Strabismus Associated with High Myopia
Authors: Su Yun , Shen Qin , Fan Xianqun
Published: April 2016

Strabismus associated with high myopia is a rare abnormality of ocular motility, leading to the impairment of abduction and supraduction. Loop myopexy of the superior rectus (SR) and lateral rectus (LR) muscles is now the most preferred surgery for restoring the dislocated eye globe back into the muscle cone. Various procedural modifications have been made based on this concept, and satisfactory outcomes have been reached in most cases. In this paper, we review various surgical modifications published in the literature that are based on the loop myopexy surgery in patients with high myopic strabismus and summarize the applicable scope of different surgical procedures for patients with different degrees of strabismus. Three major surgical procedures are identified and different modifications have been applied based on their concept. Most of these modifications have been proven to be safe and effective and result in good ocular alignments. The selection of such modifications is of great importance in different patients. Careful evaluation before surgery should be made not only to make the correct diagnosis but also to choose an appropriate surgical procedure and offer individualized modifications in the surgery.
An Unusual Presentation of Right-Sided Sciatica with Foot Drop
Authors: McCabe Fergus J. , McCabe John P.
Published: April 2016

Rarely, sciatica is of extraspinal aetiology. By compressing the sciatic nerve, swelling of the short external rotators of the hip can cause sciatica. Uncommon anatomical relationships between the sciatic nerve and local muscles may potentiate this compressive effect. In this report, we describe the presentation of right sciatica and foot drop resulting from both extreme local constriction and unusual anatomical variation of the right sciatic nerve.
Lipid Profile in Adolescent Girls with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Hyperandrogenemia
Authors: Zachurzok Agnieszka , Deja Grazyna , Gawlik Aneta , Drosdzol-Cop Agnieszka , Klimek Katarzyna , Malecka-Tendera Ewa
Published: April 2016

Study Objectives. The study aim was to evaluate whether hyperandrogenemia in adolescent girls with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may adversely influence lipid profile.Design and Participants. Lipid levels in 16 diabetic girls with biochemical hyperandrogenemia (T1DM-H) aged 16.3 ± 1.2 years were compared to 38 diabetic girls with normal androgen levels (T1DM-N) aged 15.8 ± 1.2 years. 15 healthy girls served as controls (CG). In all patients, anthropometric measurements were done, and androgens and SHBG were assessed.Results. In T1DM-H, total cholesterol (TC) and low density cholesterol (LDL-ch) were significantly higher than in CG (196.1 ± 41.2 versus 162.7 ± 31.7 mg/dL,p=0.01; 117.3 ± 33.1 versus 91.3 ± 27.8 mg/dL,p=0.01, resp.). Their LDL-ch, non-high density cholesterol (non-HDL-ch) concentrations, and LDL/HDL ratio were also significantly higher than in T1DM-N (117.3 ± 33.1 versus 97.7 ± 26.7 mg/dL,p=0.03; 137.3 ± 42.9 versus 113.3 ± 40.4 mg/dL,p=0.04; 2.8 ± 3.7 versus 1.6 ± 0.5,p=0.04, resp.). In stepwise multiple linear regression, free androgen index (FAI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were associated with TC (R2=0.4,p<0.0006), non-HDL-ch (R2=0.4,p<0.0003), and LDL-ch (R2=0.4,p<0.0008). Triglycerides and LDL/HDL ratio were (R2=0.7,p<0.0001,R2=0.6,p<0.0003resp.) related to testosterone, FAI, WHR, and mean HbA1c.Conclusion. Lipid profile in diabetic adolescent girls is adversely influenced by the androgens level, particularly in the group with higher WHR and poorer glycemic control.
Influences of the Cloud Shape of Fuel-Air Mixtures on the Overpressure Field
Authors: Bai Chunhua , Wang Ye , Li Jianping , Chen Mingsheng
Published: April 2016

This paper presents an experiment system in the open field, which comprises a charge structure (approximately 166.2 kg), a high-speed camera subsystem, and a pressure measurement subsystem. Through a series of experiments under the cylindrical clouds with different diameters, heights, and diameter-to-height ratios (D : H), the influences of various cloud shapes on the overpressure field were analyzed and discussed. Based on the experimental results, the overpressure field was divided into two zones: detonation wave zone and shock wave zone. It is found that the overpressure of shock waves at the same distance from the explosion center increased with the diameters, but the variations of heights had little impact on the overpressure. Therefore, the pancake-shaped cloud of fuel-air mixtures is the optimal shape for obtaining the wider overpressure field. Moreover, it is found that the overpressure field gets the maximum under the diameter-to-height ratios of 5.7 in the same distance within the studied range.
Synthesis, anticancer and FGFR1 inhibitory activity of isoindolo[2,1-a][1,2,4]triazino[2,3-c]quinazoline derivatives
Authors: Voskoboynik O. Yu. , Starosyla S. A. , Protopopo M. V. , Volynets H. P. , Shyshkina S. V. , Yarmoliuk S. M. , Kovalenko S. I.
Published: April 2016

Presented manuscript describes the synthesis, antitumor and FGFR1 inhibitory activity of novel isoindolo[2,1-a][1,2,4]triazino[2,3-c]quinazolines. It was shown that mentioned above substances may be prepared by interactionof 3-(2-amino-3-R2-5-R3-phenyl)-6-R1-1,2,4-triazin-5(2H)-ones with 2-formylbenzoic and 6-formyl-2,3-dimethoxybenzoic (opianic) acids in acetic acid. It was shown that proper 2-(2-oxo-3-R-6,7-dihydro-2H-[1,2,4]triazino[2,3-c]quinazolin-6-yl)benzoic acids (or corresponded dimethoxysubstituted analogues) may be considered as intermediates of thereaction. Spectral properties of synthesized compounds were studied, it was shown that protons in position 8 wereobserved at low field as result of the presence of hydrogen bond between hydrogen at position 8 and oxygen atposition 10. The anticancer assay data allowed to identify synthesized compounds as promising antitumor agents.The FGFR1 inhibitory activity of synthesized compounds was detected and docking study aimed to the evaluationof mentioned action was conducted.
Peculiarities of lipid peroxidation in ventricles of cor pulmonale
Authors: Hnatiuk M. S. , Slabyi O. B.
Published: April 2016

In experimental condition complex morphological and biochemical methods peculiarities structural changes and lipid peroxidation in ventricles of cor pulmonale have been studied. It has been established that most morphologicalchanges and high degree lipid peroxidation prevail in right ventricle of decompensatory cor pulmonale.
Source Language Adaptation Approaches for Resource-Poor Machine Translation
Authors: Wang Pidong , Nakov Preslav , Ng Hwee Tou
Published: April 2016

Most of the world languages are resource-poor for statistical machine translation; still, many of them are actually related to some resource-rich language. Thus, we propose three novel, language-independent approaches to source language adaptation for resource-poor statistical machine translation. Specifically, we build improved statistical machine translation models from a resource-poor language POOR into a target language TGT by adapting and using a large bitext for a related resource-rich language RICH and the same target language TGT. We assume a small POOR–TGT bitext from which we learn word-level and phrase-level paraphrases and cross-lingual morphological variants between the resource-rich and the resource-poor language. Our work is of importance for resource-poor machine translation because it can provide a useful guideline for people building machine translation systems for resource-poor languages.

Our experiments for Indonesian/Malay–English translation show that using the large adapted resource-rich bitext yields 7.26 BLEU points of improvement over the unadapted one and 3.09 BLEU points over the original small bitext. Moreover, combining the small POOR–TGT bitext with the adapted bitext outperforms the corresponding combinations with the unadapted bitext by 1.93–3.25 BLEU points. We also demonstrate the applicability of our approaches to other languages and domains.
A Hyper-Heuristic Ensemble Method for Static Job-Shop Scheduling
Authors: Hart Emma , Sim Kevin
Published: April 2016

We describe a new hyper-heuristic method NELLI-GP for solving job-shop scheduling problems (JSSP) that evolves an ensemble of heuristics. The ensemble adopts a divide-and-conquer approach in which each heuristic solves a unique subset of the instance set considered. NELLI-GP extends an existing ensemble method called NELLI by introducing a novel heuristic generator that evolves heuristics composed of linear sequences of dispatching rules: each rule is represented using a tree structure and is itself evolved. Following a training period, the ensemble is shown to outperform both existing dispatching rules and a standard genetic programming algorithm on a large set of new test instances. In addition, it obtains superior results on a set of 210 benchmark problems from the literature when compared to two state-of-the-art hyper-heuristic approaches. Further analysis of the relationship between heuristics in the evolved ensemble and the instances each solves provides new insights into features that might describe similar instances.
The Statistical Analysis of Longitudinal Data
Authors: Edmonston Barry
Published: April 2016

The volume, Lives in Transition, edited by Peter Baskerville and Kris Inwood, provides a valuable sampling of empirical research by historians using longitudinal data. It improves upon the current understanding of a variety of historical issues by focusing on different aspects and stages of individual life courses and identifying questions for further study. It demonstrates the important empirical challenges and presents a variety of substantive topics for longitudinal examination. Overall, the book’s chapters show that analysis of longitudinal data illuminates historical studies in new ways, providing insights about the factors affecting changes in individual lives.
Visualizing and Analyzing Complex and Dynamic Networks of Flemish Tapestry Entrepreneurs (1640–1720)
Authors: Brosens Koenraad , Aerts Jan , Alen Klara , Slegten Astrid , Truyen Fred
Published: April 2016

This paper discusses the possibilities of visualizing and analyzing complex and dynamic social networks to understand the interplay between ever-changing social structure and artistic developments within the Antwerp and Brussels tapestry industry (1640–1720).
Validation of Erysimum talijevii (Brassicaceae), with considerations on the problem of recognition of alternative names
Authors: MOSYAKIN SERGEI L.
Published: April 2016

Syrenia talijevii, an Eastern European threatened endemic species restricted to chalk outcrops, was described in 1936 by Klokov, who also mentioned in the protologue the name Erysimum talijevii. An analysis of the protologue, other publications and taxonomic practice of Klokov demonstrated that he never accepted the name E. talijevii and it was not intended as an alternative one, being mentioned just once as a previously unpublished provisional name or synonym. Consequently, since Syrenia is now submerged in Erysimum, the new combination Erysimum talijevii (Klokov) Mosyakin is proposed. Considerations on what should be regarded an alternative name are provided. It is concluded that a more precise definition of the term “alternative name” and more specific guidelines for recognizing such names are desirable and should be added to the ICN.
Identification of a new species, Trichia macrospora, and a newly recorded species, T. flavicoma (Myxogastria), in China
Authors: BO ZHANG , YU LI
Published: April 2016

A new species, Trichia macrospora, collected in Jiangxi province, China, is described herein. Trichia macrospora has larger (about 17–19 μm in diam.) densely verrucose spores than other described species of Trichia, with abundant long, slim spinulations. We present a scanning electron micrograph study of the species and a key to the genera of the species. Holotype specimens of T. macrospora are deposited in the herbarium of the Mycological Institute of Jilin Agricultural University (HMJAU), Changchun, China. We also report a new record of a species of Trichia, T. flavicoma (Lister) Ing, in this paper, specimens of which are deposited in the HMJAU.
A new species of Zasmidium associated with sooty blotch and flyspeck
Authors: ZHAO WANYU , HOU YANMIN , BAI JINGKE , ZHANG WEI , GAO LIU , ZHANG RONG , GLEASON MARK L. , SUN GUANGYU
Published: April 2016

During a survey to characterize the diversity of sooty blotch and flyspeck fungi in China, we obtained an isolate from a fungal colony exhibiting sooty blotch and flyspeck signs on the petiole of brown bollygum (Litsea glutinosa) in Guangxi, China. Based on phylogenetic analysis and morphological characterization, a new species, Zasmidium litseae is introduced. The new species is characterized by its swollen, straight or geniculate conidiogenous cells.
A Further Look at Q1 and Q2 from TOGA COARE
Authors: Johnson Richard H. , Ciesielski Paul E. , Rickenbach Thomas M.
Published: April 2016

Two features of Yanai et al.’s profiles of Q1 and Q2—the commonly observed double-peak structure to Q2 and an inflection in the Q1 profile below the melting level—are explored using estimates of convective and stratiform rainfall partitioning based on Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) radar reflectivity data collected during TOGA COARE. The MIT radar data allow the Q1 and Q2 profiles to be classified according to stratiform rain fraction within the radar domain and, within the limitations of the datasets, allow interpretations to be made about the relative contributions of convective and stratiform precipitation to the mean profiles. The sorting of Q2 by stratiform rain fraction leads to the confirmation of previous findings that the double-peak structure in the mean profile is a result of a combination of separate contributions of convective and stratiform precipitation. The convective contribution, which has a drying peak in the lower troposphere, combines with a stratiform drying peak aloft and low-level moistening peak to yield a double-peak structure. With respect to the inflection in the Q1 profile below the 0°C level, this feature appears to be a manifestation of melting. It is the significant horizontal dimension of the stratiform components of tropical convective systems that yields a small but measurable imprint on the large-scale temperature and moisture stratification upon which the computations of Q1 and Q2 are based. The authors conclude, then, that the rather subtle features in the Q1/Q2 profiles of Yanai et al. are directly linked to the prominence of stratiform precipitation within tropical precipitation systems.
The Rapid Warming of the North Atlantic Ocean in the Mid-1990s in an Eddy-Permitting Ocean Reanalysis (1982–2013)
Authors: Yang Chunxue , Masina Simona , Bellucci Alessio , Storto Andrea
Published: April 2016

The rapid warming in the mid-1990s in the North Atlantic Ocean is investigated by means of an eddy-permitting ocean reanalysis. Both the mean state and variability, including the mid-1990s warming event, are well captured by the reanalysis. An ocean heat budget applied to the subpolar gyre (SPG) region (50°–66°N, 60°–10°W) shows that the 1995–99 rapid warming is primarily dictated by changes in the heat transport convergence term while the surface heat fluxes appear to play a minor role. The mean negative temperature increment suggests a warm bias in the model and data assimilation corrects the mean state of the model, but it is not crucial to reconstruct the time variability of the upper-ocean temperature. The decomposition of the heat transport across the southern edge of the SPG into time-mean and time-varying components shows that the SPG warming is mainly associated with both the anomalous advection of mean temperature and the mean advection of temperature anomalies across the 50°N zonal section. The relative contributions of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) and gyre circulation to the heat transport are also analyzed. It is shown that both the overturning and gyre components are relevant to the mid-1990s warming. In particular, the fast adjustment of the barotropic circulation response to the NAO drives the anomalous transport of mean temperature at the subtropical/subpolar boundary, while the slowly evolving AMOC feeds the large-scale advection of thermal anomalies across 50°N. The persistently positive phase of the NAO during the years prior to the rapid warming likely favored the cross-gyre heat transfer and the following SPG warming.
Atmospheric Conditions Associated with Labrador Sea Deep Convection: New Insights from a Case Study of the 2006/07 and 2007/08 Winters
Authors: Kim Who M. , Yeager Stephen , Chang Ping , Danabasoglu Gokhan
Published: April 2016

Deep convection in the Labrador Sea (LS) resumed in the winter of 2007/08 under a moderately positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) state. This is in sharp contrast with the previous winter with weak convection, despite a similar positive NAO state. This disparity is explored here by analyzing reanalysis data and forced-ocean simulations. It is found that the difference in deep convection is primarily due to differences in large-scale atmospheric conditions that are not accounted for by the conventional NAO definition. Specifically, the 2007/08 winter was characterized by an atmospheric circulation anomaly centered in the western North Atlantic, rather than the eastern North Atlantic that the conventional NAO emphasizes. This anomalous circulation was also accompanied by anomalously cold conditions over northern North America. The controlling influence of these atmospheric conditions on LS deep convection in the 2008 winter is confirmed by sensitivity experiments where surface forcing and/or initial conditions are modified. An extended analysis for the 1949–2009 period shows that about half of the winters with strong heat losses in the LS are associated with such a west-centered circulation anomaly and cold conditions over northern North America. These are found to be accompanied by La Niña–like conditions in the tropical Pacific, suggesting that the atmospheric response to La Niña may have a strong influence on LS deep convection.
Tropical and Extratropical Controls of Gulf of California Surges and Summertime Precipitation over the Southwestern United States
Authors: Pascale Salvatore , Bordoni Simona
Published: April 2016

In this study ERA-Interim data are used to study the influence of Gulf of California (GoC) moisture surges on the North American monsoon (NAM) precipitation over Arizona and western New Mexico (AZWNM), as well as the connection with larger-scale tropical and extratropical variability. To identify GoC surges, an improved index based on principal component analyses of the near-surface GoC winds is introduced. It is found that GoC surges explain up to 70% of the summertime rainfall over AZWNM. The number of surges that lead to enhanced rainfall in this region varies from 4 to 18 per year and is positively correlated with annual summertime precipitation. Regression analyses are performed to explore the relationship between GoC surges, AZWNM precipitation, and tropical and extratropical atmospheric variability at the synoptic (2–8 days), quasi-biweekly (10–20 days), and subseasonal (25–90 days) time scales. It is found that tropical and extratropical waves, responsible for intrusions of moist tropical air into midlatitudes, interact on all three time scales, with direct impacts on the development of GoC surges and positive precipitation anomalies over AZWNM. Strong precipitation events in this region are, however, found to be associated with time scales longer than synoptic, with the quasi-biweekly and subseasonal modes playing a dominant role in the occurrence of these more extreme events.
Identity transition during pregnancy: The importance of role models
Authors: Hennekam Sophie
Published: April 2016

This qualitative study reports on how pregnant women integrate their future maternal identity with their existing work-related identity. Twenty-four women were interviewed at three times during their pregnancy: during the first, second and third trimesters. A grounded theory approach was used to analyse the data and social learning theory was adopted as a theoretical framework to assist in interpreting the findings. The findings suggest that the availability or lack of realistic and attainable role models influences the degree to which the transition to motherhood during pregnancy was successful. When role models were readily available, the transition went well, but, when role models were absent, two less successful strategies were identified, leading to negative psychological outcomes. The study also stresses the importance of other contextual factors, such as the gender composition of organizations and the educational attainment of the individual pregnant women, in the way women perceive their transition to motherhood while working.
Civic festivals and collaborative governance
Authors: Cabral Sandro , Krane Dale
Published: April 2016

Civic festivals offer an exceptional laboratory for the study of collaborative governance because these events are ubiquitous and are characterized by public and private partners engaged in joint activity. Using the Carnival festival of Salvador, Brazil, as an example, we analyze the current models of collaborative governance to determine whether they apply to the context of large civic festivals. Drawing primarily on Ansell and Gash’s (2008) model, our qualitative analysis shows that some constructs of collaborative governance models are present. However, our results uncover other factors affecting the collaboration process such as informal relationships and the basis of decision-making. Our results also suggest that trust, a factor commonly argued as necessary to collaborative action, may be less critical than received theories suggest.

Points for practitioners

Large civic festivals are a unique laboratory for studying inter-organizational collaboration because these events normally involve a myriad of public and private actors working in an interdependent fashion. Our study reveals some factors not covered by previous research that influence the dynamics of collaboration. We observe that repeated interactions between technical experts can foster informal (and effective) networks of collaboration and circumvent the problems generated by political disputes. The bases on which decisions are taken are also important factors to enhance collaboration. We found that trust, a factor commonly argued as necessary to collaborative action, may be less critical than received theories suggest.
Women’s Retrospective Experiences of Bereavement
Authors: Beverung Lauren M. , Jacobvitz Deborah
Published: April 2016

This study’s goal was to gain a better understanding of why some women become unresolved with regard to loss and others do not. Sixty women were administered (a) the adult attachment interview to assess their childhood relationship with their parents and experience of and response to loss and (b) a grief interview that was coded for circumstances surrounding bereavement experiences: relationship to the deceased, cause of death, suddenness, developmental timing, and emotional support. Women were less likely to be unresolved if they had a secure/autonomous attachment classification. The cause of death, regardless of its inherent suddenness, did not increase the risk of being unresolved. Women were more likely to be unresolved only if they perceived their losses as sudden. No other risk factors were significantly related to being unresolved. Findings from this study have important implications for developing effective intervention programs to help adults cope with losses of important people.
Teaching About Life and Living in Courses on Death and Dying
Authors: Corr Charles A.
Published: April 2016

Many who teach or are enrolled in classes on Death and Dying regularly hear critical remarks about these courses – mostly from individuals who have never attended such courses. This article suggests the value of a brief reflection on some examples of such remarks in order to put them into a more realistic context. More importantly, this article offers a depiction of what actually is taught in these types of courses. In short, this article offers a rebuttal to misrepresentations of courses on Death and Dying, while giving primary attention to what Death and Dying courses really have to teach about life and living.
The Association Between the MAOA 2R Genotype and Delinquency Over Time Among Men
Authors: Roettger Michael E. , Boardman Jason D. , Harris Kathleen Mullan , Guo Guang
Published: April 2016

Using a panel of 6,001 males from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent and Adult Health, we examine potential moderation by paternal incarceration and parent–child closeness altering the relationship between the rare 2R MAOA genotype and delinquency. By jointly examining moderation patterns for both the mother and father with the transmission of the MAOA genotype from mother to son, we are able to make inferences about the specific genetic model that best explains these outcomes. In line with prior research, we find a direct relationship between the MAOA 2R genotype and delinquency, independent of parental incarceration and closeness. Examining moderation patterns, we find that delinquency risk for the 2R allele is buffered for males close to their biological or social father but not their biological mother. We conclude that the 2R-delinquency association is not due to passive gene–environment correlation but is best characterized as a social control Gene × Environment interaction.
A Mental Health Training Format for Adult Education Teachers
Authors: Meek Fiona , Specht Jacqueline , Rodger Susan
Published: April 2016

The present study investigated the needs of adult education staff pertaining to adult students’ mental health issues within a local school board. The study utilized mixed-methods design and was divided into progression of three separate studies. An initial focus group was conducted to identify the 12 participants’ concerns and provide a direction for the needs assessment survey that was administered to the entire population of adult education teachers in the board. Two 2-hr workshops were designed for the 114 members of the staff based on the needs identified by the surveys. An evaluation of the workshops indicated that the workshops were valuable and further training was desired. By educating teachers about students who are learning in the context of mental health challenges, we will be able to provide them with the necessary tools to do their jobs more successfully and comfortably.
Determinants of Dividend Policy of Indian Companies
Authors: Labhane Nishant B. , Mahakud Jitendra
Published: April 2016

This article analyzes the trends and the determinants of the dividend policy of Indian companies that were continuously paying dividend during the whole period study that is from 1994–1995 to 2012–2013. We have used the static panel data models to carry out this analysis. From the trend analysis we find that larger, more profitable, more mature and highly liquid firms have higher dividend payout ratio, whereas the firms with high investment opportunity, financial leverage and business risk have lower dividend payout ratio. The findings from the panel data analysis suggest that investment opportunity, financial leverage, size of the company, business risk, firm life cycle, profitability, tax and liquidity are the major determinants of the dividend policy for Indian companies. These results were robust across the period also. The findings are consistent with the pecking order, transaction cost, signalling and firm life cycle theories of the dividend policy.
Impact of Frailty and Sociodemographic Factors on Hospital Admission From an Emergency Department Observation Unit
Authors: Zdradzinski Michael J. , Phelan Michael P. , Mace Sharon E.
Published: April 2016

Understanding factors associated with an increased risk of hospital admission from emergency department (ED) observation units (OUs) could be valuable in disposition decisions. To evaluate the impact of frailty and sociodemographic factors (SDFs) on admission risk, patients in an ED OU were surveyed. Survey measures included SDFs, social habits, and frailty measured by the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living. Of 306 surveyed, 18% were admitted and 82% were discharged. Demographics were similar between groups. More admitted patients responded positively to the Katz Index (28% vs 13%, P = .007; odds ratio = 2.73; 95% CI = 1.35-5.51). College graduation and current employment favored the discharge group, while admitted patients were more likely to receive Social Security disability insurance. Frailty remained associated with admission on multivariable analysis. Frailty, disability insurance, and lower education are predictors of admission from an OU and could serve as screening criteria in disposition decisions.
Sensory profile and acceptability for pitanga (Eugenia uniflora L.) nectar with different sweeteners
Authors: Freitas Mírian Luisa Faria , Dutra Mariana Borges de Lima , Bolini Helena Maria André
Published: April 2016

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensory properties and acceptability of pitanga nectar samples prepared with sucrose and different sweeteners (sucralose, aspartame, stevia with 40% rebaudioside A, stevia with 95% rebaudioside A, neotame, and a 2:1 cyclamate/saccharin blend). A total of 13 assessors participated in a quantitative descriptive analysis and evaluated the samples in relation to the descriptor terms. The acceptability test was carried out by 120 fruit juice consumers. The results of the quantitative descriptive analysis of pitanga nectar showed that samples prepared with sucralose, aspartame, and the 2:1 cyclamate/saccharin blend had sensory profiles similar to that of the sample prepared with sucrose. Consumers' most accepted samples were prepared with sucrose, sucralose, aspartame, and neotame. The sweeteners that have the greatest potential to replace sucrose in pitanga nectar are sucralose and aspartame.
The flow of digital labor
Authors: Bucher Eliane , Fieseler Christian
Published: April 2016

Digital microwork is a type of labor that many—typically poorly paid—workers engage in. In our research, we focus on an experience-based model of digital labor and the nonmonetary benefits derived from such activities. Based on a survey of 701 workers at Amazon Mechanical Turk, we demonstrate that experiences during digital labor sequences generate flow-like states of immersion. We show that reaching flow-like states while performing microwork depends on certain work characteristics, such as the particular worker’s degree of autonomy, the extent to which a worker’s skills are utilized, and the apparent significance of and feedback derived from the task. The results both highlight the importance of flow-like immersion in explaining why individuals engage in digital labor projects and point to avenues that can lead to the design of better digital work experiences.
Psychological Contract Development, Distributive Justice, and Performance of Independent Contractors
Authors: Lemmon Grace , Wilson Morgan S. , Posig Margaret , Glibkowski Brian C.
Published: April 2016

In today’s “gig economy,” more and more jobs are offered to independent contractors. Independent contractors have a highly defined, narrow, finite set of obligations to their employing organizations. As such, independent contractors gain the benefit of flexibility, choosing who and when they work, and organizations gain the benefit of nimbleness, expanding, and contracting their workforce at will without taking on the robust obligations they must typically offer to a full-time employee. As this sector of the U.S. economy grows, how our existing theories of employee–employer relationships apply is of interest. The present study sought to explore how one such theory (psychological contract theory) manifests in the independent contractor–organization relationship. Drawing on this theory’s findings with respect to key antecedents of an employment relationship, we explore how particular types of negotiation behavior an organization uses with an independent contractor affect the resources allocated to the independent contractor, vis-à-vis obligations that the independent contractor feels that the focal organization should fulfill (psychological contract). These resources are hypothesized to directly relate to the independent contractor’s sense of distributive justice, as well as the contracting organization’s evaluation of the independent contractor’s performance. Overall, the mixed results suggest that psychological contract theory can be applied to the context of the independent contractor–organization relationship in order to uncover how unique features of the relationship (e.g., highly negotiated terms) affect how obligations are created and reciprocated between the parties. Psychological contract type appears to be a partial linchpin between an organization’s negotiation behaviors on independent contractor performance.