bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amazoonops, a new genus of goblin spiders (Araneae: Oonopidae) from the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: OTT RICARDO , RUIZ GUSTAVO R.S. , BRESCOVIT ANTONIO D. , BONALDO ALEXANDRE B.
Published: February 2017

The new genus Amazoonops is proposed for a group of species from the Brazilian Amazon that belong to the Varioonops group, which is presently composed by Varioonops Bolzern & Platnick, Ponsoonops Bolzern and Bipoonops Bolzern. In these genera, female lacks the dorsal abdominal scutum, have a reduced abdominal post-epigastric scutum, and the male palp has unfused cymbium and tegulum. The incomplete abdominal epigastric scutum of females and the sternal surface covered with deep pits in both sexes are considered as putative synapomorphies of the new genus. Five new species are described, four from the state of Pará (Amazoonops almeirim sp. nov., A. cachimbo sp. nov., A. caxiuana sp. nov. and A. juruti sp. nov.) and one from the state of Amazonas (A. ducke sp. nov.). Females of A. almeirim sp. nov. and A. ducke sp. nov. are unknown.
Review of the tribe Hyperaspidini Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Iran
Authors: BIRANVAND AMIR , TOMASZEWSKA WIOLETTA , NEDVĚD OLDŘICH , KHORMIZI MEHDI ZARE , NICOLAS VINCENT , CANEPARI CLAUDIO , SHAKARAMI JAHANSHIR , FEKRAT LIDA , FÜRSCH HELMUT
Published: February 2017

The Iranian species of the tribe Hyperaspidini Mulsant, 1846 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) are reviewed. The current list includes 12 species, all placed in a single genus Hyperaspis Chevrolat, 1836. Hyperapsis asiatica Lewis, 1896 and H. pumila Mulsant, 1850 are excluded from the Iranian list of Coccinellidae. Diagnoses of the tribe Hyperaspidini and the genus Hyperaspis are given. Images of adult beetles and diagnostic characters of the male genitalia of all species distributed in Iran are shown. A key to identification of the species is presented. Distribution records are provided for each species along with information on host plants and prey species when available.
Endemic Lake Baikal sponges from deep water. 2: Taxonomy and Bathymetric Distribution
Authors: ITSKOVICH VALERIA B. , KALUZHNAYA OXANA V. , VEYNBERG ELENA , ERPENBECK DIRK
Published: February 2017

Unique samples of deep-water sponges of Lake Baikal were collected between 120 and 1450 m depth and their taxonomy and bathymetric distribution were studied. Based on morphological studies with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular analyses (CO1, ITS) we describe a new species, Baikalospongia abyssalis sp. nov. Spicule morphology of this new species is similar to Palaeoephydatia sp., a species previously known only from fossils in Late Pliocene (3.2−2.8 mya) sediments. Other sponge samples collected were identified as Baikalospongia intermedia intermedia, B. intermedia profundalis, B. bacillifera, B. fungiformis, B. martinsoni and Swartschewskia papyracea, all from the family Lubomirskiidae. Sponge specimens with giant spicules, identified as B. fungiformis, were found at great depths. B.i. intermedia and B. i. profundalis are dominating species at great depth. Light is a limiting factor for distribution of Lubomirskia baicalensis, possibly due to its symbiosis with photosynthetic protists. The current study extends our knowledge on the distribution boundaries of Lubomirskiidae at great depths.
Paroxythrips gen. n. (Thysanoptera, Thripidae), associated with the gymnosperm order Araucariales in Japan and Australia
Authors: MASUMOTO MASAMI , OKAJIMA SHÛJI
Published: February 2017

An Oxythrips-like new genus and species, Paroxythrips podocarpi, is described from Podocarpus macrophyllus in Japan. An Australian species, Oxythrips agathidis Morison, that is associated with Agathis is transferred to Paroxythrips.
Enhanced Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment for Human-in-the-Loop Systems
Authors: Kaber David , Zahabi Maryam
Published: February 2017

Objective:

The objective of this study was to enhance the existing system hazard analysis (SHA) technique by introducing the concepts of human and automation reliability quantification as well as fuzzy classification of system risks. These enhancements led to formulation of a new overall system risk-reliability score.

Background:

Many system safety analysis methods focus on individual physical component failure. Some human reliability analyses (HRA) consider human-automation interaction in determining system failure rates. There is no system safety analysis technique that quantifies the impact of human and automation reliability on the risk of hazard exposure.

Method:

Classification of the probability and severity of hazard exposure is typically made in terms of linguistic rather than numerical variables. Fuzzy sets are applicable for transforming linguistic classifications to numerical quantities. We focused on using fuzzy sets to define overlapping bands of system risk exposure with reference to the hazard risk categories defined in MIL-STD 882B. Fuzzy sets were also used for human-automated system reliability classification.

Results:

Introduction of human and automation reliability assessment in the SHA allows for definition of a system risk-reliability modeling space. The enhanced SHA (E-SHA) technique yields a mishap risk index, which is projected based on a composite assessment of human-automated system reliability at the time of operation. The E-SHA was compared with one of the most advanced HRA techniques.

Conclusion:

The E-SHA technique supports broader safety control recommendations and provides comparable, if not more detailed, results than prior systems safety and HRA techniques.
Emotions and the micro-foundations of religious activism: The bitter-sweet experiences of ‘born-again’ Muslims in Pakistan
Authors: Blom Amélie
Published: February 2017

Based on the first-person narratives of young born-again Muslims in mid-2000s’ Pakistan, this article points to several ways in which a renewed sociology of self-reform and faith-based activism could usefully draw more systematic attention to emotions. This empirical and inductive study first explores the role of emotions in the micro-foundations of re-Islamisation. It stresses the need to locate the emotive experiences that trigger this process, and sustain it through times and in opposition to others, in the body and the senses. It also discloses specific sensibilities, which, when linked to individual biographies, elucidate why potential followers are receptive, or not, to the various ‘sensitising devices’ deployed by Islamic organisations. In the second section, the expression of emotions is addressed in regard to its collective implications. Indeed, re-Islamisation often translates into rigid emotional boundaries separating the born-again from other communities, the ‘Muslims by birth’ and members of other sects. Reshaping togetherness is nevertheless not devoid of ambivalence: The young born-again Muslims I met in Pakistan were clearly torn between their contemptuous pleasure of occupying the moral high ground and the equally compelling aspiration to be tolerant and abide by the ‘feeling rules’ valued in Islamic ethics. They were also fully aware of the dangerous political implications of their feelings in a country disfigured by sectarian violence.
The Movement of Catholic Communists, 1937–45
Authors: Saresella Daniela
Published: February 2017

This article examines the movement of Catholic Communists ( cattocomunisti), who emerged in 1937 and 1938 among a group of young Catholics in Rome. These Catholics maintained that the only way to defeat the Fascist dictatorship was to forge an alliance with the Communists. Marxism was, for these young Catholics, a canon to interpret reality, not a political philosophy. Thus they embraced historical materialism, but rejected dialectical materialism. During the war years, the church tolerated them as long as they remained a minority representing a minimal threat. However, from 1944 the ecclesiastical institution made them the target of criticism and censorship. The group disbanded in 1945 and most of its members decided to join the Communist Party.
Connecting Teacher Professional Development and Student Mathematics Achievement
Authors: Kutaka Traci Shizu , Smith Wendy M. , Albano Anthony D. , Edwards Carolyn Pope , Ren Lixin , Beattie Heidi Lynn , Lewis W. James , Heaton Ruth M. , Stroup Walter W.
Published: February 2017

The present study investigated the effects of Primarily Math, an inservice elementary mathematics specialist program. Primarily Math sought to augment the mathematical knowledge for teaching of kindergarten through third-grade teachers using a longitudinal multiple cohort design. Two sets of analyses were conducted. The first examined impact on teachers’ mathematical knowledge for teaching, attitudes toward learning mathematics, and beliefs about teaching and learning relative to a matched comparison group. Primarily Math teachers demonstrated greater knowledge for teaching Numbers and Operations and more positive attitudes toward learning mathematics, and more often endorsed student-centered beliefs about teaching and learning. The second set of analyses examined the extent to which students of three cohorts of Primarily Math teachers demonstrated more fall–spring growth in a measure of mathematics achievement relative to students of comparison-group teachers. There was a small but positive effect of participation in Primarily Math on student mathematics achievement.
“Change Happens Beyond the Comfort Zone”
Authors: Riley Kathleen , Solic Kathryn
Published: February 2017

This article shares findings from a qualitative study of an undergraduate urban education fellowship designed to connect teacher-candidates with activist teacher communities and explore questions of social justice, equity, and multicultural teaching. Fellows attended conferences, professional meetings, and on-campus dialogues over one semester. Interview transcripts and meeting notes were analyzed through the lenses of teacher inquiry and transformative learning theory. Findings reveal how teacher-candidates experienced shifts in their viewpoints through encountering new perspectives, discomfort with returning to their lives with new understandings, and a strong drive to further their learning about urban education. Within the context of a persistent gap between a mostly White, middle-class teaching force and a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population, this study offers an image of transformative preservice teacher education in which teacher-candidates encounter professional communities outside of the confines of the classroom.
Is bisexuality invisible? A review of sexualities scholarship 1970–2015
Authors: Monro Surya , Hines Sally , Osborne Antony
Published: February 2017

This article provides a review of sexualities scholarship within the social sciences between 1970 and 2015. It takes an innovative approach by focusing on the way in which bisexuality is addressed in this body of literature. The article reveals the marginalisation, under-representation and invisibility of bisexuality within and across the social sciences in relation to both bisexual experience and identity. Reasons for this varied across the different eras, including the heterosexist nature of the literature, the impact of gay and lesbian-focused identity politics, and queer deconstructionism. In addition, patterns of bisexual erasure and invisibility were uneven, with some scholarship taking inclusive approaches or criticising prejudice against bisexuality. The initial findings of the review were enriched by critical commentary from key relevant sociologists and political scientists. The article concludes that future sexualities scholarship could be enhanced by greater consideration of bisexuality.
Guanxi as Social Exchange: Emotions, Power and Corruption
Authors: Barbalet Jack
Published: February 2017

After reviewing social exchange theory and identifying emotions as key to exchange relations the article introduces Chinese guanxi as a form of gift exchange, elsewhere treated in terms of its network attributes. The obligatory nature of exchange, noted by Mauss and extensively discussed by Blau, is explained through ‘social sentiments’ that substantiate assurance in exchange. The emotions-complexes renqing and ganqing, basic to guanxi, are outlined. Social esteem as a consequence of participation in exchange distinguishes the latter from bribery, in which coercion predominates. The article advances sociological understanding in these and associated ways by regarding exchange and guanxi as arenas of emotion practices.
Deodorization for ethanethiol by cotton and wool fabrics mordant dyed with congo red and copper (II) sulfate
Authors: Amemiya Toshiko , Nakanishi Tadashi
Published: February 2017

Cotton and wool fabrics were mordant-dyed with C.I. direct red 28 (congo red) and copper (II) sulfate. The deodorization abilities of the mordant-dyed samples for ethanethiol were examined using gas detector tubes. The cotton and the wool samples indicated the deodorizing abilities of the following order, respectively: pre-mordant < post-mordant < only copper salt treatment, and pre-mordant < only copper salt treatment < post-mordant. The deodorization rate constants were obtained from the slopes of the lines for the semi-logarithmic plots of the ethanethiol concentration against time. Two rate constants were obtained from the slopes of both the cotton and wool samples for the initial and the following second phases of the deodorization process. The deodorization rates for the mordant-dyed cotton fabrics were of the fast–slow type, while for the wool fabrics they were of the slow–fast type. The deodorization behavior of the mordant-dyed fabrics depended on the type of constituting fiber material for the fabrics.
Karl Rahner, Vatican II, and the Shape of the Church
Authors: Marmion Declan
Published: February 2017

Karl Rahner had a pivotal influence on Vatican II during the preparatory phases, at the Council itself, and subsequent to the Council. This article asks how Rahner shaped the ecclesiology of the Council. It shows how many of the council’s emphases bear the hallmark of Rahner: the church as sacramentum mundi, the importance of the local church, the issue of collegiality, the church of sinners, and the priority of the pastoral. It will be argued that Rahner’s acute theological prescience in identifying issues facing the church into the future has been accurate and resonant with Pope Francis’s current project of ecclesial reform.
Newman’s Interpretation of Luther: A Reappraisal
Authors: Holtzen T. L.
Published: February 2017

This article challenges the current scholarly consensus that John Henry Newman wrongly interpreted Martin Luther’s theology of justification by faith alone in his Lectures on Justification. It contends that what Newman primarily opposed in his Lectures was not Luther himself, but “popular Protestantism” and its teaching of justification by mere imputation. The charges against Newman are examined in detail in light of this claim.
Sexuality and informal authority in the Church of England
Authors: Ledbetter Charles
Published: February 2017

This represents a five-year ethnographic study of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clergy in the Church of England . Using participant observation and interviews, this research examines the sociological dimension of the church’s policies regarding clerical sexuality, specifically the relationship between the church’s official policy, which bars those in same-gender sexual relationships from ordained ministry, and the observation that a significant number of clergy fall into this category. The primary effect is a culture of deep institutional uncertainty. Clergy employ a range of strategies to reconcile with church policy, safeguard partnerships and maintain secure professional relationships. On the institutional side, supervisors negotiate responsibility to church policy, pastoral responsibilities to clergy and public perception. Ultimately, the tensions between these various roles are negotiated between clergy and supervisors in informal relationships which often employ covert uses of power and authority.
Are Transient Institutions Sophisticated Enough to Interpret Small Negative Earnings Surprises?
Authors: Trabelsi Samir
Published: February 2017

Institutional investors (active vs. passive) play various roles in the capital market and in assets prices, in particular. Institutional investors affect assets prices either because they play a monitoring role and mitigate the agency problem, or because they have information advantages, or finally, they can arbitrage away mispricing. This research note relates Hu, Ke, and Yu’s (forthcoming) article to both the traditional positive views that institutional investors are sophisticated and help correct stock mispricing and the complementary emerging literature that argues that institutions may contribute to stock return anomalies rather than eliminate them. My research note concludes that current research on the role of institutional investors has generated a number of useful insights. I identify many fundamental questions that remain unanswered, and changes in the economic environment that raise new questions for research.
The dynamics and potentials of big data for audience research
Authors: Athique Adrian
Published: February 2017

This article considers the future of audience research in an era of big data. It does so by interrogating the dynamics and potentials of the big data paradigm in an era of user-generated content and commercial exploitation. In this context, it is proposed that the major dynamics of big data are a conjoint application of numerology and alchemy in the information age. On this basis, the potentials of new data techniques are addressed in light of the critical gap between audience data and the audiences themselves.
A comparison between minimized extracorporeal circuits and conventional extracorporeal circuits in patients undergoing aortic valve surgery: is ‘minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation’ just low prime or closed loop perfusion ?
Authors: Starinieri Pascal , Declercq Peter E. , Robic Boris , Yilmaz Alaaddin , Van Tornout Michiel , Dubois Jasperina , Mees Urbain , Hendrikx Marc
Published: February 2017

Introduction:

Even though results have been encouraging, an unequivocal conclusion on the beneficial effect of minimally invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) in patients undergoing aortic valve surgery cannot be derived from previous publications. Long-term outcomes are rarely reported and a significant decrease in operative mortality has not been shown. Most studies have a limited number of patients and are underpowered. They merely report on short-term results of a heterogeneous intraoperative group using different types of ECC system in aortic valve surgery. The aim of the present study was to determine whether MiECC systems are more beneficial than conventional extracorporeal systems (CECC) with regard to mortality, hospital stay and inflammation and with only haemodilution and blood-air interface as differences.

Methods:

We retrospectively analysed data regarding mortality, hospital stay and inflammation in patients undergoing isolated aortic valve surgery. Forty patients were divided into two groups based on the type of extracorporeal system used; conventional (n=20) or MiECC (n=20).

Results:

Perioperative blood product requirements were significantly lower in the MiECC group (MiECC: 0.2±0.5 units vs CECC: 0.9±1.2 units, p=0.004). No differences were seen postoperatively regarding mortality (5% vs 5%, p=0.99), total length of hospital stay (10.6±7.2 days (MiECC) vs 12.1±5.9 days (CECC), p=0.39) or inflammation markers (CRP: MiECC: 7.09±13.62 mg/L vs CECC: 3.4±3.2 mg/L, p=0.89).

Conclusion:

MiECC provides circulatory support that is equally safe and feasible as conventional extracorporeal circuits. No differences in mortality, hospital stay or inflammation markers were observed.
Ovarian cystectomy in the treatment of apparent early-stage immature teratoma
Authors: Zhao Ting , Liu Yan , Wang Xiao , Zhang Hao , Lu Yuan
Published: February 2017

Objective

To investigate the role of ovarian cystectomy in patients with early-stage immature teratoma.

Methods

A retrospective review was undertaken on patients diagnosed pathologically with immature teratoma and with malignant lesions confined to the ovary. Patients were included if they had been treated between January 1997 and December 2015 at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. Relevant demographic and clinical data were retrieved from the medical records.

Results

Forty-three patients were included in the study; 14 underwent ovarian cystectomy (group 1) and 29 underwent unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (USO; group 2). Three of the patients who underwent USO relapsed and required a second surgical intervention. The 5-year disease-free survival rates were 100% and 88%for groups 1 and 2, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of survival or postoperative fertility outcomes. Univariate and multivariate analysis further revealed that ovarian cystectomy was not a poor prognostic indicator for disease-free survival.

Conclusion

These current data suggest that ovarian cystectomy can be considered for patients with apparent early-stage immature teratoma as it preserves fertility as much as possible without adversely impacting upon survival.
Pacinian Signals Determine the Direction and Magnitude of the Effect of Vibration on Pain
Authors: Hollins Mark , Corsi Christopher , Sloan Page
Published: February 2017

Although the ability of vibration to reduce pain has been extensively documented, an occasional participant reports that vibration increases pain. For pain patients, such reports may reflect pathophysiology, but this is unlikely in studies of experimental pain in healthy participants. In the present series of experiments on 27 pain-free individuals, we manipulated both the frequency (12, 50, and 80 Hz) and amplitude of vibration to more fully characterize vibratory pain modulation. The noxious stimulus was pressure applied to a finger, and vibration was delivered to the fleshy palmar pad at the base of the same finger. Subjects continuously reported pain on a Visual Analog Scale. Intermittent vibration was used to minimize peripheral vibratory adaptation. Pain records at 12 and 50 Hz were similar; pooling them revealed significant hypoalgesia at the highest amplitude. At 80 Hz, in contrast, the middle amplitude produced hypoalgesia, but a significant shift toward hyperalgesia occurred at the highest amplitude. The strong correlation ( r = .81) between the Pacinian-weighted power of a vibration and the absolute value of the pain modulation it produces indicates that the Pacinian system plays a key role in vibratory hypoalgesia or hyperalgesia.
The Use of Computer-Assisted Instruction to Improve the Reading Comprehension of Students With Learning Disabilities: An Evaluation of the Evidence Base According to the What Works Clearinghouse Standards
Authors: Kim Min Kyung , McKenna John William , Park Yujeong
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the evidence base for using computer-assisted instruction (CAI) to improve the reading comprehension of students with learning disabilities (LD). Twelve peer-reviewed studies (seven comparison group studies, five single-case studies) met selection criteria and were evaluated according to the relevant What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) procedures and standards. Results showed that seven studies (five comparison group and two single-case studies) met WWC standards with or without reservations. Key instructional features employed in CAI studies meeting the WWC standards without reservations included practice opportunities, self-correction and immediate corrective feedback, teacher-directed instruction, and contingencies for enhancing student motivation and engagement. Implications for future research and suggestions for using quality indicators to improve the rigor of future CAI investigations are discussed.
Acquired Amino Acid Deficiencies: A Focus on Arginine and Glutamine
Authors: Morris Claudia R. , Hamilton‐Reeves Jill , Martindale Robert G. , Sarav Menaka , Ochoa Gautier Juan B.
Published: February 2017

Nonessential amino acids are synthesized de novo and therefore not diet dependent. In contrast, essential amino acids must be obtained through nutrition since they cannot be synthesized internally. Several nonessential amino acids may become essential under conditions of stress and catabolic states when the capacity of endogenous amino acid synthesis is exceeded. Arginine and glutamine are 2 such conditionally essential amino acids and are the focus of this review. Low arginine bioavailability plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of a growing number of varied diseases, including sickle cell disease, thalassemia, malaria, acute asthma, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and trauma, among others. Catabolism of arginine by arginase enzymes is the most common cause of an acquired arginine deficiency syndrome, frequently contributing to endothelial dysfunction and/or T‐cell dysfunction, depending on the clinical scenario and disease state. Glutamine, an arginine precursor, is one of the most abundant amino acids in the body and, like arginine, becomes deficient in several conditions of stress, including critical illness, trauma, infection, cancer, and gastrointestinal disorders. At‐risk populations are discussed together with therapeutic options that target these specific acquired amino acid deficiencies.
A Narrative on The Witch-Hunt Narrative
Authors: Reamer Frederic G.
Published: February 2017

Ross Cheit’s The Witch-Hunt Narrative raises a number of complex moral issues. Cheit’s principal purpose is to challenge the belief that our society has overreacted to claims about the sexual abuse of children. Both directly and indirectly, Cheit’s in-depth analysis broaches moral concerns pertaining to the integrity of child abuse allegations, investigations, civil litigation, and criminal prosecution, with an emphasis on the mixed motives of the parties involved in key cases. This article provides an overview of ethical questions pertaining to gathering information from very vulnerable individuals, informed consent, institutional review, protection of research participants, the use of deception and coercion, confidentiality and privacy, reporting research results, and conflicts of interest. In addition, the author discusses the phenomenon of whistle-blowing as it pertains to professionals’ ethical judgments about disclosure of wrongdoing and misconduct. The author outlines key ethics-related concepts, applies relevant moral theory, and explores the implications of the moral issues raised by The Witch-Hunt Narrative for child sexual abuse victims, perpetrators, child welfare and law enforcement professionals, scholars and researchers, and the public at large.
A Critical Evaluation of the Factual Accuracy and Scholarly Foundations of The Witch-Hunt Narrative
Authors: Wood James M. , Nathan Debbie , Beck Richard , Hampton Keith
Published: February 2017

We comment on The Witch-Hunt Narrative ( TWHN) by Cheit. As its first hypothesis, TWHN argues that most of the famous ritual child abuse cases of the 1980s and 1990s were not really witch-hunts at all. In response, we criticize the TWHN definition of a witch-hunt as overly narrow and idiosyncratic. Based on the scholarly literature, we propose 10 criteria for identifying a witch-hunt. We rate four well-known ritual child abuse cases with these criteria and show they were classic witch-hunts. As its second hypothesis, TWHN argues that most defendants in child ritual abuse cases were guilty or probably guilty. In response, we point out many instances in which TWHN has omitted or mischaracterized important facts or ignored relevant scientific information running contrary to its hypotheses. We conclude that TWHN is often factually inaccurate and tends to make strong assertions without integrating relevant scholarly and scientific information. Scholars should approach the book with caution.
Commentary About Cheit’s Witch-Hunt Narrative
Authors: Olafson Erna
Published: February 2017

Ross Cheit’s lengthy study is strongest when he describes in detail the findings of his 13 years of research into the original records of the key “witch hunt” cases of the 1980s to set the record straight, when possible, about what really happened. However, because this was partial history that focused primarily on the interplay between academic psychology and the media in a limited number of cases, a commentary about the broader historical and institutional context may lead to a more optimistic conclusion than Cheit seems to reach. Since this latest discovery of child sexual abuse (and its partial suppression with the rapid and predictable construction of the witch-hunt narrative), professionals across a range of disciplines continue to refine statistical science to document the prevalence and impact of child sexual abuse. They continue to enhance our understanding about children’s memory and suggestibility. They have steadily refined methods to elicit full and accurate information from alleged child victims, created child advocacy centers with multidisciplinary teams to handle cases skillfully, and have developed evidence-based assessment tools and treatment protocols for substantiated victims. This solid and continuing academic output, coupled with nationwide institutionalization of the childhood trauma and maltreatment fields in organizations such as the National Child Advocacy Center, the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network make this rediscovery of child sexual abuse different from the many other discoveries and suppressions that preceded it.
The Witch-Hunt Narrative
Authors: Faller Kathleen Coulborn
Published: February 2017

This article provides an overview of The Witch-Hunt Narrative, focusing on the challenges of gathering information from young children, such as those involved in sexual abuse allegations in day care. The article summarizes the research methodology of The Witch-Hunt Narrative, which involves a series of case studies. The article articulates Cheit’s hypothesis, which is that the witch-hunt narrative originated in two key publications, a series of articles by two journalists, Tom Charlier and Shirley Dowling, and the book, Satan’s Silence: Ritual Abuse and the Making of a Modern-Day Witch-Hunt, by Debbie Nathan and Michael Snedeker, and notes his disputes with the evidence from these two publications. Cheit deals in depth with three hotly contested day care center cases: the McMartin Pre-School case in Manhattan Beach, California, the Wee Care Day Nursery case in Maplewood, New Jersey, and the Country Walk Babysitting Service case in Dade County, Florida. The article summarizes Cheit’s research and conclusions related to these three cases and also notes how forensic interview practices used in these cases would not be supported today. The article concludes with noting that despite the impressive progress in forensic interviewing of children when sexual abuse is alleged, methods for gathering information from young children remain inadequate. Moreover, there are no easy answers to the reasons for the rise and fall of allegations of sexual abuse in day care and of allegations of ritual abuse.
Effects of rolling bearing configuration on stiffness of machine tool spindle
Authors: Yang Zhaohui , Chen Hui , Yu Tianxiang
Published: February 2017

Rolling bearings are widely used in the complex mechanical systems as important components. With the advancement in the manufacturing technology, the requirements of high-performance machining tool became essential. A bearing is one of the most important components of spindle, and it is a crucial factor in determining the overall quality. The configuration of bearings of spindle is the key problem during high-performance spindle design, which influences the performance of spindle, especially stiffness. This paper aims to develop a method to analyze various spindle stiffnesses with different configurations of bearing to support the optimization of spindle. Firstly, a quasi-static model is established to solve stiffness matrix of bearing, and then a spindle-bearing system mathematical model is established. Secondly, the stiffness matrix of bearing is added into the whole system to form an integrated spindle-bearings model. Finally, the spindle stiffness with different bearing configurations are analyzed. The results indicate that the number of bearings influences the spindle radial stiffness and bearing direction affects the spindle axial stiffness. Once the number and direction are specified, reasonable pre-load method, shorter overhang, and proper span can greatly improve the spindle dynamic characteristics. In addition, an experimental spindle is designed and fabricated to test various axial stiffnesses with different bearing configurations, and stiffness characteristics of commonly used bearing configurations are summarized from the experimental results and provide useful guide for the spindle design.
The flow and flow-induced noise behaviour of a simplified high-speed train bogie in the cavity with and without a fairing
Authors: Zhu JY , Hu ZW , Thompson DJ
Published: February 2017

Aerodynamic noise is a significant source for high-speed trains but its prediction in an industrial context is difficult to achieve. In this article, the flow and aerodynamic noise behaviour of a simplified high-speed train bogie at scale 1:10 are studied through numerical simulations. The bogie is situated in a cavity beneath the train and the influence of a bogie fairing on the flow and flow-induced noise that developed around the bogie area is investigated. A two-stage hybrid method is used, which combines the computational fluid dynamics and an acoustic analogy. The near-field unsteady flow is obtained by solving the unsteady three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations numerically using delayed detached-eddy simulation, and the data are utilised to predict the far-field noise based on the Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings acoustic analogy. Results show that when the bogie is located inside the bogie cavity, the shear layer developed from the leading edges of the cavity interacts strongly with the flow separated from the upstream components of the bogie and the cavity walls. Therefore, a highly turbulent flow is generated within the bogie cavity due to the strong flow impingements and flow recirculations occurring there. For the case without the fairing, the surface shape discontinuity in the bogie cavity along the carbody sidewalls generates strong flow unsteadiness around these regions. When the fairing is mounted in front of the bogie cavity, the flow interactions between the bogie cavity and the outer region are reduced and the development of turbulence outside the fairing is greatly weakened. Based on the predictions of the noise radiated to the trackside using a permeable data surface parallel to the carbody sidewall, it has been found that the bogie fairing is effective in reducing the noise generated in most of the frequency range, and a noise reduction of around 5 dB is achieved in the farfield for the current model case.
Perfectly matched closed-loop dynamics based on IP controller for bi-axial contour following
Authors: Wu Jianhua , Xiong Zhenhua , Ding Han
Published: February 2017

This article aims to achieve high contour following performance for bi-axial systems. First, the effects of closed-loop dynamics on the contour following performance are analyzed and it is determined that perfectly matched closed-loop dynamics is preferable. Next, the Integral-Proportional (IP) controller is utilized to control each axis and the parameters tuning method is proposed to achieve perfect matching. The tuning method contains two main parts. One primary part is to establish the relations between the two controller parameters by setting both axes to have the same closed-loop transfer functions. The other primary part is to determine the individual IP controller parameters loop by loop according to the bandwidth index. The design process is correspondingly implemented in two steps. First, the smaller bandwidth axis controller parameters are tuned, and then the other axis is tuned according to the above relations. In applications, feedforward controllers are usually added to enhance the motion performance, whose parameters depend on the individual closed-loop dynamics and can be directly determined. The novelty of this article is that no coupling mechanism is required to perfectly match the closed-loop dynamics and the contour following performance is improved via individual controller design alone. Both the controller and the tuning method are simple and easy to implement, which are of interest to control engineers. Experiments are carried out on an X-Y motion stage, which is commanded to follow diamond and circle contours. Results show that the proposed method can match closed-loop dynamics perfectly and significantly improve the contour following performance.
Passivity analysis of linear physical systems with internal energy sources modelled by bond graphs
Authors: Ngwompo Roger F , Galindo René
Published: February 2017

Integrated dynamic systems such as mechatronic or control systems generally contain passive elements and internal energy sources that are appropriately modulated to perform the desired dynamic actions. The overall passivity of such systems is a useful property that relates to the stability and the safety of the system, in the sense that the maximum net amount of energy that the system can impart to the environment is limited by its initial state. In this paper, conditions under which a physical system containing internal modulated sources is globally passive are investigated using bond graph modelling techniques. For the class of systems under consideration, bond graph models include power bonds and active (signals) bonds modulating embedded energy sources, so that the continuity of power (or energy conservation) in the junction structure is not satisfied. For the purpose of the analysis, a so-called bond graph pseudo-junction structure is proposed as an alternative representation for linear time-invariant (LTI) bond graph models with internal modulated sources. The pseudo-junction structure highlights the existence of a multiport coupled resistive field involving the modulation gains of the internal sources and the parameters of dissipative elements, therefore implicitly realizing the balance of internal energy generation and dissipation. Moreover, it can be regarded as consisting of an inner structure which satisfies the continuity of power, and an outer structure in which a power scaling is performed in relation with the dissipative field. The associated multiport coupled resistive field constitutive equations can then be used to determine the passivity property of the overall system. The paper focuses on systems interconnected in cascade (with no loading effect) or in closed-loop configurations which are common in control systems.
Serum ionic dysequilibria in clinical opioid dependence: Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies
Authors: Reece AS , Norman A , Hulse GK
Published: February 2017

Introduction:

Despite an increasing awareness that the activity of excitable membranes is determined by the underlying ionic gradients across them, and their importance in drug dependency, we were not able to identify any reports of comparing the electrolyte composition of opioid-dependent and non-addicted controls.

Methods:

Linear regression was used to compare clinical pathology blood results taken from 2699 opioid-dependent patients (ODP) and 5307 medical control (MC) patients on a total of 21,734 occasions for the period 1995–2015. The presence of a hepatitis C antibody test was used to separate OPD and MC patients.

Results:

The mean age among ODP and MC was 33.51 ± 0.16 and 37.99 ± 0.23 years, respectively ( p < 0.0001). The groups were 71.5% and 54.2% male ( p < 0.0001). Drug use in this cohort has been reported previously. Analysis of sodium, haemoglobin and albumin were used to exclude marked effects of haemodilution/haemoconcentration. Repeated measures linear regression against age and time showed depressed levels of bicarbonate ( p < 0.0001) and potassium ( p < 0.05) and elevated levels of chloride ( p < 0.025) and anions ( p < 0.01) in ODP in both sexes. Multiple regression in mixed-effects models showed that these effects were all worse in females ( p = 0.0001).

Conclusion:

This data shows that opioid dependence is associated with significant changes in chloride, potassium, bicarbonate and anions in both sexes, and worse in females. This likely has implications for the electrophysiological properties of excitable membranes. It is consistent with the reported impairment of potassium-chloride exchangers in opioid dependence. Explication of the mechanisms responsible must await further studies.
RNAi of Grp78 may disturb the fusion of ICR mouse palate cultured in vitro
Authors: Ren C , Li X , Li X , Xie Y , Fu H , Yan Z , Zhu Y
Published: February 2017

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool to silence or minimize gene expression, and palate culture in vitro is an important technique for study of the palate development. Our previous study demonstrated that the gene expression of glucose-regulated protein-78 (Grp78) was downregulation in the all-trans retinoic acid-induced mouse models of cleft palate (CP) during embryogenesis. To find the role of Grp78, the small interfering RNA (siRNA) of this gene carried by fluorescent vector was injected with a microinjector, through which about 30 pmol siRNA was injected into the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mouse palate explants. After 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, these palate explants were removed from culture to observe their fluorescent and Alcian blue-staining phenotypes, and the expression of the unfolded protein response (UPR) key members (Grp78, Inositol-responsive enzyme 1, protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, activating transcription factor-6 and X-box binding protein-1) was measured. After cultured for 72 h, the partially or completely fused bilateral palates were observed in the control siRNA group, while CPs were found in the Grp78 siRNA group. In the Grp78 siRNA group, the relatively mRNA abundance of the key genes belonged to UPR at each time point was lower than that of the control siRNA group, and their protein expression also displayed the same change. By the system of RNAi strategies with mouse palate culture, we found the siRNA of Grp78 disturbed the fusion of mouse palate cultured in vitro.
Progressive delayed respiratory complications of sulfur mustard poisoning in 43 Iranian veterans, three decades after exposure
Authors: Darchini-Maragheh E , Balali-Mood M , Malaknezhad M , Mousavi SR
Published: February 2017

The most common delayed complication of sulfur mustard (SM) poisoning has been observed in the respiratory tracts. It was thus aimed to investigate the delayed respiratory complications in SM-exposed patients around 25 years before the study. Forty-three veterans with more than 25% disability of due to SM poisoning were investigated. Clinical examinations as well as pulmonary function test (PFT) were performed. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lungs was done as clinically indicated. Triad of chronic cough, dyspnea, and expectoration were the most common symptoms that were recorded in 88.2%, 88.2%, and 64.7% of the patients, respectively. PFT abnormalities were detected in 44.18% of the patients. Restrictive pattern was the most common (41.86%), while pure obstructive pattern did not detect at all. Mixed pattern was significantly correlated with higher disability percentages among the veterans ( p < 0.001). Significant reverse correlation between the disability percentages and forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio was obtained ( p = 0.010, r = −0.389). Air trapping was the most common abnormality in HRCTs (50%). Bronchiectasis (25%), pulmonary fibrosis (25%), and ground-glass attenuation (16.66%) were other common HRCT findings. Comparing with the previous studies on these patients, more restrictive and mixed pattern were observed. Moreover, bronchiolitis, bronchiectasis, and lung fibrosis were the main pathological findings in these patients.
Pincer nail in a lupus patient
Authors: Azevedo T H V , Neiva C L S , Consoli R V , Couto A C D , Dias A F M P , Souza E J R
Published: February 2017

Pincer nail is a transverse overcurvature of the nail plate that may appear in association with a variable number of diseases. We present a case report of a 28-year-old woman with pincer nail deformity associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. A renal biopsy confirmed class V lupus nephritis and treatment had included systemic steroids and cyclophosphamide. After 6 months there was a marked improvement of nail deformities.
Caveolin 1 expression favors tumor growth and is associated with poor survival in primary lung adenocarcinomas
Authors: Duregon Eleonora , Senetta Rebecca , Bertero Luca , Bussolati Benedetta , Annaratone Laura , Pittaro Alessandra , Papotti Mauro , Marchiò Caterina , Cassoni Paola
Published: February 2017

Despite the consolidated clinico-pathological correlates of Caveolin 1 expression in non–small cell lung cancer, the available data on the role of Caveolin 1 in relation to proliferation, migration, and metastasis in lung adenocarcinoma cells is still scant. Here, we aimed to confirm whether Caveolin 1 may act as a promoter of cell growth in human lung adenocarcinoma using in vitro and in vivo models, supported by a survival analysis of Caveolin 1 expression in a series of 116 primary lung adenocarcinomas. The silencing of endogenous Caveolin 1 expression in H522 lung adenocarcinoma cells through stable shRNA transfection significantly inhibited cellular proliferation in vitro and in vivo, in a lung adenocarcinoma xenograft mouse model. The bioluminescence imaging analysis revealed that tumors derived from Caveolin 1 shRNA-transfected cells grew slower than control xenografts. However, this difference progressively diminished over time and was definitively lost after 21 days. This was consistent with a progressive Caveolin 1 re-expression, which started at day 7. The association between the restored expression of Caveolin 1 and the restart of tumor growth in vivo supports the booster role of Caveolin 1 in lung adenocarcinoma progression. To further confirm this role, Caveolin 1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in a series of 116 human lung adenocarcinomas. Positive Caveolin 1 tumors accounted for 20% of cases and were associated with a significantly worse overall survival compared to Caveolin 1-negative cancers. Taken together, these data highlight that Caveolin 1 expression confers a proliferative advantage in lung adenocarcinoma cells, thus fostering increased tumor aggressiveness.