bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation on Beamspace Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Synthetic Aperture Radar Data Imaging
Authors: Mo Hongbo , Xu Wei , Zeng Zhimin
Published: February 2016

The multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technique can improve the high-resolution wide-swath imaging capacity of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems. Beamspace MIMO-SAR utilizes multiple subpulses transmitted with different time delays by different transmit beams to obtain more spatial diversities based on the relationship between the time delay and the elevation angle in the side-looking radar imaging geometry. This paper presents a beamspace MIMO-SAR imaging approach, which takes advantage of real time digital beamforming (DBF) with null steering in elevation and azimuth multichannel raw data reconstruction. Echoes corresponding to different subpulses in the same subswath are separated by DBF with null steering onboard, while echoes received and stored by different azimuth channels are reconstructed by multiple Doppler reconstruction filters on the ground. Afterwards, the resulting MIMO-SAR raw data could be equivalent to the raw data of the single-channel burst mode, and classical burst mode imaging algorithms could be adopted to obtain final focused SAR images. Simulation results validate the proposed imaging approach.
Applications of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Neural Crest Cells in Craniofacial Skeletal Research
Authors: Morikawa Satoru , Ouchi Takehito , Shibata Shinsuke , Fujimura Takumi , Kawana Hiromasa , Okano Hideyuki , Nakagawa Taneaki
Published: February 2016

Craniofacial skeletal tissues are composed of tooth and bone, together with nerves and blood vessels. This composite material is mainly derived from neural crest cells (NCCs). The neural crest is transient embryonic tissue present during neural tube formation whose cells have high potential for migration and differentiation. Thus, NCCs are promising candidates for craniofacial tissue regeneration; however, the clinical application of NCCs is hindered by their limited accessibility. In contrast, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are easily accessible in adults, have similar potential for self‐renewal, and can differentiate into skeletal tissues, including bones and cartilage. Therefore, MSCs may represent good sources of stem cells for clinical use. MSCs are classically identified under adherent culture conditions, leading to contamination with other cell lineages. Previous studies have identified mouse‐ and human‐specific MSC subsets using cell surface markers. Additionally, some studies have shown that a subset of MSCs is closely related to neural crest derivatives and endothelial cells. These MSCs may be promising candidates for regeneration of craniofacial tissues from the perspective of developmental fate. Here, we review the fundamental biology of MSCs in craniofacial research.
Bionic Control of Cheetah Bounding with a Segmented Spine
Authors: Wang Chunlei , Wang Shigang
Published: February 2016

A cheetah model is built to mimic real cheetah and its mechanical and dimensional parameters are derived from the real cheetah. In particular, two joints in spine and four joints in a leg are used to realize the motion of segmented spine and segmented legs which are the key properties of the cheetah bounding. For actuating and stabilizing the bounding gait of cheetah, we present a bioinspired controller based on the state-machine. The controller mainly mimics the function of the cerebellum to plan the locomotion and keep the body balance. The haptic sensor and proprioception system are used to detect the trigger of the phase transition. Besides, the vestibular modulation could perceive the pitching angle of the trunk. At last, the cerebellum acts as the CPU to operate the information from the biological sensors. In addition, the calculated results are transmitted to the low-level controller to actuate and stabilize the cheetah bounding. Moreover, the delay feedback control method is employed to plan the motion of the leg joints to stabilize the pitching motion of trunk with the stability criterion. Finally, the cyclic cheetah bounding with biological properties is realized. Meanwhile, the stability and dynamic properties of the cheetah bounding gait are analyzed elaborately.
Protective Effects of Panax notoginseng Saponins against High Glucose‐Induced Oxidative Injury in Rat Retinal Capillary Endothelial Cells
Authors: Fan Yue , Qiao Yuan , Huang Jianmei , Tang Minke
Published: February 2016

Diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of visual loss and blindness, is characterized by microvascular dysfunction. Hyperglycemia is considered the major pathogenic factor for diabetic retinopathy and is associated with increased oxidative stress in the retina. In this study, we investigated the potential protective effects of Panax notoginseng Saponins (PNS) in retinal capillary endothelial cells (RCECs) exposed to high glucose conditions. We found a pronounced increase in cell viability in rat RCECs incubated with both PNS and high glucose (30 mM) for 48 h or 72 h. The increased viability was accompanied by reduced intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide (), decreased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lowered malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. PNS also increased the activities of total superoxide dismutase (SOD), MnSOD, catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX). The glutathione (GSH) content also increased after PNS treatment. Furthermore, PNS reduced NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) expression. These results indicate that PNS exerts a protective effect against high glucose‐induced injury in RCECs, which may be partially attributed to its antioxidative function.
Synthesis, Optical Characterization, and Thermal Decomposition of Complexes Based on Biuret Ligand
Authors: Wang Mei-Ling , Zhong Guo-Qing , Chen Ling
Published: February 2016

Four complexes were synthesized in methanol solution using nickel acetate or nickel chloride, manganese acetate, manganese chloride, and biuret as raw materials. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, UV, FTIR, Raman spectra, X-ray powder diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The compositions of the complexes were [Ni(bi)2(H2O)2](Ac)2·H2O (1), [Ni(bi)2Cl2] (2), [Mn(bi)2(Ac)2]·1.5H2O (3), and [Mn(bi)2Cl2] (4) (bi = NH2CONHCONH2), respectively. In the complexes, every metal ion was coordinated by oxygen atoms or chlorine ions and even both. The nickel and manganese ions were all hexacoordinated. The thermal decomposition processes of the complexes under air included the loss of water molecule, the pyrolysis of ligands, and the decomposition of inorganic salts, and the final residues were nickel oxide and manganese oxide, respectively.
Energy-Reduction Offloading Technique for Streaming Media Servers
Authors: Cho Yeongpil , Mikhail Oparin , Paek Yunheung , Ko Kwangman
Published: February 2016

Recent growth in popularity of mobile video services raises a demand for one of the most popular and convenient methods of delivering multimedia data, video streaming. However, heterogeneity of currently existing mobile devices involves an issue of separate video transcoding for each type of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and smart TVs. As a result additional burden comes to media servers, which pretranscode multimedia data for number of clients. Regarding even higher increase of video data in the Internet in the future, the problem of media servers overload is impending. To struggle against the problem an offloading method is introduced in this paper. By the use of SorTube offloading framework video transcoding process is shifted from the centralized media server to the local offloading server. Thus, clients can receive personally customized video stream; meanwhile the overload of centralized servers is reduced.
Diffusion-Weighted Imaging with Two Differentb-Values in Detection of Solid Focal Liver Lesions
Authors: Yang Da-wei , Wang Ke-yang , Yao Xun , Ye Hui-yi , Jiang Tao , Liu Yuan , Gao Jia-yin , Chen Min , Zhou Cheng , Yang Zheng-han
Published: February 2016

One hundred and eighty-two consecutive patients with suspected liver disease were recruited to receive diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with two differentb-values, in comparison with T2-weighted imaging (T2WI). The detection rate of three MR sequences in solid focal liver lesions (FLLs) and subgroup analyses were performed. Our prospective study found that DWI600 was equivalent to DWI100 and T2WI for the detection of solid FLLs overall but was significantly more accurate in the detection of malignant solid FLLs and lesions larger than 10 mm.
The Role of miRNAs in the Regulation of Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Bimonte Sabrina , Barbieri Antonio , Leongito Maddalena , Palma Giuseppe , del Vecchio Vitale , Falco Michela , Palaia Raffaele , Albino Vittorio , Piccirillo Mauro , Amore Alfonso , Petrillo Antonella , Granata Vincenza , Izzo Francesco
Published: February 2016

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is currently one of the deadliest cancers with low overall survival rate. This disease leads to an aggressive local invasion and early metastases and is poorly responsive to treatment with chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Several studies have shown that pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs) play different roles in the regulation of drug resistance and recurrence in pancreatic cancer. MicroRNA (miRNA), a class of newly emerging small noncoding RNAs, is involved in the modulation of several biological activities ranging from invasion to metastases development, as well as drug resistance of pancreatic cancer. In this review, we synthesize the latest findings on the role of miRNAs in regulating different biological properties of pancreatic cancer stem cells.
HIV-Associated Oral Mucosal Melanin Hyperpigmentation: A Clinical Study in a South African Population Sample
Authors: Chandran R. , Feller L. , Lemmer J. , Khammissa R. A. G.
Published: February 2016

Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of HIV-associated oral mucosal melanin hyperpigmentation (HIV-OMH) in a specific population of HIV-seropositive South Africans and to analyse the associations between HIV-OMH clinical features and the demographic and immunological characteristics of the study cohort.Material and Methods. This cross-sectional study included 200 HIV-seropositive Black subjects. The collected data comprised age, gender, CD4+ T cell count, viral load, systemic disease, medications, oral site affected by HIV-OMH, extent (localized or generalized), intensity of the pigmentation (dark or light), and smoking and snuff use.Results. Overall, 18.5% of the study cohort had HIV-OMH. Twenty-two and a half percent had OMH that could not with confidence be attributed to HIV infection, and 59% did not have any OMH. There was a significant but weak association between smoking and the presence of HIV-OMH.Conclusions. The prevalence of HIV-OMH in the study population was 18.5%, the gingiva being the most commonly affected site. It appears that the CD4+ T cell count does not play any role in the biopathology of HIV-OMH.
Dual Role of ROS as Signal and Stress Agents: Iron Tips the Balance in favor of Toxic Effects
Authors: Gammella Elena , Recalcati Stefania , Cairo Gaetano
Published: February 2016

Iron is essential for life, while also being potentially harmful. Therefore, its level is strictly monitored and complex pathways have evolved to keep iron safely bound to transport or storage proteins, thereby maintaining homeostasis at the cellular and systemic levels. These sequestration mechanisms ensure that mildly reactive oxygen species like anion superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, which are continuously generated in cells living under aerobic conditions, keep their physiologic role in cell signaling while escaping iron‐catalyzed transformation in the highly toxic hydroxyl radical. In this review, we describe the multifaceted systems regulating cellular and body iron homeostasis and discuss how altered iron balance may lead to oxidative damage in some pathophysiological settings.
Takotsubo Syndrome: A Pathway through the Pituitary Disease
Authors: Plácido Rui , Martins Ana Filipa , Robalo Martins Susana , do Vale Sónia , Almeida Ana G. , Pinto Fausto , Martin Martins João
Published: February 2016

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is characterized by reversible left ventricular apical and/or midventricular hypokinesia with unknown etiology. The clinical presentation is similar to acute myocardial infarction in the absence of significant obstructive coronary artery disease. Various predisposing factors have been related to TTC, such as acute neurological illnesses, endocrine diseases, pain, and emotional stress. We present the first description of an association between TTC cardiomyopathy and panhypopituitarism. This case reinforces the connection between the hormonal and cardiovascular systems. Furthermore, it supports the importance of a comprehensive and integrated medical history in the approach of a patient with cardiac disease, towards clinical decision-making.
Twitter Can Predict Your Next Place of Visit
Authors: Chauhan Arun , Tejwani Ravi , Toshniwal Durga
Published: February 2016

The present work focuses on predicting users' next place of visit using their past tweets. We hypothesize that tweets of the person have predictive power on his location and therefore can be used to predict his next place of visit. This problem is important for location based advertising and recommender based services. To predict the next place of visit, we calculate the probabilities of visiting different types of places using bank of binary classifiers and Markov models. More specifically, we train bank of binary classifiers on past tweets and calculated the probabilities of visiting next places. Since bank of binary classifiers is based on a bag-of-words model, to account for time of last visited place and place itself, we built Markov models for different time duration to calculate probabilities of visiting next place. Empirical evaluation shows that by combining the probabilities obtained from bank of binary classifiers and Markov models the accuracy of predicting next place increased from 65% to 80%.
Additional data on morphology of Actinella leontopithecus-rosalia Costa (Bacillariophyta, Eunotiaceae)
Authors: TREMARIN PRISCILA I. , KIM KWANG I.M.B. , MARRA RAQUEL C. , LUDWIG THELMA A.V.
Published: February 2016

Actinella leontopithecus-rosalia is a poorly known diatom described from southeast Brazil. Its similarity with other Actinella taxa and the lack of morphological data make it difficult the species recognition by researchers. This study addresses unpublished morphologic and morphometric details of frustule and expands the geographic distribution of A. leontopithecus-rosalia to tropical and subtropical regions of South America. The analysis of type and paratype materials and additional Brazilian samples under light and electron microscopy allowed us to establish the synonymy of A. lange-bertalotii with A. leontopithecus-rosalia, and to compare them also with the related A. modesta.
The Heteromurini Absolon & Ksenemann (Collembola, Entomobryidae):
a review of the genera status and diagnoses, keys for species of Alloscopus Börner and Heteromurtrella Mari Mutt and description of a new species
Authors: CIPOLA NIKOLAS GIOIA , OLIVEIRA FABIO GONÇALVES DE LIMA , MORAIS JOSÉ WELLINGTON DE , BELLINI BRUNO CAVALCANTE
Published: February 2016

The status of Heteromurini Absolon & Ksenemann is analyzed and a new diagnosis is proposed to the tribe. New chaetotaxic characteres were added to distinguish Dicranocentrus Schött and Pseudodicranocentrus Mari Mutt. Alloscopus Börner, Heteromurtrella Mari Mutt and Verhoeffiella Absolon, originally proposed as subgenera of Heteromurus Wankel, are reviewed and a new diagnosis and generic status are proposed. The presence of the postantennal organ becomes the main characteristic to distinguish Alloscopus (present) and Heteromurtrella (absent). Alloscopus yosiius Mari Mutt, anteriorly synonymized with Alloscopus tenuicornis Börner, is revalidated. The absence of S0 macrochaeta on head of Heteromurus is reported now as a characteristic also shared with Heteromurtrella. Heteromurtrella zairensis Tshelnokov comb. nov. is transferred from Heteromurus by the presence of macrochaetae on abdomen I. Heteromurtrella anae sp. nov. from Brazilian Amazon is described and illustrated, including detailed dorsal chaetotaxy. This is the first record of Heteromurtrella in Brazil. Heteromurus now has 17, Alloscopus 10 and Heteromurtrella 20 valid species worldwide. An identification key and diagnosis for the six genera of Heteromurini and species of Alloscopus and Heteromurtrella are provided.
The description of a new calyptrate fly mimicking species of the fungus weevil genus Gymnognathus Schönherr 1826 from the southern Bolivian Andes (Coleoptera: Anthribidae: Anthribinae)
Authors: PERGER ROBERT , GUERRA FERNANDO
Published: February 2016

A new calyptrate fly mimicking species of Gymnognathus Schönherr 1826 from the humid Tucuman-Bolivian forest in the southern Bolivian Andes is described. Gymnognathus barclayi sp. nov. is distinguished from the closest related species G. bohlsi Jordan, 1895, by the color and/or distribution of the scales on the pronotum, fourth ventrite and pygidium, the wider pronotum and the development of the spines on the pygidium. The arrangement of the longitudinal stripes on the pronotum suggests that G. barclayi sp. nov. is a mimic of tachinid or muscid flies. The almost exclusive occurrence of Gymnognathus species in tropical moist forests indicates that the presence of G. barclayi sp. nov. in the subtropical realm is fostered by increased humidity at orographic rain barriers. G. barclayi sp. nov. is possibly endemic to the Tucuman-Bolivian forest. Along with the presence of other endemic species, the discovery of G. barclayi sp. nov. highlights the importance of the Tucuman-Bolivian forest as an endemism hotspot for insects and calls for a re-assessment of the conservation status of this spatially restricted and threatened ecoregion.
An illustrated catalogue of the types of Stratiomyidae (Diptera: Brachycera) in the collection of Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: FACHIN DIEGO AGUILAR , COURI MÁRCIA SOUTO , DE MELLO-PATIU CÁTIA ANTUNES
Published: February 2016

A catalogue of the type specimens of Stratiomyidae (Diptera: Brachycera) held in the collection of Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (MNRJ) is presented. A total number of 50 type specimens of 18 valid Neotropical species were recognized and are listed in alphabetical order of subfamily, genus and specific epithet. Photos of 12 primary types of the species and bibliographical data of the original descriptions, labels and condition of all type specimens are also provided.
A new species of Oozetetes De Santis (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eupelmidae) from Colombia with an updated key for the bucheri species-group
Authors: PÉREZ-BENAVIDES A. LUCIA , SERNA FRANCISCO , GIBSON GARY A.P.
Published: February 2016

Oozetetes lucidus sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae) is described from Colombia, South America, and through macrophotography compared with all described species in the bucheri species-group of Oozetetes De Santis. An illustrated key modified from Gibson (2004) is provided to distinguish females of the six described species of this group.
Predicted burden of venous disease
Authors: Onida Sarah , Davies Alun Huw
Published: February 2016

Chronic venous disease is a common condition with clinical signs and symptoms ranging from spider veins, to varicose veins, to active venous ulceration. Both superficial and deep venous dysfunction may be implicated in the development of this disease. Socio-economic factors are shaping our population, with increasing age and body mass index resulting in significant pressure on healthcare systems worldwide. These risk factors also lead to an increased risk of developing superficial and/or deep venous insufficiency, increasing disease prevalence and morbidity. In this chapter, the authors review the current and future burden of chronic venous disease from an epidemiological, quality of life and economic perspective.
Open surgical treatment for postthrombotic syndrome
Authors: Behrendt Christian-Alexander , Heidemann Franziska , Rieß Henrik Christian , Kleinspehn Edgar , Kühme Tobias , Atlihan Gülsen , Gebhardt Christiane , Debus Eike Sebastian
Published: February 2016

The postthrombotic syndrome counts as a frequent long-term complication after deep vein thrombosis with approximately 20%–50% of affected patients after deep vein thrombosis. The earliest that diagnosis of postthrombotic syndrome can be made is 6 months after deep vein thrombosis. Most patients suffer from swelling and chronic pain. In all, 5%–10% of patients may even develop venous ulcers. The complex etiology consists of limited venous drainage because of chronic occlusions and secondary insufficiencies of venous valves inducing non-physiological venous reflux. Conservative management, first of all compression therapy, is of crucial importance in treatment of postthrombotic syndrome. Endovascular and open surgical techniques can additionally be used in a small subgroup of patients. Although rarely performed, this article illuminates the open surgical techniques in treatment of postthrombotic syndrome such as venous bypass surgery, valve repair and varicose vein surgery.
The Deadly Challenges of Raising African American Boys
Authors: Dow Dawn Marie
Published: February 2016

Through 60 in-depth interviews with African American middle- and upper-middle-class mothers, this article examines how the controlling image of the “thug” influences the concerns these mothers have for their sons and how they parent their sons in light of those concerns. Participants were principally concerned with preventing their sons from being perceived as criminals, protecting their sons’ physical safety, and ensuring they did not enact the “thug,” a form of subordinate masculinity. Although this image is associated with strength and toughness, participants believed it made their sons vulnerable in various social contexts. They used four strategies to navigate the challenges they and their sons confronted related to the thug image. Two of these strategies—experience and environment management—were directed at managing characteristics of their sons’ regular social interactions—and two—image and emotion management—were directed at managing their sons’ appearance. By examining parenting practices, this research illuminates the strategies mothers use to prepare their sons to address gendered racism through managing the expression of their masculinity, racial identity, and class status.
Crafting a Calling
Authors: Esteves Tiago , Lopes Miguel Pereira
Published: February 2016

Despite the emerging interest in the job crafting construct, researchers know little about its dimensions and their potential benefits for organizations. In a quantitative investigation, using a self-report questionnaire among a group of 189 Portuguese nurses and nursing assistants, we analyze how job crafting can be strongly related to workers’ sense of calling and turnover intention. The results indicate that sense of calling totally mediated the negative relation between the increase in challenging job demands and turnover intention. Although traditional assumption is that a sense of calling leads workers to craft their jobs, we theorize about the potential reverse path, given that our results support the possibility that sense of calling may be triggered when workers increase their own challenging job demands. We recommend further research to provide additional insight into job crafting formation mechanism.
Invasive squamous cell carcinoma originating from a giant penile condyloma
Authors: Sir Emin , Gungor Melike , Ucer Oktay , Kebat Tulu
Published: February 2016

In this case study, we present an unusual case with squamous cell carcinoma originating from a giant condyloma acuminata completely surrounding the penis. A 57-year-old circumcised heterosexual male patient presented with a penile lesion existing for 20 years. Incisional biopsy revealed acanthosis of the squamous epithelium. The patient was operated on under spinal anaesthesia. The lesion was resected circumferentially with macroscopic clearance, resulting in complete degloving of the penile shaft. Neurovascular bundles were preserved. The penile skin was constructed with a split thickness skin graft. Histopathological analysis of the lesion revealed an invasive and well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma arising on a condyloma, and the surgical margins were free from tumour. The patient was staged as G2 T1 N0 M0 and was followed for one year. He did not have any erectile dysfunction and could engage in intercourse. Pelvic tomographic and physical examination findings did not reveal any episode of recurrence or metastasis. When encountering patients with giant condyloma acuminata, it should not be forgotten that it may be accompanied by squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, tissue excision should be as extensive as possible while keeping in mind the importance of the function. This is the first case of a penile-degloving surgery for giant penile condyloma, supporting conservative and preserving penile surgery for such tumours.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Vietnamese Hemodialysis Stressor Scale
Authors: Dang Thi Loan , Lai Fu-Chih , Lin Yen-Kuang , Chou Kuei-Ru , Miao Nae-Fang , Liao Yuan-Mei
Published: February 2016

The lack of a suitable assessment tool may limit optimal stress management and impair the health-related quality of life of patients undergoing hemodialysis. The purpose of the study was to examine latent constructs and psychometric properties of the Vietnamese Hemodialysis Stressor Scale (HSS-V). In total, 180 patients receiving hemodialysis were recruited. Psychometric properties of the HSS-V, including the construct validity, internal consistency, and test–retest reliability, were tested after the instrument translation. The exploratory factor analysis resulted in a 24-item HSS-V with four extracted factors, which explained 58.32% of the total variance. The construct validity was confirmed by significant negative correlations between scores on the HSS-V and Vietnamese-version Short Form-36. The internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .82-.91) and test–retest reliability (intra-class correlations coefficient = .91-.94) of the 24-item HSS-V were satisfactory. A simple structure and preliminary acceptable psychometric properties of the HSS-V were established and can serve as a basis for further studies.
Challenging the Citizen–Consumer Journalistic Dichotomy
Authors: Mellado Claudia , van Dalen Arjen
Published: February 2016

Transformations in media and society have forced journalists to reconsider their relation to the audience. In this article, we argue that due to these changes, a new conceptualization is needed of the way journalism addresses the audience, which goes beyond the traditional consumer–citizen dichotomy. Results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses with three samples of Chilean news ( N = 1,988; N = 795; N = 812) support the hypothesis that audience approaches in journalism are best represented by a three-factor solution: the infotainment, the service, and the civic models. The data also show that approaching the audience as consumer or as citizen are not two poles of one continuum, and that approaching the audience under a consumer-orientation consists of two approaches: providing service and providing entertainment.
Growing the Good Stuff
Authors: Zoch Melody
Published: February 2016

This ethnographic study reports on one elementary literacy coach’s response to high-stakes testing and her approach to support third- through fifth-grade teachers in a Title I school in Texas. Sources of data included field notes and observations of classes and meetings, audio/video recordings, and transcribed interviews. The findings illustrate how the literacy coach used her knowledge and beliefs about teaching reading along with her position of leadership to craft alternative responses to an environment that endorsed a skills-based approach to teaching reading and placed a strong emphasis on test preparation. Specifically, the literacy coach enriched the skills-based reading curriculum with reading workshop, supported teachers’ learning and growth with teacher-centered inquiry groups, and focused on language and authentic literature as a way of preparing students for the test. These findings suggest that the literacy coach played an important role in supporting teachers with negotiating the demands of a high-stakes testing environment and in ways that did not necessarily compromise the literacy coach’s beliefs. These findings also suggest the importance of a supportive school environment where teachers have a sense of community for support and professional growth.
Applying the Mixed Methods Instrument Development and Construct Validation Process: The Transformative Experience Questionnaire
Authors: Koskey Kristin L. K. , Sondergeld Toni A. , Stewart Victoria C. , Pugh Kevin J.
Published: February 2016

Onwuegbuzie and colleagues proposed the Instrument Development and Construct Validation (IDCV) process as a mixed methods framework for creating and validating measures. Examples applying IDCV are lacking. We provide an illustrative case integrating the Rasch model and cognitive interviews applied to the development of the Transformative Experience Questionnaire (TEQ). TEQ measures student engagement with the content they are learning. IDCV process yielded a high degree of utility for informing the psychometric properties of the TEQ. The quantitative data yielded supportive content, construct, and concurrent-related validity evidence using a sample of middle ( n = 115) and high school students ( n = 81). The qualitative data revealed item rewording was needed. Moderate to strong test–retest reliability was found for both forms.
Iterative learning control of high-acceleration positioning table via sensitivity identification
Authors: Cui Jing , Chu Zhongyi , Wang Difan
Published: February 2016

Through the convergence analysis of the iterative learning control, it can be seen that the inverted model of the sensitivity can be used as the update law of iterative learning controller. However, due to the little knowledge in modeling uncertainty and in feedback controllers embedded in drivers with hard-to-obtain parameters, it is difficult to directly calculate the transfer function of the sensitivity. To solve this problem, this article presents sensitivity identification–based iterative learning controller for a high-acceleration positioning table actuated by the voice coil motors. In the sensitivity identification process, a frequency sweep signal was exerted to the closed-loop system as the equivalent disturbance, and the perturbation of the tracking error was gathered as output data. Then, the autoregressive model of the sensitivity was gained conveniently. Finally, the proposed sensitivity identification–based iterative learning controller was implemented in the experimental setup with the maximum acceleration of 5.3 g. The experimental results show that the tracking error of the X- and Y-axes decreased from 530 and 2480 µm to 6 and 18 µm, respectively, after the third iteration of the proposed iterative learning controller method, and the identified sensitivity can be easily designed in the iterative learning controller to greatly improve the tracking performance.
Occupational health for humanitarian aid workers in an Ebola outbreak
Authors: Haggman Hannele , Kenkre Joyce , Wallace Carolyn
Published: February 2016

The recent Ebola outbreak has caused worldwide consternation due to the spread of the disease and the high fatality rate, especially within the health care profession. Unfortunately this exacerbated the already limited health care infrastructure within Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Recruitment and the ability to respond by humanitarian aid organisations were impaired due to lack of willing delegates, facilities and equipment. This investigative qualitative study of International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent staff was conducted in three West African countries to assess the current staff health situation and make recommendations for improvement to issues and needs that may impact staff capacity to deliver services during deployment. A field visit was conducted in September 2014 during which a diary of interviews, notes and logged events was taken. The information will be used to inform a modified Delphi study for the development of minimum standards for occupational health for humanitarian aid workers. A total of 24 delegates were interviewed in Conakry (Guinea), Freetown and Kenema (Sierra Leone) and Monrovia (Liberia). The issues raised during the interviews covered pre-deployment, deployment, post-deployment and various issues related to work and life as a delegate in an Ebola operation. Pre-deployment issues raised were: addressing the concerns expressed by family, friends and employer, the importance of medical clearance and receiving health briefing prior to deployment and appropriate special training. Deployment raised different issues regarding ability to maintain personal health, location and acceptability of accommodation, new ways of living and working, including development of standard operating procedures to ensure quality of care and safety, security and travel restrictions and communication with family, friends and colleagues. Post-deployment concerns included media-related issues impacting on family, alienation instead of admiration, quarantine and ability to go home, and coming to terms with their experiences. The Ebola outbreak posed a huge challenge to the deploying humanitarian organisations in terms of recruiting, preparing, deploying, post-deployment and supporting their delegates through this process. The lessons learnt from this study and recommendations made to improve the future health and safety of humanitarian aid workers will inform the development of minimum standards for occupational health for these professions.
The Imagined Audience on Social Network Sites
Authors: Litt Eden , Hargittai Eszter
Published: February 2016

When people construct and share posts on social network sites like Facebook and Twitter, whom do they imagine as their audience? How do users describe this imagined audience? Do they have a sub-audience in mind (e.g., “friends who like reality television”)? Do they share more broadly and abstractly (e.g., “the public”)? Do such imaginings fluctuate each time a person posts? Using a mixed-methods approach involving a 2-month-long diary study of 119 diverse American adults and their 1,200 social network site posts, supplemented with follow-up interviews ( N = 30), this study explores the imagined audience on social network sites. The findings reveal that even though users often interacted with large diverse audiences as they posted, they coped by envisioning either very broad abstract imagined audiences or more targeted specific imagined audiences composed of personal ties, professional ties, communal ties, and/or phantasmal ties. When people had target imagined audiences in mind, they were most often homogeneous and composed of people’s friends and family. Users’ imaginings typically fluctuated among these audience types as they posted even though the potential audience as per their posts’ privacy settings often did not change. The findings provide a list of audience types, as well as detailed descriptions, examples, and frequencies on which future research can build. With people’s online presence playing an important role for their reputations, these findings provide more insight into for whom people are managing their privacy and whom they have in mind as they share.
The Diffusion Process of Strategic Motivating Language: An Examination of the Internal Organizational Environment and Emergent Properties
Authors: Mayfield Jacqueline , Mayfield Milton
Published: February 2016

Motivating language (ML) is a leader oral-communication strategy which has been significantly linked to such positive employee outcomes as higher job performance, increased job satisfaction, lower intention to turnover, and decreased absenteeism. However, most ML research has not targeted an organizational system at multiple levels. In brief, we have not looked at how this beneficial form of communication is actually implemented throughout an organization, including at the CEO level. In response to this gap, our main goals were to identify robust hypotheses on ML diffusion for future empirical testing, better understand the emergent processes of ML adoption within an organization, and advance development of related theory. These goals were achieved through an agent-based simulation model, drawn from management, communication, and social network scholarship. More specifically, overview, design concepts, and details protocol and NetLogo software were applied to simulate ML diffusion among all leader levels within an organization. This model also captured the influences of predicted moderators, and results were then interpreted to create testable hypotheses. Findings suggest that top-leader oral language use and organizational culture have the most profound impact on ML diffusion, followed by rewards, with partial weak support for the effects of training, turnover, and time. Recommendations were also made for future research on this topic, especially for empirical tests.
4EBP1/c-MYC/PUMA and NF-κB/EGR1/BIM pathways underlie cytotoxicity of mTOR dual inhibitors in malignant lymphoid cells
Authors: Yun Seongseok , Vincelette Nicole D. , Knorr Katherine L. B. , Almada Luciana L. , Schneider Paula A. , Peterson Kevin L. , Flatten Karen S. , Dai Haiming , Pratz Keith W. , Hess Allan D. , Smith B. Douglas , Karp Judith E. , Hendrickson Andrea E. Wahner , Fernandez-Zapico Martin E. , Kaufmann Scott H.
Published: February 2016

Key Points

Agents that inhibit both complexes containing the mammalian target of rapamycin are particularly toxic to acute lymphocytic leukemia cells. This killing reflects engagement of a 4EBP1/c-MYC/PUMA axis downstream of mTORC1 and an NF-κB/EGR1/BIM axis downstream of mTORC2.
Regulation of differentiation flux by Notch signalling influences the number of dopaminergic neurons in the adult brain
Authors: Trujillo-Paredes Niurka , Valencia Concepción , Guerrero-Flores Gilda , Arzate Dulce-María , Baizabal José-Manuel , Guerra-Crespo Magdalena , Fuentes-Hernández Ayari , Zea-Armenta Iván , Covarrubias Luis
Published: February 2016

Notch signalling is a well-established pathway that regulates neurogenesis. However, little is known about the role of Notch signalling in specific neuronal differentiation. Using Dll1 null mice, we found that Notch signalling has no function in the specification of mesencephalic dopaminergic neural precursor cells (NPCs), but plays an important role in regulating their expansion and differentiation into neurons. Premature neuronal differentiation was observed in mesencephalons of Dll1-deficient mice or after treatment with a Notch signalling inhibitor. Coupling between neurogenesis and dopaminergic differentiation was indicated from the coincident emergence of neuronal and dopaminergic markers. Early in differentiation, decreasing Notch signalling caused a reduction in NPCs and an increase in dopaminergic neurons in association with dynamic changes in the proportion of sequentially-linked dopaminergic NPCs (Msx1/2+, Ngn2+, Nurr1+). These effects in differentiation caused a significant reduction in the number of dopaminergic neurons produced. Accordingly, Dll1 haploinsufficient adult mice, in comparison with their wild-type littermates, have a consistent reduction in neuronal density that was particularly evident in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Our results are in agreement with a mathematical model based on a Dll1-mediated regulatory feedback loop between early progenitors and their dividing precursors that controls the emergence and number of dopaminergic neurons.
Photobleaching studies reveal that a single amino acid polymorphism is responsible for the differential binding affinities of linker histone subtypes H1.1 and H1.5
Authors: Flanagan Thomas W. , Files Jacob K. , Casano Kelsey Rose , George Eric M. , Brown David T.
Published: February 2016

Mammals express six major somatic linker histone subtypes, all of which display dynamic binding to chromatin, characterized by transient binding at a given location followed by rapid translocation to a new site. Using photobleaching techniques, we systematically measured the exchange rate of all six mouse H1 subtypes to determine their relative chromatin-binding affinity. Two subtypes, H1.1 and H1.2, display binding affinities that are significantly lower than all other subtypes. Using in vitro mutagenesis, the differences in chromatin-binding affinities between H1.1 (lower binding affinity) and H1.5 (higher binding affinity) were mapped to a single amino acid polymorphism near the junction of the globular and C-terminal domains. Overexpression of H1.5 in density arrested fibroblasts did not affect cell cycle progression after release. By contrast, overexpression of H1.1 resulted in a more rapid progression through G1/S relative to control cells. These results provide structural insights into the proposed functional significance of linker histone heterogeneity.
AN IMPACT OF THE TECHNICS OPERATING LEVEL ON INDICES OF TRACTOR USAGE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION
Authors: Галиев  , Galiev Ilgiz , Хусаинов  , Khusainov Rail
Published: February 2016

In determining the tractors exploitation level the important point is the choice of generalized, determinants and assessment of their ponderability, which fully reflect the conditions of their operation. The terms of operation conditions of equipment are valued by complex dimensionless index - the level of operation. The level of tractor operation is its state in the economy.
FORMATION OF BARLEY HARVEST DEPENDING ON THE NUTRITION BACKGROUND AND THE USE OF HERBICIDES
Authors: Митрофанов  , Mitrofanov Eduard , Коршунов  , Korshunov Aleksandr , Владимиров  , Vladimirov Vladimir , Гафуров  , Gafurov Rafail
Published: February 2016

The effectiveness of herbicides in spring barley crops on different nutrition backgrounds was studied in field experiments on dark gray forest soil of medium loamy particle size distribution in the conditions of Volga-Vyatka region. It is revealed that on both backgrounds of fertilizer application the barley formed a maximum yield, when applying the herbicide Bomba. When using this herbicide in making mineral fertilizers N54P54K54 the productivity was 2.71 tons per hectare and a dose N70P70K70 – it was 2.83 tons per hectare. On average for three years, the maximum (11.35%) protein content was appeared in the preparation by Sekator turbo herbicide on the background of fertilizer application of N70P70K70.
Communication Services and Supports for Individuals With Severe Disabilities: Guidance for Assessment and Intervention
Authors: Brady Nancy C. , Bruce Susan , Goldman Amy , Erickson Karen , Mineo Beth , Ogletree Bill T. , Paul Diane , Romski Mary Ann , Sevcik Rose , Siegel Ellin , Schoonover Judith , Snell Marti , Sylvester Lorraine , Wilkinson Krista
Published: February 2016

The National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of People With Severe Disabilities (NJC) reviewed literature regarding practices for people with severe disabilities in order to update guidance provided in documents originally published in 1992. Changes in laws, definitions, and policies that affect communication attainments by persons with severe disabilities are presented, along with guidance regarding assessment and intervention practices. A revised version of the Communication Bill of Rights, a powerful document that describes the communication rights of all individuals, including those with severe disabilities is included in this article. The information contained within this article is intended to be used by professionals, family members, and individuals with severe disabilities to inform and advocate for effective communication services and opportunities.
Customer Acquisition and Retention Spending: An Analytical Model and Empirical Investigation in Wireless Telecommunications Markets
Authors: Min Sungwook , Zhang Xubing , Kim Namwoon , Srivastava Rajendra K.
Published: February 2016

Strategic resource allocation in growth markets is always a challenging task. This is especially true when it comes to determining the level of investments and expenditures for customer acquisition and retention in competitive and dynamic market environments. This study develops an analytical model to examine firms’ investments in customer acquisition and retention for a new service; it develops hypotheses drawing on analytical findings and tests them with firm-level operating data of wireless telecommunications markets from 41 countries during 1999–2007. The empirical investigation shows that a firm's acquisition cost per customer is more sensitive to market position and competition than retention cost per customer. Furthermore, whereas firms leading in market share, on average, do not have a cost advantage over other firms in retaining customers, they have a substantial cost advantage in acquiring customers, and this advantage tends to increase with market penetration. The study results provide guidelines for firms’ strategic resource allocation for customer acquisition and retention in competitive service markets.
Reduced absorption and enhanced synthesis of cholesterol in patients with cystic fibrosis: a preliminary study of plasma sterols
Authors: Gelzo Monica , Sica Concetta , Elce Ausilia , Dello Russo Antonio , Iacotucci Paola , Carnovale Vincenzo , Raia Valeria , Salvatore Donatello , Corso Gaetano , Castaldo Giuseppe
Published: February 2016

Background:

Low cholesterol is typically observed in the plasma of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) contrasting with the subcellular accumulation of cholesterol demonstrated in CF cells and in mice models. However, the homeostasis of cholesterol has not been well investigated in patients with CF.

Methods:

We studied the plasma of 26 patients with CF and 33 unaffected controls campesterol and β-sitosterol as markers of intestinal absorption and lathosterol as a marker of de novo cholesterol biosynthesis by gas chromatography (GC-FID and GC-MS).

Results:

Plasma campesterol and β-sitosterol results were significantly (p=0.01) lower while plasma lathosterol was significantly higher (p=0.001) in patients with CF as compared to control subjects. Plasma cholesterol results were significantly lower (p=0.01) in CF patients.

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that the impaired intestinal absorption of exogenous sterols in patients with CF stimulates the endogenous synthesis of cholesterol, but the levels of total cholesterol in plasma remain lower. This may be due to the CFTR dysfunction that reduces cholesterol blood excretion causing the accumulation of cholesterol in liver cells and in other tissues contributing to trigger CF chronic inflammation.
A Unique Pattern of Policymaking in China’s Authoritarian Regime
Authors: Tsai Wen-Hsuan
Published: February 2016

This article aims to deepen academic discussion of the Chinese Communist Party’s official media by presenting the neican/pishi (internal reference/written directive) model. The model represents an amalgamated system of internal watchdog journalism and political decision-making practices, reflecting the unique pattern of the CCP’s “documentary politics.”
How Does the Norm on Non-interference Affect Peace in East Asia?
Authors: Kivimäki Timo
Published: February 2016

This article explicates the East Asian concept of non-interference, looks at the merits and problems in interference in the region, and concludes by referring to statistical evidence that the practice of non-interference in East Asia has been crucial for the near-disappearance of battle deaths regionally since 1979.