bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La mirada del extranjero. Reflexiones de José Ortega y Gasset sobre la psicología de los varones y las mujeres argentinas
Authors: Ostrovsky Ana Elisa , Moya Luis Alberto
Published: September 2015

La psicología de los argentinos y argentinas fue una temática que atrajo la curiosidad de algunos observadores extranjeros. Entre los que visitaron la Argentina y escribieron sobre ella en la primera mitad del siglo XX, encontramos al norteamericano Waldo Frank, al alemán Keyserling y al filósofo español Ortega y Gasset, este ultimo viajó al país en tres oportunidades generando agudas observaciones acerca de la idiosincrasia de este pueblo. Dejó constancia de sus meditaciones en Intimidades, ensayo que forma parte de El Espectador. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar, a partir de dichos escritos, sus reflexiones acerca de las diferencias entre la psicología de los varones y las mujeres argentinas, en la conformación de la identidad nacional, entendiendo una asimetría fundamentada en la idea de nuestro país como un pueblo joven.
Por una psiquiatría experimental y de laboratorio: la formación de una comunidad alemano-brasileña de la medicina mental (1900-1914)
Authors: Neves de Muñoz Pedro Felipe
Published: September 2015

El artículo analiza la formación de una comunidad psiquiátrica transnacional, donde médicos brasileños y alemanes realizaron un intenso intercambio científico, especialmente después de la Primera Guerra Mundial. En Alemania, Emil Kraepelin (1856-1926) dio nuevas directrices para la investigación psiquiátrica y estableció un modelo de producción del conocimiento psicológico y neuropsiquiátrico, a través de diversas especialidades científicas. En Brasil, los médicos Juliano Moreira (1873-1933) y Ulysses Vianna (1880-1935) fueron responsables de la apropiación del programa kraepeliano y de la circulación de médicos, conocimientos y modelos institucionales, entre los dos países. En el campo de la medicina mental, se constata el desarrollo de una nueva forma de producción de conocimiento científico, con énfasis en laboratorio, y de acercamiento con el paradigma biológico y experimental.
Scientific Exchanges between France and Brazil in the History of Psychology. The Role of Georges Dumas between 1908 and 1946
Authors: Bandeira de Melo Carolina S , Campos Regina de Freitas
Published: September 2015

This article presents the role of Georges Dumas in the development of Brazilian psychology in the first half of the twentieth century. France had at that moment a major influence on Brazilian cultural and scientific development, including the field of psychology. Georges Dumas had a prominent presence in Brazil, acting as a gatekeeper when choosing French scholars to give conferences and classes in Brazil between 1908 and 1940 as a representative of the French cultural tradition. The bibliography of Georges Dumas’s Traité de Psychologie, published in 1922-1923, shows a selection of Brazilian scholars who interacted with the author 1900’s ans 1940’s. The political context of French-Brazilian exchanges and the names of professors involved in the French mission in Brazil in the field of psychology were studied. The French cultural influence in Brazil is interpreted as a strategy aimed at contributing to the solution of Brazilian problems, and it helped to change the image of Brazil in Europe. In addition, scientific exchanges promoted the extension of the French diplomatic network.
Caracterización de prácticas de cuidado en familias con niños en primera infancia en situación de desplazamiento forzado
Authors: Carbonell Blanco Olga Alicia María , Plata Contreras Sandra Juliana , Bermúdez Jaimes Milton Eduardo , Suárez Baracaldo Liliana Catalina , Peña Patiño Paola Andrea , Villanueva Betancourth Carolina
Published: September 2015

El propósito del estudio fue caracterizar las prácticas de crianza del cuidador principal respecto a calidad del cuidado, prácticas disciplinarias, relaciones de apego tempranas niño-cuidador y desarrollo infantil en 10 familias caso en situación de desplazamiento forzado con niños en primera infancia. El diseño metodológico fue multimétodo con instrumentos observacionales derivados de la Teoría del Apego y medidas de autorreporte. Se encontraron asociaciones significativas entre sensibilidad del cuidador con desarrollo infantil, también entre apego infantil con dominios de cuidado materno. Se obtuvieron categorías emergentes sobre transmisión intergeneracional de patrones de crianza y prácticas de cuidado infantil actuales con una entrevista etnográfica basada en Teoría Fundamentada en los Datos. Los hallazgos fueron analizados considerando factores protectores y riesgo en estos casos.
El papel moderador de la autoeficacia ocupacional entre la satisfacción y la irritación laboral
Authors: MERINO TEJEDOR ENRIQUE , FERNÁNDEZ RÍOS MANUEL , BARGSTED ARAVENA MARIANA
Published: September 2015

El presente artículo pretende aportar evidencia empírica sobre el posible rol modulador que la expectativa de autoeficacia ocupacional ejerce sobre la satisfacción laboral y la irritación laboral. El estudio se llevó a cabo con una muestra multiocupacional de 386 sujetos, todos ellos en activo a la hora de rellenar los cuestionarios. Se llevaron a cabo análisis de correlaciones y análisis de varianza. Los resultados obtenidos confirmaron una relación positiva entre autoeficacia ocupacional y satisfacción laboral y una relación negativa entre irritación emocional y autoeficacia ocupacional. Además, entre los sujetos con menor satisfacción laboral, aquellos con mayor autoeficacia mostraban menores niveles de estrés, lo cual confirma el papel modulador de la autoeficacia sobre las experiencias de estrés laboral.
Propiedades psicométricas de la escala Breve Multidimensional de Satisfacción con la Vida para Estudiantes (BMSLSS) en población infantil chilena (10 – 12 años).
Authors: Alfaro Inzunza Jaime , Guzmán Piña Javier , García Gómez Catalina , Sirlopú Díaz David , Oyanedel Sepúlveda Juan Carlos , Gaudlitz Ruiz Lorraine
Published: September 2015

Este trabajo analiza las propiedades psicométricas de la escala BMSLSS de Seligson, Huebner y Valois (2003) en niños y niñas chilenos. Se aplicó a 1.163 estudiantes de 10, 11 y 12 años. Se realizaron análisis de confiabilidad, análisis factorial exploratorio (EFA) y confirmatorio (CFA), y correlación ítem con puntaje total. Los resultados exhiben una aceptable confiabilidad interna de la escala (α=0.70), un solo factor en la estructura factorial de la escala, y adecuada correlación ítem con puntaje total (entre 0.55 y 0.73). El estudio fundamenta el uso de BMSLSS en Chile en población infantil y aporta herramientas de medición de indicadores sociales para la infancia en países en vías de desarrollo de habla hispana.
Psicopatología y victimización escolar emergente en una muestra de estudiantes chilenos
Authors: Leiva bahamondes Loreto
Published: September 2015

La victimización escolar emergente (VEE) ha recibido escasa atención académica y social dado la relevancia de la victimización sistemática (bullying). Sin embargo, los efectos sobre la salud mental pueden ser similares en ambos tipos de victimización. Este estudio indagó la relación entre psicopatología y VEE en una muestra de 773 estudiantes chilenos. Los resultados muestran que la VEE afecta al 30% de los jóvenes y que es estable a través del tiempo. Se encontró en las victimas emergentes una mayor presencia de sintomatología depresiva, ansiosa y conductual, así como un menor comportamiento prosocial. Se discute si la VEM podría generar problemas psicopatológicos asociados a procesos de ajuste psicosocial en un grupo que utilizaría la violencia como modo naturalizado de relación.
Gain-Scheduled Vehicle Handling Stability Control Via Integration of Active Front Steering and Suspension Systems
Authors: Jin Xianjian , Yin Guodong , Bian Chentong , Chen Jiansong , Li Pu , Chen Nan
Published: September 2015

This paper proposes an integrated vehicle dynamics control system that aims to enhance vehicles handling stability and safety performance by coordinating active front steering (AFS) and active suspension systems (ASS). The integrated controller design is based on the lateral stability region described by phase plane approach that is employed to bound the vehicle stability and coordinate AFS and ASS. During normal steering conditions, the vehicle states lie inside the lateral stability region, only the AFS is involved for vehicle steerability enhancement. Whereas, when the vehicle reaches the handling limits and the vehicle states go outside the lateral stability region under extreme steering maneuvers, both AFS and ASS collaborate together to improve vehicle handling stability. The linear parameter-varying (LPV) polytopic vehicle model is built, which depends affinely on the time-varying longitudinal speed that is described by a polytope with finite vertices. The resulting gain-scheduling state-feedback controller is designed and solved utilizing a set of linear matrix inequalities derived from quadratic H∞ performance. Simulation using matlab/simulink-carsim® is carried out to evaluate the performance of the integrated controller. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed controller.
Introduction to a Third-Generation Automobile Steel and Its Optimal Warm-Stamping Process
Authors: Chang Ying , Wang Cunyu , Zhao Kunmin , Dong Han , Yan Jianwen
Published: September 2015

The medium-Mn steel is a promising third-generation automobile steel. Its chemical composition, microstructure, and thermal and mechanical properties are introduced and a warm-stamping process for the medium-Mn steel is proposed. The optimal process parameters are identified through the design of experiments (DOE) and range analysis. The evaluated experimental indexes include tensile strength, elongation, and hardness. The optimal forming process consists of an austenitization temperature of 840 °C, a soaking time of 4 min, and an initial stamping temperature of 500 °C. The proposed process was applied to the warm stamping of an automotive B-pillar. The microstructure of ultrafine, uniform, and complete martensite laths was obtained. The formed part exhibits approximately 1420 MPa tensile strength, over 11% elongation and 460 HV hardness. The optimal warm-stamping process has proved effective and applicable for forming medium-Mn steel parts. It will help promote the application of the third-generation automotive steels.
DECT evaluation of noncalcified coronary artery plaque
Authors: Ravanfar Haghighi Rezvan , Chatterjee S. , Tabin Milo , Sharma Sanjiv , Jagia Priya , Ray Ruma , Singh Rishi P. , Yadav Rakesh , Sharma Munish , Krishna Karthik , Vani V. C. , Lakshmi R. , Mandal Susama R. , Kumar Pratik , Arava Sudhir
Published: September 2015

Purpose:

Composition of the coronary artery plaque is known to have critical role in heart attack. While calcified plaque can easily be diagnosed by conventional CT, it fails to distinguish between fibrous and lipid rich plaques. In the present paper, the authors discuss the experimental techniques and obtain a numerical algorithm by which the electron density (ρe) and the effective atomic number (Zeff) can be obtained from the dual energy computed tomography (DECT) data. The idea is to use this inversion method to characterize and distinguish between the lipid and fibrous coronary artery plaques.

Methods:

For the purpose of calibration of the CT machine, the authors prepare aqueous samples whose calculated values of (ρe, Zeff) lie in the range of (2.65 × 1023 ≤ ρe ≤ 3.64 × 1023/cm3) and (6.80 ≤ Zeff ≤ 8.90). The authors fill the phantom with these known samples and experimentally determine HU(V1) and HU(V2), with V1,V2 = 100 and 140 kVp, for the same pixels and thus determine the coefficients of inversion that allow us to determine (ρe, Zeff) from the DECT data. The HU(100) and HU(140) for the coronary artery plaque are obtained by filling the channel of the coronary artery with a viscous solution of methyl cellulose in water, containing 2% contrast. These (ρe, Zeff) values of the coronary artery plaque are used for their characterization on the basis of theoretical models of atomic compositions of the plaque materials. These results are compared with histopathological report.

Results:

The authors find that the calibration gives ρe with an accuracy of ±3.5% while Zeff is found within ±1% of the actual value, the confidence being 95%. The HU(100) and HU(140) are found to be considerably different for the same plaque at the same position and there is a linear trend between these two HU values. It is noted that pure lipid type plaques are practically nonexistent, and microcalcification, as observed in histopathology, has to be taken into account to explain the nature of the observed (ρe, Zeff) data. This also enables us to judge the composition of the plaque in terms of basic model which considers the plaque to be composed of fibres, lipids, and microcalcification.

Conclusions:

This simple and reliable method has the potential as an effective modality to investigate the composition of noncalcified coronary artery plaques and thus help in their characterization. In this inversion method, (ρe, Zeff) of the scanned sample can be found by eliminating the effects of the CT machine and also by ensuring that the determination of the two unknowns (ρe, Zeff) does not interfere with each other and the nature of the plaque can be identified in terms of a three component model.
Technical Note: Characterization and correction of gradient nonlinearity induced distortion on a 1.0 T open bore MR‐SIM
Authors: Price Ryan G. , Kadbi Mo , Kim Joshua , Balter James , Chetty Indrin J. , Glide‐Hurst Carri K.
Published: September 2015

Purpose:

Distortions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compromise spatial fidelity, potentially impacting delineation and dose calculation. We characterized 2D and 3D large field of view (FOV), sequence‐independent distortion at various positions in a 1.0 T high‐field open MR simulator (MR‐SIM) to implement correction maps for MRI treatment planning.

Methods:

A 36 × 43 × 2 cm3 phantom with 255 known landmarks (∼1 mm3) was scanned using 1.0 T high‐field open MR‐SIM at isocenter in the transverse, sagittal, and coronal axes, and a 465 × 350 × 168 mm3 3D phantom was scanned by stepping in the superior‐inferior direction in three overlapping positions to achieve a total 465 × 350 × 400 mm3 sampled FOV yielding >13 800 landmarks (3D Gradient‐Echo, TE/TR/α = 5.54 ms/30 ms/28°, voxel size = 1 × 1 × 2 mm3). A binary template (reference) was generated from a phantom schematic. An automated program converted MR images to binary via masking, thresholding, and testing for connectivity to identify landmarks. Distortion maps were generated by centroid mapping. Images were corrected via warping with inverse distortion maps, and temporal stability was assessed.

Results:

Over the sampled FOV, non‐negligible residual gradient distortions existed as close as 9.5 cm from isocenter, with a maximum distortion of 7.4 mm as close as 23 cm from isocenter. Over six months, average gradient distortions were −0.07 ± 1.10 mm and 0.10 ± 1.10 mm in the x and y directions for the transverse plane, 0.03 ± 0.64 and −0.09 ± 0.70 mm in the sagittal plane, and 0.4 ± 1.16 and 0.04 ± 0.40 mm in the coronal plane. After implementing 3D correction maps, distortions were reduced to <1 pixel width (1 mm) for all voxels up to 25 cm from magnet isocenter.

Conclusions:

Inherent distortion due to gradient nonlinearity was found to be non‐negligible even with vendor corrections applied, and further corrections are required to obtain 1 mm accuracy for large FOVs. Statistical analysis of temporal stability shows that sequence independent distortion maps are consistent within six months of characterization.
Paddle‐based rotating‐shield brachytherapy
Authors: Liu Yunlong , Flynn Ryan T. , Kim Yusung , Dadkhah Hossein , Bhatia Sudershan K. , Buatti John M. , Xu Weiyu , Wu Xiaodong
Published: September 2015

Purpose:

The authors present a novel paddle‐based rotating‐shield brachytherapy (P‐RSBT) method, whose radiation‐attenuating shields are formed with a multileaf collimator (MLC), consisting of retractable paddles, to achieve intensity modulation in high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy.

Methods:

Five cervical cancer patients using an intrauterine tandem applicator were considered to assess the potential benefit of the P‐RSBT method. The P‐RSBT source used was a 50 kV electronic brachytherapy source (Xoft Axxent™). The paddles can be retracted independently to form multiple emission windows around the source for radiation delivery. The MLC was assumed to be rotatable. P‐RSBT treatment plans were generated using the asymmetric dose–volume optimization with smoothness control method [Liu et al., Med. Phys. 41(11), 111709 (11pp.) (2014)] with a delivery time constraint, different paddle sizes, and different rotation strides. The number of treatment fractions (fx) was assumed to be five. As brachytherapy is delivered as a boost for cervical cancer, the dose distribution for each case includes the dose from external beam radiotherapy as well, which is 45 Gy in 25 fx. The high‐risk clinical target volume (HR‐CTV) doses were escalated until the minimum dose to the hottest 2 cm3 (D2cm3) of either the rectum, sigmoid colon, or bladder reached their tolerance doses of 75, 75, and 90 Gy3, respectively, expressed as equivalent doses in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2 with α/β = 3 Gy).

Results:

P‐RSBT outperformed the two other RSBT delivery techniques, single‐shield RSBT (S‐RSBT) and dynamic‐shield RSBT (D‐RSBT), with a properly selected paddle size. If the paddle size was angled at 60°, the average D90 increases for the delivery plans by P‐RSBT on the five cases, compared to S‐RSBT, were 2.2, 8.3, 12.6, 11.9, and 9.1 Gy10, respectively, with delivery times of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min/fx. The increases in HR‐CTV D90, compared to D‐RSBT, were 16.6, 12.9, 7.2, 3.7, and 1.7 Gy10, respectively. P‐RSBT HR‐CTV D90‐values were insensitive to the paddle size for paddles angled at less than 60°. Increasing the paddle angle from 5° to 60° resulted in only a 0.6 Gy10 decrease in HR‐CTV D90 on average for five cases when the delivery times were set to 15 min/fx. The HR‐CTV D90 decreased to 2.5 and 11.9 Gy10 with paddle angles of 90° and 120°, respectively.

Conclusions:

P‐RSBT produces treatment plans that are dosimetrically and temporally superior to those of S‐RSBT and D‐RSBT, although P‐RSBT systems may be more mechanically challenging to develop than S‐RSBT or D‐RSBT. A P‐RSBT implementation with 4–6 shield paddles would be sufficient to outperform S‐RSBT and D‐RSBT if delivery times are constrained to less than 15 min/fx.
Factors that may determine the targeting accuracy of image‐guided radiosurgery
Authors: Subedi Gopal , Karasick Todd , Grimm Jimm , Jain Sheena , Xue Jinyu , Xu Qianyi , Chen Yan , Asbell Sucha , Pahlajani Niraj , LaCouture Tamara
Published: September 2015

Purpose:

The AAPM TG‐135 report is a landmark recommendation for the quality assurance (QA) of image‐guided robotic radiosurgery. The purpose of this paper is to present results pertaining to intentionally offsetting the phantom as recommended by TG‐135 and to present data on targeting algorithm accuracy as a function of imager parameters in less than ideal circumstances, which had not been available at the time of publication of TG‐135.

Methods:

All tests in this study were performed at the Cooper University Hospital CyberKnife Center in Mt. Laurel, NJ. For intentional offsets, initial tests were performed on the Accuray‐supplied anthropomorphic head and neck phantom, whereas for subsequent tests, the Accuray‐supplied alignment quality assurance (AQA) phantom was used. To simulate the effects of imager parameters for larger patients, slabs of Blue Water (Standard Imaging, Inc., Middleton, WI) were added to attenuate the x‐ray images in some of the tests. In conjunction with attenuated x‐ray tests, the number of fiducials was varied by systematically deselecting them one at a time at the CyberKnife console.

Results:

Tests using the AQA phantom verified that submillimeter alignments were consistently achieved even with intentional shifts and rotations of up to 10.0 mm and 1.0°, respectively. An analysis of 17 months of daily QA alignment tests showed that submillimeter alignments were achieved more than 99% of the time even with such intentional shifts and rotations of the phantom. When additional slabs of Blue Water were added to simulate patient attenuation of the x‐ray images, targeting errors could be induced depending on imager parameters and the amount of Blue Water used. A series of consecutive tests showed that two helpful variables to ensure good accuracy of the system were (1) the fiducial extraction confidence level (FECL) system parameter and (2) the number of targeted fiducials. When fewer than four fiducials were used, the FECL reported by the CyberKnife was sometimes high even when a false lock occurred, so using multiple fiducials helped to ensure reliable targeting.

Conclusions:

Radiosurgery requires the highest degree of targeting accuracy, and in our experience, the CyberKnife has been able to maintain submillimeter accuracy consistently. It has been verified that our CyberKnife can correct for phantom shifts of up to 10.0 mm and rotations of up to 1.0°. It has also been discovered that false locks are more likely to occur with a single fiducial than with multiple fiducials. Although targeting accuracy can only be measured on a phantom, the insight gained from analyzing the QA tests can help us in devising better strategies for achieving the best treatment for our patients.
A virtual simulator designed for collision prevention in proton therapy
Authors: Jung Hyunuk , Kum Oyeon , Han Youngyih , Park Hee Chul , Kim Jin Sung , Choi Doo Ho
Published: September 2015

Purpose:

In proton therapy, collisions between the patient and nozzle potentially occur because of the large nozzle structure and efforts to minimize the air gap. Thus, software was developed to predict such collisions between the nozzle and patient using treatment virtual simulation.

Methods:

Three‐dimensional (3D) modeling of a gantry inner‐floor, nozzle, and robotic‐couch was performed using SolidWorks based on the manufacturer's machine data. To obtain patient body information, a 3D‐scanner was utilized right before CT scanning. Using the acquired images, a 3D‐image of the patient's body contour was reconstructed. The accuracy of the image was confirmed against the CT image of a humanoid phantom. The machine components and the virtual patient were combined on the treatment‐room coordinate system, resulting in a virtual simulator. The simulator simulated the motion of its components such as rotation and translation of the gantry, nozzle, and couch in real scale. A collision, if any, was examined both in static and dynamic modes. The static mode assessed collisions only at fixed positions of the machine's components, while the dynamic mode operated any time a component was in motion. A collision was identified if any voxels of two components, e.g., the nozzle and the patient or couch, overlapped when calculating volume locations. The event and collision point were visualized, and collision volumes were reported.

Results:

All components were successfully assembled, and the motions were accurately controlled. The 3D‐shape of the phantom agreed with CT images within a deviation of 2 mm. Collision situations were simulated within minutes, and the results were displayed and reported.

Conclusions:

The developed software will be useful in improving patient safety and clinical efficiency of proton therapy.
Cross-coherent vector sensor processing for spatially distributed glider networks
Authors: Nichols Brendan , Sabra Karim G.
Published: September 2015

Autonomous underwater gliders fitted with vector sensors can be used as a spatially distributed sensor array to passively locate underwater sources. However, to date, the positional accuracy required for robust array processing (especially coherent processing) is not achievable using dead-reckoning while the gliders remain submerged. To obtain such accuracy, the gliders can be temporarily surfaced to allow for global positioning system contact, but the acoustically active sea surface introduces locally additional sensor noise. This letter demonstrates that cross-coherent array processing, which inherently mitigates the effects of local noise, outperforms traditional incoherent processing source localization methods for this spatially distributed vector sensor network.
Influence of language experience on digit recognition by English and Chinese listeners
Authors: Zhou Xiaoqing , Yuan Wei , Galvin John J. , Fu Qian-Jie , Zhang Ying
Published: September 2015

Digit recognition was measured in quiet and in two noise conditions by English-native (EN) and Chinese-native (CN) listeners. EN listeners were tested using English digits and CN listeners were tested using both English and Chinese digits. In quiet, forward digit span recall worsened for both groups as the number of digits was increased. Significant effects of language experience were observed with five or more digits. Language experience had a significant effect on digit recognition in babble but not in steady noise. These results suggest that understanding of a nonnative language can be influenced by both cognitive load and listening environment.
Characterization of the complexity in short oscillating time series: An application to seismic airgun detonations
Authors: Miralles R. , Carrión A. , Looney D. , Lara G. , Mandic D.
Published: September 2015

Extracting frequency-derived parameters allows for the identification and characterization of acoustic events, such as those obtained in passive acoustic monitoring applications. Situations where it is difficult to achieve the desired frequency resolution to distinguish between similar events occur, for example, in short time oscillating events. One feasible approach to make discrimination among such events is by measuring the complexity or the presence of non-linearities in a time series. Available techniques include the delay vector variance (DVV) and recurrence plot (RP) analysis, which have been used independently for statistical testing, however, the similarities between these two techniques have so far been overlooked. This work suggests a method that combines the DVV method with the recurrence quantification analysis parameters of the RP graphs for the characterization of short oscillating events. In order to establish the confidence intervals, a variant of the pseudo-periodic surrogate algorithm is proposed. This allows one to eliminate the fine details that may indicate the presence of non-linear dynamics, without having to add a large amount of noise, while preserving more efficiently the phase-space shape. The algorithm is verified on both synthetic and real world time series.
Reliability of Mechanical Trunk Responses During Known and Unknown Trunk Perturbations
Authors: Jakobsen Markus D. , Brandt Mikkel , Sundstrup Emil , Jay Kenneth , Aagaard Per , Andersen Lars L.
Published: September 2015

This study evaluates the between-day reliability of a newly developed trunk perturbation test and compares mechanical response during known and unknown conditions. Mechanical trunk responses were measured in 17 female subjects during unloading and loading perturbations of the abdomen (A: preloaded abdomen condition) and low back (B: preloaded back condition). The loading perturbation increased the preload from 5.5 kg to a 10.9 kg pull on the trunk whereas the unloading perturbation decreased the pull from 5.5 kg to 0.1 kg. A sequence of loading (known), unloading (known), and randomized loading/unloading (unknown) perturbations were performed for A and B. Between-day reliability of stopping time, trunk displacement, and velocity was quantified using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). ICCs were good to excellent for all loading and unloading measures during the known (0.70–0.98) and unknown (0.64–0.94) perturbations of A and B. In general, larger trunk displacements were seen after the unknown perturbations compared with the known perturbation. The method may be used as a diagnostic tool for screening workers who are in risk of future work-related low back injuries.
Does Prior NFL Head Coaching Experience Improve Team Performance?
Authors: Roach Michael
Published: September 2015

Sports franchises often value prior head coaching experience as they evaluate head coaching candidates. This paper empirically tests whether prior head coaching experience affects team performance in the National Football League. Accounting for individual coach effects and other relevant factors, I find that team performance is significantly worse beyond a given coach’s initial head coaching spell. These results hold for a variety of outcome measures. While coaches with the lowest levels of success in their initial head coaching spell have the most pronounced negative experience effects, significant negative effects are estimated for coaches at all levels of initial success. One explanation for these results is that human capital acquired through head coaching experience is to a large extent firm specific, so while learning does occur within a given head coaching job, it does not carry over to future coaching spells. This can lead to an erosion of any relative human capital advantage.
Virome Analysis of Transfusion Recipients Reveals a Novel Human Virus That Shares Genomic Features with Hepaciviruses and Pegiviruses
Authors: Kapoor Amit , Kumar Arvind , Simmonds Peter , Bhuva Nishit , Singh Chauhan Lokendra , Lee Bohyun , Sall Amadou Alpha , Jin Zhezhen , Morse Stephen S. , Shaz Beth , Burbelo Peter D. , Lipkin W. Ian
Published: September 2015

To investigate the transmission of novel infectious agents by blood transfusion, we studied changes in the virome composition of blood transfusion recipients pre- and posttransfusion. Using this approach, we detected and genetically characterized a novel human virus, human hepegivirus 1 (HHpgV-1), that shares features with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human pegivirus (HPgV; formerly called GB virus C or hepatitis G virus). HCV and HPgV belong to the genera
Hepacivirus
and
Pegivirus
of the family
Flaviviridae
. HHpgV-1 was found in serum samples from two blood transfusion recipients and two hemophilia patients who had received plasma-derived clotting factor concentrates. In the former, the virus was detected only in the posttransfusion samples, indicating blood-borne transmission. Both hemophiliacs were persistently viremic over periods of at least 201 and 1,981 days. The 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of HHpgV-1 contained a type IV internal ribosome entry site (IRES), structurally similar to although highly divergent in sequence from that of HCV and other hepaciviruses. However, phylogenetic analysis of nonstructural genes (NS3 and NS5B) showed that HHpgV-1 forms a branch within the pegivirus clade distinct from HPgV and homologs infecting other mammalian species. In common with some pegivirus variants infecting rodents and bats, the HHpgV-1 genome encodes a short, highly basic protein upstream of E1, potentially possessing a core-like function in packaging RNA during assembly. Identification of this new human virus, HHpgV-1, expands our knowledge of the range of genome configurations of these viruses and may lead to a reevaluation of the original criteria by which the genera
Hepacivirus
and
Pegivirus
are defined.

IMPORTANCE
More than 30 million blood components are transfused annually in the United States alone. Surveillance for infectious agents in the blood supply is key to ensuring the safety of this critical resource for medicine and public health. Here, we report the identification of a new and highly diverse HCV/GB virus (GBV)-like virus from human serum samples. This new virus, human hepegivirus 1 (HHpgV-1), was found in serum samples from blood transfusion recipients, indicating its potential for transmission via transfusion products. We also found persistent long-term HHpgV-1 viremia in two hemophilia patients. HHpgV-1 is unique because it shares genetic similarity with both highly pathogenic HCV and the apparently nonpathogenic HPgV (GBV-C). Our results add to the list of human viruses and provide data to develop reagents to study virus transmission and disease association and for interrupting virus transmission and new human infections.
WAGE SUBSIDIES AND THE LABOR SUPPLY OF OLDER PEOPLE: EVIDENCE FROM SINGAPORE’S WORKFARE INCOME SUPPLEMENT SCHEME
Authors: FREIRE TIAGO
Published: September 2015

An increasing body of literature considers population aging and labor markets, focusing on the dynamics of older workers’ labor market participation. Singapore introduced the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme in 2007, targeting low-income, older workers. Previous studies show that labor force participation drops significantly after the age of 45. We examine whether a wage subsidy program can increase the labor supply of these older workers. Using Hong Kong as a control group in a difference-in-difference-in-difference approach, we find that this program increased labor force participation for women aged 60–64 by 3.1–5.5% points, but had no statistically significant impact on the labor supply of men.
Quantum gravitational contributions to the Standard Model effective potential and vacuum stability
Authors: Loebbert Florian , Plefka Jan
Published: September 2015

We compute the quantum gravitational contributions to the Standard Model (SM) effective potential and analyze their effects on the Higgs vacuum stability in the framework of effective field theory. Einstein gravity necessarily implies the existence of higher dimension [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] operators with novel couplings [Formula: see text] in the Higgs sector. The beta functions of these couplings are established and the impact of the gravity induced contributions on electroweak vacuum stability is studied. We find that the true minimum of the SM effective potential now lies below the Planck scale for almost the entire parameter space [Formula: see text]. In addition quantum gravity is shown to contribute to the minimal value of the SM next-to-leading order (NLO) effective potential at the percent level. The quantum gravity induced contributions yield a metastable vacuum for a large fraction of the parameter space in the flowing couplings [Formula: see text].
q-Deformed Tamm–Dancoff oscillators: Representation, fermionic extension and physical application
Authors: Chung Won Sang , Algin Abdullah
Published: September 2015

In this paper, the [Formula: see text]-deformed bosonic Tamm–Dancoff oscillator algebra is considered. First, the quantum algebraic and representative properties of these deformed bosons are analyzed in detail. The representations of the [Formula: see text]-fermion algebra of Tamm–Dancoff type are also studied. Second, the high-temperature thermostatistical properties of a gas of Tamm–Dancoff type [Formula: see text]-fermions are investigated. The fermionic distribution function and the other important thermodynamic functions such as the entropy and the specific heat are derived in terms of the real deformation parameter [Formula: see text]. Finally, the time evaluation of a two-level atom in a Tamm–Dancoff oscillator trap interacting with a single-mode traveling light field is concisely discussed.
SNe Ia as a cosmological probe
Authors: Meng Xiangcun , Gao Yan , Han Zhanwen
Published: September 2015

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) luminosities can be corrected in order to render them useful as standard candles that are able to probe the expansion history of the universe. This technique was successfully applied to discover the present acceleration of the universe. As the number of SNe Ia observed at high redshift increases and analysis techniques are perfected, people aim to use this technique to probe the equation-of-state of the dark energy (EOSDE). Nevertheless, the nature of SNe Ia progenitors remains controversial and concerns persist about possible evolution effects that may be larger and harder to characterize than the more obvious statistical uncertainties.
Units in finite loop algebras of RA2 loops
Authors: Sidana Swati , Sharma R. K.
Published: September 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be the loop algebra of a loop [Formula: see text] over a field [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we characterize the structure of the unit loop of [Formula: see text] modulo its Jacobson radical when [Formula: see text] is an [Formula: see text] loop obtained from the dihedral group of order [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is an odd number and [Formula: see text] is a finite field of characteristic [Formula: see text]. The structure of [Formula: see text] is also determined.
Interpreting syndepositional sediment remobilization and deformation beneath submarine gravity flows; a kinematic boundary layer approach
Authors: Butler Robert W. H. , Eggenhuisen Joris T. , Haughton Peter , McCaffrey William D.
Published: September 2015

Turbidite sandstones and related deposits commonly contain deformation structures and remobilized sediment that might have resulted from post-depositional modification such as downslope creep (e.g. slumping) or density-driven loading by overlying deposits. However, we consider that deformation can occur during the passage of turbidity currents that exerted shear stress on their substrates (whether entirely pre-existing strata, sediment deposited by earlier parts of the flow itself or some combination of these). Criteria are outlined here, to avoid confusion with products of other mechanisms (e.g. slumping or later tectonics), which establish the synchronicity between the passage of overriding flows and deformation of their substrates. This underpins a new analytical framework for tracking the relationship between deformation, deposition and the transit of the causal turbidity current, through the concept of kinematic boundary layers. Case study examples are drawn from outcrop (Miocene of New Zealand, and Apennines of Italy) and subsurface examples (Britannia Sandstone, Cretaceous, UK Continental Shelf). Example structures include asymmetric flame structures, convolute lamination, some debritic units and injection complexes, together with slurry and mixed slurry facies. These structures may provide insight into the rheology and dynamics of submarine flows and their substrates, and have implications for the development of subsurface turbidite reservoirs.
Nε-(carboxymethyl) lysine-induced mitochondrial fission and mitophagy cause decreased insulin secretion from β-cells
Authors: Lo Mei-Chen , Chen Ming-Hong , Lee Wen-Sen , Lu Chin-I , Chang Chuang-Rung , Kao Shu-Huei , Lee Horng-Mo
Published: September 2015

Nε-(carboxymethyl) lysine-conjugated bovine serum albumin (CML-BSA) is a major component of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). We hypothesised that AGEs reduce insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells by damaging mitochondrial functions and inducing mitophagy. Mitochondrial morphology and the occurrence of autophagy were examined in pancreatic islets of diabetic db/db mice and in the cultured CML-BSA-treated insulinoma cell line RIN-m5F. In addition, the effects of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on mitochondria in AGE-damaged tissues were evaluated. The diabetic db/db mouse exhibited an increase in the number of autophagosomes in damaged mitochondria and receptor for AGEs (RAGE). Treatment of db/db mice with ALA for 12 wk increased the number of mitochondria with well-organized cristae and fewer autophagosomes. Treatment of RIN-m5F cells with CML-BSA increased the level of RAGE protein and autophagosome formation, caused mitochondrial dysfunction, and decreased insulin secretion. CML-BSA also reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production, increased ROS and lipid peroxide production, and caused mitochondrial DNA deletions. Elevated fission protein dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) level and mitochondrial fragmentation demonstrated the unbalance of mitochondrial fusion and fission in CML-BSA-treated cells. Additionally, increased levels of Parkin and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 protein suggest that fragmented mitochondria were associated with increased mitophagic activity, and ALA attenuated the CML-BSA-induced mitophage formation. Our study demonstrated that CML-BSA induced mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy in pancreatic β-cells. The findings from this study suggest that increased concentration of AGEs may damage β-cells and reduce insulin secretion.
Regulation of metabolism: the rest-to-work transition in skeletal muscle
Authors: Wilson David F.
Published: September 2015

Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is programmed to set and maintain metabolic homeostasis, and understanding that program is essential for an integrated view of cellular and tissue metabolism. The behavior predicted by a mechanism-based model for oxidative phosphorylation is compared with that experimentally measured for skeletal muscle when work is initiated. For the model, initiation of work is simulated by imposing a rate of ATP utilization of either 0.6 (equivalent of 13.4 ml O2·100 g tissue−1·min−1or 6 μmol O2·g tissue−1·min−1) or 0.3 mM ATP/s. Creatine phosphate ([CrP]) decrease, both experimentally measured and predicted by the model, can be fit to a single exponential. Increase in ATP synthesis begins immediately but can show a “lag period,” during which the rate accelerates. The length of the lag period is similar for both experiment and model; in the model, the lag depends on intramitochondrial [NAD+]/[NADH], mitochondrial content, and size of the creatine pool ([CrP] + [Cr]) as well as the resting [CrP]/[Cr]. For in vivo conditions, increase in oxygen consumption may be linearly correlated with a decrease in [CrP] and an increase in inorganic phosphate ([Pi]) and [Cr]. The decrease in [CrP], resting and working steady state [CrP], and the increase in oxygen consumption are dependent on the Po2in the inspired gas (experimental) or tissue Po2(model). The metabolic behavior predicted by the model is consistent with available experimental measurements in muscle upon initiation of work, with the model providing valuable insight into how metabolic homeostasis is set and maintained.
Relaxin increases sympathetic nerve activity and activates spinally projecting neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of nonpregnant, but not pregnant, rats
Authors: Coldren K. Max , Brown Randall , Hasser Eileen M. , Heesch Cheryl M.
Published: September 2015

Pregnancy is characterized by increased blood volume and baseline sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), vasodilation, and tachycardia. Relaxin (RLX), an ovarian hormone elevated in pregnancy, activates forebrain sites involved in control of blood volume and SNA through ANG II-dependent mechanisms and contributes to adaptations during pregnancy. In anesthetized, arterial baroreceptor-denervated nonpregnant (NP) rats, RLX microinjected into the subfornical organ (SFO; 0.77 pmol in 50 nl) produced sustained increases in lumbar SNA (8 ± 3%) and mean arterial pressure (MAP; 26 ± 4 mmHg). Low-dose intracarotid artery infusion of RLX (155 pmol·ml−1·h−1; 1.5 h) had minor transient effects on AP and activated neurons [increased Fos-immunoreactivity (IR)] in the SFO and in spinally projecting (19 ± 2%) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP)-IR (21 ± 5%) cells in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus of NP, but not pregnant (P), rats. However, mRNA for RLX and ANG II type 1a receptors in the SFO was preserved in pregnancy. RLX receptor-IR is present in the region of the SFO in NP and P rats and is localized in astrocytes, the major source of angiotensinogen in the SFO. These data provide an anatomical substrate for a role of RLX in the resetting of AVP secretion and increased baseline SNA in pregnancy. Since RLX and ANG II receptor expression was preserved in the SFO of P rats, we speculate that the lack of response to exogenous RLX may be due to maximal activation by elevated endogenous levels of RLX in near-term pregnancy.
Sympathetic neural reactivity to mental stress in humans: test-retest reproducibility
Authors: Fonkoue Ida T. , Carter Jason R.
Published: September 2015

Mental stress consistently increases arterial blood pressure, but this reliable pressor response is often associated with highly variable muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) responsiveness between individuals. Although MSNA has been shown to be reproducible within individuals at rest and during the cold pressor test (CPT), intraindividual reproducibility of MSNA responsiveness to mental stress has not been adequately explored. The purpose of this study was to examine MSNA reactivity to mental stress across three experimental sessions. Sixteen men and women (age 21 ± 1 yr) performed two experimental sessions within a single laboratory visit and a third experimental session 1 mo later. Each experimental session consisted of a mental stress trial via mental arithmetic and a CPT trial. Blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and MSNA were measured, and the consistencies of these variables were determined using intraclass correlation (Cronbach's α coefficient). MSNA, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and HR were highly reproducible across the baselines preceding mental stress (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.816, P ≤ 0.001) and CPT (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.782, P ≤ 0.001). Across the three mental stress trials, changes in MSNA (Cronbach's α = 0.875; P = 0.001), MAP (Cronbach's α = 0.749; P < 0.001), and HR (Cronbach's α = 0.919; P < 0.001) were reproducible. During CPT, changes in MSNA (Cronbach's α = 0.805; P = 0.008), MAP (Cronbach's α = 0.878; P < 0.001), and HR (Cronbach's α = 0.927; P < 0.001) remained consistent across the three sessions. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that MSNA reactivity to mental stress is consistent within a single laboratory visit and across laboratory sessions conducted on separate days.
Effect of mineralocorticoid treatment in mice with collecting duct-specific knockout of endothelin-1
Authors: Lynch I. Jeanette , Welch Amanda K. , Gumz Michelle L. , Kohan Donald E. , Cain Brian D. , Wingo Charles S.
Published: September 2015

Aldosterone increases blood pressure (BP) by stimulating sodium (Na) reabsorption within the distal nephron and collecting duct (CD). Aldosterone also stimulates endothelin-1 (ET-1) production that acts within the CD to inhibit Na reabsorption via a negative feedback mechanism. We tested the hypothesis that this renal aldosterone-endothelin feedback system regulates electrolyte balance and BP by comparing the effect of a high-salt (NaCl) diet and mineralocorticoid stimulation in control and CD-specific ET-1 knockout (CD ET-1 KO) mice. Metabolic balance and radiotelemetric BP were measured before and after treatment with desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) in mice fed a high-salt diet with saline to drink. CD ET-1 KO mice consumed more high-salt diet and saline and had greater urine output than controls. CD ET-1 KO mice exhibited increased BP and greater fluid retention and body weight than controls on a high-salt diet. DOCP with high-salt feeding further increased BP in CD ET-1 KO mice, and by the end of the study the CD ET-1 KO mice were substantially hypernatremic. Unlike controls, CD ET-1 KO mice failed to respond acutely or escape from DOCP treatment. We conclude that local ET-1 production in the CD is required for the appropriate renal response to Na loading and that lack of local ET-1 results in abnormal fluid and electrolyte handling when challenged with a high-salt diet and with DOCP treatment. Additionally, local ET-1 production is necessary, under these experimental conditions, for renal compensation to and escape from the chronic effects of mineralocorticoids.