bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One-Way Coupling of the WRF–QUIC Urban Dispersion Modeling System
Authors: Kochanski A. K. , Pardyjak E. R. , Stoll R. , Gowardhan A. , Brown M. J. , Steenburgh W. J.
Published: August 2015

Simulations of local weather and air quality in urban areas must account for processes spanning from meso- to microscales, including turbulence and transport within the urban canopy layer. Here, the authors investigate the performance of the building-resolving Quick Urban Industrial Complex (QUIC) Dispersion Modeling System driven with mean wind profiles from the mesoscale Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. Dispersion simulations are performed for intensive observation periods 2 and 8 of the Joint Urban 2003 field experiment conducted in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, using an ensemble of expert-derived wind profiles from observational data as well as profiles derived from WRF runs. The results suggest that WRF can be used successfully as a source of inflow boundary conditions for urban simulations, without the collection and processing of intensive field observations needed to produce expert-derived wind profiles. Detailed statistical analysis of tracer concentration fields suggests that, for the purpose of the urban dispersion, WRF simulations provide wind forcing as good as individual or ensemble expert-derived profiles. Despite problems capturing the strength and the elevation of the Great Plains low-level jet, the WRF-simulated near-surface wind speed and direction were close to observations, thus assuring realistic forcing for urban dispersion estimates. Tests performed with multilayer and bulk urban parameterizations embedded in WRF did not provide any conclusive evidence of the superiority of one scheme over the other, although the dispersion simulations driven by the latter showed slightly better results.
Subinertial Oscillations on the Amundsen Sea Shelf, Antarctica
Authors: Wåhlin A. K. , Kalén O. , Assmann K. M. , Darelius E. , Ha H. K. , Kim T. W. , Lee S. H.
Published: August 2015

Mooring data from the western flank of Dotson trough, Amundsen Sea shelf region, show the presence of barotropic oscillations with a period of 40–80 h. The oscillations are visible in velocity, temperature, salinity, and pressure and are comparable to tides in magnitude. The period of the oscillations corresponds to topographic Rossby waves of low group velocity and a wavelength of about 40 km, that is, the half-width of the channel. It is suggested that these resonant topographic Rossby waves cause the observed peak in the wave spectra. The observations show that sparse CTD data from this region should be treated with caution and need to be complemented with moorings or yo-yo stations in order to give a representative picture for the hydrography.
Predictability of Frontal Waves and Cyclones
Authors: Frame Thomas H. A. , Methven John , Roberts Nigel M. , Titley Helen A.
Published: August 2015

The statistical properties and skill in predictions of objectively identified and tracked cyclonic features (frontal waves and cyclones) are examined in the 15-day version of the Met Office Global and Regional Ensemble Prediction System (MOGREPS-15). The number density of cyclonic features is found to decline with increasing lead time, with analysis fields containing weak features that are not sustained past the first day of the forecast. This loss of cyclonic features is associated with a decline in area-averaged enstrophy with increasing lead time. Both feature number density and area-averaged enstrophy saturate by around 7 days into the forecast. It is found that the feature number density and area-averaged enstrophy of forecasts produced using model versions that include stochastic energy backscatter saturate at higher values than forecasts produced without stochastic physics. The ability of MOGREPS-15 to predict the locations of cyclonic features of different strengths is evaluated at different spatial scales by examining the Brier skill (relative to the analysis climatology) of strike probability forecasts: the probability that a cyclonic feature center is located within a specified radius. The radius at which skill is maximized increases with lead time from 650 km at 12 h to 950 km at 7 days. The skill is greatest for the most intense features. Forecast skill remains above zero at these scales out to 14 days for the most intense cyclonic features, but only out to 8 days when all features are included irrespective of intensity.
Development of a Compact Measure of Job Satisfaction: The Abridged Job Descriptive Index
Authors: Stanton Jeffrey M. , Sinar Evan F. , Balzer William K. , Julian Amanda L. , Thoresen Paul , Aziz Shahnaz , Fisher Gwenith G. , Smith Patricia C.
Published: August 2015

The Job Descriptive Index is a popular measure of job satisfaction with five subscales containing 72 items. A national sample ( n = 1,534) and a sample of university workers ( n = 636) supported development of an abridged version of the Job Descriptive Index (AJDI) containing a total of 25 items. A systematic scale-reduction technique was employed with the first sample to decide which items to retain in each scale. The abridged subscales were then tested in the second sample. Results indicated that the relationships among the five abridged subscales and between the five abridged subscales and other measures were substantially preserved.
Authoring the female entrepreneur while talking the discourse of work–family life balance
Authors: Gherardi Silvia
Published: August 2015

This article illustrates the gendering of entrepreneurship as an intertwined process of gendering and entrepreneuring that can commence from the analysis of a single situated practice. The practice I explore is deemed ‘authoring own-self as entrepreneur’, that is, how the ‘I’ is authored through narrative and discursive processes, mobilized in the presentation of a public identity within a community of entrepreneurs. This is illustrated by four ways of authoring the process of becoming a female entrepreneur in relation to gender and life issues: as a firm-creator, as a coauthor of a project, as a responsible wife, as a member of the second generation. In authoring entrepreneuring, discursive resources are mobilized and edited within a narrative of identity where the process of negotiating one of the major narratives in the field (the work–family life balance) is performed. The discourse on work–family life balance is traditionally constructed in dichotomous terms, and its gender subtext is taken for granted. It portrays a supposed universality of gender conditions based on the implicit assumptions that when women work their family life is under threat, that work and family are two separate and separable spheres of activities, that it is a women’s responsibility to keep them in balance, and finally that women in entrepreneurship, as in any other working environment, will be affected by the potential unbalance since their primary loyalty would be to reproduction and the home. On the contrary when female entrepreneuring is conceived as a life form, the discourse on work–family life balance is challenged.
Re-building Europe from the bottom up: Europe Works for London
Authors: Jones Andrew
Published: August 2015

This paper reports on an EC-funded communications project (Europe Works for London) that asked participants, through film and discussion, to reflect on their experience of European funding. Generally positive responses to the impacts of European Union programmes were recorded, and also to what were defined as the values and broader purposes of the European Union. The description of the project is preceded by a brief review of recent political developments in the European Union, including developments leading to the imminent ‘in-out’ referendum on the UK’s membership. It is concluded that to sustain the legitimacy of the European Union’s institutions, innovations in communications are required that can accommodate citizen-driven dialogue. Civil society is the key conduit through which understandings are communicated and participation in civil society is how new political identities are constructed. European Union funding should continue to support community activism in which the key values supporting European integration are demonstrated through practical actions yielding tangible benefits.
Relaxation and Executive Control Processes in Listeners: An Exploratory Study of Music-Induced Transient Suppression of Skin Conductance Responses
Authors: Tsai Chen-Gia , Yang Chien-Ming , Chen Chien-Chung , Chen I-Ping , Liang Keng-Cheng
Published: August 2015

As music unfolds over time, fluctuations in listeners’ arousal level can be assessed by physiological measures. Strong emotional feelings induced by music are usually accompanied by heightened physiological arousal as reflected by increased skin conductance responses (SCRs). The aim of this study was to demonstrate that SCRs can be suppressed by musical events; cognitive-emotional processing of music in the central nervous system may lead to decreases in sympathetic activity and transient inhibition of sweat gland innervation. We recruited nonmusicians and recorded their real-time SCRs during the presentation of musical excerpts. Among 48 musical excerpts, seven excerpts were found to transiently reduce SCR amplitude to a level below the resting control value. Music analysis revealed that anticipation of sudden accents, music-evoked feelings of tenderness, and habituation or cancellation of an alarm in listeners may be associated with significant antipeaks on the average curve of SCR amplitude. In light of the neural mechanisms underlying SCR regulation, we suggest that an antipeak of average SCR amplitude represents a physiological signature of transient relaxation or executive control. With regard to music cognition, our findings shed new light on the perception of musical-tension/relaxation contrasts, major-minor ambiguity, and musical repetitions.
Relationship Between Music and Visual Art Preferences and Some Personality Traits
Authors: Ercegovac Ina Reić , Dobrota Snježana , Kuščević Dubravka
Published: August 2015

The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between musical and visual art preferences, and the role of personality traits in predicting preferences for different musical styles and visual art motives. Participants were asked to fill out the following instruments: Questionnaire of music preferences, Questionnaire of visual art preferences, Questionnaire for personality traits International Personality Item Pool [IPIP]; the Arnett Inventory of Sensation Seeking. Results showed that most participants preferred popular and classical music, and landscape motives, while they showed the lowest preferences for heavy metal music and paintings that represented motives of violence and cultures of the world. With regard to the relationship between music and visual art preferences, classical music preferences were positively related to preferences for all visual art motives, while preferences for jazz and world music were positively related to visual art preferences of all motives except religious. Heavy metal music preferences were related to preferences for all motives except landscapes, and popular music preferences were positively associated with religious motives and landscapes. The results of this study suggest a relatively modest contribution of personality traits in explaining music and visual art preferences, although traits for intellect, sensation seeking, and agreeableness were shown to be significant predictors in many instances.
Are You Suggesting That’s My Hand? The Relation Between Hypnotic Suggestibility and the Rubber Hand Illusion
Authors: Walsh E. , Guilmette D. N. , Longo M. R. , Moore J. W. , Oakley D. A. , Halligan P. W. , Mehta M. A. , Deeley Q.
Published: August 2015

Hypnotic suggestibility (HS) is the ability to respond automatically to suggestions and to experience alterations in perception and behavior. Hypnotically suggestible participants are also better able to focus and sustain their attention on an experimental stimulus. The present study explores the relation between HS and susceptibility to the rubber hand illusion (RHI). Based on previous research with visual illusions, it was predicted that higher HS would lead to a stronger RHI. Two behavioral output measures of the RHI, an implicit (proprioceptive drift) and an explicit (RHI questionnaire) measure, were correlated against HS scores. Hypnotic suggestibility correlated positively with the implicit RHI measure contributing to 30% of the variation. However, there was no relation between HS and the explicit RHI questionnaire measure, or with compliance control items. High hypnotic suggestibility may facilitate, via attentional mechanisms, the multisensory integration of visuoproprioceptive inputs that leads to greater perceptual mislocalization of a participant’s hand. These results may provide insight into the multisensory brain mechanisms involved in our sense of embodiment.
Evaluation of the transient response and implementation of a heading-angle controller for an autonomous ground vehicle
Authors: Sahoo Shubhashisa , Subramanian Shankar C , Srivastava Suresh
Published: August 2015

In this paper, a dynamic mathematical model of an autonomous ground vehicle was used to analyse its transient response and to design a heading-angle controller for the vehicle. A suitable ‘control-oriented model’ that could accurately characterize the phenomenon of interest was used to design the controller. The efficacy of this model was evaluated by corroborating its results with experimental data. This model included the cornering stiffness of the tyres as an unknown parameter, and two approaches were attempted to estimate its value. The dynamics of the actuator were included in the analysis since the response time to steer the front wheel is of the same order as that of the heading-angle dynamics of the vehicle. The performance of two controllers (namely a classical transfer-function-based controller and an optimal linear quadratic regulator) were evaluated using the IPG: CarMaker® simulation platform over a range of speeds. The transfer-function-based controller was also implemented on the experimental test vehicle at low speeds (high-speed experimental implementation was not possible because of safety concerns). It was found that control gain scheduling helped to track the desired heading angles of the vehicle at various speeds. Subsequently, a lane-change manoeuvre using the test vehicle was performed to evaluate the controller further. It was found that the transfer-function-based heading-angle controller could provide a comparable performance with that of the linear quadratic regulator, while keeping the sensing requirements to a minimum; thus, it was suitable for real-time implementation in an autonomous ground vehicle.
Anthropocene as an evolving paradigm
Authors: Butzer Karl
Published: August 2015

At some point during the Holocene, human action began to accelerate or redirect landscape and biospheric evolution. Basic questions for this preface are whether we should define this new dynamism as an ‘Anthropocene era’ and how might it be delimited with respect to absolute time or to the Holocene. Traditional geo-stratigraphic nomenclature developed through accretion of field observations, vetted by theoretical discussion, to facilitate four-dimensional reference to lithology, topography, space, and time. Current notions for an Anthropocene carry additional connotations: (1) the focus is on a more dynamic agenda that is far from being synthesized; (2) this revolves around the increasingly salient role of cultural agents that selectively shape a multitude of small and large specific areas, so as to favor divergences and disjunctures; (3) the result is a non-normative dynamic of changing spatial configuration and temporal scales that was superimposed on non-cultural Holocene processes predominantly steered by ‘natural’ forces; and (4) this would argue for a flexible, time-transgressive concept, rather than a firm time-frame, that should stimulate identification and investigation of centers of early or unusual human disturbance. The amplified energy and amplitude of these culturally modified divergences are formidable, but Pleistocene glaciation posed a more severe test for biotic evolutionary success than did past or current global change driven by human actions. This would suggest that instead of proclaiming alarmist schedules, we should concentrate on constructive research and university instruction that better emphasizes environmental and sociocultural resilience, adaptation, and the interplay of buffering feedbacks with systemic micro-evolution.
The use of visual methodologies in social work research over the last decade: A narrative review and some questions for the future
Authors: Clark Andrew , Morriss Lisa
Published: August 2015

This paper outlines the use of visual methodologies in international social work research over the past 10 years. It presents a narrative overview of the types and range of visual methodologies that have been used, explores the benefits of employing visual methodologies in social work research and outlines some considerations for researchers thinking of working with the visual. The review is not intended to be an exhaustive overview of the field but rather highlights important issues and concerns when using visual methodologies. A deeper, reflexive engagement with the complexities (practical as well as methodological and epistemic) of undertaking visual research is required and engaging in the issues we raise will enable social work research to make valuable contributions to the wider field of visual researching.
Addressing Global Data Sharing Challenges
Authors: Alter George C. , Vardigan Mary
Published: August 2015

This issue of the Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics highlights the ethical issues that arise when researchers conducting projects in low- and middle-income countries seek to share the data they produce. Although sharing data is considered a best practice, the barriers to doing so are considerable and there is a need for guidance and examples. To that end, the authors of this article reviewed the articles in this special issue to identify challenges common to the five countries and to offer some practical advice to assist researchers in navigating this “uncharted territory,” as some termed it. Concerns around informed consent, data management, data dissemination, and validation of research contributions were cited frequently as particularly challenging areas, so the authors focused on these four topics with the goal of providing specific resources to consult as well as examples of successful projects attempting to solve many of the problems raised.
Molecular and cellular characteristics of human and non-human primate multipotent stromal cells from the amnion and bone marrow during long term culture
Authors: Pogozhykh Olena , Pogozhykh Denys , Neehus Anna-Lena , Hoffmann Andrea , Blasczyk Rainer , Müller Thomas
Published: August 2015

Introduction

Multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) are among the key candidates in regenerative medicine. However variety of MSC sources and general heterogeneity lead to controversial data in functional characterization. Furthermore, despite intensive usage as preclinical animal model, little is known about MSCs of the common marmoset monkey.

Methods

MSCs derived from placental amnion and bone marrow samples from human and common marmoset were characterized in parallel over 12 passages to monitor similarities and significant differences (p ≤ 0.05, Student’s t-test) in MSC markers and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, real-time PCR, metabolic activity test, with special focus on pluripotency associated genes.

Results

Human and non-human primate MSCs were characterized for expression of MSC markers and capability of differentiation into mesenchymal lineages. MSCs could be cultured more than 100 days (26 passages), but metabolic activity was significantly enhanced in amnion vs. bone marrow MSCs. Interestingly, MHC class I expression is significantly reduced in amnion MSCs until passage 6 in human and marmoset, but not in bone marrow cells. For MSC markers, CD73 and CD105 levels remain unchanged in amnion MSCs and slightly decline in bone marrow at late passages; CD166 is significantly higher expressed in human MSCs, CD106 significantly lower vs. marmoset. All cultured MSCs showed pluripotency marker expression like Oct-4A at passage 3 significantly decreasing over time (passages 6–12) while Nanog expression was highest in human bone marrow MSCs. Furthermore, human MSCs demonstrated the highest Sox2 levels vs. marmoset, whereas the marmoset exhibited significantly higher Lin28A values. Bisulfite sequencing of the Oct-4 promoter region displayed fewer methylations of CpG islands in the marmoset vs. human.

Conclusions

Little is known about MSC characteristics from the preclinical animal model common marmoset vs. human during long term culture. Studied human and common marmoset samples share many similar features such as most MSC markers and reduced MHC class I expression in amnion cells vs. bone marrow. Furthermore, pluripotency markers indicate in both species a subpopulation of MSCs with true ‘stemness’, which could explain their high proliferation capacity, though possessing differences between human and marmoset in Lin28A and Sox2 expression.
Strong convergence theorems for Bregman W-mappings with applications to convex feasibility problems in Banach spaces
Authors: Naraghirad Eskandar , Timnak Sara
Published: August 2015

In this paper we introduce new modified Mann iterative processes for computing fixed points of an infinite family of Bregman W-mappings in reflexive Banach spaces. Let $W_{n}$

W
n

be the Bregman W-mapping generated by $S_{n},S_{n-1},\ldots,S_{1}$

S
n

,

S

n
−
1

,
…
,

S
1

and $\beta_{n,n},\beta_{n,n-1},\ldots,\beta_{n,1}$

β

n
,
n

,

β

n
,
n
−
1

,
…
,

β

n
,
1

. We first express the set of fixed points of $W_{n}$

W
n

as the intersection of fixed points of $\{S_{i}\}_{i=1}^{n}$

{

S
i

}

i
=
1

n

. As a consequence, we show that $W_{n}$

W
n

is a Bregman weak relatively nonexpansive mapping if $S_{i}$

S
i

is a Bregman weak relatively nonexpansive mapping for each $i=1,2,\ldots,n$
i
=
1
,
2
,
…
,
n
. When specialized to the fixed point set of a Bregman nonexpansive type mapping T, the required sufficient condition $\tilde{F}(T)=F(T)$

F
˜

(
T
)
=
F
(
T
)
is less restrictive than the usual condition $\hat{F}(T)=F(T)$

F
ˆ

(
T
)
=
F
(
T
)
which is based on the demiclosedness principle. We then prove some strong convergence theorems for these mappings. Some application of our results to convex feasibility problem is also presented. Our results improve and generalize many known results in the current literature.
Evaluating search and matching models using experimental data
Authors: Lise Jeremy , Seitz Shannon , Smith Jeffrey
Published: August 2015

This paper introduces an innovative test of search and matching models using the exogenous variation available in experimental data. We take an off-the-shelf search model and calibrate it to data on thecontrolgroup from a randomized social experiment. We then simulate aprogramgroup from a randomized experiment within the model. As a measure of the performance of the model, we compare the outcomes of the program groups from the model and from the randomized experiment. We illustrate our methodology using the Canadian Self-Sufficiency Project (SSP), a social experiment providing a time-limited earnings supplement for Income Assistance recipients who obtain full-time employment within a 12-month period. We find two features of the model are consistent with the experimental results: endogenous search intensity andexogenousjob destruction. We find mixed evidence in support of the assumption of fixed hours of labor supply. Finally, we find aconstantjob destruction rate is not consistent with the experimental data in this context.

JEL Classification:J2; I38; J6
An ex ante evaluation of the Revenu de Solidarité Active by micro–macro simulation techniques
Authors: Canova Luciano , Piccoli Luca , Spadaro Amedeo
Published: August 2015

This paper aims to investigate the effects of the introduction of an active welfare state measure in France, the Revenu de Solidarité Active, which replaced the old system of social minima. By using a micro–macro simulation model, we characterize the effects on households’ disposable income, labor supply, wages, GDP, public deficit, and other micro and macroeconomic aspects. Our findings suggest that although increasing public expenditure, the reform largely repays its cost by reducing involuntary unemployment, increasing labor supply and private consumption and thus improves GDP and the deficit/GDP ratio. If the great recession did not occur, poverty and inequality would have been significantly reduced by the RSA reform.

JEL codes: I38, C63, C68, J22, H31
Efficacy and tolerability of vildagliptin as first line treatment in patients with diabetes type 2 in an outpatient setting
Authors: Yavropoulou M. P. , Pikilidou M. , Kotsa K. , Michopoulos A. , Papakonstantinou E. , Yovos J. G.
Published: August 2015

Background

Inhibitors of dipeptidyl-peptidase IV are recommended as second-line therapy in type 2 diabetes (DT2), but data, as a first-line treatment in everyday clinical practice are scarce. To address this issue we conducted a 12-month, clinical study in an outpatient setting, using vildagliptin as the first-line treatment.

Methods

Ninety-one drug naïve patients with DT2 started with vildagliptin monotherapy (100 mg daily) for 4 months and were scheduled to regular 4-monthly visits for 1 year. Patients received add-on treatment with metformin or metformin and glimepiride according to their glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at each study-visit.

Results

HbA1c was significantly decreased with vildagliptin monotherapy from 8.16 % ± 1.60 to 7.52 % ± 1.60, p < 0.001. Only 39 % of the patients achieved the target of HbA1c ≤ 7.0 % at the end of the 4th month. Mean change in HbA1c was significantly correlated with baseline HbA1c values (r = −0.51, p < 0.001). At the end of the study only 35 % of the patients remained on vildagliptin monotherapy while the rest required add-on treatment with metformin or metformin and sulfonylurea.

Conclusions

Vildagliptin is well tolerated either as monotherapy or in combination but the majority of patients require add-on therapy shortly after the beginning of treatment.
A role for 12/15-lipoxygenase-derived proresolving mediators in postoperative ileus: protectin DX-regulated neutrophil extravasation
Authors: Stein Kathy , Stoffels Melissa , Lysson Mariola , Schneiker Bianca , Dewald Oliver , Krönke Gerhard , Kalff Jörg C , Wehner Sven
Published: August 2015

Resolution of inflammation is an active counter-regulatory mechanism involving polyunsaturated fatty acid-derived proresolving lipid mediators. Postoperative intestinal motility disturbances, clinically known as postoperative ileus, occur frequently after abdominal surgery and are mediated by a complex inflammation of the intestinal muscularis externa. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that proresolving lipid mediators are involved in the resolution of postoperative ileus. In a standardized experimental model of postoperative ileus, we detected strong expression of 12/15-lipoxygenase within the postoperative muscularis externa of C57BL/6 mice, predominately located within CX3CR1+/Ly6C+ infiltrating monocytes rather than Ly6G+ neutrophils. Mass spectrometry analyses demonstrated that a 12/15-lipoxygenase increase was accompanied by production of docosahexaenoic acid-derived lipid mediators, particularly protectin DX and resolvin D2, and their common precursor 17-hydroxy docosahexaenoic acid. Perioperative administration of protectin DX, but not resolvin D2 diminished blood-derived leukocyte infiltration into the surgically manipulated muscularis externa and improved the gastrointestinal motility. Flow cytometry analyses showed impaired Ly6G+/Ly6C+ neutrophil extravasation after protectin DX treatment, whereas Ly6G-/Ly6C+ monocyte numbers were not affected. 12/15-lipoxygenase-deficient mice, lacking endogenous protectin DX synthesis, demonstrated increased postoperative leukocyte levels. Preoperative intravenous administration of a docosahexaenoic acid-rich lipid emulsion reduced postoperative leukocyte infiltration in wild-type mice but failed in 12/15-lipoxygenase-deficient mice mice. Protectin DX application reduced leukocyte influx and rescued 12/15-lipoxygenase-deficient mice mice from postoperative ileus. In conclusion, our results show that 12/15-lipoxygenase mediates postoperative ileus resolution via production of proresolving docosahexaenoic acid-derived protectin DX. Perioperative, parenteral protectin DX or docosahexaenoic acid supplementation, as well as modulation of the 12/15-lipoxygenase pathway, may be instrumental in prevention of postoperative ileus.
Parainflammation, chronic inflammation, and age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Chen Mei , Xu Heping
Published: August 2015

Inflammation is an adaptive response of the immune system to noxious insults to maintain homeostasis and restore functionality. The retina is considered an immune-privileged tissue as a result of its unique anatomic and physiologic properties. During aging, the retina suffers from a low-grade chronic oxidative insult, which sustains for decades and increases in level with advancing age. As a result, the retinal innate-immune system, particularly microglia and the complement system, undergoes low levels of activation (parainflammation). In many cases, this parainflammatory response can maintain homeostasis in the healthy aging eye. However, in patients with age-related macular degeneration, this parainflammatory response becomes dysregulated and contributes to macular damage. Factors contributing to the dysregulation of age-related retinal parainflammation include genetic predisposition, environmental risk factors, and old age. Dysregulated parainflammation (chronic inflammation) in age-related macular degeneration damages the blood retina barrier, resulting in the breach of retinal-immune privilege, leading to the development of retinal lesions. This review discusses the basic principles of retinal innate-immune responses to endogenous chronic insults in normal aging and in age-related macular degeneration and explores the difference between beneficial parainflammation and the detrimental chronic inflammation in the context of age-related macular degeneration.
Aging and Loss of Circulating 17β-Estradiol Alters the Alternative Splicing of ERβ in the Female Rat Brain
Authors: Shults Cody L. , Pinceti Elena , Rao Yathindar S. , Pak Toni R.
Published: August 2015

Loss of circulating 17β-estradiol (E2) that occurs during menopause can have detrimental effects on cognitive function. The efficacy of hormone replacement therapy declines as women become farther removed from the menopausal transition, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this age-related switch in E2 efficacy are unknown. We hypothesized that aging and varying lengths of E2 deprivation alters the ratio of alternatively spliced estrogen receptor (ER)β isoforms in the brain of female rats. Further, we tested whether changes in global transcriptional activity and splicing kinetics regulate the alternative splicing of ERβ. Our results revealed brain region-specific changes in ERβ alternative splicing in both aging and E2-deprivation paradigms and showed that ERβ could mediate E2-induced alternative splicing. Global transcriptional activity, as measured by phosphorylated RNA polymerase II, was also regulated by age and E2 in specific brain regions. Finally, we show that inhibition of topoisomerase I resulted in increased ERβ2 splice variant expression.
Investing in the Cruel Entrepreneurial University
Authors: Joseph Miranda
Published: August 2015

This essay explores how the entrepreneurial university works and how we work in it. It examines the role of our own attachments to and investments in its sustenance as well as how we work, or might work, with, in, and against its temporalities, shaped as they have been by financialization. Our practices of investment in the academy take place in an institutional and political economic context in which entrepreneurialism has become a dominant “best practice,” a compromised condition of possibility that is supported by our future-oriented, high-risk speculative efforts. Recognizing that a number of theorists suggest a turn to present-oriented lateral movement and relationality, as a tactic for not only survival but also intervention in relation to entrepreneurialized capitalism, this essay explores what these spatiotemporal tactics might look like as an institutional practice.
On the Law, Politics, and Ethics of BDS
Authors: Mann Itamar
Published: August 2015

The BDS movement has cast its campaign in legal terms, successfully conceptualizing the regime currently in place in Israel-Palestine as one that violates international law and requires a measure of transnational enforcement. Yet, from the perspective of Jewish Israeli citizens, partaking in such enforcement may require stepping out of the existing community—both symbolically and materially. This essay examines the stakes of such a move, weighing its potential benefits and costs in terms of advancing an egalitarian democratic future in Israel-Palestine.
“We,” Palestinians and Jewish Israelis: The Right Not to Be a Perpetrator
Authors: Azoulay Ariella
Published: August 2015

Assuming that the BDS is the largest civil movement today claiming to change the Israeli political regime, what type of “we” does it enable? In this essay, I try to answer this question, based on the premise that the response of Jewish Israeli citizens to the crimes and abuses perpetrated by their own regime cannot be based on external solidarity. Jewish Israelis are governed alongside Palestinians, and they are subjects of the same political regime. Their citizenship is a constitutive element of a regime of differentiations and hierarchy in which Jewish Israeli citizens are the privileged group. Not being able to endorse the boycott from the outside, Jewish Israelis can—and should—participate in it; their participation turns the BDS movement's call into a campaign to redefine citizenship as co-citizenship based on the right not to be perpetrator.
Nitrogen solubility in odontocete blubber and mandibular fats in relation to lipid composition
Authors: Lonati Gina L. , Westgate Andrew J. , Pabst D. Ann , Koopman Heather N.
Published: August 2015

Understanding toothed whale (odontocete) diving gas dynamics is important given the recent atypical mass strandings of odontocetes (particularly beaked whales) associated with mid-frequency naval sonar. Some stranded whales have exhibited gas emboli (pathologies resembling decompression sickness) in their specialized intramandibular and extramandibular fat bodies used for echolocation and hearing. These tissues have phylogenetically unique, endogenous lipid profiles with poorly understood biochemical properties. Current diving gas dynamics models assume an Ostwald nitrogen (N2) solubility of 0.07 ml N2 ml−1 oil in odontocete fats, although solubility in blubber from many odontocetes exceeds this value. The present study examined N2 solubility in the blubber and mandibular fats of seven species across five families, relating it to lipid composition. Across all species, N2 solubility increased with wax ester content and was generally higher in mandibular fats (0.083±0.002 ml N2 ml−1 oil) than in blubber (0.069±0.007 ml N2 ml−1 oil). This effect was more pronounced in mandibular fats with higher concentrations of shorter, branched fatty acids/alcohols. Mandibular fats of short-finned pilot whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins and Mesoplodon beaked whales had the highest N2 solubility values (0.097±0.005, 0.081±0.007 and 0.080±0.003 ml N2 ml−1 oil, respectively). Pilot and beaked whales may experience high N2 loads during their relatively deeper dives, although more information is needed about in vivo blood circulation to mandibular fats. Future diving models should incorporate empirically measured N2 solubility of odontocete mandibular fats to better understand N2 dynamics and potential pathologies from gas/fat embolism.
Large-amplitude vibration of imperfect angle-ply laminated rectangular plates for various materials
Authors: Huang He , Hui David
Published: August 2015

This paper deals with the solution of modified-Duffing ordinary differential equation for large-amplitude vibration of imperfect angle-ply rectangular composite plates. The boundary condition is simply supported and in-plane movable. The initial condition for the vibration is an initial vibration amplitude. This vibration problem is solved numerically by Runge-Kutta method. The effect of plate imperfection is studied and proved that a typical backbone curve will show up in case of a relatively large imperfection. Three different composite materials are then chosen to reveal the influence of young’s modulus ratio. Four fiber volumes are assumed to study its effect on the vibration mode. It turns out that either increasing the fiber strength or increasing the fiber volume in a composite will lead to an increase of its overall strength. And this will further trigger the plate vibration to behave more nonlinearly.
Mechanical, physical and chemical properties of saw dust briquette
Authors: Arul Kumar R. , Kanaga Sabapathy H. , Neethimanickam I.
Published: August 2015

The present study deals with determination of physical, mechanical and combustion characteristics like mass, density, compressive strength, shearing strength, moisture content, total ash content, fixed carbon, volatile matter, gross calorific value of Sawdust briquette. Briquette quality is evaluated mainly by briquette density. Briquette density is very important from the viewpoint of manipulation, burning speed, briquette durability, etc. During our research, theoretical analyses of parameters which have an impact on briquette quality were conducted. The sawdust sample produced using super-70 piston press machine. The compression test and shear test were conducted for three sawdust sample using compression testing machine. For quality and durability evaluation of the manufactured briquette the density and strength properties were determined. To determine the calorific value and proximate analysis of the briquette using the tests carried out in the lab.
The application research of comprehensive landing method during the rectification for the brick-concrete buildings in soft soil area
Authors: Wang Xiaolei , Zhang Xiaonan , Shi Sanyuan , Liu Libo
Published: August 2015

Combining with an instance of rectification and reinforcement of a brick-concrete structure house in the Yunnan province, a comprehensive landing method was proposed. The building was reinforced, for the existing problems, on the basis of the analysis of the building tilt reasons. In order to ensure building safety in the process of rectifying inclination, the anchor static pile was used. The result showed that the inclination rate of the building returned to 3 % from 14.4 %, which proves the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Biohydrogen production from rice mill wastes by Clostridium acetobutylicum NCIM 2877
Authors: Shukla Garima , Thakur Veena , S.K. Jadhav
Published: August 2015

The production of biohydrogen from rice mill wastes, including rice bran and rice mill effluent by Clostridium acetobutylicum NCIM 2877 was investigated in a batch culture system and optimized the temperature and pH conditions. At 35 °C with initial pH of 5.2 a yield of 55.7±0.8 ml with 88.6 ± 0.3% substrate utilization and at pH 6 the production was 68.7 ± 0.9 ml with 85 ± 1.0 % substrate utilization. Addition of metal ions resulted in better yield and substrate utilization efficiency of the bacteria. FeSO4.7H2O at a concentration of 50 mg/l gave 79.7 ± 1.5 ml with 96% of substrate utilization. Cobalt effected the production greatly by giving 96.3 ± 0.9 ml with 95.3 ± 0.7% of substrate utilization whereas Nickel didn’t showed much effective results by giving only a maximum of 74.7 ± 1.5 ml production at 25 mg/l concentration. Conclusively, it can be stated that rice mill wastes can be used as a substrate and use of metal ions will play a key role in the enhancement of biohydrogen production.
Piezoelectric power harvesting from chirps and mating swiftlets attraction sound
Authors: Mahfurdz Azrul , Sunardi
Published: August 2015

The voltage measurement from piezoelectric disk (PZT) transducer is proposed in this paper. The attraction sound that has been used in the swiftlet farming industries was emitted at three different levels. The PZT was placed inside and outside the speaker to identify maximum power to produced high impulse voltage. The swiftlets sound was recorded using Avisoft software and analysed in Matlab. The sound was dividing into seven frames and it spectrum was plotted using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) function to acquire the magnitude and frequency information. A Strip chart used to log and graph values acquired from PZT for 100 Hz sampling rate. The impulse response for each sample was saving in excel format and analysed in Matlab software. The finding showed, the voltage acquire from different type of swiftlets sound is significant different. In addition, the voltage generated from two PZT location also showed significant different. The reason can be highlight here is voltage generated by PZT is depending on the power of sound transmitted. The higher power sound transmitted the higher voltage generated from PZT.
Are German Coaches Highly Exhausted? A Study of Differences in Personal and Environmental Factors
Authors: Altfeld Sebastian , Kellmann Michael
Published: August 2015

Previous research has produced equivocal findings in regard to personal and environmental parameters influencing coaches' perceptions of stress and burnout levels. Moreover, there is a paucity of studies examining these factors in European professional sport contexts. This study investigated the influence of person-related (e.g., age, hours per week, level of recovery, coaching alternatives, experience as an assistant), sport-related (e.g., type of sport, working in youth or senior section, level of performing), and perception-related variables (e.g., feeling of meaningfulness, financial security) in relation to burnout of German full-time coaches. One-hundred and fifty eight coaches of different sports and levels completed a demographical survey, a German coaches' version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Coaches. Two contrasting groups were formed to compare coaches with the lowest scores in Emotional Exhaustion (lowest 20%) and the highest scores in Emotional Exhaustion (highest 20%). Overall Stress (β = 3.92, p < .001) and Overall Recovery (β = −2.86, p < .001) demonstrated significant effects on Emotional Exhaustion within multiple regression analysis. Moreover, the variables sense of well-being ( r = −.46, p < .001), feeling of meaningfulness ( r = −.28, p < .001) showed significant relationships to the key burnout symptom of Emotional Exhaustion. The extreme group comparison indicated significant differences in person-related and perception-related parameters. Recovery as well as social support might be important in managing stress in the challenging work environments of full-time coaches. Additionally, the perception of the current coaching job might be more important than context-related variables (e.g., type of sport, level).
Do the Structures Used by International Hockey Coaches for Practising Field-Goal Shooting Reflect Game Centred Learning within a Representative Learning Design?
Authors: Slade Dennis G.
Published: August 2015

The 1997 rule change in field hockey that removed the offside rule was, arguably, a watershed moment in the evolution of the game. Previous research sought to establish how this rule change had affected the way field-goals were being scored and coaches' philosophies towards practising that component of hockey. The Federation of International Hockey (FIH) 2011 Men's Champions Trophy tournament provided an opportunity to revisit that research. Conclusions were that six of the seven team coaches observed at this tournament employed a game centred learning (GCL) design for practicing field-goal shooting (FGS) and these practices reflected a representative learning design (RLD). Video analysis of FGS supported the coaches' interpretations of the coupling of player perception and action processes in this skill. Overwhelmingly, but not totally, in the space of a little more than a decade, FGS practice, as observed by the author, had moved from drilling of skills in closed-skill contexts using command structures, to small-sided GCL practices reflective of a representative learning design.
A Method to Measure Strangling, a Dramatic Form of Choking in Cricket
Authors: Lemmer Hermanus H.
Published: August 2015

In limited overs cricket, the team batting first sets a target for the team batting second. The latter team may win the match, draw the match or lose it by not reaching the target. Various scenarios of losing are possible; e.g. simply not reaching the target, or some form of choking after being in a strong position. In this study we consider the situation where a team batting second in a limited overs cricket match needs to score only a few more runs with many balls still to be bowled, but is bowled out. This phenomenon is called ‘strangling’ because the bowling team succeeded in bowling their opponents, who were in a strong batting position, all out – they have strangled them. A criterion is proposed to measure the severity of strangling. The measure is based on the strength of the batting team just before this disaster struck.
Peering into the “rabbit hole” of publication bias and inadequate research transparency: Adding tangibility to the abstract
Authors: Mayer Martin
Published: August 2015

When patients seek medical care, they assume the treatment or advice they receive is based on a strong understanding of the human body and its processes. They also typically assume the care they receive is based on a strong understanding of the research literature pertaining to their well-being and any ailments for which they might seek care. However, publication bias and inadequate research transparency greatly threaten medical providers’ ability to practice evidence-based medicine in its truest form, and this in turn puts patients at unnecessary risk. The evidence of these issues existing is unequivocal. However, systematic reviews and other studies that present overviews of these issues – although certainly incredibly important in establishing the undeniable presence and pervasiveness of these issues – may inadvertently obfuscate the concreteness of these closely-related processes in action. Therefore, this article presents a “case series” of these detrimental issues in action in an effort to emphasize the tangibility of these issues and thereby help make their importance unmistakably clear.
Accounting Services – 2014 Education auditors and accountants
Authors: Парамонов  , Paramonov A.
Published: August 2015

The article highlights the main trends in the market of audit and consulting in Russia in 2014, deals with the education of accountants and auditors. Provides rankings
Internal audit regulation in holding companies and complex structured economic entities
Authors: Хорохордин  , Khorokhordin D.
Published: August 2015

This article discusses the methodological approaches to establish company-internal laws and regulations of internal audit in holding companies. We identified and classified structure elements of internal audit regulatory framework according to objective distinctive features of holding structures functioning.
Identification of the facts and the evidence obtained Unscrupulous entity
Authors: Кочинев  , Kochinev Yuriy , Виноградова  , Vinogradova O.
Published: August 2015

The article describes the steps of the auditor in relation to the identification of unfair entity and obtain appropriate evidence of premeditation. Proposed in the article recommendations

include an assessment of the risks of material misstatement due to fraud, identity revealed distortion as possible, deliberate, premeditated taking of evidence identified misstatements