bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new and five rare bdelloids from Korea
Authors: SONG MIN OK , LEE CHANG-HO
Published: March 2017

A taxonomic study on bdelloid rotifers collected from various terrestrial habitats at six different locations in Korea yielded 12 new Korean records and a new species, Philodina koreana n. sp. Among the 12 new Korean records, eight species and two subspecies are new to Asia. These new Asian records include five rare species with poorly known distributions. Philodina childi Milne and P. scabra Milne were rediscovered in Korea almost 100 years after the original descriptions from South Africa. Our study is the first to report Habrotrocha longicalcarata Bērzinš outside its type locality. Macrotrachela nixa Donner has previously been reported only from New Zealand and the Antarctic after description from Spain. Finally, H. solida Donner is recorded outside Europe for the first time. Here, we provide a description of the new species and discuss the taxonomy and distribution of these five rare species. In addition, a partial sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (mtCOX1) for P. koreana n. sp. as well as a taxonomic key for the Philodina species recorded from Korea to date are also provided here.
Integration of molecular, bioacoustical and morphological data reveals two new cryptic species of Pelodytes (Anura, Pelodytidae) from the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: DÍAZ-RODRÍGUEZ JESÚS , GEHARA MARCELO , MÁRQUEZ RAFAEL , VENCES MIGUEL , GONÇALVES HELENA , SEQUEIRA FERNANDO , MARTÍNEZ-SOLANO IÑIGO , TEJEDO MIGUEL
Published: March 2017

Parsley frogs (Pelodytes) comprise the only genus in the family Pelodytidae, an ancient anuran lineage that split from their closest relatives over 140 million years ago. Pelodytes is a Palearctic group restricted to Western Eurasia including three extant species: the eastern species P. caucasicus, endemic to the Caucasus area, and two closely related species inhabiting Western Europe: the Iberian endemic P. ibericus and the more widespread P. punctatus. Previous studies based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers have revealed the existence of two additional lineages of Parsley frogs in the Iberian Peninsula, which have been flagged as candidate species. Here, we integrate novel molecular, morphological and bioacoustical data to assess the differentiation of the four western Parsley frog lineages. Species trees and Bayesian population assignment analyses based on nuclear markers confirm previous studies and concordantly delineate four parapatric lineages with narrow hybrid zones. Mitochondrial divergence is low (< 2% pairwise distances in the 16S rRNA gene), in line with previously reported low mitochondrial substitution rates in non-neobatrachian frogs. Based on concordance between mitochondrial and nuclear markers, we conclude that four species of Parsley frogs occur in Western Europe: Pelodytes punctatus, distributed from northern Italy to northeastern Spain; Pelodytes ibericus, inhabiting southern Spain and southern Portugal; Pelodytes atlanticus sp. nov., from the Portuguese Atlantic coast; and Pelodytes hespericus sp. nov., occurring in central and eastern Spain. However, bioacoustical and morphological differentiation of these species is low, with no obvious and qualitative diagnostic characters allowing full species discrimination. Differences in the relative size of metacarpal tubercles exist but this character is variable. Pelodytes ibericus and Pelodytes atlanticus are smaller than the other two species, and P. ibericus has shorter limbs and various distinctive osteological characters. Bioacoustically, the pattern by which two different note types are combined in advertisement calls separates P. hespericus from the remaining species. Despite these differences, we emphasize that the taxonomic status of all four western Parsley frogs requires additional investigation, especially the patterns of genetic admixture across contact zones. While a status of separate species best conforms to the currently available data, alternative hypotheses are also discussed.
Two new species of callanthiid fishes of the genus Grammatonotus (Percoidei: Callanthiidae) from Pohnpei, western Pacific
Authors: ANDERSON WILLIAM D., JR. , JOHNSON G. DAVID
Published: March 2017

In late July/early August 2015, ichthyologists from the Bishop Museum collecting fishes off Pohnpei in the Caroline Islands group, western Pacific Ocean, obtained specimens of two undescribed species of Grammatonotus. One of the new species, G. xanthostigma, closely resembles the recently described G. brianne, differing most strikingly in the shape of the caudal fin. The other, G. pelipel, is distinctive in having the following combination of characters: disjunct lateral line, barred pattern of coloration (most distinctive in small individuals), and caudal fin truncate to slightly emarginate in small specimens, but with upper and lower lobes produced in largest example known. Herein we provide characters that distinguish callanthiids from other percoids and that distinguish Grammatonotus from Callanthias, the other genus in the family Callanthiidae, along with descriptions of the new species.
Leaf-feeding Mycterothrips: two new species from southern Iran (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: MINAEI KAMBIZ , ALICHI MAHMOOD , FEKRAT LIDA , ALEOSFOOR MARYAM , ALAVI JALIL
Published: March 2017

Mycterothrips doostii sp. n. and Mycterothrips zagrosi sp. n. are described and illustrated from Fars province, southern Iran, on the basis of specimens collected on green leaves of Juglans regia and Amygdalus scoparia respectively. M. doostii is closely related to M. aureus and M. weii, whereas M. zagrosi resembles M. sanubari and M. glycines in color and structure.
Phylogenetic relationships and morphology of the Pristimantis leptolophus species group (Amphibia: Anura: Brachycephaloidea), with the recognition of a new species group in Pristimantis Jiménez de la Espada, 1870
Authors: GONZÁLEZ-DURÁN GUSTAVO A. , TARGINO MARIANE , RADA MARCO , GRANT TARAN
Published: March 2017

We evaluate the monophyly and phylogenetic relationships of the Pristimantis leptolophus species group and describe its external morphology, osteology, and some myological characteristics. We also compare the P. leptolophus species group to other related species groups. The P. leptolophus group is not monophyletic due to the inclusion of P. acatallelus, formerly believed to be part of the P. devillei group. The revised P. leptolophus group is composed of nine named species and six unnamed species. Based on our results, we recognize a new species group, the P. boulengeri species group, composed of eight species, many of which were previously assigned to the P. lacrimosus species group.
A new polytypic species of yellow-shouldered bats, genus Sturnira (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae), from the Andean and coastal mountain systems of Venezuela and Colombia
Authors: MOLINARI JESÚS , BUSTOS XIOMAR E. , BURNEO SANTIAGO F. , CAMACHO M. ALEJANDRA , MORENO S. ANDREA , FERMÍN GUSTAVO
Published: March 2017

Sturnira is the most speciose genus of New World leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae). We name Sturnira adrianae, new species. This taxon is born polytypic, divided into a larger subspecies (S. a. adrianae) widespread in the mountains of northern and western Venezuela, and northern Colombia, and a smaller subspecies (S. a. caripana) endemic to the mountains of northeastern Venezuela. The new species inhabits evergreen, deciduous, and cloud forests at mainly medium (1000–2000 m) elevations. It has long been confused with S. ludovici, but it is more closely related to S. oporaphilum. It can be distinguished from other species of Sturnira by genetic data, and based on discrete and continuously varying characters. Within the genus, the new species belongs to a clade that also includes S. oporaphilum, S. ludovici, S. hondurensis, and S. burtonlimi. The larger new subspecies is the largest member of this clade. The two new subspecies are the most sexually dimorphic members of this clade. The smaller new subspecies is restricted to small mountain systems undergoing severe deforestation processes, therefore can be assigned to the Vulnerable (VU) conservation category of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The complete mitochondrial genome of the styloperlid stonefly species Styloperla spinicercia Wu (Insecta: Plecoptera) with family-level phylogenetic analyses of the Pteronarcyoidea
Authors: WANG YING , CAO JINJUN , LI WEIHAI
Published: March 2017

We present the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome sequence of the stonefly, Styloperla spinicercia Wu, 1935 (Plecoptera: Styloperlidae), the type species of the genus Styloperla and the first complete mt genome for the family Styloperlidae. The genome is circular, 16,129 base pairs long, has an A+T content of 70.7%, and contains 37 genes including the large and small ribosomal RNA (rRNA) subunits, 13 protein coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes and a large non-coding region (CR). All of the PCGs use the standard initiation codon ATN except ND1 and ND5, which start with TTG and GTG. Twelve of the PCGs stop with conventional terminal codons TAA and TAG, except ND5 which shows an incomplete terminator signal T. All tRNAs have the classic clover-leaf structures with the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm of tRNASer(AGN) forming a simple loop. Secondary structures of the two ribosomal RNAs are presented with reference to previous models. The structural elements and the variable numbers of tandem repeats are described within the control region. Phylogenetic analyses using both Bayesian (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) methods support the previous hypotheses regarding family level relationships within the Pteronarcyoidea. The genetic distance calculated based on 13 PCGs and two rRNAs between Styloperla sp. and S. spinicercia is provided and interspecific divergence is discussed.
Two new dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera) from the Miocene of Carinthia
(Austria)
Authors: SCHÄDEL MARIO , LECHNER THOMAS S.
Published: March 2017

Two new species of fossil dragonflies from the Middle Miocene fossil site Schaßbach (Carinthia, Austria) are described. The presence of Gomphaeschna carinthiae sp. nov. and Ictinogomphus hassleri sp. nov. in the fossil record of Central Europe confirms the scenario of a more widespread distribution of the represented genera in the Miocene in contrast to their Recent distribution.
Comparison of Low-Frequency Internal Climate Variability in CMIP5 Models and Observations
Authors: Cheung Anson H. , Mann Michael E. , Steinman Byron A. , Frankcombe Leela M. , England Matthew H. , Miller Sonya K.
Published: March 2017

Low-frequency internal climate variability (ICV) plays an important role in modulating global surface temperature, regional climate, and climate extremes. However, it has not been completely characterized in the instrumental record and in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) model ensemble. In this study, the surface temperature ICV of the North Pacific (NP), North Atlantic (NA), and Northern Hemisphere (NH) in the instrumental record and historical CMIP5 all-forcing simulations is isolated using a semiempirical method wherein the CMIP5 ensemble mean is applied as the external forcing signal and removed from each time series. Comparison of ICV signals derived from this semiempirical method as well as from analysis of ICV in CMIP5 preindustrial control runs reveals disagreement in the spatial pattern and amplitude between models and instrumental data on multidecadal time scales (>20 yr). Analysis of the amplitude of total variability and the ICV in the models and instrumental data indicates that the models underestimate ICV amplitude on low-frequency time scales (>20 yr in the NA; >40 yr in the NP), while agreement is found in the NH variability. A multiple linear regression analysis of ICV in the instrumental record shows that variability in the NP drives decadal-to-interdecadal variability in the NH, whereas the NA drives multidecadal variability in the NH. Analysis of the CMIP5 historical simulations does not reveal such a relationship, indicating model limitations in simulating ICV. These findings demonstrate the need to better characterize low-frequency ICV, which may help improve attribution and decadal prediction.
Sensitivity of Northern Great Plains Convection Forecasts to Upstream and Downstream Forecast Errors
Authors: Berman Jeremy D. , Torn Ryan D. , Romine Glen S. , Weisman Morris L.
Published: March 2017

The role of earlier forecast errors on subsequent convection forecasts is evaluated for a northern Great Plains severe convective event on 11–12 June 2013 during the Mesoscale Predictability Experiment (MPEX) by applying the ensemble-based sensitivity technique to Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model ensemble forecasts with explicit convection. This case was characterized by two distinct modes of convection located 150 km apart in western Nebraska and South Dakota, which formed on either side of an axis of high, lower-tropospheric equivalent potential temperature . Convection forecasts over both regions are found to be sensitive to the position of this axis. The convection in Nebraska is sensitive to the position of the western edge of the axis near an upstream dryline, which modulates the preconvective prior to the diurnal maximum. In contrast, the convection in South Dakota is sensitive to the position of the eastern edge of the axis near a cold front, which also modulates the preconvective in that location. The position of the axis is modulated by the positions of both upstream and downstream mid- to upper-tropospheric potential vorticity anomalies, and can be traced backward in time to the initial conditions. Dropsondes sampling the region prior to convective initiation indicate that ensemble members with better representations of upstream conditions in sensitive regions are associated with better convective forecasts over Nebraska.
Asymmetry in Empowering and Disempowering Private Intermediaries
Authors: Kruck Andreas
Published: March 2017

This article analyzes the empowerment and disempowerment of credit rating agencies (CRAs) as private regulatory intermediaries. Until the recent financial crisis, regulators heavily relied on private credit ratings to impose risk-sensitive requirements on financial market actors (targets). Regulatory use of credit ratings was instrumental in empowering CRAs because regulatory authority was delegated to them and their own private power was bolstered by public endorsement. But regulators’ subsequent efforts to disempower the CRAs—more recently regarded as dysfunctional “runaway” intermediaries—have proven costly, complicated to do, and hardly consequential in limiting CRAs’ de facto power. This dynamic reveals a path-dependent power shift in favor of private intermediaries that is more pronounced (1) the larger the intermediary’s own sources of power when an RIT arrangement is established, (2) the larger the transfer of authority to the intermediary, and (3) the longer regulators rely on the intermediary.
Rule Intermediaries in Global Labor Governance
Authors: Marx Axel , Wouters Jan
Published: March 2017

The International Labour Organization’s (ILO’s) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work is a “canon” in the global governance of labor rights. The ILO has its own implementation, monitoring, and enforcement system in place to foster compliance with the declaration. However, other transnational regulatory initiatives also integrate the declaration into their standards and procedures, leading them to become nondelegated intermediaries. We analyze and compare two such cases: the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF). The case studies show two distinct approaches, which differ significantly in operation and the involvement of other intermediaries. The two initiatives also differ in effectiveness. We suggest that this is related to how they involve different intermediaries and how they relate to the targets. The OECD involves few intermediaries, and these play passive roles with little interaction with targets, while the FWF involves many intermediaries, which play diverse roles and constantly engage targets.
Regulatory Stewardship and Intermediation
Authors: Pegram Tom
Published: March 2017

The regulator-intermediary-target (RIT) framework exposes the potential for intermediaries to provide alternative channels for capture. In this article, I argue that the risk of capture can be mitigated through what I call regulatory stewardship—a novel conception of regulatory management that involves the intermediaries themselves monitoring the performance of one another. I explore regulatory stewardship by examining a new generation of human rights treaty innovation: the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). These instruments differentially formalize relations between intermediaries. I use their contrasting experiences to identify three factors central to effective regulatory stewardship: (1) the nature of the task environment, (2) the quality of rule frameworks, and (3) the approaches adopted by potential stewards in practice. This study argues for the importance of regulatory stewardship within RIT arrangements, particularly where targets are strongly motivated to resist implementation.
Principals’ Views on Civic and Parental Participation in School Governance in Switzerland
Authors: Quesel Carsten , Näpfli Jasmin , Buser Patricia A.
Published: March 2017

Purpose: The study is focused on the question of how principals in Swiss compulsory schools evaluate civic and parental participation in education governance. Public management reforms in Switzerland have led to the implementation of semiautonomous school administration and the encouragement of professional leadership. Thus, the traditional role of school boards has come under scrutiny. Research Methods/Approach: Using the theoretical framework of actor-centered institutionalism, the study compares patterns of education policies in Swiss cantons and analyzes data of a principals’ survey by structural equation modelling. Findings: The views of principals concerning lay participation in school governance reveal a multifaceted picture. Principals affirm lay participation on the levels of the right to be informed, the right to be heard, and the right to volunteer; they regard with skepticism the authority of lay participants to make decisions. Implications for Research and Practice: Principals tend to insist on professional discretion and opt against the blurring of boundaries between schools and their social environment. This implies the self-justification of professional leadership. That such self-justification does not derive from a neutral perspective, but is an expression of stakeholder interests, has to be taken into account.
Tracing Down Real Socio-Economic Trends From Household Data With Erratic Sampling Frames: The Case of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Marivoet Wim , De Herdt Tom
Published: March 2017

By means of the latest seven national household surveys of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this article uncovers the very volatile sampling frame used underneath all survey designs. As a result, the reliability of much associated survey information as well as any corresponding temporal analysis are seriously jeopardized. Relying on recent vaccination, school enrolment and election data, the article proposes a post-stratification technique to retroactively control for these erratic variations in sampling frame in an attempt to identify real socio-economic trends. Although the proposed technique did not restore full comparability of survey data in all respects, it has been able to eliminate an essential part of the spuriousness as illustrated by assessing trends in asset ownership under both the biased and stabilized sampling frames.
Building Recovery Capital: The Role of Faith-Based Communities in the Reintegration of Formerly Incarcerated Drug Offenders
Authors: Connolly Kristen , Granfield Robert
Published: March 2017

Recovery capital is an important concept in the field of addiction studies. A person’s access to recovery capital can mean the difference between the termination of addiction and successful reintegration or ongoing criminality and drug use. Increasingly, religious institutions are playing a vital role in the provision of social services, including addiction services that provide access to recovery capital. This article begins by exploring the concept of recovery capital and its utility in the successful reintegration of offenders. It then uses a case study to show how one’s religious organization plays an important role in providing the necessary recovery capital for the desistance of drug abuse and for a successful reintegration into the community. Through in-depth interviews with several persistent adult offenders, this article demonstrates that religious organizations may play an important role in providing the recovery capital that so many persistent drug offenders are lacking.
Intravenous administration of cannabis and lethal anaphylaxis
Authors: Gilbert John D , Grabowski Marc , Byard Roger W
Published: March 2017

Cannabis allergy appears to be increasing. A 33-year-old woman is reported who collapsed and died shortly after injecting herself with a cannabis solution prepared by pouring boiling water onto plant material. There were no significant findings at autopsy, except for a single recent venepuncture wound in the left cubital fossa. Toxicological examination of the blood revealed low levels of methylamphetamine and amphetamine with tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-THC, and no opiates. The syringe used by the decedent contained Δ9-THC. Serum tryptase levels were markedly elevated (>200 µg/L; N < 12 µg/L). This finding coupled with the sudden collapse after injecting an aqueous extract of cannabis indicated a likely anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reaction to the extract. Cannabis allergy may occur following handling, inhalation, swallowing or injecting Cannabis sativa plants or their products. The possibility of an allergic reaction should therefore be considered at autopsy in deaths where there has been recent contact with cannabis.
Prevalence of insomnia and related impact
Authors: Manjavong Manchumad , Limpawattana Panita , Mairiang Pisaln , Anutrakulchai Sirirat
Published: March 2017

Background

Sleep problem is a common geriatric condition that can result in various outcomes, both physical and mental, that reduce quality of life. The studies regarding the prevalence and impact of insomnia on daily activities in Thailand in pre-elderly and elderly adults are few.

Objectives

The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of insomnia among pre-elderly and elderly populations and the secondary objective was to study the impact of insomnia on their daily lives.

Methods

This study included the participants from the urban middle class in the pre-retirement age of 50 years or older adults who worked for Khon Kaen University (KKU), Khon Kaen, Thailand, and their elderly relatives. Information on baseline characteristics, sleep problems, and outcomes were collected. Descriptive analytical statistics were used to analyze baseline data. Multivariate analysis was used to analyze associated factors of the impact of insomnia.

Results

A total of 491 participants were recruited. The prevalence of insomnia was 60%. The significant consequences related to insomnia were feeling unrefreshed (adjusted odds ratio (AOD) 2.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44–3.04), daytime sleepiness (AOD 2.04, 95% CI 1.29–3.22), need for a sedative drug (AOD 4.23, 95% CI 2.09–8.55), depression (AOD 4.74, 95% CI 1.73–13), and impaired attention (AOD 2.29, 95% CI 1.52–3.45).

Conclusions

Insomnia was found in the majority of pre-elderly and elderly participants and resulted in several poor outcomes. Early detection of insomnia may prevent some inevitable outcomes.
Reliability and validity of Somali version of the PHQ-9 in primary care practice
Authors: Nallusamy Vasumathi , Afgarshe Mohamud , Shlosser Heather
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Depression is one of the common mental health problems noticed in immigrants because of the experiences related to their resettlement which is the case for Somali population. Depression increases mortality, morbidity, disability, and costs of health care which can be controlled by screening depression in the primary care setting using a culturally and linguistically congruent screening tool. The aim of the current study is to translate the English PHQ-9 into Somali language using evidence-based translational methodology and establish psychometric properties of the Somali PHQ-9.

Methods

The initial validation of the Somali PHQ-9 was studied by comparing the original and back translation versions using the comparability and interpretability tool in a sample of 56 monolingual health care professionals. The reliability and validity of the Somali version were established by psychometric analysis in a sample of 47 bilingual health-care workers.

Results

Cronbach’s alpha was 0.79 for the Somali version with the inter-item correlation mean of 0.33 and item-to-total correlation mean in the range of 0.40–0.80 ( p < 0.01). Pearson correlation for the item-to-item correlation between English and Somali version was between 0.70 and 0.93 ( p < 0.01) with the paired t-test showing no significant difference between the item means.

Conclusions

The Somali PHQ-9 showed a good reliability, homogeneity, and internal consistency. The construct validity for the Somali PHQ-9 was also established showing that the Somali PHQ-9 has similar reliability and validity like the other translated versions of PHQ-9.
Functional foods: How functional are they? A case report of supplement-induced psychosis
Authors: Yadav Priyanka , Stigall Kyle , Johnson Hannah E , Rayapati Abner O , Chopra Nitin
Published: March 2017

There is rising evidence of patients’ use of alternative and complementary medicine. The percentage of the U.S. population who used at least one dietary supplement increased from 42% in 1988–1994 to 53% in 2003–2006. We present a case of an Asian female in her 40s, with no previous psychiatric illness, who presented to the emergency room following a brief psychotic episode, during which she self-amputated the tips of her fingers, after using multivitamins and herbal supplements including ginseng, gui yuan rou (Chinese herb), astaxanthin, goji (Chinese fruit), selenium, saw palmetto, grape seed extract, citrus bioflavanoid, lutein (zeaxantin), resvexatrol, sun chlorella, spirulina powder, phytoceramides, phytoestrogen, glucosatrin, bromelain plus, and American bee pollen. Comprehensive laboratory workup, drug screening, and diagnostic imaging were negative. Vital signs were stable. Other than the amputated finger tips, the remainder of her physical examination was unremarkable. Her mental status improved significantly after treatment with risperidone 1 mg twice daily, during a five-day psychiatric hospitalization. This case draws attention to the fact that supplements have the potential of producing frank psychosis and require close monitoring and study by physicians.
Challenges and pitfalls for workplace unionism in a restructured public service
Authors: Guillaume Cécile , Kirton Gill
Published: March 2017

In the context of restructuring that has swept across Europe in recent years, this article discusses the conditions of workplace unionism resilience in a small, predominantly female UK public service occupation – probation. Using both quantitative and qualitative data, the article offers comprehensive insights into members’ expectations towards their union branches and provides evidence of even more accountable and responsive relationships between local reps and their members following restructuring. Factors that contributed to the resilience of the union included the influence of a shared occupational identity, the legacy of large and confident branches and the (gender) democratic tradition of the union. However, the research also highlights some limitations for the permanence of effective workplace unionism in a context of socio-demographic changes as well as organizational difficulties linked to the restructuring and outsourcing process.
How Outcome Agreement and Power Balance Among Parties Influence Processes of Organizational Learning and Nonlearning
Authors: Van de Ven Andrew , Bechara John P. , Sun Kangyong
Published: March 2017

The dominant model of behavioral learning may not apply to organizations because it assumes that the people involved agree in their outcome assessments of actions and have relatively equal power to engage in joint learning. We relax these assumptions of consensus and power balance in order to apply the model to organizational (as opposed to individual) learning. We examine what happens when parties from different organizational units and levels engage jointly in learning from recurrent events. We examine behavioral learning as recurrent cycles of action–outcome assessment–response on similar tasks (i.e., recurrent events) over time. We observe different patterns of organizational learning (adaptive and dialectical) and nonlearning (persistent and compulsory behavior) in our 8-year real-time field study of the recurrent events while integrating a large health-care system. These four processes are interdependent and explained by just two contingencies: (1) agreement on outcome assessments and (2) power balance among the parties engaged in actions. These findings expand our repertoire to include processes that heretofore have not been considered in the organizational learning literature and explore how they change with different degrees of agreement and power among parties; that is, how an imposition of power by more powerful parties leads to nonlearning, while an openness to conflict and an empowerment approach enables organizational learning.
CEO Narcissism, Risk-Taking, and Resilience: An Empirical Analysis in U.S. Commercial Banks
Authors: Buyl Tine , Boone Christophe , Wade James B.
Published: March 2017

In this study, we investigate how CEO narcissism, in combination with corporate governance practices, impacts organizational risk-taking and how this in turn affects organizations’ resilience to environmental conditions. We examine these issues in the context of the recent collapse (systemic shock) of the U.S. banking industry in September 2008, using a sample of 92 CEOs from 2006 until 2014. We find that before the shock CEO narcissism positively affected the riskiness of banks’ policies, especially when compensation policies that encourage risk-taking (stock options) are in place. The positive effect of narcissism was dampened, however, when board monitoring was more effective (because of the presence of knowledgeable outsider directors). Furthermore, we find that these preshock features hamper organizations’ resilience to (economic) shocks, as banks led by more narcissistic CEOs before the September 2008 collapse experienced a slower recovery to preshock performance levels afterwards. This effect was partially mediated by banks’ preshock riskiness of policies. We attribute these effects to the associated depletion of the organizations’ internal resources (beyond slack). Post-hoc analyses further underscore this idea, showing that the U.S. government’s capital injections through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP)—resolving the “problem” of resource depletion—moderated these effects.
Biopsychosocial Predictors of Fall Events Among Older African Americans
Authors: Nicklett Emily Joy , Taylor Robert Joseph , Rostant Ola , Johnson Kimson E. , Evans Linnea
Published: March 2017

This study identifies risk and protective factors for falls among older, community-dwelling African Americans. Drawing upon the biopsychosocial perspective, we conducted a series of sex- and age-adjusted multinomial logistic regression analyses to identify the correlates of fall events among older African Americans. Our sample consisted of 1,442 community-dwelling African Americans aged 65 and older, participating in the 2010–2012 rounds of the Health and Retirement Study. Biophysical characteristics associated with greater relative risk of experiencing single and/or multiple falls included greater functional limitations, poorer self-rated health, poorer self-rated vision, chronic illnesses (high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart problems, stroke, and arthritis), greater chronic illness comorbidity, older age, and female sex. Physical activity was negatively associated with recurrent falls. Among the examined psychosocial characteristics, greater depressive symptoms were associated with greater relative risk of experiencing single and multiple fall events. Implications for clinicians and future studies are discussed.
Decisions, Decisions
Authors: Potter Emma C. , Roberto Karen A. , Brossoie Nancy , Blieszner Rosemary
Published: March 2017

African American families’ experiences with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have received little attention in the research literature. Guided by the life-course perspective, we analyzed qualitative interview data from members of 27 African American families including the person with MCI (PwMCI), a relative or friend who was highly involved in the PwMCI’s daily life, and if available, a relative or friend who had at least monthly contact with the PwMCI. Findings uncovered variability in families’ MCI awareness, assessment, and need for role changes; the importance of reaching out to trusted others; and honoring PwMCI’s care preferences (e.g., who should provide care). Families held varying beliefs about engaging outside support; some families insisted on keeping all care within the family while others were open to the use of external services. We showcase how diagnosis acceptance and family decision-making are at the heart of how African American families respond to MCI.
Using four different online media sources to forecast the crude oil price
Authors: Elshendy Mohammed , Colladon Andrea Fronzetti , Battistoni Elisa , Gloor Peter A
Published: March 2017

This study looks for signals of economic awareness on online social media and tests their significance in economic predictions. The study analyses, over a period of 2 years, the relationship between the West Texas Intermediate daily crude oil price and multiple predictors extracted from Twitter; Google Trends; Wikipedia; and the Global Data on Events, Location and Tone (GDELT) database. Semantic analysis is applied to study the sentiment, emotionality and complexity of the language used. Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average with Explanatory Variable (ARIMAX) models are used to make predictions and to confirm the value of the study variables. Results show that the combined analysis of the four media platforms carries valuable information in making financial forecasting. Twitter language complexity, GDELT number of articles and Wikipedia page reads have the highest predictive power. This study also allows a comparison of the different fore-sighting abilities of each platform, in terms of how many days ahead a platform can predict a price movement before it happens. In comparison with previous work, more media sources and more dimensions of the interaction and of the language used are combined in a joint analysis.
The Association of Sport Specialization and Training Volume With Injury History in Youth Athletes
Authors: Post Eric G. , Trigsted Stephanie M. , Riekena Jeremy W. , Hetzel Scott , McGuine Timothy A. , Brooks M. Alison , Bell David R.
Published: March 2017

Background:

Recommendations exist to encourage safe youth participation in sport. These recommendations include not specializing in 1 sport, limiting participation to less than 8 months per year, and limiting participation to fewer hours per week than a child’s age. However, limited evidence exists to support or refute these recommendations.

Hypothesis:

High levels of specialization will be associated with a history of injuries and especially overuse injuries, independent of age, sex, or weekly sport training hours. Athletes who exceed current sport volume recommendations will be more likely to have a history of injuries and overuse injuries.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Youth athletes (n = 2011; 989 female and 1022 male; 12-18 years of age) completed a questionnaire regarding their specialization status, yearly and weekly sport participation volume, and injury history. Specialization was classified as low, moderate, or high using a previously utilized 3-point scale. Athletes were classified into groups based on either meeting or exceeding current volume recommendations (months per year and hours per week). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated to investigate associations of specialization and volume of participation with a history of sport-related injuries in the past year ( P ≤ .05).

Results:

Highly specialized athletes were more likely to report a previous injury of any kind ( P < .001; OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.26-2.02) or an overuse injury ( P = .011; OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.07-1.99) in the previous year compared with athletes in the low specialization group. Athletes who played their primary sport more than 8 months of the year were more likely to report an upper extremity overuse injury ( P = .04; OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.06-2.80) or a lower extremity overuse injury ( P = .001; OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.22-2.30). Athletes who participated in their primary sport for more hours per week than their age (ie, a 16-year-old athlete who participated in his or her primary sport for more than 16 h/wk) were more likely to report an injury of any type ( P = .001; OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.12-1.61) in the previous year.

Conclusion:

High levels of specialization were associated with a history of injuries, independent of age, sex, and weekly organized sport volume. Athletes who exceeded volume recommendations were more likely to have a history of overuse injuries.

Clinical Relevance:

Parents and youth athletes should be aware of the risks of specialization and excessive sport volume to maximize safe sport participation.
Violence and uncertainty: Interactional sketches for a cognitive analysis of violent actions
Authors: Chartier Gaëlle , Berthoz Alain , Brian Éric , Jaisson Marie
Published: March 2017

The present study investigates the interface between sociological and physiological analyses of violence. The aim is to explore the cognitive processes leading to violence in daily interactions. We suggest that violent interactions derive from uncertainty about the course of the interactions: something in the way an individual moves blurs the interactional rules and prevents other individuals predicting his or her intentions. From this perspective, gestures categorized as violent break execution regularities that are normally expected during the interaction and present regularities of their own. We test this hypothesis by an experimental recording of gestures and a quantitative analysis of their trajectories.
On the elastic properties of curved carbon nanotubes/polymer nanocomposites: A modified rule of mixture
Authors: Ansari Reza , Rouhi Saeed , Eghbalian Mohsen
Published: March 2017

The elastic modulus of curved single-walled carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposites is studied. The effects of shape, number, and amplitude of curves and nanotube/matrix interphase on the mechanical properties of nanocomposites are investigated. Solid and hollow cylinder models are employed to model the nanotubes. Single-walled carbon nanotubes are selected with one, two, and three curves. The elastic modulus of polymer matrix reinforced by curved single-walled carbon nanotubes is compared with those of straight nanotube/polymer nanocomposites. Comparing the results with the results of the molecular dynamics simulations, it is shown that the employed model can predict the mechanical properties of nanocomposites with the error lower than that of 2%. The nanotubes with higher number of curves lead to weaker reinforcement of the matrix. Besides, increasing the diameter of the nanotube leads to better reinforcement of the nanocomposites. It is observed that the rule of mixtures cannot predict the elastic modulus of curved single-walled carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposites correctly. Therefore, the rule of mixtures is modified to accurately predict the elastic modulus of polymer matrix reinforced by curved single-walled carbon nanotubes.
“Giving Something Back to Society”: A Study Exploring the Role of Reciprocity Norms in Public Service Motivation
Authors: Neumann Oliver
Published: March 2017

Public service motivation (PSM) is often conceived as a predominantly other-concerned type of motivation. This study challenges this notion by investigating the role of reciprocity norms, which are rooted in self-concern, as a determinant of PSM. Taking up a debate on whether PSM may be a manifestation of reciprocity vis-à-vis society, I draw on a combination of psychological contract theory and social identity theory to substantiate previous theoretical linkages between these concepts. Using a sample of 205 Swiss police officers, I then empirically analyze the relationship between both positive and negative reciprocity norms and PSM. Thereby, I utilize societal identification, which is a prerequisite for the emergence of shared psychological contracts, as a moderator. Findings from moderated regression analyses support the theoretical arguments for the norm-based and affective but not the rational components of PSM. In sum, this study provides relevant insights into some of the self-concerned foundations of PSM.
“People Just Don’t Understand”: Challenges Communicating Home Hospice Volunteer Role Experiences to Organizational Outsiders
Authors: White Zachary M. , Gilstrap Cristina M.
Published: March 2017

Volunteers play a central part in the delivery of end-of-life care. Unlike other interdisciplinary team members, however, home hospice volunteers may face unique communication challenges when explaining their role to organizational outsiders. In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 38 home hospice volunteers from nine different U.S. hospice organizations. Interviews revealed volunteers experience four communication challenges when trying to explain their role to outsiders: we’re not special—we’re special, we’re among the living—we’re among the dying, it’s enjoyable—it’s depressing, and presence is significant—presence is insignificant. Findings demonstrate how role articulation inhibits volunteers from communicating the full scope and relevance of role experiences. Although volunteers used discursive strategies to alter perceptions of stigma, these strategies may also exaggerate insider–outsider differences, inhibit authentic role disclosure, and reduce value of service to personal benefit. Our conclusions highlight the importance of external-based communication training to enhance role identity and connection to the hospice mission.
Evolving Discourses on Water Resource Management and Climate Change in the Equatorial Nile Basin
Authors: Hissen Nina , Conway Declan , Goulden Marisa C.
Published: March 2017

Transboundary water resources management in the Equatorial Nile Basin (EQNB) is a politically contested issue. There is a growing body of literature examining water-related discourses which identifies the ability of powerful actors and institutions to influence policy. Concern about the effects of future climate change has featured strongly in research on the Nile River for several decades. It is therefore timely to consider whether and how these concerns are reflected in regional policy documents and policy discourse. This study analyzes discourse framings of water resources management and climate change in policy documents (27, published between 2001 and 2013) and as elicited in interviews (38) with water managers in the EQNB. Three main discursive framings are identified which are present in the discourses on both subjects: a problem-oriented environmental risk frame and two solution-oriented frames, on governance and infrastructure development. Climate change discourse only emerges as a common topic around 2007. The framings found in the water resources management discourse and the climate change discourse are almost identical, suggesting that discursive framings were adopted from the former for use in the latter. We infer that the climate change discourse may have offered a less politically sensitive route to circumvent political sensitivities around water allocation and distribution between riparian countries in the EQNB. However, the climate change discourse does not offer a lasting solution to the more fundamental political dispute over water allocation. Moreover, in cases where the climate change discourse is subsumed within a water resources management discourse, there are dangers that it will not fully address the needs of effective adaptation.
The effect of planning time on cognitive processes, monitoring behavior, and quality of L2 writing
Authors: Rostamian Morteza , Fazilatfar Ali Mohammad , Jabbari Ali Akbar
Published: March 2017

This article reports on a study in which stimulated recall data and quantitative measures of complexity, accuracy and fluency (CAF) were used to address three interconnected questions in different planning conditions: (1) how learners share their limited attentional capacity with different cognitive processes of ‘planner/proposer’, ‘translator’ and ‘evaluator/reviser’, (2) what kinds of self-repairs are more prone to be utilized by L2 writers, and (3), which condition can provide a better work plan for producing high quality narratives in terms of CAF triad. Sixty intermediate L2 writers narrated a picture story task in four types of planning conditions. The results show that while on-line planning induced the most cognitive processes of planning, translating and evaluating, pre-task planning reduced the number of processes at the time of writing. Moreover, the results reveal that pre-task planning significantly reduced the amount of self-repair when compared to on-line planning, which activated more error repairs, rephrasing repairs and different information repairs. The CAF measures disclose that enhancement of all measures at the same time could not be attained even with the provision of both pre- and on-line planning simultaneously and therefore lend support to the Overload Hypothesis and the Limited Attentional Capacity Model. The implications of these outcomes are discussed, and suggestions for further research are advanced.