bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Western gray squirrel resource selection related to fire fuel management
Authors: Stuart Kathryn D. , Vander Haegen W. Matthew , Jenkins Kurt J. , Keren Ilai N. , West Stephen D.
Published: June 2018

One of 3 populations of the state‐threatened western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus) in Washington occurs in the northern Cascade Range (i.e., North Cascades), where long‐term fire suppression has increased the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Land management agencies throughout this region have implemented fire fuel reduction programs that alter squirrel habitat and may affect their populations. From April 2008 to September 2011, we investigated resource selection of 38 radio‐collared western gray squirrels at 2 study sites in the North Cascades following fire fuel management activities including mechanical thinning and prescribed burning. We developed conditional logistic models to examine resource selection at 3 spatial scales: nest trees, nest sites, and core areas within home ranges. The odds of a squirrel selecting a tree for nesting increased with dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium spp.) presence, greater number of surrounding trees with interlocking branches, and tree size. Squirrels selected nest sites that had greater canopy cover, tree connectivity, and presence of dwarf mistletoe than available, unused sites. Core‐use areas within home ranges had greater canopy cover, a greater number of tree species, and trees with higher live crowns compared to low‐use areas. Our results indicate that fire fuel treatments may negatively affect western gray squirrel habitat across multiple spatial scales. Most variables that were positively related to habitat selection are specifically targeted for reduction in fire fuel management plans and were lower in sampled treated areas compared to untreated areas within the study sites. Key considerations in designing fuel reduction programs that benefit both squirrel habitat conservation and fire fuel management include maintaining forest patches with suitable canopy cover and connectivity, retaining large trees of a mix of species, and allowing for mistletoe infection at a reduced rate. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Chemical reaction kinetics measurements for single and blended amines for CO2 postcombustion capture applications
Authors: Sodiq Ahmed , Hadri Nabil El , Goetheer Earl L. V. , Abu‐Zahra Mohammad R. M.
Published: June 2018

The present study has established the direct pseudo–first‐order reaction kinetics of different aqueous‐based single and blended amines over the temperature range of 298.15‐313.15 K using stopped‐flow techniques. The single amines include one primary amine (monoethanolamine, MEA), two secondary amines (diethanolamine, DEA and 2‐ethyl(amino)ethanol, 2EAE), four tertiary amines (N‐methyldiethanolamine, MDEA, 1‐dimethylamino‐2‐propanol, 1DMA2P, 3‐dimethylamino‐1‐propanol, 3DMA1P, and 2‐dimethylaminoethanol, 2DMAE), one sterically hindered amine (2‐amino‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanol, AMP), and one cyclic diamine (piperazine, PZ). The blend systems used are MEA/PZ, DEA/PZ, MDEA/PZ, AMP/PZ, MEA/AMP, MDEA/2EAE, 1DMA2P/2EAE, 3DMA1P/2EAE, and 2DMAE/2EAE.

Different reaction mechanisms for the reaction of CO2 with aqueous solutions of amines, such as base‐catalysis, zwitterion, termolecular, hybrid of zwitterion, hybrid of base‐catalysis‐zwitterion, and hybrid of base‐catalysis‐termolecular reaction mechanisms, are used to correlate the experimental data. For the single amines, the zwitterion mechanism is well suited to fit the experimental data of primary, secondary, sterically hindered and cyclic amines with an absolute average deviation (AAD%) less than 5%. The base‐catalysis mechanism fits the experimental data of all the tertiary amines well with an AAD less than 5%. For the blends, the hybrid of zwitterion mechanism fits the experimental data of MEA/PZ, DEA/PZ, AMP/PZ, and MEA/AMP well with an AAD less than 5%, whereas the hybrid of base‐catalysis‐zwitterion mechanism fits the experimental data of MDEA/PZ, MDEA/2EAE, 1DMA2P/2EAE, 3DMA1P/2EAE, and 2DMAE/2EAE well with an AAD less than 5%.
Evaluating the impact of Uber on London's taxi service: A strategic review
Authors: Skok Walter , Baker Samantha
Published: June 2018

This paper considers how London's private hire vehicle (PHV) industry and the regulatory authority, Transport for London, can react to Uber's well‐funded, aggressive entry into the marketplace, outlines the new challenges they face, and describes the strategic directions that are available to the PHV industry for their survival.

Using a narrative enquiry, the study explores the impact from the co‐evolution of 3 megatrends (information and communication technology advancement, paradigm change, and public preferences) to understand and interpret the methods being deployed to compete, issues faced by drivers, stakeholders' perceptions of regulations, and the options for the future direction of the industry.

The research concludes that the impact has been profound, with themes emerging such as passenger safety, driver employment status, sustaining operators' service levels, and regulatory changes. Moreover, there is a premise that short‐term planning is dominant, which raises concerns regarding the move towards electric and autonomous vehicles.

The research also recommends practical methods for small private hire operators to review their business models in the form of a roadmap.

An app is also proposed in order to aid in implementing a stakeholder engagement strategy and to manage future regulatory requirements.

Finally, suggestions are made for further research to identify the future direction of London's PHV industry, considering the Mayor of London's draft transport strategy, and to clarify drivers' employment status.

The paper may be useful to taxi service operators and regulators in other international cities that are faced with the disruptive nature of smartphone technology to their traditional working practices.
Governance practices and agency cost in emerging market: Evidence from India
Authors: Katti Supriya , Raithatha Mehul
Published: June 2018

In this study, we examine whether governance practices brings down agency cost. We find that board size, board attendance, and CEO duality are important governance characteristics that influence the agency cost. We also bring out systematic differences in governance practices of the business group affiliated firms and stand‐alone firms. Larger board and proportion of independent director helps in reducing the agency cost for group affiliated firms supporting monitoring hypothesis. On the other hand, the governance structure of stand‐alone firms supports commitment hypothesis where we observe that board busyness and CEO duality help in reducing the agency cost.
Development of Ligand‐based Big Data Deep Neural Network Models for Virtual Screening of Large Compound Libraries
Authors: Xiao Tao , Qi Xingxing , Chen Yuzong , Jiang Yuyang
Published: June 2018

High‐performance ligand‐based virtual screening (VS) models have been developed using various computational methods, including the deep neural network (DNN) method. There are high expectations for exploration of the advanced capabilities of DNN to improve VS performance, and this capability has been optimally achieved using large data training datasets. However, their ability to screen large compound libraries has not been evaluated. There is a need for developing and evaluating ligand‐based large data DNN VS models for large compound libraries. In this study, we developed ligand‐based large data DNN VS models for inhibitors of six anticancer targets using 0.5 M training compounds. The developed VS models were evaluated by 10‐fold cross‐validation, achieving 77.9‐97.8 % sensitivity, 99.9‐100 % specificity, 0.82‐0.98 Matthews correlation coefficient and 0.98‐0.99 area under the curve, outperforming random forest models. Moreover, DNN VS models developed by pre‐2015 inhibitors identified 50 % of post‐2015 inhibitors with a 0.01‐0.09 % false positive rate in screening 89 M PubChem compounds, also outperforming previous models. Experimental assays of the selected virtual hits of the EGFR inhibitor model led to reasonable novel structures of EGFR inhibitors. Our results confirmed the usefulness of the large data DNN model as a ligand‐based VS tool to screen large compound libraries.
Hypo‐elastic and hyper‐elastic equations of soils
Authors: Hashiguchi Koichi
Published: June 2018

The hypoelastic constitutive equation has been adopted widely for the description of elastic deformation of soils. However, the hyperelastic equation must be adopted to describe the elastic deformation exactly. Further, the multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient tensor must be adopted to describe both elastic and the plastic deformation exactly in the elastoplastic constitutive equation. The pertinent hypoelastic and the consistent infinitesimal and multiplicative hyperelastic equations of soils are formulated within the frameworks of the hypoelastic‐based plasticity, the infinitesimal‐hyperelasticity, and the multiplicative‐hyperelasticity in this article.
Artificial Intelligence for Water and Wastewater: Friend or Foe?
Authors: Lunani Mahesh
Published: June 2018

More than 50,000 water and 16,000 wastewater utilities operate in the United States. The heartbeat of each one is the operations and maintenance (O&M) workforce, a core team of dedicated professionals who take pride in treating water and wastewater, meeting demand, providing reliable service, and complying with permits and regulations. Daily decisions are driven by decades of accumulated experience backed by the use of various process and business automation tools.
Managing Water Storage in Extreme Conditions
Authors: Gibson Sharla
Published: June 2018

A detailed, systematic management program is required to maintain water storage infrastructure in hot, dry conditions. Water is an invaluable resource in arid climates. Storing this resource is one of the most important tasks that falls on desert municipalities and agencies.
Follow Best Practices for Thorough Fire Hydrant Inspections
Authors: Schaefer Todd W.
Published: June 2018

A periodic testing and maintenance program ensures fire hydrants work correctly when needed and meet mandatory insurance requirements.
Climb Into a Confined Space Safely
Authors:   AWWA Staff
Published: June 2018

A confined space is any area with limited entry and exit that contains known or potential hazards and isn't intended for continuous human occupancy. In the water community, such spaces include manholes, trenches, storage tanks, wells, vaults, tunnels, and trenches.
Enhancement of photovoltaic performances of Cu (In,Ga)(S,Se)2 solar cell through combination of heat‐light soaking and light soaking processes
Authors: Chantana Jakapan , Kato Takuya , Sugimoto Hiroki , Minemoto Takashi
Published: June 2018

Potassium‐treated Cu (In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGSSe)‐based solar cell with power conversion efficiency (η) of 19.4% is obtained using high transparent Cd0.75Zn0.25S/Zn0.79Mg0.21O/Zn0.88Mg0.12O:Al layers to minimize optical loss at short wavelength (~520 nm) and to control total conduction band minimum alignment. To further enhance η, the post treatment named HLS + LS process, including heat‐light soaking (HLS) at 110°C under AM 1.5G illumination followed by light soaking (LS) under AM 1.5G illumination, is conducted successively on the as‐fabricated solar cell. It is revealed that HLS in the HLS + LS process mainly yields the increase in open‐circuit voltage. On the other hand, LS in the HLS + LS process primarily leads to the increase in fill factor, attributable to the decrease in sheet resistance of Zn0.88Mg0.12O:Al. The HLS + LS process consequently gives rise to not only the enhancement of carrier concentration but also the decrease in the recombination rate at the buffer/absorber interface through passivating the recombination centers. As a result, 21.2%‐efficient CIGSSe solar cell with the Cd0.75Zn0.25S/Zn0.79Mg0.21O/Zn0.88Mg0.12O:Al layers is attained after the HLS + LS process, which is an effective process to enhance photovoltaic performances.
The effectiveness of supplemental phonics instruction employing constant time delay instruction for struggling readers
Authors: Bradley Rachel L. , Noell George H.
Published: June 2018

This study examined the provision of supplemental instruction using constant time delay for struggling readers who had fallen behind in developing word‐blending skills. Additionally, the study examined the utility of adding a material reward contingency to the instructional program with a contingency derived from percentile‐shaping procedures. Procedures were compared in a withdrawal design applied across blocks of letters with word blending as the target response. Participants exhibited substantial learning gains when provided constant time delay instruction in phonics skills as compared to baseline demonstrating clear experimental control. Results for the constant time delay plus reward contingency conditions were clearly differentiated from baseline but undifferentiated from the other instructional conditions. The implications of the findings for intervention for struggling readers and future research relevant to more comprehensive reading interventions are discussed.
The lived experience of head and neck cancer patients receiving curative radiotherapy: A systematic review and meta‐ethnography
Authors: Fitchett Russell C. , Aldus Edward J. , Fitchett Lucy R. , Cross Jane
Published: June 2018

Objective

This review aims to explore, appraise, and synthesise the existing evidence of the meaning that head and neck cancer (HNC) patients assign to the experience of receiving curative radiotherapy.

Methods

Qualitative evidence synthesis was undertaken using meta‐ethnography. Published literature was identified using 7 databases: AMED, ASSIA, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, and PsycINFO. Databases were searched from January 2005 to April 2017. The strategy was supplemented by grey literature and citation searches.

Results

Out of 1403 titles, 57 abstracts and 35 full texts were screened. Ultimately, 8 studies were eligible for inclusion. The evidence base was moderate to strong in quality. Most of the studies showed that HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy have unmet needs. Four related concepts were identified: the disruption to life that the disease and radiotherapy treatment cause, patients' feelings of isolation, the need for patients to make sense of their situation, and the waiting and uncertainty that radiotherapy creates.

Conclusions

The current literature suggests that both HNC and radiotherapy cause disruption in patients' lives. Radiotherapy causes many unpleasant side effects, and in this difficult treatment period, HNC patients feel isolated, uncertain, and in need of coping strategies. Therapeutic radiographers are ideally placed to offer a supportive relationship. By having a deeper understanding of patients' lived experience, radiographers may form stronger relationships and more effectively help patients through their radiotherapy.
A dose finding clinical trial of cabozantinib (XL184) administered in combination with abiraterone acetate in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Choudhury Atish D. , Gray Kathryn P. , Supko Jeffrey G. , Harshman Lauren C. , Taplin Mary‐Ellen , Pace Amanda F. , Farina Matthew , Zukotynski Katherine A. , Bernard Brandon , Kantoff Philip W. , Pomerantz Mark , Sweeney Christopher
Published: June 2018

Background

Cabozantinib can enhance the effect of abiraterone in preclinical prostate cancer models. This study aimed to define the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) and preliminary efficacy of abiraterone + cabozantinib in mCRPC.

Methods

Patients with progressive mCRPC with 0‐2 prior chemotherapy regimens but no prior CYP17A1 or MET inhibitor received abiraterone acetate at 1000 mg daily with prednisone 5 mg BID in combination with cabozantinib at 20, 40, or 60 mg daily in a dose‐escalation 3 + 3 open‐label phase 1 design (Part A). After tolerable doses were defined, cohorts were expanded to better define toxicity and efficacy (Part B).

Results

There were no dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs) in the first 4 weeks at any of the three dose levels in Part A. Two of the three patients at the 60 mg dose level required dose reductions beyond cycle 2 due to fatigue. In Part B, nine more patients were accrued to each of the 20 and 40 mg doses. Of the 12 patients treated at the 40 mg dose, only one DLT (grade 3 Lipase elevation) was observed in cycle 1. The median time to radiographic progression was 12.88 months (95% CI:5.42‐ not estimated [NE]) in the 20 mg cohort and 22.01 months (95% CI:15.44‐NE) in the 40 mg cohort. Median overall survival was 23.29 months (95% CI:19.06‐NE) in the 20 mg cohort and 39.08 months (95% CI:17.38‐NE) in the 40 mg cohort.

Conclusions

Based on tolerability and preliminary efficacy, 40 mg cabozantinib plus 1000 mg abiraterone daily is the RP2D.
Treatment selection for men with metastatic prostate cancer who progress on upfront chemo‐hormonal therapy
Authors: Barata Pedro , Emamekhoo Hamid , Mendiratta Prateek , Koshkin Vadim , Tyler Allison , Ornstein Moshe , Rini Brian I. , Gilligan Timothy , Kyriakopoulos Christos , Garcia Jorge A.
Published: June 2018

Background

Androgen deprivation therapy plus docetaxel (D‐ADT) increases overall survival (OS) in men with high‐volume, metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Although the vast majority of men initially respond to D‐ADT, most will progress and develop castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Little is known about the optimal treatment sequence for men with progressive disease on D‐ADT.

Patient and Methods

Retrospective analysis of consecutive mHSPC patients treated with ≥3 cycles of D‐ADT at Cleveland Clinic and University of Wisconsin‐Madison was undertaken. The primary end‐points included radiographic progression free survival (rPFS) and OS with first‐line treatment for metastatic CRPC (mCRPC).

Results

Final analysis included 136 patients, median age 65 (range 35‐86), 77% GS ≥ 8, and 79% with high‐volume disease who received ≥3 cycles of docetaxel. Undetectable PSA values at 12 and 24 months were observed in 32% and 25% of patients, respectively. Median time to CRPC (biochemical, clinical, or radiographic) was 19.6 months (16.6‐22.6). Sixty patients (44%) received ≥1 treatment for CRPC: 48 patients (80%) received a second‐generation hormonal therapy (sHT). Among these, 22 received abiraterone acetate, 20 enzalutamide, and six a novel CYP‐17 inhibitor on trial (ASN‐001). Five patients (8%) received sipuleucel‐T; four (7%) radium‐223, five (8%) chemotherapy (two carboplatin‐based, two single agent cabazitaxel, one single agent docetaxel) and three other. Patients receiving sHT as the first treatment for mCRPC had a median rPFS of 9.0 months (95%CI, 6.9‐11.2) compared with 3.0 months (95%CI, 1.5‐4.5) for patients who received a non‐sHT (P = 0.024). The choice of first therapy for mCRPC was independent of GS (P = 0.909), visceral disease (P = 0.690) and time to CRPC (P = 0.844). Longer OS correlated with time to CRPC (P = 0.010) and first treatment for CRPC with sHT (P = 0.005).

Conclusions

For patients with progressive disease on D‐ADT, subsequent treatment with a sHT is associated with a longer rPFS and OS.
Indium‐Tin‐Oxide (ITO) Work Function Tailoring by Covalently Bound Carboxylic Acid Self‐Assembled Monolayers
Authors: Rittich Julia , Jung Sebastian , Siekmann Johanna , Wuttig Matthias
Published: June 2018

Tuning the work function of electrodes is crucial to improve the carrier injection into organic optoelectronic devices in order to minimize energy losses. We have analyzed and explored the potential of self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) covalently bound to an electrode to tune its work function for optimized organic optoelectronic devices. A systematic experimental photoelectron spectroscopy study of several carboxylic acid SAMs, deposited onto indium‐tin‐oxide (ITO), reveals work function changes up to 1.8 eV. Subsequently, the effects of different SAMs on the injection barrier in organic thin film transistors and thus their efficiency are studied. The data obtained can be described qualitatively, regarding the key factors for work function tuning, i.e., the intrinsic molecular dipole, the energetic position of the conducting molecular orbital as calculated by DFT and the contribution of the chemical bond at the electrode–SAM interface. Using the insights gained from the applied theoretical descriptions of work function tuning combined with the experimental findings, work function tailoring can be made possible and enables the design of an energetic matching interface.
Structure Determination of a New Molecular White‐Light Source
Authors: Klee Benjamin D. , Dornsiepen Eike , Stellhorn Jens R. , Paulus Benedict , Hosokawa Shinya , Dehnen Stefanie , Pilgrim Wolf‐Christian
Published: June 2018

The molecular structure of the white light generating amorphous material [(PhSn)4S6] is investigated using X‐ray scattering coupled with a rigid molecular Reverse‐Monte‐Carlo (RMC) modeling approach. For this an existing RMC program is modified to treat molecules in a constrained fashion and to prepare the necessary molecular starting configurations in cases where no crystal structure is available. Experimental proof for an adamantane‐like molecule structure is found. The intermediate‐range structure is analyzed, indicating a strong preference for distinct cluster orientations. It is shown that rigid molecular RMC simulations are feasible for structure analysis without using force fields.
SPIRIT: A seamless phase I/II randomized design for immunotherapy trials
Authors: Guo Beibei , Li Daniel , Yuan Ying
Published: June 2018

Immunotherapy—treatments that enlist the immune system to battle tumors—has received widespread attention in cancer research. Due to its unique features and mechanisms for treating cancer, immunotherapy requires novel clinical trial designs. We propose a Bayesian seamless phase I/II randomized design for immunotherapy trials (SPIRIT) to find the optimal biological dose (OBD) defined in terms of the restricted mean survival time. We jointly model progression‐free survival and the immune response. Progression‐free survival is used as the primary endpoint to determine the OBD, and the immune response is used as an ancillary endpoint to quickly screen out futile doses. Toxicity is monitored throughout the trial. The design consists of two seamlessly connected stages. The first stage identifies a set of safe doses. The second stage adaptively randomizes patients to the safe doses identified and uses their progression‐free survival and immune response to find the OBD. The simulation study shows that the SPIRIT has desirable operating characteristics and outperforms the conventional design.
Exploring causality mechanism in the joint analysis of longitudinal and survival data
Authors: Liu Lei , Zheng Cheng , Kang Joseph
Published: June 2018

In many biomedical studies, disease progress is monitored by a biomarker over time, eg, repeated measures of CD4 in AIDS and hemoglobin in end‐stage renal disease patients. The endpoint of interest, eg, death or diagnosis of a specific disease, is correlated with the longitudinal biomarker. In this paper, we examine and compare different models of longitudinal and survival data to investigate causal mechanisms, specifically, those related to the role of random effects. We illustrate the methods by data from two clinical trials: an AIDS study and a liver cirrhosis study.
Modulation of the Prototropic Exchange Rate in pH‐Responsive Yb‐HPDO3A Derivatives as ParaCEST Agents
Authors: Dastrù Walter , Menchise Valeria , Ferrauto Giuseppe , Fabretto Serena , Carrera Carla , Terreno Enzo , Aime Silvio , Castelli Daniela Delli
Published: June 2018

The aim of this work was to design new pH‐sensitive paramagnetic chemical exchange saturation transfer (paraCEST) agents with a more acidic pH readout window with respect to the Yb complex of the 10‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)‐1,4,7,10‐ tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7‐triacetic acid (HPDO3A). In particular, three HPDO3A derivatives have been synthesized by substituting the methyl group on the 2‐hydroxypropyl arm with the electron withdrawing substituents –CF3, –CH2NH2 and –CH2OH. The Yb complexes have been characterized in terms of i) number and relative abundance of isomers present and, ii) pH sensitivity range in CEST applications. The influence of the introduced substituents on the –OH proton acidity and kex has been investigated and the new agents have been compared with the parent Yb‐HPDO3A. All complexes showed an increased acidity and an enhanced exchange rate of the –OH proton. As a consequence, the pH‐CEST sensitivity has been shifted to more acidic values. Eventually, the –CH2OH bearing derivative has been tested to assess the intra‐endosomal pH which is too acidic to be determined with Yb‐HPDO3A.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of α‐MnS Nanoflakes@Nitrogen and Sulfur Co‐doped rGO for High‐Performance Hybrid Supercapacitor
Authors: Mohamed Saad G. , Attia Sayed Y. , Barakat Yosry F. , Hassan Hamdy H. , Zoubi Wail Al
Published: June 2018

The α‐MnS nanoflakes/rGO sheets were obtained via a facile one‐step hydrothermal approach using carbon disulfide as sulfur source, and ethylenediamine as a complexing agent which forms a complex with Mn2+ ions. Oil droplets of carbon disulfide and water are bridged via the hydrophobic/hydrophilic nature of ethylenediamine. α‐MnS/rGO was successfully co‐doped by nitrogen and sulfur by the action of ethylenediamine and CS2, respectively. The as‐prepared material exhibits an excellent electrochemical performance with a remarkable specific capacitance of 700 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1, high rate capability of 66.65% retention at 20 A g−1 and superior cycling stability of 127% capacitance retention after 10000 cycles. To further explore the electrochemical performance of α‐MnS/rGO, a hybrid supercapacitor device was assembled using the α‐MnS/rGO as a positive electrode and an activated carbon as a negative electrode. The fabricated device exhibits the highest energy density of 38.13 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 850 W kg−1 and still retains 21.25 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 17 kW kg−1. These superior results demonstrate that the α‐MnS/rGO nanoflakes electrode can be considered as a promising material for high‐performance supercapacitors.
The effect of pet therapy on the physiological and subjective stress response: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Ein Natalie , Li Lingqian , Vickers Kristin
Published: June 2018

Studies have reported that exposure to pet therapy (PT) can reduce physiological and subjective stress and anxiety levels. The aim of this meta‐analysis is to examine the efficacy of PT as a method for reducing physiological stress levels (blood pressure and heart rate) and subjective stress and anxiety scores (self‐reported stress/anxiety). Further, we examined the effects of sample characteristics and modifications to the PT (different age groups and health status of participants across samples, whether a stressor was present, and individual versus group PT) as potential moderators of the relationship between PT and stress reactivity. Our searches incorporated articles published from May 2017 and earlier in PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and PubMed. This meta‐analysis included 28 articles with 34 independent samples and contained a total of 1,310 participants. Using a random effects model, we determined that significant differences occurred in heart rate, self‐reported anxiety, and self‐reported stress after PT exposure compared with before PT. However, we did not detect significant differences in blood pressure after PT. Sample characteristics and modifications to the PT significantly moderated the effect of PT on stress responses. Our results suggest that PT can be an effective program for reducing stress reactivity.
Empowering leadership and job crafting: The role of employee optimism
Authors: Thun Sylvi , Bakker Arnold B.
Published: June 2018

The objective of this study was to test the relationship between empowering leadership and job crafting and to examine the moderating role of optimism as a personal resource. We hypothesized that the association between empowering leadership and job crafting would be stronger for employees with high (vs. low) levels of optimism. A total of 331 Norwegian workers from a variety of occupations participated in our study. Results of structural equation modelling analysis generally supported our hypotheses. Empowering leadership was positively related to 3 of the 4 job crafting strategies investigated (increasing structural job resources, increasing social job resources, and increasing challenging job demands; but not reducing hindrance job demands). Moreover, as hypothesized, optimism strengthened the empowering leadership–job crafting relationship for increasing structural resources and increasing challenging demands. The results suggest that empowering leadership is an important antecedent of job crafting strategies, except for reducing hindrance demands. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Models of first responder coping: Police officers as a unique population
Authors: Arble Eamonn , Daugherty Ana M. , Arnetz Bengt B.
Published: June 2018

The term “first responders” refers to a range of professional occupations, including police officers, fire fighters, search and rescue personnel, ambulance personnel, and military personnel. Research by the present authors has developed empirical models of first responder coping, identifying 2 coping pathways with differential outcomes: approach and avoidance coping. The present investigation considers police officers as a unique group and measures the extent to which police officers differ from other first responders in coping behaviours following trauma, based upon a nationally representative survey of 917 Swedish police officers. Although the model of coping behaviours following trauma and the effects on well‐being displayed several similarities between police officers and other first responders, there was compelling evidence to suggest that there are professionally bound aspects of psychological coping, resilience, and well‐being that merit further exploration. Among police officers, for example, avoidant coping was related to worse well‐being, and police officers reported greater consequence to well‐being related to substance use than other first responders. The unique aspects of police officer coping in comparison with other first responder groups are explored.
Savouring as a moderator of the combat exposure–mental health symptoms relationship
Authors: Sytine Anton I. , Britt Thomas W. , Pury Cynthia L.S. , Rosopa Patrick J.
Published: June 2018

Engaging in firefights or witnessing death and other types of combat experiences are occupational hazards associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression in military personnel returning from combat deployments. The present study examined savouring beliefs as a moderator of the relationship between combat exposure and mental health symptoms among U.S. Army soldiers deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Soldiers (N = 885) completed measures of combat exposure, savouring beliefs, PTSD, and depression. Savouring was negatively related to symptoms of PTSD and depression and moderated the relationship between combat exposure and PTSD and depression among military personnel. These findings demonstrate that savouring positive life experiences may be beneficial to overall positive mental health and potentially buffer negative mental health symptoms related to traumatic experiences. Discussion focuses on the possibility of training individuals exposed to trauma in savouring techniques.
Pheasant responses to U.S. cropland conversion programs: A review and recommendations
Authors: Taylor J. Scott , Bogenschutz Todd R. , Clark William R.
Published: June 2018

We describe ring‐necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) habitat needs, historical U.S. cropland conversion programs (CCPs), research documenting pheasant responses to these programs, and make policy recommendations for programs to more efficiently elicit such responses. Cropland conversion program principles supported in the pheasant literature include establishment of an initial seeding, a multiyear contract structure, prohibition of mowing during the nesting season, promotion of forbs in seedings, provision of large‐block enrollments options, and inclusion of midcontract management. These principles are compatible with the habitat needs of many other grassland bird species. We therefore recommend the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and any future CCPs retain these foundational aspects. Initial plantings of higher diversity seed mixes have become prioritized over time, but we note whatever increase in average habitat quality these standards achieved, it was not enough to prevent widespread pheasant declines following more severe statutory limitations on CRP acreage enrollments beginning in 2008, coupled with long‐term declines in other habitat types (e.g., hay, pasture, small grains). When faced with a trade‐off, we thus recommend emphasis of enrolled area over quality, provided enrolled herbaceous tracts provide adequate structure (≥3 dm of 100% visual obstruction) and canopy cover components (>5% forbs and >5% bare ground). Efficiencies may also be gained by altering initial seeding rates, offsetting program costs using grazing income, allowing more discretion in the use of midcontract management, and prioritizing enrollments in focus areas. Individual states, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and bird conservation joint ventures should work cooperatively to share data and perform return‐on‐investment–oriented research at multiple spatial scales concerning the effects of CCPs on pheasants. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
A combined experimental and theoretical approach to determine X‐ray atomic fundamental quantities of tin
Authors: Ménesguen Y. , Lépy M.‐C. , Sampaio J. M. , Marques J. P. , Parente F. , Guerra M. , Indelicato P. , Santos J. P. , Hönicke P. , Beckhoff B.
Published: June 2018

The knowledge of atomic fundamental parameters, such as the mass attenuation coefficients or fluorescence yields with low uncertainties, is of decisive importance in elemental quantification involving X‐ray fluorescence analysis techniques. For example, several databases giving the mass attenuation coefficients are accessible and frequently used within a large community of users. These compilations are most often in good agreement for photon energies in the hard X‐ray ranges. However, they significantly differ for low photon energies and around the absorption edges of the elements. In the case of the fluorescence yields, some authors made a review of measured values found in the literature. However, reliable measurements are not so many illustrating the inherent difficulties. Mass attenuation coefficients of tin were determined experimentally in the photon energy range from 100 eV to 35 keV by using monochromatized synchrotron radiation at SOLEIL (France). The fluorescence yields of the 3 L‐subshells of tin were also determined using a reflection geometry setup and the X‐ray fluorescence setup of Physikalisch‐Technische Bundesanstalt. The Coster–Kronig factors for the tin L‐shells were also experimentally determined. The application of high‐accuracy experimental techniques resulted in low uncertainty mass attenuation coefficients and L‐subshell fluorescence yields that are directly compared with existing databases and with updated relativistic configuration mixing Dirac–Fock calculations including Quantum electrodynamics (QED) corrections.
Investigation of the pigment use in the Tomb of the Reliefs and other tombs in the Etruscan Banditaccia Necropolis
Authors: Alfeld Matthias , Baraldi Cecilia , Gamberini Maria Cristina , Walter Philippe
Published: June 2018

The pigment use in the Tomb of the Reliefs (fourth century BC) and four other tombs (seventh to fourth century BC) in the Etruscan Banditaccia Necropolis near Cerveteri, Italy, has been investigated. We made use of X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) and Raman spot analysis, XRF imaging, infrared luminescence and photography supported by Dstretch contrast enhancement. We identified the use of haematite, goethite, calcite, carbon black, manganese oxide, Tyrian purple, and Egyptian blue, with the last three only found under the central burial place of the Tomb of the Reliefs. The tuff in which these tombs were cut proved to be a significant challenge for XRF analysis as the signals of Ca, Mn, and Fe vary strongly due to the heterogeneity of the stone, so that it is difficult to distinguish between signals from the tuff and the pigments. Finally, we show that lightweight instruments transported in check‐in luggage may not answer all questions on pigment use but do provide additional insights.
Afterword: Gender Practices in Transnational Families
Authors: Ducu Viorela
Published: June 2018

The first decade of research on transnational families focused primarily on the perspectives of adult migrants, and departed mothers in particular, with the theoretical concept of care at its centre, especially within national and bi-national approaches. The second decade saw a major transformation following the obsolescence of the nuclear family as a unit of research. Methodological approaches have, on the one hand, become more complex (mixed quantitative and qualitative methods, cross-country comparisons, life course perspectives etc.), while children and the elderly have become more visible. These studies have acquired the following key elements: gender, co-presence illustrated through family practices and mobility. Besides offering a short review of the above, this chapter contains a detailed discussion on research addressing Romanian transnational families, in order to illustrate the application of these elements. Then, we offer examples of how research published in the present volume is inscribed with the new research perspective.
Information at Hand – Using Wearable Devices to Display Task Information in the Context of Industry 4.0
Authors: Mach Sebastian , Kastrau Almut , Schmalfuß Franziska
Published: June 2018

In the context of Industry 4.0 and the extensive interconnection of every part of the production process, the industrial worker will still maintain a key role. It is important to support the workers by utilizing ongoing digitalization at work and also to provide suitable concepts for communication between human and automation. A possible solution could be the application of wearable devices such as smartwatches. They are able to automatically collect data about the state of the worker as well as provide relevant information for the worker about the status of machines. The aim of the present research is to investigate whether smartwatches are a suitable alternative to conventional methods of displaying information in an industrial environment - despite some limitations of smartwatches, like the small screen. Therefore, we conducted a laboratory study displaying different amount of information (a list of six tasks vs. only the next task) on different devices (monitor screen vs. smartwatch screen). We asked 32 participants to follow the displayed instructions and fulfill the tasks (crossword puzzles, Sudoku, number connection task). Afterwards, the participants rated the different types of information display with questionnaires (e.g., User Experience Questionnaire). Results show significant differences in some aspects of user experience supporting the advantage of utilizing smartwatches in an industrial context. However, information on a smartwatch should be as short and meaningful as possible.
Probing axions with neutron star inspirals and other stellar processes
Authors: Hook Anson , Huang Junwu
Published: June 2018

Abstract

In certain models of a QCD axion, finite density corrections to the axion potential can result in the axion being sourced by large dense objects. There are a variety of ways to test this phenomenon, but perhaps the most surprising effect is that the axion can mediate forces between neutron stars that can be as strong as gravity. These forces can be attractive or repulsive and their presence can be detected by Advanced LIGO observations of neutron star inspirals. By a numerical coincidence, axion forces between neutron stars with gravitational strength naturally have an associated length scale of tens of kilometers or longer, similar to that of a neutron star. Future observations of neutron star mergers in Advanced LIGO can probe many orders of magnitude of axion parameter space. Because the axion is only sourced by large dense objects, the axion force evades fifth force constraints. We also outline several other ways to probe this phenomenon using electromagnetic signals associated with compact objects.
Effective Insomnia Treatments: Investigation of Processes in Mindfulness and Cognitive Therapy
Authors: Lee Christopher William , Ree Melissa J. , Wong Mei Yin
Published: June 2018

Understanding the underlying mechanisms of recovery from insomnia is an important goal for improving existing treatments. In a randomised controlled trial, 57 participants with insomnia disorder were given either cognitive therapy (CT) or mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) following 4 sessions of CBT. Each participant was assessed on process measures related to CT and MBT. MBT resulted in improvement on mindfulness process measures and the size of the improvement was significantly greater than achieved in the CT condition. Interestingly, CT and MBT both resulted in significant improvement on the cognitive process measures. Treatment outcome on the primary outcome measure (Insomnia Severity Index) was not predicted by type of treatment but was predicted by posttreatment scores on the cognitive process measures. The results suggest that changes in cognitive processes are especially important in treating insomnia, and that there are different therapeutic modalities through which this can be achieved.
Transition to turbulence in the rotating disk boundary layer of a rotor–stator cavity
Authors: Yim Eunok , Chomaz J.-M. , Martinand D. , Serre E.
Published: June 2018

The transition to turbulence in the rotating disk boundary layer is investigated in a closed cylindrical rotor–stator cavity via direct numerical simulation (DNS) and linear stability analysis (LSA). The mean flow in the rotor boundary layer is qualitatively similar to the von Kármán self-similarity solution. The mean velocity profiles, however, slightly depart from theory as the rotor edge is approached. Shear and centrifugal effects lead to a locally more unstable mean flow than the self-similarity solution, which acts as a strong source of perturbations. Fluctuations start rising there, as the Reynolds number is increased, eventually leading to an edge-driven global mode, characterized by spiral arms rotating counter-clockwise with respect to the rotor. At larger Reynolds numbers, fluctuations form a steep front, no longer driven by the edge, and followed downstream by a saturated spiral wave, eventually leading to incipient turbulence. Numerical results show that this front results from the superposition of several elephant front-forming global modes, corresponding to unstable azimuthal wavenumbers $m$, in the range $m\in [32,78]$. The spatial growth along the radial direction of the energy of these fluctuations is quantitatively similar to that observed experimentally. This superposition of elephant modes could thus provide an explanation for the discrepancy observed in the single disk configuration, between the corresponding spatial growth rates values measured by experiments on the one hand, and predicted by LSA and DNS performed in an azimuthal sector, on the other hand.
Parametric study and scaling of jet manipulation using an unsteady minijet
Authors: Perumal A. K. , Zhou Y.
Published: June 2018

A parametric study is conducted for the control of a turbulent jet using a single unsteady minijet. A number of control parameters that influence the decay rate $K$ of the jet centreline mean velocity are investigated, including the mass flow rate ratio $C_{m}$, excitation frequency ratio $f_{e}/f_{0}$ and exit diameter ratio $d/D$ of the minijet to main jet, along with the duty cycle ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$) of the minijet injection. Extensive hot-wire, particle image velocimetry and flow visualization measurements were performed in the manipulated jet. Various flow structures have been identified, such as the flapping flow, non-flapping flow and that showing a manipulable thrust vector, depending on $C_{m}$, $f_{e}/f_{0}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$. Empirical scaling analysis unveils that, prior to the minijet impingement upon the wall of the nozzle and the generation of turbulence, the relationship $K=g_{1}$ ($C_{m}$, $f_{e}/f_{0}$, $d/D$, $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$) may be reduced to $K=g_{2}$ ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D709}$), where $g_{1}$ and $g_{2}$ are different functions and the scaling factor $\unicode[STIX]{x1D709}=(\sqrt{MR}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC})(d/D)^{n}$ ($\sqrt{MR}\equiv C_{m}(D/d)$ is the momentum ratio and $n$ is a constant that depends on $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$) is physically the effective momentum ratio per pulse or effective penetration depth. Discussion is conducted based on $K=g_{2}$ ($\unicode[STIX]{x1D709}$), which provides important insight into the jet control physics.
Noise reduction mechanisms of sawtooth and combed-sawtooth trailing-edge serrations
Authors: Avallone F. , van der Velden W. C. P. , Ragni D. , Casalino D.
Published: June 2018

Trailing-edge serrations are add ons retrofitted to wind-turbine blades to mitigate turbulent boundary-layer trailing-edge noise. This manuscript studies the physical mechanisms behind the noise reduction by investigating the far-field noise and the hydrodynamic flow field. A conventional sawtooth and a combed-sawtooth trailing-edge serration are studied. Combed-sawtooth serrations are obtained by filling the empty space between the teeth with combs (i.e. solid filaments). Both serration geometries are retrofitted to a NACA 0018 aerofoil at zero degree angle of attack. Computations are carried out by solving the explicit, transient, compressible lattice Boltzmann equation, while the acoustic far field is obtained by means of the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings analogy. The numerical results are validated against experiments. It is confirmed that the combed-sawtooth serrations reduce noise more than the conventional sawtooth ones for the low- and mid-frequency range. It is found that the presence of combs affects the intensity of the scattered noise but not the frequency range of noise reduction. For both configurations, the intensity of the surface pressure fluctuations decreases from the root to the tip, and noise sources are mainly located at the serrations root for the low- and mid-frequency range. The presence of the filaments generates a more uniform distribution of the noise sources along the edges with respect to the conventional serration. The installation of combs mitigates the interaction between the two sides of the aerofoil at the trailing edge and the generation of a turbulent wake in the empty space between teeth. As a result, the inward (i.e. from the serration edge to the centreline) and outward (i.e. from the serration centreline to the edge) flow motions, due to the presence of the teeth, are mitigated. It is found that the installation of serrations affects the surface pressure fluctuations integral parameters. Both the spanwise correlation length and convective velocity of the surface pressure fluctuations increase with respect to the baseline straight configuration. When both quantities are similar to the one obtained for the straight trailing edge, the effect of the slanted edge is negligible, thus corresponding to no noise reduction. It is concluded that the changes in sound radiation are mainly caused by destructive interference of the radiated sound waves for which a larger spanwise correlation length is beneficial. Finally, the difference between measurements and the literature is caused by an incorrect modelling of the spanwise correlation length, which shows a different decay rate with respect to the one obtained for a straight trailing edge.