bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moisture and Precipitation Evolution during Tropical Cyclone Formation as Revealed by the SSM/I–SSMIS Retrievals
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Hankes Isaac
Published: April 2016

The simultaneous precipitation and column water vapor retrievals from the SSM/I and SSMIS passive microwave instruments were used to examine the convective and moisture evolution during tropical cyclone formation. Using a wave-pouch-track dataset, composites of precipitation and column water vapor were constructed with more than 2000 satellite overpasses for a 3-day time period prior to genesis. It was found that high column water vapor occurs near the pouch center and starts to increase about 42 h prior to genesis while a substantial increase in precipitation occurs within 24 h prior to genesis. These features are consistent with a recently proposed two-stage conceptual model for tropical cyclone formation, in which gradual moisture preconditioning precedes an abrupt transition to sustained deep convection leading up to genesis.

The relationship between precipitation and saturation fraction (SF) is examined for the developing waves and compared with the general tropical North Atlantic. Precipitation rate is found to increase at the same exponential rate above the same critical point of SF in the two groups, but convection in the developing waves has a higher probability of occurrence near and above criticality. This can be attributed to the positive feedback between convection and the low-level moisture convergence, which counteracts the negative feedback of convection on water vapor and makes convection in a developing tropical cyclone more sustainable.
The Variability of the Indian–East Asian Summer Monsoon Interface in Relation to the Spring Seesaw Mode between the Indian Ocean and the Central-Western Pacific
Authors: Cao Jie , Gui Shu , Su Qin , Yang Yali
Published: April 2016

The interannual zonal movement of the interface between the Indian summer monsoon and the East Asian summer monsoon (IIE), associated with the spring sea surface temperature (SST) seesaw mode (SSTSM) over the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) and the tropical central-western Pacific (TCWP), is studied for the period 1979–2008. The observational analysis is based on Twentieth Century Reanalysis data (version 2) of atmospheric circulations, Extended Reconstructed SST data (version 3), and the Climate Prediction Center Merged Analysis of Precipitation. The results indicate that the IIE’s zonal movement is significantly and persistently correlated with the TIO–TCWP SSTSM, from spring to summer. The results of two case studies resemble those obtained by regression analysis. Experiments using an atmospheric general circulation model (ECHAM6) substantiate the key physical processes revealed in the observational analysis. When warmer (colder) SSTs appear in the TIO and colder (warmer) SSTs occur in the TCWP, the positive (negative) SSTSM forces anomalous easterly (westerly) winds over the Bay of Bengal (BOB), South China Sea (SCS), and western North Pacific (WNP). The anomalous easterly (westerly) winds further result in a weakened (strengthened) southwest summer monsoon over the BOB and a strengthened (weakened) southeast summer monsoon over the SCS and WNP. This causes the IIE to shift farther eastward (westward) than normal.
The Seasonal and Diurnal Cycles of Refractivity and Anomalous Propagation in the Sahelian Area from Microwave Radiometric Profiling
Authors: Louf Valentin , Pujol Olivier , Sauvageot Henri
Published: April 2016

The Sahelian zone of West Africa is a semiarid area where strong amplitude of the seasonal and diurnal cycles of water vapor and temperature is observed. One year of continuous observation of vertical profiles of water vapor and temperature gathered from Niamey, Niger, with a profiling microwave radiometer is used to analyze the climatology of refractivity and microwave propagation regimes in the low troposphere. Seasonal and diurnal cycles of refractivity and ground-based radar anomalous propagation are emphasized. It is shown that the combined effect of water vapor and temperature vertical gradients is responsible for strong seasonal and diurnal cycles of the ducting propagation regime. Statistics of propagation regimes are given. The probability density functions of the refractivity gradient are found lognormally distributed. Three months of C-band radar data simultaneous with the profiling microwave radiometer observations have also been collected. Relations between the vertical refractivity gradient and the ground-based radar anomalous propagation echoes (APE) are illustrated and discussed. APE spatial distributions are found strongly related to the main features of the orography and topography inside the radar-observed area. Contingency tests show that the probability for APE to be linked to ducting is higher than 95%. In addition, this paper suggests that observing the refractivity vertical profiles from a microwave radiometer profiler located close to a meteorological radar provides information on whether anomalous propagation has to be considered as a potential cause of spurious signal in the measured reflectivity field.
Climatology of Polar Mesocyclones over the Sea of Japan Using a New Objective Tracking Method
Authors: Watanabe Shun-ichi I. , Niino Hiroshi , Yanase Wataru
Published: April 2016

Polar mesocyclones (PMCs) are mesoscale cyclonic vortices that develop poleward of the main polar front. This article reports on a new algorithm for the objective tracking of PMCs, including meso-β-scale vortices, which will facilitate the study of their climatology. The algorithm is based mainly on the vorticity field and consists of three parts: the identification of vortices, the connection of vortices at consecutive time steps, and discrimination between PMCs and synoptic-scale disturbances. The objective tracking method was applied to Mesoscale Analysis (MA) data provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency, which has a horizontal resolution of 5 km. The detected tracks of PMCs were confirmed by subjective analysis of the MA data and satellite images. The method used here to discriminate between PMCs and synoptic-scale disturbances differs from that used in previous studies, which is based on the difference between the sea surface temperature and the temperature at 500 hPa, but gives a consistent result. This objective tracking method was used to obtain the climatology of PMCs over the Sea of Japan, which were classified into three groups according to the regions where they attained their maximum intensity. In each region, the PMCs have different characteristics with respect to their direction of movement, size, and intensity, which are likely to be related to their environment or development mechanism.
Instructional Practices for Spelling by Spanish-Speaking Children With and Without Learning Disabilities in Early Grades
Authors: Guzmán Remedios , O’Shanahan Isabel , Camacho Juan
Published: April 2016

The main objectives of this study were to examine the type of adaptations made by Grades 1 through 3 primary school teachers working with children who are poor spellers of a transparent language such as Spanish and to analyze whether these adaptations were determined by the grade taught by these teachers. Using the total population of primary school classroom teachers in the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands as a base, the authors took a random sample that was stratified by level, resulting in a representative sample of 300 teachers. For data collection, the authors employed an online questionnaire containing a list of specific teaching activities or procedures the teachers used to work on spelling. Results revealed that regardless of the grade taught, the teachers made a variety of adaptations in these teaching activities or procedures when working with weaker spellers, as compared to when working with stronger spellers. Furthermore, the results provide information on Spanish language spelling practices for these specific grades.
Effects of Goal Commitment and Solution Building on the Completion Rates for a Juvenile Diversion Program
Authors: Belciug Constanta , Franklin Cynthia , Bolton Kristin Whitehill , Jordan Catheleen , Lehmann Peter
Published: April 2016

Strengths-based, goal-focused approaches to working with at-risk youth have been successfully used by mentoring programs, therapeutic interventions, prevention programs, and self-help groups. However, few such approaches have been used to inform juvenile diversion programs. This is partially explained by limited empirical research on mechanisms of change used by goal-focused interventions in populations of young offenders. The authors use goal-setting theory to explore the effects of goal commitment and solution building on program completion, in a sample of violent first-time offenders ( N = 159). Mediation effects of solution building in the relationship between goal commitment and program completion were tested using both Baron and Kenny’s and Preacher and Hayes’s approaches. Results showed that high goal commitment and solution building were significant predictors of program completion. In addition, solution building fully mediated the impact of goal commitment on program completion. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Assessing the Determinants and Stability of Self-Control Into Adulthood
Authors: Diamond Brie
Published: April 2016

The stability hypothesis of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s general theory of crime has received limited support in the literature. However, recent research on the dimensions of self-control suggests varied developmental trends that may conflate the idea of stability. Using a sample of more than 300 individuals from the northeastern United States, this study examines the stability hypothesis across early adulthood and expands the current literature by considering the early childhood risk factors that may distinguish between longitudinal trajectories of self-control. Finally, a reduced, multidimensional version of the behavior problem index for measuring self-control is introduced. Results show evidence of relative stability in three dimensions of self-control, and that sex predicts trajectory group membership. Theoretical implications are discussed.
Audiometric and Histologic Correlates of the Interaction between Kanamycin and Subtraumatic Levels of Noise in the Chinchilla
Authors: Bone Robert C. , Ryan Allen F.
Published: April 2016

Difficulty in assessment of potentiating interaction between noise‐induced and kanamycin‐induced injury to hearing is compounded by the great variability of intersubject response to the same drug dosage. However, in a given subject, response of the two cochleas to kanamycin intoxication may reasonably be assumed to be symmetric. The present study was designed to utilize this similarity, in determining whether kanamycin intoxication would potentiate a normally subtraumatic noise stimulus. Under the experimental conditions outlined, it was found that after a dosage of 150 mg/kg/day of kanamycin given to a physiologic end point, normally subtraumatic noise caused consistent increase in hearing loss.
Cochlear Communication Routes in the Guinea Pig—Spiral Ganglia and Osseous Spiral Laminae: An Electron Microscope Study Using Microsphere Tracers
Authors: Duckert Larry G. , Duvall Arndt J.
Published: April 2016

The microscopic and ultrastructural anatomy of the spiral ganglia and osseous spiral laminae (OSL) of the guinea pig were studied using the transmission and scanning electron microscopes. The nerve and vascular elements within the spiral ganglia and OSL are surrounded by distinct perineural and perivascular spaces maintained by a loose meshwork of cells and connective tissue fibers. The connective tissue cells and fibers within the OSL and spiral ganglia are distinctly different from the arachnoid‐like reticular cells and elastin fibers of the modiolus described in an earlier study.

The present experiment demonstrates a pathway between the perineural spaces of the modiolus, spiral ganglia, and OSL. The perineural spaces of the modiolus were previously shown to communicate with the subarachnoid space; therefore, perineural communication from the cerebrospinal fluid to the perilymph via this route is likely.

Using microsphere tracers injected intrathecally, this communication route between the subarachnoid space and scala tympani was further defined. The tracer experiment suggests that the perineural spaces within the internal acoustic meatus, modiolus, spiral ganglia, and OSL are normally patent and do not represent artifacts induced during tissue processing.
The Role of Photoplethysmography in the Prediction of the Experimental Flap Survival
Authors: Bardach Janusz , Voots Richard J. , McCabe Brian F. , Hsu Mow Ming
Published: April 2016

A standard photoplethysmograph, modified to differentiate between arterial and venous vasculature in skin tissue, has been used to measure arterial supply in 100 unipedicle skin flaps in 25 pigs. A datum transform from a light intensity scale to a relative arterial blood density scale has been introduced and empirically labeled the vascular coefficient (VC). Statistical analysis of the VC data shows a significant difference between necrotic and surviving flap group mean data as early as 24 hours. Additional analysis in which a normal ogive was fitted to the sample VC data distributions suggests that statistically significant predictions of the probability of eventual flap necrosis can be made using VC measurements obtained immediately postoperatively. It is concluded that the modified photoplethysmograph, in conjunction with the VC data transform, constitutes a usable measuring technique for skin flap viability prediction in the experimental animal.
Airway Intervention in Croup and Epiglottitis: The Changing Role of the Otolaryngologist
Authors: Schenck Nicholas L.
Published: April 2016

Recent evidence indicates that endotracheal intubation is supplanting tracheostomy for the short‐term treatment of airway obstruction in epiglottitis and croup. Care should be provided by a triumvirate of physicians to include an otolaryngologist, a pediatrician, and an anesthesiologist. Intensive care facilities are also a prerequisite. Standard tracheostomy should be considered in cases requiring intubation longer than 72 hours.
Efficacy of Cefazolin as a Prophylactic Antibiotic in Head and Neck Surgery
Authors: Seagle Michael B. , Duberstein Larry E. , Cross Charles W. , Fletcher John L. , Mustafa Azhar Q.
Published: April 2016

The rationale for use of perioperative short‐term prophylactic antibiotics in prevention of postoperative infection in major head and neck surgery was reviewed. Cefazolin and placebo were compared in 50 patients and results showed that short‐term perioperative cefazolin was a useful adjunct in reduction of postoperative infection. Findings suggest perioperative antibiotics may be safely and effectively used to reduce postoperative morbidity from infection after surgical procedures involving skin and mucosa of the upper aero‐digestive tract.
Head and Neck Manifestations of Malignant Osteopetrosis
Authors: Wong Matthew L. , Balkany Thomas J. , Reeves Jerry , Jafek Bruce W.
Published: April 2016

Malignant osteopetrosis is the autosomal recessive form of osteopetrosis. Besides anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, and the osteopetrotic bone seen on roentgenogram, the head and neck manifestations are important to the diagnosis and clinical course of this disease. Eye, ear, nose, face, teeth, mandible, maxilla, central nervous system structures, and cranial nerves are often involved.
Treatment of Sudden Hearing Loss with Diatrizoate Meglumine (Hypaque)
Authors: Shea John J. , Emmett John R. , Harell Moshe
Published: April 2016

Between March and November 1976, 30 patients with sudden hearing loss (SHL) were treated with vasodilators and diatrizoate meglumine (Hypaque). Nine (30%) of the patients had a good response, 7 (23%) had a moderate response, and 14 (47%) had no response to treatment. Most of the patients who responded were treated within the first month and had no vertigo associated on their onset of SHL. Their hearing loss was also less than 90 dB for any of the frequencies tested. Using the criteria of SHL of less than one month's duration, no vertigo associated with onset, and a loss less than 90 dB, seven patients were treated with vasodilators plus Hypaque during the period between January and August 1977. Six (86%) of the seven patients had return of serviceable hearing.
Catecholaminergic innervation of the inner ear
Authors: Brechtelsbauer P. Bradley , Prazma Jiri , Garrett C. Gaelyn , Carrasco Vincent N. , Pillsbury Harold C.
Published: April 2016

Cochlear blood flow has been shown to be controlled, in part, by the sympathetic nervous system. We have used immunocytochemical staining for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) to further demonstrate the extent of catecholaminergic innervation of the cochlea. Deeply anesthetized Mongolian gerbils were systemically perfused with phosphate‐buffered saline, followed by 4% paraformaldehyde. The cochleae were dissected out and post‐fixed for 3 hours in 4% paraformaldehyde. They were then incubated in anti‐TH antibody and subsequently processed using the avidin‐biotin immunoperoxidase method. Microscopic examination of whole‐mounted tissue revealed many immunoreactive fibers on the spiral modiolar artery. TH‐positive fibers have also been found on both radiating arterioles and radial collecting venules, which has not been previously reported. With innervation of these small vessels, blood flow in the cochlea may be segmentally controlled. We also further describe the organization of TH‐positive fibers in the osseous spiral lamina.
Sent into Changing Landscapes
Authors: Kings Graham
Published: April 2016

This is an edited version of the final address of the “One Christ—Many Witnesses” symposium, which celebrated the Regnum Edinburgh Centenary Series at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, on September 4, 2015, and was first published on the Covenant website on October 22, 2015. (See: http://www.missiontheologyanglican.org/interweavings/sent-into-changing-landscapes/ ).
Aerodynamic characteristics of breathing blunt nose configuration at hypersonic speeds
Authors: Watanabe Yasumasa , Suzuki Kojiro , Rathakrishnan Ethirajan
Published: April 2016

Breathing blunt nose technique is one of the promising methods for reducing the drag of blunt-nosed body at hypersonic speeds. The air, traversed by the bow shock positioned ahead of the nose, at the stagnation region is allowed to enter through a hole at the blunt-nose and ejected at the rear part (base region) of the body. This manipulation reduces the positive pressure over the stagnation regions of the nose and increases the pressure at the base, resulting in reduced suction at the base. The simultaneous manifestation of reducing the compression at the nose and suction at the base regions results in reduction of the total drag. The drag reduction caused by the breathing blunt nose technique has been measured in a Mach 7 tunnel. Also, the drag and flow field around the blunt-nosed body, with and without breathing hole, has been computed. The aerodynamic characteristics of the breathing blunt nose model obtained experimentally are compared with the CFD results. It is found that the breathing results in 5% reduction in drag. The lift coefficient also comes down for the model with breathing nose. But the lift-to-drag ratio is found to be the same for both the cases; the blunt-nosed body with and without nose-hole.
Study of KJ-66 micro gas turbine compressor: Steady and unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes approach
Authors: Xiang Junting , Schlüter Jörg Uwe , Duan Fei
Published: April 2016

Numerical study on the compressor stage of a KJ-66 micro gas turbine was conducted in this paper through both steady and unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes. The study was conducted for the numerical prediction of micro gas turbine compressor performance at various operation conditions, with special attention given to the transient flow behaviors during compressor operation. The numerical results showed reasonable agreements with experimental data while providing predictions for the charting of compressor performance map at various operation speeds. The simulation results indicated that the increase of operation speed from 80 k r/min to 117 k r/min would leads to an increased peak total pressure ratio from 1.54 to 1.96, while decreasing the peak adiabatic efficiency from 0.73 to 0.55. This paper also provided discussion on details of transient flow field within the compressor stage as well as demonstrated the smooth flow transition through rotor–stator interactions.
Comparison of homopolar and heteropolar bearingless reluctance slice motor prototypes
Authors: Gruber Wolfgang , Bauer Walter , Radman Karlo
Published: April 2016

This article focuses on the operational behaviours of two novel bearingless reluctance slice motor prototypes. After a brief introduction of the two systems, we present our experience with both bearingless drives. On this basis, commonalities and differences in terms of construction, geometric constraints, winding systems, force-to-torque ratio, power electronic utilization and efficiency are outlined in order to demonstrate the suitability of the reluctance slice motor concepts for industrial applications.
Spillover Effects of Quantitative Easing
Authors: Mukherjee Mayuri , Bhaduri Saumitra N.
Published: April 2016

This study looks at the spillovers that the unilateral policies—adopted by the developed nations of the world—have on the emerging markets. For this study, we specifically take the example of quantitative easing (QE) which is a monetary policy adopted by USA post the 2008 financial crisis to stabilise its economy. The objective is to gauge and assess the nature of spillover effects it has on the BRICS markets. We collect data on weekly returns and weekly return volatilities through a VAR model that is fitted on it. We compute the Diebold spillover index (2009) from the process of variance error decomposition. The results indicate that QE has an adverse spillover effect on the volatilities of the BRICS nations.
Third space epistemologies: Ethnicity and belonging in an ‘immigrant’-dominated upper secondary school in Norway
Authors: Thomas Paul , Changezi Sofie Haug , Enstad Martin
Published: April 2016

This study explores typologies of modes of ethnic boundary-making among upper secondary school students in one school in Oslo, Norway, which has witnessed a seismic shift in its uptake of students who are mainly from non-White or ‘immigrant’ backgrounds. Wimmer’s typologies of modes of boundary-making – ‘contraction’ and ‘blurring’ – provide a useful heuristic framework to situate our findings. We employ an ethnographic approach in teasing out the challenges posed by a reconfiguration of majority–minority relations in an increasingly fragmented educational landscape where the elasticity of a discourse of egalitarianism has come under severe strain. Our study covers roughly two and a half school terms. Four classrooms in total – three first year classes and one final year class – have constituted the locus of study (91 students in total). The study finds that the stigma of difference is transvaluated into a discourse of empowerment.
Evaluation of response modification factor for steel structures with soft story retrofitted by viscous damper device
Authors: Abdi H , Hejazi F , Jaafar MS , Karim IA
Published: April 2016

The soft story located in the basement of tall buildings for parking or shopping lot. Considering the limitation in architecture, these structures may be retrofitted by implementing earthquake energy dissipation such as viscous damper devices in soft story level. Nevertheless, an extensive review of related literature indicates that the effect of viscous damper on response modification factor is not considered. Therefore, this study proposed the response modification factors for steel structures furnished with viscous damper devices in soft story level and investigated the effect of implementing such devices on the response modification factor. In this research, steel structures with numerous stories were considered to evaluate the response modification factor, which was formulated based on three aspects, namely, strength, ductility, and redundancy factors. Quasi-static nonlinear analysis was performed using finite element software based on structural models equipped with damper devices installed in different locations of the parking level. No open bay is available in other floors to install the damper devices. Meanwhile, the overstrength, ductility, and response modification factors were established by conducting pushover analysis. Results of the study revealed that the response modification factors for structures equipped with damper devices are higher than those of structures without damper devices. Moreover, the value of response modification factor was affected by the number of stories and number of dampers. Considering the analytical results for different cases, the equation for determining the response modification factor for steel structures furnished by viscous damper devices in soft story level was proposed.
Optimization design of tuned mass damper for vibration suppression of a barge-type offshore floating wind turbine
Authors: He Er-Ming , Hu Ya-Qi , Zhang Yang
Published: April 2016

An efficient method for restraining the large vibration displacements and loads of offshore floating wind turbines under harsh marine environment is proposed by putting tuned mass dampers in the cabin. A dynamics model for a barge-type offshore floating wind turbine with a fore–aft tuned mass damper is established based on Lagrange’s equations; the nonlinear least squares Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm is employed to identify the parameters of the wind turbine; different parameter optimization methods are adopted to optimize tuned mass damper parameters by considering the standard deviation of the tower top longitudinal displacement as the objective function. Aiming at five typical combined wind and wave load cases under normal running state of the wind turbine, the dynamic responses of the wind turbine with/without tuned mass damper are simulated and the suppression effect of the tuned mass damper is investigated over the wide range of load cases. The results show that when the wind turbine vibrates in the state of damped free vibration, the standard deviation of the tower top longitudinal displacement is decreased approximately 60% in 100 s by the optimized tuned mass damper with the optimum tuned mass damper mass ratio 1.8%. The standard deviation suppression rates of the longitudinal displacements and loads in the tower and blades increase with the tuned mass damper mass ratio when the wind turbine vibrates under the combined wind and wave load cases. When the mass ratio changes from 0.5% to 2%, the maximum suppression rates vary from 20% to 50% correspondingly, which effectively reduce vibration responses of the offshore floating wind turbine. The results of this article preliminarily verify the feasibilities of using a tuned mass damper for restraining vibration of the barge-type offshore floating wind turbine.
An Analysis of the Relationship Between Phonological and Nonphonological Language and Early Reading Development
Authors: Batson-Magnuson LuAnn
Published: April 2016

This study explores the relationship between preschool phonological and nonphonological language performance and first-grade reading performance. Data were gathered from the files of 149 students who had completed a universal kindergarten screening program in the spring prior to enrollment. Bivariate correlation analyses, Steiger’s Z comparisons, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were completed to determine the associations between phonological and nonphonological language skills and subsequent first-grade spring word analysis and reading composite performance. Phonological and nonphonological tasks were moderately useful in predicting students’ subsequent first-grade word analysis and reading composite performance. No significant difference in association was found between the phonological and nonphonological composites. A combined phonological and nonphonological model provided the strongest predictive utility. This study supports a significant and equivalent association between preschool phonological and nonphonological language skills and subsequent first-grade reading performance.
Parents as Coresearchers at Home
Authors: Given Lisa M. , Cantrell Winkler Denise , Willson Rebekah , Davidson Christina , Danby Susan , Thorpe Karen
Published: April 2016

This article discusses the use of observational video recordings to document young children’s use of technology in their homes. Although observational research practices have been used for decades, often with video-based techniques, the participant group in this study (i.e., very young children) and the setting (i.e., private homes) provide a rich space for exploring the benefits and limitations of qualitative observation. The data gathered in this study point to a number of key decisions and issues that researchers must face in designing observational research, particularly where nonresearchers (in this case, parents) act as surrogates for the researcher at the data collection stage. The involvement of parents and children as research videographers in the home resulted in very rich and detailed data about children’s use of technology in their daily lives. However, limitations noted in the data set (e.g., image quality) provide important guidance for researchers developing projects using similar methods in future. The article provides recommendations for future observational designs in similar settings and/or with similar participant groups.
The impact of patient co-morbidities on the regenerative capacity of cardiac explant-derived stem cells
Authors: Mayfield Audrey E. , Fitzpatrick Megan E. , Latham Nicholas , Tilokee Everad L. , Villanueva Melanie , Mount Seth , Lam Bu-Khanh , Ruel Marc , Stewart Duncan J. , Davis Darryl R.
Published: April 2016

Background

Although patient-sourced cardiac stem cells repair damaged myocardium, the extent to which medical co-morbidities influence cardiac-derived cell products is uncertain. Therefore, we investigated the influence of atherosclerotic risk factors on the regenerative performance of human cardiac explant-derived cells (EDCs).

Methods

In this study, the Long Term Stratification for survivors of acute coronary syndromes model was used to quantify the burden of cardiovascular risk factors within a group of patients with established atherosclerosis. EDCs were cultured from human atrial appendages and injected into immunodeficient mice 7 days post-left coronary ligation. Cytokine arrays and enzyme linked immunoassays were used to determine the release of cytokines by EDCs in vitro, and echocardiography was used to determine regenerative capabilities in vivo.

Results

EDCs sourced from patients with more cardiovascular risk factors demonstrated a negative correlation with production of pro-healing cytokines (such as stromal cell derived factor 1α) and exosomes which had negative effects on the promotion of angiogenesis and chemotaxis. Reductions in exosomes and pro-healing cytokines with accumulating medical co-morbidities were associated with increases in production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) by EDCs. Increased patient co-morbidities were also correlated with significant attenuation in improvements of left ventricular ejection fraction.

Conclusions

The regenerative performance of the earliest precursor cell population cultured from human explant tissue declines with accumulating medical co-morbidities. This effect is associated with diminished production of pro-cardiogenic cytokines and exosomes while IL-6 is markedly increased. Predictors of cardiac events demonstrated a lower capacity to support angiogenesis and repair injured myocardium in a mouse model of myocardial infarction.
Psychosocial concerns reported by Syrian refugees living in Jordan: Systematic review of unpublished needs assessments
Authors: Wells Ruth , Steel Zachary , Abo-Hilal Mohammad , Hassan Abdul Halim , Lawsin Catalina
Published: April 2016

Background

Humanitarian organisations supporting Syrian refugees in Jordan have conducted needs assessments to direct resources appropriately.

Aims

To present a model of psychosocial concerns reported by Syrian refugees and a peer review of research practices.

Method

Academic and grey literature databases, the United Nations Syria Regional Response website, key humanitarian organisation websites and Google were searched for needs assessments with Syrian refugees in Jordan between February 2011 and June 2015. Information directly reporting the views of Syrian refugees regarding psychosocial needs was extracted and a qualitative synthesis was conducted.

Results

Respondents reported that psychological distress was exacerbated by both environmental (financial, housing, employment) and psychosocial outcomes (loss of role and social support, inactivity), which are themselves stressors. Need for improvement in research methodology, participatory engagement and ethical reporting was evident.

Conclusions

Participatory engagement strategies might help to address identified psychosocial outcomes. More rigorous qualitative methods are required to ensure accuracy of findings.
Adaptations to polar life in mammals and birds
Authors: Blix Arnoldus Schytte
Published: April 2016

This Review presents a broad overview of adaptations of truly Arctic and Antarctic mammals and birds to the challenges of polar life. The polar environment may be characterized by grisly cold, scarcity of food and darkness in winter, and lush conditions and continuous light in summer. Resident animals cope with these changes by behavioural, physical and physiological means. These include responses aimed at reducing exposure, such as ‘balling up’, huddling and shelter building; seasonal changes in insulation by fur, plumage and blubber; and circulatory adjustments aimed at preservation of core temperature, to which end the periphery and extremities are cooled to increase insulation. Newborn altricial animals have profound tolerance to hypothermia, but depend on parental care for warmth, whereas precocial mammals are well insulated and respond to cold with non-shivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue, and precocial birds shiver to produce heat. Most polar animals prepare themselves for shortness of food during winter by the deposition of large amounts of fat in times of plenty during autumn. These deposits are governed by a sliding set-point for body fatness throughout winter so that they last until the sun reappears in spring. Polar animals are, like most others, primarily active during the light part of the day, but when the sun never sets in summer and darkness prevails during winter, high-latitude animals become intermittently active around the clock, allowing opportunistic feeding at all times. The importance of understanding the needs of the individuals of a species to understand the responses of populations in times of climate change is emphasized.
Evidence of biphonation and source–filter interactions in the bugles of male North American wapiti (Cervus canadensis)
Authors: Reby D. , Wyman M. T. , Frey R. , Passilongo D. , Gilbert J. , Locatelli Y. , Charlton B. D.
Published: April 2016

With an average male body mass of 320 kg, the wapiti, Cervus canadensis, is the largest extant species of Old World deer (Cervinae). Despite this large body size, male wapiti produce whistle-like sexual calls called bugles characterised by an extremely high fundamental frequency. Investigations of the biometry and physiology of the male wapiti's relatively large larynx have so far failed to account for the production of such a high fundamental frequency. Our examination of spectrograms of male bugles suggested that the complex harmonic structure is best explained by a dual-source model (biphonation), with one source oscillating at a mean of 145 Hz (F0) and the other oscillating independently at an average of 1426 Hz (G0). A combination of anatomical investigations and acoustical modelling indicated that the F0 of male bugles is consistent with the vocal fold dimensions reported in this species, whereas the secondary, much higher source at G0 is more consistent with an aerodynamic whistle produced as air flows rapidly through a narrow supraglottic constriction. We also report a possible interaction between the higher frequency G0 and vocal tract resonances, as G0 transiently locks onto individual formants as the vocal tract is extended. We speculate that male wapiti have evolved such a dual-source phonation to advertise body size at close range (with a relatively low-frequency F0 providing a dense spectrum to highlight size-related information contained in formants) while simultaneously advertising their presence over greater distances using the very high-amplitude G0 whistle component.
Ψηφιδωτή εικών η «Επίσκεψις» εν τω Βυζαντινώ Μουσείω Αθηνών
Authors: ΞΕΝΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ Στέφανος
Published: April 2016

no abstract
Τεσσαρακονταετηρίς της Χριστιανικής Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας 1884-1924, Πρόγραμμα εορτών
Authors: ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΑ (ΧΑΕ)
Published: April 2016

no abstract
Προσφώνησις του Πρυτάνεως του Αθήνησι Πανεπιστημίου
Authors: ΖΕΓΓΕΛΗΣ Κωνσταντίνος
Published: April 2016

no abstract
Εργασίαι του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου κατά το 1904
Authors: ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΑ (ΧΑΕ)
Published: April 2016

no abstract
Κατάλογος των χειρογράφων κωδίκων της Χριστιανικής Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας Αθηνών. Επίμετρον
Authors: ΒΕΗΣ Νίκος Α.
Published: April 2016

no abstract
Μουσείον της Χριστιανικής Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας. Περιηγήσεις κατά το έτος 1906
Authors: ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΑ (ΧΑΕ)
Published: April 2016

no abstract
Επιγραφή εν Δολοίς της Οιτύλου
Authors: ΔΟΥΚΑΚΗΣ Δημήτριος Χ.
Published: April 2016

no abstract
Μουσείον της Χριστιανικής Αρχαιολογικής Εταιρείας. Περιηγήσεις κατά το έτος 1907
Authors: ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΑ (ΧΑΕ)
Published: April 2016

no abstract
Εργασίαι του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου κατά το έτος 1909
Authors: ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΑ (ΧΑΕ)
Published: April 2016

no abstract
Ο Ιερός ναός και το νεκροταφείον της εν Τεργέστη ελληνικής κοινότητος
Authors: ΒΕΛΑΝΙΔΙΩΤΗΣ Ιεζεκιήλ
Published: April 2016

no abstract
Γεώργιος Λαμπάκης
Authors: ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ ΑΘΗΝΩΝ ΧΡΥΣΟΣΤΟΜΟΣ
Published: April 2016

no abstract
Βυζαντινά αγγεία εκ των ανασκαφών Παλαιάς Κορίνθου
Authors: ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΕΥΣ Αλέξανδρος
Published: April 2016

no abstract
Μεταφορά του Μουσείου της Χριστ. Αρχαιολογ. Εταιρείας εις το εν Αθήναις Βυζαντινόν Μουσείον
Authors: ΣΙΩΤΗΣ Ι. , ΡΩΜΑΙΟΣ K. A.
Published: April 2016

no abstract
Η Θεσσαλονίκη παρά τω Βενιαμίν εκ Τουδέλης=Σελουσίκι
Authors: ΒΥΡΧΝΕΡ Λ.
Published: April 2016

no abstract
Statin non-adherence: clinical consequences and proposed solutions
Authors: Rosenson Robert S.
Published: April 2016

Large controlled clinical trials have demonstrated reductions with statin therapy in cardiovascular events in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes and stable coronary heart disease and individuals at high risk of a cardiovascular event. In trials of acute coronary syndromes and stable coronary heart disease, high-intensity statin therapy is more effective in the prevention of recurrent cardiovascular events than low-intensity statin therapy. Thus, evidence-based guidelines recommend in-hospital initiation of high-intensity statin therapy for all acute coronary syndrome patients. Clinical trials report high adherence to and low discontinuation of high-intensity statin therapy; however, in clinical practice, high-intensity statins are prescribed to far fewer patients, who often discontinue their statin after the first refill. A coordinated effort among the patient, provider, pharmacist, health system, and insurer is necessary to improve utilization and persistence of prescribed medications. The major cause for statin discontinuations reported by patients is perceived adverse events. Evaluation of potential adverse events requires validated tools to distinguish between statin-associated adverse events versus non-specific complaints. Treatment options for statin-intolerant patients include the use of a different statin, often at a lower dose or frequency. In order to lower LDL cholesterol, lower doses of statins may be combined with ezetimibe or bile acid sequestrants. Newer treatment options for patients with statin-associated muscle symptoms may include proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors.
Pelagic microbial heterotrophy in response to a highly productive bloom of Phaeocystis
antarctica in the Amundsen Sea Polynya, Antarctica
Authors: Williams C.M. , Dupont A.M. , Loevenich J. , Post A.F. , Dinasquet J. , Yager P.L.
Published: April 2016

Heterotrophic bacteria play a key role in marine carbon cycling, and understanding their activities in polar systems is important for considering climate change impacts there. One goal of the ASPIRE project was to examine the relationship between the phytoplankton bloom and bacterial heterotrophy in the Amundsen Sea Polynya (ASP). Bacterial abundance, production (BP), respiration, growth efficiency, and extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) were compared to nutrient and organic matter inventories, chlorophyll a (Chl a), viral and microzooplankton abundance, and net primary production (NPP). Bacterial production and respiration clearly responded (0.04–4.0 and 10–53 µg C L−1 d−1, respectively) to the buildup of a massive Phaeocystis antarctica bloom (Chl a: 0.2–22 µg L−1), with highest rates observed in the central polynya where Chl a and particulate organic carbon (POC) were greatest. The highest BP rates exceeded those reported for the Ross Sea or any other Antarctic coastal system, yet the BP:NPP ratio (2.1–9.4%) was relatively low. Bacterial respiration was also high, and growth efficiency (2–27%; median = 10%) was similar to oligotrophic systems. Thus, the integrated bacterial carbon demand (0.8–2.8 g C m−2 d−1) was a high fraction (25–128%; median = 43%) of NPP during bloom development. During peak bloom, activity was particle-associated: BP and EEA correlated well with POC, and size fractionation experiments showed that the larger size fraction (> 3 µm) accounted for a majority (∼ 75%) of the BP. The community was psychrophilic, with a 5x reduction in BP when warmed to 20°C. In deeper waters, respiration remained relatively high, likely fueled by the significant downward particle flux in the region. A highly active, particle-associated, heterotrophic microbial community clearly responded to the extraordinary phytoplankton bloom in the ASP, likely limiting biological pump efficiency during the early season.
Managing rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Bostock-Cox Beverley
Published: April 2016

This musculoskeletal condition can have debillitating effects on patients, writes Beverley Bostock-Cox
Slice of the action
Authors: Clarke Jenni
Published: April 2016

Not only is pizza good for making and eating, it can also be used for learning about shapes and counting. Take numeracy further with a role-play pizza restaurant involving taking money and counting change.
Build your story
Authors: Garner Lynne
Published: April 2016

Use the faces of a cube to convey parts of a story and mix and match them to create action and plot. See how these pleasing, tangible objects help children to engage and construct their own narratives.
AHP IN PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT: CAN THE KEY COMPETENCIES CHANGE WITH COMPANY’S STRATEGY?
Authors: Kashi Katerina
Published: April 2016

Many companies today use competency models in human resources management. Well-designed competency models can be used by the company in many ways. They can aid human resource management in the following ways: recruitment, performance management, training and development, recognition and awards, compensation and succession planning. The main aim of this article is to determine key competencies for a top manager in a middle size automotive company. Firstly, the paper begins with a description of competency models and their development and utilization. Next, the competencies are decomposed so that AHP can be used for their evaluation, and weights are computed according to AHP methodology for individual competencies. Then, individual competencies are ranked in order of importance. Further, the author compared the current key competencies rankings with results from last year  to see if there have been any changes in the rankings as a result of changes in the company’s strategy.
Determinants of intellectual capital disclosure in initial public offerings: case of Canadian firms
Authors: Ghorbel Hanen , Elleuch Hela
Published: April 2016

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of intellectual capital informationâ€™s of firms that went through IPO. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Our sample includes 43 firms that IPOs listed in the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2012 of which the prospectuses for the initial public offering are available. Our study, unlike other studies focuses on the issuing prospectuses. The paper applied a disclosure index comprising of 78 items (Bukh and al (2005)) to quantify the amount of information regarding intellectual capital included in the IPO prospectuses of canadian firms. Multiple regression model and Correlation is used. The results revealed that the managerial ownership, the presence of an audit committee and industry are significantly associated with the voluntary disclosure of information about the intellectual capital in prospectuses. While firm size, age, the audit committeeâ€™ activity and audit quality do not affect disclosure. The results are interpreted in the light of the increasing importance of disclosing information on intellectual capital to the capital market a in case of IPO and constitute a contribution to the ongoing debate on corporate reporting practices.
Modeling in vivo dynamics of RNA polymerase II meeting Nucleosomes
Authors: Abedini-Nassab Roozbeh , Zhang Xu
Published: April 2016

Nucleosomes are shown to be barriers for RNA Polymerase II elongation along DNA, and their entry site behaves as the major obstacle. In this work, based on recent available in vivo data, we introduce a mathematical model for RNA Polymerase II reads. Moreover, as an alternative way, we use Radial Basis Function Network to predict RNA Polymerase II reads. Results of our models are in good agreement with experimental data. Furthermore, we introduce a random walk model which includes stalling, backtracking, and elongation phenomena. This model can predict and simulate the RNA Polymerase II trajectory on DNA, when it meets various nucleosomes.
The Role of Hydrogen Peroxide and Other Reactive Oxygen Species in Wound Healing
Authors: Kanta Jiří
Published: April 2016

Wound healing is a complex physiological process important for tissue homeostasis. An acute injury initiates massive cell migration, proliferation and differentiation, synthesis of extracellular matrix components, scar formation and remodelling. Blood flow and tissue oxygenation are parts of the complex regulation of healing. Higher organisms utilize molecular oxygen as a terminal oxidant. This way of gaining energy for vital processes such as healing leads to the production of a number of oxygen compounds that may have a defensive or informatory role. They may be harmful when present in high concentrations. Both the lack and the excess of reactive oxygen species may influence healing negatively.