bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unexpected Geographic Variability of the Free Running Period in the Linden Bug Pyrrhocoris apterus
Authors: Pivarciova Lenka , Vaneckova Hanka , Provaznik Jan , Wu Bulah Chia-hsiang , Pivarci Martin , Peckova Olga , Bazalova Olga , Cada Stepan , Kment Petr , Kotwica-Rolinska Joanna , Dolezel David
Published: October 2016

Circadian clocks keep organisms in synchrony with external day-night cycles. The free running period (FRP) of the clock, however, is usually only close to—not exactly—24 h. Here, we explored the geographical variation in the FRP of the linden bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus, in 59 field-lines originating from a wide variety of localities representing geographically different environments. We have identified a remarkable range in the FRPs between field-lines, with the fastest clock at ~21 h and the slowest close to 28 h, a range comparable to the collections of clock mutants in model organisms. Similarly, field-lines differed in the percentage of rhythmic individuals, with a minimum of 13.8% and a maximum of 86.8%. Although the FRP correlates with the latitude and perhaps with the altitude of the locality, the actual function of this FRP diversity is currently unclear. With the recent technological progress of massive parallel sequencing and genome editing, we can expect remarkable progress in elucidating the genetic basis of similar geographic variants in P. apterus or in similar emerging model species of chronobiology.
The Physiology of Early Goal-Directed Therapy for Sepsis
Authors: Lief Lindsay , Arbo John , Berlin David A.
Published: October 2016

In 2001, Rivers and colleagues published a randomized controlled trial of early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) for the treatment of sepsis. More than a decade later, it remains a landmark achievement. The study proved the benefits of early aggressive treatment of sepsis. However, many questions remain about specific aspects of the complex EGDT algorithm. Recently, 3 large trials attempted to replicate these results. None of the studies demonstrated a benefit of an EGDT protocol for sepsis. This review explores the physiologic basis of goal-directed therapy, including the hemodynamic targets and the therapeutic interventions. An understanding of the physiologic basis of EGDT helps reconcile the results of the clinical trials.
Smoke-Free Men: Competing and Connecting to Quit
Authors: Bottorff Joan L. , Oliffe John L. , Sarbit Gayl , Sharp Paul , Kelly Mary T.
Published: October 2016

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to explore gender-related factors that motivate and support men’s smoking reduction and cessation to inform effective men-centered interventions.

Approach or Design:

Focus group design using a semi-structured interview guide.

Setting:

Three communities in British Columbia, Canada.

Participants:

A total of 56 men who currently smoked and were interested in reducing or quitting or had quit.

Intervention:

N/A.

Methods:

Data collected in 6 focus group discussions were transcribed and analyzed in accord with principles of thematic qualitative methods.

Results:

We report the results across 4 interconnected themes: (1) the fight to quit takes several rounds, (2) the motivation of supportive competition, (3) challenges and benefits of connecting with smoke-free peers, and (4) playing up the physical and financial gains.

Conclusions:

Masculine-based perspectives positioned quitting alongside fighting for self-control, competing, connecting, physical prowess, and having extra cash as motivating components of programs to engage men in efforts to be smoke-free. It may be worthwhile to consider the inclusion of gain-framed and benefit-focused messaging in programs that support men’s tobacco cessation.
Examining Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae rates between 2010 and 2015: a population-based observational study
Authors: Somayaji R , Naugler C , Guo M , Church D
Published: October 2016

Bacterial sexually transmitted infections including Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae remain an important public health concern. We aimed to assess the population-based incidence of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae in an age-standardized cohort over time. A retrospective study of a large Canadian health region was undertaken between 2010 and 2015 using linked census and digital laboratory data. C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae tests were linked to patient data. Sex and age-standardized incidence rates (IR) and ratios (IRR) were calculated for cases and testing rates. The annual mean population was 1,150,556 individuals (50.1% female). A total of 15,109 cases of chlamydia and 981 cases of gonorrhoea occurred. The overall IR for chlamydia ranged from 18.81 to 25.63 cases per 10,000 person-years. The IRR was 1.27 (95% CI 1.20–1.34, p < 0.001) for the comparison of 2015 and 2010 rates. For gonorrhoea, overall rates ranged from 0.92 to 1.86 cases per 10,000 person-years. The IRR for gonorrhoea was 2.02 (95% CI 1.56–2.59, p < 0.001) for 2015 and 2010 rates. In our large population-based study spanning six years, we observed increasing rates of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae with low testing rates.
Vegetation changes and associated climatic changes in the southern Altai Mountains within China during the Holocene
Authors: Feng Zhaodong , Sun Aizhi , Abdusalih Nurbayev , Ran Min , Kurban Alishir , Lan Bo , Zhang Dongliang , Yang Yunpeng
Published: October 2016

The location of the Altai Mountains at the limits of both the Pacific and Atlantic influences implies that this mountain range is an important climatic boundary. Based on pollen data of 188 samples of a 390-cm core from Narenxia Peat in the southern Altai with a chronologic support of 11 accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dates, we reconstructed the Holocene climatic change at Narenxia Peat. The reconstruction revealed five stages of climatic change: a cold and dry latest deglacial (prior to ~11,500 cal. yr BP), a warm and wet early-Holocene (~11,500 to ~7000 cal. yr BP), a considerably cooled and dried middle Holocene (~7000 to ~4000 cal. yr BP), a resumed warm and wet late-Holocene (~4000 to ~1200 cal. yr BP), and a relatively cool and dry latest Holocene (past ~1200 years). The reconstructions of mean annual temperature (MAT) and mean annual precipitation (MAP) from Narenxia Peat well resemble the reconstructions of North Atlantic Oscillations (NAO) and El Niño–Southern Oscillations (ENSO). The resemblance implies that the Holocene millennial-scale changes in MAT and MAP in the Altai might have been causally associated with the variations in NAO and ENSO.
Evidence of temperature and precipitation change over the past 100 years in a high-resolution pollen record from the boreal forest of Central European Russia
Authors: Olchev Alexander , Novenko Elena , Popov Viktor , Pampura Tatiana , Meili Markus
Published: October 2016

Near-annual pollen records for the last 100 years were obtained from a 65-cm peat monolith from a raised peat bog in the Central Forest State Natural Biosphere Reserve (southern part of the Valdai Hills, European Russia) and compared with the available long-term meteorological observations. An age–depth model for the peat monolith was constructed by 210Pb and 137Cs dating. Cross-correlation and the Granger causality analysis indicated a broad range of statistically significant correlations between the pollen accumulation rate (PAR) of the main forest-forming trees and shrubs ( Picea, Pinus, Betula, Tilia, Quercus, Ulmus, Alnus, and Corylus) and the air temperature and precipitation during the previous 3 years. Results showed that high air temperatures during the growing season (May–September) in the year prior to the flowering led to an increase in pollen productivity of the main tree species. The statistically significant correlation between the PAR of trees and shrubs and winter precipitation of the current and previous years could reflect the influence of winter precipitation on soil water availability and as a result on tree growth and functioning in the spring.
Unified approach for extrapolation and bridging of adult information in early-phase dose-finding paediatric studies
Authors: Petit Caroline , Samson Adeline , Morita Satoshi , Ursino Moreno , Guedj Jérémie , Jullien Vincent , Comets Emmanuelle , Zohar Sarah
Published: October 2016

The number of trials conducted and the number of patients per trial are typically small in paediatric clinical studies. This is due to ethical constraints and the complexity of the medical process for treating children. While incorporating prior knowledge from adults may be extremely valuable, this must be done carefully. In this paper, we propose a unified method for designing and analysing dose-finding trials in paediatrics, while bridging information from adults. The dose-range is calculated under three extrapolation options, linear, allometry and maturation adjustment, using adult pharmacokinetic data. To do this, it is assumed that target exposures are the same in both populations. The working model and prior distribution parameters of the dose–toxicity and dose–efficacy relationships are obtained using early-phase adult toxicity and efficacy data at several dose levels. Priors are integrated into the dose-finding process through Bayesian model selection or adaptive priors. This calibrates the model to adjust for misspecification, if the adult and pediatric data are very different. We performed a simulation study which indicates that incorporating prior adult information in this way may improve dose selection in children.
Of Dogs and Men
Authors: Roberts William A. , Macpherson Krista
Published: October 2016

Experiments involving dog-human social cognition have shown dogs’ close attention to human behavioral cues. Dogs remained near a fallen owner, avoided a deceptive human, and preferred a human that provided valid information about the location of a reward over an uninformative human. On the other hand, dogs showed no evidence of going for help in an emergency, having theory of mind or metacognition, or performing successive numerical discrimination. When tested for spatial memory and simultaneous numerical discrimination, dogs showed evidence of these abilities but also showed lower performance levels than found in other species.
Participatory Experiences of Women in Economic Development Cooperatives in Bhambayi, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Raniga Tanusha
Published: October 2016

Purpose:

Nation states in both the Global North and South have debated the human rights and liberatory function as opposed to the dependency and economically viable function of social protection policy. This article is an attempt to advance empirical knowledge in the field of social protection policy and poverty alleviation.

Method:

Using participatory action methodology, I present evidence from 11 women who were involved in an arts and craft economic development cooperative in a community named Bhambayi in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Results:

Underscored by the asset-based community development and sustainable livelihood frameworks, this article presents three themes: positive contributions to human capacity development, supportive intersectoral collaboration, and striving for economic self-reliance.

Conclusions:

This article proposes fresh strategies for women who find themselves outside the circle of secure economic livelihoods to move beyond short-term and survival strategies and work toward economic inclusion.
Of Great Vampire Squids and Jamming Blood Funnels: A Socially Constructed and Historically Situated Perspective on Organizational Corruption
Authors: Andersson Lynne
Published: October 2016

In this essay, I propose an eventful way to approach corruption as socially constructed and historically situated. First, I describe how deep (socially constructed) and long (processual, historical) perspectives on corruption have been less examined. Then, I build an approach to understanding organizational corruption as a constructed event embedded in scenario, utilizing concepts from history, cultural studies, and the interactionist tradition in sociology. To offer scholars a way to articulate this eventful conception of organizational corruption and inform how it might be approached through interpretive textual reading and narrative, I draw in an example of a highly publicized accusation of corruption by the financial services firm Goldman Sachs. In closing, I present implications for theory building and research.
Product lifecycle management solution for collaborative development of Wearable Meta-Products using set-based concurrent engineering
Authors: Elhariri Essamlali Mohammed Taha , Sekhari Aicha , Bouras Abdelaziz
Published: October 2016

The trend of smart products is now changing the world and transforming the life of customers. People tend to be more tied to smart, connected products seeking to ease and improve quality of life and find new ways to make things such as daily tasks differently. In this context, the world of clothing has noticed a big advance targeting various applications: sport, gaming, and health monitoring and rehabilitation. Wearable smart products are intelligent hybrid products made of garments, sensor networks, and applications, interacting with users and the environment capable of real-time data processing and storage, with capabilities to extend functionalities by communicating with other things. The multi-functionality property of smart products needs the integration of various electronic parts. High variety of parts with different interfaces makes the development of smart products complex than generic products and requires the involvement and close collaboration of multidisciplinary team (garment designers, sensor networks designers, and application developers). A high number of alternative designs can be considered at the beginning of the design process due to this variety and high availability of parts. The smart product development team needs then to explore multiple candidate solutions before finding the best smart product design that complies with the requirements. This work proposes the set-based concurrent engineering to deal efficiently with the alternatives. Therefore, this article provides a novel approach to shift from set-based concurrent engineering theoretical principles toward a pragmatic (practical) application to wearable smart products taking advantage of product lifecycle management system capabilities for the implementation. The use of product lifecycle management system to support the set-based concurrent engineering process will contribute for a better understanding of the approach avoiding confusions, simplify the architecture of the solution in view of integration with other systems, and enable the stakeholders to focus on the level of innovation of the smart product.
Student-Run Communications Agencies: Providing Students With Real-World Experiences That Impact Their Careers
Authors: Bush Lee , Haygood Daniel , Vincent Harold
Published: October 2016

While several studies have examined the learning outcomes of student-run communications agencies, these studies have mostly been from the perspective of faculty advisors. Through in-depth interviews with student agency graduates, this study examined how current industry professionals perceive the benefits of their student agency experiences and how they applied those experiences to their professional careers. Graduates placed a high value on the real-world experience gained from student agencies, learning how a professional agency functions, and working with a diverse set of clients and people in team-based settings. Graduates also reported that their student agency involvement set them apart in job interviews and made them better prepared than their peers for entry-level positions.
Romidepsin-associated cardiac toxicity and ECG changes: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Rivers Zachary T , Oostra Drew R , Westholder James S , Vercellotti Gregory M
Published: October 2016

Background

Romidepsin is a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of cutaneous and peripheral T-cell lymphoma in patients who have had at least one prior therapy. Romidepsin is generally well tolerated, though it comes with a risk of cardiac toxicities.

Objective

We report a case of electrocardiogram changes in a 64-year-old male with enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma, type 2, treated with salvage romidepsin therapy who relapsed after non-myeloablative allogeneic sibling peripheral blood stem cell transplant.

Discussion

Although histone deacetylase inhibitors have been investigated for many years, they have only recently been translated to clinical use as a therapy for malignancies. Furthermore, given their approval for a rare disease, clinicians often have limited experience with the dosing and side effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors.

Conclusion

This case report and literature review investigates the cardiac side effects of histone deacetylase inhibitors and illustrates the importance of cardiac monitoring prior to and during treatment.
Neurophysiological Intraoperative Monitoring During Aortic Arch Surgery
Authors: Keenan Jeffrey E. , Benrashid Ehsan , Kale Emily , Nicoara Alina , Husain Aatif M. , Hughes G. Chad
Published: October 2016

Circulatory management during replacement of the aortic arch is complex and involves a period of circulatory arrest to provide a bloodless field during arch vessel anastomosis. To guard against ischemic brain injury, tissue metabolic demand is reduced by systemically cooling the patient prior to circulatory arrest. Neurophysiological intraoperative monitoring (NIOM) is often used during the course of these procedures to provide contemporaneous assessment of brain status to help direct circulatory management decisions and detect brain ischemia. In this review, we discuss the characteristics of electrocerebral activity through the process of cooling, circulatory arrest, and rewarming as depicted through commonly used NIOM modalities, including electroencephalography and peripheral nerve somatosensory-evoked potentials. Attention is directed toward the role NIOM has traditionally played during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, where it is used to define the point of electrocerebral inactivity or maximal cerebral metabolic suppression prior to initiating circulatory arrest while also discussing the evolving utility of NIOM when systemic circulatory arrest is initiated at more moderate degrees of hypothermia in conjunction with regional brain perfusion. The use of cerebral tissue oximetry by near-infrared spectroscopy as an alternative NIOM modality during surgery of the aortic arch is addressed as well. Finally, special considerations for NIOM and the detection of spinal cord ischemia during hybrid aortic arch repair and emerging operative techniques are also discussed.
Exploring Organizational Evaluation Capacity and Evaluation Capacity Building
Authors: Cheng Shu-Huei , King Jean A.
Published: October 2016

Researchers have conducted numerous empirical studies on evaluation capacity (EC) and evaluation capacity building (ECB) in Western cultural settings. However, little is known about these practices in non-Western contexts. To that end, this study identified the major dimensions of EC and feasible ECB approaches in Taiwanese elementary and junior high schools. Using a Delphi technique with 23 experts, the research sought consensus on the components of EC organized in three categories (evaluation culture, evaluation infrastructure, and human resources) and on approaches to building it in Taiwanese schools. The study also identified school-driven and government-driven approaches to ECB in this context. Although the findings support the major dimensions and approaches identified in the Western literature, unique differences emerged in the Taiwanese context. The article concludes with implications for theory and practice.
Shooting Stars
Authors: Bonkiewicz Luke
Published: October 2016

This study analyzes two decades of data from a municipal police agency and describes the average patrol officer career productivity trajectory. We find that declines in productivity begin immediately after the first year of service and worsen over the course of officers’ careers. After their 20th year, patrol officers generate 88% fewer directed patrols, 50% fewer traffic warnings, 58% fewer traffic citations, 41% fewer warrant arrests, and 57% fewer misdemeanor arrests compared to officers with 1 year of experience. Using a patrol officer productivity metric called Z-score per Productive Time ( Z-PRO), we estimate that each additional year of service decreases an officer’s overall productivity by about 2%. Z-PRO also indicates that after 21 years of service, an average officer will be approximately 35% less productive overall than an officer with 1 year of service.
Persistent right ventricular dysfunction, functional capacity limitation, exercise intolerance, and quality of life impairment following pulmonary embolism: Systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors: Sista Akhilesh K , Miller Larry E , Kahn Susan R , Kline Jeffrey A
Published: October 2016

Long-term right ventricular (RV) function, functional capacity, exercise capacity, and quality of life following pulmonary embolism (PE), and the impact of thrombolysis, are unclear. A systematic review of studies that evaluated these outcomes with ⩾ 3-month mean follow-up after PE diagnosis was performed. For each outcome, random effects meta-analyses were performed. Twenty-six studies (3671 patients) with 18-month median follow-up were included. The pooled prevalence of RV dysfunction was 18.1%. Patients treated with thrombolysis had a lower, but not statistically significant, risk of RV dysfunction versus those treated with anticoagulation (odds ratio: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.24 to 1.13, p=0.10). Pooled prevalence of at least mild functional impairment (NYHA II–IV) was 33.2%, and at least moderate functional impairment (NYHA III–IV) was 11.3%. Patients treated with thrombolysis had a lower, but not statistically significant, risk of at least moderate functional impairment versus those treated with anticoagulation (odds ratio: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.15 to 1.49, p=0.20). Pooled 6-minute walk distance was 415 m (95% CI: 372 to 458 m), SF-36 Physical Component Score was 44.8 (95% CI: 43 to 46), and Pulmonary Embolism Quality of Life (QoL) Questionnaire total score was 9.1. Main limitations included heterogeneity among studies for many outcomes, variation in the completeness of data reported, and inclusion of data from non-randomized, non-controlled, and retrospective studies. Persistent RV dysfunction, impaired functional status, diminished exercise capacity, and reduced QoL are common in PE survivors. The effect of thrombolysis on RV function and functional status remains unclear.
Social comparisons and long-term rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury: A longitudinal study
Authors: Arigo Danielle , Haggerty Kyle
Published: October 2016

Little is known about social influences on long-term rehabilitation outcomes for traumatic brain injury, particularly social comparisons (i.e. self-evaluations relative to others). Patients in long-term rehabilitation ( n = 31) completed assessments at baseline and 1 year. Self-reported social comparison orientation was comparable to existing samples and showed stability over 1 year; affective responses to comparisons (e.g. frustration) were less stable. Social comparison orientation and affective responses were related to baseline executive and psychosocial functioning ( rs = 0.34–0.53) and predicted worse impairment and depression at 1 year ( ds = 0.67, 1.39). Greater attention to comparisons in long-term rehabilitation could improve outcomes.
‘It gets into your head as well as your body’: The experiences of patients with cancer during oncology treatment with curative intent
Authors: Aldaz Bruno E , Treharne Gareth J , Knight Robert G , Conner Tamlin S , Perez David
Published: October 2016

This study explored the psychosocial experiences of patients with cancer during the course of oncology treatment with curative intent. Our aim was to gather in-depth insights into the shared elements of oncology treatment across a range of cancer types. A total of 10 individuals undergoing oncology treatment participated in semi-structured interviews. Six themes were identified using interpretative phenomenological analysis: diminished well-being, perceived role changes in intimate relationships, heightened awareness of limited time, a new order of priorities, taking things as they come and development of trust in health professionals. These themes indicate relevant areas of patients’ well-being, which might be enhanced through psychosocial support services.
ADHD medication prescription
Authors: Heins Marianne J , Bruggers Inge , Dijk Liset van , Korevaar Joke C
Published: October 2016

Many children receive attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication, but factors that determine medication prescription are largely unknown. This study aimed to determine the relative impact of factors on the child, family and general practitioner (GP) practice level on ADHD medication prescription. We included 1259 Dutch children aged 6–18 years with a diagnostic code of ADHD or related behavioural problems (ICPC codes P20-P22) in NIVEL primary care database. Using multilevel analyses, we examined predictors of ADHD medication prescription. Children diagnosed as ‘hyperactive’ were 16 times more likely to be prescribed ADHD medication than those with ‘behavioural concerns’. Children with a parent or sibling receiving ADHD medication were three to four times more likely to be prescribed ADHD medication themselves. Children from GP practices with a high percentage of children with ADHD were twice as likely to be prescribed ADHD medication. Concluding, factors on the individual, family and GP practice level determine ADHD medication prescription. Future research into the decision-making process for ADHD medication is warranted.
Parametric analysis and calculation method for bending and shear capacities of innovative composite shear walls
Authors: Chen ZH , Jiang YT , Zhang XM , Yang QY , Li WB
Published: October 2016

The bundled lipped channel-concrete composite wall is an innovative structural wall. This wall has a series of advantages, such as convenient construction and high bearing capacity. Seven full-scaled specimens were tested and subjected to cyclic lateral loads. ABAQUS, which is a finite-element software, was used to simulate the test process. Hysteretic curves and skeleton curves were obtained. This process proved that the simulation effect of finite element was good. A parametric analysis was conducted on this composite shear wall to determine the effect of the wall under different parameters, such as the axial load ratio, the shear span ratio, and the intensity of steel and concrete. The formula for the bending capacity of normal section was deduced. The failure mode and factors that affect the shear capacity of the composite shear wall at a low shear span ratio were analyzed to obtain the composition of the shear capacity. Based on the superposition theory and statistical regression, the formula for the shear capacity of the inclined section was obtained.
Measurement of the radon exhalation rate and effective radium concentration in soil samples of southern Sakarya, Turkey
Authors: Tabar Emre , Yakut Hakan , Kuş Adem
Published: October 2016

In the present study, radon exhalation rates in terms of mass and area, as well as the effective radium concentration in soil samples collected simultaneously from different districts of southern Sakarya have been measured by Sealed Can technique using LR-115 type-II detectors. Mass and areal radon exhalation rates in soil samples vary from 35.76 ± 1.5 to 253.15 ± 3.8 mBqkg−1h−1 with an average value of 112.53 ± 2.7 mBqkg−1h−1 and 0.73 ± 0.2 to 5.18 ± 0.6 Bqm−2h−1 with an average value of 2.30 ± 0.6 Bqm−2h−1, respectively. The effective radium content was found to vary in the range 3.77 ± 0.5 to 26.69 ± 1.3 Bqkg−1 with an average value of 11.86 ± 0.9 Bqkg−1. The area exhalation rate was also used to calculate indoor radon concentration contributed by radon exhalation from soil, and to estimate annual effective dose equivalent. While the indoor radon concentration contributed by radon exhalation from soil varies from 2.93 ± 0.9 to 20.73 ± 2.3 Bqm−3 with an average value of 9.22 ± 1.5 Bqm−3, the estimated effective dose equivalent varies from 0.09 to 0.61 mSvy−1 with an average value of 0.27 mSvy−1.
Developing a tool to help highway patrol in allocating resources to crashes
Authors: Terrill Trenna T , Mashhadi M Mahdi Rezapour , Ksaibati Khaled
Published: October 2016

In recent years, the United States has experienced significant growth in the amount of freight transported by truck, and this is expected to increase in future. Collisions involving trucks have some of the greatest ramifications and are associated with economic and societal costs. The state of Wyoming has one of the highest rates of crashes involving trucks in the country. The Wyoming Highway Patrol puts a substantial amount of its resources into enforcing commercial vehicle inspections and traffic laws in the state. Because of the heavy truck traffic on Interstate 80 (I-80), the much of the Wyoming Highway Patrol’s resources are utilized in patrolling and performing inspections there. Because of this intensive truck corridor, the Wyoming Highway Patrol may not be focusing resources on other locations throughout the state. The Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Wyoming Highway Patrol jointly selected three zones throughout the state of Wyoming based on high truck traffic areas. Historical statewide crash data and statewide citations issued by the Wyoming Highway Patrol in these zones are analyzed in this study. The relationship between the numbers of citations issued along the studied route and the number of crashes that occurred is investigated in this article. Statistical analysis using ordinal least squares on I25 indicates that, on a monthly scale, the number of citations is a preventive measure for the number of crashes. Spatial temporal analysis on I25 showed that although Wyoming Highway Patrol resources are allocated to locations with the greatest number of crashes, it needs to allocate more resources on I25 north between midnight and 6 a.m. This study provides the Wyoming Highway Patrol with information regarding where more enforcement may be needed within other areas in the state of Wyoming.
Cheap clothes: Distant disasters. Journalism turning suffering into practical action
Authors: Orgeret Kristin Skare
Published: October 2016

This article examines how the Rana Plaza disaster, the deadliest garment factory accident in history, was covered in four newspapers in Bangladesh and Norway. It discusses the role of journalism in producing connectivity between audiences and victims within and across national borders and uses Roger Silverstone’s concept of ‘proper distance’ and Lily Chouliaraki’s hierarchy of proximity to examine mediated social relationships in newspaper coverage of the disaster. This study suggests that turning suffering into practical action requires the combination of local and global perspectives. Many of the journalistic stories analysed do not fall fully within the scopes of traditional labels such as ‘local’, ‘national’ or ‘foreign’ news stories. This article, therefore, argues that elements of ‘glocal journalism’ are required to fully capture transnational phenomena such as global trade.
Students’ Self-Reflections on their Personality Scores Applied to the Processes of Learning and Achievement
Authors: Mcilroy David , Todd Valerie , Palmer-Conn Sue , Poole Karen
Published: October 2016

Research on personality in the educational context has primarily focused on quantitative approaches, so this study used a mixed methods approach to capture the boarder aspects of students' learning processes. Goals were to ensure that student responses were reliable and normal (quantitative data), and to examine qualitative reflections on students’ personality scores for breadth and depth in the context of learning and achievement. To facilitate these goals, undergraduate psychology students ( N = 307) completed a 50-item version of a measure of the Five Factor Model in a seminar and subsequently wrote a personal evaluation of their scores with reference to academic achievement. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that the data were reliable and demonstrated individual differences. Qualitative analysis was clustered around six themes – five personality factors and students' reflections on their overall scores. Students overwhelmingly endorsed their scores on the measure by presenting their reflective experiential narrative. Moreover, they reflected on personal strengths and challenges as they set goals for educational development. This facilitated enhanced awareness of qualities that complement ability, support learning and enhance achievement. Other outcomes included enhanced self-awareness and self-presentation and awareness of the role of traits in educational, social and emotionality aspects of their student experience.
Design optimization and robotic fabrication of tensile mesh structures: The development and simulation of a custom-made end-effector tool
Authors: Kontovourkis Odysseas , Tryfonos George
Published: October 2016

This article presents an ongoing research, aiming to introduce a fabrication procedure for the development of tensile mesh systems. The purpose of current methodology is to establish an integrated approach that combines digital form-finding and robotic manufacturing processes by extracting data and information derived through elastic material behavior for physical implementation. This aspires to extend the capacity of robotically driven mechanisms to the fabrication of complex tensile structures and, at the same time, to reduce the defects that might occur due to the deformation of the elastic material. In this article, emphasis is given to the development of a custom-made end-effector tool, which is responsible to add elastic threads and create connections in the form of nodes. Based on additive fabrication logic, this process suggests the development of physical prototypes through a design optimization and tool-path verification.
Multicultural Neoliberalism and Academic Labor: Experiences of Female Immigrant Faculty in the U.S. Academy
Authors: Lawless Brandi , Chen Yea-Wen
Published: October 2016

In light of limited attention to immigrant faculty (aka, international faculty) in the U.S. academy, we analyze interview discourses with 26 female immigrant faculty members from multiple disciplines working across U.S. colleges and universities. Collectively, the women’s voices converge around three primary themes pertaining to neoliberal restructuring of higher education: commodification of education, multicultural neoliberalism, and universal meritocracy. Furthermore, we explore the various ways in which cultural identities are (re)positioned by dominant ideologies of neoliberalism in the U.S. academy. Our findings develop an understanding of how neoliberal ideologies construct and reinforce marginalized identities and subjectivities at the intersection of gender, race, and immigration.
Dynamic tracking performance of servo mechanisms based on compound controller
Authors: Wen Nuan , Liu Zhenghua , Zhang Fang , Ren Yan
Published: October 2016

This article provides systematic analysis and controller design methods for dynamic tracking performance of servo mechanisms associated with practical systems. Discrete general composite nonlinear feedback, as a fundamental controller, will be proposed to yield a good transient performance. Particularly, in the servo systems, there also exist unmodeled disturbances which may lead to tracking errors. A novel repetitive control scheme based on disturbance observer configuration is incorporated into the controller to counteract this unexpected effect. Furthermore, to deal with any periodic signal of variable frequency, a fractional-order repetitive control scheme based on disturbance observer strategy is proposed. The stability of the overall closed-loop system is guaranteed via frequency domain analysis. Three controllers, that is, the proportional–derivative controller with zero-phase error tracking controller scheme and the conventional disturbance observer, the integral backstepping controller, and the compound discrete general composite nonlinear feedback controller with fractional-order repetitive control scheme based on disturbance observer are compared. To demonstrate the dynamic tracking performance of the proposed control strategy, comparative experiments are conducted.
Failure prognosis of multiple uncertainty system based on Kalman filter and its application to aircraft fuel system
Authors: Chen Jie , Ma Cunbao , Song Dong , Xu Bin
Published: October 2016

Failure prognosis is the key point of prognostic and health management or condition-based maintenance, the multiple uncertainty sources in real world will lead to inaccurate prediction. In this paper, an advanced failure prognosis method with Kalman filter is presented to address the real-world uncertainties. The multiple uncertainty sources are analyzed and classified first and then theoretical methods are derived, respectively, for the different uncertainty sources. Afterward, the failure prognosis algorithm is developed by taking into consideration. In the end, an aircraft fuel feeding system health monitoring case simulation is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Tool wear in disk milling grooving of titanium alloy
Authors: Xin Hongmin , Shi Yaoyao , Ning Liqun
Published: October 2016

The work efficiency of grooving machining can be improved by the approach of disk milling. However, the problem of tool wear was serious because of big milling force and high milling temperature in manufacture process, by which the tool life and the machined surface quality were influenced. In this study, disk-milling grooving experiments of titanium alloy were designed and conducted. First, milling force and milling temperature were examined, which provided theory basis to tool wear. Then, the tool life, wear patterns, and its corresponding mechanisms were investigated in detail through scanning electron microscope observation, X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometer, and automatic tool analyzer. By analyzing experimental results, it was found that, for an example of five-stage compressor blisk of a certain type aircraft engine, disk cutter can only remove about 50 tunnels’ volume after five times grinding before wear-out failure, the tool life still needs to be greatly enhanced. The damage morphologies were delamination, thermal fatigue crack, plastic deformation, and tipping. Wear mechanisms were the synergistic interaction among adhesion wear, oxidation wear, and diffusion wear. Thermal crack and tipping were easily found for the cutting edges around the keyway. The oxidation degree of major cutting edge was higher than minor cutting edge; rake face was severe compared to flank face. The element W easily diffused into the titanium alloy, the diffusion ability of Co and C were weaker than W, and the element Ti was dead in diffusion process.
Serial reduction optimization research of complex product workflow’s accuracy under the time constraint
Authors: Luo Zhi-yong , Wang Peng , You Bo , Zhu Su-xia
Published: October 2016

Model complex production business contains the attributes of completion time, accuracy, and so on; these factors influence each other; and pursuing the balance of these factors is the core idea of the article. Due to the problems of low accuracy or more completion time which may be caused by the traditional algorithm, the research group proposed the serial reduction algorithm which can achieve higher accuracy under deadline for the business. The algorithm sets the active portion for each task and uses the inverse iterative way to obtain a path that can balance both the completion time and the accuracy. By the case analysis, compared with the traditional unidirectional objective algorithm, serial reduction algorithm can optimize the accuracy under the deadline. Finally, the article analyses the parameters that can affect the algorithm performance; the experiment shows that serial reduction algorithm applied to the workflow is feasible and effective, which has the simple advantage.
‘The best three days of my life’: Pleasure, power and alienation in the 2011 riots
Authors: Newburn Tim , Deacon Rachel , Diski Beka , Cooper Kerris , Grant Maggie , Burch Alex
Published: October 2016

This article examines one of the less frequently considered elements of riots: the emotions to which they give rise. Based on testimony from interviews with people who took part in the 2011 England riots, it explores the curiosity which drew many onto the streets, the excitement and fear involved in such quickly unfolding and unpredictable events, the impunity that many felt being part of such large crowds, together with the sense of ‘empowerment’ many experienced as a consequence of their involvement. The article suggests that a number of concepts regularly deployed within cultural criminology – most obviously ‘carnival’ and ‘edgework’ – are useful in understanding elements of the emotional world of the riot. More fundamentally, however, it is argued that what the accounts describe more than anything else is a pervading sense of ‘alienation’ among many of those involved in the disorder.
Impact of internal insulation on the hygrothermal performance of brick wall
Authors: Orlik-Kożdoń Bożena , Steidl Tomasz
Published: October 2016

Based on modeling and measurements, the authors investigated the performance of expanded polystyrene and lightweight aerated concrete slabs. The objective of the work was to assess the performance of the brick wall (having various thickness and layering) commonly built in the Silesia Region (Poland) in the 1920s and the changes of water content in layers of the flat wall through the measurement of temperature and relative humidity in the selected layers of the masonry wall.
Living in the present while imagining the future: How school and its promises shape conceptions of childhood for indigenous tribal students in India
Authors: Finnan Christine , Sahoo Sasmita , Pramanik Rashmi
Published: October 2016

This article builds on Allison James and Alan Prout’s call to focus more on theorizing the social construction of time in childhood and explores how school, as an organization and an experience, influences students’ conceptions of childhood and experiences of being a child. Extending the conception of time of childhood to include their future projections, we assert that aspiring to become an adult, while seeming to diminish the experience of childhood, actually provides motivation and hope to children. We also posit that school’s emphasis on “preparation to become” influences children’s experience in school and “imagined futures” as adults. The article is based on interviews with Indian tribal students between the ages of 9 and 15 who attended school at a residential school serving 25,000 students and at government day schools in Odisha, India.
Essay on the external communication strategies of the China Dream: Analysis and study of reports on the China Dream in The Washington Post and on CNN
Authors: Duan Peng
Published: October 2016

As a value concept, a development goal and a spiritual drive, the proposal of the China Dream breathes new life into the international communication of China; it is a new opportunity for the external communication of China. In comparison with its recognition at home, the external communication of the China Dream still has great room for improvement. The study analysed the texts and content of related articles as found in The Washington Post and on CNN and uncovered the status quo and inadequacy of the current external communication of the China Dream, based on which corresponding strategies and recommendations were proposed from the following three macroscopic perspectives: theory and policy, media construction and support and think-tank resource construction. It is hoped that seizing the favourable trend of the currently continuously rising international status of China, the voice and image of China may be communicated to the world, and consequently, the soft power of China may be realistically enhanced.
Understanding Sales Volume Antecedents: Measuring the Role of Consumer-oriented Selling and Sales Promotion in Iran FMCG Industry
Authors: Soltani Saeed , Davanloo Khashayar Ghajar
Published: October 2016

The recent economic downturn has had a significant negative impact on hitherto such fast-growing economies as in the Middle East. The economic downturn has had a significant impact also on consumption patterns of the population which is reflected in heavy decline in retail turnover. Understanding the consumer base and influence of creating values on purchasing decisions enables businesses to adopt better strategies. Classification of consumers becomes important. The results of structural equation analysis by LISREL were utilized to test the proposed hypotheses in this study. Subsequently, all hypothesized relationship was supported. Understanding each of classification factors which measured will help companies, corporate and understand their strengths and act in best way. The result shows that all sales promotion dimensions are independently and jointly predict sales volume. This implies that coupon, premiums, bonus, free samples and price promotion have significant effect on sales volume.
Parametric bootstrapping for biological sequence motifs
Authors: O’Neill Patrick K. , Erill Ivan
Published: October 2016

Background

Biological sequence motifs drive the specific interactions of proteins and nucleic acids. Accordingly, the effective computational discovery and analysis of such motifs is a central theme in bioinformatics. Many practical questions about the properties of motifs can be recast as random sampling problems. In this light, the task is to determine for a given motif whether a certain feature of interest is statistically unusual among relevantly similar alternatives. Despite the generality of this framework, its use has been frustrated by the difficulties of defining an appropriate reference class of motifs for comparison and of sampling from it effectively.

Results

We define two distributions over the space of all motifs of given dimension. The first is the maximum entropy distribution subject to mean information content, and the second is the truncated uniform distribution over all motifs having information content within a given interval. We derive exact sampling algorithms for each. As a proof of concept, we employ these sampling methods to analyze a broad collection of prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription factor binding site motifs. In addition to positional information content, we consider the informational Gini coefficient of the motif, a measure of the degree to which information is evenly distributed throughout a motif’s positions. We find that both prokaryotic and eukaryotic motifs tend to exhibit higher informational Gini coefficients (IGC) than would be expected by chance under either reference distribution. As a second application, we apply maximum entropy sampling to the motif p-value problem and use it to give elementary derivations of two new estimators.

Conclusions

Despite the historical centrality of biological sequence motif analysis, this study constitutes to our knowledge the first use of principled null hypotheses for sequence motifs given information content. Through their use, we are able to characterize for the first time differerences in global motif statistics between biological motifs and their null distributions. In particular, we observe that biological sequence motifs show an unusual distribution of IGC, presumably due to biochemical constraints on the mechanisms of direct read-out.