bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adrenocortical Cancer: A Molecularly Complex Disease Where Surgery Matters
Authors: Payabyab Eden C. , Balasubramaniam Sanjeeve , Edgerly Maureen , Velarde Margarita , Merino Maria J. , Venkatesan Aradhana M. , Leuva Harshraj , Litman Thomas , Bates Susan E. , Fojo Tito
Published: October 2016

The development of new therapies has lagged behind for rare cancers without defined therapeutic targets. Adrenocortical cancer is no exception. Mitotane, an older agent considered “adrenolytic,” is used both to control symptoms in advanced disease and as adjuvant therapy after surgical resection. Molecular characterization of adrenocortical cancer has deepened our understanding of this genetically complex disease while identifying subgroups whose importance remains to be determined. Unfortunately, such studies have yet to demonstrate a therapeutic target for drug development, and to date, no targeted therapy has achieved meaningful outcomes. Consequently, first-line therapy for metastatic disease remains a combination regimen of etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatinum established in a randomized clinical trial. In addition to evaluating recent studies in adrenocortical cancer, we raise one critical clinical issue—the risk of peritoneal dissemination following laparoscopic resection of adrenocortical cancer. In a retrospective case series of 267 patients referred to the NCI for the treatment of recurrent or advanced adrenocortical cancer, we found extensive peritoneal dissemination in 25 of the 45 patients (55.6%) who had undergone laparoscopic resection, compared with only 7 of the 222 patients (3%) who had undergone an open resection (P < 0.0001). Although this has been debated in the literature, our data argue for an end to laparoscopic resection of adrenocortical cancers to avoid peritoneal dissemination, a complication of laparoscopy that is uniformly fatal. Clin Cancer Res; 22(20); 4989–5000. ©2016 AACR.

See all articles in this CCR Focus section, “Endocrine Cancers: Revising Paradigms.”
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma with Reduced β2M/MHC Class I Expression Is Associated with Inferior Outcome Independent of 9p24.1 Status
Authors: Roemer Margaretha G.M. , Advani Ranjana H. , Redd Robert A. , Pinkus Geraldine S. , Natkunam Yasodha , Ligon Azra H. , Connelly Courtney F. , Pak Christine J. , Carey Christopher D. , Daadi Sarah E. , Chapuy Bjoern , de Jong Daphne , Hoppe Richard T. , Neuberg Donna S. , Shipp Margaret A. , Rodig Scott J.
Published: October 2016

In classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), malignant Hodgkin Reed–Sternberg (HRS) cells evade antitumor immunity by multiple mechanisms, including perturbed antigen presentation and enhanced PD-1 signaling. HRS cell expression of the PD-1 ligands is attributable, in part, to copy number alterations of 9p24.1/CD274(PD-L1)/PDCD1LG2(PD-L2). Amplification of PD-L1/PD-L2 is associated with advanced clinical stage and inferior progression-free survival (PFS) following first-line (induction) therapy. The relationships between altered expression of β2-microglobulin (β2M), MHC class I, and MHC class II by HRS cells, PD-L1/PD-L2 amplification, and clinical outcome in cHL are poorly defined. We assessed these variables in diagnostic biopsy specimens from 108 patients with cHL who received uniform treatment and had long-term follow-up and found decreased/absent expression of β2M/MHC class I in 79% (85/108) and decreased/absent expression of MHC class II in 67% (72/108) of cases. Patients with decreased/absent β2M/MHC class I had shorter PFS, independent of PD-L1/PD-L2 amplification and advanced stage. Decreased or absent MHC class II was unrelated to outcome. These results suggest that MHC class I–mediated antigen presentation by HRS cells is an important component of the biological response to standard chemo/radiotherapy. The paucity of β2M/MHC class I expression on HRS cells also prompts speculation regarding alternative mechanisms of action of PD-1 blockade in cHL. Cancer Immunol Res; 4(11); 910–6. ©2016 AACR.
Use of the Psychosocial Index: A Sensitive Tool in Research and Practice
Authors: Piolanti Antonio , Offidani Emanuela , Guidi Jenny , Gostoli Sara , Fava Giovanni A. , Sonino Nicoletta
Published: October 2016

Background: The Psychosocial Index (PSI) is a self-rating scale based on clinimetric principles that is simple to use in a busy clinical setting. It can be integrated by observer-rated clinical judgment, providing a first-line, comprehensive assessment of stress, well-being, distress, illness behavior, and quality of life. By calculation of scores, it can be used for conventional psychological measurements. Its clinical applications and clinimetric properties are reviewed. The present version of the PSI has been slightly revised. In addition, a modified version for use in adolescents and young adults (PSI-Young; PSI-Y) is also included. Methods: Articles that involved the use of the PSI were identified by searching the Web of Science database from 1998 to February 2016 and by a manual search of the literature. Results: A total of 20 studies reporting results from the use of PSI were included. The PSI has been employed in various clinical populations in different countries and showed high sensitivity. It significantly discriminated varying degrees of psychosocial impairment in different populations. When subjects were identified by categorical criteria (presence of allostatic overload, psychosomatic syndromes, psychiatric disorders), the PSI scores were significantly different across subgroups. Conclusions: In clinical practice, scanning the list of symptoms allows clinicians to assess rapidly which symptoms and problems are perceived as most troublesome. In research settings, the use of scores makes the PSI a valid and sensitive tool in differentiating levels of psychosocial variables among groups.
Impact of Body Mass Index on Outcomes of In Vitro Fertilization/Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Among Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Patients
Authors: Cui Na , Wang Huixia , Wang Wei , Zhang Jie , Xu Yueming , Jiang Lei , Yang Aimin , Hao Guimin
Published: October 2016

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the effect of body mass index (BMI) on outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) / intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) among polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and non-PCOS patients. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study that was performed in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University. Patients who were under 35 years old were included in the study and were divided into four groups based on their BMI. The number of retrieved oocytes, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and live births among PCOS and non-PCOS patients were compared between different BMIs. Results: IVF/ICSI pregnancies in obese PCOS women had a considerably higher risk of miscarriage and low rate of clinical pregnancy than in non-obese PCOS pregnancies. However, in non-PCOS patient, obesity significantly elevated miscarriage rate but did not affect clinical pregnancy rate. Conclusion: Obesity in PCOS patients led to poor outcomes of IVF/ICSI.
Combination of Hydroxyl Acetylated Curcumin and Ultrasound Induces Macrophage Autophagy with Anti-Apoptotic and Anti-Lipid Aggregation Effects
Authors: Zheng Longbin , Li Ying , Li Xuesong , Kou Jiayuan , Zhong Zhaoyu , Jiang Yueqing , Liu Zhongni , Tian Ye , Yang Liming
Published: October 2016

Background/Aims: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is considered a new approach for the treatment of atherosclerosis. We previously confirmed that hydroxyl acetylated curcumin (HAC) was a sonosensitizer. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of THP-1 macrophage apoptosis and autophagy induced by HAC mediated SDT (HAC-SDT). Methods: Cell viability was measured using a CCK-8 assay. Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to measure the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), sub-cellular HAC localization, BAX and cytochrome C translocation, LC3 expression, monodansylcadaverine staining and Dil-labeled oxidized low density lipoprotein (Dil-ox-LDL) uptake. Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis and autophagy via Annexin V/propidium iodide and acridine orange staining, respectively. The expression levels of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins were detected by Western blot. Oil red O was used to measure intracellular lipid accumulation. Results: We identified HAC (5.0 μg/mL) located in lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and mitochondria after 4 h of incubation. Compared with other sonosensitizers (e.g., curcumin and emodin), HAC had a more obvious sonodynamic effect on macrophages. Furthermore, the mitochondrial-caspase pathway was confirmed to play a crucial role in the HAC-SDT-induced apoptosis; BAX translocated from the cytosol to the mitochondria during HAC-SDT. Subsequently, mitochondrial cytochrome C was released into the cytosol, activating the caspase cascade in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, HAC-SDT could induce PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway dependent autophagy, accompanied by a decrease in the lipid uptake of THP-1 macrophages. This mechanism was demonstrated by the formation of acidic vesicular organelles, the conversion of LC3 I to LC3 II, the expression of related proteins, and the attenuation of both Dil-ox-LDL and oil red O staining. Moreover, pre-treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine enhanced the HAC-SDT-induced apoptosis. Additionally, HAC-SDT-induced autophagy and apoptosis were both blocked by ROS scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine. Conclusion: The results suggested that autophagy not only played an inhibitory role in the process of apoptosis but also could effectively attenuate lipid aggregation in THP-1 macrophages during HAC-SDT. As important intracellular mediators, the ROS generated by HAC-SDT also played a crucial role in initiating apoptosis and autophagy.
Comparative Proteomics Analysis of Mouse Habu Nephritis Models with and without Unilateral Nephrectomy
Authors: Chen Lei , Lu Yang , Wen Jun , Wang Xu , Wu Lingling , Wu Di , Sun Xuefeng , Fu Bo , Yin Zhong , Jiang Hongli , Chen Xiangmei
Published: October 2016

Background/Aims: Individuals possessing a single kidney are at greater risk of renal injury upon exposure to harmful stimuli. This study aimed to explore the pathogenesis of renal injury in glomerulonephritis with versus without unilateral nephrectomy (UNX). Methods: Histological analysis and label-free quantitative proteomics were performed on two models—the Habu snake venom-induced glomerulonephritis model with versus without UNX (HabuU and Habu models, respectively). The role of villin 1, a differentially expressed protein (DEP) in mouse mesangial cells, was investigated. Results: Persistent mesangiolysis and focal hypercellularity together with reduced activation of cell proliferation in the HabuU model induced more serious renal injury compared with that in the Habu model. The DEPs between the two models were identified by label-free liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The KEGG pathway results indicated that regulation of actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion were specifically enriched in the HabuU model. The cytoskeleton regulation protein villin 1 was downregulated in the HabuU model, but unchanged in the Habu model. Knockdown of villin 1 promoted apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of mouse mesangial cells, suggesting villin 1 to be involved in qlomerular lesion self-repair insufficiency. Conclusion: By assessing the proteomic profiles of the two models, this study identified several important differences, particularly villin 1 expression, in regulatory mechanisms between the two models. Our findings provide novel insight into the mechanism of serious renal injury in glomerulonephritis with UNX.
Short-Term Hesperidin Pretreatment Attenuates Rat Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting High Mobility Group Box 1 Protein Expression via the PI3K/Akt Pathway
Authors: Li Xuefei , Hu Xiaorong , Wang Jichun , Xu Weipan , Yi Chunfeng , Ma Ruisong , Jiang Hong
Published: October 2016

Background/Aims: Hesperidin pretreatment has been shown to protect against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the cardioprotective effects of a 3-day hesperidin pretreatment on I/R injury and to further explore whether its mechanism of action was associated with the inhibition of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) expression via the PI3K/Akt pathway. Methods: In a fixed-dose study, hematoxylin and eosin staining and myocardial enzyme measurements were used to determine the optimal dose of hesperidin that elicited the best cardioprotective effects against I/R injury. Furthermore, rats were pretreated with 200 mg/kg hesperidin, and infarct size and the levels of myocardial enzymes, apoptosis, inflammatory and oxidative indices, and HMGB1 and p-Akt expression were measured. Results: Our results indicated that while different 3-day hesperidin pretreatment doses promoted histopathological changes and reduced myocardial enzymes induced by I/R the optimal dose was 200 mg/kg. Moreover, the 200 mg/kg hesperidin pretreatment not only significantly decreased the infarct size as well as myocardial enzyme levels but also inhibited myocardial apoptosis, the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Additionally, hesperidin downregulated HMGB1 expression and upregulated p-Akt expression in the myocardium. LY294002, a specific PI3K inhibitor, partially reversed the decreased HMGB1 expression, increased p-Akt expression induced by hesperidin and abolished the anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of hesperidin. Conclusion: These findings suggest that short-term pretreatment with hesperidin protects against myocardial I/R injury by suppressing myocardial apoptosis, the inflammatory response and oxidative stress via PI3K/Akt pathway activation and HMGB1 inhibition.
Impact of Fetal Weight Estimation on the Prediction of Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality at the Limit of Viability
Authors: Zdanowicz Jarmila A. , Huber Chantal , Gerull Roland , Mueller Martin , Raio Luigi , Surbek Daniel
Published: October 2016

Introduction: To determine the accuracy of estimated fetal weight (EFW) at the limit of viability in a delivery room setting and its impact on the prediction of neonatal outcome. Material and Methods: In this retrospective, single-center cohort study we included patients with preterm birth between 230/7 and 260/7 weeks of gestation. Neonates were divided into 3 groups according to birth weight at delivery (accuracy index 90-110%, <90%, >110%). Neonatal outcome for each group was categorized into survival with and without impairment and death, with a follow-up period of 6 weeks. Results: Eighty-seven newborns were included, with 62.1% accurately estimated. Gestational age at birth, fetal sex, maternal body mass index, and time interval between birth and ultrasound affected the accuracy of EFW. Chances of survival were significantly higher in the underestimated group for birth weight at delivery compared with estimated weight (p < 0.001), with risk of death being significantly lower (p < 0.001). The reverse was true for overestimated infants, for both risk of death and chances of survival. At 6 weeks' follow-up, there were significantly more deceased overestimated infants (p = 0.041). Discussion: Our study shows that inaccuracy of EFW at the limit of viability occurs frequently in a delivery room setting with a potential impact on neonatal outcome.
Von Willebrand Factor, ADAMTS13, and the Risk of Mortality
Authors: Sonneveld Michelle A.H. , Franco Oscar H. , Ikram M. Arfan , Hofman Albert , Kavousi Maryam , de Maat Moniek P.M. , Leebeek Frank W.G.
Published: October 2016

Objective—

Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) is a plasma protein that plays a major role in platelet adhesion and aggregation. Large VWF multimers are cleaved into smaller, less coagulant forms by the metalloprotease ADAMTS13 (A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease with ThromboSpondin motif repeats 13). Previous studies have shown that high VWF and low ADAMTS13 levels are associated with cardiovascular disease, but whether these factors are associated with mortality is unclear. Our aim is to establish the association between VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) levels, ADAMTS13 activity, and mortality.

Approach and Results—

We included 6130 participants of the Rotterdam study, a population-based cohort study among individuals aged ≥55 years. We determined the association between ADAMTS13 activity, VWF:Ag levels, and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. During a median follow-up time of 11.3 years and a total of 90 635 person years, 1868 of the 6130 individuals died (30.5%), of whom 442 (23.7%) died because of cardiovascular disease. In individuals with low ADAMTS13 activity, the risk of cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.09–1.96) was higher than that in individuals with high ADAMTS13 activity. The risk of cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval 0.98–1.70) was higher in individuals with the highest VWF:Ag levels than in those with the lowest levels. In individuals with both low ADAMTS13 activity and high VWF:Ag levels, the risk of cardiovascular mortality was even higher (hazard ratio, 1.73 95% confidence interval, 1.28–2.35).

Conclusions—

In this large prospective cohort study, ADAMTS13 activity and VWF:Ag levels are both associated with an increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.
Using Large‐Scale Linkage Data to Evaluate the Effectiveness of a National Educational Program on Antithrombotic Prescribing and Associated Stroke Prevention in Primary Care
Authors: Liu Zhixin , Moorin Rachael , Worthington John , Tofler Geoffrey , Bartlett Mark , Khan Rabia , Zuo Yeqin
Published: October 2016

Background

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) MedicineWise Stroke Prevention Program, which was implemented nationally in 2009–2010 in Australia, sought to improve antithrombotic prescribing in stroke prevention using dedicated interventions that target general practitioners. This study evaluated the impact of the
NPS
MedicineWise Stroke Prevention Program on antithrombotic prescribing and primary stroke hospitalizations.

Method and Results

This population‐based time series study used administrative health data linked to 45 and Up Study participants with a high risk of cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) to assess the possible impact of the
NPS
MedicineWise program on first‐time aspirin prescriptions and primary stroke‐related hospitalizations. Time series analysis showed that the
NPS
MedicineWise program was significantly associated with increased first‐time prescribing of aspirin (
P
=0.03) and decreased hospitalizations for primary ischemic stroke (
P
=0.03) in the at‐risk study population (n=90 023). First‐time aspirin prescription was correlated with a reduction in the rate of hospitalization for primary stroke (
P
=0.02). Following intervention, the number of first‐time aspirin prescriptions increased by 19.8% (95% confidence interval, 1.6–38.0), while the number of first‐time stroke hospitalizations decreased by 17.3% (95% confidence interval, 1.8–30.0).

Conclusions

Consistent with
NPS
MedicineWise program messages for the high‐risk
CVD
population, the
NPS
MedicineWise Stroke Prevention Program (2009) was associated with increased initiation of aspirin and a reduced rate of hospitalization for primary stroke. The findings suggest that the provision of evidence‐based multifaceted large‐scale educational programs in primary care can be effective in changing prescriber behavior and positively impacting patient health outcomes.
Aortic Valve Calcification and Risk of Stroke
Authors: Bos Daniel , Bozorgpourniazi Atefeh , Mutlu Unal , Kavousi Maryam , Vernooij Meike W. , Moelker Adriaan , Franco Oscar H. , Koudstaal Peter J. , Ikram M. Arfan , van der Lugt Aad
Published: October 2016

Background and Purpose—

It remains uncertain whether aortic valve calcification (AVC) is a risk factor for stroke.

Methods—

From the population-based Rotterdam Study, 2471 participants (mean age: 69.6 years; 51.8% women) underwent computed tomography to quantify AVC. We assessed prevalent stroke and continuously monitored the remaining participants for the incidence of stroke. Logistic and Cox regression models were used to investigate associations of AVC with prevalent stroke and risk of incident stroke.

Results—

AVC was present in 33.1% of people. At baseline, 97 participants had ever suffered a stroke. During 18 665 person-years of follow-up (mean: 7.9 years), 135 people experienced a first-ever stroke. The presence of AVC was not associated with prevalent stroke (fully adjusted odds ratio: 0.97 (95% confidence interval, 0.61–1.53]) or with an increased risk of stroke (fully adjusted hazard ratio: 0.99 (95% confidence interval, 0.69–1.44]).

Conclusions—

Although AVC is a common finding in middle-aged and elderly community-dwelling people, our results suggest that AVC is not associated with an increased risk of stroke.
What Did YHWH Do in Lam 1:12?: Correcting a Misreading in the djd Edition of 4QLam
Authors: Flanders Denise C.
Published: October 2016

In his edition of 4QLam in djd xvi, F. M. Cross found a significant and otherwise unattested variant for a much-discussed crux, reading הוגירני יהוה, “YHWH frightened me (√יגר),” instead of הוגה יהוה “YHWH has afflicted (√יגה)”. However, close inspection of the manuscript indicates that the verb should actually be read הוגיאני; Cross incorrectly identified an ʾalef as a resh. Furthermore, I argue that the reading in 4QLam attests to the more primitive reading הוגיעני יהוה, from which the others developed, though this reading is not actually found in any extant manuscript. This means that instead of a text that originally read, “YHWH afflicted (me),” as many previous translations have concluded, or “YHWH frightened me,” as Cross suggested, one finds a text that said, “YHWH wearied me.”
Revision of the Australian bee fly genus Eusurbus (Bombyliidae, Bombyliinae), and description of Zentamyia gen. nov.
Authors: Li Xuankun , Yeates David K.
Published: October 2016

We review the endemic Australian bee fly genusEusurbusRoberts (Bombyliidae, Bombyliinae) and recognize two described species and three new species. The monotypic genusBromoglycisHull is identified as a new junior synonym ofEusurbus. Another species,E. nigracinctusRoberts, is designated as the type species of a new genusZentamyiagen. nov. This new genus is similar toEusurbusbased on several combined external characters including two-segmented palp, one-segmented flagellomere, open anal cell and cellr5, and the cellbrmuch longer than cellbm. However,Zentamyiagen. nov. has a more flattened scutum, and the apex of the flagellum is tapered. Moreover, the male genitalia are very different fromEusurbus, the male epandrium is narrow and long, and its posterolateral margin has a cluster of dense hairs; the female lacks a sand chamber, and the sperm pump is long and strong. A morphological phylogeny toEusurbusspecies is provided.
A new species of Notosacantha Chevrolat (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) from Timor-Leste with a key to the Notosacantha vicaria-group
Authors: ŚWIĘTOJAŃSKA JOLANTA , BOROWIEC LECH
Published: October 2016

Notosacantha timorensis sp. nov. belonging to the Notosacantha vicaria-group is described from Timor-Leste. Colour photos of N. sumbawaensis Świętojańska & Borowiec, 1999 and a key to the Notosacantha vicaria-group are given.
New species of Curculionichthys (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the eastern Guiana Shield
Authors: SILVA GABRIEL S. C. , ROXO FÁBIO F. , MELO BRUNO F. , OLIVEIRA CLAUDIO
Published: October 2016

We describe a new species of Curculionichthys from northern Brazil. The new species is known from the rio Cassiporé, an Atlantic coastal river and an unnamed affluent of the rio Jari, left tributary of the Amazon river. It can be distinguished from congeners by (1) the irregular concentration of chromatophores that cover the anal-fin origin and adjacent region, and distal portions of the first unbranched anal-fin ray, (2) lack of dark-brown spots scattered over the body, (3) lack of contrasting dark spots over the anterodorsal region of the body, (4) presence of papillae randomly distributed across the lower lip, (5) small, inconspicuous odontodes that form rows over the head and trunk, (6) anterior profile of the head pointed, (7) higher number of premaxillary and dentary teeth, (8) lack of an unpaired platelet on the dorsal portion of the caudal peduncle, (9) lower number of vertebrae, and (10) higher number of lateral abdomen plates. A discussion on the morphological variation of diagnostic features within Curculionichthys is also provided.
Description of the final instar larva of Pseudagrion pruinosum (Burmeister, 1839) (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) from Thailand
Authors: SAETUNG TOSAPHOL , BOONSOONG BOONSATIEN
Published: October 2016

Herein the final instar larva of Pseudagrion pruinosum (Burmeister, 1839) is described and illustrated for the first time, based on reared specimens from Thailand. When compared with the other known Pseudagrion larvae, P. pruinosum is distinguished by three setae on the labial palp, five teeth on the truncate, denticulate lobe on the distal marginal end of the labial palp, one premental seta and a row of three minute setae on each side of the midline, as well as shape and tracheation of caudal gills.
The Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Hydrothermohaline Circulation
Authors: Döös Kristofer , Kjellsson Joakim , Zika Jan , Laliberté Frédéric , Brodeau Laurent , Campino Aitor Aldama
Published: October 2016

The thermohaline circulation of the ocean is compared to the hydrothermal circulation of the atmosphere. The oceanic thermohaline circulation is expressed in potential temperature–absolute salinity space and comprises a tropical cell, a conveyor belt cell, and a polar cell, whereas the atmospheric hydrothermal circulation is expressed in potential temperature–specific humidity space and unifies the tropical Hadley and Walker cells as well as the midlatitude eddies into a single, global circulation. The oceanic thermohaline streamfunction makes it possible to analyze and quantify the entire World Ocean conversion rate between cold–warm and fresh–saline waters in one single representation. Its atmospheric analog, the hydrothermal streamfunction, instead captures the conversion rate between cold–warm and dry–humid air in one single representation. It is shown that the ocean thermohaline and the atmospheric hydrothermal cells are connected by the exchange of heat and freshwater through the sea surface. The two circulations are compared on the same diagram by scaling the axes such that the latent heat energy required to move an air parcel on the moisture axis is equivalent to that needed to move a water parcel on the salinity axis. Such a comparison leads the authors to propose that the Clausius–Clapeyron relationship guides both the moist branch of the atmospheric hydrothermal circulation and the warming branches of the tropical and conveyor belt cells of the oceanic thermohaline circulation.
Improvements in Global Climate Model Microphysics Using a Consistent Representation of Ice Particle Properties
Authors: Eidhammer Trude , Morrison Hugh , Mitchell David , Gettelman Andrew , Erfani Ehsan
Published: October 2016

This paper describes a new approach for representing ice microphysics in climate models. In contrast with most previous schemes, this approach does not include separate categories for cloud and precipitating ice and instead uses a single two-moment category to represent all solid hydrometeors. Thus, there is no need for an ice “autoconversion” size threshold parameter, which has a critical impact on simulated climate in the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM5) yet is poorly constrained by theory or observations. Further, in the new treatment, all ice microphysical processes and parameters, including ice effective radius and mean fall speed, are formulated self-consistently and flexibly based on empirical ice particle mass–size and projected area–size relationships. This means that the scheme can represent the physical coupling between bulk particle density, mean fall speed, and effective radius, which is not possible in current schemes. Two different methods for specifying these relationships based on observations are proposed. The new scheme is tested in global simulations using CAM5. Differences in simulations using the two methods for specifying the mass– and projected area–size relationships, particularly the cloud radiative forcing, are attributable mainly to the effects on mean ice particle fall speed, impacting sedimentation and ice water path. With some tuning of parameters involved in calculating homogeneous freezing it produces a similar climate compared to the simulations using the original CAM5 microphysics. Thus, it can produce a comparable climate while improving the physical basis and self-consistency of ice particle properties and parameters.
Synoptic and Mesoscale Environment of Convection during the North American Monsoon across Central and Southern Arizona
Authors: Carlaw Lee B. , Cohen Ariel E. , Rogers Jaret W.
Published: October 2016

This paper comprehensively analyzes the synoptic and mesoscale environment associated with North American monsoon–related thunderstorms affecting central and southern Arizona. Analyses of thunderstorm environments are presented using reanalysis data, severe thunderstorm reports, and cloud-to-ground lightning information from 2003 to 2013, which serves as a springboard for lightning-prediction models provided in a companion paper. Spatial and temporal analyses of lightning strikes indicate thunderstorm frequencies maximize between 2100 and 0000 UTC, when the greatest frequencies are concentrated over higher terrain. Severe thunderstorm reports typically occur later in the day (between 2300 and 0100 UTC), while reports are maximized in the Tucson and Phoenix metropolitan areas. Composite analyses of the synoptic-scale patterns associated with severe thunderstorm days and nonthunderstorm days during the summer using the North American Regional Reanalysis dataset are presented. Severe thunderstorm cases tend to be associated with a stronger midlevel anticyclone and deep-layer moisture over portions of the southwestern United States. By September, severe weather patterns tend to associate with a midlevel trough along the Pacific coast. Specific parameters associated with severe thunderstorms are analyzed across the Tucson and Phoenix areas, where severe weather reporting is more consistent. Greater convective available potential energy, low-level lapse rates, and downdraft convective available potential energy are associated with severe thunderstorm (especially severe wind) environments compared to those with nonsevere thunderstorms, while stronger effective bulk wind differences (at least 15–20 kt, where 1 kt = 0.51 m s−1) can be used to distinguish severe hail environments.
These Unequal States: Corporate Organization and Income Inequality in the United States
Authors: Cobb J. Adam , Stevens Flannery G.
Published: October 2016

In an analysis of data on employment in the 48 contiguous United States from 1978 to 2008, we examine the connection between organizational demography and rising income inequality at the state level. Drawing on research on social comparisons and firm boundaries, we argue that large firms are susceptible to their employees making social comparisons about wages and that firms undertake strategies, such as wage compression, to help ameliorate their damaging effects. We argue that wage compression affects the distribution of wages throughout the broader labor market and that, consequently, state levels of income inequality will increase as fewer individuals in a state are employed by large firms. We hypothesize that the negative relationship between large-firm employment and income inequality will weaken when large employers are more racially diverse and their workers are dispersed across a greater number of establishments. Our results show that as the number of workers in a state employed by large firms declines, income inequality in that state increases. When these firms are more racially diverse, however, the negative relationship between large-firm employment and income inequality weakens. These results point to the importance of considering how corporate demography influences the dispersion of wages in a labor market.
Relations of difference: Power and inequality in intersectional and postcolonial feminist theories
Authors: Kerner Ina
Published: October 2016

Feminist theory has addressed relations of difference, heterogeneity, and hierarchy within gender groups as well as the entanglement of various forms of differentiation, power, and inequality for a long time. This does not mean that there was unanimity with regard to the best way of doing this, though. Today, we can distinguish different approaches in this regard, and there is contestation about both the analytical and the political advantages and pitfalls of each of them. This article concentrates on two of these approaches: on the one hand on intersectional ones, which strongly focus on inequality; and on the other hand on postcolonial feminist theories, which put the emphasis on global power relations and interactions. The article discusses select positions of both intersectional and postcolonial feminist theories in conjunction, and argues why and how they should be conceptualized as complementary.
Determination of the Proper Rest Time for a Cyclic Mental Task Using ACT-R Architecture
Authors: Atashfeshan Nooshin , Razavi Hamideh
Published: October 2016

Objective

Analysis of the effect of mental fatigue on a cognitive task and determination of the right start time for rest breaks in work environments.

Background

Mental fatigue has been recognized as one of the most important factors influencing individual performance. Subjective and physiological measures are popular methods for analyzing fatigue, but they are restricted to physical experiments. Computational cognitive models are useful for predicting operator performance and can be used for analyzing fatigue in the design phase, particularly in industrial operations and inspections where cognitive tasks are frequent and the effects of mental fatigue are crucial.

Method

A cyclic mental task is modeled by the ACT-R architecture, and the effect of mental fatigue on response time and error rate is studied. The task includes visual inspections in a production line or control workstation where an operator has to check products’ conformity to specifications. Initially, simulated and experimental results are compared using correlation coefficients and paired t test statistics. After validation of the model, the effects are studied by human and simulated results, which are obtained by running 50-minute tests.

Results

It is revealed that during the last 20 minutes of the tests, the response time increased by 20%, and during the last 12.5 minutes, the error rate increased by 7% on average.

Conclusion

The proper start time for the rest period can be identified by setting a limit on the error rate or response time.

Application

The proposed model can be applied early in production planning to decrease the negative effects of mental fatigue by predicting the operator performance. It can also be used for determining the rest breaks in the design phase without an operator in the loop.
Process improvement for out-of-autoclave prepreg curing supported by in-situ strain monitoring
Authors: Takagaki Kazunori , Hisada Shinsaku , Minakuchi Shu , Takeda Nobuo
Published: October 2016

Vacuum-bag-only curing is an attractive out-of-autoclave method as an alternative to conventional autoclave curing. Previous extensive researches provided great insight into void formation during the vacuum-bag-only method and these findings are reflected in current vacuum-bag-only cure cycles to minimize void content. Cure process can be further improved by taking into consideration cure-induced residual stress/strain. The present paper proposed a residual stress/strain reduction method and evaluated its effectiveness using a commercially available vacuum-bag-only material by fiber-optic-based in-situ strain monitoring and tensile tests. First, cure process monitoring and tensile tests were conducted for the manufacturer’s recommended cure cycle. Cure process monitoring showed that the material vitrifies during post-cure temperature dwell. Furthermore, the tensile test revealed that the vacuum-bag-only material has lower strength than conventional autoclave materials, suggesting the importance of the effect of cure-induced residual stress/strain. Then, two cure cycles were proposed based on the findings from the manufacturer’s recommended cure cycle tests and a cure kinetics model. In the proposed cycles, resin vitrifies at a lower temperature than the manufacturer’s recommended cure cycle, leading to reduced residual stress/strain. Cure process monitoring and tensile test results for the new cycles showed that the residual strain was reduced by 12–18%, and the strength was increased by 26% in the best case. Moreover, void content was not significantly affected by changing the cure cycle. Although vacuum-bag-only material was used in this research, the proposed concept can be widely applied for autoclave cures and other types of vacuum-bag-only processes with slight modification.
Preparation and characterization of high-performance wood polymer nanocomposites using multi-walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Kaymakci Alperen , Ayrilmis Nadir , Gulec Turker , Tufan Mursit
Published: October 2016

Effect of industrial grade multi-walled carbon nanotubes on mechanical, decay, and thermal properties of wood polymer nanocomposites was investigated. To meet this objective, pine wood flour, polypropylene with and without coupling agent (maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene), and multi-walled carbon nanotube (0, 1, 3, 5 wt%) were compounded in a twin screw co-rotating extruder. The mass ratio of the wood flour to polypropylene was 50/50 (w/w) in all compounds. Test specimens were produced using injection molding machine from the pellets. The flexural and tensile properties, biological durability, and thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry) of the nanocomposites were investigated. The flexural and tensile properties of the wood polymer nanocomposites increased with increasing content of the industrial grade multi-walled carbon nanotubes (from 1 to 5 wt%) and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (3 wt%). The mass loss rates of the wood polymer nanocomposites decreased with increasing amounts of the maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene and industrial grade multi-walled carbon nanotube. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the melt crystallization enthalpies of the wood polymer nanocomposites increased with increasing amount of the industrial grade multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The increase in the Tc indicated that the industrial grade multi-walled carbon nanotubes were the efficient nucleating agent for the wood polymer nanocomposites.
Multi-scale density detection for yarn-dyed fabrics with deformed repeat patterns
Authors: Zheng Dejun , Wang Lingheng
Published: October 2016

A new method combining the characteristics of macro-scale texture repeat patterns and micro-scale interwoven yarns of fabric images was proposed for yarn-dyed fabric density detection. The method was formulated in a research framework of multi-scale image processing and analysis. Firstly, a structure–texture decomposition approach was used to extract texture information and woven pattern details from the macro-scale fabric image. Secondly, a texture unit detection model was proposed to extract the texture units and to detect the yarn skewness in these texture units. Thirdly, a simple yet effective image registration method and a lightness gradient projection method were adopted to analyze the micro-scale fabric image and obtain the yarn locations in a texture unit. Finally, the average fabric density was calculated by coupling the near-regular features of texture units and yarn locations. The experiments showed that the proposed method was effective in detecting hundreds of yarns in the fabric samples and the computation time was very reasonable.
Fitness to stand trial evaluation challenges in the United States: Some comparisons with South Africa
Authors: Gowensmith W Neil , Robinson Kevin P
Published: October 2016

Like the Republic of South Africa, the United States faces serious challenges regarding fitness to stand trial evaluations, including long waitlists for individuals awaiting such evaluations. Some similarities exist between the RSA and US evaluation systems, including an increasing number of referrals for fitness to stand trial evaluations, limited evaluator resources, and concerns about the significant restrictions on civil liberties for those awaiting evaluation. Recently, the United States has implemented several different solutions to address these issues. These have included broadening the eligibility requirements for fitness to stand trial evaluators, utilizing localized and short-term settings for fitness to stand trial evaluations, and a host of other ideas. This article examines these different solutions, discusses their relevance and potential effectiveness for the RSA evaluation system, and makes recommendations for consideration by policy makers and mental health professionals.
The Eyes Are the Windows to the Mind
Authors: Khalid Saara , Deska Jason C. , Hugenberg Kurt
Published: October 2016

Eye gaze is a potent source of social information with direct eye gaze signaling the desire to approach and averted eye gaze signaling avoidance. In the current work, we proposed that eye gaze signals whether or not to impute minds into others. Across four studies, we manipulated targets’ eye gaze (i.e., direct vs. averted eye gaze) and measured explicit mind ascriptions (Study 1a, Study 1b, and Study 2) and beliefs about the likelihood of targets having mind (Study 3). In all four studies, we find novel evidence that the ascription of sophisticated humanlike minds to others is signaled by the display of direct eye gaze relative to averted eye gaze. Moreover, we provide evidence suggesting that this differential mentalization is due, at least in part, to beliefs that direct gaze targets are more likely to instigate social interaction. In short, eye contact triggers mind perception.
Underweight Status Is an Independent Predictor of In‐Hospital Mortality in Pediatric Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Anton‐Martin Pilar , Papacostas Michael , Lee Elisabeth , Nakonezny Paul A. , Green Michael L.
Published: October 2016

Background: Malnutrition is associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Children requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support represent an extremely ill subset of this population. There is a lack of data on the impact of nutrition state on survival in this cohort. We examined the association between being underweight and in‐hospital mortality among children supported with ECMO. Materials and Methods: This article reports on an observational retrospective cohort study performed among neonatal and pediatric patients supported with ECMO in a tertiary children’s hospital from May 1996 through June 2013. Nutrition status on intensive care unit admission was defined with z scores on weight for length and body mass index. Results: Patients (N = 491) had a median age of 31 days (interquartile range, 2–771): 24.4% were underweight, and 8.9% were obese. During ECMO support, 88.3% received total parenteral nutrition, and 30.3% received enteral nutrition. Median maximum energy intake while receiving ECMO was 82 kcal/kg/d (interquartile range, 54.7–105). Multiple logistic regression showed that underweight status was associated with increased predicted odds of in‐hospital mortality when compared with normal weight (odds ratio: 1.99, 95% confidence interval: 1.21–3.25, P = .006). Other factors associated with increased odds of mortality included extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the need for continuous renal replacement therapy. Conclusion: Underweight status was an independent predictor for in‐hospital mortality in our cohort of pediatric ECMO patients. Prospective studies evaluating the impact of metabolic state of children on ECMO should further define this relationship.
When Wanting To Be Fair Is Not Enough: The Effects of Depletion and Self-Appraisal Gaps on Fair Behavior
Authors: Whiteside David B. , Barclay Laurie J.
Published: October 2016

Ensuring that managers engage in fair behaviors is critical for the effective functioning of organizations. Previous research has focused on increasing the enactment of interactional justice (i.e., justice as a dependent variable) by enhancing managers’ willingness to be fair. Drawing upon the limited strength model of self-regulation, we argue that the enactment of interactional justice may not depend solely on managers’ willingness or motivation but also on the extent to which managers have the self-regulatory resources required to engage in these behaviors. Using four experimental studies, our results indicate that the depletion of self-regulatory resources is negatively associated with the enactment of interactional justice. Furthermore, we argue that depletion can give rise to self-appraisal gaps (i.e., individuals’ ability to accurately appraise the fairness of their behavior is hampered), which can diminish the impetus to regulate fair behaviors (i.e., diminish interactional justice). Results provide support for self-appraisal gaps as an underlying explanation for why depletion can negatively affect the enactment of interactional justice. Moreover, the negative effects of depletion can be overcome by increasing managers’ awareness that they may be overestimating the fairness of their behavior. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Where to Seek Strategic Assets for Competitive Catch-up? A configurational study of emerging multinational enterprises expanding into foreign strategic factor markets
Authors: Cui Lin , Fan Di , Liu Xiaohui , Li Yi
Published: October 2016

Emerging multinational enterprises (EMNEs) often engage in strategic-asset-seeking foreign direct investment (FDI) for competitive catch-up. This study explores the linkages between an EMNE’s competitive scenario consisting of a configuration of its awareness-motivation-capability (AMC) conditions and the comparative institutional advantages of its strategic-asset-seeking destination. Our configurational analyses of Chinese FDIs in the technology-intensive industries of OECD countries reveal a taxonomy of four distinct asset-seeking strategies of EMNEs. Our findings shed novel insights into the strategic variations within EMNEs based on a theoretically and methodologically extended AMC framework. This study also extends the varieties of capitalism literature by addressing the implications of comparative institutional advantages for foreign entrants, rather than domestic incumbent firms.
Teacher Voice
Authors: Hopkins Paul
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this study was to determine how K-12 public school teachers perceive the use of student performance data in teacher evaluations. The proprietary, utility, feasibility, and accuracy standards created by the Joint Committee on Standards for Education Evaluation served as a framework for the study. An online survey was deployed to a random stratified sample of teachers across the United States. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were used to determine the level of teacher agreement on statements.