bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2)
Authors: Gelaro Ronald , McCarty Will , Suárez Max J. , Todling Ricardo , Molod Andrea , Takacs Lawrence , Randles Cynthia A. , Darmenov Anton , Bosilovich Michael G. , Reichle Rolf , Wargan Krzysztof , Coy Lawrence , Cullather Richard , Draper Clara , Akella Santha , Buchard Virginie , Conaty Austin , da Silva Arlindo M. , Gu Wei , Kim Gi-Kong , Koster Randal , Lucchesi Robert , Merkova Dagmar , Nielsen Jon Eric , Partyka Gary , Pawson Steven , Putman William , Rienecker Michele , Schubert Siegfried D. , Sienkiewicz Meta , Zhao Bin
Published: May 2017

The Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2), is the latest atmospheric reanalysis of the modern satellite era produced by NASA’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO). MERRA-2 assimilates observation types not available to its predecessor, MERRA, and includes updates to the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) model and analysis scheme so as to provide a viable ongoing climate analysis beyond MERRA’s terminus. While addressing known limitations of MERRA, MERRA-2 is also intended to be a development milestone for a future integrated Earth system analysis (IESA) currently under development at GMAO. This paper provides an overview of the MERRA-2 system and various performance metrics. Among the advances in MERRA-2 relevant to IESA are the assimilation of aerosol observations, several improvements to the representation of the stratosphere including ozone, and improved representations of cryospheric processes. Other improvements in the quality of MERRA-2 compared with MERRA include the reduction of some spurious trends and jumps related to changes in the observing system and reduced biases and imbalances in aspects of the water cycle. Remaining deficiencies are also identified. Production of MERRA-2 began in June 2014 in four processing streams and converged to a single near-real-time stream in mid-2015. MERRA-2 products are accessible online through the NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data Information Services Center (GES DISC).
Genesis of Super Cyclone Pam (2015): Modulation of Low-Frequency Large-Scale Circulations and the Madden–Julian Oscillation by Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies
Authors: Nakano Masuo , Kubota Hisayuki , Miyakawa Tomoki , Nasuno Tomoe , Satoh Masaki
Published: May 2017

Super Cyclone Pam (2015) formed in the central tropical Pacific under conditions that included El Niño Modoki and the passage of a convectively enhanced phase of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) in the western Pacific. This study examines the influence that sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) have on the MJO and low-frequency large-scale circulation, and establishes how they modulated the genesis of Pam. Two series of numerical experiments were conducted by using a nonhydrostatic global atmospheric model with observed (OBSSST) and climatological (CLMSST) SSTs. The results suggested that low-frequency westerly winds at 850 hPa (U850) were intensified in the central tropical Pacific due to the observed SSTA. The amplitude of the MJO simulated in OBSSST was larger than in CLMSST. In addition, the experiments initialized 26 February–2 March exhibited that the phase of the MJO in OBSSST was ahead of that in CLMSST, and that the genesis location in OBSSST was ~10° to the east of that in CLMSST. An analysis of large-scale fields indicated that a positive U850 maintained by SSTAs and intensification of U850 by the MJO modified distribution of large-scale cyclonic vorticity and precipitable water. These changes in large-scale fields modified the location and timing of intensification of the disturbance that become Pam and resulted in Pam’s genesis location being 10° farther east with slight impact on its genesis probability. Additional experiments showed that SSTAs in the central tropical Pacific were the dominant cause of modifications to large-scale fields, the MJO, and Pam’s genesis location.
The 6 May 2010 Elevated Supercell during VORTEX2
Authors: MacIntosh Christopher W. , Parker Matthew D.
Published: May 2017

An elevated supercell from the second Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX2) on 6 May 2010 is investigated. Observations show that the supercell formed over a stable inversion and was likely decoupled from the surface. Quintessential features of a supercell were present, including a hook echo (albeit bent anticyclonically) and midlevel mesocyclone, and the storm was quasi steady during the observing period. A weak surface cold pool formed, but it was apparently devoid of air originating from midlevels. Idealized modeling using near-storm soundings is employed to clarify the structure and maintenance of this supercell. The simulated storm is decoupled from the surface by the stable layer. Additionally, the reflectivity structure of the simulated supercell is strikingly similar to the observed storm, including its peculiar anticyclonic-curving hook echo. Air parcels above 1 km reached their LFCs as a result of the simulated supercell’s own dynamic lifting, which likely maintained the main updraft throughout its life. In contrast, low-level air in the simulation followed an “up–down” trajectory, being lifted dynamically within the stable layer before becoming strongly negatively buoyant and descending back to the surface. Up–down parcels originating in the lowest 100 m are shown to be a potential driver of severe surface winds. The complementary observations and simulations highlight a range of processes that may act in concert to maintain supercells in environments lacking surface-based CAPE.
An analysis of trends in publications on ‘tobacco control’
Authors: Unutmaz Durmuşoğlu Zeynep Didem , Kocabey Çiftçi Pınar
Published: May 2017

Objectives:

Publications on tobacco control were quantitatively analysed to gain insight into the essential characteristics of the research field and trends and patterns in publication activities. The goal was to detect changes in the number of publications before and after the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) was introduced.

Study design:

A bibliometric analysis was performed to assess the current status and research themes of tobacco control papers listed in the Web of Science database published between 1990 and 2015.

Methods:

Quantitative analyses were conducted to investigate publication activities, geographic distribution and individuals’ research fields within tobacco control.

Results:

The number of publications on tobacco control was over 81 times higher in 2015 than in 1990. At least 50% of the papers were published by authors in high-income countries. In addition, in the first 5 years after the WHO FCTC was introduced, publications on tobacco control increased considerably and the first publications from authors from Malaysia and Uruguay appeared. Researchers from the Americas Region of WHO contributed to the field much more frequently than those from the other five WHO regions.

Conclusion:

Findings from this study suggest that researchers’ interest from most countries increased after the WHO FCTC was introduced. However, research outputs from low- and middle-income countries remained comparatively low. Promoting more interest in tobacco control among researchers in these countries may help control the future prevalence of smoking.
The Making of Everyday Heroes: Women’s Experiences With Transformation and Integration
Authors: Ross Susan L.
Published: May 2017

Heroes are not born heroic. They achieve prominence because they dare to enter into a voyage to become an entirely different human being: to transform. What happens to the hero on return? This is a qualitative investigation into the experience of integrating a transformative journey in the lives of seven women, 1 to 3 years after life-changing travel. The method used was cooperative inquiry, a heuristic approach involving cycles of action and reflection to construct knowledge based on shared lived experiences and group analysis. Coresearchers convened over a period of 13 months to examine the question, “What is our experience of integrating transformation?” Findings yielded an underlying pattern comprising nine phases: (1) displacement, (2) grief and denial, (3) disorientation, (4) dismemberment, (5) surrender and healing, (6) birth, (7) abundance and creativity, (8) power, and (9) integration. A major outcome identifies the integration of transformation as a feminine descent into one’s underworld, delineating a feminine complement to the already well-documented hero’s journey. One unexpected result shows that in combination, the journey’s ascent (transformative peak experiences) cultivates one’s masculine; the descent (integrative deep experiences) develops one’s feminine. Together, these rounds form an upright figure eight, a wholly realized transformation.
Solving the teacher shortage
Authors: Berry Barnett , Shields Patrick M.
Published: May 2017

Two decades ago, at a time when much of the country faced looming teacher shortages, a number of states invested in comprehensive strategies for strengthening the teaching profession. For example, and drawing upon recommendations from the National Commission on Teaching & America’s Future, both California and North Carolina built statewide teacher recruitment centers, launched new mentoring and induction programs for beginning teachers, and created incentives for veteran teachers to seek national board certification. However, while such efforts were successful, they were gradually dismantled, mainly for political reasons — and it will take effective political advocacy to reinstate them.
Burnout factories
Authors: Fusco Mark
Published: May 2017

In its well-intentioned effort to create alternatives to public school dropout factories, the charter school sector has created teacher burnout factories. But it does not have to be this way. Charter schools can continue to maintain high standards while creating a more sustainable work environment for teachers. This article examines the teacher burnout issue as a larger national trend, discusses its particularly toxic effect on the author’s school, Hyde Leadership Charter School in New York City, and describes an effort to improve retention among that school’s faculty.
The power and potential of teacher residencies
Authors: Guha Roneeta , Hyler Maria E. , Darling-Hammond Linda
Published: May 2017

Teacher residency programs (modeled after the clinical residency model in medical training) show great promise in helping local school systems build a highly capable and diverse teaching workforce. Jointly run by districts and nearby universities, these programs recruit teaching candidates, pair them with carefully selected mentor teachers, and give them a gradual introduction to classroom instruction while simultaneously moving them through a graduate-level course of study. While such programs are not yet widespread — since the first residency was launched in 2001, roughly 50 others have been created nationwide — early research findings suggest they provide an effective means of recruiting, preparing, supporting, and retaining excellent teachers.
Show what you know
Authors: Brown Dan , Rhodes Dwight E.
Published: May 2017

Educators Rising, an initiative of PDK International, has developed five microcredentials that allow aspiring teachers to demonstrate what they know and are able to do through experiences very similar to what professional teachers do every day.
Valuing differences:
Authors: Rentenbach Barb , Prislovsky Lois , Gabriel Rachael
Published: May 2017

K-12 educators often overlook the needs, talents, and skills of neurodiverse learners, including students with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. However, while such human differences tend to be misunderstood and even pathologized, there are distinct strengths associated with each unique neurological design. Drawing on their own experiences as students, educators, and researchers, the authors discuss ways in which teachers can empower different thinkers to participate in and contribute to mainstream life, thought, and culture.
Highlighted & Underlined
Authors: Richardson Joan
Published: May 2017

Writing in the New York Times, Susan Cain warns against the constant glorification of leadership, arguing that the country needs good followers. Now more than ever, argue Harvard researchers, the public schools must be steadfast in their commitment to providing all children and not just the privileged few with meaningful opportunities to learn deeply. A study reports on the decline of teacher tenure in Louisiana. A new initiative offers guidance to prevent bullying in schools.
Leadership
Authors: Starr Joshua P.
Published: May 2017

Far too many reformers have assumed that school improvement is mainly a technical design challenge that can be addressed with organizational structures and systems. School change is actually an adaptive process in which individuals must identify and solve problems together. The primary responsibility of a leader is ensuring that educators are empowered to learn together about how to improve their work and their schools.
Under The Law
Authors: Underwood Julie
Published: May 2017

FERPA — the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act — protects student privacy by laying out when and how education records that are maintained by the school can be used within and outside of the school district and when student records can be released. FERPA’s goal is to prevent unauthorized disclosure of students’ personally identifiable information. School employees (and school attorneys) handle student records and data according to FERPA every day. But the law was enacted in 1974, before digital recordkeeping, big data, texts, email, the internet, and easy digital transmission of information, which means that much about FERPA is now outdated.
Backtalk
Authors: van der Veen Stacey , Furtak Erin Marie
Published: May 2017

Inviting teachers to “think like a 5th grader” is a misguided effort frequently employed by PD facilitators. Experiencing learning as an adult with the depth of understanding that teachers have about learning is a much smarter strategy. When teachers themselves struggle to learn and when they reflect upon those struggles, they will uncover new understandings about the best way to teach 5th graders. The authors advise using formative assessments when teachers want to know what students understand and where they struggle.
Transformative Leadership: Lessons Learned Through Intergenerational Dialogue
Authors: Generett Gretchen Givens , Welch Olga M.
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this article is twofold. First, it sheds light on an intergenerational leadership process experienced by two African American women. This piece is a leadership story situated within a School of Education in higher education that describes the challenges faced by a Dean with many over 10 years in the role and a newly minted Associate Dean. The influence and impact of intergenerational dialogues is described as a meaningful and necessary process to better understand leadership in institutions of higher education.
“C’mon, Get Happy”: The Commodification of Linguistic Stereotypes in a Volkswagen Super Bowl Commercial
Authors: Lopez Qiuana , Hinrichs Lars
Published: May 2017

This article examines a national Volkswagen commercial, broadcast on American television during the 2013 Super Bowl, and the intense public debate that met it. It shows a cheerful European American owner of a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle, who despite being from Minnesota speaks in a Jamaican Creole (JC) accent with features of Rastafarian speech. The focus of analysis is the linguistic performance of the JC as well as the linguistic reception by American and Jamaican audience members. The linguistic analysis reveals that the primary objective in how the character uses forms of JC is not linguistic authenticity, but simply to index Jamaican culture and identity through selective feature use. Our discourse analysis of the ad’s reception shows that linguistic ideologies, including ideas about what constitutes linguistic racism, vary widely among American viewers and are generally divided along racial lines. On the other hand, Jamaican viewers were found to have a more homogenous perspective. We conclude that the selection of non-local racialized stereotypes as the target of cross-racial stylization practices complicate, but do not eliminate, modern types of linguistic minstrelsy.
Do Financial Experts on the Board Matter? An Empirical Test From the United Kingdom’s Non-Life Insurance Industry
Authors: Adams Mike , Jiang Wei
Published: May 2017

We examine the relation between board-level financial expertise and six measures of performance using panel data drawn from the United Kingdom’s non-life insurance industry. We find that collectively, financial experts have a beneficial influence on the performance outcomes of insurers. We also observe that board-level qualified accountants and actuaries are linked with superior performance in all six of our selected financial outcome measures. Professional insurance underwriters are associated with sound solvency levels (low leverage) and underwriting results, but not positive earnings-based measures. This suggests that underwriters may not be as adept at group-level earnings enhancement as accountants and actuaries. In addition, we find that the introduction of IFRS 4 in 2004/2005 did not have a significant impact on board composition and financial outcomes. Finally, we consider that our results could have commercial and/or policy implications.
Discrete Trial Teaching Interventions for Students With Autism
Authors: Cardinal Jennifer R. , Gabrielsen Terisa P. , Young Ellie L. , Hansen Blake D. , Kellems Ryan , Hoch Hannah , Nicksic-Springer Taryn , Knorr James
Published: May 2017

Delivering individualized learning interventions to students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is daunting for education professionals already stretched to capacity meeting needs of all of their students. Paraprofessionals (paraeducators) can assume integral roles in classroom support and management, but they may not be consistently trained in delivery of specialized intervention and instructional methods. We looked at using the technology of web-based video modeling with additional brief, in-person verbal corrective feedback to increase fidelity in paraprofessionals’ delivery of instruction using discrete trial teaching (DTT), an applied behavioral analysis (ABA) intervention for youth with ASD that has extensive research showing effectiveness. Students ( n = 4) were ages 6–11 with ASD and mild to moderate intellectual disability. Paraprofessionals ( n = 4) had minimal or no prior training in DTT or ABA. Over 4–6 weeks, results included large effect sizes for fidelity improvement of paraprofessionals and skill improvement in students. By the end of the intervention, all paraprofessionals reached 90% fidelity. Social validity was strongly endorsed by the paraprofessionals. These results have implications for schools with skilled personnel shortages, particularly in rural and other underserved areas.
Is Deference the Price of Being Seen as Reasonable? How Status Hierarchies Incentivize Acceptance of Low Status
Authors: Ridgeway Cecilia L. , Nakagawa Sandra
Published: May 2017

High-status members are incentivized to contribute to a group’s collective endeavors by the deference and influence they receive. But what incentives do groups offer low-status members for their continued participation and deference to high-status others? We develop and test a theoretical account of how the implicit cultural rules for status hierarchies create a modest incentive system for deference to those deemed more valuable to the collective effort. Such deference endorses the group’s shared expectations for what is perceived to be validly better. The group responds by granting the deferrer a modicum of respect: the dignity of being seen as reasonable. This respect reaction acts as an incentive system that tempts the low-status person to stay involved in the group’s endeavor despite being less valued. Three experiments confirm that low-status members anticipate receiving and higher-status members offer such reactions of respect and reasonableness for low-status deference, and these reactions increase low-status members’ commitment to the group. A fourth study with a nationally representative sample supports the robustness of these findings.
Functional Measures for Fall Risk in the Acute Care Setting: A Review
Authors: Bassett Alaina M. , Siu Ka-Chun , Honaker Julie A.
Published: May 2017

This review explores the evidence pertaining to the use of functional ability measures for fall risk in the acute care setting. We included studies from six bibliographic databases that investigated fall risk functional ability measures in hospitalized older adults (≥55 years). We utilized the following search terms: acute care, subacute care, critical care, inpatient, fall, and fall prevention. Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Timed “Up and Go” (TUG) was identified as a feasible fall risk functional ability measure for clinicians; it demonstrated clinical performance of fair sensitivity (56%-68%) and good specificity (74%-80%). Clinical performance of other measures (Berg Balance Scale and Functional Reach test) was not as favorable as the TUG. Functional ability measures are underutilized in the acute care setting, potentially due to limited knowledge and training on administration. Combining functional measures with subjective screening tools may optimize performance and accuracy of identifying fall risk identification.
Variables of Individual Difference and the Experience of Touch in Nursing
Authors: Pedrazza Monica , Berlanda Sabrina , Trifiletti Elena , Minuzzo Stefania
Published: May 2017

We aim to investigate nurses’ feelings of comfort or discomfort with three different types of touch: task-oriented contact, touch promoting physical comfort, and touch providing emotional containment. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 198 nurses. We present results of multiple regression analysis identifying some antecedents of nurses’ feelings of comfort with touch, namely, attachment style, worry, gender, and length of service. Worry is negatively associated with task-oriented contact and touch promoting physical comfort. Attachment security and length of service are associated with comfort with touch aimed at emotional containment; female nurses feel more comfortable than male nurses in performing this type of touch. Practical implications of findings are discussed in relation to the promotion of focused training courses for practitioners who are willing to improve the quality of care services.
PepsinA as a Marker of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Detected in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients
Authors: Ren Jian‐jun , Zhao Yu , Wang Jing , Ren Xue , Xu Yang , Tang Wenlong , He Zhaoping
Published: May 2017

Objectives

We aimed to confirm the presence of pepsinA in the nasal secretions and tissues of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients and reveal the relationship between CRS and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

The study was conducted at the Department of Oto‐Rhino‐Laryngology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University.

Subjects and Methods

A total of 32 CRS patients with or without nasal polyps (CRSwNP and CRSsNP, respectively) and 10 normal controls were enrolled in our study. We investigated the expression of pepsinA in the nasal tissues, secretions, and blood plasma from the subjects by immunohistochemical staining, Western blot, or ELISA. Additionally, the expressions of MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC5B, MUC8, and pepsinogenA in nasal tissue were evaluated by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Immunohistochemistry and Western blot revealed that the pepsinA expression levels in the turbinate mucosa in CRSwNP/CRSsNP patients, which were largely restricted to the epithelial layer or glandular mucous cells in nasal tissues, were significantly higher than those in controls and in the polyp tissues of CRSwNP patients (P <. 05). In addition, the concentration of pepsinA in nasal secretions was significantly increased in the CRSwNP (147.85 ± 53.69 ng/mL, P <. 001) and CRSsNP (134.12 ± 36.23 ng/mL, P <. 001) groups as compared with the controls (68.69 ± 19.28 ng/mL). Although MUC5AC, MUC5B, and MUC8 expression differed among the groups, no correlation between pepsinA and mucin genes was found.

Conclusion

The results of this study provided evidence of an association between LPR and CRS, although no correlation was found to exist between LPR and mucin genes in CRS patients.
How do parents facilitate or inhibit adolescent disclosure? The role of adolescents’ psychological needs satisfaction
Authors: Tokić Milaković Ana , Glatz Terese , Pećnik Ninoslava
Published: May 2017

The aim of the study was to test whether the correlation between parental behaviors in the context of adolescent disclosure and adolescents’ self-reported disclosure could be explained by fulfillment of adolescents’ basic psychological needs within their relationships with mothers and fathers. The cross-sectional data were collected from a representative sample of 1,074 seventh graders in Croatia. Parental facilitating behaviors (initiating conversation, support and respectful guidance) and some of the inhibiting behaviors (unavailability, punishment) were shown to be indirectly associated with adolescents’ disclosure through the perceptions of their needs satisfaction. The assumption about the unique contribution of the need-for-relatedness satisfaction in mediating the link between parental behaviors and disclosure was consistently supported, whereas the specific contribution of the need-for-autonomy was apparent only in data about mothers, but not fathers. The results are equivalent for routine disclosure and self-disclosure, suggesting that the processes through which parents facilitate or inhibit both are rather comparable.
“Gay capital” in gay student friendship networks
Authors: Morris Max
Published: May 2017

This article draws on qualitative interviews with 40 gay male undergraduates at four universities across England to explore the dynamics of participants’ friendship networks in the context of decreased homophobia. Describing their schools and universities as gay-friendly spaces, most participants developed close friendships with both straight and sexual minority peers in spontaneous ways, away from institutional venues such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender student societies. Building on Bourdieu’s conceptualization of the symbolic economy of class, I introduce a new concept to understand how having a visible gay identity can act as a form of privilege in inclusive, post-gay social fields: gay capital. Through shared knowledge of gay cultures, belonging to gay social networks, and having one’s gay identity recognized as a form of prestige, gay capital supplements cultural, social, and symbolic forms of capital. These findings trouble traditional generalizations of gay youth as victimized due to their sexual minority status. However, finding that participants’ experiences differed across the four research settings, this article also develops an intersectional analysis by highlighting that access to gay capital is limited by other forms of class, gender, and sexual hierarchy.
Toward a bioethical framework for antibiotic use, antimicrobial resistance and for empirically designing ethically robust strategies to protect human health: a research protocol
Authors: Hernández-Marrero Pablo , Martins Pereira Sandra , de Sá Brandão Patrícia Joana , Araújo Joana , Carvalho Ana Sofia
Published: May 2017

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a challenging global and public health issue, raising bioethical challenges, considerations and strategies.

Objectives

This research protocol presents a conceptual model leading to formulating an empirically based bioethics framework for antibiotic use, AMR and designing ethically robust strategies to protect human health.

Methods

Mixed methods research will be used and operationalized into five substudies. The bioethical framework will encompass and integrate two theoretical models: global bioethics and ethical decision-making.

Results

Being a study protocol, this article reports on planned and ongoing research.

Conclusions

Based on data collection, future findings and using a comprehensive, integrative, evidence-based approach, a step-by-step bioethical framework will be developed for (i) responsible use of antibiotics in healthcare and (ii) design of strategies to decrease AMR. This will entail the analysis and interpretation of approaches from several bioethical theories, including deontological and consequentialist approaches, and the implications of uncertainty to these approaches.
Short-term application of dexamethasone on stem cells derived from human gingiva reduces the expression of RUNX2 and β-catenin
Authors: Kim Bo-Bae , Kim Minji , Park Yun-Hee , Ko Youngkyung , Park Jun-Beom
Published: May 2017

Objective

Next-generation sequencing was performed to evaluate the effects of short-term application of dexamethasone on human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Methods

Human gingiva-derived stem cells were treated with a final concentration of 10−7 M dexamethasone and the same concentration of vehicle control. This was followed by mRNA sequencing and data analysis, gene ontology and pathway analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction of mRNA, and western blot analysis of RUNX2 and β-catenin.

Results

In total, 26,364 mRNAs were differentially expressed. Comparison of the results of dexamethasone versus control at 2 hours revealed that 7 mRNAs were upregulated and 25 mRNAs were downregulated. The application of dexamethasone reduced the expression of RUNX2 and β-catenin in human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Conclusion

The effects of dexamethasone on stem cells were evaluated with mRNA sequencing, and validation of the expression was performed with qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. The results of this study can provide new insights into the role of mRNA sequencing in maxillofacial areas.
Proton Density Fat-Fraction of Rotator Cuff Muscles Is Associated With Isometric Strength 10 Years After Rotator Cuff Repair: A Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study of the Shoulder
Authors: Karampinos Dimitrios C. , Holwein Christian , Buchmann Stefan , Baum Thomas , Ruschke Stefan , Gersing Alexandra S. , Sutter Reto , Imhoff Andreas B. , Rummeny Ernst J. , Jungmann Pia M.
Published: May 2017

Background:

Quantitative muscle fat-fraction magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques correlate with semiquantitative Goutallier scores with failure after rotator cuff (RC) repair.

Purpose:

To investigate the relationship of proton density fat fraction (PDFF) of the RC muscles with semiquantitative MR scores, cartilage T2 relaxation times, and clinical isometric strength measurements in patients 10 years after unilateral RC repair.

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Bilateral shoulder MR imaging was performed in 13 patients (11 male, 2 female; age, 72 ± 8 years) 10.9 ± 0.4 years after unilateral autologous periosteal flap augmented RC repair (total shoulders assessed, N = 26). Goutallier classification, muscle atrophy, RC tendon integrity, and cartilage defects were determined based on morphological MR sequences. A paracoronal 2D multi-slice multi-echo sequence was used for quantitative cartilage T2 mapping. A chemical shift-encoding-based water-fat separation technique (based on a 6-echo 3D spoiled gradient echo sequence) was used for quantification of the PDFF of RC muscles. Isometric shoulder abduction strength was measured clinically. Mean and SD, Pearson correlation, and partial Spearman correlation were calculated.

Results:

There were 6 RC full-thickness retears in ipsilateral shoulders and 6 RC full-thickness tears in contralateral shoulders. Isometric shoulder abduction strength was not significantly different between ipsilateral and contralateral shoulders (50 ± 24 N vs 54 ± 24 N; P = .159). The mean PDFF of RC muscles was 11.7% ± 10.4% (ipsilateral, 14.2% ± 8.5%; contralateral, 9.2% ± 7.8%; P = .002). High supraspinatus PDFF correlated significantly with higher Goutallier scores ( R = 0.75, P < .001) and with lower isometric muscle strength ( R = −0.49, P = .011). This correlation remained significant after adjustment for muscle area measurements and tendon rupture ( R = −0.41, P = .048). More severe cartilage defects at the humerus were significantly associated with higher supraspinatus PDFF ( R = 0.44; P = .023). Cartilage T2 values did not correlate with muscle PDFF ( P > .05).

Conclusion:

MR imaging–derived RC muscle PDFF is associated with isometric strength independent of muscle atrophy and tendon rupture in shoulders with early and advanced degenerative changes. It therefore provides complementary, clinically relevant information in tracking RC muscle composition on a quantitative level.
Handgrip Strength Is Associated With Treatment Modifications During Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation in Patients With Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Lakenman Patty , Ottens‐Oussoren Karen , Witvliet‐van Nierop Jill , van der Peet Donald , de van der Schueren Marian
Published: May 2017

Rationale: It has been shown that early nutrition intervention improves nutrition status (NS) and treatment tolerance in patients with esophageal cancer. However, it remains unknown whether pretreatment parameters of NS are associated with treatment modifications (TMs) during neoadjuvant chemoradiation (CR) in patients who are intensively nutritionally supervised during treatment. Methods:All outpatients with esophageal cancer who were scheduled for CR in the VU medical center from 2006–2015 were included. NS was assessed by body mass index (BMI), weight loss in the past 6 months (WL), fat mass index (FMI) and fat‐free mass index (FFMI), handgrip strength (HGS), and energy/protein intake. Logistic regression analyses, adjusted for age, sex, previous tumor, tumor stage, and physical status, were applied. TMs were defined as delay, dose reduction or discontinuation of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, hospitalization, or mortality (yes/no). Results: In total, 162 patients were included (73% male; mean age 65 ± 9 years). Mean BMI was 25.1 ± 4.5 kg/m2, and WL was 4.8 ± 5.1 kg. HGS and FFMI were below the 10th percentile of reference values in 21 and 37 patients, respectively. Thirty‐five (22%) patients experienced at least 1 TM during CR; unplanned hospitalization (n = 18, 11%) was the most prevalent. After adjustments for confounders, only HGS was statistically significantly associated with TMs (odds ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.88–1.00). Conclusion: In this group of intensively supervised patients with esophageal cancer, pretreatment parameters of NS had little influence on TMs during CR. Only a lower HGS was associated with TMs.
A Necessary Evil? Patients’ Experiences Receiving Tube Feeding in Acute Care
Authors: Green Cara , Vandall‐Walker Virginia
Published: May 2017

Background: Tube feeding (TF) is frequently prescribed for adults admitted to acute care facilities to prevent or ameliorate malnutrition, yet little is known about patients’ needs and experiences with receiving this therapy. Patients’ perspectives regarding the factors influencing their experiences, as well as their information and support needs, are required to inform healthcare providers’ (HCPs’) patient‐centered practices. Methods: Based on an interpretive description qualitative approach, 12 unstructured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with participants admitted to acute care hospitals in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Results: Analysis of data revealed variations in participants’ perceptions of the necessity for TF and the discomfort resulting from this therapy. Perceived necessity was influenced by interrelated themes: the meaning of TF (beyond necessity), the trust held in HCPs, and the resilience of participants in response to all that they were experiencing. Collectively, these findings are encompassed within the central theme, phrased as a question, about the experience of TF: “A necessary evil?” Participants’ answers to this question revealed the nature of their overall response throughout TF therapy (ie, indifferent, resistant, relieved, or tolerant). Conclusions: The range of perceptions and the complexity of patients’ experiences during TF revealed in the data can inform HCPs’ patient‐centered approaches to TF care. Assessing and incorporating patients’ values, beliefs, needs, and goals into, and exploring their choices in, nutrition care planning can promote resilience in response to TF therapy. HCPs may then well enhance patients’ comfort and overall experience with TF therapy.
Tempered Dreams
Authors: Hanna Ashley-Marie V. , Ortega Debora
Published: May 2017

This research study explores the experience of first-generation immigrants of Mexican origin living in Denver, CO. Seven Mexican immigrants described their experiences through an in-depth interview process. The data were analyzed using a constant comparative method. The process described by the participants reflects ambivalence about living in the United States. This ambivalence stems from a conflict between their beliefs that the United States is the land of opportunity and their experiences of being unable to access opportunities because of their identity as immigrants—regardless of immigration status.
College Students’ Perceptions of Barriers to Bystander Intervention
Authors: Yule Kristen , Grych John
Published: May 2017

Sexual violence is a major problem on college campuses and is associated with a range of negative health consequences for victims. Teaching students to intervene as prosocial bystanders has become a common element of sexual assault prevention efforts; although these programs have demonstrated positive effects on participants’ beliefs and knowledge, their impact on actual behavior is weaker. Understanding the factors that inhibit intervening in risky situations may enhance the effectiveness of bystander programs by identifying material that addresses these barriers. A sample of 281 first-year college students indicated whether they had encountered 10 situations that may present elevated risk of sexual or physical assault since arriving on campus, and if so, whether they had done something to intervene. If they had not intervened, they were asked to identify the barriers that had inhibited them. Participants also completed measures of two factors proposed to predict bystander behavior, self-efficacy and emotion regulation. A majority of participants intervened in most of the situations, but only 27% of participants intervened in every situation they encountered. Men and women differed in the barriers they identified most frequently across situations, with men endorsing Perceived Responsibility more often than women, and women reporting Skill Deficits more often than men. Neither men nor women perceived Audience Inhibition to be a significant barrier; it was salient in only one of the 10 situations. Students higher in global bystander self-efficacy were more likely to intervene and less likely to report barriers related to skill deficits and perceived responsibility. These results suggest that existing bystander intervention programs efforts can be improved by fostering a greater sense of collective responsibility in students and teaching specific intervention behaviors.
Conceptual study of a dual-rocket-based-combined-cycle powered two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle
Authors: Zhang Fan , Zhang Huiqiang , Wang Bing
Published: May 2017

The liquid oxygen/methane staged cycle liquid-rocket engine is one of the most potential rocket engines in the future for its higher performance, higher fuel density and reusable capacity. Two working states of this liquid-rocket engine named as full-load state and half-load state are defined in this paper. Based on this liquid-rocket engine, a dual-rocket-based-combined-cycle propulsion system with liquid oxygen /air/methane as propellants is therefore proposed. The dual-rocket-based-combined-cycle system has then five working modes: the hybrid mode, pure ejector mode, ramjet mode, scramjet mode and pure rocket mode. In hybrid mode, the booster and ejector rockets driven by the full-load liquid-rocket engine work together with the purpose of reducing thrust demand on ejector rocket. In scramjet mode, the fuel-rich burned hot gas generated by the half-load liquid-rocket engine is used as fuel, which is helpful to reduce the technical difficulty of scramjet in hypersonic speed. The five working modes of dual-rocket-based-combined-cycle are highly integrated based on the full- or half-load state of the liquid oxygen/methane staged cycle liquid-rocket engine, and the unified single type fuel of liquid methane is adopted for the whole modes. Then a preliminary design of a horizontal takeoff two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle is conducted based on the dual-rocket-based-combined-cycle propulsion system. Under an averaged baseline thrust and specific impulse, the launch trajectory to reach a low Earth orbit at 100 km is optimized via the pseudo-spectral method subject to maximizing the payload mass. It is shown that the two-stage-to-orbit vehicle based on the dual-rocket-based-combined-cycle can achieve the payload mass fraction of 0.0469 and 0.0576 for polar mission and equatorial mission, respectively. Conclusively, insights gained in this paper can be usefully applied to a more detailed design of the dual-rocket-based-combined-cycle powered two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle.
A fast robust guidance scheme for a hypersonic vehicle in the diving phase
Authors: Wang Jian-Hua , Liu Lu-Hua , Wang Peng , Tang Guo-Jian
Published: May 2017

A fast robust dive guidance scheme for a hypersonic vehicle is proposed based on the extended state observer and sliding mode observer. The three-degree-of-freedom centroid dynamical and kinematical equations containing model and aerodynamic uncertainties are established. A novel three-dimensional coupling relative dynamical model is described based on exact coordinate transformations. The fast robust dive guidance scheme considering navigation errors and uncertainties is derived with the help of extended state observer and sliding mode observer. An optimal control allocation is adopted and the actual commands of the angle of attack and bank angle are obtained via the second order actuator model. Finally, the performance and robustness of the novel dive guidance scheme is verified and validated via an air-breathing generic hypersonic vehicle.
Shock interactions in hypersonic flows outside the sonic circle in front of a blunt body
Authors: Khatta Abhishek , Jagadeesh G
Published: May 2017

The problem of shock–shock interaction between a planar oblique shock wave and a bow shock wave is undertaken by considering a wedge and a hemispherical body in a hypersonic flow. The interaction patterns, as classified by Edney, namely Type-I, Type-II, Type-V, and Type-VI, which appear when a planar oblique shock wave interacts the bow shock wave outside the sonic circle are presented. The experiments are conducted at Mach number of 5.62, with air as test gas, in the short duration Hypersonic Shock Tunnel – 2 (HST-2) at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Schlieren visualization is used to capture and identify the shock interaction patterns. Time evolution of the flow using the schlieren images is correlated with the pitot pressure signal to mark the flow establishment and useful test time in the tunnel, during which measurements are taken. Surface convective heat transfer rates are measured using Platinum thin film technique to quantify the heat transfer rates on the surface of a blunt body in the presence of these shock interactions.
Research Microcultures as Socialization Contexts for Underrepresented Science Students
Authors: Thoman Dustin B. , Muragishi Gregg A. , Smith Jessi L.
Published: May 2017

How much does scientific research potentially help people? We tested whether prosocial-affordance beliefs (PABs) about science spread among group members and contribute to individual students’ motivation for science. We tested this question within the context of research experience for undergraduates working in faculty-led laboratories, focusing on students who belong to underrepresented minority (URM) groups. Longitudinal survey data were collected from 522 research assistants in 41 labs at six institutions. We used multilevel modeling, and results supported a socialization effect for URM students: The aggregate PABs of their lab mates predicted the students’ own initial PABs, as well as their subsequent experiences of interest and their motivation to pursue a career in science, even after controlling for individual-level PABs. Results demonstrate that research labs serve as microcultures of information about the science norms and values that influence motivation. URM students are particularly sensitive to this information. Efforts to broaden participation should be informed by an understanding of the group processes that convey such prosocial values.
“Counting votes” in public responses to scientific disputes
Authors: Johnson Branden B.
Published: May 2017

Publicized disputes between groups of scientists may force lay choices about groups’ credibility. One possible, little studied, credibility cue is vote-counting (proportions of scientists on either side): for example, “97%” of climate scientists believe in anthropogenic climate change. An online sample of 2600 Americans read a mock article about a scientific dispute, in a 13 (proportions: 100%–0%, 99%–1%, … 50%–50%, … 1%–99%, 0%–100% for Positions A and B, respectively) × 8 (scenarios: for example, dietary salt, dark matter) between-person experiment. Respondents reported reactions to the dispute, attitudes toward the topic, and views on science. Proportional information indirectly affected judged agreement but less so topic or science responses, controlling for scenarios and moderators, whether by actual proportions or differing contrasts of “consensus” versus “near-consensus.” Given little empirical research with conflicting findings, even these low effect sizes warrant further research on how vote-counting might help laypeople deal with scientific disputes.
Impact of Ownership and Size on Operational Risk Management Practices: A Study of Banks in India
Authors: Tandon Deepak , Mehra Yogieta S.
Published: May 2017

The financial crisis and resulting failure of large banks worldwide has shaken the entire world. Improper management of operational risk has been touted as one of the reasons for this failure. In light of the rising importance of operational risk management (ORM) in banks, the study explores the range of ORM practices followed by a cross section of Indian banks and compares them with the banks worldwide. The study also analyses the impact of size and ownership of banks on these practices. Reliability analysis using Cronbach alpha model, Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy and Bartlett’s test of sphericity was used to test reliability of questionnaire and justifies the use of factor analysis. Factor analysis was performed to extract the most important variables in ORM. The small size of bank was observed to be a deterrent to deep involvement of operational risk functionaries, collection and usage of external loss data and data collection and analysis. Further, the performance/preparedness of public sector and old private sector banks lagged behind peers in usage of key reporting components, such as risk and control self-assessment (RCSA), key risk indicators (KRI), scenarios, collection and usage of external loss data, data collection and analysis and quantification and modelling of operational risk.