bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Energy‐Aware Flexible Job Shop Scheduling Method Using Modified Biogeography‐Based Optimization
Authors: Zhang Hua , Dai Ziwei , Zhang Wenyu , Zhang Shuai , Wang Yan , Liu Rongyu
Published: August 2017

Industry consumes approximately half of the total worldwide energy usage. With the increasingly rising energy costs in recent years, it is critically important to consider one of the most widely used energies, electricity, during the production planning process. We propose a new mathematical model that can determine efficient scheduling to minimize the makespan and electricity consumption cost (ECC) for the flexible job shop scheduling problem (FJSSP) under a time‐of‐use (TOU) policy. In addition to the traditional two subtasks in FJSSP, a new subtask called speed selection, which represents the selection of variable operating speeds, is added. Then, a modified biogeography‐based optimization (MBBO) algorithm combined with variable neighborhood search (VNS) is proposed to solve the biobjective problem. Experiments are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed MBBO algorithm for obtaining an improved scheduling solution compared to the basic biogeography‐based optimization (BBO) algorithm, genetic algorithm (GA), and harmony search (HS).
The Antioxidative, Antiaging, and Hepatoprotective Effects of Alkali‐Extractable Polysaccharides by Agaricus bisporus
Authors: Li Shangshang , Li Juan , Zhang Jianjun , Wang Wenshuai , Wang Xiuxiu , Jing Huijuan , Ren Zhenzhen , Gao Zheng , Song Xinling , Gong Zhiyuan , Jia Le
Published: August 2017

The aim of this work was designed to investigate the antioxidant, antiaging, and hepatoprotective effects of alkali‐extractable polysaccharides (AlAPS) and their three purified fractions (AlAPS‐1, AlAPS‐2, and AlAPS‐3) from Agaricus bisporus in D‐galactose induced aging mice. For in vitro antioxidant analysis, both AlAPS and its fractions exhibited moderate reducing power, Fe2+‐chelating activities, and potent scavenging activities on hydroxyl and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. The in vivo results demonstrated that the polysaccharides, especially AlAPS‐2, showed potential antiaging and hepatoprotective effects by enhancing the antioxidant status, decreasing serum hepatic enzyme activities, and improving the lipid metabolism. This study suggested that the polysaccharides extracted and purified from A. bisporus could be exploited as a potent dietary supplement to attenuate aging and prevent age‐related diseases.
Stackelberg Interdependent Security Game in Distributed and Hierarchical Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Shen Jiajun , Feng Dongqin
Published: August 2017

With the integration of physical plant and network, cyber-physical systems (CPSs) are increasingly vulnerable due to their distributed and hierarchical framework. Stackelberg interdependent security game (SISG) is proposed for characterizing the interdependent security in CPSs, that is, the interactions between individual CPSs, which are selfish but nonmalicious with the payoff function being formulated from a cross-layer perspective. The pure-strategy equilibria for two-player symmetric SISG are firstly analyzed with the strategy gap between individual and social optimum being characterized, which is known as negative externalities. Then, the results are further extended to the asymmetric and m-player SISG. At last, a numerical case of practical experiment platform is analyzed for determining the comprehensively optimal security configuration for administrator.
A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Twice Daily PPIs versus Once Daily for Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Zhang Hongying , Yang Zhiping , Ni Zhen , Shi Yongquan
Published: August 2017

Background. To investigate whether PPIs BID is superior to QD for treatment of GERD in a short time. Methods. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, EMBASE, Ovid, EBSCO, and Web of Science databases (from 1998 to May 2016) to select RCTs, which compared the efficacy of PPIs BID versus QD for GERD. The primary outcomes were symptom relief or esophageal mucosal healing at weeks 4 and 8. The M-H method with fixed-effect or random-effect model was used to calculate RR and 95% CIs. Results. Seven RCTs were enrolled. The esophageal healing rates were higher in PPIs BID group (P=0.01), and rabeprazole 20 mg BID can achieve better mucosal healing than 20 mg QD after 8 weeks (P<0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in heartburn relief (P=0.27), sustained symptom relief rates at week 4 (P=0.05), 24 h pH monitoring after treatment (P=0.11), endoscopic response at week 4 (P=0.22), and adverse events (P=0.18). Conclusion. PPIs BID more effectively improve endoscopic healing rate at week 8 than PPIs QD. But there are no significant differences in symptom relief, 24 h pH monitoring, sustained symptom relief, and endoscopic response at week 4.
STRAP Promotes Stemness of Human Colorectal Cancer via Epigenetic Regulation of the NOTCH Pathway
Authors: Jin Lin , Vu Trung , Yuan Guandou , Datta Pran K.
Published: August 2017

NOTCH signaling exerts essential roles in normal and malignant intestinal physiology and the homeostasis of cancer stem-like cells (CSC), but the basis for this latter role remains obscure. The signaling scaffold protein STRAP is upregulated in several cancers, where it promotes tumorigenicity and metastasis. Here we report a novel oncogenic function for STRAP in maintaining CSC subpopulations in a heterogeneous mixture by antagonizing formation of the chromatin modifier PRC2 and by epigenetically activating NOTCH signals in human colorectal cancer. Silencing STRAP sensitized colorectal cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs in vitro and in vivo. STRAP depletion also contributed to a reduced stem-like phenotype of colorectal cancer cells, as indicated by reduced expression of the CSC signature and NOTCH signaling regulators in vitro and by diminished tumorigenesis in vivo. Genes encoding some upstream activators of NOTCH were highly enriched for H3K27me3, which forms repressive chromatin domains upon STRAP silencing. Mechanistically, STRAP competitively disrupted association of the PRC2 subunits EZH2 and SUZ12, thereby inhibiting PRC2 assembly. Restoring the NOTCH pathway by lentiviral expression of NICD1 or HES1 in STRAP-depleted tumor cells reversed the CSC phenotype. In 90 colorectal cancer clinical specimens, a significant positive correlation was documented between the expression of STRAP and HES1. Overall, our findings illuminated a novel STRAP–NOTCH1–HES1 molecular axis as a CSC regulator in colorectal cancer, with potential implications to improve treatment of this disease. Cancer Res; 77(20); 5464–78. ©2017 AACR.
Knockdown of Lncrna PVT1 Enhances Radiosensitivity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Sponging Mir-195
Authors: Wu Dapeng , Li Yong , Zhang Huixiang , Hu Xigang
Published: August 2017

Background/Aims: Plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) exerts an oncogenic role in many tumors, including lung cancer. However, the roles of PVT1 in regulating radiosensitivity of NSCLC and its underlying mechanism are still unclear. Methods: Expression levels of PVT1 and miR-195 in NSCLC tissues and cells were examined by qRT-PCR. Effects of PVT1 and miR-195 on cell proliferation, apoptosis and colony formation abilities were assessed by MTT assay, flow cytometry and colony formation assay. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the relationship between PVT1 and miR-195. Tumor xenograft experiments were conducted to observe the effect of PVT1 on radiosensitivity of NSCLC in vivo. Results: PVT1 was negatively correlated with miR-195 expression in NSCLC tissues and associated with poor prognosis of NSCLC patients. Expression of PVT1 and miR-195 varied inversely after irradiation in NSCLC cells. PVT1 knockdown or miR-195 overexpression enhanced radiosensitivity of NSCLC in vitro by inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis. PVT1 directly interacted with miR-195 and regulated its expression. Moreover, PVT1 knockdown improved radiosensitivity of NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo by sponging miR-195. Conclusion: Knockdown of PVT1 enhances radiosensitivity of NSCLC by sponging miR-195, providing a novel therapeutic target to improve radiotherapy efficiency in NSCLC.
Macrophage Liver Kinase B1 Inhibits Foam Cell Formation and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Liu Zhaoyu , Zhu Huaiping , Dai Xiaoyan , Wang Cheng , Ding Ye , Song Ping , Zou Ming-Hui
Published: August 2017

Rationale:

LKB1 (liver kinase B1) is a serine/threonine kinase and tumor suppressor, which regulates the homeostasis of hematopoietic cells and immune responses. Macrophages transform into foam cells upon taking-in lipids. No role for LKB1 in foam cell formation has previously been reported.

Objective:

We sought to establish the role of LKB1 in atherosclerotic foam cell formation.

Methods and Results:

LKB1 expression was examined in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques and in western diet–fed atherosclerosis-prone Ldlr
−/−
and ApoE
−/−
mice. LKB1 expression was markedly reduced in human plaques when compared with nonatherosclerotic vessels. Consistently, time-dependent reduction of LKB1 levels occurred in atherosclerotic lesions in western diet–fed Ldlr
−/−
and ApoE
−/−
mice. Exposure of macrophages to oxidized low-density lipoprotein downregulated LKB1 in vitro. Furthermore, LKB1 deficiency in macrophages significantly increased the expression of SRA (scavenger receptor A), modified low-density lipoprotein uptake and foam cell formation, all of which were abolished by blocking SRA. Further, we found LKB1 phosphorylates SRA resulting in its lysosome degradation. To further investigate the role of macrophage LKB1 in vivo, ApoE
−/−
LKB1
fl/fl
LysM
cre
and ApoE
−/−
LKB1
fl/fl
mice were fed with western diet for 16 weeks. Compared with ApoE
−/−
LKB1
fl/fl
wild-type control, ApoE
−/−
LKB1
fl/fl
LysM
cre
mice developed more atherosclerotic lesions in whole aorta and aortic root area, with markedly increased SRA expression in aortic root lesions.

Conclusions:

We conclude that macrophage LKB1 reduction caused by oxidized low-density lipoprotein promotes foam cell formation and the progression of atherosclerosis.
A new genus and other new species of Agraeciini from the Eastern Arc Mountains, East Africa (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae; Conocephalinae; Agraeciini)
Authors: HEMP CLAUDIA , INGRISCH SIGFRID , HELLER KLAUS-GERHARD
Published: August 2017

The genus Dendrobia n. gen. is erected to include D. amaniensis n. sp. from the East Usambara Mountains as type species. A second species in this genus, D. octopuncata n. sp., is described from the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. Dendrobia n. gen. is a canopy dweller found only high up on trees in closed submontane and montane forest. The peak frequency of its song is lower than in all other known African Agraeciini, correlating with the large resonant areas in the tegmina. Two new Afroanthracites species, A. ngologolo n. sp. and A. nguru n. sp. are described from the Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania. These species are dwellers of understory vegetation in closed forest in the Udzungwa and Nguru Mountains respectively.
Description of two new species of the genus Pentacentrus Saussure from China (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)
Authors: ZONG LE , QIU TENGFEI , LIU HAOYU
Published: August 2017

The two new species of Pentacentrus Saussure 1878 are described and illustrated from China, P. medogensis sp. nov. and P. sororius sp. nov. Pentacentrus birmanus Chopard, 1969 is excluded from Chinese fauna.
The first schizomid from a dry forest in South America (Arachnida: Schizomida)
Authors: RUIZ GUSTAVO R.S. , VALENTE ROBERTA M.
Published: August 2017

Schizomids are arachnids typically found on the ground of areas with rainforest, living in the moist litter. Here we describe Surazomus algodoal sp. nov. from a coastal, dry environment on an island of the state of Pará, Brazil, in the Atlantic Ocean. Only one male has been collected, but the morphology of the flagellum is unique. Surazomus algodoal sp. nov. represents the first epigean schizomid living only in a dry forest and the easternmost record for Surazomus Reddell & Cokendolpher. The type of dry vegetation in which the animal was found covers only a small area and is endangered by human use. The new species is considered critically endangered using the IUCN criteria.
New and little-known species of isopods (Crustacea, Isopoda) from the eastern Mediterranean
Authors: CASTELLÓ JOSÉ
Published: August 2017

New species of Anthuridae and Cirolanidae (Crustacea, Isopoda) are described from the coasts of Cyprus and Lebanon, Mediterranean. Mesanthura pacoi sp. nov. is the first species of the genus found in the Mediterranean; its pale color, usually without dorsal spots, and the setation of the apical segment of the maxillipedal palp, are unique in this genus. Atarbolana beirutensis sp. nov. differs from the rest of species of this genus due to its uropodal exopod shaped like an elongated spoon, rather than a cylinder. This is the first record of the genus Atarbolana in the Mediterranean. The two species of Cirolana described have flat penes, absent in C. cranchi and C. manorae, the other two species found in this study; C. bitari sp. nov. has a depressed body and articles of antennal flagellum with one tuft of simple setae on the anterodistal angle, while in C. zibrowiusi sp. nov. the body is cylindrical, slightly depressed, and the articles of the antennal flagellum have two tufts of simple setae. In addition, one female specimen of Pseudocerceis, identified as P. cf. seleneides is described; it is the first record of this genus in the Mediterranean.
Description of Histopona breviemboli sp. n. from the Balkan Peninsula (Arachnida, Araneae, Agelenidae)
Authors: DIMITROV DRAGOMIR , DELTSHEV CHRISTO , LAZAROV STOYAN
Published: August 2017

Histopona breviemboli sp. nov. (male) is described and illustrated from Bulgaria where it was collected in beech forest habitats (Strandzha Mts). The new species has somatic characters that correspond well to those of the genus Histopona. However, its embolus is much shorter than in any other Histopona species and the radix is also very different, having a thorn-like shape. The species cannot be placed with certainty in any of the existing Histopona species-groups.
Taxonomic notes and faunistic data on the Muscidae (Diptera) of the Altai Mountains (Russia)
Authors: VIKHREV NIKITA E. , SOROKINA VERA S.
Published: August 2017

The Muscidae fauna of the Altai Republic, Russia, is discussed, and 28 species are newly recorded for the region. Six species (Hydrotaea hsiai Fan, 1965, Hydrotaea unispinosa Stein, 1898, Thricops aduncus Savage, 2003, Helina bispinosa Malloch, 1920, Helina obtusipennis (Fallén, 1823), Coenosia demoralis Huckett, 1965) are newly recorded for Russia. Three of these species (T. aduncus, H. bispinosa and C. demoralis) are newly recorded for the Palaearctic region. A description of the hitherto unknown female of Xestomyia atrox Sorokina & Pont, 2011 and redescriptions of Coenosia demoralis Huckett, 1965 and Hydrotaea hsiai Fan, 1965 are given. One new synonym is proposed: Phaonia fusca Meade, 1897 = Phaonia suspiciosa Stein, 1907, syn. nov.
A new species of Pseudosesarma Serène & Soh, 1970 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Sesarmidae) from Cochin in southwestern India
Authors: NG PETER K. L. , RANI VARGHESE , NANDAN S. BIJOY
Published: August 2017

A new species of mangrove sesarmid crab of the genus Pseudosesarma Serène & Soh, 1970, is described from Cochin, southwest India. The species superficially resembles P. edwardsii (De Man, 1887), known from Myanmar and many parts of India; the proportions of the carapace and male pleon also ally it with P. crassimanum (De Man, 1887) from Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Pseudosesarma glabrum n. sp., however, is easily separated from P. edwardsii and P. crassimanum primarily by the almost glabrous dorsal surface of the carapace and the distinctive form of its male first gonopod.
Interpretation of Factors Controlling Low Cloud Cover and Low Cloud Feedback Using a Unified Predictive Index
Authors: Kawai Hideaki , Koshiro Tsuyoshi , Webb Mark J.
Published: August 2017

This paper reports on a new index for low cloud cover (LCC), the estimated cloud-top entrainment index (ECTEI), which is a modification of estimated inversion strength (EIS) and takes into account a cloud-top entrainment (CTE) criterion. Shipboard cloud observation data confirm that the index is strongly correlated with LCC. It is argued here that changes in LCC cannot be fully determined from changes in EIS only, but can be better determined from changes in both EIS and sea surface temperature (SST) based on the ECTEI. Furthermore, it is argued that various proposed predictors of LCC change, including the moist static energy vertical gradient, SST, and midlevel clouds, can be better understood from the perspective of the ECTEI.
The Intermodel Diversity of East Asia’s Summer Rainfall among CMIP5 Models
Authors: Qu Xia
Published: August 2017

Based on the results of 46 phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) models and empirical orthogonal function analysis, it was found that the leading diversity mode of East Asian summer rainfall across the models features a dipole structure. This structure is characterized by intensified rainfall over southern China and the area south of Japan and by weakened rainfall over northern China and explains more than 1/3 of the total intermodel variance. The uncertainty in meridional position of intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) over the tropical North Pacific, caused by rainfall parameterization and air–sea interactions, is responsible for the mode. In models with a southward shifted ITCZ, the heating associated with inadequate rainfall (7°–18°N) over the tropical northwest Pacific excites wave activities that propagate northward and converge south of Japan in the midtroposphere. In the midtroposphere, a positive (negative) vorticity departure resides north (south) of the center of rainfall diversity. Correspondingly, the westerlies departure resides over the anomaly centers. The westerlies induce warm horizontal advection departure, leading to ascendance and rainfall variability.

In addition, the rainfall diversity south of Japan induces changes in rainfall over northern China; this, in turn, promotes rainfall over the area south of Japan. Anomalous positive latent heating associated with the rainfall south of Japan induces anomalous northerlies and northeasterlies over northern China. This phenomenon depresses rainfall in northern China through bringing in dry air and weakening evaporation. This rainfall excites an upper-troposphere vorticity departure to the west, exciting wave activity propagating southeastward and downward. In the midtroposphere, the waves converge south of Japan and reinforce the westerlies and the rainfall diversity there.
Toward Consistent Diagnostics of the Coupled Atmosphere and Ocean Energy Budgets
Authors: Mayer Michael , Haimberger Leopold , Edwards John M. , Hyder Patrick
Published: August 2017

The widely used diagnostic vertically integrated total energy budget equations of atmosphere and ocean contain inconsistencies that should no longer be disregarded. The neglect of enthalpy fluxes associated with precipitation and evaporation leads to a spurious dependence on reference temperature. This seemingly small inconsistency is amplified because enthalpy of water vapor implicitly included in lateral atmospheric energy transports usually is computed on the Kelvin scale, leading to inconsistencies that, although zero when globally averaged, attain values on the order of 20 W m−2 in the tropics. A more consistent energy budget framework is presented, which is independent of reference temperature and which takes full account of enthalpy fluxes associated with mass transfer through the surface. The latter include effects of snowfall and additional nonlatent contributions, which have a net cooling effect on the earth’s surface (−1.3 W m−2). In addition to these diagnostic issues, comparatively small inconsistencies in the energetic formulations of current weather and climate models are highlighted. Using the energy budget formulation presented here, instead of that commonly used, yields enhanced self-consistency of diagnosed atmospheric energy budgets and substantially improved spatial agreement between fields of net surface energy flux inferred from the divergence of lateral atmospheric energy transports in conjunction with satellite-based radiative fluxes and independent surface flux products. Results imply that previous estimates of radiative plus turbulent surface fluxes over the ocean, balancing the observed ocean warming, are biased low by ~1.3 W m−2. Moreover, previous studies seriously underestimated cross-equatorial atmospheric and oceanic energy transports. Overall, the presented framework allows for unambiguous coupled energy budget diagnostics and yields more reliable benchmark values for validation purposes.
Impact of Rainfall Assimilation on High-Resolution Hydrometeorological Forecasts over Liguria, Italy
Authors: Davolio Silvio , Silvestro Francesco , Gastaldo Thomas
Published: August 2017

The autumn of 2014 was characterized by a number of severe weather episodes over Liguria (northern Italy) associated with floods and remarkable damage. This period is selected as a test bed to evaluate the performance of a rainfall assimilation scheme based on the nudging of humidity profiles and applied to a convection-permitting meteorological model at high resolution. The impact of the scheme is assessed in terms of quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) applying an object-oriented verification methodology that evaluates the structure, amplitude, and location (SAL) of the precipitation field, but also in terms of hydrological discharge prediction. To attain this aim, the meteorological model is coupled with the operational hydrological forecasting chain of the Ligurian Hydrometeorological Functional Centre, and the whole system is implemented taking operational requirements into account. The impact of rainfall data assimilation is large during the assimilation period and still relevant in the following 3 h of the free forecasts, but hardly lasts more than 6 h. However, this can improve the hydrological predictions. Moreover, the impact of the assimilation is dependent on the environment characteristics, being more effective when nonequilibrium convection dominates, and thus an accurate prediction of the local triggering for the development of the precipitation system is required.
Thermodynamic and Kinematic Influences on Precipitation Symmetry in Sheared Tropical Cyclones: Bertha and Cristobal (2014)
Authors: Nguyen Leon T. , Rogers Robert F. , Reasor Paul D.
Published: August 2017

Prior studies have shown an association between symmetrically distributed precipitation and tropical cyclone (TC) intensification. Although environmental vertical wind shear typically forces an asymmetric precipitation distribution in TCs, the magnitude of this asymmetry can exhibit considerable variability, even among TCs that experience similar shear magnitudes. This observational study examines the thermodynamic and kinematic influences on precipitation symmetry in two such cases: Bertha and Cristobal (2014). Consistent with the impact of the shear, both TCs exhibited a tilted vortex as well as a pronounced azimuthal asymmetry, with the maximum precipitation occurring in the downshear-left quadrant. However, Bertha was characterized by more symmetrically distributed precipitation and relatively modest vertical motions, while Cristobal was characterized by more azimuthally confined precipitation and much more vigorous vertical motions. Observations showed three potential hindrances to precipitation symmetry that were more prevalent in Cristobal than in Bertha: (i) convective downdrafts that transported low entropy air downward into the boundary layer, cooling and stabilizing the lower troposphere downstream in the left-of-shear and upshear quadrants; (ii) subsidence in the upshear quadrants, which acted to increase the temperature and decrease the relative humidity of the midtroposphere, resulting in capping of the boundary layer; and (iii) lateral advection of midtropospheric dry air from the environment, which dried the TC’s upshear quadrants.
Quadratic Polynomial Regression Using Serial Observation Processing: Implementation within DART
Authors: Hodyss Daniel , Anderson Jeffrey L. , Collins Nancy , Campbell William F. , Reinecke Patrick A.
Published: August 2017

It is well known that the ensemble-based variants of the Kalman filter may be thought of as producing a state estimate that is consistent with linear regression. Here, it is shown how quadratic polynomial regression can be performed within a serial data assimilation framework. The addition of quadratic polynomial regression to the Data Assimilation Research Testbed (DART) is also discussed and its performance is illustrated using a hierarchy of models from simple scalar systems to a GCM.
Radiance Preprocessing for Assimilation in the Hourly Updating Rapid Refresh Mesoscale Model: A Study Using AIRS Data
Authors: Lin Haidao , Weygandt Stephen S. , Lim Agnes H. N. , Hu Ming , Brown John M. , Benjamin Stanley G.
Published: August 2017

This study describes the initial application of radiance bias correction and channel selection in the hourly updated Rapid Refresh model. For this initial application, data from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) are used; this dataset gives atmospheric temperature and water vapor information at higher vertical resolution and accuracy than previously launched low-spectral resolution satellite systems. In this preliminary study, data from AIRS are shown to add skill to short-range weather forecasts over a relatively data-rich area. Two 1-month retrospective runs were conducted to evaluate the impact of assimilating clear-sky AIRS radiance data on 1–12-h forecasts using a research version of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Rapid Refresh (RAP) regional mesoscale model already assimilating conventional and other radiance [AMSU-A, Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS), HIRS-4] data. Prior to performing the assimilation, a channel selection and bias-correction spinup procedure was conducted that was appropriate for the RAP configuration. RAP forecasts initialized from analyses with and without AIRS data were verified against radiosonde, surface atmosphere, precipitation, and satellite radiance observations. Results show that the impact from AIRS radiance data on short-range forecast skill in the RAP system is small but positive and statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. The RAP-specific channel selection and bias correction procedures described in this study were the basis for similar applications to other radiance datasets now assimilated in version 3 of RAP implemented at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) in August 2016.
A Socially Just Leadership Approach to Community-Partnered Research for Reducing Health Disparities
Authors: Tucker Carolyn M. , Williams Jaime L. , Roncoroni Julia , Heesacker Martin
Published: August 2017

Significant health disparities continue to plague many groups of people who have been systematically oppressed and largely unrepresented in health research. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a collaborative research approach that has been shown to be effective in addressing health disparities; a community–university partnership approach can be used to conduct this research. Counseling psychologists are well suited to establish and lead CBPR partnerships, yet there is a paucity of research to guide them in utilizing effective leadership approaches when conducting CBPR for reducing health disparities. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to (a) review existing leadership models applicable to conducting CBPR; (b) identify guiding principles of socially just leadership that emerged from the aforementioned review; (c) offer an example of how the guiding principles were used in a community–university partnership, highlighting challenges, solutions, and lessons learned; and (d) discuss the benefits of socially just leadership for counseling psychologists.
Minorities and mistrust
Authors: King Elisabeth , Samii Cyrus
Published: August 2017

An enduring debate in the conflict management literature concerns the wisdom of recognizing versus avoiding reference to ethnic identities in institutions to manage ethnic conflict. Understanding why ethnic recognition occurs is crucial for informing this debate. We develop a theory based on functional and political mobilization effects of recognizing ethnic groups. Contrary to reasoning that minority leaders would be most interested in recognition, the theory suggests that recognition consistently favors the interests of leaders from larger, plurality groups, whereas minority leaders face a ‘dilemma of recognition’ between functional gains and mobilization threats. We use mixed methods to test our theory. For our quantitative analysis, we draw on an original coding of recognition in constitutions and comprehensive political settlements from 1990 to 2012. We find that for cases with leaders from plurality groups, recognition is adopted 60% of the time. With leaders from minority groups, the rate is about 40 percentage points lower, even after accounting for many background factors. Additional quantitative tests and a qualitative analysis present more detailed evidence to show that the processes correspond to the logic of our theory. Answering these questions about when and why recognition is adopted is a crucial step in evaluating its effects on conflict.
Preoperative Counseling in Salvage Total Laryngectomy: Content Analysis of Electronic Medical Records
Authors: Raol Nikhila , Lilley Elizabeth , Cooper Zara , Dowdall Jayme , Morris Megan A.
Published: August 2017

Objective

To study preoperative counseling in patients undergoing salvage total laryngectomy (STL).

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Tertiary care academic hospital.

Subjects and Methods

We reviewed charts of patients ≥18 years undergoing STL between 2005 and 2015. Fifty‐eight patients were identified. Notes written within 2 months prior to surgery by head and neck surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, speech‐language pathologists, social workers, and nurse practitioners were extracted and coded into 4 categories. Coded content was then analyzed using a simple tally within content areas.

Results

Nonphysicians documented patient values and priorities, exclusive of treatment desires, more frequently. These topics included apprehension about family obligations, fear about communication, questions regarding quality of life, and anxiety regarding job continuation. Physician notes documented priorities regarding preferences for surgical treatment. No patients were seen by palliative care preoperatively, and only 14% (n = 8) patients had documentation of an end‐of‐life discussion.

Conclusions

Preoperative counseling for STL patients that included nonphysicians had a higher frequency of discussion of patients’ priorities. This suggests including these types of providers may lead to more patient‐centered care. A prospective study evaluating patient and physician perceptions of preoperative counseling can better identify where discrepancies exists and help conceptualize a framework for preoperative counseling in STL patients and other patients undergoing high‐risk surgery.
Reporting interventions in trials evaluating cognitive rehabilitation in people with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review
Authors: Mhizha-Murira Jacqueline R , Drummond Avril , Klein Olga A , dasNair Roshan
Published: August 2017

Objective:

To determine the quantity and quality of description of cognitive rehabilitation for cognitive deficits in people with multiple sclerosis, using a variety of published checklists, and suggest ways of improving the reporting of these interventions.

Data sources:

A total of 10 electronic databases were searched, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO, from inception to May 2017. Grey literature databases, trial registers, reference lists and author citations were also searched.

Review methods:

Papers were included if participants were people with multiple sclerosis aged 18 years and over and if the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation in improving functional ability for memory, attention or executive dysfunction, with or without a control group, was being evaluated.

Results:

A total of 54 studies were included in this review. The reporting of a number of key aspects of cognitive rehabilitation was poor. This was particularly in relation to content of interventions (reported completely in 26 of the 54 studies), intervention procedures (reported completely in 16 of the 54 studies), delivery mode (reported completely in 24 of the 54 studies) and intervention mechanism of action (reported completely in 21 of the 54 studies).

Conclusion:

The quality of reporting of cognitive rehabilitation for memory, attention and executive function for multiple sclerosis, across a range of study designs, is poor. Existing reporting checklists do not adequately cover aspects relevant to cognitive rehabilitation, such as the approaches used to address cognitive deficits. Future checklists could consider these aspects we have identified in this review.
Governmentalizing Gramsci: Topologies of power and passive revolution in Cambodia’s garment production network
Authors: Arnold Dennis , Hess Martin
Published: August 2017

This article takes a fresh look at the multiple power relations between state, capital and labor in global production networks. Moving beyond debates about public vs. private governance, it brings together Antonio Gramsci’s concepts of hegemony and the integral state with Michel Foucault’s concepts of governmentality and the “dipositive” in order to analyze the power topologies that permeate global production networks. Using the Cambodian garment production network as example, we scrutinize the discourse of “decent work” and “ethical manufacturing,” exemplified by the Better Factories Cambodia program, and discuss the implications for labor agency, power and political contestation. The article concludes with reflections on “governmentalizing Gramsci,” thinking power topologically and the value of a cultural political economy in the analysis of global production networks.
Heavy metals in soil at a waste electrical and electronic equipment processing area in China
Authors: Gu Weihua , Bai Jianfeng , Yao Haiyan , Zhao Jing , Zhuang Xuning , Huang Qing , Zhang Chenglong , Wang JingWei
Published: August 2017

For the objective of evaluating the contamination degree of heavy metals and analysing its variation trend in soil at a waste electrical and electronic equipment processing area in Shanghai, China, evaluation methods, which include single factor index method, geo-accumulation index method, comprehensive pollution index method, and potential ecological risk index method, were adopted in this study. The results revealed that the soil at a waste electrical and electronic equipment processing area was polluted by arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, and chromium. It also demonstrated that the concentrations of heavy metals were increased over time. Exceptionally, the average value of the metalloid (arsenic) was 73.31 mg kg−1 in 2014, while it was 58.31 mg kg−1 in the first half of 2015, and it was 2.93 times and 2.33 times higher than that of the Chinese Environmental Quality Standard for Soil in 2014 and the first half of 2015, respectively. The sequences of the contamination degree of heavy metals in 2014 and the first half of 2015 were cadmium > lead > copper > chromium > zinc and cadmium > lead > chromium > zinc > copper. From the analysis of the potential ecological risk index method, arsenic and cadmium had higher ecological risk than other heavy metals. The integrated ecological risk index of heavy metals (cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, and chromium) and metalloid (arsenic) was 394.10 in 2014, while it was 656.16 in the first half of 2015, thus documenting a strong ecological risk.
Newspaper editorial pages frame China similarly
Authors: Golan Guy J. , Lukito Josephine
Published: August 2017

The current study examines the framing of China in the opinion section of two elite newspapers, The New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Although there is an expectation that editorials and op-eds present multiple frames and opinions, the results of a content analysis show that China is not framed differently between these two newspapers. Both papers largely emphasized the same issues and issue frames.
Personalized news stories affect men as well as women
Authors: Maier Scott R. , Mayorga Marcus , Slovic Paul
Published: August 2017

Using an online survey with embedded experimental conditions, the study examines gender and generational differences in reader reaction to news reports of mass violence in Africa. Affective response from women was found stronger than for men on 9 of 10 measures of emotion. But the gender gap disappears when the story is personalized. Depending on story framing, older readers tended to express greater affective response than millennials.
Expanding the Happiness Paradox: Ethnoracial Disparities in Life Satisfaction Among Older Immigrants in the United States
Authors: Calvo Rocío , Carr Dawn C. , Matz-Costa Christina
Published: August 2017

Objective: This study investigated nativity disparities in life satisfaction among ethnoracial groups of older adults in the United States and the factors associated with such disparities. Method: Cross-sectional data from 7,348 respondents aged 60 and older from the 2012/2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used to estimate linear regression models. Results: Older immigrants experienced higher levels of life satisfaction than comparable native-born individuals. This “happiness advantage” was particularly salient for Hispanic immigrants, who reported the highest levels of life satisfaction of all groups included in the study. With increasing education, life satisfaction increased for White and “Other Race” groups, regardless of nativity. However, for both Black groups and native-born Hispanics, higher levels of education were associated with lower life satisfaction. Discussion: Findings suggest that the “happiness paradox” may not only be a matter of Hispanic ethnicity, but that it may also extend to immigrants from other ethnoracial backgrounds.
Feminism and Leadership in the Pentecostal Movement
Authors: Langford Joy
Published: August 2017

The modern Pentecostal movement at its inception in the late nineteenth to early twentieth century was blessed with the ministry of women in key leadership roles. This article gives a brief account of the history of some of the women involved at the beginning. It explores the declining trend through the twentieth century and the reasons behind it. The author then compares the current attitudes towards women in leadership held within different parts of the Pentecostal movement in the United Kingdom. Is there a brighter future where women are once again recognized as worthy leaders of Pentecostal churches?
A Descriptive Study of Differing School Health Delivery Models
Authors: Becker Sherri I. , Maughan Erin
Published: August 2017

The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study was to identify and describe emerging models of school health services. Participants ( N = 11) provided information regarding their models in semistructured phone interviews. Results identified a variety of funding sources as well as different staffing configurations and supervision. Strengths of the new models included an increase in school nurses and improved communication between schools, public health agencies, and health providers. Challenges for nurses practicing in the new models included not feeling connected to the school and unclear roles of unlicensed assistive personnel. Additional research is recommended to determine the effectiveness of new models. This continued study can provide insight and guidance to schools struggling to meet student health concerns.
Autonomy and responsibility as a dual construct
Authors: Garcia Danilo , Ryberg Fredrik , Arnten Ann-Christine Andersson , Archer Trevor , Nima Ali Al
Published: August 2017

Law enforcement demands self-management, intrinsic motivation, high energy levels and tolerance to stress. The concept of self-management might involve both autonomy and responsibility. Autonomy and responsibility, however, are often considered and measured as the same construct even thought at a conceptual level they can be seen as a separate dual construct. Our aims were: (a) to investigate the duality of the concept autonomy and responsibility; and (b) to investigate this hypothesized dual construct’s association with stress, and energy and motivation dimensions among Swedish police personnel. Employees ( N = 617; males = 318, females = 292) from five Swedish police departments participated in the study. Autonomy and responsibility were assessed using one of the scales in the Learning Climate Questionnaire, motivation using a modified version of the Situational Motivation Scale, and stress and energy using the Stress/Energy Questionnaire. We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis and two structural equation models. The confirmatory factor analysis discerned two separate subscales that we defined as autonomy (e.g. ‘I feel free to organize my work the way I want to’) and responsibility (e.g. ‘We are not encouraged to take responsibility for our own learning’). Autonomy predicted both stress and energy, but only one dimension of motivation, that is, amotivation. Responsibility predicted energy and three of four motivations dimensions: intrinsic motivation, external regulation and amotivation. Hence, we suggest that the notion of autonomy and responsibility as a dual independent construct seems to be meaningful in the investigation of police personnel’s motivation, stress and energy.
Accounting for ethics: towards a de-humanised comparative approach
Authors: Whiteman Natasha
Published: August 2017

In rejecting the ultimate authority of proceduralised ethics and instead emphasising the ongoing complexity of ethical manoeuvring, writing on ethics-as-process often presents the individual researcher as the authentic locus of ethical practice. This article seeks to distance from such humanist tendencies. It aims to shift attention away from the experience of the ethical researcher to consider, rather, the fixing of ethical stances in accounts of activity. Arguing for a comparative approach to the empirical, accounts of two different activities are examined: online research and online media consumption. A framework for describing the anchoring of ethical positions across these texts is introduced, one that challenges the achievement of ethical ‘security’ in research. It is argued that claims that the researcher is an authentic point of access to an ethical truth must give way to a consideration of the modes by which ethical claims are made.
Vitamin D supplements reduce depressive symptoms and cardiac events in heart failure patients with moderate to severe depressive symptoms
Authors: Song Eun Kyeung , Wu Jia-Rong , Moser Debra K , Kang Seok-Min , Lennie Terry A
Published: August 2017

Background:

Depressive symptoms and vitamin D deficiency predict cardiac events in heart failure patients, but whether vitamin D supplements are associated with depressive symptoms and cardiac events in heart failure patients remains unknown.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to compare the association of vitamin D supplement use with depressive symptoms and cardiac events in heart failure patients with mild or moderate to severe depressive symptoms.

Methods:

A total of 177 heart failure patients with depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥5) completed a three-day food diary to determine dietary vitamin D deficiency. Patients were split into four groups by dietary vitamin D adequacy versus deficiency and vitamin D supplement use versus non-use. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to reassess depressive symptoms at six months. Data on cardiac events for up to one year and vitamin D supplement use were obtained from patient interview and medical record review. Hierarchical linear and Cox regressions were used for data analysis.

Results:

Sixty-six patients (37.3%) had dietary vitamin D deficiency and 80 (45.2%) used vitamin D supplements. In patients with moderate to severe depressive symptoms, the group with dietary vitamin D deficiency and no supplements had the highest Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score at six months (β=0.542, p<0.001) and shortest cardiac event-free survival ( p<0.001) among the four groups, the group with dietary vitamin D deficiency and no supplements didn’t have the highest Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score at six months and shortest cardiac event-free survival in patients with mild depressive symptoms.

Conclusions:

Vitamin D supplements predicted lower depressive symptoms and reduced cardiac events for patients with moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with higher risk of shorter cardiac event-free survival in heart failure patients regardless of vitamin D supplementation.
The effect of fog on detection of driving hazards after dark
Authors: Fotios S , Cheal C , Fox S , Uttley J
Published: August 2017

The presence of fog leads to an increase in road traffic accidents. An experiment was carried out using a scale model to investigate how the detection of hazards in peripheral vision was affected by changes in luminance (0.1 cd/m2 and 1.0 cd/m2 road surface luminance), scotopic/photopic (S/P) ratio (0.65 and 1.40) and fog density (none, thin and thick). Two hazards were used, a road surface obstacle and lane change of another vehicle. Increasing luminance, and reducing from thick to thin fog, led to significant increase in detection rate and a reduction in reaction time, for both types of hazard. The effect of a change in S/P ratio was significant only when measuring detection of the surface obstacle using reaction times, under the thick fog, with an increase in S/P ratio leading to a shorter reaction time.
Mean-square consensus of discrete-time multi-agent systems with Markovian switching topologies and persistent disturbances
Authors: Mo Lipo , Wang Yintao , Pan Tingting , Yang Yikang
Published: August 2017

This article deals with the leader-following mean-square consensus problem of discrete-time general linear multi-agent systems with Markovian switching topologies and persistent disturbances. Assume that the communication topology is not connected at any time but the union topology is connected. First, the estimators are designed to calculate the states of agents when external disturbance not exists. Based on the error information between the truth-values and estimated-values of states, the compensators are proposed to subject to the effect of persistent disturbances. And then, a new mean-square consensus control protocol is proposed for each agent. Second, by using the property of permutation matrix, the original closed-loop system is transferred into an equivalent system. Third, sufficient conditions for mean-square consensus are obtained in the form of matrix inequalities. Finally, numerical simulations are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.