bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental validation of model‐based blade pitch controller design for floating wind turbines: system identification approach
Authors: Hara N. , Tsujimoto S. , Nihei Y. , Iijima K. , Konishi K.
Published: February 2017

This paper discusses the model‐based design of a blade pitch controller for a floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) scale model. A mathematical model of the FOWT is constructed from an input–output measurement in an experiment using system identification. The blade pitch controller is designed by an
control method, and the effectiveness of the controller is evaluated by means of a basin experiment using the FOWT scale model. The results show that the blade pitch controller is effective in reducing platform pitch motion and rotor speed fluctuation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of deflected mode of ellipse and ellipse weakened with crack
Authors: Zirakashvili Natela
Published: February 2017

The paper considers the boundary value problems of elasticity for an ellipse and ellipse with a crack when tangential stress is applied to the ellipse boundary. The mathematical models of these problems are obtained by setting the relevant problems for a semi‐ellipse: a) the continuity conditions for the problem solution are given at the linear border, b) the continuity conditions for the problem solution are given at the portion of the linear boundary, beyond the focuses, with the tangential stresses given on the section between the focuses. So, a semi‐ellipse can be bound as a whole ellipse, with the continuity conditions of the solution on the section between its focuses met in one case (when there is no crack) and not met in another case (when there is a crack, which is affected by the tangential stress). The problem solution for the cracked ellipse is reduced to the solution of the internal and external problems of elasticity, which are solved quite simply by the method of separation of variables.
On the non‐stationary non‐Newtonian flow through a thin porous medium
Authors: Anguiano María
Published: February 2017

We consider a non‐stationary incompressible non‐Newtonian flow in a thin porous medium of thickness ε which is perforated by periodically distributed solid cylinders of size . The viscosity is supposed to obey the power law with flow index (pseudoplastic fluids). The limit when the thickness tends to zero is considered. Time‐dependent Darcy's laws are rigorously derived from this model depending on the magnitude with respect to ε.
Outcomes and Disability After Massive Proximal Upper Extremity Reconstruction in a Resource‐Limited Setting
Authors: Giladi Aviram M. , Shanmugakrishnan R. Raja , Venkatramani Hari , Raja Sekaran S. , Chung Kevin C. , Sabapathy S. Raja
Published: February 2017

Background

At Ganga Hospital in Coimbatore, India, a unique approach is applied to treat massive upper limb injuries. However, long‐term outcomes of complex reconstruction performed in the resource‐limited setting are not known. This hinders understanding of outcomes and disability from these injuries and prevents systematically addressing care delivery around upper extremity trauma in the developing world. This project aims to analyze the details of the unique Ganga Hospital reconstruction experience and use patient‐reported outcome measures for the first time in this patient population to evaluate post‐injury recovery and disability.

Methods

Forty‐six patients were evaluated 6 months or more after massive proximal upper extremity reconstruction at Ganga Hospital. Patients completed functional tests, Jebsen–Taylor test (JTT), and patient‐reported outcomes (PROs)—Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ), Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH), and Short‐Form 36 (SF‐36). Correlations between metrics were assessed with Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Linear regression modeling evaluated associations between severity, reconstruction, and outcomes.

Results

MHQ and DASH results correlated with functional test performance, JTT performance, and SF‐36 scores (Pearson’s coefficients all ≥0.33, p ≤ 0.05). In this cohort, mean MHQ score was 79 ± 15 and mean DASH score was 13 ± 15, which are not significantly different than scores for long‐term outcomes after other complex upper extremity procedures. The following factors predicted PROs and functional performance after reconstruction: extent of soft tissue reconstruction, multi‐segmental ulna fractures, median nerve injury, and ability for patients to return to work and maintain their job after injury.

Conclusions

Complex proximal upper extremity salvage can be performed in the resource‐limited setting with excellent long‐term functional and patient‐reported outcomes. PRO questionnaires are useful for reporting outcomes that correlate to functional and sensory testing and may be used to assess post‐traumatic disability.
Intraoperative Identification of the Parathyroid Gland with a Fluorescence Detection System
Authors: Shinden Yoshiaki , Nakajo Akihiro , Arima Hideo , Tanoue Kiyonori , Hirata Munetsugu , Kijima Yuko , Maemura Kosei , Natsugoe Shoji
Published: February 2017

Background

Intraoperative identification of the difficult‐to‐spot parathyroid gland is critical during surgery for thyroid and parathyroid disease. Recently, intrinsic fluorescence of the parathyroid gland was identified, and a new method was developed for intraoperative detection of the parathyroid with an original fluorescent detection apparatus. Here, we describe a method for intraoperative detection of the parathyroid using a ready‐made photodynamic eye (PDE) system without any fluorescent dye or contrast agents.

Methods

Seventeen patients who underwent surgical treatment for thyroid or parathyroid disease at Kagoshima University Hospital were enrolled in this study. Intrinsic fluorescence of various tissues was detected with the PDE system. Intraoperative in vivo and ex vivo intrinsic fluorescence of the parathyroid, thyroid, lymph nodes and fat tissues was measured and analyzed.

Results

The parathyroid gland had a significantly higher fluorescence intensity than the other tissues, including the thyroid glands, lymph nodes and fat tissues, and we could identify them during surgery using the fluorescence‐guided method. Our method could be applicable for two intraoperative clinical procedures: ex vivo tissue identification of parathyroid tissue and in vivo identification of the location of the parathyroid gland, including ectopic glands.

Conclusion

The PDE system may be an easy and highly feasible method to identify the parathyroid gland during surgery.
Recent advances in liver transplantation for metabolic disease
Authors: Mc Kiernan P. J.
Published: February 2017

The indications and outcomes of liver transplantation for metabolic disease have been reviewed recently and this short review concentrates on recent developments and advances. Recently recognized metabolic causes of acute liver failure are reviewed and their implications for transplantation discussed. Newly described indications for liver transplantation in systemic metabolic diseases are described and an update is given on the role of auxiliary and domino liver transplantation.
A Rapid Systematic Review of Outcomes Studies in Genetic Counseling
Authors: Madlensky Lisa , Trepanier Angela M. , Cragun Deborah , Lerner Barbara , Shannon Kristen M. , Zierhut Heather
Published: February 2017

As healthcare reimbursement is increasingly tied to value‐of‐service, it is critical for the genetic counselor (GC) profession to demonstrate the value added by GCs through outcomes research. We conducted a rapid systematic literature review to identify outcomes of genetic counseling. Web of Science (including PubMed) and CINAHL databases were systematically searched to identify articles meeting the following criteria: 1) measures were assessed before and after genetic counseling (pre‐post design) or comparisons were made between a GC group vs. a non‐GC group (comparative cohort design); 2) genetic counseling outcomes could be assessed independently of genetic testing outcomes, and 3) genetic counseling was conducted by masters‐level genetic counselors, or non‐physician providers. Twenty‐three papers met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were in the cancer genetic setting and the most commonly measured outcomes included knowledge, anxiety or distress, satisfaction, perceived risk, genetic testing (intentions or receipt), health behaviors, and decisional conflict. Results suggest that genetic counseling can lead to increased knowledge, perceived personal control, positive health behaviors, and improved risk perception accuracy as well as decreases in anxiety, cancer‐related worry, and decisional conflict. However, further studies are needed to evaluate a wider array of outcomes in more diverse genetic counseling settings.
Soziale und ethische Aspekte der personalisierten Medizin
Authors: Schallenberg Peter
Published: February 2017

Zur aristotelischen Grundnorm des guten Lebens gehört heute ohne Zweifel auch der Aspekt der physischen und psychischen Gesundheit. Das Recht auf angemessene gesundheitliche Versorgung steht jedoch nicht selten in Konflikt mit den marktwirtschaftlichen Strukturen der Postmoderne. Dazu kommt, dass die moderne Medizin mehr kann, als derzeit vorstellbar ist und als sich der Sozialstaat in Zukunft wird leisten können. So läuft scheinbar alles auf eine optimierte Lebensquantität hinaus. Demgegenüber steht die Option, wieder zu lernen, mit einer bedingten Gesundheit zu leben, da zur Lebensqualität einer Person immer auch der Umgang mit und die Bewältigung von Krankheit und Tod gehören.
Reconstructing forest canopy from the 3D triangulations of airborne laser scanning point data for the visualization and planning of forested landscapes
Authors: Vauhkonen Jari , Ruotsalainen Roope
Published: February 2017

Key message

We present a data-driven technique to visualize forest landscapes and simulate their future development according to alternative management scenarios. Gentle harvesting intensities were preferred for maintaining scenic values in a test of eliciting public’s preferences based on the simulated landscapes.

Context

Visualizations of future forest landscapes according to alternative management scenarios are useful for eliciting stakeholders’ preferences on the alternatives. However, conventional computer visualizations require laborious tree-wise measurements or simulators to generate these observations.

Aims

We describe and evaluate an alternative approach, in which the visualization is based on reconstructing forest canopy from sparse density, leaf-off airborne laser scanning data.

Methods

Computational geometry was employed to generate filtrations, i.e., ordered sets of simplices belonging to the three-dimensional triangulations of the point data. An appropriate degree of filtering was determined by analyzing the topological persistence of the filtrations. The topology was further utilized to simulate changes to canopy biomass, resembling harvests with varying retention levels. Relative priorities of recreational and scenic values of the harvests were estimated based on pairwise comparisons and analytic hierarchy process (AHP).

Results

The canopy elements were co-located with the tree stems measured in the field, and the visualizations derived from the entire landscape showed reasonably realistic, despite a low numerical correspondence with plot-level forest attributes. The potential and limitations to improve the proposed parameterization are discussed.

Conclusion

Although the criteria to evaluate the landscape visualization and simulation models were not conclusive, the results suggest that forest scenes may be feasibly reconstructed based on data already covering broad areas and readily available for practical applications.
A solution to the bidimensional Global Asymptotic Stability Conjecture
Authors: Gutierrez Carlos
Published: February 2017

If

Y : \mathfrak R^2 → \mathfrak R^2

is а

С^1

vector field such that

Y(0) = 0

and, for all

q \in \mathfrak R^2

, all the eigenvalues of

DX(q)

have negative real part, then the stable manifold of

0

is

\mathfrak R^2

.

Let

ρ \in [0, ∞)

and

Y : \mathfrak R^2 → \mathfrak R^2

be a

C^1

map such that, for all

q \in \mathfrak R^2

, the determinant of

DY (q)

is positive and moreover, for all

p\in \mathfrak R^2

, with

|p| ≥ ρ

, the spectrum of

DY (p)

is disjoint of the non-negative real half axis. Then

Y

is injective.

Si

Y : \mathfrak R^2 → \mathfrak R^2

est un champ de vecteur tel que

Y(0) = 0

et, pour tout

q\in \mathfrak R^2

, les valeurs propres de

DY (q)

ont leur partie réelle négative, alors la variété stable de

0

est

\mathfrak R^2

.

Soit

ρ\in [0, ∞)

et

Y : \mathfrak R^2 → \mathfrak R^2

une application

C^1

telle que, pour tout

q\in \mathfrak R^2

, le déterminant de

DY (q)

est positif et de plus, pour tout

p\in \mathfrak R^2

, avec

|p| > ρ

, le spectre de

DY (p)

est disjoint du demi-axe réel non négatif. Alors

Y

est injective.
A note on weak approximation of minors
Authors: Hajłasz Piotr
Published: February 2017

Let

A_{p,q}(Ω)

, where

Ω ⊆ R^n

is a bounded open domain, be a set of all mappings

u\in W^{1,p}(Ω, R^n)

such that

\mathrm{adj} Du \in L^q

. Among other results we prove that if

n − 1 ≤ p < n

,

1 < q < n/(n − 1)

, then the subclass of

A_{p,q}

mappings, which consists of mappings with bounded

(n − 1)

-dimensional image, is dense in the sequential weak topology of

A_{p,q}

. We also extend this result to other

A_{p,q}

type spaces.
Asymptotic behaviour of solutions to the Korteweg-deVries-Burgers system
Authors: Schonbek M.E. , Rajopadhye S.V.
Published: February 2017

We consider the large time behaviour of solutions ot the Korteweg-deVries–Burgers system of equations to obtain lower and upper bounds for the rates of decay of the solution. These decay rates extend the work of Amick
et al
. [1], where the scalar case was considered and that of Zhang Linghai [8]. An important tool in the analysis is the so called Fourier Splitting method developed by M. E. Schonbek for obtaining algebraic upper bounds for the solution to the system of parabolic conservation laws. This tool was later used to establish algebraic upper and lower bounds for the Navier Stokes and Magneto Hydrodynamic equations. The lower bounds show that in the far field the behaviour of the solutions to the KdVB system and those of the heat system are very different. This behaviour is believed to be due to the nonlinearity and not to the dispersive nature of the equation, since such behaviour is also present in non-dispersive systems like the Navier-Stokes and the Magneto-Hydrodynamic equations.

Dans ce travail nous obtenons des bornes supérieures et inférieures pour le taux de décroissance des solutions du système de Korteweg-deVries–Burger. Ce travail prolonge celui de Amick
et al
. [1] dans lequel le cas scalaire est considéré, ainsi que le travail de Zhang Linghai. La technique qui est fondamentale pour les résultats que nous obtenons est le « Fourier splitting ». Cette méthode a été développée par M. E. Schonbek pour obtenir des bornes supérieures algébriques pour un système de lois paraboliques de conservation. Elle a été utilisée ensuite pour établir les bornes algébriques supérieures et inférieures pour les solutions des équations de Navier–Stokes et de Magnéto-Hydrodynamique. La borne inférieure montre que pour
t
tendant vers l’infini, le comportement des solutions pour les systèmes de Korteweg-deVries–Burger et le comportement des solutions de l’équation de la chaleur sont différents: ce comportement proviendrait des termes non linéaires et non de la nature dispersive du système car il est aussi présent dans des systèmes non dispersifs comme les équations de Navier–Stokes et les équations de Magnéto-Hydrodynamique.
Nonlinear instability of double-humped equilibria
Authors: Guo Yan , Strauss Walter A.
Published: February 2017

Consider a plasma described by the Vlasov–Poisson system in a cube

Q

with the specular boundary condition. We prove that an equilibrium

μ (v)

, which satisfies the Penrose linear instability condition and which decays like

O(|v|^{−3})

, is nonlinearly unstable in the

C^1

norm with a weight function in

v

.

On considère un plasma décrit par le système Vlasov–Poisson dans un cube avec la condition aux limites spéculaire. Nous démontrons qu’un équilibre

μ (v)

qui satisfait à la condition d’instabilité linéaire de Penrose et qui décroit comme

O (|v|^{−3})

, est instable au sens non linéaire dans la norme de

C^1

avec un poids en

v

.
Geodesics on product Lorentzian manifolds
Authors: Giannoni F. , Masiello A.
Published: February 2017

In this paper, using global variational methods, we prove existence and multiplicity results for geodesics joining two given events of a product Lorentzian manifold

ℳ_{0} \times ℝ

, where

ℳ_{0}

is a complete Riemannian manifold.

Dans cet article, avec des méthodes variationnelles globales, on démontre des résultats d’existence et de multiplicité de géodésiques joignant deux points dans une variété de Lorentz

ℳ_{0} \times ℝ

, où

ℳ_{0}

est une variété de Riemann complète.
Some constancy results for nematic liquid crystals and harmonic maps
Authors: Chou Kai Seng , Zhu Xi-Ping
Published: February 2017

Uniqueness results for nematic liquid crystals and harmonic maps with constant boundary data are established. Nonsolvability on non-starshaped domains for a semilinear elliptic equation is also given.

Des résultats d’unicité pour les cristaux liquides nématiques et pour les applications harmoniques avec des conditions aux bords constantes sont établis. Un résultat de non-existence pour une équation semilinéaire elliptique dans des domaines qui ne sont pas étalés est également présenté.
The Bangor Gambling Task: Characterising the Performance of Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Adlam Anna-Lynne Ruth , Adams Malcolm , Turnbull Oliver , Yeates Giles , Gracey Fergus
Published: February 2017

The Bangor Gambling Task (BGT, Bowman & Turnbull, 2004) is a simple test of emotion-based decision making, with contingencies varying across five blocks of 20 trials. This is the first study to characterise BGT performance in survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) relative to healthy controls. The study also aimed to explore sub-groups (cluster analysis), and identify predictors of task performance (multiple regression). Thirty survivors of TBI and thirty-nine controls completed the BGT and measures of processing speed, pre-morbid IQ, working memory, and executive function. Results showed that survivors of TBI made more gamble choices than controls (total BGT score), although the groups did not significantly differ when using a cut-off score for ‘impaired’ performance. Unexpectedly, the groups did not significantly differ in their performance across the blocks; however, the cluster analysis revealed three subgroups (with survivors of TBI and controls represented in each cluster). Findings also indicated that only age and group were significant predictors of overall BGT performance. In conclusion, the study findings are consistent with an individual difference account of emotion-based decision making, and a number of issues need to be addressed prior to recommending the clinical use of the BGT.
Is Age Associated With the Severity of Post–Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms?
Authors: Hu Tina , Hunt Cindy , Ouchterlony Donna
Published: February 2017

Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a significant public health concern. Research has shown that mTBI is associated with persistent physical, cognitive, and behavioural symptoms, leading to significant direct and indirect medical costs. Our objective was to determine if age impacts the type and severity of post-mTBI symptoms experienced. Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data at a level 1 tertiary care outpatient head injury clinic. Participants (N=167) were patients seen at the clinic following an mTBI. The Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire was used to assess symptom severity. Results: In our sample, the mean age was 44±16 years with 51% males. Compared with other age groups, patients >66 years of age were significantly more likely to report an mTBI between 6 AM to 12 PM (69%). Middle-aged patients (36-55 years) were more likely to report higher severity of certain post-mTBI symptoms (headache, nausea and vomiting, irritability, poor concentration, sleep disturbance, blurry vision, light sensitivity, and taking longer to think) compared with patients >66 years of age. Conclusions: In general, middle-aged patients reported higher severity of post-mTBI symptoms compared with the oldest patients. Thus, there was a significant association between age and the severity of specific mTBI symptoms, which highlights the need for targeted management. Additional research is needed to understand the mechanisms that could be contributing to the higher symptom severity experienced by the middle-aged group.
Public Perception of Extreme Cold Weather-Related Health Risk in a Cold Area of Northeast China
Authors: Ban Jie , Lan Li , Yang Chao , Wang Jian , Chen Chen , Huang Ganlin , Li Tiantian
Published: February 2017

Objective

A need exists for public health strategies regarding extreme weather disasters, which in recent years have become more frequent. This study aimed to understand the public’s perception of extreme cold and its related health risks, which may provide detailed information for public health preparedness during an extreme cold weather event.

Methods

To evaluate public perceptions of cold-related health risk and to identify vulnerable groups, we collected responses from 891 participants in a face-to-face survey in Harbin, China. Public perception was measured by calculating the score for each perception question.

Results

Locals perceived that extreme cold weather and related health risks were serious, but thought they could not avoid these risks. The significant difference in perceived acceptance level between age groups suggested that the elderly are a “high health risk, low risk perception” group, meaning that they are relatively more vulnerable owing to their high susceptibility and low awareness of the health risks associated with extreme cold weather.

Conclusions

The elderly should be a priority in risk communication and health protective interventions. This study demonstrated that introducing risk perception into the public health field can identify vulnerable groups with greater needs, which may improve the decision-making of public health intervention strategies. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:417–421)
Molecular approaches for HPV genotyping and HPV-DNA physical status
Authors: Tsakogiannis D. , Gartzonika C. , Levidiotou-Stefanou S. , Markoulatos P.
Published: February 2017

Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes is the leading cause of cervical cancer development. To this end several studies have focused on designing molecular assays for HPV genotyping, which are considered as the gold standard for the early diagnosis of HPV infection. Moreover, the tendency of HPV DNA to be integrated into the host chromosome is a determining event for cervical oncogenesis. Thus, the establishment of molecular techniques was promoted in order to investigate the physical status of the HPV DNA and the locus of viral insertion into the host chromosome. The molecular approaches that have been developed recently facilitate the collection of a wide spectrum of valuable information specific to each individual patient and therefore can significantly contribute to the establishment of a personalised prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of HPV-positive patients. The present review focuses on state of the art molecular assays for HPV detection and genotyping for intra-lesion analyses, it examines molecular approaches for the determination of HPV-DNA physical status and it discusses the criteria for selecting the most appropriate regions of viral DNA to be incorporated in HPV genotyping and in the determination of HPV-DNA physical status.
A regional record of expanded Holocene wetlands and prehistoric human occupation from paleowetland deposits of the western Yarlung Tsangpo valley, southern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Hudson Adam M. , Olsen John W. , Quade Jay , Lei Guoliang , Huth Tyler E. , Zhang Hucai
Published: February 2017

The Asian Monsoon, which brings ~80% of annual precipitation to much of the Tibetan Plateau, provides runoff to major rivers across the Asian continent. Paleoclimate records indicate summer insolation and North Atlantic paleotemperature changes forced variations in monsoon rainfall through the Holocene, resulting in hydrologic and ecologic changes in plateau watersheds. We present a record of Holocene hydrologic variability in the Yarlung Tsangpo (YT) valley of the southern Tibetan Plateau, based on sedimentology and 14C dating of organic-rich black mats’ in paleowetlands deposits, that shows changes in wetlands extent in response to changing monsoon intensity. Four sedimentary units indicate decreasing monsoon intensity since 10.4 ka BP. Wet conditions occurred at ~10.4 ka BP, ~9.6 ka BP and ~7.9–4.8 ka BP, with similar-to-modern conditions from ~4.6–2.0 ka BP, and drier-than-modern conditions from ~2.0 ka BP to present. Wetland changes correlate with monsoon intensity changes identified in nearby records, with weak monsoon intervals corresponding to desiccation and erosion of wetlands. Dating of in situ ceramic and microlithic artifacts within the wetlands indicates Epipaleolithic human occupation of the YT valley after 6.6 ka BP, supporting evidence for widespread colonization of the Tibetan Plateau in the early and mid-Holocene during warm, wet post-glacial conditions.
Near-critical swirling flow of a viscoelastic fluid in a circular pipe
Authors: Rusak Zvi , Ly Nguyen , Tichy John A. , Wang Shixiao
Published: February 2017

The interaction between flow inertia and elasticity in high-Reynolds-number, axisymmetric and near-critical swirling flows of an incompressible and viscoelastic fluid in an open finite-length straight circular pipe is studied at the limit of low elasticity. The stresses of the viscoelastic fluid are described by the generalized Giesekus constitutive model. This model helps to focus the analysis on low fluid elastic effects with shear thinning of the viscosity. The application of the Giesekus model to columnar streamwise vortices is first investigated. Then, a nonlinear small-disturbance analysis is developed from the governing equations of motion. It reveals the complicated interactions between flow inertia, swirl and fluid rheology. An effective Reynolds number that links between steady states of swirling flows of a viscoelastic fluid and those of a Newtonian fluid is revealed. The effects of the fluid viscosity, relaxation time, retardation time and mobility parameter on the flow development in the pipe and on the critical swirl for the appearance of vortex breakdown are explored. It is found that in vortex flows with either an axial jet or an axial wake profile, increasing the shear thinning by decreasing the ratio of the viscoelastic characteristic times from one (with fixed values of the Weissenberg number and the mobility parameter) increases the critical swirl ratio for breakdown. Increasing the fluid elasticity by increasing the Weissenberg number from zero (with a fixed ratio of the viscoelastic characteristic times and a fixed value of the mobility parameter) or increasing the fluid mobility parameter from zero (with fixed values of the Weissenberg number and the ratio of viscoelastic times) causes a similar effect. The results may explain the trend of changes in the appearance of breakdown zones as a function of swirl level that were observed in the experiments by Stokes et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 429, 2001, pp. 67–115), where Boger fluids were used. This work extends for the first time the theory of vortex breakdown to include effects of non-Newtonian fluids.
Curvature instability of a curved Batchelor vortex
Authors: Blanco-Rodríguez Francisco J. , Le Dizès Stéphane
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we analyse the curvature instability of a curved Batchelor vortex. We consider this short-wavelength instability when the radius of curvature of the vortex centreline is large compared with the vortex core size. In this limit, the curvature instability can be interpreted as a resonant phenomenon. It results from the resonant coupling of two Kelvin modes of the underlying Batchelor vortex with the dipolar correction induced by curvature. The condition of resonance of the two modes is analysed in detail as a function of the axial jet strength of the Batchelor vortex. In contrast to the Rankine vortex, only a few configurations involving $m=0$ and $m=1$ modes are found to become the most unstable. The growth rate of the resonant configurations is systematically computed and used to determine the characteristics of the most unstable mode as a function of the curvature ratio, the Reynolds number and the axial flow parameter. The competition of the curvature instability with another short-wavelength instability, which was considered in a companion paper (Blanco-Rodríguez & Le Dizès, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 804, 2016, pp. 224–247), is analysed for a vortex ring. A numerical error found in this paper, which affects the relative strength of the elliptic instability, is also corrected. We show that the curvature instability becomes the dominant instability in large rings as soon as axial flow is present (vortex ring with swirl).
Is a Kiss Just a Kiss?: Predicting Variations in Motives for Romantic Kissing
Authors: Moore Elle A. , Kulibert Danica , Thompson Ashley E.
Published: February 2017

Romantic kissing is vastly understudied in scientific research, with only one study systematically examining romantic kissing motives and associated gender differences. The current study explored motives for romantic kissing in greater detail by examining whether gender, age, relationship status, sexual attitudes, and personality predicted variations in adults’ romantic kissing motives. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses (N = 461) revealed that those with more permissive sexual attitudes, higher levels of extraversion, those currently in committed relationships and those younger in age were most likely to endorse relational/sexual motives for romantic kissing. Goal attainment/insecurity motives were most frequently endorsed by men and those with more permissive sexual attitudes, higher levels of extraversion, lower levels of agreeableness, and lower levels of conscientiousness. Results emphasise the importance of a variety of variables in understanding motives for romantic kissing.
Asymmetric geographic range expansion explains the latitudinal diversity gradients of four major taxa of marine plankton
Authors: Powell Matthew G. , Glazier Douglas S.
Published: February 2017

Extensive investigation of the close association between biological diversity and environmental temperature has not yet yielded a generally accepted, empirically validated mechanism to explain latitudinal gradients of species diversity, which occur in most taxa. Using the highly resolved late Cenozoic fossil records of four major taxa of marine plankton, we show that their gradients arise as a consequence of asymmetric geographic range expansion rather than latitudinal variation in diversification rate, as commonly believed. Neither per capita speciation nor extinction rates trend significantly with temperature or latitude for these marine plankton. Species of planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton that originate in the temperate zone preferentially spread toward and arrive earlier in the tropics to produce a normal gradient with tropical diversity peaks; by contrast, temperate-zone originating species of diatoms and radiolarians preferentially spread toward and arrive earlier in polar regions to produce reversed gradients with high-latitude diversity peaks. Our results suggest that temperature affects latitudinal diversity gradients chiefly by its effect on species’ range limits rather than on probabilities of speciation and extinction. We show that this mechanism also appears to operate in various multicellular taxa, thus providing a widely applicable explanation for the origin of latitudinal diversity gradients.
A 30,000 yr high-precision eruption history for the andesitic Mt. Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand
Authors: Damaschke Magret , Cronin Shane J. , Holt Katherine A. , Bebbington Mark S. , Hogg Alan G.
Published: February 2017

Tephra layers from 11 sediment cores were examined from a series of closely spaced lake and peat sites, which form an arc around the andesitic stratovolcano Mt. Taranaki, North Island, New Zealand. A new high-resolution composite tephra-deposition record was built, encompassing at least 228 tephra-producing eruptions over the last 30 cal ka BP and providing a basis for understanding variations in magnitude and frequency of explosive volcanism at a typical andesitic volcano. Intersite correlation and geochemical fingerprinting of almost all tephra layers was achieved using electron microprobe–determined titanomagnetite phenocryst and volcanic glass shard compositions, in conjunction with precise age determination of the tephra layers based on continuous down-core radiocarbon dating. Compositional variation within these data allowed the overall eruption record to be divided into six individual tephra sequences. This geochemical/stratigraphic division provides a broad basis for widening correlation to incomplete tephra sequences, with confident correlations to specific, distal Taranaki-derived tephra layers found as far as 270 km from the volcano. Furthermore, this tephrostratigraphical record is one of the most continuous and detailed for an andesitic stratovolcano. It suggests two general patterns of magmatic evolution, characterized by intricate geochemical variations indicating a complex storage and plumbing system beneath the volcano.
Optical dating of late Quaternary carbonate sequences of Saurashtra, western India
Authors: Sharma Komal , Bhatt Nilesh , Shukla Anil Dutt , Cheong Dae-Kyo , Singhvi Ashok Kumar
Published: February 2017

Bioclastic carbonate deposits that formed because of a combination of nearshore marine, fluvial, and aeolian processes, occur along the Saurashtra coast and in the adjacent interior regions of western India. Whether these carbonates formed by marine or aeolian processes has been debated for many decades. The presence of these deposits inland poses questions as to whether they are climate controlled or attributable to postdepositional tectonic uplift. In particular, the debate centres on chronologic issues including (1) appropriate sampling strategies and (2) the use of230Th/234U and14C ages on the bulk carbonates. Using traces (<1%) of quartz grains trapped in carbonate matrices, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of quartz grains, deposited along with the carbonate grains, provides ages for the most recent deposition events. The OSL ages range from >165 to 44 ka for the shell limestones, 75–17 ka for the fluvially reworked sheet deposits, and 80–11 ka for miliolites deposited by aeolian processes. These are younger than the230Th/234U and14C ages and suggest that the inland carbonate deposits were reworked from older carbonate sediments that were transported during more arid phases.
Inland dunes on the abandoned bed of Glacial Lake Chicago indicate eolian activity during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition, southwestern Michigan, USA
Authors: Colgan Patrick M. , Amidon William H. , Thurkettle Sara A.
Published: February 2017

Inland dune fields have recently emerged as a source of data for reconstructing paleoenvironments and climate in the western Great Lakes region of North America during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. We employ optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) methods, radiocarbon ages, soils, and landform relationships to determine the age of inland dunes in Ottawa County, Michigan. These dunes rest on the abandoned bed of Glacial Lake Chicago, which is thought to have been exposed after ~13.6 ka. OSL analyses from two inland dunes yield ages ranging from 13.3±1.1 to 11.6±0.9 ka (uncertainty=2σ). Fine sand in the parabolic dunes suggests deflation of exposed glaciolacustrine nearshore sand by northwesterly and westerly winds. These new data add to a growing number of studies that demonstrate widespread eolian activity in the western Great Lakes region during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. OSL ages from dune fields in the western Great Lakes indicate peak eolian activity and dune stabilization occurred during or following the Younger Dryas and Preboreal events. Northwesterly and westerly winds suggest the limited effect of hypothesized easterly anticyclonic winds during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. Rapidly changing climate and newly deglaciated surfaces provided an ideal environment for dune formation.
Comparative14C and OSL dating of loess-paleosol sequences to evaluate post-depositional contamination ofn-alkane biomarkers
Authors: Zech Michael , Kreutzer Sebastian , Zech Roland , Goslar Tomasz , Meszner Sascha , McIntyre Cameron , Häggi Christoph , Eglinton Timothy , Faust Dominik , Fuchs Markus
Published: February 2017

There is an ongoing controversial discussion as to whethern-alkane lipid biomarkers—and organic matter of loess in general—reflect a synsedimentary paleoenvironmental/climate signal or whether they are significantly affected by postdepositional “contamination,” for example related to root and rhizomicrobial activity. In order to address this issue at our study site (the Middle to Late Weichselian loess-paleosol sequence Gleina in Saxony, Germany), we determined and compared radiocarbon ages of bulkn-alkanes and sedimentation ages, as assessed by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating. The bulkn-alkanes of the four dated samples yielded calibrated14C ages ranging from 24.1 to 49.7 cal ka BP (95.4% probability ranges). While the three uppermostn-alkane samples are well within the range or even slightly older than the OSL-inferred sedimentation ages, the lowermostn-alkane sample is slightly younger than the OSL ages. There is hence little or no evidence at our study site forn-alkanes in loess-paleosol sequences being significantly “contaminated” by deep subsoil rooting or microbial processes. We propose a14C isotope mass balance calculation for estimating such contaminations quantitatively. Radiocarbon dating of bulkn-alkanes might have great potential for Quaternary research, and we encourage further comparative14C and OSL studies.
Iron Age Agriculture − A Critical Rejoinder to “Settlement Oscillations in the Negev Highlands Revisited: the Impact of Microarchaeological Methods”
Authors: Bruins Hendrik J , van der Plicht Johannes
Published: February 2017

Shahack-Gross and Finkelstein (2015) further developed their theory, based on microarchaeology, that there was no agriculture in the Negev Highlands during the Iron Age. We critically evaluate their article in this rejoinder and propose that their conclusion is an example of overinterpretation from a small amount of indirect data. Based on phytoliths in two courtyards and a few rooms, i.e. structures not related to farming, they construed the absence of agriculture during the Iron Age in an area of 2000 km2. We present new radiocarbon, macroarchaeological, and microarchaeological data of Horvat Haluqim, showing that agriculture in the Negev Highlands based on runoff/floodwater capture and related terrace wall construction did not begin with the Roman–Byzantine period. Terrace agriculture in the Negev is older and includes also the Iron Age.
Community attitudes towards protected areas: insights from Ghana
Authors: Dewu Selase , Røskaft Eivin
Published: February 2017

Understanding community attitudes towards protected areas is of great importance because these attitudes are inherently linked to the long-term existence and effectiveness of protected areas. We assessed the factors that influence community attitudes towards Mole and Digya National Parks in Ghana. During June–August 2015 we conducted interviews with 346 randomly selected households, using a semi-structured questionnaire. We found that attitudes towards the protected areas were positive, with Mole residents being more positive than Digya residents. Analyses revealed that community attitudes were largely influenced by the perceived costs and benefits of the protected area, household size, occupation, level of education, and awareness of or participation in livelihood projects. The findings suggest that increasing the benefits from protected areas and minimizing the costs on fringe communities fosters positive attitudes towards the concept of protected areas and conservation in general. Additionally, perceptions of protected areas are likely to be more positive when management interventions are tailored for local communities as opposed to the adoption of universal, unspecific interventions.
First structured camera-trap surveys in Karen State, Myanmar, reveal high diversity of globally threatened mammals
Authors: Moo Saw Sha Bwe , Froese Graden Z.L. , Gray Thomas N.E.
Published: February 2017

The hill forests of Karen State, Myanmar, were previously inaccessible to biologists and conservationists for security and political reasons. We have, however, now been able to conduct six surveys across the area, using camera traps, for a total of 9,511 trap-nights, to ascertain the presence of threatened mammal species. We obtained 4,191 records of at least 31 mammal species, including 17 categorized as Near Threatened, Vulnerable or Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Carnivores were especially diverse, with 19 species recorded, indicating a globally significant community, including the tiger Panthera tigris, leopard Panthera pardus and dhole Cuon alpinus. Our methodology was not appropriate for estimating relative abundance or occupancy but the species richness of the mammal community, the number of records and the number of locations where species were detected suggest the area is important for the conservation of a globally threatened mammal community that is in decline across the majority of its range. Despite long-standing conservation efforts undertaken by the Karen people, their forests are threatened by hunting and habitat loss. These threats are likely to be exacerbated as political change brings rapid development. Urgent action is thus needed to assist the Karen people to protect one of South-east Asia's last intact rich and diverse ecosystems.
The partisan politics of early childhood education in the German Länder
Authors: Busemeyer Marius R. , Seitzl Lina
Published: February 2017

This article analyses the role of partisan politics in the recent expansion of early childhood education and care in the German Länder. In contrast to recent work in comparative public policy that often diagnoses a waning of partisan effects, we find broad support for the notion that partisan differences continue to matter in this policy field. The government participation of left-wing parties is positively and significantly associated with changes in public spending on early childhood education, independent of whether this is measured as a percentage of gross domestic product or in terms of per-capita spending. In contrast, left-wing partisanship is not associated with changes in the share of public spending devoted to independent (private) institutions. Coalition status, particularly governing in a Grand Coalition, somewhat mediates these effects. Our empirical analysis is based on the findings from a cross-sectional time-series analysis based on an original data set of spending data for the 16 Länder for the time period between 1992 and 2010.
“Stressing Out”: Cadre Calibration and Affective Proximity to the CCP in Reform-era China
Authors: Mertha Andrew
Published: February 2017

Might authoritarian one-party systems experience something akin to party identification – or affective proximity to the Party – that waxes and wanes over time? Such cycles do not centre on elections but on the politics of succession, new policy initiatives and ad hoc housecleaning, and their focus would be officials within the system as opposed to the electorate outside it. I argue that a key mechanism animating such variation in party identification of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) cadres lies within the recurring rectification efforts seeking to temper these individuals and make them more submissive to the larger political goals of the Party centre. Such priming is largely an in-house phenomenon, taking place increasingly deeper within the CCP apparatus. This process tends to involve an extensive arsenal of institutional mechanisms that constitute a particularly big stick and within which pressures to comply can be uncomfortable, even excruciating. Normative elements of these movements, such as the language and substantive written materials used during study, analysis and self-criticism are predominantly in the service of enhancing the sheer domineering quality of the Party vis-à-vis the individuals that make up its ranks. I explore this through an examination of the three stresses (san jiang) campaign of 1998–2002.
Mars Cruise Orbit Determination from Combined Optical Celestial Techniques and X-ray Pulsars
Authors: Liu Jiandong , Wei Erhu , Jin Shuanggen
Published: February 2017

The precise autonomous navigation for deep space exploration by combination of multi-source observation data is a key issue for probe control and scientific applications. In this paper, the performance of an integrated Optical Celestial Navigation (OCN) and X-ray Pulsars Autonomous Navigation (XNAV) system is investigated for the orbit of Mars Pathfinder. Firstly, OCN and XNAV single systems are realised by an Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF). Secondly, the integrated system is simulated with a Federated Kalman Filter (FKF), which can do the information fusion of the two subsystems of UKF and inherits the advantages of each subsystem. Thirdly, the performance of our system is evaluated by analysing the relationship between observation errors and navigation accuracy. The results of the simulation experiments show that the biases between the nominal and our calculated orbit are within 5 km in all three axes under complex error conditions. This accuracy is also better than current ground-based techniques.
Characteristics of foodborne outbreaks in which use of analytical epidemiological studies contributed to identification of suspected vehicles, European Union, 2007 to 2011
Authors: SCHLINKMANN K. M. , RAZUM O. , WERBER D.
Published: February 2017

Foodborne disease outbreaks (FBDOs) occur frequently in Europe. Employing analytical epidemiological study designs increases the likelihood of identifying the suspected vehicle(s), but these studies are rarely applied in FBDO investigations. We used multivariable binary logistic regression analysis to identify characteristics of investigated FBDOs reported to the European Food Safety Authority (2007–2011) that were associated with analytical epidemiological evidence (compared to evidence from microbiological investigations/descriptive epidemiology only). The analysis was restricted to FBDO investigations, where the evidence for the suspected vehicle was considered ‘strong’, i.e. convincing. The presence of analytical epidemiological evidence was reported in 2012 (50%) of these 4038 outbreaks. In multivariable analysis, increasing outbreak size, number of hospitalizations, causative (i.e. aetiological) agent (whether identified and, if so, which one), and the setting in which these outbreaks occurred (e.g. geographically dispersed outbreaks) were independently associated with presence of analytical evidence. The number of investigations with reported analytical epidemiological evidence was unexpectedly high, likely indicating the need for quality assurance within the European Union foodborne outbreak reporting system, and warranting cautious interpretation of our findings. This first analysis of evidence implicating a food vehicle in FBDOs may help to inform public health authorities on when to use analytical epidemiological study designs.