bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extended Bandwidth Optimized and Energy Efficient Dynamic Source Routing Protocol in Mobile Ad-hoc Networks
Authors: Bhatia Bindiya , Soni M. K. , Tomar Parul
Published: July 2018

With the increase in the evolution of wireless communication, the ad-hoc networks are gaining attention and are significantly becoming the technology solutions to the various problems. Mobile ad-hoc Networks (MANETs) are envisaged to grow as a main component in the today 4G architecture, and ad hoc networks are projected to be a significant element of the whole future wireless communication. The MANETs are infrastructure less, self-forming and self-organizing network in which there is no control of any centralized entity. The nodes are free to move around the network with dynamic topology. But this self formation, flexibility and scalability create many challenges and design constraints like hidden  terminal, limited bandwidth, limited energy of a node, unpredictable change in the topology etc. Bandwidth and energy are the scarce resources of the network. In order to effectively manage the consumption of bandwidth and energy, an algorithm is proposed which is the extension of traditional Dynamic Source Routing (DSR) reactive routing protocol. The extended protocol applies the mobile agents to carry the data. The proposed work is intended to optimize the bandwidth and making the protocol energy efficient.
Design of an Interdigital Structure Planar Bandpass Filter for UWB Frequency
Authors: Motakabber S. M. A. , Haidari M. N.
Published: July 2018

A new topology of miniaturized interdigital structuremicrostrip planar bandpass filter for Ultra-Wideband (UWB) frequency has been discussed in this paper. The proposed design and its simulation have been carried out by using an electromagnetic simulation software named CST microwave studio. The Taconic TLX-8 microwave substrate has been used in this research. The experimental result and analysis have been performed by using the microwave vector network analyzer. The experimental result showed that the -10dB bandwidth of the filter is 7.5GHz. The lower and upper corner frequencies of the filter have been achieved at 3.1GHz and 10.6GHz respectively. At the center frequency of 6.85GHz, the -1dB insertion loss and the -7dB return losshave been observed. The simulated and experimental results are well agreed with a compact size filter of
19×21×0.5mm3.
A Cooperative Cache Management Scheme for IEEE802.15.4 based Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Charan Piyush , Usmani Tahsin , Paulus Rajeev , Saeed Syed Hasan
Published: July 2018

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) based on the IEEE 802.15.4 MAC and PHY layer standards is a recent trend in the market. It has gained tremendous attention due to its low energy consumption characteristics and low data rates. However, for larger networks minimizing energy consumption is still an issue because of the dissemination of large overheads throughout the network. This consumption of energy can be reduced by incorporating a novel cooperative caching scheme to minimize overheads and to serve data with minimal latency and thereby reduce the energy consumption. This paper explores the possibilities to enhance the energy efficiency by incorporating a cooperative caching strategy.
Music Emotion Classification based on Lyrics-Audio using Corpus based Emotion
Authors: Rachman Fika Hastarita , Sarno Riyanarto , Fatichah Chastine
Published: July 2018

Music has lyrics and audio. That’s components can be a feature for music emotion classification. Lyric features were extracted from text data and audio features were extracted from audio signal data.In the classification of emotions, emotion corpus is required for lyrical feature extraction. Corpus Based Emotion (CBE) succeed to increase the value of F-Measure for emotion classification on text documents. The music document has an unstructured format compared with the article text document. So it requires good preprocessing and conversion process before classification process. We used MIREX Dataset for this research. Psycholinguistic and stylistic features were used as lyrics features. Psycholinguistic feature was a feature that related to the category of emotion. In this research, CBE used to support the extraction process of psycholinguistic feature. Stylistic features related with usage of unique words in the lyrics, e.g. ‘ooh’, ‘ah’, ‘yeah’, etc. Energy, temporal and spectrum features were extracted for audio features.The best test result for music emotion classification was the application of Random Forest methods for lyrics and audio features. The value of F-measure was 56.8%.
Automatic Leukemia Cell Counting using Iterative Distance Transform for Convex Sets
Authors: Fatonah Nenden Siti , Tjandrasa Handayani , Fatichah Chastine
Published: July 2018

The calculation of white blood cells on the acute leukemia microscopic images is one of the stages in the diagnosis of Leukemia disease. The main constraint on calculating the number of white blood cells is the precision in the area of overlapping white blood cells. The research on the calculation of the number of white blood cells overlapping generally based on geometry. However, there was still a calculation error due to over segment or under segment. This paper proposed an Iterative Distance Transform for Convex Sets (IDTCS) method to determine the markers and calculate the number of overlapping white blood cells. Determination of marker was performed on every cell both in single and overlapping white blood cell area. In this study, there were tree stages: segmentation of white blood cells, marker detection and white blood cell count, and contour estimation of every white blood cell. The used data testing was microscopic acute leukemia image data of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia (AML). Based on the test results, Iterative Distance Transform for Convex Sets IDTCS method performs better than Distance Transform (DT) and Ultimate Erosion for Convex Sets (UECS) method.
Firefly Algorithm to Opmimal Distribution of Reactive Power Compensation Units
Authors: Manusov Vadim Z. , Matrenin Pavel V. , Atabaeva Lola S.
Published: July 2018

The issue of electric power grid mode of optimization is one of the basic directions in power engineering research. Currently, methods other than classical optimization methods based on various bio-heuristic algorithms are applied. The problems of reactive power optimization in a power grid using bio-heuristic algorithms are considered. These algorithms allow obtaining more efficient solutions as well as taking into account several criteria. The Firefly algorithm is adapted to optimize the placement of reactive power sources as well as to select their values. A key feature of the proposed modification of the Firefly algorithm is the solution for the multi-objective optimization problem. Algorithms based on a bio-heuristic process can find a neighborhood of global extreme, so a local gradient descent in the neighborhood is applied for a more accurate solution of the problem. Comparison of gradient descent, Firefly algorithm and Firefly algorithm with gradient descent is carried out.
Model for Evaluating CO2 Emissions and the Projection of the Transport Sector
Authors: Ospina Daniel , Zapata Sebastian , Castañeda Mónica , Dyner Isaac , Aristizabal Andres Julian , Escalante Nicolas
Published: July 2018

This article presents a system dynamics model to analyze the growth of cars and the effect of different policies on carbon emissions from the transport sector. The simulation model used in this work was built using the methodology of systems dynamics (SD) developed by Jay W. Forrester at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The model was applied to the transport sector of the city of Bogota, Colombia for a period of time between 2005 and 2050. The information used to feed the model comes from reliable sources such as DANE (National Administrative Department of Statistics) and EIA (U.S Energy Information Administration). Four scenarios were proposed that relate urban development policy and environmental policy. The main results indicate that the number of cars in Bogota can reach up to 13 million vehicles in 2050 and the projection of CO2 emissions would reach 34 million TonCO2 in the absence of an appropriate environmental policy.
Fuzzy Logic based Edge Detection Method for Image Processing
Authors: Alawad Abdulrahman Moffaq , Rahman Farah Diyana Abdul , Khalifa Othman O. , Malek Norun Abdul
Published: July 2018

Edge detection is the first step in image recognition systems in a digital image processing. An effective way to resolve many information from an image such depth, curves and its surface is by analyzing its edges, because that can elucidate these characteristic when color, texture, shade or light changes slightly. Thiscan lead to misconception image or vision as it based on faulty method. This work presentsa new fuzzy logic method with an implemention. The objective of this method is to improve the edge detection task. The results are comparable to similar techniques in particular for medical images because it does not take the uncertain part into its account.
Dual Axes Solar Tracker
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmad Imran bin , Abdul Rahman Farah Diyana binti , Rohaizat Muazzin bin
Published: July 2018

Photovoltaic (PV) is one of the most important sources of renewable energy in the world. Its current efficiency could be increased up to 60% by using dual axes solar tracker, which maximise PV exposure to sun. The most important component in dual axes solar tracker is sensing location of the sun. Four light dependent resistors (LDR) are used as the sensors, connected to potentiometers to increase their accuracy. Arduino UNO is used as the controller to control two stepper motors. Two experiments have been carried out, where the tolerance of the LDR has been found to be 0.05V and the calibration of the four LDRs to have the error of 0.03V. Both experiments proved the capability of LDR for dual axes solar tracker and potentiometer to increase their accuracy.
Conservation status of Mascarene Amaranth Aerva congesta Balf.F. Ex Baker (Eudicots: Caryophyllales: Amaranthaceae): a Critically Endangered endemic herb of the Mascarenes, Indian Ocean
Authors: Pynee Kersley Bruno , Lorence David Harold , Khurun Poojanraj
Published: July 2018

Aerva congesta Balf.f. ex Baker (Amaranthaceae), an endemic of Mascarene Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues) is assessed for its conservation status. Considering its local extinction in Rodrigues and very small population in Mauritius, in Round Island and at Gris Gris, south of Mauritius its area of occupancy (AOO) is estimated at 8km².  Due to its small AOO and threats by increasing native vegetation and alien species, A. congesta is evaluated as Critically Endangered following the latest IUCN Red List criteria.  The species needs an urgent well-defined restoration program and ecological studies to prevent its extinction.
Taxonomic status and additional description of White’s Stalked-eyed Fly Cyrtodiopsis whitei (Curran, 1936) (Diptera: Diopsidae) from India with a key to the allied species and note on its habitat
Authors: Agarwala Basant Kumar
Published: July 2018

Systematics and ecology of Cyrtodiopsis whitei (Curran, 1936), initially described in brief from a tropical dry deciduous forest in eastern India as Diopsis whitei, remained obscure for want of the type specimens.  Recent collections of male and female specimens of this species from a new locality in the northeastern part of India, the country of the type locality, has allowed a fresh appraisal of its morphology, taxonomic position and habitat ecology in the background of several studies done on Diopsidae.  Herein are included some new characters, hitherto unknown in the species of Cyrtodiopsis, a taxonomic key to the separation of four species, considered monophyletic under the genus, and a note on the habitat of the species.
The ecology and distribution of percoid fish Dario neela from Wayanad in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India
Authors: Thampy Dencin Rons , Shaji C. P.
Published: July 2018

Dario neela, a newly described badid fish endemic to the Western Ghats is little known to science. Distribution and ecology of this species is not well documented.  In this paper, we provide information on new records of this rare fish from Wayanad region of the Western Ghats and discuss its distribution, ecology and conservation.
The amphibian diversity of selected agroecosystems in the southern Western Ghats, India
Authors: Syamili M. S. , Nameer P. O.
Published: July 2018

A study was conducted to evaluate amphibian diversity in selected agroecosystems of central Kerala within the southern Western Ghats of India, from January to May 2017.  A total of 10 anurans were recorded from cashew plantation, coconut plantation, homegarden and rubber plantation using a combination of quadrat sampling and visual encounter survey.  We recorded three species endemic to the Western Ghats: Minervarya keralensis, Pseudophilautus wynaadensis and Indosylvirana urbis from these agroecosystems.  Pseudophilautus wynaadensis is a threatened species with Endangered status as per the IUCN Red List.  The present study shows a strong relationship between the types of agroecosystems and abundance of different amphibian species.  This study highlights the potential of agroecosystems within and adjacent to the Western Ghats mountains to act as important abodes to conserve generalist species of amphibians and to provide a suitable habitat for threatened and endemic species.
Habitat suitability and threat analysis of Greater One-horned Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia: Perissodactyla: Rhinocerotidae) in Rautahat District, Nepal
Authors: Rimal Saru , Adhikari Hari , Tripathi Shankar
Published: July 2018

The Greater One-horned Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis has been listed as a Vulnerable species on IUCN Red List, Appendix I of CITES, and a protected animal under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029 B.S., 1973.  In Nepal, it was found only in Chitwan, Bardia, Shuklaphanta and Parsa national parks, but it has recently been also reported from the forests of Rautahat.  The main objectives of the study were to assess habitat suitability and threats for rhinoceros in Rautahat at an elevation range of approximately 300–1,000 m.  Remote sensing data and geospatial modeling techniques were used to assess habitat suitability of rhinoceros.  Vegetation assessment was carried out for tree, shrubs, and herbs of plot size 10m × 10m, 5m × 5m, 1m × 1m respectively for habitat suitability.  Threat analysis was carried out using purposive sampling among local people and their perceptions were collected on the movement of rhinoceros and threats.  The integration of nine explanatory variables showed that about 0.06%, 29.18%, 20.45%, and 50.31% of the study area was found to be most suitable, suitable, moderately suitable and unsuitable habitat respectively for rhinoceros.  Out of 30 respondents, 37%, 23%, 20%, and 20% identified the main threat to rhinoceros to be unmanaged habitat, poaching, human-wildlife conflict and environmental factors, respectively.  This study recommends parts of the Rautahat District to be extended as the habitat of rhinoceros and starting of immediate conservation initiatives in the area.
Odonate diversity of Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary - a Ramsar site in Gujarat, India
Authors: Rathod Darshana M. , Parasharya B. M.
Published: July 2018

Odonate diversity of Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, a Ramsar site in Gujarat, was studied between January 2015 and July 2017.  A total of 46 species belonging to two suborders, six families, and 27 genera were recorded, which included 14 species of Zygoptera (damselfly) and 32 species of Anisoptera (dragonfly).  Out of the 46 species, 40 species are new records for the Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary.  The record of Enallagma cyathigerum Charpentier, 1840 in Gujarat needs verification.  Need to monitor changes taking place in Odonata species composition after influx from Narmada canal at Nalsarovar is emphasized.
Taking the first steps: Initial mapping of the human-wildlife interaction of the Mauritius Fruit Bat Pteropus niger (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) in Mauritius by conservation organizations
Authors: Anthony Brandon P. , Tatayah Vikash , De Chazal Deborah
Published: July 2018

Interactions between people and wildlife have both positive and negative aspects.  Negative interactions, commonly termed human-wildlife conflict (HWC), have increased in recent decades due to a number of factors including difficulties in identifying and communicating the complexities of stakeholder values and positions over wildlife and its management.  Here, we present the perceptions of two conservation organizations on the landscape of HWC involving the threatened Mauritius Fruit Bat Pteropus niger, Kerr 1792 in Mauritius, including damage to fruit crops and controversial government culls in 2015 and 2016.  Participants identified 18 stakeholders in the conflict varying in importance and influence, examined where and how hostility is manifested, and delineated both perceived and real costs of the conflict.  Additionally, 13 environmental and 17 social risk factors associated with the conflict were categorized, along with potential policy and management options for mitigation.  We argue that initial in-house workshops are advantageous in understanding conservation conflicts before extending dialogue with other stakeholders.
Coltriciella dependens (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) Murrill, a new addition to wood-rotting fungi of India
Authors: Pongen Ayangla S. , Chuzho Kuno , Harsh N.S.K. , Khar M.S. , Kumar Manoj
Published: July 2018

Coltriciella dependens a new record of wood rotting fungi is being reported on partially burnt bark of living Pinus kesiya from Meghalaya, India.  It is the first record of the genus Coltriciella as well.  Macro-microscopical features, photographs, distribution patterns and ecology are discussed.
The term human-wildlife conflict creates more problems than it resolves: better labels should be considered
Authors: Davidar Priya
Published: July 2018

A critique of the extensive use of the term human-wildlife conflict to describe a variety of situations involving wildlife.
proas a Minimal nP: Toward a Unified Approach to Pro-Drop
Authors: Barbosa Pilar P.
Published: July 2018

In this article, I examine the properties of the partial null subject languages (NSLs) when compared with the consistent and the discourse pro-drop languages and argue that the same basic mechanism underlies pro-drop in partial as well as discourse pro-drop: namely, null NP anaphora, as originally proposed in Tomioka 2003 for discourse pro-drop. The two sets of languages show a correlation between the occurrence of null arguments and the availability of a bare nominal in argument position. I suggest that the null element is a default, minimally specified nominal—the same item that arguably appears as a complement of D in pronouns. It is a proform that minimally consists of the categorizing head n, lacking a root, the meaning of which is ‘entity’ (a property that is trivially true of any individual in the domain). nP introduces a variable that may be bound under Existential Closure, yielding the impersonal interpretation; otherwise, its denotation is type-shifted to an individual (ɩ) under the appropriate conditions. The crosslinguistic differences found in the interpretation of the null subject depend on the resources available in particular languages for application of ɩ type-shifting: the (bare NP) languages that lack such resources only have quasi-argumental and impersonal null subjects (semi pro-drop languages). Finally, I show that the idea that pro reduces to [nPe] can also be successfully extended to the consistent NSLs, provided it is assumed that, in this type of NSL, the head bearing agreement morphology bears a D-feature and interpretable ϕ-features.
On the Empirical Scope and Theoretical Status of the OC-NC Generalization
Authors: Ganenkov Dmitry
Published: July 2018

The article discusses the OC-NC generalization ( Landau 2004 , 2015 ) that establishes a relationship between the obligatory control nature of a construction and its semantic (tensedness/attitude) and formal (morphological agreement) properties. I discuss three counterexamples attested in languages of the Caucasus and demonstrate that complements of desiderative verbs in these languages violate predictions of the generalization: agreeing tensed complements instantiate obligatory control, or uninflected tensed complements are noncontrolled. I also give references to other potential counterexamples and discuss issues raised by the empirical evidence, ultimately arguing that no such typological universal holds.
Zamenis scalaris prefers abandoned citrus orchards in Eastern Spain. Ecological insights from a radio-tracking survey
Authors: Martinez-Freiria Fernando , Lorenzo Marcial , Lizana Miguel
Published: July 2018

Zamenis scalaris is a generalist active forager Mediterranean snake for which knowledge on spatial ecology is very limited. We report insights into the spatial and temporal patterns, and habitat use of four snakes, obtained through one-year radio-tracking monitoring in a citrus orchard landscape, in Eastern Iberia. Snakes showed a highly secretive behaviour, remaining hidden most of the annual cycle (>96% of records). Annual home ranges and movements were reduced in contrast to the expected energetic requirements of the species. Despite a similar pattern of non-activity during winter and a subsequent increase of movement rate and home range size in spring, each snake adopted a distinct spatial behaviour in summer and autumn. Abandoned citrus orchards and accessory constructions were the most frequent habitats selected by snakes, offering abundant prey and shelter. These resources are likely playing a crucial role in the spatial ecology of Z. scalaris.
Victims as a Third Party: Empowerment of Victims?
Authors: Zegveld Liesbeth
Published: July 2018

This article examines whether victims can claim rights of their own before international criminal courts. These courts remain divided on the role of victims. Even when they allow victims to participate and claim reparation, it is a restricted participation. Before the icc victims have a third-party role, being merely additional to the procedure. What’s more victims are treated collectively. They are assigned a collective representative, their right to choose legal counsel thus not being an absolute right. Due to the high number of victims and with an apparent wish to bring as many victims as possible in the procedure, also reparations are granted collectively. Reparations are provided to victims and communities even if they have not applied for reparations, setting aside individual claims. The result is that victims are the target of reparation, they are treated as objects rather than subjects who can demand a remedy.
Parody in Copyright Laws of GCC States: Where Does It Fit?
Authors: Almawla Hanan
Published: July 2018

The relationship between parody and copyright law has not been discussed in the copyright laws of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) or in Arab states in general. Nevertheless, in the past ten years, there has been a remarkable increase in parody shows and programmes in the region, triggering the question of copyright infringement. This article therefore examines the position of parody in the copyright laws of GCC states. It considers protection of parody − as an expressive tool − under the principle of freedom of speech. As no explicit statutory or judicial guidance in relation to parody in the current national copyright laws of GCC states is found, this article argues that parody should be explicitly recognized in the copyright laws of GCC states.
Review of the genus Cruziohyla (Anura: Phyllomedusidae), with description of a new species
Authors: GRAY ANDREW R.
Published: July 2018

The presented work summarises new and existing phenotypic and phylogenetic information for the genus Cruziohyla. Data based on morphology and skin peptide profiling supports the identification of a separate new species. Specimens of Cruziohyla calcarifer (Boulenger, 1902) occurring in Ecuador, Colombia, two localities in Panama, and one in the south east Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica, distinctly differ from those occurring along the Atlantic versant of Central America from Panama northwards through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, to Honduras. A new species—Cruziohyla sylviae sp. n.—(the type locality: Alto Colorado in Costa Rica)—is diagnosed and described using an integrated approach from morphological and molecular data. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences of the 16S rRNA gene confirms the new species having equal minimum 6.2% genetic divergence from both true C. calcarifer and Cruziohyla craspedopus.
Modeled and Observed Multidecadal Variability in the North Atlantic Jet Stream and Its Connection to Sea Surface Temperatures
Authors: Simpson Isla R. , Deser Clara , McKinnon Karen A. , Barnes Elizabeth A.
Published: July 2018

Multidecadal variability in the North Atlantic jet stream in general circulation models (GCMs) is compared with that in reanalysis products of the twentieth century. It is found that almost all models exhibit multidecadal jet stream variability that is entirely consistent with the sampling of white noise year-to-year atmospheric fluctuations. In the observed record, the variability displays a pronounced seasonality within the winter months, with greatly enhanced variability toward the late winter. This late winter variability exceeds that found in any GCM and greatly exceeds expectations from the sampling of atmospheric noise, motivating the need for an underlying explanation. The potential roles of both external forcings and internal coupled ocean–atmosphere processes are considered. While the late winter variability is not found to be closely connected with external forcing, it is found to be strongly related to the internally generated component of Atlantic multidecadal variability (AMV) in sea surface temperatures (SSTs). In fact, consideration of the seasonality of the jet stream variability within the winter months reveals that the AMV is far more strongly connected to jet stream variability during March than the early winter months or the winter season as a whole. Reasoning is put forward for why this connection likely represents a driving of the jet stream variability by the SSTs, although the dynamics involved remain to be understood. This analysis reveals a fundamental mismatch between late winter jet stream variability in observations and GCMs and a potential source of long-term predictability of the late winter Atlantic atmospheric circulation.
Spiciness Anomalies in the Upper South Indian Ocean
Authors: Nagura Motoki , Kouketsu Shinya
Published: July 2018

This study investigates an isopycnal temperature/salinity T/S, or spiciness, anomaly in the upper south Indian Ocean for the period from 2004 to 2015 using observations and reanalyses. Spiciness anomalies at about 15°S on 24–26σθ are focused on, whose standard deviation is about 0.1 psu in salinity and 0.25°C in temperature, and they have a contribution to isobaric temperature variability comparable to thermocline heave. A plausible generation region of these anomalies is the southeastern Indian Ocean, where the 25σθ surface outcrops in southern winter, and the anticyclonic subtropical gyre advects subducted water equatorward. Unlike the Pacific and Atlantic, spiciness anomalies in the upper south Indian Ocean are not T/S changes in mode water, and meridional variations in SST and sea surface salinity in their generation region are not density compensating. It is possible that this peculiarity is owing to freshwater originating from the Indonesian Seas. The production of spiciness anomalies is estimated from surface heat and freshwater fluxes and the surface T/S relationship in the outcrop region, based on several assumptions including the dominance of surface fluxes in the surface T/S budget and effective mixed layer depth proposed by Deser et al. The result agrees well with isopycnal salinity anomalies at the outcrop line, which indicates that spiciness anomalies are generated by local surface fluxes. It is suggested that the Ningaloo Niño and El Niño–Southern Oscillation lead to interannual variability in surface heat flux in the southeastern Indian Ocean and contribute to the generation of spiciness anomalies.
Dispositional Sources of Managerial Discretion: CEO Ideology, CEO Personality, and Firm Strategies
Authors: Gupta Abhinav , Nadkarni Sucheta , Mariam Misha
Published: July 2018

We investigate the dispositional sources of managerial discretion by theorizing that CEOs’ personality traits affect the extent to which their firms’ strategies reflect their preferences. In a longitudinal study of Fortune 500 firms, we examine the moderating influence of two personality traits—narcissism and extraversion—on the relationship between CEOs’ liberal- or conservative-leaning political ideologies and two firm strategies: corporate social responsibility (CSR) and workforce downsizing. We anticipate and confirm that liberal-leaning CEOs are more likely than others to enact CSR practices, and conservative-leaning CEOs are more likely than others to engage in downsizing. We find that extraversion strengthens these effects: it increases liberal CEOs’ use of CSR and conservative CEOs’ use of downsizing. Narcissism likewise strengthens the effect of CEO liberalism on CSR, but it does not significantly moderate the effect of CEO conservatism on downsizing. In a supplementary study using primary data from working professionals, we further explore the distinct mechanisms associated with these two personality traits. We find that narcissism relates strongly to individuals’ inflated perception of their discretion, whereas extraversion relates to their ability to sell an issue to others. Our study furthers research on managerial discretion by providing nuanced theory and evidence on innate sources of CEOs’ influence, and it enhances research on CEOs’ political ideology by spotlighting the dispositional boundary conditions of its effects on firms’ strategies.
PPARγ-Mediated p21 Induction in Aerodigestive Preneoplastic Cell Lines
Authors: Miller Wendy A. , Wuertz Beverly R. , Ondrey Frank G.
Published: July 2018

Introduction:

Oral leukoplakia is defined as a mucous membrane disorder characterized by white patches that cannot be scraped off. Leukoplakia is the most frequent, potentially premalignant oral mucosa disorder and a good candidate for chemopreventive therapies. Pioglitazone activates peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), which forms a complex with nuclear cofactors and regulates gene expression of a variety of cell-cycle proteins and is currently being tested preclinically and clinically in aerodigestive cancer prevention.

Methods:

In the present study, we hypothesized that pioglitazone would decrease proliferation of human leukoplakia cells (MSK Leuk1) and transformed bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) through regulatory changes of G1 checkpoint protein regulators, p21 and cyclin-D1. MSK Leuk1 and BEAS-2B cells were treated with pioglitazone and assayed for cell proliferation and p21 transcriptional activity.

Results:

We discovered pioglitazone significantly inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent fashion. We also observed p21 protein induction after treatment with pioglitazone, which was preceded by measurable increases in p21 mRNA induction.

Conclusions:

We conclude the PPARγ activator, pioglitazone, can activate p21, which is associated with decreased proliferation in 2 aerodigestive preneoplastic cell lines. In addition, the p21 gene may be a potential hypothesis-driven biomarker in translational studies of pioglitazone as a chemoprevention agent for aerodigestive cancer.
The impact of substance use disorders on recovery from bipolar depression: Results from the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder psychosocial treatment trial
Authors: Gold Alexandra K , Peters Amy T , Otto Michael W , Sylvia Louisa G , Magalhaes Pedro Vieira da Silva , Berk Michael , Dougherty Darin D , Miklowitz David J , Frank Ellen , Nierenberg Andrew A , Deckersbach Thilo
Published: July 2018

Objective:

Up to 60% of patients with bipolar disorder develop a substance use disorder during their lifetime. The purpose of this paper was to assess the impact of substance use disorders on depression recovery among bipolar patients randomly assigned to different psychotropic medications and psychosocial interventions. We hypothesized that patients with a comorbid substance use disorder would benefit less from psychotherapy regardless of treatment intensity/length compared to patients without a comorbid substance use disorder.

Method:

We conducted post hoc analyses among bipolar disorder patients ( n = 270) with and without comorbid substance use disorders enrolled in the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder randomized psychosocial intervention trial. All patients entered during or shortly after the onset of a bipolar depressive episode. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess whether current or past substance use disorders moderated the response of patients to intensive psychosocial intervention or brief psychoeducation with collaborative care, operationalized as full recovery from an episode of bipolar depression.

Results:

Current comorbid substance use disorders significantly predicted likelihood of recovery (odds ratio = 2.25, p = 0.025) and time to recovery (odds ratio = 1.71, p = 0.006) from bipolar depression. We found that 74.5% of patients with a current substance use disorder, compared to 56.5% without a current substance use disorder, recovered from bipolar depression. Past substance use disorders did not predict likelihood of recovery or time to recovery. Current substance use disorders did not significantly moderate response to intensive psychotherapy versus collaborative care.

Conclusion:

Contrary to our hypotheses, bipolar disorder participants with a current comorbid substance use disorder were more likely to recover from psychosocial treatment for bipolar depression than patients without a current comorbid substance use disorder. If this finding is replicated, it has implications for the ordering of treatment for patients with comorbid bipolar disorder and substance use disorders.
Drug Courts and Arrest for Substance Possession: Was the African American Community Differentially Impacted?
Authors: Lilley David R. , DeVall Kristen , Tucker-Gail Kasey
Published: July 2018

Although drug courts were intended to reduce the justice system involvement of drug offenders, a recent study found evidence that drug courts were associated with increased (rather than decreased) arrests for minor misdemeanor drug offenses. The author of that study noted that findings raised further questions about whether the increased drug arrests should be interpreted as beneficial or harmful and whether they might have had a differential impact on minority residents. This study incorporated race-specific arrest information to partially answer these questions by utilizing a series of fixed-effects regressions among U.S. cities with populations over 50,000 from 1990 to 2006. Findings indicate that drug court implementation was associated with substantial increases in arrests of Black, but not White residents. Ethical and theoretical implications for therapeutic jurisprudence, problem-solving courts, and the minority threat perspective are discussed.
A Study of Paul’s Identity in Acts
Authors: Jung Deok Hee
Published: July 2018

In Acts, Luke describes Paul as a holder of multiple identities—Jew, Greek, and Roman. Paul’s behavior can be described as that of an opportunist by switching his own identity in Philippi and Jerusalem. However, Paul’s behavior can be discussed as a context-dependent representation of self. As the case of Lucian shows, an individual’s identity is fluidly constructed in religious, cultural, and political contexts. According to Luke’s portrayal, Paul also presents himself as a Jew in the Jewish religious context but as a Roman citizen in Roman political situations.
Quantum genetic sliding mode controller design for depth control of an underwater vehicle
Authors: Tavanaei-Sereshki Zahra , Ramezani-al Mohammad Reza
Published: July 2018

Quantum genetic algorithm (QGA) is an optimization algorithm based on the probability that combines the idea of quantum computing and traditional genetic algorithm. In this paper, a new type of control law is developed for an underwater vehicle along with the desired path. The proposed controller is based on sliding mode control (SMC) in which the reaching law is modified to overcome two challenging problems, chattering, and sensitivity against noise. The disturbance is considered as a set of sinus waves with different frequencies which its parameters are estimated by Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Since QGA has some advantages such as fast convergence speed, small population size, and strong global search capabilities, we use QGA to determine the gain of the proposed controller. Finally, the Lyapunov theorem is used to prove that trajectory-tracking error converges to zero. Simulation results show that QGA can converge to the optimal response with a population consist of one chromosome.
Reinforcement learning–based fault-tolerant control with application to flux cored wire system
Authors: Zhang Dapeng , Gao Zhiwei
Published: July 2018

Background:

Processes and systems are always subjected to faults or malfunctions due to age or unexpected events, which would degrade the operation performance and even lead to operation failure. Therefore, it is motivated to develop fault-tolerant control strategy so that the system can operate with tolerated performance degradation.

Methods:

In this paper, a reinforcement learning -based fault-tolerant control method is proposed without need of the system model and the information of faults.

Results and Conclusions:

Under the real-time tolerant control, the dynamic system can achieve performance tolerance against unexpected actuator or sensor faults. The effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated and validated by the rolling system in a test bed of the flux cored wire.
Peace first? What is Canada’s role in UN operations?
Authors: Martin-Brûlé Sarah-Myriam , Hlatky Stéfanie von
Published: July 2018

In the wake of the Canadian government’s pledge for a renewed role at the United Nations (UN) notably by reengaging in peacekeeping activities, this special issue focuses on Canada’s added value to peace operations. Our aim is to identify the goals, challenges, and stakes for Canada’s reengagement in peace operations as a central component of foreign and defence policy. One of the first questions to ask is how can Canada contribute to peace operations which are now characterized by more complex security environments, in a way that is consistent with its interests, resources, and capacity? The second question relates to Canada’s engagement in peace missions in the context of a continuously evolving technological landscape. Finally, we address defence planning, equipping the Canadian Armed Forces, and managing personnel, as they relate to UN operations. The time is ripe to revitalize the debate on peace operations and analyze Canada’s capacity in this area.
Preparing for peace: Myths and realities of Canadian peacekeeping training
Authors: Dorn A. Walter , Libben Joshua
Published: July 2018

During the Harper years (2006–2015), Canada significantly reduced the training, preparation, and deployment of military personnel for United Nations (UN) peacekeeping. Now, despite the Trudeau government’s pledge to lead an international peacekeeping training effort, Canada’s capabilities have increased only marginally. A survey of the curricula in the country’s training institutions shows that the military provides less than a quarter of the peacekeeping training activities that it provided in 2005. The primary cause of these reductions was the central focus on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Afghanistan operation and several lingering myths about peacekeeping, common to many Western militaries. As the Trudeau government has committed to reengaging Canada in UN operations, these misperceptions must be addressed, and a renewed training and education initiative is necessary. This paper describes the challenges of modern peace operations, addresses the limiting myths surrounding peacekeeping training, and makes recommendations so that military personnel in Canada and other nations can once again be prepared for peace.
Public support for the right to euthanasia: Impact of traditional religiosity and autonomy values across 37 nations
Authors: Rudnev Maksim , Savelkaeva Aleksandra
Published: July 2018

This article takes a postmodernization perspective on support for the right to euthanasia by treating it as an expression of a process of value change, as a preference for quality over quantity of life. Using the data from the fifth wave of the World Values Survey, this study attempts to answer the question of whether the mass support for the right to euthanasia is an expression of autonomy values rather than just a function of a low religiosity. Multilevel regressions demonstrate that both traditional religiosity and autonomy values have a high impact at the individual level, while at the country level only the effects of traditional religiosity are significant. Autonomy values have stronger association with attitudes to euthanasia in countries with higher levels of postmaterialism. Multilevel path analysis demonstrates that the effect of religiosity is partially and weakly mediated by the values of autonomy at both levels. Although religiosity was found to have a much stronger impact, the independent effect of autonomy values suggests that mass support for the right to euthanasia is a value-driven preference for quality over quantity of life. We conclude by suggesting that the fall in traditional religiosity might emphasize the role of values in moral attitudes regulation.
The Workhouse Dresden-Leuben After 1945: A Microstudy of Local Continuities in Postwar East Germany
Authors: Wahl Markus
Published: July 2018

By using the workhouse of Dresden as a microstudy, this article explores local continuities in postwar East Germany. It argues that this example not only illustrates the persistence of mentalities towards ‘sexual and social deviance’, not least as a legacy of the Third Reich, but also questions the assumption of a strictly centralized state and 1945 as a caesura. In a first step, the article shows the continuity of personnel at the state level, who decided that the workhouse as an institution should have a future in the new East German state after 1945, before revealing that local authorities were also unable to dissociate themselves with the views towards this institution of the past. In the end, the article enters this institution with help of archival sources, architectural plans, and photographs, exploring the impact of this state and local continuity on the everyday lives of inmates in this workhouse in Dresden. In doing so, it contributes to the historiography of East Germany by revealing the agency of different individuals, even if confined to a ‘total institution’.
Selling the School to the Public
Authors: Emery James Newell
Published: July 2018

Mr. Emery's semi-facetious article, “Do Principals Work?” (which appeared in our issue of April 14), created much discussion. Upon second thought, the writer still sees no way of excusing the principal from the details of his work as contact man between the school and the public.
Seattle's Trade Training Flexible
Authors: Fleming S. E.
Published: July 2018

The newly opened Thomas A. Edison Vocational School marks the culmination of a period of development. Seattle considers the needs of local industry in deciding what trade courses to offer.
Rural Schools, Eventually and Now
Authors: Culp V. H.
Published: July 2018

Help the farmer by helping rural schools, is Mr. Culp's suggestion to state and federal governments. But in the meantime, rural instruction must be carried on at highest efficiency with the resources within reach. With consolidation halted, smaller unit schools can still be made to serve better than at present.
Springfield's Guidance Program
Authors: Thomas Harold P.
Published: July 2018

Helping pupils to map out their educational and vocational pathways intelligently, is a serious objective of the Springfield public schools. Boys and girls in the Junior High Schools are given 120 periods of guidance teaching. Counseling and other forms of assistance are provided.
Developing Creative Power
Authors: Forman William O.
Published: July 2018

Recognition of creative effort along any and every line was inaugurated last spring in this Junior High School, with remarkable results. The program is thoroughly democratic; simple to operate; effective in discovering and stimulating latent powers; and a great help in pupil guidance.
Individual Education in Chicago
Authors: McDade James E.
Published: July 2018

Fitting instructions to individual pupils in the public schools of a great city is a large order. How Chicago is accomplishing this is here related by one who played a leading part in the solution of the problem.
Southwick Consolidated School
Authors: Moore M. C.
Published: July 2018

How the little town of Southwick has brought its schools together under one roof, and is transporting 270 of its 320 pupils daily with the help of school-boy patrolmen, is here described.
Let Map-Making Precede Map Study
Authors: McGinnis W. C.
Published: July 2018

What would your own answer be to the question which has been asked of more than 2,400 seventh-grade children to test their ability to interpret maps?
Education at Three Speeds in Medford, Ore
Authors: Hedrick E. H.
Published: July 2018

The plan of instruction in the public schools of this Oregon city of 12,000 has been developed to care for children of varying abilities. The detailed description here given contains many points of interest to the progressive executive.
The New Challenge
Authors: Haworth Byron A.
Published: July 2018

Increased attention must be given, in modern educational systems, to the particular needs of children who, in former times, would have quit school, from sheer inability to fit into the established mould.
Problems of Personality
Authors: Myers Garry Cleveland
Published: July 2018

“The pupil pauses to complete a breath when up go a score of hands or some one shouts an answer.” Teachers also heckle, declares the author in this first article of a series.
Teaching is More than a “Job”
Authors: Kincaid W. A.
Published: July 2018

Outwardly the modern system of schools may resemble the factory, with its aim of mass production, but there is a vast difference. The teacher's work is essentially an art and can never be reduced to routine processes.
Cold Storage Education
Authors: Baldwin W. A.
Published: July 2018

“What really happens to Cold Storage Knowledge which has been taught not because of any present need on the child's part, but because it is in the curriculum?” The author briefly answers.
Does He Gain or Lose?
Authors: Baldwin William A.
Published: July 2018

Not the old refrain of the arithmetic example, but a deeper question: “Will my own education bring me satisfactory returns?” Few have given so clear an answer
The Forgotten Classroom Teacher
Authors: McKeever W. A.
Published: July 2018

Not only forgotten, but abused and abject, is the average classroom teacher—according to this gauntlet-throwing champion. What say you?
Floating Pedagogy
Authors: Chrisman Lewis H.
Published: July 2018

Instruction often drifts like a balloon that has slipped its tether and no longer connects with real life.
Teachers Can Aid in Research
Authors: Burr Samuel Engle
Published: July 2018

Individual teachers may share in solving the problems of educational science. Here are suggestions.
Science Enlivened with a Zoo
Authors: Varnell W. D.
Published: July 2018

Quite the opposite of “floating pedagogy” is exemplified in the general science course here described.
A New Evaluation of Education
Authors: Rosier Joseph
Published: July 2018

President Rosier in this article does a fine job of warming up for his big convention in Chicago.