bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Projected Change in Wintertime Precipitation in California Using Projected Changes in Extratropical Cyclone Activity
Authors: Osburn Luke , Keay Kevin , Catto Jennifer L.
Published: February 2018

Wintertime extratropical cyclones in the east Pacific region are the source of much of the precipitation over California. There is a lot of uncertainty in future projections of Californian precipitation associated with predicted changes in the jet stream and the midlatitude storm tracks. The question this work seeks to answer is how the changes in the frequency and the intensity of extratropical cyclones in the Pacific storm track influence future changes in Californian precipitation. The authors used an objective cyclone identification method applied to 25 CMIP5 models for the historical and RCP8.5 simulations and investigated the changing relationships between storm frequency, intensity and precipitation. Cyclone data from the historical simulations and differences between the historical and RCP8.5 simulations were used to “predict” the modeled precipitation in the RCP8.5 simulations. In all models, the precipitation predicted using historical relationships gives a lower future precipitation change than the direct model output. In the future, the relationship between track density and precipitation indicates that for the same number of tracks, more precipitation is received. The relationship between track intensity and precipitation (which is quite weak in the historical simulations) does not change in the future. This suggests that other sources, likely enhanced moisture availability, are more important than changes in the intensity of cyclones for the rainfall associated with the storm tracks.
Synoptic Control of Convective Rainfall Rates and Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Frequencies in Warm-Season Mesoscale Convective Systems over North China
Authors: Xia Rudi , Zhang Da-Lin , Zhang Cuihong , Wang Yongqing
Published: February 2018

This study examines whether environmental conditions can control convective rainfall rates and cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning frequencies in mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) over north China (NC). A total of 60 identified MCSs over NC during June–August of 2008–13 were classified into 4 categories based on their high/low convective rainfall rates (HR/LR) and high/low CG lightning frequencies (HL/LL) (i.e., HRHL, HRLL, LRHL, and LRLL MCSs). MCSs with HR (HL) occurred most frequently in July (August), while those with LR or LL occurred most frequently in June; they followed closely seasonal changes. All MCSs were apt to form during afternoon hours. HRLL MCSs also formed during evening hours while HRHL MCSs could occur at any time of a day. A composite analysis of environmental conditions shows obvious differences and similarities among the HRHL, HRLL, and LRLL categories, while the LRHL MCSs exhibited little differences from the climatological mean because of its small sample size. Both the HRHL and HRLL MCSs occurred in the presence of upper-level anomalous divergence, a midlevel trough, and the lower-tropospheric southwesterly transport of tropical moist air. In contrast, LRLL MCSs took place as a result of daytime heating over mountainous regions, with little midlevel forcing over NC. The HRHL, HRLL, LRHL, and LRLL categories exhibited orders of the highest-to-smallest convective available potential energy and precipitable water but the smallest-to-largest convective inhibition and lifted indices. It is concluded that environmental conditions determine to some extent convective rainfall rates and CG lightning activity, although some other processes (e.g., cloud microphysics) also play certain roles, especially in CG lightning production.
Human Papillomavirus 16 E6 Induces FoxM1B in Oral Keratinocytes through GRHL2
Authors: Chen W. , Shimane T. , Kawano S. , Alshaikh A. , Kim S.Y. , Chung S.H. , Kim R.H. , Shin K.H. , Walentin K. , Park N.H. , Schmidt-Ott K.M. , Kang M.K.
Published: February 2018

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major risk factor for oral and pharyngeal cancers (OPCs), yet the detailed mechanisms by which HPV promotes OPCs are not understood. Forkhead box M1B (FoxM1B) is an oncogene essential for cell cycle progression and tumorigenesis, and it is aberrantly overexpressed in many tumors. We previously showed that FoxM1B was the putative target of an epithelial-specific transcription factor, Grainyhead-like 2 (GRHL2). In the current study, we demonstrate that HPV type 16 (HPV-16) E6 induces FoxM1B in human oral keratinocytes (HOKs) and tonsillar epithelial cells (TECs) in part through GRHL2. FoxM1B was barely detectable in cultured normal human oral keratinocytes (NHOKs) and progressively increased in immortalized HOKs harboring HPV-16 genome (HOK-16B) and tumorigenic HOK-16B/BaP-T cells. Retroviral expression of HPV-16 E6 and/or E7 in NHOKs, TECs, and hypopharyngeal carcinoma cells (FaDu) revealed induction of FoxM1B and GRHL2 by the E6 protein but not E7. Both GRHL2 and FoxM1B were strongly induced in the epidermis of HPV-16 E6 transgenic mice and HPV+ oral squamous cell carcinomas. Ectopic expression of FoxM1B led to acquisition of transformed phenotype in HOK-16B cells. Loss of FoxM1B by lentiviral short hairpin RNA vector or chemical inhibitor led to elimination of tumorigenic characteristics of HOK-16B/BaP-T cells. Luciferase reporter assay revealed that GRHL2 directly bound and regulated the FoxM1B gene promoter activity. Using epithelial-specific Grhl2 conditional knockout mice, we exposed wild-type (WT) and Grhl2 KO mice to 4-nitroquinolin 1-oxide (4-NQO), which led to induction of FoxM1B in the tongue tissues and rampant oral tumor development in the WT mice. However, 4-NQO exposure failed to induce tongue tumors or induction of FoxM1B expression in Grhl2 KO mice. Collectively, these results indicate that HPV-16 induces FoxM1B in part through GRHL2 transcriptional activity and that elevated FoxM1B level is required for oropharyngeal cancer development.
Family Background and Parent–School Interactions in Parent Involvement for At-Risk Preschool Children With Disabilities
Authors: Rispoli Kristin M. , Hawley Leslie R. , Clinton Marianne C.
Published: February 2018

Using data ( N = 1,350) from the Head Start Family and Childhood Experiences Survey, this study examined sociodemographic predictors of parent involvement in educationally enriching activities at home for low-income children with disabilities compared with children without disabilities. Analyses examined whether associations were moderated by aspects of parent–school interactions. Parent involvement was greater for White compared with Black and Hispanic parents of all children. Higher parental education related to greater involvement at the end of the year only for parents of children with disabilities. Parent perceptions of teacher support and school communication differentially moderated associations between predictors and parent involvement for children with and without disabilities. Results inform an individualized approach to fostering involvement among low-income parents of children with disabilities in early education.
Varying Opinions on Who Deserves Collectively Financed Health Care Services: A Discrete Choice Experiment on Allocation Preferences of the General Public
Authors: van der Aa Maartje J. , Paulus Aggie T. G. , Hiligsmann Mickaël J. C. , Maarse Johannes A. M. , Evers Silvia M. A. A.
Published: February 2018

In Europe, health insurance arrangements are under reform. These arrangements redistribute collectively financed resources to ensure access to health care for all. Allocation of health services is historically based on medical needs, but use of other criteria, such as lifestyle, is debated upon. Does the general public also have preferences for conditional allocation? This depends on their opinions regarding deservingness. The aim of this study was to gain insight in those opinions, specifically by examining the perceived weight of different criteria in allocation decisions. Based on literature and expert interviews, we included 5 criteria in a discrete choice experiment: need, financial capacity, lifestyle, cooperation with treatment, and package/premium choice. A representative sample of the Dutch population was invited to participate (n = 10 760). A total of 774 people accessed the questionnaire (7.2%), of whom 375 completed it (48.4%). Medical need was overall the most important criterion in determining deservingness (range β = 1.60). Perceived deservingness decreased if claimants had higher financial capacity (1.26) and unhealthier lifestyle (1.04), if their cooperation was less optimal (1.05), or if they had opted for less insurance coverage (0.56). However, preferences vary among respondents, in relation to demographic and ideological factors.
Science, Culture, and Care in Laboratory Animal Research
Authors: Davies Gail , Greenhough Beth , Hobson-West Pru , Kirk Robert G. W.
Published: February 2018

The principles of the 3Rs—replacement, refinement, and reduction—strongly shape discussion of methods for performing more humane animal research and the regulation of this contested area of technoscience. This special issue looks back to the origins of the 3Rs principles through five papers that explore how it is enacted and challenged in practice and that develop critical considerations about its future. Three themes connect the papers in this special issue. These are (1) the multiplicity of roles enacted by those who use and care for animals in research, (2) the distribution of “feelings that matter” across species and spaces of laboratory animal practice, and (3) the growing importance of “cultures of care” in animal research.
Exposing the role of coparenting and parenting for adolescent personal identity processes
Authors: Albert Sznitman Gillian , Van Petegem Stijn , Zimmermann Grégoire
Published: February 2018

In line with a family systems perspective, this study examined the association between two aspects of family climate, that of coparenting (cooperation, triangulation) and parenting (autonomy support, dependency-oriented and achievement-oriented psychological control) and their relation to adolescent personal identity formation (commitment making, identification with commitment, exploration in breadth, exploration in depth, ruminative exploration, reconsideration of commitment). Using structural equation modeling (SEM), we tested the hypothesis that coparenting would be associated with adolescent identity formation via parenting. Cross-sectional self-report data were collected from 1,105 Swiss adolescents (aged 13–18 years; 51% female). SEM revealed associations between coparental cooperation and more adaptive identity formation via parental autonomy support. Conversely, coparental triangulation was associated with maladaptive identity dimensions via parental dependency-oriented psychological control. These associations were not moderated by age, gender, or family structure.
Early talk boost: A targeted intervention for three year old children with delayed language development
Authors: Reeves Louisa , Hartshorne Mary , Black Rachael , Atkinson Jill , Baxter Amanda , Pring Tim
Published: February 2018

Pre-school education has been greatly expanded in the United Kingdom in the last two decades and further expansion is planned. Its provision allows parents to take up employment thus increasing family incomes and it is expected to narrow the gap between socially disadvantaged children and their peers. The latter is important as studies have shown that many children start school with poor language skills which threaten their attainment. Studies of the effects of pre-school education on the progress of disadvantaged children have shown inconsistent results and nurseries have been criticised by Ofsted for failing to prepare children for school entry. Nurseries and their staff have been found to vary in quality and in the level of qualifications they have. The provision of evidence based programmes which nursery staff may be trained to use may represent one means of improving their ability and improving the outcomes for pre-school children. We report an effectiveness study of Early Talk Boost a programme for use by nursery staff to improve language skills in three year olds. Nurseries were randomly assigned to use the programme or to act as waiting controls (who received the intervention in the following term). Children were assessed before and three months later after the completion of the programme. The progress of treated and control children differed significantly. Age equivalent scores showed treated children had gained 4.93 months, control children had gained only 2.33 months. We conclude that Early Talk Boost can be effective in advancing the language skills of socially disadvantaged children and improve their school readiness.
Misery Loves Company: Poverty, Mobility, and Higher Education in the Post-welfare State
Authors: Mannon Susan E.
Published: February 2018

In this paper, I examine the relationship between poverty, mobility, and higher education in the contemporary United States. In contrast to quantitative analyses, which have found robust and positive outcomes associated with college attainment, I use ethnographic methods to tell a more complicated story about what college offers the poor. This story centers on a low-income woman of color named Angelica. Angelica’s story of drug-addict-turned college graduate suggests that college might be just as much a regulatory institution as a poverty solution. To this extent, it critically assesses my role as Angelica’s former professor, professional mentor, and life narrator. The article situates the expansion of higher education and Angelica’s pathway into college in late twentieth-century efforts to reform the welfare system and reduce state-sponsored social safety nets. It concludes by suggesting that college is no lifeline but a mechanism by which Angelica and others are brought into the fold of a “respectable” but often miserable middle-class life.
Coercion, Access, and Control
Authors: Hamby Sherry
Published: February 2018

This special issue on drugging presents five articles that make important contributions to this still emerging literature. Although historical incidents of drugging, which is the nonconsensual administration of psychoactive substances, have been documented for decades, scientific scholarship on this phenomenon is relatively new. These articles provide in-depth consideration of conceptual issues around this behavior, which can be difficult to detect and is not always perceived as an offense by young adults. The authors also contribute important new quantitative and qualitative data on a range of risk factors include differential vulnerability across racial groups and sexual identities. Data on victimization responses and revictimization are presented. Regarding perpetrators, an analysis of the media treatment of high-status perpetrators, in this case medical professionals, also illuminates ongoing challenges in the social perceptions of drugging and the criminal status of the offense.
Trauma-Related Disclosure in Sexual Assault Survivors’ Intimate Relationships: Associations With PTSD, Shame, and Partners’ Responses
Authors: DiMauro Jennifer , Renshaw Keith D.
Published: February 2018

Relative to survivors of other traumatic events, survivors of sexual assault have an increased likelihood of meeting criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They are also comparatively more likely to exhibit higher levels of PTSD symptom severity. Recent research has highlighted the importance of trauma-related disclosure within the context of intimate relationships for posttrauma functioning and recovery, but this phenomenon has yet to be examined specifically in sexual assault survivor samples. Accordingly, this study examines the association of PTSD symptom severity with disclosure about one’s experience of sexual assault to one’s intimate partner, as well as the association of such disclosure with trauma-related shame and perception of partners’ negative and positive responses to trauma-related disclosure. A sample of 104 female participants who had disclosed their experience of sexual assault to their current romantic partner provided survey data. On average, these participants reported a moderate amount of trauma-related disclosure. Counter to hypotheses, level of engagement in trauma-related disclosure was not significantly correlated with PTSD symptom severity, shame, or perceived negative responses to disclosure. Only perceived positive responses to disclosure demonstrated a significant, bivariate association with overall level of engagement in trauma-related disclosure. Similarly, when trauma-related shame, negative responses, and positive responses were accounted for simultaneously, only positive responses were related to level of disclosure. Overall, results suggest that intimate relationships may serve as a unique context for disclosure about one’s history of sexual assault, with perceived positive responses demonstrating particularly strong associations with level of engagement in trauma-related disclosure.
Experimental investigation on air-side flow-field and water-side heat exchange performance of radiator based on matrix fans
Authors: Wang Hongchao , Shan Xizhuang , Yang Zhigang
Published: February 2018

This paper investigated the effect of four different fan matrix configurations on the air-side flow-field and water-side heat exchange performance of a radiator. With the introduction of fan matrix configurations, the wake region behind bumper beam is enlarged, and the vortex pair breaks up much rapidly, thus enhancing the turbulence intensity of wake. The vorticity reaches the minimum level under the fan matrix N = 6, which could reduce the energy loss of the airflow upstream of radiator. The fan matrix configuration can increase the velocity uniformity of the airflow passing through the radiator, especially for the fan matrix N = 6. Furthermore, due to the fan matrix N = 6 achieves the maximum heat dissipation uniformity of radiator, and it also achieves the best heat exchange performance. Consequently, to achieve the maximum cooling air mass flow rate and heat exchange performance, it should carry out an optimization process during the design phase of fan matrix.
Beyond the 30-Million-Word Gap: Children’s Conversational Exposure Is Associated With Language-Related Brain Function
Authors: Romeo Rachel R. , Leonard Julia A. , Robinson Sydney T. , West Martin R. , Mackey Allyson P. , Rowe Meredith L. , Gabrieli John D. E.
Published: February 2018

Children’s early language exposure impacts their later linguistic skills, cognitive abilities, and academic achievement, and large disparities in language exposure are associated with family socioeconomic status (SES). However, there is little evidence about the neural mechanisms underlying the relation between language experience and linguistic and cognitive development. Here, language experience was measured from home audio recordings of 36 SES-diverse 4- to 6-year-old children. During a story-listening functional MRI task, children who had experienced more conversational turns with adults—independently of SES, IQ, and adult-child utterances alone—exhibited greater left inferior frontal (Broca’s area) activation, which significantly explained the relation between children’s language exposure and verbal skill. This is the first evidence directly relating children’s language environments with neural language processing, specifying both an environmental and a neural mechanism underlying SES disparities in children’s language skills. Furthermore, results suggest that conversational experience impacts neural language processing over and above SES or the sheer quantity of words heard.
Yardsticks of inequality: Preferences for redistribution in advanced democracies
Authors: Kevins Anthony , Horn Alexander , Jensen Carsten , van Kersbergen Kees
Published: February 2018

This article explores how preferences for redistribution among voters are affected by the structure of inequality. There are strong theoretical reasons to believe that some voter segments matter more than others, not least the so-called median-income voter, but surprisingly little attention has been paid to directly analysing distinct income groups’ redistributive preferences. In addition, while much of the previous literature has focused on broad levels of inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient, it is likely that individuals respond to different types of inequality in different ways. To rectify this gap, we use data from the European Social Survey and Eurostat to examine the interactive effect of income deciles and various measures of inequality. Results suggest that inequality especially affects the middle-income groups – that is, the assumed median-income voters. Moreover, not all inequality matters equally: it is inequality vis-à-vis those around the 80th percentile that shapes redistributive preferences.
Contribution of child maintenance to lone mothers’ income in five countries
Authors: Hakovirta Mia , Jokela Merita
Published: February 2018

This study uses the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS) data from 2013 to study (1) the contribution of child maintenance to the income packages of lone mothers, (2) the proportion of lone mothers receiving child maintenance and the level of child maintenance for those receiving it and (3) the extent to which child maintenance is helping families who may need it the most (those at the low end of the income distribution), compared with families with moderate or higher incomes. Our analysis covers data from five countries: Finland, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States. Our results show that in all countries except the United Kingdom, labour income is an important source of income for lone mothers and less than 40 percent of income comes from social transfers. Child maintenance contributes significantly to the income of lone mothers, particularly in Spain, followed by the United States and Germany. We find the highest coverage of child maintenance receipt in Finland. In the other countries, only one-third of lone mother households receive child maintenance. The median amounts of maintenance are the lowest in the United Kingdom and Finland, but there is great variation in the level of child maintenance within countries. The comparison of the quintile groups reveals that in the United States, the lone mothers in lowest income quintile do not seem to benefit as much from child maintenance compared with the highest income quintiles, whereas in Finland, Germany and Spain, more lone mothers in the low-income quintiles receive maintenance. However, amounts are quite equal across income quintiles.
Role of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-gamma activation on visfatin, advanced glycation end products, and renal oxidative stress in obesity-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tabassum A , Mahboob T
Published: February 2018

The present study focused on the role of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) activation on renal oxidative damages, serum visfatin, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus. Following the institutional animal ethics committee guidelines, Wistar rats were categorized into five groups: group 1: fed on a normal rat diet; group 2: HFD-induced obese rats (HFD for 8 weeks); group 3: HFD-fed rats treated with rosiglitazone (RSG; 3 mg/kg orally for 7 days); group 4: T2DM rats induced by HFD and low dose of streptozotocin (i.p. 35 mg/kg); group 5: T2DM rats treated with RSG (3 mg/kg orally for 7 days). Serum levels of AGEs and visfatin, renal damage, and oxidative stress were analyzed. Results showed that HFD-induced obesity and T2DM caused an elevated blood glucose, serum AGEs, visfatin, insulin, urea, creatinine, and tissue malondialdehyde, whereas a decreased catalase and superoxide dismutase activity were observed. The PPAR-γ activation via agonist restored these changes. Our findings suggest that AGEs and visfatin possess an important role in the progression of renal oxidative stress, which can be reduced by the PPAR-γ agonist that impede deleterious effects of HFD and HFD-induced T2DM on renal damage.
The influence of functional polymorphic positions of HLA-DRβ1 molecules on risk for South Indian systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Katkam S K , Rajasekhar L , Kutala V K
Published: February 2018

The aim of this case-control study was to investigate the association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class II alleles with the susceptibility and phenotypic heterogeneity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in South Indian patients. A total of 439 individuals (212 SLE cases and 227 age- and ethnicity-matched controls) were included in the study. The genotyping of HLA-DRβ1 and - DQβ1 was conducted by the PCR-SSP method. HLA-DRβ1*07 was significantly associated with SLE (OR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.34–3.04, p = 1.50 × 10−4, pc = 1.95 × 10−3), whereas the DRβ1*14 allele was negatively associated with SLE (OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.31–0.76, p = 1.70 × 10−2, pc = 0.221). In addition, the HLA-DRβ1*07/15 genotype tended to be positively associated with SLE (OR: 3.23, 95% CI: 1.57–6.63, p = 0.0009). Amino acid residues residing in the peptide-binding pocket of HLA-DRβ1 play a significant role in peptide recruitment and antigen presentation. Our results demonstrated that amino acid glycine 11 (OR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.42–3.12, pc = 0.00093), tyrosine 13 (OR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.42–3.12, pc = 0.00062) and glutamine 74 (OR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.42–3.12, pc = 0.00077) showed a significant positive association with SLE. Certain haplotype combinations, DRB1*07–DQβ1*03 (OR: 2.21; 95% CI:1.29–3.79, pc = 0.06, p =  0.00036) and DRβ1*07–DQβ1*05 (OR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.34–4.71, pc = 0.07, p = 0.00039), had positive associations whereas DRβ1*14–DQβ1*03 (OR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.061–0.36, pc = 2.34 × 10−5, p = 1.30 × 10−6) were found to have a significant negative association with SLE. So far, the present study is the first attempt to investigate the association of HLA-DRβ1 and - DQβ1 allele, genotype and haplotype combinations with the risk of SLE in South Indian patients. In conclusion, the HLA-DRβ1*07 allele is associated with risk of SLE whereas a protective association of HLA-DRβ1*14 alleles with SLE was observed.
Introduction to Special Issue on Labour Laws and Labour Markets
Authors: Dukes Ruth
Published: February 2018

This short piece of writing introduces a collection of papers by Judy Fudge, Diamond Ashiagbor, Simon Deakin, Shelley Marshall, Jenny Julen Votinius and Robert Knegt. It outlines the aims of the collaborative research project from which the papers resulted, referring to the event at which they were first presented, and it summarises the topic and argument of each paper in order.
Detection of animal by-products in bone ashes by near infrared spectroscopy coupled with microscopy
Authors: Bertotto Mercedes , Bello Marcelo , Binotti Susana , Agnese Matías , Bachur Sandra , Dedó Damián
Published: February 2018

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy is a mortal bovine disease. Epidemiologic studies have linked the disease to animal feed contaminated with infected protein. In Argentina, the feeding of bovines with components of animal origin is banned, except for fishmeal and bone ash. Nowadays, optical microscopy is used to analyze animal feed and its components. In this method, technical analytical expertise is very important. This is why the development of a methodology that produces results which can be rapidly and automatically compared is urgently needed. The specific infrared microscopy method presented in this work delivers qualitative results in terms of the presence or absence of animal particles by applying specific decision rules. The object of this work was to assess the methodology of near infrared microscopy for the qualitative determination of the presence of particles of animal origin in matrices of bone ash. The spectra were collected by an image microscope coupled to a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer operating in the reflection mode. Four mappings were done per sample, obtaining 1000 spectra per mapping. They were selected from an area on the slide of 50 particles in the axis X and 20 particles in the axis Y. Spectra were automatically collected at these points. In order to find the fragments of animal origin in the samples, a specific software program was developed. The program analyzed the spectra and evaluated the presence of bone fragments. From the validation results, it could be inferred that 4000 spectra should be observed in order to achieve a detection limit of 0.05 g bone fragments 100 g−1 bone ash. Selectivity, intermediate precision and repeatability were also analyzed with satisfactory results. Therefore, the validated method can be easily applied in routine analysis of bone ashes.
Effect of cellular structure on the optical properties of wood
Authors: Ban Mayuka , Inagaki Tetsuya , Ma Te , Tsuchikawa Satoru
Published: February 2018

To construct robust calibrations of wood properties by near infrared spectroscopy, one must independently evaluate the spectral contributions of light absorption and light scattering. However, the light propagation in wooden cellular structures is difficult to interpret because these structures are complex, heterogeneous, and anisotropic. This study investigates the reduced scattering coefficients of softwood and hardwood (with ring-porous or diffuse-porous vessels) at 846 nm by time-resolved spectroscopy. It also evaluates the effect of wooden cellular structure and air-dry density on the light propagation. After determining the reduced scattering coefficients, we observed cross-sectional microscopic images of the wood samples. Eighty-five percent of the variation in the reduced scattering coefficients was explainable by the air-dry density, area ratio of the cell wall, and the median pore area. Monte Carlo simulations of the light propagation through wood revealed that most of the photon transport occurs in the cell-wall substance.
Cold War North Korea and United States naval intelligence
Authors: Hollins Hunter
Published: February 2018

On 23 January 1968, the North Korean Navy attacked and captured the USS Pueblo, a United States naval intelligence collection ship in international waters off the coast of North Korea. The USS Pueblo was one of a group of AGER ships created to provide intelligence from the Sea of Japan during the Cold War. This article discusses the growing hostilities of North Korea during the Cold War and uses recently declassified documents to illustrate the naval intelligence efforts of the United States to monitor the North Korean threat.
Dividend Behaviour of Indian-listed Manufacturing and Service Sector Firms
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Ranjani K. S.
Published: February 2018

The purpose of the study is to explore dividend behaviour of Indian manufacturing and service sector firms and to investigate similarities/differences between the same. First, the analysis is conducted using pooled, fixed and random effects OLS regression for panel data on 452 manufacturing and service sector firms for the period of 2007–2015. Further, dynamic panel data analysis has been used to deal with the heteroscedasticity and endogeneity issues among the variables for the study to capture asymptotic efficient estimates. The result refutes significant differences in terms of firm-level factors that determines dividend policy. However, manufacturing sector is significantly efficient in declaring dividends (59.63 per cent) in comparison to service sector (34.33 per cent). Further analysis suggests that firm size and cash holdings have significant positive relationship to dividend paid, whereas age and net working capital are negatively significant for dividend declarations in the service sector. However, the analysis of manufacturing sector suggests that profitability and firm size and profitability are positively significant, while net working capital is negatively significant for dividend decisions.
A Dynamic Model of Entrepreneurial Uncertainty and Business Opportunity Identification: Exploration as a Mediator and Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy as a Moderator
Authors: Schmitt Antje , Rosing Kathrin , Zhang Stephen X. , Leatherbee Michael
Published: February 2018

This study focuses on the identification of business opportunities when entrepreneurs’ perceived level of environmental uncertainty changes. We suggest that within persons, exploration mediates this relationship and entrepreneurial self-efficacy moderates whether entrepreneurs explore more or less with increasing uncertainty. To test our moderated mediation model we conducted a monthly field study with 121 early-stage entrepreneurs. Multilevel regression analyses reveal that an increase in the level of perceived uncertainty within entrepreneurs predicted the identification of opportunities through exploration for entrepreneurs high in self-efficacy, but not for those low in self-efficacy. Entrepreneurial self-efficacy acts as a personal resource that helps entrepreneurs to transform increasing perceptions of uncertainty into exploration and opportunity identification.
Betting on the Coachable Entrepreneur: Signaling and Social Exchange in Entrepreneurial Pitches
Authors: Ciuchta Michael P. , Letwin Chaim , Stevenson Regan , McMahon Sean , Huvaj M. Nesij
Published: February 2018

Given that stakeholders often commit more than capital to a startup, they commonly stress how important it is for entrepreneurs to be “coachable.” To date, however, coachability has received little attention in entrepreneurship research. We address this gap by first establishing the entrepreneurial coachability construct and validating a measurement scale. Then, drawing on social exchange and signaling theories, we develop and test a novel framework in which coachability influences a potential investor’s willingness to invest. We find that entrepreneurial coachability functions as a viable signal in a pitch setting, but this impact is conditional on the investor’s prior coaching experience.
Examining Entrepreneurship Through Indigenous Lenses
Authors: Bruton Garry D. , Zahra Shaker A. , Cai Li
Published: February 2018

This commentary argues that scholars need an alternative to the dominance in academic research of the U.S. model of entrepreneurship to reflect better the variety and diversity of entrepreneurial activities around the globe. Using the example of China, today the world’s second-largest economy, we discuss how researchers miss key elements of entrepreneurship because of their over-reliance on the U.S. model of entrepreneurship for analysis, espousing Western-based theoretical values and foundations. We discuss how researchers and journals can promote future research efforts focusing on indigenous entrepreneurship activities, applying indigenously developed theory.
Barbarians at the Gate of the Middle Kingdom: The International Mobility of Financing Contract and Governance
Authors: Chen Victor Zitian , Sun Sunny Li
Published: February 2018

Focusing on equity ratchet as a practice, we study how foreign private equity (PE) investors interacted with local agents in the process of legitimation and legalization of foreign financing contract and governance in the Chinese PE industry, while it was underdeveloped. Based on seven cases in China, we propose a three-stage microprocess model of international institutional entrepreneurship in an emerging field with high ambiguity: framing a motivational vision to promote a new practice; early adoption by local nonmainstream agents who gain legitimacy from diverse sources of institutional logic; and dominant mainstream adopters seeking legal protection to sustain their benefits. Our theory extends the emerging discussion on the transfer of corporate governance and institutional entrepreneurship across borders.
A state of art on magneto-rheological materials and their potential applications
Authors: Ahamed Raju , Choi Seung-Bok , Ferdaus Md Meftahul
Published: February 2018

Smart materials are kinds of designed materials whose properties are controllable with the application of external stimuli such as the magnetic field, electric field, stress, and heat. Smart materials whose rheological properties are controlled by externally applied magnetic field are known as magneto-rheological materials. Magneto-rheological materials actively used for engineering applications include fluids, foams, grease, elastomers, and plastomers. In the last two decades, magneto-rheological materials have gained great attention of researchers significantly because of their salient controllable properties and potential applications to various fields such as automotive industry, civil environment, and military sector. This article offers a recent progressive review on the magneto-rheological materials technology, especially focusing on numerous application devices and systems utilizing magneto-rheological materials. Conceivable limitations, challenges, and comparable advantages of applying these magneto-rheological materials in various sectors are analyzed critically, which provides a clear pathway to the researchers in selecting and utilizing these materials. The review starts with an introduction to the elementary description of magneto-rheological materials and their significant contribution in various fields. Following this, different types of the magneto-rheological materials, modeling of the magneto-rheological materials, magneto-rheological material–based devices, and their applications have been extensively reviewed to promote practical use of magneto-rheological materials in a wide spectrum of the application from the automobile to medical device.
Identifying and Examining School Approaches to Family Engagement Within Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Authors: Garbacz S. Andrew , McIntosh Kent , Vatland Christopher H. , Minch Devon R. , Eagle John W.
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify and examine how schools implementing schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) were engaging families in their Tier I PBIS systems. In addition, reported implementation of practices and the availability of resources were examined in relation to fidelity of PBIS implementation. Participants included PBIS Leadership team representatives from 302 schools across three states. Findings revealed the most common ways in which schools (a) communicated with families about their PBIS systems, (b) worked with families to support PBIS at school, (c) supported family use of PBIS at home, and (d) built partnerships to support PBIS. Finally, communicating with families about PBIS and supporting families to help their child follow school expectations were related to fidelity of PBIS implementation. Implications and future research directions are discussed.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the Brain—Culprit or Facilitator?
Authors: Ene Luminita
Published: February 2018

Introduction:

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) enters the brain early, where it can persist, evolve, and become compartmentalized. Central nervous system (CNS) disease can be attributed to HIV alone or to the complex interplay between the virus and other neurotropic pathogens.

Aim:

The current review aims to describe the direct impact of HIV on the brain as well as its relationship with other pathogens from a practitioner’s perspective, to provide a general clinical overview, brief workup, and, whenever possible, treatment guidance.

Methods:

A review of PubMed was conducted to identify studies on neuropathogenesis of HIV in relation to host responses. Furthermore, the interaction between the CNS pathogens and the host damage responses were revised in the setting of advanced and also well-controlled HIV infection.

Results:

Similar to other pathogens, HIV leads to CNS immune activation, inflammation, and viral persistence. Therefore, almost half of the infected individuals present with neurocognitive disorders, albeit mild. Compartmentalized HIV in the CNS can be responsible in a minority of cases for the dramatic presentation of symptomatic HIV escape. Disruption of the immune system secondary to HIV may reactivate latent infections or allow new pathogens to enter the CNS. Opportunistic infections with an inflammatory component are associated with elevated HIV loads in the cerebrospinal fluid and also with greater cognitive impairment. The inflammatory immune reconstitution syndrome associated with CNS opportunistic infections can be a life-threatening condition, which needs to be recognized and managed by efficiently controlling the pathogen burden and timely balanced combination antiretroviral therapy. Latent neurotropic pathogens can reactivate in the brain and mimic HIV-associated severe neurological diseases or contribute to neurocognitive impairment in the setting of stable HIV infection.

Conclusions:

As HIV can be responsible for considerable brain damage directly or by facilitating other pathogens, more effort is needed to recognize and manage HIV-associated CNS disorders and to eventually target HIV eradication from the brain.
Cholesterol-Binding Sites in GIRK Channels: The Devil is in the Details
Authors: Rosenhouse-Dantsker Avia
Published: February 2018

In recent years, it has become evident that cholesterol plays a direct role in the modulation of a variety of ion channels. In most cases, cholesterol downregulates channel activity. In contrast, our earlier studies have demonstrated that atrial G protein inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels are upregulated by cholesterol. Recently, we have shown that hippocampal GIRK currents are also upregulated by cholesterol. A combined computational-experimental approach pointed to putative cholesterol-binding sites in the transmembrane domain of the GIRK2 channel, the primary subunit in hippocampal GIRK channels. In particular, the principal cholesterol-binding site was located in the center of the transmembrane domain in between the inner and outer α-helices of 2 adjacent subunits. Further studies pointed to a similar cholesterol-binding site in GIRK4, a major subunit in atrial GIRK channels. However, a close look at a sequence alignment of the transmembrane helices of the 2 channels reveals surprising differences among the residues that interact with the cholesterol molecule in these 2 channels. Here, we compare the residues that form putative cholesterol-binding sites in GIRK2 and GIRK4 and discuss the similarities and differences among them.
Viral and Bacterial Etiologies of Acute Respiratory Infections Among Children Under 5 Years in Senegal
Authors: Assane Dieng , Makhtar Camara , Abdoulaye Diop , Amary Fall , Djibril Boiro , Amadou Diop , Niokhor Diouf Jean Baptiste , Amadou Diop , Cheikh Loucoubar , Ndongo Dia , Mbayame Niang , Lamine Fall , Bouh Boye Cheikh Saad
Published: February 2018

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are the leading cause of infectious disease–related morbidity, hospitalization, and morbidity among children worldwide. This study aimed to assess the viral and bacterial causes of ARI morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years in Senegal. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from children under 5 years who had ARI. Viruses and bacteria were identified using multiplex real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and conventional biochemical techniques, respectively. Adenovirus was the most prevalent virus (50%; n = 81), followed by influenza virus (45.68%, n = 74), rhinovirus (40.12%; n = 65), enterovirus (25.31%; n = 41), and respiratory syncytial virus (16.05%; n = 26), whereas Streptococcus pneumoniae (17%; n = 29), Moraxella catarrhalis (15.43%; n = 25), and Haemophilus influenzae (8.02%; n = 13) were the most commonly isolated bacteria. Virus pathogens seem more likely to be more prevalent in our settings and were often associated with bacteria and S. pneumoniae (6%; 16) coinfection.
Integrating Circulating Immunological and Sputum Biomarkers for the Early Detection of Lung Cancer
Authors: Su Jian , Leng Qixin , Lin Yanli , Ma Jie , Jiang Fangran , Lee Cheng-Ju , Fang HongBin , Jiang Feng
Published: February 2018

We have demonstrated that assessments of microRNA (miRNA) expressions in circulating peripheral blood mononucleated cell (PBMC) and sputum specimens, respectively, may help diagnose lung cancer. To assess the individual and combined analysis of the miRNAs across the different body fluids for lung cancer early detection, we analyse a panel of 3 sputum miRNAs (miRs-21, 31, and 210) and a panel of 2 PBMC miRNAs (miRs-19b-3p and 29b-3p) in a discovery cohort of 68 patients with lung cancer and 66 cancer-free smokers. We find that integrating 2 sputum miRNAs (miRs-31 and 210) and 1 PBMC miRNA (miR-19b-3p) has higher sensitivity (86.8%) and specificity (92.4%) compared with the individual panels. The synergistic value of the integrated panel of 3 biomarkers is confirmed in a validation cohort, independent of stage and histological type of lung cancer, and patients’ age, sex, and ethnicity. Integrating circulating immunological and sputum biomarkers could improve the early detection of lung cancer.
Management of Tizanidine Withdrawal Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Suárez-Lledó A , Padullés A , Lozano T , Cobo-Sacristán S , Colls M , Jódar R
Published: February 2018

Most drugs that act on the central nervous system (CNS) require dose titration to avoid withdrawal syndrome. Tizanidine withdrawal syndrome is caused by adrenergic discharge due to its α2-agonist mechanism and is characterized by hypertension, reflex tachycardia, hypertonicity, and anxiety. Although tizanidine withdrawal syndrome is mentioned as a potential side effect of cessation, it is not common and there have been few reports. We present the case of a 31-year-old woman with tizanidine withdrawal syndrome after discontinuing medication prescribed for a muscle contracture (tizanidine). She showed high adrenergic activity with nausea, vomiting, generalized tremor, dysthermia, hypertension, and tachycardia. Symptoms were reversed and successful reweaning was achieved by restarting tizanidine followed by slow downward titration. Withdrawal syndrome should be considered when drugs targeting the CNS are suddenly stopped. Weaning regimens should be closely monitored for acute withdrawal reactions.
Cabergoline-Induced Pneumocephalus Following Treatment for Giant Invasive Macroprolactinoma Presenting With Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea
Authors: Elabd Souha S , Ahmad Maswood M , Qetab Sameer Q , Almalki Mussa Hussain
Published: February 2018

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is rarely reported as the first presenting feature of giant invasive macroprolactinomas. Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is usually reported as a complication of trauma, neurosurgical, and skull-based procedures (such as pituitary surgery or radiations), and less frequently after medical treatment with dopamine agonists (DAs) for macroprolactinomas. This phenomenon results from fistula creation that communicates between the subarachnoid space and the nasal cavity. Meanwhile, pneumocephalus is another well-recognized complication after transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary macroadenomas. This entity may present with nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, and more seriously with seizures and/or a decreased level of consciousness if tension pneumocephalus develops. Case reports about the occurrence of spontaneous pneumocephalus after medical treatment with DAs without prior surgical interventions are scarce in the literature. Our index case is a young man who was recently diagnosed with a giant invasive prolactin-secreting pituitary macroadenoma with skull base destruction. A few months before this diagnosis, he presented with spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea with no history of previous medical or surgical treatment. In this case report, we report an uncommon presentation for giant invasive macroprolactinoma with a CSF leak treated with cabergoline that was subsequently complicated by meningitis and pneumocephalus. This is a very rare complication of cabergoline therapy, which occurred approximately 1 month after treatment initiation.