bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Counterproductive Consequences of a Conservative Ideology: Medicaid Expansion and Personal Responsibility Requirements
Authors: Baker Allison M. , Hunt Linda M.
Published: May 2016

Medicaid expansion, a key part of the Affordable Care Act, has been opposed by conservative politicians despite its fiscal and public health benefits. In response, some Republican-led states have expanded Medicaid with new reforms, including requirements for cost sharing and behavioral incentives, that promote conservative political values tied to an ideology of personal responsibility. We examine this trend using Michigan’s Medicaid expansion as a case example. We explore the origins, evidence base, and possible consequences of these reforms. We argue that these reforms prioritize ideology over sound public health knowledge, deflecting attention away from the social, economic, and structural factors that influence the health of the poor, and may ultimately contribute to counterproductive public health and fiscal outcomes.
Quantitative Bias Analysis in Regulatory Settings
Authors: Lash Timothy L. , Fox Matthew P. , Cooney Darryl , Lu Yun , Forshee Richard A.
Published: May 2016

Nonrandomized studies are essential in the postmarket activities of the US Food and Drug Administration, which, however, must often act on the basis of imperfect data.

Systematic errors can lead to inaccurate inferences, so it is critical to develop analytic methods that quantify uncertainty and bias and ensure that these methods are implemented when needed. “Quantitative bias analysis” is an overarching term for methods that estimate quantitatively the direction, magnitude, and uncertainty associated with systematic errors influencing measures of associations.

The Food and Drug Administration sponsored a collaborative project to develop tools to better quantify the uncertainties associated with postmarket surveillance studies used in regulatory decision making. We have described the rationale, progress, and future directions of this project.
Pore-Scale Joint Evaluation of Dielectric Permittivity and Electrical Resistivity for Assessment of Hydrocarbon Saturation Using Numerical Simulations
Authors: Chen Huangye , Heidari Zoya
Published: May 2016

Complex pore geometry and composition, as well as anisotropic behavior and heterogeneity, can affect physical properties of rocks such as electrical resistivity and dielectric permittivity. The aforementioned physical properties are used to estimate in-situ petrophysical properties of the formation such as hydrocarbon saturation. In the application of conventional methods for interpretation of electrical-resistivity (e.g., Archie's equation and the dual-water model) and dielectric-permittivity measurements [e.g., complex refractive index model (CRIM)], the impacts of complex pore structure (e.g., kerogen porosity and intergranular pores), pyrite, and conductive mature kerogen have not been taken into account. These limitations cause significant uncertainty in estimates of water saturation. In this paper, we introduce a new method that combines interpretation of dielectric-permittivity and electrical-resistivity measurements to improve assessment of hydrocarbon saturation. The combined interpretation of dielectric-permittivity and electrical-resistivity measurements enables assimilating spatial distribution of rock components (e.g., pore, kerogen, and pyrite networks) in conventional models.

We start with pore-scale numerical simulations of electrical resistivity and dielectric permittivity of fluid-bearing porous media to investigate the structure of pore and matrix constituents in these measurements. The inputs to these simulators are 3D pore-scale images. We then introduce an analytical model that combines resistivity and permittivity measurements to assess water-filled porosity and hydrocarbon saturation. We apply the new method to actual digital sandstones and synthetic digital organic-rich mudrock samples. The relative errors (compared with actual values estimated from image processing) in the estimate of water-filled porosity through our new method are all within the 10% range. In the case of digital sandstone samples, CRIM provided reasonable estimates of water-filled porosity, with only four out of twenty-one estimates beyond 10% relative error, with the maximum error of 30%. However, in the case of synthetic digital organic-rich mudrocks, six out of ten estimates for water-filled porosity were beyond 10% with CRIM, with the maximum error of 40%. Therefore, the improvement was more significant in the case of organic-rich mudrocks with complex pore structure. In the case of synthetic digital organic-rich mudrock samples, our simulation results confirm that not only the pore structure but also spatial distribution and tortuosity of water, kerogen, and pyrite networks affect the measurements of dielectric permittivity and electrical resistivity. Taking into account these parameters through the joint interpretation of dielectric-permittivity and electrical-resistivity measurements significantly improves assessment of hydrocarbon saturation.
Structural Characterization of Soil Organic Matter and Humic Acids in Particle‐Size Fractions of an Agricultural Soil
Authors: Chefetz Benny , Tarchitzky Jorge , Deshmukh Ashish P. , Hatcher Patrick G. , Chen Yona
Published: May 2016

Organic matter (OM) in agricultural soils consists mainly of partially decomposed plant residues, microbial biomass, and humic substances. The advanced analytical techniques of 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) thermochemolysis‐gas chromatography (GC)/mass spectroscopy (MS), and pyrolysis‐GC/MS (Py‐GC/MS) were employed to study the chemical structure of bulk soil organic matter (SOM) and its corresponding humic acid (HA) extracts from different aggregate‐size fractions (<2 and >250 μm) of a dark brown Mediterranean soil. The main products released by TMAH thermochemolysis of the bulk soil and HA samples were: lignin‐derived compounds (LG) and nonlignin‐derived aromatic compounds, heterocyclic N, fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), and dicarboxylic acid dimethyl esters (DAMEs). The TMAH chromatogram of the >250‐μm size fraction revealed more LG than that of the <2‐μm fraction. The relative intensity of the long‐chain FAMEs and DAMEs peaks decreased with aggregate size, but their presence highlights the contribution of aliphatic biopolymers to the structure of the SOM. Both Py‐GC/MS and TMAH‐thermochemolysis data suggest that the HAs contain large portions of lignin and cuticular materials in their structure. With decreasing particle size, the HA contained more lignin‐derived units in the final stages of oxidation, more fatty acids originating from microbial activity, and higher contents of aromatic nonlignin‐derived structures. Our data suggest that a steady‐state situation exists for the presence of HA, where fresh OM is being decomposed and humified into the HA‐like structures, but this fraction is subject to further decomposition (mainly through loss of O–alkyl and transformation of O‐substituted aromatic carbons) as humification proceeds.
Nutrient Supply and Neutralizing Value of Alfalfa Stem Gasification Ash
Authors: Mozaffari Morteza , Russelle Michael P. , Rosen Carl J. , Nater Edward A.
Published: May 2016

Energy generation from biomass is an environmentally sound alternative to other energy producing technologies. Pilot studies have indicated that alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a suitable feedstock for energy generation via the gasification process. The resulting ash is a potential liming agent and a source of plant nutrients. A growth chamber study was conducted with three soils to evaluate the potential use of this ash as a soil amendment. Corn (Zea mays L.) received 13 treatments: control, K and/or P fertilizer, seven ash rates (0.6 to 14.6 g ash kg−1 soil), and one ash rate with K or P fertilizer. Soil pH increased with ash application on all soils. Ash application increased ammonium acetate‐exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg, and Olsen P in soil and decreased DTPA‐extractable soil Fe, Mn, Ni, and Pb. Averaged across the three soils, slopes of the cations recovered in plant and soil vs. cations applied in the ash were 0.48, 0.21, and 0.22 of total ash K, Ca, and Mg, respectively (r2 > 0.97). Ash significantly increased plant K and Mo, and decreased Mg, Mn, and Zn concentration. Tissue P concentrations were not affected by ash, but increased with P fertilizer. Phosphorus fertilizer increased plant dry mass (DM), but K fertilizer did not, thus K did not limit yield. Alfalfa stem gasification ash is a potential liming agent, a source of K, and would not lead to excessive accumulation of trace elements in soil or plants when applied at rates based on lime or K need.
Soil Moisture Regime Changes in Tephra‐Mulched Soils
Authors: Tejedor M. , Jiménez C. C. , Díaz F.
Published: May 2016

Large areas of the Canarian archipelago are catalogued as aridic according to U.S. soil taxonomy. A traditional system of cultivation, based on the application of a mulch layer of tephra, is widely practiced. The objective of this work is to compare the classification of soils with and without mulch using U. S. soil taxonomy, and illustrate the problems in estimating the soil moisture regime on the basis of meteorological data. In this study the moisture regime of a natural soil and an adjacent soil mulched with a 12‐cm layer of basaltic tephra was characterized on the basis of gravimetric moisture measurements, taken over a period of >1 yr, at 10‐cm intervals to a depth of 1 m. The moisture regime of the soil was also estimated using meteorological data. Results obtained for the natural, nonmulched soil using measured values and those estimated from atmospheric data are very similar, and both indicate an aridic soil moisture regime. The difference with the soil covered with basaltic tephra is noteworthy. In the latter case, the soil remained moist throughout the year, representing a udic moisture regime. This noteworthy difference is reflected in the classification of the soils: Aridisols in the first case and Inceptisols in the second. A proposal is made to include mulching with tephra as a cultural practice along with irrigation and fallowing in the definition of the classes of soil moisture regimes in U.S. soil taxonomy. This would prevent the practice of mulching with tephra from changing the soil order placement in U.S. soil taxonomy.
Environmental Controls on Soil and Whole‐ecosystem Respiration from a Tallgrass Prairie
Authors: Franzluebbers K. , Franzluebbers A. J. , Jawson M. D.
Published: May 2016

Environmental controls on C cycling in terrestrial ecosystems are difficult to define, because (i) C fluxes from plant vs. microbial activity are difficult to separate, and (ii) controlling variables are often intercorrelated. We investigated temporal and spatial determinants of soil respiration and whole‐ecosystem respiration using nighttime exposure of static chambers to alkali absorption during 2 yr on a tallgrass prairie in northeastern Kansas. Soil respiration (mg CO2‐C m−2h−1) was positively related to soil organic C (SOC, kg m−20.1 m−1) through linear regressionTemporal variations in respiration were related to soil temperature, water‐filled pore space (WFPS), and a plant growth rate function, with a combinedR2of 0.76 for soil respiration and of 0.84 for whole‐ecosystem respiration. Temporal variograms suggested that both soil and whole‐ecosystem respiration became increasingly dissimilar the longer the time between measurements up to 30 d, while dissimilarity in soil temperature and WFPS leveled between 10 and 20 d of separation. A plant growth rate function was an important variable that controlled whole‐ecosystem respiration, as well as soil respiration. The ratio of soil respiration to whole‐ecosystem respiration was ≈0.4 during maximum plant growth (July) and approached a value of 1 during minimal plant growth (November to March). We conclude that whole‐ecosystem respiration is under similar environmental controls as soil respiration, the main variables being soil organic C, soil temperature, WFPS, and plant growth rate, which all control the supply of readily mineralizable substrates.
Association Analysis of the Cubilin (CUBN) and Megalin (LRP2) Genes with ESRD in African Americans
Authors: Ma Jun , Guan Meijian , Bowden Donald W. , Ng Maggie C.Y. , Hicks Pamela J. , Lea Janice P. , Ma Lijun , Gao Chuan , Palmer Nicholette D. , Freedman Barry I.
Published: May 2016

Background and objectives

Genetic variation in the cubilin (CUBN) gene is associated with albuminuria and CKD. Common and rare coding variants in CUBN and the gene encoding its transport partner megalin (LRP2) were assessed for association with ESRD in blacks.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Sixty-six CUBN and LRP2 single–nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected and analyzed in this multistage study. Exome sequencing data from 529 blacks with type 2 diabetes (T2D) –associated ESRD and 535 controls lacking T2D or nephropathy (the Type 2 Diabetes Genes [T2D-GENES] Consortium) were first evaluated, focusing on coding variants in CUBN and LRP2; 15 potentially associated SNPs identified from the T2D-GENES Consortium as well as 51 other selected SNPs were then assessed in an independent T2D-ESRD sample set of blacks (the Affymetrix Axiom Biobank Genotyping Array [AXIOM]; 2041 patients with T2D-ESRD, 627 patients with T2D without nephropathy, and 1140 nondiabetic, non–nephropathy controls). A meta-analysis combining the T2D-GENES Consortium and the AXIOM data was performed for 18 overlapping SNPs. Additionally, all 66 SNPs were genotyped in the Wake Forest School of Medicine samples of blacks with nondiabetic ESRD (885 patients with nondiabetic ESRD and 721 controls). Association testing with ESRD was performed in models including age, sex, African ancestry proportion, and apolipoprotein L1 gene renal-risk variants.

Results

CUBN SNP rs1801239 (I2984V), previously associated with albuminuria, was significantly associated with T2D-ESRD in blacks (the T2D-GENES Consortium and the AXIOM meta-analysis, P=0.03; odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 1.67; minor allele frequency =0.028). A novel LRP2 missense variant, rs17848169 (N2632D), was also significantly protective from T2D-ESRD (the T2D-GENES Consortium and the AXIOM, P<0.002; odds ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.29 to 0.75; meta–analysis minor allele frequency =0.007). Neither SNP was associated with T2D when contrasting patients with T2D with controls lacking diabetes. CUBN and LRP2 SNPs were not associated with nondiabetic etiologies of ESRD.

Conclusions

Evidence for genetic association exists between a cubilin and a rare megalin variant with diabetes-associated ESRD in populations with recent African ancestry.
Novel single nucleotide polymorphisms in lactoferrin gene and their association with mastitis susceptibility in Holstein cattle
Authors: Ateya A.I. , El-Seady Y.Y. , Atwa S.M. , Merghani B.H. , Sayed N.A.
Published: May 2016

Since lactoferrin is acute phase protein and has an exceptional role in
defense mechanism of mammary gland, it is considered a candidate gene for
mastitis susceptibility in dairy cattle. In this study, blood samples were
collected for DNA extraction from fifty Holstein dairy cows in the third
lactation season reared under Egyptian conditions assigned into three groups
mastitis (n=15), subclinical mastitis (n=20) and healthy (n=15) based on
California mastitis test. Moreover biochemical markers for inflammation were
determined to detect severity. PCR amplification of a segment of 6th intron
of lactoferrin gene yielded a fragment of 301-bp in all animals under study.
For revealing polymorphism, DNA sequencing was done for PCR products of
lactoferrin gene (301-bp) in only five healthy (resistant) and five affected
animals. Results indicated that, association between biochemical data and
affections. The PCR-DNA sequencing genetic assessment identified twelve SNPs
in the bovine lactoferrin gene and there was association between these
identified SNPs and mastitis susceptibility, where ten nucleotide sequence
variations for one of the healthy animals were obtained with A166T, T185A,
T200C, G230C, A239G, T251G, A254C, A272C, T273C and A296G SNPs (submitted to
GenBank with accession number gb|KT159457|. On the other hand, two nucleotide
sequence variations for two of the affected animals were obtained with A100G
and T275A SNPs. Consequently, the identified SNPs in the bovine lactoferrin
gene can be used as marker-assisted selection (MAS) to predict, improve
mastitis resistance and minimize incidence of mastitis infection in Holstein
dairy cows.
Quality properties and expression profiling of protein disulfide isomerase genes during grain development of three spring wheat near isogenic lines
Authors: Dong Liwei , Li Ning , Lu Xiaobing , Prodanovic Slaven , Xu Yanhao , Zhang Wenying , Yan Yueming
Published: May 2016

Three wheat glutenin near isogenic lines (NILs) CB037A, CB037B and CB037C
were used to investigate their quality properties and the transcriptional
expression profiles of PDI gene family during grain development. Our purpose
is to understand the relationships between the dynamic expression of
different PDI genes and glutenin allelic compositions related to gluten
quality. The results showed that glutenin allelic variations had no
significant effects on main agronomic traits and yield performance, but
resulted in clear gluten quality changes. CB037B with 5+10 subunits had
higher glutenin macropolymer (GMP) content and better breadmaking quality
than CB037A with 2+12 while the lack of Glu-B3h encoding one abundant
B-subunit in CB037C significantly reduced GMP content, dough strength and
breadmaking quality. The dynamic expression patterns of eight protein
disulfide isomerase (PDI) genes during grain development detected by
quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) showed the close
correlations between higher expression levels of PDI3-1, PDI5-1 and PDI8-1
and the presence of 5+10 subunits. Meanwhile, Glu-B3h silence resulted in
significant decrease of expression levels of five PDI genes (PDI3-1, PDI5-1,
PDI6-1, PDI7-2 and PDI8-1), suggesting the vital roles of certain PDI genes
in glutenin and GMP synthesis and gluten quality formation.
At the Edges of Meaning: Aging, Memory, and Resonant Listening
Authors: Sawchuk Kim , Moorhouse Aynsley
Published: May 2016

This article explores the idea of resonant listening in relation to aging and memory loss. Resonance is put into conversation with three pieces of sound art created by or with older adults grappling with changes in memory. The first two works discussed, Sounds of Forgetting and Turning, were created from recordings of conversations between one of the authors, Aynsley Moorhouse, and her father, Dr. John Moorhouse. The third composition, Fried Brains, is a two-minute piece created by Louise Jacks and Enid Anderson, two older women. Shifting away from narratives that reduce aging and memory changes to a series of tragic losses from a golden time in one’s life, these three works assert the value of ongoing expressive capacity and collaboration. They point to the ways in which, through sound, we may gradually learn to destigmatize dementia and changes in memory to create connections between neurotypical and neurologically atypical people.
Rotation of Galaxies within Gravity of the Universe
Authors: Annila Arto
Published: May 2016

Rotation of galaxies is examined by the general principle of least action. This law of nature describes a system in its surroundings, here specifically a galaxy in the surrounding Universe. According to this holistic theory the gravitational potential due to all matter in the expanding Universe relates to the universal curvature which, in turn, manifests itself as the universal acceleration. Then the orbital velocities from the central bulge to distant perimeters are understood to balance both the galactic and universal acceleration. Since the galactic acceleration decreases with distance from the galaxy’s center to its luminous edge, the orbital velocities of ever more distant stars and gas clouds tend toward a value that tallies the universal acceleration. This tiny term has been acknowledged earlier by including it as a parameter in the modified gravitational law, but here the tiny acceleration is understood to result from the gravitational potential that spans across the expanding Universe. This resolution of the galaxy rotation problem is compared with observations and contrasted with models of dark matter. Also, other astronomical observations that have been interpreted as evidence for dark matter are discussed in light of the least-action principle.
Density-Based Clustering with Geographical Background Constraints Using a Semantic Expression Model
Authors: Du Qingyun , Dong Zhi , Huang Chudong , Ren Fu
Published: May 2016

A semantics-based method for density-based clustering with constraints imposed by geographical background knowledge is proposed. In this paper, we apply an ontological approach to the DBSCAN (Density-Based Geospatial Clustering of Applications with Noise) algorithm in the form of knowledge representation for constraint clustering. When used in the process of clustering geographic information, semantic reasoning based on a defined ontology and its relationships is primarily intended to overcome the lack of knowledge of the relevant geospatial data. Better constraints on the geographical knowledge yield more reasonable clustering results. This article uses an ontology to describe the four types of semantic constraints for geographical backgrounds: “No Constraints”, “Constraints”, “Cannot-Link Constraints”, and “Must-Link Constraints”. This paper also reports the implementation of a prototype clustering program. Based on the proposed approach, DBSCAN can be applied with both obstacle and non-obstacle constraints as a semi-supervised clustering algorithm and the clustering results are displayed on a digital map.
Antibacterial Activity of Ciprofloxacin-Encapsulated Cockle Shells Calcium Carbonate (Aragonite) Nanoparticles and Its Biocompatability in Macrophage J774A.1
Authors: Isa Tijani , Zakaria Zuki , Rukayadi Yaya , Mohd Hezmee Mohd , Jaji Alhaji , Imam Mustapha , Hammadi Nahidah , Mahmood Saffanah
Published: May 2016

The use of nanoparticle delivery systems to enhance intracellular penetration of antibiotics and their retention time is becoming popular. The challenge, however, is that the interaction of nanoparticles with biological systems at the cellular level must be established prior to biomedical applications. Ciprofloxacin–cockle shells-derived calcium carbonate (aragonite) nanoparticles (C-CSCCAN) were developed and characterized. Antibacterial activity was determined using a modified disc diffusion protocol on Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). Biocompatibilittes with macrophage were evaluated using the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and 5-Bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assays. Transcriptional regulation of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) was determined using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). C-CSCCAN were spherical in shape, with particle sizes ranging from 11.93 to 22.12 nm. Encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading content (LC) were 99.5% and 5.9%, respectively, with negative ζ potential. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed strong crystallizations and purity in the formulations. The mean diameter of inhibition zone was 18.6 ± 0.5 mm, which was better than ciprofloxacin alone (11.7 ± 0.9 mm). Study of biocompatability established the cytocompatability of the delivery system without upregulation of IL-1β. The results indicated that ciprofloxacin–nanoparticles enhanced the antibacterial efficacy of the antibiotic, and could act as a suitable delivery system against intracellular infections.
A Low-Noise Transimpedance Amplifier for BLM-Based Ion Channel Recording
Authors: Crescentini Marco , Bennati Marco , Saha Shimul , Ivica Josip , De Planque Maurits , Morgan Hywel , Tartagni Marco
Published: May 2016

High-throughput screening (HTS) using ion channel recording is a powerful drug discovery technique in pharmacology. Ion channel recording with planar bilayer lipid membranes (BLM) is scalable and has very high sensitivity. A HTS system based on BLM ion channel recording faces three main challenges: (i) design of scalable microfluidic devices; (ii) design of compact ultra-low-noise transimpedance amplifiers able to detect currents in the pA range with bandwidth >10 kHz; (iii) design of compact, robust and scalable systems that integrate these two elements. This paper presents a low-noise transimpedance amplifier with integrated A/D conversion realized in CMOS 0.35 μm technology. The CMOS amplifier acquires currents in the range ±200 pA and ±20 nA, with 100 kHz bandwidth while dissipating 41 mW. An integrated digital offset compensation loop balances any voltage offsets from Ag/AgCl electrodes. The measured open-input input-referred noise current is as low as 4 fA/√Hz at ±200 pA range. The current amplifier is embedded in an integrated platform, together with a microfluidic device, for current recording from ion channels. Gramicidin-A, α-haemolysin and KcsA potassium channels have been used to prove both the platform and the current-to-digital converter.
The Conceptual Design of a Mechatronic System to Handle Bedridden Elderly Individuals
Authors: Bruno Silva , José Machado , Filomena Soares , Vítor Carvalho , Demétrio Matos , Karolina Bezerra
Published: May 2016

The ever-growing percentage of elderly people in developed countries have made Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) solutions an important subject to be explored and developed. The increase in geriatric care requests are overburdening specialized institutions that cannot cope with the demand for support. Patients are forced to have to remain at their homes encumbering the spouse or close family members with the caregiver role. This caregiver is not always physically and technically apt to assist the bedridden person with his/her meals and hygiene/bath routine. Consequently, a solution to assist caregivers in these tasks is of the utmost importance. This paper presents an approach for supporting caregivers when moving and repositioning Bedridden Elderly Peoples (BEPs) in home settings by means of a mechatronic system inspired by industrial conveyers. The proposed solution is able to insert itself underneath the patient, due to its low-profile structural properties, and retrieve and reallocate him/her. Ideally, the proposed mechatronic system aims to promote autonomy by reducing handling complexity, alter the role of the caregiver from physically handler of the BEP to an operator/supervisor role, and lessen the amount of effort expended by caregivers and BEPs alike.
A NEW MODEL FOR MIXING BY DOUBLE-DIFFUSIVE CONVECTION (SEMI-CONVECTION). III. THERMAL AND COMPOSITIONAL TRANSPORT THROUGH NON-LAYERED ODDC
Authors: Moll Ryan , Garaud Pascale , Stellmach Stephan
Published: May 2016

Oscillatory double-diffusive convection (ODDC; also known as semi-convection) refers to a type of double-diffusive instability that occurs in regions of planetary and stellar interiors that have a destabilizing thermal stratification and a stabilizing mean molecular weight stratification. In this series of papers, we use an extensive suite of three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations to quantify the transport of heat and chemical species by ODDC. Rosenblum et al. first showed that ODDC can either spontaneously form layers that significantly enhance the transport of heat and chemical species compared to microscopic transport or remain in a state dominated by large-scale gravity waves, in which there is a more modest enhancement of the turbulent transport rates. Subsequent studies in this series focused on identifying under what conditions layers form and quantifying transport through layered systems. Here we proceed to characterize transport through systems that are unstable to ODDC, but do not undergo spontaneous layer formation. We measure the thermal and compositional fluxes in non-layered ODDC from both two-dimensional (2D) and 3D numerical simulations, and show that 3D simulations are well approximated by similar simulations in a 2D domain. We find that the turbulent mixing rate in this regime is weak and can, to a first-level approximation, be neglected. We conclude by summarizing the findings of papers I through III into a single prescription for transport systems unstable to ODDC.
GLOBAL SAUSAGE OSCILLATION OF SOLAR FLARE LOOPS DETECTED BY THE INTERFACE REGION IMAGING SPECTROGRAPH
Authors: Tian Hui , Young Peter R. , Reeves Katharine K. , Wang Tongjiang , Antolin Patrick , Chen Bin , He Jiansen
Published: May 2016

An observation from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph reveals coherent oscillations in the loops of an M1.6 flare on 2015 March 12. Both the intensity and Doppler shift of Fe xxi 1354.08 Å show clear oscillations with a period of ∼25 s. Remarkably similar oscillations were also detected in the soft X-ray flux recorded by the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). With an estimated phase speed of ∼2420 km s−1 and a derived electron density of at least 5.4 × 1010 cm−3, the observed short-period oscillation is most likely the global fast sausage mode of a hot flare loop. We find a phase shift of ∼π/2 (1/4 period) between the Doppler shift oscillation and the intensity/GOES oscillations, which is consistent with a recent forward modeling study of the sausage mode. The observed oscillation requires a density contrast between the flare loop and coronal background of a factor ≥42. The estimated phase speed of the global mode provides a lower limit of the Alfvén speed outside the flare loop. We also find an increase of the oscillation period, which might be caused by the separation of the loop footpoints with time.
EVIDENCE FOR A CO DESORPTION FRONT IN THE OUTER AS 209 DISK
Authors: Huang Jane , Öberg Karin I. , Andrews Sean M.
Published: May 2016

Millimeter observations of CO isotopologues are often used to make inferences about protoplanetary disk gas density and temperature structures. The accuracy of these estimates depends on our understanding of CO freezeout and desorption from dust grains. Most models of these processes indicate that CO column density decreases monotonically with distance from the central star due to a decrease in gas density and freezeout beyond the CO snowline. We present ALMA Cycle 2 observations of 12CO, 13CO, and C18O

J
=
2
−
1

emission that instead suggest CO enhancement in the outer disk of T Tauri star AS 209. Most notably, the C18O emission consists of a central peak and a ring at a radius of

∼
1
′
′

(120 au), well outside the expected CO snowline. We propose that the ring arises from the onset of CO desorption near the edge of the millimeter dust disk. CO desorption exterior to a CO snowline may occur via non-thermal processes involving cosmic rays or high-energy photons, or via a radial thermal inversion arising from dust migration.
OBSERVATIONS OF MAGNETIC FLUX-ROPE OSCILLATION DURING THE PRECURSOR PHASE OF A SOLAR ERUPTION
Authors: Zhou G. P. , Zhang J. , Wang J. X.
Published: May 2016

Based on combined observations from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) spectrometer with the coronal emission line of Fe xxi at 1354.08 Å and SDO/AIA images in multiple passbands, we report the finding of the precursor activity manifested as the transverse oscillation of a sigmoid, which is likely a pre-existing magnetic flux rope (MFR), that led to the onset of an X class flare and a fast halo coronal mass ejection (CME) on 2014 September 10. The IRIS slit is situated at a fixed position that is almost vertical to the main axis of the sigmoid structure that has a length of about 1.8 × 105 km. This precursor oscillation lasts for about 13 minutes in the MFR and has velocities in the range of [−9, 11] km s−1 and a period of ∼280 s. Our analysis, which is based on the temperature, density, length, and magnetic field strength of the observed sigmoid, indicates that the nature of the oscillation is a standing wave of fast magnetoacoustic kink mode. We further find that the precursor oscillation is excited by the energy released through an external magnetic reconnection between the unstable MFR and the ambient magnetic field. It is proposed that this precursor activity leads to the dynamic formation of a current sheet underneath the MFR that subsequently reconnects to trigger the onset of the main phase of the flare and the CME.
Social Entrepreneurship and Income Distribution
Authors: Castaño-Martínez María-Soledad , Méndez-Picazo María-Teresa , Galindo-Martín Miguel-Ángel
Published: May 2016

Social entrepreneurship is one of the most important forms of entrepreneurship, especially in the context of the current economic crisis. The aim of this chapter is to analyze the influence of a number of factors, such as income distribution, institutions, and human capital on social entrepreneurship. In addition, it analyses the impact of these factors and social entrepreneurship on economic performance. This chapter includes an empirical analysis, with Partial Least Square (PLS) estimation for 29 countries using data from 2012.
Artificial Neural Networks and Learning Techniques
Authors: Kar Pushpendu , Das Anusua
Published: May 2016

The recent craze for artificial neural networks has spread its roots towards the development of neuroscience, pattern recognition, machine learning and artificial intelligence. The theoretical neuroscience is basically converging towards the basic concept that the brain acts as a complex and decentralized computer which can perform rigorous calculations in a different approach compared to the conventional digital computers. The motivation behind the study of neural networks is due to their similarity in the structure of the human central nervous system. The elementary processing component of an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is called as ‘Neuron'. A large number of neurons interconnected with each other mimic the biological neural network and form an ANN. Learning is an inevitable process that can be used to train an ANN. We can only transfer knowledge to the neural network by the learning procedure. This chapter presents the detailed concepts of artificial neural networks in addition to some significant aspects on the present research work.
Applying the IAT to Assess Big Five Personality Traits
Authors: Dentale Francesco , Vecchione Michele , Barbaranelli Claudio
Published: May 2016

This chapter reviews the studies that applied the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to assess the Big Five personality traits, focusing on issues related to measurement and validity. After a brief introduction on the implicit self-concept of personality, the following five issues are critically reviewed: (1) the experimental procedure of both classical and questionnaire-based Big Five IATs, (2) the factorial structure and reliability of the implicit traits and the degree of dissociation between implicit and explicit measures, (3) the state and trait components of implicit scores, (4) the predictive validity of the Big-Five IATs with respect to relevant behavioural criteria, and (5) the robustness to faking of the Big Five IATs. Future research directions for the implicit measures of the Big Five were discussed.
An Empirical Study about the Use of the Internet and Computer Games among Croatian Children
Authors: Vorkapić Sanja Tatalović , Polanec Elma
Published: May 2016

This book chapter is dedicated to theoretical and empirical review of media among children. Empirical results about computer presence in family homes, IT literacy with different computer programmes among parents, as well children are described. In addition, attitudes of parents and preschool and school-aged children about using Internet and computer games as well as attitudes toward the Internet violence are analysed. The results of games types that children play as well as frequency of playing and children's emotions evoked by them are shown. Finally, the results about presence of significant others as well as their conversation with children are shown. All of the above are interestingly studied in the frame of correlation analysis to research relations between some socio-demographic variables (sex, age, the level of education, and presence of computer in family home), so certain future research guidelines can be established.
Software Performance Estimate using Fuzzy Based Backpropagation Learning
Authors: Ahmad Khaleel , Kumar Gaurav , Wahid Abdul , Kirmani Mudasir M.
Published: May 2016

Accurate estimation of the software performance and its reliability is an important task in designing, developing and implementing software as per the desired requirements. With the increase in individuals relying on software application in their daily lives has resulted in increase in demand for good quality software with efficient performance. The professionals in the software industry are facing an uphill task of developing software with efficient performance measure and at the same time capable of evaluating software performance. In order to evaluate software performance it is necessary to have a method to estimate the software performance. The estimation of software performance plays an important role in predicting acceptability and longevity of a software product. Software performance estimation is essential in existing software-dominated environment where part of daily life is directly or indirectly dependent on software for fulfilling requirements. In this chapter discusses the reasons underlying the proposals and shows the pitfalls associated to these software attributes.
Designing an Evaluation Tool to Measure Emotional Goals
Authors: Curumsing Maheswaree Kissoon , Pedell Sonja , Vasa Rajesh
Published: May 2016

Human emotions have been widely researched in many disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, neuroscience and medicine. Their importance cannot be underestimated. Unfortunately, so far in software engineering, requirements engineers focus mostly on gathering functional and quality requirements and rarely consider how stakeholders feel or would like to feel when using a software product. Incorporating the user's emotional goals in software engineering can be very challenging considering that emotions are very complex and subjective. Moreover, when it comes to incorporating user emotions in software engineering, existing methodologies or frameworks provide very little guidance to software professionals. In this paper, the authors present work on evaluating emotional goals in a software engineering context. The authors describe the development of a questionnaire as an evaluation tool and evaluate the questionnaire in the context of a digital photo frame placed in the homes of nine older persons living on their own. Further improvements to the tool are proposed based on the findings from the study.
Who Cares for Identity Information in Government 2.0?
Authors: Koops Bert-Jaap , van den Berg Bibi
Published: May 2016

This chapter presents the results of an empirical study on the effects of identity information on government-citizen interaction in government 2.0 applications. It triangulates findings from a survey among government 2.0 users and quantitative and qualitative analyses of Dutch government 2.0 Websites. This reveals the identity information Web 2.0 users want to have of other participants and are willing to provide about themselves, the importance of role information of civil servants, and the relationship of identity information with the interaction level on government 2.0 applications. The results show that, contrary to what the literature suggests, there is no significant correlation between identity information and interaction levels on government 2.0 discussion forums. The findings suggest that government 2.0 initiatives should be designed with a flexible and liberal approach to identity information.
The Influence of Personality Traits on Software Engineering and its Applications
Authors: Casado-Rivas Adrián , Archidona Manuel Muñoz
Published: May 2016

In Software Engineering, personality traits have helped to better understand the human factor. In this chapter, the authors give an overview of important personality traits theories that have influenced Software Engineering and have been widely adopted. The theories considered are Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Big Five Personality Traits, and Belbin Roles. The influence of personality traits has provided remarkable benefits to Software Engineering, especially in the making of teams. For software project managers, it is useful to know what set of soft skills correlates to a specific team role so as to analyze how personality traits have contributed to high performance and cohesive software engineering teams. The study of software engineers' personality traits also helps to motivate team members. Creating teams that involve compatible individuals, each working on tasks that suit them, and having a motivated team improves team performance, productivity, and reduces project costs.
More than Pills and Beds
Authors: Rosenberg Sebastian , McDermott Fiona
Published: May 2016

Contemporary models of mental healthcare emphasise the importance of multi-disciplinary approaches in supporting recovery for consumers. There is growing evidence of the key role to be played by social workers derived from both the principles of recovery and those underpinning social work theory and practice, particularly a focus on person-in-environment. However, pressures on the way mental healthcare is provided in Australia are threatening this confluence. These pressures are much more concerned with the needs of funders than professionals, consumers, and their families. The aim of this chapter is to explore the evidence to support social work as an integral element in mental health recovery and to better understand these emerging challenges. The role of social work in good mental healthcare is too important to become marginalized; yet this prospect is real. Better understanding of the contemporary landscape of social work can help ensure this does not occur.
Ethical Treatment of Robots and the Hard Problem of Robot Emotions
Authors: MacLennan Bruce J.
Published: May 2016

Emotions are important cognitive faculties that enable animals to behave intelligently in real time. The author argues that many important current and future applications of autonomous robots will require them to have a rich emotional repertoire, but this raises the question of whether it is possible for robots to experience their emotions consciously, as people do. Under what conditions would phenomenal experience of emotions be possible for robots? This is, in effect, the “hard problem” of robot emotions. This paper outlines a scientific approach to the question grounded in experimental neurophenomenology.
The Association between Internet Addiction and Psychosocial Variables
Authors: Bozoglan Bahadir , Demirer Veysel
Published: May 2016

The past decade has seen plenty of studies focusing on Internet use and Internet addiction. This is because the Internet provides information about variety of topics all over world and is easily accessed. Arguments concerning the association between excessive use and Internet addiction are ongoing. There is not yet a clear, consensus definition of Internet addiction. In this chapter, we discuss previous research and implications for future studies regarding Internet addiction and its most studied psychosocial variables: depression, loneliness, social anxiety, self-esteem, life satisfaction, and social support.
Influence of Personality on Programming Styles an Empirical Study
Authors: Karimi Zahra , Baraani-Dastjerdi Ahmad , Ghasem-Aghaee Nasser , Wagner Stefan
Published: May 2016

Each programmer tend to his or her own style in programming and human factors may explain these differences in style which has considerable influence on tooling, processes and productivity. The objective of this paper is to study the influence of a previously un-investigated factor, personality, on programming styles. The authors did a survey study on 68 programmers in the University of Stuttgart. Programming experience, attitude towards programming, five personality factors, and programming styles were measured via self-assessed survey. The authors did statistical analysis to investigate links between human factors and programming styles. They found that programming experience is the most influential factor in programming styles but personality is more evident in different programming styles. They conclude that programming styles are a matter of personal preferences and help reveal the influence of personality in programming. Further research is needed to explore new programming styles, measure them and investigate the influence of personality on them.
Artificial Neural Learning Based on Big Data Process for eHealth Applications
Authors: Pombo Nuno , Garcia Nuno M. , Bousson Kouamana , Felizardo Virginie
Published: May 2016

The complexity of the clinical context requires systems with the capability to make decisions based on reduced sets of data. Moreover, the adoption of mobile and ubiquitous devices could provide personal health-related information. In line with this, eHealth application faces several challenges so as to provide accurate and reliable data to both healthcare professionals and patients. This chapter focuses on computational learning on the healthcare systems presenting different classification processes to obtain knowledge from data. Finally, a case study based on a radial basis function neural network aiming the estimation of ECG waveform is explained. The presented model revealed its adaptability and suitability to support clinical decision making. However, complementary studies should be addressed to enable the model to predict the upper and lower points related to upward and downward deflections.
Authentication and Identity Management for Secure Cloud Businesses and Services
Authors: He Bing , Tran Tuan T. , Xie Bin
Published: May 2016

Today, cloud-based services and applications are ubiquitous in many systems. The cloud provides undeniable potential benefits to the users by offering lower costs and simpler deployment. The users significantly reduce their system management responsibilities by outsourcing services to the cloud service providers. However, the management shift has posed significant security challenges to the cloud service providers. Security concerns are the main reasons that delay organizations from moving to the cloud. The security and efficiency of user identity management and access control in the cloud needs to be well addressed to realize the power of the cloud. In this chapter, the authors identify the key challenges and provide solutions to the authentication and identity management for secure cloud business and services. The authors first identify and discuss the challenges and requirements of the authentication and identity management system in the cloud. Several prevailing industry standards and protocols for authentication and access control in cloud environments are provided and discussed. The authors then present and discuss the latest advances in authentication and identity management in cloud, especially for mobile cloud computing and identity as a service. They further discuss how proximity-based access control can be applied for an effective and fine-grained data access control in the cloud.