bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Speed guidance model during the green phase based on a connected vehicle
Authors: Wang JF , Li CC , Lv JR , Yan XD
Published: August 2016

Considering existing speed guidance models and their test method without reflecting upon the connected vehicle (CV) characteristics, a speed guidance model during the green phase is proposed using the real-time information of signal phase and timing, the vehicle travelling state, and environmental characteristics surrounding intersection. Considering the weakness of data non-synchronization and trajectory heterogeneity of the existing simulators, one-engine simulation architecture is introduced to validate the speed guidance model in the CV environment. The results indicate that the distribution of time headway shows a significant difference between with speed guidance and without speed guidance in the CV environment, and speed guidance can improve the harmonization of the time headway without degrading the travel efficiency. Speed guidance is affected by the space environment surrounding the intersection and V2I communication properties. Compared with a complicated space environment, for example an urban environment, speed guidance in a free space environment, for example a rural environment, has a better improvement of mobility and exhaust emission. In addition, the improvement of mobility and exhaust emission appears to have an increase tendency with the increase of transmission power and penetration rate.
The optimization of the surface-enhanced Raman scattering for quantitative analysis and detection of molecules
Authors: Jeffrey Kuo Chung-Feng , Su Te-Li , Tsai Jia-Cheng , Pan Sheau-Shi
Published: August 2016

This study produced colloidal silver nanoparticle solution, and used the silver nanoparticles in the colloidal silver solution to adsorb dye molecule rhodamine 6 G, measure the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and test the ability of colloidal silver nanoparticle solution to detect unimolecules. The Taguchi method was used for optimizing experimental parameters. The SERS and Blinking signals were measured. The two groups of single quality optimum parameter combinations were used as the parental gene of the first-generation population in the genetic algorithm, evolving the next-generation population of high fitness function value. The back-propagation neural system was used as the fitness function indicator of the genetic algorithm, until the gene combination of multi-quality optimization is evolved. Finally, the multi-quality optimal preparation parameter combination was determined as sodium chloride content of 600 μl, mixing time of 90 min, sodium borohydride concentration of [Formula: see text], and dye molecule concentration of [Formula: see text]. The intensity of SERS and unimolecule detection capability were validated by confirmation experimentation.
The Emerging Field of Online Special Education
Authors: Smith Sean J. , Basham James D. , Hall Tracey
Published: August 2016

The growing practice of elementary and secondary online education is the primary focus of this topical issue. This article will introduce the Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities and then highlight the articles within this publication. Throughout the issue, research findings support the need for more research in online learning practices. Overall, it is hoped this issue will support increased emphasis on research and practice in K-12 online learning.
Probing the Links Between Trustworthiness, Trust, and Emotion
Authors: Robbins Blaine G.
Published: August 2016

An outstanding puzzle in the social sciences remains about the forms of perceived trustworthiness sufficient to produce trust. Survey experiments adjudicated between four models of the trustworthiness-trust link—social constraints, encapsulated interests, goodwill, and virtuous dispositions—and tested novel hypotheses about other-praising emotions (admiration and gratitude) as mediating effects. Two large convenience samples of Amazon.com Mechanical Turk workers yielded strong support for all four perspectives as well as novel predictions about the inequality of effects (goodwill = virtuous dispositions > encapsulated interests > social constraints). Two additional large random samples of public university undergraduate students replicated prior findings and provided evidence for other-praising emotions as plausible mechanisms that connect trustworthiness to trust, with larger mediating effects for goodwill and virtuous dispositions than for encapsulated interests and social constraints. Results indicate that trust can spring from multiple forms of perceived trustworthiness and that affective mechanisms play an important role in its development.
Predicting Outcomes after Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Choi Ji Ho , Cho Seok Hyun , Kim Soo‐Nyung , Suh Jeffrey D. , Cho Jae Hoon
Published: August 2016

Objective

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) remains one of the most common surgical treatments for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. However, the results after UPPP are unpredictable. The purpose of this meta‐analysis is to identify predictors of success after UPPP.

Data Sources

A literature search was performed utilizing PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Library.

Review Methods

The keywords and medical subject heading terms used were uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and UPPP. Studies were included if UPPP was used as a single surgical procedure for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and results were presented separately as responder (surgical success) and nonresponder (surgical failure). Exclusion criteria included pediatric patients and other surgical procedures (eg, nasal and hypopharyngeal) performed at the same time as the UPPP. Age, body mass index, preoperative apnea‐hypopnea index, Friedman stage, and several cephalometric variables were compared between responders and nonresponders.

Results

A total of 1257 studies were screened, with 15 studies included in this meta‐analysis. Our results demonstrate that Friedman stage I is a strong predictor for success after UPPP, while Friedman stage III and low hyoid position are negative predictors. Age, body mass index, preoperative apnea‐hypopnea index, and other cephalometric measurements were not significant.

Conclusion

Friedman stage and hyoid position are important predictors for UPPP.
Geniculate Ganglion Tumors
Authors: Lahlou Ghizlene , Nguyen Yann , Russo Francesca Yoshie , Ferrary Evelyne , Sterkers Olivier , Bernardeschi Daniele
Published: August 2016

Objective

Facial nerve tumors are rare lesions mostly located in the geniculate ganglion. This study aims to compare those tumors limited to the geniculate ganglion in terms of clinical features and postoperative outcomes.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Settings

University tertiary reference center.

Subjects and Methods

Medical charts were reviewed for 17 patients who had surgery for geniculate ganglion tumor removal (10 hemangiomas, 6 schwannomas, 1 meningioma). Hemangiomas and schwannomas were compared for preoperative facial nerve function, hearing, tumor size, and postoperative outcomes.

Results

Facial palsy was observed in all cases. Regarding the preoperative facial nerve function, severe facial palsy (House‐Brackmann grades V and VI) was present in 70% of cases for hemangiomas and for no case of schwannoma (P =. 01), although hemangiomas were significantly smaller tumors (P =. 01). Hearing loss was observed in 4 cases (23.5%) and was related to tumor volume (P <. 0001). A complete excision was achieved in all cases, and a facial nerve graft was performed immediately after interruption in 16 patients (94%). Postoperative facial nerve function was improved or stabilized in 94% of cases. A preoperative House‐Brackman grade VI was shown as a negative factor for postoperative facial nerve function.

Conclusions

Differences in clinical presentations could help in establishing the good therapeutic option depending on the tumor type. Surgery, when indicated, is safe and effective, and postoperative outcomes are not related to tumor type.
Legal Responses to Economic Liberalization: The Case of Unfair Trade Practices
Authors: Pathak Akhileshwar
Published: August 2016

This paper traces the evolution of law and practices in the past 20 years focusing on one aspect of unfair trade practices — unfairness in holding of games, contests, lotteries, and similar schemes for promoting sales and services in the context of India transitioning from a state controlled to a liberalized economy. With competition in the economy, firms have got into aggressive and competitive trade practices to entice the customers. These practices raise questions about the truthfulness and fairness of representation of products, services, advertisements, and schemes and modalities for promotion of products and services. There is a need for adequate law against unfair trade practices and a justice delivery system to have some ‘rules of the game’ to compete among themselves.

The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP) Act, 1969, was amended in 1984 to introduce a chapter on unfair trade practices. One of the provisions pertained to the holding of games and lotteries. It stated that ‘the conduct of any contest, lottery, game of chance or skill’ for promoting sales, services or business interest was an unfair trade practice and should, therefore, be disallowed. Following the provision, the MRTP Commission had stopped almost all promotion schemes which had an element of draw or lottery. For example, Whirlpool Ltd. had launched a ‘Scratch a Gift Scheme’ and Coca-Cola Ltd. had introduced a promotional scheme for Coke. Considering them to be lottery schemes, the Commission had restrained the companies.

The judgement of the Supreme Court in the ‘Horlicks Hidden Wealth Prize Offer’ changed the entire scenario. The Commission considered this scheme to be a kind of lottery and, thus, an unfair trade practice. However, the Supreme Court, in its short judgement in 1998, commented that this was not a case of lottery as there was no draw of lots or that a price was charged for participation in the draw. The fact that some bottles of Horlicks contained a slip of paper which entitled the buyer to a prize is not a lottery in the ordinary sense of the word.

Following the judgement, in all the pending cases before the Commission, the parties successfully argued that their schemes did not attract the provision of unfair trade practice as they had not charged extra for participation in the scheme. Ever since, there has been no restraint on holding of such promotion schemes.

In this context, the firms would need to do the following: objectively examine if such schemes have any effect on the promotion of products demonstrate the genuineness of a scheme by disclosing vital information work towards formulating appropriate regulations.
Quality of Service of Primary Health Centres: Insights from a Field Study
Authors: Rameshan P , Singh Shailendra
Published: August 2016

This paper provides an evaluation of the quality of services and customer orientation of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) against the backdrop of the changed environment in the country with customer focus and efficiency emerging as the cornerstones of economic transactions in private and public sectors alike. It focuses on ten selected PHCs of Uttar Pradesh and covers the following stakeholders: Customers including patients who use the health care facilities of PHCs as well as the relatives and their personal attendants. Community members covering the village public, local shopkeepers, local government functionaries, local intelligentsia such as teachers and others having an interest or stake in PHC activities. Doctors and staff of the PHCs. District Medical Officials responsible for controlling and monitoring the PHC activities.

The paper draws, among others, the following conclusions: The customers and community members of the villages perceived the facilities and services of PHCs to be deficient in many respects. Neither doctors and PHC staff nor the district officials are able to refute adequately the issues raised by villagers about the quality of service of PHCs. While villagers do not like the panchayat (local government) coming into the picture for improving the services of PHCs, district officials totally discount privatization as a means for providing effective primary health care in rural areas.

While it is not very easy to solve the primary health care problems of the Indian villagers, yet the policy-makers can take recourse to the following measures to improve the facilities and services of PHCs in future: Form village committees to monitor PHC facilities, resources, and services. Identify industry patrons/sponsors for each PHC for developing infrastructure, facilities, and logistics without straining the scarce government resources. Constitute district-level user committees to monitor not only the PHC activities of a district but also the activities of the District Medical Offices. Enable panchayat and district administration to perform monitoring and supporting functions to ensure multiple checks on activities of the PHCs and District Medical Offices.
Marketing Mix Elements Influencing Brand Equity and Brand Choice
Authors: Chattopadhyay Tanmay , Shivani Shraddha , Krishnan Mahesh
Published: August 2016

This study develops and empirically tests a model for determining the determinants and effects of brand equity for the Indian passenger car market. Towards the same, the Brand Equity Creation Model developed by Yoo, Donthu and Lee (2000) was expanded and combined with the Brand Choice Model developed by Erdem, et al (1999). The dimensions of brand equity were thought to affect Overall Brand Equity, which in turn affected the final brand choice made by the consumers. The effect that ten selected marketing activities had on the dimensions of brand equity was examined. The passenger car market was differentiated on the basis of the price of car as premium, volume, and economy type and shopping centre intercept survey was conducted to collect respondent data across ten centres throughout the country. Multiple time passenger car buyers were considered as the respondent base for the study. A total of 1,932 consumers were contacted and 302 valid responses were received. Structural Equation Model was used as the tool for analysis.

The results showed that: Of the ten marketing mix elements considered, some had a very strong impact on brand equity because they positively impacted both the dimensions considered for the study. However, contrary to what many previous studies reported, country of origin and price promotion did not impact the brand equity for such consumers. Advertising frequency is not a builder of brand equity; word-of-mouth is a better determinant of brand equity for repeat passenger car buyers.

The different results obtained in this study vis- à- vis those from earlier studies suggest that the cultural differences between consumers of two countries mediates the effect of the marketing efforts on brand equity creation. Again since each of the dimensions of brand equity under this study was found to positively impact brand choice, it has been posited that the probability of the consumers choosing the final brand is increased with an increase in the equity of the brand. Geographical limitation of the sample and absence of interaction of marketing mix elements amongst themselves were identified as some of the key limitations of the study.
Subject expression in L2 Spanish: Convergence of generative and usage-based perspectives?
Authors: Zyzik Eve
Published: July 2016

The extensive literature on subject expression in Spanish makes for rich comparisons between generative (formal) and usage-based (functional) approaches to language acquisition. This article explores how the problem of subject expression has been conceptualized within each research tradition, as well as unanswered questions that both approaches must consider in order to strengthen and refine their positions. The discussion focuses on convergence between the approaches, which stems from the contemporary interest in the syntax–pragmatics interface and some methodological overlap that results from a joint focus on discourse data.
Visually Induced Inhibition of Return Affects the Integration of Auditory and Visual Information
Authors: Van der Stoep N. , Van der Stigchel S. , Nijboer T. C. W. , Spence C.
Published: August 2016

Multisensory integration (MSI) and exogenous spatial attention can both speedup responses to perceptual events. Recently, it has been shown that audiovisual integration at exogenously attended locations is reduced relative to unattended locations. This effect was observed at short cue-target intervals (200–250 ms). At longer intervals, however, the initial benefits of exogenous shifts of spatial attention at the cued location are often replaced by response time (RT) costs (also known as Inhibition of Return, IOR). Given these opposing cueing effects at shorter versus longer intervals, we decided to investigate whether MSI would also be affected by IOR. Uninformative exogenous visual spatial cues were presented between 350 and 450 ms prior to the onset of auditory, visual, and audiovisual targets. As expected, IOR was observed for visual targets (invalid cue RT < valid cue RT). For auditory and audiovisual targets, neither IOR nor any spatial cueing effects were observed. The amount of relative multisensory response enhancement and race model inequality violation was larger for uncued as compared with cued locations indicating that IOR reduces MSI. The results are discussed in the context of changes in unisensory signal strength at cued as compared with uncued locations.
Personality, uses of music, and music preference: The influence of openness to experience and extraversion
Authors: Vella Elizabeth J. , Mills Gregory
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether uses of music partially mediate the link between personality and music preference. Undergraduate students ( N = 122) completed the following scales: The Brief Big Five Inventory, The Uses of Music Inventory, The Short Test of Music Preference, The Life Orientation Test Revised, The Beck Depression Inventory, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Openness to experience positively predicted preferences for reflective-complex (RC; e.g., jazz/blues) and intense-rebellious (IR; e.g., rock/metal) music and was inversely related to upbeat-conventional (UC; e.g., country/pop) music, whereas extraversion was positively related to preferences for energetic-rhythmic (ER; e.g., rap/soul) and UC genres. A link between trait optimism and ER music preference was fully mediated by the more prominent extraversion trait. The relationship between openness to experience and RC music preference was partially mediated by cognitive uses of music, with a marginally significant analysis indicating partial mediation of emotional uses of music for openness to experience and IR music preference. Trait neuroticism, perceived stress, and depression scores all correlated positively with emotional uses of music. The current findings support studying personality contextually alongside uses of music when investigating music preference and shed light on how negative affect may inform emotional uses of music.
Evaluation of a buried vertical well leachate recirculation system for municipal solid waste landfills
Authors: Kadambala Ravi , Powell Jon , Singh Karamjit , Townsend Timothy G
Published: August 2016

Vertical liquids addition systems have been used at municipal landfills as a leachate management method and to enhance biostabilization of waste. Drawbacks of these systems include a limitation on pressurized injection and the occurrence of seepage. A novel vertical well system that employed buried wells constructed below a lift of compacted waste was operated for 153 days at a landfill in Florida, USA. The system included 54 wells installed in six clusters of nine wells connected with a horizontally-oriented manifold system. A cumulative volume of 8430 m3 of leachate was added intermittently into the well clusters over the duration of the project with no incidence of surface seeps. Achievable average flow rates ranged from 9.3 × 10−4 m3 s−1 to 14.2 × 10−4 m3 s−1, which was similar to or greater than flow rates achieved in a previous study using traditional vertical wells at the same landfill site. The results demonstrated that pressurized liquids addition in vertical wells at municipal solid waste landfills can be achieved while avoiding typical operational and maintenance issues associated with seeps.
The effects of musculoskeletal loading regimes on numerical evaluations of acetabular component
Authors: Mukherjee Kaushik , Gupta Sanjay
Published: July 2016

The importance of clinical studies notwithstanding, the failure assessment of implant–bone structure has alternatively been carried out using finite element analysis. However, the accuracy of the finite element predicted results is dependent on the applied loading and boundary conditions. Nevertheless, most finite element–based evaluations on acetabular component used a few selective load cases instead of the eight load cases representing the entire gait cycle. These in silico evaluations often suffer from limitations regarding the use of simplified musculoskeletal loading regimes. This study attempts to analyse the influence of three different loading regimes representing a gait cycle, on numerical evaluations of acetabular component. Patient-specific computer tomography scan-based models of intact and resurfaced pelvises were used. One such loading regime consisted of the second load case that corresponded to peak hip joint reaction force. Whereas the other loading regime consisted of the second and fifth load cases, which corresponded to peak hip joint reaction force and peak muscle forces, respectively. The third loading regime included all the eight load cases. Considerable deviations in peri-acetabular strains, standard error ranging between 115 and 400 µε, were observed for different loading regimes. The predicted bone strains were lower when selective loading regimes were used. Despite minor quantitative variations in bone density changes (less than 0.15 g cm−3), the final bone density pattern after bone remodelling was found to be similar for all the loading regimes. Underestimations in implant–bone micromotions (40–50 µm) were observed for selective loading regimes after bone remodelling. However, at immediate post-operative condition, such underestimations were found to be less (less than 5 µm). The predicted results highlight the importance of inclusion of eight load cases representing the gait cycle for in silico evaluations of resurfaced pelvis.
Protecting caste livelihoods on the western coast of India: an intersectional analysis of Udupi’s fisherwomen
Authors: Thara Kaveri
Published: August 2016

This work draws from preliminary ethnographic research with a fisherwomen’s association in Udupi City, located on the southwestern coast of India. It shows how women have managed to keep capital-rich fish shops away from the sale of fish, preserving their traditional occupation for themselves through informal arrangements with the state. In the Indian context, in which caste remains an important organizing element within a secular framework of democracy and citizenship, I look at how women rely on their caste identities as Mogaveera fisherwomen, while simultaneously referring to their gender and experience of poverty to muster both caste-based political support and secular political resources for their livelihoods. Intersectionality as a concept for analysis is important to understand how both marginal and dominant identities of these women enable them to frame and formulate arguments that are acceptable to the state. I argue that in this particular case, gender, intertwined with caste and poverty, positions these fisherwomen in a fertile space for political alliances that tap into both caste and secular resources. These nuances enable us to see fisherwomen as a complex, heterogeneous group full of contradictions, rather than just poor fisherwomen. Thus, an analysis of gender as intertwined with experiences deriving from other social categories of caste and class allows us to see women’s livelihoods as a product of, as well as formative of, those specific experiences, opportunities and constraints they confront.
Diarrheal Diseases and Climate Change in Cambodia
Authors: McIver Lachlan J. , Imai Chisato , Buettner Petra G. , Gager Paul , Chan Vibol S. , Hashizume Masahiro , Iddings Steven N. , Kol Hero , Raingsey Piseth P. , Lyne K
Published: August 2016

The DRIP-SWICCH (Developing Research and Innovative Policies Specific to the Water-related Impacts of Climate Change on Health) project aimed to increase the resilience of Cambodian communities to the health risks posed by climate change–related impacts on water. This article follows a review of climate change and water-related diseases in Cambodia and presents the results of a time series analysis of monthly weather and diarrheal disease data for 11 provinces. In addition, correlations of diarrheal disease incidence with selected demographic, socioeconomic, and water and sanitation indicators are described, with results suggesting education and literacy may be most protective against disease. The potential impact of climate change on the burden of diarrheal disease in Cambodia is considered, along with the implications of these findings for health systems adaptation.
Applying Structural Systems Thinking to Frame Perspectives on Social Work Innovation
Authors: Stringfellow Erin J.
Published: August 2016

Objective:

Innovation will be key to the success of the Grand Challenges Initiative in social work. A structural systems framework based in system dynamics could be useful for considering how to advance innovation.

Method:

Diagrams using system dynamics conventions were developed to link common themes across concept papers written by social work faculty members and graduate students ( N = 19).

Results:

Transdisciplinary teams and ethical partnerships with communities and practitioners will be needed to responsibly develop high-quality innovative solutions. A useful next step would be to clarify to what extent factors that could “make or break” these partnerships arise from within versus outside of the field of social work and how this has changed over time.

Conclusions:

Advancing innovation in social work will mean making decisions in a complex, ever-changing system. Principles and tools from methods that account for complexity, such as system dynamics, can help improve this decision-making process.
Co-planning in Co-teaching
Authors: Pratt Sharon M. , Imbody Sarah M. , Wolf Lindsay D. , Patterson Amanda L.
Published: August 2016

Co-planning is considered an integral part of a successful co-teaching relationship in which both teachers have parity and use their individual expertise to benefit all students. However, the literature has not discussed adequately how co-planning is achieved within the parameters of the already full schedules of two teachers. This column shares how co-teaching partnerships can work to use individual expertise in curriculum development, teaching, and ensuring student learning to create plans that meet all students’ needs. A co-planning framework used by practicing co-teachers is discussed in detail, including how to use synchronous and asynchronous tools to plan course goals, biweekly units, and daily lessons.
A quasistatic frictional contact problem with normal compliance and unilateral constraint
Authors: Capatina Anca
Published: July 2016

A mathematical model describing the quasistatic process of frictional contact between a nonlinearly elastic body and an elastic-rigid foundation is considered. The contact is modeled by normal compliance with unilateral constraint, and the friction by a slip-dependent version of Coulomb’s law. A weak formulation of the problem is derived and, under a smallness assumption on contact and friction functions, an existence result is proved by using incremental techniques, Kakutani’s fixed point theorem, and compactness, monotonicity, and lower semicontinuity arguments.
The Relation of Toxoplasma Infection and Sexual Attraction to Fear, Danger, Pain, and Submissiveness
Authors: Flegr Jaroslav , Kuba Radim
Published: August 2016

Behavioral patterns, including sexual behavioral patterns, are usually understood as biological adaptations increasing the fitness of their carriers. Many parasites, so-called manipulators, are known to induce changes in the behavior of their hosts to increase their own fitness. Such changes are also induced by a parasite of cats, Toxoplasma gondii. The most remarkable change is the fatal attraction phenomenon, the switch of infected mice’s and rat’s native fear of the smell of cats toward an attraction to this smell. The stimuli that activate fear-related circuits in healthy rodents start to also activate sex-related circuits in the infected animals. An analogy of the fatal attraction phenomenon has also been observed in infected humans. Therefore, we tried to test a hypothesis that sexual arousal by fear-, violence-, and danger-related stimuli occurs more frequently in Toxoplasma-infected subjects. A cross-sectional cohort study performed on 36,564 subjects (5,087 Toxoplasma free and 741 Toxoplasma infected) showed that infected and noninfected subjects differ in their sexual behavior, fantasies, and preferences when age, health, and the size of the place where they spent childhood were controlled ( F(24, 3719) = 2.800, p < .0001). In agreement with our a priori hypothesis, infected subjects are more often aroused by their own fear, danger, and sexual submission although they practice more conventional sexual activities than Toxoplasma-free subjects. We suggest that the later changes can be related to a decrease in the personality trait of novelty seeking in infected subjects, which is potentially a side effect of increased concentration of dopamine in their brain.
A review of the linkage between student participation in the International Baccalaureate Continuum and student learning attributes
Authors: Bryant Darren A , Walker Allan , Lee Moosung
Published: August 2016

Given the rapid growth in the number of students completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and the potential for students to be educated entirely through IB programmes, it is important to understand associations between programme participation and cognitive and non-cognitive learning attributes. Through a mixed methods study, this research considers evidence derived from Diploma Programme examinations, a newly designed and validated student questionnaire, and complementary case studies to examine plausible explanations for associations between IB programmes and learning attributes.
Young children’s perceptions of the quality of teacher–child interactions and school engagement in Greek kindergartens
Authors: Papadopoulou Elena , Gregoriadis Athanasios
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine young children’s perceptions about the quality of their interactions with their teachers and the possible association of teacher–child relationships with children’s school engagement. Additionally, gender and ethnicity differences were investigated regarding both teachers’ and children’s perceptions. Young Children’s Appraisals of Teacher Support and Teacher-Rated Effortful Engagement were used to evaluate children’s perceptions about their teacher–child relationships and teacher’s assessments about children’s school engagement. In all, 232 preschool children and 39 kindergarten teachers from northern Greece participated in the study. Findings provided interesting information about the profile of teacher–child interactions based on children’s perspectives and about the association between the quality of teacher–child interactions and children’s school engagement. More specifically, findings showed that children mostly describe positive interactions with their teachers and that the quality of teacher–child relationship is associated with children’s school engagement.
Identity Salience for Latino Male Collegians at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Emerging HSIs, and Non-HSIs
Authors: Garcia Gina A. , Patrón Oscar E. , Ramirez Jenesis J. , Hudson Lisanne T.
Published: August 2016

This article challenges the notion of underachievement of Latino male collegians by examining those who successfully enter higher education. Using in-depth interviews, we analyze the way three different institutional types contribute to the racial/ethnic identity salience of Latinos, looking specifically at the curricular and co-curricular structures available at a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and emerging HSI in comparison with non-HSIs. Findings reveal differences in identity salience based on the college context.
Anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms: Segments and results of surgical and endovascular managements
Authors: Lv Xianli , Ge Huijian , He Hongwei , Jiang Chuhan , Li Youxiang
Published: August 2016

Background

Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysms are rare and published clinical experience with these aneurysms is limited.

Objective

The objective of this article is to report angiographic characteristics and results associated with premeatal, meatal and postmeatal segments, surgical and endovascular therapies.

Methods

A literature review was performed through PubMed using “anterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm” through January 2016. Clinical data, angiograms, management techniques, and patient outcomes were reviewed for 47 collected cases in 30 previous reports.

Results

Of these aneurysms, 21 (44.7%) were associated with meatal segment, 10 (21.3%) were postmeatal and 16 (34.0%) were premeatal. Patients with meatal aneurysms are more likely to present with subarachnoid hemorrhage and hearing loss and facial palsy (77.8%). Patient outcomes of meatal aneurysms presented with more neuropathies (51.7%) and cerebellar symptoms (14.3%) ( p = 0.049). Four cases of meatal aneurysm with preoperative cranial nerve deficits (two VII and two VIII) showed improvement after surgery. Endovascular treatment achieved outcomes similar to surgical treatment ( p = 0.327).

Conclusions

AICA aneurysms have a predilection for meatal segment. Patients with meatal aneurysms are more likely to present with subarachnoid hemorrhage and hearing loss and facial palsy. Patient outcomes of meatal aneurysms presented with more neuropathies and cerebellar symptoms. Endovascular treatment achieved outcomes similar to surgical treatment.
Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and retinal vessel calibers in children with thalassemia minor
Authors: Acer Semra , Balcı Yasemin I , Pekel Gökhan , Ongun Tuğba T , Polat Aziz , Çetin Ebru N , Yağcı Ramazan
Published: August 2016

Objectives:

Evaluation of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, subfoveal choroidal thickness, and retinal vessel caliber measurements in children with thalassemia minor.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional and comparative study, 30 thalassemia minor patients and 36 controls were included. Heidelberg spectral domain optical coherence tomography was used for peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, subfoveal choroidal thickness, and retinal vessel caliber measurements.

Results:

There was no statistically significant difference in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and subfoveal choroidal thickness between the two groups ( p > 0.05). There was no correlation between retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and hemoglobin values. Both the arterioral and venular calibers were higher in thalassemia minor group ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

There is increased retinal arterioral and venular calibers in children with thalassemia minor compared with controls.
The great blockade of Lithuania: Evaluating sanction theory with a case study of Soviet sanctions to prevent Lithuanian independence
Authors: Lektzian David , Ragauskas Rimvydas
Published: July 2016

Previous work in political science has looked to dyadic, international, and domestic factors in senders and targets of sanctions for explanations of why they sometimes succeed and frequently fail. In this paper, we present a case study of the sanctions imposed by the Soviet Union over Lithuania’s declaration of independence in 1990. We examine the dyadic, international, and domestic factors that influenced the outcome of the sanctions and connect them to existing theoretical and empirical work in the literature. While dyadic and international factors played important roles, we find the strongest evidence for the role of domestic political factors in the Soviet Union and Lithuania in determining the outcome of the dispute.
Sonographic Evaluation of a Pilonidal Cyst
Authors: Conley Sarah
Published: August 2016

Pilonidal cysts are collections of hair or skin debris located most commonly on or near the natal cleft of the buttocks. These cysts can become infected and cause swelling and bleeding at the site. Once infected, the condition is then termed a pilonidal abscess, and treatment should be followed. Several options are available for treating a pilonidal abscess, depending on the extent of the condition and the patient’s response to antibiotic therapy. This case study of a pilonidal abscess demonstrates the important information that sonography adds to the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
Combining deep features for object detection at various scales: finding small birds in landscape images
Authors: Takeki Akito , Trinh Tu Tuan , Yoshihashi Ryota , Kawakami Rei , Iida Makoto , Naemura Takeshi
Published: August 2016

Demand for automatic bird ecology investigation rises rapidly along with the widespread installation of wind energy plants to estimate their adverse environmental effect. While significant advance in general image recognition has been made by deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs), automatically recognizing birds at small scale together with large background regions is still an open problem in computer vision. To tackle object detection at various scales, we combine a deep detector with semantic segmentation methods; namely, we train a deep CNN detector, fully convolutional networks (FCNs), and the variant of FCNs, and integrate their results by the support vector machines to achieve high detection performance. Through experimental results on a bird image dataset, we show the effectiveness of the method for scale-aware object detection.
Integrated VTI model building with seismic data, geologic information, and rock-physics modeling — Part 2: Field data test
Authors: Li Yunyue , Biondi Biondo , Clapp Robert , Nichols Dave
Published: August 2016

Velocity model building is the first step of seismic inversion and the foundation of the subsequent processing and interpretation workflow. Velocity model building from surface seismic data only becomes severely underdetermined and nonunique when more than one parameter is needed to characterize the velocity anisotropy. The traditional seismic processing workflow sequentially performs seismic velocity model building, structural imaging/interpretation, and lithologic inversion, modifying the subsurface model in each step without verifications against the previously used data. We have developed an integrated model building scheme that uses all available information: seismic data, geologic structural information, well logs, and rock-physics knowledge. We have evaluated the accuracy of the anisotropic model in the image space, in which structural information is estimated. The lithologic inversion results from well logs and the dynamic seismic information (amplitude versus angle) are also fed back to the kinematic seismic inversion via a cross-parameter covariance matrix, which is a multivariate Gaussian approximation to the numerical distribution modeled from stochastic rock-physics modeling. The procedure of building the rock-physics prior information and the improvements using these extra constraints were tested on a Gulf of Mexico data set. The inverted vertical transverse isotropic model not only better focused the seismic image, but it also satisfied the geologic and rock-physics principles.
Preferential intracellular pH regulation: hypotheses and perspectives
Authors: Shartau Ryan B. , Baker Daniel W. , Crossley Dane A. , Brauner Colin J.
Published: August 2016

The regulation of vertebrate acid–base balance during acute episodes of elevated internal PCO2 is typically characterized by extracellular pH (pHe) regulation. Changes in pHe are associated with qualitatively similar changes in intracellular tissue pH (pHi) as the two are typically coupled, referred to as ‘coupled pH regulation’. However, not all vertebrates rely on coupled pH regulation; instead, some preferentially regulate pHi against severe and maintained reductions in pHe. Preferential pHi regulation has been identified in several adult fish species and an aquatic amphibian, but never in adult amniotes. Recently, common snapping turtles were observed to preferentially regulate pHi during development; the pattern of acid–base regulation in these species shifts from preferential pHi regulation in embryos to coupled pH regulation in adults. In this Commentary, we discuss the hypothesis that preferential pHi regulation may be a general strategy employed by vertebrate embryos in order to maintain acid–base homeostasis during severe acute acid–base disturbances. In adult vertebrates, the retention or loss of preferential pHi regulation may depend on selection pressures associated with the environment inhabited and/or the severity of acid–base regulatory challenges to which they are exposed. We also consider the idea that the retention of preferential pHi regulation into adulthood may have been a key event in vertebrate evolution, with implications for the invasion of freshwater habitats, the evolution of air breathing and the transition of vertebrates from water to land.
Parametric inference for stochastic differential equations with random effects in the drift coefficient
Authors: Sari Alsukaini Mohammed , Xiang-Jun Wang
Published: July 2016

In this paper we focus on estimating the parameters in the stochastic differential equations (SDEâ€™s) with drift coefficients depending linearly on a random variables Â and Â .The distributions of the random effects Â and Â are depends on unknown parameters from the continuous observations of the independent processes . When Â is an unknown parameter or restrict positive constant also studied in this paper. We propose the Gaussian distribution for the random effect Â and the exponential distribution for the random effect Â  Â , we obtained an explicit formulas for the likelihood functions in each case and find the maximum likelihood estimators of the unknown parameters in the random effects and for the unknown parameter Â  Â . Consistency and asymptotic normality are studied just when Â is normal random effect and Â is constant.
Composting process: a review
Authors: Raza Shahid , Ahmad Jalil
Published: July 2016

Composting is one of the important and economical method of recycling organic waste. Composting process involve a number of microbes. Composting have several benefits, it improves manure handling , possible saleable product , improves land application, weed seed and pathogen destruction by high temperature in compost pile,Â  minimum risk of different pollution problems,Â  perfect soil conditioner. Composting is a process in which biological breakdown of organic waste under different controlled conditions takes place.
Role of sea buckthorn oil in management of chronic periodontitis: follow-up study
Authors: Sharma Anamika , Sharma Shatakshi , Khattri Shivi , Garg Harshita
Published: July 2016

Periodontitis is an inflammatory condition resulting in loss of periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Nonsurgical therapy remains the cornerstone of periodontal treatment. For sustained plaque control it plays an important role in achieving successful long-term results for the care of Chronic Periodontitis subjects. Proper maintenance and patient hygiene plays a vital role in suppression of re-colonization of micro-organism. Many adjunctive treatment modalities along with mechanical debridement have been clinically used and investigated for their efficacy. Systemic antioxidants in conjunction with scaling and root planing can offer additional effects and can be used as an adjunctive treatment. Patients with periodontal disease display increased PMN number and activity, resulting in high degree of free radical release culminating in heightened oxidative damage to gingival tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Damage mediated by free radicals can be mitigated by "antioxidant defense system ".Sea buckthorn oil is an omega-7 fatty acid antioxidant which has unique botanical and nutritional properties thereby benefiting mucous membrane by reducing inflammation, improving wound healing and showing excellent antibacterial property. In this research patients were prescribed systemic antioxidant after the phase 1 therapy ie scaling and root planing to observe its effects on the various clinical parameters.
The effect of locally source carbonaceous materials on the mechanical properties of mild steel
Authors: Isaac Enesi Dongo , S. Ojo Seidu , Friday John Ogbodo
Published: July 2016

The work focuses on the effects of locally sourced carbonaceous materials such as Animal bone, Snail shell and Periwinkle Shell on the mechanical properties of mild steel carburized at varying treatment temperatures of 700, 800, 900, 1000 and 1100 °C, soaked at varying carburizing time of 5hr, 4hr, 3hr, 2hr and 1hr at the respective treatment temperatures. The samples are quenched in oil and tempered at 350°C for 45 minutes. Prior to the carburization process, standard test samples were prepared from the as received specimen for tensile tests, wear test and micro hardness analysis. After the carburization process, the test samples were subjected to standard test to generate data for ultimate tensile strength, the case and core hardness values, wear rate and wear resistance of the carburized samples. The study shows that the mechanical properties of mild steels were found to be strongly influence by each of the carbonaceous materials.