bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co-optation Reconsidered: Authoritarian Regime Legitimation Strategies in the Jordanian “Arab Spring”
Authors: Josua Maria
Published: February 2016

Abstract1

In authoritarian polities, co-optation plays a crucial role for maintaining regime stability. While the practice of co-optation is well-studied, the concept itself has received less attention by scholars. This paper seeks to fill this conceptual gap by offering a new definition of co-optation and developing a typology of different strategies in the context of authoritarian rule. In this conceptualization, the targets of regime strategies play a central role, as their response to co-optation attempts is decisive for assessing success or failure. The contribution studies the well-known mechanisms of institutional-structural and material co-optation, complemented by traditional and identity-related co-optation to account for context-specific dynamics especially in Arab monarchies, but also beyond. The concept is applied to a case study of Jordan during the early phase of the Arab uprisings. The main finding is that most strategies to widen the regime base failed, while strategies to strengthen the regime base were successful.
A new species of Centaurea (Asteraceae) from East Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: KÜLTÜR ŞÜKRAN , BONA MEHMET , ÖZDEMİR NATH EBRU
Published: February 2016

Centaurea malatyensis Ş. Kültür & M. Bona sp. nova (Asteraceae) is described as new to science from East Anatolia (B6: Malatya: Turkey). It is morphologically similar to C. leptophylla but differs mainly in its stem, basal and cauline leaf shape and size, achene, pappus and phyllary appendages. The geographical distribution of the new species and its relatives is mapped. The ecology and conservation status of the new species is also presented. Micromorphological structures of achenes of C. malatyensis and C. leptophylla are examined by SEM.
Zingiber sabuanum (Zingiberaceae): a new species from Kerala, India
Authors: PRABHUKUMAR KONICKAL MAMBETTA , JOE ALFRED , BALACHANDRAN INDIRA
Published: February 2016

Zingiber Miller (1754: 525; Zingiberaceae) it is distinct from other genera of the family in having a single anther with a beak or horn-like appendage, wrapping around the upper part of style (Sabu et al. 2013). It is considered the largest genus in subfamily Zingiberoideae with 100–160 species globally and is distributed in tropical to warm-temperate Asia with the highest diversity in the monsoonal parts of Asia (Govaerts et al. 2016, Leong-Skornickova et al. 2015). In India, the genus is represented by 29 species (Kumar et al. 2015), of which eight are recorded from South India (Sabu 2006).
The Brachodidae of Sub-Saharan Africa (Lepidoptera, Cossoidea), with implications for the origin of the family
Authors: KALLIES AXEL
Published: February 2016

Brachodidae are a small family of day-flying, rarely collected cossoid moths. Here, the Brachodidae fauna of Sub-Saharan Africa and the neighboring Arabian Peninsula is reviewed with special attention to the species of the subfamily Brachodinae. The origin of the African Brachodinae and their relationship to the Palaearctic genus Brachodes are discussed, and a Gondwanan origin of the family Brachodidae sensu stricto is proposed. A total of 34 brachodid species are considered in this study, most of which are figured. Two new genera, Archaeotychia gen. nov. (type species Atychia quiris Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875) and Nothobrachodes gen. nov. (type species Atychia infanda Meyrick, 1920) are described. Furthermore, 12 species are described as new to science: Archaeotychia semicuprea sp. nov., Archaeotychia dicksoni sp. nov., Archaeotychia khoisanorum sp. nov., Archaeotychia krooni sp. nov., Archaeotychia dentata sp. nov., Phycodes nigeriana sp. nov., Nigilgia scoblei sp. nov., Nigilgia agassizi sp. nov., Nigilgia ruwenzoriensis sp. nov., Nigilgia megabella sp. nov., Nigilgia arcana sp. nov. and Nigilgia crocea sp. nov. Moreover, Atychia metaspila Meyrick, 1926 syn. nov. is established as a new synonym of Archaeotychia albiciliata (Walsingham, 1891), and Atychia nycteropis Meyrick, 1920 syn. nov. as a new synonym of Nothobrachodes infanda (Meyrick, 1920). Atractoceros xanthoprocta (Meyrick, 1914) is transferred to the subfamily Phycodinae.
Aerosol Plume Detection Algorithm Based on Image Segmentation of Scanning Atmospheric Lidar Data
Authors: Weekley R. Andrew , Goodrich R. Kent , Cornman Larry B.
Published: February 2016

An image-processing algorithm has been developed to identify aerosol plumes in scanning lidar backscatter data. The images in this case consist of lidar data in a polar coordinate system. Each full lidar scan is taken as a fixed image in time, and sequences of such scans are considered functions of time. The data are analyzed in both the original backscatter polar coordinate system and a lagged coordinate system. The lagged coordinate system is a scatterplot of two datasets, such as subregions taken from the same lidar scan (spatial delay), or two sequential scans in time (time delay). The lagged coordinate system processing allows for finding and classifying clusters of data. The classification step is important in determining which clusters are valid aerosol plumes and which are from artifacts such as noise, hard targets, or background fields. These cluster classification techniques have skill since both local and global properties are used. Furthermore, more information is available since both the original data and the lag data are used. Performance statistics are presented for a limited set of data processed by the algorithm, where results from the algorithm were compared to subjective truth data identified by a human.
An Approach to Scoring and Equating Tests With Binary Items
Authors: Dimitrov Dimiter M.
Published: February 2016

This article describes an approach to test scoring, referred to as delta scoring ( D-scoring), for tests with dichotomously scored items. The D-scoring uses information from item response theory (IRT) calibration to facilitate computations and interpretations in the context of large-scale assessments. The D-score is computed from the examinee’s response vector, which is weighted by the expected difficulties (not “easiness”) of the test items. The expected difficulty of each item is obtained as an analytic function of its IRT parameters. The D-scores are independent of the sample of test-takers as they are based on expected item difficulties. It is shown that the D-scale performs a good bit better than the IRT logit scale by criteria of scale intervalness. To equate D-scales, it is sufficient to rescale the item parameters, thus avoiding tedious and error-prone procedures of mapping test characteristic curves under the method of IRT true score equating, which is often used in the practice of large-scale testing. The proposed D-scaling proved promising under its current piloting with large-scale assessments and the hope is that it can efficiently complement IRT procedures in the practice of large-scale testing in the field of education and psychology.
Speech Auditory Alerts Promote Memory for Alerted Events in a Video-Simulated Self-Driving Car Ride
Authors: Nees Michael A. , Helbein Benji , Porter Anna
Published: February 2016

Objective:

Auditory displays could be essential to helping drivers maintain situation awareness in autonomous vehicles, but to date, few or no studies have examined the effectiveness of different types of auditory displays for this application scenario.

Background:

Recent advances in the development of autonomous vehicles (i.e., self-driving cars) have suggested that widespread automation of driving may be tenable in the near future. Drivers may be required to monitor the status of automation programs and vehicle conditions as they engage in secondary leisure or work tasks (entertainment, communication, etc.) in autonomous vehicles.

Method:

An experiment compared memory for alerted events—a component of Level 1 situation awareness—using speech alerts, auditory icons, and a visual control condition during a video-simulated self-driving car ride with a visual secondary task. The alerts gave information about the vehicle’s operating status and the driving scenario.

Results:

Speech alerts resulted in better memory for alerted events. Both auditory display types resulted in less perceived effort devoted toward the study tasks but also greater perceived annoyance with the alerts.

Conclusion:

Speech auditory displays promoted Level 1 situation awareness during a simulation of a ride in a self-driving vehicle under routine conditions, but annoyance remains a concern with auditory displays.

Application:

Speech auditory displays showed promise as a means of increasing Level 1 situation awareness of routine scenarios during an autonomous vehicle ride with an unrelated secondary task.
Sensing religion, observing religion, reconstructing religion: Contingency and pluralization in post-Westphalian context
Authors: Beyer Peter
Published: February 2016

The article argues that what is performed and understood as religion in global society has in the course of the modern centuries come to be increasingly dominated by the idea that religion is something distinct and differentiated, something distinct from what is not religion, namely the secular. It manifests itself principally as a plurality of identified and performed religions. Towards the latter half of the 20th century, however, that dominant understanding of religion has come to be increasingly challenged by alternative ways of ‘sensing religion’, alternative ways that are to some extent a reflection of new developments in this domain of religion in global society. They are also indicative of a reassessment of alternative ways of understanding and doing religion that have always accompanied the dominant sense. This reassessment allows the ‘hidden’ and ‘ignored’ to appear as religion and be recognized as such without negating the hitherto dominant form. The first of these developments is analyzed as the construction of a Westphalian system for religion; the reassessment and transformation is discussed under the contrasting idea of a post-Westphalian circumstance.
The influence of religious preferences on choice of church congregation and church attendance
Authors: Davignon Phil
Published: February 2016

Rational Choice Theory has transformed the sociological study of religion. However, studies framed by Rational Choice Theory generally assume stable religious demand at the societal level, meaning the effects of individual religious preferences have received little attention. Using a sample of Christian college students from the United States, this article examines whether individual religious preferences are related to choice of congregation and frequency of church attendance. The results suggest that individual religious preferences are indeed related to these measures, meaning future studies might benefit from an increased emphasis on demand-side influences.
Optimization of hot air welding process parameters for manufacturing textile transmission lines for e-textiles applications: Part I: Electro-conductive properties
Authors: Kursun Bahadir Senem , Jevšnik Simona
Published: February 2016

This paper presents optimization of the hot air welding process parameters for the formation of textile transmission lines and the electro-conductive properties of these manufactured transmission lines. A dedicated manufacturing set-up has been developed to allow a reliable and flexible textile signal transmission line at adequate conductivity. In order to manufacture textile transmission lines, different welding parameters with different conductive yarns and welding tapes were considered. Layered fabric structures consisting of textile transmission lines and fabrication tolerances were determined, as well as electro-conductive properties for welded samples. It was found that the choice of welding parameters, depending on the materials used for the formation of textile transmission lines, is extremely important for obtaining good electro-conductive properties. In addition, welding tapes and thermoplastic materials play an important role during the set-up of welding process parameters. Results statistically confirmed that welding tapes with conductive yarns can significantly cause a variety of changes in the signal qualities of welded textile transmission lines. The obtained results based on conductivity and signal-to-noise ratios are really promising for the manufacturing of e-textile transmission lines via hot air welding technology.
Preparation and characterization of cationic dyeable polycaprolactam modified with 5-sulfoisophthalic acid sodium and poly(ethylene glycol)
Authors: Xiong Li-Kun , Yin Cui-Yu
Published: February 2016

Unmodified nylon is dyeable to a single color only, and is almost exclusively dyed with acid dyes that are absorbed with amine groups of nylon molecules. Two types of polycaprolactam (PA6) copolyamide were successfully prepared with 5-sulfoisophthalic acid monosodium salt and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) units named cationic dyeable polyamide (CD-PA6) and easy cationic dyeable polyamide (ECD-PA6). The chemical and crystalline structures of CD-PA6 and ECD-PA6 were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and wide angle x-ray diffraction, and their thermal properties were tested by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. In addition, the rheological behavior and mechanical properties of copolyamide are presented in this paper. The influence of chemical modification in polyamide 6 fibers on the dyeing properties was investigated using cationic dye (methylene blue). The incorporation of PEG not only destroyed the regularity of the molecular chain arrangement and created more amorphous regions of ECD-PA6 samples, but also led to nylon 6 changing from the α-form to the γ-form. In addition, the crystallinities and degradation temperatures of samples which corresponded to different mass losses of CD-PA 6 and ECD-PA6 declined as the sulfonic group content increased, since large –SO3Na side groups in the copolymers prevented the chain molecules from tightly coagulating and obstructed the formation of larger crystals. Based on the analysis of the dyeing, a distinct improvement in tinctorial affinity and wash fastness for modified fibers compared with unmodified fibers was revealed.
Choosing to be a defender or an outsider in a school bullying incident: Determining factors and the defending process
Authors: Chen Li-Ming , Chang Lennon Y.C. , Cheng Ying-Yao
Published: February 2016

This study examined the determinants of students’ willingness to intervene in bullying incidents, as well as the process underlying students’ defending behaviors. The participants were 24 students (12 defenders and 12 outsiders) recruited from six secondary schools in southern Taiwan. The study used semi-structured interviews to collect qualitative data and a grounded theory approach to analyse the data. The results showed that bystanders in bullying situations tended to assess the perceived severity of a bullying incident, personal responsibility, affective factors, victim characteristics, relationship with the victim, and other factors before committing to an intervention. This study found four possible phases of defending behavior: a) personal assessment affects a bystander’s decision to act as a defender or an outsider; b) a defender evaluates the severity of a situation and the relationship with the bully to determine strategies for defending; c) defenders who come forward to intervene are interrogated or threatened by bullies; and d) defenders then reassess whether to intervene again. The results of this study suggest that bystander intervention programs can encourage students’ personal responsibility, awareness of the severity of school bullying, improvement of interpersonal relationships, and self-efficacy to raise bystanders’ willingness to defend a victim.
Origin of carbonate cements with implications for petroleum reservoir in Eocene sandstones, northern Dongying depression, Bohai Bay basin, China
Authors: Ma Benben , Cao Yingchang , Wang Yanzhong , Jia Yancong
Published: February 2016

The Eocene Es4s interval is an important petroleum reservoir of sublacustrine fan dominated at the depths of 2500–4000 m in Dongying depression, Bohai Bay basin. Based on core observation, three types of carbonate-cemented beds have been identified and commonly contain ferroan calcite and ankerite predominantly and less calcite and dolomite. Precipitation temperatures range from 34.6 to 72.8℃ for calcite and dolomite cements, and from 110 to 153℃ for ferroan calcite and ankerite cements. The high δ13CPDB values (−0.65 to +5.59‰) for calcite and dolomite suggest that dissolved inorganic carbon, derived from methanogenic fermentation of organic matter in adjacent mudstones. The low δ13CPDB values (+1.04 to +3.29‰) for ferroan calcite and ankerite probably indicate a mixture of carbon derived from decarboxylation of organic acid as well as from the dissolution of early formed carbonate cements. High plug porosity is mainly developed at the central section of sandstones vertically and the porosity decreases sharply toward the top and base of the sandstones due to extensively carbonate-cemented beds. The carbonate-cemented beds varies from 0.02 to 0.5 m in thickness and might extend from tens to hundreds meters laterally. It could be served as fluid-flow barriers and seals for petroleum, and result in reservoir deterioration and significant heterogeneity.
Is per capita energy use stationary? Panel data evidence for the EMU countries
Authors: Magazzino Cosimo
Published: February 2016

The aim of the study is to examine the stationary properties of per capita energy use in the 19 Eurozone member countries by using yearly data in the 1960–2013 period. First and second generation of panel unit root tests are applied. Empirical findings show mixed results, since the evidence favors the panel stationarity of energy use per capita in all groups of countries for the specification with the constant only; on the contrary, in the specification with constant and trend, the null hypothesis that all series are non-stationary cannot be rejected. Therefore, policymakers should be cautious, paying attention to the energy use series’ properties, as different results conduct to opposite policy implications.
An Analysis of Adverse Event Reporting in Balloon Sinus Procedures
Authors: Prince Anthony , Bhattacharyya Neil
Published: February 2016

Objective

(1) Become familiar with reported adverse events related to balloon dilation of the paranasal sinus ostia. (2) Understand the sequelae occurring with these events.

Study Design

Retrospective analysis of a prospective database.

Setting

OpenFDA database.

Subjects and Methods

The OpenFDA program website of the Food and Drug Administration was queried with the Application Program Interface query system for medical device adverse events involving balloon devices for the dilation of paranasal sinus ostia from January 2006 through December 2014. The raw data were then tabulated, with adverse events codified by event type, sinus involved, injury type, device malfunction, surgeon error, and qualitative data. Sequelae were also quantified.

Results

In sum, 114 adverse events were identified. Patient injury was the most frequently reported adverse event (n = 72), followed by 36 device malfunctions, 4 deaths, and 2 unclassified. The most common injury involved orbital complications, including 23 (20.2%) orbital wall fractures and 22 (19.3%) postseptal and 22 (19.3%) preseptal orbital injuries. In addition, there were 17 (14.9%) skull base injuries and 7 (6.1%) cases of severe epistaxis observed; 11 (9.6%) cases mentioned surgeon error. Cerebrospinal fluid leak was significantly associated with frontal surgery (P =. 002) and sphenoid surgery (P =. 001), whereas post‐ and preseptal orbital injury was associated with maxillary surgery (P =. 017 and P =. 002). Epistaxis was associated with sphenoid surgery (P =. 032).

Conclusions

Based on the number of balloon sinus procedures performed, Food and Drug Administration–reported adverse events are uncommon, although a select portion can be severe. Surgeons should be aware of different complications reported with specific sinuses addressed with balloon techniques.
Tracheostomy Complications in Institutionalized Children with Long‐term Tracheostomy and Ventilator Dependence
Authors: Wilcox Lyndy J. , Weber Brittany C. , Cunningham Tina D. , Baldassari Cristina M.
Published: February 2016

Objectives

(1) To identify tracheostomy complications in institutionalized children with chronic tracheostomy. (2) To determine factors that predispose to development of tracheostomy complications in institutionalized children with chronic tracheostomy.

Study Design

Case series with chart review over 10 years.

Setting

Tertiary children’s hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Children were included if they underwent tracheostomy before 21 years of age and resided at a pediatric nursing facility. Most children were ventilator dependent and had severe comorbid medical conditions, including developmental delay and cerebral palsy. The number of tracheostomy complications and unplanned hospital admissions were recorded. Interventions for tracheostomy complications were also reviewed.

Results

Thirty‐two institutionalized children with chronic tracheostomy were included. The mean age at time of tracheostomy was 5.4 years, with a mean duration of institutionalization of 9.1 years. Twenty‐seven children (84%) experienced tracheostomy complications. The total number of complications was 79. The most common tracheostomy complications identified were peristomal granulation (n = 13) and suprastomal granulation (n = 12). Age at time of tracheostomy, duration of institutionalization, and ventilator dependence did not predict the likelihood of developing a complication. Of 32 patients, 20 were evaluated in the emergency room during the study, and there were 48 unplanned admissions for tracheostomy‐related complications during the study. Forty‐five urgent direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy procedures were performed in a total of 20 children with tracheostomy complications.

Conclusions

Tracheostomy complications are common in institutionalized children with chronic tracheostomy and are challenging to manage. Further research is necessary to determine novel ways to reduce tracheostomy complications in this population.
Interdisciplinarity on the Move: Reading Kratochwil as Counter-Disciplinarity Proper
Authors: Aalberts T. E.
Published: February 2016

This contribution to the forum discusses The Status of Law in World Society from the perspective of interdisciplinary research in International Law and International Relations. While problematising  the mediation on interdisciplinarity itself, I suggest that the remainder of the book is an example of reflexive interdisciplinarity, which uses cross-disciplinary encounters to learn about disciplinary blindspots, hidden assumptions or silences, and to destabilise its certain knowledges and common senses. This is interdisciplinarity as counter-disciplinarity proper. Kratochwil shows how interdisciplinary research can be a non-imperialist, enriching and stimulating conversation, precisely because it refrains from dictating this in the form of a set research agenda with a delineated roadmap. The Status of Law instead highlights the scholarly merits of posing questions, being puzzled and having contestations as more important and productive features for our academic endeavour and interdisciplinarity itself.
Practical considerations of the use of cross-weld and compact tension specimens’ creep data
Authors: Petkov Markian P , Hyde Christopher J , Hyde Thomas H
Published: February 2016

This article gives an overview of the use of cross-weld and compact tension specimen modelling and analyses data to characterise creep behaviour of the high-temperature components. Cross-weld and compact tension specimens are used to describe creep crack growth in heterogeneous material structures, such as welds, and a number of factors that affect the creep behaviour of the structure, associated with this heterogeneity, have been identified. Creep data obtained from cross-weld specimen modelling are substantially affected by the material model used (e.g. Norton power law, Liu-Murakami), stress singularities that arise at the material interfaces and in between the columnar and equiaxed zones of the weld material, residual stresses which arise through the thickness of a multi-pass weld and the extraction orientation of the specimen relative to the welding direction. Creep crack growth data obtained from compact tension specimen testing and analyses are strongly dependent on the material models used (isotropic hardening models, Norton creep law, Liu/Murakami model, etc.), the path dependence of the C*-contour integral fracture parameter for certain heterogeneous material configurations and the accurate computation of material constants for damage mechanics models and the agreement between loading state to the actual stress state of the component to which the compact tension specimen creep data are applied to. This study examines typical results and observations from cross-weld specimen and compact tension specimen creep analyses, identifying the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of each specimen procedure.
By Design or by Drift: How, Where, and Why HRM Activities Are Organized in the Public Sector
Authors: Boon Jan , Verhoest Koen
Published: February 2016

In the past decades, scholarship has recognized the potential of human resource management (HRM) to contribute to organizational performance in the public sector. Even so, the issue of how HRM activities are organized to achieve superior performance is still in largely unknown territory. De-centering and re-centering dynamics for the organization of HRM have been recognized, but insufficiently analyzed in terms of theoretical and analytical integration. This study investigates the specifics of how the public sector organizes a variety of HRM activities, including the questions of where and why. We find that a complementary use of a rational design perspective and a constraining drift perspective is crucial in order to fully understand the complexities of organizing HRM activities in the public sector. Public organizations generally intend to seek the most optimal arrangement but are sometimes constrained from doing so. Institutional constraints sometimes result in more optimal arrangements, but they can also lead to unintended side-effects. This calls for more research on how design and drift factors intertwine.
Digital Trace Data in the Study of Public Opinion
Authors: Jungherr Andreas , Schoen Harald , Posegga Oliver , Jürgens Pascal
Published: February 2016

In this article, we examine the relationship between metrics documenting politics-related Twitter activity with election results and trends in opinion polls. Various studies have proposed the possibility of inferring public opinion based on digital trace data collected on Twitter and even the possibility to predict election results based on aggregates of mentions of political actors. Yet, a systematic attempt at a validation of Twitter as an indicator for political support is lacking. In this article, building on social science methodology, we test the validity of the relationship between various Twitter-based metrics of public attention toward politics with election results and opinion polls. All indicators tested in this article suggest caution in the attempt to infer public opinion or predict election results based on Twitter messages. In all tested metrics, indicators based on Twitter mentions of political parties differed strongly from parties’ results in elections or opinion polls. This leads us to question the power of Twitter to infer levels of political support of political actors. Instead, Twitter appears to promise insights into temporal dynamics of public attention toward politics.
Eco-design of a small size industrial fan for ceramic tile cooling
Authors: Aldi Nicola , Davoli Giacomo , Pinelli Michele , Rossi Luca , Suman Alessio
Published: February 2016

In this paper, the one-dimensional design and the three-dimensional numerical analysis through computational fluid dynamics simulations of a small size fan are carried out. The fan in consideration provides the airflow used for controlling the surface thermal gradient of ceramic tiles between the dryer and the digital printing stage. An experimental campaign performed on a backward-curved centrifugal fan prototype with an optimized air blowing device demonstrates that fan performances (efficiency and air flow rate) meet the eco-design demands and the air velocity field at the blowing device outlet is suitable to obtain the expected heat exchange. The new cooling system can also reduce acoustic emissions up to 3 dB(A) with respect to the existing one.
Fifty shades of blue: Classification of music-evoked sadness
Authors: Peltola Henna-Riikka , Eerola Tuomas
Published: February 2016

It has been repeatedly shown that sad music induces mainly pleasant or mixed emotions, and is particularly relevant for self-regulation goals. However, this is not entirely compatible with the view that sadness is one of the basic emotions experienced in the face of an unpleasant event or a loss. Also, a distinction between grief and sadness is often drawn, which seemingly does not have relevance in relation to musical experiences. The discrepancy between the positive accounts of emotions associated with sad music and those present in ordinary sadness may be related to the previously unacknowledged spectrum of affects associated with music-related sadness. The present study aims to expose the underlying affective experiences of music-related sadness. To examine this, a large qualitative data, consisting of open-ended answers from 363 participants, was subjected to thematic content analysis. The analysis revealed a range of emotions experienced which were classified into three themes: Grief, Melancholia, and Sweet sorrow. These themes differed depending on the valence of the overall experience and the contextual aspects. In addition, emotion induction mechanisms distinguished the themes and several previously unidentified types of affect regulation were observed. Variations in the ways people conceptualise sadness and music lead to differences in the affect regulation processes. In contrast to past research, the results suggest that truly negative emotions are relevant in association with music-related sadness. Dividing the music-evoked sadness into different categories of affective experiences helps to explain the current discrepancies and paradoxes surrounding sadness and music.
Piezoelectric stack energy harvesting with a force amplification frame: Modeling and experiment
Authors: Wang Ya , Chen Wusi , Guzman Plinio
Published: February 2016

This article presents the modeling and experimental validation of a piezoelectric stack energy harvester with a flexure-free convex force amplification frame to convert walking force into electricity. Compared to a stand-alone piezoelectric stack, experiments show an 8 times greater voltage output and a 112 times greater power output of such an energy harvester. A finite element method is used to provide a more accurate electromechanical model using Hamilton’s principle and the piezoelectric constitutive equations. Simulation results from such a finite element method agree with the single-degree-of-freedom model. Experimental measurement shows the percentage errors of the output power are of 3.53% for the finite element method and 8.04% for the single-degree-of-freedom model of the piezoelectric stack energy harvester.
Enhancement of electrostatic energy harvesting using self-similar capacitor patterns
Authors: Lallart Mickaël , Wang Liuqing , Petit Lionel
Published: February 2016

This article describes self-similar patterns for capacitors used in electrostatic energy harvesting. The fractal geometry used in this approach allows increasing the active surface of the electrodes when the overlap is small, while featuring similar active surfaces when the electrodes are far away from each other. This therefore significantly increases the capacitance variation and hence magnifies the energy harvesting abilities. In particular, this article explores Cantor-inspired fractal capacitors for electrostatic energy harvesting. It is shown that such an approach can increase the capacitance variation by a factor of two and the harvested energy by a minimum factor of four (considering a charge-constrained cycle with constant charging voltage). However, it is also demonstrated that under some configurations, an optimal fractal order appears and is tightly related to the displacement magnitude.
Estimating Unattenuated Correlations With Limited Information About Selection Variables
Authors: Fife Dustin A. , Hunter Michael D. , Mendoza Jorge L.
Published: February 2016

Correcting attenuated correlations from selected samples is a common goal in organizational settings. Hunter and Schmidt introduced a procedure, called Case IV, for correcting correlations when a researcher has no information on the variable(s) used by an organization to form a suitability judgment. In this article, we compare Case IV to two other comparable procedures: the first correction (the expectation maximization algorithm) requires raw data about the selection variables used to form a suitability judgment. The second, the Pearson-Lawley correction, requires the variance-covariance matrix of the selection variables. We show that even when the variables used for selection are unobserved or unavailable, it is still possible to estimate parameters without making the restrictive assumptions of Case IV. In addition, these two corrections almost always outperform Case IV, particularly when the critical assumption of Case IV is violated. We also provide R code illustrating the use of these correction procedures.
Structural performance of composite double beam system
Authors: Lee Jae-Man , Kim Min-Jun , Lee Yong-Jun , Kim Sang-Woo , Lee Jung-Yoon , Kim Kil-Hee
Published: February 2016

A new composite structural system that is able to enhance constructability and is suitable for realization of long-span structures was developed. Steel beams, steel reinforced concrete columns, reinforced concrete drop panels, and slabs are placed in the system. To determine the structural performance of the system, the gravity and lateral load resisting properties of the system were investigated. It was found that the presence of a reinforced concrete drop panel at the top of a column brings about a reduction of the negative moment at the top of the column. Also, it was observed that a reinforced concrete drop panel on the top of the column significantly affected the deflection-control of the beam. In a lateral load resisting test, cracks in slabs of the new structural system disperse in a better manner than is the case for crack patterns in the conventional composite system. Also, via push-over analysis using a package of structural analysis software, it was found that the developed structural system is effective in the prevention of stress concentration in the column zone.
Effect of friction on axially loaded stub circular tubed columns
Authors: Liu Jiepeng , Zhou Xuhong , Gan Dan
Published: February 2016

This article discusses the influence of bond and friction between the steel tube and concrete on composite response for circular tubed-reinforced-concrete short columns under axial compression. Thirteen large diameter-to-thickness ratio ( D/ t = 133,160) circular tubed stub columns with different types of the steel tubes (galvanized or not) and five reinforced concrete counterparts were tested. Although circular tubed–reinforced concrete specimens were characterized by the shear failure mode, the ductility performance was much better than the reinforced concrete specimens. A simplified theoretical model and a three-dimensional finite element analysis model were developed to analyze the bond and friction behavior of circular tubed-reinforced-concrete columns. The stress state of the steel tubes is determined by the friction coefficient because slipping occurred between the tube and its in-filled concrete. The formulas considering friction coefficient are also proposed for the prediction of the axial loading resistances of circular tubed concrete stub columns. The predicted results are in good agreement with the experiment results and nonlinear finite element analysis results.
The effect of oblique blast loadings on moment and braced frames in steel structures
Authors: Shiravand MR , Shabani MJ
Published: February 2016

Due to the increasing use of vehicle bombs on attacking important buildings by terrorist organizations around the world, it is necessary to design buildings with more resistance against blast loads. In this research, numerical studies have been done for three-dimensional structural models of special moment frames, concentrically braced frames, and eccentrically braced frames with 3, 5, and 10 stories. The nonlinear dynamic method is applied for analyzing the models under two different levels of straight and oblique blast loadings based on the UFC 3-340-02. The plastic hinge rotations, ductility ratios, performance levels, and flexural moments in the models are obtained from the analysis and compared with each other. According to the results, it can be said that the eccentrically braced frame systems generally show better performances than other systems under blast loadings. Also due to different shock directions, the values of column plastic rotations and bending moments under oblique blast loadings are less than straight ones.
Seismic fragility analysis of concrete bridge piers reinforced by steel fibers
Authors: Zhang Yuye , Fan Jin , Fan Wei
Published: February 2016

Seismic fragility analyses of eight bridge piers, made of steel fiber–reinforced concrete or conventional reinforced concrete, were conducted to reasonably analyze the seismic performance of concrete piers reinforced by steel fibers. The pier specimens were constructed with different steel fiber contents, stirrup ratios, and lengths of the steel fiber–reinforced concrete region. The cyclic load tests on the specimens were carried out to obtain the characteristic values of structural capacity for five damage states. The nonlinear time history analyses of the piers under a suite of selected ground motions were performed to obtain the probabilistic characteristics of structural demand. Using the data related to structural capacity and seismic demand, the fragility curves of these piers were constructed based on an assumed lognormal distribution. The fragility results indicate that (1) the seismic vulnerability of the concrete piers is reduced with the increase in steel fiber content in a certain range, (2) the reinforced concrete pier with a higher stirrup ratio is found to be more vulnerable than the steel fiber–reinforced concrete pier with a relatively lower stirrup ratio, and (3) the fragility of piers adopting steel fiber–reinforced concrete locally and suitably is similar to that of the piers adopting steel fiber–reinforced concrete wholly.
The role of price in the socialisation of children as consumers
Authors: Damay Coralie , Guichard Nathalie
Published: February 2016

This article looks at the role of price in the socialisation of young consumers. It provides an overview of current knowledge on the capacities and processes associated with price and which are necessary for children to participate in commercial exchanges. The way in which prices are processed is approached from several perspectives: the knowledge and skills of children and how they use them as consumers, both current and future, buyers and prescribers. The article also considers the joint role played by price and other marketing mix variables in the commercial experiences of children. This overview leads to 10 research propositions.
Large Right Ventricular Clot in Pulmonary Atresia With Intact Ventricular Septum
Authors: Dutta Nilanjan , Ghosh Rajarshi , Awasthy Neeraj , Iyer Parvathi U. , Girotra Sumir , Iyer Krishna S.
Published: February 2016

Thrombus formation within the right ventricle (RV) in the setting of pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PAIVS) is not a very common occurrence and can be catastrophic. We present the case of a seven-month-old child with PAIVS and RV clot who successfully underwent biventricular repair. We discuss the interesting case and the rationale for management by means of biventricular repair over single ventricle repair when feasible in such a setting.
Migration of a Needle From the Chest Wall Into the Right Ventricle in a 10-Year-Old Child
Authors: Schultz Jerette J. , Post Megan E. , Plumley Donald A. , O’Brien Michael C. , DeCampli William M.
Published: February 2016

Cardiac foreign bodies are rare in children and the nature or timing of the injury may be hard to ascertain. We report a case of a 10-year-old boy who presented with a 28-mm solid core needle in the left chest wall that advanced into his right ventricle, possibly from soft tissue manipulation. Computed tomography, intraoperative fluoroscopy, and echocardiography were necessary to locate the needle and successfully remove it surgically.
Objective and Subjective Sleep Disorders in Automated Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Roumelioti Maria-Eleni , Argyropoulos Christos , Pankratz Vernon Shane , Jhamb Manisha , Bender Filitsa H. , Buysse Daniel J. , Strollo Patrick , Unruh Mark L.
Published: February 2016

Background:

Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) is one of the fastest growing dialysis modalities. It is unknown whether sleep and mood are disturbed while performing repeated overnight exchanges.

Objectives:

In this report, we aim to describe and compare the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), periodic limb movements (PLMS), poor sleep quality (SQ), and depression among APD patients compared with stages 3b–5 (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤44 ml/min/1.73 m2) chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Design:

This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study.

Setting:

Study participants were recruited from outpatient nephrology clinics, local dialysis centers, and the Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Institute in Western Pennsylvania between April 2004 and July 2009.

Patients:

There were 186 participants in this study including 22 APD patients, 89 CKD patients, and 75 HD patients.

Measurements:

In-home polysomnography was performed and two questionnaires were completed, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

Methods:

SDB and PLMS were quantified by in-home unattended polysomnography; poor SQ was defined by a score >5 on the PSQI, and the presence of moderate to severe depression was defined by a score >5 on the PHQ-9.

Results:

The APD patients had a median age of 37.5 years, were predominantly female (72.7 %), and had a median body mass index (BMI) of 23.8 kg/m2. In univariate analyses, APD patients had significantly lower apnea-hypopnea index compared to HD patients by 12.2 points (likelihood ratio test p = 0.008) and revealed the least percent of TST with nocturnal hypoxemia compared to CKD patients by 2.7 points, respectively (likelihood ratio test p = 0.01). The APD group had also significantly greater stages 3 to 4 sleep compared to the CKD patients by 8.6 points (likelihood ratio test p = 0.009). In multivariate analyses and after adjustment for age, gender, race, and BMI, both APD and HD patients had higher average PSQI scores than CKD patients by 2.54 and 2.22 points, respectively (likelihood ratio test p = 0.005). No other comparisons of sleep parameters among groups reached statistical significance.

Limitations:

The limitations of this study are the small sample size of the APD population and the demographic and clinical differences among the three study groups.

Conclusions:

Despite differences in univariate analyses, after multivariate adjustment, APD patients had similar sleep parameters and sleep architecture and as poor SQ and symptoms of depression as HD patients. Future studies with larger APD cohorts are needed.
Circulating Angiogenic Factors in a Pregnant Woman on Intensive Hemodialysis: A Case Report
Authors: Akbari Ayub , Hladunewich Michelle , Burns Kevin , Moretti Felipe , Arkoub Rima Abou , Brown Pierre , Hiremath Swapnil
Published: February 2016

Background:

Pregnancy in patients on chronic hemodialysis therapy, though unlikely, does happen rarely. Intensive hemodialysis is thought to offer a better survival advantage to the unborn child. Circulating angiogenic factors are helpful for prognostication of pregnant patients with chronic kidney disease who are not on dialysis. Data on their utilization in dialysis patients, however, are limited.

Case Presentation:

We report the case of a patient with a history of interstitial nephritis who had a kidney transplant that failed after 8 years due to membranous nephropathy. She was initiated on hemodialysis three sessions per week and conceived after being on dialysis for 6 weeks. She was switched to intensive hemodialysis at 8 weeks of gestation and had a C-section because of hypertension at 35 weeks, with delivery of a healthy girl weighing 2012 g. Serum angiogenic factors (placental growth factor and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase) were measured at 32, 33, and 34 weeks of gestation and at 1, 2, and 3 weeks postpartum. Serum angiogenic factors were similar to what has been reported for patients with chronic kidney disease and were not consistent with preeclampsia.

Conclusions:

Our case report expands on the literature regarding intensive hemodialysis and angiogenic factor utilization in pregnant dialysis patients. Our case report suggests that starting intensive dialysis early in pregnancy is safe and concentration of angiogenic factors are similar to those reported for patients without kidney disease, except for PIGF levels, which are somewhat higher.
Pointed Progress in Second-Line Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: The Rapidly Evolving Field of Checkpoint Inhibition
Authors: Melosky Barbara , Chu Quincy , Juergens Rosalyn , Leighl Natasha , McLeod Deanna , Hirsh Vera
Published: February 2016

Purpose

Non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is globally prevalent and associated with high rates of mortality. Immune checkpoint pathways are often exploited by tumors to evade immunity-mediated destruction, and checkpoint inhibitors can reactivate tumor-related immune responses. This review considers available clinical evidence for the use of checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of second-line advanced NSCLC.

Methods

Our systematic search revealed 20 clinical trials evaluating checkpoint inhibitors in the second-line setting, three of which were randomized trials comparing programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors to docetaxel, the current standard of care in this setting.

Results

A randomized phase II trial comparing the PD-L1 inhibitor atezolizumab to docetaxel did not demonstrate improved survival for atezolizumab in patients overall, although a trend toward improved survival with increased PD-L1 expression was apparent. Twin phase III trials showed significantly improved survival for the programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor nivolumab compared with docetaxel in patients with both squamous and nonsquamous disease. PD-L1 expression correlated with improved survival in patients with nonsquamous disease, and patients with low levels of PD-L1 expression (< 10%) and those with EGFR mutations are unlikely to benefit. Checkpoint inhibitor therapy is generally well tolerated and associated with low rates of grade 3 or 4 adverse events compared with standard care.

Conclusion

Level 1 evidence exists to support the use of nivolumab as second-line treatment of patients with squamous advanced NSCLC, as well as in select patients with nonsquamous disease. Benefits remain unknown in patients with targetable driver mutations, and use of PD-L1 expression to guide therapy remains controversial. Results from ongoing randomized trials evaluating biomarkers and other checkpoint inhibitors will further our understanding of this rapidly evolving area of oncology.