bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gain‐scheduled continuous‐time control using polytope‐bounded inexact scheduling parameters
Authors: Sadeghzadeh Arash
Published: September 2018

This paper investigates the problem of gain‐scheduled output feedback control design for continuous‐time linear parameter varying systems. The scheduling parameters are supposed to be measured in real time with absolute uncertainties and proportional uncertainties, simultaneously. Using a nonlinear transformation, the problem is formulated in terms of solutions to a set of parameter‐dependent linear matrix inequalities, exploiting parameter searches for two scalar values. H∞‐type problem is treated using parameter‐dependent Lyapunov and auxiliary matrices. One of the advantages of the presented method lies in its less conservatism in comparison with the available approaches. Some numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness and advantage of the proposed method.
Review of mission planning for autonomous marine vehicle fleets
Authors: Thompson Fletcher , Guihen Damien
Published: September 2018

The deployment of a fleet of autonomous marine vehicles (AMVs) allows for the parallelisation of missions, intervehicle support for longer deployment times, adaptability and redundancy to in situ mission changes, and effective use of the right vehicle for the right purpose. End users and operators of AMVs face challenges in planning complex missions due to the limitations of their vehicles, dynamic, operationally constrictive, and unstructured environments, and in minimising risks to equipment, the mission, and personnel. Automated mission planning for AMV fleets can be a tool to reduce the complexity of programming vehicle tasking, and to perform validity assessments for end user‐specified goals, allowing the operator to focus on risk assessment. We present a critical review of the current advances in automated planning for AMV fleets, investigating the limitations of available state‐of‐the‐art tools and providing a road map of the goals and challenges based on analysis of field reports and end user initiatives.
Surface chemical states of gold nanoparticles prepared using the solution‐plasma method in a CsCl aqueous solution
Authors: Tsukada Chie , Yoshida Hikaru , Ogawa Satoshi , Yoshigoe Akitaka , Yagi Shinya , Yaita Tsuyoshi
Published: September 2018

In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) prepared in a 5 mM CsCl aqueous solution using the solution‐plasma method are characterized via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation (SR‐XPS). The particle diameter is measured over the process time via TEM. During the solution‐plasma process, small particles of 2.1 to 2.2‐nm diameter are generated in the CsCl aqueous solution; these particles then enlarge via Ostwald ripening over time until they reach an equilibrium size of ~13 nm after 36 days. In addition, the surface chemical states of the AuNPs are characterized at different depths via SR‐XPS. The SR‐XPS measurements obtained using incident X‐ray energy (hν) of 945.0 eV revealed that Cs─Au, Cl─Au, and Cs─Cl─Au bonds are present 1.2 nm below the surface. The measurements obtained at an incident X‐ray energy of 2515.0 eV showed that Cs─Cl─Au bonding is also present 2.5 nm below the surface, indicating that Cs and Cl strongly interact with Au. The TEM and SR‐XPS measurements revealed that 2 processes occur cyclically during the growth process via Ostwald ripening: (i) the Cs and Cl in the aqueous solution adsorb on the AuNP surface and (ii) Au atoms subsequently bond to the AuNPs surface.
Investigation of one‐stage meta‐analysis methods for joint longitudinal and time‐to‐event data through simulation and real data application
Authors: Sudell Maria , Kolamunnage‐Dona Ruwanthi , Gueyffier François , Tudur Smith Catrin
Published: September 2018

Background:Joint modeling of longitudinal and time‐to‐event data is often advantageous over separate longitudinal or time‐to‐event analyses as it can account for study dropout, error in longitudinally measured covariates, and correlation between longitudinal and time‐to‐event outcomes. The current literature on joint modeling focuses mainly on the analysis of single studies with a lack of methods available for the meta‐analysis of joint data from multiple studies.

Methods:We investigate a variety of one‐stage methods for the meta‐analysis of joint longitudinal and time‐to‐event outcome data. These methods are applied to the INDANA dataset to investigate longitudinally measured systolic blood pressure, with each of time to death, time to myocardial infarction, and time to stroke. Results are compared to separate longitudinal or time‐to‐event meta‐analyses. A simulation study is conducted to contrast separate versus joint analyses over a range of scenarios.

Results:The performance of the examined one‐stage joint meta‐analytic models varied. Models that accounted for between study heterogeneity performed better than models that ignored it. Of the examined methods to account for between study heterogeneity, under the examined association structure, fixed effect approaches appeared preferable, whereas methods involving a baseline hazard stratified by study were least time intensive.

Conclusions:One‐stage joint meta‐analytic models that accounted for between study heterogeneity using a mix of fixed effects or a stratified baseline hazard were reliable; however, models examined that included study level random effects in the association structure were less reliable.
Development of an Ionic Liquid Based Method for the Preparation of Albumin Nanoparticles
Authors: Demirkurt Begüm , Akdogan Yasar
Published: September 2018

Albumin based nanocarriers have been widely used in drug delivery studies. Here, we developed a water‐in‐ionic liquid (IL) emulsion‐like method to prepare bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles as alternative to the traditional organic solvents containing techniques. Conformational changes of albumin induced by the imidazolium based ILs at the water‐IL interface triggers the BSA nanoparticle formation. The albumin nanoparticle formation are dependent on the experimental parameters and the hydophobicity of the IL. At pH 9.0, using 1.3%wt of BSA in water/1‐butyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BmimBF4) (50/50 mol%) and TX‐100/butanol surfactant mixture yields uniformly distributed 200 nm average sized BSA nanoparticles. Different than BmimBF4, using a more hydrophilic IL, EmimBF4 yielded albumin aggregates. Instead, using a more hydrophobic IL, HmimBF4 produced albumin nanoparticles but a non‐uniform size distribution was obtained. These results indicate that the ionic liquids called green and designer solvents can be also used to synthesize albumin nanoparticles.
Amberlyst‐15 as a Green and Efficient Reusable Catalyst for Friedel‐Crafts Alkylation of Activated Arenes with N‐Sulfonyl Aldimines and Synthesis of Bis‐triarylmethanes
Authors: Thirupathi Ponnaboina , Venkatagiri Noole , Reddy Chepyala Krishna
Published: September 2018

Amberlyst‐15 has been found to be an efficient and an inexpensive acidic heterogeneous catalyst for Friedel–Crafts alkylation of an activated arenes and N‐sulfonyl aldimines at room temperature. A Friedel‐Crafts alkylation products further undergoes alkylation with another mole of activated arenes to afford bis‐triarylmethanes in single transformation. Non‐toxicity and high stability of catalyst, broad applicability to various substrates with good to high yields and a simple operational procedure are the major advantages of the present method. The catalyst can be easily recycled by simple filtration and reused consecutively four times times without significant loss of activity.
Synthesis, Transformation Mechanism and Photocatalytic Properties of Various Morphologies Anatase TiO2 Nanocrystals Derived From Tetratitanate Nanobelts
Authors: Liu Leng , Du Yi‐en , Niu Xianjun , Li Wanxi , Li Jun , Yang Xiaojing , Feng Qi
Published: September 2018

Rod‐like, rhombic, octahedral bipyramid‐shaped, cuboid, and spindle‐like anatase TiO2 nanocrystals samples with part of {101}, {001} and {010} facets exposure were synthesized through a straightforward solvothermal treatment of layered tetratitanate nanobelt colloidal solution precursor. The shape and structural evolutionmechanism of the as‐synthesized anatase TiO2 nanocrystals from the layered tetratitanate nanobelts were investigated by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). The transformation from the layered tetratitanate nanobelts into the various morphologies anatase TiO2 nanocrystals may experience two stages during the solvothermal process including an in situ topotactic dehydration reaction of the layered tetratitanate nanobelts, and a dissolution‐recrystallization reaction of the nanobelts anatase TiO2 crystals along the different planes. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of the various morphologies anatase TiO2 nanocrystals was also investigated and discussed, and compared to the benchmark P25 TiO2 nanocrystals. The results revealed that the {010}‐faceted spindle‐like anatase TiO2 nanocrystals exhibited the most superior photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue.
Metal Dependent Formation of Imidazolidine or Hemiaminal Ether Complexes from Multicomponent One‐pot Reactions
Authors: Chahal Manoj , Mani Kalaikodikumaran , Lodhi Chetan Singh , Butcher Ray J. , Raje Sakthi , Angamuthu Raja
Published: September 2018

Imidazolidinylpyridines, a new type of strictly face‐capping tridentate ligands, are reported as cheap and easily synthesizable alternates to well‐known crown and scorpionate ligands that are costly and cumbersome to be synthesized. The reported imidazolidinylpyridines have been made from the equimolar multicomponent mixture of N1,N2‐bis(substituted)ethane‐1,2‐diamine, pyridine‐2‐carboxaldehyde and MCl2, where M is Ni, Cu or Cd. The metal dependent formation of complexes of the expected imidazolidinylpyridine while using cadmium(II) ion and unexpected hemiaminal ethers when Ni(II)/Cu(II) was used are portrayed with the support of complete characterization including NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and solid‐state structures.
Evaluating the suitability of state‐based formal methods for industrial deployment
Authors: Mashkoor Atif , Kossak Felix , Egyed Alexander
Published: September 2018

After a number of success stories in safety‐critical domains, we are starting to witness applications of formal methods in contemporary systems and software engineering. However, one thing that is still missing is the evaluation criteria that help software practitioners choose the right formal method for the problem at hand. In this paper, we present the criteria for evaluating and comparing different formal methods. The criteria were chosen through a literature review, discussions with experts from academia and practitioners from industry, and decade‐long personal experience with the application of formal methods in industrial and academic projects. The criteria were then evaluated on several model‐oriented state‐based formal methods. Our research shows that besides technical grounds (eg, modeling capabilities and supported development phases), formal methods should also be evaluated from social and industrial perspectives. We also found out that it is not possible to generate a matrix that renders the selection of the right formal method an automatic process. However, we can generate several pointers, which make this selection process a lot less cumbersome.
Simultaneous quantification of 14 amino acids from five plants by validated reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Fayaz Mufida , Dar Alamgir A. , Bhat Musadiq Hussain , Kumar Amit , Jain Ashok Kumar
Published: September 2018

Madhuca longifolia, Cassia tora, Cocculus hirsutus, Celosea argentea and Alternanthera sessilis plants were scrutinized to determine the amino acid content by a validated method. Herein we report a novel, accurate and cost‐effective reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous determination and quantification of 14 amino acids. The developed method was validated as per the International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines. All calibration curves showed a good linear relationship (r > 0.9928) within test range. Precision was assessed by intra‐ and inter‐day tests with relative standard deviations less than 2%. Recovery of 98.38–99.60% with relative standard deviations <1.00% was observed. On quantification, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, alanine, methionine, glycine, leucine, valine and threonine were present in major quantity from different parts of selected plants which is advantageous as they control most of the physiological activities of the body. The proposed method can be used for the simultaneous estimation of 14 amino acids in one run and can be extended for amino acid‐based standardization of herbal formulations containing these plants and its use in pharmaceutical industries.
Encouragements for the Use of Microwaves in Industrial Chemistry
Authors: Nagahata Ritsuko , Takeuchi Kazuhiko
Published: September 2018

Microwave travels at the speed of light, and transfers energy solely to materials. This holds great promise for energy conservation in industrial processes. However, due to differences with common heating principles, and misunderstanding of the correct way to handle them, the effectiveness of microwaves has been underestimated, and development of technologies using microwaves often stops due to this. This paper has focused on the use of microwave heating for organic/polymer synthesis, specifically for a highly effective condensation reaction and for use with ionic reactants. In addition to covering the process of ascertaining which reactions are suitable for the application of microwave heating, and introducing studies on scaling these up, this paper covers points of caution, especially those relating to the all‐important measurement/control of temperature. Based on their accumulation of expertise in the area, the authors present the design for equipment/plants for industrial use and introduce their research into the practical application of such technology.
Structure and Bonding of La2NiBi
Authors: Ott Claudia , Baumgartner Max , Schäfer Konrad , Baumer Franziska , Freitag Katharina , Scherf Lavinia , Heletta Lukas , Weihrich Richard , Pöttgen Rainer , Nilges Tom
Published: September 2018

La2NiBi was synthesized by heating a cold pressed pellet of the elements in a sealed and evacuated silica tube at 1070 K. The structure was determined via powder and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. La2NiBi crystallizes orthorhombically, in the space group Pnma: a = 838.88(6), b = 455.61(11), c = 1210.4(2) pm and V = 0.46261(14) nm3 (wR = 0.1002, 1001 F2 values, 26 variables, Z = 4). La2NiBi represents a higher congener of La2NiSb and adopts a ternary ordered version of the Bi3Ni structure type. Similar to La2NiSb, the nickel atoms form infinite zigzag chains (259 pm Ni–Ni) with trigonal‐prismatic lanthanum coordination. One rectangular face of the lanthanum prism is capped by a bismuth atom (333.08–364.74 pm La–Bi, 281.18 pm Ni–Bi). These zigzag chains run along the b axis. DFT based band structure calculations and DOS representations suggest metallic behavior. This was confirmed via temperature dependent impedance spectroscopic measurements. A Seebeck coefficient of –10 μV·K–1 in the temperature range up to 873 K substantiates this finding. Thermal analyses show that the compound is stable up to 873 K under inert gas conditions and degrades at higher temperatures. The magnetic measurements show almost no grain boundary nickel impurities characterizing La2NiBi as a weak Pauli paramagnet.
Behavioral responses of two species of dolphins to novel video footage: An exploration of sex differences
Authors: Winship Kelley A. , Eskelinen Holli C.
Published: September 2018

This study assessed the interest toward novel video clips as enrichment stimuli in two species of captive dolphins (Tursiops: n = 11; Steno: n = 5). Videos were played at underwater viewing windows while the animals were housed with conspecifics, and responses were subsequently analyzed based on general content of each novel video. Interest levels (i.e., percentage of time watching and behavioral rate) were compared between species and within species across video categories. While the varied video contexts did not produce significant differences among the time spent watching or behaviors observed, species differences and sex differences were noted. Rough‐toothed dolphins displayed significantly more behaviors, particularly interest and bubble behaviors, than bottlenose dolphins, with no differences observed between the species for the percentage of time spent watching. Among bottlenose dolphins, males watched the television longer, and responded behaviorally significantly more, displaying a higher rate of bubble and aggressive behaviors than females. Male rough‐toothed dolphins displayed significantly more aggressive behaviors than females, with no other sex differences noted. Overall, these data suggest that television may serve as a useful enrichment device for certain individuals and species of cetaceans, as well as a cognitive experimental tool, as long as sex, species, and individual differences are taken into consideration when interpreting results.
Higgs boson pair production in non-linear Effective Field Theory with full mt-dependence at NLO QCD
Authors: Buchalla G. , Capozi M. , Celis A. , Heinrich G. , Scyboz L.
Published: September 2018

Abstract

We present a calculation of the NLO QCD corrections to Higgs boson pair production within the framework of a non-linearly realised Effective Field Theory in the Higgs sector, described by the electroweak chiral Lagrangian. We analyse how the NLO corrections affect distributions in the Higgs boson pair invariant mass and the transverse momentum of one of the Higgs bosons. We find that these corrections lead to significant and non-homogeneous K-factors in certain regions of the parameter space. We also provide an analytical parametrisation for the total cross-section and themhhdistribution as a function of the anomalous Higgs couplings that includes NLO corrections. Such a parametrisation can be useful for phenomenological studies.
Not doomed to fail
Authors: Taormina Anne , Wendland Katrin
Published: September 2018

Abstract

In their recent manuscript “An uplifting discussion of T-duality ” [26], J. Harvey and G. Moore have reevaluated a mod two condition appearing in asymmetric orbifold constructions as an obstruction to the description of certain symmetries of toroidal conformal field theories by means of automorphisms of the underlying charge lattice. The relevant “doomed to fail” condition determines whether or not such a lattice automorphism g may lift to a symmetry in the corresponding toroidal conformal field theory without introducing extra phases. If doomed to fail, then in some cases, the lift of g must have double the order of g. It is an interesting question, whether or not “geometric” symmetries are affected by these findings. In the present note, we answer this question in the negative, by means of elementary linear algebra: “geometric” symmetries of toroidal conformal field theories are not doomed to fail. Consequently, and in particular, the symmetry groups involved in symmetry surfing the moduli space of K3 theories do not differ from their lifts.
Normal forms of linear second order partial differential equations on the plane
Authors: Davydov Alexey
Published: September 2018

The paper is devoted to the theory of normal forms of main symbols for linear second order partial differential equations on the plane. We discuss the results obtained in the last decades and some problems, which are important both for the development of this theory and the applications. The reduction theorem, which was used to obtain many of recent results in the theory, is included in the paper in the parametric form together with proof. There is a feeling that the theorem still has potential to get progress in the solution of open problems in the theory.
Child maltreatment prevention strategies
Authors: Al-Eissa Majid A. , ElChoueiry Nathalie , AlBuhairan Fadia , Saleheen Hassan N. , Almuneef Maha A.
Published: September 2018

Background and Objectives:

Child maltreatment (CM) is a global problem that has long-term negative outcomes. The objective of this study is to explore the knowledge and perceptions of youth regarding CM prevention.

Methods:

The study was conducted in Saudi Arabia using International Child Abuse Screening Tool (ICAST). Answers to open-ended questions were analyzed and a list of CM prevention strategies was generated.

Results:

Participants identified a range of preventive strategies that were grouped into three main themes: 1) collective preventive efforts; 2) recognizing and responding to CM; 3) gaining closure. For each overarching theme, a list of subthemes were derived. Subthemes included raising awareness through the mass media; school professionals' capacity building and curriculum advancement; strengthening family relationships; enact CM preventive legislations and policies; monitoring media content and video games and limiting access to firearms for the first theme. The second theme comprised the subthemes reporting services and protective services. As for the third theme it included rehabilitation; punishment for CM crimes and connection to spirituality.

Conclusion:

Gathering youth perspectives on CM prevention will help us in designing future prevention strategies.
INVESTIGATING BARGAINING POWER OF FARMERS AND PROCESSORS IN IRAN'S DAIRY MARKET
Authors: SHOKOOHI ZEINAB , CHIZARI AMIR HOSSEIN , ASGARI MAHDI
Published: September 2018

The farm-gate price of raw milk in Iran is determined annually in negotiations among representatives of dairy processors, milk producers, and government officials. This study estimates the average bargaining power of dairy farmers and processors, through applying the generalized axiomatic Nash approach in a bilateral bargaining model. We employ annual data from 1990 to 2013 to estimate econometric representation of a bilateral bargaining model using a Monte Carlo expectation maximization algorithm. Results imply a higher bargaining power of 0.69 for processors, compared with 0.31 for farmers. This asymmetry of bargaining power causes unequal allocation of gains in the milk market.
Cognitive Rehabilitation Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Survey of Current Practice in Australia
Authors: Downing Marina , Bragge Peter , Ponsford Jennie
Published: September 2018

Background and Objective: As cognitive impairments represent the greatest impediment to participation following moderate–severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), cognitive rehabilitation is vital. Several sets of guidelines for cognitive rehabilitation have been published, including INCOG in 2014. However, little is known about current practice by therapists working with individuals with TBI. This study aimed to characterise current cognitive rehabilitation practices via an online survey of therapists engaged in rehabilitation in individuals with TBI.

Method: The survey documented demographic information, current cognitive rehabilitation practice, resources used to inform cognitive rehabilitation, and reflections on cognitive rehabilitation provided.

Results: The 221 Australian respondents were predominantly occupational therapists, neuropsychologists, and speech pathologists with an average 9 years of clinical experience in cognitive rehabilitation and TBI. Cognitive retraining and compensatory strategies were the most commonly identified approaches used in cognitive rehabilitation. Executive functioning was mostly targeted for retraining, whereas memory was targeted with compensatory strategies. Attentional problems were less frequently addressed. Client self-awareness, family involvement, team collaboration, and goal-setting were seen as important ingredients for success.

Conclusion: Clinical practice of cognitive rehabilitation in Australia is broadly consistent with guidelines. However, addressing the impediments to its delivery is important to enhance the quality of life for individuals with TBI.
ECHO CHAMBERS AND EPISTEMIC BUBBLES
Authors: Nguyen C. Thi
Published: September 2018

Discussion of the phenomena of post-truth and fake news often implicates the closed epistemic networks of social media. The recent conversation has, however, blurred two distinct social epistemic phenomena. Anepistemic bubbleis a social epistemic structure in which other relevant voices have been left out, perhaps accidentally. Anecho chamberis a social epistemic structure from which other relevant voices have been actively excluded and discredited. Members of epistemic bubbles lack exposure to relevant information and arguments. Members of echo chambers, on the other hand, have been brought to systematically distrust all outside sources. In epistemic bubbles, other voices are not heard; in echo chambers, other voices are actively undermined. It is crucial to keep these phenomena distinct. First, echo chambers can explain the post-truth phenomena in a way that epistemic bubbles cannot. Second, each type of structure requires a distinct intervention. Mere exposure to evidence can shatter an epistemic bubble, but may actually reinforce an echo chamber. Finally, echo chambers are much harder to escape. Once in their grip, an agent may act with epistemic virtue, but social context will pervert those actions. Escape from an echo chamber may require a radical rebooting of one's belief system.
Heir Apparent Prime Ministers in Westminster Democracies: Promise and Performance
Authors: Helms Ludger
Published: September 2018

While the grand narratives of political leaders and leadership in parliamentary democracies tend to centre on victorious campaigners, prime ministers ‘inheriting’ the office from their predecessor between two parliamentary elections are a widespread occurrence in constitutional practice. Focusing on four Westminster democracies (Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand), this article inquires how such heirs apparent have fared in terms of prime ministerial performance. Although in light of their experience, expertise and public recognition, heir apparent prime ministers can be, and have been, considered to be particularly well placed to succeed, when eventually securing the most powerful political office, most of them have actually been conspicuous under-performers. The single most important and strongly counter-intuitive finding of an empirical investigation of different prime ministers is that extensive experience in government, both in terms of duration and diversity of ministerial offices held, seems to correlate more with failed rather than particularly successful premierships.
The Activation of Populist Attitudes
Authors: Hawkins Kirk A. , Rovira Kaltwasser Cristóbal , Andreadis Ioannis
Published: September 2018

Most studies see demand for populist forces driven by broad sociological factors that make certain issues salient among specific constituencies. However, this argument is not normally tested at the individual level. We propose a theory of populist voting which argues that populist attitudes are themselves important predictors of voting, interacting with ideological positions. We test this theory through a comparison of recent voting in Chile and Greece, two countries where the contexts for activating populist attitudes are very different. We find that despite similar levels of populist attitudes across both countries, these attitudes explain much more of the vote in Greece than they do in Chile, and that in both countries they interact with ideological positions in predictable ways.
Does the Iron Curtain Still Exist? The Convergence in Electoral Volatility between Eastern and Western Europe
Authors: Emanuele Vincenzo , Chiaramonte Alessandro , Soare Sorina
Published: September 2018

The literature on party system change and electoral volatility in post-communist Europe tends to make a clear-cut distinction between Central and Eastern European (CEE) party systems and Western European (WE) ones. The former are unstable and unpredictable and electoral volatility is driven by the continuous emergence of new political parties. Conversely, electoral stability is the rule in the latter, and volatility is associated with electoral shifts among established parties. This conventional wisdom suffers from three potential sources of bias: case selection, time coverage and method. By correcting these biases, this article investigates whether the traditional division between CEE and WE party systems has been levelled as regards volatility. To do so, it presents evidence based on an original data set of electoral volatility and its internal components covering 31 WE and CEE party systems since 1990. It finds that a process of asymmetric convergence in the levels of electoral volatility is taking place between the two regions, with Western Europe approaching Central and Eastern Europe with increasing electoral instability.
Quantifying bed roughness beneath contemporary and palaeo-ice streams
Authors: FALCINI FRANCESCA A.M. , RIPPIN DAVID M. , KRABBENDAM MAARTEN , SELBY KATHERINE A.
Published: September 2018

Bed roughness is an important control on ice-stream location and dynamics. The majority of previous bed roughness studies have been based on data derived from radio-echo sounding (RES) transects across Antarctica and Greenland. However, the wide spacing of RES transects means that the links between roughness and flow are poorly constrained. Here, we use Digital Terrain Model/bathymetry data from a well-preserved palaeo-ice stream to investigate basal controls on the behaviour of contemporary ice streams. Artificial transects were set up across the Minch Palaeo-Ice Stream (NW Scotland) to mimic RES flight lines over Institute and Möller Ice Streams (Antarctica). We then explored how different data-resolution, transect orientation and spacing, and different methods, impact roughness measurements. Our results show that fast palaeo-ice flow can occur over a rough, hard bed, not just a smooth, soft bed, as previous work has suggested. Smooth areas of the bed occur over both bedrock and sediment covered regions. Similar trends in bed roughness values were found using Fast Fourier Transform analysis and standard deviation methods. Smoothing of bed roughness results can hide important details. We propose that the typical spacing of RES transects is too wide to capture different landform assemblages and that transect orientation influences bed roughness measurements in both contemporary and palaeo-ice-stream setting.
Electoral Promises and Single Party Governments: The Role of Party Ideology and Budget Balance in Pledge Fulfillment
Authors: Pétry François , Duval Dominic
Published: September 2018

The determinants of fulfilling campaign promises in Canada over the period 1994–2015 are analyzed in a comparative perspective. All other factors being equal, we find that promises to reduce government spending are more likely to be fulfilled by the Conservatives than by the Liberals. Majority and re-elected governments facing a budget surplus are more likely to fulfill their election promises than minority and newly elected governments facing a budget deficit. Promises are more likely to be fulfilled at the start than at the end of a mandate. We also find a small but noticeable increase in the rate of fulfilling campaign promises over time.
Deep-water sponge fauna from the mud volcanoes of the Gulf of Cadiz (North Atlantic, Spain)
Authors: Sitjà C. , Maldonado M. , Farias C. , Rueda J. L.
Published: September 2018

Mud volcanoes are singular seafloor structures classified as ‘sensitive habitats’. Here we report on the sponge fauna from a field of eight mud volcanoes located in the Spanish margin of the northern Gulf of Cadiz (North-eastern Atlantic), at depths ranging from 380 to 1146 m. Thirty-eight beam-trawl samplings were conducted (covering over 61,000 m2) from 2010 to 2012, in the frame of a EC-LIFE + INDEMARES grant. A total of 1659 specimens were retrieved, belonging to 82 species, from which 79 were in the Class Demospongiae and three in Hexactinellida. Two species were new to science (Jaspis sinuoxea sp. nov.; Myrmekioderma indemaresi sp. nov.) and three others recorded for the first time in the Atlantic Ocean (Geodia anceps, Coelosphaera cryosi and Petrosia raphida). Five additional species were ‘Atlantic oddities’, since this study provides their second record in the Atlantic Ocean (Lanuginella cf. pupa, Geodia cf. spherastrella, Cladocroce spathiformis, Cladocroce fibrosa and Haliclona pedunculata). Basic numerical analyses indicated a significant linear relationship between the species richness per m2 and the number of sponge individuals per m2, meaning that in most volcanoes many species occur in equivalent, moderate abundance. Likewise, sponge species richness increased with depth, while the abundance of hard substrata resulting from carbonate precipitation and the fishing activities around the volcanoes had no detectable effect on the sponge fauna. However, in the latter case, a negative trend – lacking statistical support – underlaid the analyses, suggesting that a more extensive sampling would be necessary to derive more definitive conclusions in this regard.
Liu vs. Liu vs. Luke? Name influence on voice recall
Authors: SENIOR BRIANNE , HUI JOBIE , BABEL MOLLY
Published: September 2018

Listeners are better at remembering voices speaking in familiar languages and accents, and this finding is often dubbed the language-familiarity effect (LFE). A potential mechanism behind the LFE relates to a combination of listeners’ implicit knowledge about lower level phonetic cues and higher level linguistic processes. While previous work has established that listeners’ social expectations influence various aspects of linguistic processing and speech perception, it remains unknown how such expectations might affect talker recognition. To this end, Mandarin-accented English voices and locally accented English voices were used in a talker recognition paradigm in conditions which paired voices with stereotypically congruent names (Mandarin-accented English voice as Chen and locally accented English voice as Connor) and stereotypically incongruent names (vice versa). Across two experiments, listeners showed greater recall for the familiar, local voices than the Mandarin-accented ones, confirming the basic premise of the LFE. Further, incongruent accent/name pairings negatively affected listeners’ performance, although listeners with experience speaking Mandarin were less influenced by the incongruent accent/name pairings. These results indicate that the LFE, while relying largely on listeners’ ability to parse linguistic information, is also affected by nonlinguistic information about a talker’s social identity.
Body–object interaction ratings for 750 Spanish words
Authors: ALONSO MARÍA ÁNGELES , DÍEZ EMILIANO , DÍEZ-ÁLAMO ANTONIO M. , FERNANDEZ ANGEL
Published: September 2018

An individual’s sense of the extent to which her or his body physically interacts with objects in the environment (body–object interaction; BOI) has been empirically shown to modulate lexical and semantic processing of object names. To allow for further exploration of the nature of those effects, BOI ratings for 750 Spanish nouns were obtained from 178 young adult participants. Statistical analyses showed moderate correlations between BOI indicators and some psycholinguistic indexes, such as word imageability and age of acquisition. In addition, an exploration of lexical associative relationships revealed that high-BOI words have a consistent tendency to be associated with words naming parts of the body. The ratings could be useful to researchers who are interested in manipulating or controlling for the effects of BOI in their language-processing studies. The complete norms are available for free downloading at Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/kd5vf/).
Language learning and study abroad
Authors: Isabelli-García Christina , Bown Jennifer , Plews John L. , Dewey Dan P.
Published: September 2018

The aim of this review is to synthesize empirical studies on undergraduate language learners’ experience abroad during a time period of a year or less. To help provide a framework to this synthesis, we begin our review by tracing the recent evolution of empirical mixed-method research on the learner, identifying problems and characteristics that language learners generally encounter in the study abroad (SA) experience. We take a closer look at variables related to individual difference such as anxiety, motivation, and attitudes to more recent views of learner identity in language learning. We highlight the shift to language learner agency, a topic that merits more discussion in SA literature. We then review how the SA learning environments are treated. This review takes a closer look at research informed by socially grounded theories. Finally, we review the role that SA plays in undergraduate language curricula, where the objectives of the experience are aligned with at-home (AH) curricula, a topic that has not been fully discussed in SA literature. The conclusions offer suggestions for keeping pace with the broader field of applied/educational linguistics.
Unravelling China's Food Security Puzzle, 1979–2008
Authors: Du Jane , King Cheng
Published: September 2018

This article studies Chinese central government policies in relation to food market building and food security between 1979 and 2008. It investigates major changes in the state's grain purchase pricing, urban subsidized food sales and the state monopoly over rural-to-urban food circulation that were effected in an attempt to ensure both food availability and accessibility under fiscal constraint. By observing the gradual transition from state monopoly to the market, this article traces the mechanisms which enabled the Chinese government to both establish a monopsony by generating artificial price signals for farmers to generate food output, and act as a monopolistic seller by providing subsidized low-priced food to urban consumers in order to fulfil its goal of low-cost industrialization. Thus, China's food security largely hinged on the government's budget to subsidize the price gap. The Chinese government juggled between food security and fiscal affordability to formulate a food budget that would neither excessively impact food security nor cause a crisis to government finance. China's food security puzzle was eventually worked out in the mid-2000s with the boosting of national income, which enhanced the population's access to food and eased the central government's food security concerns.
Social Policy and Political Trust: Evidence from the New Rural Pension Scheme in China
Authors: Li Zhonglu , Wu Xiaogang
Published: September 2018

This article analyses the data from the 2010 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) to investigate the effects of the New Rural Pension Scheme (NRPS) on people's political trust and policy expectations in China. Results from difference-in-differences (DID) analyses show that those in the NRPS pilot areas reported higher levels of trust in government at both central and local levels than their counterparts in non-NRPS areas, with the former gaining more support than the latter. Moreover, the potential NRPS beneficiaries show similarly higher levels of trust in both central and local governments than non-NRPS beneficiaries. However, the policy did not increase rural residents’ rights consciousness that the government should take the main responsibility for the provision of the old-age support. These findings suggest that citizens' political trust under an authoritarian regime is mainly determined by the material benefits they receive.
Temporal relationship between occurrences of hand, foot and mouth disease, respiratory virus detection and febrile seizures in children in tropical Singapore: a time-series analysis
Authors: Chen Y. , Chong C. Y. , Cook A. R. , Sim N. T. W. , Horby P. , La H. H.
Published: September 2018

Febrile seizure (FS) in children is a common complication of infections with respiratory viruses and hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). We conducted a retrospective ecological time-series analysis to determine the temporal relationship between hospital attendances for FS and HFMD or respiratory virus infections. Epilepsy attendance was used as a control. Data from 2004 to 2012 FS and epilepsy hospital attendance, HFMD notifications to the Ministry of Health and from laboratory-confirmed viral respiratory infections among KK Women's and Children's Hospital inpatients were used. A multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between FS and the virus time series. Relative risks of FS by age were calculated using Bayesian statistical methods. Paediatric accident and emergency (A&E) attendances for FS were found to be associated with influenza A (extra 0.47 FS per influenza A case), B (extra 0.32 per influenza B case) and parainfluenza 3 (extra 0.35 per parainfluenza type 3 case). However, other viruses were not significantly associated with FS. None of the viruses were associated with epileptic seizure attendance. Influenza A, B and parainfluenza 3 viruses contributed to the burden of FS resulting in A&E attendance. Children at risk of FS should be advised to receive seasonal influenza vaccination.
Critically examining the use of blog-based fanfiction in the advanced language classroom
Authors: Sauro Shannon , Sundmark Björn
Published: September 2018

This paper critically examines the integration of online fanfiction practices into an advanced university English language classroom. The fanfiction project, The Blogging Hobbit, was carried out as part of a course in the teacher education program at a Swedish university for students who were specializing in teaching English at the secondary school level. Participants were 122 students who completed the course in 2013 and 2014. In both classes, students were organized into groups of three to six to write collaborative blog-based role-play fanfiction of a missing moment from JRR Tolkien’s fantasy novelThe Hobbit. The 31 resulting pieces of collaborative fanfiction, the online formats they were published in, the 122 reflective essays produced by the two classes, and interviews with a focal group of participants were used to explore how technology and learners’ experience with this technology may have mediated the resulting stories. In addition, the classroom fanfiction texts were compared with comparable online writing published in the fanfiction site Archive of Our Own (Ao3) to identify thematic and stylistic differences. The results showed that students’ lack of familiarity with publishing in blogs often posed a challenge that some groups were able to overcome or exploit to facilitate or enhance the readability of their completed stories. Compared to online fanfiction, the classroom fanfiction was less innovative with respect to focal characters yet more collective in its focus, with stories being told from multiple characters’ perspectives.
Property rents in medieval English towns: Hull in the fourteenth century
Authors: CASSON CATHERINE , CASSON MARK
Published: September 2018

Property rents in medieval towns were an important source of income for property-owners including the king, local lords and civic authorities, and a significant expense for local residents. This article examines the causes of variation in property rents in fourteenth-century Hull, an important international port with unique records on plot dimensions. It illuminates the topography and growth of the port, identifying locations where rents were highest, and particular streets which attracted premium rents. Civic and mercantile property-owners are examined through reconstruction of their biographies and the impact of the identity of owners on rent levels is assessed.
Preparing for a Foreign Animal Disease Outbreak Using a Novel Tabletop Exercise
Authors: Linskens Eric J. , Neu Abby E. , Walz Emily J. , St. Charles Kaitlyn M. , Culhane Marie R. , Ssematimba Amos , Goldsmith Timothy J. , Halvorson David A. , Cardona Carol J.
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreaks can have devastating impacts, but they occur infrequently in any specific sector anywhere in the United States (US). Training to proactively discuss implementation of control and prevention strategies are beneficial in that they provide stakeholders with the practical information and educational experience they will need to respond effectively to an FAD. Such proactive approaches are the mission of the Secure Food System (SFS; University of Minnesota; St. Paul, Minnesota USA).

Methods

The SFS exercises were designed as educational activities based on avian influenza (AI) outbreaks in commercial poultry scenarios. These scenarios were created by subject matter experts and were based on epidemiology reports, risk pathway analyses, local industry practices, and site-specific circumstances. Target audiences of an exercise were the groups involved in FAD control: animal agriculture industry members; animal health regulators; and diagnosticians. Groups of industry participants seated together at tables represented fictional poultry premises and were guided by a moderator to respond to an on-farm situation within a simulated outbreak. The impact of SFS exercises was evaluated through interviews with randomized industry participants and selected table moderators. Descriptive statistics and qualitative analyses were performed on interview feedback.

Results

Eleven SFS exercises occurred from December 2016 through October 2017 in multiple regions of the US. Exercises were conducted as company-wide, state-wide, or regional trainings. Nine were based on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks and two focused on outbreaks of co-circulating HPAI and low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI). Poultry industry participants interviewed generally found attending an SFS exercise to be useful. The most commonly identified benefits of participation were its value to people without prior outbreak experience and knowledge gained about Continuity of Business (COB)-permitted movement. After completing an exercise, most participants evaluated their preparedness to respond to an outbreak as somewhat to very ready, and more than one-half reported their respective company or farms had discussions or changed actions due to participation.

Conclusion:

Evaluation feedback suggests the SFS exercises were an effective training method to supplement preparedness efforts for an AI outbreak. The concept of using multi-faceted scenarios and multiple education strategies during a tabletop exercise may be translatable to other emergency preparedness needs.

LinskensEJ, NeuAE, WalzEJ, St. CharlesKM, CulhaneMR, SsematimbaA, GoldsmithTJ, HalvorsonDA, CardonaCJ. Preparing for a foreign animal disease outbreak using a novel tabletop exercise. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(6):640–646.