bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thirty-Day Outcome of a Multicenter Registry Study of Stenting for Symptomatic Intracranial Artery Stenosis in China
Authors: Miao Zhongrong , Zhang Yong , Shuai Jie , Jiang Changchun , Zhu Qiyi , Chen Kangning , Liu Li , Li Baomin , Shi Xiangqun , Gao Lianbo , Liu Yajie , Wang Feng , Li Yongli , Liu Tieyan , Zheng Hongbo , Wang Yilong , Wang Yongjun
Published: August 2015

Background and Purpose—

Although recent trials have suggested that stenting is worse than medical therapy for patients with severe symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis, it is not clear whether this conclusion applies to a subset of patients with hypoperfusion symptoms. To justify for a new trial in China, we performed a multicenter prospective registry study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endovascular stenting within 30 days for patients with severe symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

Methods—

Patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis caused by 70% to 99% stenosis combined with poor collaterals were enrolled. The patients were treated either with balloon-mounted stent or with balloon predilation plus self-expanding stent as determined by the operators following a guideline. The primary outcome within 30 days is stroke, transient ischemic attack, and death after stenting. The secondary outcome is successful revascularization. The baseline characteristics and outcomes of the 2 treatment groups were compared.

Results—

From September 2013 to January 2015, among 354 consecutive patients, 300 patients (aged 58.3±9.78 years) were recruited, including 159 patients treated with balloon-mounted stent and 141 patients with balloon plus self-expanding stent. The 30-day rate of stroke, transient ischemic attack, and death was 4.3%. Successful revascularization was 97.3%. Patients treated with balloon-mounted stent were older, less likely to have middle cerebral artery lesions, more likely to have vertebral artery lesions, more likely to have Mori A lesions, less likely to have Mori C lesions, and likely to have lower degree of residual stenosis than patients treated with balloon plus self-expanding stent.

Conclusions—

The short-term safety and efficacy of endovascular stenting for patients with severe symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis in China is acceptable. Balloon-mounted stent may have lower degree of residual stenosis than self-expanding stent.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01968122.
Moosgesellschaften auf Baumfarnstämmen in Südostbrasilien
Authors: Ahmed Jasmine , Frahm Jan-Peter
Published: August 2015

The floristic composition of epiphytic bryophytes on trunks of the tree ferns species Cyathea arborea and Dicksonia sellowiana was studied in SE-Brazil. A total of 142 bryophyte species were found, of which 20 were found in more than 10% of the vegetation analyses, 77 species occurred only one to three times.Five new bryophyte associations are described in two new classes: the Syrrhopodetum proliferi, Porotricho-Syrrhopodetum incompleti and Orthostichello-Syrrhopodetum parasitici within the Hymenodontetalia aeruginosae, which is almost confined to Caythea arborea. They prefer humid habitats in coastal rain forests and cloud forests. The Campylopodetum extincti and Campylopodetum occculti are united within the class Syrrhopodetalia gaudichaudii. They grow on Dicksonia sellowiana and occur within Araucaria forests.The predominant life form in both classes are wefts and mats. The characteristic life forms of the Hymenodontetalia are short turfs, dendroids, fans and tails, which are an expression of the humid habitat conditions, but short and tall turfs in the Syrrhopodetalia.
Erratum British Bryological Society Expedition to Mulanje Mountain, Malawi. 13. New and other unpublished records
Authors: O’Shea B. J.
Published: August 2015

In a paper in volume 20 (O’Shea et al. 2001), because of a problem with fonts, part of the account for 3 species of Fissidens contained text that was transliterated into letters of the Greek alphabet.
Tropical Bryology, index to vols. 1-21
Authors: Frahm Jan-Peter
Published: August 2015

II. Index to authorsIII. Index by subjectsI. Index by volumes
Aspectos ecológicos de briofitas em areas preservadas de mata atlantica, Rio Janeiro, Brasil

Authors: De Oliveira-e-Silva M. Isabel M. N. , Mila Adauto Ivo , Yano Olga
Published: August 2015

This paper aims at comparing the continental (Mangaratiba) and insular (Ilha Grande) bryoflora in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The floristic survey of these areas has resulted in the identification of 231 bryophyte species, the similarity index being 69%. The highest index of specific diversity occurs in a track that is not under the influence of local human activity. The bryoflora is represented by families typical of tropical rain forests such as Lejeuneaceae, which also presents the highest index of specific diversity. The majority of the species presents rare absolute frequency, and is saxicolous, umbraticolous and ombrophilous. Nevertheless, these characteristics are not limiting as morphological adaptations allow for the colonization of different environments and substrates.
Hepaticae of Cerro Venamo, Venezuela, collected by J. Steyermark

Authors: Dauphin Gregorio , Ilkiu-Borges Anna Luiza
Published: August 2015

A revision of herbarium material (NY) from Cerro Venamo, Venezuela (5°59’ N, 61°23’ W, 1890 m) yielded 77 hepatic species in 44 genera and 13 families. Most species have a neotropical distribution (75,32%), 6,49%, are pantropical and 9,09% are reported only from the tepuis.
Synopsis der Gattung Pyrrhobryum (Musci, Rhizogoniaceae)
Authors: Frahm Jan-Peter , Rembold Katja , Röver Timo , Schamell Tanja
Published: August 2015

All species comprised in the genus Pyrrhobryum are described an illustrated. A key is provided for all species.
A New Tropical Species of Gracilariaceae (Rhodophyta, Gracilariales): Gracilaria silviae sp. nov.
Authors: Lyra Goia De Mattos , Gurgel Carlos Frederico Deluqui , Costa Emmanuelle Da Silva , De Jesus Priscila Barreto , Caires Taiara Aguiar , De Matos João Carlos Gama , Oliveira Mariana Cabral , Oliveira Eurico Cabral , Nunes José Marcos De Castro
Published: August 2015

A new flat species of Gracilaria, named Gracilaria silviae sp. nov., from the western Atlantic Ocean is described based on comparative morphological and molecular analyses of three molecular markers: the gene encoding cytochrome oxidase I (cox1), the Universal Plastid Amplicon (UPA) and the gene encoding the large subunit of ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (rbcL). Gracilaria silviae has a wide geographic distribution from the Indian River, Florida, USA, to Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, and a wide range of habit phenotypes. Across this geographic range Gracilaria silviae occupies a broad range of habitats, from warm temperate protected estuarine sublittoral areas to exposed tropical intertidal rocky shores and coastal reefs. The most morphologically similar species to G. silviae are not only the phylogenetically closest taxa to this species but also sympatric along its geographic range, i.e. G. tikvahiae and G. isabellana (formerly known as G. lacinulata in the northwestern Atlantic and G. tepocensis in southern Brazil).
A new critically endangered species of Angraecum (Orchidaceae) endemic to the island of Mauritius, Indian Ocean
Authors: Fournel Jacques , Micheneau Claire , Baider Claudia
Published: August 2015

Angraecum jeannineanum, a new species endemic to Mauritius, is described and its ecology and conservation status are discussed. Angraecum jeannineanum differs from A. cadetii, which is the morphologically most closely related species, as follows: (i) leaves are smaller, thicker and darker green, (ii) inflorescences and flowers are thinner and smaller, (iii) flowers are more greenish and non-fleshy. Angraecum jeannineanum belongs to Angraecum section Hadrangis, endemic to the Mascarenes, which also includes A. bracteosum, A. cadetii and A. striatum. An updated key for the section is provided. The species should be considered as Critically Endangered (CR) according to the Red List Criteria of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This assessment is based on the highly restricted species distribution, small population size, and habitat sustaining degradation by invasive alien plants and animals.
Riccia melitensis Mass. (Marchantiophyta: Ricciaceae), an endemic species of the Maltese archipelago?
Authors: Vincent Hugonnot
Published: August 2015

Riccia melitensis was considered to be an andemic species of the Maltese Archipelago and has never been relocated in the field since its discovery in 1913. The type specimen of Riccia melitensis Mass. has been examined and its taxonomic morphological characters re-evaluated. As a result, R. melitensis is considered to be a synonym of R. ciliifera Lindenb.
A new species of Gypsophila (Caryophylloideae, Caryophyllaceae) from Iran
Authors: Nejad Falatoury Atiye , Assadi Mostafa , Ghahremaninejad Farrokh
Published: August 2015

As a result of the recent revision of the genus Gypsophila of Iran, a new species, Gypsophila alvandica sp. nov. (sect. Dichoglottis) is here described and compared with the related G. polyclada. These two species differs by number of stems, type of indumentum, shape and color of the petals and size and coat of the seeds. G. alvandica is endemic to the central-western of Iran.
A new Chthamalus (Crustacea: Cirripedia) from the challengeri subgroup on Taiwan rocky intertidal shores
Authors: Chan Benny K.K. , Cheang Chi Chiu
Published: August 2015

The present study describes a new barnacle, Chthamalus williamsi sp. nov., from rocky shores in Taiwan. Chthamalus williamsi sp. nov. belongs to the challengeri subgroup of Chthamalus due to cirrus I having no conical spines and the setae on cirri II having no basal guards. Within the challengeri sub-group, C. williamsi sp. nov. differs from C. challengeri Hoek, 1883, C. dalli Pilsbry, 1916 and C. montagui Southward, 1976 by its scutum and the tergum both having straight articular margins. Chthamalus moro Pilsbry, 1916 differs from C. williamsi sp. nov. in having strong ribbing on the shell surface, and C. williamsi sp. nov. differs from C. antennatus Darwin, 1854 by having a normal form cirrus III, rather than an antenniform cirrus III as in C. antennatus. The external morphology and size of C. williamsi sp. nov. are similar to C. sinensis Ren, 1984 (C. neglectus Yan & Chan, 2004 is a synonym of C. sinensis, from molecular data presented in the present study) but the scutum of C. williamsi sp. nov. has a height similar to its width, whilst the scutum of C. sinensis is much depressed, being wider than high. From molecular analysis of a mitochondrial COI region, C. williamsi sp. nov. formed a distinct clade (divergence >15%) from other described species in the challengeri subgroup including C. challengeri, C. sinensis, C. moro, C. montagui and C. dalli, suggesting that it is a new species.
A new invasive weed-feeding species of Polypedilum (Pentapedilum) Kieffer from South Africa (Diptera: Chironomidae, Chironominae)
Authors: ANDERSEN TROND , GONZÁLEZ ORESTES C. BELLO , BAARS JAN-ROBERT , EARLE WILLIAM
Published: August 2015

Polypedilum (Pentapedilum) tuburcinatum Andersen et Bello González sp. n. is described and figured as male, female, pupa and larva based on material collected in the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa, imported into quarantine in Ireland and reared in the laboratory. The species feeds on the aquatic weed Lagarosiphon major (Ridl.) Moss ex Wager and is regarded as a promising candidate agent for biological control of this invasive weed.
Evaluation of the Lidar–Radar Cloud Ice Water Content Retrievals Using Collocated in Situ Measurements
Authors: Khanal Sujan , Wang Zhien
Published: August 2015

Remote sensing and in situ measurements made during the Colorado Airborne Multiphase Cloud Study, 2010–2011 (CAMPS) with instruments aboard the University of Wyoming King Air aircraft are used to evaluate lidar–radar-retrieved cloud ice water content (IWC). The collocated remote sensing and in situ measurements provide a unique dataset for evaluation studies. Near-flight-level IWC retrieval is compared with an in situ probe: the Colorado closed-path tunable diode laser hygrometer (CLH). Statistical analysis showed that the mean radar–lidar IWC is within 26% of the mean in situ measurements for pure ice clouds and within 9% for liquid-topped mixed-phase clouds. Considering their different measurement techniques and different sample volumes, the comparison shows a statistically good agreement and is close to the measurement uncertainty of the CLH, which is around 20%. It is shown that ice cloud microphysics including ice crystal shape and orientation has a significant impact on IWC retrievals. These results indicate that the vertical profile of the retrieved lidar–radar IWC can be reliably combined with the flight-level measurements made by the in situ probes to provide a more complete picture of the cloud microphysics.
Simulation of the Downshear Reformation of a Tropical Cyclone
Authors: Nguyen Leon T. , Molinari John
Published: August 2015

The downshear reformation of Tropical Storm Gabrielle (2001) was simulated at 1-km horizontal resolution using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. The environmental shear tilted the initial parent vortex downshear left and forced azimuthal wavenumber-1 kinematic, thermodynamic, and convective asymmetries. The combination of surface enthalpy fluxes and a lack of penetrative downdrafts right of shear allowed boundary layer moist entropy to increase to a maximum downshear right. This contributed to convective instability that fueled the downshear convection. Within this convection, an intense mesovortex rapidly developed, with maximum boundary layer relative vorticity reaching 2.2 × 10−2 s−1. Extreme vortex stretching played a key role in the boundary layer spinup of the mesovortex. Cyclonic vorticity remained maximized in the boundary layer and intensified upward with the growth of the convective plume.

The circulation associated with the mesovortex and adjacent localized cyclonic vorticity anomalies comprised a developing “inner vortex” on the downshear-left (downtilt) periphery of the parent cyclonic circulation. The inner vortex was nearly upright within a parent vortex that was tilted significantly with height. This inner vortex became the dominant vortex of the system, advecting and absorbing the broad, tilted parent vortex. The reduction of tropical cyclone (TC) vortex tilt from 65 to 20 km in 3 h reflected the emerging dominance of this upright inner vortex. The authors hypothesize that downshear reformation, resulting from diabatic heating associated with asymmetric convection, can aid the TC’s resistance to shear by reducing vortex tilt and by enabling more diabatic heating to occur near the center, a region known to favor TC intensification.
Improving Arctic Sea Ice Prediction Using PIOMAS Initial Sea Ice Thickness in a Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Model
Authors: Collow Thomas W. , Wang Wanqiu , Kumar Arun , Zhang Jinlun
Published: August 2015

Because sea ice thickness is known to influence future patterns of sea ice concentration, it is likely that an improved initialization of sea ice thickness in a coupled ocean–atmosphere model would improve Arctic sea ice cover forecasts. Here, two sea ice thickness datasets as possible candidates for forecast initialization were investigated: the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) and the Pan-Arctic Ice Ocean Modeling and Assimilation System (PIOMAS). Using Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) data, it was shown that the PIOMAS dataset had a more realistic representation of sea ice thickness than CFSR. Subsequently, both March CFSR and PIOMAS sea ice thicknesses were used to initialize hindcasts using the Climate Forecast System, version 2 (CFSv2), model. A second set of model runs was also done in which the original model physics were modified to more physically reasonable settings—namely, increasing the number of marine stratus clouds in the Arctic region and enabling realistic representation of the ice–ocean heat flux. Hindcasts were evaluated using sea ice concentration observations from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Team and Bootstrap algorithms. Results show that using PIOMAS initial sea ice thickness in addition to the physics modifications yielded significant improvement in the prediction of September Arctic sea ice extent along with increased interannual predictive skill. Significant local improvements in sea ice concentration were also seen in distinct regions for the change to PIOMAS initial thickness or the physics adjustments, with the most improvement occurring when these changes were applied concurrently.
Gifted Adults
Authors: Rinn Anne N. , Bishop James
Published: August 2015

What happens when a gifted child grows up? Despite a slew of provocative book titles regarding gifted adults in the mainstream media, and the inclusion of the notion of giftedness among adults in the definition of giftedness proposed by Subotnik, Olszewski-Kubilius, and Worrell, there is a limited amount of research that has examined the gifted adult. In this systematic review of the literature, we categorized the available research literature into nine thematic areas: (a) whether or not gifted children become gifted adults; (b) family of origin; (c) effects of early educational experiences; (d) characteristics of gifted adults; (e) career; (f) family of procreation; (g) career and family interaction; (h) life goals, satisfaction, and well-being; and (i) counseling. Implications for gifted adults and the field of gifted education are discussed.
Characterization of anisotropic electrical conductivity of carbon fiber composite materials by a microwave probe pumping technique
Authors: Lee Hanju , Galstyan Ogsen , Babajanyan Arsen , Friedman Barry , Berthiau Gerard , Kim Jongchel , Han Do Suck , Lee Kiejin
Published: August 2015

Characterization of anisotropic conductivity of thin carbon fiber/poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) composite was investigated by noncontact and nondestructive microwave probe pumping (MPP) technique. The microwave was pumped by a coaxial probe, and the pumped field intensity distribution was measured by a near-field scanning microwave microprobe (NSMM) and a thermography camera. From the measurement and simulation results, it was observed that intensity of the electromagnetic field was higher along the high conductive directions due to the larger eddy current along these directions. Additionally, electrical defect detection by pumping probe technique was investigated. It was observed that the field intensity drastically decreased around the electrical defect. We showed that through an anisotropic field distribution around the pumping probe, an electrical defect of a carbon fiber/PEEK composite can be detected by combination of MPP and NSMM techniques.
Salivary Glands
Authors: Aure M.H. , Arany S. , Ovitt C.E.
Published: August 2015

Understanding the intrinsic potential for renewal and regeneration within a tissue is critical for the rational design of reparative strategies. Maintenance of the salivary glands is widely thought to depend on the differentiation of stem cells. However, there is also new evidence that homeostasis of the salivary glands, like that of the liver and pancreas, relies on self-renewal of differentiated cells rather than a stem cell pool. Here, we review the evidence for both modes of turnover and consider the implications for the process of regeneration. We propose that the view of salivary glands as postmitotic and dependent on stem cells for renewal be revised to reflect the proliferative activity of acinar cells and their role in salivary gland homeostasis.
Adjunctive Systemic and Local Antimicrobial Therapy in the Surgical Treatment of Peri-implantitis
Authors: Carcuac O. , Derks J. , Charalampakis G. , Abrahamsson I. , Wennström J. , Berglundh T.
Published: August 2015

The aim of the present randomized controlled clinical trial was to investigate the adjunctive effect of systemic antibiotics and the local use of chlorhexidine for implant surface decontamination in the surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. One hundred patients with severe peri-implantitis were recruited. Surgical therapy was performed with or without adjunctive systemic antibiotics or the local use of chlorhexidine for implant surface decontamination. Treatment outcomes were evaluated at 1 y. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing the probability of treatment success, that is, probing pocket depth ≤5 mm, absence of bleeding/suppuration on probing, and no additional bone loss. Treatment success was obtained in 45% of all implants but was higher in implants with a nonmodified surface (79%) than those with a modified surface (34%). The local use of chlorhexidine had no overall effect on treatment outcomes. While adjunctive systemic antibiotics had no impact on treatment success at implants with a nonmodified surface, a positive effect on treatment success was observed at implants with a modified surface. The likelihood for treatment success using adjunctive systemic antibiotics in patients with implants with a modified surface, however, was low. As the effect of adjunctive systemic antibiotics depended on implant surface characteristics, recommendations for their use in the surgical treatment of peri-implantitis should be based on careful assessments of the targeted implant ( ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01857804).
Perceptions of police among adolescents in Istanbul
Authors: Özaşçılar Mine , Ziyalar Neylan , Yenisey Feridun
Published: August 2015

During the past three decades there has been increasing interest in the perception of police among adolescents. Despite their being disproportionately subjected to police contact and arrest, little is known about adolescents’ perception of police. The current study, using data collected through a questionnaire administered to a school-based sample of 1789 adolescents, examined the relationship between adolescents’ police perception and police contact, neighbourhood safety and demographic characteristics. The findings generally suggest that adolescents hold positive views toward the police. Consistent with the literature on adult perception of police, dimensions of police perception were extracted which coincided with competence, reliability and the police-citizen relationship. The current study found a strong relationship between neighbourhood safety, perceived social integration and all three dimensions of police perception that have appeared in previous studies of police perception among the adult population.
Finite-time stability and boundedness for positive switched systems with time-varying delay under state-dependent switching
Authors: Jian Shen , Weiqun Wang
Published: August 2015

In this paper, finite-time stability and boundedness for continuous positive switched systems with time-varying delay under state-dependent switching are investigated. By using a co-positive-type Lyapunov function method, sufficient conditions for solving the above-mentioned problems are given. It is proved that the sliding motion caused by the state-dependent switching will not destroy the performance of the system. The above results are extended to the discrete case. All the obtained results are formulated in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which are computationally tractable. Finally, an illustrative example is given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Life after Tracheostomy
Authors: McCormick Michael E. , Ward Erin , Roberson David W. , Shah Rahul K. , Stachler Robert J. , Brenner Michael J.
Published: August 2015

Objective

To report patient/family experiences and outcomes after tracheostomy

Study Design

International survey of patients and families with tracheostomy.

Setting

Collaboration of the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery and the Global Tracheostomy Collaborative.

Methods

A 50‐item survey was developed with multistakeholder collaboration. The survey was disseminated via international social networks used by patients with a tracheostomy and their families. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed.

Results

Of 220 respondents, 90% cared for a pediatric patient with a tracheostomy. Only 48% of respondents felt “very prepared” at time of discharge, and 11% did not receive emergency preparedness training prior to discharge. Home nursing needs were inadequately met in 17% of families, with resulting difficulties shortly after discharge; 14% sought emergent care within 1 week of discharge. Nearly half of respondents indicated a desire to have met with a patient with a tracheostomy prior to surgery but were not offered that opportunity. Fragmented care or limited teamwork was reported by 32% of respondents, whereas tracheotomy care was described as “integrated” or “maximally integrated” for 67%.

Conclusion

While many families report satisfaction with tracheostomy care, opportunities remain for improving care. This study highlights the importance of teaching, teamwork, and smoothing transition from the hospital. Potential quality improvement areas include standardizing tracheostomy teaching for routine and emergency needs and optimizing postdischarge support and coordination. Prior to surgery, connecting families to people with a tracheostomy may also be beneficial.
Building Shared Mental Models of Organizational Effectiveness in Leadership Teams Through Team Member Exchange Quality
Authors: Willems Jurgen
Published: August 2015

Because shared mental models are critical for consistent, accurate decision making, this study seeks to explain the extent to which mental models are shared on the basis of team cognition theory and social constructionism. This study thus provides new insights into how the social dynamics among nonprofit leaders can explain mental models on nonprofit effectiveness. Specifically, team member exchange (TMX) quality should relate to agreement within leadership teams. Building on recent multilevel team research, this study regards the relationship theoretically as a separate actor and partner effect, which better reveals the underlying social processes. A multilevel data sample of 402 leaders from 44 nonprofit organizations provides support for the hypotheses, offering insights into the multilevel, emergent nature of team behavior and shared mental models. Practical recommendations focus on the central role of CEOs and board chairs, and on the need for a stronger consensus assessment in nonprofit performance evaluations.
Forecasting technology and part obsolescence
Authors: Sandborn Peter
Published: August 2015

Technology-centric products often contain parts, software, and materials that have procurement lives that end before the product they are in reaches the end of its life cycle. Life-cycle mismatches between parts and products, which is referred to as obsolescence, can result in large life-cycle costs for mission, safety, and infrastructure critical products, such as aircraft, medical, and military systems. Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Materials Shortages is a type of obsolescence that describes the loss of the ability to purchase (or procure) a part (or its associated technology) from its original manufacturer. A key enabler for performing pro-active and strategic management of the life cycle of mission, safety, and infrastructure critical products is the ability to forecast when technologies and parts will become unavailable for purchase, that is, obsolete. This article reviews methods that are used to forecast obsolescence, focusing on long-term forecasting used to predict the obsolescence dates for technologies and electronic parts.
Are Regulatory Microfinance Institutions of India Better Off than Non-regulatory Ones? A Comparison of Performance and Sustainability
Authors: Pati A. P.
Published: August 2015

In this article, an empirical study has been made to compare the social (outreach related) and financial (cost, profit and sustainability related) performances of regulated microfinance institutions (MFIs) with non-regulated MFIs and to identify the causal variables of such performances. With the help of a panel data set of the last five years, that is, from 2008–2009 to 2012–2013 it is found that the preference of Indian MFIs for regulatory structure has not culminated with better performance. Through the causal study, which is performed through the fixed-effect regression model, no impact of regulation is visible. Among the important explaining variables capital structure, the size of operating expenditure and quality of assets are found to be prominently responsible for outreach and sustainability of Indian MFIs.
Favorite songs, melodic elements, and a familiar tune: Performance of children from Brazil and the United States on components of the ATBSS
Authors: Ilari Beatriz , Habibi Assal
Published: August 2015

The AIRS Test Battery of Singing Skills (ATBSS) is a comprehensive instrument that was designed to acquire data from varied age, cultural and ethnic groups. The aim of the present research was twofold. First, it aimed to examine favorite songs and singing of melodic elements and a familiar tune using tasks from the ATBSS in two underrepresented groups of children: Brazilians in Brazil and Latinos in the United States. Second, the research aimed at contributing cultural data to the body of knowledge on the ATBSS. Two studies investigated singing behaviors in 48 children using two components from the ATBSS and a researcher-developed scale of children’s musical habits that was completed by their parents. Findings were equivalent across both studies in that girls significantly outperformed boys in two singing tasks. Latino children in the U.S., however, showed higher singing test scores than their Brazilian counterparts. Consistent with previous research, these results suggest that gender and culture play important roles in singing development in middle childhood.
Vibration control of high-speed rotor supported by hybrid foil-magnetic bearing with sudden imbalance
Authors: Jeong Sena , Lee Yong Bok
Published: August 2015

A hybrid foil-magnetic bearing (HFMB) was successfully studied as a vibration isolator by introducing a sudden imbalance or an unexpected disturbance during turbine/rotor operation. This HFMB is used to achieve stability during transient vibration behavior. The HFMB consists of two oil-free bearing technologies: an active magnetic bearing (AMB) and air foil bearing (AFB). Using both technologies takes advantage of the strengths of each bearing while compensating for their inherent weaknesses. In addition, the HFMB has good dynamic characteristics, and the damping can be adjusted using the appropriate gain selection for the AMB controller. Based on these unique features, dynamic stability can be enhanced, even if a sudden imbalance occurs while the rotor is operating. In this study, a rigid rotor was operated at up to 12,000 rpm and tested using a control algorithm to reduce the sudden imbalance vibration amplitudes. The experiment was conducted under the situation that the mass dropped out at 6,000 rpm. In order to validate the stability performance of the HFMB with a sudden mass loss, the vibration response results for the AFB and HFMB were compared. When applying the HFMB, the asynchronous vibration was suppressed, and the 1x vibration results showed reductions of almost 30%. When the sudden mass loss occurred, the magnetic control force was remarkably effective at reducing the asynchronous vibration of the rotor supported by the HFMB. In conclusion, it was experimentally verified that using the HFMB made sudden imbalance vibration control possible during rotor operation with an air foil bearing. In this respect, the HFMB has the characteristics of high stiffness/damping, which prevent rubbing and suppress excessive vibration due to a sudden imbalance event.
Active vibration suppression of membrane structures and evaluation with a non-contact laser excitation vibration test
Authors: Zhang Yuelin , Hiruta Toshiki , Kajiwara Itsuro , Hosoya Naoki
Published: August 2015

To realize a vibration suppression of flexible structures like a membrane, our research focuses on introducing smart structures technology into the membrane structure. In this study, the membrane structure is composed of a vibration control system using a flexible Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film as an actuator. A non-contact vibration test system, which uses a high power Nd: YAG pulse laser for producing an ideal impulse excitation and laser Doppler vibrometers for measuring the response on the membrane, is employed to evaluate the vibration characteristics of the smart membrane structure. To confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method, using a flexible PVDF actuator installed on the membrane structure, control experiments with H ∞ control for reducing single mode and multiple modes vibration are conducted. In the results of the control experiments for single mode vibration suppression, a corresponding resonance peak is reduced by around 20 dB. In case of multiple modes vibration suppression, the first and second resonance peaks are reduced by 14 dB and 24 dB, respectively. This study demonstrates that the present control method using a flexible piezoelectric element and a non-contact vibration test system effectively suppress and evaluate the vibration responses of smart membrane structures.
Tackling the Problem of Construct Proliferation
Authors: Shaffer Jonathan A. , DeGeest David , Li Andrew
Published: August 2015

Construct proliferation—the accumulation of ostensibly different but potentially identical constructs representing organizational phenomena—is a salient problem in contemporary research. While a number of construct validation procedures exist, relatively few validation studies conduct comprehensive assessments of the discriminant validity of theoretically distinct constructs. In this article, we outline the key considerations a researcher must take into account when attempting to establish the empirical distinctness of new or existing constructs and provide a step-by-step guide on how to assess the discriminant validity of constructs while accounting for three major sources of measurement error: random error, specific factor error, and transient error. Using a number of popular measures from the leadership literature, we provide an illustrative example of how to conduct a study of discriminant validity. We include several analytic strategies in our study and discuss the similarities and differences between the results they yield. We also discuss several additional issues related to this type of research and make recommendations for conducting discriminant validity analyses.
Multiple sclerosis patients have a diminished serologic response to vitamin D supplementation compared to healthy controls
Authors: Bhargava Pavan , Steele Sonya U , Waubant Emmanuelle , Revirajan Nisha R , Marcus Jacqueline , Dembele Marieme , Cassard Sandra D , Hollis Bruce W , Crainiceanu Ciprian , Mowry Ellen M.
Published: August 2015

Background:

Vitamin D insufficiency is a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS), and patients do not always show the expected response to vitamin D supplementation.

Objective:

We aimed to determine if vitamin D supplementation leads to a similar increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25(OH)D) levels in patients with MS and healthy controls (HCs).

Methods:

Participants in this open-label study were female, white, aged 18–60 years, had 25(OH)D levels ⩽ 75 nmol/l at screening, and had relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) or were HCs. Participants received 5000 IU/day of vitamin D3 for 90 days. Utilizing generalized estimating equations we examined the relationship between the primary outcome (serum 25(OH)D level) and the primary (MS versus HC status) and secondary predictors.

Results:

For this study 27 MS patients and 30 HCs were enrolled. There was no significant difference in baseline 25(OH)D level or demographics except for higher body mass index (BMI) in the MS group (25.3 vs. 23.6 kg/m2, p=0.035). In total, 24 MS subjects and 29 HCs completed the study. In a multivariate model accounting for BMI, medication adherence, and oral contraceptive use, MS patients had a 16.7 nmol/l (95%CI: 4.2, 29.2, p=0.008) lower increase in 25(OH)D levels compared with HCs.

Conclusions:

Patients with MS had a lower increase in 25(OH)D levels with supplementation, even after accounting for putative confounders.
Stories that move: Fiction, imagination, tourism
Authors: Reijnders Stijn
Published: August 2015

The subject of this article is media tourism: the phenomenon of people travelling to places which they associate with novels, films or television series. Existing knowledge about this phenomenon is fragmented and principally based on individual case studies of eye-catching examples. This article aims to go beyond the limited scope of case studies and to explore an underlying, more generic process. It investigates the stories that are remembered by individuals, the associations between these stories and existing places, and decisions about whether or not to undertake travel to these places. Based on a series of in-depth interviews, the article concludes that every human being has a small treasure trove of stories which they love and which are considered part of their identity. The interviews suggest that there is a strong relationship between the recollection of beloved stories and tourist practices – in terms of both destination decision making and tourist experience.
Overview with details for exploring geo-located graphs on maps
Authors: Brodkorb Felix , Kuijper Arjan , Andrienko Gennady , Andrienko Natalia , von Landesberger Tatiana
Published: August 2015

Geo-located graph drawings often suffer from map visualization problems, such as overplotting of nodes as well as edges and location of parts of the graph being outside of the screen. One cause of these problems is often an irregular distribution of nodes on the map. Zooming and panning do not solve the problems, as they either only show the overview of the whole graph or only the details of a part of the graph. We present an interactive graph drawing technique that overcomes these problems without affecting the overall geographical structure of the graph. First, we introduce a method that uses insets to visualize details of small or remote areas. Second, to prevent the subgraphs within insets from overplotting and edge crossing, we introduce a local area re-arrangement. Moreover, insets are automatically drawn/hidden and repositioned in accordance with the user’s navigation. We test our technique on real-world geo-located graph data and show the effectiveness of our approach for showing overview and details at the same time. Additionally, we report on expert feedback concerning our approach.
Sensing sheets: Optimal arrangement of dense array of sensors for an improved probability of damage detection
Authors: Yao Yao , Glisic Branko
Published: August 2015

Reliable early-stage damage detection and localization ideally requires continuous sensing over large areas with dense arrays of sensors, and that is the reason for the creation of sensing sheets based on large area electronics, which contains a large number of densely spaced unit sensors. However, although the sensors are densely spaced, there are some empty spaces between them and these spaces are not sensitive to minute damage. This raises three fundamental questions addressed in this article: How do the sizes of the non-instrumented areas influence the reliability in damage detection? What is the most efficient arrangement of the sensors in the sensing sheet? Given the size of the sensing sheet and given the combined size of all the sensors, is it more efficient to use small amount of large sensors, or large amount of small sensors? A probabilistic approach has been taken to address these questions. Analytical expressions were derived first, followed with the generation and validation of Monte Carlo simulations. Then the probability that the sensing sheet with a given surface area and given number, size, and spacing of unit sensors can detect a crack with a given size was derived. Based on these probability of detection functions, it was possible to assess the reliability of sensing sheets for crack detection and to establish general principles for the design of sensing sheets so that the probability of detection is maximized. The presented probability of detection analysis can be modified and applied beyond the scope of the sensing sheet project to other sensor networks used in strain-based structural health monitoring.
A rough set-based method for aiming angle tuning of luminaires for outdoor sports lighting
Authors: Nath D , Mazumdar S , Chandra JK , Bag AK
Published: August 2015

When designing outdoor sports lighting it is a challenging task to achieve uniform illuminance over the whole field. Design simulations accomplish this objective by adjusting the aiming angles of the luminaires in horizontal and vertical planes. The lighting design software that is typically used for these calculations does not use any optimization technique. In this paper, rough set theory has been used to find an optimal design for a large scale outdoor sports lighting installation. This modified design process takes the aiming angles of determinant luminaires as the input for the optimization of a total of six lighting parameters. The initial results are very encouraging.
Digital control of low-frequency, small-wattage, high-intensity discharge lamps
Authors: Pan Y , Huang C , Lin J , Su S , Chen J
Published: August 2015

A digital circuit for driving a low-frequency, small-wattage, high-intensity discharge lamp is proposed. By combining a digital potentiometer X9313 and a microcontroller STM32F103, the lamp can be turned on and off automatically according to the operating condition. The lamp power can be altered flexibly based on the needed luminance because it is designed to be a linear function of the resistance of the potentiometer X9313. The lighting system has an electrical efficiency of 88% and can save more than 20% of energy, compared with a traditional lamp. A remote desktop client on Android is developed for the purpose of wireless and convenient control. The proposed model will provide important information for designing high-performance, low-frequency, small-wattage, high-intensity discharge lamps.
Optimization of mechanical and structural properties of PVA nanofibers
Authors: Doustgani Amir
Published: August 2015

In the present study, nanoscaled poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fibers were prepared by electrospinning. An attempt has been made to examine the effects of different process parameters on the mean fiber diameter and tensile strength of poly (vinyl alcohol) nanofibers. Mean fiber diameter and strength of nanofibers were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and universal testing machine, respectively. Response surface methodology was used to establish a quantitative basis for the relationships between the electrospinning parameters such as solution concentration, applied voltage and spinning distance with the diameter of prepared nanofibers and their tensile strength to predict the optimum conditions. The relationships between the responses and the variables were visualized by contour plots. According to the results, solution concentration was found to be the most significant parameters affecting nanofiber diameter. There was no significant difference between the effects of parameters on tensile strength. The fiber diameter increased, but tensile strength decreased by increasing the concentration of the polymer solution. The predicted fiber diameter and strength were in good agreement with the experimental results.
Caregivers’ Impressions Predicting Fitness to Drive in Persons With Parkinson’s
Authors: Classen Sherrilene , Alvarez Liliana
Published: August 2015

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, increasing in incidence, with a known impact on fitness to drive. Although great progress has been made on evidence-based guidelines for assessing fitness to drive of persons with PD, a need remains for early identification of at-risk drivers in need of comprehensive assessment. This study investigated whether caregivers of drivers with PD could predict the driver’s on-road outcome. We also investigated whether the predictive value of their impressions differed from that of drivers themselves, their neurologist, or from information provided by standardized measures of visual and divided attention. Caregivers’ risk impressions (odds ratio [OR] = 13.76, p = .03) and Trail Making Test Part B (Trails B; OR = 0.41, p = .02) emerged as significant predictors of passing an on-road assessment. Our findings suggest that caregiver impressions, with a measure of set shifting, may be used as an efficient screen to identify drivers with PD who are potentially at risk for failing an on-road assessment.
Influence of controller parameters on the life of ball screw feed drives
Authors: Mauro Stefano , Pastorelli Stefano , Johnston Edward
Published: August 2015

The ball screws are the machine component most frequently used for transforming rotational into linear motion of a feed drive, to position the machine tool components carrying the cutting tool to the desired location. A failure of the ball screw usually leads to a total breakdown of the axis; therefore, the attainable life of this component is an important issue concerning the availability and productivity of modern machine tools. This article presents an approach to evaluate the influence of control parameters on the fatigue life of ball screws based on simulation, by means of a numerical model of a machine tool servo-axis. Ball screw life was evaluated with different conditions, varying the position loop main proportional gain and the kinematic limit conditions for trajectory generation. Furthermore, the mathematical model was used to evaluate optimal control gain and trajectory conditions for a machine tool based on the achievable life span of the ball screw feed drive system, with regard to the desirable performances, such as position accuracy, promptness, and cutoff frequency.
Studies on the effect of multi-walled carbon nanotube–reinforced polymer-based nano-composites using finite element analysis software tool
Authors: Hallad Shankar A , Banapurmath Nagaraj R , Patil Arun Y , Hunashyal Anand M , Shettar Ashok S
Published: August 2015

This article confirms experimental results by finite element analysis. The study includes meshing the specimen of size 40 × 12 × 6 mm3. The model is constructed in DesignModeler (ANSYS Workbench). Multi-walled carbon nanotubes are aligned in different angles to correlate the experimental results. The modelling method employed for analysis is based on weight ratio. The proportion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes is 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1% by weight of polymer matrix (epoxy resin) for different specimens. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes are dispersed in epoxy matrix using ultrasonic energy. Composite beams were tested under flexure in order to evaluate their mechanical property such as load–deflection criteria by three-point bending test. Finite element method results were in close agreement with the experimental outcomes with different orientation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes into the matrix considered.
Identification and characterization of VEGF-A–responsive neutrophils expressing CD49d, VEGFR1, and CXCR4 in mice and humans
Authors: Massena Sara , Christoffersson Gustaf , Vågesjö Evelina , Seignez Cédric , Gustafsson Karin , Binet François , Herrera Hidalgo Carmen , Giraud Antoine , Lomei Jalal , Weström Simone , Shibuya Masabumi , Claesson-Welsh Lena , Gerwins Pär , Welsh Michael , Kreuger Johan , Phillipson Mia
Published: August 2015

Key Points

Circulating CD49d+VEGFR1highCXCR4high neutrophils that stimulate angiogenesis at sites of hypoxia were identified in mice and humans. This subset was recruited to tissue by VEGF-A in a VEGFR1- and VEGFR2-dependent manner, and anti-CD49d therapy inhibited their extravasation.