bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paradiplomacy Management and Local Political Movement in Aceh, Indonesia, and Catalonia, Spain
Authors: Mukti Takdir Ali , Warsito Tulus , Surwandono  , Badruzaman Idham , Pribadi Ulung
Published: July 2019

This article focuses on paradiplomatic management in Aceh, Indonesia, and Catalonia, Spain, as a comparative study. The two different regions have at least two similar characteristics: both are recognised by central government as widely autonomous provinces compared to other provinces, and both obtained the wider autonomy in the same period, 2006; they also have same problems with revolutionary groups that attempt to withdraw from central government. This qualitative research aims to examine paradiplomatic management in both local governments. The main objective is to identify similarities and differences in paradiplomatic patterns and to scrutinise paradiplomatic activism pertaining to the instrument of political movements in both regions. The findings confirm that patterns of paradiplomacy management are typically similar, and influenced by the dynamic of local political movements, and that paradiplomatic activism is an instrument in political movements. It is argued that paradiplomatic management by secessionist regions performs the same pattern both in federal and unitary systems, and is reflected in the changes of regional laws on paradiplomatic affairs.
Understanding the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
Authors: Chang Y.-Y.
Published: July 2019

This article re-examines China’s proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) taking into account historical and philosophical narratives. It assumes that the BRI has crucial strategic implications; in particular, that it is not as altruistic as claimed but rather a self-interested proposal aiming to restore China’s grandeur and influence. The Chinese Dream (中國夢) and the concept of Tianxia (天下), ‘all under heaven’) are discussed to illustrate how the initiative is ‘marketed’. It ends with an interpretation of the impacts that the BRI might have on other parts of the world.
Image-building as Impetus for the Growth of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)’s Engagement in International Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) Operations
Authors: Coutaz Gregory
Published: July 2019

The People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA’s) engagement in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) enables China to reassure the international community and change perceptions of its global intentions. Natural disasters are expected to increase worldwide, requiring greater PLA involvement in international HA/DR missions. However, maximising the public relations benefits of participating in such missions will require leadership to avoid short-term irritations and political speculation that often accompany China’s foreign intervention, hampering Beijing’s soft-power initiatives.
A review of Barypalpus Cameron, 1932 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) with descriptions of three new species
Authors: SCHILLHAMMER HARALD
Published: July 2019

The genus Barypalpus Cameron, 1932 is reviewed and diagnosed. Three new species are described: B. chinensis sp. n. (China), B. holzschuhi sp. n. (Laos), B. shibatai sp. n. (Laos). The habitus, body details and the aedeagi of all species are illustrated. A key to species is provided.
Explaining Scales and Statistics of Tropical Precipitation Clusters with a Stochastic Model
Authors: Ahmed Fiaz , Neelin J. David
Published: July 2019

Precipitation clusters are contiguous raining regions characterized by a precipitation threshold, size, and the total rainfall contained within—termed the cluster power. Tropical observations suggest that the probability distributions of both cluster size and power contain a power-law range (with slope ~ −1.5) bounded by a large-event “cutoff.” Events with values beyond the cutoff signify large, powerful clusters and represent extreme events. A two-dimensional stochastic model is introduced to reproduce the observed cluster distributions, including the slope and the cutoff. The model is equipped with coupled moisture and weak temperature gradient (WTG) energy equations, empirically motivated precipitation parameterization, temporally persistent noise, and lateral mixing processes, all of which collectively shape the model cluster distributions. Moisture–radiative feedbacks aid clustering, but excessively strong feedbacks push the model into a self-aggregating regime. The power-law slope is stable in a realistic parameter range. The cutoff is sensitive to multiple model parameters including the stochastic forcing amplitude, the threshold moisture value that triggers precipitation, and the lateral mixing efficiency. Among the candidates for simple analogs of precipitation clustering, percolation models are ruled out as unsatisfactory, but the stochastic branching process proves useful in formulating a neighbor probability metric. This metric measures the average number of nearest neighbors that a precipitating entity can spawn per time interval and captures the cutoff parameter sensitivity for both cluster size and power. The results here suggest that the clustering tendency and the horizontal scale limiting large tropical precipitating systems arise from aggregate effects of multiple moist processes, which are encapsulated in the neighbor probability metric.
Reply to “Comments on ‘Is Condensation-Induced Atmospheric Dynamics a New Theory of the Origin of the Winds?’”
Authors: Jaramillo A. , Mesa O. J. , Raymond D. J.
Published: July 2019

We respond here to Makarieva et al.’s critique of Jaramillo et al., who showed that the concept of condensation-induced atmospheric dynamics (CIAD) violates Newton’s third law. We confirm here that their analysis is valid and that there is a contradiction in Makarieva et al.’s arguments. We also solve the paradox that CIAD can produce results consistent with observations despite being a flawed theory.
Toward Understanding the Dynamics of Spinup in Emanuel’s Tropical Cyclone Model
Authors: Montgomery Michael T. , Smith Roger K.
Published: July 2019

We seek to understand the mechanism of vortex spinup in Emanuel’s 2012 axisymmetric theory for tropical cyclone intensification in physical coordinates, starting from first principles. It is noted that, while spinup of the maximum tangential wind must occur at low levels, within or at the top of the friction layer, this spinup is unconstrained by a radial momentum equation in this layer. Instead, the spinup is controlled by a parameterization of turbulent mixing in the upper-tropospheric outflow layer, which, as is shown, determines indirectly the rate of inward movement of the absolute angular momentum surfaces. Nevertheless, the physics of how upper-tropospheric mixing leads to spinup in or at the top of the friction layer are unclear and, as discussed, may be irrelevant to spinup in the model.
Seasonal-to-Interannual Response of Southern Ocean Mixed Layer Depth to the Southern Annular Mode from a Global 1/10° Ocean Model
Authors: Li Qian , Lee Sukyoung , England Matthew H. , McClean Julie L.
Published: July 2019

The relationship between the southern annular mode (SAM) and Southern Ocean mixed layer depth (MLD) is investigated using a global 0.1° resolution ocean model. The SAM index is defined as the principal component time series of the leading empirical orthogonal function of extratropical sea level pressure from September to December, when the zonally symmetric SAM feature is most prominent. Following positive phases of the SAM, anomalous deep mixed layers occur in the subsequent fall season, starting in May, particularly in the southeast Pacific. Composite analyses reveal that for positive SAM phases enhanced surface cooling caused by anomalously strong westerlies weakens the stratification of the water column, leading to deeper mixed layers during spring when the SAM signal is at its strongest. During the subsequent summer, the surface warms and the mixed layer shoals. However, beneath the warm surface layer, anomalously weak stratification persists throughout the summer and into fall. When the surface cools again during fall, the mixed layer readily deepens due to this weak interior stratification, a legacy from the previous springtime conditions. Therefore, the spring SAM–fall MLD relationship is interpreted here as a manifestation of reemergence of interior water mass anomalies. The opposite occurs after negative phases of the SAM, with anomalously shallow mixed layers resulting. Additional analyses reveal that for the MLD region in the southeast Pacific, the effects of salinity variations and Ekman heat advection are negligible, although Ekman heat transport may play an important role in other regions where mode water is formed, such as south of Australia and in the Indian Ocean.
Satellite Bias Correction in the Regional Model ALADIN/CZ: Comparison of Different VarBC Approaches
Authors: Benáček Patrik , Mile Máté
Published: July 2019

The bias correction of satellite radiances is an essential component of data assimilation system in numerical weather prediction (NWP). The variational bias correction (VarBC) scheme is widely used by global NWP centers, but there are still open questions regarding its use in limited-area models (LAMs). We present a study of key VarBC aspects in the limited-area 3D-Var system using the state-of-the-art NWP system ALADIN. Two basic VarBC applications are tested, specifically adopting bias coefficients from the global model ARPEGE and cycling bias coefficients independently in the LAM ALADIN (VarBC-LAM). The latter application is studied using daily update of bias coefficients with regards to static and dynamic settings of the VarBC stiffness. Extensive testing shows that the VarBC-LAM methods outperform the use of global coefficients from ARPEGE providing the better quality of the model first guess (3-h forecast), in the assimilation cycle with the largest normalized impact of 2%–3% for temperature and wind components in the midtroposphere. Compared to the global coefficients, there was little forecast impact between 24 and 48 h from using the VarBC-LAM coefficients. The various VarBC-LAM methods were comparable, but the CAM method may be most useful when an unexpected bias shows up.
Rhetorics of Radicalism
Authors: Karell Daniel , Freedman Michael
Published: July 2019

What rhetorics run throughout radical discourse, and why do some gain prominence over others? The scholarship on radicalism largely portrays radical discourse as opposition to powerful ideas and enemies, but radicals often evince great interest in personal and local concerns. To shed light on how radicals use and adopt rhetoric, we analyze an original corpus of more than 23,000 pages produced by Afghan radical groups between 1979 and 2001 using a novel computational abductive approach. We first identify how radicalism not only attacks dominant ideas, actors, and institutions using a rhetoric of subversion, but also how it can use a rhetoric of reversion to urge intimate transformations in morals and behavior. Next, we find evidence that radicals’ networks of support affect the rhetorical mixture they espouse, due to social ties drawing radicals into encounters with backers’ social domains. Our study advances a relational understanding of radical discourse, while also showing how a combination of computational and abductive methods can help theorize and analyze discourses of contention.
Relationship between Olfactory Acuity and Peak Expiratory Flow during Postoperative Follow-up in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Associated with Asthma
Authors: Ikeda Katsuhisa , Yokoi Hidenori , Kusunoki Takeshi , Saitoh Tatuya , Yao Toru , Kase Kaori , Minekawa Akira , Inoshita Ayako , Kawano Kenji
Published: July 2019

Objectives

The link between nasal and bronchial disease has been studied extensively for chronic rhinosinusitis and asthma. The concept of “united airway allergy” has become widely accepted in the past decade. We evaluated the relationship between the upper and lower airways during follow-up after endoscopic sinus surgery by monitoring sinonasal and pulmonary functions.

Methods

Thirty-nine subjects with chronic rhinosinusitis associated with bronchial asthma were entered in this study. A self smell test using stick-type odorant materials was carried out daily to evaluate postoperative recurrence of sinonasal disease. Each patient was assessed for peak expiratory flow (PEF) 3 times daily.

Results

The average (±SD) scores of initial symptoms were 8.3 ± 2.2, which was significantly decreased to 1.5 ± 1.4 by 3 months after operation. During postoperative follow-up, 25 of 39 patients showed no decrease in PEF, whereas the other 14 patients had at least 1 episode of a significant decline in PEF. In the postoperative course, with respect to the self smell test, 24 patients showed no aggravation of smell, but 15 patients had episode(s) of decreased olfaction. Twelve patients demonstrated worsening on the smell test concomitant with a decreased PEF. A discrepancy between olfactory acuity and pulmonary function was recognized in 5 patients. There were 22 patients with a good prognosis of parameters of both the upper and lower airways.

Conclusions

Daily monitoring of both upper and lower respiratory tract functions clearly revealed dual relationships, indicating that worsening of sinusitis accompanies asthma exacerbation. Appropriate measures of the upper and lower airways following endoscopic sinus surgery can be used to predict patient outcome.
Pathways to mental health treatment in Ghana: Challenging biomedical methods from herbal- and faith-healing perspectives
Authors: Badu Eric , Mitchell Rebecca , O’Brien Anthony Paul
Published: July 2019

Background:

The clinical pathways for treating mental illness have received global attention. Several empirical studies have been undertaken on treatment pathways in Ghana. No study, however, has systematically reviewed the literature related to the pathways of mental health treatment in Ghana.

Aim:

This article aims to identify the pathways used to treat mental illnesses; examine the evidence about the possibility of collaboration between biomedical, faith and traditional healing pathways; and draw attention to the barriers hindering such collaboration.

Methods:

A search of the published literature was conducted using Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL (EBSCO), Web of Science and Scopus databases. The search was limited to the articles that were published in English and released between 2000 and June 2018. The review synthesises both qualitative and quantitative data.

Results:

The findings showed that mental illnesses in Ghana are treated using a mixture of biomedical and faith-based and traditional healing services. Faith and traditional healing pathways are typically used as a preliminary source of cultural assessment before seeking biomedical treatment. There is an increasing desire for collaboration between biomedical, faith and traditional healing pathways. However, several individual factors (attitude or stigma, the perceived efficacy of treatment and differences in the treatment process) and health system factors (a lack of policy and regulation, a limited number of biomedical service providers, limited financial support and geographical isolation of services) jointly contribute to barriers precluding establishing such collaboration.

Conclusion:

This review recommends that policies, regulations, educational support and financial incentives should be developed to facilitate collaboration between biomedical, faith and traditional healing service provision.
Chile’s Peacekeeping and the Post-UN Intervention Scenario in Haiti
Authors: Solar Carlos
Published: July 2019

The defence and foreign policy communities in the Global South should learn from the lessons of security governance that followed the 13-year United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). To better inform the academic and policy debate, this article extrapolates ideas from the case study of Chile, one of the ‘big four’ Latin American peacekeeping providers in Haiti, along with Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The article examines Chile’s finished compromise with the MINUSTAH in order to shed light on conflict intervention strategies and its peace operations in Colombia and the Central African Republic. It argues that military policies for peace intervention purposes should undergo a critical reassessment in light of the state steering away from the past use of long-term brute force. Today’s changing security environment favours a set of different human security policies that have become more prevalent for peacekeeping policymaking. Engaging in scenarios of war and peace thus demands a more focused, experienced and tactical use of military and diplomatic resources than governments in the developing countries currently possess.
The Effects of Resilience and Cyberbullying on Self-Esteem
Authors: Aliyev Ramin , Gengec Hilal
Published: July 2019

To investigate the effects of resilience and cyberbullying on students’ self-esteem, predictive correlational design was employed as a method of investigation. Data were collected from 580 ninth-grade students at Anatolian High Schools. Findings of the study demonstrated that as the resilience level increases, self-esteem level increases. Also, as cyberbullying increases, self-esteem decreases.
Marketing in the Sharing Economy
Authors: Eckhardt Giana M. , Houston Mark B. , Jiang Baojun , Lamberton Cait , Rindfleisch Aric , Zervas Georgios
Published: July 2019

The last decade has seen the emergence of the sharing economy as well as the rise of a diverse array of research on this topic both inside and outside the marketing discipline. However, the sharing economy’s implications for marketing thought and practice remain unclear. This article defines the sharing economy as a technologically enabled socioeconomic system with five key characteristics (i.e., temporary access, transfer of economic value, platform mediation, expanded consumer role, and crowdsourced supply). It also examines the sharing economy’s impact on marketing’s traditional beliefs and practices in terms of how it challenges three key foundations of marketing: institutions (e.g., consumers, firms and channels, regulators), processes (e.g., innovation, branding, customer experience, value appropriation), and value creation (e.g., value for consumers, value for firms, value for society) and offers future research directions designed to push the boundaries of marketing thought. The article concludes with a set of forward-looking guideposts that highlight the implications of the sharing economy’s paradoxes, maturation, and technological development for marketing research. Collectively, this article aims to help marketing scholars not only keep pace with the sharing economy but also shape its future direction.
Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Reactions to Snooping: The Role of Attachment Characteristics
Authors: Klettner Annelise M. , Luo Shanhong , Tine Joanna
Published: July 2019

Although snooping is common in romantic relationships, there has been limited research on reactions to being snooped by a romantic partner. This study was designed to examine the role of attachment style in cognitive, emotional, and behavioral reactions to partner snooping. Participants ( n = 491) read one of four hypothetical scenarios that involved partner snooping through electronic or nonelectronic belongings and reported their reactions in an online study. Results showed that overall, an electronic snooping offense was associated with greater negative reactions, such as greater tendencies to attribute the partner and the self to the offense, and being less forgiving of the partner. Anxious attachment predicted greater positive emotional reactions to partner snooping, whereas avoidance predicted greater negative emotional reactions and being less forgiving of the partner. Finally, relationship status was a robust predictor of reactions such that being in a committed relationship was associated with lesser negative emotional reactions and greater positive emotional reactions to snooping, lesser tendencies to attribute the partner to the offense, and being more forgiving of the partner. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings were discussed.
Cross-Sector Emergency Information Networks on Social Media: Online Bridging and Bonding Communication Patterns
Authors: Wukich Clayton , Hu Qian , Siciliano Michael D.
Published: July 2019

A key challenge for public administrators is facilitating communication among diverse actors. This article illustrates the information seeking and sharing preferences of notable emergency information suppliers on social media who operate primarily within four states. Through homophily and brokerage analyses, two basic communication preferences were noted: (a) bridging patterns in which actors interact with diverse sources of information, and (b) bonding patterns in which actors rely on sources from similar backgrounds. Both provide value for practitioners. A crucial task, then, is to balance those approaches and adjust to the shifting demands of the external environment.
Searching in the regulatory environment: The impact of regulatory search on firm innovativeness
Authors: Jiao Lu , Baird Kevin , Harrison Graeme
Published: July 2019

This article examines the effect of regulatory search on firm innovativeness using survey data from Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Australian listed and private firms. We used a self-developed scale to measure regulatory search, which consists of both reactive and proactive regulatory search. The results show that only reactive regulatory search exhibits a positive and direct association with firm innovativeness. However, the results suggest that slack moderates the relations between the two regulatory search factors and innovativeness in different ways. Specifically, under a high (low) slack environment, reactive regulatory search is negatively (positively) related to innovativeness, while, under a high (low) slack environment, proactive regulatory search is positively (negatively) related to innovativeness.

JEL Classification: L51, O31
Buckling surrogate-based optimization framework for hierarchical stiffened composite shells by enhanced variance reduction method
Authors: Tian Kuo , Zhang Jiaxin , Ma Xiangtao , Li Yuwei , Sun Yu , Hao Peng
Published: July 2019

The surrogate-based optimization of hierarchical stiffened composite shells against buckling is a typical multimodal and multivariables optimization problem. To improve the computational efficiency and global optimizing ability of the surrogate-based optimization of hierarchical stiffened composite shells, an enhanced variance reduction method based on Latinized partially stratified sampling and multifidelity analysis methods is proposed in this paper and then integrated into the surrogate-based optimization framework. In the offline step of the optimization framework, candidate pairing strategies of design variables are generated by Latinized partially stratified sampling and compared by performing priori optimizations based on the low-fidelity analysis method, and the optimal pairing strategy is therefore determined. On the basis of the optimal pairing strategy, the surrogate-based optimization is carried out using the high-fidelity analysis method in the online step. With less computational cost in the offline step, the proposed enhanced variance reduction method overcomes the limitation of Latinized partially stratified sampling that the optimal pairing strategy is not obvious in complex problems. Then, extensive optimization examples are carried out to verify the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed optimization framework. Given an approximate computational cost, the optimal buckling result of the proposed framework using enhanced variance reduction method increases by 18.2% than that of the traditional framework based on Latin hypercube sampling. In particular, the advantage of enhanced variance reduction method in the space-filling ability is highlighted in comparison to Latin hypercube sampling. When achieving an approximate global optimal solution, the proposed framework reduces the total computational cost by 76.3% than the traditional framework. Finally, the numerical implementation of asymptotic homogenization method is used herein for the accurate prediction of effective stiffness coefficients of the initial design and optimal results. Through comparison, it is concluded that the high axial stiffness and bending stiffness are the main mechanism for the high load-carrying capacity of optimal results.
Trauma Exposure, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Aggression Among Civilian Females
Authors: Wamser-Nanney Rachel , Walker Hannah E. , Nanney John T.
Published: July 2019

Trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have evinced ties to increased risk for aggressive behavior. However, very little information is known regarding the relations between trauma exposure, PTSD, and aggression among non-veteran women. Furthermore, research has not examined the associations between trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, and aggression using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) PTSD criteria. The primary aim of the current study was to investigate the relationships between trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, and aggression among women. The secondary aim was to examine the specific PTSD symptom clusters in relation to indices of aggression. A total of 217 civilian, trauma-exposed female undergraduate students participated in the study ( Mage = 24.30, SD = 6.83, 63.2% White). Higher levels of trauma exposure and PTSD symptoms corresponded with anger ( b = .47, 95% CI = [0.11-0.83]; b = .11, 95% CI = [0.05-0.16], respectively) and verbal aggression ( b = .50, 95% CI = [0.21-0.78]; b = .06, 95% CI = [0.01-0.10], respectively). PTSD symptoms, but not cumulative trauma exposure, was associated with hostility ( b = .23, 95% CI = [0.14-0.59]), whereas physical aggression was only related to trauma exposure ( b = .69, 95% CI = [0.31-1.06]). Furthermore, there was a significant indirect effect of cumulative trauma through PTSD symptoms on anger and verbal aggression ( b = .15, 95% CI = [0.05-0.32]; b = .09, 95% CI = [0.02-0.20], respectively). Trauma-exposed civilian females with higher levels of PTSD symptoms may be at increased risk for several indices of aggressive behavior. Furthermore, PTSD symptoms may better account for some, but not all, aspects of aggression in trauma-exposed women.
Fatigue behavior of stent in tapered arteries: The role of arterial tapering and stent material
Authors: Shen Xiang , Zhu Hongfei , Ji Song , Jiang Jiabao , Deng Yongquan
Published: July 2019

Stenting has achieved great success in treating cardiovascular diseases due to its high efficiency and minimal invasiveness. However, fatigue of stents severely limits its long-term outcome. In this article, finite element method was adopted to study the effects of arterial tapering and stent material on the fatigue performance of stents. A series of tapered vessels with different taper levels and two sets of stents with different materials were modeled. The Goodman diagram was used to evaluate the fatigue resistance of stents. Results showed that the fatigue resistance of stents can be extremely improved by simply changing stent material. In addition, the taper of the arteries had an important influence on the fatigue resistance of the stent. The fatigue life of the stent will be shortened with the increase of the arterial taper. The method that predicted stent fatigue life in tapered vessels can help clinicians select stents that are more suitable for tapered vessels and help stent engineers design stents that are more resistant to fatigue.
Classification of amino resins and formaldehyde near infrared spectra using K-nearest neighbors
Authors: Gonçalves M , Paiva NT , Ferra JM , Martins J , Magalhães F , Carvalho L
Published: July 2019

Amino resins are synthetic adhesives that can be divided into three major types: urea–formaldehyde (UF), melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF), or melamine–formaldehyde (MF). When less than 5% of melamine is added to a UF resin, the resin is called a melamine-fortified UF (mUF) resin. The extensive application of these resins in wood-based products is due to their many advantages: ease of use, strong bonding, resistance to wear and abrasion, heat resistance, and relatively low price. Several near infrared (NIR) models have been developed for this type of adhesives and have been used in industrial plants. However, the NIR spectroscopy is sensitive to the type of resin (UF, MUF, MF, or mUF) and even to the synthesis process, therefore different NIR models must be constructed per resin basis. This work presents two methods: (a) a method to distinguish the NIR spectra of formaldehyde from the NIR spectra of amino resins, and (b) a method to classify the NIR spectra of amino resins by class of resin. The method for the separation of formaldehyde from amino resins achieved 100% correct classification for the dataset used. This method was based on defining a baseline cutoff for the NIR spectra at which there were no amino resins bonds overlapping formaldehyde bonds. For the classification of amino resins, this work used the methodology of K-nearest neighbors, up to 91 neighbors, and principal component analysis, up to 10 principal components. The best classification method obtained an accuracy of 96.1% and can be used industrially to automatically select the most suitable NIR model for amino resins, helping to reduce the time taken for an NIR analysis and automatically preventing the wrong selection of NIR models by an operator.
Developmental Stage of Onset, Poly-Victimization, and Persistence of Childhood Victimization: Impact on Adult Well-Being in a Rural Community–Based Study
Authors: Mitchell Kimberly J. , Moschella Elizabeth A. , Hamby Sherry , Banyard Victoria
Published: July 2019

The current study examines the persistence of victimization and poly-victimization (i.e., count of multiple types of victimization) across various stages of development (ages 0–5, 6–12, and 13–18) and the related impact on adult well-being. Participants were 2,098 adults from the Appalachian region of three Southern states. Eighty-two percent of participants reported at least one type of victimization during childhood. Among adult victims, 22.6% reported one victimization in one developmental stage (i.e., one stage, but no poly-victimization), 45.8% reported one victimization in more than one stage (i.e., persistent victimization, but no poly-victimization), 20.5% reported multiple types of victimization in one stage (i.e., poly-victimization), and 11.2% reported multiple types of victimization at more than one stage (i.e., persistent poly-victimization). Results indicated a linear decline in subjective well-being, mental health, and number of healthy days as victimization becomes more persistent across childhood and more diverse in types (i.e., poly-victimization). Study findings provide support for models of victimization that take both developmental trajectories and poly-victimization into account.
Increasing phenolic and aromatic compounds extraction and maximizing liking of lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla) infusions through the optimization of steeping temperature and time
Authors: Rocha C , Coelho M , Lima RC , Campos FM , Pintado M , Cunha LM
Published: July 2019

Herbal infusions are a new emerging trend among consumers, appearing in the market in many different forms. Due to intense competition, the commercial success of herbal infusions largely depends on flavour. The identification of the best combinations of steeping time and water temperature for the preparation of Aloysia triphylla infusions using a central composite design and response surface methodology was performed. The procedure aimed to maximize its antioxidant activity, phenolic and aromatic compounds, and consumers’ liking of the infusions. The antioxidant activity and phenolic content were evaluated using the 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical cation) method and the Folin–Ciocalteu procedure. The analysis of aromatic compounds was performed based on the method of terpenic compounds. Sensory evaluation encompassed overall liking using a 9-point hedonic scale. Antioxidant activity and extraction of most phenolic compounds was higher for longer steeping times and higher temperatures, with some presenting a contrasting effect due to degradation at higher temperatures for longer steeping times. Results for terpenic compounds showed similar contrasting patterns. Based on the quadratic response surface, it was possible to predict the maximum overall liking for lemon verbena infusions prepared by brewing for 6 min at 96 ℃. Under such conditions, extraction of bioactive compounds was kept at a high level, close to the maximum attainable, while reducing the extraction of bitter compounds. These results are considered of great importance for the development of premium infusions from organic lemon verbena leaves.
The Austrian Immunoglobulin in MS (AIMS) Study: Final Analysis
Authors: Strasser-Fuchs Siegrid , Fazekas Franz , Deisenhammer Florian , Nahler Gerhard , Mamoli Bruno ,   Clinical Centres of the Austrian Immunoglobulin in MS Study Group
Published: July 2019

From observational studies and positive experience in other autoimmune disorders it has been speculated that intravenous immunoglobulin (NIG) may be effective for the interval treatment of MS. The Austrian Immunoglobulin in Multiple Sclerosis (AIMS) study was the first to test this assumption in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial of 148 patients with relapsing remitting MS. IVIG given monthly at a dosage of O.I5-0.2 g/kg bodyweight over 2 years was associated with a significantly more favourable course of disability as measured by the EDSS (—0.23 vs 0.12; P=0.008) and caused a significant reduction of the frequency of relapses (0.S2 vs 1.26; P=O.O11). Beneficial effects on these outcome measures were already seen within 6 months of treatment and did not appear to depend on the severity of baseline disability. IVIG treatment also had a positive effect on daily and social living according to patient’ self rating on the Incapacity Status and Environmental Status Scales and was associated with a lower, though not significantly different number of hospital admissions and days spent in hospital. These data support IVIG as an alternative treatment option for relapsing-remitting MS and encourage further studies to clarify the optimal usage of this substance for this indication.
Mechanisms of Action of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)
Authors: Kazatchkine Michel D , Bellon Blanche , Kaveri Srini V
Published: July 2019

Therapeutic preparations of pooled normal polyspecific immunoglobulin G for intravenous use (intravenous immunoglobulin, IVIG) have been shown to be effective in the treatment of a number of autoimmune and systemic inflammatory conditions. IVIG prevents the occurrence of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Increasing evidence suggests that IVIG is of benefit in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The present review discusses the immunoregulatory properties and mechanisms of action of IVIG in autoimmune disease.
He’s multiple scales method for nonlinear vibrations
Authors: Ren Zhong-Fu , Yao Shao-Wen , He Ji-Huan
Published: July 2019

He’s multiple scales method is a couple of the homotopy perturbation method and the multiple scales technology in the classic perturbation method. This method has been proved to be a powerful mathematical tool to various nonlinear equations, and it is extremely effective for forced nonlinear oscillators. This paper shows that the method can be further improved by incorporating some known technologies, e.g., the parameter-expanding technology, the enhanced perturbation method and the homotopy perturbation method with an auxiliary term. Due to the wide application of the homotopy perturbation method, He’s multiple scales method cleans solutions of nonlinear equations while the classic perturbation method fails.
Use of open data to improve automobile insurance premium rating
Authors: Blesa Angel , Íñiguez David , Moreno Rubén , Ruiz Gonzalo
Published: July 2019

An analysis was performed on millions of quotes by a number of insurance companies, covering a major part of the automobile insurance market in Spain. As expected, it was observed that the range of prices can be partially explained by the variables directly associated with the risk being insured in each case (vehicle specifications, age, driver experience, etc.), although there are considerable differences in some cases that are not explained by the said variables and that have a strong dependency on the geographical location of the risk. By using context data from open sources associated with the different Spanish provinces (vehicle fleet, climate, socio-economic data, among others), the premium estimation models are complemented and the price differences are better explained. The use of this type of data and models can help insurance companies to adapt their premium rating and identify possible market opportunities.
Gauss process state-space model optimization algorithm with expectation maximization
Authors: Liu Hongqiang , Yang Haiyan , Zhang Tao , Pan Bo
Published: July 2019

A Gauss process state-space model trained in a laboratory cannot accurately simulate a nonlinear system in a non-laboratory environment. To solve this problem, a novel Gauss process state-space model optimization algorithm is proposed by combining the expectation–maximization algorithm with the Gauss process Rauch–Tung–Striebel smoother algorithm, that is, the EM-GP-RTSS algorithm. First, a theoretical formulation of the Gauss process state-space model is proposed, which is not found in previous references. Second, a Gauss process state-space model optimization framework with the expectation–maximization algorithm is proposed. In the expectation–maximization algorithm, the unknown system state is considered as the lost data, and the maximization of measurement likelihood function is transformed into that of a conditional expectation function. Then, the Gauss process–assumed density filter algorithm and the Gauss process Rauch–Tung–Striebel smoother algorithm are proposed with the Gauss process state-space model defined in this article, in order to calculate the smoothed distribution in the conditional expectation function. Finally, the Monte Carlo numerical integral method is used to obtain the approximate expression of the conditional expectation function. The simulation results demonstrate that the Gauss process state-space model optimized by the EM-GP-RTSS can simulate the system in the non-laboratory environment better than the Gauss process state-space model trained in the laboratory, and can reach or exceed the estimation accuracy of the traditional state-space model.
Morphological study of stabilization and carbonization of polyacrylonitrile/TiO2 nanofiber mats
Authors: Sabantina Lilia , Böttjer Robin , Wehlage Daria , Grothe Timo , Klöcker Michaela , García-Mateos Francisco José , Rodríguez-Mirasol José , Cordero Tomás , Ehrmann Andrea
Published: July 2019

Polyacrylonitrile belongs to the most often used precursors for carbon fibers. Using electrospinning, polyacrylonitrile nanofiber mats can be prepared and afterwards stabilized and carbonized to prepare carbon nanofiber mats which, by adding other materials, will be useful for several applications. One of these materials is TiO2, which has photocatalytic properties and can thus be used as a photocatalyst for photodegradation of dyes. Here, we report on a detailed study of electrospinning, stabilization, and carbonization of electrospun polyacrylonitrile/TiO2 mats with varying TiO2 content. Depending on the amount of TiO2 in the nanofibers, the fiber morphology changes strongly, indicating an upper limit for the preparation of carbon/TiO2 nanofibers with smooth surface, but offering an even increased inner surface of the rougher carbon/TiO2 nanofibers with increased TiO2 content due to better maintenance of the fibrous structure during stabilization.
Synthesis, crystal structure, fluorescence and antioxidant properties of a binuclear Ag(I) complex based on the SPPh3 ligand
Authors: Tang Xia , Qu Yao , Zhao Kun , Wang Cong , Wu Yancong , Mao Shanshan , Wu Huilu
Published: July 2019

The binuclear silver(I) complex [Ag2(η2-SPPh3)2(SPPh3)2](BF4)2 has been synthesized. Crystal analysis shows the coordination sphere around Ag(I) can be described as a three-coordinated slightly distorted planar triangular configuration with both monodentate and monoatomic bidentate bridging coordination modes for the SPPh3 ligand. The fluorescence properties of free SPPh3 and the Ag(I) complex have been studied in the solid state. The Ag(I) complex shows quasi-reversible Ag+/Ag pairs in its electrochemistry and has significant antioxidant activity against hydroxyl radicals.
Catalytic synthesis of glycol dicarbonate from glycol and dimethyl carbonate by transesterification
Authors: Chen Ruiyang , Chen Tong , Hu Xiaojia , Fan Youkun , Wang Gongying
Published: July 2019

Glycol dicarbonate is successfully synthesized via transesterification of glycol with dimethyl carbonate. A catalyst screening is performed by studying the effect of acidity and alkalinity on the catalytic performance. The results indicate that compared with acidic catalysts, high conversions and yields are obtained with basic catalysts. Ca(OH)2, with medium-strength alkalinity, exhibits excellent catalytic activity with glycol dicarbonate yields of 95%-99% when using a fractionation reaction system.
Army recruitment video advertisements in the US and UK since 2002: Challenging ideals of hegemonic military masculinity?
Authors: Jester Natalie
Published: July 2019

This article examines video recruitment advertising for the US and UK armies between 2002 – post 9/11 – and 2018 in order to unpack constructions of gender in a context of what has been called a military recruitment crisis. The findings suggest that the recruitment crisis has made possible some interesting representations of gender in the armies of the respective states. The US constructs its army in less traditionally masculine terms: women and people of colour are frequently present as equal team members and there is a focus on emotional as well as physical strength. In contrast, UK advertising pre-2012 does not feature many women, presenting them in subordinate terms, and focuses on risk-taking and physical strength. After this period, however, there is a marked change and British army advertisements begin to look more like those produced by the US. The author argues that this represents a rejection of hegemonic military masculinity and that such a rejection functions to obscure military violence by presenting armies as progressive.
Conservative treatment of main thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Full-time or nighttime bracing?
Authors: Ohrt-Nissen Søren , Lastikka Markus , Andersen Thomas Borbjerg , Helenius Ilkka , Gehrchen Martin
Published: July 2019

Purpose:

To compare treatment efficacy between the Boston full-time brace and the Providence part-time brace in main thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods:

Patients were treated with either the Boston brace ( n = 37) or the Providence brace ( n = 40). Inclusion criteria were Risser grade ≤2, major curve between 25° and 40° with the apex of the curve between T7 and T11 vertebrae. Two-year follow-up was available in all patients unless brace treatment had reached endpoint. The primary outcome measure was main curve progression to ≥45°.

Results:

Median age was 12.6 years and median treatment length at follow-up was 25 months (interquartile range (IQR): 18–32)) with no difference between the groups ( p ≥ 0.116). Initial median main Cobb angle was 29° (IQR: 27–33) and 36° (IQR: 33–38) in the Boston and Providence groups, respectively ( p < 0.001). At follow-up, 13 patients (35%) had progressed to ≥45° in the Boston group versus 16 patients (40%) in the Providence group ( p = 0.838). Twenty-three patients (62%) had progressed by more than 5° in the Boston group versus 22 patients (55%) in the Providence group ( p = 0.685). The secondary thoracolumbar/lumbar curve progressed by more than 5° in 14 (38%) and 18 (45%) in the Boston and Providence groups, respectively ( p = 0.548).

Conclusions:

Despite a larger initial curve size in the Providence group, progression of more than 5° or to surgical indication area was similar in the Boston group. Our results indicate that nighttime bracing is a viable alternative to full-time bracing also in main thoracic AIS.
Serum IgG Antibodies against Periodontal Microbes and Cancer Mortality
Authors: Zhong Z. , Jin Q. , Zhang J. , Park Y.M. , Shrestha D. , Bai J. , Merchant A.T.
Published: July 2019

Introduction:

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition initiated by microorganisms and is positively linked to systemic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus.

Objectives:

To prospectively investigate associations between empirically derived clusters of IgG antibodies against 19 selected periodontal microorganisms and cancer mortality in a representative sample of the US population.

Methods:

We evaluated 6,491 participants aged ≥40 y from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988 to 1994), who had complete data on IgG antibody titers against 19 selected periodontal microorganisms and were free of cardiovascular disease and cancer. In a prior study, antibodies were categorized into 4 mutually exclusive groups via cluster analysis: red-green, orange-red, yellow-orange, and orange-blue. Cluster scores were estimated by summing z scores of the antibody titers making up each cluster. Participants were followed up to death until December 31, 2011. Cox proportional hazard models were applied to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for all-cancer mortality by tertiles of cluster scores.

Results:

During follow-up for a median of 15.9 y, there were 2,702 deaths (31.3%), including 631 cancer-related deaths (8.1%). After adjusting for multiple confounders, the orange-blue cluster was inversely associated with cancer mortality (tertile 2 vs. tertile 1: HR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.54 to 0.84; tertile 3 vs tertile 1: HR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.46 to 0.84). The association between the yellow-orange cluster and all-cancer mortality was also inverse but not significant, and the orange-red cluster and the red-green cluster were not associated with all-cancer mortality.

Conclusions:

Antibodies against Eubacterium nodatum and Actinomyces naeslundii may be novel predictors of cancer mortality. If further studies establish a causal relationship between these antibodies and cancer mortality, they could be targets to prevent possible systemic effects of periodontal disease with potential interventions to raise their levels.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

Periodontal antibodies against Eubacterium nodatum and Actinomyces naeslundii were inversely associated with cancer mortality among adults followed up for an average of 16 y. Periodontal antibodies may predict cancer mortality.