bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competing Assertions of Muslim Masculinity in Contemporary Mali
Authors: Schulz Dorothea E. , Diallo Souleymane
Published: March 2017

This article counters the ‘female bias’ of scholarship on Islam and gender in Africa by exploring competing understandings of ideal masculinity and what it means to be a respectable Muslim in urban Mali. Special attention is paid to competing constructions of Muslim masculinity that inform the project of Islamic moral and political reform that has gained currency in southern and northern Mali in recent decades. The article scrutinizes the double idiom of reform and conservation articulated by leading spokesmen of Islamic renewal in different parts of Mali and their varying ways of incorporating transnational Islamic intellectual influences. While living conditions in the urban south and north of the country grant young men unequal chances for economic success and political influence, they all face a situation in which education generates and reproduces structural inequality, granting uneven chances for employment, social maturity, and respectability. It is because of their shared dilemmas that many young men support moral and political reform that allows them to gain respectability as a man and ‘proper’ Muslim. By considering the political aspirations, social grievances, and constructions of masculinity articulated by different categories of young men, the article demonstrates the heterogeneity and entanglements of the visions and measures promoted under the heading of political and moral Islamic renewal in Mali.
Beyond Push and Pull: The Sudan Peace Process as a Case Study
Authors: Schiff Amira
Published: March 2017

This research examines Zartman’s formulation of mutually hurting stalemate and mutually enticing opportunity as variables pushing and pulling parties toward agreement during the negotiation that took place between southern and northern Sudan between 2002 and 2005. This case shows that ripeness theory and formulating the push and pull factors indeed help clarify what brought the parties to negotiate and reach an agreement. However, we contend that the push and pull formulation in its current form might not fully account for the complexity of processes in ethno-political intractable conflicts, such as in Sudan, when the process is characterized by the parties’ mutual distrust and the deep involvement of third parties, driven by their own domestic and foreign policy interests.
On the Function, Utility, and Fragility of the Nose
Authors: Gadebusch Bondio Mariacarla
Published: March 2017

This paper presents how rhinoplasty as a surgical technique with a particular social impact developed, and how motivated patients and courageous surgeons contributed to the process before Gaspare Tagliacozzi published his seminal work De curtorum chirurgia in 1597. The few sources that provide evidence of people having their noses reconstructed enable us to understand how this technique gradually spread across Europe from the south of Italy northwards. They also give information about the fate of some individual patients and their surgeons. While patients considered rhinoplasty a painful but worthwhile procedure, liberating them from having to wear a prosthesis, scholars’ and physicians’ opinions on the subject were polarized.
“… Che i matti dicano spropositi”
Authors: Bruno-Chomin Giuseppe
Published: March 2017

Cometary theory had remained predominantly rooted in Aristotelianism until late in the seventeenth century. Yet concurrent with the expansion of astronomical understanding there persisted a steadfast vein of astrological superstition. While the newly emerging field of experimental natural philosophy successfully discredited many traditional principles, a notable discord still existed within the academic community regards cometary superstition and prognostication. The Neapolitan mathematician, Giovanni Alfonso Borelli, sought to rectify past misconceptions regarding the nature of comets. And literary figures Carlo de’ Dottori and Ciro di Pers textually document the cometary debate in two of their poems. This paper seeks to underscore the diverging paths that the interrelated fields of astrology and astronomy took by considering letters sent by Borelli to Dionigi Guerrini and two seventeenth century poetic works.
Local Custom in International Law
Authors: Guliyev Khagani
Published: March 2017

The present paper examines the particular difficulties observed in the formation, identification and continuity of local custom in the light of the interaction that exists between it and two main sources of international law: general custom and treaty. The article firstly argues that, although local custom presents certain features and faces specific difficulties that distinguishes it from both general custom and treaty, it generally follows the “custom logic” in its formation and identification, as both local and general customs are made from the same “ingredients”: practice and opinio juris. However, the situation is different when it comes to the continuity of an existing local customary rule. The article shows that the succession of States may call into question the continuity of local custom which operates as a treaty in case of State succession, following the “treaty logic” rather than the “custom logic”.
African Environmental Ethics and the Poverty of Eco-Activism in Nigeria
Authors: Fayemi Ademola Kazeem
Published: March 2017

Discourse on the possibility and necessity of an African environmental ethics is widespread in contemporary African studies, albeit with new dimensions and emphasis. With the growing work of such scholars as S. Ogungbemi, A. Fadahunsi, G. Tangwa, P. Ojomo, C.J. Ekwealo, and W. Kelbessa, among others exploring (in different ways) the thesis of indigenous African environmental values and principles which are considered sacrosanct in the restoration of humans and the environment in Africa, it is less controversial whether or not there is awareness of environmental ethical thinking among Africans. Beyond this theoretical polemic, the present essay observes the paucity of environmental activism and movements in Nigeria, whose underlying principles and tenets are seen to be incongruent with the ostensible African environmental ethics and values. This lacuna, it is here argued, aligns with the failure to match theory with praxis in many African states—the problem of wrong prioritizing and a conceptually deficient framework for action. This essay accordingly questions some previous outlines of African ethical environmental theory, with a view to establishing a cogent hermeneutico-reconstructive theory of African environmental management, one that gives prominence to ethical theorizing without neglecting activism.
The Right to Be Forgotten and What the Laws Should/Can/Will Be: Comparing the United States and Canada
Authors: Lai Amy
Published: March 2017

This article will first examine why the right to be forgotten should be recognized as a universal right by drawing upon natural law theories. Using the recent decision by the European Court of Justice as a starting point, it will then explore whether this right can be recognized in the United States and Canada. Often held to be similar in terms of cultures and values, the two neighbors in fact have very different free speech and privacy traditions. This article will conduct a comparative study of the u.s. and Canada to explain why this right can be accommodated by their laws and traditions from a theoretical perspective. Finally, it will adopt the framework of judicial globalization to explore why and to what extent the right to be forgotten will be recognized in these two jurisdictions.
Maslama al-Qurṭubī’s Kitāb Rutbat al-ḥakīm and the History of Chemistry
Authors: Madelung Wilferd
Published: March 2017

After the recent identification of the author of the K. Rutbat al-ḥakīm as Maslama al-Qurṭubī (d. 353/964) the value of this book for the history of alchemy/chemistry can be fully appreciated. Maslama was the first author to quote the Arabic Tome of Pictures (Muṣḥaf al-ṣuwar) of the Egyption alchemist Zosimos of Panopolis. He must have received a copy of this work from a center of alchemical learning in the western Maġrib. For its location the salt mining town Taġāza may tentatively be proposed. A large part of Maslama’s book deals with the rumūz, the symbolic language and puzzling expressions employed by the alchemists. He distinguishes between the rumūz used by the pre-Islamic alchemists and those used by the Arab alchemists beginning with Ǧābir b. Ḥayyān.
Exceptionally preserved Leptolepidae (Actinopterygii, Teleostei) from the late Early Jurassic Fossil-Lagerstätten of Grimmen and Dobbertin (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany)
Authors: KONWERT MARTIN , STUMPF SEBASTIAN
Published: March 2017

Exceptionally well-preserved fishes of the family Leptolepidae (Actinopterygii, Teleostei) from the late Early Jurassic Fossil-Lagerstätten of Grimmen and Dobbertin (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, NE Germany) are reported and detailed anatomical descriptions are given. The described material specifically derives from the “Green Series”, which represents a specific facies that falls within the lower part of the early Toarcian Harpoceras falciferum ammonite Zone. Complete skeletons are rare, and most specimens are represented by isolated skulls. Most of the skulls are fully articulated and show only a low degree of compaction, while some specimens are almost three-dimensionally preserved. The leptolepid fauna comprises Leptolepis coryphaenoides, L. normandica, L. jaegeri, a possible Proleptolepis, and two other taxa, which are described in open nomenclature. Several anatomical characters, such as the shape of premaxilla, maxilla, dentary, preopercle, the cephalic sensory canals, and the dentition of the jaws, are discussed and compared to former studies. The new material provides novel insights into morphology, diversity and palaeobiogeography of leptolepid fishes. The records of Leptolepis coryphaenoides, L. normandica and L. jaegeri from Grimmen and Dobbertin represent the northeastern-most occurrences of these species from Europe, suggesting that they inhabited the whole central European epicontinental sea during the early Toarcian. The possible occurrence of Proleptolepis in the lower Toarcian of Grimmen suggests that this genus might have had a much wider palaeobiogeographical and temporal distribution, since specimens attributed to Proleptolepis have previously been reported only from the Sinemurian of western Europe.
Parallelization and Performance of the NIM Weather Model on CPU, GPU, and MIC Processors
Authors: Govett Mark , Rosinski Jim , Middlecoff Jacques , Henderson Tom , Lee Jin , MacDonald Alexander , Wang Ning , Madden Paul , Schramm Julie , Duarte Antonio
Published: March 2017

The design and performance of the Non-Hydrostatic Icosahedral Model (NIM) global weather prediction model is described. NIM is a dynamical core designed to run on central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), and Many Integrated Core (MIC) processors. It demonstrates efficient parallel performance and scalability to tens of thousands of compute nodes and has been an effective way to make comparisons between traditional CPU and emerging fine-grain processors. The design of the NIM also serves as a useful guide in the fine-grain parallelization of the finite volume cubed (FV3) model recently chosen by the National Weather Service (NWS) to become its next operational global weather prediction model.

This paper describes the code structure and parallelization of NIM using standards-compliant open multiprocessing (OpenMP) and open accelerator (OpenACC) directives. NIM uses the directives to support a single, performance-portable code that runs on CPU, GPU, and MIC systems. Performance results are compared for five generations of computer chips including the recently released Intel Knights Landing and NVIDIA Pascal chips. Single and multinode performance and scalability is also shown, along with a cost–benefit comparison based on vendor list prices.
Maintenance Keeps Radars Running
Authors: Saltikoff Elena , Kurri Mikko , Leijnse Hidde , Barbosa Sergio , Stiansen Kjetil
Published: March 2017

Weather radars provide us with colorful images of storms, their development, and their movement, but from time to time the radars fail and we are left without data. To minimize these disruptions, owners of weather radars carry out preventive maintenance.

The European radar project Operational Programme for the Exchange of Weather Radar Information (OPERA) conducted a survey among technicians from 21 countries on their experiences of maintenance. Regular maintenance frequency varies widely from as frequent as weekly to as infrequent as 6 months. Results show that the primary causes of missing data are not the failure of radar components and software or lack of maintenance but rather issues with the electricity supplies or telecommunications. Where issues are with the radars themselves, they are most commonly with the transmitter or the antenna controllers. Faults can be repaired quickly, but, if certain parts are required or the site is very remote, a radar can be out of service for weeks or even months. Failures of electricity or communications may also lead to lengthy periods of unavailability. As an example there is a story from Norway where wintertime thunderstorms severely damaged a radar at a very remote location.

Annual operative costs of a radar are typically on the order of 5%–10% of the radar purchase price. During the lifetime of a system (typically 10–20 years) the operator can hence pay as much for the running costs as for the hardware purchase. It is extremely important to take infrastructure, maintenance, and monitoring into account when purchasing a new radar.
Recent Winter Precipitation Changes over Eastern China in Different Warming Periods and the Associated East Asian Jets and Oceanic Conditions
Authors: Huang Danqing , Dai Aiguo , Zhu Jian , Zhang Yaocun , Kuang Xueyuan
Published: March 2017

Global-mean surface temperature has experienced fast warming during 1985–98 but stabilized during 1999–2013, especially in boreal winter. Climate changes over East Asia between the two warming periods and the associated mechanisms have not been fully understood. Analyses of observation and reanalysis data show that winter precipitation has decreased (increased) over southern (northeastern) China from 1985–98 to 1999–2013. Winds at 300 hPa over East Asia strengthened during 1999–2013 around 30°–47.5°N but weakened to the north and south of it. This change pattern caused the East Asian polar front jet (EAPJ) and the East Asian subtropical jet (EASJ) to shift, respectively, equatorward and poleward during 1999–2013. Associated with these jet displacements, the Siberian high enhanced and the East Asian trough shifted westward. The enhanced Siberian high strengthened the East Asian winter monsoon and weakened southwesterly winds over the South China Sea, leading to precipitation decreases over southern China. The westward shift of the East Asian trough enhanced convergence and precipitation over northeastern China. A combination of a negative phase of the interdecadal Pacific oscillation and a positive phase of the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation during 1999–2013 resulted in significant tropospheric warming over the low and high latitudes and cooling over the midlatitudes of East Asia. These changes enhanced the meridional temperature gradient and thus westerlies over the region between the two jets but weakened them to the south and north of it, thereby contributing to the wind change patterns and the jet displacements.
Atmospheric Response to Arctic and Antarctic Sea Ice: The Importance of Ocean–Atmosphere Coupling and the Background State
Authors: Smith Doug M. , Dunstone Nick J. , Scaife Adam A. , Fiedler Emma K. , Copsey Dan , Hardiman Steven C.
Published: March 2017

The atmospheric response to Arctic and Antarctic sea ice changes typical of the present day and coming decades is investigated using the Hadley Centre global climate model (HadGEM3). The response is diagnosed from ensemble simulations of the period 1979 to 2009 with observed and perturbed sea ice concentrations. The experimental design allows the impacts of ocean–atmosphere coupling and the background atmospheric state to be assessed. The modeled response can be very different to that inferred from statistical relationships, showing that the response cannot be easily diagnosed from observations. Reduced Arctic sea ice drives a local low pressure response in boreal summer and autumn. Increased Antarctic sea ice drives a poleward shift of the Southern Hemisphere midlatitude jet, especially in the cold season. Coupling enables surface temperature responses to spread to the ocean, amplifying the atmospheric response and revealing additional impacts including warming of the North Atlantic in response to reduced Arctic sea ice, with a northward shift of the Atlantic intertropical convergence zone and increased Sahel rainfall. The background state controls the sign of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) response via the refraction of planetary waves. This could help to resolve differences in previous studies, and potentially provides an “emergent constraint” to narrow the uncertainties in the NAO response, highlighting the need for future multimodel coordinated experiments.
Detecting Water Vapor Variability during Heavy Precipitation Events in Hong Kong Using the GPS Tomographic Technique
Authors: Chen Biyan , Liu Zhizhao , Wong Wai-Kin , Woo Wang-Chun
Published: March 2017

Water vapor has a strong influence on the evolution of heavy precipitation events due to the huge latent heat associated with the phase change process of water. Accurate monitoring of atmospheric water vapor distribution is thus essential in predicting the severity and life cycle of heavy rain. This paper presents a systematic study on the application of tomographic solutions to investigate water vapor variations during heavy precipitation events. Using global positioning system (GPS) observations, the wet refractivity field was constructed at a temporal resolution of 30 min for three heavy precipitation events occurring in Hong Kong, China, in 2010–14. The zenith wet delay (ZWD) is shown to be a good indicator in observing the water vapor evolution in heavy rain events. The variabilities of water vapor at five altitude layers (<1000, 1000–2000, 2000–3000, 3000–5000, and >5000 m) were examined. It revealed that water vapor above 3000 m has larger fluctuation than that under 3000 m, though it accounts for only 10%–25% of the total amount of water vapor. The relative humidity fields derived from tomographic results revealed moisture variation, accumulation, saturation, and condensation during the heavy rain events. The water vapor variabilities observed by tomography have been validated using European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis and radiosonde data. The results positively demonstrated the potential of using water vapor tomographic technique for detecting and monitoring the evolution of heavy rain events.
Antipyretic Medication Exposures Among Young Children Reported to US Poison Centers, 2000-2015
Authors: Rakowsky Sofia , Spiller Henry A. , Casavant Marcel J. , Chounthirath Thiphalak , Hodges Nichole L. , Kim Eun Hye , Smith Gary A.
Published: March 2017

This study used the National Poison Data System database to retrospectively analyze the characteristics and medical outcomes of exposures to antipyretic medications involving children younger than 6 years in the United States. From 2000 through 2015, United States Poison Control Centers recorded an average of 74 387 antipyretic exposures annually among children younger than 6 years. Most exposures involved ibuprofen (55.1%) or acetaminophen (40.1%). From 2000 to 2009, the number of exposures increased by 73.0%, followed by a 25.2% decrease from 2009 to 2015. Children exposed to acetaminophen had 1.98 times higher odds of a serious medical outcome compared with those exposed to ibuprofen. Although generally safe at the correct dosage, antipyretic exposures continue to cause pediatric morbidity and, in rare cases, death. Prevention efforts should focus on reducing child access; educating caregivers about the potential dangers of antipyretics; and discouraging their use, except when needed to improve a child’s comfort.
Dannunzian aesthetics and the necrophilic imagination in Le vergini delle rocce
Authors: Rabiner Emily
Published: March 2017

Le vergini delle rocce (1895) represents the culmination of Gabriele D’Annunzio’s Aestheticist Roman phase, uniting thematics, narrative, and poetry in the textual fabric of his ‘poema in prosa’. Privileging atmosphere over plot, the novel luxuriates in the beautiful language, landscape, and characters that surround the protagonist, Claudio Cantelmo. This article argues that the production of this beauty depends on D’Annunzio’s adoption and elaboration of a necrophilic aesthetic, one that is linked to Claudio’s assertion of his poetic fantasy and its reliance on the eponymous virgins—Massimilla, Anatolia, and Violante. Through readings of the prologue and the tale-within-a-tale of Umbelino and Pantea, a story of incestuous passion, murder, and necrophilia, the article explores the novel’s complicated interweaving of aesthetics, death, and beauty.
Foreign Ownership and Wages: Evidence from Hungary, 1986–2008
Authors: Earle John S. , Telegdy Álmos , Antal Gábor
Published: March 2017

This article estimates the wage effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) using firm-level and linked employer-employee panel data containing a large number of foreign acquisitions over a long period of rapid development in Hungary. Matching on pre-acquisition data, the authors find that much of the raw foreign wage premium represents selection bias, but that foreign acquisition nevertheless raises average wages by 15 to 29% when controlling for fixed effects for firms and highly detailed worker groups, and by 6% with firm–worker match effects. Acquired firms that are later divested to domestic owners experience a substantial reversal of the positive acquisition effect. No type of worker—defined by education, experience, gender, incumbency, and occupational group—experiences wage decline, but the patterns suggest skill bias in the gains from acquisition. The evidence implies a strong cross-firm correlation of FDI wage and productivity differentials, and an inverse relationship between FDI effects and economic development level of the sending country relative to Hungary.
Revisiting Health Regionalization in Canada
Authors: Barker Paul , Church John
Published: March 2017

Twenty years ago, many of Canada’s provinces began to introduce regional health authorities to address problems with their health care systems. With this action, the provinces sought to achieve advances in community decision-making, the integration of health services, and the provision of care in the home and community. The authorities were also to help restrict health care costs. An assessment of the authorities indicates, however, that over the past two decades they have been unable to meet their objectives. Community representatives continue to play little role in determining the appropriate health services for their regions. Gains have been made towards integrating health services, but the plan for a near seamless set of health services has not been realized. Funding for health services remains focused on hospital and physician care, and health care expenditures have until very recently been little affected by regional authorities. This disappointing performance has caused some provinces to abandon their regional authorities, but this article argues that the provision of greater autonomy and a better public appreciation of their role and potential may lead to more successful regional authorities. Accordingly, the objective of this article is to reveal the shortcomings of regional health authorities in Canada while at the same time arguing that changes can be made to increase the chances of more workable authorities.
Housing Policies and Health Inequalities
Authors: Marí-Dell’Olmo Marc , Novoa Ana M. , Camprubí Lluís , Peralta Andrés , Vásquez-Vera Hugo , Bosch Jordi , Amat Jordi , Díaz Fernando , Palència Laia , Mehdipanah Roshanak , Rodríguez-Sanz Maica , Malmusi Davide , Borrell Carme
Published: March 2017

A large body of literature shows the link between inadequate housing conditions and poor physical and mental health. The aim of this paper is to summarize the research on the impact of local housing policies on health inequalities, focusing on the issues of access to housing and fuel poverty as studied in the SOPHIE project. Our case studies in Spain showed that people facing housing insecurity, experienced intense levels of mental distress. We found that access to secure and adequate housing can improve the health of these populations, therefore, public policies that address housing instability and their consequences are urgently needed. Housing conditions related to fuel poverty are associated with poorer health and are unevenly distributed across Europe. We found possible positive effects of façade insulation interventions on cold-related mortality in women living in social housing; but not in men. Policies on housing energy efficiency can reduce the health consequences of fuel poverty, but need to be free to users, target the most vulnerable groups and be adaptable to their needs.
Trust inspires trust: Medical social workers’ perspectives of trust in the context of Taiwan
Authors: Hsieh Wen-Chung , Ku Yeun-Wen
Published: March 2017

Healthcare service is a highly trusted field but necessitates a trust relationship with service users. In this field, medical social workers are crucial service providers. In this study, exploratory research was conducted to investigate the meaning of trust from the perspective of medical social workers in Taiwan. The findings are presented as follows: (a) relationship-based trust, (b) trust in the medical system and (c) the potential role for trust and anti-oppressive practices. According to the research results a conclusion was deduced and practical recommendations are proposed.
Study on properties of elastic core-spun yarns containing a mix of spandex and PET/PTT bi-component filament as core
Authors: Hua Tao , Wong Ngo S , Tang Wai M
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a development of elastic core-spun yarn containing a mix of spandex and polyethylene terephthalate/polytrimethylene terephthalate (PET/PTT) bi-component filament as core to obtain better yarn properties, especially for elastic property. Eight types of core-spun yarns, consisting of different core components with various values of linear density and covered with cotton fibers, were produced using a modified ring-spinning machine with a core spinning attachment. The influences of core components, linear density, and draw ratio of spandex on yarn structure and properties were investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that core-spun yarns containing a mix of spandex and PET/PTT bi-component filament have much lower yarn stress decay as well as lower hairiness and CVm value of evenness compared to the yarns using only spandex. For the yarns containing a mix of spandex and PET/PTT bi-component filament, the yarns containing 70 denier spandex have higher elongation and stress decay compared to the yarns containing 40 denier spandex. The test results show that the elongation of yarns containing a mix of spandex and PET/PTT bi-component filament increases with the increase of the draw ratio of spandex. The stress decay of yarns containing a mix of 70 denier spandex and PET/PTT filament shows a similar trend to the elongation. Moreover, the yarn samples containing a mix of spandex and PET/PTT filament as core exhibit good yarn evenness, with very few thick places and neps, as well as low yarn hairiness.
Do Financial Constraints Affect Depressive Symptomatology Among Mid-Aged and Older Adults?
Authors: Gillen Martie , Zurlo Karen A. , Kim Hyungsoo
Published: March 2017

The relationship between financial constraints and depressive symptomatology among adults aged 50 and greater was examined. The mediating effect of perceived control over one’s financial circumstances on this relationship was assessed. Ordinary least square hierarchical regression models were estimated using data from the Health and Retirement Study. As an aggregated measure, financial constraints were positively associated with depression in mid-age and late life, and this relationship was partially accounted for by the pathway of perceived control over one’s financial circumstances. When disaggregated as a measure, financial constraints at the individual level had a significant effect on depression, while financial constraints at the family and public levels did not have a significant effect. When added to the model, perceived control over one’s financial circumstances had a significant effect on depressive symptomatology, financial constraints remained significant at the individual level.
A Psychosocial Test of the Maturity Gap Thesis
Authors: Ozkan Turgut , Worrall John L.
Published: March 2017

Previous tests of the maturity gap thesis incorporated one-dimensional autonomy-based measures of social maturity. We present the first test of the maturity gap thesis to incorporate psychosocial measures (i.e., temperance, responsibility, and perspective). Four delinquency and substance abuse variables from Wave 2 of the Add Health data were regressed on the following variables developed from Wave 1: relative pubertal development, relative psychosocial maturity, personal autonomy, and interactions among each ( n = 4,530 participants younger than 18 and 294 older than 18). Personal autonomy lost significance when psychosocial maturity, personal autonomy, and pubertal development were included in the same model. However, psychosocial maturity did not clearly interact with either personal autonomy or pubertal development. Psychosocial maturity was associated with deviant behaviors for both males and females, above and below age 18.
A multi-point parameterized model reduction for large parametric systems by using Krylov-subspace techniques
Authors: Yuan Jia-Wei , Jiang Yao-Lin
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a multi-point parameterized model reduction method based on Krylov-subspace techniques for large parametric systems where the parametric dependence in system matrices can be nonaffine and the parameters are in a wide range. First, a large parametric system is approximated as a weighted combination of different linear parametric systems, which are obtained by Taylor expansion on the different selected parameter expansion points. Then, a numerically stable algorithm based on self-moments and cross-moments is proposed to obtain a reduced parametric system with high fidelity in the full ranges of the parameters. The accuracy of the obtained reduced parametric systems can be improved by applying the multi-point expansions and weighted functions proposed in this paper. Two benchmarks in practical applications are assessed by employing different parameterized model reduction methods. The numerical simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Adaptive and robust evidence theory with applications in prediction of floor water inrush in coal mine
Authors: Li Fenglian , Zhang Xueying , Chen Xiaolei , Tian Yu-Chu
Published: March 2017

The Internet of Things generates rich information either from different sources or the same source via different measurement methods. This demands data fusion for decision making. Despite the progress in data fusion, existing data fusion techniques, such as the classic Dempster–Shafer evidence Theory, face challenges when dealing with highly conflicting sources of evidence. To address this problem, an Adaptive and Robust evidence Theory (ART) is presented in this paper through a robust combination of conjunctive and disjunctive rules. It is capable of handling both conflicting and reliable sources of evidence. When the sources of evidence are reliable, the conjunctive rule plays a predominant role, whereas if the sources of evidence are in high conflict the disjunctive rule is critical. Our ART approach was compared with existing representative evidence theory methods through two examples, and was further applied in the prediction of floor water inrush in coal mines. The ART approach presented in this paper was demonstrated to behave better than the existing methods.
Development of a model for single-sided, wind-driven natural ventilation in buildings
Authors: Zhou Junli , Ye Cheng , Hu Yan , Hemida Hassan , Zhang Guoqiang , Yang Wei
Published: March 2017

Natural ventilation is a simple and energy-efficient method to adjust the indoor environment. This study aims to develop a model for predicting the total flow rate of single-sided natural ventilation. It is motivated by the fact that the wind-driven ventilation itself is commonly considered to consist two components – a mean component and a fluctuating component. Pulsating flow rate, mean and broadband ventilation rate are discussed and considered in the model due to fluctuating wind velocity driven by the fluctuating pressures and unsteady flows around the opening. The new model shows that the total flow rate is majorly caused by pulsating flow when the area of opening is small, but it is mainly caused by mean flow in the case of large opening. Opening ratio can be taken as a boundary to distinguish the small opening area and the larger one from the case analyses in this study. Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stoke model, large eddy simulation, and other correlations are utilized to validate the developed model. The results of current method agree reasonably well with those of transient simulation. Finally, a simplified version of the model is developed which is useful for predicting the total flow rate of natural ventilation in buildings.

Practical application: The model can be applied to predict the total flow rate of single-sided natural ventilation in buildings due to wind pressure. The model shows that the total flow rate is majorly caused by the pulsating flow when the area of opening is small, but it is mainly caused by the mean flow in the case of large opening. An opening ratio of 3% can be taken as a boundary to distinguish the small opening area and the large one from the cases analysed in this study.
Energy efficiency evaluation for the water supply systems in tall buildings
Authors: Wong LT , Mui KW , Zhou Y
Published: March 2017

High-rise housing, a trend in densely populated cities around the world, increases energy use for water supply and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions. With emphasis on improving the energy efficiency in the water supply systems, this paper proposes an energy efficiency evaluation measure for the water supply system designs and demonstrates its potential applications in a typical high-rise water supply system. In the proposed measure, the energy efficiency in a water supply system is defined as the potential energy required at the demand locations divided by the pumping energy of the supply system. The outcome of this paper provides useful benchmark references not only for the water supply system designs but also for the water demand management programmes in buildings.

Practical application: An energy efficiency evaluation measure for the water supply system designs is used to establish benchmark references for not only the water supply system designs but also for the water demand management programmes in buildings.
Evaluation of the potential of utilizing lactic acid bacteria and dairy wastewaters for methane production
Authors: Juodeikiene Grazina , Cizeikiene Dalia , Glasner Christoph , Bartkiene Elena , Dikiy Alexander , Shumilina Elena , Ilić Nebojša , Di Berardino Santino , Foncesa César
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study was to assess the potential of utilizing Lactobacillus delbrüeckii spp. bulgaricus in order to improve the characteristics of dairy wastewater and produce biomethane. Nuclear magnetic resonance was utilized to assess the metabolites present in the unprocessed wastewater. It was determined that wastewater is a good source of important bio-refinery relevant compounds and therefore wastewater has a potential to be utilized during fermentation as nutrients source. Upon wastewater fermentation, the chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand significantly decreased (respectively 97.0 and 97.8%). Protocols were tested for one- and two-stage fermentation. During the one-stage fermentation, lactic acid bacteria were not added to the wastewater. During the two-stage fermentation, acetogenesis and methanogenesis occurred separately with the addition of L. delbdueckii during the acetogenesis stage. The highest yield of methane was obtained from wastewater upon two-stage fermentation (76% two-stages compared to 38% one-stage). Therefore, L. delbrüeckii have the potential to be utilized to ferment dairy WWs and produce methane. Such treatment of wastewater not only produces methane, but also decreases the polluting effect of the waste streams, by reducing the chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand to 0.199 and 0.031 g/l, respectively.
Strategies for Sustained Weight Management: Perspectives From African American Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Fitzpatrick Stephanie L. , Hill-Briggs Felicia
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify effective strategies for sustained weight management used by African American patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Methods

In this study, nominal group technique was used to identify effective strategies for weight management used by 12 African Americans with overweight/obesity and type 2 diabetes who successfully lost or maintained their weight after completing DECIDE (Decision-making Education for Choices In Diabetes Everyday), a 9-module, literacy-adapted diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) education and problem-solving training program.

Results

Participants generated a list of 101 strategies that covered 4 domains: nutrition, physical activity, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and other. Self-monitoring and relying on social support were the top 2 strategies for weight maintenance.

Conclusion

Future obesity studies should consider including friends/family as well as electronic tools to facilitate self-monitoring and regular practice of behavioral strategies for long-term success.
High-resolution MRI of the ulnar and radial collateral ligaments of the wrist
Authors: Nozaki Taiki , Wu Wei Der , Kaneko Yasuhito , Rafijah Gregory , Yang Lily , Hitt Dave , Yoshioka Hiroshi
Published: March 2017

Background

Accurate diagnosis of injuries to the collateral ligaments of the wrist is technically challenging on MRI.

Purpose

To investigate usefulness of high-resolution two-dimensional (2D) and isotropic three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for identifying and classifying the morphology of the ulnar and radial collateral ligaments (UCL and RCL) of the wrist.

Material and Methods

Thirty-seven participants were evaluated using 3T coronal 2D and isotropic 3D images by two radiologists independently. The UCL was classified into four types: 1a, narrow attachment to the tip of the ulnar styloid (Tip); 1b, broad attachment to the Tip; 2a, narrow attachment to the medial base of the ulnar styloid (Base); and 2b, broad attachment to the Base. The RCL was also classified into four types: 1a, separate radioscaphoid and scaphotrapezial ligaments (RS + ST) with narrow scaphoid attachment; 1b, RS + ST with broad scaphoid attachment; 2a, continuous radio-scapho-trapezial ligaments (RST) with narrow scaphoid attachment; and 2b, RST with broad scaphoid attachment. The inter-observer reliability of these classifications was calculated.

Results

Type 1a was the most common of both collateral ligaments. Of UCL classifications, 31.4% were revised after additional review of multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images from isotropic data. The inter-observer reliability of UCL classification was substantial (k = 0.62) without MPR, and almost perfect (k = 0.84) with MPR. The inter-observer reliability of RCL classification was almost perfect (k = 0.89). Anatomic delineation between the two sequences was not statistically different.

Conclusion

The UCL and RCL were each identified on high-resolution 2D and isotropic 3D MRI equally well. MPR allows accurate identification of the UCL attachment to the ulnar styloid.
Goal Setting in Teams: Goal Clarity and Team Performance in the Public Sector
Authors: van der Hoek Marieke , Groeneveld Sandra , Kuipers Ben
Published: March 2017

With the rise of performance management, work in the public sector has changed. An output focus has become more common. Other changes include decentralization and managing organizations more horizontally. Setting performance goals and working in teams exemplify these developments. Despite an extensive literature on goal setting, research on goal setting in teams and empirical studies in public organizations have been largely absent. This study contributes to the fields of public management and teamwork by examining whether and under what team conditions clear goals contribute to team performance in the Dutch public sector. Analyses on survey data ( n = 105 teams) show that both goal clarity and self-management positively affect team performance. The effect of goal clarity on team performance is not affected by teamwork though, indicated by insignificant moderation effects of self-management and information elaboration. Suggestions are offered for future research to better understand goal setting in public sector teams.
College Sexual Assault and Campus Climate for Sexual- and Gender-Minority Undergraduate Students
Authors: Coulter Robert W. S. , Rankin Susan R.
Published: March 2017

Sexual- and gender-minority (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) undergraduate students are at greater risk for sexual assault victimization than their cisgender (i.e., nontransgender) heterosexual peers. However, few studies have examined how social environments affect sexual assault victimization among sexual- and gender-minority undergraduate students. Nevertheless, this research area was identified as a priority by the Institute of Medicine as well as President Barack Obama’s White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault. Therefore, we tested the association between college campuses’ inclusion of sexual- and gender-minority people and experiences of sexual assault victimization. Cross-sectional surveys were completed by sexual- and gender-minority undergraduate students ( N = 1,925) from higher education institutions in all 50 U.S. states in 2010. Our dependent variable was experiencing sexual assault victimization at college. Our primary independent variable was campus climate, measured with items assessing perceived inclusion of sexual- and gender-minority people and witnessing sexual- or gender-minority harassment. We used multivariable logistic regression with generalized estimating equations (accounting for the clustering of students within schools) to estimate the association between campus climate and experiencing sexual assault victimization. Overall, 5.2% of the sample reported ever being victims of sexual assault at college. Controlling for sexual orientation, gender identity, race/ethnicity, and year in school, greater perceived inclusion of sexual- and gender-minority people on campus was associated with significantly lower odds of experiencing sexual assault victimization. Our study suggests that improving campus climate for sexual- and gender-minority individuals may reduce their prevalence of college sexual assault, which has potential implications for college practitioners and administrators as well as sexual assault prevention programs and policies.
Medicalization of Sleep Problems in an Aging Population: A Longitudinal Cross-National Study of Medication Use for Sleep Problems in Older European Adults
Authors: van de Straat Vera , Buffel Veerle , Bracke Piet
Published: March 2017

Objective: The association between age and sleep problems is considered to be positive, and medication use is a common health care intervention among older individuals. Because daytime consequences are often stated as a reason to seek care, we study to what extent the medicalization of sleep problems is found in an aging European population, with a focus on daily activities. Method: Data from the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe are used in three-level, generalized linear mixed models. Medicalization is operationalized as the use of medication for sleep problems at least once per week. Results: Men are more likely than women to use medication for sleep problems, and the process of aging is associated with a decrease in medicalization. Discussion: Sleep problems seem to be medicalized particularly when they prevent aging individuals from engaging in work-related responsibilities, as medication is especially used by employed individuals with sleep problems.
The Socialist Origins of Artificial Carp Reproduction in Maoist China
Authors: Jiang Lijing
Published: March 2017

The Maoist era has often been portrayed as a hindrance to China’s biotechnological development due to Lysenko doctrine and the communist government’s animosity to basic academic research. Yet some of China’s most developed sectors in biotechnology have been made possible by socialist enterprises in agriculture and science under Mao. One such example is China’s world-leading aquaculture biotechnology and genetic research on Asian carp. Although some associated China’s success in the area with the booming Asian market and a globalised biotech industry, the field’s advancement has been deeply rooted in earlier socialist history in reforming aquaculture and science. This article takes one essential technology used by biotech and aquaculture industries–the hormone-aided method in artificial carp reproduction–as a major case. By tracing the political, scientific and sociocultural lineages that made its invention and dissemination possible, this article unpacks the complex local and historical underpinning that defies prevalent understanding about the method as simply a variation of biotechnology’s global form. Particularly, the initial invention of the method was catalysed not only by state economic concerns but also by a socialist understanding of fishery and Maoist attempts to remold scientists. The two successful breakthroughs described in the article demonstrate two ways that scientists and technicians of different social and professional standings have appropriated available scientific and political resources to achieve personal and institutional goals. The dissemination of the method was further cemented through mass involvement during the Cultural Revolution. By delineating the concrete processes that have ‘assembled’ and maintained the artificial carp propagation method, the article contrasts its entanglement with the socialist regime then with the way the method has become decontextualised in its current use.
Accounting in hybrid forms of capitalist/socialist enterprises: A multiple interpretative approach to the Royal Factory of Silk of San Leucio, 1802–1826
Authors: Antonelli Valerio , D’Alessio Raffaele , Rossi Roberto , Cafaro Emanuela Mattia
Published: March 2017

The aim of this article is to describe the role played by accounting in an industrial company in which elements of utopian socialism and capitalism co-existed. The case is the Royal Silk Factory founded by King Ferdinand IV at San Leucio, near Caserta in 1778. The article covers the years 1802–1826. In this hybrid institution, double-entry bookkeeping (DEB) was adopted to calculate the minimum profit rate owed to the capitalist shareholders, while ‘labour accounting’ measured the workers’ performance. The surplus value was shared between the enterprise and the workers. This article makes a number of contributions to the accounting history literature: First, it adds archival evidence of accounting practices in Italian industrial companies; second, it supports the close connection between DEB and capitalism; third, it shows that the accounting system is set up to reflect the different social organisation of a manufacturing company; and finally, it illustrates how the accounting system makes the wealth-generating and wealth-distributing processes accountable.