bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Problems with the taxonomy of Phytoptus tetratrichus Nalepa 1890 (Acari: Eriophyoidea) inhabiting Tilia spp.: Analysis based on morphological variation among individuals
Authors: SOIKA GRAŻYNA , KOZAK MARCIN
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this research was to investigate both the qualitative and quantitative morphological traits of Phytoptus tetratrichus Nalepa 1890 populations inhabiting three different lime tree species: Tilia cordata Mill., Tilia tomentosa Moench and Tilia americana L.. Morphological characters of two populations collected from T. cordata and T. tomentosa over three successive growing seasons were compared with the aid of canonical variate analysis. Additionally, individuals occurring on T. americana in a consecutive year were also studied. Protogyne and deutogyne females were differentiated using both qualitative and quantitative traits. For deutogyne females, individuals from all combinations of Tilia species × year (which constituted populations for comparison) clearly differed from each other. However, the differences between populations from T. cordata and T. tomentosa were less distinct. For protogyne females, observed differences were clearly visible. The between-season variation in morphological characters such as body size appeared to be quite large, indicating that morphological analysis based on observations from only a single season can be inaccurate. Deutogyne females of P. tetratrichus were observed to cause various types of damage symptoms: leaf-roll galls along the leaf edges of T. cordata; small round erinea on the lower leaf surface and small wart-like galls on the upper leaf surface of T. tomentosa; fingerlike galls on both leaf surfaces of T. americana.
Eleven new species of the genus Belisana Thorell (Araneae: Pholcidae) from South China
Authors: ZHANG FENG , PENG YAN-QIU
Published: February 2019

Eleven new species of the spider genus Belisana are reported from South China: Belisana galeiformis sp. nov., B. bawangensis sp. nov., B. chaoanensis sp. nov., B. diaoluoensis sp. nov., B. longinqua sp. nov., B. parallelica sp. nov., B. erromena sp. nov., B. lata sp. nov., B. colubrina sp. nov., B. tianlinensis sp. nov., and B. yangi sp. nov. Somatic and genitalic features are described and illustrated.
Preliminary use of DNA sequences for Dohrniphora (Diptera: Phoridae) phylogeny and taxonomy JOHN M. HASH, BRIAN V. BROWN & PAUL T. SMITH (USA)
Authors: HASH JOHN M. , BROWN BRIAN V. , SMITH PAUL T.
Published: February 2019

Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data from the nuclear CAD (rudimentary) and mitochondrial NDI, COI, and 16S gene regions (2817 bp total) recovered exemplars of the genus Dohrniphora as a monophyletic lineage. The data also supported the sister-group relationship of Dohrniphora + Diplonevra and were used to associate a morphologically dissimilar male and female of the species D. ecitophila. Further, we discuss the implications of this designation and provide support for the synonymy of D. ecitophila and D. geminata as proposed by Borgmeier (1968).
External morphology of the egg and the first and fifth instars of Cyrtocoris egeris Packauskas & Schaefer (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Cyrto-corinae)
Authors: BIANCHI FILIPE MICHELS , MATESCO VIVIANA CAUDURO , CAMPOS LUIZ ALEXANDRE , GRAZIA JOCELIA
Published: February 2019

Cyrtocorinae is an uncommon, small, and exclusively Neotropical group in Pentatomidae, whose immatures are poorly understood. In this paper, the egg and first and fifth instars of Cyrtocoris egeris Packauskas & Schaefer are studied with the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Specimens were collected in Maquiné, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Immatures were analyzed with light stereomicroscope and SEM. The egg’s chorion surface is predominantly smooth alternated with granulated areas, and an average of 54 clubbed aero-micropylar processes are arranged in three irregular rows. In the first and fifth instars, organization of the external dorso-abdominal scent efferent system suggests an analogy to the metathoracic external scent efferent system of the adult, because of structures similar to the evaporatorium, evaporatory channel, and auricle peritreme; the last structure is absent in the first instar. Abdominal sterna III–VII have 1+1 (first instar) and 2+2 trichobothria (fifth instar). Ultrastructural observations allowed recognition of unique characters at the egg stage and conserved features at the nymphal stage in C. egeris.
Further study on the labial palp in the Isotomidae (Collembola) with reference to the genus Heteroisotoma Stach
Authors: JIE DING , POTAPOV MIKHAIL , SOKOLOVA ELENA
Published: February 2019

Two new species of the genus Heteroisotoma Stach are described from Northeast China, North Korea, and Far East of Russia. They are typical members of the genus although sharing spines on the dens with the genus Semicerura Maynard. In all members of Heteroisotoma, three additional processes on the labial palp are discovered and proposed as a new diagnostic generic character. The genus Heteroisotoma is rediagnosed and a key and records of known species are given. A contribution is made to the knowledge of labial palp.
Two new species of Rhyacophila (Trichoptera, Rhyacophilidae) from Nepal
Authors: KISS OTTÓ
Published: February 2019

Two new species of the Rhyacophila genus (Trichoptera, Rhyacophilidae), Rhyacophila lakatosi n. sp. in the R. naviculata Group and Rhyacophila hollosii n. sp. in the R. curvata Group, from Nepal are described and illustrated with drawings of the genitalia.
A new species of Stenodynerus (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae) from Pakistan
Authors: QASIM MUHAMMAD , CARPENTER JAMES M. , RAFI MUHAMMAD ATHER , KHAN MUHAMMAD RAHIM
Published: February 2019

A new species of Eumeninae, Stenodynerus punjabensis Qasim, Carpenter et Rafi, is described from Pakistan. A key to the Stenodynerus species of Pakistan is also included.
Further notes on the Sri Lankan uropeltid snakes Rhinophis saffragamus (Kelaart, 1853) and Uropeltis ruhunae Deraniyagala, 1954
Authors: PYRON ROBERT ALEXANDER , SOMAWEERA RUCHIRA
Published: February 2019

A recent paper dealing with the systematics of Uropeltidae (Pyron et al. 2016) made several taxonomic changes affecting Sri Lankan species in the genera Platyplectrurus Günther, 1868; Pseudotyphlops Schlegel, 1839; Rhinophis Hemprich, 1820; and Uropeltis Cuvier, 1829. Space precluded a full discussion of those changes, for which there was a wealth of additional photographs, data, and references. Here, we expand on those alterations and provide further justification with reference to the ICZN (1999) and additional questions for future research.
Review of the huntsman spider genus Rhitymna Simon, 1897 (Araneae: Sparassidae)
Authors: JÄGER PETER
Published: February 2019

The genus Rhitymna Simon, 1897 is revised by means of new material. Four new species are described: R. gerdmangel spec. nov. (Thailand, Malaysia; male, female), R. merianae spec. nov. (Indonesia: Bali; male), R. flores spec. nov. (Indonesia: Flores; male, female), R. senckenbergi spec. nov. (Philippines; male). The male of R. plana Jäger, 2003 and the female of R. tangi Quan & Liu, 2012 are described for the first time. Rhitymna simoni Jäger, 2003 is recognised as junior synonym of R. cursor (Thorell, 1894) comb. nov., the latter transferred from the genus Olios Walckenaer, 1837. New records are given for further Rhitymna species, among them new country or island records for R. verruca (Wang, 1991) (Thailand), R. tangi Quan & Liu, 2012 (Laos), R. plana Jäger, 2003 (Cambodia), R. pinangensis (Thorell, 1891) (Thailand), R. deelemanae Jäger, 2003 (Bali). The number of cheliceral bristles close to the fang base is recognised as size dependent, therefore without true phylogenetic signal. Two main types of copulatory organs within the genus are recognised and discussed. R. gerdmangel spec. nov. has a special biology as it lives exclusively in bamboo. Holes made by beetles or woodpeckers are used to enter the bamboo stem. Spiders hide during the day and lay their eggs in bamboo internodes.
4. Are Publishers Worth It? Filtering, Amplification and the Value of Publishing
Authors: Bhaskar Michael
Published: February 2019

Publishers often take it for granted that they are worth it. Authors are sometimes more sceptical. While this has been true for centuries, what has changed is that an ensemble of technological, cultural and business innovations mean professional publishers monopoly on the activity of publishing is crumbling. The question ‘are publishers worth it?’ has accordingly transitioned from abstract concern to genuine worry. This is admittedly a disaster in slow motion. No less than 23 publishers have revenues of over $1 billion. But if publishers cannot prove they are worth it then, for perhaps the first time, there are other options. Forces beyond their control now threaten the business models that sustained them for generations. Publishers now need to justify their existence. Can they do this? If so, how? Are publishers worth it?
5. Who Takes Legal Responsibility for Published Work? Why Both an Understanding and Lived Experience of Copyright Are Becoming Increasingly Important to Writers
Authors: Baverstock Alison
Published: February 2019

Copyright, until recently, has been an element of the publishing process little understood by authors. This can ultimately mean for many, that getting published involves being asked to sign their copyright over to the publisher for minimal returns. Baverstock points out that encouraging authors to understand copyright, and other legalities arising from writers’ desire to share their work, raises many issues from individual responsibilities and organisational ethics to business and financial interests. She explores self-publishing as an alternative avenue for authors, touching on issues associated with it, and common assumptions made about the quality of self-published work. She finally touches upon the implications of an informed authorship on the wider creative economy, concluding that in this day and age, it is of utmost importance that all authors understand their markets and know their legal responsibilities and their rights.
9. Diversity or Die: How the Face of Book Publishing Needs to Change if it is to Have a Future
Authors: Kean Danuta
Published: February 2019

This is a snapshot of the findings and results of the research and impact of Writing the Future. There remains much to be done before UK publishing is future fit. But, that there has been a positive reaction in some quarters and that businesses finally seem to understand that diversity is not an option if they wish to survive, is encouraging. As the editor of In Full Colour, I know too well how easily early gains are lost. But, it feels as if WTF has focused minds more clearly on the business case for driving diversity, and that makes me cautiously optimistic about UK publishing’s ability to remain relevant to an increasingly diverse readership.
11. Confronting Authorship, Constructing Practices (How Copyright is Destroying Collective Practice)
Authors: Weinmayr Eva
Published: February 2019

That creation is private property rather than cultural public value has been almost universally taken on board by institutions, public management, education, universities and funding bodies. Their so-called ‘best-practice' policies are the opposite of a cultural climate envisaged by many authors and creators. This drive to protect rather than allow the proliferation of ideas has far-reaching consequences for creative production itself. It hinders the main forces of cultural production, namely reciprocity and mutual inspiration. Such mechanisms are at work in universities when art students begin to learn about their 'rights' and how to protect them under copyright law. While knowledge of such rights will, ultimately, be important, to be putting emphasis on them at this early stage of the student artist’s activity is detrimental. The implemented concept of creation as intellectual property demands that you define the boundaries of your 'property'. However, the boundary where one person's idea ends and the other person's idea starts, is fluid. The question of whether a work has been transformed to such a degree as to be named 'original' is highly complex and fuels an expansionist legal apparatus. In essence, intellectual property law, legal experts agree, is case law – that is, largely decided by legal precedent, case-by-case – and therefore a vast grey area. The boundaries are malleable and can be interpreted in a range of ways according to cultural, national and ideological context.
13. Show Me the Copy! How Digital Media (Re)Assert Relational Creativity, Complicating Existing Intellectual Property and Publishing Paradigms
Authors: Turcotte Joseph F.
Published: February 2019

Advances in electronic – and digital now – technologies have given new life to socio-cultural practices based on the appropriation and re-combination of already existing cultural resources. From Canadian pianist Glenn Gould’s pioneering use of electronic media to the outer-boroughs of New York City where the pioneers of hip-hop music used turntables and vinyl records to create a new art form, electronic technologies continue to facilitate emerging and innovative creative practices while rekindling marginalized forms of social and cultural production. The rise of digital technologies has similarly contributed to the birth of a so-called remix culture, wherein existing texts and cultural works are appropriated, combined, in novel and potentially transformative ways. Such practices demonstrate the vitality of relational creativity and the re-emergence of socially embedded and technologically constituted forms of knowledge production, dissemination, and collaboration. However, existing intellectual property (IP) law, in general, and copyright law, in particular, remain grounded on normative foundations that privilege Romantic conceptions of individual genius and creativity. This essay argues that existing IP law does not properly align with how human creativity occurs and, therefore, does not reflect the emerging conditions of knowledge production facilitated by digital technologies and the re-assertion of relational creativity.
14. Redefining Reader and Writer, Remixing Copyright: Experimental Publishing at if:book Australia
Authors: Groth Simon
Published: February 2019

Groth details several experimental literary projects created by if:book Australia and highlights the challenges to copyright they present and subsequent considerations for writers, audiences and publishers. if:book Australia has created works that are deliberately ephemeral, made freely available editing data, and encouraged the practice of ‘remixing’: using existing literature as source material for new works. In considering copyright and how it supports or hinders creative works, especially in new media, my approach is therefore deeply informed by the necessities of practice. The approach to copyright in such forms is based on mutual respect between artist and audience. Remix in particular relies on opening creative work to enable audiences to share and modify, while ensuring that the original artist and work is acknowledged. Digital media has permanently changed the underlying assumptions that have informed our approach to copyright. Making unauthorised copies of physical media requires an investment of resources that makes it unfeasible without the promise of financial reward. Intellectual property stored in a digital medium may be copied so effortlessly as to be invisible to audiences. Witness the number of incidental copies made of an email attachment, for example. Digital media also exposes the shortcomings of territoriality in licensing, something that Australian writers and audiences alike feel keenly when access to digital content is artificially ‘geoblocked’. But digital media does not replace physical media. An appropriate copyright system should therefore not dismiss all current copyright principles, but rather acknowledge and adapt them for the medium in which they are transmitted. Current debate in Australia focuses on adopting US style fair use rather than the more archaic and medium-specific fair dealing. Many writers’ organisations and individuals have publicly opposed such a measure, although their opposition has been conflated with other more egregious policy of lifting parallel import restriction.
4. History of Copyright Changes 1710–2013
Authors: Calder Rachel
Published: February 2019

When the ‘Act for the Encouragement of learned Men to compose and write useful books’ was established in 1710, the main beneficiaries were printers and booksellers to whom the rights were assigned. Throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it continued to be booksellers, printers and publishers who reaped the most financial reward from the process, although the writers eventually began to benefit. Calder points out that it was only in the twentieth century that contracts more commonly began to include royalties for copies sold and percentage splits for rights sales.
Evaluation and Specifications for In-Line Uranium Separations Using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) Detection for Trace Elemental Analysis
Authors: Manard Benjamin T. , Metzger Shalina C. , Quarles C. Derrick , Rogers Kayron T. , Ticknor Brian W. , Bostick Debra A. , McBay Eddy H. , Hexel Cole R.
Published: February 2019

Automated introduction platforms integrated with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) systems are continuously being improved. Expanding on the introduction systems, a newly developed automated ion chromatography system was explored for performing rapid in-line separations coupled to ICP-OES for the detection of trace elements in uranium. Trace elements are separated from a uranium material and the analytes are directed into the ICP-OES for subsequent detection. Detection parameters such as exposure time frequency, wavelength selection, and settling times were explored to gain insight on optimal detection schemes for in-line trace elemental analysis. The methodology was applied in the analysis of a uranium oxide (U3O8) certified reference material, CRM-124. It was found here that the sensitivity and uncertainty of the technique are greatly affected by how the ICP-OES is employed to collect data. Overall it was determined that faster exposure replicates can provide greater peak resolution with higher fidelity measurements but are limited with respect to the total analysis time (i.e., limited in detection timely separations). Zeta scores, which combine accuracy and uncertainty of certified values and experimental values, were used to validate the ICP-OES modes of operation.
A comprehensive quality function deployment model for improving academics of technical institutes
Authors: Karanjekar SB , Lakhe RR , Deshpande VS
Published: February 2019

Quality has always been an issue of utmost concern for every technical education institute. There have been a lot of theoretical studies conducted that presented various methods of measuring quality of higher and technical education institutes. This paper presents a quantitative method to measure service quality of technical education institutes focusing on its academic aspects and taking into account various stakeholders such as Students, Teaching staff and the Industry. The paper presents a step-by-step process of stakeholder requirement assessment, their translation to service features, key processes and finally to key activities which are the suggestions to the management to take proper decisions and actions. Three distinct House of Qualities of Service Planning, Process Planning and Activity Planning have been presented in the paper to present a comprehensive model, which can be applied practically across the technical institutes. Uniqueness of the paper is that these three stakeholders are considered together for planning the service quality of technical institutes.
Psychospiritual Basis of Altruism: A Review
Authors: Valsala Parvathy , Menon Preetha
Published: February 2019

Altruism seems to be perceived in its various hues. In several cases it is mistaken for “pseudo-altruism.” Considering altruism as an expression of self helps clarify this perspective of altruism and probably adds a spiritual connotation to it. This article looks at altruism from the self point of view and tries to expound the variations in expression of altruism with respect to variations in self-space. On the basis of self-space, three variations of self in progression toward altruism have been proposed. The journey of an egoistic self to a transcended self expresses the transition from pseudo-altruism to purest form of altruism, the state of self-transcendence. This calls for incorporation of strategies of self-progression for development of altruism. An attempt was made to adopt self-transcendence and its features mentioned in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as an independent objective for the present study.
Who Is Wary of User Design? The Role of Power-Distance Beliefs in Preference for User-Designed Products
Authors: Paharia Neeru , Swaminathan Vanitha
Published: February 2019

This article evaluates when a user-design approach is and is not effective in strengthening brand preference. It specifically delves into the role of power-distance beliefs in influencing preferences for user-designed products and brands. The authors demonstrate that low-power-distance consumers prefer user-designed products to company-designed products, whereas this effect is attenuated or reversed for high-power-distance consumers. The authors find process evidence that both feelings of empowerment and values of expertise differentially mediate brand preferences depending on power-distance beliefs, thus extending prior research findings. Field experiments conducted in the United States and cross-culturally (Austria and Guatemala) with Facebook’s advertising platform provide convergent evidence using country and political orientation as managerially accessible proxies. This research sheds light on when and why firms should be wary of user-design approaches, based on how power-distance beliefs drive consumers’ preferences.
Analytic Scaling Procedure for Evaluating Instructional Improvement Proposals in Higher Education
Authors: Meredith Gerald M.
Published: February 2019

Rating procedures were replicated and extended to screen instructional improvement proposals based on four criteria: learning relevance, innovation, feasibility, and potential for continuation. A composite total score correlated .77 with project funding. Quantitative approach complements collegial decision making.
Relations of Sociodemographic Variables and Cognitive Ability: A Comparative Analysis of the Cognitive Scores of High School Seniors
Authors: Sahai Hardeo
Published: February 2019

This paper compares subgroups using cognitive scores from a test battery administered to high school seniors in the base year survey in 1980. The procedures used to select the sample were designed to yield a data base that can be statistically projected to represent the national population of about 3,040,000 high school seniors. Comparisons were performed to examine differences in cognitive scores by age, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and census region. Boys scored higher than girls on mathematics and visualization tests, but lower on the picture-number and mosaic comparison tests. Mean scores of the two sexes on the vocabulary and reading tests differed by less than 0.1 SD. Asian/Pacific Islanders had higher means than white students and other minority groups on the mathematics, mosaic comparisons, and visualization test, but their scores did not differ significantly from those of white students on the other three tests. Means for Hispanics were lower than those for white students but higher than those for black students, except on reading. Mean scores of Cubans exceeded those of Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans or other Hispanics. A positive correlation 0.40 obtained between test scores and the socioeconomic status or education attained by the examinees’ mothers. Students in New England had the highest means except on visualization for which the highest scores were in the West, followed in order by those in the Middle Atlantic, West North Central, East North Central, Pacific, Mountain, South Atlantic, East South Central, and West South Central regions.
Are Responses Measured with Graphic Rating Scales Subject to Perceptual Distortion?
Authors: Hubbard Raymond , Little Eldon L. , Allen Stuart J.
Published: February 2019

No consensus appears to exist as to how long physically a graphic rating scale should be. The present study found no statistical evidence of perceptual distortion in information collected with continuous rating scales of lengths 75 mm, 100 mm, and 125 mm, so such scales seem robust to variations in line length.
Presleep Cognitive Hyperarousal and Affect as Factors in Objective and Subjective Insomnia
Authors: Kuisk Linda A. , Bertelson Amy D. , Walsh James K.
Published: February 2019

The role of presleep cognition in insomnia was studied in normal sleepers and insomniacs with either (1) psychophysiological insomnia, an objective disorder of initiating and maintaining sleep (DIMS), or (2) DIMS without objective findings (subjective insomnia), as defined by two nights’ polysomnographic baseline data. During the experimental night in the sleep laboratory, 24 subjects were interviewed at intervals during the presleep/sleep-onset period. Judges’ ratings of subjects’ spontaneous reports and subjects’ responses to questionnaire items were analyzed for cognitive quality. Objective insomniacs had more frequent cognitive activity than the subjective insomniacs. Both insomnia groups reported more negative thoughts than the controls. Cognitive hyperarousal as a factor in objective insomnia was not clearly supported.
Empathy, Self-Esteem and Creativity among Junior Ballet Dancers
Authors: Kalliopuska Mirja
Published: February 2019

62 junior ballet dancers from the Finnish National Opera (44 girls, 18 boys, ages 9 to 17 yr.) completed the Battle Self-esteem Inventory Form B or AD, the Tennessee Self-concept Scale, 2 factors from Coopersmith's Self-esteem Inventory, 10 items from Rosenberg's scale, the modified Mehrabian and Epstein Empathy Scale, a questionnaire on hobbies, the Rorschach and the Figural B Form of Torrance's creativity test. Analysis showed dancers trained 4–5 nights/week, tended to have creative hobbies, were more empathetic and sensitive (especially girls) than controls. Dancers had higher self-esteem than the normative sample.
Influence of Stronger Attentional Manipulations on the Processing of Dichotic Inputs in Right-Handers
Authors: Iaccino James F. , Houran James
Published: February 2019

Recent studies have shown that a pronounced right-ear advantage can occur within dichotic tasks when persons of a particular sex are directed to focus their attention onto the right ear. To examine the effects of attentional bias on laterality more precisely, we provided subjects a greater number of focused-ear trials. Analysis indicated a very strong right-ear advantage in men and women under the right-focus condition as well as a significant left-ear advantage for both sexes with directed left-focus. These findings suggest that sustained ear-attendance exerts a powerful influence on dichotic performance.
Psychology of Computer Use: XVI. Effect of Computer-Pointing Devices on Children's Processing Rate
Authors: Jones Tom
Published: February 2019

Computer-pointing devices for input into microcomputers have become a commonplace component in direct manipulation interfaces. Use of these peripheral devices by children should result in processing rates comparable to those obtained when children are pointing with their fingers or other means. Recent research suggests that children's processing rates are substantially lower when they are manipulating computer devices. One possibility is that a child's motor system is subjected to a greater load because the child's hands are not visible while the action of pointing with a computer is being carried out. The effect of two conditions (viewing hands, not viewing hands) on 6-, 8-, and 10-yr.-old children's processing rates was investigated. Results showed that there was no difference between the two conditions although low processing rates similar to those previously obtained were recorded.
Contributions to the History of Psychology: LXIII. Dorothy Wilson Seago (1899–1987),
Authors: Irion Arthur L.
Published: February 2019

The author comments on the personal charm and professional achievements of Dorothy Wilson Seago who was a graduate of Newcomb College (1920) and also Chairman of the Department of Psychology until 1970.
Psychological Abuse among College Women in Dating Relationships
Authors: Raymond Beth , Bruschi Irene Gillman
Published: February 2019

A questionnaire designed to measure psychological abuse and kindness was responded to by 90 college women involved in dating relationships. Analysis indicated that, while many relationships were low abuse/high kindness, a substantial number were characterized by high abuse/low kindness, high abuse/high kindness and low abuse/low kindness. An analysis of these different categories of dating relationships as well as explanations as to why young women should be in such negative relationships are included. The study also indicated significant differences between women's reports of feelings and behaviors. Finally, a comparison of past versus present relationships showed proportionately few significant differences in behaviors but many significant differences in feelings. The major finding, that some college women are in dating relationships characterized by psychological abuse, was explored, and comparisons to the literature on wife abuse and courtship violence were also included.
Perceptions of a College According to Intended Department of Study
Authors: Reap Mary , Popovics Alexander J.
Published: February 2019

Ratings of college characteristics by students intending to major in several areas of study were compared to assess whether they held different perceptions about Marywood College. Analysis indicated that some perceptions of characteristics differed according to intended department of study. The ways in which knowledge of these perceptions was used to improve marketing processes at the departmental level are discussed.
Pupil Response: A Psychophysiological Measure of Fear during Analogue Desensitization,
Authors: Sturgeon Robert S. , Cooper Leslie M. , Howell Robert J.
Published: February 2019

15 highly aroused snake phobics individually constructed fear hierarchies by selecting colored photographs of snakes. Subjects either imagined fear scenes based on their photographs or were exposed to duplicate projected slides during desensitization. Pupillary responses of the Slide Group were also recorded before, during, and after desensitization. Fear of snakes was significantly reduced for both groups within five or fewer desensitization sessions. Changes in pupil size of the Slide Group appear to reflect arousal of fear as well as reduction of fear after treatment. Current technology makes pupillary response a viable psychophysiological measure of fear.
Helping Orientations: Four Dimensions,
Authors: Michlitsch Joseph F. , Frankel Stanley
Published: February 2019

The underlying factor structure of four helping and coping orientations was investigated. The four orientations are the foundations of four models of helping and coping. Each model consists of a person's orientations toward helping behavior and the set of likely factors and behaviors related to the orientations. The orientations are believed to influence how a person interacts with others in a helping situation and how that person attempts to help himself (cope). Factor analysis in two studies supports the prediction of four helping orientations across a convenience and a target sample. Secondary, higher-order factor analysis further provides support based on the convenience sample, but not the target sample.
Effects of Different Intensities of Fatigue on Performing a Sport Skill Requiring Explosive Muscular Effort: A Test of the Specificity of Practice Principle
Authors: Anshel Mark H. , Novak James
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effects of high, moderate, and low physical fatigue on performing the shot put, a sport skill that requires explosive muscular effort. 44 subjects practiced the shot put until mastery was achieved. They then experienced one of four fatigue intensities during a 20-trial practice period (no fatigue, 45, 60, or 75% of their predicted maximum oxygen uptake) to induce light, moderate, or heavy fatigue, respectively, after which subjects then engaged in criterion performance for 5 trials under each of the fatigue intensities, with one week in between. Distance thrown and expert assessment of performance technique were dependent variables. Analysis indicated that criterion performance was optimal for both distance and form after subjects experienced light fatigue during practice and criterion performance. The specificity of practice hypothesis was partially supported for the light fatigue condition, but not for the other intensities.
Effects of pore structure and salinity on the imbibition of shale samples using physical simulation and NMR technique: A case from Chang 7 shale, Ordos basin
Authors: Gao Hui , Zhugeng Bolun , Wang Chen , Cao Jie , He Mengqing , Dou Liangbin
Published: February 2019

A novel experimental study is conducted to reveal the effect of pore structure and salinity on spontaneous imbibition of shale samples using field emission scanning electron microscopy and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Core samples selected from Chang 7 shale, Ordos basin, contain different proportions of mineral components and exhibit different pore structures, as demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy. During the imbibition process, T2 spectra are obtained for each core sample under different salinities and imbibition time periods using NMR. The results are then used to characterize and compare the water imbibition process in different shale samples, with a focus on investigating the effects of pore structure and salinity. The results show that the amount of absorption water is positively correlated with the development of microcracks and with large pores in shale samples. The shale samples are shown to develop more microcracks as the imbibition time increases and the salinity decreases. These microcracks can improve the samples’ capacity of imbibition effectively, therefore increasing water absorption. Moreover, it is indicated that the imbibition capacity increases with an increasing content of illite clay minerals in the shale samples. Furthermore, the greatest amount of adsorbed water is seen when the water salinity is as high as the synthetic formation water. This is important in choosing hydraulic fracturing fluids, knowing that high-salinity fracturing fluids can effectively reduce water absorption in shale, therefore contributing to low flow-back and better fracturing performance.
Apparel ease distribution analysis using three-dimensional motion capture
Authors: Liu Zheng , He Qin , Zou Fengyuan , Ding Yuyan , Xu Bugao
Published: February 2019

When an ease allowance at a body landmark is given, the ease distribution along the circumference at this landmark can still change with the wearing circumstance. This paper investigates both static and dynamic ease distributions of clothes at bust and waist lines by using a three-dimensional motion capture system (3DMCS). Female participants with the same body type were recruited to conduct experiments to examine how ease distributions change with body motions. Specific markers provided with the 3DMCS were adhered to the surfaces of a participant and her clothes along the bust and waist lines, and the coordinates of the markers were tracked by the 3DMCS while the participant walked on a treadmill at different speeds. It was found that the static ease distributions showed different patterns at different body landmark lines. At the bust, the ease tended to concentrate more in the left and right regions, while the ease at the waist appeared to be gathered more in the front and back regions. In the dynamic tests, ease variations at different clothes markers on the waistline exhibited very different changing patterns. The ease variations of the markers in the same region (e.g., left and front) were positively correlated ( r = 0.863), while those in regions symmetrical to the y-axis (left–right) were negatively correlated ( r = –0.738) and those in regions symmetrical to the x-axis (front–back) were weakly correlated ( r = 0.541). Both the frequency and the magnitude of ease variations seemed to be incremental to the walking speed, although the concentration areas of ease remained unchanged.
‘Not worth the paper it’s written on’: Stamp paper documents and the life of law in India
Authors: Ghosh Shrimoyee Nandini
Published: February 2019

This article is an ethnographic exploration of a promiscuously present and instantly recognisable legal and cultural artefact in India, the stamp paper document under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899. The ‘stamp paper’ is a documentary form that is constantly escaping from its legal moorings in revenue and evidentiary law, and is being replicated, mimed and recommissioned, both in form and in substance, and in ways which blur the domains of the legal, the quasi-legal and the non-legal. Its bureaucratic authority is produced through protocols and rituals of writing, verification, identification, attestation and authorisation performed by paper workers such as court typists, stamp vendors, notaries and oath commissioners. Yet the stamp paper is simultaneously viewed as notoriously fraudulent and legally invalid—its use redundant and truth functionaries infamously corruptible. Focusing on the materiality of the stamp paper, as it circulates through the interstitial spaces of Patiala House Court Complex in New Delhi, this article seeks to address this curious paradox and provides an account of the social life of law through the travels of an emblematic yet dubious legal form.
A non-linear estimation and model predictive control algorithm based on ant colony optimization
Authors: Nobahari Hadi , Nasrollahi Saeed
Published: February 2019

A new heuristic controller, called the continuous ant colony controller, is proposed for non-linear stochastic Gaussian/non-Gaussian systems. The new controller formulates the state estimation and the model predictive control problems as a single stochastic dynamic optimization problem, and utilizes a colony of virtual ants to find and track the best estimated state and the best control signal. For this purpose, an augmented state space is defined. An integrated cost function is also defined to evaluate the points of the augmented state space, explored by the ants. This function minimizes simultaneously the state estimation error, tracking error, control effort and control smoothness. Ants search the augmented state space dynamically in a similar scheme to the optimization algorithm, known as the continuous ant colony system. Performance of the new model predictive controller is evaluated for three non-linear problems. The problems are a non-linear continuous stirred tank reactor, a non-linear cart and spring system, and the attitude control of a non-linear quadrotor. The results verify successful performance of the proposed algorithm from both estimation and control points of view.
Multidimensional Test Assembly Using Mixed-Integer Linear Programming: An Application of Kullback–Leibler Information
Authors: Debeer Dries , van Rijn Peter W. , Ali Usama S.
Published: February 2019

Many educational testing programs require different test forms with minimal or no item overlap. At the same time, the test forms should be parallel in terms of their statistical and content-related properties. A well-established method to assemble parallel test forms is to apply combinatorial optimization using mixed-integer linear programming (MILP). Using this approach, in the unidimensional case, Fisher information (FI) is commonly used as the statistical target to obtain parallelism. In the multidimensional case, however, FI is a multidimensional matrix, which complicates its use as a statistical target. Previous research addressing this problem focused on item selection criteria for multidimensional computerized adaptive testing (MCAT). Yet these selection criteria are not directly transferable to the assembly of linear parallel test forms. To bridge this gap the authors derive different statistical targets, based on either FI or the Kullback–Leibler (KL) divergence, that can be applied in MILP models to assemble multidimensional parallel test forms. Using simulated item pools and an item pool based on empirical items, the proposed statistical targets are compared and evaluated. Promising results with respect to the KL-based statistical targets are presented and discussed.
Management Sales Forecasts and Firm Market Power
Authors: Acito Andrew A. , Folsom David , Zhao Rong
Published: February 2019

We investigate whether a firm’s market power within its product market affects management sales forecast behavior. Our examination of the relation between market power and management sales forecasts is motivated by the notion that sales forecasts differ from other types of forecasts because sales forecasts provide investors and competitors with a more transparent signal of a firm’s short-term demand expectations and its immediate actions in the product market than other forecasts. Thus, we first provide evidence consistent with sales forecasts containing unique information about future sales and evidence consistent with this information being related to competitor pricing and output decisions. We then find evidence that higher market power, proxied by excess margin, is associated with a higher likelihood of issuing sales forecasts after controlling for industry-level competition effects and earnings forecast behavior. Overall, our findings are consistent with higher-market-power firms being more willing to publicly disclose sales forecast information.
Measuring clinical competencies in facilitating group-based rehabilitation interventions: development of a new competency checklist
Authors: Wong Dana , Grace Nicci , Baker Katharine , McMahon Genevieve
Published: February 2019

Objective:

Group-based intervention formats are common in rehabilitation, but no tool for objectively measuring clinical competencies in group facilitation currently exists. We aimed to develop a psychometrically sound group facilitation competency checklist for use in clinical, training, and research settings.

Method:

The Delphi method of expert consensus was used to establish checklist items that clearly describe competencies considered important for effective group facilitation. Inter-rater reliability was determined with two experienced psychologists who used the checklist to rate the competencies of psychology trainees facilitating a memory skills group.

Results:

After two Delphi rounds, consensus was reached on 17 items, defined as at least 80% agreement among the panel of 15 experts. The four checklist item categories were (a) Facilitating focused group discussion, (b) Communication skills, (c) Interpersonal style, and (d) Session structure. One item was removed after piloting. Inter-rater reliability was excellent (88% agreement) using a simple coding method (competent/incompetent). When using a detailed coding method that discriminated between ‘done adequately’ and ‘done well’, inter-rater reliability was weaker (κ = 0.481, 55% agreement); however, it improved to almost perfect after the raters calibrated their standards.

Conclusion:

The new group facilitation competency checklist is fit for purpose for measuring clinical competencies in delivering group-based rehabilitation interventions and can be used in the training of effective group facilitators.
Multiorgan involvement by amyloid light chain amyloidosis
Authors: Li Guoliang , Han Dan , Wei Suhua , Wang Huaiyu , Chen Limei
Published: February 2019

Amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a protein conformational disease. AL amyloidosis results from aggregation of misfolded proteins that are deposited in tissues as amyloid fibrils. Diagnosis of AL amyloidosis can be challenging due to its low incidence and clinical complexity. Therapy requires a risk-adapted approach involving dose reductions and schedule modifications of chemotherapy regimens along with close monitoring of hematologic and organ responses. We herein describe a patient whose condition was diagnosed as systemic AL amyloidosis and presented with splenic rupture as the initial symptom. Congo red staining of the kidney biopsy was positive. The normal structure of the liver and spleen had been replaced by amyloid deposition. The chemotherapy strategy involved a combination of bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, and dexamethasone.
Radiofrequency catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: outcomes during a 3-year follow-up period
Authors: Wang Yubing , Xu Yanping , Ling Zhiyu , Chen Weijie , Su Li , Du Huaan , Xiao Peilin , Liu Zengzhang , Yin Yuehui
Published: February 2019

Objective

This study was performed to observe the effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and to explore the risk factors for late recurrence of atrial fibrillation (LRAF) after a single RFCA session.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 243 patients with PAF underwent RFCA and were followed up regularly.

Results

At a median follow-up of 37 months after a single procedure, 60.5% of patients maintained sinus rhythm (SR), and at a median follow-up of 42 months after multiple procedures, 74.9% of patients maintained SR. The statistically significant risk factors for LRAF after a single RFCA session were the left atrial diameter (LAD), left inferior pulmonary vein superior–inferior diameter (LIPV SID), PV number variation, circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) combined with additional ablation, and early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (ERAF). The best cut-off value for LAD was 35.5 mm.

Conclusions

During a 3-year follow-up, about 70% of the patients with PAF maintained SR. LRAF after a single procedure was associated with the LAD, LIPV SID, PV number variation, CPVI combined with additional ablation, and ERAF.
A review and analysis of possible changes to the climatology of tornadoes in the United States
Authors: Moore Todd W , DeBoer Tiffany A
Published: February 2019

This review and analysis illustrates that the spatial distribution and temporal clustering of tornadoes in the United States are changing. Tornado activity is increasing throughout the Southeast and in the southern portion of the Midwest and is decreasing throughout the southern and northwestern portions of the Great Plains and in the northern Midwest. This eastward shift is seen in tornado density maps, regional and gridded trends, and in an eastward shift of the mean center of tornadoes at the annual scale and in summer. The mean centers of tornado activity in other seasons are rather insensitive to these changes. Tornadoes are also clustering on fewer days in the year, and days with few tornadoes are becoming less common whereas days with many tornadoes are becoming more common. These concurrent and opposing trends are subsequently altering the frequency distribution of tornado days. The seasonality of these big tornado days also appears to be changing, as their increase in frequency is greatest in the fall and winter. Lastly, the increasing frequency of these big tornado days, which are most common in the Southeast and southern Midwest, contributes to the documented eastward shift in tornado activity.