bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The translation and adaptation of agile methods: a discourse of fragmentation and articulation
Authors: Pries-Heje Jan , Baskerville Richard
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use translation theory to develop a framework (called FTRA) that explains how companies adopt agile methods in a discourse of fragmentation and articulation.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative multiple case study of six firms using the Scrum agile methodology. Data were collected using mixed methods and analyzed using three progressive coding cycles and analytic induction.

Findings

In practice, people translate agile methods for local settings by choosing fragments of the method and continuously re-articulating them according to the exact needs of the time and place. The authors coded the fragments as technological rules that share relationships within a framework spanning two dimensions: static-dynamic and actor-artifact.

Research limitations/implications

For consistency, the six cases intentionally represent one instance of agile methodology (Scrum). This limits the confidence that the framework is suitable for other kinds of methodologies.

Practical implications

The FTRA framework and the technological rules are promising for use in practice as a prescriptive or even normative frame for governing methodology adaptation.

Social implications

Framing agile adaption with translation theory surfaces how the discourse between translocal (global) and local practice yields the social construction of agile methods. This result contrasts the more functionalist engineering perspective and privileges changeability over performance.

Originality/value

The use of translation theory and the FTRA framework to explain how agile adaptation (in particular Scrum) emerges continuously in a process where method fragments are articulated and re-articulated to momentarily suit the local setting. Complete agility that rapidly and elegantly changes its own environment must, as a concomitant, rapidly and elegantly change itself. This understanding also elaborates translation theory by explaining how the articulation and re-articulation of ideas embody the means by which ideas travel in practice.
Nursing home quality of life in the Lebanon
Authors: Adra Marina Gharibian , Hopton John , Keady John
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore perceptions, perspectives and meaning of quality of life for a sample of older residents, care staff and family caregivers in two nursing homes in Lebanon.

Design/methodology/approach

A classic grounded theory study was conducted between 2010 and 2011 in two nursing homes in Beirut. The semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a theoretical sample of 20 residents, 8 family caregivers and 11 staff. The constant comparative method was used to analyze the data.

Findings

Three distinct but interrelated properties of quality of life emerged from this process: “maintaining self,” “maintaining identity” and “maintaining continuity”. The dynamics that exist within and between each of these properties provide an indicator about shared and distinct meanings and the implications for care practice.

Research limitations/implications

The study was conducted in one city in Lebanon; accordingly, the transferability of findings may be challenging.

Practical implications

Implications for nursing and nursing policy – improving Lebanese national standards and regulations applicable to nursing home residents may help to enhance residents’ care needs and quality of life.

Social implications

There was limited guidance aimed at helping older residents to voice and increase their choice and control.

Originality/value

This paper provides new insights into the process of outlining the properties attached to the phenomenon of quality of life in nursing homes in Lebanon. It will be of interest to those in nursing home care as well as to policy makers.
The role of toeholds on asymmetric information in mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Aintablian Sebouh , El Khoury Wissam , M’Chirgui Zouhaier
Published: April 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine empirically the role of toeholds in reducing asymmetric information in mergers and acquisitions by establishing a relationship between the toehold and some relevant characteristics of the acquiring and the target firm.

Design/methodology/approach

A regression analysis is conducted to examine the relation between the dependent variable (the toehold) and a set of independent variables. A multinomial logit model is used to test for the occurrence of toeholds. A probit selection model and two-step Heckman correction tests are used to correct the data and to check for robustness of the results.

Findings

The regression results for acquisitions with prior toeholds are consistent with the studied hypotheses that asymmetric information is more observed in foreign acquisitions, in different industries, with tender offers and with higher levels of intangible assets. A negative relationship is found between toehold size and the number of competing bidders.

Originality/value

Consistent with previous literature, the study finds that majority of bidders abstain from purchasing a toehold before entering a bid contest. The study also emphasizes the role of intangible assets in assessing the efficacy of toeholds under asymmetric information. The ratio of target intangible assets to target total serves as a proxy for asymmetric information. Regression results are consistent with the hypotheses that asymmetry of information is observed when the acquiring and the target firm operate in different countries and industries.
Towards bionic noses
Authors: Persaud Krishna Chandra
Published: April 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review recent progress in electronic nose technologies, focusing on hybrid systems combining biological elements with physical transducers.

Design/methodology/approach

Electronic nose technologies are moving rapidly towards hybrid bioelectronic systems, where biological odour-recognition elements from the olfactory pathways of vertebrates and insects are being utilised to construct new “bionic noses” that can be used in industrial applications.

Findings

With the increased understanding of how chemical senses and the brain function in biology, an emerging field of “neuromorphic olfaction” has arisen.

Research limitations/implications

Important components are olfactory receptor proteins and soluble proteins found at the periphery of olfaction called odorant-binding proteins. The idea is that these proteins can be incorporated into transducers and function as biorecognition elements for volatile compounds of interest.

Practical implications

Major drivers are the security, environmental and medical applications, and the internet of things will be a major factor in implementing low-cost chemical sensing in networked applications for the future.

Social implications

Widespread take up of new technologies that are cheap will minimise the impact of environmental pollution, increase food safety and may potentially help in non-invasive screening for medical ailments.

Originality/value

This review brings together diverse threads of research leading to a common theme that will inform a non-expert of recent developments in the field.
Associations between the Transsexual Voice Questionnaire (TVQMtF) and self‐report of voice femininity and acoustic voice measures
Authors: Dacakis Georgia , Oates Jennifer , Douglas Jacinta
Published: April 2017

Background

The Transsexual Voice Questionnaire (TVQMtF) was designed to capture the voice‐related perceptions of individuals whose gender identity as female is the opposite of their birth‐assigned gender (MtF women). Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the TVQMtF is ongoing.

Aims

To investigate associations between TVQMtF scores and (1) self‐perceptions of voice femininity and (2) acoustic parameters of voice pitch and voice quality in order to evaluate further the validity of the TVQMtF. A strong correlation between TVQMtF scores and self‐ratings of voice femininity was predicted, but no association between TVQMtF scores and acoustic measures of voice pitch and quality was proposed.

Methods & Procedures

Participants were 148 MtF women (mean age 48.14 years) recruited from the La Trobe Communication Clinic and the clinics of three doctors specializing in transgender health. All participants completed the TVQMtF and 34 of these participants also provided a voice sample for acoustic analysis. Pearson product‐moment correlation analysis was conducted to examine the associations between TVQMtF scores and (1) self‐perceptions of voice femininity and (2) acoustic measures of F0, jitter (%), shimmer (dB) and harmonic‐to‐noise ratio (HNR).

Outcomes & Results

Strong negative correlations between the participants’ perceptions of their voice femininity and the TVQMtF scores demonstrated that for this group of MtF women a low self‐rating of voice femininity was associated with more frequent negative voice‐related experiences. This association was strongest with the vocal‐functioning component of the TVQMtF. These strong correlations and high levels of shared variance between the TVQMtF and a measure of a related construct provides evidence for the convergent validity of the TVQMtF. The absence of significant correlations between the TVQMtF and the acoustic data is consistent with the equivocal findings of earlier research. This finding indicates that these two measures assess different aspects of the voice‐related experience.

Conclusions & Implications

Evidence supporting the validity of the TVQMtF is strong and indicates that it is a sound measure for capturing the MtF woman's self‐perceptions of her vocal functioning and how her voice impacts on her everyday life.
The Nutrition Care Process Terminology: Changes in perceptions, attitudes, knowledge and implementation amongst Australian dietitians after three years
Authors: Vivanti Angela , Lewis Jessica , O'Sullivan Therese A.
Published: April 2017

Aim

Assessing changes in dietetic perceptions, attitudes and knowledge regarding the Nutrition Care Process Terminology (NCPT) is important to determine implementation effectiveness. This study aimed to investigate changes in the perceptions and attitudes of Australian dietitians over a three‐year period, identify changes in benefits and barriers to support successful NCPT implementation and determine future directions for NCPT progression.

Methods

An online survey was performed in 2011 and repeated in 2014 by recruiting members of the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) through an email link. The survey assessed familiarity, knowledge, attitudes, benefits, barriers, concerns and use of educational enablers around the NCPT.

Results

The survey was completed by 218 respondents in 2011 and 205 respondents in 2014. Survey respondents from both years were representative of overall DAA membership. Respondent knowledge of NCPT increased significantly over the three‐years, as did confidence, preparation, access to support and training and NCPT usage. Respondent's identification of benefits to implementation increased whilst barriers reduced. Attitudes regarding NCPT implementation were conflicting.

Conclusions

Over three years, improvements were evident in NCPT knowledge, attitudes and usage. However, not all dietitians saw reason to implement NCPT in their practice, and some attitudes have become less supportive. A collective vision is required to foster positive attitudes towards the transformational professional benefits possible from NCPT. With ongoing uptake of electronic health records, the potential for NCPT to evaluate and justify dietetic interventions is increasing.
Polyhydroxyalkanoate‐associated phasins as phylogenetically heterogeneous, multipurpose proteins
Authors: Maestro Beatriz , Sanz Jesús M.
Published: April 2017

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are natural polyesters of increasing biotechnological importance that are synthesized by many prokaryotic organisms as carbon and energy storage compounds in limiting growth conditions. PHAs accumulate intracellularly in form of inclusion bodies that are covered with a proteinaceous surface layer (granule‐associated proteins or GAPs) conforming a network‐like surface of structural, metabolic and regulatory polypeptides, and configuring the PHA granules as complex and well‐organized subcellular structures that have been designated as ‘carbonosomes’. GAPs include several enzymes related to PHA metabolism (synthases, depolymerases and hydroxylases) together with the so‐called phasins, an heterogeneous group of small‐size proteins that cover most of the PHA granule and that are devoid of catalytic functions but nevertheless play an essential role in granule structure and PHA metabolism. Structurally, phasins are amphiphilic proteins that shield the hydrophobic polymer from the cytoplasm. Here, we summarize the characteristics of the different phasins identified so far from PHA producer organisms and highlight the diverse opportunities that they offer in the Biotechnology field.
Between Rights and Realities: Human Rights Education for Immigrant and Refugee Youth in an Urban Public High School
Authors: Bajaj Monisha , Canlas Melissa , Argenal Amy
Published: April 2017

This article presents data from a two‐year ethnographic case study to explore how immigrant and refugee youth in the United States made sense of participation in a weekly human rights club after school. Three types of student responses to human rights education are exemplified through the profiles of students. The article offers new insights on studies of immigrant youth as well as possibilities that exist at the intersection of human rights education and anthropology of education.
How Unequal Perceptions of User Reviews Impact Price Competition
Authors: Pekgün Pelin , Galbreth Michael R. , Ghosh Bikram P.
Published: April 2017

When a consumer cannot fully assess her valuations of competing products prior to purchase, she must make a purchase decision based on imperfect product information. However, with the advent of online channels for widely disseminating individual user reviews, consumers are now able to learn from the experiences of others and update their expectations regarding product valuations. We analyze the interaction of user reviews and experience uncertainty, with a specific focus on the potential for negative and positive reviews to be weighted differently in a consumer's assessment of the valence of the posted reviews. We find that overweighting of negative reviews by consumers can lead to surprising results in terms of pricing and profits in a competitive context. In particular, if consumer awareness is higher for the lower quality product, it can charge higher prices and realize higher profits in equilibrium than its higher quality competitor when consumers are strongly influenced by negative reviews. We also show that a higher weighting on positive reviews by consumers always helps the firm with a lower consumer awareness.
Length of stay for patients undergoing invasive electrode monitoring with stereoelectroencephalography and subdural grids correlates positively with increased institutional profitability
Authors: Chan Alvin Y. , Kharrat Sohayla , Lundeen Kelly , Mnatsakanyan Lilit , Sazgar Mona , Sen‐Gupta Indranil , Lin Jack J. , Hsu Frank P. K. , Vadera Sumeet
Published: April 2017

Objective

Lowering the length of stay (LOS) is thought to potentially decrease hospital costs and is a metric commonly used to manage capacity. Patients with epilepsy undergoing intracranial electrode monitoring may have longer LOS because the time to seizure is difficult to predict or control. This study investigates the effect of economic implications of increased LOS in patients undergoing invasive electrode monitoring for epilepsy.

Methods

We retrospectively collected and analyzed patient data for 76 patients who underwent invasive monitoring with either subdural grid (SDG) implantation or stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) over 2 years at our institution. Data points collected included invasive electrode type, LOS, profit margin, contribution margins, insurance type, and complication rates.

Results

LOS correlated positively with both profit and contribution margins, meaning that as LOS increased, both the profit and contribution margins rose, and there was a low rate of complications in this patient group. This relationship was seen across a variety of insurance providers.

Significance

These data suggest that LOS may not be the best metric to assess invasive monitoring patients (i.e., SEEG or SDG), and increased LOS does not necessarily equate with lower or negative institutional financial gain. Further research into LOS should focus on specific specialties, as each may differ in terms of financial implications.
Prey‐baiting as a conservation tool: selective control of invasive ants with minimal non‐target effects
Authors: Buczkowski Grzegorz
Published: April 2017

Invasive ants are considered a significant threat to urban, agricultural, and natural habitats worldwide and the control of invasions is often a priority for conservation management. The spread and impact of invasive ants is often controlled using chemical management tools, predominantly toxic baits. The preferred outcome of such interventions is the recovery of indigenous species following the removal of the alien invader. Nonetheless, management actions may have unintended consequences such as non‐target impacts. Non‐target impacts are often a significant concern in areawide eradication programs because toxic baits are typically attractive to a wide range of animals and may kill non‐target fauna, especially other invertebrates.

Development of effective techniques to control populations of invasive ants while protecting the non‐target fauna is important for conservation of native biodiversity. This study utilised laboratory and field experiments to evaluate a novel approach for managing invasive Asian needle ants (Brachyponera chinensis) utilising live, insecticide‐treated termite prey. The goal was to examine the potential ecological impact of toxic prey‐baiting on native ant fauna and to determine if toxic prey‐baiting is adequately selective to be used as a tool for eradicating Asian needle ants while preserving native ant communities. Protein marking was used to track the consumption of termite prey by target and non‐target ant species.

Results demonstrate that prey‐baiting using live, fipronil‐treated termites is highly effective against Asian needle ants. Furthermore, prey‐baiting is highly specific with detrimental effects against the target species and negligible effects on native ants.

Results demonstrate a novel management tool for conservation agencies working to eradicate invasive ants globally. While traditional bait treatments are typically non‐selective and eradicate a wide range of non‐targets, prey‐baiting is highly effective and target specific and may offer an effective alternative to traditional bait treatments. Additionally, prey‐baiting may provide environmental benefits with regard to pesticide residues in ecologically sensitive environments and other protected landscapes where invasive ants pose a threat to native organisms and must be carefully managed to avoid non‐target effects.
Prior Hurricane and Other Lifetime Trauma Predict Coping Style in Older Commercial Fishers After the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Authors: Cherry Katie E. , Lyon Bethany A. , Sampson Laura , Galea Sandro , Nezat Pamela F. , Marks Loren D.
Published: April 2017

Fishing communities along the U.S. Gulf Coast have experienced catastrophic disasters including hurricanes and the BP oil spill. Exposure to such events, and subsequent losses, are known to be associated with psychological distress. This distress may be lessened through adaptive coping behaviors, although prior trauma may affect coping responses. Sixty‐four south Louisiana commercial fishers (21–90 years old) completed the Brief COPE to assess strategies for coping with oil spill stress 12–26 months after the spill. Regression analyses indicated that storm‐related stressors and lifetime traumatic events predicted different styles of coping; however, only avoidant emotional coping predicted more symptoms of depression and post‐traumatic stress. These data suggest that prior and current traumatic experiences may hinder effective coping.
Low‐Dose Aspirin Use and Cognitive Function in Older Age: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Veronese Nicola , Stubbs Brendon , Maggi Stefania , Thompson Trevor , Schofield Patricia , Muller Christoph , Tseng Ping‐Tao , Lin Pao‐Yen , Carvalho André F. , Solmi Marco
Published: April 2017

Objectives

To investigate whether low‐dose aspirin (<300 mg/d) can influence the onset of cognitive impairment or dementia in observational studies and improve cognitive test scores in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in participants without dementia.

Design

Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Setting

Observational and interventional studies.

Participants

Individuals with no dementia or cognitive impairment initially.

Measurements

Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for the maximum number of covariates from each study, were used to summarize data on the incidence of dementia and cognitive impairment in observational studies. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were used for cognitive test scores in RCTs.

Results

Of 2,341 potentially eligible articles, eight studies were included and provided data for 36,196 participants without dementia or cognitive impairment at baseline (mean age 66, 63% female). After adjusting for a median of three potential confounders over a median follow‐up period of 6 years, chronic use of low‐dose aspirin was not associated with onset of dementia or cognitive impairment (5 studies, N = 26,159; OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.55–1.22, P = .33, I2 = 67%). In three RCTs (N = 10,037; median follow‐up 5 years), the use of low‐dose aspirin was not associated with significantly better global cognition (SMD=0.005, 95% CI=–0.04–0.05, P = .84, I2 = 0%) in individuals without dementia. Adherence was lower in participants taking aspirin than in controls, and the incidence of adverse events was higher.

Conclusion

This review found no evidence that low‐dose aspirin buffers against cognitive decline or dementia or improves cognitive test scores in RCTs.
Context Factors and the Performance of Mobile Individuals in Research Teams
Authors: Franzoni Chiara , Scellato Giuseppe , Stephan Paula
Published: April 2017

We use survey data for 4336 scientific teams, located in 16 countries, where all members were working within a single lab, to test three context factors that potentially affect the capability of internationally mobile individuals to enhance the innovation performance of their research units. We formulate hypotheses on context factors rooted in the knowledge recombination and learning‐by hiring theories. The results show that three context factors are positively associated with international mobility and the performance of the research units: the degree to which knowledge in the relevant subfield of science is geographically concentrated, the creative intent of the activities performed and the decision power of the mobile individual.
Coronal Transcranial Sonography and M‐Mode Tremor Frequency Determination in Parkinson's Disease and Essential Tremor
Authors: Richter Daniel , Woitalla Dirk , Muhlack Siegfried , Gold Ralf , Tönges Lars , Krogias Christos
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The axial mesencephalic transcranial sonography plane is an established and sensitive diagnostic tool for the differentiation of Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. However, the substantia nigra can also be depicted in a second coronal examination plane, whose diagnostic value has not yet been evaluated. Furthermore, the M‐mode tremor frequency determination represents another sonographic tool, which might yield additional diagnostic value.

METHODS

We included patients with diagnosed Parkinson's disease (n = 31), essential tremor (n = 16), and healthy age‐matched controls (n = 16). All were examined by transcranial sonography in the axial and coronal plane. Tremor frequencies were quantified by an M‐mode tremor frequency determination examination protocol. A clinical assessment was conducted in all participants.

RESULTS

The utilization of a coronal examination plane improved the diagnostic strength in discriminating of Parkinson's disease from essential tremor and healthy controls. In combination with the determination of tremor frequency, best discriminative results were achieved (sensitivity, 90.3%; specificity, 96.9%). In the Parkinson's disease group, we found a significant positive correlation between hyposmia and coronal hyperechogenicity.

CONCLUSION

The combined usage of coronal transcranial sonography and M‐mode tremor frequency determination should be considered to improve diagnostic strength of sonographic techniques for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.
Linking Magazine Exposure to Social Appearance Anxiety: The Role of Appearance Norms in Early Adolescence
Authors: Trekels Jolien , Eggermont Steven
Published: April 2017

Early adolescents (N = 1,591;Mage = 11.698;SD = 0.892) participated in a two‐wave panel study (6‐month interval) to examine the longitudinal association between appearance‐focused magazine exposure and social appearance anxiety. We revealed that magazine exposure positively correlated with the internalization of appearance ideals and the attribution of social rewards to attractiveness which, in turn, related to social appearance anxiety. Internalization and attribution of social rewards formed a reinforcing spiral; once internalized, early adolescents associate positive things with appearance ideals (e.g., peer acceptance) and the perception of rewards increases early adolescents' inclination to internalize ideals. Given the adverse consequences of social appearance anxiety, the findings warrant research on the role of media in the occurrence of social appearance anxiety.
Monitoring Parameter Constancy with Endogenous Regressors
Authors: Kurozumi Eiji
Published: April 2017

This article proposes monitoring tests for parameter change in linear regression models with endogenous regressors. We consider a CUSUM‐type test based on the instrumental variable (IV) estimation, as the IV method is standard for models with endogenous regressors. In addition, we propose a test based on the residuals from the least squares (LS) estimation. We show that for a given boundary function, both tests have the same limiting distribution under the null hypothesis, whereas their powers are different. In particular, when a structural change occurs early in a monitoring period, the test based on the LS method tends to detect it more rapidly than that based on the IV method. We apply our methods to investigate the Japanese Phillips curve and show that the LS‐based test performs well to detect a change in 2007, while neither test finds evidence of a change after 2013.
Use and Acceptability of Writing Adaptations for Students with Disabilities: Survey of Grade 3–8 Teachers
Authors: Troia Gary A. , Graham Steve
Published: April 2017

One hundred forty‐one teachers in grades 3–8 indicated how frequently they made 24 writing instructional adaptations for students with disabilities. They also rated the acceptability of each of the 24 adaptations on three dimensions: effectiveness, effort needed to implement, and implementation knowledge. Teachers reported making 16 different adaptations monthly or more often, and 10 at least weekly. The most common adaptation was allowing extra time to complete writing assignments. The least common adaptations included extra handwriting instruction, opportunities to compose via dictation, and homework to reinforce skills. Teachers viewed most of the adaptations as acceptable, and views on acceptability made a unique contribution to predicting reported use of adaptations, after variance due to student and other teacher variables was controlled.
Practical Reason, Sympathy and Reactive Attitudes
Authors: Hayward Max Khan
Published: April 2017

This paper has three aims. First, I defend, in its most radical form, Hume's scepticism about practical reason, as it applies to purely self‐regarding matters. It's not always irrational to discount the future, to be inconstant in one's preferences, to have incompatible desires, to not pursue the means to one's ends, or to fail to maximize one's own good. Second, I explain how our response to the “irrational” agent should be understood as an expression of frustrated sympathy, in Adam Smith's sense of sympathy, rather than a genuine judgement about Reason. We judge these people because we cannot imaginatively identify with their desires and attitudes, and this is frustrating. Third, compared to the standard cognitive view, my account better explains the nature of our criticism of the “irrational,” and, by portraying “irrationality” as a cause of upset to other people, provides a better normative basis for being “rational.”
A Nonlinear Sliding Surface in Sliding Mode Control to Reduce Vibrations of a Three-Link Flexible Manipulator
Authors: Ripamonti Francesco , Orsini Lorenzo , Resta Ferruccio
Published: April 2017

Many mechanical systems often show nonlinear behavior related to particular operating conditions or to the nonlinear characteristic of the elements (springs, dampers, etc.) making up the system. In these cases, common engineering practice is to linearize the equation of motion around a particular operating point and to design a linear controller. Although this approach is simple, its main disadvantage is that stability properties and validity of the controller are only local. For these reasons, over the last decades, nonlinear control techniques have been investigated more and more in order to improve control performance. In particular, in this paper, sliding mode control (SMC) technique, which is based on the model of the system (model-based), is considered because of its easy implementation, especially on simple mechanical systems, and the considerable robustness of the controller even under significant model uncertainties. This technique is analyzed numerically with respect to the pendulum system to better understand the influence of the control action on the system dynamics. A nonlinear sliding surface is also considered, recalling the terminal sliding mode (TSM) control already analyzed in the scientific literature. This sliding surface is characterized for the numerical system, and then it is applied experimentally in order to control a highly nonlinear system, consisting of a three-link flexible manipulator. For this system, a nonlinear modal model is developed, and a nonlinear observer is designed. Finally, results of experimental tests on the manipulator are reported, in order to compare the performances of the linear embedded control and the sliding mode controllers with the linear and nonlinear sliding surface.
A murine preclinical syngeneic transplantation model for breast cancer precision medicine
Authors: Federico Lorenzo , Chong Zechen , Zhang Dong , McGrail Daniel J. , Zhao Wei , Jeong Kang Jin , Vellano Christopher P. , Ju Zhenlin , Gagea Mihai , Liu Shuying , Mitra Shreya , Dennison Jennifer B. , Lorenzi Philip L. , Cardnell Robert , Diao Lixia , Wang Jing , Lu Yiling , Byers Lauren A. , Perou Charles M. , Lin Shiaw-Yih , Mills Gordon B.
Published: April 2017

This work presents a new preclinical platform for implementation of selected targeted therapeutics for breast cancer patients.
Culture clash
Plundered Skulls and Stolen Spirits: Inside the Fight to Reclaim Native America's Culture
Chip Colwell
University of Chicago Press, 2017. 356 pp.
Authors: Younker Jason
Published: April 2017

A museum curator reflects on the fraught task of assigning ownership of American Indian artifacts and remains
Common care practices among effective community-based specialist palliative care teams: a qualitative study
Authors: Seow Hsien , Bainbridge Daryl , Brouwers Melissa , Bryant Deanna , Tan Toyofuku Sue , Kelley Mary Lou
Published: April 2017

Objective

Evidence has shown that, despite wide variation in models of care, community-based specialist palliative care teams can improve outcomes and reduce acute care use at end of life. The goal of this study was to explore similarities in care practices among effective and diverse specialist teams to inform the development of other community-based teams.

Methods

Interviews with 78 providers and administrators from 11 distinct community-based specialist palliative care teams from Ontario, Canada were conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using an inductive approach to identify common themes.

Results

3 key themes across all teams emerged. First, the distinct models of care were generally summarised into 3 models: primary care and specialist providers either collaborated by transferring, sharing or consulting in care. Second, teams explicitly or implicitly followed 7 common care practices related to: specialised expertise 24/7; intrateam communication; timeliness; physical symptom and psychosocial–spiritual management; education; peace and fulfilment; and advocacy for patient preferences. Third, all teams emphasised the importance of team building, even more than using clinical tools and processes.

Conclusions

Despite wide variation in models of care among community-based specialist palliative care teams, this large qualitative study identified several common themes in care practices that can guide the development of other teams.
Lattices of composition formations of finite groups and the laws
Authors: Tsarev Aleksandr , Vorob’ev Nikolay N.
Published: April 2017

We prove that every law of the lattice of all [Formula: see text]-closed formations of finite groups is fulfilled in the lattice of all [Formula: see text]-closed [Formula: see text]-multiply [Formula: see text]-composition formations of finite groups for every non-empty set of primes [Formula: see text] and every non-negative integer [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be an infinite set of primes. It is proved that the lattice of all [Formula: see text]-closed [Formula: see text]-multiply [Formula: see text]-composition formations is not distributive.
Location-Based Parallel Tag Completion for Geo-Tagged Social Image Retrieval
Authors: Zhang Jiaming , Wang Shuhui , Huang Qingming
Published: April 2017

Having benefited from tremendous growth of user-generated content, social annotated tags get higher importance in the organization and retrieval of large-scale image databases on Online Sharing Websites (OSW). To obtain high-quality tags from existing community contributed tags with missing information and noise, tag-based annotation or recommendation methods have been proposed for performance promotion of tag prediction. While images from OSW contain rich social attributes, they have not taken full advantage of rich social attributes and auxiliary information associated with social images to construct global information completion models. In this article, beyond the image-tag relation, we take full advantage of the ubiquitous GPS locations and image-user relationship to enhance the accuracy of tag prediction and improve the computational efficiency. For GPS locations, we define the popular geo-locations where people tend to take more images as Points of Interests (POI), which are discovered by mean shift approach. For image-user relationship, we integrate a localized prior constraint, expecting the completed tag sub-matrix in each POI to maintain consistency with users’ tagging behaviors. Based on these two key issues, we propose a unified tag matrix completion framework, which learns the image-tag relation within each POI. To solve the optimization problem, an efficient proximal sub-gradient descent algorithm is designed. The model optimization can be easily parallelized and distributed to learn the tag sub-matrix for each POI. Extensive experimental results reveal that the learned tag sub-matrix of each POI reflects the major trend of users’ tagging results with respect to different POIs and users, and the parallel learning process provides strong support for processing large-scale online image databases. To fit the response time requirement and storage limitations of Tag-based Image Retrieval (TBIR) on mobile devices, we introduce Asymmetric Locality Sensitive Hashing (ALSH) to reduce the time cost and meanwhile improve the efficiency of retrieval.
The Yin and Yang of Autism Genetics: How Rare De Novo and Common Variations Affect Liability
Authors: Chaste Pauline , Roeder Kathryn , Devlin Bernie
Published: April 2017

The etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is complex, involving both genetic and environmental contributions to individual and population-level liability. Early researchers hypothesized that ASD arises from polygenic inheritance, but later results, such as the identification of mutations in certain genes that are responsible for syndromes associated with ASD, led others to propose that de novo mutations of major effect would account for most cases. This yin and yang of monogenic causes and polygenic inheritance continues to this day. The development of genome-wide genotyping and sequencing techniques has resulted in remarkable advances in our understanding of the genetic architecture of risk for ASD. The combined research findings provide solid evidence that ASD is a complex polygenic disorder. Rare de novo and inherited variations act within the context of a common-variant genetic load, and this load accounts for the largest portion of ASD liability.
Enaminonitrile as Building Block in Heterocyclic Synthesis: Synthesis of Novel 4H-Furo[2,3-d][1,3]oxazin-4-one and Furo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one Derivatives
Authors: El-Shahawi Manal M. , El-Ziaty Ahmed K.
Published: April 2017

2-Amino-4,5-diphenylfuran-3-carbonitrile 1 was utilized as building block for the construction of new furo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one derivative 2 and 4H-furo[2,3-d][1,3]oxazin-4-one derivative 3 via treatment with acetic anhydride and benzoyl chloride, respectively. The 4H-furo[2,3-d][1,3]oxazin-4-one derivative 3 was transformed into novel furo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones 4–8, tetrazolylfuran derivative 10, and furo[3,2-d]imadazolone derivative 11 via reaction with various nitrogen nucleophiles. The structure features of the synthesized compounds were established from their spectral and elemental analyses.
Dynamic Modeling and Characteristic Analysis of Floating Raft System with Attached Pipes
Authors: Ren Longlong , Li Yang , Huang Xiuchang , Hua Hongxing
Published: April 2017

The vibration transmission performance of a floating raft system with attached pipes is investigated in this paper. The frequency response function-based (FRF-based) substructure synthesizing method whose accuracy has been verified by numerical simulations and experiment is applied for modeling the system. The power flow through the transmission paths is used for exploring the additional vibration transmission path provided by the attached pipes. The results show that the existence of the additional transmission paths caused by the pipes breaks the symmetries of the system, which leads to the enhancement of the coupling between each substructure. Consequently, it degrades the vibration isolation performance of the raft system. Moreover, a parametric study is performed to investigate the effects on the mean-square velocity of the hull of the attached pipes, which gives a brief guideline for designing the attached pipes.
Glucosylceramide Critically Contributes to the Host Defense of Cystic Fibrosis Lungs
Authors: Kovacic Barbara , Sehl Carolin , Wilker Barbara , Kamler Markus , Becker Katrin Anne , Gulbins Erich
Published: April 2017

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common autosomal-recessive disorder in western countries. Previous studies have demonstrated an important role of sphingolipids in the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis. It has been shown that ceramide has a central role in various pulmonary infections, including those with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Ceramide is accumulated in the airways of CF mice and patients. However, little is known about a potential role of glucosylceramide in cystic fibrosis. Methods: We investigated the expression of glucosylceramide and lactosylceramide in the respiratory tract of murine and human CF samples by immunohistochemistry and analyzed effects of glucosylceramide on P. aeruginosa in vitro. We performed pulmonary infections with P. aeruginosa and tested inhalation with glucosylceramide. Results: We demonstrate that glucosylceramide is down-regulated on the apical surface of bronchial and tracheal epithelial cells in cystic fibrosis mice. Although glucosylceramide did not have a direct bactericidal effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro, inhalation of CF mice with glucosylceramide protected these mice from infection with P. aeruginosa, while non-inhaled CF mice developed severe pneumonia. Conclusion: Our data suggest that glucosylceramide acts in vivo in concert with ceramide and sphingosine to determine the pulmonary defense against P. aeruginosa.
A new species of Plestiodon (Squamata: Scincidae) from the Senkaku Group, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan
Authors: KURITA KAZUKI , OTA HIDETOSHI , HIKIDA TSUTOMU
Published: April 2017

A new scincid lizard, Plestiodon takarai sp. nov., is described from the Senkaku Group, Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. The Plestiodon lizards in this island group have previously been identified as P. elegans because they all exhibit a patch of enlarged and irregularly arranged scales on the posterior surface of their femurs. However, detailed molecular analyses revealed that the Senkaku population, although closely related to P. elegans and other species in the P. latiscutatus species group, is substantially diverged from all other recognized species. Furthermore, although the Senkaku population largely exhibits the characteristic morphological features of this species group, it can be differentiated from all recognized species by the scutellation and hatchling tail coloration. The biogeographical and conservation implications of these findings are briefly discussed.
Mimaporia, a new genus of Epicopeiidae (Lepidoptera), with description of a new species from Vietnam
Authors: WEI CHIA-HSUAN , YEN SHEN-HORN
Published: April 2017

The Epicopeiidae is a small geometroid family distributed in the East Palaearctic and Oriental regions. It exhibits high morphological diversity in body size and wing shape, while their wing patterns involve in various complex mimicry rings. In the present study, we attempted to describe a new genus, and a new species from Vietnam, with comments on two assumed congeneric novel species from China and India. To address its phylogenetic affinity, we reconstructed the phylogeny of the family by using sequence data of COI, EF-1α, and 28S gene regions obtained from seven genera of Epicopeiidae with Pseudobiston pinratanai as the outgroup. We also compared the morphology of the new taxon to other epicopeiid genera to affirm its taxonomic status. The results suggest that the undescribed taxon deserve a new genus, namely Mimaporia gen. n. The species from Vietnam, Mimaporia hmong sp. n., is described as new to science. Under different tree building strategies, the new genus is the sister group of either Chatamla Moore, 1881 or Parabraxas Leech, 1897. The morphological evidence, which was not included in phylogenetic analyses, however, suggests its potential affinity with Burmeia Minet, 2003. This study also provides the first, although preliminary, molecular phylogeny of the family on which the revised systematics and interpretation of character evolution can be based.
Gynacantha dryadula sp. nov. from the Guiana Shield (Odonata, Anisoptera: Aeshnidae)
Authors: NEISS ULISSES GASPAR , MARMELS JÜRG DE
Published: April 2017

The new species is described and illustrated on the basis of two reared, subteneral males from Brazil, their larval exuviae, a mature male from French Guiana, a mature female from Venezuela, and a mature female from Surinam. One of the Brazilian males is the holotype (BRAZIL, Amazonas State, Manaus, Reserva Florestal Ducke, BR 174-km 26, trail to Acará creek, 02º55’47”S, 59º58’22”W, 0.7 m elevation, deposited in INPA). The new species (total length 50–54 mm) differs from other small species of same genus by color pattern of thorax, middle and hind tibiae dark with external (dorsal) yellow streak, male cercus with truncated tip lacking apical spine, and male epiproct reaching or slightly surpassing midlength of cercus. The larva, besides of its small size (28–31 mm), has an epiproct with well-developed and slightly diverging apical spines and an unusually long paraproct.
On the Initiation of the 20 June 2015 Great Plains Low-Level Jet
Authors: Parish Thomas R. , Clark Richard D.
Published: April 2017

Extensive measurements were made of the summertime Great Plains low-level jet (LLJ) in central Kansas during June and July 2015 as a component of the Plains Elevated Convection at Night (PECAN) field study. Here, the authors describe the early phase of the LLJ development on 20 June 2015. Half-hourly soundings were launched to monitor the progress of the jet. An airborne mission was also conducted using the University of Wyoming King Air research aircraft. Vertical sawtooth patterns were flown along a fixed track at 38.7°N between longitudes 98.9° and 100.3°W to document changes in the potential temperature and wind profiles. Ageostrophic winds during the LLJ formation were also assessed. In addition, a high-resolution numerical simulation of the 20 June 2015 LLJ case was conducted using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model. Observations and model results show that the early stage of development consisted of a rapid increase in wind speed in the hours just after sunset with less pronounced directional change. The LLJ evolution is similar to that expected from an inertial oscillation of the ageostrophic wind following the stabilization of the near-surface layer.
Learning the Language of Nonviolence
Authors: Muller Jean-Marie
Published: April 2017

This article posits a number of theoretical pointers towards a conceptual clarification of the concept of non-violence, in particular in relation to notions of conflict, pact, mediation, compromise, strength, benevolence, and truth. It sets them against the concept of violence and the behaviours which are associated with it, and is based on the thought of M. K. Gandhi and E. Weil. Finally it presents some pointers towards a strategy for non-violence and explains the sense of the principle of non-cooperation.
Pointers for Non-Violent Action in Iraq
Authors: Muller Jean-Marie
Published: April 2017

Herein is reproduced the text of the address of Jean-Marie Muller during the General Assembly of Iraqi groups dedicated to non-violence which took place in Erbil on 9 and 10 November 2009. Jean-Marie Muller defines six prospective forms of action for the non-violent movement in Iraq: training, information, sensitization, education, protest, and non-violent direct action.