bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SMILE and Wavefront-Guided LASIK Out-Compete Other Refractive Surgeries in Ameliorating the Induction of High-Order Aberrations in Anterior Corneal Surface
Authors: Ye Min-jie , Liu Cai-yuan , Liao Rong-feng , Gu Zheng-yu , Zhao Bing-ying , Liao Yi
Published: October 2016

Purpose. To compare the change of anterior corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), wavefront-guided LASIK with iris registration (WF-LASIK), femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK), and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).Methods. In a prospective study, 82 eyes underwent LASIK, 119 eyes underwent WF-LASIK, 88 eyes underwent FS-LASIK, and 170 eyes underwent SMILE surgery. HOAs were measured with Pentacam device preoperatively and 6 months after surgery. The aberrations were described as Zernike polynomials, and analysis focused on total HOAs, spherical aberration (SA), horizontal coma, and vertical coma over 6 mm diameter central corneal zone.Results. Six months postoperatively, all procedures result in increase of anterior corneal total HOAs and SA. There were no significant differences in the induced HOAs between LASIK and FS-LASIK, while SMILE induced fewer total HOAs and SA compared with LASIK and FS-LASIK. Similarly, WF-LASIK also induced less total HOAs than LASIK and FS-LASIK, but only fewer SA than FS-LASIK (P<0.05). No significant difference could be detected in the induced total HOAs and SA between SMILE and WF-LASIK, whereas SMILE induced more horizontal coma and vertical coma compared with WF-LASIK (P<0.05).Conclusion. FS-LASIK and LASIK induced comparable anterior corneal HOAs. Compared to LASIK and FS-LASIK, both SMILE and WF-LASIK showed advantages in inducing less total HOAs. In addition, SMILE also possesses better ability to reduce the induction of SA in comparison with LASIK and FS-LASIK. However, SMILE induced more horizontal coma and vertical coma compared with WF-LASIK, indicating that the centration of SMILE procedure is probably less precise than WF-LASIK.
Fallopian Tube Torsion as a Cause of Acute Pelvic Pain in Adolescent Females
Authors: Mueller Claudia , Tomita Sandra
Published: October 2016

Purpose. Torsion of the fallopian tube, involving hydatids of Morgagni, though a rare cause of acute pelvic pain in young girls, can pose significant risks to future fertility. Tubal torsion may present as a diagnostic dilemma since the ovary itself usually appears normal on ultrasound. Thus, surgical intervention may be delayed which can lead to worsening necrosis and result in the need for resection of the affected tube.Methods. We reviewed two cases of fallopian tube torsion associated with hydatids of Morgagni in adolescent females.Results. The patients were premenarchal in both cases, aged 10 and 13 years. Both presented with acute clinical signs of ovarian torsion but ultrasound showed the ovary itself to be normal with an adjacent cystic structure. In both cases, the fallopian tube was detorsioned laparoscopically and preserved. The associated cyst was excised in one case and marsupialized in the other.Conclusions. We propose that prompt recognition and operative management of this relatively uncommon source of pelvic pain may prevent unnecessary tubal resection and improve long-term fertility in this population.
Multiple Solutions for the Asymptotically Linear Kirchhoff Type Equations onRN
Authors: Duan Yu , Tang Chun-Lei
Published: October 2016

The multiplicity of positive solutions for Kirchhoff type equations depending on a nonnegative parameterλonRNis proved by using variational method. We will show that if the nonlinearities are asymptotically linear at infinity andλ>0is sufficiently small, the Kirchhoff type equations have at least two positive solutions. For the perturbed problem, we give the result of existence of three positive solutions.
The Atlanta Motor Speech Disorders Corpus: Motivation, Development, and Utility
Authors: Laures-Gore Jacqueline , Russell Scott , Patel Rupal , Frankel Michael
Published: October 2016

Background/Aims: This paper describes the design and collection of a comprehensive spoken language dataset from speakers with motor speech disorders in Atlanta, Ga., USA. This collaborative project aimed to gather a spoken database consisting of nonmainstream American English speakers residing in the Southeastern US in order to provide a more diverse perspective of motor speech disorders. Methods: Ninety-nine adults with an acquired neurogenic disorder resulting in a motor speech disorder were recruited. Stimuli include isolated vowels, single words, sentences with contrastive focus, sentences with emotional content and prosody, sentences with acoustic and perceptual sensitivity to motor speech disorders, as well as ‘The Caterpillar' and ‘The Grandfather' passages. Results: Utility of this data in understanding the potential interplay of dialect and dysarthria was demonstrated with a subset of the speech samples existing in the database. Conclusion: The Atlanta Motor Speech Disorders Corpus will enrich our understanding of motor speech disorders through the examination of speech from a diverse group of speakers.
Correlation between Routine Parameters of Digital Rectal Examination and Expressed Prostatic Secretions and Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes of Chronic Prostatitis
Authors: Zhu Yong , Gu Yue-Xing , Yue Jin , Liu Zheng-Jian , Zeng Qing-Qi
Published: October 2016

Objective: To explore and analyze the correlation of routine parameters of digital rectal examination and expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes of chronic prostatitis (CP). Methods: According to features of TCM syndromes, 114 CP patients were divided into four groups: group A (syndrome of dampness-heat pouring downward), group B (syndrome of qi stagnation and blood stasis), group C (syndrome of yin deficiency with effulgent fire), and group D (syndrome of kidney yang deficiency). Data collected by digital rectal examination and EPS were divided into different grades according to different criteria. Finally, we performed a statistical analysis of the data. Results: The sizes of the prostates in group C were smaller than those in any other group (p < 0.05). The texture of the prostates in group B was harder than that in any other group (p < 0.05). The rates of tenderness in the prostate were higher in groups A and B than in the other two groups (p < 0.05). The rates of abnormal amounts of small particles of lecithin were higher in groups C and D than in the other two groups (p < 0.05). Finally, the rates of abnormal amounts of white blood cells were higher in groups A and B than in the other two groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a certain correlation of routine parameters of digital rectal examination and EPS with TCM syndromes of CP, which can provide effective instruction on the differentiation of TCM syndromes.
Longitudinal Changes in Measured Glomerular Filtration Rate, Renal Fibrosis and Biomarkers in a Rat Model of Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Su Zhi , Widomski Deborah , Ma Ji , Namovic Marian , Nikkel Arthur , Leys Laura , Olson Lauren , Salte Katherine , Donnelly-Roberts Diana , Esbenshade Timothy , McGaraughty Steve
Published: October 2016

Background: Obese ZSF-1 rats display many features of human type II diabetes including nephropathy (DN). The study aimed to further understand the relevance of this model to DN, for which glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal fibrosis and several urinary/tissue biomarkers was followed over 24 weeks in ZSF-1 rats. Methods: Intact/sham or uninephrectomized male and female ZSF-1 rats were studied. GFR was measured by transdermal clearance of fluorescein isothiocyanate-sinistrin. Urine was collected every 2-4 weeks for biomarker analysis. Renal tissue was examined histologically for fibrosis and for levels of inflammatory and fibrotic genes. Results: Male obese ZSF-1 rats demonstrated metabolic syndrome and proteinuria. Female counterparts were hyperlipidemic with delayed proteinuria, but were not hyperglycemic. Kidney hyperfiltration was observed in male obese rats in weeks 2-4 after surgery, and subsequently declined to levels significantly lower than controls. Tubulointerstitial/glomerular fibrosis in male obese rats was significantly elevated by week 12 post surgery and continued to expand in the ensuing weeks, particularly in uninephrectomized rats. Female rats had less severe fibrosis. Except for epidermal growth factor which decreased, the levels of several key inflammatory, injury and fibrotic factors were elevated in both tissue (mRNA) and urine (protein) of male obese rats. Conclusion: Male obese ZSF-1 rats represent an important DN model, manifesting key pathophysiological features including metabolic syndrome, proteinuria, progressive tubular and glomerular fibrosis, and transient hyperfiltration followed by progressive decline in renal function. Uninephrectomy significantly accelerated disease progression. Females were less severe in disease manifestation. Several urinary and tissue biomarkers were identified in the male obese rats that tracked with disease progression.
Subungual Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The Diagnostic Challenge and Clinical Pearls
Authors: Kok Wai Leong , Lee Joyce Siong See , Chio Martin Tze-wei
Published: October 2016

Subungual squamous cell carcinoma is a rare entity and difficult to diagnose as its clinical presentation may resemble benign conditions. This case report highlights the need to maintain a high clinical index of suspicion, and recommends a practical approach for subungual conditions. Dermoscopy and a biopsy for histology are important adjuncts to clinch the diagnosis.
Basal Cell Carcinoma on the Sole: An Easily Missed Cancer
Authors: Hone Natalie L. , Grandhi Radhika , Ingraffea Adam A.
Published: October 2016

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer, and solar ultraviolet ray exposure is the most significant risk factor for its development. The plantar foot is infrequently exposed to the sun, thus the presence of BCC on the sole is rare. We report a case of BCC on the sole of the foot and its treatment in the hope to facilitate its detection.
Acupuncture Embedding Complication: Second Report of a Rare Case
Authors: Avijgan Majid , Fathi-Joozdani Maryam , Avijgan Mahtab , Salehzadeh Firoozeh
Published: October 2016

Background: In traditional Chinese medicine, one of the modalities of treatment is embedding. Embedding is a method of acupuncture in which catgut is embedded in acupuncture points instead of needles. The current case report describes a rare complication of embedding, and this is the second case report on this modality. Case: A 46-year-old woman suffering from chronic vascular headache (migraine) was referred for acupuncture and embedding. One week after the procedure, she returned with complaints of severe tenderness on the site of embedding. There were tender subcutaneous nodules in the temporal areas of the head. These were diagnosed as suture granuloma, which is one of the rare complications of embedding and has good prognosis. Results: Embedding modality of acupuncture has satisfactory therapeutic effects in many patients but is sometimes accompanied with rare and serious complications. Conclusions: The current authors believe that this complication is a kind of aseptic inflammation and there is no need for any invasive procedure.
Application of a molecular diagnostic algorithm for haemophilia A and B using next-generation sequencing of entire F8, F9 and VWF genes
Authors: González-Porras Jose , Jiménez Cristina , Benito Rocio , Ordoñez Gonzalo R. , Álvarez-Román Maria , Fontecha M. Elena , Janusz Kamila , Castillo David , Fisac Rosa , García-Frade Luis , Aguilar Carlos , Martínez Paz , Bermejo Nuria , Herrero Sonia , Balanzategui Ana , Martin-Antorán Jose , Ramos Rafael , Cebeiro Maria , Pardal Emilia , Aguilera Carmen , Pérez-Gutierrez Belen , Prieto Manuel , Riesco Susana , Mendoza Maria , Benito Ana , Benito-Sendin Ana , Jimenez-Yuste Victor , Hernández-Rivas Jesus , García-Sanz Ramon , González-Díaz Marcos , Sarasquete Maria , Bastida Jose
Published: October 2016

Currently, molecular diagnosis of haemophilia A and B (HA and HB) highlights the excess risk-inhibitor development associated with specific mutations, and enables carrier testing of female relatives and prenatal or preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Molecular testing for HA also helps distinguish it from von Willebrand disease (VWD). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows simultaneous investigation of several complete genes, even though they may span very extensive regions. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a molecular algorithm employing an NGS approach for sequencing the complete F8, F9 and VWF genes. The proposed algorithm includes the detection of inversions of introns 1 and 22, an NGS custom panel (the entire F8, F9 and VWF genes), and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis. A total of 102 samples (97 FVIII- and FIX-deficient patients, and five female carriers) were studied. IVS-22 screening identified 11 out of 20 severe HA patients and one female carrier. IVS-1 analysis did not reveal any alterations. The NGS approach gave positive results in 88 cases, allowing the differential diagnosis of mild/moderate HA and VWD in eight cases. MLPA confirmed one large exon deletion. Only one case did have no pathogenic variants. The proposed algorithm had an overall success rate of 99 %. In conclusion, our evaluation demonstrates that this algorithm can reliably identify pathogenic variants and diagnose patients with HA, HB or VWD.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Óptica moderna: fundamentos e aplicações
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Zilio Sérgio Carlos
Published: October 2016

Este é um texto destinado à introdução dos conceitos básicos da óptica moderna, elaborado para estudantes de física ou engenharia elétrica. Seu enfoque principal está voltado para a óptica física, onde fenômenos ondulatórios, tais como difração e interferência são abordados.
Epizootic amebiasis outbreak in wild black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) in a wildlife facility during captivity prior to translocation - Recommendations to wildlife management programs
Authors: Genoy-Puerto Alexander , Santos Renata Carolina Fernandes , Guimarães-Luiz Thaís , Sánchez-Sarmiento Angélica María , Zacariotti Rogério Loesch , Catão-Dias José Luiz , Matushima Eliana Reiko
Published: October 2016

Óbitos por infecções causadas por protozoários intestinais são indesejáveis para programas de manejo de fauna, exigidos no âmbito do licenciamento ambiental e que demandam a captura e quarentena de primatas não humanos. Exames coproparasitológicos, necroscópicos, microbiológicos e moleculares foram utilizados para a confirmação do diagnóstico de uma severa enterite necrótica que levou a óbito três fêmeas e dois machos de Alouatta (A.) caraya capturados e mantidos em quarentena prévia à translocação. Exames coproparasitológicos revelaram a presença de cistos de Entamoeba (E.) histolytica/dispar (5/5), Entamoeba (E.) coli (5/5) e Giardia (G.) duodenalis (1/5). A avaliação necroscópica revelou áreas de necrose multifocal severa na mucosa e submucosa intestinal. A análise microscópica revelou a presença de estruturas morfologicamente compatíveis com trofozoítos do gênero Entamoeba spp. em todos os indivíduos examinados. Além disso, G. duodenalis (1/5) foi demonstrada pela técnica de Nested PCR. Sugere-se que quando for necessário o cativeiro temporário de primatas, deverão ser adotados protocolos de manejo adequados buscando a destinação imediata dos animais, de moto a mitigar os efeitos negativos do estresse e reduzir o risco da ocorrência de infecções.
New species and new synonyms in European Platypalpus (Diptera: Hybotidae)
Authors: BARTÁK MIROSLAV , KUBÍK ŠTĚPÁN
Published: October 2016

Platypalpus mosticensis sp. nov. (Czech Republic) and P. ibericus sp. nov. (Portugal) are described and illustrated. The male of Platypalpus silvahumidus Barták & Kubík, 2015 is described and illustrated for the first time. Types of all species of Platypalpus described by Italian entomologist Gianni Raffone between 2002 and 2010 were studied. The following nine new synonyms are proposed: Platypalpus canzonerii Raffone, 2002 = P. maculimanus (Zetterstedt, 1842); Platypalpus litoreus Raffone, 2010 = P. flavicornis (Meigen, 1822); Platypalpus pseudoalter Raffone, 2003 = P. boreoalpinus Frey, 1943; Platypalpus pseudostroblii Raffone, 2002 = P. exilis (Meigen, 1822); Platypalpus subwagneri Raffone, 2003 = P. exilis (Meigen, 1822); Platypalpus romaniolus Raffone, 2010 = P. longiseta (Zetterstedt, 1842); Platypalpus subarticulatus Raffone, 2002 = P. articulatus Macquart, 1827; Platypalpus submaculus Raffone, 2002 = P. macula (Zetterstedt, 1842); Platypalpus subpectoralis Raffone, 2002 = P. pectoralis (Fallén, 1815). Variability in the male genitalia of P. boreoalpinus is discussed.
Redescription of the rare and endangered Broadfin Shark Lamiopsis temminckii (Müller & Henle, 1839) (Carcharhiniformes:Carcharhinidae) from the northeastern Arabian Sea
Authors: AKHILESH K.V. , WHITE W.T. , BINEESH K.K. , PURUSHOTTAMA G.B. , SINGH V.V. , SINGH V.V. , ZACHARIA P.U.
Published: October 2016

The genus Lamiopsis (Carcharhinidae) was previously considered to be monotypic, containing only the Broadfin Shark Lamiopsis temminckii (Müller & Henle, 1839) widely distributed in the Indo–West Pacific. However, a recent taxonomic study revealed that the Western Central Pacific populations were a separate species and that L. temminckii was restricted to the northern Indian Ocean. In this study, the paucity of data available for the true L. temminckii was highlighted. Recently collected specimens of L. temminckii has allowed for a detailed redescription of this species from the northern Arabian Sea to complement the previous taxonomic work on this genus.
First record of the genus Graptopeltus Stål (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Rhyparochromidae) from the Korean Peninsula, with description of a new species
Authors: KIM JUNGGON , LEE HODAN , JUNG SUNGHOON
Published: October 2016

The genus Graptopeltus Stål is reported from the Korean Peninsula for the first time with a new species Graptopeltus koreanus sp. nov. Morphological information such as diagnosis and description including male genitalia, and biological note are presented with illustrations and photographs. A key to Graptopeltus species is provided.
The Influence of Fire-Induced Surface Changes on the Diurnal Temperature Changes over the Hayman Fire Scar
Authors: LeMone Margaret A. , Wan Bingcheng , Barlage Michael , Chen Fei
Published: October 2016

During the 2010 Bio–Hydro–Atmosphere Interactions of Energy, Aerosols, Carbon, H2O, and Nitrogen (BEACHON) experiment in Colorado, nighttime temperatures over a site within the 2002 “Hayman” fire scar were considerably warmer than over the “Manitou” site that was located outside the fire scar. Temperature differences reached up to 7 K at the surface and extended to an average of 500 m AGL. Afternoon temperatures through the planetary boundary layer (PBL) were similar at the two locations. PBL growth during the day was more rapid at Manitou until 1300 local time, after which the two daytime PBLs had similar temperatures and depths. Observations were taken in fair weather, with weak winds. Runs of the Advanced Research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting model (ARW-WRF) coupled to the Noah-MP land surface model suggest that the fire-induced loss of surface and soil organic matter accounted for the 3–4-K warming at Hayman relative to its prefire state, more than compensating for the cooling due to the fire-induced change in vegetation from forest to grassland. Modeled surface fluxes and soil temperature and moisture changes were consistent with observational studies comparing several-year-old fire scars with adjacent unaffected forests. The remaining difference between the two sites is likely from cold-air pooling at Manitou. It was necessary to increase vertical resolution and replace terrain-following diffusion with horizontal diffusion in ARW-WRF to better capture nighttime near-surface temperature and winds. Daytime PBL growth and afternoon temperature profiles were reasonably reproduced by the basic run with postfire conditions. Winds above the surface were only fairly represented, and refinements made to capture cold pooling degraded daytime temperature profiles slightly.
Intercalibration of the GPM Microwave Radiometer Constellation
Authors: Berg Wesley , Bilanow Stephen , Chen Ruiyao , Datta Saswati , Draper David , Ebrahimi Hamideh , Farrar Spencer , Jones W. Linwood , Kroodsma Rachael , McKague Darren , Payne Vivienne , Wang James , Wilheit Thomas , Yang John Xun
Published: October 2016

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission is a constellation-based satellite mission designed to unify and advance precipitation measurements using both research and operational microwave sensors. This requires consistency in the input brightness temperatures (Tb), which is accomplished by intercalibrating the constellation radiometers using the GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) as the calibration reference. The first step in intercalibrating the sensors involves prescreening the sensor Tb to identify and correct for calibration biases across the scan or along the orbit path. Next, multiple techniques developed by teams within the GPM Intersatellite Calibration Working Group (XCAL) are used to adjust the calibrations of the constellation radiometers to be consistent with GMI. Comparing results from multiple approaches helps identify flaws or limitations of a given technique, increase confidence in the results, and provide a measure of the residual uncertainty. The original calibration differences relative to GMI are generally within 2–3 K for channels below 92 GHz, although AMSR2 exhibits larger differences that vary with scene temperature. SSMIS calibration differences also vary with scene temperature but to a lesser degree. For SSMIS channels above 150 GHz, the differences are generally within ~2 K with the exception of SSMIS on board DMSP F19, which ranges from 7 to 11 K colder than GMI depending on frequency. The calibrations of the cross-track radiometers agree very well with GMI with values mostly within 0.5 K for the Sondeur Atmosphérique du Profil d’Humidité Intertropicale par Radiométrie (SAPHIR) and the Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) sensors, and within 1 K for the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS).
A Comparison of Perturbations from an Ensemble Transform and an Ensemble Kalman Filter for the NCEP Global Ensemble Forecast System
Authors: Zhou Xiaqiong , Zhu Yuejian , Hou Dingchen , Kleist Daryl
Published: October 2016

Two perturbation generation schemes, the ensemble transformation with rescaling (ETR) and the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF), are compared for the NCEP operational environment for the Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS). Experiments that utilize each of the two schemes are carried out and evaluated for two boreal summer seasons. It is found that these two schemes generally have comparable performance. Experiments utilizing both perturbation methods fail to generate sufficient spread at medium-range lead times beyond day 8. In general, the EnKF-based experiment outperforms the ETR in terms of the continuous ranked probability skill score (CRPSS) in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) for the first week. In the SH, the ensemble mean forecast is more skillful from the ETR perturbations. Additional experiments are performed with the stochastic total tendency perturbation (STTP) scheme, in which the total tendencies of all model variables are perturbed to represent the uncertainty in the forecast model. An improved spread–error relationship is found for the ETR-based experiments, but the STTP increases the ensemble spread for the EnKF-based experiment that is already overdispersive at early lead times, especially in the SH. With STTP employed, an increase in the EnKF-based CRPSS in the NH is reduced with a larger degradation in both the probability and ensemble-mean forecast skills in the SH. The results indicate that a rescaling of the EnKF initial perturbations and/or tuning of the STTP scheme is required when STTP is applied using the EnKF-based perturbations. This study provided guidance for the replacement of ETR with EnKF perturbations as part of the 2015 GEFS implementation.
Structural neuroimaging across early-stage psychosis: Aberrations in neurobiological trajectories and implications for the staging model
Authors: Bartholomeusz Cali F , Cropley Vanessa L , Wannan Cassandra , Di Biase Maria , McGorry Patrick D , Pantelis Christos
Published: October 2016

Objective:

This review critically examines the structural neuroimaging evidence in psychotic illness, with a focus on longitudinal imaging across the first-episode psychosis and ultra-high-risk of psychosis illness stages.

Methods:

A thorough search of the literature involving specifically longitudinal neuroimaging in early illness stages of psychosis was conducted. The evidence supporting abnormalities in brain morphology and altered neurodevelopmental trajectories is discussed in the context of a clinical staging model.

Results:

In general, grey matter (and, to a lesser extent, white matter) declines across multiple frontal, temporal (especially superior regions), insular and parietal regions during the first episode of psychosis, which has a steeper trajectory than that of age-matched healthy counterparts. Although the ultra-high-risk of psychosis literature is considerably mixed, evidence indicates that certain volumetric structural aberrations predate psychotic illness onset (e.g. prefrontal cortex thinning), while other abnormalities present in ultra-high-risk of psychosis populations are potentially non-psychosis-specific (e.g. hippocampal volume reductions).

Conclusion:

We highlight the advantages of longitudinal designs, discuss the implications such studies have on clinical staging and provide directions for future research.
Psychological Contract Breach in the Anticipatory Stage of Change
Authors: De Ruiter Melanie , Schalk René , Schaveling Jaap , van Gelder Daniel
Published: October 2016

This study examined the impact of two types of psychological contract breach (organizational policies and social atmosphere breach) on resistance to change and engagement in the anticipatory phase of change and assessed whether supervisory informational justice mitigated the negative effects of breach. Employees from three departments of a Dutch financial institution ( n = 141) who were in the first phase of a change initiative participated in the study. Results showed that social atmosphere breach was positively related to affective resistance to change and negatively related to engagement, while organizational policies breach was positively related to cognitive resistance to change. These findings point to the importance of distinguishing between different types of psychological contract breach. In addition, it was found that supervisory informational justice mitigated the adverse effect of social atmosphere breach on cognitive resistance to change, pointing to the important role of managers in the first phase of change.
Benchmarking of composite progressive damage analysis methods: The background
Authors: Clay Stephen B , Engelstad Stephen P
Published: October 2016

This article introduces an Air Force Research Laboratory study, which performed static and fatigue benchmark exercises for nine composite progressive damage analysis methods. Air Force Research Laboratory is interested in exploring the feasibility of these progressive damage analysis methods to predict composite damage growth for the purposes of improved durability and damage tolerance analysis of composite aircraft structure. This article gives the background, goals, motivation, and guiding principles of the study and provides brief descriptions of the teams that participated and the tools that were utilized.
Effects of shallow angle on static strength and fatigue life of multi-directional laminates for wind turbine blades
Authors: Ha Sung Kyu , de Lece Alvaro Gorostidi Martinez , Donazar Moriones Carlos , Cimini Junior Carlos Alberto , Jin Chengzhu
Published: October 2016

The effects of the shallow angle on the static strength and the fatigue life of the multi-directional glass fiber-reinforced plastics for wind turbine blades were presented based on experimental results and predictions. The static tests and the tension–tension fatigue tests under cyclic fatigue loads with a stress ratio of 0.1 were performed on bi-axial (BX, [±θ]), tri-axial 1 (TA, [0/±θ2]), and tri-axial 2 (TX, [02/±θ]) laminates with ply angles θ of 25°, 35°, and 45°. A multiscale approach was applied to predict the static tensile and compressive strengths and the S–N curves of BX, TA, and TX laminates based on the constituents: fiber, matrix, and interface. Three ply-based failure criteria (Hashin, Puck, and Tsai–Wu) were also employed to predict the static strength and compare with the experimental results. The predictions and the experimental results show that the tensile strength increases as θ becomes shallower, while laminates with a shallow ply angle of 35° showed similar or even lower compressive strengths, especially for TA and TX laminates. The laminate fatigue life increases as θ becomes shallower. The shallow angle effect on strength and fatigue life is greater for BX than TA and TX laminates since the ply angle θ plays a more important role in BX. By using the multiscale approach, the shallow angle effect on the laminate static and fatigue behaviors were also explained based on the ply stresses as well as the constitutive micro stresses.
Effects of a Three-Set Tennis Match on Knee Kinematics and Leg Muscle Activation during the Tennis Serve
Authors: Fenter Brad , Marzilli Thomas S. , Wang Yong T. , Dong Xuanliang N.
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a three-set tennis match on knee kinematics and leg muscle activation during the tennis serve in a real-time environment. Motion capture data and wireless electromyography of hamstrings and quadriceps muscles were collected from the back leg during the serve. A reduction of maximum knee flexion angle and a decrease of electromyography amplitudes in leg muscles were observed during the match. However, the knee angular velocity and the electromyography frequency of leg muscles remain unchanged throughout the match. The intermuscular compensation strategy to counteract fatigue might explain that the knee angular velocity was maintained despite reductions in knee flexion angle and electromyography activity of leg muscles.
Measurement of short fiber contents in raw cotton using dual-beard images
Authors: Jin Jingye , Xu Bugao , Wang Fumei
Published: October 2016

The short fiber content (SFC) in raw cotton is an extremely important attribute in the modern cotton classification system, because of its impact on the quality of yarn manufacturing. However, the current SFC measuring methods are costly, time-consuming and tedious for accurate and quick testing. This study aimed to develop a new way to calculate a weight-based short fiber content ( SFCw) from a dual-beard specimen via image-processing and bell-shaped fibrogram modeling techniques. A sample from a cotton sliver was clamped and combed in the opposite directions to form two tapered fringes, and then scanned on a desktop scanner to generate a dual-beard image (DBI). The grayscale values in each column of the DBI were accumulated to derive a bell-shaped fibrogram representing the fiber quantity distributions over the distance from the fibrogram center. Based on the fibrogram, a special hierarchical model was proposed to calculate SFCw in two different length limits—12.7 and 16 mm—defined respectively in the USA and China’s specifications. Fifteen samples were tested to compare the SFCw results from the DBIs to those from the Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS PRO2). Significant correlations were found between the SFCw values from DBIs and AFIS. The regressive equations for SFCw prediction were validated with six additional samples. As shown in the Bland–Altman plots, a good agreement existed between the two sets of SFCw values, demonstrating the DBI’s potential to be an accurate, rapid and portable approach for measuring SFCw, and to transform the SFCw testing from a dedicated machine to an off-the-shelf scanner.
Continuous adaptive finite-time modified function projective lag synchronization of uncertain hyperchaotic systems
Authors: Tran Xuan-Toa , Kang Hee-Jun
Published: October 2016

This paper introduces an adaptive control method for finite-time modified function projective lag synchronization of uncertain hyperchaotic systems. Based upon novel nonsingular terminal sliding mode surfaces and the adaptive super-twisting algorithm, a controller is proposed to provide robustness, high precision and fast and finite-time modified function projective lag synchronization without the knowledge of the upper bound of uncertainties and unknown external disturbances. In addition, chattering is significantly attenuated due to the inherited continuity of the proposed controller. The global stability and finite-time convergence are rigorously proven. Numerical simulation is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed strategy and to verify the theoretical results.
Variations in Employee Performance in Response to Organizational Justice: The Sensitizing Effect of Socioeconomic Conditions
Authors: Diehl Marjo-Riitta , Richter Ansgar , Sarnecki Abiola
Published: October 2016

According to uncertainty management theory (UMT), organizational justice helps individuals to cope with uncertainty. Employees will thus respond stronger to organizational justice when uncertainty is high. We contribute to UMT by highlighting poor socioeconomic conditions, specifically, weak rule of law, low human development, and high income inequality, as salient sources of uncertainty. We argue that when these conditions are unfavorable, the effects of organizational justice on employee reactions will be stronger than when they are more favorable. We test our arguments using a meta-analysis of 279 studies involving 315 samples from 31 countries. Our findings suggest that poor socioeconomic conditions raise the strength of the relationship between organizational justice on the one hand and task performance and organizational citizenship behavior on the other but not the relationship between organizational justice and counterproductive work behaviors. Our study responds to recent calls to place greater emphasis on contextual factors and to close the macro–micro gap in the literature on organizational justice.
Imagining an emotional nation: the print media and Anzac Day commemorations in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: McConville Alex , McCreanor Tim , Wetherell Margaret , Moewaka Barnes Helen
Published: October 2016

This article explores affect, discourse and emotion in national life. Drawing on recent thinking on discourse and affect, alongside previous work on nation and communities of practice, we focus on the print media’s use of Anzac Day in Aotearoa New Zealand, as a site through which settler identity and cultural hegemony are reproduced. One hegemonic interpretive repertoire is observed throughout, that Anzac Day is a sacred day of respectful remembrance. Within this frame, a series of associated affective-discursive positions are deployed covering issues that range from inclusion and exclusion, to conformity and dissent. We argue that this repertoire and its associated positions constitute citizens engaging with the day as a homogeneous group of national subjects, bound together as a particular kind of affected community. This imagined community and the affective practices attributed to it, however, largely ignore the bicultural makeup of Aotearoa New Zealand, narrowing down the diverse range of potential emotional positions to a just a few. Popular journalism fails readers and limits debate though its thin portrayals of community, legitimate affect and engaged citizenship. National life is impoverished when print media lack the cultural competence necessary to effectively engage in broader debates and political discourse.
APOE ε4 and Memory Among Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Pressler Susan J. , Harrison Jordan M. , Titler Marita , Koelling Todd M. , Jung Miyeon , Dorsey Susan G. , Bakoyannis Giorgos , Riley Penny L. , Hoyland-Domenico Lisa , Giordani Bruno
Published: October 2016

Twenty-three percent to 50% of heart failure (HF) patients have memory loss. Objectives were to (a) characterize major allelic frequency of 2 variants in apolipoprotein ( APOE) gene in HF patients, (b) evaluate differences in memory and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels based on APOE ε4 allele(s), and (c) estimate effect sizes (ESs) and confidence intervals (CIs). In this pilot, 29 HF patients were enrolled and 26 completed. Recall and delayed recall memory were measured at baseline and 12 weeks. Serum was collected at baseline and 8 weeks. Seven (24.1%) patients had APOE ε4 allele. No significant differences were found in recall and delayed recall memory or serum BDNF levels based on APOE ε4 allele. ESs were small to medium; CIs indicated ES precision was small. Future studies are needed to fully understand how genotypic and neuropsychological phenotypic variables influence response to computerized cognitive training.
Determinants of the adoption of mobile cloud computing services
Authors: Kim Seung-Hyun , Kim Jin Ki
Published: October 2016

The quantity and popularity of mobile cloud computing services have increased significantly. From the principal-agent perspective, this study proposes a model to determine the adoption of mobile cloud computing services. In the model, three uncertainty antecedents of mobile cloud computing utilization are included: fears of service provider opportunism, perceived information asymmetry, and information privacy and security concerns. Likewise, three motivators are included: trust, convenience, and social presence. Based on 263 observations of mobile cloud computing users, the study identifies that trust and convenience are motivators and perceived uncertainty is a mitigator for adopting mobile cloud computing services.
Natural History of Sanfilippo Syndrome Type C in Boyacá, Colombia
Authors: Velasco Harvy Mauricio , Sanchez Yasmin , Martin Angela Milena , Umaña Luis A.
Published: October 2016

Mucopolysaccharidosis type III, or Sanfilippo syndrome, is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by impairment in the degradation of Heparan sulfate. Here the authors describe the natural history of 5 related individuals; all associated through a large pedigree which reports a total of 11 affected members, originally from the Boyacá region in Colombia, diagnosed with MPS IIIC who all harbor a novel mutation in HGSNAT. The authors report an unusually high incidence of the disease in this population. The clinical features are similar to previously described patients, although some differences in the degree of severity and end-stage of the disease are seen in this specific group. The authors consider that the high degree of endogamy in this specific population could underlie modifying factors for the severity of presentation in these patients. Future studies might provide more information on the functional effect of this novel mutation, which could define this group as a genetic isolate.
The Impact of Mean Arterial Pressure on Functional Outcome Post Trauma-Related Acute Spinal Cord Injury: A Scoping Systematic Review of the Human Literature
Authors: Sabit Behzad , Zeiler Frederick Adam , Berrington Neil
Published: October 2016

Purpose:

To perform a scoping systematic review on the literature surrounding mean arterial pressure (MAP) and functional outcomes post traumatic acute spinal cord injury (ASCI).

Methods:

We performed a systematic review of the literature via searching MEDLINE, BIOSIS, EMBASE, Global Health, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library from inception to January 2015. We also performed a handsearch of various published meeting proceedings. Through a 2-step review process, employing 2 independent reviewers, we selected articles for the final review based on predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Results:

Nine studies were included in the final review. Only 2 were prospective studies. All studies documented some degree of objective functional outcome in relation to MAP posttraumatic ASCI. Four studies documented a relation between higher MAP and improved functional outcome. Five studies failed to show any relationship between MAP and functional outcome.

Conclusions:

Although no definitive conclusions could be reached based on the data collected, this study does give valuable insight into future avenues of research on the topic of hemodynamic management in traumatic ASCI as well as provides guidelines for refinement of future study design.
What do unions do in times of economic crisis? Evidence from Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Ivlevs Artjoms , Veliziotis Michail
Published: October 2016

Over the last two decades, trade union membership in Central and Eastern Europe has been in continuous decline, and unions in the region are generally considered weak. However, little is known about the actual relevance of trade unions for individual workers in the post-socialist world. We explore the role that unions played in protecting their members from the negative effects of the global economic crisis. Using data for 21 post-socialist countries from the Life in Transition-2 survey, we find that union members were less likely than comparable non-members to lose their jobs during the crisis. This beneficial effect of union membership was particularly pronounced in countries which were hardest hit by the crisis. At the same time, union members were more likely to experience wage reductions, suggesting that unions were engaged in concession bargaining. Overall, our results challenge the common view that unions in the post-socialist countries are irrelevant.
The size effect in quasi-brittle materials: Experimental and numerical analysis
Authors: Colpo Angélica Bordin , Kosteski Luis Eduardo , Iturrioz Ignacio
Published: October 2016

The size effect in structures is responsible for the materials apparent properties variations as function of size. Different methodologies are proposed in the literature to address this phenomenon; however, there is still no consensus on how to specifically deal with this. For instance, if the material investigated were a quasi-brittle material, it would present a fissures development in different scales during the damaging process. In the present work, an experimental study applying uniaxial tension over expanded polystyrene specimens of different sizes is proposed. The acoustic emission events occurring during the tests were also recorded. A tailored version of a lattice discrete element method was used to simulate the tests. This numerical approach take into account several phenomena related with the damage process in quasi-brittle materials, such as the localization effect, the fractal dimension nature of the region over which the damage evolves; the collaborative effect between cluster of fissures and the avalanche effect during the damage process. It is important to mention that these characteristics are associated with the correct simulation of the acoustic emission registry. The obtained experimental and simulated results were in great agreement and clearly showed a size effect, despite the narrow range of dimension explored. The size effect evaluated during the simulations, in terms of the dissipated energy, is shown to be in agreement to the known fractal theory proposed by Alberto Carpinteri and coworkers. Moreover, results in terms of acoustic emission are preliminarily explored to determine the correlation between the acoustic emission events and the fracture mode that governs the source of these events. Finally, some conclusions related to the size effect captured during the tests and the possibilities for simulations of the fracturing process in quasi-brittle materials provided by the numerical method are point out.
Young, Small, and Imprintable
Authors: Lohrke Franz T. , Landström Hans
Published: October 2016

Liabilities of newness and smallness as well as other issues (e.g., “imprinting”) that affect nascent firms represent foundational entrepreneurship issues. The articles in this Special Issue examine if and how these critical issues have changed over time, especially given recent innovations (e.g., crowdfunding) and other trends in society. We believe that a special issue devoted to these topics is especially timely not only because this research can inform current management theory, policy, and practice, but also because it has now been five and three decades, respectively, since the publication of Stinchcombe’s and Aldrich and Auster’s seminal works on these issues. These anniversaries, thus, provide an ideal time to reflect on findings, to date, and plot potential future research avenues.
Hedonic quality or reward? A study of basic pleasure in homeostasis and decision making of a motivated autonomous robot
Authors: Lewis Matthew , Cañamero Lola
Published: October 2016

We present a robot architecture and experiments to investigate some of the roles that pleasure plays in the decision making (action selection) process of an autonomous robot that must survive in its environment. We have conducted three sets of experiments to assess the effect of different types of pleasure—related versus unrelated to the satisfaction of physiological needs—under different environmental circumstances. Our results indicate that pleasure, including pleasure unrelated to need satisfaction, has value for homeostatic management in terms of improved viability and increased flexibility in adaptive behavior.
Association Between Proton Pump Inhibitors and Microscopic Colitis
Authors: Law Ernest H. , Badowski Melissa , Hung Yu-Ting , Weems Kimberly , Sanchez Angelica , Lee Todd A.
Published: October 2016

Objective: Microscopic colitis (MC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon that is characterized by chronic, watery, nonbloody diarrhea. Concern regarding a potential association between proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and MC has recently emerged. We sought to systematically review and summarize the evidence for the potential association between PPIs and MC. Data Sources: We systematically searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, and Google Scholar using the terms proton-pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole, dexlansoprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, or esomeprazole), microscopic colitis, collagenous colitis, and lymphocytic colitis. Study Selection: Full-text, English-language reports of case reports/series, observational studies, experimental studies, and systematic reviews/meta-analyses published between January 2000 to August 2016 were included. Bibliographies from pertinent publications were reviewed for additional references. Outcome was defined as the development of biopsy-confirmed MC. Data Extraction/Synthesis: A total of 19 publications were identified: 5 case control studies and 14 case reports/series (encompassing a total of 32 cases). All studies were limited by small sample sizes. Risk of MC by dose or specific PPI agent was not investigated in any of the studies. A review of the current body of evidence reveals a possible association between PPIs and MC. Conclusions: There is a need for large observational studies of high quality to examine the differential effect of specific PPIs and whether the magnitude of association is dose dependent. Given their widespread use, clinicians should routinely question whether patients are receiving unnecessary treatment with PPIs and discontinue therapy where appropriate.