bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Displaced Electric Sail Orbits Design and Transition Trajectory Optimization
Authors: Qi Naiming , Huo Mingying , Yuan Qiufan
Published: June 2014

Displaced orbits for spacecraft propelled by electric sails are investigated as an alternative to the use of solar sails. The orbital dynamics of electric sails based spacecraft are studied within a spherical coordinate system, which permits finding the solutions of displaced electric sail orbits and optimize transfer trajectory. Transfer trajectories from Earth′s orbit to displaced orbit are also studied in an optimal framework, by using genetic algorithm and Gauss pseudospectral method. The initial guesses for the state and control histories used in the Gauss pseudospectral method are interpolated from the best solution of a genetic algorithm. Numerical simulations show that the electric sail is able to perform the transfer from Earth’s orbit to displaced orbit in acceptable time, and the hybrid optimization method has the capability to search the feasible and optimal solution without any initial value guess.
Applications and Implications of Heparin and Protamine in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Nemeno Judee Grace E. , Lee Soojung , Yang Wojong , Lee Kyung Mi , Lee Jeong Ik
Published: June 2014

Drug repositioning is one of the most rapidly emerging fields of study. This concept is anchored on the principle that diseases have similar damaged or affected signaling pathways. Recently, drugs have been repositioned not only for their alternative therapeutic uses but also for their applications as biomaterials in various fields. However, medical drugs as biomaterials are rarely focused on in reviews. Fragmin and protamine have been recently the sources of increasing attention in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Fragmin and protamine have been manufactured primarily as a safe antidote for the circulating heparin. Lately, these drugs have been utilized as either micro- or nanoparticle biomaterials. In this paper, we will briefly describe the concept of drug repositioning and some of the medical drugs that have been repurposed for their alternative therapeutic uses. Also, this will feature the historical background of the studies focused on fragmin/protamine micro/nanoparticles (F/P M/NPs) and their applications as biomaterials in tissue engineering, stem cell therapy, and regenerative medicine.
Crystal Structure of Mouse Thymidylate Synthase in Tertiary Complex with dUMP and Raltitrexed Reveals N-Terminus Architecture and Two Different Active Site Conformations
Authors: Dowierciał Anna , Wilk Piotr , Rypniewski Wojciech , Rode Wojciech , Jarmuła Adam
Published: June 2014

The crystal structure of mouse thymidylate synthase (mTS) in complex with substrate dUMP and antifolate inhibitor Raltitrexed is reported. The structure reveals, for the first time in the group of mammalian TS structures, a well-ordered segment of 13 N-terminal amino acids, whose ordered conformation is stabilized due to specific crystal packing. The structure consists of two homodimers, differing in conformation, one being more closed (dimer AB) and thus supporting tighter binding of ligands, and the other being more open (dimer CD) and thus allowing weaker binding of ligands. This difference indicates an asymmetrical effect of the binding of Raltitrexed to two independent mTS molecules. Conformational changes leading to a ligand-induced closing of the active site cleft are observed by comparing the crystal structures of mTS in three different states along the catalytic pathway: ligand-free, dUMP-bound, and dUMP- and Raltitrexed-bound. Possible interaction routes between hydrophobic residues of the mTS protein N-terminal segment and the active site are also discussed.
Expert Statement: Pneumothorax Associated with Endoscopic Valve Therapy for Emphysema - Potential Mechanisms, Treatment Algorithm, and Case Examples
Authors: Valipour Arschang , Slebos Dirk-Jan , de Oliveira Hugo G. , Eberhardt Ralf , Freitag Lutz , Criner Gerard J. , Herth Felix J.F.
Published: June 2014

The use of endoscopically placed unidirectional valves for the treatment of emphysema is increasing. With better patient selection, there is also an increased likelihood of complications associated with the procedure, such as postprocedural pneumothorax. There is, however, little evidence of pneumothorax management in patients with severe COPD and emphysema. This report describes an expert recommendation that has been developed to outline pneumothorax management after valve placement to inform physicians and patients of the risk-benefit profile and to assist them in decision making. Skilled and aggressive pneumothorax management is necessary in this patient population, and by following these recommendations traumatic scenarios, prolonged drainage, extended hospitalizations, and/or surgery might be avoided in many cases.
A Reference for Ductus Venosus Blood Flow at 11-13+6 Weeks of Gestation
Authors: Pruksanusak Ninlapa , Kor-anantakul Ounjai , Suntharasaj Thitima , Suwanrath Chitkasaem , Hanprasertpong Tharangrut , Pranpanus Savitree , Geater Alan
Published: June 2014

Objective: To establish reference ranges for ductus venosus (DV) blood flow assessment obtained transabdominally at 11-13+6 weeks of gestation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on singleton pregnancies with a crown-rump length (CRL) ranging from 45 to 84 mm, normal fetus, and subsequent newborn birth weight appropriate for gestational age. Measurements of DV Doppler variables were performed by experienced sonographers: peak velocity during ventricular systole (S-wave) and diastole (D-wave), nadir during atrial contraction (A-wave), time-averaged maximum velocity (TAmax), pulsatility index for veins (PIV), and peak velocity index for veins (PVIV). Results: A total of 304 fetuses were included. The mean CRL was 60.7 ± 7.2 mm (range: 45.9-75.5). The mean nuchal translucency measurement was 1.4 ± 0.4 mm. The S-wave, D-wave, A-wave, and TAmax values varied significantly with gestational age (p < 0.05) and regression models were constructed for each variable. The remaining variables, systolic/atrial wave ratio, preload index, PVIV, and PIV, did not vary significantly with gestational age within this CRL range. Conclusion: Reference ranges for DV Doppler assessment were established in normal fetuses. These ranges may be a useful tool for evaluation of anueploidy and fetal cardiac function.
Chromosome Aberrations Identified by Cytogenetic Analysis of the First Two Clones of Cultured Amniotic Fluid Cells Compared with QF-PCR Results
Authors: Jenderny Jutta , Schmidt Winfried , Kochhan Lothar
Published: June 2014

We report on our experience of studying amniotic fluid cells by cytogenetic analysis (CA) of the first 2 clones. We investigated the incidence and types of chromosome aberrations detected by CA of 196 amniocenteses performed on pregnant women at high risk. Of these cases, 178 were analysed by QF-PCR (risk group A). The results were compared with the data obtained by CA of 1,263 amniocenteses carried out in patients with other indications. QF-PCR was used to investigate 1,030 of these cases (risk group B). The combined average turnaround time for a CA result of the first 2 clones in both risk groups was within 9 ± 2 days. The final CA results (≥6 clones) were obtained within 12 ± 4 days. In risk group A, CA was not possible in 2 cases due to cell culture failure. The foetal karyotype was abnormal in 13.8% of the cases by CA of ≥6 clones and in 13.5% of the cases by QF-PCR. Together, CA of ≥6 clones and QF-PCR detected chromosome aberrations in 14.8% of the cases. With the exception of 2 cases of in vitro culture failure and 1 case with low gonosomal mosaicism, CA of the first 2 clones detected all cases with chromosome aberrations. Five cases with clinically significant chromosome aberrations were not detected by QF-PCR. In risk group B, the foetal karyotype was found to be abnormal in 2.2% of the cases by CA of ≥6 clones and in 1.0% of the cases by QF-PCR. Together, CA of ≥6 clones and QF-PCR revealed chromosome aberrations in 2.2% of the cases. With the exception of 1 case with low gonosomal mosaicism, CA of the first 2 clones detected all other cases with chromosome aberrations. The majority of these cases were inherited chromosome aberrations. Eighteen cases with chromosome aberrations were not detected by QF-PCR. Based on our results, CA of ≥6 clones, together with QF-PCR as a first test, should be performed in all prenatal cases with abnormal ultrasound findings. In pregnancies with other indications, CA of the first 2 clones alone is sufficient to identify all clinically significant (and inherited) chromosome aberrations.
A “Double Alienation”
Authors: Wong Diana , Ngu Ik Tien
Published: June 2014

Scholarship on Christianity in Malaysia has been dominated by denominational church history, as well as the study of urban, middle-class and English-speaking church congregations in the post-Independence period. In focusing on the vernacular Chinese Protestant church in Malaysia, and one of its most prominent para-church organisations, called The Bridge, this paper draws attention to the variegated histories of Christian conversion and dissemination in Malaysia, and the various modes and meanings of Christian identity as incorporated into different local communities and cultures. The history of the Chinese Protestant church suggested in the first part of the paper takes as its point of departure the distinction between mission and migrant churches, the latter being the origin of the vernacular Chinese churches in Malaysia. The second part of the paper traces the emergence of a Chinese para-church lay organisation called The Bridge, and the Chinese Christian intellectuals behind it, in their mission to engage the larger Chinese and national public through literary publications and other media outreach activities. In so doing, these Chinese Christian intellectuals also drew on the resources of an East Asian and overseas Chinese Christian network, while searching for their destiny as Chinese Christians in the national context of Malaysia. By pointing to the importance of regional, Chinese-language Christian networks, and the complexity of vernacular Christian subjectivity, the paper hopes to fill a gap in the existing literature on Christianity in Malaysia, as well as make a contribution to on-going debates on issues of localisation, globalisation and authenticity in global Christianity.
The History of Toddy Drinking and Its Effects on Indian Labourers in Colonial Malaya, 1900–1957
Authors: Krishnan Parameswari , Dali Azharudin Mohd , Ghazali Abdullah Zakaria , Subramanian Shritharan
Published: June 2014

At present, studies on the history of Indians in colonial Malaya have been described as one-dimensional, with the discussion mainly focusing on their arrival as immigrant groups and their involvement in the plantation sector. Other aspects of Indian history in colonial Malaya were not given proper emphasis, especially on matters considered taboo, such as those arising from toddy consumption. Even though it was acknowledged as a form of social ill, its history is rarely discussed. The introduction and supply of toddy in almost all estates at the time led to consequences that affected the quality of life of the estate labour community. This study, realising the situation, draws attention to the history of the development of toddy drinking and its effects among the Indian estate labourers in Malaya from 1900 to 1957. This study also highlights the reactions that existed on the issue of toddy and British action. In summary, this study seeks to prove that the over indulgence of toddy among Indian labourers developed at a rapid pace in Malaya, and not in India. The key information behind this situation is the growth of toddy shops in every plantation with Indian settlers, as well as British interests that wished to maintain a profitable industry, such as toddy.
South Korea’s Developmentalist Worldview
Authors: Kim Jongtae
Published: June 2014

The non-West is not only the object of the Eurocentric notion of development, but also the main contributor to its global hegemony. South Koreans, for instance, make a Eurocentric hierarchy between countries according to the criteria of their developmental discourse, the discourse of seonjinguk (advanced country). This paper examines the main features of the discourse of seonjinguk in contemporary Korea, focusing on the representations and identities of countries reflected in its basic concepts. Through the analysis of newspaper editorials, it shows that the discourse constructs a world dichotomised by idealised seonjinguk and marginalised hujinguk (backward country). In this discursive framework, the West is generally referred to as seonjinguk in relation to the belittled non-West. The identity of South Korea tends to be constructed as a country near seonjinguk or “on the threshold of seonjinguk” (“seonjinguk munteok”), which provides both senses of superiority over hujinguk and of inferiority over seonjinguk. This becomes a main discursive source that keeps Korea still under the project of modernisation, with the achievement of the status of seonjinguk as its historical national mission.
Mainstream Islam
Authors: Rakhmani Inaya
Published: June 2014

This article explores the modes of consolidation between the dynamic practices of commercial television and the rising Islamic manifestation among urban, middle-class Indonesians. Focusing on the most-consumed type of television programming in the country, the sinetron (television drama), it describes media-economic factors that have led to the multiplication of Islamic symbols in television. An image of Islam that is unobjectionable to both the vocal, moralist Muslim audience and the general, heterogeneous audience has received a privileged position in prime time television. Business deals between media organisations that have become more stable blow the wave towards “mainstream Islam”, which reflects a symbiosis between growing Islamic influences and commercialisation in Indonesia’s television industry.
Phenols and lignin are involved in the defence response of banana (Musa) plants to Radopholus similis infection
Authors: Dhakshinamoorthy Suganthagunthalam , Mariama Kahpui , Elsen Annemie , De Waele Dirk
Published: June 2014

The role of lignin and phenols in plant defence ranges from preformed characteristic to inducible physical and chemical response against nematode infection. Our study shows the involvement of lignin and phenols in the defence of two newly identified resistant banana (Musa) genotypes to burrowing nematode Radopholus similis infection. Results were compared with reference resistant and susceptible banana cultivars. Histochemical analysis of root cross sections showed a more extensive secondary cell wall lignification of vascular bundles in R. similis-infected plants than in the nematode non-infected plants. Increased extensive lignification was not associated with the cortex cells that are directly attacked by the nematode. This showed that the increased lignification is a general defence response to protect the vascular bundle from damage rather than resisting the nematode development and reproduction at the root cortex. Histochemical localisation showed no preformed phenolic cells in the cortex of the non-infected, R. similis-resistant and -susceptible Musa genotypes. By contrast, phenolic substances were the major constituents of the nematode-infected necrotic cells. Phenols and lignin contents were also quantitatively assayed. The Folin-Ciocalteu assay confirmed the increase in phenol content of nematode-infected root cells. Phenol content in nematode-infected plants was twice the amount of phenol content in nematode non-infected plants at 3 weeks after infection. This is possibly due to the biosynthesis or accumulation of secondary metabolites such as phenolic phytoalexins in the nematode infection sites of all the banana genotypes. This study clearly demonstrates that phenols and lignin play an important role in the defence mechanisms of Musa to R. similis infection.
Bursaphelenchus fagi sp. n. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae), an insect-pathogenic nematode in the Malpighian tubules of the bark beetle, Taphrorychus bicolor (Herbst.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), in European beech, Fagus silvatica L.
Authors: Tomalak Marek , Filipiak Anna
Published: June 2014

Bursaphelenchus fagisp. n. is described from the bark of European beech,Fagus silvatica. All propagative stages of the nematode are numerous in larval galleries of the beech bark beetle,Taphrorychus bicolor, while dauer juveniles aggregate in Malpighian tubules of adult beetles. The new species is characterised by the body length of 871 (763-1110) μm in female and 852 (718-992) μm in male, very slender body (a = 56.8 (50.4-67.1) and 64.5 (56.5-73.8) in female and male, respectively), and spicules 15.2 (14.0-17.0) μm long. The extended anterior vulval lip in female, lateral fields with four incisures, and number (7) and arrangement of male caudal papillae may indicate thatB. fagisp. n. is closely related to thexylophilusgroup. It differs from this group by the relatively small, claw-like spicules with narrow capitulum, indistinct condylus in almost continuous line with dorsal lamina, and lack of distinct cucullus at the spicule tip. The close relation ofB. fagisp. n. with thexylophilusgroup has been confirmed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rDNA region.Bursaphelenchus fagisp. n. most closely resemblesB. tokyoensisandB. idius, but can be separated by differences in the arrangement of the male caudal papillae, a unique feature for each species. The taxonomic separation of the new species is also confirmed by the unique molecular profile of the ITS region (ITS-RFLP). The mass presence of dauer juveniles ofB. fagisp. n. in Malpighian tubules of adultT. bicolorleads to degradation of the tubule cellular epithelium and local expansion of its basement membrane. These changes clearly indicate direct pathogenicity of the nematode to its vector insect. In laboratory rearing,B. fagisp. n. can grow and reproduce onBotryotinia fuckelianacultures.
Description of Aphelenchoides stellatus n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) found in packaging wood from Japan
Authors: Fang Yiwu , Gu Jianfeng , Wang Xuan , Li Hongmei
Published: June 2014

Aphelenchoides stellatusn. sp. is described and figured. The new species was isolated from packaging wood from Japan imported to Ningbo harbour, China. The new species has a body length of 485-533 μm (males) and 547-699 μm (females). The cuticle is weakly annulated and there are four lines in the lateral field. The stylet is 9-11 μm long and has small basal swellings. The excretory pore is located posterior to the nerve ring. Spicules smoothly curved, rose-thorn shaped. Apex and rostrum round, only slightly offset, dorsal limb 19-21 μm long. Male tail bearing six (2 + 2 + 2) caudal papillae. The female spermatheca is axial and oblong with round sperm present in multiple rows. Both male and female tail pegs have 3-4 processes, appearing star-like under SEM. The new species belongs to the Group 3 category ofAphelenchoidesspecies. Phylogenetic analyses based on full length ITS and 28S D2/D3 region of rDNA confirmed its morphological status as a new species.
The unique Brazilian species of Polylobus Solier (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) with a checklist of all species of the genus
Authors: DA SILVA SIDNEI BORTOLUZZI , CARON EDILSON
Published: June 2014

Polylobus stigma (Erichson, 1839) is the only known species of the genus from Brazil. Here, this species is redescribed based on the type material, including illustrations of diagnostic characters. The species remains in Polylobus, but pending further revision of the genus and related genera as Tricolpochila Bernhauer, 1908 and Polylobinus Bernhauer, 1908. A commented checklist of all species in Polylobus is also provided.
Description of the last stadium larva and female of Microgomphus thailandica Asahina, 1981 (Odonata: Gomphidae)
Authors: BOONSOONG BOONSATIEN , CHAINTHONG DAMRONG
Published: June 2014

The last stadium larva of Microgomphus thailandica is described, illustrated and compared with the larvae of congeneric species based on reared specimens collected from the Phachi headwater stream, Ratchaburi province, Thailand. The female adult of this species is described for the first time from a reared specimen from the same locality.
Women in Academic Atmospheric Sciences
Authors: MacPhee David , Canetto Silvia Sara
Published: June 2014

Past studies suggest that the atmospheric sciences may have the fewest women of all geosciences occupations. The purpose of this study was to document the representation of women in the academic atmospheric sciences, specifically women’s representation among faculty in U.S. atmospheric sciences doctoral programs. A second purpose was to describe the demographic profile, educational preparation, and occupational destination of atmospheric sciences graduate students—as a way to gauge the characteristics and progress of women potentially in the pipeline for academic positions. Data on atmospheric sciences faculty (N = 813) were collected from the websites of 34 doctoral programs. Women constituted 17% of tenure-track and tenured atmospheric sciences faculty. Most departments (53%) had two or fewer female tenure-track or tenured faculty members. The proportion of female faculty members declined as academic rank increased. Institutional data for graduate students (N = 1,153) at a subset of these programs showed that at matriculation, women represented 39% of the students. The typical provenience disciplines of atmospheric sciences graduate students were majors with a low participation of women. Finally, significantly fewer women than men completed their doctoral degrees or pursued academic careers upon completion of the doctorate. Only 20% of doctoral degree completers who chose academia were women. Based on these findings and those of related studies, we forecast a persisting scarcity of female faculty members in U.S. atmospheric sciences doctoral programs.
Evaluation of Single-Doppler Radar Wind Retrievals in Flat and Complex Terrain
Authors: Newsom Rob K. , Berg Larry K. , Pekour Mikhail , Fast Jerome , Xu Qin , Zhang Pengfei , Yang Qing , Shaw William J. , Flaherty Julia
Published: June 2014

The accuracy of winds derived from Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) level-II data is assessed by comparison with independent observations from 915-MHz radar wind profilers. The evaluation is carried out at two locations with very different terrain characteristics. One site is located in an area of complex terrain within the State Line Wind Energy Center in northeastern Oregon. The other site is located in an area of flat terrain on the east-central Florida coast. The National Severe Storm Laboratory’s two-dimensional variational data assimilation (2DVar) algorithm is used to retrieve wind fields from the KPDT (Pendleton, Oregon) and KMLB (Melbourne, Florida) NEXRAD radars. Wind speed correlations at most observation height levels fell in the range from 0.7 to 0.8, indicating that the retrieved winds followed temporal fluctuations in the profiler-observed winds reasonably well. The retrieved winds, however, consistently exhibited slow biases in the range of 1–2 m s−1. Wind speed difference distributions were broad, with standard deviations in the range from 3 to 4 m s−1. Results from the Florida site showed little change in the wind speed correlations and difference standard deviations with altitude between about 300 and 1400 m AGL. Over this same height range, results from the Oregon site showed a monotonic increase in the wind speed correlation and a monotonic decrease in the wind speed difference standard deviation with increasing altitude. The poorest overall agreement occurred at the lowest observable level (~300 m AGL) at the Oregon site, where the effects of the complex terrain were greatest.
Effect of Urban Growth on Aerosol Optical Depth—Tucson, Arizona, 35 Years Later
Authors: Prabhakar Gouri , Betterton Eric A. , Conant W. , Herman Benjamin M.
Published: June 2014

Multiwavelength solar irradiance measurements between 400 and 900 nm were made on cloudless days in Tucson, Arizona, over a 30-month period between March 2010 and August 2012. They were analyzed to simultaneously retrieve aerosol optical depth (AOD) and ozone column abundance and to examine their monthly variation. These retrievals were compared with results from a similar study done at the same location between 1975 and 1977. The near tripling of population in Tucson over the past 35 years may have contributed to a 19% increase in the AOD, and the annual-mean ozone column abundance was found to be 11% lower than that inferred during the mid-1970s.
Computation of Radiation Budget on an Oblate Earth
Authors: Smith G. Louis , Doelling David R.
Published: June 2014

The effects of the earth’s oblateness on computation of its radiation budget from satellite measurements are evaluated. For the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) data processing, geolocations of the measurements are computed in terms of the geodetic coordinate system. Using this system accounts for oblateness in the computed solar zenith angle and length of day. The geodetic and geocentric latitudes are equal at the equator and poles but differ by a maximum of 0.2° at 45° latitude. The area of each region and zone is affected by oblateness as compared to geocentric coordinates, decreasing from zero at the equator to 1.5% at the poles. The global area receiving solar radiation is calculated using the equatorial and polar axes. This area varies with solar declination by 0.0005. For radiation budget computations, the earth oblateness effects are shown to be small compared to error sources of measuring or modeling.
An Enhanced Model of Land Water and Energy for Global Hydrologic and Earth-System Studies
Authors: Milly P. C. D. , Malyshev Sergey L. , Shevliakova Elena , Dunne Krista A. , Findell Kirsten L. , Gleeson Tom , Liang Zhi , Phillipps Peter , Stouffer Ronald J. , Swenson Sean
Published: June 2014

LM3 is a new model of terrestrial water, energy, and carbon, intended for use in global hydrologic analyses and as a component of earth-system and physical-climate models. It is designed to improve upon the performance and to extend the scope of the predecessor Land Dynamics (LaD) and LM3V models by better quantifying the physical controls of climate and biogeochemistry and by relating more directly to components of the global water system that touch human concerns. LM3 includes multilayer representations of temperature, liquid water content, and ice content of both snowpack and macroporous soil–bedrock; topography-based description of saturated area and groundwater discharge; and transport of runoff to the ocean via a global river and lake network. Sensible heat transport by water mass is accounted throughout for a complete energy balance. Carbon and vegetation dynamics and biophysics are represented as in LM3V. In numerical experiments, LM3 avoids some of the limitations of the LaD model and provides qualitatively (though not always quantitatively) reasonable estimates, from a global perspective, of observed spatial and/or temporal variations of vegetation density, albedo, streamflow, water-table depth, permafrost, and lake levels. Amplitude and phase of annual cycle of total water storage are simulated well. Realism of modeled lake levels varies widely. The water table tends to be consistently too shallow in humid regions. Biophysical properties have an artificial stepwise spatial structure, and equilibrium vegetation is sensitive to initial conditions. Explicit resolution of thick (>100 m) unsaturated zones and permafrost is possible, but only at the cost of long (≫300 yr) model spinup times.
Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Ground Validation (GV) Prototype in the Korean Peninsula
Authors: Kim Ji-Hye , Ou Mi-Lim , Park Jun-Dong , Morris Kenneth R. , Schwaller Mathew R. , Wolff David B.
Published: June 2014

Since 2009, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has participated in ground validation (GV) projects through international partnerships within the framework of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission. The goal of this work is to assess the reliability of ground-based measurements in the Korean Peninsula as a means for validating precipitation products retrieved from satellite microwave sensors, with an emphasis on East Asian precipitation. KMA has a well-developed operational weather service infrastructure composed of meteorological radars, a dense rain gauge network, and automated weather stations. Measurements from these systems, including data from four ground-based radars (GRs), were combined with satellite data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation radar (PR) and used as a proxy for GPM GV over the Korean Peninsula. A time series of mean reflectivity differences (GR − PR) for stratiform-only and above-brightband-only data showed that the time-averaged difference fell between −2.0 and +1.0 dBZ for the four GRs used in this study. Site-specific adjustments for these relative mean biases were applied to GR reflectivities, and detailed statistical comparisons of reflectivity and rain rate between PR and bias-adjusted GR were carried out. In rain-rate comparisons, surface rain from the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) and the rain gauges were added and the results varied according to rain type. Bias correction has had a positive effect on GR rain rate comparing with PR and gauge rain rates. This study confirmed advance preparation for GPM GV system was optimized on the Korean Peninsula using the official framework.
Austerity and Public Administration
Authors: Di Mascio Fabrizio , Natalini Alessandro
Published: June 2014

This article analyzes the Italian government’s response to the sovereign debt crisis. Given the severity of the fiscal crisis affecting Italy, this article provides insights about the crisis’s implication for public administration in such a politically sensitive environment where drastic and far-reaching measures had to be taken by the government. Drawing on the historical institutionalist approach, the impact of the crisis is not considered in isolation but in the context of the historical trajectory that has shaped the government’s capacity to respond. To assess the crisis’s implications for public administration, the empirical analysis focuses on public employment as an area that is especially exposed to fiscal restraint. The findings reveal that the current crisis has been managed with straight cutback management, as public administration has been considered by policy makers just as a source of public expenditure to be squeezed rather than as a provider of public services in need of modernization so as to sustain economic growth.
The “Poli-Migra”
Authors: Menjívar Cecilia
Published: June 2014

This article discusses what we know about immigration law in the lives of Latinos today and what we learn from this knowledge to possibly establish links beyond specific case studies. We know a great deal about the multilayered enforcement regime in place today—the federal, state, and local level laws and ordinances and the various enforcement strategies—which act all at once in highly articulated fashion to affect the lives of immigrants, their families, and communities. What we learn from this accumulated knowledge—the unevenness of enforcement across contexts, the heterogeneity of experiences among Latinos as not all are affected in the same way, and the short- and possible long-term effects—can be helpful for theorizing more broadly about immigrant incorporation and can also serve to formulate sound policy reform.
Conservative Rationales, Racial Boundaries
Authors: Vega Irene I.
Published: June 2014

The 2006 immigration marches have become emblematic of Latinos’ united position on immigration. However, solidarity and collective action is only one group formation outcome of sociopolitical exclusion. By ignoring those Latinos who disrupt the tenet of ethnic solidarity against immigration restriction, research has failed to specify the mechanisms that lead some Latinos to depart from their own on a racially bifurcated debate. Drawing on interviews, I document the boundary-making strategies that Mexican-origin Latinos who are “anti-illegal immigration” deploy to formulate us and them groupings vis-à-vis immigrants. I show that respondents are politically conservative, highly nationalistic, and express a sense of nostalgia for “the past” in broad terms. They differentiate “us” from “them” in terms of national membership, distinguishing those who are deserving of the material and symbolic resources of the nation-state from those who are outsiders. Because they share racial/ethnic markers with immigrants, they engage in boundary-making strategies to split the Latino/Hispanic panethnic category from the Mexican national-origin category, thereby differentiating us (Americans) from them (foreigners). They deploy multicultural discourse that establishes the compatibility of national loyalties and ethnic affinities to reconcile their background with their political position.
In the Belly of the Beast
Authors: Szkupinski Quiroga Seline , Medina Dulce M. , Glick Jennifer
Published: June 2014

This paper examines the experiences of Latino adults in South Phoenix, Arizona, during a time of changing immigration policy, through the theoretical lenses of structural vulnerability and macro- and microaggression. The analyses describe how U.S.- and foreign-born Latinos experience the effects of local immigration laws and anti-immigrant sentiment. The results suggest that while there are differences between the U.S.-born and foreign-born in perceived impacts of immigration enforcement, there are few differences in perceptions of vulnerability and no evidence of lesser psychological distress among those who are not the direct targets of immigration enforcement activities. Even if they do not feel directly at risk, most respondents express concerns for family members and others in their social networks as a result of increased attention to immigration enforcement or anti-immigrant sentiment. These shared impacts may have long-term implications for Latino communities in the United States.
Preventive Services by Medical and Dental Providers and Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Kranz A.M. , Rozier R.G. , Preisser J.S. , Stearns S.C. , Weinberger M. , Lee J.Y.
Published: June 2014

Objective: Nearly all state Medicaid programs reimburse nondental primary care providers (PCPs) for providing preventive oral health services to young children; yet, little is known about how treatment outcomes compare with children visiting dentists. This study compared the association between the provider of preventive services (PCP, dentist, or both) with Medicaid-enrolled children before their third birthday and subsequent dental caries-related treatment (CRT) and CRT payment. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of young children enrolled in North Carolina Medicaid during 2000 to 2006. The annual number of CRT and CRT payments per child between the ages of 3 and 5 yr were estimated with a zero-inflated negative binomial regression and a hurdle model, respectively. Models were adjusted for relevant child- and county-level characteristics and used propensity score weighting to address observed confounding. Results: We examined 41,453 children with > 1 preventive oral health visit from a PCP, dentist, or both before their third birthday. Unadjusted annual mean CRT and payments were lowest among children who had only PCP visits (CRT = 0.87, payment = $172) and higher among children with only dentist visits (CRT = 1.48, payment = $234) and both PCP and dentist visits (CRT = 1.52, payment = $273). Adjusted results indicated that children who had dentist visits (with or without PCP visits) had significantly more CRT and higher CRT payments per year during the ages of 3 and 4 yr than children who had only PCP visits. However, these differences attenuated each year after age 3 yr. Conclusions: Because of children’s increased opportunity to receive multiple visits in medical offices during well-child visits, preventive oral health services provided by PCPs may lead to a greater reduction in CRT than dentist visits alone. This study supports guidelines and reimbursement policies that allow preventive dental visits based on individual needs.
Color Doppler Evaluation of the Retrobulbar Hemodynamic Changes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Çelik Cihan , Tokgöz Özlem , Şerifoğlu lsmail , Tor Meltem , Alpay Atilla , Erdem Zuhal
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hemodynamic changes in the extraocular orbital vessels of the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), using color Doppler ultrasonography, and to compare the results with those of healthy control subjects. The control group consisted of 35 healthy subjects who had no systemic problems, while the study group consisted of 60 patients with the diagnosis of COPD. Patients with COPD were grouped according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Twenty patients of stage 1 COPD (mild airflow limitation), stage 2 COPD (moderate airflow limitation), or stage 3 COPD (severe airflow limitation) were included in the groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Measurements were performed in both eyes of each participant. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) were measured in the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), and posterior ciliary artery (PCA). The RI and PI measurements of the OA, CRA, and PCA were significantly higher in group 3 when compared to the control group and groups 1 and 2. These significances were not observed when PSV and EDV values were compared. There were also no significant differences between groups 1, 2, and control patients, when mean PSV, EDV, RI, and PI values of all arteries were compared. None of the above parameters showed statistical significance when mean RI, PI, PSV, and EDV were compared between left and right eyes. Severe (stage 3) COPD is associated with impaired retrobulbar hemodynamics. Increased hypoxia and vascular mediators may be suggested in etiology.
Computer-Aided Strain Evaluation for Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging of Breast Masses
Authors: Lo Chung-Ming , Chen Yen-Po , Chang Yeun-Chung , Lo Chiao , Huang Chiun-Sheng , Chang Ruey-Feng
Published: June 2014

Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) is a newly developed elastography technique that uses acoustic radiation force to provide additional stiffness information to conventional sonography. A computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system was proposed to automatically specify the tumor boundaries in ARFI images and quantify the statistical stiffness information to reduce user dependence. The level-set segmentation was used to delineate tumor boundaries in B-mode images, and the segmented boundaries were then mapped to the corresponding area in ARFI images for a gray-scale calculation. A total of 61 benign and 51 malignant tumors were evaluated in the experiment. The CAD system based on the proposed ARFI features achieved an accuracy of 80% (90/112), a sensitivity of 80% (41/51), and a specificity of 80% (49/61), which is significantly better than that of the quantitative B-mode features ( p < 0.05). The ARFI features were further combined with the B-mode features, including shape and texture features, to further improve performance (area under the curve [AUC], 0.90 vs. 0.86). In conclusion, the CAD system based on the proposed ARFI features is a promising and efficient diagnostic method.
Lexical encoding of L2 tones: The role of L1 stress, pitch accent and intonation
Authors: Braun Bettina , Galts Tobias , Kabak Barış
Published: June 2014

Native language prosodic structure is known to modulate the processing of non-native suprasegmental information. It has been shown that native speakers of French, a language without lexical stress, have difficulties storing non-native stress contrasts. We investigated whether the ability to store lexical tone (as in Mandarin Chinese) also depends on the first language (L1) prosodic structure and, if so, how. We tested participants from a stress language (German), a language without word stress (French), a language with restricted lexical tonal contrasts (Japanese), and Mandarin Chinese controls. Furthermore, German has a rich intonational structure, while French and Japanese dispose of fewer utterance-level pitch contrasts. The participants learnt associations between disyllabic non-words (4 tonal contrasts) and objects and indicated whether picture–word pairs matched with what they had learnt (complete match, segmental or tonal mismatch conditions). In the tonal mismatch condition, the Mandarin Chinese controls had the highest sensitivity, followed by the German participants. The French and Japanese participants showed no sensitivity towards these tonal contrasts. Utterance-level prosody is hence better able to predict success in second language (L2) tone learning than word prosody.
Surgical Trends in the Treatment of Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior Lesions of the Shoulder
Authors: Patterson Brendan M. , Creighton R. Alexander , Spang Jeffrey T. , Roberson James R. , Kamath Ganesh V.
Published: June 2014

Background:

After failure of nonoperative treatment, repair has long been the primary treatment option for symptomatic superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) lesions of the shoulder. There is growing evidence to support both biceps tenotomy and tenodesis as effective alternative treatments for SLAP lesions.

Hypotheses:

For patients with isolated SLAP lesions, the frequency of SLAP repair has decreased, while treatment with biceps tenodesis and tenotomy has increased. Similar trends are expected in patients with SLAP lesions undergoing concomitant rotator cuff repair.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A query of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery part II database was performed from 2002 to 2011. The database was searched for patients with isolated SLAP lesions undergoing SLAP repair, open biceps tenodesis, arthroscopic biceps tenodesis, or biceps tenotomy. The database was then queried a second time for patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with concomitant SLAP repair, biceps tenodesis, or biceps tenotomy.

Results:

From 2002 to 2011, there were 8963 cases reported for the treatment of an isolated SLAP lesion and 1540 cases reported for the treatment of SLAP lesions with concomitant rotator cuff repair. For patients with isolated SLAP lesions, the proportion of SLAP repairs decreased from 69.3% to 44.8% ( P < .0001), while biceps tenodesis increased from 1.9% to 18.8% ( P < .0001), and biceps tenotomy increased from 0.4% to 1.7% ( P = .018). For patients undergoing concomitant rotator cuff repair, SLAP repair decreased from 60.2% to 15.3% ( P < .0001), while biceps tenodesis or tenotomy increased from 6.0% to 28.0% ( P < .0001). There was a significant difference in the mean age of patients undergoing SLAP repair (37.1 years) versus biceps tenodesis (47.2 years) versus biceps tenotomy (55.7 years) ( P < .0001).

Conclusion:

Practice trends for orthopaedic board candidates indicate that the proportion of SLAP repairs has decreased over time, with an increase in biceps tenodesis and tenotomy. Increased patient age correlates with the likelihood of treatment with biceps tenodesis or tenotomy versus SLAP repair.
Correlation Between Clinical and Radiological Outcomes After Matrix-Induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation in the Femoral Condyles
Authors: Ebert Jay R. , Smith Anne , Fallon Michael , Wood David J. , Ackland Timothy R.
Published: June 2014

Background:

Matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) is an established technique for the repair of knee chondral defects, although the correlation between clinical and radiological outcomes after surgery is poorly understood.

Purpose:

To determine the correlation between clinical and radiological outcomes throughout the postoperative timeline to 5 years after MACI.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

This retrospective study was undertaken in 83 patients (53 male, 30 female) with complete clinical and radiological follow-up at 1, 2, and 5 years after MACI. The mean age of patients was 38.9 years (range, 13-62 years), with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.6 kg/m2 (range, 16.8-34.8 kg/m2), mean defect size of 3.3 cm2 (range, 1-9 cm2), and mean preoperative duration of symptoms of 9.2 years (range, 1-46 years). Patients indicated for MACI in this follow-up were 13 to 65 years of age, although they were excluded if they had a BMI >35 kg/m2, had undergone prior extensive meniscectomy, or had ongoing progressive inflammatory arthritis. Patients were assessed clinically using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate the graft using a 1.5-T or 3-T clinical scanner; the MRI assessment included 8 parameters of graft repair (infill, signal intensity, border integration, surface contour, structure, subchondral lamina, subchondral bone, and effusion) based on the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score as well as an MRI composite score. The degree of an association between the MRI parameters and the KOOS subscales at each postoperative time point was assessed with the Spearman correlation coefficient (SCC), and significance was determined at P < .05. Ethics approval was obtained from the appropriate hospital and university Human Research Ethics Committees, and informed consent was gathered from all patients.

Results:

The only MRI parameter displaying consistent evidence of an association with the KOOS subscales was effusion, with a pattern of increasing strength of correlations over time and statistically significant associations at 5 years with KOOS-Pain (SCC, 0.25; P = .020), KOOS–Activities of Daily Living (SCC, 0.26; P = .018), and KOOS-Sport (SCC, 0.32; P = .003). Apart from a significant correlation between subchondral lamina and KOOS-Sport at 1 year (SCC, 0.27; P = .016), no further significant findings were observed.

Conclusion:

Apart from some consistent evidence of an association between the KOOS and effusion, this analysis demonstrated a limited correlative capacity between clinical and radiological outcomes up to 5 years after surgery.
Repressive-Responsiveness and Its Applicability to Ethnic Majoritarian Rule: A Historical Case Study
Authors: Duke Shaul A.
Published: June 2014

Contemporary sociology seems to have extreme reservations about the significance of vote-motivated responsiveness – ordinary people’s reputed influence on policy in democratic settings – both in general and especially when it comes to the masses’ role in endorsing policies with repressive outcomes. Those texts that do acknowledge the masses’ role in policymaking deal almost exclusively with the struggle of the lower-classes for emancipation/equalization, and rarely delve into broad social groups’ contribution to repressive policies. The repressive-responsiveness hypothesis suggested here is used to reexamine the case of internal Jewish ethnic politics in Mandatory Palestine. I argue that ethnic politics of this period can only be thoroughly understood once responsiveness to the majoritarian Ashkenazi workers’ interests is incorporated, thus suggesting that the use of democratic procedures was central to Mizrahi marginalization in that period.