bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The scalar property during isochronous tapping is disrupted by a D2-like agonist in the nonhuman primate
Authors: Yc Karyna , Prado Luis , Merchant Hugo
Published: December 2018

Dopamine, and specifically the D2 system, has been implicated in timing tasks where the absolute duration of individual time intervals is encoded discretely, yet the role of D2 during beat perception and entrainment remains largely unknown. In this type of timing, a beat is perceived as the pulse that marks equally spaced points in time and, once extracted, produces the tendency in humans to entrain or synchronize their movements to it. Hence, beat-based timing is crucial for musical execution. In this study we investigated the effects of systemic injections of quinpirole (0.005–0.05 mg/kg), a D2-like agonist, on the isochronous rhythmic tapping of rhesus monkeys, a classical task for the study of beat entrainment. We compared the rhythmic timing accuracy, precision, and the asynchronies of the monkeys with or without the effects of quinpirole, as well as their reaction times in a control serial reaction time task (SRTT). The results showed a dose-dependent disruption in the scalar property of rhythmic timing due to quinpirole administration. Specifically, we found similar temporal variabilities as a function of the metronome tempo at the largest dose, instead of the increase in variability across durations that is characteristic of the timing Weber law. Notably, these effects were not due to alterations in the basic sensorimotor mechanism for tapping to a sequence of flashing stimuli, because quinpirole did not change the reaction time of the monkeys during SRTT. These findings support the notion of a key role of the D2 system in the rhythmic timing mechanism, especially in the control of temporal precision.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Perceiving and moving to the beat of music is a fundamental trait of musical cognition. We measured the effect of quinpirole, a D2-like agonist, on the precision and accuracy of rhythmic tapping to a metronome in two rhesus monkeys. Quinpirole produced a flattening of the temporal variability as a function of tempo duration, instead of the increase in variability across durations that is characteristic of the scalar property, a hallmark property of timing.
Understanding and Improving Diagnostic Tests: The Clinician Perspective
Authors: Ng Pak Cheung
Published: December 2018

Recent advances in molecular and mass screening technologies have paved the way for discovery of novel diagnostic tests and/or biomarkers for accurate identification of specific diseases and organ injuries. However, new diagnostic tests/biomarkers should be subjected to thorough evaluation before introduction into routine clinical practice. This review focuses on the up-to-date methodology in designing and evaluating diagnostic tests/biomarkers, and assessing their clinical utilities for improving health care efficiency, cost-effectiveness and outcomes. In addition to improved diagnostic utilities, future diagnostic tests should be developed in collaboration with our industrial partners and be applicable at the bedside for disease surveillance.
Adipocyte ADRB3 Down-Regulated in Chinese Overweight Individuals Adipocyte ADRB3 in Overweight
Authors: Cao Wen-Yue , Liu Zhao , Guo Feng , Yu Jing , Li Han , Yin Xiao
Published: December 2018

Objectives: Activation of β3-adrenoceptor (ADRB3) is essential in the process of human adipose tissue browning, but obese subjects suffered from reduced ability of brown adipose tissue activation. The present study aims to detect the adipocyte ADRB3 expression in overweight individuals and the relationship between adipocyte ADRB3 expression and adiposity in adults. Methods: Visceral adipose tissue samples were obtained from 85 subjects who underwent abdominal surgery. ADRB3 mRNA and protein expression levels in mature adipocytes and adipose tissue stromal vascular cells were examined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot assay, respectively. UCP-1mRNA expression levels in mature adipocytes were examined by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: The data revealed that ADRB3 mRNA (p = 0.021) and protein (p = 0.025) expression levels in mature adipocytes were significantly higher in the normal-weight than in the overweight group. Similar results were also found for ADRB3 mRNA (p = 0.041) and protein (p = 0.025) expressions of stromal vascular cells. An inverse correlation was verified between mature adipocyte ADRB3 mRNA expression and BMI (r = –0.362, p = 0.012). UCP-1 mRNA expression levels in mature adipocytes were higher in the normal-weight group compared with the overweight group (p = 0.045). Conclusion: Adipocyte ADRB3 expression levels were down-regulated before the onset of obesity, which indicated that the reduction of ADRB3 expression might be the cause of compromised adipose tissue browning and obesity rather than the result. Thus, the interference of the ADRB3 pathway in adipocytes may provide a potential treatment target for obesity.
Molecular Sexing of the White-Winged Guan (Penelope albipennis) and Other Wild Birds of the North of Peru
Authors: Díaz Casana César Francisco , Vivas Ruíz Dan Erick , Sandoval Peña Gustavo Adolfo , Chimoy Effio Pedro Jorge
Published: December 2018

The use of accurate and reliable techniques for sex determination of wild birds is of special importance in captive breeding programs, especially in birds with monogamous, aggressive behavior, with absence of copulation, and with a low hatching rate. Using PCR, we evaluated the relative efficacy of primers HPF/HPR and CHD1Wr/NP/CHD1Zr in the amplification of the chromo-helicase-DNA binding 1 (CHD1) gene for sex determination in Penelope albipennis and 8 other species of cracids, 4 species of falconids, 4 species of accipitrids, and 3 species of psittacines. Primer effectiveness was compared using previously sexed bird samples. The HPF/HPR primer set was found to demonstrate a better performance and reliability. Therefore, these primers should be used to determine the sex of juvenile birds to avoid or minimize incompatibilities during the selection of potential breeding pairs.
Psychiatric Manifestation of Anti-NMDA Receptor Autoimmune Encephalitis
Authors: Elamin Maha , Mir Fatima Farid , Alam Ali Dana Mudathir , Awad Mazin , Mohammed Alshamy Mohsen , Ahmad Khawla
Published: December 2018

Several studies have linked the presence of anti-NMDA receptor autoimmune encephalitis to the development of new-onset psychiatric symptoms. As psychiatric symptoms may predominate at the onset or over the course of the disease, the diagnosis is frequently delayed. Patient prognosis depends on the speed of disease detection, identification, and management. The case presented in this report shows a patient with psychiatric manifestation discovered to have anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. Late diagnosis of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis caused her condition to deteriorate. Therefore, we underline the importance of consid ering anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis as part of the differential diagnosis in any case presenting with first-time emotional lability or any other psychiatric finding.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ РОЗРОБЛЕННЯ КОНЦЕПТУАЛЬНОЇ МАТЕМАТИЧНОЇ МОДЕЛІ ПРОЦЕСУ РАННЬОГО ДІАГНОСТУВАННЯ СПАДКОВИХ ОРФАННИХ ЗАХВОРЮВАНЬ
Authors: Stetsiuk V. Z. , Maliei A. V. , Lisovychenko O. I. , Pichkur N. O. , Babintseva L. Yu.
Published: December 2018

Представлено особливості розроблення концептуальної моделі для раннього діагностування спадкових орфанних захворювань. Наведено ряд теоретичних положень, що використовуються в розробці. Запропоновано концептуальні підходи щодо формалізації представлення переліку орфанних захворювань у вигляді математичної моделі та розглянуто ступені зв’язків.
МЕТОДОЛОГІЯ ОРГАНІЗАЦІЇ КЛІНІЧНИХ ВИПРОБУВАНЬ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ТА БЕЗПЕЧНОСТІ КИТАЙСЬКОЇ ОБРАЗНОЇ МЕДИЦИНИ В КОНТЕКСТІ ДОКАЗОВОЇ МЕДИЦИНИ
Authors: Martseniuk V. P. , Lupenko S. A. , Sverstiuk A. S. , Pavlyshyn A. V.
Published: December 2018

Стаття присвячена обґрунтуванню актуальності розробки методології організації клінічних випробувань ефективності та безпечності китайської образної медицини в контексті доказової медицини. У роботі розглянуто стратегію організації та проведення клінічних випробовувань китайської образної медицини. Розроблено інформаційну систему забезпечення проведення клінічних випробовувань китайської образної медицини.
A relação mãe e filho: vicissitudes de um (des)encontro para o laço simbólico
Authors: Fanti Cristiani Beltran , Saboia Camila
Published: December 2018

A clínica da intervenção precoce nos convoca a refletir acerca da função materna no processo de construção do enlace com o Outro primordial e de como é possível ao analista intervir no (des)encontro mãe e filho, visando o estabelecimento ou o restabelecimento do circuito pulsional. Alguns bebês se deparam com dificuldades para alcançar o estatuto de Sua Majestade, o Bebê, como dizia Freud. Qual será a situação em casos de trigêmeos? A partir da exposição de um caso clínico, pretendemos discutir as questões do laço simbólico entre mãe e bebê.
“Respiramos o mesmo mas somos diferentes”: constituição da subjetividade em adolescentes integrantes de Agrupamentos Juvenis de Cidade em Mar del Plata (Argentina) e Cali (Colombia).
Authors: Bolaños Diego Fernando
Published: December 2018

Tese de doutorado no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação da Faculdade de Educação da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Psicanálise e educação: inquietações políticas – um debate a partir do encontro da psicanálise com a Educação Infantil no Brasil
Authors: Fonseca Paula Fontana
Published: December 2018

Atualidades da pesquisa
Elevated Wall Tension Leads to Reduced miR‐133a in the Thoracic Aorta by Exosome Release
Authors: Akerman Adam W. , Blanding Walker M. , Stroud Robert E. , Nadeau Elizabeth K. , Mukherjee Rupak , Ruddy Jean Marie , Zile Michael R. , Ikonomidis John S. , Jones Jeffrey A.
Published: December 2018

Background

Reduced miR‐133a was previously found to be associated with thoracic aortic (
TA
) dilation, as seen in aneurysm disease. Because wall tension increases with vessel diameter (Law of Laplace), this study tested the hypothesis that elevated tension led to the reduction of miR‐133a in the
TA
.

Methods and Results

Elevated tension (1.5 g; 150 mm Hg) applied to murine
TA
ex vivo reduced miR‐133a tissue abundance compared with
TA
held at normotension (0.7 g; 70 mm Hg). Cellular miR‐133a levels were reduced with biaxial stretch of isolated murine
TA
fibroblasts, whereas smooth muscle cells were not affected. Mechanisms contributing to the loss of miR‐133a abundance were further investigated in
TA
fibroblasts. Biaxial stretch did not reduce primary miR‐133a transcription and had no effect on the expression/abundance of 3 micro
RNA
‐specific exoribonucleases. Remarkably, biaxial stretch increased exosome secretion, and exosomes isolated from
TA
fibroblasts contained more miR‐133a. Inhibition of exosome secretion prevented the biaxial stretch‐induced reduction of miR‐133a. Subsequently, 2 in vivo models of hypertension were used to determine the effect of elevated wall tension on miR‐133a abundance in the
TA
: wild‐type mice with osmotic pump–mediated angiotensin
II
infusion and angiotensin
II
–independent spontaneously hypertensive mice. Interestingly, the abundance of miR‐133a was decreased in
TA
tissue and increased in the plasma in both models of hypertension compared with a normotensive control group. Furthermore, miR‐133a was elevated in the plasma of hypertensive human subjects, compared with normotensive patients.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results identified exosome secretion as a tension‐sensitive mechanism by which miR‐133a abundance was reduced in
TA
fibroblasts.
Instinct Extinct: The Great Pacific Flyway
Authors: Constantino Valerie
Published: December 2018

This article, or artist’s inquiry, was written in concert with the exhibition Instinct Extinct: The Great Pacific Flyway. Beginning with introductions to bird migration, the concept of global flyways and the history of conservation, the text considers the poetics of art-making relative to academic research. Areas of artistic exploration include a map depicting California’s changing waterscape, video portraits of people of the flyway and assemblages of invented and found avian artifacts. The article concludes with a review of current environmental conditions affecting migratory birds and some reflective passages.
Evaluating Measures of Hospital Quality: Evidence from Ambulance Referral Patterns
Authors: Doyle Joseph , Graves John , Gruber Jonathan
Published: December 2018

Hospital quality measures are crucial to a key idea behind health care payment reforms: “paying for quality” instead of quantity. Nevertheless, such measures face major criticisms largely over the potential failure of risk adjustment to overcome endogeneity concerns when ranking hospitals. In this paper, we test whether patients treated at hospitals that score higher on commonly used quality measures have better health outcomes in terms of rehospitalization and mortality. To compare similar patients across hospitals in the same market, we exploit ambulance company preferences as an instrument for hospital choice. We find that a variety of measures that insurers use to measure provider quality are successful: choosing a high-quality hospital compared to a low-quality hospital results in 10% to 15% better outcomes.
Agricultural Fires and Health at Birth
Authors: Rangel Marcos A. , Vogl Tom S.
Published: December 2018

Fire has long served as a tool in agriculture, but the practice's link with economic activity has made its health consequences difficult to study. Drawing on data from satellite-based fire detection systems, air monitors, and vital records in Brazil, we study how in utero exposure to smoke from sugarcane harvest fires affects health at birth. Exploiting daily changes in fire location and wind direction for identification, we find that late-pregnancy smoke exposure decreases birthweight, gestational length, and in utero survival. Fires less associated with smoke exposure predict improved health, highlighting the importance of disentangling pollution from its economic correlates.
Annotated Catalog of the Fossil Invertebrates Described by, and Named for, William More Gabb (1839–1878)
Authors: GROVES LINDSEY T. , SQUIRES RICHARD L.
Published: December 2018

William More Gabb [1839–1878] described 1163 fossil invertebrate taxa: Protozoa [1 species], Porifera [1 genus, 2 species], Cnidaria [12 species], Bryozoa (with G.H. Horn) [1 family, 8 genera, 67 species], Brachiopoda [15 species], Annelida [7 species], Mollusca [Bivalvia: 15 genera, 2 subgenera, 412 species; Gastropoda: 1 family, 2 subfamilies, 42 genera, 8 subgenera, 489 species; Scaphopoda: 10 species; Cephalopoda: 1 family, 3 genera, 51 species], Arthropoda [Crustacea: 2 species; Cirripedia 1 species], and Echinodermata [11 species]. Listed herein are all fossil taxa named by Gabb, type localities, institutional depository, and remarks concerning current taxonomic status, when known. An annotated list of Gabb’s fossil references is also included. Also listed herein are 134 fossil invertebrate taxa and 33 living mollusk taxa named for him.
Against Homogeneity. Transcultural and Trans-Lingual Strategies in Cultural Production
Authors: Rawski Tomasz , Falski Maciej
Published: December 2018

Against Homogeneity. Transcultural and Trans-Lingual Strategies in Cultural ProductionThe key idea of the present volume of Colloquia Humanistica is the struggle against homogeneity. All the papers deal with the problem of homogenous narratives and homogenous practices, which most often falsify the complex reality of the human world. No matter if we look for examples in literature, cinema, or if we take a closer look at cultural institutions; our authors question the apparent uniformity which seems to lie behind the familiar categories we use to describe our everyday experience. The languages we speak, books we read, exhibitions we visit – they are supposed to use clearly defined categories with sharp boundaries and unified content. This unwritten agreement makes our life easier and helps us move through the labyrinth of social relations and cultural patterns. But what if we suddenly find out that one of those well-known categories does not suit the reality? Przeciwko jednorodności. Transkulturowe i transjęzykowe strategie w produkcji kulturowejGłównym wątkiem nowego numeru "Colloquia Humanistica" jest walka przeciw jednorodności. Wszystkie artykuły zmagają się z problemem jednorodnych narracji i jednorodnych praktyk, które najczęściej fałszują złożoną rzeczywistość ludzkiego świata. Przykłady możemy czerpać z literatury czy kina, możemy też przyjrzeć się bliżej instytucjom kulturalnym; autorzy i autorki w niniejszym numerze kwestionują rzekomą oczywistość, do której, jak się wydaje, odsyłają codziennie używane kategorie, służące nam do opisu codziennego doświadczenia. Nieważne, czy mówimy o językach, którymi się posługujemy, o książkach, które czytamy, czy o wystawach, jakie zwiedzamy; wszędzie tam zakładamy posługiwanie się jasno zdefiniowanymi kategoriami o ostrych granicach i jednorodnej treści. Ta niepisana umowa ułatwia nam życie i pomaga poruszać się w labiryncie relacji społecznych. A jednak co się dzieje, jeśli nagle odkrywamy, że jedna z tych dobrze znanych kategorii nie pasuje do rzeczywistości?
Russian: A Monocentric or Pluricentric Language?
Authors: Kamusella Tomasz
Published: December 2018

Russian: A Monocentric or Pluricentric Language?All the world’s ‘big’ languages of international communication (for instance, English, French or Spanish) are pluricentric in their character, meaning, that official varieties of these languages are standardized differently in these states where the aforesaid languages are in official use. The only exception to this tendency is Russian. Despite the fact that Russian is employed in official capacity in numerous post-Soviet states and in Israel, it is still construed as a monocentric language whose single and unified standard is (and must be) solely controlled by Russia. From the perspective of sovereignty, this arrangement affords Moscow a degree of influence and even control over culture and language use in these countries where Russian is official. This fact was consciously noticed and evoked some heated discussions in Ukraine after the Russian annexation of the Ukrainian region of Crimea in 2014. However, thus far, the discussions have not been translated into any official recognition of (let alone encouragement for) state-specific varieties of the Russian language. Rosyjski: język monocentryczny czy pluricentryczny?Wszystkie „duże” języki komunikacji międzynarodowej na świecie (na przykład angielski, francuski lub hiszpański) są pluricentryczne, czyli oficjalne odmiany tych języków są inaczej standaryzowane w tych państwach, w których te języki są używane jako oficjalne. Jedynym wyjątkiem w tym zakresie jest język rosyjski. Pomimo faktu, że rosyjski funkcjonuje jako język oficjalny w wielu państwach postsowieckich oraz w Izraelu i Mongolii, to nadal uważa się go za język monocentryczny, którego normatywnie jednolity standard jest (i musi być) kontrolowany wyłącznie przez Rosję. Układ ten sprzeczny jest z zasadą suwerenności, bowiem zapewnia on Moskwie wpływ, a nawet kontrolę nad kulturą i używaniem języka w tych krajach, w których rosyjski to język urzędowy. Fakt ten został świadomie zauważony i wywołał gorące dyskusje w Ukrainie po rosyjskiej aneksji ukraińskiego regionu Krymu w roku 2014. Jak dotąd dyskusje te jednak nie przełożyły się na żadne oficjalne uznanie przez ukraińskie władze (nie mówiąc już o konkretnymwsparciu) ukraińskiej odmiany języka rosyjskiego.
Late Baroque Manuscript "Supplicant of the Sinner to the Lord Jesus". Eschatological Reflections
Authors: Panasiuk Joanna
Published: December 2018

Late Baroque Manuscript Supplicant of the Sinner to the Lord Jesus. Eschatological ReflectionsThe scope of observations in this article will be concerned by Supplicant’s Song of the Lord Jesus(inc. "Jesus, my merciful ..."), belonging to the so-called the popular area. This text was found in a handwritten collection dated to 1744, belonging to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns in Krakow. In this song, we can identify - as a result of eschatological reflections - the idea of contemptus mundi (contempt of the world), originating from the middle ages. Późnobarokowy rękopis Supliki grzesznika do Pana Jezusa. Eschatologiczne refleksjeZakres obserwacji wyznaczy tu należąca do nurtu tzw. popularnego pieśń Suplika grzesznika do Pana Jezusa (inc. „Jezu mój litościwy…”). Tekst odnaleziono w rękopiśmiennym zbiorze datowanym na 1744 rok, należącym do biblioteki karmelitanek bosych w Krakowie. W pieśni – na skutek eschatologicznych refleksji - uobecnia się idea contemptus mundi (pogardy świata), wywodząca się z wieków średnich.
Lexicalisation of vertical motion: A study of three satellite-framed languages
Authors: Łozińska Joanna , Pietrewicz Barbara
Published: December 2018

Lexicalisation of vertical motion: A study of three satellite-framed languagesThis article presents a comparison of the description of motion in three satellite-framed languages, namely in Polish, Russian and English. More specifically, the lexicalisation patterns of horizontal and vertical motion are compared on the basis of elicitation data. The study highlights the divergent patterns of the lexicalisation of motion along these two planes in the three languages. Besides a description of the motion verbs coding these relations, the linguistic and non-linguistic factors influencing the lexicalisation patterns of motion are discussed. Leksykalizacja ruchu wertykalnego w polskim, rosyjskim i angielskimArtykuł przedstawia porównanie sposobów leksykalizacji ruchu w trzech językach z tzw. „ramą towarzyszącą" - w języku polskim, rosyjskim oraz angielskim. Na podstawie danych uzyskanych od respondentów porównane zostały wzory leksykalizacji ruchu horyzontalnego i wertykalnego w tych trzech językach. Wyniki wskazują na różne wzorce leksykalizacji ruchu horyzontalnego i wertykalnego. W artykule omówiono czynniki zarówno językowe jak i niejęzykowe wpływające na wzorce leksykalizacji ruchu wertykalnego.
Reconstruire les enchaînements au niveau supraphrastique de la structure informationnelle du discours
Authors: Miczka Ewa
Published: December 2018

Reconstruction of connections at supraphrastic level of information structure in discourseThe aim of this paper is to analyse the connections between global theme and thematic segments which constitue the intermediate level of information structure in discourse. The information structures are defined as hierarchically organized thematic-rhematic structures and, in their thematic part, the author distinguishes three levels represented by: global theme, themes of thematic segments and themes of phrases. The author focuses her attention on explicite and implicite connections appearing in the place where global theme and different thematic segments contact. Rekonstrukcja nawiązań na poziomie ponadzdaniowym struktury informacyjnej dyskursuCel artykułu to analiza nawiązań między tematem globalnym a segmentami tematycznymi, które tworzą pośredni poziom struktury informacyjnej dyskursu. Struktura ta jest zdefiniowana jako hierarchicznie zorganizowana struktura tematyczno-rematyczna. W części tematycznej wyróżniono trzy poziomy reprezentowane przez temat globalny, tematy segmentów dyskursu i tematy zdań. Przeprowadzone analizy koncentrują się na eksplicytnych i implicytnych nawiązaniach wyższego rzędu pojawiających się w tych miejscach struktury informacyjnej dyskursu, w których spotykają się jednostki pierwszych dwóch poziomów: temat globalny i różne segmenty tematyczne.
Sustainable long-term WordNet development and maintenance: Case study of the Czech WordNet
Authors: Rambousek Adam , Horák Aleš , Pala Karel
Published: December 2018

Sustainable long-term WordNet development and maintenance: Case study of the Czech WordNetCzech WordNet represents one of the first national wordnets created during the EuroWordNet and BalkaNet projects. However, the data contains various issues that affect the use of Czech WordNet in NLP applications. Since the publication of the first CzWN version, the semantic network was augmented in several phases, however, complex final editing and publishing process has not been finished. In 2017, we have started a project to evaluate and update the Czech WordNet, followed by a connection to the Collaborative Interlingual Index. In this paper, we provide an overview of Czech WordNet data updates and extensions, and present the roadmap to publish a revised version of the Czech WordNet under open license. Moreover, we introduce a developed concept for long-term updates and maintenance of the data based on crowdsourcing activities. Zrównoważony i długafalowy proces rozwoju i utrzymania wordnetu na przykładzie wordnetu czeskiegoCzeski WordNet jest jednym z pierwszych narodowych wordnetów powstałych podczas projektów EuroWordNet i BalkaNet. Jednakże dane zawierają błędy, które wpływają na używanie czeskiego wordnetu w aplikacjach NLP. Od momentu opublikowania pierwszej wersji czeskiego wordnetu sieć semantyczna została rozszerzona w kilku etapach, jednak złożony proces końcowej edycji i publikacji nie został jeszcze zakończony. W roku 2017 zaczęliśmy projekt mający na celu ocenę i aktualizację czeskiego wordnetu, a następnie połączenie go z Collaborative Interlingual Index. W danym artykule przedstawiamy ogólny zarys uaktualnień i rozszerzeń zawartości czeskiego wordnetu, a także prezentujemy plan działania, który doprowadzi do publikacji udoskonalonej wersji czeskiego wordnetu na otwartej licencji. Ponadto prezentujemy opracowaną koncepcję długoterminowych uaktualnień i utrzymania danych w oparciu o działania crowdsourcingowe.
Parameterization of Vertical Profiles of Governing Microphysical Parameters of Shallow Cumulus Cloud Ensembles Using LES with Bin Microphysics
Authors: Khain Pavel , Heiblum Reuven , Blahak Ulrich , Levi Yoav , Muskatel Harel , Vadislavsky Elyakom , Altaratz Orit , Koren Ilan , Dagan Guy , Shpund Jacob , Khain Alexander
Published: December 2018

Shallow convection is a subgrid process in cloud-resolving models for which their grid box is larger than the size of small cumulus clouds (Cu). At the same time such Cu substantially affect radiation properties and thermodynamic parameters of the low atmosphere. The main microphysical parameters used for calculation of radiative properties of Cu in cloud-resolving models are liquid water content (LWC), effective droplet radius, and cloud fraction (CF). In this study, these parameters of fields of small, warm Cu are calculated using large-eddy simulations (LESs) performed using the System for Atmospheric Modeling (SAM) with spectral bin microphysics. Despite the complexity of microphysical processes, several fundamental properties of Cu were found. First, despite the high variability of LWC and droplet concentration within clouds and between different clouds, the volume mean and effective radii per specific level vary only slightly. Second, the values of effective radius are close to those forming during adiabatic ascent of air parcels from cloud base. These findings allow for characterization of a cloud field by specific vertical profiles of effective radius and of mean liquid water content, which can be calculated using the theoretical profile of adiabatic liquid water content and the droplet concentration at cloud base. Using the results of these LESs, a simple parameterization of cloud-field-averaged vertical profiles of effective radius and of liquid water content is proposed for different aerosol and thermodynamic conditions. These profiles can be used for calculation of radiation properties of Cu fields in large-scale models. The role of adiabatic processes in the formation of microstructure of Cu is discussed.
Probabilistic Forecasting of Snowfall Amounts Using a Hybrid between a Parametric and an Analog Approach
Authors: Scheuerer Michael , Hamill Thomas M.
Published: December 2018

Forecast uncertainty associated with the prediction of snowfall amounts is a complex superposition of the uncertainty about precipitation amounts and the uncertainty about weather variables like temperature that influence the snow-forming process. In situations with heavy precipitation, parametric, regression-based postprocessing approaches often perform very well since they can extrapolate relations between forecast and observed precipitation amounts established with data from more common events. The complexity of the relation between temperature and snowfall amounts, on the other hand, makes nonparametric techniques like the analog method an attractive choice. In this article we show how these two different methodologies can be combined in a way that leverages the respective advantages. Predictive distributions of precipitation amounts are obtained using a heteroscedastic regression approach based on censored, shifted gamma distributions, and quantile forecasts derived from them are used together with ensemble forecasts of temperature to find analog dates where both quantities were similar. The observed snowfall amounts on these dates are then used to compose an ensemble that represents the uncertainty about future snowfall. We demonstrate this approach with reforecast data from the Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) and snowfall analyses from the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center (NOHRSC) over an area within the northeastern United States and an area within the U.S. mountain states.
Three Schools of Thought on “African Solutions to African Problems”
Authors: Ani Ndubuisi Christian
Published: December 2018

The idea of “African solutions to African problems” has enthralled policy makers in Africa and across the globe since the establishment of the African Union (AU) in 2001. The AU was equipped with robust mandates for coordinated solutions to the challenges in the continent unlike its predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). While the maxim is employed in various policy discourses, there is limited consensus on what African solutions entail, especially in peace and security where the discourse dominates. Using the theoretical framework of constructivism, this article advances the debate by delineating three schools of thought—agency, indigenous, and innovative perspectives—on what constitute “African solutions.” The variances in these outlooks highlight the extensive view of “African solutions” and the multipronged ideas about Africa’s mechanisms and substantive values that could solve regional issues, and by extension, global challenges.
The Visual Asymmetry Effect: An Interplay of Logo Design and Brand Personality on Brand Equity
Authors: Luffarelli Jonathan , Stamatogiannakis Antonios , Yang Haiyang
Published: December 2018

Five studies using a variety of experimental approaches and secondary data sets show that a visual property present in all brand logos—the degree of (a)symmetry—can interact with brand personality to affect brand equity. Specifically, compared with symmetrical logos, asymmetrical logos tend to be more arousing, leading to increased perceptions of excitement. As such, consumers tend to perceive asymmetrical logos as more congruent with brands that have an exciting personality. This can boost consumers’ evaluations and the market’s financial valuations of such brands, a phenomenon referred to as the “visual asymmetry effect.” The studies also show that this interplay between brand personality and logo design occurs only for the personality of excitement and the visual property of asymmetry. These findings add to theories of visual design and branding and offer actionable insights to marketing practitioners.
Brand Name Types and Consumer Demand: Evidence from China’s Automobile Market
Authors: Wu Fang , Sun Qi , Grewal Rajdeep , Li Shanjun
Published: December 2018

Brand naming challenges are more complex in logographic languages (e.g., Chinese), compared with phonographic languages (e.g., English) because the former languages feature looser correspondence between sound and meaning. With these two dimensions of sound and meaning, the authors propose a four-way categorization of brand name types for logographic languages: alphanumeric, phonetic, phonosemantic, or semantic. Using automobile sales data from China and a discrete choice model for differentiated products, the authors relate brand name types to demand, with evidence showing that Chinese consumers preferred vehicle models with semantic brand names (7.64% more sales than alphanumeric) but exhibited the least preference for phonosemantic names (4.92% lower sales than alphanumeric). Domestic Chinese firms benefited from semantic brand names, whereas foreign firms gained from using foreign-sounding brand names. Entry-level products performed better with semantic brand names, and high-end products excelled when they had foreign-sounding brand names. Thus, the four-way categorization of brand name types should help multinational firms and domestic Chinese firms understand and leverage the association between brand name types and consumer demand.
Examining the Complex Relation Among Religion, Morality, and Death Anxiety: Religion Can Be a Source of Comfort and Concern Regarding Fears of Death
Authors: Bassett Jonathan F. , Bussard Mel L.
Published: December 2018

This study examined the relationship among religiosity, morality, and fear of death. Students ( n = 328, 75% women, Mage = 18.9) completed measures of fear of death, frequency of immoral behavior, discrepancy between ideal and actual religious practices, strength of religious beliefs, views of God as punishing or forgiving, and behavior efficacy (the extent to which fate in the afterlife was perceived to be determined by behavior in this life). Frequency of immoral behavior was not related to fears of death, but both strength of religious views and behavior efficacy were negatively correlated with fears of death. In contrast, perceived failure to live up to religious standards was associated with more death anxiety, especially among those with punishing views of God. These findings support the idea that some aspects of religion can help protect people from death anxiety, whereas other aspects of religion can exacerbate fears of death.
Priestly prayer and pastoral ministry
Authors: Coles Richard
Published: December 2018

A slightly shortened version of the 2018 Eric Symes Abbott Memorial Lecture given at Westminster Abbey and Keble College Oxford.
Destination Value Systems: Modeling Visitor Flow Structure and Economic Impact
Authors: Stienmetz Jason L. , Fesenmaier Daniel R.
Published: December 2018

This study proposes that the structure of visitor flows within a destination significantly influences the overall economic value generated by visitors. In particular, destination network metrics (i.e., density, in-degree centralization, out-degree centralization, betweenness centralization, and global clustering coefficient) for 29 Florida counties were derived from 4.3 million geotagged photos found on the photo sharing service Flickr and then correlated with visitor-related spending reported by the Florida Department of Revenue. The results of regression analyses indicate that density, out-degree centralization, and in-degree centralization are negatively correlated with total visitor-related spending within a destination, while betweenness centralization is found to have a positive relationship. Based on these findings, it is concluded that the economic value generated by tourism is constrained by the destination network structure of supply-side and demand-side interactions. Further, it is argued that a “network orchestrator” approach to management can be used to better manage economic impacts within a destination.
Jio sparks Disruption 2.0: infrastructural imaginaries and platform ecosystems in ‘Digital India’
Authors: Mukherjee Rahul
Published: December 2018

In recent years, Reliance Jio’s offer of 4G services, guaranteeing free voice calls and ‘unlimited’ data streaming, lead to disruption in the Indian telecom market with other cellular operators losing their revenue and customer base. To comprehensively analyze this churn in the Indian telecom industry and its impact on mobile phone customers, the article argues for observing the entanglement of infrastructural and platform-related discourses at three levels of operation: Jio’s strategies to capture the Indian telecom market and the responses by the leading incumbent service provider (Airtel), ordinary citizens’ phone use practices and infrastructural encounters, and the government’s vision for India’s digital future. Connecting pipes to platforms, Jio made infrastructural investments (in spectrum, cell towers, and fiber optics networks) to promote its suite of apps (JioTV, JioChat, and JioMoney). Ordinary citizens relate their access/proximity to telecom infrastructure (cell antennas) to their ability to effectively use apps on their phones. ‘Digital India’ vision purportedly facilitated infrastructural growth to create platforms that would support demonetization and facilitate transparent governance. Through such a three-pronged analysis, I conceptualize ‘infrastructural imaginaries’ that are coproduced by states and citizens, and lie at the intersection of structured state policy/corporate initiatives and lived experiences/affective encounters of ordinary citizens.
Molecular Pathological Differences in Global Gene Expression between Two Sustained Proliferative Lesions, Nodular Regenerative Hepatocellular Hyperplasia and Hepatocellular Adenoma, in Mice
Authors: Takasu Shinji , Yokoo Yuh , Ishii Yuji , Kijima Aki , Ogawa Kumiko , Umemura Takashi
Published: December 2018

Long-term exposure to piperonyl butoxide (PBO) induces multiple nodular masses along with hepatocellular tumors in the liver of mice. The histopathological features of the nodules led to our diagnosis of nodular regenerative hepatocellular hyperplasia (NRH). However, because of the lack of data on the biological characteristics of NRH, whether this lesion is truly nonneoplastic remains unknown. In this study, the molecular characteristics of NRH were compared with those of hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) by global gene expression analysis. Six-week-old male ICR mice were fed a diet containing 6,000 ppm PBO for 43 weeks to induce NRH and HCA development. Complementary DNA microarray analysis was performed using messenger RNA extracted from NRH and HCA frozen sections collected by laser microdissection. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that all NRH samples clustered together but were separate from the HCA cluster. Pathway analysis revealed activation of the cell cycle and Delta–Notch signaling in both lesions, but the latter was more upregulated in HCA. Downregulation of cytochrome p450 enzymes was observed in NRH, but not in HCA. These results imply that NRH differs from HCA in terms of not only morphological but also molecular characteristics.
Implementing Interorganizational it Systems: Lessons from a Call Centre Project
Authors: Boddy David
Published: December 2018

The growing power of computer-telephony integration (CTI) systems is encouraging many companies to create call centres. These deal with a growing range of business processes and, in doing so, can be used to challenge established organizational arrangements. The range of human and management issues that need to be dealt with has yet to become clear. Some insights into these are offered from a study of one call centre over 2 years, from shortly before its physical introduction to the present day. These empirical observations are set within the wider literature on organizational change and information technology (IT), particularly the processual and integrationist perspectives. The paper uses the evidence of the case to elaborate the integrationist model so that it reflects the areas of human action more fully. It concludes by outlining the implications of this perspective for managers seeking to build effective call centres or other forms of interorganizational IT system.
Predictors of it Support for Knowledge Management in the Professions: An Empirical Study of Law Firms in Norway
Authors: Gottschalk Petter
Published: December 2018

Knowledge management is an increasingly important source of competitive advantage for organizations. Knowledge embedded in an organization's business processes and an employee's skills provide a firm with unique capabilities for delivering a product or service to customers. Law firms represent an industry which seems very well suited for knowledge management investigation. Law firms are knowledge intensive and the use of advanced technology may transform these organizations in the future. To examine knowledge management in Norwegian law firms, a study which involved two phases of data collection and analysis was designed. The first phase was a field study of the largest law firm in Norway. The semi-structured interviews conducted in the initial field study documented a strong belief in the potential benefits from knowledge management. The second phase was a survey of Norwegian law firms. Firm culture, firm knowledge and use of information technology were identified as potential predictors of information technology support for knowledge management in law firms in Norway. The extent to which law firms in Norway use information technology to support knowledge management is significantly influenced by the extent firms generally use information technology.
Interpreting Integration with Respect to Information Systems in Organizations – Image, theory and Reality
Authors: Waring Teresa , Wainwright David
Published: December 2018

The integration of information systems (IS) is a phrase which is commonly used in both research and practice within the IS field and across many organizational contexts. This paper uses a historical review to explore how the image of integrated IS has been constructed, evolved over three decades and how this has resulted in the widespread acceptance of idealized goals and benefits. A literature search for an underlying theoretical basis for the concept of systems integration is made, highlighting a diversity of opinion. Two case studies are used to examine the meaning of integration relative to the images and ideals, theory and reality. The study concludes that there is an urgent need for better conceptual and theoretical models of integration to enable more effective discourse of the concept. These models must also encompass and include more diverse non-technical factors for the adoption of more complex forms of IS.
Executives’ use of Information Technology: Comparison of Electronic Mail and an Accounting Information System
Authors: Marginson David , King Malcolm , Mcaulay Laurie
Published: December 2018

The use of electronic mail and the non-use of an accounting information system (IS) by a group of executives at a major telecommunications company provided the opportunity of exploring the reasons why executives use information technology (IT). The paper draws on qualitative and quantitative research data to give a holistic and integrative explanation. This is based on the perceptions of executives and is interpreted through a wide range of prior research which incorporates media richness theory, social interaction theories and technology acceptance modelling. The case study draws particular attention to the concept of media style. Structuration theory is used to draw together the several factors which are to be found in the existing literature and in the case study. Individual action and structure interacted to create the changing conditions which typify the context for executive use of IT at the case study site. The structure comprises IT itself, task and social and technological factors.
An Exploratory Study of Information Systems in Support of Employee Empowerment
Authors: Psoinos Anna , Kern Thomas , Smithson Steve
Published: December 2018

The notion of employee empowerment in today's organizations is becoming increasingly important with the growing degree of responsibility individual employees hold. This paper presents the findings of a longitudinal study which examined the relationship between computer-based information systems (IS) and empowerment in detail drawing heavily on empirical work carried out in the British manufacturing industry. The paper elaborates and discusses the conceptual issues which are relevant to the idea of empowerment and its relationship with IS, before determining empowerment to be in essence the decentralization of decision-making authority to lower levels of the organization. The lack of any research on this topic led us to carry out a combination of empirical research. A large-scale postal survey of 450 UK manufacturing companies followed by a series of 20 in-depth interviews in 18 top UK manufacturing organizations formed the basis for this paper. The findings confirmed that empowerment is indeed pursued by many UK manufacturing organizations within their various efforts at improving their organization of work. The research participants viewed IS as an important enabling tool for empowerment offering many opportunities, but clearly noted that the role of IS in this is supportive rather than initiating; IS do not lead to employees becoming empowered. However, the interviews revealed that manufacturing organizations are facing a wide range of problems and difficulties with their existing IS raising a number of constraints. The paper concludes with a number of practical suggestions for using IS as a supportive means for empowering employees.
Risk Factors in Enterprise-Wide/ERP Projects
Authors: Sumner Mary
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors in implementing traditional management information systems projects, describe the risk factors associated with enterprise-wide/ERP (enterprise resource planning) projects and identify the risk factors in ERP projects which are unique to these projects. Some of the unique challenges in managing enterprise-wide projects which were highlighted through the findings included the challenge of re-engineering business processes to ‘fit’ the process which the ERP software supports, investment in recruiting and reskilling technology professionals, the challenge of using external consultants and integrating their application-specific knowledge and technical expertise with existing teams, the risk of technological bottlenecks through client-server implementation and the challenge of recruiting and retaining business analysts who combine technology and business skills.
Organizational Principles of Systems Decentralization
Authors: Bacon C. James
Published: December 2018

A study aimed at a determination of the organizational principles involved in systems decentralization (SD). It is based on a survey of 14 American and British companies selected for their significant investments in and mature experience of decentralized systems. There were eight principles underlying the policy and practice of SD in these companies, and the inference is that these principles appear to work. That is, considering their commonality of use and the depth of experience in the companies concerned, these principles appear to be optimizing the potential gains achievable through SD, while minimizing the potential losses. The implication is that, if these organizational principles can be effectively implemented in other organizations, they may facilitate success in systems decentralization, as well as the evolution toward distributed systems. Viewed as a whole, the principles appear to complement each other, such that they may be viewed as a conceptual model, wherein each depends upon at least one other for its effectiveness.