bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relations between organizational commitment and demographic factors: a research in banking sector
Authors: Doğar Nizamettin
Published: March 2015

Aim of this research is to answer if organizational commitment changes according to demografic factors. Inputs gained from 200 person sample group from banking sector. According to the analysis it is found that affective and continuance commitment increases with age and job experience, and all componenets of commitment increase according to time in the last job. With the results derived from analysis, research’s support to organizational theory is discussed and some advices put forward.
What should Marxism materialism propose to International Relations?
Authors: Malo Egni
Published: March 2015

To argue for the acknowledgment of the importance of historical materialism today when the cold-war and communism have for more than two decades ceased to exist it might create the perception of appearing dejected. Yet such a task which we attempt to take in this work is possible, if only because of the way that our actuality has depicted itself. One can argue for example that the significance of historical materialism as an elucidating method was never reliant on the success of the authoritarian regimes of communism that gave it a face of their own, any more than has traditional conservatism been dependent on social Darwinism, racist or/and aggressive regimes. Beyond this indication we argue of the possibility that historical materialism can be recognised as explanatory system, as one that in derivation and maturity has as its focus of analysis and particularly lays emphasis on what more than ever before governs our social world today, capitalism. The cold war proved the ground or rather the fit for concealing the social and economic divide and made that division namely in competing strategic interest: with the failure of communism and the freeing of historical materialism itself, IR might as well accept the degree to which socio-economic issues determined its agenda and policy of the west.
Social inclusion and inclusive education
Authors: Robo Marsela
Published: March 2015

The key question addressed in this article is social inclusion, as an opposite concept of social exclusion. The author provides a historical of social inclusion/exclusion terminology. Further, some of the principles of social inclusion are presented. A brief review of the literature provides key views and theories of social inclusion. In particular, the author brings to attention that the included/excluded dualism apparent in the writings of social inclusion and exclusion cannot be taken at face value. In line with global debate on social inclusion and exclusion, the author brings the way this debate has now pervaded both the official and development policy discourse in Albania.Social inclusion is considered as one of the priorities of the current government, with poverty reduction as its main focus, which will be ensured not only through economic development. In the end, the article focuses on the role of education as a very important and useful tool for ensuring social inclusion.Social inclusion through education, in particular through vocational education, considered by the author as the only way towards sustainable development of Albanian society.
The role and importance of functioning institutions of justice in fighting crime
Authors: Halili Xhevdet
Published: March 2015

Justice authorities are one of the main pillars on which rests the basis of the functioning of most other institutions within a state. As is known the justice authorities, but that within their authority to have the preservation of public peace and order, have and fighting and preventing crime in general. Institutions that have special role in the fight against crime are numerous, but we have dealt only some of the key institutions involved in combating and preventing criminal phenomena in general and in particular in Kosovo. Ranging from the role of police in preventing and fighting crime as a phenomenon of harmful and dangerous to society then continued with the role and importance of the state attorney in fighting and preventing crime in Kosovo, to continue in the role and importance of courts in the prevention of crime. Also, is treated the protection of human rights in general within the legal system in Kosovo, addressing the issue of respect for human rights and the possible limits of institutions that have officials in respect to human rights in general.
Artificial neural networks in forecasting tourists’ flow, an intelligent technique to help the economic development of tourism in Albania.
Authors: Gjylapi Dezdemona , Durmishi Veronika
Published: March 2015

Tourism plays an important role in many economies and contributes greatly to the Gross Domestic Product. In the past eight years, the number of tourist arrivals in Albania has increased rapidly, which resulted in increasing the number of tourist nights and revenue from tourism. Tourism also provides new sources of income for the country, without having that local citizen to pay more taxes. This can be achieved by income from parking, tourist taxes, leased apartments, sales information, etc. Early prediction on the tourist inflow mainly focuses on econometric models that have as a main feature the tourism demand being predicted by analysing factors that affect the tourists’ inflow. This approach results in being difficult, time-consuming and also expensive to determine econometric models. Traditional time series methods, such as exponential smoothing method, grey prediction method, linear regression method, ARIMA method etc., are more appropriate for the prediction of the tourist inflow. However, since they don’t apply a learning process on sample data, it is difficult for them to realize complicated and non-linear prediction on tourist inflow. The aim of this paper is to present the neural network usage in the tourists’ number forecasting and to determine the trends of the future tourist inflow, thus helping tourism management agencies in making scientific based financial decisions.
Corruption and innovation in the Albanian public procurement system
Authors: Kashta Reida
Published: March 2015

This paper examines the measures and means used to fight against corruption in public procurement in Albania. Because public procurement is one of the key areas where the public sector and the private sector interact financially and this interaction is based on public money, it is a prime candidate for corrupt activity, cronyism and favoritism as well as outright bribery. The question marks that this paper raises are: what are the means used in the war against corruption in the public procurement field in Albania? Did they had any real impact or they just reshaped the ways of doing corruption? The main finding of this paper is that introduction of e-procurement system was one of the most appropriate means to fight corruption in Albania, because this system fixed one of the biggest problems of the Albanian Public Procurement system; lack of transparency. The electronic system is transparent, since it provides the increasing of information passing through it, and the most important, it enhances the responsibility in relations between the contracting authorities and economic operators, enabling a more effective and efficient use of the tax payers’ money.
A Critique of the Philosophical Underpinnings
Authors: Oppong Seth
Published: March 2015

The progress of the social science disciplines depends on conducting relevant research. However, research methodology adopted and choices made during the course of the research project are underpinned by varying ontological, epistemological and axiological positions that may be known or unknown to the researcher. This paper sought to critically explore the philosophical underpinnings of the social science research. It was suggested that a “multiversal” ontological position, positivist-hermeneutic epistemological position and value-laden axiological position should be adopted for social science research by non-western scholars as alternative to the dominant naïve realist, positivist, and value-free orientation. Against the backdrop of producing context-relevant knowledge, non-western scholars are encouraged to re-examine their philosophical positions in the conduct of social science research.
Goffman, Parsons, and the Negational Self
Authors: Chriss James J.
Published: March 2015

Erving Goffman’s emphasis on impression management in everyday life means that for the most part persons offer only partial or incomplete glimpses of themselves. Indeed, under specifiable conditions self-presentations may take the form of a negational self. If negational selves exist at the person or individual level, then they must also exist at the collective level (that is, if we are to take seriously such notions as the social mind, collective representations, or even culture). Understandings of how this negational self appears and is produced at various analytical levels (micro, meso, and macro) can be anchored via a conceptual schema which merges Goffman’s own identity typology with the three-world model of Jürgen Habermas by way of Talcott Parsons.
Aspects of government policies in the fields of economy and entrepreneurship from the gender viewpoint
Authors: Rusi Nadia
Published: March 2015

The equal access of women and men to goods and economic services plays an important role in achieving gender equality and empowerment of women. Gender equality, in the distribution of economic and financial resources, encompasses a multiple positive effect on the fulfillment of the key priorities to increase welfare and the living standard in the society. It contributes to the consolidation of the women’s rights by enabling them to initially manage and control their own life and consequently influence on the society. Removing gender bias in the economic level affects not only the improvement of the women’s own situation, but also the growth of the children’ s welfare and that of the other family members, considering that women spend a part of their time and costs for the later.
Process of Reconciliation in a Postconflict Macedonia
Authors: Popovska Biljana , Ristoska Zhanet
Published: March 2015

In this article we will consider reconciliation in a post-conflict Macedonia. When Ohrid Framework Agreement (OFA) was signed, the international community greeted the achievements of the international community as it was signed under specific circumstances. Since it stopped the conflict, it had achieved its goal. Legally, the country became a multiethnic one with a power-sharing government. Yet, the political and intellectual elite, which slightly differ from each other, did not invest intellectual and political capital when searching for a specific Macedonian (inter) national identity, which goes beyond the limitations of the ethnic definitions and mythology around them. Instead, the national discourse is emphasized. Using the terms such as multiculturalism, multhiethnicity and polylingualisam creates additional confusion. When media and politicians use these phrases and incorporate their own political discourses, the damage is done. Critical thinking is not on the agenda in the educational process and the young people are expected to listen rather than think. There is a need for a structural communication among the citizens, a social link but also a philosophical and maybe an ideological communication, so as to fill in the gaps and avoid further divisions. The only way to accomplish that is to have an open and inclusive society. In order to achieve this, the culture of dialog should be nurtured. It is not enough for Macedonians and Albanians to know each other’s folklore and cultural history. Coexistence requires knowing the modern reality. Structured communication is a key. Absence of public discourse has a positive effect on the society’s wellbeing. A debate is not a threat to the process of creating politics. Instead, it legalizes the decision-making process. The intellectual elite should take the lead, show its grandiosity, and view Macedonia as a whole in a joint narrative, which considers all the specifics of the different cultures living together and integrates them in a common goal. In that respect, the OFA was the first necessary step, and its treatment as a Holy Grail ignores the fact that the job is not done. Instead it has just started.
Geopolitical dimension of thinking in the Albanian language supports the Euro-Atlantic integration
Authors: Abedinaj Bujar
Published: March 2015

This work starts with the premise that the Albanian language is one of most ancient languages in the world and stands in the root of the common trunk of the Indo-European languages. The common pre-Indo-European origin is preserved in the present Albanian language almost in the same conditions that this language was spoken 2-3 thousand years ago. Further in the work arguments are set forth regarding Albanian language priorities as a synthetic-analytic type language and the role of the Albanian language as the key in analyzing the Indo-European language system is presented. Regardless the tendencies toward analytic features the Albanian language, at the same time, preserves also useful elements from the synthetic features. Continuing, the Albanian language geopolitical positioning is presented from the point of view of the Indo-European languages differentiation and concentration in the EU context and Euro-Atlantic countries integration, supposing the conditions of each language in relation to the specific way of thinking in that language. Closing, some concrete examples are presented about where and how the different ways of thinking may be applied and harmonized, either with the synthetic or analytic domination, and a concrete example is analyzed about how Albanian language can be invested in the improvement of the Indo-European linguistic system, drawing some conclusions in this direction.
Clinical Education, the lessons learned from practical applications - Albanian issues, East Europe and the advanced international practices on Clinical Education
Authors: Koci Alban
Published: March 2015

While studying the law, for the students is very important to be in touch with legal issues and the real needs of the society. A legal clinic, also called a law school clinic or law clinic, is a program organized through a law school that allows students to receive law school credit as they work part-time in real legal service atmospheres. In legal clinics, students perform various tasks just as an attorney would do in the same job position, such as doing legal research, drafting briefs and other legal documents, and interviewing clients. Many jurisdictions even allow students to appear in court on behalf of clients, even in criminal defense. Legal clinics is part of the academic law program in the most of the law faculties all over the world and it has a great impact in the community’s life. Throughout legal clinics students not only get the opportunity to be part of an important experience, but also they can be effective and help the people in need with their work. This paper aims to bring attention to the importance of clinical education in the formation of young lawyers and how one can learn from experience. There will be discussed important issues about legal clinic, the objectives and its mission, how to apply it and the benefits legal clinic brings not only for the academic area but also for the society.
Suburbs of space, suburbs of existence: the approach to the town of Pope Francis
Authors: Ranaldi Irene
Published: March 2015

The first Pope who comes from a megacities. Ideas and reflections on Pope Francis and the surrounding areas. His approach “globalized” to the church, evangelization, and about the spaces of the power in the city.
Smuggling of human beings and connection with organized crime
Authors: Halili Xhevdet
Published: March 2015

Through this paper is intended to note the difference between human smuggling and trafficking in human beings, emphasizing the distinctive items and those that are common. During work the focus is on criminal offenses committed by persons individually or as part of an organized crime group with particular focus on Kosovo. During work addressed the causes or factors that have a direct or indirect impact on the reporting of crimes of immigrant smuggling as individual criminal acts or even when they are carried out in the form of organized crime. By then treated roads that are used by smugglers in the case of smuggling of migrants to countries of Western Europe and the methods that they use to smugglers illegally crossed from one state to another state. The paper also finally contains conclusions and recommendations for the prevention and combating criminal acts of persons smuggling.
A study of thunderstorm microphysical properties and lightning flash counts associated with terrestrial gamma‐ray flashes
Authors: Barnes D. E. , Splitt M. E. , Dwyer J. R. , Lazarus S. , Smith D. M. , Rassoul H. K.
Published: March 2015

The terrestrial gamma ray flash (TGF) is an emission of highly energetic radiation produced by or at least in close association with lightning. Previous investigations attempted to isolate the production mechanisms and production altitude(s) of TGFs as well as macrophysical characteristics, while thunderstorm microphysical characteristics were largely ignored. This investigation into thunderstorms and their hydrometeor and flash characteristics utilize temporal and spatial coincident satellite passes between the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission to determine the bulk (or footprint) microphysical properties of two types of study events, the thunderstorm complexes which are associated with TGFs (TGF case) and the thunderstorm complexes which did not produce a TGF detected by Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager during the pass (non‐TGF case). Results are presented for two different comparison methods. The first case utilizes geographic region weighted by TGF distribution, and the second is based on TGF percentage of occurrence when compared to total flash count of data set. Results show that the associated storms around the TGF location possess differences in the hydrometeor concentrations: cloud liquid water, cloud ice, precipitation water, and precipitation ice. These results take place at different levels of the atmosphere, including the mixed phase region. Additionally, results will show that TGFs are a consistent percentage of observed flashes as the rate of TGFs as a function of Lightning Imaging Sensor flash count is relatively constant.
Intercalibration of microwave temperature sounders using radio occultation measurements
Authors: Isoz O. , Buehler S. A. , Eriksson P.
Published: March 2015

This is a study of the usefulness of radio occultation (RO) data for intercomparing different microwave temperature (MWT) sounding instruments. The RO data used are from the Global Navigational Satellite System Receiver for Atmospheric Sounding on the Metop‐A and B satellites. The MWT sounders investigated are the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit‐A instruments on the satellites NOAA 15, 16, and 18 and Metop‐A. We collocate RO and MWT data and then use these collocations to study various aspects of the MWT instruments. In addition, two different versions of the MWT data are compared: standard operational data (OPR) and the NOAA Integrated Microwave Intercalibration Approach data (IMICA). The time series of monthly mean differences shows that there are robust patterns for each satellite and data version, which mostly drift only slowly over time. The intersatellite spread, measured by the standard deviation of the yearly mean values by all satellites, is between 0.1 and 0.4 K, depending on channel, with no significant differences between OPR and IMICA data. The only notable exception is Channel 8 of NOAA 16, which appears to have a time‐varying offset of 0.5–1 K relative to the other instruments. At this point it is not clear whether this deviation is real or a sampling artifact, so further study is needed. Due to the large number of collocations used, it is possible to also investigate the scene brightness and scan angle dependence of the MWT bias (relative to RO). First results of such an analysis are presented and discussed. Particularly, the investigation of the scan angle dependence is novel, since this bias pattern is difficult to assess without RO data. Further work is needed on these angular dependences, before conclusions are robust enough to include in data recalibration efforts, but our overall conclusion is that RO collocations are a powerful tool for intercomparing MWT sounders.
Improved western U.S. background ozone estimates via constraining nonlocal and local source contributions using Aura TES and OMI observations
Authors: Huang Min , Bowman Kevin W. , Carmichael Gregory R. , Lee Meemong , Chai Tianfeng , Spak Scott N. , Henze Daven K. , Darmenov Anton S. , da Silva Arlindo M.
Published: March 2015

Western U.S. near‐surface ozone (O3) concentrations are sensitive to transported background O3 from the eastern Pacific free troposphere, as well as U.S. anthropogenic and natural emissions. The current 75 ppbv U.S. O3 primary standard may be lowered soon, hence accurately estimating O3 source contributions, especially background O3 in this region has growing policy‐relevant significance. In this study, we improve the modeled total and background O3, via repartitioning and redistributing the contributions from nonlocal and local anthropogenic/wildfires sources in a multi‐scale satellite data assimilation system containing global Goddard Earth Observing System–Chemistry model (GEOS‐Chem) and regional Sulfur Transport and dEposition Model (STEM). Focusing on NASA's ARCTAS (Arctic Research of the Composition of the Troposphere from Aircraft and Satellites) field campaign period in June–July 2008, we first demonstrate that the negative biases in GEOS‐Chem free simulation in the eastern Pacific at 400–900 hPa are reduced via assimilating Aura‐Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) O3 profiles. Using the TES‐constrained boundary conditions, we then assimilated into STEM the tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) columns from Aura‐Ozone Monitoring Instrument to indicate U.S. nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO2 + NO) emissions at 12 × 12 km2 grid scale. Improved model skills are indicated from cross validation against independent ARCTAS measurements. Leveraging Aura observations, we show anomalously high wildfire NOx emissions in this summer in Northern California and the Central Valley while lower anthropogenic emissions in multiple urban areas than those representing the year of 2005. We found strong spatial variability of the daily maximum 8 h average background O3 and its contribution to the modeled total O3, with the mean value of ~48 ppbv (~77% of the total).
Gold‐Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Alkynes
Authors: Muratore Michael E. , Echavarren Antonio M.
Published: March 2015

Hydroarylations, also called alkenylations of (hetero)arenes are important transformations in organic chemistry. The recent development of gold‐catalyzed processes to achieve such transformations has added a new tool in the chemist's toolbox. Thus, the hydroarylations of alkynes under gold catalysis are reviewed from a mechanistic and practical point of view. Both intramolecular and the more challenging intermolecular alkenylations are considered and described in a comprehensive account that includes detailed mechanisms as well as supporting theoretical calculations when relevant. This chapter also aims at illustrating the reactivity of internal and external alkynes which may differ in certain cases, as well as the various reactivities encountered with heteroarenes and arenes. The employment of supported gold catalysts to perform this type of transformations is also discussed in the last section of the chapter.
Directional Statistics: Introduction
Authors: Gatto Riccardo , Jammalamadaka S. Rao
Published: March 2015

In many of the natural and physical sciences, measurements are directions, either in two or three dimensions. The analysis of directional data relies on specific statistical models and procedures, which differ from the usual models and methodologies of Cartesian data. This article briefly introduces statistical models and inference for this type of data. The basic von Mises–Fisher distribution is introduced and nonparametric methods such as goodness‐of‐fit tests are presented. Further references are given for exploring related topics.
Total Quality Management: Introduction
Authors: Kenett Ron
Published: March 2015

Quality management, also referred to as total quality management, is considered a major breakthrough in management thinking that significantly contributed to the rebuilding of the post‐World War
II
Japanese industry and the mid 1980s
US
efforts to regain competitiveness in industry and services. Its foundations include statistical and system thinking, where organizational activities are managed and improved from a process perspective with the involvement of the workforce, suppliers, and customers. It is mostly an evidence‐based approach where data is used to measure and analyze processes and track improvements.
Computer Experiments
Authors: Morris Max D.
Published: March 2015

Computer models are often used as substitutes for physical systems in science and engineering studies. When these studies are organized in advance with particular goals in mind, they are sometimes calledcomputer experiments. We briefly describe a few general types of computer experiments, the general form of variance‐based sensitivity analysis, and how Gaussian stochastic processes are used as statisticalmetamodelsorsurrogatesin some of these settings.
Mortality Laws
Authors: Forfar David O.
Published: March 2015

Since the time of De Moivre in 1725, various mathematical formulae have been suggested to represent the pattern of mortality rates with age. Some of the formulae have applied at adult ages, some at very young ages, and some over the whole span of life. Certain formulae have been used in the graduation of mortality data. This article gives a survey of the mathematical laws that have been used and examines how mortality might look in the long‐term future if it goes on improving.
Multivariate Normality Test in Practice
Authors: Keselman Harvey J.
Published: March 2015

Most classical multivariate procedures (e.g., multivariate analysis of variance, multivariate measures of effect size, classification procedures, and maximum likelihood factor analysis) require that the data follow a multivariate normal density function. Behavioral science researchers risk committing many more Type I errors, quantifying inaccurately the magnitude of effect sizes, missing treatment effects, establishing inaccurate confidence intervals, and so on by failing to consider whether their data conform to multivariate normality. This article discusses a number of options for assessing and dealing with nonnormal multivariate data including (i) testing for univariate normality among thepmeasures, (ii) transforming the data to achieve normality, (iii) univariate normal probability plots, (iv) multivariate measures of skewness and kurtosis, (v) computing squared distance statistics to locate outlying values, and (vi) adopting robust estimators with robust test statistics to circumvent the biasing effects of nonnormality. In addition, findings in the literature are discussed, which compared methods for detecting nonnormal data.
Structural Equation Modeling: Nonstandard Cases
Authors: Marcoulides George A.
Published: March 2015

Model assumptions are often violated in typical data gathering conditions. This article discusses the consequences of violating model assumptions and presents strategies that can be used to cope with the violations.
Pattern Recognition and Classification
Authors: Kuncheva Ludmila I. , Whitaker Christopher J.
Published: March 2015

Pattern recognition is about assigning objects (also calledobservations,instances, orexamples) to classes. The objects are described by features and represented as points in the feature space. A classifier is an algorithm that assigns a class label to any given point in the feature space. Pattern recognition comprises supervised learning (predefined class labels) and unsupervised learning (unknown class labels). Supervised learning includes choosing a classifier model, training and testing the classifier, and selecting the relevant features. Classifier ensembles combine the outputs of a set of classifiers for improved accuracy. Unsupervised learning is usually approached by cluster analysis.
Factor Analysis: Confirmatory
Authors: Byrne Barbara M.
Published: March 2015

The intent of this article is to present an introductory overview of the basic concepts and testing procedures associated with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Working from a hypothesized four‐factor structure of nonacademic self‐concept (SC), as measured by 32 items from the Self Description Questionnaire, readers are introduced to both a graphical and a structural equation specification of this CFA model, followed by a review of the related procedures involved in its testing, estimation, and evaluation, together with the interpretation of results. Important issues and caveats associated with the testing of CFA models are also briefly addressed.
Teaching Statistics: Sources
Authors: Beins Bernard C.
Published: March 2015

Seventeen books, six journals, and a web page that are useful for statistics teachers are reviewed. Sources are ordered from general to technical, and examples illustrative of the content appear in the descriptions.
The first wave of the 1918 influenza pandemic among soldiers of the Canadian expeditionary force
Authors: Rewegan Alex , Bogaert Kandace , Yan Melissa , Gagnon Alain , Herring D. ANN
Published: March 2015

Objectives

This article evaluates the evidence for the presence of the first, mild wave of the 1918 influenza pandemic among soldiers in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).

Methods

Death records for soldiers in the CEF who died in Canada in 1917 and 1918 were extracted from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and record‐linked to the Canada War Graves Registers, Circumstances of Casualty database. Monthly mortality rates from pneumonia and influenza (P&I) were compared with mortality rates from all other causes for 1917 and 1918, and by region for 1918.

Results

The herald wave of influenza was present among CEF soldiers in 1918. P&I mortality was significantly higher in March and April 1918 than during the same period in 1917. P&I mortality rates varied across the country and were significantly higher among soldiers who died in the Maritime region of Canada. In March, Maritime P&I mortality was significantly higher than its counterpart in the West; in April it was significantly higher than P&I mortality in both the Central and Western regions.

Conclusions

The CEF findings suggest that local, geographic heterogeneity characterized the first wave of the 1918 influenza pandemic in Canada and illustrate the ways in which well‐established, historical patterns of cross‐border social contact with the United States, coupled with the special conditions created by warfare, disproportionately funnelled influenza into particular regions. Identification of the mild first wave among soldiers in the CEF calls for more research on the civilian experience of both waves of influenza in Canada. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:638–645, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Meta‐analysis of Brazilian genetic admixture and comparison with other Latin America countries
Authors: Rodrigues de Moura Ronald , Coelho Antonio Victor Campos , de Queiroz Balbino Valdir , Crovella Sergio , Brandão Lucas André Cavalcanti
Published: March 2015

Objectives

This study aims at performing a systematic review and meta‐analysis with the studies of genetic admixture inference of Brazilian population and to compare these results with the genetic admixture levels in other Latin American countries.

Methods

We searched for articles regarding the estimation of Brazilian genetic admixture published between 1980 and 2014 that used autosomal markers. Then, conducted meta‐analyses at the whole‐country and regional level. Finally, we compared the results of Brazil with other estimates from other South, Central and North American countries.

Results

We analyzed data from 25 studies in 38 different Brazilian populations. European (EUR) ancestry is the major contributor to the genetic background of Brazilians, followed by African (AFR), and Amerindian (AMR) ancestries. The pooled ancestry contributions were 0.62 EUR, 0.21 AFR, and 0.17AMR. The Southern region had a greater EUR contribution (0.77) than other regions. Individuals from the Northeast (NE) region had the highest AFR contribution (0.27) whereas individuals from the North regions had more AMR contribution (0.32). In the Latin America context, Brazil has the 5th high EUR contribution, the 12th for the AFR component and the 10th for the AMR ancestry.

Conclusions

Admixture proportions vary greatly among Brazilian populations and also through Latin America. More studies in the Center‐West, North and NE regions are needed to capture a more complete picture of the genomic ancestry of Brazil. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:674–680, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gross motor coordination and weight status of Portuguese children aged 6–14 years
Authors: Antunes António M. , Maia José A. , Stasinopoulos Mikis D. , Gouveia Élvio R. , Thomis Martine A. , Lefevre Johan A. , Teixeira Alexandra Q. , Freitas Duarte L.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To construct age‐ and gender‐specific percentiles for gross motor coordination (MC) tests and to explore differences in gross MC in normal‐weight, overweight and obese children.

Methods

Data are from the “Healthy Growth of Madeira Study,” a cross‐sectional study carried out in children, aged 6–14 years. All 1,276 participants, 619 boys and 657 girls, were assessed for gross MC (Körperkoordinations Test für Kinder, KTK), anthropometry (height and body mass), physical activity (Baecke questionnaire) and socioeconomic status (SES). Centile curves for gross MC were obtained for boys and girls separately using generalized additive models for location, scale and shape.

Results

A significant main effect for age was found in walking backwards and moving sideways. Boys performed significantly better than girls on moving sideways. At the upper limit of the distributions, interindividual variability was higher in hopping on one leg (girls) and jumping and moving sideways (boys and girls). One‐way ANCOVA, controlling for age, physical activity and SES, indicated that normal‐weight children scored significantly better than their obese peers in all gross MC tests. Overweight boys and girls also scored significantly better than their obese colleagues in some MC tests.

Conclusions

These centile curves can be used as reference data in Portuguese children and youth, aged 6–14 years. Being overweight or obese was a major limitation in MC tests and, therefore, of the children's health‐ and performance‐related physical fitness. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:681–689, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Borderline cognitive level in a family with Bazex‐Dupré‐Christol syndrome
Authors: Gonfiantini Michaela Veronika , Armando Marco , Pucciarini Maria Laura , Macchiaiolo Marina , Buonuomo Paola Sabrina , Diociaiuti Andrea , Lepri Francesca Romana , Sirleto Pietro , Vicari Stefano , Bartuli Andrea
Published: March 2015

Bazex‐Dupré‐Christol syndrome (BDCS) [OMIM 301845] is an X‐linked dominant disorder of the hair follicle characterized by multiple basal cell carcinomas, follicular atrophoderma, congenital hypotrichosis, and hypohidrosis. Additional features include multiple milia, trichoepitheliomas, and axillary hidradenitis suppurativa as well as a variety of other symptoms. Some patients with a diagnosis of BDCS have had poor school performance. But no other associated psychopathological disorders have been described in the literature. We describe the neuropsychological characteristics and the co‐occurring psychopathological disorders in an Italian family (brother and sister, and their mother) affected by BDCS. The BDCS phenotype in this family was characterized by hypotrichosis, atrophoderma follicularis, milia, and trichoepitheliomas. No basal cell carcinomas were documented. At neuropsychological assessment the three affected family members all had a borderline cognitive level. Other identified psychopathological disorders included attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, executive deficits, academic difficulties, deficits in lexical skills, and internalizing problems. The presence of cognitive impairment in the three family members affected by BDCS suggests that cognitive impairment may be associated with the syndrome. It may be useful to assess neuropsychological performance in patients with BDCS to identify possible associated neuropsychological disorders. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quality and overlap of individual core areas are related to group tenure in female spider monkeys
Authors: Asensio Norberto , Schaffner Colleen M. , Aureli Filippo
Published: March 2015

In species with a high degree of fission‐fusion dynamics group members may differ in the use of the group home range to reduce food competition. Such differential use may result in distinct individual core areas. We studied core area quality and overlap among 21 female spider monkeys belonging to the same group over a period of 4 years. Core areas ranged between 62 and 161 ha with a mean overlap of 56% between any given two females. Only a small portion (mean = 3 ha) of each individual core area was used exclusively. No single part of the home range was used as core area by all females, and only an area of less than 1 ha was used as part of the core area by 20 of the 21 females. The time a female spent in the group (i.e., group tenure) was associated with characteristics of the core areas: the longer the group tenure, the better the quality of her core area. In addition, the longer the time two females spent together in the same group, the larger the overlap between their individual core areas. As this result was obtained while controlling for the time two females spent together in the same subgroup, females may reduce direct competition by using the same resource at different times. In sum, spider monkey females’ group tenure plays a central role in the quality and overlapping patterns of their individual core areas. Am. J. Primatol. 77:777–785, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
United in death—related by blood? Genetic and archeometric analyses of skeletal remains from the neolithic earthwork bruchsal‐aue
Authors: Keller Marcel , Rott Andreas , Hoke Nadja , Schwarzberg Heiner , Regner‐Kamlah Birgit , Harbeck Michaela , Wahl Joachim
Published: March 2015

Objectives: Straight next to a segment of the outer ditch of the Late Neolithic Michelsberg Culture earthwork of Bruchsal‐Aue in SW‐Germany (ca. 4250–3650 calBC), a multiple burial of eight individuals (two male adults and six children) plus a subsequent child burial was excavated. In this study, we applied a multidisciplinary approach to elucidate interpersonal relationships and life histories within this collective. Materials and methods: To determine the identity of this collective, we performed aDNA analyses in addition to osteological examination using HVR I plus Y‐chromosomal and autosomal STR profiling to find evidence for kinship relations. Strontium isotopic analyses were used to reconsider migrational behavior. To find evidence for a specific social affiliation, the individual diet was reconstructed by performing nitrogen and carbon isotopic analyses. Furthermore, radiocarbon‐dating was carried out to integrate the burial context into an absolute timeframe. Two nearby single burials were included in the analyses for comparison. Results: Because of a shared HVR I haplotype, three pairs of individuals were most likely linked by kinship, and statistical testing on autosomal STR profiles shows a high probability for the pair of two men being brothers. Although it cannot be excluded, isotopic data gave no clear proof for migration. A rather poor health status is indicated by skeletal stress markers even though the isotope data attest to a diet rich in meat and fish. Discussion: Although clear kinship relations among the infants remain unconfirmed, a relationship could also be indicated by the positioning of the bodies in the burial pit. Whereas a common cause of death might have been the presupposition for their special treatment, interpersonal relationships were likely the decisive factor for the multiple burial. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:458–471, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Syndromic parkinsonism and dementia associated with OPA1 missense mutations
Authors: Carelli Valerio , Musumeci Olimpia , Caporali Leonardo , Zanna Claudia , La Morgia Chiara , Del Dotto Valentina , Porcelli Anna Maria , Rugolo Michela , Valentino Maria Lucia , Iommarini Luisa , Maresca Alessandra , Barboni Piero , Carbonelli Michele , Trombetta Costantino , Valente Enza Maria , Patergnani Simone , Giorgi Carlotta , Pinton Paolo , Rizzo Giovanni , Tonon Caterina , Lodi Raffaele , Avoni Patrizia , Liguori Rocco , Baruzzi Agostino , Toscano Antonio , Zeviani Massimo
Published: March 2015

Objective

Mounting evidence links neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease with mitochondrial dysfunction, and recent emphasis has focused on mitochondrial dynamics and quality control. Mitochondrial dynamics and mtDNA maintenance is another link recently emerged, implicating mutations in the mitochondrial fusion genes OPA1 and MFN2 in the pathogenesis of multisystem syndromes characterized by neurodegeneration and accumulation of mtDNA multiple deletions in postmitotic tissues. Here, we report 2 Italian families affected by dominant chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) complicated by parkinsonism and dementia.

Methods

Patients were extensively studied by optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess retinal nerve fibers, and underwent muscle and brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and muscle biopsy and fibroblasts were analyzed. Candidate genes were sequenced, and mtDNA was analyzed for rearrangements.

Results

Affected individuals displayed a slowly progressive syndrome characterized by CPEO, mitochondrial myopathy, sensorineural deafness, peripheral neuropathy, parkinsonism, and/or cognitive impairment, in most cases without visual complains, but with subclinical loss of retinal nerve fibers at OCT. Muscle biopsies showed cytochrome c oxidase‐negative fibers and mtDNA multiple deletions, and MRS displayed defective oxidative metabolism in muscle and brain. We found 2 heterozygous OPA1 missense mutations affecting highly conserved amino acid positions (p.G488R, p.A495V) in the guanosine triphosphatase domain, each segregating with affected individuals. Fibroblast studies showed a reduced amount of OPA1 protein with normal mRNA expression, fragmented mitochondria, impaired bioenergetics, increased autophagy and mitophagy.

Interpretation

The association of CPEO and parkinsonism/dementia with subclinical optic neuropathy widens the phenotypic spectrum of OPA1 mutations, highlighting the association of defective mitochondrial dynamics, mtDNA multiple deletions, and altered mitophagy with parkinsonism. Ann Neurol 2015;78:21–38
Synthesis, characterization and assessment of the cytotoxic activity of Cu(II), Fe(III) and Mn(III) complexes of camphoric acid‐derived salen ligands
Authors: Murtinho Dina , da Rocha Zênis N. , Pires Ana Salomé , Jiménez Roberto P. , Abrantes Ana Margarida , Laranjo Mafalda , Mamede Ana Catarina , Casalta‐Lopes João Eduardo , Botelho Maria Filomena , Pais Alberto A. C. C. , Nunes Sandra C. C. , Burrows Hugh D. , Costa Telma , Silva Serra M. Elisa
Published: March 2015

Novel Cu(II), Fe(III) and Mn(III) salen‐type metal complexes from (1R,3S)‐N,N′‐bis[salicylidene]‐1,3‐diamino‐1,2,2‐trimethylcyclopentane were synthesized and screened for theirin vitrocytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines: melanoma, colorectal and breast.In vitroexperiments carried out with the three metal complexes show that the copper complex exhibits the highest cytotoxic activity towards all cell lines studied, presenting IC50values of 3.32–6.71 μM. A significant improvement in the anti‐proliferative effect, by 20‐fold, is observed with this complex when compared with conventional chemotherapy. The relationship between structure, redox characteristics and biological activity in human cancer cell lines was evaluated for the most efficient Cu(II) complex and associated with theoretical calculations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and separation properties of oxalylurea‐bridged silica membranes
Authors: Mizumo Tomonobu , Muragishi Haruna , Yamamoto Kazuki , Ohshita Joji , Kanezashi Masakoto , Tsuru Toshinori
Published: March 2015

Two new bridged alkoxysilanes, bis(triethoxysilylalkyl)‐N,N′‐oxalylureas (alkyl = methyl or n‐propyl), bearing a highly rigid and polar oxalylurea unit in the bridges, were employed as precursors of bridged silica membranes. The gas and water separation performance of the membranes prepared from the precursors using the sol–gel process was investigated. Interestingly, the membrane properties depended on the alkyl chain length. The membrane containing methylene units (alkyl = methyl) was porous and rather hydrophilic but the other with longer propylene units (alkyl = n‐propyl) was non‐porous and more hydrophobic. High H2/SF6 gas permeance ratios of 3100 and 1700, and NaCl rejections of 89 and 85% for 2000 ppm aqueous NaCl were obtained using the membranes containing methyl and n‐propyl, respectively. The membrane with alkyl = methyl also showed a high CO2/N2 permeance ratio of 20.6 at 50°C. These results indicate the potential applications of the membranes as gas and water separation materials. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Properties of poly(vinyl chloride) incorporated with a novel soybean oil based secondary plasticizer containing a flame retardant group
Authors: Jia Puyou , Zhang Meng , Liu Chengguo , Hu Lihong , Zhou Yong‐Hong
Published: March 2015

A novel bio‐based plasticizer containing flame retardant groups based on soybean oil (SOPE) was synthesized from epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and diethyl phosphate through a ring‐opening reaction. PVC blends plasticized with ESO and SOPE were prepared, respectively. Properties including rheological behavior, thermal stability, flame retardant performance, mechanical properties of PVC plasticized with ESO and SOPE were carefully studied. The results showed that the plasticized PVC blends indicated better compatibility, thermal, and mechanical properties. As a novel bio‐based plasticizer containing flame retardant groups, the TGA data indicated that the thermal degradation temperature of PVC blends plasticized with SOPE could reach to 275.5°C. LOI tests and SEM indicated that the LOI value of PVC blends could increase from 24.2 to 33.6%, the flame retardant performance of SOPE was put into effect by promoting polymer carbonization and forming a consolidated and thick flame retardant coating quickly, which is effective to prohibit the heat flux and air incursion. The enhancement in flame retardancy will expand the application range of PVC materials plasticized with SOPE. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42111.