bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variants of using 3d scanning in prosthetic dentistry
Authors: Кудерова  , Kuderova I. , Михайлова  , Mikhaylova M. , Юмашев  , Yumashev A. , Кристаль  , Kristal E.
Published: April 2015

The use of dental implants provides aesthetic dental prosthesis and high functionality, and innovative concepts and ideas associated with pre-prosthetic reconstruction of the jaw, allow the patients to improve the quality of life through the use of dentures on implants. However, the dentists and the implantologists forget about the category of patients who have the expressed dental phobic reactions accompanied with the neuromuscular disorders as the reflexes, in particular a gag reflex. A special approach and comprehensive treatment with the use of additional measures to resolve adverse reactions is necessary for these patients. This allows to simplify the work of dentists and to improve the quality of life of patients. Analysis of the results of the use of analog techniques for obtaining print and intraoral scanning each patient in one visit was conducted in this study. After treatment the patients were interviewed and questioned about the perception of both methods. A secondary purpose of the study was to determine the time required for each procedure. In a small number of cases, the patients negatively perceived total time required for intraoral scanning. The use of analog techniques as print required less time than for intraoral scanning. On the basis of the study results, the authors concluded that the patients preferred the intraoral scanning. The authors note that to obtain prints by means of the traditional method wasn’t carried out in two patients with a particularly strong gag reflex, and to obtain prints using dental impression masses was difficult in 9 patients. The majority of patients perceived long intraoral scanning more positively than the traditional method of obtaining prints using dental impression masses.
Arm’s Length Financing and Innovation: Evidence from Publicly Traded Firms
Authors: Atanassov Julian
Published: April 2015

Using a large panel of U.S. companies, I document that firms that rely more on arm’s length financing, such as public debt and equity, innovate more and have higher-quality innovations than firms that use other sources, such as relationship-based bank financing. I hypothesize that one possible reason for this finding is the greater flexibility and tolerance to experimentation associated with arm’s length financing. I find support for this hypothesis by showing that firms with more arm’s length financing have greater volatility of innovative output, and are more likely to innovate in new technological areas. Furthermore, focusing only on bank financing, I demonstrate that firms have more novel innovations if they borrow from multiple banks, use predominantly credit lines, and have less intense covenants. I address potential endogeneity concerns by using instrumental variable analysis, and by showing that innovation increases significantly after new public debt offerings and seasoned equity offerings, but does not change after new bank loans.

This paper was accepted by Gustavo Manso, finance.
Political Values, Culture, and Corporate Litigation
Authors: Hutton Irena , Jiang Danling , Kumar Alok
Published: April 2015

Using one of the largest samples of litigation data available to date, we examine whether the political culture of a firm determines its propensity for corporate misconduct. We measure political culture using the political contributions of top managers, firm political action committees, and local residents. We show that firms with a Republican culture are more likely to be the subject of civil rights, labor, and environmental litigation than are Democratic firms, consistent with the Democratic ideology that emphasizes equal rights, labor rights, and environmental protection. However, firms with a Democratic culture are more likely to be the subject of litigation related to securities fraud and intellectual property rights violations than are Republican firms, whose party ideology stresses self-reliance, property rights, market discipline, and limited government regulation. Upon litigation filing, both types of firms experience similar announcement reaction, which suggests that the observed relationship between political culture and corporate misconduct is unlikely to reflect differences in expected litigation costs.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.2106 .

This paper was accepted by Brad Barber, finance.
Manufacturing Capacity Decisions with Demand Uncertainty and Tax Cross-Crediting
Authors: Xiao Wenqiang , Hsu Vernon N. , Hu Qiaohai (Joice)
Published: April 2015

The U.S. tax law taxes the global income of multinational firms (MNFs) at their home country tax rate. To avoid double taxation, it permits tax cross-crediting. Through this strategy, global firms can use excess foreign tax credits (FTCs), the portion of foreign tax payments that exceed their home country tax liabilities, generated from a subsidiary located in a high-tax country to offset the tax liabilities of their low-tax divisions. This paper studies manufacturing capacity decisions in the subsidiary of an MNF with tax cross-crediting. Casting the problem on a newsvendor model, and assuming the objective of maximizing the global firm’s worldwide after-tax profits, we show that the optimal capacity decision under the effects of tax cross-crediting can behave very differently from that of the traditional newsvendor model. In particular, we show that an improvement in the firm’s after-tax profitability (through tax cross-crediting, an increased profit margin, or a reduced tax rate) might reduce the optimal capacity and that the optimal capacity decision under certain circumstances can be made without the knowledge of the demand distribution. We also discuss the issue of motivating the division manager to use an after-tax performance measure with a managerial tax rate.
Sociodrama in the Training of Social Educators: An Exploratory Research
Authors: Veiga Sofia , Bertão Ana , Franco Vitor
Published: April 2015

The object of this study is sociodrama as a training method in the Social Education degree. Using a qualitative research methodology, the aim was to understand how this method contributed, over two academic years, to promoting the personal, social, and professional development of students. In the four groups studied, the sociodrama method enables openness to multiple perspectives upon reality, sharing of feelings, and creative search of solutions to solve problems and difficulties, generating conditions toward the development of flexibility and spontaneity essential in professional practice.
Working with Life Scripts: Spontaneity, Surplus Reality, and Personal Change
Authors: Knittel Marvin
Published: April 2015

This article addresses features of spontaneity, the power of life scripts, and surplus reality. A psychodrama unfolds wherein Jean, a 22-year-old woman, confronts the issue of being pulled across the generational boundary by her mother, who has used Jean to solve her struggles in her marriage as well as stresses in her life. Jean resolves the issue by disengaging from her mother in a dramatic scene in which the entire group assists by empowering Jean.
Jung and Moreno: Essays on the Theatre of Human Nature. Edited by Craig E. Stephenson. Routledge, 2014.
Authors: Blatner Adam
Published: April 2015

Jung and Moreno: Essays on the Theatre of Human Nature. Edited by Craig E. Stephenson. Routledge, 2014.
Factors influencing the infant feeding choices of HIV-positive mothers at a level two hospital in Cape Town
Authors: Morgan Jenna J , Jeggels June D
Published: April 2015

Background/Aims:

Following the decision by the South African Department of Health in 2012 to withdraw the provision of free infant formula milk to HIV-exposed infants, policy makers have grappled with the need to develop guidelines to help HIV-positive mothers decide whether they should breastfeed their babies. The objectives of this study were to assess the infant feeding choices of HIV-positive mothers and to determine factors influencing their behaviours prior to the process of withdrawing the provision of free infant formula milk.

Methods:

A quantitative approach was employed in this study, including the use of a survey to collect descriptive data on a consecutive sample (n=100). Data analysis was carried out using the IBM SPSS Version 20.

Results:

More than half (54%) of the participants indicated that their infants were exclusively breastfed, and 46% of the participants reported exclusively formula feeding. There was no statistical difference between both groups with regards to: race; employment status; obstetric history; HIV disclosure status; knowledge and awareness of infant feeding recommendations or policies regarding breastfeeding promotion.

Conclusions:

The findings of this study show that health-care workers are the main providers of counselling on infant feeding. Inconsistent messages from health professionals, health facility practices and government policies were also observed.
Validation of New Cancer Biomarkers: A Position Statement from the European Group on Tumor Markers
Authors: Duffy Michael J , Sturgeon Catharine M , Sölétormos György , Barak Vivian , Molina Rafael , Hayes Daniel F , Diamandis Eleftherios P , Bossuyt Patrick M M
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Biomarkers are playing increasingly important roles in the detection and management of patients with cancer. Despite an enormous number of publications on cancer biomarkers, few of these biomarkers are in widespread clinical use.

CONTENT

In this review, we discuss the key steps in advancing a newly discovered cancer candidate biomarker from pilot studies to clinical application. Four main steps are necessary for a biomarker to reach the clinic: analytical validation of the biomarker assay, clinical validation of the biomarker test, demonstration of clinical value from performance of the biomarker test, and regulatory approval. In addition to these 4 steps, all biomarker studies should be reported in a detailed and transparent manner, using previously published checklists and guidelines. Finally, all biomarker studies relating to demonstration of clinical value should be registered before initiation of the study.

Application of the methodology outlined above should result in a more efficient and effective approach to the development of cancer biomarkers as well as the reporting of cancer biomarker studies. With rigorous application, all stakeholders, and especially patients, would be expected to benefit.
Making the textual visual
Authors: Towlson Kaye , Reeve Julia
Published: April 2015

This visual essay documents the ‘Making the textual visual’ event held at De Montfort University: it embodies the visual approach to written formats that is central to the authors’ research. Photographs from the event are used to illustrate the activities, atmosphere and ethos of the day.
Navigating the essay: Making writing multi-sensory
Authors: Hatfield Jackie , Horsman Tina , Szumko Jacqueline
Published: April 2015

In this article we present multi-sensory materials for teaching academic writing, specifically paragraph structure. We aim to give an overview of multi-sensory teaching and explain why it is that paragraphing is both important and difficult. We will demonstrate some of the materials we have developed and how we use them, showing examples of students’ work. Coloured text is used in this article to emphasize the main technique discussed. As specialist teachers, these ideas were originally developed for neurodiverse students, but we argue that they will be equally beneficial to any student.
Risk factors and management of breast cancer-related lymphedema
Authors: Alawad Awad , Ibrahim Ayat Omer
Published: April 2015

Background: Lymphedema is a highly prevalent condition in women who have undergone treatment for breast cancer. Lymphedema negatively affects the quality of life.Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the clinical presentation of lymphedema associated factors in women treated for breast cancer.Methods:The study is an interventional prospective study. It was accomplished in the period from May 2013 to April 2014. Patients having breast cancer ipsilateral arm lymphedema were selected for the study.Results: A total of 34 patients were included in the study.73.5% of patients have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more at diagnosis. 70.6% of the patients underwent axillary clearance. All the patients did not undergo breast reconstruction. 52.4% had <10 lymph nodes removed from their axillae. 47% received radiotherapy. All patients presented with arm swelling, additionally, 70.6 % presented with arm heaviness 26.5% presented with arm pain. Elevation was effective in 90.5% of the compliant patients, while exercise was effective in 84.2% of the compliant patients.Conclusion: Breast cancer- related lymphedema continues to be a significant problem following breast cancer therapy. Presence of co-morbid conditions axillary radiation significantly increases the risk of lymphedema. A combination of axillary dissection axillary radiation should be avoided whenever feasible to avoid lymphedema.
Behavioral Biases Meet the Market: The Case of Magazine Subscription Prices
Authors: Oster Sharon M. , Scott Morton Fiona M.
Published: April 2015

Using data from American magazines, we explore the relationship between newsstand and subscription prices and magazine characteristics. In particular, we distinguish between magazines that provide benefits in the future (investment magazines) versus those that are simply fun to read now (leisure magazines). A consumer with a present bias at the newsstand discounts the future payoff of the investment good but fully values the leisure good. This difference does not exist for subscriptions. Thus, the ratio of the subscription to newsstand willingness to pay for a magazine should differ between investment and leisure goods. We find that for magazines whose payoff is in the future, subscriptions are relatively more costly, ceteris paribus. This finding suggests that publishers reflect the present bias preferences of consumers in their price setting behavior.
Managed Care and Physician Incentives: The Effects of Competition on the Cost and Quality of Care
Authors: Cooper David J. , Rebitzer James B
Published: April 2015

We analyze the effect that competition between HMOs has on the cost and quality of medical services. Our key result is that increasing competition enhances consumer utility while also moderating the impact of managed care on quality and costs. Indeed, we find that heightened competition between HMOs can cause an overall increase in care quality and costs. This result derives from an important, but overlooked, feature of the managed care market place. Plans differentiate themselves by the size and depth of their provider network. The resulting competition to attract physicians exerts a moderating effect on the incentive contracts HMOs write with providers.
The Determinants of Pharmaceutical Research and Development Investments
Authors: Civan Abdulkadir , Maloney Michael T.
Published: April 2015

Our maintained hypothesis is that drug development responds to the intensity of consumer demand. We look at the distribution of drug development by disease and link this to the economic harm caused by disease as measured by mortality. Mortality data represent the net effect of human frailty and the efficacy of the existing drugs on the market. If people continue to die from a given condition then existing drugs are not perfect and there are potential profits from developing a more effective compound. We aggregate economic harm worldwide and into three broad regions: the United States, other developed countries, and underdeveloped countries. We find that economic harm motivates the distribution of drug development across diseases, but it is economic harm in the United States alone that matters.
Measurement Error in Schooling: Evidence from Samples of Siblings and Identical Twins
Authors: Light Audrey , Flores-Lagunes Alfonso
Published: April 2015

The value of sibling data for identifying the causal effect of schooling on wages hinges on our ability to eliminate biases due to the mismeasurement of schooling. Analysts typically assume errors in schooling reports are "classical." In this study, we use generalized method of moments to estimate the parameters of a range of measurement error models, including forms of both classical and mean-reverting error models; we estimate the models using a sample of identical twins and a sample of non-twin siblings. The results of likelihood ratio-type tests reveal that variants of classical measurement error models fit both datasets about as well as more flexible models.
Tariff Evasion and Customs Corruption: Does Pre-Shipment Inspection Help?
Authors: Anson Jose , Cadot Olivier , Olarreaga Marcelo
Published: April 2015

This paper provides a new approach to the evaluation of pre-shipment inspection (PSI) programs as ways of improving tariff-revenue collection and reducing fraud when customs administrations are corrupt. We build a model highlighting the contribution of private surveillance firms to the generation of information and describing how incentives for underinvoicing and collusive behaviour between importers and customs are affected by the introduction of PSI. It is shown theoretically that the introduction of PSI has an ambiguous effect on the level of fraud. Empirically, our econometric results suggest that the introduction of PSI services increased underinvoicing in Argentina and Indonesia, and reduced it in the Philippines.
Implications of Changes in Men's and Women's Labor Force Participation for Real Compensation Growth and Inflation
Authors: Anderson Katharine , Barrow Lisa , Butcher Kristin F.
Published: April 2015

During the 1990s economic expansion, the United States enjoyed both low inflation and low unemployment. Juhn, Murphy, and Topel (2002) point out that low unemployment for men in the 1990s was accompanied by historically high non-employment suggesting that the 1990s economy was not as strong as unemployment might indicate. We include women in the analysis and examine whether Phillips curve relationships between real compensation growth, changes in inflation, and labor market slackness are the same for men and women and whether measures of “non-employment” better capture underlying labor resource utilization. From 1965 to 2002 the increase in women’s labor force participation more than offsets the decline for men, and low unemployment rates in the 1990s were accompanied by historically low overall non-employment rates. We find that women’s measures of labor market slackness do as well as men’s in explaining real compensation growth and changes in inflation after 1983.
Negative Self Selection into Self-employment among African Americans
Authors: Kawaguchi Daiji
Published: April 2015

This paper attempts to shed light on the mechanism behind the lower rate of self-employment (SE) among African Americans compared with whites. Both consumer discrimination and discrimination in the credit market, combined with anti-discrimination law enforcement in the salary/wage (SW) sector, explain why African Americans, those with high earning capacity in particular, are less likely to be SE because the cost of being discriminated against is high. Borjas and Bronars (1989) tested negative self-selection into SE among African Americans using Heckman's sample-selection correction under certain excluded variable assumptions. Using matched CPS panel data, this paper tests the same prediction without relying on any excluded variable assumptions. More specifically, current SW workers are divided into future SW and SE workers, and the distributions of the current earnings of these two groups are compared. The analysis reveals both positive and negative self-selection into SE among whites, but almost only negative self-selection among African Americans. This finding is consistent with the theoretical predictions of consumer and credit market discrimination against African-American self-employed workers and confirms Borjas and Bronars (1989)'s empirical results.
Religious Giving, Non-religious Giving, and After-life Consumption
Authors: Chang Wen-Chun
Published: April 2015

Religious giving has been argued to be different compared to non-religious giving, because it influences after-life consumption while contributions to non-religious organizations are irrelevant to after-life consumption. The study herein examines this theoretical argument by investigating the relationships between age and religious and non-religious giving using the data of the Survey of Social Development Trends from Taiwan. From categorized contributions, this study estimates the effects of age, income, and price of giving on religious, charitable, academic, medical, and political contributions, as well as on the probability of providing volunteer work and the frequency of religious participation. The findings suggest that the positive relationships between age and the level of giving are stronger for religious and charitable giving while the positive effects of age on academic and medical giving are much weaker, and there is no significant relationship between age and political giving. That is, religious giving and charitable giving are closely related to after-life consumption, but the effects of age on academic giving and medical giving are considerably different. Moreover, older people are more likely to provide volunteer work and attend more religious activities than younger individuals. Contributions to religious and charitable groups are positively related to contributions to academic, medical, and political organizations.
Numb family proteins: novel players in cardiac morphogenesis and cardiac progenitor cell differentiation
Authors: Wu Mingfu , Li Jingjing
Published: April 2015

Vertebrate heart formation is a spatiotemporally regulated morphogenic process that initiates with bilaterally symmetric cardiac primordial cells migrating toward the midline to form a linear heart tube. The heart tube then elongates and undergoes a series of looping morphogenesis, followed by expansions of regions that are destined to become primitive heart chambers. During the cardiac morphogenesis, cells derived from the first heart field contribute to the primary heart tube, and cells from the secondary heart field, cardiac neural crest, and pro-epicardial organ are added to the heart tube in a precise spatiotemporal manner. The coordinated addition of these cells and the accompanying endocardial cushion morphogenesis yield the atrial, ventricular, and valvular septa, resulting in the formation of a four-chambered heart. Perturbation of progenitor cells’ deployment and differentiation leads to a spectrum of congenital heart diseases. Two of the genes that were recently discovered to be involved in cardiac morphogenesis are Numb and Numblike. Numb, an intracellular adaptor protein, distinguishes sibling cell fates by its asymmetric distribution between the two daughter cells and its ability to inhibit Notch signaling. Numb regulates cardiac progenitor cell differentiation in Drosophila and controls heart tube laterality in Zebrafish. In mice, Numb and Numblike, the Numb family proteins (NFPs), function redundantly and have been shown to be essential for epicardial development, cardiac progenitor cell differentiation, outflow tract alignment, atrioventricular septum morphogenesis, myocardial trabeculation, and compaction. In this review, we will summarize the functions of NFPs in cardiac development and discuss potential mechanisms of NFPs in the regulation of cardiac development.
Influence of storage conditions and extraction methods on the quantity and quality of circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA): the SPIDIA-DNAplas External Quality Assessment experience
Authors: Malentacchi Francesca , Pizzamiglio Sara , Verderio Paolo , Pazzagli Mario , Orlando Claudio , Ciniselli Chiara Maura , Günther Kalle , Gelmini Stefania
Published: April 2015

Circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) has been confirmed as a useful biomarker in cancer and pre-natal clinical practice. One of the main critical points in using ccfDNA is a lack of standardisation for sample processing methods, storage conditions, procedures for extraction, and quantification that can affect ccfDNA quality and quantity. We report the results obtained from the SPIDIA-DNAplas, one of the EU SPIDIA (Standardisation and improvement of generic pre-analytical tools and procedures for in vitro diagnostics) subprojects based on the implementation of an External Quality Assessment scheme for the evaluation of the influence of the pre-analytical phase on ccfDNA. This is the first reported quality control scheme targeting ccfDNA for pre-analytical phase studies.

Fifty-six laboratories throughout Europe were recruited. The participating laboratories received the same plasma sample and extracted ccfDNA by using their own procedures, at defined plasma storage conditions, and sent the isolated ccfDNA to the SPIDIA facility for analyses. Laboratory performance was evaluated by using specific quality parameters such as ccfDNA integrity (by multiplex PCR) and yield (by qPCR).

The analysis of the ccfDNA extracted by the laboratories showed that most of them (53 of 56) were able to recover ccfDNA but only 12.5% recovered non-fragmented ccfDNA. Extraction methods specifically designed for ccfDNA preserved the integrity profile.

The evidence-based results of the SPIDIA-DNAplas EQA have been proposed as a basis for the development of a Technical Specification by the European Committee for standardisation (CEN).
Cell-free DNA for diagnosing myocardial infarction: not ready for prime time
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Sanchis-Gomar Fabian , Cervellin Gianfranco
Published: April 2015

A modest amount of cell-free DNA is constantly present in human blood, originating from programmed cell death, apoptosis and rupture of blood cells or pathogens. Acute or chronic cell injury contributes to enhance the pool of circulating nucleic acids, so that their assessment may be regarded as an appealing perspective for diagnosing myocardial ischemia. We performed a search in Medline, Web of Science and Scopus to identify clinical studies that investigated the concentration of cell-free DNA in patients with myocardial ischemia. Overall, eight case-control studies could be detected and reviewed. Although the concentration of cell-free DNA was found to be higher in the diseased than in the healthy population, the scenario was inconclusive due to the fact that the overall number of subjects studied was modest, the populations were unclearly defined, cases and controls were not adequately matched, the methodology for measuring the reference cardiac biomarkers was inadequately described, and the diagnostic performance of cell-free DNA was not benchmarked against highly sensitive troponin immunoassays. Several biological and technical hurdles were also identified in cell-free DNA testing, including the lack of specificity and unsuitable kinetics for early diagnosis of myocardial ischemia, the long turnaround time and low throughput, the need for specialized instrumentation and dedicated personnel, the lack of standardization or harmonization of analytical techniques, the incremental costs and the high vulnerability to preanalytical variables. Hence it seems reasonable to conclude that the analysis of cell-free DNA is not ready for prime time in diagnostics of myocardial ischemia.
Estimating Electrical Conductivities of CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 Using Ion-Oxygen Parameter
Authors: Wang Yaxian , Wang Lijun , Chou Kuo-chih
Published: April 2015

Electrical conductivity of molten slags is one of the most important physicochemical properties and it also has a close relationship to the structure of slag. This article focused on the basic slag system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2and made estimations for electrical conductivity. Ion-oxygen parameter was selected to describe the relationship between electrical conductivity with compositions. Moreover, the interaction between composition and temperature was embodied in the final model formula. It was shown that increasing CaO and MgO contents enhanced the ability for electric conduction. Moreover, with a higher temperature, the change of electrical conductivity with ion-oxygen parameter was more remarkable. This model gives reasonable prediction of the electrical conductivity for the slags studied with the mean deviation of 14.3%. Thus, this model would provide a feasible tool for industry to predict and optimize the electrical conductivity of slag system.
Photo-oxidation of Tributyltin, Dibutyltin and Monobutyltin in Water and Marine Sediments
Authors: Brosillon S. , Bancon-Montigny C. , Mendret J.
Published: April 2015

This study reports on the first assessment of the treatment of sediment contaminated by organotin compounds using homogenous and heterogeneous photocatalysis. Photo-Fenton and photocatalysis of low level (µg/L) organotins in water were carried out. A quasi-complete degradation of tributyltin (TBT) in water (99.8%) was reached after 30 and 7 min for photocatalytic and photo-Fenton treatment, respectively. For the first time decontamination of highly polluted marine sediments by photo-oxidation proves that the use of UV and the production of hydroxyl radicals are an efficient way to treat organotins adsorbed onto marine sediment despite the complexity of the matrix.
Feasibility of Micropollutants Treatment by Coupling Nanofiltration and Electrochemical Oxidation: Case of Hospital Wastewater
Authors: Lan Yandi , Coetsier Clemence , Causserand Christel , Serrano Karine Groenen
Published: April 2015

In spite of good performances of the membrane bioreactor (MBR) process, permeate from it can still contain refractory pollutants that have to be removed before water reuse or discharge. The present study is an attempt to combine the advantages of two well-known technologies, which are nanofiltration (NF) and electrochemical oxidation (EO) to treat MBR effluent from hospital wastewater. The concept is based on a preconcentration of micropollutants with a reduction of the wastewater volume by NF and treatment of the NF retentate by oxidation. During filtration process the rejection of ciprofloxacin, as a target molecule, reached beyond 97%. Then the NF retentate was treated by EO using a boron-doped diamond anode (BDD). Galvanostatic electrolyses showed that this anode is efficient to mineralize not only ciprofloxacin but also all the micropollutants and organics contained in MBR effluent. The results demonstrated that rapid mineralization occurred: the removal of total organic carbon and chemical oxygen demand (COD) reached 97% and 100%, respectively, in our conditions in 300 min maximum. The speciﬁc energy consumption for the total removal of COD was calculated to be 50 kW h kg˗1COD.
Quadrennial Homeland Security Reviews: What Value for Whom?
Authors: Kahan Jerome
Published: April 2015

The second edition of the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review (QHSR) was issued in June of this year. A Congressional mandate requires each QHSR to examine the nation’s homeland security strategy and explain how this can lower risks from terrorism, natural hazards, and other challenges. The intended audience is not only Congress and the department of homeland security (DHS), but also the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE) – stakeholders comprising federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), private sector partners, as well as communities, families, and individuals. The first QHSR institutionalized homeland security fundamentals and presented a set of missions and goals, but questions have been raised about the strategic benefits of the document and its value to all homeland security stakeholders. Will the second QHSR effectively build upon the first and function as a strategy that ensures homeland security programs will align with mission priorities? What improvements can be made in DHS’s efficiency and effectiveness as expressed in both documents? Will the QHSRs serve the entire HSE, particularly those below the federal level? What are future expectations for this series of documents? This article analyzes the QHSRs, with the objective of and illuminating these and other questions of interest to the homeland security community.
Performance Analysis of WDM-PON System Based on Optimized Remotely Pumped Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) Parameter
Authors: Ahmed N. , Fadhil Hilal A. , Aljunid S. A. , Sharafat Ali Md. , Rahman Matiur
Published: April 2015

In this paper, the performance of wavelength division multiplexing-passive optical network (WDM-PON) system using the erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) is optimized and evaluated. The optimization is analyzed by finding the EDFA length range at which the output power produced are the highest and the pump power range at which the gain flatness produced are within the effective range (0.3 dB). After the optimization process, the optimized EDFA system produces the gain of 26.6±0.292 dB, noise figure of 3.82 dB and output power of 7 dBm and the system is then implemented into WDM system. The performance of WDM system is compared against the system without EDFA in terms of bit error rate (BER). Results obtained prove that the proposed system with the EDFA consistently performs better than the conventional system.
Electrical Spreading Code-Based OFDM Optical Access Networks for Budget Enhancement and Reduced System Bandwidth Requirement
Authors: Kumar Pravindra , Srivastava Anand
Published: April 2015

Passive optical networks based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM-PON) give better performance in high-speed optical access networks. For further improvement in performance, a new architecture of OFDM-PON based on spreading code in electrical domain is proposed and analytically analyzed in this paper. This approach is referred as hybrid multi-carrier code division multiple access-passive optical network (MC-CDMA-PON). Analytical results show that at bit error rate (BER) of 10
IMKS and IMMS: two methods for the production of plastic parts featuring metallic areas
Authors: Hopmann Christian , Bobzin Kirsten , Schoeldgen Roman , Oete Mehmet , Wunderle Johannes , Linke Thomas F. , Ochotta Philipp
Published: April 2015

The integration and combination of known technologies to one-step-processes is a promising way to implement enhancements to existing processes and products, as well as to new product developments. This approach is followed by two integrative process technologies that were developed by the Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV) at the RWTH Aachen University and the Surface Engineering Institute (IOT) at the RWTH Aachen University as part of the Cluster of Excellence “Integrative Production Technologies for High-Wage Countries”. In these processes, pure metals or metal alloys are joined to the injection moulded part, which potentially results in particular advantages referring to the electrical properties of the product. The integrated metal/plastic injection moulding (IMKS) represents the combination of injection moulding and metal die casting. The in-mould metal spraying (IMMS) combines the injection moulding with the thermal spraying of metal. In the following, the level of development of both methods is presented and future potentials are shown.
Preparation and microstructure of machinable Al2O3/mica composite by ball milling and hot-press sintering
Authors: Tian Qingbo , Kong Deyu , Zhai Tongguang
Published: April 2015

A machinable α-Al2O3/mica composite was prepared by hot-press sintering. In this experiment, a mica-contained glass ceramic in the MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-F glassy system was employed and the base glass powders were obtained by traditional melting-quenched method. Then, α-Al2O3 milling swarf was introduced by medium α-alumina milling ball to the glass powders. The test results indicate that the composites consist of mica crystal and mullite crystal, which are precipitated in the base glass. The α-Al2O3 shows an irregular polygon, which is inlayed in the base material. With the decrease of size of the base glass powders, the boundaries of composites among the sintered powders gradually vanish. The mica crystals in the composite also show an interlocking characteristic, which is a prerequisite of mica-contained glass ceramics with good machinability. Under different pressures, the tendency of preferred orientation is decreased with the reduction in grain size of glass powders, and the microstructure is proved to be consistent, significantly decreasing the composite’s hardness. Therefore, the machinability of the composite is improved.
Investigations on the Aerodynamic Characteristics and Blade Excitations of the Radial Turbine with Pulsating Inlet Flow
Authors: Liu Yixiong , Yang Ce , Yang Dengfeng , Zhang Rui
Published: April 2015

The aerodynamic performance, detailed unsteady flow and time-based excitations acting on blade surfaces of a radial flow turbine have been investigated with pulsation flow condition. The results show that the turbine instantaneous performance under pulsation flow condition deviates from the quasi-steady value significantly and forms obvious hysteretic loops around the quasi-steady conditions. The detailed analysis of unsteady flow shows that the characteristic of pulsation flow field in radial turbine is highly influenced by the pulsation inlet condition. The blade torque, power and loading fluctuate with the inlet pulsation wave in a pulse period. For the blade excitations, the maximum and the minimum blade excitations conform to the wave crest and wave trough of the inlet pulsation, respectively, in time-based scale. And toward blade chord direction, the maximum loading distributes along the blade leading edge until 20% chord position and decreases from the leading to trailing edge.
Mutations that Separate the Functions of the Proofreading Subunit of the Escherichia coli Replicase
Authors: Whatley Zakiya , Kreuzer Kenneth N
Published: April 2015

The dnaQ gene of Escherichia coli encodes the ε subunit of DNA polymerase III, which provides the 3′ → 5′ exonuclease proofreading activity of the replicative polymerase. Prior studies have shown that loss of ε leads to high mutation frequency, partially constitutive SOS, and poor growth. In addition, a previous study from our laboratory identified dnaQ knockout mutants in a screen for mutants specifically defective in the SOS response after quinolone (nalidixic acid) treatment. To explain these results, we propose a model whereby, in addition to proofreading, ε plays a distinct role in replisome disassembly and/or processing of stalled replication forks. To explore this model, we generated a pentapeptide insertion mutant library of the dnaQ gene, along with site-directed mutants, and screened for separation of function mutants. We report the identification of separation of function mutants from this screen, showing that proofreading function can be uncoupled from SOS phenotypes (partially constitutive SOS and the nalidixic acid SOS defect). Surprisingly, the two SOS phenotypes also appear to be separable from each other. These findings support the hypothesis that ε has additional roles aside from proofreading. Identification of these mutants, especially those with normal proofreading but SOS phenotype(s), also facilitates the study of the role of ε in SOS processes without the confounding results of high mutator activity associated with dnaQ knockout mutants.
Non-volant mammals from Baturité Ridge, Ceará state, Northeast Brazil
Authors: Fernandes-Ferreira Hugo , Gurgel-Filho Newton Mota , Feijó Anderson , Mendonça Sanjay Veiga , Alves Rômulo Romeu da Nóbrega , Langguth Alfredo
Published: April 2015

Baturité Ridge is an important Atlantic Forest remnant inserted in the Caatinga Morphoclimatic Domain located in the Ceará state, Northeast Brazil. Al­­though this area presents high rates of endemism and has been investigated by many researchers in the past, there was never an investigation regarding local mammals. In this context, this study aims to survey the non-volant mammals of this region to serve as a basis for future ecological and conservation studies. The work was conducted between 2009 and 2014, based on analyses of voucher specimens from zoological collections, capture of specimens in fieldwork, visual and photographic records, and interviews with selected local residents. Altogether, 32 species were documented and seven are present on lists of endangered animals. In addition, interviews indicated that three non-recorded species probably occur in the area and another two were pointed out by local people as locally extinct. Discussions about identification and conservation aspects were presented.
Saint Petersburg ring road: lessons for public–private partnerships in Russia
Authors: Smirnov Evgenij , Jastrebov Oleg , Petrov Alexander
Published: April 2015

International experience shows that public–private partnerships can harness the financial and managerial resources of private business to implement infrastructure projects and related services. In Russia, however, such partnerships have run up against significant obstacles. Based on the experiences of the Western High-Speed Diameter highway public–private partnership project in Saint Petersburg, this paper scrutinises the investment attractiveness of Russian infrastructure projects generally and discusses critical steps to implementing further public–private partnerships in the country.
Ecosystem resistance in the face of climate change: a case study from the freshwater marshes of the Florida Everglades
Authors: Malone Sparkle L. , Keough Cynthia , Staudhammer Christina L. , Ryan Michael G. , Parton William J. , Olivas Paulo , Oberbauer Steven F. , Schedlbauer Jessica , Starr Gregory
Published: April 2015

Shaped by the hydrology of the Kissimmee‐Okeechobee‐Everglades watershed, the Florida Everglades is composed of a conglomerate of wetland ecosystems that have varying capacities to sequester and store carbon. Hydrology, which is a product of the region's precipitation and temperature patterns combined with water management policy, drives community composition and productivity. As shifts in both precipitation and air temperature are expected over the next 100 years as a consequence of climate change, CO2dynamics in the greater Everglades are expected to change. To reduce uncertainties associated with climate change and to explore how projected changes in atmospheric CO2concentration and climate can alter current CO2exchange rates in Everglades freshwater marsh ecosystems, we simulated fluxes of carbon among the atmosphere, vegetation, and soil using the DAYCENT model. We explored the effects of low, moderate, and high scenarios for atmospheric CO2(550, 850, and 950 ppm), mean annual air temperature (+1, +2.5, and +4.2°C) and precipitation (−2, +7, and +14%), as predicted by the IPCC for the year 2100 for the region, on CO2exchange rates in short‐ and long‐hydroperiod wetland ecosystems. Under 100 years of current climate and atmospheric CO2concentration, Everglades freshwater marsh ecosystems were estimated to be CO2‐neutral. As atmospheric CO2concentration increased and under climate change projections, there were slight shifts in the start and length of the wet season (−1 to +7 days) and a small enhancement in the sink capacity (by −169 to −573 g C m−2century−1) occurred at both short‐ and long‐ hydroperiod ecosystems compared to CO2dynamics under the current climate regime. Over 100 years, rising temperatures increased net CO2exchange rates (+1 to 13 g C m−2century−1) and shifts in precipitation patterns altered cumulative net carbon uptake by +13 to −46 g C m−2century−1. While changes in ecosystem structure, species composition, and disturbance regimes were beyond the scope of this research, results do indicate that climate change will produce small changes in CO2dynamics in Everglades freshwater marsh ecosystems and suggest that the hydrologic regime and oligotrophic conditions of Everglades freshwater marshes lowers the ecosystem sensitivity to climate change.
Thrice as easy to catch! Copper and temperature modulate predator‐prey interactions in larval dragonflies and anurans
Authors: Hayden Mairin T. , Reeves Mari K. , Holyoak Marcel , Perdue Margaret , King Amanda L. , Tobin S. Carl
Published: April 2015

Amphibians are important indicators of environmental health, and their populations are in worldwide decline. The causes of these declines are diverse and not well understood. In some cases multiple stressors and complex causal mechanisms have been identified. Experimental studies have shown that contaminants can cause the failure of Lithobates sylvaticus tadpoles to initiate predator avoidance behaviors, potentially leading to increased tadpole capture and injury. Copper is a contaminant known to negatively affect amphibians and other aquatic organisms at sub‐lethal levels. Mining waste, certain pesticides, vehicle exhaust and brake pad dust are sources of copper, which can enter hydrologic systems through runoff. Additionally, temperature is known to influence predator‐prey interactions of ectotherms and is predicted to rise in some areas as climate changes. We examined how copper and temperature affected behavior and predation dynamics between an odonate predator (Aeshna sitchensis) and larval L. sylvaticus prey. We found that sublethal concentrations of copper near the analytical detection limits for this element (1.85 μg Cu/L) significantly reduced tadpole and odonate activity. Above‐average temperatures (22°C) significantly increased tadpole activity and decreased dragonfly activity, compared with ambient‐temperature treatments (17°C). These behavioral responses culminated in an approximately three‐fold increase in the number of dragonfly attacks on tadpoles in the elevated‐temperature, copper‐exposed treatments. We suggest that increased concentrations of dissolved copper and elevated water temperatures are harmful to amphibian prey through maladaptive behavioral responses in the presence of predators.
Controlling Behaviors as a Predictor of Partner Violence Among Heterosexual Female and Male Adolescents
Authors: Fawson Peter R.
Published: April 2015

This study investigates the prevalence of adolescent intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, IPV victimization, and controlling behaviors among 486 heterosexual high school students. Participants completed surveys that measured three types of IPV victimization (sexual, physical, and psychological) and two types of controlling behaviors (intimidation and threats). Results reveal high prevalence of dating violence in youth: 46% emotional violence, 34% physical violence, and 16% sexual violence. Participants had a mean age of 15.7 years, 51% of the sample was male, and all participants were in a current relationship. Structural equation modeling explored the relationship between “violent attitudes” and “controlling behaviors” predicting IPV perpetration. The study found no gender differences between IPV perpetration and IPV victimization. However, gender differences were found regarding females’ IPV victimization being reduced when controlling behaviors are not present. Interestingly, IPV victimization is reduced by not having controlling behaviors and only having violent attitudes. The study posits that gender socialization may attribute to females reducing their IPV victimization when controlling behaviors are not present.