bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Hawaiian Educational Radar Opportunity (HERO)
Authors: Bell Michael M. , Ballard Robert A. , Bauman Mark , Foerster Annette M. , Frambach Andrew , Kosiba Karen A. , Lee Wen-Chau , Rees Shannon L. , Wurman Joshua
Published: February 2015

A National Science Foundation sponsored educational deployment of a Doppler on Wheels radar called the Hawaiian Educational Radar Opportunity (HERO) was conducted on O‘ahu from 21 October to 13 November 2013. This was the first-ever deployment of a polarimetric X-band (3 cm) research radar in Hawaii. A unique fine-resolution radar and radiosonde dataset was collected during 16 intensive observing periods through a collaborative effort between University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa undergraduate and graduate students and the National Weather Service’s Weather Forecast Office in Honolulu. HERO was the field component of MET 628 “Radar Meteorology,” with 12 enrolled graduate students who collected and analyzed the data as part of the course. Extensive community outreach was conducted, including participation in a School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology open house event with over 7,500 visitors from local K–12 schools and the public. An overview of the HERO project and highlights of some interesting tropical rain and cloud observations are described. Phenomena observed by the radar include cumulus clouds, trade wind showers, deep convective thunderstorms, and a widespread heavy rain event associated with a cold frontal passage. Detailed cloud and precipitation structures and their interactions with O‘ahu terrain, unique dual-polarization signatures, and the implications for the dynamics and microphysics of tropical convection are presented.
Detecting and Characterizing Ekman Currents in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Roach Christopher J. , Phillips Helen E. , Bindoff Nathaniel L. , Rintoul Stephen R.
Published: February 2015

This study presents a unique array of velocity profiles from Electromagnetic Autonomous Profiling Explorer (EM-APEX) profiling floats in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) north of Kerguelen. The authors use these profiles to examine the nature of Ekman spirals, formed by the action of the wind on the ocean’s surface, in light of Ekman’s classical linear theory and more recent enhancements. Vertical decay scales of the Ekman spirals were estimated independently from current amplitude and rotation. Assuming a vertically uniform geostrophic current, decay scales from the Ekman current heading were twice as large as those from the current speed decay, indicating a compressed spiral, consistent with prior observations and violating the classical theory. However, if geostrophic shear is accurately removed, the observed Ekman spiral is as predicted by classical theory and decay scales estimated from amplitude decay and rotation converge toward a common value. No statistically robust relationship is found between stratification and Ekman decay scales. The results indicate that compressed spirals observed in the Southern Ocean arise from aliasing of depth-varying geostrophic currents into the Ekman spiral, as opposed to surface trapping of Ekman currents associated with stratification, and extends the geographical area of similar results from Drake Passage (Polton et al. 2013). Accounting for this effect, the authors find that constant viscosity Ekman models offer a reasonable description of momentum mixing into the upper ocean in the ACC north of Kerguelen. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of a new method and provide additional evidence that the same processes are active for the entire Southern Ocean.
Blending of Global and Regional Analyses with a Spatial Filter: Application to Typhoon Prediction over the Western North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Hsiao Ling-Feng , Huang Xiang-Yu , Kuo Ying-Hwa , Chen Der-Song , Wang Hongli , Tsai Chin-Cheng , Yeh Tien-Chiang , Hong Jing-Shan , Fong Chin-Tzu , Lee Cheng-Shang
Published: February 2015

A blending method to merge the NCEP global analysis with the regional analysis from the WRF variational data assimilation system is implemented using a spatial filter for the purpose of initializing the Typhoon WRF (TWRF) Model, which has been in operation at Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau (CWB) since 2010. The blended analysis is weighted toward the NCEP global analysis for scales greater than the cutoff length of 1200 km, and is weighted toward the WRF regional analysis for length below that. TWRF forecast experiments on 19 typhoons from July to October 2013 over the western North Pacific Ocean show that the large-scale analysis from NCEP GFS is superior to that of the regional analysis, which significantly improves the typhoon track forecasts. On the other hand, the regional WRF analysis provides a well-developed typhoon structure and more accurately captures the influence of the Taiwan topography on the typhoon circulation. As a result, the blended analysis takes advantage of the large-scale analysis from the NCEP global analysis and the detailed mesoscale analysis from the regional WRF analysis. In additional to the improved track forecast, the blended analysis also provides more accurate rainfall forecasts for typhoons affecting Taiwan. Because of the improved performance, the blending method has been implemented in the CWB operational TWRF typhoon prediction system.
Clinical Characteristics of Patients on Hemodialysis With Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Matsuzawa Ryota , Aoyama Naoyoshi , Yoshida Atsushi
Published: February 2015

Patients on hemodialysis (HD; n = 210) were examined for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) using ankle-brachial index (ABI) and toe-brachial index (TBI). The prevalence of PAD was 38.1%. Among patients with PAD, 87.5% were newly diagnosed with PAD, 42.5% were diagnosed with TBI <0.6 despite ABI ≥ 0.9, and 68.7% had no lower limb symptoms. In patients with PAD, the prevalence rate of cerebrovascular disease was 36.3%, coronary artery disease was 42.5%, spinal stenosis was 33.2%, and vertebral fracture 15.0% and was significantly higher than those of the non-PAD patients. Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was the most important biomarker among patients with PAD. PAD has been underdiagnosed and untreated in patients on HD because most patients do not have symptoms that could be due to diabetic neuropathy or have insufficient daily activity to experience exertional leg symptoms. Screening for PAD using the ABI and TBI increased diagnostic efficiency in patients on HD and may lead to effective early treatments, including pharmacotherapy, revascularization therapy, and exercise rehabilitation to avoid the worst possible scenario such as lower limb amputation, cardiovascular event, and death.
Flow and Emotional Experience in Spirituality
Authors: Rufi Sergi , Wlodarczyk Anna , Páez Darío , Javaloy Federico
Published: February 2015

This study seeks to compare flow and emotional experience in interactive and coactive collective rituals. For such purpose, a correlational study was performed collecting self-report measures of flow, positive emotions, and social identity in three different social collective gatherings: the Sunday celebration of a Catholic mass ( N = 57), a Zen Buddhist meditation practice ( N = 50), and secular Sunday group activities ( N = 37). Results show the presence of flow in all three contexts, being higher in the interactive social situations (the Catholic mass and other Sunday group activities) than in the coactive one (the Zen meditation practice). Positive emotions are also higher in the interactive situations than in the coactive one. Regarding self-transcendent emotions, there is more inspiration in the Zen meditation practice and more hope in the Catholic mass. Flow and positive emotions are positively correlated in all three contexts. Specifically in the Zen meditation practice, flow, positive emotions, loss of self-consciousness, and social identity are positively correlated.
Who’s Borrowing? Credit Encouragement vs. Credit Mitigation in National Financial Systems
Authors: Fuller Gregory W.
Published: February 2015

Households and banks have increasingly displaced non-financial businesses and governments as the primary debtors in modern capitalist economies, resulting in more severe economic cycles, increased inequality, and external macroeconomic imbalances. Yet while the trend is nearly universal among developed economies, its intensity varies a great deal from country to country. This article highlights (1) the common international causes behind the global expansion of household and financial sector debt; (2) the divergent national approaches to household credit that cause household and financial sector indebtedness to vary from country to country; and (3) the likely causes of these disparate approaches. National approaches to interest rate restrictions, property transfer taxation, high loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages, mortgage interest taxation, and secondary markets for consumer debt can either encourage or mitigate household and financial sector borrowing. Whether a country encourages or mitigates such credit is determined by an idiosyncratic mix of institutional, political, and ideational factors. Especially important are the size of domestic pension funds, banks’ preferred business models, the political power of financial firms, and whether policymakers are more sensitive to the gains promised by a credit-fueled expansion or to the risks posed by an overleveraged collapse.
A Critique of Hindriks’ Restructuring Searle’s Making the Social World
Authors: Lobo Gregory J.
Published: February 2015

This article is a response to Frank Hindriks’ “Restructuring Searle’s Making the Social World.”
Einstein’s Philosophy Politely Shelved
Authors: Agassi Joseph
Published: February 2015

Einstein considered fallibilist methodology obvious and metaphysics the challenging heuristic of physics. This philosophy is a minority view in academic philosophy. Most commentators on Einstein reject it and either refuse to ascribe it to him or declare it an impediment to his researches, his own opinion to the contrary notwithstanding.
Constructing Memory through Television in Argentina
Authors: Feld Claudia
Published: February 2015

Television represents Argentina’s recent past through three specific links with social memory: as an “entrepreneur of memory,” shaping public agendas, as a vehicle of intergenerational transmission of past events, and as a creator of meaning through images, sounds, and words, a “stage for memory.” An analysis in terms of the links between television and the memories constructed around the forced disappearance of persons during the 1976–1983 military dictatorship reveals the complex way in which the obstacles when narrating an extreme experience are combined with the attempt to sell a product and entertain the spectator.

La televisión representa el pasado reciente de la Argentina a través de vínculos específicos con la memoria social: como un “emprendedor de la memoria” definiendo las agendas públicas, como un vehículo de transmisión intergeneracional sobre el pasado y como un creador de significados por medio de imágenes, sonidos y palabras, esto es, un “escenario para la memoria.” Un análisis de los vínculos entre televisión y memorias, construido alrededor de la desaparición forzada de personas durante la dictadura militar de 1976 a 1983, revela la manera compleja en la cual los obstáculos para relatar ese periodo trágico se combinan con el intento de vender un producto y entretener al espectador.
Troops to Teachers Update
Authors: Owings William A. , Kaplan Leslie S. , Khrabrova Iryna , Chappell Shanan
Published: February 2015

Prior research on Troops to Teachers (TTT) affirms that TTTs are effective instructors likely to work in high-poverty, high-minority schools, teach high-demand subjects, use research-based instructional and classroom management practices linked with student achievement, and plan to stay in the profession. A nonexperimental, mixed method design incorporating quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis was used. A total of 4,157 TTT completers and 517 administrators responded to surveys. The 2012-2013 follow-up study finds that TTTs are meeting most—but not all—the same high benchmarks. In addition, 92% of principals rate their TTTs as well-prepared to meet the needs of diverse learners in varied learning environments.
Effects of glucose administration on category exclusion recognition
Authors: Brandt Karen R
Published: February 2015

Previous research has produced discrepant findings as to whether glucose administration effects lead to enhanced recollection or arise only under dual-task conditions. The aim of the present research was to address these issues by firstly employing an alternative cognitively demanding paradigm that has been linked to hippocampal function, i.e. the Process Dissociation Procedure (PDP). A second aim was to use this paradigm to explore whether glucose affects qualitative aspects of memory function. To achieve these aims, the PDP task was administered to participants who had either consumed a glucose (25 g) or aspartame-sweetened control drink. Results demonstrated glucose facilitation effects only under difficult task conditions and with no such effect emerging for the process of recollection. The present results support the contention that the beneficial effects of glucose arise under hippocampally driven, cognitively demanding task conditions, and that this effect enhances quantitative but not qualitative aspects of recognition memory.
Experimental and modeling study of viscoelastic behaviour of woven dried jute under compressive stress
Authors: Abdellaoui Hind , Bouhfid Rachid , Echaabi Jamal , Qaiss Abouelkacem
Published: February 2015

The liquid composite molding is a process of composite manufacturing, where all varieties involve compressive strain reinforcement before and during mold filling. A better understanding of the compressibility phenomenon helps to improve control of the implementation process of parts and tooling design. In this work, an experimental study of a series of compression tests was established in order to explain which effect influence the compression and relaxation phases during the manufacturing process, such as number of layers, compression speed, grammage, and jute layers orientations. A rheological approach was chosen to model the viscoelastic behaviour. The experimental results revealed that there are several molding parameters to take into account in manufacturing using liquid composite molding process, in the case of jute fibers. It was concluded that the Zener model is the optimal model to determine the compression and relaxation parameters.
Des décisions justifiées sur le plan éthique
Authors: Jiwani Bashir
Published: February 2015

Good Decisions est un cadre qui aide les leaders en santé à prendre des décisions systémiques justifiées sur le plan éthique. Le présent article décrit quelques-unes des caractéristiques qui rendent une décision justifiée sur le plan éthique et expose l'expérience de son utilisation dans une régie régionale de la santé canadienne. Le cadre tient compte des membres et des relations de l'équipe de décision, de la qualité de l'analyse, de l'étendue de la consultation ainsi que de l'adoption et du suivi des décisions, qui ont tous des effets sur la justification éthique d'une décision.
Role of FODMAPs in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Mansueto Pasquale , Seidita Aurelio , D'Alcamo Alberto , Carroccio Antonio
Published: February 2015

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, flatus, and altered bowel habits. The role of dietary components in inducing IBS symptoms is difficult to explore. To date, foods are not considered a cause but rather symptom‐triggering factors. Particular interest has been given to the so‐called FODMAPs (fermentable oligo‐, di‐, and monosaccharides and polyols). We aimed to summarize the evidence from the most common approaches to manage suspected food intolerance in IBS, with a particular interest in the role of FODMAPs and the effects of a low FODMAP diet. We reviewed literature, consulting PubMed and Medline by using the search terms FODMAP(s), fructose, lactose, fructans, galactans, polyols (sorbitol, mannitol, maltitol, xylitol, erythritol, polydextrose, and isomalt), irritable bowel syndrome, and functional gastrointestinal symptoms. FODMAP‐restricted diets have been used for a long time to manage patients with IBS. The innovation in the so‐called FODMAP concept is that a global restriction should have a more consistent effect than a limited one in preventing abdominal distension. Even though all the potential low FODMAP diets provide good relief of symptoms in many patients, there is just a little relief in others. Several studies highlight the role of low FODMAP diets to improve symptoms in patients with IBS. The evidence on this dietary approach supports the hypothesis that a low FODMAP diet should be the first dietary approach. However, many points remain to be clarified, including the evaluation of possibly significant nutrition concerns.
Energy extraction from wind shear: Reviews of dynamic soaring
Authors: Gao Xian-Zhong , Hou Zhong-Xi , Guo Zheng , Chen Xiao-Qian
Published: February 2015

This paper presents a review of research works related to the application of dynamic soaring for extracting and collecting energy from certain structures in the wind using a small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). By dynamic soaring, UAVs can extract energy from wind shear to produce electrical power or conduct a high-speed, long-endurance mission without adding extra weight. Combined with rapid technological development of UAVs, dynamic soaring might become a new way to explore nature's energy; extracted energy from wind shear might become a new source of renewable and sustainable energy. In this paper, we review the dynamic soaring and analyze the energy extraction process of it from the view of energy transformation. We also discuss the rate and efficiency of energy extraction as well as the possible applications, challenges and future of dynamic soaring in UAVs.
Enhanced properties of magnetorheological fluids: Effect of pressure
Authors: Spaggiari Andrea , Dragoni Eugenio
Published: February 2015

Magnetorheological fluids are extensively used in the industrial world to produce dissipative systems in an easily adjustable or even self-adaptive way. Sometimes their intrinsic rheological properties fail to meet system requirements in terms of available forces or yield stress for a given design space. In technical literature, previous works show a dependency of the shear strength of magnetorheological fluids on the internal pressure of the fluid, called squeeze strengthen effect. This work aims at the experimental validation of the behaviour of the magnetorheological fluids in both flow and shear modes under a given compressive state. Two specific ad hoc experimental test rigs are used for the campaign. The systems are designed in order to apply the magnetic field and the pressure at the same time and the tests are carried out following a design of experiment method. The magnetic parts of the system are designed with the help of a magnetic finite element simulation software, then the experiments are performed and the results are collected. The output is analysed through an analysis of variance approach, a statistical procedure that shows the influence of multiple variables on the system outputs. The outcome of the experimental tests confirms the beneficial effect of the pressure in both flow and shear modes, with performances up to three times compared with the datasheet values, where no pressure is considered.
Enhanced delamination detection in multifunctional composites through nanofiller tailoring
Authors: Tallman Tyler N , Semperlotti F , Wang KW
Published: February 2015

Delamination detection is challenging but vital to ensuring the safety of an increasing number of structures utilizing laminated composites. Laminated composites manufactured with nanocomposite matrices show incredible potential for enhanced material properties including electrical conductivity which can be leveraged for conductivity-based damage identification. Advances in nanotechnology also enable the development of materials engineered at micro-scales for specific macro-scale applications. This research capitalizes on that approach by exploring how micro-scale manipulation of nanofillers can bolster structural-scale damage identification. An equivalent resistor network model is developed to predict nanocomposite conductivity as a function of filler alignment. Next, electrical impedance tomography is employed to locate delamination damage. It is found that aligning nanofillers at an angle through the thickness of a plate markedly enhances sensitivity to delamination damage. This demonstrates that powerful insights can be gleaned from the micro-scale tailoring approach to material design to radically enhance structural-scale damage identification.
Evolving Museum Identities and Paradoxical Response Strategies to Identity Challenges and Ambiguities
Authors: Di Domenico MariaLaura
Published: February 2015

There has been little research into how organizations modify their identities in response to the various ethical and cultural changes that occur in wider society. This qualitative investigation of recent museum approaches to handling human remains is situated within a critique of “museum identity” dynamics in history, archaeological, and science museums in the U.K. public sector. The theoretical framework encapsulates various paradoxes inherent in museum response strategies to such identity challenges. This study reveals the discursive practices museums use to legitimate and privilege their historical identities, while simultaneously engaging with different alternative identities in processes defined here as “organizational sensitivization.” These involve either amalgamating identity challenges or diffusing them, usually by means of open dialogue. Those challenges perceived to be identity threats are marginalized by the museums to protect their articulated identities through engagement in self-legitimization processes. This can leave museums with paradoxically unresolved tensions and identity ambiguities.
Infected Total Ankle Arthroplasty
Authors: Patton Daniel , Kiewiet Nathan , Brage Michael
Published: February 2015

Background:

Infections in total ankle arthroplasty are a serious complication, about which there is little information in the current literature.

Methods:

This is a retrospective review of infected total ankle arthroplasty at one institution from 1995 to 2012. Risk factors were compared between patients with infected total ankle arthroplasty and age- and sex-matched patients who did not have infection (control patients) within the same time period.

Results:

966 patients with total ankle arthroplasty were reviewed, and 29 cases of infected total ankle arthroplasty (3.2%) were identified. The incidence of infection in primary ankle arthroplasty was 2.4% and in revision arthroplasty was 4%. Risk factors for infection in our cohort included diabetes, prior ankle surgery, and wound healing problems more than 14 days postoperatively. No significant difference was found between groups with respect to risk factors including smoking, body mass index, and operative time. At latest follow-up, none of the patients had signs of persistent infection. Operative intervention of infected total ankle arthroplasty resulted in limb salvage in 79% of cases (a 21% amputation rate). At final follow-up, 65.5% of cases were infection-free with retained arthroplasty. This was achieved by irrigation and debridement alone, 1-stage fusion, and most often 2-stage revision. The final outcome was fusion in 3 of 29 cases (10.3%).

Conclusions:

Given the morbidity of infected ankle arthroplasty, careful consideration should be made about performing arthroplasty in patients with multiple prior surgeries and comorbidities that predispose to wound-healing difficulties.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Cerebral Thrombotic Complications Related to l-Asparaginase Treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Eden D. , Hipkins R. , Bradbury C. A.
Published: February 2015

l-Asparaginase is a potent antileukemia agent and an essential part of treatment protocols for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, toxicity limits dose escalation, especially in adults. This includes a significant risk of thrombosis, which remains an important source of avoidable morbidity and mortality. Here, we provide a detailed report of 10 cases of cerebral thrombotic complications that occurred over a 5-year period at 4 large tertiary referral hospitals. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this type in the published literature.
A checkpoint compression study for high-performance computing systems
Authors: Ibtesham Dewan , Ferreira Kurt B , Arnold Dorian
Published: February 2015

As high-performance computing systems continue to increase in size and complexity, higher failure rates and increased overheads for checkpoint/restart (CR) protocols have raised concerns about the practical viability of CR protocols for future systems. Previously, compression has proven to be a viable approach for reducing checkpoint data volumes and, thereby, reducing CR protocol overhead leading to improved application performance. In this article, we further explore compression-based CR optimization by exploring its baseline performance and scaling properties, evaluating whether improved compression algorithms might lead to even better application performance and comparing checkpoint compression against and alongside other software- and hardware-based optimizations. Our results highlights are that: (1) compression is a very viable CR optimization; (2) generic, text-based compression algorithms appear to perform near optimally for checkpoint data compression and faster compression algorithms will not lead to better application performance; (3) compression-based optimizations fare well against and alongside other software-based optimizations; and (4) while hardware-based optimizations outperform software-based ones, they are not as cost effective.
Effect of temperature and humidity conditions on polymethacrylimide (PMI) foam core material and indentation response of its sandwich structures
Authors: Siivola Juho T , Minakuchi Shu , Takeda Nobuo
Published: February 2015

Foam core sandwich structures are rather vulnerable against transverse loading which can leave only barely visible damage in the structures. Environmental conditions can further affect the loading response and thus the formation of damage. To study this, uniaxial compression-tension loading tests were conducted at 30, 60 and 80℃ temperatures using polymethacrylimide (PMI) foam specimens conditioned at three distinct humidity conditions (dry, ambient and wet) before testing. Effect of the conditions on the mechanical properties and loading response of the foam was studied. Strength and stiffness of the foam degraded with increasing temperature and humidity with the combined effect of these conditions being even more severe than either one alone. Indentation tests of polymethacrylimide foam core composite sandwich beams with composite face sheets were also conducted at the same temperature and humidity conditions. The indentation response was seen to correlate with the compressive response of the foam material.
Effectiveness of Music Listening in Patients With Total Knee Replacement During CPM Rehabilitation
Authors: Hsu Chih-Chung , Chen Wei-Ming , Chen Su-Ru , Tseng Yen-Ting , Lin Pi-Chu
Published: February 2015

Aim:

This study investigated the effects of music listening on the anxiety, heart rate variability (HRV), and joint range of motion (ROM) of patients undergoing continuous passive motion (CPM) after total knee replacement surgery.

Method:

An experimental design was used. Participants in the experimental group ( n = 49) listened to music from 10 min before receiving CPM until the end of the session (25 min in total) on the first and second day following surgery, whereas participants in the control group ( n = 42) did not listen to music but rested quietly in bed starting 10 min before and throughout CPM.

Results:

Compared with the control group, the experimental group exhibited significantly lower anxiety levels ( p < .05) and increased CPM angles ( p < .05) during treatment and increased active flexion ROM ( p < .05) upon discharge. The low-frequency (LF)/high-frequency (HF) power ratio, normalized LF HRV, and normalized HF HRV of the two groups differed significantly, indicating that the patients in the experimental group had greater parasympathetic activity compared with those in the control group.

Conclusion:

Music listening can effectively reduce patient anxiety and enhance the ROM of their joints during postoperative rehabilitation. Health-care practitioners should consider including music listening as a routine practice for postoperative rehabilitation following orthopedic surgery.
Modeling aircraft braking performance on wet and snow/ice-contaminated runways
Authors: Gerthoffert J , Cerezo V , Bouteldja M , Do M-T
Published: February 2015

The paper deals with the modeling of friction between aircraft tires and contaminated runway surfaces. Wet, snow- and ice-covered surfaces are considered. A tire Brush model developed for aircraft braking on dry runways is adapted to take into account the effect of contaminants. Compared with a dry surface, contaminants are assumed to affect the static and dynamic friction coefficients, the tire stiffness, the tire slip ratio, and the length of the contact patch. Linear relationship is established between static and dynamic friction coefficients. The dynamic friction coefficient is reduced using an empirical model for wet surfaces and experimental fitting for snow- and ice-covered surfaces. The tire stiffness is modified considering the frequency and temperature dependence of the tire mechanical properties. Values on snow and ice are lower than those on wet and dry surfaces. A physical model is developed to calculate the length of the wet contact patch. Finally, it is assumed that the aircraft effective slip ratio is surface-dependent, and values are determined for each of the studied contaminants. Theoretical friction–slip curves are realistic in terms of shape and differentiation between surface conditions. The model is applied to a Falcon 20 aircraft and a runway monitoring device called IMAG (Instrument de Mesure Automatique de Glissance). Friction–slip and friction–speed curves are calculated and compared to experimental data. It was found that the model can be used to relate ground friction to aircraft braking performance with enough reliability.
Friendships in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder: What holds them back, child characteristics or teacher behavior?
Authors: Chang Ya-Chih , Shih Wendy , Kasari Connie
Published: February 2015

Children begin to show preferences for specific playmates as early as the first 2 years of life. Children with autism spectrum disorder have difficulty making friends, even in elementary and middle school. However, very little is known about earlier friendships in children with autism such as preschool friendships. This study examined friendships in preschool children with autism and explored how joint attention contributes to these friendships in mainstream settings. A secondary aim was to determine the extent to which teachers used strategies to facilitate friendship development. The participants were 31 mainstreamed preschool children (ages 2–5 years) with autism spectrum disorder. School observations were conducted individually to capture participants’ interactions with peers and adults during free play. The results indicated that 20% of the participants had friendships at school. Children with friends were more likely than children without friends to be jointly engaged with their peers during free play, and they used higher joint attention skills. Teachers used few friendship facilitating strategies, and more often used behavioral management strategies within the classrooms. Future studies may want to examine the effects of early interventions and/or teacher training on the development of friendships in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder within the school setting.
Effect of angiotensin II receptor blockers, candesartan, on osteoprotegerin level in hypertensive patients: Link between bone and RAAS
Authors: Oz H , Gavish D , Hass A , Shargorodsky M
Published: February 2015

Introduction:

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has recently been considered as a possible link between bone and vascular disease. The present study was designed to determine the effect of the angiotensin II receptor blocker candesartan on circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG) in hypertensive patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

Material and methods:

A total of 69 hypertensive patients were randomized to two groups: Group 1 included patients treated with oral candesartan in doses of 16 mg to 32 mg per day in addition to routine standard of care (routine care + ARB), and Group 2 included patients who received routine standard of care other than ARBs or ACEIs, with no change to their treatment (routine care). Patients were evaluated for lipid profile, HbA1C, insulin, C-peptide, CRP, aldosterone, renin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and OPG.

Results:

Baseline OPG levels did not differ significantly by treatment group. Post-treatment serum OPG levels were marginally lower in Group1 compared with Group 2; however, this decrease did not reach statistical significance ( p = 0.077).

Conclusions:

In the present study, treatment with the ARB candesartan had no significant effect on circulating OPG levels in hypertensive patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to estimate an effect of candesartan on bone remodeling marker such as OPG.
Schools for European and Eurasian children in India: Making of the official policy in colonial India and its contemporary significance
Authors: Chhabra Heeral
Published: February 2015

The history of education in India has been looked into with a view which has been narrow in its expanse, often missing out on many social categories which had a relatively limited, yet important, presence in colonial India. Sufficient attention has been paid to the official policies of the British Indian government (starting from Macaulay’s Minute). However, a critical analysis of it is assumed to be provided by the nationalist discourse, which is popularly perceived as almost an antithesis of colonial education. In the entire process, the discussion on education broadly gets limited to two sections – the ruler and the ruled, thereby eschewing the diversity within the realm of those seeking and providing education. In this paper, an attempt will be made to understand the emerging importance of ‘Europeans and Eurasians’ as a social category with a peculiar position in colonial India. Though technically part of the ruling ‘race’, their economic standing was not always congruent with their assumed racial superiority. Termed as ‘poor whites’ their presence in India posed challenges to the British government especially after the 1857 mutiny. Employed in the ‘communication network’ of the British Raj, their presence in postal, railways and telegraph departments was imperative for its successful working. The first part of the paper seeks to explore the making of these European and Eurasian communities in India. An official stand regarding schooling of European and Eurasian children was formulated for the first time through Canning’s Minute of 29 October 1860. Analysis of this Minute is vital to understand the very nature of education extended along with religious overtones providing these schools with a distinct identity and status. Using archival sources, this paper seeks to explore the making of distinct schools for them at hill stations and in the plains. Many of these hill schools still exist and have become a symbol of ‘modernity’. Quite ironically their association with the colonial past provides them with a certain elite reputation in independent India (where nationalism is closely tied to education). Analysis of this opens up scope to investigate the ways in which ‘modernity’ is not only understood but professed and adapted through such an educational setup.
Sins of the Father
Authors: Reale Michelle
Published: February 2015

These poems are a representation of the early life of my paternal grandfather, a reluctant immigrant from Sicily. I am emboldened and inspired by H. L. Goodall’s writings on the (secret) life of his father, and the toxicity and disorientation of family secrets as well as Laurel Richardson’s description of using poetic inquiry to “concretize emotions, feelings and moods – the most private kinds of feelings, so as to creative experience itself to another person”.
What Factors Promote Resilience and Protect Against Burnout in First-Year Pediatric and Medicine-Pediatric Residents?
Authors: Olson Kayloni , Kemper Kathi J. , Mahan John D.
Published: February 2015

Burnout has high costs for pediatricians and their patients. There is increasing interest in educational interventions to promote resilience and minimize burnout among pediatric trainees. This study tested a conceptual model of factors that might promote resilience and protect against burnout, and which could serve as targets for addressing burnout in pediatric residents. Questionnaires were administered in a cross-sectional survey of (n = 45) first-year pediatric and medicine-pediatric residents. A minority (40%) of residents met one or more criteria for burnout. Physician empathy and emotional intelligence were not significantly correlated with burnout or resilience. Self-compassion and mindfulness were positively associated with resilience and inversely associated with burnout. Thus many residents in this sample endorsed burnout; mindfulness and self-compassion were associated with resilience and may promote resilience and protect against burnout in these trainees. Future studies should explore the impact of training in mindfulness and self-compassion in pediatric trainees.
An open-label phase 2 trial of entospletinib (GS-9973), a selective spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Sharman Jeff , Hawkins Michael , Kolibaba Kathryn , Boxer Michael , Klein Leonard , Wu Meihua , Hu Jing , Abella Steve , Yasenchak Chris
Published: February 2015

Key Points

Entospletinib is a selective inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase, which is implicated in the pathobiology of B-cell lymphoid malignancies. Entospletinib shows clinical activity in subjects with relapsed or refractory CLL with acceptable toxicity.
Levosimendan affects oxidative and inflammatory pathways in the diaphragm of ventilated endotoxemic mice
Authors: Schellekens Willem-Jan M , van Hees Hieronymus WH , Linkels Marianne , Dekhuijzen PN Richard , Scheffer Gert Jan , van der Hoeven Johannes G , Heunks Leo MA
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Controlled mechanical ventilation and endotoxemia are associated with diaphragm muscle atrophy and dysfunction. Oxidative stress and activation of inflammatory pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of diaphragmatic dysfunction. Levosimendan, a cardiac inotrope, has been reported to possess anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of levosimendan on markers for diaphragm nitrosative and oxidative stress, inflammation and proteolysis in a mouse model of endotoxemia and mechanical ventilation.

Methods

Three groups were studied: (1) unventilated mice (CON, n =8), (2) mechanically ventilated endotoxemic mice (MV LPS, n =17) and (3) mechanically ventilated endotoxemic mice treated with levosimendan (MV LPS + L, n =17). Immediately after anesthesia (CON) or after 8 hours of mechanical ventilation, blood and diaphragm muscle were harvested for biochemical analysis.

Results

Mechanical ventilation and endotoxemia increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA and cytokine levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and keratinocyte-derived chemokine, and decreased IL-10, in the diaphragm; however, they had no effect on protein nitrosylation and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal protein concentrations. Levosimendan decreased nitrosylated proteins by 10% (P <0.05) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal protein concentrations by 13% (P <0.05), but it augmented the rise of iNOS mRNA by 47% (P <0.05). Levosimendan did not affect the inflammatory response in the diaphragm induced by mechanical ventilation and endotoxemia.

Conclusions

Mechanical ventilation in combination with endotoxemia results in systemic and diaphragmatic inflammation. Levosimendan partly decreased markers of nitrosative and oxidative stress, but did not affect the inflammatory response.
A virtual queue-based back-pressure scheduling algorithm for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Jiao Zhenzhen , Zhang Baoxian , Gong Wei , Mouftah Hussein
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we design a new virtual queue-based back-pressure scheduling algorithm (VBR) for achieving significant delay reduction in wireless sensor networks (WSN). Our algorithm design comes from an observation that classical back-pressure scheduling algorithm usually needs a long period of time to form a queue backlog-based gradient in a network, which decreases towards the sink in the network, before achieving stable packet delivery performance. To address this issue, VBR is designed to pre-build proper virtual queue-based gradient at nodes in a WSN, which is chosen to be a function of traffic arrival rate, link rate, and distance to sink, in order to be adaptive to different network and application environments while achieving high network performance. Moreover, the queue backlog differential between each pair of neighbor nodes is decided by their actual queue lengths and also their virtual queue lengths (gradient values). We prove that VBR can maintain back-pressure scheduling’s throughput optimality. Simulation result shows that VBR can obtain significant performance improvement in terms of packet delivery ratio, average end-to-end delay, and average queue length as compared with existing work.
Double Vision Is a Major Manifestation in Moderate to Severe Graves' Orbitopathy, but It Correlates Negatively With Inflammatory Signs and Proptosis
Authors: Laurberg Peter , Berman Dalia C. , Pedersen Inge Bülow , Andersen Stig , Carlé Allan
Published: February 2015

Context:

Double vision (diplopia) is a major determinant of work disability in patients with Graves' orbitopathy (GO), but is not part of the classification NOSPECS classification of GO.

Objective:

The objectives of the study were to quantitate diplopia in patients with moderate to severe GO and to study associations with other disease and patient variables.

Design:

This was a single-center prospective study of consecutive patients at the time of referral.

Setting:

The study was conducted at the University Hospital Thyroid-Eye Clinic.

Patients:

Patients included 216 patients diagnosed with moderate to severe and active GO.

Main Outcome Measures:

Binocular diplopia in field of gaze and monocular fields of motility were prospectively recorded on diagrams and measured by planimetry. Fields of diplopia were correlated to other disease and patient variables.

Results:

Six patients had only one functional eye and were excluded. Among the remaining 210 patients, diplopia was present in 75.2%. In patients with diplopia, this ranged from 5% to 100% (observed in 11.4% of patients) of binocular field of gaze. The field of diplopia correlated positively with eye motility restriction and with asymmetrical affection of orbits but negatively with signs of inflammation and proptosis that often are the main outcome measures in clinical studies of GO therapy.

Conclusion:

Diplopia is very common in moderate to severe GO and a major cause for active therapy. In moderate to severe GO, the field of diplopia correlates negatively with some other indicators of disease activity, which may be explained by the physiological properties of binocular fusion.
Procedure and datasets to compute links between genes and phenotypes defined by MeSH keywords
Authors: Pranckeviciene Erinija
Published: February 2015

Algorithms mining relationships between genes and phenotypes can be classified into several overlapping categories based on how a phenotype is defined: by training genes known to be related to the phenotype; by keywords and algorithms designed to work with disease phenotypes. In this work an algorithm of linking phenotypes to Gene Ontology (GO) annotations is outlined, which does not require training genes and is based on algorithmic principles of Genes to Diseases (G2D) gene prioritization tool. In the outlined algorithm phenotypes are defined by terms of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). GO annotations are linked to phenotypes through intermediate MeSH D terms of drugs and chemicals. This inference uses mathematical framework of fuzzy binary relationships based on fuzzy set theory. Strength of relationships between the terms is defined through frequency of co-occurrences of the pairs of terms in PubMed articles and a frequency of association between GO annotations and MeSH D terms in NCBI Gene gene2go and gene2pubmed datasets. Three plain tab-delimited datasets that are required by the algorithm are contributed to support computations. These datasets can be imported into a relational MySQL database. MySQL statements to create tables are provided. MySQL procedure implementing computations that are performed by outlined algorithm is listed. Plain tab-delimited format of contributed tables makes it easy to use this dataset in other applications.
The Value of Field Experiments
Authors: Li Jimmy Q. , Rusmevichientong Paat , Simester Duncan , Tsitsiklis John N. , Zoumpoulis Spyros I.
Published: February 2015

The feasibility of using field experiments to optimize marketing decisions remains relatively unstudied. We investigate category pricing decisions that require estimating a large matrix of cross-product demand elasticities and ask the following question: How many experiments are required as the number of products in the category grows? Our main result demonstrates that if the categories have a favorable structure, we can learn faster and reduce the number of experiments that are required: the number of experiments required may grow just logarithmically with the number of products. These findings potentially have important implications for the application of field experiments. Firms may be able to obtain meaningful estimates using a practically feasible number of experiments, even in categories with a large number of products. We also provide a relatively simple mechanism that firms can use to evaluate whether a category has a structure that makes it feasible to use field experiments to set prices. We illustrate how to accomplish this using either a sample of historical data or a pilot set of experiments. We also discuss how to evaluate whether field experiments can help optimize other marketing decisions, such as selecting which products to advertise or promote.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.2066 .

This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta, marketing.