bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ОСОБЕННОСТИ ЛАПАРОСКОПИЧЕСКОЙ ФУНДОПЛИКАЦИИ
Authors: USENKO O. Yu. , DMYTRENKO O. P.
Published: March 2016

В исследовании представлены результаты обследования и хирургического лечения 85 больных с гастроэзофагеальной рефлюксной болезнью c сопутствующей грыжей пищеводного отверстия диафрагмы. Всем больным в плановом порядке была выполнена лапароскопическая крурорафия и фундопликация. У 3 (3,6 %) пациентов зарегистрирован рецидив заболевания, у 1 из них через 2 года после операции, у 2 через 5 лет. У всех пациентов рецидив грыжи пищеводного отверстия диафрагмы (ГПОД) и гастроэзофагеальной рефлюксной болезни (ГЭРБ) наблюдался у пациентов со смешанной ГПОД. Лапароскопическая фундопликация является эффективным методом лечения больных гастроэзофагеальной рефлюксной болезнью на фоне грыжи пищеводного отверстия диафрагмы.
Хірургічне лікуванння хворих на гостру товстокишкову непрохідність
Authors: SHEVCHUK I. M. , NOVYTSKYI O. V. , SHEVCHUK M. H. , SHAPOVAL A. L.
Published: March 2016

Проведено аналіз результатів лікування 85 хворих із гострою товстокишковою непрохідністю пухлинної і непухлинної етіології, які перебували на лікуванні впродовж 2007–2014 рр. Серед них 48 (56,5 %) чоловіків, 37 (43,5 %) жінок, віком від 22 до 88 років, у віці 60 і більше років – 52 (61,2 %) хворих. У 54 (63,5 %) пацієнтів діагностовано обтураційну гостру товстокишкову непрохідність на ґрунті колоректального раку. При декомпенсованій гострій товстокишковій непрохідності колоректальний рак діагностовано у 72,4 % пацієнтів. Для ліквідації декомпенсованої кишкової непрохідності застосовували накладання розвантажувальної колостоми на різному рівні – у 58,6 %, обхідних міжкишкових анастомозів – у 24,1 %, правобічну геміколектомію – у 13,8 % хворих. Етапні хірургічні втручання виконано у 55,1 % із 29 хворих з декомпенсованою непрохідністю. У 56 (65,9 %) з 85 пацієнтів консервативними заходами вдалося ліквідувати гостру кишкову непрохідність і провести радикальне операційне втручання у плановому порядку. В ранньому післяопераційному періоді померли 3 (3,5 %) хворих.
Взаємозв’язок імунозалежних миханізмів із делецією генів глутатіон-s-трансфераз у розвитку генітального ендометріозу
Authors: Malanchuk L. M. , Martinyuk V. M.
Published: March 2016

Стаття присвячена актуальній проблемі сьогодення –  вивченню  взаємозв’язку імунозалежних механізмів із делецією генів глутатіон-S-трансферази у розвитку генітального ендометріозу. Генна мережа цього захворювання є досить складною та різноманітною. Вона включає різні гени метаболізму (детоксикації), гени, що відповідальні за імунний статус, та гени міжклітинних взаємодій. Поліморфізм генів детоксикації дуже часто суттєво впливає на функціональну активність молекулярної структури ДНК. Протягом  останніх років у світовій літературі з’являється все більше даних, що перебіг патологічних процесів в організмі людини відбувається за рахунок імунологічної регуляції і характеризується певним дисбалансом про- чи протизапальних цитокінів, які сприяють виникненню ендометріозу та можуть впливати на ефективність його лікування.
Pecularities of lipid peroxidation in conditions of acute respiratory distress syndrome and its correction
Authors: Oliynyk O. V. , Savchuk S. O. , Korobko D. B.
Published: March 2016

The article considers insufflation of oxygen, xanthine derivative – salt 3-(8-brom-1,3-dymethyl-2,6-dioxo-2,3-
dihidro-1Н-purin-7(6Н)-il)propanoat (substance “KD-234”) and reamberin efficiency on the parameters of lipid
peroxidation (LPO) in middle-steady and low-steady to hypoxia rats with hydrochloric acid-inducedacute respiratory
distress syndrome.
It was established, that during experimental acute respiratory distress syndromein tissue of liver thecontentof
TBA-active metabolits, diene and triene conjugate statistically reliably increase, moreover in middle-steady to hypoxia
rats the value of TBA-active metabolits and diene conjugate in this condition substantially less, than in low-steady to
hypoxia rats. The use with corrective purpose of oxygen insufflation promotеs to substantial decreasing of TBA-active
metabolits concentration in both experimental groups, moreover in middle-steady to hypoxia rats the rate become
reliably substantially less, than in low-steady to hypoxia rats. The useof xanthine derivative – substance “KD-234”
and reamberinis accompanied by similar deviations in content of TBA-active metabolitsin hepar tissue.
Dynamic parameters of blood and aqueous humor endogenous intoxication in case of experimental corneal mechanical nonpenetrative injury and its correction by сeratoxenoimplant
Authors: Turchyn M. V.
Published: March 2016

The influence of corneal mechanical non-penetrative injury on indices of endogenous intoxication of blood and
aqueous humor in rabbits and its correction by сeratoxenoimplant were studied. It was determined the decrease in
the level of endogenous intoxication, as was indicated by decreased content of middle mass molecules blood and
aqueous humor as a result of surgical application of сeratoxenoimplant. This demonstrates the feasibility of further
clinical testing and possible prospects in wide use of сeratoxenoimplants in ophthalmic practice to reduce metabolic
manifestations of the syndrome of endogenous intoxication.
Application of L-arginine and aminoguanidine for correction of liver at acute experimental pеritonitis
Authors: Chernyashova V. V.
Published: March 2016

The precursor of the synthesis of nitric oxide – L-arginine at acute peritonitis (intrabdominally administration
nonlinear mature male rats, 25 mg/kg, 30 minutes before and 12, 24 and 36 h after modeling pathology) promoted of
increasing of nitrite anion content to inhibition of lipid peroxidation background processes, activating the mitochondrial
and antioxidant enzymes in the liver, reducing indices of endogenous intoxication. Application of experimental
peritonitis selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase – aminoguanidine (intrabdominally, 10 mg/kg, the
introduction of a similar scheme) accompanied the progression of liver disease on the background of inhibition of
the synthesis of nitric oxide.
Clinical experience of evaluation of intoxication level and endogenous antioxidant system dynamics in patients with acute peritonitis
Authors: Mihenko B. O.
Published: March 2016

The results of 123 patients with acute peritonitis were analyzed. All patients were operated in toxic and terminal
phases. The indicators of intoxication and enzyme activity of antioxidant system were estimated within 6 hours, 1 and
3 days after surgery treatment. As result of this investigation was confirmation that one of the factors homeostasis
violations in peritonitis is activation of peroxide lipid – diene conjugates, TBA-active products in the blood and reduce
the activity of antioxidant system – glutathione peroxidase, catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and
glutathione reductase as main branch of antiradikal and antiperoxidative protection.
Age peculiarities of cytolysis’ enzymes activity in case of toxic injury by paracetamol and its correction in experiment
Authors: Koval М. І.
Published: March 2016

The efficacy of simultaneous administration of enterosorbent “Enterosgel” and dietary supplement “Alpha+Omega”
in age aspect decreased like that: 1‑month > 6‑month > 12‑month. Such dynamics correlates with degree of rising of
enzymes activity (AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatase) in rats blood plasma, which had acute Paracetamol poisoning
compared with the intact rats. Such way of correction of ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase activity in experiment
with Paracetamol poisoning can be used for further studying of experimental toxic hepatitis.
The role of m1-cholinergic receptors in associative cortex of young rats in the performing autonomous regulation of heart rate during hypoxic exposure
Authors: Volkova N. M.
Published: March 2016

It is known that human cholinergic transmission in the cerebral cortex required for cognitive and behavioral reactions. However, in the literature there is not enough experimental data on the role of m1‑cholinergic receptors
in associative cortex in young rats with incubation in hypoxic environment under conditions of low atmospheric pressure, considering the functional asymmetry of the cerebral hemispheres. The aim of the experiment was to determine the functional consequences of blocking m1‑cholinergic receptors in the associative cortex in young rats with incubation in hypoxic environment under conditions of low atmospheric pressure. Functional consequences of blocking m1‑cholinergic receptors in the associative cortex in young rats with incubation in hypoxic environment under conditions of low atmospheric pressure are different in the case of right-sided and left-sided application of pirenzepin.
Antioxidant-rela ted blood prooxidative patients with acute respiratory symptoms of children with the disease in the mouth
Authors: Hevkalyuk N. O.
Published: March 2016

There was set the intensification of lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by the increasing content of DC and MDA
in serum of patients with ARV I children on the background discoordination functioning of the AOC , which manifests
itself in an increase in activity of ceruloplasmin and the decrease in saturation of transferrin and iron content of
catalase in blood serum, the growth of endogenous intoxication, the severity of which depends on the severity of
the pathological process.
Perinatal Resveratrol Supplementation to Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat Dams Mitigates the Development of Hypertension in Adult Offspring
Authors: Care Alison S. , Sung Miranda M. , Panahi Sareh , Gragasin Ferrante S. , Dyck Jason R.B. , Davidge Sandra T. , Bourque Stephane L.
Published: March 2016

This study was undertaken to determine whether perinatal maternal resveratrol (Resv)—a phytoalexin known to confer cardiovascular protection—could prevent the development of hypertension and improve vascular function in adult spontaneously hypertensive rat offspring. Dams were fed either a control or Resv-supplemented diet (4 g/kg diet) from gestational day 0.5 until postnatal day 21. Indwelling catheters were used to assess blood pressure and vascular function in vivo; wire myography was used to assess vascular reactivity ex vivo. Perinatal Resv supplementation in dams had no effect on fetal body weights, albeit continued maternal treatment postnatally resulted in growth restriction in offspring by postnatal day 21; growth restriction was no longer evident after 5 weeks of age. Maternal perinatal Resv supplementation prevented the onset of hypertension in adult offspring (−18 mm Hg;
P
=0.007), and nitric oxide synthase inhibition (with
l
-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester) normalized these blood pressure differences, suggesting improved nitric oxide bioavailability underlies the hemodynamic alterations in the Resv-treated offspring. In vivo and ex vivo, vascular responses to methylcholine were not different between treatment groups, but prior treatment with
l
-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester attenuated the vasodilation in untreated, but not Resv-treated adult offspring, suggesting a shift toward nitric oxide–independent vascular control mechanisms in the treated group. Finally, bioconversion of the inactive precursor big endothelin-1 to active endothelin-1 in isolated mesenteric arteries was reduced in Resv-treated offspring (−28%;
P
<0.05), and this difference could be normalized by
l
-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester treatment. In conclusion, perinatal maternal Resv supplementation mitigated the development of hypertension and causes persistent alterations in vascular responsiveness in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Cross‐Sectional Associations of Computed Tomography (CT)‐Derived Adipose Tissue Density and Adipokines: The Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Lee Jane J. , Pedley Alison , Hoffmann Udo , Massaro Joseph M. , Keaney John F. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Fox Caroline S.
Published: March 2016

Background

Excess accumulation of abdominal subcutaneous (
SAT
) and visceral adipose tissue (
VAT
) is associated with adverse levels of adipokines and cardiovascular disease risk. Whether fat quality is associated with adipokines has not been firmly established. This study examined the association between abdominal
SAT
and
VAT
density, an indirect measure of fat quality, with a panel of metabolic regulatory biomarkers secreted by adipose tissue or the liver independently of absolute fat volumes.

Methods and Results

We evaluated 1829 Framingham Heart Study participants (44.9% women). Abdominal
SAT
and
VAT
density was estimated indirectly by adipose tissue attenuation using computed tomography. Adipokines included adiponectin, leptin receptor, leptin, fatty acid‐binding protein 4 (
FABP
‐4), retinol‐binding protein 4 (
RBP
‐4), and fetuin‐A. Fat density was associated with all the biomarkers evaluated, except fetuin‐A. Lower fat density (ie, more‐negative fat attenuation) was associated with lower adiponectin and leptin receptor, but higher leptin and
FABP
‐4 levels (all
P
<0.0001).
SAT
density was inversely associated with
RPB
‐4 in both sexes, whereas the association between
VAT
density and
RPB
‐4 was only observed in men (
P
<0.0001). In women, after additional adjustment for respective fat volume,
SAT
density retained the significant associations with adiponectin, leptin,
FABP
‐4, and
RBP
‐4; and
VAT
density with adiponectin only (all
P
<0.0001). In men, significant associations were maintained upon additional adjustment for respective fat volume (
P
<0.005).

Conclusions

Lower abdominal fat density was associated with a profile of biomarkers suggestive of greater cardiometabolic risk. These observations support that fat density may be a valid biomarker of cardiometabolic risk.
“Brothers” in Arms: Does Metaphorizing Kinship Increase Approval of Parochial Altruism?
Authors: Abou-Abdallah Maria , Kashima Yoshihisa , Harb Charles
Published: March 2016

Parochial altruism is manifested in the most violent of conflicts. Although it makes evolutionary sense for kin, many non-kin groups also behave parochially altruistically in response to threat from out-groups. It is possible that such non-kin groups share a sense of “fictive” kinship which encourages them to behave parochially altruistically for each other’s benefit. Our findings show that individuals not directly involved in a conflict approved of parochial altruism enacted by an in-group against an out-group more when the out-group posed a threat to the in-group; however, this effect wasgreaterwhen the in-group members expressed fictive kinship by addressing each other using kinship metaphors such as “brothers.” Furthermore, although males approved of parochial altruism more than females, as the male warrior hypothesis would suggest, the effects of threat and kinship metaphor on approval of parochial altruism applied to both genders. These findings were replicated in an honour (Lebanon) and non-honour (Australia) culture.
Relations between Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava Devotional Practices and Implicit and Explicit Anthropomorphic Reasoning about Kṛṣṇa
Authors: Chilcott Travis , Paloutzian Raymond F.
Published: March 2016

Employing a narrative comprehension task procedure, this study tests the hypothesis that engagement in Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava religious practices, which are aimed at cultivating a personal relationship with the Hindu deity Kṛṣṇa, predict increased implicit attribution of anthropomorphic properties to him. Contrary to our hypothesis, multiple regression analyses of data from 184 native Krishna devotees in West Bengal, India, indicated that increased engagement in these practices loaded as a tertiary predictor after education and age, such that increased practice predicted a decrease in implicit anthropomorphic reasoning about Kṛṣṇa (ß = 0.16, p < 0.03). Based on these and additional analyses of the data, we theorize that these results may be due to the tradition’s emphasis on presenting Kṛṣṇa’s non-anthropomorphic dimensions to neophyte practitioners and the non-Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava public. One implication of these results is that religious cultures and engagement in religious practices have the potential to significantly affect a human cognitive tendency to implicitly attribute anthropomorphic properties to divine beings. This may result from developing alternative knowledge from which to reason about a deity by engaging in religious practices and beliefs shaped by particular theological, historical, and cultural factors.
Child Soldiers, Executive Functions, and Culpability
Authors: Fagan Tyler , Hirstein William , Sifferd Katrina
Published: March 2016

Child soldiers, who often appear to be both victims and perpetrators, present a vexing moral and legal challenge: how can we protect the rights of children while seeking justice for the victims of war crimes? There has been little stomach, either in domestic or international courts, for prosecuting child soldiers—but neither has this challenge been systematically addressed in international law. Establishing a uniform minimum age of criminal responsibility would be a major step in the right direction; we argue that such a standard ought to be guided by the best evidence from neuropsychology about the development, during childhood and adolescence, of executive functions that give rise to morally and legally responsible agents. In light of that evidence, which suggests that the brain’s executive functions are still maturing into early adulthood, we recommend a graded structure of culpability for child soldiers.
The Transmission and Appropriation of the Vita of Christina Mirabilis in Carthusian Communities
Authors: Folkerts Suzan
Published: March 2016

This contribution evaluates the transmission and appropriation of the vita of the ‘independent’ holy woman Christina Mirabilis from the diocese of Liège by Carthusians in England. Hers and other vitae were witness to the new Christ-centred spirituality and were mainly transmitted and adapted by members of continental reform-minded religious orders. New findings concerning the English manuscripts with the vita of Christina show that in England, Carthusians were the leading agents in the process of transmission of this hagiography. Taken together, these findings raise questions about 1) the models these vitae provided for Carthusians, 2) the interaction between Carthusians and other religious orders regarding text exchange, and 3) their interaction with laypeople and readers of vernacular translations. Why did English Carthusians transmit and appropriate the vitae of relatively unknown Liège saints? The answer lies in the spiritual models these vitae provided, stressing the importance of asceticism and a virtuous inner life.
Working with Tradition, Aiming for Reform
Authors: van Dijk Mathilde
Published: March 2016

This article examines how the Carthusian Peter Dorlandus (1454–1507) rewrote the material about well-known saints like Joseph of Nazareth, Catherine of Alexandria, Cecilia of Rome, and Francis of Assisi so as to serve in the reformation both of individual believers and of the Church. He experimented with different genres: the traditional hagiographical genre of a vita, a hybrid text between the sermon and the vita, and the dialogue. Saint Joseph is primarily depicted as excelling in his radical intimacy with Christ and as a missionary. Dorlandus puts forward the virgin martyrs as spiritual leaders, for instance, in a dialogue between Cecilia and Francis, in which she teaches him that devotion is about the inner person. This article argues that this connects to the Carthusian faith regarding female visionaries such as Hildegard of Bingen, Catherine of Siena, and Bridget of Sweden as providers of guidance in the crisis of the Church.
The Estimation of Convective Mass Flux from Radar Reflectivities
Authors: Kumar Vickal V. , Protat Alain , Jakob Christian , Williams Christopher R. , Rauniyar Surendra , Stephens Graeme L. , May Peter T.
Published: March 2016

Cumulus parameterizations in general circulation models (GCMs) frequently apply mass-flux schemes in their description of tropical convection. Mass flux constitutes the product of the fractional area covered by cumulus clouds in a model grid box and the vertical velocity within the cumulus clouds. The cumulus area fraction profiles can be derived from precipitating radar reflectivity volumes. However, the vertical velocities are difficult to observe, making the evaluation of mass-flux schemes difficult. In this paper, the authors develop and evaluate a parameterization of vertical velocity in convective (cumulus) clouds using only radar reflectivities collected by a C-band polarimetric research radar (CPOL), operating at Darwin, Australia. The parameterization is trained using vertical velocity retrievals from a dual-frequency wind profiler pair located within the field of view of CPOL. The parametric model uses two inputs derived from CPOL reflectivities: the 0-dBZ echo-top height (0-dBZ ETH) and a height-weighted column reflectivity index (ZHWT). The 0-dBZ ETH determines the shape of the vertical velocity profile, while ZHWT determines its strength. The evaluation of these parameterized vertical velocities using (i) the training dataset, (ii) an independent wind-profiler-based dataset, and (iii) 1 month of dual-Doppler vertical velocity retrievals indicates that the statistical representation of vertical velocity is reasonably accurate up to the 75th percentile. However, the parametric model underestimates the extreme velocities. The method allows for the derivation of cumulus mass flux and its variability on current GCM scales based only on reflectivities from precipitating radar, which could be valuable to modelers.
MJO Moisture Budget during DYNAMO in a Cloud-Resolving Model
Authors: Janiga Matthew A. , Zhang Chidong
Published: March 2016

Contributions by different physical processes and cloud types to the sum of the large-scale vertical moisture advection and apparent moisture sink observed by the DYNAMO field campaign northern sounding array during the passage of a Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) event are estimated using a cloud-resolving model. The sum of these two moisture budget terms is referred to as the column-confined moisture tendency MC. Assuming diabatic balance, the contribution of different physical processes and cloud types to the large-scale vertical velocity and MC can be estimated using simulated diabatic tendencies and the domain-averaged static stability and vertical moisture gradient. Low-level moistening preceding MJO passage is captured by MC and dominated by the effects of shallow clouds. Because of the large vertical moisture gradient at this level, condensational heating in these clouds generates ascent and vertical moisture advection overwhelming the removal of water vapor by condensation. Shallow convective eddy transport also contributes to low-level moistening during this period. Eddy transport by congestus and deep convective clouds contributes to subsequent mid- and upper-level moistening, respectively, as well as low-level drying. Because the upper-level vertical moisture gradient is small, ice deposition within stratiform clouds has a net drying effect. The weak eddy transport in stratiform clouds is unable to compensate for this drying. Nonprecipitating clouds mainly modulate MC through their effects on radiation. During the enhanced phase, reduced longwave cooling results in less subsidence and drying; the opposite occurs during the suppressed phase. Large-scale horizontal advection, which is not included in MC, is responsible for much of the drying during the dissipating phase.
Angular Effect of Undetected Clouds in Infrared Window Radiance Observations: Aircraft Experimental Analyses
Authors: Nalli Nicholas R. , Smith William L. , Liu Quanhua
Published: March 2016

This paper furthers previous investigations into the zenith angular effect of cloud contamination within infrared (IR) window radiance observations commonly used in the retrieval of environmental data records (EDRs). Here analyses were performed of clear-sky forward radiance calculations versus observations obtained under clear to partly cloudy conditions over ocean. The authors utilized high-resolution IR spectra observed by the aircraft-based National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (NPP) Aircraft Sounder Test Bed-Interferometer (NAST-I) during the Joint Airborne Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) Validation Experiment (JAIVEx) and performed forward calculations using collocated dropsondes. An aerosol optical depth EDR product derived from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) was then applied to detect clouds within NAST-I fields of view (FOVs). To calculate the angular variation of clouds, expressions were derived for estimating cloud aspect ratios from visible imagery where cloud shadow lengths can be estimated relative to cloud horizontal diameters. In agreement with sensitivity calculations, it was found that a small cloud fraction within window radiance observations can have a measurable impact on the angular agreement with clear-sky calculations on the order of 0.1–0.4 K in brightness temperature. It was also found that systematic sun-glint contamination can likewise have an impact on the order of 0.1 K. These results are germane to IR sensor data record (SDR) calibration/validation and EDR retrieval schemes depending upon clear-sky SDRs, as well as radiative transfer modeling involving randomly distributed broken cloud fields.
On the Land–Ocean Contrast of Tropical Convection and Microphysics Statistics Derived from TRMM Satellite Signals and Global Storm-Resolving Models
Authors: Matsui Toshi , Chern Jiun-Dar , Tao Wei-Kuo , Lang Stephen , Satoh Masaki , Hashino Tempei , Kubota Takuji
Published: March 2016

A 14-yr climatology of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) collocated multisensor signal statistics reveals a distinct land–ocean contrast as well as geographical variability of precipitation type, intensity, and microphysics. Microphysics information inferred from the TRMM Precipitation Radar and Microwave Imager show a large land–ocean contrast for the deep category, suggesting continental convective vigor. Over land, TRMM shows higher echo-top heights and larger maximum echoes, suggesting taller storms and more intense precipitation, as well as larger microwave scattering, suggesting the presence of more/larger frozen convective hydrometeors. This strong land–ocean contrast in deep convection is invariant over seasonal and multiyear time scales. Consequently, relatively short-term simulations from two global storm-resolving models can be evaluated in terms of their land–ocean statistics using the TRMM Triple-Sensor Three-Step Evaluation Framework via a satellite simulator. The models evaluated are the NASA Multiscale Modeling Framework (MMF) and the Nonhydrostatic Icosahedral Cloud Atmospheric Model (NICAM). While both simulations can represent convective land–ocean contrasts in warm precipitation to some extent, near-surface conditions over land are relatively moister in NICAM than MMF, which appears to be the key driver in the divergent warm precipitation results between the two models. Both the MMF and NICAM produced similar frequencies of large CAPE between land and ocean. The dry MMF boundary layer enhanced microwave scattering signals over land, but only NICAM had an enhanced deep convection frequency over land. Neither model could reproduce a realistic land–ocean contrast in deep convective precipitation microphysics. A realistic contrast between land and ocean remains an issue in global storm-resolving modeling.
Calibrated Ensemble Forecasts Using Quantile Regression Forests and Ensemble Model Output Statistics
Authors: Taillardat Maxime , Mestre Olivier , Zamo Michaël , Naveau Philippe
Published: March 2016

Ensembles used for probabilistic weather forecasting tend to be biased and underdispersive. This paper proposes a statistical method for postprocessing ensembles based on quantile regression forests (QRF), a generalization of random forests for quantile regression. This method does not fit a parametric probability density function (PDF) like in ensemble model output statistics (EMOS) but provides an estimation of desired quantiles. This is a nonparametric approach that eliminates any assumption on the variable subject to calibration. This method can estimate quantiles using not only members of the ensemble but any predictor available including statistics on other variables.

The method is applied to the Météo-France 35-member ensemble forecast (PEARP) for surface temperature and wind speed for available lead times from 3 up to 54 h and compared to EMOS. All postprocessed ensembles are much better calibrated than the PEARP raw ensemble and experiments on real data also show that QRF performs better than EMOS, and can bring a real gain for human forecasters compared to EMOS. QRF provides sharp and reliable probabilistic forecasts. At last, classical scoring rules to verify predictive forecasts are completed by the introduction of entropy as a general measure of reliability.
HIV/AIDS, Life Expectancy, and the Opportunity Cost Model of Civil War
Authors: Kustra Tyler
Published: March 2016

This article views death in battle as an opportunity cost whose size is determined by the number of years a rebel would have lived as a civilian. As civilian life expectancy declines, this opportunity cost does too, increasing the probability of rebellion. This theory is tested with a tragic natural experiment: the HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Using male circumcision rates as an instrument for life expectancy, the analysis shows that a one-year increase in life expectancy decreases the probability of civil war by 2.6 percentage points. This supports the theory that opportunity costs are important determinants of conflict onset and that nonpecuniary opportunity costs should be taken into account. This article concludes by noting that cost–benefit analyses of public health interventions should include decreases in the probability of civil war, and the attendant benefits in terms of lives saved and material damage prevented, in their calculations.
Coping Styles and Combat Motivation During Operations
Authors: Ben-Shalom Uzi , Benbenisty Yizhaq
Published: March 2016

The characteristic challenges of combat lead military personnel to develop adaptive coping styles that are different from coping styles used in routine life. This contention is explored using data collected from Israel Defense Forces conscript and reserve soldiers during intense military operations. The results of this study support this claim, in particular concerning faith. Coping styles were also correlated with combat motivations and measures of positive and negative emotions. It seems that a well-adapted soldier may use unique coping styles that, although perhaps not understood by outsiders, can contribute to his capacity to carry out his undertakings. A better understanding of such a state of mind should prove valuable for military leaders and religious experts.
Terminal sliding mode-based cooperative tracking control for non-linear dynamic systems
Authors: Zuo Lei , Cui Rongxin , Yan Weisheng
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates cooperative tracking problems for multiple non-linear dynamic systems. The desired trajectory is only available to a portion of the agents. Treating the desired trajectory as a virtual agent, a terminal sliding mode (TSM)-based distributed control algorithm is designed only using the neighbours’ information. A decentralized observer is provided firstly to estimate the unknown external disturbances. Then, the Gaussian functions are introduced to approximate the second-order derivative of the inaccessible states. On this basis, we further develop a TSM-based cooperative tracking control algorithm for the non-linear dynamic systems such that the tracking errors of each agent converge to an adjustable neighbourhood of the origin in finite time. Finally, a simulation example is presented to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Contextual Understanding of Lower Fertility Among U.S. Women in Professional Occupations
Authors: Shreffler Karina M.
Published: March 2016

Despite decades of research indicating that employed women in the United States have fewer children than other women, it remains unclear what it is about work, beyond work hours, that constrains fertility. The current study links a sample of 1,800 women of childbearing age who are employed at least part-time from the National Survey of Fertility Barriers with the Department of Labor’s Occupational Information Network to examine how characteristics of women’s jobs are associated with their fertility intentions and behaviors. Results indicate that women who work in more professional jobs (e.g., occupations with greater prestige, autonomy, complexity, and supervisory characteristics) are more likely to postpone childbearing than women employed in jobs with lower scores on professional characteristics. Women in more professional jobs do not want fewer children, however, and they report higher intentions to give birth. These findings suggest that women in more professional jobs face greater barriers to having children that they want to have.
Focused on Reconciliation: Rwandan Protestant Theology After the Genocide
Authors: van ’t Spijker Gerard
Published: March 2016

During the 20 years since the Rwandan genocide a number of younger Rwandan theologians have reflected on the terrible events that ravaged their country in 1994. They have presented PhD theses at different universities in Africa and Europe. Four of these deal explicitly with the 1994 genocide. The basic main question of this review article is how these theologians are looking to reconstruct the broken Rwandan society. This analysis reveals that, while exploring a variety of subjects, each of these theologians is looking for a way in which reconciliation may be achieved in Rwandan society, which has been torn apart by the consequences of the genocide. This article indicates the main issues put forward by these scholars and highlights what they have in common and to what extent they differ.
‘I want this firm to be in good hands’: Emotional pricing of resigning entrepreneurs
Authors: Kammerlander Nadine
Published: March 2016

Given the importance of non-economic considerations throughout the entrepreneurial life cycle, I aim to investigate the drivers of owner-managers’ ‘emotional pricing’ when they wish to sell their firms to successors. Emotional pricing thereby denotes those elements of the owner-managers’ price expectations that cannot be traced to economic considerations. Building on arguments from behavioral finance, I hypothesize that ‘emotional pricing’, which in this study reflects owner-managers’ willingness to sell the firm at a discount, is driven by the reluctance to lose access to information about the firm and to lose influence on the firm, and by an aversion to putting the firm’s future at risk. In particular, I argue that a long-term relationship between an owner-manager and a firm, a familiar relationship between an owner-manager and a successor, and situational contingencies – especially unsatisfactory firm performance – increase the owner-manager’s emotional-pricing component. I test the hypotheses using a sample of 1354 owner-managers of Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who provided their views on their exit intentions. I subsequently compare those results to 455 actual ownership transfers involving Swiss SMEs.
The role of the exit in the initial screening of investment opportunities: The case of business angel syndicate gatekeepers
Authors: Mason Colin , Botelho Tiago
Published: March 2016

The exit process has been largely ignored in business angel research yet, the practitioner community identifies the difficulty in achieving exits as the most pressing problem for investors. This is attributed to the failure of investors to adopt an exit-centric approach to investing. This article explores the validity of this claim analysing the investment approach of 21 ‘gatekeepers’ (managers) of angel groups in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Most gatekeepers state that they do consider the exit decision when investing. However, this is contradicted by a verbal protocol analysis which indicates that exit is not a significant consideration in the initial screening process. The small number of exits achieved by the groups is consistent with the general lack of an exit-centric approach to investinging. This lack of scrutiny upon the exit is likely to have a negative impact on the level of future angel investment activity.
Abstracts of meeting DCRM 5-7 November 2015
Authors: Vrieling AH
Published: March 2016

The Netherlands Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (NSPRM) represents about 600 members. Scientific meetings are held twice a year. The next international meeting will be held on 10-11 November 2016 (see announcement on our website www.rehabilitationmedicinecongress.nl ). Abstracts for oral and poster presentations are peer reviewed before selection. These ten abstracts are presented and selected for publication during the scientific meeting DCRM on 5-7 November 2015 in the Netherlands. Selection was done by the jury, consisting of members of the scientific committee of the NSPRM.
A Survey of Attitudes of Board-Certified Veterinary Pathologists to Forensic Veterinary Pathology
Authors: McEwen B. J. , McDonough S. P.
Published: March 2016

An electronic survey was conducted to determine the attitudes of veterinary pathologists toward forensic pathology and the adequacy of their training in the discipline. The survey was sent to 1933 diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and 311 completed responses were analyzed. Of respondents, 80% report receiving at least 1 type of medicolegal case, with cases from law enforcement received most frequently. Most (74%) of the respondents indicated that their previous training did not prepare them adequately to handle forensic cases and almost half of the respondents (48%) indicated that they needed more training on serving as an expert witness. Relative risk ratios (RRR) and odds ratios (OR) were generated to determine the strength of a statistically significant association. Responses from a free-text entry question determining additional training needs could be grouped into 3 main categories: (1) veterinary forensic pathology science and procedures, (2) documentation, evidence collection and handling, and (3) knowledge of the medicolegal system. Last, a field for additional comments or suggestions regarding veterinary forensic pathology was completed by 107 respondents and many reinforced the need for training in the categories previously described. The survey highlights that a significant proportion of diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists are currently engaged in veterinary forensic pathology but feel their training has not adequately prepared them for these cases. Hopefully, the survey results will inform the college and residency training coordinators as they address the training requirements for an important emerging discipline.
Dentin Dysplasia in Notum Knockout Mice
Authors: Vogel P. , Read R. W. , Hansen G. M. , Powell D. R. , Kantaputra P. N. , Zambrowicz B. , Brommage R.
Published: March 2016

Secreted WNT proteins control cell differentiation and proliferation in many tissues, and NOTUM is a secreted enzyme that modulates WNT morphogens by removing a palmitoleoylate moiety that is essential for their activity. To better understand the role this enzyme in development, the authors produced NOTUM-deficient mice by targeted insertional disruption of the Notum gene. The authors discovered a critical role for NOTUM in dentin morphogenesis suggesting that increased WNT activity can disrupt odontoblast differentiation and orientation in both incisor and molar teeth. Although molars in Notum-/- mice had normal-shaped crowns and normal mantle dentin, the defective crown dentin resulted in enamel prone to fracture during mastication and made teeth more susceptible to endodontal inflammation and necrosis. The dentin dysplasia and short roots contributed to tooth hypermobility and to the spread of periodontal inflammation, which often progressed to periapical abscess formation. The additional incidental finding of renal agenesis in some Notum -/- mice indicated that NOTUM also has a role in kidney development, with undiagnosed bilateral renal agenesis most likely responsible for the observed decreased perinatal viability of Notum-/- mice. The findings support a significant role for NOTUM in modulating WNT signaling pathways that have pleiotropic effects on tooth and kidney development.
Postcolonial Theory and the Making of the World Working Class
Authors: Pradella Lucia
Published: March 2016

This article addresses the two main roots of postcolonial criticisms of Marx as a Eurocentric thinker, that is, the closely interrelated views that his value theory is restricted to a national level and that his concept of AMP implies the inferiority of Asia. The article first investigates how classical political economy set the stage for a materialist understanding of capitalism and of history, while contradictorily grounding methodological nationalism and Eurocentrism. Drawing on the still partially unpublished Marx’s London Notebooks (1850–53), the article then argues that Marx consistently developed the labour theory of value at the international level. In the summer of 1853, moreover, he put in question Bernier’s theory of Oriental despotism, paying increasing attention to the concrete situation of the population in India and to forms of anti-colonial resistance. By overcoming atomistic and unilinear views of development, the article argues, Marx was able to recognize the material seeds of interdependence and collective power of an emerging world working class.
Nishida Kitarō on Social Contradiction: A Critical Lens for Analyzing Community-Supported Agriculture
Authors: Baronov David
Published: March 2016

The central concern of this paper is the linkages between contradiction and social change, as developed in the work of Nishida Kitarō, a critical social philosopher who explored the nature of social contradiction vis-à-vis local agency, global structures, and social change. Building on Nishida’s conceptual framework, I trace social change to the ontological nature of social contradiction as manifest in myriad social phenomena. This then provides a critical lens for analyzing the contemporary development of community-supported agriculture (CSA). Indeed, the growing popularity of CSAs across the USA makes visible a host of social contradictions, including those between local and global food production and between local consumption and global distribution. Invoking Nishida to peel back the layers of contradiction and assess the potential social impact of CSAs, we address two broad questions. First, what is the nature of contradiction as a fundamental aspect of social life? Second, how can the notion of contradiction help us frame the role of CSAs as a force for social change? In this manner, Nishida’s interpretation of social contradiction shapes our understanding of CSAs, while our understanding of CSAs further refines our assessment of Nishida.
Synthesis and properties of polyimides derived from bis(4-aminophenyl)isohexides
Authors: Ji Xiaodong , Yan Jingling , Liu Xiuju , Wang Zikun , Wang Zhen
Published: March 2016

Several partially bio-based polyimides have been successfully synthesized by polycondensation between bis(4-aminophenyl)isohexides with various commercial dianhydrides. Flexible and free-standing films were readily obtained from their poly(amic acid) or polyimide solutions. A systematic investigation of the structure–property relationship of polyimides highlights the significant impact of the isohexides moieties on their physical and mechanical properties (glass transition temperature, inherent viscosity, thermal stability, solubility, and mechanical properties). The results revealed that these polyimides exhibited comparable thermal stability and mechanical properties to those of petrochemical-based ones.
Sustainable machining of titanium alloys: A critical review
Authors: Gupta Kapil , Laubscher Rudolph F
Published: March 2016

The three main pillars of sustainability are the society, the environment, and the economy (people, planet, and profit). The key drivers that sustain these three pillars are energy and resource efficiency, a clean and ‘green’ environment that incorporates effective waste reduction and management, and finally cost-effective production. Sustainable manufacturing implies technologies and/or techniques that target these key drivers during product manufacture. Because of the effort and costs involved in the machining of titanium and its alloys, there is significant scope for improved sustainable manufacturing of these materials. Titanium and its alloys are extensively used for specialized applications in aerospace, medical, and general industry because of their superior strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. They are, however, generally regarded as difficult-to-machine materials. This article presents an overview of previous and current work and trends as regards to sustainable machining of titanium and its alloys. This article focuses on reviewing previous work to improve the sustainable machining of titanium and its alloys with specific reference to the selection of optimum machining conditions, effect of tool materials and geometry, implementing advanced lubrication and/or cooling techniques, and employing advanced and hybrid machining strategies. The main motivation is to present an overview of the current state of the art to discuss the challenges and to suggest economic and environment-friendly ways for improving the machinability of titanium and its alloys.
Adaptive robust motion control of a fast forging hydraulic press considering the nonlinear uncertain accumulator model
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Fang Jinhui , Wei Jianhua , Xiong Yi , Wang Gang
Published: March 2016

This article focuses on the high-performance motion control of an accumulator assistant fast forging hydraulic press. As the accumulator has a significant impact on the motion control performance of the fast forging hydraulic press, the dynamic and static characteristics of the accumulator are studied and a simplified mathematical model is applied in the motion controller design. To hold the nonlinear parameter uncertainty associated with the accumulator model, a nonlinear damping regulator and a nonlinear robust feedback are synthesized based on the simplified mathematical model. The virtual control law “lumped flow” is proposed to act as the equivalent input of the fast forging hydraulic press, which successfully solves the decoupling problem and makes the motion controller design feasible. And the most economical distribution scheme is finally applied to synthesize the actual control law for each fast forging valve. In consideration of the parametric uncertainties and uncertain nonlinearities appearing in the mathematical model of the accumulator assistant fast forging hydraulic press, the discontinuous projection-based adaptive robust control is extended to synthesize the motion controller. Both simulation and experiment results demonstrate that with the proposed motion controller, the transient performance and final tracking accuracy are guaranteed although the system is subjected to various model uncertainties coming from both parametric uncertainties and uncertain nonlinearities. Furthermore, with the proposed nonlinear damping regulator, the influence of the accumulator can be well compensated and the control performance is improved.