bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Six Decades of Tropical Meteorology Research—A Retrospective on Michio Yanai’s Life and Career
Authors: Esbensen Steven K. , Chu Jan-Hwa , Tung Wen-wen , Fovell Robert G.
Published: May 2016

This monograph on convection-coupled systems in the tropics was inspired by the life and career of Professor Michio Yanai, whose major contributions to the subject spanned more than five decades. From a distant perspective, Professor Yanai’s career can be understood in the context of Japanese scientists who immigrated to the United States in the decades of the 1950s and 1960s, enriching the meteorological research community in the United States as well as abroad (Lewis 1993). A closer look reminds us that the tapestry of scientific progress is created by the contributions of individual scientists with their unique backgrounds, motivations, and talents, and the serendipity of events that shape their lives.
Impact of the Madden–Julian Oscillation on the Indonesian Throughflow in the Makassar Strait during the CINDY/DYNAMO Field Campaign
Authors: Shinoda Toshiaki , Han Weiqing , Jensen Tommy G. , Zamudio Luis , Joseph Metzger E. , Lien Ren-Chieh
Published: May 2016

Previous studies indicate that equatorial zonal winds in the Indian Ocean can significantly influence the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF). During the Cooperative Indian Ocean Experiment on Intraseasonal Variability (CINDY)/Dynamics of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (DYNAMO) field campaign, two strong MJO events were observed within a month without a clear suppressed phase between them, and these events generated exceptionally strong ocean responses. Strong eastward currents along the equator in the Indian Ocean lasted more than one month from late November 2011 to early January 2012. The influence of these unique MJO events during the field campaign on ITF variability is investigated using a high-resolution (1/25°) global ocean general circulation model, the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM). The strong westerlies associated with these MJO events, which exceed 10 m s−1, generate strong equatorial eastward jets and downwelling near the eastern boundary. The equatorial jets are realistically simulated by the global HYCOM based on the comparison with the data collected during the field campaign. The analysis demonstrates that sea surface height (SSH) and alongshore velocity anomalies at the eastern boundary propagate along the coast of Sumatra and Java as coastal Kelvin waves, significantly reducing the ITF transport at the Makassar Strait during January–early February. The alongshore velocity anomalies associated with the Kelvin wave significantly leads SSH anomalies. The magnitude of the anomalous currents at the Makassar Strait is exceptionally large because of the unique feature of the MJO events, and thus the typical seasonal cycle of ITF could be significantly altered by strong MJO events such as those observed during the CINDY/DYNAMO field campaign.
Assessing the Efficacy of High-Resolution Satellite-Based PERSIANN-CDR Precipitation Product in Simulating Streamflow
Authors: Ashouri Hamed , Nguyen Phu , Thorstensen Andrea , Hsu Kuo-lin , Sorooshian Soroosh , Braithwaite Dan
Published: May 2016

This study aims to investigate the performance of Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information Using Artificial Neural Networks–Climate Data Record (PERSIANN-CDR) in a rainfall–runoff modeling application over the past three decades. PERSIANN-CDR provides precipitation data at daily and 0.25° temporal and spatial resolutions from 1983 to present for the 60°S–60°N latitude band and 0°–360° longitude. The study is conducted in two phases over three test basins from the Distributed Hydrologic Model Intercomparison Project, phase 2 (DMIP2). In phase 1, a more recent period of time (2003–10) when other high-resolution satellite-based precipitation products are available is chosen. Precipitation evaluation analysis, conducted against stage IV gauge-adjusted radar data, shows that PERSIANN-CDR and TRMM Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) have close performances with a higher correlation coefficient for TMPA (~0.8 vs 0.75 for PERSIANN-CDR) and almost the same root-mean-square deviation (~6) for both products. TMPA and PERSIANN-CDR outperform PERSIANN, mainly because, unlike PERSIANN, TMPA and PERSIANN-CDR are gauge-adjusted precipitation products. The National Weather Service Office of Hydrologic Development Hydrology Laboratory Research Distributed Hydrologic Model (HL-RDHM) is then forced with PERSIANN, PERSIANN-CDR, TMPA, and stage IV data. Quantitative analysis using five different statistical and model efficiency measures against USGS streamflow observation show that in general in all three DMIP2 basins, the simulated hydrographs forced with PERSIANN-CDR and TMPA have close agreement. Given the promising results in the first phase, the simulation process is extended back to 1983 where only PERSIANN-CDR rainfall estimates are available. The results show that PERSIANN-CDR-derived streamflow simulations are comparable to USGS observations with correlation coefficients of ~0.67–0.73, relatively low biases (~5%–12%), and high index of agreement criterion (~0.68–0.83) between PERSIANN-CDR-simulated daily streamflow and USGS daily observations. The results prove the capability of PERSIANN-CDR in hydrological rainfall–runoff modeling application, especially for long-term streamflow simulations over the past three decades.
Advection of Coupled Hydrometeor Quantities in Bulk Cloud Microphysics Schemes
Authors: Morrison Hugh , Jensen Anders A. , Harrington Jerry Y. , Milbrandt Jason A.
Published: May 2016

This paper discusses the advection of coupled hydrometeor quantities by air motion in atmospheric models. It is shown that any bulk property derived from a set of advected microphysical variables must meet certain conditions in order to be preserved during transport using linear or semilinear advection schemes when the property is initially uniform, with implications for physical consistency of the property. A new, efficient flux-based method for calculating hydrometeor advection, similar to vector transport applied previously in aerosol modeling, is also presented. In this method, called scaled flux vector transport (SFVT), lead scalars (the mass mixing ratios) are advected using the host model’s unmodified advection scheme and secondary scalars (e.g., number mixing ratios) are advected by appropriately scaling the lead scalar fluxes. By design, SFVT retains linear relationships between the advected scalars. Analytic tests reveal that mean errors using SFVT are similar to those incurred using the traditional approach of separately advecting each variable. SFVT is applied to the multimoment predicted particle properties bulk microphysics scheme in idealized two-dimensional squall-line simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model. The computational cost in total wall clock run time is reduced by 10%–15% while producing solutions similar to the traditional approach. Thus, SFVT can reduce the overall cost of using multimoment bulk microphysics schemes, making them competitive with simpler schemes having fewer prognostic variables.
Alternative Models to Deliver Developmental Math
Authors: Kosiewicz Holly , Ngo Federick , Fong Kristen
Published: May 2016

Objective: Changing how community colleges deliver developmental education has become a key policy lever to increase student achievement. Alternative development education models reduce the amount of time a student spends in remediation, provide students with supplemental instruction and support, and contextualize content to align with student academic and career interests. While some states mandate the use of alternative delivery models, other states, such as California, give discretion to colleges over how developmental education should be delivered. We investigated how community colleges from one California district with particularly high remediation rates have responded to external pressures to revamp the traditional delivery model for developmental math. We did so by studying which delivery models they used, where they allocated alternative delivery models in the math sequence, and the extent that they adopted alternative delivery models over time. Method: We employed content and descriptive analytic methods to examine descriptions of developmental math courses sections. Results: First, colleges employed commonly known alternative models but also utilized unfamiliar ones, such as extending the developmental math sequence. Second, more academically prepared students had greater access to course sections offering alternative approaches in contrast to less academically prepared students. Third, despite the push for alternative approaches, the traditional model prevailed in the delivery of developmental math over time. Contributions: We provide hypotheses to explain why community colleges failed to adopt alternative models at scale, and argue that inequitable access to these approaches is a missed opportunity to alter the educational experiences of the least prepared.
A Problem-Solving Intervention Using iPads to Improve Transition-Related Task Performance of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Yakubova Gulnoza , Zeleke Waganesh A.
Published: May 2016

In this study, the effectiveness of teaching problem-solving to improve transition-related task performance of three students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was examined using a multiple probe across students design. Target behaviors included various transition-related tasks individualized for each student based on their individual educational and transition goals. Following a multicomponent intervention utilizing point-of-view video modeling paired with practice sessions and a self-operated cue sheet, all students were able to improve their problem-solving performance. Additionally, students generalized the skills to a second untrained setting. The implications of these findings for teaching problem-solving skills to transition-age students with ASD are discussed.
Evaluating Augmented Reality to Complete a Chain Task for Elementary Students With Autism
Authors: Cihak David F. , Moore Eric J. , Wright Rachel E. , McMahon Don D. , Gibbons Melinda M. , Smith Cate
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of augmented reality to teach a chain task to three elementary-age students with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Augmented reality blends digital information within the real world. This study used a marker-based augmented reality picture prompt to trigger a video model clip of a student brushing her teeth. All students learned how to brush their teeth independently and maintained the skill 9 weeks later with the introduction of augmented reality. Theoretical and teacher implications are discussed in the context of using new technologies to teach students with ASDs.
Teaching Online Social Skills to Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
Authors: Morgan Joseph John , Higgins Kyle , Miller Susan , Pierce Thomas B. , Boone Randall , Tandy Richard
Published: May 2016

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBDs) often lack appropriate social skills. Participation in direct and explicit instruction related to social skills is common in their educational programming. For these interventions to be effective, it is important that students have the opportunity to apply them in the natural environment. Increases in the use of technology have created new natural environments for social participation, with their own specific rules for social interaction. Although not specifically studied, it has been theorized that students with EBD will display social deficits in online environments. This study focused on teaching eight online social skills (OSS) to students with EBD. Two instructional conditions were compared: traditionally based OSS instruction (OSSI) involving paper-and-pencil and OSSI involving practice in an online social environment. Twenty-three culturally and linguistically diverse adolescent students with EBD (mean age of 13.35) participated in this intervention. Findings indicated that both interventions were effective at increasing students’ identification of problem behaviors in an online environment and that students believed learning about OSS was important at the end of instruction. Based on overall knowledge acquisition scores, however, neither intervention produced significant results. Implications for the incorporation of this instruction into social skills interventions are discussed.
Engaging UNSCR 1325 through Australia’s National Action Plan
Authors: Lee-Koo Katrina
Published: May 2016

This article examines Australia’s National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) within the context of global debates on the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and its associated resolutions. It demonstrates that Australia has made a strong rhetorical commitment to the United Nations WPS agenda that aligns itself with global feminist goals to enhance the protection and political participation of women in conflict-affected regions. Rhetorically, Australia also supports a broad conceptualisation of global security that challenges the gender relations that create women’s insecurity. However, these words fail the test of practice. The 2012 Australian NAP lacks the architecture to ensure strong, consistent, and comprehensive action on the WPS agenda. This article explores the sites of these failures and argues that addressing these issues is the first necessary step towards reconnecting government rhetoric with WPS outcomes.
Explaining the global diffusion of the Women, Peace and Security agenda
Authors: True Jacqui
Published: May 2016

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) is the most significant international normative framework addressing the gender-specific impacts of conflict on women and girls including protection against sexual and gender-based violence, promoting women’s participation in peace and security and supporting their roles as peace builders in the prevention of conflict. In the decade since 2004 when the UN Secretary-General first called for Women, Peace and Security National Action Plans to implement the 1325 agenda in national-level peace and security institutions and policies, 55 countries have adopted them. This article analyses the global patterns of Women, Peace and Security policy diffusion, especially the effects of conflict, democracy and women in power on the propensity for states to implement Women, Peace and Security National Action Plans. Examining patterns of diffusion enables an assessment of how far the Women, Peace and Security agenda has spread and what the prospects are for the further diffusion of Women, Peace and Security.
National Action Plans as an obstacle to meaningful local ownership of UNSCR 1325 in Liberia and Sierra Leone
Authors: Basini Helen , Ryan Caitlin
Published: May 2016

National Action Plans (NAPs) have been hailed as the preferential mode of implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 at a national level. In recent years, member states, especially post-conflict member states, have been heeding the calls of the United Nations to develop their own National Action Plans. However, there has been limited assessment of whether or not National Action Plans are beneficial to women in post-conflict states. Using evidence from field research in Liberia and Sierra Leone, this article argues that, despite the intent to increase national ownership of 1325 in post-conflict states, National Action Plans are ineffective at creating meaningful local ownership because they are driven by a bureaucratic approach to peacebuilding. Furthermore, implementation of National Action Plans in post-conflict states is hampered by a variety of factors, such as lack of capacity and lack of political will. Finally, we conclude that National Action Plans also do a disservice to the hard work and dedication of local women’s organisations.
Collaboration between speech and language therapists and school staff when working with graphic symbols
Authors: Pampoulou Eliada
Published: May 2016

A growing number of research projects show that graphic symbols with linguistic characteristics are one of the tools that professionals use in order to support pupils in inclusive school settings. However, there is scant literature investigating the collaboration between professionals who use these symbols in these settings and, hence, this research article is aimed at exploring the factors that promote or hinder collaboration between speech and language therapists and school staff who use graphic symbols. The phenomenology of pedagogy was the methodological framework used in the research and for this reason, semi-structured interviews, close observations and the researcher keeping a reflective journal were the main instruments that were used during data collection. Based on a survey conducted in 100 schools in two different geographical areas in England and in Cyprus, four schools were selected in which nine professionals in total participated in the research. The findings show that collaboration among school staff was influenced by the shared understanding the participants had about their own and others’ professional roles and goals, the availability of time for meeting as well as the support they received from school staff in positions of authority.
Can early years professionals determine which preschoolers have comprehension delays? A comparison of two screening tools
Authors: Seager Emily , Abbot-Smith Kirsten
Published: May 2016

Language comprehension delays in pre-schoolers are predictive of difficulties in a range of developmental domains. In England, early years practitioners are required to assess the language comprehension of 2-year-olds in their care. Many use a format based on the Early Years Foundation Stage Unique Child Communication Sheet (EYFS:UCCS) in which the child’s language comprehension is assigned to an age band based on written guidance. Seventy 2½–3-year-olds were assessed on the comprehension component of the Preschool Language Scale (PLS) by psychology graduates. Early years practitioners assessed language comprehension in the same children using the EYFS:UCCS and the WellComm, which involves some direct testing. The EYFS:UCCS had poor sensitivity and specificity, and the understanding section did not correlate with the PLS. The WellComm had good to acceptable levels of sensitivity and specificity and significantly correlated with the PLS. Early years setting staff can accurately assess the language comprehension of 2-year-olds if provided with a tool which gives specific instructions on administration, but current frequently used procedures (EYFS:UCCS) are not fit for this purpose.
The Turbulent History of the Nation’s Largest Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association
Authors: Giancola Frank L.
Published: May 2016

The Detroit automakers’ Retiree Medical Benefits Trust is the nation’s largest Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA). It is an independent trust with assets of $60 billion that is responsible for providing medical, prescription drug, dental and vision benefits to 720,000 hourly retirees, surviving spouses and dependents of General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler. It was established in 2007 through the joint efforts of the Big Three Detroit automakers and the United Automobile Workers Union primarily to protect the health care benefits of hourly retirees and to provide the companies with financial relief from the burdens of legacy costs that eventually contributed to their bankruptcies. Although it is now viewed as a success, there were times in its history when its inception and future were seriously in doubt. A review of its history will inform HR professionals of the problems and solutions they may encounter in establishing a VEBA.
Elinor Ostrom’s Contribution to Nonprofit and Voluntary Action Studies
Authors: Bushouse Brenda K. , Never Brent , Christensen Robert K.
Published: May 2016

Elinor “Lin” Ostrom, winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Economics, spent her career developing ideas and tools to address the concept of governance—what Oliver Williamson describes as the “provision of good order and workable arrangements.” Nonprofit and Voluntary Action (NVA) scholars are similarly concerned with good order and workable arrangements but draw on different, if not more disparate, scholarly traditions. This special issue sheds light on the promise that integration of the tools developed by Ostrom and NVA scholarship holds. In this article, including its primer appendix, we provide a broad introduction to the tools created by Lin and her collaborators at The Ostrom Workshop (the “Workshop”) in the interest of exploring their utility for NVA scholars’ central questions.
Neither Market nor Sate Domain
Authors: Aligica Paul Dragos
Published: May 2016

This article explores the Ostroms’ perspective on nonprofit enterprises and on the place of the “third sector” within the broader ecology of governmental, for-profit, and nonprofit forms of social organization, focusing on three levels: the micro level based on a taxonomical analysis of the nature of (quasi)public goods and of the implications of their heterogeneity for their provision and consumption through nonprofit arrangements (with a special focus on the notion of “coproduction”); the mezzo level—the analysis of the various organizational structures emerging around (quasi)public goods dealt with by compounded units of production, provision, and consumption (with a focus on the notion of “public economy”); and the macro level—the introduction of the notion of “polycentricity” as a meta-framework inviting a reconceptualization of the relationships between the for-profit, nonprofit, and governmental organizations in diverse and dynamic institutional environments.
Characteristics of Voluntary Behavior in the Neighborhood Commons
Authors: Noonan Douglas S. , Matisoff Daniel C. , Hoelzel Nathanael Z.
Published: May 2016

The neighborhood commons, and dog parks in particular, provide a good laboratory to explore the drivers of voluntarism and trust, as well as the situational and demographic correlates that promote or inhibit voluntarism. This analysis connects a central theme of Ostrom’s work on institutions for overcoming social dilemmas to the literature on voluntary actions and the health of small communities. Survey results from more than 500 users of 14 dog parks in the Atlanta area are examined to understand how variation in park and user characteristics predict variation in individual contributions to the commons, including pro-social attitudes and behavior and dispute resolution behavior. Our analysis shows how institutions foster community commons, which are correlated with both voluntarism and the voluntary enforcement of norms on users. These results from a study in the field contribute to a growing literature that explores the circumstances for successful voluntary supply and maintenance of public goods.
Dynamic analysis of water-lubricated motorized spindle considering tilting effect of thrust bearing
Authors: Feng Huihui , Jiang Shuyun
Published: May 2016

The dynamic modeling for the rotor with large diameter thrust bearings is one of the key issues in the design and operation of water-lubricated motorized spindle. In the machining process, the spindle not only translates along the x, y, z directions, but also tilts about the x and y axes under the cutting forces. As a result, the tilting effect of the thrust bearing on the dynamic performances of the motorized spindle should be considered. A five degree-of-freedom dynamic model for the spindle is established based on the Newton’s Laws and the principle of Angular Momentum. The translational and tilting dynamic coefficients for both the journal and thrust water-lubricated bearings were obtained by using Reynolds equation. The computed results show that the tilting effect of the thrust bearing on the dynamic performance of the motorized spindle should be considered when a large diameter thrust bearing is employed.
A framework of frequency-domain flight dynamics modeling for multi-rotor aerial vehicles
Authors: Cai Guowei , Taha Tarek , Dias Jorge , Seneviratne Lakmal
Published: May 2016

In this paper, a frequency-domain modeling methodology that can be applied to various multi-rotor aerial vehicles is introduced. The primary contribution of this work is a systematic integration of the first-principles modeling and system identification approaches to generate flight dynamics models with good accuracy. The first-principles modeling and model linearization are conducted to obtain an appropriate baseline model for the subsequent system identification. Next, a four-step parameter identification process, which consists of: (1) baseline model determination; (2) data collection and preprocessing; (3) mode-wise parameter identification; and (4) model fidelity validation, is performed in the frequency domain to identify the uncertain parameters. Our method has been applied to two custom-built multi-rotor aircraft (one X-type quadcopter and one QU4D quadcopter) for efficiency demonstration.
Impact dynamic analysis of C/C composite finger seal
Authors: Wang Li-Na , Chen Guo-Ding , Su Hua , Lu Fei , Zhao Hai-Lin
Published: May 2016

With the development of science and technology, the performance of an aero-engine has been given more rigorous requirements. Seal device is an important component part of an aero-engine, and the improvement in its performance may be an efficient way to further improve the performance of an aero-engine. Finger seal is a flexible seal and has higher performance price ratio, therefore it gets more attention and research recently. The phenomenon of noncontact state converting to contact state will occur in every working cycle of finger seal that inevitably lead to the finger seal bearing the impact effect of rotor. But so far, the influence of impact on the finger seal performance has not been discussed and researched. To overcome this shortcoming, the stress–strain curves of C/C composite under different impact velocities are obtained by the Gleeble3500 thermo-simulator system in the paper, and then the elastic modulus of C/C composite in three directions is calculated by experimental data. The effects of impact velocity and impact damping on the impact force are analyzed by means of the impact theory. The new structural stiffness of finger seal and the impact displacement excitation of the rotor are built through impact effect analysis. On this basis, the equivalent dynamic model of C/C composite finger seal with distributed mass is established to evaluate the impact effect. By the model, the difference of calculated results is analyzed under whether considering the impact effect or not. And the effect of impact velocity and coefficient of restitution on the dynamic performance of the finger seal is also analyzed under considering the impact effect, respectively. The above results show that the impact effect has significant influence on the leakage and wear of finger seal, therefore when the performance of the finger seal was analyzed, it is necessary to consider the impact effect.
Effect of end-wall roughness on performance of transonic axial compressor
Authors: Li Zhihui , Liu Yanming
Published: May 2016

The influence of end-wall roughness on the performance of the axial compressor stage was investigated with different values of roughness added to the hub and shroud surfaces of transonic compressor stage, NASA Stage 35. Firstly, the numerical code was validated against the experimental data, which were available from the open literature. Afterwards the model was applied to simulate the effect of end-wall roughness with different amplitudes of dimensionless sand-grain roughness height. Numerical results indicated that the increment of end-wall roughness caused the deterioration of compressor stage performance. To understand the mechanism behind, the distributions of loadings, losses and the detail flow situations near end-wall region were analyzed and discussed. The results show that the overall performance drop is mainly due to the thickened end-wall boundary layer. Near the hub region, the rough hub surface induces larger corner stall and the shock wave moves upstream. Meanwhile, the casing roughness leads to the slight increment of tip leakage mass flow and extension of blockage in the circumferential direction.
Fitting the data from embryo implantation prediction: Learning from label proportions
Authors: Hernández-González Jerónimo , Inza Iñaki , Crisol-Ortíz Lorena , Guembe María A , Iñarra María J , Lozano Jose A
Published: May 2016

Machine learning techniques have been previously used to assist clinicians to select embryos for human-assisted reproduction. This work aims to show how an appropriate modeling of the problem can contribute to improve machine learning techniques for embryo selection. In this study, a dataset of 330 consecutive cycles (and associated embryos) carried out by the Unit of Assisted Reproduction of the Hospital Donostia (Spain) throughout 18 months has been analyzed. The problem of the embryo selection has been modeled by a novel weakly supervised paradigm, learning from label proportions, which considers all the available data, including embryos whose fate cannot be certainly established. Furthermore, all the collected features, describing cycles and embryos, have been considered in a multi-variate data analysis. Our integral solution has been successfully tested. Experimental results show that the proposed technique consistently outperforms an equivalent approach based on standard supervised classification. Embryos in this study were selected for transference according to the criteria of the Spanish Association for Reproduction Biology Studies. Obtained classification models outperform these criteria, specifically reordering medium-quality embryos.
Association between Public Health Care Access and Financing of Health Infrastructure in India
Authors: Chatterjee Somnath , Laha Arindam
Published: May 2016

Health financing is presumed to have an immense importance in designing the delivery mechanism in health care service. Financing in public health care institutions (comprising local, state and central governments, along with autonomous public sector bodies) is not observed to be adequate in India as compared to the global standard. As a result, the participation of private health care institutions in this health care domain is urgently called for to address the gap between demand for and supply of health care services. Health financing by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as the government initiatives in the form of public–private partnership (PPP) signifies an alternative delivery mechanism in meeting the demand of such services. An attempt has been made in the study to examine the interstate variation of public health care access in India by considering a comprehensive index on public health care access. In addition, the study sheds some lights on the association between the outreach of health care access and the financing of the health care infrastructure in the context of different states of India. Empirical evidence suggested that the more health care financing by the government, the greater the outreach of the public health care services of a state. Thus, a significant contribution in health financing would facilitate the access of public health care by addressing the supply-side problems of the outreach of health care services in the Indian economy.
Inequalities in the Distribution of Health Care Facilities
Authors: Mousavi Seyyed Meysam , Nemati Ali , Asar Mohamad Ezati , Anjomshoa Mina , Bahadori Mohammadkarim
Published: May 2016

Inequality in the distribution of health care facilities is one of the main barriers to health care access. The purpose of this study was to assess the regional differences in health care facilities across the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad (KBA) province in order to reduce the gap between different regions. The study was carried out in the KBA province in the southwest of Iran. Fifteen health indices were selected based on their availability in the 2011 Statistical Centre of Iran (SCI) annual report. Data analysis was conducted through using numerical taxonomy. The findings obtained showed a huge gap between the different counties of the province. Yasouj had the highest (0.73) health indicator level, while Charam (0.982) had the lowest. Our findings can provide a big picture of the inequalities that exist in this province for policy-makers. Consequently, it enables policy-makers to make greater efforts for understanding the present conditions and moving towards a more equal distribution of health care services and facilities.
Corporate Governance and Foreign Investment in India
Authors: Khan Mohammad Iftekhar , Banerji Amit
Published: May 2016

Corporate governance (CG) and foreign investment (FI) have become integral part of the globalisation process. In the last two-and-half decades of liberalisation and globalisation, the two phenomena have taken different trajectories and perhaps with different catalysts. However, both of them have converged to become an important aspect of corporatisation of the Indian business environment. But, is there any link or relationship between the two? This study examines the relationship between CG and FI in India.
A Study of Small Shareholders’ Attitude towards Small-shareholder Activism
Authors: Sharma Sunita Upendra
Published: May 2016

Rights, duties and liabilities of all stakeholders are explicitly enshrined in the new companies’ legislation, but the real issue is whether such rights are asserted by various stakeholders, especially the small shareholders, effectively in their own interest. The foundation of shareholder activism lies on the premise of uncompromising attitudes of investors to protect their hard-earned money. This empirical article, therefore, explores the attitude of small shareholders about small-shareholder activism. This article further seeks to analyse and develop a model establishing relationships, if any, between various concepts related with small-shareholder activism. Descriptive and non-parametric analysis of data shows that though legal environment for small-shareholder activism is quite favourable in India, the small shareholders’ reliance on regulatory bodies, major competitive shareholders and financial institution for their protection makes them docile investors and they would prefer to exit or remain loyal than resorting to shareholder activism.
Risk and Protective Factors Affecting Sexual Risk Behavior Among School-Aged Adolescents in Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, and Vanuatu
Authors: Peltzer Karl , Pengpid Supa
Published: May 2016

There are limited studies on the prevalence and correlates of sexual risk behavior among adolescents in Pacific Island countries. In order to inform public sexual and reproductive health interventions, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of various sexual risk behaviors among in-school adolescents in 4 Pacific Island countries using data from the Global School-Based Health Survey. In a cross-sectional study, 6792 school-going adolescents (49.7% boys and 50.3% girls; 13-16 years old) from Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, and Vanuatu were surveyed with a self-administered questionnaire. Overall, 18.9% of students reported to ever had sex (ranging from 12.9% in Vanuatu to 57.5% in Samoa), and of those sexually active, 38.0% had an early sexual debut (<14 years), 38.1% had 2 or more sexual partners during their lifetime, 39.5% had not used a condom at last sex, 50.9% had not used birth control at last sex, and 77.8% engaged in sexually risky behavior using a composite measure. Multivariate logistic regression found that male sex, older age, tobacco use, alcohol use, mental distress, having no close friends, and truancy were associated with several of 5 or all 5 sexual risk behaviors. Sexual and reproductive health promotion programs are indicated to address the high risk of sexually transmitted infection, HIV, and pregnancy in this adolescent population.
Confirmation of Elsey virus infection in a Queensland horse with mild neurologic signs
Authors: Agnihotri Kalpana , Pease Bradley , Oakey Jane , Campbell Grant
Published: May 2016

In 2011, a 2-year-old horse in northern Queensland, Australia, was reported to have developed mild neurologic signs, and a blood sample was submitted for laboratory investigation. Virus isolation was performed using the blood sample, and an orbivirus was isolated. This was confirmed to be a strain of Elsey virus (ELSV) after transmission electron microscopy and nucleotide sequencing. The nucleotide sequence was compared with those in GenBank, and had 100% identity with ELSV previously reported from the Northern Territory, Australia. ELSV is taxonomically closely related to Peruvian horse sickness virus.
I Remember Highlander
Authors: Williams-Hawkins Maria
Published: May 2016

“I Remember Highlander” reflects on the life choices of Marion Barry and Herman Henning Jr., fraternity brothers who sought the same goal but took different paths. The essay examines cultural and family situations that shaped lives and decisions.
Promoting Occupational Safety and Health for Cambodian Entertainment Sector Workers
Authors: Hsu Lee-Nah , Howard Richard , Torriente Anna Maria , Por Chuong
Published: May 2016

Cambodia has developed booming textile, garment, tourism, and entertainment service industries since the mid-1990s. The 2007 global financial crisis pushed many garment workers, who lost their jobs, into the entertainment sector. Entertainment workers are typically engaged informally by their employers and are subjected to long working hours, sexual harassment, and violence. Many who sell beverages are forced into excessive alcohol consumption as part of their work. Many are also expected by their employers and clients to provide sexual services. To address unsafe and unhealthy working conditions for these workers, an innovative occupational safety and health regulation was adopted in 2014. This first-of-its-kind occupational safety and health regulation was developed jointly by the Cambodian Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training and employers’ and workers’ organizations in the entertainment sector. The implementation of this regulation can also be a viable contribution of occupational safety and health to HIV interventions for these workers.
Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia in the Non–HIV-Infected Population
Authors: Avino Laura J. , Naylor Shane M. , Roecker Andrew M.
Published: May 2016

Objective: Summarize data on the pathophysiology, treatment, and prevention options for non–AIDS immunocompromised patients who have Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP); review the epidemiology of patients presenting with PJP; and discuss the first and second-line pharmacological options for treatment and prophylaxis of PJP in this population. Data Sources: MEDLINE (1989-February 2016) searched. Terms searched included combinations of Pneumocystis jirovecii, Pneumocystis carinii, non-HIV, infected, patients, prevention, prophylaxis, Bactrim, treatment, AIDS, opportunistic, immunocompromised, cancer, and pathophysiology. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Articles included had the most relevant information on PJP pathophysiology, and first-/second-line treatment and prophylactic options. Inclusion criteria were met and evaluated with 43 sources. Data Synthesis: P jirovecii has a complicated life-cycle; it seeks to find compromised immune systems in order to replicate, causing life-threatening complications. With immunosuppressive medications coming to market for immunomodulating diseases, PJP has become a prevalent opportunistic infection in the non-HIV population. CD4+ lymphocyte count <200 cells/µL is the primary risk factor for PJP presentation in these patients. With data from clinical trials, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) has become the primary treatment and prophylaxis of PJP in the non-HIV population, although second-line options are available. Conclusion: PJP is a health problem that may result in an increased concern as more immunomodulating medications to treat various disease states are developed. Patients on these drugs or those with immunosuppressive diseases should have their CD4+ count monitored. Health care providers should continue to use TMP/SMX as the primary option in non-HIV, immunocompromised patients for treatment and prophylaxis of PJP.
Effects of Rosuvastatin Versus Atorvastatin, Alone or in Combination, on Lipoprotein (a)
Authors: Vavlukis Marija , Mladenovska Kristina , Daka Arlinda , Dimovski Aleksandar , Domazetovska Saska , Kuzmanovska Sonja , Kedev Sasko
Published: May 2016

Background: There are little evidences about the therapeutic efficacy of different lipid-lowering agents in the reduction of elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. Objective: testing the effect of different lipid-lowering agents on elevated Lp(a). Methods: prospective interventional study performed in patients with CAD, or high CAD risk, with Lp(a), >50 mg/dL. Lp(a), total cholesterol (C), HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides (TGs), apolipoprotein (Apo) A1, Apo B, enzymes of myocyte and hepatic injury were comparatively analyzed between 4 lipid-lowering strategies: rosuvastatin (R group) 40 mg, atorvastatin (A group) 80 mg, atorvastatin 40 mg add-on micronized fenofibrate (A+F group), and atorvastatin 40 mg add-on 1 g extended-release niacin (A+ERN group). Comparison was made for their therapeutic efficacy on Lp(a), and safety. Results: 87 patients with mean Lp(a) 94.6 ± 39.6 mg/dL were analyzed. Groups: 25 patients in the R, 22 in the A, 20 in the A+F and 20 in A+ERN group. Significant reduction in all lipid fractions in all treatment groups was reported after 6 months. The average reduction of Lp(a) was 15.9 ± 21.0 mg/dL, with: 18.2 ± 24.8 ( P = 0.001) in the R group, 17.3 ± 10.4 (P = 0.001) in A+F, 19.5 ± 10.9 (P = 0.001) in A+ERN and the lowest in the A group (11.24 ± 22.91, P = 0.032). No adverse effects were observed in any of the treatment groups. Conclusions: When compared with atorvastatin, it seems that rosuvastatin can achieve more significant decrease of Lp(a).The efficacy of the second one can be increased by adding fibrate or ERN.
Economic Evaluations, Procedural Fairness, and Satisfaction with Democracy
Authors: Magalhães Pedro C.
Published: May 2016

Although public support for political authorities, institutions, and even regimes is affected by the delivery of positive economic outcomes, we know that judgments on authorities are also made on the basis of several other aspects that fall into the general theme of “procedural fairness.” So far, most of the literature examining satisfaction with democracy has, from this point of view, focused on the direct effects of both economic and procedural fairness indicators or evaluations. This study takes as its starting point a large number of studies in social psychology showing that procedural fairness moderates the effects of outcome favorability in the explanation of citizens’ reactions to authorities. It expands those findings to the macro-political level, using representative samples of European populations in twenty-nine countries. It reveals that the general depiction of satisfaction with the way democracies work in practice as a fundamentally “performance-driven attitude” needs to qualified: economic evaluations matter, but they do not matter in the same way in all contexts and for all people, with procedural fairness playing a relevant moderating role in this respect.
Podoplanin Expression Is Correlated With the Progression of Chronic Discoid Lupus Erythematosus to Lip Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Gao Xing , Ma Liwei , Zhou Zengtong , Jian Xinchun , Liu Wei
Published: May 2016

Chronic lip discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a potentially malignant disorder that can develop into lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Podoplanin is a specific marker for lymphatic endothelial cells and plays a role in cancer progression. The objective of this study was to determine the immunoexpression of podoplanin in samples of patients with DLE and its correlation with the risk of progression to LSCC. In a retrospective study, podoplanin expression was determined using immunohistochemistry in samples from 52 patients with DLE, including 44 patients with untransformed DLE and 8 patients with malignant transformed DLE. Ten samples of normal oral mucosa and 10 samples of LSCC were used as normal and cancer controls, respectively. The results showed that podoplanin expression was observed in 12 of 44 (27.3%) patients with untransformed DLE and in 7 of 8 (87.5%) patients with transformed DLE ( P = .002). Podoplanin was not expressed in normal oral mucosa, but it was overexpressed in all of the 10 patients with LSCC. Regression analysis revealed that podoplanin expression was significantly associated with an 18.67-fold increase in the risk of malignant progression (95% confidence interval = 2.07-168.10; P = .009). In summary, podoplanin expression is significantly associated with malignant transformation of DLE into LSCC. Thus, podoplanin expression may identify a subgroup with a high risk of malignant progression of DLE.
Cyclin D1 Expression in Ectomesenchymal Chondromyxoid Tumor of the Anterior Tongue
Authors: Laco Jan , Mottl Radovan , Höbling Walter , Ihrler Stephan , Grossmann Petr , Skalova Alena , Ryska Ales
Published: May 2016

Ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor (ECT) is a rare benign tumor of uncertain lineage, which almost exclusively affects the anterior tongue. Herein, we report 2 cases of ECT occurring in 58- and 56-year-old males on the right and on the left side of the dorsum of the anterior tongue, measuring 18 mm and 10 mm, respectively. Despite positive resection margin in one case, none of the tumors recurred during follow-up of 6 and 5 years. Microscopically, both tumors had lobular architecture with a mixture of solid, microcystic, and chondromyxoid areas. The tumor cells were polygonal or elongated and showed mild atypia in one case. Immunohistochemically, both tumors showed diffuse expression of vimentin and focal positivity of CD10 and of smooth muscle actin. Regarding neural tissue-related markers, there was nearly diffuse expression of CD56 and neuron-specific enolase and focal positivity of PGP 9.5 in both cases and variable expression of CD57, synaptophysin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and S-100 protein. Interestingly, we observed diffuse expression of SOX10 in one case. In both tumors, diffuse strong nuclear expression of cyclin D1 was present, without CCND1/IGH translocation or CCND1 amplification. The EWSR1 gene rearrangement was not detected. To the best of our knowledge, expression of SOX10, which may support neural crest origin of this peculiar lesion, has not been reported in ECT. The significance of strong cyclin D1 expression remains to be further investigated.
A new measure of the degree of controllability for linear system with external disturbance and its application to wind turbines
Authors: Xia Yaping , Yin Minghui , Cai Chenxiao , Zhang Baoyong , Zou Yun
Published: May 2016

This paper is concerned with the measure of degree of controllability (DOC) for linear system with external disturbance. A new measure of DOC, in which the initial condition is regarded as a random vector, is proposed in this paper by solving the fixed-time expected minimum-energy transfer control problem. Since this new measure is dependent on the statistical information of initial condition rather than its estimated value, it is more suitable to apply the proposed measure in the design and optimization of the structural parameters of controlled plants. Furthermore, the simulations on the NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) CART3 wind turbine demonstrate that the relation of the proposed measure to turbine parameters (including rotor inertia and optimum tip speed ratio) coincides with that of the MPPT efficiency to turbine parameters. This indicates that the proposed measure is applicable to guide the design and optimization of the structural parameters of wind turbines. Meanwhile, a mass-spring-damper system is also simulated to validate the proposed measure.