bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sentencing Disparities
Authors: Hamilton Melissa 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Criminal justice stakeholders are strongly concerned with disparities in penalty outcomes. Disparities are problematic when they represent unfounded differences in sentences, an abuse of discretion, and/or potential discrimination based on sociodemographic characteristics. The Article presents an original empirical study that explores disparities in sentences at two levels: the individual case level and the regional level. More specifically, the study investigates upward departures in the United States’ federal sentencing system, which constitutes a guidelines-based structure. Upward departures carry unique consequences to individuals and their effects on the system as they lead to lengthier sentences, symbolically represent a dispute with the guidelines advice, and contribute to mass incarceration. Upward departures are discretionary to district courts and thus may lead to disparities in sentencing in which otherwise seemingly like offenders receive dissimilar sentences, in part because of the tendency of their assigned judges to depart upward (or not).
The study utilizes a multilevel mixed model to test the effects of a host of explanatory factors on the issuance of upward departures at the case level and whether those same factors are significant at the group level-i.e., district courts-to determine the extent of variation across districts. The explanatory variables tested include legal factors (e.g., final offense level, criminal history, offense type), extralegal characteristics (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, citizenship), and case-processing variables (e.g., trial penalty, custody status). The results indicate that various legal and nonlegal factors are relevant in individual cases (representing individual differences) and signify that significant variations across district courts exist (confirming regional disparities). Implications of the significant findings for the justice system are explored.
Liberty, Equality and the Right to Marry under the Fourteenth Amendment
Authors: Loveland Ian 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The legitimacy of recent judgments in the Supreme Court, lower federal courts and State courts which have extended the scope of the Due Process and/or Equal Protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment has been a fiercely contested controversy in legal and political circles in the USA. The controversy has been especially sharp in relation to the question of same sex marriage, and specifically whether it is within State competence to refuse to allow same sex couples to marry under State law. This paper explores that legitimation controversy through a multi-contextual analysis of the Supreme Court’s starkly divided judgment in Obergefell v Hodges (2015), in which a bare majority of the Court concluded that a State ban on same sex marriage was incompatible with the Due Process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This paper critiques both the majority and dissenting opinions, and suggests that while one might applaud the substantive conclusion the Court has reached, the reasoning offered by the majority suffers from several obvious weaknesses both in narrow doctrinal terms and from the broader perspective of safeguarding the Court from well-founded criticism that it is overstepping the bounds of its legitimate constitutional role.
Administrative Functions of Implementation and Adjudication Guided by Primacy of Fundamental Rights
Authors: Perlingeiro Ricardo 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
This article points out the bottlenecks in the systems of administrative adjudication in Latin America and suggests that the ineffectiveness should not be blamed entirely on the judicial system and judicial procedures. Rather, the Latin-American system of administrative justice should come to terms with its judicial system of general jurisdiction, gradually reducing the jurisdiction of courts over administrative disputes in favor of an administrative reform to ensure administrative functions of implementation and adjudication respecting the primacy of fundamental rights. The author concludes that it is necessary to think about a reform that leads public administrative authorities to act as an instrument for expressing the public interest rather than as end in itself or as an entity to protect self-serving, momentary political and financial interests that are not clearly bound by a duty to protect fundamental rights.
CSF free light chain identification of demyelinating disease: comparison with oligoclonal banding and other CSF indexes
Authors: Gurtner Kari M. , Shosha Eslam , Bryant Sandra C. , Andreguetto Bruna D. , Murray David L. , Pittock Sean J. , Willrich Maria Alice V. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Background:
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) used in immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) index testing and oligoclonal bands (OCBs) are common laboratory tests used in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. The measurement of CSF free light chains (FLC) could pose as an alternative to the labor-intensive isoelectric-focusing (IEF) gels used for OCBs.

Methods:
A total of 325 residual paired CSF and serum specimens were obtained after physician-ordered OCB IEF testing. CSF kappa (cKFLC) and lambda FLC (cLFLC), albumin and total IgG were measured. Calculations were performed based on combinations of analytes: CSF sum of kappa and lambda ([cKFLC+cLFLC]), kappa-index (K-index) ([cKFLC/sKFLC]/[CSF albumin/serum albumin]), kappa intrathecal fraction (KFLCIF) {([cKFLC/sKFLC]–[0.9358×CSF albumin/serum albumin]^[0.6687×sKFLC]/cKFLC)} and IgG-index ([CSF IgG/CSF albumin]/[serum IgG/serum albumin]).

Results:
Patients were categorized as: demyelination (n=67), autoimmunity (n=53), non-inflammatory (n=50), inflammation (n=38), degeneration (n=28), peripheral neuropathy (n=24), infection (n=13), cancer (n=11), neuromyelitis optica (n=10) and others (n=31). cKFLC measurement used alone at a cutoff of 0.0611 mg/dL showed >90% agreement to OCBs, similar or better performance than all other calculations, reducing the number of analytes and variables. When cases of demyelinating disease were reviewed, cKFLC measurements showed 86% clinical sensitivity/77% specificity.

Conclusions:
cKFLC alone demonstrates comparable performance to OCBs along with increased sensitivity for demyelinating diseases. Replacing OCB with cKFLC would alleviate the need for serum and CSF IgG and albumin and calculated conversions. cKFLC can overcome challenges associated with performance, interpretation, and cost of traditional OCBs, reducing costs and maintaining sensitivity and specificity supporting MS diagnosis.
Cerebrospinal fluid microRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers in brain tumors
Authors: Kopkova Alena , Sana Jiri , Fadrus Pavel , Slaby Ondrej 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a body fluid that has many important functions and is in direct contact with the extracellular environment of the central nervous system (CNS). CSF serves as both the communication channel allowing the distribution of various substances among the CNS cells and the storage facility for the waste products these cells release. For these reasons, CSF is a potential source of diagnostic biomarkers of many CNS diseases, including brain tumors. Recent studies have revealed that CSF also contains circulating microRNAs (miRNAs), short non-coding RNAs that have been described as biomarkers in many cancers. However, CSF miRNAs are difficult to detect, which is why researchers face major challenges, including technological difficulties in its detection and its lack of standardization. Therefore, this review aims (i) to highlight the potential of CSF miRNAs as diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers in brain tumors, and (ii) to summarize technological approaches for detection of CSF miRNAs.
A Family of Complex Nilmanifolds with in finitely Many Real Homotopy Types
Authors: Latorre Adela , Ugarte Luis , Villacampa Raquel 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
We find a one-parameter family of non-isomorphic nilpotent Lie algebras ga, with a > [0,∞), of real dimension eight with (strongly non-nilpotent) complex structures. By restricting a to take rational values, we arrive at the existence of infinitely many real homotopy types of 8-dimensional nilmanifolds admitting a complex structure. Moreover, balanced Hermitian metrics and generalized Gauduchon metrics on such nilmanifolds are constructed.
On automorphisms of a distance-regular graph with intersection array {99, 84, 30; 1, 6, 54}
Authors: Efimov Konstantin S. , Makhnev Aleksandr A. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Recently it was shown that a distance-regular graph in which neighbourhoods of vertices are strongly regular with
parameters (99,14,1,2) has intersection array {99,84,1;1,14,99}, {99,84,1;1,12,99} or {99,84,30;1,6,54}. In the present paper we find possible automorphisms of a graph with the intersection array {99,84,30;1,6,54}. It is shown, in particular, that such a graph is not point-symmetric.
Early Turkish Immigrants’ Adaptation to American Culture and Social Integration
Authors: Sert Bilal , Ziyanak Sebahattin 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Immigration studies still investigate immigrants’ offspring and later generations’ socioeconomic upward and downward motilities. When it comes to early Turkish immigrants, there is an unfilled “missing link” from a sociological point of view. This study explores early Turkish immigrants’ adaptation experiences in the United Sates through qualitative triangulation and the methods of observation. This article utilizes “Straight-line theory”, “decline theory”, and “segmented assimilation to expound early Turkish immigrants’ adaptation experiences in the United States. Drawing on archival documents next to meetings with immigrants’ off springs, this study finds evidence that immigration occurred during the second wave to the United States from Europe, among Turks from Anatolia and Rumelia and they successfully adapted their new social environment. Rather, the findings provide novel evidence on the role of religious view and their social interaction. When seeking early Turks’ socio educational background, we discover that highly educated individuals including religious leaders, professors, and businessmen migrated to Peabody, MA.
How far is too far? An analysis of students’ perceptions of the impact of distance between university and family home on academic performance
Authors: Costa Rosalina Pisco , Vieira Carlos , Vieira Isabel 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Transition to university is a challenging phase in youngsters’ lives. The literature indicates that geographical distance separating the places of study and of family residence adds to the difficulties of transition and adjustment to university. Recent evidence suggests that it also negatively impacts students’ grades. Despite important work done by economists, geographers and psychologists, sociology has devoted scarce interest in understanding this topic. This article seeks to bridge this gap, specifically exploring the reasons justifying the largely ignored effect of distance between the university and family home in academic performance. The study draws on data on undergraduate students of a Portuguese public university, collected through an online survey. Two dimensions, one more related to practical life occupations and another more linked to personal feelings and activities, are examined. It is argued that the negative impact of distance is mainly due to homesickness and to the time spent traveling home. Results from such analysis are twofold socially relevant: of the utmost importance for families, academics and students’ support services, deserve to be seriously considered by policy makers deciding on the territorial distribution of higher-education institutions.
The Architectural Object as a Sociospatial System
Authors: Popov Lubomir , Goza Franklin 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Concerns with the social inadequacy of architecture and the movement towards user-centred design call for new perspectives and architectural visions that can help alleviate usability problems and make buildings more user-friendly and accommodating in supporting user operations. Accordingly, this study proposes the concept of the sociospatial system. This conceptualization is based on premises of the systems approach and a social science interpretation of the problem. We provide a foundation for relating spatial-material objects and sociocultural phenomena, for homogenizing different discipline perspectives, and for developing relational descriptions of the systems components. This allows the built environment to be represented in terms of the sociocultural organism that it accommodates. The elastic concept of the sociospatial system described herein can be used as a holistic framework for the study of sociospatial interactions; including facilities programming and design, where this way of thinking can facilitate a holistic interpretation of a wide array of considerations.
Entrepreneurial Orientation, Control Systems, and New Venture Performance: A Dominant Logic Perspective
Authors: Su Zhongfeng , Wang Donghan 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Drawing on the dominant logic perspective, this study argues that entrepreneurial orientation (EO) can generate an entrepreneurial dominant logic among new ventures that facilitate making and implementing decisions to experiment with entrepreneurial initiatives. Yet, the decisions are associated with high uncertainty. Since new ventures cannot endure high levels of uncertainty, to harness the potential of EO they should put in place proper control systems to reduce uncertainty associated with EO. This study examines the moderating role of output control, behavior control, and input control in the relationship of EO to new venture performance. It finds that both output control and behavior control have positive moderating effects but input control plays a negative moderating role. The findings enrich our knowledge on the EO–performance linkage. Moreover, this study represents one of the first attempts to adopt the dominate logic perspective to illustrate EO phenomena, laying down a solid threshold over which to introduce the perspective to the EO literature. And, by combining EO and control systems in a moderating model this study responds to appeals for extending control systems into entrepreneurship studies and thereby contributes to research on control systems.
Monetary Policy in Poland – How the Financial Crisis Changed the Central Bank’s Preferences
Authors: Mackiewicz-Łyziak Joanna 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The aim of the study is to analyze the preferences of the Polish central bank concerning inflation and output gap stabilization and verification, and whether these preferences changed after the beginning of the global financial crisis. For this purpose Taylor rules are estimated by the means of GMM (linear Taylor rule) and LS with breakpoints (nonlinear Taylor rule) estimation methods. We find that the smoothing parameter decreased, the weight of the output gap increased and the weight of inflation decreased after the outburst of the crisis. Moreover, we calculate ex-post interest rate simulations to compare the actual interest rates set by the NBP with a hypothetical situation of no change in the central bank’s preferences. The results suggest that the interest rates set by the NBP were significantly lower in comparison with the no-change scenario, in particular in the first quarters after the beginning of the crisis.
Efficient three-component synthesis of 5-(6-hydroxy-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-5-yl)-5,12-dihydrobenzo[b]pyrimido[5,4-g][1,8]naphthyridine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione
Authors: Molla Ebrahimlo Ali Reza 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
1,8-Naphthyridine derivatives are important heterocyclic compounds. A facile and efficient one-pot procedure for the synthesis of 5-(6-hydroxy-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-5-yl)-5,12-dihydrobenzo[b]pyrimido[5,4-g][1,8]naphthyridine-2,4 (1H,3H)-dione (3) via a three-component reaction of barbituric acid, 2-chloro-3-formylquinoline and ammonia under basic conditions is described.
Putting “Laughing at Yourself” to the Test
Authors: Hofmann Jennifer 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
McGhee described the ability to laugh at yourself as a facet of the sense of humor that is malleable and constitutes the fifth out of six facets forming the sense of humor. Also, McGhee made it measurable by including it in the Sense of Humor Scale (SHS McGhee, Paul E. 1996. Health, healing, and the amuse system (2. edition): Humor as survival training. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing). The current study investigated whether individuals (N=78) could laugh at photos in which their face was distorted and mocking captions were added (multi-method approach: self-reports, facial responses assessed by the Facial Action Coding System, unobtrusive measures). Moreover, as two possible pre-conditions of being able to laugh at yourself, acceptance and importance of one’s physical appearance were studied. The results show that individuals indeed get amused about themselves, yet, laughing at yourself in McGhee’s sense was a better predictor of the absence of negative responses towards the stimuli (in reported emotions, facial responses, ratings of photos) than the presence of positive responses. Accepting ones appearance correlated positively to laughing at yourself. Thus, to be able to laugh at yourself seems to be a continuum, starting from not feeling negatively about being the target of a joke to “hearty laughter”.
Humor and well-being: A little less is quite enough
Authors: Papousek Ilona 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Paul McGhee, one of the most influential pioneers in the field of humor research has been engaged for decades in exploring how humor can be used for the maintenance or improvement of well-being in the face of adversity. The present paper reviews recent empirical research corroborating several of his propositions. Undeniably, the benefits of humor can be much greater when one generates his or her own humor compared to just passively consuming humor. The active use of humor can be a potent tool to successfully cope with and appropriately recover from stressful situations, especially if it becomes a habitual response to adverse circumstances. While the ice is thin with regard to any beneficial effects of humor on physical health, it certainly may enhance the quality of life of patients. The paper concludes with the general evaluation that the documented potential of humor for the maintenance of well-being is impressive, thereby rendering exaggerations and insufficiently substantiated claims of additional effects unnecessary.
Paul McGhee, one of the most influential pioneers in the field of humor research, as well as of structured humor training, has been insisting for decades that using humor can have many benefits beyond being fun, and many followed his lead. Moreover, he had always taken care to systematically collect relevant empirical, scientific evidence and to expertly evaluate it. Not all of his followers took his lead on this matter.
Techniques for the Identification of Critical Nodes Leading to Voltage Collapse in a Power System
Authors: Adebayo Isaiah , Jimoh Adisa , Yusuff Adedayo 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis paper proposes two techniques for the identification of critical buses in a power system. The technique of Network Structural Theory Participation Factor (NSTPF) depends on the network structural interconnection of buses as captured by the admittance matrix of the system and is formulated based on the fundamental circuit theory law using eigenvalue decomposition method. Another power flow based technique which depends on the system maximum loadability, the system step size among other factors is also proposed. Traditional power flow based techniques are used as benchmarks to determine the significance of the proposed methods. To ensure voltage stability enhancement, STATCOM FACTS device is installed at the selected weak load buses of the practical Nigerian 24 bus and IEEE 30 bus test systems. The results of the simulation obtained show that, the suggested approach of NSTPF is more suitable in the identification of weak buses that are liable to voltage instability in power systems as it requires less computational burden and also saves time compared to techniques based on power flow solutions.
A Study of Efficient MPPT Techniques for Photovoltaic System Using Boost Converter
Authors: El Hassouni Bennacer , Ourahou M , Ayrir W. , Haddi A. , Amrani A.G. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract:The transfer of the power from the PV generator to the load is not always optimal. The operating point of the characteristic of the said generator is strongly linked to the temperature variations, the solar irradiation and the load. In order for the module to provide its maximum available power, it’s necessary to permanently adapt the load with the photovoltaic generator. This adaptation can be carried out by inserting a DC-DC converter (boost) controlled by a “Maximum Power Point Tracking” (MPPT). The work is a comparative study of the power maximization methods incremental conductance, Hill climbing and perturbation and observation. Matlab is used to implement modeling and simulation tasks and to compare the efficiency and accuracy of execution for the selected MPPT methods. The simulation results for operating characteristics I-V and P-V for various cell temperature and solar irradiation closely matched manufacturer data sheet of the solar panel. Also, the algorithms described in this work have a considerable higher precision and it can be concluded that the output power of the PV module for the Incremental Conductance method is comparatively greater than the P&O and Hill Climbing method in a different conditions.
Transient Stability by means of Generator Tripping, Under Frequency Load Shedding and a Hybrid Control Scheme
Authors: Le Roux P. F. , Bansal R.C 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
An electrical network constantly faces unforeseen events such as faults on lines, loss of generation, etc. Under Frequency Load Shedding (UFLS) and Generator Tripping are traditional methods used to stabilise a network when a transient fault occurs. These methods will prevent any network instability by shedding load or tripping the most critical generator at a calcultated time when required. By executing these methods, the network can be stabilised in terms of balancing the generation and the load of a power system. A hybrid control scheme is proposed where the traditional methods are combined to reduce the stress levels exerted on the network and to minimize the load to be shed.