bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Employing nonlinear observer for formation control of AUVs under communication constraints
Authors: Das Bikramaditya , Subudhi Bidyadhar , Pati Bibhuti Bhusan 
Published: November 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to propose development of a formation control algorithm by employing a nonlinear observer for compensating the delay in the sensor signal transmission to the controller arising due to packet dropout in acoustic medium.

Design/methodology/approach
– A robust control law is developed using the sliding mode approach integrated with a communication consensus algorithm for achieving cooperative motion of acoustic underwater vehicles in a group ensuring the transfer of information among the AUVs. In acoustic medium, inter-vehicle communication is challenging for a group of AUVs deployed in formation because underwater channel encounter a number of constraints such as low data rate, packet delays and dropouts.

Findings
– It is observed that the sliding mode control-unscented Kalman filter formation control exhibits superior control performance such as mitigating larger initial error of estimation and removing the use of the Jacobian matrices among the three controllers developed. The proposed nonlinear observer estimates the un-measureable states such as position in x, y and z-axes, heading, rudder and sturn angle, needed for generating the formation control. A simulation setup is realized to demonstrate the performance of the proposed observer-based formation controller. Simulations were performed in MATLAB and the obtained results are analysed and compared which envisage that the proposed control algorithm provides efficient formation control under the acoustic communication constraints.

Originality/value
– Development of observer for achieving formation control of AUVs in underwater area – common reference velocity and error signals being available to all cooperating AUVs – UKO performs better based on initial error estimation and tracking the same path in shallow water area.
A propeller model for general forward flight conditions
Authors: Khan Waqas , Nahon Meyer 
Published: November 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to develop a physics-based model for UAV propellers that is capable of predicting all aerodynamic forces and moments in any general forward flight condition such as no flow, pure axial flow and pure side flow etc.

Design/methodology/approach
– The methodology adopted in this paper is the widely used Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT) for propeller model development. The difficulty arising from the variation of induced flow with blade’s angular position is overcome by supplementing the BEMT with the inflow model developed by Pitt and Peters. More so, high angle of attack aerodynamics is embedded in the simulation as it is likely for the blades to stall in general forward flight, for example during extreme aerobatics/maneuvers.

Findings
– The validity of the model is demonstrated via comparison with experiments as well as with other existing models. It is found that one of the secondary forces is negligible while the other is one order of magnitude less than the primary static thrust, and as such may be neglected depending on the level of accuracy required. On the other hand, both secondary moments must be considered as they are of similar order of magnitude as the primary static torque.

Research limitations/implications
– The paper does not consider the swirl component of the induced flow under the assumption that it is negligible compared to the axial component.

Originality/value
– This paper fulfills the identified need of a propeller model for general forward flight conditions, and aims to fill this void in the existing literature pertaining to UAVs.
“Through the looking glass: envisioning new library technologies” telling stories with technology
Authors: Fernandez Peter 
Published: November 2015

Purpose
– This column aims to explore the technologies that are enabling libraries, and the communities they serve, to easily tell their own stories.

Design/methodology/approach
– Point of view.

Findings
– Libraries can facilitate the acquisition of technology and literacies necessary to make recording, sharing and preserving stories of all kinds easy for library patrons.

Practical implications
– Libraries collect, preserve and help distribute information to serve their communities.

Originality/value
– By facilitating access to these emerging mediums, libraries can both empower their communities and play an active role in preserving their communities’ histories.
The effects of institutions and subsidiary competence on the international market orientation in foreign-owned subsidiaries
Authors: Dahms Sven 
Published: November 2015

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to enhance our understanding on the effects of national and subnational institutions as well as subsidiary competences on the international market orientation in foreign-owned subsidiaries.Design/methodology/approach– A postal survey has been conducted based on a census-like database of foreign-owned subsidiaries in the Northwest of England.Findings– The findings show a positive relationship on the international market orientation for subsidiaries with extended competences and strong links to local suppliers, universities and competitors. A negative association has been found concerning formal institutional distance and strong links to local customers and government institutions.Research limitations/implications– The survey is limited to foreign-owned subsidiaries in the Northwest of England.Practical implications– This study implies that subsidiary managers need to take national and subnational institutions as well as subsidiary specific competences into consideration when looking for international market expansion.Originality/value– The originality of this paper lies in the detailed investigation of institutions at the national and subnational level as well as subsidiary competences on the international market orientation in foreign-owned subsidiaries.
The case of the unhappy teachers
Authors: Santiago Andrea , Roxas Fernando 
Published: November 2015

Synopsis
This case presents the staffing problem of Manuel Garcia, president of Saint Catherine School (SCS). He needed to incentivize quality teachers to stay with the school but he faced three challenges. First, the school is located in a far flung city in Mindanao, Philippines. Second, the city is economically depressed and the parents are price-sensitive. Third, the school is dependent on tuition revenue and collections barely cover school expenditures. Manuel would have to find creative solutions and defend his decision to the teachers and the Board of Trustees.

Research methodology
The researchers relied on primary data to write the case although the Chairman opted that the school name and all the characters names be disguised. The researchers interviewed individually the Chairman of the Board, President, Vice Chancellor for Academics, University Registrar, Finance Director, and Human Resource Manager of the school. The researchers also interviewed faculty members as a group. The information on the exhibits were culled from reports presented by the administrative team.

Relevant courses and levels
The short case is a learning tool for students taking a degree in educational leadership and management. It can be used as part of an integrating module for graduate students. By this time, students would have had prior lessons in financial, trend, and ratio analysis. The case can also be used to reinforce lessons in the following courses at the undergraduate or graduate level: human resource management, data-driven decision making, financial resource management, educational policy, and even communication. Further, the case is suited for school administrators attending executive development programs. Running a school is more than managing the curriculum. There is a business side that has to be considered. This case helps teachers-turned-administrators consider the financial implications of human resource management decisions. In this instance, salaries and benefits.
Resolving large‐scale pressures on species and ecosystems: propensity modelling identifies agricultural effects on streams
Authors: Pearson Caitlin E. , Ormerod Steve J. , Symondson William O.C. , Vaughan Ian P. 
Published: November 2015

Summary

Although agriculture is amongst the world's most widespread land uses, studies of its effects on stream ecosystems are often limited in spatial extent. National monitoring data could extend spatial coverage and increase statistical power, but present analytical challenges where covarying environmental variables confound relationships of interest.

Propensity modelling is used widely outside ecology to control for confounding variables in observational data. Here, monitoring data from over 3000 English and Welsh river reaches are used to assess the effects of intensive agricultural land cover (arable and pastoral) on stream habitat, water chemistry and invertebrates, using propensity scores to control for potential confounding factors (e.g. climate, geology). Propensity scoring effectively reduced the collinearity between land cover and potential confounding variables, reducing the potential for covariate bias in estimated treatment–response relationships compared to conventional multiple regression.

Macroinvertebrate richness was significantly greater at sites with a higher proportion of improved pasture in their catchment or riparian zone, with these effects probably mediated by increased algal production from mild nutrient enrichment. In contrast, macroinvertebrate richness did not change with arable land cover, although sensitive species representation was lower under higher proportions of arable land cover, probably due to greatly elevated nutrient concentrations.

Synthesis and applications. Propensity modelling has great potential to address questions about pressures on ecosystems and organisms at the large spatial extents relevant to land‐use policy, where experimental approaches are not feasible and broad environmental changes often covary. Applied to the effects of agricultural land cover on stream systems, this approach identified reduced nutrient loading from arable farms as a priority for land management. On this specific issue, our data and analysis support the use of riparian or catchment‐scale measures to reduce nutrient delivery to sensitive water bodies.
Elephant damage, not fire or rainfall, explains mortality of overstorey trees in Serengeti
Authors: Morrison Thomas A. , Holdo Ricardo M. , Anderson T. Michael 
Published: November 2015

Summary

Generalizations about the drivers of tree demography in tropical savannas continue to prove difficult because of the complex and dynamic interactions involved, and because multi‐year data sets spanning meaningful gradients in potential drivers are lacking.

Overstorey trees play disproportionate roles in the long‐term dynamics and functioning of savanna ecosystems. Understanding demographic patterns in these trees is complicated by their resprouting ability after being top‐killed and few studies have attempted to separate top‐kill from true mortality events.

We examined the interactive effects of fire frequency, mean annual precipitation and elephant herbivory on overstorey (>2 m) tree mortality between 2009 and 2014 across 32 permanent vegetation plots in the Serengeti Ecosystem, Tanzania.

Mean tree mortality over the study period was 0.28 ± 0.02 (0.07 year−1). Among trees that were top‐killed (19.1% of all individuals), 31.2% resprouted. Mortality was driven largely by elephant herbivory, though mortality rates varied considerably across space and tree species. Fire frequency and mean annual rainfall were weak predictors of tree mortality. Over the 5 year period, chronic elephant herbivory (i.e. repeated through time) was a stronger predictor of tree mortality than maximum elephant herbivory, suggesting that repeated, low‐intensity damage from elephants was more important to mortality than acute, but infrequent, damage.

Elephants disproportionately damaged certain tree species relative to their availability on the landscape, and the tolerance to damage differed by species as well. Acacia senegal was strongly selected and appeared to have low tolerance to damage when it occurred, resulting in a mortality rate of 0.736 ± 0.052 (0.234 year−1) over the study period. Top‐killing and resprouting rates varied across species, with Acacias generally having low resprout rates.

Synthesis. Our study highlights the considerable role that chronic herbivory plays in structuring savanna tree populations, irrespective of prevailing fire and rainfall conditions, and provides important vegetative context to the dramatic recent declines and (in the case of Serengeti) increases in savanna elephant densities in sub‐Saharan Africa.
Public Service and Commercial Broadcasting: Impacts on Politics and Society
Authors: Newton Ken 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThis article provides an accessible overview of the growing research literature on the impact of public service and commercial broadcasting and highlights its main implications for policy discussions about the future of public service broadcasting in Western societies. It shows that the populations of countries with public service broad‐ and narrowcasting are better informed about government and politics, are more trusting of other people, have more positive civic attitudes, have greater confidence in democratic institutions and are more likely to engage in democratic politics. Moreover, levels of social trust are higher in countries which have a significant public service element in their media systems, even among individuals who do not habitually watch public TV channels. The article ends with a brief discussion of the implications of this research for the future of public broadcasting in the Western world.
Temperature and Time of Steeping Affect the Antioxidant Properties of White, Green, and Black Tea Infusions
Authors: Hajiaghaalipour Fatemeh , Sanusi Junedah , Kanthimathi M. S. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractTea (Camellia sinensis) is the most highly consumed beverage in the world next to water. The common way of preparation is steeping in hot water which is varying for different type of tea. We investigated the antioxidant properties of 6 type of tea leaves under different time and temperatures of extraction method used. In general, all samples tested in this study demonstrated high levels of antioxidant capacity and antioxidant activity. The results indicate that the antioxidants activity is significantly affected by time and temperature of steeping and the highest was depending on the variety. White state values, green and black teas showed different levels of antioxidants under different extraction conditions. Overall, the highest activity for white tea was in prolonged hot and in some assays prolonged hot and cold extracts, whereas for green tea the highest activity observed in prolonged cold steeping while, for black tea was in short hot water infusion. The results of this study showed the antioxidant capacity of white and green tea was greater than black tea.
Resveratrol Regulates Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells by Modulating NF‐κB and the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang De‐Quan , Sun Peng , Jin Quan , Li Xia , Zhang Yu , Zhang Yu‐Jing , Wu Yan‐Ling , Nan Ji‐Xing , Lian Li‐Hua 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIn the present study, we investigated whether resveratrol could suppress the hepatic fibrogenesis in activated hepatic stellate cells. The immortalized rat hepatic stellate cells, t‐HSC/Cl‐6, were treated with resveratrol 1 h prior to lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 μg/mL). Resveratrol decreased t‐HSC/Cl‐6 cell viability at much lower concentrations within 24 h. Resveratrol pretreatment also decreased the LPS‐induced protein expression of α‐SMA and collagen I. In addition, resveratrol significantly reduced the protein expression of Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), and the expression of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) and phosphorylated serine/threonine kinase B (Akt). Moreover, resveratrol markedly blocked the translocation of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB in LPS‐activated HSCs. Furthermore, resveratrol inhibited HSCs activation through stimulating LXRβ, but did not influence LXRα. Overall, we conclude that the antifibrotic effect of resveratrol is the result of blocking NF‐κB activation and PI3K/Akt phosphorylation, which inhibits HSC activation to obstruct liver fibrosis. Thus, resveratrol may be a natural agent for preventing hepatic fibrosis.
Lower rates of hypoglycemia during maintenance treatment with insulin degludec/insulin aspart versus biphasic insulin aspart 30: a combined analysis of two Phase 3a studies in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Christiansen Jens Sandahl , Niskanen Leo , Rasmussen Søren , Johansen Thue , Fulcher Greg 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundInsulin degludec/insulin aspart (IDegAsp) is a soluble coformulation of the basal analog insulin degludec and the rapid‐acting prandial insulin aspart in a single injection. The present combined analysis of two Phase 3a trials compared the incidence of hypoglycemia in participants treated twice daily with IDegAsp or biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30).MethodsHypoglycemia data were analyzed from two similarly designed randomized controlled open‐label treat‐to‐target Phase 3a clinical trials of adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Participants were treated twice daily with IDegAsp or BIAsp 30, with breakfast and their main evening meal.ResultsOver 26 weeks, the rates of overall confirmed, nocturnal confirmed and severe hypoglycemic events were 19%, 57%, and 39% lower, respectively, with IDegAsp (n = 504) than BIAsp 30 (n = 364); estimated rate ratios were 0.81 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67, 0.98; P = 0.0341), 0.43 (95% CI 0.31, 0.59; P = 0.0001), and 0.61 (95% CI 0.26, 1.45; P = NS). The between‐treatment differences were more pronounced during the maintenance period (≥16 weeks); compared with BIAsp 30, rates of overall confirmed, nocturnal confirmed and severe hypoglycemic events with IDegAsp were 0.69 (95% CI 0.55, 0.87; −31%; P = 0.0015); 0.38 (95% CI 0.25, 0.58; −62%; P < 0.0001), and 0.16 (95% CI 0.04, 0.59; −84%; P = 0.0061), respectively.ConclusionsCompared with BIAsp 30 twice daily, IDegAsp twice daily provided similar improvements in glycemic control with a lower risk of hypoglycemia, particularly nocturnal hypoglycemia, in subjects with T2D previously treated with insulin.
Incidence rate of lung cancer in urban Shijiazhuang in 2012 with prevention implication
Authors: Wen Denggui , Li Shumei , Zhang Min , Zhang Nan , Wen Xiaoduo , Yang Yi , Fen Cheng , Wang Shijie , Shan Baoen 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundPollution has been established as an environmental factor in the development of lung cancer; however, the incidence rate in Shijiazhuang, one of China's most heavily polluted cities, is unknown.MethodsAs Chinese citizens are entitled to complete public medical insurance coverage, we estimated the lung cancer incidence rate among registered citizens of urban Shijiazhuang in 2012 using reimbursement records of first hospitalization.ResultsIn Shijiazhuang, lung cancer was the most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer in women. The age standardized world incidence rate (ASRW) was 46.42 and 19.14/100 000, respectively, compared with 51.05 and 22.24/100 000, respectively, reported for 63 Chinese tumor registration cities in 2010 (the national level). However, age‐specific rates for the 55–70 range in men and the 25–55 range in women were higher in Shijiazhuang than nationally. Compared with GLOBOCAN 2012 data, the lung cancer ASRW in Shijiazhuang was comparable to that of all industrialized countries (44.7 and 19.6/100 000), but higher than all developing countries (30.0 and 11.1/100 000), Japan (38.8 and 12.9/100 000), and Korea (45.5 and 16.2/100 000).ConclusionThe lung cancer incidence rate in Shijiazhuang matched the world's highest level in 2012. According to the experience of western countries, the incidence rate in China is expected to continue to rise over the next 40 years. Intervention is urgently required in order to reduce smoking prevalence by a third by 2025 and to take concrete legal action to reduce air pollution.
Chaperone patterns in vernal keratoconjunctivitis are distinctive of cell and Hsp type and are modified by inflammatory stimuli
Authors: Leonardi A. , Tarricone E. , Corrao S. , Alaibac M. , Corso A. J. , Zavan B. , Venier P. , Conway de Macario E. , Macario A. J. L. , Di Stefano A. , Cappello F. , Brun P. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundVernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a severe ocular allergy with pathogenic mechanism poorly understood and no efficacious treatment. The aims of the study were to determine quantities and distribution of Hsp chaperones in the conjunctiva of VKC patients and assess their levels in conjunctival epithelial and fibroblast cultures exposed to inflammatory stimuli.MethodsHsp10, Hsp27, Hsp40, Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsp90, Hsp105, and Hsp110 were determined in conjunctiva biopsies from nine patients and nine healthy age‐matched normal subjects, using immunomorphology and qPCR. Conjunctival epithelial cells and fibroblasts were cultured and stimulated with IL‐1β, histamine, IL‐4, TNF‐α, or UV‐B irradiation, and changes in Hsp levels were determined by Western blotting.ResultsHsp27, Hsp40, Hsp70, and Hsp90 levels increased in the patients' conjunctiva, whereas Hsp10, Hsp60, Hsp100, and Hsp105 did not. Double immunofluorescence demonstrated colocalization of Hsp27, Hsp40, Hsp70, and Hsp90 with CD68 and tryptase. Testing of cultured conjunctival cells revealed an increase in the levels of Hsp27 in fibroblasts stimulated with IL‐4; Hsp40 in epithelial cells stimulated with IL‐4 and TNF‐α and in fibroblasts stimulated with IL‐4, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β; Hsp70 in epithelial cells stimulated with histamine and IL‐4; and Hsp90 in fibroblasts stimulated with IL‐1β, TNF‐α, and IL‐4. UV‐B did not induce changes.ConclusionsVKC conjunctiva displays distinctive quantitative patterns of Hsps as compared with healthy controls. Cultured conjunctival cells respond to cytokines and inflammatory stimuli with changes in the Hsps quantitative patterns. The data suggest that interaction between the chaperoning and the immune systems drives disease progression.