bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards an Understanding of Team Dynamics in Very Small Enterprises
Authors: O'Connor Rory V.
Published: November 2015

Given that it is relatively noncontroversial to claim that human capital, both in terms of education and experience, is associated with superior firm performance, this can be extended to say that having the requisite human capital in terms of software development staff is highly important for software development project success. However, translating into actual corporate benefits implies an understanding of the range of human capital issues in organizations. The present study examines one such range of issues with a focus on the dynamics of teams, where team dynamics is taken as a general term to denote the nature, quality and quantity of interactions among a firms human capital at the team level. Specifically we refer to collaborative dynamics among human capital team resources to indicate the extent to which valuable information is shared, levels of engagement, the existence of a collective sense of awareness and the ability to learn from one another. The results of a study of a series of very small software development firms are presented to ground this study in industrial practice.
Strategic Human Capital, Team Composition and Project Team Performance
Authors: Vicentini Francesca , Boccardelli Paolo
Published: November 2015

This chapter seeks to explore what characteristic of human capital at the individual level links to the performance in project-based organizations (PBOs). In particular, we are interested in the enriching of the individual flexibility construct, which has received minimal investigation from the strategic literature. Moreover, the challenges inherent to this topic are arguably more acute in PBOs, where temporary teams are strategically relevant to the success of the performance and individuals need to be more flexible in order to contribute to high levels of project performance. In particular, we support the idea that the flexibility of members enrolled within teams may influence positively the project performance.
Cybersecurity and Human Capital in Community Banks
Authors: Williquette Joel F.
Published: November 2015

The topic is cybersecurity and human capital. The research question explored is, “Do United States (US) community businesses have the right human capital and technology resources to effectively counter the rising threat of cybercrime in the US?” Research findings conclude that US businesses need to increase their efforts and invest in technologies, staff, technical training, and processes and programs aimed at improving the use of risk-based assessments, defenses, intrusion and anomaly detection, and the business's ability to recover should a cybercrime take place.
Modeling Self-Efficacy as a Dynamic Cognitive Process with the Computational-Unified Learning Model (C-ULM)
Authors: Shell Duane F. , Soh Leen-Kiat , Chiriacescu Vlad
Published: November 2015

Self-efficacy is a person's subjective confidence in their capability of effectively executing behaviors and actions including problem solving. Research has shown it to be one of the most powerful motivators of human action and strongest predictors of performance across a variety of domains. This paper reports on the computational modeling of self-efficacy based on principles derived from the Unified Learning Model (ULM) as instantiated in the multi-agent Computational ULM (C-ULM). The C-ULM simulation is unique in tying self-efficacy directly to the evolution of knowledge itself and in dynamically updating self-efficacy at each step during learning and task attempts. Self-efficacy beliefs have been associated with neural and brain level cognitive processes. Because C-ULM models statistical learning consistent with neural plasticity, the C-ULM simulation provides a model of self-efficacy that is more compatible with neural and brain level instantiation. Results from simulations of self-efficacy evolution due to teaching and learning, task feedback, and knowledge decay are presented. Implications for research into human motivation and learning, cognitive informatics, and cognitive computing are discussed.
On the Mathematical Theories and Cognitive Foundations of Information
Authors: Wang Yingxu
Published: November 2015

A recent discovery in computer and software sciences is that information in general is a deterministic abstract quantity rather than a probability-based property of the nature. Information is a general form of abstract objects represented by symbolical, mathematical, communication, computing, and cognitive systems. Therefore, information science is one of the contemporary scientific disciplines collectively known as abstract sciences such as system, information, cybernetics, cognition, knowledge, and intelligence sciences. This paper presents the cognitive foundations, mathematical models, and formal properties of information towards an extended theory of information science. From this point of view, information is classified into the categories of classic, computational, and cognitive information in the contexts of communication, computation, and cognition, respectively. Based on the three generations of information theories, a coherent framework of contemporary information is introduced, which reveals the nature of information and the fundamental principles of information science and engineering.
Thermal Fields Simulation of the Refining Process for Si Wafer by Continuous-Wave Laser Irradiation
Authors: Fan Bao Dian , Chen Rong , Pang Ai Suo , Chen Chao
Published: November 2015

The direct removal of metal impurity from Si wafer by continuous-wave (CW) laser irradiation has been studied. The wafer was irradiated by linear (Nd:YAG) CW laser with a wavelength of 1064nm. The irradiated region of the wafer experienced melting and subsequent recrystallization process during the laser heating and cooling processes. This leads to the redistribution of the metal impurity along the depth direction. The depth profile of metal atoms in Si was measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The concentration of the metal ions in the CW laser irradiated sample was dramatically decreased at the measurement range of SIMS. Thermal fields of Si wafer irradiated by CW-laser were numerically simulated to explain the SIMS results. A finite element method with a two-dimensional model was selected in the simulation process. The depth of the maximum temperature for the laser irradiated wafer in the irradiation process was related to many parameters, such as, the energy density of the laser and the velocity of the sample moving. The simulation results agree well with our experiment results.
Simulation of Electrochemical Performance on Electrode of Mg-Zn Air Cell
Authors: Shi Gang , Ju Dong Ying
Published: November 2015

In order to develop a new air cell cathode, the mixed with Mg alloy and zinc powder as anode material of a kind of button battery was proposed in the research work. In this paper, the ion concentration results of corrosion solution by ICP measurement was used electrochemical simulation by FACSIMILE for evaluating mechanism of corrosion reactions for Mg alloy and Zn mixed button cell.
Dynamic Constitutive Model for TiC-Particulate Reinforced Titanium Matrix Composites
Authors: Yu Qing Yu , Wang Jing , Gan Yuan Chao , Song Wei Dong , Mao Xiao Nan
Published: November 2015

A coupled model of damage and plasticity is presented to describe the dynamic behaviors of TiC-particulate reinforced titanium matrix composites (TiCp/TMCs) subjected to shock loadings. The TiCp/TMCs are assumed as homogeneous continuum with pre-existing micro-cracks and micro-voids. Damage to TiCp/TMCs is caused due to micro-crack nucleation, growth and coalescence, and defined as the probability of fracture at a given crack density. In terms of crack growth model, micro-cracks are activated, and begin to propagate gradually. When crack density reaches a critical value, the smashing destroy takes place. The model parameters for TiCp/TMCs are determined using plate impact experiments. Comparison with the test results shows that the proposed model can give consistent predictions of the dynamic behaviors of TiCp/TMCs subjected to impact loadings.
Formation Process of Ti Coatings in Mechanical Coating with Different Rotation Speed
Authors: Lu Yun , Hao Liang , Sato Hiromasa , Guan Su Jun , Yoshida Hiroyuki , Asanuma Hiroshi
Published: November 2015

Ti coatings on alumina (Al2O3) balls had been prepared by mechanical coating technique (MCT), and the influence of the rotation speed on the coating formation process were investigated. The crystal structure and microstructure of the Ti coatings were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The formation process of Ti coatings was examined and discussed. The results showed that the rotation speed had great influence on the coating formation process. With increasing the rotation speed, the speed of coating formation had been accelerated and the surface became to be uneven. It was considered that the formation of metal coatings consists of 4 stages: nucleation, formation and coalescence of the discrete islands, formation of the continuous coating, and exfoliation.
Preparation and Photocatalytic Properties of Fe(III)-Grafted TiO2 Nano-Composite Powders
Authors: Huang Min , Wang Kai , Huang Yue , Zhou Zhong Hua , Shen Shirley
Published: November 2015

Fe(Ⅲ)-grafted TiO2 nano-composite powders were prepared by a physical mixture method of Fe（NO3）3·9H2O and TiO2, which was prepared by the pretreatment of blending Fe（NO3）3·9H2O and TiO2 (Fe molar fraction is 0.5%) in absolute ethanol and then calcined at 110 °C. The morphology and structure were characterized by SEM, XRD and UV-Vis spectroscopy, and the photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the decomposition of methyl orange. The experimental results show that the obtained Fe(Ⅲ)-grafted TiO2 nano-composite powder sample has a higher adsorption ability than that without Fe(Ⅲ)-grafting. The degradation of methyl orange due to physical adsorption reaches 53.2% for the as-prepared sample compared to that of TiO2. The sample also has a slightly higher photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic apparent rate constant is about 1.09 times of that of TiO2. The reaction mechanism has also been discussed.
Fabrication of a New Al-Ti-C Master Alloy and its Refining Effect on AZ31
Authors: Liu Xiao Teng , Zhu Xiao Xu , Zhao Yu Zhen , Hao Hai
Published: November 2015

The Al-Ti-C master alloy with excessive carbon content was prepared by the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) in melt method. The master alloy mainly contains Al4C3 and TiC phases, which exhibits satisfactory refining effect on AZ31 alloy. With 1.5wt.% addition of the master alloy, the grain size reduced from 280 μm to 109 μm. The tensile properties are also improved with the refinement of grain structure. The ultimate tensile strength increased from 105 MPa to 156 MPa while the elongation increased from 8.4% to 13.6%. The Al4C3 particles and TiC particles play important role in the refining process due to their low disregistry with α-Mg grains.
Loading Rate Sensitivity of Fracture Absorption Energy of Bainitic-Austenitic TRIP Steel
Authors: Zhou Qian , Qian Li He , Meng Jiang Ying , Zhao Lei Jie , Zhang Fu Cheng
Published: November 2015

Fracture absorption energies of U-notched and pre-cracked samples of a bainitic-austenitic TRIP steel were studied at different loading rates. The results show that the total absorbed energies increase with increasing the loading rate for the two types of samples. For the U-notched samples, both crack initiation and propagation energies exhibit considerably larger values at higher loading rates. However, for the pre-cracked samples, the crack propagation energy increases noticeably with increasing the loading rate, whereas the crack initiation energy does not show an obvious rise with loading rates. These results are discussed in terms of the amount and role of austenite-to-martensite transformation occurring at various loading rates.
Model on Titanium Tetrachloride Gas Phase Oxidation Process
Authors: Li Ya Dong , Xie Gang , Tian Lin , Yu Zhan Liang , Cui Yan , Hou Yan Qing
Published: November 2015

Titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) oxidation is the most important stage in the titanium dioxide production. High temperature, fast reaction and strong oxidation and strong corrosive atmosphere have increased a lot of difficulty to measuring and testing in oxidation reactor. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is one of the most valid methods to investigate TiCl4 gas phase oxidation. In this paper, the achievements and progress about fluid dynamics simulations of titanium tetrachloride gas phase oxidation are described. The further research directions and new perspectives in this field are presented.
Evolutions of Microstructure and Phase Transformation in Cu-Al-Fe-Nb/Ta High-Temperature Shape Memory Alloys
Authors: Yang Shui Yuan , Wang Cui Ping , Su Yu , Liu Xing Jun
Published: November 2015

The evolutions of microstructure and phase transformation behavior of Cu-Al-Fe-Nb/Ta high-temperature shape memory alloys under the quenched and aged states were investigated in this study, including Cu-10wt.% Al-6wt.% Fe, Cu-10wt.% Al-4wt.% Fe-2wt.% Nb and Cu-10wt.% Al-4wt.% Fe-2wt.% Ta three types alloys. The obtained results show that after quenching, Cu-10wt.% Al-6wt.% Fe alloy exhibits two-phase microstructure of β′1 martensite + Fe (Al,Cu) phase; Cu-10wt.% Al-4wt.% Fe-2wt.% Nb alloy also has two-phase microstructure of (β′1 + γ′1 martensites) + Nb (Fe,Al,Cu)2 phase; Cu-10wt.% Al-4wt.% Fe-2wt.% Ta alloy is consisted of three-phase of (β′1 + γ′1 martensites) + Fe (Al,Cu,Ta) + Ta2(Al,Cu,Fe)3 phases. However, α (Cu) phase precipitates after aging for three alloys; and Fe (Al,Cu,Nb) phase is also present in Cu-10wt.% Al-4wt.% Fe-2wt.% Nb alloy. All the studied alloys exhibit complicated martensitic transformation behaviors resulted from the existence of two types martensites (β′1 and γ′1).
Investigations on Microwave Assisted Synthesis and Characterization of Bi2WO6 Nanoparticles
Authors: Sagadevan Suresh
Published: November 2015

Bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) nanoparticles were synthesized by microwave assisted method. The prepared nanoparticles were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible spectroscopy and dielectric studies. The formation of Bi2WO6nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology of Bi2WO6nanoparticle was characterized using scanning electron microscopy SEM. The optical properties were studied by the UV-Visible absorption spectrum. The dielectric properties of Bi2WO6nanoparticles were studied. The activation energy was calculated from AC conductivity studies.Key words: Bi2WO6nanoparticles, XRD, SEM, TEM, UV analysis, Dielectric studies and AC conductivity studies
Rehabilitation of a Patient Receiving a Large-Resection Hip Prosthesis Because of a Phosphaturic Mesenchymal Tumor
Authors: Lopresti Maurizio , Daolio Primo Andrea , Rancati Jacopo , Ligabue Nicoletta , Andreolli Arnaldo , Panella Lorenzo
Published: November 2015

Tumor-induced osteomalacia is an osteomalacic syndrome caused by a mesenchymal origin’s tumor. The diagnostic procedure takes time and extensive investigations because of the characteristics of these tumors usually small dimensioned, slowly growing, non-invasive and therefore hard to locate. The differential diagnosis is determined by a bone biopsy. Tumor’s surgical removal is the treatment of choice that leads up to a complete regression of the oncogenic malacic syndrome. In the clinical course of these patients we can often see multiple episodes of pathological fractures, peri-prosthesis fractures or prosthesis mobilizations, due to the malacic picture: surgical procedures are often widely demolitive and requires mega-prosthetic implant. The rehabilitative procedure used to take care of these patients, is described in the following case report and based on the collaboration between surgical and rehabilitative teams. Rehabili - tative pathway after hip mega-prosthesis does not find references in medical literature: the outcomes analyzed in this case report demonstrate the efficacy of the rehabilitative procedure applied.
Potential role of vitamin D in prevention of skeletal and extraskeletal diseases in older people
Authors: Montagnani Andrea , Nardi Roberto , Cercignani Michela , Verdiani Valerio
Published: November 2015

Vitamin D and calcium are essential for bone health. An adequate calcium-phosphorus product determines a high quality mineralization long lifetime. In older people, both calcium and vitamin D levels may be lower causing osteomalacia and/or osteoporosis with a higher risk of fracture. Epidemiological data have clearly associated serum vitamin D lower levels (deficiency) with bone fracture in older people, however, not univocal data exist in regard to a beneficial effect of vitamin D supplementation in general population. Although not systematic, the present review aims to make a narrative synthesis of the most recent published data on vitamin D effect not only on bone, classical target associated with vitamin D studies, but namely on extraskeletal diseases. In fact, recently, there has been an increasing interest on this latter issue with surprising findings. Vitamin D, and in particular its deficiency, seems to have a role in pathophysiological pathways in several diseases involving cardiovascular, central nervous system and neoplastic process. On the other hand, vitamin D supplementation may modify the outcome of a wide range of illnesses. Up to date the data are conflicting mainly because of difficulty to establish a consensus on the threshold of vitamin D deficit. The US Institute of Medicine recommends to distinguish a level of insufficiency [defined as 30-50 nmol/L or 16-25 ng/mL of 25(OH)D] and another of deficiency identified by 25(OH)D levels lower than 30 nmol/L (or <16 ng/mL). This latter level is considered a minimum level necessary in older adults to minimize the risk of falls, fracture and probably to have some effects of vitamin D supplementation in extraskeletal diseases. Although there are no absolute certainties in such issue, the most recent data suggest that vitamin D deficiency, and its supplementation, may play an important role in a wide range of diseases other than in bone metabolic diseases in older but not in general population. For such reason a widespread measurement of vitamin D levels in general population, and not only in older, seems to be inappropriate and it could induce an overuse of vitamin D supplementation in situations in which its efficacy and cost-effectiveness have not been proven.
Reply to: Saphenous sparing laser modern options (comment to Gianesini et al., Veins and Lymphatics 2013;2:e21 and Veins and Lymphatics 2015;4:5246)
Authors: Gianesini Sergio
Published: November 2015

Not required
Exposure to bisphenol A and gender differences: from rodents to humans evidences and hypothesis about the health effects
Authors: Caporossi Lidia , Papaleo Bruno
Published: November 2015

Bisphenol A (BPA) interacts with the endocrine system and seems to produce different effects in relation to gender. The objective of the study was to clarify the possible health effects of exposure to BPA in relation to gender. A literature search was performed using three different search engines: Medline, PubMed and Scopus. Data on both animals and humans showed that BPA acts as a xenoestrogen and interacts with the androgens’ metabolism, producing different outcomes: uterotropic effects, decreasing sperm production, stimulation of prolactin release. Gender difference plays a key role in understanding the real toxic effects, the BPA serum concentrations were, all the time, higher in male subjects, possibly due to the difference in androgen-related enzyme activity levels, compared with the healthly female subjects, to equal levels of exposure; while higher BPA levels in women have been associated with a variety of conditions including obesity, endometrial hyperplasia, recurrent miscarriages, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. The data collected are sufficiently robust to raise concerns about the potentially deleterious impact of BPA on humans, even with some methodological limitations; the different impact of BPA in men and in women is documented and of a certain interest. In toxicology it is necessary to assess effects in relation to gender differences, in order to set up prevention plans in the work environment targeting the specific risk.
Access to information and decision making on teenage pregnancy prevention by females in Tshwane
Authors: Masemola-Yende J.P.F. , Mataboge Sanah M.
Published: November 2015

Background: The increase in the number of teenage pregnancies and its negative consequences has encouraged various researchers to explore the possible causes of teenage pregnancy. Findings from previously-conducted research have indicated different preventable factors that predispose female teenagers to pregnancy, such as staff attitudes and the lack of information resulting from poor access to health facilities.Objective: To explore and describe access to information and decision making on teenage pregnancy prevention by females using a primary healthcare clinic in Tshwane, South Africa.Method: In this study, the researchers used a descriptive qualitative and exploratory research design to explore and describe the verbal reports regarding prevention of teenage pregnancy by females using a primary healthcare clinic in Tshwane, South Africa. Face-to-face semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 female participants aged between 15 and 26, who had been pregnant once or more during their teens.Results: Two themes emerged, namely, access to information and decision making by female teenagers. Five categories that emerged were: access to information on pregnancy prevention; ignoring of provided information; the use of alternative medicine with hormonal contraception; personal reasons for use and non-use of contraception; and decisions made by teenagers to not fall pregnant. Females in this study fell pregnant in their teens, even though they had access to information.Conclusion: Given the complexity of this problem, female teenagers should use their families as primary sources of information for reproductive health promotion and educational institutions should build on this to aid the prevention of teenage pregnancy.
Oil terrorism-militancy link: Mediating role of moral disengagement in emergency and crisis management
Authors: Mafimisebi, PhD Student Oluwasoye Patrick , Thorne, PhD Sara
Published: November 2015

The controversial issues of terrorism and militancy have generated contemporary interests and different interpretations have emerged on how to combat and manage these dangerous events. This study widens understanding of moral disengagement mechanism application in the perpetuation of inhumanities within the context of oil terrorist and militant behaviors. The research findings and model are explicit on how people form moral evaluations of agents who are forced to make morally relevant decisions over times in context of crisis situations. Quite crucially, understanding the context of terrorism and militancy provides policymakers, emergency and crisis managers better analysis and response to such events. The research fundamental purpose was to investigate the mediating role of moral disengagement on delinquency of oil terrorism and militancy; and considered implications for emergency and crisis management practices. The study found that situational-induced crises such as oil terrorism and militancy were sufficient to account for an individual's misdeeds and unethical or inhumane decisions made under frustration and agitation may be perceived as less indicative of one's fundamental character. Findings suggest that more repugnant delinquencies could have been committed in the name of justice than in the name of injustice, avenues for future research. In context, the result of the moral disengagement scale shows that morality of delinquency (oil terrorism and militancy) is accomplished by cognitively redefining the morality of such acts. The main finding is that people in resistance movements are rational actors making rational choices. The authors argue that theorists, policymakers, and practitioners must give meaningful attention to understanding the multidimensional nature of emergency, crisis and disaster management for better strength of synthesis between theory and practice. The research is concluded by thorough examination of the implication and limitations for future research and practice.
Balancing opioid-induced gastrointestinal side effects with pain management: Insights from the online community
Authors: Whitman, MPH Cynthia B. , Reid, PhD Mark W. , Arnold, PhD Corey , Ursos, PhD Lyann , Sa’adon, MS Roee , Pourmorady, MD Jonathan , Spiegel, MD, MSHS Brennan M. R. , Patel, PharmD Haridarshan
Published: November 2015

Opioids cause gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, pain, and (in 40 percent) constipation that diminish patients’ quality of life. Outside traditional surveys, little is known about the opioid-induced constipation (OIC) patient experience and its impact on pain management. The purpose of this study was to use data from social media platforms to qualitatively examine patient beliefs about OIC and other prominent GI side effects, their impact on effective pain management and doctor-patient interaction. The authors collected Tweets from March 25 to July 31, 2014, and e-forum posts from health-related social networking sites regardless of timestamp. The authors identified specific keywords related to opioids and GI side effects to locate relevant content in the dataset, which was then manually coded using ATLAS.ti software. The authors examined 2,519,868 Tweets and more than 1.8 billion e-forum posts, of which, 88,586 Tweets and 9,767 posts satisfied the search criteria. Three thousand three individuals experienced opioid-induced GI side effects, mostly related to phenanthrenes (n = 1,589), and 1,274 (42.4 percent) individuals described constipation. Over-the-counter medications and nonevidence-based natural approaches were most commonly used to alleviate constipation. Many individuals questioned, rotated, reduced, or stopped their opioid treatments as a result of their GI side effects. Investigation of social media reveals a struggle to balance pain management with opioid-induced GI side effects, especially constipation. Individuals are often unprepared to treat OIC, to modify opioid regiments without medical advice, and to resort to using natural remedies and treatments lacking scientific evidence of effectiveness. These results identify opportunities to improve physician-patient communication and explore effective treatment alternatives.
Twelve-month, open-label assessment of long-term safety and abuse potential of hydrocodone extended-release formulated with abuse-deterrence technology in patients with chronic pain
Authors: Hale, MD Martin E. , Zimmerman, Jr, MD Thomas R. , Ma, MS Yuju , Malamut, MD Richard
Published: November 2015

Objective: To evaluate long-term safety of hydrocodone extended-release (ER) formulated with CIMA® Abuse-Deterrence Technology platform. Design: Phase 3, open-label study.Setting: Sixty-one US study centers.Patients: Patients with chronic pain newly enrolled or rolled over from a 12-week, placebo-controlled hydrocodone ER study; 330 patients enrolled, 329 patients received study drug, and 189 completed the study.Intervention: After titrating to an analgesic dose (15-90 mg every 12 hours), patients received ≤52 weeks of open-label treatment.Main outcome measures: Safety: adverse events (AEs), vital signs, laboratory values, electrocardiograms, and audiometry. Abuse potential: drug loss and diversion, Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain-Revised (SOAPP-R), Addiction Behaviors Checklist (ABC), Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) questionnaires, and Patient Global Assessment (PGA) of pain control.Results: Of 329 patients who received ≥1 hydrocodone ER dose, 284 (86 percent) reported ≥1 AE and 27 (8 percent) experienced ≥1 serious AE. Sixty-two (19 percent) patients withdrew because of AEs, and two AEs leading to death were reported. No serious AEs or AEs leading to death were considered treatment related by the investigator. There were no clinically meaningful trends in other safety assessments. SOAPP-R, ABC, and COMM scores demonstrated low risk of aberrant drug-related behavior. Good/excellent PGA responses were reported by 20 percent of patients at baseline and 75 percent at endpoint. The incidence of drug loss (11 percent) and diversion (2 percent) was low.Conclusions: Hydrocodone ER demonstrated acceptable safety when administered for ≤12 months in patients with chronic pain. Low occurrence of aberrant drug-related behavior may support the abuse-deterrence properties of hydrocodone ER.
Assessment of the use of oral fluid as a matrix for drug monitoring in patients undergoing treatment for opioid addiction
Authors: Kunkel, MD Frank , Fey, MS Elizabeth , Borg, PhD Damon , Stripp, PhD Richard , Getto, BS Christine
Published: November 2015

Drug testing is an important clinical tool that is available to physicians who are assessing the effectiveness of drug treatment as well as patient compliance to the administered program. While urine has traditionally been the matrix of choice for drug monitoring, oral fluid, a filtrate of the blood, has shown great promise as an alternative matrix for such applications. Oral fluid collection can be accomplished without the need for highly trained medical staff through the use of a simple, noninvasive oral fluid collection device, which obtains an adequate sample in only a few minutes. There has been a significant amount of research performed on the use of oral fluid for forensic toxicology application; however, more studies assessing the use of oral fluid drug testing are required to validate its ability to achieve clinical drug monitoring goals. Testing for various drugs in oral fluid may yield a different result when compared to the same drugs in urine, requiring an assessment of the utility of oral fluid for such practices. The purpose of this study was to examine the application of oral fluid drug testing in patients undergoing buprenorphine treatment for opioid dependence. A retrospective analysis of drug testing results obtained from 6,928 patients (4,560 unobserved urine collections and 2,368 observed oral fluid collections) monitored for heroin metabolite, amphetamine, benzodiazepines, buprenorphine, tetrahydrocannabinol, cocaine, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, and oxymorphone was completed. Results of this statistical exercise indicated that patients undergoing observed oral fluid collection tested positive more frequently than those unobserved urine collections for several illicit drugs and prescription medications targeted. Oral fluid was shown to detect illicit drug use as well as noncompliance in this patient population under the studied conditions more often than the urine specimens.
Los grandes sistemas de abastecimiento de agua en el litoral de Alicante
Authors: Morote Seguido Álvaro Francisco
Published: November 2015

El litoral de Alicante ha sufrido grandes transformaciones territoriales desde las décadas de 1960 y 1970 a raíz de la actividad turística. Uno de los servicios que necesita esta actividad, entre otros, es el abastecimiento de agua potable. En este sentido, por su papel estratégico, el suministro de agua en alta es decisivo para abastecer a los municipios turístico-residenciales. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer y analizar los diferentes sistemas de abastecimiento de agua en alta en la costa de Alicante, sus características, infraestructuras, recursos hídricos disponibles y medidas de gestión llevados a cabo. Algunas de las conclusiones extraídas son el papel estratégico que ejercen en el territorio, especialmente con el agua, un recurso escaso y de vital importancia para la orla costera alicantina, sobre todo en los meses estivales.
Fiscal Contingencies due to Changes in the Method of Calculating the PIS and COFINS Levies in Brazil
Authors: Martinez Antonio Lopo , Sonegheti Kassila Spinassé
Published: November 2015

This paper studies the effects of change in the method of calculating the PIS and COFINS in the disclosure of tax contingencies. The tax contingencies in general, including contingencies related tax contributions, must be evidenced in financial statement notes, in accordance with established accounting criteria for this purpose. In this context, this study analyzes the disclosure level of Brazilian companies reporting in the financial statement notes to the tax contingent assets and liabilities, especially with regard to non-cumulative PIS and COFINS, and what its features. To assess the level of disclosure of contingencies it applied a Probit model in which it tried to identify the determinants of disclosure level. The results suggest that the majority of the firms analyzed, although they have fiscal contingencies related to PIS and COFINS, do not explain the nature of the respective accounting figures in financial statement notes, so they are not being transparent to investors in this respect.
Associations between socioeconomic index and mortality in rural and urban small geographic areas of Catalonia, Spain: Ecological study
Authors: J Caro-Mendivelso , JM Elorza-Ricart , E Hermosilla , L Méndez-Boo , M García-Gil , D Prieto-Alhambra , M Medina
Published: November 2015

Objective: To analyse the association between MEDEA (Mortality in small areas of Spain and socioeconomic and environmental inequalities) index and mortality in urban and rural areas of Catalonia. Methods: An ecological study based on the analysis of census section.  The data source used for census section and variables to calculate the MEDEA index was the census (2001). Mortality data were obtained from System for the Development of Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP). The census sections were classified as rural or urban. The association between mortality and the socioeconomic index was analysed as categorical variable (quintiles). Poisson models were fitted to study the association between MEDEA index and mortality. Analysis was done with the STATA software, version 12. Results: In January 2009, a total of 4,526,071 adults (> 14 years old) were assigned to ICS (Institut Català de la Salut ) primary healthcare centres. The identified population lived in 5,214 census sections out of a total of 5,222 existing areas, from which 4096 (78.5%) were urban. The association between MEDEA quintiles and mortality was significant for urban areas excluding Barcelona: excess mortality was 5% (IRR = 1.05 IC 95% 1.01-1.10), being higher in urban areas (IRR = 1.11 95% CI 1.08 to 1.15) and even higher in Barcelona (IRR = 1.24 95% CI 1.18 to 1.31). This association was not significant for rural areas (IRR = 0.95 CI 95% 0.88-1.02). Conclusions:Socioeconomic deprivation, measured with the MEDEA index, was related with an increase in total mortality in urban areas of Catalonia. In rural areas there was no association with mortality.
The Implementation of Interactive Multimedia Learning Materials in Teaching Listening Skills
Authors: Ampa Andi Tenri
Published: November 2015

One of the factors that may affect the success of the learning process is the use of learning media. Therefore, this research aimed to implement and evaluate the interactive multimedia learning materials using Wondershare Quizcreator program and audio materials in teaching 'English listening skills'. The research problem was whether or not there was a significant difference between the results of teaching listening skills through the interactive multimedia learning materials using Wondershare Quizcreator program and the results of teaching listening skills through audio materials. The earlier process used in the research was to produce new products to be implemented. The product had been validated by the experts and tried out to the college students to get their responses towards the validity and the practicality of the products. Furthermore, the products as new materials were implemented to the experimental group and the conventional materials (audio materials) were implemented to the control group. Pretest and posttest had ben conducted before implementation. The results of statistical analysis (SPSS) showed that there was no significant difference between the results of pretest of the two groups, but there was a significant difference between the results of post of experimental and control groups. It was proved that the t-cal. was greater than the t-table (5.583 > 2.000) at df 70 and p.0.05. So, it was concluded that the interactive multimedia learning materials using Wondershare Quizcreator program were effective in teaching 'English listening skills'.
Empirical Study on Tourism and Economic Growth of Bahrain: An ARDL Bounds Testing Approach
Authors: Kreishan Fuad M.
Published: November 2015

This paper empirically investigates the tourism-led-growth hypothesis (TLGH) in case of Bahrain. Using time series econometrics techniques the study examines the long run relationship between international tourism and economic growth in Bahrain by using Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model over the period of 1990 to 2014. The results obtained from the analyses show that there is a positive relationship between tourism development and economic growth in Bahrain. Moreover, the results indicate that there is unidirectional Granger causality flow from tourism to economic growth in Bahrain. Hence, the development of tourism activity will thus have a positive impact on Bahrain economy. Our findings imply that Bahrain may enhance its economic growth by strategically strengthening the tourism industry in the country.
Policy, Institutions and Non-Oil Exports: Evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Iyoboyi Martins , Na-Allah Abdelrasaq
Published: November 2015

In this paper, the impact of policy and institutions on non-oil exports in Nigeria is investigated, using data from secondary sources for the period 1961-2012, and implemented through the autoregressive distributed lag framework. Non-oil exports were found to have a long-run equilibrium relationship with policy and institutional variables. Money supply and exchange rate were found to be positively associated with and statistically significant determinants of non-oil exports in the long and short run. Fiscal deficit, interest rate, ‘constraints on the executive’ and openness were found to be inversely related to non-oil exports in both the short and long run. While inflation was found to be negatively related to non-oil exports in the short run, it is the reverse in the long run. An enhanced political institutional framework is required, that is attuned to growth in the non-oil sector of the economy, as a mechanism for improving the country’s non-oil exports.
Exchange Rate Volatility and Trade Flows: Evidence from China, Pakistan and India
Authors: Shaikh Sarfaraz Ahmed , Hongbing Ouyang
Published: November 2015

This study examines the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on trade flows in case of China, Pakistan and India by using the time series data from 1980 to 2013. Most of the researchers have advocated that exchange rate volatility is negatively associated with general level of trade. In this study we have used the standard deviation of the moving average of the logarithm of the exchange rate as a proxy for volatility. And to investigate this relationship, we have applied the Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) approach for co-integration which estimates the short and long run relationship among the variables for the said period. The results of this empirical work have suggested that exchange rate volatility is negatively associated with Chinese exports in short run while positively associated in long run. However, in the case of Pakistan and India both in the short run and long run, the exchange rate volatility is negatively associated with total volume of trade.
Combining Forecasts from Linear and Nonlinear Models Using Sophisticated Approaches
Authors: Abdelsalam Mamdouh A. M. , Ahmed Doaa Akl
Published: November 2015

This paper aims at improving the prediction accuracy through using combining forecasts approaches. In forecast combination, the crucial issue is the selection of the weights to be assigned to each model. In addition to traditional methods, we propose, also, two sophisticated approaches. These suggested methods are modified Bayesian Moving Average (BMA) and Extended Time-varying coefficient (ETVC). The first technique is based on merging the traditional BMA with other frequentist combination schemes to avoid the subjective prior inside the traditional Bayesian technique. The suggested ETVC approach provides consistent time-varying parameters even if there are some measurement errors, omitted variables bias and if the true functional form is unknown. Concerning the included models, we consider both linear and nonlinear models in order to calculate the forecasts of quarterly Egyptian CPI inflation. We find that our proposed scheme ETVC is superior to the best model and all other static combination schemes including the time-varying scheme based on the random walk coefficients updated (TVR) approach. Additionally, the suggested modified Bayesian approach improves the traditional BMA and overcomes the problem of depending on the arbitrary choice for the initial priors.
Causal Relationship between Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth in Nigeria: 1970-2013
Authors: I. U. Uwazie , A. A. Igwemma , Bernard Eze Nnabu
Published: November 2015

Foreign direct investment is presumed to play immense role in economic growth in both developed and developing economies. This assumption has motivated the army of studies to actually determine the nexus between foreign direct investment and economic growth in Nigeria. But these studies were not unified on the direction of the causation, hence the need for the study. To effectively analyze the result, the study employs vector error correction model method of causality to analyze the annual data for the periods of 1970 to 2013. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test show presence of unit root at level but stationary after first difference. The Johansen cointegration test confirms that the variables are cointegrated while the granger causality test affirms that foreign direct investment and economic growth reinforce each other in the short run in Nigeria. Also, it is reported that foreign direct investment granger cause economic growth both in the short and long run in Nigeria. Based on these findings, the study advocates the adoption of aggressive policy reforms to boost investors’ confidence and promotion of qualitative human capital development to lure FDI into the country. It also suggests the introduction of selective openness to allow only the inflow of FDI that have the capacity to spillover to the economy. These will attract FDI and boost economic growth in Nigeria.
Information Diffusion and the Lead-Lag Relationship between Small and Large Size Portfolios: Evidence from an Emerging Market
Authors: Drakos Anastassios A. , Diamandis Panayiotis F. , Kouretas Georgios P.
Published: November 2015

This paper investigates whether lead-lag patterns exist between small and large size portfolios constructed from stocks traded in an emerging market, the Cyprus Stock Exchange (CSE). We examine this relation in both its short-run by using the correlation-based approach of Lo and MacKinlay (1990) and its long-run by employing the cointegration-based methodology of Kanas and Kouretas (2005). Furthermore, on finding that cointegration exists we then use the estimated error correction models (ECMs) to obtain out-of-sample forecasts of small-firm portfolio returns and it is shown that these ECMs have superior forecasting performance relative to models without the error correction terms. The main finding of our analysis is that a lead-lag effect was established between small and large size portfolios for the Cyprus equity market in both the short-run and the long-run.
The Market as a Decision-Making Mechanism in a Democracy
Authors: Evangelopoulos Panagiotis
Published: November 2015

In my paper I attempt to show that the market is an effective decision-making mechanism in a modern democracy. On the other hand, in a contemporary democratic society, the state must have a limited role, only on the formation of the collective choice through the majority rule. The majority rule is required for the proper functioning of social organization, with the voting mechanism within a framework of strict limitations imposed by individuals with high-level constitutional backing for the effective protection of the individual rights.
Effects of Shareholder Groups on the Factoring Institutions Profitability: Evidence from Germany
Authors: Koch Sven
Published: November 2015

The significant role of trade credit in financing large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises leads to high stocks of account receivables within the balance sheets of German firms. As a result the importance of working capital financing is growing and the demand for accounts receivables financing (factoring) increases. The German factoring industry is dominated by banks. In addition to bank-owned financial institutions, many non-bank financial institutions are represented on the market. In a context of a continuing market consolidation, it is of interest whether there are differences in terms of profitability depending on shareholder groups (financial institution, non-financial institution, non holding). The German factoring market is an extremely growing market with further growth potential in an ongoing market consolidation. A further market consolidation is probable because the administrative expenses of small financial institutions and institutions without any holding are high. However, subsidiaries of a financial holding or non-financial holding show significantly lower administrative expenses. The results show that the profitability of the financial institutions is significantly influenced by the shareholders and the size of the institution. Financial institutions of a financial holding (bank-owned) are significantly less profitable than institutions without any holding or institutions of a non-financial holding. A similar picture emerges in the achieved margins of factors.
Factors Determining Income among Real Estate Salespersons: The Impacts of Individual Conditions, Franchises, and Regular Chains
Authors: Lee Chun-Chang , Tung Cheng-Huang , Lee Yu-Heng , You Shu-Man
Published: November 2015

This study explores the factors that affect the incomes of real estate salespersons by applying hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to investigate the incomes of real estate salespersons in Kaohsiung. A total of 510 questionnaires were distributed to large chain housing agencies, of which a total of 319 effective samples were retrieved from 54 branch stores, for an effective return rate of 62.55%. The empirical results showed that individual incomes vary significantly from store to store. About 4.8% of the variation in individual incomes was due to differences among different branch stores. The individual income of a real estate salesperson is also significantly affected by individual-level factors such as age, working hours, and working experience. The marginal impact of education level, age, working hours, and working experience on real estate salesperson income is moderated by the type of store at which the given salesperson works. In addition, a branch store’s location has a direct, significant, and positive impact on a real estate salesperson’s income.