bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brand Trust Determinants and Customer Switching Resistance
Authors: Abdelkader Ali Ahmed , Mohamed Hossam Al- Din Fathy
Published: June 2019

Customer switching resistance (CSR) is the highest level of loyalty because it means that a customer will be loyal and be sustained even if disruptions occur. This research aims to determine and analyze the determinants of brand trust and its relationship with customer switching resistance. To accomplish these objectives, a random stratified sample of 376 customers was selected from population of mobile phone companies in Egypt. The research findings emphasized that there is a significant relationship between brand reputation, brand personality, word of mouth, and brand image (as a whole and each one of them separately) and brand trust. The findings also reveal that there is a significant relationship between brand reputation, brand personality, word of mouth, and brand image (as a whole and each one of them separately), brand trust and customer switching resistance. These results assure the importance of the brand trust and its determinants to promote customer switching resistance at mobile phone companies in Egypt.
Multisensory Brand Experiences and Brand Love
Authors: Rodrigues Clarinda
Published: June 2019

In this chapter, the author examines the most important research in the field of sensory marketing, brand equity and brand love, that has been published over the past thirty years. Firstly, the author accounts for the significance of the five senses and sensory marketing which is regarded as a new marketing paradigm for the 21st century. Secondly, brand equity is discussed as a multidimensional concept, highlighting the pivotal role of emotional and sensory associations in creating a positive brand image and strong brand equity. Thirdly, brand love is analysed as an emerging brand-relationship concept in the field of experiential consumption. Fourthly, the significance of multisensory brand experiences is discussed as a means of making brands stand out in a competitive environment and inducing feelings of love towards a brand. Finally, brand sensoriality is pointed out as central to conveying experiential brand values through multisensory brand experiences, in several encounters.
Understanding Doppelgänger Brand Image
Authors: Chhabra Sakhhi
Published: June 2019

With ubiquitous digital growth in the last two decades, consumers' belief of authenticity has become robust. Empowered consumers voice their opinion boldly through internet medium. Antibrand activists, bloggers and loosely organized network of consumers continuously monitor the activities of deceitful marketers and one insidious tactic turns the emotional image to doppelgänger brand image (DBI) - disparaging images and stories about a brand. This article helps in giving insights about the concept of DBI and show the paradoxical side of emotional branding. The concept has been explained with illustrations and recent issues like net neutrality in India, Maggi ban, etc. In addition, the chapter also covers the motivations to create DBI, brands susceptible to DBI and location of such images. The work puts across the schemes where managers could turn this threat of DBI into an opportunity to tell a new brand story, thereby regaining the emotional appeal for the brand. Understanding the concept of DBI would help the readers appreciate the area of emotional branding in better light.
Social Media Effects in Virtual Brand Communities
Authors: See-To Eric W. K. , Del Rio Pablo Alejandre , Ho Kevin K.W.
Published: June 2019

Social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook and Twitter are emerging as major communication channels for organizations looking for new ways of customer engagement. Although this new scenario is having a massive impact on consumer behavior and marketing strategies, very little is known about users' intentions to participate in online social networks, and the potential benefits that online social interaction could generate. This research presents a new framework integrating the advantages of two well-known approaches, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), to understand the intention to participate in the SNSs. The TAM focuses more on volitional factors, while the TPB considers external influences such as social factors. The authors' framework integrates both models, and extended them with two key elements in online communication and E-commerce: privacy and trust. The framework also reflects the effects of interaction between brands and consumers on Facebook and Twitter. The new theoretical framework was tested through two cross-sectional surveys in Facebook and Twitter. The results indicate that high levels of trust, attitude and perceived usefulness can be good indicators of the adoption of a SNS. Individually, Twitter was found to be a powerful word of mouth tool, and Facebook is a good interactive channel. These findings can provide a better picture of how practitioners should develop their strategies in both platforms in order to maximize their potential.
Environmental Analysis of Construction Materials
Authors: Cakmakli Aysem Berrin
Published: June 2019

There is a growing universal awareness of protecting the living and non-living environment and making enlightened decisions to achieve a sustainable development without destruction of the natural resources. In this point of view, selecting building materials according to their energy and health performances gains importance in sustainable design. 3Rs (reducing, reusing, recycling), and supplying a healthy, non-hazardous indoor air for building occupants are two important parameters of environmental life-cycle assessment for materials. Information on exposure to gases and vapors from synthetic materials made from petrochemicals, to heavy metals and pesticides, and to some combustion pollutants that cause acid rain should be determined by analyzing environmental product declarations or material specifications. After studying on building materials individually, they are analyzed in the form of tables for four different stages; manufacturing, application, usage, demolition phase. Consequently, this chapter can guide the designer and engineer to think on the elements of design and construction activity.
Sustainability of Green Building Practices in Residential Projects
Authors: Das Subhankar
Published: June 2019

A green building is a sustainable building that has minimal impacts on the environment throughout its life. For the purposes of this report, “green building” is understood to mean construction that makes efficient use of energy and resources in every aspect. This includes the production of building materials, and the design, use, and eventual demolition of a building in any sector (commercial, residential, industrial, public buildings) and at all stages, from new buildings to “retrofitting” or adapting existing ones. The construction sector, which accounts for 10% of global GDP, has direct and indirect impacts on the environment. It produces 23% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and buildings are responsible for between 30% and 40% of all material flows. A green building is a sustainable building that has minimal impacts on the environment throughout its life.
Next Generation Multi-Access Edge-Computing Fiber-Wireless-Enhanced HetNets for Low-Latency Immersive Applications
Authors: Ebrahimzadeh Amin , Maier Martin
Published: June 2019

Next generation optical access networks have to cope with the contradiction between the intense computation and ultra-low latency requirements of the immersive applications and limited resources of smart mobile devices. In this chapter, after presenting a brief overview of the related work on multi-access edge computing (MEC), the authors explore the potential of full and partial decentralization of computation by leveraging mobile end-user equipment in an MEC-enabled FiWi-enhanced LTE-A HetNet, by designing a two-tier hierarchical MEC-enabled FiWi-enhanced HetNet-based architecture for computation offloading, which leverages both local (i.e., on-device) and nonlocal (i.e., MEC/cloud-assisted) computing resources to achieve low response time and energy consumption for mobile users. They also propose a simple yet efficient task offloading mechanism to achieve an improved quality of experience (QoE) for mobile users.
Challenges in Future Intra-Data-Center Networks and Possible Solutions
Authors: Ishaq Muhammad , Kaleem Mohammad , Kifayat Numan
Published: June 2019

This chapter briefly introduces the data center network and reviews the challenges for future intra-data-center networks in terms of scalability, cost effectiveness, power efficiency, upgrade cost, and bandwidth utilization. Current data center network architecture is discussed in detail and the drawbacks are pointed out in terms of the above-mentioned parameters. A detailed background is provided that how the technology moved from opaque to transparent optical networks. Additionally, it includes different data center network architectures proposed so far by different researchers/team/companies in order to address the current problems and meet the demands of future intra-data-center networks.
Sepsis-Induced State of Immunoparalysis Is Defined by Diminished CD8 T Cell–Mediated Antitumor Immunity
Authors: Danahy Derek B. , Kurup Samarchith P. , Winborn Christina S. , Jensen Isaac J. , Harty John T. , Griffith Thomas S. , Badovinac Vladimir P.
Published: June 2019

Patients who survive sepsis experience long-term immunoparalysis characterized by numerical and/or functional lesions in innate and adaptive immunity that increase the host’s susceptibility to secondary complications. The extent to which tumor development/growth is affected in sepsis survivors remains unknown. In this study, we show cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery renders mice permissive to increased B16 melanoma growth weeks/months after sepsis induction. CD8 T cells provide partial protection in this model, and tumors from sepsis survivors had a reduced frequency of CD8 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) concomitant with an increased tumor burden. Interestingly, the postseptic environment reduced the number of CD8 TILs with high expression of activating/inhibitory receptors PD-1 and LAG-3 (denoted PD-1hi) that define a tumor-specific CD8 T cell subset that retain some functional capacity. Direct ex vivo analysis of CD8 TILs from CLP hosts showed decreased proliferation, IFN-γ production, and survival compared with sham counterparts. To increase the frequency and/or functional capacity of PD-1hi CD8 TILs in tumor-bearing sepsis survivors, checkpoint blockade therapy using anti–PD-L1/anti–LAG-3 mAb was administered before or after the development of sepsis-induced lesions in CD8 TILs. Checkpoint blockade did not reduce tumor growth in CLP hosts when therapy was administered after PD-1hi CD8 TILs had become reduced in frequency and/or function. However, early therapeutic intervention before lesions were observed significantly reduced tumor growth to levels seen in nonseptic hosts receiving therapy. Thus, sepsis-induced immunoparalysis is defined by diminished CD8 T cell–mediated antitumor immunity that can respond to timely checkpoint blockade, further emphasizing the importance of early cancer detection in hosts that survive sepsis.
Choosing Wisely, the reasons for its success
Authors: Bobbio Marco , Vernero Sandra
Published: June 2019

The philosophy and the history of the International Choosing Wisely movement, launched in the U.S. in 2012, are described. It grew and spread beyond what it was anticipated at the beginning because there is a rising concern of the medical community regarding the appropriate use of procedures and treatments placed into the market before an adequate evaluation of risks and benefits. Not only healthcare providers, but also patients, citizens and politicians, are becoming aware of the consequences of inappropriate decisions and behaviors since inappropriateness has economic (waste of resources), clinical (risks), but also ethical implications. In Italy the movement was launched and still is coordinated by the Slow Medicine organization, that created the campaign Doing more does not mean doing better – Choosing Wisely Italy, which aimed to improve clinical appropriateness through the reduction of unnecessary tests and treatments and the dialogue between physicians and patients. Currently, 44 societies of physicians, nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists identified 230 recommendations about tests, treatments and procedures commonly used in Italy’s clinical practice that do not provide any benefit to most patients but may cause harm.
What is so theological about a faculty of theology at a public university? Athens – Berlin – Pretoria
Authors: Buitendag Johan
Published: June 2019

In this article, the author engages with the question ‘what is so theological about theological education?’, which he calls a genealogy of theology. This matter is approached from a very specific vantage point as the author was the former dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria (South Africa) and has engaged in this research project over the past 5 years, as the Faculty was under severe review as to its composition, and ultimately its very future. This article endeavours to bring to the surface the underlying theology of the author and the paradigm he is operating from. It concludes with a definition of theology as he sees it, but with the explicit qualification of it being situated at a research-intensive university competing for a notable position on the ranking indexes of world universities. A new niche is thus opening up for theology (vis-à-vis a seminary or even a Christian university), namely, a ‘scholarly endeavour of believers in the public sphere in order to inquire into a multi-dimensional reality in a manner that matters’.
Auto-memorialisation: Augustus’ Res Gestae as slanted narrative
Authors: Claassen Johanna Maria
Published: June 2019

That Augustus wanted to utilise the to-be-publicly-published record of his career, the Res Gestae Divi Augusti, as subtle propaganda, is a well-established critical assumption. While never blatantly inventing ‘facts’ about his many achievements, the emperor manipulated his brief narrations of individual achievements to fit in with his programme of propaganda. This article not so much explores the ‘facts’ behind Augustus’ categorical assertions of achievements in many spheres, but analyses stylistically his presentation of these facts and his narrative strategies. The exiled poet, Ovid, is shown as one of the first critical readers of the document, his apparent allusions to it seemingly exposing Augustus’ often tendentious manipulation of the contrast between ‘what happened’ and ‘how it is told’. The article ends with reference to another critical reader of Augustus’ slanted auto-memorialisation.
A model for evidence-based electrotherapy in an undergraduate curriculum
Authors: Papadopoulos M. , Jordaan R.
Published: June 2019

All physiotherapists have a responsibility not only to their patients but also to their colleagues and health care funding sources to provide interventions that are sound in theory and supported by well-controlled experimental studies. The principles of evidence-based practice should be implemented in an undergraduate curriculum in order to assist students to acquire skills to obtain and use relevant information. The aim of this paper is to present a model to integrate the activities of patient assessment and information processing, critical appraisal and evidence-based practice into clinical decision making of electrotherapy application. The model as well as the results and evaluation thereof are discussed.
Peer Review in Academic Publishing: Threats and Challenges
Authors: Misra Durga Prasanna , Ravindran Vinod
Published: June 2019

Financial and Competing Interests: VR is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. This paper has undergone peer review in accordance with JRCPE's policies. VR is also Emeritus Editor of the Indian Journal of Rheumatology and an editorial board member of Rheumatology Advances in Practice (Oxford). DPM is an Associate Editor of Rheumatology International and Indian Journal of Rheumatology, and an editorial board member of Mediterranean Journal of Rheumatology and Archives of Rheumatolog y
Successful Reintroduction of Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha Inhibition after Treatment of Disseminated Lyme Borreliosis
Authors: Bulteel Naomi S , Russell Clark D , Perry Meghan R , Koch Oliver
Published: June 2019

The importance of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the human immune response to Borrelia burgdorferi is uncertain. Murine models suggest a critical role, including spirochaete reactivation following TNF-α inhibition. Our case, combined with a review of the clinical and scientific literature, provides reassurance that TNF-α inhibition can be safely reinstituted after treatment of disseminated borreliosis with standard duration antimicrobial chemotherapy.
Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome: Still under Recognised after All These Years
Authors: Lua Joanne , Olney Lauren , Isles Chris
Published: June 2019

Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterised by cyclical vomiting, relieved by hot water bathing, in the context of chronic cannabis consumption. Many cannabis users find this hard to accept given that cannabis is often promoted as a treatment for vomiting. Stopping cannabis is the best and only effective way to manage the condition. We report a case showing that CHS remains under recognised 15 years after it was first described.
Formação continuada para professores de Educação Física: análise da produção do conhecimento
Authors: Bagatini Gabriela Zucki , Souza Maristela Da Silva
Published: June 2019

Este estudo busca na produção da área da Educação Física o entendimento de Formação Continuada em Educação Física, através de uma revisão bibliográfica por meio de revistas online brasileiras na área da Educação Física, classificadas pelo Qualis em Educação Física, conceituadas como A1, A2, B1 e B2. Nessas revistas buscamos todos os artigos que debateram o tema da Formação Continuada, através da palavra-chave Formação Continuada. Constatamos entendimentos, entre outros, de que a Formação Continuada é uma prática indissociável da escola, sendo ela que deve dar esse suporte ao docente, como também a possibilidade de diálogo entre a teoria e a prática.
“Nada se cria...”: o crossfit enquanto prática corporal ressignificada
Authors: Fortunato Jonatan , Rojo Jeferson Roberto , Quitzau Evelise Amgarten , Santos Ana Carolina Belther , Moraes e Silva Marcelo
Published: June 2019

O presente artigo realizou uma análise comparando o Crossfit com as práticas corporais sistematizadas antes do seu surgimento. O objetivo foi o de verificar se tais práticas possuem algum vínculo com o que o Crossfit se tornou. Iniciou-se com uma introdução do Crossfit evidenciando seus aspectos principais, bem como explorando a sua origem. Realizou-se um diálogo com a literatura acadêmica e com as informações encontradas em fontes oficiais da modalidade. A título de conclusão, percebeu-se que o Crossfit surgiu de maneira a institucionalizar práticas anteriores, oriundas principalmente da Ginástica Alemã e da Calistenia. Nesse sentido, a modalidade apropria-se de práticas já conhecidas e as ressignifica, utilizando-as com a proposta de desenvolver atletas “completos”.
Gestão esportiva e de lazer uma análise de sites oficiais de 59 municípios baianos
Authors: Avila Marco , Bahia Cristiano , Rosa Claudio
Published: June 2019

Objetivamos com o presente estudo contribuir com a compreensão e a qualidade da gestão de esporte e lazer. Nesse sentido, focamos em quatro aspectos: (1) disponibilidade de informação; (2) sexo dos gestores; (3) atenção dada ao esporte e lazer; e (4) caminhos para avanços. Nosso objeto de estudo consistiu em 59 sites oficiais de municípios alocados em quatro Territórios de Identidade da Bahia. O estudo foi documental e descritivo. Identificamos que muitos municípios baianos apresentam problemas quanto à disponibilidade de informações sobre esporte e lazer, que o cargo de gestor municipal tende a ser assumido por homens e que algumas regiões podem apresentar maior enfoque em determinado setor (esporte ou lazer). Concluímos que a gestão de esporte e lazer na maioria dos municípios pesquisados necessita de mudanças, e nesse sentido, apresentamos quatro propostas visando contribuir para sua qualificação.
Ética, autonomia e pensamento crítico nas aulas de Educação Física no ensino médio
Authors: Montiel Fabiana Celente , Afonso Mariângela Da Rosa , Santos Leontine Lima dos , Silva Patrícia Da Rosa Louzada da
Published: June 2019

Os temas ética, autonomia e pensamento crítico em práticas de Educação Física (EF) no Ensino Médio (EM) necessitam maiores discussões no campo acadêmico, já que a atual Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação prevê o desenvolvimento dessas temáticas como uma das finalidades desse nível de ensino. O objetivo do estudo foi mapear, em artigos de alguns periódicos nacionais da área, a produção do conhecimento sobre as práticas pedagógicas dos professores de EF. Foi realizado um estado de estado da arte em seis periódicos, a partir do descritor “ensino médio” no resumo; foram encontrados 93 artigos, sendo que 25 abordavam os temas em questão e apenas 9 tratavam de um ação, aplicação e/ou intervenção prática nas aulas de EF no EM. Portanto, faz-se necessário incorporar práticas pedagógicas a partir desses temas, com estratégias que valorizem a área, cumpram a legislação e contemplem uma formação integral e cidadã do educando.
Brazil's experience in IPSAS implementation
Authors: Lima Raquel Luz de , Lima Diana Vaz de
Published: June 2019

Considerando o pequeno número de estudos empíricos sobre a adoção das IPSAS nos países latino-americanos, este artigo tem como objetivo compreender a implementação do IPSAS no Brasil, apresentando os arranjos institucionais nacionais, os progressos realizados desde o início da reforma, os desafios encontrados no cenário brasileiro e os resultados observados até 2017. A Nova Teoria Institucional é usada para conhecer o ponto de vista dos atores envolvidos, e as barreiras de transição esboçadas no estudo de Ouda (2008) foram consideradas. Para tratar a questão da pesquisa, foram entrevistados os atores-chave no processo de condução e promoção da reforma brasileira, e aplicado questionário durante reunião do Grupo Técnico de Normalização de Procedimentos Contábeis (GTCON). Os resultados mostram que apesar de o processo de adoção às IPSAS no Governo brasileiro ter iniciado em 2008, a reforma ainda está em estágio inicial, havendo a necessidade de maior interação entre os atores envolvidos.
Leis, Serpentes e Baratas: análise reconstrutiva da sobrevivência das formas de fundamentos do Direito Moderno e seus efeitos na realidade brasileira
Authors: Oliveira Francisco Cardozo , Oliveira Nancy Mahra de Medeiros Nicolas
Published: June 2019

O texto elabora uma relação entre reconstrução normativa, retomada do pensamento de Hegel, e sobrevivência das formas (Nachleben), elaborada por Aby Warburg, para mostrar como os fundamentos do direito continuam sujeitos às formas de pensamento de fundamentos jusnaturalistas e positivistas. Percorre a análise de uma perspectiva de aproximação entre direito e arte. Em registro crítico, tendo em perspectiva a realidade social e jurídica brasileira, são elaborados o diagnóstico dos retornos das formas de fundamento no direito e o modo como eles atuam para obstaculizar o salto intersubjetivo que possa manter aberta a possibilidade de ampliação de direitos.
A Interpretação do Supremo Tribunal Federal para as Anistias Políticas Concedidas ao Longo do Período Republicano Brasileiro
Authors: Bernardo Rosangela Souza , Moraes Filomeno
Published: June 2019

O presente estudo analisa as correlações existentes entre as condições da política nacional e a jurisprudência do Supremo Tribunal Federal que versa sobre anistia política. Neste artigo serão debatidos o militarismo e as características da política nacional como elementos conformadores da interpretação realizada pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal para as anistias políticas. A metodologia utilizada foi a investigação do tipo documental-bibliográfica, com pesquisa pura de abordagem qualitativa, descritiva e exploratória quanto aos objetivos. Conclui-se que fatores políticos interferem na interpretação das anistias políticas e que tal intervenção resulta da aproximação institucional construída entre os militares e os membros da cúpula do Poder Judiciário.
Screening preoperative anxiety – when does it relate to the quality of life among patients before total joint replacement? Preliminary reports
Authors: Rzadkiewicz Marta Małgorzata , Wójtowicz Stanisław , Rozenek Hanna
Published: June 2019

Background

Anxiety among patients undergoing joint replacement increases the risk of post-surgery complications and mental health problems, and impairs health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Since clinical procedures require adequate, but possibly simple and cost-saving tools, an augmenting application of a one-item visual analogue scale for anxiety (VAS-A) has been observed. The purpose of the present study is to validate the VAS-A using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and consider both as HRQoL predictors among patients waiting for total joint replacement.

Participants and procedure

Patients (n = 68, 34% male), hospitalized for total hip or knee replacement, participated before surgery in this cross-sectional study. They completed the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) to assess their HRQoL, the VAS-A and STAI for anxiety, and the Visual Analogue Scale for pain as a control variable.

Results

Although the VAS-A correlated with the STAI score (r = .29, p = .019 for the state anxiety subscale), this conven-ient measure did not relate to the NHP results (NHP total score β = –0.03, p = .799), while the STAI results did, especially the trait subscale (β = 1.29, p < .001, CI 0.82 to 1.75).

Conclusions

The value of the VAS-A regarding HRQoL is limited while trait anxiety seems a disregarded factor significantly referring to HRQoL. Its assessment, in addition to the evaluation of temporary emotional states, might provide benefits in the clinical management of patients within surgery, orthopedic and rehabilitation care. Intervention possibilities for those with altered trait anxiety are discussed.
General technical remarks on 1HMRS translational research in 7T
Authors: Kochalska Katarzyna , Łazorczyk Artur , Pankowska Anna , Dyndor Katarzyna , Kozioł Paulina , Stępniewski Andrzej , Pietura Radoslaw
Published: June 2019

Purpose

The aim of the work was to share the practical experience of preclinical and clinical proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HMRS) studies conducted using a 7-Tesla magnetic field strength scanner, taking into account the specificity of both settings in the context of translational research.

Material and methods

1HMRS volunteer studies conducted using a Discovery 950 GE 7T scanner, were carried out with PRESS sequence, and a VOI measuring 2.0 × 2.0 × 2.0 cm3 placed in the white matter at the parietal occipital lobe. Rodent spectra obtained using a 7T Bruker were measured with PRESS, with a VOI 2.0 × 2.0 × 5.5 mm3 placed over the hippocampus.

Results

1HMRS data from humans and rats show that the brain spectra obtained in the same field are characterised by a similar neurochemical structure and spectral resolution. Spectra obtained from rats demonstrate the following metabolites: NAA, Glu, Gln, Ins, Cho, Cr, PCr, Tau, GABA, Lac, NAAG, and Asp. In turn, spectra from humans allowed estimation of the following metabolites: Ala, NAA, Glu, Gln, Ins, Cho, Cr, PCr, Tau, GABA, Lac, NAAG, and Asp. Signals from Gln, Glu with chemical shift around 2.4 ppm, from Cr, PCr, and GABA at 3 ppm, and signals from Cho and Tau at approximately 3.2 ppm, can be properly separated and estimated both in humans and in rats.

Conclusions

These results are promising in terms of broadening the knowledge of many neurological diseases by inducing them on animal models and then transferring this knowledge to clinical practice. In spite of this, important distinctions in the technical aspects and methodological differences of high-field 1HMRS in both preclinical and clinical conditions should be taken into account.
Spatiotemporal variation of aerosol and potential long-range transport impact over Tibetan Plateau, China
Authors: Zhu Jun , Xia Xiangao , Che Huizheng , Wang Jun , Cong Zhiyuan , Zhao Tianliang , Kang Shichang , Zhang Xuelei , Yu Xingna , Zhang Yanlin
Published: June 2019

Abstract. The long-term temporal-spatial variations of aerosol optical properties in Tibetan Plateau (TP) and the potential long-range transport from surrounding areas to TP were analyzed in this work, by using multiple years of sunphotometer measurements (CE318) at five stations in TP, satellite aerosol productions from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP), back-trajectory analysis from the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) and model simulation of the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS)-Chem chemistry transport model. The results from ground-based observations show that the annual aerosol optical depth (AOD) at most TP sites increased in the past decades with trends of 0.001 ± 0.003/year at Lhasa, 0.013 ± 0.003/year at Mt_WLG, 0.002 ± 0.002/year at NAM_CO, and 0.000 ± 0.002/year at QOMS_CAS. The increasing trend is also found for the aerosol Extinction Ångstrom exponent (EAE) at most sites, except for Mt_WLG sites with an obvious decreasing trend. Spatially, the AOD observed from MODIS shows negative trends in the northwest edge closed to the Taklimakan Desert and east of the Qaidam Basin and slightly positive trends in most of the other area of TP. Different aerosol types and sources contribute to the polluted day (with CE318 AOD at 440 nm > 0.4) in the five sites of TP: dust dominant in Lhasa, Mt_WLG and Muztagh with sources from the Taklimakan Desert but fine aerosol pollution dominant at NAM_CO and QOMS_CAS with the transport from South Asia. A case of aerosol pollution at Lhasa, NAM_CO and QOMS_CAS during 28 April–3 May 2016 reveals that the smoke aerosols in South Asia were lifted up to 10 km and transported to TP, while the dust from Taklimakan Desert could climb the north slope of TP and then be transported to center TP. The long-range transport thereby seriously impact aerosol loading over the TP.
Total Ozone Dobson, Brewer, Saoz and satellites comparisons at the historical station Arosa
Authors: Pommereau Jean-Pierre , Goutail Florence , Stübi René , Braathen Geir
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Given the importance of the long-term monitoring of the evolution of ozone and following the frequent disruptions of satellites operations, the understanding of quality and stability of ground-based instruments measurements (Dobson, Brewer, SAOZ) performing over several decades, is essential. This is not only for their own records, but also for evaluating the performance of satellites systems and the reprocessing of their data. Many data sets inter-comparisons between Dobson/Brewer networks and satellites are already available (e.g. Redondas et al. 2014 and references therein), for the 40 years of SBUV (Labow et al. 2013) or for the OMI AURA (Balis et al., 2007; McPeters et al. 2008). Here, we evaluate the performance of SAOZ Total Ozone Column (TOC) measurements carried out in Arosa between October 2015 and March 2017 by comparison to simultaneous Dobson, Brewer and satellites observations available there. On average, when using Serdyuchenko et al. (2014) ozone cross-sections for all measurements and correcting the Dobson for its temperature dependence, Dobson, Brewer and SAOZ agree within 1 %, providing confidence to the long-term SAOZ measurements carried out all over the world within the international Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). However, the differences between SAOZ and Dobson/Brewer do show a small seasonality of the order of 1–2 % generated by the use of a zonal mean TOMS v8 profile climatology in the SAOZ air mass factor (AMF) calculation, not taking into account seasonal variations. On the satellites side, the differences with ground based TOCs show larger and highly variable biases (between −1.2 % and +2.4 %) as well as larger seasonality (around 2–3 %) on all satellites, except remarkably with the Solar Backscatter Ultra Violet instrument (SBUV) for which the bias is smaller than 0.4% and the seasonality less than 1 %. Asides from ozone absorption cross-sections, most important for satellites TOCs differences are the satellites measurements techniques: ozone profiles for SBUV, in contrast to all other nadir viewing satellites, sensitive like SAOZ, to ozone profile shape assumption.
Taylor's power law in the Wenchuan earthquake sequence with fluctuation scaling
Authors: Shi Peijian , Li Mei , Li Yang , Liu Jie , Shi Haixia , Xie Tao , Yue Chong
Published: June 2019

Abstract. Taylor's power law (TPL) describes the scaling relationship between
the temporal or spatial variance and mean of population densities by a
simple power law. TPL has been widely testified across space and time in
biomedical sciences, botany, ecology, economics, epidemiology, and other
fields. In this paper, TPL is analytically reconfirmed by testifying the
variance as a function of the mean of the released energy of earthquakes
with different magnitudes on varying timescales during the Wenchuan
earthquake sequence. Estimates of the exponent of TPL are approximately 2,
showing that there is mutual attraction among the events in the sequence. On
the other hand, the spatio-temporal distribution of the Wenchuan
aftershocks tends to be nonrandom but approximately definite and
deterministic, which highly indicates a stable spatio-temporally dependent
energy release caused by regional stress adjustment and redistribution
during the fault revolution after the mainshock. The effect of different
divisions on estimation of the intercept of TPL straight line has been
checked, while the exponent is kept to be 2. The result shows that the
intercept acts as a logarithm function of the time division. It implies that
the mean–variance relationship of the energy release from the earthquakes
can be predicted, although we cannot accurately know the occurrence time and
locations of imminent events.
Report on the Use of Telehealth in Early Intervention in Colorado: Strengths and Challenges with Telehealth as a Service Delivery Method
Authors: Cole Beth , Pickard Katherine , Stredler-Brown Arlene
Published: June 2019

The use of telehealth as a service delivery method for early intervention (EI) is in its infancy and few studies have examined its use within the context of a statewide program.  The focus of this report was to determine the factors that influence providers’ utilization of telehealth in Colorado’s Part C Early Intervention program (EI Colorado).  This report presents information that was gathered through surveys sent to Part C program administrators, service coordinators, providers, and caregivers. Surveys were used to understand perceptions of telehealth, actual experiences with telehealth, and perceived benefits and challenges using this service delivery method.  Follow-up focus groups were conducted with program administrators and family members to gather more nuanced information. Participants identified several benefits associated with telehealth including its flexibility, access to providers, and more family engagement. The primary barriers included access to high speed internet and the opinion that telehealth was not as effective as in-person treatment. The results in the report served to identify next steps in the implementation of telehealth in Colorado’s Part C EI program.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for Environmental Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 8 No. 2
Authors: Young Jenny
Published: June 2019

Environmental Management and Sustainable Development (EMSD) would like to thank the following reviewers for reviewing manuscripts from February 1, 2019, to May 1, 2019. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Many authors, regardless of whether EMSD publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Macrothink Institute appreciates the following reviewers’ rigorous and conscientious efforts for this journal. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review during this period. Anna Rita Bernadette Cammerino, ItalyDr Hebin Lin, USAFarooq Sher, United KingdomGandhi Escajadillo Toledo, PeruGiacomo Chiesa, ItalyMarwa Marwa Elkady, EgyptMona M. Amin Abdel-Fatah, EgyptMurat Eyvaz, TurkeyPankaj Maheshwari, USASaid Jaouadi, Saudi Arabia
RTI Images for Documentation in Archaeology: The Case of the Iron Age Female Terracotta Figurines from Buṣayra, Jordan
Authors: Hunziker-Rodewald Regine , Fornaro Peter
Published: June 2019

Starting from a set of figurines from Buṣayra, this article describes a project in cooperation between the universities of Basel and Strasbourg to create a virtual collection of 450 widely-scattered terracotta female figurines from Jordan. The project aims at measuring and recording the figurines and fragments of figurines using RTI/PTM techniques, and compiling them in a virtual database. The ultimate goal is to create the digital tools for visualization, virtual assembly, and interactive annotation, opening up and encouraging international cooperation, and providing a solid basis for the enhancement of World Heritage objects.
An Innovative Strategy to Protect Cultural Heritage in Jordan: The Madaba Regional Archaeological Museum Project (MRAMP)
Authors: Richard Suzanne , D'Andrea Marta , Polcaro Andrea , Clark Douglas R.
Published: June 2019

The MRAMP represents an American-Italian-Jordanian collaboration dedicated to protecting cultural heritage in Jordan. The proposed new Regional Archaeological Museum within the Madaba Archaeological Park West is an ambitious project to restore and safeguard a complex of Jordanian traditional buildings from the late nineteenth-century Ottoman era within a museum. The complex will ultimately constitute the ground floor while the contiguous “Burnt Palace,” Roman cardo, and Martyr's Church will round out an envisioned museum complex. Thanks to a dozen or more regional archaeological sites, the museum will provide a comprehensive narrative of the Madaba region's illustrious past and its legacy to the dynamic present. To preserve Jordan's rich heritage, this project is founded in community archaeology, which is essential to ensure the development, continued growth, and sustainability of the museum. This article will elaborate on MRAMP as a case study of an innovative approach in Jordan to cultural heritage management.
En búsqueda de un horizonte común para la investigación científica
Authors: Rodríguez Villalta Nadia
Published: June 2019

Alerta Año 2018, Vol. 1 No. 2: 3-4
Epilepsia focal asociada a tumor cerebral
Authors: Peña Susana
Published: June 2019

La epilepsia es una enfermedad neurológica crónica frecuente. La Organización Mundial de la Salud ha reportado a la fecha, cerca de 50 millones de casos en el mundo, de los cuales, el 85% proviene de países en desarrollo.1 Según el origen de la actividad epiléptica, se clasifica en focal y generalizada, y según la etiología, en estructural, genética, infecciosa, metabólica o inmune.2 Se describe  caso de mujer de 38 años, con epilepsia de larga evolución, aumento reciente de frecuencia de crisis epilépticas, con evidencia en neuroimagen por resonancia magnética de neoplasia cerebral, confirmando origen focal estructural de epilepsia.

Alerta Año 2018, Vol. 1 No. 2: 87-90
Necesidad imperiosa de incrementar los conocimientos sobre inmunología, una alerta para Centroamérica
Authors: Pérez Oliver , Lastre Miriam
Published: June 2019

No hay resumenes disponibles

Alerta Año 2018, Vol. 1 No. 2: 91-95
Implementacion de cromatografía de gases para cuantificación de plaguicidas en agua potable
Authors: Argueta Hidalgo J. E. , Beltetón Martínez W. R.
Published: June 2019

No hay resúmenes disponibles

Alerta Año 2018, Vol. 1 No. 2: 62-66
Evaluación de la calidad de suelo en sistemas de cultivo-arboles-pastos, micro cuenca Tecomapa, Somotillo-Nicaragua
Authors: Avilés Silva Esteban Antonio , Mendoza Corrales Reynaldo Bismarck , Aguirre Cesar , Van der Hoek Rein , Mena Martin , Téllez Obregón Orlando
Published: June 2019

Con el objetivo de evaluar los efectos de los sistemas de cultivo-arboles- pastos sobre el rendimiento de maíz y frijol, y la calidad de suelo, en la micro cuenca Tecomapa, fueron establecidas cinco parcelas experimentales: quema tradicional (Q); sistema agroforestal Quesungual (SAQ); bosque secundario (Bs); potreros mejorados con Brachiaria sp - Marandú, (Pm); y sistema silvopastoril (SSP). En las cuales, dos sub parcelas localizadas en la parte alta y baja del relieve fueron establecidas para evaluar calidad de suelo y la erosión laminar, en 2011, 2012 y 2013. Como resultado, la tasa de erosión fuera de la parcela, únicamente ocurrió en el sistema de quema (Q) con 28.3 t ha-1 a-1. La tasa de erosión dentro de la parcela fue moderada 31.98 y 42.97 t ha-1 a-1, en los sistemas BS y Pm, y alta 62.97 y 121.79 t ha-1 a-1, en los sistemas SAQ y SSP. La calidad de los suelos fue infl uenciada por los contenidos de materia orgánica en el suelo (MOS) mayores a 4000 kg ha-1 en los sistemas SAQ, SSP y Bs. Este indicador fue correlacionado negativamente con el incremento de arcilla en el horizonte superfi cial de los suelos con pastura. Finalmente, los indicadores de calidad de suelo asociados al rendimiento del cultivo de maíz y frijol fueron el espesor orgánico de suelo, las tasas de infi ltraciones rápidas, y la erosión de suelos.
Control de la contaminación de los suelos: un desafío para la humanidad
Authors: Corrales-Pérez Daniel
Published: June 2019

La problemática de la contaminación de los suelos se está convirtiendo en un tema prioritario para gobiernos, universidades y organizaciones. El manejo, regulación y control de productos químicos utilizados en el control de plagas y en los procesos productivos industriales y empresariales, así como, la gestión inclusiva de los residuos descargados hacia el suelo de forma accidental o intencional, deben ser parte de los principales retos y desafíos que hoy en día debe emprender la sociedad. De lo contrario, la diversidad de funciones que desempeñan los suelos se verán afectadas y consecuentemente se generarán problemas de salud pública.
Milk yield, periparturient diseases and body condition score as factors affecting the risk of fetal losses in high-yielding Holstein cows
Authors: Mellado Miguel , Macías-Cruz Ulises , Avendaño-Reyes Leonel , Véliz Francisco G. , Gaytán Leticia , García José E. , Rodríguez Alvaro F.
Published: June 2019

The objective of this study was to assess various risk factors affecting fetal losses in high-yielding Holstein cows in a hot environment. In a retrospective observational study, 14,384 records from Holstein cows from a large highly technified dairy herd in northern Mexico were used. Logistic multivariate multiple-group response model indicated that fetal losses between 43 and 260 days of pregnancy were 23.8%. Dry periods >60 d were associated (p<0.05) with 0.8 (confidence interval CI=0.8–0.9) times lower incidence of fetal losses compared to cows with dry periods <60 d. Cows with body condition score (BCS) >3 at calving and 15 days postpartum had about half the risk of suffering fetal losses than cows with BCS <3.0. Cows with peak milk yield >38 kg were 5.5 times more likely to have a fetal loss than cows with peak milk yield <38 kg (36.9 vs. 9.6%; p<0.01). The risk of fetal loss increased with 305-d milk yield >9,000 kg (OR=2.1) compared with cows with milk yield <9,000 kg. Retained placenta was (p<0.05) associated with 1.2 (CI=1.1–1.4) times higher fetal losses than cows without this reproductive disorder. Cows suffering premature parturition had 1.2 (CI=1.0–1.4) greater (p<0.05) risk of suffering fetal losses than cows with normal parturition. Cows with twin pregnancies had significantly increased chances of losing their fetuses than cows with a single fetus (31.1 vs. 15.9 p<0.01). A bimodal distribution of fetal losses was observed with peaks around 50 and 220 days of pregnancy. It was concluded that in this particular hot environment fetal losses were associated with high milk yield, low body energy reserves at calving, reduced dry periods, occurrence of retained placenta, twin pregnancies and premature calving.
Study on the Development Strategy of Ant Financial
Authors: Zhang Ximeng , Choi Myeong Cheol
Published: June 2019

Convergence of Internet technology and traditional financial industry has created a new field of Internet finance. Nowadays, China has a very large Internet user base and application market. With the application and development of the Internet, China has become one of the most developed countries that use Internet banking services and has the highest number of Internet finance users. Ant Financial is the first to enter the Internet financial market, and has now become a representative of China’s Internet finance industry due to its extensive layout and rich business. Most of the previous research has only studied a part of Ant Financial without an analytical framework. Therefore, this study intends to investigate the history, development process, and success factors of Ant Financial. The contents of this paper are as follows. First, the development process and the current situation of Ant Financial Services are expounded. Second, the advantages and disadvantages of the current development process are analyzed by the SWOT analysis technique. Through the comparison of the research results, the guiding opinions for the development of Ant Financial Services are proposed. Finally, summary of the success reasons and future prospects for development are presented.
Are SMEs Ready for Integrated Reporting? The Malaysian Experience of Accountability
Authors: Amirrudin Mira Susanti , Abdullah Mazni , Aris Nooraslinda Abdul , Mohammed Nor Farizal
Published: June 2019

The Integrated Reporting (IR) provides businesses with a reporting approach that is conducive to the understanding and articulating their business strategy. By doing so, businesses will be able to drive performance internally and attract financial capital for investment, as well as helping investors to understand how the strategy being pursued that creates value over time. Changing market trends due to technology advancement had jeopardized the traditional way of reporting performance. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are typically vulnerable entities against such changes and therefore challenged to sustain their life spans. This paper offers an introduction of IR, as well as assessing IR usability and benefits for SMEs in Malaysia. Furthermore, the paper discusses relevant literature and opportunities available for SMEs regarding the applicability of such reporting philosophy. Applying the qualitative method, themes and key success factors were identified using NVivo application software. The annual reports of SME Corporation Malaysian from the year 2014 to 2016 were analysed showcase growing evidence of integrated communications to SMEs in the areas of access to markets, better business understanding and enhancing reputation. IR offers invaluable benefits to SMEs, shifting their focus from merely financial performance measures to a more holistic integrated approach to accountability, which emphasises on value creation.