bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
"Fit in or F#$@ off": the (non) disclosure of sexual harassment in rural workplaces
Authors: Saunders Skye , Easteal Patricia Lynn
Published: June 2017

In this paper we consider the complexities associated with the internal workplace disclosure of sexual harassment for rural employees. We acknowledge the existence of certain accompanying ‘special issues’ for rural women and predict that these elements (such as the traditionally conservative bush attitudes about violence against women, the added cultural dimensions of small-town gossip and self-reliance and the impact of isolation) would have some impact on the inclination of rural women to report workplace sexual harassment. To test that hypothesis, a sample of female employees and a sample of employers from different areas considered as ‘rural’ were interviewed. In defining ‘rural’ for this purpose we adopted a social constructionist approach. We report on participants’ experiences and attitudes about making an internal sexual harassment complaint. We discuss the barriers to disclosure that respondents perceive. We identify the types of rural workplaces (occupation, rurality, gender ratios) which tend to utilise sexual harassment policies and offer training, and we consider the impact of these on the likelihood of reporting. We also investigate whether other variables, such as the type of harassment experienced, employees’ attitude about what constitutes sexual harassment and reporting, age, seniority and/or education affect reporting. We conclude that disclosure practices could be improved by the implementation of visiting sexual harassment consultants/officers who would visit rural communities to educate, hear complaints, help with the development of policies, provide advice referral to counseling mediation and provide follow up.
Editorial for the Special Edition 2012
Authors: Kennedy Amanda
Published: June 2017

Editorial by Amanda Kennedy.
Distance is no hurdle: Reforming the family violence exception to better protect immigrant women in rural, regional and remote communities
Authors: Hoang Khanh
Published: June 2017

After careful consideration consistent with COPE guidelines, the editorial staff has concluded that there is no case of plagiarism associated with this article. (10th August, 2016)The editors have received allegations that the paper references arguments and evidence without attribution to pre-existing literature, and that it exhibits stylistic similarities to other sources on the same topic. The editors are currently conducting an investigation under the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines to confirm or refute the allegations. (29th June, 2016)This article considers the impact of migration laws on immigrant women in rural, regional and remote communities (RRR communities) who are victims of family violence. The Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) (‘the Regulations’) includes a ‘family violence exception’ that allows for the grant of permanent residency to women who hold a temporary partner visa in circumstances where the relationship with the Australian sponsor has broken down due to family violence. However, the Regulations impose strict procedural and evidentiary requirements for making a family violence claim. These laws disproportionately impact those in RRR communities by failing to account for their isolation, lack of access to services and particular vulnerabilities. As a result, immigrant women in RRR communities are restricted in their ability to access the family violence exception.This article calls for reform of the Regulations to address the locational disadvantages faced by immigrant women in RRR communities. Building on the work of the Australian Law Reform Commission, it argues for the repeal of the provisions governing evidentiary requirements for ‘non-judicially determined’ claims of family violence. In its place, it is suggested that there should be no restrictions on the types of evidence that can be provided. In addition, all non-judicially determined family violence claims would be referred to an ‘independent expert panel’ for assessment. The independent expert panel should include, at a minimum, a number of community legal centres (CLCs) and family violence centres (FVCs) around Australia. CLCs and FVCs are leveraging technology — such as Skype and teleconferencing — and integrated service responses to provide access to justice to those in RRR communities.
Genetic diversity in Tunisian horse breeds
Authors: Jemmali Bayrem , Haddad Mohamed Mezir , Barhoumi Nawel , Tounsi Syrine , Lasfer Faten , Trabelsi Amira , Ben Aoun Belgacem , Gritli Imen , Ezzar Soufiene , Ben Younes Abdelhak , Ezzaouia Mohamed Habib , Rekik Boulbaba , Ouled Ahmed Hatem
Published: June 2017

Abstract. This study aimed at screening genetic diversity and differentiation in four horse breeds raised in Tunisia, the Barb, Arab-Barb, Arabian, and English Thoroughbred breeds. A total of 200 blood samples (50 for each breed) were collected from the jugular veins of animals, and genomic DNA was extracted. The analysis of the genetic structure was carried out using a panel of 16 microsatellite loci. Results showed that all studied microsatellite markers were highly polymorphic in all breeds. Overall, a total of 147 alleles were detected using the 16 microsatellite loci. The average number of alleles per locus was 7.52 (0.49), 7.35 (0.54), 6.3 (0.44), and 6 (0.38) for the Arab-Barb, Barb, Arabian, and English Thoroughbred breeds, respectively. The observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.63 (0.03) in the English Thoroughbred to 0.72 in the Arab-Barb breeds, whereas the expected heterozygosities were between 0.68 (0.02) in the English Thoroughbred and 0.73 in the Barb breeds. All FST values calculated by pairwise breed combinations were significantly different from zero (p  <  0.05) and an important genetic differentiation among breeds was revealed. Genetic distances, the factorial correspondence, and principal coordinate analyses showed that the important amount of genetic variation was within population. These results may facilitate conservation programs for the studied breeds and enhance preserve their genetic diversity.
Origin of elemental carbon in snow from Western Siberia and northwestern European Russia during winter–spring 2014, 2015 and 2016
Authors: Evangeliou Nikolaos , Shevchenko Vladimir P. , Yttri Karl Espen , Eckhardt Sabine , Sollum Espen , Pokrovsky Oleg S. , Kobelev Vasily O. , Korobov Vladimir B. , Lobanov Andrey A. , Starodymova Dina P. , Vorobiev Sergey N. , Thompson Rona L. , Stohl Andreas
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Short–lived climate forcers have been proven important both for the climate and human health. In particular, black carbon (BC) is an important climate forcer both as an aerosol and when deposited on snow and ice surface, because of its strong light absorption. This paper presents measurements of elemental carbon (EC; a measurement-based definition of BC) in snow collected from Western Siberia and northwestern European Russia during 2014, 2015 and 2016. The Russian Arctic is of great interest to the scientific community due to the large uncertainty of emission sources there. We have determined the major contributing sources of BC in snow in Western Siberia and northwestern European Russia using a Lagrangian atmospheric transport model. For the first time, we use a recently developed feature that calculates deposition in backwards (so-called retroplume) simulations allowing estimation of the specific locations of sources that contribute to the deposited mass. EC was found in higher levels compared to previously reported concentrations and it was highly variable depending on the sampling location. Modelled BC was in good agreement (R = 0.53–0.83) with measured EC. However, a systematic region–specific model underestimation was found. For EC sampled in northwestern European Russia the underestimation by the model was smaller (> &munus;100 %). In this region, the major sources were transportation activities and domestic combustion in Finland. When sampling shifted to Western Siberia, the model underestimation was more significant (
Interpreting mega-development projects as territorial traps: the case of irrigation schemes on the shores of Lake Chad (Borno State, Nigeria)
Authors: Bertoncin Marina , Pase Andrea
Published: June 2017

Abstract. From the colonial era up to the present, mega-irrigation projects for agriculture have played a key role in the production of state space in Sahelian Africa. Transferring a concept proposed by Agnew (1994) onto a different scale, it is possible to interpret these mega-projects as territorial traps. In fact, they set up boundaries (physical, relational, cognitive and operative) that force evolutive trajectories of the areas involved along rigid pathways. In the aftermath of the systematic failure of the mega-projects, farmers are faced with constraints determined by the trap imposed, without having any of the promised benefits in terms of productive growth, i.e. income. In many situations, the farmers have identified a means of escape from these catastrophes by transgressing the boundaries imposed by the territorial traps and reintroducing parts of the infrastructure to a common use. The case study traces the crisis, and ultimately the failure, of the mega-irrigation projects constructed in the 1970s along the shores of Lake Chad in Nigeria.
Atlantic water flow through the Faroese Channels
Authors: Hansen Bogi , Poulsen Turið , Húsgarð Larsen Karin Margretha , Hátún Hjálmar , Østerhus Svein , Darelius Elin , Berx Barbara , Quadfasel Detlef , Jochumsen Kerstin
Published: June 2017

Abstract. Through the Faroese Channels – the collective name for a system of channels linking the Faroe–Shetland Channel (FSC), Wyville Thomson Basin (WTB) and Faroe Bank Channel (FBC) – there is a deep flow of cold waters from Arctic regions that exit the system as overflow through the FBC and across the Wyville Thomson Ridge. The upper layers, in contrast, are dominated by warm, saline water masses from the Atlantic. In spite of intensive research over more than a century, there are still open questions on the passage of these waters through the system with conflicting views in recent literature. Of special note is the suggestion that there is a flow of Atlantic water from the FSC through the FBC, which circles the Faroes over the slope region in a clockwise direction. Here, we combine the observational evidence from ship-borne hydrography, moored current measurements, surface drifter tracks, and satellite altimetry to address these questions and propose a general scheme for the Atlantic water flow through this channel system. We find no evidence for a continuous flow of Atlantic water from the FSC to the FBC over the Faroe slope outside of the shelf. Rather, the southwestward flowing water over the Faroese slope of the FSC is totally re-circulated within the combined area of the FSC and WTB, except possibly for a small release in the form of eddies. Also, there seems to be a persistent flow of Atlantic water from the western part of the FBC into the FSC that joins the Slope Current over the Scottish slope. These conclusions will affect potential impacts from offshore activities in the region and they imply that recently published observational estimates of the oceanic heat transport towards the Arctic obtained by different methods are incompatible.
La construcción de lo indecible: chisme, dato y etnografía en un contexto policial argentino
Authors: Sirimarco Mariana
Published: June 2017

Gluckman señaló, hace tiempo, que una parte importante de ganar la membresía a un grupo es aprender sus escándalos: aprender que hay cosas que pueden decirse y cosas que no. ¿Qué sucede cuando, en el trabajo de campo, el antropólogo se topa con una información que es un chisme pero también puede ser un dato? ¿Cuándo y por qué se alcanza el límite de lo decible? Este trabajo aborda un episodio sucedido en el contexto de mi trabajo de campo en una escuela policial argentina, con la intención de reflexionar en torno a la antropología y su relación con la producción de conocimiento, y de desnudar las tensiones entre lo que el etnógrafo sabe, lo que se le permite saber y lo que alcanza finalmente el texto de la etnografía.
La razón de la “expresión de género” en el corpus jurídico. Una contribución a la preservación de derecho del sujeto que practica el cross-dressing
Authors: Barbé i Serra Alba
Published: June 2017

Este artículo pretende una aproximación a la relación existente entre los Delitos de Odio2 y la preservación integral de los derechos de las personas que practican el cross-dressing en el contexto catalán y español. Más allá de comprender que la defensa del sujeto se enmarca en el ámbito de los derechos humanos fundamentales, se quiere aportar una propuesta de trabajo en el abordaje legislativo de la violencia tránsfoba, y por lo tanto de las violencias de género, mientras se recoge la diversidad empírica de sus manifestaciones.
Espacios y tiempos de transnacionalización de la intimidad en un contexto turístico brasileño
Authors: Sacramento Octávio
Published: June 2017

El espacio y el tiempo son coordinadas en función de las cuales se estructura la realidad social y, simultáneamente, elementos producidos en el marco de los ejercicios de significación, de las dinámicas relacionales y de las expresiones identitarias constitutivas de esa misma realidad. A partir de esta premisa genérica y en base a una experiencia etnográfica de investigación empírica, el artículo examina los ordenamientos espaciales y temporales de los paisajes pasionales que se establecen en el barrio turístico de Ponta Negra (Natal, nordeste de Brasil) entre las mujeres brasileñas y los turistas europeos. Se intenta entender cómo la transnacionalización euro-brasileña de la intimidad —impulsada por el turismo de masas— se inscribe y organiza en determinados segmentos topológicos y cronológicos del lugar, dándoles identidad, relieve y, a veces, una configuración heterotópica en el escenario del barrio generadora de disonancias y de algunas tensiones sociales.
Commercial Banks Performance in Ghana: Does Capital Structure Matter?
Authors: Yakubu Ibrahim Nandom , Alhassan Mohammed Mubarik , Mikhail Abdul Azeez , Alhassan Abdul-Nasiru Iddrisu
Published: June 2017

This study seeks to investigate the relationship between capital structure and commercial banks performance in Ghana. Using a panel data of listed commercial banks spanning from 2010-2015, the Ordinary Least Squares regression model is employed to estimate the functions relating to bank performance (measured by Return on Equity) with measures of capital structure. The findings show statistically significant relationship between commercial banks’ performance and all the capital structure measures (the ratios of short-term debt to total capital, long-term debt to total capital, and total debt to total capital). Whereas total debt and banks’ performance are positively correlated, short-term debt and long-term debt are inversely related to banks’ performance. In essence, using large proportion of debt significantly enhance commercial banks performance in Ghana.
Exploring the business of urology: Change management
Authors: Oake J. Stuart , Davies Timothy O. , Houle Anne-Marie , Beiko Darren
Published: June 2017

Change is inevitable. All organizations need to change to maintain relevance and to successfully adapt to varying external forces. Change is a challenge for those involved in it. It is the antithesis of consistency and at its core requires a shift in behaviour that is reflexic and instinctual. The authors of this paper would suggest that given the nature of healthcare, its evolving research, its social value/importance, and its cost, that no other profession is more subject to change than medicine. Change is necessary, inevitable, and difficult. A solid understanding of change and its management process is a prerequisite for professional survival. Preparation, conviction, purpose, and clarity are the core values of change. Physicians, more than any other profession, have been driven to and exposed to change. Physicians are in a position to distill its process to a level of understanding that would serve as a model for others to follow. The goals of this paper are to outline the rationale of change, as well as to review change management options and strategies to increase successful change.
The value of complementing administrative data with abstracted information on smoking and obesity: A study in kidney cancer
Authors: Nayan Madhur , Hamilton Robert J. , Finelli Antonio , Austin Peter C. , Kulkarni Girish S. , Juurlink David N.
Published: June 2017

Introduction: Variables, such as smoking and obesity, are rarely available in administrative databases. We explored the added value of including these data in an administrative database study evaluatingthe association of statin use with survival in kidney cancer.Methods: We linked administrative data with chart-abstracted data on smoking and obesity for 808 patients undergoing nephrectomy for kidney cancer. Base models consisted of variables from administrative databases (age, sex, year of surgery, and different measures of comorbidity [to compare their sensitivity to smoking and obesity data]); extended models added chart-abstracted data. Wecompared coefficients for statin use with overall (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS), and used the c-statistic and net reclassification improvement (NRI) to compare predications of five-year survival obtained from Cox proportional hazard models.Results: The coefficient for statin use changed minimally following addition of abstracted data (<6% for OS, <2% for CSS). Base models performed similarly for OS, with c-statistics of 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.72‒0.79) for Charlson score and 0.73 (95% CI 0.69‒0.78) for John Hopkins Aggregated Diagnosis Groups score. After including abstracted data, c-statistics modestly improved (change <0.02); CSS demonstrated similar findings. NRIs were 0.210 (95% CI 0.062‒0.297) and 0.186 (-0.031‒0.387) when using the Charlson score, and 0.207 (0.068‒0.287) and 0.197 (0.007‒0.399) when using the Aggregated Diagnosis Groups score, for OS and CSS, respectively.Conclusions: The inclusion of data on smoking and obesity marginally influences survival
New research in kidney cancer, ASCO-GU 2017
Authors: Basappa Naveen , Pouliot Frederic
Published: June 2017

N/A
New research in prostate cancer, ASCO-GU 2017
Authors: Chi Kim , Saad Fred
Published: June 2017

N/A
Management of patients with stress urinary incontinence after failed midurethral sling
Authors: Kavanagh Alex , Sanaee May , Carlson Kevin V. , Bailly Gregory G.
Published: June 2017

Surgical failure rates after midurethral sling (MUS) procedures are variable and range from approximately 8‒57% at five years of followup. The disparity in long-term failure rates is explained by a lack of long-term followup and lack of a clear definition of what constitutes failure. A recent Cochrane review illustrates that no high-quality data exists to recommend or refute any of the different management strategies for recurrent or persistent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after failed MUS surgery. Clinical evaluation requires a complete history, physical examination, and establishment of patient goals. Conservative treatment measures include pelvic floor physiotherapy, incontinence pessary dish, commercially available devices (Uresta®, Impressa®), or medical therapy. Minimally invasive therapies include periurethral bulking agents (bladder neck injections) and sling plication. Surgical options include repeat MUS with or without mesh removal, salvage autologous fascial sling or Burch colposuspension, or salvage artificial urinary sphincter insertion. In this paper, we present the available evidence to support each of these approaches and include the management strategy used by our review panel for patients that present with SUI after failed midurethral sling.
Periurethral bulking agents for female stress urinary incontinence in Canada
Authors: Mamut Adiel , Carlson Kevin V.
Published: June 2017

Urethral bulking aims to improve urethral mucosal coaptation, and thus outlet resistance, in an effort to limit stress-induced leakage. While efforts have been made to employ bulking agents to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI) for more than 100 years, we remain wanting for the perfect injectable. Regardless of the agent studied, efficacy is modest at best, repeat injections are the norm, and longterm followup is conspicuously lacking. This treatment, however, fills an important need in our armamentarium against SUI, serving those patients who are not candidates for more invasive interventions and those with multiple prior failed surgeries. This review offers a contemporary discussion on the role of periurethral bulking therapy in Canada, along with practical aspects of its application.
Stress urinary incontinence in women: Current and emerging therapeutic options
Authors: Shamout Samer , Campeau Lysanne
Published: June 2017

Surgical management of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is most commonly achieved by midurethral synthetic sling (MUS) insertion as a first-line surgical option. A great deal of research continues to evolve new management strategies to reach an optimal balance of high efficacy and minimal adverse events. This expert opinion review provides a brief and comprehensive discussion of recent advances and ongoing research in the management of SUI, with an emphasis on single-incision mini-slings, vaginal laser treatment, and cell-based therapy. It is based on data obtained from numerous published meta-analyses and original studies identified through literature search. Single-incision mini-slings appear equally effective initially compared with standard MUS (retropubic or transobturator) for the treatment of female SUI; however, this efficacy lacks durability evidence beyond one-year followup. There is a lack of sufficient clinical evidence to currently confirm long-term safety and effectiveness of cell-therapy and non-ablative vaginal laser therapy, besides suggestion of apparent initial safety. There are still significant challenges to overcome before widespread clinical practice of the latter two modalities. Future research should be aimed at identifying groups of patients who might benefit from these minimally invasive therapeutic options.
Pelvic organ prolapse: A primer for urologists
Authors: Bureau Michel , Carlson Kevin V.
Published: June 2017

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) results from weakness or injury of the pelvic floor supports with resulting descent of one or more vaginal compartments (anterior, apical and/or posterior). Women typically become symptomatic from the bulging vaginal wall or related organ dysfunction once this descent reaches the introitus. POP is a common condition, affecting more than half of adult women. Many women presenting to an urologist for stress urinary incontinence or overactive bladder will have associated POP; therefore, it is important for urologists who treat these conditions to be familiar with its diagnosis and management. While POP is part of the core urology training curriculum in some jurisdictions, it is not in Canada.1 This article reviews the diagnosis of POP, including pertinent symptoms to query in the history, important facets of a systematic pelvic examination, and the appropriate use of ancillary tests. Treatment options are also discussed, including conservative measures, pessaries, and various reconstructive and obliterative techniques.
Consonant Cluster Acquisition by L2 Thai Speakers
Authors: Rungruang Apichai
Published: June 2017

Attempts to account for consonant cluster acquisition are always made into two aspects. One is transfer of the first language (L1), and another is markedness effects on the developmental processes in second language acquisition. This study has continued these attempts by finding out how well Thai university students were able to perceive English onset and coda clusters when they were second year and fourth year students. This paper also aims to investigate Thai speakers’ opinions about their listening and speaking skills, and whether their course subjects enhanced their performance. To fulfil the first objective, a pretest and posttest were launched to measure how the 34 Thai participants were able to identify 40 onset and 120 coda clusters at different periods of time. The statistical findings show that even though their overall scores in the fourth year were higher than those in the second year, there was no statistically significant difference in both major types of clusters [t = -1.29; p value >0.05 in onsets; t = -0.28; p value >0.05 in codas]. The Thai participants performed slightly better in onset (84% / 86%) than in coda (70% / 71%). To complete the second objective of the study, a 24-item questionnaire was distributed to the participants. The responses indicated positive opinions about their listening and speaking skills and the English courses they took in a four-year study. However, they still had difficulty identifying some English consonant clusters even though those were widely used or found. Finally, most participants claimed that English Phonetics and Phonology Course was one of the significant course subjects instrumental in establishing their fundamental knowledge of how to pronounce English words and develop their listening skill as well.
Study on Relation between Equity Structure and Performance of Listed Companies - Evidence for Building Industry in A Share Market
Authors: Zhang Xinyuan , Guo Zhixiu , Feng Xiaorui , He Yan
Published: June 2017

The equity structure is the basis for corporate governance, and the decisive factor for performance of listed companies. Considering the return on equity as the measure index of company performance, the paper has collected 2014-2016 data related to index of equity structure from 32 listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen, made descriptive statistical analysis and correlation analysis on it with spass20.0 statistical software, and discussed the relation between equity structure and performance of listed companies. The research finds that: Chinese listed companies for building industry still have relatively high equity concentration, imperfect internal governance mechanism and poor equity restriction. The effect of “bargaining” is difficultly developed to promote the growth of performance. China shall further strengthen the efforts to control, spur listed companies to reinforce the internal management, and optimize the equity structure to ensure the effective balance, with the purpose of accelerating the healthy and sustainable development of listed companies and safeguarding the interests of medium-small investors.
Empirical Research on the Influence Factors of Fresh Agricultural Products Circulation Ability and Regional Differences
Authors: Yuanyuan Cheng , Chonghu Wang
Published: June 2017

This paper based on the related data to fresh agricultural products circulation ability of 14 cities in Hunan province, applying for the factor analysis model, in order to reveal the important factor and regional differences of fresh agricultural products circulation ability. The results suggest that: from the perspective of the overall of Hunan province, GDP and per GDPPC have the most influences on fresh agricultural products circulation ability; for the different areas of the circulation ability, the effect of the same factors is different; from the time level, the circulation capacity of fresh agricultural products in Hunan province showed a trend of increasing year by year. In terms of space, the different cities have the different the circulation ability of fresh agricultural products.
CONTROLLED ANTITANK MINES OF NEW GENERATION
Authors: SZCZEPANIAK Marcin , JASIŃSKI Wiesław , Madej Wiesław , Krysiak Piotr , Śliwiński Janusz
Published: June 2017

The paper presents a System of Controlled Antitank Mines (SCAM) which is a world unknown solution of a concept of intelligent battlefield and is designed to build engineering dams. The mines have an innovative solution integrating acoustic, seismic, thermal and laser scanner sensors into a single intelligent system. The system allows the setting of a minefield from directed antitank mines which autonomously select and destroy targets by explosively formed projectile when the security levels I and II are taken off. The system is supervised by an operator who can remotely set the II security level using radio controls and then the mines may be set in the I security state to take them out and use again in a new place. SCAM destroys tanks, armored vehicles, trucks and selfpropelled bonded between (trawling) rigs. The paper presents a concept of the system and some results of state qualification tests for individual elements.
PATENTS ON WARHEADS OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES
Authors: Miszczak Maciej
Published: June 2017

The paper presents results of scrutinising through foreign patent publications on warheads integrated in wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) concerning especially the types and designs of warheads and their location against the onboard systems of recognition and target guidance and also against the systems controlling the status and operation of warheads. The review and analysis of patent publications was completed by a selection of patent descriptions [2-11] of 10 inventions on the subject matter committed in Israel, Germany, USA and UK between 1979 and 2011.
Sous vide style cooking practices linked to Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses
Authors: McIntyre Lorraine , Jorgenson Virginia , Ritson Mark
Published: June 2017

Three Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses investigated in British Columbia, Canada, were potentially linked to consumption of sous vide style cooked foods in 2014. In two separate incidents on different days, two illnesses at one restaurant implicated sous vide eggs. The third illness was linked to a different restaurant serving sous vide duck breast. Inspections of the restaurants revealed inadequate sous vide cooking practices that did not fully cook the foods. Although other high-risk foods were also eaten at these premises (raw oysters and tuna in one restaurant, foods with raw egg dressing and mayonnaise in the second restaurant), and although no leftover foods were available for testing from these meals, the investigation suggested improper sous vide style cooking practices amplified the risk and were the most probable cause of illness.
Effect of Different Levels of Zinc on the Growth and Yield of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) Crop
Authors: Atta Hussain Kaleri  , Arshad Ali Kaleri  , Shabana Memon  , Abdul Latif Laghari  , Saima Bano  , Musarat Mallano  , Majid Hussain Kaleri
Published: June 2017

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different levels of zinc on the yield and growth of cotton in the field of Agronomy section ARI, Tandojam during the Kharif Season 2014. Seeds of cotton were sown in rows 75 x 30 cm in row and plant spacing in soil with four replications in Randomized Complete Block Design. Six zinc levels i.e. untreated 0.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0 kg ha-1 were evaluated. The results reveals that plant height, number of sympodia plant-1, number of productive bolls plant-1, fibre length, G.O.T (%) and seed cotton yield kg ha-1 affected significantly by the zinc levels, while plant population and number of monopodial branches were not affected. Application of zinc from 5.00 to 15.00 showed similar effect. However, control resulted different in taller plants (130.55 in), while application of 15.00 kg zn ha-1 produced maximum sympodia (16.35 plant-1) however productive bolls were more at 10.00 kg zn ha-1 (50.30 plant-1). The staple length was maximum (27.00 mm) at 7.5 kg zn ha-1, while G.O.T% was greater (38.28%) at 5.00 kg zn ha-1, whereas maximum seed cotton yield was recorded at 7.5 kg zn ha-1 (2556.70 kg ha-1). For the trait of seed cotton yield plant1, there was no any difference between applications of zinc sulphates 5.00 to 7.5kg ha1.
Analysis of Variability of Atmospheric Pollutants in Ambient Air of Metropolitan City Karachi, and Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Bulbul Jan  , Syed Ghayasuddin  , Muhammad Arif Hussain  , M. Ayub Khan Yousuf Zai  , Muhammad Ali  , Faisal Nawaz
Published: June 2017

It is well known that, air pollution is a composite phenomenon and intense air pollution events are governed by huge number of consistent factors. In this study, we considered the pollutant parameter (NO2, NO, NOx and CO) concentrations and were measured simultaneously during the period 21/11/2009 to 27/02/2010 in city of Karachi. The estimations were carried out to study the variability of pollutant emissions. Time Series analysis confirms the existence of variation in pollutant with mean daily concentration and the results suggest that the concentrations of pollutant over the interval are slowly declined. The relationships NO2 with NOx, NO with NOx and NO2 vs. CO were modeled with linear regression. The results of the linear regression detected underlying strong relationships among pollutant variables. The application of the regression approach confirmed that the NO2 strongly correlated with other paired pollutants. The study will be helpful to the policy makers to control air pollution and the sustainable environment. It also needs to extend this research to study the nonlinear behavior of atmospheric pollutants in perspective of fractal dimension.
Statistical Analysis to Explore the Factors of ICT that Effect and Promote Global Citizenship among Undergraudate Students: A Case Study of Karachi
Authors: Shagufta Bibi  , Zaira Wahab  , Afaq Ahmed Siddiqi
Published: June 2017

This study aimed to explore the underlying relation between ICT and the factors that promote global citizenship among university undergraduate of Karachi, Pakistan through quantitative method approach. Globalization has had numerous and multifaceted effects on education policies and practices at various levels. Therefore, this study attempted to highlight the significance of ICT uses as a tool for fostering global citizenship among undergrads of both sectors in Karachi. The impact of ICT on factors that promote global citizenship among university students are also examined. The Global Citizenship Survey questionnaire was used for quantitative data. A total of 400 students from private and public sector universities participated in this study. The reliability of the responses calculated through Cronbach’s alpha and found to be almost 0.82 for all constructs. This indicates that responses are highly consistent within each construct. An advanced Multivariate Statistical tool “ Exploratory Factor Analysis” (EFA) was also carried out to identify the hidden pattern of the data and identify the most important factors of ICT that promote global citizenship. For the adequacy of data that is the data are suitable for the factor analysis Kaiser Meyer Olkin (KMO) criteria was considered and its value is found to be 0.784. This value indicates that the Global citizenship survey data are adequate and good enough to carry out factor analysis. For the interpretation and discussion of the results we consider first 5 factors with eigen value greater than 1. The results of factor analysis indicate that factors with items of high positive loading are the communication skill and world perspective. In the view of research findings it may be concluded that ICT promotes global citizenship among undergraduate university students.
Trauma-Informed Risk Assessment in Correctional Settings
Authors: K. Bates-Maves Julie , O'Sullivan Deirdre
Published: June 2017

This paper outlines a model which infuses trauma-informed principles into the existing Risk-Needs-Responsivity model of risk assessment commonly used in correctional settings. The connection between certain types of trauma and criminality is established. Despite this, many risk assessment procedures do not include screening for trauma, or trauma-specific interventions. An overview of the lasting effects of childhood maltreatment is included. Trauma-informed practices and assessment recommendations are also provided, along with recommendations for additional resources
Re-Opening the Silk Road to Transform Chinese Trade
Authors: Mao Ning , McAleer Michael
Published: June 2017

Under anti-globalization and isolationism, China is seeking to portray itself as a new leader for globalization under the banner of the Silk Road initiative. Meanwhile, China's traditional and comparatively advantaged industry, silk, has faced dire predicaments and challenges for long time, and needs a transformation in terms of initiatives. Throughout history, the prosperity arising from silk was supposed to represent a microcosm of Chinese society. This paper searches the breakthrough point to improve the current dilemma of Chinese silk enterprises; uses a Case Study for inductive reasoning that is feasible for marketing strategies; and provides a strategy to help Chinese silk enterprises to transform their market positioning and operating modes to obtain better development opportunities. The paper also analyzes the new external environment based on the "One Belt, One Road" principle, which is of crucial importance for the implementation of new marketing strategies.
Education and Skill Mismatches in Maptaphut Industrial Estate, Thailand
Authors: Varakamin Duangjan
Published: June 2017

This paper examines educational and skill mismatches by using primary data from Maptaphut Industrial Estate, Rayong Province, Thailand, conducted from 226 respondents. Ordinary least squares (OLS) and unconditional quantile (UQR) regressions are used to examine the mismatches on earnings. The empirical findings are as follows: (1) returns to education of high income workers are larger than average income workers; (2) education mismatches affect earnings, such that over-education is statistically significant, whereas under-education is not significant, for both the OLS and UQR estimates; (3) UQR provides more information on size of the over-education to the returns on schooling; (4) specific training for some job positions also indicates educational and skill mismatches; and (5) firms should invest in training for workers to reduce weaknesses in educational mismatches.
Development of a Code of Practice and Indicators for Quality Management of Official Statistics in Thailand
Authors: Mekbunditkul Titirut , Phisalbutr Sorachai
Published: June 2017

This paper is concerned with the National Statistical Office of Thailand, and constructs a Code of Practice and indicators for quality management of official statistics in Thailand. Official statistics for quality management from three international agencies include the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), European Statistical System (Eurostat), and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Factor analysis is used to determine the important indicators and their respective weights. The research shows that a Code of Practice for quality management of official statistics in Thailand should be comprised of 9 rules and 35 common indicators.
Demand for Narcotics in Thailand, with Policy Implications
Authors: Sukharomana Renu , Chang Chia-Lin
Published: June 2017

The paper examines the demand for narcotic drugs, based on Becker (1968), as purported rational behavior of human beings. The results from sampling surveys in eight provinces in Thailand in 2014, representing nationwide drug users/addicts, show that the demand for narcotics (amphetamines, ice drug, and marijuana) are price inelastic (between -0.533 and -0.701), as well as normal goods. The key econometric coefficients in models A and B are 0.192 and 0.0467, respectively, and an increase in income will lead to an increase in the demand for narcotics. In addition, factors affecting the demand for narcotics are the age and age squared of the user, friendship, family member relationship, social relationship, reasons for drug use, risk behavior, and expected punishment. Public policy implications are also proposed and analysed.
Computer Technology to Improve Medical Information in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Jirapanthong Waraporn
Published: June 2017

Building hospital applications based on services allow hospitals and other organizations to cooperate and make use of business functions. Hospital information systems that involve extensive information exchange across hospitals and organization boundaries, such as patient profiles, can easily be automated. Service-based applications can be constructed by linking services from various providers using either a standard programming language or a specialized workflow language. This paper reviews the use of computer technology which supports health services in Bangkok, Thailand by developing a survey of health services in hospitals, in which the focus is on the attitudes and competence of medical students and physicians, and the availability of health services equipment; and analyzing and providing guidance via a web service that supports health services. A prototype of a web application is created to simulate situations of the use of computer-based devices for supporting clinical operations, involving 12 medical doctors and 3 patients. Two cases are analysed to demonstrate different situations of the web service. In such situations, stakeholders are requested to query patient information and specify the documents. The experiments have been evaluated by considering straightforward criteria to perform activities with the prototype to determine how accurate the documents are requested and specified, and evaluate how the health service performs efficiently.
Using a Game Development Platform to Improve Advanced Programming Skills
Authors: Poolsawas Banyapon , Niranatlamphong Winyu
Published: June 2017

A computer game is one of the most efficient instructional media for improving learners' programming skills. Implementing a game development platform or a game engine as an instruction tool provides benefits to learners. This paper observes progress in the learning process, and measures how long learners take to find solutions. The participants in the experiment were divided into two groups. The first group used traditional instructional media, such as lecturing, studying class materials, and solving assigned programming assignments. On the other hand, the second group attended the lectures, similar to the first group, and used a game development platform as instructional media to solve assigned programming assignments. The results showed that the progressive skills of the Game Development Platform learners were higher, and the problem-solving time they spent was lower.
An Academic Search Engine for Personalized Rankings
Authors: Choochaiwattana Worasit
Published: June 2017

Rapidly increasing information on the Internet and the World Wide Web can lead to information overload. Search engines become important tools to help WWW users to discover information. Exponential increases in published research papers, academic search engines become indispensable tools to search for papers in their expertise and related fields. In order to improve the quality of search, an academic search engines' capability should be enhanced. This paper proposes a search engine for personalized rankings. In order to evaluate the performance of personalized rankings, thirty-five graduate students from the Department of Web Engineering and Mobile Application Development at Dhurakij Pundit University are participants in the research experiment. Participants are asked to use a prototype of an academic search engine to find and bookmark any research papers according to their interests, which would guarantee that each participants' list of interesting research papers could be recorded. Normalized Discounted Cumulative Gain (NDCG) is used as a metric to determine the performance of the personalized rankings. The experiments suggest that the personalized rankings outperform the original search rankings. Hence, the proposed academic search engine with personalized ranking benefits research paper discovery.
Les effets d’alerte et de promotion des logos nutritionnels sur la face-avant des produits agroalimentaires
Authors: Mérigot Philippe , Nabec Lydiane
Published: June 2017

Ancrée dans une perspective sociale, cette recherche analyse les effets des logos nutritionnels apposés sur la face-avant des produits agroalimentaires, tel que le préconise la Loi de Santé 2016, sur leur évaluation par les consommateurs. À partir d’une expérimentation réalisée en ligne auprès de 176 individus sur des céréales pour le petit déjeuner de trois niveaux différents de qualité nutritionnelle, nous montrons que les logos interprétatifs – comme le système 5C – sont plus efficaces que ne le sont les logos descriptifs pour alerter les consommateurs sur les produits de mauvaise qualité nutritionnelle, ainsi que pour promouvoir les produits sains.
Les marques de luxe à la conquête des blogs personnels de mode : équilibre des relations entre lectrice, blogueuse et marque de luxe
Authors: Cissé-Depardon Karine , Zouari Soraya
Published: June 2017

Cet article s’intéresse à l’équilibre des relations entre lectrice, blogueuse de mode et marque de luxe suite à la présence de la marque de luxe sur le blog. À l’issue d’une étude exploratoire basée sur une netnographie de six blogs de mode français et d’une analyse réalisée à l’aide du logiciel Sphinx Quali , les résultats révèlent : 1) les facteurs ayant un impact sur la force des relations, 2) les situations d’équilibre et de déséquilibre présentes à l’intérieur de chacun de ces facteurs d’influence. Nous proposons des implications managériales visant à faciliter la mise en place d’une relation équilibrée positive entre une marque de luxe, une blogueuse et ses lectrices.
Luxe et développement durable : quelles sources de dissonance ?
Authors: Dekhili Sihem , Achabou Mohamed Akli
Published: June 2017

Bien qu’une réelle « ère de développement durable » semble régner dans les sociétés occidentales, des recherches naissantes font état de réserves à l’égard de l’usage de l’argument durable dans le secteur du luxe. À l’aide d’entretiens individuels auprès de 39 consommateurs français de produits de luxe, cet article identifie les sources de dissonance entre luxe et développement durable. Celles-ci se regroupent autour de trois volets : les dimensions du concept (partage, qualité, rationalité, altruisme), le volet environnemental (préservation des ressources), et le volet social (égalité sociale, justice au niveau de l’emploi, bien-être animal). Les résultats permettent aussi de préciser les modes de réduction de la dissonance adoptés par les consommateurs, puis de proposer des recommandations aux entreprises.
Sur les traces d’« Enjoy Phoenix »… ou comment la beauté et la pédagogie renforcent le pouvoir d’influence des Youtubeurs sur les consommateurs
Authors: Temessek–Behi Azza , Laribi Yasmine
Published: June 2017

Les vidéos créés et hébergées sur YouTube par les utilisateurs provoquent l’engouement d’un public hyper connecté. Le succès de ces User Generated Videos (UGV) attire les marques en quête d’actions de communication interactives et puissantes. Cette recherche s’attache à étudier l’effet des caractéristiques de l’auteur de la vidéo et du message sur l’attitude et les intentions d’achat de la marque dans le contexte de la beauté. Au travers de deux études qualitatives et d’une étude quantitative, nous montrons le rôle de l’attractivité physique de la Youtubeuse, celui de la proximité psychologique et des qualités pédagogiques de la vidéo comme des vecteurs puissants de la persuasion des UGV.
Communication omnicanal : comment orchestrer numérique et mobile pour générer de la valeur incrémentale auprès des clients connectés ?
Authors: Bothorel Grégoire , Vanheems Régine , Guérin Anne
Published: June 2017

Cet article étudie la communication omnicanal et vise à comprendre les effets de l’activation d’un canal de communication supplémentaire auprès d’un client connecté. Deux expérimentations combinant des canaux numériques et mobiles (email, SMS et bannières en RTB), menées respectivement auprès de plus de 300 000 et 700 000 individus, montrent que l’activation d’un canal supplémentaire génère un incrément de conversions online et offline . L’étude permet par ailleurs de comprendre l’origine de cet incrément de conversions. Elle identifie également les sources de synergie entre les canaux et démontre le rôle de l’omnicanal pour tirer profit du potentiel de certains clients.