bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Institution of the Regional Rent
Authors: Yatsky Sergei A
Published: April 2018

This paper discusses the institution of the regional rent. Special attention is paid to its features in Russia.
The Oil-and-Gas Rent Formation and Extraction: the Institutional AspectsThe Oil-and-Gas Rent Formation and Extraction: the Institutional Aspects
Authors: Yatsky Sergei A
Published: April 2018

This paper discusses the oil-and-gas rent, its definition, institution of its formation and extraction. Special attention is paid to the problems in the institution of the oil-and-gas rent in Russia. It is offered to improve the operating system of the institution of its formation and extraction.
Modern trends in innovative development ofoil and gas producing region
Authors: Bessonova Tatyana N
Published: April 2018

Abstract: When forming the regional innovation system, everyone should take into account specific conditions and the possibility to develop regional economic complexes. Modern development of oil and gas producing region implies an increase in cooperation between all participants of the innovation process. The most promising organizational form of such an association in Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug - Yugra is Yugra Technopolis. It aims to strengthen the interaction of research and industrial sectors, to improve the commercialization of scientific research results
Evaluating the effectiveness of state policy in the field of environmental protection
Authors: Zabolotnev Nikolay N
Published: April 2018

Protection of the environment - an important component of the policy of any developed state of law. Questions of financial security of the dedication activities gosu-hundred-novyatsya in today's world, more and more urgent. The trend actualization of attention of the state as a public legal education at addressing environmental causes certain optimistic expectations.
The concession agreement as the most common form of public-private partnership
Authors: Piatkova Tatiana V , Mikhajluk Oksana N
Published: April 2018

This article is devoted questions of use of concession agreements as the most effective and specific forms of public-private partnerships. The concession provides efficient management of property in state and municipal property. Introducing a mechanism of private initiative for the concession agreement provides the maximum benefit for the public and private sectors.
The expenses of the employ-ers connected with the pay-ment for their employees’ leaves: accounting and tax aspects
Authors: Kostina Olga V
Published: April 2018

The article deals with the problem of employers’ payment for the employees’ leaves. The tax consequences of decisions made in this area are also examined by the article.
Development of the state support of small business of Ugra
Authors: Takmasheva Irina V
Published: April 2018

In article the analysis of the infrastructure of support of small business existing in the autonomous area is carried out. It is revealed that in the specified sphere become especially actual directions of development: centralization and creation of associative structures. The model of the mechanism of the state support of small business in Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug - Ugra is presented.
Charity as a result of the development of entrepreneurship in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District - Ugra
Authors: Kharina Natalya S
Published: April 2018

The article shows philanthropy as a sociocultural phenomenon. The author reveals the overall trends and regional characteristics of philanthropy as a result of business activities. Analysis of the information obtained allows us to conclude that the charity has become a significant social phenomenon in Russia. Since the end of the XVIII century other manifestations of charity occur in the form of patronage. Charity and philanthropy have always been traditional for the Russian business. Many merchants made donations for the construction of hospitals, schools, theaters, museums, churches and other institutions. This topic is still largely unknown. First of all, it is connected with the state of the source base. Today the urgent task of science is the search for, identify and analyze extant sources on this topic.
Proximate and Mineral Compositions, Mineral Safety Index (MSI) of Ten Organs of African Giant Pouch Rat
Authors: Adeyeye Emmanuel Ilesanmi , Adesina Adeolu Jonathan
Published: April 2018

An investigation into the proximate composition, mineral composition and the mineral safety index of heart, skin, muscle, lungs, tongue, kidney, spleen, brain, liver and eyes of African giant pouch rat was carried out using standard methods, calculations of metabolizable energy, percentage energy contribution due to: protein, fat and carbohydrate; utilizable energy due to protein; Ca/P, Na/K, [K/(Ca+Mg)], Ca/Mg ratios and mineral safety index. In the proximate composition, the followings were discovered: samples were good in muscle (ash), kidney (protein), muscle (crude fat), skin (carbohydrate) and also contributed the highest energy. Highest level of proportion of energy due to protein (PEP %) came from the kidney, highest level of energy due to fat (PEF %) came from muscle whilst highest energy contribution due to carbohydrate (PEC %) came from the skin. The utilizable energy due to protein (UEDP %) assuming 60% utilisation had the highest level in the kidney. In the mineral composition muscle was good in Na; muscle was best in K; kidney was highest in Ca; tongue was rich in Mg; spleen was high in zinc; liver was high in Fe; muscle was rich in Mn; kidney was rich in P; muscle was good in Ca/P; skin was best in Na/K; spleen was best in [K/(Ca+Mg)] and spleen was best in Ca/Mg. In the mineral safety index (MSI) values: Zn with MSI of 33 was lower than heart, spleen and in Fe with MSI of 6.7 was lower than heart, muscle, lungs, brain, liver and eyes. The following parameters were significantly different at α = 0.05 among the samples: crude protein, carbohydrate, PEP %, PEF %, PEC %, UEDP %, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe and P. This report will give nutritional information on the various organs analysed.
Development of Demulsifier Compositions for the Destruction of Emulsions and Dehydration of Heavy Oils
Authors: Salakhov R.KH. , Khamidullin R.F. , Mansurov Z.A. , Bodykov D.U. , Seitzhanova M.
Published: April 2018

In oils, oil products and oil fractions, which do not contain paraffins, the action of depressors is useless. In this connection, the research of depressor properties of experimental samples of demulsifying compositions became possible only in regions where highly paraffinic oils are extracted, prepared and transported. Joint researches concerning the study of effect of the developed composite reagents on the rheology of heavy oil from Zhangurshi deposit of the West Kazakhstan region was carried out at al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Institute of Combustion Problems and the Kazan Scientific-Research Technological University. Conducting a comparative evaluation of the wetting power of a number of surfactants made it possible to obtain information on the efficiency of the inversion of wetting in oil-dispersed systems during the destruction of water-oil emulsions. In this work, the express methods for determining of wetting-deterging action of a wide range of different classes and types of surfactants are used, which makes it possible to make a comparative assessment of their effectiveness in a short time. During the research, it was supposed that the washing process of adsorption hydrocarbon layer, including tar-asphaltene substances, from the surface of particles of mechanical impurities involved in stabilization of water-oil emulsion should be preceded by a wetting process.
Analysis of Social Studies Material in Primary School Curriculum
Authors: . Asnawi , Mulyahati Bunga , Fransyaigu Ronald
Published: April 2018

This study aims to assess the Social Studies material contained in the book of integrated thematic curriculum in 2013 the fourth grade of primary school. Selection of the fourth grade of primary school due to the initial implementation of integrated thematic learning in curriculum 2013 in a high-class curriculum. This study used a qualitative approach with a particular method of discourse analysis and content analysis of the data obtained through text analysis and documentation. Which is the object of this research is the book of integrated thematic curriculum fourth grade of primary school in curriculum 2013. Social Studies material is organized from the teaching materials and simple close around the child to a more extensive and complex. Depth presentation of the material in the textbook Social Studies  the fourth grade of primary school thematic curriculum is associated with students' knowledge. The level of difficulty of the material adapted to the development of learners who are at the stage of "concrete-operational", giving the students in understanding the material.
The Relationship between Self-Efficacy towards Audit Quality with Individualism Culture As Mediates: Evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Djaddang,CA Dr.Syahril , Lyshandra Shanti , Wulandjani Harimurti , Sulistiawarni E.
Published: April 2018

This study investigates the effects of individualism culture on audit quality with self-efficacy as mediates. Specifically, it examines the mediating effects of self-efficacy on the relationship between individualism culture to audit quality. Social cognitive theory is employed as a theoretical framework. Using the purposive sampling method, 101 auditors of individualism culture, self-efficacy Indonesian the Supreme Audit were selected as the sample. The results of this study show that self-efficacy has a significant impact on audit quality. This study also finds that individualism culture acts as a mediator variable. This study is for the Supreme Audit Agency, the Inspectorate, Directorate General of Taxes, government internal auditors and independent auditors and academics in the field of accounting education.
Pacientes ocultos da demência de Alzheimer: uma revisão integrativa sobre a avaliação da terapia ocupacional com os cuidadores
Authors: Bernardo Lilian Dias
Published: April 2018

O objetivo deste artigo foi identificar e analisar a produção científica sobre o processo de avaliação dos cuidadores de idosos com demência de Alzheimer promovidos pelos terapeutas ocupacionais. Foi realizada a revisão integrativa, considerando o período de 2006 a 2016, nos idiomas inglês, português e espanhol e, com os descritores: “cuidadores” combinados com “doença de Alzheimer”, “terapia ocupacional” e, "avaliação". As fontes de informação consideradas foram: Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO®, LILACS, SciELO, OTseeker e PEDro. Foram identificados 16. Os resultados mostram que os artigos eram voltados para identificar as percepções dos cuidadores sobre o cuidar e sobre os serviços que os idosos recebem, as dificuldades enfrentadas no dia-a-dia, sobre a qualidade de vida, as estratégias adotadas e/ou as necessidades para desempenhar a tarefa do cuidado. Os achados trazem contribuições para a elaboração de intervenções terapêuticas ocupacionais direcionadas ao estabelecimento de suportes para os cuidadores.
Capacidade funcional em indivíduos com paraparesia espástica tropical/mielopatia associada ao HTLV-1
Authors: Corrêa Victor Augusto Cavaleiro , Rocha Ádria Cecília Botelho da , Almeida Priscila Sarmento de , Pinto Denise Da Silva , Falcão Luiz Fábio Magno , Fuzii Hellen Thaís
Published: April 2018

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a capacidade funcional de indivíduos com paraparesia espástica tropical/mielopatia associada ao vírus linfotrófico humano de células T do Tipo 1 (PET/MAH). A pesquisa incluiu 12 indivíduos diagnosticados com HTLV-1 de ambos os sexos, em acompanhamento no Laboratório de Estudos em Reabilitação Funcional (LAERF) da Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), através da aplicação do Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Este é um estudo quantitativo realizado em 2016. Dos participantes 58,3% eram do sexo feminino e 41,6% do sexo masculino. Apresentaram incapacidade moderada à grave 50% dos pesquisados, devido à dificuldade de deambular e alterações na postura e equilíbrio, necessitando assim de auxílio de terceiros e muletas e cadeiras de rodas. A problemática do viver com o HTLV-1 é abrangente e complexa, interferindo no cotidiano, estando relacionada a sintomatologia da doença e requerendo cuidados paliativos na capacidade funcional do dia-a-dia, principalmente, na funcionalidade que envolve os membros inferiores, as transferências de posturas e o equilíbrio.
A perspectiva do usuário sobre o acesso aos serviços da atenção primária à saúde
Authors: Bulgarelli Patricia Tavora , Bulgarelli Alexandre Favero , Dos Santos Camila Mello , Hilgert Juliana Balbinot , Soares Rafaela Rech , Hugo Fernando Neves
Published: April 2018

O acesso aos serviços básicos de saúde ainda mostra-se como um processo em construção e que necessita de esforços conjuntos do poder público, dos profissionais e de pesquisadores da saúde coletiva para descrever, traçar planos para o enfrentamento dos problemas e construir acesso universal ao que se considera, dentro das políticas públicas, como essencial a saúde do cidadão brasileiro nos grandes centros urbanos. Nestes pressupostos, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o acesso aos serviços de Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) por meio da percepção do usuário adulto em três Gerências Distritais de Porto Alegre/RS. Estudo de base populacional realizado com 214 usuários. Utilizou-se questionário construído especificamente para a pesquisa contendo o atributo Acesso de Primeiro Contato do Primary Care Assessment Tool/PCATool, versão adulta, que foi aplicado através de um aplicativo para tablets. Como resultado 65,0% dos participantes eram usuários dos serviços básicos de saúde ofertado no Sistema Único de Saúde. No geral, o acesso foi insatisfatório. Em contraste, Acesso de Primeiro-Contato/Utilização foi percebido como satisfatório. Além disso, Acesso de Primeiro-Contato/Acessibilidade e o Escore Acesso apresentaram um desempenho insatisfatório. Destaca-se a importância de analisar dados sociodemográficos para o funcionamento da APS. Enfatiza-se a necessidade do município em direcionar esforços para a parte da população que percebeu o acesso como um atributo insatisfatório.
LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO NORTH COASTAL OF JAVA CONSERVATION
Authors: Kurnianto Fahmi Arif , Apriyanto Bejo , Nurdin Elan Artono , Ikhsan Fahrudi Ahwan
Published: April 2018

Geography Learning in XI Social Science Classes still dominated by conventional teaching methods that make students become unmotivated in learning. Therefore, it is necessary to apply a model of learning that can foster activity and student’s level of knowledge. The Group Investigation Learning model (GI) has several advantages. Advantages of Group Investigation Learning model among others: (1) increase the ability to think critically, (2) creating a learning environment that is democratic, (3) enhance the development of soft skills, (4) may improve social solidarity, dan (5) improve student’s level of knowledge to learn.The purpose of this study to analyzethe influence of group investigation learning model towards the level of knowledge of Geography students in senior highschool. The type of research is the quasi-experimental study with nonequivalentcontrol group posttest only design. The subject of the study consisted of class XI Social Scienceare selected based on the score of Middle Semester Exam (UTS) 2 on 2014-2015 teachings year that had an average of almost the same (homogeneous).The results of this study are showed significant influence of GI models on Geographylevel of knowledge  to learn  of students.  It was based on the results of the Independent Sample T-Test analysis showed a p-value of 0.000 level. P-level value is smaller than 0.05 (p <0.05). The average score student’s level of knowledge to learn geography experimental class is higher with a score of 208, while the control class with a score of 177. That's because the investigations conducted the mangrove forest, teachers simply deliver early learning problems, frequent interaction between students during learning, and students investigate different sub-themes.

 

Keywords: Group Investigation Learning, Level of knowledge, Conservation

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BANKALARIN GRUP BAZLI KARLILIKLARININ GRİ TAHMİN YÖNTEMİ İLE DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ - EVALUATION OF GROUP BASED BANK PROFITS BY THE GREY ESTIMATION METHOD
Authors: ÖMÜRBEK Vesile , AKSOY Esra , AKÇAKANAT Özen
Published: April 2018

Son zamanlarda bankacılık
sektörü günden güne kendisini yenileyerek, yenilik ve değişimlere açık bir şekilde
adapte olarak faaliyet göstermektedir. Bankacılık sektörü dış ülkelerin
ekonomisinde olduğu gibi ülkemiz ekonomisi için de önemli bir konumda yer
almaktadır. Bununla birlikte bankaların temel amaçlarından biri karlılıklarını
artırmaktır. Bu çalışmada fonksiyonlarına göre ele alınan “mevduat” ve “kalkınma
ve yatırım” banka gruplarının 2013 - 2016 yılları arasındaki verileri baz
alınarak 2020 yılına kadar ki karlılıkları temel GM (1,1) ile tahmin edilmiştir.
Bankalar fonksiyonlarına göre grup bazında ele alınarak mevduat bankaları ve
kalkınma ve yatırım bankaları olarak incelenmiştir. Çalışmada veri setleri
karlılık rasyolarından oluşturulmuş olup, her bir rasyo ayrı ayrı ele alınarak
her banka grubu için karlılık tahmini yapılmıştır
ŞİDDET MAĞDURU KADINLARIN ERKEKLİK TANIMLAMALARI: BURDUR İLİ ÖZELİNDE BİR ÇALIŞMA - MASCULINITY DEFINITION OF WOMEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE: A CASE STUDY IN BURDUR, TURKEY
Authors: DEMEZ Gönül , SEVAL Hale Nur
Published: April 2018

Bu çalışmanın odağını,  fiziksel, sözel, cinsel şiddete maruz kalmış ve Burdur Aile ve Sosyal Politikalar İl Müdürlüğüne bağlı Kadın Konukevi Müdürlüğü’nden hizmet almakta olan farklı (ekonomik durum, yaş, medeni durum, eğitim durumu) kategorilerden kadınların, toplumsal cinsiyet kalıpları anlamında erkeklik rollerine ilişkin anlamlandırma ve yargılarının ortaya çıkarılması; bu bağlamda şiddet deneyimleri ile erkeklik algıları arasındaki ilişkinin irdelenmesi oluşturmaktadır. Yüz yüze derinlemesine görüşmelere dayanan niteliksel araştırma modeliyle tasarlanan çalışmada,  yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu aracılığıyla, hayatının herhangi bir evresinde eşinden/babasından şiddet görmüş toplam on beş kadınla görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu bağlamda söz konusu kadınlarla yapılan görüşmelerin çözümlerinden elde edilen veriler; yaşam öyküleri, erkekliğin kurgulanmasında etkili olan aile ilişkileri, eğitim, yoksulluk, sosyal çevre, rol model örnekleri, şiddet öyküleri ile deneyimlerinden oluşan örnekler ve anlatılar tematik olarak kategorize edilmiştir. Böylece toplumsal iktidar örüntüleri, ataerkil sistem, erkeklik ve şiddete ilişkin algılamaları yine kadınların kendi anlatılarından hareketle gündelik yaşam pratikleri, şiddetle baş etme yöntemleri, sosyal yaşamda kullandıkları, strateji ve pazarlıklar toplumsal cinsiyet anlamındaki iktidar ilişkileri bağlamında çözümlenmektedir. Şiddet gören kadınların gözünden erkeklik algıları; erkekliğin iktidar ve şiddet aracılığıyla kurulduğuna yönelik tanımlamaları, evlilik, cinsellik, ekonomik ve sosyal nedenlerle erkek iktidarının meşrulaştırılması, son olarak ev/iş yaşamı, gündelik yaşam pratikleri ile bu algının devam ettirilmesi durumu ortaya çıkarılmaya çalışılmıştır.
DEPREM ZARARLARININ EN AZA İNDİRİLMESİNE YARDIMCI OLMADA, ÖN LİSANS DÜZEYİNDE ELEMAN YETİŞTİREREK YENİ BİR YAKLAŞIM GELİŞTİRME: AMPİRİK BİR ÇALIŞMA - DEVELOPING A NEW APPROACH HELPING TO REDUCE EARTHQUAKE DAMAGES TO ITS MINIMUM THROUGH EDUCATING PERSONNEL ON AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE LEVEL: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY
Authors: Doğanlı Bilge , BAYRİ Osman
Published: April 2018

ÖZ

Ülkelerin
zenginliklerinin nitelikli işgücü ile ölçüldüğü bir dönemde bulunulmakta ve ekonomik
hayatta yaşanan değişim ve gelişim sürecinde, nitelikli işgücü ülkeler için çok
önemli bir kaynak haline gelmektedir. Hızla globalleşen dünyada malların ve
hizmetlerin serbest dolaşımının artması, ülkelere nitelikli işgücü arzı
sağlamaları konusunda zorlayıcı bir güç oluşturmaktadır. İşgücünde
verimliliğin artmasında ve işgücü piyasasındaki yetersizliklerinin giderilmesinde,
mesleki teknik eğitim önemli role sahiptir. Meslek
yüksekokulları (MYO), belirli mesleklere yönelik ara eleman yetiştirmeyi
amaçlayan iki yıllık mesleki ve teknik eğitim veren kurumlardır. MYO
öğrencilerinin, mezuniyet sonrası çalışmayı arzu ettikleri ve bunun planını
yaptıkları bir işlerinin olması gerekir. Ancak günümüz Türkiye koşullarında
sosyal imkanlarla donatılmış ve ücreti öğrencileri tatmin edecek bir işe girmek
kolay değildir. Benzer bölümlerin mezunları ile dolu bir ortamda mezunların
iş bulmaları nerede ise imkânsız görünmektedir. Bu nedenle hedef, alanında marka olmuş bölümlerden, piyasanın istek
ve ihtiyaçları doğrultusunda ve diğer mezunlarda olmayan farklı bilgi, beceri
ve özellikler ile mezunu olabilmek olmalıdır.

Bu çalışmanın temel amacı hem inşaat
sektörünün ekonomi içinde öneminin arttığı hem de genç işsizlik oranının yüksek
düzeyde olduğu bir ortamda, MYO’lar bünyesinde oluşturulacak inşaat ustalığı
eğitiminin öğrenciler tarafından tercih edilip edilmeyeceğinin belirlenmesidir.
Continuous Health Promotion and Participatory Ergonomics in a Small Company
Authors: Magnavita Nicola
Published: April 2018

The workplace is an ideal setting for health promotion. The regular medical examination of workers enables us to screen for numerous diseases, spread good practices and correct lifestyles, and obtain a favourable risk/benefit ratio. The continuous monitoring of the level of workers' wellbeing using a holistic approach that goes beyond the simple prevention of occupational risks enables us to promptly identify problems in work organization and the company climate. Problems of this kind can be adequately managed by using a participatory approach. In this study participatory ergonomics groups were used to improve occupational life in a small company. After intervention we observed a reduction in levels of perceived occupational stress measured with the effort / reward imbalance model, and an improvement in psychological wellbeing assessed by means of the Goldberg anxiety / depression scale. Although the limited size of the sample calls for a cautious evaluation of this study, the GEP© strategy proved to be a useful tool due to its cost-effectiveness.
What’s Conventional and what’s Special in a Reservoir Study for Underground Gas Storage
Authors: Verga Francesca
Published: April 2018

The development of an underground gas storage (UGS) project and its subsequent management must ensure technical feasibility, commercial value and long-term efficiency. The UGS industry has borrowed much of its knowledge from other disciplines (primarily oil and gas reservoir engineering), but it has also developed its own technology. This paper provides a methodological approach based on current practices and available methods for designing and safely operating a UGS (including the so-called “delta-pressure” option to enhance UGS performance) and highlights what is special in UGS compared to oil and gas reservoirs.
Cordycepin Modulate Body Weight by Reducing Prolactin via an Adenosine A1 Receptor
Authors: Li Yuan , Li Yan , Wang Xueyan , Xu Hongyue , Wang Chao , An Yanan , Luan Wenjing , Wang Xuefei , Li Shulin , Liu Mingyuan , Tang Xudong , Yu Lu
Published: April 2018

Cordycepin is an extract from the insect fungus Cordyceps. militaris, which is a traditional medicine with various biological function. In previous studies, cordycepin had been reported with excellent anti-obesity effect, but the mechanism is unclear. A large quantity of evidences showed that prolactin plays an important part in body weight regulation, hyperprolactinemia can promote appetite and accelerate fat deposition. In this study, we explored the molecular mechanism of the anti-obesity effect of cordycepin by reducing prolactin release via an adenosine A1 receptor. In vivo, obese rats model was induced by high fat diet for 5 weeks, the serum and liver lipids coupling with serum prolactin were reduced by treatment of cordycepin, the results suggested that cordycepin is a potential drug for therapying obesity which could be related with prolactin. In vitro, cordycepin could inhibit prolactin secretion in GH3 cells via upregulating the expression of adenosine A1 receptor, the inhibition effect could be blocked by an antagonist of adenosine receptor A1 DPDPX, prolactin induced the upregulation of lipogenesis genes PRLR, and P-JAK2 in 3T3-L1 cells. Intriguingly, cordycepin would down-regulate the expression of prolactin receptor (PRLR). Thus, we concluded that cordycepin modulate body weight by reducing prolactin release via an adenosine A1 receptor.
Change and Continuity in Vaping and Smoking by Young People: A Qualitative Case Study of a Friendship Group
Authors: McKeganey Neil , Barnard Marina
Published: April 2018

This paper explores as a case study the development of e-cigarette use and smoking within small friendship group (n=8) in Glasgow, Scotland. Interviewed twice at six months apart these 16/17 year olds reported substantial change in their use of and attitudes towards e-cigarettes and tobacco. At time 1 vaping generated much excitement and interest, with 6/8 having their own vape device. At time 2 only two young people still vaped, with the others no longer professing any interest in continued vaping. The two regular smokers, who had been smoking before they first vaped, now only vaped privately and to reduce their tobacco intake. This small case study illustrates plasticity in the use of electronic cigarettes; just as young people can initiate using these devices so too can they more away from their use- with such changes in actual use occurring within a relatively short period of time. These findings demonstrate more than anything else the volatility in young peoples’ substance use behaviour. If we are to better understand these behaviours we require both quantitative and qualitative research studies that are capable of both monitoring changes in individual and group behaviour over time but which are also able to elucidate the nuance of individual behaviour differentiating between long term, frequent, consistent use and more episodic, experimental and infrequent use by young people.
Pedestrian Injury Severity Analysis in Motor Vehicle Crashes in Ohio
Authors: Uddin Majbah , Ahmed Fahim
Published: April 2018

Background: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 116 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle crashes in Ohio in 2015. However, no study to date has analyzed crashes in Ohio exploring the factors contributing to the pedestrian injury severity resulting from motor vehicle crashes. This study fills this gap by investigating the crashes involving pedestrians exclusively in Ohio. Materials and Methods: This study uses the crash data from the Highway Safety Information System, from 2009 to 2013. The explanatory factors include the pedestrian, driver, vehicle, crash, and roadway characteristics. Both fixed- and random-parameters ordered probit models of injury severity (where possible outcomes are major, minor, and possible/no injury) were estimated. Results: The model results indicate that being older pedestrian (65 and over), younger driver (less than 24), driving under influence (DUI), being struck by truck, dark-unlighted roadways, six-lane roadways, and speed limit of 40 mph and 50 mph were associated with more severe injuries to the pedestrians. Conversely, older driver (65 and over), passenger car, crash occurring in urban locations, daytime traffic off-peak (10 AM to 3:59 PM), weekdays, and daylight condition were associated with less severe injuries. Conclusion: This study provides specific safety recommendations so that effective countermeasures could be developed and implemented by the policy makers, which in turn will improve overall highway safety.
Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye in the Presence of Visible Light Using SiO2@α-Fe2O3 Nanocomposites Deposited on SnS2 Flowers
Authors: Balu Sridharan , Uma Kasimayan , Pan Guan-Ting , Yang Thomas C.-K. , Ramaraj Sayee Kannan
Published: April 2018

Semiconductor materials have been shown to have better photocatalytic behavior and can be utilized for the photodegradation of organic pollutants. In this work, three-dimensional flower-like SnS2 were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method. Core-shell structured SiO2@α-Fe2O3 nanocomposites were then deposited on the top of the SnS2 flowers. The as-synthesized nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The photocatalytic behavior of the SnS2-SiO2@α-Fe2O3 nanocomposites was observed by observing the degradation of methylene blue (MB). The results show an effective enhancement of photocatalytic activity for the degradation of MB especially for the 15 wt. % SiO2@α-Fe2O3 nanocomposites on SnS2 flowers.
Investigation of Brain Vascular Territories in Stroke Patients Detected Non-Valve Atrial Fibrillation as an Etiological Factor
Authors: Karaoglan Mustafa , Demir Serkan
Published: April 2018

Objective: It was aimed to investigate the cerebral vascular territories in stroke patients with NVAF as an etiologic factor. Material and Methods: A total of 104 patients who were referred to our hospital between January 2015 and September 2016, who were over 55 years of age, identified or documented as having a standard ECG or Holter ECG record on their medical history, and diagnosed with stroke were included. Our study was designed as a retrospective analysis of prospective data. Detailed history, physical examination and electrocardiography (ECG) evaluations of the patients were performed. Descriptive statistics were used in the detection of findings, and t-test, Pearson-square test and Fisher's exact test were used for differences analysis. Results: 53.8% (N = 56) of the patients were male and 46.2% (N = 48) were female. The mean age was 73.5. MCA was the most common site of vascular involvement in NVAF-dependent strokes. In MCA vascular territory, ischemic infarcts were detected most frequently in the upper and lower divisions. SCA and PCA followed MCA. Approximately 64% of the NVAF-related strokes were anterior circulation infarction (ASE) and 22% were posterior circulation infarct (PSE). There was a significant difference in age and past stroke history factors in favor of ASE (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between ASE and PSE in HT, cardiac history and DM factors (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was emphasized that the area of the vessel that underwent ischemia in the acutely displayed infarcts and the etiological factor for this vessel area could be predicted
Characterization of Caristi Type Mapping through its Absolute Derivative
Authors: Muslikh Mohamad , Kilicman Adem , Hasana Siti , Bachok Norfifah
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this article is to characterize the Caristi type mapping by the absolute derivative. The equivalences of the Caristi mapping with contraction mapping is discussed too. In addition, it was shown that the contraction mapping can be characterized by its absolute derivative.
Examination of Multiband IFA for UHF and SHF Channel Applications
Authors: Rohadi Erfan , Amalia Amalia , Siradjuddin Indrazno , Ronilaya Ferdian , Asmara Rosa Andrie
Published: April 2018

The Inverted F Antenna (IFA) with the parasitic element on a finite conducting plane is proposed in the range frequency of 0.1 to 5.5 GHz and its characteristics are analyzed numerically. In this research, the parasitic element and the main IFA are investigated to obtain the resonance frequency for multiband operation purposes. The parasitic element is placed beneath adjusted to the main IFA to derive more frequency bands. The distance between the parasitic element and main horizontal element extremely affects the performance of the IFA. It is found that when the parasitic element is located closer to the conducting plane, this element is coupled by the current on the conducting plane. Consequently, the return loss bandwidth becomes narrower. Therefore, the gain of the proposed IFA becomes a bit higher. The antenna gain is about 8.21 dB at band #3 (λ1.747), 7.43 dB at band #5 (λ2.967) and 8.82 dB at band #6 (λ4.023). This occurs when the calculation condition is antenna height h1 = 23 mm, h2 = 21 mm, horizontal antenna elements L = 173.2 mm, L1 = 140.9 mm and Lp = 152 mm, shorted element Ls = 30.7 mm, the distance between parasitic element and shorted element pyl = 5 mm. While the size of conducting plane is considered pxp+pxm by pyp+pym as 57.5+57.5 mm by 200+50 mm. In the numerical analysis, the electromagnetic simulator WIPL-D based on Method of Moment is used. The results show that the proposed IFA has UHF and SHF channel receiver which are suitable for advanced wireless service (band #3), mobile phones, Bluetooth, maritime service, radiolocation service (band #5) and radars, mobile phones, commercial wireless LAN (band #6).
Toxic Effects of Methanol among Illegally Dispatched Workers at Aluminum CNC cutting process in Small-scale 3rd tier Subcontractor Factories of Smartphone Manufacturers in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Kang Chung Won , Kim Hyunjoo , Shin Kyoung Seok , Rhu Jia , Jungchoi Kyounghee , Lim Key Hwan , Kim Jin-Ha
Published: April 2018

An outbreak of occupational methanol poisoning occurred in small-scale 3rd tier factories of large-scale smartphone manufacturer, in the Republic of Korea, in 2016. To investigate the working environment and the health effect of the methanol exposure among co-workers of the methanol poisoning cases, we performed a cross sectional study on 155 workers at the five aluminum CNC cutting factories. Air and urinary methanol concentration were measured by gas chromatography, and health examination included symptoms, ophthalmological examinations and neurobehavioral tests. Multiple logistic regression analyses controlled for age and sex were conducted for revealing association of employment duration with symptoms. Air concentrations of methanol in factory A and E were ranged from 228.5 to 2220.0 ppm. Mean urinary methanol concentrations of the workers in each factory were from 3.5 mg/L up to 91.2 mg/L. The odds ratios for symptom of deteriorating vision and CNS increased, according to the employment duration, after adjusting for age and sex. Four cases with injured optic nerve and two cases with decreased neurobehavioral function were founded among co-workers of the victims. This study showed that the methanol exposure under poor environmental control not only produce eye and CNS symptoms but also affect neurobehavioral function and optic nerve.
Using the Healthy Community Assessment Tool: Applicability and Adaptation in the Midwest of WA
Authors: Tsou Christina , Green Charmaine , Gray Gordon , Thompson Sandra
Published: April 2018

Population based studies have associated poor living conditions with the persistent disparity in the health of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. This project assesses the applicability of the Health Community Assessment Tool and its role in improving the environment of a small community in the Midwest of WA. The action research cycles started with the initial reflection on the suitability of the HCAT version 2 for the local community context and whether it was fit-for-purpose. The researcher provided ‘critical companionship’, while the participants of the study were invited to be co-researchers (the Assessors) who critically examined the HCAT and assess the community. The relevant domains to the serviced town (an outer regional community) were pest control and animal management; healthy housing; food supply; community vibrancy, pride and safety; reducing environmental tobacco smoke; and promoting physical activity. The Assessors found the HCAT descriptors mostly aligned with their community context but found some of the items difficult to apply. Based on participant’s suggestions, some of the original scoring scales were reformatted. School attendance and illicit drug use were identified as a key outcome indicator for youth but were missing from the HCAT. The HCAT domains applied helped streamlining core business of agencies in the local community. The face validity of HCAT items were confirmed in this research with minor adjustments to reflect local context. Youth engagement to education is of high community concern and the development of an item would create similar interagency collaborative dialogues.
A Geospatial Biomass Supply Model Adjusted for Risk
Authors: Perdue James H. , Young Timothy M. , Stanturf John A. , Huang Xia
Published: April 2018

Assessing the economic supply of biomass in a geospatial context while accounting for risk from natural disasters was studied. Risk levels were estimated from a component of factors which included: population density, road density, federal ownership, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ecoregions, and Presidential Disaster Declarations. The Presidential Disaster Declarations included risks due to: coastal storm, drought, fire, flood, freezing, hurricane, mud land slide, severe ices, severe storms, snow, tornado, and tropical storm. Presidential Disaster Declarations included summaries based on a short-term time period from 2000-2011, and on a long-term time period from 1964-2011. Risk categories were developed as a function of the number of disaster declarations, agricultural-to-forest land ratio, average road density, and average population density. A significant contribution of the research was the allocation of spatially explicit data using GIS technology at the 5-digit zip code tabulation area. The average area for 5-digit ZCTAs in the Eastern U.S. study region was approximately 169 kilometers2. Long-term risk (1964-2011) from disaster declarations had a greater impact on the economic availability of biomass supply relative to short-term declarations (2000-2011). The greatest risk to biomass supply came from population density relative to the other risk factors studies.   Of the 25,044 total ZCTAs, 12,256 ZCTAs were in locations that did not include population density ≥ 150/km2, road density ≥ 14 km/km2, federal ownership, and US Environmental Protection Agency Level III ecoregions. Of the remaining 12,256 ZCTAs, 26.8% were considered to be moderate-to-high risk based on short-term declarations (2000-2011) and 29.4% were considered to be moderate-to-high risk based on long-term declarations (1964-2011). Lower risk locations for procuring biomass supply for both short-term and long-term declarations, across all risk factors, were in southern Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas.
Automatic Monitoring System Based on IoT and Vision Technology
Authors: Chang Ting-Rong , Lee Liang-Hwei
Published: April 2018

Multi-view stereo (MVS) employs multi-point photography for image point positioning and three-dimensional reconstruction technology. Recently, this technology has been introduced into the monitoring of road slopes due to advances in photography and computing technology. In general, the various phases of post-image processing procedures are applied to various photographic data. In this study a novel, automated image-monitoring system is proposed to improve the ability of automatic processing. First, an Internet of things (IoT)-based digital photography system architecture was constructed to provide automatic control of camera photography and real-time transmission of image data. In addition, a visual SfM-MVS 3D reconstruction technique was used to develop related software and hardware interfaces based on the built-in Python computing framework of Photoscan Pro. The software integrates fully automatic photography, image transmission, monitoring of data processing and product release programs. The experimental results show that the system architecture can be applied to fully automatic three-dimensional monitoring of road slopes.
Latent Factors Limiting the Performance of sEMG-Interfaces
Authors: Lobov Sergey , Krilova Nadia , Kastalskiy Innokentiy , Kazantsev Victor , Makarov Valeri A.
Published: April 2018

Recent advances in recording and real-time analysis of surface electromyographic signals (sEMG) have fostered the use of sEMG human-machine interfaces for controlling personal computers, prostheses of upper limbs, and exoskeletons among others. Despite a relatively high mean performance, sEMG-interfaces still exhibit strong variance in the fidelity of gesture recognition among different users. Here we systematically study the latent factors determining the performance of sEMG-interfaces in synthetic tests and in an arcade game. We show that the degree of muscle cooperation and the amount of the body fatty tissue are the decisive factors in synthetic tests. Our data suggest that these factors can only be adjusted by a long-term training, which promotes fine-tuning of low-level neural circuits driving the muscles. A short-term training has no effect on synthetic tests, but significantly increases the game scoring. This implies that it works at a higher decision-making level, not relevant for synthetic gestures. We propose a procedure that enables quantification of the gestures’ fidelity in a dynamic gaming environment. For each individual subject the approach allows identifying “problematic” gestures that decrease gaming performance. This information can be used for optimizing the training strategy and for adapting the signal processing algorithms to individual users, which could be a way for a qualitative leap in the development of future sEMG-interfaces.
Evidence Decision-Making Policy Practice in Emerging Pandemics and Epidemics Threats Preparedness and Response Operations in Africa
Authors: Tambo Ernest , Madjou Ghislaine , Khayeka−Wandabwa Christopher , Chuisseu Pascal   DJ , Olalubi Oluwasogo A. , Ngogang Jeanne Y.
Published: April 2018

Quality evidence-based decisions and strategies are critical and valuable tools in strengthening health systems policies, strategic priorities action plans and comprehensive care delivery management. Our finding showed that there is scarcity of local/national and internal effective evidence-based and management strategies for informed decision making based on the disease or health epidemics nature, extend, ecological and geo-location of pandemics and epidemics crises burden and impacts. Evidence-based programs or projects are crucial in evolving pandemics and/or (Ebola, meningitis, Cholera and influenza) epidemics persistent morbidity and mortality/ case fatality reduction or prevention; as well as on poverty and inequity alleviation within the vulnerable population and citizenry over time. This paper assesses implications of evidence-based on health systems surveillance and monitoring systems, preparedness and emergency response gaps and needs in improving care delivery uptake and usefulness, coverage and effectiveness in Africa. Furthermore, the article advocates for quality, access to and uptake of knowledge-based policy-decision making and practice improvements in building efficient and standardized surveillance, preparedness and response approaches. Also, in enriching data sharing and inclusiveness through understanding the links between poverty, poor health and inequited related emerging infectious diseases epidemics in Africa. Leveraging on cumulative lessons learnt experiences and innovations in integrating participatory knowledge-based policies and approaches is paramount in fostering vulnerable population awareness and engagement, skills empowerment collaborative productivity and sustainable healthy solutions and measures. Strengthening new partnerships, alliances, and networks requires collaborative and quality evidence policy decisions, appropriate and reliable monitoring and evaluation systems approaches and strategies in improving local preparedness and emergency response capabilities against future emerging infectious diseases epidemics and fast-tracking poverty alleviation knowledge-based livelihoods and health solutions for impact. Furthermore, integrated, participative partnerships and collaborative responsibilities, cost effective and reliable evidence health financing and budget allocation, and targeted capacity development aiming at reducing and averting the burden of poverty related emerging threats and epidemics preparedness and response programs in African countries.
An Approximation Method of Fuzzy Numbers Based on Extended Fuzzy Transforms
Authors: Di Martino Ferdinando , Sessa Salvatore
Published: April 2018

We propose a new Mamdani fuzzy rule-based system in which the fuzzy sets in the antecedents and consequents are assigned in a discrete set of points and approximated by using the extended inverse fuzzy transforms, whose components are calculated by verifying that the dataset is sufficiently dense with respect to the uniform fuzzy partition. We test our system in the problem of spatial analysis consisting in the evaluation of the liveability of residential housings in all the municipalities of the district of Naples (Italy). Comparisons are done with the results obtained by using trapezoidal fuzzy numbers in the fuzzy rules.
phylotaR: An automated pipeline for retrieving orthologous DNA sequences from GenBank in R
Authors: Bennett Dominic J. , Hettling Hannes , Silvestro Daniele , Zizka Alexander , Bacon Christine D. , Faurby Søren , Vos Rutger A. , Antonelli Alexandre
Published: April 2018

The exceptional increase in molecular DNA sequence data in open repositories is mirrored by an ever-growing interest among evolutionary biologists to harvest and use those data for phylogenetic inference. Many quality issues, however, are known and the sheer amount and complexity of data available can pose considerable barriers to their usefulness. A key issue in this domain is the high frequency of sequence mislabelling encountered when searching for suitable sequences for phylogenetic analysis. These issues include the incorrect identification of sequenced species, non-standardised and ambiguous sequence annotation, and the inadvertent addition of paralogous sequences by users, among others. Taken together, these issues likely add considerable noise, error or bias to phylogenetic inference, a risk that is likely to increase with the size of phylogenies or the molecular datasets used to generate them. Here we present a software package, phylotaR, that bypasses the above issues by using instead an alignment search tool to identify orthologous sequences. Our package builds on the framework of its predecessor, PhyLoTa, by providing a modular pipeline for identifying overlapping sequence clusters using up-to-date GenBank data and providing new features, improvements and tools. We demonstrate our pipeline’s effectiveness by presenting trees generated from phylotaR clusters for two large taxonomic clades: palms and primates. Given the versatility of this package, we hope that it will become a standard tool for any research aiming to use GenBank data for phylogenetic analysis.
Marine Turbine Hydrodynamics by a Boundary Element Method with Viscous Flow Correction
Authors: Salvatore Francesco , Sarichloo Zohreh , Calcagni Danilo
Published: April 2018

A computational methodology for the hydrodynamic analysis of horizontal axis marine current turbines is presented. The approach is based on a boundary integral equation method for inviscid flows originally developed for marine propellers and adapted here to describe the flow features that characterize hydrokinetic turbines. To this purpose, semi-analytical trailing wake and viscous-flow correction models are introduced. A validation study is performed by comparing hydrodynamic performance predictions with two experimental test cases and with results from other numerical models in the literature. The capability of the proposed methodology to correctly describe turbine thrust and power over a wide range of operating conditions is discussed. Viscosity effects associated to blade flow separation and stall are taken into account and predicted thrust and power are comparable with results of blade element methods that are largely used in the design of marine current turbines. The accuracy of numerical predictions tend to reduce in cases where turbine blades operate in off-design conditions.