bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CO-CREATING TOURIST EXPERIENCES TO ENHANCE CUSTOMER LOYALTY AND TRAVEL SATISFACTION
Authors: Lončarić Dina , Perišić Prodan Marina , Dlačić Jasmina
Published: November 2017

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need for cooperation between tourists and travel professionals in creating a memorable visitor experience. The objectives of the study are twofold: first, to explain the concept of tourist experience co-creation and, second, to explore the relationships among tourist experience co-creation, customer satisfaction, overall travel satisfaction and customer loyalty towards travel professionals. Methodology – The study uses constructs from past literature. A survey was conducted on a convenience sample of 422 Croatian residents who had travelled at least once in the year prior to the study. The hypotheses were empirically tested and validated by partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings – Participation in the co-creation process of an experience, together with travel professionals, positively affects customer satisfaction. Further, customer satisfaction with cocreation has a positive effect on overall travel satisfaction and customer loyalty to travel professionals. There is also evidence that overall travel satisfaction positively affects customer loyalty to service provider. Contribution – This study contributes to the knowledge of tourist experience co-creation within the theory of service-dominant logic and customer behaviour. The scientific contribution is found in testing the influence of tourist experience co-creation on tourist satisfaction and loyalty. The applicable contribution emphasises the necessity to include tourists as an active, involved and participating part in the process of providing services. Their involvement in this process will positively affect their satisfaction and loyalty.
DOES INTERNAL MARKETING FOSTER EMPLOYEE CREATIVITY IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY? A CONCEPTUAL APPROACH
Authors: Gjurašić Matina , Marković Suzana
Published: November 2017

Purpose – The concept of employee creativity enhancement is overlooked, although it is an important factor that impacts a hotel’s position. In a competitive and uncertain economic environment, organizations need creative employees to improve service quality, enhance organizational effectiveness, and ensure long-term survival (de Jonge et al., 2012; Lusch et al., 2007). Moreover, the success of any organization depends on its ability to adapt to change that in turn requires creativity and innovation (Carr and Johansson, 1995). Therefore, this study aims to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature on internal marketing, internal service quality, and employee creativity concepts and research. Methodology – The data for this study was gathered using the desk research method. The existing literature and scientific text publications on the management of internal marketing were utilized. Content analysis and descriptive method were used to display the development and explanation of internal marketing, internal service quality, and employee creativity terms. Findings – The findings suggest that internal marketing activities are crucial for managing employees in the hospitality industry. Employees are treated as internal customers and encouraged to provide creative and innovative services to the external customers. Originality of the research – The paper provides a useful review of the appropriate literature related to internal marketing, internal service quality, and employee creativity research in hospitality management. Creativity and creativity training are becoming increasingly important in developing learning organizations nowadays. The conceptual model created in this paper is an assumption how to encourage employees in the hospitality industry to provide creative and innovative services to the external customers.
THE INVESTIGATION OF HOTEL EMPLOYEES’ GREEN ORGANISATIONAL BEHAVIOUR TENDENCIES IN TERMS OF SOME DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES
Authors: Erbasi Ali
Published: November 2017

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to investigate the difference of green organizational behaviour tendencies according to some demographic variables. Design – Besides the theoretical framework on the issue of green organizational behaviour, the paper also gives empirical insights into the matter on the hotel employees. Methodology – The research population of this research is comprised of 5-star hotel companies in Antalya. The sample group of the research involves 319 employees determined according to the random sampling method from among the employees of 12 hotels within these hotels. The purpose of choosing tourism sector as the universe is the reason of being harmful to the environment. The reason of limiting the universe to 5 star hotels is the expectation of taking the perspective of the employees towards the environment in businesses which are assumed to be institutional clearly. Questionnaires were conducted with face to face method. Findings – As a conclusion it is determined that there is no significant difference between participant employees’ green organizational behavioural tendencies according to their genders, marital status, ages, educational backgrounds, income and experiences. Also, it is found that there is significant difference of employees’ green organisational behavioural tendencies and their seniorities in the businesses and this difference is especially found between employees whose seniorities are less that 1 year and the ones between 4-7 years. Originality of the research – The contribution that the term green organisational behaviour will make to the organisational behaviour literature is because the subject is nascent, there are no scales that will directly measure the term relevant to Turkish organisational structure and the limited researches on this term
HOW TO APPROACH HOTEL PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT? A CONCEPTUALIZATION OF KEY DETERMINANTS
Authors: Ćorluka Goran , Mikinac Krešimir , Peronja Ivan
Published: November 2017

Purpose – Market changes put new challenges for the hotel business. Hotels require and rely on measuring business performance, wherein inadequate measurement may compromise hotel performance and thus competitiveness on the tourism market. Performance measurement is an important managerial activity and a crucial support in company management and business decision making. Unfortunately, recent findings on measuring hotel performance are insufficient and incomplete. Therefor, the purpose of this paper is to foster innovation in hotel performance measurement and fill the findings gap in conceptualization of hotel performance key determinants by proposing an innovative approach to the conceptualization of hotel performance measurement. Design – Introductory remarks in the research problem are followed by hotel performance literature review, further key determinants of hotel performance are elaborated and a conceptual approach for measuring hotel performance is proposed, the paper ends with managerial implications and concluding remarks. Methodology – The objective is achieved by (i) a review of the hotel performance literature, (ii) the amalgamation of relevant findings in hotel performance researches, and (iii) proposing a hotel performance measurement framework. Approach – Based on the review of the relevant literature in the field of research findings will be summarized, critically reviewed and with theoretical footing a new innovative conceptual approach for measuring hotel performance will be proposed. Findings – The conceptual framework of hotel performance measurement inculd internal, external and temporal components. By approaching measurement of hotel performance internal, external and temporal determinants should be considered. Hotel characteristics stand out in the literature as crucial determinant of internal environment that determine business performance. Tourists, concretely destination demand represent a crucial element of the external environment of the hotel business. Further, the temporal component refers to tourism seasonality. It is necessary to explore hotel performance per season: low, medium and high season, to the contrary, research performance in a single time point or the aggregate annual data may lead to incorrect conclusions. Originality of the research – The contribution of research is a new innovative approach of hotel performance measurement conceptualization. This paper provides understanding of hotel performance determinants and fills an identified gap in the hotel performance measurment literature. Research findings are an important contribution to future research of hotel performance.
Cryptic Species Diversity of Rice Hopper Parasitoids in Southeast Asia
Authors: Sann Christina , Wemheuer Franziska , Beaurepaire Alexis , Daniel Rolf , Erler silvio , Vidal Stefan
Published: November 2017

On-going intensification of rice production systems in Southeast Asia is causing devastating yield losses each year due to rice hoppers. Continuing development of immunity to resistant rice varieties and pesticide application further complicate this problem. Hence, there is a high demand for biological control agents. Egg parasitoid wasps are among the most important natural enemies of rice hoppers such as Nilaparvata lugens and Nephotettix spp. However, our knowledge on their diversity is still very limited due to their small size and the lack of available morphological information. Classifying these parasitoids is the first step to properly understand their role in the rice agroecosystem. We used traditional morphological identification as well as DNA sequencing of COI and 28S genes to investigate the diversity of four important hopper egg parasitoid genera in the Philippines. Parasitoids of the genera Anagrus spp., Oligosita spp., Gonatocerus spp. and Paracentrobia spp. were collected in eight study landscapes located in Luzon. We found discrepancies between the morphological and the molecular analysis. Morphological and molecular results were only valid for Paracentrobia spp. Anagrus spp. and Gonatocerus spp. showed more genetic diversity, than expected after the morphological analysis, indicating cryptic species. The sequences for Oligosita spp. revealed less variation than expected. This is the first study on molecular diversity of rice parasitoids in the Philippines. More research combining morphological, behavioural and genetic methods as well as the establishment of a comprehensive DNA database is urgently needed to assess the performance and suitability of these organisms as biocontrol agents.
PVDF Membrane Morphology - Influence of Polymer Molecular Weight and Preparation Temperature
Authors: Haponska Monika , Trojanowska Anna , Nogalska Adrianna , Jastrzab Renata , Gumi Tania , Tylkowski Bartosz
Published: November 2017

The global polyvinyldene flouride market is estimated to reach $937,278.5 thousand by 2019, therefore to develop new membranes and gain pioneering ideas, which could create innovative business opportunities, a fundamental knowledge about membrane properties fabricated from recent commercially available PVDF polymers is highly mandatory. In this study, we successfully prepared nine non-woven supported PVDF membranes using a phase inversion precipitation method starting from a 15 wt% PVDF solution in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. Various membrane morphologies were obtained by using (1) PVDF polymers with diverse molecular weight in a range from 300.000 Da to 700.000 Da and (2) different temperatures of the coagulation bath (20, 40, and 60 ±2°C) used for the films precipitation. Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) was used for surface and cross-section morphologies characterization.  Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) was employed to investigate surface roughness, while Contact Angle (CA) instrument was used for membranes wettability studies. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) results show that the fabricated membranes are formed by a mixture of TGTG’ chains in α phase crystalline domains and all-TTTT trans planar zigzag chains characteristic to β phase. Moreover, generated results indicate that the phases content and membrane morphologies depend on the polymer molecular weight and conditions used for the membranes preparation. The diversity of fabricated membranes could be applied by the End User Industries for different applications.
Genetic Analysis of the Major Capsid Protein of the Archaeal Fusellovirus SSV1: Mutational Flexibility and Conformational Change
Authors: Iverson Eric A. , Goodman David A. , Gorchels Madeline E. , STEDMAN Kenneth M.
Published: November 2017

Viruses with spindle or lemon-shaped virions are rare in the world of viruses, but are common in viruses of archaeal extremophiles, possibly due to the extreme conditions in which they thrive. However, the structural and genetic basis for the unique spindle shape is unknown. The best-studied spindle-shaped virus, SSV1, is composed mostly of the major capsid protein VP1. Similar to many other viruses, proteolytic cleavage of VP1 is thought to be critical for virion formation. Unlike half of the genes in SSV1, including the minor capsid protein VP3, the vp1 gene does not tolerate deletion or transposon insertion. In order determine the role of the vp1 gene and its proteolysis for virus function, we developed techniques for site-directed mutagenesis of the SSV1 genome and complemented deletion mutants with vp1 genes from other SSVs. By analyzing these mutants we demonstrate that the N-terminus of the VP1 protein is required, but the N-terminus, or entire SSV1 VP1 protein, can be exchanged with VP1s from other SSVs. However, the conserved glutamate at the cleavage site is not essential. Interestingly, viruses containing point mutations at this position generate mostly abnormal virions.
Kalman Filter Based Elderly Fall Detection with a Triaxial Accelerometer
Authors: Sucerquia Angela , Lόpez Jose David , Vargas-Bonilla Francisco
Published: November 2017

The consequences of a fall on an elderly person can be diminished if the accident is attended by medical personnel within the first hour. Independent elderly people use to stay alone for long periods of time, being in more risk if they suffer a fall. The literature offers several approaches for detecting falls with embedded devices or smartphones using a triaxial accelerometer. Most of these approaches were not tested with the objective population, or are not feasible to be implemented in real-life conditions. In this work we propose a Kalman-filter-based fall detection methodology that includes a periodicity detector to reduce the false positive rate. Moreover, this methodology requires a sampling rate of only 25 Hz, it does not require large computations or memory, and it is robust among devices. We tested our approach with the SisFall dataset. Then, we validated it with a new round of simulated activities with young adults and an elderly person achieving 99.4 % of accuracy. Finally, we gave the devices to three elderly persons during two days for full-day validations. They continued with their normal life and the devices behaved as expected.
Plasmonic Refractive Index Sensor with High Figure of Merit Based on Concentric-Rings Resonator
Authors: Zhang Zhaojian , Yang Junbo , He Xin , Zhang Jingjing , Huang Jie , Chen Dingbo , Han Yunxin
Published: November 2017

A plasmonic refractive index (RI) sensor based on metal-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguide coupled with concentric double rings resonator (CDRR) is proposed and investigated numerically. Utilizing the novel supermodes of the CDRR, the FWHM of the resonant wavelength can be modulated, and a sensitivity of 1060 nm/RIU with high figure of merit (FOM) 203.8 is realized in the near-infrared region. The unordinary modes as well as the influence of structure parameters on the sensing performance are also discussed. Such plasmonic sensor with simple framework and high optical resolution could be applied to on-chip sensing systems and integrated optical circuits.
Computational Modelling for Efficient Transdentinal Drug Delivery
Authors: Passos Agathoklis D. , Tziafas Dimitris , Mouza Aikaterini A. , Paras Spiros V.
Published: November 2017

This work deals with the numerical investigation of the delivery of potential therapeutic agents through dentinal discs (i.e. a cylindrical segment of the dentinal tissue) towards the dentin-pulp junction. The aim is to assess the main key features (i.e. molecular size, initial concentration, consumption rate, disc porosity and thickness) that affect the delivery of therapeutic substances to the dental pulp and consequently to define the necessary quantitative and qualitative issues related to a specific agent before its potential application in clinical practice. The CFD code used for the computational study is validated with relevant experimental data obtained using micro Laser Induced Fluorescence (μ-LIF) a non-intrusive optical measuring technique. As the phenomenon is diffusion dominated and strongly dependent on the molecular size, the time needed for the concentration of released molecules to attain a required value can be controlled by their initial concentration. Finally, a model is proposed which, given the maximum acceptable time for the drug concentration to attain a required value at the pulpal side of the tissue along with the aforementioned key design parameters, is able to estimate the initial concentration to be imposed and vice versa.
Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of Diethylamine Mannich Base of Asymmetrical Mono-Carbonyl Curcumin Analogs against HeLa Cell Lines
Authors: Wiji Prasetyaningrum Pekik , Bahtiar Anton , Hayun Hayun
Published: November 2017

A series of diethylamine Mannich base of asymmetrical mono-carbonyl analogs of curcumin (AMACs) were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic activity against Hela Cell lines. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed on the basis of FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and mass spectral data. Preliminary cytotoxic test using BSLT showed that all the synthesized compounds exhibited more potent cytotoxic activity than that of curcumin. While results of MTT assay showed that all the synthesized compounds exhibited more potent antiproliferative activity against HeLa cell lines than that of cisplatin. Compound 2b exhibited as the most potent compound of the series. Compound 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2f had IC50 (µM) less than that of compound 1a, 1b, 1c and 1f indicating that the addition of diethylamine Mannich base improves the antiproliferative activity of the parent compound.
Roles of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Skin Development, Homeostasis and Cancer
Authors: Abe Yoshinori , Tanaka Nobuyuki
Published: November 2017

The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin and provides a protective barrier against environmental insults. It is a rapidly renewing tissue undergoing constant regeneration, maintained by several types of stem cells. Hedgehog (HH) ligands activate one of the fundamental signaling pathways that contribute to epidermal development, homeostasis and repair. The HH pathway interacts with other signal transduction pathways such as those activated by Wnt and bone morphogenetic protein. Furthermore, aberrant activation of HH signaling is associated with various tumors, including basal cell carcinoma. Therefore, an understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of the HH signaling pathway is important to elucidate fundamental mechanisms underlying both organogenesis and carcinogenesis. In this review, we discuss the role of the HH signaling pathway in skin development, homeostasis and basal cell carcinoma formation, providing an update of current knowledge in this field.
Simulador gastrointestinal dinámico (simgi®): una herramienta potencialmente útil en nutrición clínica
Authors: Tamargo García Alba , Gil Sánchez Irene , Miralles Buraglia Beatriz , Martín García Diana , Rodríguez García Risco Mónica , Fornari Reale Tiziana , Bartolomé Sualdea Begoña , Moreno Arribas Mª Victoria , Cueva Sánchez Carolina
Published: November 2017

Dentro de la microbiota humana, el tracto gastrointestinal alberga el ecosistema más complejo y abundante del cuerpo humano, siendo el colon donde se encuentra la concentración más alta de microrganismos (1012cél/g). La microbiota intestinal desempeña funciones metabólicas, tróficas y de protección que son de gran importancia para el hospedador. Durante las últimas décadas, son numerosos los estudios que han tratado de aportar evidencias científicas acerca de los factores que, a través de cambios en la composición de la microbiota intestinal, influyen en la salud humana. Sin embargo, esta aproximación está cambiando, y son cada vez más los expertos que apuestan por evaluar cambios a nivel de funcionalidad de la microbiota. Si aplicamos este enfoque dual al papel desempeñado por la dieta, resulta obvia la necesidad de disponer de modelos dinámicos de simulación gastrointestinal, como es el simgi®, que permitan evaluar las transformaciones que sufren los alimentos y/o ingredientes alimentarios durante el tránsito por el tracto gastrointestinal, así como para determinar los posibles cambios en la composición y funcionalidad de la microbiota intestinal derivados de la ingesta de alimentos. Los estudios llevados a cabo hasta el momento con el simgi® constatan sus potenciales aplicaciones en el área de los alimentos como paso previo a su aplicación en nutrición clínica, para prevenir y/o tratar enfermedades asociadas a disbiosis intestinal, así como trastornos metabólicos. Así mismo, esta revisión recoge posibles perspectivas de utilización del simgi® en la investigación clínica relativa a enfermedades relacionadas con disfunciones de la microbiota intestinal
Understanding of fraction and its application in unit conversions
Authors: Xu Aiping , Lenton George
Published: November 2017

Many British university students lack confidence in manipulating fractions. In this paper, we take a detailed look into the difficulties that students are experiencing across disciplines. We also introduce a method on how to effectively convert units via manipulating fraction operations. Though this approach to unit conversions is widespread in the United States, particularly in the discipline of Chemistry, it is not well documented or applied within the UK Higher Education sector to the authors’ knowledge. The method has been frequently used by the authors in Coventry's Mathematics Support Centre with very positive feedback.
Financial computing literacy: 10 steps.
Authors: Deshpande Amogh
Published: November 2017

It is often the case that in a financial engineering/mathematics master's curriculum, computer programming if taught, is before the start of an important course typically titled ‘Numerical analysis of financial derivatives’. Typically in this computer programming course, C++ is taught, and the material spans from basic constructs to an introduction to advanced programming such as design patterns. A major reason for its early introduction is that students would subsequently be able to use the skills to computationally solve problems occurring in numerics. We believe this curriculum strategy to be an element of ‘computer literacy’ which has been criticized in our context as one that discourages students with lower programming abilities who otherwise may have predisposed mathematical abilities. We aim to make fundamental financial computing inclusive via a series of 10 steps thereby leading to what we refer to as financial computing literacy.
Game information sheets: a student-produced resource to help you run a Maths Arcade
Authors: Rowlett Peter
Published: November 2017

The Maths Arcade is an extracurricular activity to play strategy games and puzzles, aiming to provide an informal student support environment, improve staff-student interaction and develop mathematical thinking. Running a Maths Arcade presents some need for information about the games. Three projects have hired students to create game information sheets to support using the games with new players and to encourage development of strategic and logical thinking.
Using a simple poker game to introduce mixed strategies in game theory
Authors: Khan Salim Neil
Published: November 2017

This article presents a classroom activity that introduces the idea of mixed strategies in game theory. In the activity, the students investigate a simple two-player poker game with the aim of determining the best strategies for both players. It comprises a mixture of hands-on playing, analysis using game theory, and simulation using computers.
Contents page
Authors: Wilson Robert
Published: November 2017

Contents page
STRATEGI KOMUNIKASI DALAM KESIAPAN MENGHADAPI BENCANA LONGSOR BAGI MASYARAKAT DI BANDUNG BARAT STUDI KASUS TENTANG STRATEGI KOMUNIKASI DALAM KESIAPAN MENGHADAPI BENCANA LONGSOR BAGI MASYARAKAT KAWASAN PERTANIAN DI KAKI GUNUNG BURANGRANG, KAB.BANDUNG B
Authors: Prasanti Ditha , Fuady Ikhsan
Published: November 2017

ABSTRAK

Tingginya kerugian akibat bencana longsor disebabkan rendahnya komunikasi dan koordinasi yang
efektif antar masyarakat sehingga masih rendahnya usaha pencegahan terjadinya bencana longsor.
Usaha penanggulangan resiko bencana akibat kerusakan lingkungan dan menjaga kelestarian
lingkungan merupakan salah satu tujuan yang sangat penting dilakukan dan tertuang dalam tujuan dalam
butir tujuan Pembangunan Berkelanjutan (Sustainable Development Goals/SDGs) dalam mengelola
hutan secara berkelanjutan, memerangi desertifikasi dan menghentikan kepunahan keanekaragaman
hayati. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan adanya strategi komunikasi masyarakat kawasan pertanian dalam
kesiapan menghadapi bencana longsor di kaki gunung Burangrang, kab.Bandung Barat.
Untuk menurunkan resiko bencana, tentu memerlukan suatu strategi komunikasi yang efektif agar
kegiatan penurunan resiko bencana dapat berjalan secara optimal. Berdasarkan latar belakang
tersebut, maka peneliti semakin tertarik untuk mengangkat penelitian ini, dengan judul “Strategi
Komunikasi Dalam Kesiapan Menghadapi Bencana Longsor bagi Masyarakat Kawasan Pertanian di
kaki gunung Burangrang, kab.Bandung Barat.”
Dalam penelitian ini, peneliti menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode studi kasus. Peneliti
mengambil 4 informan dengan menggunakan teknik sampling purposive. Teknik pengumpulan data
yang digunakan adalah wawancara mendalam, observasi, dan studi dokumentasi.
Hasil penelitian yang telah dilakukan menunjukkan adanya strategi komunikasi interaktif dalam
kesiapan menghadapi bencana longsor, terdiri dari: (1) Penentuan aparat desa/tokoh masyarakat
sebagai komunikator/ sumber yang kredibel; (2) Pemilihan pesan yang mudah diterima oleh
masyarakat di kawasan kaki gunung Burangrang; (3) Penggunaan media komunikasi yang sesuai
dengan karakteristik masyarakat desa; (4) Pemahaman karakteristik masyarakat desa; (5) Mengatasi
hambatan komunikasi yang terjadi selama pelaksanaan strategi komunikasi tersebut.
Kata Kunci: Strategi, Komunikasi, Kesiapan, Bencana Longsor, Bandung Barat
MOTIF DAN PERSEPSI SUNAT PEREMPUAN DI MADURA
Authors: Hidayati Sri , Kurniasari Netty Dyah , Rahmawati Yuliana
Published: November 2017

ABSTRAK

Tujuan penelitian ini untuk menggali tentang motif , persesi, konstruksi masyarakat Madura terhadap
sunat perempuan. Tujuan khusus penelitian ini untuk menganalisis motif (alasan) di balik sunat
perempuan serta proses sunat perempuan. Metode yang dilakukan dalam penelitian ini adalah
wawancara mendalam terhadap informan. Informan penelitian adalah dukun (medis) yang melakukan
sunat perempuan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa alasan motif sunat perempuan adalah untuk
membuang najis perempuan, melestarikan adat istiadat dan sesuai dengan ajaran agama.
Kata kunci : Motif , sunat perempuan, Madura, najis
Whirl Simulation of Drill Collar and Estimation of Cumulative Fatigue Damage on Drill-Collar Connection
Authors: Zhao Dapeng , Hovda Sigve , Sangesland Sigbjørn
Published: November 2017

Most drill-collar-connection failures are attributed to cumulative fatigue caused by bending vibration. An important class of bending vibration is whirl, which is formed by the eccentricity of the rotational drill collar. The contact between the drill collar and the borehole causes extreme harmful backward whirl, even chaotic whirl. A two-degree-of-freedom nonlinear lumped-mass model is used to represent the drill collar in whirl. Unlike other studies, the stick/slip vibration causing fluctuation of rotary speed is taken into account. In this lumped-element model, the contact forces obey the Hertzian contact law, which leads to lateral bounce of the drill collar and affects the borehole wall chaotically. The modified Karnopp friction model is adopted to simulate the stick/slip rotary vibration of the bottomhole assembly (BHA). On the basis of the time-domain responses of whirl, the continuous-bending-stress history is broken down into individual stress ranges with an associated number of stress cycles using the rainflow-counting method. The cumulative fatigue damage is estimated using Miner's rule. The conclusion of this paper indicates that chaotic lateral vibration and fatigue damage happen at a lower rotational speed than previously reported.
Impact of Effective Microorganisms on the Microbiological and Physicochemical Parameters of Produced Water
Authors: Stanley Herbert Okechukwu , Efua Ekoh Philip
Published: November 2017

The study investigated the impact of effective microorganisms on the microbiological and physicochemical parameters of produced water. Produced water was obtained from Ebocha oil field within Rivers state. The spread plate method was used to determine the total heterotrophic bacterial counts, and pure isolates were subjected to biochemical characterization. Pure bacterial suspension of Lactobacillus plantarum, Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium italicum were obtained and subsequently inoculated into wastewater sample in consortium. Treated (with the consortium) wastewater sample was analyzed at interval for their physicochemical and microbiological parameters during the appropriate period of incubation (14 days) at room temperature. The bacterial load of produced water decreased from 1.3 x 108 cfu/ml to 3.6 x 107 cfu/ml, coliform counts increased from 2.0 x 105 cfu/ml to 1.4 x 106 cfu/ml, Staphylococcal counts decreased from 3.4 x 105 cfu/ml to 0 cfu/ml and Vibrio counts decreased from 8.0 x 105 cfu/ml to 2.0 x 105 cfu/ml. Biochemical characterization of bacterial isolates from the wastewater revealed the presence of Enterobacter sp, Bacillus sp, Klebsiella sp, Proteus sp, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus sp. The pH and temperature ranges of water sample during the period of treatment varied. The BOD values decreased from 240 mg/L to 21 mg/L while the COD values decreased from 400 mg/L to 160 mg/L. The results of the heavy metal assessment revealed an appreciable reduction in the heavy metal concentrations of the sample. The concentration of zinc in produced water decreased from 0.113 mg/L to an undetectable level (< 0.01 mg/L), iron concentration decreased from 1.071 mg/L to 0.139 mg/L, Nickel decreased from 2.110 mg/L to 1.081 mg/L while copper and cadmium were undetected. The use of effective microorganisms in the treatment of produced water was effective in the reduction of microbial load, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and removal of heavy metals.
Human excreta: a resource or a taboo? Assessing the socio-cultural barriers, acceptability, and reuse of human excreta as a resource in Kakul Village District Abbottabad, Northwestern Pakistan
Authors: Khalid Abda
Published: November 2017

Sustainable reuse of human excreta in socially and religiously conservative societies is extremely difficult. People's perceptions and acceptability regarding the reuse of human excreta is mainly linked to their culture. In addition, certain societies regard the cultural and social barriers more than the religious barriers. The aim of this study is to understand the perceptions of people about the reuse of human excreta for agricultural purposes. Qualitative research methods were used for data collection. Farmers in the village recognized the importance and economic benefit of reusing human excreta. They accepted the reuse of human excreta on their farms only if they were supplied with a treatment facility. Contrary to the farmers, the local community showed reluctance in reusing human excreta while recognizing the nutritional value of it. It was therefore concluded that the main barrier in sustainable and safe re-use of human excreta lies in socio-cultural and religious foundations of traditional societies like Kakul village in Abbottabad District.
The features of implementing the concept of entrepreneurial university in Russia
Authors: Kitsai Juliana Anatolyevna
Published: November 2017

According to the author, changes in higher education are focused on the implementation of the concept of entrepreneurial university. This concept involves the changes of the basic approaches to both the organization of internal activities of higher education institutions and to interaction with other actors (the state, regional authorities, business, foreign partners). The concept of an entrepreneurial university (University 3.0.) is associated with a general reform of the social sphere, oriented toward the process of its denationalization.
The role of public institutions in the system of political communication in the Chuvash Republic
Authors: Vishnevskaia Mariia Dmitrievna , Savelev Andrei Ivanovich
Published: November 2017

The authors attempt to analyze the status of activities of public organizations in the Chuvash Republic. The article describes the main directions of activities of individual organizations. The purpose of these organizations is to form cultural, national and civic consciousness.
Features of semantic sphere of an individual experiencing psychological estrangement
Authors: Odinochkina Elena Victorovna
Published: November 2017

The article discusses the issues of individual’s semantic sphere, structural elements and sense of a person experiencing different types and forms of psychological alienation. It also covers the main concepts of the study; presents the results of a comparative analysis of adults experiencing psychological estrangement; describes the prospects of further studies in this area.
Health Behavior and Self-Assessed Health Among Some Long-Term Unemployed Living in Turku, Finland
Authors: Degni Filio , Vaherkylä Minja , Hurme Saija
Published: November 2017

Background:

A number of previous studies have concluded that long-term unemployment is destructive to health.

Objective:

This study examined health behavior and self-assessed health of some long-term unemployed persons living in the city of Turku, in Southwestern Finland.

Methodology:

The qualitative data were collected from February to March 2016 from 40 long-term unemployed men and women, aged between 31 to 63 years.

Results:

Of the participants 85% (n=34) reported that their long-term unemployment situation had had a negative impact on their health. There were 95% (n=36) who needed medical care because of their health condition. There were 59% (n=24) who were not satisfied with the healthcare and social services compared to 49% (n=16) who were satisfied with the services.

Conclusion:

There were more single men than single women among the participants. Half of the participants had a profession of which the women constituted the majority. Several participants were suffering from a chronic disease. The participants were not satisfied of their lives and attributed their health behavior and poor health conditions to their long-term unemployment situation. They were not satisfied also with the healthcare and social services provided to them.
Effectiveness and safety of anti-ischemic trimetazidine in patients with stable angina pectoris and Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Meiszterics Zsófia , Kónyi Attila , Hild Gábor , Sárszegi Zsolt , Gaszner Balázs
Published: November 2017

Aim & methods:
This 6-month prospective, observational, noninterventional, open-label clinical study assessed the effectiveness/safety of trimetazidine in 737 patients with stable angina pectoris and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (OGYI/51534–1/2014).
Results:
Trimetazidine-based therapy was effective in stable coronary artery disease, with significant improvements from baseline (p < 0.05) in: number of angina attacks/week (2.9 ± 2.4 vs 1.1 ± 1.6), angina severity (Canadian Cardiovascular Society Classification 1.9 ± 0.8 vs 1.2 ± 0.8), exercise capacity (metabolic equivalents 6.1 ± 1.7 vs 6.5 ± 1.7), and exercise-induced myocardial ischemia (min 5.5 ± 2.5 vs 6.5 ± 2.6).
Discussion:
Trimetazidine treatment significantly (p < 0.05) improved glucose metabolism, lowered HbA1c (7.1 ± 1.1% vs 6.6 ± 1.0%), glucose levels (7.7 ± 2.1 mmol/l vs 6.9 ± 1.6 mmol/l) and decreased arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity 11.2 ± 2.1 m/s vs 10.4 ± 2.2 m/s). In most patients, the tolerability of trimetazidine was rated as excellent to good, with a low incidence of adverse events.
Patient and provider perspectives on shared decision making: a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature
Authors: Williams Nyna , Fleming Chris , Doubleday Annie
Published: November 2017

For comparative effectiveness research to be effective, patients and providers must collaborate in shared decision making (SDM) to make evidence-based clinical decisions that align with patient preferences. We conducted a systematic review to examine patient and provider attitudes toward and engagement in SDM in the USA. Searches in PubMed and PsycINFO identified 1585 articles published between July 2006 and December 2016, of which 290 were screened in for coding and analysis. We found that patients and providers have generally positive attitudes toward SDM, but actual engagement in SDM behavior is lagging. Translation of positive attitudes into behavior could be achieved through policies that support key SDM processes of sharing evidence, considering patient preferences and discussing the relative advantages of different clinical options.
Riqueza de aves en bosque nativo y plantaciones exóticas: efecto de la altitud y la vegetación (Prusia, Costa Rica)
Authors: González Navarro Mónica
Published: November 2017

El sector Prusia del Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú, Costa Rica, tiene plantaciones de especies nativas y exóticas que incluyen pino, ciprés y eucalipto. Estimé la riqueza de aves con puntos de conteo (radio fijo), en las plantaciones de pino, eucalipto y de bosque, se encontraron 36 especies distribuidas en 14 familias. El eucalipto y el bosque comparten el 90% de las especies. El tipo de hábitat y la distribución vertical de las especies fueron las únicas dos variables que mostraron estar asociadas al tipo de vegetación. La baja riqueza de especies encontradas en este estudio puede explicarse a la zona altitudinal y la homogeneidad de los fragmentos de vegetación exótica que podrían estar causando una disminución de recursos alimenticios y sitios de refugio, mientras que la falta de asociaciones ecologías de las especies con el tipo de vegetación, podrían ser el resultado de la distancia de la reserva natural, presencia de un estrato medio de vegetación, o algunos otros factores.
Consumo de almendro de playa (Terminalia catappa) y uso de hojas como herramienta por parte del ave Ara ambiguus (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae) en Costa Rica
Authors: Villegas-Retana Sergio A. , Araya-H. David
Published: November 2017

Hay pocos estudios sobre la dieta en aves neotropicales, incluidos lo psitácidos. La lapa verde (Ara ambiguus) se alimenta de las semillas del almendro de montaña (Dipteryx panamensis), titor (Sacoglottis trichogyna) y otras especies. Sin embargo no hay repor- tes de esta especie alimentándose de almendro de playa (Terminalia catappa). Aquí informamos que lo hace y que usa hojas como herra- mienta. Su consumo podría deberse a la falta de frutos de D. pana- mensis y S. trichogyna, y al alto valor nutricional de la semilla. Usar las hojas para desprender el pericarpo puede ser una estrategia para evitar su sabor amargo.
Índices productivos y reproductivos de fincas de cría de ganado bovino de carne en la zona Sur de Costa Rica
Authors: WingChing-Jones Rodolfo
Published: November 2017

Los indicadores productivos y reproductivos permiten conocer la eficiencia de los sistemas de producción de ganado bovino. Para conocer la eficiencia de 23 fincas ubicadas en la zona Sur de Costa Rica, analicé información de índices productivos y reproductivos de 618 animales de ganado bovino, durante el 2010 y 2011. Los parámetros evaluados fueron la edad al destete, peso al nacimiento, peso al destete, edad a primer parto, intervalo entre partos y el periodo abierto con valores promedio de 237±5 días, 178,1±25,1Kg/animal, 36±6Kg/animal, 31 meses, 459,6±95,3 días y 176,8±95,5 días respectivamente. La raza de los animales, el nivel tecnológico de la finca con respecto al manejo alimenticio, programa sanitario, manejo reproductivo y nivel tecnológico en el cultivo del forraje, procesos de capacitación y de transferencia tecnológica que hayan recibido los productores interfieren en la variabilidad observada en los parámetros. La información obtenida genera la base para proponer cambios en el manejo nutricional, sanitario y reproductivo de cada sistema con el objetivo de aumentar los kilogramos de peso vivo producidos por animal, disminuir los días entre eventos reproductivos y hasta aumentar la vida útil del semoviente.
Perbandingan Kinerja Reservoir Gas Konvensional dengan Coal Bed Methane (CBM)
Authors: Suranto Ahmad Muraji
Published: November 2017

Reservoir gas konvensional yang dikenal oleh masyarakat luas adalah reservoir yang terdiri dari jebakan reservoir (cap rock), batuan reservoir dan isi (gas). Sedangkan perangkapnya bisa berupa perangkap struktur, stratigtafi, patahan atau kombinasi dari ketiganya. Sedangkan reservoir yang menghasilkan gas methane batubara (Coal Bed Methane yang disingkat CBM) merupakan zona batubara yang terisolasi, memiliki rekah alam dan terisi oleh air. pada kondisi awal kedua tipe reservoir ini (reservoir gas konvensional dan CBM)  mempunyai karakteristik yang berbeda, sehingga teknik perhitungan cadangan, cara memproduksikan dan kinerjanya akan berbeda pula. Karena mempunyai latarbelakang yang berbeda maka kiranya perlu dilihat kinerjanya seberapa jauh perbedaannya karena keduanya memproduksikan gas hidrokarbon.

 

Untuk melihat kinerja reservoirnya baik reservoir gas konvensional atau CBM maka dalam kajian ini menggunakan simulator. Dari kedua model, volume masing-masing reservoir dibuat sama, dan dilakukan sensitivitas karakteristik reservoirnya terhadap masing-masing model. Hasil akhir yang dibandingkan adalah kinerja dari masing-masing reservoir tersebut.

 

Hasil yang didapat dari kajian ini adalah bahwa reservoir CBM mempunyai laju produksi gas lebih rendah,  daerah pengurasan lebih kecil dan recovery factor lebih sedikit  bila dibandingkan dengan reservoir gas konvensional. Tetapi karena cadangan gas konvensional semakin lama semakin menipis, maka reservoir CBM sebagai alternatif yang perlu dikembangkan setelah gas konvensional. Kebijakan pajak pemerintah sangat penting untuk kelangsungan produksi CBM.
En block paired cadaveric renal transplantation from an 18-months-old infant as a donor to an adult recipient: Case report and literature review
Authors: Tomic Aleksandar , Marjanovic Ivan , Mickovic Sasa
Published: November 2017

Introduction. Even in the modern era of kidney transplantation, the use of small grafts from pediatric cadaver donors remains controversial. This kind of transplantation is rare and, to date, limited data are presented. Major problems with infant kidney transplantation are difficulties in performing vascular anastomosis, vasospasm, renal vein thrombosis, and small infant kidneys with poor venous runoff. However, en bloc infant kidney transplantation could resolve this problems. Case outline. We report on transplantation of en bloc cadaver kidneys from an 18-month-old infant. The transplant recipient was a 32-year-old male, with a body weight of 65 kg. Abdominal ultrasonography showed kidneys growing, and no hydronephrosis, perirenal, or retroperitoneal collections were seen. Conclusion. Transplantation of infantile kidneys en bloc in our adult recipient provided good results. The follow-up will show the final effect.
Influence of Different Restoration Techniques on Fracture Resistance of Root-filled Teeth: In Vitro Investigation
Authors: Hshad ME , Dalkılıç EE , Ozturk GC , Dogruer I , Koray F
Published: November 2017

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to determine the fracture strength of endodontically treated mandibular premolar teeth restored with composites and different reinforcement techniques.

Methods and Materials:

Forty-eight freshly extracted human mandibular premolar teeth were randomly divided into four groups: group IN, group CR, group FRC, and group PRF. Group IN consisted of teeth with intact crowns and served as the control group. In the other three groups, endodontic treatment was performed and standard mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavities were prepared. Then cavities were restored with hybrid resin composite only, flowable composite and hybrid resin composite, and Ribbond, flowable composite and hybrid resin composite in groups CR, FRC and PRF, respectively. All of the teeth were subjected to fracture by means of a universal testing machine, and compressive force was applied with a modified stainless-steel ball at a crosshead speed at 0.5 mm/min.

Results:

The highest values were observed in group IN, while the lowest values were determined in group CR. There was not any statistically significant difference between group CR and group FCR (p>0.05). When groups CR, FCR, and PRF were compared, group PRF showed significantly better fracture strength than did groups CR and FCR (p<0.05). It was determined that there was not any significant difference between group IN and group PRF (p>0.05).

Conclusions:

Polyethylene ribbon fiber considerably increases the fracture strength of mandibular premolar teeth with MOD cavities restored with composite.
Governing America: An Introduction
Authors: Zelizer Julian E.
Published: November 2017

This book offers fresh narratives about U.S. political history by focusing on policy, political institutions, and electoral politics. It argues that the field of American political history, once marginalized, has been remade in vibrant fashion and now provides rich and original approaches and interpretations about America's political past. The book is divided into four thematic sections. Part I deals with the historiography of political history, and especially the intellectual underpinnings of the field and the multiple analytic foundations upon which it is built. Part II examines the challenges imposed by fiscal constraint in American politics, showing how policymakers were able to use innovative fiscal strategies such as Social Security and Medicare to build programs within such constraints. Part III considers the impact of the political process as it occurred in Congress, whereas Part IV explores how policy and politics intersected in the case of national security.
Clio’s Lost Tribe: Public Policy History Since 1978
Authors: Zelizer Julian E.
Published: November 2017

This chapter traces the history of U.S. public policy since 1978. It first considers the professional development of public historians before discussing the arguments that policy historians make regarding the value of their research to policymaking. In particular, it looks at the scholarship of university professors and describes five categories of historical research: Institutional and Cultural Persistence, Lost Alternatives, Historical Correctives, Political Culture, and Process Evolution. These categories of research offer work that is distinct from the emphasis of mainstream policy analysts and can provide guidance to policymakers without becoming advocates. The chapter situates recent research within these categories and explains their analytic value, arguing that historians should be speaking with greater authority in the world of governance so that policy history will not continue to be “Clio's lost tribe.”