bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Configuration Software in Process Control Course Teaching
Authors: Fei Chunguo , Li Chunxin
Published: July 2016

According to the characteristics of configuration software and process control course, the configuration software is applied to teaching practice of process control. Configuration software can realize the mathematical model and the design of the digital controller of the controlled object in the process control, and can build different process control system. In the teaching practice of process control, the combination of theory and simulation practice not only makes the boring process control theory more vivid and helps students to understand and remember the theoretical knowledge easily, but also improves the students’ learning interest, efficiency and enthusiasm. Practices prove that this method is an effective way to teach process control system. And it also provides a new idea for such kind of control courses.
An Interactive and Self-instructional Virtual Chemistry Laboratory
Authors: Almazaydeh Laiali , Younes Ismail , Elleithy Khaled
Published: July 2016

Virtual laboratory is becoming one of the most significant educational technologies due to financial challenges which often required construction of physical laboratories, particularly in educational institutions in developing countries. This paper presents an integrated virtual environment to help individual learners to enhance the practical learning of chemistry fundamentals. Through this environment, the learner will navigate, visualize and simulate a real laboratory environment and its associated processes. The proposed laboratory interface and curriculum were tested on students to measure their satisfaction with the quality of developed laboratory. The results of the evaluation showed a positive response effect on the students’ satisfaction.
Identifying the Contributors to Improve Mobile-Based TPACK Competency of Elementary School Teachers in China
Authors: Sun Zhong , You Jiaxin , Song Wei , Qu Zheng , Luo Liming
Published: July 2016

Self-Efficacy (SE) and technology acceptance are two contributors related to Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK). Many studies have indicated that TPACK is correlated with SE and the level of technology acceptance in both traditional and online learning environments. Studies using mobile learning devices in the classroom, however, are yet to be established. The authors conducted an empirical study by investigating mobile-based TPACK, SE, and technology acceptance of more than 500 English teachers from about 220 elementary schools in China, who used Android system-based pad in classrooms for one year. As a result, SE and technology acceptance had indirect positive effects on mobile-based TPACK, while no significant difference was observed in gender for TPACK. However, younger teachers and teachers with higher levels of education showed superior TPACK levels than other participants in the study. Finally, several implications for teacher professional development, limitations, and future research plans are presented.
Implementing a Flipped Classroom in Teaching Second Language Pronunciation
Authors: Yonemoto Kazuhiro , Tsuda Asami , Hayashi Hisako
Published: July 2016

While the philosophy of flipped classroom has recently been drawing much attention of second language teachers, integrating technology into pedagogy is often an issue. This is also the case in pronunciation teaching. Second language pronunciation teaching has been largely dependent on teachers' intuition and beliefs, realized by repetition. Although recent technology developments in the field of linguistics, namely ultrasound imaging, enable visualization of movement and motion inside the mouth, it has not yet been widely used in second language education. In this chapter, taking a self-learning website for Japanese language pronunciation, the authors explore what makes teachers stay away from technology integration into language learning and how this barrier can be overcome to implement a flipped classroom. Specifically, the authors address the importance of taking initiative in planning how technology can be integrated into pedagogy while closely collaborating with and involving other fields of study, like linguistics, as well as information technology.
Divergent Teacher Viewpoints of Technology Integration in the Language Classroom
Authors: Halvorsen Andy D.
Published: July 2016

This chapter presents a qualitative analysis of the beliefs and practices of three language teachers in Thailand vis-à-vis their integration of technology in the classroom as well as their views regarding social networking site participation as a facilitative tool for instruction. The study brings together research on the identity development work of teachers and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL). Through the analysis of extensive teacher interview data and classroom observations, the study demonstrates how these teachers self-identify as users of technology, and how this sense of self interacts with and shapes various aspects of their teaching practice. The three teachers in this study represent a range of divergent viewpoints related to technology use and integration in the classroom, and the analysis of these viewpoints helps to illustrate the specific factors underlying how and why they choose to make pedagogic use of technology.
UDOO App Inventor
Authors: Rizzo Antonio , Montefoschi Francesco , Ermini Sara , Burresi Giovanni
Published: July 2016

This paper describes the opportunities provided by the new graphical tool UDOO App Inventor (UAPPI) for enhancing the programming learning experience. With this tool, coding and programming are no longer limited to screen pixels but will incorporate real objects in the physical world. The aim of the authors' research is to develop new tools for coding alphabetization, by focusing on live programming, event programming, physical computing and overcoming syntax obstacles by using blocks programming. They describe two simple Research through Design case studies carried out with different categories of attendees in order to illustrate the potential of the UAPPI platform. In the first case, the authors render a door interactive, while in the second, they build a simple rover.
Agility Facilitators for Contemporary Software Development
Authors: Batra Dinesh , Xia Weidong , Rathor Shekhar
Published: July 2016

Agile software development generally refers to popular practices that are supposed to adhere to the Agile Manifesto with its values and principles. Empirical studies on agile software development have mainly focused on organizational adoption and impacts of agile practices. Furthermore, the literature on agile software development has mostly centered on small, co-located projects. However, agility is needed for software development projects of varied sizes in different organizations across industries. The general nature of agile values and principles and the procedure-driven nature of specific agile methods make it difficult for organizations to determine what they can do to effectively facilitate agility in their software development process. To bridge that literature gap and based on an evolved grounded-theory approach, this study identifies nine agility facilitators and their corresponding dimensions that extend beyond small, co-located projects to software projects of any size and distribution. These agility facilitators are further grouped into two categories: organizational foundation and project processes. In addition, the authors identify four dimensions of agility. The authors propose a framework that describes the organizational mechanisms through which the nine categories of facilitators lead to software development agility.
Towards Improved Performance
Authors: Hartemo Mari , Suomi Reima , Hakala Ulla
Published: July 2016

This study concentrates on the opportunities of developing email marketing performance based on testing the design of an email newsletter. Drawing from existing literature, the paper presents a model for testing email newsletter design. The model consists of email marketing response process, factors affecting response, and corresponding metrics that are based on clickstream data. Multivariate tests were used to test permission-based newsletters sent by a European airline company regularly to its clients, verifying that the model has potential to be used in real decision-making situations. The paper shows how messages can be tested easily, accurately and objectively with retrievable results that are interesting from a marketing perspective.
The Determination of User Satisfaction with Personal Internet Banking Services in the Context of Australia
Authors: Gharib Padid Akbarzadeh
Published: July 2016

Based on previous studies a theoretical framework of the determinants of an individual's satisfaction using Personal Internet Banking services is formulated incorporating information system success factors complemented by elements of behavioral and environmental uncertainties (multidimensional trust and perceived risk). Data was collected using an online self-administered questionnaire from a sample of 370 users in Australia and analyzed in order to determine the relationships among factors that have significant causal effects on customer satisfaction. The results confirm the importance of some of the factors reported in previous studies but also reveal unreported significant direct and indirect causal effects on customer satisfaction. Practical conclusions provide new perspectives for Australian banks on keeping customers highly satisfied with online banking services, as the main objective of this study.
Relationship of Incisive Papilla to Maxillary Incisors and Canines
Authors: Shrestha Suraksha , Joshi Sarita Pradhan , Yadav Santosh Kumar
Published: July 2016

Aim

The study was carried to find a relationship between the postextraction stable landmark, the incisive papilla, and the most labial position of the maxillary central incisor teeth, which occurred in Nepalese population.

Materials and methods

Casts of the subjects selected by nonprobability random sampling meeting the inclusion criteria were obtained. Each casts were standardized with respect to the occlusal plane and a photographic technique was used to measure the distance from the tangent of the labial surface of the central incisors to the posterior border of the incisive papilla. The measurements were made using Adobe Photoshop and results were analyzed by using appropriate statistical methods. Most appropriate software (SPSS) for the purpose was used to generate all desired values.

Results

The data obtained suggested that the distance from the labial surface of maxillary central incisors to the posterior border of the incisive papilla ranged from 9 to 15.9 mm with a mean of 11.59 mm (SD 1.3). Various other results were also found after evaluation of the arch forms in relation to sex and race.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of the study, these results suggested that there is a relationship between the maxillary central incisors and the incisive papilla aiding in the anteroposterior positioning of the anterior tooth.

The clinical relevance of the study lies in application of the incisive papilla as a starting point in the preliminary location of maxillary incisors and canines during construction of the denture in absence of preextraction records.

How to cite this article

Shrestha S, Joshi SP, Yadav SK. Relationship of Incisive Papilla to Maxillary Incisors and Canines. J Contemp Dent Pract 2016;17(4):306-312.
Evaluation of Two Facebow/Semi-adjustable Articulator Systems for Orienting Maxillary Cast on Articulators: A Pilot Study
Authors: Anusha CV , Singh Amith A , Sangwan Babita , Shilpa M , Kamath Akshata G
Published: July 2016

Aim

The present study was aimed to assess the transferability of occlusal plane (OP) orientation from the patient to the articulators with the help of two different facebow systems and evaluated with a gold standard.

Materials and methods

Twenty dentate patients were selected for the study. Two semi-adjustable arcon articulators that are Hanau Wide® Vue using SpringBow and Whip Mix® using quickmount facebow were used in the study. Mean angle between OP to horizontal reference plane obtained from Hanau Wide Vue articulator system (SpringBow using Orbitale as anterior reference point) and Whip Mix articulator system (quickmount facebow using nasion as anterior reference point) was tabulated. These values obtained were further compared with each other and evaluated against cephalometric evidence, which was considered as the gold standard for the study. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, Scheffe post hoc analysis for group comparison, and level of significance (P) was calculated using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16 (IBM, New York, USA) software program.

Results

Intragroup comparison of mean angle OP values showed highly significant difference (p = 0.000). Comparison between Hanau Wide Vue articulator system and Whip Mix articulator system showed statistically highly significant with a mean difference of 10.51° with Hanau system values being lower than Whip Mix system. Difference between Hanau system and cephalometric values were statistically significant with a mean difference of 2.835° and Hanau system consistently recording lower values than cephalometric values. Difference between Whip Mix system and cephalometric values was also statistically significant with a mean difference of 7.680° with group 2 values were on average 7.680° higher than group 3.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, the Hanau system and Whip Mix system showed significant difference in reproduction of angle between OP and horizontal reference plane. Hanau articulator system showed closer values to that of cephalometric values in comparison with Whip Mix articulator system.

Clinical significance

Orientation of the maxillary cast in an articulator is a crucial part of several techniques used in dentistry. Orientation of maxillary cast in the articulator acts as a baseline from which further steps for occlusal rehabilitation of the patients are carried out. Recording and transferring of the occlusal cant to articulators require facebow.

How to cite this article

Anusha CV, Singh AA, Sam G, Sangwan B, Shilpa M, Kamath AG. Evaluation of Two Facebow/Semi-adjustable Articulator Systems for Orienting Maxillary Cast on Articulators: A Pilot Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2016;17(4):327-330
Chemical Plaque Control Strategies in the Prevention of Biofilm-associated Oral Diseases
Authors: Anil Sukumaran , Bhandi Shilpa H , Chalisserry Elna P , Jafer Mohammed , Hosmani Jagadish
Published: July 2016

Dental plaque is a biofilm that forms naturally on the surfaces of exposed teeth and other areas of the oral cavity. It is the primary etiological factor for the most frequently occurring oral diseases, such as dental caries and periodontal diseases. Specific, nonspecific, and ecologic plaque hypothesis explains the causation of dental and associated diseases. Adequate control of biofilm accumulation on teeth has been the cornerstone of prevention of periodontitis and dental caries. Mechanical plaque control is the mainstay for prevention of oral diseases, but it requires patient cooperation and motivation; therefore, chemical plaque control agents act as useful adjuvants for achieving the desired results. Hence, it is imperative for the clinicians to update their knowledge in chemical antiplaque agents and other developments for the effective management of plaque biofilm-associated diseases. This article explores the critical analysis of various chemical plaque control strategies and the current trends in the control and prevention of dental plaque biofilm.

How to cite this article

Jafer M, Patil S, Hosmani J, Bhandi SH, Chalisserry EP, Anil S. Chemical Plaque Control Strategies in the Prevention of Biofilm-associated Oral Diseases. J Contemp Dent Pract 2016;17(4):337-343.
Creating Esthetic Harmony with Nonloading, Fixed Provisional Restoration using Extracted Teeth after Immediate Implant Placement
Authors: Satwalekar Parth , Satwalekar Tanushree , Bondugula Vasanthi , Bhuvaneshwari B , Harshavardhan KV , Pasula Kiran
Published: July 2016

Aim

To make use of fiber-reinforced composite and the patient's own extracted teeth in fabricating a provisional restoration following immediate implant placement.

Background

Fiber-reinforced composites offer various possibilities in temporization of osseointegrating implants in the esthetic zone.

Technique

In this chairside technique, the patient's own extracted teeth with fiber-reinforced composite were used to fabricate a provisional restoration after immediate implant placement.

Conclusion

A putty index was made before extracting the teeth and placing the implants as planned. The index and crowns of the extracted teeth were used to make a nonloading, esthetic, chairside provisional restoration after immediate implant placement.

Clinical significance

By using the patient's own teeth for provisionalization immediately after implant placement, acceptance is greatly enhanced.

How to cite this article

Satwalekar P, Satwalekar T, Bondugula V, Bhuvaneshwari B, Harshavardhan KV, Pasula K. Creating Esthetic Harmony with Nonloading, Fixed Provisional Restoration using Extracted Teeth after Immediate Implant Placement. J Contemp Dent Pract 2016;17(4):344-346.
Dentigerous Cyst Associated with Impacted Third Molar
Authors: Nalini MS , Kumar Balasubramanya , Shroff Sunil
Published: July 2016

A dentigerous cyst is an odontogenic cyst associated with the crown of the impacted or unerupted teeth. Such cyst remains initially completely asymptomatic unless when infected and can be discovered only on routine radiographic examination. Here is a case of dentigerous cyst, present in left mandibular region associated with cortical expansion and facial asymmetry which has been enucleated and the tooth extracted surgically is discussed in present case report.

How to cite this article

Nalini MS, Kumar B, Shroff S. Dentigerous Cyst Associated with Impacted Third Molar. J Health Sci Res 2015;6(1):11-13.
Long-range atmospheric transport of volatile monocarboxylic acids with Asian dust over high mountain snow site, central Japan
Authors: Mochizuki Tomoki , Kawamura Kimitaka , Aoki Kazuma , Sugimoto Nobuo
Published: July 2016

Abstract. To understand the long-range transport of monocarboxylic acids from the Asian Continent to Japanese Islands, we collected snowpack samples from a pit sequence (depth, ca. 6 m) at the Murodo-Daira snowfield near the summit of Mt. Tateyama, central Japan in 2009 and 2011. Snow samples (n = 16) were analyzed for normal (C1–C10), branched chain (iC4–iC6), aromatic (benzoic and toluic acid isomers), and hydroxyl (glycolic and lactic) monocarboxylic acids, together with inorganic ions and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Acetic acid (C2) was found as a dominant species (average, 125 ng g−1), followed by formic acid (C1) (85.7 ng g−1) and isopentanoic acid (iC5) (20.0 ng g−1). We found a strong correlation (r2 = 0.73) between formic plus acetic acids and non-sea-salt Ca2+ that is a proxy of Asian dust. Contributions of total monocarboxylic acids to DOC in 2009 (21.2 ± 11.6 %) were higher than that in 2011 (3.75 ± 2.62 %), being consistent with higher intensity of Asian dust in 2009 than 2011. Formic plus acetic acids also showed a positive correlation (r2 = 0.81) with benzoic acid that is a tracer of automobile exhaust, indicating that monocarboxylic acids and their precursors are largely emitted from anthropogenic sources in China and/or secondarily produced in the atmosphere by photochemical processing. In addition, the ratio of formic plus acetic acids to nss-Ca2+ (0.27) was significantly higher than those (0.00036–0.0018) obtained for reference dust materials of Chinese loess deposits from Tengger and Gobi deserts. This result suggests that volatile and semi-volatile organic acids are adsorbed on the alkaline dust particles during long-range atmospheric transport. Entrainment of organic acids by dusts is supported by a good correlation (r2=0.76) between formic plus acetic acids and pH of melt snow samples. Our study demonstrates that Asian alkaline dusts can uptake volatile monocarboxylic acids during long-range transport and the dusts coated with organic acids may act as effective ice nuclei to cause a heavy snowfall.
Social inequalities in reception of social welfare support: A population based twin study
Authors: Ystrom Eivind , Ørstavik Ragnhild , Reichborn-Kjennerud Ted , Torvik Fartein Ask
Published: July 2016

Social welfare support runs in families. Recent studies using Nordic registry data have found individualdifferences in genetic factors to be of substantial importance for medical benefits. However, to date there hasbeen no genetically informative studies on receiving social welfare support. To prevent young adults to notdrop out of the work life and become recipients of social welfare support, it is of substantial interest toclarify to what extent the familiarity of social welfare support is due to genetic or social differences betweenfamilies. We used data from the Historical-Event Database on 7,698 Norwegian twins born 1967-1979 toestimate the relative contribution of genetic factors, the effective familial environment (i.e. the “sharedenvironment”), and individual-specific environmental factors. We found that the two forms of familial risk,genetic and shared environmental, explained 39% and 45%, respectively, of the risk for receiving socialwelfare support among young Norwegian twins. Only 17% of the variance in risk factors could be explainedby individual-specific risk factors. It appears that risk for receiving social welfare support can to a greatextent be explained by environmental differences between families. Therefore prevention strategies targetingsocial inequalities between families would indeed be effective. Furthermore, genetic risk factors are alsoimportant in explaining risk for receiving social welfare support. These effects could be mediated throughheritable traits related to substance abuse, psychiatric disorders, and personality. Individual-specific risk factorswere of very little importance. Hence, with regard to receiving social welfare support, family matters.
Advantages of linking national registries with twin registries for epidemiological research
Authors: Gjerde Line C. , Torvik Fartein Ask , Østby Kristian Amundsen , Knudsen Gun Peggy , Czajkowski Nikolai , Reichborn-Kjennerud Ted , Ørstavik Ragnhild E.
Published: July 2016

Linking national registries with twin data represents an opportunity to produce epidemiological research ofhigh quality. National registries contain information on a broad array of variables, some of which cannot bemeasured reliably in regular health surveys. By taking kinship into consideration, twin studies have thebenefit of being able to identify confounding stemming from genetic or shared environmental sources. Inthis paper, we use examples from our own interview and questionnaire-based twin studies from the NorwegianTwin Registry (NTR) on mental disorders, alcohol use and socioeconomic status linked to registrydata on medical benefits to demonstrate the value. In the first example, we examined to what extent geneticand environmental factors contributed to sick leave and disability pension and the association between thesetwo types of benefits. In the second example, we explored the genetic and environmental relationshipbetween personality disorders and sick leave. In the third example, a co-twin control design was applied toexplore whether there is a true protective relationship between moderate alcohol consumption and health.The fourth example shows to what degree anxiety and depression are associated with later sick leave grantedfor not only mental disorders, but also somatic disorders, adjusted for confounding by genetic and sharedenvironmental factors. In the fifth example, we address the socioeconomic gradient in sick leave, adjustingfor non-observed confounders associated with the family in a co-twin control design. Our examples illustratesome of the potentials obtainable by linking national registries with twin data. The efforts that have beenmade to create the NTR in Norway and the International Network of Twin Studies (INTR) internationallymake these types of linkage studies easier to conduct and available to more researchers. As there are stillmany areas to explore, we encourage epidemiological researchers to make use of this possibility.
Epidemiology of infectious diseases / Infeksjonsepidemiologi
Authors: -- --
Published: July 2016

Deskriptiv infeksjonsepidemiologi:Anne Eskild, InnledningPreben Aavitsland, Description and use of the Norwegian notification system for infectious diseasesEinar Heldal, Underrapportering av tuberkuloseAnne Eskild og Helvi Holm Samdal, T-celle lymfotropt virus type II (HTLV-II) infeksjon blant HIV-smittede intravanøse staffmisbrukerePer Bergjø og medarbeidere, Forekomst av HIV i TanzaniaYngvar Tveten og Bjørn-Erik Kristiansen, Typing av staphylococcus aureus for epidemiologiske formålPreben Aavitsland og Øyvind Nilsen, A new anonymous case reporting system for sexually transmitted diseases in NorwayRisikofaktorer for infeksjonssykdommer:Georg Kapperud, Risikofaktorer for campylobacter-infeksjon i NorgePer Nafstad og medarbeidere, Passiv røyking og nedre luftveisinfeksjoner blant små barn. Er det en sammenheng også i Norge?Eystein Skjerve, Endring i mønsteret av næringsmiddelbårne sjukdommerAndrew Jenkins og medarbeidere, Human papillomavirus types and cervical cancer in NorwayMarit Grønning, Mulig assosiasjon mellom infeksjoner i barneårene og utvikling av multippel sklerose?Matematiske modeller for å forstå epidemiers dynamikk:Hein Stigum, Matematisk modellering av seksuelt overførbare sykdommerStudier av infeksjonsforebyggende strategier:Gunnar Bjune og Preben Aavitsland, Hvordan studere effekten av vaksinering?Bjørn-Erik Kristiansen og Yngvar Tveten, Smitteoppsporing og smittesanering ved tilfeller av meningokokksykdomAndre artikler:Torgeir Bruun Wyller, Egenrapportering av hjerneslag. Validitet og konsekvenser for prevalensestimater
Five Hundred Years of Thomas More's Utopia and Utopianism
Authors: Sargent Lyman Tower
Published: July 2016

This article reflects on the author's engagement with More's Utopia and the utopian tradition from when he begins to read utopias as an undergraduate and the way he responds to certain texts and then how he has responded to some of the same texts later in life. The author also argues for the continued importance of utopianism, utopian literature, and More's Utopia in particular.
Translating and Transforming Utopia into the Mandarin Context: Case Studies from China and Taiwan
Authors: Liu Yi-Chun
Published: July 2016

As of 2016—five hundred years after Utopia was first published—ten editions and nine translators have been involved in various efforts to transfer More's canonical work into the Mandarin linguistic and cultural context. Despite the seeming abundance of translated Mandarin versions of the work, a systematic study on Utopia has unfortunately never been part of mainstream academia, in either China or Taiwan. This article is an attempt to draw attention to some case studies that demonstrate how Utopia—through translation and paratexts—has stayed alive and active. Like all other translations of Utopia, each of the Mandarin editions is packaged differently, sometimes without many paratexts and at other times with surprisingly copious supplements. This article discusses how Utopia as a term and as a literary work has been perceived and translated into Mandarin. By examining translation and paratext as a set of More's textual legacy in reference to select case studies, it evaluates the translatability of Utopia during the process of linguistic—and cultural—transferal.
Babesia parasitemia causing splenic infarction: A review of the literature
Authors: Wong Darren
Published: July 2016

Babesia remains an underappreciated and under-diagnosed tick-borne pathogen which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We present an uncommon manifestation of parasitemia causing splenic infarction. The pathophysiology is reviewed highlighting the significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment of this unique pathogen.
Equity in healthcare financing in Nigeria
Authors: Lawanson Akanni Olayinka , Opeloyeru Olaide Sekinat
Published: July 2016

Using both graphical and geometric analyses, this paper examines the extent of inequity in healthcare finance among the Nigerian population. One of the acclaimed plans in healthcare in this teeming community is the mix method of financing but the system in practise is dominated with Object Oriented Programmings (OOPs) meanwhile the degree of income inequality still remain high. Using the Nigerian Living Standard Survey (NLSS) data conducted in 2004, the framework for this study relies on Kakwani Progressivity Index (KPI). A decomposition of the groups into lower and upper bound however, reveal that health payment for lower bound is regressive while payment for upper bound is progressive. Although, the upper bound result dominates the entire result which finally suggests a progressive system arising from the spending habit of the rich in seeking for healthcare services abroad.
Smart Organization Characteristics and its Impact on Social and Environmental Performance: An Empirical Study on Jordan Phosphate Mines Company
Authors: Al-kasasbeh Mohammed Mufaddy , Al-Kasasbeh Saleh Alshekh Mohammad , AL-Faouri Abeer Hmoud
Published: July 2016

The aim of this research was to examine the effect of smart organization characteristics: clear strategic vision, merit culture, and supportive incentives system, on social and environmental performance.

A questionnaire has been developed to gather data from all directors and heads of departments at headquarter of Jordan Phosphate Mines Company which consists of 130 members. 61 questionnaires were retrieved which forms (47%) of study population.

The findings of the study were:

-            The level of importance of respondents’ perceptions about elements of smart organization characteristics in Jordan Phosphate Mines Company were moderate.

-            The level of importance of respondents’ perceptions about elements of social performance were moderate, except the paragraphs relating to introducing aids to poor families in the local community, respecting community customs and traditions, contributing in training of university students, and providing health care for company employees and their families, which the level of importance of each was high.

-            The level of importance of respondents’ perceptions about elements of environmental performance were moderate.

-            There is no statistical impact of clear strategic vision and merit culture on social performance and environmental performance of Jordan Phosphate Mines Company.

-            There is a statistical impact of supportive incentives system on social and environmental performance of Jordan Phosphate Mines Company.
Based on the findings of the study, Jordan Phosphate Mines Company is advised to pay more attention to environmental protection, and to enhance its role in sustainable social development. It is recommended that further studies on the variables of smart organization characteristics, social, and environmental performance could be conducted at other business organizations in Jordan.
Malaysian Malay’s Perspective on Printed Sexy Advertisement
Authors: Devi Krisnan Uma , Cyril de Run Ernest
Published: July 2016

This paper sets out to extend current knowledge on reaction towards different levels of sexiness in printed advertisement by Malaysian Malays. This research test these affected based on male models in the communication and advertising literature on Malay in Malaysia utilizing questionnaire based on a set of different levels of sexiness in advertisement. The advertisement used was for non-controversial product (perfume) but some of the advertisement was contentious. Researcher used three levels of advertisements; a fully clothed male model, a revealing attire male model, and a partially sexy male model. Data collected was analyzed using Mean and compared against the response of male and female respondents. Findings indicates that Malay respondents preferred to view fully clothed advertisement followed by revealing attire and partially sexy advertisements. Main limitation for this research is the study used three different advertisements, but each respondents saw only one. Future research will benefit from further improvement (use female and both male and female models) and replication to other ethnic groups. Implications for business are then provided in this paper. ng produced by UAE-listed firms.
Reaping the Benefits of Long Term Relationship with Suppliers: An Evidence from the Saudi Chemical Industry
Authors: Al-Shuaibi Khalid M.
Published: July 2016

Long term relationship with suppliers is broadly considered a vital contributor to supply chain performance by both practitioners and researchers. This paper investigates the role of long term relationship in strategic supplier partnership and financial performance (SSP-LR-P model). Specifically, it has observed the role of long-term supplier relationship as the driver of integration. Using structural Equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the data from 401 Saudi chemical and petrochemical firms, it is found that strategic supplier partnership has a significant direct and indirect effect on firms’ performance through the mediation of long term relationship.
Corporate Governance and Firms’Financial Performance of Listed Company in the West African Monetary Union (Wamu) Regional Financial Exchange
Authors: Maman Tachiwou Aboudou
Published: July 2016

This study examines empirically the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on firm financial performance using listed firms in the West African Monetary Union (WAMU).Based on the review of existing literature, four corporate governance variables were selected namely: composition of board member, board size, CEO status and ownership concentration which served as the independent variables. The ordinary least square regression was used to estimate the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance. A total of 39 firms were selected for the study cutting across all sectors of Regional Financial Exchange. Findings from the study show that there is positive and significant relationship between composition of board member and board size as independent variables and firm performance. CEO status also has positive relationship with firm performance but insignificant at P<0.05.However, ownership concentration has negative relationships with return on asset (ROA) but positive relationship with profit margin (PM). The relationships are not significant at 5%.A high concentration of shares tends to create more pressure on managers to behave in ways that are value-maximizing.
Trade Openness and Real Investment: Is there Asymmetric Cointegration Relationship? Evidence from Jordan
Authors: Al-Tarawneh Alaaeddin
Published: July 2016

The paper attempts to test the long-run asymmetric equilibrium relationships between real investment and trade openness. Using Jordanian data, over the period 1976 to 2014, the study has failed to reject the null hypothesis of no cointegration with threshold at a conventional level of significance among variables. Therefore, cannot find evidence of asymmetry in the relationship between real investment and trade openness.
The stunning and slaughter of cattle within the EU: a review of the current situation with regard to the halal market
Authors: Fuseini A , Knowles TG , Lines JA , Hadley PJ , Wotton SB
Published: July 2016

The slaughter of animals for the halal market is both ethically and economically significant. There are animal welfare and spiritual requirements that must be met for meat to be considered fit for Muslim consumption. These requirements are enshrined in Islamic law, known commonly as the Shariah law, derived from commandments in the Holy Quran and the Hadith (teachings or traditions of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammed, Peace Be Upon Him). Islamic jurists widely interpret the Shariah law differently, and this has led to debate as to whether pre-slaughter stunning is acceptable for halal slaughter. This paper reviews how these laws are interpreted and implemented and reviews the methods of stunning accepted by proponents of halal stunning. It also describes why some proponents of halal stunning do not accept irreversible stunning methods for producing halal beef within the EU, a situation which has meant that thousands of halal cattle are slaughtered without any form of stunning.
Circadian RNA expression elicited by 3’-UTR IRAlu-paraspeckle associated elements
Authors: Torres Manon , Becquet Denis , Blanchard Marie-Pierre , Guillen Séverine , Boyer Bénédicte , Moreno Mathias , Franc Jean-Louis , François-Bellan Anne-Marie
Published: July 2016

Paraspeckles are nuclear bodies form around the long non-coding RNA, Neat1, and RNA-binding proteins. While their role is not fully understood, they are believed to control gene expression at a post-transcriptional level by means of the nuclear retention of mRNA containing in their 3’-UTR inverted repeats of Alu sequences (IRAlu). In this study, we found that, in pituitary cells, all components of paraspeckles including four major proteins and Neat1 displayed a circadian expression pattern. Furthermore the insertion of IRAlu at the 3’-UTR of the EGFP cDNA led to a rhythmic circadian nuclear retention of the egfp mRNA that was lost when paraspeckles were disrupted whereas insertion of a single antisense Alu had only a weak effect. Using real-time video-microscopy, these IRAlu were further shown to drive a circadian expression of EGFP protein. This study shows that paraspeckles, thanks to their circadian expression, control circadian gene expression at a post-transcriptional level.
Patterning of graphene for flexible electronics with remote atmospheric-pressure plasma using dielectric barrier
Authors: Kim Duk Jae , Park Jeongwon , Han Jeon Geon
Published: July 2016

We show results of the patterning of graphene layers on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films through remote atmospheric-pressure dielectric barrier discharge plasma. The size of plasma discharge electrodes was adjusted for large-area and role-to-role-type substrates. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was used to analyze the characteristics of charge species in atmospheric-pressure plasma. The OES emission intensity of the O2* peaks (248.8 and 259.3 nm) shows the highest value at the ratio of

due to the highest plasma discharge. The PET surface roughness and hydrophilic behavior were controlled with CDA flow rate during the process. Although the atmospheric-pressure plasma treatment of the PET film led to an increase in the FT-IR intensity of C–O bonding at 1240 cm−1, the peak intensity at 1710 cm−1 (C=O bonding) decreased. The patterning of graphene layers was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy.
Improved extension of depth-of-field performance by apodized wavefront coding
Authors: Tsukasaki Takafumi , Komatsu Shinchi
Published: July 2016

Wavefront coding (WFC) is a popular technique for extending the depth of field (DOF), where the DOF is extended by the phase modulation of the pupil function using a phase mask and digital processing using a deconvolution filter. We previously proposed an apodized WFC system with a Gaussian aperture that extends the DOF while suppressing artifacts in the reconstructed image. In this study, the influence of aberrations on the proposed WFC system was examined in detail by computer simulation. Then, the image quality was experimentally examined to confirm the effectiveness of the apodized WFC system. In addition, we proposed a new type of aperture, i.e., a generalized Gaussian aperture, to prevent the significant reduction in transmitted light intensity due to apodization, the effectiveness of which was confirmed by computer simulation.
A century of ecosystem change: human and seabird impacts on plant species extirpation and invasion on islands
Authors: Lameris Thomas K. , Bennett Joseph R. , Blight Louise K. , Giesen Marissa , Janssen Michael H. , Schaminée Joop J.H.J. , Arcese Peter
Published: July 2016

We used 116 years of floral and faunal records from Mandarte Island, British Columbia, Canada, to estimate the indirect effects of humans on plant communities via their effects on the population size of a surface-nesting, colonial seabird, the Glaucous-winged gull (Larus glaucescens). Comparing current to historical records revealed 18 extirpations of native plant species (32% of species historically present), 31 exotic species introductions, and one case of exotic introduction followed by extirpation. Contemporary surveys indicated that native species cover declined dramatically from 1986 to 2006, coincident with the extirpation of ‘old-growth’ conifers. Because vegetation change co-occurred with an increasing gull population locally and regionally, we tested several predictions from the hypothesis that the presence and activities of seabirds help to explain those changes. Specifically, we predicted that on Mandarte and nearby islands with gull colonies, we should observe higher nutrient loading and exotic plant species richness and cover than on nearby islands without gull colonies, as a consequence of competitive dominance in species adapted to high soil nitrogen and trampling. As predicted, we found that native plant species cover and richness were lower, and exotic species cover and richness higher, on islands with versus without gull colonies. In addition, we found that soil carbon and nitrogen on islands with nesting gulls were positively related to soil depth and exotic species richness and cover across plots and islands. Our results support earlier suggestions that nesting seabirds can drive rapid change in insular plant communities by increasing nutrients and disturbing vegetation, and that human activities that affect seabird abundance may therefore indirectly affect plant community composition on islands with seabird colonies.
Measurement of duration and signal‐to‐noise ratio of astronomical transients using a Spectral Kurtosis spectrometer
Authors: Nita Gelu M. , Gary Dale E.
Published: July 2016

Following our prior theoretical and instrumental work addressing the problem of automatic real‐time radio frequency interference (RFI) detection and excision from astronomical signals, the wideband Spectral Kurtosis (SK) spectrometer design we proposed is currently being considered as an alternative to the traditional spectrometers when building the new generation of radio instruments. The unique characteristic of an SK spectrometer is that it accumulates both power and power‐squared, which are then used to compute an SK statistical estimator proven to be very effective in detecting and excising certain types of RFI signals. In this paper we introduce a novel measurement technique that exploits the power and power square statistics of an SK spectrometer to determine durations and signal‐to‐noise ratios of transient signals, whether they are RFI or natural signals, even when they are below the time resolution of the instrument. We demonstrate this novel experimental technique by analyzing a segment of data recorded by the Expanded Owens Valley Solar Array Subsystem Testbed (EST) during a solar radio burst in which microwave spike bursts occurred with durations shorter than the 20 ms time resolution of the instrument. The duration of one well‐observed spike is quantitatively shown to be within a few percent of 8 ms despite the 20 ms resolution of the data.
Temporal evolutions of the solar wind conditions at 1 AU prior to the near‐Earth X lines in the tail: Superposed epoch analysis
Authors: Zhang L. Q. , Dai L. , Baumjohann W. , Lui A. T. Y. , Wang C. , Rème H. , Dunlop M. W.
Published: July 2016

Utilizing conjunction observations of the Geotail and ACE satellites from 1998 to 2005, we investigated the temporal evolutions of the solar wind conditions prior to the formation of X lines in the near‐Earth magnetotail. We first show the statistical properties of Bz, By, density, and velocity of the solar wind related to the 374 tail X line events. A superposed epoch analysis is performed to study the temporal evolutions of the solar wind conditions 5 h prior to the tail X lines. The solar wind conditions for tail X lines during southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) (SW‐IMF) and northward IMF (NW‐IMF) are analyzed. The main results are as follows: (1) For events classified as SW‐IMF, near‐Earth X line observations in the magnetosphere are preceded by ~2 h intervals of southward IMF; (2) for events classified as NW‐IMF, the northward IMF orientation preceding near‐Earth X line observations lasts ~ 40 min.
Characteristics of quasi‐monochromatic ULF waves in the Venusian foreshock
Authors: Shan Lican , Mazelle Christian , Meziane Karim , Delva Magda , Lu Quanming , Ge Yasong S. , Du Aimin , Zhang Tielong
Published: July 2016

The statistical properties of ULF waves observed upstream of Venus foreshock are investigated. The study is restricted to waves which are observed well below the local proton cyclotron frequency. Using the magnetic field observations from Venus Express between May 2006 and February 2012, 115 quasi‐monochromatic ULF wave trains have been identified. Statistical results show that the wave periods are mainly from 20 to 30 s in the spacecraft frame, which is about 2–3 times of the local proton cyclotron period. The transverse power dominates the power spectrum, and most of the waves display nearly circular or slightly elliptical polarization in the spacecraft frame. Moreover, these ULF waves mainly have small relative amplitudes with respect to the ambient field magnitude B0 for parallel component (δB||/B0 less than 0.3), while the range of relative amplitudes for perpendicular component δB⊥/B0 is from ~0.1 to ~1.0. Wave propagation angles are mainly less than 30° with respect to the mean magnetic field direction. The obtained results are very similar to the wave properties seen for ULF waves present in the terrestrial foreshock, which suggests that backstreaming ions in the Venusian foreshock form an important energy source for the generation of the waves.
Please be Honest and Provide Evidence: Deterrents of Deception in an Online Insurance Fraud Context
Authors: Leal Sharon , Vrij Aldert , Nahari Galit , Mann Samantha
Published: July 2016

The present experiment examined whether people could be deterred from lying in an online insurance claim setting. A total of 96 participants were asked to submit a theft insurance claim. Reflecting real life, submitting a claim that went beyond the actual costs of the stolen items was associated with advantages and disadvantages. Two deterrence factors were introduced: asking claimants to provide evidence that they actually owned the stolen items (Evidence Instruction, often used by insurers) and asking participants to read out before starting to submit the claim that they will be truthful (Honesty Statement, not often used by insurers). We also examined at what stage of the interview claimants embedded their lies in their otherwise truthful stories. The honesty statement but not the evidence instruction made claimants more honest, and participants lied more as the interview progressed. © 2016 The Authors Applied Cognitive Psychology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.