bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Customer Relationship Management on Achieving Service Quality of Banking Sector of Jordan
Authors: Al-Qeed Marzouq Ayed , ALsadi Basem Yousef , Al-Azzam Zeyad F
Published: February 2017

Definitely, the world is becoming chaotic and affects all aspects of life. One of these is customers who become more severe in their needs, expectations, desires, and preferences. Organizations must consistently realize this issue by communicating and building effective relationships with them for better-enhancing services quality. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between customer relationship management and service quality of Jordan banking sector. The researchers relied on descriptive and analytical approach through a survey questionnaire used to obtain data from 150 respondents who were at all levels in the 22 operating banks in Jordan, only 141 were returned but 13 of them were excluded because they were invalid for statistical analysis, only 128 questionnaires were valid and considered with a ratio of 85%. The findings revealed that a moderate level of importance in customer relationships management was apparent while an increasing awareness in the service quality of banking sector of Jordan was dominant. The study also found a strong correlation between customer relationship management -except customer satisfaction and loyalty- and the service quality of banking operated in Jordan. Additionally, results showed that a significant and statistical effects at (P<0, 05) of customer relationship management with its dimensions (customer satisfaction, customer loyalty, customer attraction, customer retention, customer value, customer culture, customer knowledge) in service quality of Jordan banking sector. Finally, study results revealed that customer knowledge, customer retention, and customer culture are the most influential dimensions in the services quality of Jordan banks sector.
Lessons Learned in Management, Marketing, Sales, and Finance Incentive Practices a Decade after the Subprime Mortgage Crisis
Authors: Thomas Jason Earl
Published: February 2017

The subprime mortgage crisis was the most devastating financial crisis since the Great Depression. The steady rise of housing purchases and seemingly limitless increase in home values drew many investors to the United States real estate market. The business growth in this sector was so compelling that financial firms created new secondary markets that were perceived as diversifying risk, which in turn prompted lenders to create innovative funding vehicles and loose and fast loan qualification processes. The federal government was ill prepared to deal with this shift in the financial world to market-based demand, and the results were disastrous. Lenders embraced predatory lending practices, borrowers with bad credit overextended themselves beyond their means, and foreclosures occurred at startling rates as home values plummeted, resulting in a world-wide economic depression. Ten years later, we reflect on the events that led up to and caused the subprime mortgage crisis for lessons learned to improve management, marketing, and finance incentive practices.
Study on Comprehensive Economic Contribution Caused by Development of the Natural Heritage Scenic Spot——Taking World Heritage Site Danxia Mount as an Example
Authors: Yi Liu , Mengfan Zhang
Published: February 2017

Despite the rising status of tourism industry, most of scenic spots are lack of innovation in tourism developing patterns, and tickets economy still dominate most of the region’s tourism development. Based on this background, this paper taking world heritage site Danxia Mount as an example, using input-output analysis method, introducing the theory of lateral effect, has build structure tree model for multiplier effect of consumption in scenic spot. According to the tree model, multiplier effect of consumption in natural heritage scenic spot include industry spreading effect transmitted by endogenetic route and lateral effect transmitted by exogenous route. On the basis of research results, this paper gives suggestions to government on public tourism resources of scenic spots about how to choose appropriate tourism development pattern and make reasonable price policies of scenic spots.
Debt Financing Option and Financial Performance of Micro and Small Enterprises: A Critical Literature Review
Authors: Obuya David O.
Published: February 2017

This is a critical literature review on debt financing option and financial performance of Micro and small enterprises. Debt financing option for this review is evaluated in terms of trade credit, short-term loan and long-term loan. Whereas financial performance is evaluated using return on assets, current ratio and gross profit margin. The literatures reviewed include theoretical and empirical. The method used is the review of different articles, papers, and relevant previous studies where quantitative, descriptive, associative and predictive analyses were applied. As per the various literatures reviewed, conflicting findings were realized. A further study on whether effects of debt financing option on financial performance of Micro and Small Enterprises, depend on the power balance between business proprietors and financiers of enterprises, is recommended.
Pharmaceutical Plastic Packaging Market in Bangladesh: A Study on Demand-Supply Scenario and Strategic Imperatives for Local Enterprises
Authors: Sadek Md. Abu Zafor
Published: February 2017

Pharmaceutical packaging is highly sophisticated industry as quality and safety issues are of utmost priority. Use of advanced technology and high grade plastic materials for pharmaceutical packaging is essence of the market success. In Bangladesh, 30 local pharmaceuticals plastic packaging material producers are capturing almost 70% of the local market while the rest (30%) that require extremely high-tech processing is import dependent. Nevertheless, some local plastic companies are setting up world-class dedicated plant for pharmaceutical plastic packaging, while some pharmaceutical companies such as Square and Acme are extending their facility into backward value segment of the plastic packaging industry. This study strives to determine the market size, major players of the industry–both from supply and demand sides–along with individual contribution in terms of value. It also outlines strategic imperatives for growth and competitiveness of the enterprises involved in the industry.
First Elements about the Problems of the Cohabitation of Generations within Companies in Lebanon
Authors: Wahidi Inaya , Paturel Robert
Published: February 2017

In Lebanon, the global unemployment rate affects 25% of the working population (figures from the Ministry of Labor 2014 cited by Ghosn, 2015). Young people aged from 20 to 29 are rather excluded from work in the country with an unemployment rate of 42% in 2012 (Ghosn, 2015). The youth unemployment rate was 32.8% (20-24 years) and 21.6% (25-29 years) according to the latest known statistics in Lebanon (CAS Report 2009, p.22). In 2016, the unemployment rate among young Lebanese is the highest among the Arab countries with 30% of unemployed (Belga, 2016). The nature of intergenerational relations in Lebanese companies is slightly studied till now. Our work will highlight the main factors explaining the oppositions or exchanges between young and older in companies in Lebanon. We conduct a quantitative study using questionnaire administered to the CEOs of engineering and food industry firms. Our two samples consist of 147 engineering firms and 150 food industry firms. Concerning intergenerational oppositions, the results show that older employees criticize young people for their weak attachment to the company and to the work in the sector of engineering. For their part, young people holders of higher diplomas than seniors accuse them of incompetence at work and vice versa in the food industry. Concerning intergenerational exchanges, older people are helping young people experiencing difficulties in the workplace and the existence of shared moments between older and young people has been noted as positive in the food industry sector.
From Accountability to Readability in the Public Sector: Evidence from Italian Universities
Authors: Allini Alessandra , Ferri Luca , Maffei Marco , Zampella Annamaria
Published: February 2017

This paper aims to explore the readability of the disclosure provided by Italian universities that changed their accounting systems to accrual accounting over the past three years. The transition from cash to accrual accounting not only concerns financial statements, but also the related notes. Indeed, the Italian government has paid great attention to the narrative sections of reports due to their capacity to provide more transparency. To provide better accountability, financial statements must be readable for all stakeholders. We used two different indexes, namely the Gunning fog and GULPEase indexes. The analysis was conducted on a sample of universities to analyze the narrative sections of the first financial statements prepared according to the new accounting system in 2012–2014. The final sample comprised 32 Italian universities. The research results demonstrated low readability in the balance sheets of Italian universities after switching to accrual accounting, illustrating an unsatisfactory level of accountability.
Financial Versus Sports Performance: The Missing Link
Authors: Ferri Luca , Macchioni Riccardo , Maffei Marco , Zampella Annamaria
Published: February 2017

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between the financial and the sports performance of Italian football teams. To achieve this aim, a panel data analysis was performed, using financial statements and data from sports results. The panel dataset covers seven seasons (from 2007–2008 to 2013–2014) and 29 clubs that belong to the Italian “Serie A.” The results indicate positive effects between the expenses for football players’ salaries and the clubs’ sports performance but no significant effects between player transfer fees and sports performance.
Dawacom Human Resource Management Reality and Ambition
Authors: Assaf Nasser , Saleh Alhusan Saleh , El-Qasem Ahmed , Al Qudah Mohammad , Alzoubi Abdelkareem
Published: February 2017

This project explores the human resource management (HRM) that’s the organization needs in order to perform effectively and efficiently. Dawacom HRM is the case study of this project, using qualitative approach methodology, and collecting data via researcher observations, experiences, and practices.Through the project we expect to identify Dawacom HRM roles, tasks, objectives, workflow, and manager’s duties. Also, this project explores Dawacom HRM attributes, diversity, job analysis, recruiting and selecting processes, compensation systems, measuring HRM performance, training and developing programs.The project highlighted issues that affect HRM Processes and organization performance such as: health and safety, ethical workplace and fair treatment, global human resource.The project will show Dawacom HRM advantages and disadvantages and how can improve Dawacom HRM by what actions, personnel, cultural things. So, HR team will be able to focus his importance toward those areas.
Career Path Development and its Impact on Organizational Citizenship Behavior in Greater Amman Municipality
Authors: Al-Shawabkeh Khaled Mahmoud
Published: February 2017

This study aimed to measure the impact of career path development (career planning and career management) on organizational citizenship behavior in greater Amman municipality. The study population is consisted of (122) managers at middle managerial level in greater Amman municipality. The current study used simple random sample. Based on this, a total of (90) respondents were targeted, from which a total of (85) answered questionnaires were retrieved, of which (3) were invalid. Thus, (82) answered questionnaires were valid for analysis.The questionnaire consisted of (30) items of close ended response type about independent and dependent variables. The study used the statistical analysis SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences); for testing the hypotheses through regression analysis.The results of testing hypotheses have shown that there is There is a statistically significant impact at level (P<= 0.05) of career path development with its dimensions: (career planning and career management) on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) in Greater Amman Municipality. And illustrated that (65.9%) of the explained variation in organizational citizenship behavior in greater Amman municipality can be accounted for career path development with its dimensions: (career planning and career management). The study recommended that organization should use reward systems that support the organization's career development strategy and enhancing the OCB.
Revenue Diversification: Non-Traditional Sources of Development Finance as Game Changers in Africa
Authors: Sireh-Jallow Abdoulie
Published: March 2017

It goes without saying that Africa needs a significant quantum of resources to address its development challenges. The World Bank estimates Africa’s infrastructure needs at USD 93 billion per annum and we estimate the social sector development needs at USD 109 billion per annum. We also find that the major sources of development finance in Africa are exhibiting either a declining or a constant trend. This, therefore, calls for significant increases in the fiscal space in which non-traditional sources of development finance can be game changers. This study discusses five sources of financing that are currently used by a relatively small number of African countries in spite of their potential to increase their fiscal space. Diaspora bonds, carbon sequestration and trading, renewable energy and Islamic finance, as sources of development finance are not traditional to many African countries. Tourism is traditional to all African countries, but is not optimally leveraged as in other parts of the world. We argue that African countries are not looking at the full range of options that could be available to them to increase the development finance space. We therefore argue that African policy makers should embark on revenue diversification to include non-traditional sources that could be game changers in their development finance mix.
Simultaneous Analysis of Oil-Soluble, Basic, and Acidic Illegal Dyes in Foods Using Liquid Chromatography–Diode-Array Detection
Authors: Uematsu Yoko , Mizumachi Toshiko , Monma Kimio
Published: February 2017

A method for simutaneously detecting 8 oil-soluble and 10 water-soluble (3 basic and 7 acidic) illegal dyes in foods was developed. The sample was mixed with water, followed by methanol and tetrahydrofuran. Transesterification with sodium methoxide was applied to the mixture, which allowed the triglycerides in the sample to be converted to fatty acid methyl esters. This treatment resulted in a biphasic mixture. Oil-soluble dyes and fatty acid methyl esters were deposited in the upper organic phase, which was cleaned using a silica-gel solid-phase extraction (SPE) column to remove the fatty acid methyl esters from the solution. The water-soluble dyes were deposited in the aqueous phase, and an Oasis hydrophilic–lipophilic-balanced SPE column was used to remove polar matrix components from the solution. The resulting dyes were subsequently analyzed via LC–diode-array detection using a single method. The practical LODs of the samples were defined as the lowest spiked dye concentrations at which the similarity coefficient for the spectra of the LC test solution and the corresponding reference standard solution were greater than 0.99, thus affording LODs of 0.5–1.0 µg/g. Recoveries of the dyes at a spiking level of 5.0 µg/g from soft drink, chili sauce, and mustard were generally greater than 70%. Recoveries from paprika powder were between 33 and 103%.
Introduction
Authors: Lund Jacob
Published: February 2017

Rather than addressing an overall theme the present issue of The Nordic Journal of Aesthetics – in a new design by Studio Claus Due – presents independent articles of different scopes and perspectives.
A Precarious Construct: The Commission As A Curatorial Mode Of Inquiry
Authors: Sørensen Trine Friis
Published: February 2017

This article turns on a curatorial project that Trine Friis Sørensen conducted in relation to the Danish Radio Archive (the DR Archive) by commissioning two artists, Kajsa Dahlberg and Olof Olsson, to engage with the archive and produce artworks in relation to it. Focusing on the practice of commissioning rather than its outcome, the article proposes to consider commissioning as a curatorial mode of inquiry into the DR Archive and in turn asks why we commission, how the commission works and what kind of thinking the commission engenders. Drawing on Bruno Latour, Michel Foucault and in particular Jacques Derrida, this thinking with and through the practice of commissioning eventually prompts
Nikos Papastergiadis: The Cultures Of The South As Cosmos
Authors: Papastergiadis Nikos
Published: February 2017

As the Global South is increasingly interpenetrated by neo-liberal and authoritarian regimes the idea of the South as a site of emancipatory resistance and exotic cultural difference has ended. This article offers an alternative route into the cultures of the South. It focuses on the shifting forms of the South in contemporary visual art and outlines the possibilities of non-coercive forms of cultural exchange and the cartographies of a cosmopolitanism from below. This perspective on the South is most evident in the stories of embodied solidarity that stand in contrast to top down visions of socio-economic development and cultural homogenization.
Zoltan Somhegyi: Mother Nature’s Exhibition: On The Origins Of The Aesthetics Of Contemporary Northern Landscapes
Authors: Somhegyi Zoltán
Published: February 2017

In this article Zoltán Somhegyi investigates the aesthetic qualities of Northern landscape representations, with a special focus on how contemporary examples are connected to classical ones. First he examines the history of the aesthetic appreciation of these sites, starting from their early modern reception and from the differentiation of “Northern” and “Mediterranean” landscapes: while the Mediterranean ones were highly valued already from the 15th–16th centuries on, the “wilder” Northern landscapes were admired mainly from Romanticism onwards. This has, among others, an aesthetichistorical reason, namely the birth of the category of the sublime; and in this case the harmonious Mediterranean landscapes and the irregular yet impressive Northern ones relate to each other as the category of beautiful does to the sublime. This is why from Romanticism on Northern landscapes became not only aesthetically valuable, but even more capable than the Southern ones to move the spectator. This is especially because, from a gnoseological point of view, the landscape might be a place – and the landscape representation a means – of self-interpretation. The historical overview is then used to better understand some of the most important characteristics of contemporary Northern landscape interpretations and representations from leading artists of the region, which are analysed in the second part of the article.
Is There Really A Puzzle Over Negative Emotions And Aesthetic Pleasure?
Authors: León María José Alcaraz
Published: February 2017

Two seemingly contradictory aspects have marked art’s appreciation – and aesthetic appreciation in general. While an experience of pleasure seems to ground judgments of aesthetic value, some artworks seem to gain our praise by the very negative – unpleasant – experience they provoke. Known as the paradox of negative emotions, aestheticians have, at least since Aristotle, tried to deal with these cases and offer different explanations of the phenomenon. In this article, María José Alcaraz León does not directly offer an alternative explanation; rather she focuses on the apparent tension between an understanding of aesthetic experience in terms of a certain kind of pleasure and the negative aspect that is necessarily involved in our appreciation of painful art. The purpose of her article is to show that cases of artistic appreciation that involve negative emotions do not need to give up on the idea that aesthetic value is ultimately grounded upon an experience of pleasure.
Architecture, Art, And Moderate Moralism
Authors: Caroll Nöel
Published: February 2017

In this essay Noël Carroll explores the question of whether a moral defect in a work of architectural art can ever also count as an aesthetic /artistic defect. Adopting the stance of a moderate moralist and mobilizing what has been called the “uptake argument,” he argues against the moderate autonomist that sometimes a moral defect in an architectural artwork can also be an aesthetic/artistic defect
Cross-cultural Theatre Education: Rehearsals and Performance. English as Lingua Franca, rewriting process, and poly-glottal text in psycho-physical acting practice
Authors: Henning Lars
Published: February 2017

At Copenhagen International School of Performing Arts, English is the Lingua Franca (ELF) of artistic exploration. With a non-conformist approach to the use of ELF, highlighting a body-mind insight into the language over correctness, a latent, expressive potential of ELF is explored through a psycho-physical training. The predominant technique is Movement Psychology (Laban/Malmgren), which examines the interdependence between, on the one hand, text, language, and narrative and, on the other, the embodiment of the Jungian unconscious.The paper analyses the process and the methods of staging the production entitled Re: ORESTES, based on Mee’s play Orestes 2.0, applying the described methodological exploration. The play was rewritten and remoulded by the performers throughout a rehearsal process, which focused on interlacing the performers’ highly diverse cultural horizons (Gadamer) in a common mega-text, in an attempt to fuse the familiar with the alien, the personal with the collective, and to channel, shape and articulate the material within ELF.The paper details two different examples of this transformative remoulding process. One actor wrote a completely new text, which was performed in the heightened style of "the Queen’s English". Another actor performed a part in a poly-glottal combination of Ancient and Modern Greek (her mother tongue) and ELF. In this process, both performers sought to transcend the preconceived limitations of their individual cultural horizons as well as of the English language.
Staging Cultural Identities as Political Performance: Hålogaland Teater, North Norwegian stage language and the emancipation of North Norwegian identities
Authors: Torrissen Wenche
Published: February 2017

When Hålogaland Teater was established in Tromsø in 1970 as Norway’s first regional theatre, the main goal was to create a professional company that would act as a people’s theatre of North Norway. In order to achieve this, the underlying principle of the theatre was that they should produce plays about the North Norwegian reality using a North Norwegian stage language and that these plays should be devised in close collaboration with the local population. Initially this caused a lot of controversy because the theatre challenged accepted standards of theatre-making both in terms of content and representation. For some it was utterly inconceivable that national and international classics such as Peer Gynt and Hamlet should be performed in a low-status North Norwegian dialect. It was simply perceived to be a sign of the deterioration of the arts! Despite heated debates and major conflicts, the artistic and political principles of Hålogaland Teater remained constant and today, almost fifty years later, both Shakespeare and Ibsen are performed in North Norwegian dialect without any protests and with great success. How was this development possible? And what has it meant for the northern region and its people? These are questions that I am exploring in this article with the aid of Bourdieu's “thinking tools”. The main argument is that Hålogaland Theatre has been central in the revaluation of Northern Norwegian identities and culture by elevating the low-status Northern Norwagian dialect to the status of official stage language.
Speaking about Reality: Verbatim techniques in contemporary Finnish documentary theatre
Authors: Gröndahl Laura
Published: February 2017

During the past years, different modes of documentary theatre have gained popularity. A distinctive feature there is the use of verbatim texts, borrowed directly from authentic documents like recorded interviews or minutes, including sometimes even coincidental stuttering of the original speaker. In this article I analyse the verbatim-technique as part of the post-dramatic performance strategies. It makes it possible to focus on the materiality of language as a texture as well as an instrument for meaning making and communicating contents. It also gives a more active role to the audience. When texts are explicitly framed as authentic, and reiterated with exaggerated precision, the attention is drawn to the performative repetition of the speech acts. Thus, the verbatim performances do not so much refer to reality “as it is”, but rather stage acts of making claims about something we call reality. Borrowing Carol Martin, the contemporary generation of documentary theatre makers aspire to make relevant claims about social reality even if they use postmodern strategies and admit that truth and reality are not within their reach. I will discuss different strategies of using the verbatim techniques in documentary performances. I theorize the subject using well-known international examples, move on to a short overview of recent documentary theatre in Finland, and examine closer four cases: Parliament III in Ryhmäteatteri in 2015, Towards Work at Kouvolan Teatteri in 2014, Ruusula Street 10 at Q-teatteri in 2014, and My Palestine at Teatteri Takomo in 2015.
Philosophical Theatricality: Castellucci’s staging of Hölderlin’s Oedipus the Tyrant
Authors: Hyldig Keld
Published: February 2017

In 2015, the Italian director Romeo Castellucci staged Oedipus the Tyrant at Schaubühne in Berlin. The staging was based on the German poet-philosopher Friedrich Hölderlin’s translation, which is known for its peculiar linguistic, philosophical, and theatrical approaches to Greek tragedy. The article examines how Castellucci in continuation of Hölderlin’s translation and commentaries to the tragedy, staged Oedipus as a theatrical – and philosophical – confrontation between religious and rational approaches to knowledge. The staging was seemingly simple, showing a group of nuns performing Oedipus in a monastery. However, the nuns’ Christian and feminine performance of the pagan and masculine tragedy formed the base of a metatheatrical and philosophical complexity in and between different approaches to knowledge. The philosophical complexity of the staging was reinforced through other metatheatrical elements, as for example a film projection showing Romeo Castellucci getting tear gas sprayed in his eyes, which made the relation between physical reality and fictional representation an issue.
Searching for a Space for Conversation: A study on how environment affects the articulation of the art experience among opera audiences at The Royal Danish Theatre
Authors: Lawaetz Anna , Gram Nina , Østerby Christina
Published: February 2017

“Tell me about your experience in the theatre today”. Even though theatres (with this question) may seek honest, personal, and in depth answers from the audience, this question often results in superficial responds focused on what the audience suspect the theatre wants to hear. It can thus be difficult to get personal and detailed knowledge about the audiences’ experience. In a time, where theatres with different means (co-creation, participation etc.) try to keep audience loyal and engaged, this knowledge is important. In our project, we explore how different situations, locations, questions etc. affect conversations about art experiences and in this article we describe our “search for a space for conversation”. We explore how the space affects the conversation, and how the setting can emphasize certain elements. What happens to the conversation if we sit around an ordinary meeting table, if we walk and talk outside the art institution or if we talk inside the auditorium, where we had the original art experience? This explorative study is part of the project “A Suitcase of Methods”, which is housed by The Royal Danish Theatre and financially supported by The Bikuben Foundation.
Fine-needle aspiration accuracy in the diagnosis of primary epithelioid angiosarcoma of the adrenal gland: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Torelli Tullio , Radaelli Stefano , Colecchia Maurizio , Paolini Biagio , Catanzaro Mario Achille , Nicolai Nicola , Biasoni Davide , Piva Luigi , Stagni Silvia , Salvioni Roberto
Published: February 2017

Primary epithelioid angiosarcoma of the adrenal gland is extremely rare. Only 37 cases have been reported in the scientific literature.Here we describe the case of a 55-year-old woman affected by metastatic angiosarcoma in the right adrenal gland, who died few days after the histological diagnosis made by fine-needle aspiration (FNA). This is the second case of primary epithelioid angiosarcoma diagnosed by FNA among scientific articles published in English in PubMed. Microscopically, the tumor showed a predominant epithelioid differentiation, thus making the diagnostic process more difficult than usual. Immunohistochemical examination revealed positive reactivity for cytokeratin, CD31, and CD34. The literature shows that epithelioid adrenal angiosarcoma has poor clinical outcome, especially when metastatic at presentation.
Factors controlling the evaporation of secondary organic aerosol from α‐pinene ozonolysis
Authors: Yli‐Juuti Taina , Pajunoja Aki , Tikkanen Olli‐Pekka , Buchholz Angela , Faiola Celia , Väisänen Olli , Hao Liqing , Kari Eetu , Peräkylä Otso , Garmash Olga , Shiraiwa Manabu , Ehn Mikael , Lehtinen Kari , Virtanen Annele
Published: February 2017

Secondary organic aerosols (SOA) forms a major fraction of organic aerosols in the atmosphere. Knowledge of SOA properties that affect their dynamics in the atmosphere is needed for improving climate models. By combining experimental and modeling techniques, we investigated the factors controlling SOA evaporation under different humidity conditions. Our experiments support the conclusion of particle phase diffusivity limiting the evaporation under dry conditions. Viscosity of particles at dry conditions was estimated to increase several orders of magnitude during evaporation, up to 109 Pa s. However, at atmospherically relevant relative humidity and time scales, our results show that diffusion limitations may have a minor effect on evaporation of the studied α‐pinene SOA particles. Based on previous studies and our model simulations, we suggest that, in warm environments dominated by biogenic emissions, the major uncertainty in models describing the SOA particle evaporation is related to the volatility of SOA constituents.
Spatial variability of soil N2O and CO2 fluxes in different topographic positions in a tropical montane forest in Kenya
Authors: Arias‐Navarro C. , Díaz‐Pinés E. , Klatt S. , Brandt P. , Rufino M. C. , Butterbach‐Bahl K. , Verchot L. V.
Published: February 2017

Quantifying and understanding the small‐scale variability of nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission are essential for reporting accurate ecosystem greenhouse gas budgets. The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial pattern of soil CO2 and N2O emissions and their relation to topography in a tropical montane forest. We measured fluxes of N2O and CO2 from 810 sampling locations across valley bottom, midslope, and ridgetop positions under controlled laboratory conditions. We further calculated the minimum number of samples necessary to provide best estimates of soil N2O and CO2 fluxes at the plot level. Topography exhibited a major influence on N2O emissions, with soils at midslope position emitting significantly less than at ridgetops and valley bottoms, but no consistent effect of topography on soil CO2 emissions was found. The high spatial variation of N2O and CO2 fluxes was further increased by changes in vegetation and soil properties resulting from human disturbance associated with charcoal production. Soil N2O and CO2 fluxes showed no spatial pattern at the plot level, with “hot spots” strongly contributing to the total emissions (10% of the soil cores represented 73 and 50% of the total N2O and CO2 emissions, respectively). Thus, a large number of samples are needed to obtain robust estimates of N2O and CO2 fluxes. Our results highlight the complex biogeochemical cycling in tropical montane forests, and the need to carefully address it in research experiments to robustly estimate soil CO2 and N2O fluxes at the ecosystem scale.
Antimicrobial and Immunomodulatory Surface‐Functionalized Electrospun Membranes for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Mathew Asha , Vaquette Cedryck , Hashimi Saeed , Rathnayake Irani , Huygens Flavia , Hutmacher Dietmar W. , Ivanovski Saso
Published: February 2017

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a surgical procedure utilizing occlusive membranes for providing space maintenance and enabling selective repopulation of the damaged area. While this technique is effective in regenerating bone, bacterial infiltration occurs frequently and can compromise the regenerative outcome. In this study, the authors describe the development and characterization of a GBR membrane made of medical grade polycaprolactone (mPCL) electrospun fibers with antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties. This is achieved by the immobilization of the antibiotic azithromycin into the membrane via a solvent evaporation technique leading to a sustained release of the drug over 14 d. In vitro testing shows that this controlled release of azithromycin is proficient at inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus for 14 d. Implantation of azithromycin loaded mPCL membrane in a rodent calvarial defect induces macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype after one week and results in significantly more bone regeneration eight weeks post‐surgery. The results suggest that this antibacterial membrane should be effective at preventing infection and also impacts on the macrophage polarization enhancing bone regeneration. The drug loading technique developed in this study is simple, effective with a strong potential for clinical translation and can be applied to different types of scaffolds and implants for applications in craniofacial and orthopedics applications.
Selective Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine on Polyoxometalate‐Based Metal–Organic Framework and Its Composite with Reduced Graphene Oxide
Authors: Zhang Wen , Jia Gan , Li Zhaosheng , Yuan Chunwei , Bai Yunfei , Fu Degang
Published: February 2017

The interfacing of polyoxometalates and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) can be considered to be an effective way to generate hybrid structures which colligates the advantages of both components. Here, a hybrid material (polyoxometalate‐based metal–organic framework (POMOF)/rGO) integrating POMOF and rGO is obtained via a simple one‐pot approach. The as‐prepared materials are used as electrochemical active materials to detect dopamine for the first time. It is shown that the hybridization results in a superior catalytic activity for oxidation of dopamine owing to the synergistic effect between POMOF and rGO, as well as favorable interaction of DA with CC network of the composite. The promoted electron transfer, as well as abundant active sites, open channels, and aromatic planes in the hybrid material produce a wider linear detection range of 1 × 10−6 to 2 × 10−4
m with the lower detection limit of 80.4 × 10−9
m (S/N = 3). Moreover, the developed biosensor also exhibits favorable selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. As a non‐noble metal catalyst constructing from function and structure‐matched building blocks, the prepared POMOF/rGO hybrid material demonstrates its highly promising properties for dopamine detection and the result should promote the further development of POMOF‐based sensors.
Newly diagnosed immune thrombocytopenia adults: Clinical epidemiology, exposure to treatments, and evolution. Results of the CARMEN multicenter prospective cohort
Authors: Moulis Guillaume , Germain Johanne , Comont Thibault , Brun Natacha , Dingremont Claire , Castel Brice , Arista Sophie , Sailler Laurent , Lapeyre‐Mestre Maryse , Beyne‐Rauzy Odile , Godeau Bertrand , Adoue Daniel ,   The CARMEN Investigators Group
Published: February 2017

The clinical epidemiology of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is not well known in adults. This study was aimed at assessing the clinical epidemiology of incident ITP adults, the factors associated with chronicity and exposure to treatments. This study was conducted in the CARMEN registry, a multicentric prospective cohort aimed at including all newly diagnosed ITP adults in the French Midi‐Pyrénées region, South of France (3 million inhabitants) from June 2013. Descriptive analyses and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted. Out of 121 newly diagnosed ITP until December 2014, 113 patients were followed in the region and gave informed consent. Median age was 65 years. Half of the patients were female, 20.3% had a secondary ITP, 50.4% had a Charlson's score ≥1, median platelet count was 17 × 109/L; 50.9% had bleeding symptoms, including 2 severe gastrointestinal tract and 1 intracranial bleedings; 21.4% had another autoimmune disease and 20.3% experienced an infection within the six weeks before ITP onset. Persistency and chronicity rates were 68.2% and 58.7%, respectively. Antinuclear antibodies were associated with chronicity (OR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.08‐7.74). Sixty‐eight (60.2%) patients were treated during the week following the diagnosis. Factors associated with the use of intravenous corticosteroids were secondary ITP and high bleeding score. Those associated with the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) were a high bleeding score and low platelet count. In conclusion, severe bleeding is rare at ITP onset. Associated autoimmune diseases and recent infections were frequent. Antinuclear antibodies seem predictors of chronicity. Intravenous corticosteroids and IVIg were frequently used.
Measuring material wealth in low‐income settings: A conceptual and how‐to guide
Authors: Kaiser Bonnie N. , Hruschka Daniel , Hadley Craig
Published: February 2017

Although wealth is consistently found to be an important predictor of health and well‐being, there remains debate as to the best way to conceptualize and operationalize wealth. In this article, we focus on the measurement of economic resources, which is one among many forms of wealth. We provide an overview of the process of measuring material wealth, including theoretical and conceptual considerations, a how‐to guide based on the most common approach to measurement, and a review of important theoretical and empirical questions that remain to be resolved. Throughout, we emphasize considerations particular to the settings in which anthropologists work, and we include variations on common approaches to measuring material wealth that might be better suited to anthropologists' theoretical questions, methodological approaches, and fieldwork settings.
Sleep‐disordered breathing and its management in children with achondroplasia
Authors: Tenconi Rossana , Khirani Sonia , Amaddeo Alessandro , Michot Caroline , Baujat Geneviève , Couloigner Vincent , De Sanctis Livio , James Syril , Zerah Michel , Cormier‐Daire Valérie , Fauroux Brigitte
Published: February 2017

Sleep‐disordered breathing is a common feature in children with achondroplasia. The aim of our study was to review the poly(somno)graphic (P(S)G) findings and consequent treatments in children with achondroplasia followed in the national reference center for skeletal dysplasia. A retrospective review of the clinical charts and P(S)G of 43 consecutive children (mean age 3.9 ± 3.5 years) with achondroplasia seen over a period of 2 years was performed. Twenty four (59%) children had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Thirteen children had an obstructive apnea‐hypopnea index (OAHI) < 5/hr, four had an OAHI between 5 and 10/hr, and seven had an OAHI ≥ 10/hr. Ten of the 15 children who had previous upper airway surgery still had an abnormal P(S)G. All the patients with an AHI ≥ 10/hr were under 7 years of age and none had a prior tonsillectomy. The children who underwent adeno‐tonsillectomy, coupled in most cases with turbinectomy, were significantly older (mean age 7.5 ± 3.5 vs. 3.5 ± 1.7 years old, P = 0.015) and had significantly better P(S)G results than those who underwent only adeno‐turbinectomy. No correlation was observed between the mean AHI value at the baseline P(S)G and the type of academic course (standard, supported or specialized). In conclusion, OSA is common in children with achondroplasia. The observation of a reduced prevalence of OSA after (adeno‐)tonsillectomy is in favor of this type of surgery when possible.
Pseudogap in the Eliashberg approach based on electron‐phonon and electron‐electron‐phonon interaction
Authors: Szczȩśniak R. , Durajski A. P. , Duda A. M.
Published: February 2017

The properties of the superconducting and the anomalous normal state were described by using the Eliashberg method. The pairing mechanism was reproduced with the help of the Hamiltonian, which models the electron‐phonon and the electron‐electron‐phonon interaction (EEPh). The set of the Eliashberg equations, which determines the order parameter function (φ), the wave function renormalization factor (Z), and the energy shift function (χ), was derived. It was proven that for the sufficiently large values of the EEPh potential, the doping dependence of the order parameter () has the analogous course to that observed experimentally in cuprates. The energy gap in the electron density of states is induced by Z and χ ‐ the contribution from φ is negligible. The electron density of states possesses the characteristic asymmetric form and the pseudogap is observed above the critical temperature.

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Elastic wave transport in disordered, isotropic media: a supersymmetric sigma model
Authors: Photiadis Douglas M.
Published: February 2017

Starting from a continuum description of a disordered elastic medium, we have derived a supersymmetric field theoretic model enabling the prediction of ensemble average correlation functions that fully takes polarization effects into account. The model enables both perturbative and non‐perturbative calculations in a similar fashion as corresponding models of disordered electronic systems. At intermediate distances, we show that a Hubbard‐Stratonovic transformation can be carried out and obtain a supermatrix field theory. At distances far greater than the mean free paths of the system, we show that the action reduces to a nonlinear supersymmetric sigma model formally identical to that for a scalar field. Our results yield a bare diffusion constant given by a density of states weighted average of the classical diffusion constants of the coherent potential approximation(CPA) medium.

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Catalytic Reaction Rates Controlled by Metal Oxidation State: C−H Bond Cleavage in Methane over Nickel‐Based Catalysts
Authors: Che Fanglin , Ha Su , McEwen Jean‐Sabin
Published: February 2017

The role of low concentrations of carbon complexes in hydrocarbon decomposition over transition metal surfaces has been a topic of much debate over the past decades. It is also a mystery as to whether or not electric fields can enhance hydrocarbon conversion in an electrochemical device at lower than normal reforming temperatures. To provide a “bottom‐up” fundamental insight, C−H bond cleavage in methane over Ni‐based catalysts was investigated. Our theoretical results show that the presence of carbon or carbide‐like species at the interface between the Ni cluster and its metal‐oxide support, as well as the application of an external positive electric field, can significantly increase the Ni oxidation state. Furthermore, the first C−H bond cleavage in methane is favored as the local oxidation state of Ni increases. Thus, the presence of a low concentration of carbon species, or the addition of a positive electric field will improve the hydrocarbon activation process.
Catalytic Enantioselective γ‐Selective Additions of 2‐Allylazaarenes to Activated Ketones
Authors: Bai Xiangbin , Zeng Guangkuo , Shao Tianju , Jiang Zhiyong
Published: February 2017

Reported herein is the first example of 2‐allylazaarenes in asymmetric catalysis. Highly γ‐selective allylation was demonstrated for activated ketones, including isatins and trifluoromethyl ketones. In the presence of either an amino‐acid‐based tertiary amine or quaternary ammonium salt catalyst, two series of tertiary hydroxy‐containing moieties were installed at the remote δ‐position of azaarenes in good chemical yields, excellent enantioselectivities, and E/Z ratios. The success of current γ‐selective reactions should provide inspiration for expansion to other allylazaarene derivatives and would open up new paradigms for the synthesis of chiral γ‐ and/or δ‐functionalized azaarenes.
Enantioselective Reactions of 2‐Sulfonylalkyl Phenols with Allenic Esters: Dynamic Kinetic Resolution and [4+2] Cycloaddition Involving ortho‐Quinone Methide Intermediates
Authors: Chen Ping , Wang Kai , Guo Wengang , Liu Xianghui , Liu Yan , Li Can
Published: February 2017

We report herein a dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) involving ortho‐quinone methide (o‐QM) intermediates. In the presence of Et3N and the cinchonine‐derived nucleophilic catalyst D, the DKR of 2‐sulfonylalkyl phenols with allenic esters afforded chiral benzylic sulfones in 57–79 % yield with good to excellent enantioselectivity (85–95 % ee). Furthermore, with 2‐(tosylmethyl)sesamols or 2‐(tosylmethyl)naphthols, from which stable o‐QM substrates can be generated, a formal [4+2] cycloaddition delivered 4‐aryl‐ or alkyl‐substituted chromans with excellent enantioselectivity (88–97 % ee).
An Intramolecular Silylene Borane Capable of Facile Activation of Small Molecules, Including Metal‐Free Dehydrogenation of Water
Authors: Mo Zhenbo , Szilvási Tibor , Zhou Yu‐Peng , Yao Shenglai , Driess Matthias
Published: February 2017

The first single‐component N‐heterocyclic silylene borane 1 (LSi‐R‐BMes2; L=PhC(NtBu)2; R=1,12‐xanthendiyl spacer; Mes=2,4,6‐Me3C6H2), acting as a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) in small‐molecule activation, can be synthesized in 65 % yields. Its HOMO is largely localized at the silicon(II) atom and the LUMO has mainly boron 2p character. In small‐molecule activation 1 allows access to the intramolecular silanone–borane 3 featuring a Si=O→B interaction through reaction with O2, N2O, or CO2, and formation of silanethione borane 4 from reaction with S8. The SiII center in 1 undergoes immediate hydrogenation if exposed to H2 at 1 atm pressure in benzene, affording the silane borane 5‐H2, L(H2)Si‐R‐BMes2. Remarkably, no H2 activation occurs if the single silylene LSiPh and Mes3B intermolecularly separated are exposed to dihydrogen. Unexpectedly, the pre‐organized Si–B separation in 1 enables a metal‐free dehydrogenation of H2O to give the silanone–borane 3 as reactive intermediate.
Formation of Gas‐Phase Formate in Thermal Reactions of Carbon Dioxide with Diatomic Iron Hydride Anions
Authors: Jiang Li‐Xue , Zhao Chongyang , Li Xiao‐Na , Chen Hui , He Sheng‐Gui
Published: February 2017

The hydrogenation of carbon dioxide involves the activation of the thermodynamically very stable molecule CO2 and formation of a C−H bond. Herein, we report that HCO2− and CO can be formed in the thermal reaction of CO2 with a diatomic metal hydride species, FeH−. The FeH− anions were produced by laser ablation, and the reaction with CO2 was analyzed by mass spectrometry and quantum‐chemical calculations. Gas‐phase HCO2− was observed directly as a product, and its formation was predicted to proceed by facile hydride transfer. The mechanism of CO2 hydrogenation in this gas‐phase study parallels similar behavior of a condensed‐phase iron catalyst.