bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward the Understanding of the Physical Origin of Recombining Plasma in the Supernova Remnant IC 443
Authors: Matsumura Hideaki , Tanaka Takaaki , Uchida Hiroyuki , Okon Hiromichi , Tsuru Takeshi Go
Published: December 2017

We perform a spatially resolved spectroscopic analysis of X-ray emission from the supernova remnant (SNR) IC 443 with Suzaku. All of the spectra are well reproduced by a model consisting of a collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE) and two recombining plasma (RP) components. Although previous X-ray studies found an RP in the northeastern region, this is the first report on RPs in the other parts of the remnant. The electron temperature, kT

e
, of the CIE component is almost uniform at ∼0.2 keV across the remnant. The CIE plasma has metal abundances consistent with solar and is concentrated toward the rim of the remnant, suggesting that it is of shocked interstellar medium origin. The two RP components have different kT

e
: one in the range of 0.16–0.28 keV and the other in the range of 0.48–0.67 keV. The electron temperatures of both RP components decrease toward the southeast, where the SNR shock is known to be interacting with a molecular cloud. We also find the normalization ratio of the lower-kT

e
RP to higher-kT

e
RP components increases toward the southeast. Both results suggest the X-ray emitting plasma in the southeastern region is significantly cooled by some mechanism. One of the plausible cooling mechanisms is a thermal conduction between the hot plasma and the molecular cloud. If the cooling proceeds faster than the recombination timescale of the plasma, the same mechanism can account for the recombining plasma as well.
Cloud Ablation by a Relativistic Jet and the Extended Flare in CTA 102 in 2016 and 2017
Authors: Zacharias M. , Böttcher M. , Jankowsky F. , Lenain J.-P. , Wagner S. J. , Wierzcholska A.
Published: December 2017

In late 2016 and early 2017, the flat spectrum radio quasar CTA 102 exhibited a very strong and long-lasting outburst. The event can be described by a roughly two-month long increase of the baseline flux in the monitored energy bands (optical to γ-rays) by a factor 8, and a subsequent decrease over another two months back to pre-flare levels. The long-term trend was superseded by short but very strong flares, resulting in a peak flux that was a factor 50 above pre-flare levels in the γ-ray domain and almost a factor 100 above pre-flare levels in the optical domain. In this paper, we explain the long-term evolution of the outburst by the ablation of a gas cloud penetrating the relativistic jet. The slice-by-slice ablation results in a gradual increase of the particle injection until the center of the cloud is reached, after which the injected number of particles decreases again. With reasonable cloud parameters, we obtain excellent fits of the long-term trend.
Glenohumeral Joint Sepsis after Joint Injection through a New Tattoo
Authors: Becker Richard L , Haight Sean P
Published: December 2017

We report a case of Propionibacterium acnes septic arthritis of a shoulder following two joint access procedures. Methodical investigation of these two procedures was performed using the Joint Commission root cause analysis matrix, which involved examination of protocols, interviews with technologists and physicians, and inspection of the procedure rooms and equipment. No procedural error or other causal factor for infection was found other than the injection through a five day-old tattoo during the first procedure. We could find no other reported cases of Propionibacterium acnes seeding a joint via an arthrogram needle. This may be an under-reported phenomenon or could be a unique case. In either instance, the occurrence bears notice by anyone performing joint access procedures.
Casual Modeling to Improve Customs Services in Iran
Authors: Hassanzadeh Alireza , Eskandari Hoda
Published: December 2017

In its reality, the world is more complex than we expect it to be predicated and controlled; so, by minor view to issues and suppose many phenomena to be independent, it would be impossible to understand their totality and complexity. Utilizing appropriate scientific tools can provide us with useful information to manage decision making to improve methods to carry out operations and apply resources; one of these scientific tools is system dynamics approach. Therefore, based on stages in the methodology of system dynamics and by taking experts comments, in the present study, causal relations between influential factors in improvement of customs service are identified. So, by knowing these causal relations, one can allocate resources and prioritize activities leading to influence on other factors following with the best results. Finally, after validation and having the confirmation of the experts, the researcher has presented a causal model to improve customs services.
A Model for the Establishment and Development of Telework in Public Organizations
Authors: Hassanzadeh Alireza , Meybodi Robabeh Sadat Emami
Published: December 2017

In this chapter, based on systems dynamics approach, efforts have been made to provide a model for the establishment and development of telework in public organizations of the Iran. The main goal of the study is to find a suitable and practical model for the establishment and successful development of telework in the public organizations of the country. Modeling for the establishment and development of telework for the first time in this research has been done using the systems dynamics approach. One of the main findings of this study is the extraction of the factors and main variables that are effective in the establishment and development of telework. Also, the effect and the relationship between the factors and operational variables of the model were revealed and the components of the causal loop were confirmed. Finally, the final model of the research was presented.
New Methods for Improved Indoor Signal Strength Positioning
Authors: Sharp Ian , Yu Kegen
Published: December 2017

This chapter focuses on positioning based on received signal strength measurements and radio path-loss modeling. Typically, receiver signal strength from a device such as a smart phone is used to calculate the path-loss and thus estimate distances using a loss model calibrated in an offline process. With known positions and ranges to WiFi access points or simple devices using Bluetooth or Zigbee for data communications, the mobile device position can be estimated. However, due to the complex multipath propagation indoor environment, distance estimation and position determination using current methods are not very accurate. Based on knowledge of the nature of indoor signal propagation and algorithms especially designed for mobile applications, new methods show that positional accuracy of a few meters is possible, even with non-line-of-sight propagation through many intervening walls. Given the current widespread deployment of WiFi indoors, simple software-only solutions are feasible for applications such as general personal navigation and tracking within buildings.
RFID Indoor Localization Techniques
Authors: Ma Yongtao , Gao Zheng , Zhao Yang
Published: December 2017

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a technique using two-way radio transmission pattern to transmit information through the device of interrogator (also called reader) and tag. It is considered to be one of the most popular techniques for internet of things (IOT). In this chapter, the authors study indoor localization techniques based on passive UHF RFID, which works around the frequency of 900MHz. Passive RFID has the advantage of reasonable reading distance, non-contact, easy deployment, and low cost. The tags do not need battery and it can harvest power through wireless charging. Due to those advantages, passive UHF RFID positioning has always been an active research area in the past few decades. This chapter discusses the key techniques in passive UHF RFID positioning, which include range-based, range-free, tag-based (device-based), tag-free (device-free), and improved positioning methods. All the techniques studied are suited to be implemented in RFID systems, each of which can be accommodated to a specific application scenario.
GNSS Vulnerability
Authors: Dempster Andrew G.
Published: December 2017

This chapter examines sources of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) vulnerability, identifying the broad range of topics that comes under this heading, and cites some key references in each category area. GNSS vulnerability has been a very productive area for GNSS researchers in recent years and this chapter sets out to be a comprehensive review of the different ways that the operation of GNSS can be degraded by outside influences, from the high (system) to the low (receiver component) level.
Enhanced Bio-Inspired Algorithms for Detecting and Filtering Spam
Authors: Bouarara Hadj Ahmed
Published: December 2017

The internet era promotes electronic commerce and facilitates access to many services. In today's digital society, the explosion in communication has revolutionized the field of electronic communication. Unfortunately, this technology has become incontestably the original source of malicious activities, especially the plague called undesirables email (SPAM) that has grown tremendously in the last few years. This chapter unveils fresh bio-inspired techniques (artificial social cockroaches [ASC], artificial haemostasis system [AHS], and artificial heart lungs system [AHLS]) and their application for SPAM detection. For the experimentation, the authors used the benchmark SMS Spam corpus V.0.1 and the validation measures (recall, precision, f-measure, entropy, accuracy, and error). They optimize the sensitive parameters of each algorithm (text representation technique, distance measure, weightings, and threshold). The results are positive compared to the result of artificial social bees and machine-learning algorithms (decision tree C4.5 and K-means).
Scaffolding the OEEU's Data-Driven Ecosystem to Analyze the Employability of Spanish Graduates
Authors: Vázquez-Ingelmo Andrea , Cruz-Benito Juan , García-Peñalvo Francisco J. , Martín-González Martín
Published: December 2017

This chapter outlines the technological evolution experimented by the Observatory for University Employability and Employment's information system to become a data-driven technological ecosystem. This observatory collects data from more than 50 Spanish universities and their graduate students (bachelor's degree, master's degree) with the goal of measuring the factors that lead to students' employability and employment. The goals pursued by the observatory need a strong technological support to gather, process, and disseminate the related data. The system that supports these tasks has evolved from a standard (traditional) information system to a data-driven ecosystem, which provides remarkable benefits covering the observatory's requirements. The benefits, the foundations, and the way the data-driven ecosystem is built will be described throughout the chapter, as well as how the information obtained is exploited in order to provide insights about the employment and employability variables.
Privacy Concerns and Smartphone App Purchase Behavior in Malaysia
Authors: Belkhamza Zakariya , Niasin Mohd Adzwin Faris
Published: December 2017

The online privacy concerns remain a top priority for every smartphone users, specifically those involved in mobile purchase activities. Studies showed that it is an important factor that affects attitude and intention to purchase smartphone apps. Although there are significant number of theories and research on the effect of privacy concerns on purchase intention in the general concepts on information systems and e-commerce, there is little evidence if the results of these findings still hold true in the mobile technology context. The objective of this chapter is to investigate the issue of privacy concerns on the attitude and purchasing intention among Malaysian smartphone users. This chapter investigates the role of privacy concerns in influencing the decision-making process. The chapter provides significant insights on the issue of privacy concerns in the usage of smartphones which can help developers such as Google and Apple to improve their apps stores to provide better protection for users' privacy and security in Malaysia.
A Review of Vessel Segmentation Methodologies and Algorithms
Authors: Hassan Gehad , Hassanien Aboul Ella
Published: December 2017

“Prevention is better than cure”, true statement which all of us neglect. One of the most reasons which cause speedy recovery from any diseases is to discover it in advanced stages. From here come the importance of computer systems which preserve time and achieve accurate results in knowing the diseases and its first symptoms .One of these systems is retinal image analysis system which considered as a key role and the first step of Computer Aided Diagnosis Systems (CAD). In addition to monitor the patient health status under different treatment methods to ensure How it effects on the disease.. In this chapter the authors examine most of approaches that are used for vessel segmentation for retinal images, and a review of techniques is presented comparing between their quality and accessibility, analyzing and catgrizing them. This chapter gives a description and highlights the key points and the performance measures of each one.
Significant Enhancement of Segmentation Efficiency of Retinal Images Using Texture-Based Gabor Filter Approach Followed by Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Kumar Upendra
Published: December 2017

Considering Retinal image as textured image, its texture based segmentation is required to identify the presence of retinal diseases. This pre-processing is important in automatic detection system for recognizing the abnormality present in the retinal images. Likewise, the proposed system mainly focused on diabetic retinopathy disease caused into eye –retina, generally leads to eye-blindness. Inspired from robust human's texture based segmentation capability, a mathematical model of the eye was formulated. A texture based Gabor filter was applied to get the output feature helping in detecting the abnormality and deriving statistical properties, further used in segmentation and classification. This work deals with the better separation of various clusters of Gabor filter output features, in order to get better segmentation efficiency. This was also followed by formalizing an objective function to tune filter parameters with Gradient descent and further Genetic Algorithm. This paper showed both qualitative and quantitative segmentation results with improved efficiency.
Principles of Binocular Stereoscopic Imaging
Authors: Ogram Geoff
Published: December 2017

The relation between visual perception and the recorded image is discussed in this chapter, emphasising the historical growth of the understanding of depth perception and its visual cues. The stereoscopic principle is explained in detail, and figures are given for comfortable viewing of stereoscopic images.
Bioactive Compound Analysis of Coriandrum Sativum L Against Microbial Keratitis
Authors: Nithya V.
Published: December 2017

In recent years, multiple drug resistance has been developed due to indiscriminate use of existing drugs in the treatment of infectious diseases. One such herbal drug is Coriandrum Sativum L that possesses potential pharmaceutical activities and used in several ayurvedic formulations. Keratitis caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial, antifungal activity, anti-oxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity of Coriandrum Sativum L leaves and seeds using various organic solvent of plant extract against keratitis disease. The present study carried out the effect on various organic solvents extract of leaves and seeds of Corindrum sativum not only on the bacterial and fungal populations isolated from the conjunctivitis infected eyes but also to screen the phytochemical, anti-inflammatory and in vitro antioxidant potential of the leaf and seed extracts.
The Practical Accomplishment of Location-Based Game-Play
Authors: Guribye Frode , Wake Jo Dugstad , Wasson Barbara
Published: December 2017

Location-based games are believed to be one promising way to exploit the educational potential of mobile technology. In such games, the physical and cultural surroundings become an integrate part of a game space and provide a way to tie content to a game activity and create immersive learning experiences. To explore the properties of such games, and how they are played out in practice we have designed, deployed and analysed a location-based game for learning history embedded in a pedagogical scenario based on collaborative mobile learning. In the video-based, detailed analysis of actual game-play, we study the practical accomplishment of a collaborative gaming activity with mobile technology. In focus are how the participants make use of the resources available in the game space and how these resources, including the historical narrative, feature in the participants' practical accomplishment of the game. In the analysis we identify a number of implications for design of location-based games.
Co-Creating Games with Children
Authors: Mouws Karen , Bleumers Lizzy
Published: December 2017

In this paper, the authors investigate the role of and relationship between creative production practices (e.g. problem-solving and self-evaluation) and cooperative learning mechanisms (e.g. building trust and group processing) in a case of game co-design. 21 Belgian school children created game concepts together with a game designer, their teacher, and co-design facilitators. During a project week at school, participants moved from idea generation to presenting game concepts through collaboratively created prototypes. This case study, combining observation and survey methods, reveals that self-evaluation and openness to sharing ideas emerged spontaneously, but the critical analysis of digital games and crediting existing work require support. Moreover, as creative choices become part of group deliberation, progress in the creative production process critically depends on group functioning. The authors conclude that by grounding co-design in theory on cooperative learning and media literacy, co-design activities may be better understood and new avenues for supporting co-creators can be identified.
An International Survey
Authors: Schmitz Birgit , Felicia Patrick , Bignami Filippo
Published: December 2017

This paper presents findings from a study carried out between May and October 2013. Based on a survey, which was developed by the MoGaBa VET project partners, the study aimed at understanding the factors that influence the way vocational instructors perceive and use game-based learning. A total of 267 trainers from eight European countries took part in the survey. Results indicated that even though educational games were regarded effective and useful with regard to motivational aspects or learning to use ICT; however, it also revealed that the integration and widespread use of mobile GBL solutions faced several challenges linked to technical, institutional and also organizational aspects.
Education, “Pointsification,” Empowerment?
Authors: Piasecki Stefan
Published: December 2017

Gamification as a tool or procedure to add entertaining and motivating elements to usually non-entertaining environments such as schools or workplaces is becoming more and more popular. E-learning platforms like Moodle provide tools and sets of functions to add elements of gamification. An important factor especially in education is technology: individual achievements and progress can be recorded, measured, tracked and visualized and therefore identified and rewarded through bonus points, awards or rankings. This is where gamification can add some challenge and excitement to the learning. But can entertainment and education be combined by technical means at all? What are the possibilities and limits? What implications have to be expected regarding the relationship between teachers, students and a technological – gamified – environment?
Safety, Efficacy, and Patient Acceptability of Everolimus in the Treatment of Breast Cancer
Authors: Lousberg Laurence , Jerusalem Guy
Published: December 2017

Everolimus combined with exemestane is an important treatment option for patients suffering from estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, advanced breast cancer (ABC) who have been previously treated with a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (NSAI). After presentation of phase III registration trial BOLERO-2, several phase IIIb trials have been started to evaluate this regimen in a more real-world setting. Here, we review the efficacy and safety data published or presented at selected international meetings. These studies confirmed the outcome observed in the BOLERO-2 trial. Patient acceptance rate is also discussed by focusing on the permanent everolimus discontinuation rate in these trials. Factors influencing the safety profile are also reported, including the impact of age. The optimal sequence of combined therapy approaches associating targeted and endocrine therapy (ET) has yet to be determined as new treatment options such as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors become available. However, everolimus–exemestane remains an important treatment option with a major impact on progression-free survival (PFS) and an acceptable safety profile.
Mise au point d’un test ELISA pour la détection des anticorps dirigés contre le virus responsable du syndrome dysgénésique et respiratoire du porc (SDRP)
Authors: Albina Emmanuel , Leforban Yves , Baron Thierry , Plana Duran Joan , Vannier Philippe
Published: December 2017

Un test ELISA indirect a été mis au point pour détecter rapidement les anticorps sériques dirigés contre le virus responsable du Syndrome Dysgénésique et Respiratoire du Porc (SDRP). Le test ELISA s’est révélé plus sensible que la technique de référence (immunopéroxydase sur culture de macrophages alvéolaires, IPMA), notamment pour la détection des anticorps précoces. Il est en outre très spécifique du virus SDRP puisque tous les sérums hyperimmuns spécifiques d’autres virus porcins et tous les sérums d’élevage prélevés avant l’apparition de la maladie en Bretagne ont été trouvés négatifs en ELISA. Ce test simple ouvre de nouvelles perspectives d’études épidémiologiques et pourrait constituer à terme un outil efficace pour la mise en place de nouvelles mesures de prophylaxie sanitaire.
Métrite contagieuse équine. Le diagnostic par immuno-fluorescence
Authors: Vaissaire Josée , Tram Cuong
Published: December 2017

Contagious equine metritis. indirect fluorescent antibody test

The authors described indirect fluorescent antibody test utilizated in their laboratory for three years for the control to Taylorella equigenitalis. The test is specific, and other bacterial strains are tested : Pseudomonas, Pasteurella, Brucella, Streptococcus, Actinobacillus, Salmonella, Moraxella, etc. and the response is negative in fluorescence test. This method is a goo additionnai test for the research of Taylorella equigenitalis.
L’électrophorèse des protéines sériques sur acétate de cellulose au cours de deux maladies félines dues à des rétrovirus : le virus leucomogène félin (VLF. ou FeLV) et le virus de l'imunodéficience féline (VIF ou FIV)
Authors: Foulon Thérèse , Groslambert Paule , Groulade Paul
Published: December 2017

Serum proteins cellulose acetate electrophoresis among two feline diseases caused by retroviruses :

FeLV and FIV

Study of electrophoresis modifications among two feline retroviral diseases caused by Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) showes : -an increase of beta globulins and a decrease of gamma globulins in FeLV infection ;

-an increase of gamma globulins in FIV infection ;

-and in the two diseases, an increase of alpha 2 globulins correlated with the evolutivity of the affection.

These findings constitute a differential diagnostic data between the two diseases and a pronostic data in the two diseases.
Les transplantations d’organes
Authors: Servelle Marceau
Published: December 2017

Depuis 1951 plusieurs transplantations d’organes ont été mises au point puis appliquées un peu partout dans le monde. La greffe du rein est certainement la plus souvent réalisée. Les transplantations du cœur, du poumon, du foie et du pancréas donnent également de bons résultats. La greffe de l’intestin grêle doit s’améliorer beaucoup si on rétablit en même temps que les circulations artérielles, veineuses et intestinales celle des chylifères. Grâce à STARZL plusieurs de ces transplantations d’organes peuvent être effectuées simultanément chez le même malade. Toutes ces transplantations nécessitent la prise d’un traitement antirejet, le plus souvent la cyclosporine.
Étude statistique de la notation NORECOIN en restauration collective sociale. Nouvelle étude sur 3 ans
Authors: Catsaras Marc , Leprêtre Alain
Published: December 2017

Les 27 notes NORECOIN quadrimestrielles obtenues au cours d’une nouvelle étude de 3 ans (1988-90) sont Routées et comparées aux 27 notes obtenues précédemment (1985-87) sur les 3 mêmes groupes de restaurants collectifs sociaux. De nouvelles équations de régression multiple sont établies entre les notes NORECOIN et les taux de plats cuisinés non conformes et d’autres plats (entrées ou desserts) non conformes ou non satisfaisants. Les modèles obtenus pour les deux études et pour chacun des 3 groupes de restaurants concernés, permettent d’expliquer 93 à 99% des variations de la note NORECOIN.
Entretien et retrait de la vie par les humains et les animaux
Authors: Catsaras Marc
Published: December 2017

Maintenance and withdrawal of life by humans and animals

Maintenance of life and withdrawal of life : two actions made both by Humans and Animals, are examined in detail. Cases of végétais is too evocated.

Life and Death constitute a cycle, and are the two faces of the same reality. Give life and catch life are obligations : nobody escapes to that. The essential is that any must life be respected, and any death must be respected.
African Femininities in Tsitsi Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions
Authors: Gadzikwa Joanah
Published: December 2017

This paper considered the concept of African femininity as stems from performative gender relations within a familial set up. The paper argued that femininity in the traditional African sense is not shrouded in frailty, backwardness and powerlessness as western feminists have been depicting about women in various parts of Africa. Through the works of other African scholars as lenses, this paper explored the social construction of African femininity as portrayed by Tsitsi Dangarembga’s female characters in her debut novel, Nervous Conditions. Through the eyes of Dangarembga’s female characters, the paper highlighted some of the structural conditions responsible for altering African femininity and gender relations in general. It remains undisputed that femaleness and maleness are distinctly different attributes, which, to a greater extent, are biologically determined. The question to be asked is whether the fight for equality between the two is a worthwhile cause. Using the near misses, the losing battles, the struggles and the frustrations of Dangarembga’s women, this paper argued for complementarity rather than oppositional relationship between the genders for the building harmonious families and societies at large.Key Words: Femininity; gender; matriarchy; industriousness
An Assessment of Citizens’ Participation in the 2016 Governorship Electoral Process in Edo State, Nigeria: A Content Analysis Approach
Authors: Mustapha Adesoye Isiaka , Ebomoyi Ikponmwonsa
Published: December 2017

The major focus of this paper is to demonstrate the application of content analysis as a methodological tool especially in data collection in social research. In order to contextualize the essence of the paper, an assessment of the role of citizens’ participation in electoral process in Nigeria with particular reference to Edo state 2016 Governorship Election in Nigeria was done. The entire research process, starting with problem identification, study, objectives, research theme, data collection, analysis, findings and conclusion were carried out. Though a purely methodology paper, it demonstrated succinctly the expected harmony between the object of research and the tool or technique with which it is carried out.Key Words: Content analysis, methodology, social research, electoral process, citizens’ participation
Rethinking John Dewey’s Instrumentalism Vis a Vis the Igbo Notion of “Akonucheism”
Authors: Ihejirika Cardinal I. C , Emedolu Christian C
Published: December 2017

This work examines John Dewey’s instrumentalism postulate against the Igbo notion of “Akonucheism”. Dewey proposes instrumentalization of man, morality and knowledge in order to pragmatically solve human problems. He prescribes the experimental method for all disciplines and insists that science be allowed to operate without a moral umpire. This overemphasis on the scientific method constitutes one of the problematics of his pragmatism and engenders the receptivity of the sciento-technological rationality among strictly cultural societies such as the Igbo. On the other hand, the term “Akonucheism” is a coinage, which derives from Igbo words for intelligence (Ako or Izu) and thought (Uche). It describes the employment of intelligent thought, which entails the pragmatic integration of the positive elements found in the moral charter (culture) of the Igbo people of Nigeria, with acquired learning, knowledge or technical skill (amumamu and nka-na-uzu) to produce problem-resolving or relevant knowledge (now styled wisdom). This wisdom, contextually solves existential problems and the process of its extraction is what is called “Akonucheism”. Our aim in this paper, therefore, is to propose a balanced and rational integration, which makes it possible for the positive moral elements locatable in cultures to readily and complementarily fuse with the sciento-technological rationality in order to produce problem solving wisdom (Amamihe). However, we observe that among the Igbo, the circuit of knowing gets only completed when humane solutions are achieved without loss of human dignity, personhood and moral values hence, our rethinking Dewey’s instrumentalism. The analytical and comparative methods of enquiry are adopted for this research.Key Words: Instrumentalism, “Akonucheism”, Experimentalism, Wisdom, Knowledge
History and Methodology in a Nigerian University
Authors: Adesina Oluwakemi Abiodun
Published: December 2017

This work highlighted the challenges faced by graduate students of History in Nigeria. A major snag confronted by these students in writing M.A. dissertations and doctoral thesis at the Department of History, University of Ibadan, Nigeria (Ibadan School of History), is the issue of methodology and in particular, the use of theories. The Department decries the use of theories as anathemic to historical writing. This article seeks to interrogate the universal nature of history vis-a-vis the nature of history from the perspective of the Department. The questions raised by this research work include the what, when and why of the nature of historical scholarship at the University of Ibadan? How relevant is the position of the Department in the twenty-first century? What are the arguments for and against theory in historical scholarship at Ibadan? A school of thought argues that rational analysis and empiricism are central to the historian’s craft. Based on this premise, can the historian write about the past without theories? History and the challenges of Methodology in Nigerian universities is analyzed based on the author’s experience as a doctoral student at the Department of History. This research work concludes that the study of the past is not static, thus, the Ibadan School of History cannot afford to be static.Key Words: History, Historiography, Theories, Methodology, and Ibadan School of History.
ICT and the English Language: The Defective Impact of Text Messaging and E-Mailing
Authors: Bankole Mercy Adenike , Ogunrinde Ebenezer Deji
Published: December 2017

This paper examined the various innovations occasioned by the global study of English language and observed the challenges posed to effective writing by products of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) such as the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) and E-mail. In what seems like a ‘method in madness’, the paper identified an emerging written language of the E-mail and (GSM) via the Iexemes, morphemes, syntax and mechanics of punctuations (capitalization and spacing), and use of symbols in sampled messages written in English in the Short Message Service (SMS) and E-mail. Despite the advantages of electronic-English, it introduces many problems. Among these are: arbitrary use of affixation, consequent difficulties with well-formed sentences as well as with mechanics. Most importantly, there is the overall chaotic effect of these coinages. The paper called on writers using the English medium to strive to stick to the original and keep the written language of E-mail and GMS out of formal writing so that it will not lead to the extinction of formal writing.Key Words: ICT, text-messaging, GSM, E-mailing, and Internet
Comparison of the optical properties of pure and transported anthropogenic dusts measured by ground-based Lidar
Authors: Zhang Zhijuan , Chen Bin , Huang Jianping , Liu Jingjing , Bi Jianrong , Zhou Tian , Huang Zhongwei
Published: December 2017

Abstract. In this study, the optical properties of pure dust (PDU) and transported anthropogenic dust (TDU) (also defined as polluted dust) are compared by using ground-based Lidar data for the period from October 2009 to June 2013. The total attenuated backscattering coefficient at 532 nm, the linear volume depolarization ratio and the color ratio are derived from the L2S-SM-II dual-band polarization Lidar. We found that the TDU has a spherical shape, a small linear volume depolarization ratio and a large color ratio which representing its large particle sizes. The threshold value delineating PDU and TDU was approximately 0.2, which is the same as the threshold value used in the CALIPSO CAD algorithm. The histogram of the attenuated backscattering coefficients and the color ratios of pure dust shows two peaks, but that for the transported anthropogenic dust shows no significant peak and a nearly uniform distribution. The ground-based Lidar results confirm that both the transported anthropogenic dust and pure dust can be detected by air-borne or ground-based Lidar measurements.
BAERLIN2014 – stationary measurements and source apportionment at an urban background station in Berlin, Germany
Authors: von Schneidemesser Erika , Bonn Boris , Butler Tim M. , Ehlers Christian , Gerwig Holger , Hakola Hannele , Hellén Heidi , Kerschbaumer Andreas , Klemp Dieter , Kofahl Claudia , Kura Jürgen , Lüdecke Anja , Nothard Rainer , Pietsch Axel , Quedenau Jörn , Schäfer Klaus , Schauer James J. , Singh Ashish , Villalobos Ana-Maria , Wiegner Matthias , Lawrence Mark G.
Published: December 2017

Abstract. The Berlin Air quality and Ecosystem Research: Local and long-range Impact of anthropogenic and Natural hydrocarbons (BAERLIN2014) campaign was conducted during the three summer months (June–August) of 2014. During this measurement campaign, both stationary and mobile measurements were undertaken to address complementary aims. This paper provides an overview of the stationary measurements and results that were focused on characterization of gaseous and particulate pollution, including source attribution, in the Berlin-Potsdam area, and quantification of the role of natural sources in determining levels of ozone and related gaseous pollutants. Results show that biogenic contributions to ozone and particulate matter are substantial. One indicator for ozone formation, the OH reactivity, showed a 31 % (0.82 ± 0.44 s−1) and 75 % (3.7 ± 0.90 s−1) contribution from biogenic NMVOCs for urban background (2.6 ± 0.68 s−1) and urban park (4.9 ± 1.0 s−1) location, respectively, emphasizing the importance of such locations as sources of biogenic NMVOCs in urban areas. A comparison to NMVOC measurements made in Berlin ca. 20 years earlier generally show lower levels today for anthropogenic NMVOCs. A substantial contribution of secondary organic and inorganic aerosol to PM10 concentrations was quantified. In addition to secondary aerosols, source apportionment analysis of the organic carbon fraction identified the contribution of biogenic (plant-based) particulate matter, as well as primary contributions from vehicles, with a larger contribution from diesel compared to gasoline vehicles, as well as a relatively small contribution from wood burning, linked to measured levoglucosan.
Field and laboratory evaluation of a high time resolution x-ray fluorescence instrument for determining the elemental composition of ambient aerosols
Authors: Tremper Anja H. , Font Anna , Priestman Max , Hamad Samera H. , Chung Tsai-Chia , Pribadi Ari , Brown Richard J. C. , Goddard Sharon L. , Grassineau Nathalie , Petterson Krag , Kelly Frank J. , Green David C.
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Measuring the chemical composition of airborne particulate matter (PM) can provide valuable information on the concentration of regulated toxic metals and their sources and assist in the identification and validation of abatement techniques. Undertaking these at a high time resolution (1 hour or less) enables receptor modelling techniques to be more robustly linked to emission processes. This study describes a comprehensive laboratory and field evaluation of a high time resolution x-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrument (CES XACT 625) for a range of elements (As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Ce, Cl, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, S, Sb, Se, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Zn) against alternative techniques: high time resolution mass measurements, high time resolution ion chromatography, aerosol mass spectrometry, and established filter-based, laboratory analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). 1) Laboratory evaluation was carried out using a novel mass-based calibration technique to independently assess the accuracy of the XRF against laboratory generated aerosols, which resulted in slopes that were not significantly different from unity. This demonstrated that generated particles can serve as an alternative calibration method for this instrument. 2) The XACT was evaluated in three contrasting field deployments; a heavily trafficked roadside site (PM10 and PM2.5), an industrial location downwind of a nickel refinery (PM10) and an urban background location influenced by nearby industries and motorways (PM10). The XRF technique agreed well with the ICP-MS measurements of daily filter samples in all cases with a median R2 of 0.93 and a median slope of 1.07. Differences were likely due to recovery rates from the sample digestion as well as filter sampling artefacts and matrix effects in the XRF technique. The XRF technique also agreed well with the other high time resolution measurements but showed a significant positive bias (slopes between 1.41 and 4.6), probably due to differences in the size selection methodology, volatility and water solubility of the PM in aerosol mass spectrometry and ion chromatography, respectively. 3) A novel filter analysis technique using the XACT showed promising initial results: filters analysed off-line with the XACT compared well to in-situ XACT measurements with a median R2 of 0.96 and median slope of 1.07. The resulting range of slopes was comparable to slopes produced in the ICP-MS comparison. This technique provides an opportunity to use the XACT when it is not deployed in the field; thus expanding the potential use of this instrument in future studies.
Orbital forcing of terrestrial hydrology, weathering and carbon
sequestration during the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
Authors: Dunkley Jones Tom , Manners Hayley R. , Hoggett Murray , Kirtland Turner Sandra , Westerhold Thomas , Leng Melanie J. , Pancost Richard D. , Ridgwell Andy , Alegret Laia , Duller Rob , Grimes Stephen T.
Published: December 2017

Abstract. The response of the Earth System to greenhouse-gas driven warming is of critical importance for the future trajectory of our planetary environment. Hypethermal events – past climate transients with significant global-scale warming – can provide insights into the nature and magnitude of these responses. The largest hyperthermal of the Cenozoic was the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM ~ 56 Ma). Here we present a new high-resolution cyclostratigraphy for the classic PETM section at Zumaia, Spain. With this new age model we are able to demonstrate that detrital sediment accumulation rates within this continental margin section increased more than four-fold during the PETM, representing a radical change in regional hydrology that drove dramatic increases in terrestrial to marine sediment flux. During the body of the PETM, orbital-scale variations in bulk sediment Si/Fe ratios are evidence for the continued orbital pacing of sediment erosion and transport processes, most likely linked to precession controls on sub-tropical hydroclimates. Most remarkable is that detrital accumulation rates remain high throughout the body of the PETM, and even reach peak values during the recovery phase of the characteristic PETM carbon isotope excursion (CIE). Using a series of Earth System Model inversions, we demonstrate that the silicate weathering feedback alone is insufficient to recover the PETM CIE, and that active organic carbon burial is required to match the observed dynamics of the CIE. Further, that the period of maximum organic carbon sequestration coincides with the peak in detrital accumulation rates observed at Zumaia. Based on these results, we hypothesize that precession controls on tropical and sub-tropical hydroclimates, and the sediment dynamics associated with this variation, play a significant role in the timing of the rapid climate and CIE recovery from peak-PETM conditions.
Resolution capacity of geophysical monitoring regarding permafrost degradation induced by hydrological processes
Authors: Mewes Benjamin , Hilbich Christin , Delaloye Reynald , Hauck Christian
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Geophysical methods are often used to characterize and monitor the subsurface composition of permafrost. The resolution capacity of standard methods, i.e. electrical resistivity tomography and refraction seismic tomography, depends not only on static parameters such as measurement geometry, but also on the temporal variability in the contrast of the geophysical target variables (electrical resistivity and P-wave velocity). Our study analyses the resolution capacity of electrical resistivity tomography and refraction seismic tomography for typical processes in the context of permafrost degradation using synthetic and field data sets of mountain permafrost terrain. In addition, we tested the resolution capacity of a petrophysically based quantitative combination of both methods, the so-called 4-phase model, and through this analysed the expected changes in water and ice content upon permafrost thaw. The results from the synthetic data experiments suggest a higher sensitivity regarding an increase in water content compared to a decrease in ice content. A potentially larger uncertainty originates from the individual geophysical methods than from the combined evaluation with the 4-phase model. In the latter, a loss of ground ice can be detected quite reliably, whereas artefacts occur in the case of increased horizontal or vertical water flow. Analysis of field data from a well-investigated rock glacier in the Swiss Alps successfully visualized the seasonal ice loss in summer and the complex spatially variable ice, water and air content changes in an interannual comparison.
La construcción de un mito en las narraciones de la marca Apple: historia de vida, publicidad y ficción sobre Steve Jobs
Authors: Braga Bezerra Beatriz , Riegel Viviane , College Goldsmiths
Published: December 2017

La trayectoria de Steve Jobs se refiere a la marca que él fundó, Apple. A partir de las diferentes narraciones relacionadas con la marca, tanto en la historia de su vida, como en la producción de publicidad y de ficción en cine sobre Jobs, tratamos de entender cómo fue la construcción de un mito, como proposición estratégica de consumo del brandscape Apple. Para este estudio, seguimos el camino de análisis del discurso crítico, lo que nos permitió demostrar los diferentes textos e imágenes que componen el mito de la marca Apple, llamado Steve Jobs.
An Analysis of Earnings Management: Evidence from Food & Allied Industry of Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Ajaan Rahman , Akter Mohsina
Published: December 2017

The objective of the study is to examine the existence of earnings management within listed companies in the food and allied industry of Bangladesh. The renowned Beneish Model has been used to test whether the firms are involved in any sort of earnings manipulation or not. In addition, the tendency of the companies to continuous practice of earnings manipulation has been examined. The study covers a span of 5 years from 2011 to 2015 where the financial figures are tested on the model to find the probability of the companies being a manipulator of earnings. According to Beneish model, companies with higher M-score (manipulation score) are more likely to be a manipulator. The result shows that twelve out of fourteen companies have significantly higher M-score at least for one year during five-year periods. A further study reveals that a major portion of the industry has the tendency of getting into earnings manipulation on a continuous basis. Though the Beneish Model is a probabilistic approach so it is not stoutly conclusive from the test that companies are manipulating earnings or a continuous manipulator within the observation period.
Pitfalls in Retinal OCT Imaging
Authors: Schmitz-Valckenberg Steffen , Brinkmann Christian Karl , Heimes Britta , Liakopoulos Sandra , Spital Georg , Holz Frank Gerhard , Fleckenstein Monika
Published: December 2017

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging plays an important role in the management of retinal diseases. However, limitations and pitfalls should be taken into consideration when applying this noninvasive imaging technology. The aim of this review is to discuss several possible sources of error in the conduct and interpretation of OCT imaging.
An Analysis of Stative Verbs Used with the Progressive Aspect in Corpus-informed Textbooks
Authors: Belli Serap Atasever
Published: December 2017

This study was designed to investigate whether contemporary corpus-informed grammar textbooks written for English language learners and teachers presented the progressive use of stative verbs and if yes, which stative verbs were presented to occur with the progressive aspect and for which functions they took this aspect. A corpus of six electronic copies of corpus-informed textbooks was compiled and analyzed via AntConc. 3.2.4 text analysis program to identify types and functions of stative verbs and calculate their occurrences. Overall, textbooks differed in their treatment of the progressive use of stative verbs and inclusion of the variety and numbers of types and functions. One remarkable finding was that the stative verbs taking the progressive aspect in all textbooks were found to be associated with emotions (i.e. love) whereas those not allowing progressive use were related to cognition (i.e. know). Another remarkable finding was that the textbooks which presented the highest numbers of stative verb types provided the most diverse functions whereas the textbooks which included the least numbers of stative verbs provided one or no function. Findings are hoped to raise awareness among textbook writers in making use of both the communicative messages motivated by the progressive use of stative verbs and the frequency and saliency information based on the corpus of present-day English to help learners grasp the changes in the language use.