bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational evidence on the distributive properties of monetary policy
Authors: Chen Siyan , Desiderio Saul
Published: October 2018

Empirical studies have pointed out that monetary policy may significantly affect income and wealth inequality. To investigate the distributive properties of monetary policy the authors resort to an agent-based macroeconomic model where firms, households and one bank interact on the basis of limited information and adaptive rules-of-thumb. Simulations show that the model can replicate fairly well a number of stylized facts, especially those relative to the business cycle. The authors address the issue using three types of computational experiments, including a global sensitivity analysis carried out through a novel methodology which greatly reduces the computational burden of simulations. The result emerges that a more restrictive monetary policy increases inequality, even though this effect may differ across groups of households. In addition, it appears to be attenuated if the bank’s willingness to lend is lower. The overall analysis suggests that inequality can constitute valuable information also for central banks.
Empirical high-resolution wind field and gust model in mountainous and hilly terrain based on the dense WegenerNet station networks
Authors: Schlager Christoph , Kirchengast Gottfried , Fuchsberger Juergen
Published: October 2018

Abstract. A weather diagnostic application for automatic generation of gridded wind fields in near-real-time, recently developed by the authors Schlager et al. (2017), is applied to the WegenerNet Johnsbachtal (JBT) meteorological station network. This station network contains 11 meteorological stations at elevations from about 600 to 2200 m in a mountainous region in the north of Styria, Austria. The application generates, based on meteorological observations with a temporal resolution of 10 min from the WegenerNet JBT, mean wind and wind gust fields at 10 and 50 m height levels with a high spatial resolution of 100 m × 100 m and a temporal resolution of 30 min. These wind field products are automatically stored to the WegenerNet data archives, which also include long-term averaged weather and climate datasets from post-processing. The main purpose of these empirically modeled products is the evaluation of convection-permitting dynamical climate models as well as investigating weather and climate variability on a local scale. The application's performance is evaluated against the observations from meteorological stations for representative weather conditions, for a month including mainly thermally induced wind events (July 2014) and a month with frequently occurring strong wind events (December 2013). The overall statistical agreement, estimated for the vector-mean wind speed, shows a reasonably good modeling performance. Due to the spatially more homogeneous wind speeds and directions for strong wind events in this mountainous region, the results show somewhat better performance for these events. The difference between modeled and observed wind directions depends on the station location, where locations along mountain slopes are particularly challenging. Furthermore, the seasonal statistical agreement was investigated from 5-year climate data of the WegenerNet JBT in comparison to 9-year climate data from the high-density WegenerNet meteorological station network Feldbach Region (FBR) analyzed by Schlager et al. (2017). In general, the 5-year statistical evaluation for the JBT indicates similar performance as the shorter-term evaluations of the two representative months. Because of the denser WegenerNet FBR network, the statistical results show better performance for this station network. The application can now serve as a valuable tool for intercomparison with, and evaluation of, wind fields from high-resolution dynamical climate models in both the WegenerNet FBR and JBT regions.
Large volume sample system for measuring sulfur isotopic compositions of carbonyl sulfide
Authors: Kamezaki Kazuki , Hattori Shohei , Bahlmann Enno , Yoshida Naohiro
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Knowledge related to sulfur isotopic composition of carbonyl sulphide (OCS or COS), the most abundant atmospheric sulfur species, remains scarce. Earlier method developed for sulfur isotopic analysis for OCS using S+ fragmentation is inapplicable for ambient air samples because of the large samples required (approx. 500 L of 500 pmol mol−1 OCS). To overcome this difficulty, herein we present a new sampling system for collecting approx. 10 nmol of OCS from ambient air coupled with a purification system. Salient system features are (i) accommodation of samples up to 500 L (= approx. 10 nmol) of air at 5 L min−1, (ii) portability of 7 inch tubes (approx. 1 cm3) for preserving samples, and (iii) purification OCS from other compounds such as CO2. We tested the OCS collection efficiency of the systems and sulfur isotopic fractionation during sampling. Results show precision (1σ) of δ33S(OCS), δ34S(OCS), and Δ33S(OCS) values, respectively, as 0.4 ‰, 0.2 ‰, and 0.4 ‰. Additionally, this report presents diurnal variation of δ34S(OCS) values collected from ambient air at Suzukakedai campus of Tokyo Institute of Technology located in Yokohama, Japan. The observed OCS concentrations and δ34S(OCS) values were, respectively, 447–520 pmol mol−1 and from 10.4 ‰ to 10.7 ‰. No significant difference was found between values obtained during the day and night. The observed δ34S(OCS) values in ambient air differed greatly from previously reported values ((4.9 ± 0.3) ‰) for compressed air collected at Kawasaki, Japan, presumably because of sampling conditions and collection processes for that sample. Consequently, previous values of δ34S(OCS) = (4.9 ± 0.3) ‰ were not representative samples for a global signal. When considering (10.5 ± 0.4) ‰ is postulated as the global signal of δ34S(OCS), this revised δ34S(OCS) value is consistent with previous estimation based on terrestrial and oceanic sulfur sources. The δ34S(OCS) value explains the reported δ34S(OCS) values for background stratospheric sulfate. The system presented herein is useful for application of δ34S(OCS) for investigation of OCS sources and sinks in the troposphere to elucidate its cycle and its contribution to background stratospheric sulfate.
Nitrogen and phosphorus recycling mediated by copepods and response of bacterioplankton community from three contrasting areas in the western tropical South Pacific (20° S)
Authors: Valdés Valentina , Carlotti François , Escribano Ruben , Donoso Katty , Pagano Marc , Molina Verónica , Fernandez Camila
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Zooplankton play a key role in the regeneration of nitrogen and phosphorus in the ocean through grazing and metabolism. This study investigates the role of the organic and inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus compounds released by copepods on biogeochemical processes and on the microbial community composition during the OUTPACE cruise (18 February–3 April 2015) at three long-duration stations (LD). Two LD stations were located in the Melanesian Archipelago region (MA; LD A and LD B) and one in the South Pacific Gyre (SG; LD C), which represent oligotrophic and ultra-oligotrophic regions respectively. At each station, on-board microcosm experiments were performed with locally sampled organisms, comprising a mix of epipelagic copepods fed with their natural food and then incubated along with wild microbial assemblages. In the presence of copepods, ammonium and dissolved organic nitrogen showed a significant increase compared to a control in two situations: in ammonium concentration (rate: 0.29 µmol L−1 h−1 after 4 h of incubation) in LD C and in dissolved organic nitrogen concentration (rate: 2.13 µmol L−1 h−1 after 0.5 h of incubation) in LD A. In addition, during the three experiments, an enhanced remineralization (ammonification and nitrification) was observed when adding copepods compared to the controls. A shift in the composition of the active bacterial community was observed for the experiments in LD A and LD B, which were mainly characterized by an increase in Alteromonadales and SAR11, respectively, and linked with changes in nutrient concentrations. In the experiment performed in LD C, both groups increased but at different periods of incubation. Alteromonadales increased between 1 and 2 h after the beginning of the experiment, and SAR 11 at the end of incubation. Our results in near in situ conditions show that copepods can be a source of organic and inorganic compounds for bacterial communities, which respond to excretion pulses at different timescales, depending on the initial environmental conditions and on their community composition. These processes can significantly contribute to nutrient recycling and regenerated production in the photic zone of ultra-oligotrophic and oligotrophic oceanic regions.
Completeness of radiosonde humidity observations based on the IGRA
Authors: Ferreira António P. , Nieto Raquel , Gimeno Luis
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Radiosonde measurements from the 1930s to present give unique information on the distribution and variability of water vapor in the troposphere. The sounding data compiled in the Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive (IGRA) Version 2 (released by the NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information) are examined here until the end of 2016, aiming to describe the completeness of humidity observations from radiosondes in different times and locations. The IGRA stations reporting radiosonde data in at least 5 % of the annual soundings for at least one year are evaluated according to specified completeness parameters for every year in their period of record. The selection of source data essentially removes pilot-balloon sites, retaining a set of 1723 stations (designated IGRA-RS), including 1300 WMO upper-air stations, of which 178 belong to the current GUAN network. Completeness of humidity observations (either relative humidity or dewpoint-depression) for a radiosonde station and a full year is defined by: the number of humidity soundings; the fraction of days having humidity data; the mean vertical resolution of humidity data; the mean atmospheric pressure and altitude at the highest measuring level; and the maximum number of consecutive days without humidity data. The completeness of the observations qualified for calculating precipitable water vapor – i.e., having adequate vertical sampling between the surface and 500 hPa – is particularly studied. Individual soundings are described by the (vertically averaged) vertical resolution and the pressure level and altitude of the top of humidity measurements. For illustration, the study presents a global picture of the completeness of radiosonde humidity observations over the years, including their latitudinal coverage. This overview shows that the number of radiosonde stations having a long enough record length for studies on the climatic variability and trends of humidity-related quantities depends critically on the temporal continuity, regularity and vertical sampling of the humidity time-series. It is hoped that the derived metadata will help climate and environmental scientists to find the most appropriate radiosonde data for humidity studies by selecting upper-air stations, observing years or individual soundings according to various completeness criteria – even if differences in instrumentation and observing practices require extra attention. A dataset is presented for that purpose, consisting of two main sub-sets: 1) humidity metadata for each of the IGRA-RS stations and year within the period of record (yearly metadata); and 2) humidity metadata for individual observations from the same stations (ascent metadata). These are complemented by 3) a list of the stations represented in the dataset, along with the observing periods for humidity and the corresponding counts of observations. The dataset is to be updated on a two-year basis, starting in 2019, and is available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1332686.
The importance of small artificial water bodies as sources of methane emissions in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Grinham Alistair , Albert Simon , Deering Nathaniel , Dunbabin Matthew , Bastviken David , Sherman Bradford , Lovelock Catherine E. , Evans Christopher D.
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Emissions from flooded land represent a direct source of anthropogenic
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Methane emissions from large, artificial water
bodies have previously been considered, with numerous studies assessing
emission rates and relatively simple procedures available to determine their
surface area and generate upscaled emissions estimates. In contrast, the role
of small artificial water bodies (ponds) is very poorly quantified, and
estimation of emissions is constrained both by a lack of data on their
spatial extent and a scarcity of direct flux measurements. In this study, we
quantified the total surface area of water bodies
< 105 m2 across Queensland, Australia, and emission rates
from a variety of water body types and size classes. We found that the
omission of small ponds from current official land use data has led to an
underestimate of total flooded land area by 24 %, of small artificial
water body surface area by 57 % and of the total number of artificial
water bodies by 1 order of magnitude. All studied ponds were significant
hotspots of methane production, dominated by ebullition (bubble) emissions.
Two scaling approaches were developed with one based on pond primary use
(stock watering, irrigation and urban lakes) and the other using size class.
Both approaches indicated that ponds in Queensland alone emit over 1.6 Mt
CO2 eq. yr−1, equivalent to 10 % of the state's entire
land use, land use change and forestry sector emissions. With limited data
from other regions suggesting similarly large numbers of ponds, high
emissions per unit area and under-reporting of spatial extent, we conclude
that small artificial water bodies may be a globally important missing
source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.
A review on the global soil datasets for earth system modeling
Authors: Dai Yongjiu , Shangguan Wei , Wang Dagang , Wei Nan , Xin Qinchuan , Yuan Hua , Zhang Shupeng , Liu Shaofeng , Yan Fapeng
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Global soil dataset is a pillar to the challenge of earth system modeling. But it is one of the most important uncertainty sources for Earth System Models (ESMs). Soil datasets function as model parameters, initial variables and benchmark datasets for model calibration, validation and comparison. For modeling use, the dataset should be geographically continuous, scalable and with uncertainty estimates. The popular soil datasets used in ESMs are often based on limited soil profiles and coarse resolution soil maps. Updated and comprehensive soil information needs to be incorporated in ESMs. New generation soil datasets derived by digital soil mapping with abundant soil observations and environmental covariates are preferred to those by the linkage method for ESMs. Because there is no universal pedotransfer function, an ensemble of them may be more suitable to provide secondary soil parameters to ESMs. Aggregation and upscaling of soil data are needed for model use but can be avoid by taking a subgrid method in ESMs at the cost of increases in model complexity. Uncertainty of soil data needs to be incorporated in ESMs.
Common Metamodel of Questionnaire Model and Decision Tree Model
Authors: Suljic Mirza , Osmanbegovic Edin , Dobrović Željko
Published: October 2018

The subject of this paper is metamodeling and its application in the field of scientific research. The main goal is to explore the possibilities of integration of two methods: questionnaires and decision trees. The questionnaire method was established as one of the methods for data collecting, while the decision tree method represents an alternative way of presenting and analyzing decision making situations. These two methods are not completely independent, but on the contrary, there is a strong natural bond between them. Therefore, the result reveals a common meta-model that over common concepts and with the use of metamodeling connects the methods: questionnaires and decision trees. The obtained results can be used to create a CASE tool or create repository that can be suitable for exchange between different systems. The proposed meta-model is not necessarily the final product. It could be further developed by adding more entities that will keep some other data.
Robinson Jeffers's Presence in Cormac McCarthy's Imagination
Authors: Graham Don
Published: October 2018

One of the literary influences in No Country for Old Men is Robinson Jeffers's poem “Hurt Hawks.” A passage involving Sheriff Bell's discovery of a dead hawk on the desert highway points clearly to echoes of Jeffers's moving account of a wounded hawk in his poem first published in 1928. McCarthy's literary models are impeccable.
Calidad microbiológica de agua envasada en El Salvador 2014 – 2015.
Authors: Quinteros Edgar , Mejía Roberto
Published: October 2018

Objetivo. Evaluar la calidad microbiológica del agua envasada comercializada en El Salvador, en base a la normativa nacional. Metodología. Estudio descriptivo que consiste en el análisis secundario de una base de datos con 1544 muestras provenientes del monitoreo de la calidad microbiológica del agua envasada comercializada en todo el país. A todas las muestras se les realizó análisis microbiológicos de coliformes fecales, coliformes totales, Escherichia coli, bacterias heterótrofas mesófilas y organismos patógenos. Los datos fueron analizados a través del programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, versión 24. Los resultados de las muestras fueron comparados con la norma salvadoreña obligatoria NSO 13.07.02:08. Resultados. El 99.7% de las muestras están bajo el límite máximo permisible (˂1.1 NMP/100ml) para coliformes totales. El 100% de las muestras resultaron negativas a coliformes fecales yEscherichia coli. Los resultados del conteo de bacterias heterótrofas, aerobias y mesófilas reflejan que el 97.4% de las muestran están dentro del límite máximo permisible. Conclusiones. El agua envasada comercializada en El Salvador cumple con la normativa salvadoreña para la calidad del agua envasada en lo que respecta a los niveles de microorganismos. Sin embargo, existen marcas que presentan contaminación por microorganismos. La mayor contaminación es debida a P. aeruginosa.Alerta Año 2018, Vol. 1 No. 1: 26-34
Nocardia spp causante de neumonía bacteriana.
Authors: Godoy Abel Antonio , Grande Óscar , Villatoro Reina
Published: October 2018

No hay resumen disponibleAlerta Año 2018, Vol. 1 No. 1: 69-71
How Organizational Culture Affects Employee(s) Work Engagement in the Insurance Industries in Ghana: An Ambidextrous Approach [AAA]
Authors: Selase Aphu Elvis , Lu Xinhai , Abla Ekor Sophia Enyonam
Published: October 2018

The study assessed how organizational culture affects employee work engagement in the insurance industries in Ghana. A cross sectional survey design was used to purposively sample one hundred and sixty-one (161) employees from two leading insurance companies ambidextrously. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Independent t-test were the statistical tools used to test the three hypotheses of the study. The results of the study revealed that, there is a positive significant relationship between organizational culture and employee work engagement. Again it was established that managers are more likely to be engaged on their job than non-managers and gender has no significant influence on engagement levels. The study therefore concluded that, to increase employee work engagement, organizations must adopt a favorable culture. Therefore we recommend that organizations should maintain and sustain favorable culture in order to increase the level of employees work engagement.
Orthorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive behavior among college students in the United States
Authors: Costa Christine B. , Hardan-Khalil Kholoud
Published: October 2018

Background/Objective: Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is a disordered eating pattern and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety condition.  Although ON shares many similarities with OCD, their relationship remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of both ON behaviors and OCD behaviors and whether or not an association between ON behaviors and OCD behaviors exist among college/university students in the United States.Methods: Using a cross-sectional, descriptive research design, a convenience sample of 270 college undergraduate students provided data using self-administered questionnaires: ORTO-15 to detect orthorexia behaviors and Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) to detect obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Additionally, the participants completed a demographic questionnaire designed by the authors.  Chi square, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and analysis of variance evaluated the variables of interest using a significance level of .05.Results: The prevalence rate for orthorexia nervosa behaviors was 37% and for obsessive-compulsive behaviors was 38.5%. There was a strong negative correlation (p < .001) between the scores of the ORTO-15 and the scores of the OCI-R. As orthorexia behaviors increased, obsessive-compulsive behaviors like-wise increased.Conclusions: It was concluded that college/university students are a high-risk group for orthorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Mental health professionals who encounter clients with orthorexic tendencies are encouraged to also screen for obsessive compulsive symptomology as a comorbid problem.
Translating Orthopaedic Technologies Into Clinical Practice: Challenges and Solutions
Authors: Maher Suzanne A. , Kyle Richard , Morrey Bernard F. , Yaszemski Michael J.
Published: October 2018

Despite the wealth of innovation in the orthopaedic sciences, few technologies translate to clinical use. By way of a 2-day symposium titled “AAOS/ORS Translating Orthopaedic Technologies into Clinical Practice: Pathways from Novel Idea to Improvements in Standard of Care Research Symposium,” key components of successful commercialization strategies were identified as a passionate entrepreneur working on a concept aimed at improving patient outcomes and decreasing the cost and burden of disease; a de-risking strategy that has due recognition of the regulatory approval process and associated costs while maximizing the use of institutional, state, and federal resources; and a well thought-out and prepared legal plan and high quality, protected intellectual property. Challenges were identified as a lack of education on the scale-up and commercialization processes; few opportunities to network, get feedback, and obtain funding for early stage ideas; disconnect between the intellectual property and the business model; and poor adoption of new technologies caused in part by un-optimized clinical trials. By leveraging the network of professional orthopaedic societies, there exists an opportunity to create an enlightened community of musculoskeletal entrepreneurs who are positioned to develop and commercialize technologies and transform patient care.
A Comparative Study on Engagement Resources in American and Chinese CSR Reports
Authors: Pinying Chen
Published: October 2018

Based on Martin and White’s (2005) heteroglossic engagement system of Appraisal Theory, adopting UAM Corpus Tool and Chi-Square test, this study aims to explore authorial stance and distinctive rhetorical strategies that have been employed to realize interpersonal meaning by the application of engagement resources in American and Chinese CSR reports. It can be concluded that all types of engagement resources are widely employed in both American and Chinese corpus, with contraction resources significantly different in two corpora. It also finds that American CSR reports employ each type of engagement markers equally, while Chinese CSR reports tend to highly use expansion resources to enhance authorial voice. Besides, American CSR reports employ contraction resources in a more diversified and flexible way than Chinese CSR reports writers do. Lastly, they are also different in acknowledging what kinds of external propositions as expansion resources. This study confirms that engagement system is an important tool to help CSR reports writers to align authorial voices with readers, thereby accomplishing promotional and persuasive purposes. It may give some implications to CSR report addressers, addressees, business English teaching and reading.
The Perceptions of Patient Copayment on the Reported Adherence to Prescription Medication
Authors: Perumal-Pillay Velisha A. , Alli Shiraz R. , Suleman Fatima
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND: In South Africa, a large proportion of the population is dependent entirely on the publicly funded system for healthcare, while private funding covers only a small percentage of those who can afford to pay for health insurance or out-of-pocket payments. Non-compliance to medical treatment is a well-known problem and may lead to an increase in healthcare costs.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate how the perception of prescription copayments influences medication use and the effect of this on safe and correct medicine usage

METHODS: The study was conducted with a sample of patients from the Umbilo suburb of eThekwini, South Africa. Participants were members of a medical scheme and completed a questionnaire after informed consent. The questionnaire design included an eight-item scale to ascertain the degree of concern regarding prescription costs. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics; associations between household characteristics and outcomes were explored using odds ratios and chi square analysis.

RESULTS: Overall 82% of the participants reported that prescription cost was a major factor that influenced medication collection. The association between demographic data and concern scale was assessed and revealed that participants had an increased concern with meeting prescription costs (OR 1.73, 95% CI 0.66-4.52). Most (93%) of the participants with a salary less than ZAR10 000 indicated a concern with prescription costs (chi square=21.7, df=2, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The study indicated that prescription cost posed as a barrier to medication adherence as the copayment affected patients’ decisions to continue optimal treatment.
Factors Associated With Dropout, Retention and Graduation of Nursing Students in Selected Universities in South Africa: A Narrative Review
Authors: Nkutu N. T. , Seekoe E. , Goon D. T.
Published: October 2018

Much has been discussed in workshops, meetings, seminars and nursing summits in South Africa but very little has been revealed in literature on the scourge of drop out, retention and graduation rates of nursing students. The authors reviewed literature related to dropout, retention, completion and graduation rates of nursing students in selected universities in South Africa. Journal articles from 2007-2016 were reviewed for emerging themes about nursing students’ dropout, retention, completion, success and graduation. Exclusion criteria: online or distance education programmes, postgraduate programmes, experimental or randomized control trials and previous review studies. Comprehensive electronic search was conducted for published longitudinal and cross- sectional studies. Specific databases: PubMed, MEDLINE, EBSCO host, CINHAL. Specific search terms: [“student” OR “nursing”], OR [“dropout” OR, “retention”], OR [“graduation”, OR “education” OR “success” OR “completion”] AND “universities” OR “undergraduate” AND [“strategies” OR “interventions”]. Thirty- four (34) studies met review criteria. Fifteen (15) (47.06%) of the studies reported results on attrition, 16 (47.06%) reported on retention and 3 (8.82%) reported on completion and graduation. Academic, personal, preparedness and social factors were associated with dropout, retention and graduation of nursing students in South Africa. Dropout from undergraduate nursing programme is fraught with many problems. There is a need for retention models. Without nurses, much of the public health outcomes will be hardly achieved. If the problem of dropout and retention with decreased graduation persists, the health services will be crumbled thus affecting the realization of the health outcome “a long and healthy lifestyle for all”.
Alcohol Intake by Workers in a Health Care Institution in Bucaramanga, Colombia
Authors: Gamboa-Delgado Edna M. , Quintero-Lesmes Doris C. , Herrán Oscar F.
Published: October 2018

The harmful alcohol intake represents a global problem. Its high consumption has been associated with cardio metabolic risk factors. Evaluating their consumption in health workers is important for the formulation of strategies to promote healthy lifestyles. The objective of this study was to determine the consumption of alcohol and establish the differences of this intake in terms of socio-demographic and cardiovascular characteristics of interest in hospital workers of Bucaramanga, Colombia.

An analytical cross sectional was made (baseline of an intervention study to reduce cardiovascular risk factors). Sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical, physical activity, and lifestyles characteristics, as well as alcohol consumption (g / week) were evaluated using a previously validated Frequency Alcohol Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression models were used, adjusting for sex, age, socio-economic level, schooling and marital status.

77.4% (95% CI: 71.2% to 82.8%) of the study participants consumed some type of alcoholic beverage during the month prior to the survey, with an average of 70.0 grams of alcohol per week of 70.0 g. We found a statistically significant difference (p = 0.012) of 40.4 grams of alcohol per week (95% CI: 8.9 to 71.8 g / week) consumed among those who have hypertriglyceridemia and those who do not.

In conclusion, the high consumption of grams of alcohol per week is related to a triglyceride level above the normal ranges.
Synthesis of New Porous Natural Membranes with Nanoparticles Used in Pollute Gas Removal From Petroleum Industries
Authors: Ahmed Rasha Gharib , Belgacem Kaouther AL-Habib , Abo-Dief Hala Mohamed
Published: October 2018

The aim of the present work is to follow the capacity of adsorption of CO2 by natural cellulose nanofibers, extracted from banana peel and mixed with nano-silver. Following initial characterization, the raw material and the isolated sample were investigated by Energy Dispersive Analysis (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD); Fourier- Transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermal analysis (Hi Res TG). Nitrogen gas adsorption-desorption isotherms of isolated cellulose nanofibers reveal a type I- isotherm, specific to the nano-porous materials.The results of adsorption isotherms of CO2 at 304 K showed that the extracted sample exhibit an adsorption capacity of 12 mmol/g of CO2.
Traits of a RSA Modulus on $T_3$ Tree
Authors: WANG Xingbo , SHEN Zhen
Published: October 2018

The article investigates how the two divisors of a RSA modulus distribute in the T3 tree. It proves that, the two divisors of a RSA modulus lie on the same level or on two adjacent levels and at least one of them is clamped on the same level where the square root of the RSA modulus lies. Then the paper proposes three interval-subdivisions that can indicate which subinterval the two divisors lie in. Mathematical deductions are showed in detail, which can be a reference to design algorithm of RSA factorization.
Polish version of research based Model of Sport Talent Development Environment and adaptation of Talent Development Environment Questionnaire”
Authors: Siekańska Małgorzata , Wojtowicz Agnieszka
Published: October 2018

There is an increasing interest in optimizing sport talent development. One of the crucial factors that influence all talented athletes throughout their careers is the quality and the appropriateness of the coaching environment. Numerous research show that specific needs are associated with culture. The purpose of the study was to determine crucial factors of effective talent deve-lopment environment and to adapt and verify psychometric properties of the Talent Deve-lopment Environment Questionnaire (Martindale et al., 2010). In the group of 496 athletes (Ma-ge=19.32, Nfemale=181, Nmale=315) analyses were conducted to adapt and verify psychome-tric properties of the scale measuring sport talent development environment. Factor analysis showed that in polish context the six-factor model (loads from 0.35 to 0.67) was more suitable. The extracted factors were: Communication, Lack of Supporting Environment, Support Ne-twork, Individualized Approach to Athlete, Understanding the Athlete, Long-term Development Fundamentals. All factors were associated with self-efficacy and self-esteem of the athletes. The authors of the original model suggested that there could be context-specific requirements within a talent development, what was confirmed in this study. This is particularly important for practi-tioners, for whom the coach-athlete cooperation has international basis.
Volunteer profile and their motives for participation in the Volunteer Programme during the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship Poland 2014.
Authors: Bańbuła Joanna
Published: October 2018

The aim of following paper is to present silhouette and work of a sports volunteer during international sports events in Poland. Profile and participation motives in Volunteers Program were described based on FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Poland 2014 example. Research process required use of following methods: text analyses, in-depth interview and undisguised participant observation of the market. The study showed that the largest group of volunteers was constitute by women (67,06%) between 19-24 years old. 70.59% participants of voluntary programe had advanced level of English and 70.25% declared knowledge of additional foreign language. Average time of working during tournament contained 6 hour in match day. Examinations showed that motives of participation in Volunteers Program has changed its basic altruistic role. Sports volunteers are linking personal passions resulting from an interest in given sports discipline with building of professional experience, with getting the classification and basic competence constituting the base to the further professional development. Voluntary programs might be treat as an internship.
A Functional Moodel of Team Leadership for Sport
Authors: Tenenbaum Gershon , Coleman Jeff
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this study was to propose and examine a new leadership framework, the Team Leadership Model for Sport. Specifically, the aim was to examine a functional leadership paradigm in sport where full range of leadership behaviors by the coach and by the collective athletes influence team cohesion, and thereby increase the likelihood of team goal achievement. Data were utilized from 518 NCAA Division I-III athletes from 36 softball teams and 13 baseball teams. The participants completed the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (Avolio & Bass, 2004), the Team Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (Avolio & Bass, 1996), the Group Environment Questionnaire (Carron, Brawley, & Widmeyer, 1985), and the Team Outcome Questionnaire that was developed for this study. Structural equation modeling indicated that the original hypothesized model did not fit the data, but an acceptable alternative model was established, which included transformational leadership and two transactional leadership variables influencing perceptions of cohesion. Transformational leadership had a significant positive path to cohesion, which in turn had a significant positive path to goal achievement. We discuss a potentially fruitful direction in the examination of team leadership, within which the first step involves a closer examination of measurement of coach leadership, shared athlete leadership, and cohesion.
Fortification of Fractured Instrument Removal Simulated Roots Using Several Calcium Silicate-Based Materials
Authors: ASLAN Tuğrul , ÜSTÜN Yakup , ÇINAR Firdevs , DÜZGÜN Salih , ŞENER İbrahim
Published: October 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the forces
required to fracture roots obturated with different calcium silicate – based materials,
after applying a fractured instrument removal simulation.

Material
and Methods: Seventy-five
mandibular premolars were selected and decoronated. Then, all root canals were
instrumented using Reciproc system. To mimic the root canal anatomy after the
removal of a fractured instrument, each canal was enlarged with a size-3 Peeso reamer.
The specimens were distributed into experimental groups according to the
materials used for the root fortification: G1:
Negative control, G2: ProRoot
MTA, G3: Ortho MTA, G4: Biodentine, G5: Endocem MTA. Then, the teeth were embedded into acrylic blocks.
A vertical fracture test was applied, and the fracture loads were recorded. Statistical
interpretations were made (α=0.05).

Results: G2, G3, G4, and G5 showed greater fracture
resistances than G1 (P<0.05). There
was no significant difference among G2, G3, G4, and G5 (P>0.05).

Conclusions: Any of the tested materials could be chosen to
reinforce the root after the removal of a fractured instrument.
The Effect of Slice Thickness on the Volume Estimations Performed by Using Cone Beam CT
Authors: Bayrak Seval , Sezgin Omer Said , Kayıpmaz Saadettin , Çan Gamze
Published: October 2018

Objective: The purpose of this
study is to investigate possible effects of the slice thickness on volume
estimations with CBCT.

 

Materials
and Methods: Intraosseous cavities representing bone defects on femoral
condyles of bovines were scanned by CBCT. Consecutive slices at 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm,
0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm thickness were used to
estimate the volumes of the cavities using Cavalieri principle of stereological
methods then compared with the volumes obtained by Archimedean principle.

 

Results: The volumes estimated
by Cavalieri principle in 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mm thickness slices were consistent
with the volumes obtained by Archimedean principle (p>0.05). For all the
defects on the CBCT images, the volumes of the defects which were calculated
with Cavalieri principle in 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3mm slice thickness were found to
be consistent with the actual volumes, however, the volumes that were
calculated in 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4mm, and 5 mm slice thickness
were found to differ from the actual volumes.

 

Conclusion:
When
volume calculations were made by Cavalieri principle, the thinnest slice section
should be chosen to make calculations consistent with actual volumes.
Hemangioma Presenting With Multiple Phleboliths: Case Report with CBCT Findings
Authors: KARSLIOĞLU Hazal , SÜMER A.pınar
Published: October 2018

Hemangiomas
are benign tumors of infancy that display a rapid growth phase with endothelial
cell proliferation. Phleboliths are calcified thrombi found in veins, venulae
and sinusoidal vessels of hemangiomas. In the head and neck, phleboliths nearly
always signal the presence of a hemangioma. Hemangioma with multiple
phleboliths is described including its features on panoramic radiography and
cone beam computed tomography images.﻿﻿
The Effect of Different Factors on Stress Distribution in a Molar Tooth
Authors: GÜLER Mehmet Sami , ŞEN Sadri
Published: October 2018

Objectives: The aim of present
study was to evaluate the effect of different factors on the stress
distribution of a molar tooth by
finite element analysis.

Materials and Methods: A
3D tooth model of a maxillary molar tooth was created for present study. The
cavities (Class I and Class II) were created in the computer model. The cavities
were restored with three different restorative materials (resin composite,
amalgam and glass ionomer cement) in the computer model. Two thermal load (5 ºC
and 55 ºC) and two mechanical load (mechanical singular load-perpendicular and
mechanical distributed load-perpendicular) used in this study. Twelve study groups
were created. The von Mises stress distribution was evaluated.

Results: Von Mises
stress values were not statistically significant different among the groups for
restorative material and mechanical load factors (p>0.05) while there were
statistically significant differences among the groups for cavity geometry and
thermal load factors (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Within the
limitations of our study, the higher Von Mises stress values were found in
Class I cavity for cavity geometry and 5°C for
thermal load.
Mechanisms of speciation in reptiles and amphibians: a synopsis
Authors: Marshall Jonathon C , Bastiaans Elizabeth , Caccone Adalgisa , Camargo Arley , Morando Mariana , Niemiller Matthew L , Pabijan Maciej , Russello Michael A , Sinervo Barry , Sites, Jr. Jack W , Vences Miguel , Werneck Fernanda P , Wollenberg Valero Katharina C , Steinfartz Sebastian
Published: October 2018

Speciation processes have long been inferred from phylogenetic, phylogeographic, and biogeographic pattern-driven perspectives. Now much current speciation research is attempting to more directly describe the underlying processes and mechanisms of divergence leading to speciation. Ideally, researchers should integrate both process- and pattern-based approaches for a more comprehensive understanding of speciation. To this end, a symposium was organized during the 7th World Congress of Herpetology in Canada with the goal of bringing leading experts together to share successful examples of these perspectives and to promote a more cohesive understanding of reptile and amphibian speciation. Here we present a joint paper of short and updated summaries of each of these contributions with the aim of providing a reference source and launching pad for students and researchers interested in speciation in amphibians and reptiles.
Long-term human-induced landscape changes and small mammal communities in a Mediterranean place
Authors: Vigués Jan , Grajera Joan , Arrizabalaga Antoni , Torre Ignasi
Published: October 2018

The small mammal community (Orders Rodentia and Eulipotyphla) was evaluated in one single locality in coastal Catalonia in relation to human-induced changes in land use. Low detectability of some species drove us to assess the small mammal assemblages analysing barn owl (Tyto alba) pellets sampled in the same nesting site for a period of thirty years. The objectives were to 1) describe variations in landscape use, 2) document small mammal community changes and 3) relate these changes to those in land use. Species richness did not seem to vary with changes in land use, however, when species were separated into guilds (open, forest and synanthropic), significant differences could be observed. The open guild decreased by 6%, while the forest and synanthropic guild increased by 5% and 2% respectively. Abandonment of arable land, expansion of forested areas and an increase in urbanisation were closely linked to these guild changes, while some individual species showed variations which paralleled climatic changes. Loss of adequate open habitat for this raptor was highlighted by a species substitution, with the tawny owl (Strix aluco) occupying the nesting site previously used by the barn owl during the last years of the study. Barn owl diet monitoring therefore proves to be a useful tool to analyse small mammal community responses to changes in the environment, allowing for more specific and viable conservation plans for both small mammals and barn owls.
Structural basis for isoform-specific kinesin-1 recognition of Y-acidic cargo adaptors
Authors: Pernigo Stefano , Chegkazi Magda S , Yip Yan Y , Treacy Conor , Glorani Giulia , Hansen Kjetil , Politis Argyris , Bui Soi , Dodding Mark P , Steiner Roberto A
Published: October 2018

The light chains (KLCs) of the heterotetrameric microtubule motor kinesin-1, that bind to cargo adaptor proteins and regulate its activity, have a capacity to recognize short peptides via their tetratricopeptide repeat domains (KLCTPR). Here, using X-ray crystallography, we show how kinesin-1 recognizes a novel class of adaptor motifs that we call ‘Y-acidic’ (tyrosine flanked by acidic residues), in a KLC-isoform specific manner. Binding specificities of Y-acidic motifs (present in JIP1 and in TorsinA) to KLC1TPR are distinct from those utilized for the recognition of W-acidic motifs found in adaptors that are KLC- isoform non-selective. However, a partial overlap on their receptor binding sites implies that adaptors relying on Y-acidic and W-acidic motifs must act independently. We propose a model to explain why these two classes of motifs that bind to the concave surface of KLCTPR with similar low micromolar affinity can exhibit different capacities to promote kinesin-1 activity.
Myosin V functions as a vesicle tether at the plasma membrane to control neurotransmitter release in central synapses
Authors: Maschi Dario , Gramlich Michael W , Klyachko Vitaly A
Published: October 2018

Synaptic vesicle fusion occurs at specialized release sites at the active zone. How refilling of release sites with new vesicles is regulated in central synapses remains poorly understood. Using nanoscale-resolution detection of individual release events in rat hippocampal synapses we found that inhibition of myosin V, the predominant vesicle-associated motor, strongly reduced refilling of the release sites during repetitive stimulation. Single-vesicle tracking revealed that recycling vesicles continuously shuttle between a plasma membrane pool and an inner pool. Vesicle retention at the membrane pool was regulated by neural activity in a myosin V dependent manner. Ultrastructural measurements of vesicle occupancy at the plasma membrane together with analyses of single-vesicle trajectories during vesicle shuttling between the pools suggest that myosin V acts as a vesicle tether at the plasma membrane, rather than a motor transporting vesicles to the release sites, or directly regulating vesicle exocytosis.
Dynein-2 intermediate chains play crucial but distinct roles in primary cilia formation and function
Authors: Vuolo Laura , Stevenson Nicola L , Heesom Kate J , Stephens David J
Published: October 2018

The dynein-2 microtubule motor is the retrograde motor for intraflagellar transport. Mutations in dynein-2 components cause skeletal ciliopathies, notably Jeune syndrome. Dynein-2 contains a heterodimer of two non-identical intermediate chains, WDR34 and WDR60. Here, we use knockout cell lines to demonstrate that each intermediate chain has a distinct role in cilium function. Using quantitative proteomics, we show that WDR34 KO cells can assemble a dynein-2 motor complex that binds IFT proteins yet fails to extend an axoneme, indicating complex function is stalled. In contrast, WDR60 KO cells do extend axonemes but show reduced assembly of dynein-2 and binding to IFT proteins. Both proteins are required to maintain a functional transition zone and for efficient bidirectional intraflagellar transport. Our results indicate that the subunit asymmetry within the dynein-2 complex is matched with a functional asymmetry between the dynein-2 intermediate chains. Furthermore, this work reveals that loss of function of dynein-2 leads to defects in transition zone architecture, as well as intraflagellar transport.
Convolutional ensembles for Arabic Handwritten Character and Digit Recognition
Authors: Palatnik de Sousa Iam
Published: October 2018

A learning algorithm is proposed for the task of Arabic Handwritten Character and Digit recognition. The architecture consists on an ensemble of different Convolutional Neural Networks. The proposed training algorithm uses a combination of adaptive gradient descent on the first epochs and regular stochastic gradient descent in the last epochs, to facilitate convergence. Different validation strategies are tested, namely Monte Carlo Cross-Validation and K-fold Cross Validation. Hyper-parameter tuning was done by using the MADbase digits dataset. State of the art validation and testing classification accuracies were achieved, with average values of 99.74% and 99.47% respectively. The same algorithm was then trained and tested with the AHCD character dataset, also yielding state of the art validation and testing classification accuracies: 98.60% and 98.42% respectively.