bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investor Biases in Financial Decisions
Authors: Sahi Shalini Kalra
Published: May 2015

Financial Decisions involve making choices between various investment alternatives, with the aim of increasing the individual's net worth. The investor today is exposed to various investment options, but does not have the knowledge and capability of evaluating all the options and making a rational decision. Due to the limitation in the information processing capacities of the individuals, their beliefs and preferences, the investment decision-making process, gets biased. This chapter highlights ten such biases and throws light on how they impact investment behaviour, both positively and negatively. This understanding of investor psychology will generate insights that will benefit the financial advisory relationship. Further for Individuals, recognizing how the biases impact their financial decisions, can help create self-awareness and an understanding that would help them in better financial management, in case these tendencies are leading them to make unsatisfactory investments.
Stochastic Processes for the Risk Management
Authors: Özel Gamze
Published: May 2015

The financial markets use stochastic models to represent the seemingly random behavior of assets such as stocks, commodities, relative currency prices such as the price of one currency compared to that of another, such as the price of US Dollar compared to that of the Euro, and interest rates. These models are then used by quantitative analysts to value options on stock prices, bond prices, and on interest rates. This chapter gives an overview of the stochastic models and methods used in financial risk management. Given the random nature of future events on financial markets, the field of stochastic processes obviously plays an important role in quantitative risk management. Random walk, Brownian motion and geometric Brownian motion processes in risk management are explained. Simulations of these processes are provided with some software codes.
The Philippine Health Care Delivery System and Health Expenditure
Authors: Işık Abdulkadir , Gunda Abdulhamid Mauyag , Topçu Birol
Published: May 2015

Health is recognized by the Philippine constitution as a basic human right. The Philippines, compared to most Asian countries, produces more and better human resources for health. However, the Philippines are challenged by attracting and retaining staff in the under-served areas of the country. Philippine allotted 4.2-4.4% of its GDP to health from 2009 to 2011. Furthermore, considerable inequities in health care access and outcomes between Socio-economic groups remain. The Phil Health's limited breadth and depth of coverage has resulted in high levels of out of pocket payments. The implementation of the reforms in financing, service delivery and regulation which are aimed to tackle the inefficiencies and inequalities in the health system has been challenged by the decentralized environment and the presence of private sector, often creating fragmentation and variation in the quality of health services across the country.
The Analysis of 2008 Global Crisis in Terms of the Sustainability of Public Debt Stock and Budget Deficits of PIIGS Countries Panel Data Analysis
Authors: Yilmaz Binhan Elif , Tatoglu Ferda Yerdelen , Ataer Sinan
Published: May 2015

In this chapter, we have focused the impacts of 2008 global crisis on the debt policies and the sustainability of debts in the PIIGS Countries. For that, the circumstances of the global crisis are examined, and the economic condition before the crisis is handled. As a main objective, the public debt indicators of PIIGS Countries are pointed out. The ratios and budget units are evaluated in terms of sustainability of debts. While making these evaluations and examinations our method was panel data analysis which can be found at the end of this chapter. In this method, public debt ratios and the sustainability conditions of the public debts in the PIIGS Countries are used as the determinants of public debts sustainability.
State Financed Social Housing Model in South Africa Requires Capacity Building Injection
Authors: Moss Vuyisani , Dinçer Hasan , Hacıoğlu Ümit
Published: May 2015

This chapter is based on the premise of Social Housing Institutions (SHIs) sustainability mechanisms. It is informed largely by National Housing Finance Corporation's (NHFC's) research findings on social housing developments commissioned on its behalf. The broad aim of the study was to conduct an audit survey through a critical appraisal and analysis of one of South Africa's social housing projects. The methodological approach was primarily through a thorough literature and documentation review this study had examined in addition to quantitative findings; the definition of social housing as a concept and how it has been operationalized in different markets. According to the findings the low levels of employment, low levels of income and the lack of industries in the area suggest that the affordability levels of the project tenants are low.
Proactive Organizational Structure in Financial System
Authors: Arun Korhan , Yenigün Tekin
Published: May 2015

Technology alters the structure of the systems in the finance and service sectors. Nevertheless, technology has been chancing operating systems and as a source to the emergence of new business models. The boundaries of departments in enterprises are weakened and disappeared, these changes give rise to the emergence of showing less commitment in the behavior of employees. In modern business the survival of the organizations does not seem possible, which see success in reactive behavior of the strategy-structure-interaction classical triple. Critical success factor is based foresight and proactivity in all areas of operations including organizing. In this chapter, enterprise organizations' financial departments and resulting changes of structures of the financial sector entities, the effects of this structural changes in the operation system with the new business models is discussed, the tips on how financial system's agencies and departments can fulfill the requirements of proactive nature revealed is studied.
Usability and User Experience
Authors: Rusu Cristian , Rusu Virginica , Roncagliolo Silvana , González Carina
Published: May 2015

Human – Computer Interaction (HCI) should be a basic part of the formative process of all Computer Science (CS) professionals. Usability and User Experience (UX) were (re)defined by many authors and well recognized standards. UX is usually considered as an extension of usability. To move from usability to UX seems to be a tendency lately. The lack of generally agreed formal definitions of HCI/usability/UX may have consequences on their development and recognition among CS communities, especially in regions where HCI is poorly developed, as Latin America. Practical activities are fundamental in complementing the theoretical foundations of HCI/usability/UX. The practice is usually more appealing and persuasive than the theory. The gap between HCI/usability/UX research and practice may be reduced by applied research, problem – oriented, or at least based on real case studies.
An Empirical Evaluation of a Vocal User Interface for Programming by Voice
Authors: Wagner Amber , Gray Jeff
Published: May 2015

Although Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) often improve usability, individuals with physical disabilities may be unable to use a mouse and keyboard to navigate through a GUI-based application. In such situations, a Vocal User Interface (VUI) may be a viable alternative. Existing vocal tools (e.g., Vocal Joystick) can be integrated into software applications; however, integrating an assistive technology into a legacy application may require tedious and manual adaptation. Furthermore, the challenges are deeper for an application whose GUI changes dynamically (e.g., based on the context of the program) and evolves with each new application release. This paper provides a discussion of challenges observed while mapping a GUI to a VUI. The context of the authors' examples and evaluation are taken from Myna, which is the VUI that is mapped to the Scratch programming environment. Initial user studies on the effectiveness of Myna are also presented in the paper.
The KPIs of Productivity Growth for Enterprises of Different Value Creation Types
Authors: Chang Pao-Cheng , Lin Hsi-Chin
Published: May 2015

Taking Thompson's (1967) and Porter's (1980) concepts as the foundation, summarized the way enterprises create value as three types: value chain, value shop, and value network. Although scholars have written about KPIs to increasing productivity in specific industries, there is a lack of comparative studies on how to increase productivity in industries of different value creation types. For this purpose, this study selected two companies of each value creation type to discuss their KPIs to increasing productivity. It delineated the KPIs for different types of value creation enterprise type and found that transforming more value chain type department function towards value shop and value network can effectively increase productivity. This point can make up for the shortcomings of scholars such as , and Porter (1980) with respect to the “how to strengthen enterprise value creation” mechanism and discussion, and can be regarded as an important contribution of this study.
Need of Intelligent Search in Dynamic Social Network
Authors: Sonkar Shailendra Kumar , Bhatnagar Vishal , Challa Rama Krishna
Published: May 2015

The user of dynamic social network does not require irrelevant and vast amount of information during a search. A need of an intelligent search is required to get the reduced, filtered and relevant information that is achieved using an intelligent information retrieval and web mining. In this paper, identification and description of facts related to needs of an intelligent search in dynamic social network has been done by the authors after the deep and thorough study conducted on several journal and conference papers that are scattered on different electronic databases globally. The usage of intelligent agent for effective information retrieval from the social network site is a very emerging area and it will help the users to find the relevant and concerned information quickly and efficiently. The findings of the authors will help researchers and scholars who are already working in this area to get the relevant information in the direction of future research.
Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of uropathogens in Maluti Adventist Hospital patients, 2011
Authors: Mubanga Phillip , Steinberg Wilhelm J. , Van Rooyen Francois C.
Published: May 2015

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are amongst the most common infections encountered globally and are usually treated empirically based on bacterial resistance to antibiotics for a given region. Unfortunately in Lesotho, no published studies are available to guide doctors in the treatment of UTIs. Treatment protocols for Western countries have been adopted, which may not be applicable for this region.Aim: To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of uropathogens in outpatients at the Maluti Adventist Hospital.Setting: The study was conducted at the outpatient department of the Maluti Adventist Hospital in Mapoteng, Lesotho.Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study using consecutive sampling of patients with clinical symptoms of UTI. Midstream urine samples were screened through chemistry and microscopy, then positive urine samples were cultured. The isolated uropathogens underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing and inclusion continued until 200 culture samples were obtained. Descriptive statistics were used in the data analysis.Results: The top five cultured uropathogens were Escherichia coli (61.5%), Staphylococcus aureus (14%), Pseudomonasspecies (6.5%), Enterococcus faecalis (5.5%) and Streptococcus agalactiae (5%). The isolated uropathogens showed low sensitivity to cotrimoxazole (32.5% – 75.0%) and amoxicillin (33.2% – 87.5%) and high sensitivity to ciprofloxacin (84.0% – 95.1%) and nitrofurantoin (76.9% – 100%).Conclusion: In the Maluti setting, cotrimoxazole and amoxicillin should be avoided as first-line drugs for the empirical treatment of community-acquired UTI. We recommend the use of nitrofurantoin as first choice.
Assessment of Weighted Quantile Sum Regression for Modeling Chemical Mixtures and Cancer Risk
Authors: Czarnota Jenna , Gennings Chris , Wheeler David C.
Published: May 2015

In evaluation of cancer risk related to environmental chemical exposures, the effect of many chemicals on disease is ultimately of interest. However, because of potentially strong correlations among chemicals that occur together, traditional regression methods suffer from collinearity effects, including regression coefficient sign reversal and variance inflation. In addition, penalized regression methods designed to remediate collinearity may have limitations in selecting the truly bad actors among many correlated components. The recently proposed method of weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression attempts to overcome these problems by estimating a body burden index, which identifies important chemicals in a mixture of correlated environmental chemicals. Our focus was on assessing through simulation studies the accuracy of WQS regression in detecting subsets of chemicals associated with health outcomes (binary and continuous) in site-specific analyses and in non-site-specific analyses. We also evaluated the performance of the penalized regression methods of lasso, adaptive lasso, and elastic net in correctly classifying chemicals as bad actors or unrelated to the outcome. We based the simulation study on data from the National Cancer Institute Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program (NCI-SEER) case-control study of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) to achieve realistic exposure situations. Our results showed that WQS regression had good sensitivity and specificity across a variety of conditions considered in this study. The shrinkage methods had a tendency to incorrectly identify a large number of components, especially in the case of strong association with the outcome.
Performance and carcass characteristics when sorting feedlot cattle on the basis of phenotype, and leptin genotype along with differential use of β-adrenergic agonists
Authors: Kononoff P. J. , Defoor P. J. , Engler M. J. , Swingle R. S. , James S. T. , Deobald H. M. , Deobald J. L. , Woronuk G. N. , Marquess F. L. S.
Published: May 2015

Kononoff, P. J., Defoor, P. J., Engler, M. J., Swingle, R. S., James, S. Y., Deobald, H. M., Deobald, R. L., Woronuk, G. N. and Marquess, F. L. S. 2015. Performance and carcass characteristics when sorting feedlot cattle on the basis of phenotype, and leptin genotype along with differential use of β-adrenergic agonists. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 455–463. Crossbred steers were used in a randomized complete block design to evaluate a feedlot cattle sorting system. The sorting system combined information on live body weight, ultrasound fat thickness, coat color, and genotype on the leptin R25C genotype. Using described sorting criteria, a total of four groups (Groups 1–4) of cattle were created along with a randomly selected unsorted control (Group 5), with Groups 1 through 5 representing experimental treatments, and placed in one of five pens within each block. Block was replicated 10 times thus n equaled 50. All cattle were administered zilpaterol hydrochloride except Group 3, which we hypothesized would have a greater proportion of cattle reaching a higher value Quality Grade, and as a result administered ractopamine hydrochloride. The initial body weight of cattle was similar (P=0.426) between the control Group and Groups 1–4. Initial fat, as measured by ultrasound, was also observed to be similar (P=0.256) between these two groups. Overall, when cattle included in Groups 1–4 were compared with Group 5, hot carcass weight was greater (P=0.040), while the proportion of excessively heavy weight carcasses was less (P=0.049). Additionally, hot carcass weight gain tended (P=0.096) to be higher for Groups 1–4 compared with Group 5. No differences (P≥0.129) were observed for calculated yield grade. On average, cattle included in the Sorting Groups 1–4 returned $23 more per head than those in Group 5.
Nutrient composition and seasonal availability of local feedstuffs for pigs in western Kenya
Authors: Carter Natalie A. , Dewey Catherine E. , Lukuyu Ben , Grace Delia , de Lange Cornelis F. M.
Published: May 2015

Carter, N. A., Dewey, C. E., Lukuyu, B., Grace, D. and de Lange, C. F. M. 2015. Nutrient composition and seasonal availability of local feedstuffs for pigs in western Kenya. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 397–406. In this study, nutritional values and seasonal availability were estimated for 25 local feedstuffs for pigs in western Kenya, based on analyzed nutrient contents and a review of the literature. Characteristics considered included: crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), ether extract (EE), Ca, P, standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P, total Lys, standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys (all as g kg−1 of DM), and digestible energy (DE) (kcal kg−1 DM). Contents of total Lys, SID lysine, STTD P, and DE were estimated. Overripe improved-variety avocado (Persea americana) had the greatest estimated DE (5280 kcal kg−1 DM) and EE content (521 g kg−1 of DM). Cattle rumen content had the greatest NDF content (664 g kg−1 of DM). Sun-dried fish (Rastrineobola argentea) had the greatest estimated STTD P content (13.5 g kg−1 of DM). Amaranthus spinosus L. had the greatest Ca content (26 g kg−1 of DM). Fresh cattle blood had the greatest CP and estimated SID Lys content (944 and 83.0 g kg−1 of DM, respectively). Feedstuffs availability periods are: March through May plus September and October; June through August; and November through February. Local feedstuffs of sufficient nutritional value for pigs are seasonally available. Estimated nutritional values may assist in diet formulation.
Mycotoxin accumulation and Fusarium graminearum chemotype diversity in winter wheat grown in southwestern Ontario
Authors: Tamburic-Ilincic Lily , Wragg Ashley , Schaafsma Art
Published: May 2015

Tamburic-Ilincic, L., Wragg, A. and Schaafsma, A. 2015. Mycotoxin accumulation and Fusarium graminearum chemotype diversity in winter wheat grown in southwestern Ontario. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 931–938. Fusarium head blight caused by Fusarium graminearum is a serious disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the mycotoxin most commonly detected in contaminated wheat grain in Ontario. A chemotype shift from 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON) to 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON) has been reported in some parts of North America. The objectives of this study were to investigate the mycotoxins accumulation and Fusarium graminearum chemotype diversity in different winter wheat cultivars grown in southwestern (SW) Ontario. Twenty winter wheat grain samples from SW Ontario were tested for DON concentrations in 2008, 24 in each of 2009 and 2010, 42 in 2011 and 36 in 2013 growing seasons. DON levels in grain ranged from none detected to 33 parts per million (ppm). The highest averaged levels of DON were detected in the 2013 season (19.8 ppm at Centralia, 11.8 ppm at Inwood and 4.1 ppm at Ridgetown). In addition to total DON, H-T2, T-2 and nivalenol mycotoxins were detected in low concentrations in a small number of samples collected in 2009 and/or 2013. The 15-ADON analogs were detected at approximately 1.5% of the total DON in harvested wheat grain in 2013. Ninety-seven percent of F. graminearum isolates, tested in 2010 using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, were 15-ADON chemotype, while just 3% of isolates were the 3-ADON chemotype. Overall, there was no evidence in this study to support a shift from 15-ADON to 3-ADON chemotypes of F. graminearum in SW Ontario in 2010. It is recommended to continue monitoring mycotoxin accumulation and F. graminearum chemotype diversity so any changes can be detected early and addressed.
Controlled atmosphere-related injury in ‘Honeycrisp’ apples is associated with γ-aminobutyrate accumulation
Authors: Chiu Greta Z. , Shelp Barry J. , Bowley Stephen R. , DeEll Jennifer R. , Bozzo Gale G.
Published: May 2015

Chiu, G. Z., Shelp, B. J., Bowley, S. R., DeEll, J. R. and Bozzo, G. G. 2015. Controlled atmosphere-related injury in ‘Honeycrisp’ apples is associated with γ-aminobutyrate accumulation. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 879–886. ‘Honeycrisp’ apples (Malus×domestica Borkh.), including fruit treated with the ethylene antagonist 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), can be susceptible to controlled atmosphere (CA)-related injury of the flesh tissue during storage. To better understand the biomarkers associated with this physiological disorder, we compared the temporal responses of the universal stress signature, γ-aminobutyrate (GABA), and visual symptoms of CA-related injury in apples subjected to elevated CO2. Fruit were treated with or without 1-MCP prior to CA [2.5 kPa O2, 5 (elevated) or 0.03 (ambient) kPa CO2] storage at either 3 or 20°C for up to 24 wk. At 20°C, 1-MCP-treated apples displayed symptoms of CA-related injury by 3 wk of elevated CO2 storage; a similar 15% disorder incidence was apparent by 6 wk in non 1-MCP-treated fruit. A maximal incidence of 30% for this disorder occurred after 24 wk at 3°C in fruit held at elevated CO2, regardless of 1-MCP treatment. At 20°C, GABA levels were 48% higher within 6 wk of the transfer of 1-MCP-treated fruit to elevated CO2. At 3°C, a 2.6-fold increase in GABA level occurred by week 6 of elevated CO2 storage, and was maintained for an additional 18 wk thereafter; a similar change in GABA level was apparent in non 1-MCP-treated fruit, albeit delayed until week 18 of storage. These findings indicate that shifts in GABA are associated with the onset of visual symptoms of CA-related injury in ‘Honeycrisp’ fruit in response to elevated CO2, regardless of 1-MCP.
Primaquine Dosing Errors: The Human Cost of a Pharmaceutical Anachronism
Authors: Meltzer Eyal , Morrison Lindsay , Stienlauf Shmuel , Schwartz Eli
Published: May 2015

Confusion between salt/base forms of primaquine may result in malaria prophylaxis failure. During 1995–2011, there were 14 malaria cases in Israel despite primaquine primary prophylaxis. In 6/14 cases, primaquine was underdosed because of confusion between salt and base forms, including two Plasmodium falciparum cases. Primaquine labeling clarification may be lifesaving.
Assessing Drivers of Full Adoption of Test and Treat Policy for Malaria in Senegal
Authors: Faust Christina , Zelner Jonathan , Brasseur Philippe , Vaillant Michel , Badiane Malick , Cisse Moustafa , Grenfell Bryan , Olliaro Piero
Published: May 2015

Malaria treatment policy has changed from presumptive treatment to targeted “test and treat” (T&T) with malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). This transition involves changing behavior among health providers, meaning delays between introduction and full implementation are recorded in almost every instance. We investigated factors affecting successful transition, and suggest approaches for accelerating uptake of T&T. Records from 2000 to 2011 from health clinics in Senegal where malaria is mesoendemic were examined (96,166 cases). The study period encompassed the implementation of national T&T policy in 2006. Analysis showed that adherence to test results is the first indicator of T&T adoption and is dependent on accumulation of experience with positive RDTs (odds ratio [OR]: 0.55 [P ≤ 0.001], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53–0.58). Reliance on tests for malaria diagnosis (rather than presumptive diagnosis) followed after test adherence is achieved, and was also associated with increased experience with positive RDTs (OR: 0.60 [P ≤ 0.001], 95% CI: 0.58–0.62). Logistic models suggest that full adoption of T&T clinical practices can occur within 2 years, that monitoring these behavioral responses rather than RDT or ACT consumption will improve evaluation of T&T uptake, and that accelerating T&T uptake by focusing training on adherence to test results will reduce overdiagnosis and associated health and economic costs in mesoendemic regions.
Geostatistical Modeling of Malaria Endemicity Using Serological Indicators of Exposure Collected Through School Surveys
Authors: Ashton Ruth A. , Kefyalew Takele , Rand Alison , Sime Heven , Assefa Ashenafi , Mekasha Addis , Edosa Wasihun , Tesfaye Gezahegn , Cano Jorge , Teka Hiwot , Reithinger Richard , Pullan Rachel L. , Drakeley Chris J. , Brooker Simon J.
Published: May 2015

Ethiopia has a diverse ecology and geography resulting in spatial and temporal variation in malaria transmission. Evidence-based strategies are thus needed to monitor transmission intensity and target interventions. A purposive selection of dried blood spots collected during cross-sectional school-based surveys in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, were tested for presence of antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax antigens. Spatially explicit binomial models of seroprevalence were created for each species using a Bayesian framework, and used to predict seroprevalence at 5 km resolution across Oromia. School seroprevalence showed a wider prevalence range than microscopy for both P. falciparum (0–50% versus 0–12.7%) and P. vivax (0–53.7% versus 0–4.5%), respectively. The P. falciparum model incorporated environmental predictors and spatial random effects, while P. vivax seroprevalence first-order trends were not adequately explained by environmental variables, and a spatial smoothing model was developed. This is the first demonstration of serological indicators being used to detect large-scale heterogeneity in malaria transmission using samples from cross-sectional school-based surveys. The findings support the incorporation of serological indicators into periodic large-scale surveillance such as Malaria Indicator Surveys, and with particular utility for low transmission and elimination settings.
The Anthropomorphic Metaphor in Slovene and English Wine Tasting Discourses
Authors: Bratož Silva
Published: May 2015

The language used to describe the tastes of various wines ranges from specific references to chemical, vegetal and mineral components to a wealth of diverse metaphorical constructions. This paper explores the use and characteristics of the anthropomorphic metaphor in wine reviews from a cross–linguistic perspective. The theoretical framework relies on the cognitive approach to metaphor, most notably on the conceptual theory of metaphor. The case study presented is focused on the conceptual metaphor WINE IS A HUMAN BEING and its linguistic realisations in a corpus of wine reviews collected from selected Slovene and English sources. A number of metaphors will be examined with respect to their level of conventionality, from metaphorically motivated terminology to novel linguistic metaphors. It will be argued that despite some variations in the way metaphors are realised in English and Slovene wine discourses, there is a large overlap in the way the two languages conceptualise the taste of wine through the anthropomorphic metaphor.
Manuel Tamayo y Baus’s Un Drama Nuevo (1867) and the Reception of Hamlet in 19th-Century Spain
Authors: Sumillera Rocío G.
Published: May 2015

The present article discusses how Tamayo y Baus appropriates and refashions in Un drama nuevo (1867) the figures of Shakespeare and Yorick, as well as different elements of a number of tragedies by Shakespeare (Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello), in order to render homage to Shakespearean drama by means of a play that, even if set at the beginning of 17th-century England, particularly addresses the tastes and concerns of 19th-century Spanish audiences. Additionally, this article considers the extent to which the contemporary audience of Tamayo y Baus was acquainted with Shakespeare and Hamlet, taking into account both the translations into Spanish of the play and its performances in Spain up until 1867. The purpose of such an analysis is to speculate on the reception and interpretation of Un drama nuevo at the time of its release, and on the role it had in raising or renewing interest in Hamlet within the Spanish-speaking world.
The Present Perfect and Definite Temporal Adverbials: Reference Grammars and Corpus Evidence
Authors: Werner Valentin
Published: May 2015

The aim of the present paper is to assess the adequacy of how the grammatical status of the present perfect (PP) is established in three reference grammars of English (Quirk et al. 1985; Biber et al. 1999; Huddleston and Pullum 2002). I propose that the categorizations both as aspect and as tense as presented in these grammars have their inherent weaknesses and are particularly deficient when data from varieties other than British or American English is included. To test this assumption, I will analyze PP occurrences extracted from the International Corpus of English (ICE) appearing in contexts that have traditionally been considered ungrammatical or at least odd. One such context is the co-occurrence of the PP with definite temporal adverbials. In this case, the PP is used like a simple past, which may be taken as evidence for the tense status of the PP and will therefore be the focal point of the analysis.
Johnson and the Eighteenth–Century Periodical Essay: A Corpus–Based Approach
Authors: Brocklebank Paul
Published: May 2015

The style of Samuel Johnson’s essays for the periodicals The Rambler, The Adventurer and The Idler is quite different from that of earlier eighteenth–century essayists such as Joseph Addison and Jonathan Swift. However, despite advances in recent years in corpus–based stylistic approaches to texts, a comparison of these three authors using current corpus–analytic techniques has yet to be attempted. This paper reports on the first stages of such a project. Johnson’s essays are compared with Addison and Swift’s essays using WordSmith Tools 5, and an analysis of keywords, semantic groupings of keywords, and key collocations of keywords in Johnson’s essays are identified. It is argued that a keyword analysis brings to the fore grammatical aspects of Johnsonian sentence patterns and provides empirical support for what have hitherto been only intuitively–based statements regarding his style. Also, further patterns in the data will be identified through a phraseological analysis of the essays focusing on the most common four–word clusters (4–grams) that Johnson uses.
A Functional Approach to Compiling a Specialized English–Slovene Dictionary of Green Energy Terms
Authors: Mrhar Laura
Published: May 2015

The functional approach to lexicography argues that dictionaries must provide their users with concrete types of information, presented in a manner that suits their needs. To achieve this, the process of compiling specialized dictionaries must be improved. This paper examines the revision of a specialized English–Slovene Dictionary of Green Energy Terms, with particular emphasis on the functional approach to building specialized dictionaries. As the potential users of the unrevised dictionary differ from those of the revised version, this paper aims to show how the profile of the intended user affects the structure of the actual dictionary entry, as well as the dictionary’s main functions. The main objective of the paper is therefore to put forward a sound theoretical foundation for the improved construction of LSP dictionaries, so that they will truly serve as a helpful tool in solving those problems that normally occur in LSP communication.
S–V Semantic Affinity in Presentation Sentences with Preverbal Rhematic Subject
Authors: Adam Martin
Published: May 2015

Firmly anchored in the Praguian theory of functional sentence perspective (FSP), the present paper discusses the prototypical type of sentences implementing the so–called Presentation Scale (i.e., that containing a rhematic subject in preverbal position) within fiction narrative discourse. Special attention is paid to the semantic affinity operating between the subject and the predicate; in such distributional fields (cf. A bird chirped on the twig) the verbs seem to semantically support the character of their subjects. Thus, the S–V affinity appears to play a significant role in enabling the English verb to express existence or appearance on the scene in an implicit way. The phenomenon of semantic affinity is discussed on the basis of FSP investigation of a sample corpus of narrative texts compiled and processed by the author. Apart from the syntactic–semantic analysis, S–V affinity is also examined through the prism of eminent Czech representatives of the Prague School legacy, such as Vilém Mathesius, Jan Firbas, Aleš Svoboda and Libuše Dušková.
Military Jargon in the Slovenian Translation of Hostile Waters
Authors: Zupan Simon , Štefanič Marko
Published: May 2015

The article examines Slovenian translations of military jargon in the non-fiction novel Hostile Waters. In the introductory part, jargon is presented as a linguistic category as well as its main features in the novel. Next, select examples from the original text are compared to their Slovenian equivalents. The focus is on collocations and lexically dense nominal phrases. The comparison finds that most translation shifts in the target text occur because of incorrect interpretation of technical jargon expressions in the original. As a result, the target text reader perceives certain situations differently than the source text reader.
Gender Ideologies in English and Slovene: A Contrastive View
Authors: Plemenitaš Katja
Published: May 2015

The article deals with the concept of linguistic sexism in the cross-cultural context. It compares the generally accepted guidelines for avoiding linguistic sexism in English and Slovene, exemplified by two guides on non-sexist use of English. It is argued that in English non-sexist language strives for gender neutrality, whereas in Slovene it strives for gender specificity. The reasons for the differences between the perceptions of sexism in English and Slovene are examined by taking into account the linguistic expression of gender and the cultural and historical context in which both languages have developed. The use of semantic gender in English, as opposed to the use of grammatical gender in Slovene, is treated as one of the factors influencing the approach to the non-sexist use of language in both languages. Strategies for non-sexist expression and their rebuttals are discussed in the context of predominant cultural ideologies about gender and presuppositions regarding the link between social change and linguistic reform.
Encasing the Absolutes
Authors: Martinčič Uroš
Published: May 2015

The paper explores the issue of structure and case in English absolute constructions, whose subjects are deduced by several descriptive grammars as being in the nominative case due to its supposed neutrality in terms of register. This deduction is countered by systematic accounts presented within the framework of the Minimalist Program which relate the case of absolute constructions to specific grammatical factors. Each proposal is shown as an attempt of analysing absolute constructions as basic predication structures, either full clauses or small clauses. I argue in favour of the small clause approach due to its minimal reliance on transformations and unique stipulations. Furthermore, I propose that small clauses project a singular category, and show that the use of two cases in English absolute constructions can be accounted for if they are analysed as depictive phrases, possibly selected by prepositions. The case of the subject in absolutes is shown to be a result of syntactic and non-syntactic factors. I thus argue in accordance with Minimalist goals that syntactic case does not exist, attributing its role in absolutes to other mechanisms.
Business English as a Lingua Franca – A Cross-Cultural Perspective of Teaching English for Business Purposes
Authors: Gajšt Nataša
Published: May 2015

In our era of globalisation, English is at the top of the languages used in international business. A vast majority of business communication in English is carried out by non-native speakers of English. In a cross-cultural exchange of information, the sender and the recipient come from different cultural backgrounds. The patterns of communication vary across the globe and non-native speakers tend to apply their native language patterns when communicating in English. This paper thus focuses on the concept of spoken communication and dimensions of culture and how they are reflected in communication patterns in different business situations. It also addresses the teaching of Business English as a lingua franca and the role of Business English teachers in helping learners develop their communicative and intercultural competence in order to communicate effectively in a multicultural work environment.
The Present and Past Participles in the Medieval English Translations of St. John’s Gospel from Latin
Authors: Štrmelj Lidija , Lončar Milenko
Published: May 2015

The present participle and past participle, together with the infinitive, have a long history in English; this is quite contrary to finite verb forms, which mostly developed during the Middle English period. Participles were already in use in the earliest stages of the language and performed functions similar to those of the present active participle and perfect passive participle in Latin. Therefore, one may assume that Latin participles are rendered into Old English and Middle English mostly by means of their English equivalents. It appears, however, that this was not the case. The data provided in our research lead us to the conclusion that the implementation of participles in English was rather difficult and slow, at least when it comes to the Gospel translations. This paper shows what was used instead – for example, various types of clauses; it also shows the reasons for this (such as ambiguity hidden sometimes in participles).
The Divine Sandman
Authors: Dernovšek Davorin
Published: May 2015

The article discusses the intricacies of Neil Gaiman’s comics work The Sandman through the lens of reception; particularly it examines how Dante Alighieri’s masterpiece The Divine Comedy echoes through this epic comic. It not only tries to bring together (or rather deconstruct) these two profound works of art from diverse eras of human expression, it also discusses how two different modes of artistic expression – comics and poetry – converge on a metalevel. It furthermore treats the general nature of comics; denoting both their connection with literature and art in general, though in this respect also stressing the need for a separate study of the comics medium, and not as merely a genre of either literature or art.
Editorial
Authors: Yasukawa Keiko
Published: May 2015

Editorial by Keiko Yasukawa.
“He was learning to read, but he wasn’t learning to live”: Socially inclusive learning in a community setting
Authors: Marston Greg , Johnson-Abdelmalik Jeffrey
Published: May 2015

People with mental health problems, learning difficulties and poor literacy and numeracy are at risk of social exclusion, including homelessness. They are often disconnected from the formal education systems, with few opportunities for education and employment. Academic research has demonstrated a link between literacy and numeracy and social connectedness, however the pathways to enact this are not well understood. This paper presents insights into how a community based adult literacy program in Brisbane, Australia provides a successful model of socially inclusive learning. The paper is based on a 12-month action research project conducted by the Queensland University of Technology in conjunction with Anglicare Southern Queensland 2013-2014. The methodology for the project was qualitative in nature, involving participant observation of lessons, and semi-structured interviews with former and present students, volunteer tutors and the teacher.  The central research focus was how literacy education can act as an instrument of social connection to the community.
From teaching literacy to teaching numeracy: How numeracy teacher’s previous experiences shape their teaching beliefs
Authors: Beeli-Zimmermann Sonja
Published: May 2015

Beliefs guide teachers’ actions in the classroom and thereby influence what students learn. While this insight has led to numerous studies, particularly in the area of mathematical beliefs, it has been neglected in the growing field of numeracy teaching and learning within adult education. This exploratory study presents five illustrative cases of Swiss adult education teachers and traces their experiences, both as students and teachers. Based on data mainly collected in semi-structured interviews, the author argues that this study supports existing evidence from mathematical belief research in other sectors of education, pointing to the relevance of practice-based experiences for the change of beliefs.
Towards professional responsibility for language and literacy: exploring vocational teachers’ emerging language and literacy understandings and identities
Authors: Bak Tao , O'Maley Pauline
Published: May 2015

The role of vocational teachers is complex and evolving (Moodie & Wheelahan 2012). The imperative to also attend to students’ language literacy and numeracy (LLN) skills adds to this complexity. Using data from interviews with eight teachers, this paper explores this emergent space in relation to impacts on their sense of capacity and confidence to attend to LLN, and ways this is being incorporated into a renewed, but often still fragile sense of professional identity (Brookfield 2000). Where the focus of discussion is often on LLN requirements, we concentrate here on the perceptions and experiences of the teachers themselves, and how these insights may inform our approach as LLN specialists. We conclude that vocational teachers appear willing travellers on this journey, but often feel they have a distance to go. We make a case for a collaborative dialogic approach to this shared challenge.
Notes on Contributors
Authors: Yasukawa Keiko
Published: May 2015

Notes on Contributors.
Greenhouse gas emissions from laboratory-scale fires in wildland fuels depend on fire spread mode and phase of combustion
Authors: Surawski N. C. , Sullivan A. L. , Meyer C. P. , Roxburgh S. H. , Polglase P. J.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. Free-burning experimental fires were conducted in a wind tunnel to explore the role of ignition type and thus fire spread mode on the resulting emissions profile from combustion of fine (< 6 mm in diameter) Eucalyptus litter fuels. Fires were burnt spreading with the wind (heading fire), perpendicular to the wind (flanking fire) and against the wind (backing fire). Greenhouse gas compounds (i.e. CO2, CH4 and N2O) and CO were quantified using off-axis integrated-cavity-output spectroscopy. Emissions factors calculated using a carbon mass balance technique (along with statistical testing) showed that most of the carbon was emitted as CO2, with heading fires emitting 17% more CO2 than flanking and 9.5% more CO2 than backing fires, and about twice as much CO as flanking and backing fires. Heading fires had less than half as much carbon remaining in combustion residues. Statistically significant differences in CH4 and N2O emissions factors were not found with respect to fire spread mode. Emissions factors calculated per unit of dry fuel consumed showed that combustion phase (i.e. flaming or smouldering) had a statistically significant impact, with CO and N2O emissions increasing during smouldering combustion and CO2 emissions decreasing. Findings on the equivalence of different emissions factor reporting methods are discussed along with the impact of our results for emissions accounting and potential sampling biases associated with our work. The primary implication of this study is that prescribed fire practices could be modified to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from forests by judicial use of ignition methods to induce flanking and backing fires over heading fires.
Data assimilation of satellite-retrieved ozone, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide with ECMWF's Composition-IFS
Authors: Inness A. , Blechschmidt A.-M. , Bouarar I. , Chabrillat S. , Crepulja M. , Engelen R. J. , Eskes H. , Flemming J. , Gaudel A. , Hendrick F. , Huijnen V. , Jones L. , Kapsomenakis J. , Katragkou E. , Keppens A. , Langerock B. , de Mazière M. , Melas D. , Parrington M. , Peuch V. H. , Razinger M. , Richter A. , Schultz M. G. , Suttie M. , Thouret V. , Vrekoussis M. , Wagner A. , Zerefos C.
Published: May 2015

Abstract. Daily global analyses and 5-day forecasts are generated in the context of the European Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Climate (MACC) project using an extended version of the Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The IFS now includes modules for chemistry, deposition and emission of reactive gases, aerosols, and greenhouse gases, and the 4-dimensional variational data assimilation scheme makes use of multiple satellite observations of atmospheric composition in addition to meteorological observations. This paper describes the data assimilation setup of the new Composition-IFS (C-IFS) with respect to reactive gases and validates analysis fields of ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) for the year 2008 against independent observations and a control run without data assimilation. The largest improvement in CO by assimilation of Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) CO columns is seen in the lower troposphere of the Northern Hemisphere (NH) extratropics during winter, and during the South African biomass-burning season. The assimilation of several O3 total column and stratospheric profile retrievals greatly improves the total column, stratospheric and upper tropospheric O3 analysis fields relative to the control run. The impact on lower tropospheric ozone, which comes from the residual of the total column and stratospheric profile O3 data, is smaller, but nevertheless there is some improvement particularly in the NH during winter and spring. The impact of the assimilation of tropospheric NO2 columns from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) is small because of the short lifetime of NO2, suggesting that NO2 observations would be better used to adjust emissions instead of initial conditions. The results further indicate that the quality of the tropospheric analyses and of the stratospheric ozone analysis obtained with the C-IFS system has improved compared to the previous "coupled" model system of MACC.