bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dust Polarization toward Embedded Protostars in Ophiuchus with ALMA. I. VLA 1623
Authors: Sadavoy Sarah I. , Myers Philip C. , Stephens Ian W. , Tobin John , Commerçon Benoît , Henning Thomas , Looney Leslie , Kwon Woojin , Segura-Cox Dominique , Harris Robert
Published: June 2018

We present high-resolution (∼30 au) ALMA Band 6 dust polarization observations of VLA 1623. The VLA 1623 data resolve compact ∼40 au inner disks around the two protobinary sources, VLA 1623-A and VLA 1623-B, and also an extended ∼180 au ring of dust around VLA 1623-A. This dust ring was previously identified as a large disk in lower-resolution observations. We detect highly structured dust polarization toward the inner disks and the extended ring with typical polarization fractions ≈1.7% and ≈2.4%, respectively. The two components also show distinct polarization morphologies. The inner disks have uniform polarization angles aligned with their minor axes. This morphology is consistent with expectations from dust scattering. By contrast, the extended dust ring has an azimuthal polarization morphology not previously seen in lower-resolution observations. We find that our observations are well-fit by a static, oblate spheroid model with a flux-frozen, poloidal magnetic field. We propose that the polarization traces magnetic grain alignment likely from flux freezing on large scales and magnetic diffusion on small scales. Alternatively, the azimuthal polarization may be attributed to grain alignment by the anisotropic radiation field. If the grains are radiatively aligned, then our observations indicate that large (∼100 μm) dust grains grow quickly at large angular extents. Finally, we identify significant proper motion of VLA 1623 using our observations and those in the literature. This result indicates that the proper motion of nearby systems must be corrected for when combining ALMA data from different epochs.
Epidemiology and susceptibility profiles of diabetic foot infections in five hospitals in Lebanon
Authors: Obeid Michele , Moughames Eric , Aboulhosn Petra , Madi Rashad , Farah Maya , Feghali Jinia , Mokhbat Jacques , Farra Anna , Moughnieh Rima , Daoud Ziad , Feghaleh Rita , Abboud Edmond , Abboud Emma , Husni-Samaha Rola
Published: June 2018

Introduction: Approximately 80% of diabetes-related lower extremity amputations are preceded by a foot ulcer. Global studies on the epidemiology of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) infections and guidelines detailing the most common pathogens and their respective antimicrobial susceptibilities are available. While Gram-positive cocci, mainly Staphylococcus species (spp.), were the most common organisms cultured from DFU in the United States, the Gram-negative Pseudomonas spp. were found to be the most common in some Middle Eastern countries. In Lebanon, however, such studies remain scarce. This study, conducted in Lebanon, investigated the most common organisms in DFU infections and their antimicrobial profiles.

Methodology: We collected data from all documented diabetic foot infections between January 2015 and March 2016, 128 participants total, from 5 different hospitals in various regions of Lebanon.

Results: Among all isolates, Enterobacteriaceae (42%), Pseudomonas spp. (18.6%) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (15.3%) were the most frequent bacteria. In addition, 72% of Pseudomonas spp. were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and 63.6% of Enterobacteriaceae were susceptible to either amoxicillin/clavulanate or ciprofloxacin, 91% were susceptible to piperacillin/tazobactam. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was only found in hospitalized patients or those who received prior antibiotics. Polymicrobial infections were documented in only 38% of patients.

Conclusion: In Lebanon, the most appropriate empirical oral outpatient treatment would be a combination of amoxicillin/clavulanate and ciprofloxacin. As for admitted patients who have failed the oral regimen, piperacillin/tazobactam would then be the treatment of choice.
Yemen: Cholera outbreak and the ongoing armed conflict
Authors: Dureab Fekri Ali , Shibib Khalid , Al-Yousufi Reema , Jahn Albrecht
Published: June 2018

Yemen was affected by a major cholera epidemic in 2016, while a civil war, which has devastated the country since March 2015, has exacerbated the humanitarian situation. Cholera is a disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholera, thus this study aims to analyze the epidemiological features of the outbreak and explore the relation of the outbreak to the current armed conflict situation.
The data were obtained from the national surveillance system in Yemen. This contains details of 15,074 cases registered as suspected cholera patients per governorate from week 39 to 52 in 2016. In addition to the data concerning cholera, other data on conflict-related injuries, and population movement (numbers of Internally Displaced Persons – IDPs – and number of displaced returnees) were used to assess the correlation using Spearman's rho analysis.
The data analysis shows the intensity of the conflict as measured by the total casualties per governorate (conflict-related injuries and death) is significantly correlated with the number of cholera cases per governorate (r 0.483, P = 0.026). The analysis also shows a positive, but not significant correlation between cholera cases, and both the number of conflict internal displaced people (IDPs) (r 0.389, P = 0.081), and number of returnees (r = 432, P = 0.050).
Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus associated with nasal colonization among healthcare workers using DNA microarray
Authors: Senok Abiola Catherine , Somily Ali , Raji Muhabat , Garaween Ghada , Kabil Maha , Shibl Atef , Monecke Stefan , Ehricht Ralf
Published: June 2018

Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) colonized with Staphylococcus aureus may serve as a reservoir of infection. This study was carried to determine the genetic make-up of S. aureus nasal colonizers in HCWs.

Methodology: Nasal swabs were obtained from 93 HCWs and molecular characterization of identified S. aureus isolates was carried out using the StaphyType DNA microarray (Alere Technologies GmbH, Jena, Germany).

Results: Twenty-nine HCWs (31%) were colonized with S. aureus (MSSA = 23; MRSA = 6). Thus the overall MRSA carriage rate was 6.5% (n/N = 6/93) and 20.7% (n/N = 6/29) of those colonized with S. aureus harboured MRSA. The S. aureus isolates belonged to 16 clonal complexes (CC). MSSA isolates included three each for CC15, CC188, ST2867; two each for CC5, CC97, CC367 as well as one each for CC1, CC8, CC30, CC45, CC101, CC121, ST291/813 and CC1153. The staphylococcal cassette chromosome recombinase genes ccrA-1; ccrB-1 and the fusidic acid resistance gene (fusC) were present in two MSSA isolates (CC1 and CC8). The six MRSA isolates included CC5-MRSA-[VI+fusC] (n = 2); one each of CC5-MRSA-V; CC22-MRSA-IV (tst1+); CC80-MRSA-IV [pvl+] (“European CA-MRSA Clone”) and CC97-MRSA-[V+fusC].

Conclusion: There is wide clonal diversity of S. aureus colonizers with associated high MRSA carriage among the HCWs. The presence of genetically stable MSSA isolates with the capability to transform into MRSA isolates is of concern.
No molecular evidence of MERS-CoV circulation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between 2010–2012: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Alamoudi Reem J , Azhar Leena E , Alamoudi Dareen H , Alamoudi Dena H , Tolah Ahmed M , Alhabbab Rowa Yousef , Azhar Esam I , Hashem Anwar M
Published: June 2018

Introduction: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging zoonotic viral pathogen and a serious public health concern. The virus was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and continues to be endemic in the region. Most of the initial MERS-CoV cases in 2012 and early 2013 were sporadic, and it remains unclear whether MERS-CoV was circulating before 2012 or not. Therefore, we tried here to find any molecular evidence of MERS-CoV circulation in humans before or during 2012 in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Methodology: We examined 349 archived respiratory samples collected between January 2010 and December 2012 from patients with acute respiratory illnesses from the city of Jeddah in Western Saudi Arabia. All samples were screened for MERS-CoV by real-time RT-PCR targeting the upstream E-gene (UpE) and the open reading frame 1 a (ORF1a).

Results: All tested samples which were originally found negative for influenza A H1N1 virus were also found to be negative for MERS-CoV.

Conclusions: These results suggest that circulation of MERS-CoV was uncommon among patients with acute respiratory symptoms in Western Saudi Arabia between 2010 and 2012.
Nasal colonization by methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among medical students
Authors: Al-Tamimi Mohammad , Himsawi Nisreen , Abu-Raideh Jumana , Abu jazar Deaa , Al-jawaldeh Hussam , Al Haj Mahmoud Sameer , Hijjawi Nawal , Hawamdeh Hasan
Published: June 2018

Introduction: Nasal carriers of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are common and play an important role in nosocomial infections. The prevalence rate and characterization of nasal carriers of MRSA among medical students in Jordan has not been investigated before.

Methodology: The resistance of S. aureus to several antibiotics was tested using disc diffusion method, automatic Vitek 2, and penicillin binding protein (PBP) 2 slide test. Bacterial species and resistance genes were confirmed using molecular analysis of three relevant genes by real-time PCR. Two hundred ninety nasal swabs were collected from medical students at Hashemite University from June 2015 to August 2016. All participants signed a voluntary consent form and filled a predesigned questionnaire.

Results: The mean age of participants was 19.7 ± 2 years and 61.7% of them were males. 63 out of the 290 (21.7%) samples were identified to have S. aureus, 56 (19.3%) were methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and 7 (2.4%) were MRSA. S. aureus nasal colonization significantly associates with male gender (OR = 1.7, CI = 0.94-3.18, P = 0.049) and chronic illnesses (OR = 4.0, CI = 1.52-10.65, P = 0.006). Consistency between disc diffusion, Vitek 2, and PBP 2 methods for MRSA screening were satisfactory compared to molecular analysis. All MRSA samples were positive for SCCmec:orfx junction gene (MRSA-specific), nuc gene (S. aureus- specific), mecA gene (PBP-mediated resistant), and PBP2 production. All MRSA isolates were multi-drug resistant and were sensitive to Linezolid, Vancomycin, and Tigecycline.

Conclusions: This study confirms that nasal colonization by MRSA among medical students necessitates further attention to prevent nosocomial infections.
Clinical, epidemiological and epizootic features of a Q fever outbreak in the border region between Serbia and Montenegro
Authors: Debeljak Zoran , Medić Snezana , Baralić Marija , Andrić Aleksandra , Tomić Aleksandar , Vidanović Dejan , Šekler Milanko , Matović Kazimir , Vasković Nikola
Published: June 2018

Introduction: Q fever is a zoonosis which commonly manifests as an acute febrile disease accompanied by pneumonia or hepatitis. The aim of this study was to reveal the reservoirs, sources and routes of infection relevant for the Q fever outbreak that occurred in the border region between Serbia and Montenegro.

Methodology: A prospective study was conducted from 3rd to 23rd March, 2016 in Brodarevo, village near the Serbian-Montenegro border. The EU case definition for Q fever was applied and serological evidence of IgM and/or IgG antibody for phase II antigen Coxiella burnetii used for laboratory confirmation. Animal infection was proven by detection of specific biomarkers for Q fever by ELISA and Real-Time PCR.

Results: In total, ten patients were registered with Q fever, giving an attack rate of 0.5% in the village. A severe form of disease with atypical pneumonia ended up with hospitalization of eight patients. Serological surveillance was conducted in 30 herds of the receptive animals in the outbreak area. Overall the anti-Coxiella antibody seroprevalence was 20.6%. Positive molecular findings (68.4%) accompanied with high seroprevalence (63.2%) were identified in a mini-farm of sheep and cattle in the nearby Orasac, these were considered to be active sources of infection. The most probable route of C. burnetii transmission was the inhalation of contaminated aerosols originating from infected animals.

Conclusion: The main reservoirs for human Q fever at the border region between Serbia and Montenegro are infected cattle and ruminants. Adoption of a comprehensive strategy for disease prevention and control at the intergovernmental level is urgent.
Relationship between age and intensive care unit-acquired bloodstream infections in infectious disease patients in Croatia
Authors: Balen Topic Mirjana , Santini Marija , Barsic Bruno
Published: June 2018

Introduction: Intensive care unit-acquired bloodstream infections (ICU-BSI) belong to the most important nosocomial infections. Since there is scarce data available on their relationship with older age, we performed this study to estimate the age-related incidence of ICU-BSI and the odds of acquiring ICU-BSI in elderly critically ill infectious disease patients.

Methodology: A retrospective observational analysis of prospectively collected demographic and clinical data of adult mechanically ventilated infectious disease patients, treated in a teaching hospital in Croatia between 1994 and 2008, using univariate, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results: Of the 1,093 included patients, 509 (46.6%) were ≥ 65 years old, among 256 (23.4%) of whom a total of 353 ICU-BSI episodes were recorded. No significant difference among ICU-BSI causative microorganisms between the observed age groups was found (P = 0.4940). The rate of patients with ICU-BSI was higher among elderly ones (26.1 vs. 21.1%, P = 0.048), and elderly patients used the ICU facilities (ICU stay, duration of mechanical ventilation and central venous catheter [CVC] use) significantly longer (P < 0.05). However, older age was not positively related with the development of ICU-BSI (OR 0.99, 95% CI: 0.71-1.38); as opposed to the duration of CVC use (OR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.07-1.10).

Conclusion: It seems that among adult mechanically ventilated infectious disease patients, borderline significantly higher rate of ICU-BSI among those aged ≥ 65 years was related to longer use of ICU facilities, rather than to their older age itself. The duration of CVC use was identified as the only factor positively related to the development of ICU-BSI.
Deux formes de solidarité : leur relation à la capacité de penser et à l’aliénation
Authors: Frankel Jay
Published: June 2018

Penser par soi-même empêche de fuir vers des fantasmes ou des meneurs autoritaires – une fuite constatée tout récemment par l’élection de Trump comme président des États-Unis, par exemple. La capacité de penser par soi-même demande un sentiment de sécurité qui, s’il n’est pas intériorisé, peut provenir d’un sentiment d’appartenance. Mais si nous avons besoin d’appartenance pour être sécurisés, quelle liberté avons-nous de penser autrement que le groupe ? Je propose l’existence de deux types de solidarité – la vraie solidarité où un sentiment d’affinité universel favorise la compassion et le sens d’une responsabilité de prendre soin d’autrui, ce qui donne de l’importance au fait de réfléchir à ce que nous faisons ; et une fausse solidarité, un fantasme paranoïde/maniaque partagé de supériorité envers un groupe méprisé, où penser par soi-même menace un sentiment d’appartenance fragile.
Histoire traumatique et transmission de la révolte
Authors: Peng Jenyu
Published: June 2018

Le Mouvement des tournesols survenu à Taïwan au printemps 2014 a eu beaucoup de retentissement sur la politique, l’économie et l’éducation, mais aussi sur la psyché de la nouvelle génération. Ce mouvement fut mené principalement par des étudiants qui réussirent à occuper le Parlement pendant vingt-quatre jours. Mais leur tentative d’occuper aussi le siège du gouvernement fut brutalement réprimée. Le choc corporel et psychique, tel un moment initiatique, a suscité chez ces jeunes le désir de mieux connaître les violences d’État commises durant la période de la dictature, qui furent longtemps tues ou minimisées. Au cours d’une enquête ethno-psychanalytique, j’ai effectué des entretiens approfondis avec une trentaine de jeunes participants du mouvement, pour comprendre leurs motivations à y prendre part et ce qu’ils en retenaient. Nés après la levée de la loi martiale en 1987, ils se désignent comme des « indépendantistes naturels », c’est-à-dire que, pour eux, Taïwan et la Chine sont évidemment deux entités politiques distinctes, ce qui n’allait pas de soi pour la génération précédente. Pour eux, Taïwan est une démocratie jouissant d’une souveraineté nationale de facto . Ils croyaient vivre dans une société où les principes fondamentaux des droits de l’homme étaient respectés, et la justice sociale garantie. Or, quand les matraques de la police se sont abattues sur eux alors qu’ils étaient désarmés, ils ont perçu la fragilité de cette démocratie. J’observe chez ces jeunes blessés voire traumatisés un double mouvement de révolte , au sens donné par Kristeva : une révolte œdipienne pour renouveler l’ordre symbolique et un retour à l’archaïque pour retisser le lien avec les origines. Dans une quête subjectivante, imbriquée avec une recherche identitaire, cette génération façonne une nouvelle forme d’indépendantisme, plus à gauche que celui de la génération de leurs parents, qui se rapproche du nationalisme libéral décrit par Yaël Tamir. À travers une lecture mêlant l’histoire et la psychanalyse, je m’efforce de clarifier les circonstances dans lesquelles prend forme la version taïwanaise de ce nationalisme civique tel qu’il apparaît dans ce mouvement sans précédent, et dans quelle mesure il fait écho aux aspirations démocratiques des générations antérieures.
Une « UNESCO africaine » ?
Authors: Matasci Damiano
Published: June 2018

Dès sa fondation en 1945, l’UNESCO alimente un intense débat international centré sur la lutte contre les inégalités éducatives dans les pays du Sud, y compris dans les « territoires non autonomes ». Craignant une intervention directe dans les colonies d’Afrique noire, le ministère de la France d’Outre-mer met alors en place des stratégies pour contrer toute tentative d’ingérence de la part des organismes onusiens. Il stimule notamment une importante coopération éducative à l’échelle intercoloniale. Celle-ci est censée certifier l’engagement renouvelé de la métropole pour le « bien-être » des populations locales et relégitimer ainsi la « mission civilisatrice » du colonialisme sur la scène internationale.
Influencia del método de rugosidad, configuración de la junta y espesor del adhesivo sobre la resistencia al corte de superficies de acero inoxidable ferrítico unidas por metacrilato de metilo
Authors: Cruz-González Celso E. , Mosquera-Artamonov José D. , Santillán Saúl D. , Gámez-Cuatzin Hugo
Published: June 2018

Las variables rugosidad superficial, configuración de la junta y espesor de adhesivo fueron seleccionadas para analizarlas mediante un diseño de experimentos 23. La unión adhesiva se realizó en una junta de acero ASI 430 utilizando Metil metacrilato como adhesivo. Para analizar la adhesión, rugosidad, contorno superficial y resistencia al corte se realizaron observaciones en el Microscopio Electrónico de Barrido, mediciones de rugosidad-contorno y mediciones de humectabilidad sobre los adherendos. El análisis estadístico arrojó que la variable más significativa fue el acabado superficial generando una R2 de 90%. Una diferencia de 20,69 y 12,67 MPa se obtuvo para los acabados superficiales mecánico y químico debido a una diferencia en humectabilidad expresada por ángulos de contacto de 78 y 113° respectivamente. Con base al diagrama de Pareto, la combinación para obtener el esfuerzo de 21,80 MPa fue el acabado mecánico, junta de bisel simple y perlas de vidrio.
La présence italienne en Provence à partir de la fouille archéologique de cimetières (xvie-xxe s.)
Authors: Richier Anne , Weydert Nicolas
Published: June 2018

Si l’emigration italienne ouvriere des xixe et xxe siecles est la plus connue en Provence, cette region fut egalement une terre d’accueil et de passage pour les transalpins bien avant la revolution industrielle. Deux cimetieres recemment fouilles a La Ciotat et a Marseille, villes a forte composante italienne, permettent de soulever la question de l’identite, mais aussi celles de la memoire, du poids des origines et de l’oubli a travers la mort. Ces questions societales sont rarement posees en archeologie, ou l’identite est le plus souvent abordee par le biais de la culture materielle. Le caractere recent des deux cimetieres (xvie-xxe siecle) permet un croisement de regards entre disciplines des sciences humaines et sociales.
« Donner une place à la mort du migrant et au rapport aux défunts dans les études sur les migrations »
Authors: Lestage Françoise , Grenet Mathieu
Published: June 2018

L’anthropologue Françoise Lestage revient dans cet entretien sur les travaux pionniers qu’elle a consacré à la thématique de la mort en migration, ainsi que sur leurs prolongements récents dans la constitution de cet objet d’étude au croisement de plusieurs disciplines et méthodologies. Elle analyse la manière dont la mort en migration interroge l’élaboration et l’énonciation des identités collectives et individuelles, et évoque la centralité de la violence (et notamment celle des États) dans les lectures contemporaines du phénomène.
Le rôle du diplôme sur le marché du travail : filtre d’aptitudes ou certification de compétences productives ?
Authors: Dupray Arnaud
Published: June 2018

La croissance forte en volume et en niveau du nombre de diplômés au cours des deux dernières décennies conduit à s'interroger sur le rôle du diplôme sur le marché du travail. À partir du rappel des deux principales conceptualisations économiques de l'éducation : apport de compétences productives ou filtre d'aptitudes, on suggère que les deux mécanismes se complètent pour fonder la valeur du diplôme. Afin de tenter d'évaluer la portée de ces deux conceptions théoriques, les insertions professionnelles des sortants de filières techniques et professionnelles sont comparées à celles de sortants de filières générales au même niveau de diplôme, à partir des données de l'enquête « Génération 92 » du Céreq. Les résultats montrent que les sortants des filières plus spécialisées connaissent en moyenne des conditions d'insertion légèrement plus favorables et plus homogènes que les autres. Cependant, l'appréciation du diplôme par son niveau continuerait globalement de l'emporter sur sa nature technique ou professionnelle.
Demande d’expérience professionnelle et embauche des débutants : essai d’interprétation économique
Authors: Larré Françoise , Béduwé Catherine
Published: June 2018

L'entreprise produit à la fois une compétence (ou un élément de compétence) et un signal en assurant la mise au travail des débutants. Si cette représentation de l'entreprise comme fournisseur d'expérience professionnelle fait l'objet d'un consensus minimal, il en va différemment de l'analyse du système productif en tant que demandeur d'expérience professionnelle, notamment à l'égard des jeunes qui débutent leur vie professionnelle. Les réflexions présentées ici proposent, pour dépasser l'apparent paradoxe d'une demande d'expérience professionnelle faite au débutant, de discuter deux interprétations possibles de cette demande. La première consiste à l'analyser comme une volonté de minimiser, voire de reporter les coûts associés à l'acquisition d'expérience professionnelle sur un tiers. La seconde interprétation consiste à analyser la demande d'expérience professionnelle comme une garantie contre le risque pris par la firme de faire des choix de recrutement pouvant se révéler inadéquats et susceptibles d'engendrer des coûts.
Le diplôme est-il aujourd’hui nécessaire pour espérer une évolution professionnelle ? Le cas des auditeurs du Cnam
Authors: Correia Mario
Published: June 2018

Les résultats d'une enquête réalisée en 1999 sur 2 500 auditeurs ayant arrêté leur formation au C.N.A.M. en 1998, ont permis de confronter les caractéristiques du public du C.N.A.M. avec leur espoir d'obtenir un diplôme pendant leur parcours au C.N.A.M. Le premier fait marquant est que tous les auditeurs ne souhaitent pas obtenir un diplôme. Alors que ce projet de validation est très présent chez les auditeurs sans expérience professionnelle, il est nettement moins important pour ceux des auditeurs ayant déjà exercé une activité professionnelle qui, eux, espèrent avant tout obtenir des évolutions professionnelles par le biais de leur formation au C.N.A.M.Les attentes de diplôme se différencient assez nettement en fonction de la nature des objectifs professionnels visés et sont plus marquées quand les auditeurs visent un changement significatif de leur situation professionnelle. Toutefois ces attentes ne dépendent pas seulement des désirs individuels, elles se construisent en prenant en compte la pertinence du diplôme dans un projet d'évolution en fonction du contexte professionnel et de la situation particulière de l'individu dans ce contexte professionnel.
Conception du diplôme et formes d’usage du CAP
Authors: Cahuzac Éric , Maillard Fabienne , Ourtau Maurice
Published: June 2018

En s'appuyant sur le cas particulier du C.A.P. cet article est une réflexion plus générale sur la nature des diplômes professionnels. L'approche historique du processus de création, rénovation et suppression des C.A.P. témoigne du caractère évolutif d'un diplôme professionnel dans sa fonction première de préparation à l'accès à l'emploi. Elle met l'accent sur l'interdépendance des diplômes et sur les risques d'affaiblissement, le cas échéant, du rôle joué par chacun d'eux. Elle analyse l'offre actuelle de formation et de certification en C.A.P., ainsi que les ajustements opérés sur le marché du travail. Les auteurs concluent à une plus ou moins grande capacité du diplôme, selon les périodes, à concilier les logiques différentes qui président à la fois à sa conception et aux usages qui en sont faits par les systèmes éducatif et productif.
Could NoSQL Replace Relational Databases in FMIS?
Authors: Rodrigues Giancarlo , Guimarães Alaine Margarete
Published: June 2018

FMIS (farm management information systems) is the computational tool responsible to process data to get information that improves farmers' decision support. The data manipulated in FMIS is originated from diverse sources, stored, and read whenever necessary without subsequent modifications, thus dismissing the necessity of complex data storage systems such as offered by the relational model. Due to its capability to handle with high performance, a large amount of unstructured data and to reduce the complexity of applications, the NoSQL data storage model, a convenient alternative to relational model, recently gained a lot of attention in the information systems market. This way, this chapter discusses how NoSQL models could improve the FMIS architecture and performance when used as data storage. Some works that have already benefited from NoSQL model adoption are reviewed and convenient use cases where both data storage models could be well used in FMIS's architecture are advised and discussed.
InWaterSense
Authors: Ahmedi Figene , Ahmedi Lule , O'Flynn Brendan , Kurti Arianit , Tahirsylaj Sylë , Bytyçi Eliot , Sejdiu Besmir , Salihu Astrit
Published: June 2018

A shift in the water monitoring approach from traditional grab sampling to novel wireless sensors is gaining in popularity not only among researchers but also in the market. These latest technologies readily enable numerous advantageous monitoring arrangements like remote, continuous, real-time, and spatially dense and broad in coverage measurements, and identification of long-term trends of parameters of interest. Thus, a WSN system is implemented in a river in Kosovo as part of the InWaterSense project to monitor its water quality parameters. It is one of the first state-of-the-art technology demonstration systems of its kind in the domain of water monitoring in developing countries like Kosovo. Water quality datasets are transmitted at pre-programmed intervals from sensing stations deployed in the river to the server at university via the GPRS network. Data is then made available through a portal to different target groups (policymakers, water experts, and citizens). Moreover, the InWaterSense system behaves intelligently like staying in line with water quality regulatory standards.
Emergence of a Digital Platform Based Disruptive Mobile Payments Service
Authors: Mahgoub Yasmin , Arvidsson Niklas , Urueña Alberto
Published: June 2018

Banks are motivated to be interested in developing platforms to provide mobile payment services to their customer and for those to be innovative. However, the successful implementation of a mobile payments service platform is mainly determined by how much players are fully motivated to realize it. In fact, in the Swedish context, the involvement level of mobile payment service platforms are very high whereas few studies have examined the related issues of mobile payments service platform. Thus, the purpose of this article is to investigate the factors leading banks to develop platforms and how banks manage these platforms. Data was collected by conducting interviews of applicable banks. The results mainly showed that the driving factors are significantly influenced by contextual factors, mutual objectives and opportunities. This article also looks forward to providing the payment industry with applicable guidelines for efficiently implementing and designing mobile payment service platforms.
The Strategic Value of Big Data Analytics in Health Care Policy-Making
Authors: Zolbanin Hamed M. , Delen Dursun , Sharma Sushil K
Published: June 2018

This article describes how the metrics that are used to gauge acceptable versus inadequate care have spurred debates among health care administrators and scholars. Specifically, they argue that the use of readmissions as a quality-of-care metric may reduce patients' safety. Consequently, the new well-intended policies may prove ineffective, or even worse, yield disappointing results. While the discussions over the advantages and disadvantages of the new policies are based more on conjectures rather than on evidence, analytics provides a vehicle to measure the effectiveness of such overarching strategies. In this effort, the authors analyze large volumes of hospital encounters data before and after the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to show how overlooking some aspects of a problem may lead to unexpected outcomes. The authors conclude that the feedback provided by big data analytics can be used by the government and organization policymakers to obtain a better understanding of loopholes and to propose more effective policies in prospective endeavors.
Investigating the Role of Customer Brand Engagement and Relationship Quality on Brand Loyalty
Authors: Nagaraj Samala , Singh Sapna
Published: June 2018

The main aim of this article is to investigate the role of customer-brand engagement (CBE) and relationship quality (RQ) when individuals engage online with a brand. The study empirically examines the serial mediation of CBE and RQ between customer participation and brand loyalty. The research included a posttest only, in a quasi-experiment design, with two comparative groups: Purchasers and nonpurchasers. A total of 215 students were invited to engage with a selected brand on Facebook for 5 days consecutively, and for 20 minutes each day. Subsequently, the participants' opinions were collected using a questionnaire. Process Macros was used to test the serial mediation (Hayes, 2013). The results confirm that CBE does not mediate among the purchasers' group, however, CBE and RQ exhibit serial mediation. Also, RQ does not mediate among the nonpurchasers' group. This evidence suggests that purchasers do not exhibit loyalty through engagement alone and confirms that CBE is beyond transactions. Finally, results support the importance of CBE for the management to improve brand loyalty.
Role of Personalization in Shaping Attitudes Towards Social Media Ads
Authors: Aydin Gökhan
Published: June 2018

The present article aims to understand attitudes towards social media ads, one of the most recent and rapidly growing forms of digital advertisements. So far, little attention has been paid in developing countries to the most rapidly growing type of advertising and the present study aims to contribute to fill this research gap. A survey study was carried out to understand the attitudes using Ducoffe's advertising value model and extending it by the inclusion of “rewards” and “personalization” constructs. Facebook ads are used as a proxy for social media ads and a total of 327 questionnaires were collected from Turkish consumers, which were filtered down to 281 and analyzed using structural equation modelling. The findings indicate that credibility, personalization, informativeness and entertainment have direct positive effects on advertising value and have indirect effects on attitudes towards social media ads. Personalization emerged as a significant factor affecting all other related constructs.
Challenges of Cloud Computing Adoption From the TOE Framework Perspective
Authors: Al-Hujran Omar , Al-Lozi Enas M. , Al-Debei Mutaz M. , Maqableh Mahmoud
Published: June 2018

Cloud computing can be classified as a third-generation computing platform which refers to on-demand delivery of computing infrastructure and services via a network, usually the Internet. Cloud computing promises to provide several advantages to its adopters such as: cost advantage, availability, scalability, flexibility, reduced time to market and dynamic access to computational resources. Notwithstanding the numerous advantages of cloud computing, its implementation and adoption in developing countries is still limited and surrounded by variety of issues. Hence, the main objective of this article is to identify the main challenges facing the utilization of these services in developing countries, particularly Jordan. To achieve the above-mentioned objective, six in-depth interviews with ICT officials and experts in the domain of cloud computing were used as the main data collection method. The challenges of cloud computing adoption emerged in this study are classified into technological, organizational and environmental factors.
Determinants of Repurchase Intentions at Online Stores in Indonesia
Authors: Wijaya Rahmad , Farida Naili , Andriyansah
Published: June 2018

The rapid growth of the internet users in Indonesia poses a challenge to marketers to explore and develop the potential for e-commerce. In this article, consumer trust is expected to encourage customers to make repurchases in online stores. This article aims to build a determinant model of repurchase intention at online stores in Indonesia. This article is based on a survey of Indonesian online store consumers. Respondents were asked to provide responses related to satisfaction, trust, website quality, and repurchase intention. There were 193 final respondents obtained from 300 distributed questionnaires. The model was tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS 18. The results revealed the role of the mediating variable of customer satisfaction on repurchase intention. The findings are expected to contribute ideas related to the formation of model reinforce the repurchase intention of online store customers. This implies for website designers to design an online store capable of increasing trust and strengthening the repurchase intention.
Universal Health Insurance Reform in China
Authors: Luk Sabrina Ching Yuen
Published: June 2018

This article uses a refined version of historical institutionalism to critically examine the complex interplay of forces that shape the health insurance reform trajectory in China since the mid-1980s, problems that plague the current multi-layered social medical insurance system and solutions to these problems. It shows that achieving universal health coverage (UHC) requires the government to ensure financing equity between urban and rural insured participants, access to affordable health care and the financial sustainability of medical insurance funds. Facing the challenges of rapidly aging population, the government implements a pilot scheme that integrates medical and nursing care for the elderly and a pilot long-term care insurance scheme for disabled elderly. It is expected that these two pilot schemes can provide better financial protection and quality of medical services for the elderly.
Reading in the Humanities in the Mobile Digital Age
Authors: Fawsitt John
Published: June 2018

This speculative submission tries to delineate the possible existence of a clash between fulfilling a mission towards developing the cognitive and intellectual abilities of learners via reading and the introduction of mobile technology or M-Learning techniques into university education along with a survey of the possible forces that act to bring this about and how these trends follow the general tendency of intellectual and habitual behaviour in modern society. Whether they are in harmony or whether they run against them.
Personalized Recommendation Algorithm Based on Product Reviews
Authors: Wang Zhibo , Wan Mengyuan , Cui Xiaohui , Liu Lin , Liu Zixin , Xu Wei , He Linlin
Published: June 2018

Under the background of leap-forward development for the internet, e-commerce has played an important role in people's daily life, but huge data sizes have also brought problems, such as information overload which can be solved by using a recommendation system effectively. However, with the development of the e-commerce, the amount of the product catalogs and users becomes larger, which causes lower performance of the traditional recommendation system. This article comes up with a personalized recommendation algorithm based on the data mining of product reviews to optimize the performance of the new recommendation system. Features of the product were extracted, for which the users' sentiment polarity was analyzed. This article develops a recommendation system based on the user's preference model and the product features to get the recommendation result. Experimental results show that a personalized recommendation has significantly improved the accuracy and recall rate when compared with a traditional recommendation algorithm.
Research on Optimization of Multi-Commodity Supply and Demand Logistics Network Based on Supernetwork
Authors: Peng Yongtao , Li Yaya , He Meiling
Published: June 2018

For the realization, a qualitative and quantitative description of matching degree between the elements for logistics supply network and demand network, logistics super network models are constructed by the theory of super network. Faced with the problems of diverse demand and massive circulation for commodities, this article studies the structure of the logistics super network of multi-commodity circulation and establishes the continuous cost function of the logistics demand and supply, reflecting the logistics cost of different commodities in different phrases. This article aims to establish the optimization model of logistics supernetwork by aiming to maximize the matching of supply and demand of multi-commodity. The model is transformed into the variational inequality problem, and proves the existence and uniqueness of the equivalence solution. Use the case of the logistics supernetwork of coal, a modified projection algorithm is adopted and the fact is revealed that improving the supply capacity of the network matching may have the original 81.3% increase to 90.5%, improving the impact of the relationship between trades, matching degree can be increased to 90.1%.
LİDERLİĞİN İŞ TATMİNİNE ETKİSİ: BAĞLILIK ODAKLARININ ARACILIK ROLÜ
Authors: CİNDİLOĞLU DEMİRER Mihriban , POLATÇI Sema
Published: June 2018

Çalışmanın amacı dönüşümcü ve etkileşimci liderlik algılarının işgörenlerin iş tatmini üzerindeki etkisinde bağlılık odaklarının rolünün belirlenmesidir. Araştırmanın örneklemini Çorum ilinde bir grup şirkette çalışan 300 işgören oluşturmaktadır. Analizler sonucunda dönüşümcü liderliğin iş tatmini ve bağlılık odaklarını anlamlı ve pozitif yönde etkilediği tespit edilmiştir, ayrıca etkileşimci liderliğin bağlılık odakları ve iş tatminini anlamlı ancak negatif yönde etkilediği tespit edilmiştir. Araştırma sorularını ve araştırma modelini analiz etmek için Yapısal Eşitlik Modeli (YEM) analizleri yapılmıştır. Bu analiz sonucunda, dönüşümcü ve etkileşimci liderliğin iş tatmini üzerindeki etkisinde bağlılık odaklarının aracılık rolü olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
TÜRKİYE’DEKİ KONTEYNER LİMANLARININ WEB SİTELERİNİN İÇERİK ANALİZİ
Authors: ALNIPAK Serdar , DUYGUN Adnan
Published: June 2018

Uluslararası ticarette ana taşımacılık türü olan deniz taşımacılığının başlangıç ve bitiş noktaları limanlardır. Limanların en önemli türlerinden birisini oluşturan konteyner limanları rekabetin yoğun olarak yaşandığı yerlerdir. Dolayısıyla yoğun rekabet yaşanan tüm sektörlerde etkin olarak faydalanılan internet ve web siteleri, konteyner limanlarında da kullanılmaktadır. Bu bağlamda; tanıtım, hizmet pazarlaması, ödeme vb. gibi pek çok amaç için kullanılan sitelerde bulunması gereken içerik, görsellik, kullanım kolaylığı ve etkileşimli uygulamalara yönelik ölçütlerin belirlenmesi önemlidir. Bu amaçla; akademik literatür incelenmiş ve limanlarda çalışan uzmanlar ile odak grup görüşmeleri yapılarak konteyner limanlarının web sitelerinde bulunması gereken ölçütler belirlenmiştir. Bu ölçütler; kategoriler, alt kategoriler ve onlara bağlı değişkenler şeklinde ifade edilmiştir. Literatür açısından ilk kez geniş kapsamlı olarak belirlenen bu kategori ve değişkenler baz alınarak, içerik analizi yöntemi ile deniz ticareti istatistiklerine göre 2015 yılında Türkiye’de en çok üretim yapan konteyner limanlarının web siteleri analiz edilmiş, özellikle müşteri ilişkileri ve pazarlama faaliyetleri açsından web sitelerini ne derece etkin kullandıkları incelenmiştir. Araştırma soncunda web siteleri incelenen konteyner liman işletmelerinin, genel olarak web sitelerini orta düzeyde etkin kullandıkları belirlenmiş ve etkinliğin artırılması için yapılması gerekenlerle ilgili tavsiyelerde bulunulmuştur.
Simple ideas that work: Celebrating development in persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities
Authors: Bullen Ann , Luger Rosemary , Prudhomme Debbie , Geiger Martha
Published: June 2018

Background: The purpose of this article is to share some lessons learnt by an interdisciplinary therapy team working with persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD), implemented in diverse, low-income contexts over a period of 8 years.Objectives: The objective of all the activities described here was to provide increased stimulation and development opportunities for persons with PIMD within different settings (day care centre, residential centre or family home).Method: We used an iterative action-learning approach where we applied existing evidence in the given context, reflected on and adapted strategies in collaboration with stakeholders on a cyclical basis. We focussed on achieving our objectives through ongoing hands-on training of the carers involved with the clients as we felt that by providing them with the knowledge and skills needed, plus ongoing support, these programmes would be more sustainable.Findings: It took some time to put systems in place in care settings, but once they became part of the daily routine, they provided increased opportunities for learning for clients with PIMD. In addition, there were often marked changes in individual clients’ communicative and physical functioning, which in turn encouraged carers to find new and different ways to interact with, and stimulate, the persons with PIMD in their care.Conclusion: Our hope is that parents and carers or professionals working in the field of PIMD in low-income contexts elsewhere may find one, some or all of these simple ideas useful in providing opportunities for learning, development and enjoyment for persons with PIMD.
Poor Sensitivity of Commercial Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Hepatitis B e Antigen in Senegal, West Africa
Authors: Seck Abdoulaye , Ndiaye Fatou , Maylin Sarah , Ndiaye Babacar , Simon François , Funk Anna L. , Fontanet Arnaud , Takahashi Kazuaki , Akbar Sheikh Mohammad Fazle , Mishiro Shunji , Bercion Raymond , Vray Muriel , Shimakawa Yusuke
Published: June 2018

Limited access to nucleic acid tests for hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA is a significant barrier to the effective management of chronic HBV infection in resource-poor countries. Alternatively, HBV e antigen (HBeAg) may accurately indicate high viral replication. We assessed the diagnostic performance of three commercially available rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for HBeAg (SD Bioline, Insight and OneStep) against a quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA, Architect). Using stored sera from adults with chronic HBV infection, we tested RDTs in three groups in Senegal (48 HBeAg-positive, 196 HBeAg-negative, and 117 cases with high HBV DNA (≥ 106 IU/mL)) and one group in France (17 HBeAg-positive East Asians). In Senegal, the sensitivity and specificity for HBeAg detection were 29.8% and 100% for SD Bioline, 31.1% and 100% for Insight, and 42.5% and 98.4% for OneStep, respectively. The lower limits of detection of these RDTs were very high (> 2.5 log10 Paul Ehrlich Institut units/mL). Their low sensitivity was also confirmed in HBeAg-positive Asian samples (35.3–52.9%). The prevalence of HBeAg in highly viremic (≥ 106 IU/mL) Senegalese patients was low: 58.1% using CLIA and 24.5–37.5% using RDTs. Hepatitis B e antigen prevalence was similarly low in a subgroup of 28 Senegalese women of childbearing age with a high viral load (≥ 106 IU/mL). Approximately, half of highly viremic adults do not carry HBeAg in Africa, and HBeAg RDTs had remarkably poor analytical and diagnostic sensitivity. This implies that HBeAg-based antenatal screening, particularly if using the currently available HBeAg RDTs, may overlook most pregnant women at high risk of mother-to-child transmission in Africa.
Video Observation With Guided Reflection: A Method for Continuing Teaching Education
Authors: Merriam Sarah B. , Spataro Brielle , Hamm Megan E. , McNeil Melissa A. , DiNardo Deborah J.
Published: June 2018

Background 

Best practices for faculty development programs include longitudinal, practice-based formats incorporating experiential learning with opportunities for reflection and community building. Peer coaching for faculty development provides personalized, learner-centered, work-based learning. Implementation of traditional 1-on-1 peer coaching programs is challenging due to time, logistics, and methodological barriers.

Objective 

We sought to improve observation and reflection skills and to expand personal teaching practices of clinician educators.

Methods 

In 2016, we developed and evaluated an innovative “1-to-many” peer-coaching model utilizing large group review of video-recorded teaching encounters. Forty-three clinician-educator faculty in general internal medicine at the University of Pittsburgh attended at least 1 of 6 sessions between February and August 2016. Sessions were moderated by a master facilitator who guided direct observation of, and reflection on, observed teaching and highlighted efficacious teaching methods. The study evaluated the acceptability and efficacy of this novel faculty development program qualitatively, with semistructured, postcurriculum telephone interviews with 20 participating faculty.

Results 

All respondents stated that they would continue to attend faculty development sessions and would recommend them to others. The most frequently cited advantages included exposure to new teaching strategies, direct feedback, safe environment, community of practice, and growth mind-set, yet barriers emerged, such as discomfort reviewing video, difficulty giving feedback across hierarchy, and initial skepticism. None described the curriculum as critical or unsafe. Most reported increased self-reflection and adoption of new teaching behaviors.

Conclusions 

This peer-coaching, video-based faculty development program was well received, feasible, and effective in changing self-reported teaching attitudes and practices.