bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainability and Risk Disclosure: An Exploratory Study on Sustainability Reports
Authors: Truant Elisa , Corazza Laura , Scagnelli Simone
Published: April 2017

Recent policy changes in sustainability reporting, such as the ones related to the new European Directive on non-financial disclosure (2014/95/EU), the standards issued by the American Sustainability Accounting Standard Board (SASB), the G4 guidelines issued by the Global Sustainability Standard Board (GSSB), and the framework of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) stress the importance of extending the disclosure of ethical, social, and environmental risks within financial and social-environmental reporting. Institutional pressure has notably increased among organizations, in setting up risk management tools to understand sustainability risks within managerial and reporting practices. Given such institutional pressure, the corporate reaction in providing additional sustainability risk disclosure calls for attention and scrutiny. Therefore, this study aims at addressing such issues from an exploratory perspective. We based our analysis on a sample of large Italian organizations that issued sustainability disclosure in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), G4 guidelines, and we tested the relationship between their level of risk disclosure and other relevant variables. Consistently with the literature, we found that “experienced” sustainable reporters provide a significant volume of disclosure, and that disclosure quality on risk is positively influenced by their international presence and reporting experience. However, when accounting for specific risk-related areas of disclosure, only a few of them seem to adopt a managerial perspective linking strategy, risk metrics, and disclosure.
3D Reconstruction Framework for Multiple Remote Robots on Cloud System
Authors: Chu Phuong , Cho Seoungjae , Fong Simon , Park Yong , Cho Kyungeun
Published: April 2017

This paper proposes a cloud-based framework that optimizes the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of multiple types of sensor data captured from multiple remote robots. A working environment using multiple remote robots requires massive amounts of data processing in real-time, which cannot be achieved using a single computer. In the proposed framework, reconstruction is carried out in cloud-based servers via distributed data processing. Consequently, users do not need to consider computing resources even when utilizing multiple remote robots. The sensors’ bulk data are transferred to a master server that divides the data and allocates the processing to a set of slave servers. Thus, the segmentation and reconstruction tasks are implemented in the slave servers. The reconstructed 3D space is created by fusing all the results in a visualization server, and the results are saved in a database that users can access and visualize in real-time. The results of the experiments conducted verify that the proposed system is capable of providing real-time 3D scenes of the surroundings of remote robots.
Development of microsatellite markers based on expressed sequence tags in Asparagus cochinchinensis (Asparagaceae)
Authors: Kim Bo‐Yun , Park Han‐Sol , Lee Jung‐Hoon , Kwak Myounghai , Kim Young‐Dong
Published: April 2017

Premise of the study:

Transcriptome‐derived simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed in Asparagus cochinchinensis (Asparagaceae). Due to its application in traditional medicine, its wild populations are threatened by over‐collection even in protected areas, requiring immediate conservation efforts.

Methods and Results:

Based on transcriptome data of A. cochinchinensis, 96 primer pairs with two to seven alleles per locus were selected for initial validation; of those, 27 primer pairs amplified across all samples, resulting in 15 polymorphic and 12 monomorphic microsatellite markers. The usefulness of these markers was assessed in 60 individuals representing three populations of A. cochinchinensis. Observed and expected heterozygosity values ranged from 0.050 to 0.950 and 0.049 to 0.626, respectively. Cross‐species amplification of the 27 markers was tested in the related species A. rigidulus and A. schoberioides.

Conclusions:

These polymorphic, transcriptome‐derived SSR markers can be used as molecular markers to study population genetics and ecological conservation in A. cochinchinensis and related taxa.
Terrestrial Planet Formation: Dynamical Shake-up and the Low Mass of Mars
Authors: Bromley Benjamin C. , Kenyon Scott J.
Published: April 2017

We consider a dynamical shake-up model to explain the low mass of Mars and the lack of planets in the asteroid belt. In our scenario, a secular resonance with Jupiter sweeps through the inner solar system as the solar nebula depletes, pitting resonant excitation against collisional damping in the Sun’s protoplanetary disk. We report the outcome of extensive numerical calculations of planet formation from planetesimals in the terrestrial zone, with and without dynamical shake-up. If the Sun’s gas disk within the terrestrial zone depletes in roughly a million years, then the sweeping resonance inhibits planet formation in the asteroid belt and substantially limits the size of Mars. This phenomenon likely occurs around other stars with long-period massive planets, suggesting that asteroid belt analogs are common.
A Spectroscopic Study of the Rich Supernova Remnant Population in M83∗
Authors: Winkler P. Frank , Blair William P. , Long Knox S.
Published: April 2017

We report the results from a spectrophotometric study sampling the

candidate supernova remnants (SNRs) in M83 identified through optical imaging with Magellan/IMACS and Hubble Space Telescope/WFC3. Of the 118 candidates identified based on a high [S ii] λλ 6716, 6731 to Hα emission ratio, 117 show spectroscopic signatures of shock-heated gas, confirming them as SNRs—the largest uniform set of SNR spectra for any galaxy. Spectra of 22 objects with a high [O iii] λ5007 to Hα emission ratio, selected in an attempt to identify young ejecta-dominated SNRs like Cas A, reveal only one (previously reported) object with the broad (

) emission lines characteristic of ejecta-dominated SNRs, beyond the known SN1957D remnant. The other 20 [O iii]-selected candidates include planetary nebulae, compact H ii regions, and one background QSO. Although our spectroscopic sample includes 22 SNRs smaller than 11 pc, none of the other objects show broad emission lines; instead their spectra stem from relatively slow (

) radiative shocks propagating into the metal-rich interstellar medium of M83. With six SNe in the past century, one might expect more of M83's small-diameter SNRs to show evidence of ejecta; this appears not to be the case. We attribute their absence to several factors, including that SNRs expanding into a dense medium evolve quickly to the ISM-dominated phase, and that SNRs expanding into regions already evacuated by earlier SNe are probably very faint.
Investigating the Origins of Two Extreme Solar Particle Events: Proton Source Profile and Associated Electromagnetic Emissions
Authors: Kocharov Leon , Pohjolainen Silja , Mishev Alexander , Reiner Mike J. , Lee Jeongwoo , Laitinen Timo , Didkovsky Leonid V. , Pizzo Victor J. , Kim Roksoon , Klassen Andreas , Karlicky Marian , Cho Kyung-Suk , Gary Dale E. , Usoskin Ilya , Valtonen Eino , Vainio Rami
Published: April 2017

We analyze the high-energy particle emission from the Sun in two extreme solar particle events in which protons are accelerated to relativistic energies and can cause a significant signal even in the ground-based particle detectors. Analysis of a relativistic proton event is based on modeling of the particle transport and interaction, from a near-Sun source through the solar wind and the Earth’s magnetosphere and atmosphere to a detector on the ground. This allows us to deduce the time profile of the proton source at the Sun and compare it with observed electromagnetic emissions. The 1998 May 2 event is associated with a flare and a coronal mass ejection (CME), which were well observed by the Nançay Radioheliograph, thus the images of the radio sources are available. For the 2003 November 2 event, the low corona images of the CME liftoff obtained at the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory are available. Those complementary data sets are analyzed jointly with the broadband dynamic radio spectra, EUV images, and other data available for both events. We find a common scenario for both eruptions, including the flare’s dual impulsive phase, the CME-launch-associated decimetric-continuum burst, and the late, low-frequency type III radio bursts at the time of the relativistic proton injection into the interplanetary medium. The analysis supports the idea that the two considered events start with emission of relativistic protons previously accelerated during the flare and CME launch, then trapped in large-scale magnetic loops and later released by the expanding CME.
Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury. XVIII. The High-mass Truncation of the Star Cluster Mass Function
Authors: Johnson L. Clifton , Seth Anil C. , Dalcanton Julianne J. , Beerman Lori C. , Fouesneau Morgan , Weisz Daniel R. , Bell Timothy A. , Dolphin Andrew E. , Sandstrom Karin , Williams Benjamin F.
Published: April 2017

We measure the mass function for a sample of 840 young star clusters with ages between 10 and 300 Myr observed by the Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury (PHAT) survey in M31. The data show clear evidence of a high-mass truncation: only 15 clusters more massive than

are observed, compared to the ∼100 expected for a canonical

pure power-law mass function with the same total number of clusters above the catalog completeness limit. Adopting a Schechter function parameterization, we fit a characteristic truncation mass of

M
☉. Although previous studies have measured cluster mass function truncations, the characteristic truncation mass we measure is the lowest ever reported. Combining this M31 measurement with previous results, we find that the cluster mass function truncation correlates strongly with the characteristic star formation rate surface density of the host galaxy, where

. We also find evidence that suggests the observed M

c
–

relation also applies to globular clusters, linking the two populations via a common formation pathway. If so, globular cluster mass functions could be useful tools for constraining the star formation properties of their progenitor host galaxies in the early universe.
Leaked Lyα Emission: An Indicator of the Size of Quasar Absorption Outflows
Authors: He Zhicheng , Liu Guilin , Wang Tinggui , Yang Chenwei , Sheng Zhenfeng
Published: April 2017

The galactocentric distance of quasar absorption outflows are conventionally determined using absorption troughs from excited states, a method hindered by severely saturated or self-blended absorption troughs. We propose a novel method to estimate the size of a broad absorption line (BAL) region, which partly obscures an emission line region by assuming virialized gas in the emission region surrounding a supermassive black hole with known mass. When a spiky Lyα

 line emission is present at the flat bottom of the deep N v

 absorption trough, the size of the BAL region can be estimated. We have found three BAL quasars in the SDSS database showing such Lyα lines. The scale of their BAL outflows are found to be 3–26 pc, moderately larger than the theoretical scale (0.01–0.1 pc) of trough forming regions for winds originating from accretion disks, but significantly smaller than most outflow sizes derived using the absorption troughs of the excited states of ions. For these three outflows, the lower limits of the ratio of kinetic luminosity to Eddington luminosity are 0.02%–0.07%. These lower limits are substantially smaller than that required to have a significant feedback effect on their host galaxies.
Seven Years of Imaging the Global Heliosphere with IBEX
Authors: McComas D. J. , Zirnstein E. J. , Bzowski M. , Dayeh M. A. , Funsten H. O. , Fuselier S. A. , Janzen P. H. , Kubiak M. A. , Kucharek H. , Möbius E. , Reisenfeld D. B. , Schwadron N. A. , Sokół J. M. , Szalay J. R. , Tokumaru M.
Published: April 2017

The Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) has now operated in space for 7 years and returned nearly continuous observations that have led to scientific discoveries and reshaped our entire understanding of the outer heliosphere and its interaction with the local interstellar medium. Here we extend prior work, adding the 2014–2015 data for the first time, and examine, validate, initially analyze, and provide a complete 7-year set of Energetic Neutral Atom (ENA) observations from ∼0.1 to 6 keV. The data, maps, and documentation provided here represent the 10th major release of IBEX data and include improvements to various prior corrections to provide the citable reference for the current version of IBEX data. We are now able to study time variations in the outer heliosphere and interstellar interaction over more than half a solar cycle. We find that the Ribbon has evolved differently than the globally distributed flux (GDF), with a leveling off and partial recovery of ENAs from the GDF, owing to solar wind output flattening and recovery. The Ribbon has now also lost its latitudinal ordering, which reflects the breakdown of solar minimum solar wind conditions and exhibits a greater time delay than for the surrounding GDF. Together, the IBEX observations strongly support a secondary ENA source for the Ribbon, and we suggest that this be adopted as the nominal explanation of the Ribbon going forward.
Inadequacy of Joint Aspiration for Detection of Persistent Periprosthetic Infection During Two-Stage Septic Revision Knee Surgery
Authors: Preininger Bernd , Janz Viktor , von Roth Philipp , Trampuz Andrej , Perka Carsten F. , Pfitzner Tilman
Published: April 2017

Despite the lack of validation, synovial aspiration remains a common practice during 2-stage septic revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The goal of this study was to investigate the diagnostic validity of synovial polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) spacer aspiration of temporary knee arthrodesis to detect persistent periprosthetic joint infection before TKA reimplantation. This retrospective cohort study included 73 consecutive patients who underwent 2-stage septic revision TKA according to a standard protocol. After explantation surgery, including temporary arthrodesis with an intramedullary stabilized PMMA spacer, all patients had synovial aspiration 2 weeks before reimplantation to exclude persistent periprosthetic joint infection. Patients had a 2-week antibiotic holiday before aspiration. Sensitivity and specificity of the synovial PMMA spacer joint aspiration for the detection of periprosthetic joint infection were determined and referenced against intraoperative microbiologic and histologic samples obtained at second-stage surgery. Sensitivity of the synovial PMMA spacer aspiration was 21%. Because of poor diagnostic validity, synovial PMMA spacer aspiration cannot be recommended for routine exclusion of persistent periprosthetic joint infection before TKA reimplantation. Therefore, exclusion of persistent periprosthetic joint infection should be supplemented by other diagnostic methods, and it is not necessary to delay TKA reimplantation for PMMA spacer aspiration. [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(4):231–234.]
Pre-Existing RPE Atrophy and Defects in the External Limiting Membrane Predict Early Poor Visual Response to Ranibizumab in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Zandi Souska , Weisskopf Florian , Garweg Justus G. , Pfister Isabel B. , Pruente Christian , Sutter Florian , Hatz Katja
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The aim of this study was to identify the rate of early visual acuity poor responders in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after the first intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (Lucentis; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) and to determine potential predictors for early response.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD were evaluated before and 1 month after their first ranibizumab treatment. Early poor responders were defined as eyes gaining less than five letters 1 month after the first injection.

RESULTS:

Following the first ranibizumab injection, 58% of 84 patients gained five or more letters. Beyond 42% poor responders, 31% displayed foveal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy and 89% a loss of the external limiting membrane (ELM) integrity at baseline. However, the amount of intra- and subretinal fluid, pigment epithelial detachment (PED), and subfoveal fibrosis showed a similar distribution between gainers and poor responders.

CONCLUSION:

Early poor responders present with more RPE atrophy, as well as a loss of the ELM integrity at baseline optical coherence tomography.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2017;48:326–332.]
Unilateral Pigmented Paravenous Retinochoroidal Atrophy Associated With Presumed Ocular Tuberculosis
Authors: Fernandez-Sanz Guillermo , Carreño Ester , Mall Sonia , Neveu Magella M. , Holder Graham E. , Thomas Dhanes
Published: April 2017

This report describes a case of unilateral pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy (PPRCA) in a patient with low-grade unilateral intermediate uveitis. A 31-year-old woman, previously diagnosed with intermediate uveitis in the right eye (OD) presented to the clinic. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 OD. Fundus examination, fluorescein angiography, autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography OD were in keeping with a phenotypic diagnosis of PPRCA. Electrophysiology showed severe photoreceptor dysfunction of both the rod and the cone systems OD. Systemic workup revealed QuantiFERON-gold positive. This is the first report of unilateral PPRCA secondary to presumed ocular tuberculosis.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2017;48:345–349.]
Universidades jesuitas y responsabilidad social: una propuesta basada en la justicia solidaria
Authors: De la Cruz Ayuso Cristina
Published: April 2017

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar el concepto de responsabilidad y los procesos para su institucionalización promovidos por las universidades jesuitas subrayando su singularidad y valor frente a otros modelos y estrategias de responsabilidad social universitaria. Ese enfoque de responsabilidad está cimentado en una noción de justicia pensada en términos globales y fundada en la solidaridad, que pone de manifiesto la insuficiencia del enfoque de la responsabilidad como obligación. Su énfasis lo dirige hacia una responsabilidad política compartida que aspira a la transformación de las injusticias estructurales. Este es uno de los rasgos propios de la Identidad y Misión de las universidades jesuitas. En el artículo se identifican los contornos de esa propuesta de responsabilidad encarnada en el ámbito social y se examina su carácter diferenciador frente a otras propuestas impulsadas desde las universidades para definir su compromiso con el entorno.
Electronic Government
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: April 2017

This chapter indicates the prospect of Electronic Government (e-government); e-government, Actor-Network Theory (ANT), and network management; e-government and transparency; the adoption and diffusion of e-government systems; the usability and use of e-government websites; the implementation of e-government systems; and the significant perspectives on e-government. To the extent that e-government makes it easier for citizens to conduct their affairs with government and to simply retrieve important information they need, e-government can both increase efficiency and increase the relevance of the government in the aspects of the citizens and businesses. The significant advantages of e-government for businesses and governments include the reduced cost of doing business, increased access to information, and the growth in public esteem for governments. The chapter argues that utilizing e-government has the potential to increase performance and achieve strategic goals in the public and private sectors.
The Use of Embedded Mobile, RFID, Location Based Services, and Augmented Reality in Mobile Applications
Authors: Gogolin Greg , Gogolin Erin
Published: April 2017

The proliferation of mobile devices such as smart phones and other handheld appliances has stimulated the development of a broad range of functionality, including medical, retail, gaming, and personal applications. Technology that has been leveraged to enable many of these uses includes embedded mobile, radio frequency identification, location based services, and augmented reality. Embedded mobile refers to preprogrammed tasks that are performed on a mobile device. Personal care and monitoring is one of the most common uses of embedded mobile. RFID involves communication between a tag and a reader. Mobile RFID extends the technology by tagging the mobile device with an RFID tag to perform tasks on the device. Near field communication is frequently utilized in mobile payment systems. Advertisers find this of significant use in focusing advertisements based on the location of an individual. Augmented reality involves the use of computer generated or enhanced sensory input such as audio and visual components to enhance the perception of reality.
Knowledge Societies in China, Portugal, and Uganda
Authors: Lopes Nuno Vasco , Bagarukayo Kenneth , Cheng Jun
Published: April 2017

In September 2015, the United Nations (UN) Member States subscribed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the 2030 Agenda (General Assembly 2015). This work makes an analysis on how Knowledge Societies can effectively contribute for the achievements of the Agenda's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Moreover, it will be presented the research overview conducted by UNU-EGOV for producing the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Knowledge Societies Handbook (UNESCO/IFAP and UNU-EGOV 2016). In addition, three countries from three different Continents of Asia, Europe and Africa - China, Portugal and Uganda respectively - will be analyzed in the context of the knowledge societies architecture proposed in the handbook. For making that analysis a set of indicators collected from the “The World Bank” (The World Bank 2016) and “International Telecommunication Union” (ITU) (ITU 2015) databases have been selected. The indicators have been interpreted taking into consideration the socio-cultural, political, and economic context of each of the three countries.
Toward a Normative Ethical Claims of Ibibio Social Norms, Values, and Beliefs
Authors: Essien Essien D.
Published: April 2017

This study examined the normative ethical claims, social norms and values laden in Ibibio social system and culture. These claims institutes avowal about ethical considerations and make moral judgments. This study presents a socio-cultural description of Ibibio norms which are an integral part of the culture, social custom, rituals and beliefs governing social coexistence. It argues that though norm is a cultural production with emphasis on prohibitions, Ibibio norms dictates behavioral and/or conversational re-orientation which determines how basic moral standards are arrived at and justified. The findings of this study however have a significant implication for cumulative research on the ethical elements of Ibibio norms and social beliefs.
Patient Satisfaction Regarding Health Education and Practice Environment Using the PPAESS Survey
Authors: Washburn Paul Jordan
Published: April 2017

The waiting room and the examination rooms are the two central locations patients spend time in a primary care environment. Patient health outcomes and satisfaction are significant contributing factors for reimbursement The Patient Practice And Education Satisfaction Survey (PPAESS) tool has high internal consistency (a = 0.92) with subcategories of practice (a = 0.88) and education (a = 0.86). When comparing between arms of the study utilizing the PPAESS tool, a marginally significant, total survey Kruskall-Wallace was observed (p = 0.071). Inter-arm comparisons of the practice subcategory control vs. health investment worker were significant (p = 0.034). The PPAESS survey tool is a highly consistent and reliable tool for patient satisfaction regarding practice environment and education. A health investment worker in a practice waiting room environment was noted to increase patient satisfaction. The PPAESS tool allows health practices to further optimize practice space, patient time, individual/group education and is highly effective for assessment of patient satisfaction.
In vitro degradation and gas production of brachiaria grass with levels of biodiesel byproducts
Authors: Freire Juliana Marques , Silva Aderbal Marcos De Azevedo , Carneiro Heloisa , Pereira Filho José Morais , Bezerra Leilson , Bidler Denise Cristiane
Published: April 2017

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro degradability and gas production in diets containing byproducts from the national biodiesel industry (castor bean, canola, forage radish and black sunflower) replacing Brachiaria grass in four levels (0, 30, 50 and 70%). The inoculum for in vitro incubation was obtained from three fistulated Holstein cows. The experimental design was 4 x 4 factorial completely randomized experimental design consisting of four byproducts and four levels. All byproducts studied had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on in vitro digestibility. The castor bean byproducts promoted the lowest cumulative gas production at the end of 48 hours incubation. Regarding digestibility, the byproducts of canola and radish at 70% level did not affect the degradability of dry matter.
Efficacy of pollen extract in association with group B vitamins for pain relief in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A survey of urologists' knowledge about its clinical application
Authors: Pirola Giacomo Maria , Puliatti Stefano , Bocchialini Tommaso , Martorana Eugenio , Micali Salvatore , Bianchi Giampaolo
Published: April 2017

Introduction and aim of the study: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPSS) is a pathology of high prevalence in Italian male population, difficult to diagnose and to treat and with poor response to conventional therapy. Aim of this study was to review the evidence of the literature about the therapeutic effects of a plant product containing flower pollen extracts and group B vitamins on symptoms resolution and amelioration of CP/CPPS patients’ quality of life and to investigate the knowledge among practicing urologists about the clinical application of this product. Materials and methods: A group of 38 urologists was submitted to an investigational survey of the knowledge of the clinical applications of a plant product containing flower pollen extracts and group B vitamins Results: 71% of the urologists interviewed prescribed the plant product for CBP and CP/CPPS at least one time in a month and 11% prescribed it more than 5 times; 67% had evidence of clear ameliorations in pain relief and on patient's quality of life and 47% reported that the effectiveness is comparable to NSAIDs; 39% also reported a significant effect for the improvement of the urinary symptoms of patients. No gastric or general side effects have been noticed during the administration period of this plant product. Finally, the cost of the product has always reported to be sustainable for the patients. Conclusions: From the results of this investigational survey, we can state that the plant product containing flower pollen extracts and group B vitamins is well-known and demonstrated beneficial effects on symptoms resolution and amelioration of quality of life in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Tadalafil once daily: Narrative review of a treatment option for female sexual dysfunctions (FSD) in midlife and older women
Authors: Borghi Chiara , Dell'Atti Lucio
Published: April 2017

Female Sexual Disorders (FSD) include a complex, multidimensional, individual experience that can change as an individual age, suggesting that these problems are caused by multiple factors including psychosocial factors, personal relationships, pathologic changes caused by diseases, and pharmacologic influences. Menopause is an important time for middle aged women and postmenopausal physiological changes could have a significant role in the development of FSD. Few is still known about their correct definition and treatment. Their incidence, prevalence and risk factors are difficult to define because of a high level of overlap in the experience of problems with desire, arousal, and orgasm. Little evidences are known about the best therapeutic approach, and both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment options have been described. Among these, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors could be an effective option for many subtypes of female sexual disorders, with an improvement in different aspects of sexual function, such as desire, arousal, orgasm and sexual satisfaction. In this paper authors reviewed what is already known about the use of these vasoactive agents, particularly tadalafil, as a treatment option for female sexual disturbances.
Computer forensics investigation; implications for improved cyber security in Nigeria
Authors: Chigozie-Okwum Chioma C. , Michael Daniel O. , Ugboaja Samuel G.
Published: April 2017

The rapid growth of computers, mobile devices and digital media has changed the way we communicate and interact in the techno-age. This rapid growth of technology has also birthed new ways of engaging in crimes in ways that seem easy but very difficult to trace, investigate and prosecute. Cyber-crimes are on the increase making the Nigerian cyber space very insecure. Computer forensics investigation is relatively new in Nigeria but promises to serve as a watch dog in curbing and checkmating cyber-crimes and ensuring cyber security. This paper aimed at examining the concepts of cyber-crime, cyber security and the implications of computer forensics investigation on cyber security in Nigeria.Keywords: Computer Forensics, National Security, Cyber Security, Cyber Crime, Forensics Investigation
A review of current knowledge concerning PM2.5 chemical composition, aerosol optical properties, and their relationships across China
Authors: Tao Jun , Zhang Leiming , Cao Junji , Zhang Renjian
Published: April 2017

Abstract. To obtain a thorough knowledge of PM2.5 chemical composition and its impact on aerosol optical properties across China, existing field studies conducted after the year of 2000 are reviewed and summarized in terms of geographical, inter-annual, and seasonal distributions. Annual PM2.5 was up to six times of the national air quality standard in some megacities in northern China. Annual PM2.5 was higher in northern than southern cities, and higher in inland than coastal cities. In a few cities with data longer than a decade, PM2.5 showed a slight decrease only in the second half of the past decade, while carbonaceous aerosols decreased, sulfate (SO42−) and ammonium (NH4+) remained at high levels, and nitrate (NO3−) increased. The highest seasonal averages of PM2.5 and its major chemical components were mostly observed in the cold seasons. Annual average contributions of secondary inorganic aerosols to PM2.5 ranged from 25 % to 48 %, and those of carbonaceous aerosols ranged from 23 % to 47 %, both with higher values in southern regions due to the frequent dust events in northern China. The geographical pattern of scattering coefficient (bsp) was similar to that of PM2.5, and that of aerosol absorption coefficient (bap) was determined by elemental carbon (EC) mass concentration and its coating. bsp in ambient condition of RH = 80 % can be amplified about 1.8 times of that under dry condition. Secondary inorganic aerosols accounted for about 60 % of aerosol extinction coefficient (bext) under ambient conditions in megacities with RH higher than 70 %. The mass scattering efficiency (MSE) of PM2.5 ranged from 3.0 to 5.0 m2 g−1 for aerosols produced from anthropogenic emissions and from 0.7 to 1.0 m2 g−1 for natural dust aerosols. The mass absorption efficiency (MAE) of EC ranged from 6.5 to 12.4 m2 g−1 in urban environments, but the MAE of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) was only 0.05 to 0.11 m2 g−1. Historical emission control policies in China and their effectiveness were discussed based on available chemically resolved PM2.5 data, which provides the much-needed knowledge for guiding future studies and emission policy making.
Observations of VOC emissions and photo chemical products over US oil- and gas-producing regions using high-resolution H3O+ CIMS (PTR-ToF-MS)
Authors: Koss Abigail , Yuan Bin , Warneke Carsten , Gilman Jessica B. , Lerner Brian M. , Veres Patrick R. , Peischl Jeff , Eilerman Scott , Wild Rob , Brown Steven S. , Thompson Chelsea R. , Ryerson Thomas , Hanisco Thomas , Wolfe Glenn M. , St. Clair Jason M. , Thayer Mitchell , Keutsch Frank N. , Murphy Shane , de Gouw Joost
Published: April 2017

Abstract. VOCs related to oil and gas extraction operations in the United States were measured by H3O+ chemical ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (H3O+ ToF-CIMS / PTR-ToF-MS) from aircraft during the SONGNEX campaign in March–April 2015. This work presents an overview of major VOC species measured in nine oil and gas producing regions, and a more detailed analysis of H3O+ ToF-CIMS measurements in the Permian Basin within Texas and New Mexico. Mass spectra are dominated by small photochemically produced oxygenates, and compounds typically found in crude oil: aromatics, cyclic alkanes, and alkanes. Mixing ratios of aromatics were frequently as high as those measured downwind of large urban areas. In the Permian, the H3O+ ToF-CIMS measured a number of underexplored or previously unreported species, including aromatic and cycloalkane oxidation products, nitrogen heterocycles including pyrrole (C4H5N) and pyrroline (C4H7N), H2S, and a diamondoid (adamantane) or unusual monoterpene. We additionally assess the specificity of a number of ion masses resulting from H3O+ ion chemistry previously reported in the literature, including several new or alternate interpretations.
Active fault databases: building a bridge between earthquake
geologists and seismic hazard practitioners, the case of the QAFI v.3
database
Authors: García-Mayordomo Julián , Martín-Banda Raquel , Insua-Arévalo Juan M. , Álvarez-Gómez José A. , Martínez-Díaz José J. , Cabral João
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Active fault databases are a very powerful and useful tool in seismic hazard assessment, particularly when singular faults are considered as seismogenic sources. Active fault databases are also a very relevant source of information for earth scientists, earthquake engineers and even teachers or journalists. Active fault databases, hence, should be updated and through reviewed on a regular basis in order to keep a standard quality and uniformed criteria. Desirably, active fault databases should indicate somehow the quality of the geological data and, particularly, the reliability attributed to crucial fault-seismic parameters, as Maximum Magnitude and Recurrence Interval. In this paper we explain how we tackled these issues during the process of updating and reviewing the Quaternary Active Fault Database of Iberia (QAFI) to its current version 3. We devote particular attention to describing the scheme devised for classifying the quality and representativeness of the geological evidence of Quaternary activity and the accuracy of the slip rate estimation in the database. Subsequently, we use this information as input for a straightforward rating of the level of reliability of Maximum Magnitude and Recurrence Interval fault seismic parameters. We conclude that QAFI v.3 is a much better database than version 2 either for a proper use in seismic hazard applications or as an informative source for non-specialized users. However, we already envision new improvements for a future update.
Exploring the Nature of the Dialogical Self: The Young Widow Memoir
Authors: Den Elzen Katrin
Published: April 2017

This paper intends to contribute to the ongoing debate on identity construction by offering a textual analysis of two memoirs that depict the experience of young widowhood: Unremarried Widow by Artis Henderson (2014) and When it Rains by Maggie MacKellar (2010). I refer to the texts as young widow memoirs and identify them as a sub-genre of the grief memoir. Drawing on Paul Eakin’s concept of narrative identity and Hubert Hermans’ dialogical self theory, the analysis investigates how the memoirists use narrative to negotiate and represent the multiple subject positions and conflicting voices that arise out of the experience of young widowhood, and how they position selves which existed prior to their loss in relation to their post-loss selves. The memoirs under review are shown to rebuild a relatively stable sense of self out of the multiple voices of loss.   This article was based on a paper presented during the IABA-Europe Conference in 2015. The article was submitted on August 25th and published on April 13th 2017.
A Study of First Year Students Attitude towards HIV and AIDS
Authors: Kikwasi Geraldine J. , Lukwale Sophia R. , Mwageni Eleuther A.
Published: April 2017

INTRODUCTION: Attitude towards HIV and AIDS has been a concern in a number of researches undertaken in the area of HIV and AIDS. Attitude towards HIV and AIDS has two dimensions mainly positive and negative that influence stigma and discrimination towards People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). The objective of this paper is to determine students’ attitude towards HIV and AIDS when they start university life.METHOD: The study has employed a longitudinal study design in which data was collected in two phases. This paper presents the results of phase I with the population of the study being all 1st year Ardhi University undergraduate students 2011/12. A sample size of 625 students was determined by using Survey System Package available free on the internet. Stratified random sampling was employed whereby students were categorized into schools and selected proportionately by sex. Data was collected through literature review and questionnaires and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software package version 20.0.RESULTS: Results of the study reveal that a relatively high number of students exhibits negative attitude towards PLWHA and to other attitudinal indicators. Within gender, negative Attitude towards HIV and AIDS was noticeable in male compared to female though the difference was not statistically significant. Across schools, School of Architecture and Design (SADE) has a relatively high number of students with negative attitude towards HIV and AIDS of all schools and, generally, the difference in positive and negative attitudes across schools was statistically significant.CONCLUSIONS: Studies reviewed disclose negative attitude towards PLWHA in varying aspects at considerable levels. The present study also concludes that significant levels of stigma and discrimination against PLWHA still exist among students.
Influence of Debt Maturity on Firm Performance: An International Comparison
Authors: Hatem Ben Said
Published: April 2017

This paper manipulate the effect of capital structure maturity on firm performance. Debt maturity is measured by three ratios (the long term capital structure, the short term capital structure and total debt ratio). We test a sample consisting of 116 firms from Malaysia and 92 firms from Mexico over a period of 7 years from 2005 to 2011. We could not find evidence on the effect of the long term debt ratio on firm performance. However, firms with higher short term capital structure ratio, are less profitable. This result is valid for firms from Malaysia and Mexico. The results of total debt ratio rare mixed. We conclude to a positive effect for firms of Malaysia and a negative effect for firms of Mexico.
Weighted Distributions: A Brief Review, Perspective and Characterizations
Authors: Saghir Aamir , Hamedani G. G. , Tazeem Sadaf , Khadim Aneeqa
Published: April 2017

The weighted distributions are widely used in many fields such as medicine, ecology and reliability, to name a few, for the development of proper statistical models. Weighted distributions are milestone for efficient modeling of statistical data and prediction when the standard distributions are not appropriate. A good deal of studies related to the weight distributions have been published in the literature. In this article, a brief review of these distributions is carried out. Implications of the differing weight models for future research as well as some possible strategies are discussed. Finally, characterizations of these distributions based on a simple relationship between two truncated moments are presented.
Effectiveness of Education of Affectional Contact Skills on Lonely Sense and Social Emotional Learning of Children above 10 Years of Mothers (Nurses) Night Shift of Saveh City Hospitals
Authors: Alimohammadi Mozhgan Haj , Assistant Fatemeh Shateriyan , Farghadani Azadeh
Published: April 2017

The aim of this research was determination of effectiveness amount of education of affectional contact skills on lonely sense and social emotional learning of children above 10 years of mothers (nurses) night shift of Saveh city hospitals. The way of this research is an experiment with plan of pretest and posttest with experiment and control group. The sample of research includes 40 practitioner nurses women in night shifts in hospital and 40 childs above 10 years. In this research, recommendation of affectional contact skills for learning mothers was used. For collecting information, the scale of lonely sense of Asher children and scale of social- emotional learning on children as pretest and posttest was done. In this research, the software (Spss) was used for analyzing data. The findings suggest that education of affectional contact skills on lonely sense and also on social-emotional learning of children above 10 years of mothers (nurses) night shift of Saveh city hospitals is useful.
Impedance detection of the electrical resistivity of the wound tissue around deep brain stimulation electrodes permits registration of the encapsulation process in a rat model
Authors: Badstübner Kathrin , Stubbe Marco , Kröger Thomas , Mix Eilhard , Gimsa Jan
Published: April 2017

An animal model of deep brain stimulation (DBS) was used in in vivo studies of the encapsulation process of custom-made platinum/iridium microelectrodes in the subthalamic nucleus of hemiparkinsonian rats via electrical impedance spectroscopy. Two electrode types with 100-μm bared tips were used: i) a unipolar electrode with a 200-μm diameter and a subcutaneous gold wire counter electrode and ii) a bipolar electrode with two parallelshifted 125-μm wires. Miniaturized current-controlled pulse generators (130 Hz, 200 μA, 60 μs) enabled chronic DBS of the freely moving animals. A phenomenological electrical model enabled recalculation of the resistivity of the wound tissue around the electrodes from daily in vivo recordings of the electrode impedance over two weeks. In contrast to the commonly used 1 kHz impedance, the resistivity is independent of frequency, electrode properties, and current density. It represents the ionic DC properties of the tissue. Significant resistivity changes were detected with a characteristic decrease at approximately the 2nd day after implantation. The maximum resistivity was reached before electrical stimulation was initiated on the 8th day, which resulted in a decrease in resistivity. Compared with the unipolar electrodes, the bipolar electrodes exhibited an increased sensitivity for the tissue resistivity.
Twenty-First Century Pathologists' Advocacy
Authors: Allen Timothy Craig
Published: April 2017

Pathologists' advocacy plays a central role in the establishment of continuously improving patient care quality and patient safety, and in the maintenance and progress of pathology as a profession. Pathology advocacy's primary goal is the betterment of patient safety and quality medical care; however, payment is a necessary and appropriate component to both, and has a central role in advocacy. Now is the time to become involved in pathology advocacy; the Medicare Access and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (PAMA) are 2 of the most consequential pieces of legislation impacting the pathology and laboratory industry in the last 20 years. Another current issue of far-reaching impact for pathologists is balance billing, and yet many pathologists have little or no understanding of balance billing. Pathologists at all stages of their careers, and in every professional setting, need to participate. Academic pathologists have a special obligation to, if not become directly involved in advocacy, at least have a broad and current understanding of those issues, as well as the need and responsibility of pathologists to actively engage in advocacy efforts to address them, in order to teach residents the place of advocacy, and its value, as an inseparable and indispensable component of their professional responsibilities.
Spectral and Spatial Feature Extraction of Electroencephalographic (EEG) Data Using Independent Component Analysis (ICA)
Authors: Jahangir Muhammad , Syed Tanweer  , Rizwan-ur-Rehman  , Shah Nasir Ali , Naqvi Syed Mansoor , Siddiqui Imran
Published: April 2017

Purpose of this research is to extract features associated with human brain signal related to electroencephalographic measurements and classification of extracted EEG signals to the relevant the brain region. EEG brain signals from 14 electrodes placed on the human scalp is recorded non-invasively using Emotiv EPOC / EPOC+:Scientific contextual EEG system with a sampling rate of 128 Hz. EEG data of human brain functions related to evoked motor imagery tasks consisting of two different classes of activities, namely imagination of right arm-movement i.e. arm down (termed here as PUSH) and arm up (termed here as PULL) for three healthy subjects is recorded. After pre-processing for noise and artifacts removal, the EEG signals associated with investigated evoked activities are extracted using Independent Component Analysis (ICA). The results obtained show good contrast plots for the extracted brain signals recorded on F7, FC5 and FC6 electrodes, decomposed on independent components, namely IC1, IC4, IC5, IC6. Classification of extracted features is mapped on to the motor imagery parts of human brain. The algorithm based on independent component analysis gives good results for feature extraction corresponding to evoked signals. Power spectra are also determined for the extracted independent components.
Automated identification of insect vectors of Chagas disease in Brazil and Mexico: the Virtual Vector Lab
Authors: Gurgel-Gonçalves Rodrigo , Komp Ed , Campbell Lindsay P. , Khalighifar Ali , Mellenbruch Jarrett , Mendonça Vagner José , Owens Hannah L. , de la Cruz Felix Keynes , Peterson A Townsend , Ramsey Janine M.
Published: April 2017

Identification of arthropods important in disease transmission is a crucial, yet difficult, task that can demand considerable training and experience. An important case in point is that of the 150+ species of Triatominae, vectors ofTrypanosoma cruzi, causative agent of Chagas disease across the Americas. We present a fully automated system that is able to identify triatomine bugs from Mexico and Brazil with an accuracy consistently above 80%, and with considerable potential for further improvement. The system processes digital photographs from a photo apparatus into landmarks, and uses ratios of measurements among those landmarks, as well as (in a preliminary exploration) two measurements that approximate aspects of coloration, as the basis for classification. This project has thus produced a working prototype that achieves reasonably robust correct identification rates, although many more developments can and will be added, and—more broadly—the project illustrates the value of multidisciplinary collaborations in resolving difficult and complex challenges.