bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SMALL BUSINESS OPTIMIZATION
Authors: Jakutis Algirdas , Bandza Marijus
Published: February 2019

This paper presents a small business that can not be separated from the whole economic system of a state which begins to solve the problems of business. During the last five years a small business in Lithuania is growing rapidly. The most important goal for all profit‐reaching organisations is the maximization of the profit. It is possible to set the optimal plan of the company according to the tasks of optimisation which is extremely important for this firm. So everything leads to the increasing of the effectiveness of market.
THE LEGISLATION APPROACH OF THE THIRD PARTY LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR CONSTRUCTION DESIGNERS AND CONTRACTORS
Authors: Keršuliene Violeta
Published: February 2019

Compulsory Third Party Liability Insurance is ranked as one of the most risky kinds of insurance. In the course of introducing the compulsory Third Party Liability Insurance for construction designers and contractors in Lithuania the experience of foreign countries was used for setting the insurance object, the criteria for the insured events and the third party rights for insisting on liability (restitution) for damages.

The article analyses the provisions of law of construction and by‐laws regulating compulsory Third Party Liability Insurance for construction designers and contractors as well as the object of the compulsory Third Party Liability Insurance and differences between the compulsory and voluntary Third Party Liability Insurance for construction designers and contractors have been outlined.

The evidence and conditions of the insured events within the Third Party Liability Insurance are reviewed and the insured event has been distinguished from a number of other events.
PECULIARITIES OF PUBLIC REGULATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENT'S ACTIVITIES
Authors: Raslanas Saulius
Published: February 2019

Recently a demand for professional real estate agents has increased in the market. The present paper includes a research into the real estate related activity of the USA and Lithuania carried out in accordance with the chosen criteria. According to real estate agency service quality research in the USA the most important factor is agents professionalism. This thesis places a major emphasis on the activity and structure of real estate agents, law on licence issue as well as advantages and disadvantages; it also presents proposals on improvement and development of real estate agents activity. Real estate licencing is necessary in order to raise the level of professionalism and qualification of real estate agents in Lithuania, to adjust relationship between property owners and middlemen, as well as to increase the level of confidence among real estate agents.
ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF CITIES SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLANNING
Authors: Čiegis Remigijus , Grundey Dainora , Štreimikiene Dalia
Published: February 2019

In Lithuania, like in other post communistic countries, the principles of sustainable development were used only few years ago, basically only in case, that it was “in vogue” in the whole world. Strategic plans were created usually in such a way that everyone understood, not paying attention to quality and real destination. Most of investors choosing places for their investments usually analyse strategic plans and this is one of the critical factors for choosing the place for investments or at least choosing possible variants. At present Lithuanians are starting to understand the importance of sustainable development and the principles of sustainability are being implemented realistically. During this process a lot of obscurities were observed which have conditioned the problematic of the article: misunderstandings of cities’ sustainable development strategic planning principles, in the appreciation of community's involvement importance into strategic management processes, the absence of the united methodology for sustainable development strategic planning processes. Therefore the principles of sustainable development and possibilities for their use in the development processes of cities’ communities are analyzed in this article.

Summarizing the principles of sustainable development of cities it is possible to separate three basic stages of strategic planning, which are (1) creation of vision, (2) strategic planning, and (3) implementation of the plan. In every stage there is a management process which is adjusted to new conditions, changed tactics, but doesn't go far from the vision which was formulated by authorities and inhabitants.
MANAGEMENT EDUCATION FOR CONSTRUCTION IN POLAND AND PORTUGAL
Authors: Cieszyński Kazimierz , Minasowicz Andrzej , Nowak Paul Olaf , Teixeira José Cardoso
Published: February 2019

Countries emerging from centralised economies presently face the challenge of rapidly adapting their production structures to the market economy. In the last twelve years Poland has consistently evolved in that direction leading to the development of substantial construction investments and to the advent of thousands of small and medium construction companies. However, construction staff does not seem to fully stand for the demands of this shift, especially because of the lack of management skills now required. Portugal benefits from an uninterrupted process of development in a free economic market environment. Nevertheless, the broad nature of civil engineering undergraduate programmes does not allow young construction professionals to get these management skills at this level of studies. However, present requirements of project management expertise in the free European construction market call for the involvement of higher education institutions of both countries to answer industry demands in this field of knowledge. This paper reports the main objectives and findings of a survey conducted in the scope a Leonardo da Vinci project on the Polish education system requirements for technical and managerial skills of construction professionals.
THE MARKETABILITY DISCOUNT IN SPANISH VALUATION MULTIPLES: INVESTORS’ PERCEPTION IN LISTED COMPANIES VERSUS PRIVATE TRANSACTIONS
Authors: Rodríguez López Ángel , Rubio Martín Gracia
Published: February 2019

The aim of this paper is to assess the fair marketability discount (MD) in the Spanish market for valuation multiples comparing public versus private transactions. The study finds that to obtain MD it is necessary previously to control by a battery of factors that affects ratios’ prices such as industry, firm size, profitability, risk, year and also other characteristics about the buyer. The interactions of MD with each variable showed different investors’ perceptions about non marketability enterprises explaining MD. The valuation methodology applied in the research was a cross section of 824 public and private acquisitions in the Spanish market from the period 2006−2017. This work represents important evidence, in a more integrated vision than previous literature, for analysts and regulators stressing the necessity to apply MD in Spanish valuation processes based in listed multiples.
A Correction for GALEX Spectroscopic UV Flux Distributions from Comparisons with CALSPEC and IUE
Authors: Bohlin Ralph C. , Bianchi Luciana
Published: February 2019

The CALSPEC database of absolute spectral energy distributions (SEDs) from the Hubble Space Telescope is based on pure hydrogen model atmosphere calculations for three unreddened white dwarf stars and represents the current UV flux calibration standard with a precision approaching 1% for well observed stars. Following our previous work to correct International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) fluxes, this paper provides an average correction for the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) spectral database that places GALEX fluxes on the current CALSPEC scale. Our correction is derived by comparing GALEX spectroscopic flux distributions with CALSPEC and corrected IUE SEDs. This recalibration is relevant for any project based on GALEX archival spectroscopic data, e.g., UV or multi-wavelength analyses, correlating GALEX spectra with other existing or future databases, and planning of new observations. The recalibration will be applied to our planned catalog of corrected GALEX SEDs.
Driving the Beat: Time-resolved Spectra of the White Dwarf Pulsar AR Scorpii
Authors: Garnavich Peter , Littlefield Colin , Kafka Stella , Kennedy Mark , Callanan Paul , Balsara Dinshaw S. , Lyutikov Maxim
Published: February 2019

We obtained high temporal resolution spectroscopy of the unusual binary system AR Scorpii (AR Sco) covering nearly an orbit. The Hα emission shows a complex line structure similar to that seen in some polars during quiescence. Such emission is thought to be due to long-lived prominences originating on the red dwarf. A difference between AR Sco and these other systems is that the white dwarf (WD) in AR Sco is rapidly spinning relative to the orbital period. “Slingshot” prominences stable at 3 to 5 stellar radii require surface magnetic fields between 100 and 500 G. This is comparable to the estimated WD magnetic field strength near the surface of the secondary. Our time-resolved spectra also show emission fluxes, line equivalent widths, and continuum color varying over the orbit and the beat/spin periods of the system. During much of the orbit, the optical spectral variations are consistent with synchrotron emission with the highest energy electrons cooling between pulses. On the timescale of the beat/spin period we detect red- and blueshifted Hα emission flashes that reach velocities of 700 km s−1. Redshifted Balmer-emission flashes are correlated with the bright phases of the continuum beat pulses while blueshifted flashes appear to prefer the time of minimum in the beat light curve. We propose that much of the energy generated in AR Sco comes from fast magnetic reconnection events occurring near the inward face of the secondary and we show that the energy generated by magnetic reconnection can account for the observed excess luminosity from the system.
Identifying Interstellar Objects Trapped in the Solar System through Their Orbital Parameters
Authors: Siraj Amir , Loeb Abraham
Published: February 2019

The first interstellar object, ‘Oumuamua, was discovered in the solar system by Pan-STARRS in 2017, allowing for a calibration of the abundance of interstellar objects of its size and an estimation of the subset of objects trapped by the Jupiter–Sun system. Photographing or visiting these trapped objects would allow us to learn about the conditions in other planetary systems, relieving the need to send interstellar probes. Here, we explore the orbital properties of captured interstellar objects in the solar system using dynamical simulations of the Jupiter–Sun system and initial conditions drawn from the distribution of relative velocities of stars in the Solar neighborhood. We compare the resulting distributions of orbital elements to those of the most similar population of known asteroids, namely Centaurs, to search for a parameter space in which interstellar objects should dominate and therefore be identifiable solely by their orbits. We find that there should be thousands of ‘Oumuamua-size interstellar objects identifiable by Centaur-like orbits at high inclinations, assuming a number density of ‘Oumuamua-size interstellar objects of ∼1015 pc−3. We note eight known objects that may be of interstellar origin. Finally, we estimate that the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope will be able to detect several hundreds of these objects.
Analysis of critical machine reliability in manufacturing cells
Authors: Djassemi Manocher , Seifoddini Hamid
Published: February 2019

Purpose: In an increasingly competitive business environment, machine reliability problem merits special attention in operations of  manufacturing cells. This is mainly due to flow line nature of the cellular layout, interdependency of downstream and upstream of machines related to each other. This study investigates the effect of critical machine reliability improvement  on production capacity and throughput time in manufacturing cells.  Design/methodology/approach: A discrete-event simulation model was developed to investigate the effectiveness of a reliability plan focusing on the most critical production machines in improving the performance level as an alternative to increasing the reliability of all machines. Four machine criticality policies are examined in the simulation experiments.Findings: The results of this experimental study indicated that an improvement of reliability of a limited number of machines leads to an increase in overall production capacity and speed in cellular manufacturing operations. A reliability plan, that focuses on a set of critical machines, potentially offers a more economical alternative to increasing the reliability of all machines in such facility.Research limitations/implications: The results demonstrate that to achieve higher production capacity and shorter throughput times, managers should consider directing more resources to increase the reliability of critical machines, particularly, those with shorter mean time to failure and higher utilization.Originality/value: The designed simulation model is unique in representing the dynamics of a real world manufacturing cell environment by encoding operational functions such as machine failure, maintenance resource allocation, material flow, job sequencing and scheduling. A new machine availability metric is defined as well.
Spontaneous Bilateral, Recurrent, Late-onset Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis After LASIK in a Patient With Cogan's Syndrome
Authors: Javaloy Jaime , Barrera Carlos , Muñoz Gonzalo , Pérez-Santonja Juan J. , Vidal María T. , Alió Jorge L.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

To report a patient with severe and progressive bilateral deafness who suffered recurrent episodes of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) in both eyes ⩾4 months after undergoing uneventful LASIK for myopia.

Methods

Four months after LASIK, the patient presented with blurred vision in the left eye. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 0.9. Slit-lamp examination revealed aggregates of white cells at the paracentral and mid-peripheral interface without affecting the visual axis. Diffuse lamellar keratitis stage II was diagnosed and intensive corticosteroid treatment was started. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) in the right eye was 1.2 with no signs of DLK.

Results

One week after initiating corticosteroid treatment, UCVA improved (1.2) in the left eye. Diffuse lamellar keratitis was diagnosed in the left eye again at 9 months and in the right eye at 15 months after LASIK. The patient was later diagnosed with atypical Cogan's syndrome.

Conclusions

Recurrent and late-onset DLK may be due to other patient systemic conditions predisposing to interstitial keratitis, such as Cogan's syndrome. [
J Refract Surg.
2008;24:548–550.]
Microbial Keratitis After INTACS Implantation With Loose Suture
Authors: Hashemi Hasan , Ghaffari Reza , Mohammadi Masood , Moghimi Sasan , Miraftaab Mohammad
Published: February 2019

Purpose

To report a case of rapidly progressive infectious keratitis after INTACS implantation for keratoconus.

Methods

A 32-year-old man presented with pain and decreased vision in the right eye of 2 days' duration. Right eye visual acuity was 20/800. He had undergone bilateral INTACS implantation 40 days prior for treatment of keratoconus.

Results

Slit-lamp examination revealed corneal ulceration and loose suture. The corneal ulcer progressed despite aggressive therapy, and the patient underwent penetrating keratoplasty 48 hours after admission. The culture from corneal scraping and corneal button was positive for
Staphylococcus aureus
.

Conclusions

Infectious keratitis is a rare but devastating complication of INTACS implantation for treatment of keratoconus. Meticulous wound closure is necessary to reduce the risk of infection, especially in eyes with irregular corneal contour and variable corneal thickness. [
J Refract Surg.
2008;24:551–552.]
Early Surface Ablation on Aborted LASIK Flaps
Authors: Brenner Jason E. , Mohinani Ajay B. , Janbatian Hrag Y. , Melki Samir
Published: February 2019

PURPOSE:

To report the outcomes of a series of 16 patients who had secondary surface ablation within 4 weeks of an aborted femtosecond laser–assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) procedure.

METHODS:

A retrospective chart review of electronic medical record data from 2011 to 2015 was performed to identify eyes of patients who had an aborted FS-LASIK procedure followed by secondary surface ablation (photorefractive keratectomy or laser epithelial keratomileusis) within 4 weeks of the primary procedure. Patients were required to have at least three postoperative visits to be included in the study.

RESULTS:

The review identified 20 aborted FS-LASIK procedures of 7,142 eyes (0.003%), of which 16 met the inclusion criteria. The most common reasons for abortion were incomplete (10) and decentered (3) flaps. Thirteen of 16 eyes were treated within 2 weeks. A total of 11 of 16 eyes achieved uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/20, 13 of 16 achieved UDVA of 20/25 or better, and 15 of 16 had a corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 20/20. There were no intraoperative complications during the second procedure and there were no cases of diffuse lamellar keratitis. One patient developed postoperative haze with a CDVA of 20/25 and was lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS:

This case series indicates that early surface ablation (within 4 weeks) after an aborted FS-LASIK procedure may be performed with good visual outcomes.

[J Refract Surg. 2019;35(2):121–125.]
Variations in oil, protein, fatty acids and vitamin E contents of pumpkin seeds under deficit irrigation
Authors: Kirnak H. , Irik H. A. , Sipahioglu O. , Unlukara A.
Published: February 2019

In the present study, pumpkin (Cucurbita Pepo L.) was grown under water stress to determine its effects on the chemical composition of the seeds (i.e., oil, protein, fatty acids and vitamin E), in Kayseri, Turkey. Irrigation treatments were designed to supply different portions of depleted moisture within the efficient root zone of the plants (60 cm). The treatments were arranged as supplying 100% (I100), 80% (I80), 60% (I60), 40% (I40), 20% (I20) and 0% (I0) of depleted moisture through a drip irrigation system. The effects of irrigation levels on the oil content of pumpkin seeds were found to be significant (p < 0.01). The oil contents of irrigation treatments varied between 26% (I0, dry) and 64% (I100, full irrigation). However, the effects of deficit irrigation on protein, fatty acids and vitamin E contents were not found to be significant. The vitamin E contents varied from 41.6 – 55.3 mg/100 g; while the protein contents varied from 28.5–37.7%. Six different fatty acids (linolenic, linoleic, oleic, stearic, palmitic and myristic acid) were examined. The average concentration of palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids ranged from 10.7–12.6%, 6.4–10.4%, 39.6–48.9% and 32.4–35%, respectively. Myristic and linolenic acids were not detected in the pumpkin seeds.
Multiscale Habitat Selection of Lesser Prairie-Chickens in a Row-Crop and Conservation Reserve Program Land Matrix
Authors: Harryman Samuel W.H. , Grisham Blake A. , Boal Clint W. , Kahl Samantha S. , Martin Russell L. , Hagen Christian A.
Published: February 2019

The lesser prairie-chicken Tympanuchus pallidicinctus has received considerable attention in recent years, as a result of population decline and the uncertainty of its status under the 1973 U.S. Endangered Species Act. Substantial effort has been exerted studying the life history of the species and effects of some management practices on its ecology. However, information is lacking regarding lesser prairie-chicken use and selection of Conservation Reserve Program fields in the Southern High Plains of Texas. To fill in this knowledge gap, we assessed habitat selection by lesser prairie-chickens within Conservation Reserve Program fields, native grassland, and row-crop agriculture in Texas, 2015–2017. We assessed habitat selection using a Type II design at the second order of selection (home range placement within the landscape) and a Type III design at the third order (Global Positioning System locations within the home range). At the second order of selection, lesser prairie-chickens selected Conservation Reserve Program fields seeded in nonnative grasses (wi = 3.99, 95% CI = 1.60–6.39) and native grasses and forbs (wi = 3.25, 95% CI = 1.99–4.52) year-round. Row-crop agriculture (wi = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.06–0.28) and native grassland (wi = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.06–0.55) were avoided. Native grass Conservation Reserve Program fields were used in proportion to their availability (wi = 1.33, 95% CI = 0.81–1.85) year-round. Only Conservation Reserve Program fields seeded in native grasses and forbs were selected at the third order of selection (wi = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.16–1.47). Based on our results, Conservation Reserve Program fields provide habitat for lesser prairie-chickens, and as such, may be beneficial to persistence of the species on the High Plains of Texas.
A Research Roadmap of Big Data Clustering Algorithms for Future Internet of Things
Authors: Bangui Hind , Ge Mouzhi , Buhnova Barbora
Published: February 2019

Due to the massive data increase in different Internet of Things (IoT) domains such as healthcare IoT and Smart City IoT, Big Data technologies have been emerged as critical analytics tools for analyzing the IoT data. Among the Big Data technologies, data clustering is one of the essential approaches to process the IoT data. However, how to select a suitable clustering algorithm for IoT data is still unclear. Furthermore, since Big Data technology are still in its initial stage for different IoT domains, it is thus valuable to propose and structure the research challenges between Big Data and IoT. Therefore, this article starts by reviewing and comparing the data clustering algorithms that can be applied in IoT datasets, and then extends the discussions to a broader IoT context such as IoT dynamics and IoT mobile networks. Finally, this article identifies a set of research challenges that harvest a research roadmap for the Big Data research in IoT domains. The proposed research roadmap aims at bridging the research gaps between Big Data and various IoT contexts.
Prediction of Human Lethality of Psychoactive Drugs From Rodent LD50 Values
Authors: Dearden John C.
Published: February 2019

The number of deaths from the abuse of psychoactive drugs is increasing year after year, and new designer psychoactive drugs of unknown toxicity frequently appear on the streets. Human lethal drug doses generally do not correlate well with animal LD50 values. In order to investigate whether that holds for psychoactive drugs, human lethal dose values and rat and mouse LD50 values for several routes of administration for eighteen such drugs were collected from the literature. Quantitative toxicity-toxicity relationship (QTTR) regression correlations of human and rodent lethal doses were poor for both rat and mouse oral and intraperitoneal lethal doses, but both rat and mouse intravenous LD50 values correlated very well with human lethal doses (r2 = 0.823 and 0.756, respectively). Rat and mouse intravenous LD50 values predicted from commercial software also correlated reasonably well with human lethal doses (r2 = 0.631 and 0.678, respectively). This means that it should be possible to use these correlations to predict the human lethal doses of new psychoactive drugs.
Estimating the Adsorption Efficiency of Sugar-Based Surfactants From QSPR Models
Authors: Gaudin Théophile , Rotureau Patricia , Pezron Isabelle , Fayet Guillaume
Published: February 2019

Adsorption efficiency, measured as the surfactant concentration at which the surface tension of the aqueous solution decreases by 20 mN/m, characterizes their affinity for surfaces and interfaces, which is crucial for a cost-effective use of surfactants. In this article, the first Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship models to predict this efficiency were proposed based on a dataset of 82 diverse sugar-based surfactants and using different types of molecular descriptors. Finally, an easy-to-use model was evidenced with good predictivity assessed on an external validation set. Moreover, it is based on a series of fragment descriptors accounting for the different structural trends affecting the efficiency of sugar-based surfactants. Due to its predictive capabilities and to the structure-property trends it involves, this model opens perspectives to help the design of new sugar-based surfactants, notably to substitute petroleum-based ones.
Digital Health Innovation Ecosystems
Authors: Iyawa Gloria Ejehiohen , Herselman Marlien , Botha Adele
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this paper was to identify key participants, benefits, and challenges of a digital health innovation ecosystem in Namibia. The paper also aimed to identify strategies for implementing digital health innovation ecosystems in Namibia. This is a qualitative study that adopted semi-structured interviews in meeting the objectives of the study. The findings suggest that implementing digital health innovation ecosystems within the Namibian context will result in better processes of delivering healthcare services to patients. However, implementing such an ecosystem would require resources from both academic and governmental organizations. The need for skilled experts for managing the ecosystem would also be required. Hence, adopting the guidelines for implementing a digital health innovation ecosystem in developing countries, the study proposed guidelines which would make a digital health innovation ecosystem work for the Namibian context. The findings of this study can be used by healthcare managers within the Namibian context.
Habits and Behaviours in the Use of Domestic Lighting
Authors: Page Tom
Published: February 2019

The issue of electricity consumption reduction in the domestic sector is becoming a pivot matter, with domestic energy use ever-increasing and the rising awareness of its significant impact on the environment. As lighting is responsible for 19% of the average house's electricity consumption it was deemed a suitable area of study to gather behaviours and habits that can be targeted to encourage sustainable behaviour and ultimately reduce electricity consumption. The aim of this research is to investigate consumer habits and behaviours in home lighting in UK households and identify behaviours and habits to change in order to reduce home lighting electricity consumption. The research was used to identify electricity wasteful habits and behaviours that can be targeted. An online survey and a seven day participant lighting diary were used to gather quantitative and qualitative data on consumers' lighting behaviours and habits.
Unusual Foreign Object in a Tooth: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Ashqar Nawaf Mohammad , Ali Fareedi Mukram
Published: February 2019

Foreign body impactions in the tooth are common findings in the oral cavity of children because of their frequent habits of placing various objects in their mouth. The present case describes an 11-year-old boy with a foreign object in the maxillary left first molar tooth of which he was unaware. Foreign objects can not only be a source of infection but also be aspirated or ingested by the child. The discovery of foreign objects in the teeth is usually accidental. A detailed case history, consisting of a history of the ordinary placement of the object and clinical and radiographic examinations is necessary to determine the nature, size, and location of the foreign body, as well as the difficulty involved in its retrieval. The foreign object may sometimes fracture inside the tooth during exploration by the parent or child. Such an object may act as a potential source of infection and lead to complications.
Prayers for the departed: A white elephant in the hymnal of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
Authors: Groop Kim S. , Moshi Nehemia
Published: February 2019

The aim of this article is to study the general and contextual issues related to prayers for the departed with a focus on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT). In 2012, the ELCT published a new hymnal, which included a number of prayers for those mourning their deceased friends and relatives, as well as prayers for the deceased individuals themselves. As a result of considerable criticism, this hymnal was replaced by a new edition in 2017, in which the prayers for the departed were omitted. The article further scrutinises the historical and theological aspects of praying for the departed in Lutheranism. It studies examples of prayers for the dead in Lutheran churches in two other countries, Finland and Sweden, and relates these to the situation in the ELCT.
Tracheoesophageal Fistula: Bridging the Gap by Over‑the‑scope Clip Services
Authors: Balekuduru Avinash Bhat , Dhande Siddharth , Venkateshappa Lokesh Locheruvapalli , Subbaraj Satyaprakash Bonthala
Published: February 2019

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TOF) can be congenital or acquired. Acquired TOF can be caused by iatrogenic or traumatic or due to malignancy with pulmonary infection or aspiration being the presenting symptom. Management of TOF is associated with high mortality and morbidity and remains an interdisciplinary challenge. In general, depending on the size and location of the tracheal aspect of the fistula, surgical therapy involves primary repair of the fistula and, if necessary, resection and reconstruction of the trachea. We present two cases of iatrogenic TOF following surgery successfully closed using over‑the‑scope clips. This report also compares both the Ovesco and Padlock clip devices.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty for Obesity – First Indian Experience: Case Series and Review of Literature
Authors: Jagtap Nitin , Kalapala Rakesh , Katakwar Abhishek , Darishetty Santosh , Reddy D Nageshwar
Published: February 2019

Introduction: In India, obesity affects >135 million and leads to nearly 5.8 million deaths per year. Some of the unmet need in the management of obesity can be fulfilled by endoscopic therapies such as endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG). Methods: In this case series, we report our preliminary experience of ESG in three obese patients. We recorded baseline demographic data, total procedural time, adverse events, and percentage total body weight loss (%TBWL) up to 20 weeks. Results: All three patients were male with a median age of 29 years (range 26–39) with a median body mass index of 34.28 kg/m2 (range 32.60–37.13). A total of four full‑thickness and additional three submucosal sutures were applied in each patient. There were no adverse events. The median total procedural time was 105 min (range 90–150). All patients were discharged within 48 h. The median percentage total body weight loss (%TBWL) at 12 weeks was 12.02 (range 10.85–13.33) and at 16 weeks was 14.23 (range 13.84–14.62). The maximum follow‑up so far is 20 weeks (one patient) with %TBWL of 16.38. Conclusion: In our preliminary experience, we conclude that ESG is safe, effective and requires shorter hospital stay. In short‑term follow‑up, there is adequate weight loss without major adverse events.
A Clinical Study of the Use of Savary‑Gilliard Dilators in Corrosive Esophageal Strictures without the Use of Fluoroscopy: A Reality in Resource‑Limited Settings in a Developing Country
Authors: Bhatt Varsha Rajat , Kakrani Arjun Lal
Published: February 2019

Context: Corrosive compounds are either acids or alkalis, and their ingestion can cause esophageal strictures which may be tortuous and multiple. Aims: The aim of study was to assess therapeutic efficacy and safety of dilatation using Savary‑Gilliard dilators in these patients without the use of fluoroscopy. Settings and Design: A cross‑sectional observational study, conducted for 18 months in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Western India. Subjects and Methods: Ten dysphagic patients who had a history of corrosive ingestion 2 months or more before presentation, who had documented esophageal strictures on endoscopy were included. Barium swallow and endoscopy confirmed the site, length, and number of strictures. Dilatation with Savary‑Gilliard dilators was done without the use of fluoroscopy with the help of guide wire in “rule of threes.” Patients were followed up immediately and for 12 months. Descriptive statistics, mean, and SD were applied in EPI info version 7 software. Results: The mean age of 29 + 6.5 years and 70% were females. About 80% had dysphagia Grades III and IV. On endoscopy, 40% had strictures at multiple sites and 60% of patients had strictures more than 5 cm in length. 50% strictures were very tight. Number of patients in whom there was the passage of one dilator more than the stricture in the first session were 80%. A mean of 8.28 sessions of dilatation were required. Adequate dysphagia relief was achieved in 8 (80%) patients, while there were 2 failures. A total of 180 dilatations were performed on these 10 patients of corrosive strictures over a period of 12 months. One minor perforation occurred in this study. Conclusions: In resource‑limited settings such as India, dilatation without fluoroscopy can be considered as effective and safe initial management for corrosive strictures.
Contributions of different anthropogenic volatile organic compound sources to ozone formation at a receptor site in the Pearl River Delta region and its policy implications
Authors: He Zhuoran , Wang Xuemei , Ling Zhenhao , Zhao Jun , Guo Hai , Shao Min , Wang Zhe
Published: February 2019

Abstract. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are key precursors of photochemical smog. Quantitatively evaluating the contributions of VOCs sources to ozone (O3) formation could provide valuable information for emissions control and photochemical pollution abatement. This study analysed the continuously measured VOCs during the photochemical season in 2014 at a receptor site (Heshan site, HS) in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, where photochemical pollution has been a long-standing issue. The averaged mixing ratio of measure VOCs was 34 ± 3 ppbv, with the largest contribution from alkanes (17 ± 2 ppbv, 49 %), followed by aromatics, alkenes, and acetylene. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was applied to resolve the anthropogenic sources of VOCs, coupled with a photochemical-aged-based parameterization that better considers the photochemical processing effects. Four anthropogenic emission sources were identified and quantified, with gasoline vehicular emission as the most significant contributor to the observed VOCs, followed by diesel vehicular emissions, biomass burning, and solvent usage. The O3 photochemical formation regime at HS was identified as VOCs-limited by a photochemical box model with the master chemical mechanism (PBM-MCM). The PBM-MCM model results also suggested that vehicular emission was the most important source to the O3 formation, followed by biomass burning and solvent usage. Sensitivity analysis indicated that in order to prevent the increment of O3 concentration, the abatement ratios of the individual VOC source vs. NOx should be higher than 3.8, 4.6, 4.6, and 3.3, respectively, for diesel vehicular emission, solvent usage, biomass burning, and gasoline vehicular emission, respectively. Based on the above results, a brief review on the policies on the controlling of vehicular emissions and biomass burning in the PRD region from a regional perspective were also provided in this study. It reveals that different policies have been/being implemented and formulated could help to alleviate the photochemical pollution in the PRD. Nevertheless, evaluation on the cost-benefit of each policy is still needed to improve the air quality.
Quantifying the contribution of anthropogenic influence to the East Asian winter monsoon in 1960–2012
Authors: Hao Xin , He Shengping , Wang Huijun , Han Tingting
Published: February 2019

Abstract. The East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) can be greatly influenced by many factors that can be classified as anthropogenic forcing and natural forcing. Here we explore the contribution of anthropogenic influence to the change in the EAWM over the past decades. Under all forcings observed during 1960–2013 (All-Hist run), the atmospheric general circulation model is able to reproduce the climatology and variability of the EAWM-related surface air temperature and 500 hPa geopotential height, and shows a statistically significant decreasing EAWM intensity with a trend coefficient of ∼−0.04 yr−1 which is close to the observed trend. By contrast, the simulation, which is driven by the same forcing as All-Hist run but with the anthropogenic contribution to them removed, shows no decreasing trend in the EAWM intensity. By comparing the simulations under two different forcing scenarios, we further reveal that the responses of the EAWM to the anthropogenic forcing include a rise of 0.6 ° in surface air temperature over the East Asia as well as weakening of the East Asia trough, which may result from the poleward expansion and intensification of the East Asian jet forced by the change of temperature gradient in the troposphere. Additionally, compared with the simulation without anthropogenic forcing, the frequency of strong (weak) EAWM occurrence is reduced (increased) by 45 % (from 0 to 10/7). These results indicate that the weakening of the EAWM during 1960–2013 may be mainly attributed to the anthropogenic influence.
Development of a general calibration model and long-term performance evaluation of low-cost sensors for air pollutant gas monitoring
Authors: Malings Carl , Tanzer Rebecca , Hauryliuk Aliaksei , Kumar Sriniwasa P. N. , Zimmerman Naomi , Kara Levent B. , Presto Albert A. ,   R. Subramanian
Published: February 2019

Abstract. Assessing the intracity spatial distribution and temporal variability in air
quality can be facilitated by a dense network of monitoring stations.
However, the cost of implementing such a network can be prohibitive if
traditional high-quality, expensive monitoring systems are used. To this end,
the Real-time Affordable Multi-Pollutant (RAMP) monitor has been developed,
which can measure up to five gases including the criteria pollutant gases
carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone
(O3), along with temperature and relative humidity. This study
compares various algorithms to calibrate the RAMP measurements including
linear and quadratic regression, clustering, neural networks, Gaussian
processes, and hybrid random forest–linear regression
models. Using data collected by almost 70 RAMP monitors over periods ranging
up to 18 months, we recommend the use of limited quadratic regression
calibration models for CO, neural network models for NO, and hybrid models
for NO2 and O3 for any low-cost monitor using
electrochemical sensors similar to those of the RAMP. Furthermore,
generalized calibration models may be used instead of individual models with
only a small reduction in overall performance. Generalized models also
transfer better when the RAMP is deployed to other locations. For long-term
deployments, it is recommended that model performance be re-evaluated and new
models developed periodically, due to the noticeable change in performance
over periods of a year or more. This makes generalized calibration models
even more useful since only a subset of deployed monitors are needed to build
these new models. These results will help guide future efforts in the
calibration and use of low-cost sensor systems worldwide.
Contribution to the knowledge of early geotechnics during the twentieth century: Ralph Peck
Authors: Lara-Galera Antonio , Galindo-Aires Rubén , Guillán-Llorente Gonzalo
Published: February 2019

Abstract. Ralph B. Peck (1912–2008), graduate and doctor of philosophy in
civil engineering (1934 and 1937 respectively) from the Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute, was one of the major contributors to the development
of geotechnics in the twentieth century. Born in Winnipeg (Manitoba) as an
American national, he was influenced from childhood by the world of civil
engineering through his father, Orwin K. Peck, who was a civil engineer,
mainly as a structural engineer in the railway sector. In the absence of job offers as a structural engineer, Ralph Peck arrived at
Harvard University in 1938 to attend the soil mechanics courses taught by
Arthur Casagrande, which guided Peck's professional career towards
geotechnics. In addition to Casagrande, Peck had the opportunity to meet and
work with other very important people related to geotechnics:
Albert E. Cummings, Laurits Bjerrum, Alec W. Skempton and especially
Karl Terzaghi, with whom he established a great friendship, in addition to
providing support, professional advice and performing important work, such as
the Chicago Subway Works. Peck actively dedicated himself to consulting work, which led him to visit
44 states within the United States and 28 countries on five continents. In
addition, he also participated in research work where he was asked and was a
committed lecturer at the University of Illinois, where he was a professor
for 32 years. The objective of this paper is to analyse, through Peck's biography, his
contribution to the field of geotechnics based on his research, teaching and
consultancy work, and through the influence of Peck on other important people
in the field, such as Karl Terzaghi.
Working Title
Authors: Student-Note TBD
Published: February 2019

Working Title
Front Matter
Authors: Review Tax
Published: February 2019

Front Matter
Smallholder Farmers’ Susceptibility to Climate Change Variability: Assessing Adaptation Strategies and Impact on livelihoods
Authors: Tahiru Abdallah
Published: February 2019

Climate change and variability present a new set of obstacles that smallholder farmers in the 21st century have to face, especially hitting farmers in developing countries hard. The livelihoods of many farmers have become exacerbated due to the adverse impact of climate change. Governments and non-governmental agencies have stepped up their roles in helping smallholder farmers rise to the challenge through novel adaptation strategies. Using content analysis of relevant theoretical and empirical literature sources, this paper discusses the concept of climate change adaptation and its impact on the livelihood of smallholder farmers. The susceptibility of smallholder farmers to climate change are discussed and various adaptation options and more importantly, their effect, are explored. The study concludes that interventions by government and non-governmental actors have an impact on the overall livelihood of smallholder farmers in terms of neutralizing the adverse impact brought forth by climate change. The study makes some recommendations, including advancing a combination of traditional and modern practices in adaptation processes; consideration of socio-demographic characteristics of farmers in the adaptation processes.
Apples for Oranges: Disparities in Offset Legislation and Policy among Jurisdictions and its Implications for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development in Australia
Authors: Abdo Linda , Griffin Sandy , Kemp Annabeth
Published: February 2019

As a signatory to Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (including the Sustainable Development Goals) and the Convention on Biological Diversity, Australia has an international obligation to ensure sustainable development. Biodiversity offsets are one tool used by Australian regulators to allow development to continue, whilst ensuring international obligations for sustainable development are met. In this study, legislation, policy and published guidelines for the Australian Commonwealth, states and territories were analysed to determine if the application of biodiversity offsets was consistent with the principles of sustainable development (environmentally, socially, economically) and if the allowance of biodiversity offsets in different jurisdictions created gaps in biodiversity and environmental protection across Australia. Regulation of biodiversity offsets was found to be inconsistent between the Commonwealth and the states and territories, with most jurisdictions having less than 50% similarity. This inconsistency in offset policy and legislation between jurisdictions could lead to loss of biodiversity. Additionally, jurisdictions did not adequately consider the social and economic aspects of sustainability in relation to biodiversity offsets, meaning that, through the allowance of biodiversity offsets, Australia may not be meeting their international obligations related to sustainable development. Further legislative development for biodiversity offsets is required in Australia to improve environmental protection and to adequately consider all aspects of sustainability. The Council of Australian Governments is a mechanism that could be used to ensure all jurisdictions consider the aspects of sustainability consistently in relation to biodiversity offsets.
A Survey on the Role of Fringe Benefits in Employee Satisfaction – An Analysis of Organizations of Pakistan
Authors: Nisar Sahar , Siddiqui Danish Ahmed
Published: February 2019

This study investigates the relationship between fringe benefits and employee’s job satisfaction. More specifically, following variables were taken as fringe benefits (i) Health Protection Benefits, (ii) Recreation Leaves, and (iii) Flexible Working hours. The primary data is gathered through questionnaire from the sample size of 200 respondents based on non-probability convenience sampling technique. The results were later analyzed through exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression. This study showed positive and significant relationship of Recreation Leaves and Health protection benefits on job satisfaction whereas in case of flexible working hours, the relationship seems to be insignificant. Through results, it may be concluded that if a good number of leaves and a good health Protection plan is provided by the employer, the employees tend to be more satisfied and committed towards their job. Whereas, flexible working hours does not much contribute much towards their level of satisfaction towards job. This study might help employers in Pakistan to add commendable benefits programs to their schedule in order to retain their loyal employees and increase firm’s productivity.
EL IMPACTO DEL SERVICIO AL CLIENTE DE LAS EMPRESAS MEXICANAS EN FUNCIÓN DE LA ATENCIÓN AL CLIENTE
Authors: Gálvez Moreno Edgar José , Vargas Hernández José G.
Published: February 2019

El propósito de esta investigación es medir el nivel de atención al cliente de las empresas mexicanas en función del servicio al cliente, considerando que el servicio al cliente está directamente relacionado para ofrecer una buena atención al cliente. Esta investigación es de tipo analítica y descriptiva, porque en ella se encuentran los conceptos principales sobre la investigación, así como los principales autores y creadores de estos, y descriptiva porque en la investigación se encuentran cuadros y tablas que ayudan a explicar de una manera más sencilla para la correcta compresión y diferenciación de estos conceptos. Con esta investigación comprenderán la importancia y la diferencia que hay entre un servicio y una atención, y una vez comprendido eso podrán capacitar mejor a su personal para obtener mejores y mayores resultados en sus empresas y también reflejándose en sus ganancias.
ANÁLISIS, DEFINICIÓN Y CONSTRUCCIÓN DE UN INSTRUMENTO DE EVALUACIÓN DE CALIDAD DE SOFTWARE PRODUCIDO CON MÉTRICA V3, IIES-UNAH, 2016
Authors: Martínez Reyes Obed Humberto , Triminio Vásquez Brayan Gabriel
Published: February 2019

Los sistemas de información son productos comparables y medibles en cuanto calidad se refiere. Actualmente, uno de los aspectos más importantes es la verificación funcional de dichos sistemas de información y la evaluación de sus resultados. Son numerosas las metodologías usadas en la industria de software y cada una se sabe responde mejor a diferentes entornos. De manera particular el siguiente artículo enfatiza la importancia de evaluar la calidad propia de un sistema de información, así como de la información que proporciona a través de un instrumento que permita la medición en software producido bajo la herramienta para industria de software “Métrica V3”.