bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Súmula Sobre o Incumprimento do Contrato-Promessa
Authors: Falcão José Diogo
Published: September 2017

O contrato-promessa está definido no Código Civil como sendo «a convenção pela qual alguém se obriga a celebrar certo contrato» (art. 410.° n.° 1 do Cód. Civil). O contrato objecto do contrato-promessa, e que as partes se obrigam a realizar, denomina-se por contrato prometido (por exemplo, compra e venda, arrendamento, trespasse, cessão de quotas, etc.). Daqui decorre que a prestação devida no contrato-promessa traduz-se numa prestação de facto positivo consistente na emissão de uma declaração de vontade negocial destinada a celebrar um outro contrato, denominado por contrato prometido. A título de exemplo, num contrato-promessa de compra e venda as partes obrigam-se a realizar no futuro o prometido contrato de compra e venda, respectivamente, como comprador e como vendedor.
Le Prejudice Ecologique
Authors: Berramdane Abdelkhaleq
Published: September 2017

Une proposition de loi n' 546 rectifiée bis [2011-2012] est déposée sur le bureau du Sénat par M. Bruno Retailleau et plusieurs de ses collègues [UMP], le 23 mai 2012,visant à inscrire la notion de préjudice écologique dans le code civil. Cette proposition amendée, est adoptée en première lecture par le sénat, le 16 mai 2013.Cinq amendement ont été introduits par les sénateurs à cette proposition du rapporteur de la proposition le sénateur Alain Anziani [Rapport n.° 519, S, 17 avril 2013]:1] L'intitulé de la proposition est modifié, ainsi que celui du titre IV ter à introduire dans le code civil.2] le régime de responsabilité pour faute devient un régime de responsabilité sans faute.3] L'introduction d'un régime de prévention des risques écologiques. Cette proposition adoptée à l'unanimité par le Sénat sera discutée par l'AN.
Estrutura de Capital
Authors: Gomes Raquel Marques , Pereira Adalmiro Andrade
Published: September 2017

De acordo com Irving Fisher a empresa tem como objetivo financeiro a maximização da riqueza dos acionistas, sendo equivalente à maximização do valor de mercado da empresa.Consequentemente as tomadas de decisão sobre financiamento tornam-se bastante relevantes uma vez que a escolha de uma combinação ótima na carteira de capitais que simultaneamente maximize o valor da empresa e minimize o custo do capital se torna o objetivo principal da empresa, ou seja a otimização da estrutura de capital.
Conceptions of Accounting and Expectations of Learning Accounting
Authors: Teixeira Cláudia , Gomes Delfina , Borges Janete
Published: September 2017

The current study reports on the results of research into introductory accounting students’ conceptions of accounting and expectations of learning the subject of accounting within Portuguese higher education. The results validate the use of the ELAcc inventory in Portuguese higher education and are in line with the literature that argues that subject area has an influence on aspects of learning. In particular, they point out the differences between specialist and non-specialist students’ conceptions of accounting and their expectations of learning accounting. This circumstance highlights the need to consider the different programmes in which introductory accounting is taught.
Financial Statements’ Disclosure in the Electronic Federal Gazette And Proprietary Concerns
Authors: Grottke Markus , Löffelmann Johann V. , Haendel Felix , Späth Thomas
Published: September 2017

We develop a framework for discussing regulatory activity in the area of differential disclosure systems. In particular, we define differential disclosure systems as being composed of three elements. The first element consists of the pieces of information that are unregulated and, therefore, subject to a market solution. The second element is made up of those pieces of information that are regulated and, therefore, subject to a compulsory disclosure requirement.Finally, the third element is the criteria that determine which pieces are regulated and unregulated for which firms, respectively. To illustrate the usefulness of our framework we examine the repercussions of the Electronic Federal Gazette that was introduced in Germany in 2007. In particular, we present exploratory empirical findings from an online survey of 126 small and medium-sized entities in Bavaria, a federal state of Germany. The survey participants’ ultimate judgment of the Electronic Federal Gazette turns out to be negative. They perceive it to be affected by the chosen solution in their business environment in various dimensions such as, for example, competition or price negotiations. We demonstrate that it is not size that accounts for their negative evaluation but rather the lack of diversification among those small and family-owned firms. Informed by these results, we discuss what might follow for different regulatory alternatives to assist policy makers in future regulations.
A Parceria Transatlântica de Comércio e Investimento (TTIP)
Authors: Fernandes José Pedro Teixeira
Published: September 2017

O objectivo fundamental deste artigo é passar em revista as propostas que estão em negociação na TTIP, olhando para os argumentos a seu favor e para as críticas dos seus detractores. Para o efeito, faz-se uma breve contextualização das negociações no âmbito das relações atlânticas e é dada uma panorâmica das matérias em negociação. Depois, olha-se com algum detalhe para aspectos específicos da TTIP pela sua potencial relevância. É o caso da cooperação transatlântica em matéria de regulamentação e do recurso à arbitragem para os investidores internacionais. Aí será também feita uma reflexão sobre o seu previsível impacto na economia europeia e norte-americana. Por último, é ainda efectuado um escrutínio sintético à solidez da argumentação geopolítica a favor da TTIP e são feitas considerações sobre os obstáculos à conclusão do processo negocial.
A Autonomização Integrada das Três Áreas do Direito Financeiro
Authors: Cantista Luís Maria Silva Santos
Published: September 2017

Configuramos o DF como sendo constituído por três áreas de relevo: o DB, o DSFP e, por fim, o DVM.Ora, estando ligados intrinsecamente tanto a nível material, como a nível formal e também a nível funcional, parece-nos acertado referir que o legislador não acautelou esta ligação inequívoca com a amplitude que se desejaria.O DF devia ter, portanto, as suas três áreas autonomizadas, como é o caso na realidade atual, mas de uma forma mais integrada, sem descartar a possibilidade da existência de regulação e supervisão conjuntas, mas acima de tudo, sem ignorar o facto de estas serem áreas de atividade com uma conexão evidente e inevitável.Esta interligação das áreas do DF é clara, tendo em conta que a Banca, para além da atividade creditícia clássica, atua no MS, bem como no MVM; as seguradoras contraem crédito e celebram inúmeras operações bancárias, como por exemplo depósito e operações de capitalização, e elas próprias atuam no MVM; por fim, vários intervenientes do MVM, como é o exemplo dos OIC, sofrem, não só uma grande influência, como são absolutamente dependentes de entidades bancárias que, obrigatoriamente, fazem parte destas estruturas de investimento, a título de depositárias e de financiadoras. Pretendemos, também, aferir em que pé é que se encontra a realidade jurídica da autonomização, se é viável e em que medida é desejável uma maior integração desta trilogia do DF, atentando, com maior cuidado às matérias de DB. Na realidade, a dispersão deste tema traz-nos, à partida, alguns desafios. Qual é a melhor forma de responder a uma pergunta intrinsecamente ligada à conciliação de várias realidades, autonomizadas e conectadas entre si, que fazem parte de um sistema autónomo que, por sua vez, apresenta ligações com outras áreas, suas pares?Trata-se de uma área de estudo que inevitavelmente toca no Direito Público e na sua ramificação do Direito Administrativo e, no âmbito do Direito Privado, nas ramificações do Direito Civil e do Direito Comercial. Também se colocam questões de Direito Penal, que não serão abordadas.Face à compreensível multidisciplinaridade do tema, e à necessária adequação à dimensão do tipo de trabalho que ensejamos nesta sede, os nossos objetivos primordiais serão analisar as linhas de base de cada área do DF (as suas particularidades tanto a nível normativo, como institucional e operacional), e emitir opiniões e sugestões sempre que o desenvolvimento das ideias assim o exija, para que, no fim, nos seja possível traçar algumas conclusões.Demonstrada, a título introdutório, esta interligação, que nos parece inquestionável, desenvolveremos o tema em apreço.
Reformas no sistema Nacional de Saúde Britânico
Authors: Sousa Maria Sena de , Major Maria João , Cardoso Elsa , Gonçalves Ricardo , Bento Rita
Published: September 2017

Este estudo visa analisar as reformas ocorridas no Sistema Nacional de Saúde (SNS) do Reino Unido de forma a responder às seguintes questões de investigação: (i) Como evoluiu o SNS Britânico ao longo das duas últimas décadas?; e (ii) Quais os sistemas de financiamento adotados para reembolsar os serviços prestados pelos hospitais públicos e qual o papel da ‘Performance Measurement and Management’ (PMM) nas reformas ocorridas neste país?. De forma a responder a estas questões, uma abordagem qualitativa foi adotada, metodologicamente. Tal possibilitou aos investigadores a recolha e análise de evidência detalhada e contextualizada referente ao fenómeno em estudo. A investigação mostrou que as reformas ocorridas no SNS Britânico têm sido similares às reformas ocorridas noutros países, nomeadamente a separação da entidade financiadora da de prestadora de cuidados de saúde e a introdução de mecanismos de contratualização baseados em sistemas de financiamento prospetivos e em ‘Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs)’. O estudo possibilitou, ainda, concluir que o PMM assume desde 1999 um papel de relevo no SNS do Reino Unido, tendo possibilitado a criação de uma cultura efetiva de responsabilização e de avaliação de desempenho dos profissionais de saúde daquele país.
Prestações Acessórias, Prestações Suplementares e Suprimentos
Authors: Salazar Helena , Azevedo Margarida , Paixão Nuno Alonso
Published: September 2017

Neste estudo propomo-nos proceder a uma abordagem jurídico-societária e jurídico-fiscal das figuras das prestações acessórias suplementares e suprimentos, enquanto instrumentos de financiamento das sociedades comerciais.O financiamento das sociedades comerciais pelos sócios constitui a finalidade das prestações suplementares e dos suprimentos. Também as prestações acessórias poderão servir o objectivo de financiamento da sociedade.Com efeito, as obrigações acessórias poderão ser de natureza pecuniária, nomeadamente assumindo a veste de obrigações de empréstimo do sócio à sociedade quer sob a forma de mútuos, quer sob a forma de suprimentos.Discutível é a possibilidade de as prestações acessórias de empréstimo se apresentarem como financiamentos do sócio à sociedade sujeitos ao regime jurídico das prestações suplementares, em particular em matéria de reembolso. A este expediente é reconhecida grande utilidade nas sociedades anónimas como forma de ultrapassar a falta de previsão de financiamento através do recurso a prestações suplementares.Esta questão representa o núcleo central de análise na parte jurídico-societária deste artigo. Para compreensão do problema, torna-se necessário conhecer cada uma destas figuras. Analisaremos, neste sentido, os respectivos conceitos, finalidades específicas e os seus reflexos no regime jurídico de cada uma. É esta a abordagem societária da questão.
Using the Virtual World of Second Life in Veterinary Medicine: Student and Faculty Perceptions
Authors: Mauldin Pereira Mary , Artemiou Elpida , McGonigle Dee , Conan Anne , Sithole Fortune , Yvorchuk-St. Jean Kathleen
Published: September 2017

Virtual worlds are emerging technologies that can enhance student learning by encouraging active participation through simulation in immersive environments. At Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), the virtual world of Second Life was piloted as an educational platform for first-semester students to practice clinical reasoning in a simulated veterinary clinical setting. Under the supervision of one facilitator, four groups of nine students met three times to process a clinical case using Second Life. In addition, three groups of four clinical faculty observed one Second Life meeting. Questionnaires using a 4-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree to 4=strongly agree) and open-ended questions were used to assess student and clinical faculty perceptions of the Second Life platform. Perception scores of students (M=2.7, SD=0.7) and clinical faculty (M=2.7, SD=0.5) indicate that Second Life provides authentic and realistic learning experiences. In fact, students (M=3.4, SD=0.6) and clinical faculty (M=2.9, SD=1.0) indicate that Second Life should be offered to future students. Moreover, content analyses of open-ended responses from students and faculty support the use of Second Life based on reported advantages indicating that Second Life offers a novel and effective instructional method. Ultimately, results indicate that students and clinical faculty had positive educational experiences using Second Life, suggesting the need for further investigation into its application within the curriculum.
Application of the Texas Department of Transportation Continuous Deflection Device to Select Rehabilitation Strategies for Concrete Pavements
Authors: Scullion Tom , Liu Wenting , Chen DarHao
Published: September 2017

In 2013, the Texas Department of Transportation completed development of its total pavements acceptance device (TPAD), which contains the next generation of rolling deflectometer integrated with ground penetrating radar and video logging. TPAD collects data at 2 mph and provides deflections measurement at 2-in. intervals from three rolling geophones. In this paper, the development of TPAD is described with typical outputs from the data processing software. How TPAD deflections can be used to determine the load transfer efficiencies of joints and cracks is described, along with the correlation with falling weight deflectometer measurements. Four case studies are presented illustrating typical TPAD data on a range of problem concrete pavements in Texas. These case studies include pavements with a debonded concrete overlay, pavements with voids beneath the slab, and a section that has full-depth patching. The TPAD data collected on US-75, which is a jointed concrete pavement in very poor condition, are presented. TPAD provides highly useful data for planning the rehabilitation of concrete pavements in Texas. Since its development, TPAD has been used on 15 major rehabilitation projects. A popular application is to determine if an upcoming project is a good candidate for an engineered thin asphalt overlay or if more major structural improvements are required.
Characterization of Permanent Deformation Behavior of Silty Sand Subgrade Soil Under Repeated Load Triaxial Tests
Authors: Asefzadeh Arian , Hashemian Leila , Bayat Alireza
Published: September 2017

The performance of pavement structures is highly dependent on the performance of the subgrade layer, because it is the last layer underlying all the other pavement layers. The development of permanent deformation in subgrade material under traffic loads can cause pavement distresses such as fatigue cracking and rutting. This paper presents an evaluation of permanent deformation behavior of a silty sand subgrade material in the laboratory at various stress ratios and stress levels. It was found that the shakedown behavior of the material fell within plastic shakedown and plastic creep for stress ratios below 1.0 and a stress ratio of 1.5, respectively. A statistical prediction model for permanent deformation based on the test results is suggested.
Study of Influence of Operating Parameters on Braking Distance
Authors: Tang Tianchi , Anupam Kumar , Kasbergen Cor , Scarpas Athanasios
Published: September 2017

Stopping distance includes driver thinking distance and braking distance. Braking distance is one of the basic standards for road design and maintenance practices. Adequate tire–pavement skid resistance plays a significant role in reducing braking distance and consequently enhancing road safety. With technology such as the antilock braking system, the friction force is maximized by applying the brakes repeatedly, in an on-and-off pattern, such that the braking distance is shortened. Several studies have shown the effect that some parameters, such as water film thickness, tire inflation pressure, and wheel load, have on braking distance. Less discussed is the effect of slip ratio, temperature, and pavement surface characteristics. Measuring the braking distance in the field is energy-consuming and time-consuming, and there are uncertainties in the environmental conditions as well. General approaches to calculating braking distance are based on basic mechanics principles. To the authors’ knowledge, a model that can simulate the whole braking process is not available. The presented study proposes a way to predict braking distance by means of finite element modeling only. A model that can include the effect of parameters such as temperature, slip ratio, and pavement surface characteristics on the braking distance is introduced.
Thoracic spinal cord impingement by an arachnoid web at the level of a hemivertebra: case report
Authors: Hubbard Molly E. , Hunt Matthew A. , Jones Kristen E. , Polly David W.
Published: September 2017

Congenital scoliosis due to a hemivertebra requires surgical stabilization prior to skeletal maturity if rapidly progressive curve growth occurs. Here the authors present the unique case of a man who, at the age of 12 years, had undergone Harrington rod placement for stabilization of progressive congenital scoliosis due to a T-11 hemivertebra and then, at the age of 53 years, presented with acutely progressive myelopathy due to spinal cord compression from an arachnoid web at T-11 despite a solid fusion mass at the prior surgical site. The patient underwent a posterior midline approach for resection of the T-11 pedicle at the level of the hemivertebra, intradural spinal cord detethering with resection of the arachnoid web at T-11, and T2–L2 instrumented fusion with deformity correction, leading to subsequent resolution of his acute myelopathic symptoms. In conclusion, arachnoid web formation superimposed on preexisting tension on the thoracic spinal cord from congenital scoliosis due to a T-11 hemivertebra caused acute myelopathy in an adult with a previously solid fusion mass from childhood. The resolution of acute myelopathy and halting of further progression occurred with pedicle resection, arachnoid web fenestration, and spinal deformity correction.
The addition of duraplasty to posterior fossa decompression in the surgical treatment of pediatric Chiari malformation Type I: a systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical and performance outcomes
Authors: Lu Victor M. , Phan Kevin , Crowley Sean P. , Daniels David J.
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVE

Surgery is the definitive treatment of Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I). It involves posterior fossa decompression, which can be performed along with C-1 laminectomy, reconstructive duraplasty, or tonsil shrinkage. The aim of this study was to provide an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of the latest available evidence regarding posterior fossa decompression only (PFDO) versus posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty (PFDD) in the treatment of CM-I in children.

METHODS

A literature search was performed in compliance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines for article identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion. Relevant articles were identified from 6 electronic databases from their inception to April 2016. These articles were screened against established criteria for inclusion into this study.

RESULTS

From 12 relevant studies identified, 1492 pediatric patients treated via PFDD were compared with 1963 pediatric patients treated by PFDO for CM-I. PFDD was associated with greater overall clinical improvement (p = 0.009), along with longer length of stay (p < 0.0001) and more postoperative complications (p = 0.0001) compared with PFDO. No difference was observed between PFDD and PFDO in terms of revision surgery incidence (p = 0.13), estimated blood loss (p = 0.14), syrinx improvement (p = 0.09), or scoliosis improvement (p = 0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

It appears that the addition of duraplasty to posterior decompression in the definitive treatment of CM-I in children may alter surgical and performance outcomes. In particular, parameters of overall clinical improvement, length of stay, and postoperative complication may differ between children undergoing PFDD and those undergoing PFDO. Current evidence in the literature is of low to very low quality that, as of yet, has not been able to completely control for inherent selection bias both in study design and surgeon preference. Future, large prospective registries and randomized controlled trials are warranted to validate the findings of this study.
Enlarging pediatric ectopic Rathke’s cleft cyst in the prepontine cistern: case report
Authors: Kamei Takamasa , Nonaka Masahiro , Uemura Yoshiko , Yamanouchi Yasuo , Komori Yumiko , Iwata Ryoichi , Takeda Junichi , Hashiba Tetsuo , Yoshimura Kunikazu , Asai Akio
Published: September 2017

Rathke’s cleft cyst is a cystic disease that occurs in the sella turcica or, occasionally, in the suprasellar area. An ectopic Rathke’s cleft cyst is extremely rare, and its nature is less well understood. The authors report the case of a 14-year-old girl who presented with a growing cystic lesion in the prepontine cistern, immediately behind the dorsum sellae. Preoperative imaging and intraoperative investigation showed part of the cyst wall continuing into the dorsum sellae, to the pituitary gland. The cisternal portion of the cyst wall was totally resected via a right subtemporal approach. Histopathological examination of the cyst wall showed a monolayer of ciliated cells, identical to those of Rathke’s cleft cyst. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first pediatric case of Rathke’s cleft cyst occurring in the prepontine cistern.
Inner Asian Pastoralism in the Iron Age: The Talgar Case, South-Eastern Kazakhstan
Authors: Chang Claudia
Published: September 2017

The romantic image of the fierce Iron Age horse-riding pastoralists of the first millennium BC who roamed the Eurasian steppe has dominated our historical imagination of nomadic confederacies. The Scythians, Saka, Sarmatians, Wusun and Yuezhi, when described by ancient Greek historians and Chinese chroniclers, have been identified as the 'barbarians' (Beckwith 2009). In such accounts these nomadic barbarians occupied the 'edges' or peripheries of core agrarian states. In this article I explore how the Iron Age archaeology of settlements and burial mounds (kurgans) of a remote area along the Tian Shan Mountains of south-eastern Kazakhstan provides a different picture of the so-called barbarians. In order to build an archaeological case that allows for a different interpretation of the formation and evolution of Iron Age agro-pastoralism at the southern edge of the Eurasian steppe, this story must be told through the lens of a field archaeologist.
10,000 Years of Pastoralism in Anatolia: A Review of Evidence for Variability in Pastoral Lifeways
Authors: Hammer Emily Louise , Arbuckle Benjamin S.
Published: September 2017

Archaeological and historical data show that pastoral systems in Anatolia over the last ten thousand years were characterised by a high degree of variability in degree of mobility, land-use and animal preferences, target products and herd management strategies, and political organisation. Long-distance pastoral nomadism was a historically late development in the region, occurring over the last 1,500 to 1,000 years. Ethnographic analogy currently structures the majority of archaeological conclusions concerning pre-modern pastoralism, but obscures the variability that recent archaeological work brings to light. Multi-disciplinary studies seeking empirical data on ancient pastoralism and mobility are critical for developing a more subtle and accurate picture.
Botkhane Cave: New Evidence from Nomadic and Semi-Sedentary Communities in the Central Zagros During the Late Chalcolithic Period and the Bronze Age: Kuhdasht, Luristan, Iran
Authors: Niknami Kamal Aldin , Mirghaderi Mohammad Amin , Garavand Morteza
Published: September 2017

Years of investigation, of varying degrees, have been undertaken into the semi- sedentary communities in the Near East and especially central Zagros, encompassing ethnology, anthropology and ethno-archaeology. All this research provides useful information regarding the cultural structure of the semi-sedentary communities of central Zagros. However, due to the difficulties in identifying the sites related to this type of livelihood, reconstructing such cultural structures is problematic; thus special strategies are required in archaeological excavation and surveys. Meanwhile, caves and rock shelters preserve some evidence of ancient settlements and can enhance our knowledge about their livelihood patterns and cultural structures. Identifying these settlements is evidently easier than finding settlements in open spaces as they incurred less damage than open sites. Botkhane cave is one of this group of settlements, which reflects various aspects of the semi-sedentary communities' cultural structure in central Zagros.

This cave is located 21 kilometres southeast of Kuhdasht city and one kilometre east of Damchehr Qaralivand village in the west of Luristan province. Evidence of settlements from the fourth millennium bc into the historic period have been revealed in this cave during a threat mitigation plan in 2008. Numerous bone remains of humans, goats, horses, rabbits etc. have also been observed. Although the cultural materials in this cave have been displaced, making the stratigraphy process impossible, due to the importance of the discoveries and the strategic location of the cave, all the finds have been collected and documented. The present study aims to introduce the cave's cultural materials and the remains' relative chronology, along with an analytical overview of the cave's function, based on the existing evidence, from the second half of the fourth millennium bc to the end of the Bronze Age.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Forced Convection in a Double Skin Façade
Authors: İnan Tuğba , Başaran Tahsin , Erek Aytunç
Published: September 2017

Flow and heat transfer of the air cavity between two glass façades designed in the box window type of double skin façade (DSF) was evaluated in a test room which was set up for measurements in the laboratory environment and analyzed under different working conditions by using a computational fluid dynamics tool. Using data from the experimental studies, the verification of the numerical studies was conducted and the air flow and heat transfer in the cavity between the two glass façades were examined numerically in detail. The depth to height of the cavity, the aspect ratio, was changed between 0.10 and 0.16, and was studied for three different flow velocities. Reynolds and average Nusselt numbers ranging from 28,000 to 56,500 and 134 to 272, respectively, were calculated and a non-dimensional correlation between Reynolds and Nusselt numbers was constructed to evaluate the heat transfer from the cavity (except inlet and outlet sections) air to the inside environment and it could be used the box window type of DSF applications having relatively short cavities.
Exploring the Relationship between Housing and Health for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in South Australia: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Ziersch Anna , Walsh Moira , Due Clemence , Duivesteyn Emily
Published: September 2017

Housing is an important social determinant of health; however, little is known about the impact of housing experiences on health and wellbeing for people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds. In this paper, we outline a qualitative component of a study in South Australia examining these links. Specifically, interviews were conducted with 50 refugees and asylum seekers who were purposively sampled according to gender, continent and visa status, from a broader survey. Interviews were analysed thematically. The results indicated that housing was of central importance to health and wellbeing and impacted on health through a range of pathways including affordability, the suitability of housing in relation to physical aspects such as condition and layout, and social aspects such as safety and belonging and issues around security of tenure. Asylum seekers in particular reported that living in housing in poor condition negatively affected their health. Our research reinforces the importance of housing for both the physical and mental health for asylum seekers and refugees living in resettlement countries. Improving housing quality, affordability and tenure security all have the potential to lead to more positive health outcomes.
Family Social Environment and Parenting Predictors of Alcohol Use among Adolescents in Lithuania
Authors: Šumskas Linas , Zaborskis Apolinaras
Published: September 2017

The role of the family as the social environment in shaping adolescent lifestyle has recently received substantial attention. This study was focused on investigating the association between familial and parenting predictors and alcohol use in school-aged children. Adolescents aged 13- and 15-year from a representative sample (N = 3715) of schools in Lithuania were surveyed during the spring of 2014. The methodology of the cross-national Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study was applied. HBSC international questionnaires were completed in the classroom anonymously for obtaining information about drinking of alcoholic beverages and family characteristics—family’s affluence and structure, style of communication in the family, parenting style, parental monitoring, family time together, etc. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied for assessment of the association between familial variables and weekly alcohol use. Analysis has demonstrated that adolescents from non-intact families tended to show significantly higher risk of being weekly drinkers (OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.30–2.19). The following parenting factors were associated with weekly use of alcohol: father’s and mother’s low monitoring, father’s authoritarian-repressive and mother’s permissive-neglectful parenting style. Frequent family time together and frequent electronic media communication with parents showed an inverse negative effect than was predicted. The study suggests that alcohol misuse among adolescents could be associated with a non-intact family structure as well as with complex family and parenting determinants which should be investigated more thoroughly by further studies.
Effect of Multi-Pass Friction Stir Processing on Mechanical Properties for AA2024/Al2O3 Nanocomposites
Authors: Moustafa Essam
Published: September 2017

In the present work, an aluminum metal matrix reinforced with (Al2O3) nanoparticles was fabricated as a surface composite sheet using friction stir processing (FSP). The effects of processing parameters on mechanical properties, hardness, and microstructure grain were investigated. The results revealed that multi-pass FSP causes a homogeneous distribution and good dispersion of Al2O3 in the metal matrix, and consequently an increase in the hardness of the matrix composites. A finer grain is observed in the microstructure examination in specimens subjected to second and third passes of FSP. The improvement in the grain refinement is 80% compared to base metal. The processing parameters, particularly rotational tool speed and pass number in FSP, have a major effect on strength properties and surface hardness. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and the average hardness are improved by 25% and 46%, respectively, due to presence of reinforcement Al2O3 nanoparticles.
Hair Regenerative Mechanisms of Red Ginseng Oil and Its Major Components in the Testosterone-Induced Delay of Anagen Entry in C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Truong Van-Long , Bak Min Ji , Lee Changook , Jun Mira , Jeong Woo-Sik
Published: September 2017

Hair loss (alopecia) is a universal problem for numerous people in the world. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of red ginseng oil (RGO) and its major components on hair re-growth using testosterone (TES)-induced delay of anagen entry in C57BL/6 mice and their mechanisms of action. Seven-week-old C57BL/6 mice were daily treated with TES for 1 h prior to topical application of 10% RGO, 1% linoleic acid (LA), 1% β-sitosterol (SITOS), or 1% bicyclo(10.1.0)tridec-1-ene (BICYCLO) once a day for 28 days. Hair regenerative capacity was significantly restored by treatment of RGO and its major compounds in the TES-treated mice. Histological analysis showed that RGO along with LA and SITOS but not BICYCLO promoted hair growth through early inducing anagen phase that was delayed by TES in mice. Treatment of mice with RGO, LA, or SITOS up-regulated Wnt/β-catenin and Shh/Gli pathways-mediated expression of genes such as β-catenin, Lef-1, Sonic hedgehog, Smoothened, Gli-1, Cyclin D1, and Cyclin E in the TES-treated mice. In addition, RGO and its major components reduced the protein level of TGF-β but enhanced the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. These results suggest that RGO is a potent novel therapeutic natural product for treatment of androgenic alopecia possibly through hair re-growth activity of its major components such as LA and SITOS.
Validating the Modified Drug Adherence Work-Up (M-DRAW) Tool to Identify and Address Barriers to Medication Adherence
Authors: Lee Sun , Bae Yuna , Worley Marcia , Law Anandi
Published: September 2017

Barriers to medication adherence stem from multiple factors. An effective and convenient tool is needed to identify these barriers so that clinicians can provide a tailored, patient-centered consultation with patients. The Modified Drug Adherence Work-up Tool (M-DRAW) was developed as a 13-item checklist questionnaire to identify barriers to medication adherence. The response scale was a 4-point Likert scale of frequency of occurrence (1 = never to 4 = often). The checklist was accompanied by a GUIDE that provided corresponding motivational interview-based intervention strategies for each identified barrier. The current pilot study examined the psychometric properties of the M-DRAW checklist (reliability, responsiveness and discriminant validity) in patients taking one or more prescription medication(s) for chronic conditions. A cross-sectional sample of 26 patients was recruited between December 2015 and March 2016 at an academic medical center pharmacy in Southern California. A priming question that assessed self-reported adherence was used to separate participants into the control group of 17 “adherers” (65.4%), and into the intervention group of nine “unintentional and intentional non-adherers” (34.6%). Comparable baseline characteristics were observed between the two groups. The M-DRAW checklist showed acceptable reliability (13 item; alpha = 0.74) for identifying factors and barriers leading to medication non-adherence. Discriminant validity of the tool and the priming question was established by the four-fold number of barriers to adherence identified within the self-selected intervention group compared to the control group (4.4 versus 1.2 barriers, p < 0.05). The current study did not investigate construct validity due to small sample size and challenges on follow-up with patients. Future testing of the tool will include construct validation.
Re-Assembly and Analysis of an Ancient Variola Virus Genome
Authors: Smithson Chad , Imbery Jacob , Upton Chris
Published: September 2017

We report a major improvement to the assembly of published short read sequencing data from an ancient variola virus (VARV) genome by the removal of contig-capping sequencing tags and manual searches for gap-spanning reads. The new assembly, together with camelpox and taterapox genomes, permitted new dates to be calculated for the last common ancestor of all VARV genomes. The analysis of recently sequenced VARV-like cowpox virus genomes showed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and amino acid changes in the vaccinia virus (VACV)-Cop-O1L ortholog, predicted to be associated with VARV host specificity and virulence, were introduced into the lineage before the divergence of these viruses. A comparison of the ancient and modern VARV genome sequences also revealed a measurable drift towards adenine + thymine (A + T) richness.
Photo-Activatable Akt Probe: A New Tool to Study the Akt-Dependent Physiopathology of Cancer Cells
Authors: Haga Sanae , Ozawa Takeaki , Morita Naoki , Asano Mami , Jin Shigeki , Yimin  , Ozaki Michitaka
Published: September 2017

Akt is commonly overexpressed and activated in cancer cells and plays a pivotal role in cell survival, protection, and chemoresistance. Therefore, Akt is one of the target molecules in understanding characters of cancer cells and developing anticancer drugs. Here we examined whether
a newly developed photo-activatable Akt (PA-Akt) probe, based on a light-inducible protein interaction module of plant cryptochrome2 (CRY2) and cryptochrome-interacting basic helixloophelix (CIB1), can regulate Akt-associated cell functions. By illuminating blue light to the cells stably transfected
with PA-Akt probe, CRY2-Akt (a fusion protein of CRY2 and Akt) underwent a structural change and interacted with Myr-CIBN (myristoylated N-terminal portion of CIB1), anchoring it at the cell membrane. Western blot analysis revealed that S473 and T308 of the Akt of probe-Akt were sequentially
phosphorylated by intermittent and continuous light illumination. Endogenous Akt and GSK-3, one of the main downstream signals of Akt, were also phosphorylated, depending on light intensity. These facts indicate that photo-activation of probe-Akt can activate endogenous Akt and its downstream
signals. The photo-activated Akt conferred protection against nutritional deprivation and H2O2 stresses to the cells significantly. Using the newly developed PA-Akt probe, endogenous Akt was activated easily, transiently, and repeatedly. This probe will be a unique tool
in studying Akt-associated specific cellular functions in cancer cells and developing anticancer drugs.
Hearing Aid Use and Mild Hearing Impairment: Learnings from Big Data
Authors: Timmer Barbra H. B. , Hickson Louise , Launer Stefan
Published: September 2017

Background:Previous research, mostly reliant on self-reports, has indicated that hearing aid (HA) use is related to the degree of hearing impairment (HI). No large-scale investigation of the relationship between data-logged HA use and HI has been conducted to date.Purpose:This
study aimed to investigate if objective measures of overall daily HA use and HA use in various listening environments are different for adults with mild HI compared to adults with moderate HI.Research Design:This retrospective study used data extracted from a database of fitting appointments
from an international group of HA providers. Only data from the participants’ most recent fitting appointment were included in the final dataset.Study Sample:A total of 8,489 bilateral HA fittings of adults over the age of 18 yr, conducted between January 2013 and June 2014, were
included. Participants were subsequently allocated to HI groups, based on British Society of Audiology and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association audiometric descriptors.Data Collection and Analysis:Fitting data from participating HA providers were regularly transferred to a central
server. The data, with all personal information except age and gender removed, contained participants’ four-frequency average (at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz) as well as information on HA characteristics and usage. Following data cleaning, bivariate and post hoc statistical analyses
were conducted.Results:The total sample of adults’ average daily HA use was 8.52 hr (interquartile range [IQR] = 5.49‐11.77) in the left ear and 8.51 hr (IQR = 5.49‐11.72) in the right ear. With a few exceptions, there were no statistical differences between hours
of HA use for participants with mild HI compared to those with moderate impairment. Across all mild and moderate HI groups, the most common overall HA usage was between 8 and 12 hr per day. Other factors such as age, gender, and HA style also showed no relationship to hours of use. HAs were
used, on average, for 7 hr (IQR = 4.27‐9.96) per day in quiet and 1 hr (IQR = 0.33‐1.41) per day in noisy listening situations.Conclusions:Clinical populations with mild HI use HAs as frequently as those with a moderate HI. These findings support the recommendation of
HAs for adults with milder degrees of HI.
The Structure of Chariklo’s Rings from Stellar Occultations
Authors: Bérard D. , Sicardy B. , Camargo J. I. B. , Desmars J. , Braga-Ribas F. , Ortiz J.-L. , Duffard R. , Morales N. , Meza E. , Leiva R. , Benedetti-Rossi G. , Vieira-Martins R. , Júnior A.-R. Gomes , Assafin M. , Colas F. , Dauvergne J.-L. , Kervella P. , Lecacheux J. , Maquet L. , Vachier F. , Renner S. , Monard B. , Sickafoose A. A. , Breytenbach H. , Genade A. , Beisker W. , Bath K.-L. , Bode H.-J. , Backes M. , Ivanov V. D. , Jehin E. , Gillon M. , Manfroid J. , Pollock J. , Tancredi G. , Roland S. , Salvo R. , Vanzi L. , Herald D. , Gault D. , Kerr S. , Pavlov H. , Hill K. M. , Bradshaw J. , Barry M. A. , Cool A. , Lade B. , Cole A. , Broughton J. , Newman J. , Horvat R. , Maybour D. , Giles D. , Davis L. , Paton R. A. , Loader B. , Pennell A. , Jaquiery P.-D. , Brillant S. , Selman F. , Dumas C. , Herrera C. , Carraro G. , Monaco L. , Maury A. , Peyrot A. , Teng-Chuen-Yu J.-P. , Richichi A. , Irawati P. , Witt C. De , Schoenau P. , Prager R. , Colazo C. , Melia R. , Spagnotto J. , Blain A. , Alonso S. , Román A. , Santos-Sanz P. , Rizos J.-L. , Maestre J.-L. , Dunham D.
Published: September 2017

Two narrow and dense rings (called C1R and C2R) were discovered around the Centaur object (10199) Chariklo during a stellar occultation observed on 2013 June 3. Following this discovery, we planned observations of several occultations by Chariklo’s system in order to better characterize the physical properties of the ring and main body. Here, we use 12 successful occulations by Chariklo observed between 2014 and 2016. They provide ring profiles (physical width, opacity, edge structure) and constraints on the radii and pole position. Our new observations are currently consistent with the circular ring solution and pole position, to within the ±3.3 km formal uncertainty for the ring radii derived by Braga-Ribas et al. The six resolved C1R profiles reveal significant width variations from ∼5 to 7.5 km. The width of the fainter ring C2R is less constrained, and may vary between 0.1 and 1 km. The inner and outer edges of C1R are consistent with infinitely sharp boundaries, with typical upper limits of one kilometer for the transition zone between the ring and empty space. No constraint on the sharpness of C2R’s edges is available. A

upper limit of ∼20 m is derived for the equivalent width of narrow (physical width

km) rings up to distances of 12,000 km, counted in the ring plane.
A Search for Photometric Variability in the Young T3.5 Planetary-mass Companion GU Psc b
Authors: Naud Marie-Eve , Artigau Étienne , Rowe Jason F. , Doyon René , Malo Lison , Albert Loïc , Gagné Jonathan , Bouchard Sandie
Published: September 2017

We present a photometric J-band variability study of GU Psc b, a T3.5 co-moving planetary-mass companion (9–13

) to a young (∼150 Myr) M3 member of the AB Doradus Moving Group. The large separation between GU Psc b and its host star (42″) provides a rare opportunity to study the photometric variability of a planetary-mass companion. The study presented here is based on observations obtained from 2013 to 2014 over three nights with durations of 5–6 hr each with the WIRCam imager at Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope. Photometric variability with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 4 ± 1% at a timescale of ∼6 hr was marginally detected on 2014 October 11. No high-significance variability was detected on 2013 December 22 and 2014 October 10. The amplitude and timescale of the variability seen here, as well as its evolving nature, is comparable to what was observed for a variety of field T dwarfs and suggests that mechanisms invoked to explain brown dwarf variability may be applicable to low-gravity objects such as GU Psc b. Rotation-induced photometric variability due to the formation and dissipation of atmospheric features such as clouds is a plausible hypothesis for the tentative variation detected here. Additional photometric measurements, particularly on longer timescales, will be required to confirm and characterize the variability of GU Psc b, determine its periodicity and to potentially measure its rotation period.
Spin–Orbit Misalignments of Three Jovian Planets via Doppler Tomography*
Authors: Johnson Marshall C. , Cochran William D. , Addison Brett C. , Tinney Chris G. , Wright Duncan J.
Published: September 2017

We present measurements of the spin–orbit misalignments of the hot Jupiters HAT-P-41 b and WASP-79 b, and the aligned warm Jupiter Kepler-448 b. We obtain these measurements with Doppler tomography, where we spectroscopically resolve the line profile perturbation during the transit due to the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect. We analyze time series spectra obtained during portions of five transits of HAT-P-41 b, and find a value of the spin–orbit misalignment of

. We reanalyze the radial velocity Rossiter–McLaughlin data on WASP-79 b obtained by Addison et al. using Doppler tomographic methodology. We measure

, consistent with but more precise than the value found by Addison et al. For Kepler-448 b we perform a joint fit to the Kepler light curve, Doppler tomographic data, and a radial velocity data set from Lillo-Box et al. We find an approximately aligned orbit (

), in agreement with the value found by Bourrier et al. Through analysis of the Kepler light curve we measure a stellar rotation period of

days, and use this to argue that the full three-dimensional spin–orbit misalignment is small,

.
A High-resolution Multi-wavelength Simultaneous Imaging System with Solar Adaptive Optics
Authors: Rao Changhui , Zhu Lei , Gu Naiting , Rao Xuejun , Zhang Lanqiang , Bao Hua , Kong Lin , Guo Youming , Zhong Libo , Ma Xue’an , Li Mei , Wang Cheng , Zhang Xiaojun , Fan Xinlong , Chen Donghong , Feng Zhongyi , Wang Xiaoyun , Wang Zhiyong
Published: September 2017

A high-resolution multi-wavelength simultaneous imaging system from visible to near-infrared bands with a solar adaptive optics system, in which seven imaging channels, including the G band (430.5 nm), the Na i line (589 nm), the Hα line (656.3 nm), the TiO band (705.7 nm), the Ca ii IR line (854.2 nm), the He i line (1083 nm), and the Fe i line (1565.3 nm), are chosen, is developed to image the solar atmosphere from the photosphere layer to the chromosphere layer. To our knowledge, this is the solar high-resolution imaging system with the widest spectral coverage. This system was demonstrated at the 1 m New Vaccum Solar Telescope and the on-sky high-resolution observational results were acquired. In this paper, we will illustrate the design and performance of the imaging system. The calibration and the data reduction of the system are also presented.