bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Game-speed influence and brand attitude: mediating role of thought favorability in in-game advertising
Authors: Vashisht Devika , Mohan Surinder
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of game-speed on brand attitude and mediating role of thought favorability in the speed-attitude relationship in the context of in-game advertising (IGA). Specifically, this investigation employs the Limited Capacity Model of Attention and the heuristic-systematic model to explain the conditions under which in-game brand placements form favorable or unfavorable thoughts about the game and the embedded brand, and subsequent brand attitude.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 78 student-gamers participated in the study. One-tailed independent-samples t-tests and a path analysis were used for hypothesis testing.

Findings

Results revealed that fast-paced games resulted in higher thought favorability and more favorable brand attitude than the slow-paced games. Furthermore, the results also showed that thought favorability mediated the relationship of game-speed and brand attitude among Indian gamers.

Research limitations/implications

This paper adds to advertising literature from a non-traditional advertising perspective, primarily in the context of IGA, and explains the role played by game-speed as an antecedent to thought favorability that adds value to thought favorability and brand attitude relationship. Also, the study provides an important implication for the marketers that to generate more positive brand attitudes and high favorable thoughts, advertisers and game-developers must focus on high-speed games.

Originality/value

This study is the first in its stream toward understanding the mediating role of thought favorability in determining the persuasion effect on Indian gamers’ brand attitude in the context of online advertising from attention and elaboration perspectives.
Between the corporation and the closet
Authors: Hodson Jaigris , Jackson Samantha , Cukier Wendy , Holmes Mark
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to engage the ecological model as a conceptual tool to examine the ethics of conducting research on LGBTQ+ individuals in the workplace. In particular, it focuses on outness and the act of outing in research.

Design/methodology/approach

Established methodologies for studying LGBTQ+ persons in the workplace are examined using a critical outness lens. The ecological model is used to identify a critical path forward for researchers working with LGBTQ+ participants and to improve LGBTQ+ workplace experiences more broadly.

Findings

The tension between the ethics of coming out of the closet and the ethics of outing someone for the greater good is problematized. It suggests that organizational and diversity scholars approach research methods with an understanding of the role played by the body and sexuality in LGBTQ+ workplace research.

Practical implications

Researchers should recognize that workers may have varying degrees of outness within their organization and/or across their private and public lives.

Originality/value

Research on LGBTQ+ persons in the workplace is limited, and research examining the ethics of relevant methods is scarcer still. This paper begins a discussion on how researchers can trouble current hegemonic approaches to LGBTQ+-centered research in organizations.
Reassessing cultural capital: access to employment for women with disabilities in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Peter Dimity Jane , Alem Sarah , Knabe Barbara
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give voice to the experiences of women with disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) who have accessed employment, to highlight the structural barriers to employment and to identify the skills they used to obtain work.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a phenomenological study conducted in KSA. Themes from the interviews of women with disabilities were explored using Yosso’s (2005) cultural capital conceptual framework.

Findings

The participants had work and career aspirations, persisted in their job search, navigated barriers, and had familial support and emotional support from their social networks, but lacked instrumental assistance in accessing work. KSA policies to support women and people with disabilities to obtain employment are not adequately enforced, and negative attitudes toward people with disabilities are widespread.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size is small, but these preliminary findings justify the necessity for additional research and policy development specifically focused on women with disabilities.

Practical implications

There is an urgent need for existing policy enforcement and a need for a national strategy promoting the employment of women and the needs of women with disabilities should be specifically included in this agenda.

Originality/value

There is no extant research or policy literature regarding employment and women with disabilities in the KSA. This study applies Yosso’s (2005) theory of cultural capital to women with disabilities, demonstrating its applicability outside of race/ethnicity studies and suggests that “community” is not an essential factor in building employment success.
Not all surges of gross capital inflows are alike
Authors: Mercado Rogelio V.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the transition of surge episodes to stop episodes and differentiates between two types of surges, namely, surges that end in stops and surges that end in normal episodes.

Design/methodology/approach

Previous studies show that surges end in output contractions, crises, and reversals of capital inflows. However, when one looks closely at the data, more than half of surges end in normal episodes at least four quarters following the last surge quarter.

Findings

The results show the varying significance of global and domestic factors correlated with the occurrence of surges leading to stops and the size of gross inflows during these two types of surges.

Originality/value

The findings highlight the importance of differentiating between these two types of surges as it leaves scope for policy design in safeguarding financial stability amidst surging capital inflows.
Gendered geographical inequalities in junior high school enrollment
Authors: Ansong David , Renwick Chesworth Brittney , Okumu Moses , Ansong Eric , Wabwire Cedrick Joseph
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the spatial patterns of gender inequality in junior high school enrollment and the educational resource investments associated with the spatial trends.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses data on 170 districts in Ghana and hot spot analysis based on the Getis-Ord Gi statistic, linear regression, and geographically weighted regression to assess spatial variability in gender parity in junior high school enrollment and its association with resource allocation.

Findings

The results reveal rural-urban and north-south variability in gender parity. Results show that educational resources contribute to gender parity. At the national level, educational expenditure, and the number of classrooms, teachers, and available writing places have the strongest positive associations with girls’ enrollment. These relationships are spatially moderated, such that predominantly rural and Northern districts experience the most substantial benefits of educational investments.

Practical implications

The findings show that strategic allocation of infrastructure, financial, and human resources through local governments holds promise for a more impactful and sustainable educational development of all children, regardless of gender. Besides seeking solutions that address the lack of resources at the national level, there is a need for locally tailored efforts to remove the barriers to equitable distribution of educational resources across gender and socioeconomic groups.

Originality/value

This paper’s use of advanced spatial analysis techniques allows for in-depth examination of gender parity and investments in educational resources, and highlights the spatial nuances in how such investments predict gender disparities in junior high school enrollment. The findings speak to the need for targeted and localized efforts to address gender and geographical disparities in educational opportunities.
Students’ motivations, perceived benefits and constraints towards study abroad and other international education opportunities
Authors: Curtis Tamilla , Ledgerwood John R.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify students’ motivations and perceived benefits of engaging in study abroad programs, as well as challenges and missed opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was sent to random samples of students on two university campuses. Descriptive statistics and frequency analyses were conducted with the use of the SPSS data management software package.

Findings

Despite the majority of students having previous international travel experience and understanding the benefits of study abroad programs, most of them will not pursue the possibility to enroll in the study abroad programs. Contrary, most of respondents did express an interest to participate in international co-op/internship opportunities while attending the university. The study identified motivations, perceived benefits and constraints for students to enroll in study abroad programs.

Research limitations/implications

Further research using samples from different universities and colleges would present a more comprehensive picture of motivations, expectations and constraints.

Practical implications

Educators should promote study abroad program benefits and clearly identify the link between international experiences and future students’ employability. Study abroad programs can serve as important tool for increasing overall students’ retention and recruitment.

Social implications

In higher education, study abroad programs can serve as important tool for increasing overall students’ retention and recruitment.

Originality/value

This research uncovers students’ study abroad intent, interests, motivations, perceived personal and professional benefits and desired structure for the program. The findings provide insights into how administrators can enhance the value of the summer study abroad program offered by higher educational institutions.
Teaching belief systems in marketing classes
Authors: Peterson Mark , Minton Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Marketing students need better grounding in understanding major worldviews of the twenty-first century, given nearly guaranteed, international interactions with stakeholders. As such, the purpose of this paper is to develop a pedagogy focused upon secular and religious worldviews that can be used effectively in the classroom.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-cultural study using data from the USA and China examines current worldview understanding among business school students. A training session in worldviews is then conducted, and a follow-up study is used to assess worldview learning and further interest in learning more about worldviews.

Findings

Student understanding of worldviews is increased through a 1.5-h teaching session. Students’ interest in learning more about worldviews significantly increased after the teaching session.

Practical implications

Worldview training is an effective way to prepare students for interacting with stakeholders in the increasingly global world in which these students will eventually work. Business schools need to incorporate worldview training in international marketing courses, at a minimum, or offer complete courses in worldviews and related applications to business operations.

Originality/value

Prior research has not tested worldview training on business students, especially when comparing student learning in a more religious-based culture (USA) and a more secular-based culture (China). Thus, this research shows that worldview training is effective regardless of the culture it is used in, which is important to informing students in a growing global marketplace.
Optimization of Supercritical CO2 Brayton Cycle for Simple Cycle Gas Turbines Exhaust Heat Recovery Using Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Khadse Akshay , Blanchette Lauren , Kapat Jayanta , Vasu Subith , Hossain Jahed , Donazzolo Adrien
Published: March 2018

For the application of waste heat recovery (WHR), supercritical CO2 (S-CO2) Brayton power cycles offer significant suitable advantages such as compactness, low capital cost, and applicability to a broad range of heat source temperatures. The current study is focused on thermodynamic modeling and optimization of recuperated (RC) and recuperated recompression (RRC) configurations of S-CO2 Brayton cycles for exhaust heat recovery from a next generation heavy duty simple cycle gas turbine using genetic algorithm (GA). This nongradient based algorithm yields a simultaneous optimization of key S-CO2 Brayton cycle decision variables such as turbine inlet temperature, pinch point temperature difference, compressor pressure ratio, and mass flow rate of CO2. The main goal of the optimization is to maximize power out of the exhaust stream which makes it single objective optimization. The optimization is based on thermodynamic analysis with suitable practical assumptions which can be varied according to the need of user. The optimal cycle design points are presented for both RC and RRC configurations and comparison of net power output is established for WHR. For the chosen exhaust gas mass flow rate, RRC cycle yields more power output than RC cycle. The main conclusion drawn from the current study is that the choice of best cycle for WHR actually depends heavily on mass flow rate of the exhaust gas. Further, the economic analysis of the more power producing RRC cycle is performed and cost comparison between the optimized RRC cycle and steam Rankine bottoming cycle is presented.
Tolerance-Maps to Model Composite Positional Tolerancing for Patterns of Features
Authors: Ameta Gaurav , Singh Gagandeep , Davidson Joseph K. , Shah Jami J.
Published: March 2018

For the first time, Tolerance-Maps (T-Maps) are constructed to model composite positional tolerancing applied to patterns (arrays) of features. The T-Map for a feature is a range (codomain) of points obtained by mapping all the variational possibilities (domain) of a feature within its tolerance zone to a hypothetical Euclidean point space. T-Maps have already been developed for tolerances applied to single features, such as to a simple axis (line), a plane, and a cylinder, but not for the special methods available for tolerancing patterns of features. In this paper, the different pattern tolerancing methods listed in the standards produce distinctions in geometric shape, proportions, and/or dimensions of a T-Map. The T-Map geometry is different when tolerances are specified with composite position tolerancing rather than with two-single-segment control frames. Additional changes to geometry occur when material modifiers are also specified. Two levels of T-Maps are proposed for a pattern of features. One is at the assembly level to ensure the assembly of an engaging pattern of pins and holes, such as the array of pins on an integrated circuit, which are to be inserted into a base. The second is at the part level to model the variations between the two parts that contain the engaging patterns. The assembly-level T-Maps apply to any number of engaging pin/hole features arranged in any pattern: linear, circular, rectangular, or irregular. In this paper, the part-level T-Map is restricted to linear patterns. The different specifications are also compared with a statistical analysis of misalignment for an assembly with a pattern of pins and holes.
Bio-Inspired Coalition Formation Algorithms for Multirobot Systems
Authors: Qian Binsen , Cheng Harry H.
Published: March 2018

This paper presents two bio-inspired algorithms for coalition formation of multiple modular robot systems. An effective and efficient coalition formation system can help modular robot system take full advantage of reconfigurability of modular robots. In this paper, the multirobot coalition formation problem is illustrated and a mathematical model for the problem is described. Two bio-inspired algorithms, ant-colony algorithm (ACA) and genetic algorithm (GA), are introduced for solving the mathematical model. With the two algorithms, it is able to form a large number of robots into many different groups for a variety of applications, such as parallel performance of multiple tasks by multiple teams of robots. The paper compares the efficiency and effectiveness of two algorithms for solving the presented problem with case study. The results for the comparison study are analyzed and discussed. Also, the implementation details of the simulation and experiment using ACA are presented in the paper.
Nonrigid Registration for Form Defect Identification of Thin Parts
Authors: Thiébaut F. , Bendjebla S. , Quinsat Y. , Lartigue C.
Published: March 2018

The paper discusses thin part inspection using three-dimensional (3D) non rigid registration. The main objective is to match measurement point data to its nominal representation, so as to identify form defects. Since form defects have the same size order as the thickness of the part, establishing such matching is a challenging task. The originality of the method developed in this paper is using a deformable iterative closet point algorithm (ICP), and integrating modal approach to express form defects. The method described improves the matching through iteration of the ICP and establishes a definition of the error. The results of the application show that the present method is efficient.
Supporting the development of curricular knowledge among novice physics instructors
Authors: Robertson Amy D.
Published: March 2018

In this paper, my aim is to problematize the invisibility (to instructors) of the purposes of particular exercises within research-based instructional materials (RBIMs) and to provide one possible solution to this problem that other teacher educators may adapt for their institutional contexts. In particular, I show that many RBIMs anticipate and respond to particular (often incorrect) learner ideas, that teachers often do not recognize this, and that not recognizing this can cause teachers to miss opportunities to build on learner ideas and/or engage students in scientific practices. I share an instructional activity I designed that is meant to support teachers—including university physics Learning Assistants—in recognizing the purposes of particular questions or sequences of questions within RBIMs, and I illustrate that this activity can be a productive starting place for conversation about RBIMs.
Force and torque of a string on a pulley
Authors: de Oliveira Thiago R. , Lemos Nivaldo A.
Published: March 2018

Every university introductory physics course considers the problem of Atwood's machine taking into account the mass of the pulley. In the usual treatment, the tensions at the two ends of the string are offhandedly taken to act on the pulley and be responsible for its rotation. However, such a free-body diagram of the forces on the pulley is not a priori justified, inducing students to construct wrong hypotheses such as that the string transfers its tension to the pulley or that some symmetry is in operation. We reexamine this problem by integrating the contact forces between each element of the string and the pulley and show that although the pulley does behave as if the tensions were acting on its ends, this comes only as the final result of a detailed analysis. We also address the question of how much friction is needed to prevent the string from slipping over the pulley. Finally, we deal with the case in which the string is on the verge of sliding and show that this cannot happen unless certain conditions are met by the coefficient of static friction and the masses involved.
Relationship between growth, maturation and musculoskeletal conditions in adolescents: a systematic review
Authors: Swain Michael , Kamper Steven J , Maher Christopher G , Broderick Carolyn , McKay Damien , Henschke Nicholas
Published: March 2018

Objective

To determine whether there is a relationship between physical growth and development, as determined by markers of biological maturation, and musculoskeletal conditions in adolescents.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) were searched up to 6 September 2017.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Studies that evaluated the association between biological maturation or growth and musculoskeletal conditions in adolescents (chronological age 10–19 years).

Results

From 20 361 titles identified by the searches, 511 full-text articles were retrieved and assessed for eligibility; 56 studies, all at high risk of bias, evaluating the relationship between maturation and/or growth and musculoskeletal conditions were included. A total of 208 estimates of association were identified across the included studies, which generally indicated no association or an unclear association between maturation, growth and musculoskeletal conditions.

Summary/Conclusions

While the relationship between maturation, growth and musculoskeletal conditions remains plausible, the available evidence is not supportive. The current body of knowledge is at high risk of bias, which impedes our ability to establish whether biological maturity and growth are independent risk factors for musculoskeletal conditions.
Implementing online consultations in primary care: a mixed-method evaluation extending normalisation process theory through service co-production
Authors: Farr Michelle , Banks Jonathan , Edwards Hannah B , Northstone Kate , Bernard Elly , Salisbury Chris , Horwood Jeremy
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To examine patient and staff views, experiences and acceptability of a UK primary care online consultation system and ask how the system and its implementation may be improved.

Design

Mixed-method evaluation of a primary care e-consultation system.

Setting

Primary care practices in South West England.

Methods

Qualitative interviews with 23 practice staff in six practices. Patient survey data for 756 e-consultations from 36 practices, with free-text survey comments from 512 patients, were analysed thematically. Anonymised patients’ records were abstracted for 485 e-consultations from eight practices, including consultation types and outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data. Analysis of implementation and the usage of the e-consultation system were informed by: (1) normalisation process theory, (2) a framework that illustrates how e-consultations were co-produced and (3) patients’ and staff touchpoints.

Results

We found different expectations between patients and staff on how to use e-consultations ‘appropriately’. While some patients used the system to try and save time for themselves and their general practitioners (GPs), some used e-consultations when they could not get a timely face-to-face appointment. Most e-consultations resulted in either follow-on phone (32%) or face-to-face appointments (38%) and GPs felt that this duplicated their workload. Patient satisfaction of the system was high, but a minority were dissatisfied with practice communication about their e-consultation.

Conclusions

Where both patients and staff interact with technology, it is in effect ‘co-implemented’. How patients used e-consultations impacted on practice staff’s experiences and appraisal of the system. Overall, the e-consultation system studied could improve access for some patients, but in its current form, it was not perceived by practices as creating sufficient efficiencies to warrant financial investment. We illustrate how this e-consultation system and its implementation can be improved, through mapping the co-production of e-consultations through touchpoints.
BET 1: Continuous flow insufflation of oxygen in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: LeBlanc Pierre-Alexandre , Nadeau Alexandra
Published: March 2018

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether continuous flow insufflation of oxygen (CFIO) is better than standard ventilation strategies at improving outcome in adults who have suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Papers were found in Medline and Embase using the reported searches of which four presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of these best papers are tabulated. It is concluded that CFIO does not improve survival or return of spontaneous circulation compared with standard ventilation strategies in OHCA.
Nuclear genome size variation in the allopolyploidOnosma arenaria–O. pseudoarenariaspecies group: methodological issues and revised data
Authors: Kolarčik V. , Kocová V. , Caković D. , Kačmárová T. , Piovár J. , Mártonfi P.
Published: March 2018

We used flow cytometry (FCM) to investigate genome size variation in two polymorphic allopolyploids, Onosma arenaria Waldst. and Kit. and O. pseudoarenaria Schur, in Central Europe and the Balkan Peninsula. An intercalating DNA stain, propidium iodide (PI), and internal standardization were used. Our data showed that cytosolic compounds may be present in FCM samples and could inhibit, or more frequently promote, PI intercalation. In the absence of PI intercalation interference, leaf-based genome size estimates were observed to be lower than seed-based ones in O. pseudoarenaria, whereas no difference was recorded in O. arenaria. In incubation tests, genome size values frequently increase after a longer staining period. For final genome size measurements, we applied the FCM protocol based on seed material using a ∼150 min incubation period, and provide evidence of mean genome size variation among populations of both species. Two and four natural genome size groups were revealed in O. arenaria and O. pseudoarenaria respectively. Group mean genome sizes varied considerably in both O. arenaria (5.36–5.76 pg) and O. pseudoarenaria (5.98–6.58 pg). This extensive genome size variation is attributed to unexplored taxonomic heterogenity in both taxa. Future taxonomic revision of the group may be supported with genome size measurements obtained using an appropriately standardized methodology.
Exponential lag function projective synchronization of memristor-based multidirectional associative memory neural networks via hybrid control
Authors: Yuan Manman , Wang Weiping , Luo Xiong , Li Lixiang , Kurths Jürgen , Wang Xiao
Published: March 2018

This paper is concerned with the exponential lag function projective synchronization of memristive multidirectional associative memory neural networks (MMAMNNs). First, we propose a new model of MMAMNNs with mixed time-varying delays. In the proposed approach, the mixed delays include time-varying discrete delays and distributed time delays. Second, we design two kinds of hybrid controllers. Traditional control methods lack the capability of reflecting variable synaptic weights. In this paper, the controllers are carefully designed to confirm the process of different types of synchronization in the MMAMNNs. Third, sufficient criteria guaranteeing the synchronization of system are derived based on the derive-response concept. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed mechanism is validated with numerical experiments.
Energy-Efficient Single-Layer QCA Logical Circuits Based on a Novel XOR Gate
Authors: Mohammadi Hossein , Navi Keivan
Published: March 2018

Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) as a nanoscale transistor-less device technology offers distinguishing advantages over the limitations of CMOS circuits. This nanoelectronic is based on the mapping of binary logic in the two excess electrons configuration within a four-dot cell. In this paper, we propose a new ultra-low energy and low-complexity two-input XOR gate which can be employed as a basic component in designing a wide range of QCA logical circuits. For performance evaluation of the presented design in a large array of QCA structures, even parity generator circuit with different lengths up to 32 bits as well as LFSR circuit are designed and analyzed as instances of logical circuits. The simulation results reveal that our proposed designs have significant improvements in contrast to counterparts from hardware implementation requirements and energy consumption aspects. QCADesigner tool is utilized to evaluate functional correctness of the proposed circuits and power dissipation is evaluated using QCAPro simulator as an accurate power estimator tool.
α-Attractor and reheating in a model with noncanonical scalar fields
Authors: Rashidi Narges , Nozari Kourosh
Published: March 2018

We consider two noncanonical scalar fields [tachyon and Dirac–Born–Infeld (DBI)] with E-model type of the potential. We study cosmological inflation in these models to find possible [Formula: see text]-attractors. We show that similar to the canonical scalar field case, in both tachyon and DBI models there is a value of the scalar spectral index in small [Formula: see text] limit which is just a function of the e-folds number. However, the value of [Formula: see text] in DBI model is somewhat different from the other ones. We also compare the results with Planck2015 TT, TE, EE+lowP data. The reheating phase after inflation is studied in these models which gives some more constraints on the model parameters.
Development of a Tele-Operated Rescue Robot for a Disaster Response
Authors: Hong Seongil , Park Gyuhyun , Lee Youngwoo , Lee Wonsuk , Choi Byunghun , Sim Okkee , Oh Jun-Ho
Published: March 2018

This paper proposes practical hardware design strategies and control methods for a rescue robot to save patients in disastrous environments. None of the existing humanoid robots have not shown the capability to efficiently execute rescue tasks for transferring a human to a safe place in a highly unstructured world. To resolve this problem a new form of powerful dual arm mechanism and hybrid tracked-legged mobile platform is developed and the motion is synthesized with dynamics based optimization and a modified hierarchical control scheme. These new design and control policies enable us to simultaneously enhance the manipulation performance and driving stability which have been verified through both in extensive numerical simulations and physical experiments where the rescue robot and whole-body control are indeed required.
Analysis of the Use of Social Network in the 21st Century Active Learning for Undergraduate Students Based on the Subject of Rapid Application Development
Authors: Thinnukool Orawit
Published: March 2018

The correlation between learning styles in a classroom and suitable tools to facilitate learning directly affect learning outcomes Characteristics of students nowadays have been changed by the modern world of technology. Generation Z students have a different concept of what is interesting, challenging and satisfying which in turn, affects learning outcomes. Thus, to achieve a better learning outcome, a suitable learning style and tool to support learning are needed. This paper aims to research and test learning outcomes of students who studied the subject of rapid application development, which was a computational application development course. Two groups of students used two different learning styles: the active learning style and traditional style. The results show a statistical analysis, which was used to compare the learning outcomes and student’s satisfaction. The active learning style indicates that those students who used this had a higher level of effective learning than the students who studied traditionally. Regarding analysis, the learning outcomes and satisfaction of the two learning styles are discussed.
An IT Governance Framework for Virtual Enterprise in Tourism Industry: Evidence from Small Tourism Enterprises in Thailand
Authors: Yokkhun Atcharaporn , Papasratorn Borworn
Published: March 2018

Information technology (IT) plays a significant role on a highly information-intensive industry like tourism industry globally and dramatically. Virtual enterprise (VE) concept is an innovation that enables small tourism enterprises (STEs) in developing countries to offer effective tourism services without large investment in IT. As STEs operate their VEs based on cloud-sourcing environment, STEs have to deal with IT risks that may affect the entire organization. As almost all STEs are found lacking in IT management experience, it is not effective to apply traditional IT governance frameworks, such as Control objectives for information and related technologies (COBIT), IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL), and International organization for standardization (ISO). This study proposes an IT governance framework for STEs operating in VE concept with cloud-sourcing environment. The methodology began with multiple-case study research via semi-structure interviews. Subjects are IT leaders from 10 STEs. IT governance framework for STEs was derived from the interview results, the framework consists of five IT governance areas: Strategy, Administration, Technology and Infrastructure, Supply, and Human Resource. This study also proposed performance assessment criteria for assessing IT governance performance. The proposed assessment criteria were integrated from relevance criteria in COBIT, ISO38500, ITIL, and previous research. STEs can adopt the proposed framework in their VEs to ensure the achievement of effectiveness and efficiency of their services in virtual environment. This will eventually guarantee their continued success in tourism services at present and in the future.
The only way is up – on Mesozoic uplifts and basin inversion events in SE Poland
Authors: Krzywiec Piotr , Stachowska Aleksandra , Stypa Agata
Published: March 2018

The inversion of a sedimentary basin could be associated with compressional reactivation of basin-forming normal faults, upwards movement of the basement blocks and partial or complete erosion of its sedimentary infill. Basin inversion might be also related to whole-basin uplift that is not linked to the reactivation of basement faults, and results in the development of regional stratigraphic gaps and unconformities. Both types of basin inversion have been documented in SE Poland using seismic data. Regional NW–SE seismic profiles illustrate earliest Late Jurassic (earliest Oxfordian) and earliest Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) regional unconformities related to regional basin-scale uplifts in the SE segment of the Polish Basin. Late Cretaceous (Turonian?–Maastrichtian) progressive uplift of the Mid-Polish Swell has been documented along the NE border zone of this regional anticlinal structure. The Upper Cretaceous inversion-related sedimentary succession is characterized by an overall progradational character directed from the SW towards the NE. Buried contourite drifts that were detected within the Upper Cretaceous succession using seismic data indicate the existence of contour currents encircling inversion-related intrabasinal morphological barriers. A new tectonic scenario of the Mesozoic evolution of SE Poland would have a significant impact on the modelling of tectonic subsidence and the history of petroleum systems.
Low-dose brain estrogen prevents menopausal syndrome while maintaining the diversity of the gut microbiomes in estrogen-deficient rats
Authors: Park Sunmin , Kim Da Sol , Kang Eun Seon , Kim Da Bin , Kang Suna
Published: March 2018

We evaluated the effects of intracerebroventricular administration (ICV) of brain estrogen and progesterone on menopausal symptoms and their effects on the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in estrogen-deficient rats. Three weeks after ovariectomy (OVX) or sham operation, OVX rats were given ICV infusions of either 17β-estradiol (4 μg/day; ICV-E), progesterone(0.8 μg/day; ICV-P), or vehicle (control) for 4 wk. OVX rats in the positive-control group were orally provided 150 μg 17β-estradiol·kg body wt−1·day−1. Sham rats had ICV vehicle infusion (normal-control). Serum 17β-estradiol levels of ICV-E and ICV-P groups were higher than the control group but much lower than the normal- and positive-control groups. Tail skin temperature was higher in the control group than the other groups. Serum FSH and LH levels were much higher in the control group than positive- and normal-control groups, but ICV-E and ICV-P lowered the levels similar to the normal-control treatment. ICV-E and ICV-P prevented the decreased energy expenditure in OVX rats. Homeostasis model assessment estimate of insulin resistance was lowered in the descending order of the control, positive-control, ICV-P, ICV-E, and normal-control treatments. The decreased bone mineral density was prevented by the positive-control, ICV-E, and ICV-P treatments. The control group exhibited decreased short-term memory and spatial memory compared with the other groups. Surprisingly, the control group exhibited a decreased richness of the gut microbiome compared with normal-control group, and ICV-E protected against the decrease the most. In conclusion, small amounts of brain estrogen and, to some extent, progesterone improved menopausal symptoms by decreasing serum FSH levels and maintaining the diversity of the gut microbiome in estrogen-deficient rats.
Clarified Açaí (Euterpe oleracea) Juice as an Anticonvulsant Agent: In Vitro Mechanistic Study of GABAergic Targets
Authors: Arrifano Gabriela P. F. , Lichtenstein Mathieu P. , Souza-Monteiro José Rogério , Farina Marcelo , Rogez Hervé , Carvalho José Carlos Tavares , Suñol Cristina , Crespo-López Maria Elena
Published: March 2018

Seizures affect about 50 million people around the world. Approximately 30% of seizures are refractory to the current pharmacological arsenal, so, the pursuit of new therapeutic alternatives is essential. Clarified Euterpe oleracea (EO) juice showed anticonvulsant properties similar to diazepam in an in vivo model with pentylenetetrazol, a GABAA receptor blocker. This study investigated the effects of EO on the main GABAergic targets for anticonvulsant drugs, analyzing the effect on the GABA receptor’s benzodiazepine and picrotoxinin binding sites and the GABA uptake. Primary cultures of cortical neurons and astrocytes were treated with EO (0–25%) for up to 90 min. [3H]Flunitrazepam and [3H]TBOB binding, [3H]GABA uptake, cell viability, and morphology were assayed. Nonlethal concentrations of EO increased agonist binding and decreased antagonist binding in cortical neurons. Low concentrations significantly inhibited GABA uptake, especially in astrocytes, suggesting an accumulation of endogenous GABA in the synaptic cleft. The results demonstrate, for the first time, that EO can improve GABAergic neurotransmission via interactions with GABAA receptor and modulation of GABA uptake. Understanding these molecular mechanisms will help in the treatment of seizures and epilepsy, especially in developing countries where geographic isolation and low purchasing power are the main barriers to access to adequate treatment.
SAPHO Syndrome Masquerading as Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Malik Devin , Handa Richa , Petraszko Andrew , Tejwani Sheela
Published: March 2018

SAPHO syndrome is a rare clinical entity composed of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO). We describe a case of SAPHO syndrome masquerading as metastatic breast cancer in a patient with localized breast cancer who presented with cord compression. There was no pathologic evidence of metastatic cancer; however, a bone scan indicated osseous involvement. After multidisciplinary review of images and with additional findings of pustulosis and acne, a clinical diagnosis of SAPHO was made.
Rocking Response Analysis of Self-Centering Walls under Ground Excitations
Authors: Hu Xiaobin , Lu Qinwang , Yang Yang
Published: March 2018

This paper presents a numerical procedure to simulate the rocking response of self-centering walls under ground excitations. To this aim, the equations of motion that govern the dynamic response of self-centering walls are first formulated and then solved numerically, in which three different self-centering wall structural systems are considered, that is, (i) including the self-weight of the wall only, (ii) including posttensioned tendon, and (iii) including both posttensioned tendon and dampers. Following the development of the numerical procedure, parametric studies are then carried out to investigate the influence of a variety of factors on the dynamic response of the self-centering wall under seismic excitations. The investigation results show that within the cases studied in this paper the installation of posttensioned tendon is capable of significantly enhancing the self-centering ability of the self-centering wall. In addition, increasing either the initial force or the elastic stiffness of the posttensioned tendon can reduce the dynamic response of the self-centering wall in terms of the rotation angle and angular velocity, whereas the former approach is found to be more effective than the latter one. It is also revealed that the addition of the dampers is able to improve the energy dissipation capacity of the self-centering wall. Furthermore, for the cases studied in this paper the yield strength of the dampers appears to have a more significant effect on the dynamic response of the self-centering wall than the elastic stiffness of the dampers.
Secure Testing for Genetic Diseases on Encrypted Genomes with Homomorphic Encryption Scheme
Authors: Zhou Tan Ping , Li Ning Bo , Yang Xiao Yuan , Lv Li Qun , Ding Yi Tao , Wang Xu An
Published: March 2018

The decline in genome sequencing costs has widened the population that can afford its cost and has also raised concerns about genetic privacy. Kim et al. present a practical solution to the scenario of secure searching of gene data on a semitrusted business cloud. However, there are three errors in their scheme. We have made three improvements to solve these three errors. (1) They truncate the variation encodings of gene to 21 bits, which causes LPCE error and more than 5% of the entries in the database cannot be queried integrally. We decompose these large encodings by 44 bits and deal with the components, respectively, to avoid LPCE error. (2) We abandon the hash function used in Kim’s scheme, which may cause HCE error with a probability of 2-22 and decompose the position encoding of gene into three parts with the basis 211 to avoid HCE error. (3) We analyze the relationship between the parameters and the CCE error and specify the condition that parameters need to satisfy to avoid the CCE error. Experiments show that our scheme can search all entries, and the probability of searching error is reduced to less than 2-37.4.
Cataract as Early Ocular Complication in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Šimunović Marko , Paradžik Martina , Škrabić Roko , Unić Ivana , Bućan Kajo , Škrabić Veselin
Published: March 2018

Cataract is a rare manifestation of ocular complication at an early phase of T1DM in the pediatric population. The pathophysiological mechanism of early diabetic cataract has not been fully understood; however, there are many theories about the possible etiology including osmotic damage, polyol pathway, and oxidative stress. The prevalence of early diabetic cataract in the population varies between 0.7 and 3.4% of children and adolescents with T1DM. The occurrence of diabetic cataract in most pediatric patients is the first sign of T1DM or occurs within 6 months of diagnosis of T1DM. Today, there are many experimental therapies for the treatment of diabetic cataract, but cataract surgery continues to be a gold standard in the treatment of diabetic cataract. Since the cataract is the leading cause of visual impairment in patients with T1DM, diabetic cataract requires an initial screening as well as continuous surveillance as a measure of prevention and this should be included in the guidelines of pediatric diabetes societies.
A Multiobjective Game Approach with a Preferred Target Based on a Leader-Follower Decision Pattern
Authors: Xie Neng-gang , Chen Zhong , Cheong Kang Hao , Meng Rui , Bao Wei
Published: March 2018

We propose a multiobjective leader-follower game based on the Stackelberg model, where the designer’s preferred target is taken into account. Here, the preferred target is regarded as a leader and the other targets are regarded as followers. A partition method of strategy subspace is also given. Finally, a real-life example of the multiobjective optimization design of a Chinese arch dam named “Baihetan” is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method.
A Mathematical Model for Multiworkshop IPPS Problem in Batch Production
Authors: Ba Li , Li Yan , Yang Mingshun , Wu Xueliang , Liu Yong , Gao Xinqin , Miao Zhihong
Published: March 2018

Integrated Process Planning and Scheduling (IPPS) problem is an important issue in production scheduling. Actually, there exit many factors affecting scheduling results. Many types of workpieces are commonly manufactured in batch production. Moreover, due to differences among process methods, all processes of a workpiece may not be performed in the same workshop or even in the same factory. For making IPPS problem more in line with practical manufacturing, this paper addresses an IPPS problem with batches and limited vehicles (BV-IPPS). An equal batch splitting strategy is adopted. A model for BV-IPPS problem is established. Makespan is the objective to be minimized. For solving the complex problem, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) with a multilayer encoding structure is proposed. Each module of the algorithm is designed. Finally, case studies have been conducted to validate the model and algorithm.
A Clinical Roadmap to Investigate the Genetic Basis of Pediatric Pheochromocytoma: Which Genes Should Physicians Think About?
Authors: Dias Pereira Bernardo , Nunes da Silva Tiago , Bernardo Ana Teresa , César Rui , Vara Luiz Henrique , Pacak Karel , Mota-Vieira Luísa
Published: March 2018

Pheochromocytoma is very rare at a pediatric age, and when it is present, the probability of a causative genetic mutation is high. Due to high costs of genetic surveys and an increasing number of genes associated with pheochromocytoma, a sequential genetic analysis driven by clinical and biochemical phenotypes is advised. The published literature regarding the genetic landscape of pediatric pheochromocytoma is scarce, which may hinder the establishment of genotype-phenotype correlations and the selection of appropriate genetic testing at this population. In the present review, we focus on the clinical phenotypes of pediatric patients with pheochromocytoma in an attempt to contribute to an optimized genetic testing in this clinical context. We describe epidemiological data on the prevalence of pheochromocytoma susceptibility genes, including new genes that are expanding the genetic etiology of this neuroendocrine tumor in pediatric patients. The clinical phenotypes associated with a higher pretest probability for hereditary pheochromocytoma are presented, focusing on differences between pediatric and adult patients. We also describe new syndromes, as well as rates of malignancy and multifocal disease associated with these syndromes and pheochromocytoma susceptibility genes published more recently. Finally, we discuss new tools for genetic screening of patients with pheochromocytoma, with an emphasis on its applicability in a pediatric population.