bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contingency theory to study leadership styles of small businesses owner-managers at Santo Domingo, Ecuador
Authors: Vidal Gelmar García , Campdesuñer Reyner Pérez , Rodríguez Alexander Sánchez , Vivar Rodobaldo Martínez
Published: December 2017

The study provides a discussion about the leadership style of small businesses owner-managers at Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador, supported on contingency theory of leadership. And adaptation of Hershey and Blanchard questionnaire was made in order to make it clear to the target population. A total of 175 owner-managers of small businesses and 1218 employees comprised the respondents of the study. The perception of leadership style of owner-managers and employees, style range, and style adaptability and perception of the maturity degree of employees were the variables involved in the hypotheses raised. In spite of totally or partially proving the hypothesis raised, findings of the study revealed mixed support to the theory which impedes giving clear recommendations about how to behave in certain organizational situations in the context of small Ecuadorian businesses. Results of the study caution owner-managers of small businesses to consider carefully the way they behave in certain situation to the enrichment of employee motivation toward work with the purpose to obtain a better performance of their enterprises; but should avoid assuming that there are more or less appropriate leader behaviors based on the results of this research. The study constitutes a starting point to focus the research related to leadership style in small companies, considering the preponderance of this type of business in the economy of Ecuador.
Radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy with cyberknife system for meningioma treatment
Authors: Di Franco Rossella , Borzillo Valentina , Ravo Vincenzo , Falivene Sara , Romano Francesco Jacopo , Muto Matteo , Cammarota Fabrizio , Totaro Giuseppe , Ametrano Gianluca , Rossetti Sabrina , Cavaliere Carla , D’ Aniello Carmine , Iovane Gelsomina , Porricelli Maria Assunta , Berretta Massimiliano , Botti Gerardo , Starace Luigi , Salvia Enrico La , Facchini Gaetano , Muto Paolo
Published: December 2017

Objective

The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of stereotactic radiosurgery/fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy with the Cyberknife system on local disease control, clinical outcome and toxicity in patients with meningioma, according to the site and histological grade of lesion. From January 2013 to April 2017, 52 patients with intracranial meningiomas were treated with the Cyberknife system. Twenty-four patients had undergone previous surgery: 38% gross total resection, 10% subtotal resection; 27 patients underwent no surgery; 22 patients had a recurrence of meningioma.

Methods

Radiosurgery was used for lesions smaller than 2 cm, stereotactic radiotherapy for lesions larger than 2 cm, or smaller but close to a critical site such as the optical chiasm, optic pathway or brainstem.

Results

Local control and clinical outcomes were analysed. Median follow-up was 20 months: six patients died, one after re-surgery died from post-surgical sepsis, three from heart disease. Progression-free survival had a mean value of 38.3 months and overall survival of 41.6 months. We evaluated at 12 months 28 patients (100% local control); at 24 months 19 patients (89% local control); at 36 months nine patients (89% local control). At baseline, 44/52 patients (85%) were symptomatic: 19 visual disorders, 17 motor disorders, six hearing disorders, 10 headache and six epilepsy. Visual symptoms remained unchanged in 52%, improved in 32%, resolved in 16%. Headache was improved in 40%, resolved in 10%, unchanged in 50%. Epilepsy was resolved in 17%, unchanged in 33%, worsened in 33%.

Conclusions

Stereotactic radiosurgery/fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy with Cyberknife provides a good local disease control, improving visual, hearing and motor symptoms.
Glycemic control among primary care patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Gaza Strip, Palestine
Authors: Radwan Mahmoud , Elsous Aymen , Al-Sharif Hasnaa , Abu Mustafa Ayman
Published: December 2017

Aim:

In this study, we aimed to assess the level of good glycemic control, to determine association between adherence to antidiabetic medications and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and to examine factors influencing good glycemic control.

Materials and methods:

A cross-sectional design was employed among 369 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from four Ministry of Health health centers in 2016. A sample of 3 ml blood was taken to measure the HbA1c, and patients were asked to fill out a pretested questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions, to identify independent factors associated with good glycemic control, were conducted using SPSS software version 22 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA).

Results:

Mean [±standard deviation (SD)] of HbA1c was 8.97 (2.02) and one fifth of patients had good glycemic control (HbA1c ⩽ 7%). Factors associated with good glycemic control were: older age [odds ratio (OR) = 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.933–0.988), high medication adherence (OR: 2.757, 95% CI: 1.308–4.693), and better health literacy (OR= 2.124, 95% CI: 1.917–4.921). Duration of diabetes mellitus (DM > 7 years) was inversely related to good glycemic control (OR = 2.255, 95% CI: 1.189–4.276).

Conclusion:

Our study showed that glycemic control was suboptimal, and factors associated with that were: older age, high medication adherence, and better health literacy. Knowledge of these factors could be an entry toward helping patients and targeting interventions to improve glycemic control and prevent diabetes-related complications.
Non-traumatic isolated medial cuneiform fracture: A unique mechanism of a rare injury
Authors: Paisan Gabriella , Magister Steven , Bridgforth Andrew , Yarboro Seth
Published: December 2017

We report a case of a 23-year-old woman who sustained a stress fracture to the medial cuneiform. Isolated medial cuneiform fractures are extremely rare with less than 10 cases reported in the literature. The patient initially presented to an urgent care facility complaining of right midfoot pain that occurred while running. Radiographs obtained at the time showed no acute abnormality and the patient was told to resume normal activities. Several weeks later, she presented to urgent care again after exercising, this time unable to bear weight and with swelling and ecchymoses of the right foot. Plain radiographs were again normal, but a high suspicion for injury remained, so a magnetic resonance imaging of the foot was obtained. The advanced imaging showed an acute, non-displaced fracture of the medial cuneiform. Because the fracture was discovered soon after the injury and was non-displaced, she was treated conservatively and at 6-month follow up had returned to all pre-injury activities with no complaints. These rare fractures are often missed at initial presentation because they are usually not evident on plain radiographs. Unless more advanced imaging is obtained to rule out a fracture, a delay of diagnosis can occur resulting in additional morbidity for the patient.

Level of clinical evidence: Level 5
Bone-eating kidney disease
Authors: Koratala Abhilash , Leghrouz Muhannad , Kazory Amir
Published: December 2017

In the current era of early detection of chronic kidney disease and efficient therapeutic options for management of its complications, skeletal manifestations of renal hyperparathyroidism are increasingly rare. A 31-year-old female patient presented for evaluation of severe pain in the left forearm, right hand, right knee, right hip, and lower back following a fall sustained 3 days prior to presentation. She had a history of end-stage renal disease and received maintenance hemodialysis. Review of the medical records revealed that she had poor compliance with her diet, medications, and dialysis treatments. Laboratory values were significant for marked elevation in serum parathyroid hormone level (1735 pg/mL), as well as hyperphosphatemia and normal serum calcium levels. Interestingly, X-ray images showed generalized severe demineralization of the extremities with the pelvic computed tomography scan revealing presence of diffuse brown tumors. In addition, she had insufficiency fractures of the extremities that left her incapacitated and had to be managed conservatively due to her poor functional status and ongoing severe hyperparathyroidism. Unfortunately, the patient refused surgical removal of the parathyroid glands and was hence treated with a high-dose phosphate binder and a calcimimetic agent together with reinforcement of compliance. This case highlights the importance of metabolic assessment of patients presenting with unexpected bone complications and can be used to raise awareness of the physicians on the extreme cases of mineral bone complications secondary to renal disease that are observed rarely.
Acute abdomen with a misleading clinical entity
Authors: Nigam Jitendra Singh , Ojha Pushpanjali , Gargade Chitrawati Bal , Deshpande Archana Hemant
Published: December 2017

Massive ovarian edema is a rare, non-neoplastic solid tumor-like lesion. It results from compromised venous and lymphatic drainage due to partial or intermittent torsion of ovarian pedicle. Pain, distension or abdominal mass, menstrual irregularities, infertility and hormone-related symptoms can be the clinical presentation. We report a case of massive ovarian edema in a 28-year-old female who presented with acute pain abdomen. She was diagnosed clinico-radiologically with solid ovarian tumor and massive ovarian edema on histology. Massive ovarian edema should be suspected in female of reproductive age group presenting with abdominal pain, solid enlargement of ovary on radiology and normal serum tumor markers.
A modified wire-loop snare technique for the retrieval of inferior vena cava filter with embedded hook
Authors: Wang Yuewei , Guan Xiaomei , Wang Haofu
Published: December 2017

Common obstacles to successful retrieval of retrievable inferior vena cave filter include embedded filter hook and severe tilt of the filter. We described a modified wire-loop snare technique using self-made fishhook-like pigtail catheter and 11-F-long sheath to retrieve a severe tilted filter with embedded hook successfully. The modified wire-loop snare technique is simple and effective requiring only standard equipment and single venous access. This technique may be suitable for some types of retrievable filter with embedded hook.
The development of a narrative describing the bereavement of families of potential organ donors: A systematic review
Authors: Dicks Sean Glenton , Ranse Kristen , Northam Holly , Boer Douglas P , van Haren Frank MP
Published: December 2017

Families of potential post-mortem organ donors face various challenges in the unfamiliar hospital context and after returning home. This review of sources published between 1968 and 2017 seeks to understand their journey as a bereavement experience with a number of unique features. Grief theory was used to identify ways that staff can assist family members to tolerate ambiguities and vulnerabilities while contributing to an environment characterised by compassion and social inclusion. Staff can guide families and create opportunities for meaningful participation, building resilience and developing bereavement-related skills that could assist them in the months that follow.
Tackling Social Media Abuse? Critically Assessing English Football’s Response to Online Racism
Authors: Kilvington Daniel , Price John
Published: December 2017

Although English football has, to some extent, managed the problem of racism in and around football matches, recent years have seen an increase in football-related racist content published on social media. Footballers are frequently the target or subject of such abuse and occasionally the source of it. In this context, this article explores and critically assesses the response of English football’s institutions, organisations, and clubs to the problem of racism on social media. Its findings are based on interviews with key officials from the Professional Footballers’ Association and Kick It Out and with safeguarding and media officers from football clubs across the English Premier League and English Football League. It concludes there are a number of systematic failings undermining or hindering football’s attempts to address this issue including poor coordination, a lack of clear guidelines, ad hoc educational provision, a shortage of resources, and a culture of secrecy at many clubs. This article concludes with some recommendations about how these weaknesses may start to be improved.
Osteomacs interact with megakaryocytes and osteoblasts to regulate murine hematopoietic stem cell function
Authors: Mohamad Safa F. , Xu Linlin , Ghosh Joydeep , Childress Paul J. , Abeysekera Irushi , Himes Evan R. , Wu Hao , Alvarez Marta B. , Davis Korbin M. , Aguilar-Perez Alexandra , Hong Jung Min , Bruzzaniti Angela , Kacena Melissa A. , Srour Edward F.
Published: December 2017

Key Points

OM, osteoblast, and megakaryocyte interactions regulate HSC function in the niche. OMs differ functionally and phenotypically from BM-derived macrophages.
Intergenerational mobility in Korea
Authors: Kim Soobin
Published: December 2017

This study investigates intergenerational earnings mobility in Korea for sons born between 1958 and 1973 and compares Korea’s mobility to that of other nations. It uses data from the Korea Labor and Income Panel Study and the Household Income and Expenditure Survey conducted by the Korean National Statistics Bureau. Since no single Korean dataset includes information on both sons’ and their fathers’ adult earnings, this study follows the two-sample approach previously applied in Korea by Ueda (J Asian Econ 1–22, 2013), whose estimated intergenerational earnings elasticity is 0.22, and extends the analysis by using fathers’ earnings from a more approximal cohort. The estimate of around 0.4 is similar to estimates for some already developed countries and smaller than typical estimates for recently developing countries.
Why 3D seismic data are an asset for exploration and mine planning? Velocity tomography of weakness zones in the Kevitsa Ni-Cu-PGE mine, northern Finland
Authors: Malehmir Alireza , Tryggvason Ari , Wijns Chris , Koivisto Emilia , Lindqvist Teemu , Skyttä Pietari , Montonen Markku
Published: December 2017

Kevitsa is a disseminated Ni-Cu-PGE (platinum group elements) ore body in northern Finland, hosted by an extremely high-velocity ([Formula: see text]) ultramafic intrusion. It is currently being mined at a depth of approximately 100 m with open-pit mining. The estimated mine life is 20 years, with the final pit reaching a depth of 500–600 m. Based on a series of 2D seismic surveys and given the expected mine life, a high-resolution 3D seismic survey was justified and conducted in the winter of 2010. We evaluate earlier 3D reflection data processing results and complement that by the results of 3D first-arrival traveltime tomography. The combined results provide insights on the nature of some of the reflectors within the intrusion. In particular, a major discontinuity, a weakness zone, is delineated in the tomography results on the northern side of the planned pit. Supported by the reflection data, we estimate the discontinuity, likely a thrust sheet, to extend down approximately 600 m and laterally 1000 m. The weakness zone terminates prominent internal reflectivity of the Kevitsa intrusion, and it is associated with the extent of the economic mineralization. Together with other weakness zones, a couple of which are also revealed by the tomography study, the discontinuity forms a major wedge block that influences the mine bench stability on the northern side of the open pit and likely will cause more issues during the extraction of the ore in this part of the mine. We argue that 3D seismic data should routinely be acquired prior to commencement of mining activities to maximize exploration efficiency at depth and also to optimize mining as it continues toward depth. Three-dimensional seismic data over mineral exploration areas are valuable and can be revisited for different purposes but are difficult to impossible to acquire after mining has commenced.
3D elastic full-waveform inversion using P-wave excitation amplitude: Application to ocean bottom cable field data
Authors: Oh Ju-Won , Kalita Mahesh , Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: December 2017

We have developed an efficient elastic full-waveform inversion (FWI) based on the P-wave excitation amplitude (maximum energy arrival) approximation in the source wavefields. Because, based on the P-wave excitation approximation (ExA), the gradient direction is approximated by the crosscorrelation of source and receiver wavefields at only excitation time, it estimates the gradient direction faster than its conventional counterpart. In addition to this computational speedup, the P-wave ExA automatically ignores SP and SS correlations in the approximated gradient direction. In elastic FWI for ocean bottom cable (OBC) data, the descent direction for the S-wave velocity is often degraded by undesired long-wavelength features from the SS correlation. For this reason, the P-wave excitation approach increases the convergence rate of multiparameter FWI compared with the conventional approach. The modified 2D Marmousi model with OBC acquisition is used to verify the differences between the conventional method and ExA. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated on a real OBC data from the North Sea.
Development of Imminent Mortality Predictor for Advanced Cancer (IMPAC), a Tool to Predict Short-Term Mortality in Hospitalized Patients With Advanced Cancer
Authors: Adelson Kerin , Lee Donald K.K. , Velji Salimah , Ma Junchao , Lipka Susan K. , Rimar Joan , Longley Peter , Vega Teresita , Perez-Irizarry Javier , Pinker Edieal , Lilenbaum Rogerio
Published: December 2017

Purpose:

End-of-life care for patients with advanced cancer is aggressive and costly. Oncologists inconsistently estimate life expectancy and address goals of care. Currently available prognostication tools are based on subjective clinical assessment. An objective prognostic tool could help oncologists and patients decide on a realistic plan for end-of-life care. We developed a predictive model (Imminent Mortality Predictor in Advanced Cancer [IMPAC]) for short-term mortality in hospitalized patients with advanced cancer.

Methods:

Electronic health record data from 669 patients with advanced cancer who were discharged from Yale Cancer Center/Smilow Cancer Hospital were extracted. Statistical learning techniques were used to develop a tool to estimate survival probabilities. Patients were randomly split into training (70%) and validation (30%) sets 20 times. We tested the predictive properties of IMPAC for mortality at 30, 60, 90, and 180 days past the day of admission.

Results:

For mortality within 90 days at a 40% sensitivity level, IMPAC has close to 60% positive predictive value. Patients estimated to have a greater than 50% chance of death within 90 days had a median survival time of 47 days. Patients estimated to have a less than 50% chance of death had a median survival of 290 days. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for IMPAC averaged greater than .70 for all time horizons tested. Estimated potential cost savings per patient was $15,413 (95% CI, $9,162 to $21,665) in 2014 constant dollars.

Conclusion:

IMPAC, a novel prognostic tool, can generate life expectancy probabilities in real time and support oncologists in counseling patients about end-of-life care. Potentially avoidable costs are significant.
Medical Complications of Brain Tumors
Authors: Mohile Nimish A.
Published: December 2017

Purpose of Review: This article discusses common and emergent medical complications encountered in patients with primary brain tumors.

Recent Findings: Clinical studies and systematic reviews published in recent years have improved knowledge regarding the incidence of neurologic and medical complications occurring in patients with primary brain tumors. Studies in tumor-related epilepsy and venous thromboembolism provide data for the clinician to make evidence-based decisions about perioperative management, prophylaxis, and therapy. Patients with brain tumors experience unique toxicities related to novel drugs and chemotherapeutics that result in hematologic, infectious, and endocrine disorders. Recent work that has focused on quality of life in patients with brain tumors highlights the importance of good supportive care and optimal medical management of neurobehavioral symptoms and late complications of treatment.

Summary: A thorough understanding of the variety of medical and neurologic complications in patients with primary brain tumors improves the clinician’s ability to quickly recognize and manage common and urgent conditions.
Common Histologically Benign Tumors of the Brain
Authors: Strowd Roy E. , Blakeley Jaishri O.
Published: December 2017

Purpose of Review: As a group, benign tumors account for the majority of primary neoplasms affecting the central nervous system (CNS). This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical presentation, neuroimaging features, and management of the most common of these tumors: meningiomas, schwannomas, and pituitary adenomas.

Recent Findings: Awareness of the most common nonmalignant tumors of the CNS and their management guidelines is important as many of these tumors are managed conservatively, with neurologists playing a primary role in both surveillance and symptom management. Knowledge of the varied neurologic consequences of these tumors allows optimizing interventions that improve quality of life in people living with these tumors without incurring treatment-related complications. Awareness of the clinical features that require surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy is imperative. Finally, important discoveries in both germline and somatic mutations underlying some of these lesions have contributed to the launch of several novel drug trials for these tumors.

Summary: As a group, nonmalignant neoplasms are the most common neoplasms affecting the CNS in adults. Because of their unique neuroanatomic location or containment within the bony skull, these histologically benign lesions can cause significant neurologic morbidity. Management with a multidisciplinary team that includes neurologists, neuro-oncologists, radiologists, neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, otolaryngologists, pathologists, neuropsychologists, physiatrists, and others is necessary for the optimal management of these lesions.
Mechanism of Soot Oxidation over CeO2–ZrO2 under O2 Flow
Authors: Kubo Hitoshi , Ohshima Yusuke , Yamashita Takeshi , Kikuhara Shunji , Saitoh Noriyuki , Yoshizawa Noriko , Nakagoe Osamu , Tanabe Shuji
Published: December 2017

Soot oxidation over CeO2–ZrO2 (CZ) has been studied herein. The soot-CZ mixtures were observed under different contact conditions using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and evaluated using thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). These results indicate that the soot ignition temperature depends on the soot/CZ contact degree, and the soot oxidation rate depends on the soot/CZ contact area. The TEM observation of soot-CZ mixture quenched at T50 (50% soot conversion) indicates that soot oxidation occurs only at the soot/CZ interface. Furthermore, the soot oxidation under 18O2 flow and under He flow suggests that CZ lattice oxygen is a more active oxygen species than the adsorbed oxygen on the CZ. The CZ lattice oxygen mainly oxidizes soot; however, the adsorbed oxygen on the CZ surface does not oxidize soot at lower temperatures. Thus, the adsorbed oxygen oxidizes the reaction intermediates such as adsorbed CO on the CZ surface, which shows that CZ lattice is more active than the adsorbed oxygen.
APPLICATION OF MODIFICATIONS OF PREVAILING DRUG TREATMENT REGIMENS IN PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT LYMPHOMAS (PROGNOSIS AND QUALITY OF LIFE)
Authors: Гордиенко Виктор , Gordienko Viktor , Товбик Наталья , Tovbik Natalia , Руденко Дарья , Rudenko Daria
Published: December 2017

The analysis of the results of a study investigating the effectiveness of various modifications of prevailing drug treatment regimens of malignant lymphomas (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma) is presented. The choice of optimal treatment is a complex problem, especially in patients with a high degree of tumor cells chemoresistance. The authors discuss the treatment options of different types of lymphomas using not only standard regimens, but also those that include drugs, depending on the age characteristics and individual tolerance, which allows in some cases significantly reduce the time of a relapse-free course and lower incidence of side effects of cytostatics on different organs and tissues. Intensified therapy for all aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas with a high proliferative index allows 90% of the time to obtain a complete clinical and hematological remission. In Hodgkin's lymphomas the use of such programs helps to increase the duration of recurrence-free interval by persistent complete remission. The proposed regimen is highly effective in the treatment of patients with concomitant viral hepatitis and HIV infection. Drug therapy with the use of the proposed programs is a safe method of drug exposure, its side effects are minimal, and it is well tolerated by patients.
Plasma Steroid Metabolome Profiling for Diagnosis and Subtyping Patients with Cushing Syndrome
Authors: Eisenhofer Graeme , Masjkur Jimmy , Peitzsch Mirko , Di Dalmazi Guido , Bidlingmaier Martin , Grüber Matthias , Fazel Julia , Osswald Andrea , Beuschlein Felix , Reincke Martin
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Diagnosis of Cushing syndrome requires a multistep process that includes verification of hypercortisolism followed by identification of the cause of adrenocortical hyperfunction. This study assessed whether pituitary, ectopic, and adrenal subtypes of Cushing syndrome were characterized by distinct plasma steroid profiles that might assist diagnosis.

METHODS

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, mass spectrometric measurements of a panel of 15 plasma steroids were applied to 222 patient samples tested for Cushing syndrome. Disease was excluded in 138 and confirmed in 51 patients with pituitary Cushing syndrome, 12 with ectopic adrenocorticotropin secretion, and 21 with adrenal disease. Another 277 age- and sex-matched hypertensive and normotensive volunteers were included for comparison.

RESULTS

Compared with patients without disease, the largest increases in plasma steroids among patients with Cushing syndrome were observed for 11-deoxycortisol (289%), 21-deoxycortisol (150%), 11-deoxycorticosterone (133%), corticosterone (124%), and cortisol (122%). Patients with ectopic disease showed the most prominent increases, but there was considerable variation for other steroids according to subtype. Patients with adrenal disease had the lowest concentrations of androgens, whereas those with ectopic and pituitary disease showed the lowest concentrations of aldosterone. Plasma 18-oxocortisol was particularly low in ectopic disease. With the use of 10 selected steroids, subjects with and without different Cushing syndrome subtypes could be discriminated nearly as closely as with the use of salivary and urinary free cortisol, dexamethasone-suppressed cortisol, and plasma adrenocorticotropin (9.5% vs 5.8% misclassification).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with different subtypes of Cushing syndrome show distinctive plasma steroid profiles that may offer a supplementary single-test alternative for screening purposes.
‘Lust, Caution’!?: Shanghai and the transnational and transgressive imaginations in classical Hollywood cinema
Authors: Xiao Ying
Published: December 2017

The very presence of Shanghai in Hollywood film is fundamental and no accident. Not only was Shanghai an exotic, erotic geographic domain that accommodates and embodies the orientalist fantasies in juxtaposition and contrast with the western realities but also it was stylistically and symbolically crafted, transfigured and woven into the Hollywood ‘dream’ to suggest a range of complex meanings. My article examines the very image and image-making of Shanghai in classical Hollywood cinema of the 1930s and the 1940s. The orientalist strategy that identifies Shanghai as the seductive, threatening and static other is not the only way to understanding the Shanghai of Hollywood’s recreation. I depart from the conventional stereotype of a polarized Shanghai to show the complexity, ambiguity, tension and moreover dynamism in depicting Shanghai vis-à-vis the western self-representation. The very volatile, ambivalent depiction of Shanghai or the East is quite often linked to the projection of the western self, underscored by the dialectic of travelling and captivity, and materialized through the metaphorical lens of the exiled, ostracized and fallen yet challenging woman in the new modern world. Through my close analysis of the Hollywood productions such as Shanghai Express (von Sternberg, 1932), The Shanghai Gesture (von Sternberg, 1941) and The Lady from Shanghai (Welles, 1947) and how the first film was consequently received and perceived in Republican Shanghai, I show how the construction of such a distinct space is intricately intersected with race, gender and nationality at a critical juncture and is moreover mediated through various forms of film noir and camp stylization. It furthermore sheds new light on a nuanced understanding of the Sino-Hollywood relationship during the Great Depression and the Republican era.
The discovery of storytelling and the part of overlooked poets, players and librarians in its epiphany
Authors: Ryan Patrick
Published: December 2017

John Masefield, sixteenth Poet Laureate of England, considered himself first and foremost a storyteller. Taking him at his word, this article focuses on what Masefield wrote and said about storytelling, and his path to discovering himself as a storyteller. A review of his publications and private papers reveals that Masefield was part of a significant but largely forgotten or now ignored storytelling movement in Britain during the early through mid twentieth century. Masefield, and through him this ‘lost’ storytelling, was much influenced by the Irish Literary Movement, the work of librarian-storytellers, experimental verse theatre and what we would now view as performance poetry. Looking at how Masefield perceived and practised storytelling suggests how knowledge of earlier storytelling movements could refocus debates regarding storytelling now, or, more productively, open new lines of enquiry and experimentation in storytelling in coming years.
Discourses of impegno and Italian colonial legacies: Reassessing times, spaces and voices in documentaries on (post)colonial mobility
Authors: Mancosu Gianmarco
Published: December 2017

This article examines how Hotel Abyssinie (Plattner, 1996), Aulò. Roma Postcoloniale (Brioni, Guida and Chiscuzzu 2012) and Asmarina (Maglio and Paolos, 2015) explore the entangled relationship between colonial memories, migrations and belongings in contemporary Italy. Since each film addresses the temporality and spatiality of colonial legacies, the assessment of the use of old materials (mainly pictures and found footage) will enable the reflection on the complicated Italian colonial memories; this strand also deals with the analysis of the spaces of (post)colonial interaction through the concept of heterotopia. These artistic strategies, together with some other stylistic choices, will be regarded as aiming to engender either narratives or counter-narratives within the discourse of civic engagement, or postmodern impegno, that each documentary unfolds, and to which it conforms. In so doing, these documentaries stand as representative of an artistic production that is challenging the surreptitiously monolithic image of Italian identity.
Zombie urbanism and the city by the bay: What’s really eating Geelong?
Authors: Gray Fiona , Novacevski Matt
Published: December 2017

Since the early 1900s the city of Geelong has been synonymous with Australian manufacturing. However, the protracted demise of heavy manufacturing, including the city’s renowned automotive industry after the year 2000, highlights the challenges that post-industrial modernity, characterized by economic rationalism, cultural homogenization and globalization, has posed to the city. The year 2014 marked a turning point in the city’s history with major car maker Ford announcing the closure of its Geelong plant in 2017. Yet paradoxically, the city’s mall-and-sprawl pattern of development marches on as though cars will continue to roll off the production line. A few months after Ford’s announcement, a promotional video of Geelong was released depicting the city as a zombie-ridden dystopia, salvaged by magical powers summoned forth by the city’s Mayor. The video’s portrayal of residents as the ‘living dead’ drew sharp criticism and raised questions about what this imagery was really saying about the city and its people. Over the second half of the twentieth century, zombies have become symbols of mindless consumption, alienation and fear. So while Geelong is a city seeking reinvigoration and renewal, the Geelong Reinvented video presents the obverse of its promise. This article explores the identity of the real zombies of Geelong and how they might be brought to heel in order to spearhead a true rejuvenation of the city.
A teleonomic distributed cognition approach to architectural design
Authors: Ireland Tim , Cardenas-Garcia Jaime F.
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this article is to explore a newly defined concept of distributed cognition in a spatial domain and to propose how this conceptualization may be applied to how architectural space is organized. A novel view of distributed cognition is presented, which is concerned with the purposive behaviour of an organism-in-its-environment. We term this concept teleonomic distributed cognition. Teleonomic distributed cognition is the ability of an organism (including humans) to interact with its environment for the purpose of satisfying its physiological (internal and external) and social needs in order to survive and sustain itself. An implication of this approach is that the sensory capabilities that drive the teleonomic distributed cognition of the organism define its spatial domain.
Building a (virtual) Aleph: The visual transformation of a tiny cosmogony
Authors: Ayiter Elif
Published: December 2017

This article discusses the transformation of a tiny three-dimensional artwork created in the metaverse that takes its inspiration from Jorge Luis Borges’s story of ‘the Aleph’ – a tale that revolves around a minute artefact that is ‘one of the points in space that contains all other points’. The visualization of a concept as complex as ‘the Aleph’ led the author of the project through a process that started from Cartesian precepts, from where it transformed itself into an investigation of ‘code’ as a basal, life-giving presence that is abstract, enigmatic and hermetic in its essence. This correlation between ‘code’ and the magical nature of ‘the Aleph’ has led to further considerations regarding the significance of such a marvellous object within virtual worlds. Accordingly, this text will conclude with the description of an intriguing, novel usage for ‘the Aleph’ that materializes as a time machine for virtual-world avatars.
Economy of Ukraine: The analysis of the innovative way of the development
Authors: Luchko Mykhaylo
Published: December 2017

Ukraine, unfortunately, is the poorest in Europe, being one of the largest territories and populations in it. After 25 years of independence, it de jure and de facto did not get independence, turning into a country – a big debtor. Today, all macro- and microeconomic indicators are disappointing in it. A significant problem is that its economy is a “war economy” now, which should be aimed at solving its own territorial problems. It is worth assessing the existing potential and systematically approaching the crisis for “recovery” despite its difficult condition. Taking into account the above, the theoretical exploration was made in the article, aimed at the practical solution of these problems.
The evaluation of effective criteria on site selection for energy production units from cellulosic biomass in Iran
Authors: Azizi Majid , Rahimi Fatemeh , Jonoobi Mohammad Amin , Ziaie Mosen
Published: December 2017

Both Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and benefits, opportunities, costs and risks (BOCR) techniques were used successfully to evaluate the effective criteria on site selection for energy production unit development from cellulosic biomass in Iran. The results showed that the benefits criteria was at the first level while the initial cellulosic raw materials and opportunities with the aim of the local economy had the second position as the most important indices on site selection. In addition, third criterion has been introduced for the costs criteria (transportation cost) and social barriers by the experts. However, risks criteria which referred to instability of providing cellulosic raw materials is one of the less important effective indices on site selection to make energy production unit. The results illustrated that the economy and politics as two environmental effective factors affected on the site selection process generally.
Airline service quality evaluation: A review on concepts and models
Authors: Haghighat Navid
Published: December 2017

This paper reviews different major service quality concept and models which led to great developments in evaluating service quality with focusing on improvement process of the models through discussing criticisms of each model. Criticisms against these models are discussed to clarify development steps of newer models which led to the improvement of airline service quality models. The precise and accurate evaluation of service quality needs utilizing a reliable concept with comprehensive criteria and effective measurement techniques as the fundamentals of a valuable framework. In this paper, service quality models improvement is described based on three major service quality concepts, the disconfirmation, performance and hierarchical concepts which are developed subsequently. Reviewing various criteria and different measurement techniques such a statistical analysis and multi-criteria decision making assist researchers to have a clear understanding of the development of the evaluation framework in the airline industry. This study aims at promoting reliable frameworks for evaluating airline service quality in different countries and societies due to economic, cultural and social aspects of each society.
Confrontation of economic politics
Authors: Veggeland Noralv
Published: December 2017

Keynesianism is a national focused economic theory. The Keynesian theory builds on the assumption that prices and wages are sticky sizes evolves imbalance; high inflation or deflation follows. This in combination with various market crises, such as the current financial crisis, is suggesting that the market always fails, both in achieving full employment and avoiding crisis that affects unemployment. Thus, Keynesian argues that for an active state stabilization and labor market policy in the form of fiscal and monetary policies that can create just full employment and good business, while market deregulation and laissez-faire policies fail.
The impact of active labor market policies on the employment outcomes of youth graduates in the Tunisian governorates
Authors: Hamida Nadia Zrelli Ben , Trabelsi Salwa , Boulila Ghazi
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we analyze the impact of determinant factors on the employment of youth graduates in Tunisian governorates, and the effectiveness of active labor market policies. Our main objective is to identify the relationship between active labor market policies and professional insertion by considering regional disparity. We especially distinguish between the inland areas (the West areas) characterized by the highest youth unemployment rates, and the coastal areas (the East areas) where this problem is less important. This paper is different and novel. It is the first work that analyses youth employment by governorate using the database of the National Employment and Self Employment Agency (ANETI 2013) -relative to the Ministry of Vocational Training and Employment. We have found regional disparities in the access to active labor market policies and employment. More precisely, the youth have more chance to be employed if they have more scarce qualifications, have participated to any active labor market policy and are from the coastal regions of the country.
Demographics factors and awareness on Shariah-based Private Retirement Scheme among higher learning institution students in Malaysia
Authors: Yahaya Solehah , Ibrahim Haslindar , Zulkafli Abdul Hadi , Razimi Mohd Shahril Ahmad
Published: December 2017

This study is conducted to identify the demographic factors that influencing the awareness of Shariah-based Private Retirement Scheme (PRS) among undergraduate and postgraduate business students in higher learning institution in Malaysia. The purpose of this study is to identify the significant differences between determinant factors namely gender, age, religion, student’s level of education and background of education on the awareness of Shariah-based PRS. A total number 380 respondents among public university students are selected as respondents of a survey which are randomly distributed. The data is analysed using T-test and One-way ANOVA. The finding shows that demographic factors consist of gender, age, religion, education level, and background of study are significantly different towards awareness of Shariah-based PRS. This study will create more awareness not only for fresh graduates but also employees to start having a retirement plan if they do not have any yet.
Sharing Experience dan Resiliensi: Studi atas Facebook Group Orang Tua Anak Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Rofasita Safrina
Published: December 2017

Cerebral Palsy is a brain disorder that affects a motor area. Parents who have a child with Cerebral palsy are usually sorrowful. They feel hopeless and inferior because of their inability to manage their stress, and their resilience is poor. The level of stress management for each parent is different. For that reason, parents join an online group created on the Facebook online. Among the typical objective of joining such groups is to share their experience of having children with cerebral palsy. Is there any positive effect of this sharing experience toward their resilience? This study used a mixed method to answer this question. The quantitative data are collected by using questionnaire with a scale of CD-RiSC resilience and scale of sharing experience Response. This quantitative data is then elaborated by interviewing the participants by using purposive sampling technique. The research found that the Facebook group indeed helps the parents in improving their resilience. It is achieved by additional information and knowledge they learn from the group.[Orang tua yang mendapati anaknya terfonis sebagai anak Cerebral Palsy mengalami kedukaan mendalam yang mengakibatkan ketidakpercayaan diri, dan putus asa. Hal itu diakibatkan ketahanan terhadap stres (resiliensi) rendah, oleh karena itu orang tua mengikuti sharing experiences penyandang Cerebral Palsy melalui Facebook Group orang tua anak Cerebral Palsy. Penelitian ini bertujuan menjawab pertanyaan adakah pengaruh sharing experiences penyandang Cerebral Palsy terhadap resiliensi orang tua anak Cerebral Palsy yang terhimpun dalam Facebook Group Orang Tua Anak Cerebral Palsy. Penelitian menggunakan methode kombinasi antara kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Penelitian menemukan bahwa Facebook Group berpengaruh pada peningkatan resiliensi orang tua anak cerebal palcy karena mereka mendapatkan pengetahuan dan informasi tambahan dari forum itu.]
A Second-Order Time-Stepping Scheme for Simulating Ensembles of Parameterized Flow Problems
Authors: Gunzburger Max , Jiang Nan , Wang Zhu
Published: December 2017

We consider settings for which one needs to perform multiple flow simulations based on the Navier–Stokes equations, each having different initial condition data, boundary condition data, forcing functions, and/or coefficients such as the viscosity. For such settings, we propose a second-order time accurate ensemble-based method that to simulate the whole set of solutions, requires, at each time step, the solution of only a single linear system with multiple right-hand-side vectors. Rigorous analyses are given proving the conditional stability and establishing error estimates for the proposed algorithm. Numerical experiments are provided that illustrate the analyses.
Feasibility of a Wind-Hydrogen Energy System Based on Wind Characteristics for Chabahar, Iran
Authors: Alavi Omid , Mostafaeipour Ali , Sedaghat Ahmad , Qolipour Mojtaba
Published: December 2017

The knowledge of wind speed characteristics of a region is among the most important aspect of wind turbines utilization for electricity production and assessing the cost of power generation. The wind spectrum and the wind power density for the city of Chabahar located in the southeastern part of Iran were modeled using Weibull distribution and power law estimation. An empirical approach was used to determine the shape parameter, k, and the scale parameter, c, of Weibull distribution function at different heights from 2014 to 2016 during two years period. Wind characteristics in Chabahar were extensively analyzed along with assessing the effects of parameters such as air humidity and temperature, surface roughness, turbulence, and wind velocity durations. The amount of wind power that can be produced by installation of eight wind turbines with different powers ranging from 2.5 kW to 8 MW at Chabahar were investigated. Additionally, the annual capacity factor for each turbine was determined. A wind-hydrogen system was considered in the analysis for evaluating the hydrogen production ability from wind energy in the station at Chabahar. The highest amount of hydrogen production was related to Vestas V164 with the yearly value of 194.36 ton-H2.
Task Scheduling in Desktop Grids: Open Problems
Authors: Chernov Ilya , Nikitina Natalia , Ivashko Evgeny
Published: December 2017

We survey the areas of Desktop Grid task scheduling that seem to be insufficiently studied so far and are promising for efficiency, reliability, and quality of Desktop Grid computing. These topics include optimal task grouping, “needle in a haystack” paradigm, game-theoretical scheduling, domain-imposed approaches, special optimization of the final stage of the batch computation, and Enterprise Desktop Grids.
Stopband-Extended and Size-Miniaturized Low-Pass Filter Based on Interdigital Capacitor Loaded Hairpin Resonator with Four Transmission Zeros
Authors: Wu Jia-Jia , Li Lin
Published: December 2017

In this paper, a compact low-pass filter (LPF) with wide stopband is proposed based on interdigital capacitor loaded hairpin resonator. The structure composed of an upper high-impedance transmission line, a middle interdigital capacitor, and a pair of inter-coupled symmetrical stepped-impedance stubs. Detailed investigation into this structure based on even-odd mode approach reveals that up to four transmission zeros can be generated and reallocated by choosing the proper circuit parameters. And owing to the aid of transmission zeros, the fabricated quasi-elliptic LPFs experimentally demonstrate a wide 20dB stopband from 1.4fcto 5.1fcusing a compact size of only 0.005 λg2.