bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smart Signalization and Public Transport Priority, a First Step to Smart Mobility in a Smart City
Authors: Matei Lucian , Dumitru Ilie , Racila Laurentiu
Published: March 2018

Smarty city is a current topic, growing very fast in the last years. This concept is linked as a winning strategy to solve some major problems of big cities, like pollution, traffic jams, energy consumption, etc. Smart city is the next level, a more complex concept of the much restrictive green city, being an extension of this one, involving a better urban zone, a smaller environmental footprint, a higher penetration of ICT in the city life. A very important component of a smart city is the urban mobility, a smart mobility in a smart city. The aim of the paper is the presentation of the first step in this direction, because a smart mobility involve a smart signalization first. To reduce the traffic jam in an cross junction, an adaptive signal master plan of the intersection are used, with the help of a dedicated software.
GEOMORPHOLOGY OF JOÃO PESSOA MUNICIPALITY AND ITS ANTHROPOGENIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
Authors: Furrier Max , Barbosa Tamires Silva
Published: March 2018

This paper aims to study the geomorphology of the municipality of João Pessoa, Paraíba State, Brazil and produce a geomorphological map that includes the outlines of the current natural landforms and technogenic relief. From this mapping, morphostructural and morphosculptural units, patterns and landforms, shape types and current morphogenetic processes were identified and quantified in the municipality along with landforms produced exclusively by human processes. The current forms and technogenic relief obtained through this research included sandy patch processes, sinkholes, active and inactive cliffs, mass movement-produced forms and anthropogenic excavations for limestone and clay mining.
Impact of unemployment and income on entrepreneurship in post-apartheid South Africa: 1994–2015
Authors: Mahadea Darma , Kaseeram Irrshad
Published: March 2018

Background: South Africa has made significant progress since the dawn of democracy in 1994. It registered positive economic growth rates and its real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita increased from R42 849 in 1994 to over R56 000 in 2015. However, employment growth lagged behind GDP growth, resulting in rising unemployment. Aim and setting: Entrepreneurship brings together labour and capital in generating income, output and employment. According to South Africa’s National Development Plan, employment growth would come mainly from small-firm entrepreneurship and economic growth. Accordingly, this article investigates the impact unemployment and per capita income have on early stage total entrepreneurship activity (TEA) in South Africa, using data covering the 1994–2015 period. Methods: The methodology used is the dynamic least squares regression. The article tests the assertion that economic growth, proxied by real per capita GDP income, promotes entrepreneurship and that high unemployment forces necessity entrepreneurship. Results: The regression results indicate that per capita real GDP, which increases with economic growth, has a highly significant, positive impact on entrepreneurial activity, while unemployment has a weaker effect. A 1% rise in real per capita GDP results in a 0.16% rise in TEA entrepreneurship, and a 1% rise in unemployment is associated with a 0.25% rise in TEA. Conclusion: There seems to be a strong pull factor, from income growth to entrepreneurship and a reasonable push from unemployment to entrepreneurship, as individuals without employment are forced to self-employment as a necessity, survival mechanism. Overall, a long-run co-integrating relationship seems plausible between unemployment, income and entrepreneurship in South Africa.
The role of demographic and motivational factors on mobile commerce usage activities in South Africa
Authors: Cullen Malcolm , Kabanda Salah K.
Published: March 2018

Background: Many studies have examined the mobile commerce phenomenon and most of these have focused on understanding the organisational and environmental factors that affect its adoption. Few have examined how an individual’s characteristics and their perceived motivational appetite affect their mobile commerce usage and specifically the activities they engage in. Objectives: This study examines the role of demographics (individuals’ characteristics) and motivational factors on mobile commerce usage activities from the South African perspective. Method: An objective approach and a positivistic stance were followed. The research model and instrument from earlier studies by Chong (2013a) were contextualised to suit this study. Data collection was done through an online questionnaire, 88 responses were received and 81 used for data analysis. Results: The findings show that age is significantly related to mobile commerce transactions, and one’s education status influences the following mobile commerce usage activities: transactions and location-based services. One’s gender influences how one uses mobile commerce. A significant relationship between all three motivational variables and mobile commerce usage activities is evident. Conclusion: The findings provide the financial services industry and providers of mobile commerce offerings with a better understanding of the relationships between customer demographics and the mobile commerce activities they engage in. An additional variable of customer income has been identified for future studies to better understand the relationship.
Determinants of social media usage among a sample of rural South African youth
Authors: Shava Herring , Chinyamurindi Willie T.
Published: March 2018

Background: Youths have been found to utilise and adopt information communication technology (ICT) faster than any other population cohort. This has been aided by the advent of social media, especially Facebook and Instagram as platforms of choice. Calls have been made for more research (especially in rural communities) on the usage of ICT platforms such as social media among the youth as a basis for interventions that not only allow for better communication but also for learning. Objectives: The research investigated the relationship between knowledge sharing, habit and obligation in relation to social media usage among a sample of rural South African youth. Method: This study is descriptive by design. Primary data were collected from 447 youths domiciled within a rural community in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa using a self-administered questionnaire. The respondents to the study were all social media users. A combination of descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to make meaning of the data. Results: The study found a significant positive correlation to exist in all three independent variables (knowledge sharing, habit and obligation) with the dependent variable (social media usage) concerning Facebook usage among the sample of South African rural youth. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the research, recommendations and implications with regard to theory and practice are made.
Incremental validity of work-related sense of coherence in predicting work wellness
Authors: Van der Westhuizen Sanet C.
Published: March 2018

Orientation: Sense of coherence and, more recently, work-related sense of coherence are regarded as significant variables in promoting the management of employees’ wellness in modern organisations. Research purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether work-related sense of coherence, as a context-specific application of sense of coherence, provides incremental validity over and above sense of coherence in explaining indicators of work wellness. Motivation for the study: It is important to know if the context-specific, work-related sense of coherence is a better predictor of work wellness in comparison with general sense of coherence in order to guide interventions aimed at the development and enhancement of employees’ wellness. Research approach, design and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used with a convenience sample (N = 734) of part-time and full-time working adults completing an online module at a distance education institution. A biographical questionnaire, the Work-related sense of coherence (SoC) Questionnaire, the Orientation to Life Questionnaire, the Fatigue Scale and Work Engagement Scale were administered. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed to achieve the objective of the study. Main findings: Work-related sense of coherence displayed incremental validity over and above that of sense of coherence in predicting work engagement and fatigue. However, sense of coherence was a stronger predictor of fatigue, while work-related sense of coherence was a stronger predictor of work engagement. Practical managerial implications: In planning interventions to address the work engagement or fatigue of employees, work-related sense of coherence could be used as a practical indicator of coherent work experiences, especially in predicting work engagement. Contribution: The results of the study should provide new insight into the shared variance between work-related sense of coherence and sense of coherence. The results indicated that the factors are interrelated but independent and that work-related sense of coherence adds incremental variance in predicting work engagement and fatigue in the context of work.
Interventionalists’ perceptions on a culture of radiation protection
Authors: Rose André , Uebel Kerry E. , Rae William I.
Published: March 2018

Background: Occupational exposure to ionising radiation poses potential health risks to radiation workers unless adequate protection is in place. The catheterisation laboratory is a highly contextualised workplace with a distinctive organisational and workplace culture. Objective: This study was conducted to understand the culture of radiation protection (CRP). Methods: This study was a qualitative study and data were collected through 30 in-depth and 6 group interviews with 54 purposively selected South African interventionalists (interventional radiologists and cardiologists). The participants included a diversity of interventionalists who varied in sex, geographic location and years of experience with fluoroscopy. The transcribed data were analysed thematically using a deductive and inductive approach. Results: ‘Culture of radiation protection’ emerged as a complex theme that intersected with other themes: ‘knowledge and awareness of radiation’, ‘radiation safety practice’, ‘personal protective equipment (PPE) utilisation’ and ‘education and training’. Conclusion: Establishing and sustaining a CRP provides an opportunity to mitigate the potentially detrimental health effects of occupational radiation exposure. Education and training are pivotal to establishing a CRP. The time to establish a culture of radiation in the catheterisation laboratory is now.
Barriers and Opportunities to Advancing Women in Leadership Roles in Vector Control: Perspectives from a Stakeholder Survey
Authors: Hayden Mary H. , Barrett Erika , Bernard Guyah , Toko Eunice N. , Agawo Maurice , Okello Amanda M. , Gunn Jayleen K. L. , Ernst Kacey C.
Published: March 2018

Increasing the active participation of professional women in vector control (VC) activities may help promote greater gender equity in the workplace and reduce the burden of vector-borne diseases. This stakeholder survey examined the current roles and perspective of professionals employed in the VC sector in Kenya, Indonesia, India, and other countries. The largest barriers that women face in pursuing leadership roles in the VC sector include lack of awareness of career opportunities, limitations based on cultural norms, and the belief that VC is men’s work. These barriers could be addressed through improving education and recruitment campaigns, as well as supporting higher education and mentoring programs. Females were almost six times more likely to be encouraged to pursue leadership positions in their organization compared with male respondents (odds ratio = 5.9, P > 0.03, 95% confidence interval: 1.19, 29.42). These findings suggest that once women are recruited into the VC workforce, they face minimal discrimination and have increased leadership opportunities.
Development of Visually Improved Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification for the Diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax Malaria in a Tertiary Hospital in Chandigarh, North India
Authors: Kaur Hargobinder , Sehgal Rakesh , Bansal Devendra , Sultan Ali A. , Bhalla Ashish , Singhi Sunit C.
Published: March 2018

More than 80% of the global burden of the Plasmodium vivax is contributed by mainly three countries (India, Indonesia, and Pakistan). Reports from last decades have highlighted the occurrence of severe P. vivax malaria which was earlier considered to be benign. The recent trends of increasing P. vivax–associated morbidity and mortality emphasizes the need for early and accurate diagnosis of P. vivax malaria for the timely management of patients. Microscopy is considered a gold standard but needs experienced laboratory technologists. Over the last few years, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is being used as a highly sensitive and specific test but it requires expensive equipment which limits its use in the field. Therefore, in the present study, utility of visually improved loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for the detection of P. vivax was evaluated targeting 18SrRNA gene in 145 microscopically confirmed P. vivax and 20 P. vivax negative patients. Sensitivity and specificity of LAMP was assessed with respect to microscopy and multiplex nested PCR (nPCR). Results of the LAMP assay was also correlated with rapid diagnostic test, multiplex nPCR and real-time PCR results. Overall, sensitivity and specificity of P. vivax–specific LAMP compared with microscopy were found to be 100% and 85%, respectively. Furthermore, detection limit for LAMP was found to be 0.8 copies/μL and it was also able to detect three complicated cases of P. vivax which were missed by microscopy. This study showed a LAMP assay to be a rapid and very sensitive method for the early diagnosis of both complicated and uncomplicated P. vivax malaria.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in the United States, 2003–2016
Authors: Lindsey Nicole P. , Staples J. Erin , Fischer Marc
Published: March 2018

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus found in the eastern United States. Eastern equine encephalitis virus disease in humans is rare but can result in severe, often fatal, illness. This report summarizes the national EEEV surveillance data for 2003 through 2016, including human disease cases and nonhuman infections. Over the 14-year period, 633 counties from 33 states reported EEEV activity; 88% of those counties reported EEEV activity only in nonhuman species. A total of 121 human cases of EEEV disease were reported, with a median of eight cases reported annually. The national average annual incidence of EEEV neuroinvasive disease was 0.03 cases per million population. States with the highest average annual incidence included New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and Alabama. Eastern equine encephalitis virus neuroinvasive disease incidence was highest among males and among persons aged < 5 and > 60 years. Overall, 118 (98%) case patients were hospitalized and 50 (41%) died. The case fatality ratio was highest among case patients aged ≥ 70 years. Nonhuman surveillance data indicate that the geographic range of EEEV is much greater than human cases alone might suggest. In areas where the virus circulates, health-care providers should consider EEEV infection in the differential diagnosis for meningitis and encephalitis. Providers are encouraged to report suspected cases to their public health department to facilitate diagnosis and consider interventions to mitigate the risk of further transmission. Because human vaccines against EEEV are not available, prevention depends on community efforts to reduce mosquito populations and personal protective measures to decrease exposure to mosquitoes.
Characterization and source apportionment of organic aerosol at 260 m on a meteorological tower in Beijing, China
Authors: Zhou Wei , Wang Qingqing , Zhao Xiujuan , Xu Weiqi , Chen Chen , Du Wei , Zhao Jian , Canonaco Francesco , Prévôt André S. H. , Fu Pingqing , Wang Zifa , Worsnop Douglas R. , Sun Yele
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Despite extensive efforts toward the
characterization of submicron aerosols at ground level in the megacity of
Beijing, our understanding of aerosol sources and processes at high altitudes
remains low. Here we conducted a 3-month real-time
measurement of non-refractory submicron aerosol (NR-PM1) species at
a height of 260 m from 10 October 2014 to 18 January 2015 using an
aerosol chemical speciation monitor. Our results showed a significant change
in aerosol composition from the non-heating period (NHP) to the heating period (HP).
Organics and chloride showed clear increases during HP due to coal combustion
emissions, while nitrate showed substantial decreases from 28 to
15–18 %. We also found that NR-PM1 species in the heating season
can have average mass differences of 30–44 % under similar emission
sources yet different meteorological conditions. Multi-linear engine 2 (ME-2)
using three primary organic aerosol (OA) factors as constraints, i.e., fossil-fuel-related
OA (FFOA) dominantly from coal combustion emissions, cooking OA (COA), and
biomass burning OA (BBOA) resolved from ground high-resolution aerosol mass
spectrometer measurements, was applied to OA mass spectra of
ACSM. Two types of secondary OA (SOA) that were well correlated with nitrate
and chloride–CO, respectively, were identified. SOA played a dominant role in
OA during all periods at 260 m although the contributions were
decreased from 72 % during NHP to 58–64 % during HP. The SOA
composition also changed significantly from NHP to HP. While the contribution
of oxygenated OA (OOA) was decreased from 56–63 to 32–40 %, less
oxidized OOA (LO-OOA) showed a large increase from 9–16 to
24–26 %. COA contributed a considerable fraction of OA at high altitude,
and the contribution was relatively similar across different periods
(10–13 %). In contrast, FFOA showed a large increase during HP due to
the influences of coal combustion emissions. We also observed very different
OA composition between ground level and 260 m. Particularly, the
contributions of COA and BBOA at the ground site were nearly twice those at
260 m, while SOA at 260 m was ∼ 15–34 % higher
than that at ground level. Bivariate polar plots and back-trajectory analysis
further illustrated the different source regions of OA factors in different
seasons.
Summertime Arctic Aircraft Measurements during ACCACIA
Authors: Jones Hazel M. , Young Gillian , Choularton Thomas W. , Bower Keith N. , Lachlan-Cope Thomas , O'Shea Sebastian , Dorsey James , Ladkin Russell , Kirchgaessner Amelié , Weiss Alexandra
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Arctic Climate is not represented with a high degree of certainty in current climate; part of this is due to Arctic clouds not being well modelled. There have been very few in-situ measurements in the region until recent years, where coverage still remains sparse. Whilst a lot is known regarding lower latitude cloud microphysics, the same cannot be said for Arctic cloud microphysics where cloud interactions and feedback mechanisms are known to vary from those at lower latitudes. This paper reports data from the 2013 ACCACIA project where aerosol and cloud data were collected over eight flights sampling in the region around Svalbard during July. Clouds from six out of the eight flights were found to be mixed phase to some extent, with in-cloud flight-mean droplet number concentrations ranging from 21.7–132 cm−3 across all flights where clouds were sampled between 262 and 283 K. Cloud droplet diameter was found to increase from cloud base to cloud top within sampled stratocumulus layers which were noted to lift and deepen when moving out from over the sea-ice to over the open ocean. Cloud ice particles concentrations, when present, ranged from 0.42–0.88 L−1, with irregular, stellar and columnar habits noted. Results suggest a small number of ice nucleating particles were active in the region, with conditions intermittently present such that secondary ice processes were able to glaciate small portions of the cloud. The purpose of this paper is to provide a more extensive range of data for the development of improved parameterisations for use in models applied to Polar regions.
Long open-path measurements of greenhouse gases in air using near-infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy
Authors: Griffith David W. T. , Pöhler Denis , Schmitt Stefan , Hammer Samuel , Vardag Sanam N. , Platt Ulrich
Published: March 2018

Abstract. In complex and urban environments, atmospheric trace gas composition is highly variable in time and space. Point measurement techniques for trace gases with in situ instruments are well established and accurate, but do not provide spatial averaging to compare against developing high-resolution atmospheric models of composition and meteorology with resolutions of the order of a kilometre. Open-path measurement techniques provide path average concentrations and spatial averaging which, if sufficiently accurate, may be better suited to assessment and interpretation with such models. Open-path Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTS) in the mid-infrared region, and differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) in the UV and visible, have been used for many years for open-path spectroscopic measurements of selected species in both clean air and in polluted environments. Near infrared instrumentation allows measurements over longer paths than mid-infrared FTS for species such as greenhouse gases which are not easily accessible to DOAS.In this pilot study we present the first open-path near-infrared (4000–10 000 cm−1, 1.0–2.5 µm) FTS measurements of CO2, CH4, O2, H2O and HDO over a 1.5 km path in urban Heidelberg, Germany. We describe the construction of the open-path FTS system, the analysis of the collected spectra, several measures of precision and accuracy of the measurements, and the results a four-month trial measurement period in July–November 2014. The open-path measurements are compared to calibrated in situ measurements made at one end of the open path. We observe significant differences of the order of a few ppm for CO2 and a few tens of ppb for CH4 between the open-path and point measurements which are 2 to 4 times the measurement repeatability, but we cannot unequivocally assign the differences to specific local sources or sinks. We conclude that open-path FTS may provide a valuable new tool for investigations of atmospheric trace gas composition in complex, small-scale environments such as cities.
Morphology of the Early Jurassic Arietitidae and the effects of syn vivo serpulid infestations
Authors: Ramming Michael , Korn Dieter , Klein Carina , Klug Christian
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Selected specimens from the Jurassic ammonoid family Arietitidae were investigated using morphometric methods of transverse and longitudinal conch section analysis. The family Arietitidae is characterized by similarities in the conch geometry, but variation can be demonstrated by means of differences in conch morphology. Our study focuses on a specimen of the arietitid Pararnioceras sp., which revealed striking changes in conch morphology due to a syn vivo growth through a parasitic serpulid. Changes in its ontogenetic development are compared with specimens without epizoans. The ecological interpretation of the morphometric data allows the conclusion that the host possessed the ability to counteract the parasitic conch abnormalities by adapting its housing growth, thus ensuring survival.
Implementation of a simple thermodynamic sea ice scheme, SICE
version 1.0-38h1, within the ALADIN-HIRLAM numerical weather
prediction system version 38h1
Authors: Batrak Yurii , Kourzeneva Ekaterina , Homleid Mariken
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Sea ice is an important factor affecting weather regimes, especially in polar regions. A lack of its representation in numerical weather prediction (NWP) systems leads to large errors. For example, in the HARMONIE-AROME model configuration of the ALADIN-HIRLAM NWP system, the mean absolute error in 2 metre temperature reaches 1.5 °C after 15 forecast hours for Svalbard. A possible reason for that is that the sea ice properties are not reproduced correctly (there is no prognostic sea ice temperature in the model). Here, we develop a new SImple sea iCE scheme (SICE) and implement it into the ALADIN-HIRLAM NWP system in order to improve the quality of its forecasts in areas influenced by sea ice. General evaluation of the new parameterization is performed within HARMONIE-AROME by experiments covering the Svalbard and Gulf of Bothnia areas for a selected period in March–April 2013. It is found that using the SICE scheme improves the forecast, decreasing the value of the 2 metre temperature mean absolute error on average by 0.5 °C in areas that are influenced by sea ice. The new scheme is sensitive to the representation of the form drag: it may increase the 10 metre wind speed bias on average by 0.4 m s−1 when the form drag is not taken into account. Also, the modelling results are compared with the sea ice surface temperature observations from MODIS. The warm bias (of approximately 5 °C) of the new scheme is indicated for the areas of thick ice in the Arctic. Impacts of the SICE scheme on the modelling results and possibilities for future improvement of sea ice representation in the ALADIN-HIRLAM NWP system are discussed.
Numerical modelling of flow and transport in Bari industrial area by means of
rough walled parallel plate and random walk models
Authors: Cherubini Claudia , Pastore Nicola , Rapti Dimitra , Giasi Concetta I.
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Modelling fluid flow and solute transport dynamics in fractured karst aquifers is one of the most challenging tasks in hydrogeology. The present study investigates on the hotspots of groundwater contamination in the industrial area of Modugno (Bari – Southern Italy) where the limestone aquifer has a fractured and karstic nature. A rough walled parallel plate model coupled with a geostatistical analysis to infer the values of the equivalent aperture has been implemented and calibrated on the basis of piezometric data. Using the random walk theory, the steady state distribution of hypothetical contamination with the source at the hot spot has been carried out reproducing a pollution scenario which is compatible with the observed one. From an analysis of the flow and transport pattern it is possible to infer that the anticline affecting the Calcare di Bari formation in directions ENE-WSW influences the direction of flow as well as the propagation of the contaminant. The results also show that the presence of nonlinear flow influences advection, in that it leads to a delay in solute transport respect to the linear flow assumption. This is due to the not constant distribution of solute according to different pathways for fractured media which is related to the flow rate.
Determining the dimension of subsurface defects by active infrared thermography – experimental research
Authors: Grys Slawomir
Published: March 2018

Abstract. This paper presents research into a method of processing thermal
images aimed at detecting and characterizing material defects, or
non-uniformities, of the internal structure of materials. Active thermography
was chosen as the NDT method. Hidden defects were revealed by analysing the
temperature field of the tested material's front surface which was externally
excited with heating lamps. Background removal and image segmentation were
applied to the last thermogram in the sequence recorded at the end of the
heating phase. The paper focuses on the quality of determining lateral
dimensions of subsurface flaws in a polymethylmethacrylate slab with bottom holes drilled to imitate flaws. The following
accuracy-affecting factors were taken into account: defect depth, emissivity
of the inspected surface as an input, user-set parameter for the IR camera,
type of filtering used to eliminate the effect of non-uniformity when heating
the object surface with an external source, and global and local thresholding
as a segmentation method used for defect detection and sizing.
The Climatology, precipitation types and atmospheric conditions of
extreme precipitation events in western Turkey
Authors: Akkoyunlu Bulent Oktay , Baltaci Hakki , Tayanc Mete
Published: March 2018

Abstract. This paper investigates the climatology, precipitation types and background physical mechanisms of extreme precipitations events (EPEs) over western Turkey during the period 2006–2015. The EPEs are described as the precipitation values above the 90th percentile obtained from the hourly precipitation dataset having high spatial resolution. Precipitation types associated with EPEs are identified by using radar outputs and Lamb Weather Type (LWT) approach. It is found that EPEs occurred more frequently in the Marmara and Aegean regions during autumn and winter months. In Marmara, mainly 21 %, 17 % and 15 % of total autumn EPEs are observed as convective (E circulation types (CTs)), cyclonic (C), and sea-effect (NE) extreme precipitations (EPs), in order. While convective EPEs are generally more active in the southern portions having rugged topography, cyclonic and sea effect EPs are more effective in the southwest and northeastern parts of Marmara. Among these three precipitation types, convective CTs produce more intense daily precipitation in the Marmara region with daily average value of 66.1 mm. Based on the hourly observations, convective types of EP which developed by the interaction between high pressure center over Balkan Peninsula and low pressure center over eastern Mediterranean, show two peak values during afternoon and evening times of the day and are linked to diurnal heating. In terms of Aegean region, cyclonic originated EPs, which include 65 % of the total winter EPEs, are more common in the whole territory and reach to its peak value during the first hours of the day.
Multi-scale phenomena of rotation-modified mode-2 internal waves
Authors: Deepwell David , Stastna Marek , Coutino Aaron
Published: March 2018

Abstract. We present high-resolution, three-dimensional simulations of rotation-modified mode-2 internal solitary waves at various rotation rates and Schmidt numbers. Rotation is seen to change the internal solitary-like waves observed in the absence of rotation into a leading Kelvin wave followed by Poincaré waves. Mass and energy is found to be advected towards the right-most side wall (for a Northern Hemisphere rotation), leading to increased amplitude of the leading Kelvin wave and the formation of Kelvin–Helmholtz (K–H) instabilities on the upper and lower edges of the deformed pycnocline. These fundamentally three-dimensional instabilities are localized within a region near the side wall and intensify in vigour with increasing rotation rate. Secondary Kelvin waves form further behind the wave from either resonance with radiating Poincaré waves or the remnants of the K–H instability. The first of these mechanisms is in accord with published work on mode-1 Kelvin waves; the second is, to the best of our knowledge, novel to the present study. Both types of secondary Kelvin waves form on the same side of the channel as the leading Kelvin wave. Comparisons of equivalent cases with different Schmidt numbers indicate that while adopting a numerically advantageous low Schmidt number results in the correct general characteristics of the Kelvin waves, excessive diffusion of the pycnocline and various density features precludes accurate representation of both the trailing Poincaré wave field and the intensity and duration of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities.
Áreas rurales y cooperativas: iniciativas de mujeres para el desarrollo
Authors: Esteban Salvador María Luisa , Pérez Sanz Francisco Javier , Gargallo Castel Ana
Published: March 2018

En este trabajo se analiza la contribución de las mujeres al desarrollo rural a través del cooperativismo. Para ello, se estudia el desarrollo de un grupo de cooperativas seleccionadas por su perfil femenino. Los datos proceden de entrevistas realizadas a mujeres que asumen un papel clave en las entidades indicadas, todas ellas ubicadas en la provincia de Teruel. Se trata de obtener información de las cooperativas desde una perspectiva histórica, sobre su evolución y sobre la percepción de las mujeres respecto a su futuro, justo en el periodo identificado como de inicio de crisis económica. El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar si el cooperativismo es una herramienta de desarrollo que podría evitar la despoblación de los entornos rurales, fomentar el progreso a través del empleo femenino y favorecer la sostenibilidad de las zonas deprimidas.
Intellectual Capital of Africa: Comparison of the Five Most Competitive Countries
Authors: Tsouli Driss , Elabbadi Bouchra
Published: March 2018

This paper proposes a comparison of the national intellectual capital of African countries. Using the longitudinal data spanning the period from 2010 to 2014, based on 22 indicators. This study compares the national intellectual capital of the five most competitive African countries: 1 Mauritius, 2 South Africa, 3 Rwanda, 4 Botswana, and 5 Morocco. The results confirm the importance of intellectual capital in the competitiveness of countries. The research findings make clear the status of national intellectual capital of the five African countries, as a result of that to provide information for policymakers to establish public strategies for building sustainable national competitiveness.
Correlation Between Body Weight and Mitoxantrone-Associated Neutropenia in Dogs
Authors: Richardson Danielle , Poirier Valerie J. , Matsuyama Arata , Calvalido Jerome
Published: March 2018

Thirty-seven dogs with histologically or cytologically confirmed malignant tumors treated with single-agent mitoxantrone at 5 mg/m2 were evaluated in a retrospective study assessing the correlation between body weight and neutropenia associated with a single dose of mitoxantrone in dogs. Overall, eight dogs (21%) experienced grade 3 neutropenia and five dogs (14%) experienced grade 4 neutropenia on day 7 following mitoxantrone chemotherapy. Dogs ≤10 kg body weight were significantly more likely to develop grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (5.8 relative risk; 95% confidence interval, 2.6–12.9; P < .0001) than dogs >10 kg. Dogs ≤15 kg body weight were significantly more likely to develop grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (8.1 relative risk; 95% confidence interval, 2.1–31.3; P < .0001) than dogs >15 kg. Of the 13 patients who developed grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, 6 (46%) were hospitalized for clinical signs related to neutropenia. Based on the severity of neutropenia and the resulting hospitalization seen in dogs ≤10 kg, a dose reduction could be considered for the initial dose of mitoxantrone, and clinicians should be aware of the increased risk of neutropenia in patients 10.1 to ≤15 kg.
MEDICAMENTOS SUJEITOS A CONTROLE ESPECIAL MAIS UTILIZADOS EM CENTROS DE ATENÇÃO PSICOSSOCIAL EM UMA CIDADE DO PARANÁ
Authors: BOGER Beatriz , FEDERHEN Chayanne , BRAND Mayara , SZPAK Renata , PATRIOTA Beatriz , MORISHITA Linda , GOMES Eliane Carneiro
Published: March 2018

O objetivo do trabalho foi identificar os medicamentos sujeitos a controle especial mais utilizados em Centros de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) no município de Curitiba, Paraná-BR. Estudo retrospectivo, por meio de pesquisa documental em Livros de Registro Específico de medicamentos controlados dos CAPS, referente aos anos de  2013 a 2016. Constatou-se a saída de 10.897 medicamentos, sendo as dispensações para uso emergencial. Foi considerada a denominação comum brasileira (DCB), a forma farmacêutica e as concentrações que eram dispensadas das seguintes classes terapêuticas: antidepressivos, ansiolíticos, antiepiléticos, antipsicóticos, anticolinérgicos e hipnóticos/sedativos. Os mais utilizados foram os antipsicóticos, em específico o Cloridrato de Clorpromazina em comprimido de 100mg (23,41%) e 25mg (18,54%), seguido do ansiolítico Diazepam em comprimido de 5mg (11,86%). O padrão de consumo de psicotrópicos aqui identificados não diferem muito dos estudos semelhantes em outras regiões do Brasil, além de evidenciar o consumo em caráter emergencial de algumas classes terapêuticas.
Condições sanitárias em três bairros do Recife
Authors: Novaes Maria B. A. , Machado José , Queiroz Beattryz C. C. , Siqueira Lara C.
Published: March 2018

O acesso aos serviços básicos de saneamento é imprescindível ao bem estar da população e para o desenvolvimento econômico, social e cultural. No Brasil, ainda é necessário um maior investimento para garantir a mais pessoas o direito de ter esses serviços. A falta de saneamento adequado pode causar impactos ambientais, efeitos estéticos negativos e principalmente, riscos à saúde da população. Este trabalho tem como objetivo identificar as atuais condições dos serviços de saneamento prestados aos bairros de Casa Amarela, Iputinga e Várzea e mostrar o perigo relacionado à saúde da população. As deficiências foram encontradas a partir de visitas técnicas onde foram realizados questionários aos moradores, dos respectivos bairros.
The Role of Hope and Self-efficacy on Nurses’ Subjective Well-being
Authors: Liu Ruiming , Zeng Pan , Quan Peng
Published: March 2018

Although subjective well-being is considered important for nurses, the relationship between hope, self-efficacy, and subjective well-being among nurses has rarely been assessed. This study purposes to explore the relationships between hope, self-efficacy, and subjective well-being. The analysis relies on data from 1757 female nurses in 3 hospitals in China. Nurses completed a demographic form, General Self-efficacy Scale, Hope Scale, General Well-Being Schedule. A mediate model of the hypothesized relationships between the constructs was tested. Significant direct relationships of hope, self-efficacy, and subjective well-being were displayed. Mediation analyses reveal that the impact of self-efficacy on subjective well-being is partially mediated by two components of hope, agency and pathways. Hope was shown to be a key mediator for the relationships between self-efficacy and subjective well-being. These findings advance current understandings on the hopeful thinking in nurses.
Organizational Culture Artifacts and Compassionate Human Resources Practices in a Healthcare Organization
Authors: Grueso-Hinestroza Merlin Patricia , López-Santamaría Mónica , González Javier L , Salcedo Wilmer , Amaya Marysella
Published: March 2018

Compassion in organizations and their determinants is a research topic that is still underdeveloped, in consequence, a study was carried out with a sample of 112 employees in a health services organization in Bogotá (Colombia). To achieve this goal, the Organizational Culture Artifact Questionnaire -OCSA- and the Compassion Organizational Practices Questionnaire were administered. The results show that the organizational culture through its artifacts predicts in a significant way the adoption of compassion organizational practices. In analyzing the type of culture that has the greatest predictive power over compassionate organizational practices, it has been found that progressive culture has the greatest effect, in contrast to traditional culture. The conclusions discuss the practical implications of the study and its limitations.
The Impact of Corporate Governance on Auditor’s Independence and Audit Fees: An Empirical Study of Jordanian Insurance Companies Listed on Amman Stock Exchange
Authors: Hamza Mohyedin
Published: March 2018

This study examines the impact of applying the principles of Corporate Governance on an external auditor’s independence and audit fees of over 26 Jordanian insurance companies listed on Amman Stock Exchange (ASE). Also, the study includes 6 audit firms that undertake audit missions upon these companies. To achieve the study objectives, a questionnaire has been developed for data collected and distributed on the study sample, which consists of (12) companies and (3) audit offices. As a result, (104) valid responses have been obtained. The results have showed there is a significant impact of Corporate Governance principles on auditor’s independence and audit fees.The researcher recommends encouraging the independence of members of board of directors in Jordanian insurance companies because of its core effect on external auditor’s independence.
The Mohajir Identity in Pakistan: The Natives’ Perspective
Authors: Khan Fouzia Rehman , Manzoor Fehmida
Published: March 2018

Analysing narratives as a site of identity constructions and negotiation is an expanding genre in the field of linguistics. The present study explores the Mohajir identity of Urdu Speaking in Pakistan through the narratives of the natives. This research is a qualitative analysis of the narratives that are formed through the semi structured private interviews of Urdu Speaking Mohajir/ immigrants in Pakistan. The interpretive analysis of the interviews reflected the subjective reception of the discursive practices, which were found to be negative and the term “Mohajir” was declared to have an undesirable connotation with the associated discourses having a similar impact. The study recommends that the word “Mohajir” should be excluded from the everyday discourse. There is a need for avoidance of the racist, exclusionary and discriminatory discourses and discursive practices because such discourses eventually become public and generate anti-immigrant sentiments. At the same time discourses of unification should be promoted so as to establish harmonious discursive practices for a peaceful coexistence of different ethnic and linguistic groups living in Pakistan.
Saudi University Undergraduates’ Beliefs about Language Learning along Gender Lines
Authors: Javid Choudhary Zahid , Al-malki Eidah Abdullah
Published: March 2018

A growing mass of research has reported that each human being is different like a signature and particular characteristics based on their specific personalities have a strong effect on their language learning possibilities. Research posits that identification of EFL learners’ beliefs about language learning positively affects language learning process as it helps the teachers to address to their students’ learning effectively and also bears positive overbearing in case they bear some less positive beliefs. The study in hand is an attempt to investigate the beliefs of Saudi undergraduates along gender lines by using Horwitz’s (1987) BALLI. The comparative analyses generated by Independent-sample T-test reveal that male participants have assigned comparatively higher values to the majority of the questionnaire items as compared to their female counterparts. The participants of this survey have exhibited the greatest gender-based differences in their beliefs about “motivation and expectations”. Beliefs about “learning and communication strategies” and “the nature of language learning” have shown medium gender-based differences whereas male and female participants have seen eye to eye to each other in their perceived beliefs related to “foreign language aptitude” and difficulty of language learning. The findings of this empirical study have several pedagogical implications to revisit and modify teaching/learning practices of English language in Saudi Arabia in particular and Arab world in general. The findings will help English language teachers teaching in the KSA to understand the gender-based dimensionality of the language learning beliefs which will help them align their teaching methods to their learners’ beliefs; thus, maximizing the possibilities of much sought after goal of effective and efficient ELT in the KSA.
Conceptualizing Some Verbs of Propositional Attitudes in English
Authors: Teimi Cherif
Published: March 2018

In this article, we discuss the semantics and syntax of Propositional Attitude Verbs. Our goal is to clarify and illustrate how Propositional Attitudes function and behave and put forth the conceptualization/ formalization of sentences containing this type of Verbs. We will see how intentions and beliefs are useful to study Propositional Attitudes. Also, we will argue that the semantic approach is more adequate than the syntactic one in terms of classifying Propositional Attitude Verbs. This, of course, is carried out in the framework of Conceptual Semantics that was mainly introduced by Jackendoff.
A Quantitative Research for Improving Reading Comprehension of First Year Engineering Students of QUEST, Pakistan Through Metacognitive Strategies
Authors: Nordin Zaimuariffudin Shukri , Channa Mansoor Ahmed , Abassi Abdul Malik
Published: March 2018

This quantitative research investigates first year engineering students’ reading comprehension using the different metacognitive strategies and scaffolding strategies. The research was undertaken at QUEST, Nawabshah, Pakistan. The respondents of this research were taken from four engineering departments including Mechanical Engineering, Energy and Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer System Engineering. A set of questionnaire was used among 311 respondents. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics to analyze research variables through SPSS 17 for producing the Percentages, Mean and Standard Deviation of the data. The results acquired from data suggested that the engineering respondents used their metacognitive strategies in order to make their comprehension easy to apprehend the meaning of reading passages. This research also revealed the average uses of twenty important categories on metacognitive strategies as reported by engineering respondents. The mean score for ‘I often find that I have been reading for class but don’t know what it is all about’ category (M = 2.65) was rated by the respondents of this research as the highest; while the mean score for ‘reading instructions carefully before beginning a task’ (M = 1.54) was rated as the lowest. The results also showed that the respondents of this study revealed the average uses of the twelve important categories of scaffolding. However, the mean score for ‘When studying this course I often set aside time to discuss the course material with a group of students from the class’ category (M = 2.29) was the highest for all respondents; whereas, the mean score for ‘I ask teachers/students for help when they do not understand’ (M = 1.37) was the lowermost. However, no category of metacognitive strategies and scaffolding fell into low level of usage. To sum up, results are presented for developing effective reading strategies for engineering students to improve their reading proficiency.