bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Riba and interest in Islamic finance: semantic and terminological ıssue
Authors: Suharto Ugi
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to argue analytically that interest and riba are not exactly the same and not an interchangeable terminology. There are similarities and differences between the two at the conceptual level.

Design/methodology/approach

To support the argument, the paper shows that it is possible to prove cases where the riba is involved but the interest is not. Hence, there is a situation of the presence of riba without interest. Furthermore, it is also possible to prove cases where the interest is involved but the riba is not. Hence, there is a situation of the presence of interest without riba. The notion and concept of interest in finance are analysed critically in comparison with riba in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh Islami). So a comparative conceptual analysis is the main methodology of the paper.

Findings

The paper finally suggests that the correct expression should be that Islamic banking and finance is “a ribawi free of banking and finance” instead of “interest free of banking and finance” as it is popularised.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is conceptual in nature. No empirical analysis is pursued.

Practical implications

Islamic finance should not claim it self as interest-free finance, rather riba-free finance.

Social implications

It is more truthful to the society to say that Islamic finance is riba-free finance.

Originality/value

The paper is expected to contribute in the conceptual level of Islamic banking and finance’s understanding by clearing up the basic confusion and misconception about riba and interest. This would consequently minimise or even eliminate the taken-for-granted tendency of denoting the semantic of riba and interest as an interchangeable term, especially when writing in English and addressing the finance’s students and scholars. The semantic clarification between interest and riba hopefully becomes the main contribution of this paper.
Backdating of executive stock options: comparing financial and nonfinancial industries
Authors: Tee Kienpin , Wiley Marilyn
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The 2008-2009 subprime mortgage crisis in the USA caused bankruptcies and closures of many financial institutions. Yet many CEOs of US financial institutions were awarded huge bonuses and pay packages despite the economic collapse, suggesting that their incomes were not in conjunction with those of the shareholders, indicating a serious agency problem. This issue raises the question as to whether stock option backdating, another example of an agency problem, was as prevalent as slack lending policies among these financial institutions. This paper aims to compare the relative magnitude of executive option backdating in financial and nonfinancial firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of CEO stock option grants from 1995 to 2006, obtained from ExecuComp, the authors employ an event study around the grant dates of executive options. The authors compare the abnormal price movements between financial and nonfinancial firms.

Findings

The abnormal negative stock returns were found before the award dates for both groups of firms. The after-event abnormal returns of both groups of firms, however, show different trends. For nonfinancial firms, there is an immediate turnaround of the abnormal return movement right after the grants; that is, the price increases, indicating the occurrence of significant backdating events. For financial firms, however, there is no significant price rebound after the grant date. In fact, the price continued to decline throughout the after-event period.

Research limitations/implications

The result shows that nonfinancial firms demonstrate significantly more option backdating behavior than financial firms.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that previous findings on prevalent backdating among all public listed firms are only partially correct. This paper shows that backdating behavior found in previous studies is indeed driven by nonfinancial firms. This unexpected finding contradicts the initial prediction of authors that option backdating may be more likely among financial firms.

Originality/value

Based on previous research, the authors recognize that generally the official grant dates of firms must have been set retroactively, as shown by Lie (2005). The findings, however, show that financial firms demonstrate only partial backdating behavior. This study opens a path for future research to further discover why financial firms exhibit less backdating behavior compared with nonfinancial firms, and if option backdating is not an issue for financial firms, why the share prices of these firms decline significantly prior to the grant date.
The law is just the law: analysing the definition of corruption in Zimbabwe
Authors: Maguchu Prosper Simbarashe
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the shortfalls of the legal definition of corruption in Zimbabwe.

Design/methodology/approach

Defining corruption is a universal challenge. Thus, in reviewing Zimbabwes definition, this paper also draws on other common law system jurisdictions based on English traditions and Sharia law to make a comparative analysis. The paper also takes a multi-disciplinary approach that transcend fields of law and anthropology.

Findings

Although criminal law can be used as the normative basis in the fight against corruption, it can also be used by the powerful to shield themselves from corruption, through its indeterminacy and interpretation. Be this as it may, real and firm law can assist in curbing the vice.

Research limitations/implications

The paper’s purview is limited both in terms of subject and scope. Although it starts by considering the definition of corruption to get a broad overview of this subject, it mainly focuses on the meaning of two popular concepts that are popularly identified with our understanding of corruption – abuse of power and public office.

Originality/value

The paper tries to establish a framework for understanding and curbing corruption through the use of statutory law.
The case for mental health support at a primary care level
Authors: Saeidi Saeideh , Wall Richard
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Severe mental illness affects a significant number of people and, if left untreated, leads to poor quality of life and disability. Many of the aspirations proposed for new models of care assert that better preventative services, closer integration between professionals, and increased access to cognitive behavioural therapy in primary care will bring substantial benefits and improved outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to explore the benefits of integrating mental health services into primary care, and improving collaboration between secondary services and primary care. There is a transition underway in healthcare whereby a focus on illness is being supplemented with, or refocused towards achieving better patient well-being. New approaches to service provision are being proposed that: focuses on more holistic outcomes; integrates services around the user; and employs innovative system techniques to incentivise professional and organisational collaboration. Such a transition must be inclusive of those with mental health needs managed in primary care and for those people with serious mental illness in secondary care.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the issues of professional collaboration and the need to provide mental healthcare in a continuous and coordinated manner and; how this may improve timely access to treatment, early diagnosis and intervention. Importantly, it is essential to consider the limitations and reality of recent integration initiatives, and to consider where the true benefit of better integrating mental health into a more collaborative system may lie.

Findings

Identifying and addressing issues of parity is likely to call for a new approach to service provision that: focuses on outcomes; co-designs services integrated around the user; and employs innovative contracting techniques to incentivise provider integration.

Practical implications

There is a transition underway in healthcare whereby a focus on illness is being supplemented with or refocused towards working towards wellness. Such a transition requires primary care mental health services to be provided in a continuous and coordinated manner in order to meet the health needs of people with serious mental illness.

Originality/value

It discusses the issues of professional collaboration and how this may improve timely access to treatment, early diagnosis and intervention. It is essential to consider the limitations and reality of recent integration initiatives, and to consider where the true benefit may lie.
Quality control issues in 3D-printing manufacturing: a review
Authors: Wu Hsin-Chieh , Chen Tin-Chih Toly
Published: March 2018

Purpose

This study aims to investigate issues of quality and quality control (QC) in three-dimensional (3D) printing by reviewing past work and current practices. Possible future developments are also discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

After a discussion of the major quality dimensions of 3D-printed objects, the applications of some QC techniques at various stages of the product life cycle (including product design, process planning, incoming QC, in-process QC and outgoing QC) are introduced.

Findings

The application of QC techniques to 3D printing is not uncommon. Some techniques (e.g. cause-and-effect analysis) have been applied extensively; others, such as design of experiments, have not been used accurately and completely and therefore cannot optimize quality. Taguchi’s method and control charts can enhance the quality of 3D-printed objects; however, these techniques require repetitive experimentation, which may not fit the work flow of 3D printing.

Originality/value

Because quality issues may discourage customers from buying 3D-printed products, enhancing 3D printing quality is imperative. In addition, 3D printing can be used to manufacture diverse products with a reduced investment in machines, tools, assembly and materials. Production economics issues can be addressed by successfully implementing QC.
Validating 3D-printed porous proxies by tomography and porosimetry
Authors: Hasiuk Franciszek , Ishutov Sergey , Pacyga Artur
Published: March 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how accurately a 3D printer could manufacture basic porous models. Geoscience research is evolving toward numerical prediction of porous rock properties, but laboratory tests are still considered a standard practice. 3D printing digital designs of porous models (proxies) is a way to bridge the gap between these two realms of inquiry.

Design/methodology/approach

Digital designs of simple porous models have been 3D-printed on an inkjet-style (polyjet) 3D printer. Porosity and pore-throat size distribution of proxies have been measured with helium porosimetry, mercury porosimetry and computed tomography (CT) image analysis. Laboratory results on proxies have been compared with properties calculated on digital designs and CT images.

Findings

Bulk volume of proxies was by 0.6-6.7 per cent lower than digital designs. 3D-printed porosity increased from 0.2 to 1.9 per cent compared to digital designs (0-1.3 per cent). 3D-printed pore throats were thinner than designed by 10-31 per cent.

Research limitations/implications

Incomplete removal of support material from pores yielded inaccurate property measurements. The external envelope of proxies has been 3D-printed at higher accuracy than pores.

Practical implications

Characterization of these simple models improves understanding of how more complex rock models can be 3D-printed accurately and how both destructive (mercury porosimetry) and non-destructive (CT and helium porosimetry) methods can be used to characterize porous models.

Originality/value

Validation of 3D-printed porous models using a suite of destructive and non-destructive methods is novel.
Addressing social influences reduces antibiotic duration in complicated abdominal infection: a mixed methods study
Authors: Broom Jennifer , Tee Chin Li , Broom Alex , Kelly Mark D. , Scott Tahira , Grieve David A.
Published: March 2018

Background

Antimicrobial therapy for intra‐abdominal infections is often inappropriately prolonged. An intervention addressing factors influencing the duration of intravenous antibiotic use was undertaken. This study reports the antibiotic prescribing patterns before and after the intervention and a qualitative analysis of the experience of the intervention.

Methods

Quantitative: A retrospective audit of patients with complicated intra‐abdominal infection before and after a multifaceted persuasive intervention was performed. Qualitative: Semi‐structured interviews were performed to evaluate which elements of the intervention were perceived to be effective.

Results

An intervention including collaborative inter‐specialty and inter‐professional educational meetings, and education of all professional streams was undertaken. Quantitative: Twenty‐three patients before and 22 patients after the intervention were included. The total duration of antibiotics decreased significantly following the intervention (9.2 versus 6.6 days P = 0.02). The duration of intravenous antibiotics did not change significantly (5.4 versus 4.5 days, P = 0.06). Qualitative: Eighteen health‐care professionals participated. Thematic analysis indicated that a collaborative approach between senior surgical and infectious disease specialists in the pre‐intervention stage led to perceived ownership and leadership of the intervention by the surgical team, which was thought critical to the success of the intervention. Conversely, the ability of nurses and pharmacists to influence antibiotic practice was considered limited and a poster promoting the intervention was perceived as ineffective.

Conclusion

Consultant leadership and specialty ownership of the process were perceived to be critical in the success of the intervention. Antibiotic stewardship programs which address social factors may have greater efficacy to optimize antimicrobial prescribing.
Discharges from an early intervention in psychosis service: The effect of patient characteristics on discharge destination
Authors: Ahmed Shiraz , Peters Kate Zara , Chakraborty Nandini
Published: March 2018

Aim

The present study aimed to determine the influence of demographic and clinical features on the likelihood of patients being discharge to primary vs secondary care. The overarching aim of this service evaluation is to assess factors affecting discharge and determine important modulators of discharge destination to inform care planning in services.

Method

Clinical and demographic data were extracted from patient notes of those discharged from the Psychosis Intervention and Early Recovery (PIER) service in Leicestershire between January 2005 and December 2013. A total of 508 records were analysed and logistic regression was used to assess the impact of diagnostic, demographic and other clinical factors on the discharge destination of patients.

Results

Of the 508 patients, 241 (47.44%) had been discharged to primary care and 267 (52.55%) to secondary psychiatric services. The factors which increased the likelihood of patients being discharged to secondary care were diagnoses of enduring psychoses, being referred from inpatient services and longer time spent with the PIER team.

Conclusions

Diagnosis and duration of treatment were significant predictors of discharge destination. Patients with diagnoses of enduring psychotic illness, were more likely to be discharged to a secondary psychiatric service irrespective of gender, ethnicity and geographical location. These data may suggest the possibility to predict the discharge destination when patients are taken on to the caseload of an early intervention in psychosis (EIP) team and have important implications for psychoeducation, preparing the patient for future after EIP and distribution of resources.
Mucocutaneous manifestations of cocaine abuse: a review
Authors: Moreno‐Artero E. , Querol‐Cisneros E. , Rodríguez‐Garijo N. , Tomás‐Velázquez A. , Antoñanzas J. , Secundino F. , Pilar Gil‐Sánchez M. , España A.
Published: March 2018

Cocaine is an alkaloid extracted from the leaves of the Erythroxylum coca plant that emerged in the 1970s as a fashionable drug among members of certain social backgrounds. Cocaine abuse is a problem of current interest, which is mostly hidden and underdiagnosed, but dramatically widespread among all socio‐economic strata, and with an incidence which is increasing at an alarming rate. There are 1.5 million cocaine consumers in the USA. In Spain, the prevalence of consumption among the population between 15 and 65 years old is higher, reaching 3.1%. Because of this, it seems important to understand and recognize all the mucocutaneous manifestations of cocaine abuse which have been reported in the literature to clarify and to help dermatologists in their daily practice. In this article, we describe the principal mucocutaneous manifestations of cocaine abuse and we review isolated case reports which have been published in the literature. Because the dermatologist may deal with an unknown problem as well as with an already well‐known history of cocaine abuse, it seems logical to separate the mucocutaneous manifestations into those which are frequent and highly suggestive, such as those caused by vascular injury, damage to mucosal membranes, infectious diseases or neutrophilic dermatosis, especially when suffered by young people and in consonance with other systemic manifestations and, those which have been reported in the literature as isolated case reports. We also summarize the main aspects of its pathogeny, principal pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics, and diagnostic tools.
Improvement in itch and other psoriasis symptoms with brodalumab in phase 3 randomized controlled trials
Authors: Gottlieb A.B. , Gordon K. , Hsu S. , Elewski B. , Eichenfield L.F. , Kircik L. , Rastogi S. , Pillai R. , Israel R.
Published: March 2018

Background

Patients with psoriasis have lesional symptoms, including itch, which can reduce quality of life. The efficacy and safety of brodalumab, an interleukin‐17 receptor A antagonist, in treating moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis have been reported in three randomized, controlled, phase 3 trials (AMAGINE‐1/‐2/‐3).

Objective

The effect of brodalumab on lesional symptoms was assessed using the psoriasis symptom inventory (PSI), a validated patient‐reported instrument.

Methods

Patients were randomized to receive brodalumab (140 or 210 mg every 2 weeks [Q2W]), placebo (AMAGINE‐1/‐2/‐3), or ustekinumab (AMAGINE‐2/‐3) during a 12‐week induction phase, followed by a maintenance phase through week 52. Patients electronically rated the severity of PSI items (itch, burning, stinging, pain, redness, scaling, cracking and flaking) during the previous 24 h on a scale of 0 (not at all severe) to 4 (very severe). At each visit, the PSI total score responder status was assessed, with responders defined as having an average weekly total inventory score ≤8 with no item score >1 at week 12.

Results

Across AMAGINE‐1/‐2/‐3, brodalumab was associated with improvements in PSI total scores and itch scores vs. placebo from week 2 through week 12 (P < 0.001 in both domains). In AMAGINE‐2/‐3, brodalumab 210 mg Q2W demonstrated faster onset of PSI total score and itch responses (week 2, 22.1% and 36.4%, respectively) vs. ustekinumab (week 2, 6.9% and 17.1%, respectively) and was associated with improved itch responses vs. ustekinumab after 52 weeks of constant treatment.

Conclusion

Brodalumab demonstrated rapid, robust improvements in symptoms assessed by the PSI, including itch, vs. placebo and ustekinumab.
Agile Implementation: A Blueprint for Implementing Evidence‐Based Healthcare Solutions
Authors: Boustani Malaz , Alder Catherine A. , Solid Craig A.
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To describe the essential components of an Agile Implementation (AI) process, which rapidly and effectively implements evidence‐based healthcare solutions, and present a case study demonstrating its utility.

Design

Case demonstration study.

Setting

Integrated, safety net healthcare delivery system in Indianapolis.

Participants

Interdisciplinary team of clinicians and administrators.

Measurements

Reduction in dementia symptoms and caregiver burden; inpatient and outpatient care expenditures.

Results

Implementation scientists were able to implement a collaborative care model for dementia care and sustain it for more than 9 years. The model was implemented and sustained by using the elements of the AI process: proactive surveillance and confirmation of clinical opportunities, selection of the right evidence‐based healthcare solution, localization (i.e., tailoring to the local environment) of the selected solution, development of an evaluation plan and performance feedback loop, development of a minimally standardized operation manual, and updating such manual annually.

Conclusion

The AI process provides an effective model to implement and sustain evidence‐based healthcare solutions.
The Smithsonian Institution's “Greatest Treasures”: Valuing Museum Objects in the Specimen Exchange Industry
Authors: Nichols Catherine A.
Published: March 2018

In the nineteenth century, the exchange of anthropological specimens between museum curators and collectors was a widespread practice used to fill gaps in collections. Within the specimen exchange industry, one's ability to exchange required a steady supply of described or catalogued artifacts considered duplicates. Exchanging duplicates allowed anthropological specimens to move through institutional and personal scientific collections over time. Italian zoologist and anthropologist Enrico Giglioli relied on the practice of specimen exchange to build his personal collection of “stone age” tools from Indigenous peoples, sourced from a worldwide network of museums and collectors, including the Smithsonian Institution. As a master negotiator, Giglioli was remarkably successful in procuring valuable specimens from major museum collections. Analyses of the negotiation of exchanges by museum‐based anthropologists reveals the intersection of object value as produced by museums, agents' desire for rare and underrepresented objects, and professional standards of anthropological practice in the late nineteenth century. [exchange and value, duplicate, Smithsonian Institution, Enrico Giglioli]
Rhythm and melody as social signals for infants
Authors: Cirelli Laura K. , Trehub Sandra E. , Trainor Laurel J.
Published: March 2018

Infants typically experience music through social interactions with others. One such experience involves caregivers singing to infants while holding and bouncing them rhythmically. These highly social interactions shape infant music perception and may also influence social cognition and behavior. Moving in time with others—interpersonal synchrony—can direct infants’ social preferences and prosocial behavior. Infants also show social preferences and selective prosociality toward singers of familiar, socially learned melodies. Here, we discuss recent studies of the influence of musical engagement on infant social cognition and behavior, highlighting the importance of rhythmic movement and socially relevant melodies.
Opioid and nondopamine reward circuitry and state‐dependent mechanisms
Authors: Fujita Masayo , Ide Soichiro , Ikeda Kazutaka
Published: March 2018

A common notion is that essentially all addictive drugs, including opioids, activate dopaminergic pathways in the brain reward system, and the inappropriate use of such drugs induces drug dependence. However, an opioid reward response is reportedly still observed in several models of dopamine depletion, including in animals that are treated with dopamine blockers, animals that are subjected to dopaminergic neuron lesions, and dopamine‐deficient mice. The intracranial self‐stimulation response is enhanced by stimulants but reduced by morphine. These findings suggest that dopaminergic neurotransmission may not always be required for opioid reward responses. Previous findings also indicate the possibility that dopamine‐independent opioid reward may be observed in opioid‐naive states but not in opioid‐dependent states. Therefore, a history of opioid use should be considered when evaluating the dopamine dependency of opioid reward.
Mindfulness‐based weekend retreats for people bereaved by suicide (Panta Rhei): A pilot feasibility study
Authors: Scocco Paolo , Zerbinati Luigi , Preti Antonio , Ferrari Alessandro , Totaro Stefano
Published: March 2018

Objectives

This study investigates whether a programme of mindfulness‐based weekend retreats (Panta Rhei) is able to improve mood states, mindfulness qualities, and self‐compassion in family members and friends of suicide victims (suicide survivors).

Design

Longitudinal prospective study.

Methods

Sixty‐one suicide survivors participated in a mindful‐self‐compassion retreat. The Five‐Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and the Self‐Compassion Scale were administered 4–6 days before and after the retreat.

Results

A significant reduction in all dimensions of the POMS (except Vigor‐Activity) and lower levels of overidentification were observed after the retreat.

Conclusions

Although further research is warranted, this study highlights the potential beneficial effect of brief mindfulness‐based weekend retreats on the well‐being of suicide survivors.

Practitioner Points

Mindfulness‐based weekend retreats seem to be effective in alleviating the psychological distress of suicide survivors in the short term.

The benefit may depend on standard mindfulness practices and on more tailored interventions aimed at promoting acceptance of loss, forgiveness and rage management, and thus reducing rumination.

Since there is no established treatment for this population, this type of intervention, which seems feasible and well accepted by participants, paves the way for future research in this area.
Strategies and dental care in the treatment of patients with myelomeningocele
Authors: Bignardi Leticia , Prates Talita , De Rossi Andiara , Nelson‐Filho Paulo , de Carvalho Fabrício Kitasono , de Siqueira Mellara Talitha , de Queiroz Alexandra Mussolino
Published: March 2018

Myelomeningocele (MMC) is a congenital malformation that occurs in the embryonic period, characterized by failure in closure of the caudal portion of the neural tube during central nervous system formation. Alterations and complications can be associated with this condition, such as hydrocephalus, neurogenic bladder, orthopedic problems, and motor and cognitive impairment. This patients with MMC also have predisposition to develop latex allergy and high caries risk and activity due to deficient oral hygiene, fermentable carbon hydrate‐rich diet and prolonged use of sugar‐containing oral medications. This paper reports the oral findings and dental treatment in a 15‐year‐old female patient diagnosed with MMC and describes the strategies used to improve dental treatment conditions and reduce the impact of associated risks to her health. The measures and precautions adopted in this case could be useful to reduce the barriers for patients with the same condition to access oral health care: regular visits to the dentist, initiating as early as possible; frequent reinforcement of oral homecare instructions and diet counseling; minor adaptions to the dental chair and dental office to improve ease of access due to patients’ mobility problems; prevention of latex‐related allergic reactions; reduction of gag reflex during dental procedures.
Pengaruh Persekitaran Luaran ke atas Prestasi Perniagaan PKS
Authors: Ahmad Shuhymee , Abd Ghani Abdullah , Mohd Saad Rosli
Published: March 2018

This paper examines the influence of the external environment on business
performance of SMEs in Malaysia. Previous studies have show that there was inconsistent
relationship between external environment variables and business performance. Three
external environment variables were examined in this study namely dynamic, hostility and
munifience. By using simple random sampling technique, a total of 143 SMEs in Malaysia
were used as samples in this study. Correlation analysis and multiple regression were
used to test the three hypothesis. Results of the analysis showed that the three
independent variables, i.e., dynamic, hostility and munifience have positive significant
relationships with business performance. It is hoped that the findings from this study
can be utilized by the government, entrepreneurs, researchers and other stakeholders in
the field of SMEs in Malaysia.
Konsepsual Model Bagi Mengukur Kualiti Perkhidmatan Perpustakaan Akademik
Authors: Azlan Taib Che
Published: March 2018

The Ninth Malaysia Plan (RMK-9) is the second phase of a national mission to
achieve Vision 2020. The Eleventh Malaysia Plan (RMK-11), 2016-2020, is the latest
five-year development plan towards realizing Vision 2020. One of the core the main is to
increase knowledge and innovation and nurture first class mentality among Malaysians.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have a big responsibility to realize this vision.
Thus, learning assessment instruments analyzed by Asif and Searcy should be improved to
make it more comprehensive and relevant to current needs. For this purpose, an empirical
study was conducted in which the data accessed across multiple groups of library user’s
background from 5 HEIs (private and public) in the north of Peninsular Malaysia. This
study involved 381 respondents as the sample. The reliability tests through 3 criteria
displayed the internal consistencies of the seven factors were satisfactorily (α=0.70):
Coefficient Alpha (CA), Corrected Item-Total Correlation (CITC) and Alpha if Item
Deleted (IID). It shows all constructs have to comply with three criteria, namely CA,
CITC and the IID. Meanwhile for the content validity views of experts was conducted. All
comments have been improved before final questionnaire distributed. As a conclusion, the
result indicated that the model was highly goodness fit for measuring library services,
and all dimensional constructs supported the proposed theoretical model.
Motivation And Teaching Experience: Does Teaching Experience Affect Lecturers’
Motivation In Teaching Online?
Authors: Mohamad Siti Nurul Mahfuzah , Mohd Salleh Mohd Azran , Salam Sazilah , Bakar Norasiken
Published: March 2018

There are a few challenges for all lecturers to apply online teaching practices.
Among the problems are preparing teaching materials for online learning and lack of
motivation in teaching and learning using online tools. This study intends to determine
whether teaching experience affect lecturers’ motivation in teaching online. The
respondents consist of 149 lecturers from Jabatan Matematik dan Sains Komputer (JMSK)
with different subject matter expertise. Teaching experience was assessed using a
multiple choice question in demographics and the lecturer’s motivation was measured
using four primary dimensions i.e., ease of use (EOU), usefulness (USE), enjoyment (E),
and self-confidence (SC). In order to measure these four dimensions, measurement items
were adapted from previous researchers. The Wilk’s Lambda within the Multivariate Tests
shows the significance (p-value) is more than 0.05, which means that the lecturer’s
motivation is not significantly affected by their prior experience. Study also found
that most of the lecturers in the polytechnics have between 4-6 years of teaching
experience with the highest percentage of 34.2% and only one new lecturer with
experience lower than one year was involved in this survey (0.7%). To conclude, these
findings indicated that teaching experience does not affect a lecturer’s motivation in
using online tools. Equally important, the application of appropriate teaching and
learning tools makes the teaching and learning more effective in the classroom. Aided
teaching techniques with several Web 2.0 applications also helped lecturers to diversify
their teaching styles. It is hoped that the benefits from this study would be able to
help the lecturers to be aware of the potential of their creativity and to be able to
practice this in their teaching, as well as in recognizing the importance of the factors
that motivate the creativity of lecturers in teaching online. This study formerly looked
at the factors that motivated the lecturers in using online tools and highlighted three
main factors that can affect a lecturer’s motivation which are (i) knowledge; (ii)
perceptions, and (iii) skills.
The Influence of Globalization on Turkish Sports
Authors: Şahin Mehmet
Published: March 2018

This paper addresses the phenomenon of globalization, which has also spread to sports, in terms of its economic, social and cultural aspects; while discussing the concept based on examples from the discipline of football in the premier league of Turkey. In this framework, sports labor emigration mobility is handled, and sponsorship and the effects of globalization in Turkey’s sport is examined in terms of relationships between media and sports. The paper also provides concrete examples from the national and international sports circles by framing the fields where globalization becomes apparent in sports. In this framework, this article addresses the sport labor migration, and studies the effect of globalization in Turkish sports within the relations among sponsorship, media and sports.
Controlling defects in fine-grained sputtered nickel catalyst for graphene growth
Authors: Zakar Eugene , Glen Birdwell A. , Hauri Kevin , Fu Richard X. , Tan Cheng , Dubey Madan
Published: March 2018

Sputter-prepared nickel (Ni) films can lose more than half their starting thickness due to evaporation in hydrogen (H2) annealing environments. The loss rate of the sputtered Ni films during the chemical vapor deposition growth of graphene has not been reported earlier. The evaporation rate of sputtered Ni film with the amorphous, mixed, preferred ⟨111⟩ texture was experimentally determined to be 20, 11, and 6 nm/m, respectively. An increase of argon mixture in H2 was found to reduce pitting defects in the films during annealing. The quality of grown graphene on top of the Ni improved when the growth temperature was raised from 900 to 1000 °C, as monitored by Raman spectroscopy. More importantly, loss in the starting Ni film thickness can inhibit the growth of graphene layers. By maintaining the growth of the graphene to two layers or less, a high optical transparency of 95% or better can be achieved.
Fighting for their lives: A strategy for improved cell transplantation survival
Authors: Holloway Julianne L.
Published: March 2018

Slow release of pro-survival peptides from collagen biomaterials improves stem cell engraftment following transplantation in a mouse model of ischemia.
Evaluation of Ceftolozane-Tazobactam in Combination with Meropenem against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Sequence Type 175 in a Hollow-Fiber Infection Model
Authors: Montero M. , VanScoy Brian D. , López-Causapé Carla , Conde Haley , Adams Jonathan , Segura Concepción , Zamorano Laura , Oliver Antonio , Horcajada Juan P. , Ambrose Paul G.
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ceftolozane-tazobactam in combination with meropenem against an extensively drug-resistant (XDR)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
high-risk clone, sequence type 175, isolated in a Spanish university hospital. A 14-day hollow-fiber infection model was used to simulate clinical exposure of the two drug regimens alone and in combination, and serial samples were collected to determine drug concentrations and CFU counts. The untreated control failed, as did each study regimen when administered alone. However, when ceftolozane-tazobactam was administered in combination with meropenem, there was a >4-log
10
CFU/ml bacterial density reduction and suppression of resistance for the duration of the study. These data suggest that ceftolozane-tazobactam plus meropenem may be a useful combination for treating XDR
P. aeruginosa
.
Complete Genome Sequence of Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 Virulent Strain SS2-1
Authors: Zhu Haodan , Ni Yanxiu , Zhou Junming , Yu Zhengyu , Mao Aihua , Wang Dandan , He Kongwang
Published: March 2018

Streptococcus suis
is an important swine pathogen that can also cause severe diseases in humans. Herein, we describe the genome sequence of
Streptococcus suis
serotype 2 virulent strain SS2-1, which was isolated from a diseased dead pig amid the 1998
Streptococcus suis
outbreak in Jiangsu Province in China.
Draft Genome Sequence of Labrenzia sp. Strain EL143, a Coral-Associated Alphaproteobacterium with Versatile Symbiotic Living Capability and Strong Halogen Degradation Potential
Authors: Rodrigues Gisele Nunes , Lago-Lestón Asunción , Costa Rodrigo , Keller-Costa Tina
Published: March 2018

We report here the genome sequence of
Labrenzia
sp. EL143, an alphaproteobacterium isolated from the gorgonian coral
Eunicella labiata
that possesses various genes involved in halogen and aromatic compound degradation, as well as polyketide synthesis. The strain also maintains multiple genes that confer resistance to toxic compounds such as heavy metals and antibiotics.
Potential Role for Regulatory B Cells as a Major Source of Interleukin-10 in Spleen from Plasmodium chabaudi-Infected Mice
Authors: Han Xue , Yang Ji , Zhang Yitong , Zhang Yalin , Cao Hongtao , Cao Yaming , Qi Zanmei
Published: March 2018

Interleukin-10 (IL-10)-producing regulatory B (Breg) cells were found to be induced in a variety of infectious diseases. However, its importance in the regulation of immune response to malaria is still unclear. Here, we investigated the dynamics, phenotype, and function of Breg cells using
Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi
AS-infected C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. BALB/c mice were more susceptible to infection and had a stronger IL-10 response in spleen than C57BL/6 mice. Analysis of the surface markers of IL-10-producing cells with flow cytometry showed that CD19
+
B cells were one of the primary IL-10-producing populations in
P. c. chabaudi
AS-infected C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, especially in the latter one. The Breg cells had a heterogeneous phenotype which shifted during infection. The well-established Breg subset, CD19
+
CD5
+
CD1d
hi
cells, accounted for less than 20% of IL-10-producing B cells in both strains during the course of infection. Most Breg cells were IgG
+
and CD138
−
from day 0 to day 8 postinfection. Adoptive transfer of Breg cells to C57BL/6 mice infected with
P. c. chabaudi
AS led to a transient increase of parasitemia without an impact on survival rate. Our finding reveals that B cells play an active and important regulatory role in addition to mediating humoral immunity in immune response against malaria, which should be paid more attention in developing therapeutic or vaccine strategies against malaria involving stimulation of B cells.
Measurement of oxygen extraction fraction by blood sampling to estimate severe cerebral hemodynamic failure and anticipate cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome following carotid artery stenting
Authors: Iwata Tomonori , Mori Takahisa , Tanno Yuhei , Kasakura Shigen , Yoshioka Kazuhiro
Published: March 2018

Background

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is likely to occur after carotid revascularization in patients with stage 2 hemodynamic failure (st2HF), in whom the oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) increases.

Objective

The purpose of our study was to investigate whether measurement of the global cerebral OEF (gcOEF) by blood sampling can be used to estimate st2HF and anticipate CHS following carotid artery stenting (CAS).

Methods

The OEF was calculated by blood sampling just before and after elective CAS. Data were collected prospectively. Patients who underwent elective CAS and gcOEF calculation were included in the study. Patients’ baseline features, pre-CAS gcOEF, post-CAS gcOEF, and incidence of CHS (defined as headache, seizure, focal neurologic deficits, and/or restlessness) were evaluated.

Results

141 patients met the inclusion criteria and 134 patients were analyzed. Median pre-CAS gcOEF and post-CAS gcOEF were 0.41 and 0.42, respectively. Nine patients developed CHS. Median pre-CAS gcOEF was higher in patients with than in those without CHS (Mann–Whitney U test, P<0.05), but median post-CAS gcOEF was not significantly higher in patients with CHS (P=0.058). Scattergrams of patients with and without CHS showed that the cut-off values of the pre-CAS gcOEF and post-CAS gcOEF for anticipation of CHS were 0.46 (P<0.01) and 0.49 (P<0.001), respectively.

Conclusion

Elevation of the pre-CAS or post-CAS gcOEF by blood sampling allowed for anticipation of CHS following CAS. Elevation of the pre-CAS gcOEF might be associated with st2HF.
Transcriptome profiles relate to migration fate in hatchery steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) smolts
Authors: Healy Stephen J. , Hinch Scott G. , Bass Arthur L. , Furey Nathan B. , Welch David W. , Rechisky Erin L. , Eliason Erika J. , Lotto Andrew G. , Miller Kristina M.
Published: March 2018

For anadromous Pacific salmonid (Oncorhynchus spp.) smolts, the physiological state of individuals can influence migration fate. This critical life stage is typically associated with poor survival and influences population productivity, highlighting the need to identify intrinsic factors associated with outmigration fate. To better understand and identify such factors, we combined acoustic telemetry with nonlethal gill biopsies and used high-throughput real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to assess how infectious agents and host gene expression profiles influence migration fate for hatchery steelhead smolts (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Redundancy analyses of gene expression, infectious agent loads, and body condition highlighted gene expression profiles indicative of migratory fate. Smolts never detected after release in the river had significantly elevated expression of the immune genes Il-17D and RPL6, and lower expression of the osmoregulatory gene NKA α1b relative to other individuals. Flavobacterium psychrophilum and “Candidatus Branchiomonas cysticola” were detected in gill samples, but neither influenced survival. We demonstrate rare evidence of gene expression profiles relating to migration fate in juvenile salmonids and highlight potential mechanisms influencing fate for hatchery steelhead smolts.
DNA distribution pattern and metabolite profile of wild edible lobster mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum/Russula brevipes)
Authors: Laperriere Genevieve , Desgagné-Penix Isabel , Germain Hugo
Published: March 2018

Lobster mushroom is a wild edible mushroom with potential commercial value. It is the product resulting of the infection, most commonly of Russula brevipes, by Hypomyces lactifluorum. This study undertook quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of tissues sampled at different infection stages to investigate R. brevipes – H. lactifluorum interaction. We followed the colonization of R. brevipes sporocarps by H. lactifluorum that leads to the edible lobster mushrooms. In parallel, metabolomics analysis was performed to detect differences in metabolite profile among non-infected R. brevipes sporocarp and lobster mushroom. The results show that H. lactifluorum DNA is not restricted to the margin but is distributed relatively evenly across the sporocarp of the lobster mushroom. Russula brevipes DNA was also present throughout the sporocarp but was less abundant at the margins and increased inwards. Russula brevipes DNA also declined as the infection progressed. Metabolomics analysis revealed that the flesh of lobster mushroom, which remains identical in appearance to the flesh of the host, undergoes transformation that alters its metabolite profile, most notably of lipids and terpene compounds. These results define a parasitic relationship between the two species that entails a decline of R. brevipes DNA and a modification of its metabolite profile.
Photon polarization tensor in circularly polarized Hermite- and Laguerre-Gaussian beams
Authors: Karbstein Felix , Mosman Elena A.
Published: March 2018

We derive analytical expressions for the photon polarization tensor in circularly polarized Hermite-Gaussian (HG) and Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams, complementing the corresponding results for linearly polarized beams obtained recently. As they are based upon a locally constant field approximation of the one-loop Heisenberg–Euler effective Lagrangian for quantum electrodynamics (QED) in constant fields, our results are generically limited to slowly varying electromagnetic fields, varying on spatial (temporal) scales much larger than the Compton wavelength (time) of the electron.
Symmetric enhancements of involutory virtual birack counting invariants
Authors: Ho Melinda , Nelson Sam
Published: March 2018

We consider involutory virtual biracks with good involutions, also known as symmetric involutory virtual biracks. Any good involution on an involutory virtual birack defines an enhancement of the counting invariant. We provide examples demonstrating that the enhancement is stronger than the unenhanced counting invariant.
PARAMETER PREDICTION OF HYDRAULIC FRACTURE FOR TIGHT RESERVOIR BASED ON MICRO-SEISMIC AND HISTORY MATCHING
Authors: ZHANG KAI , MA XIAOPENG , LI YANLAI , WU HAIYANG , CUI CHENYU , ZHANG XIAOMING , ZHANG HAO , YAO JUN
Published: March 2018

Hydraulic fracturing is an important measure for the development of tight reservoirs. In order to describe the distribution of hydraulic fractures, micro-seismic diagnostic was introduced into petroleum fields. Micro-seismic events may reveal important information about static characteristics of hydraulic fracturing. However, this method is limited to reflect the distribution area of the hydraulic fractures and fails to provide specific parameters. Therefore, micro-seismic technology is integrated with history matching to predict the hydraulic fracture parameters in this paper. Micro-seismic source location is used to describe the basic shape of hydraulic fractures. After that, secondary modeling is considered to calibrate the parameters information of hydraulic fractures by using DFM (discrete fracture model) and history matching method. In consideration of fractal feature of hydraulic fracture, fractal fracture network model is established to evaluate this method in numerical experiment. The results clearly show the effectiveness of the proposed approach to estimate the parameters of hydraulic fractures.
Competitive Flow Effects of Internal Mammary Artery Bypass with Different Coronary Stenosis Lengths
Authors: Mao Boyan , Wang Wenxin , Li Bao , Zhang Xiaoyan , Liu Youjun
Published: March 2018

In coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), competitive flow usually happens when the native coronary has a moderate stenosis. But whether the competitive flow could be affected by the length of this moderate stenosis is still a problem. This study constructs a series of CABG models with different stenosis lengths and uses multi-scale modeling method for numerical simulations. The results contain graft flow, the magnitude of competitive flow, wall shear stress (WSS) and oscillating shear index (OSI). According to the results, it is known that the effect of competitive flow will decrease with the increase of stenosis length. But when the length reaches 15[Formula: see text]mm, the competitive flow will hardly change anymore.