bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time Variability Patterns of Eutrophication Indicators in the Bay of Algeciras (South Spain)
Authors: Mercado Jesús M. , León Pablo , Salles Soluna , Cortés Dolores , Yebra Lidia , Gómez-Jakobsen Francisco , Herrera Inma , Alonso Aitor , Sánchez Antonio , Valcárcel-Pérez Nerea , Putzeys Sébastien
Published: July 2018

In the Bay of Algeciras (BA), intensive urban and industrial activityis underway, which is potentially responsible for the release of significant quantities of nutrients. However, the assessment of the impact of these discharges is complex. Nutrient concentration in the surface layer is per se strongly variable due to the variability associated with the upwelling of nutrient-enriched deep Mediterranean water (MW), which in turn is regulated by atmospheric forcing. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of changes in the upwelling intensity on the load of nitrate and phosphate in the BA and to appraise their impact on chlorophyll a variability. Based on this analysis, the possible influence of the nutrients released from land-based sources is indirectly inferred. Data and samples collected during nine research cruises carried out in different seasonal cycle periods between 2010 and 2015 in the BA were analysed. The vertical variation of temperature and salinity indicates that the MW upwelling was favoured in spring, as occurred in other coastal areas of the northern Alboran Sea. However, principal component analysis conducted on physical and chemical data reveals that shifts in nutrients and chlorophyll a in the euphotic layer are poorly explained by changes in the upwelling intensity. Furthermore, during some of these research surveys (particularly in summer), chlorophyll a concentrations were higher in the BA as compared to a nearby coastal area also affected by MW upwelling. Scarce information about land-based pollution sources precludes quantitative analysis of the impact of nutrient loads on water quality; however, the available data suggest that the main source of allochthanous inorganic nitrogen over the period 2010–2015 in the BA was nitrate. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that the high concentrations of nitrate and chlorophyll a in BA in summer are a consequence of those discharges. Our study highlights the need of more exhaustive inventories of sewage and river discharges to adequately rate their impact in the BA.
Seven-Year Running Effect Evaluation and Fate Analysis of Rain Gardens in Xi’an, Northwest China
Authors: Guo Chao , Li Jiake , Li Huaien , Zhang Bei , Ma Menghua , Li Fan
Published: July 2018

Rain gardens have recently been studied as important low-impact development (LID) facilities that play a critical role in runoff volume reduction and pollutant purification. Approximately 16–40 rainfall events were monitored from March 2011 to October 2017 in order to determine the running effect of three rain gardens with respect to runoff volume reduction and pollutant purification. In particular, running fate analysis of rain gardens is the key focus in this study. Combined analyses revealed three key points. Firstly, performance assessment demonstrated that rain gardens effectively cut inflow volumes through the filter media; when the confluence area ratio was 6:1–20:1 (confluence ratio = roof area or road/garden area) and the rainfall was approximately 2.8–39.9 mm, the runoff volume reduction rate ranged from 9.8% to 100.0%. However, the average annual runoff reduction rate presented an initially increasing and then gradually decreasing trend with monitoring time. Secondly, according to water quality data in 54 rainfall events, the annual average concentration removal rate of NH4+-N was relatively good, but generally decreased with monitoring time. The concentration removal rate of NO3−-N and total phosphorus (TP) is unstable; however, the removal rate of total suspended solids (TSS) is better than that of total nitrogen (TN). Combined with runoff reduction, the pollutant load reduction by rain gardens is greater than 50%, although this decreases with increasing monitoring time. Thirdly, through the study of 7-year running effect on runoff reduction and pollutant purification, the “three-stage purification (TSP) concept” (periods of purification growth, stability, and attenuation) with respect to pollutant load reduction processes was finally proposed, and a curve chart was drawn for pollutant load reduction and rain garden operating fate (the “P–F” curve chart).
A Multidisciplinary Approach for Clarifying the Recharge Processes and Origin of Saline Water in the Semi-Arid Punata Alluvial fan in Bolivia
Authors: Gonzales Amaya Andres , Barmen Gerhard , Muñoz Galo
Published: July 2018

The analysis of stable isotopes assisted in identifying that groundwater in the Punata alluvial fan is mainly recharged by heavy flash floods, and the recharge from rainfall is of less importance. In addition, the hydrochemical analysis identified the Pucara River as the main source of recharge. Other streams in the north and northwest of the fan do not seem to contribute to the recharge. The hydrochemistry also shows that there is an increase of the Na+ and Cl− concentrations in the middle and distal part of the fan. The salinization of groundwater is most likely a result of the mixing of fresh water with residual saline pore water in the lacustrine deposits and/or ion exchange within these layers. Geophysical surveys assisted in describing the aquifer system layering, and indicated a fine-grained bottom layer where ion exchange might occur. This study demonstrates that the integration of several methods (e.g., hydrochemistry, hydrogeophysics, and stable isotopes) is valuable for clarifying ambiguities during the interpretation process and for characterizing hydrogeological processes in alluvial fans in general.
Recent highlights in nanoscale and mesoscale friction
Authors: Vanossi Andrea , Dietzel Dirk , Schirmeisen Andre , Meyer Ernst , Pawlak Rémy , Glatzel Thilo , Kisiel Marcin , Kawai Shigeki , Manini Nicola
Published: July 2018

Friction is the oldest branch of non-equilibrium condensed matter physics and, at the same time, the least established at the fundamental level. A full understanding and control of friction is increasingly recognized to involve all relevant size and time scales. We review here some recent advances on the research focusing of nano- and mesoscale tribology phenomena. These advances are currently pursued in a multifaceted approach starting from the fundamental atomic-scale friction and mechanical control of specific single-asperity combinations, e.g., nanoclusters on layered materials, then scaling up to the meso/microscale of extended, occasionally lubricated, interfaces and driven trapped optical systems, and eventually up to the macroscale. Currently, this “hot” research field is leading to new technological advances in the area of engineering and materials science.
THE INCREASING ROLE OF IT AUDITORS IN FINANCIAL AUDIT: RISKS AND INTELLIGENT ANSWERS
Authors: Barta Gergő
Published: July 2018

Financial auditing cannot be imagined without the involvement of IT specialists since business processes are designed to be served by IT components such as ERP systems, online customer-facing applications, databases etc. Financial auditors therefore exposed to IT system and control reliance want to gain reasonable assurance that data and transactions stored in IT systems cannot be modified, access is controlled, and there is no suspicion of any fraud at business organizations. The paper tries to understand the current situation of IT audit involvement in financial auditing, interpret risks that parties face and provide some solutions by use of intelligent applications.
STUDY OF REGIONAL INEQUALITIES: CASE OF BULGARIA
Authors: Ivanov Ivaylo
Published: July 2018

The sustainable development of a country depends on many factors. One of them is the balanced development of regions. The aim of this research is to study the inequalities between regions (NUTS 3 level) in Bulgaria by application of the Regional Competitiveness Index (RCI), a tool, which is based on 10 important for regional development indicators. The paper presents the last RCI ranking list (for the 2016 year) and analyses and compares it with the ranking lists for previous years. The results show significant inequalities between the capital region and other regions for the whole period and relative small imbalances between other regions. The RCI ascertained relatively stable groups of most competitive and most non-competitive regions.
COMPETITIVENESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SCENARIOS OF LATVIA
Authors: Auzina-Emsina Astra , Ozolina Velga , Pocs Remigijs
Published: July 2018

The paper deals with the analysis of exports and competitiveness in Latvia in comparison with Estonia and Lithuania. The objective of the study is to elaborate the possible sectoral development scenarios based on the competitiveness analysis results. The main focus is on exports of goods and revealed comparative advantage (RCA) of exported products as compared to the EU exports. Scenarios are elaborated to model economic development by industries using Latvian Model of Development (LMD), which is a macro-econometric model. Results argue that the economic development is higher, if the competitiveness ensures both higher export growth and import substitution. RCA is an appropriate method to apply in competitiveness studies and the research findings can be used in economic policy and analysis.
The Ultraviolet Extinction in the GALEX Bands
Authors: Sun Mingxu , Jiang B. W. , Zhao He , Gao Jian , Gao Shuang , Jian Mingjie , Yuan Haibo
Published: July 2018

Interstellar extinction in ultraviolet is the most severe in comparison with optical and infrared wavebands and a precise determination plays an important role in correctly recovering the ultraviolet brightness and colors of objects. By finding the observed bluest colors at the given effective temperature and metallicity range of dwarf stars, stellar intrinsic colors,

C

B
,
V

0

,

C

NUV
,
B

0

,

C

FUV
,
B

0

, and

C

FUV
,
NUV

0

, are derived according to the stellar parameters from the LAMOST spectroscopic survey and photometric results from the GALEX and APASS surveys. With the derived intrinsic colors, the ultraviolet color excesses are calculated for about 25,000 A- and F-type dwarf stars. Analysis of the color excess ratios yields the extinction law related to the GALEX UV bands: E
NUV,B
/E

B,V
 = 3.77, E
FUV,B
/E

B,V
 = 3.39, and E
FUV,NUV/E

B,V
 = −0.38. The results agree very well with previous works in the NUV band and in general with the extinction curve derived by Fitzpatrick (1999) for R

V
 = 3.35.
The Dispersion and Rotation Measure of Supernova Remnants and Magnetized Stellar Winds: Application to Fast Radio Bursts
Authors: Piro Anthony L. , Gaensler B. M.
Published: July 2018

Recent studies of fast radio bursts (FRBs) have led to many theories associating them with young neutron stars. If this is the case, then the presence of supernova ejecta and stellar winds provides a changing dispersion measure (DM) and rotation measure (RM) that can potentially be probes of the environments of FRB progenitors. Here we summarize the scalings for the DM and RM in the cases of a constant density ambient medium and of a progenitor stellar wind. Since the amount of ionized material is controlled by the dynamics of the reverse shock, we find that the DM changes more slowly than in previous simpler work, which assumed a constant ionization fraction. Furthermore, the DM can be constant or even increasing as the supernova remnant sweeps up material, arguing that a young neutron star hypothesis for FRBs is not ruled out if the DM is not decreasing over repeated bursts. The combined DM and RM measurements for the repeating FRB 121102 are consistent with supernova ejecta with an age of ∼102–103 years expanding into a high density (∼100 cm−3) interstellar medium. This naturally explains its relatively constant DM over many years as well. Other FRBs with much lower RMs may indicate that they are especially young supernovae in wind environments or that their DMs are largely from the intergalactic medium. We therefore caution about inferring magnetic fields simply by dividing an RM by DM, because these quantities could originate from distinct regions along the path an FRB propagates.
Galactic Archeology with the AEGIS Survey: The Evolution of Carbon and Iron in the Galactic Halo
Authors: Yoon Jinmi , Beers Timothy C. , Dietz Sarah , Lee Young Sun , Placco Vinicius M. , Costa Gary Da , Keller Stefan , Owen Christopher I. , Sharma Mahavir
Published: July 2018

Understanding the evolution of carbon and iron in the Milky Way’s halo is of importance because these two elements play crucial roles in constraining star formation, Galactic assembly, and chemical evolution in the early universe. Here we explore the spatial distributions of the carbonicity, [C/Fe], and metallicity, [Fe/H], of the halo system based on medium-resolution (R ∼ 1300) spectroscopy of ∼58,000 stars in the southern hemisphere from the AAOmega Evolution of Galactic Structure (AEGIS) survey. The AEGIS carbonicity map exhibits a positive gradient with distance, as similarly found for the Sloan Digital Sky Survey carbonicity map of Lee et al. The metallicity map confirms that [Fe/H] decreases with distance from the inner halo to the outer halo. We also explore the formation and chemical evolution history of the halo by considering the populations of carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars present in the AEGIS sample. The cumulative and differential frequency of CEMP-no stars (as classified by their characteristically lower levels of absolute carbon abundance, A(C) ≤ 7.1, for subgiants and giants) increases with decreasing metallicity and is substantially higher than previous determinations for CEMP stars as a whole. In contrast, that of CEMP-s stars (with higher A(C)) remains almost flat, at a value of ∼10% in the range −4.0 ≲ [Fe/H] ≲ −2.0. The distinctly different behaviors of the CEMP-no and CEMP-s stars relieve the tension with population synthesis models assuming a binary mass-transfer origin, which previously struggled to account for the higher reported frequencies of CEMP stars, taken as a whole, at low metallicity.
Black Hole Formation in Fallback Supernova and the Spins of LIGO Sources
Authors: Schrøder Sophie L. , Batta Aldo , Ramirez-Ruiz Enrico
Published: July 2018

Here we investigate within the context of field binary progenitors how the the spin of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) sources vary when the helium star-descendant black hole (BH) is formed in a failed supernova (SN) explosion rather than by direct collapse. To this end, we make use of 3d hydrodynamical simulations of fallback supernova in close binary systems with properties designed to emulate LIGO sources. By systematically varying the explosion energy and the binary properties, we are able to explore the effects that the companion has on redistributing the angular momentum of the system. We find that, unlike the mass, the spin of the newly formed BH varies only slightly with the currently theoretically unconstrained energy of the SN and is primarily determined by the initial binary separation. In contrast, variations in the initial binary separation yield sizable changes on the resultant effective spin of the system. This implies that the formation pathways of LIGO sources leading to a particular effective spin might be far less restrictive than the standard direct collapse scenario suggests.
Gestão de sistemas de produção: uma ferramenta educacional com o método dinâmica de sistemas
Authors: Zanchetta Igor Tureta , Chaves Gisele De Lorena Diniz
Published: July 2018

A compreensão acerca de como a empresa age diante do mercado ou das inúmeras mudanças estratégicas, políticas, organizacionais e mercadológicas que ocorrem com o tempo é estratégica. Apesar da importância, o desafio dos gestores é manter-se atualizado sobre sua organização e as alterações do mercado. Para estudantes, a dificuldade consiste em visualizar o impacto da relação entre estes fatores. O método de dinâmica de sistemas é bastante aplicado a tais situações, pois é possível verificar o impacto das variáveis tanto as qualitativas quanto as quantitativas em um sistema complexo. Com isso foi desenvolvido um modelo para gestão de sistemas de produção em que os conceitos de produção enxuta, demanda, atraso, estoque e produtividade são relacionados e diferentes estratégias podem ter seu impacto avaliado. Este modelo utilizou o método dinâmica de sistemas. Ele foi avaliado enquanto ferramenta educacional no ensino do curso de engenharia de produção de uma universidade federal. Verificou-se que a lógica da dinâmica de sistemas aplicada no modelo auxiliou o aprendizado do conteúdo de uma disciplina e possibilitou avaliar os impactos da alteração da estratégia na gestão de sistemas de produção. Os discentes foram receptivos à ferramenta, o que elevou o interesse em outras simulações. Espera-se que este modelo possa ser útil também aos gestores na avaliação do posicionamento da organização em seu ambiente de negócios.
Labiobaetis from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Insecta, Ephemeroptera, Baetidae)
Authors: Gattolliat Jean-Luc , Kondratieff Boris C. , Kaltenbach Thomas , Al Dhafer Hathal M.
Published: July 2018

Mayfly larvae and imagos were collected at approximately 50 localities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSU). Included in this material, three species ofLabiobaetisNovikova & Kluge, 1987 are recorded, two of them being new to science.LabiobaetispotamoticusGattolliat & Al Dhafer,sp. n.is described from both larvae and adults, whereasLabiobaetisalahmadiiGattolliat & Al Dhafer,sp. n.is only known from the larval stage. The two species are compared morphologically with Palearctic and Afrotropical species ofLabiobaetis. A third species,Labiobaetisglaucus(Agnew, 1961) is reported for the first time from the Arabian Peninsula. The species was originally described from South Africa and subsequently reported from the east and northeast of Africa. A molecular reconstruction including 18 Afrotropical and Palearctic species ofLabiobaetiswas performed using 658 bp of the mitochondrial gene CO1. The reconstruction highly supported the validity of the two new species and confirmed the occurrence ofL.glaucusin KSU.
Comparison of Coronal Prosthetic Alignment After Total Knee Arthroplasty Using 3 Computer-Assisted Navigation Systems
Authors: Sasaki Hiroshi , Ishida Kazunari , Shibanuma Nao , Takayama Koji , Hayashi Shinya , Hashimoto Shingo , Niikura Takahiro , Kurosaka Masahiro , Kuroda Ryosuke , Matsumoto Tomoyuki
Published: July 2018

Recent advances in surgical tools such as navigation systems have contributed to accurate implantation in total knee arthroplasty. Although several navigation systems have been developed, reports regarding which navigation system has better accuracy are few. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the accuracy of postoperative coronal alignment among 3 navigation systems. A total of 90 knee prostheses were implanted for 90 patients with osteoarthritis. Thirty patients were enrolled in each of the following 3 navigation groups: Stryker Navigation System II (computed tomography–free navigation; Stryker, Mahwah, New Jersey); OrthoPilot version 4.2 navigation system (computed tomography–free navigation; B. Braun Aesculap, Tuttlingen, Germany); and VectorVision navigation system (computed tomography–based navigation system; BrainLAB, Munich, Germany). Thirty consecutive total knee arthroplasties performed via the conventional method without navigation were selected as a control group for comparison with the navigation groups. Postoperative coronal mechanical axis and femoral and tibial coronal component angles were compared among the groups using long-leg standing radiographs for the rate of outliers beyond 3°. No differences were observed in the mean femoral and tibial component angles among the navigation and conventional groups. However, the proportion of outliers beyond 3° was higher in the conventional group than in the 3 navigation groups. No significant differences in the outlying values were found among the 3 navigation groups. These 3 navigation systems achieved equally accurate coronal mechanical alignment with fewer outliers. The navigation systems exhibited more precise implantation than the conventional method. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(5):e621–e628.]
A Comparison of Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Minimally Invasive and Conventional Plate Osteosynthesis for Midshaft Clavicle Fractures
Authors: Kim Joon Yub , Yoo Byung Chan , Yoon Jong Pil , Kang Sung Jin , Chung Seok Won
Published: July 2018

Thirty patients with displaced midshaft clavicle fractures were prospectively enrolled in this study. Fifteen were randomly assigned to the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis group and 15 to the conventional plate osteosynthesis group. Constant score, visual analog scale satisfaction score, operative time, scar length, and complications, including hypoesthesia, were evaluated at least 1 year postoperatively to determine functional outcomes and time to bone union as a radiological outcome. Factors related to bone union, including the gap interval between fracture fragments and the number of fracture fragments, were also evaluated. The Constant score and the visual analog scale satisfaction score were higher in the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis group than in the conventional plate osteosynthesis group; however, there was no significant difference between the groups in these scores or in the time to bone union (all
P
>.05). Hypoesthesia was the only complication, and its incidence was not different between the groups (
P
=.249). However, operative time (52.33±13.87 vs 110.33±25.39 minutes,
P
<.001) and scar length (64.95±3.19 vs 99.39±15.98 mm,
P
<.001) were significantly shorter in the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis group than in the conventional plate osteosynthesis group, respectively. In the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis group, time to bone union was significantly correlated with the gap interval (
P
=.004) and the number of fracture fragments (
P
=.002). Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis showed some superiority over conventional plate fixation for midshaft clavicle fractures, having a shorter operative time and scar length. The time to bone union was influenced by the reduction status and the number of fracture fragments in the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis group. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(5):e649–e654.]
Normative Functional Outcomes as a New Outcome Assessment Tool Following Hip Procedures
Authors: Maeckelbergh Liselore , Peeters Tine , Moskal Joseph , Corten Kristoff
Published: July 2018

Patient-reported outcome measures play an important role in evaluating the functional outcome of surgical and nonsurgical treatments of the hip joint. One thousand healthy volunteers completed the modified Harris hip score, the University of California, Los Angeles score, the Hip Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score. Between September 2010 and December 2015, a total of 127 periacetabular osteotomies were performed in 111 patients with symptomatic developmental dysplasia of the hip. Forty-two of these patients (10 male and 32 female) met inclusion criteria. Mean follow-up was 32 months (range, 13–59 months). Pre- and postoperative radiographic analysis of the lateral center-edge angle and the acetabular index was conducted in all cases with a proper pelvic anteroposterior radiograph. The patients completed the modified Harris hip score, the University of California, Los Angeles score, the Hip Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score. The authors investigated the influence of various confounding variables to (1) obtain recommendations when outcome scores are being compared between 2 cohorts and (2) define a normative reference level of “hip-healthy” functionality. This normative level of functionality was used as a target level of functionality following a hip procedure such as periacetabular osteotomy. All functional outcome scores had significantly improved 1 year after periacetabular osteotomy; thus, patients were much better than preoperatively. However, only 55% achieved the 95% functionality of the normative population based on modified Harris hip score and University of California, Los Angeles score. The results were worse for the Hip Osteoarthritis Outcome Score subscales. This approach places the results of surgical procedures in a different but potentially more realistic perspective in terms of expectations and goals. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(5):e663–e670.]
B Cell Defects Observed in Nod2 Knockout Mice Are a Consequence of a Dock2 Mutation Frequently Found in Inbred Strains
Authors: Wong Serre-Yu , Coffre Maryaline , Ramanan Deepshika , Hines Marcus J. , Gomez Luis E. , Peters Lauren A. , Schadt Eric E. , Koralov Sergei B. , Cadwell Ken
Published: July 2018

Phenotypic differences among substrains of laboratory mice due to spontaneous mutations or pre-existing genetic variation confound the interpretation of targeted mutagenesis experiments and contribute to challenges with reproducibility across institutions. Notably, C57BL/6 Hsd mice and gene-targeted mice that have been backcrossed to this substrain have been reported to harbor a duplication in exons 28 and 29 of Dock2. In this study, we demonstrate the presence of this Dock2 variant in the widely used Nod2−/− mice. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) is a cytosolic innate immune receptor associated with inflammatory bowel disease susceptibility. Consistent with a role of NOD2 in an immunological disorder, Nod2−/− mice bred at our institution displayed multiple B cell defects including deficiencies in recirculating B cells, marginal zone B cells, and B1a cells in vivo, as well as defects in class switch recombination in vitro. However, we found that these effects are due to the Dock2 variant and are independent of Nod2 deletion. Despite originating from the same gene-targeted founder mice, Nod2−/− mice from another source did not harbor the Dock2 variant or B cell defects. Finally, we show that Dock2−/− mice display the same B cell defects as mice harboring the Dock2 variant, confirming that the variant is a loss-of-function mutation and is sufficient to explain the alterations to the B cell compartment observed in Nod2−/− mice. Our findings highlight the effects of confounding mutations from widely used inbred strains on gene-targeted mice and reveal new functions of DOCK2 in B cells.
Relevé GPS de cibles de référence au site test de Quinte, Ontario, dans le cadre du projet d'évaluation de l'épaisseur de neige par aéronef sans pilote
Authors: Prévost C , Langlois A , Gervais-Gosselin X , Kramer D
Published: July 2018

Ressources naturelles Canada a le mandat de fournir de l'information essentielle sur la géographie du pays. Une meilleure connaissance de notre environnement physique constitue l'une des bases de ce mandat. Cette information de base est en général
associée au milieu terrestre tel qu'il apparaît en été. Cependant, les canadiens vivent sous un couvert de neige pour une période plus ou moins longue de l'année. Une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes associés à la neige, notamment ses processus
de fonte, constitue une information essentielle de grande importance. Les gestionnaires, ingénieurs et chercheurs ont besoin d'avoir accès à un portrait actualisé du couvert nival : Son étendue, son épaisseur et son contenu en eau.
Le Département de géomatique de l'université de Sherbrooke gère pour sa part plusieurs projets reliés à la neige, allant de l'estimation des risques d'avalanche à l'évaluation de son contenu en eau, incluant le suivi du couvert nival. Un de ces projets vise
à mettre en place une méthode de suivi dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest en lien avec la fonte du pergélisol, dans le cadre de la Station de recherche du Canada dans l'extrême-arctique (Canadian High Arctic Research Station-CHARS).
A ce jour, l'évaluation de la surface du couvert nival, et le suivi de son retrait, étaient effectués par l'entremise d'imagerie satellitaire ou par des relevés au sol; les premiers fournissant une information souvent grossière, les seconds étant dispendieux et
sporadiques. Fort heureusement, depuis quelques années des aéronefs sans pilote (ASP), aussi appelés drones, versatiles et peu dispendieux ont fait leur apparition et permettent désormais d'effectuer des relevés diachroniques, sur des sites de quelques dizaines d'hectares,
avec facilité. Ces appareils ont la capacité d'acquérir des photos de manière telle qu'il est possible de produire des orthomosaïques très précises et aussi des modèles numériques de surface très fins en un seul survol.
Pour obtenir ces produits positionnés avec précision, il est nécessaire de mettre en place des cibles de référence qui seront visibles par la caméra de l'ASP et dont la position géographique sera connue avec précision. Pour ce faire, un relevé GPS de
précision doit être effectué.
Ce document résume la méthode et les résultats du relevé GPS sur les cibles de référence utilisés pour la rectification des photos acquises par ASP dans le cadre d'une activité conjointe entre le Département de géomatique de l'Université de
Sherbrooke, et le Centre canadien de télédétection du Centre canadien de cartographie et d'observation de la Terre. Le site d'étude est situé dans deux secteurs de terrain boisé situés respectivement à 120 km et à 160 km au sud-ouest
d'Ottawa.
Deafening silence on a vital issue: The World Health Organization has ignored the sexuality of persons with disabilities
Authors: Peta Christine
Published: July 2018

In 2016, the World Health Organization, through the Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology Initiative, issued the Priority Assistive Products List which is meant to be a guide to member states of the 50 assistive products needed for a basic health care and/or social welfare system; it is also a model from which nations can develop their national priority assistive products lists. The aim of this opinion paper is to share my views about the Priority Assistive Products List on the grounds that it makes no distinct mention of sexual assistive devices, yet research has indicated that sexuality is an area of great concern for persons with disabilities. In any case, sexuality forms a core part of being human, and it impacts on both the physical and mental well-being of all human beings. I conclude in part that, in its present format, the list perpetuates the myth that persons with disabilities are asexual beings who are innocent of sexual thoughts, feelings and experiences. The list also propagates the stereotype that sexuality is a sacred, private, bedroom matter that should be kept out of the public domain, to the detriment of the health and well-being of persons with disabilities.
Effects of Dexmedetomidine Infusions on Hemodynamic Stability in Patients undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Dodeja Himanshu , Udaybhaskar Vinaya , Singam Amol
Published: July 2018

Objectives: In laparoscopic cholecystectomy, there has been emphasis on maintaining hemodynamic stability by avoiding hypertension, hypotension, or tachycardia. The hemodynamic instability is persistent during the duration of pneumoperitoneum (PNP), namely, CO2 insufflations. This study helps us to find out the efficacy of dexmedetomidine on cardiovascular system stability in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Materials and methods: Thirty patients were randomized into two groups of 15 members each: group P (placebo group) and group D (dexmedetomidine group). In the former, patients received 0.9% 20 mL normal saline, while in the latter, patients received 0.4 μg/kg/hr of injection dexmedetomidine in 0.9% normal saline. In all patients, age, weight, height, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) were recorded.

Results: Dexmedetomidine being a highly selective and potent and specific alpha 2 agonist attenuates the hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation, decreases plasma catecholamine concentration during anesthesia, and decreases perioperative requirements of inhaled anesthetics. We found that dexmedetomidine helped in blunting the pressor response during the intubation, kept the HR and mean arterial pressure stable intraoperatively, and there was faster recovery as the requirement of inhalation agent was decreased intraoperatively.

Conclusion: The drug dexmedetomidine maintained cardiovascular stability during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The inhalational agent (isoflurane) requirement was found to be considerably lower. Also, the mean recovery time as indicated by the ability to vocalize following extubation was found to be significantly less. Hence, it can be recommended in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for maintaining cardiovascular system stability.
A Rare Case Report of Molar Pregnancy with Coexisting Fetus
Authors: Nathani Richa S , Nisar Zeba
Published: July 2018

Aim: Here we report a molar pregnancy with a coexisting fetus progressing to a viable, healthy infant which is an extreme rarity, with the incidence of 0.005–0.01% of all the pregnancies.

Background: Partial mole is defined as excessive trophoblastic proliferation with normal and hydropic villi and presence of a fetus or a fetal circulation with nucleated cells. Partial molar pregnancy with a singleton live fetes is a rare condition. it is commonly seen with twin gestation and it is rare with singleton pregnancy

Case report: A 30 years old primigravida, referred from a private hospital at 38 weeks of gestation delivered a phenotypically normal and healthy infant 2200 gm in weight by caesarean section. The placenta weighed 500 gms and on sectioning revealed widespread, grape-like vesicles. Light microscopy revealed normal villi coexisting with villi showing hydropic change and cistern formation and diffuse circumferential trophoblastic hyperplasia consistent with molar change. A diagnosis of partial molar pregnancy with normal fetus was made.

Conclusion: Very few twin pregnancies with a hydatidiform mole and a foetus continue to term as they often have spontaneous or induced terminations for maternal complications Management of molar changes associated with normal appearing fetus still remains challenging as not many studies have been done due to rarity of this disorder.

Clinical significance: Though the general trend is to terminate pregnancy in foetus with coexistent mole in anticipation of complications, under close surveillance, optimal outcomes can be achieved. Monitoring of serum β-hCG, serial ultrasound for fetal growth, size of molar component, and theca lutein cysts can help to predict good patient outcomes.
Corrosion Assessment of Zinc-Rich Primers Containing Polyaniline and the Effect of Acid as a Dopant
Authors: Li Ximing , Cubides Yenny , He Zhouying , Soucek Mark D. , Castaneda Homero
Published: July 2018

We investigated how adding the dopant acid for polyaniline (PAni)-containing zinc-rich primers (ZRPs) can influence the resulting ZRP’s corrosion performance. Two organic acids (camphorsulfonic [CS] and phenylphosphonic acid [H2PP]), and two inorganic acids (phosphoric [H2PO4] and hydrochloricacid [HCl]) were tested and the different PAni-modified ZRPs exhibited differences in their cathodic protection and barrier mechanisms during exposure to a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The hydrochloricacid-doped PAni-containing ZRP had the best anticorrosion properties in terms of the zinc particle interfacial activation (sacrificial) and coating’s barrier properties. Corrosion resistance of the coating systems can be ranked as PAni-Cl > PAni-H2PO4 > PAni-HPP ≥ PAni-CS. The corrosion assessment of these coatings can be explained in terms of three stages: the activation stage of the zinc particles, the competition stage, and the steady state stage.
Prediction of internal egg quality characteristics and variable selection using regularization methods: ridge, LASSO and elastic net
Authors: Çiftsüren Mehmet Nur , Akkol Suna
Published: July 2018

Abstract. This study was conducted to determine the inner quality characteristics of
eggs using external egg quality characteristics. The variables were selected in
order to obtain the simplest model using ridge, LASSO and elastic net
regularization methods. For this purpose, measurements of the internal and external characteristics of 117 Japanese quail eggs
were made. Internal quality characteristics were egg yolk
weight and albumen weight; external quality characteristics were egg width,
egg length, egg weight, shape index and shell weight. An ordinary
least square method was applied to the data. Ridge, LASSO and elastic net
regularization methods were performed to remove the multicollinearity of the data.
The regression estimating equations of the internal egg
quality were significant for all methods (P<0.01). The goodness of fit of the regression
estimating equations for egg yolk weight was 58.34, 59.17 and 59.11 %
for the ridge, LASSO and elastic net methods, respectively. For egg albumen weight the goodness of fit of the regression
estimating equations was 75.60 %, 75.94 % and 75.81 % for the respective ridge, LASSO and elastic net
methods. It was revealed that LASSO, including two predictors
for both egg yolk weight and egg albumen weight, was the best model with
regard to high predictive accuracy.
Less Frequent but More Severe Hydrological Drought Events Emerge at 1.5 and 2 °C Warming Levels over the Wudinghe Watershed in northern China
Authors: Jiao Yang , Yuan Xing
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Assessment of changes in hydrological droughts at specific warming levels (e.g., 1.5 or 2 °C) is important for an adaptive water resources management with consideration of the 2015 Paris Agreement. However, most studies focused on the response of drought frequency to the warming and neglected other drought characteristics including severity. By using a semiarid watershed in northern China (i.e., Wudinghe) as an example, here we show less frequent but more severe hydrological drought events emerge at both 1.5 and 2 °C warming levels. We used meteorological forcings from eight Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 climate models with four representative concentration pathways, to drive a newly developed land surface hydrological model to simulate streamflow, and analyzed historical and future hydrological drought characteristics based on the Standardized Streamflow Index. The Wudinghe watershed will reach the 1.5 °C (2 °C) warming level around 2006–2025 (2019–2038), with an increase of precipitation by 6 % (9 %) and runoff by 17 % (27 %) as compared to the baseline period (1986–2005). This results in a drop of drought frequency by 26 % (27 %). However, the drought severity will rise dramatically by 63 % (30 %), which is mainly caused by the increased variability of precipitation and evapotranspiration. The climate models contribute to more than 82 % of total uncertainties in the future projection of hydrological droughts. This study suggests that different aspects of hydrological droughts should be carefully investigated when assessing the impact of 1.5 and 2 °C warming.
Fontes e recursos de informação tradicionais e digitais: propostas internacionais de classificação
Authors: Melo Alves Fernanda Maria , Santos Bruno Almeida dos
Published: July 2018

Objetivo. O estudo tem como objetivo estudar diferentes propostas internacionais de classificação de fontes e recursos de informação.Método. Apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica sobre vários conceitos e definições, tais como dado, informação e conhecimento em contexto tradicional e digital, analisa definições, conceitos e classificações de fontes e recursos de informação, apresentadas num quadro cronológico, que facilita a identificação de suas concordâncias e discordâncias.Resultados. Os resultados  sugerem que, embora os estudos sobre fontes e recursos de informação sejam preocupação de vários autores e organizações, é necessário continuar a aprofundar e refletir sobre eles e acompanhar sua rápida evolução.Conclusões. O novo paradigma educativo universitário requer dos docentes, investigadores e profissionais da informação esforços para preparar os estudantes a procurar, encontrar, avaliar e usar a informação e transformá-la em conhecimento para a tomada de decisões em sua vida individual e profissional, incrementar o gosto pela aprendizagem ao longo da vida e agir como cidadãos ativos e solidários, atuando na construção da sociedade democrática.
Amalgamation and the Crisis of Governance: The Nigeria Experience
Authors: Adeyemi Oluwatobi, O.
Published: July 2018

This paper deals with the discourse on evolution of Nigerian state and the challenges it poses for actualisation of democratic governance in the polity. The continued crises in the polity and corrupt practices that characterizes Nigerian state overtime reveals a diminishing state of accountability and ethical values which has its foundation in emergence of the Nigerian state. Since the purpose of amalgamation was to protect the British economic interest and to facilitate exploitation of the nation’s resources, the Nigerian politician who took over power from the British continued from where they stopped, thereby making the state an instrument to perpetuate corrupt practices of all sorts. The implication of this is the disappearance of democratic values, political decadence and retarded development. Methodologically, the paper adopted a qualitative research technique of data collection through the content analysis of empirical studies conducted by scholars who have made outstanding contributions on the practice of governance within and outside Nigerian political landscape. Against this analytical background, the study analyses the issue of governance vis-a-vis avoidable crises foisted on the polity by the politicians since the commencement of the independence in 1960 and finds out that, the present governance crises in Nigeria had its root in colonialism. The study therefore calls for a resolution among the federating units which must entail a renegotiation of the polity along democratic principles and a total reform of the anti-corruption agencies for effective performance.
Place of Critical Thinking in EFL
Authors: Tosuncuoglu Irfan
Published: July 2018

Developing the ability to think critically is vital component of real, meaningful teaching and learning. Critical thinking helps us solve problems, make decisions and reach our goals. Thinking is not a passive but an active process. If students’ critical thinking skills are activated, for example while writing, very successful results can be attained. It can be said that critical thinking can be considered in two respects: to achieve a goal and to make a decision. As for teaching, there is very little evidence that students at universities acquire the skills of critical thinking in their learning and teaching activities. In accordance with its important place of in learning and teaching periods, it has been a concept recently highlighted in the field of EFL, like in many other fields of education such as mathematics, history and geography. The skill of critical thinking plays a great role and it has been accepted as an important step in every area of teaching and learning, particularly nowadays due to developments cognition and intelligence. So, in order to understand the awareness of the students for critical thinking, an experiment was performed in the fall of AY 2017-18, with 79 students in Karabuk University, Turkey. In this study, the significance of critical thinking and result of the experiments were discussed in detail, it also shed light on the students’ perceptions of it.
The Impact of Jordanian Banks Websites’ Quality on Customers’ Satisfaction
Authors: Maraqa Manar R. , Al-Amawi Amaal M. , Hashem Tareq
Published: July 2018

This paper focuses on customers’ perceptions regarding three key aspects in Jordanian e-banking services: service quality, system quality, and information quality. The importance of these topics is likely to keep on growing in the near future, as customers become more demanding. Descriptive, analytical approach was used in this study; data were collected through questionnaires that were physically distributed to a random sample of 295 banks’ customers in Jordan. The model achieves an acceptable fit and explains 79.6% of its variance. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the research hypotheses by using SPSS. The results of the study indicate that service quality has the highest impact on customer satisfaction followed by system quality and information quality. However and in order to meet current and future customers demands, banks in Jordan should strive to exceed their customers’ expectations, because of the ongoing growth in use of smart phones, mobile banking, and e-commerce further fuels the market growth. Therefore, banks as service providers should strive for excellence.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Business and Management, Vol. 13 No. 8
Authors: Lee Stephen
Published: July 2018

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Journal of Business and Management, Vol. 13 No. 8, 2018
CONDUCT PROCEDURES IN CASE OF THEFT
OF ARTEFACTS FROM MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
Authors: Grajewski Adam
Published: July 2018

Museum collections very often contain
artefacts of a significant material value, which are also of
great importance for the national heritage. Exhibits listed
in a museum inventory belong to the capacious category
of national goods, which means they are protected by law.
Given the whole number of crimes against the cultural
heritage, museums are certainly a group of institutions least
likely to be threatened by it. However, we must not forget,
that theft might happen anywhere; even the largest and
perfectly safeguarded museum is not free from this type of
danger. When a museum exhibit gets stolen, the following
procedure shall be applied: closing all the entrances,
informing the guards, checking the security devices, securing
the crime scene and the whole area of an exhibition, limiting
an access to the crime scene, informing the supervisors
(directors), informing the police, checking all the rooms
and the surrounding area, securing the monitoring system
and documentation, having a police report filed, reporting
the loss with the description for putting it in an official data
base. It seems worthwhile to take measures to increase
both knowledge and awareness of museum employees on
a regular basis, as well as to analyse the patterns of conduct
in reference to legal regulations and existing procedures.
La Identidad Corporativa de los grupos multimedia privados españoles a través de sus webs: entre el Marketing 2.0 y 3.0
Authors: Rico Jerez Marta
Published: July 2018

The objective of this research is to analyse the application of marketing 2.0 and 3.0 in the identity of the private Spanish multimedia groups through their corporate webs. To this end, the websites of PRISA, Antena 3, Mediaset, Mediapro, Vocento, Promecal and Intereconomía have been studied. In this way, a qualitative research study has been carried out where transversal description, correlation and explanation have been used. Thus, firstly, through parameters such as the mission, vision and values- corporate profile, brand strategies and communication typessymbolic and behavioural, the positioning and structure of the corporate webs have represented the identity of each communication group at a given moment. Later, the data obtained has been compared.

Finally, the paper has explained how the said results have influenced the application of marketing 2.0 and 3.0. The conclusions reached are the following: The combination of marketing 2.0 and 3.0 is a constant in the corporate identity of private Spanish multimedia groups, from the point of view of both their profile and their business communication. The application of marketing 3.0 in the internal functioning of the commercial Spanish multimedia groups is in an emergent state. Private Spanish multimedia groups are based in marketing 3.0 to position themselves. Private Spanish multimedia groups as corporate bodies do not normally use social networks to interact with their public, rather they generally use e-mail or the telephone. Nevertheless, they do use them in other business units.