bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesenchimal stem cells: a possible role in the pathogenesis and treatment of spondyloarthritis
Authors: Perrotta F.M. , Guerra G. , De Socio A. , Scriffignano S. , Lubrano E.
Published: May 2017

Spondyloarthritis (SpAs) are a group of chronic inflammatory diseases that affect joints and enthesis with a possible involvement of other districts such as skin, eye and bowel. In SpAs, the inflammatory process could lead to both erosive damage (as in peripheral joint involvement of psoriatic arthritis), or bone formation (as in ankylosing spondylitis) with a reduction in function and quality of life. Recently, Mesenchimal stem cells (MSCs) transplant was used in different diseases, including autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, with the aim of repairing tissue damage, exploiting their regenerative capacity. However, MSCs also proved to have an immune-modulatory capacity due to their interaction with the cells of the immune system. The aim of this brief paper was to review the possible pathogenic role and the new perspective of MSCs use in SpAs.
A preliminary assessment of the extent and potential impacts of alien plant invasions in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem, East Africa
Authors: Witt Arne B.R. , Kiambi Sospeter , Beale Tim , Van Wilgen Brian W.
Published: May 2017

This article provides a preliminary list of alien plant species in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem in East Africa. The list is based on broad-scale roadside surveys in the area and is supplemented by more detailed surveys of tourist facilities in the Masai-Mara National Reserve and adjoining conservancies. We encountered 245 alien plant species; significantly more than previous studies, of which 62 (25%) were considered to have established self-perpetuating populations in areas away from human habitation. These included species which had either been intentionally or accidentally introduced. Of the 245 alien plants, 212 (including four species considered to be native to the region) were intentionally introduced into gardens in the National Reserve and 51 (24%) had established naturalised populations within the boundaries of these tourism facilities. Of the 51 naturalised species, 23 (11% of the 212 alien species) were recorded as being invasive within the ecosystem, outside of lodges and away from other human habitation. Currently, the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is relatively free of widespread and abundant invasive alien plants, with a few exceptions, but there are extensive populations outside of the ecosystem, particularly to the west, from where they could spread. We address the potential impacts of six species that we consider to pose the highest risks (Parthenium hysterophorus, Opuntia stricta, Tithonia diversifolia, Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata and Prosopis juliflora). Although invasive alien plants pose substantial threats to the integrity of the ecosystem, this has not yet been widely recognised. We predict that in the absence of efforts to contain, or reverse the spread of invasive alien plants, the condition of rangelands will deteriorate, with severe negative impacts on migrating large mammals, especially wildebeest, zebra and gazelles. This will, in turn, have a substantial negative impact on tourism, which is a major economic activity in the area.Conservation implications: Invasive alien plants pose significant threats to the integrity of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem and steps will need to be taken to prevent these impacts. The most important of these would be the removal of alien species from tourist facilities, especially those which are known to be naturalised or invasive, the introduction of control programmes aimed at eliminating outlier invasive plant populations to slow down the spread, and the widespread use of biological control wherever possible.
Entrepreneurship management skills requirements in an emerging economy: A South African outlook
Authors: Mamabolo M. Anastacia , Kerrin Myres , Kele Tumo
Published: May 2017

Background: Entrepreneurship is seen as a driver of sustainable economic growth as entrepreneurs create new businesses and employment. Because entrepreneurship contributes to economic growth, it is important to have the skills needed to be successful in business venturing.
Aim: This study’s aim was to determine skills required by South African entrepreneurs to run their businesses.

Setting: Entrepreneurs who own and run businesses in South Africa.

Method: A sequential exploratory mixed method research design was applied in the study. Phase I, which consisted of qualitative interviews with 15 entrepreneurs and 6 national experts, resulted in skills that were used to develop a survey instrument. A survey was conducted in Phase II on 235 entrepreneurs to confirm the skills to a larger population.

Results: Confirmatory factor analysis results showed that entrepreneurs require financial management, human resource management, start-up, social and interpersonal, leadership, personality, marketing, technical and business management skills.

Conclusion: The identified skills through empirical research will be instrumental in the training of entrepreneurs and as a tool to measure skills in future entrepreneurship skills research.
The use of inquiry-based science teaching to promote students’ conceptual understanding of direct current electricity
Authors: Edwards Nazeem , Le Grange Lesley
Published: May 2017

Research in science education evolved from the positivist paradigm in which scientific knowledge was considered to be immutable. This article investigates the use of inquiry-based science teaching as a pedagogical strategy to develop prospective science teachers’ conceptual understanding of direct current electricity. It is proposed that Vygotsky’s social constructivism and Dewey’s pragmatism have common elements that may serve as a philosophical framework for inquiry-based science teaching. An example of the transformative conjecture-driven teaching experiment as a design study in science education, is outlined. A retrospective analysis is provided to develop a learning environment that can contribute to better conceptual understanding of basic direct current electricity by prospective science teachers.
The role of Christianity in mending societal fragility and quelling violence in Liberia
Authors: Gbotoe Eric , Kgatla Selaelo T.
Published: May 2017

This article has benefited from the research entitled �The role of Christianity in post-war Liberia�. It is a study that attempts to examine and investigate how Christian faith and spirituality can play a role in a campaign for social peace, justice, development and unity. This article describes and evaluates a cross section of strategies and policies which theologians can employ to develop and sustain peace and foster reconstruction plans among perpetrators and victims of a brutal civil war. It attempts to answer the following question: what role can Christianity play to effectively lessen the animosity that engendered the years of hostilities in Liberia and facilitate the healing of wounds?Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article sets forth a debate about the role Christianity ought to play in societal conflict. Christian religion is a prophetic religion by nature and it should serve as a source of peace, reconciliation and healing for human relationships. Examples of what the role of authentic church could be are cited from a Liberian context. It is further argued that all sectors of society, women, men and children may be agents of peace and unity. The article concludes by setting parameters for sustainable peace in Liberia.
Extra-pituitary Cerebral Anomalies in Pediatric Patients of Ectopic Neurohypophysis: An Uncommon Association
Authors: Boruah Deb K , Sanyal Shantiranjan , Prakash Arjun , Achar Sashidhar , Yadav Rajanikant R , Pravakaran T , Dhingani Dhaval D , Sarmah Barun K
Published: May 2017

Context:

Ectopic neurohypophysis (EN) refers to an interrupted, nonvisualized, and thinned out pituitary stalk with ectopic location of the posterior pituitary gland. Concurrent extra-pituitary cerebral and extra-cranial anomalies have been rarely reported in patients of EN.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of extra-pituitary cerebral anomalies in pediatric patients of EN.

Settings and Design:

A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care center.

Subjects and Methods:

The study group comprised eight pediatric patients of EN associated with extra-pituitary cerebral or vascular anomalies. Clinical and biochemical assessment was done in all patients.

Results:

Out of the total eight patients with EN, MRI showed interrupted pituitary stalk in five patients (62.5%) and nonvisible pituitary stalk in three patients (37.5%). Ectopic posterior pituitary bright spot was demonstrated in median eminence in six patients (75%), faintly visualized in one patient (12.5%) and nonvisualized in another one patient. Statistical significant association was noted between pituitary gland height and patient's body height with the pituitary gland volume (P< 0.001). Varied extra-pituitary cerebral anomalies encountered in our patients ranged from isolated anomalies such as optic nerve hypoplasia in three patients (37.5%), corpus callosum dysplasia in four patients (50%), agyria-pachygyria complex in two patients (25%), and intracranial vascular anomalies in two patients to syndromic association of tuberous sclerosis in one patient.

Conclusion:

Identifying and reporting of associated extra-pituitary cerebral anomalies in patients with EN are crucial in assessing the overall neurological outcome of such patients.
Equidistribution, ergodicity and irreducibility associated with Gibbs measures
Authors: Boyer Adrien , Mayeda Dustin
Published: May 2017

We generalize an equidistribution theorem
à la
Bader–Muchnik for operator-valued measures constructed from a family of boundary representations associated with Gibbs measures in the context of convex cocompact discrete group of isometries of a simply connected connected Riemannian manifold with pinched negative curvature. We combine a functional analytic tool, namely the property RD of hyperbolic groups, together with a dynamical tool: an equidistribution theorem of Paulin, Pollicott and Schapira inspired by a result of Roblin. In particular, we deduce irreducibility of these new classes of boundary representations.
Mixing and un-mixing by incompressible flows
Authors: Yao Yao , Zlatoš Andrej
Published: May 2017

We consider the questions of efficient mixing and un-mixing by incompressible flows which satisfy periodic, no-flow, or no-slip boundary conditions on a square. Under the uniform-in-time constraint

\|\nabla u(\cdot,t)\|_p\le 1

we show that any function can be mixed to scale

\epsilon

in time

O(|\mathrm {log}\:\epsilon|^{1+\nu_p})

, with

\nu_p=0

for

p<\tfrac{3+\sqrt 5}2

and

\nu_p\le \tfrac 13

for

p\ge \tfrac{3+\sqrt 5}2

. Known lower bounds show that this rate is optimal for

p\in(1,\tfrac{3+\sqrt 5}2)

. We also show that any set which is mixed to scale

\epsilon

but not much more than that can be un-mixed to a rectangle of the same area (up to a small error) in time

O(|\mathrm {log}\:\epsilon|^{2-1/p})

. Both results hold with scale-independent finite times if the constraint on the flow is changed to

\|u(\cdot,t)\|_{\dot W^{s,p}}\le 1

with some

s<1

. The constants in all our results are independent of the mixed functions and sets.
The family Floer functor is faithful
Authors: Abouzaid Mohammed
Published: May 2017

Family Floer theory is used to construct a functor from the Fukaya category of a symplectic manifold admitting a Lagrangian torus fibration to a (twisted) category of perfect complexes on the mirror rigid analytic space. This functor is shown to be faithful by a degeneration argument involving moduli spaces of annuli.
Designing natural gesture interaction for archaeological data in immersive environments
Authors: Albertini Niccolò , Brogni Andrea , Olivito Riccardo , Taccola Emanuele , Caramiaux Baptiste , Gillies Marco
Published: May 2017

Archaeological data are heterogeneous, making it difficult to correlate and combine different types.  Datasheets  and pictures,  stratigraphic  data  and  3D  models,  time and  space  mixed  together: these are  only a few  of  the  categories  a researcher has to deal with. New technologies may be able to help in this process and trying to solve research related problems needs innovative solutions. In this paper, we describe the whole process for the design and development of a prototype application that uses an Immersive Virtual Reality system to acces archaeological excavation3Ddata through the Gesture Variation Follower (GVF) algorithm. This makes it possible to recognise which gesture is being performed and how it is performed. Archaeologist shave participated actively in the design of the interface and the set of gestures used for triggering the different tasks. Interactive machine learning techniques have been used for the real time detection of the gestures. As a case  study  the  agora  of  Segesta  (Sicily,  Italy)  has  been  selected.  Indeed,  due  to  the  complex architectural  features  and  the  still  ongoing  fieldwork  activities,  Segesta  represents  an  ideal  context  where  to  test  and develop a research approach integrating both traditional and more innovative tools and methods.
3D model as a dynamic compilation of knowledge: interim results on the city of Alet
Authors: Bernard Yann , Barreau Jean-Baptiste , Bizien-Jaglin Catherine , Quesnel Laurent , Langouët Loïc , Daire Marie-Yvane
Published: May 2017

The late Iron Age capital of the Coriosolites, City of Alet, scattered today in a neighbourhood of Saint-Malo( France), has become since 2015 the subject of experimentations in digital archaeology. These have led us to define as objective a relevant three-dimensional (3D)reconstruction integrating different buildings, but also a precise topography, aspart of the coastal geomorphology, environmental vegetation and naval activities. First pillar of this reconstruction, 3D laser and magnetic surveys were conducted in order to get some digitised work supports, but also to raise some scientific issues. As part of the main Roman cities of Brittany, the historical study of the City began at least at the end of the 19thcentury and archaeological excavations began in the 1970s. So knowledge present in a wide spectrum of archaeological and historical references was then compiled. 3D reconstruction of the City, editable to adapt to new contributions and scientific discoveries, allows a dynamic synthesis of archaeological knowledge accumulated along the years. Because it was done within an archaeology laboratory, it was directly monitored and controlled iteratively by researchers in the field (site, area and period). This work currently allows archaeologists to face limits and constraints regarding this scientific process and better understand the organizational aspects of the City.
Reconstrucción virtual y visualización 3d del yacimiento arqueológico Castellet de Bernabé (Lliria, España)
Authors: Portalés Cristina , Alonso-Monasterio Pau , Viñals María José
Published: May 2017

3D virtual reconstruction of cultural heritage is a useful tool to reach many goals: the accurate documentation of our tangible cultural legacy, the determination of mechanical alteration on the assets, or the mere shape acquisition prior to restoration and/or reconstruction works, etc. Among these goals, when planning and managing tourism enhancement of heritage sites, it demands setting up specific instruments and tools to guarantee both, the site conservation and the visitors’ satisfaction. Archaeological sites are physical witnesses of the past and an open window to research works and scientific discoveries, but usually, the major structures do no exist nowadays, and the general public takes long time and many efforts to elaborate a mental reconstruction of the volumetry and appearance from these remains. This mental reconstruction is essential to build up a storyline that communicates efficiently the archaeological and historic knowledge and awares the public about its conservation. To develop this process of awareness about conservation, heritage interpretation starts with the mental inmersion of the visitors in the archaeological site, what 3D reconstruction definitely helps to achieve. Different technologies exist nowadays for the3D reconstruction of assets, but when dealing with archaeological sites, the data acquisition requires alternative approaches to be used, as most part of the assets do not exist nowadays. In this work, we will deal with the virtual reconstruction and visualisation of the archaeological site Castellet de Bernabé by following a mixed approach (surveying techniques and archaeological research). We further give a methodology to process and merge the real and virtual data in order to create augmented views of the site.
UAV oblique photogrammetry and lidar data acquisition for 3D documentation of the Hercules Fountain
Authors: Chiabrando Filiberto , Spanò Antonia , Sammartano Giulia , Teppati Losè Lorenzo
Published: May 2017

This paper discusses some enhancements concerning 3D modelling, and the integration and comparison of 3D data from aerial and terrestrial sensors, developed by innovative geomatics techniques around the metric documentation of cultural heritage. In archaeology, it is interesting to deal with the considerable advantages of new multi-sensor approaches for the data acquisition and the management phases in terms of the sustainability (automated acquisition, quickness, precision, time and cost cutting). In particular, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAVs)photogrammetry with the joint use of nadir and oblique cameras can be usefully combined with the large-scale details acquired by the terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)in vast areas or complex objects, especially in mostly vertical sized objects. Here, we will report the results of an integrated 3D survey in an archaeological context in the Piedmont region of Italy. The Hercules Fountain is located in the gardens of the Venaria Reale (a Savoy Royal Palace included in the UNESCO heritage list) and has witnessed several events and historical phases during the past centuries–from its construction in the 16thcentury to its disuse and decline in the 17thcentury, right up to the 21stcentury when it was eventually brought back to light. The goal of the test is the creation of a3D continuous model of the site for documentation purposes, future consolidation, and enhancement projects finalised fora public promotion. To meet these strategic aims, a terrestrial laser scanning (TLS henceforth) survey has been designed together with multi-flights by a multi-rotor UAV and terrestrial close-range photogrammetry (CRP) acquisition to produce a highly detailed 3D textured model from which we have inferred standard 2D drawings, digital orthoimages, and further 3D products. In conclusion, the entire workflow and the outputs have been compared together to evaluate the effectiveness of each elaboration according to the different goals of the survey.
A Study of a Causality Relationship between Firm Investment and Cash Holdings: An Empirical Validation from French, Germany and Italy
Authors: Hatem Ben Said
Published: May 2017

This paper tests the causality interdependence between firm investment and cash holdings. Our study analyzes three countries: French, Germany and Italy. The samples contain 84 firms for each country over a period of 8 years from 2003 to 2010. Cash is measured, alternatively by two ratios; cash and cash equivalents over total assets, and quick ratio approximated by cash and cash equivalents over current liabilities. Firm investment is approximated by tangible fixed assets growth rate and total assets growth rate. As control variables: profitability, leverage, size and firm age. Using a data panels method, the causality relationship is not checked for all countries. However, for French and Italy markets, we conclude to a causality relationship for the service and agriculture and mining sectors, respectively.
The Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) of Incubators, Accelerators, and Co-working Spaces
Authors: Gertner Drew , Mack Elizabeth
Published: May 2017

The concept of entrepreneurial orientation is widely accepted to be a significant theory in the literature on firm-level entrepreneurship. Despite the collectivity of research, which continues to demonstrate that entrepreneurship and EO differ in nature greatly and according to context, too often, context is ignored. To address this gap, this paper explores the differences in the EO of different types of organizational contexts that provide business support to entrepreneurs such as incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces. Analytical results highlight variations in EO by business support facilities related to their organizational context and the subdimension of EO considered. Combined these results highlight the need for discriminating amongst different dimensions when examining EO, as well as the need for some new indicators or measurements of each dimension.
Assessment of the Value of Services and Emergy in the Zhoushan Coastal Waters Ecosystem
Authors: LIU Chao , CUI Wanglai , YANG Haiping , YU Xianjiong , YING Xiaoli
Published: May 2017

Based on the four aspects of the marine ecosystem service system, namely supply, regulation, culture and support, the service function system of the marine ecosystem in the Zhoushan coastal area was constructed. The ecosystem valuation by assigning economic value to its services through valuation methods (the market value method, results reference method, shadow engineering method, replacement cost method) and the emergy analysis method were used to estimate the service value of the Zhoushan coastal marine ecosystem. The results revealed that in 2015, the total valuation of the marine ecosystem services of Zhoushan coastal water was 868.47×104 CNY, while the total emergy-currency value was 1246.92×108 CNY. The per unit valuation of the ecosystem services was 417.57×104 CNY/km2, while the per unit emergy-currency value is 600×104 CNY/km2. In the total valuation of the Zhoushan offshore ecosystem, the proportion of the values of supply services, regulating services, support services and cultural service was 11.80, 19.47, 29.66 and 39.6%, respectively. In the total emergy-currency value, the value of the supply services, regulation services and cultural services accounted for 9.19, 5.52 and 85.37% respectively. The results provide important reference for the maintenance and sustainable use of the marine ecosystem services, scientific management of the marine ecosystem in the Zhoushan coastal waters.
Cheatgrass Invasion - The Below-Ground Connection
Authors: Reitstetter Raven , Larry R. Rittenhouse
Published: May 2017

Plant-soil microbial feedback loops play an important role in the establishment and development of plant communities. Microbial soil communities, including pathogens, plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria and their reciprocal interactions, can influence plant health and nutrient cycling in many ways. We are proposing a model that accounts for cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) invasion success and long-term persistence in both disturbed and undisturbed sites. In this model cheatgrass alters soil microbial communities that favor nitrifying microorganisms, resulting in elevated NO3- levels. Increased NO3- levels, coupled with B. tectorum life history and climatic and edaphic conditions in the semi-arid western U.S., result in long-term persistence of this invasive annual. In ecosystems that lack major precipitation during the growth season, B. tectorum induced shifts in the nitrifier community result in accumulation of plant available nitrogen during the summer when native perennials are primarily dormant. Increased NO3- levels can be efficiently utilized by cheatgrass ahead of native perennials during fall and winter. Restoration and management efforts must be guided by a thorough understanding of soil microbe-cheatgrass interactions to avoid nutrient flushes resulting from freeze-thaw and wet-dry cycles that benefit this invasive grass.
Preparing School Counselors to Support LGBT Youth: The Roles of Graduate Education and Professional Development
Authors: Kull Ryan M. , Kosciw Joseph G. , Greytak Emily A.
Published: May 2017

This study examined whether school counselors’ LGBT-related graduate education and professional development predicted more frequent efforts to support LGBT students, and whether their LGBT-related self-efficacy mediated the relationship between their training experiences and supportive efforts. Results from ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analyses indicated that more exposure to LGBT-related graduate education and professional development predicted more frequent engagement in LGBT-related practices among school counselors. Results from OLS regression-based path analysis further indicated that the direct effect of training on school counselors’ practices was partly explained by the positive effects of training on counselors’ LGBT-related self-efficacy. The article also discusses the study's implications and limitations.
Supporting Lgbtq Students in High School for the College Transition: The Role of School Counselors
Authors: Ken Jackson
Published: May 2017

This phenomenological study sought to understand how lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) college students described their high school experiences and their later transitions to college. The study data revealed five findings: (a) enduring unsupportive/hostile educational environments, (b) experiencing a lack of family and social support, (c) navigating identity development, (d) developing self-empowerment, and (e) evolving resiliency to life forces. This article discusses study limitations, future directions, and implications for school counseling practice.
School Counselor Advocacy for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Students: Intentions and Practice
Authors: Simons Jack D. , Brian Hutchison , Bahr Michael W.
Published: May 2017

This study sought to understand school counselor advocacy for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) students using the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 2015). The authors analyzed data from a non-random sample of 398 school counselors in the United States. Participants completed demographic items and the Attitudes subscale of the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale (SOCCS-A), Advocacy Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES), Motivation to Comply Scale (MTCS), LGB Advocacy Intention Scale (LGBAIS), and LGB Advocacy Activity Scale (LGBAAS). School counselors’ attitudes and advocacy self-efficacy significantly predicted LGB advocacy intention. Attitudes, self-efficacy, and LGB advocacy intention significantly predicted LGB advocacy activity. Findings related to motivation to comply were inconclusive, indicating that it did not influence any changes in school counselor LGB advocacy intention or activity. The authors call for more general and LGBT-specific advocacy, training, and research in schools and counselor education programs, and more school counselor involvement in sex education reform.
Advocacy for and with LGBT Students: An Examination of High School Counselor Experiences
Authors: Maru Gonzalez
Published: May 2017

A paucity of empirical scholarship exists on school counselor advocacy in general and virtually none as it relates to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students specifically. Addressing this gap in the literature, the purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of high school counselors in the southeastern United States who have served as advocates for and with LGBT students, with a specific focus on race/ethnicity and social class. Four themes were identified within the data: (a) student advocacy, (b) education as advocacy, (c) systems advocacy, and (d) social/political advocacy. This article presents and explores the themes as they relate to the various manifestations of school counselor advocacy, and discusses study implications and limitations.
Empyema and lung abscess: An unusual presentation of pulmonary actinomycosis
Authors: Robinson Matthew A. , Bhar Avinesh S.
Published: May 2017

Actinomyces spp. are an infrequent cause of pulmonary infections. Actinomyces spp. comprise part of the normal flora of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. A. meyeri is especially known for pulmonary involvement and disseminated disease. The authors present a case of a polymicrobial pulmonary abscess containing A. meyeri. The patient was a 58-year-old man with a history of coronary artery disease, alcohol abuse and hypertension. He presented with progressive dyspnea and cough productive of grey-colored foul smelling sputum. Upon admission, a chest computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed a right-lower-lobe lung abscess, with an associated loculated empyema. The following day, the patient underwent a thoracostomy with chest tube placement. The chest tube drained several hundred milliliters of purulent pleural fluid, but a follow up chest CT showed little change in the size of the underlying empyema. A subsequent thoracotomy with decortication was performed, which evacuated 100 ml of thick purulent fluid. Fourteen days after admission, the patient was discharged on a 6- to 12-week course of intravenous penicillin G, followed by a 6-month course of oral penicillin V.
Are Cross Border Acquisitions More Profitable, or Do They Make Profit More Persistent, than Domestic Acquisitions? UK Evidence
Authors: Adedeji Abimbola , Ayoush Maha D.
Published: May 2017

Cross border acquisitions were relatively more popular than domestic acquisitions in the UK and many other countries during late 1990s and the beginning of this century (Martynova and Renneboog, 2008, among others).  Apart from attributing it to the wave of globalisation that occurred at the time, hardly any other reason has been given for this phenomenon in the literature. In this paper, we check whether cross border acquisitions were more profitable than domestic acquisitions to bidders, or whether cross border acquisitions made the profitability of bidders to be more persistent than domestic acquisitions, during the period referred to above. Evidence observed from a sample of 199 cross border, and 174 domestic, acquisitions made by firms in the UK during 1996-2003 shows that the cross border acquisitions were significantly less profitable, and that they did not make the profitability of the bidders significantly more persistent, than the domestic acquisitions. These indications are similar to those of the US evidence reported by Moeller and Schlingemann (2005) and raise questions about why cross border acquisitions were relatively more popular than domestic acquisitions during the period referred to above.
Leadership and Communication in HCMC, Vietnam
Authors: Tiong Weng Adrian Wee
Published: May 2017

Vietnam remains an exciting investment destination. Long term success in this East Asian country, however, requires effective management of resources including employees. This paper examines the literature and interviews with local employees in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to identify cross-cultural communication and leadership issues at the international workplaces.
Selection of Short-term Investment Strategy-Judgment Based on Average Adhesion State
Authors: Ma Jishan , Pan Yawen , Zhang Yanyu
Published: May 2017

With the development and evolution of the futures market, the prosperity of a country's futures market is more and more important to the country's economic development. In China, the futures market development is not perfect, futures product structure still need to improve. Futures market, the existence of many speculators, futures laws and regulations imperfect, and the development of economic globalization, are the futures investment is facing many uncertain risks. In the choice of investment strategy, more and more investors to take prudent investment strategy, which, a large part of the investors tend to technical analysis. Through technical analysis, traders judge market trends and follow the cyclical changes in the trend to make stock and all financial derivatives trading decisions. In the technical analysis, the average system analysis is the most commonly used in practice is the highest accuracy of the analytical technology, this paper through the copper, rubber, sugar, cotton, zinc, several representative commodity futures to study, to verify the average bonding State of investment strategy choice. First, this paper determines the condition of the bonding state by calculating the distance of different mean points. Then, it is judged whether the reversal of the form is long or short by the comparison of the MA value of the different mean points. Finally, the factory strategy and the factory strategy are determined. And to take more and short after the operation of the proposed stop-loss strategy. The effect of these strategies is very significant, the sum of several commodity futures net profit of 113744.79 yuan, profit and loss ratio of 2.82.
The Effect of Leader-Member Exchange on Innovative Work Behavior in the Saudi Hospitality
Authors: Alsughayir Abdulrahman
Published: May 2017

This study investigated whether a relationship exists between leader–Member exchange (LMX) and innovative work behavior (IWB) of hotel sector employees in the territory of Riyadh. LMX’s overall effect on innovative employee work behavior can be seen in the values of R2 = 0.655 and adjusted R2 =0.423. Overall, the results explain 65 percent of the variation in innovative employee behavior, which represents a satisfactory and positive result for the study and supported the study’s hypotheses. One aim of the study was to improve our understanding of the effect that LMX has on IWB among the hospitality sector in Riyadh. LMX was found to be an important antecedent of IWB, and a high level of quality of LMX between employees and supervisors will inspire employees to be increasingly innovative while working.
Gaming Motivations among American College Students
Authors: Chi Yeong , Lovett Marvin Glen , Chi Orson
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine American college students’ motivations related to video games and to identify groups exhibiting common patterns of responses. This study investigated the video gaming motivations of American college students through the adoption of a gaming motivation scale, developed by Lafrenière, et al., which was composed of 18 Likert-typed items. A questionnaire survey, administered to 191 American college students at a public university in South Texas, was employed to collect primary data for this study. The gaming motivations of these participants were examined through factor analysis, which identified four reliable factors. Cluster analysis was then employed to identify three prominent video gaming motivation groups. This research may provide practical marketing implications by proposing effective ways to better understand and target video gaming consumers. Research results may also provide direction for developing successful marketing strategies in the video gaming industry.
The Availability of Quality Health Service Dimensions in Government Hospitals in Sudan (A Case Study of Teaching Hospitals in Sudan)
Authors: Ahmed Mohamednour Eltahir , Ibrahim Ahmed Osman
Published: May 2017

This study aimed to identify the levels of quality of health services in government hospitals in Sudan. It also aimed to examine the availability of the dimensions of health services quality, which included tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, confidence and empathy. It has been conducted in the grand didactic hospitals in Khartoum state, Sudan; namely Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman. The sample of this study included patients and customers who are supposed to benefit from the service under study. The respondents are exposed to a questionnaire of (22) statements to measure the dimensions of the availability of quality in the health service. The findings of the study showed that the patients and customers demonstrated a high level of awareness towards the presence and quality of dimensions of health services provided by government hospitals. It is also revealed that the five health dimensions of quality are not available in government hospitals and their applications are not the concern of the hospital managements.
Foreign Direct Investment of United States of America in Bangladesh
Authors: Mostafiz Fahmida
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this paper is to review the Foreign Direct Investment of United States of America in Bangladesh. To pursue the objectives, the study considers the year to year total inflows of FDI and contribution from USA compare to other countries. A time series analysis using simple regression model, Compound growth rate in sectors, investing across borders indicators developed by World Bank group and Market Potential Index conducted by the Michigan state University-International Business Center reveals that, USA average inflow is US$ 115.89 million which is 13% out of the total FDI received Bangladesh. Moreover, USA recent investments in Bangladesh are in four sectors: gas and petroleum, power and banking. As, Bangladesh performance relatively better than India, Pakistan and Srilanka in terms of investing across borders indicators, US companies and government of both nations may positively consider the findings of this study when they are going to formulate investment and trade policies. Making a scope of further studies in related field, this paper contribute to the existing knowledge of US investment opportunities in Bangladesh.
Repensando acesso, qualificando o cuidado: relato do trabalho em duas equipes de saúde da família
Authors: Reigada Carolina Lopes de Lima
Published: May 2017

Em março de 2015, a residência em medicina de família e comunidade foi incorporada a duas equipes de um centro de saúde: uma com população vulnerável e grande rotatividade de médicos, e outra com população principalmente da classe média. Após três meses, percebemos que os profissionais estavam sobrecarregados na maioria dos turnos de atendimento, não tinham horário de almoço e saíam da unidade após o fechamento. Na avaliação 360° pela preceptora, os pacientes aprovavam o atendimento, mas reclamavam do tempo de espera para a consulta. O objetivo foi reavaliar o processo de trabalho e melhorar a satisfação dos pacientes e profissionais. Para tal, levantamos os nós críticos nas agendas diárias e adaptamos a capacidade das agendas às necessidades das populações, e optamos pelo acesso avançado, além de outros acordos entre a equipe para organizar a demanda. Toda a equipe participou do processo de planejamento e incorporação das ações. Logo nas primeiras duas semanas, os profissionais perceberam diminuição na sobrecarga de trabalho. Nossos próximos passos são aumentar participação popular e melhorar vigilância sobre a população, evitando a lei de cuidados inversos.
Advancing an Open Ethos with Open Peer Review
Authors: Ford Emily
Published: May 2017

Open source. Open access. Open data. Open notebooks. Open government. Open educational resources. Open access workflows. To be open is to have a disposition favoring transparent and collaborative efforts.Open is everywhere. Since the late 90’s when developers in Silicon Valley adopted the term ‘open source’ (suggested by Christine Peterson), the open movement has grown by leaps and bounds. The developers, who met after the web browser company Netscape made its source code open, articulated that ‘open’ “…illustrated a valuable way to engage with potential software users and developers, and convince them to create and improve source code by participating in an engaged community.”1 It also separated ‘open source’ “…from the philosophically- and politically-focused label ‘free software.’”2
Evaluation of Academic Library Residency Programs in the United States for Librarians of Color
Authors: Boyd Angela , Blue Yolanda , Im Suzanne
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this research was to evaluate academic library residency programs that successfully recruit and retain academic librarians of color. This study examines library residencies in the United States and discusses findings of two nationwide surveys. One survey posed questions to residents about the structure of their residencies, aspects residents found most helpful for career advancement, and their thoughts on diversity initiatives. The coordinators were asked many of the same questions as the residents but also about the administrative aspects of their programs. The survey responses reveal a need to provide residents with structured mentoring, along with a sense of belonging and value. Library residency programs can play an integral part in the larger recruitment, retention, and diversity initiatives in the profession.
Research in the Real World: Improving Adult Learners Web Search and Evaluation Skills through Motivational Design and Problem-Based Learning
Authors: Roberts Lindsay
Published: May 2017

How can we better engage adult learners during information literacy sessions? How do we increase students’ perception of the relevance and importance of information literacy skills for academic work and life in the real world? To explore these questions, the ARCS Model of Motivational Design and Problem-Based Learning were used to develop activities for a library instruction workshop. Community college students completed a pretest and posttest assessment to measure change in skill level, perceived confidence, and perceived relevance of the research workshop. Results show learners’ skill levels, perceived confidence, and perceived relevance increased significantly. Based on the results, suggestions are made for incorporating Motivational Design and Problem-Based Learning into information literacy sessions to increase student engagement.
Managing Digital Cultural Objects: Analysis, Discovery and Retrieval. Eds. Allen Foster and Pauline Rafferty. Chicago: ALA Neal-Schuman, 2016. 256p. Paper $88.00 (ISBN 978-0-8389-1343-7).
Authors: Frazier Amy
Published: May 2017

The title of Managing Digital Cultural Objects carries some risk of misleading the reader into thinking that it’s a how-to manual. It is not. This work is less an overview of the nuts and bolts of its subject (although it is that at times), and more an exploration of the theory and issues related to digital objects and collections: how we conceive of and create them, how we preserve them, how we share them, how users interact with them. As digital objects become critically important in libraries and collections of all kinds, this book serves as a welcome view across the landscape of digital collections, considering both current practice and future possibilities. It was originally published in the United Kingdom and was written primarily, though not exclusively, by expert authors based in the United Kingdom.
Being Evidence Based in Library and Information Practice. Eds. Denise Koufogiannakis and Alison Brettle. London: Facet Publishing, 2016. xiv, 224p. Paper, $75.00 (ISBN 978-1-78330-071-6).
Authors: Mikulski Richard M.
Published: May 2017

In the penultimate chapter of this work, contributor Bill Fisher asks a rhetorical question: “Evidence-based library and information practice; who could argue or take issue with an idea like that?” (151). In an edited volume examining “evidence based library and information practice” (EBLIP), this question is not tongue-in-cheek. Common sense, or perhaps wishful thinking, suggests that librarians already employ information in their decision-making. It is therefore necessary to clarify that the authors have a specific definition for being “evidence based.” They define EBLIP as “approaching [library] practice with a particular mindset,” arguing “being evidence based means that you consider your practice from a curious and questioning perspective, with a view to continuous improvement… you question what you are currently doing and think about possible ways to do things better” (165). The work, with its fourteen short chapters, examines the processes by which information is gathered, processed, and acted upon.
Social Identity in People with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Barker Alex B. , Lincoln Nadina B. , Hunt Nigel , dasNair Roshan
Published: May 2017

Background:

Mood disorders are highly prevalent in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS causes changes to a person's sense of self. The Social Identity Model of Identity Change posits that group membership can have a positive effect on mood during identity change. The family is a social group implicated in adjustment to MS. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether family identity can predict mood in people with MS and to test whether this prediction was mediated by social support and connectedness to others.

Methods:

This cross-sectional survey of 195 participants comprised measures of family identity, family social support, connectedness to others, and mood.

Results:

Family identity predicted mood both directly and indirectly through parallel mediators of family social support and connectedness to others.

Conclusions:

Family identity predicted mood as posited by the Social Identity Model of Identity Change. Involving the family in adjustment to MS could reduce low mood.
Cutaneous Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma with Perineural Invasion Diagnosed in the Foot
Authors: Agunbiade Modupe , Lalehparvar Sanaz , Khaladj Morteza
Published: May 2017

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare, slow-growing neoplasm. It is most commonly located in the salivary glands, affects people older than 55 years of age, and has a predilection for women. These lesions may recur locally but have shown low metastatic potential. We present the unique case of a 71-year-old female with a nonraised hyperpigmented lesion isolated to the right heel. Confusion surrounded the clinical presentation of this dermatologic lesion, and many physicians postulated several differential diagnoses. The purpose of this case report is to bring further awareness to this rare dermatologic variant of adenoid cystic carcinoma, which has been rarely reported in the literature.
The N-terminus of the prion protein is a toxic effector regulated by the C-terminus
Authors: Wu Bei , McDonald Alex J , Markham Kathleen , Rich Celeste B , McHugh Kyle P , Tatzelt Jörg , Colby David W , Millhauser Glenn L , Harris David A
Published: May 2017

PrPC, the cellular isoform of the prion protein, serves to transduce the neurotoxic effects of PrPSc, the infectious isoform, but how this occurs is mysterious. Here, using a combination of electrophysiological, cellular, and biophysical techniques, we show that the flexible, N-terminal domain of PrPC functions as a powerful toxicity-transducing effector whose activity is tightly regulated in cis by the globular C-terminal domain. Ligands binding to the N-terminal domain abolish the spontaneous ionic currents associated with neurotoxic mutants of PrP, and the isolated N-terminal domain induces currents when expressed in the absence of the C-terminal domain. Anti-PrP antibodies targeting epitopes in the C-terminal domain induce currents, and cause degeneration of dendrites on murine hippocampal neurons, effects that entirely dependent on the effector function of the N-terminus. NMR experiments demonstrate intramolecular docking between N- and C-terminal domains of PrPC, revealing a novel auto-inhibitory mechanism that regulates the functional activity of PrPC.