bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Strategy of Harm Reduction in Work with People Addicted to Drugs and Alcohol
Authors: Dubiel Ewa
Published: December 2016

The policy of EU Member States, the United States, South America and Australia is heading towards the restructuring of the support system for addicts by implementing actions meant to limit the health and social damages resulting from the use of psychoactive substances. Many countries offer access to low-threshold programmes whereby the participant is not forced to maintain abstinence or submit to the excessive rules and obligations of a rehabilitation center. Harm reduction is a philosophy based on pragmatic and realistic goals of working with addicts and users. It assumes that each change, even the smallest, is important and should be supported. Harm reduction programmes usually function in several sectors of social assistance – therapy, social rehabilitation, dangerous behavior prevention and social services. In Poland, the widening of the scope of the treatment offer by harm reduction programmes is still marginal, and the changes in the system of treating addiction do not keep up with the dynamic changes in the pattern of using psychoactive substances. The monolithic system of assistance, based on abstinence, is not sufficient and does not respond to the changing needs in terms of helping those people who require it.
Psychopedagogical and Criminological Aspects of Youth Risk Behavior
Authors: Klonowska Iwona
Published: December 2016

Risky behavior undertaken by young people is not a new phenomenon. It is a multi-faceted and complex issue determined by social and psychological factors. The definition of risky behavior in youths says that they are actions undertaken voluntarily, whose effects are uncertain, with the possibility of identifiable adverse effect on health. Among the most frequently mentioned risky behaviors of youth are: smoking, improper nutrition, alcohol consumption, drug use, suicidal behavior, accidental personal injury, crime, violence, teen-age pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, running away from home and homeless youth, and the lack of potential success at school and dropping out of school. This article provides an overview of the literature on risky behaviors in youths in three aspects: pedagogical, psychological and criminological.
Empathy versus experience, and the use of violence among young people
Authors: Lewicka-Zelent Agnieszka , Huczuk Sylwia
Published: December 2016

Young people are at risk from acts of aggression both at school, in the family and from their peers. Frequently, the victims themselves begin to manifest it as a result ofexperiencing it from other people. Another determinant of the level of aggression is mass media or negative role models (e.g. the use of humiliating and compromising images and words). Empathy is a skill which enables one to recognize another person’s inner states and processes when coming into contact with the person. Thanks to it, one is able to share the emotions of the other person, which reduces the risk of aggressive behavior. Therefore, it is vital that activities aiming at the development of empathy and reduction of aggression be included into working with adolescents. Such activities may include sensitizing training, aggression substitution training, relaxation training or psychoeducational workshops. The aim of the study was to determine the level of emotional and cognitive empathy of aggressive victims as compared to young people experiencing or using aggression.
Burnout in probation officers enforcing judgements in criminal and juvenile cases
Authors: Skowroński Bartłomiej
Published: December 2016

The results of the study unambiguously indicate that the phenomenon of occupational burnout affects almost half (44%) of probation officers who participated in the study. It is illustrated by the most important, global occupational burnout ratio and, additionally, its individual dimensions. The correlation between stress and occupational burnout was confirmed, which corroborates the results of studies conducted by authors such as Schaufeli and Dierendock (1995), Hart (1996), Leiter, Maslach (1997), Maslach (1998).
Social Inequalities as Determinantof Variations in Parental Expectation for Involvement in Education of Learners with Special Needs (SENs) in Nigeria
Authors: Afolabi Olusegun Emmanuel
Published: December 2016

Although parent’s involvement is growing in popularity all over the world, little systematic research has focused on parents’ expectation for involvement in education of learners with special educational needs (SENs) in inclusive education. Grounded in the parental involvement literature, and using the Ecological and Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler model (1995) as theoretical and conceptual frameworks, this study investigate why there were considerable variations in parents’ expectations for involvement in education of learners with (SENs) in Nigeria. The investigation is based on this research question: Do family structural characteristics, such as gender, marital status and education have significant influence on parental expectations for involvement in inclusive education in Nigeria? Employing a quantitative research method, this study gathered data from 372 parents of learners with SENs in 10 regular primary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, and used a survey instrumenton Parental Involvement in Inclusive Education (PII) for data collection. The study found that socio-cultural and economic values attached to marital status, education and gender, influenced the expectation for involvement among parents of learners with SENs in Nigeria. Finally the study recommended that government and educational administrators should embrace actions and programmes that promote parental expectations for involvement by establishing parents’ support groups, where parents of learners with SENs can share their knowledge and work together in order to promote their children’s learning in inclusive education.
Modeling and forecasting utility resources usage in an emerging country
Authors: Moroke Ntebogang Dinah
Published: December 2016

The purpose of this study is to compare the forecasting efficiency of two univariate time series models, the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) and the Holt-Winter’s triple exponential smoothing. A monthly electricity and water consumption data used was sourced from the South African Reserve Bank. This data was available for the period Q3 2008 to Q1 2016. Upon subjecting the data to the diagnostic tests of normality, heteroscedasticity and stationarity, parameters of the selected model were estimated using the maximum likelihood method. Although the two models were found to be good estimators and globally significant, Holt Winter’s triple exponential smoothing (HWTES) was selected as the best forecasting model based on the small forecast errors generated. The forecasts revealed that utility resources demand in South Africa are expected to be high for the period 2016 to 2017 and the trend extends to periods ahead. Using these findings, better strategies on the production and distribution of electricity and water can be formulated. Lives of people in South Africa could also be improved.
Risk connected to the demographic factors in managing labour relations in the tertiary sector of the economy
Authors: Abdoolla Aaliya , Govender Patsy
Published: December 2016

In today’s fast-paced, competitive and digital work environment, the challenges of work commitments and personal responsibilities confront employers and employees. Employees want flexibility and control over their work obligations and their personal lives. This is imperative as their economic needs depend on the income derived from work performance. Employers need to institute relevant programmes for economic viability and sustainability. The study aims to examine the impact of the demographic variables on work-life balance in a tertiary sector of the economy. The study utilizes a questionnaire that was self-developed which was pilot tested and, the validity and reliability were determined. Significant differences surfaced in the study. The findings of the study shed light on balancing several aspects of employees’ work and family lives. The results culminate in recommendations for management to integrate Employee Assistance Programmes into its structure and policies; provide for on-site day care facilities and; institute flexible working practices to impact positively on employee commitment and motivation, amongst others.
ANALISIS KELEMBAGAAN DAN KEBERLANJUTAN EHA LAUT DAN MANE’E SEBAGAI MODEL PENGELOLAAN SUMBERDAYA PESISIR BERBASIS MASYARAKAT
Authors: . Khoirunnisak , Satria Arif
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACT
Eha is the rule managing the harvest of crops both from marine and terrestrial. Mane’e is the fish harvest ceremony using sammi ropes after one year period of the Eha Laut. Both traditions have been carried out since immemorial time as an attempt to keep the preservation of natural resources and accustom people to live together. This study aimed to analyze the institutional elements of Eha Laut and Mane’e, the Eha Laut and Mane’e sustainability level in community-based coastal resources management. Based on this research, it is known that the performance of the Eha Laut and Mane’e in coastal resource management has been effective and run well. However, there are 3 (three) indicators which are still in the low level management. They are people’s participation in the local management, conflict resolution mechanisms and networks with external agencies. The Eha Laut and Mane’e sustainability level includes in the category of perfection. The level of sustainability assessed in three dimensions; economic, social and environmental dimensions. Dimension that needs more attention is the environmental dimension.
Keywords: sustainable, institutional, community, coastal resources management

ABSTRAK
Eha adalah aturan pengelolaan panen tanaman baik dari laut dan darat. Mane’e adalah upacara panen ikan menggunakan tali sammi setelah periode satu tahun Eha Laut. Kedua tradisi telah dilakukan sejak zaman dahulu sebagai upaya untuk menjaga kelestarian sumber daya alam dan orang membiasakan untuk hidup bersama. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis unsur-unsur kelembagaan Eha Laut dan Mane’e, yang Eha Laut dan Mane’e tingkat keberlanjutan dalam pengelolaan sumber daya pesisir berbasis masyarakat. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, diketahui bahwa kinerja Eha Laut dan Mane’e dalam pengelolaan sumber daya pesisir telah efektif dan berjalan dengan baik. Namun, ada 3 (tiga) indikator yang masih dalam manajemen tingkat rendah. Mereka adalah partisipasi masyarakat dalam pengelolaan lokal, mekanisme resolusi konflik dan jaringan dengan lembaga-lembaga eksternal. The Eha Laut dan Mane’e tingkat keberlanjutan termasuk dalam kategori kesempurnaan. Tingkat keberlanjutan dinilai dalam tiga dimensi; ekonomi, sosial dan lingkungan dimensi. Dimensi yang perlu perhatian lebih adalah dimensi lingkungan.
Kata kunci: berkelanjutan, kelembagaan, masyarakat, pengelolaan sumber daya pesisir.
Konsep Metafisika Muhammad Iqbal
Authors: Kartawinata Ali
Published: December 2016

Muhammad Iqbals ideas of metaphysics emphasized that there is source of other experiences above the normal level, which is referred to as intuition.This experience differs from mind and perception. Intuition entered into human being as reality which is not reached by mind and perception. Self-reality can be found through intuition method. From self-reality yieldedby intuition, and then found material-reality. The essence of material world is the self, since self is life. Hereby, the essence of the world reality has always changed constantly and freely. The fact is not static. There are no two occurrences in the life of reality which are similar to one another. There are activities, actions, and movements which remain permanently. Thus, the essence of life is action and movement itself. This Paper tries to explore Muhammad Iqbals idea of metaphysics and how the intuition process in the end is able to explain about reality.
Pembakuan Mushaf Uthmani
Authors: Najib Muhammad
Published: December 2016

In the Muslims Scholar, codifications history and difference of mushaf is a historical fact which must be honestly revealed without having any purpose to demolish fundamental doctrine of Islam on the quranic authenticities. This study revealed that Mushaf Uthmani began from the second codification at the period of and by Uthman ibn Affan, meant as an effort to the uniformity of mushaf among Muslim communities. The second codification did not simply copy Abu Bakars mushaf which was represented as the result of the first codification, but also completing it with the sentences which are not yet recorded. The second codification was followed up by Uthman by releasing policy which obliged the use of mushaf Uthmani as single mushaf. However, this policy did not at once wipe out non-Uthmanis mushaf, and did not lessen Quranic authenticities.
Dakwah MMI (Mengurai Kekerasan Sosial pada Diskusi di LKiS Yogyakarta)
Authors: Jalil Abdul
Published: December 2016

Attacks promoted by certain elements during a discussion in LKiS of course disturb the society, moreover when they causes social violence. At the same time, the dynamic and diverse condition of society often interprets a problem according to the social condition so the problem never comes to an end. In accordance to the fact, the research was conducted to investigate why the social violence happens easily and it is always identical with Majlis Mujahidin Indonesia (MMI). The research applies descriptive analysis method using the primary and secondary data by learning the locus of research on the social violence happened after the discussion in LKiS Yogyakarta. The internal factors as causes that need to get serious attention from all components of the nation include the poor condition of social welfare, the lack of religious knowledge and the need of a figure who is able to enlighten the society. These factors cause the society behave cruelly. Meanwhile, there are other groups of people who feel that their faith was disturbed, and the absent function of existing security system, have resulted the social violence as an answer for the people who commit acts of violence.Keywords: Models of Propagation, MMI, Social Violence, and LKiS.
Tindakan Komunikatif : Sekilas tentang Pemikiran Jürgen Habermas
Authors: Nuris Anwar
Published: December 2016

Benefiting from Jürgen Habermas, an intellectual figure, the study intends to answer two key questions. How is Jürgen Habermas’ epistemologic construction, and what is communicative actions in Habermas’ concept? The answers are next going to include the basic critical theories of Habermas. The beginning part the writing is intended to be the starting point of understanding Habermas’ thought by placing Habermas’ basic epistemology as a basic concept purposed afterward. The writing concludes that the concept of Habermas’ communicative actions is an anchor for all of Habermas’ social theories.Keywords: Jürgen Habermas, Action Rationality, Communicative Action.
Pola Komunikasi di Pesantren : Studi tentang Model Komunikasi antara Kiai, Ustadz, dan Santri di Pondok Pesantren TMI Al-Amien Prenduan
Authors: Hartono Rudi
Published: December 2016

Social interaction is a communication process that connects human interpersonal relationship among people. Each communication process must build a communication model that becomes an individual’s or group’s identity. Communication activities have been conducted regularly in the daily life so it needs to be observed, evaluated and corrected, especially related to its communication models.The research describes the communication process among kiai, ustadz (teachers), and santri (students) of TMI Al-Amien in 24-hour-activities, formal and non-formal activities. The method of the research is descriptive qualitative with phenomenological approach. It analyzes the communication process using the transaction, transmission, ritual, expressive, publicity and reception models.The result of analysis includes the two models of communication among kiai, ustadz (teachers), and santri (students): first, in the process of new students acceptance, Friday dialog program, and student conseling, the communication is modeled as two-direction communication dealing DeVito’s communication model, second, in Perlantasi program, the communication model used is one-direction communication dealing with Harold Dwight Lasswell’s communication model.Keyword : Social Interaction, Communication Pattern, Pondok Pesantren
Voluntary Counseling and Testing untuk Orang Berisiko HIV/AIDS
Authors: Saputri Retnaningsih Diah Astuti
Published: December 2016

The Study aims to know further about the implementation of Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) to people with the possibility of being infected by HIV/AIDS. It is governmental service program starting from counseling, testing, and post testing in order to minimize the contagious risk of HIV/AIDS. Through the qualitative-descriptive approach, this study showed that the implementation of VCT program is very important because the process emphasizes the acceptance of client, building relationship, exploring, identifying, giving information, planning activity, determining decision, testing, up to developing the readiness of client, making planning, reading off the test’s result, explaining result of the test, giving support and motivation. All of these are purposed to minimize the contagious risk, and make the infected one more optimistic in experiencing life.Keywords: Counseling, Testing, and HIV/AIDS.
Pancreatic Effects of Liraglutide or Sitagliptin in Overweight Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A 12-Week Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Smits Mark M. , Tonneijck Lennart , Muskiet Marcel H.A. , Kramer Mark H.H. , Pieters-van den Bos Indra C. , Vendrik Karuna E.W. , Hoekstra Trynke , Bruno Marco J. , Diamant Michaela , van Raalte Daniël H. , Cahen Djuna L.
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE

To assess the mechanistic effects of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist liraglutide and the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor sitagliptin on (exocrine) pancreatic physiology and morphology.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

For this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial, 55 patients with type 2 diabetes treated with metformin and/or sulfonylurea agents were included. Participants received liraglutide 1.8 mg (n = 19), sitagliptin 100 mg (n = 19), or matching placebos (n = 17) once daily for 12 weeks. The primary end point was change in exocrine function (intraduodenal pancreatic fluid secretion, lipase activity, fecal elastase-1, and chymotrypsin). Secondary end points included changes in plasma enzyme concentrations and pancreatic morphology (per MRI).

RESULTS

No patient developed pancreatitis. Sitagliptin increased intraduodenal pancreatic fluid secretion by 16.3 mL (95% CI −0.3 to 32.9; P = 0.05), whereas liraglutide did not change exocrine pancreatic function. Neither therapy increased lipase/amylase levels after 12 weeks. However, liraglutide increased lipase levels after 6 weeks (23.5 U/L [95% CI 2.1–44.8]; P = 0.03) and sitagliptin increased amylase levels after 2 and 6 weeks (13.7 U/L [95% CI 3.4–23.9]; P = 0.03). Both drugs increased plasma trypsinogen after 12 weeks (liraglutide: 34.6 µg/mL [95% CI 15.1–54.2], P = 0.001; sitagliptin: 23.9 µg/mL [95% CI 4.9–42.9], P = 0.01). Neither changed pancreatic morphology, although liraglutide tended to increase pancreatic volume (7.7 cm3 [95% CI −1.2 to 16.6]; P = 0.09). Treatment-induced volume expansion was associated with increased amylase levels.

CONCLUSIONS

A 12-week treatment with liraglutide or sitagliptin only resulted in a brief and modest increase of plasma pancreatic enzyme concentrations in patients with type 2 diabetes. Apart from a minimal sitagliptin-induced increase in intraduodenal fluid secretion, pancreatic exocrine function was unaffected. The long-term clinical consequences of these discrete changes require further study.
The Silorane-based Resin Composites: A Review
Authors: Maghaireh GA , Taha NA , Alzraikat H
Published: December 2016

This article aims to review the research done on the silorane-based resin composites (SBRC) regarding polymerization shrinkage and contraction stresses and their ability to improve the shortcomings of the methacrylate-based resin composites (MRBC). Special attention is given to their physical and mechanical properties, bond strength, marginal adaptation, and cusp deflection. The clinical significance of this material is critically appraised with a focus on the ability of SBRC to strengthen the tooth structure as a direct restorative material. A search of English peer-reviewed dental literature (2003-2015) from PubMed and MEDLINE databases was conducted with the terms “low shrinkage” and “silorane composites.” The list was screened, and 70 articles that were relevant to the objectives of this work were included.
Evaluation of potential risk factors for development of primary angle-closure glaucoma in Bouviers des Flandres
Authors: Dubin Alexis J. , Bentley Ellison , Buhr Kevin A. , Miller Paul E.
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE To evaluate potential risk factors for development of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) in Bouviers des Flandres.

DESIGN Prospective, observational study.

ANIMALS 98 Bouviers des Flandres.

PROCEDURES All dogs underwent slit-lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, gonioscopy, applanation tonometry, streak retinoscopy, and A-scan, B-scan, and high-resolution ultrasonography. Iridocorneal angles and degree of pectinate ligament dysplasia sheeting were graded, and an angle index was mathematically derived for each eye on the basis of these values. Ciliary clefts evaluated by high-resolution ultrasonography were classified as open, narrow, or closed. Owners were contacted by telephone 7 to 9 years after the initial examination to determine whether dogs had a subsequent diagnosis of PACG. Relationships between previously recorded variables and the development of PACG were evaluated by logistic regression methods. Available pedigrees were reviewed to assess genetic relationships among affected dogs.

RESULTS 9 of 92 (9.8%) dogs with follow-up information available developed PACG. An angle index < 1 and presence of a narrow or closed ciliary cleft in 1 or both eyes were each significantly associated with development of PACG. Odds of developing PACG for dogs with an angle index < 1 (indicating marked reduction in outflow capacity through the iridocorneal angle), a narrow or closed ciliary cleft in > 1 eye, or both findings were 13, 20, and 28 times those for dogs that did not have these findings, respectively. All dogs that developed PACG shared 1 common male sire or grandsire.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Several anatomic factors were significant risk factors for development of PACG in this population of dogs. Results also suggested a genetic component for the disease.
Radiographic evaluation and comparison of the patellar ligament following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy and tibial tuberosity advancement in dogs: 106 cases (2009–2012)
Authors: DeSandre-Robinson Dana M. , Tano Cheryl A. , Fiore Kara L. , Prytherch Ben
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE To radiographically evaluate and compare changes in the patellar ligament of dogs following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA).

DESIGN Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS 106 dogs that underwent TPLO (n = 59) or TTA (n = 47) for unilateral rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament at a private veterinary hospital from August 2009 through September 2012.

PROCEDURES Medical records were reviewed to collect information on dog signalment, surgical procedure, whether arthrotomy had been performed, pre- and postoperative measurements of patellar ligament angle (PLA) and tibial plateau angle (TPA), and preoperative and follow-up measurements of patellar ligament thickness.

RESULTS For dogs that underwent TTA, thickening of the distal portion of the patellar ligament was identified radiographically in 43 (92%) dogs at the first follow-up examination and 36 (77%) at the second follow-up examination. For dogs that underwent TPLO, these numbers were 57 (97%) and 54 (92%), respectively. A significant decrease in patellar ligament thickness was identified between the first and second follow-up examinations for TTA but not TPLO. Mean ± SD PLA following TTA was 89.46 ± 5.54°, representing a mean difference from the preoperative PLA of 11.86 ± 5.3°; following TPLO, mean TPA was 12.61 ± 4.03°, representing a mean difference from the preoperative TPA of 16.74 ± 7.13°.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Patellar ligament thickening occurred following TPLO and TTA in dogs. The clinical relevance of this thickening remains unknown.
Attitudes of small animal practitioners toward participation in veterinary clinical trials
Authors: Gruen Margaret E. , Griffith Emily H. , Caney Sarah M. A. , Rishniw Mark , Lascelles B. Duncan X.
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE To determine attitudes of small animal practitioners toward veterinary clinical trials and variables influencing their likelihood of participating in such trials.

DESIGN Cross-sectional survey.

SAMPLE Small animal practitioners with membership in 1 of 2 online veterinary communities (n = 163 and 652).

PROCEDURES An online survey was developed for each of 2 veterinary communities, and invitations to participate were sent via email. Each survey included questions designed to collect information on the respondents’ willingness to enroll their patients in clinical trials and to recommend participation to clients for their pets.

RESULTS More than 80% of respondents to each survey indicated that they spend no time in clinical research. A high proportion of respondents were likely or extremely likely to recommend clinical trial participation to clients for their pets when those trials involved treatments licensed in other countries, novel treatments, respected investigators, or sponsoring by academic institutions, among other reasons. Reasons for not recommending participation included distance, time restrictions, and lack of awareness of ongoing clinical trials; 28% of respondents indicated that they did not usually learn about such clinical trials. Most respondents (79% to 92%) rated their recommendation of a trial as important to their client's willingness to participate.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Participation in veterinary clinical trials by small animal practitioners and their clients and patients appeared low. Efforts should be increased to raise practitioner awareness of clinical trials for which patients might qualify. Specific elements of trial design were identified that could be modified to increase participation.
The Adoption of Frances T: Blood, Belonging, and Aboriginal Transracial Adoption in Twentieth-Century Canada
Authors: Stevenson Allyson
Published: December 2016

This article offers a case study of a transracial adoption involving a mixed-heritage child and a legally Indian adoptive couple. The legal adoption of “Frances T” in 1937, considered to be “in the best interests of the child” by social welfare professionals, took on gendered and racialized meaning in the discourse of the Indian Affairs bureaucrats who subsequently attempted to overturn it. The article uses the case to examine Canadian settler-colonial beliefs about blood and belonging. It also explores the complications that emerged as legally defined Indian people came into contact with provincial child welfare legislation. With the goal of eliminating Indigenous legal and kinship forms, the Indian Act colonized adoption so it could be used as a method of assimilation rather than as a traditional form of Indigenous alliance creation and childcare. The case highlights the themes of Indigenous kinship and sovereignty, legislated Indian identity, and the growing involvement of social workers in the lives of Aboriginal people in the mid- to late-twentieth century.
Verkstaden som skola eller skolan som verkstad: Om produktion som pedagogisk praktik i svensk yrkesutbildning
Authors: Broberg Åsa
Published: December 2016

The workshop school was a particular form of education in the Swedish vocational education system of 1918. It was established and developed over a period of 50 years before it disappeared in the upper secondary reform of 1968. The workshop school differed, in many respects, from the kind of school workshops of today where students attain most of their vocational practice. It was not unusual that the workshop schools operated as small business enterprises on the local market, even when the municipality was the organizer of the education. The wide scope of this article is about this historical phenomenon. The aim is to investigate the production as a pedagogical tool through the artefacts and spaces of the workshop school. This is done within the theoretical framework materiality of schooling, a perspective that can be described as school archaeology. City- or municipal archives hold a treasure trove of photographs and narratives from the era of workshop schools in Sweden. They reveal how production shaped the content and relations to society in a very different way from the vocational training that takes place in the modern school workshop.
Cinnamaldehyde Inhibits Staphylococcus aureus Virulence Factors and Protects against Infection in a Galleria mellonella Model
Authors: Ferro Thiago A. F. , Araújo Jéssica M. M. , dos Santos Pinto Bruna L. , dos Santos Jéssica S. , Souza Eliene B. , da Silva Bruna L. R. , Colares Valderlane L. P. , Novais Tânia M. G. , Filho Clovis M. B. , Struve Carsten , Calixto João B. , Monteiro-Neto Valério , da Silva Luís C. N. , Fernandes Elizabeth S.
Published: December 2016

Bacterial resistance to the available marketed drugs has prompted the search of novel therapies; especially in regards of anti-virulence strategies that aim to make bacteria less pathogenic and/or decrease their probability to become resistant to therapy. Cinnamaldehyde is widely known for its antibacterial properties through mechanisms that include the interaction of this compound with bacterial cell walls. However, only a handful of studies have addressed its effects on bacterial virulence, especially when tested at sub-inhibitory concentrations. Herein, we show for the first time that cinnamaldehyde is bactericidal against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis multidrug resistant strains and does not promote bacterial tolerance. Cinnamaldehyde actions were stronger on S. aureus as it was able to inhibit its hemolytic activity on human erythrocytes and reduce its adherence to latex. Furthermore, cinnamaldehyde enhanced the serum-dependent lysis of S. aureus. In vivo testing of cinnamaldehyde in Galleria mellonella larvae infected with S. aureus, showed this compound improves larvae survival whilst diminishing bacterial load in their hemolymph. We suggest that cinnamaldehyde may represent an alternative therapy to control S. aureus-induced bacterial infections as it presents the ability to reduce bacterial virulence/survival without promoting an adaptive phenotype.
Life‐history correlations with seasonal cold hardiness in maritime pine
Authors: Prada Eva , Climent José , Alía Ricardo , Díaz Raquel
Published: December 2016

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Plants have developed mechanisms to withstand stressful environmental conditions, but the high energetic cost of these mechanisms may involve exchanges with other key functions. While trade‐offs between cold hardiness and growth rates are a general assumption, we lack information regarding genetically based trade‐offs between cold hardiness and other life‐history traits. Such information has strong implications for tree conservation and breeding, especially in the context of ongoing climate change.

METHODS:

We used a common garden progeny test to examine the relationships between seasonal cold hardiness and life‐history traits of growth, reproduction, juvenile ontogeny, and phenology in 75 families of six maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) populations, three of continental and three of coastal origins.

KEY RESULTS:

We found a clear differentiation among populations with regard to cold hardiness and life‐history traits. Two continental Iberian populations showed high cold tolerance and slower growth, but faster ontogenetic development in relation to both vegetative heteroblastic change in juveniles and the onset of female reproduction. The coastal populations displayed the opposite behavior, while the continental Moroccan population presented a unique combination of traits. We confirmed trade‐offs between cold‐hardiness and growth at the population level, but not within populations. There were no trade‐offs with other life‐history traits at either level.

CONCLUSIONS:

Relevant local adaptation syndromes were identified in the relationship between cold hardiness and life‐history traits. These should be considered in developing tree management guidelines aimed at increasing productivity or adaptability under the expected conditions of climate change.
ROLE OF MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS IN CRAFTING REALIZED STRATEGIES
Authors: NARANJO-GIL David
Published: December 2016

The distinction between deliberate and emergent strategy implementation is rarely acknowledged in management control literature, which has promoted a passive view of control systems tailored explicitly to support the strategic planning. This paper analyzes how management control systems facilitate organizations to realize their intended strategies. Hypotheses are tested using survey data from CEOs of Spanish hospitals. Partial least squares is used as a statistical technique to test the integral causal path model. Results show that boundary and diagnostic control systems have primarily a positive impact on the realization of deliberate strategies, whereas belief and interactive control systems positively affect emergent strategies. This study tries to clarify the fragmented results of the literature by analyzing the effect of the design (passive role) and the use (active role) of management control systems on both deliberate and emergent strategies. A practical implication of this paper is that managers should focus on both the design and the use of management control systems to implement strategies successfully. This study is among the first to provide empirical evidence on how different levers of control complement each other in crafting realized strategies.
IMPACTS OF E-BANKING ON PERFORMANCE OF BANKS IN A DEVELOPING ECONOMY: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM BANGLADESH
Authors: SIDDIK Md. Nur Alam , SUN Gang , KABIRA Sajal , SHANMUGAN Joghee , YANJUAN Cui
Published: December 2016

E-banking has become one of the most popular methods of banking that has experienced a considerable expansion during the last few years. However, there is relative dearth of empirical studies examining the impact of e-banking on performance of banks. Though e-banking is gaining acceptance in Bangladesh, impact of e-banking on bank’s performance is yet to be established. This paper fills this gap. Using panel data of 13 banks over the period of 2003–2013, this study empirically investigated the impact of e-banking on the performance of Bangladeshi banks measured in terms of Return on Equity, Return on Assets and Net Interest Margin. Results from pooled ordinary least square analysis show that e-banking begins to contribute positively to banks’ Return on Equity with a time lag of two years while a negative impact was found in first year of adoption. Empirical findings of this study is of greater significance for the developing countries like Bangladesh because it will invoke the attention of the bank management and policy makers to pursue such policies to expand e-banking. This study also contributes to empirical literatures by reconfirming (or otherwise) findings of previous studies.
EFFECT OF OWNERSHIP CHANGE AND GROWTH ON FIRM VALUE AT THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS WITH DETACHABLE WARRANTS
Authors: OH Sekyung , KIM Woo Sung
Published: December 2016

This paper empirically explores the relationship between the issuance of bonds with detachable warrants and firm value and the relationship between growth and firm value at the issuance of such bonds. Twelve years of data for 721 issuances of 451 Korean listed firms are analyzed using a panel regression model. We find that at the issuance of bonds with detachable warrants, the change in firm value is strongly correlated with large shareholder ownership concentration and issuance form, and the effect of growth on firm value is strongly correlated with the cash flow condition of the issuing firm. The results indicate that the ownership structure and the cash flow condition of the issuing firm and the form of issuance are important determinants of the relationship between the issuance of bonds with detachable warrants and firm value; these results are applicable to an analysis of the mixed market reactions of convertible bonds or bonds with warrants issues across different countries. They also offer the policy implication that the Korean government’s decision to entirely prohibit firms from issuing bonds with detachable warrants may have been excessive.
COMPLEMENTARY IMPACT OF CAPABILITIES AND BRAND ORIENTATION ON SMBS PERFORMANCE
Authors: CIUNOVA-SHULESKA Anita , OSAKWE Christian Nedu , PALAMIDOVSKA-STERJADOVSKA Nikolina
Published: December 2016

The purpose of this study is to analyse the interrelationships among capabilities and brand orientation and their effect on performance of the small and medium-sized businesses. A data set of 181 effective responses is collected and Partial Least Squares was used. The main drivers of customer performance are brand orientation and adaptive and brand promotional capabilities, while financial performance is determined by brand promotional and e-marketing capabilities and by customer performance. Brand orientation directly influences adaptive and brand promotional capabilities, while e-marketing capability is positively influenced by brand promotional capability. SMBs operating in the developing economy context need to combine multiple capabilities and brand orientation with focus on building e-marketing capability to improve financial performance. This research study is one of the first in the South-eastern European context to offer evidence-based insights on the structural relations among multiple capabilities, brand orientation and the performance of SMBs.
EXPANDING THE BOUNDARY OF BRAND EXTENSIONS THROUGH BRAND RELATIONSHIP QUALITY
Authors: ARIKAN Esra , YILMAZ Cengiz , BODUR Muzaffer
Published: December 2016

Research on brand extensions identifies the concept of perceived fit as the prime determinant of success. Yet, it is not difficult to find examples of brands that have been extended successfully into “perceptually distant” domains. In an attempt to resolve this discrepancy between research insights and practical experiences, the study investigates the role of Brand Relationship Quality (BRQ) as a critical factor determining consumer responses to brand extensions. The proposed model is tested separately in the context of three different fit scenarios (high, moderate, and low) with data from 502 consumers. The results indicate that BRQ and perceived fit exert independent effects on consumer responses and complement each other as they jointly influence evaluations of brand extensions. The study therefore extends existing theory by providing evidence that the brand extension phenomenon cannot be explained justly without including constructs that portray personal relationships consumers develop with brands and provides insights for marketers and researchers as to how such relationships can be integrated in formulations of successful brand extension strategies.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS NEGOTIATION STRATEGIES BASED ON BARGAINING POWER ASSESSMENT: THE CASE OF ATTRACTING INVESTMENTS
Authors: PELECKIS Kęstutis
Published: December 2016

At present business solutions are used for development and implementation of negotiating strategies for international business, which are not universally suitable for business development in all situations in context of globalization, with current challenges, which are characterized by increasing risk, uncertainty and cultural differences. The purpose of the research is to provide a theoretical model for developing and implementing international business negotiation strategies, based on bargaining power assessment, as well as to conduct an experiment and test the suitability and adaptability of the developed model in an international business negotiation situation – in case of attracting investments. Research methods – scientific literature analysis, comparative, logical analysis and synthesis, comparative and generalisation methods, mathematical and statistic data analysis methods. According to the results, the developed model can be used to reinforce international business negotiations and electronic business negotiations, as an independent systemic unit of the negotiation process (a measure that is autonomous or requires only partial intervention of the negotiator).
THE EVALUATION OF REDUNDANCY FOR ROAD TRAFFIC NETWORKS
Authors: El-Rashidy Rawia Ahmed , Grant-Muller Susan
Published: December 2016

This paper presents two redundancy indices for road traffic network junctions and also an aggregated network redundancy index. The proposed redundancy indices could be implemented to identify optimal design alternatives during the planning stage of the network junctions whereas the aggregated network redundancy index could assess the best control and management policies under disruptive events. Furthermore, effective measures of network redundancy are important to policy makers in understanding the current resilience and future planning to mitigate the impacts of greenhouse gases. The proposed junction indices cover the static aspect of redundancy, i.e. alternative paths, and the dynamic feature of redundancy reflected by the availability of spare capacity under different network loading and service level. The proposed redundancy indices are based on the entropy concept, due to its ability to measure the system configuration in addition to being able to model the inherent uncertainty in road transport network conditions. Various system parameters based on different combinations of link flow, relative link spare capacity and Relative Link Speed (RLS) were examined. However, the two redundancy indices developed from the combined RLS and relative link spare capacity showed strong correlation with junction delay and volume capacity ratio of a synthetic road transport network of Delft city. Furthermore, the developed redundancy indices responded well to demand variation under the same network conditions and supply variations. Another case study on Junction 3A in M42 motorway near Birmingham demonstrated that the developed redundancy index is able to reflect the impact of the Active Traffic Management (ATM) scheme introduced in 2006.
IN MEMORIAM: PROF. DR. HABIL. ADOLFAS BAUBLYS (1941–2016)
Authors: Prentkovskis Olegas
Published: December 2016

"In memoriam: Prof. Dr. Habil. Adolfas Baublys (1941–2016)." Transport, 31(4), pp. 387–388
MODIFICATIONS OF A SIMPLE I-BEAM AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE STRESS STATE
Authors: CEJPEK Jakub , JURAČKA Jaroslav
Published: December 2016

The motivation for this work is a desire for a deeper understanding of the structural failures in a composite glider wing, which has been tested in the laboratories of the Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology. To understand the causes of the encountered failures, one has to consider the effects of all the stages in the design, manufacturing and testing of the wing. This paper focuses only on the design stage. The presented facts were obtained from a finite element analysis. The geometry used for the analysis is that of the tested specimens. This allows validating the results by the comparison of the deformation and strains measured during the laboratory tests. The analysis starts with a simple I-beam loaded by three-point-bending. In the next step a cantilever is added. Several more modifications follow, changing the I-beam to the wing. The case evaluation considers the interaction between normal (material direction 1) and inter-laminar shear stresses in the upper flange. The goal of this paper is to quantify the effect of each design change in the wing structure and loading on the stress plane σ1-τ31.
MODELLING FRAMEWORK FOR FLIGHT DYNAMICS OF FLEXIBLE AIRCRAFT
Authors: PORTAPAS Vilius , COOKE Alastair , LONE Mudassir
Published: December 2016

The flight dynamics and handling qualities of any flexible aircraft can be analysed within the Cranfield Aircraft Accelerated Loads Model (CA2LM) framework. The modelling techniques and methods used to develop the framework are presented. The aerodynamic surfaces were modelled using the Modified Strip Theory (MST) and a state-space representation to model unsteady aerodynamics. With a modal approach, the structural flexibility and each mode’s influence on the structure deflections are analysed. To supplement the general overview of the framework equations of motion, models of atmosphere, gravity, fuselage and engines are introduced. The AX-1 general transport aircraft model is analysed as an example of the CA2LM framework capabilities. The results showed that, according to the Gibson Dropback criterion, the aircraft with no control system lacks the stability and its longitudinal handling qualities are unsatisfactory. Finally, the steps for future developments of the CA2LM framework are listed within conclusions.
Influence of Early Intensive Rehabilitation on Functional Mobility after Low Back Surgery
Authors: Bizheva Tsvetelina , Lubenova Daniela , Maznev Ivan , Grigorova-Petrova Kristin , Dimitrova Antoaneta , Vasileva Danche , Nikolova Milena
Published: December 2016

AIM: The research aims to determine the influence of early goal-oriented physical therapy program in combination with educational booklet and standard physical therapy without written instructions on functional mobility outcomes in patients after low back surgery.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients with similar functional impairments were randomly divided into two groups, a control group (Ð¡G n = 10) and an experimental group (EG n = 20). The outcome measures include time to move from lying to sitting position, the TUG test and the 6-meter walk test. Rehabilitation program includes daily physical therapy with mild to moderate intensity, achieving sitting position and education sessions how to perform activities of daily living (ADL) from the first day after surgery.RESULTS: There was a significant improvement from baseline in two groups for all performed tests (p < 0.001). Statistical significant differences between two groups for transfers in bed on discharge (p < 0.05), in one month (p < 0.01) and for TUG in one month (p < 0.05) were found.CONCLUSION: The study revealed that early rehabilitation program consists of therapeutic exercises and written educational booklet after low back surgery improves transfer abilities and basic activities in one month.