bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Programming the Home and Enterprise WiFi with OpenSDWN
Authors: Schulz-Zander Julius , Mayer Carlos , Ciobotaru Bogdan , Schmid Stefan , Feldmann Anja , Riggio Roberto
Published: September 2015

The quickly growing demand for wireless networks and the numerous application-specific requirements stand in stark contrast to today's inflexible management and operation of WiFi networks. In this paper, we present and evaluate OpenSDWN, a novel WiFi architecture based on an SDN/NFV approach. OpenSDWN exploits datapath programmability to enable service differentiation and fine-grained transmission control, facilitating the prioritization of critical applications. OpenSDWN implements per-client virtual access points and per-client virtual middleboxes, to render network functions more flexible and support mobility and seamless migration. OpenSDWN can also be used to out-source the control over the home network to a participatory interface or to an Internet Service Provider.
Question Quality in Community Question Answering Forums
Authors: Baltadzhieva Antoaneta , Chrupała Grzegorz
Published: September 2015

Community Question Answering websites (CQA) offer a new opportunity for users to provide, search and share knowledge. Although the idea of receiving a direct, targeted response to a question sounds very attractive, the quality of the question itself can have an important effect on the likelihood of getting useful answers. High quality questions improve the CQA experience and therefore it is essential for CQA forums to better understand what characterizes questions that are more appealing for the forum community. In this survey, we review existing research on question quality in CQA websites. We discuss the possible measures of question quality and the question features that have been shown to influence question quality.
Stayed-Cable Bridge Damage Detection and Localization Based on Accelerometer Health Monitoring Measurements
Authors: Kaloop Mosbeh R. , Hu Jong Wan
Published: September 2015

In situ damage detection and localization using real acceleration structural health monitoring technique are the main idea of this study. The statistical and model identification time series, the response spectra, and the power density of the frequency domain are used to detect the behavior of Yonghe cable-stayed bridge during the healthy and damage states. The benchmark problem is used to detect the damage localization of the bridge during its working time. The assessment of the structural health monitoring and damage analysis concluded that (1) the kurtosis statistical moment can be used as an indicator for damage especially with increasing its percentage of change as the damage should occur; (2) the percentage of change of the Kernel density probability for the model identification error estimation can detect and localize the damage; (3) the simplified spectrum of the acceleration-displacement responses and frequencies probability changes are good tools for detection and localization of the one-line bridge damage.
Training Family Medicine Residents in Effective Communication Skills While Utilizing Promotoras as Standardized Patients in OSCEs: A Health Literacy Curriculum
Authors: Pagels Patti , Kindratt Tiffany , Arnold Danielle , Brandt Jeffrey , Woodfin Grant , Gimpel Nora
Published: September 2015

Introduction. Future health care providers need to be trained in the knowledge and skills to effectively communicate with their patients with limited health literacy. The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate a curriculum designed to increase residents’ health literacy knowledge, improve communication skills, and work with an interpreter. Materials and Methods. Family Medicine residents N=25 participated in a health literacy training which included didactic lectures and an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Community promotoras acted as standardized patients and evaluated the residents’ ability to measure their patients’ health literacy, communicate effectively using the teach-back and Ask Me 3 methods, and appropriately use an interpreter. Pre- and postknowledge, attitudes, and postdidactic feedback were obtained. We compared OSCE scores from the group that received training (didactic group) and previous graduates. Residents reported the skills they used in practice three months later. Results. Family Medicine residents showed an increase in health literacy knowledge p=0.001 and scored in the adequately to expertly performed range in the OSCE. Residents reported using the teach-back method (77.8%) and a translator more effectively (77.8%) three months later. Conclusions. Our innovative health literacy OSCE can be replicated for medical learners at all levels of training.
Dihadron Azimuthal Correlations inp-pCollisions atsNN=7 TeV andp-Pb Collisions atsNN=5.02 TeV
Authors: Bai Ting , Guo Yuan-Yuan , Li Bao-Chun
Published: September 2015

The dihadron azimuthal correlations inp-pcollisions atsNN=7 TeV andp-Pb collisions atsNN=5.02 TeV are investigated in the framework of a multisource thermal model. The model can approximately describe the experimental results measured in the Large Hadron Collider. We find thepxamplitude of the source is magnified and the source translates along the direction.
Original Solution for Middle Ear Implant and Anesthetic/Surgical Management in a Child with Severe Craniofacial Dysmorphism
Authors: Bianchin Giovanni , Tribi Lorenzo , Reverzani Aronne , Formigoni Patrizia , Polizzi Valeria
Published: September 2015

We describe the novel solution adopted in positioning middle ear implant in a child with bilateral congenital aural atresia and craniofacial dysmorphism that have posed a significant challenge for the safe and correct management of deafness. A five-year-old child, affected by a rare congenital disease (Van Maldergem Syndrome), suffered from conductive hearing loss. Conventional skin-drive bone-conduction device, attached with a steel spring headband, has been applied but auditory restoration was not optimal. The decision made was to position Vibrant Soundbridge, a middle ear implant, with an original surgical application due to hypoplasia of the tympanic cavity. Intubation procedure was complicated due to child craniofacial deformities. Postoperative hearing rehabilitation involved a multidisciplinary team, showing improved social skills and language development.
Factors Influencing Mechanism of Construction Development Transformation in China Based on SEM
Authors: Wang Yiyue , Li Zhongfu , Shi Feng
Published: September 2015

Construction industry development transformation is one of the most important issues in China. Along with the improving construction industry development transformation, problems have increased and need to be solved. For effectively improving the construction industry development transformation, this paper studied the factors influencing mechanism of construction industry development transformation. Construction industry development transformation is influenced by many factors. Firstly, 10 significant influential factors were extracted and 25 observable variables were used. Secondly, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the relationship between construction industry development transformation and its influential factors. Then, SEM hypothesis based on the research on the factors influencing construction development transformation was constructed. Through empirical results and its analysis, the role of the basic production factors for construction cannot be ignored. The internal industry directly influenced the transformation in the construction. The external industry indirectly influenced construction transformation. And industrial demands stimulated the basic influencing factors.
Fully Integrated Passive UHF RFID Tag for Hash‐Based Mutual Authentication Protocol
Authors: Mikami Shugo , Watanabe Dai , Li Yang , Sakiyama Kazuo
Published: September 2015

Passive radio‐frequency identification (RFID) tag has been used in many applications. While the RFID market is expected to grow, concerns about security and privacy of the RFID tag should be overcome for the future use. To overcome these issues, privacy‐preserving authentication protocols based on cryptographic algorithms have been designed. However, to the best of our knowledge, evaluation of the whole tag, which includes an antenna, an analog front end, and a digital processing block, that runs authentication protocols has not been studied. In this paper, we present an implementation and evaluation of a fully integrated passive UHF RFID tag that runs a privacy‐preserving mutual authentication protocol based on a hash function. We design a single chip including the analog front end and the digital processing block. We select a lightweight hash function supporting 80‐bit security strength and a standard hash function supporting 128‐bit security strength. We show that when the lightweight hash function is used, the tag completes the protocol with a reader‐tag distance of 10 cm. Similarly, when the standard hash function is used, the tag completes the protocol with the distance of 8.5 cm.
We discuss the impact of the peak power consumption of the tag on the distance of the tag due to the hash function.
On the Strategic Choice of Union-Oligopoly Bargaining Agenda: Further Results
Authors: Buccella Domenico , Fanti Luciano
Published: September 2015

This paper revisits the strategic selection of the bargaining agenda in a unionized industry with potential entry and decentralized negotiations for different competition modes. The incumbent chooses Right-to-Manage (RTM) or Efficient Bargaining (EB) considering two scenarios: (1) the agenda is imposed to the (potential) entrant (committed bargaining) and (2) the entrant can flexibly choose the agenda (flexible bargaining). In the mixed duopoly, the timing of the game is as follows: at stage 1, the EB firm bargains over wage and employment with its union, while the RTM firm bargains over the wage; at stage 2, the RTM firm chooses employment. This paper shows that the strategic selection of the agenda strongly depends on the interaction between the degree of market competition, the union’s power, and the convergence or divergence between parties on the agenda’s choice. This complex interaction leads to a very rich set of equilibrium outcomes, including multiple and even (as regards the union’s preferences on the agenda) asymmetric equilibria. Compared with alternative timings in the literature, this specification leads to substantial differences with flexible bargaining: EB emerges as equilibrium in Nash strategies for a noticeably increased set of cases.
Robust Adaptive Exponential Synchronization of Two Different Stochastic Perturbed Chaotic Systems with Structural Perturbations
Authors: Kammogne A. Soup Tewa , Fotsin H. B.
Published: September 2015

The robust adaptive exponential synchronization problem of stochastic chaotic systems with structural perturbations is investigated in mean square. The stochastic disturbances are assumed to be Brownian motions that act on the slave system and the norm-bounded uncertainties exist in all parameters after decoupling. The stochastic disturbances could reflect more realistic dynamical behaviors of the coupled chaotic system presented within a noisy environment. By using a combination of the Lyapunov functional method, the robust analysis tool, the stochastic analysis techniques, and adaptive control laws, we derive several sufficient conditions that ensure the coupled chaotic systems to be robustly exponentially synchronized in the mean square for all admissible parameter uncertainties. This approach cannot only make the outputs of both master and slave systems reach H∞ synchronization with the passage of time between both systems but also attenuate the effects of the perturbation on the overall error system to a prescribed level. The main results are shown to be general enough to cover many existing ones reported in the literature.
Simulation of Gas Transport in Tight/Shale Gas Reservoirs by a Multicomponent Model Based on PEBI Grid
Authors: Zhang Longjun , Li Daolun , Wang Lei , Lu Detang
Published: September 2015

The ultra-low permeability and nanosize pores of tight/shale gas reservoir would lead to non-Darcy flow including slip flow, transition flow, and free molecular flow, which cannot be described by traditional Darcy’s law. The organic content often adsorbs some gas content, while the adsorbed amount for different gas species is different. Based on these facts, we develop a new compositional model based on unstructured PEBI (perpendicular bisection) grid, which is able to characterize non-Darcy flow including slip flow, transition flow, and free molecular flow and the multicomponent adsorption in tight/shale gas reservoirs. With the proposed model, we study the effect of non-Darcy flow, length of the hydraulic fracture, and initial gas composition on gas production. The results show both non-Darcy flow and fracture length have significant influence on gas production. Ignoring non-Darcy flow would underestimate 67% cumulative gas production in lower permeable gas reservoirs. Gas production increases with fracture length. In lower permeable reservoirs, gas production increases almost linearly with the hydraulic fracture length. However, in higher permeable reservoirs, the increment of the former gradually decreases with the increase in the latter. The results also show that the presence of CO2in the formation would lower down gas production.
A Smooth System of Equations Approach to Complementarity Problems for Frictionless Contacts
Authors: Deng Qin , Li ChunGuang , Tang Hua
Published: September 2015

Frictionless contact problems are the simplest and classical contact problems, and the contact conditions of sticking, slipping, and separation mode all can be ascribed to complementary problems. Consequently, a smooth system of equations approach for the design and analysis of complementarity problems for frictionless contacts is presented. A compute program based on boundary element technique is given and applied to two practical contact examples. The validity and accuracy of the proposed method are demonstrated.
Radiation-Induced Correlation between Molecules Nearby Metallic Antenna Array
Authors: Osaka Yoshiki , Yokoshi Nobuhiko , Ishihara Hajime
Published: September 2015

We theoretically investigate optical absorption of molecules embedded nearby metallic antennas by using discrete dipole approximation method. It is found that the spectral peak of the absorption is shifted due to the radiation-induced correlation between the molecules. The most distinguishing feature of our work is to show that the shift is largely enhanced even when the individual molecules couple with localized surface plasmons near the different antennas. Specifically, we first consider the case that two sets of dimeric gold blocks with a spacing of a few nanometers are arranged and reveal that the intensity and spectral peak of the optical absorption strongly depend on the position of the molecules. In addition, when the dimeric blocks and the molecules are periodically arranged, the peak shift is found to increase up to ~1.2 meV (300 GHz). Because the radiation-induced correlation is essential for collective photon emission, our result implies the possibility of plasmon-assisted superfluorescence in designed antenna-molecule complex systems.
Nonlinear Impulsive Differential Equations with Weighted Exponential or Ordinary Dichotomous Linear Part in a Banach Space
Authors: Kiskinov Hristo , Zahariev Andrey
Published: September 2015

We consider nonlinear impulsive differential equations withψ-exponential andψ-ordinary dichotomous linear part in a Banach space. By the help of Banach’s fixed-point principle sufficient conditions are found for the existence ofψ-bounded solutions of these equations onRandR+.
Level of Adherence to Prophylactic Osteoporosis Medication amongst Patients with Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Emamifar A. , Gildberg-Mortensen Rannveig , Andreas Just S. , Lomborg N. , Asmussen Andreasen R. , Jensen Hansen I. M.
Published: September 2015

Objective. To estimate level of adherence to oral calcium and vitamin D supplementation as well as bisphosphonate amongst patients with PMR and GCA treated with glucocorticoids.Method. A total of 138 patients with the diagnosis of PMR and/or GCA registered in our department in December 2013. In this cross-sectional study we interviewed all the patients to measure level of adherence to calcium and vitamin D, as well as bisphosphonates.Results. Out of the 118 included patients, 88.9% of them were adherent to their prescription. Only 2 patients (1.7%) did not take calcium and vitamin D at all and 10 patients (8.5%) took their medication infrequently, 9 and 1 out of 10 patients took the medication 50–100% of the time and less than 50% of the prescribed dose, respectively. Sixty-one patients received additional treatment with bisphosphonate and 96.6% were adherent to this therapy. The remaining 3.4% of the patients did not take the medication at all. Forgetfulness, adverse side effects, and lack of understanding of treatment benefits were the most significant causes for nonadherence to calcium and vitamin D.Conclusions. Contrary to what we expected this study found that adherence to osteoporosis preventive medication in patients with PMR and GCA was high.
Comparative Analysis of Al-Li Alloy and Aluminum Honeycomb Panel for Aerospace Application by Structural Optimization
Authors: Yu Naihui , Shang Jianzhong , Cao Yujun , Ma Dongxi , Liu Qiming
Published: September 2015

Al-Li alloy and aluminum honeycomb panel (AHP) are both excellent materials for aeronautical structures. In this paper, a plate-type aeronautical structure (PAS), which is a base mounting structure for 172 kg functional devices, is selected for comparative analysis with different materials. To compare system-level performance under multidisciplinary constraints, mathematical models for optimization are established and then structural optimization is carried out using Altair OptiStruct. For AHP, its honeycomb core is regarded as orthotropic material and its mechanical properties are calculated by Allen’s model in order to establish finite element model (FEM). The heights of facing sheet and honeycomb core are selected as design variables for size optimization. For Al-Li alloy plate, topology optimization is carried out to obtain its most efficient load path; and then a reconstruction process is executed for practical manufacturing consideration; to obtain its final configuration, accurate size optimization is also used for reconstructed model of Al-Li alloy plate. Finally, the optimized mass and performance of two PASs are compared. Results show that AHP is slightly superior to Al-Li alloy.
Permanence and Extinction of Stochastic Logistic System with Feedback Control under Regime Switching
Authors: Hu Hongxiao , Zhu Ling
Published: September 2015

We study a stochastic logistic system with feedback control under regime switching. Sufficient conditions for extinction, non-persistence in the mean, weak persistence, and persistence in the mean are established. A very important fact is found in our results; that is, the feedback control is harmless to the permanence of species even under the regime switching and stochastic perturbation environments. Finally, some examples are introduced to illustrate the main results.
E-MCDA: Extended-Multilayer Cluster Designing Algorithm for Network Lifetime Improvement of Homogenous Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Jabbar Sohail , Minhas Abid Ali , Gohar Moneeb , Paul Anand , Rho Seungmin
Published: September 2015

The proposed idea in this paper is the constructive ramification of cluster designing mechanism floated in recently published work, multilayer cluster designing algorithm (MCDA) to ameliorate the performance in network lifetime. Novel algorithms for time slot allocation, minimizing the cluster head completion candidates, and cluster member selection∖node affiliation to cluster head play underpinning roles to achieve the target. These incorporations in MCDA result in minimizing transmissions, suppressing unfavorable response of transmissions and near-equal size and equal load clusters. We have done extensive simulations in NS2 and evaluate the performance of E-MCDA in energy consumption at various aspects of energy, packets transmission, number of designed clusters, number of nodes per cluster, and unclustered nodes. It is found that the proposed mechanism optimistically outperforms the competition with MCD and EADUC.
Characterization of Line Nanopatterns on Positive Photoresist Produced by Scanning Near‐Field Optical Microscope
Authors: Mehdi Aghaei Sadegh , Yasrebi Navid , Rashidian Bizhan
Published: September 2015

Line nanopatterns are produced on the positive photoresist by scanning near‐field optical microscope (SNOM). A laser diode with a wavelength of 450 nm and a power of 250 mW as the light source and an aluminum coated nanoprobe with a 70 nm aperture at the tip apex have been employed. A neutral density filter has been used to control the exposure power of the photoresist. It is found that the changes induced by light in the photoresist can be detected by in situ shear force microscopy (ShFM), before the development of the photoresist. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the developed photoresist have been used to optimize the scanning speed and the power required for exposure, in order to minimize the final line width. It is shown that nanometric lines with a minimum width of 33 nm can be achieved with a scanning speed of 75 µm/s and a laser power of 113 mW. It is also revealed that the overexposure of the photoresist by continuous wave laser generated heat can be prevented by means of proper photoresist selection. In addition, the effects of multiple exposures of nanopatterns on their width and depth are investigated.
Transumbilical Laparoscopic-Assisted Appendectomy in the Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Appendicitis in Children
Authors: Noviello Carmine , Romano Mercedes , Martino Ascanio , Cobellis Giovanni
Published: September 2015

Transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy (TULAA) is increasingly being performed worldwide. The authors report their experience in the treatment of acute uncomplicated appendicitis in children with TULAA. From January 2008 to December 2012 all types of acute appendicitis were divided, according to the clinical and ultrasonographic findings, into complicated (appendiceal mass/abscess, diffuse peritonitis) and uncomplicated. Complicated appendicitis was treated by open appendectomy (OA). All patients with the suspicion of uncomplicated appendicitis were offered TULAA by all surgeons of the team. Conversion to open or laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) was performed in case of impossibility to complete TULAA, depending on the choice of surgeon. The histopathologic examination of appendix was always performed. 444 children (252 males) with acute appendicitis were treated. The mean age was 9.2 years (range, 2 to 14 years). Primary OA was performed in 144 cases. In 300 patients a transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted approach was performed. TULAA was completed in 252 patients. Conversion to OA was performed in 45 patients and to LA in 3. Conversion was related to the impossibility to adequately expose the appendix in 47 patients and bleeding in 1. The mean operative time for TULAA was 42 minutes. Histopathologic examination of the appendix removed by TULAA showed a phlegmonous/gangrenous type in 92.8% of cases. Among the 252 TULAA there were 11 cases of umbilical wound infection. TULAA is a feasible and effective procedure for uncomplicated appendicitis in children. It combines the advantages of open and laparoscopic technique (low operative time, low complications rate, and excellent cosmetic results).
Experimental Investigations into Abrasive Waterjet Machining of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic
Authors: Unde Prasad D. , Gayakwad M. D. , Patil N. G. , Pawade R. S. , Thakur D. G. , Brahmankar P. K.
Published: September 2015

Abrasive waterjet machining (AWJM) is an emerging machining process in which the material removal takes place due to abrasion. A stream of abrasive particles mixed with filtered water is subjected to the work surface with high velocity. The present study is focused on the experimental research and evaluation of the abrasive waterjet machining process in order to evaluate the technological factors affecting the machining quality of CFRP laminate using response surface methodology. The standoff distance, feed rate, and jet pressure were found to affect kerf taper, delamination, material removal rate, and surface roughness. The material related parameter, orientation of fiber, has been also found to affect the machining performance. The kerf taper was found to be 0.029 for 45° fiber orientation whereas it was 0.036 and 0.038 for 60° and 90°, respectively. The material removal rate is 18.95 mm3/sec for 45° fiber orientation compared to 18.26 mm3/sec for 60° and 17.4 mm3/sec for 90° fiber orientation. The Ra value for 45° fiber orientation is 4.911 µm and for 60° and 90° fiber orientation it is 4.927 µm and 4.974 µm, respectively. Delamination factor is found to be more for 45° fiber orientation, that is, 2.238, but for 60° and 90° it is 2.029 and 2.196, respectively.
Astrocyte Elevated Gene-1 Increases Invasiveness of NSCLC Through Up-Regulating MMP7
Authors: Zhu Ren , Tian Ye
Published: September 2015

Background/Aims: The aggressive manner of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells accounts for the majority of the lethality of the disease. Recently, increased astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1) levels have been shown to closely correlate with poor prognosis of NSCLC, whereas the underlying mechanisms are not clear. Methods: We examined the AEG-1 and matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) levels in NSCLC tissues, compared to the paired adjacent non-tumor lung tissue. We modulated AEG-1 levels in NSCLC cells, and examined its effects on MMP7 levels by RT-qPCR, on cellular protein by Western blot, and on secreted protein by ELISA. We also examined the cell invasiveness in AEG-1-modified NSCLC cells in a transwell cell migration assay. We used specific signal pathway inhibitors to treat AEG-1-modified NSCLC cells and examined its effects on MMP7. Results: AEG-1 and MMP7 levels were both significantly increased in NSCLC tissues, compared to the paired adjacent non-tumor lung tissue. The AEG-1 and MMP7 levels were strongly correlated. Overexpression of AEG-1 in NSCLC cells significantly increased MMP7 levels and cell invasiveness, while AEG-1 depletion in NSCLC cells significantly decreased MMP7 levels and cell invasiveness. Application of a specific MAPK-p42/p44 inhibitor, but not application of specific inhibitors for MAPK-p38, PI3k/Akt, or JNK signaling pathways, to AEG-1-overexpressing NSCLC cells substantially abolished the AEG-1-mediated MMP7 up regulation. Conclusion: AEG-1 promotes NSCLC cell invasiveness through MAPK-p42/p44-dependent activation of MMP7.
A Clinical Case of an SRY-Positive Intersex/Hermaphrodite Holstein Cattle
Authors: Bresciani Carla , Parma Pietro , De Lorenzi Lisa , Di Ianni Francesco , Bertocchi Mara , Bertani Valeria , Cantoni Anna Maria , Parmigiani Enrico
Published: September 2015

A single-born, 15-month-old Holstein cattle, diagnosed as hermaphrodite, was investigated for estrous cycle, hormonal profiles, karyotype, presence of SRY, as well as anatomopathological and histological aspects. Normal continuous estrous cycles and basal testosterone levels were reported. Necropsy showed the presence of a female genital tract that mismatched a vulvar opening and a male pelvic urethra continued within a penis. Moreover, we observed islands of seminiferous tubules with the presence of germline cells, 2 pampiniform plexi, the corpus cavernosum, the penile urethra, the corpus spongiosum and the glans. Cytogenetic analyses of the blood cells showed an XX karyotype, while the molecular analyses revealed the presence of the SRY gene in several tissues, including blood. This is the first report in the scientific literature of an SRY-positive hermaphrodite Holstein cattle with continuous ovarian cycles.
Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Levels Are Associated with Clinical Characteristics and Outcome in Patients with Cervical Artery Dissection
Authors: Traenka Christopher , Disanto Giulio , Seiffge David J. , Gensicke Henrik , Hert Lisa , Grond-Ginsbach Caspar , Peters Nils , Regeniter Axel , Kloss Manja , De Marchis Gian Marco , Bonati Leo H. , Lyrer Philippe A. , Kuhle Jens , Engelter Stefan T.
Published: September 2015

Background: Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels represent a promising marker of neuroaxonal injury. They are elevated in several neurological conditions, but their importance in cerebrovascular diseases remains unclear. In a proof of concept study, we compared sNfL levels with clinical characteristics and outcome in patients with cervical artery dissection (CeAD). Methods: A total of 49 non-traumatic CeAD patients were included. sNfL levels were measured by high-sensitivity electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Levels were compared with regard to (i) type of presenting symptoms (local symptoms only (n = 8), transient ischemic attack (TIA; n = 10) or ischemic stroke (n = 31)), (ii) stroke severity quantified by National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), (iii) time interval between onset of symptoms and blood sampling and (iv) 3-month outcome as measured by the modified Rankin Scale score. Analyses were performed using univariate and multivariate linear and ordinal regression models. Results: CeAD patients presenting with stroke had significantly higher sNfL levels (median 108.9 pg/ml, interquartile range (37.8-427.7)) than patients with TIA (16.4 pg/ml (8.7-36.3), p = 0.002) or local symptoms (23.4 pg/ml (17.8-30.8), p = 0.0007). Among stroke patients, sNfL levels were positively associated with both NIHSS (p = 0.0002) and time between stroke onset and serum sampling (p = 1.9 × 10-6). Higher sNfL levels were associated with unfavorable outcome at 3 months (OR 4.67, 95% CI 1.69-12.95, p = 0.003). However, this association lost significance after adjustment for NIHSS. The highest sNfL level was observed in a TIA patient who had ischemic stroke 1 day after serum sampling for sNfL measurement. Conclusion: sNfL levels were increased in CeAD patients presenting with stroke, correlated with clinical severity and were influenced by the time point of blood sampling. The prognostic meaning of sNfL in CeAD deserves further testing.
Public TV and digital change: TV technology – audience – formats
Authors: Fuenzalida Valerio
Published: September 2015

This article is a review about some changes provided by digital technology in television for a public channel. A public television is different from a television in favour of the current government. The authentic public television works for the public interest, and not for the government, neither for political parties or economic groups. It is maintained the necessity of improving the quality of information, using the possibility of a 24/7 informative channel. The article also supports a children’s channel, especially those made for kindergartens, since there are new TV programs that improve the social and affective intelligence of children; those new programs are considered the basis of a quality education and a better citizenship.
The introduction of film subtitling in Brazil
Authors: Freire Rafael De Luna
Published: September 2015

The conversion to sound cinema in Brazil beginning in the late 1920’s can be best defined as the systematic adoption of mechanic and synchronized sound film projection as the standard practice in the national theatrical exhibition circuit. This process was not short nor simple, but long and complex, resulting also in changes in the way imported film copies were distributed and exhibited in Brazil. The paper analyzes, through research in the contemporary press, as film subtitling was introduced and consolidated amid numerous procedures that were tried to present in an understandable and appealing way to the Brazilian public movies originally spoken in English.
The mediatization of public communication: looking through the discusses of political scandals
Authors: Pérsigo Patrícia Milano , Fossá Maria Ivete Trevisan
Published: September 2015

This article is on the Media process of public communication focused on a political scandal named mensalão. The corruption in the Brazilian policy is a recurrent issue in national media and even international. Under this perspective we propose to delineate some implications of the media upon debates of public communication issues. For these we are using Hjarvard studies (2012), Fausto Neto (2006, 2008) and Sodré (2002). On public communication we searched Weber (2009), Duarte (2007) and Brandão (2007). Having observed the site Rede de escândalos we can conclude that the media of issues of public interests is still at a preliminary phase, leaving these issues open to be discussed in a no longer future, hopefully.
Communication: the science of the XXI century
Authors: Barbosa Marialva Carlos
Published: September 2015

The text shows the theoretical and reflexive movement performed by the author to define the epistemological place of communication, arguing that as scientific knowledge is constituted as a complex reflection able to provide comprehensive key / explanatory to think about the twenty-first century.
The universities and the military regime
Authors: Nery João Elias
Published: September 2015

The review approaches the book The universities and the military regime (As Universidades e o regime militar) – Brazilian political culture and authoritarian modernization, by Rodrigo Patto Sá Motta (Zahar, 2014), that analyzes the relations between the Dictatorship (Ditadura) and the Brazilian universities, using sources recently opened to the researchers. This book develops an analytical perspective beyond the dichotomy repression-resistance, replaced by resistance, adhesion and accommodation, with a panoramic approach of the several State actions and their consequences to the university, having University of Brasilia (UnB), Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), and, in another registry, the University of São Paulo (USP), as the focus of analysis.
The critique of essentialist critique of cyberculture
Authors: Lemos André
Published: September 2015

The objective of this paper is to analyze the critical perspective of cyberculture from the discussion on the essence of technology. The article revisits the classic discussion about the essence of technology and updates it from the visions of the new critics of digital culture. The central argument is that traditional critical perspective (fundamentalist or pessimistic) fails to address the phenomena of digital culture by essentialist bias. It proposes an analysis of cyberculture by Actor-Network Theory (ART) since a focused view, stucked to the constituent networks of technical phenomenon, and attached to social associations may offer a solution to the empirical failure of criticism.
CORPORATE SOCIAL REPORTING PRACTICES OF FRENCH AND BRAZILIAN COMPANIES: A COMPARISON BASED ON INSTITUTIONAL THEORY
Authors: Oliveira Marcelle Colares , Ponte Junior João Ésio , Oliveira Oderlene Veira
Published: September 2015

The objective of this study is to determine whether or not social information disclosure practices of the top 15 Brazilian and top 15 French companies listed in the Forbes global ranking differ due to company size, country of origin, using the 16 indicators of the United Nations publication ‛Guidance on Corporate Responsibility Indicators in Annual Reports’ as benchmark. The empirical evidence is further analyzed using Institutional Theory as support. The study is based on a literature review and documents issued by the companies in the selected sample. The methodology is exploratory, quantitative and qualitative. The results revealed that disclosure practices by companies in both countries are similar, with no statistical significance connected to company size or country of origin. This result can further be explained by institutionalism in each country, a key featured that made it possible to use Institutional Theory as an important support to the main empirical results of the study
SEPARAÇÃO ENTRE PROPRIEDADE E CONTROLE E SUA RELAÇÃO COM DESEMPENHO E VALOR DE EMPRESAS BRASILEIRAS: ONDE ESTAMOS?
Authors: Peixoto Fernanda Maciel , Buccini Aline Rabelo Assis
Published: September 2015

Inicialmente, esta investigação realiza um diagnóstico da situação atual da estrutura de propriedade e controle das empresas brasileiras de capital aberto negociadas na Bolsa de Valores de São Paulo nos anos de 2004, 2006 e 2008. Em seguida, busca identificar uma possível relação entre a concentração de direitos de voto e a concentração de direitos sobre o fluxo de caixa com desempenho e valor das empresas. Para tanto, utiliza a análise de dados em painel visando relacionar variáveis de estrutura de propriedade e variáveis de desempenho/valor (Q de Tobin, Retorno sobre o Ativo e Price to Book Ratio). Como resultados, percebeu-se que no Brasil ainda há alta concentração de controle em poder de poucos acionistas. No entanto, o percentual de empresas com esse perfil vem diminuindo no período estudado. A razão capital votante sobre capital total também vem se reduzindo, o que é positivo para a governança corporativa. Os acionistas de empresas familiares, de empresas de capital privado e estatais vêm perdendo espaço na composição acionária das organizações, dando lugar aos acionistas institucionais, estrangeiros e acionistas pulverizados. No que tange à relação entre estrutura de propriedade e valor/performance, constatou-se que firmas com estrutura mais concentrada possuem menor valor e menor desempenho.
Adoption of IFRS and the Properties of Analysts’ Forecasts: The Brazilian Case
Authors: Martinez Antonio Lopo , Dumer Miguel
Published: September 2015

Using data from Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S, we investigated the statistical properties of analysts’ quarterly earnings projections in the years around the adoption of IFRS in Brazil (2007 to 2011). Characteristics such as accuracy, bias and precision of analysts’ forecasts are useful in different situations. The results indicate that the accuracy improved with increased coverage and for more profitable firms. Univariate and multivariate tests did not indicate significant changes in the accuracy and bias of the forecasts in the years around the adoption of IFRS.
DETERMINANTES DO PRAZO DE DIVULGAÇÃO DAS DEMONSTRAÇÕES CONTÁBEIS DAS COMPANHIAS NÃO FINANCEIRAS LISTADAS NA BOVESPA
Authors: Barcellos Leonardo Portugal , Costa Júnior Jorge Vieira da , Laurence Luiz Da Costa
Published: September 2015

Esta pesquisa teve o propósito principal de fornecer evidências empíricas acerca dos fatores que influenciam as decisões dos gestores quanto ao prazo de divulgação das demonstrações contábeis anuais das companhias não financeiras listadas na BM&FBOVESPA. O prazo de divulgação, chamado defasagem, foi medido como o intervalo em dias entre o encerramento do exercício social e a data da primeira apresentação das Demonstrações Financeiras Padronizadas (DFPs). O foco da pesquisa foi a influência, sobre a defasagem, dos seguintes fatores não observáveis: monitoramento, complexidade contábil, governança corporativa, relatório de auditoria e performance. Para a consecução dos objetivos, foram estimados modelos econométricos por meio dos métodos: (i) Mínimos Quadrados Ordinários (MQO) com dados em corte transversal; (ii) MQO com dados agrupados (OLS pooled); e (iii) painel de dados. Os testes foram aplicados sobre um painel balanceado de dados, ou seja, 644 observações de 322 companhias, referentes aos exercícios 2010 e 2011. Os resultados das estimações revelaram que tendem a divulgar mais rapidamente companhias: (i) com maior número de acionistas; (ii) com maior nível de endividamento; (iii) que aderiram a um entre os níveis diferenciados de governança corporativa da BM&FBOVESPA; (iv) que possuem maiores proporções de diretores independentes na composição da diretoria (board); e (v) que foram auditadas por uma entre as firmas de auditoria do grupo Big-4. Por outro lado, constatou-se que tendem a atrasar companhias que: (i) estão sujeitas à consolidação de balanços; (ii) tiveram suas demonstrações contábeis ressalvadas pelos auditores independentes; (iii) e que registraram resultados negativos (prejuízos).
O PROCESSO DE CONVERGÊNCIA ÀS IFRS E A CAPACIDADE DO LUCRO E DO FLUXO DE CAIXA EM PREVER OS FLUXOS DE CAIXA FUTUROS: EVIDÊNCIAS NO MERCADO BRASILEIRO
Authors: Machado Márcio André Veras , Silva Filho Augusto Cezar Da Cunha , Callado Aldo Leonardo Cunha
Published: September 2015

Nos últimos anos, diversos estudos têm investigado a capacidade informativa do lucro contábil nos mercados de capitais. Uma parte dessas pesquisas está voltada em explicar a relação entre lucro, fluxo de caixa e accruals e os fluxos de caixa futuros. O foco é verificar qual informação contábil é mais relevante em prever o fluxo de caixa futuro. Nesse contexto, insere-se este artigo, que tem por objetivo analisar, em períodos ‘pré’, ‘durante’ e ‘pós’ processo de convergência às IFRS, a capacidade do lucro (líquido e operacional), fluxo de caixa e accruals em prever os fluxos de caixa futuros de 54 empresas não financeiras de capital aberto, durante os anos de 2006 a 2011. A metodologia utilizada, por meio de análise de regressão, baseia-se nos trabalhos de Greenberg, Johnson e Ramesh (1986) e Barth, Cram e Nelson (2001), onde se utilizou cinco variáveis contábeis para tentar explicar o comportamento do fluxo de caixa futuro. Os resultados revelam um aumento da capacidade explicativa do lucro líquido e do fluxo de caixa operacional combinado com os accruals, calculados pelo enfoque do fluxo de caixa, durante o período pós-convergência, comparativamente aos períodos pré e convergência parcial. Adicionalmente, os resultados evidenciam que os lucros desagregados em fluxo de caixa e accruals aumentam significativamente a capacidade preditiva dos fluxos de caixa futuros. Dessa forma, pode-se concluir que os accruals possuem um poder informativo adicional em predizer os fluxos de caixa futuros.
ENSINO DE CONTABILIDADE NA GRADUAÇÃO EM ADMINISTRAÇÃO: UMA ANÁLISE SOB A PERSPECTIVA DISCENTE
Authors: Borges Guilherme De Freitas , Mafra Flávia Luciana Naves
Published: September 2015

O objetivo principal deste estudo foi analisar atitudes discentes do curso de graduação em Administração em relação as disciplinas da área de Contabilidade de quatro instituições de ensino superior, em Minas Gerais. Quanto a metodologia, o estudo envolveu uma avaliação quantitativa em que foram aplicados questionários estruturados a uma amostra de 261 graduandos em Administração para analisar atitude em relação ao ensino de Contabilidade. Foram utilizadas as seguintes técnicas de análise de dados: estatística descritiva e análise fatorial. Os resultados apontaram como adequado o modelo com 36 variáveis para mensurar atitude, após os testes de KMO, Esfericidade de Bartlett e Comunalidades que indicaram grau satisfatório de ajuste e confiabilidade dos dados, e, portanto, foi submetido a análise fatorial. Com aproximadamente 62% de variância total explicada obteve-se 11 fatores. Os fatores foram denominados: (i) Implicações do ensino de contabilidade na prática; (ii) Autoconfiança; (iii) Interesse pessoal; (iv) Dificuldade percebida; (v) Utilidade da monitoria; (vi) Domínio de habilidades em nível prático; (vii) Importância percebida; (viii) Prática Interdisciplinar; (ix) Domínio de habilidade em nível teórico; (x) Forma de aprendizagem; e o fator 11 não constituiu um constructo por apresentar apenas uma variável.
DETERMINANTES DA EFICIÊNCIA DE CONSELHOS DE ADMINISTRAÇÃO DE EMPRESAS NEGOCIADAS NA BM&FBOVESPA
Authors: Correia Laise Ferraz , Amaral Hudson Fernandes , Louvet Pascal
Published: September 2015

Este estudo visou a verificar em que condições os Conselhos de Administração das empresas são eficientes, considerando os critérios de eficiência da teoria da agência. A intenção foi encontrar os determinantes da independência, do tamanho e da separação das funções de CEO e de presidente do Conselho de uma amostra de empresas com ações negociadas na BM&FBOVESPA. Argumenta-se na literatura de governança que a composição dos Conselhos seja influenciada, principalmente, pela estrutura de propriedade e controle e, também, pela estrutura financeira e características específicas das empresas. Verificou-se que o indicador “tamanho dos Conselhos” não se mostrou elevado e que na maioria das empresas as funções de CEO e de presidente do Conselho são exercidas por pessoas diferentes. Ao contrário, a participação de conselheiros independentes mostrou-se reduzida. Mediante a análise de dados em painel, corroborou-se, de maneira geral, a hipótese de associação significativa entre as variáveis do Conselho e da estrutura de propriedade e controle das empresas.
RELAÇÃO ENTRE COMPETÊNCIAS EMPREENDEDORAS E DESEMPENHO: UM ESTUDO EM EMPRESAS PRESTADORAS DE SERVIÇOS CONTÁBEIS
Authors: Lizote Suzete Antonieta , Verdinelli Miguel Angel
Published: September 2015

O objetivo deste artigo é explicar a relação entre o desempenho de 103 empresas prestadoras de serviços contábeis do Estado de Santa Catarina e as competências empreendedoras dos seus proprietários, conforme a abordagem de Lenzi (2008). O referencial teórico apresenta os temas essenciais que se associam à problemática do estudo, quais sejam: competências empreendedoras e desempenho organizacional. Para a análise destas relações a abordagem neste artigo, de natureza aplicada, foi majoritariamente quantitativa. As características do estudo o posicionam como de objetivo descritivo e os procedimentos técnicos adotados foram a pesquisa bibliográfica, estudo multicasos e a survey com questionário. Para o processamento dos dados foram aplicadas técnicas estatísticas descritivas e inferenciais. Usaram-se métodos multivariados (análise de correspondências e análise de agrupamentos) e univariados (teste de Mann-Whitney, teste de Kruskal-Wallis e correlação de Pearson), empregando os softwares SPSS e STATISTICA. As empresas foram segmentadas em quatro grupos em função das competências que os proprietários manifestavam e com base nesses dados se comprovaram diferenças no desempenho médio. Também se encontraram que segundo o grupo em que as organizações se encontravam as competências empreendedoras que se relacionam com o desempenho variam. Ao considerar os quatro grupos, das cinco competências que compõem o conjunto realização só duas apresentam relações significativas com o desempenho: busca de oportunidades e iniciativas; exigência de qualidade e eficiência. Para o conjunto planejamento as três que o constituem: busca de informação, estabelecimento de metas e planejamento e monitoramento sistemáticos e só uma das duas para o conjunto poder: independência e autoconfiança.
PASSIVOS CONTINGENTES NA BOLSA DE VALORES DE NOVA YORK: UMA ANÁLISE COMPARATIVA ENTRE AS EMPRESAS ESTRANGEIRAS
Authors: Baldoino Eduardo , Borba José Alonso
Published: September 2015

O estudo levantou os passivos contingentes de 102 empresas que publicam seus demonstrativos financeiros em IFRS na NYSE. Considerou-se que os seguintes fatores poderiam afetar a significância financeira dos passivos contingentes: (i) setor da empresa, (ii) o sistema legal do país da empresa e (iii) os valores sociais do país da empresa, refletidos pela teoria de Gray (1988). A teoria de Gray (1988) pôde ser confirmada na análise isolada dos países latinos desenvolvidos (Brasil), anglo (Inglaterra) e Ásia colonial (China). Os passivos contingentes também se destacam com distribuições diferentes entre os continentes, onde na América Latina a predominância é dos tributários, na Europa os processos cíveis e na Ásia / Pacífico as garantias financeiras. Verificou-se que as empresas brasileiras tendem a evidenciar mais contingências que as demais e que a maioria das contingências lá evidenciadas (67%) são tributárias. As contingências ambientais são mais relevantes nas empresas do setor de petróleo e gás.