bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Being a Child Is a “Serious Game”
Authors: Manna Valentina , Pisanti Oscar
Published: August 2018

The aim of this chapter is to analyze the main and most recent research trends for the prevention of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), by summarizing and discussing related theoretical and methodological issues, debated among scholars. Starting from European and International recommendations, the authors will focus on the most innovative approaches and prevention programs, by particularly exploring the necessity to reinforce children's ability to self-protect, the need for involving trusted adults in prevention programs, and the possibility to adopt serious games as innovative and child-appropriated tools to this end.
Phytopharmaceutical Applications of Nutraceutical and Functional Foods
Authors: Prakash Dhan , Gupta Charu
Published: August 2018

Nutraceuticals are actually “Bioactive herbal formulations” that contains selective combinations of specific bioactive constituents of plants and/or their parts that possess health-promotive, disease preventing and medicinal properties. The important phytochemical constituents commonly found in plants are polyphenols, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, anthocyanidins, carotenoids, fibers, limonoids, glucosinolates, phytoestrogens, phytosterols and terpenoids. They play positive pharmacological activities in human health such as antioxidant activity, anti-microbial activity, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-spasmodic, chemo-preventive, hepato-protective, neuro-protective, hypolipidemic, hypotensive, anti-aging, diabetes, osteoporosis, repair DNA damage, heart diseases, diuretic, Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant, immuno-modulator, carminative, Thus the present chapter summarizes the phyto-pharmaceutical applications of nutraceuticals and functional foods and would lay emphasis on its importance for future generations for their well-being.
General Perspectives on Electromyography Signal Features and Classifiers Used for Control of Human Arm Prosthetics
Authors: Ortes Faruk , Karabulut Derya , Arslan Yunus Ziya
Published: August 2018

Physically handicapped people encounter various kinds of obstacles and difficulties in their daily lives due to the restricted ability of motion. Assistive technologies represent a crucial challenge of scientific studies to overcome such an issue of reducing quality of life. Assistive devices such as wheelchairs, orthoses, and prostheses are designed and built to contribute rehabilitation progress and to regain lost functions. Although human body parts have intricate forms and functions, artificial devices and components integrating to the body are anticipated to compensate the fundamental functions related to user's demands. Upper- or lower-arm amputations also result in severe cosmetic matters. However, what is more important and obtrusive is the loss of primary functions including manipulating and grasping the objects besides the locomotor tasks which are performed by the human body during daily activity.
3D Gesture Recognition Based on Handheld Smart Terminals
Authors: Li Yunhe , Xie Yi , Zhang Qinyu
Published: August 2018

With the popularity of smart devices, it has become impossible for traditional human-computer interaction techniques to accommodate people's needs. This article proposes an iOS-based three dimensional (3D) gesture recognition system, gathering users' specific gestures from their handheld smart terminals to judge implications of these gestures, so to control other smart terminals with more natural human-computer interactions. In this article, gestures were recognized by reading data about corresponding 3D gesture data with motion sensors of smart terminals using optimized dynamic time warping (DTW) algorithm. As to this algorithm, curve paths were delimited via slope based on features of mobile devices and dynamic programming. Meanwhile, this algorithm reduced computational load for template matching and costs of gesture recognition by preliminarily storing upper and lower boundaries of delimited areas with linked lists or setting distortion thresholds. In this article, efficiency and precision of recognition schemes were tested and verified on cellphones. The results suggested that the improved algorithm was less time-consuming than classical algorithms, and required less time for computational load for template matching. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the gesture recognition based on dynamic template matching algorithms, with higher recognition efficiency and precision, could bring better experiences of human-computer interactions.
Culturally Responsive Teaching with Adult Learners
Authors: Rhodes Christy M.
Published: August 2018

In recent decades, educational research has strongly supported the incorporation of culture and cultural identities into adult learning environments. However, much of the literature about culturally responsive teaching, a well-established framework in multicultural education research, has been conducted in the K-12 setting, leaving one to question how adult education researchers and practitioners utilize these approaches. This article describes research conducted from a culturally responsive framework in various adult learning environments. In general, many studies eschewed the complete culturally responsive framework, choosing selected aspects commonly identified with sociocultural theory. The most commonly used tenets were: the importance of learners' cultural identities, the need for adult educators to explore their own cultural identities, and the role that diverse curriculum and materials play in establishing an inclusive learning environment.
Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan-Poly Vinyl Alcohol-Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites
Authors: Saeedi Fariba , Montazeri Arash , Bahari Yaser , Pishvaee Malihe , Ranjbar Mohammad
Published: August 2018

In this article, nanocomposites based on Chitosan (CS)/ poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) and graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles were prepared by casting the stable aqueous mixture of the components in a mold. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractions (XRD) and viscosity measurement. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) results indicated that the GO was uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix. The water uptake ability of nanocomposites increased with an increasing the PVA content. While, the addition of GO to CS/PVA lead to a decrease in the degree of water absorption. According to the rheological analysis the viscosity of the samples decreased with increasing the GO weight percent in CS/PVA mixture.
A Reference Point Logit Model for Estimating Substitution Probabilities Using Point of Sale Data
Authors: Castro Luis E. , Ren Yuan , Shaikh Nazrul I.
Published: August 2018

This article presents a practical approach to estimate the substitution probabilities between products at a retail store by using the store's point of sale data and prospect theory based structural restrictions on the consumer choice behavior. The prospect theory-based reference dependent preference structure imposed on the consumer choice behavior (a) accounts for how consumers make their original choice as well as how they substitute, (b) eliminates the IIA and IPS assumptions that the standard utility theory based models impose on consumer choice, and (c) alleviates the need for inventory information for estimating the substitution probabilities. Simulations and empirical studies have been used to show that the estimates of the substitution probabilities are efficient and are robust to stock-out rates.
Exploring University Students' Achievement, Motivation, and Receptivity of Flipped Learning in an Engineering Mathematics Course
Authors: Chien Chih-Feng , Hsieh Lin-Han Chiang
Published: August 2018

This article is aimed at exploring students' learning achievement, motivation, and receptivity towards the flipped classroom in a university engineering mathematics course with a quasi-experimental design. Moreover, the study compared a half-semester flipped classroom and a traditional classroom whereby the experimental class reverted to the traditional format after the midterm for assessing students' receptivity towards two learning environments. Four assessments, two surveys, repeated semi-structured interviews, and two sets of open-ended questions were collected. The findings revealed that student learning achievement and motivation were improved according to assessment scores by the application of the flipped classroom. However, student's receptivity towards flipping varied because of the large amount of time and effort spent on the course. Students in the experimental group also showed insignificant differences after returning to a traditional classroom. The study suggests that blended flipped and traditional programs are scheduled together to increase student receptivity.
Green Innovation and Ethical Responsibility
Authors: Tullani Harsh , Saha Raiswa , Dahiya Richa
Published: August 2018

The article aims at finding whether it's green innovation or ethical consideration of the business that predominantly affects consumer's choice for green purchase intentions. Does it act as a precursor to green marketing practices, and how it can impact consumers green purchase intentions? This article contributes a conceptual model focusing on three main variables under study i.e., green innovation, ethical responsibility and green purchase intentions. The study employs qualitative literature review followed by a quantitative survey of 250 consumers through 7-point Likert scale. The study results support that ethical responsibility has a positive impact on green purchase intentions. Green innovation has also got a positive relationship with green purchase intentions. However, green innovation and ethical responsibility are also significantly associated with green purchase intention. In a nutshell, both factors conjointly affect consumer's green purchase intentions. The study has functional and social implications for policymakers, citizen action public, businesses, stakeholders and the public in general. Environmental awareness, sense of trust & corporate image can be studied as a mediator or moderator to get a holistic view of the phenomenon. As per the understanding of the researchers, this is a naive study that explores, tests and contributes an empirically tested conceptual model supporting the combined effect of ethical responsibility and green innovation on green purchase intentions.
Developing the US Biomass Residential Heating Market
Authors: Athiyaman Adee
Published: August 2018

The objective of this article is to help biomass heating industry in its marketing tasks, by helping the industry segment its consumers so that marketing efforts can be targeted at households that will purchase and use biomass home heating. To achieve this objective, the author classifies US households using structural characteristics (for example, year the home was built) and function or behavioral features of the households (for example, life goals or values of the head of household). Gaining social approval, living an active or exciting life, and a mature understanding of life are the primary motives that influence biomass equipment purchase. One-in-three households in the nation possess these values and hence are the ideal targets for the industry. Since not all geographical locations are equally attractive, the author has developed an interactive computer application that insures that managers target households that meets business goals. Future research on home heating can build on this approach to deduce theorems about consumer purchases of green-energy products.
Bagging Approach for Medical Plants Recognition Based on Their DNA Sequences
Authors: Rahmani Mohamed Elhadi , Amine Abdelmalek , Hamou Reda Mohamed
Published: August 2018

Many drugs in modern medicines originate from plants and the first step in drug production, is the recognition of plants needed for this purpose. This article presents a bagging approach for medical plants recognition based on their DNA sequences. In this work, the authors have developed a system that recognize DNA sequences of 14 medical plants, first they divided the 14-class data set into bi class sub-data sets, then instead of using an algorithm to classify the 14-class data set, they used the same algorithm to classify the sub-data sets. By doing so, they have simplified the problem of classification of 14 plants into sub-problems of bi class classification. To construct the subsets, the authors extracted all possible pairs of the 14 classes, so they gave each class more chances to be well predicted. This approach allows the study of the similarity between DNA sequences of a plant with each other plants. In terms of results, the authors have obtained very good results in which the accuracy has been doubled (from 45% to almost 80%). Classification of a new sequence was completed according to majority vote.
Tweets of a Feather Flock Together
Authors: Peñalver Elena Alcalde , Urbieta Alexandra Santamaría
Published: August 2018

Nowadays, social networks (SN) are increasingly extended at a professional and personal level, and their use has also been included in educational contexts. In the field of translation and interpretation, in which this proposal is framed, the use of SN seems even more relevant, since working as a freelancer is one of the main professional opportunities of translators and interpreters. This article analyses the impact of Twitter on the learning process of an English class for students of the degree in translation and modern languages in terms of enhancing their communicative competence in English while at the same time increasing their motivation with an approach to professional reality. This analysis was part of a pilot study to examine to what extent the use of this social network could be useful and positive for our students.
Advances in Research for Biomimetic Materials
Authors: Di Salvo Santina
Published: August 2018

Smart surfaces and materials can play a significant role in intelligent, adaptive and responsive envelopes because of these intrinsic properties. The environmental question and energy efficiency in which the construction sector is involved, is in a process that can not be interrupted and that puts researchers and designers in front of a scientific and design challenge in which it is necessary to contribute to find different ways of study and experimentation on new materials and constructive languages, ranging from the application, to the structural, design and molecular, to mention the main ones. The development of technologies is helping architects of the “biomimetic current” to recreate complex structures that can be found in nature, using innovative construction methods and materials. In this paper, some existing biomimetic design strategies applied for nature emulation are presented with the aim to understand the contribution of biomimetic materials to the design culture. Case studies show the diversity of possible applications of natural phenomena in architecture with the aim to provide user-friendly tools that can facilitate the generation of more in-depth insights, opening new perspectives for new possible technical solutions and showing the potential of nature adaptations to environmental conditions at different climate.
Expression of acetylated tubulin in the postnatal developing mouse cochlea
Authors: Liu Wenjing , Wang Chuanxi , Yu Hao , Liu Shaofeng , Yang Jun
Published: August 2018

Acetylation tubulin is one of the major post-translational modifications of microtubules. Stable microtubules are well known to contain acetylated tubulin. Here, we examined the spatiotemporal expression of acetylated tubulin in the mouse cochlea during postnatal development. At postnatal day 1 (P1), acetylated tubulin was localized primarily to the auditory nerve inside the cochlea and their synaptic contacts with the inner and outer hair cells (IHCs and OHCs). In the organ of Corti, acetylated tubulin occurred first at the apex of pillar cells. At P5, acetylated tubulin first appeared in the phalangeal processes of Deiters’ cells. At P8, staining was maintained in the phalangeal processes of Deiters’ cells. At P10, labeling in Deiters’ cells extended from the apices of OHCs to the basilar membrane. Labeling was expressed throughout the cytoplasm of pillar cells. At P12, acetylated tubulin displayed prominent and homogeneous labeling along the full length of the pillar cells. Linear labeling was present mainly in the Deiters’ cell bodies underlying OHCs. Between P14 and P17, acetylated tubulin was strongly expressed in inner and outer pillar cells and Deiters’ cells in a similar pattern as observed in the adult, and labeling in these cells were arranged in bundles. In addition, acetylated tubulin was intensely expressed in stria vascularis, root cell bodies, and a small number of fibrocytes of the spiral ligament until the adult. In the adult mouse cochlea, immunostaining continued to predominate in Deiters’ cells and pillar cells. Immunolabeling formed cups securing OHCs basal portions, and continued presence of acetylated tubulin-labeled nerve terminals below IHCs was shown. Our results presented here underscored the essential role played by acetylated tubulin in postnatal cochlear development, auditory neurotransmission and cochlear mechanics.
An audit of the screen-and-treat intervention to reduce cryptococcal meningitis in HIV-positive patients with low CD4 count
Authors: Ndayishimiye Egide , Ross Andrew J.
Published: August 2018

Background: HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (CCM) and related mortality may be prevented by the effective implementation of a screen-and-treat intervention. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the screen-and-treat intervention at a regional hospital in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Method: This was a descriptive study in which the records of patients seen in 2015 and 2016 with a CD4 count ≤ 100 cell/mm3 were retrieved from National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) records and matched against patients admitted for HIV-associated CCM. Results: A total of 5.1% (190 out of 3702) patients with CD4 count ≤ 100 cell/mm3 were cryptococcal antigen positive (CrAg +ve), of whom 22.6% (43 out of 190) were admitted with CCM. Patients who were CrAg +ve had significantly lower CD4 counts (mean CD4 = 38.9 ± 28.5) when compared to CrAg –ve patients (mean CD4 = 49.9 ± 37.4) with p = 0.0001. Only 2.6% (5 out of 190) of patients were referred for a lumbar puncture (LP) as part of the screen-and-treat intervention, whilst 38 who were CrAg +ve self-presented with CCM. Eighty-eight patients were admitted for suspected CCM: eight because of the screen-and-treat-intervention (none of whom had meningitis based on cerebrospinal fluid results) and 80 of whom self-presented and had confirmed CCM. The overall mortality of patients admitted with CCM was 30% (24 out of 80). Conclusion: The current ad-hoc screen-and-treat intervention was ineffective in detecting patients at risk of developing CCM. Systems need to be put in place to ensure that all CrAg +ve patients have an LP to detect subclinical CCM to improve the outcome for those with HIV-associated CCM.
Supply chain collaboration and integration enhance the response of fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers and retailers to customer’s requirements
Authors: Mathu Ken , Phetla Selepe
Published: August 2018

Supply chain management has a critical role in steering business success through coordinated activities of the value chain partners. The success of fast-moving consumer goods companies (FMCGs) has a direct relationship with the performance of the leading retailers, which are their main channel of distribution. The supply chain of the leading South African food FMCGs and the corresponding retail chain stores was studied with the aim of establishing that collaboration and integration enhanced the response to the customers’ requirements. The study was grounded on collaboration and integration theory, and a qualitative research methodology was used. Non-probability sampling was used, and senior managers selected from the two types of firms were interviewed. The data collected was transcribed, coded and thematically interpreted using content analysis. The outcome of the study indicated that supply chain collaboration and integration of the FMCG retailers, enhanced response to the customers’ requirements.
From sea ice to seals: A moored marine ecosystem observatory in the Arctic
Authors: Hauri Claudine , Danielson Seth , McDonnell Andrew M. P. , Hopcroft Russell R. , Winsor Peter , Shipton Peter , Lalande Catherine , Stafford Kathleen M. , Horne John K. , Cooper Lee W. , Grebmeier Jacqueline M. , Mahoney Andrew , Maisch Klara , McCammon Molly , Statscewich Hank , Sybrandy Andy , Weingartner Thomas
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Although Arctic marine ecosystems are changing rapidly, year-round monitoring is currently very limited and presents multiple challenges unique to this region. The Chukchi Ecosystem Observatory (CEO) described here uses new sensor technologies to meet needs for continuous, high resolution, and year-round observations across all levels of the ecosystem in the biologically productive and seasonally ice-covered Chukchi Sea off the northwest coast of Alaska. This mooring array records a broad suite of parameters that facilitate observations, yielding better understanding of physical, chemical and biological couplings, phenologies, and the overall state of this Arctic shelf marine ecosystem. While cold temperatures and eight months of sea ice cover present challenging conditions for the operation of the CEO, this extreme environment also serves as a rigorous test bed for innovative ecosystem monitoring strategies. Here, we present data from the 2015–16 CEO deployments that provide new perspectives on the seasonal evolution of sea ice, water column structure and physical properties, annual cycles in nitrate, dissolved oxygen, phytoplankton blooms and export, zooplankton abundance and vertical migration, the occurrence of Arctic cod, and vocalizations of marine mammals such as bearded seals. These integrated ecosystem observations are being combined with ship-based observations and modeling to produce a time-series that documents biological community responses to changing seasonal sea ice and water temperatures while establishing a scientific basis for ecosystem management.
Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication, Student Due Process, and a Bar on Direct Cross-examination
Authors: O'Toole Sara
Published: August 2018

Campus Sexual Assault Adjudication, Student Due Process, and a Bar on Direct Cross-examination
Non-Competes, Consideration, and Common Sense: A Temporarily Revocable Arrangement to Preserve “Afterthought” Agreements in At-Will Employment
Authors: Sallmen Joshua
Published: August 2018

Non-Competes, Consideration, and Common Sense: A Temporarily Revocable Arrangement to Preserve “Afterthought” Agreements in At-Will Employment
The Future of Women’s Health Analysis in Contested Abortion Regulations
Authors: Skiba Megan M.
Published: August 2018

The Future of Women’s Health Analysis in Contested Abortion Regulations
Study and Life: How first year university students use their time
Authors: Richardson Amanda , King Sharron , Olds Tim , Parfitt Gaynor , Chiera Belinda
Published: August 2018

Starting university changes the way students must structure their day. This study describes the patterns of time use of 444 Australian first year students and explores differences between gender and age groups. Overall, students were studying on average four hours per day (h/day), sleeping eight h/day and meeting Australian physical activity guidelines. A sizable portion of students’ days were spent engaging in ‘non-modifiable’ activities including self-care, chores and travel. Stereotypical gender and age differences were observed, with males accumulating significantly more screen-time (+68 minutes per day [min/d]) and physical activity (+21 min/d), while females did more chores (+18 min/d) and self-care (+26 min/d). Younger students slept more (+42 min/d), and did fewer chores (-43 min/d). Given there are strong associations between how students use their time and health, well-being and academic success, a better understanding of how students allocate their time on a day-to-day basis will enable more effective support for students in making these changes.
Modelling the Impact of Responsibility Levels on Corporate Financial Performance: The Case of Top 100 Firms in Mauritius
Authors: Ansaram Karishma , Pariag-Maraye Neeveditah
Published: August 2018

The objective of this paper is to investigate the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) levels and the financial performance of Top 100 firms in Mauritius post the implementation of the mandatory CSR levy in 2009. Both qualitative and quantitative assessment of disclosures in the annual reports of the top 100 companies for the period 2010-2014. A CSR index based on Carroll’s (1979) CSR pyramid was constructed which was used to rate their CSR disclosure levels as per the five dimensions; economic, legal, ethical, environmental and social responsibility. The scores computed were then regressed against the profitability levels to depict any correlation between the variables. The study revealed mixed results for the responsibility levels and financial performance. A positive relationship was noted in case of economic responsibility, negative relationship for legal and ethical responsibility while the social, environmental and responsibility levels generated an insignificant relationship with the profitability level of the top 100 firms.
A Content Analysis of the Studies on the Use of Flipped Classrooms in Foreign Language Education
Authors: Filiz Sevil , Benzet Aycan
Published: August 2018

Teaching foreign languages via flipped classrooms, in which the typical elements of a course are reversed, has been apopular pedagogy recently as the modern digital technology is flourishing unprecedentedly. The aim of this study isto review a selected sample of 50 studies on flipped classroom instruction in foreign language education publishedfrom 2014 to 2018 in Turkey and abroad. A content analysis was conducted for each study in terms of study years,study types, study locations, foreign languages taught, language skills taught, research methods, sampling, data tools,data analysis procedure and variables through a ‘Research Classification Form’. Results showed that studies weredone mostly as articles in 2016 in 14 countries mostly in Turkey using quantitative research designs commonly. Inthese studies, flipped classroom instruction was implemented for teaching all skills of English as a foreign language.Samples generally consisted of higher education students with lower than 50 as a sample size. In these studies, asquantitative data collection tools, achievement tests were utilized and as for analysis procedures, mean and standarddeviation were used predominantly. Additionally, the variables of Attitudes towards Foreign Language Lessons,Academic Performance, Perceptions, and Writing Performance were frequently researched. The findings obtainedfrom this study are expected to contribute to future studies conducted on flipped classrooms in foreign languageteaching.
Uma Solução Híbrida Analítico-Numérica para o Problema Térmico em Dutos Bicônicos
Authors: Alves Thiago Antonini , Verdú Ramos Ricardo Alan , Macedo Maia Cassio Roberto
Published: August 2018

Neste trabalho foi apresentada uma solução híbrida analítico-numérica do problema de transferência de calor de escoamento laminar desenvolvido e termicamente em desenvolvimento de fluidos Newtonianos no interior de dutos bicônicos utilizando a Técnica da Transformada Integral Generalizada (TTIG). Para facilitar o tratamento analítico e a aplicação das condições de contorno uma Transformação Conforme foi utilizada visando transformar o domínio em um sistema de coordenadas mais apropriado. Feito isso, a TTIG foi aplicada na equação da energia para determinação da distribuição de temperatura. Os resultados foram obtidos para parâmetros térmicos de interesse, tais como: temperatura média de mistura, números de Nusselt local e médio e o comprimento de entrada térmica.
The Relationship amongst Person-Organization Fit, Safety Consciousness, Safety Climate and Safety Behavior
Authors: Olcer Ferit , Durmuscelebi Cemal
Published: August 2018

Technological advances have reduced accident rates caused by machine-related errors, accidents that have occurred in individual and organizational errors are still continuing. Safety perceptions, attitudes and beliefs of people and their personality traits emerge safe or unsafe behaviors in the work environment. In addition, high congruence of employee characteristics and organizational characteristics supports the creation of a safe working environment. The purposes of this study were to examine the effect of airline employees’ person-organization fit, and safety consciousness on safety behavior and investigate the mediation role of safety climate on these effects. The data collected from planning, operations control, flight safety and quality employees of an airline operating in Turkey (N=178). Data were analyzed with the SPSS 22.0 program and factor, correlation and regression analyzes were performed to identify interrelationships with descriptive statistics. Findings show that person-organization fit, and safety consciousness had positive effects on safety climate and safety behavior; safety climate had full mediation role in the effect of person-organization fit on safety behavior; and had a partial mediation role in the effect of safety consciousness on safety behavior.
2018/18 Preliminary questions to ECJ about Brexit implications for UK citizens? (NL)
Authors: Vos Jan-Pieter
Published: August 2018

2018/18 Preliminary questions to ECJ about Brexit implications for UK citizens? (NL)

Recently, the Court of Amsterdam decided to ask preliminary questions to the ECJ about EU citizens’ rights of British nationals, anticipating Brexit. However, two weeks later, it allowed an appeal against this decision. It is therefore unclear if and when these questions will be asked.
Taxation and the Cross-Border Trade in Services: Rethinking Non-Discrimination Obligations
Authors: Brown Catherine A.
Published: August 2018

This Article examines the conflict between tax and trade law principles in the tax treatment of a non-resident service provider. It explores that conflict through non-discrimination obligations found in the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), regional trade agreements, bilateral trade agreements, and tax treaties. The interplay between these agreements has the potential to frustrate trade law objectives because States may impose discriminatory tax measures on non-resident service providers. Tax treaties can play an important role in providing a minimum non-discrimination obligation for tax measures impacting the cross-border trade in services. This Article proposes a new tax treaty non-discrimination obligation grounded in trade law principles.
Adesão à terapia antirretroviral em adultos com hiv/aids atendidos em um serviço de referência
Authors: Goulart Suelen , Meirelles Betina Hörner Schlindwein , Costa Veridiana Tavares , Pfleger Geovana , Silva Luana Marques da
Published: August 2018

Objetivo: identificar la adhesión a la terapia antirretroviral de adultos con VIH / Sida y los factores asociados a este comportamiento. Método: estudio transversal con 172 personas con VIH /Sida en el cual se utilizaron cuestionarios para evaluar la adhesión al tratamiento antirretroviral e identificar los aspectos sociodemográficos y comportamentales. Los datos se analizaron a través de las estadísticas descriptiva e inferencial. Resultados: hubo predominio de hombres (57,6%), con edad media de 43,4 (± 11,8 años), solteros (38,9%), escolaridad primaria incompleta (57,1%), sin trabajo remunerado ( 66,9%) y heterosexuales (87,8%). Prevaleció la adhesión baja / insuficiente (62,2%). Se observaron asociaciones significativas con el sexo (p = 0.0026), escolaridad (p = 0.0094) y forma de transmisión del VIH (p = 0.0283). Se constató una mayor probabilidad de hombres y de participantes con escolaridad secundaria incompleta de adhesión baja / insuficiente. Conclusión: la adhesión al tratamiento de las personas con VIH/sida es baja / insuficiente y está asociada con factores sociodemográficos y comportamentales.
The effect of postoperative oral antibiotic therapy on the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis after phacoemulsification surgery in dogs. 320 eyes (1997-2006)
Authors: Corr Amanda T. , Ward Daniel A.
Published: August 2018

Purpose. To assess the effectiveness of postoperative administration of oral antibiotics at reducing the incidence of endophthalmitis following phacoemulsification cataract extraction in dogs.

Methods. Medical records of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine were reviewed for cases having undergone phacoemulsification and divided according to whether or not they had received oral antibiotics postoperatively. Records were then evaluated for a diagnosis of endophthalmitis and incidence rates between the group receiving postoperative oral antibiotics and the group not receiving postoperative oral antibiotics were compared.

Results. A total of 185 patients (320 eyes) were identified by the search. 113 patients (197 eyes) were treated with oral antibiotics postoperatively. 72 patients (123 eyes) were not treated with oral antibiotics postoperatively. Two cases of endophthalmitis were identified, with 1 in each group (P>0.05, Fisher’s exact test).

Conclusions. The overall incidence of endophthalmitis in this study was 0.63%. The rate of postphacoemulsification endophthalmitis was unaffected by the postoperative administration of oral antibiotics.
Detection of degenerate points on the surface
Authors: Jenčo Marián
Published: August 2018

Landslides, bifurcations, multi-saddles and remnants of terraces are distinctive landforms. Some points on the surfaces of these objects are degenerate points. This may help us with their automatic recognition and identification. All first-order and second-order partial derivatives of analyzed function are necessary for detection of degenerate points. Terrain slope, curvatures and Hessian are required for classification of degenerate points. The paper is aimed at detection of fossil landslides. A point of landslide surface where the concave section of thalweg is turning into convex section of ridge line is a degenerate point. Two zero isolines of Hessian and zero isoline of profile, streamline and plan or tangential curvatures pass through this point. Final result of the detection procedure depends to a great extent on the quality of DEM and accuracy of derivatives.
RichDEM: High-performance terrain analysis
Authors: Barnes Richard
Published: August 2018

To answer geomorphological questions at unprecedented spatial and temporal scales, we need to (a) parse terabyte-scale datasets (DEMs), (b) perform millions of model realizations to pinpoint the parameters which govern landscape evolution, and (c) do so with statistical rigor, which may require thousands of additional realizations. A core set of operations underpin many geomorphic models. These include determination of terrain attributes such as slope and curvature; flow routing; depression flooding and breaching; flat resolution; and flow accumulation. Here, I present RichDEM, a high-performance C++ library and set of wrappers for performing these operations. The library incorporates a number of options for performing each operation and makes full use of modern high-performance capabilities. The library can scale to process DEMs of over one trillion cells and operates effectively on laptops or supercomputers.
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 searches DNA via a ‘monkey bar’ mechanism
Authors: Rudolph Johannes , Mahadevan Jyothi , Dyer Pamela , Luger Karolin
Published: August 2018

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is both a first responder to DNA damage and a chromatin architectural protein. How PARP1 rapidly finds DNA damage sites in the context of a nucleus filled with undamaged DNA, to which it also binds, is an unresolved question. Here, we show that PARP1 association with DNA is diffusion-limited, and release of PARP1 from DNA is promoted by binding of an additional DNA molecule that facilitates a ‘monkey bar’ mechanism, also known as intersegment transfer. The WGR-domain of PARP1 is essential to this mechanism, and a point mutation (W589A) recapitulates the altered kinetics of the domain deletion. Demonstrating the physiological importance of the monkey bar mechanism for PARP1 function, the W589A mutant accumulates at sites of DNA damage more slowly following laser micro-irradiation than wild-type PARP1. Clinically relevant inhibitors of PARP1 did not alter the rate or mechanism of the release of PARP1 from DNA.
Colonization and usage of an artificial urban wetland complex by freshwater turtles
Authors: Dupuis-Desormeaux Marc , Davy Christina , Lathrop Amy , Followes Emma , Ramesbottom Andrew , Chreston Andrea , MacDonald Suzanne E.
Published: August 2018

Conservation authorities invest heavily in the restoration and/or creation of wetlands to counteract the destruction of habitat caused by urbanization. Monitoring the colonization of these new wetlands is critical to an adaptive management process. We conducted a turtle mark-recapture survey in a 250 ha artificially created wetland complex in a large North American city (Toronto, Ontario). We found that two of Ontario’s eight native turtle species (Snapping turtle (SN),Chelydra serpentina, and Midland Painted (MP) turtle,Chrysemys picta marginata) were abundant and both were confirmed nesting. The Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) was present but not well established. Species richness and turtle density were not equally distributed throughout the wetland complex. We noted SN almost exclusively populated one water body, while other areas of the wetland had a varying representation of both species. The sex ratios of both SN and MP turtles were 1:1. We tracked the movement of Snapping and Blanding’s turtles and found that most turtles explored at least two water bodies in the park, that females explored more water bodies than males, and that 95% of turtles showed fidelity to individual overwintering wetlands. We performed DNA analysis of two Blanding’s turtles found in the created wetlands and could not assign these turtles to any known profiled populations. The genetic data suggest that the turtles probably belong to a remnant local population. We discuss the implications of our results for connectivity of artificial wetlands and the importance of the whole wetland complex to this turtle assemblage.
Technique for reconstruction of large clival defects through an endoscopic‐assisted tunneled retropharyngeal approach
Authors: London Nyall R. , Ishii Masaru , Gallia Gary , Boahene Kofi D.O.
Published: August 2018

Background

Reconstruction of the clivus and posterior cranial base defects following endoscopic skull‐base surgery can be particularly challenging. Commonly, defects in this region are repaired with pedicled mucoperichondrial flaps from the sinonasal cavity. Complex and large defects often require regional or free flaps, particularly when intranasal flaps have been exhausted. While there are no primary barriers to routing flaps into the clivus or nasopharynx in large open approaches, secondary surgical corridors are necessary during endoscopic cases for routing of free flaps. Routing of free‐flap pedicles for endoscopic cranial base reconstruction has been described through secondary surgical corridors created through the maxillary sinus and infratemporal fossa. Here we describe the technique of a more direct pedicle route to the clivus through the retropharyngeal space.

Methods

A patient with frank cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and extensive osteoradionecrosis of the clivus and craniocervical junction presented for treatment. Due to the size and location of the defect and previous exhaustion of candidate mucoperichondrial flaps, free‐flap reconstruction was performed. A radial forearm free flap was tunneled through the prevertebral space into the nasopharynx and clivus and inserted with endoscopic‐assisted techniques. The flap pedicle coursed through the retropharyngeal space to the neck vessels where arterial and venous anastomosis was established.

Results

The CSF leak and clival defect were successfully repaired with this technique. Postoperative imaging demonstrated appropriate positioning of the flap as well as the location of the free‐flap pedicle and anastomosis. Endoscopic evaluation at 6 months showed complete resurfacing of the previously exposed cranial base. In cadaveric dissection in 3 adult specimens, the pedicle length necessary to reach the inferior clivus and craniocervical junction from the closest recipient pedicle through a retropharyngeal route was an average of 6.5 cm vs an average of 16 cm through the transmaxillary approach.

Conclusion

The retropharyngeal space offers a direct route for tunneling free flaps for the repair of large clival defects during endoscopic skull‐base surgery. Several advantages include a less circuitous pedicle route, mucosalization of the fascial flap, avoidance of midfacial degloving, and avoidance of potential disruption of the maxillary sinus.
Layered Thiadiazoloquinoxaline‐Containing Long Pyrene‐Fused N‐Heteroacenes
Authors: Hu Ben‐Lin , Zhang Ke , An Cunbin , Schollmeyer Dieter , Pisula Wojciech , Baumgarten Martin
Published: August 2018

Three thiadiazoloquinoxaline‐containing long pyrene‐fused N‐heteroacenes with 8, 13, and 18 rings were designed and synthesized. They show high electron affinities (EAs) of approximately 4.1 eV, which were derived from the onset of the reduction peaks in cyclic voltammetry. Crystal structure analysis revealed in‐plane extension through close contacts between thiadiazole units as well as layered packing, enabling in‐plane and interlayer electron transport. Organic field‐effect transistor devices provided electron mobilities, which suggest a potential way to enhance the charge transport in long N‐heteroacenes.
Stabile Stammlösungen von Silicium‐Grignard‐Reagenzien: Anwendung in eisen‐ und cobaltkatalysierten radikalischen C(sp3)‐Si‐Kreuzkupplungsreaktionen
Authors: Xue Weichao , Shishido Ryosuke , Oestreich Martin
Published: August 2018

Es wird über eine widerstandsfähige Reaktionsvorschrift zur Herstellung von siliciumbasierten Magnesiumreagenzien berichtet. Das im Lithium‐auf‐Magnesium‐Ummetallierungsschritt eingesetzte MgBr2 wird in situ aus 1,2‐Dibromethan und elementarem Magnesium in heißem THF erzeugt. In der Wärme bildet sich kein Niederschlag an MgBr2, und die Ummetallierung bei erhöhter Temperatur führt zu homogenen Stammlösungen an Silicium‐Grignard‐Reagenzien, die sich zersetzungsfrei im Kühlschrank lagern lassen. Diese Methode umgeht die Herstellung von Siliciumpronukleophilen wie etwa Si‐Si‐ und Si‐B‐Reagenzien. Die neuen Grignard‐Reagenzien werden in bisher unbekannten eisen‐ und cobaltkatalysierten Kreuzkupplungsreaktionen von nichtaktivierten Alkylbromiden zur Anwendung gebracht. Die Verträglichkeit dieser Magnesiumreagenzien mit funktionellen Gruppen ist exzellent.
Bench‐Stable Stock Solutions of Silicon Grignard Reagents: Application to Iron‐ and Cobalt‐Catalyzed Radical C(sp3)–Si Cross‐Coupling Reactions
Authors: Xue Weichao , Shishido Ryosuke , Oestreich Martin
Published: August 2018

A robust method for the preparation of silicon‐based magnesium reagents is reported. The MgBr2 used in the lithium‐to‐magnesium transmetalation step is generated in situ from 1,2‐dibromoethane and elemental magnesium in hot THF. No precipitation of MgBr2 occurs in the heat, and transmetalation at elevated temperature leads to homogeneous stock solutions of the silicon Grignard reagents that are stable and storable in the fridge. This method avoids the preparation of silicon pronucleophiles such as Si−Si and Si−B reagents. The new Grignard reagents were applied to unprecedented iron‐ and cobalt‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions of unactivated alkyl bromides. The functional‐group tolerance of these magnesium reagents is excellent.
Status of corporate sustainability: a content analysis of Fortune 500 companies
Authors: Amini Mehdi , Bienstock Carol C. , Narcum John A.
Published: August 2018

In order to explore and extend our understanding of corporate sustainability definitions and frameworks, we performed a content analysis of a sample of (2013) Fortune 500 companies' standalone sustainability reports using the content analysis tool, Leximancer (http://leximancer.com). Leximancer is a powerful content analysis tool that performs both conceptual and thematic analysis. In addition, Leximancer displays the results of the analyses visually, thus providing a view of the conceptual and thematic structure of the text, and enabling a researcher to quantify and display the text structure. The results of our analyses demonstrate three common themes (Business, Employees and Energy/Environment) observable across eight of the nine industries in our sample. In addition, we observed significant differences in the relative emphasis for the three common themes across industries. We believe a deeper understanding of the themes that motivate firms' sustainability efforts can enhance future research that explores relationships between organizational sustainability efforts and organizational performance.
A More Sustainable Process for Preparation of the Muscarinic Acetylcholine Antagonist Umeclidinium Bromide
Authors: Espadinha Margarida , Lourenço Nuno M. T. , Sobral Luis , Antunes Rafael , Santos Maria M. M.
Published: August 2018

A more sustainable process for the synthesis of the long‐acting muscarinic acetylcholine antagonist umeclidinium bromide is described. Specifically, we report the synthesis of ethyl 1‐(2‐chloroethyl)‐4‐piperidinecarboxylate, a key intermediate in the preparation of umeclidinium bromide, in good yields using triethylamine, as well as the identification and characterization of the by‐product formed in this reaction. This new method of synthesis leads to an improvement in yield over that of previously reported protocols using potassium carbonate as base (65.6 % versus 38.6 %). Moreover, in the final synthetic step of the process to obtain umeclidinium bromide, we were able to replace the use of toxic solvents (acetonitrile/chloroform) with water. The use of this green solvent allowed precipitation of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) from the reaction medium with high purity and in high yield. Overall, we have developed a more efficient and environmentally friendly process for the synthesis of the umeclidinium bromide API with a higher overall yield (37.8 % versus previously reported overall yield of 9.7 %).