bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Diplomatic Role of the European Parliament’s Standing Committees, Delegations and Assemblies: Insights from acp–eu Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation
Authors: Delputte Sarah , Fasone Cristina , Longo Fabio
Published: March 2016

This article focuses on the contribution that the European Parliament’s standing committees, delegations and inter-parliamentary assemblies make as diplomatic actors in the post-Lisbon Treaty period. These three types of bodies and institutions are grouped together, because in practice they work in complementary ways. The committees play a coordinating role, the delegations act as ‘embassies on the move’ and the participation of the European Parliament in inter-parliamentary assemblies represents the clearest institutional sign of the European Parliament’s external action. The article focuses on a case study: the involvement of the European Parliament in the eu’s partnership with the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries (acp) through the Development Committee (deve), the competent European Parliament delegation, and the activities within the Joint Parliamentary Assembly. The article aims to analyse whether and how the European Parliament is able to play a distinctive diplomatic role through its standing committees, delegations and inter-parliamentary assemblies.
“Russia Faces East: Eurasianism Reconsidered”
Authors: Halperin Charles J.
Published: March 2016

The Eurasian movement arose among a group of Russian emigre intellectuals after the Russian Revolution of 1917. Its premise that Russia was part neither of Europe nor of Asia but a world unto itself, Eurasia, led to new ideas about Russian history, geography, economics, religion, linguistics and society. The contributors to the anthology Between Europe & Asia: The Origins, Theories and Legacies of Russian Eurasianism sometimes disagree about the relative influence of pan-European and Russian intellectual history on Eurasianism, about the significance of the Russian Revolution and exile on its emergence, about its originality, and about its influence on Neo-Eurasian thinkers, but agree that Eurasian theories remain fascinating and still repay further study.
Larval morphology and identification of Rhyacophila meyeri McLachlan 1879 (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae)
Authors: WARINGER JOHANN , VITECEK SIMON , GRAF WOLFRAM
Published: March 2016

This paper describes the previously unknown larva of Rhyacophila meyeri McLachlan 1879. Information on the morphology of the 5th larval instar is given, and the most important diagnostic features are illustrated. In the context of existing identification keys the larva of R. meyeri keys together with R. stigmatica (Kolenati 1859). The species pair can be separated by differences in the setation pattern at the anterior pronotal border and maximum head width.With respect to zoogeography, Rhyacophila meyeri is reported from Switzerland and northern Italy whereas R. stigmatica is restricted to the Austrian, German and Swiss Alps and northern Slovenia (Cianficconi 2002; Graf et al. 2008; Lubini-Ferlin & Vicentini 2005; Malicky 2009; Robert 2004).
Reducing cardiovascular risk factors in non-selected outpatients with schizophrenia
Authors: Hansen Mette Vinther , Hjorth Peter , Kristiansen Christina Blanner , Vandborg Kirsten , Gustafsson Lea Nørgaard , Munk-Jørgensen Povl
Published: March 2016

Objectives:

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of premature death in patients with schizophrenia. We aimed at reducing cardiovascular risk factors in non-selected outpatients with schizophrenia using methods proven effective in short-term trials. Furthermore, we examined whether any baseline characteristics were associated with positive outcomes.

Methods:

All outpatients treated for schizophrenia at two Danish hospitals were included in this 1-year follow-up study. The patients were offered health interventions both individually and in groups. Weight, waist circumference, blood glucose, serum lipids, and information on smoking and alcohol were obtained.

Results:

On average, small significant increases in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumferences were observed while small non-significant improvements in other cardiovascular risk factors were seen. Patients with high baseline BMI and patients with duration of treated illness beyond 2 years had significantly better intervention outcomes.

Conclusions:

Our results show that it was difficult to improve physical health in a group of non-selected patients with schizophrenia as part of routine care. The patients were not easily motivated to participate in the interventions, and it was difficult to monitor the recommended metabolic risk measures in the patient group. Future research should focus on simple strategies in health promotion that can be integrated into routine care.
Structure–property performance of natural palm olein polyol in the viscoelastic polyurethane foam
Authors: Ain Nurul H , Tuan Noor Maznee TI , Mohd Noor Mohd Azmil , Srihanum Adnan , Devi Kosheela PP , Mohd Norhisham S , Mohdnoor Norhayati , Kian Yeong Shoot , Hassan Hazimah Abu , Campara Irma , Schiffman Christi M , Pietrzyk Karol , Sendijarevic Vahid , Sendijarevic Ibrahim
Published: March 2016

Structure–property behavior of the palm olein-based natural oil polyol (E-135 NOP) was investigated in viscoelastic “memory” foams. In a model viscoelastic foam formulation, the E-135 NOP with pendant hydroxyls was used as a drop-in replacement for the well-defined model polyether polyol with terminal hydroxyls, Poly-G® 76-120. Both polyols have comparable equivalent weight and concentrations of primary and secondary hydroxyls. The data showed that replacing Poly-G® 76-120 polyether polyol with the E-135 NOP did not significantly impact the foaming reactivity. Increasing the E-135 NOP concentration in the VE foams increased the average foam cell size while maintaining the open cell structure. Aging properties of the VE foams were mostly unaffected by the replacement of the Poly-G® 76-120 with the E-135 NOP. Furthermore, addition of E-135 had no impact on foam density; however, it increased the support factor of the viscoelastic foams. Differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analyzer, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses indicate less defined morphological separation of hard and soft segments in the viscoelastic foams with higher concentration of E-135 NOP. Overall, the results demonstrated the feasibility that natural oil polyols can be used in viscoelastic polyurethane foams to replace a significant portion of the polyether polyols with comparable equivalent weights and concentrations of primary and secondary hydroxyls. In future, the feasibility study of E-135 NOP as a drop-in replacement of combination polyether polyols in viscoelastic foams formulation will be conducted. Furthermore, the effect of palm olein-based natural oil polyol in high resilience foam will be evaluated.
Ministry and Mission of the Eastern Orthodox Churches in their Work with Children-at-Risk
Authors: Kozhuharov Valentin
Published: March 2016

The article discusses the work of the Orthodox Christian churches (mostly the churches in Eastern Europe) with children and especially children-at-risk. This work is new for these churches and is not yet theologically grounded or systematically organized. Observing the various activities of Orthodox Christians with children-at-risk, questions are raised, such as: is this missionary work, or is it ministry, or is it a task fulfilled by individuals and not by the Church at large? These questions are explored, yet readers are left to make their own conclusions. What becomes evident is the necessity for the Orthodox churches to cooperate with other Christian churches and organizations that are engaged in work with children, and particularly those at-risk, so that all learn from each other and continue their ministry with children in more innovative and successful ways, for the glory of God and the salvation of people, especially the ‘little ones’.
Comparison of oropharyngeal leak pressure and clinical performance of LMA ProSeal™ and i-gel® in adults: Meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Shin Hye Won , Yoo Hae Na , Bae Go Eun , Chang Jun Chul , Park Min Kyung , You Hae Seun , Kim Hyun Jung , Ahn Hyung Sik
Published: March 2016

Background

A meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials to compare the oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP) and clinical performance of LMA ProSeal™ (Teleflex® Inc., Wayne, PA, USA) and i-gel® (Intersurgical Ltd, Wokingham, UK) in adults undergoing general anesthesia.

Methods

Searches of MEDLINE®, EMBASE®, CENTRAL, KoreaMed and Google Scholar® were performed. The primary objective was to compare OLP; secondary objectives included comparison of clinical performance and complications.

Results

Fourteen RCTs were included. OLP was significantly higher with LMA ProSeal™ than with i-gel® (mean difference [MD] −2.95 cmH2O; 95% confidence interval [CI] −4.30, −1.60). The i-gel® had shorter device insertion time (MD −3.01 s; 95% CI −5.80, −0.21), and lower incidences of blood on device after removal (risk ratio [RR] 0.32; 95% CI 0.18, 0.56) and sore throat (RR 0.56; 95% CI 0.35, 0.89) than LMA ProSeal™.

Conclusion

LMA ProSeal™ provides superior airway sealing compared to i-gel®.
The Psychometric Properties of the School Engagement Measure in Adolescents in Singapore
Authors: Yusof Noradlin , Ang Rebecca P. , Oei Tian Po S.
Published: March 2016

This study examined the psychometric properties of the school engagement measure (SEM) in Singapore. The sample consisted of 1,027 students from a multi-ethnic Singapore adolescent community. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed that the two-factor solution, namely, (a) Emotional and (b) Cognitive Engagement, was the best fit for the data. Reliability for the 11-item SEM as well as its Emotional and Cognitive subscales was good. Concurrent validity was assessed using correlations between Emotional Engagement, Cognitive Engagement, SEM Total scores, and the measure of aggression and delinquency. Statistically significant negative correlations were found between SEM scores with aggression and delinquency. Taken together, the findings suggest that the SEM is a useful instrument for assessing school engagement among Asian students, in particular in Singapore.
Sorting through Differences
Authors: Lejano Raul P. , González Erualdo R.
Published: March 2016

Communities are sorted through differencing, the social construction of distinction. This, in turn, enables what we term social rendering: erasure of existing community and reimagination of an alternative one. This practice is founded upon an evolutionary notion of development as ecological succession, involving the intersectionality of race, class, and other markers. Such social genotyping leads to a genitocracy built around systems of differences. We examine the effect of present-day redevelopment practice on the Southern California community of Santa Ana. We illustrate how the processes of differencing and rendering undermine the sociocultural fabric of authentic community life.
Backstepping control for gear transmission servo systems with unknown partially nonsymmetric deadzone nonlinearity
Authors: Shi Zhiguang , Zuo Zongyu , Liu Hao
Published: March 2016

This paper deals with the output tracking control of gear transmission servo (GTS) systems in the presence of deadzone nonlinearity with nonsymmetric beak points and unknown parameters. A novel differentiable deadzone model with nonsymmetric break points is put forward, which greatly facilitates the control design for a class of mechanical systems in the presence of deadzone nonlinearity. A new smooth backstepping controller, based on the newly-developed model, is proposed for the nominal system. Then, guaranteed robust steady-state performance of the closed-loop system with parametric uncertainties is derived by using Lyapunov analysis for the perturbed nonlinear systems. Simulations are carried out to validate the proposed algorithm and analysis in this paper.
ADHD Prevalence in Spanish Preschoolers: Comorbidity, Socio-Demographic Factors, and Functional Consequences
Authors: Canals Josefa , Morales-Hidalgo Paula , Jané M. Claustre , Domènech Edelmira
Published: March 2016

Objective: The object was to examine the prevalence of ADHD among preschoolers, analyzing comorbidity, and the association with socio-demographic factors. Method: We conducted a two-phase epidemiological study of 1,104 preschoolers aged 3 to 6 years in Catalonia, Spain. The Early Childhood Inventory–4 (ECI-4) was administered to parents and teachers. Children at risk of ADHD were assessed using open-ended face-to-face interviews and were observed in a school setting. ADHD diagnoses were based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV) criteria. Results: The prevalence of ADHD diagnosis was 5.4%. Male sex and first-born status were risk factors for ADHD. Parents reported more symptoms (12.9%) than teachers (8.7%). Behavioral problems (odds ratio [OR] = 12, p = .001), autism spectrum disorder problems (OR = 9.5, p = .001), and obsessive-compulsive problems and tics (OR = 5.9, p = .001) were specifically related to ADHD diagnosis. Mother’s health status and school achievement were lower in ADHD children. Conclusion: Even at early stages of development, ADHD has high rates of comorbidity and a significant impact on school performance and family health.
Testing the Phonological Permeability Hypothesis: L3 phonological effects on L1 versus L2 systems
Authors: Amaro Jennifer Cabrelli
Published: March 2016

Aims and Objectives/Purpose/Research Questions:

We investigate the extent to which L1 versus adult L2 phonological systems resist influence from an L3. We test the Phonological Permeability Hypothesis (Cabrelli Amaro & Rothman, 2010), which states that adult L2 phonological systems are different from L1 systems with regards to instability.

Design/Methodology/Approach:

To isolate the variable of age of acquisition, we examined the acquisition of L3 Brazilian Portuguese (BP) by two types of sequential bilinguals: L1 English/L2 Spanish, L1 Spanish/L2 English. We tested perception via a forced-choice goodness task and production via a delayed repetition task. First, we assessed acquisition of the phonological property in BP (in this case, word-final vowel reduction, and excluded learners’ data that was not target-like in BP. We then tested the learners’ Spanish to determine the level of BP influence.

Data and analysis:

Perception data were analyzed for accuracy and reaction time. Production data were analyzed acoustically for formant structure, duration, and intensity. We compared L1 English/L2 Spanish data ( n=15) with L1 Spanish/L2 English data ( n=8), and with Spanish ( n=11) and BP controls ( n=14).

Findings/Conclusions:

While data from the preference task do not signal instability of perception for early or late acquirers of Spanish, L2 Spanish production data for vowel height measured differs from the L1 Spanish and Spanish control data. We take this as preliminary support for our hypothesis.

Originality:

By comparing L1 and L2 vulnerability to L3 influence, this study takes a novel approach to the debate over the constitution of phonological systems acquired in childhood versus in adulthood.

Significance/Implications:

The novel methodology implemented, together with these empirical findings, will afford further development of a research program dedicated to L3 bidirectional influence and the study of what L3 acquisition can tell us about language acquisition more generally.
Forgiveness Therapy for the Promotion of Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Akhtar Sadaf , Barlow Jane
Published: March 2016

Interpersonal hurts and violence against the individual have a high prevalence and are associated with a range of long-term problems in terms of psychological functioning. There is a growing body of research highlighting the role of forgiveness therapy in improving different aspects of psychological health in populations who have experienced diverse types of hurt, violence, or trauma. This article reports the findings of a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of process-based forgiveness interventions among samples of adolescents and adults who had experienced a range of sources of hurt or violence against them. Randomized controlled trials were retrieved using electronic databases and an examination of reference sections of previous reviews; each study was assessed for risk of bias. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess treatment effects. The results suggest that forgiveness interventions are effective in reducing depression (SMD = −0.37, 95% CI [−0.68, −0.07]), anger and hostility (SMD = −0.49, 95% CI [−0.77, −0.22]), and stress and distress (SMD = −0.66, 95% CI [−0.91, −0.41]) and in promoting positive affect (SMD = −0.29, 95% CI [−0.52, −0.06]). There was also evidence of improvements in state (SMD = −0.55, 95% CI [−0.88, −0.21) and trait (SMD = −0.43, 95% CI [−0.67, −0.20]) forgiveness. The findings provide moderately strong evidence to suggest that forgiving a variety of real-life interpersonal offenses can be effective in promoting different dimensions of mental well-being. Further research is, however, needed.
Pyoderma Gangrenosum
Authors: Adışen Esra , Erduran Funda , Gürer Mehmet Ali
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study was to document the profile of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) patients who were treated in our clinic and to compare our patients’ clinical and demographic characteristics with those described in the literature to help our understanding of the total burden of PG. A total of 27 (17 women, 10 men) patients with a mean age 48.6 years at diagnosis were included in the study. Seven (25.9%) of them had 3 or more ulcers. The lower extremity was the most common site of occurrence (92.5%). During the study period, 6 patients were admitted twice, and 7 were admitted 3 or more times (range 1 to >10), and the median length of stay was 27 days. A concomitant disease was present in PG patients especially in those between 20 and 40 years of age. Systemic therapy was used in 21 (91.3%) patients, 17 patients were treated with systemic corticosteroids, either alone in 7 patients or combination with other agents in 10 patients. Three of our patients died because of disease or treatment-related complications during the study period. Despite the high (70.3%) percentage of the PG patients with improving disease at the time of discharge, 1 year after hospital discharge, one third of our 27 patients still had PG requiring readmission. In conclusion, none of the current therapies provide satisfying results in all of the patients, and our data indicate a long-standing unmet need for effective therapy for the unexpected course of PG.
Lysergic acid diethylamide: a drug of ‘use’?
Authors: Das Saibal , Barnwal Preeti , Ramasamy Anand , Sen Sumalya , Mondal Somnath
Published: March 2016

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), described as a classical hallucinogen, began its journey from the middle of the last century following an accidental discovery. Since then, it was used as a popular and notorious substance of abuse in various parts of the world. Its beneficial role as an adjunct to psychotherapy was much unknown, until some ‘benevolent’ experiments were carried out over time to explore some of its potential uses. But, many of its effects were unclear and seemed to be a psychedelic enigma. In this review article, we have described the receptor pharmacology, mechanism of action, effects and adverse effects of LSD on the normal body system. We have also highlighted its addictive potentials and the chances of developing tolerance. We have assimilated some of the interesting therapeutic uses of this drug, such as an antianxiety agent, a creativity enhancer, a suggestibility enhancer, and a performance enhancer. We have also described LSD to be successfully used in drug and alcohol dependence, and as a part of psychedelic peak therapy in terminally ill patients. The relevant chronological history and literature in the light of present knowledge and scenarios have been discussed. Based on available evidence, LSD could be tried therapeutically in certain specific conditions under controlled settings. But as we mention, due to all the safety concerns, the use of this nonaddictive ‘entheogen’ in actual practice warrants a lot of expertise, caution, cooperation and ethical considerations.
Unbalanced Bilinguals’ Asymmetric Associations Between L2 Words for Taxonomic Categories of Basic and Superordinate Levels
Authors: Chen Bohua , Li Degao , Cao Xuping
Published: March 2016

The revised hierarchical model seems different from the distributed conceptual feature model in predicting how unbalanced bilinguals would be aware of semantic relations between words for taxonomic categories of basic level (exemplar words) and words for those of superordinate level (category names) in L2. We did a series of four experiments to compare unbalanced bilinguals’ awareness of conceptual relations between exemplar words and between exemplar words and category names in their first (L1) and second language (L2). A priming task of semantic categorization was adopted, and the participants were 72 college students, who began to learn L2 in classroom settings at a late age and achieved an L2 proficiency between intermediate and advanced levels. The reaction times indicated that the participants could automatically process not only the exemplar-word but also the category-name primes in L2. Activations of semantic representations for the category names in L2 seemed to spread to those for the exemplar words in L1 and L2, but activations of semantic presentations for the exemplar words in L2 spread only to those for the example words in L1 for the participants. It was concluded that unbalanced bilinguals appear to have developed asymmetric associations between category names and exemplar words in L2. The implication is that L2 learners should learn L2 words mainly by means of using the language and not taking rote memory of isolated words.
Phase 1 study of marizomib in relapsed or relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma: NPI-0052-101 Part 1
Authors: Richardson Paul G. , Zimmerman Todd M. , Hofmeister Craig C. , Talpaz Moshe , Chanan-Khan Asher A. , Kaufman Jonathan L. , Laubach Jacob P. , Chauhan Dharminder , Jakubowiak Andrzej J. , Reich Steven , Trikha Mohit , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: March 2016

Key Points

MRZ is an irreversible pan-proteasome inhibitor that has antitumor activity. Two treatment regimens were explored in a phase 1 trial in patients with RRMM.
Interaction of Metal Cations with Functionalised Hydrocarbons in the Gas Phase: Further Experimental Evidence for Solvation of Metal Ions by the Hydrocarbon Chain
Authors: van Huizen Nick A. , Luider Theo M. , Jobst Karl J. , Terlouw Johan K. , Holmes John L. , Burgers Peter C.
Published: March 2016

Relative affinity measurements of monovalent metal ions (=Li+, Cu+ and Ag+) towards aliphatic amines, alcohols and methyl alkanoates (P) have been performed using the kinetic method on the dissociation of metal-bound dimer ions of the type P1–M+–P2. It was found that the cations' affinity towards long chain (≥C4 chain length) n- and s-alkylamines, n-alkanols and methyl n-alkanoates was unexpectedly enhanced. This is attributed to a bidentate interaction of the metal ion with the amine, alcohol or ester functional group and the aliphatic chain, paralleling earlier observations on metal-bound nitriles. Methyl substitution at the functional group ( s-alkylamines compared with n-alkylamines) serves to strengthen only the N M+ bond, and this can be rationalised by the larger proton affinities of s-alkylamines compared to n-alkylamines. This substitution, however, has no effect on the metal ion–hydrocarbon bond. In contrast, methyl substitution remote from the functional group, as in iso-pentylamine, does lead to strengthening of the metal ion–hydrocarbon bond. The cuprous ion affinity of hexadecylamine, C16H33NH2, was found to be as large as that for ethylenediamine (352 kJ mol−1), known to be a strong copper binding agent. It is argued that such a metal ion - hydrocarbon interaction does not occur in the metal bound dimers.
The Importance of the Reference Method Accuracy and Why it is Important Not to Cut Corners While Developing a Model
Authors: Lerud Ryan
Published: March 2016

The author has spent the last three years as part of a team developing a handheld near infrared (NIR) fruit spectrometer for use across the agricultural supply chain. In this article, Ryan provides examples of calibrations and discusses some of the finer issues of good analytical technique to answer some of the most common questions asked by users of NIR spectroscopy in developing robust and reliable models.
Generational Transitions in Platform Markets—The Role of Backward Compatibility
Authors: Kretschmer Tobias , Claussen Jörg
Published: March 2016

The introduction of a new product generation forces incumbents in platform markets to rebuild their installed base of complementary products. Using three different data sets on the U.S. market for video game consoles, we show that incumbents can, to some extent, substitute for rebuilding their new installed base by making their new products backward compatible, which lets them draw on the installed base of software for the parent generation. However, while this positive direct effect of backward compatibility dominates in our setting, we also observe a (weaker) negative indirect effect working through the reduced supply of new software. We find that both effects are moderated by the age of the new technological generation and by the technological leap between generations: backward compatibility becomes less important with increasing console age and larger technological improvement between generations.
On the sensitivity analysis of eigenvalues
Authors: Alam Rafikul
Published: March 2016

Let $ \lam$ be a simple eigenvalue of an $n$-by-$n$ matrix $A.$ Let $y$ and $ x$ be left and right eigenvectors of $A$ corresponding to $\lam,$ respectively. Then, for the spectral norm, the condition number $\cond(\lam, A) := \|x\|_2\, \|y\|_2 /{|y^*x|}$ measures the sensitivity of $\lam$ to small perturbations in $A$ and plays an important role in the accuracy assessment of computed eigenvalues. R. A. Smith [Numer. Math., 10(1967), pp.232-240] proved that $ \cond(\lam, A) = \|x\|_2\|y\|_2/{|y^*x|} = \|\adj(\lam I -A)\|_2/{|p'(\lam)|}$, where $ \adj(A)$ is the ``adjugate" of $A$ and $p'(\lam)$ is the derivative of $ p(z) :=\det(z I- A)$ at $\lam.$ We extend Smith's condition number to any matrix norm $\|\cdot\|$ and show that $$\cond(\lam, A) = \frac{\|yx^*\|_*}{|y^*x|} = \frac{\|\adj(\lam I - A)^*\|_*}{|p'(\lam)|}$$ measures the sensitivity of $\lam$ to small perturbations in $A,$ where $\norm_*$ is the dual norm of $\|\cdot\|.$ The {\sc matlab} command {\tt roots} computes roots of a polynomial $p(x)$ by computing the eigenvalues of a companion matrix $C_p$ associated with $p.$ We analyze the sensitivity of $\lam$ as a root of $p(x)$ as well as the sensitivity of $\lam$ as an eigenvalue of $C_p$ and compare their condition numbers.
The effect of biochar, cocopeat and sawdust compost on the growth of two dipterocarps seedlings
Authors: MARJENAH MARJENAH , KISWANTO KISWANTO , PURWANTI SRI , SOFYAN FENNY PUTRI MARIANI
Published: March 2016

Abstract. Marjenah, Kiswanto, Purwanti S, Sofyan FPM. 2016. The effect of biochar, cocopeat and sawdust compost on the growth of two dipterocarps seedlings. Nusantara Bioscience 8: 39-44. Good growing media contains enough nutrients, light textured, and have the capacity to hold water to create conditions that can support plant growth. The growing media used for propagation has several requirements, that is firm and dense to enhance the growth of stems, has the capability to hold water, guarantee the plant life, and moderate humidity. This study attempts to evaluate the effect of biochar, cocopeat, and sawdust compost on the growth of Dryobalanops aromatica and Shorea balangeran seedlings. An experiment was conducted by using completely randomized block design (CRBD) in factorial with two factors, namely growing media (topsoil 100%; topsoil 80% + sawdust compost 20%; topsoil 80% + biochar 20%, topsoil 80% + 20% coco peat ) and two species of dipterocarps seedlings (D. aromatica and S. balangeran). The experiment was carried out in a Forestry Faculty nursery for 3 months. To determine the best growth media, the vegetative parameters of seedlings were measured and the data were statistically analyzed. Survival rates of both seedlings showed good specification in all types of growing media. The survival rates of D. aromatica for 100% topsoil (control); 80% top soil+ 20% sawdust compost; 80% topsoil + 20% biochar; 80% topsoil + 20% cocopeat are 100%; 100%; 97.78% and 97.78%; respectively. S. balangeran are 93.33%; 100%; 100%; 97.78%. Quality Index of D. aromatica 100% topsoil (control); 80% top soil+ 20% sawdust compost; 80% topsoil + 20% biochar; 80% topsoil + 20% cocopeat that are 0.15; 0.14; 0.10; and 0.10; and for S. balangeran 0.09; 0.38; 0.05 and 0.07 respectively.
The combination of ‘insider’ and ‘outsider’ strategies in VSO–government partnerships: the relationship between Refugee Action and the Home Office in the UK
Authors: McGhee Derek , Bennett Claire , Walker Sarah
Published: March 2016

In this article we examine the relationship between Refugee Action (a UK non-governmental organisation [NGO] in the refugee and asylum seeker sector) and the Home Office, which funds it to deliver the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programme for asylum seekers and irregular migrants in the UK. We explore: (a) the different drivers that exist between the Home Office and Refugee Action, (b) the perceptions of the funder and service deliverer about advocacy, relevance and independence in the context of this state–NGO ‘relationship’ and (c) the themes of dominance, resistance and freedom to look at the contested space between these two organisations. The primary contribution the article makes is to examine the centrality of ‘evidence’ (through service delivery) in both Refugee Action’s ‘insider’ influencing activities as a partner working with the Home Office and its ‘outsider’ strategies in terms of its campaigning and judicial review works versus the Home Office.
Utah's 72‐Hour Waiting Period for Abortion: Experiences Among a Clinic‐Based Sample of Women
Authors: Roberts Sarah C.M. , Turok David K. , Belusa Elise , Combellick Sarah , Upadhyay Ushma D.
Published: March 2016

Context

In 2012, Utah became the first state to enact a 72‐hour waiting period for abortion. Despite debate about the law's potential effects, research has not examined women's experiences with it.

Methods

A cohort of 500 women recruited at four family planning facilities in Utah in 2013–2014 completed baseline surveys at the time of an abortion information visit and follow‐up telephone interviews three weeks later. Logistic regression and coding of open‐ended responses were used to examine which women had abortions and, for those who did not, their reasons.

Results

Among the 309 women completing follow‐up, 86% had had an abortion, 8% were no longer seeking abortion, 3% had miscarried or discovered they had not been pregnant, and 2% were still seeking abortion; one woman was still deciding, and the waiting period had pushed one woman beyond her facility's gestational limit for abortion. At the information visit, women reported little conflict about the abortion decision (mean score on a scale of 0–100 was 13.9 for those who eventually had an abortion and 28.5 for others). Low decisional conflict, but not socioeconomic status, was associated with having an abortion (odds ratio, 1.1). On average, eight days elapsed between the information visit and the abortion.

Conclusion

As most women in this cohort were not conflicted about their decision when they sought care, the 72‐hour waiting requirement seems to have been unnecessary. Individualized patient counseling for the small minority who were conflicted when they presented for care may have been more appropriate.
Feeling lonely, feeling connected: Amateur knit and crochet makers online
Authors: Mayne Alison
Published: March 2016

This article investigates the feelings of both social isolation and connection in female amateur crafters in knit and crochet who post images of their work and comments on their making to a Facebook group and ask whether this impacts on their sense of wellbeing. The project-in-progress involves thematic analysis of data purposively collected from women invited through Twitter and other online textile crafting pages to join a closed Facebook group set-up exclusively for a Ph.D. study. In research operating online and with the researcher employed as a participant-observer, the accepted ethnographic parameters of time, location and fixed cultural group are challenged. Initial findings suggest that crafters seek belonging, positive strokes of accomplishment, and celebrate the soothing qualities of the tactile to assuage loneliness; others feel that their creativity is devalued through depictions of isolation. Additional themes emerge, including the ways that sharing tangible making in knit and crochet online can support an improved sense of agency and self-esteem. The study highlights how both the acts of making and of sharing making online contribute to participants’ sense of positive wellbeing. Further research appears necessary into the role of tactile making shared in a virtual environment and reframing solitary creative activities as meaningful – including how these may contribute to feelings of personal and social wellbeing.
Redesigning the Energy Sector: Co-Creating New Business Models
Authors: Degnegaard Stine , Degnegaard Rex
Published: March 2016

This study examines the role of design in creating multi-stakeholder business models.

An essential goal for the energy sector is a complete conversion to sustainable energy; however, this sector is characterized by fragmented clusters competing for subsidies who sub-optimize their individual business models.

The case study used is based on a concern for the energy sector with the following research question: How can we design a business model that will enable actors across industries to exploit shared synergies for a greater good?

The article discusses findings from an action research initiative in the energy sector aimed at designing and developing co-created cross-sector business models using a strategic visualization design vehicle.

The findings highlight how designing shared business models can play an active role in building the foundation for transforming traditional business models into co-created multi-stakeholder business models. The case study shows how strategic visualization can become a design vehicle by creating clarity for those involved, as well as initiating communication across the actor landscape and building shared engagement platforms.
Lessons from China: Paradise or Graveyard for Strategic Designers
Authors: De Bont Cees
Published: March 2016

This study examines the extent to which design is adopted by organizations in China to support their strategic development. China is in transition from being a country known for cheap manufacturing to a country that offers value-added products and services. Given the role of strategic design in supporting organizational change and innovation in other countries, it could be expected that design strategists soon will be in high demand in China. From educational, cultural and historical perspectives, however, it can be explained that for many years in China imitation strategies have been more popular than innovation strategies. This study shows that there is evidence to suggest that utilization of design in China will become more strategic in the near future. This is supported by recent government policies and by the current success of companies innovating in the ICT sector. However, a lot of effort from experienced strategic designers will still be needed for the transformation of the existing traditional manufacturing sector.
The architectural cinematicity of Wang Shu and the architectonic cinema of Jia Zhangke: Diagrammatically decomposing the ‘main melody’ in monu-mental assemblage art
Authors: Fleming David H.
Published: March 2016

Although truly singular artworks emerging from distinct creative universes, Wang Shu’s Ningbo Historic Museum (2008) and Jia Zhangke’s Shanghai World Expo film Hai shang chuan qi/I Wish I Knew (2010) disclose common ethico-aesthetic features and artistic principles. Adopting Deleuze and Guattari’s notion of the assemblage allows us to perceive how these outstanding farrago projects, with their rough and broken edges, share homologous ‘abstract diagrams’; which become responsible for introducing discordant mental relations into China’s processual cityscapes. Viewing both works as state-sanctioned vehicles of Chinese ‘modernity’, I explore how Wang and Jia’s affective repurposing of urban detritus or salvaged cinematic material allows their sensational artworks to emit signals that subtly decompose the ‘main melodies’ associated with China’s embrace of modernization. Drawing on a hybrid model of Deleuze’s image regimes from Cinema 1 (2005a) and Cinema 2 (2005b) further permits us to perceive how these macropolitical ‘monuments’ critique the very narratives of progress that their commissioners charge them with celebrating.
Cinematicity: City and cinema after Deleuze
Authors: Clarke David B. , Doel Marcus A.
Published: March 2016

In light of Deleuze’s conception of cinema as an autonomous thinking machine – a ‘spiritual automaton’ in which moving images are substituted for human thought – the article presents the cinema as a pre-eminent thinker of the city. It contextualizes a range of scholarship committed to exploring the potential of Deleuze’s thought in relation to the ‘cinematic city’ – precipitating a Deleuzian encounter with a process that we have chosen to call cinematicity: the automatic thinking of the city by the cinema. In the course of their remarkable co-evolution, cinema’s unhinging of space– time has projected the unhinging of the space–time of the city, forcing its inhabitants to think otherwise about space, time and the human condition in the machine age. Taking these notions as a point of departure, the contributions to this issue, which variously serve to explicate the connections between city and cinema, are introduced, framed by this sense of cinematicity.
Held captive in frames: Reconstructing 1970s New York through Chantal Akerman’s Hotel Monterey and News from Home
Authors: Fink Marlon T. L.
Published: March 2016

In 2011, Chantal Akerman and Nicole Brenez engaged in a series of conversations, published as an extensive transcript entitled ‘Chantal Akerman: The pajama interview’. Essentially this transcript is a uniquely personal and in-depth enquiry into the film-maker’s life, thus marking a possible starting point from which to analyse Akerman’s Hotel Monterey (1972) and News from Home (1976). Both films were shot in 1970s New York, almost entirely by cinematographer Babette Mangolte, and are ideal for contrasting such Deleuzian concepts as the ‘any-space-whatever’, space(s) of transience/transition and milieux (the hotel: its lobby, floors, corridors, etc.; public transportation: subways, overground lines, cabs, the ferry; etc.). In both films, Akerman’s timing and framing of shots – above all the reduction to an extended opsign (Hotel Monterey) – creates autonomous, material realities and spaces for the spectator to contemplate in a cinema of the seer par excellence.
APLICABILIDADE DE MODELO DE NEGÓCIOS EM INCUBADORAS DE EMPRESAS DE BASE TECNOLÓGICA PARA SUA AUTOSSUSTENTABILIDADE: UM ESTUDO EM INCUBADORAS PORTUGUESAS
Authors: Lobosco Antonio , Maccari Emerson Antonio , Costa Priscila Rezende da , Almeida Martinho Isnard Ribeiro de
Published: March 2016

Incubadoras de empresas podem ser estratégicos mecanismos para os processos de inovação e desenvolvimento econômico de países, estados, municípios e empresas. Houve ao longo da primeira década de 2000 um crescimento no número de incubadoras de empresas no Brasil, porém, na segunda década, verificou-se queda nestes números, diversas encerraram suas atividades e muitas vêm enfrentando dificuldades financeiras. Em relação às incubadoras de base tecnológica (IEBT´s), estudos questionam sobre a efetividade do seu modelo de gestão e processo de incubação. O objetivo deste trabalho é propor um modelo de negócios para IEBT´s que contribua para sua autossustentabilidade com base nas experiências de incubadoras portuguesas. A metodologia empregada foi a qualitativa, utilizando estudos de casos múltiplos em incubadoras de empresas portuguesas. Propõe-se a utilização do Modelo de Negócios para IEBTs - MONIBTEC, elaborado com base no CANVAS (OSTERWALDER; PIGNEUR; 2011), adaptado à realidade das IEBT´s brasileiras. Suas variáveis foram aferidas e elaboradas junto aos gestores de incubadoras envolvidos no processo de incubação. Principais conclusões: sugere-se que uma IEBT, ao criar e estruturar seu modelo de negócios, analise o perfil empreendedor da região para alinhar suas atividades ao seu público; possua uma equipe de gestão profissionalizada e menos paternalista; reveja sua estrutura de custos; identique formas de participação societária junto aos incubados; e identifique novas formas de apoio aos empreendedores.
DISCLOSURE VOLUNTÁRIO DAS INFORMAÇÕES AMBIENTAIS: ESTUDO DA RELAÇÃO ENTRE O NÍVEL DE EVIDENCIAÇÃO E O INVESTIMENTO AMBIENTAL NOS PAÍSES DO BRICS
Authors: Góis Alan Diógenes , Santos José Glauber Cavalcante dos , Cabral Augusto Cézar De Aquino , Pessoa Maria Naíula Monteiro
Published: March 2016

Este estudo objetiva determinar a relação entre o nível de evidenciação de informações voluntárias ambientais e o investimento ambiental nas empresas de capital aberto do BRICS. A pesquisa é descritiva com abordagem quantitativa, utilizando-se teste de diferença de média e regressão linear múltipla. Foram analisados os dados de 82 empresas de capital aberto que publicaram seus relatórios de sustentabilidade de 2011 no modelo GRI (3.0). Os resultados indicam que: (i) o nível de evidenciação ambiental no BRICS é de 59% para divulgação total e de 66% para essencial e que o nível de evidenciação de investimentos ambientais no BRICS foi de 51%, sendo a Índia o país com melhores resultados; (ii) nas empresas com investimento ambiental, a divulgação ambiental (total e essencial) apresentou média superior àquelas que não possuíam investimento; (iii) o investimento ambiental mostrou-se impactante, positivamente, no nível de divulgação ambiental (total e essencial) do BRICS, assim como o tamanho, contudo o país (IDH) influencia negativamente o disclosure ambiental (total e essencial), já o impacto ambiental do setor apresentou relação positiva com o disclosure ambiental essencial. Portanto, o estudo não rejeita as hipóteses levantadas, demonstrando que o investimento ambiental é um fator decisivo na evidenciação ambiental no BRICS.
A QUALIDADE DOS SERVIÇOS PRESTADOS POR UMA IES E A SATISFAÇÃO DOS ALUNOS NO CONTEXTO DO CURSO DE ADMINISTRAÇÃO
Authors: Milan Gabriel Sperandio , Corso Anderson , Larentis Fabiano , De Toni Deonir , Eberle Luciene , Lazzari Fernanda
Published: March 2016

O estudo teve como objetivo identificar os atributos e as dimensões (fatores) da qualidade dos serviços prestados por uma Instituição de Ensino Superior (IES) que impactam na satisfação dos alunos do curso de Administração. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida por meio de uma pesquisa quantitativo-descritiva, elaborando-se um questionário estruturado, aplicado aos alunos do curso de graduação em Administração, resultando em 346 casos válidos. Por meio da Análise Fatorial, os atributos foram agrupados em seis dimensões: Corpo Docente e Currículo, Imagem e Reputação da IES, Valor Percebido, Limpeza das Instalações, Atendimento aos Alunos e Segurança. Verificou-se, também, a satisfação geral dos alunos e sua propensão à retenção na IES. Por meio da Análise de Cluster, embora tenham sido identificados dois clusters, sendo o Cluster 1 com predominância de alunos do sexo feminino, verificou-se que os aspectos demográficos e a evolução curricular (tempo de curso) não serviram para a caracterização e para a diferenciação dos mesmos. Quanto às médias relativas à satisfação geral dos alunos e a sua propensão em relação à retenção na IES, o Cluster 2 apresentou médias superiores (5,0 e 5,2) à media geral (4,4 e 4,6) e às mádias do Cluster 1 (3,7 e 3,8).
CULTURA E ORGANIZAÇÕES: PARA ALÉM DA LACUNA EPISTEMOLÓGICA
Authors: Quaresma Jr Edson Antunes , Carrieri Alexandre De Pádua
Published: March 2016

As duas correntes epistemológicas principais do estudo sobre cultura, no que tange às organizações (positivismo e interpretativismo), ilustram grande dificuldade para ultrapassagem de suas dimensões principais de exame. Sustenta-se que essa dificuldade decorre, em certa medida, da não realização de trabalhos multiparadigmáticos, mesmo diante da tentativa de conexão das correntes de análises da integração, da fragmentação e da diferenciação. Assim, esse ensaio teórico problematiza a manutenção dessas barreiras entre correntes epistêmicas e níveis organizacionais. Tem como objetivo propor formas de conexão entre as linhas de pesquisa sobre cultura e organizações, a partir do local intermediário que o filósofo Michel Foucault utilizou para desenvolver sua analítica. Como resultado, foram realizadas três proposições. A partir do período arqueológico do autor, uma alternativa foi apresentada: a busca pelos modos de ser da ordem que fundamenta a cultura. Da genealogia emergem as estratégias e as tecnologias de poder, visíveis no espaço entre saberes, relações com setores, grupos organizacionais, sujeitos. Por fim, a proposição coerente com o elemento ético\estético enfatiza a busca por formas de práticas que o sujeito realiza sobre si, para se relacionar com as tecnologias de poder.
Competition in a Posted-Salary Matching Market under Private Information
Authors: Boosey Luke A.
Published: March 2016

We study a posted-salary labor market in which firms engage in salary competition. Firms’ preferences over workers are private information, creating uncertainty about competitive pressure for different workers. We consider a baseline 2-firm, 2-worker model, then extend the analysis to larger markets by replicating the baseline. We characterize the unique Bayesian- Nash equilibrium, in which each firm type chooses a distributional strategy with interval support in the salary space. The main result shows that competition is localized, in the sense that firm types with a common most preferred worker choose non-overlapping, adjacent supports. We also provide numerical results to show that the equilibrium strategies in finite replicated markets converge to the corresponding equilibrium strategies in a market with a continuum of firms and workers.
Measurement of free light chains with assays based on monoclonal antibodies
Authors: te Velthuis Henk , Drayson Mark , Campbell John P.
Published: March 2016

Recently, serum free light chain (FLC) assays incorporating anti-kappa (κ) and anti-lambda (λ) FLC monoclonal antibodies have become available: N Latex FLC assay (Siemens) and Seralite