bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Value-added tax on imported electronic services: a critical evaluation of the newly enacted South Africa legislation
Authors: Coetzee Liza , Meiring Marisca
Published: February 2018

Effective from 1 June 2014, all foreign businesses supplying digital products such as mobile applications to be used in South Africa are required to register as vendors. This amendment was made to align South Africa with an international trend of bringing cross-border supplies of electronic services into the Value-Added Tax regime. It effectively shifts the Value-Added Tax liability from the importer to the foreign supplier. The reverse-charge-mechanism resulted in an erosion of the tax base and placed local suppliers of digital services at a competitive disadvantage compared to foreign suppliers. This paper critically evaluates the amendment to the Value-Added Tax Act using a literature review. The aim is to determine to what extent the amendments address the shortcomings of the reverse-charge mechanism, are aligned with practices in the European Union and New Zealand and whether they comply with the principles of an effective tax system.
The flourishing nature of labour brokerage in South Africa: An investigation into the role of employment and performance uncertainty
Authors: Schoeman Christie , Blaauw Derick
Published: February 2018

The objective of this article is to investigate the rationale behind the thriving nature of labour brokerage in specific labour market environments in general and, in particular, the flourishing nature thereof in South Africa. The factors and structures underlying labour brokerage are more complex than are generally assumed and propagated. This paper proposes an argument and explanation as to how non-price factors contribute to reasons behind the uncertainty to be employed and the existing underemployment. The uncertainty of employment enables labour brokers to appropriate rent and to profit from worker effort in the long run. In spite of the appropriation of rent, the presence and activity of brokers create employment at a discount wage for those who are not able to get a job. Labour brokers create jobs by profiting from uncertainty without impacting on the premium wage of insiders and the dynamics in a more secure formal labour market. A case study was done in South Africa to determine if the theory fits the sample.
Volatility transmission between money and stock markets: Evidence from a developing financial market
Authors: Emenike Kalu O.
Published: February 2018

The direction and intensity of volatility transmission between the money and stock markets are important for portfolio selection and diversification, optimal hedging strategy, financial market regulation, and risk management. The purpose of this paper therefore is to examine the nature of volatility transmission between money and stock markets in a developing economy using Nigeria data. The results of the bivariate BEKK-GARCH (1,1) model show strong evidence of ARCH and GARCH effects for both the money and stock markets returns. The results also suggest unidirectional shock transmission from the stock market to the money but not otherwise. Further, the results indicate evidence of a unidirectional volatility transmission from the stock market to the money market. The findings of this study have implications for portfolio selection and diversification as well as financial market regulation.
Significant risks relating relating to mobile technology
Authors: Sahd Lize-Marie
Published: February 2018

The consumerisation of mobile technology is driving the large-scale adoption of mobile solutions in business models. Each component of mobile technology, however, introduces specific risks into the enterprise and those charged with governance are often unaware of all the risks they are exposed to. The research addresses this problem by using the processes of Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT) to identify the significant risks introduced by mobile technology and linking these risks to the components of the technology. The resulting risk matrix determines an enterprise’s risk exposure given its mobile technology component landscape and identifies the most effective technology to deploy given the enterprise risk tolerance levels. The matrix also promotes improved alignment through the development of IT governance systems that correlate with business strategies and by using the understanding of IT capabilities to drive business strategies.
Are you willing to pay more for the arts?
Authors: Kruger Martinette , Saayman Melville
Published: February 2018

This study determines festival attendees’ Willingness To Pay to support an increase, or prevent a decline, in arts performances and exhibitions. It uses the contingent valuation method to produce a profile of attendees, showing how much, if anything, they are willing to pay per month over and above their current taxes, and their reasons for being willing or unwilling to pay extra. Apart from Snowball (2005), no studies to date have examined Willingness To Pay to support the arts in a developing country like South Africa. This study of the Aardklop festival shows how Willingness To Pay for the arts appears to have changed in South Africa over the past decade and it appears that arts patrons are less willing to pay than a decade ago. It suggests strategies for sustaining the arts in South Africa and will help events managers to identify the attendees who are willing to pay more.
Debt reduction: Indicative factors in classification as a donation for income tax purposes
Authors: Nel Rudie , Herron Andrea
Published: February 2018

Debt reduction in business is recognised for the economic relief afforded to the debtor involved. The new debt reduction regime was introduced in the Income Tax Act (section 19 and paragraph 12A of the Eighth Schedule) with the aim of minimising the tax impact so as not to negate the economic benefit. The new regime introduced an exclusion for debt reduced by way of a donation and uncertainty exists on instances where this exclusion would apply. This article considered four broad categories of factors indicative in the classification of a debt reduction as a donation (inadequate consideration; gratuitous waiver; intent and motive; classification as connected persons) and concluded with the formulation of such factors. The classification as connected persons is regarded as the most indicative of a debt reduction being classified as a donation, which could result in tax arbitrage if the creditor and debtor are taxed at different rates on the taxable income result of the debt reduction.
Downside CAPM: The case of South Africa
Authors: Okyere-Boakye Kwasi , O’Malley Brandon
Published: February 2018

Beta and the capital asset pricing model have traditionally been the preferred measures of risk. However, there is growing literature against the use of the capital asset pricing model to determine the cost of equity in markets, such as emerging markets, where investors display mean-semivariance behaviour and, where share returns are non-normal and asymmetric. Downside risk measures such as semideviation, downside beta and the downside capital asset pricing model have been found to be plausible alternate measures of risk. This study investigates empirically the relationship between risk and return in a downside risk framework and a regular risk framework using returns on companies listed on the JSE Securities Exchange. The empirical evidence from this study indicates that while downside beta and semideviation significantly explain the variation in returns, they do not support them as being more appropriate measures of risk over beta and standard deviation.
Convergence towards internal audit effectiveness in the BRICS Countries
Authors: Barac Karin , Coetzee Philna , Van Staden Marianne
Published: February 2018

Internal auditing has been called upon to enhance its value proposition for organisations and one way of doing this is to demonstrate its effectiveness. By using the responses of participants from the BRICS countries on the 2010 global Common Body of Knowledge survey of the Institute of Internal Auditors in conjunction with the elements of the Internal Audit Capability Model this study examines the convergence towards internal audit effectiveness by the BRICS countries. The study uses a neo-institutional perspective to demonstrate how internal auditing in the BRICS countries has responded to coercive, normative and mimetic pressures to demonstrate effectiveness. The study shows that coercive pressures for internal auditing exist in all the BRICS countries, but owing to the voluntary internal audit structure in Russia, such pressure appears to be lower in that country. Using professionalism to demonstrate normative pressures, the emphasis on internal audit in the King III report of South Africa was evident. The results of this study seem to indicate that South Africa has responded more to mimetic pressures in relation to people management, professional practices and organisational relationships than other BRICS countries.
Oil Price Shocks and Economic Activity: The Asymmetric Cointegration Approach in South Africa
Authors: Nzimande Ntokozo , Msomi Simiso
Published: February 2018

This study examines the link between oil prices and economic activity proxied by gross domestic product in the context of South Africa. The study employs the asymmetric approach proposed by Schorderet (2004) and advanced by Lardic and Mignon (2008). Asymmetric cointegration is used because it is believed that increasing and decreasing oil prices do not have similar or equal impacts on economic activity. In this study we document evidence for an asymmetric response of economic activity to oil price shocks. Further, our findings suggest that negative oil price shocks are important relative to positive oil price shocks.
A Hidden Markov Model inference approach to testing the Random Walk Hypothesis: Empirical evidence from the Nigerian Stock Market
Authors: Nkemnole Edesiri
Published: February 2018

The movement of stock prices, in capital markets across the world, has been found to be both random and non-random. Basically, for a stock price to follow a random walk, its future price changes randomly based on all currently available information in the stock market, its price history inclusive. Some research findings have shown that the existing traditional unit root tests have low statistical power and hence cannot capture gradual changes over successive observations. Consequently, there is a need to revisit the random walk theory in stock prices using other tests. This study employs a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) with time-varying parameters to assess whether the stock price movements of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) follow a random walk process, or otherwise. Via hidden states, the HMM allows for periods with different volatility levels characterised by the hidden states. By simply accounting for the non-constant variance of the data with a two-state Hidden Markov Model and taking estimation into account via the Sequential Monte Carlo Expectation Maximisation (SMCEM) technique, this study finds no support of randomness. In conclusion, the stock price movements of the NSE do not follow the random walk process.
An Overview of the American Board of Orthodontics Certification Process
Authors: Kwak Jin Hee , Chen Eric
Published: February 2018

The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) was founded nearly ninety years ago as the first American specialty board in the field of dentistry. The ABO, in affiliation with the American Association of Orthodontists, is, in fact, the only orthodontic specialty board that is recognized by the American Dental Association. In order to become board-certified by the ABO, an orthodontist must successfully pass a written examination as well as a clinical examination. Important to the clinical exam is the ability to measure case complexity and case outcome. To this end, the ABO has established a comprehensive Discrepancy Index (DI) system which systematically analyzes and scores every element of the selected case and its difficulty, thereby measuring case complexity. Similarly, the ABO has established a comprehensive Cast-Radiograph (CR) evaluation which systematically analyzes every element of the selected case and its finished occlusion, thereby measuring case outcome. This review article presents an overview of the ABO certification process and reviews a classic high-angle Class II growing patient case that successfully passed the ABO exam. This article further presents a walkthrough of how to complete the DI and CR evaluation using the high-angle Class II growing patient case as an example. By establishing the DI form and CR evaluation and by making this information available to the public, the ABO strives to be both objective and transparent in allowing orthodontists to self-assess their finished cases.
Development and software piracy
Authors: Martínez-Sánchez Francisco , Romeu Andrés
Published: February 2018

In this paper, the authors analyze the differences in piracy rates from one country to another. Like previous papers on the topic, they find that more developed countries have lower incentives for pirating. Unlike previous papers, they find that the piracy rate is positively correlated with the tax burden rate but negatively correlated with the domestic market size and exports over GDP. The authors also separate the impacts of education and R&D on piracy, and find two effects with opposite signs. Moreover, they find that those countries with smaller, more efficient bureaucracies are likely to protect intellectual property more effectively. Finally, they show that the spread of access to the Internet is negatively correlated with the software piracy rate.
Impact of biomass burning on pollutant surface concentrations in megacities of the Gulf of Guinea
Authors: Menut Laurent , Flamant Cyrille , Turquety Solène , Deroubaix Adrien , Chazette Patrick , Meynadier Rémi
Published: February 2018

Abstract. In the framework of the Dynamics–Aerosol–Chemistry–Cloud Interactions in West
Africa (DACCIWA) project, the tropospheric chemical composition in large
cities along the Gulf of Guinea is studied using the Weather and Research
Forecast and CHIMERE regional models. Simulations are performed for the
May–July 2014 period, without and with biomass burning emissions. Model
results are compared to satellite data and surface measurements. Using
numerical tracer release experiments, it is shown that the biomass burning
emissions in Central Africa are impacting the surface aerosol and gaseous
species concentrations in Gulf of Guinea cities such as Lagos (Nigeria) and
Abidjan (Ivory Coast). Depending on the altitude of the injection of these
emissions, the pollutants follow different pathways: directly along the coast
or over land towards the Sahel before being vertically mixed in the
convective boundary layer and transported to the south-west and over the
cities. In July 2014, the maximum increase in surface concentrations due to
fires in Central Africa is ≈ 150 µg m−3 for CO,
≈ 10 to 20 µg m−3 for O3 and
≈ 5 µg m−3 for PM10. The analysis of the
PM10 chemical composition shows that this increase is mainly related to
an increase in particulate primary and organic matter.
Improved source apportionment of organic aerosols in complex urban air pollution using the multilinear engine (ME-2)
Authors: Zhu Qiao , Huang Xiao-Feng , Cao Li-Ming , Wei Lin-Tong , Zhang Bin , He Ling-Yan , Elser Miriam , Canonaco Francesco , Slowik Jay G. , Bozzetti Carlo , El-Haddad Imad , Prévôt André S. H.
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Organic aerosols (OAs), which consist of thousands of complex
compounds emitted from various sources, constitute one of the major
components of fine particulate matter. The traditional positive matrix
factorization (PMF) method often apportions aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS)
organic datasets into less meaningful or mixed factors, especially in complex
urban cases. In this study, an improved source apportionment method using a
bilinear model of the multilinear engine (ME-2) was applied to OAs collected
during the heavily polluted season from two Chinese megacities located in the
north and south with an Aerodyne high-resolution aerosol mass spectrometer
(HR-ToF-AMS). We applied a rather novel procedure for utilization of prior
information and selecting optimal solutions, which does not necessarily
depend on other studies. Ultimately, six reasonable factors were clearly
resolved and quantified for both sites by constraining one or more factors:
hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA), cooking-related OA (COA), biomass burning OA
(BBOA), coal combustion (CCOA), less-oxidized oxygenated OA (LO-OOA) and
more-oxidized oxygenated OA (MO-OOA). In comparison, the traditional PMF
method could not effectively resolve the appropriate factors, e.g., BBOA and
CCOA, in the solutions. Moreover, coal combustion and traffic emissions were
determined to be primarily responsible for the concentrations of PAHs and BC,
respectively, through the regression analyses of the ME-2 results.
The CHRONOS mission: capability for sub-hourly synoptic observations of carbon monoxide and methane to quantify emissions and transport of air pollution
Authors: Edwards David P. , Worden Helen M. , Neil Doreen , Francis Gene , Valle Tim , Arellano Jr. Avelino F.
Published: February 2018

Abstract. The CHRONOS space mission concept provides time-resolved abundance for emissions and transport studies of the highly variable and highly uncertain air pollutants carbon monoxide and methane, with sub-hourly revisit rate at fine (∼ 4 km) horizontal spatial resolution across a North American domain. CHRONOS can provide complete synoptic air pollution maps (snapshots) of the continental domain with less than 10 min of observations. This rapid mapping enables visualization of air pollution transport simultaneously across the entire continent and enables a sentinel-like capability for monitoring evolving, or unanticipated, air pollution sources in multiple locations at the same time with high temporal resolution. CHRONOS uses a compact imaging gas filter correlation radiometer for these observations, with heritage from more than 17 years of scientific data and algorithm advances by the science teams for the Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT) instrument on NASA's Terra spacecraft in low Earth orbit. To achieve continental-scale sub-hourly sampling, the CHRONOS mission would be conducted from geostationary orbit, with the instrument hosted on a communications or meteorological platform. CHRONOS observations would contribute to an integrated observing system for atmospheric composition using surface, suborbital and satellite data with atmospheric chemistry models, as defined by the Committee on Earth Observing Satellites. Addressing the U.S. National Academy's 2007 decadal survey direction to characterize diurnal changes in tropospheric composition, CHRONOS observations would find direct societal applications for air quality management and forecasting to protect public health.
A low-cost particulate matter (PM2.5) monitor for wildland fire smoke
Authors: Kelleher Scott , Quinn Casey , Miller-Lionberg Daniel , Volckens John
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Wildfires and prescribed fires produce emissions that degrade
visibility and are harmful to human health. Smoke emissions and
exposure monitoring is critical for public and environmental health
protection; however, ground-level measurements of smoke from
wildfires and prescribed fires has proven difficult, as existing
(validated) monitoring technologies are expensive, cumbersome, and
generally require line power. Few ground-based measurements are made
during fire events, which limits our ability to assess the
environmental and human health impacts of wildland fire smoke. The objective of this work was to develop and validate an Outdoor
Aerosol Sampler (OAS) – a filter-based air sampler that has been
miniaturized, solar powered, and weatherproofed. This sampler was
designed to overcome several of the technical challenges of wildland
fire monitoring by being relatively inexpensive and solar
powered. The sampler design objectives were achieved by leveraging
low-cost electronic components, open-source programming platforms,
and in-house fabrication methods. A direct-reading PM2.5
sensor was selected and integrated with the OAS to provide
time-resolved concentration data. Cellular communications
established via short message service (SMS) technology were utilized
in transmitting online sensor readings and controlling the sampling
device remotely. A Monte Carlo simulation aided in the selection of
battery and solar power necessary to independently power the OAS,
while keeping cost and size to a minimum. Thirteen OAS were deployed to monitor smoke concentrations downwind
from a large prescribed fire. Aerosol mass concentrations were
interpolated across the monitoring network to depict smoke
concentration gradients in the vicinity of the fire. Strong
concentration gradients were observed (spatially and temporally) and
likely present due to a combination of changing fire location and
intensity, topographical features (e.g., mountain ridges), and
diurnal weather patterns. Gravimetric filter measurements made by
the OAS (when corrected for filter collection efficiency) showed
relatively good agreement with measurements from an EPA federal
equivalent monitor. However, the real-time optical sensor (Sharp
GP2Y1023AU0F, Sharp Electronic Co.) within the OAS suffered from
temperature dependence, drift, and imprecision.
A statistical study of spatial distribution and source region size of chorus waves using Van Allen Probes data
Authors: Teng Shangchun , Tao Xin , Li Wen , Qi Yi , Gao Xinliang , Dai Lei , Lu Quanming , Wang Shui
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Spatial distribution and source region size of chorus waves are important parameters in understanding their generation.In this work, we analyze over 3 years of continuous wave burst mode data from Van Allen Probes and build a data set of rising and falling tone chorus. For the L shell range covered by Van Allen Probes data (3.5 ≤ L ≤ 7), statistical results demonstrate that the sector where rising tones are most likely to be observed is the dayside during geomagnetically quiet and moderate times and the dawnside during active times. Moreover, rising tone chorus waves have a higher occurrence rate near the equatorial plane, while the falling tone chorus waves have a higher possibility to be observed at lower L-shell and higher magnetic latitude. By analyzing the direction of Poynting wave vector, we statistically investigate the chorus source region size along a field line, and compare the results with previous theoretical estimates. Our analysis confirms previous conclusions that both rising tone and falling tone chorus waves are generated near the equatorial plane, and shows that previous theoretical estimates roughly agree with the observation within a factor of two. Our results provide important insights into further understanding of chorus generation.
Antagonistic effects of drought and sand burial enable the survival of the biocrust moss Bryum argenteum in an arid sandy desert
Authors: Jia Rongliang , Zhao Yun , Gao Yanhong , Hui Rong , Yang Haotian , Wang Zenru , Li Yixuan
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Biocrust moss is an essential soil surface bio-cover. It can represent the latest succession stage among the diverse range of surface-dwelling cryptogams (e.g., cyanobacteria, green algae, and lichen, which are also referred to as biocrusts), and it can make a major contribution to soil stability and fertility in many arid sandy desert ecosystems. The soil surface represents a very large ecological niche that is poikilohydric in nature. Biocrust moss is therefore highly susceptible to drought and sand burial, which are two ubiquitous stressors in arid sandy deserts. However, little information is available regarding the mechanism by which biocrust moss can survive and flourish in these habitats when stressed simultaneously by the two stressors. The combined effects of drought and sand burial were evaluated in a field experiment using the predominant biocrust moss, Bryum argenteum Hedw., in the Tengger Desert, China. Drought was simulated by applying distilled water in three artificial rainfall regimes at 8-day intervals in spring and autumn: 4 and 6 mm (average rainfall, control), 2 and 3 mm (double drought), and 1 and 1.5 mm (4-fold drought), respectively. The effect of sand burial was determined by applying six treatments, i.e., sand depths of 0 (control), 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 10 mm. The four parameters of chlorophyll a content, PSII photochemical efficiency, regeneration potential, and shoot upgrowth were evaluated in the moss. It was found that the combined effects of drought and sand burial did not exacerbate the single negative effects of the four parameters tested. Drought significantly ameliorated the negative effects of deep-sand burial on the retention of chlorophyll a content, PSII photochemical efficiency, and the regeneration potential of B. argenteum. Sand burial diminished and even reversed the negative effects of drought on the maintenance of chlorophyll a content, PSII photochemical efficiency, and regeneration potential. Although drought and sand burial imposed an additive negative effect on shoot upgrowth, which suggested a trade-off between growth ability and stress tolerance, their mutually antagonistic effect on the physiological vigor of B. argenteum provided an opportunity for the biocrust moss to overcome the two co-occurring stressors. In addition to providing a strong stress tolerance, drought and sand burial may provide an important mechanism for the biodiversity maintenance of biocrust mosses in arid sandy ecosystems.
Slope stability and rockfall assessment of volcanic tuffs using RPAS with 2-D FEM slope modelling
Authors: Török Ákos , Barsi Árpád , Bögöly Gyula , Lovas Tamás , Somogyi Árpád , Görög Péter
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Steep, hardly accessible cliffs of rhyolite tuff in NE Hungary are prone to
rockfalls, endangering visitors of a castle. Remote sensing techniques were
employed to obtain data on terrain morphology and to provide slope geometry
for assessing the stability of these rock walls. A RPAS (Remotely Piloted
Aircraft System) was used to collect images which were processed by Pix4D
mapper (structure from motion technology) to generate a point cloud and mesh.
The georeferencing was made by Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) with
the use of seven ground control points. The obtained digital surface model
(DSM) was processed (vegetation removal) and the derived digital terrain
model (DTM) allowed cross sections to be drawn and a joint system to be
detected. Joint and discontinuity system was also verified by field
measurements. On-site tests as well as laboratory tests provided additional
engineering geological data for slope modelling. Stability of cliffs was
assessed by 2-D FEM (finite element method). Global analyses of cross
sections show that weak intercalating tuff layers may serve as potential slip
surfaces. However, at present the greatest hazard is related to planar
failure along ENE–WSW joints and to wedge failure. The paper demonstrates
that RPAS is a rapid and useful tool for generating a reliable terrain model
of hardly accessible cliff faces. It also emphasizes the efficiency of RPAS
in rockfall hazard assessment in comparison with other remote sensing
techniques such as terrestrial laser scanning (TLS).
Risk Zoning of Typhoon Disasters in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Lu Yi , Ren Fumin , Zhu Weijun
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Abstract: We analyze the characteristics of typhoon disasters and the factors causing them using precipitation and wind data at the county level in Zhejiang Province from 2004 to 2012. Using canonical correlation analysis, we develop an intensity index for the factors causing typhoon disasters and calculate a population vulnerability index for Zhejiang by principal components analysis. Combining these two indexes, a comprehensive risk index for typhoon disasters is obtained and used to zone areas of risk in Zhejiang Province. Southeastern Zhejiang Province is the area most affected by typhoon disasters. The frequency ratio of daily rainfall > 50 mm decreases from the southeast coast to inland areas and is at a maximum in the boundary region between Fujian and Zhejiang, which has the highest risk of rainstorms. Southeastern Zhejiang and the boundary region between Zhejiang and Fujian and the Hangzhou Bay area are most frequently affected by extreme winds and have the highest risk of wind damage. The population of southwestern Zhejiang Province is the most vulnerable to typhoons as a result of the relatively undeveloped economy in this region, the mountainous terrain and the high risk of geological disasters. Vulnerability is lower in the cities and coastal areas due to better disaster prevention and reduction strategies and a more highly educated population. The southeast coastal areas face the highest risk, especially in the boundary region between Taizhou and Ningbo cities. Although the inland mountainous areas are not directly affected by the typhoons, they are in the medium-risk category for vulnerability.
“Con mi alma sensible debí haber sido poeta”. Marion Delorme, actriz, cantante, cortesana, amante de Rubén Darío
Authors: Schmigalle Günther
Published: February 2018

Tratamos de identificar a Marion Delorme (o de Lorme), seudónimo artístico de una actriz, cantante y cortesana de notable belleza que fue amante de Rubén Darío durante su primera estancia en París en julio de 1893. Por medio de la prensa mundana hemos reunido algunos datos sobre su personalidad, su trasfondo biográfico, sus ambiciones literarias y su involucramiento en varios escándalos de la Tercera República francesa. Argumentamos que se trataba de una relación amorosa con bastante profundidad, basada en verdaderas afinidades, y no de una aventura efímera, a pesar de que Darío no ignoraba el “lado oscuro” de su amante
Effect of Brand Loyalty on Purchase Intention in Cosmetics Industry
Authors: Hameed Shahid , Kanwal Munaza
Published: February 2018

There is a huge expenditure for cosmetics estimated around the world. Many competitors try to capture the market and compete aggressively. The principle of this study is to examine the impact of brand loyalty on the purchase intention of customer or evaluate that how much buying behavior of consumer are influenced by brand loyalty and what factors or variable influence the brand loyalty. There are six variables that influence on brand loyalty is brand name, product quality, price, design, promotion, store environment. The 80 questioner is filled from the female consumer of cosmetic product to investigate the purchase intention influenced by brand loyalty. For this purpose linear regression method used for analysis. The result of this study shows that there is a positive significant impact of brand loyalty on purchase intention and also there is a positive significant relationship between the variables (brand name, product quality, price, design, promotion, store environment) and brand loyalty of cosmetics.
Beyond St. Anne Teaching the Virgin Mary: St. Monica, St. Birgitta of Sweden, and Teaching Children the Faith in Fifteenth-Century England
Authors: Sabalis Samantha
Published: February 2018

This article examines depictions of St. Monica and St. Birgitta of Sweden as religious teachers for their children in fifteenth-century England. While many critics have used the iconography of St. Anne teaching the Virgin Mary to read as evidence for such teaching, this study focuses on textual proof from hagiography, using John Capgrave's portrayal of St. Monica in his Life of St. Augustine and the lives and Revelations of St. Birgitta of Sweden circulating in England. These texts highlight how Monica and Birgitta take an active role in raising their children as good Christians, praying and crying over their spiritual welfare, but must ultimately turn to ecclesiastical authorities for help with their religious education. In the charged religious climate of fifteenth-century England, these texts emphasize clerical supervision and prioritize the more conventional practices of tears and prayer over religious teaching for mothers to preserve their children's faith.
Microstructure and properties of CoCr
alloys used in prosthetics procedure
Authors: Ziębowicz A. , Woźniak A. , Ziębowicz B. , Adamiak M. , Boryło P.
Published: February 2018

Purpose: The aim of this work was to define the influence of manufacturing technology
on the chemical composition, surface topography, physicochemical and electrochemical
properties of CoCr alloys obtained by casting technology and Direct Metal Laser Sintering.
Design/methodology/approach: This work presents microstructural and chemical
compositions obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray
analysis (EDS). Additionally, corrosion pitting analysis and roughness measurement were
conducted on the samples.
Findings: On the basis of the investigations, it can be stated that the prosthetic restorations
are different depending on the type manufacturing technology. Based on the obtained
results it was found that the structures of both materials are chemically inhomogeneous. The
investigated alloy exhibited similar polarization curve character.
Practical implications: The rapid prototyping methods are a new technology used for
getting details e.g. by CAD/CAM procedure. Using Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
method can simplify the technology of producing prosthetics restrictions and is an alternate
way for standard casting technology.
Originality/value: The paper presents comparative research of two Co-Cr alloys, from
which the samples were obtained in conventional casting and DMLS technology.
Translation and cross language validation of Passionate Love Scale among adults in Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Anjum Wahida , Batool Iffat
Published: February 2018

Objective of the present study was to translate and cross language validate the Passionate Love Scale (PLS) from English language to Urdu language using forward-back translation (Brislin, 1976) procedure. It is developed by Hatfield and Sprecher (1986). It has 15 self-reported and uni-dimensional items, with 9 points rating scale ranges from 1 = not at all true to 9 = definitely true. Results showed high level of Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient α = 0.90, test retest reliability ranged from r = .73 to r = .96 (ps < .01), item total correlation varying from r = .50 to r = .74 (ps < .01) and factor loading ranged from .39 to .73. Item difficulty was determined through the Rasch scaling analysis and construct validity of the Urdu PLS secured the same one-dimensional factor structure of the English PLS by retaining 15 items. It showed that the Urdu PLS is reliable and valid tool to measure the cognitive, emotional and behavioral components of passionate love in Pakistani cultural context. Implications of the study were also discussed.
Las relaciones de pareja en los adolescentes de cuenca: Su relación con el machismo/marianismo
Authors: Cevallos Neira Ana Cristina , Jerves Hermida Elena Monserrath
Published: February 2018

Las relaciones de pareja son relaciones socialmente construidas, lo que significa que son moldeadas por diversos factores sociales y culturales. Si bien estas relaciones han sido estudiadas con anterioridad en adultos, en las últimas décadas se ha resaltado la necesidad de estudiarlas durante la etapa de la adolescencia, en donde se ha evidenciado que presentan características específicas importantes. Sin embargo, la mayoría de estudios al respecto han sido desarrollados en Europa y Norte América existiendo un vacío con respecto al desarrollo de las relaciones de pareja en culturas latinoamericanas. Por tal razón, el objetivo de la investigación fue conocer y analizar las experiencias, en torno a una relación de pareja, que vivencian los jóvenes de Cuenca, con la finalidad de comprender la manera en que los elementos culturales pueden estar moldeando dichas relaciones. Para ello se realizaron entrevistas a profundidad a 20 adolescentes, hombres y mujeres entre 15 - 17 años, de la ciudad de Cuenca. Los datos fueron procesados mediante análisis temático. Los resultados permitieron conocer que, a pesar de que las relaciones representan una gran fuente de apoyo para los jóvenes, en el desarrollo de las mismas se ejecutan dinámicas de control y celos, mismas que más bien son entendidas como una forma de cuidado y protección hacia la pareja. Finalmente, se evidencia que las conductas controladoras son muy comunes en las relaciones, por lo que terminan siendo naturalizadas, esto debido a las ideas que los adolescentes manejan sobre el amor romántico.
Channels of computer-mediated communication and satisfaction in long-distance relationships
Authors: Hampton Adam J. , Rawlings Jessica , Treger Stanislav , Sprecher Susan
Published: February 2018

In the last decade, there has been a surge in the number of ways in which romantic partners can remain in contact with each other. The use of communication technologies may have important implications for the maintenance of relationship satisfaction. Unfortunately, most research in this domain has been conducted with samples that are composed predominantly by individuals in geographically-close relationships. This study examined the use of communication technologies in long-distance relationships, including how various mediums of communication are associated with relationship satisfaction and communication satisfaction. Using a diverse online sample of individuals in long-distance relationships, we found that the frequency of utilizing various channels of communication was associated with relationship satisfaction and communication satisfaction. The most frequently used channel of communication was text messaging. However,Skypeuse was the strongest predictor of both relationship satisfaction and communication satisfaction. Further, communication satisfaction mediated the relation betweenSkypeuse and relationship satisfaction. We integrate our findings into theoretical perspectives on computer-mediated communication.
A phenomenology of ‘blending in’: Beyond emotional regulation
Authors: Creighton Katie , Downes Paul
Published: February 2018

The phenomenon of devaluing of self for adolescent girls has been highlighted in previous qualitative research in a US cultural context. Carol Gilligan and her colleagues have documented a loss of connection to self and loss of voice. ‘Blending in’ pertains to such a loss of connection and voice. ‘Blending in’ emerges from many aspects of 8 Irish females’ retrospective qualitative phenomenological accounts of their adolescent experiences. These features of blending in include: a dumbing down of intellectual ability in order to fit in, a desire to be hidden in the group to ‘fade into the background’, to not stand out as being different, fear of being labelled by others and fear of challenging others. Blending in gives phenomenological support to Gilligan’s (1990) accounts of silencing and loss of relation to self in adolescent girls, to a rendering of self as other. This phenomenological exploration is resonant also with de Beauvoir’s Second Sex and to a loss of capacity for introversion in Western culture, echoing Jung (1921). Blending in requires firmer addressing in social and emotional education (SEE), especially regarding challenge to self-management as emotional impulse and behaviour regulation. Self-management as blending in risks being a process of loss of voice and alienation of self.
New contributions to the knowledge of freshwater macro­invertebrates of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, with particular focus on sponges
Authors: Rueda Juan , Mesquita-Joanes Francesc
Published: February 2018

Se estudia la caracterización limnológica de 30 lagunas del bosque tropical seco de Costa Rica y Nicaragua durante 2010-11. Se aislaron gémulas de esponjas de agua dulce en cuatro de las localidades. Se registraron dos nuevas citas de esponjas para Nicaragua, Radiospongilla cerebellata (Bowerbank, 1863) y Corvoheteromeyenia heterosclera (Ezcurra de Drago, 1974). En Costa Rica también se registró esta última y se recolectaron ejemplares de Radiospongilla crateriformis (Potts, 1882). En otra laguna de Costa Rica, se recolectó una larva neuróptero (Insecta) de la familia Sisyridae asociada a las esponjas: Sisyra apicalis Banks, 1908. Por otro lado, hemos podido recolectar gémulas incrustadas en el tubo de alojamiento del oligoqueto Aulophorus vagus Leidy, 1880 (Annelida: Oligochaeta: Naididae), que también supone la primera cita para Costa Rica y Nicaragua.

The characterization of 30 temporary ponds was done in the tropical dry forest of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, in 2010-2011. Gemmules of sponges were isolated in four of the studied sites. Two new records were set for Nicaragua, Radiospongilla cerebellata (Bowerbank, 1863) and Corvoheteromeyenia heterosclera (Ezcurra de Drago, 1974). In Costa Rica, the last ones was also recorded as well as specimens of Radiospongilla crateriformis (Potts, 1882) were collected. In another pond of Costa Rica, larva of Neuroptera (Insecta) belonging to family Sisyridae, commonly associated to sponges, was collected: Sisyra apicalis Banks, 1908. In addition, we have been able to collect embedded gemmules in the housing tube of the annelid Aulophorus vagus Leidy, 1880 (Annelida: Oligochaeta: Naididae). This species is also here reported for the first time in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Theropod hindlimbs with feeding and other traces reveal ecosystem dynamics in the Maastrichtian of eastern North America
Authors: Brownstein Chase D
Published: February 2018

Direct documentation of the ecology of past life is often rare when the fossil record is comparatively poor, as in the case of the terrestrial fauna of the Maastrichtian of eastern North America. Here, I describe a femur and partial tibia shaft assignable to theropods from the Maastrichtian Big Brook locality of New Jersey. The former, identifiable to a previously undetected morphotype of large ornithomimosaur, bears several scrapes identifiable as the feeding traces of sharks, adding to the collection of terrestrial vertebrate remains bearing such marks from the state. The latter is littered with tooth marks and punctures from possibly multiple crocodyliform individuals, the first documented occurrence of such traces on dinosaur bone from the Maastrichtian of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Additionally, its surface is dotted with likely traces of invertebrates, revealing a microcosm of biological interaction from the Maastrichtian New Jersey shoreline. Previously, the massive Campanian crocodylian taxon Deinosuchus rugosus and the slightly smaller Cenomanian-age Texas crocodyliform Deltasuchus motherali have been shown as important drivers of terrestrial vertebrate taphonomy in eastern North America. The report of crocodyliform bite marks on the ornithomimosaur metatarsal shaft in this manuscript reveals that crocodylians continued to play role in the taphonomy of large dinosaurs in eastern North America through the end of the Mesozoic. The preserved invertebrate traces add to the sparse record of their traces on dinosaur bone, and the presence of shark scrapes on the femur supports the “bloat-and-float” model of terrestrial vertebrate fossil deposition in eastern North America.
D-GENIES : Dot plot large GENomes in an interactive, efficient and simple way
Authors: Cabanettes Floréal , Klopp Christophe
Published: February 2018

Dot plots are widely used to quickly compare sequence sets. They provide a synthetic similarity overview, highlighting repetitions, breaks and inversions. Different tools have been developed to easily generated genomic alignment dot plots, but they are often limited in the input sequence size. D-GENIES is a standalone and WEB application performing large genome alignments using minimap2 software package and generating interactive dot plots. It enables users to sort query sequences along the reference, zoom in the plot and download several image, alignment or sequence files. D-GENIES is an easy to install open source software package (GPL) developed in Python and JavaScript. The source code is available at https://github.com/genotoul-bioinfo/dgenies and it can be tested at http://dgenies.toulouse.inra.fr/.
Seasonal dynamics alters taxonomical and functional microbial profiles in Pampa biome soils under natural grasslands
Authors: Barboza Anthony , Pylro Victor S , Jacques Rodrigo , Gubiani Paulo , Trindade Júlio , Triplett Eric , Roesch Luiz
Published: February 2018

Soil microbial communities’ assembly is strongly tied to changes in temperature and moisture. Although microbial functional redundancy seems to overcome taxonomical composition changes, the sensitivity and resilience of soil microbial communities from subtropical regions in response to seasonal variations are still poorly understood. Thus, the development of new strategies for biodiversity conservation and sustainable management require a complete understanding of the soil abiotic process involved in the selection of microbial taxa and functions. In this work, we used state of the art molecular methodologies (Next Generation Sequencing) to compare the taxonomic (metataxonomics) and functional (metatranscriptomics) profiles among soil samples from two subtropical natural grasslands located in the Pampa biome, Brazil, in response to short-term seasonal variations. We found consistent effects of season on both microbial community structure and functions, but with the former being more influenced than the latter. These variations were more related to the oscillation in the relative abundances of specific taxa along seasons, rather than extinction and recolonization of taxa along seasons. In conclusion, the most abundant microbial groups and functions were shared between seasons and locations reflecting the existence of a stable taxonomical and functional core microbiota.
Readiness of Policy Implementation of Indonesian Health Workers in Facing the Services Liberalization within the Framework of ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (Review on Mode 4 AFAS: Movement of Natural Persons)
Authors: Ratih Fitria Kusuma , Hidayat Budi
Published: February 2018

Abstract. This thesis reviewed of the Provisions of AFAS (ASEAN Framework Agreement on Service) Mode 4 by looking at the overview of Readiness of the Policy Implementation of Indonesian Health Workers in facing the Services Liberalization within AFAS Framework by analyzing how MNP prepared the quality and qualification of Indonesian health workers, and by describing, identifying, and knowing the efforts performed by the government in preparing the Implementation of Indonesian Health Workers Policy. Based on the research results, it is concluded that the implementation of Mode 4 within AFAS framework was one of the strategic issues. However, preparation policy was not optimally implemented optimally due to the lack of coordination among the stakeholders.Keywords: policy implementation, ASEAN, AEC, mode 4 of AFAS, health services liberalization
Analysis on Policy Implementation of Community Health Center as Report Obligation Recipient Institution for Narcotic Addicts in Jakarta Province in 2014
Authors: Wahyuni Sri Puji , Bachtiar Adang
Published: February 2018

Abstract. This paper analyzed the Policy Implementation of Community Health Center (CHC) as Report Obligation Recipient Institution for Narcotic Addicts in Jakarta Province in 2014. The design of the study employed a mixed methods approach of Sequential Explanatory. The implementation analysis employed the model developed by Donald Van Meter and Carl Van Horn. Within the model, policy implementation was associated with performance. The relationship was influenced by six variables: standards and targets, resources, communication among implementing agencies, implementing agency characteristics, attitudes of the implementers, as well as social, economic, and political factors. We found that variations of those six variables influenced policy performance linearly.Keywords: descriptive analysis, a variation of variables, the performance of the policy