bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EEG-based neuroergonomics for 3d user interfaces: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Frey Jérémy , Hachet Martin , Lotte Fabien
Published: April 2017

Les interfaces utilisateurs 3D sont utilisées dans un nombre croissant d’applications, qui vont du divertissement au design industriel. Cependant, les tâches d’interaction 3D sont en général plus complexes pour les utilisateurs étant-donné qu’il est plus demandeur au niveau cognitif d’interagir avec un environnement en 3D que de percevoir et d’interagir avec un environnement en 2D. Ainsi, il est essentiel que nous puissions finement évaluer l’expérience utilisateur, afin de proposer des interfaces faciles d’utilisation. Pour ce faire, une direction de recherche prometteuse est de mesurer l’état interne des utilisateurs via l’acquisition de signaux cérébraux pendant l’interaction, en suivant une approche neuro­ergonomique. Combiné à des méthodes existantes, un tel outil peut être utilisé pour améliorer la compréhension de l’expérience utilisateur. Dans cet article, nous passons en revue le travail qui est mené dans ce domaine ; ce qui a déjà été accompli et les challenges qui se font jour. Nous décrivons comment une technique d’imagerie cérébrale mobile telle que l’électroencéphalographie (EEG) permet des mesures continues qui ne perturbent pas l’interaction. Une évaluation des utilisateurs centrée sur l’EEG peut donner un aperçu de multiples dimensions de l’expérience utilisateur, avec des taches d’interaction réalistes ou des interfaces novatrices. Nous étudions quatre construits : la charge mentale, l’attention, la reconnaissance d’erreur et le confort visuel. A terme, ces métriques pourraient aider à soulager les utilisateurs lorsqu’ils interagissent avec des ordinateurs.
Driver Adaptive Task Allocation: A Field Driving Study
Authors: Lei S. , Toriizuka Takashi , Roetting Mattias
Published: April 2017

L’allocation adaptative de tâche (AAT) offre de nouvelles perspectives pour l’interaction homme-machine dans les systèmes hautement automatisés. De nombreuses recherches ont démontré que les signaux psychophysiologiques peuvent être utilisés pour fermer la boucle en adaptant les tâches en fonction de l’état de l’opérateur humain. Cette présente étude établit la faisabilité de la réallocation de tâche dans le contexte de la conduite automobile. La charge de travail du conducteur était estimée en temps à partir d’un électroencéphalographe (EEG) et les mesures obtenues servaient à adapter dynamiquement une tâche secondaire. Les résultats ont montré que l’AAT était bénéfique pour maintenir la charge de travail du conducteur à un niveau modéré. En revanche, et d’une manière générale, pas l’amélioration de la performance allocation adaptative de tâche.
Chronic Fibro-Inflammatory Responses in Autoimmune Pancreatitis Depend on IFN-α and IL-33 Produced by Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells
Authors: Watanabe Tomohiro , Yamashita Kouhei , Arai Yasuyuki , Minaga Kosuke , Kamata Ken , Nagai Tomoyuki , Komeda Yoriaki , Takenaka Mamoru , Hagiwara Satoru , Ida Hiroshi , Sakurai Toshiharu , Nishida Naoshi , Strober Warren , Kudo Masatoshi
Published: April 2017

In previous studies, we found that human IgG4-related autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and murine AIP are driven by activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) producing IFN-α. In the present studies we examined additional roles of pDC-related mechanisms in AIP pathogenesis, particularly those responsible for induction of fibrosis. We found that in murine AIP (MRL/Mp mice treated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid) not only the pancreatic infiltration of immune cells but also the development of fibrosis were markedly reduced by the depletion of pDCs or blockade of type I IFN signaling; moreover, such treatment was accompanied by a marked reduction of pancreatic expression of IL-33. Conversely, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid–induced inflamed pancreatic tissue in murine AIP exhibited increased expression of type I IFNs and IL-33 (and downstream IL-33 cytokines such as IL-13 and TGF-β1). pDCs stimulated by type I IFN were the source of the IL-33 because purified populations of these cells isolated from the inflamed pancreas produced a large amount of IL-33 upon activation by TLR9 ligands, and such production was abrogated by the neutralization of type I IFN. The role of IL-33 in murine AIP pathogenesis was surprisingly important because blockade of IL-33 signaling by anti-ST2 Ab attenuated both pancreatic inflammation and accompanying fibrosis. Finally, whereas patients with both conventional pancreatitis and IgG4-related AIP exhibited increased numbers of acinar cells expressing IL-33, only the latter also exhibited pDCs producing this cytokine. These data thus suggest that pDCs producing IFN-α and IL-33 play a pivotal role in the chronic fibro-inflammatory responses underlying murine AIP and human IgG4-related AIP.
Social and health reasons for lime juice vaginal douching among female sex workers in Borno State, Nigeria
Authors: Mairiga Abdulkarim G. , Kullima Abubakar A. , Kawuwa Mohammed B.
Published: April 2017

Background: Vaginal douching with lime juice and other agents has been perceived to enhance sexual excitement through sensations of vaginal dryness, tightness or warmth, as well as prevent sexually transmitted infections and restore and tighten the vagina after delivery. Its effectiveness as a contraceptive has also been reported. However, the social and health reasons/consequences of such a practice have not been adequately documented in the communities of Borno State, Nigeria.Objectives: This study aimed to determine the extent of, reasons for, and the reproductive health effects of, the use of lime juice for vaginal douching among the commercial sex workers (CSWs) in selected areas of the three senatorial regions of Borno State, Nigeria.Method: This was a community-based descriptive study conducted among female CSWs in selected communities of Borno State, Nigeria. A sample of 194 CSWs were randomly selected and interviewed on their sexual history and douching practices.Results: One hundred and twenty (62%) respondents admitted practicing vaginal douching with lime juice, with 85% having been CSWs for a period greater than three years. More than half douched for sexual pleasure, hygiene and contraception. Significantly more lime juice users had increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than non-users. Users had a higher prevalence of HIV infection than non-users. The Papanicouleaua (pap) smear test for cervical lesions also showed that moderate to severe dysplastic changes were more prevalent among limejuice users.Conclusion: Many CSWs in this community use lime juice for douching, for various reasons. Indications are that its use is associated with a higher prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infections and dysplastic cervical changes. Owing to confounding issues, such as the number of sexual partners, frequency of sexual exposure per day and the duration of exposure, it cannot, therefore, be deduced that douching with lime juice is the only reason for the higher prevalence of STIs and HIV. Nevertheless, there is an obvious need to mount extensive campaigns to educate the CSW on the possible risks of using such a practice.
Body adiposity indices are associated with hypertension in a black, urban Free State community
Authors: Lategan Ronette , Van den Berg Violet L. , Walsh Corinna M.
Published: April 2017

Background: Non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, are increasing rapidly in resource-poor, developing countries amongst populations transitioning from traditional to westernised lifestyles; and are associated with excess weight.Aim: To investigate the relationship between hypertension and various indices of body adiposity in a transitioning, urban, black population.Setting: Three hundred and thirty-nine adults (25–64 years) from a larger cross-sectional study (Assuring Health for All in the Free State) conducted in Mangaung, South Africa, were included.Methods: Standard techniques were used to determine blood pressure, HIV status, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and body adiposity index (BAI).Results: Approximately 40% of the sample was HIV-positive and 63.4% hypertensive, with the greatest risk of hypertension being amongst older men. Based on BMI, 23.0% were overweight and 32.1% obese. Waist-to-height ratio showed that 58.6% had increased cardiovascular risk. Mean BAI was 34.1%, whilst 76.3% had a body fat percentage in the overweight/obese category. Waist circumference representing increased cardiovascular risk was found in 44.3% of women and 3.9% of men. Significant positive correlations between mean arterial bloodpressure and BMI (r = 0.261; p < 0.001), WHtR (r = 0.357; p < 0.001) and BAI (r = 0.245; p <0.001) were found. WHtR was a stronger predictor of mean arterial pressure than BMI or BAI. HIV status showed an inverse correlation with all adiposity indices (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Our findings promote WHtR as a practical screening tool for increased hypertension risk in populations undergoing westernisation, and support weight loss as afirst-line intervention for the prevention and management of hypertension.
Корреляции спиновой плотности и магнитное нейтронное рассеяние в ферромагнитных металлах
Authors: Melnikov Nikolai Borisovich , Paradezhenko Georgii Vitalievich , Reser Boris Il'ich
Published: April 2017

Получены выражения для пространственного коррелятора спиновой плотности, эффективного и локального магнитных моментов в динамической теории спиновых флуктуаций. Выведены формулы для сечения магнитного рассеяния в теории магнетиков с коллективизированными электронами. Рассчитаны магнитные характеристики ОЦК-железа в парамагнитном состоянии и проведено сравнение численных результатов с экспериментом по поляризованному рассеянию нейтронов. Показано, что ближний порядок в ОЦК-железе сохраняется при температурах значительно выше температуры Кюри, но лишь на небольших расстояниях (не более 5 A).
Does financial VAT affect the size of the financial sector?
Authors: López-Laborda Julio , Peña Guillermo
Published: April 2017

The influence of VAT applied to financial services on the size of the financial sector is analyzed empirically. The authors use data from 36 European Union and OECD countries for the period from 1961 to 2012. Dynamic panel data techniques are used, concretely the GMM System. An unbalanced panel is handled. The results allow the authors to support the theoretical analysis that financial VAT has no significant effect on financial sector development. Results are robust to the specifications of the dependent and target variables and to the econometric method applied.
Analysis of multivariate relations among birth weight, survivability traits, growth performance, and some important factors in Suffolk lambs
Authors: Ptáček Martin , Ducháček Jaromír , Stádník Luděk , Hakl Josef , Fantová Milena
Published: April 2017

Abstract. The aim of this study was to describe the relationships among lambs' birth weight, survivability traits, growth performance, and selected factors in Suffolk lambs kept under a specified extensive management system. Data were collected regarding 1012 Suffolk lambs born during a 3-year period (2012–2014) in one flock. Statistical analyses were conducted using the SAS and CANOCO program software. Birth weight was found to be an important factor influencing survivability and growth performance traits. Lambs with too low a birth weight (< 2.9 kg) had the worst results of practically all the survivability and growth performance traits. A significantly lower percentage of live-born lambs (5.2 to 6.1 %; P < 0.05) was also observed amongst overweight lambs at birth (> 6.0 kg) compared to lambs with a birth weight of 4–5.9 kg. Generally, the highest results of growth performance traits were detected in groups of lambs with a birth weight of 5.0–5.9 and 6.0–9.0 kg. Therefore, the optimal birth weight of Suffolk lambs was in the range of 5.0 to 5.9 kg in the evaluated flock management system. Litter size was found to be the dominant factor influencing birth weight, survivability, and growth performance traits, such that singles tended to have the highest birth weight and growth performance traits, while higher survivability traits were found in twins. The results of multivariate relations also clearly indicated that the selection of lambs should be focused on twins with regard to the monitoring of mature ewes' live weight at mating, which helped to improve the lambs' survivability traits, in particular. The monitoring of ewes' mature live weight at mating should also serve as a tool for flock management to shorten the lambing period in the flock and to improve the birth weight and growth performance traits of lambs. The mature ewe body condition score at mating should be monitored to ensure that lambs are adequately meaty and fatty. This study confirmed the importance of keeping records of birth weight and suggested practical implications of some important factors when improving flock profitability.
Characterization of the long-term radiosonde temperature biases in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere using COSMIC and Metop-A/GRAS data from 2006 to 2014
Authors: Ho Shu-peng , Peng Liang , Vömel Holger
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Radiosonde observations (RAOBs) have provided the only long-term global in situ temperature measurements in the troposphere and lower stratosphere since 1958. In this study, we use consistently reprocessed Global Positioning System (GPS) radio occultation (RO) temperature data derived from the COSMIC and Metop-A/GRAS missions from 2006 to 2014 to characterize the inter-seasonal and interannual variability of temperature biases in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere for different radiosonde sensor types. The results show that the temperature biases for different sensor types are mainly due to (i) uncorrected solar-zenith-angle-dependent errors and (ii) change of radiation correction. The mean radiosonde–RO global daytime temperature difference in the layer from 200 to 20 hPa for Vaisala RS92 is equal to 0.20 K. The corresponding difference is equal to −0.06 K for Sippican, 0.71 K for VIZ-B2, 0.66 K for Russian AVK-MRZ, and 0.18 K for Shanghai. The global daytime trend of differences for Vaisala RS92 and RO temperature at 50 hPa is equal to 0.07 K/5 yr. Although there still exist uncertainties for Vaisala RS92 temperature measurement over different geographical locations, the global trend of temperature differences between Vaisala RS92 and RO from June 2006 to April 2014 is within ±0.09 K/5 yr. Compared with Vaisala RS80, Vaisala RS90, and sondes from other manufacturers, the Vaisala RS92 seems to provide the most accurate RAOB temperature measurements, and these can potentially be used to construct long-term temperature climate data records (CDRs). Results from this study also demonstrate the feasibility of using RO data to correct RAOB temperature biases for different sensor types.
Italian codified hashtags for weather warning on Twitter – who is really using them?
Authors: Grasso Valentina , Crisci Alfonso , Morabito Marco , Nesi Paolo , Pantaleo Gianni , Zaza Imad , Gozzini Bernardo
Published: April 2017

Abstract. During emergencies, an increasing number of messages are shared through social media platforms, becoming a primary source of information for lay people and emergency managers. Weather services and institutions have started to employ social media to deliver weather warnings even if sometimes this communication lacks in strategy. In Twitter, for example, hashtagging is very important to associate messages with certain topics; in recent years, codified hashtagging is emerging as a practical way to coordinate Twitter conversations during emergencies and quickly retrieve relevant information. In 2014, a syntax for codified hashtags for weather warning was proposed in Italy: a list of 20 hashtags, realized by combining #allertameteo (weather warning) + XXX, where final letters code the regional identification. This contribution presents a monitoring of Twitter usage of weather warning codified hashtags in Italy (since July 2015) and an analysis of different contexts. Twitter messages were retrieved using TwitterVigilance, a multi-users platform to crawl Twitter data, collect and store messages and perform quantitative analytics, about users, hashtags, tweets/retweets volumes. The Codified Hashtags data set is presented and discussed with main analytics and evaluation of regional contexts where it was successfully employed.
Seasonal thermal regime and climatic trends in lakes of the Tibetan highlands
Authors: Kirillin Georgiy , Wen Lijuan , Shatwell Tom
Published: April 2017

Abstract. The hydrology of the lake-rich Tibetan Plateau is important for the global climate, yet little is known about the thermal regime of Tibetan lakes due to scant data. We (i) investigated the characteristic seasonal temperature patterns and recent trends in the thermal and stratification regimes of lakes on the Tibetan Plateau and (ii) tested the performance of the one-dimensional lake parameterization scheme FLake for the Tibetan lake system. For this purpose, we combined 3 years of in situ lake temperature measurements, several decades of satellite observations, and the global reanalysis data. We chose the two largest freshwater Tibetan lakes, Ngoring and Gyaring, as study sites. The lake model FLake faithfully reproduced the specific features of the high-altitude lakes and was subsequently applied to reconstruct the vertically resolved heat transport in both lakes during the last 4 decades. The model suggested that Ngoring and Gyaring were ice-covered for about 6 months and stratified in summer for about 4 months per year with a short spring overturn and a longer autumn overturn. In summer the surface mixed boundary layer extended to 6–8 m of depth and was about 20 % shallower in the more turbid Gyaring. The thermal regime of the transparent Ngoring responded more strongly to atmospheric forcing than Gyaring, where the higher turbidity damped the response. According to the reanalysis data, air temperatures and humidity have increased, whereas solar radiation has decreased, since the 1970s. Surprisingly, the modeled mean lake temperatures did not change, nor did the phenology of the ice cover or stratification. Lake surface temperatures in summer increased only marginally. The reason is that the increase in air temperature was offset by the decrease in radiation, probably due to increasing humidity. This study demonstrates that air temperature trends are not directly coupled to lake temperatures and underscores the importance of shortwave radiation for the thermal regime of high-altitude lakes.
Bathymetry and oceanic flow structure at two deep passages crossing the Lomonosov Ridge
Authors: Björk Göran , Jakobsson Martin , Assmann Karen , Andersson Leif , Nilsson Johan , Stranne Christian , Mayer Larry
Published: April 2017

Abstract. The Lomonosov Ridge represents a major topographical feature in the Arctic Ocean which has a large effect on the water circulation and the distribution of water properties. This study presents detailed bathymetric survey data along with hydrographic data at two deep passages across the ridge: A southern passage (80–81° N) where the ridge crest meets the Siberian continental slope and a northern passage around 84.5° N. The southern channel is characterized by smooth and flat bathymetry around 1600–1700 m with a sill depth slightly shallower than 1700 m. A hydrographic section across the channel reveals an eastward flow with Amundsen Basin properties in the southern part and a westward flow of Makarov Basin properties in the northern part. The northern passage includes an approximately 72 km long and 33 km wide trough which forms an intra basin in the Lomonosov Ridge morphology (the Oden Trough). The eastern side of Oden Trough is enclosed by a narrow and steep ridge rising 500–600 m above a generally 1600 m deep trough bottom. The deepest passage (the sill) is 1470 m deep and located on this ridge. Hydrographic data show irregular temperature and salinity profiles indicating that water exchange occurs as midwater intrusions bringing water properties from each side of the ridge in well-defined but irregular layers. There is also morphological evidence that some rather energetic flows may occur in the vicinity of the sill. A well expressed deepening near the sill may be the result of seabed erosion by bottom currents.
Syn-thrusting, near-surface flexural-slipping and stress deflection along folded sedimentary layers of the Sant Corneli-Bóixols anticline (Pyrenees, Spain)
Authors: Tavani Stefano , Granado Pablo , Arbués Pau , Corradetti Amerigo , Muñoz J. Anton
Published: April 2017

Abstract. In the Spanish Pyrenees, the Sant Corneli-Bóixols thrust-related anticline displays an outstandingly preserved growth strata sequence. These strata lie on top of a major unconformity exposed at the anticline's forelimb that divides and decouples a lower pre-folding unit from an upper syn-folding one. The former consists of steeply dipping to overturned strata with widespread bedding-parallel slip indicative of folding by flexural slip, whereas the syn-folding strata above define a 200 m amplitude fold. In the inner and outer sectors of the forelimb, both pre- and syn-folding strata are near vertical to overturned and the unconformity angle ranges from 10 to 30°. In the central portion of the forelimb, syn-folding layers are gently dipping, whereas the angular unconformity is about 90° and the unconformity surface displays strong S–C shear structures, which provide a top-to-foreland slip sense. This sheared unconformity is offset by steeply dipping faults, which are at low angles to the underlying layers of the pre-folding unit. Strong shearing along the unconformity surface also occurred in the inner sector of the forelimb, with S–C structures providing an opposite, top-to-hinterland slip sense. Cross-cutting relationships and slip senses along the pre-folding bedding surfaces and the unconformity indicate that regardless of its orientation, layering in the pre- and syn-folding sequences of the Sant Corneli-Bóixols anticline were continuously slipped. This slipping promoted an intense stress deflection, with the maximum component of the stress tensor remaining at low angles to bedding during most of the folding process.
Investigating the need for scholarly communications positions in Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries member institutions
Authors: Mears Kim , Bandy Sandra L.
Published: April 2017

Background: The role of health sciences librarians has expanded in the scholarly communications landscape as a result of the increase in federal public access mandates and the continued expansion of publishing avenues. This has created the need to investigate whether academic health sciences libraries should have scholarly communications positions to provide education and services exclusively related to scholarly communication topics.Methods: A nine-question online survey was distributed through the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) email discussion list to gather preliminary findings from and opinions of directors of health sciences libraries on the need for scholarly communications positions.Results: The survey received a 38% response rate. The authors found that AAHSL members are currently providing scholarly communications services, and 46% of respondents expressed the need to devote a full-time position to this role.Discussion: Our survey reveals a juxtaposition occurring in AAHSL member libraries. While administrators acknowledge the need to provide scholarly communications services, they often experience budget challenges in providing a full-time position for these services.
Publishing case studies in health sciences librarianship
Authors: Akers Katherine G. , Amos Kathleen
Published: April 2017

While most issues of the Journal of the Medical Library Association (JMLA) contain one or two case studies, the JMLA editorial team is pleased to note that the current issue contains six case studies, highlighting a wide range of library-driven initiatives to support health sciences research and education.
Marketing on a Shoestring Budget: A Guide for Small Museums and Historic Sites
Authors: Natal Gerald
Published: April 2017

Marketing on a Shoestring Budget will deliver to readers the basics of marketing with practical suggestions for expanding patronage and improving the presence of libraries in an easy-to-understand format.
Improving data collection, documentation, and workflow in a dementia screening study
Authors: Read Kevin B. , LaPolla Fred Willie Zametkin , Tolea Magdalena I. , Galvin James E. , Surkis Alisa
Published: April 2017

Background: A clinical study team performing three multicultural dementia screening studies identified the need to improve data management practices and facilitate data sharing. A collaboration was initiated with librarians as part of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) informationist supplement program. The librarians identified areas for improvement in the studies’ data collection, entry, and processing workflows.Case Presentation: The librarians’ role in this project was to meet needs expressed by the study team around improving data collection and processing workflows to increase study efficiency and ensure data quality. The librarians addressed the data collection, entry, and processing weaknesses through standardizing and renaming variables, creating an electronic data capture system using REDCap, and developing well-documented, reproducible data processing workflows.Conclusions: NLM informationist supplements provide librarians with valuable experience in collaborating with study teams to address their data needs. For this project, the librarians gained skills in project management, REDCap, and understanding of the challenges and specifics of a clinical research study. However, the time and effort required to provide targeted and intensive support for one study team was not scalable to the library’s broader user community.
Whither Sir William?
Authors: Greenberg Stephen J.
Published: April 2017

There are times when something is simply so familiar that we can no longer see it at all. It can be a story, or a concept, or even a flesh-and-blood person. Familiarity breeds not only contempt, but a kind of invisibility as well. For too many of us, such is the case with Sir William Osler. In his time (1849–1919), many considered him to be one of the greatest practitioners, teachers, and writers ever in the field of medicine. He was instrumental in the founding of the Medical Library Association (MLA) and was elected its second president.
ORCID
Authors: Sprague Evan R.
Published: April 2017

ORCID is a not-for-profit organization that provides the Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID), allowing researchers to register for a unique identifier.
Anne O’Tate
Authors: Engwall Keith D.
Published: April 2017

Anne O’Tate is an alternative interface for searching PubMed developed by the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).
On Being Disrupted: Youth Work and Black Lives Matter
Authors: Bonfiglio Angela Marie
Published: April 2017

Youth workers are constantly figuring out how to respond to their young people, especially in times of disruption. The Black Lives Matter movement came close to home in the aftermath of the shooting by police of Jamar Clark, a young black man in north Minneapolis. This article is a reflection on the tensions that six area youth workers faced and the variety of roles that they played in working with their young people. The goal of this paper is to inspire other youth workers to be bold to act in times of disruption in order to support their young people and challenge the systems that impact them.
Correction to: Allen, L.A., Garst, B.A., Bowers, E.P., & Onyiko, K.K. “Building a Youth Development System in Kenya: Comparing Kenyan Perceptions of Local and National Systems.” Journal of Youth Development, 11(3) 2016.
Authors: Walker Kate
Published: April 2017

There was a mistake in the title of an article. At the end of the title, the word “Systems” should be “Issues” so that the title reads, “Building a Youth Development System in Kenya: Comparing Kenyan Perceptions of Local and National Issues.” The original article can be found via the DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2016.461
Correction to: MacDonnell, M., Urban, J.B., & Linver, M.R. “A Mixed-Methods Exploration of Intentional Self Regulation and Youth Beliefs about the Chances of Achieving Future Aspirations.” Journal of Youth Development, 10(3) 2015.
Authors: Walker Kate
Published: April 2017

A series of edits to the text were made to remove or replace words. The authors added an acknowledgement of funding. Finally, the accent was removed from all references to Gestsdottir. ”The original article can be found via the DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2015.11.
Who Really Benefits from Mandatory Adoption of IFRS? A Closer Look at Preparers and Users of Financial Information
Authors: Sayumwe Michel , Francoeur Claude
Published: April 2017

Since 1 January 2005, the European Union (EU) has mandated implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for preparation of consolidated financial statements for EU-listed firms. This paper analyzes the economic impact of mandatory adoption of IFRS on firms, investors, and creditors. Relying on the positive accounting theory, we study the economic impact of the new conceptual framework of financial information from IASB (2010), especially in paragraph OB2, where investors and creditors are designated as the main users of financial information, and QC 38, which assesses whether the benefits of financial information justify the costs associated with its production and use. Our sample is composed of 2,926 European firms that adopted IFRS in 2005. Results show that firm’s cost of capital declines when comparing data before and after IFRS adoption. For creditors, our results suggest that credit rating improves after IFRS adoption. However, we do not notice any significant difference in the quality of accounting earnings for investors.We also test if these results hold in the presence of asymmetric information, financial dependence and family ownership structure. Our results confirm the above trend. We conclude that the market anticipates the content of accounting data, and that mandatory adoption of IFRS has no impact on investors.
The Effects of Inward and Outward Foreign Direct Investments on Economic Growth: Evidence from the G-7 and Selected Emerging Market Economies (1994-2015)
Authors: Yalçınkaya Ömer , Aydın Halil İbrahim
Published: April 2017

In this study, the long termed effects of foreign direct (capital) investments inflows and outflows on the economic growth of the economies of developed G-7 countries where the capital mobility is intense and selected emerging market economies (Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Turkey (EME-7)) are empirically analyzed for the period of 1994-2015 within the scope of the new generation panel data methodology. From this aspect, it is also aimed to economically analyze whether the foreign direct investments inflows and outflows in countries of G-7 and EME-7 have an effect on the economic growth as is seen in the theoretical framework by being considered the capital exporter/importer positions of these countries. Determined in consequence of the study that foreign direct investments inflows/outflows in the countries of G-7 have a positive and statistically significant effect on economic growth in the long term. Also determined that the foreign direct investments inflows have a positive and statistically significant effect on economic growth in countries of EME-7; while the foreign direct investments outflows have not the same effect on the economic growth. These results which are consonant with the theoretical and empirical literature show that just both foreign direct investments inflows and outflows have a significant role in economic growth on G-7 countries; just foreign direct investments inflows have an important role in economic growth on EME-7 countries at the same time.
The Impact of Exchange Rate on Market Fundamentals: A Case Study of J-curve Effect in Vietnam
Authors: My Nguyen Quang , Sayim Mustafa , Rahman Hamid
Published: April 2017

This study examines if there is an equilibrium relationship between gross domestic product (GDP), exchange rate fluctuation and trade balance in long-term and short-term in Vietnam. The results show that the short-term and long-term exchange rate fluctuations impact the trade balance in Vietnam; both ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag) and ECM (Error Correction Model) methodologies implied that exchange rate has a statistically negatively impact on the trade balance. Particularly, Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) utilized to test the long -term impact, shows the trade balance deficit becomes worse when the REER (real effective exchange rate) increases. ECM (Error Correction Model) equation based on the long-term cointegration equation and impulse response, reveals that the domestic currency devaluation could not improve the trade balance, indicating that the J-curve effect does not hold on the dong, the currency of Vietnam.
Corporate Taxation and BEPS: A Fair Slice for Developing Countries?
Authors: Burgers Irene , Mosquera Irma
Published: April 2017

Corporate Taxation and BEPS: A Fair Slice for Developing Countries?

The aim of this article is to examine the differences in perception of ‘fairness’ between developing and developed countries, which influence developing countries’ willingness to embrace the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) proposals and to recommend as to how to overcome these differences. The article provides an introduction to the background of the OECD’s BEPS initiatives (Action Plan, Low Income Countries Report, Multilateral Framework, Inclusive Framework) and the concerns of developing countries about their ability to implement BEPS (Section 1); a non-exhaustive overview of the shortcomings of the BEPS Project and its Action Plan in respect of developing countries (Section 2); arguments on why developing countries might perceive fairness in relation to corporate income taxes differently from developed countries (Section 3); and recommendations for international organisations, governments and academic researchers on where fairness in respect of developing countries should be more properly addressed (Section 4).
S'more Fraction Fun
Authors: Epling Erica
Published: April 2017

Given the opportunity to explore many ways to partition a square, students will be able to generate ideas about halves, thirds, and fourths through the exploration of squares and rectangles. Students will also recognize that equal shares do not necessarily have to be congruent. Each month, elementary school teachers are presented with a problem along with suggested instructional notes; asked to use the problem in their own classrooms; and encouraged to report solutions, strategies, reflections, and misconceptions to the journal audience. Send submissions of no more than 1500 words to this department by accessing http://tcm.msubmit.net. See detailed submission guidelines for all depart-ments at http://www.nctm.org/WriteForTCM
Party Time
Authors: Fuentes Sarah Quebec
Published: April 2017

In this month's Problem Solvers Solutions, second and fifth graders solve a problem that provides a real-world context relevant to students' lives, while addressing mathematical concepts including addition, division, negative numbers, and the mean. The experiences of the diverse grade range of students demonstrate that the task has multiple entry points and can be implemented in a variety of ways. Each month, this section of the Problem Solvers department showcases students' in-depth thinking and discusses the classroom results of using problems presented in previous issues of Teaching Children Mathematics. Find detailed submission guidelines for all departments at http://www.nctm.org/WriteForTCM.
Away we Go!
Authors: Neff Samantha
Published: April 2017

In this collection of problems, the focus is on taking a trip using various modes of transportation. Math by the Month features collections of short activities focused on a monthly theme. These articles aim for an inquiry or problem-solving orientation that includes four activities each for grade bands K–2, 3–4, and 5–6. Send submissions of no more than 1200 words to this department by accessing http://www.tcm.msubmit.net. See detailed submission guidelines for all departments at http://www.nctm.org/WriteForTCM.
Supporting Common Core Sense Making
Authors: Keazer Lindsay , Gerberry Carla
Published: April 2017

The authors address one of the Common Core's Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMP), identifying resources to implement it, common misunderstandings of it, and associated challenges.
Tessellation art
Authors: Stoehr Kathleen J. , Liston Janet M.
Published: April 2017

Engage students in discovering and creating tessellations through patterns from their everyday lives. Students make tessellations come alive as geometric shapes with no gaps or overlaps through hands on activities. Postscript items are designed as rich grab-and-go resources that any teacher can quickly incorporate into his or her classroom repertoire with little effort and maximum impact. Submit your quick game, puzzle, activity, or instructional strategy along with suggestions for how teachers of different grade bands (K–1, 2–3, 4–6) can use this idea. Send submissions of no more than 250 words to this department by accessing http://tcm.msubmit.net. See detailed submission guidelines for all departments at http://www.nctm.org/WriteForTCM
Morphological and Structural Investigations of Egyptian Water Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) Sertoli Cells
Authors: Derbalah Amira , Roshdy Karam , El-Gendy Samir A.A. , Rutland Catrin Sian
Published: April 2017

Buffaloes are essential part of the economy in many countries and provide sustainable food in addition to being working animals. Inefficiency in reproduction has become problematic in recent years due to a number of factors and although much research concentrates on the female, very little is known about the male buffalo reproductive system. To address this deficiency in the literature, testes were obtained from 20 clinically healthy water buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) bulls aged 3 years old. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the Sertoli cells were columnar to triangle shaped with many processes. In the middle portion of the seminiferous tubules, the Sertoli cell had two types of processes with sheet like and slender cord like appearances. The sheet like processes had simple smooth margins originating from Sertoli cells, surrounding the surfaces of spermatogonia and spermatocytes. The slender cord like processes formed networks around other spermatogenic cells. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the Sertoli cells contained a large irregular shaped nucleus with deep nuclear membrane indentations, few mitochondria, aggregates of ribosomes and few rough endoplasmic reticulum which were observed within the indentations. Each nucleus contained a multivesicular nuclear body, containing vesicles, tubules and ribosome like dense structures. The work herein describes the structure and location of key reproductive cells within the water buffalo. Understanding the features of the male reproductive system is essential in order to advance studies into the reproductive decline of this species and the Bovidae family.
Influence of the Month on the Chemical Composition of Mediterranean Italian Buffalo Milk
Authors: Vivo R. De , Napolano R. , Zicarelli L.
Published: April 2017

It is known that the chemical composition of milk is influenced by several factors and the length of lactation plays a prominent role. In Italy, where the reproductive activity of the herd is aimed at the demand for milk from the market, the chemical composition is influenced not only by the adoption or otherwise by the out-breeding-mating-strategy (OBMS) but also by the severity which characterise these techniques (the length of the interruption of sexual promiscuity).
The productions and the chemical composition of the milk of 23 farms (average 9000 buffaloes a year) were processed from 2011 to August 2016. The milk was daily conferred and analysed. We evaluated the milk production (kg), the percentage of fat, protein, lactose, dairy yield calculated with the equation of Altiero (1989), the values of the titratable acidity (°SH) and of pH. For each parameter, the monthly values of each farm were divided by the respective annual average and were expressed as an index (monthly values/annual average) in order to homogenize the graphical representations.
Factors Affecting Incidence of Uterine Torsion in Egyptian Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and its Response for Rolling
Authors: Zaher H.A. , Swelum A.A. , Amin S. , Eidaroos A. , Hazzaa A.M. , Sharifi S. Al
Published: April 2017

Objective: The present work was planned to study the incidence of uterine torsion in Egyptian buffaloes as well as its prognosis after mechanical treatment.
Methods: A total number of 35 buffaloes of different ages, parities and stage of pregnancy with complain of colic and anorexia were included in the present study. These animals were examined rectally to detect stage of pregnancy, degree, direction, duration, location of uterine torsion. Mechanical handling of torsion cases and prognosis of recovered cases was performed. After birth, sex of new born was also recorded.
Results: The torsion of uterus mostly occurred in pleuriparous buffaloes (100%) in right side (85.7%) during second half of pregnancy (100%). Most cases were postcervical (85.7%) during the early stage (7 and 8 months). Torsion also may occur during labour (17.4%) where the cervix was dilated after correction. Most cases of uterine torsion occur in stabled animals for long period (97%). The uterine torsion associated with male calves (65.7%) as well as with large size calves (40-50kg) and majority of the calves were in normal position. The first foetal sac expelled in majority of cases was amniotic sac (97%) with few cases of placental retention. Uterine torsion with short duration (1-6 h) usually needs 1-2 rolls only for correction and usually takes 0-6h (100%) for cervical dilatation. Occurrence of uterine torsion for above three days usually did not respond for rolling.
Conclusion: Uterine torsion usually occurs in old stabled animal with good BCS during green season at last month of pregnancy. The right sever and post cervical torsion were the most common type of torsion. Rapid diagnosis of uterine torsion within 6 h usually results in good prognosis even in severe cases.
Former les leaders de demain en bibliothèques : l’expérience de LIBER
Authors: Roche Julien
Published: April 2017

La Ligue européenne des bibliothèques de recherche (LIBER) a progressivement développé, depuis 2011, un double programme académique et professionnel dédié au leadership, et ce, au bénéfice des cadres en responsabilité. Il s’agit d’aider les leaders en émergence et les directeurs confirmés à conforter leur positionnement comme acteurs incontournables du paysage scientifique, managérial et décisionnel de leur établissement. Le programme s’incarne dans deux actions : 1) un séminaire Leadership, entrepris dès 2011, pour les directeurs adjoints et les chefs de département, se démarquant des programmes nationaux par une forte composante managériale et la connaissance de soi ; 2) des journées LIBER, organisées pour la première fois en 2015, pour les directeurs eux-mêmes, fortement centrées sur l’identification des grands enjeux stratégiques et l’interaction entre pairs.
La prochaine génération d’employés
Authors: Blackburn Heidi
Published: April 2017

Une étude de cas fondée sur les données se penche sur les questions suivantes : 1) quels sont les facteurs sociaux, culturels, économiques et politiques qui motivent les hommes (18-30 ans) à devenir bibliothécaires professionnels aux États-Unis ; 2) dans quelle mesure la technologie a-t-elle motivé les hommes (18-30 ans) à devenir bibliothécaires professionnels et ; 3) quels sont les stéréotypes professionnels auxquels ils sont confrontés.
Comment démotiver un bibliothécaire passionné ?
Authors: de Miribel Marielle
Published: April 2017

Comment démotiver un bibliothécaire passionné ? Un bibliothécaire est sans doute l’un des agents les plus passionnés de la fonction publique. Conscient de l’utilité de son travail, il y trouve son épanouissement. Pourtant, les contraintes externes peuvent parfois l’emporter sur la motivation interne. Chaque être humain a soif de structure, de reconnaissance et de stimulation. L’ignorance, délibérée ou non, de ces besoins conduit à la démotivation. Les enjeux politiques ou financiers, les jeux de pouvoir sur lesquels il n’a aucune prise peuvent amener le bibliothécaire à modifier son comportement et à perdre toute motivation.
Rules and mechanisms for efficient two-stage learning in neural circuits
Authors: Teşileanu Tiberiu , Ölveczky Bence , Balasubramanian Vijay
Published: April 2017

Trial-and-error learning requires evaluating variable actions and reinforcing successful variants. In songbirds, vocal exploration is induced by LMAN, the output of a basal ganglia-related circuit that also contributes a corrective bias to the vocal output. This bias is gradually consolidated in RA, a motor cortex analogue downstream of LMAN. We develop a new model of such two-stage learning. Using stochastic gradient descent, we derive how the activity in ‘tutor’ circuits (e.g., LMAN) should match plasticity mechanisms in ‘student’ circuits (e.g., RA) to achieve efficient learning. We further describe a reinforcement learning framework through which the tutor can build its teaching signal. We show that mismatches between the tutor signal and the plasticity mechanism can impair learning. Applied to birdsong, our results predict the temporal structure of the corrective bias from LMAN given a plasticity rule in RA. Our framework can be applied predictively to other paired brain areas showing two-stage learning.
Take my breath away
Authors: Thomas Vinai C , Fey Paul D
Published: April 2017

A lack of oxygen activates a pathway that causes the bacterial cell wall to break down, which, in turn, aids bacterial biofilm development.
How should the applications of genome editing be assessed and regulated?
Authors: Fears Robin , ter Meulen Volker
Published: April 2017

An EASAC working group on genome editing recommends that regulators should focus on specific applications of these new techniques rather than attempting to regulate genome editing itself as a new technology.
Social and Cultural Euphemism in Saudi Arabic: a Semantic, a Pragmatic and a Sociolinguistic Analysis
Authors: Al-Azzam Bakri , Al-Ahaydib Mohammad , Alkhowaiter Norah , Al-Momani Husam
Published: April 2017

This paper explores the universal linguistic phenomenon of the social and cultural euphemism in Saudi Arabic. It aims at improving the understanding of other cultures' readers of the Saudi culture, concerning uses of euphemism, and simultaneously showing how some linguistic expressions are essentially products of social and cultural pressures. To examine this notion, the study analyzes and classifies examples of the most frequently used Saudi Arabic euphemism, based on various topics. The study shows that the social and cultural factors are very influential in expressing euphemism. It also reveals a clear and a huge shift in the use of euphemism in the Saudi culture, where Saudis did not apply euphemisms frequently in the past, as they are applying these days. Because of the new development of the country’s economy, openness, interfaith dialogue, cultural communication, new lifestyles have emerged and called for more prestigious linguistic behavior. It is hoped that the study would uncover why there are certain sensitive situations where euphemism is needed, such as those of religion, social circumstances, and death situations.