bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PAM‐SMEs: process assessment method for small to medium enterprises
Authors: Abushama Hisham M.
Published: June 2016

Several software process improvement (SPI) standard models have been invented since the last decades, for example, CMMI, SPICE, and CMM. Most of these models had to be tailored by several researchers in order to be applied within Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This is mainly due to their environmental challenges such as resources. In addition to this, the SPI models including the current standard model the CMMI are not considering tailoring their SPI program to business objectives. Achieving business objectives is the main recipe for business success. Therefore, this research (PAM‐SMEs) is setup to tailor SPI program to business objectives within SMEs environmental challenges. Key features of the PAM‐SMEs are as follows: the use of simplified and tailorable assessment techniques and data collection tool based on the CMMI; and then prioritizing the outcome of the assessment to the SMEs business objectives by the use of prioritization technique. The PAM‐SMEs was applied within three partner SMEs, and the overall evaluation shows that the PAM‐SMEs help to drive their SPI program toward their business objectives with the available resources. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic Spillovers in the United States: Stock Market, Housing, Uncertainty, and the Macroeconomy
Authors: Antonakakis Nikolaos , André Christophe , Gupta Rangan
Published: June 2016

In this study, we examine dynamic spillovers among the housing market, stock market, and economic policy uncertainty (EPU) in the United States in a unified empirical framework. Applying the Diebold and Yilmaz (2012) methodology on monthly data over the period 1987M1–2014M11, our findings reveal the following features. First, the transmission of various types of shocks contributes significantly to economic fluctuations in the United States. Second, spillovers show large variations over time. Third, in the wake of the global financial crisis, spillovers have been exceptionally high in historical perspective. In particular, we find large spillovers from EPU, as well as stock market and housing returns to other variables, in particular inflation, industrial production and the federal funds rate. These results illustrate the contagion from the housing and financial crisis to the real economy and the strong policy reaction to stabilize the economy.
Seeing with the Mind: The Relationship Between Spatial Ability and Inferring Dynamic Behaviour from Graphs
Authors: Veldhuis Guido A. , Korzilius Hubert
Published: June 2016

Research has shown that many individuals have difficulties solving tasks that involve a principal component of dynamic systems: accumulation. They incorrectly assume that the behavioural pattern of a stock resembles that of its flows and vice versa. This has become known as correlation heuristic reasoning. Much less is known about the underlying causes of this inability to correctly infer dynamic behaviour from graphs. We tested if two dimensions of spatial ability, spatial visualization and spatial relations, are related to selecting correct or correlation heuristic answers in tasks involving graphs over time. The analyses show that spatial visualization is positively related to performance in some systems thinking inventory tasks and is negatively related to responses that show correlation heuristic reasoning. We conclude by discussing avenues for future research into this phenomenon. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strategy for Molecular Design of Photochromic Diarylethenes Having Thermal Functionality
Authors: Kitagawa Daichi , Kobatake Seiya
Published: June 2016

Thermal reactivities of photochromic diarylethene closed‐ring isomers can be controlled by the introduction of substituents at the reactive positions. Diarylethenes having bulky alkyl groups undergo thermal cycloreversion reactions. When bulky alkoxy groups are introduced, the diarylethenes have both thermal cycloreversion reactivities and low photocycloreversion quantum yields. Such photochromic compounds can be applied to thermally reusable photoresponsive‐image recordings. The thermal cycloreversion reactivity of the closed‐ring isomers can be evaluated using specific steric substituent constants and be correlated with the parameters. By introduction of trimethylsilyl or methoxymethyl groups at the reactive positions, the diarylethene closed‐ring isomers undergo thermal irreversible reactions to produce by‐products at high temperatures. These diarylethenes may be useful for secret‐image recordings. Furthermore, thiophene‐S,S‐dioxidized diarylethenes having secondary alkyl groups at the reactive positions undergo thermal by‐product formation reactions, in addition to the photostability of the colored closed‐ring isomers. Such materials may be used for light‐starting thermosensors. The thermal by‐product formation reactivity can be evaluated by the specific substituent constants and theoretical calculations of quantum chemistry. These results supply the strategy for the molecular design of the photochromic diarylethenes having thermal functionality.

image
A novel method for determining peroxisomal fatty acid β‐oxidation
Authors: Morita Masashi , Matsumoto Shun , Okazaki Airi , Tomita Kaito , Watanabe Shiro , Kawaguchi Kosuke , Minato Daishiro , Matsuya Yuji , Shimozawa Nobuyuki , Imanaka Tsuneo
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this study is to establish an assay method to screen for chemical compounds that stimulate peroxisomal fatty acid β‐oxidation activity in X‐linked adrenoleukodystropy (X‐ALD) fibroblasts. In this investigation, we used 12‐(1‐pyrene)dodecanoic acid (pyrene‐C12:0), a fluorescent fatty acid analog, as a substrate for fatty acid β‐oxidation. When human skin fibroblasts were incubated with pyrene‐C12:0, β‐oxidation products such as pyrene‐C10:0 and pyrene‐C8:0 were generated time‐dependently. These β‐oxidation products were scarcely detected in the fibroblasts from patients with Zellweger syndrome, a peroxisomal biogenesis disorder. In contrast, in fibroblasts with mitochondrial carnitine‐acylcarnitine translocase deficiency, the β‐oxidation products were detected at a level similar to control fibroblasts. These results indicate that the β‐oxidation of pyrene‐C12:0 takes place in peroxisomes, but not mitochondria, so pyrene‐C12:0 is useful for measuring peroxisomal fatty acid β‐oxidation activity. In X‐ALD fibroblasts, the β‐oxidation activity for pyrene‐C12:0 was approximately 40 % of control fibroblasts, which is consistent with previous results using [1‐14C]lignoceric acid as the substrate. The present study provides a convenient procedure for screening chemical compounds that stimulate the peroxisomal fatty acid β‐oxidation in X‐ALD fibroblasts.
Minimizing Energy Cost in Multi-Legged Walking Machines
Authors: Zielinska Teresa
Published: June 2016

Due to their ability to avoid obstacles and to move over difficult terrain, moreover having the ability to adjust their posture, walking machines for many years have been considered as very promising devices for inspection, exploration and surveyance tasks, however still they have not been widely applied. One of the main limitations is the power supply. Six legged walking machines are robust from the point of view of their walking stability in difficult terrain, but their actuators (18 if each leg has active 3 DOF’s) adds to their weight what increases the energy consumption. The higher energy consumption requires more efficient batteries, but usually those are heavier, what again increases the energy demand. Therefore at the design stage a detailed analysis is required of how to decrease the energy consumption. This paper studies energy consumption considering the tripod gait of hexapods. The method used for energy evaluation is presented and the results are discussed. The discussion of energy saving both for the leg transfer phase and during the support phase, which is the most demanding phase, is presented. The energy consumption is expressed in the normalized form, depending on the normalized leg proportions, body height and step length. The straight line forward/backward and side walking are analyzed. The aim of the studies is to provide to the designers the information about favorable leg proportions taking into account the reduction of required energy and to provide the information which leg posture should be selected.
Analysis of a plasmonic based optical fiber optrode with phase interrogation
Authors: Moayyed H. , Leite I. T. , Coelho L. , Santos J. L. , Viegas D.
Published: June 2016

Optical fiber optrodes are attractive sensing devices due to their ability to perform point measurement in remote locations. Mostly, they are oriented to biochemical sensing, quite often supported by fluorescent and spectroscopic techniques, but with the refractometric approach considered as well when the objective is of high measurement performance, particularly when the focus is on enhancing the measurand resolution. In this work, we address this subject, proposing and analyzing the characteristics of a fiber optic optrode relying on plasmonic interaction. A linearly tapered optical fiber tip is covered by a double overlay: the inner one–a silver thin film and over it–a dielectric layer, with this combination allowing to achieve, at a specific wavelength range, surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) interaction sensitive to the refractive index of the surrounding medium. Typically, the interrogation of the SPR sensing structures is performed, considering spectroscopic techniques, but in principle, a far better performance can be obtained, considering the reading of the phase of the light at a specific wavelength located within the spectral plasmonic resonance. This is the approach which is studied here in the context of the proposed optical fiber optrode configuration. The analysis performed shows the combination of a silver inner layer with a dielectric titanium oxide layer with tuned thicknesses enables sensitive phase reading and allows the operation of the fiber optic optrode sensor in the third telecommunication wavelength window.
Predictive value of self‐rated health in pregnancy for childbirth complications, adverse birth outcomes, and maternal health
Authors: Stepanikova Irena , Kukla Lubomir , Svancara Jan
Published: June 2016

Objective

To investigate whether self‐rated health (SRH) in pregnancy can predict childbirth complications, adverse birth outcomes, and maternal health problems up to 3 years after delivery.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed of data obtained in a prospective longitudinal population‐based birth cohort study. Pregnant women resident in the Brno or Znojmo regions in the Czech Republic were included if they were expected to deliver between March 1991 and June 1992. SRH data were collected between 1991 and 1995 via pen‐and‐paper questionnaires administered in mid‐pregnancy, and at 6 months, 18 months, and 3 years after delivery. Medical records were reviewed for pregnancy complications, childbirth complications, and birth outcomes. Multivariate regression analysis was performed.

Results

Overall, 4811 women were included. Better SRH in pregnancy predicted fewer childbirth complications (b =–0.03; P = 0.036); lower odds of cesarean delivery (odds ratio 0.81; P = 0.003); and fewer maternal health problems at 6 months (b =–0.32; P < 0.001), 18 months (b =–0.28; P < 0.001), and 3 years after delivery (b =–0.30; P < 0.001). The effects of SRH were independent of diagnosed complications and self‐reported health problems in pregnancy.

Conclusion

SRH in pregnancy has predictive value for subsequent health outcomes, and might be an additional tool for assessment of pregnant women's health.
Kallikrein‐8 inhibition attenuates Alzheimer's disease pathology in mice
Authors: Herring Arne , Münster Yvonne , Akkaya Tamer , Moghaddam Sahar , Deinsberger Katharina , Meyer Jakob , Zahel Julia , Sanchez‐Mendoza Eduardo , Wang Yachao , Hermann Dirk M. , Arzberger Thomas , Teuber‐Hanselmann Sarah , Keyvani Kathy
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Memory loss and increased anxiety are clinical hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Kallikrein‐8 is a protease implicated in memory acquisition and anxiety, and its mRNA is known to be up‐regulated in AD‐affected human hippocampus. Therefore, an involvement of Kallikrein‐8 in Alzheimer's pathogenesis is conceivable but remains to be proved.

Methods

We determined the cerebral expression of Kallikrein‐8 mRNA and protein during the course of AD in patients and in transgenic mice and tested the impact of Kallikrein‐8 inhibition on AD‐related pathology in mice and in primary glial cells.

Results

Kallikrein‐8 mRNA and protein were up‐regulated in both species at incipient stages of AD. Kallikrein‐8 inhibition impeded amyloidogenic amyloid‐precursor‐protein processing, facilitated amyloid β (Aβ) clearance across the blood‐brain‐barrier, boosted autophagy, reduced Aβ load and tau pathology, enhanced neuroplasticity, reversed molecular signatures of anxiety, and ultimately improved memory and reduced fear.

Discussion

Kallikrein‐8 is a promising new therapeutic target against AD.
Delayed‐onset dementia after stroke or transient ischemic attack
Authors: Mok Vincent C.T. , Lam Bonnie Y.K. , Wang Zhaolu , Liu Wenyan , Au Lisa , Leung Eric Y.L. , Chen Sirong , Yang Jie , Chu Winnie C.W. , Lau Alexander Y.L. , Chan Anne Y.Y. , Shi Lin , Fan Florence , Ma Sze H. , Ip Vincent , Soo Yannie O.Y. , Leung Thomas W.H. , Kwok Timothy C.Y. , Ho Chi L. , Wong Lawrence K.S. , Wong Adrian
Published: June 2016

Introduction

Patients surviving stroke without immediate dementia are at high risk of delayed‐onset dementia. Mechanisms underlying delayed‐onset dementia are complex and may involve vascular and/or neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods

Dementia‐free patients with stroke and/or transient ischemic attack (TIA; n = 919) were studied for 3 years prospectively, excluding those who developed dementia 3 to 6 months after stroke and/or TIA.

Results

Forty subjects (4.4%) developed dementia during the study period. Imaging markers of severe small vessel disease (SVD), namely presence of ≥3 lacunes and confluent white matter changes; history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus independently predicted delayed‐onset dementia after adjustment for age, gender, and education. Only 6 of 31 (19.4%) subjects with delayed cognitive decline harbored Alzheimer's disease–like Pittsburg compound B (PiB) retention. Most PiB cases (16/25, 64%) had evidence of severe SVD.

Discussion

Severe SVD contributes importantly to delayed‐onset dementia after stroke and/or TIA. Future clinical trials aiming to prevent delayed‐onset dementia after stroke and/or TIA should target this high‐risk group.
The composite risk‐sharing finance index: Implications for Islamic finance
Authors: Akin Tarik , Iqbal Zamir , Mirakhor Abbas
Published: June 2016

In policy‐making, assessment of where a country stands relative to other countries is important to achieve desired goals, to understand how much the current policy implementation diverts from the target, and to understand main obstacles on reaching at the ends in the light of the comparators and the benchmark. This study evaluates relative standing of countries with respect to their financial system's friendliness for risk‐sharing finance, the concept which forms the core foundation of Islamic finance. A composite risk‐sharing finance friendliness index is developed to compare and rank the countries with regard to their level of their support and adoption of risk‐sharing finance. Although, there have been attempts to develop such index, this study is novel in the Islamic finance literature in the sense that it brings the factor analysis and non‐linear weights into the picture to come up with an objective and convincing composite index with objective weights. The composite index also allows us to look into the relative contribution of components, namely, Institutional Scaffolding, Governance and Legal Environment, Financial Sector Development and Inclusion. The results and ranking of the countries reveal important information about the potential of developing risk‐sharing finance and financial products in different countries. The results also reveal that the OIC countries are far away from meeting the basic requirements of setting‐up risk‐sharing finance and thus a framework for comprehensive development of Islamic finance.
Ansiedad de los estudiantes de una facultad de medicina mexicana, antes de iniciar el internado
Authors: Reyes Carmona Carlos , Monterrosas Rojas Ana María , Navarrete Martínez Andrea , Acosta Martínez Estephanie Paulina , Torruco García Uri
Published: June 2016

Introducción: En el internado médico los alumnos demuestran sus competencias en una institución hospitalaria, lo que puede provocar ansiedad. El objetivo del estudio es cuantificar la ansiedad (de rasgo y estado) antes de iniciar el internado médico en los alumnos de una escuela pública de medicina en México, además determinar si el promedio de calificaciones (GPA: Grade points Average) tiene relación con la ansiedad.
Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal. Se utilizó el instrumento IDARE, que evalúa ansiedad de rasgo (IDARE R) y estado (IDARE E). Se aplicó a alumnos de la Facultad de Medicina de la UNAM, de la generación 2009 que ingresaron al internado rotatorio en 2014, antes de iniciar el internado. El análisis estadístico se realizó con prueba t de Student para muestras independientes e índice de correlación de Pearson.
Resultados: El total de estudiantes en el 2014 fue de 1,023, la población muestreada fue de 479 (46.82%), 332 eran mujeres (32.45%), 147 hombres (14.36%). De la muestra, los estudiantes con ansiedad de rasgo fueron 105 (21.82%), con un promedio de calificaciones de 84.1, con ansiedad de estado 132 (27.55%), promedio de calificaciones 84.0, sin ansiedad de rasgo 374 (78.07%) sin ansiedad de estado 347 (72.44%). La comparación de ansiedad de rasgo, la prueba t de Student reportó p= 0.3 (IC 95% -1,474 a 0.494); el índice de correlación de Pearson fue -0.009, con p= 0.043. La comparación de ansiedad de estado, de la prueba t de Student reportó p= 0.236 (IC 95% -1.46 a 0.360); el índice de correlación de Pearson fue -0.08, con p= 0.047. En cuanto al promedio de calificaciones no hubo diferencias entre los diferentes niveles de ansiedad de rasgo y estado. 
Conclusiones: El nivel de ansiedad de rasgo y estado es mayor que el que suele reportarse en la población general, no hubo correlación entre la presencia de ansiedad y el promedio de calificaciones.
A randomized controlled study to evaluate the effect of bexarotene on amyloid‐β and apolipoprotein E metabolism in healthy subjects
Authors: Ghosal Kaushik , Haag Michael , Verghese Philip B. , West Tim , Veenstra Tim , Braunstein Joel B. , Bateman Randall J. , Holtzman David M. , Landreth Gary E.
Published: June 2016

Introduction

We conducted a phase Ib proof of mechanism trial to determine whether bexarotene (Targretin) increases central nervous system (CNS) apolipoprotein E (apoE) levels and alters Aβ metabolism in normal healthy individuals with the APOE ε3/ε3 genotype.

Methods

We used stable isotope labeling kinetics (SILK‐ApoE and SILK‐Aβ) to measure the effect of bexarotene on the turnover rate of apoE and Aβ peptides and stable isotope spike absolute quantitation (SISAQ) to quantitate their concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Normal subjects were treated for 3 days with bexarotene (n = 3 women, 3 men, average 32 years old) or placebo (n = 6 women, average 30.2 years old) before administration of C13‐leucine and collection of plasma and CSF over the next 48 hours. Bexarotene concentrations in plasma and CSF were also measured.

Results

Oral administration of bexarotene resulted in plasma levels of 1 to 2 μM; however, only low nM levels were found in CSF. Bexarotene increased CSF apoE by 25% but had no effect on metabolism of Aβ peptides.

Discussion

Bexarotene has poor CNS penetration in normal human subjects. Drug treatment resulted in a modest increase in CSF apoE levels. The absence of an effect on Aβ metabolism is likely reflective of the low CNS levels of bexarotene achieved. This study documents the utility of SILK‐ApoE technology in measuring apoE kinetics in humans.

Trial Registration

This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02061878).
Self-Centric and Altruistic Unmet Needs for Ebola: Barriers to International Preparedness
Authors: Van de Burgwal Linda H.M. , Reperant Leslie A. , Osterhaus Albert D.M.E. , Iancu Sorana C. , Pronker Esther S. , Claassen Eric
Published: June 2016

Objective

Barriers to international Ebola preparedness may be elucidated by identifying heterogeneities in arguments to invest in countermeasures during “peace time.”

Methods

For each patent family (related patent documents that differed only by limited alterations to the same invention) concerning Ebola and published until the end of 2014 the oldest patent document was analyzed. Grounded theory coding identified 5 unmet needs for (1) vaccines and therapies, (2) control of outbreaks in endemic areas, (3) detection and control of outbreaks in nonendemic areas, (4) better understanding of filoviruses, and (5) protection against bioterrorism. Odds ratios for unmet needs by geographic regions and institution types were compared by using Pearson’s chi-square test.

Results

Statistically significant heterogeneities in unmet need profiles were found. US applicants combined self-centric and altruistic arguments, focusing on medical unmet needs and bioterrorism protection. Russian and Asian applicants emphasized self-centric motives, specifically, detection and control of nonendemic outbreaks. A clear, statistically significant mismatch between industry and academia was found: whereas industrial applicants focused on bioterrorism and neglected detection and control of nonendemic outbreaks, academic applicants did the opposite.

Conclusions

This research identified heterogeneities in articulated needs between geographic regions and stakeholder types. Structural articulation of unmet needs may form the basis for attuning stakeholder engagement strategies while progression across the demand-driven value chain might necessitate international concordance. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:644–648)
Validity and diagnostic accuracy of the Luganda version of the 9-item and 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire for detecting major depressive disorder in rural Uganda
Authors: Nakku J. E. M. , Rathod S. D. , Kizza D. , Breuer E. , Mutyaba K. , Baron E. C. , Ssebunnya J. , Kigozi F.
Published: June 2016

Background.

The prevalence of depression in rural Ugandan communities is high and yet detection and treatment of depression in the primary care setting is suboptimal. Short valid depression screening measures may improve detection of depression. We describe the validation of the Luganda translated nine- and two-item Patient Health Questionnaires (PHQ-9 and PHQ-2) as screening tools for depression in two rural primary care facilities in Eastern Uganda.

Methods.

A total of 1407 adult respondents were screened consecutively using the nine-item Luganda PHQ. Of these 212 were randomly selected to respond to the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview diagnostic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics for respondents’ demographic characteristics and PHQ scores were generated. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values (PPVs), and area under the ROC curve were determined for both the PHQ-9 and PHQ-2.

Results.

The optimum trade-off between sensitivity and PPV was at a cut-off of ≧5. The weighted area under the receiver Operating Characteristic curve was 0.74 (95% CI 0.60–0.89) and 0.68 (95% CI 0.54–0.82) for PHQ-9 and PHQ-2, respectively.

Conclusion.

The Luganda translation of the PHQ-9 was found to be modestly useful in detecting depression. The PHQ-9 performed only slightly better than the PHQ-2 in this rural Ugandan Primary care setting. Future research could improve on diagnostic accuracy by considering the idioms of distress among Luganda speakers, and revising the PHQ-9 accordingly. The usefulness of the PHQ-2 in this rural population should be viewed with caution.
Incidence and Risk Factors for Infection Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Shi Yuhao , Wijeysundera Harindra C. , Fremes Stephen E. , Simor Andrew E.
Published: June 2016

We identified risk factors for infection following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI); infection occurred in 35 (13.8%) of 253 patients. Variables associated with infection included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1–1.4), postprocedural hemorrhage (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0–1.3), and procedure-related stroke (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.3–2.1).

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:1094–1097
Evaluating the Accuracy of Sampling Strategies for Estimation of Compliance Rate for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Process Measures
Authors: Diehl Adam , Yang Ting , Speck Kathleen , Battles James , Cosgrove Sara E. , Berenholtz Sean , Klompas Michael
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

Measuring processes of care performance rates is an invaluable tool for quality improvement; however, collecting daily process measure data is time-consuming and burdensome.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the accuracy of sampling strategies to estimate monthly compliance rates with ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention measures.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 37 intensive care units affiliated with 29 hospitals participating in a 2-state 35-month ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention collaborative. Analysis was limited to 325 unit-months with complete data entry rates.

METHODS

We calculated unit-month level actual and sample monthly compliance rates for 6 ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention measures, using 4 sampling strategies: sample 1 day per month, sample 1 day per week, sample 7 consecutive days per month, and sample 7 consecutive days per month plus additional consecutive days as necessary to obtain at least 30 ventilator-days for that month whenever possible. We compared sample versus actual rates using paired t test and χ2 test.

RESULTS

Mean sampling accuracy ranged 84%–97% for 1 day per month, 91%–98% for 1 day per week, 92%–98% for 7 consecutive days per month, and 96%–99% for 7 consecutive days with at least 30 days per month if possible. The most accurate sampling strategy was to sample 7 consecutive days with at least 30 ventilator-days per month if possible. With this strategy, sample rates were within 10% of actual rates in 88%–99% of unit-months and within 5% of actual rates in 74%–97% of unit-months.

CONCLUSION

Sampling process measures intermittently rather than continually can yield accurate estimates of process measure performance rates.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:1037–1043
Measuring Dimensions of a Healthy Workplace Climate: A User-Friendly Assessment Tool
Authors: McHugh Gabrielle
Published: June 2016

Although the concept of healthy workplaces has historical roots in the extant literature, it remains an elusive concept to define and apply in the workplace. Nonetheless, the literature does suggest that it is a challenging and continuously improving process of supporting, protecting and promoting the health of the employee. The aim of this study was to devise a user-friendly, climate-specific assessment tool to evaluate employees’ perceptions and knowledge of the practices and procedures in the workplace that prioritise the development of a healthy, supportive workplace. After extensive literature review and early stage pilot-testing of several independent sites within an organisation, a 31-item Likert-type scale — The Workplace Scale (WPS) — was brought forward to test its psychometric properties using an independent international sample that was gathered using email distribution. These initial distribution contacts were two of the author's professional colleagues and thereafter the scale was cascaded electronically to respondents in several countries. The factor analysis conducted on the data obtained from 108 respondents yielded a solid five factor solution that was consistent with earlier test administrations and revealed interpretable and distinct factors that strongly loaded on pertinent dimensions relevant to a healthy workplace. The tangible product is a user-friendly tool to baseline the development of a healthy, supportive workplace, while providing employees with an efficient upward communication mechanism to enable management to monitor progress. Devising the WPS was undertaken as part of wider study that subsequently compared the WPS against measures of climate, leadership and culture and is reported elsewhere.
IS THERE A DUTY TO RESPECT “HISTORICAL” FAITH? CHRISTIAN PROSELYTISM OF AN OLDER JEWISH WOMAN WITH DEMENTIA
Authors: Doron Israel (Issi) , Foster Charles
Published: June 2016

In this article, we present a short case study based on an incident that occurred in Israel several years ago. The incident did not reach the courts but was made public by the family members of the older woman at the center of it. The family argued that the actions taken by one of the parties involved should have been defined as elder abuse, but no criminal charges were ever brought. Yet the issues concern key legal and ethical questions about law, religion, and older persons. More specifically, the incident raises the issue of the moral commitment to one's past religious beliefs in reference to one's current choices and preferences once living with dementia. We contend in this article that an Aristotelean account of human dignity would have provided the most satisfactory way to resolve the tensions created by this incident.
ORGANIC MATTER PRODUCTION AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF COVER CROPS FERTILIZED WITH NPK
Authors: DE REZENDE ADAUTON VILELA , RABÊLO FLÁVIO HENRIQUE SILVEIRA , VILLALBA HUGO ABELARDO GONZÁLEZ , SWERTS VINÍCIUS ARAÚJO , DUPAS ELISÂNGELA , FLORENTINO LIGIANE APARECIDA , RABELO CARLOS HENRIQUE SILVEIRA , CORRER ANA CAROLINA DEZUÓ
Published: June 2016

The crop rotation is a practice to protect and improve the soil properties and an alternative to improve the quality of crop residues is the application of fertilizers at the planting of cover crops. Thus, we evaluated the effect of fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) on organic matter production and chemical composition of cover crops succeeding the corn crop. The treatments consisted of the cultivation of Avena sativa L., Lupinus albus L., Pennisetum glaucum L., Raphanus sativus L. and Sorghum bicolor L. with (200 kg ha−1 of NPK [08-28-16] applied by broadcast seeding) and without fertilization at planting. Organic matter production by all cover crops, as well as concentrations of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in shoots and roots of A. sativa L. and R. sativus L. were higher when they were fertilized. L. albus L. showed higher NDF and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents than the other cover crops, with and without fertilization. Nitrogen concentration increased, but the carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N) in the shoots of L. albus L., R. sativus L. and S. bicolor L. decreased when fertilization was applied. The use of N by the A. sativa L. and P. glaucum L. and of P and K by S. bicolor L. was 16, 54, 82 and 20% more efficient, respectively, when fertilization was applied. The A. sativa L., P. glaucum L. and R. sativus L. showed higher NDF/N, ADF/N and hemicellulose/N ratios in the fertilized treatment. Although the results obtained in this study are highly satisfactory, more research should be conducted to evaluate the decomposition of crop residues from cover crops fertilized with NPK, and the effects of this strategy on corn crops in succession.
EXCESSIVE USE OF FERTILIZER CAN INCREASE LEACHING PROCESSES AND MODIFY SOIL RESERVES IN TWO ECUADORIAN OIL PALM PLANTATIONS
Authors: DUBOS BERNARD , SNOECK DIDIER , FLORI ALBERT
Published: June 2016

In the oil palm plantations of Ecuador, two factorial trials (namely CP06 and CP08) were used to assess the effects of N, P and K fertilization on the soil chemical characteristics after 10 years of fertilizer application. The use of ammonia-based fertilizers has resulted in a drop in soil pH, which has reached 1.2 units in one of the two trials. A drop in cation exchange capacity (CEC) was also found, and a loss of exchangeable cations that probably reflected leaching of excess N as nitrates. The use of KCl enriched the soil in K, which contributed to impoverishment in Ca and Mg. In both trials, the highest N and K application rates had no significant effect on yield in comparison with an intermediate fertilization rate; however, their effects on the fertilized soil significantly increased the risk of N and cation leaching towards the deep soil layers. We also compared the effects of the N, P and K factors on soil properties outside the fertilizer application zone. In both trials, the mineral reserves played a major role in meeting the needs of the control palms, which had not been fertilized for 10 years, as no significant yield drop has been observed except in trial CP06 when no KCl was applied. However, uptake of nutrient in the control plots did not lead to significant impoverishment of the soil.
SUPPORTING SMALLHOLDER COMMERCIALISATION BY ENHANCING INTEGRATED COORDINATION IN AGRIFOOD VALUE CHAINS: EXPERIENCES WITH DAIRY HUBS IN KENYA
Authors: KILELU CATHERINE W. , KLERKX LAURENS , LEEUWIS CEES
Published: June 2016

Recent literature suggests that to make value chains in changing agrifood systems in sub-Saharan Africa more inclusive, intermediary institutions should foster coordination. The hub concept has been applied as such an intermediary institution that coordinates advisory services, input supply and smallholder access to markets. This study unravels hub coordination in smallholder dairy in Kenya, conceptualising the hub as a mix between a broker of relationships, a one-stop-shop for services and a cluster of producers and service providers, enabling horizontal coordination (between smallholders) and vertical coordination (between smallholders and value chain actors and service providers). Findings indicate that, in resolving challenges that limit smallholders’ integration in value chains, synergies emerged as the hub combined different types of horizontal and vertical coordination. This was done by simultaneously organising clusters of farmers and input and service providers (clustering role) and actively facilitating delivery (broker and one-stop-shop role), where the hub structure stimulated the matching of demand (better articulation) to supply (better organised access). However, tensions emerged in the combination of horizontal and vertical coordination as farmer organisations as hub operators had to balance a role as an honest broker between farmers with the intent of enhancing collective action and as a business-oriented entity which resulted in the exclusion of some farmers who cannot deliver the quantity and quality required to minimise coordination costs. Given these tensions and capacity problems of farmers’ organisations, complementary intermediary arrangements may be necessary to fulfil some coordination roles.
SCHWEITZER AND AFRICA
Authors: HARRIS RUTH
Published: June 2016

This work analyses Albert Schweitzer's complex relationship to Africa, and places him within the context of medical missionizing. Although he worked in Africa for over fifty years, Schweitzer was strangely indifferent to the continent's culture. Unlike his fellow missionaries, he never learned native languages, and his service was primarily grounded in a Nietzschean rejection of European conventionalities and a desire to develop his unique ‘ethical personality’. Schweitzer's self-belief enabled him to create a village-hospital where the sick could come with their families for treatment and refuge, and contributed to his idea of the ‘reverence for life’, a secularized ethics of compassion and environmental protection that made him famous in the West. The village-hospital enabled him to tend the sick more effectively, but after the First World War it became more hierarchical and de-personalized. Schweitzer's missionary experiment in Lambaréné was simultaneously radical and conformist, daring and self-protectively conservative. His desire to serve was as profound as any of his clerical colleagues, but it was built, as will be seen, upon rebellious ethical foundations. Schweitzer stands out not so much for his therapeutic innovations (though these were important), as for his later formulation of a neo-Christian ecologism that assured his fame in Europe and America.
Mediators of marginalisation in discharge planning with older adults
Authors: DUROCHER EVELYNE , GIBSON BARBARA E. , RAPPOLT SUSAN
Published: June 2016

Returning home or moving to a more supportive setting upon discharge from inpatient health-care services can have a tremendous impact on the lives of older adults and their families. Institutional concerns with patient safety and expedience can overshadow health-care professionals' commitments to collaborative discharge planning. In light of many competing demands and agendas, it can be unclear what is driving discharge-planning processes and outcomes. This paper presents the results of a study examining discharge planning in an older adult rehabilitation unit in a Canadian urban setting. Using microethnographic case studies, we explored the perspectives of older adults, family members and health-care professionals. Drawing on concepts of relational autonomy to guide the analysis, we found that discourses of ageing-as-decline, beliefs privileging health-care professionals' expertise and conventions guiding discharge planning intersected to marginalise older adult patients in discharge-planning decision making. Discharge planning in the research setting was driven by norms of ‘protecting physical safety’ at the expense of older adults’ self-declared interests and values. Such practices resulted in frequent recommendations of 24-hour care, which have significant personal, social and financial implications for older adults and their families, and ultimately might undermine clients' or health-care systems' aims. The analysis revealed social, political and institutional biases that diminish the rights and autonomy of older adults.
Extension of a reduced entropic model of electron transport to magnetized nonlocal regimes of high-energy-density plasmas
Authors: Del Sorbo D. , Feugeas J.-L. , Nicolaï Ph. , Olazabal-Loumé M. , Dubroca B. , Tikhonchuk V.
Published: June 2016

Laser-produced high-energy-density plasmas may contain strong magnetic fields that affect the energy transport, which can be nonlocal. Models which describe the magnetized nonlocal transport are formally complicated and based on many approximations. This paper presents a more straightforward approach to the description of the electron transport in this regime, based on the extension of a reduced entropic model. The calculated magnetized heat fluxes are compared with the known asymptotic limits and applied for studying of a magnetized nonlocal plasma thermalization.
Combined effect of relativistic and ponderomotive nonlinearity on self-focusing of Gaussian laser beam in a cold quantum plasma
Authors: Kumar H. , Aggarwal M. , Richa  , Gill T.S.
Published: June 2016

In the present paper, we have investigated self-focusing of Gaussian laser beam in relativistic ponderomotive (RP) cold quantum plasma. When de Broglie wavelength of charged particles is greater than or equal to the inter particle distance or equivalently the temperature is less than or equal to the Fermi temperature, quantum nature of the plasma constituents cannot be ignored. In this context, we have reported self-focusing on account of nonlinear dielectric contribution of RP plasma by taking into consideration the impact of quantum effects. We have setup the nonlinear differential equation for the beam-width parameter by paraxial ray and Wentzel Kramers Brillouin approximation and solved it numerically by the Runge Kutta Fourth order method. Our results show that additional self-focusing is achieved in case of RP cold quantum plasma than relativistic cold quantum plasma and classical relativistic case. The pinching effect offered by quantum plasma and the combined effect of relativistic and ponderomotive nonlinearity greatly enhances laser propagation up to 20 Rayleigh lengths.
Photo-transmutation of long-lived radionuclide 135Cs by laser–plasma driven electron source
Authors: Wang X.-L. , Tan Z.-Y. , Luo W. , Zhu Z.-C. , Wang X.-D. , Song Y.-M.
Published: June 2016

Laser-driven relativistic electrons can be focused onto a high-Z convertor for generating high-brightness γ-rays, which in turn can be used to induce photonuclear reactions. In this work, photo-transmutation of long-lived radionuclide 135Cs induced by laser–plasma–interaction-driven electron source is demonstrated using Geant4 simulation (Agostinelli et al., 2003 Nucl. Instrum. Meth. A506, 250). High-energy electron generation, bremsstrahlung, as well as photonuclear reaction are observed at four different laser intensities: 1020, 5 × 1020, 1021, and 5 × 1021 W/cm2. The transmutation efficiency depends on the laser intensity and target size. An optimum laser intensity, namely 1021 W/cm2, was found, with the corresponding photonuclear reaction yield reaching 108 J−1 of the laser energy. Laser-generated electrons can therefore be a promising tool for transmutation reactions. Potential application in nuclear waste management is suggested.
Electron sheath dynamic in the laser–foil interaction
Authors: Mirzanejhad S. , Babaei J. , Nasrollahpour R.
Published: June 2016

In the interaction of ultra-short and ultra-intense high contrast laser pulse with a dense foil, accelerating electron sheath is formed. The dynamic of this sheath is obtained according to the ponderomotive force of the laser pulse and restoring electrostatic force of the stationary heavy ions. In the transient dynamics, maximum electron sheath displacement is obtained for different interaction parameters. This maximum displacement has an important effect in the explanation of the electron blow out condition. It is shown numerically that the electron sheath maximum displacement increases with increasing laser pulse amplitude or decreasing its rise time, or by decreasing plasma electron density. Recently, backward MeV acceleration of electrons in the interaction of intense laser pulse with solid targets was observed. The ponderomotive force of the compressed reflected laser pulse includes in our formalism and is used for explanation of the electron's backward acceleration. The threshold values of the interaction parameters for the occurrence of this phenomenon are considered. The electron blow out condition and backward acceleration are accompanied with numerical modeling and 1D3V, particle-in-cell simulation code.
‘Blended’ Cyber-Neologisms
Authors: Roig-Marín Amanda
Published: June 2016

Technologies are beginning to blend our experience of digital and physical realities. We exchange data (images, videos, messages, etc.), present ourselves to the rest of the world on social media, network, and even perform a larger number of tasks than in person. As our world and ways of life keep on changing, so do words. The aim of this article is to examine the coinage of blends (i.e.smog-type [<smoke + fog] words) as a response to the blended realities that have emerged from the use of new technologies.
Effort and Achievement
Authors: VON KRIEGSTEIN HASKO
Published: June 2016

Achievements have recently begun to attract increased attention from value theorists. One recurring idea in this budding literature is that one important factor determining the magnitude or value of an achievement is the amount of effort the achiever invested. The aim of this article is to present the most plausible version of this idea. This advances the current state of debate where authors are invoking substantially different notions of effort and are thus talking past each other. While the concept of effort has been invoked in the philosophical analysis of a number of important concepts such as desert, attention, competence, and distributive justice, it has hardly ever been analysed itself. This article makes headway in this regard by discussing three ambiguities in the everyday notion of effort. It continues to develop two accounts of effort and shows how both of them are achievement-enhancing.
Trajectories of marijuana use from late childhood to late adolescence: Can Temperament × Experience interactions discriminate different trajectories of marijuana use?
Authors: Scalco Matthew D. , Colder Craig R.
Published: June 2016

Informed by developmental ecological and epigenetic theory, the current study examined three aims concerning adolescent marijuana use with a large community sample (N= 755; gender = 53% female) and six annual assessments that spanned 11–18 years of age. First, the natural history of adolescent marijuana use was modeled using a two-part latent growth curve analysis. Second, the validity of the mixtures was examined with a broad array of known correlates of adolescent marijuana use. Third, temperament (e.g., surgency, effortful control, and negative affect) was tested as individual differences that would enter into statistical interactions with peer substance use and prior alcohol and cigarette use to distinguish trajectories of marijuana use. The results suggested that escalations in marijuana use were observed for some youth who initiated marijuana use early in adolescence. Youth whose marijuana use did escalate substantially (10%) were distinguished on temperament, conduct disorder, peer delinquency, and pubertal development at baseline. Furthermore, hypothesized interactions between surgency and both peer substance use and prior substance use discriminated different patterns of marijuana use. The findings are discussed with respect to strategies for timing and content of preventive interventions.
Osip Petrov, Anna Petrova-Vorobyova and the Development of Low-Voiced Character Types in Nineteenth-Century Russian Opera
Authors: Forshaw Juliet
Published: June 2016

This article delves into the lives and careers of two significant Russian singers: the bass Osip Petrov and his wife, the mezzo-soprano Anna Vorobyova, who created or inspired leading roles in operas by Glinka, Dargomïzhsky and Musorgsky. Over the course of a career that spanned some four decades, Petrov would become the most celebrated Russian bass of the nineteenth century; Vorobyova, whose career was cut short by a tragic accident, would turn her attention to the private sphere and incubate a younger generation of musicians. Drawing on reviews, memoirs and personal correspondence, I chart the influence of this couple not only on individual composers and operas, but also on the development of stock characters such as the father, the buffoon, the antihero and the trouser role.
Aida Times Two: How Italian Veterans of Two Historic Aida Productions Shaped Argentina’s Music History
Authors: Cetrangolo Aníbal Enrique
Published: June 2016

Aida famously inaugurated the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires in 1908, but the musical history of the city is also linked to two earlier productions of the piece: its debut in Cairo in 1871, and another legendary performance, in Rio de Janeiro in 1886. This article retraces the steps of five Italian musicians who played in the orchestras of the Cairo or Rio productions before moving to Buenos Aires, and thereby formed part of the vast Italian emigration to Argentina in the final decades of the nineteenth century. Once there, Pietro Melani, Tomaso Marenco, Giovanni Grazioso Panizza, Italo Casella and Ferruccio Cattelani radically transformed the concert life of the city through their musical activities, not least through their introduction of a wide range of orchestral and chamber music repertoire. By reconstructing their trajectories, I argue for a stronger focus on international networks in thinking about the history of Italian opera at this time and for a greater attention to the contributions of performers who would later fall into obscurity. In addition, I suggest that the insignificant attention given to such figures even in Argentinean narratives would seem to indicate the persistence of a historiography that plays down the contributions of European immigrants in the musical history of the city and the nation.