bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Education And Training Framework For Disaster Risk Management In Banks
Authors: Viney Christopher
Published: February 2016

Banks are the most significant financial institutions operating within nation-state and the global financial system. These institutions are exposed to a wide range of operational risks. Disaster risk management is a critical component of the wider operational risk management. The Bank for International Settlements, in conjunction with nation-state prudential regulators, is introducing measures that will require banks to identify, measure and manage operational risks within the context of new capital adequacy requirements. An essential part of any risk management process is education and training. This paper presents a structured education and training framework that will support the achievement of banks’ disaster risk management objectives. The education and training framework comprises three specific programs: (1) an induction/awareness program targeted to all personnel, (2) a contingency planning program – a specialist program for disaster risk management personnel, and (3) an executive program designed for senior management, directors and strategic decision makers.
Bureaucracy And Charities: The Economics Of Private Voluntary Aid
Authors: Ali Abdiweli M.
Published: February 2016

This paper tries to shed light on the economics of non-profit firms. It presents a limited managerial discretionary model of non-profits to indicate that the functions of the non-profits are not devoid of self-interest. The model shows that non-profits are not that different than for-profit firm except that they are constrained by the zero-profit condition associated with non-profits. Nevertheless, the managers of non-profit are self-interested utility-maximizers like their counterparts in for-profit firms. The limited role that they can play is clear from the analysis above. If non-profit organizations perform a useful role, they must provide outputs that cannot be provided profitably by private enterprises. It must be the case that the lure of profit doesn’t lead to a socially efficient allocation of resources when there are socially valuable forms of outputs that are not rewarded financially----either because they are costly to buyers to evaluate or because they go to persons with little ability to pay.
Behavioral Considerations In Financial Decisions: Betting Against The Spread In Sports
Authors: Joyce William B.
Published: February 2016

People often choose intuitive rather than equally valid non-intuitive alternatives. This research suggests that these intuitive biases arise because intuitions often spring to mind with subjective ease, and the subjective ease leads people to hold their intuitions with high confidence. An investigation of predictions against point spreads found that people predicted intuitive options (favorites) more often than equally valid (or even more valid) non-intuitive alternatives (underdogs). Critically, though, this effect was largely determined by people’s confidence in their intuitions (intuitive confidence). Across a naturalistic sample, it is found that decreasing intuitive confidence reduced or eliminated intuitive biases. This finding indicates that intuitive biases are not inevitable but rather predictably determined by a contextual variable that affects intuitive confidence.
An Econometric Analysis Of Two Possible Land Reform Strategies In Nigeria
Authors: Uwakonye Matthew N. , Osho Gbolahan S.
Published: February 2016

Land reform is concerned with changing the institutional structure governing man’s relationship with the land, involving intervention in the prevailing pattern of land ownership, control and usage in order to change the structure of holdings, improve land productivity and broaden the distribution of benefits. Land reform is an aggregate of ideas and courses of action designed to resolve tenure problems. Nigeria is, an agrarian nation with over 56.8% of her working force engaged in farming. Doner and Kanel emphasize the significant contribution of the agricultural sector towards the overall economic development of underdeveloped countries, such as Nigeria where more than. 50% of the working population is engaged in farming. Agricultural reforms has the advantage of provision of more employment, more equitable income distribution, a wider relevant structure for the growing manufacturing sector, a better base for farm financed welfare, and more rational investment policies in both the agricultural and nonagricultural sectors of the economy. Traditional land tenure system defined the opportunity to earn income in farming and provided the security that an individual would always have access to some part of his family’s land. However, investment in land improvement and increases in productivity are hindered by tenure rules. The unknown nature of the ultimate results of tenure changes increases the risks involved in initiating any program of land reform.
Bringing Products To Market: Supply Chains Vs. Value Webs
Authors: Beal Reginald M. , Nwakanma Hudson
Published: February 2016

Companies scramble to satisfy ever-increasing customer demands for customized products, on-time delivery, and complete order fulfillment.  Simultaneously, competition intensifies accompanied by revolutionary changes in the structure of distribution channels. Traditional supply chains are increasingly replaced by integrated supply chains, which, in turn, are challenged by leading-edge value webs.  Managers are now faced with a strategic choice: supply chain or value web?  Several situational factors – object of organizational focus (i.e., product or customer), type of product offered, target market strategy, organizational competencies, and resource constraints govern the decision.   
Devalued Dollars And Deep Deficits
Authors: Aviel David
Published: February 2016

Devaluating a country’s currency, according to long established theories, has two effects: it makes the country’s imported products more expensive and its exported goods cheaper, thus reducing imports and increasing exports, helping the country’s balance of trade.  This paper examines the reasons why this theory did no have an effect on the US balance of trade, which for the last 30 years has been getting bigger every year, despite repeated devaluations of the dollar.
Isolating The Key Variables For Regression Models In Enterprise Software Acquisition Decisions: A Blocking Technique
Authors: Pena-Sanchez Rolando , Verville Jacques , Bernadas Christine
Published: February 2016

Often researchers in the field of information systems face problems related to the variable selection for model building; as well as difficulties associated to their data (small sample and/or non normality). The goal of this article is to present an original statistical blocking-technique based on relative variability for screening of variables in multivariate regression models. We applied the blocking-technique and a nonparametric bootstrapping method to the data collected on the USA-South border for a research concerning enterprise software (ES) acquisition contracts. Three mutually exclusive blocks of relative variability for the response variables were formed and their corresponding regression models were built and explained. A conclusion was drawn about the decreasing tendency on the adjusted coefficient of determination (R2adj) magnitudes when the blocks change from low (L) to high (H) condition of relative variability. The obtained models (via stepwise regression) exhibited significant p-values (0.0001).
Enhanced Business Reporting: An Auditing Perspective
Authors: Tackett James , Wolf Fran , Kinsley Jessie
Published: February 2016

The reporting of non-financial business information is highly regarded by valuation experts for better capital allocation decisions in the marketplace.  In January 2005, the AICPA created the Enhanced Business Reporting (EBR) Consortium and charged it with developing a framework that will improve the quality, integrity, and transparency of business information in a cost-effective and timely manner.  A draft of the EBR framework was completed in October 2005.  However, independent auditors may reject many provisions of the framework because auditing costs exceed informational benefits.  This study analyzes the current EBR framework from an independent auditor's perspective.  Qualitative analysis is used to evaluate the auditing implications of providing EBR disclosures to company stakeholders.  The findings indicate that the gains of providing better value oriented EBR information are offset by potential management misrepresentation through highly subjective EBR disclosures.  Moreover, many EBR elements are not subject to audit at reasonable cost.  The voluntary aspect of EBR makes intercompany and intracompany financial comparisons more difficult.
Effective Project Management: A Knowledge Management And Organizational Citizenship Behavior Approach
Authors: Cope III Robert F. , Cope Rachelle F. , Root Teri L.
Published: February 2016

In the current complex business environment, projects are viewed as critical building blocks for organizational success. In fact, there seems to be a powerful interaction between the flow of project work and the flow of knowledge in an organization. Such interaction leads to the exploration of the concept of effective Knowledge Management strategies for Project Management based on the guiding principles of Organizational Citizenship Behavior. In the past, Knowledge Management has been thought of as the collection of technological assets and managerial policies that compensate for information failures. Recent studies have uncovered the popularity of Knowledge Management research since most project environments have the potential, but do not promote personal information sharing.
An Assessment Of The Impact Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act On The Investigating Violations Of The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Authors: Cascini Karen T. , DelFavero Alan
Published: February 2016

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, a plethora of corporate scandals occurred. Due to these corporate debacles, corporate executives have been placed under fire. In response to such unethical conduct with regard to internal practices and financial reporting, legislation has been passed in order to ensure that corporations conduct their business in an ethical manner. The purpose of this paper is to assess the connection between the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA) and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOx), to determine whether SOx has influenced the FCPA’s investigative violation activities by examining the number of such investigations since the passage SOx. This paper also addresses specific cases of violations of anti-corruption laws and compares SOx and the FCPA on violation penalties.
Factors Influencing Motion Picture Success: Empirical Review And Update
Authors: Stimpert J. L. , Laux Judith A. , Marino Coyote , Gleason George
Published: February 2016

This paper investigates the factors associated with the success of creative products and services, focusing specifically on motion pictures.  The study offers a comprehensive examination of the factors influencing motion picture box office success, including quality and other product attributes, as well as marketing expenditures and film distribution patterns.  Based on a thorough review of the literature, a model is developed and tested using a sample of 439 movies.  Results suggest that the following factors are positively associated with motion picture success: quality, whether a movie is a sequel, marketing expenditures, the number of opening screens, and a favorable release date.  Implications of these findings for both theory and management are suggested.
A New Definition Of A Business Model
Authors: Niles Nancy J.
Published: February 2016

This paper discusses the lack of agreement on the definition of a business model which is a recent addition to management literature since the dot com era.  An abbreviated literature review was discussed that emphasizes the different perspectives of business model definitions.  There are categories such as auction, subscription, or advertising business models which describe the processes between a buyer and seller (Rappa, 2005). Business models have also been defined in the literature as a system with components (Afuah&Tucci, 2001) or a method to make money (Weill&Vitale 2001). They have also been categorized as business to business models or business to consumer models (Haag, 2004)  This author has developed a new definition of a business model that focuses on the transaction between the buyer and seller, regardless of whether it is a traditional transaction, an electronic transaction or the type of transaction.  The paper has provided six comparisons of the difference between a traditional transaction between a buyer and a seller and an electronic transaction between a buyer and a seller. The direct comparisons of traditional and e-commerce business models illustrate the major component of a business model—the transaction that occurs between the seller and buyer and that the transaction must be included in the definition of a business model.
Import Response And Inflationary Pressures In The New Economy: The Quantity Theory Of Money Revisited
Authors: Ajuzie Emmanuel I.S. , Edoho Felix M. , Kang Wensheng , Uwakonye Matthew N. , Keleta Ghebre Y.
Published: February 2016

Contending with the rationale for rate increases to counter inflationary pressures, this study revisits the quantity theory of money and the equation of exchange developed in the sixteenth century by the likes of John Locke, John Law, etc., and popularized over the years by economists, such as Adam Smith, David Ricardo, and Irvin Fisher to predict the response of some variables, especially imports of goods and services, on the rate of inflation.  The vector autoregression (VAR) process was used to estimate the model.  Results show that import is significant in its impact in the reduction of the growth rate of CPI inflation, thereby dampening the weight of inflationary pressures on economic policy formulations. Because of present economic environment, coupled with author’s fulfilled seven-year prediction, the urgency of incorporating this into our economic policy determination cannot be overemphasized.
Permanent, Transitory, And Non-Fundamental Components Of Returns, Volatility, And Volume
Authors: Sun Megan Y.
Published: February 2016

This paper uses a trivariate structural vector autoregressive model to estimate the effects of permanent fundamental, transitory fundamental, and non-fundamental shocks on returns, volatility, and volume.  Though each of these three shocks affects all three variables, these effects are not equal.  Returns are mostly driven by permanent fundamental shocks, volatility is primarily affected by transitory fundamental shocks, and volume is mainly determined by non-fundamental shocks.    This trivariate SVAR model also helps empirically decompose returns, volatility, and volume into the three shock components.  Further, we find that the stock market decline in early 2000 was triggered by changes in fundamentals, and was not just the outcome of non-informational trading. 
Impact Of Website Usability On Performance: A Heuristic Evaluation Of Community Bank Homepage Implementation
Authors: Acharya Ram N. , Kagan Albert , Lingam Srinivasa Rao , Gray Kevin
Published: February 2016

Many businesses are now using Internet websites as a competitive tool to attract new customers, improve service quality, and boost overall financial performance. Recent studies have identified a number of website development and evaluation guidelines required to enhance the effectiveness of these new technologies in achieving these goals. One of these guidelines relates to the importance of website usability in improving business performance. To achieve this goal, a unified measure of web usability is developed using a number of relevant guidelines, which were initially proposed by Nielsen and Tahir (2002), and then the estimated index is used to measure its impact on community bank performance. Results based on a multiple regression model show that banks with higher usability score perform significantly better than those with lower score.
Strategies For Mass Customization
Authors: Pollard Dennis , Chuo Shirley , Lee Brian
Published: February 2016

Mass customization allows firms to produce only things their customers want (or produce after they have orders in hand). This approach, make-to-order, brings many benefits to firms in terms of cost and profit because of lower inventory levels, maximum sales, elimination of material waste, flexible production and, most of all, customer satisfaction. However, mass customization may not be the panacea for all organizations. While some companies are very successful with mass customization, others are not.  This paper illustrates that mass customization strategies depend on an understanding of the conditions in each industry.
Synergy Of Incident Management And Real-Time Technology: The Next Step In The Evolution Of Supply Chain Management
Authors: Ulferts Gregory W. , Peterson Evan
Published: February 2016

Over the last two decades, the culture of the supply chain environment has transformed from one of mass production and distribution to one centered on pull-based demand sensing and response.  This transformation, in turn, has necessitated the use of more efficient supply chain operations.  One of the cornerstones of efficient supply chain operations is just-in-time (JIT) delivery and inventory reduction, both in-transit and in-facility (Anderson et al 2003, Simchi-Levi et al 2000).  The goal of JIT, a sub-part of a larger concept referred to as time-critical logistics (TCL), is to facilitate the delivery of materials only as they are required.  This practice, in turn, leads to improved efficiency by reducing inventory costs and idled capacity.  In addition, JIT provides increased customer orientation and responsiveness; two very critical elements in an environment of intense competition and rising fuel prices.  A vital part of JIT is the routing and scheduling of shipments.  Therefore, in order to effectively manage JIT, accurate predictions of routes and travel times are essential. (Miller et al 1999).  The JIT approach has dramatically increased the importance of reliability and efficiency throughout supply chain operations, in such areas as the sourcing of goods, transportation, manufacturing, and distribution.  
An Empirical Study of Factors Affecting Mobile Wireless Technology Adoption for Promoting Interactive Lectures in Higher Education
Authors: Gan Chin Lay , Balakrishnan Vimala
Published: February 2016

Use of mobile technology are widespread, particularly among the younger generation. There is a huge potential for utilizing such technology, particularly in lecture sessions with large number of students, serving as an interaction tool between the students and lecturer. The challenge is to identify adoption factors to ensure effective adoption of the technology to promote interactivity between students and lecturer in the classroom. This paper aims to examine factors supporting use of mobile wireless technology during lectures to promote interactivity between students and lecturers in Malaysia’s higher education institutions. Survey involving higher education students in Malaysia was conducted with a sample size of 302. Factor analysis results identified five factors: independent variables System Usefulness (SU), User System Perception (USP), User Uncertainty Avoidance (UUA), System and Information Quality (SIQ), and dependent variable Mobile Wireless Technology Adoption for Interactive Lectures (MWT_AIL). All independent variables are positively associated to MWT_AIL, with UUA and SIQ having higher level of significance compared to SU and USP. Respondents were selected from higher learning institutions from urban areas in Malaysia. Therefore results obtained are not representative of the entire higher education landscape in Malaysia and future studies are warranted to include higher learning institutions located in rural areas. It is hoped that findings from this study will serve as a catalyst for future researches to be conducted in this area, particularly among higher education researchers seeking ways to utilize technology effectively to enhance the learning experiences of the students in the classroom.
Analysis of Learning Achievement and Teacher–Student Interactions in Flipped and Conventional Classrooms
Authors: Sun Jerry Chih-Yuan , Wu Yu-Ting
Published: February 2016

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of two different teaching methods on learning effectiveness. OpenCourseWare was integrated into the flipped classroom model (experimental group) and distance learning (control group). Learning effectiveness encompassed learning achievement, teacher-student interactions, and learning satisfaction. The experimental method was supplemented with qualitative interviews. Overall, 181 freshmen taking a course on physics were allowed to choose their own class based on their preferred teaching method (experimental or control group). The findings indicated that learners in the experimental group scored higher for learning achievement. When selecting a teaching method, if sufficient resources are available, it is suggested that teachers provide learners with the combination of OCW and flipped classroom. Although there was no significant between-group difference in terms of teacher-student interactions and learning satisfaction, the interactions in the flipped classroom had positive effect on students’ learning achievement. The use of the flipped classroom model allows for adequate teacher-student interactions, as teachers can provide guidance and assistance to students in person, while there are greater opportunities for collaborative learning among learners. In addition, since the flipped classroom model emphasizes the process of learning rather than its outcomes, information technology tools should be used to keep detailed records and follow the learning process in order to assess various aspects of the learners’ growth. The results of this study can serve as a reference for future studies on the flipped classroom model and OpenCourseWare, as well as for teachers and researchers in related fields.
Emotional Intelligence as a Determinant of Readiness for Online Learning
Authors: Buzdar Muhammad Ayub , Ali Akhtar , Tariq Riaz Ul Haq
Published: February 2016

<span style="line-height: 150%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Students’ performance and behavior in online learning environment is associated with their readiness to opt digital learning approach. We in this research investigated distance learners’ emotional intelligence as a determinant of their readiness for online learning. 432 learners enrolled in correspondence based distance learning programs participated in the study. Wong and Law emotional intelligence scale (WLEIS) and online learning readiness scale (OLRS) were adapted with some modifications to collected the required data. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis were done to achieve the research objectives. The findings illustrate that emotional intelligence has a large size effect on sampled students’ readiness for online learning.
The Relationship between Successful Completion and Sequential Movement in Self-Paced Distance Courses
Authors: Lim Janine
Published: February 2016

A course design question for self-paced courses includes whether or not technological measures should be used in course design to force students to follow the sequence intended by the course author. This study examined learner behavior to understand whether the sequence of student assignment submissions in a self-paced distance course is related to successful completion of the course. The study included 543 students in 89 different general education courses at a private university in the United States during a two year period. Results indicate that students who completed at least one assignment or exam out of the intended sequence of instruction were more likely to complete the course. Results were consistent when replicating the analysis with subsets of the data by course characteristics such delivery type, content, course format, and course level; and student demographics such as ethnicity, gender, GPA, and class standing. Learner control and self-direction within online self-paced courses should be included in course design to increase the likelihood of learner successful completion. Additional research could benefit course design and student support to promote higher rates of completion in self-paced courses.
If You Build It, Will They Come? Predictors of Teachers’ Participation in and Satisfaction with the Effective Classroom Interactions Online Courses
Authors: LoCasale-Crouch Jennifer , Hamre Bridget , Roberts Amy , Neesen Kathy
Published: February 2016

The Effective Classroom Interactions (ECI) online courses were designed to provide an engaging, effective and scalable approach to enhancing early childhood teachers’ use of classroom practices that impact children’s school readiness. The created courses included several versions aimed at testing whether or not certain design aspects could increase participation and subsequent learning outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which early childhood teachers accessed the courses and varied in their a) participation in the core course content and b) optional discussion board as a result of the course experience they were assigned to as well as individual characteristics that may be associated with participation. Findings indicated that early childhood teachers accessed the course often on nights and weekends and reported high levels of satisfaction with their experience. Both persistence in the ECI courses and overall completion of activities were higher than those reported in other studies of online learning. Whether or not the participant was in the course that had regular interactions with the instructor, comfort with technology and took the course for credit consistently predicted participation, but not always in expected ways. Implications for exploring online learning as a feasible option for early childhood educators are discussed.
Assessing protozoan risks for surface drinking water supplies in Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: Krkosek Wendy , Reed Victoria , Gagnon Graham A.
Published: February 2016

Protozoa, such as Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia, pose a human health risk when present in drinking water. To minimize health risks, the Nova Scotia Treatment Standards for surface water and groundwater under the direct influence of surface water require a 3-log reduction for Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts. This study determined the protozoan risk of municipal surface source waters in Nova Scotia, through the use of a pre-screening risk analysis of water supplies, followed by subsequent water quality analysis of the seven highest risk supplies. The water supplies were monitored monthly for 1 year to obtain baseline data that could be used for a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). The QMRA model outcomes were compared to the Health Canada health target of 10−6 disability-adjusted life years/person/year. QMRA modeling shows that the treatment facilities meet the required log reductions and disability-adjusted life year target standards under current conditions. Furthermore, based on the results of this work, Nova Scotia should maintain the current 3-log reduction standard for Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts. The results of this study show that a pre-screening step can help to inform water sources that are particularly vulnerable to protozoan contamination, which can lead to more focused, cost-effective sampling, and monitoring programs.
The adsorption and mass-transfer process of cationic red X-GRL dye on natural zeolite
Authors: Tian Jingjing , Guan Junfang , Gao Huimin , Wen Yafei , Ren Zijie
Published: February 2016

The adsorption behavior of natural zeolite was studied in order to determine the adsorption capacity and mass-transfer process of cationic red X-GRL (C18H21BrN6) onto the adsorbent. The adsorption tests to determine both the uptake capacity and the mass-transfer process at equilibrium were performed under batch conditions, which showed rapid uptake in general for the initial 5 min, corresponding to 92% total removal. The equilibrium adsorption capacity value (qe,cal) in pseudo-second-order kinetics was 13.51 mg/g at 293 K and the whole adsorption process was governed by physical adsorption with an endothermic, endothermic spontaneous nature. Adsorption tests indicated that the zeolite has great potential as an alternative low-cost material in the treatment of X-GRL drainage. However, the mass-transfer process to determine the rate-controlling steps showed that both film diffusion and pore diffusion were important in controlling the adsorption rate. The adsorption process was governed by film diffusion while pore diffusion was poor because the X-GRL molecules could not penetrate into the zeolite easily. The X-GRL molecules were only adsorbed on the external surface of the zeolite. Hence, to improve the adsorption capacity of natural zeolite further, modification to expand its micropores is necessary.
Removal of Congo red dye from aqueous solutions using a halloysite-magnetite-based composite
Authors: Ferrarini F. , Bonetto L. R. , Crespo Janaina S. , Giovanela M.
Published: February 2016

Adsorption has been considered as one of the most effective methods to remove dyes from aqueous solutions due to its ease of operation, high efficiency and wide adaptability. In view of all these aspects, this study aimed to evaluate the adsorption capacity of a halloysite-magnetite-based composite in the removal of Congo red dye from aqueous solutions. The effects of stirring rate, pH, initial dye concentration and contact time were investigated. The results revealed that the adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, and equilibrium was well represented by the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller isotherm. The thermodynamic data showed that dye adsorption onto the composite was spontaneous and endothermic and occurred by physisorption. Finally, the composite could also be regenerated at least four times by calcination and was shown to be a promising adsorbent for the removal of this dye.
Self-efficacy and Self-Regulated Learning as Predictors of Students Academic Performance
Authors: Agustiani Hendriati , Cahyad Surya , Musa Muwaga
Published: February 2016

In this research, correlations between self-efficacy, self-regulation of learning and academic achievements in a sample of 101 students of the Psychology Faculty at Universitas Padjadjaran were investigated. The study revealed that self-efficacy, self-regulation of learning and academic achievements are positively correlated, which implies that if one of the three variables experience a positive or negative change, the other two will also experience change. The coefficient correlations found in this research are 0.456 for correlation between self-efficacy and self-regulation of learning, 0.304 for correlation between self-regulation of learning and achievement; and 0.263 for correlation between self-efficacy and academic achievement.
The distribution of genetic polymorphism of CYP3A5, CYP3A4 and ABCB1 in patients subjected to renal transplantation
Authors: Vavic Neven , Rancic Nemanja , Cikota-Aleksic Bojana , Magic Zvonko , Cimesa Jelena , Obrencevic Katarina , Radojevic Milorad , Mikov Momir , Dragojevic-Simic Viktorija
Published: February 2016

Background/Aim. Polymorphisms of genes which encode transporter P-glycoprotein and most important enzymes for tacrolimus pharmacokinetics can have significant influence reflecting on blood concentrations of this drug. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of polymorphisms of CYP3A5, CYP3A4 and ABCB1 genes in patients subjected to renal transplantation, for the first time in our transplantation center. Methods. The research was designed as a prospective cross-sectional study which included 211 patients subjected to renal transplantation in the Centre for Solid Organ Transplantation of the university tertiary health care hospital, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia. Patients of both genders, 22?69-year-old, Caucasians, subjected to immunosuppressive regimen, including tacrolimus, were recruited for the study. CYP3A5 6986A>G (the *3 or *1, rs776746), CYP3A4 - 392A>G (the *1 or *1B, rs2740574) and ABCB1 3435C>T (rs1045642) genotypes were determined by TaqMan? SNP genotyping assays. Results. Most of our patients (94.8%) had functional CYP3A4 enzyme, while 87.7% of all the patients had diminished CYP3A5 enzymatic activity. On the other hand, about one third of them, 31.3%, had functional ABCB1 transporter. Conclusion. A total of 84.8% of our patients were found to express both the CYP3?5*3*3 genotype (associated with diminished CYP3?5 enzymatic activity) and CYP3?4*1*1/*1*1B (associated with functional CYP3?4 enzymatic activity), while out of all the patients with diminished CYP3A5 enzymatic activity, 68.7% had diminished activity of ABCB1 transporter. However, further studies are necessary in order to show the influence of these genetic polymorphisms on tacrolimus blood concentrations in patients after renal transplantation.
Cervico-ocular Reflex Is Increased in People With Nonspecific Neck Pain
Authors: de Vries Jurryt , Ischebeck Britta K. , Voogt Lennard P. , Janssen Malou , Frens Maarten A. , Kleinrensink Gert-Jan , van der Geest Jos N.
Published: February 2016

Background

Neck pain is a widespread complaint. People experiencing neck pain often present an altered timing in contraction of cervical muscles. This altered afferent information elicits the cervico-ocular reflex (COR), which stabilizes the eye in response to trunk-to-head movements. The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) elicited by the vestibulum is thought to be unaffected by afferent information from the cervical spine.

Objective

The aim of the study was to measure the COR and VOR in people with nonspecific neck pain.

Design

This study utilized a cross-sectional design in accordance with the STROBE statement.

Methods

An infrared eye-tracking device was used to record the COR and the VOR while the participant was sitting on a rotating chair in darkness. Eye velocity was calculated by taking the derivative of the horizontal eye position. Parametric statistics were performed.

Results

The mean COR gain in the control group (n=30) was 0.26 (SD=0.15) compared with 0.38 (SD=0.16) in the nonspecific neck pain group (n=37). Analyses of covariance were performed to analyze differences in COR and VOR gains, with age and sex as covariates. Analyses of covariance showed a significantly increased COR in participants with neck pain. The VOR between the control group, with a mean VOR of 0.67 (SD=0.17), and the nonspecific neck pain group, with a mean VOR of 0.66 (SD=0.22), was not significantly different.

Limitations

Measuring eye movements while the participant is sitting on a rotating chair in complete darkness is technically complicated.

Conclusions

This study suggests that people with nonspecific neck pain have an increased COR. The COR is an objective, nonvoluntary eye reflex and an unaltered VOR. This study shows that an increased COR is not restricted to patients with traumatic neck pain.
Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Dextrocardia with Situs Inversus Totalis – A Case Report
Authors: Johari Raghav , Garg M.
Published: February 2016

Dextrocardia with situs inversus totalis, is a rare congenital condition. This goes undiagnosed many a times and is coincidentally diagnosed as in our case. Since individuals with this ailment have normal cardiac physiology and function, they live normal lives. We report one cases of dextrocardia (situs inversus totalis) with triple vessel coronary artery disease. To operate on patients with dextrocardia, surgeons need to make a few modifications. These include using the right internal mammary artery as a conduit for the “left” anterior descending artery, surgeons position - sometimes the operating surgeon may need to stand at the left side of the operating table or may have to come on left side for some time for positioning the heart and placing stabilizing device for optimum exposure. Pre-operative surgical difficulties which may be encountered and choice of conduits should be discussed beforehand.JNGMC Vol. 12 No. 2 December 2014, Page: 46-47
Does a Growing Income Gap Affect Political Attitudes?
Authors: Perrella Andrea M.L. , Bélanger Éric , Nadeau Richard , Foucault Martial
Published: February 2016

Few have asked about political implications of increasing income inequalities in Canada. Over several generations, those in higher echelons have enjoyed considerable growth, while those in lower tiers have seen no growth, or worse, declines. This leads us to ask whether there also exists a bifurcation of political attitudes, with those in the lower income tiers showing more negative orientations compared to those who fare much better. More precisely, we examine whether growing income inequality—mainly the growing income gap—has any measurable effect on political attitudes. We approach this study by incorporating econometric data from Statistics Canada and survey data from the Canadian Election Study, spanning from the early 1990s to 2011.
Household Food Insecurity in Canada: Problem Definition and Potential Solutions in the Public Policy Domain
Authors: McIntyre Lynn , Patterson Patrick B. , Anderson Laura C. , Mah Catherine L.
Published: February 2016

The objective of this study was to bring to light legislators' construction of household food insecurity using a data set of debate texts from the Hansard records of four Canadian jurisdictions over approximately the last two decades. We found that legislators' fundamental problematization of food insecurity was one of insufficient income but that certain groups were of greater policy concern than others. Proposals to address food insecurity linked to legislators' differing perceptions of underlying cause. Consensual agreement on structural mitigation strategies for household food insecurity is likely to require a shift in symbolism of who is deserving of attention.
Indigenizing the Role of Ally
Authors: Alvis Cole
Published: February 2016

This article promotes best practices for engaging in cross-cultural collaboration with Indigenous performance on Turtle Island (North America). It uses personal examples from Executive Director Cole Alvis (Métis-Irish heritage from the Turtle Mountains in Manitobah) of the Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance’s collaboration with the National Arts Centre English Theatre and Debajehmujig Theatre, called The Study/Repast. This large-scale immersive exploration of Indigenous performance saw over forty Indigenous artists gather on Manitoulin Island in Ontario. The outcome of this work was seen by national artistic leaders and is available for videostreaming on the National Arts Centre’s website. This article contextualizes reactions from the Indigenous performance community to the lack of Indigenous actors playing Indigenous roles in a Toronto production of The Unplugging by Yvette Nolan, a co-production between Factory Theatre and Native Earth Performing Arts. Using first-hand observations, this article aims to inspire allies, for while the path may not always be easy it is necessary for everyone on this land to acknowledge we are all treaty people and support Indigenous performing arts.
Un-Settling
Authors: ahuja nisha
Published: February 2016

Do you hear that? In the distance but like its right underneath us? She’s running from that rumbling. In White-Face. The colonized becomes the colonizer. The settled-on becomes the settler. Dis-ease settles into the body, heart, mind, and spirit. Until the rumbling erupts, forcing an unsettling. Who is on top? Who is at the centre? And is that really where we want to be? Un-Settling by nisha ahuja was originally commissioned by the Ontario Council for International Cooperation for touring across Ontario schools for International Development Week 2012 and continued touring in Toronto, Hamilton, and Detroit. This is a continuation of nisha’s previous work World of Bananas.
Oxidation kinetics of nano-aluminum in a carbon dioxide environment
Authors: Zhu Baozhong , Du Tongkuan , Sun Yunlan
Published: February 2016

The oxidation kinetics of nano-aluminum in a carbon dioxide environment under non-isothermal conditions was studied using the thermogravimetric and differential thermogravinetic method at various heating rates. The methods for determining the kinetic parameters of the title reaction, such as Ozawa's peak method, Ozawa's isoconversional method and the Coats–Redfern method, are discussed. The most probable mechanisms for the two stages of the reaction were estimated by using linear-fit methods. The kinetic compensation effect was used to verify the accuracy of the identified mechanism. It was shown that the average values of activation energies obtained from Ozawa's isoconversional method differed minimally from those determined by the Coats–Redfern method. The models determined that the two stages of the reaction correspond to the reaction order (RO) model, where the reaction order was 1.4 for stage I and 2.6 for stage II.
Determinants of Contraceptive Use in Bangladesh
Authors: Mohsena Masuda , Kamal Nashid
Published: February 2016

Background: Bangladesh is experiencing a plateau phase in fertility decline after its dramatic reduction in early nineties. Aspects of contraceptive use dynamics have important influences on fertility. Methods: This study used data from the 2004 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey and applied Multinomial Logistic Regression model to examine the determinants of use of modern methods of contraception. Results: The results showed that individual level characteristics had strong influence on contraceptive use. These variables included educational level of the couples, autonomy of woman, male child preference, womans membership with an NGO, visit by family planning worker, region and type of residence. Conclusion: The analysis indicated that further increase of contraceptive prevalence rate to achieve decline in fertility level depended on the improvement of educational status of couples and as well as increase in societal value of girl child. It was evident that household visit by a family planning worker was a significant factor in contraceptive use. Influences of Muslim religion were found to be declining in the case of several methods of contraception use. NGOs could take this opportunity to advocate condom use among their credit clients, which would also benefit the country as a policy against sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS.Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2014; 8(2): 34-40
First Line Anti-Tubercular Drug Resistance Pattern of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Isolated From Specialized Hospitals of Dhaka City
Authors: Mohiuddin Md , Haq J Ashraful
Published: February 2016

The present study was undertaken to determine the drug resistance pattern of M. tuberculosis isolated from 225 pulmonary and 45 extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases. The samples were cultured on Lowenstein Jensen (L-J) media for isolation of M. tuberculosis. Drug resistance to first line anti tubercular drugsnamely isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RIF), Ethambutol (ETH) and streptomycin (SM) were determined by indirect proportion method. The overall drug resistance of M. tuberculosis was 53.6% to any of the first line anti tubercular drugs. Rate of multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) among the untreated cases was 4.2%, while it was 36.0% in previously treated cases. It was found that 83.3% rifampicin resistant M. tuberculosis was cross resistant to one or more of other first line anti-tubercular drugs, while cross resistance of INH, ETH and SM resistant isolates was much low. The present study revealed that high level of drug resistance exists to individual anti tubercular drugs and MDR-TB is an emerging problem, particularly in treated cases. Rifampicin resistance could be used as a surrogate marker for drug resistance to other first line anti tubercular drugs.Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2014; 8(2): 41-46
Biomedical Applications of Antibacterial Nanofiber Mats Made of Electrospinning with Wire Electrodes
Authors: Pan Yi-Jun , Lin Jia-Horng , Chiang Kun-Chien
Published: February 2016

Twisted stainless steel wires are used as wire electrodes for electrospinning the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/zinc citrate nanofiber mats. The morphology and diameter of the nanofibers in PVA/zinc citrate nanofiber mats are evaluated. We measured the antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) of the nanofiber mats. We also examined the cell adhesion affinity of mammalian tissue culture cells on these nanofiber mats. Our results indicate that an increase in zinc citrate increases the viscosity and electrical conductivity of PVA solution. In addition, increasing zinc citrate results in a smaller diameter of nanofibers that reaches below 100 nm. According to the antibacterial test results, increasing zinc citrate enlarges the inhibition zone of S. aureus but only has a bacteriostatic effect against E. coli. Finally, cell adhesion test results indicate that all nanofiber mats have satisfactory cell attachment regardless of the content of zinc citrate.
Computed Tomography and Ultrasounds for the Follow-up of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Ablation: What You Need to Know
Authors: Kelekis Alexios , Filippiadis Dimitrios
Published: February 2016

Image-guided tumor ablation provides curative treatment in properly selected patients or appropriate therapeutic options whenever surgical techniques are precluded. Tumor response assessment post ablation is important in determining treatment success and future therapy. Accurate interpretation of post-ablation imaging findings is crucial for therapeutic and follow-up strategies. Computed Tomography (CT) and Ultrasound (US) play important roles in patients’ follow-up post liver thermal ablation therapies. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can provide valuable information on the ablation effects faster and at a lower cost than computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. However, a disadvantage is that the technique cannot examine total liver parenchyma for disease progression as CT and Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging can. Follow-up strategies for assessment of tumor response includes contrast enhanced multiphasic (non-contrast, arterial, portal, delayed phases) imaging with Computed Tomography at three, six, and 12 months post ablation session and annually ever since in order to prove sustained effectiveness of the ablation or detect progression.
Elimination of the Inrush Current Phenomenon Associated with Single-Phase Offline UPS Systems
Authors: Bukhari Syed , Atiq Shahid , Kwon Byung-il
Published: February 2016

Critical load applications always rely on UPS systems to uphold continuous power during abnormal grid conditions. In case of any power disruption, an offline UPS system starts powering the load to avoid blackout. However, this process can root the momentous inrush current for the transformer installed before the load. The consequences of inrush current can be the reduction of output voltage and tripping of protective devices of the UPS system. Furthermore, it can also damage the sensitive load and decrease the transformer’s lifetime. To prevent the inrush current, and to avoid its disruptive effects, this research suggests an offline UPS system based on a current regulated inverter that eliminates the inrush current while powering the transformer coupled loads. A detailed comparative analysis of the conventional and proposed topologies is presented and the experiment was performed by using a small prototype to validate the performance, and operation of the proposed topology.