bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food Sustainability as a Strategic Value Driver in the Hotel Industry
Authors: Cozzio Claudia , Bullini Orlandi Ludovico , Zardini Alessandro
Published: September 2018

This paper aims at exploring the impact of green food on consumers’ purchase attitudes toward a hotel stay and on consumers’ behavioral intentions (i.e., intention to visit the hotel, intention to offer positive recommendations to others and willingness to pay a premium price), focusing on an Italian perspective where the food is a worldwide famous cultural element. This research employed a survey sent out by email to a database of contacts provided by an Italian company that operates in tourism. Data collection was completed in four weeks and the initial dataset counted 3586 of target respondents. A total of 302 surveys were completed and the data were analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM). Firstly, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed, followed by a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) that leads to the estimation of the structural model. The results show that personal beliefs toward green food are positively associated with respondents’ purchase attitudes toward green food. Moreover, stronger purchase attitudes toward green food lead to more favorable purchase attitudes toward hotels that offer green food, further substantiating the investigation about whether or not consumers’ attitudes employ similar concerns on sustainability for their daily purchases as well as for vacation products and services. In turn, the latter purchase attitudes are positively associated with individual behavioral intentions toward hotels that offer green food.
Sustainable Energy Based on Sunflower Seed Husk Boiler for Residential Buildings
Authors: Perea-Moreno Miguel-Angel , Manzano-Agugliaro Francisco , Perea-Moreno Alberto-Jesus
Published: September 2018

Buildings account for one third of the world’s energy consumption, 70% of which is devoted to heating and cooling. To increase the share of renewables in the energy consumption of buildings, it is necessary to research and promote new sources of green energy. World production of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) was 47.34 million tons in 2016, with a harvested area of 26.20 million hectares, and the main producing countries being Ukraine, the Russian Federation, and Argentina, which produce about half of world production of sunflower seed. The sunflower husk, which represents a percentage by weight of 45%–60% of the seed depending on the sunflower variety, is widely used for the production of feed; however, its energy use is very scarce. The objectives of this study were to analyse the energy properties of sunflower husk as a solid biofuel and to carry out an energy, environmental, economic and operational analysis of a thermal installation fed with this by-product of the sunflower oil industry. The results show that this agro-industrial waste has a Higher Heating Value (HHV) of 17.844 MJ/kg, similar to that of other solid biofuels currently used. In addition, replacing a 430 kW fuel oil boiler with a biomass boiler of the same capacity fed by this biofuel can avoid the emission of 254.09 tons of CO2 per year, as well as obtain an annual energy saving of 75.47%. If we consider the production of sunflower seeds in each country and the sunflower husk were used as biofuel, this would result in a CO2 saving of more than 10 per thousand of the total emissions emitted. The results of this work contribute to the standardization of this by-product as a solid biofuel for thermal energy generation due to its potential to reduce CO2 emissions and increase energy efficiency.
Agro-Economic Transitions in Guinea-Bissau (West Africa): Historical Trends and Current Insights
Authors: Havik Philip J. , Monteiro Filipa , Catarino Silvia , Correia A. Manuel , Catarino Luís , Romeiras Maria Manuel
Published: September 2018

The present study provides a critical analysis of the introduction of exotic food crop species and their impact on agricultural transformations in Guinea-Bissau, based on survey data and a review of the literature from the 1800s to the present. It applies a multidisciplinary analysis to map historical and contemporary agrarian knowledge in Guinea-Bissau, presenting the first list of exotic cultivated species introduced in the country. Our results show that many introduced crops have gained widespread acceptance among local producers, with 63 exotic cultivated species native to America and Asia. The most representative families are Fabaceae, Solanaceae, and Anacardiaceae, including the country’s main former and current cash crops. First driven by peanuts in colonial times and by cashew after independence from 1980s onwards, Guinea-Bissau rapidly became one of Africa’s major exporters. The current cashew monoculture—like peanuts before it—relies almost exclusively on smallholder agriculture, raising concerns with regard to biodiversity, sustainability, and food security. The paper analyses historical trends in agro-economic transformations taking into account policies, programs, performance, and scientific research. Despite the existence of a long-standing single crop economy, further research is needed in this largely understudied country to assess the impact of long-term agrarian change.
The Impact of Consumers’ Attitudes toward a Theme Park: A Focus on Disneyland in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
Authors: Bae Young Han , Moon Sangkil , Jun Jong Woo , Kim Taewan , Ju Ilyoung
Published: September 2018

We explore the impact of consumers’ attitude toward a theme park on the image of the host city. We study how attitudinal aspects of Disneyland in Los Angeles can influence the image of Los Angeles. Using the tripartite approach of attitudes, we model consumers’ attitude of theme parks with three dimensions: cognition, affect, and conation. We show the causal relationships among Disney content, attitudinal constructs, and attitudes toward Los Angeles. Results showed that Disney content influenced cognition, affect, and conation, and both cognition and affect were connected to conation. Finally, affect influenced attitudes toward Los Angeles. Our research provides several implications for both academia and practitioners.
Performance-Based or Politic-Related Decomposition of Environmental Targets: A Multilevel Analysis in China
Authors: Zhang Pan , Wu Jiannan
Published: September 2018

China relies on the total pollutant emission control and environmental target responsibility system to curb environmental pollution and improve energy conversation. How the central government breaks down environmental targets among provincial governments lies at the core, but little research has been done to explore the determinants of environmental target-setting empirically. This work models the decomposition process of environmental targets by focusing on the roles of historical performance and provinces’ political status. With the method of hierarchical linear model, data on five kinds of environmental obligatory targets (energy consumption per unit GDP and other four kinds of pollutants) during China’s “12th Five-year Plan” period is used to test the hypotheses. The results show that provincial historical structural performance is negatively significantly correlated with their environmental target levels, while the effects of historical scale performance and intensity performance are not significant. Besides, provinces with higher political rankings tend to be allocated higher targets, which is in accordance with the model effect hypothesis rather than the bargaining effect hypothesis.
Promoting Participation in Society through Science Education
Authors: Varis Katri , Jäppinen Ilpo , Kärkkäinen Sirpa , Keinonen Tuula , Väyrynen Esko
Published: September 2018

Participation in society can be promoted through science education. This study considers an example of how a lower secondary school teacher integrated participation in society into physics studies and how students (n = 20) perceived the participation exercise. In the learning process, students exchanged knowledge and tools with others and produced knowledge for the community in the form of a citizen’s initiative leading to an action by the municipality: the painting of a pedestrian crossing. The students were keen to exercise participation and produce information through inquiries for their citizen initiative. After the intervention, most of the students expressed their willingness to participate in society and act as active citizens, they perceived that they have the means and opportunities, as well as the possibility to find support to participate and influence. Students were willing to participate particularly in their local communities. Students perceived that they learned and gained competences while participating. Students acknowledged knowledge as a base of the decision, which may promote perceived value of physics and associated careers. Students also highlighted collaboration and shared experiences, which may create engagement and participation concerning the scientific issues to which they relate. Similar participation exercises are possible in other contexts and countries. Further studies should focus on different participation exercises to gain more knowledge about young people’s experiences on participation.
An Incremental and Philosophically Different Approach to Measuring Raster Patch Porosity
Authors: Remmel Tarmo K.
Published: September 2018

A new method for measuring the porosity of individual 2D raster patches in a GIS for characterizing the combined complexity of a shape’s edge in conjunction with its internal perforations is developed. The method is centered on comparing the number of cellular edge–edge joins relative to the theoretical maximum number of similar joins possible given a set number of cells comprising a landscape patch. As this porosity (Φ) increases, the patch (or shape) can be viewed as deviating from a maximally compact form, comprising higher edge complexity and internal heterogeneity (inclusion of perforations). The approach is useful for characterizing shapes for which a simple perimeter- or area-based metric misses the internal complexity and where the porosity of the patch may provide insight into spatial processes leading to the development of the landscape fabric. I present theoretical results to illustrate the mechanics of the approach and a small case study of boreal wildfire residual vegetation patches in Ontario, where real resulting wildfire process-driven landscape patches are assessed for their porosity at five spatial resolutions. The results indicate that naturally occurring and unsuppressed boreal wildfires in the study area typically produce residual vegetation patches with an average porosity of 17.6%, although this value varies slightly with the spatial resolution of the data representation.
Global Research on Syndromic Surveillance from 1993 to 2017: Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization
Authors: Musa Ibrahim , Park Hyun Woo , Munkhdalai Lkhagvadorj , Ryu Keun Ho
Published: September 2018

Syndromic Surveillance aims at analyzing medical data to detect clusters of illness or forecast disease outbreaks. Although the research in this field is flourishing in terms of publications, an insight of the global research output has been overlooked. This paper aims at analyzing the global scientific output of the research from 1993 to 2017. To this end, the paper uses bibliometric analysis and visualization to achieve its goal. Particularly, a data processing framework was proposed based on citation datasets collected from Scopus and Clarivate Analytics’ Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). The bibliometric method and Citespace were used to analyze the institutions, countries, and research areas as well as the current hotspots and trends. The preprocessed dataset includes 14,680 citation records. The analysis uncovered USA, England, Canada, France and Australia as the top five most productive countries publishing about Syndromic Surveillance. On the other hand, at the Pinnacle of academic institutions are the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The reference co-citation analysis uncovered the common research venues and further analysis of the keyword cooccurrence revealed the most trending topics. The findings of this research will help in enriching the field with a comprehensive view of the status and future trends of the research on Syndromic Surveillance.
The Missing Variable in Big Data for Social Sciences: The Decision-Maker
Authors: Arnaboldi Michela
Published: September 2018

The value of big data for social sciences and social impact is professed to be high. This potential value is related, however, to the capacity of using extracted information in decision-making. In all of this, one important point has been overlooked: when “humans” retain a role in the decision-making process, the value of information is no longer an objective feature but depends on the knowledge and mindset of end users. A new big data cycle has been proposed in this paper, where the decision-maker is placed at the centre of the process. The proposed cycle is tested through two cases and, as a result of the suggested approach, two operations—filtering and framing—which are routinely carried out independently by scientists and end users in an unconscious manner, become clear and transparent. The result is a new cycle where four dimensions guide the interactions for creating value.
Effects of Core Resource and Competence Characteristics of Sharing Economy Business on Shared Value, Distinctive Competitive Advantage, and Behavior Intention
Authors: Na Youn Kue , Kang Sungmin
Published: September 2018

Sharing economy businesses need to increase the value of service effectiveness through the efficiency of their core resources and capabilities, and the effectiveness and efficiency-based services can achieve high results through business competitive advantage. Therefore, this study identifies the need for core resource and competence characteristics, both concepts are approachable from the competitive advantage and resource-based perspectives of the sharing economy business, and it also presents a comprehensive structural model of the shared value creation, distinctive competitive advantage, and behavior intention of the sharing economy business through these concepts. For this purpose, data were collected by survey questionnaires, and a preliminary survey (50 persons) as a pretest and the main survey (550 persons) were conducted and 534 experienced consumers were finally used for data analysis. For the data analysis method, frequency, reliability/validity, model-fit, and path analyses were conducted. The results of the study are the following. First, visibility, inimitability, and asymmetry of the core resources of sharing economy business have a significant effect on shared value. Additionally, while inimitability and asymmetry have a significant effect on distinctive competitive advantage. Second, the integration and internalization of core abilities of sharing economy services have a significant effect on shared value. However, externalization and internalization have a significant effect on distinctive competitive advantage. Finally, the shared values of sharing economy business have a significant effect on distinctive competitive advantage, shared value has a significant effect on behavior intention, and distinctive competitive advantage has a significant effect on behavior intention. Through the importance of managing strategic factors for these shared values and distinctive competitive advantages, this study is aimed at the development of core resources and dynamic ability leading to achievement that is expected to be a systematic academic basis for environmental impact information of sharing economy business.
Tree Species Diversity and Socioeconomic Perspectives of the Urban (Food) Forest of Accra, Ghana
Authors: Nero Bertrand F. , Kwapong Nana Afranaa , Jatta Raymond , Fatunbi Oluwole
Published: September 2018

Urban and peri-urban forestry has emerged as a complementary measure to contribute towards eliminating urban hunger and improved nutritional security. However, there is scanty knowledge about the composition, diversity, and socioeconomic contributions of urban food trees in African cities. This paper examines the diversity and composition of the urban forest and food trees of Accra and sheds light on perceptions of urbanites regarding food tree cultivation and availability in the city. Using a mixed methods approach, 105 respondents in six neighborhoods of Accra were interviewed while over 200 plots (100-m2 each) were surveyed across five land use types. Twenty-two out of the 70 woody species in Accra have edible parts (leaves, fruits, flowers, etc.). The food-tree abundance in the city is about half of the total number of trees enumerated. The species richness and abundance of the food trees and all trees in the city were significantly different among land use types (p < 0.0001) and neighborhood types (p < 0.0001). The diversity of food-bearing tree species was much higher in the poorer neighborhoods than in the wealthier neighborhoods. Respondents in wealthier neighborhoods indicated that tree and food-tree cover of the city was generally low and showed greater interest in cultivating food (fruit) trees and expanding urban forest cover than poorer neighborhoods. These findings demonstrate the need for urban food policy reforms that integrate urban-grown tree foods in the urban food system/culture.
Computer-Based Analysis of the Stochastic Stability of Mechanical Structures Driven by White and Colored Noise
Authors: Azizi Aydin
Published: September 2018

The goal of this paper is to design an effective Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller, which will control the active suspension system of a car, in order to eliminate the imposed vibration to the car from pavement. In this research, Gaussian white noise has been adopted to model the pavement condition, and MATLAB/Simulink software has been used to design a PID controller, as well as to model the effect of the white noise on active suspension system. The results show that the designed controller is effective in eliminating the effect of road conditions. This has a significant effect on reducing the fuel consumption and contributes to environment sustainability.
Predicting Land Use/Land Cover Changes Using a CA-Markov Model under Two Different Scenarios
Authors: Hamad Rahel , Balzter Heiko , Kolo Kamal
Published: September 2018

Multi-temporal Landsat images from Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) acquired in 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2008 and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) from 2017, are used for analysing and predicting the spatio-temporal distributions of land use/land cover (LULC) categories in the Halgurd-Sakran Core Zone (HSCZ) of the National Park in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The aim of this article was to explore the LULC dynamics in the HSCZ to assess where LULC changes are expected to occur under two different business-as-usual (BAU) assumptions. Two scenarios have been assumed in the present study. The first scenario, addresses the BAU assumption to show what would happen if the past trend in 1993–1998–2003 has continued until 2023 under continuing the United Nations (UN) sanctions against Iraq and particularly Kurdistan region, which extended from 1990 to 2003. Whereas, the second scenario represents the BAU assumption to show what would happen if the past trend in 2003–2008–2017 has to continue until 2023, viz. after the end of UN sanctions. Future land use changes are simulated to the year 2023 using a Cellular Automata (CA)-Markov chain model under two different scenarios (Iraq under siege and Iraq after siege). Four LULC classes were classified from Landsat using Random Forest (RF). Their accuracy was evaluated using κ and overall accuracy. The CA-Markov chain method in TerrSet is applied based on the past trends of the land use changes from 1993 to 1998 for the first scenario and from 2003 to 2008 for the second scenario. Based on this model, predicted land use maps for the 2023 are generated. Changes between two BAU scenarios under two different conditions have been quantitatively as well as spatially analysed. Overall, the results suggest a trend towards stable and homogeneous areas in the next 6 years as shown in the second scenario. This situation will have positive implication on the park.
Molecular Modeling Studies on the Interactions of Aflatoxin B1 and Its Metabolites with Human Acetylcholinesterase. Part II: Interactions with the Catalytic Anionic Site (CAS)
Authors: De Almeida Joyce S. F. D. , Dolezal Rafael , Krejcar Ondrej , Kuca Kamil , Musilek Kamil , Jun Daniel , França Tanos C. C.
Published: September 2018

The most common type of aflatoxin (AFT) found in nature is aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). This micotoxin is extremely hepatotoxic and carcinogenic to mammals, with acute and chronic effects. It is believed that this could be related to the capacity of AFB1 and its metabolites in inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). In a previous work, we performed an inedited theoretical investigation on the binding modes of these molecules on the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of human AChE (HssAChE), revealing that the metabolites can also bind in the PAS in the same way as AFB1. Here, we investigated the binding modes of these compounds on the catalytic anionic site (CAS) of HssAChE to compare the affinity of the metabolites for both binding sites as well as verify which is the preferential one. Our results corroborated with experimental studies pointing to AFB1 and its metabolites as mixed-type inhibitors, and pointed to the residues relevant for the stabilization of these compounds on the CAS of HssAChE.
Enhanced Production of Recombinant Protein by Fusion Expression with Ssp DnaB Mini-Intein in the Baculovirus Expression System
Authors: Gwak Won Seok , Choi Jae Bang , Han Beom Ku , Bae Sung Min , Woo Soo Dong
Published: September 2018

The baculovirus expression system (BES) is considered to be a very powerful tool for the expression of numerous difficult to express vertebrate proteins. Ssp DnaB mini-intein is a useful fusion partner for the production of recombinant proteins because it can be self-cleaved by controlling the pH and temperature, without additional treatment. To evaluate the utility of Ssp DnaB mini-intein in the BES, recombinant viruses were generated to express the enhanced green fluorescent protein, the VP2 protein of porcine parvovirus, and the E2 protein of classical swine fever virus fused to a mini-intein. As expected, intracellular self-cleavage of the mini-intein occurred during virus infection, but the cleavage initiation time varied depending on the target protein. Significantly enhanced protein production was observed for all of the target proteins that were fused to the mini-intein. This increase was enough to overcome the decrease in the fusion protein due to intracellular self-cleavage. The mini-intein in all of the recombinant fusion proteins was successfully cleaved by controlling the pH and temperature. These results suggest that the Ssp DnaB mini-intein is a useful fusion partner in the BES for easy purification and enhanced production of target proteins.
What Participation? Distinguishing Water Monitoring Programs in Mining Regions Based on Community Participation
Authors: Pareja Claudio , Honey-Rosés Jordi , Kunz Nadja C. , Fraser Jocelyn , Xavier André
Published: September 2018

Water issues are a major concern for the mining sector and for communities living near mining operations. Water-related conflicts can damage a firm’s social license to operate while violent conflicts pose devastating impacts on community well-being. Collaborative approaches to water management are gaining attention as a proactive solution to prevent conflict. One manifestation of these efforts is participatory water monitoring (PWM). PWM programs have the potential to generate new scientific information on water quantity and quality, improve scientific literacy, generate trust among stakeholders, improve water resource management and ultimately mitigate conflict. The emergence of PWM programs signals a shift toward greater stakeholder collaboration and more inclusive water governance within mining regions. In this article, we propose a new framework to evaluate the degree and extent of community involvement in PWM programs. This framework builds on citizen science literature. When applied to 20 cases in Latin America, notable differences in the degree of community and company participation between PWM programs are found. These differences suggest that companies and communities approach these programs from very different points of view. It is concluded that more attentive collaboration between firms and communities in the design of the program, the collection of data and interpretation of the results is needed to effectively build trust through PWM.
Impact of Major Typhoons in 2016 on Sea Surface Features in the Northwestern Pacific
Authors: Song Dan , Guo Linghui , Duan Zhigang , Xiang Lulu
Published: September 2018

Studying the interaction between the upper ocean and the typhoons is crucial to improve our understanding of heat and momentum exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere. In recent years, the upper ocean responses to typhoons have received considerable attention. The sea surface cooling (SSC) process has been repeatedly discussed. In the present work, case studies were examined on five strong and super typhoons that occurred in 2016—LionRock, Meranti, Malakas, Megi, and Chaba—to search for more evidence of SSC and new features of typhoons’ impact on sea surface features. Monitoring data from the Central Meteorological Observatory, China, sea surface temperature (SST) data from satellite microwave and infrared remote sensing, and sea level anomaly (SLA) data from satellite altimeters were used to analyze the impact of typhoons on SST, the relationship between SSC and pre-existing eddies, the distribution of cold and warm eddies before and after typhoons, as well as the relationship between eddies and the intensity of typhoons. Results showed that: (1) SSC generally occurred during a typhoon passage and the degree of SSC was determined by the strength and the translation speed of the typhoon, as well as the pre-existing sea surface conditions. Relatively lower sea level (or cold core eddy) favors causing intense SSC; (2) After a typhoon passed, the SLA obviously decreased along with the SSC. The pre-existing positive SLAs or warm eddies decreased or disappeared during the typhoon’s passage, whereas negative SLAs or cold eddies were enhanced. It is suggested that the presence of warm eddies on the path has intensified the typhoons; (3) A criterion based on the ratio of local inertial period to application time of the typhoon wind-forcing was raised to dynamically distinguish slow- and fast-moving typhoons. And subcritical (slow-moving) situations were found in the LionRock case at its turning points where a cold core eddy was generated by long-time forcing. Moreover, the LionRock developed into a super typhoon due to reduced negative feedback when it was stalling over a comparably warmer sea surface. Therefore, the distinctive LionRock case is worthy of further discussion.
Calixazulenes: azulene-based calixarene analogues – an overview and recent supramolecular complexation studies
Authors: Georghiou Paris E , Rahman Shofiur , Alodhayb Abdullah , Nishimura Hidetaka , Lee Jaehyun , Wakamiya Atsushi , Scott Lawrence T
Published: September 2018

Some of the least studied calixarenes are those that consist of azulene rings bridged by -CH2- groups. Since Lash and Colby’s discovery of a simple and convenient method for producing the parent all-hydrocarbon calix[4]azulene, there have been two other all-hydrocarbon calix[4]azulenes which have been synthesized in good yields by their method. This allowed studying their supramolecular properties. This report is of our latest work on the solution-state supramolecular complexation of one of these calix[4]azulenes, namely tetrakis(5,7-diphenyl)calix[4]azulene or “OPC4A”, with several electron-deficient tetraalkyammonium salts. As a result of more recent methods developed by us and others employing Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions to produce additional functionalized azulenes, the promise of further greater functionalized calixazulenes lies in store to be investigated.
Psychometric Properties of the Turkish Version of the Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Living Questionnaire in Hearing Aid Users
Authors: Genç Meltem , Çildir Bünyamin , Kaya Mesut
Published: September 2018

Background:Assessing hearing aid satisfaction is important for hearing aid adaptation in individuals who have hearing loss. Each user should be compared to oneself during the adaptation of the hearing aid and the determination of the satisfaction level, because, each user has
their own demands and expectations. Therefore, the survey evaluations which reveal the personal preferences and expectations gain importance in the determination of the benefit and satisfaction rate for hearing aid users.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability
of the Turkish version of the Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Living (TSADL) among hearing aid users.Research Design:The original Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Living (SADL) questionnaire was translated from English to the TSADL. Linguistic adaptation attempted to
ensure equivalency, both grammatically and idiomatically, and was assessed by investigators related to the field.Study Sample:One hundred and sixty hearing aid users with sensorineural hearing loss, aged 18 to 90 yr (54.51 ± 18.21), who had been using a hearing aid regularly
for more than 6 mo participated in the study; seventy three (45.10%) were male and 87 (54.30%) were female.Data Collection:Participants completed the TSADL twice, 3 mo apart (long enough to forget their replies in the first application but short enough to prevent any changes to the
measured properties).Results:When factor analysis of the questionnaire was performed, subdimension factor loadings were found to range from 0.744 to 0.854 for “Positive Effect,” 0.62 to 0.985 for “Personal Image,” and 0.903 to 0.913 for “Adverse Features”;
the factor loading of “Service and Cost” was 0.983. Because all factor loadings were above 0.30, no items were excluded from the Turkish version of the questionnaire. Although the TSADL retained the original four factors, because of differences in Turkish social structures and
perspectives, questions #12 and #15 revealed an association between the “Service and Cost” and “Positive Effects” subdimensions.Conclusions:The SADL-TR scale can be reliably used in clinical studies to rapidly assess patient satisfaction, compare satisfaction
levels, determine normative satisfaction level, compare various amplifications, and gather administrative outcome data.
INFORMATION CONTENT OF TRANSACTION VOLUME: THE HOUSING MARKET IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Authors: Tsai I-Chun
Published: September 2018

According to search theory, transaction volume possesses the function of price discovery and reflects information more rapidly than price does. However, the findings of previous empirical studies differ considerably. In this study, a theoretical model is first established to analyze the potential information lag of transaction volume during pessimistic speculation. Data on the UK housing market are collected to conduct an empirical analysis of the responses of housing transaction volume to different market conditions. The results show that transaction volume responds to market information more quickly than does housing prices. However, under increasing market uncertainty, transaction volume lags four periods before reflecting the effect of the uncertainty. Moreover, this study performs a rolling window bootstrap Granger causality test, revealing that price leads volume during the period in which transaction volume fails to reflect an immediate rise in market uncertainty. An increase in market uncertainty reduces transaction volume. In addition, once transaction volume drops below a specific threshold, it loses its information content and price discovery function, extending the lead-lag gap with housing prices by two periods. The present study proposes a simple method for determining the informative-ness of housing transaction volume.
CONCESSION PERIOD DETERMINATION FOR PPP RETIREMENT VILLAGE
Authors: Liu Shijing , Jin Hongyu , Xie Benzheng , Liu Chunlu , Mills Anthony
Published: September 2018

Demand for the construction of retirement villages is increasing with the worldwide growth in ageing populations. However, the development of retirement villages can be impeded by many factors, such as limited available land and high investment costs. Public–private partnership (PPP) as an alternative financing mechanism has been widely applied in the construction of public infrastructure projects and may provide new funding sources for building retirement villages. By applying PPP to the construction of retirement villages, the independent living requirements of seniors can be met and the financial difficulty of the construction of retirement villages can be resolved. Similar to other PPP projects, when retirement villages are constructed under a PPP process, the concession period is a key decision variable in relation to the success of the project. The concession period is stated in the project contract between the government and private investors, and stipulates the date when the project ownership and operation are transferred from the private investor back to the government. The government should take detailed information into consideration at the initial project stage when determining the concession period. This paper proposes PPP as a new procurement method to be applied to the construction of rental retirement villages and develops a concession period determination process for PPP retirement village projects with consideration of real options, focusing on the option to defer. An empirical example with alternative scales, which is developed from an existing retirement village in Geelong, Australia, is used to numerically verify the process and the impacts of key variables on the concession period. The determination process provides an alternative tool for governments to design the concession period before the tendering stage and will benefit the development of industries associated with services for the ageing population. This process can also be applied to the construction of other financially non-viable PPP projects such as social housing.
Angular Independence of Break Position for Magnetic Power Spectral Density in Solar Wind Turbulence
Authors: Duan Die , He Jiansen , Pei Zhongtian , Huang Shiyong , Wu Honghong , Verscharen Daniel , Wang Linghua
Published: September 2018

The break in power spectral density (PSD) around the ion scales indicates the onset of dissipation and/or dispersion of kinetic turbulence. For Alfvén waves in the kinetic regime, the dissipation and dispersion are individually dependent on the propagation angle, θ
kB, which has θ
RB (the angle between radial direction and local mean magnetic field direction) as a proxy in solar wind measurements. The relation between θ
RB and the break position helps us find the role of dissipation and/or dispersion for deforming the PSD profile. In order to locate the spectral break position automatically and quantitatively, we develop a dual-power-law fitting method to fit the PSD profiles in both MHD and kinetic ranges simultaneously. The break position f
b is found to change little with θ
RB, suggesting an angular independence of the spectral break. Furthermore, f
b in our statistical study of fast solar wind near 1 au is consistent with a wavenumber k satisfying k(ρ
p + d
p) ∼ 1 (ρ
p is the thermal proton gyroradius and d
p is the proton inertial length), independently of θ
RB. To interpret this independence, we incorporate the effects of both dissipation and dispersion in a unified description, which is the breakdown of the magnetic frozen-in condition in wavenumber space (k
∥, k
⊥). The breakdown of the frozen-in condition is relatively isotropic compared to the strong anisotropy of dispersion and dissipation. Furthermore, the spatial scale for the onset of the breakdown frozen-in condition is estimated to be the sum of ρ
p and d
p.
Investigating the Structure of Vela X
Authors: Slane P. , Lovchinsky I. , Kolb C. , Snowden S. L. , Temim T. , Blondin J. , Bocchino F. , Miceli M. , Chevalier R. A. , Hughes J. P. , Patnaude D. J. , Gaetz T.
Published: September 2018

Vela X is a prototypical example of a pulsar wind nebula whose morphology and detailed structure have been affected by interaction with the reverse shock of its host supernova remnant. The resulting complex of filamentary structure and mixed-in ejecta embedded in a nebula that is offset from the pulsar provides the best example we have of this middle-age state that characterizes a significant fraction of composite supernova remnants (SNRs), and perhaps all of the large-diameter pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) seen as TeV sources. Here, we report on an XMM-Newton (hereafter XMM) Large Project study of Vela X, supplemented by additional Chandra observations. Through broad spectral modeling, as well as detailed spectral investigations of discrete emission regions, we confirm previous studies that report evidence for ejecta material within Vela X, and show that equivalent-width variations of O vii and O viii are consistent with temperature maps within the PWN that show low-temperature regions where the projected SNR emission appears to dominate emission from the ejecta. We identify spectral variations in the nonthermal emission, with hard emission being concentrated near the pulsar. We carry out investigations of the Vela X “cocoon” structure, and with hydrodynamical simulations, show that its overall properties are consistent with structures formed in the late-phase evolution of a composite SNR expanding into a surrounding medium with a density gradient, with ejecta material being swept beyond the pulsar and compressed into an elongated structure in the direction opposite the high external density.
Detection of Virus Herpes Simplex Type 1 in Patients with Chronic Periodontal Disease
Authors: Ivanovska-Stojanoska Marija , Popovska Mirjana , Anastasovska Violeta , Kocova Mirjana , Zendeli-Bedzeti Lidita , Dimova Cena , Taseva Angela
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: Periodontal disease is an inflammatory-destructive condition of the supporting tissues of the teeth. Microorganisms found in the dental plaque were considered to be the primary local etiologic factor responsible for the periodontal destruction. It is also evident that herpes simplex viruses may have an impact in the etiopathogenesis of periodontal disease.
AIM: This study has been made with the aim to analyse the prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in the dental plaque (supra- and subgingival) of patients with the chronic periodontal disease.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised a total of 89 patients with chronic periodontal disease divided into two groups (patients with moderate and severe periodontitis). Supragingival dental plaque samples were taken with sterile cotton (supragingival), and subgingival dental plaque samples were taken with paper absorbents. Samples were subjected to extraction of DNA and further analysis with multiplex PCR for the presence of herpes viral DNA.
RESULTS: HSV-1 virus was detected In 24.7% of all patients included in the study. HSV-1 was detected in 22.2% of patients with the moderate stage of the disease, of which in all (100%) in the supragingival plaque samples and only 16.7% in subgingival plaque samples. In two patients HSV-1 was concomitantly detected in supra and subgingival plaque samples. In patients with advanced stage of the disease, the HSV-1 virus was detected in 28.6% patients. In two of the patients, HSV-1 was concomitantly detected in supra and subgingival plaque samples. Statistically, a significant difference was found in HSV-1 positive patients with a moderate stage of disease, between the presence of the virus in subgingival (100%) and subgingival (16.7%) dental plaque samples, p < 0.05.
CONCLUSION: Herpes simplex viruses type 1 are present in supragingival and subgingival dental plaque.
Evaluation of an Improved Chitosan Scaffold Cross-Linked With Polyvinyl Alcohol and Amine Coupling Through 1-Ethyl-3-(3-Dimethyl Aminopropyl)-Carbodiimide (EDC) and 2 N-Hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) for Corneal Applications
Authors: Ali Seyed Mohamed , Vijayaraghavan Kavitha
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: Corneal blindness resulting from various medical conditions affects millions worldwide. The rapid developing tissue engineering field offers design of a scaffold with mechanical properties and transparency similar to that of the natural cornea.
AIM: The present study aimed at to prepare and investigate the properties of PVA/chitosan blended scaffold by further cross-linking with 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC) and 2 N-Hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) as potential in vitro carrier for human limbal stem cells delivery.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Acetic acid dissolved chitosan was added to PVA solution, uniformly mixed with a homogenizer until the mixture was in a colloidal state, followed by H2SO4 and formaldehyde added and the sample was allowed to cool, subsequently it was poured into a tube and heated in an oven at 60°C for 50 minutes. Finally, samples were soaked in a cross-linking bath with EDC, NHS and NaOH in H2O/EtOH for 24 h consecutively stirred to cross-link the polymeric chains, reduce degradation. After soaking in the bath, the samples were carefully washed with 2% glycine aqueous solution several times to remove the remaining amount of cross-linkers, followed by washed with water to remove residual agents. Later the cross-linked scaffold subjected for various characterization and biological experiments.
RESULTS: After viscosity measurement, the scaffold was observed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The water absorbency of PVA/Chitosan was increased 361% by swelling. Compression testing demonstrated that by increasing the amount of chitosan, the strength of the scaffold could be increased to 16×10−1 MPa. Our degradation results revealed by mass loss using equation shows that scaffold degraded gradually imply slow degradation. In vitro tests showed good cell proliferation and growth in the scaffold. Our assay results confirmed that the membrane could increase the cells adhesion and growth on the substrate.
CONCLUSION: Hence, we strongly believe the use of this improved PVA/chitosan scaffold has potential to cut down the disadvantages of the human amniotic membrane (HAM) for corneal epithelium in ocular surface surgery and greater mechanical strength in future after successful experimentation with clinical trials.
Pain: The Neglect Issue in Old People's Life
Authors: Noroozian Maryam , Raeesi Shima , Hashemi Rezvan , Khedmat Leila , Vahabi Zahra
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: As the elderly population increases dramatically, the chronic age-related disease should be noted. In the elderly, chronic pain is a common health problem.
METHODS: This search was performed in 3 databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase). We have reviewed articles related to pain management in the elderly.
RESULT: The prevalence of pain in people aged above 60 is twice that in younger people. Pain is estimated to be 45-85 per cent in the elderly. Pain is not a part of the ageing process, but many older people can experience it. Perception of pain can be affected by environmental, emotional, cultural and cognitive factors. Pain in the elderly often remains untreated and misdiagnosed.
CONCLUSION: Pain management in elderly needs different approach because of unreported pain in this population, and usually they have multiple problems and comorbidities that complicate evaluation and treatment.
Knowledge and Awareness towards Occupational Hazards and Preventive Measures among Students and Dentists in Jazan Dental College, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-aslami Redhwan A. , Elshamy Fahiem M. M. , Maamar Essamet M. , Shannaq Ali Y. , Dallak Abdulaziz E. , Alroduni Abdulmohssen A.
Published: September 2018

AIM: The present study was aimed to assess the level of awareness and occupational hazards of dental students and professionals who are working at dental college and hospital, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data has been collected through a self-administrated questionnaire with closed questions. The questionnaire consisted of questions on personal information like age, gender, years of experience and awareness of occupational hazards, seminar attendance, safety measures practised, and experience of occupational hazard while in practice. Participants were asked to answer each questionnaire item as “yes” or “no”. The data were analysed with SPSS-Version and P-value was generated.
RESULTS: Out of the 200 participants, 38.5% were females, and 62% were males. Differences were found significantly high between male and female subjects regarding neck shoulder pain, hand wrist pain, backache, and anxiety and routine use of a surgical cap (P < 0.05). Over 33% of the participants had attended workshops or conferences about the occupational hazards. 12.85% participants reported latex allergy and 74% of the participants vaccinated against Hepatitis B. Significant differences were found in the attitude of general dentists towards the preventive measures against the occupational hazards based on years of experience.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study are consistent with the previous studies. Specific psychological concerns related to the conditions and the environment of the practice at dental college and hospital, Jazan University were expressed because the majority of participants were students.
Mercury Materno-fetal Burden and Its Nutritional Impact
Authors: Abdel Hameed Enas R. , Sherif Lobna S. , Abdel Samie Ola M. , Ahmed Hanaa H. , Ahmed Amira , Atta Hala , Waheed Hisham , Fahmy Reham F.
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: Mercury exists worldwide in food, water and air throwing its health hazards on all body systems.
AIM: To show the influence of the presence of mercury in pregnant mothers’ blood on its level in the umbilical cord blood; and to display the relationship between the different foodstuff on the mercury levels in pregnant mothers' and umbilical cord blood.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on randomly chosen 113 pregnant mothers at the time of labour and on their newborns. Full history, sociodemographic data and food frequency questionnaire for dietary assessment were recorded. The Maternal and neonatal anthropometric measurements together with the Apgar scoring were also measured. Serum mercury levels in both mothers' and umbilical cord blood were measured using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).
RESULTS: A high percentage of mothers (82.3%) were exposed to passive smoking. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the maternal and fetal umbilical cord blood mercury levels (p = 0.002). There was an insignificant negative correlation between the maternal blood and fetal umbilical cord blood mercury levels on one side and each of the different foodstuff on the other side (fish, vegetables, fruits and proteins, for example, meat and legumes). An insignificant positive correlation was found between dairy products and of the maternal blood and umbilical cord blood mercury levels.
CONCLUSION: The fetal umbilical cord blood mercury levels correlate positively with the maternal blood mercury. The different foodstuff can influence the maternal and umbilical cord blood mercury levels whether by increase or decrease. Strict measures should be taken to decrease environmental mercury contamination with attention to pregnant mothers.