bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Shipwreck of Faith”: The Religious Vision and Ideas of Wole Soyinka
Authors: Joseph Celucien L.
Published: May 2016

This article investigates the religious vision and ideas of Wole Soyinka in selected non-fiction writings. While African spirituality is deployed as a literary trope in Soyinka's creative works and dramatic masterpieces such as Death and the King's Horseman and A Dance of the Forests, scholars have given scarce attention to his engagement with religion in his non-fiction productions. To highlight that engagement, first, this article proposes the notions of radical skepticism and religious inclusivism as symbolic markers to describe Soyinka's perspective on religion and his shipwreck of faith. His witness of religious violence and fanaticism in his home country of Nigeria and the host countries outside of his native land has shaped his religious experience and altered his religious vision. To call Wole Soyinka a radical agnostic and religious inclusivist in the humanist tradition is to confront his uneasiness with and ambivalence toward religion that had marked both his adolescent and adult life. Second, it argues that Soyinka's abandonment of his Anglican faith, the “imported religion” of his childhood and Nigerian parents, was a consequence of his re-evaluation of the merits and liberalism of his ancestral faith: the Yoruba religious tradition and spirituality. Third, it contends that Soyinka rejected the Christian faith because of a theological crisis he encountered both as a teenager in Ake (his hometown) and as a student at the University College in Ibadan. The article resituates Soyinka's religious sensibility not in the tradition of the Abrahamic religions but within the religious world view and cultural framework of African indigenous faiths and spirituality. Finally, it presents Wole Soyinka as a religious critic and radical theistic humanist.
Development and evaluation of an intervention for the prevention of childhood obesity in a multiethnic population: the Born in Bradford applied research programme
Authors: Wright John , Fairley Lesley , McEachan Rosemary , Bryant Maria , Petherick Emily , Sahota Pinki , Santorelli Gillian , Barber Sally , Lawlor Debbie A , Taylor Natalie , Bhopal Raj , Cameron Noel , West Jane , Hill Andrew , Summerbell Carolyn , Farrin Amanda , Ball Helen , Brown Tamara , Farrar Diane , Small Neil
Published: May 2016

Background

There is an absence of evidence about interventions to prevent or treat obesity in early childhood and in South Asian populations, in whom risk is higher.

Objectives

To study patterns and the aetiology of childhood obesity in a multiethnic population and develop a prevention intervention.

Design

A cohort of pregnant women and their infants was recruited. Measures to compare growth and identify targets for obesity prevention, sensitive to ethnic differences, were collected. A feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) was undertaken.

Setting

Bradford, UK.

Participants

A total of 1735 mothers, 933 of whom were of South Asian origin.

Intervention

A feasibility trial of a group-based intervention aimed at overweight women, delivered ante- and postnatally, targeting key modifiable lifestyle behaviours to reduce infant obesity.

Main outcome measures

The feasibility and acceptability of the pilot intervention.

Data sources

Routine NHS data and additional bespoke research data.

Review methods

A systematic review of diet and physical activity interventions to prevent or treat obesity in South Asian children and adults.

Results

Routine measures of growth were accurate. The prevalence of risk factors differed between mothers of white British ethnicity and mothers of Pakistani ethnicity and weight and length growth trajectories differed between Pakistani infants and white British infants. Prediction equations for risk of childhood obesity were developed. An evidence-based intervention was evaluated in a pilot RCT and was found to be feasible and acceptable.

Limitations

This was a single-centre observational study and a pilot evaluation.

Conclusions

The programme has been successful in recruiting a unique multiethnic childhood obesity cohort, which has provided new evidence about modifiable risk factors and biethnic growth trajectories. A novel group-based behavioural change intervention has been developed and successfully piloted. A multisite cluster RCT is required to evaluate effectiveness.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN56735429.

Funding

The National Institute for Health Research Programme Grants for Applied Research programme.
Preparation of a Breadfruit Flour Bar
Authors: Nochera Carmen , Ragone Diane
Published: May 2016

Breadfruit is a nutritious, high energy food with a low quantity of protein but excellent protein quality. It has the potential to be developed into desired products which will help increase its utilization and add value to the crop. The overall purposes of this investigation were to develop a portable, nutritious, ready-to-eat breadfruit product (bar), test the sensory qualities of the product, and evaluate the nutritional properties of the product. Flour made from the Micronesian variety, Meinpadahk (Artocarpus altilis × Artocarpus mariannensis), was utilized for the development of the breadfruit bar. Breadfruit is a rich source of fiber, vitamins such as vitamin C, minerals such as potassium, and phytochemicals such as flavonoids. Nutritional labeling indicates that the breadfruit bar is high in carbohydrates and low in fat, and sensory evaluation indicates that 81% of the panelists found the bar acceptable while 19% disliked the bar. The breadfruit bar can provide an appealing and inexpensive gluten-free food source based on locally available breadfruit.
Functional Changes and Driving Performance in Older Drivers: Assessment and Interventions
Authors: Karthaus Melanie , Falkenstein Michael
Published: May 2016

With the increasing aging of the population, the number of older drivers is rising. Driving is a significant factor for quality of life and independence concerning social and working life. On the other hand, driving is a complex task involving visual, motor, and cognitive skills that experience age-related changes even in healthy aging. In this review we summarize different age-related functional changes with relevance for driving concerning sensory, motor, and cognitive functions. Since these functions have great interindividual variability, it is necessary to apply methods that help to identify older drivers with impaired driving abilities in order to take appropriate measures. We discuss three different methods to assess driving ability, namely the assessment of (i) functions relevant for driving; (ii) driving behavior in real traffic; and (iii) behavior in a driving simulator. We present different measures to improve mobility in older drivers, including information campaigns, design of traffic and car environment, instructions, functional training, and driving training in real traffic and in a driving simulator. Finally, we give some recommendations for assessing and improving the driving abilities of older drivers with multi-modal approaches being most promising for enhancing individual and public safety.
Contrastive Numerical Investigations on Thermo-Structural Behaviors in Mass Concrete with Various Cements
Authors: Zhou Wei , Feng Chuqiao , Liu Xinghong , Liu Shuhua , Zhang Chao , Yuan Wei
Published: May 2016

This work is a contrastive investigation of numerical simulations to improve the comprehension of thermo-structural coupled phenomena of mass concrete structures during construction. The finite element (FE) analysis of thermo-structural behaviors is used to investigate the applicability of supersulfated cement (SSC) in mass concrete structures. A multi-scale framework based on a homogenization scheme is adopted in the parameter studies to describe the nonlinear concrete behaviors. Based on the experimental data of hydration heat evolution rate and quantity of SSC and fly ash Portland cement, the hydration properties of various cements are studied. Simulations are run on a concrete dam section with a conventional method and a chemo-thermo-mechanical coupled method. The results show that SSC is more suitable for mass concrete structures from the standpoint of temperature control and crack prevention.
Chromite Composition and Accessory Minerals in Chromitites from Sulawesi, Indonesia: Their Genetic Significance
Authors: Zaccarini Federica , Idrus Arifudin , Garuti Giorgio
Published: May 2016

Several chromite deposits located in the in the South and Southeast Arms of Sulawesi, Indonesia, have been investigated by electron microprobe. According to the variation of the Cr# = Cr/(Cr + Fe3+), the chromite composition varies from Cr-rich to Al-rich. Small platinum-group minerals (PGM), 1–10 μm in size, occur in the chromitites. The most abundant PGM is laurite, which has been found included in fresh chromite or in contact with chlorite along cracks in the chromite. Laurite forms polygonal crystals, and it occurs as a single phase or in association with amphibole, chlorite, Co-pentlandite and apatite. Small blebs of irarsite (less than 2 μm across) have been found associated with grains of awaruite and Co-pentlandite in the chlorite gangue of the chromitites. Grains of olivine, occurring in the silicate matrix or included in fresh chromite, have been analyzed. They show a composition typical of mantle-hosted olivine. The bimodal composition and the slight enrichment in TiO2 observed in some chromitites suggest a vertical zonation due to the fractionation of a single batch magma with an initial boninitic composition during its ascent, in a supra-subduction zone. This observation implies the accumulation of Cr-rich chromitites at deep mantle levels and the formation of the Al-rich chromitites close or above the Moho-transition zone. All of the laurites are considered to be magmatic in origin, i.e., entrapped as solid phases during the crystallization of chromite at temperature of around 1200 °C and a sulfur fugacity below the sulfur saturation. Irarsite possibly represents a low temperature, less than 400 °C, exsolution product.
Micro-RNA Feedback Loops Modulating the Calcineurin/NFAT Signaling Pathway
Authors: Kannambath Shichina
Published: May 2016

Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) is a family of transcription factors important for innate and adaptive immune responses. NFAT activation is tightly regulated through the calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway. There is increasing evidence on non-coding RNAs such as miRNAs playing a crucial role in regulating transcription factors and signaling pathways. However, not much is known about microRNAs (miRNAs) targeting the calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway involved in immune response in human. In this study, a comprehensive pathway level analysis has been carried out to identify miRNAs regulating the calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway. Firstly, by incorporating experimental data and computational predictions, 191 unique miRNAs were identified to be targeting the calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway in humans. Secondly, combining miRNA expression data from activated T cells and computational predictions, 32 miRNAs were observed to be induced by NFAT transcription factors. Finally, 11 miRNAs were identified to be involved in a feedback loop to modulate the calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway activity. This data demonstrate the potential role of miRNAs as regulators of the calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway. The present study thus emphasizes the importance of pathway level analysis to identify miRNAs and understands their role in modulating signaling pathways and transcription factor activity.
Semiconductor Three-Dimensional Photonic Crystals with Novel Layer-by-Layer Structures
Authors: Iwamoto Satoshi , Takahashi Shun , Tajiri Takeyoshi , Arakawa Yasuhiko
Published: May 2016

Three-dimensional photonic crystals (3D PhCs) are a fascinating platform for manipulating photons and controlling their interactions with matter. One widely investigated structure is the layer-by-layer woodpile structure, which possesses a complete photonic bandgap. On the other hand, other types of 3D PhC structures also offer various possibilities for controlling light by utilizing the three dimensional nature of structures. In this article, we discuss our recent research into novel types of layer-by-layer structures, including the experimental demonstration of a 3D PhC nanocavity formed in a <110>-layered diamond structure and the realization of artificial optical activity in rotationally stacked woodpile structures.
The New Indices of Religious Orientation Revised (NIROR): A Study among Canadian Adolescents Attending a Baptist Youth Mission and Service Event
Authors: Francis Leslie , Fawcett Bruce , Robbins Mandy , Stairs Dale
Published: May 2016

This study explores the properties of the New Indices of Religious Orientation Revised (NIROR) among a sample of 521 Canadian adolescents attending a Baptist youth mission and service event, ranging in age from 12 to 19 years. This revision simplified the language of the original instrument to increase its accessibility among young people. The data support the internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the three revised nine-item scales designed to operationalise extrinsic religious orientation, intrinsic religious orientation, and quest religious orientation.
Leo Tolstoy’s Anticlericalism in Its Context and Beyond: A Case against Churches and Clerics, Religious and Secular
Authors: Christoyannopoulos Alexandre
Published: May 2016

In the last thirty years of his life, Leo Tolstoy wrote numerous books, essays and pamphlets expounding his newly-articulated views on violence, the state, the church, and on how to improve the human condition. Since then, these “Christian anarchist” views have often been dismissed as utopian or naive, and, despite inspiring many activists and intellectuals, often forgotten or ignored. Some of those views and arguments, however, arguably remain apposite today—and can in some cases be applied to broader phenomena than those he identified. This article focuses on one of the aspects of his Christian anarchist thought: his anticlericalism. The first Section recounts the evolution of Tolstoy’s views on religion and the church, and briefly describes Tolstoy’s peculiar metaphysics. The second outlines his main charges against the church, discusses some common objections to it, and considers the continuing relevance of his anticlericalism. The third seeks to secularise his anticlerical arguments by applying them beyond the church, against secular preachers and institutions, and does so by reflecting on the quality of debate in the contemporary public sphere, on the hypocritical distance between the morality preached by secular “clerics” and their practice, and on the steady process of ossification and betrayal which befalls secular political ideals. The article thus contributes to the literature firstly by summarising, discussing and reflecting upon the anticlericalism of a famous writer who also espoused controversial religious and political views; secondly by succinctly outlining his idiosyncratic metaphysics, including his peculiar reinterpretation of traditional Christian referents; and thirdly by applying the arguments that informed his criticisms of the church to a broader variety of religious and secular secular institutions.
Genetic Engineering and Sustainable Crop Disease Management: Opportunities for Case-by-Case Decision-Making
Authors: Vincelli Paul
Published: May 2016

Genetic engineering (GE) offers an expanding array of strategies for enhancing disease resistance of crop plants in sustainable ways, including the potential for reduced pesticide usage. Certain GE applications involve transgenesis, in some cases creating a metabolic pathway novel to the GE crop. In other cases, only cisgenessis is employed. In yet other cases, engineered genetic changes can be so minimal as to be indistinguishable from natural mutations. Thus, GE crops vary substantially and should be evaluated for risks, benefits, and social considerations on a case-by-case basis. Deployment of GE traits should be with an eye towards long-term sustainability; several options are discussed. Selected risks and concerns of GE are also considered, along with genome editing, a technology that greatly expands the capacity of molecular biologists to make more precise and targeted genetic edits. While GE is merely a suite of tools to supplement other breeding techniques, if wisely used, certain GE tools and applications can contribute to sustainability goals.
XLI Congresso Nazionale AIEOP | Verona, 22–24 Maggio 2016 - Abstract Book
Authors: Hematology Reports Editorial Office
Published: May 2016

l MMF è un immunosoppressore che riduce la pro-liferazione dei linfociti T/B e che si è dimostrato utile in alcuni pazienti con PTI e con SE secondaria ad ALPS [...]
Case series of females charged with murder or attempted murder of minors and referred to Weskoppies Hospital in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act over a period of 21 years
Authors: Khoele Kwena B. , De Wet Paul H. , Pretorius Hermanus W. , Sommerville Jaqui
Published: May 2016

Women charged with murder or attempted murders of children are usually sent for forensic psychiatric evaluation. In South Africa research and literature on this population is scarce. A case series was studied of forensic files of 32 females charged with murder or attempted murder of children. These files contained information of such females. The forensic psychiatric observation was mainly to establish whether a psychiatric diagnosis could be made, and whether they were triable and accountable. Files from 01 Jan 1990 to 31 Dec 2010 (21 years) were obtained of cases observed in Weskoppies Hospital. The aim of describing these case series was to attempt to find a psychiatric profile of such cases, as well as to find other information e.g. Demographics. The findings, after forensic observation regarding their ability to follow court proceedings and their ability to contribute meaningfully to their defence (triability) as well as their ability to distinguish between right and wrong, and their ability to act in accordance with the said appreciation (accountability) at the time of the alleged offence were also reported. This information could contribute to make medical practitioners and mental health care workers aware of risk factors involving such cases and to encourage them to enquire about these risk factors.
Sensing a 'second coming': An overview of new concepts in Sociology, Philosophy, Law and Theology on the re-emerging religious in private and public life
Authors: Lombaard Christo J.S.
Published: May 2016

In a number of academic disciplines, expression has been given to the recently rising awareness that the category of the religious has not disappeared from public life. What the �masters of suspicion� � Feuerbach, Marx, Nietzsche, Weber, Durkheim and Freud � had sensed was the intellectual spirit of their times and not the dawning of a broadly post-religious phase in Western/ised humanity. In different academic disciplines, this new awareness has been given expression to by means of a series of newly developed concepts. In this contribution, these developments are briefly tracked as they relate to one another. Although these formulations and discussions in some ways correspond to one another, it has not yet been undertaken to relate them to one another, which is the contribution of this article: these developments reflect, as largely parallel expressions, the recently rising awareness that the category of the religious is currently present in private and public life more so than in previous decades.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article traces recent developments in Sociology, Philosophy, Law and Theology on the unfolding place of religion in the world currently, as a first step to bringing these disciplines into discussion with one another on this matter.Keywords: Religiosity; Post-secularism; Sociology; Philisophy; Law; Theology
A microwave satellite water vapour column retrieval for polar winter conditions
Authors: Perro Christopher , Lesins Glen , Duck Thomas J. , Cadeddu Maria
Published: May 2016

Abstract. A new microwave satellite water vapour retrieval for the polar winter atmosphere is presented. The retrieval builds on the work of Miao et al. (2001) and Melsheimer and Heygster (2008), employing auxiliary information for atmospheric conditions and numerical optimization. It was tested using simulated and actual measurements from the Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS) satellite instruments. Ground truth was provided by the G-band vapour radiometer (GVR) at Barrow, Alaska. For water vapour columns less than 6 kg m−2, comparisons between the retrieval and GVR result in a root mean square (RMS) deviation of 0.39 kg m−2 and a systematic bias of 0.08 kg m−2. These results are compared with RMS deviations and biases at Barrow for the retrieval of Melsheimer and Heygster (2008), the AIRS and MIRS satellite data products, and the ERA-Interim, NCEP, JRA-55, and ASR reanalyses. When applied to MHS measurements, the new retrieval produces a smaller RMS deviation and bias than for the earlier retrieval and satellite data products. The RMS deviations for the new retrieval were comparable to those for the ERA-Interim, JRA-55, and ASR reanalyses; however, the MHS retrievals have much finer horizontal resolution (15 km at nadir) and reveal more structure. The new retrieval can be used to obtain pan-Arctic maps of water vapour columns of unprecedented quality. It may also be applied to measurements from the Special Sensor Microwave/Temperature 2 (SSM/T2), Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit B (AMSU-B), Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder (SSMIS), Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS), and Chinese MicroWave Humidity Sounder (MWHS) instruments.
Suitability of ground-based SfM–MVS for monitoring glacial and periglacial processes
Authors: Piermattei Livia , Carturan Luca , de Blasi Fabrizio , Tarolli Paolo , Dalla Fontana Giancarlo , Vettore Antonio , Pfeifer Norbert
Published: May 2016

Abstract. Photo-based surface reconstruction is rapidly emerging as an alternative survey technique to lidar (light detection and ranging) in many fields of geoscience fostered by the recent development of computer vision algorithms such as structure from motion (SfM) and dense image matching such as multi-view stereo (MVS). The objectives of this work are to test the suitability of the ground-based SfM–MVS approach for calculating the geodetic mass balance of a 2.1 km2 glacier and for detecting the surface displacement of a neighbouring active rock glacier located in the eastern Italian Alps. The photos were acquired in 2013 and 2014 using a digital consumer-grade camera during single-day field surveys. Airborne laser scanning (ALS, otherwise known as airborne lidar) data were used as benchmarks to estimate the accuracy of the photogrammetric digital elevation models (DEMs) and the reliability of the method. The SfM–MVS approach enabled the reconstruction of high-quality DEMs, which provided estimates of glacial and periglacial processes similar to those achievable using ALS. In stable bedrock areas outside the glacier, the mean and the standard deviation of the elevation difference between the SfM–MVS DEM and the ALS DEM was −0.42 ± 1.72 and 0.03 ± 0.74 m in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The overall pattern of elevation loss and gain on the glacier were similar with both methods, ranging between −5.53 and + 3.48 m. In the rock glacier area, the elevation difference between the SfM–MVS DEM and the ALS DEM was 0.02 ± 0.17 m. The SfM–MVS was able to reproduce the patterns and the magnitudes of displacement of the rock glacier observed by the ALS, ranging between 0.00 and 0.48 m per year. The use of natural targets as ground control points, the occurrence of shadowed and low-contrast areas, and in particular the suboptimal camera network geometry imposed by the morphology of the study area were the main factors affecting the accuracy of photogrammetric DEMs negatively. Technical improvements such as using an aerial platform and/or placing artificial targets could significantly improve the results but run the risk of being more demanding in terms of costs and logistics.
Representation of the Community Earth System Model (CESM1) CAM4-chem within the Chemistry-Climate Model Initiative (CCMI)
Authors: Tilmes Simone , Lamarque Jean-Francois , Emmons Louisa K. , Kinnison Doug E. , Marsh Dan , Garcia Rolando R. , Smith Anne K. , Neely Ryan R. , Conley Andrew , Vitt Francis , Val Martin Maria , Tanimoto Hiroshi , Simpson Isobel , Blake Don R. , Blake Nicola
Published: May 2016

Abstract. The Community Earth System Model (CESM1) CAM4-chem has been used to perform the Chemistry Climate Model Initiative (CCMI) reference and sensitivity simulations. In this model, the Community Atmospheric Model version 4 (CAM4) is fully coupled to tropospheric and stratospheric chemistry. Details and specifics of each configuration, including new developments and improvements are described. CESM1 CAM4-chem is a low-top model that reaches up to approximately 40 km and uses a horizontal resolution of 1.9° latitude and 2.5° longitude. For the specified dynamics experiments, the model is nudged to Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) reanalysis. We summarize the performance of the three reference simulations suggested by CCMI, with a focus on the last 15 years of the simulation when most observations are available. Comparisons with selected data sets are employed to demonstrate the general performance of the model. We highlight new data sets that are suited for multi-model evaluation studies. Most important improvements of the model are the treatment of stratospheric aerosols and the corresponding adjustments for radiation and optics, the updated chemistry scheme including improved polar chemistry and stratospheric dynamics and improved dry deposition rates. These updates lead to a very good representation of tropospheric ozone within 20 % of values from available observations for most regions. In particular, the trend and magnitude of surface ozone is much improved compared to earlier versions of the model. Furthermore, stratospheric column ozone of the Southern Hemisphere in winter and spring is reasonably well represented. All experiments still underestimate CO most significantly in Northern Hemisphere spring and show a significant underestimation of hydrocarbons based on surface observations.
Energy Sensitive Designs: Evaluation and a Proposed Model for Residential Buildings in Warm Humid Climate
Authors: Arowolo Oyeyemi Oluwaseun , Ajibola Kola Wole , Orola Bode Abiodun , Omolola Ayomide Abiodun
Published: May 2016

The warm humid climate of Osogbo is characterised by its high humidity, relatively high temperature, and four distinct major seasons. Hence, this paper is aimed at assessing the climatic responsiveness of the five major residential building design types in Osogbo with a view to develop an energy sensitive design framework for a warm humid climate. This involves synergizing the comparative advantage discovered in each design type predicated on the Mahoney Tables assessment criteria. Data were obtained through measurement and assessment of the design characteristics of 209 residential buildings design types in Osogbo. Four political wards with the predominance of each of the five building design types (namely; traditional houses, rooming-apartments, apartments, bungalows and duplexes) were purposively selected. Buildings were assessed on layout (orientation), spacing between buildings, air movement (inlet/outlet), size of openings (fenestration), wall materials (thermal transmittance) and roof characteristics (thermal reflectance and transmittance). Findings revealed that the bungalow designs had better orientation compared with the other buildings surveyed. The duplexes had better spacing; the rooming-apartment designs had adequate air movement. Likewise approximately 70.0% of the surveyed residential buildings had adequate fenestration. The result also revealed that approximately 90.0% had their external walls constructed with hollow blocks of low thermal transmittance and lastly 15.3% of the total residential buildings had roof of high thermal reflectance and low transmittance. Out of this percentage, the duplex building designs accounted for the majority. Finally, an energy sensitive design framework was evolved from the comparative assessment of the five residential building design types analysed.
Examination of Orientalist Views on the Law-Giving Prophets
Authors: Haftador Hassan Rezaee , Walizadeh Morteza , Zahedifar Seyf Ali
Published: May 2016

The law-giving prophets or the prophets of strong resolve are prophets that possessed independent divine books and religions. Noah, Abraham, and Moses are numbered among the prophets of strong resolve. Orientalists have studied issues related to these prophets. The present study evaluates the views of orientalists concerning prophets of strong resolve. This library study takes an analytic, critical, and descriptive approach to the topic. Though examination of the views of orientalists concerning prophets of strong resolve is the focus of this study, views of Muslim scholars are also considered to complement the study. As indicated by examination of their opinions on the matter, orientalists have performed extensive research in Islamic sources on prophets of strong resolve. However, they have utilised weak Islamic narratives and have thus erred in regard to these prophets.
The Study of the Effect of Internal Marketing on Sales Staff Performance with an Emphasis on the Role of Organizational Commitment
Authors: Saeedinejad Mohammad Mahdi
Published: May 2016

This study aimed to achieve the improvement of sales based on the effect of internal marketing on Sales staff performance with an emphasis on the role of organizational commitment in Pama Shoes Company. The statistical population of this study included all the staff working in Pama Shoes Company. According to Krejcie and Morgan table, the sample size was determined as 217 subjects and simple random sampling was used. The research method was descriptive-correlational and data collection was done by questionnaire. A questionnaire designed by Moni and Forman (1995) was used to measure internal marketing. Allen and Meyer standard questionnaire (2000) was used to measure organizational commitment and Hamburg (2011) questionnaire with Likert scale was also used to measure Sales staff performance. The validity of research tool was confirmed by using the opinions of experts and the reliability of internal marketing questionnaire was confirmed as 0/890, Sales staff performance as 0/877 and organizational commitment as 0/834 by using Cronbach alpha. Data were analyzed by structural equations model. The results of this study show that the dimensions of internal marketing (rewarding, development of staff, and Organizational Vision) have a positive and significant effect on Sales staff performance. In addition, organizational commitment has a favorable moderating role in the effectiveness of internal marketing on Sales staff performance.
Effectiveness of Group Schema Therapy in Reducing the Symptoms of Major Depression in a Sample of Women
Authors: Hashemi Roghayeh , Darvishzadeh Kobra
Published: May 2016

Treatment of the symptoms of major depression is one of the important issues in the treatment of psychological disorders. This study aims to investigate effectiveness of group schema therapy in reducing the symptoms of major depression in a sample of women in the Ahvaz City. This is a quasi-experimental with two control and treatment groups. To this end, 30 married women in Ahvaz were selected using the convenience sampling method and were included in two treatment and control groups of 15 persons. After pre-test for both groups, the experimental group received schema therapy in 10 sessions for one month; however, the control group received no training. Beck Depression Inventory that has an acceptable reliability and validity was used to assess depression. Finally, test scores were analyzed by analysis of covariance. The results showed that group schema therapy training was effective at the level of error P<0.0001 on reducing the symptoms of depression in the treatment group. Accordingly, it can be concluded that the group schema therapy training affects the mental health promotion. Therefore, the intervention can be effective in preventing mental injuries.
The Relationship between Conditional Conservatism and Financial Crisis
Authors: Mamaghani Behnam Aminpour , Darabi Roya
Published: May 2016

Profit and loss invoice is the main accounting information. Investors pay the priority attention to net profit as the latest information item of profit and loss invoice. Conservatism has a great influence on investment and companies’ financial crisis. The main purpose of this research is studying the relationship between conditional conservatism and financial crisis in accepted companies in Tehran Stock Exchange during time period of 2009 up to 2014. Statistical society is used by screening (omissive) model for selecting a sample which is studied in 122 companies. Current research methodology is applicative by aiming, its type is correlated, its model is panel data and for analysis by software of EVIEWS8. Also, obtained result by first subsidiary hypotheses represent a straight relationship between firm size and companies’ financial crisis and second subsidiary hypotheses represent a straight relationship between financial leverage and companies’ financial crisis. There is not a meaningful relationship between reserved cash fund and financial crisis in third subsidiary hypotheses. There is a meaningful relationship between sale growth and financial crisis in forth subsidiary hypotheses. There is a straight and meaningful relationship between tangible properties and financial crisis in fifth subsidiary hypotheses. In sixth subsidiary hypotheses, there is a negative and meaningful relationship between growth opportunity and financial crisis.
Uma Análise Comparativa das Práticas do Processo de Gerência de Riscos usando Modelos de Qualidade para o Processo de Software
Authors: Mendes Heresson João Pamplona de Siqueira , Oliveira Sandro Ronaldo Bezerra
Published: May 2016

A Gerência de Riscos é uma área de conhecimento estudada nos principais modelos de qualidade de software, e trata-se de um fator importante para o sucesso de um projeto, pois gerencia a probabilidade de um evento inesperado ocorrer e suas consequências, denominado risco. Um modo de atingir o sucesso no gerenciamento de riscos de um projeto de software dá-se a partir da adoção das recomendações presentes nos modelos de qualidades de software. Este trabalho tem como objetivo propor boas práticas no tratamento de riscos por meio do mapeamento dos principais modelos de qualidade estudados em trabalhos semelhantes (MR-MPS-SW, CMMI-Dev, PMBoK, ISO/IEC 12207 e ISO/IEC 16085), definindo, assim, um modelo de processo que agregue as melhores recomendações presentes nos padrões internacionais.
Experimental verification of a prediction model for hydrate‐bearing sand
Authors: Pinkert S. , Grozic J. L. H.
Published: May 2016

This paper presents an experimental verification of a prediction model for the mechanical properties of hydrate‐bearing sand. The model is examined using experimental drained triaxial test results of three independent data sets, which are associated with different hydrate formations and testing conditions. For each data set, an optimization process is applied based on numerical modeling of the testing conditions in order to evaluate the pure sand properties. Based on these properties, the model forecasts the stress‐stain curves for different hydrate saturations, based on an advanced hydrate simulator. Although the model does not show a fair forecast with “ice‐seeding” hydrate formation samples and for specimens tested under gas saturation, it predicts the mechanical behavior of samples with “partly saturated” hydrate formation tested under water saturation.
Modeling the effect of wave‐vegetation interaction on wave setup
Authors: van Rooijen A. A. , McCall R. T. , van Thiel de Vries J. S. M. , van Dongeren A. R. , Reniers A. J. H. M. , Roelvink J. A.
Published: May 2016

Aquatic vegetation in the coastal zone attenuates wave energy and reduces the risk of coastal hazards, e.g., flooding. Besides the attenuation of sea‐swell waves, vegetation may also affect infragravity‐band (IG) waves and wave setup. To date, knowledge on the effect of vegetation on IG waves and wave setup is lacking, while they are potentially important parameters for coastal risk assessment. In this study, the storm impact model XBeach is extended with formulations for attenuation of sea‐swell and IG waves, and wave setup effects in two modes: the sea‐swell wave phase‐resolving (nonhydrostatic) and the phase‐averaged (surfbeat) mode. In surfbeat mode, a wave shape model is implemented to capture the effect of nonlinear wave‐vegetation interaction processes on wave setup. Both modeling modes are verified using data from two flume experiments with mimic vegetation and show good skill in computing the sea‐swell and IG wave transformation, and wave setup. In surfbeat mode, the wave setup prediction greatly improves when using the wave shape model, while in nonhydrostatic mode (nonlinear) intrawave effects are directly accounted for. Subsequently, the model is used for a range of coastal geomorphological configurations by varying bed slope and vegetation extent. The results indicate that the effect of wave‐vegetation interaction on wave setup may be relevant for a range of typical coastal geomorphological configurations (e.g., relatively steep to gentle slope coasts fronted by vegetation).
Using the cold plasma dispersion relation and whistler mode waves to quantify the antenna sheath impedance of the Van Allen Probes EFW instrument
Authors: Hartley D. P. , Kletzing C. A. , Kurth W. S. , Bounds S. R. , Averkamp T. F. , Hospodarsky G. B. , Wygant J. R. , Bonnell J. W. , Santolík O. , Watt C. E. J.
Published: May 2016

Cold plasma theory and parallel wave propagation are often assumed when approximating the whistler mode magnetic field wave power from electric field observations. The current study is the first to include the wave normal angle from the Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science package on board the Van Allen Probes in the conversion factor, thus allowing for the accuracy of these assumptions to be quantified. Results indicate that removing the assumption of parallel propagation does not significantly affect calculated plasmaspheric hiss wave powers. Hence, the assumption of parallel propagation is valid. For chorus waves, inclusion of the wave normal angle in the conversion factor leads to significant alterations in the distribution of wave power ratios (observed/ calculated); the percentage of overestimates decreases, the percentage of underestimates increases, and the spread of values is significantly reduced. Calculated plasmaspheric hiss wave powers are, on average, a good estimate of those observed, whereas calculated chorus wave powers are persistently and systematically underestimated. Investigation of wave power ratios (observed/calculated), as a function of frequency and plasma density, reveals a structure consistent with signal attenuation via the formation of a plasma sheath around the Electric Field and Waves spherical double probes instrument. A simple, density‐dependent model is developed in order to quantify this effect of variable impedance between the electric field antenna and the plasma interface. This sheath impedance model is then demonstrated to be successful in significantly improving agreement between calculated and observed power spectra and wave powers.
High‐Performance Multifunctional Thermoplastic Composites Enhanced by Aligned Buckypaper
Authors: Li Zhongrui , Park Jin Gyu , Liang Zhiyong
Published: May 2016

High‐performance lightweight composites are sizably manufactured by impregnating continuous aligned carbon nanotube sheet (buckypapers) with self‐reinforcing polyphenylene (Parmax) solution and followed by hot‐press. The high processing pressure flattens nanotubes, which preferably π‐stack with the aromatic rings of Parmax chain, and accordingly improve the load transfer. Both tensile strength and Young's modulus of the thermoplastic composites increase with the alignment degree of nanotubes, and can reach 950 MPa and 94 GPa, respectively, for the composite containing 50%‐stretched buckypaper. The highly aligned nanotubes also boost phonon transfer (70 W mK−1) and the electric conductivity (425 S cm–1) of the composite along the alignment direction. These combined outstanding properties would enable the thermoplastic composites in wide applications as multifunctional material.
Prussian Blue@C Composite as an Ultrahigh‐Rate and Long‐Life Sodium‐Ion Battery Cathode
Authors: Jiang Yinzhu , Yu Shenglan , Wang Baoqi , Li Yong , Sun Wenping , Lu Yunhao , Yan Mi , Song Bin , Dou Shixue
Published: May 2016

Rechargeable sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are surfacing as promising candidates for applications in large‐scale energy‐storage systems. Prussian blue (PB) and its analogues (PBAs) have been considered as potential cathodes because of their rigid open framework and low‐cost synthesis. Nevertheless, PBAs suffer from inferior rate capability and poor cycling stability resulting from the low electronic conductivity and deficiencies in the PBAs framework. Herein, to understand the vacancy‐impacted sodium storage and Na‐insertion reaction kinetics, we report on an in‐situ synthesized PB@C composite as a high‐performance SIB cathode. Perfectly shaped, nanosized PB cubes were grown directly on carbon chains, assuring fast charge transfer and Na‐ion diffusion. The existence of [Fe(CN)6] vacancies in the PB crystal is found to greatly degrade the electrochemical activity of the FeLS(C) redox couple via first‐principles computation. Superior reaction kinetics are demonstrated for the redox reactions of the FeHS(N) couple, which rely on the partial insertion of Na ions to enhance the electron conduction. The synergistic effects of the structure and morphology results in the PB@C composite achieving an unprecedented rate capability and outstanding cycling stability (77.5 mAh g−1 at 90 C, 90 mAh g−1 after 2000 cycles at 20 C with 90% capacity retention).
Fullerene Additives Convert Ambipolar Transport to p‐Type Transport while Improving the Operational Stability of Organic Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Ford Michael J. , Wang Ming , Phan Hung , Nguyen Thuc‐Quyen , Bazan Guillermo C.
Published: May 2016

Many high charge carrier mobility (μ) active layers within organic field‐effect transistor (OFET) configurations exhibit non‐linear current–voltage characteristics that may drift with time under applied bias and, when applying conventional equations for ideal FETs, may give inconsistent μ values. This study demonstrates that the introduction of electron deficient fullerene acceptors into thin films comprised of the high‐mobility semiconducting polymer PCDTPT suppresses an undesirable “double‐slope” in the current–voltage characteristics, improves operational stability, and changes ambipolar transport to unipolar transport. Examination of other high μ polymers shows general applicability. This study also shows that one can further reduce instability by tuning the relative electron affinity of the polymer and fullerene by creating blends containing different fullerene derivatives and semiconductor polymers. One can obtain hole μ values up to 5.6 cm2 V–1 s–1 that are remarkably stable over multiple bias‐sweeping cycles. The results provide a simple, solution‐processable route to dictate transport properties and improve semiconductor durability in systems that display similar non‐idealities.
Unrelated donors are associated with improved relapse‐free survival compared to related donors in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome undergoing reduced intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Yam Clinton , Crisalli Lisa , Luger Selina M. , Loren Alison W. , Hexner Elizabeth O. , Frey Noelle V. , Mangan James K. , Gao Amy , Stadtmauer Edward A. , Porter David L. , Reshef Ran
Published: May 2016

Reduced intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation (RI alloSCT) is a potentially curative treatment approach for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). It is currently unclear if older related donors are better than younger unrelated donors for patients with MDS undergoing RI alloSCT. We retrospectively studied 53 consecutive MDS patients who underwent RI alloSCT between April 2007 and June 2014 and evaluated associations between donor type and outcomes with adjustment for significant covariates. 34 patients (median age: 64 years) and 19 patients (median age: 60 years) received allografts from unrelated and related donors, respectively. Unrelated donors were younger than related donors (median age: 32 vs. 60 years, P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in baseline disease characteristics of patients receiving allografts from related or unrelated donors. Patients who received allografts from unrelated donors had a lower relapse risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.35, P = 0.012) and improved relapse‐free survival (aHR = 0.47, P = 0.018). HLA mismatched unrelated donors were associated with a higher risk of grade 2–4 acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) (HR = 4.64, P = 0.002) without an accompanying increase in the risk of non‐relapse mortality (P = 0.56). Unrelated donors provided a higher mean CD8 cell dose (P = 0.014) and were associated with higher median donor T cell chimerism at day 60 (P = 0.003) and day 100 (P = 0.03). In conclusion, patients with MDS who received allografts from unrelated donors had a lower risk of relapse and improved relapse‐free survival when compared to patients who received allografts from related donors. These findings should be confirmed in a prospective study. Am. J. Hematol. 91:883–887, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nitrogenase – eine Geschichte von Kohlenstoffatomen
Authors: Hu Yilin , Ribbe Markus W.
Published: May 2016

Die Nitrogenase, benannt nach der Fähigkeit, Stickstoff in Ammoniak umzuwandeln, hat eine überraschende Verbindung zu Kohlenstoff – einerseits durch das interstitielle Carbid im zentralen Hohlraum des Cofaktors, andererseits durch ihre Fähigkeit zur reduktiven Kohlenstoff‐Kohlenstoff‐Kupplung kleiner Kohlenstoffverbindungen zu Kohlenwasserstoffen. Neueste Studien enthüllen einen SAM‐abhängigen Radikalmechanismus für das Einbringen des Carbids in den Cofaktor. Dieser Mechanismus entspricht sowohl einem neuartigen Biosyntheseweg zu komplexen Metallclustern als auch einer neuartigen Weise der Schwefelverdrängung für die Aktivierung von Kohlenmonoxid durch die Nitrogenase. Hierbei ist das interstitielle Carbid essenziell; es verleiht dem Cofaktor eine gewisse Flexibilität bei gleichzeitiger Erhaltung der strukturellen Einheit.
Farbselektive Photokatalyse: kontrollierte Bindungsaktivierung durch Redoxpotentialregulation über die Anregungslichtfarbe
Authors: Ghosh Indrajit , König Burkhard
Published: May 2016

Katalysatoren, deren Aktivität und Selektivität durch externe Stimuli reguliert wird, können die effiziente mehrstufige Synthese von komplexen Molekülen und Pharmazeutika ermöglichen. Hier wird über die Regulation des Redoxpotentials eines Photokatalysators zur kontrollierten Aktivierung von chemischen Bindungen durch die Farbe des Anregungslichts berichtet. Die Lichtfarbenregulation der Redoxkraft eines Photokatalysators ergänzt die Photoredoxkatalyse um einen neuen Selektivitätsparameter: Anstatt den Katalysator oder die Liganden auszutauschen, reicht der Wechsel der Anregungslichtfarbe aus, um die Selektivität einer chemischen Transformation zu ändern. Auf Grundlage dieses Prinzips gelingen die selektive Aktivierung von Aryl‐Halogen‐Bindungen für C‐H‐Arylierungen und die sequenzielle Umwandlung von funktionellen Gruppen mit unterschiedlichem Reduktionspotential durch verschiedene Lichtfarben zur Anregung desselben Photokatalysators.