bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cultural Aspects of Business‐to‐Consumer (B2C) E‐commerce: Acomparative Analysis of Pakistan and Australia
Authors: Sohaib Osama , Kang Kyeong 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIt is generally believed that Business to‐Consumer (B2C) e‐commerce will help firms to improve productivity to the global market both in developing and developed countries. This study examines the extent of B2C websites communication differentiation on cultural ground. Through a content analysis, Hofstede's and Hall's cultural factors were examined in 64 B2C e‐commerce websites of Pakistan and Australia. To test for the difference an independent samples t‐test was conducted. The results show that B2C websites somehow reflects the cultural environment that surrounds the online buyers. It appears that to influence online buyers to purchase, firms need to develop culturally adapted websites. This study provides some indications that the cultural trend in B2C websites is providing opportunities to business firms to make changes to their market strategies to better trigger their online sale by targeting two different cultures.
ICT Based e‐Government Services for Rural Development: A Study of Union Information and Service Center (UISC) in Bangladesh
Authors: Hoque Md Rakibul , Sorwar Golam 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAccess to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has become increasingly important for economic, social and political aspects of any countries. However, the “digital divide” between urban and rural areas has introduced a significant gap in equally accessing information, mass communication and ICT, especially in developing countries like Bangladesh. This inequitable access has strong implication on productivity and economic growth of a country. Government of Bangladesh has introduced various ICT interventions to its rural and regional areas aiming at bridging the information access gap. Union Information and Service Centre (UISC) is one of those initiatives to bring opportunity for rural underprivileged communities to better access to ICT and information. However, no studies have been conducted to investigate UISC's potentiality to offering access to ICT and information. The aim of this study was to investigate potential effect of UISC in the development of various socio‐economic sectors in the vicinity of countryside of Bangladesh from actual beneficiary perspective. This study found that UISCs have opened a new window of opportunity for rural citizens in Bangladesh. It has the potential to empower rural communities to access information in various fields including agriculture, education, healthcare, and law. This study also found that most participants held positive view about the effectiveness and usability of various services available through the UISCs.
A Literature Review of ERP Implementation in African Countries
Authors: Tobie Armand Manga , Etoundi Roger Atsa , Zoa Jean 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis paper is a literature review of articles published in various journals and conference proceedings, dealing with the topic of the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) within African countries. It intends to help researchers interested in the topic by showing the problems that have been addressed in the research. This work also highlights open issues that can be tackled in future research in the development of African countries driven by ERP. Conferences and journals that are interested in the implementation of ERP within African countries have been identified. The paper also discusses whether the implementation of ERP is an important topic or a market place in the African continent. Based on the salient information gathered throughout this paper review, this work draws some recommendations that will contribute to the successful implementation of ERP within African countries. These recommendations go from the awareness of existing problems and solutions, the life cycle used in the implementation of ERP, to the successful implementation of ERP by avoiding failures that are linked to the African context.
The Impact of Mobile Phone Use and IKSL's Audio Messages on the Asset Base of Poor Farmers in Lucknow, India
Authors: van Baardewijk Merijn 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMobile phones have the potential to improve the lives of poor farmers, in particular in combination with specifically designed mobile phone‐based services (m‐services) that provide agricultural information. Most impact studies have measured the economic effects of mobile phones, while disregarding how these effects have come about. Therefore, this study takes a qualitative approach in order to discover the various ways in which poor farmers’ livelihoods are influenced by mobile phone use. A case study is based on the impact of an m‐service by the Indian company IKSL, which sends daily audio messages with information regarding agriculture. 45 in‐depth interviews were held with a mixed group of farmers living around Lucknow, India. The used framework is based on Duncombe's (2014) suggestions to improve the livelihoods approach, in which three asset classes are distinguished: network‐, cognitive‐ and resource based assets. Most direct impact of mobile phones is the strengthening of social networks. Cognitive assets were also improved, due to access to more timely and accurate knowledge, which in turn leads to enhanced productivity (resource‐based assets)—particularly for green SIM owners. Moreover, the mobile phone resulted in lower transaction costs which led to improvements of marketing in various ways. This research contributes to the understanding of the impact of mobile phones on poor farmers and tests the suitability of Duncombe's (2014) framework. Moreover, striking results were found that contrast previous held assumptions by scholars of ICT4D. Whereas previous scholars assumed that mobile phone use leads to a better bargaining position and increased market participation of farmers, no evidence of these effects was found in this research.
Recovery from a depressive episode during postgraduate residency training is associated with senior doctors' support
Authors: Kimura Takuma , Seo Emiko , Ogawa Ryoko , Matsumura Shinji , Maeno Tetsuhiro 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundDepression among doctors in residency training can have significant impacts on the health of the residents and on patient safety. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with recovery from a depressive episode experienced during postgraduate residency training.MethodsA questionnaire was administered to 2935 first‐year residents at the beginning of residency training in 2011; follow‐up surveys were conducted after 3 months and at the end of the training in 2013. The questionnaire included the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Senior Doctor's Support Scale (SDSS). Logistic regression was used to identify associations between factors that may have been related to recovery from depressive episodes.ResultsA total 182 residents experienced a depressive episode in the 3 months after starting residency training. When reassessed at the end of the 2‐year training, 102 (56%) residents had recovered from the episode and 80 (44%) had not. Increased odds of recovery were associated with a middle or high score on the SDSS (middle score odds ratios [OR] 4.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0‐18.0, P = .04; and high score OR 5.70, 95% CI 1.4‐23.4, P = .02).ConclusionsSupport from senior doctors should be enhanced to optimize recovery from depressive episodes experienced after the start of residency training.
Communication‐related affective, behavioral, and cognitive reactions in speakers with spasmodic dysphonia
Authors: Watts Christopher R. , Vanryckeghem Martine 
Published: December 2017

ObjectivesTo investigate the self‐perceived affective, behavioral, and cognitive reactions associated with communication of speakers with spasmodic dysphonia as a function of employment status.Study DesignProspective cross‐sectional investigationMethods148 Participants with spasmodic dysphonia (SD) completed an adapted version of the Behavior Assessment Battery (BAB‐Voice), a multidimensional assessment of self‐perceived reactions to communication. The BAB‐Voice consisted of four subtests: the Speech Situation Checklist for A) Emotional Reaction (SSC‐ER) and B) Speech Disruption (SSC‐SD), C) the Behavior Checklist (BCL), and D) the Communication Attitude Test for Adults (BigCAT). Participants were assigned to groups based on employment status (working versus retired).ResultsDescriptive comparison of the BAB‐Voice in speakers with SD to previously published non‐dysphonic speaker data revealed substantially higher scores associated with SD across all four subtests. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) revealed no significantly different BAB‐Voice subtest scores as a function of SD group status (working vs. retired).ConclusionsBAB‐Voice scores revealed that speakers with SD experienced substantial impact of their voice disorder on communication attitude, coping behaviors, and affective reactions in speaking situations as reflected in their high BAB scores. These impacts do not appear to be influenced by work status, as speakers with SD who were employed or retired experienced similar levels of affective and behavioral reactions in various speaking situations and cognitive responses. These findings are consistent with previously published pilot data. The specificity of items assessed by means of the BAB‐Voice may inform the clinician of valid patient‐centered treatment goals which target the impairment extended beyond the physiological dimension.Level of Evidence2b
Cooling slope casting of cast iron
Authors: Negm A. M. , Abdallah Sayed A. , Ibrahim M. , Mahmoud T. S. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe aim of the present work is to study the effect of semi‐solid processing using cooling slope method on the microstructure and mechanical properties of grey cast iron. A water cooled castable cement coated steel plate with a variable inclination angle is used to make a mechanical treatment on the semi‐solid flow of grey cast iron. The experiment is repeated for three different pouring temperatures and three inclination angles. The tensile test, hardness test and microstructure examination is used to compare the new properties of the new resulting grey cast irons. The results show that the sharp edged carbon flakes can be refined and the mechanical properties is enhanced. The carbon particles average circularity is increased followed with a decrease in carbon particle size due to the effect of the cooling plate.
Coloration and structure behavior after silver and copper nanoparticles formation in soda lime glass
Authors: Chorfa A. , Belkhir N. , Belbali A. , Rubio F. , Rubio J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this work, an ion exchange non‐conventional process commonly called ancient painting process without using molten salts is used as a method for glass coloring. In this process of coloration, a mixture of metallic particles with kaolin and arabic adhesive is applied on the soda lime glass surface. Afterwards, the painted glass is submitted to the heat treatment to obtain the color. A comparative study is carried out in order to investigate the diffusion of metallic nanoparticles (silver and copper) in soda lime glasses depending on several parameters as the concentration and composition of stain spread on glass, and the heat treatment temperature. Characterization of the composition and structure of the painted glasses is performed by UV‐visible spectroscopy. In addition, nanoindentation and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDS) techniques are used to determine the penetration of metallic nanoparticles into glass. The obtained result shows that the coloration of painted glass differs and depends on the concentration and the kind of the mixture of the paw. Moreover, it was found that the effect of the heat treatment temperature is primordial on the formation and diffusion of metallic nanoparticles.
Deformation mechanism of highly textured AZ31 sheet under high strain rates
Authors: Liu Y. , Mao P. , Liu Z. , Ju X. , Wang Z. , Wang F. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this study, in‐plane tension behavior of AZ31 magnesium sheet was measured in rolling direction, transverse direction and 45° direction under high strain rates of 600 s‐1, 1200 s‐1 and 2400 s‐1 at room temperature using a Split Hopkinson Tension Bar (SHTB). The microstructures after high strain rates deformation were observed by optical micrography. The anisotropic behavior was negligible and marginally positive strain rate effects were observed in all deformation directions. Texture analysis of the sheet demonstrated that three possible deformation mechanisms could apply to AZ31 magnesium alloy sheet under high strain rates tension, those are
contraction twinning and/or
‐
double twinning, prismatic slip and <c+a> pyramidal slip. The volume fraction of twinning was decreased with strain rate increasing. Dynamic recrystallization took place upon the strain rate of 2400 s‐1 and the dynamic recrystallization mechanism was attributed to the twinning‐induced dynamic recrystallization.
The performance of EWMA median and CUSUM median control charts for a normal process with measurement errors
Authors: Cheng Xiao‐Bin , Wang Fu‐Kwun 
Published: December 2017

AbstractMeasurement error is often occurred in statistical process control. The effect of a linearly covariate error model on the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) median and cumulative sum (CUSUM) median charts is investigated. The results indicate that the EWMA median and CUSUM median charts are significantly affected in the presence of measurement errors. We compared the performance of the EWMA median and CUSUM median charts by using Markov chain method in the average run length and the standard deviation of the run length. We concluded that the CUSUM median chart for small shifts and the EWMA median chart for larger shifts are recommended. Two examples are provided to illustrate the application of the EWMA and CUSUM median charts with measurement errors.
An algorithmic hypergraph regularity lemma
Authors: Nagle Brendan , Rödl Vojtěch , Schacht Mathias 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSzemerédi 's Regularity Lemma is a powerful tool in graph theory. It asserts that all large graphs admit bounded partitions of their edge sets, most classes of which consist of uniformly distributed edges. The original proof of this result was nonconstructive, and a constructive proof was later given by Alon, Duke, Lefmann, Rödl, and Yuster. Szemerédi's Regularity Lemma was extended to hypergraphs by various authors. Frankl and Rödl gave one such extension in the case of 3‐uniform hypergraphs, which was later extended to k‐uniform hypergraphs by Rödl and Skokan. W.T. Gowers gave another such extension, using a different concept of regularity than that of Frankl, Rödl, and Skokan. Here, we give a constructive proof of a regularity lemma for hypergraphs.
Interactive system with explanation function for real‐time railway crew rescheduling
Authors: Yamada Takaaki , Sato Tatsuhiro , Tomiyama Tomoe , Ueki Nobutaka 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTo win a user's trust while railway crew rescheduling by interactively explaining the reason(s) for the solution calculated by a computer, we propose a schema for describing crew rescheduling patterns in an ‘if‐then‐because’ format, an improved method for controlling user interaction based on the patterns, and a cognitive model of the user in a state‐transition form. An improved system developed using the proposed method generates crew schedules automatically by using a rule base comprising 30 patterns. Characteristic of the improved system is the use of ‘because’ information for explaining the computing process. System tests with an actual schedule for crews and trains in a railway line demonstrate that interactive processing with the help of an explanation function better visualizes the computing process. We evaluate our improved system by think‐aloud testing. Protocol analysis of verbal comments revealed that the user state was transited in accordance with our design intent that the user state for interpreting ‘because’ information plays a hub role in the decision making: users spent 28% of their time interpreting ‘because’ information. Questionnaire survey results show that contribution of the explanation is 34%. Interactive rescheduling with the help of an explanation function is practical for real‐time railway crew rescheduling.
Unmasking the benefits of donepezil via psychometrically precise identification of mild cognitive impairment: A secondary analysis of the ADCS vitamin E and donepezil in MCI study
Authors: Edmonds Emily C. , Ard M. Colin , Edland Steven D. , Galasko Douglas R. , Salmon David P. , Bondi Mark W. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIntroductionCriteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) used in many clinical trials are susceptible to “false‐positive (FP)” errors that can be avoided by an actuarial psychometric approach.MethodsCluster analysis was applied to baseline neuropsychological test data from 756 MCI participants in the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study donepezil trial. Treatment groups were compared after FP MCI cases were removed.ResultsCluster analyses revealed three groups: “single‐domain amnestic MCI” (31%), “multi‐domain amnestic MCI” (39%), and “FP MCI” (30%). After removing FP MCI cases, the donepezil treatment group had a lower rate of progression to Alzheimer's disease and better performance on cognitive tests than the placebo/vitamin E group.DiscussionRemoval of FP MCI diagnoses unmasked beneficial effects of donepezil, despite a 30% reduction in sample size. MCI subject selection based on actuarial methods with comprehensive neuropsychological test data can result in more efficient clinical trials and improved ability to detect treatment effects.
Soul rebels and dubby conquerors. Reggae and dancehall music in Germany in the 1990s and early 2000s
Authors: Pfleiderer Martin 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn the 1990s, a vibrant reggae and dancehall scene emerged in several German cities, and in the early 2000s songs of reggae artists such as Gentleman, Seeed or Jan Delay rose to the top of the German pop charts. In this article, the German reggae scene of this time is depicted in respect to its formation, infrastructure, transnational relationships and sub-genres, and is related to general social and cultural developments in reunited Germany, e.g. a new national self-consciousness, tendencies towards a multi-ethnic society and new kinds of youth scenes. These findings are illustrated by a close reading of two songs from the seminal albumsSearching for the Jan Soul Rebelsby Jan Delay andNew Dubby Conquerorsby Seeed, both released in 2001. While Jan Delay's lyrics reflect the singer's commitment to the antifascist youth scene, Seeed celebrates a hedonistic lifestyle in the new capital Berlin.
A CYCLIC-TIME MODEL FOR ECLIPSE PREDICTION IN MESOAMERICA AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE ECLIPSE TABLE IN THE DRESDEN CODEX
Authors: Justeson John 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study describes, illustrates, and applies an “eclipse family” representation for the cyclic timing of eclipses in Mesoamerica. This theoretical construct is based on daykeepers’ approach to divination, anchored in the divinatory calendar (DC); empirically, it emerges from data on the timing of eclipses in Lowland Mayan1territory between 100b.c.e.and 1500c.e.drawn from Espenak and Meuss's (2007, 2009) eclipse canons.An eclipse family consists of a sequence of stations on which an eclipse might be visible in Mesoamerica – one every 88 new or full moons for 170 to 200 years, restricted to one of three DC zones. Cyclic and linear time relationships among dates of eclipses follow from this representation: intervals between successive stations in concurrent families in the same zone, and between successive stations across zones; between successive families in a zone; and among the first or last stations of families, within and across zones.One and only one eclipse-family representation fits the lunar stations of the Dresden Codex; its properties show that it is a solar eclipse table. In real time, the table pertains to a 405-month interval sometime between 1076 and 1148c.e., most likely from April 19, 1083c.e.to January 16, 1116c.e.
Central role of myeloid MCPIP1 in protecting against LPS-induced inflammation and lung injury
Authors: Li Yong , Huang Xuan , Huang Shengping , He Hui , Lei Tianhua , Saaoud Fatma , Yu Xiao-Qiang , Melnick Ari , Kumar Anil , Papasian Christopher J , Fan Daping , Fu Mingui 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAlthough systemic inflammatory responses attributable to infection may lead to significant lung injury, the precise molecular mechanisms leading to lung damage are poorly understood and therapeutic options remain limited. Here, we show that myeloid monocyte chemotactic protein-inducible protein 1 (MCPIP1) plays a central role in protecting against LPS-induced inflammation and lung injury. Myeloid-specific MCPIP1 knockout mice developed spontaneous inflammatory syndromes, but at a late age compared to global MCPIP1 knockout mice. Moreover, mice with a myeloid-specific deletion of MCPIP1 were extremely sensitive to LPS-induced lung injury due to overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. We identified C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ, two critical transcriptional factors that drive cytokine production and lung injury, as targets of MCPIP1 RNase. LPS administration caused MCPIP1 protein degradation in the lungs. Pharmacological inhibition of MALT1, a paracaspase that cleaves MCPIP1, by MI-2 selectively increased the MCPIP1 protein levels in macrophages and in the lungs. Meanwhile, administration of MI-2 protected mice from LPS-induced inflammation, lung injury and death. Collectively, these results indicate that myeloid MCPIP1 is central in controlling LPS-induced inflammation and lung injury. Pharmacological inhibition of MALT1 protease activity may be a good strategy to treat inflammatory diseases by enhancing MCPIP1 expression in myeloid cells.