bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling Monetary Policy In South Africa: Focus On Inflation Targeting Era Using A Simple Learning Rule
Authors: Naraidoo Ruthira , Gupta Rangan 
Published: February 2016

A simple empirical nonlinear framework is used to analyze monetary policy between 1983 and 2007 in South Africa, focusing on the policy of inflation targeting introduced in Feb 2000, more precisely when the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) announced that an inflation zone targeting regime of 3-6% would be in place. We find that a model specification embodying a simple ‘inflation learning rule’ for the future inflation rate seems to provide a better understanding of the decision process made by the SARB in its interest rate setting policy. The main findings are: 1) that the adoption of inflation targeting led to significant changes in monetary policy, 2) post-2000 monetary policy is asymmetric as policymakers respond more to downward deviation of inflation away from the target, 3) post-2000 policymakers may be attempting to keep inflation within the 4.5%–6.9% range rather than pursuing a target zone of 3-6%, as generally pre-announced, and 4) the response of monetary policy to inflation is nonlinear as interest rates respond more when inflation is further from the target.
A Conceptual Study Of Privatization Of Public Enterprises And Industrial Relations Practice In A Mixed Recessional Economy
Authors: Akintayo D. I. 
Published: February 2016

This paper examines the effect of privatization of public enterprises on industrial relations practice in a mixed recessional economy. This is with a view to ascertaining the economic effect of privatization on labour–management relations in Nigeria. The qualitative approach was adopted for this study. The paper submits that privatized public enterprises in a recessional economy does not create enabling environment for harmonious labour–management relations. Also, it is established that though privatization policy implementation enhances efficiency and improved workers’ performance, however, retrenchment and job insecurity of the workers are always the resultant effects of any privatized public enterprises. Therefore, it is recommended that privatization policy implementation should be normally be designed to guarantee workers’ job security, while pragmatic efforts towards sustaining the level of efficiency and productivity attained by the privatized public enterprises should always be given a priority.
Cost/Benefit Evaluation Of Sulaibiya Wastewater Treatment Plant In Kuwait
Authors: Alhumoud Jasem M. , Al-Humaidi Hanouf , Al-Ghusain Ibrahim N. , Alhumoud Ali M. 
Published: February 2016

In May 2001, the Government of Kuwait awarded a build, operate and transfer (BOT) contract to a local company to finance, design, build and operate an advanced wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) at Sulaibiya. The contract has a 30-year life, comprising 30 months of design and build and 27.5 years of operation and management. The total project cost was K.D. 116 million (US$ 442 million). The Sulaibiya plant currently treats up to 375 million imperial gallons. It is designed for extension to 600 million imperial gallons and is the first of its kind to be built in the Middle East. It is the largest in the world to use ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) for water purification. Ultrafiltration will remove all suspended solids and will provide a substantial reduction in micro biological activities. The main obstacle against the use of ultrafiltration membranes for WWTP has always been the higher operating cost of ultrafiltration. Up until now, this higher cost has prevented implementation of UF in all plants. A new membrane has been designed with the aim of tailoring it toward lowest total cost of ownership. Typical operating conditions have been used to quantify the following parameters for a potential large scale wastewater treatment system (UF + RO): amortization of investment in UF membranes and equipment; operating costs of the UF system; reduction in operating costs of the RO, when being compared against a conventional treatment system; and the increased output of the RO plant due to higher availability and shorter construction time. The total cost of ownership of a UF based RO plant has been determined (expressed in US$/m3 of water produced). Taking all factors into account, the total cost of ownership of a dual membrane WWTP (UF + RO) will be 2–7% lower than the total cost of ownership of on conventional retreatment plant.
An Investigation Of The Comparative Impact Of Degree Of Implementation Of IFRS Upon The Public And Private Information Quality Of Asia Pacific Country Firms
Authors: Djatej Arsen , Gao Grace , Sarikas Robert H.S. , Senteney David L. 
Published: February 2016

This research investigates the comparative quality of public and private information environments between firms domiciled in 15 Asia Pacific countries of which seven are characterized as market supportive institutional infrastructure. Our empirical analyses examine the comparative quality of public and private information components of equity securities analysts’ earnings forecasts for Asia Pacific firms, while controlling for firms cross-listing on U.S. equity securities exchanges and country of domicile degree of implementation of IFRS. Our results indicate that the quality of private information is higher for non-market supportive infrastructure countries, as compared to market-supportive infrastructure countries of domicile, and the quality of public information is higher for market-supportive infrastructure as compared to non-market-supportive infrastructure countries of domicile. Furthermore, and particularly noteworthy, is that our results indicate that country of domicile degree of implementation of IFRS increases the quality of public information and decreases the quality of private information for both market-supportive infrastructure and non-market-supportive infrastructure countries of domicile, and also that the decrease in the quality of private and increase in the quality of public information associated with degree of implementation of IFRS are significantly more pronounced for market-supportive infrastructure countries relative to non-market-Supportive infrastructure countries of domicile. We believe that our results suggest that IFRS is more beneficial for countries having market supportive institutional infrastructure in place as compared with those who do not.
Desain Dakwah Untuk Pembinaan Keagamaan Komunitas Elit Intelektual
Authors: Bukhari Bukhari 
Published: February 2016

Dakwah must be designed dynamically to be able to respond various problems. One of dakwah objects that should be specifically considered is intellectual community. They are educated people who are used to think critically, objectively and systematically. They prioritize brain works over muscle ones. To face them we need to prepare special dakwah approaches that move and lead their mind and direct their contaminated ideas, and dakwah subjects that are suitable to their intelligence and religious understanding.
To meet such requirements, dakwah institutions should recruit preachers whose excellent capabilities of academic and social aspects. With academic capabilities, preachers can deliver dakwah by logic methods. In addition, they can construct dakwah materials based on logical arguments. With social capabilities, preachers find it easier to know dakwah objects’ characteristics. Therefore, preachers do not find any obstacle to enter into intellectual communities as their dakwah objects.
Physiotherapy Intervention During Level I of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: de Alvarenga Guilherme Medeiros , Remigio Gamba Humberto , Elisa Hellman Lilian , Ganzert Ferrari Vanusa , Michel de Macedo Rafael 
Published: February 2016

Background:The progressive and chronic course of COPD, characterized by difficulty in breathing, can be aggravated by periods of increased symptoms (exacerbation). The treatment often involves in-hospital care and among the interventions applied in COPD patients, physical therapy prompts good results. However the most used techniques are not properly pinpointed and there is no consensus in the literature regarding its effectiveness.Methods:A systematic review was performed to identify which physical therapy treatment was applied in these cases. The following bibliographic databases were consulted: PubMed, and Bireme Portal, Periódicos Capes. Controlled randomized clinical trials that is under went physical therapy intervention in patients hospitalized for exacerbated COPD without the use of NIV (non-invasive ventilation) were included in the study. The PEDro scale, which has a score of 0-10, was used to evaluate the quality of studies included in this review.Results:The electronic search yielded a total of 302 references published in English, of which only 6 met the criteria for inclusion and exclusion.Conclusion:It is possible to infer that physiotherapy’s techniques used in patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbation, based on this review, were the high frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) on the chest; relaxing massage and active exercises, electrical stimulation via electro-acupuncture; strengthening of the quadriceps; the ELTGOL bronchial drainage technique (expiration with the glottis open in the lateral posture) and an incentive spirometer.
Coats’ Disease: Very Long-Term Outcome After Early Stage Conventional Treatment
Authors: Perrone Salvatore , Rossetti Alberto , Sportiello Patrick , Mirabelli Pierfrancesco , Cimatti Pierangela , Doro Daniele 
Published: February 2016

Purpose:
To report on the outcome of conventional therapy in patients with Coats’ disease.

Methods:
Retrospective analysis of the charts of thirteen patients with Coats’ disease.

Results:
Mean age of 9 male (70%) and 4 female (30%) patients was 17.7 (range, 5-33) years; one female had bilateral disease. Eleven eyes with retinal telangiectasia and exudation were treated with argon laser photocoagulation alone or photocoagulation associated with cryotherapy; the mean follow up was 32.5 (range,17-41) years. In four eyes without foveal involvement (stage 2a) the mean presenting visual acuity (VA) remained at 0.8 or improved, whereas poor VA in seven stage 2b eyes deteriorated minimally over time. In one and two of the three eyes with total retinal detachment, phthisis or neovascular glaucoma ensued.

Conclusion:
About three decades after conventional treatment of Coats’ disease stage 2a, treated eyes maintained good VA, and stage 2b eyes did not progress to advanced stages.
A MODEL FOR THE DUST ENVELOPE OF THE SILICATE CARBON STAR IRAS 09425-6040
Authors: Suh Kyung-Won 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT
IRAS 09425-6040 (I09425) is a silicate carbon star with conspicuous crystalline silicate and water-ice features and emission excesses in the far-infrared and millimeter (mm) wavelength ranges. To understand properties of the dust envelope of I09425, we propose a physical model based on the observations and known properties of asymptotic giant branch stars and dust. We perform radiative transfer model calculations using multiple dust shells and disks with various dust species. We compare the model results with the observed spectral energy distribution (SED) acquired with different telescopes. We find that the physical model for I09425 using multiple shells of carbon and silicate dust and multiple disks of amorphous and crystalline silicates reproduces the observed SED fairly well. This object looks to have detached cold O-rich (silicate and water-ice) dust shells, which could be remnants of the recent chemical transition from O to C and an inner C-rich dust shell. A long-lived thin disk of very large silicate grains can reproduce the emission excess in the mm wavelength band and a recently formed thick disk of crystalline silicates can reproduce the prominent emission features in the spectral range 8–45 μm. The highly crystallized silicates could be recently formed by high temperature annealing due to the last O-rich superwind just before the chemical transition of the central star. I09425 could be a rare object that has the remnants of past O-rich stellar winds in the outer shells as well as in the circumbinary disks.
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON EMISSION IN SPITZER/IRS MAPS. I. CATALOG AND SIMPLE DIAGNOSTICS
Authors: Stock D. J. , Choi W. D.-Y. , Moya L. G. V. , Otaguro J. N. , Sorkhou S. , Allamandola L. J. , Tielens A. G. G. M. , Peeters E. 
Published: February 2016

ABSTRACT
We present a sample of resolved galactic H ii regions and photodissociation regions (PDRs) observed with the Spitzer infrared spectrograph in spectral mapping mode between the wavelengths of 5–15 μm. For each object we have spectral maps at a spatial resolution of ∼4″ in which we have measured all of the mid-infrared emission and absorption features. These include the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission bands, primarily at 6.2, 7.7, 8.6, 11.2, and 12.7 μm, as well as the spectral emission lines of neon and sulfur and the absorption band caused by silicate dust at around 9.8 μm. In this work we describe the data in detail, including the data reduction and measurement strategies, and subsequently present the PAH emission band intensity correlations for each of the objects and the sample as a whole. We find that there are distinct differences between the sources in the sample, with two main groups: the first comprising the H ii regions and the second the reflection nebulae (RNe). Three sources—the reflection nebula NGC 7023, the Horsehead nebula PDR (an interface between the H ii region IC 434 and the Orion B molecular cloud), and M17—resist this categorization, with the Horsehead PDR points mimicking the RNe and the NGC 7023 fluxes displaying a unique bifurcated appearance in our correlation plots. These discrepancies seem to be due to the very low radiation field experienced by the Horsehead PDR and the very clean separation between the PDR environment and a diffuse environment in the NGC 7023 observations.
“Won't You Be My Patient?”: Preparing Theater Students as Standardized Patients
Authors: Hart Julie A. , Chilcote Deborah R. 
Published: February 2016

Background:
Simulation in nursing education is a well-supported teaching strategy. High-fidelity manikins provide students with an opportunity to practice nursing care in a safe environment. Yet, limitations such as lack of realism and inability to practice therapeutic communication have been reported. However, standardized patients (SPs)—actors trained to portray patients with medical issues—provide students with realistic patient situations and opportunities to develop essential skills.

Method:
A literature review identified barriers to utilizing SP-based simulations. Issues such as financial, human resource, and quality control concerns were identified.

Results:
Based on identified barriers, an innovative, interdisciplinary course to prepare theater students to portray patients for simulations is proposed. This proposed course could potentially eliminate identified barriers and increase use of SPs.

Conclusion:

Because this is a proposed course, the authors recommend testing of the innovation to determine the effectiveness for both nursing and theater students. [
J Nurs Educ.
2016;55(3):168–171.]
Strategies for Building Advocacy Skills Among Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing Students
Authors: Peltzer Jill N. , Teel Cynthia S. , Frank-Ragan Elaine , Nelson-Brantley Heather V. 
Published: February 2016

Background:
Nursing faculty are challenged to create learning experiences that both reflect the complexities of the current health care system and are relevant. Experiential learning opportunities should promote engagement in health care that extends beyond direct patient care to advocacy in larger systems.

Method:

To meet this challenge, faculty developed course assignments for students at baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels in which students worked with state Action Coalitions to implement the Institute of Medicine
Future of Nursing
report's eight recommendations. With faculty guidance, student teams developed and implemented projects or conducted research to assist the coalitions in their grassroots initiatives.

Results:

Students at all program levels reported high levels of satisfaction and engagement with these unique projects. Students reported understanding the importance of the
Future of Nursing
recommendations and intended to continue participating in statewide initiatives.

Conclusion:

Experiential learning opportunities at all program levels can engage students in learning more about advocacy, health care trends, and leadership. [
J Nurs Educ
. 2016;55(3):177–181.]
Dynamic Simulation of Crank-group Driving Mechanism with Clearance
Authors: Liu Yansong , Cao Jujiang 
Published: February 2016

The crank-group driving mechanism includes a group of redundant constraints. This mechanism can move as a driving mechanism under ideal conditions, but it may be stuck because of the processing errors in practical applications. So, some clearances are reserved between the pin hole and the pin to ensure that the crank-group driving mechanism can achieve normal movement, but these clearances inevitably affect the dynamic performance of the output member. In this paper, the dynamic simulation model of the crank-group driving mechanism is established by NX/Motion Simulation which is based on the 3-D model of planar link mechanism. The comparative analysis is made about the dynamic characteristics of the mechanism which is influenced by different clearances, different angular velocity, different damping, and make a qualitative analysis how the clearances affects the dynamic performance of the output member. The simulation results also show that appropriately increasing the angular velocity, increasing stiffness and damping of the components can effectively inhibit the adverse influences of clearance on the dynamic characteristics of the mechanism.
Improved retrieval of gas abundances from near-infrared solar FTIR spectra measured at the Karlsruhe TCCON station
Authors: Kiel M. , Wunch D. , Wennberg P. O. , Toon G. C. , Hase F. , Blumenstock T. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract. We present a modified retrieval strategy for solar absorption spectra recorded by the Karlsruhe Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, which is operational within the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). In typical TCCON stations, the 3800–11 000 cm−1 spectral region is measured on a single extended Indium Gallium Arsenide (InGaAs) detector. The Karlsruhe setup instead splits the spectrum across an Indium Antimonide (InSb) and InGaAs detector through the use of a dichroic beam splitter. This permits measurements further into the mid-infrared (MIR) that are of scientific interest, but are not considered TCCON measurements. This optical setup induces, however, larger variations in the continuum level of the solar spectra than the typical TCCON setup. Here we investigate the appropriate treatment of continuum-level variations in the retrieval strategy using the spectra recorded in Karlsruhe. The broad spectral windows used by TCCON require special attention with respect to residual curvature in the spectral fits. To accommodate the unique setup of Karlsruhe, higher-order discrete Legendre polynomial basis functions have been enabled in the TCCON retrieval code to fit the continuum. This improves spectral fits and air-mass dependencies for affected spectral windows. After fitting the continuum curvature, the Karlsruhe greenhouse gas records are in good agreement with other European TCCON data sets.
Planar magnetic structures in coronal mass ejection-driven sheath regions
Authors: Palmerio Erika , Kilpua Emilia K. J. , Savani Neel P. 
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Planar magnetic structures (PMSs) are periods in the solar wind during which interplanetary magnetic field vectors are nearly parallel to a single plane. One of the specific regions where PMSs have been reported are coronal mass ejection (CME)-driven sheaths. We use here an automated method to identify PMSs in 95 CME sheath regions observed in situ by the Wind and ACE spacecraft between 1997 and 2015. The occurrence and location of the PMSs are related to various shock, sheath, and CME properties. We find that PMSs are ubiquitous in CME sheaths; 85 % of the studied sheath regions had PMSs with the mean duration of 6 h. In about one-third of the cases the magnetic field vectors followed a single PMS plane that covered a significant part (at least 67 %) of the sheath region. Our analysis gives strong support for two suggested PMS formation mechanisms: the amplification and alignment of solar wind discontinuities near the CME-driven shock and the draping of the magnetic field lines around the CME ejecta. For example, we found that the shock and PMS plane normals generally coincided for the events where the PMSs occurred near the shock (68 % of the PMS plane normals near the shock were separated by less than 20° from the shock normal), while deviations were clearly larger when PMSs occurred close to the ejecta leading edge. In addition, PMSs near the shock were generally associated with lower upstream plasma beta than the cases where PMSs occurred near the leading edge of the CME. We also demonstrate that the planar parts of the sheath contain a higher amount of strong southward magnetic field than the non-planar parts, suggesting that planar sheaths are more likely to drive magnetospheric activity.
Wind tunnel experiments: cold-air pooling and atmospheric decoupling above a melting snow patch
Authors: Mott Rebecca , Paterna Enrico , Horender Stefan , Crivelli Philip , Lehning Michael 
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The longevity of perennial snowfields is not fully understood, but it is known that strong atmospheric stability and thus boundary-layer decoupling limit the amount of (sensible and latent) heat that can be transmitted from the atmosphere to the snow surface. The strong stability is typically caused by two factors, (i) the temperature difference between the (melting) snow surface and the near-surface atmosphere and (ii) cold-air pooling in topographic depressions. These factors are almost always a prerequisite for perennial snowfields to exist. For the first time, this contribution investigates the relative importance of the two factors in a controlled wind tunnel environment. Vertical profiles of sensible heat and momentum fluxes are measured using two-component hot-wire and one-component cold-wire anemometry directly over the melting snow patch. The comparison between a flat snow surface and one that has a depression shows that atmospheric decoupling is strongly increased in the case of topographic sheltering but only for low to moderate wind speeds. For those conditions, the near-surface suppression of turbulent mixing was observed to be strongest, and the ambient flow was decoupled from the surface, enhancing near-surface atmospheric stability over the single snow patch.