bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Cooperative Development And Strategy
Authors: Carvalho Adriano Dias de 
Published: April 2012

Cooperatives are organizations with great potential and possibilities to stir social change. In face of economic difficulties, cooperative is an option to take advantage of the existing productive power and, once authorized to operate as financial institution, they can face the economical instability and work to improve people welfare. This paper is a study on possible emergent strategy in a credit cooperative in the south of Minas Gerais, aiming at proposing an introduction of a competitive strategy to the organizational development. It was observed as a theoretical referential the origin and the development of cooperativism, some ways of management which aim at strategic planning.World tendency clearly shows that, even though the cooperativism segment has become one of the most developed segments in the last years, this system is still trying to solve problems of strategic formulation and organizational placement, aiming at developing a segmented financial market, much more competitive.To propose of a strategy to the cooperative studied, gain importance when we analyze the financial market context, since this segment is one of the most regulated and organized on the world. At the end of the study, are detect the main points that can collaborate significantly to the development of this cooperative, showing as proposal suggestion of management pacing and strategic development.
Survey Some of the Factors Influencing Ethical Judgments of the Earnings Management
Authors: Nowghabi Mohammad Hossein Vadiei , Anbarani Saleh 
Published: April 2012

Earnings management is using judgment in reporting financial results and in structuring transactions to either mislead some stakeholders about the underlying economic performance of the company or to influence contractual outcomes that depend on reported accounting numbers (Kaplan, 2001).This study investigates the ethical perception of students concerning different earnings management scenarios. A questionnaire is used to measure the ethical perception of the respondents concerning 15 earnings management scenarios. The questionnaire is based on the questionnaire of Merchant (1994) and Fischer and Rosenzweig (1995). Sample including Fields of accounting and non- accounting (management and economics) all the senior students admission to universities public of Iran. The results of the 250 questionnaires indicate that: (1) There is a significant difference between knowledge ethical operating earnings management and accounting earnings management. (2) There is a significant difference between knowledge ethical earnings management that decrease earnings and earnings management that increase earnings. (3) There is a significant difference between knowledge ethical earnings management that affect earnings on a quarterly basis than earnings management that affect earnings on a yearly basis.
Citizens Satisfaction with Local Governments in Argentine: Key Predictors
Authors: Nigro Oscar 
Published: April 2012

The causes which influence the Citizens Satisfaction with Local Governments may be direct or indirect, and for this reason much research has been developed with the objective to discover a model or methodology. For this work was taken as a measurement instrument to collect data a questionnaire based on a model that adapts to the data from an integrated between the European Consumer Satisfaction Index (ECSI) (Eklöf, 2000) and the ECSI revised Chenn (Chenn, 2009) as a representation of domain knowledge. With a structured interview card and pre-coded, the sample design adopted was probabilistic multistage cluster with selectable final drive to set quotas for sex, age and area. We selected surveyed between over 18 years citizens of Tandil (Argentine) of 123,000 inhabitants. This city divided into zones based on socioeconomic characteristics and obtained 401 valid questionnaires. We found that the model explained 65% of citizen satisfaction and 55% of the loyalty of the same with the local leadership.
Contributions of Humanitarian Agencies among Refugees and Host Communities in Handeni District, Tanzania
Authors: Jagero Nelson , Asasira Timothy 
Published: April 2012

This study focused on the Contributions of Humanitarian agencies among refugees and host communities in Handeni District, Tanzania. A sample of 420 respondents was taken for study using simple random and purposive sampling, while data was analyzed using the SPSS computer package. The findings considered the following as critical for resolution, promotion of dialogue between refugees and the host communities and change of perception and attitude towards refugees considered naturally violent. This has been reduced through peace campaigns by humanitarian agencies to ensure co-existence between refugees and host community. Issues on resource sharing, capacity building extension workers, ensuring basic services of equality as those available for host authority populations are provided to the refugees, developing a range of options with levels of self-help and related costs and loans relative to sanitation as they explore opportunities brought about by refugees.Keywords: Refugee, humanitarian agencies, host communities, Tanzania
Japan: colonization and settlement
Authors: Taylor Kate E. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAs a collection of islands close to the regions that would eventually become modern‐day China and Korea, Japan in its early form was heavily indebted to the influences of those traveling across Asia. It is generally considered that modern Japanese culture began with the mingling of the Jōmon civilization with the arrival of Korean and Chinese refugees from the aggression taking place during the Qin and Han dynasties (221BCE–9CE). In 250BCEthe Yamato state unified Japan and involved itself extensively in the activities of Korea and China; there was constant cross‐immigration and settlement between these areas. This settlement and interaction, however, was drastically reduced around the time of the Tang dynasty in China, which saw Japan retreat from international affairs. After 918CEthe nation had little international contact, concentrating instead on internal civil wars. From very early on Japanese colonization and settlement was thus more internal than external. Various tribes conquered and settled land from their neighbors until the Minamoto dynasty emerged triumphant at the end of the 12th century.
An Elastomeric Poly(Thiophene‐EDOT) Composite with a Dynamically Variable Permeability Towards Organic and Water Vapors
Authors: Martin Brett D. , Justin Gusphyl A. , Moore Martin H. , Naciri Jawad , Mazure Theresa , Melde Brian J. , Stroud Rhonda M. , Ratna Banahalli 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAn interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) material with controllable nanoporosity is developed for applications such as chemical protection. The IPN material is based on a conducting polymer backbone consisting of thiophene and 3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) repeat units–poly(thiophene‐EDOT)–formed within a soft polyurethane support. The IPN demonstrates reversible, electrochemically switchable nanoporosity in the absence of standard liquid electrolyte, with the oxidized state being the open (high porosity) state and the reduced state being the closed (low porosity) state. The switching of the IPN between its oxidized (open) and reduced (closed) states is actuated using application of ±1.0 V. The variability in the IPN porosity, induced by the electrochemical switching, is revealed by large changes in water vapor diffusivity, as well as changes in the diffusivities of the chemical agent simulants chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) and methyl salicylate (MeS). The closed state of the IPN is able to decrease CEES diffusivity by ≈99% compared to expanded Teflon (ePTFE), while the open state allows high MVT rates comparable to ePTFE. The IPN's ability to allow high MVT under non‐threat conditions (open state) and high protection from agents under threat conditions (closed state) is a unique and desirable characteristic of this novel IPN material.
Origin of Enhanced Hole Injection in Inverted Organic Devices with Electron Accepting Interlayer
Authors: Small Cephas E. , Tsang Sai‐Wing , Kido Junji , So Shu Kong , So Franky 
Published: April 2012

AbstractConventional organic light emitting devices have a bottom buffer interlayer placed underneath the hole transporting layer (HTL) to improve hole injection from the indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. In this work, a substantial enhancement in hole injection efficiency is demonstrated when an electron accepting interlayer is evaporated on top of the HTL in an inverted device along with a top hole injection anode compared with the conventional device with a bottom hole injection anode. Current–voltage and space‐charge‐limited dark injection (DI‐SCLC) measurements were used to characterize the conventional and inverted N,N′‐diphenyl‐N,N′‐bis(1‐naphthyl)(1,1′biphenyl)‐4,4′diamine (NPB) hole‐only devices with either molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) or 1,4,5,8,9,11‐hexaazatriphenylene hexacarbonitrile (HAT‐CN) as the interlayer. Both normal and inverted devices with HAT‐CN showed significantly higher injection efficiencies compared to similar devices with MoO3, with the inverted device with HAT‐CN as the interlayer showing a hole injection efficiency close to 100%. The results from doping NPB with MoO3 or HAT‐CN confirmed that the injection efficiency enhancements in the inverted devices were due to the enhanced charge transfer at the electron acceptor/NPB interface.
Injectable and Biodegradable Nanohybrid Polymers with Simultaneously Enhanced Stiffness and Toughness for Bone Repair
Authors: Cai Lei , Chen Jihua , Rondinone Adam J. , Wang Shanfeng 
Published: April 2012

AbstractA series of novel injectable and photo‐crosslinkable poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF)‐co‐polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) copolymers are synthesized via two‐step polycondensation to improve both stiffness and toughness and to promote biological performance of bone tissue engineering scaffolds. The viscoelastic behavior of uncrosslinked PPF‐co‐POSS and the thermal, mechanical, and surface characteristics of photo‐crosslinked PPF‐co‐POSS are investigated as well as the degradation behavior and microscopic POSS domain structures at various weight compositions of POSS (ϕPOSS). Tensile and compressive moduli and facture toughness are enhanced for crosslinked PPF‐co‐POSS when POSS nanocages are well distributed and their crystallinity is completely confined in the networks. Decreases in these mechanical properties are observed at higher ϕPOSS because of decreased crosslinking density and larger POSS aggregates. The mechanical properties are correlated with in vitro mouse pre‐osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cell functions including cell attachment, spreading, proliferation, differentiation, and gene expression, which all maximize at ϕPOSS of 10%.
Real exact solutions to the relativistic spinless particle with modified Rosen–Morse potential and its 𝒫𝒯 symmetry
Authors: Qiang W.‐C. , Sun G.‐H. , Dong S.‐H. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe real exact solutions to the relativistic spinless particle with modified Rosen–Morse potential are presented. The novel issue is that the previously obtained eigenfunctions related to this type of potential in an imaginary variable i sinh (α x) (Dirac case) can be expressed by the real Nomanovski polynomials. The energy levels are calculated numerically. It is interesting to note that the energy levels first increase with the parameter V1 (V1<0) and then decrease with it. In the case of the 𝒫𝒯 symmetric version it is found that the eigenvalues are real even though the 𝒫𝒯 symmetric potentials are non‐Hermitian.
Controllable structure, properties, and degradation of the electrospun PLGA/PLA‐blended nanofibrous scaffolds
Authors: Liu Hua , Wang Shudong , Qi Ning 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIn this research, the PLGA/PLA‐blended nanofibers were successfully prepared by electrospinning. The macro–micro structure, thermal stability, hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, and in vitro degradation of the electrospun PLGA/PLA nanofibrous scaffolds are characterized by means of SEM, FTIR, DSC, TG, contact angle, instron tensile tester, and degradation testing. The results showed that electrospun PLGA/PLA‐blended nanofibrous scaffolds possessed nanofibrous and porous structures. The structural stability, crystallinity, wettability, and mechanical properties, especially the in vitro degradation rate, of the electrospun PLGA/PLA‐blended nanofibrous scaffolds could be controlled by regulating the blended ratio of the poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) and poly(lactide) (PLA). The results indicated that the electrospun PLGA/PLA‐blended nanofibrous scaffolds could be considered as ideal candidates for tissue engineering scaffolds. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Crystallization kinetics and degradation of nanocomposites based on ternary blend of poly(L‐lactic acid), poly(methyl methacrylate), and poly(ethylene oxide) with two different organoclays
Authors: Auliawan Andi , Woo Eamor M. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractTernary polymer blends composed of poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) is used as matrix for nanocomposites with two clays: organically modified vermiculite (OVMT) and organically modified montmorillonite (Clo10A). The addition of PMMA in PLLA/PEO blend matrix reduces the chain mobility and retards the crystallization of PLLA/PEO. The retardation effect of PMMA on PLLA/PEO blend is less pronounced with higher PEO contents. The incorporation of OVMT and Clo10A is one common strategy to improve crystallization process as well as thermal and mechanical properties. The crystallization kinetics of polymer nanocomposites was found to be well described by the Mo method. The evolution of activation energy during nonisothermal course is analyzed using isoconversional method, and the trend of activation energy variation was found to be different for each of two organoclays. Thermal stability is improved by the incorporation of organoclays, where Clo10A induces better stability than that of OVMT. Enzymatic degradation tests showed that the nanocomposites with OVMT possessed higher stability on enzymatic attack and slower degradation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Voices of donors: Case reports of body donation in Hong Kong
Authors: Chiu Hei Yeung , Ng Kwok Sing , Ma Sin Kwan , Chan Chi Hung , Ng Sheung Wah , Tipoe George L. , Chan Lap Ki 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBody donation is important for medical education and academic research. However, it is relatively rare in Hong Kong when compared with many Western countries. Comprehensive research has been performed on the motivation for body donation in Western countries; however, there is still insufficient research on body donation in Hong Kong to provide information on how to increase the body‐donation rate. To understand the factors involved in the decision to donate one's body, the authors interviewed a registered donor and the daughter of another donor in Hong Kong. The authors interpreted the information collected in light of the available published reports, which mostly focus on body donation in Western countries. Despite the consistency of some demographic factors and motivations between the participants in our study and those investigated in the published reports from Western countries, there are differences in education level and socioeconomic status between the donors in our study and those from Western studies. The authors also suggest that Confucianism and Buddhism in Chinese culture may motivate potential body donors in Hong Kong. Other important factors that influence the body‐donation decision may include family members' body donation, registration as organ donors, and good doctor–patient relationships. Although case report studies have their limitations, this study allows us to explore the complexity of events and establish the interconnectivity of factors involved in body donation, which could not be achieved in previous survey‐based studies. © 2012 American Association of Anatomists.
Design and dosimetric analysis of a 385 MHz TETRA head exposure system for use in human provocation studies
Authors: Schmid Gernot , Bolz Thomas , Überbacher Richard , Escorihuela‐Navarro Ana , Bahr Achim , Dorn Hans , Sauter Cornelia , Eggert Torsten , Danker‐Hopfe Heidi 
Published: April 2012

AbstractA new head exposure system for double‐blind provocation studies investigating possible effects of terrestrial trunked radio (TETRA)‐like exposure (385 MHz) on central nervous processes was developed and dosimetrically analyzed. The exposure system allows localized exposure in the temporal brain, similar to the case of operating a TETRA handset at the ear. The system and antenna concept enables exposure during wake and sleep states while an electroencephalogram (EEG) is recorded. The dosimetric assessment and uncertainty analysis yield high efficiency of 14 W/kg per Watt of accepted antenna input power due to an optimized antenna directly worn on the subject's head. Beside sham exposure, high and low exposure at 6 and 1.5 W/kg (in terms of maxSAR10g in the head) were implemented. Double‐blind control and monitoring of exposure is enabled by easy‐to‐use control software. Exposure uncertainty was rigorously evaluated using finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD)‐based computations, taking into account anatomical differences of the head, the physiological range of the dielectric tissue properties including effects of sweating on the antenna, possible influences of the EEG electrodes and cables, variations in antenna input reflection coefficients, and effects on the specific absorption rate (SAR) distribution due to unavoidable small variations in the antenna position. This analysis yielded a reasonable uncertainty of <±45% (max to min ratio of 4.2 dB) in terms of maxSAR10g in the head and a variability of <±60% (max to min ratio of 6 dB) in terms of mass‐averaged SAR in different brain regions, as demonstrated by a brain region‐specific absorption analysis. Bioelectromagnetics 33:594–603, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ELF magnetic fields in electric and gasoline‐powered vehicles
Authors: Tell R.A. , Sias G. , Smith J. , Sahl J. , Kavet R. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWe conducted a pilot study to assess magnetic field levels in electric compared to gasoline‐powered vehicles, and established a methodology that would provide valid data for further assessments. The sample consisted of 14 vehicles, all manufactured between January 2000 and April 2009; 6 were gasoline‐powered vehicles and 8 were electric vehicles of various types. Of the eight models available, three were represented by a gasoline‐powered vehicle and at least one electric vehicle, enabling intra‐model comparisons. Vehicles were driven over a 16.3 km test route. Each vehicle was equipped with six EMDEX Lite broadband meters with a 40–1,000 Hz bandwidth programmed to sample every 4 s. Standard statistical testing was based on the fact that the autocorrelation statistic damped quickly with time. For seven electric cars, the geometric mean (GM) of all measurements (N = 18,318) was 0.095 µT with a geometric standard deviation (GSD) of 2.66, compared to 0.051 µT (N = 9,301; GSD = 2.11) for four gasoline‐powered cars (P < 0.0001). Using the data from a previous exposure assessment of residential exposure in eight geographic regions in the United States as a basis for comparison (N = 218), the broadband magnetic fields in electric vehicles covered the same range as personal exposure levels recorded in that study. All fields measured in all vehicles were much less than the exposure limits published by the International Commission on Non‐Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Future studies should include larger sample sizes representative of a greater cross‐section of electric‐type vehicles. Bioelectromagnetics 34:156–161, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sequential design for nonparametric inference
Authors: Zhao Zhibiao , Yao Weixin 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe performance of nonparametric function estimates often depends on the choice of design points. Based on the mean integrated squared error criterion, we propose a sequential design procedure that updates the model knowledge and optimal design density sequentially. The methodology is developed under a general framework covering a wide range of nonparametric inference problems, such as conditional mean and variance functions, the conditional distribution function, the conditional quantile function in quantile regression, functional coefficients in varying coefficient models and semiparametric inferences. Based on our empirical studies, nonparametric inference based on the proposed sequential design is more efficient than the uniform design and its performance is close to the true but unknown optimal design.The Canadian Journal of Statistics40: 362–377; 2012 © 2012 Statistical Society of Canada
The central complex of the flesh fly, Neobellieria bullata: Recordings and morphologies of protocerebral inputs and small‐field neurons
Authors: Phillips‐Portillo James 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe central complex in the brains of insects is a series of midline neuropils involved in motor control, sensory integration, and associative learning. To understand better the role of this center and its supply of sensory information, intracellular recordings and dye fills were made of central complex neurons in the fly, Neobellieria bullata. Recordings were obtained from 24 neurons associated with the ellipsoid body, fan‐shaped body, and protocerebral bridge, all of which receive both visual and mechanosensory information from protocerebral centers. One neuron with dendrites in an area of the lateral protocerebrum associated with motion‐sensitive outputs from the optic lobes invades the entire protocerebral bridge and was driven by visual motion. Inputs to the fan‐shaped body and ellipsoid body responded both to visual stimuli and to air puffs directed at the head and abdomen. Intrinsic neurons in both of these structures respond to changes in illumination. A putative output neuron connecting the protocerebral bridge, the fan‐shaped body, and one of the lateral accessory lobes showed opponent responses to moving visual stimuli. These recordings identify neurons with response properties previously known only from extracellular recordings in other species. Dye injections into neurons connecting the central complex with areas of the protocerebrum suggest that some classes of inputs into the central complex are electrically coupled. J. Comp. Neurol., 520:3088–3104, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.