bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal estimation of water vapour profiles using a combination of Raman lidar and microwave radiometer
Authors: Foth Andreas , Pospichal Bernhard
Published: September 2017

Abstract. In this work, a two-step algorithm to obtain water vapour profiles from a combination of Raman lidar and microwave radiometer is presented. Both instruments were applied during an intensive 2-month measurement campaign (HOPE) close to Jülich, western Germany, during spring 2013. To retrieve reliable water vapour information from inside or above the cloud a two-step algorithm is applied. The first step is a Kalman filter that extends the profiles, truncated at cloud base, to the full height range (up to 10 km) by combining previous information and current measurement. Then the complete water vapour profile serves as input to the one-dimensional variational (1D-VAR) method, also known as optimal estimation. A forward model simulates the brightness temperatures which would be observed by the microwave radiometer for the given atmospheric state. The profile is iteratively modified according to its error bars until the modelled and the actually measured brightness temperatures sufficiently agree. The functionality of the retrieval is presented in detail by means of case studies under different conditions. A statistical analysis shows that the availability of Raman lidar data (night) improves the accuracy of the profiles even under cloudy conditions. During the day, the absence of lidar data results in larger differences in comparison to reference radiosondes. The data availability of the full-height water vapour lidar profiles of 17 % during the 2-month campaign is significantly enhanced to 60 % by applying the retrieval. The bias with respect to radiosonde and the retrieved a posteriori uncertainty of the retrieved profiles clearly show that the application of the Kalman filter considerably improves the accuracy and quality of the retrieved mixing ratio profiles.
A 20-year record (1998–2017) of permafrost, active layer, and meteorological conditions at a High Arctic permafrost research site (Bayelva, Spitsbergen): an opportunity to validate remote sensing data and land surface, snow, and permafrost models
Authors: Boike Julia , Juszak Inge , Lange Stephan , Chadburn Sarah , Burke Eleanor , Overduin Pier Paul , Roth Kurt , Ippisch Olaf , Bornemann Niko , Stern Lielle , Gouttevin Isabelle , Hauber Ernst , Westermann Sebastian
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Most permafrost is located in the Arctic, where frozen organic carbon makes it an important component of the global climate system. Despite the fact that the Arctic climate changes more rapidly than the rest of the globe, observational data density in the region is low. Permafrost thaw and carbon release to the atmosphere are a positive feedback mechanism that can exacerbate climate warming. This positive feedback functions via changing land-atmosphere energy and mass exchanges. There is thus a great need to understand links between the energy balance, which can vary rapidly over hourly to annual time scales, and permafrost, which changes slowly over long time periods. This understanding thus mandates long-term observational data sets. Such a data set is available from the Bayelva Site at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, where meteorology, energy balance components and subsurface observations have been made for the last 20 years. Additional data include a high resolution digital elevation model and a panchromatic image. This paper presents the data set produced so far, explains instrumentation, calibration, processing and data quality control, as well as the sources for various resulting data sets. The resulting data set is unique in the Arctic and serves a baseline for future studies. Since the data provide observations of temporally variable parameters that mitigate energy fluxes between permafrost and atmosphere, such as snow depth and soil moisture content, they are suitable for use in integrating, calibrating and testing permafrost as a component in Earth System Models. The data set also includes a high resolution digital elevation model that can be used together with the snow physical information for snow pack modeling. The presented data are available in the supplementary material for this paper and through the PANGAEA website ( https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.880120).
Global fire emissions estimates during 1997–2016
Authors: van der Werf Guido R. , Randerson James T. , Giglio Louis , van Leeuwen Thijs T. , Chen Yang , Rogers Brendan M. , Mu Mingquan , van Marle Margreet J. E. , Morton Douglas C. , Collatz G. James , Yokelson Robert J. , Kasibhatla Prasad S.
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Climate, land use, and other anthropogenic and natural drivers have the potential to influence fire dynamics in many regions. To develop a mechanistic understanding of the changing role of these drivers and their impact on atmospheric composition, long-term fire records are needed that fuse information from different satellite and in situ data streams. Here we describe the fourth version of the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED) and quantify global fire emissions patterns during 1997–2016. The modeling system, based on the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach (CASA) biogeochemical model, has several modifications from the previous version and uses higher quality input datasets. Significant upgrades include (1) new burned area estimates with contributions from small fires, (2) a revised fuel consumption parameterization optimized using field observations, (3) modifications that improve the representation of fuel consumption in frequently burning landscapes, and (4) fire severity estimates that better represent continental differences in burning processes across boreal regions of North America and Eurasia. The new version has a higher spatial resolution (0.25°) and uses a different set of emission factors that separately resolves trace gas and aerosol emissions from temperate and boreal forest ecosystems. Global mean carbon emissions using the burned area dataset with small fires (GFED4s) were 2.2  ×  1015 grams of carbon per year (Pg C yr−1) during 1997–2016, with a maximum in 1997 (3.0 Pg C yr−1) and minimum in 2013 (1.8 Pg C yr−1). These estimates were 11 % higher than our previous estimates (GFED3) during 1997–2011, when the two datasets overlapped. This net increase was the result of a substantial increase in burned area (37 %), mostly due to the inclusion of small fires, and a modest decrease in mean fuel consumption (−19 %) to better match estimates from field studies, primarily in savannas and grasslands. For trace gas and aerosol emissions, differences between GFED4s and GFED3 were often larger due to the use of revised emission factors. If small fire burned area was excluded (GFED4 without the s for small fires), average emissions were 1.5 Pg C yr−1. The addition of small fires had the largest impact on emissions in temperate North America, Central America, Europe, and temperate Asia. This small fire layer carries substantial uncertainties; improving these estimates will require use of new burned area products derived from high-resolution satellite imagery. Our revised dataset provides an internally consistent set of burned area and emissions that may contribute to a better understanding of multi-decadal changes in fire dynamics and their impact on the Earth system. GFED data are available from http://www.globalfiredata.org.
Impact of rainfall spatial aggregation on the identification of debris flow occurrence thresholds
Authors: Marra Francesco , Destro Elisa , Nikolopoulos Efthymios I. , Zoccatelli Davide , Creutin Jean Dominique , Guzzetti Fausto , Borga Marco
Published: September 2017

Abstract. The systematic underestimation observed in debris flow early warning thresholds has been associated with the use of sparse rain gauge networks to represent highly non-stationary rainfall fields. Remote sensing products permit concurrent estimates of debris-flow-triggering rainfall for areas poorly covered by rain gauges, but the impact of using coarse spatial resolutions to represent such rainfall fields is still to be assessed. This study uses fine-resolution radar data for ∼  100 debris flows in the eastern Italian Alps to (i) quantify the effect of spatial aggregation (1–20 km grid size) on the estimation of debris-flow-triggering rainfall and on the identification of early warning thresholds and (ii) compare thresholds derived from aggregated estimates and rain gauge networks of different densities. The impact of spatial aggregation is influenced by the spatial organization of rainfall and by its dependence on the severity of the triggering rainfall. Thresholds from aggregated estimates show 8–21 % variation in the parameters whereas 10–25 % systematic variation results from the use of rain gauge networks, even for densities as high as 1∕10 km−2.
On the interaction of short linear waves with internal solitary waves
Authors: Xu Chengzhu , Stastna Marek
Published: September 2017

Abstract. We study the interaction of small-scale internal wave packets with a large-scale internal solitary wave using high-resolution direct numerical simulations in two dimensions. A key finding is that for wave packets whose constituent waves are short in comparison to the solitary wave width, the interaction leads to an almost complete destruction of the short waves. For mode-1 short waves in the packet, as the wavelength increases, a cutoff is reached, and for larger wavelengths the waves in the packet are able to maintain their structure after the interaction. This cutoff corresponds to the wavelength at which the phase speed of the short waves upstream of the solitary wave exceeds the maximum current induced by the solitary wave. For mode-2 waves in the packet, however, no corresponding cutoff is found. Analysis based on linear theory suggests that the destruction of short waves occurs primarily due to the velocity shear induced by the solitary wave, which alters the vertical structure of the waves so that significant wave activity is found only above (below) the deformed pycnocline for overtaking (head-on) collisions. The deformation of vertical structure is more significant for waves with a smaller wavelength. Consequently, it is more difficult for these waves to adjust to the new, solitary wave induced background environment. These results suggest that through the interaction with relatively smaller length scale waves, internal solitary waves can provide a means to decrease the power observed in the short wave band in the coastal ocean.
Contributors' Notes
Authors: Vogt Leonard
Published: September 2017

Contributors' Notes for Radical Teacher, Volume 109: Toward Public Pedagogies
A CIDADE-REGIÃO SOB AS COEXISTÊNCIAS DO TERRITÓRIO
Authors: Alencar Bezerra Josué
Published: September 2017

Nas últimas décadas, a urbanização contemporânea tem proporcionado grandes transformações no território brasileiro, como o crescimento do número e tamanho das cidades e o representativo aumento dos papéis urbanos na divisão territorial do trabalho. Essas mudanças são evidenciadas pela nova lógica espacial das empresas industriais, pelas recentes estratégias de localização dos equipamentos comerciais e de serviços, como também pela atual configuração do habitat urbano em diversas escalas geográficas. Essa nova configuração do território coloca a cidade-região como uma unidade espacial a ser considerada para entender o atual sistema de cidades em suas múltiplas escalas, permitindo-nos pensar esse conceito no âmbito dos estudos urbano-regionais do território. Ao estudarmos a cidade-região devemos considerar, ainda, as lógicas integradas através do aumento dos fluxos de pessoas, mercadorias, insumos e informação no território, como configuração espacial materializada pelo processo de urbanização recente. Palavras-chave: Cidade-região, urbanização, cidade, região.
Inhale to Breathe Away Pelvic Floor Pain and Enjoy Intercourse
Authors: Peper Erik , Cohen Tal
Published: September 2017

Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia) and involuntary contraction of the outer third of the vagina (vaginismus) affect between 6.5% and 45% of women. The behavioral approach often includes exhaling to the pain or anticipated discomfort. The common instruction is to exhale in anticipation or sensing discomfort, which paradoxically increases pelvic floor tension and discomfort. Thus, clinicians need to instruct patients to practice what seems initially counterintuitive. The appropriate breathing strategy is to teach effortless diaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing in which the pelvic floor relaxes and descends during inhalation and begin the insertion during inhalation. Do not press or insert during exhalation, and continue to breathe until the discomfort has faded out; then insert slightly more during the next inhalation phase. For clinicians, it is important to point out that this process is most successful when the person feels safe and is given enough time to allow the pelvic floor to relax as monitored by lower abdominal electromyography. This concept is illustrated in a case report of a young woman who successfully experienced intercourse after more than two years of marriage.
FAMÍLIA SLAVIERO: UMA HISTÓRIA DE GRANDES CONQUISTAS
Authors: Silva Goulart Mônica Helena Harrich
Published: September 2017

O presente texto tem como objetivo inicial apontar a trajetória do Grupo Slaviero por meio da história de seus negócios empresarias. Percebe-se a consolidação da família como um dos sobrenomes mais importantes do Paraná, aspecto evidenciado por meio da genealogia. Desde as atividades iniciadas com o patriarca Fioravante Slaviero a família vem se destacando de forma cada vez mais presente em vários seguimentos.
Angular Vectors in the Theory of Vectors
Authors: Kharchenko Yevhen Mykolayovych
Published: September 2017

The theory of angular vectors, which allows modelling of the properties of angular physical quantities, is considered. The meaning of the cross product of vectors was radically revised and changed. Formulas for finding torque and angular velocity in a coordinate-vector form with a correct mapping of their directions were deduced. Described definition of the inverse vector and its properties. The inversed vector allows us to perform vector division operations.
Aflatoxins: characteristics and impact on human health
Authors: Kowalska Anna , Walkiewicz Katarzyna , Kozieł Paweł , Muc-Wierzgoń Małgorzata
Published: September 2017

Some molds commonly occurring in the natural environment produce mycotoxins in the process of secondary metabolism. Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus are species of molds, which are responsible for the production of aflatoxins and are crucial in the pathogenesis of human diseases. Aspergillus species present in decaying plants, the soil and their spores are transferred via air currents and insects to crops and food storages. Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, M1 and M2 are the most common derivatives of aflatoxins. Ingestion of contaminated food is the main source of exposure to aflatoxins, which adversely affect the health of both humans and animals. The compounds can cause acute or chronic toxic effects of a teratogenic, mutagenic, carcinogenic, immunotoxic or hepatotoxic character. Molecular aflatoxins affect DNA mutations, postranslation peptids chains modification, proteins and nucleic acids methylation and the formation of free radicals.Due to aflatoxins carcinogenic features and frequent occurrence in food and forages they are routinely examinated in some groceries and agricultural products.
Invasion and metastasis of tumour cells resistant to chemotherapy
Authors: Nowakowska Anna , Tarasiuk Jolanta
Published: September 2017

Metastatic tumours resistant to chemotherapy are the major cause of the clinical failure in the treatment of malignant diseases. It is observed often that drugs active against primary tumours do not exhibit the same efficacy towards metastatic tumour cells having modified signaling pathways. Among cellular factors involved in the development of the metastatic potential of multidrug resistant tumour cells are some oncoproteins, antiapoptotic proteins, mutated suppressor proteins, integrins and CD44 receptor. It was also demonstrated that numerous chemotherapeutics have the effect on the emergence of the metastatic potential and multidrug resistance (MDR) phenomenon of tumour cells. The results of numerous studies suggest that genes involved in the development of MDR and metastatic phenotype of tumour cells are regulated by the same signaling pathways. They lead to the activation of transcription factors e.g. HIF-1α, NF-κB, Ets1 and AP-1 controlling the expression of genes involved in the development of the metastatic potential of multidrug resistant tumour cells. The identification of key cellular factors responsible for the emergence of the metastatic potential of MDR tumour cells could lead to the development of new efficient strategies for the treatment of metastatic tumours resistant to the conventional chemotherapy.
Non-small cell lung cancer – mutations, targeted and combination therapy
Authors: Kutkowska Justyna , Porębska Irena , Rapak Andrzej
Published: September 2017

Year after year, a growing number of cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), mostly caused by smoking, have been noted. Most patients die because of the late detection of cancer and tumor resistance to treatment with cytostatics. Treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC is impeded by the low sensitivity of the tumor to cytostatic agents and the co-existence of many diseases, which substrate is, like lung cancer, cigarette smoking. Along with the development of molecular biology, targeted therapy has started to be used, affecting specific signaling pathways involved in the processes of oncogenesis. Compounds that inhibit the activity of receptor tyrosine kinases are very well examined and already used in clinical practice. NSCLC is characterized by multiple mutations, including EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) and KRAS. Rarer but clinically significant is the rearrangement of the ALK gene. Currently, for NSCLC treatment a number of EGFR inhibitors such as erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib and two compounds targeted in ALK kinase crizotinib and ceritinib are applied. Unfortunately, despite numerous studies, we are still not able to improve the treatment effectiveness of patients with KRAS mutations. The most efficient solution would be to use a combination of the compounds exhibiting synergistic effects on tumor cells. The literature data describes numerous examples of the combination treatment of NSCLC cells. Some combinations of compounds are already in clinical trials. Most attempts relate to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in combination with other types of pharmacologic inhibitor or immunotherapy. This paper describes the mutations occurring in NSCLC and drugs used in clinical practice as well as being in preclinical development.
Determination of antioxidantactivity of phytochemicals in cellular models by fluorescence/luminescence methods
Authors: Koss-Mikołajczyk Izabela , Baranowska Monika , Namieśnik Jacek , Bartoszek Agnieszka
Published: September 2017

As soon as the role of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in so-called civilization diseases, which include non-infectious chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes or high blood pressure has been discovered, and the possibility of employing antioxidants as a remedy for these diseases have been proposed, scientists developed a broad spectrum of methods to determine antioxidant activity of pure chemicals and plant extracts, as well as dietary supplements. Most of these methods are based on simple redox reactions between antioxidant and ROS (for example ABTS, DPPH, or FRAP tests). However, chemical methods of assessing antioxidant activity are rarely biologically relevant. They do not mirror the real effect of antioxidants in living organisms, because they are used in non-physiological conditions of temperature and pH; neither they take metabolism nor intracellular transport under consideration. The perfect model for assessment of antioxidant activity in living organisms would be human or animal model, but such determinations are very complicated and often ambiguous. The current best alternative to chemical and human tests are assays employing cell culture models being less expensive than human tests, yet still reflecting biological systems more convincingly than chemical assays. Cellular antioxidant assays are performed under physiological pH and temperature, but most importantly, they take metabolism and intracellular transport under consideration. In this review, we present cellular tests used to determine antioxidant activity that are based on luminescence and fluorescence methods.
The α7-nACh nicotinic receptor and its role in memory and selected diseases of the central nervous system
Authors: Baranowska Urszula , Wiśniewska Róża Julia
Published: September 2017

α7-nACh is one of the major nicotinic cholinergic receptor subtypes found in the brain. It is broadly expressed in the hippocampal and cortical neurons, the regions which play a key role in memory formation. Although α7-nACh receptors may serve as postsynaptic receptors mediating classical neurotransmission, they usually function as presynaptic modulators responsible for the release of other neurotransmitters, such as glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid, dopamine, and norepinephrine. They can, therefore, affect a wide array of neurobiological functions. In recent years, research has found that a large number of agonists and positive allosteric modulators of α7-nAChR induce beneficial effects on learning and memory. Consistently, mice deficient in chrna7 (the gene encoding α7-nAChR protein), are characterized by memory deficits. In addition, decreased expression and function of α7-nAChR is associated agoniwith many neurological diseases including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, learning disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Alzheimer disease, autism, and epilepsy. In the recent years many animal experiments and clinical trials using α7-nAChR ligands were conducted. The results of these studies strongly indicate that agonists and positive allosteric modulators of α7-nAChR are promising therapeutic agents for diseases associated with cognitive deficits.
Circulating miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers
for non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of treatment response
Authors: Świtlik Weronika Zofia , Szemraj Janusz
Published: September 2017

The discovery of a new class of molecules, the 22-24 nucleotides long RNA, has initiated a new chapter in genetic information regulation studies. These molecules have a significant impact on the functioning of cells by means of negative regulation of expression of targeted mRNA. Special attention is given to exogenous, circulating miRNAs, whose levels of expression in different body fluids varies and can be deregulated by pathological, as well as physiological conditions. Extensive studies on the diagnostic potential of miRNAs are currently conducted. Attempts are made to determine specific profiles of miRNAs that will correlate with disease entity. The preliminary data gives hope that in the near future miRNAs will be applied as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in many diseases. One of their most significant applications can be in the diagnosis of lung cancer – the most deadly form of cancer, due to its too late diagnosis. Abundant in miRNA molecules, blood and sputum constitute excellent diagnostic material for patients with lung cancer, especially those with non-small-cell lung cancer NSCLC. Easy procedures for obtaining this diagnostic material from patients and relatively easy analysis of miRNA expression, make these molecules promising in their use in diagnosis, predicting of therapy effects and prognosis for patients with NSCLC. This work presents information related to miRNA and their specific attributes. Moreover level of deregulated circulating miRNAs occurring in body fluids of patients with NSCLC is also discussed.
Neopterin as a marker of cellular immunological response
Authors: Michalak Łukasz , Bulska Magdalena , Strząbała Karolina , Szcześniak Piotr
Published: September 2017

Neopterin is a pyrazino-pyrimidine compound that belongs to the pteridine group. It is known to be a biochemical marker associated with cell-mediated immunity. It is produced by human monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells from guanosine triphosphate (GTP) upon stimulation with interferon gamma (IFNγ), which is released by activated limphocytes Th. Neopterin is a very important clinic parameter, though the physiological role has not been exactly definited thus far. The level of neopterin reflects the stage of activation of the cellular immune system, which is important in the pathogenesis and progression of various diseases. Measuring its concentration in body fluids is used in many different areas of modern medicine, such as infectious disease, gastroenterology, transplantology and transfusiology, rheumatology or oncology. In neurological, cardio-vascular and autoimmune diseases, cell-mediated immunity is also activated, which is proved by the elevated level of this marker. Measurements of neopterin concentrations are also helpful in monitoring the therapy of patients infected with the HIV virus or treated by using immunomudulating therapy. As a result of measuring levels of neopterin in patients with neoplasms of digestive tract, increased concentration was proved, but it is not routinely used in everyday clinic practice.
The role of vitamin C in epigenetic regulation
Authors: Guz Jolanta , Oliński Ryszard
Published: September 2017

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is a micronutrient best known for its anti-scurvy activity in humans. Vitamin C is involved in many biological processes involving enzymatic reactions that are catalyzed by members of dioxygenases which use Fe(II) and 2-oxoglutarate as a co-substrate.The article reviews recent data that suggest the involvement of ascorbate in dioxygenases catalyzed chromatin and DNA modifications which thereby contribute to epigenetic regulation. Concerning chromatin modification, the dioxygenases are involved in distinct demethylation reactions with varying specificity for the position of the lysine on the target histone. TET hydroxylases catalyse the oxidation of methyl groups in the 5 position of cytosine in DNA yielding 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, while further iterative oxidation reactions results in the formation of 5-formylcytosine and 5-carboxylcytosine. A few previous studies demonstrated that ascorbate may enhance generation of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in cultured cells, probably acting as a cofactor of TETs during hydroxylation of 5-methylcytosine. Physiological concentrations of ascorbate in human serum (10-100 μM) may guarantee stable level of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, a modification necessary for epigenetic function of the cell. 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine level is substantially decreased in almost all investigated cancers, what may be linked with cancer development. Therefore, it is possible that supplementation with ascorbate could contribute to better management of individual cancer patient. This issue is also discussed in our paper.
The role of vitamin D in the development of autoimmune diseases
Authors: Lisowska Katarzyna A. , Bryl Ewa
Published: September 2017

Witamina D, poza istotną rolą w utrzymaniu homeostazy wapnia i metabolizmie kostnym, odgrywa ważną rolę w funkcjonowaniu układu odpornościowego. Niedobór witaminy D wiąże się z wieloma niekorzystnymi dla zdrowia skutkami, włączając w to m.in. osłabienie odporności, czego skutkiem jest zwiększona podatność na zakażenia wirusowe, bakteryjne oraz grzybicze. W artykule opisano podstawy metabolizmu witaminy D oraz jej rolę fizjologiczną, ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem wpływu na komórki układu odpornościowego. Ze względu na jej istotną rolę w regulacji odpowiedzi zapalnej oraz wytwarzaniu cytokin zwraca się uwagę na jej rolę w rozwoju chorób o podłożu autoimmunologicznym, takich jak cukrzyca typu 1, toczeń rumieniowaty, reumatoidalne zapalenie stawów, stwardnienie rozsiane, nieswoiste zapalenia jelit, łuszczyca, bielactwo, czy twardzina, w których witamina D ma potencjalne szerokie zastosowanie zarówno w prewencji, jak i wspomaganiu działań terapeutycznych.
Language Tourism through the Prism of Visual Data – Seeing the Summer Language Courses through Pictures
Authors: Murrmann Julia
Published: September 2017

Purpose. The objective of the research was to outline the character of tourism language based on an analysis of visual data.

Method. Analysis of the photographs as preexisting data, visual sociology. For many years, the author of the present paper actively participated in the organization of international language courses and remained, through social media, in touch with hundreds of fellow participants from all over the world. Thanks to the applications (e.g. “my friends” on Facebook), she had access to many private photos taken during the language courses (in case of images used in the article, the individual’s approval for their publication was obtained).

Findings. The analyzed visual data highlight the mixed character of the linguistically-oriented travels, prioritizing the entertainment and the immersion in an international and multicultural environment, and somehow shifting the purely educational aspect into the background. As a matter of fact, language tourism appears to be far more than just language learning – it is rather a multi-layered touristic, educational and cultural experience that can appeal to many (mostly young and active) people, not only those interested in language acquisition.

Research and conclusions limitations. It was possible to access and analyze only the visual data that were free, public and available for inspection (retrieved from language tourists’ unblocked profiles on social networking sites). Some data was of commercial nature (websites of tour operators). It should be also stressed that the nature of tourism language can only be described using a triangulation of data and research methods, and not limiting the study to only one technique (analysis of visual data).

Practical implications. The findings of the research may be an important voice in the debate on the more accurate evaluation of the benefits resulting from the participation in international language courses, presenting linguistic tourism not only as long hours of language learning, but as a touristic, educational and cultural experience contributing to personal growth.

Originality. Thanks to the used methodology, it was possible to get information difficult to obtain during an interview or on basis of the analysis of written text.

Type of paper. This is an original article presenting the findings of an analysis of visual data.
Przedstawiciel społeczny w transparentnym procesie karnym
Authors: Czarnecki Paweł
Published: September 2017

The article analyses the rights and duties of a social representative in criminal proceedings (article 90 Code of Criminal Procedure). Participation in court proceedings may be declared, before the commencement of judicial examination, by a representative of a community organisation, if there is a need to defend a social interest or an important individual interest within the statutory purposes of such an organisation, especially in matters pertaining to the protection of human rights and freedoms. The representative of a community organisation who has been admitted to participate in court proceedings may participate in the trial, express their points of view and make statements in writing. The court shall admit a representative of a community organisation if it finds this to be in the interests of justice. This person shall not be allowed to ask questions to person questioned by the court, he has no right to make a complaint with the court, can`t submit motions for evidence and are not entitled to participate in a session or in an investigation. The author emphasizes the importance of participation by the citizenry in the administration of justice principle and the right to a fair and public hearing of his case. In article they were also discussed old draft bills in the position of social representative in criminal cases, and in particular the advantages and disadvantages of amending article 90 c.c.p. Amendment of 10 June 2016. The author argues that the changing of position will not increase the participation of the public in the proceedings, because the legislature did not admit procedural rights.
Population Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamic Target Attainment of Meropenem in Critically Ill Young Children
Authors: Cies Jeffrey J. , Moore Wayne S. , Enache Adela , Chopra Arun
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe the population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic target attainment of meropenem in critically ill children.

METHODS

The study involved a retrospective medical record review from a 189-bed, freestanding children's tertiary care teaching hospital of patients ages 1 to 9 years who received meropenem with concurrent therapeutic drug monitoring.

RESULTS

There were 9 patients ages 1 to 9 years (mean age, 3.1 ± 2.9 years) with a mean weight of 17.1 ± 11.9 kg who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria and were included in the pharmacokinetic analysis. Meropenem concentrations were best described by a 2-compartment model with first-order elimination, with an R2 and bias of 0.91 and 13.2 mg/L, respectively, for the observed versus population predicted concentrations, and an R2, bias, and imprecision of 1, 0.0675, and 1 mg/L, respectively, for the observed versus individual predicted concentrations. The mean total body drug clearance for the population was 6.99 ± 2.5 mL/min/kg, and Vc was 0.57 ± 0.47 L/kg. The calculated population estimate for the total volume of distribution was 0.78 ± 0.73 L/kg. Standard 0.5-hour meropenem infusions did not provide for appropriate pharmacodynamic exposures of 40% free time > minimum inhibitory concentration (40% fT > MIC) for Gram-negative organisms with susceptible MICs. Dosage regimens employing prolonged and continuous infusion regimens did provide appropriate pharmacodynamic exposures of 40% fT > MIC for Gram-negative organisms up to the break point for Pseudomonas aeruginosa of 4 mg/L.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest the reference dosage regimens for meropenem (20–40 mg/kg per dose every 8 hours) do not meet an appropriate pharmacodynamic target attainment in critically ill children ages 1 to 9 years. Based on these data, only the 3- to 4-hour prolonged infusion and 24-hour continuous infusion regimens were able to achieve an optimal probability of target attainment against all susceptible Gram-negative bacteria in critically ill children for 40% fT > MIC. Dosage regimens of 120 and 160 mg/kg/day as continuous infusion regimens may be necessary to achieve an optimal probability of target attainment against all susceptible Gram-negative bacteria in critically ill children for 80% fT > MIC. Based on these findings, confirmation with a larger, prospective investigation in critically ill children is warranted.
Abstract or Concrete Examples in Learning Mathematics? A Replication and Elaboration of Kaminski, Sloutsky, and Heckler's Study
Authors: Bock Dirk De , Deprez Johan , Dooren Wim Van , Roelens Michel , Verschaffel Lieven
Published: September 2017

Kaminski, Sloutsky, and Heckler (2008a) published in Science a study on “The advantage of abstract examples in learning math,” in which they claim that students may benefit more from learning mathematics through a single abstract, symbolic representation than from multiple concrete examples. This publication elicited both enthusiastic and critical comments by mathematicians, mathematics educators, and policymakers worldwide. The current empirical study involves a partial replication–but also an important validation and extension–of this widely noticed study. The study's results confirm Kaminski et al.'s findings, but the accompanying qualitative data raise serious questions about their interpretation of what students actually learned from the abstract concept exemplification. Moreover, whereas Kaminski et al. showed that abstract learners transferred what they had learned to a similar abstract context, this study shows also that students who learned from concrete examples transferred their knowledge into a similar concrete context.
Standards for Reporting Mathematics Professional Development in Research Studies
Authors: Sztajn Paola
Published: September 2017

This Research Commentary addresses the need for standards for describing mathematics professional development in mathematics education research reports. Considering that mathematics professional development is an emerging research field, it is timely to set expectations for what constitutes high-quality reporting in this field. Through an examination of the research reports on the topic published in the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education during the past decade, I offer a framework and a set of features to be used in initiating discussions about pros and cons of having reporting standards. I contend that when researchers have standards for describing the mathematics professional development they are studying, better quality will be attained in the new research field.
Negotiating Identities for Mathematics Teaching in the Context of Professional Development
Authors: Gresalfi Melissa Sommerfeld , Cobb Paul
Published: September 2017

This article presents an analytical approach for documenting the identities for teaching that mathematics teachers negotiate as they participate in 2 or more communities that define high-quality teaching differently. Drawing on data from the first 2 years of a collaboration with a group of middle school mathematics teachers, the article focuses on a critical initial condition for teachers to improve their practice—determining that the effort required is worthwhile. The results speak directly to a central issue that arises when supporting teachers' efforts to improve their instructional practices: their motivation for affiliating with a vision of teaching that involves centering instruction on student thinking.
Genetic identification of a common collagen disease in Puerto Ricans via identity-by-descent mapping in a health system
Authors: Belbin Gillian Morven , Odgis Jacqueline , Sorokin Elena P , Yee Muh-Ching , Kohli Sumita , Glicksberg Benjamin S , Gignoux Christopher R , Wojcik Genevieve L , Van Vleck Tielman , Jeff Janina M , Linderman Michael , Schurmann Claudia , Ruderfer Douglas , Cai Xiaoqiang , Merkelson Amanda , Justice Anne E , Young Kristin L , Graff Misa , North Kari E , Peters Ulrike , James Regina , Hindorff Lucia , Kornreich Ruth , Edelmann Lisa , Gottesman Omri , Stahl Eli EA , Cho Judy H , Loos Ruth JF , Bottinger Erwin P , Nadkarni Girish N , Abul-Husn Noura S , Kenny Eimear E
Published: September 2017

Achieving confidence in the causality of a disease locus is a complex task that often requires supporting data from both statistical genetics and clinical genomics. Here we describe a combined approach to identify and characterize a genetic disorder that leverages distantly related patients in a health system and population-scale mapping. We utilize genomic data to uncover components of distant pedigrees, in the absence of recorded pedigree information, in the multi-ethnic BioMe biobank in New York City. By linking to medical records, we discover a locus associated with both elevated genetic relatedness and extreme short stature. We link the gene, COL27A1, with a little-known genetic disease, previously thought to be rare and recessive. We demonstrate that disease manifests in both heterozygotes and homozygotes, indicating a common collagen disorder impacting up to 2% of individuals of Puerto Rican ancestry, leading to a better understanding of the continuum of complex and Mendelian disease.
Regulation of sleep homeostasis by sexual arousal
Authors: Beckwith Esteban J , Geissmann Quentin , French Alice S , Gilestro Giorgio F
Published: September 2017

In all animals, sleep pressure is under continuous tight regulation. It is universally accepted that this regulation arises from a two-process model, integrating both a circadian and a homeostatic controller. Here we explore the role of environmental social signals as a third, parallel controller of sleep homeostasis and sleep pressure. We show that, in Drosophila melanogaster males, sleep pressure after sleep deprivation can be counteracted by raising their sexual arousal, either by engaging the flies with prolonged courtship activity or merely by exposing them to female pheromones.
Localization of spontaneous bursting neuronal activity in the preterm human brain with simultaneous EEG-fMRI
Authors: Arichi Tomoki , Whitehead Kimberley , Barone Giovanni , Pressler Ronit , Padormo Francesco , Edwards A David , Fabrizi Lorenzo
Published: September 2017

Electroencephalographic recordings from the developing human brain are characterized by spontaneous neuronal bursts, the most common of which is the delta brush. Although similar events in animal models are known to occur in areas of immature cortex and drive their development, their origin in humans has not yet been identified. Here, we use simultaneous EEG-fMRI to localise the source of delta brush events in 10 preterm infants aged 32–36 postmenstrual weeks. The most frequent patterns were left and right posterior-temporal delta brushes which were associated in the left hemisphere with ipsilateral BOLD activation in the insula only; and in the right hemisphere in both the insular and temporal cortices. This direct measure of neural and hemodynamic activity shows that the insula, one of the most densely connected hubs in the developing cortex, is a major source of the transient bursting events that are critical for brain maturation.
Assessing Iranian Student-Teachers’ Problem-Solving Ability: A Comparison between Conventional and Problem-Based Assessment
Authors: Ashraf Hamid , Ahmadi Fatemeh , Domsky Javad Gh.
Published: September 2017

The advent of problem-based assessment has opened the question of whether or not conventional approaches to assessment are truly a representative of students’ knowledge (Lampert, 2001). In an attempt to find out about the suitability of problem-based tests in evaluating student-teachers’ knowledge of teaching English, a problem-based test was designed and administered to 33 MA students who were selected through the quota approach at Payame Noor University. Comparison of the results of the problem-based test and conventional test through paired-samples t-test revealed that teacher-students gained higher scores in the conventional tests; however, the results of the semi-structured interview with the participants revealed that they considered problem-based test a true measure of their knowledge and favored it over conventional assessment due to its relevance to content and context of the course, its motivating nature, and its dynamic structure. This study can have pedagogical implications for language teachers and material developers.
Twenty-First Century Instructional Classroom Practices and Reading Motivation: Probing the Effectiveness of Interventional Reading Programs
Authors: Boulhrir Taoufik
Published: September 2017

Twenty-first century education has undoubtedly witnessed changes of the definition of literacy to cope with the economic, social, and intellectual trends. Technological advances, which include skills of communication, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration have become key in education, especially when dealing with literacy and reading motivation. As motivation hinges around two major theoretical approaches, intrinsic and extrinsic, numerous studies argue for the first to be more sustainable in enhancing reading motivation. Accordingly, many research-based interventional programs have emerged since the late nineties with increasing popularity to offer answers to the dwindling rates in reading among youth. This article discusses traits of 21st century education in light of trends and challenges as it probes the effectiveness of some interventional programs that are meant, and argued for, to enhance literacy skills and reading motivation.
Automated classification of tropical shrub species: a hybrid of leaf shape and machine learning approach
Authors: Murat Miraemiliana , Chang Siow-Wee , Abu Arpah , Yap Hwa Jen , Yong Kien-Thai
Published: September 2017

Plants play a crucial role in foodstuff, medicine, industry, and environmental protection. The skill of recognising plants is very important in some applications, including conservation of endangered species and rehabilitation of lands after mining activities. However, it is a difficult task to identify plant species because it requires specialized knowledge. Developing an automated classification system for plant species is necessary and valuable since it can help specialists as well as the public in identifying plant species easily. Shape descriptors were applied on the myDAUN dataset that contains 45 tropical shrub species collected from the University of Malaya (UM), Malaysia. Based on literature review, this is the first study in the development of tropical shrub species image dataset and classification using a hybrid of leaf shape and machine learning approach. Four types of shape descriptors were used in this study namely morphological shape descriptors (MSD), Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG), Hu invariant moments (Hu) and Zernike moments (ZM). Single descriptor, as well as the combination of hybrid descriptors were tested and compared. The tropical shrub species are classified using six different classifiers, which are artificial neural network (ANN), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbour (k-NN), linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and directed acyclic graph multiclass least squares twin support vector machine (DAG MLSTSVM). In addition, three types of feature selection methods were tested in the myDAUN dataset, Relief, Correlation-based feature selection (CFS) and Pearson’s coefficient correlation (PCC). The well-known Flavia dataset and Swedish Leaf dataset were used as the validation dataset on the proposed methods. The results showed that the hybrid of all descriptors of ANN outperformed the other classifiers with an average classification accuracy of 98.23% for the myDAUN dataset, 95.25% for the Flavia dataset and 99.89% for the Swedish Leaf dataset. In addition, the Relief feature selection method achieved the highest classification accuracy of 98.13% after 80 (or 60%) of the original features were reduced, from 133 to 53 descriptors in the myDAUN dataset with the reduction in computational time. Subsequently, the hybridisation of four descriptors gave the best results compared to others. It is proven that the combination MSD and HOG were good enough for tropical shrubs species classification. Hu and ZM descriptors also improved the accuracy in tropical shrubs species classification in terms of invariant to translation, rotation and scale. ANN outperformed the others for tropical shrub species classification in this study. Feature selection methods can be used in the classification of tropical shrub species, as the comparable results could be obtained with the reduced descriptors and reduced in computational time and cost.