bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expressing an alternative view from second position: Reversed polarity questions in everyday Japanese conversation
Authors: Sugiura Hideyuki
Published: April 2017

This conversation-analytic study examines a type of action accomplished through a reversed polarity question (RPQ) responding to initial assessments in everyday Japanese conversation. This study demonstrates that RPQs deployed in this specific position express alternative views to initial assessments by appealing to participants’ common sense or knowledge and index participants’ epistemic symmetry over a particular assessable. These RPQs do not simply convey the speakers’ disagreement with initial assessments, however, but are designed to be situated as ‘new’ first assessments by triggering the conditional relevance of the question–answer adjacency pair, thereby inviting agreement from the prior speaker. This study also reveals two commonly observable practices by which the speaker secures the participants’ epistemic symmetry over a particular assessable and thereby creates the basis for producing RPQs. It is further shown that these two practices can affect the strength of disaffiliation expressed by the RPQ.
Agency and Communion in People with Alzheimer’s Disease, as Described by Themselves and their Spousal Carers
Authors: Hedman Ragnhild , Norberg Astrid , Hellström Ingrid
Published: April 2017

Agency (individuality) and communion (togetherness) are vital to a positive sense of self. People with Alzheimer’s disease are at risk of experiencing diminished agency and decreased communion. Their family members’, especially their partner’s, view on their agency and communion is also likely to influence their sense of agency, communion, and self. In the present study, individual interviews with 10 people with Alzheimer’s disease and their spousal carers were qualitatively analysed to describe how in each couple the two spouses viewed the agency and communion of the person with Alzheimer’s disease from an individual perspective. The findings show that the carers generally described the agency of the person with Alzheimer’s disease as slightly weaker compared with the persons with Alzheimer’s disease themselves. The carers also appeared to have poor knowledge of what supported and threatened the sense of communion of the person with Alzheimer’s disease.
Work-integrated learning and health literacy as catalysts for Roma empowerment and social inclusion: A participatory action research
Authors: Eklund Karlsson Leena , Ringsberg Karin C , Crondahl Kristine
Published: April 2017

Roma people all over the world have often been subject to prejudice, stigma, discrimination and oppression. Many Roma have little or no education, which in combination with other factors often leads to unemployment and marginalization. Based on a case study in Sweden, this paper proposes an approach that can be used in participatory projects aiming at improving the living situation of marginalized people. In such an approach, the Roma themselves would be the leaders in all activities concerning the group. The first aim of this paper is to describe how health literacy and work-integrated learning functioned as empowering tools for a Roma-led inclusion process within a participatory action research framework. The second aim is to discuss and reflect on the use of participatory action research in community work with Roma based on the experiences of the participatory action research participants. The findings indicate that work-integrated learning may be a worthwhile approach for increasing the individual empowerment and self-led social inclusion of vulnerable people. However, the obstacles of structural discriminatory nature hindered the project to reach its full potential in its intended emancipatory goals.
Interpretation and Social Explanation
Authors: Finlayson Alan
Published: April 2017

In this article I focus on those aspects of Keith Dowding’s book that are most concerned with interpretive approaches to the study of politics. I argue that, in ways not adequately captured by Dowding’s descriptions, the historical study of political concepts tells us something about their historical political effects and for this reason has a distinct value for how we think about and study politics. Furthermore, I argue, concepts of and about politics, including the concepts of political science, cannot be fully separated from the political contexts of which they are a part. Concepts which function as generalisable explanations at one point in time can shape the thinking and behaviour of political actors and thus be very particular causes. A philosophy or method of political science unaware of or inattentive to this dimension of politics and political science is incomplete.
Enhancing Periconceptional Health by Targeting Postpartum Mothers at Rural WIC Clinics
Authors: Puma Jini E. , Thompson Darcy , Baer Katherine , Haemer Matthew A. , Gilbert Kevin , Hambidge Michael , Krebs Nancy F.
Published: April 2017

The overall goal of this pilot quality improvement (QI) intervention was to (1) assess the feasibility of making a WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) systems-level change that added measurement of maternal weight and discussion of maternal health habits into each postpartum maternal and offspring visit in rural clinics in Colorado and (2) assess the impacts of the intervention on maternal diet, physical activity, and weight status. A mixed-method evaluation approach was used involving the collection of quantitative data (HeartSmartMoms usage reports, manual WIC chart reviews [to calculate screening rates], pre-/postsurveys, and weight status [body mass index]) and qualitative data (focus groups and project team meeting minutes). It was determined it is feasible to make a short-term systems-level change; however, many barriers were encountered in doing so, and the results were not sustained. The QI intervention did decrease participants’ daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and maternal weight status (controlling for maternal age and language), but did not improve any other eating/physical activity behaviors. Lessons learned and recommendations to improve the implementation of health promotion interventions aimed at improving postpartum maternal health, which can increase health during the periconceptional phase, and in turn, improve the health outcomes for a child, are discussed.
Exercise reduced pentraxin 3 levels produced by endotoxin-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in obese individuals
Authors: Slusher Aaron L , Shibata Yoshimi , Whitehurst Michael , Maharaj Arun , Quiles Justin M , Huang Chun-Jung
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine whether obesity would reduce the capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to produce the anti-inflammatory protein pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in response to ex vivo stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and if acute aerobic exercise would enhance this PTX3 production capacity. In addition, the inter-relationships of LPS-induced PTX3 with the inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 6 [IL-6], IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) were examined. Twenty-one healthy subjects (10 obese and 11 normal-weight) performed an acute bout of aerobic exercise at 75% VO2max. The capacity of PBMCs to produce PTX3 ex vivo following LPS stimulation was the same in obese and normal-weight subjects at rest, and decreased equally in both subject groups following acute aerobic exercise. This is in contrast to plasma PTX3, which is lower in obese subjects at rest and increased equally in both obese and normal-weight subjects following exercise. In addition, ex vivo PTX3 production was positively associated with IL-6 and IL-10 in response to acute aerobic exercise ( r = 0.686, P = 0.020; r = 0.744, P = 0.009, respectively) in normal-weight, but not in obese individuals ( r = 0.429, P = 0.249; r = 0.453, P = 0.189, respectively). These findings indicate that concentrations of PTX3 observed in plasma are relatively independent of those produced by PBMCs ex vivo and the mechanisms associated with PTX3-mediated anti-inflammatory signaling may differ during obesity.

Impact statement

Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that obese individuals present with lower plasma concentrations of the anti-inflammatory protein pentraxin 3 (PTX3), whereas acute aerobic exercise increases plasma PTX3 levels similarly compared to normal-weight individuals. As a follow-up, the present study demonstrates that PBMCs isolated from obese and normal-weight individuals produce comparable amounts of PTX3 ex vivo in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Furthermore, given that acute aerobic exercise reduced the ex vivo production of PTX3 in both groups, our results clearly indicate that plasma PTX3 levels are relatively independent of those produced by PBMCs ex vivo. In addition, our findings suggest that the mechanisms associated with PTX3-mediated production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 may be impaired in obese individuals, and thus provides a key finding necessary for the elucidation of PTX3’s role in the mediation of anti-inflammatory profiles and the subsequent amelioration of inflammatory disease during obesity.
Magnetically levitated mesenchymal stem cell spheroids cultured with a collagen gel maintain phenotype and quiescence
Authors: Lewis Natasha S , Lewis Emily EL , Mullin Margaret , Wheadon Helen , Dalby Matthew J , Berry Catherine C
Published: April 2017

Multicellular spheroids are an established system for three-dimensional cell culture. Spheroids are typically generated using hanging drop or non-adherent culture; however, an emerging technique is to use magnetic levitation. Herein, mesenchymal stem cell spheroids were generated using magnetic nanoparticles and subsequently cultured within a type I collagen gel, with a view towards developing a bone marrow niche environment. Cells were loaded with magnetic nanoparticles, and suspended beneath an external magnet, inducing self-assembly of multicellular spheroids. Cells in spheroids were viable and compared to corresponding monolayer controls, maintained stem cell phenotype and were quiescent. Interestingly, core spheroid necrosis was not observed, even with increasing spheroid size, in contrast to other commonly used spheroid systems. This mesenchymal stem cell spheroid culture presents a potential platform for modelling in vitro bone marrow stem cell niches, elucidating interactions between cells, as well as a useful model for drug delivery studies.
Emerging Adulthood Features and Adjustment
Authors: Lanctot Joëlle , Poulin François
Published: April 2017

A person-centered approach applied to the Inventory of Dimensions of Emerging Adulthood (IDEA) would provide a holistic outlook on this developmental period. This study aimed to (1) determine the presence of distinct profiles based on the IDEA scales and (2) compare these profiles with regard to sociodemographic indicators, internalizing problems, and problematic alcohol use. Participants ( N = 307; mean age = 21) filled out the IDEA and questionnaires assessing internalizing problems and problematic alcohol use. Four profiles were identified: stalled transition (5%) , moderate transition (43%) , positive transition (35%), and transitional time (17%). Individuals in the transitional time profile reported higher internalizing problems and higher problematic alcohol use than youths assigned to the other profiles. These results suggest that applying a person-centered approach to the IDEA allows for the identification of distinct profiles with regard to the features of emerging adulthood and reported adjustment issues.
Cycles and Optimistic Stability in Graphs: The Role of Competition, Veto Players and Moderators
Authors: Pech Gerald
Published: April 2017

This article provides sufficient conditions for existence of a non-empty optimistic stable standard of behaviour (OSSB) in directed graphs. Graphs which are completely connected by single-player arcs for each player always admit a (non-unique) OSSB. More specifically, a loop is broken by adding a single-player move to some appropriately chosen default position. If there are nodes with a decision cycle over the move to the successor node, introducing veto players ensures that an OSSB exists which assigns a non-empty solution to every vertex along the equilibrium path.
Padayatras and the Changing Nature of Political Communication in India
Authors: Kumar Radhika
Published: April 2017

Political communication sets the context for a conversation between the political leaders and masses. A productive strategy of political communication would be one that successfully mobilizes its recipients for the purpose at hand which could be for a protest or for electoral support. One such strategy of communication and mobilization typical to democratic politics in India is the ‘padayatra’, which while being traditional also has a spiritual lineage. The padayatra was effectively used by Mahatma Gandhi to rally together the masses during the freedom movement, and it continues to be a politically relevant strategy used not only for mobilization but also for partisan gains that capitalize on its imagery. Electoral padayatras provide an opportunity to the politician to interact with voters in a substantive manner, understand their weltanschauung and enable its achievement. The purpose of this article is to map the changing nature of the padayatra and its appropriation by political parties as a tool of political communication.
Place, Space, and Racially Unequal Exposures to Pollution at Home and Work
Authors: Elliott James R. , Smiley Kevin T.
Published: April 2017

Research on racial inequalities in exposure to industrial pollution in U.S. metropolitan areas typically focuses on places of residence, ignoring the fact that most people work and commute to other areas to do so. To investigate what these daily commutes mean for understanding place- and space-based disparities in exposure, we merge federally compiled data on commuting and industrial air pollution with sociodemographic data on the home and work tracts of employed adults in Houston, Texas. Results from descriptive analyses and spatial regression models yield several insights often presumed but heretofore undemonstrated in prior research: (1) generally, people work in more toxic areas than they reside; (2) blacks and Latinos work as well as reside in more toxic areas than whites; and (3) unequal spatial relations via commuting powerfully predict a place’s level of toxic air pollution, net of other factors, including racial composition. Implications for current and future research are discussed.
Intermittent hypoxia in obstructive sleep apnoea mediates insulin resistance through adipose tissue inflammation
Authors: Murphy Aoife M. , Thomas Amandine , Crinion Sophie J. , Kent Brian D. , Tambuwala Murtaza M. , Fabre Aurelie , Pepin Jean-Louis , Roche Helen M. , Arnaud Claire , Ryan Silke
Published: April 2017

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is increasingly associated with insulin resistance. The underlying pathophysiology remains unclear but intermittent hypoxia (IH)-mediated inflammation and subsequent dysfunction of the adipose tissue has been hypothesised to play a key role.

We tested this hypothesis employing a comprehensive translational approach using a murine IH model of lean and diet-induced obese mice, an innovative IH system for cell cultures and a tightly controlled patient cohort.

IH led to the development of insulin resistance in mice, corrected for the degree of obesity, and reduced insulin-mediated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, associated with inhibition of the insulin-signalling pathway and downregulation of insulin-receptor substrate-1 mRNA. Providing mechanistic insight, IH induced a pro-inflammatory phenotype of visceral adipose tissue in mice with pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage polarisation correlating with the severity of insulin resistance. Complimentaryin vitroanalysis demonstrated that IH led to M1 polarisation of THP1-derived macrophages. In subjects without comorbidities (n=186), OSA was independently associated with insulin resistance. Furthermore, we found an independent correlation of OSA severity with the M1 macrophage inflammatory marker sCD163.

This study provides evidence that IH induces a pro-inflammatory phenotype of the adipose tissue, which may be a crucial link between OSA and the development of insulin resistance.
Computed tomographic findings in subjects who died from respiratory disease in the National Lung Screening Trial
Authors: Pompe Esther , de Jong Pim A. , Lynch David A. , Lessmann Nikolas , Išgum Ivana , van Ginneken Bram , Lammers Jan-Willem J. , Mohamed Hoesein Firdaus A.A.
Published: April 2017

We evaluated the prevalence of significant lung abnormalities on computed tomography (CT) in patients who died from a respiratory illness other than lung cancer in the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST).

In this retrospective case–control study, NLST participants in the CT arm who died of respiratory illness other than lung cancer were matched for age, sex, pack-years and smoking status to a surviving control. A chest radiologist and a radiology resident blinded to the outcome independently scored baseline CT scans visually and qualitatively for the presence of emphysema, airway wall thickening and fibrotic lung disease. The prevalence of CT abnormalities was compared between cases and controls by using chi-squared tests.

In total, 167 participants died from a respiratory cause other than lung cancer. The prevalence of severe emphysema, airway wall thickening and fibrotic lung disease were 28.7%versus4.8%, 26.9%versus13.2% and 18.6%versus0.5% in cases and controls, respectively. Radiological findings were significantly more prevalent in deaths compared with controls (all p<0.001).

CT-diagnosed severe emphysema, airway wall thickening and fibrosis were much more common in NLST participants who died from respiratory disease, and CT may provide an additional means of identifying these diseases.
Sequestering seawater on land: a water-based solution to global issues
Authors: Boyer Stéphane , Lefort Marie-Caroline
Published: April 2017

The ‘surplus’ of oceanic water generated by climate change offers an unprecedented opportunity to tackle a number of global issues through a very pragmatic process: shifting the excess water from the oceans onto the land. Here we propose that sea-level rise could be mitigated through the desalination of very large amounts of seawater in an international network of massive desalination plants. To efficiently mitigate sea-level rise, desalinized water could be stored on land in the form of crop, wetlands or new forests. Based on a US$ 500 million price to build an individual mega desalination plant with current technology, the cost of controlling current sea-level rise through water desalination approaches US$ 23 trillion in investment and US$ 4 trillion per year in operating costs. However, the economic, environmental and health benefits would also be immense and could contribute to addressing a number of global issues including sea-level rise, food security, biodiversity loss and climate change. Because these issues are intimately intertwined, responses should aim at addressing them all concurrently and at global scale.
Segmentation of Spatially Dependent Geographical Units: Model and Application
Authors: Govind Rahul , Chatterjee Rabikar , Mittal Vikas
Published: April 2017

We develop and test a new methodology that assigns geographical units (such as ZIP codes) to market segments by simultaneously considering bases of segmentation, such as customer attitudes and needs, such that the resulting segments display a high level of spatial concentration. Such concentrated segments are managerially desirable because of the logistical and administrative efficiencies created by implementing spatially concentrated segment-level strategies. The suggested approach captures spatial dependence flexibly while allowing us to identify managerially actionable segments that effectively balance homogeneity and spatial concentration. An illustrative empirical application demonstrates how the results can be utilized to derive consumer insights for actionable segmentation strategies. A Monte Carlo simulation and an assessment of the quality of the segments obtained from the empirical application support the value of the proposed spatially dependent segmentation method.

This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta, marketing.
Differentiating consumption contexts as a basis for diversity in food design education: Eating in or eating out?
Authors: Schifferstein Hendrik N. J.
Published: April 2017

Designers can play a significant role in providing the world population with food that is produced in a sustainable way, is tasty and healthy and can form the centrepiece in culinary experiences. However, design students will need to acquire more knowledge specific for the food domain if they want to qualify as cooperation partners for other food professionals. In addition, because the food domain is vast and diverse, food design education could focus on various application domains, resulting in design students with different profiles.

In this article, I make a distinction between designing for a person who consumes food at home or is eating out. The first case emphasizes the food itself in the home situation, including food production, packaging, food buying, shelf life, preparation, serving, handling leftovers and waste disposal. In the second case, the consumer’s meal experience depends on the atmosphere in the restaurant, interactions with serving staff, the offerings on the menu and quality of the dish. In addition, several processes take place outside the consumer’s view, such as food preparation, storage, personnel management and business administration.

Based on these topics and comparison with adjoining educational curricula, a list of training topics is derived. For all food designers, this consists of general design capabilities, food science, cooking skills, consumer insights and sustainability issues. In addition, the ‘eating at home’ designer should gather knowledge on agricultural production, food technology and food industry business, whereas the ‘eating out’ designer will need to focus mainly on food product knowledge, culinary technology, equipment engineering, restaurant design, consumer dining behaviour and hospitality business.
Reseña: Schujman, Gustavo & Siede, Isabelino (Comps.) (2013). Ciudadanía para armar. Aportes para la formación ética y política. 1a reimpresión. Buenos Aires: Aique, 245 páginas.
Authors: Pappier Viviana
Published: April 2017

Schujman, Gustavo & Siede, Isabelino (Comps.) (2013). Ciudadanía para armar. Aportes para la formación ética y política.1a reimpresión. Buenos Aires: Aique, 245 páginas.
Prólogo N°21
Authors: Coudannes Mariela , De Amézola Gonzalo
Published: April 2017

Prólogo N°21
Relatos y memorias en el Cono Sur: Ellas sí tienen historia. Las representaciones del profesorado chileno de secundaria sobre la enseñanza de la historia de las mujeres.
Authors: Gajardo Jesús Marolla , Pagès Blanch Joan
Published: April 2017

La presente comunicación tiene como objetivo el análisis e interpretación de las representaciones sociales del profesorado chileno sobre la enseñanza de la historia de las mujeres en la actualidad.El trabajo está compuesto por el análisis de los discursos escritos del profesorado sobre el currículo chileno, la visión, finalidades y objetivos en que se posicionan en el momento de enseñar la historia de las mujeres. Se establecen tres tipologías que caracterizan los discursos escritos del profesorado y que reflejan la visión, la metodología y las finalidades que escogen para enseñar desde, o sobre, la historia de las mujeres.Si bien la investigación está en desarrollo, los resultados obtenidos sobre las representaciones sociales del profesorado ponen en evidencia que, a pesar de los esfuerzos que se han realizado desde la historiografía u otros sectores de la sociedad por visibilizar y dar protagonismo a la mujer, ésta aún continúa con amplios márgenes de ausencia en la enseñanza.
Editorial
Authors: Yupana Revista
Published: April 2017

Editorial
Una experiencia vivida en aula: enseñar y aprender a trabajar con estadística desde una perspectiva crítica
Authors: Esteley Cristina , Magallanes Adriana
Published: April 2017

Una experiencia vivida en aula: enseñar y aprender a trabajar con estadística desde una perspectiva crítica Cristina Esteley y Adriana Magallanes ResumenEn este artículo se presenta una descripción de una experiencia escolar realizada en una escuela secundaria de una localidad de la provincia de Córdoba donde la segunda autora se desempeña como profesora de matemática. La experiencia toma como eje el trabajo con proyectos de modelización matemática a partir de un problema de naturaleza interdisciplinaria seleccionado por estudiantes de 14–15 años de edad. Si bien la experiencia conforma un proyecto pedagógico, creado y sostenido esencialmente con la colaboración de tres profesores de enseñanza secundaria, toma características muy particulares debido al aporte sustancial de los estudiantes, otros investigadores, docentes y miembros de la comunidad local.Se presentan algunos supuestos teóricos que sustentan el proyecto pedagógico, detalles de la planificación, gestión del trabajo, pormenores del trabajo bajo el formato curricular de «Observatorio» y algunos resultados logrados a partir de la implementación del mismo.
Newer condylar trapezoidal plate in treatment of mandibular condyle fractures : short clinical study
Authors: Passi Deepak , Gupta Ritu , Chandra Lokesh , Singh Abhishek , Sharma Prarthana , Yadav Garima
Published: April 2017

Mandibular condyle fracture is one of the most frequent injuries of the facial skeleton. The treatment ofmandibular condyle is either closed reduction or open reduction with internal fixation. The open reduction of mandibular condyle fractures has become more favorable and gaining popularity since various osteosynthesis materials and techniques were developed in the past few decades. These include fixation with Kirschner wires, intraosseous wiring, miniplates, and lag screw fixation. In response to a increased number of needs for improved treatment in this region, a variable morphological plates have been developed with specific designs to treat such fractures. We present a case series of use of new condylar trapezoidal plate (condylar fragment plate) in the treatment of mandibular condyle fractures.
Assessment of occupational burnout among private dental practioners in Bengaluru city -a cross sectional study
Authors: Reddy MayurNath , HL Shwetha , Mishra Mayur
Published: April 2017

Introduction: Dentistry is highly rewarding profession, but it’s very demanding job with high degree of concentration and precision in work. Dentists seem to be prone to professional burnout, anxiety disorders and clinical depression because of the variety of sources of stress encountered throughout the professional career.Objectives: To assess the burnout level and physical exhaustion among private dental practitioners.Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on private dental practitioners in Bengaluru city. A questionnaire containing 22 items Maslach Burnout Inventory and demographic detail, was administered. The response rates were obtained using a likert scale ranging from 0-6. Analysis for p value, cronbach’s α for each questions (>0.700 = high consistency), frequency and comparison of variables, were done.Results: The study found high level of burnout in 11.3% of participants. It also showed age group of <=25 and 25-35, females were highly influenced. More amount of burnout level found in general practitioners than specialists. Study also indicates that backache 48% and headache 44.7%were main reasons for physical exhaustion followed byneck-ache 34%and hand and wrist disorders 23.7%.Conclusion: As health care provider the dentists are subjected to interpersonal stress due to the demanding nature of the occupation and close proximity to the patient.Moderate to high level of burnout were detected in the study sample, it’s recommended that attention for burnout risk should be given priority by dental professionals.
On Protocols and Principles in the Case of Hiro
Authors: Capriotti Matthew R.
Published: April 2017

Dr. Jeremy Lichtman (2017, in this issue) presents a case of successful behavioral treatment of tics in "Hiro," a 10-year-old boy with Tourette Syndrome (TS) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This commentary discusses the case of Hiro from a principle-oriented approach, with particular focus on issues related to parental involvement in treatment, addressing comorbidity and therapy-interfering behavior, and planning for generalization and long-term maintenance.
The Assessment of the Calving Interval at Cows in the Mountain Area
Authors: Manea Roger Catalin
Published: April 2017

For an effective, in determining the index „Calving Interval“ we take into consideration the two components of each interval: service period (SP) and duration of gestation (DG). In order to obtain the optimal interval between calving (365 days) the cow should become gestant at 81 days after calving, because along with 284-285 days, length of gestation, to provide 305 days for normal lactation and 60 days for the rest of the breast enough for the formation of the udder for the next lactation.

The frequency curve has a single peak, 43.5% placed around 361 days after which the frequencies fall along a period of time long enough. The probably average of „CI“ of 360 days, which corresponds to the class with highest frequency, shows that the fecundity is good and that it can provide a rest for brest for 55 days in the case of normal lactations of 305 days.

The 42 days difference between the arithmetic mean of the „CI“ (402 days ago) and the likely media (360 days) is caused by the presence of breeding disorders. The large values of the coefficient of variance is due to the very long ranges as well as very short intervals of calving interval.
Issues of Triticale Crop Quality in Transylvania
Authors: Nitu Iulia , Nitu Adrian Cristinel
Published: April 2017

The paper work aims to present the quality of triticale crop grown in Transylvania and to encourage the cultivation of this species on large areas in Romania. Following the project results, is found the adaptability of triticale cultivation under different biotope conditions and the benefits resulting from this culture.

It was found upward trend in areas under triticale in last years of the study, in more counties from Transylvania.
Reduced diophantine quadruples with the binary recurrence Gn = AGn–1 – Gn–2
Authors: Alp Murat , Irmak Nurettin , Szalay László
Published: April 2017

Given a positive integer A ≠ 2. In this paper, we show that there do not exist two positive integer pairs {a,b} ≠ {c,d} such that the values of ac+1, ad+1 and bc+1, bd+1 are the terms of the sequence {Gn}n≥0 which satisfies the recurrence relation Gn = AGn-1 - Gn-2 with the initial values G0 = 0, G1 = 1.
On the efficiency of some p-groups
Authors: Ateş Fırat
Published: April 2017

Let p be a prime number. In this paper, we work on the efficiency of the p-groups G1 and G2 defined by the presentations,

here α ≥ β > γ ≥ 1 and

where α ≥ 2γ, β > γ ≥ 1 and α + β > 3. For example, if we let p = 2, then by [1], the groups defined by these presentations becomes 2-groups. It is known that these groups play an important role in the theory of groups of nilpotency class 2.
Inexact Inertial Proximal Algorithm for Maximal Monotone Operators
Authors: Khatibzadeh Hadi , Ranjbar Sajad
Published: April 2017

In this paper, convergence of the sequence generated by the inexact form of the inertial proximal algorithm is studied. This algorithm which is obtained by the discretization of a nonlinear oscillator with damping dynamical system, has been introduced by Alvarez and Attouch (2001) and Jules and Maingé (2002) for the approximation of a zero of a maximal monotone operator. We establish weak and strong convergence results for the inexact inertial proximal algorithm with and without the summability assumption on errors, under different conditions on parameters. Our theorems extend the results on the inertial proximal algorithm established by Alvarez and Attouch (2001) and rules and Maingé (2002) as well as the results on the standard proximal point algorithm established by Brézis and Lions (1978), Lions (1978), Djafari Rouhani and Khatibzadeh (2008) and Khatibzadeh (2012). We also answer questions of Alvarez and Attouch (2001).
On the metrical theory of a non-regular continued fraction expansion
Authors: Lascu Dan , Cîrlig George
Published: April 2017

We introduced a new continued fraction expansions in our previous paper. For these expansions, we show the Brodén-Borel-Lévy type formula. Furthermore, we compute the transition probability function from this and the symbolic dynamical system of the natural number with the unilateral shift.
Ingarden mechanical systems with special external forces
Authors: Lungu Otilia , Nimineţ Valer
Published: April 2017

In the present paper we study a remarcable particular case of Finslerian mechanical system, called Ingarden mechanical system. This is defined by a 4-uple ∑IFⁿ = (M, F2, N, Fe) where M is the configuration space, Fn = (M, F, (x, y)) = (M, α, (x, y) + β (x, y)) is an Ingarden space, N is the Lorentz nonlinear connection and are the external forces.

One associates to this system ∑IFⁿ a semispray S, or a dinamical system on the velocity space TM. We write the generalized Maxwell equations for the electromagnetic fields of ∑IFⁿ.
Hop Domination in Graphs-II
Authors: Natarajan C. , Ayyaswamy S.K.
Published: April 2017

Let G = (V;E) be a graph. A set S ⊂ V (G) is a hop dominating set of G if for every v ∈ V - S, there exists u ∈ S such that d(u; v) = 2. The minimum cardinality of a hop dominating set of G is called a hop domination number of G and is denoted by γh(G). In this paper we characterize the family of trees and unicyclic graphs for which γh(G) = γt(G) and γh(G) = γc(G) where γt(G) and γc(G) are the total domination and connected domination numbers of G respectively. We then present the strong equality of hop domination and hop independent domination numbers for trees. Hop domination numbers of shadow graph and mycielskian graph of graph are also discussed.
Complete spacelike hypersurfaces with positive r-th mean curvature in a semi-Riemannian warped product
Authors: Wang Yaning , Liu Ximin
Published: April 2017

In this paper, by supposing a natural comparison inequality on the positive r-th mean curvatures of the hypersurface, we obtain some new Bernstein-type theorems for complete spacelike hypersurfaces immersed in a semi-Riemannian warped product of constant sectional curvature. Generalizing the above results, under a restriction on the sectional curvature or the Ricci curvature tensor of the fiber of a warped product, we also prove some new rigidity theorems in semi-Riemannian warped products. Our main results extend some recent Bernstein-type theorems proved in [12, 13, 14].
Improving Upstream and Downstream Fish Passage at Retis Dam on Hârtibaciu River - Sibiu County (Transylvania)
Authors: Voicu Răzvan , Baki Pete
Published: April 2017

Retis (dam Retis), hydro-technical development like many other transverse hydraulic structures cancel the longitudinal connectivity of Hârtibaciu water course, blocking the migration of different (migrating) species of fish in the river. Also, the lateral connectivity was heavily affected on this water course at a rate of 60%. Therefore, proposing engineering solutions to recover both (lateral and longitudinal) types of connectivity is vital to restore the local ecobiom. The purpose of this article is to establish longitudinal connectivity through an engineering solution that facilitates the fish migration upstream - downstream of Retis dam. This paper proposes an engineered fish passage solution for Retiș Dam on the Hârtibaciu River, using the criteria described in the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC document. Anthropogenic barriers located in the Hârtibaciu River disrupt and delay movement of local fish fauna including: Alburnoides bipunctatus (Bloch, 1782), Squalius cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758), Alburnus alburnus (Linnaeus, 1758), Rhodeus amarus (Bloch, 1782), Gobio gobio (Linnaeus, 1758), Romanogobio kessleri (Dybowski, 1862), Barbatula barbatula (Linnaeus, 1758), Barbus meridionalis Risso, 1827 Misgurnus fossilis (Linnaeus, 1758), Cobitis taenia Linnaeus, 1758, Cobitis romanica (Băcescu, 1943), and Cobitis aurata (De Filippi, 1863).
Glass-based coatings on biomedical implants: a state-of-the-art review
Authors: Baino Francesco , Verné Enrica
Published: April 2017

Bioactive glasses, invented by Prof. Larry L. Hench in the late 1960s, have revolutionized the field of biomaterials as they were shown to tightly bond to both hard and soft living tissues and to stimulate cells towards a path of regeneration and self-repair. However, due to their relatively poor mechanical properties (brittleness, low bending strength and fracture toughness), they are generally unsuitable for load-bearing applications. On the other hand, bioactive glasses have been successfully applied as coatings on the surface of stronger/tougher substrates to combine adequate mechanical properties with high bioactivity and, in some cases, additional extrafunctionalities (e.g. antibacterial properties, drug release). After giving a short overview of the main issues concerning the fabrication of glass coatings, this review provides a state-of-the-art picture in the field and specifically discusses the development of bioactive and hierarchical coatings on 3D porous scaffolds, joint prostheses, metallic substrates (e.g. wires or nails) for orthopedic fixation, polymeric meshes and sutures for wound healing, ocular implants and percutaneous devices.
Cobalt adsorption on the nano-hydroxyapatite matrix: isotherm and kinetic studies
Authors: Narwade V. N. , Khairnar R. S.
Published: April 2017

Cobalt radionuclide is one of the prime contaminants generated during operation of pressurized heavy water. The paper reports the study of cobalt adsorption on hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoceramic. A modified wet chemical precipitation method is used for HAp synthesis. The HAp nano-material is characterized by XRD, FTIR, TG/DTA, AFM, SEM, and EDAX. Experiments are performed in batches to observe the effect of cobalt adsorption on HAp matrix. The adsorption of cobalt on HAp is examined at room temperature. The isotherm and kinetic studies showed that the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second order model are the best choices to describe the nature of adsorption.
An analytical solution to the problem of time-fractional heat conduction in a composite sphere
Authors: Kukla S. , Siedlecka U.
Published: April 2017

An analytical solution to the problem of time-fractional heat conduction in a sphere consisting of an inner solid sphere and concentric spherical layers is presented. In the heat conduction equation, the Caputo time-derivative of fractional order and the Robin boundary condition at the outer surface of the sphere are assumed. The spherical layers are characterized by different material properties and perfect thermal contact is assumed between the layers. The analytical solution to the problem of heat conduction in the sphere for time-dependent surrounding temperature and for time-space-dependent volumetric heat source is derived. Numerical examples are presented to show the effect of the harmonically varying intensity of the heat source and the harmonically varying surrounding temperature on the temperature in the sphere for different orders of the Caputo time-derivative.
Positive output elementary Luo converter for fixed-frequency ZVS operation
Authors: Bright S. J. V. , Ramkumar S. , Anand H.
Published: April 2017

Luo converter is one amid the developed DC-DC converters offering higher voltage gain. Soft-switching techniques, like zero-voltage switching (ZVS), repress switching losses, and hence the system efficiency and the life of the power semiconductor switches are improved. Incorporation of soft switching in fixed-frequency operation of the Luo converters may persuade them in the regulated power supply applications. The existing variable switching frequency solution suffers from a number of problems viz. complexity in filter designing, more electromagnetic interference (EMI), etc. This paper proposes a positive output elementary Luo converter (POELC) involving ZVS with the wherewithal of working in fixed frequency. A comprehensive discussion on the proposed circuit topology is detailed with both simulation and experimental studies. Systematic descriptions of basic POELC, variable-frequency ZVS-POELC, and fixed-frequency ZVS-POELC make an impact on the understanding of related concepts by the researchers in this field.
Minimizing sensor movement in target coverage problem: A hybrid approach using Voronoi partition and swarm intelligence
Authors: Jagtap A. M. , Gomathi N.
Published: April 2017

This paper addresses the major challenges that reside on target coverage problem, which is one among the two primary sub-problems of node deployment problem. In order to accomplish a cost-efficient target coverage, a Voronoi partition-based, velocity added artificial bee colony algorithm (V-VABC) is introduced. The V-VABC is an advancement over the traditional, target-based Voronoi greedy algorithm (TVgreedy). Moreover, the VABC component of V-VABC is a hybrid, heuristic search algorithm developed from the context of ABC and particle swarm optimization (PSO). The V-VABC is an attempt to solve the network, which has an equal number of both sensors and targets, which is a special case of TCOV. Simulation results show that V-VABC performs better than TV-greedy and the classical and base algorithms of V-VABC such as ABC and PSO.
Smallholder farmer’s perceived effects of climate change on crop production and household livelihoods in rural Limpopo province, South Africa
Authors: Ubisi Nomcebo R. , Mafongoya Paramu L. , Kolanisi Unathi , Jiri Obert
Published: April 2017

This study investigated the perceived effects of climate change on crop production and household livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Mopani and Vhembe district, South Africa. Data was collected through a questionnaire administered to 150 smallholder farmers. The questionnaires were complemented by 8 focus group discussions and secondary data. Multinomial logit regression model was used to analyse the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ choice of climate change adaptation strategies. The study findings revealed that subsistence farmers perceived prolonged droughts (56.4%) as the main shock stressing crop production. Droughts often lead to low crop yield and high crop failure (73.3%). In response to the prevailing climatic conditions different gender adopted different strategies, 41% of female farmers adapted by changing planting dates, while male farmers employed crop variety and diversification (35%) and mixed cropping (15%). The smallholder farmers were vulnerable with limited adaptive capacity to withstand climate change due to compromised social, human, physical, natural and financial assets. The results showed that smallholder farmers tend to adapt better when they have access to extension officers (P<0.01). Therefore, it is important for the government to strengthen the relationship between smallholder farmers and extension officers for better climate change adaptation.
Implementation of Non-Destructive Evaluation and Process Monitoring in DLP-based Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Kovalenko Iaroslav , Verron Sylvain , Garan Maryna , Šafka Jiří , Moučka Michal
Published: April 2017

This article describes a method of in-situ process monitoring in the digital light processing (DLP) 3D printer. It is based on the continuous measurement of the adhesion force between printing surface and bottom of a liquid resin bath. This method is suitable only for the bottom-up DPL printers. Control system compares the force at the moment of unsticking of printed layer from the bottom of the tank, when it has the largest value in printing cycle, with theoretical value. Implementation of suggested algorithm can make detection of faults during the printing process possible.
Pathogenicity of FtsK mutant of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Xu Xiaojing , Chen Xiang , Gao Song , Zhao Lixiang
Published: April 2017

Introduction: Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is a leading cause of extraintestinal infection and heavy economic losses. Imparting immunity after vaccination with live attenuated strain vaccination is an ideal strategy for infection control. This study considers an FtsK knockout mutant strain as a candidate. Material and Methods: An FtsK knockout mutant of APEC strain E058 was constructed and the pathogenicity of the mutant and wild-type strains was further evaluated in chickens. Results: The 50% lethal doses of each strain for one-day-old specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens challenged experimentally via trachea were 105.5 and 107.0 colony-forming units (CFU) respectively. Chickens challenged with the wild-type strain exhibited typical signs and lesions of avian colibacillosis, while those inoculated with the mutant strain showed mild pericarditis and pulmonary congestion. The growth rate of the FtsK mutant strain was much slower than the wild-type strain in the heart, spleen, liver, and lung of infected chickens. Conclusion: These results indicated that the APEC FtsK mutant can be attenuated for chickens, and that this mutant has the potential for the development of an APEC vaccine.
In vitro drug sensitivity in canine lymphoma
Authors: Pawlak Aleksandra , Obmińska-Mrukowicz Bożena , Zbyryt Iwona , Rapak Andrzej
Published: April 2017

Introduction: Due to the high heterogeneity of canine lymphoma, the aim of the present study was to test in vitro the chemosensitivity of canine high-grade primary lymphoma cells to various cytostatic drugs commonly used to treat dogs: 4-HO-cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, dexamethasone, prednisolone, vincristine, etoposide, chlorambucil, lomustine, and cytosine arabinoside. Material and Methods: To determine the cell viability and drug ability to induce apoptosis two different tests were used: an MTT assay and annexin V/propidium iodide staining. Results: Both in vitro tests were found to be useful tools. Significant differences in the sensitivity, depending on the drug type, between B-, T- and mixed/null-type lymphoma cells were found for the majority of the tested drugs. B-type cells were the most sensitive in vitro, whereas T-type cells seemed to be the most resistant. Doxorubicin, chlorambucil, etoposide, and vincristine most strongly reduced the cell viability and induced apoptosis. Conclusion: In vitro assays, such as the MTT test and especially the annexin V/PI assay, may be useful tools for predicting a response to the treatment of high-grade lymphoma in dogs or improving the treatment outcomes in individual animals.
2-DE-MS based proteomic investigation of dairy cows with footrot
Authors: Zheng Jiasan , Shu Shi , Xia Cheng , Xu Chuang , Zhang Hongyou , Wang Hongbin
Published: April 2017

Introduction: The differentially expressed proteins between healthy cows and those with footrot were identified to explore changes in protein profiles associated with the disease. Material and Methods: Out of 36 cows selected for the experiment, 18 footrot-affected cows were included in the treatment group (group T) and 18 unaffected cows were included in the control group (group C). Plasma samples from groups T and C were subjected to two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis and differentially expressed proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Bioinformatics, including gene ontology analysis and pathway analysis, was used for analysing all proteins. Results: Out of 63 spots identified by 2DE, 33 were selected for mass spectrum analysis, which identified 11 differentially expressed proteins in 26 spots. Footrot led to changes in profiles in plasma proteins that were classified to the pathway of inflammatory response, complement, and blood coagulation, among others. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of the defence mechanisms of cows with footrot to explore strategies for treatment.