bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Approach for Image Copyright Protection by using Walsh Hadamard Method
Authors: Gupta Manish Kumar , Pant Dibakar Raj
Published: March 2017

Protecting copyrighted image from abuse, misuse and piracy is being critical day by day. Digital image Copyright Protection is considered as a solution to prevent the piracy of original image data. In this article, the authors propose copyright protection method using the well-known Walsh Hadamard transformation along with discrete wavelet transformation and singular value decomposition to achieve robust and imperceptible copyrighted image. The optimum scaling factor which decides the strength of signature image to be embedded is obtained at 0.3. The proposed article ensures imperceptibility of copyrighted image which is determined by Peak signal to noise ratio value greater than 35dB. Normalized Correlation value nearly equals to 0.9999 provides robustness against different attacks such as image cropping, rotations and noise on copyrighted image.  Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 2016, 12(1): 162-168
Estimation of the Daily Global Solar Radiation using RadEst 3.00 Software at Nepalgunj, Nepal
Authors: KC Bed Raj , Gurung Shekhar
Published: March 2017

The RadEst 3.00 version software estimates daily total solar radiation at low land area using meteorological parameters such as precipitation, temperatures and solar radiation of Nepalgunj (Lat.28.05°N, Lon.81.62°E, and Alt.150m). Radiation is calculated as the product of the atmospheric transmissivity of radiation and radiation outside earth atmosphere. The model parameters are fitted in two years data. An accurate knowledge of solar radiation distribution in each particular geographical location is crucial for the promotion of solar active and passive energy technology. The values estimated by the models are compared with measured solar radiation data. The performance of the model was evaluated using root mean square error (RMSE), mean bias error (MBE), Coefficient of Residual Mass (CRM) and coefficient of determination (R2). The RadEst 3.0 software which showed the better results using BC, CD, DB and DCBB, among them the DCBB model is the best model for this site. The values of RMSE, MBE, CRM and R2are 5.20, 3.98, 0.00 and 0.47 respectively. The finding coefficients of different models can be utilized for the estimation of solar radiation at the similar meteorological sites of Nepal.Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 2016, 12(1): 199-209
भाषिक–वृत्त (रेजिष्टर) र प्रयोजनपरक इन्जिनियरिङ नेपालीभाषा एक अध्ययन (Bhashik Britta (Rejistar) ra Prayojanparak Engineering Nepalibhasa Aek Aadhyan)
Authors: Dhungana Yadav Prasad
Published: March 2017

Not Available.Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 2016, 12(1): 228-232
Effect of Training Exercises Incorporating Mechanical Devices on Fatigue and Gait Pattern in Persons with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Escudero-Uribe Shahid , Hochsprung Anja , Heredia-Camacho Beatriz , Izquierdo-Ayuso Guillermo
Published: March 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of regular exercise incorporating mechanical devices on fatigue, gait pattern, mood, and quality of life in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Method: A total of 55 individuals with RRMS with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 0–4.5 and a Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) score of 4.0 or more were randomly assigned to one of two exercise groups or a control group (n=18). Exercise programmes used aerobic, body weight, coordination, and balance exercises with either whole-body vibration (WBV; n=19; drop-outs, n=3) or the Balance Trainer system (n=18; drop-outs, n=4). Outcome measures included the FSS, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and Multiple Sclerosis International Quality of Life (MusiQoL). Spatiotemporal gait parameters were assessed using the GAITRite electronic walkway. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were performed by a blinded assessor. Intra- and inter-group analysis was performed, using the paired-samples t-test, by calculating the effect size with Cohen's d analysis and one-way analysis of variance, respectively. Results: Significant improvements in fatigue and mood were identified for both intervention groups (p<0.05). Gait parameters also improved significantly in the WBV group: velocity and step length increased (12.8% and 6.5%, respectively; p<0.005), and step time, stance time, double support time, and step length asymmetry decreased (–5.3%, –1.4%, –5.9%, and –43.7%, respectively; p<0.005). Conclusions: The results of this study support the hypothesis that combined training programmes help to reduce fatigue and improve mood in persons with mild to moderate RRMS. WBV combined with a standard exercise programme significantly improves spatiotemporal gait parameters.
The Right to Food and the Planetary Boundaries Framework
Authors: Heesterman Wiebina
Published: March 2017

The ‘Right to Food’ is a legal entitlement owed to all human beings established in international law more than half a century ago. Fulfilment of the right has been entrusted to states parties to the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). However, in practice, the right is often breached because of hostility or indifference from individuals or institutions refusing access to provisions, or because of vicissitudes of nature. Adverse impacts due to human interference in natural processes are increasingly noticeable in the area of food production. These processes have been classified into nine distinct categories, all of which need be kept within certain margins, so-called ‘Planetary Boundaries’, which delineate a safe operating space for humanity. This paper discusses the impact each of these human-induced developments has on the provision of food as well as the other way round and what the consequences would be if the boundaries were exceeded. Yet there are means of keeping the worst consequences of most of these processes at bay. The paper explores some of these.
The Imperative for Regenerative Agriculture
Authors: Rhodes Christopher J.
Published: March 2017

A review is made of the current state of agriculture, emphasising issues of soil erosion and dependence on fossil fuels, in regard to achieving food security for a relentlessly enlarging global population. Soil has been described as “the fragile, living skin of the Earth”, and yet both its aliveness and fragility have all too often been ignored in the expansion of agriculture across the face of the globe. Since it is a pivotal component in a global nexus of soil-water-air-energy, how we treat the soil can impact massively on climate change – with either beneficial or detrimental consequences, depending on whether the soil is preserved or degraded. Regenerative agriculture has at its core the intention to improve the health of soil or to restore highly degraded soil, which symbiotically enhances the quality of water, vegetation and land-productivity. By using methods of regenerative agriculture, it is possible not only to increase the amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) in existing soils, but to build new soil. This has the effect of drawing down carbon from the atmosphere, while simultaneously improving soil structure and soil health, soil fertility and crop yields, water retention and aquifer recharge – thus ameliorating both flooding and drought, and also the erosion of further soil, since runoff is reduced. Since food production on a more local scale is found to preserve the soil and its quality, urban food production should be seen as a significant potential contributor to regenerative agriculture in the future, so long as the methods employed are themselves ‘regenerative’. If localisation is to become a dominant strategy for dealing with a vastly reduced use of fossil fuels, and preserving soil quality – with increased food production in towns and cities – it will be necessary to incorporate integrated (‘systems’) design approaches such as permaculture and the circular economy (which minimise and repurpose ‘waste’) within the existing urban infrastructure. In addition to growing food in urban space, such actions as draught-proofing and thermally insulating existing building stock, and living/working on a more local scale, would serve well to cut our overall energy consumption. In order to curb our use of fossil fuels, methods for reducing overall energy use must be considered at least equally important to expanding low-carbon energy production. In synopsis, it is clear that only by moving from the current linear, ‘take, make, dispose (waste-creation)’ model for resource-consumption, to the systemic, circular alternative of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle, regenerate’, are we likely to meet demands for future generations.
Diversität elterlicher Einstellungen und vorschulischer Lernerfahrungen – Ein Vergleich deutscher und zugewanderter Familien aus der Türkei, Russland und Polen
Authors: Leyendecker Birgit , Citlak Banu , Schräpler Jörg-Peter , Schölmerich Axel
Published: March 2017

The aim of the present study was to identify differences in children's preschool experiences in relation to their parents' educational and cultural backgrounds (N = 3.960). 39 percent of the participating children grew up in immigrant families. Results indicate that the relationship between parents’ education and attitudes, and children's learning opportunities was visible among members of all groups, albeit to different degrees. Children from immigrant families were more likely to watch more TV and less likely to participate in extracurricular activities and reading. Their parents were more likely to expect the kindergarten to be responsible for children’s education and schools to be responsible for teaching discipline to children. Kindergarten participation was high in all groups, yet immigrant children who had mothers with little education were most likely to attend kindergarten for two years or less. Policy implications of these findings are discussed.

Zusammenfassung

Das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Untersuchung der bildungsrelevanten Vorerfahrungen von Schulanfängern (N = 3.960) im Hinblick auf den kulturellen Hintergrund und die Bildung ihrer Eltern. 39 Prozent der befragten Eltern hatten einen Migrationshintergrund. Der Zusammenhang zwischen Schulbildung der Eltern und ihren Einstellungen sowie den Lerngelegenheiten für ihre Kinder war in allen Gruppen erkennbar, wenn auch in unterschiedlicher Ausprägung. Kinder aus zugewanderten Familien sahen insgesamt mehr fern, ihre Eltern maßen dem Vorlesen weniger Bedeutung bei und die Wahrscheinlichkeit, dass sie an extracurricularen Aktivitäten teilnahmen, war geringer. Ihre Eltern erwarteten eine höhere Übernahme von Verantwortung für Bildung von den Kindergärten sowie für Disziplin von den Schulen. Fast alle Kinder besuchten eine Kindertagesstätte, jedoch war die Wahrscheinlichkeit eines verkürzten Besuchs von maximal zwei Jahren am höchsten bei Kindern aus zugewanderten Familien mit geringer elterlicher Schulbildung. Die Ergebnisse werden im Hinblick auf Empfehlungen diskutiert.
Der Zusammenhang von Partnermarktopportunitäten aus dem Freundeskreis und der Stabilität von Paarbeziehungen. Eine Analyse mit den Daten des Partnermarktsurvey
Authors: Häring Armando
Published: March 2017

The empirical analysis in this paper focuses on the association between partner market opportunities from friendship networks and the stability of relationships. Following the theoretical framework of the theory of interaction, the exchange theory and the economic theory of the family, the paper discusses possible associations between common friends with the partner, partner market opportunities from friendship networks (sex ratio) and the stability of relationships. The paper also considers social differences in partner market opportunities from friendship networks, which can be assumed for men and women and for people with and without a common friendship network with their partner. Empirical evidences in this paper show that partner market opportunities from friendship networks stand in a negative association with the stability of relationships. However, social differences in partner market opportunities from friendship networks show no further results. A special data set for examining partner market opportunities (Partner Market Survey) is used for the empirical analysis in this paper.

Zusammenfassung

Der Beitrag analysiert den Zusammenhang zwischen Partnermarktoportunitäten aus dem Freundeskreis und der Stabilität von Paarbeziehungen. Unter Verwendung des theoretischen Konzepts der Theorie der Interaktionsgelegenheiten sowie von Annahmen der Austauschtheorie und der Familienökonomie, werden mögliche Zusammenhänge zwischen gemeinsamen Freundeskreisen mit dem Partner, Partnermarktgelegenheiten aus dem Freundeskreis (sex ratio) und der Stabilität von Paarbeziehungen diskutiert. Der Beitrag befasst sich daneben mit sozialen Unterschieden im Zugang zu Partnermarktgelegenheiten im Freundeskreis, die für Männer und Frauen und für Personen mit und ohne gemeinsamen Freundeskreis mit dem Partner bestehen können. Die Befunde zeigen, dass Partnermarktopportunitäten im Freundeskreis mit einer geringeren Beziehungsstabilität zusammenhängen. Soziale Unterschiede im Zugang zu Partnermarktgelegenheiten im Freundeskreis tragen dagegen nicht zu der Erklärung der Beziehungsstabilität bei. Als Datengrundlage für die empirische Analyse wird der Partnermarktsurvey verwendet, der speziell dazu verwendet werden kann, Partnermarktopportunitäten zu beschreiben.
Diabetes amongst Leprosy-Disabled People in Bangladesh: A Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Butlin C Ruth , Hossain Delwar , Singh Suren , Warrender TS
Published: March 2017

Background: Diabetes and leprosy are chronic conditions for which patients need to practise self-care. Little is known about how patients manage such comorbidities in Bangladesh.Methods: Leprosy disabled people in north-west Bangladesh were surveyed for diabetes. Random blood glucose levels were measured. Data on disability levels and body mass index were collected and diabetic subjects were interviewed about self-care for their disease.Results: Of the 3573 people with leprosy-related disability surveyed, 97(2.7%) were previously diagnosed with diabetes. They were variously receiving treatment and advice from specialist clinic services or other sources; 65% were on regular medication and only 16% were attending clinic for review more frequently than once in 3 months. Other patients were not receiving regular treatment or medical attention for their diabetes. A random blood glucose done by finger prick test showed 51/97 had levels >11.0 mmol/l and 20/97 had levels >18.0 mmol/l. Their self-reported compliance with medical advice was low. Amongst leprosy-disabled people, not previously known to be diabetic, with random blood glucose >11.0 mmol/l, referred for further assessment. Another 47 cases were confirmed to have diabetes making total prevalence about 4% in this population.Conclusions: The survey results suggest that routine screening for diabetes amongst people affected by leprosy should be considered and that special attention needs to be directed to the ability and motivation of people with leprosy related disability to manage their own diabetes self-care.Birdem Med J 2016; 6(2): 100-106
Cross-matches in Transplantation: Each is Complementary to Other
Authors: Haque Wasim Md Mohosinul , Rahim Muhammad Abdur
Published: March 2017

Immune system, which is an obligatory component of bodys defense mechanism, is the main barrier for allogenic transplantation. Perfect selection of donor on the basis of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) compatibility and cross-matching are the key components of successful transplantation. Cross-match eliminates the chance of hyper-acute rejection and also ensures the long term graft survival. In 1960s, T-cell complement-dependent cytotoxicity cross-match was firstintroduced; since then it is mandatory component of transplantation workup process. With the advances of time different newer cross-match technics are evolved for determining the likelihood of donor-specific antibody-mediated responses, including flow cytometric cross-match and virtual cross-match using luminous microbead assay. Flow cytometric cross-match and luminous microbead assay are more sensitive and specific than the previous one, however all are complimentary to each other for final selection of donor recipient couple. This article builds an understanding of modern day cross-match interpretation using a complicated case-based approach.Birdem Med J 2016; 6(2): 118-126
Cutaneous Manifestations of Sarcoidosis : Reports of Two Cases
Authors: Akter Tahmina , Zahid Reza Bin
Published: March 2017

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease that may involve any organ or system. Cutaneous manifestations occur in 25- 30% of patients with sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis can present with reactive non- specific lesions like erythema nodosum or specific manifestations showing granulomatous microscopic pathology including papules, plaques, lupus pernio, scar sarcoidosis, and rare morphologies such as alopecia, hypopigmented patches and ichthyosiform lesions. Here we present two interesting cases who presented with cutaneous manifestations and causing diagnostic diemma.Birdem Med J 2016; 6(2): 130-133
Successful Pregnancy Outcome in a Patient with Protein S Deficiency: A Case Report
Authors: Khanam Khaleda , Karim Rehnuma , Khanum Shakila
Published: March 2017

Protein S is a vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant and has a central role in the regulation of coagulation. The mechanism of action of protein S has been one of the least understood amongst the vitamin K-dependent coagulation proteins. A deficiency of protein S predisposes to recurrent thromboembolism and fetal loss. Here we report a case of protein S deficiency in a 28- year-old pregnant woman, who had a history of complete abortion at 22 of weeks of gestation and her 2nd pregnancy was managed properly with a successful fetal outcome.Birdem Med J 2016; 6(2): 134-135
Clinical Presentation of Painful Musculoskeletal Conditions at Community Level
Authors: Alam Md Zahangir , Uddin Mohammad Moin , Khan Aminuddin A , Hossain Shawkat , Jalil Md Abdul
Published: March 2017

Background: This study was done in the community level to investigate the frequency of clinical manifestations of painful musculoskeletal conditions that present to the primary care physicians and to see the variations of musculoskeletal diseases in relations to age, gender and occupation.Methods: This was a crosssectional study. People with painful musculoskeletal conditions included and data were collected once. 107 patients with pain and musculoskeletal complaints were included in this study.Results: Majority (44.85%) presented with back pain. The commonest type of disease was degenerative (51.40%).15 cases (14.02%) of musculoskeletal pain were of inflammatory type. Peak age at presentation of musculoskeletal diseases was 40-49 years, which included 23.36% of total participants. 57.94% of the patients with musculoskeletal diseases were females. Among people of all occupations housewives constituted 52.33%.Conclusions: Low back pain is found as the commonest painful musculoskeletal problem encountered by the primary care physicians. Neck and shoulder pains are the next common problems. Housewives are the most vulnerable to musculoskeletal problems. A considerable number of inflammatory musculoskeletal diseases are also present at primary care level. Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.15 (2); Jul 2016; Page 49-51
Caudal Regression Syndrome : A Case Report
Authors: Mony Sadia Afrin , Barua Tanuka , Badruddoza Md
Published: March 2017

Caudal Regression Syndrome (CRS) is a spectrum of congenital malformations, which consist of anomalies of the rectum, the urinary and genital systems, the lumbosacral spine, and the lower limbs. Though exact cause that leads to caudal regression syndrome is still unknown but it is believed that genetic influence as well as maternal pathologic factor related to carbohydrate metabolism plays an important role. The severity of morphologic disorder depends on residual spinal cord function. Infant may present with mild to severe neurological involvement with or without visceral anomaly. Here, we report a case of caudal regression syndrome in an 18 months old girl and presented with hypoplastic lower limb and bladder incontinence.Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.15 (2); Jul 2016; Page 57-60
Prehistoric settlement and ritual activities at Barassie, South Ayrshire
Authors: Arabaolaza Iraia
Published: March 2017

Between 2008 and 2012 archaeological excavations at Barassie near Troon revealed a palimpsest site, which included Mesolithic pits, early Neolithic structures, middle to late Neolithic pits, Bronze Age pits and boundary ditches. This account incorporates the results of these excavations into the expanding corpus of prehistoric archaeological remains along the west coast of central Scotland.
Scatopsides nouvelles ou peu connues de la faune de France. Description de Rhexosa lydiae n. sp. (Diptera Scatopsidae)
Authors: Withers Philippe
Published: March 2017

Des informations sont données sur quelques espèces de Scatopsidae, dont cinq sont nouvelles pour la faune française. Une autre espèce, Rhexosa lydiae, est nouvelle pour la science.
Structure–efficiency relationships of cyclodextrin scavengers in the hydrolytic degradation of organophosphorus compounds
Authors: Letort Sophie , Bosco Michaël , Cornelio Benedetta , Brégier Frédérique , Daulon Sébastien , Gouhier Géraldine , Estour François
Published: March 2017

New derivatives of cyclodextrins were prepared in order to determine the relative importance of the structural key elements involved in the degradation of organophosphorus nerve agents. To avoid a competitive inclusion between the organophosphorus substrate and the iodosobenzoate group, responsible for its degradation, the latter group had to be covalently bound to the cyclodextrin scaffold. Although the presence of the α nucleophile iodosobenzoate was a determinant in the hydrolysis process, an imidazole group was added to get a synergistic effect towards the degradation of the agents. The degradation efficiency was found to be dependent on the relative position of the heterocycle towards the reactive group as well as on the nature of the organophosphorus derivative.
Effects of Grain Growth on Molecular Abundances in Young Stellar Objects
Authors: Harada Nanase , Hasegawa Yasuhiro , Aikawa Yuri , Hirashita Hiroyuki , Liu Haoyu Baobab , Hirano Naomi
Published: March 2017

Recent observations suggested that the growth of dust grains may have already occurred in class 0/I young stellar objects (YSOs). Since chemical reactions on dust grain surfaces are important in determining molecular abundances, the dust size growth may affect chemical compositions in YSOs significantly. In this work, we aim to determine how grain growth affects chemical abundances. We use a time-dependent gas-grain chemical model for a star-forming core to calculate the gas-phase and grain-surface chemical abundances with variation of surface areas of grains to imitate grain growth. We also perform parameter studies in which the initial molecular abundances vary. Our results show that a smaller extent of the surface areas caused by grain growth changes the dominant form of sulfur-bearing molecules by decreasing H2S abundances and increasing SO and/or SO2 abundances. We also find that complex organic molecules such as CH3CN decrease in abundances with larger grain sizes, while the abundance of other species such as CH3OCH3 is dependent on other parameters such as the initial conditions. Comparisons with observations of a class 0 protostar, IRAS 16293-2422, indicate that the observed abundance ratios between sulfur-bearing molecules H2S, SO, and SO2 can be reproduced very well when dust grains grow to a maximum grain size of a
max = 10–100 μm.
Constraints on Bygone Nucleosynthesis of Accreting Neutron Stars
Authors: Meisel Zach , Deibel Alex
Published: March 2017

Nuclear burning near the surface of an accreting neutron star produces ashes that, when compressed deeper by further accretion, alter the star’s thermal and compositional structure. Bygone nucleosynthesis can be constrained by the impact of compressed ashes on the thermal relaxation of quiescent neutron star transients. In particular, Urca cooling nuclei pairs in nuclear burning ashes that cool the neutron star crust via neutrino emission from

-capture/

-decay cycles and provide signatures of prior nuclear burning over the ∼century timescales it takes to accrete to the

-capture depth of the strongest cooling pairs. Using crust cooling models of the accreting neutron star transient MAXI J0556-332, we show that this source likely lacked Type I X-ray bursts and superbursts ≳120 years ago. Reduced nuclear physics uncertainties in rp-process reaction rates and

-capture weak transition strengths for low-lying transitions will improve nucleosynthesis constraints using this technique.
A Case Study of Chewed Truvada® for PrEP Maintaining Protective drug Levels as Measured by a Novel Urine Tenofovir Assay
Authors: Lalley-Chareczko Linden , Clark Devon , Zuppa Athena F , Moorthy Ganesh , Conyngham Caitlin , Mounzer Karam , Koenig Helen
Published: March 2017

Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF; Truvada®) given as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) successfully blocks HIV when taken once daily prior to potential HIV exposure. A 22-year-old male reported difficulty swallowing FTC/TDF for PrEP and subsequently began chewing the FTC/TDF tablets. Monthly urine samples assessed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) indicated tenofovir levels >1,000 ng/ml, indicative of protection from HIV acquisition, over a 48-week period. Data from observational studies of HIV-positive patients details the successful treatment of HIV using crushed FTC/TDF delivered via feeding and gastronomy tubes while small, randomized trials of healthy volunteers demonstrate bioequivalence between whole and crushed FTC/TDF.
Comparison of rectal and tympanic membrane temperature in healthy exercising dogs
Authors: Hall E.J. , Carter A.J.
Published: March 2017

The ability to monitor body temperature in athletes at risk of hyperthermia is essential in all species. Currently, the only commonly accepted temperature monitoring site in dogs is the rectum. This is impractical in field situations as it takes time, requires additional handlers to restrain the dog and is not tolerated by all animals. Tympanic membrane temperature (TMT) monitoring may provide a rapid measure of body temperature to facilitate identification of heat stress and heat stroke in canine athletes. In human studies, TMT diverges from rectal temperature (RT) as body temperature increases during exercise induced hyperthermia so is not recommended for monitoring human athletes. If the same divergence occurs in dogs, TMT may not be suitable for use when monitoring the temperature of canine athletes. The aim of the study was to determine if TMT diverged from RT following exercise in healthy dogs. 24 healthy dogs were recruited to the study. Body temperature was measured using a veterinary auricular infrared thermometer to record TMT and an electric predictive rectal thermometer. Temperatures were recorded pre- and post-exercise in a non-clinical setting, familiar to the dogs. The mixed model approach showed that exercise had no effect on the difference between RT and TMT (F(1,201)=0.026,P=0.872). The overall mean difference of RT minus TMT was 0.39 °C (n=116). 68.4% of readings fell within the accepted 0.5 °C difference in temperature recording method. In line with previously reported TMT to RT comparison studies in dogs, this study found that TMT measured consistently lower than RT. Using a correction factor of 0.4 °C minimised the difference. The hypothesis that dogs would show greater differences between TMT and RT following exercise was not supported, suggesting that TMT could be used to monitor body temperature in exercising dogs where RT is not possible.
Nursing Student Preference for Block Versus Nonblock Clinical Models
Authors: Rohatinsky Noelle , Chachula Kathryn , Compton Roslyn M. , Sedgwick Monique , Press Madeline M. , Lane Brenda
Published: March 2017

Background:

Clinical experiences are essential in undergraduate nursing student education to develop professionalism and integrate theory into practice. However, little evidence is available to guide curricular planners in determining the appropriate and effective use of different clinical models in nursing education.

Method:

Nursing students and four schools of nursing in two western Canadian provinces participated in this descriptive exploratory study examining student preference for clinical models. Thematic analysis of qualitative data addressed two research questions: What type of clinical model is preferred by nursing students? and How does clinical structure influence nursing students' perceived learning?

Results:

Nonblock clinical practice is preferred by students with respect to a balanced lifestyle, concurrent integration of theory and practice, and critical reflection, whereas the block model is preferred for assimilation, consolidation, and socialization.

Conclusion:

Integration of both clinical models is recommended within undergraduate nursing curricula, as each model can facilitate student learning. [
J Nurs Educ.
2017;56(3):152–157.]
Shifting Our Focus to Support the Educational Journey of Underrepresented Students
Authors: Alicea-Planas Jessica
Published: March 2017

Background:

The racial and ethnic distribution of RNs has been unable to keep pace with the growth seen in minority populations. Although nursing schools have recognized the need to increase the number of underrepresented students entering the profession, significant challenges with retention and graduation exist. Guided by Tinto's student integrative model, this study not only sought to understand why students leave, but also to identify what helps them persist.

Method:

A phenomenological approach was used to understand the lived experience of 10 Hispanic nursing students at a Jesuit university in the northeastern United States.

Results:

Three main themes emerged: Journey Into the Unknown, Creating a Culture of Acceptance, and Keeping on Course in Uncharted Territory.

Conclusion:

Although these students did describe feeling unprepared, a primary concern was not experiencing a connectedness or welcoming environment within their campus community. In addition to the academic and financial supports provided, shifting focus and targeting campus climate may help underrepresented students to be more successful. [
J Nurs Educ.
2017;56(3):159–163.]
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) for Hyperopia: Optical Zone Centration
Authors: Reinstein Dan Z. , Pradhan Kishore R. , Carp Glenn I. , Archer Timothy J. , Gobbe Marine , Sekundo Walter , Khan Raynan , Citron Kim , Dhungana Purushottam
Published: March 2017

PURPOSE:

To evaluate optical zone centration of hyperopic small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).

METHODS:

This prospective study of 60 consecutive hyperopic SMILE procedures used the VisuMax femtosecond laser and matched LASIK procedures with the VisuMax and MEL 80 excimer lasers (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany). Inclusion criteria were maximum attempted hyperopic meridian of between +1.00 and +7.00 diopters (D) and astigmatism up to 6.00 D. For SMILE, the optical zone was between 6.3 and 6.7 mm, with a 2-mm transition zone. Two LASIK control groups (6.5- and 7-mm optical zone) were generated matched for spherical equivalent treated. In SMILE, the corneal vertex of the coaxially fixating eye was aligned with the vertex of the curved contact glass. In LASIK, the treatment was centered on the coaxially sighted corneal light reflex (first Purkinje image) with the contralateral eye (Seiler method). A tangential (instantaneous) curvature preoperative to 3 months postoperative difference map was generated for each eye. A fixed grid and set of concentric circles were superimposed on the difference map to measure the offset between the optical zone center and corneal vertex (0,0), and vector analysis was used for comparative analysis.

RESULTS:

Mean attempted spherical equivalent was +5.61 ± 0.96 D (range: +3.20 to +6.50 D) and mean cylinder was −0.96 ± 0.62 D (range: 0.00 to −2.75 D) in the SMILE group. Mean age was 29 ± 7 years (range: 19 to 52 years) in the SMILE group. Mean centration offset was 0.23 ± 0.15 mm (range: 0 to 0.61 mm) for the SMILE group, 0.33 ± 0.14 mm (range: 0.14 to 0.85 mm) for the 6.5-mm LASIK group, and 0.31 ± 0.19 mm (range: 0.05 to 0.85 mm) for the 7-mm LASIK group. The mean centration offset for SMILE was less than that of both LASIK groups (
P
< .05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Optical zone centration of hyperopic SMILE was found to be similar to eye-tracker–centered hyperopic LASIK with the MEL 80 laser.

[
J Refract Surg.
2017;33(3):150–156.]
The Effect of Lens Sphere and Cylinder Power on Residual Astigmatism and Its Resolution After Toric Intraocular Lens Implantation
Authors: Berdahl John P. , Hardten David R. , Kramer Brent A. , Potvin Richard
Published: March 2017

PURPOSE:

To analyze correlations between residual refractive cylinder (and its correction through lens reorientation) with the sphere and cylinder power of the toric intraocular lens (IOL) implanted.

METHODS:

An online toric back-calculator (
www.astigmatismfix.com
) allows users to input toric IOL planning data, along with postoperative IOL orientation and refractive results; these data are used to determine the optimal orientation of the IOL to reduce refractive astigmatism. This was a retrospective data analysis; aggregate historical data were extracted from this calculator to investigate the relationship between residual refractive astigmatism and IOL cylinder and sphere power.

RESULTS:

A total of 12,812 records, 4,619 of which included IOL sphere power, were available for analysis. There was no significant effect of sphere power on residual refractive astigmatism (
P
= .25), but lower IOL cylinder powers were associated with significantly lower residual refractive astigmatism (
P
< .05). The difference between the intended and ideal orientation was higher in the lower IOL cylinder power groups (
P
< .01). Overcorrection of astigmatism was significantly more likely with higher IOL cylinder power (
P
< .01), but not with sphere power (
P
= .33). Reorientation to correct residual refractive cylinder to less than 0.50 diopters (D) was more successful with IOL cylinder powers of 1.50 D or less (
P
< .01); IOL sphere power had no apparent effect.

CONCLUSIONS:

There were significant effects of IOL cylinder power on residual refractive astigmatism, the difference between intended and ideal orientation, the likelihood of overcorrection, and the likelihood of astigmatism reduction with lens reorientation. IOL sphere power appeared to have no such effects.

[
J Refract Surg.
2017;33(3):157–162.]
Hep ! Stein
Authors: Albera François
Published: March 2017

Une « actualité » française et internationale autour d’Epstein (colloques, publications, inédits) invite à revenir sur l’œuvre protéiforme du cinéaste qui est tout autant poète, essayiste, philosophe. C’est l’ouverture du fonds Epstein de la Cinémathèque française qui change désormais l’appréhension de cette œuvre et ouvre à de nouvelles approches. On en propose ici quelques-unes en complément des deux études de ce numéro en éclairant les rapports d’Epstein et du Dr Ramain, musicologue et esthéticien dont la correspondance, inédite, vient d’être versée au fonds de la Cinémathèque française ; en révélant, à partir des images mêmes du film les Bâtisseurs, un Epstein antifasciste ; en documentant les difficultés que rencontra le cinéaste théoricien après la Deuxième Guerre mondiale à publier et à se faire entendre, ignoré d’une nouvelle génération critique qui rejette « l’avant-garde » comme sa conception de la « machine » du cinéma.
Ivan le Superbe ou Mosjoukine en correspondance
Authors: Juan Myriam
Published: March 2017

Cet article présente plusieurs lettres adressées à Ivan Mosjoukine en France dans les années 1920, aujourd’hui conservées dans les archives de l’acteur au RGALI à Moscou. Un premier ensemble épistolaire documente les démarches entreprises par Abel Gance, entre la fin de l’année 1923 et l’été 1924, pour convaincre la star d’interpréter le rôle-titre de son Napoléon. Un second a trait à la sortie d’Ivan Mosjoukine du Ciné-Club de France en 1925. Enfin, une lettre écrite par un ouvrier ébéniste en 1928 renseigne sur le pouvoir de séduction exercé par l’acteur sur le public et, par-delà, sur le rôle des vedettes dans la découverte et l’amour du cinéma. À travers ces documents se fait ainsi jour le statut singulier de celui que le critique Juan Arroy présentait à la fin de la décennie comme la « seule vedette mondiale du cinéma français ».
Transição para a vida adulta e práticas culturais na periferia metropolitana de Belo Horizonte: as trajetórias de Miro e Faro
Authors: Marinho Marco
Published: March 2017

O texto apresenta reflexões feitas em torno dos sentidos sociais das práticas culturais desenvolvidas por jovens residentes na periferia metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, especificamente no bairro Estrela D’alva, sítio famoso por concentrar episódios de violência, pobreza e projetos sociais. O debate tem como referência os percursos sociais de Miro e de Faro e a condição juvenil como transição para a vida adulta analisada a partir do contexto social da periferia.
A mobilidade e o lazer na constituição do espaço público contemporâneo : os protestos de 2013 em São Paulo
Authors: Pereira Vitor Sorano
Published: March 2017

Os protestos de junho de 2013 em São Paulo puseram uma expressão massiva de dissenso em espaços urbanos da maior cidade do Brasil. O presente artigo argumenta que a mobilidade e o lazer foram centrais na constituição desse fenômeno, uma vez que foram constituintes das políticas-alvo dos protestos, das organizações que os convocaram e da dinâmica dos atos realizados nas ruas. O objetivo é mostrar como o espaço público contemporâneo é condicionado pela mobilidade e pelo lazer.
Moving to integrate international students at Oswald Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Sousa Isabela Cabral Félix de
Published: March 2017

O propósito deste trabalho é o de descrever o papel desempenhado por seminários de boas vindas para estudantes estrangeiros na Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) no campus do Rio de Janeiro, uma instituição governamental dedicada a trabalhar com questões de saúde. O Brasil ocupa um importante papel na economia mundial e atrai estudantes estrangeiros e migrantes. Neste novo milênio, o foco de cooperação Sul-Sul com países da América do Sul e África ganhou maior importância para o Brasil tanto nos setores educacionais como nos de saúde. O governo brasileiro começou a dar prioridade para um processo mais ativo que envolve intercâmbios com instituições, profissionais e estudantes. No campo da saúde, o Brasil vem ocupando um papel prioritário na formação de profissionais de outras nações. A pesquisa qualitativa ilustra no campus principal desta instituição uma tendência para a integração dos estudantes internacionais com os nacionais.
Cooperação Sul-Sul, uma via alternativa ? Um caso exploratório entre Brasil e Argentina
Authors: França Thais , Padilla Beatriz
Published: March 2017

A cooperação académica e científica internacional vem tornando-se cada vez mais relevante, não apenas desde uma perspetiva do desenvolvimento da ciência, mas também do crescimento económico dos países envolvidos. Apesar dos inúmeros benefícios que aporta – transferência de tecnologia, internacionalização das instituições, circulação de cientistas – por conta das assimetrias e hierarquias geopolíticas e económicas, essas cooperações podem não beneficiar de forma igual todos os países envolvidos. Dentro desta lógica, as cooperações Sul-Sul (CSS) aparecem como uma alternativa inovadora para o desenvolvimento da ciência entre os países do Sul. A partir duma análise documental de alguns acordos celebrados entre agências de fomento à pesquisa, brasileiras e argentinas, especificamente CAPES/CNPq no caso brasileiro e CONICET no caso argentino, este trabalho tem como objetivo discutir como a relação de cooperação científico-académica entre os dois países se tem desenvolvido ao longo dos anos, indagando se tal relação pode ser enquadrada dentro de uma lógica de cooperação Sul-Sul.
Some Reflections on the educational trajectories of migrant students in the European school systems
Authors: Cuconato Morena
Published: March 2017

This paper proposes an analysis of the educational trajectories of disadvantaged students, among them migrant ones, at the transition point from lower secondary into upper secondary school/vocational education i.e. the age group between 10 and 16 years. The data were collected in the European project “Governance of Educational Transition in Europe – GOETE”. The main aim of this paper is to present the interactive aspect of students’ transitions in order to spot some different lights to the quantitative studies stating the serious migrant educational underachievement mainly attributed to structural causes. Instead, the findings of GOETE project highlight the interplay between socio-economic structures and family resources, institutional pathways and support provided by education (and welfare) systems, and the subjective motivation and orientation of the young people. Confronted with a transition demand, migrant students’ possibility to act and make their own choices is structured differently.
Modos de reconfiguração da ação pública num contexto de subida das incertezas : uma reflexão a partir das políticas de educação básica de adultos
Authors: Martins João Eduardo
Published: March 2017

Faz-se neste artigo uma reflexão sobre a reconfiguração da ação pública na sociedade portuguesa a partir da análise da implementação de um programa de políticas públicas de educação de adultos com incidência nos sentidos e nos modos como os atores encarregues de o colocar em prática dele se apropriam e o reinterpretam. Os resultados da investigação aqui mobilizada permitem dizer que a produção da ação pública é atravessada por lógicas de ação múltiplas e não poucas vezes de sentido contrário entre si, o que é revelador das tensões, ambivalências e contradições pelas quais são atravessadas as políticas e as práticas de educação de adultos num contexto contemporâneo de subida de múltiplas incertezas. A produção da ação pública é hoje o resultado da intervenção de uma multiplicidade de atores com características marcadamente diferenciadas numa ação construída coletivamente a múltiplos níveis.
Building Intelligent Transportation Cloud Data Center Based on SOA
Authors: Zhang Wei , Qi Qinming , Deng Jing
Published: March 2017

This paper is targeted at issues including traditional stovepipe data center, low utilization of IT equipment and data resources as a result of rigid IT structure, high maintenance costs and high energy consumption in system operation. By taking Beijing Municipal Committee of Transport (BMCT)'s data center as an example, a way to establish distributed traffic cloud data center based on SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture) fused with cloud computing is introduced in this paper; in addition, network-aware energy conservation scheduling DENS (Data- center Energy-efficient Network-aware Scheduling) algorithm applied in cloud data center is put forward to realize the full utilization of all kinds of resources in the cloud data center. Experimental results also show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm by comparing with traditional DENS algorithms.
An Autonomous Robot-to-Group Exercise Coach at a Senior Living Community
Authors: Lewis Lundy , Metzler Ted , Cook Linda
Published: March 2017

A NAO humanoid robot is programmed to act as an autonomous exercise instructor at a senior living community. In an on-site session, the robot does (i) a warm-up routine in which the robot directs participants to ask it to perform various tasks such as dancing and reciting poems and (ii) an exercise routine in which the robot guides participants through various physical exercises such as leg, hand, and neck exercises. The participants include six elderly residents, three nurses/caregivers, and two administrators. The elderly group is categorized with respect to cognitive awareness and physical capability. The session is videoed and then analyzed to measure several dimensions of human-robot interaction with these diverse participants, including affective reaction, effective reaction, and group responsiveness. Following the exercise session, a focus group session is conducted with the seniors and a separate focus group session conducted with the nurses and administrators to glean further data.
Topological Gaussian ARTs with Short-Term and Long-Term Memory for Map Building and Fuzzy Motion Planning
Authors: Hong Chin Wei , Kiong Loo Chu , Naoyuki Kubota
Published: March 2017

This paper proposes a cognitive architecture for building a topological map incrementally inspired by beta oscillations during place cell learning in hippocampus. The proposed architecture consists of two layer: the short-term memory layer and the long-term memory layer. The short-term memory layer emulates the entorhinal and the ? is the orientation system; the long-term memory layer emulates the hippocampus. Nodes in the topological map represent place cells (robot location), links connect nodes and store robot action (i.e. adjacent angle between connected nodes). The proposed method is formed by multiple Gaussian Adaptive Resonance Theory to receive data from various sensors for the map building. It consists of input layer and memory layer. The input layer obtains sensor data and incrementally categorizes the acquired information as topological nodes temporarily (short-term memory). In the long-term memory layer, the categorized information will be associated with robot actions to form the topological map (long-term memory). The advantages of the proposed method are: 1) it is a cognitive model that does not require human defined information and advanced knowledge to implement in a natural environment; 2) it can generate the map by processing various sensors data simultaneously in continuous space that is important for real world implementation; and 3) it is an incremental and unsupervised learning approach. Thus, the authors combine their Topological Gaussian ARTs method (TGARTs) with fuzzy motion planning to constitute a basis for mobile robot navigation in environment with slightly changes. Finally, the proposed approach was verified with several simulations using standardized benchmark datasets and real robot implementation.
Chinese-Braille Translation Based on Braille Corpus
Authors: Wang Xiangdong , Yang Yang , Liu Hong , Qian Yueliang
Published: March 2017

For people with visual disabilities, reading Braille text is an important way to acquire information. There are great challenges for Chinese-Braille translation due to the characteristics of word segmentation and tone marking in Chinese Braille. In this paper, a novel scheme of Chinese-Braille translation is proposed. Unlike current methods which use heuristic rules defined by experts for Braille word segmentation, the proposed method performs Chinese-Braille translation based on a Braille Corpus without experts on Braille. Under the scheme, a Braille word segmentation model based on statistical machine learning is trained on a Braille corpus, and Braille word segmentation is carried out using the statistical model directly without the stage of Chinese word segmentation. Tone marking and some special treatment are also performed based on word and rule mining on the Corpus. This method avoids manually establishment of rules concerning syntactic and semantic information and uses statistical model to learn the rules by stealthily and automatically. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.