bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolomics for Biomarker Discovery in Gastroenterological Cancer
Authors: Nishiumi Shin , Suzuki Makoto , Kobayashi Takashi , Matsubara Atsuki , Azuma Takeshi , Yoshida Masaru
Published: July 2014

The study of the omics cascade, which involves comprehensive investigations based on genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, etc., has developed rapidly and now plays an important role in life science research. Among such analyses, metabolome analysis, in which the concentrations of low molecular weight metabolites are comprehensively analyzed, has rapidly developed along with improvements in analytical technology, and hence, has been applied to a variety of research fields including the clinical, cell biology, and plant/food science fields. The metabolome represents the endpoint of the omics cascade and is also the closest point in the cascade to the phenotype. Moreover, it is affected by variations in not only the expression but also the enzymatic activity of several proteins. Therefore, metabolome analysis can be a useful approach for finding effective diagnostic markers and examining unknown pathological conditions. The number of studies involving metabolome analysis has recently been increasing year-on-year. Here, we describe the findings of studies that used metabolome analysis to attempt to discover biomarker candidates for gastroenterological cancer and discuss metabolome analysis-based disease diagnosis.
Combined Effects of Ultrasound and Immobilization Protocol on Butyl Acetate Synthesis Catalyzed by CALB
Authors: Alves Joana , Garcia-Galan Cristina , Schein Mirela , Silva Alexandre , Barbosa Oveimar , Ayub Marco , Fernandez-Lafuente Roberto , Rodrigues Rafael
Published: July 2014

It is well established that the performance of lipase B from Candida antarctica (CALB) as catalyst for esterification reactions may be improved by the use of ultrasound technology or by its immobilization on styrene-divinylbenzene beads (MCI-CALB). The present research evaluated the synthesis of butyl acetate using MCI-CALB under ultrasonic energy, comparing the results against those obtained using the commercial preparation, Novozym 435. The optimal conditions were determined using response surface methodology (RSM) evaluating the following parameters: reaction temperature, substrate molar ratio, amount of biocatalyst, and added water. The optimal conditions for butyl acetate synthesis catalyzed by MCI-CALB were: temperature, 48.8 °C; substrate molar ratio, 3.46:1 alcohol:acid; amount of biocatalyst, 7.5%; and added water 0.28%, both as substrate mass. Under these conditions, 90% of conversion was reached in 1.5 h. In terms of operational stability, MCI-CALB was reused in seven cycles while keeping 70% of its initial activity under ultrasonic energy. The support pore size and resistance are key points for the enzyme activity and stability under mechanical stirring. The use of ultrasound improved both activity and stability because of better homogeneity and reduced mechanical stress to the immobilized system.
Is a Highly Linear Relationship Between the Dose of Quercetin and the Pharmacological Effect Possible? — A Comment on Liu, et al. Evaluation of Antioxidant and Immunity Activities of Quercetin in Isoproterenol-Treated Rats. Molecules 2012, 17, 4281–4291
Authors: Mladěnka Přemysl , Hrdina Radomír , Filipský Tomáš , Říha Michal , Palicka Vladimir
Published: July 2014

We wish to offer some comments on the article by H. Liu et al. entitled “Evaluation of antioxidant and immunity activities of quercetin in isoproterenol-treated rats”, published in Molecules in 2012 [1]. [...]
Evaporative Fraction as an Indicator of Moisture Condition and Water Stress Status in Semi-Arid Rangeland Ecosystems
Authors: Nutini Francesco , Boschetti Mirco , Candiani Gabriele , Bocchi Stefano , Brivio Pietro
Published: July 2014

Rangeland monitoring services require the capability to investigate vegetation condition and to assess biomass production, especially in areas where local livelihood depends on rangeland status. Remote sensing solutions are strongly recommended, where the systematic acquisition of field data is not feasible and does not guarantee properly describing the spatio-temporal dynamics of wide areas. Recent research on semi-arid rangelands has focused its attention on the evaporative fraction (EF), a key factor to estimate evapotranspiration (ET) in the energy balance (EB) algorithm. EF is strongly linked to the vegetation water status, and works conducted on eddy covariance towers used this parameter to increase the performances of satellite-based biomass estimation. In this work, a method to estimate EF from MODIS products, originally developed for evapotranspiration estimation, is tested and evaluated. Results show that the EF estimation from low spatial resolution over wide semi-arid area is feasible. Estimated EF resulted in being well correlated to field ET measurements, and the spatial patterns of EF maps are in agreement with the well-known climatic and landscape Sahelian features. The preliminary test on rangeland biomass production shows that satellite-retrieved EF as a water availability factor significantly increased the capacity of a remote sensing operational product to detect the variability of the field biomass measurements.
Feasibility of Using PZT Actuators to Study the Dynamic Behavior of a Rotating Disk due to Rotor-Stator Interaction
Authors: Presas Alexandre , Egusquiza Eduard , Valero Carme , Valentin David , Seidel Ulrich
Published: July 2014

In this paper, PZT actuators are used to study the dynamic behavior of a rotating disk structure due to rotor-stator interaction excitation. The disk is studied with two different surrounding fluids—air and water. The study has been performed analytically and validated experimentally. For the theoretical analysis, the natural frequencies and the associated mode shapes of the rotating disk in air and water are obtained with the Kirchhoff-Love thin plate theory coupled with the interaction with the surrounding fluid. A model for the Rotor Stator Interaction that occurs in many rotating disk-like parts of turbomachinery such as compressors, hydraulic runners or alternators is presented. The dynamic behavior of the rotating disk due to this excitation is deduced. For the experimental analysis a test rig has been developed. It consists of a stainless steel disk (r = 198 mm and h = 8 mm) connected to a variable speed motor. Excitation and response are measured from the rotating system. For the rotating excitation four piezoelectric patches have been used. Calibrating the piezoelectric patches in amplitude and phase, different rotating excitation patterns are applied on the rotating disk in air and in water. Results show the feasibility of using PZT to control the response of the disk due to a rotor-stator interaction.
Wearable Electronics and Smart Textiles: A Critical Review
Authors: Stoppa Matteo , Chiolerio Alessandro
Published: July 2014

Electronic Textiles (e-textiles) are fabrics that feature electronics and interconnections woven into them, presenting physical flexibility and typical size that cannot be achieved with other existing electronic manufacturing techniques. Components and interconnections are intrinsic to the fabric and thus are less visible and not susceptible of becoming tangled or snagged by surrounding objects. E-textiles can also more easily adapt to fast changes in the computational and sensing requirements of any specific application, this one representing a useful feature for power management and context awareness. The vision behind wearable computing foresees future electronic systems to be an integral part of our everyday outfits. Such electronic devices have to meet special requirements concerning wearability. Wearable systems will be characterized by their ability to automatically recognize the activity and the behavioral status of their own user as well as of the situation around her/him, and to use this information to adjust the systems’ configuration and functionality. This review focuses on recent advances in the field of Smart Textiles and pays particular attention to the materials and their manufacturing process. Each technique shows advantages and disadvantages and our aim is to highlight a possible trade-off between flexibility, ergonomics, low power consumption, integration and eventually autonomy.
Gestalt Algebra—A Proposal for the Formalization of Gestalt Perception and Rendering
Authors: Michaelsen Eckart
Published: July 2014

Gestalt Algebra gives a formal structure suitable for describing complex patterns in the image plain. This can be useful for recognizing hidden structure in images. The work at hand refers to the laws of perceptual psychology. A manifold called the Gestalt Domain is defined. Next to the position in 2D it also contains an orientation and a scale component. Algebraic operations on it are given for mirror symmetry as well as organization into rows. Additionally the Gestalt Domain contains an assessment component, and all the meaning of the operations implementing the Gestalt-laws is realized in the functions giving this component. The operation for mirror symmetry is binary, combining two parts into one aggregate as usual in standard algebra. The operation for organization into rows, however, combines n parts into an aggregate, where n may well be more than two. This is algebra in its more general sense. For recognition, primitives are extracted from digital raster images by Lowe’s Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT). Lowe’s key-point descriptors can also be utilized. Experiments are reported with a set of images put forth for the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Workshops (CVPR) 2013 symmetry contest.
Socio-Technological Influences on Future Water Demands
Authors: Zadeh Sarah , Hunt Dexter , Rogers Christopher
Published: July 2014

The traditional water supply management approach focuses on (perceived) community requirements that must be met, but not on community demands, which are variable. Therefore a paradigm-shift is required to the way water is considered. In this paper two fundamental management measures to influence daily water demand and therefore conservation are considered: (1) Technological efficiency measures (i.e., via adopting water-saving devices); and (2) User behaviour (i.e., how users interact with and use the technologies). Through a newly developed futures framework, the individual and combined impact of these approaches within residential and office buildings are examined. Results show each in isolation has similar impacts (i.e., 55% reduction) on domestic water consumption per capita, although the ranges over which user behaviour can operate appears to be far more diverse. Most strikingly, when these measures are considered in combination, greater impact (i.e., 80% reduction) could be achieved. Conclusions are drawn as to how far water demand management, through a dual track approach, can go in terms of reducing indoor water consumption of both residential and office users within the UK. The paper provides philosophical arguments for what else is needed in order to secure sufficient, sustainable water supplies within a “liveable” future.
Treatment of antebrachial and crural septic nonunion fractures in dogs using circular external skeletal fixation: a retrospective study
Authors: Piras L. , Panichi E. , Ferretti A. , Peirone B. , Cappellari F.
Published: July 2014

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of treatment of antebrachial and crural septic nonunion fractures in dogs using circular external skeletal fixation (CESF), and to document the type and frequency of complications associated with this technique.

Methods: The medical records of all dogs with infected antebrachial and crural nonunion fractures treated using the methods of Ilizarov at the Department of Animal Pathology of the University of Turin between 2006 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Only dogs in which radiographic and clinical assessment were available at the time of CESF removal were included in the study.

Results: Twenty-three dogs met the inclusion criteria. Twenty nonunion fractures treated with CESF healed and three did not. The latter three cases underwent amputation of the affected limb. In the 20 dogs that achieved bone union, six had minor complications and five had major complications. The midterm outcome was judged to be excellent (n = 11), good (n = 6), fair (n = 2), or poor (n = 4).

Conclusions: The results of this study support the use of CESF for the management of antebrachial and crural septic nonunion fractures in dogs. Union was achieved in the majority of dogs and the complication rate was acceptable, considering the severity of the nonunion fractures that were managed in this fashion.
Rational design of cyclopropane-based chiral PHOX ligands for intermolecular asymmetric Heck reaction
Authors: Rubina Marina , Sherrill William M , Barkov Alexey Yu , Rubin Michael
Published: July 2014

A novel class of chiral phosphanyl-oxazoline (PHOX) ligands with a conformationally rigid cyclopropyl backbone was synthesized and tested in the intermolecular asymmetric Heck reaction. Mechanistic modelling and crystallographic studies were used to predict the optimal ligand structure and helped to design a very efficient and highly selective catalytic system. Employment of the optimized ligands in the asymmetric arylation of cyclic olefins allowed for achieving high enantioselectivities and significantly suppressing product isomerization. Factors affecting the selectivity and the rate of the isomerization were identified. It was shown that the nature of this isomerization is different from that demonstrated previously using chiral diphosphine ligands.
Grounding Our Practice in Nursing Professional Development
Authors: Dickerson Pamela S.
Published: July 2014

The
Nursing Professional Development: Scope and Standards of Practice
is foundational to the work of nurses in a continuing professional development role. Use of the practice and professional performance aspects of the standards supports both quality of learning activities and the continuous growth process of nurses engaged in this area of practice.

J Contin Educ Nurs
. 2014;45(7):288–289.
To the "Immortal composer": on the reception of Mozart's operas in 19th-century Zagreb
Authors: Katalinić Vjera
Published: July 2014

Mozart’s operas Don Giovanni and Die Zauberflöte were staged in Zagreb only from the 1830s. The paper deals with their reception through the analysis of critical reviews of Mozart’s operas in major 19th-century Zagreb newspapers within the context of the city’s music/operatic life, local interpretative and stage forces, music criticism and reports on the reactions of the audience.
Zum Rezeptionsgeschichtlichen Hintergrund der tschechischen Nationaloper
Authors: Ottlová Marta , Pospíšil Milan
Published: July 2014

The study follows the changes of the complex of notions connected with the idea of the Czech national opera from the beginning of its formulation until the end of the seventies of the 19th-century, e.g. to the time when Bedřich Smetana´s individual compositional style was received by the Czech musical public as a style representing national music. It focuses not only on theoretical views but also on the reception attitudes to the rising original Czech operatic creation.
"Vesela pesem žalostno serce ovedrí - mila pesem ohladí njegove rane"
Authors: Barbo Matjaž
Published: July 2014

Anton Martin Slomšek (1800–62) velja za enega najpomembnejših osebnosti prve polovice 19. stoletja na Slovenskem. S svojo izrazito narodnobuditeljsko držo zaznamuje slovensko nacionalno identiteto svojega časa, hkrati pa kot muzikalno občutljiv vzgojitelj poudarja pomen glasbe pri oblikovanju posameznikovega in širšega narodnostnega značaja. Referat skuša odgovoriti na vprašanja, kako se poudarjena zunajglasbena funkcija sklada z idejo avtonomno glasbeno lepega, ki se uveljavlja v času, ko je Slomšek živel, kako te ideje vplivajo nanj in v kolikšni meri v njegovih spisih odzvanja estetika prejšnjih stoletij, vse od antičnih in zgodnjekrščanskih piscev.
Relativna avtonomija glasbe: primer Ljubljanskega dnevnika 1951-1961
Authors: Stefanija Leon
Published: July 2014

Namen prispevka je podati podobo glasbene publicistike in vprašanja uporabnosti in avtonomije glasbe v petdesetih letih 20. stoletja, kot se kaže skozi analizo Ljubljanskega dnevnika v letih 1951–61. Z osredotočanjem na najbolj razširjeni dnevni časopis v totalitarnem obdobju slovenske novejše zgodovine avtor obravnava »relativno avtonomijo« glasbe s tremi tematskimi sklopi, ki postavljajo v središče pozornosti: 1. skladateljsko avtonomijo, 2. avtonomijo glasbe kot družbene institucije in 3. poslušalčevo avtonomijo.
Vprašanje avtonomnosti glasbene kritike v slovenskem dnevnem časopisju ob praizvedbi kantate "Stara pravda" Matije Tomca: med estetsko sodbo in političnim konstruktom
Authors: Weiss Jernej
Published: July 2014

Akademski pevski zbor Tone Tomšič je sklenil 10-letnico svojega delovanja leta 1956 obeležiti z jubilejnim koncertom. Za počastitev omenjenega dogodka je skladatelj Matija Tomc uglasbil kantato Stara Pravda, ki je bila praizvedena 12. marca 1956 v veliki Unionski dvorani. Izvedba je naletela na ostre odzive ortodoksnih marksističnih ideologov, ki so, zdi se, vodstvu zbora zamerili predvsem, da je po koncertu počastilo skladateljski prispevek katoliškega intelektualca Matije Tomca. Vodilni partijski ideologi so zaradi neljubega dogodka pritisnili na zbor tako močno, da je le ta izgubil dirigenta in tako skorajda razpadel v začetni, desetletje trajajoči povojni formaciji.
"Typographum robur fractum": Jacob Handl's relationship with the printing press
Authors: Desmet Marc
Published: July 2014

This article develops a new hypothesis concerning the link between the composer Jacob Handl and the sphere of typography, notably through the influence and activity as a printer of Georg Handl, Jacob’s brother. The production of Georg Handl the printer is examined; this can shed light on the reputation and make-up of Jacob’s own printed output.
The mystery of Sacrae cantiones (Nuremberg 1597): remarks on Jacob Handl and 16th-century printing practice
Authors: Gancarczyk Paweł
Published: July 2014

A copy of Sacrae cantiones, a collection of compositions by Jacob Handl – Gallus published in 1597 in Nuremberg, is preserved as a unicum in Gdańsk and in Warsaw. However, this is not a new edition but merely a copy of the fourth volume of the composer’s Opus musicum, printed in Prague in 1590, with a changed title-page. The author presents arguments to show that the Sacrae cantiones were created on the initiative of Georg Handl, the composer’s brother and printer, who in this way hoped to increase the chance of selling the rest of the examples of the Opus musicum that remained in stock after Jacob’s death.
Gallus – der Humanist amat Venerem, cur?
Authors: Florjanc Ivan
Published: July 2014

The Slovenian Renaissance composer Jacobus Handl, Gallus dictus, Carniol(an)us was a refined humanist with an exquisite command of Latin. A mythological and theological semantic conception of Gallus, research into the composer’s strong self-identification with a cock (the rooster being an ares among animals), the madrigal Gallus amat Venerem, cur? etc. clarify and demonstrate the way in which the composer as a humanist, artist and human being found his identification precisely in his name Gallus. As artist and humanist he is therefore Jacobus Gallus.
Responsory tones at Klosterneuburg
Authors: Lacoste Debra
Published: July 2014

Despite their formulaic nature, the tones sung to the verses of responsoria prolixa in the medieval office pose certain problems of identification and classification. Some contain neume patterns which suggest a modal association but do not match the “standard” tones, some are similar to the standard tones but deviate at cadences or other significant points, and others appear to be newly-composed. With reference to three twelfth- and fourteenth-century antiphoners from the abbey of Klosterneuburg, I begin by identifying melodic features which are usual in the majority of responsory tones for this liturgical centre. Then, in order to provide a clearer understanding of verse-tones and their variants, I examine some of the more elaborate responsory-verse melodies sung at Klosterneuburg.
From comments on the chants to comments on the script
Authors: Jaropolov Alexej
Published: July 2014

The paper discusses the reform of Alexander Mezenez (second half of the 17th century) and focuses especially on the interrelation between pitch denomination and accentuation. The discovered possibilities of the two-dimensional representation of the scale increase the number of possible transcriptional variants vastly, and give several cues as for the stenographical principles. The paleographic signs are endowed with necessary polyvalence to suit changing demands of prosodic context and preserve orthoepy and semantic integrity of the intonated words. The conviction that there is only one possible scale has deprived chant of the flexibility and, in deciphering melodies, remains a serious hindrance.
“Arripui Hymnarium”: variant finals in hymns
Authors: McAlpine Fiona
Published: July 2014

It is not unusual for a hymn to be found in a different mode in different manuscripts. Certain relationships are common: for example, hymns which are transmitted as mixolydian or dorian, and hymns which are transmitted with their finals a tone apart. There is also a correlation between hymns with variant finals and hymns with unstable cadence points: those that fit into more than one structural group in Szendrei's taxonomy of hymn melodies on the basis of their cadence degrees above, below or equal to the final, whatever that final shall be. This essay investigates a small group of eight hymns which are unstable by both taxomic criteria, and concludes that it is their lack of meaningful leaps upwards that causes their instability and enables them to migrate from one mode to another.
Kritische Anmerkungen zur Topographie der westgotischen Notation
Authors: Zapke Susana
Published: July 2014

In the scholarly literature, the Iberian manuscripts are normally divided into the northern tradition (with the characteristic upward position of the signs) and the southern one (with the horizontal ductus), the latter (starting only in the 11th century) being much younger. However, recent researches based on a scrutinized examination of all Iberian sources, have thrown new light on the entire corpus of visigothic manuscripts. Considering the historical development, interrelationship between various ecclesiastical centres, as well as actual function of the notated manuscripts (or single neumatic insertions), the connections between the northern and southern tradition, as well as between single manuscripts appear to be more intricate and complex.
Die Antiphonen der unitarischen Quellen
Authors: Papp Anette H.
Published: July 2014

Ten manuscript books (called „graduals”) from the 17th and 18th century testify to the music of the Hungarian unitarians. Among others, they include 25 antiphons which may be considered as the core musical repertoire of this Hungarian denomination. The antiphons in question have Hungarian texts; less than a half of them came into being as adaptations of Gregorian antiphons, whereas the others appear to be new music creations.
St. Galler Neumen – Protokolle erklungener Musik? Einige Perspektiven zu Fragen der Aufführungspraxis
Authors: Prassl Franz Karl
Published: July 2014

The lowest note of the melodic gesture in the form of the letter “V” that, among others, appears in three standard Gregorian formulas (in one of the final cadences of the deuterus introits, in the third section of some of the second-mode graduals, in the third section of some of the eighth-mode alleluia verses), has a special structural meaning. In seven early notated graduals it appears quite often written in a specific way, implying thus a special appropriate musical interpretation.
Johann Pachelbels geistliche Vokalmusik
Authors: Peach Katarina Larissa
Published: July 2014

Johann Pachelbel’s sacred vocal music, especially his works composed for the specific needs of the Nuremberg liturgy, can be considered the apex of his compositional achievements. This paper discusses some background liturgical performance practice issues and analyzes the pieces from the point of view of their structure and style. The appendix contains a catalogue of Pachelbel’s sacred works.
Novo v poznavanju repertoarja starejših muzikalij cerkvene glasbe v Sloveniji
Authors: Škrjanc Radovan
Published: July 2014

Prispevek dopolnjuje že objavljeni pregled in analizo repertoarja starejših muzikalij cerkvene glasbe v Sloveniji z izsledki raziskave več pred kratkim odkritih not iz 18. stoletja v arhivu ljubljanske stolnice.
V iskanju lastne identitete: češki violinisti kot glavni tvorci violinizma na Slovenskem
Authors: Zupančič Maruša
Published: July 2014

V prispevku so obravnavani močni češki violinski vplivi, ki so v 19. pa tudi še v 20. stoletju krojili in soustvarjali slovensko zgodovino violinizma ter vplivali na razvoj domačih simfoničnih orkestrov. Češki vplivi na Slovenskem so bili večplastni, najmočneje pa so bili izraženi v pedagoški dejavnosti obravnavanega časa, saj je bil tedaj delež čeških violinskih pedagogov največji. K nam so razširili praško violinsko šolo, v 20. stoletju pa popularizirali slavno violinsko metodo Otakarja Ševčíka, ki se še danes uporablja za poučevanje violine.
In Search of Lost Volunteering
Authors: Podjed Dan
Published: July 2014

The different approaches presented in this thematic section of Traditiones help broaden the concept of volunteerism, but also establish and reinforce its importance, which enables us to expand the limits of the social world that we live in, and increase the cognitive range of people in communities that strive to understand why individuals, as well as organisations and informal communities at home and abroad, do something that seemingly does not benefit them.
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Raznoliki pogledi v tematskem bloku Traditiones prispevajo po eni strani k širitvi pojma prostovoljstvo, po drugi strani pa k njegovemu uveljavljanju in utrjevanju. Na ta način se širijo tudi meje družbenega sveta, v katerem živimo, in kognitivni domet ljudi v skupnostih, ki skušajo razumeti, zakaj posamezniki, pa tudi organizacije in neformalne skupnosti doma in na tujem, počnejo nekaj, od česar vsaj navidez nimajo koristi.
Selfish Giving? Volunteering Motivations and the Morality of Giving
Authors: Hayakawa Tomoko
Published: July 2014

Following gift exchange theories, this paper explores the concept of giving in volunteering for community care in London. By looking at volunteering motivations, it explores three facets of volunteering: 1) an instrumental use of volunteering as a substitute for paid work, 2) the perceived power inequality between service users and volunteers, 3) the role of voluntary organisations that sets the morality of giving. It concludes that volunteering is characterised by its dual nature, and there is a constant process of negotiation of meaning and appropriation of its expression.
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Prispevek sledi teorijam o menjavi darov in se poglablja v koncept prostovoljskega darovanja na področju socialnega dela v Londonu. Ob analizi motivacije prostovoljcev se posveča trem vidikom: 1. instrumentalizaciji prostovoljstva kot nadomestka za plačano deo, 2. percepciji neenakosti v primerjavi prejemnikov storitev in prostovoljcev, 3. vlogi prostovoljskih organizacij, ki vzpostavljajo moralnost darovanja. Osrednja ugotovitev članka je, da je prostovoljstvo v svojem bistvu dihotomno in se udejanja v nenehnem procesu pogajanja in prilagajanja pomenov.
Learning Active Citizenship through Volunteering in Compulsory Basic Education in Slovenia
Authors: Bezjak Simona , Klemenčič Eva
Published: July 2014

Today, the concept of citizenship is increasingly used to refer to volunteering. The article shows that the interconnection between volunteering and citizenship arises from the idea of active citizenship, which is becoming prevalent in formal education of the EU member states. While volunteering is encouraged in citizenship education programmes in the EU, the article presents an overview of involvement of volunteering themes in compulsory basic education in Slovenia and the results of the ICCS 2009 research about the attitudes of Slovenian students and teachers about the volunteering.
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Koncept državljanstva se danes vedno pogosteje uporablja v povezavi s prostovoljstvom. Članek prikazuje, da povezava med državljanstvom in prostovoljstvom izhaja iz ideje aktivnega državljanstva, ki postaja prevladujoča v formalnem izobraževanju držav članic EU. Ker programi državljanske vzgoje v EU spodbujajo prostovoljstvo, članek predstavlja pregled vključenosti tematik prostovoljstva v obvezno osnovnošolsko izobraževanje v Sloveniji ter rezultate raziskave ICCS 2009 o odnosu slovenskih učencev in učiteljev do prostovoljstva.
Exploring the Potential of Mobile Learning Use Among Faculty Members
Authors: Alwraikat Mansour A , Al Tokhaim Hiam
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate faculty members' attitudes toward mobile learning in King Saud University. The sample of the study consisted of 362 faculty members from King Saud University in Saudi Arabia during the academic year 2012-2013. A questionnaire consisted of 37 items was developed to measure the attitudes. The results showed that the attitudes of faculty members towards mobile learning are positive and there are statistically significant differences attributed to gender in favor of (female faculty members), academic rank in favor of (instructor), and academic experience in favor of (21 years of experience and more).
Lecturers' and Students’ Perception on Learning Dijkstra’s Shortest Path Algorithm Through Mobile Devices
Authors: Seraj Mazyar , Wong Chui Yin
Published: July 2014

In recent years, many studies have been carried out on how to engage and support students in e-learning environments. Portable devices such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Tablet PCs, mobile phones and other mobile equipment have been used as parts of electronic learning environments to facilitate learning and teaching for both lecturers and students. However, there is still a dearth of study investigating the effects of small screen interfaces on mobile-based learning environments. This study aims to address two objectives: (i) investigate lecturer and student difficulties encountered in teaching-learning process in traditional face-to-face classroom settings, and (ii) to explore lecturer and student perceptions about learning the subject through mobile devices. This paper presents the results of a qualitative study using structured interviews to investigate lecturer and student experiences and perceptions on teaching and learning Dijkstra’s shortest path algorithm via mobile devices. The interview insights were then used as inputs to define user requirements for a mobile learning prototype. The findings show that the lecturers and students raised many issues about interactivity and the flexibility of effective learning applications on small screen devices, especially for a technical subject.
A Case Study of Mobile Technology-enabled English Language Learning: the Amazon Kindle e-Reader Initiative in Palestine
Authors: Shraim Khitam Yousuf
Published: July 2014

The proliferation of increasingly interactive e-reader devices such as the Amazon Kindle represents an opportunity to explore their evolving pedagogical value. This study aims to investigate how use of the Kindle can enhance individuals’ English language learning—more specifically their attitudes, reading comprehension, vocabulary development and pronunciation performance—in the context of informal and lifelong learning in Palestine, and to explore the further potential of scaling up the use of e-readers at a national level. At the piloting stage of this initiative, the study operated at two levels (micro and meso) of the M3 evaluation framework. Mixed methods were used: qualitative data were obtained through a case study of the practices and perceptions of two teachers in two classrooms in the Qalqilia center and quantitative data were collected through a survey of 114 learners. The study shows that the Kindle’s technological affordances are effective in creating a flexible, authentic and interactive environment for English language learning, provided that teachers change their teaching methods to take full advantage of the features of mobile technologies to create innovative learning approaches aligned with the needs of the e-generation. It was also found that despite some concerns with the usability issue, attitudes towards learning English changed positively and learners’ vocabulary and pronunciation improved.
SYLPH
Authors: Alonso Ricardo S. , Tapia Dante I. , Corchado Juan M.
Published: July 2014

The significance that Ambient Intelligence (AmI) has acquired in recent years requires the development of innovative solutions. In this sense, the development of AmI-based systems requires the creation of increasingly complex and flexible applications. The use of context-aware technologies is an essential aspect in these developments in order to perceive stimuli from the context and react upon it autonomously. This paper presents SYLPH, a novel platform that defines a method for integrating dynamic and self-adaptable heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). This approach facilitates the inclusion of context-aware capabilities when developing intelligent ubiquitous systems, where functionalities can communicate in a distributed way. A WSN infrastructure has been deployed for testing and evaluating this platform. Preliminary results and conclusions are presented in this paper.
An Antiwindup Approach to Power Controller Switching in an Ambient Healthcare Network
Authors: Walsh Michael J. , Barton John , O’Flynn Brendan , Hayes Martin J. , O’Mathuna Cian , Alavi Seyed Mohammad Mahdi
Published: July 2014

This paper proposes a methodology for improved power controller switching in mobile Body Area Networks operating within the ambient healthcare environment. The work extends Anti-windup and Bumpless transfer results to provide a solution to the ambulatory networking problem that ensures sufficient biometric data can always be regenerated at the base station. The solution thereby guarantees satisfactory quality of service for healthcare providers. Compensation is provided for the nonlinear hardware constraints that are a typical feature of the type of network under consideration and graceful performance degradation in the face of hardware output power saturation is demonstrated, thus conserving network energy in an optimal fashion.
Investigating Cybercrimes that Occur on Documented P2P Networks
Authors: Scanlon Mark , Hannaway Alan , Kechadi Mohand-Tahar
Published: July 2014

The popularity of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Internet communication technologies being exploited to aid cybercrime is ever increasing. P2P systems can be used or exploited to aid in the execution of a large number of online criminal activities, e.g., copyright infringement, fraud, malware and virus distribution, botnet creation, and control. P2P technology is perhaps most famous for the unauthorised distribution of copyrighted materials since the late 1990’s, with the popularity of file-sharing programs such as Napster. In 2004, P2P traffic accounted for 80% of all Internet traffic and in 2005, specifically BitTorrent traffic accounted for over 60% of the world’s P2P bandwidth usage. This paper outlines a methodology for investigating a documented P2P network, BitTorrent, using a sample investigation for reference throughout. The sample investigation outlined was conducted on the top 100 most popular BitTorrent swarms over the course of a one week period.
The Problems of Jurisdiction on the Internet
Authors: Lautman Róisín , Curran Kevin
Published: July 2014

The relationship between jurisdiction and the internet has been the subject of wide ranging discussion ever since the boom in domestic internet usage. Without clear legislation, laws have been created on an ad hoc basis, often in response to specific cases. It is difficult to predict whether any one law will ever be sufficient to cope with the great variety of alleged crimes which take place on the internet. This paper discusses the problems associated with jurisdiction on the internet, presenting sample cases which have influenced the current laws and have fuelled a long term debate that continues to get more heated especially in recent times with UK celebrities being exposed on sites such as Twitter.
Enjoy.IT!
Authors: Navarro-Salvador M. Amparo , Sánchez-Calzón Ana Belén , Fernández-Llatas Carlos , Meneu Teresa
Published: July 2014

The evolution of the Internet has been spectacular in recent decades. However, the Internet is still a linear scenario, focused on showing contents and dissociated from the physical world. On the other hand, there are many social groups that don’t know how to use the opportunities that ICT can offer them, such as children. In this scenario, Project Enjoy.IT! designs, develops, and validates an entertainment platform with advanced contents that will set up a practical realization of the new products and services from the Future Internet. Project Enjoy.IT! integrates the physical world as an extension of the virtual world and vice versa. Thus, the project creates an AmI system that is able to act depending on the children’s knowledge and necessities. The platform is based on a Services Choreography that allows an easy, simple integration of the necessary elements to give support to interactive entertainment activities.
Virtual and Interactive Learning (VIL) in Transformation and Imparting Education in the Digital Era
Authors: Rao P. Srinivas Subba , Rani P. Suseela
Published: July 2014

Virtual and Interactive Learning (VIL) is one of the new directions for education. It aims at using the WEB, being a networked, anytime, interactive, high-capacity, and content-rich environment, to enhance and facilitate independent learning and teacher-student communication. It would eventually lead to a paradigm shift of learning style, from teacher-centered to student-centered. It is bringing hope to millions who had abandoned the dream of continuing education due to paucity of time and money. It makes learning much easier as one need not be physically present in the classrooms all the time. Through VIL students are anticipated to learn to analyse the problem situation, devise the problem solving strategies, solve the problems and evaluate the consequences, all of which are considered as high-order abilities required in this new era. VIL should be facilitated by the provision of real-life experience so as to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-life experiences by enabling students to learn in a simulated situation similar to the real ones.
The business case: The missing link between information technology benefits and organisational strategies
Authors: Marnewick Carl
Published: July 2014

Purpose: Business cases are an integral part of information technology (IT) projects, providingthe linkage between the organisational strategies and the promised benefits. Most majorproject management standards and methodologies make reference to the business case andits intended usage.Problem investigated: The success of IT projects is measured based on the benefits they deliver; anecdotal evidence states that IT projects fail at an alarming rate. The benefits are promised in the business case and should be delivered. This study focuses on whether there is a gap between theory and practice with regard to the way that organisations use the business case to approve, manage and track the promised benefits throughout an IT project.Methodology: This article reports on exploratory research that was initiated to establish the current practice of business case application. Four research questions were developed based on an extensive literature review to support or debunk the anecdotal evidence. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather evidence from organisations based on these research questions.Findings: The results suggest that organisations make use of business cases for various reasons and mostly in line with theory. There are, however, aspects that need to be addressed, such as the linkage between the business case and the harvesting of promised benefits.Value of research: This article confirms the theoretical aspects of the business case but highlights some deviations from practice. Organisations need to be more vigilant in the management of the business case to ensure the tracking and realisation of promised benefits.
Severe Pulmonary Artery Hypertension Following Intracardiac Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot: An Unusual Finding
Authors: Kumar Bhupesh , Puri Goverdhan D. , Manoj Rohit , Gupta Kirti , Shyam S. K.
Published: July 2014

Although mild increase in pulmonary vascular resistance following intracardiac repair of tetralogy of Fallot is often seen in the early postoperative period, it usually subsides without any sequel. Persistent severe pulmonary artery hypertension after total correction is rare. We report a child with tetralogy of Fallot and Down's syndrome, who developed severe pulmonary hypertension and low cardiac output syndrome following an intracardiac repair, which was resistant to specific pulmonary vasodilators and increasing ionotropes. The post correction echocardiogram suggested an intact ventricular septal defect patch, no residual gradient across the right ventricular outflow tract, with free pulmonary regurgitation. The child had a poor outcome. A postmortem biopsy revealed histopathological signs of pulmonary hypertension.
Functional Ion Channels in Human Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells: Voltage‐Dependent Cation Channels
Authors: Firth Amy L. , Remillard Carmelle V. , Platoshyn Oleksandr , Fantozzi Ivana , Ko Eun A. , Yuan Jason X.‐J.
Published: July 2014

The activity of voltage‐gated ion channels is critical for the maintenance of cellular membrane potential and generation of action potentials. In turn, membrane potential regulates cellular ion homeostasis, triggering the opening and closing of ion channels in the plasma membrane and, thus, enabling ion transport across the membrane. Such transmembrane ion fluxes are important for excitation‐contraction coupling in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC). Families of voltage‐dependent cation channels known to be present in PASMC include voltage‐gated K+(Kv) channels, voltage‐dependent Ca2+‐activated K+(Kca) channels, L‐ and T‐type voltage‐dependent Ca2+channels, voltage‐gated Na+channels and voltage‐gated proton channels. When cells are dialyzed with Ca2+‐free K+‐solutions, depolarization elicits four components of 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP)‐sensitive Kvcurrents based on the kinetics of current activation and inactivation. In cell‐attached membrane patches, depolarization elicits a wide range of single‐channel K+currents, with conductances ranging between 6 and 290 pS. Macroscopic 4‐AP‐sensitive Kv currents and iberiotoxin‐sensitive Kca currents are also observed. Transcripts of (a) two Na+channel α‐subunit genes (SCN5A and SCN6A), (b) six Ca2+channel α‐subunit genes (α1A, α1B, α1x, α1D, α1Eand α1G) and many regulatory subunits (α2δ1, β1‐4, and γ6), (c) 22 Kv channel α‐subunit genes (Kv1.1 – Kv1.7, Kv1.10, Kv2.1, Kv3.1, Kv3.3, Kv3.4, Kv4.1, Kv4.2, Kv5.1, Kv 6.1‐Kv6.3, Kv9.1, Kv9.3, Kv10.1 and Kv11.1) and three Kv channel β‐subunit genes (Kvβ1‐3) and (d) four Kca channel α‐subunit genes (S/oα1 and SK2‐SK4) and four Kca channel β‐subunit genes (Kcaβ1‐4) have been detected in PASMC. Tetrodotoxin‐sensitive and rapidly inactivating Na+currents have been recorded with properties similar to those in cardiac myocytes. In the presence of 20 mM external Ca2+, membrane depolarization from a holding potential of −100 mV elicits a rapidly inactivating T‐type Ca2+current, while depolarization from a holding potential of −70 mV elicits a slowly inactivating dihydropyridine‐sensitive L‐type Ca2+current. This review will focus on describing the electrophysiological properties and molecular identities of these voltage‐dependent cation channels in PASMC and their contribution to the regulation of pulmonary vascular function and its potential role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary vascular disease.
ATEMÁTICAAFRO E AFRO-BRASILEIRA NA ESCOLA PÚBLICA DE ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL
Authors: Rodrigues Junior Edmilson De Avila
Published: July 2014

O povo brasileiro é formado basicamente por três povos, os brancos (europeus), índios e africanos, sendo os últimos trazidos à força para servirem aos senhores como mão de obra, trazidos em navios negreiros, tratados como meros pedaços de carne. Com a chegada dos negros, a cultura daquele continente também chegou às nossas terras e aqui se transformaram. E no ambiente educacional, pensando em uma das pontas desta rica cultura, os contos, como os contos afros e afro-brasileiros são tratados dentro da escola? Eles são realmente utilizados? Ou apenas ficamos na superficialidade de sempre? O objetivo deste artigo perpassa por estas questões, buscando perceber se a lei 10.639/03 tem surtido o efeito desejado.
AS CRISES E OS IMPACTOS DA MODERNIDADE NA VIDA DOS INDIVÍDUOS CONVIVENDO EM SOCIEDADE
Authors: Angelin Paulo Eduardo
Published: July 2014

O presente trabalho aborda a temática modernidade, destacando as crises e os processos perpassados por ela, bem como os seus impactos sobre o indivíduo e a sociedade. Para tanto, nos apoiaremos em Boaventura de Souza Santos, promovendo diálogos com pensadores autoridades sobre o tema, como Jürgen Habermans, Anthony Giddens, Zygmunt Bauman e Jürgen Habermans, Hannah Arendt. A discussão será feita em duas partes. Na primeira parte confrontaremos autores que discutem sobre os processos de crise perpassados pela modernidade, apontando as deficiências, ambiguidades e o esgotamento do projeto da modernidade. Na segunda parte analisaremos as transformações ocorridas, tanto na vida quotidiana do indivíduo, quanto nas socioestruturas da sociedade, devido ao advento do paradigma sociocultural e político da modernidade
DESAFIOS DO ENSINO MÉDIO E POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS EDUCACIONAIS
Authors: Carmo Erinaldo Ferreira do , Chagas José Aercio Silva das , Figueiredo Filho Dalson Britto
Published: July 2014

Este artigo é resultado de um trabalho de pesquisa sobre a educação básica, e em especial sobre o Ensino Médio, e as políticas públicas nacionais voltadas para este nível de ensino. Ele descreve e analisa o novo Ensino Médio brasileiro, os seus grandiosos desafios e suas relações com o Ensino Fundamental e com o Ensino Superior, considerando a legislação educacional vigente, o modelo de acesso à universidade e as exigências de conhecimento amplo dos meios produtivos e do mercado de trabalho. Através de dados oficiais são avaliados os investimentos públicos em educação, as metas educacionais estabelecidas e a diferenciação entre o ensino da rede pública e da rede privada.
COMPUTADORES NO PROCESSO EDUCACIONAL: UMAANÁLISE PÓS-FENOMENOLÓGICA
Authors: Bozatski Maurício Fernando , Trindade Larissa De Lima
Published: July 2014

Inicialmente, neste estudo procura-se entender de que modo a linguagem é utilizada como mediadora num processo educacional e de que forma esta centralidade do processo linguístico cultural é propulsora dos avanços culturais da humanidade. Posteriormente, demonstra-se o modo como os computadores vem alterando a face da sociedade nas últimas décadas. Finalmente, analisa-se a possibilidade de os computadores serem utilizados no processo educacionaldesempenhando um papel mais central, não sendo considerados apenas como instrumentos que transformam a linguagem escrita em linguagem eletrônica, mas como o próprio objeto da aprendizagem.
Editorial
Authors: Alano Elsi Do Rocio Cardoso
Published: July 2014

Como anunciado na edição anterior, a Revista Divers@!, durante o ano de 2013 passou por alguns processos de melhoria da qualidade de nosso periódico, o que de certa forma nos trouxe elementos que contribuem para uma reflexão contínua sobre as temáticas que circundam as publicações em nossa Revista. Portanto, é um momento enriquecedor para a toda a equipe da Divers@!, o que contribui significativamente para este momento de transição para o Sistema Eletrônico de Revista (SER) da Universidade Federal do Paraná, tendo em vista sua inserção no sistema de periódicos da UFPR.