bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth performance, haematology and serum biochemistry of West African dwarf sheep fed cassava peel - oil palm leaf meal based diets in a hot humid tropics
Authors: Jiwuba Peter-Damian Chukwunomso , Jiwuba Lydia Chidimma , Onyekwere Moses Udoha
Published: September 2018

The growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical characteristics of thirty-six West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep of about 10 - 12 months of age and averaged 8.53kg in weight were sourced from the College flock. Four dietary treatments designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4 were formulated to contain 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% oil palm leaf meal (OPLM) respectively were randomly assigned to the animals. The experimental animals were divided into four groups of nine animals each, with each group replicated thrice with three animals per replicate. Each group was allotted to one of the diets in a completely randomized design. The animals were weighed at the beginning of the trial and weekly subsequently and data for growth performance were generated. Blood samples were obtained from one animal in each replicate, and data generated were analyzed statistically. Average daily feed intake, total dry matter intake and average daily weight gain were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the dietary treatment, with animals on T4 group having higher and better values. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) also differed significantly (P<0.05) with sheep on T3 and T4 (11.82 and 11.49 respectively) having the best FCR. The haematology showed that the packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCV) were significantly (P < 0.05) improved at 10%, 20% and 30% inclusion levels of OPLM, respectively. Sheep in treatment groups had improved (P < 0.05) white blood cell (WBC) count than those on the control group. Serum biochemistry results showed that total protein, albumin and globulin were significantly influenced (P < 0.05) and tended to increase with increasing levels of test ingredient. Sheep in treatment groups had higher (P < 0.05) urea values than those on control. Creatinine values at 20% and 30% inclusion differed significantly (P < 0.05) with the control value. Cholesterol was significantly influenced (P < 0.05) and followed an irregular trend across the treatment groups. The results showed that inclusion of OPLM had a beneficial effect on the general performance of the WAD sheep. Therefore, 30% OPLM supplementation was recommended for optimum performance in WAD sheep.
She-E-Os and the Cost of Debt: Do Female CEOs Pay Less for Credit?
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Farooq Muhammad Umar , Zhang Junrui , Makki Muhammad Abdul Majid , Sun Junqin
Published: September 2018

Does the CEO’s gender matter to lenders? Using data from 2006 to 2015 for listed companies in China, we find reliable evidence that lenders charge firms led by female CEOs (She-E-Os) less for debt than they do from firms led by male. In addition, we find that the leadership structure of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) also matters to lenders because SOEs with female CEOs have lower cost of debt than do those with male CEOs. Our findings remain consistent after controlling for endogeneity issue.
Rented vs. owner-occupied housing and monetary policy
Authors: Rubio Margarita
Published: September 2018

The aim of this paper is to show how housing tenure (rented vs.cowner-occupied) affects monetary policy. I propose a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with housing, both owned and rented. First, I analyze how, in the model, preference parameters, fiscal incentives, and institutional factors determine the rental market share and the residential debt-to-GDP ratio. Then, within this framework, I study how the transmission and optimality of monetary policy differ depending on these factors. From a positive perspective, impulse responses illustrate differences in the monetary transmission mechanism. I find that of all factors, tax incentives generate the largest differences. In normative terms, results show that when the relative size of the rental market is larger, monetary policy is more stabilizing. An optimal monetary policy analysis also suggests that in this case, monetary policy should respond more aggressively to inflation and disregard output, because the financial accelerator effects are weaker.
Long – Term Intraocular Pressure Changes after Intravitreal Injections
Authors: Grava Sintija , Laganovska Guna
Published: September 2018

Introduction. Direct drug delivery by intravitreal injection is an essential tool in the treatment of retinal diseases and the studies have demonstrated that patients undergoing treatment with intravitreal anti-VEGF agents may experience sustained and delayed elevation of intraocular pressure. According to literature, the incidence of sustained elevation of intraocular pressure varied from 3.45% - 11.6%. Aim of the Study.To research the changes of intraocular pressure after intravitreal injections in patients with a diagnosis of agerelated macular degeneration, diabetic maculopathy, and retinal vein occlusions. Material and Methods. A prospective study was done in Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia from November 2015 - January 2016. In this study were interviewed and examined 31 patients who had had intravitreal injections. For data analysis, SPSS 23 was used. Results. From 31 patient there were 20 (65.5%) females and 11 (35.5%) males. They were divided into three groups depending on the diagnosis. There were 26 (83.9%) patients with age-related macular degeneration, 3 (9.7%) with diabetic retinopathy and 2 (6.5%) with retinal vein thrombosis. From 31 patient the IOP after intravitreal injections were increased in 21 (67.7%) patient - 13 (41.9%) in the right eye and 10 (32.2%) in the left eye. In both eyes the pressure was increased from 14 to 17 mmHg (14.08 to 17.08 mmHg in the right eye and 14.1 to 17.3 in the left eye). From 6 (19.3%) patients who had glaucoma before intravitreal injections, in 4 (66%) intraocular pressure had increased from 14.7 to 18.5 mmHg in the right eye and from 12.5 to 17 mmHg in the left eye. Conclusions. Patients with previously diagnosed glaucoma had a greater rise in intraocular pressure compared to patients with no glaucoma diagnosis. Further studies with a greater number of patients and identical intraocular pressure measuring method before and after injections are needed to better evaluate the effects of intravitreal injections on intraocular pressure.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia – Analysis of Possible Prognostic Factors Predicting the Outcome
Authors: Racko Iveta , Karklina-Kravale Ieva , Abola Zane , Meldere Ilze
Published: September 2018

Introduction. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) - a relatively rare developmental defect due to a failure of pleuroperitoneal canal closure. The size of the defect between abdominal and thoracic cavities may be variable and it may have a significant impact on the clinical manifestation and prognosis. In this study we set out additional factors to determine if they affect the outcome of the newborns with CDH. Aim of the Study. To investigate and analyze the influence of selected postnatal prognostic factors for predicting the outcome. The primary outcome measure was survival. Material and methods. The present study is retrospective including the data collection and analysis of medical documentation of patients born with CDH and treated in the Children’s Clinical University hospital between 2012 and 2017. The selected prognostic factors included antenatal diagnostics, Apgar score at 1' and 5', need for an early intubation (≤ 3 h after birth), initial blood gases in first 24 h of life, time interval between delivery and surgical therapy, the stomach and liver presence in the thorax, additional congenital abnormalities, a type and duration of invasive ventilatory support. Outcome parameters were compared between survivors (S) and non-survivors (NS). Results. 19 patients (pts) were identified - 14 S and 5 NS. Total mortality rate - 26%. 17/19 had left-sided, 2/19 - right-sided CDH. 17/19 pregnancies were monitored, prenatal diagnosis was made in 8 pts - 3 of them NS. The mean Apgar score at 1’ in S group was 5,5, NS - 5,0. At 5’ - 6,7 and 5,6. Need for an early intubation was 64% for S, 100% - NS. Initial blood gases in S (n=11) and NS (n=5) showed the mean pH value of 7,18 and 7,02. Mean PaCO2 - 62,92 and 77,42 mm Hg. 16/19 underwent the operation. 2 pts died before and 3 after surgical therapy. The average time interval between delivery and surgical therapy in S group was 31,6 hours, NS - 73,7 h. The intrathoracic liver was observed in 3 pts, 2 of them died, the intrathoracic stomach - 2, none of them died. 14/16 pts had a primary surgical repair (PR), 2/16 - Silo closure before total repair. 6 pts had additional congenital defects - 2/14 S and 4/5 NS. 5 out of all 6 had cardiac anomalies. The average required conventional ventilation time in S (n=9) was 175,9 h, NS (n=3) - 25,7 h. High-frequency oscillatory ventilation for S (n=6) was applied for 255 h, NS (n=5) 157,3 h. The results showed statistically significant relationship between the outcome and additional abnormalities (r(17)=.623, p=0.017) and time interval between delivery and surgical therapy (r(11)=.768, p=.014). Conclusions. The possible predictors of outcome were additional abnormalities and time interval between delivery and surgical therapy.
Epidemiology and Antibacterial Treatment of Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis in Patients Hospitalized at Children’s Clinical University Hospital in Riga, Latvia
Authors: Petruhina Jevgenija , Urbane Urzula Nora , Petersons Aigars , Pavare Jana
Published: September 2018

Introduction.Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) is one of the most serious bacterial infections in children that may result in severe complications, such as sepsis, septic shock, bone and joint destruction, disruption of longitudinal bone growth, and even death. Early recognition and evaluation of severity of AHO, awareness of the local prevalence of different microorganisms, as well as timely initiated adequate treatment are crucial for prevention of serious complications. Aim of the Study. To identify the main causative agents of AHO and their antibacterial susceptibility, and to evaluate the applied treatment strategies of AHO in pediatric patients in Clinical Children’s University Hospital (CCUH) in Riga, Latvia. Material and methods. All patients diagnosed with AHO and treated at CCUH were included in retrospective, descriptive study conducted between 1st of January 2014 and 31st of December 2017. Results. The main causative agent for AHO in the study patients was methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), which was isolated from blood cultures of 40% (n=24) of patients and from 79% (n=57) of intraoperative cultures. The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was low (found only in one patient, or 1.4%). Thirteen different antibiotics were applied for treatment of AHO, of which Oxacillin was the most common (received by 89.4% of patients). In 57% of cases (n=54) the patients received monotherapy, and 43% of patients (n=40) received a combination of two or more antimicrobials. The most commonly used combination of antibiotics was Oxacillin plus Clindamycin, which was applied in 25.5% of cases (n=24). In 77% of cases (n=72). a transition from one antibiotic to another was observed. On discharge, oral treatment with Cefuroxime or Clindamycin was most commonly prescribed (in 52.5% and 36% of cases, respectively). The total duration of treatment varied between 5 and 20 days, with a median of 25 days. Conclusions. The main causative agent of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in children treated at Children’s Clinical University Hospital was Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The prevalence of MRSA at CCUH was very low, which must be considered when prescribing empirical antibacterial treatment, giving preference to narrow spectrum antibiotics. Establishment of local guidelines for management of AHO in children at CCUH, including necessary investigations, treatment algorithm for inpatient and outpatient use with defined duration of treatment and time of conversion to oral antibiotics, follow-up and clinical endpoint criteria, and information for parents or carers.
Obstacles to Personal Creativity Among Arab Women from the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries
Authors: Abdulla Ahmed M. , Runco Mark A. , Alsuwaidi Hanadi N. , Alhindal Huda S.
Published: September 2018

Personal obstacles to creativity were investigated by sampling 297 Arab women from four Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Obstacles to Personal Creativity Inventory, as self-report, was used. It assesses four types of obstacles (a) inhibition/shyness, (b) lack of time/opportunity, (c) social repression, and (d) lack of motivation. The results showed that the highest mean was reported for the lack of time/opportunities factor, followed in order by the three other factors: lack of motivation, inhibition/shyness, and social repression. (A high mean is indicative of more obstacles.) A multivariate analysis of variance indicated that reported obstacles to creativity significantly differed by field of study. Women in the arts reported experiencing fewer obstacles related to social repression in comparison with women in engineering, who showed the highest mean. No significant effects were observed for level of education, country and income in the GCC countries. The MANOVA also showed significant interactions between (a) education and sector (i.e., government vs private), (b) country and sector, (c) income and field of study, and finally (d) between field of study and sector. Results from this study were compared to two other studies, in Brazil and Mexico, that used the Obstacles to Personal Creativity Inventory. The high mean found for the lack of motivation in GCC countries deserves further investigation, given that motivation is so important for creativity and often is something that can be encouraged.
Potential Mechanisms Underlying the Impact of Imaginative Play on Socio-Emotional Development in Childhood
Authors: Jankowska Dorota M. , Omelańczuk Iwona
Published: September 2018

The aim of this paper is to weigh the empirical and hypothetical evidence to assess the claim that imaginative play supports the acquisition and development of social and emotional competence. We analyse children’s play and social skills using a development-based perspective. On this basis, we describe the developmental trajectories of imaginative play and the components of socio-emotional competence during childhood, especially in the pre-school period. In addition, we review the research literature on the possible link between imaginative play and creativity in children, and on how this type of play is predictive of later life creativity. Finally, we discuss hypothetical mechanisms that may account for the relationship between imaginative play and social competence in the preschool years and beyond.
Effect of experimentally induced hypothyroidism during gestation period on activity dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNF) in newborn rat brain tissue
Authors: Cesur Gökhan , Eren Mehtap Kılıç , Eren Erdal , Ergin Kemal , Ek Rauf Onur , Yıldız Yüksel , Şirinyıldız Ferhat , Gök Balcı Umut , Ongel Kurtulus
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of prenatal hypothyroidism on neonatal rats by the way of activity-dependent neuroprotective factor (ADNF) expression.

Methods

Twenty-one Wistar albino neonatal rats were divided into two subgroups; a control group and neonatal rats with experimental maternal hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism was induced by using propylthiouracil (PTU). Neonatal rats obtained PTU from breast milk continuously for 1 week after birth. The rats from the control group were fed only normal feed and water. After birth, body weight and blood thyroid hormone levels were tested. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Slug, Numb, Notch-1 and ADNF antibodies were used for immunohistochemical analysis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting analyses were used to evaluate ADNF gene expression levels from 1-week-old rat’s brain.

Results

There was no difference between the two groups for birth weights. The thyroxine (T4) level from the experimental group was <0.4 ng/mL, and it was 0.8 ng/mL for the control group. It was shown that, the results from the experimental group samples had significantly lower ADNF mRNA levels than control group (p < 0.05). The increase from GFAP and Numb expression and decrease from Slug expression were shown in the experimental group. Local differences were identified for ADNF and a decrease was shown in both sides of brain. There was no difference for Notch-1 expression for both groups.

Conclusion

In this study, decreasing ADNF expression might contribute to developing neurological problems in congenital hypothyroidism.
The response of meteorin-like hormone and interleukin-4 in overweight women during exercise in temperate, warm and cold water
Authors: Saghebjoo Marziyeh , Einaloo Afsaneh , Mogharnasi Mehdi , Ahmadabadi Fereshteh
Published: September 2018

Background

Meteorin-like hormone (Metrnl) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) are protein molecules that stimulate the production of brown adipose tissue to improve diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of Metrnl protein and IL-4 in overweight women during exercise in temperate, warm and cold water.

Materials and methods

Thirteen overweight young women (mean age 25.21 ± 3.27 years, body mass index 26.43 ± 1.34 kg/m2) were selected randomly and performed three sessions of interval exercise (40 min per session, 65% of maximum oxygen consumption) in non-consecutive days in temperate (24–25 °C), warm (36.5–37.5 °C) and cold (16.5–17.5 °C) water. Blood sampling was done immediately before and after exercise.

Results

The Metrnl level significantly increased after exercise in temperate and warm water (p = 0.0001) and significantly decreased in cold water (p = 0.0001). IL-4 level significantly increased after exercise in warm water (p = 0.003), while there was no significant change after exercise in temperate and cold water.

Conclusions

Exercise in warm water appears to stimulate and accumulate immune cells compared to temperate and cold water. This feature can be used to stimulate the production of hormones such as Metrnl and IL-4 to enhance brown fat, although more studies are needed in this regard.
Effects of Cerium on the Inclusions and Pitting Corrosion Behavior of 434 Ferritic Stainless Steel
Authors: Yu Y. C. , Zhang S. H. , Wang S. B.
Published: September 2018

The effects of Ce addition on the inclusions and the pitting corrosion behavior of ferritic stainless steel were investigated. The results showed that Ce2O3·SiO2 and Ce2O2S inclusions were mainly found in 434 ferritic stainless steel containing 0.011% or 0.023 wt% Ce, which is the most appropriate addition of Ce that could contribute to produce the dispersive and fine rare earth inclusions. According to the thermodynamic analysis, Ce inclusions could be produced by rare earth elements combining with oxygen, sulfur, or preexisting SiO2. While the kinetic analysis and mechanism for formation of inclusions suggested that the area ratio of the pure SiO2 inclusion decreased with Ce increasing, and the difference of [Ce] concentration between the original inclusion interface and the SiO2 solid unreacted nuclear interface is the main reason to cause the different process of inclusion modification. Meanwhile, when the content of Ce was 0.011% or 0.023%, the resistance to pitting corrosion increased with the interface areas between the inclusions and the steel matrix decreasing. However, the excessive Ce addition resulted in the increase of size and quantity of inclusions, which would reduce the resistance to pitting corrosion.
Usefulness of hematological parameters for differential diagnosis of endometriomas in adolescents/young adults and older women
Authors: Seckin Berna , Ates Mete Can , Kirbas Ayse , Yesilyurt Huseyin
Published: September 2018

Background

Inflammatory processes have been considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. However, the predictive role of inflammatory hematological parameters in endometriosis is not clear. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical value of hematologic markers in the differential diagnosis of endometriomas in younger and older reproductive age women.

Materials and methods

A retrospective chart review was done for 502 patients who underwent surgery: 267 with endometriomas (endometrioma group) and 235 with other benign adnexal cysts (control group). Patients were placed into subgroups as younger (adolescents/young adults, aged <25 years) and older (aged ≥25 years) women. Total and differential white blood cell count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet indices and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were evaluated with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for differential diagnosis of endometriomas.

Results

The mean serum levels of PLR, plateletcrit (PCT), platelet count and CA-125 (reference range below 35 IU/mL) were significantly higher in the endometrioma group (p < 0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) for CA-125 was 0.85 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.82–0.88] (p < 0.001) for the entire group. However, platelet count, PLR, and PCT showed poor discriminative ability for detecting endometriomas with AUC values of 0.59 (95% CI, 0.55–0.65, p < 0.001), 0.58 (95% CI, 0.53–0.63, p = 0.002) and 0.61 (95% CI, 0.56–0.66, p < 0.001), respectively. In age-stratified analysis, these platelet indices had also low diagnostic performance in both age groups.

Conclusions

Hematologic markers do not adequately differentiate ovarian endometriomas from other benign cysts in neither adolescents/young adults nor older women.
Cybersecurity at the Grassroots: American Local Governments and the Challenges of Internet Security
Authors: Norris Donald F. , Mateczun Laura , Joshi Anupam , Finin Tim
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we examine cybersecurity challenges faced by America’s local, governments, including: the extent of cyberattacks; problems faced in preventing attacks from being successful; barriers to providing high levels of cybersecurity management; and actions that local governments believe should be taken to improve cybersecurity practice. Our research method consisted of a focus group of information technology (IT) and cybersecurity officials from one American state. Our findings indicate that cyberattacks are constant and can number in the tens of thousands or more per day. While our participants noted that while they were not perfect at it, they felt that they had cybersecurity technology under good control. Their biggest challenge is human – that is, end-users who make mistakes or engage in misconduct. Local governments face several barriers in providing high levels of cybersecurity, including: insufficient funding and staffing; problems of governance; and insufficient or under-enforced cybersecurity policies. Participants suggested several ways to improve local government cybersecurity, including: vulnerability assessment, scanning and testing, cybersecurity insurance, improving end-user authentication and authorization, end-user training and control, control over the use of external devices, and improved governance methods, among others. We conclude by making suggestions for further research into local government cybersecurity.
Amberlite XAD7 resin functionalized with crown ether and Fe(III) used for arsenic removal from water
Authors: Ciopec Mihaela , Davidescu Corneliu Mircea , Negrea Adina , Duţeanu Narcis , Rusu Gerlinde , Grad Oana , Negrea Petru
Published: September 2018

Water represents an essential resource for life and for all natural processes. Our existence and our economic activities are totally dependent on this precious resource. It is well known that into the developing countries the main resource of drinkable water is represented by underground waters, so their contamination with arsenic represents a real problem that needs to be solved. To solve the problem of arsenic water pollution, it was necessary to develop a series of chemical, physicochemical and biological methods to reduce arsenic concentrations from water. From all these methods, adsorption offers many advantages including simple and stable operation, easy handling of waste, absence of added reagents, compact facilities and generally lower operation cost. The goal of this paper is to study the sorption properties of a new adsorbent material prepared by impregnating Amberlite XAD7 resin with crown ether (dibenzo-18-crown-6 ether) and loaded with Fe(III) ions. Solvent impregnated resin (SIR) method was used for functionalization. Amberlite XAD7 resin functionalization was evidenced by energy dispersive X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis and determination of specific surface by the Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) analysis. Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies were performed in order to determine the removal efficiency of the studied adsorbent for arsenic removal from water. In order to study the As(V) adsorption mechanism the experimental data were modelled using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second order kinetic models. Kinetic of adsorption process was better described by pseudo-second-order model. Experimental data were fitted with three non-linear adsorption isotherm models: Langmuir, Freundlich and Sips. Obtained experimental data were better fitted by Sips adsorption isotherm. The values of thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH°, ΔS°) showed that the adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous. The results proved that Amberlite XAD7 resin with crown ether and loaded with Fe(III) is an efficient adsorbent for the As(V) removal from water. The possibility of reuse the adsorbent material through adsorption and desorption cycles was also studied and it was found that the material can be used in five sorption-desorption cycles. Maximum adsorption capacity obtained experimentally being 18.8 μg As(V)/g material.
The communicative wheel: Symptom, signal, and model in multimodal communication
Authors: Durst-Andersen Per , Cobley Paul
Published: September 2018

This paper addresses the need for a model of communication with a new, holistic conception of language within it. The resultant process model is called theCommunicative Wheel. It consists of three communicative products: the sender’s input corresponding to his/her experience of a situation (symptom), an output corresponding to a piece of information to the receiver (signal), and the receiver’s intake corresponding to a description of the situation referred to (model). What the model of the wheel suggests, is that the understanding of “utterance” assymbolicneeds to be replaced by an understanding of it asindexical.
The Influence of Footwear Tread Groove Orientation on Slip Outcome and Slip Severity
Authors: Blanchette Mark G. , Powers Christopher M.
Published: September 2018

Previous research utilizing mechanical testing has revealed that footwear tread groove orientation has a significant impact on available friction. However, the influence of tread groove orientation on slip potential in human subjects has received little attention. The purpose of this study was to determine if footwear tread groove orientation influences slip outcome and severity. Thirty-six subjects were allocated into two groups matched by sex, age, height, and weight. Subjects in each group wore a shoe with a different tread groove orientation (parallel versus perpendicular). Subjects ambulated across water-contaminated porcelain ceramic tile, and their slip outcome was recorded. Slip severity was assessed by slip distance as quantified using a motion analysis system. Results indicated that the parallel groove group experienced a greater proportion of slip events (15 of 18) compared with the perpendicular groove group (9 of 18). On average, parallel grooves also resulted in significantly greater slip distances compared with perpendicular grooves (34.6 cm versus 5.6 cm). Our findings indicate that tread groove orientation has an impact on slip outcome and slip severity.
The Effectiveness of Technology for Improving the Teaching of Natural Science Subjects
Authors: Nawzad Lezan , Rahim Dana , Said Karzan Wakil
Published: September 2018

This paper investigates the eﬀectiveness of integrating technology with teaching method for science subjects. For this, the research was conducted in Shahid AbdulRazaq primary school in Sulaimania city-Iraq. Two methods were used for this investigation: A questioner’s form and testing method. The participant students were 50 students from grade 3 and 5. The results showed that student’s preference for using technology in teaching science was 75% and 95% for both third and fifth grade. Also, the passing rate for the students of third and fifth grade using technology teaching method is 57% and 83% compared to 43% and 17% respectively when the traditional method used for teaching science subject. This research confrmed that teaching science subjects with technology increased the student’s interest in the learning process and improved the student’s achievement scores and also helped the students to do their homework more easily compared to the traditional teaching methods.

Abstrak

Artikel ini mengindentifkasi keefektivan integrasi teknologi dalam metode pembelajaran mata pelajaran sains. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di sekolah dasar Shahid Abdul-Razaq, Kota Sulaimania, Iraq menggunakan 2 (dua) instrument, yaitu kuesioner dan tes. Responden penelitian ini melibatkan 50 (limapuluh) siswa kelas 3 (tiga) dan 5 (lima). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa minat siswa dalam menggunakan teknologi dalam pembelajaran sains sebesar 75% dan 95% untuk kelas tiga dan lima. Selain itu angka kelulusan siswa kelas tiga dan lima ketika menggunakan teknologi untuk menunjang pembelajaran sebesar 57% dan 83%, berbeda dibanding ketika menggunakan metode tradisional, yakni sebesar 43% dan 17% juga untuk kelas tiga dan lima pada mata pelajaran sains. Penelitian ini menegaskan bahwa pembelajaran sains yang ditunjang teknologi terbukti dapat meningkatkan minat siswa dalam pembelajaran dan meningkatkan capaian hasil belajar siswa, selain itu juga membantu siswa dalam mengerjakan pekerjaan rumah lebih mudah disbanding ketika sekadar menggunakan metode tradisional.

Keywords: Educational technology; natural science; traditional teaching method
RASTREANDO EL ORIGEN DE LAS ESTRUCTURAS DEL CONOCIMIENTO OCCIDENTAL FUNDADAS EN EL RACISMO EPISTÉMICO. HACIA UNA NUEVA PROPUESTA PARA LA DESCOLONIZACIÓN DEL PENSAMIENTO
Authors: Aguilar García Elizabeth Gabriela
Published: September 2018

En los albores de la civilización occidental, la cultura griega, con la invención de la filosofía, y el pueblo hebreo, como pueblo elegido de Dios, se colocaron en la cúspide de la condición humana, uno de manera espiritual y el otro de manera filosófica racional; conformando así, la “tierra de abono” para el racismo y los genocidios/epistemicidios del siglo XVI, perpetra- dos por el cristianismo. Estos ingredientes teológicos, raciales e imperiales se manifestaron posteriormente en la filosofía moderna y han influido hasta nuestros días en el pensamiento occidental. Se propone a la meta epistemología de contextos como alternativa al colonia- lismo intelectual imperante en la academia latinoamericana recuperando el sumo respeto que le tienen a la naturaleza los pueblos originarios e incorporarlo en la construcción del conocimiento sin velado neoeurocentrismo, racismo epistémico e imperialismo.
Investigaciones cualitativas en salud publicadas en revistas biomédicas peruanas
Authors: Carcausto-Calla Wilfredo Humberto , Morales-Quispe Juan
Published: September 2018

Introducción. En el Perú se viene realizando investigación cualitativa en salud con diversas características, aunque hasta el momento no se cuenta con estudio alguno respecto al estado de los documentos publicados. Nuestro objetivo fue describir las características de las investigaciones cualitativas en salud publicadas en revistas biomédicas peruanas indizadas en Latindex, SciELO Perú y Scopus durante los años 2006-2016. Métodos. Estudio bibliométrico descriptivo sobre publicaciones cualitativas en salud. Resultados. De los 67 artículos originales publicados, la producción anual en los años 2006 a 2012 no llegó a superar las 5 publicaciones por año. A partir del 2013 se muestra una tendencia creciente, siendo 2015 el año de mayor producción. El 80,6% de las publicaciones tuvo como autoría principal al género femenino, 19,4% recibieron financiamiento y el 22,4% registraron su investigación en un comité de ética. La disciplina más estudiada fue ciencias del cuidado y servicio con el 53,7%. El 41,8% de los diseños cualitativos fueron descriptivos. La mayoría de los artículos fueron publicados en la revista “In Crescendo de Ciencias de la Salud”, “Anales de la Facultad de Medicina” y la “Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Publica”, con 19,4% (n=13), 17,9% (n=12) y 16,4% (n=11) respectivamente. Conclusiones. La investigación cualitativa en salud presentó una tendencia creciente en el Perú. Se realizó más estudios cualitativos descriptivos en la disciplina de ciencias del cuidado y servicio, la mayoría de artículos no tuvo financiamiento ni registro de autorización por el comité de ética.
Prognostic Nomogram Based on Histological Characteristics of Fibrotic Tumor Stroma in Patients Who Underwent Curative Resection for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Jing Chu-Yu , Fu Yi-Peng , Huang Jin-Long , Zhang Mei-Xia , Yi Yong , Gan Wei , Xu Xin , Shen Hu-Jia , Lin Jia-Jia , Zheng Su-Su , Zhang Juan , Zhou Jian , Fan Jia , Ren Zheng-Gang , Qiu Shuang-Jian , Zhang Bo-Heng
Published: September 2018

Background

Fibrotic tumor stroma (FTS) has been implicated in cancer promotion in several neoplasms. The histological features of FTS are convenient and easily accessible in clinical routine in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) specimens. The goal of this study was to explore prognostic impacts of the quantity and maturity of FTS on surgical ICC patients. Moreover, we aimed to propose an efficient prognostic nomogram for postoperative ICC patients.

Materials and Methods

The clinical profiles of 154 consecutive postoperative ICC patients were retrospectively analyzed. Tumor-stroma ratio and morphological maturity of FTS were evaluated on hematoxylin and eosin-stained tumor sections. CD3, CD8, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) staining were performed on corresponding tissue microarrays. The nomogram was established on variables selected by multivariate analyses and was validated in 10-fold cross-validation.

Results

Rich tumor stroma and strong α-SMA expression were associated with poor overall survival (OS). However, in multivariate analyses, these two biomarkers failed to stratify both OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Immature FTS was correlated with tumor multiplicity, advanced clinical stage, and sparser CD3 and CD8 positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and was identified as an independent prognostic indicator for both OS and RFS. The nomogram comprising FTS maturity, tumor number, microvascular invasion, and lymph node metastasis possessed higher predictive power relative to conventional staging systems.

Conclusion

Immature FTS was an independent risk factor for survival and was associated with sparser CD3 and CD8 positive TILs in ICC. The prognostic nomogram integrating the maturity of FTS offers a more accurate risk stratification for postoperative ICC patients.

Implications for Practice

Accumulating evidence has suggested that fibrotic components in tumor microenvironment (TME) play a complicated and vital role in TME reprogramming and cancer progression. However, in clinical practice, the evaluation of fibrotic tumor stroma (FTS) is still neglected to some extent. This study's findings indicated that, in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), the histological maturity of FTS is a robust prognostic indicator for patients who underwent curative resection. Moreover, prognostic nomogram constructed on the maturity of FTS possessed higher predictive power relative to the conventional tumor-node-metastasis staging systems. Taken together, the evaluation of FTS should be emphasized in clinical routine for more accurate prognostic prediction in postoperative ICC patients.
Cosmetic Consequences of Breast-Conserving Treatment for Breast Cancer: Something Worth Talking About
Authors: Brands-Appeldoorn Angelique , Maaskant-Braat Sabrina , Schenk Karin , Roumen Rudi
Published: September 2018

Background

Breast-conserving treatment (BCT) for breast cancer can lead to deformation of the treated breast, resulting in patient dissatisfaction with the final cosmetic outcome. Currently, literature on the specific information needs of patients concerning the cosmetic effects of BCT is lacking. The aim of the present study was to investigate the information needs of breast cancer patients regarding the long-term cosmetic outcome after BCT.

Subjects, Materials, and Methods

The data from 115 women who had undergone BCT in a general teaching hospital breast cancer unit in The Netherlands were studied. Structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were conducted between October 2012 and April 2013. A mixed model of quantitative and qualitative research was used to explore patient-reported information needs. A phenomenological approach was used to analyze the qualitative data.

Results

This study shows that women undergoing BCT want to discuss long-term cosmetic effects. Most patients appreciate such information immediately after the diagnosis. Patients indicated that it is also important to pay attention to the cosmetic effects during the follow-up visits, because deformation of the breast can also occur at a later stage. Furthermore, half the patients indicated that they would not likely raise the subject of cosmetic effects of the treatment themselves.

Conclusion

Breast cancer patients have a need for long-term attention for cosmetic outcome of BCT, which should be tailored during the treatment and follow-up process.

Implications for Practice

Currently, no literature exists concerning patients' needs for information regarding the cosmetic effects of breast-conserving therapy (BCT). Bringing up the cosmetic effects of BCT by health care professionals does not appear to be a standard part of treatment and follow-up. It is expected that the quality of care and life will be improved by providing information and guidance regarding the cosmetic outcome of BCT within the existing structure of the breast cancer pathway. Discussion and visualization of the cosmetic effects prior to treatment will lead to more realistic expectations, and as a result, secondary interventions, such as partial prostheses and plastic surgery, may be easier to discuss and accept.
Role of morphologic indices on the variation of limiting void ratios for uniform sands
Authors: Chang Ching S. , Meidani Mehrashk , Deng Yibing
Published: September 2018

New material parameters for sands, morphologic indices, are introduced to represent the relationship between particle size (D) and shape (R), and these indices are used to predict the limiting void ratios of sands from particular sites. In previous regression analyses, the authors determined a surface in the three-dimensional (3D) space made up of three variables: the limiting void ratio, D and R, where the two variables D and R are considered to be independent. In this study, however, it has been shown that D and R have a well-defined relationship for sand samples from the same site, where particles tend to have the same genesis and transport history. Due to the existence of a relationship between D and R, the function, which best fit the data in the 3D space, cannot be determined using the commonly used regression method. The orthogonal regression method is adopted to derive equations for the relationships among the three variables: limiting void ratio, D and R. The derived equations demonstrate the role of morphologic indices on the variation of limiting void ratios for uniform sands.
Gravel beach profile response allowing for bimodal sea states
Authors: Polidoro Andrea , Pullen Tim , Eade Jack , Mason Travis , Blanco Belen , Wyncoll David
Published: September 2018

The south coast of the UK is identified as a location where significant wave swell components are present within the regional wave climate. During the winters of 2006 and 2014, several sites along the south coast of the UK were subject to significant damages where flood events were recorded. These sea states were characterised by having a double-peaked wave spectra, observing a connection between wave spectrum shape and beach response. A two-dimensional (2D) physical model study was carried out to investigate the effect of gravel beach profile response under wave spectra characterised by swell-wave and wind-wave periods in various combinations. The physical model results showed the effect of bimodal wave spectrum on beach crest erosion and were compared with the parametric model Shingle and the numerical model XBeach-G. Based on this 2D physical model study, a new parametric model, Shingle-B, was derived and an online tool developed and made available on the website for the National Network of Regional Coastal Monitoring Programmes of England. This new tool has been validated at two sites in the south of England where field data of both waves and profiles were available.
A freestanding CNTs film fabricated by pyrrole-modified CVD for capacitive deionization
Authors: Song Dan , Guo Wenlei , Zhang Tao , Lu Pengyi , Guo Anran , Hou Feng , Yan Xiao , Liang Ji
Published: September 2018

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are an excellent electrode material for capacitive deionization (CDI), due to their excellent electronic conductivity and outstanding chemical/physical stability. Their powder form and easy aggregation, however, have greatly limited their practical CDI performance. Aiming to address this issue, the authors report a freestanding CNT film which was fabricated by floating-catalyst chemical vapor deposition, as a binder-free electrode for CDI. By simply adjusting the pyrrole content in the precursor, the morphology of the resulting CNT film can be tuned to meet the requirements of CDI. In the presence of 2 wt.% pyrrole, the CNT film with a mesoporous structure exhibited a large specific surface area of 198 m2/g and an increased electric double-layer capacity (40 F/g), which is more than two times as large as that of the pristine CNT film. Due to these merits, the electrosorption capacity for sodium chloride (NaCl) of the CNT film electrode (11·39 mg/g) has been greatly improved compared with that of the pristine CNT film (4·52 mg/g), showing a good potential for large-scale practical CDI.
Türkiye’de Okul Öncesi Eğitim Mekânlarına Yönelik Bilişsel Gelişimi Destekleyici Mobilya Önermeleri
Authors: SOYUPAK İlayda , ETİ PROTO Meltem
Published: September 2018

Fiziksel çevre, okul öncesi eğitimde öğreticilik görevi üstlenir.
Çevreden gelen uyaranlar çocuk tarafından algılanır, işlenir, yorumlanır,
yeniden düzenlenir; böylelikle çocuk mekanı deneyimleyerek öğrenir. Öğreticilik
niteliği gözetildiğinde, okul öncesi eğitimde fiziksel çevre tasarımının
sürdürülen eğitim yaklaşımı ile doğrudan ilişkili olduğu ortaya çıkar. İyi
tasarlanmış bir okul öncesi eğitim çevresi, sürdürülen eğitim yaklaşımına bağlı
olarak çocuğa uygun öğrenme imkanları sunar ve çocuk gelişimini destekler. Okul
öncesi eğitim çevreleri farklı hacimsel özelliklere sahip olmasına karşın, ilgili
eğitim yaklaşımına uygun olarak tasarlanmış mobilyaların kullanılması ile o
eğitim yaklaşımının değerlerini yansıtan, öğretici, bilişsel gelişimi
destekleyici çevreler yaratılabilir. Bu çalışma kapsamında, Marmara
Üniversitesi Prof. Dr. Ayla Oktay Uygulama Anaokulunda gerçekleştirilen saha
araştırması ve ilişkili çalışmalardan elde edilen veriler değerlendirilerek
okul öncesi eğitimde bilişsel gelişimi destekleyici mobilya tasarım önerileri
geliştirilmiştir. Saha araştırmasında; seçilen okulun yetişkin ve çocuk
kullanıcılarıyla gerçekleştirilen sözlü görüşmeler, araştırmacının yetişkin ve
çocuk göz seviyesinde gerçekleştirdiği video kaydı, çocukların derslikleri tanıttığı
video kayıtları ve gözlem yöntemiyle veriler toplanmıştır.  Tasarım sürecinde, konuyla ilgili bilgiler,
saha çalışmasından elde edilen veriler ışığında problem tanımlanarak, tasarım
önermeleri oluşturulmuştur. Bu çalışmada, okul öncesi eğitimde fiziksel çevre
ve bilişsel gelişim ilişkisi incelemesi ve saha çalışması sonucunda ortaya
çıkan, Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı eğitim yaklaşımına uygun olarak geliştirilen
mobilya tasarım çözümleri değerlendirilmiştir
The impact of energy fuel choice determinants on sustainable energy consumption of selected South African households
Authors: Ateba Benedict Belobo , Prinsloo Johannes Jurgens , Fourie Erika
Published: September 2018

The erratic nature of electricity supply in South Africa combines with other factors continuous to affect household electricity demand, leading to increasing reliance on other fuels. This dependence is characterised by the use of traditional fuels by mostly low-income households, contributing significantly to environmentally harmful emissions. This study assessed the primary determinants of energy fuel choice in selected South African households, to alert policymakers to important energy consumption behavioural tendencies that can inform policies and that can assist sustainable energy growth and reduction of biomass use in households. The investigation was primarily based on energy consumption models and used a quantitative research design. Gauteng and North West were considered for data collection. Households, in general, tended to practice energy stacking. The results suggest policy measures that could promote sustainable energy use by households.
The viability of biomethane as a future transport fuel for Zambian towns: A case study of Lusaka
Authors: Shane Agabu , Kafwembe Young , Kafwembe Pride
Published: September 2018

The objective of the study was to determine the viability of biomethane as a transport fuel for Zambian urban towns. The study revealed good potential for biomethane production and use as a transport fuel in Zambian towns, using Lusaka as a case example. There is 3.67 million m3 biomethane potential from municipal solid waste alone in Lusaka. About 3 000 tonnes of organic fertiliser would replace an equivalent amount of chemical fertiliser. The replaced chemical fertiliser would lead to about 5.816 GgCO2eqy-1 as avoided emissions. The study showed a positive net present value at the prevailing market interest rates of 28–40%; the project would become unviable at interest rates higher than that. It was estimated that the project would recover its initial investment in a maximum of two years. The research findings have closed data and information gaps in Zambia and have potential to contribute to academic research, policymaking, investments, financing and interested parties.